Michael Brun

01 Apr 2010

DreamWorks’ latest proves classic for children, adults

From directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders (“Lilo and Stitch”), “How to Train Your Dragon” is an animation triumph. Heartfelt, thrilling and visually stunning, it’s near-perfect family entertainment. If you’re in the mood for some good, clean fun this weekend, then this is the film for you.

26 Mar 2010

Gore mars action movie

If you have a strong aversion to watching open heart surgery, then you’ll probably want to avoid “Repo Men.” Along with showing several graphic surgical procedures, it also contains a nauseatingly high level of violence.

12 Mar 2010

Strong performances bolster film’s emotional impact

Imagine that you were locked in a dark room for a month, forced to watch nothing but news stories about gang violence and street crime, and then asked to write a screenplay for a movie. I’m betting that the finished product would be pretty close to “Brooklyn’s Finest.”

05 Mar 2010

Cheap humor weakens Kevin Smith’s latest film

In the opening minutes of “Cop Out,” star Tracy Morgan spouts off more movie quotes than I could count. Among them is the famous “Yippeeki- yay…” line from “Die Hard.”

26 Feb 2010

Psychological thriller impresses with acting, story

I was starting to get worried that I’d never get a chance to see Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island.” Originally slated for an October release, Paramount Pictures decided to delay it until late February.

19 Feb 2010

Strong performances, music make up for film’s flaws

The tagline for director Scott Cooper’s “Crazy Heart” reads, “The harder the life, the sweeter the song.” No doubt about it, Bad Blake has lived a hard life. Once a successful country western musician, Blake is reduced to playing his old tunes in corner bars and bowling alleys. With a cigarette in one hand and a shot of his favorite whiskey in the other, he lives life like he can’t wait to die. And yet, when he takes the stage, he plays with an aura of sweet, sensuous emotion that belies his ragged exterior.

11 Feb 2010

Film’s emphasis on action distracts from a disappointing plot

Rated R for strong violence and pervasive language, it sounded like director Pierre Morel’s “From Paris with Love” had everything I was looking for in an action movie.

05 Feb 2010

Thriller leaves reviewer feeling hopeless

Considering its premise, director Martin Campbell’s revenge thriller “Edge of Darkness” should have been a satisfying experience. Revenge is a common cinematic theme, primarily because it is so fundamentally enjoyable to watch the bad guy get his bloody comeuppance at the hands of a wrathful hero