New Releases, 10 November 2009

Another week, another great set of movies to help pass the time....Life is grand, is it not?

FOOD, INC

The Citizen Kane of what-you're-eating-is-bad-for-you-and-for-the-world films.  Played True/False, a must-see

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-ae.mo.food03jul03,0,4736004.story

TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3

Denzel Washington takes over where Walter Matthau left off in this gripping updated thrill machine

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/21416733/review/28631105/taking_of_pelham_1_2_3

UP

One of the most loved of the year, about an old man, a boy and a lot of balloons

http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-05-27/film/pixar-s-up-soars-in-entirely-unexpected-ways/

THE UGLY TRUTH

Two mismatched but attractive people who seem to loath each other are forced together to...I know, sounds familiar, but this one has Girard "Potato face" Butler in it!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/the-ugly-truth,1156298.html

INK

Scary indie offering, has been called "creepy" and "sublime"

http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=28421

A WOMAN IN BERLIN

A well-reviewed look at suffering during World War II, a "ravishing" film

http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/btm/feature/2009/07/17/berlin/index.html?CP=IMD&DN=110

THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD

Adam McKay and Will Ferrell bring you a used car comedy that inspired several reviews along the lines of "No Lemon.." "Comedy not a Clunker..." and "What can I do to put you in this theater seat today?"  

http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-goods14-2009aug14,0,7245765.story

SPREAD 

Ashton Kutcher is a young gigalo who meets his match in a stunning young gigalette

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/25457787/review/29554761/spread

LAKE TAHOE

Stunning film, gorgeous and well acted film about a guy trying to get his car fixed.  Really, it looks great.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/movies/10lake.html

Have a wonderful week everyone!

New Releases, 27 October 2009

OOOoooooOOOOooOoooOoOooohhh...it's a spooky halloween list, full of comedies and children's movies and period pics.  

WHATEVER WORKS

New Woody Allen, with Curb Your Enthusiasms' Larry David in a rare age-appropriate Woody-surrogate role

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1905522,00.html

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS

Those wacky glacier buddies are at it again, see if that squirrel thing finally gets his nut!

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090629/REVIEWS/906299995

TRANSFORMERS 2

Those wacky car-robot-aliens are at it again, in Egypt and under the ocean.  Plus a li'l Megan Fox for the guys, and a li'l Shia "the beef" LaBoeuf for the ladies...

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20286964,00.html

CHERI

Sharon Stone is up to some Victorian high-jinks, seducing gentlemen and setting heads a-turning and spats a-spatting

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/25/MVNT18CL7S.DTL&type=movies

ORPHAN

The lone horror film to come out this week, about a young girl who seems plagued by tragic "accidents"...

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090722/REVIEWS/907229993

IL DIVO

Critically lauded, "Fellini-esque" film about a shifty and corrupt Italian politician, if you can imagine such a thing

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937270.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=Il+divo

NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS

Debra Messing is celebrating the holidays with her man's crazy Latino family.  Not that being crazy has anything to do with being Latino.  Forget I said anything. 

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2008-12-11-nothing-like-the-holidays_N.htm?csp=IMDBreviews

BUNUEL: DEATH IN THE GARDEN

Seldom-seen Bunuel classic from 1956, about gold-diggers.  Literal gold-diggers.  Miners.

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=120

FOOD MATTERS

New documentary that covers the question of what we should eat.  Please please please be Hardee's...

http://www.sunfood.com/buy/4/58/DVD-Food-Matters-by-James-Colquhoun.aspx

DR. BRONNER'S MAGIC SOAPBOX

Doc about a crazy huckster who peddled soap and put his crazy rants on the bottle.  Looks pretty entertaining

http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/movies/29bron.html

INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (1977)

The movie that Tarantino's wasn't really based on.  Pulp war classic.

http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/btm/feature/2008/08/13/inglorious/index.html?CP=IMD&DN=110

SCANNERS (1981)

Cronenberg's thriller about powerful psychics trying to take over the world, and the powerful psychic trying to stop them

http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/classic/scanners.shtml

http://www.horrorreview.com/old/egscanners1981.html

Have a happy holiday, and remember--don't eat anything that's not in a bag that says 3 Musketeers on it.

New Releases, 13 October 2009

Hey y'all, we just gots some movies what's never been watched, and I think y'all really need to pitch in and rent them ifyouknowwutI'msayin

LAND OF THE LOST

Time-and-space traveling goofstravaganza with Will Ferrell and whatshisface from Eastbound & Down, lovingly based on the tv show

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090603/REVIEWS/906039993

THE PROPOSAL

Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock hate each other, but then have to PRETEND TO BE MARRIED!!!  What a lark!  Oh, I hope they don't fall in love at the end, it would ruin the realism of the whole thing.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-the-proposal-1003984186.story

EVERY LITTLE STEP

Heavily acclaimed documentary about the revival of A Chorus Line.  If you have even a little interest in musical theatre, you will love this film.  If you hate musical theatre, watch out--you may be converted.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/07/MV1I16V9D5.DTL&type=movies

DRAG ME TO HELL

Sam Raimi is back in Army of Darkness form with this quirky horror flick.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/29/entertainment/et-drag29

AMERICAN VIOLET

Heart-touching film starring Alfre Woodard, who deals with a wrongful conviction.  Based on a true story, and don't miss rapper Xzibit in his largest dramatical role to date!

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20272454,00.html

ADORATION 

New film from Atom Egoyan, which is all you need to know--it will be very, very good

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/movies/08ador.html

Y'all come back next week, right?  Have a good'un!

New Releases, 1 October 2009

It's a short, sweet, funny-looking list of movies this week, everybody.  If it were a dog, it would be a pug.  If it were a poem, it would be a limerick.  If it were a mustache, it would be a rainbow-colored Hitler mustache with twisty curlicues at the ends.

ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL

Billed as a "real-life Spinal Tap", this film looks at the long-struggling heavy metal band Anvil, still plugging away in middle age.  Great reviews, played at Ragtag.

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=135902

YEAR ONE

Jack Black teams up with Michael Cera to spoof prehistory and biblical times in one fell swoop.  

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/movies/19year.html?ref=movies

NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD: THE WILD, UNTOLD STORY OF OZPLOITATION!

Another great, quirky doc, this one about the Australian exploitation genre and its heyday

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/day_for_movies_97eAgGciG7GMriN1OihFAJ

IMAGINE THAT

Imagine that Eddie Murphy's daughter can pick flawless stock picks.  It's easy if you try.  You can call Eddie Murphy a dreamer.  But he's not the only one.

http://movies.tvguide.com/imagine/review/297741

MY LIFE IN RUINS

Red hot follow up to My Big Fat Profitable Greek Wedding, with some romance and scenery added in FOR NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!!!  We must be CRAZY to offer this deal!!!  Rent now!

http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/story/1080248.html

Have a great week everyone!

New Releases, 29 September 2009

Hey everybody!  Movies!  Go!

AWAY WE GO

John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are charming and wonderful for a few hours.  Expect light social satire

http://movies.tvguide.com/away/review/297686

MANAGEMENT

Jennifer Aniston might just fall in love with someone here, look out

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090513/REVIEWS/905139993

THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE

Latest Soderbergh film, about a call-girl, starring a real-life adult film actress!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/21/DDRF17O1FJ.DTL&type=movies

BROTHERS BLOOM

Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo star as con-artist brothers, out for one last con...

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-05-14-bloom-review_N.htm

SHRINK

This one isn't about a man who, every time he visits his psychiatrist, gets a little smaller--but that's a good idea, isn't it?

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-07-23-shrink_N.htm

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS

Animated flick, the government has to bring out their secret monsters to fight mean aliens from space

http://blog.oregonlive.com/madaboutmovies/2009/03/review_monsters_vs_aliens_than.html

FILTH & WISDOM

Directorial debut from Madonna.  That's all you need to know, you're either in or you're out at this point.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/steven_rea/20081024_Dirty__sexy__muddled_movie_from_Madonna.html

PRINCESS

Animated film, slightly more adult, from Denmark.  Murdered porn stars, revenge, etc.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/movie/88474/princess

SECRECY 

Well-reviewed documentary about the US intelligence apparatuses, if that's the word

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/24/DDJM13NFD1.DTL

LIFE ON MARS

Great cop tv show from the BBC

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/24/DDGJ1K3K6K1.DTL

Have a great week everyone!

New Releases, 22 September 2009

It's a big old New Movie Tuesday everybody!  And I'm happy for you that you're reading this, and I'ma let you finish, but 9th St. gots the best videos of the decade y'all!  Best of all time!

30 ROCK Season 3

You really need a review for this?  How about you talk to five little golden ladies, all named Emmy?...

ADAM RESURRECTED

Jeff Goldblum plays, in the latest Paul Schrader film, a Jewish comedian who, in order to escape the Nazis, has to turn into a fly!  Actually he debases himself to Willem Defoe, but that sounds like less fun.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-12-10/film/jeff-goldblum-blazingly-suited-for-role-in-adam-resurrected/

LYMELIFE

Someone gets Lyme disease in this hilarious and compelling lymedy from Ragtag.  Is it Alec Baldwin?  Watch and find out!

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/li_back_and_enjoy_it_mmtWwmuBw1bUrzHOSX6M2O

O'HORTEN

Well-reviewed film from Sweden or Norway or one of those places.  Looks really good.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/movies/22hort.html

OBSERVE AND REPORT

Remember when those two huge studio movies set in Elizabethan England came out at the same time?  Well, if you remember Paul Blart Mall Cop then this is exactly the same thing!  

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20270917,00.html

TULPAN

Wonderful, wonderful film set in Khazakstan, in which a young man fresh from the army tries to get a wife and start a new life.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-04-01/film/sergei-dvortsevoy-has-his-way-with-camels-and-shepherds-alike-in-tulpan/

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

Wonderful, wonderful film in which a dashing young lothario (played by Matthew "Six-Pack Dream" McCaunaahghh) begins to rue his prior indiscretions...

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ghosts-of-girlfriends-past/Film?oid=1153017

WALLACE & GROMIT: MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH

New romp from Aardman studios, always a delight

http://1linereview.blogspot.com/2008/12/matter-of-loaf-and-death-2008.html

BATTLE FOR TERRA

Animated adventure set (get ready) on--you might want to sit down--on...ANOTHER PLANET!!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/30/MVV8176L5R.DTL

BOOK OF BLOOD

Sounds nasty

http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=19284

ALBINO FARM

Also a little nasty.  Based on a legendary people farm in Springfield, MO!  (As if Springfield wasn't scary enough already)

http://www.horror-movies.ca/horror_reviews_4450.htm

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

Space program stuff.  Compares to In the Shadow of the Moon, I think.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0928406/

That's it.  Have a great week!

New Releases, 25 August & 1 September 2009

If you ever wanted to take a week and just sit on your couch and watch films well you're in for a treat--your time has arrived!

SUNSHINE CLEANING

From Ragtag, a sweet, touching, humorous look at a murder-scene-cleanup business

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/13/entertainment/et-sunshine13

DUPLICITY

Tony Gilroy's (Bourne scripter) polished, entertaining romantic whodunit

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/movies/20dupl.html?ref=movies

GOODBYE SOLO

Well reviewed film about a man and his cab driver

http://www.slate.com/id/2214720/

ADVENTURELAND

Teen gets summer job in amusement park; good times ensue

http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/

STATE OF PLAY

The hot Yankee remake of the riveting BBC miniseries about power and its abuse

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/movies/bal-to.state17apr17,0,7945164.story

SIN NOMBRE

Two immigrants make an odyssey to the United States.  Must-see from Ragtag

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123750034926389145.html (halfway down the page)

HEROES Season 3

See the show that makes Lost look like Mork and Mindy!  Actually, that analogy doesn't apply

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/television/1175536,SHO-Sunday-heroes21.article

FIGHTING

Don't FIGHT the urge to see this one!  It's FIGHTastic!  If you don't like it, go FIGHT yourself.

http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/04/24/in_this_new_york_story_the_gloves_really_are_off/

TROUBLE THE WATER

Great New Orleans/Katrina documentary that uses a lot of amazing home-footage

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-08-19/film/katrina-stark-and-surreal-in-trouble-the-water/

RUDO Y CURSI

Spanish heartthrob Gael Garcia Bernal purses his lips in an Iberian pucker in this film, which played at Ragtag

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20276716,00.html

THE INFORMERS

Bret Easton Ellis screenplay, sex and drugs in LA

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/23/MVPM176BPU.DTL&type=movies

HOUSE Season 5

You really need a review for this?  Too bad--check out Hugh Laurie's novel!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gun_Seller

NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS

From the director of Hannah Takes the Stairs, a new film that acutely examines sensitive young people and their troubles

http://www.avclub.com/articles/nights-and-weekends,2719/

Have a great week of watching all of our new releases, everybody!