Author Archive
Joe Barber reviews “X-Files: I Want To Believe”
by Joe Barber on Jul.26, 2008, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews
Ten years after he first tried his hand at transferring his wildly popular television series to the big screen, writer/director Chris Carter has delivered a second film based on “The X-Files.” Though this movie’s stated sub-title is I Want To Believe, a more accurate one might be I’d like a Coherent Story, Please.
The Film Club: A Memoir
Apple Pro Training Series: Soundtrack Pro
Daredevil: Music From The Motion Picture(Soundtrack)
Firefly: Music from the Original Television Soundtrack
The Fellowship of the Ring Movie Soundtrack Piano, Vocal, and Chords (The Lord of the Rings) (Pvg)Joe Barber reviews “Step Brothers”
by Joe Barber on Jul.26, 2008, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews
Once in a great while, a movie comes along that is such a waste of time and money, you have to wonder why anyone would bother to make it. A big, quick payday is the likely answer, though I suspect the folks who made Step Brothers would never be crass enough to admit it. Too bad they were crass enough to make the movie and release it.
Related Reading:
Why Popcorn Costs So Much at the Movies: And Other Pricing Puzzles
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: 5th Anniversary Edition
Stone Age Soundtracks: The Acoustic Archaeology of Ancient Sites
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies (Book & Cassette)
100 Modern Soundtracks (BFI Screen Guides)Joe Barber Reviews “The Dark Knight”
by Joe Barber on Jul.20, 2008, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews
One of the key rules of movie reviewing I’ve come to lean on over the years is: Never expect a lot from a sequel. With the significant exceptions of Godfather II, The Empire Strikes Back and Terminator II; Judgment Day, most sequels fall far short of the engaging energy that drove the first film. The Dark Knight is that rarest of exceptions, a follow-up that builds upon and broadens the themes and elements that helped Batman Begins reinvigorate the franchise. This richly textured film is not just the best movie of the summer, but may just be the best movie of the year.
Related Reading:
Understanding Movies Value Package (includes Filmmakers on Film (CD)) (9th Edition)
60 Great Horror Movie Posters (Illustrated History of Movies Through Posters, Volume 19)Joe Barber Reviews “Mama Mia!”
by Joe Barber on Jul.20, 2008, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews
Certain things are irresistible-a baby’s laugh, a sunny day and, it seems, the music of ABBA. How else can one explain the continuing worldwide popularity of the Scandinavian pop group’s hook laden dance tunes and mournful ballads?
Related Reading:
Film Directing: Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen (Michael Wiese Productions)
Mamma Mia!: The Movie Soundtrack Featuring the Songs of ABBA (Piano Vocal Guitar)
Juno Music From the Motion Picture SoundtrackJoe Barber Reviews “The Visitor”
by Joe Barber on Apr.21, 2008, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews
Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins,) the main protagonist of screenwriter/director Tom McCarthy’s new film, “The Visitor,” is a man on a treadmill. An economics professor at a college in Connecticut, he’s been teaching one class-the same class-for the last several years. He has also been research and writing a book on his specific area of knowledge for a while as well. Since the death of his pianist wife, both time and life have moved at a snail’s pace for Walter. He is comfortably numb inside the cocoon of day to day drabness he has woven for himself. An unexpected trip to New York City for a conference is the axis on which this gentle and affecting film turns. (continue reading…)
Short History of the Movies, A (10th Edition)