The Master

I don't get it. The acting was phenomenal. The story was creepy and non-sensical. The cast and cinematographers did their jobs well, but the script bombed for me. 4/10

Dan

Samsara -

Stunningly beautiful, ghastly, and everything in between without a single word. This movie blew my mind with an incredible array of cultures and multiple forms of collective mind-sets, and it spoke to my gut about deep time. 10/10.

Dan

Celeste & Jesse Forever -

If there was ever a way to F...oul up something beautiful, these two should teach a class on it. Then again, maybe they are. This was a lot better than I thought it would be. There's a line in here that cuts to the bone: "I can't believe I'm having..." Damn, I can't believe I can't finish the line at the heart of everything without spoiling it. Pay attention, class. 8/10

The music was nice, too.

Dan

Total Recall

Did I just put the burn on the coolest transportation system in the world - literally in the world - or did some nerd with a computer & weird drugs plant that shit in my head? Is the hot brunette with guns on the left my girlfriend, or is the one on the right my wife? Will I ever be done trying to find myself? Will it ever stop being dark and rainy when I get home from work? Will it ever stop being dark, rainy, and explosive in sci-fi flicks? Why did I leave myself alI this electro-bling that I didn't know I knew was there? This movie has its fun points, great effects, and ADHD action flashes, and a scowling Kate Beckinsale in tight pants,  but you'll never really know if any of these questions are answered, or if it's all just a dream. Fun, though. 6/10

Dan

Joker

Bollywood meets Ed Wood, with lots of color, dancing, romance, and an epic lunatic fringe search for ET, with spectacularly funny and heart-warming results. Where else could you get the alien boogie, fireflies, pumpkins, beautiful dancing girls, NASA scientists, the FBI, crop circles, WW II aircraft, and exotic ruins in the forgotten corners of rural India? We LOVED IT!~ 10/10

Boogie on,

Dan

Premium Rush

Bicycling adrenaline-junkie crack, with heart. Who would think being a bicycle messenger could be so cool and exciting? 8/10

Dan

The Odd Life Of Timothy Green

Beautifully artistic, poetic, with a surprising depth I didn't expect. You could predict it somewhat, like you can feel Autumn in the air...and like you know Spring follows Winter. Visually, this film is rich and beautiful. 9/10, and I'll throw in an extra point for being so magical.

Dan

Riff Trax Live: Manos, The Hands Of Fate

Gloriously funny, and it's hard to believe such awful films got made. Ed Wood was better. The perfect fodder for riffing. Not Rated - just go.

Dan

The Intouchables

Hilarious, heart-warming, heart-breaking, surprising, and just damn good. It's refreshing to see something new under the sun done so well, and with such outstanding acting. 9/10.

Dan

Bourne Legacy

I really enjoyed this. It did a lot toward explaining outstanding mysteries in the series. Some of the action is in the "over-the-top/surreal/unbelieavable" range, but that's Hollywood now, isn't it? Go for the fun. 8/5.

Dan

Sparkle

Loved - most of - the music. Acting was a bit flat, but not too bad. But, *set in the 60's*? Puhlease! The dresses were WAY sexier than anything in the 60's, and ladies of color with straighened hair were rare. I would've found this much more believable set in the mid-to-late 70's in the post-Motown era. And they did far too little with Whitney Houston's musical talent, for whatever reason. Ceelo Green was an excellent cameo. I like everyone in this film, I just think it failed to really come together. Sadly, Whitney will never get another chance. 6/5, and I liked Jordin Sparks's role better than my other half did. I think she's capable of more and better, and just needs more practise with acting. This is a credible early role for her, and her musical talent is phenominal. I'm looking forward to that.

Dan

Hope Springs

Rediscovering love after half a lifetime of perfunctory functionality can leave you happy, but you have to lose your cool first. Sweet, funny in places, but very predictable and just not a "guy" flick. Even the poet in me was feeling like I was sucking down a pint of saccharine by the end. 5/5.

Dan

Ruby Sparks

Love, obsession, massive control issues, sweet romance, magic, wonder, crazy cleverness, sexy-sweet, this movie is a sweet blender and a writer's wet dream without being crude...well, almost. If you love writing and romantic movies, you'll love Ruby too. 8/10.

The cool part is, the leading lady wrote it.

Dan

Beasts Of The Southern Wild

The poet in me sees the magic, and the spirit. This isn't the kind of film for thinking, it belongs in the heart, where wonder lies. On the surface, this cast has nothing. Underneath it, they have everything they need to cross the universe. This isn't a film for the literal mind. 10/10

Dan

The Dark Knight Rises

Awesome. Involved, dark and light contrasting on many levels. Acting was fantastic. Effects phenominal. The flying Batmobile was extremely cool. Ann Hathaway was smoking hot as Catwoman. The geek factor was awsome. I've never seen a better blend of Geek with Goth, anywhere. Even Bane was pretty good. The main twist was well-hidden. 9/10.

It was also fun wearing my brand-new Dark Knight Rises t-shirt to the show.

Dan

Awesome. Involved, dark and light contrasting on many levels. Acting was fantastic. Effects phenominal. The flying Batmobile was extremely cool. Ann Hathaway was smoking hot as Catwoman. The geek factor was awsome. I've never seen a better blend of G

Dan

Baliwood's 'Cocktail'...

Baliwood wonders will never cease. Two women and a man end up roommates. Lots of dancing and steamy-but-casual implied sex. Then his Mom comes on a surprise visit from India, (It's set in London mostly) and the REAL hilarity and drama begin. LOVE the music and dancing, lots of beautiful people, incredibly funny, but with a serious side. There's also a great part at the beach. No guns, no bombs, romance, and the best kiss-teaser yet. 9/10.

Dan

La Gloria Cubana on a Saturday morning...

...while reading North American Windpower magazine.

I love weekends.

Dan

The Amazing Spider Man

Totally the best Spiderman movie by far. I wish they had led with this movie. The story is more true to the comics, the effects are better, the acting is better, it just rocks. They REALLY stepped up their game. 10/10.

Dan

The Glen Art Theater, Glen Ellyn, Illinois...

An old Vaudeville theater sliced and diced into four smallish screens, old, but serviceable, with great prices, great popcorn, and all those movies that are hard to find in other theaters. Plus, they sell movie marquee posters cheap after the films are gone. A total treasure!

Dan