Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) freak out Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in “Shrek Forever After.” “Shrek Forever After,” the third and supposedly final sequel in the popular fractured fairy tale franchise, still packs plenty of green entertainment power. It offers up the expected barrage of witty lines, pop culture references, sight gags […]
Author Archives: Dann Gire
‘Letters to Juliet’ stamped by listless plot
Engaged Sophie (Amanda Seyfriend) starts to fall for British Charlie (Christopher Egan) in the romance “Letters to Juliet.” If you like the generic pop-tune montage that opens “Letters to Juliet,” you’ll love the second one 30 minutes later. And the third 36 minutes later. And the fourth 44 minutes later. And the fifth 70 minutes […]
By-the-numbers ‘Just Wright’ gets it almost right
Trophy-wife-wannabe Morgan (Paula Patton), left, moves on NBA star Scott (Common) as Leslie (Queen Latifah) can barely believe her eyeballs in the romantic comedy “Just Wright.” There are moments in the trite rom-com “Just Wright” when executive producer Queen Latifah looks unbelievably stunning in an evening gown, or just swaddled in a set of overalls. […]
Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’ a passionless, joyless tale
Aussie actor Russell Crowe tries on the tights, quivers and scabbards as the infamous English rogue “Robin Hood.” Zounds! What hath Ridley Scott done to ye old Robin Hood and his band of merry men? You know, the beloved English outlaw who took from the rich and gave to the poor in one of history’s […]
Downey keeps action-packed ‘Iron Man 2’ light and fun
Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as wealthy industrialist Tony Stark in the anticipated action sequel “Iron Man 2.” “Iron Man 2” takes off with a sputter, flies aimlessly around for a while, then finally kicks the blasters into overdrive during the last act to deliver a comic book adventure worthy of its well-made 2008 […]
‘Nightmare’ not the remake it’s sliced up to be
The infamous glove of Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley) returns in the horror remake of “Nightmare on Elm Street.” One, two Freddy’s after you! Three, four What a bore Five, six Same old tricks Seven, eight Don’t bring a date Nine, Ten Not this, again! Samuel Bayer’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” squanders a grand […]
“Dann & Raymond’s Movie Club” outing
“Sex in Hollywood–A Love/Hate Story” Join Dann Gire (film critic of Chicago’s suburban newspaper THE DAILY HERALD, as well as the founder and president of the Chicago Film Critics Association, and adjunct instructor at Aurora and Harper Colleges in Illinois) and Raymond Benson (novelist, author of 20 books, former official author of James Bond books, […]
‘A Shine of Rainbows’ a quiet but engaging domestic drama
Maire (Connie Nielsen) brings home Tomas (John Bell), a “runt of the litter,” in the adoption drama “A Shine of Rainbows.” Vic Sarin’s “A Shine of Rainbows” won’t be raking in the cash at this weekend’s box office. It lacks popular A-list stars, operates on a minimal marketing budget and offers a subject that doesn’t […]
Breathtaking ‘Oceans’ skims the surface
A mother and baby walrus bond in Walt Disney’s new, phenomenally photographed nature documentary “Oceans.” If you’ve seen the TV commercials or theater trailers for “Oceans,” you already know what you’re in for. Lots and lots of breathtaking footage of the strange and fascinating creatures that inhabit the world’s five oceans. • Giant whales shoot […]
J Lo’s comedy ‘Back-up Plan’ fails to deliver
Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) realizes her dialogue is so bad that she tries to spit it into a paper sack during “The Back-up Plan.” Here’s a romantic comedy that thinks if a woman vomiting once is funny, it’ll be twice as funny if she vomits again. Or that if a man “accidentally” falling down is funny […]