One is pure undistilled machismo — a tattooed, long-haired, tough-looking hombre who never seems to turn away from a fight, and never seems to lose one, either.
“The Town” is a gritty story about bank robbers with a little lilt at the end. Is believing in redemption the same as rooting for the bad guy to get away?
An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Diogenes Allen Westminster John Knox, Louisville, 2010. 223 pp. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-664-22322-9 reviewed by Ronald Byars
Pat Tillman was the poster child for the American military of the ought decade — the NFL defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals, who resigned at the height of his stellar career, giving up a multimillion dollar contract, to sign up for the Army as an enlisted man.
Yes, “Going The Distance” is both scatological and funny. If you don’t like the raunchy humor, don’t go see it. But it’s both a sensitive and hilarious treatment of a subject that has affected a lot of people — long-distance relationships.
“The American” is a high-impact film with a serene, starkly simple setting, and a quiet, slightly discordant musical score that creates a building tension throughout.
Spoofing is a delicate business. You can be so subtle that the viewers hardly know you’re playing a parody of your own part. Then there are self-parodies, even when they aren't meant to be.
“Get Low” is one of those “niche” movies that feature a cast warmly embraced by the aging Baby Boomers such as yours truly: Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek. How could it go wrong?
“Takers” is one of those high-adrenaline joy rides that’s both a good story and well-crafted visually. This one works, and it will do well at the box office.
This is one of those films that you’re rooting for to work really well, but it’s sort of a mixed bag, which is a shame, because it’s an inspiring true story.
“Animal Kingdom” has that gritty, hand-held camera feel of low-budget forays, and sure enough, we recognize hardly anybody on the screen, but all that anonymity somehow adds to the realistic dilemma of the main character: “J” Cody (James Frecheville), a 17-year-old who is having to grow up way too fast.
“The Expendables” is a really sad action/adventure movie, because it features a collection of old, over-the-hill tough guys who seem like stunted adolescents, unsure what to do with themselves except throw knives at dart boards, smoke cigars, drive loud motorcycles, and make fun of each other.
“The Switch” is one of those movies that appears to be a romantic comedy, therefore you go in expecting something kind of silly and predictable. Thankfully, it is neither.
I love it when filmmakers re-create the Roman era, complete with the togas, the chariots, the Greek-influenced architecture. Of course, many of the now-familiar Roman soldier outfits have been used to shoot films about the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. But there are plenty of other locales and eras to consider as well: such as Alexandria, Egypt, in the 4th century.
