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'Sex and the City 2' Movie Reviews

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted May 27th 2010 7:00PM
Filed under: Reviews
Glamorous as ever, our favorite high heel-wearing, martini-sipping Manhattanites -- Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) -- are all back in 'Sex and the City 2.' The once-famously single ladies, though, have all managed to procure a ring from their respective suitors -- well, except Samantha, who just plainly loves the noncommittal, single life.

Stressed out from the varied, daily complications of work and married life, Samantha and her three gal pals take up an offer from a Middle Eastern producer to fly them out for the PR launch of his new hotel in Abu Dhabi. Conflict soon ensues as their New York lifestyle of provocative fashion causes an uproar on the conservative Arabian sands. Also, Carrie unexpectedly runs into Aidan (John Corbett), which leads to a date and more. The question now becomes: Should she tell Big (Chris Noth) about it, and possibly rattle their nearly settled, perfect union?

Unlike the mostly charmed applause for the first film, critics have refused to buy what writer-director Michael Patrick King is selling this time around. The consensus seems to be that the sequel fails to capture the true spark and nature of the much beloved, Emmy-winning show. Potentially a critic-proof sale at the box office, 'Sex and the City 2' might be able pull out a win over 'Prince of Persia' solely on the complete, undying support from the ravenous fans of the HBO show.

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'Shrek Forever After' Movie Reviews

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted May 20th 2010 6:00PM
Filed under: Reviews
The fourth and presumed final installment (or at least that's how it's being marketed) of the 'Shrek' films, 'Shrek Forever After' revisits the beloved ogre as he is going through a sort of midlife crisis.

Overwhelmed by the chaotic routine of everyday living, Shrek (Mike Myers) is sick of being a family man and yearns to return to his role of the not-so-gentle green giant. He also finds the daily visits from a tour bus an infuriating nuisance. After a small quarrel with wife Fiona (Cameron Diaz) at their children's birthday bash, Shrek meets the sneaky Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), a wish-granting malcontent who wants to take over Far, Far Away kingdom. Soon the evildoer and his creepy, sharp-toothed goose trick Shrek into granting a wish that would regrettably flip the world he knows upside down, with Rumpelstiltskin atop the throne and Shrek left Fiona-less.

The overall critical consensus on 'Shrek Forever After' seems to be somewhat middling: All agree the franchise has somewhat lost its visual luster and unfortunately run out of steam. Josh Bell of the Las Vegas Weekly calls the film "decidedly pointless." However, Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly feels like the creative team behind the film, along with its actors, perform "adequately" enough.

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'Just Wright' Movie Reviews

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted May 13th 2010 8:00PM
Filed under: Reviews
Featuring one of the most unexpected romantic pairings this spring movie season, 'Just Wright' tells the fictional story of NBA All-Star Scott McKnight (Common), a big-time player who suffers a crippling injury. A no-nonsense physical therapist, played by Queen Latifah, helps him get back on his feet and falls in love with him during the rehabilitation process. Fortunately, the feeling might be mutual.

In her third directorial effort, Sanaa Hamri has crafted a well-intentioned but cliched romantic comedy about the pratfalls that plague a working relationship that turns into something more. The critics mostly agree that there is not one original idea in this rehashed love-fest. They do point out, though, that Queen Latifah is a breath of fresh air, proving once again she radiates a sweetly effervescent presence on-screen. Paula Patton, Phylicia Rashad and Pam Grier also star.

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'Mother and Child' Movie Reviews

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted May 6th 2010 8:00PM
Filed under: Reviews
Starring three of the most notable female actors working today in Hollywood, Rodrigo Garcia 'Mother and Child' paints a layered, multi-character portrait about the unique, innate bond between mother and child.

The film strings together three different stories that include an older woman, Karen (Annette Bening), who regrets giving up her newborn in her teens, and Elizabeth (Naomi Watts), a cutthroat yet lonely lawyer who was adopted in her youth and still hurts from not knowing her real parents. Kerry Washington plays the third lead in this weepy drama, as an infertile mother striving to adopt a baby. The film eventually becomes an emotional study about the ramifications of giving up a child for adoption.

The male co-stars are Jimmy Smits, Samuel L. Jackson and David Ramsey.

As the showrunner of the critically acclaimed first season of 'In Treatment,' writer-director Garcia has had much success with the critics in TV. Likewise, the critical reception is largely positive for this cinematic effort, with many critics highlighting the film's keen insight into womanhood and the powerful, nuanced performances as its main strengths.

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'The Human Centipede' Movie Reviews

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted Apr 29th 2010 6:00PM
Filed under: Reviews
A title and concept for the ages, director Tom Six's 'The Human Centipede: First Sequence' may be the scary indie that-could this upcoming, overcrowded theatrical weekend.

In nowhere town Germany, two carefree, road-tripping American girls find themselves in a fairly precarious position as their car breaks down in the middle of the woods. Seeking help, they arrive at the home of an insane, reclusive surgeon. Pretty much chaos takes over from there, and the girls are held victim to the maniacal whims of this crazed man.

For the faint of heart, we won't go into the gruesome details, but just take one look at the outrageous, provocative trailer below and you'll quickly get the idea. Also, be forewarned: Even though this film is not yet rated, it would most likely fall in the hard "R" category.

The critics are mostly embracing "The Human Centipede," with several noting the film's ability to sustain a taut mood and psychological terror -- despite a few too many visually repulsive scenes. Ed Gonzalez of The House Next Door even points out the film's pre-release buzz and its potential as a horror classic, stating: "'The Human Centipede' is already being hailed a cult classic in the making."

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'The Losers' Movie Reviews

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted Apr 22nd 2010 10:00PM
Filed under: Reviews
Based on the 1970s DC Comics book of the same name, 'The Losers' chronicles a death-defying, rag-tag team of ex-mercenaries as they're sent on a black ops mission into the Bolivian jungle. When they refuse to carry out the asinine orders to kill a pack of child drug mules, the CIA betrays them and tries to hunt them down. Presumed dead, this out-for-revenge, gun-toting group come together with the sultry, deceptive Aisha (Zoe Saldana) to seek out Max (Jason Patric,) the evil-doer behind this double-dealing madness.

Set in modern times with a slightly biting nod to the previous administration's questionable war motives abroad, director Sylvain White's high-on-explosives popcorn film looks like just another bomb -- well, if the critics had their way. The overall consensus seems to be that the ultra-violent picture is pretty vacuous, though some point out its humor and Saldana's combat skills and screen presence as major assets.

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Zach Galifianakis to Star in 'Miracle Workers'

By Adam Keleman (Subscribe to Adam Keleman's posts), Posted Feb 25th 2010 3:57PM
Filed under: Movie News
Hot on the heels of his recently announced SNL hosting gig comes the news of another project in the works for the highly in-demand, wildly funny Zach Galifianakis.

Shock Till You Drop spoke with 'The Crazies' producer Michael Aguilar about his next film in development, 'Miracle Workers.' Aguilar revealed that Galifianakis has signed on to the supernatural comedy about two buds who set up shop as faux exorcists in order to make a buck, but soon get in over their heads; presumably, frightful high jinks ensue.
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