Matthew R. Reis: Film and TV Critic

Film mania Blog exclusive! In this new weekly series I will be highlighting the things I love most and least about cinema. I watch a lot of films and obviously some stand out more than others. I didn't actually rank these numerically, but I tried to do my best by listing the films I liked better first. So without further ado here are my favorite films of all time: "Being John Malkovich" (1999, color) "Fantastic Mr. Fox" (2009, color) "Avatar" (2009, color) "Breathless" (1960, black and white) "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008, color) "True Romance" (1993, color) "The Matrix" (1999, color) "Alien" (1979, color) "There Will Be Blood" (2007, color) "Wall-e" (2009, color) "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964, black and white) "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012, color) "Star Wars Episode V: ...

Not Dreddful at all Blog exclusive! Although a mighty bomb at both the domestic and international box office, this remake of 1995s "Judge Dredd" is worth a watch. "Dredd" does away with the camp that made the first movie a mess in the eyes of fans of the comic it was based on. Starring Karl Urban as the macho title character and boasting a diverse, interesting cast of supporting characters "Dredd" succeeded all of my expectations. Those expectations I might add were very, very low. When I first saw the trailer for the film I cast it aside. I assumed it was directed by some talentless hack. However something strange happened when Rottentomatoes.com, a popular aggregate film review site certified "Dredd" fresh. The near universal acclaim for the movie surprised me and it started to become clear that the marketing department did the film a disservice by releasing such a bad trailer (which fyi is embedded below). And though I have never have p...

Don't go looking for things you don't want to know the answer to... 3 1/2 stars Blog Exclusive! I didn't get to writing a full review of Prometheus, but maybe I will post one later this month. It's been out for a little while now and I definitely would describe it as a must see picture. It sits nicely with the other Alien flicks, despite being more of a stand-alone picture than a true prequel. I'd rank it 3rd behind Alien and Aliens as the best in the franchise. One issue people may have with the flick is that each character other than Shaw played by Noomi Rapace and David the Android (Michael Fassbender) are more filler then substance. You don't really relate to anyone and you don't learn there names (or I could have just forgotten them...). Of course being that it's a Ridley Scott flick the visuals are top-notch and the mood is very somber, very noir. While the individual elements don't stick out as much as they should the movie is memorable ...

Art ain't stuffy! As featured in: The Ithacan Note: This exhibit was formerly on view at Cornell's Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (where I viewed the work) and was shown all over the world including in London, England. Some people take portraits in the middle of a park. Others take portraits in a department store. Artist Sam Jury takes portraits in the middle of a dream — or at least that’s what she tries to make viewers think. Jury’s mixed media piece “Forever is Never” is an enlightening video that allows the viewer to step into another world, as the artist muddles the line between real-world portraiture and the fantastical world only possible through imagination. Best described as a video collage, this single-piece exhibition housed on the lowest level of Cornell University’s Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is about six minutes long and runs on a continuous loop. The mixed-media video combines hundreds of photographs of a blank sculptural head that has differ...

Inspired by the "Blue Man Group" (Now on DVD) 4 Stars As featured in: The Ithacan A film taking place several million light-years away has never felt more realistic. With its revolutionary use of computer animation, “Avatar” is the future of filmmaking. “Avatar” transcends ordinary popcorn flicks and deserves multifaceted acclaim for its engrossing visual and sound effects, strong supporting cast and epic moments only director James Cameron is capable of delivering. The on-screen chemistry between Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) sparks with burgeoning passion. Messages about environmental and feminist issues are present throughout the film. Some of them are obvious, while others are discretely hidden. “Avatar” serves as a grim reminder of what could happen in the future if people continue to abuse the planet’s resources. At nearly three hours long, the run time may turn away some viewers, but those who are patient are in for a special treat. ...

Seasick to the fourth power (Now on DVD) 4 Stars Blog exclusive! The previous two Pirates sequels, "Dead Man's Chest" and "At World's End," were less than stellar. "On Stranger Tides," producer Jerry Bruckheimer's latest extravaganza get's the series back on track. Returning the tongue-in-cheek humor that made "The Curse of the Black Pearl" so great and combining it with the darker thematic elements of the latter two installments "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" is simply the best Pirates yet. The biggest difference between the last installment "At World's End" and "On Stranger Tides" is the cast and crew. Trading in Keira Knightley for Oscar winning actress Penelope Cruz doesn't hurt the film one bit. In fact it's a substantial upgrade. Both women are extremely beautiful, and have exotic European flair, but Cruz is simply the better actress. While Keira Knightley fit in...

Blog exclusive! One Sentence Synopsis and Review "Thor" 3 Stars Synopsis: The fate of both Earth and Asgard hang in the balance as Thor fights his nemesis and brother Loki, in an attempt to restore balance to a fragile Universe. Review: This movie could have sucked badly because Thor is more God than Superhero, but director Kenneth Branagh brings a sense of humanity to the story despite its ridiculous concept by blending in witty comedic timing with awesome battle sequences. Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth star. One Sentence Synopsis and Review "Insidious" 3 Stars Synopsis: The Lambert's seem to be the perfect all-American family, but that couldn't be further than the truth. Review: "Insidious" starts out as a truly horrible movie filled with comatose acting and shoddy production values until a truly terrifying third act that not only redeems the picture, but has you believing that your soul might actually be snatched. Patri...

Stars’ beauty no match for bad story 1 Star As featured in: The Ithacan Director Zach Snyder’s latest visual extravaganza, “Sucker Punch,” is an experiment in overindulgent style gone wrong. While memorable characters such as the dapper, mustachioed villain Blue Jones (Oscar Isaac) lend a fun energy to the film too many elements don’t fit well together. Emily Browning plays Baby Doll, a petite, feisty 20-year-old who’s imprisoned in a brothel fronting as a mental institution by her ruthless stepfather. Baby Doll, along with four other big-breasted heroines, including the opinionated, no bull Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Rocket, Blondie and Amber plan an ambitious escape in order to avoid being harmed by their pimp Blue. Baby constructs a dream world in order to gain the confidence she needs to lead the other gals to freedom. This premise obviously caters to a largely male audience with an appetite for scantily clad women parading around. “Punch” needs more sizzling entertainment ...

"Drive Angry" film review by: Matthew R. Reis (Now on DVD) 3 Stars As featured in: The Ithacan Back in 1996 Nicholas Cage won an Oscar for lead role in Leaving Las Vegas,” but has lately accepted far less noteworthy roles in flops like this January’s “Season of the Witch.” However, the clichéd “Drive Angry 3D,” is an oddly fulfilling movie showcasing a reinvigorated and refocused Cage. Set in the Deep South, convicted felon Milton (Cage) has literally been to Hell and back. He busts out of Hell in order to rescue his baby granddaughter from the same cult who killed his daughter. Milton enlists the help of Piper (Amber Heard), a sexy twenty-something waitress with a mean streak. But, the Devil’s right hand man, The Accountant, isn’t fond of being short a soul is eager to return Milton to his fiery cell. The movie recycles plot elements from previous Cage films in a highly cohesive and successful manner. While “Ghost Rider” also features Cage as a hell dwelling vigilan...

Blog Exclusive! "Tron: Legacy" My rating: 1 Star Quick Review: In a nutshell "Tron: Legacy's" 3D effects are terrible. The film is simply to dark to see any depth in the image. Plus the story is stupid and boring. To top it all off the action was ordinary and didn't pull off all the stops. This film tarnishes any legacy the original created. On a positive note: The score is incredible. Daft Punk kills it. "The Walking Dead" TV series on AMC - Returns this Fall with 13 new episodes My rating: 3 1/2 Stars Quick Review: Andrew Lincoln stars as sheriff who awakes after being in a coma only to find himself in the middle of Armageddon. The zombies are scary, the drama is wrenching and the cinematography (shot on FILM!) is incredible. Plus Frank Darabont is behind all this bloody madness so its a win-win situation. Note: Producer, Writer and Director Frank Darabont has walked away from "The Walking Dead" (no pun intended) after disp...

Jack in the box (Now on DVD) 2 1/2 Stars Blog exclusive! The first Jackass movie is still the best entry in the Jackass trilogy, but this third incarnation is still dirty, delicious fun. All the guys are back, Steve-o, Chris Pontius, Bam Margera and of course Johnny Knoxville to deliver some hurt, laughter and gross out moments. Jackass 3D's use of 3D is decidedly bad. First of all, half the movie isn't even in 3D which is lame especially when you consider the price premium these types of tickets carry. The best the 3D visuals have to offer is the extra rounded stomach of Preston Lacy. Yet not mentioning how gross poop looks in three dimensions would be an injustice to the film's cinematographer. 3D is decidedly better at grossing you out than 2D. The movie is fast paced. I guess it makes sense that the MTV generation would benefit from watching an MTV film. With numerous stunts, probably numbering 20-something, you will be hard pressed to not laugh (or hurl) at som...

It came from the sea in 3D (Now on DVD) 3 1/2 Stars Blog exclusive! I have to admit that I have never seen the original "Piranha" (1978) film nor the many sequels that spawned from it, but I do have a lot to say about this remake. First off this movie is awesome. Directed by french horror auteur Alexandre Aja its evident from the get go that there is nothing poorly executed in the movie. "Piranha" is everything you want from a campy, B-movie horror film plus a third dimension. It has tits, lots of em, in all shapes and sizes (but mostly big) and hilarious death sequences. And you can't forget the one liners, there are many of those too. A throwback to Stephen Spielberg's seminal "Jaws" (1975) many audiences will quickly notice the countless references. Even the "Piranha" movie poster is a direct knock-off of Jaws. However this movie stands alone from its horror movie brethren thanks to its excellent 3D cinematography. You will sure...

Refriend this old toy (Now on DVD) 4 Stars Blog exclusive! Note: I did not see the 3D version. Three strikes you’re out? Not in Toy Story 3’s case. Blending tear jerking moments with outstanding CG the creative minds at Pixar have again managed to craft an outstanding film. This new film may even match Toy Story 2’s brilliance. As expected the latest chapter in the series is more of the same, in a good way that is. Part family friendly fun and coming of age tale all rolled up into one Toy Story 3 shows that three is indeed good company. The last time we saw the toys on the big screen was 11 years ago in the aforementioned Toy Story 2. Pitted against the evil Emperor Zurg, Buzz Lightyear’s arch nemesis, the odd ensemble of toys stuck together and managed to save the day. Now the toys have an even bigger challenge on their hands (or should I say parts?). Andy, their owner, is no longer a young lad anymore and is ready to head off to college. College is no place for toys such as M...