Posts Tagged ‘film’

shorts: 16

Posted: August 31, 2021 in Arts
Tags: , , , , , ,

Short film reviews to suit our short attention spans. If your attention holds, more can be found here.

Nomadland (2020) – A beautiful, if a bit over-romanticized, chronicle of living in America without a permanent home. (3) – 08/31/21

Waiting for Guffman (1996) – This take on the classic trope of “putting on a show” is sublimely brilliant. (3½) – 08/31/21

Dumb and Dumber (1994) – Check please! (4) – 08/31/21

Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) – Potentially fascinating historical drama offers no evidence (more…)

It is easy to imagine Somerville as the romanticized epitome of a certain type of early 20th century American small town, the kind featured in Norman Rockwell’s art, novels like Ragtime, and films such as The Music Man and It’s a Wonderful Life. A town filled with tree-lined streets and well-spaced grand houses. In those houses lived Father, Mother, and their four children, along with cranky Grampa or plucky Aunt Sarah or (occasionally) Mother’s rogue brother Charlie. After supper families would greet neighbors and window shop as they (more…)

shorts: 15

Posted: November 20, 2016 in Arts
Tags: , , , ,

Movies are an escape. Now is a good time for a little film diversion, dontcha think? And there are plenty more where these come from.

Words, The (2012) – This mildly interesting tale of plagiarism gone horribly wrong is unnecessarily multi-layered. (2) – 11/20/16

Stranger Than Fiction (2006) – Will Ferrell shines in this quiet gem exploring the weird cosmic connection between an everyman and neurotic novelist. (4) – 11/20/16

Age of Adaline, The (2015) – Harmless fluff about (more…)

Bordentown

Bordentown was settled on a small bluff above the banks of the Delaware River well over 300 years ago. History, charm, and brick are the obvious reference points. From its colonial row houses to many churches to repurposed buildings to uneven walkways to random alleys, this old city has obviously long been a thriving center of American life. In the mid-19th century, along with surrounding farmlands and fields, it was (more…)

shorts: 14

Posted: August 31, 2016 in Arts
Tags: , , , , , ,

You want movie reviews? We got movie reviews! Not enough? Click here!

Game, The (1997) – Extremely engrossing, well-acted puzzle continually stretches, before finally snapping, any reasonable measure of plausibility. (2½) – 08/31/16

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) – Not one false note in this compelling and melancholy story of a (more…)

EPSON MFP image

Hightstown is not a “destination” place. There are no cool clubs, organic hot spots, or large green spaces to draw the young and hip. There are no theaters, high end retailers, or Michelin rated restaurants to lure the comfortably wealthy. There are no (more…)

Many people share their opinions without being asked. We here at Trask Avenue honor that tradition with our periodic one sentence movie reviews. For additional highly subjective assessments, click here.

Martian, The (2015) – The story of an astronaut stranded so far away often hits so very close to home. (3½) – 7/18/16

Walk on the Moon, A (1999) – Strong performances bolster this ordinary (more…)

EPSON MFP image

The Village of East Millstone was settled in 1730 and quietly existed as a rural, farming community for a century. When the Delaware and Raritan Canal was completed in 1834, it immediately defined the village’s western border and, for a time, brought modest industry. A minor branch of a (more…)

flag bunting in front of the old Hopewell Academy (est 1756)

flag bunting in front of the old Hopewell Academy (est 1756)

Hopewell exists in our consciousness somewhere between dreams and fantasies. An impossibly gorgeous spring morning is bright, cool, and verdant. The scent of blooming honeysuckle and the purposeful hum of lawn mowers are inescapable. A slight breeze slips through the trees, gently rustling leaves and encouraging (more…)

Searching for something to watch, but don’t have the time to read movie reviews that drone on longer than one sentence? Look no further! We’re here to help with the latest installment of Shorts! And, if you want more opinions, the entire list can be found here.

Salt (2010) – Standard spy thriller is far more entertaining than could be reasonably expected. (3) – 3/10/15

They Were So Young (1954) – High class modeling opportunities in Rio merely (more…)