Blogcritics Author: Kevin Gustafson

DVD Review: Burn After Reading

Kevin Gustafson — Tue, 6 Jan 2009 06:31:39 EST

The Coen Brothers comedy about espionage and physical fitness can�t pump enough humor to compensate for tiny DVD extras.
I figure we’ll all be old men before the Coen brothers start digging the special edition thing. The DVD of their latest movie, Burn After Reading, is slim on extras. Let’s see if I can learn to stop worrying about the special features and love the movie. Mixing comedy, drama, and the spy thriller, the film captures the chaos...

Movie Review: JCVD

Kevin Gustafson — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:46:56 EST

Van Damme flexes acting muscles in this aching drama about his life and career which should be titled �Van Dammed.�
What is JCVD? No, it’s not a European digital video format. It’s an art house movie starring Jean Claude Van Damme. Oh boy, I feel like I’m chasing away two different movie crowds. He really can act and takes an emotional beating in this drama about his career slump. His action movies also take a punch -- right to the groin --...

Movie Review: Role Models

Kevin Gustafson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:48:46 EST

McLovin, Stifler, and macrame chain mail don't equal an Oscar-winning formula, but Role Models is funny as hell.
Role Models is the store brand version of a Judd Apatow movie. Director David Wain picks up many of Apatow’s usual cast members like Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Elizabeth Banks. He places them in a tender story about maturity and life lessons. Then he tosses in the dick jokes and stirs. Despite clever packaging, the picture is...

Paranormal Cinema: Horror Movies Scarier Than You Can Imagine

Kevin Gustafson — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 18:58:29 EST

If PG-13 movies about unexplained phenomena are so bloodless and not scary, why is Kevin Gustafson screaming bloody murder?
While you’re munching on your Halloween candy and celebrating the new president, I thought I’d discuss paranormal horror movies. You know, they’re the stories featuring a curse, ghost, or a guest appearance by the anti-Christ. For the past decade, they’ve been lamented as Diet Coke terror, moody but not frightening. Let me...

DVD Review: Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Unrated Single Disc Edition

Kevin Gustafson — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:05:21 EDT

After enduring the long plane flight to Hawaii called Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the DVD special features make the trip worthwhile.
Before I start my review of the Forgetting Sarah Marshall Unrated DVD, I must mention that the movie and I are not on good terms. The film is about a slob named Peter (Jason Segel) who meets his ex, Sarah (Kristen Bell) in Hawaii with her new boyfriend, Aldous (Russell Brand). Wow, he finds a new girlfriend? It wasn’t the predictability that...

DVD Review: Iron Man Ultimate 2-Disc Edition

Kevin Gustafson — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 21:51:01 EDT

Iron Man Ultimate 2-Disc Edition DVD bristles with special features, not an extra copy of the movie you just bought.
Iron Man finally lands on DVD. And boy, is he heavy -- with special features, that is. For those who don’t remember, the movie is about an arms dealer with a conscience who builds a super-powered suit of armor. Tony Stark is a role tailored for Robert Downey Jr. Even while turning into the hero, he doesn’t sacrifice his fast-talking,...

Movie Review: Burn After Reading

Kevin Gustafson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:03:32 EDT

Its no surprise people in Washington D.C are obsessed with screwing each other. But remember, this is a Coen Brothers movie.
After making a movie about a bloody fiasco, the Coen brothers take ‘er easy with Burn After Reading. It’s an oddball comedy about morons extorting money from other morons. The brothers cast great actors to play the characters, especially Brad Pitt as brainless Chad Feldheimer. The new film’s less serious tone may confuse those who...

Movie Review: Pineapple Express

Kevin Gustafson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:12:52 EDT

Pineapple Express is the only comedy you can watch in theaters this summer that won�t leave you burned.
Pineapple Express blows a cloud of smoke cruelly in the face of other comedies this summer. It’s a movie about idiots who get in over their heads. Though the plot is more predictable and doesn’t explain every detail clearly, it’s the first comedy this year that keeps you giggling all the way through. Dale Denton (Seth Rogen)...

Music Review: Pineapple Express Soundtrack

Kevin Gustafson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:01:26 EDT

Pineapple Express is a big hit at the movies. Is the soundtrack just as smokin? Well you won't be low.
I smelled the Pineapple Express soundtrack before my editors even dropped it into my lap. While I don’t normally review music CDs, I wanted to do this one since the movie is the best comedy so far this year. Judd Apatow produced Pineapple Express and he usually picks good songs. However, the music plays better in the film. Hardcore Apatow...

Movie Review: Step Brothers

Kevin Gustafson — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:13:08 EDT

Step Brothers has lots of kicking and screaming by curly-haired man-babies. It�s a foul film that�s wonderful only in spurts.
Step Brothers presents the most literal depiction of the man-child character to date. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star in this collection of shocking gags. While I busted up laughing at a few scenes, much of the movie left me in stunned silence. The movie might be better watched on DVD where the deleted scenes could improve the joke hit-to-miss...