The 1970s are fondly and nostalgically remembered as a golden age for American cinema, which saw the release of a number of iconic, groundbreaking films. Of course, despite all of the Easy Riders and Raging Bulls of that period, the era also contained a number of stinkers. Perhaps more common however than either of those…Read more Film Review: Scarecrow (1973)
Film Reviews
Film Review: Observe and Report (2009)
The moment most critical for understanding Jody Hill's 2009 black comedy, Observe and Report, is played entirely for laughs. It occurs when the central character of the story, mall security guard Ronnie (played brilliantly by Seth Rogen), has resigned himself to following the antisocial nihilism of his co-worker Dennis (a hilarious Michael Pena). The two guards…Read more Film Review: Observe and Report (2009)
Film Review: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
"This never happened to the other guy." Uttered by George Lazenby in the opening scene of his only James Bond appearance, these infamous words signified the beginning of a new era for cinema's most famous super spy. They also encapsulate how Lazenby's sole Bond vehicle, 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service (OHMSS), possessed a strange,…Read more Film Review: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Film Review: The Living Daylights (1987)
Every James Bond film involves a battle, and not just against a flabby big bad or an impending global catastrophe. Instead, the primary battle of the James Bond franchise is one of relevancy. Each adventure must answer some very big questions. How do you take a dinosaur of a character and make him feel fresh?…Read more Film Review: The Living Daylights (1987)
Film Review: Memories of Murder (2003)
Bong Joon-ho's masterful Memories of Murder is a great work of humanism, one which easily transcends its genre-trappings. Utilizing the 1980s Hwaseong serial murders as its launching pad, the film formulates a searing indictment of South Korean society from that era. It also parses the psychic scars left on those who were caught up in…Read more Film Review: Memories of Murder (2003)
Film Review: Avengers – Age of Ultron (2015)
At some point in the mess that is Avengers: Age of Ultron, the titular heroes retreat to a bucolic, isolated farm, owned by the archer known as Clint Barton/Hawkeye. Serving as the place where he stashes his kids, and inexplicably Linda Cardellini (unfortunately relegated here to a doting housewife), the Barton ranch sequence encapsulates everything…Read more Film Review: Avengers – Age of Ultron (2015)
Film Review: White God (2014)
For anyone who has ever loved, cared for, or, hell, even petted a dog, White God will prove to be a searing, uncomfortable experience. Meshing heightened-realism with allegorical horror, Hungarian writer/director Kornel Mundruczo's film powerfully connects on both an intellectual and emotional level. Although perhaps a little on the long side, White God is a…Read more Film Review: White God (2014)
Film Review: Hot Rod (2007)
In 2004 Will Ferrell cemented himself as the premiere comedy star with Anchorman. With its barrage of gags, unapologetic stupidity and everything-but-the-kitchen-sink ethos, it was a definitive comedy film of the "aughts." Nearly ten years later, the long-gestating sequel, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, was released. Overlong and forced, the film embodied that classic adage:…Read more Film Review: Hot Rod (2007)
Film Review: Spellbound (1945)
A good friend of mine once said that your average Alfred Hitchcock film consists of little more than "white people eating on trains." With him not typically sprouting off contrarian views, I was surprised by this statement and more than a little amused. It also colored my subsequent viewings of Hitch's work. No longer do…Read more Film Review: Spellbound (1945)
Double Feature: Into the Woods – Dracula Untold (2014)
Welcome to the first Adam Mohrbacher Double Feature! This is a new type of post where yours truly will attempt to quell the inherent verbosity of my writing. This is, essentially, an exercise for my benefit only, where I will challenge myself to review two similarly-themed films in under 1000 words. Now, for those well-versed…Read more Double Feature: Into the Woods – Dracula Untold (2014)
Adam Mohrbacher 