Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews

Category: 3 Stars

  • Blended (***) This is not an example of my behavior

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    Blended – 2014 Director Frank Coraci Starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Bella Thorne, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Shaquille O’Neal, Terry Crews, Joel McHale, Wendi McLendon-Cove, Kevin Nealon, Emma Fuhrman, Braxton Beckham Screenplay Clare Sera, Ivan Menchell The 3rd time out for Sandler and Barrymore gets started in a women’s bathroom stall at Hooters.  Yes this is intentional.  We are well past…

  • As Above, So Below (***): Isn’t great, but at least it follows course

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    As Above So Below – 2014 Director John Erick Dowdle Starring Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge, François Civil, Marion Lambert, Ali Marhyar Screenplay Drew and John Erick Dowdle Sometimes in the rush to consider a movie a failed venture, we miss the ones that, while not great, certainly are good.  Let’s be honest, the found footage route has more than run it’s…

  • The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (***): If you can work it in

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    The Amazing Spider-Man 2: 2014 Director Marc Webb Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field Screenplay Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner The opening segment of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 seems like it could really be fun. The actor most suited for the role, Andrew Garfield,…

  • Transformers: The Age of Extinction: Remember Chicago?

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    Transformers: Age of  Extinction – 2014 Director Michael Bay Starring Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing, Titus Welliver, T. J. Miller, John Goodman, Ken Watanabe Screenplay by Ehren Kruger Alright, let’s get this thing over with.  It’s bad, yes.  There are the customary Michael Bay touches here.  The slightly…

  • Forgotten Gems: Once We Were Kings…The Lethal Weapon Series

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    Lethal Weapon Collection – 1987, 1989, 1992, 1998 Director Richard Donner Starring Martin Riggs Mel Gibson Roger Murtaugh Danny Glover Leo Getz Joe Pesci (2-4) Lorna Cole Rene Russo (3-4) Lee Butters Chris Rock (4) Trish Murtaugh Darlene Love Rianne Murtaugh Traci Wolfe Nick Murtaugh Damon Hines Carrie Murtaugh Ebonie Smith Captain Ed Murphy Steve Kahan…

  • The Monuments Men: Thankful for those with vision

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    The Monuments Men – 2014 Director George Clooney Starring Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bob Balaban, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Hugh Bonneville, Jean Dujardin Screenplay Grant Heslov and Clooney based on the book by Robert M. Edsel Monuments Men tells the story of those who paid attention in the midst of a war.  So many people displaced, wounded and…

  • Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit needs to retire

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    Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – 2014 Director Kenneth Branagh Starring Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, Keira Knightley Screenplay Adam Cozad, David Koepp based on characters created by Tom Clancy Once upon a time, this was a good series looking to become great.  About the moment Harrison Ford offered up a check from the U.S. Government to purchase a used Helicopter, it…

  • The Rules of The Counselor

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    The Counselor – 2013 Director Ridley Scott Starring Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, Dean Norris, John Leguizamo Written by Cormac McCarthy Rule 13: A spec script, or non-commissioned screenplay, is not solicited by anybody.  It must be sold. Rule 25: A good opening scene, with remarkable visuals and as a bonus incredible sound, gives the viewer hope that they…

  • The Family: Not everything’s alright

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    The Family – 2013 Director Luc Besson Starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron, Tommy Lee Jones, John D’Leo Writers Besson and Michael Caleo Fading are the days in which Robert DeNiro commanded the screen.  The script of The Family goes so far as to describe his use of the “F”-word at the expense of actually seeing him use it.…

  • 47 Ronin is not quite enough when you have too many F/X

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    47 Ronin – 2013 Director Carl Rinsch Starring Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Min Tanaka, Jin Akanishi, Masayoshi Haneda, Hiroshi Sogabe, Neil Fingleton, Takato Yonemoto, Hiroshi Yamada, Shu Nakajima, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Rinko Kikuchi, Yorick van Wageningen, Rick Genest Writer Chris Morgan, Hossein Amini The late Sam Kinison had a routine regarding Jim and Tammy Faye Baker’s take on Christianity in which he, as the voice of God, feigns a search through…