“You have the right to remain silent… FOREVER!” This is the tagline for the cult 1988 slasher flick Maniac Cop, a film which, by its title alone, needs no introduction. This is just one of the many random and hilariously bad films screened at the hipster-friendly movie theater the Nitehawk Cinema. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn this theater is home not only to current independent cinema but to a number of obscure films as part of its usual film series. Maniac Cop falls under its “August Midnite: I Heart New York Horror” series, a delightfully gory and over-the-top collection of horror films which take place in the Big Apple. Another series, “Live + Sound + Cinema” presents classic or cult films while live music is played simultaneously, sort of a throwback to the silent film era. The very cheesy sci-fi comedy Dark Star was also screened.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Every once in a while a film comes along that hits all the right notes, a film that not only entertains but digs deep and explores tough topics. Lee Daniels’ The Butler is one such film and it is both a history lesson and one heck of a story. With an ensemble cast featuring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, John Cusack, Liev Schreiber, Terrence Howard, Mariah Carey and Robin Williams, The Butler has all the trappings of an Oscar contender and then some.
Defiant Requiem
Music can be a very effective and powerful form of therapy. The beauty in a piece of music can fill one with raw emotions rarely felt by other art forms. The documentary Defiant Requiem explores the use of music and its meaningful purpose in a time where hope ran low and survival was everyone’s main objective: the Holocaust.
In a World…
Voice-over acting is a timeless art that has existed for decades. The late great Don LaFontaine’s God-like voice is cemented in the minds of anyone who has ever heard a movie trailer in the latter half of the 20th century. His famous line “In a world…” is one of American pop culture’s greatest gems. His art has been imitated time and time again though few people have come close to duplicating his talent. The new indie comedy by Lake Bell, In a World…, takes the viewer on a fascinating and often amusing look into the cutthroat world of voice-over acting.
Femme Fatales: The Complete Second Season
It is widely known that sex sells. Nude women in particular seem to be the best selling attraction. This is what the makers behind the semi-softcore porn program Femme Fatales strongly believe in and in a very unsubtle way. Cinemax, or one should say “Skinemax”, has put together a show that features beautiful women, lots of softcore sex and truly idiotic storylines and dialogue so one can argue whether this is porn or not.
Under the Bed
Horror movies these days tend to rely on two major elements: sudden loud crashing noises and extreme gore. Both of these cheap tricks are what modern horror films rely on and it’s pretty sad that creativity and actual suspense have been thrown out the window. The latest low-budget “fright fest” Under the Bed is just another example of contemporary horror gone terribly wrong.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 3
In 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book debuted and it eventually snowballed into a media franchise known the world over. With the comic book gaining a strong following, it was only logical that an animated series followed and it did (though it would be far more child-friendly than the comic). In 1987, TMNT premiered in syndication and it was a huge hit. Saturday mornings were presented with a new animated series that young audiences just ate up.
A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s Escape from Paradise
In the last decade or so, the computer-animated film category has grown and grown. Film companies like Pixar and Dreamworks are the leaders when it comes to computer-animated cuteness but there tend to be smaller films out there that also get squeezed out. A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s Escape from Paradise is one such film and the results are actually kind of charming.
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Escape from Planet Earth
It seems that this day and age, voice-acting attracts the cream of the Hollywood crop. In the past decade or so, many notable actors have lent their oratory talent to animated feature films, and in so doing their status as actors is no longer limited to what they look like but to what they sound like as well. Escape from Planet Earth is a recent 3D computer-animated adventure film which contains a pretty impressive roster of voice actors. That is perhaps the film’s only strength. Well, that and the lovely animation because the story is somewhat lacking.
Touched by an Angel: The Seventh Season
The subject of of God is a tricky one. You never know when you’re going to insult someone with your religious or spiritual viewpoints. The syrupy show Touched by an Angel is basically about the existence of a higher power and three humanoid angels sent by God to intervene when problems arise. It is a thought-provoking show which tackled some tough issues but each episode always ended the same way, positively. The seventh season is now out on DVD and for fans of both the series and family-friendly entertainment in general may rejoice.
Unger the Radar 