Mike Vilensky's Mini-Movie Reviews

Surf's Up
An animated movie about penguins making a documentary movie about surfing, all mirroring humans. Very meta! With the pretty sound of Zooey Deschanel on voice over, I can't complain too much about this fun film. Plus, I gave Shia LaBouf's last movie a bad comment - this time, I'll spare him.

Oceans Thirteen
Viva la trilogy. Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones are out, but the Clooney/Damon/Pitt tripod are back for a final gamble. If you saw the first two, you can pretty much bet on a confusing plot, director Steven Soderbergh's strange storytelling style and unseemly editing, but enough on-screen chemistry between the older, real life Entourage-esque boys to entertain you.

Hostel: Part II
Like in its precursor, three naive Americans studying abroad in Europe are lured to a hostel by a pretty person. This time, the overzealous Americans happen to be women. But again, the message hits hard: STDs are not the worst thing you can wake up with when you follow your libido. This gore-fest should give you enough nightmares to take a vow of celibacy. Until you study abroad.

La Mome
The story of Edith Piaf, famed and unfortunate French singer, is fascinating and strangely timely. Piaf was like a 1940s starlet with a bad upbringing and controversial actions, but tons of talent. But in the 1940s, she managed to escape a crotch-shot "Scary Skinny!" Us Weekly cover. She did not manage to escape a plethora of lovers and an early death, but her beautiful voice, unlikely success and strong character make her a celebrity not to be forgotten - or at least one worth watching a movie about.

Mr. Brooks
A detective follows a potential serial killer, a normal man with a dangerous alter ego. Kevin Costner and Demi Moore follow a possible blockbuster, another movie that will probably flop. I am tired of these "psychological" crime dramas starring established actors and attractive 40something-year-old women. What kind of genre is that? A forgettable one.

Knocked Up
The 40-Year-Old Virgin director and team are back with what is poised to be this summer's comedy hit. But that team is not nearly as awesome as the starring couple who can be credited as the hot alien from (cancelled) WB teen sci-fi series Roswell (okay, and now the hot girl from Grey's Anatomy) and the stoner from (cancelled) NBC teen comedy series Freaks & Geeks. Color them a comeback.

Back to Contents