It’s Friday–so it’s time for another film roundup from Past the Popcorn:
Two weeks running, and no certifiable dogs. What a stroke of luck for this time of year!
The most universally appealing release this week is Mira Nair’s fish-learning-about-water story, The Namesake. Based on the book of the same title, it’s about the culture clash of Indian immigrants and the familial struggles that result. Greg Wright calls it “a virtual masterpiece, one that might, hopefully, establish a new mode for coming-of-age stories,” in an era when “young adults are not truly achieving independence until deep into their twenties.”
Right behind that, Kathy Bledsoe wishes that she had been able to see Premonition at least two or three times before having to write her very positive review. She says the film was “made to showcase” Sandra Bullock’s dramatic talents.
For those interested in the harsher side of life, Jenn wright recommends The Dead Girl, a seamy look at what happens to the people who are left behind when a runaway-turned-hooker falls victim to a serial killer. She says “the subject matter isn’t one for the Glee Club,” but “the story itself is utterly absorbing.” Go in fully warned.
And that goes the same for I Think I Love My Wife, which for Greg Wright invokes phrases like, “I Think I Hate This Movie.” So there’s your clinker, even though he says technically it doesn’t stink.
Also check out Greg Wright’s extensive interview with James Scurlock, director of last week’s release, Maxed Out.
