Matthew R. Reis: Film and TV Critic

Risen. From the ashes. 5 Stars Blog Exclusive! The best way to describe "The Dark Knight Rises" (TDKR) is by analogizing it to that of a train leaving a station. It starts off slow and steady, gradually building up steam. When it's operating at full tilt anything can happen. In "Rises" Bruce Wayne/Batman (played by Christian Bale) has to overcome demons starting from the somber opening sequence all the way through a twist filled conclusion. Along the way he meets alluring personalities such as the devious, sexy criminal Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Bane (Tom Hardy), a ruthless mercenary threatening to become Gotham's reckoning. Batman stands in his way, but Bane's his strongest adversary yet. Only the will of ordinary people banded together can help save the city. Aiding TDKR story are many grandiose set-pieces, Wally Pfister's flawless, sweeping cinematography and Hans Zimmer's genre bending score. Even minor details even feel like they...

Airport Junkie As featured in: Buzzsaw Magazine Waiting for a flight in an airport often brings forth memories of a lobby with sticky vinyl seats, overpriced food and drinks, and that one screaming kid that’s just asking for a punch in the face. Frequent flyers used to be stuck in the same situation, but years of airline loyalty grant them special extras. They earned better service, and they get it. Forget overpriced bagels and coffee; they get a free martini. And waiting in a lobby? No way. They have trendy, exclusive clubs. Repeat customers of airlines such as Delta, Continental and American Airlines have their own Bat Caves—lounges hidden in airports all over the world. These clubs include bars with complementary drinks, restaurants, showers, and even spas and movie theaters. Frequent flyers also receive more opportunities to fly first class, or even get free tickets. In the Oscar-nominated movie Up in the Air, road warrior Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) dreamed of hitting ...

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. ...