Movies - The Eastern Echo

2013 in film: Creams of the crop, disappointing flops

By Carmen Bojanowski · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

2013 was an interesting year for movies, especially within the past couple of months when all of the films deemed Oscar-worthy were released.

"Raging Bull," "Rocky" stars back in the ring for "Grudge Match"

By Kayla Boyd · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

The new Warner Brothers sports comedy, “Grudge Match”, opened in theaters on Dec. 25 and brought in about $7 million its opening week.

The renegade style of ‘The Counselor’ shines

By Joe Israel · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

“The Counselor” is a lurid, violent and introspective film depicting a lawyer’s decision to enter the world of drug trafficking.

Does the remake of ‘Carrie’ live up to the 1976 classic?

By Sarah Williams · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

The movie “Carrie” was originally released in 1976 based off the novel by Stephen King. A remake of the movie was released on Oct. 18 starring Julianne Moore as Carrie’s religious mother, while Carrie herself is played by Chloë Grace Moretz (“Kick Ass”).

“Man of Steel” has action, yet lacks pathos

By Michael Klink · Monday, June 24, 2013

Like the one man trinity known as Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El, producer Christopher Nolan and director Zack Snyder have a difficult time maintaining a consistent cinematic identity with their “Man of Steel.” “Steel” is an origin story that tells how Kal-El was born, shows how Clark was raised by foster parents in Kansas, and finally how Superman came to be.

The Purge has a great premise, but misses the mark

By Michael Klink · Monday, June 24, 2013

Imagine a United States of America without crime. Imagine our country with an employment percentage higher than Steve Nash’s career free throw percentage (90.42 percent as of today).

Star Trek: Into Darkness is worth it

By LeeAnne Baumdraher · Wednesday, June 5, 2013

I’m not a Trekkie. Let’s get that out of the way right now. When my friends suggested viewing the premature summer blockbuster “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” this past weekend, I was far from excited.

Movie “Mud” proves McConaughey’s acting abilities

By Michael Klink · Monday, May 27, 2013

With “Mud,” writer and director Jeff Nichols has done the impossible by making me a believer in Matthew McConaughey’s acting ability.

Grindhouse Review: "Child's Play"

By Michael G. Petersen · Monday, May 27, 2013

“Child’s Play” (1988) Directed By Tom Holland Starring Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent and Brad Dourif On a cold rainy night in the city of Chicago, Illinois Charles Lee Ray (Dourif), the notorious Lakeshore Strangler, is being pursued by detective Mike Norris (Sarandon) after a simple robbery has gone awry.

EMU student’s zombie film series a huge success

By Victoria Behne · Monday, May 20, 2013

Among the crowd of costumed fans and comic book artists, was Eastern Michigan University student and Echo staff writer Michael G. Petersen. At Motor City Comic-Con 2013, two films from Petersen’s zombie series, “The Last Broadcast,” were screened in the convention center’s screening room on Saturday evening.

Grindhouse Review: 'Living in Oblivion'

By Michael G. Petersen · Sunday, April 21, 2013

“Living in Oblivion” is the ultimate tribute to anyone who works on the independent film circuit. It captures the dedication and hardships anyone can go through during the production of a motion picture.

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film ‘Rear Window’ is a masterful exercise in suspense.

Grindhouse Review: 'Rear Window'

By Michael G. Petersen · Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Riveting, brilliant, bold, daring and a masterful exercise in the art of suspense are a few words that describe Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece, “Rear Window.” Already within the top contenders for the 100 greatest movies of all time, Hitchcock redefines suspense and puts us in a voyeur’s shoes as we descend into a secret world of drama, lost romance and murder.

New ‘Evil Dead’ not like original

By Mandy Grenier · Sunday, April 7, 2013

Producer and original director Sam Raimi and film star Bruce Campbell, who plays the film’s hero Ash, chose up-and-coming director Fede Alvarez to create a remake of the first in the “Evil Dead” series. This cult classic remake pulled in $1.8 million in late shows Thursday, creating more revenue than the original but leaving some fans with a bad taste in their mouths.

‘Django Unchained’ gets four out of four stars for a strong cast and story.

Grindhouse Review: 'Django Unchained'

By Michael G. Petersen · Sunday, April 7, 2013

“Django! Django, have you always been alone? Django, have you never loved again?” Marching across East Texas, chained to several other slaves, a melancholy figure drags forth through the dust and grime of the scorching desert. On his way to his new owner’s estate led by the Speck brothers, the figure pushes forward while being pursued by an unknown being. He is a lone soul carrying a long, pale, bleak expression on his face. His name is Django (Foxx), and he’s an African-American slave caught in the middle of a slave tradition set in the year 1858, just three years before the Civil War.

‘Silver Linings Playbook’ will play April 12 in the Student Center.

Oscar-nominated movie to play at EMU

By Drew Saunders · Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Pat Solitano, a former school teacher fresh from a bit of time in a mental institution, moves back in with his parents and tries to make up with his ex-wife. But as you’d expect, there’s a catch. He meets a girl named Tiffany, who has problems of her own.

Senior Earl Barr played the Emerald City elder in “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”

Student acts in ‘Oz,’ prepares to graduate

By Ashley G. Terrell · Wednesday, April 3, 2013

There once was a man from Detroit with hair of grey and a hearty laugh whose talent and charm dropped him in the land of Eastern Michigan University. With drive in his spirit, he delivered his lines with delight and the desire to act on the grand stage. With a nod from Sir George Clooney, the legendary good man from Hollywood, he found his world turned on its side and emerged in awe with a yellow brick road that would lead him to a lifetime opportunity.

“Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2” gets zero out of four stars for recycling material and bad acting.

Grindhouse Review: 'Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2'

By Michael G. Petersen · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

From writer, director and editor Lee Harry comes the next installment to the cult slasher franchise, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” with part two. Shot on a budget of just under $300,000 and somewhat incorporating new material based on the original film’s storyline, the film picks up years after the death of Billy Caldwell (Robert Brian Wilson) who was the poor helpless soul who snapped after witnessing his parents being brutally murdered by a violent criminal in a Santa suit.

‘Wes Craven’s New Nightmare,’ directed by Wes Craven

Grindhouse Review: 'Wes Craven's New Nightmare'

By Michael G. Petersen · Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

“Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” (1994) Directed By Wes Craven Starring Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Miko Hughes, David Newsom, Tracy Middendorf, Fran Bennett and John Saxon “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you.”

Grindhouse Review: 'The Wraith'

By Michael G. Petersen · Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

From the outskirts of space and time comes an unknown force that’s created from light and dark. Its motive is simple, its form is unknown and its driving force is fear. It’s the Wraith—a phantom brought back to regain what was taken from him in his previous life.

‘The Midnight Meat Train,’ from director Ryuhei Kitamura, is a shocking modern horror film and gets 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Grindhouse Review: 'The Midnight Meat Train'

By Michael G. Petersen · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

From visionary filmmaker/author Clive Barker comes one of his best adaptations since the first “Hellraiser” film released in 1987. Based on his 1984 short story “The Midnight Meat Train,” the film follows struggling photographer Leon Kauffman (Cooper) and his obsessive pursuit for dark subject matter.