Shutter Island (2010)

Shutter Island (2010) – A book-to-screen adaptation will always suffer under the weight of expectation. I’ve voraciously devoured about eight of Dennis Lehane’s books now, Shutter Island included. I like the way that the man spins a mystery and I usually end up crushed by his usual downer endings. I love that not only has … Continue reading

My Big Ass Oscar Article 2012

If you want to know what I felt were the best movies of the year etc. then that’s a different article altogether (one that can be read here). This is about the Oscars. For most categories, I just offer a quick pick for what WILL win and a brief explanation for why I think that. … Continue reading

If I had my own damn Award Show…

Well, the Oscars are coming up in a couple days. I’ll get my picks and predictions and whatnot posted Sunday morning and then try to do some sort of real-time reaction thing like I tried doing with the Emmys a while back… In the meantime I figured I’d chime in with what I actually thought … Continue reading

2012 Oscar-Nominated Animated Short Films

2012 Oscar-Nominated Animated Short Films – The past few years a company called Shorts HD (formerly Shorts International) has been released the Academy Award Nominated Short Films. There are three categories: Live Action, Animation, and Documentary (which was unfortunately screened only one night in Sacramento so I missed it). These are the Animation nominees. I’ll … Continue reading

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

The Adventures of Tintin (2011) – So nothing about the trailer for this movie really grabbed me and said “JAKE, SEE THIS MOVIE RIGHT NOW.” In fact most of it sort of indicated “wait for disc,” but there were some things that led me to believe there could be more to it than meets the … Continue reading

The Muppets (2011) (& Toy Story Toons: Small Fry)

The Muppets (2011) – I am just so happy. I had a big smile on my face pretty much from the beginning of this movie to the end. I was skeptical at first that Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, of Forgetting Sarah Marshall fame, were going to be able to tackle a wholesome property like … Continue reading

Hugo (2011)

Hugo (2011) – So as the almost-400 movie reviews written by yours truly available on this site might indicate, I am a bit of a film nut. More than a nut. An enthusiast. An addict. I am in love with the magic of the movies, and let me assure you movies ARE magic. Martin Scorsese … Continue reading