Looks today are in for this week's four releases plus two sneak peeks:
"The Punisher" "THE PUNISHER has more in common with the work of Don Seigel and John Frankenheimer than it does with the work of Michael Bay or Simon West. To Hensleigh's credit, what he's done here is make a character-driven revenge drama that resolutely refuses to fit into the easy current definition of the 'comic-book' movie. This isn't like any of the other recent Marvel movies, so before you start screaming at me about BLADE 2 or DAREDEVIL or HULK, save yourself the hassle. This is nothing like those films, whatever you think of them. Is it like the source material? Honestly, I can't answer that question. Does it work as a movie? Yeah. It sure does..." (full review)
"Starsky & Hutch" "The end result of Starsky & Hutch is simply an entertaining flick that kills time, but does so skillfully. The story element of the film almost makes the feature rank with more of a moderately successful rating (B-), but given some moments that had me laughing pretty hard and its offering of easy chuckles, the film saves itself. This is not exactly a movie to eagerly look forward to, but in terms of a flick to catch on a Friday or Saturday night with a packed audience, Starsky & Hutch will likely please and hand over what is craved..." (full review)
"Eurotrip" "Raunchy teen comedies have their place. Movies like Animal House, Porky's, and American Pie have their admirers. Eurotrip just doesn't have the laughs or the skilled comedic cast of those movies. It includes some of the ingredients of a hit teen comedy (lots of nudity and gross-out gags) but mostly it leaves out the comedy..." (full review)
"I guarantee you, that if you go to this film, with an open mind and in the mood for laughs you will not be disappointed. If it doesn't work for you, then you're either too cynical or just dead, but trust me, "Eurotrip" is a trip worth taking, pun..." (full review)
"While not the funniest movie of this genre-that honor probably goes to Old School--Eurotrip is pretty damn funny, and the irreverent humor offers enough gut busting laughs to make it a worthwhile and entertaining comedy, despite the weak cast. With another movie like this one, Schaeffer, Mandel and Berg could be on their way to becoming comedy giants like the Farrelly Brothers..." (full review)
"I myself could not remember a film that had made me laugh as much as this one did, as while the jokes are very over the top and crude they are often well timed and very easy to laugh at. Yes some people will be offended at the image of a person being given the special treatment at an Amsterdam Brothel and the results of two twins having far too much alcohol but this film was not made for them. If you like a good laugh and do not mind this type of humor, then prepare to laugh long and hard, as Eurotrip is a trip well worth taking...." (full review)
"Welcome to Mooseport" "Romano comes across as very annoying in this film as his nasally voice and whining get very old and he seems to be offering nothing more than a 90-minute version of his television character only without any laughs. My advice would be for him not to give up his day job, and for you to avoid this film..." (full review)
"Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" "Lohan is the center of the film and the major draw for audiences. I've always felt she was a Julia Roberts or Jodie Foster in the making and as she matures I'm looking forward to witnessing the continuing evolution of her career. At a screening for the film I was a little unnerved by the young girls also attending and wearing hip huggers and make-up, barely looking ten years old. This is the kind of movie they'll enjoy because they want a glimpse at what the next phase of their lives could be like..." (full review)
"Against the Ropes" "Actually, the occasional technical ineptitude of Against the Ropes sets it apart from other tired sports dramas. It provides some fresh entertainment in a movie sorely needing some. Jackie Kallen deserves credit for breaking into the male-dominated world of boxing promotion, but it's doubtful her real life is as formulaic as the movie that was "inspired" by it..." (full review)
