DVD of the Week – The Singular Heroine of True Grit (2010)
by HELEN GEIB
Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), the 14 year old heroine of True Grit, is a singular young lady. Read more 
Rewind: Films of the 60s, 70s, 80s- Movie Movie (1978)
by RICHARD WINTERS
Initially, the unique concept for this film seems intriguing. The idea was to recreate the movie viewing experience of the ’30s and ’40s by having a feature double bill with theatrical trailers in between. The stories would have all the cliches, storylines, and characters from films of that era, but done with a tongue and cheek approach. The same core performers including George C. Scott, his actress wife Trish Van Devere, Red Buttons, Art Carney, and Eli Wallach would play different characters in all the stories much like doing skits on a variety show. Legendary director Stanley Donen, famous for such films as Singin’ in the Rain, Royal Wedding, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers would direct and the screenplay would be written by Larry Gelbert, best known for writing Oh God! and Tootsie. Read more
Movie Review – Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
by HELEN GEIB
Kung Fu Panda 2 is the very satisfying sequel to 2008′s wholly delightful Kung Fu Panda. The new adventure builds on the foundation laid by the first film, which established the Chinese historical fantasy setting and introduced the heroes. Kung Fu Panda told the “how he got his kung fu” origin story of Po the kung fu panda a/k/a the Dragon Warrior. Kung Fu Panda 2 is the story of Po’s origins. That our hero is the adopted son of a goose, but doesn’t quite seem to realize he’s adopted, was one of the first film’s many good jokes. The sequel explains how a baby panda came to be adopted by the feathered proprietor of a noodle shop. Read more
Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (June 3, 2011)
by HELEN GEIB
Three new limited release films open in Indianapolis this week, including the Oscar-nominated Incendies. Pickings are slimmer elsewhere in the state, although Cave of Forgotten Dreams continues a welcome (albeit still limited) expansion. Read on for all the “outside the multiplex” news. Read more
Hollywood Releases Preview – June, 2011
by HELEN GEIB
The count stands at three family films, two comic book movies, J.J. Abrams channeling Steven Spielberg, and the obligatory raunchy comedy of the month. The Hollywood Releases Preview “Visual Edition” returns for June. Jump to the end for the full releases list with links to the films’ IMDb pages.
My Life As an Indy Moviegoer – May, 2011 Recap
by HELEN GEIB
A monthly series in which I relate my reflections on life as an independent-minded moviegoer in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Last month I saw the three movies I wanted to see at the multiplex: Fast Five, Thor, and Kung Fu Panda 2. They were all a lot of fun and they were all better than I expected. I’d happily see a sequel to each. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was neither fun nor better than I expected. The franchise officially wore out its welcome with this entry and it would take a lot to get me back to the theater for the next one. Assuming there is a next one, which seems a pretty safe assumption given the already stupendous grosses. Read more
Best Comic Book Movies?
by HELEN GEIB
Whether you see it as a golden age for comic book movies or just an overloaded age, there’s no fighting the deluge. In this month of X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern, with Thor and Priest to our left and Captain America and The Smurfs to our right, let’s talk about movies made from comics.
What’s the best comic book movie? The most overrated? The most underrated? And the evergreen topic for debate- because there are just so many contenders for the title: What’s the worst comic book movie ever made?
