Month April

  • Disneynature’s ‘Oceans’ is a spectacular sight

    http://www.ecorazzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/disneynature_oceans.jpgThe idea of paying to see a nature documentary at a movie theater certainly seems like an activity for children, retirees and people who don’t work for a living. The BBC series “Planet Earth” and networks like Animal Planet offer comparable programs in the living room, so why switch out of your pajamas?

    “Oceans,” the second theatrical release distributed by Disneynature, is worth every extra penny to see on the big screen. The cinematography is far more breathtaking than anything created by James Cameron or Steven Spielberg, including a real great white shark that’s as big as ol’ Bruce in “Jaws.”

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  • ‘Kick-Ass’ a bloody good superhero epic

    image With the exception of billionaire Bruce Wayne, superheroes must possess a proven superpower to survive the onslaught of the world’s most gruesome criminals. Masked crusaders don’t exist in real life because they’d probably be shot in the face within 30 minutes of their first patrol.

    Such is reality in “Kick-Ass,” a funny, ultra-violent riff on what it means, and what it can cost, to be a superhero. Just be sure to leave your cape-loving kids at home for this bloody comic book adaptation.

    The film centers on Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a 17-year-old comic book nut living in crime-infested New York City. After purchasing a green wetsuit online, the moron decides to take his adoration of superhero life to an unhealthy level, transforming into the cute alter ego, Kick-Ass.

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  • Review: Conan O’Brien Delivers Big in Spokane

    image Let Jay Leno have his derivative “Tonight Show.” Conan O’Brien is too big for TV anyway.

    O’Brien’s “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” visited the INB Performing Arts Center in Spokane last weekend, and the comedian delivered two hours of classic “Late Night” bits, off-kilter musical numbers and more than a few jabs at the Lilac City.

    The sold out crowd was even given a few spins on the “Walker Texas Ranger Lever,” where O’Brien presents a series of random, hilarious scenes from the Chuck Norris television series. Although for vague legal reasons, O’Brien referred to the bit as the “Chuck Norris Rural Policeman Handle.”

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  • Steve Carell and Tina Fey spark in ‘Date Night’

    image Fans of “The Office” and “30 Rock,” rejoice! The stars of NBC’s Thursday night comedy lineup team up for the action-comedy “Date Night,” a movie with more laughs than its flimsy premise deserves.

    Steve Carell (aka Michael Scott of “The Office”) and Tina Fey (aka Liz Lemon of “30 Rock”) star as Phil and Claire Foster, an exhausted married couple with loud kids, time-consuming careers and a limp love life. Their evening routine involves the application of snoring strips and retainers, and their weekly date night typically culminates at a sleepy restaurant serving salmon and potato skins.

    Sounds pretty nice, actually.

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  • ‘Clash of the Titans’ a cheesy diversion

    imageThe new ‘Clash of the Titans’ gleefully recreates the cheesiest and best elements of the 1981 original film  about bickering Gods and giant monsters. And, thank goodness, the goofy mechanical owl only appears in a single, brief scene.

    Directed by Louis Leterrier (“The Incredible Hulk”), “Titans” is one of those rare guilty pleasures: A trashy movie that often succeeds in spite of itself. It powers through a thin storyline and a stiff performance from ‘Avatar’ star Sam Worthington, but at least Leterrier seems to be aware of the film’s obvious shortcomings.

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  • ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ a high-flying spectacle

    image Dreamworks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon” shares more than a few similarities with a certain blue-man adventure that recently broke a gazillion box office records.

    Both “Dragon” and James Cameron’s “Avatar” follow a hero who bonds with a skyscraping lizard, fights against his own people and tries to save a race of misunderstood creatures.

    The big difference: “Dragon” is fun, exciting and, thankfully, about an hour shorter than the overrated Oscar nominee.

    “How to Train Your Dragon” doesn’t tell a particularly original story beyond its novel subject matter of Vikings vs. Dragons. And while it sometimes resorts to familiar kiddie-movie story techniques, the characters are developed enough to add relevance to the film’s spectacular flying sequences.

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  • ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ a nostalgic trip

    image You should probably already know whether or not you’ll enjoy a movie titled “Hot Tub Time Machine.” Depending on your outlook, it’s either the perfect dose of silly 80s nostalgia, or it’s the dumbest movie idea since “Dude, Where’s My Car?”

    Consider this critic in the pro-column. Boasting the most literal (and awesome) title since “Snakes on a Plane,” “Hot Tub Time Machine” coasts on several not-so-subtle winks to the raunchy sex comedies of the 80s. It also contains a hilarious tour-de-force by “Daily Show” alum Rob Corddry as a maybe-suicidal guy on the lookout for a good party.

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