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Movie review: ‘Fast & Furious 6’

By Ed Symkus — Fri, 24 May 2013 2:01:00 +0000

You can have a great time getting caught up in the outrageous action of the sixth entry in this money-making machine of a series without having seen any of the previous films. But you wouldn�t understand the nuances of the characters and their interrelationships, you wouldn�t get why they all keep talking about the importance of family, and you wouldn�t really know who you�re supposed to be rooting for, or why.
But, again, you can still have a great time. A �Fast & Furious� movie consists of [...]

Movie review: Last call for ‘Hangover’ gang

By Dana Barbuto — Fri, 24 May 2013 2:01:00 +0000

�The Hangover III� takes forever to get started and then never wants to end. Farewells are always tough, but the end it is, as the �Wolf Pack� embarks on one final off-the-rails road trip.
The journey � from California to Tijuana to Vegas � is mildly amusing, even hysterical at times. But most of those giggles are of the cringe-inducing ilk, as in �I don�t know why this is funny but I�m LMAO.� Ken Jeong eating dog food sounds grossly unfunny in theory, but on screen, well, I almost fell out [...]

Ken Jeong bares his soul - and body - in ‘Hangover 3’

By Ed Symkus — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:08:12 +0000

Though he stole all audience attention away from every other actor in his brief scene as Dr. Kuni in �Knocked Up,� no one was ready for Ken Jeong�s intro in �The Hangover.� He leaped out of a car trunk, wearing only black socks, and proceeded to beat the tar out of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis with a tire iron. That�s right, wearing only black socks. His Mr. Chow eventually became an important character in that film and its sequel. In �The Hangover Part III,� Chow, naked again, [...]

Heather Graham returns to ‘Hangover’

By Ed Symkus — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:06:45 +0000

It was with the release of �Boogie Nights,� in 1997, that Heather Graham became everybody�s favorite porn star with a heart of old. No, not actually Graham, but her character in that film, Rollergirl.
The blond-haired, blue-eyed actress had been around the Hollywood scene for some time already, with parts in �Drugstore Cowboy� and �Swingers,� as well as an ongoing role on the oddball TV show �Twin Peaks.� But it was �Boogie Nights� that pushed her to the next level, part of which is her [...]

Movie review: ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’

By Ed Symkus, More Content Now — Wed, 15 May 2013 2:00:00 +0000

Despite its grim title, this sequel to J.J. Abrams’ really, really good, but not quite great reboot of the “Star Trek” franchise is going to be an absolute joyride for a lot of viewers. The writing has been knocked up a few notches; though Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) still remain at the film’s center, the rest of the crew has been given more to do this time; and most important, “Into Darkness” is truly a valentine to “Star [...]

Science fiction spoof next in film series

Tue, 14 May 2013 2:01:00 +0000

TEXAS TWP. - "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension" will be presented by the Wayne County Arts Alliance on Sunday evening, May 19 at Honesdale Cinema 6.

The movie is a science fiction spoof that went on to become one of the cult classics of the 1980s. The film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai, a combination secret agent, neurosurgeon and rock star and his band on assistants/backing musicians who attempt to deal with the evil Dr. Lizardo [...]

Movie review: The best ‘Gatsby’ adaptation yet

By Ed Symkus, More Content Now — Fri, 10 May 2013 2:01:00 +0000

Hardcore F. Scott Fitzgerald fans have always written off the idea of a movie adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” as something impossible to get right. A look back at the four films that it’s been turned into so far reveals that their negative thoughts have been pretty accurate. Of the versions made in 1926, 1949, 1974, and 2000 (for television), only the ’74 film, with Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan, has come close to capturing the [...]

Leonardo DiCaprio brings Jay Gatsby to life

By Ed Symkus, More Content Now — Mon, 6 May 2013 17:18:46

Jay Gatsby is a strikingly handsome, incredibly wealthy man who’s shrouded in mystery, at least involving the source of his riches. He’s terribly lonely, and regularly throws wild parties in his opulent mansion, just so there are people around him. He’s hopelessly in love with a (married) woman from his past, and will do anything he can to win her. What actor wouldn’t want to play the lead in “The Great Gatsby?” Well, five have attempted it on film, to [...]

Movie review: ‘Iron Man’ franchise still soaring

By Ed Symkus, More Content Now — Fri, 3 May 2013 2:01:00 +0000

This series hit the ground running five years ago, then it and its title character took to the sky, and in the third terrific installment, it’s still soaring. Although Jon Favreau, who directed the first two films, sticks to just acting here (playing bodyguard turned micromanaging head of security Happy Hogan), the transition to director Shane Black is a smooth one, partly due to the great collaboration he and star Robert Downey Jr. shared in Black’s most recent film, the [...]

Mark Wahlberg talks about ‘Pain & Gain’

By Ed Symkus, More Content Now — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:08:13 +0000

When Mark Wahlberg takes on a role in a film, he becomes that character. Not in any method way of acting. Rather, he preps for the part, then infuses any relatable pieces of himself into whoever he’s playing. In the case of the darkly comic, based-on-fact “Pain & Gain,” he plays Daniel Lugo, the not-very-bright bodybuilding mastermind of an absurd plot to get a wealthy client’s money in order to start living his version of the American dream. Suffice it to say, [...]

Wallenpaupack grad comes home to make film

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:06:30

HAWLEY - Proud of what her hometown has to offer, Alia Haig, has come home to Hawley, to create her thesis film, "Chimes of Destiny: A Fate Shop" for her bachelor’s degree from New York Film Academy. A 2010 graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School, Haig wrote and directed the psychological thriller about a lonely woman who doesn’t communicate well with others. The woman discovers useless items in a shop, and the items, Haig said, change the woman’s fate. The [...]

Zany 1936 comedy to be screened April 21

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:40:12 +0000

Wayne County Arts Alliance is featuring a 1936 classic comedy film, "My Man Godfrey" at the Honesdale Cinema 6, Route 6 Plaza, on Sunday evening, April 21.

The film will be shown at 7:30 p.m.

One of the zaniest screwball comedies from the 30’s, "My Man Godfrey" is a treasure; a romance/comedy, witty and wickedly paced. Directed by the Oscar nominated Gregory La Cava, Carole Lombard and William Powell head a great (and nutty) supporting cast. [...]

Black Bear Film Festival seeks key volunteers

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 9:52:19

�Since 2000, Black Bear Film Festival has offered support for innovative and independent films, artistic expression, education, diversity and cultural, enhancement and economic development for the community.

The Black Bear Film Festival is seeking energetic and motivated volunteers for several open and challenging positions, including: Fundraiser Coordinator Assistant, Grant Writer, Film Salon Assistant and Programming Assistant.

The Black Bear Film Festival's [...]

Movie review: ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ will have you cheering

By Ed Symkus, GHNS — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 6:17:00 +0000

There are all sorts of lessons to be learned in this violent, exciting, flag-waving chunk of action cinema.
One: When a knowledgeable military person radios his chopper pilots with the warning, �Be on the lookout for possible advanced weaponry,� pay attention.
Two: When you�re a depraved bad guy, and a vengeful good guy says to you, �I�m gonna stick my knife through your brain,� take heed.
You�ve probably figured out that the Olympus of the title has nothing to do with Greece and [...]

Movie review: ‘Admission’ adaptation won’t please fans of the novel

By Ed Symkus, GHNS — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 6:15:00 +0000

Films like this comedy have a guaranteed opening weekend audience just because a big TV star has the lead role and is all over the poster. That would be �30 Rock�s� Tina Fey. Those folks probably won�t be disappointed in this lightweight film, even though Fey plays it kinda bland, as is called for her character.
But fans on the novel it�s based on are going to have some problems, in that so many of the story�s elements have been changed beyond recognition.
The basic plot is about [...]

Film on Afghanistan war to be shown March 24

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:45:48

HONESDALE - Wayne County Arts Alliance is sponsoring a screening of the film "Kandahar", Sunday night, March 24 at the Wayne County Visitor's Center.

The film "Kandahar" unveils the legacy of war in Afghanistan. The story line involves an Afghan �reared Canadian journalist who slips into her native land to save her sister, left behind when the family escaped. Her sister plans on committing suicide on the last solar eclipse [...]

Jim Carrey works his magic in ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’

By Ed Symkus, GHNS — Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:56:46

Jim Carrey can play it all: dark and light, down-to-earth and outrageous. He can jump from �The Cable Guy� to �I Love You Phillip Morris,� from �The Truman Show� to �Dumb & Dumber� without missing a beat. In �The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,� in which he plays opposite Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi, his magician character Steve Gray is all kinds of things. He�s a talented performer, a daredevil, a shameless egotist, and a nasty, competitive fellow. Yet somehow, in Carrey�s capable hands, Steve [...]

Movie review: ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ a vibrant, worthy prequel

By Ed Symkus, GHNS — Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:55:25

A great idea, pulled off to just short of perfection. It�s a prequel, of sorts, to �The Wizard of Oz,� in which we�re introduced to the young Kansas sideshow huckster who ends up in the magic land of Oz, and will someday become that iconic �man behind the curtain� to whom we�re to pay no attention.
Oscar (James Franco), who goes by the nickname of Oz, ekes by, emotionally unfulfilled, as a magician at the traveling Baum Circus (the first of many Oz references). He�s a charming cad, who fools [...]

French film, 'Queen to Play' to be shown March 10

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 15:29:02 +0000

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The Wayne County Arts Alliance is hosting a screening of the film, Queen to Play, Sunday evening, March 10. The public is welcome at 6 p.m., at the Community Room of the Wayne County Visitor's Center, 32 Commercial St., Honesdale.

Based on Bertina Henrichs' acclaimed novel La Joueuse d'echec (The Chess Player), the film Queen to Play is the successful debut of French director and screenwriter Caroline Bottaro.

Set in the postcard-perfect isle of [...]

Movie review: Dwayne Johnson can’t save ‘Snitch’

By Ed Symkus, GHNS — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:51:28

As I was leaving an advance screening of this new action movie starring Dwayne Johnson, a critic friend of mine said to me, �I liked �The Tooth Fairy� better,� referring to an earlier, really bad Johnson movie. It was a joke on her part, but she sure was right. That film was far above this one in writing, acting, directing and entertainment value. And remember, it was a dog.
Johnson, who cut back on his wrestling career as The Rock, in order to go for movie star status, hasn�t exactly chosen [...]