Scream 4

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When Sidney (Neve Campbell) returns to her home town after 15 years, Ghostface Killer (the serial killer, not the rapper) decides to go on his first killing spree since the last time she was in town.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Marielle Jaffe, Marley Shelton, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella, Erik Knudsen, Anthony Anderson, Adam Brody, Alison Brie, Mary McDonnell, Lucy Hale, Shenae Grimes, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Aimee Teegarden, Brittany Robertson, Heather Graham

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's not bad. It's not good. It's just a completely unnecessary addition to your film repertoire. Especially if you've seen the other films in this series, because this one adds pretty much nothing to the party.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: How many Meta-jokes can one movie make? This movie attempts to determine that with the answer: All of them. Even the ones that have already been made in Screams 1, 2, & 3.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: You could feel sad for Courtney Cox and David Arquette who play a married couple in the movie, while playing a divorcing couple in real life. Their animosity towards each other really comes across on the screen.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Flashback to the 90s Award. You feel like you're right back in it, since nothing in this town or this franchise has evolved or been updated since then.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Emma Roberts hits a false note when she yells at Neve Campbell in a climactic scene, but then redeems herself with a short but perfectly nuanced performance in the following scene, in the hospital.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Remember when they remade Psycho shot for shot, and all anybody had to say was, "Why bother to remake it if you're just going to do the exact same movie with younger actors?" Well, that's exactly how you feel watching this movie. Only this time, it's unintentional... I don't know which is worse.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The "Why done it?" re-iterates how totally unjustified this killing spree actually is, and leaves you even more confused about why this particular character would have the capacity to kill anyone. The only redeeming part of the story is the ending after the ending, which at least tries something new, and then ruins it with a line of dialogue that suggests that you should never try anything new.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

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A: Scream 4 Trailer

Red Riding Hood

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Very loosely based on the fairy tale of the same name, this story of werewolves living amongst us seems to exist almost solely for the purpose of capitalizing on the Twilight phenomenon.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Lukas Haas, Julie Christie, Shauna Kain, Michael Hogan, Adrian Holmes, Cole Heppell, Christine Willes, Michael Shanks, Kacey Rohl

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. What the imitators of Twilight never seem to be able to capture is the one thing that makes the little girls scream: the squirm-inducing sexual tension between the heroes that comes from the fact that they can't have each other, and being teenagers with raging hormones, this means that they will absolutely die if they can't have what they want.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The part where she says, "Grandmother, what big eyes you have" is kind of funny, but not intentionally.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: A lot of people die, so-- no.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Red Riding Hood gets the award for being the first of a slew of lame fairy-tale re-tellings aimed at adults that have become the latest trend in Hollywood. Here's how Hollywood thinks, "What can we make into a movie that has a built in brand, that we don't have to spend money on?" And that's why there is now a Jack in the Beanstalk project in the works, two competing Snow White projects coming your way, and three Peter Pan movies racing to get to the big screen first. And all of them are action adventure films aimed at grown ups, because everyone knows that's who the fairy-tale brand speaks to the loudest... Think about it, Hollywood!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Shiloh Fernandez is a pleasure to look at, but he lacks the charisma of a Robert Pattinson. I want to give director Hardwicke props for casting her own Twilight discovery, Billy Burke, thus expanding his career, but unfortunately, Burke suffers from the same problem as Fernandez in this piece. Amanda Seyfried, though, pops off the screen effortlessly.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Catherine Hardwicke comes from a background as a set designer, so it comes as no surprise that the art direction in this film is beautiful. She also directed the first Twilight, so it comes as a great surprise that one of the shots in the film looks like it was literally poached from her vampire flick. I know I've seen that shot before, and while it's pretty, I'm not sure you're allowed to reuse your old shots from other movies unless it's part of an inside joke-- which this is clearly not. But, recycled shots or not, the look of this film is definitely its most compelling aspect.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: All of the interesting choices for who the werewolf might turn out to be are too obvious, so the writers are left with the choice to pick someone obvious, or pick someone more random, and either way we're going to be a little disappointed.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Red Riding Hood Trailer

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The Twilight Saga: New Moon

(Guest Review by Kacy)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Vampires, Werewolves and teen angst. Oh my God-- can you believe Edward actually dumps Bella?! I mean his reasons are good, but still! And then her only choice is to fall into the loving arms of Jacob-- who's a werewolf-- which is totally, like, an enemy of a vampire!

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Anna Kendrick, Jackson Rathbone, Cam Gigandet, Michael Sheen, Peter Facinelli, Rachelle Lefevre, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Dakota Fanning, Chaske Spencer, Billy Burke, Jamie Campbell-Bower, Graham Greene, Edi Gathegi, Cameron Bright, Christopher Heyerdahl, Charlie Bewley, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon, Christian Serratos, Gil Birmingham, Tinsel Korey, Tyson Houseman

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If you are a teenager, definitely. Or, of course, if you are a Cougar who likes looking at young men with their shirts off. And really, who isn't?

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: In true Twilight form, most of the laughs come from the cheesy special effects.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you wanted to see more of Edward because he’s hardly in this film
(nor was he in the book much).

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's got the Teen Choice awards in the bag... but we knew that before the film even came out.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Nothing spectacular, but no one is going to worry about what's coming out of those mens' mouths, because they're too busy staring at their shirtless werewolf bods.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Better than the first film. However, in the book, Bella just heard Edward's voice in her head, whereas in the film, the director made the bad choice of showing him as a floating vision.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Fairly true to the book. But I found it frustrating that this story
portrays a weak female who gives up on life when her boyfriend breaks up
with her. And she pines over the bad boy who left her, instead of giving
the nice boy a shot. Finally there are times when the story feels like a
classic case of domestic violence. The women (Bella and Sam’s wife) are
hurt by their “monster” men, but love and stay with them despite this. If I
had a daughter, I wouldn’t be thrilled that this kind of story and
characters is one that teenagers love and value. It’s a sad statement on
our society.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/36045/trailers

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Zombieland

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After zombies take over the United States, the few remaining humans must find new ways to survive in a world where no one can be trusted, and there's usually a guy in your backseat waiting to eat you.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard, and a comedy great who I'm not going to mention because I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Despite the constant threat of zombies attacking, this film is a fun, hilarious, and disgusting ride about complex characters, all of which are experiencing loss, and secretly longing to rekindle even the smallest form of human connection.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: From the first scene to the one that comes after the closing credits.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I wouldn't go that far.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Is it possible to get awards when you're a zombie movie?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Woody Harrelson is charming as a psychopathic zombie killer with a heart of gold. Emma Stone is one of my favorite up-coming actresses, even though most of you seem to have no idea who she is. And Abigail Breslin has never been more adorable than she is when she's sporting a shotgun. Come to think of it, shooting zombies is a skill that could've won her the talent portion of Little Miss Sunshine.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: First time feature film director, Ruben Fleischer, shows a distinct vision for comedy and a style all his own within the first minute of this film, and then he never lets up. If you have a comedy you need a good director for, get him now, before he stops returning your phone calls.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I'm not into zombie movies. On some level it seems like there is nothing we don't already know about what can happen with a zombie, and since they're generally slow and stupid, it's hard to imagine how a person couldn't easily escape one. This zombie movie works because it starts from the assumption that we all have a certain amount of knowledge about zombies, and takes off from there. Ultimately, it doesn't focus so much on the zombies attacking, as it does on the emotions of being left alive and alone, one of the sole survivors, in a world that's hardly worth living in.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/search/zombieland/trailers

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Twilight

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A teenage girl moves from her Phoenix home to the small town of Forks in the Pacific Northwest where she meets and falls in love with a vampire. Problems ensue.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Michael Welch, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Cam Giganet, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Justin Chon, Elizabeth Reaser, Rachelle Lefevre, Edi Gathegi

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! I know what you're thinking, "Isn’t this that cheesy vampire movie based on that cheesy teen girl book? You’re telling me to go? Really?" Yeah, really, especially since the film is better than the book and it’s an all-around entertaining night at the movies whether you’re a teen girl or not (I am not).

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Everyone knows there’s nothing funnier than deadpan vampire-humor. Plus, Robert Pattinson (as Edward) displays uncanny comic timing as he gets off some good lines that are (purposely) funny in their absurdity.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Probably not. Unless you’re a girl. And 15. And in love with the hottie at school who may or may not be a vampire but nevertheless is very cool.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It'll sweep MTV and the Teen Choice Awards, but do those buy it any credibility?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Anyone who has read the bestselling book knows it’s all about the teenage protagonists Bella and Edward, and boy do Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson deliver on these characters. They are one of the primary reasons the film surpasses the book, as both take material that could have been 100% camp and 100% crap and make it all work beautifully. Pattinson brings out all facets of the angsty and menacing sides of his 80 year-old vampire and Stewart deftly keeps her Bella from becoming a trite and shallow teen girl by conveying intelligence and grace. Their chemistry together works on every level and that is everything for a film like this. If you want to see a great example of two young, gifted actors raising the level of the material they’re in, then Twilight is worth seeing for that reason alone.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It all works and moves along at a brisk pace and Catherine Hardwicke shows off the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with plenty of stunning panoramic helicopter shots that keep the film grounded in a strong sense of place. She also gets credit for finding just the right overall tone for the film that gives it the gravity it should have, yet retains a sly sense of humor about it. One only wishes she had been given a bigger budget to make some of the effects and Spider-Man like climbing scenes look better and more believable. (Edward’s skin in sunlight = cheesy sparkling effect,) After this film makes a gazillion dollars, I’m sure Hardwicke will have that budget for the sequel.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Melissa Rosenberg does a great job adapting Stephanie Meyer’s much-beloved book. Having read the novel recently, I can say that she collapses and condenses much of the repetitive dialogue down to its essence which makes for a more tolerable story that plays better to a wider audience. And judging from the 200 or so screaming teen girls that were in the theater when I saw it, she was also able to satisfy their demand for staying true to the plot and characters of the book. Good work Melissa, here’s hoping you’re hired to write the coming sequels! (There are 4 books in the series.)

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Red

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When 3 teenage boys kill an old widower's dog, he becomes obsessed with getting justice, or at least making them admit to their feelings of remorse.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Brian Cox, Kim Dickens, Tom Sizemore, Noel Fisher, Kyle Gallner, Shiloh Fernandez, Amanda Plummer, Robert Englund, Richard Reihle

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. The story feels like one that's never been told before-- except in the Jack Ketchum novel, on which it is based. So if you liked the book, or you like small movies about never giving up on justice, that are in no way hopeful or uplifting, this movie is for you.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not really, but it does have Tom Sizemore in it, and there's always something kitsch about that.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It could be hard on the dog-loving contingent.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Unless they're reading this blog, the awards nominators probably won't even find out this movie exists.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: As is to be expected, Brian Cox gives a rich, complex, and transformative performance. But Kim Dickens proves why she has a bigger career in television than in film. Her depth of character is not only unconvincing on the big screen, it's lack also causes her to seem annoyingly trite, regularly taking you out of the movie, as you think about how mis-matched she is to Brian Cox.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Clearly the directors (and producers) did a lot with a little. While the film is small and contained, it maintains a level of professionalism that isn't always apparent in films of this size.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It is continually alluded to that something is going on beneath the surface in these teenage kids' family that causes them to act so badly, and possibly even justifies their behavior on some level. But aside from the fact that their dad is a total jerk, we never end up finding out what it is that has them all running scared and acting evil. Had that been clarified, the ending might've felt like it had resolved something.

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