Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, September 13,2012

Cold Light an exercise in tedium

The tepid thriller The Cold Light of Day is the sort of movie that makes you appreciate the genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Its plot of an ordinary man thrown into a case of international espionage is the

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, September 13,2012

Words a compelling drama

By Chuck Koplinski

At one point during Brian Klugman’s and Lee Sternhal’s The Words, author Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper) is told that his novel is far too artistic and delicate to be published in today&rsquo

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, September 6,2012

The Possession, a September surprise

By Chuck Koplinski

Since the release of The Exorcist nearly 40 years ago – yes, it’s been that long – there have been so many horror films dealing with demonic possession that they now constitute somet

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 30,2012

Lawless a cinematic crime

By Chuck Koplinski

Since the advent of the DVD format, one of the more revealing features that many contain is that of the “director’s cut.” Studios have their reasons for trimming the films they produ

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 30,2012

Rush peddles to satisfying, if ludicrous thrills

By Chuck Koplinski

Like a modern update of Howard Hawks’ Only Angels Have Wings (look it up, rent it, watch it), David Koepp’s Premium Rush would have us believe that the bicycle messengers who risk life and

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 30,2012

Hit and Run goes nowhere slow

By Chuck Koplinski

There are many injustices in the world. While I wouldn’t dare compare the most dire ones to the complaint I am about to file, I can’t help but cast a glance to the heavens and ask “W

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 30,2012

Deadly pace haunts ParaNorman

By Chuck Koplinski

The biggest threat that Norman Babcock (voice by Kodi Smit-McPhee) must face is a group of zombies who shamble about with a marked lack of energy and direction. The biggest disappointment that viewers

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 23,2012

Expendables 2 drowns in excess

By Chuck Koplinski

There are too few surprises left in American movies so, as a rule, I try to avoid watching previews when I go to see a film. I know that the main attraction will begin about 10 minutes after the adver

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 23,2012

Green Suffers from a terminal case of the cutes

By Chuck Koplinski

The Odd Life of Timothy Green requires a giant leap of faith as it deals with the creation of an ideal, seemingly out of thin air. In this case, that would be the title character, a handsome, charming

Film - Chuck Koplinski | Thursday, August 23,2012

Ferrell’s Campaign one for the ages

By Chuck Koplinski

Lurking beneath the surface of Will Ferrell’s last two big-budget films are scathing indictments of the state of our society. During the end credits of 2010’s The Other Guys is an effectiv