Matinee Melee: Action thriller ‘Salt’ surprisingly flavorless
CASEY PHILLIPS: “Salt” may be the most inappropriately named film of the year.
Matinee Melee: ‘Inception’ a mind-bending thriller
When a director’s last project is the third-highest-grossing film of all time, he might be tempted to turn his next film into a special-effects-laden blockbuster while neglecting the crucial element of storytelling. Not so “The Dark Knight” director/writer Christopher Nolan.
Matinee Melee: Carell vehicle more adorable than despicable
I used to think it was impossible for an animated character to be as endearing and heart-wrenchingly cute as Boo from "Monsters, Inc." Then I saw "Despicable Me's" wide-eyed orphan, Agnes.
Matinee Melee: 'Twilight' still pale, pouty and petulant
If ever a series of movies deserved a rating class all its own, it's the "Twilight" saga. Call it "NA-NT" (no admittance to non-teens) because it's rare for a movie to be targeted so narrowly at adolescents.
Matinee Melee: Cruise and Diaz bring some light to ‘Knight and Day’
CASEY PHILLIPS: He may not have Jason Bourne’s stoic professionalism or Jack Bauer’s angry face, but Roy Miller is a secret agent who can hang with the best of them.
Matinee Melee: ‘Please Give’ turns liberal guilt into wicked comedy
When a movie opens with a close-up, montage of mammography, set to a song with lyrics by Paranoid Larry, you don’t know what you’re in for.
Matinee Melee: This 'Karate Kid' could have been chopped
It's nice that anyone who wants to relive the 1980s is getting to do so at the local cineplex, isn't it? I keep expecting to see a resurgence in acid-washed jeans and hair crimpers.
Matinee Melee: 'Get Him to the Greek' all swagger, stumble
CASEY PHILLIPS: I'm a total sucker for movies about musicians. Maybe it's artists' inherently dramatic lives. Maybe it's that those films tend to have excellent soundtracks. Whatever the reason, many musician biopics are among my favorite films.
Matinee Melee: 'Prince of Persia' a royal treat with energy, spirit
CASEY PHILLIPS: "Super Mario Bros." "Alone in the Dark." "Street Fighter." "Doom."
Matinee Melee: Fourth 'Shrek' solid, even in 2-D
CASEY PHILLIPS: There's something to be said for keeping your expectations reasonable and then meeting them. That's exactly what first-time "Shrek" director Mike Mitchell has pulled off with "Shrek Forever After."
Matinee Melee: 'Robin Hood' robs from the myth, gives nothing back
CASEY PHILLIPS: If there's one thing we, and especially Ridley Scott, should learn from "Robin Hood," it's that you don't mess with a myth.
Matinee Melee: 'Iron Man 2' brilliant but not as good as the original
CASEY PHILLIPS: In 2008, Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in "Iron Man" left no doubt he was destined to play reformed playboy-turned-hero Tony Stark. In this second outing, Stark retains his zest for life as he shoulders the weight of heroic responsibility and public scrutiny while donning a suit that's slowly killing him.
Matinee Melee: 'Furry Vengeance' bites
CASEY PHILLIPS: I'm not one for pulling punches, so here goes.
Matinee Melee: Gritty, volatile 'Losers' a winner
CASEY PHILLIPS: With a main villain who's evil "just because," a series of predictable double crosses and a wacky super weapon, "The Losers" easily could have followed in the bootsteps of cheesy '80s vehicles for Dolph Lundgren and Chuck Norris.
Matinee Melee: 'Death at a Funeral' an unnecessary remake
CASEY PHILLIPS: When I saw the original "Death at a Funeral," I was blown away by its somewhat twisted sense of humor and Alan Tudyk's memorable portrayal of acting under the influence. That was way back in 2007, so clearly, a remake was long overdue.
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