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Director: David Jacobson
Starring: Edward Norton, Evan Rachel Wood, David Morse, Rory Culkin
Year: 2006
Reviewer: Mob

Edward Norton stars as an ‘aw, shucks’ country bumpkin working at a gas station in the San Fernando Valley, who meets and falls in love with Evan Rachel Wood’s character, despite a 10 year age difference and their completely different lifestyles. Norton has a quaintly naive quality that leads you to wonder exactly what his deal is, be it just a fanciful pining for days gone by, or is it a more seriously deluded problem. He fancies himself a cowboy, complete with a set of six-shooters that he uses when he takes Wood’s younger brother, played by Culkin, out to shoot with him in a deserted drainage ditch.

David Morse is the suspicious father who wants his children to have nothing to do with this stranger, which of course sets the daughter at odds, driving her and Norton deeper into a relationship. Only after we see their relationship blossoming are we privy to more of Norton’s home life, which includes him playing a one-man game of coyboys and Indians, actually rolling around on the floor and mock shooting at the ‘bad guys’ from behind his couch as he runs through his rehearsed lines. The film takes a melancholy tone as Wood begins to realize that Norton isn’t the harmless, charming bumpkin he’s painted himself to be, and the tension with Morse mounts dramatically as he becomes more desperate to keep his family away from Norton.

Well shot, the film has a nice panoramic feel to it, as we see Norton striving to find a life that no longer exists within the urban sprawl, save for a few slightly less developed areas, and the somber tone of things is nicely amped up by some rather melancholy musical cues. There are a few decent twists, and as far as indie drama goes, I think this was well worth my matinee, but isn’t necessarliy something I need to own. Give it a look for an afternoon’s entertainment.

Director: Brian Singer
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth
Year: 2006
Reviewer: Nurit Folkes

Admittedly, I’m a reluctant comic book nerd. So those crescendo building trailers for Superman Returns left me super giddy.

John Williams’ original Superman theme seeped into my ears while the familiar blue 3D-esque lettering “flew” across the screen. My heart palpitated and I waited with bated breath for any semblance of Christopher Reeve’s spirit to miraculously inhabit the theater and emit a celestial- like illumination from the screen. Although there was no radiant apparition, I was pacified with a blast from the past when the original Jar-El, Marlon Brando’s voice echoed from the speakers. The theater fell silent.

The beginning of SR disappointed me for lack of presence and oomph. The drawn out intro to Superman’s actual return needed a boost. But, boy oh boy, did Brian Singer redeem himself after that tall drink of water, Brandon “Reeves’ Reincarnate” Routh reached up to grab a hold of Momma Martha’s liver spot riddled hand. Although it took too long in my opinion to get that shivery tingle that danced down my spine, it showed up nonetheless thanks to the Lois Lane plane rescue with Brandon’s muscular blue clad form saving Lois’ skinny hide from a fiery metal demise. The producers spared no expense on the special
effects and crisp imagery. My God, the colors, the clarity, the realism! Watching the new version of the man of steel fly effortlessly and realistically amongst a computer generated sky that could make even God, himself, look twice was well worth the wait. The script was delightfully executed. I appreciated the witty repartee throughout the entire movie. It kept me entertained when the special effects were on break.

Brandon Routh did Superman’s legacy justice. He also rekindled our love affair with Clark Kent’s quaint quirkiness, all while reminding us just enough of Reeve’s classic, stellar performance. Kevin Spacey’s ominous Lex Luther was darker, yet still remained true to form and brilliant. Although, there were some discrepancies that will leave hardcore Supe aficionados scratching their noggins, a well kept secret in the movie will put a smile on your face rendering the inconsistencies forgivable. But what can’t be forgiven is that lame Lois Lane portrayal from ineffectual Kate Bosworth. She did nothing for the role and was unconvincing as tough army brat, Lois Lane. Bosworth’s inability to give us an upgrade or even anything similar to the Lois Lane once ordained by Margo Kidder was piteous. Her feeble attempt to evoke Kiddo’s grit was tossed around the screen-literally. She just never lived up to the hype. Kate B. was a definite miscast and I’d like to bend Brian Singer over my knee for that faux pas. This movie was too important for a mistake of that magnitude.

This movie gets a definite green light sans the blandness of the frail, kid-faced Bosworth version of Lois Lane. I give Superman Returns 4 red capes. Fly into theaters and see it!

Virgin Radio has become the first station to broadcast globally over 3G phones. The technology from Sydus mobile streaming services has made this possible, no matter where you are; Tokyo, Toronto or Chicago, if there is a wireless signal, there shall be music.

The software from Sydus is free to download from Virgin Radio UK, it will install an application icon to your supported mobile phones desktop. From there you can tune into Virgin Radio, the UK rock and pop station or two new digital stations; Virgin Radio Groove and Virgin Radio Classic Rock, and best of all it’s free! This really puts a damper on Satellite Radio’s outlook, which requires special hardware as well as monthly fees.

This latest service works on selected 2.5G and 3G terminals, and currently there are 30 compatible handsets available from major manufacturers including Nokia and Samsung. Over 14.9 million consumers across the globe can use the service today and this number will rise rapidly as 3G phones penetrate the market.

The product from Sydus will currently be most attractive in mobile markets such as the US, India, Thailand, Singapore, China, Italy and Australia where service providers offer unlimited data bundles. Virgin Radio and Sydus are in discussions with network operators in the UK to encourage a move towards packaging greater data to make the 3G radio player and Virgin Radio a key driver of 3G pick up.

Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black
Year: 2006
Reviewer: Al

Finally… someone has made a movie about Mexicans, wrestlers, bad food and orphans. I have been trying for years to get studio heads to act on such an obvious can’t-miss project.

The ever chubby/sexy Jack Black plays the hero of this story, Nacho. Man, I never thought I would say this, but fat people should always wear tights. Its hilarious. Please people…if you have a chubby friend/ lover/grand parent/ favourite hooker, next Christmas you should buy them a unitard. For the $40, you can’t beat the hilarity.

The director is the same guy who direted Napoleon Dynamite and we all know what that movie was like. I still can’t watch cage fighting without pissing myself laughing.

The movie teeters between slapstick and the offensive. Well it didn’t offend me, but then again I have no soul. I love how the orphans are shown to be utterly pathetic. Child poverty has never been funnier.

Jack Black was perfect for this role, just like Bea Arthur was the perfect choice for my first sexual fantasy. What? She is a very handsome woman…

I usually hate most movies. Check out my other reviews. I hated all of them. But I didn’t hate this. I felt that I could sleep at night knowing that my 8 bucks was well spent. So, if you want some sort of humour injected into your otherwise dismal existence, you should maybe go see this film… or take prozac. Either way, you’ll be much happier.