All Articles by Monika Bartyzel

Monika Reviews THE INFORMANT!

Posted: September 18th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

A feature film about a true, global price-fixing scheme for a corn product is not the sort of fare that inspires interest and laughs. In fact, it would probably inspire the very opposite. But if you can grasp at tendrils of insanity in the story, running fictionally wild, and put it in the hands of an incredibly able actor, you might have something like “The Informant!” Hit the jump to learn about the insane world of “The Informant!”

GET LOW Review – TIFF ’09

Posted: September 15th, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Sometimes patience is a virtue. While I’m not one to say “wait it out” often, I now implore you to keep you eye out for “Get Low,” see it at your earliest convenience, and be patient. This isn’t some quick-start film of immediate laughs and intrigue. Instead, it’s a wonderfully paced story that builds from the smallest morsel into an undeniably smart, funny, and heart-wrenching piece about one man’s quest to heal the pains of his past. And if big names are what will get you interested in the film, so be it: Robert Duvall. Bill Murray. Lucas Black. Sissy Spacek. Read on to learn about the magic of Aaron Schneider’s “Get Low.”

Michael Moore’s CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY Review

Posted: September 14th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Yes, it’s time for another Michael Moore movie. In fact, this might just be his last documentary, as Moore has expressed an interest in moving to fictional films. For now, however, we get his ode to the big money men of our age, and believe it or not, “Capitalism, A Love Story” is not as incendiary as you might expect (unless you’re a big-time bank CEO). It plays out like an entertaining but infuriating look at that thing we call capitalism, and the economic crisis that has plagued us all. Read on for more capitalism…

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS Review – TIFF ’09

Posted: September 13th, 2009 at 5:57 am

We all thought that Ewan McGregor was done with Jedis. He’s spent his time as Obi-Wan, and has since moved on to a myriad of other cinematic pastures – or so we thought. Now he’s back in a new Jedi film, but this isn’t from the mind of George Lucas, and these warriors don’t use light sabers to fight. They use their minds. Read on to learn about “The Men Who Stare at Goats.”

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS Review – TIFF ’09

Posted: September 10th, 2009 at 6:26 am

“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” gained immediate notoriety upon Heath Ledger’s untimely death. Suddenly, the film was no longer a production followed only by Terry Gilliam’s loyal fans. It became the focus of many curious eyes, all wondering if Ledger’s film could ever come to fruition when he wasn’t able to complete it. While it’s easy to wonder what the film could have been without Ledger’s passing and the re-writes and cinematic magic required to complete it, it’s just as easy to appreciate what Gilliam made of it. Click through to jump into the Imaginarium…

DAYBREAKERS Review – TIFF ’09

Posted: September 9th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

Vampires are all the rage these days, between the tween thrust of “Twilight” and the sexual abandon of “True Blood”. But “Daybreakers” is not like its current brethren – it’s a classic vamp movie that follows some beloved myths while also introducing the genre to a whole new world of deadly circumstances. One, I might add, that doesn’t have any diamond-studded bloodsuckers. Read on to see why you should see “Daybreakers”.

TIFF ’09 – LESLIE, MY NAME IS EVIL Review

Posted: September 9th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Between the polished pictures and the bubbly trailer, buzz has been good for Canadian filmmaker Reginald Harkema’s latest- Leslie, My Name is Evil. It’s hard to resist the fun, John Waters-esque feel, the beautiful lead, and another look into one of the most infamous cult murderers of all time. But this film is not just some slice of camp horror like the media suggests. Believe it or not, Leslie, My Name is Evil is a biting social and political satire that you may or may not be ready for.  Hit the jump to find out what makes this film more than just campy thrills.

GUITAR HERO: SMASH HITS Nintendo Wii Review

Posted: July 30th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

It all boils down to the systems you’ve got, and what you want out of your favorite songs. Those who have a large pile of Guitar Hero games won’t find much new here, while those with newer systems (like the Wii) and want the old songs, and those who love playing as a band, should be quite content with this release. My full review after the jump:

The Best of WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY Uncensored DVD Review

Posted: June 2nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm

Slower than the turtle in that infamous race with the hare, Drew Carrey’s reboot of Whose Line is it Anyway? is coming out on DVD. After releasing Season 1 both censored or uncensored, one would imagine that Season 2 would be next.  But that isn’t the case. Instead, Warner Brothers has opted to release The Best of Whose Line is it Anyway Uncensored.

Copyright ©2005 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. California web design