I can pretty much guarantee you missed knowing that Detention even existed, which is a shame. Although I hate horror films, I enjoyed this mashup of teen movies, high school slasher flicks, and parodies. The more you know about any of those types, the more you’ll enjoy this film, which never stops moving and is jam-packed full of references to everything else, just like the modern world. You definitely need to pay attention to get everything that’s going on — […]

If you’re looking for an entertaining comedy this weekend with some good music and solid laughs, I strongly recommend Pitch Perfect. It’s not an unpredictable movie — if you’ve seen the trailer, shown below, then you’ve likely guessed that it’s Glee meets Mean Girls meets Bring It On with that funny girl from Bridesmaids (Rebel Wilson, playing “Fat Amy”). However, it’s well-done, and I took great enjoyment in solid laughs from talented women. Anna Kendrick (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) […]

Saw this apocalyptic comedy romance this afternoon, and we enjoyed it, although I wanted to argue with it at times. Steve Carell does an excellent job playing much the same character he portrayed in Crazy, Stupid, Love (but he does it so well), while Keira Knightley (Bend It Like Beckham, those pirate movies) is his wacky, confused, yet adorable neighbor. What sets this apart from any other getting-to-know-each-other odd-couple film is the premise — the world will end in 21 […]

If you liked the first movie, you’ll love this sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. There’s more Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams — but only at the beginning), more action sequences with slowed-down analysis by Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.), more bromance bantering and innuendo with Watson (Jude Law). It’s all exciting and visually stimulating, but those expecting a more traditional Sherlock will again be disappointed. This film ramps up the parts that caused debate and dissension among fans last time. […]

As you probably know, John Carter is the story of a Civil War veteran who, through a mysterious cave, winds up on Mars, which they call Barsoom. There, he becomes a warrior fought over by various tribes and winds up saving the planet from their own civil war. Two hours twelve minutes is a lot of adventure, but I’d heard good things. I have to say, I’m not a convert, but I’m very glad I got a chance to check […]

Such a comfortable feeling, putting in this Blu-ray and (after the various promos) seeing a beautiful view of a trip to the country. The Secret World of Arrietty is the perfect introduction to the world of Studio Ghibli, with their stories of magical discovery in simple, natural life. Shawn (David Henrie) is going to spend at week at the house where his mother grew up, one where he will discover an amazing secret: There are little people in the walls […]

Cartoon College is a new documentary about The Center for Cartoon Studies. That school, founded in 2005 in White River Junction, Vermont, accepts 20 students a year to work towards a Master of Fine Arts degree focused on the comic medium. The film’s directors, Josh Melrod and Tara Wray, shot from 2007-2010, exploring “what it takes to make it in the world of indie comics”. They describe the graduates as “ready to face the uncertainty of a career in one […]

Blake Edwards’ infamous S.O.B. (1981) has returned to DVD courtesy of Warner Archive. Edwards’ wife Julie Andrews plays a character loosely reminiscent of her real-life self, an actress best known for her family-friendly saccharine musicals. Richard Mulligan is her husband, Felix Farmer, a producer who’s just made his first flop. (Reportedly, the story was inspired in part by the experiences of Edwards and Andrews making Darling Lili.) Farmer has a nervous breakdown and tries to commit suicide, but after failing […]