On the surface, Jamin Winan’s Ink is about a father (played by an intense Christopher Soren Kelly) who is too consumed by his work to pay attention to his daughter. On a different level of reality, it’s also about invisible warriors, called Storytellers, who visit us at night and bring us our dreams. There’s also a different group of nightly dream warriors, the Incubi, whose … [Read more...] about Barry’s Streaming Cinema: An escapist fantasy, sleeper comedy, and essential documentary
Film Review
Best of the Wurst
Before we begin, a caveat: you may not have heard of some of these movies. I know Maui doesn't always get every movie, particularly the "artsy" ones. But instead of shrugging off my oddball choices, I ask that you give these a look on DVD. You may find, as I did, what a great discovery they are. I believe the best thing a film critic can do is to persuade audiences to see … [Read more...] about Best of the Wurst
Down to ‘Earth’
This watchable, initially promising remake of the classic original isn’t a disaster, but, at best, it’s an interesting failure. Keanu Reeves stars as Klaatu, an alien in human guise who comes to Earth to warn mankind about the error of its ways and connects emotionally with a widowed mother (Jennifer Connelly) and her son (Jaden Smith). The 1951 original was about the need for … [Read more...] about Down to ‘Earth’
Mild animals
If you’re 10 years old or younger, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa will probably be one of your favorite films of the year, and why not? It’s goofy, silly fun with gorgeous animation, enjoyable characters, toe-tapping musical numbers and some nicely animated action sequences. The sequel has a few good laughs, and is always a pleasure to look at, but is uneven and not as good as the … [Read more...] about Mild animals
‘Role’ playing
Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd (who co-wrote the screenplay) star as energy drink pitchmen whose bad behavior puts them in a community service position where, for over 100 hours, they must inspire the lives of unruly children. The two leads have been cast according to their familiar comic personas—while both have shined in dramatic roles (particularly Rudd, an accomplished … [Read more...] about ‘Role’ playing