Matthew R. Reis: Film and TV Critic

When will it be over! (Now on DVD) 2 Stars As featured in: The Ithacan Shane Acker’s first feature- length film, “9,” is a flawed, post- apocalyptic vision of the not-so- distant future. Based on a short film, also named “9,” the film has some thrilling moments but should have never been adapted for the big screen. The film, set in a time of economic upheaval, depicts a dictator known only as the Chancellor who enlists the help of a team of scientists to develop technologies that will allow the state to prosper. The smartest scientist develops a ma- chine so ingenious, fittingly called The Brain, that it regrettably starts thinking for itself. Though the creator insists The Brain isn’t fully operational, it is put to use anyway by the Chancellor. The machine eventually turns its back on its creator, ensuring the inevitable destruction of the world. “9’s” fairly simple story line prevents the film from becoming a great, dark fantasy in the vein of Tim Burton’s “The Nightma...

Apetastic? Nope. (Now on DVD) 2 Stars Blog Exclusive! Charlton Heston's performance as Colonel George Taylor in 1968s "Planet of the Apes" was iconic. In 2001 Mark Wahlberg's turn as Captain Leo Davidson in the "Planet of the Apes" remake was ghastly. Now actor, director and Yale student James Franco has to deal with an ape infestation of his own in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." So how does all this monkey business translate to the big screen this time around? Not well. Not well at all. As a prequel a lot of people already know how “Rise” will end before the projector even warms up. Due to the film's lack of quality content "Rise" offers nothing worthwhile and fails to justify why a prequel was needed in the first place. Both diehard franchise fans and virgins of the series will be disappointed. Besides above average acting and terrific visual effects this film is trash. The biggest problem stems from Rupert Wyatt's ...