Movie Review – Fast Five (2011)
by HELEN GEIB
When Fast Five, the latest installment in the “Fast and the Furious” series, took in over $80 million in its end of April opening weekend, the predictable response from studio PR was that summer had arrived a week early. The real surprise is not that the movie had a smash opening, but that the “summer movie” tagline is accurate; five movies in and the current entry has the broadest popular appeal of any film in the series. At the same time, it’s the ultimate movie for series fans. That’s a feat more impressive than the showiest action set-piece. Read more 
Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (May 13, 2011)
by HELEN GEIB
Welcome to the new iteration of Thinking Outside the Multiplex, in which I fill in for Mike. The main difference you’ll notice is that TOTM is going to be shorter as long as I’m writing it. I admire Mike’s passion for completeness without having the patience to emulate it. In specific terms, this means non-movies (opera in cinema, most Fathom specials, etc.) and unsubtitled foreign language films will no longer appear in this column. The “Next Week and Beyond” section is also gone, but will probably return in modified form. To compensate (or not) there will be rather more editorializing about the films in future weeks. For the somewhat less complete listings of limited release films, special screenings, and festivals in Indiana this week, read on below…. Read more
DVD of the Week – Review of The Illusionist (2010)
by NIR SHALEV
The Illusionist is an often funny, extremely poignant, and slightly dramatic, melancholy film that contains two stories that coexist under one theme: the times that are changing. The first story is of an aging French illusionist, Tatischeff who is out of work and travels to a small town in Scotland to perform his magic in small locales. Once there, he is welcomed by all of the locals, and also a very drunk one in particular. A young teenage girl, Alice, takes his fancy. When Tatischeff leaves the town to travel to Edinburgh, Alice runs away with him and a partnership develops. It turns into a father/daughter relationship quickly and they get along very well. Read more
Rewind: Films of the 60s, 70s, 80s – Happy Birthday Gemini (1980)
by RICHARD WINTERS
A brother and sister by the name of Judith and Randy Hastings (Sarah Holcomb, David Marshall Grant) travel to Philadelphia over the summer to visit their college friend Francis Geminiani (Alan Rosenberg). Judith dated Francis during the school year and wants to continue the relationship. Francis though has come to terms with his homosexuality and realizes that he is now more attracted to her brother. The story examines their adjustments and attitudes to this news as well as the many eccentric characters that make up the neighborhood. Read more
Movie Review – Thor (2011)
by NIR SHALEV
Comic book (or graphic novels or what have you) film adaptations are popping up quicker than good new comics can be written. Therefore, it was a good idea to look back at the famous, or just plain good comics that their fans love, to try one’s best to adapt them into film, and to please everyone in the end. Most adaptations of Marvel Comics materials are plain terrible (Daredevil, Elektra, Hulk and The Incredible Hulk, etc.…), but some work terrifically. Thor is part of the new wave of comic book film adaptations that are terrific; films like Hellboy and Hellboy 2, Spider-Man 2, Batman Begins, Iron Man, and The Dark Knight. Read more
Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (May 6, 2011)
by MIKE MACCOLLUM
We’re on the cusp of the big summer movie season, but this week brings more than a few limited release films to the state- including an Academy Award winner and an acclaimed 3D documentary from a veteran director. Moreover, there’s news of even more limited release films on the way in the future- see “Next Week and Beyond” below. For all of this and more, keep reading… Read more
Hollywood Releases Preview – May, 2011
by HELEN GEIB
Only eight multiplex releases and a full fifty percent are wedding-themed. Jumping the Broom and Something Borrowed go head to head this weekend, with Bridesmaids and The Hangover Part II to follow later in the month. I don’t have anything in particular to make of that, aside from the further evidence it provides of industry groupthink.
More interesting is Thor, one of May’s two comic book adaptations. The other is Priest, based on a Korean manwha (graphic novel) series; 3D is only one of the reasons against seeing it. No summer month being complete without a few sequels, the fourth entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean series and Kung Fu Panda 2 round out the lineup.
Full release list by date, with links to the films’ IMDb pages, after the break. Read more
DVD of the Week – Review of The Good Thief (2002)
by NIR SHALEV
Neil Jordan’s The Good Thief is a film that snuck by the casual filmgoer because it took an art house approach. It didn’t have many showings when it was in theaters and despite getting critical praise, it’s a film that is hardly talked about. I chose this as a DVD of the Week because I want to remind audiences of it and also because I want to tie another film to it later in this review. Read more
Rewind: Films of the 60s, 70s, 80s – $ (1971)
by RICHARD WINTERS
Inspired by the British hit Perfect Friday this inventive and original bank heist film holds up well today and has a great mix of action and comedy. It oozes with cynical sensibilities and jaded characters. Read more
Free-Talking on Cinema, Movies, and Film (May, 2011)
by HELEN GEIB
[Note: The monthly Free-Talking post is updated every five days, give or take a day every now and then.]
MAY 23, 2011- FORMAT CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT
Starting next week the “free-talking” running post will be broken out into weekly posts, beginning with the monthly discussion question on the first Wednesday of June.
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MAY 17, 2011- (RANDOM) TRAILER OF THE MONTH
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