Author Archives: tomfortuna

Screwed Up vs Screwball

Posted on March 18, 2012 by tomfortuna

21 Jump Street tries to jump through so many hoops you’ll probably laugh a lot at one hoop or another — whether seeing this movie is more fun than watching March Madness is another question. At least Jonah Hill is … Continue reading →

Posted in Action Movies, Comedy | Leave a comment

Thorax, Lorax, No Ax to Bear

Posted on March 5, 2012 by tomfortuna

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is a thorax of a movie: no head, no guts, just a rib cage of cotton candy colors to tickle kids with – without the childlike wisdom of Dr. Seuss. Maybe the clear cutting of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, Fantasies: Animated or Not | Leave a comment

A Riot of a Good Time

Posted on March 3, 2012 by tomfortuna

Project X is testosterone-numb with a good guy hero who survives turning seventeen. Groucho would smile at this runaway riot — just like the hero’s dad.  The spirit of teenage anarchy rules this film about a couple of dumb parents … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy | Leave a comment

Heterosexual Snooze

Posted on February 28, 2012 by tomfortuna

“Wanderlust” rolls along for its first half hour like it’s going to be another great Judd Apatow produced comedy such as The Forty Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up or Talledega Knights – but better somehow with writer /director David Wain … Continue reading →

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The Sufficiency of Cute

Posted on February 21, 2012 by tomfortuna

  “This Means War” is one of those movies that is watchable because the concept and the stars hold so much potential – that not even a disastrous directing job can’t totally screw it up. Love triangles of course have … Continue reading →

Posted in Action Movies, Romantic Comedies | Leave a comment

Denzel’s Always a Safe Bet

Posted on February 20, 2012 by tomfortuna

“Safe House” with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds is a safe bet for good, spy thriller entertainment. Denzel’s been on a recent roll with movies about positive heroes in “The Book of Eli,” “Unstoppable,” and “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Action Movies, Drama, Thrillers | Leave a comment

The Blotter Test

Posted on February 20, 2012 by tomfortuna

  “Contraband” is a caper movie for action fans who don’t require much believability and will settle for a good action packed ride in the dark.  A crucial moment in the movie involves Mark Walhberg, the movie’s good guy/bad guy … Continue reading →

Posted in Action Movies, Thrillers | Leave a comment

Paranoia Runs Deep

Posted on February 20, 2012 by tomfortuna

  “Haywire” is another “set up” movie in a recent run of similar films: that is, thrillers where the crime is being committed against the hero — who is being conveniently framed for a crime they didn’t commit, but a … Continue reading →

Posted in Action Movies, Drama, Thrillers | Leave a comment

The Edge of Black and White

Posted on February 20, 2012 by tomfortuna

“The Woman in Black” creaks along like two great, classic black and while horror films, “The Rocking Horse Winner” and “Psycho.” In the first, there’s a creaky demented rocking horse: in the second, there’s a creaking rocking chair; both have … Continue reading →

Posted in Horror, Thrillers | Leave a comment

When the Zoo Comes Home

Posted on February 20, 2012 by tomfortuna

  “We Bought a Zoo” is a fine family drama that oddly suffers from the same basic flaw as “War Horse.” Both of these this big holiday movies about animals don’t seem to really care about the animals; rather, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, Drama | Leave a comment