I AM THE BLUEBIRD
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  Year Released: 2009 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 110 minutes |
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE! The link between memory and self-agency is, in and of itself, a fascinating subject, but Thomas Verrette’s treatment of it makes the film frustrating to watch.
Posted on April 29, 2009 by Stina Chyn
PROGNOSTICATING WITH GARY WEEKS: OR, “THE DAY I LEFT MY CELL PHONE AT HOME”
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL INTERVIEW! On a warm and breezy Wednesday afternoon with a honeydew-celery smoothie in hand, Stina Chyn chatted with writer-actor Gary Weeks to learn more about “Deadland,” the film he stars in and wrote.
Posted on April 26, 2009 by Stina Chyn
THE DEATH OF ALICE BLUE
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  Year Released: 2009 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 86 minutes |
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE! Echoing the narrative programming of late-night SciFi or F/X television, “The Death of Alice Blue” depicts one of the most bizarre and health-code-violating office spaces in indie cinema.
Posted on April 25, 2009 by Stina Chyn
DEADLAND
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  Year Released: 2009 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 107 minutes |
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE! Despite its political elements and ideological motifs, “Deadland” is ultimately about a man’s need to make things right, to reunite with the person that makes his life worth living.
Posted on April 21, 2009 by Stina Chyn
SUNSHINE CLEANING
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Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 102 minutes |
Beneath its morbid exterior, “Sunshine Cleaning” projects a tender portrait of how people help out others and seek a better life for themselves.
Posted on March 24, 2009 by Stina Chyn
I LOVE YOU, MAN
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Year Released: 2009 MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 104 minutes |
Although I can’t formulate a better resolution to the narrative conflicts, “I Love You, Man” ends on a note that is too cute and conventional to accept.
Posted on March 23, 2009 by Stina Chyn
FILM THREATS SEVEN DAYS OF VD!!!
It’s that time of year…love and sex are in the air. Screwing is FREE in a recession people! (and for most it takes less time than illegally downloading a movie). So let’s get it on with Film Threats “Seven Days of VD!!”
First up…a poem and lovely ode to….”Hard Candy?”
Posted on February 14, 2009 by Stina Chyn
NOT EASILY BROKEN
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Year Released: 2009 MPAA Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 99 minutes |
It’s debatable whether or not the sermon-like message is subtle or mild enough for viewers that prefer less of a Sunday school treatment. Coupled with decent acting but average cinematography and editing, “Not Easily Broken” hums more fittingly to the tune of a LifeTime television event.
Posted on February 10, 2009 by Stina Chyn
BRIDE WARS
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  Year Released: 2009 MPAA Rating: PG Running Time: 90 minutes |
“Bride Wars” is a chick flick in the purest sense—it’s not about men or falling in love—and is quite funny…It might have taken three screenwriters to finalize the blueprint, but the end result is deliciously mindless and doesn’t pretend to offer more substance than it delivers.
Posted on January 15, 2009 by Stina Chyn
THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX
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  Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: G Running Time: 100 minutes |
Trailers for “Despereaux” focus heavily, if not exclusively, on the title character. Knowing virtually nothing about the film’s story other than the inclusion of a mouse that doesn’t behave as a scaredy-mouse should, I wasn’t exactly ready for an entire secondary storyline involving a rat.
Posted on December 27, 2008 by Stina Chyn
A CHRISTMAS TALE
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Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: Unrated Running Time: 127 minutes |
The story of “”A Christmas Tale” does not rely on the tropes of Yuletide cinema for substance or style.
Posted on December 19, 2008 by Stina Chyn
NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS
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Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 99 minutes |
For seventy to eighty minutes out of ninety-nine, “Nothing Like the Holidays” provides mostly entertaining spectacle. It’s only when the ending credits roll that I realize I wanted to know more about a couple of the characters but the film wouldn’t be able to oblige.
Posted on December 14, 2008 by Stina Chyn
THE EXPRESS
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Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: PG Running Time: 127 minutes |
Rather than watch the closing credits with an overwhelming or mildly nagging feeling that the film could have done more to offer a more complete view of his life, you depart with the curiosity and eagerness to learn more about Ernie Davis and his time at Syracuse University…
Posted on October 12, 2008 by Stina Chyn
HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE
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Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 110 minutes |
If one were to search for the instructions stated in the film’s title (of how to lose one’s friends and alienate people), one wouldn’t get very far. Sidney doesn’t have any friends to lose; his behavior and personality are more in line with being socially inept…
Posted on October 4, 2008 by Stina Chyn
RELIGULOUS
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Year Released: 2008 MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 101 minutes |
The notion of biased vs. unbiased does not apply in a discussion of this film. Some might find fault with its approach, but the film’s method is entirely appropriate since “Religulous” incorporates historical factoids but is neither a book report nor an encyclopedia entry on institutionalized religion…
Posted on October 3, 2008 by Stina Chyn