The Avenue | Movies And Tv - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'Four Christmases' more full of bad jokes than holiday cheer

By DAVID STUZIN Avenue Writer | Dec. 3, 2008

Right around Thanksgiving it begins to happen. As we mindlessly stuff ourselves with turkey, the world outside transforms in a majestic way; front lawns become biblical light shows, toy stores become parental battle grounds, and repetitive, peppy music infuses every store, car and restaurant in America. Behind all this snowy wonderment, Hollywood plays a sinister trick, and all over the country cliché, sentimental family films pop up like blemishes on the face of the movie industry. One of these blackheads, "Four Christmases," smiles at you while you writhe in pain and feel the urge to punch someone out of boredom.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

New Bond movie offers solace but needs more quantum

By DAVID STUZIN | Nov. 19, 2008

There's a new Bond in town, and "Quantum of Solace" doesn't hesitate to showcase this fact. Making a distinct move from the Pierce Brosnan era, "Quantum of Solace" has a more realistic James Bond, quick-moving action sequences and, to the disappointment of almost every guy in the theater, no sex scenes with the lead actress (Olga Kurylenko).

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Trend rises from the dead

By ALISON SCHWARTZ | Nov. 19, 2008

The latest trend in pop culture may never die out - that is, if vampires are really immortal. Pushing pirates and wizards aside, the release of books such as "Twilight" and television shows such as "True Blood" shows that vampires have seemingly reclaimed their spot in the entertainment industry.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'Role Models' is a model comedy

By DAVID STUZIN | Nov. 12, 2008

From "Zach and Miri Make a Porno" to "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," there seems to be a lot of coming-of-age movies playing this fall. Though they all span different ages on the 18 to 39 range and have individual takes on the genre, they boil down to basically the same struggles, general plot points and quirky romantic involvements, which can get boring. But "Role Models" takes the conventions of the genre and somewhat reinvents them in a way that is both original and hysterical.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'Zac and Miri' make a porno and many laughs

By DAVID STUZIN | Nov. 5, 2008

In "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," lifelong friends Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) find themselves on the verge of bankruptcy and can't seem to make the awkward newly adult years work for them. Barely able to keep a roof over their heads, the two find themselves working minimum wage jobs just to cover expenses. Left without any other option, they decide to make, as the title would suggest, a porno. With the help of a strangely assorted cast and crew assembled from the bottom tier of society, the two set to work, finding out along the way that they might have feelings for each other beyond friendship.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' cheesier than your high school prom

By DAVID STUZIN | Oct. 29, 2008

So let me "break this down for you": In "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," teen dreamboat Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is dealing with a lot of problems. Gifted at both sports and theater (gasp), Troy doesn't know what to pursue. He wants to follow his best friend Chad (Corbin Bleu) and play basketball at the fictional University of Albuquerque, but his burning theatrical passions are keeping him back. To make matters worse, he's up for a Juilliard scholarship, and as if this weren't enough, Troy's heart beckons to a different call.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Q&A with David Alan Grier

By CAITLIN HEAD | Oct. 29, 2008

On his new show, David Alan Grier dares to ask the question that's been on everyone's mind: What the hell happened to hip-hop? When did "Fight the power" become "Wait 'til you see my dick"?

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'Max Payne' is too painful to sit through

By DAVID STUZIN | Oct. 22, 2008

To be successful, an action film needs only to have two things: a plot that's somewhat interesting and lots of macho characters, memorable one-liners, explosions and weapon fights. "Max Payne" has none of the former and unfortunately lacks the latter.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People' wins audience

By DAVID STUZIN | Oct. 15, 2008

"How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" is a strikingly clever movie title; not only because of its length but also because it manages to be somewhat ironic. The funny and friendly movie certainly doesn't alienate the audience but draws them into a big, warm bear hug of romantic humor.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Film may or may not leave you choked up

By DAVID STUZIN | Oct. 1, 2008

A fantastical view of the world's sleazier characters, "Choke" is a surreal softcore porn movie where the story is better - and more appealing - than the sex but just as graphic. Self-proclaimed sex addict and medical school dropout Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell), cons people into loving him by pretending to choke at restaurants and having others save him. He then uses these people for money to keep his dying mother, Ida Mancini (Anjelica Huston), in "nice" hospital facilities. Content in this wayward lifestyle, he meets his mother's new doctor, Paige Marshall (Kelly Macdonald), who, with an almost angelic demeanor, manages to turn Mancini's life upside down by telling him he might be Jesus's half clone forged from the ancient holy foreskin. It's pretty mind-boggling.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings Q&A

By JORDANA FYNE | Oct. 1, 2008

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings keep it cute and awkward as two teens getting to know each other in "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," a one-night, feel-good frolic through New York City. In between tickling and throwing things at each other, Cera and Dennings chatted in a national phone conference about their new movie, which opens Friday.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Despite transparency, humorous soul of 'Ghost' revealed

By DAVID STUZIN | Sep. 24, 2008

I'm going to bring my manhood into question here and say that "Ghost Town" is a cute movie. That's the only apt definition for something that's fun to watch and mildly romantic but doesn't offer the suspense, symbolism or surprise - unless you count the joyous physical proof that Cameron from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is still around as surprising - the general population uses to classify a movie as good. But it's a nice movie and worth going to see if you're in the mood for something light.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Latin film directors visit Gainesville for first time in 4th Annual Latino Film Festival

By JESSICA METZGER | Sep. 17, 2008

The Latina Women's League wants to share the diverse stories of Latin America with the Gainesville community. With six independent films, it has organized the Fourth Annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival, which will be different than the past three in that two of the film's directors will make presentations and hold bilingual readings for young children.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Director of Oscar–nominated film visits Gainesville

By JESSICA METZGER | Sep. 17, 2008

Tania Hermida is an independent filmmaker with a vision to show truth and important stories. Best known for her role as second assistant director for the Oscar-nominated independent film "Maria Full of Grace," her first feature film "Que tan lejos" (How much further), which will be shown at the upcoming Gainesville Latino Film Festival, was a product of her desire to create a "road film."

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Stellar acting in 'Burn Before Reading' lights up screen

By DAVID STUZIN | Sep. 17, 2008

To try to stick "Burn After Reading" into a genre is absolutely impossible. One could call it a comedy, as IMDB.com does, but I think this label does the movie a disservice. Don't get me wrong, you will laugh your head off, but you will also question yourself for laughing at each character's rather depressing life. It's really not a drama, a romance or even a political satire. Rather, the movie transcends genre and focuses on plot, making the style both distinctive and amazingly entertaining.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Hitman finds emotional side in “Bangkok Dangerous”

By JACK BENGE | Sep. 10, 2008

"Bangkok Dangerous," a new thriller starring Nicolas Cage, manages to deliver some action along with a heavy dose of tired plot devices and distracting camera-work. Taking a cue from Michael Haneke, the Pang brothers decided to direct a remake of their own film in English. In the remake, Cage plays a hit man named Joe who only lives by four rules. The most important of these rules is to know when to get out. This theme plays at the heart of "Bangkok Dangerous."

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

"Encounters": Documentary shocks with beauty

By HUNTER SIZEMORE | Sep. 3, 2008

"Why is it that a sophisticated animal like a chimpanzee does not utilize inferior creatures? He could straddle a goat and ride off into the sunset," asks "Encounters at the End of the World" director Werner Herzog, who also directed "Grizzly Man" and "Fitzcarraldo."

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

"Traitor" betrays audiences' high expectations

By DAVID STUZIN | Sep. 3, 2008

In this post-9/11 fantasy world, everyone is split into two sides: freedom fighters and terrorists, with no room for middle ground. Based largely on this premise, "Traitor" comes off as rather unbelievable, and at times almost ridiculous, as it channels Cold War-era nuclear fears brought about by propaganda.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

“Hamlet 2”: A B movie or not a B movie?

By DAVID STUZIN | Aug. 27, 2008

While watching "Hamlet 2," you may be bombarded by a number of questions that seem important. "Who is Steve Coogan?" you might find yourself thinking. "How did a barrage of misfits in Tucson magically learn to act and sing?" and "Why is the funniest joke about Elizabeth Shue, an actress who has been a blip on the blockbuster radar since the late 1990s?" Though these questions may seem minor, they'll consistently make you question the validity and overall merit of the movie at large.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

‘Swing Vote’ fails to win over audience with hazy plot

By Allison Griner | Aug. 6, 2008

Just in time for our own election season, "Swing Vote" enters theaters and, like most politicians, tries hard to reflect the thoughts and feelings of the average American.