Sneak Peek Review- “Your Highness”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Three and a half out of Five ‘Staches.

When Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson first pitched the idea for their BBC series “Black Adder, ” they were told they were nuts. No one would watch a historical comedy that took place in the middle ages.  Those naysayers were wrong.  And while Monty Python had success lampooning multiple eras of the earth’s past, I still find myself weary of any film that tries to take on a similar feat. “Your Highness, ” written by Danny McBride and directed by David Gordon Green (though better known to most male audiences as the movie with Natalie Portman’s ass) is the latest film to try and find comedy in the  dark ages. Good thing for the viewing audiences, it succeeds.

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Sneak Peek Review- “Insidious”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Two out of Five ‘Staches.

Too many movies are being billed as, “From the people who bought you (insert movie name).” While “Insidious” is produced by the same people who produced “Paranormal Activity” they had nothing to do with the writing or direction of this film. That task was handled by the writer and the director of “Saw; ” don’t let the ads fool you. The marketing teams behind the promotions want you to think the pairing of these minds will bring you the scariest film you have ever seen. Unfortunately it feels more like a mockery of a haunted house film, more than anything else.

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Review- “Sucker Punch”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Bald Upper Lip

Dear “Battle: L.A.,” I sincerely apologize. I know I was hard on you and maybe went a little overboard, but after seeing the new Zack Snyder eye candy flick, “Sucker Punch” you deserve an award.

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Sneak Peek Review- “Source Code”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Three and a Half out of Five ‘Staches.

If you have read through my whole site, you know I thought “Moon” (written and directed by Duncan Jones) was the best movie of 2009. Jones is back with his follow up in the directors chair with a script from Ben Ripley.  While “Source Code” is nowhere near the knockout I felt “Moon” was, it is definitely an enjoyable movie experience that will take the audience for a mind bending ride, but not confuse everyone; ala “Inception.”

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Sneak Peek Review-“Rubber”

Movie Review By Matthew Schuchman-Four out of Five ‘Staches.

Among the many descriptions that can explain “Rubber” (gorgeous, funny, bloody) the one term that does not fit is; unoriginal.  In fact, “Rubber” is not just original, it pretty much sums up all my complaints about the cookie cutter format of popular films today. I walked out of “Rubber” a little shell-shocked from the experience, but the more thought I put into it, the more amazing it became.

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Sneak Peek Review- “Limitless”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Two and a Half out of Five ‘Staches.

“Limitless” is a fairly opaque film when it comes to the plot. It feels like it overstays its welcome a little at points and somehow lifted its “style” from films like “Wanted” or “Shoot ‘Em Up,” with less action of course.  Yet, in the end, “Limitless” is still an enjoyable experience with characters you will despise, but still empathize with.

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Sneak Peek Review- “Paul”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Three out of Five ‘Staches.

Remembering what I said in my review of “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World”; I thought before I saw the film that maybe Edgar Wright’s work would suffer a bit without his “Spaced,” “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” cohorts Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.  As it turned out, I was extremely wrong. “Paul” on the other hand, sees Pegg and Frost writing the script with “Superbad” director Greg Motolla at the helm; no Edgar Wright. While “Paul” succeeds as an enjoyable film with a good handful of laughs (the best stuff all comes in the last 15 minutes of the movie), I would have to say, it would have been interesting to see how much better it might have been in Wright’s hands.

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Sneak Peek Review- “Battle: L.A.”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- One out of Five ‘Staches.

Battle: Cliche’; that is the easiest way to sum up the completely unoriginal and painfully lengthy film that is, “Battle:L.A.” No amount of “special” effects and action can make me enjoy what felt like a sadistic roller coaster of mundane acting, sub moronic dialogue and the directors attempt to give the audience motion sickness. Yet, it will make money and people who like seeing things blow up, will love it.

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U.S. Premiere Review- “Black Death”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman-Three out of Five ‘Staches.

Magnolia pictures and their Magnet pictures subsidiary are on a roll.  The companies as a whole are picking to release top quality fair, overlooked by mainstream big studios, gives them a chance and a hardy amount of them are massive successes. This is the company that is bringing you the overtly comedic blood-fest “Hobo With A Shotgun,” the story of a tire that has come to life; “Rubber,” and the Sundance hit, “The Troll Hunter.” So when you see a medieval set film called “Black Death” on their docket that stars Sean Bean, you may expect a masochistic blood orgy filled with decapitation and iron maidens.  While “Black Death” does deliver a tiny bit of that for those wanting it, it is much more a drama about the evils of religion.

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Sneak Peek Review- “Take Me Home Tonight”

Movie Review by Matthew Schuchman- Three out of Five ‘Staches.

When a movie is prone to constant delays, it usually is not a good sign. Once known as “Kids In America,” “Take Me Home Tonight” is finally being released on March 4th after about 2 years worth of delays.  This film though, is proof that delays and  a tired overdone story, actually mean nothing when the final product delivers.

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