All posts by Bodhi Grrl »
Ninjas Versus Zombies (2008) Movie Review
The press information for “Ninjas Vs Zombies” explains the concept and strategy behind this indie horror film. Screenwriter and director Justin Timpane “spent an afternoon in a Blockbuster looking for ‘the film they haven’t...
Read More »Watchmen (2009) Movie Review
Time magazine listed Alan Moore’s graphic novel “Watchmen” as one of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present, and called it “a work of ruthless psychological realism. It’s a landmark in...
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The Best Films of 2008
When compiling a Best of Film list, it’s always difficult to remember the ones that came at the beginning of the year. Learning from past mistakes, I kept a list of every film I...
Read More »Burn After Reading (2008) Movie Review
Joel and Ethan Coen make comedies with a body count, and “Burn After Reading” is no exception. It starts off with the demotion of Osborne Cox (John Malkovich), an unpleasant f-word spewing and irascible...
Read More »Mirrors (2008) Movie Review
Being abnormally obsessed with Asian horror, about a year ago, on a whim, I bought “Into the Mirror” (“Geoul sokeuro,” 2003) through eBay. Written and directed by Sung-ho Kim, the film focuses on Woo...
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Tropic Thunder (2008) Movie Review
As a rule, I avoid comedies like the plague. Either they are too low-brow for my tastes, relying on flatulence or gross sexual situations for laughs, or they cannot sustain their humor. Comedies also...
Read More »The Midnight Meat Train (2008) Movie Review
All I want to know is what did writer-producer Clive Barker and/or director Ryuhei Kitamura do or say to someone at Lion’s Gate to get their $15 million film “Midnight Meat Train” dumped into...
Read More »The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) Movie Review #2
The general rule is that the more sequels a film spawns, the crappier they are. Take “The Mummy” (1999). It had a cheesy B-film feel to it with an Indiana Jones vibe. Set in...
Read More »The Tattooist (2007) Movie Review
Let’s call it synchronicity. Last week, I was looking through the new DVD releases on Netflix, and I came across “The Tattooist,” a supernatural horror film about an American tattooist (Jason Behr) who, after...
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Mongol (2007) Movie Review
“Mongol” was nominated for a 2007 Academy Award, but it only just started making the festival rounds earlier this year, beginning at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and most recently screening at the...
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The Dark Knight (2008) Movie Review
Since 1989, there have been six Batman films: Two starring Michael Keaton, one with Val Kilmer, one with George Clooney, and now two with Christian Bale. In these films, Batman has fought a line-up...
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Movie Review
Hellboy is unique in the world of superheroes. He was conjured from hell by the Nazis, but he’s a good guy who watches too much TV, and enjoys a fine cigar, Baby Ruth, and...
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Hancock (2008) Movie Review
Studios like an actor who is a “sure thing,” and Will Smith is one of those. He’s an extremely bankable superstar who is seemingly loved by all age groups and ethnicities, because he’s likable....
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The (One-Armed) Machine Girl (2008) Movie Review
Ami (Minase Yashiro) is your typical high school student. She hangs out with her friend, plays basketball, and watches over her younger brother, Yu (Ryosuke Kawamura), who, unbeknownst to her is being bullied by...
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Wanted (2008) Movie Review
“Night Watch” (2004) put Russian director Timur Bekmambetov on the map. Based on the novel by Sergei Lukyanenko, it tells of the ancient battle between light (good) and dark (evil) and the man who...
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The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief (2006) Movie Review
As the credits rolled at the end of “The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief” (2006), I immediately thought of “Leaving Las Vegas,” “The Grifters,” and “Requiem for a Dream,” three...
Read More »The Signal (2007) Movie Review
Around midnight in the city of Terminus, Ben (Justin Welborn)’s TV turns itself on, waking him up. Broadcasting across the airwaves is a signal that consists of pulsating and morphing images and an annoying...
Read More »The Strangers (2008) Movie Review
(May contain spoilers) Following a friend’s wedding reception, Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) return to the latter’s family vacation home. This was also supposed to be their big night as James proposes...
Read More »Edges of Darkness (2008) Movie Review
Have you ever felt like watching a horror film, but couldn’t decide if you should choose a film about zombies, vampires, parasitic machines, the anti-Christ, or the apocalypse? Thanks to “Edges of Darkness,” you...
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