September 21, 2013 Prisoners should come with a warning: Angst alert! Sitting through the new film by Oscar-nominated Quebecois director Denis Villeneuve, is like choosing to experience 2.5 hours of emotional torture. But potential audiences shouldn’t let that keep them from journeying through the complicated morality maze that is this story of abduction, vigilantism and …
Cinema Siren
‘The Family’ Trailer and Review: Bloody Funny Besson
September 14, 2013 Based on Tonino Benacquista’s novel “Malavita”, opinions on this strange little dark comedy — which marks a comedic departure for famed French action director Luc Besson — will likely be rigidly parked in one or the other of two camps. Plenty in what we will call “Camp Nous Detestons” will see it …
“Getaway” Review & Top Ten Car Chase Movies of all time
August 30, 2013 I wish someone could please explain how a movie goes from a good idea to the worst release of the year. I feel such sadness and pity for the stunt drivers who risked their lives as part of the making of this week’s new release Getaway, starring Ethan Hawke and Selena Gomez …
Movie Review and Trailer: ‘The World’s End’
August 23, 2013 When a movie’s tagline is “Good food. Fine ales. Total annihilation,” you know you’re in for it. The boys behind The Cornetto Trilogy of comedies — the first two of which are Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007) — are once again busting genres to the eternal appreciation and …
Cinema Siren Press Interview: The World’s End – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright
Cinema Siren interviews Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright as part of a press round table, discussing their comedy, The World’s End, which is the final film in their Cornetto trilogy. The World’s End premieres tomorrow, August 23, 2013.
Movie Review: “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”
August 17, 2013 With all the the name change drama surrounding Lee Daniels’ The Butler, what curious movie aficionado wouldn’t want to check it out to see what why all the fuss? What? You haven’t heard? Honestly, in a world where few movies offer the opportunity for such a gathering of A-list people of color to …
Pacific Rim – THESE MONSTERS AND ROBOTS ROCK
July 12, 2013 Ask any scifi fan, they’ll likely tell you this week’s big movie, Pacific Rim, is in their top five most anticipated releases of the year. If you don’t know about it already, you might be curious enough to read on, and to find out about it now… Plot: Giant robots fight giant …
‘Despicable Me 2’: More Minions + More Gru = More Family Fun
July 2, 2013 As satisfaction at the movies goes, nothing makes Cinema Siren happier than a really great animated feature. After some mediocre offerings earlier in the year, finally this holiday weekend something really great arrives, and just in time for families looking for cinematic fun. The quirky heart of the original is kept intact, …
“White House Down”: Channing Tatum puts the “Abs” in “Absurd”
June 29, 2013 The first 40 minutes or so of White House Down, from director Roland Emmerich (of Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow and 2012) is entertaining enough. We, the audience, know going in what to expect. Testosterone-laden dialogue, limited development of the same basic list of uninventive characters, a minimum of exposition and …
The Great Gatsby: Gutsy, fearless and worth seeing
May 11, 2013 No question whatsoever, director Baz Luhrmann is someone who elicits strong opinions with his every movie. Moulin Rouge draws forth a swoony sigh from its biggest fans and an eye roll from its detractors. In an industry that often plays it safe, creating movies like Fast and Furious 6 to keep the …