Ethan’s Score : 8/10

Let me start this review with a simple warning. And this warning is that this is a sadistic, mean-spirited and somewhat disturbing comedy pegged as a big budget crowd pleaser. But keep this in mind too, it’s fricking hilarious.

Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s previous collaborations Anchorman and Talladega Nights were both rated PG-13. They were both hilarious but you couldn’t help but wonder what they would do with an R-rating. Here they are given that. And holy crap do they take such absolutely glorious advantage of it. Stars Ferrell and Reilly drop f-bombs like there’s no tomorrow and it’s funny everytime. In fact without the limitations of a more kid-friendly rating the characters and themes of the movie fully breathe.

But as stated in the beginning of this review, this is not a crowd pleasing movie by any reals means. The two main characters are complete and utter psychopaths. They’re so repulsively childish and aggressive but you can’t help but watch and laugh. I wouldn’t blame anyone for being endlessly disturbed by this movie. But still, it’s so damn funny.

Ethan’s Score : 10/10

Pixar’s latest film is quite possibly their best. It’s thrilling, emotional and beautiful all at the same time. It’s why we go to the movies in the first place.

Wall*E is a simple waste collecting robot. He’s spent over 700 years alone and doing the same duties every day. He collects left-over items that will amuse him. He has a particular love of the classic musical “Hello Dolly” (of which he was able to find a tape of). But one day, a ship lands and comes a robot named Eve. This robot’s duty is to find traces of life on Earth. Eve and Wall*E eventually fall in love. But once the ship comes back to get Eve, Wall*E hitches a ride to be with his true love. What follows is the best part of the film. It’s where all the emotion and creativity really kicks into high-gear and you’re left breathless.

What also makes this a great film is it’s message about humanity. Wall*E is left to clean the Earth that we polluted with waste. And all humans are now fat and lazy. All relying on technology to do everything for them. The film is telling us to take of our planet because it’s our greatest treasure.

I have to admit that I was on the verge of tears about five times throughout this film. The two robotic main characters may have no dialogue, but they are more well defined than any other characters you’ll probably see this year. Their love story puts anything you’ll see in any Hollywood melodrama to shame. A particular scene where the two “dance” outside a spaceship will stay with me forever. Really, it’s a perfect date movie.

So please, see this movie. Throw away any pre-conceived notions you may have about family films and just embrace it. It’s a truly unique experience.

I’m not going to post any of the content, just out of respect to Barry’s paying gig. I will, however link directly to it. Check it out!

• Ethan’s Score : 8/10     

 It’s safe to say that when it comes to the computer animated film scene, Pixar easily beats Dreamworks. Pixar puts an extreme emphasis on story and characters. Dreamworks typically puts an extreme emphasis on pop culture references and fart jokes. But the wonderful new film Kung Fu Panda changes this. If you’re thinking right now “Oh Ethan, you so crazy” than I should tell you that the trailers do not do any justice to this film. It’s contains great characters and a good story. But also importantly, it’s frickin’ hilarious. Jack Black infuses so much life into the character of Po. He totally gets his sense of humor across in this film. And it’s not one of those animated movies where it’s “one for the kids, one for the adults”. It never feels that patronizing. Both kids and adults can laugh at the same jokes. But also, the film delivers on the kung fu front. The set pieces  are terrifically animated and very exciting. And a good dash of physical humor is inserted into them that never betrays what is established in the story. All in all, a really fun ride that will deliver more entertainment than most of this summer’s crop.

Josh’s Score: 7.5/10

First time writer/director Bryan Bertino gives us a sharp horror thriller that defiantly works. While some claim that it might not be as smart as this years earlier thriller Funny Games, The Strangers delivers more scares than many of the recent thrillers of the past couple years.The story takes place in a secluded farmhouse that James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler) are staying the night in after their return from a friend’s wedding reception. The couple seems to be having some communication issues, and Bertino is brave enough to slowly reveal what exactly those issues are. It isn’t to long after they arrive that someone starts beating on their door. The night suddenly turns into a battle for survival as James and Kristen must overcome their differences to try and stay alive against the brutal actions from the strangers outside.

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Let me say, I was there at comic-con. I was excited about the footage since it primarily contained practical effects. Then I saw the first two trailers and I was…a little disappointed. I walk into the theater ad the first two trailers are Don’t Mess With The Zohan, and The Love Guru. Omg, I thought sitting there waiting for the film to start. And then suddenly The Dark Knight and The Happening trailers come out of nowhere and intantly, I’m stoked.

This movie is awesome. Now…I have not been an Iron Man fan from the comics, but let me tell ya, I think this film is what every Irom Man fan has wanted.  As far as what a Marvel Comics fan expects…this movie is great. There is more character than plot, which personally, is exactly what the perfect Marvel movie needs. This film is exactly what Marvel needed to do as far as developing themselves as a studio. This film is great because of the casting. While the climax (not the ending..wink wink) might be lame, trust me, this is the best first summer movie to come out since…I don’t know when.  All I have to say is enjoy!

In order to try to keep our own hype-machine for The Pit and the Pendulum under control, I decided I need to write a review where I can rant and rave about how much I love this short and then I can spend the rest of my time talking it up and urging to people to see it in a bit of a more relaxed, not-so-fanatical way.  The short version?  It’s absolutely brilliant and needs to be seen by everyone. Now, on to a reivew with a little more depth to it…

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While much of the Denver Marriot blanketed the sci-fi and fantasy-heavy genre celebration, the far right wing of the hotel, draped by dark clouds and ominous sparrows circling, was the base of the relatively new (11-years old) Horrorfest.  What was initially a small addition is now a big event that is properly referred to as “a convention within a convention”.  The Horrorfest has various panels, screenings, off-the-wall events and a focus on new, never-before-seen, independently made horror films.  Of the handful of films that were showcased (not only screened, but had the actors and filmmakers present), Dave and I had the chance to catch Attitude for Destruction, Summer School, The Misled Romance of Cannibal Girl and Incest Boy (yes, you read that right) and Edgar Allen Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulem.   Here’s a brief rundown of these four (all of which have found future DVD distribution): (more…)