Big Fan (2009)

More of a drama than a dark comedy. It's a study of obsession and apathy. The film holds your attention but doesn't really entertain. 

Rating: C-

Scotland, PA. (2001)

A take on MacBeth that borders on the edge of sanity. Takes place in the 70's with an unusual cast. Christopher Walken is great as always. There were many funny parts to this movie, but storywise it kind of lost me. And with most Shakespeare movies, everyone dies. If you like updated versions of his stuff, you'll probably enjoy this movie.

Rating: C

Some Guy Who Kills People (2011)

A dark comedy with a touch of slasher sprinkled on top. Great performances from the daughter and sheriff helped to keep this indie engaging.

Rating: C

Definitely Maybe (2008)

Much better than I expected. Some thought was actually given to the plot and characters. Very funny in parts too. Not just another chick flick.

Rating: C+

The Departed (2006)

It's fortunate for the viewer that the source material for this film was so good, but also that the man overseeing it's American adaptation is such a master of his craft. Namely: Martin Scorsese.

This could have been just another crime drama; but with a top notch screenplay, A-list actors, appropriate editing, and the aforementioned direction, it excels into richer territory.

Was this the film most deserving of Scorsese's Oscar? Maybe. I find Oscars are rarely given when they are most deserved. Either way, it's a worthy candidate and a great film.

Rating: B+

Superbad (2007)

Extremely funny, but also very crude. It's like a day in the life of the dudes from Knocked Up when they were younger. If you're not easily offended and enjoy perverse, juvenile humor, then this is the film for you.

Rating: B

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Kind of a convoluted mess. The plot felt like it was put together with Scotch tape and twine.

Rating: D+

True Romance (1993)

I saw this a long time ago when it first came out, and I wanted to check it out a second time since they released a director's cut on DVD. The cast is unreal: Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Samuel L. Jackson, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, Michael Rapaport, James Gandolfini, and Tom Sizemore. Wow.

Despite all this, the movie never reaches a Pulp Fiction, The Professional (Leon), Natural Born Killers, Freeway, The Salton Sea, Fight Club, Out of Sight, or Bound level. It has moments of brilliance, but never quite makes it.

Rating: B-

Unstoppable (2010)

About as exciting as a runaway train movie can be. Tony Scott is known for making hearts pound, however here it felt like he didn’t have much to work with besides a few real life events to fabricate a plot from. Character development is thin and feels forced. The actors give it everything they’ve got in what amounts to a very average action movie.

Rating: C

Pineapple Express (2008)

This almost felt more like a Coen Brothers movie than a Judd Apatow film. Dark, funny, and violent. Not among his best work, but still entertaining.

Rating: C+

Bad Boys (1995)

The sad thing is, I remember loving this movie when it came out. There’s something to be said about growing wiser with age. Watching this again, I could only groan through the bad dialogue, clichés, and Michael Bay explosions. The one redeeming quality? Tea Leoni was looking fine.

Rating: D

The Next Three Days (2010)

A solid prison break drama with enough riveting scenes to keep you from pausing to relieve your bladder. Having quality actors didn’t hurt either. That scene between Crow and Liam Neeson was terrific. Since you probably missed this one in the theater like I did, make sure and catch in on Blu-Ray.

Rating: B-