Starring: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Edward Burns, Rachel Nichols, Cicely Tyson, Giancarlo Esposito, John C. McGinley & Jean Reno
Screenplay by Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson
Directed by Rob Cohen
Detective and psychologist Alex Cross hunts down a serial killer known as Picasso.
Who knew underneath
Madea’s wig, dress hid an
even worse actor?
Grade: D+
c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Alex Cross is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/5/13.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1712170/?ref_=sr_2
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Toby Jones, Joely Richardson & Elizabeth Olsen
Written and directed by Rodrigo Cortés
When two veteran paranormal researchers seek to debunk a legendary blind psychic, they find themselves in grave danger.
The skeptics: zero
Believers in hokum and
crappy endings: one
Grade: C+
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Red Lights is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748179/
Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Victor Garber & Tate Donovan
Screenplay by Chris Terrio
Directed by Ben Affleck
The true story of a CIA agent who set out to rescue six endangered American diplomats during the Iran Hostage Crisis by creating an elaborate cover that involved posing as the producer of a Hollywood science-fiction film.
On-screen roles aside,
Affleck can direct the f@#%
out of a movie.
Grade: A
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Argo is playing now in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1024648/
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton & Stacy Keach
Screenplay by Tony Gilroy & Dan Gilroy
Directed by Tony Gilroy
A chemically-enhanced special operative goes rogue after his government attempts to eradicate all traces of the black ops program that controlled him.
I’m pretty sure Bourne’s
true legacy would involve
a lot more punching.
Grade: B
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Bourne Legacy is playing now in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194173/
Starring: Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Synnøve Macody Lund & Eivind Sander
Written by Lars Gudmestad & Ulf Ryberg
Directed by Morten Tyldum
An art thief runs afoul of a vindictive mercenary.
Hell hath no fury
like that Game of Thrones guy scorned.
Plus, dog rides tractor.
Grade: B+
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Headhunters is now playing in select cities.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1614989/
TCFF 12-18
Starring: U.S. Navy SEALs
Written by Kurt Johnstad
Directed by Scott Waugh & Mouse McCoy
A highly-trained U.S. Navy SEAL team must stop a deadly terrorist attack.
Real SEALs L.A.R.P. up some
Call of Duty-style thrills. Don’t
quit your day jobs, boys.
Grade: C+
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Act of Valor is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1591479/
Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly & Ezra Miller
Screenplay by Lynn Ramsay & Rory Stewart Kinnear
Directed by Lynne Ramsay
A woman struggles with the increasing malevolence of her son and must cope with the tragic consequences of his behavior.
Swinton is subtle;
the directing not so much.
Bet the book’s better.
Grade: B-
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
We Need to Talk About Kevin is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/29/12.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1242460/
Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Anthony Mackie, Edward Burns & Ed Harris
Written by Pablo F. Fenjves
Directed by Asger Leth
An falsely-accused ex-cop escapes from prison and climbs out on the ledge of a tall building to serve as a distraction while his brother attempts to steal a valuable diamond that might help prove his innocence.
It’s fitting that this
plot resembles the splattered
corpse of a jumper.
Grade: C
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Man on a Ledge is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 5/29/12.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568338/
Starring: Dane Dehaan, Alex Russell & Michael B. Jordan
Screenplay by Max Landis
Directed by Josh Trank
The lives of three high school students spin out of control after they gain superpowers.
The only thing worse
than angsty teens? Angsty teens
with superpowers.
Grade: B
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Chronicle is available on Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706593/
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor & Joel Kinnaman
Screenplay by Jon Spaihts
Directed by Chris Gorak
Five young people in Moscow find themselves fighting for survival when invisible aliens attack.
These ETs suck our
energy, which explains why
this flick has no juice.
Grade: C-
c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Darkest Hour is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/10/12.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093357/
The Haiku Review 