An Open Letter to Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

By John C. Written as a series of deeply personal letters to an anonymous friend, Stephen Chbosky’s controversial and critically acclaimed coming of age novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book that means a lot to me.  It has gained a dedicated following since it was first published in 1999, and is… Read More An Open Letter to Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

Movie Review: Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie – A Walt Disney Pictures’ Release http://disney.com/frankenweenie/ Release Date: October 5th, 2012 Rated PG for frightening scenes Running time: 87 minutes Tim Burton (dir.) John August (screenplay) Tim Burton (story) Leonard Ripps (story) Based on the 1984 short film directed by Tim Burton Danny Elfman (music) Charlie Tahan as Victor Frankenstien (voice) Catherine O’Hara… Read More Movie Review: Frankenweenie

Along with Time Travel, “Looper” Delivers Twists That Don’t Always Work

By John C. The opening night film of the recent Toronto International Film Festival, Rian Johnson’s much anticipated science fiction epic Looper opened in theatres on Friday.  Because I unfortunately didn’t get the chance to actually see the film during TIFF, it took me until now to realize just how much of an offbeat choice… Read More Along with Time Travel, “Looper” Delivers Twists That Don’t Always Work

Movie Review: Hotel Transylvania

Hotel Transylvania – A Sony Pictures’ Release http://www.hotelt-movie.net/ Release Date: September 28th, 2012 Rated PG for some scary scenes and crude humour Running time: 91 minutes Genndy Tartakovsky (dir.) Peter Baynham (screenplay) Robert Smigel (screenplay) Mark Mothersbaugh (music) Adam Sandler as Dracula (voice) Andy Samberg as Jonathan (voice) Selena Gomez as Mavis (voice) Kevin James… Read More Movie Review: Hotel Transylvania

Movie Review: Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect – A Universal Pictures’ Release http://www.pitchperfectmovie.com/ Release Date: September 28th, 2012 Rated PG for language and crude content Running time: 112 minutes Jason Moore (dir.) Kay Cannon (screenplay) Based on the book by Mickey Rapkin Christophe Beck (music) Mark Kilian (music) Anna Kendrick as Beca Brittany Snow as Chloe Anna Camp as Aubrey… Read More Movie Review: Pitch Perfect

Movie Review: Trouble with the Curve

Trouble with the Curve – A Warner Bros. Pictures’ Release http://troublewiththecurve.warnerbros.com/ Release Date: September 21st, 2012 Rated PG for mature themes and language Running time: 111 minutes Robert Lorenz (dir.) Randy Brown (writer) Marco Beltrami (music) Clint Eastwood as Gus Amy Adams as Mickey Justin Timberlake as Johnny John Goodman as Pete Klein Matthew Lillard… Read More Movie Review: Trouble with the Curve

Movie Review: Finding Nemo 3D

Finding Nemo 3D – A Walt Disney Pictures’ Release http://www.disney.com/findingnemo/ Release Date: September 14th, 2012 Rated G Running time: 100 minutes Andrew Stanton (dir.) Lee Unkrich (co-dir.) Andrew Stanton (screenplay and original story) Bob Peterson (screenplay) David Reynolds (screenplay) Thomas Newman (music) Albert Brooks as Marlin (voice) Ellen DeGeneres as Dory (voice) Alexander Gould as… Read More Movie Review: Finding Nemo 3D

“Ruby Sparks” is a Great Movie About the Creative Writing Process

By John C. The creative writing process is often filled with personal dilemmas and constant headaches as we strive to create a product that is both easily understood and appreciated by readers.  Movies about this process can work brilliantly, written by screenwriters who know more than enough about their craft to create an entire movie… Read More “Ruby Sparks” is a Great Movie About the Creative Writing Process

Movie Review: Premium Rush

Premium Rush – A Columbia Pictures’ Release http://premiumrush.com/ Release Date: August 24th, 2012 Rated 14A for violence, language and tobacco use Running time: 91 minutes David Koepp (dir.) David Koepp (writer) John Kamps (writer) David Sardy (music) Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Wilee Michael Shannon as Bobby Monday Dania Ramirez as Vanessa Wolé Parks as Manny Aasif… Read More Movie Review: Premium Rush

Movie Review: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green – A Walt Disney Pictures’ Release http://www.Disney.com/OddLife Release Date: August 15th, 2012 Rated G Running time: 104 minutes Peter Hedges (dir.) Peter Hedges (screenplay) Ahmet Zappa (story) Geoff Zanelli (music) Jennifer Garner as Cindy Green Joel Edgerton as Jim Green CJ Adams as Timothy Green Odeya Rush as Joni… Read More Movie Review: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Movie Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days – A 20th Century Fox Release http://www.diaryofawimpykidmovie.com/ Release Date: August 3rd, 2012 Rated G Running time: 94 minutes David Bowers (dir.) Maya Forbes (screenplay) Gabe Sachs (screenplay) Wallace Wolodarsky (screenplay) Based on the books by Jeff Kinney Edward Shearmur (music) Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley Steve Zahn as… Read More Movie Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises – A Warner Bros. Pictures’ Release http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/ Release Date: July 20th, 2012 Rated PG for violence and frightening scenes Running time: 164 minutes Christopher Nolan (dir.) Jonathan Nolan (screenplay) Christopher Nolan (screenplay and story) David S. Goyer (story) Hans Zimmer (music) Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon… Read More Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Movie Review: Ice Age: Continental Drift

Ice Age: Continental Drift – A 20th Century Release http://www.iceagemovie.com/ Release Date: July 13th, 2012 Rated PG for some scary scenes and animated action Running time: 87 minutes Steve Martino (dir.) Mike Thurmeier (dir.) Michael Berg (screenplay) Jason Fuchs (screenplay) John Powell (music) Ray Romano as Manny (voice) Queen Latifah as Ellie (voice) Denis Leary… Read More Movie Review: Ice Age: Continental Drift

Katy Perry Delivers a Real “Teenage Dream” with “Part of Me 3D”

By John C. Documentaries about pop stars that are released in the midst of their careers can sometimes feel like a mere capitalization on their popularity, but this is thankfully not the case with the excellent Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D.  Those who don’t listen to her music will likely walk away with a… Read More Katy Perry Delivers a Real “Teenage Dream” with “Part of Me 3D”

Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man – A Sony Pictures’ Release http://theamazingspiderman.com/ Release Date: July 3rd, 2012 Rated PG for frightening scenes and violence Running time: 136 minutes Marc Webb (dir.) James Vanderbilt (screenplay and story) Alvin Sargent (screenplay) Steve Kloves (screenplay) Based on the Marvel comic books by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko James Horner (music) Andrew… Read More Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man