Michael Brun

04 May 2012

‘The Raid’ features blood bath, martial arts

Action movies tend to have a comedic element, something to keep the violence from getting too heavy. The Indonesian import “The Raid: Redemption” is an exception. It’s dark and unapologetically violent, often feeling more like horror than an action movie.

27 Apr 2012

‘Lockout’ doesn’t stand out from the crowd

Sometimes you just feel like fast food. “Lockout” is the cinematic equivalent of a big, greasy cheeseburger— not of the highest quality, but a whole lot of fun.

20 Apr 2012

‘Cabin in the Woods’ disappoints as horror film

Did you catch all of the inside jokes in “Shaun of the Dead?” Do you have a favorite gore makeup artist? Is there an “Evil Dead” poster in your bedroom? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then odds are you will like “The Cabin in the Woods.”

13 Apr 2012

Lighting expected to make back trail safer

It is officially called the back trail, but students know it by another name: the rape trail. After years of planning, this unlit pathway behind UW-River Falls could have lights installed along it as early as next spring, a University administrator said.

13 Apr 2012

‘The Killing’ leaves fans wondering what comes next

Last year’s finale of the new AMC series “The Killing” caused an Internet firestorm over a last-minute revelation that basically made the entire season seem like a waste of time. That’s right, the whole first season was a red herring.

06 Apr 2012

ʻWrathʼ disappoints much like its prequel

There were a lot of things wrong with 2010’s “Clash of the Titans,” none of which were fixed in the sequel. “Wrath of the Titans” is just as dull and aimless as its predecessor, and the 3D effects are every bit as disastrous.

30 Mar 2012

ʻThe Hunger Gamesʼ has the odds in its favor

There were several times while watching “The Hunger Games” when I asked myself, “Wait, what?”

23 Mar 2012

‘21 Jump Street’ fails to stand out in theaters

Combine “Superbad” with “Police Academy” and you get “21 Jump Street.” This self-referential, mostly irreverent action/comedy is good for some solid laughs, but tired gags and a few too many flat jokes hold it back from greatness.

09 Mar 2012

‘The Artist’ conveys an old school movie style

Set in the late 1920s, “The Artist” depicts Hollywood at a crossroads. Veteran silent film star George Valentin, played by French actor Jean Dujardin, is at the peak of his popularity.

02 Mar 2012

‘Act of Valor’ unlike any other movie experience

I’m finding it hard to fit “Act of Valor” into a specific genre. It is certainly a war movie, although a rare breed that defends military action as honorable and necessary. It also features a number of action movie tropes, but without the flashy bravado and invincible hero. And its depiction of military hardware borders on documentary.