Matthew R. Reis: Film and TV Critic

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 ...

George Clooney is the American 4 Stars As featured in: The Ithacan As Batman George Clooney was laughable, as the American, he’s no joker. Dark and brooding from the get-go “The American” is a film with sparse action, but plenty of burning passion. Anton Corbijn, famous for directing music videos such as Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” helms the picture. Adapted from the 1990 novel “A Very Private Gentleman” the film takes place during the 2000s. Remarkably original for a film whose trailers marketed it as a gray haired Jason Bourne flick, the plot simmers over a long period of time, gradually building tension, momentum and intrigue. One of the many things to savor in this film is its distinctly non-American feel. From the minimalistic dialogue, wandering, free flowing camera and sparsely populated locations “The American” mirrors European cinema to a tee. It’s only logical that the film takes place in Europe with stops in Castel del Monte, Italy, Rome, Italy and Dalarna, Sweden. ...