ARCHIVES

Iron Man 3

Sharp but overwhelming
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle
Directed by Shane Black

In a movie where flying metal meets flying metaphors, “Iron Man 3” is like rooting for a good hammer. Billionaire playboy industrialist Tony Stark makes it possible to pilot a fleet of Iron Man outfits by remote control, while he munches In’N’Out burgers miles away. “Iron Man” has become “Iron Drone.” The real metaphor here is the empty suit. Among the faithful, that change won’t lead to ... more >

Flight

How a well-worn yarn turned out this time
Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Kelly Reilly
Directed by Robert Zemeckis

In "Flight," for which he collaborates with director Robert Zemeckis for the first time, Denzel Washington combines the skills of a pilot-ninja with the substance abuse problems of a Lindsay Lohan. Clearly the director and the actor working together make for great chemistry thanks to their respective skill sets) and yet, “Flight” leaves you wishing for more. Washington's Captain Whip Whitaker ... more >

Iron Man 2

Tony Stark to confront alter-ego
Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson
Directed by John Favreau

“Iron Man” was one of the best super hero movies of all time. “Iron Man 2,” likable as it may be, isn't. Downey, Jr. again dons the metal suit as billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark, enjoying the fame that being Iron Man has brought him. Life isn’t all rosy though. He’s being strong-armed by the Senate Armed Services Committee to relinquish the Iron Man weapon and the palladium in his ... more >

Brooklyn’s Finest

[rating=1] The cop a week away from retirement. The cop forced into corruption to support his family. The cop so deep undercover that he doesn’t even know who he is anymore. Clichés? Sure. But Antoine Fuqua’s police drama “Brooklyn’s Finest” is a gritty and compelling film, made all the better by three actors who find the humanity in their characters. Richard Gere captures the broken down and ... more >