Universal Pictures Rated PG-13 for innuendo and language. Running time: 114 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before. A perky group of college a cappella singers suffers an embarrassing on-stage mishap, then fights to redeem itself and regain...
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Reviews
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
Lionsgate Films Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material. Running time: 123 minutes. Two stars out of four. Despite its action and revelations, its substantial political allegory and its strong performances from a tremendous cast, “The Hunger Games: Mockingkay — Part 1”...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
The first half of the film adaptation of the third book in “The Hunger Games” trilogy feels like a stretched-out placeholder for the real finale. Jennifer Lawrence is strong as always, though, as Katniss, who’s now the reluctant symbol of hope for the revolution....
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Walk of Shame
The ordinarily likable Elizabeth Banks throws herself into this terrible role with all the gusto she’s got, but even she can’t make her vapid TV news anchor character feel like a real person. Robert Abele joins me and Alonso to discuss this flat, unfunny slog....
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Walk of Shame
“Walk of Shame” was not screened for critics before opening day. When I went to a matinee of it Friday morning, this made sense to me. Elizabeth Banks’ immense likability and comedic talent go to waste in this misogynistic, flat farce. My one-star RogerEbert.com review. Read the review here...
Read moreThe Lego Movie
Warner Bros. PG for mild action and rude humor. Running time: 100 minutes. Four stars out of four. “The Lego Movie”: Merely a great film, or the greatest film ever in the history of cinema? I asked this question — jokingly, rhetorically — during our What the Flick?! review, but...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — The Lego Movie
Matt and I are seriously in love with “The Lego Movie.” In many ways, it’s actually better suited for adults than it is for kids. The animated comedy is consistently high-spirited and hilarious but also profoundly emotional in a surprising way. Alonso, meanwhile, wasn’t quite so wild about it. You...
Read moreThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Lionsgate PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language. Running time: 146 minutes. Three stars out of four. Here’s how effective “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is: I read the book it’s based on, I knew what was going to...
Read moreRevisiting The Hunger Games
I swear, I meant to get my act together today and write a review of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Really, I did. But then I had back-to-back, 4-year-old birthday parties to attend. One of them featured wine (because those are the kinds of mommy friends I have). You know...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Matt, Alonso, Ben and I choose our weapons carefully to enter the arena for our review of ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Place your bets on who the winner will be....
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