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Enter the Wachowskis, who – either in reaction to the less than enthusiastic response that greeted the last two “Matrix” movies, or in an attempt to bury discussion of Larry’s personal life, whatever – decided that a big-screen “Speed Racer” flick was the perfect vehicle (he ha ho) for their directorial comeback. Hearing the advance buzz on the movie, most of it negative, and given my own lack of affection for the source material, my expectations couldn’t have been lower....

AFTER INNOCENCE (Director: Jessica Sanders)—A gripping, emotionally charged film that follows wrongfully convicted men freed by DNA evidence after decades in prison as they struggle to transition back into society. World Premiere. THE ARISTOCRATS (Director: Paul Provenza)—One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke—one shared privately by comics since vaudeville. World Premiere. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON (Director: Jeff Feuerzeig)—Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist, is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity, and love....

You’ve got to hand it to Bryan Singer. Not because he brings anything new and innovative to the story of the Man of Steel in “Superman Returns,” or makes us pause to reexamine the legend of Superman, but because he succeeds where even Frank Miller failed: he makes Superman…creepy. As the movie opens, the big lug has just returned to Earth after spending five years visiting the ruins of Krypton, his home planet....

Finally, Arizona gets the chance to make some extra cash. To his shock, it is a very dirty job: being a coyote, aka transporting a woman across the border. The titular animal is a powerful psychological symbol throughout the film. Literally, it means “a smuggler,” but figuratively, it represents aggression, predation, brutality, and bloodlust. The very darkest depths of human nature are explored here. Over the film’s duration, we see Arizona develop a genuine friendship with Martina (Marisa Echeverria), the woman he’s smuggling....

The corpse is found to be renowned physicist Cole Parsons (Adam Kenneth Wilson), who was leasing a cabin in the woods nearby. Cole hired Meg (Emily Alatalo) to be his guide, so she, along with coroner Jacob (Wesley French), for some unknown purpose. And who should show up as they investigate what led to Cole’s demise? None other than Cole himself. How is he alive, and why is his wife, Linda (Natalie Brown), also stalking about the cabin?...

The above plot synopsis is vague and hardly scratches the surface of what’s happening. Since the film goes backward, it’s a little tricky at first to understand how and why these characters are acting this way. But once the film jumps backward for the first time, the pieces begin fitting into place. Then, the next time, hop unravels even deeper layers, and so on and so forth, until the final flashback (?...

Kiwa takes the two through the woods to a big old house built on top of cliffs by the sea. The girls are nervous at first as both have been through the wringer. Even the hot delicious food Kiwa feeds them is met with suspicion by Yui, who wonders if she is being fattened up to be eaten by a witch. To put them at ease, Kiwa tells the girls folk stories of the area....

We Thrive places the spotlight on over a dozen American musicians of Armenian descent. This includes Hachig Kazarian, Kim Kashkashian, Dan Yessian, Sean Blackman, Ara Topouzian, Tia Mayhem, Tanya Venom, Rubik Mailian, Simon Javizian, Eliza Neals, Chuck Alkazian, among others. Their testimonies are interwoven throughout, as the movie is broken into several parts. Part one goes into the backgrounds of each artist, including their musical interests and heritage. Part two speaks to their Armenian culture, history, and their individual, familial experience with the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in 1915 by the Turks and the Ottoman Empire....

Why is Hollywood Drawn to Slots? Before we delve in and look at the top 3 movies, it’s worth considering why movies include slots in the first place. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, slots are universally recognized, and their appearance transports an audience to the heart of the world of casinos. Slots can also be used to inject humor and suspense in equal measure. Then there’s the range of titles to consider....

And that’s what Cameron wanted to talk to me about. “We’re doing a huge premiere for ‘Land of the Dead’ in Pittsburgh and we really want you and Amy involved,” he said. “Sure! Involved how?” “Can I get back to you on that?” As it turns out, CamOp’s involvement in the Pittsburgh premiere of “Land” came about in a very convoluted way. It seems that there’s an organization in Pittsburgh called Steeltown Entertainment, headed up by folks like Carl Kuralander (“St....

Even if the subject matter is entirely foreign to you, the reimagining of the formation of Lake Baikal in Siberia, it does not matter. Telengut’s art provides a connection to a story about the natural world in which we all live and that there are native people who have a much greater understanding of how to appreciate and honor it than anyone today. However, what is most interesting about Baigal Nurr – Lake Baikal is so much of its history and formation and decline resonates on a larger macro scale of how the Earth presently exists — earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, floods, blizzards, drought, and flooding — all happening now....

A woman is abducted from her home only to wake up later tied to a chair in some boiler room, surrounded by snarling tough guys and an evil ringleader who confesses that they are all there for one reason – to kill her. They toy with the woman a bit, relishing the torture, but also providing ample time for a rescue attempt that blows up into an all out gunfight complete with plenty of splathappy gore....

This brings up the first issue with the horror-thriller. The decision to murder the injured man via knife stabbings is very rushed. There’s a little build-up to this happening, and the film would work better had the married couple killed him via their car accident instead. The rest of the story picks up after Tasha and Dean bury the body. Back home, the two bicker and argue over the ease with which Dean killed the man and how to best move forward....

Meanwhile, a prison transport is passing through town carrying a serial killer (Kevin Conan Bankens). Like all psychotic villains, the killer is able to free himself and take out the officers guarding him, along with a pair of social media influencers who unluckily happen to pass by. After stealing their car, the killer is pulled over by Sheriff Abram. The killer gets the best of him and steals his police car and gear....

One night, Rim sees something strange happening near their property, but it is dismissed as the child’s wild imagination playing a trick. But, not long after, men are surveying the land, and the family is being informed that the president has chosen this peaceful place right next to their house to build a “green” landfill. But Walid, who has been nothing but a chill dude and loving father until now, starts to be unsettled and less optimistic about everything....

After a few attempts to reconnect with Julia, Adam spots a strange figure outside his window. Curious, he follows the creature under the crawlspace of his home to find the disgusting shelter it calls home. In Crawlspace, writer/director Jacquin shows that horror is not always about the jump scares and creatures in the dark recesses of life. Horror can often be used to comment on the dark side of life....

Nicholls is a very convincing Larry David doppelganger. Bauer nails the aesthetic of the early seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nicholls moves and bobs around Singapore with the charming aloofness of Larry David. When no one seems to recognize him at the event, Nicholls walks around awkwardly, evoking the hilarity of an actual episode. Unfortunately, the short doesn’t follow its feet with going full Larry David. Most of this plays out like a silent film, relying on the actor’s physical humor....

When Caleb gets home, he tells Celine he is on a business trip and not to forget the reservations they had tonight with friends. Caleb has to buy Celine a new dress at the last minute to keep up with her overdoing friend. Celine loves the dress and looks great at the restaurant while having a great time with her husband. Then Fiona walks in with a date, and she is wearing the exact same dress as Celine....

“Inspired by real s*it” that must’ve taken place in 2006 (since that’s when the film is set), Drunk Bus follows Michael (Charlie Tahan), a young campus bus driver, delegated to the rowdy late shift. The poor sap is getting over a break-up with the religious Amy (Sarah Mezzanotte) and lives with an invasive “old loser,” Josh (Zach Cherry). To make matters worse, Amy is about to come back to town....

BEST FILMS OF 2003 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING Despite Peter Jackson’s reluctance to cut the leash on this final chapter in his master trilogy, resulting in a Captain Linger ending that wears out its welcome long before the credits start rolling, this is still our number one pick for best picture of the year. Anybody surprised? LOST IN TRANSLATION Deservedly, a great deal of the press Sofia Coppola’s film has gotten has focused on the superb quality of her writing and direction....