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...

In the criminal justice system... 3 stars Blog exclusive! New episodes of Law & Order: SVU premiere every Wednesday at 9pm on NBC I can't hold in my abnormal for SVU any longer. The series has survived the consistent departure of regular cast members and seems to always feature memorable guest appearances. I think the best new thing about Season 13 of the hit drama is actress Kelli Giddish's portrayal of transplanted Texas Detective Amanda Rollins. She has her fair share of problems (i.e. a dangerous gambling conviction) and has a lot of heart. What's missing from this season is the edge Christopher Meloni brought to the screen as Detective Stabler. The show needs more muscle, more fire and less glitz. Of second-most importance in terms of good new things to hit SVU is the hot, hot, hot romance budding between Detective Benson (Mariska Hartigay) and ADA Haden (Harry Connick Jr.). Connick is new to the show, but is a force of nature. However will the pressur...

Blog Exclusive! "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" Season 13 (2011) 4 Stars - Watch it on HULU or NBC Television spin-offs rarely work. Case in point "Joey" which was the bastard child of Everybody Loves Raymond or even Law and Order: Trial by Jury." But SVU defies convention. It is not only as good as the original L&O, but it trumps it in every way. Case in point: Most of the original cast is still intact and the newcomers to the show also fit right in. The show manages to stick by the same exact formula running on 13 years now and it still surprises me every time. Season 13 marks change in L&O: SVU with the departure of Christopher Meloni (Det. Stabler), but with Mariska Hartigay returning there is no drop-off however. On Wednesday, January 12th the show returned from a holiday break with it's 11th episode of the season. Be sure to check out the cops busting down walls to catch pedophiles, murders and addicts SVU style or you may very w...

A cat fight in leotards (Now on DVD) 3 Stars As featured in: The Ithacan Director Darren Aronofsky finds comfort in telling cautionary tales. “Black Swan,” Aronofsky’s first film since “The Wrestler” won him widespread praise two years ago is his most foreboding yet. The film takes place in the ultra—competitive world of New York City ballet where constant pressure takes its toll on the nimble performers. Nina Sayers, played by Natalie Portman in an Oscar worthy turn, is an extreme example of what that pressure can do. Sayers is an eager yet self-deprecating talent who wilts when given the chance to become the lead performer in a modern retelling of Swan Lake. A film is only as good as the sum of its parts and “Black Swan” is built from quality ingredients. The screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz covers many topics ranging from self—worth to addiction and weaves them together quite well. Best categorized as a psychological thriller “Black Swan” forces the audience to conti...

Arrest this movie 2 1/2 Stars Blog exclusive! For the most part “Cop Out” starring Bruce Willis (Die Hard) and Tracy Morgan (television’s 30 Rock) deserves a ticket. With a horrible script, insanely stupid stunts and a support(less) cast "Cop Out" instantly becomes the worst buddy cop film I’ve seen in awhile. Jimmy Monroe (Willis) is a divorced father of one. The only thing Jimmy and his wife have in common is the love for their daughter Ava (Michelle Trachtenberg). She is going to be married off and the dream wedding she wants cost nearly fifty grand. Getting the money is cause for concern and Monroe enlists the help of Paul (Morgan) his police partner to get the wedding bills paid. The only thing that doesn’t deserve to be locked up in "Cop Out” is Tracy Morgan’s acting. When Morgan isn’t making comments about Cate Blanchett’s fair skin in real life he is busy punching kids in the groin, just because he can. After all he is a cop. Why is Morgan so good? Well h...