THE MIDDLE SEAT: “BEEN THERE, SEEN THAT”
Let’s talk this week about something that every single movie-goer experiences – artistic hijacked redundancy.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE CONSPIRATOR
It was like watching an undergrad film of a boring play starring freshmen actors.
INDIE REPORT – KICKSTARTER
Bringing joy and cash to filmmakers, artists, and the like, who wish to raise money for their idea.
MOVIE REVIEW – SOURCE CODE
Jake Gyllenhaal redeems his career after the embarrassingly awful “Prince of Persia” and turns in a fine, heartwarming performance
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “TRAILER TRASH”
I have been endlessly fooled by movie trailers to frequent films that ultimately were nowhere near as good as the trailers suggested. Has this ever happened to you?
REPORTING FROM THE GEORGE LINDSEY UNA FILM FESTIVAL
With features, films in multiple languages, and several international entries, this film festival is so much more grandiose than its simple name would imply.
AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON HULU STREET: ED MCBAIN’S 87th PRECINCT: LIGHTNING
I’m clicking the weird, the wonderful and the what the hell were they thinking when they coughed up a budget for this piece of raw moose dung.
MOVIE REVIEW – LIMITLESS
A film like this demands a charismatic and vulnerable lead actor, and Bradley Cooper is quickly establishing himself as the right guy for those jobs.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are maybe the first action film couple I’ve seen in years that had great chemistry.
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “CINEMATIC LITMUS TEST”
My initial thought is, we come up with a basic questionnaire, designed by people who enjoy and understand the art of cinema, and anyone who fails it gets put on the list.
MOVIE REVIEW – BEASTLY
Watching the filmmaking team’s decision-making process about what kind of look the beast would have would probably be much more fascinating than watching the movie.
YOU MISSED IT!: A PERFECT GETAWAY
I suspect it ranked well below what it should have because people knew too much about it before they saw it
MOVIE REVIEW – BATTLE: LOS ANGELES
I’ve been drinking heavily and my perception of time is just a little bit off, but don’t give me that look, because I got the points of the movie and this is still an important review, so shut up.
MOVIE REVIEW – TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT
I knew the 80’s. The 80’s were a friend of mine. “Take Me Home Tonight”, you’re not the 80’s.
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “SCHWARZENEGGER OR SONY CLASSICS”
In my humble opinion, there are certain people who don’t “get” movies, and thus should not be allowed to view movies at all.
MOVIE REVIEW – GNOMEO & JULIET
This highly entertaining animated film is exactly what Shakespeare geeks who also happen to love animation have been waiting for.
MOVIE REVIEW – WINTER’S BONE
The terrifying adults in this film often acted as if they hid the town secret of the local werewolf, but no such wolf ever shows.
MOVIE REVIEW – HALL PASS
The banter between characters is great and the situations they’re put into are pure, envelope-pushing comedy gold as only the Farrellys can deliver.
OSCAR RANT 2011
Paul Preston’s annual once-over of the nominees. Who will win, who should win, and the Top 10 Films of 2010.
Oscar Night 2011 – LBC, London, England (Part 2)
Movie Guy Paul Preston checks back in with London’s Biggest Conversation from a very busy red carpet of the Oscars on LBC, 97.3, London
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “LET’S NOT GO TO THE LOBBY”
It is time. In a column about the “movie-going experience” we have to address food.
Oscar Night 2011 – LBC, London, England (PART 1)
Movie Guy Paul Preston checks in with London’s Biggest Conversation from the red carpet of the Oscars on LBC, 97.3, London
Oscar Predictions – KRLD, Dallas, TX – Feb. 2011
Movie Guy Paul Preston gives his Oscar predictions for 2011 on KRLD, Dallas, TX
RANTING ON A CLASSIC: NETWORK
I’ve seen this film and, while it’s certainly not bad (it makes a decent enough rental), it’s also not the monumental satire everyone claims it to be.
THE MOVIE THAT PISSED ME OFF: THE ECLIPSE
I wish the actors would either stop mumbling, speak up, or the sound mixer would equalize the volume.
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “WHAT DO YOU HAVE A TASTE FOR?”
From the dawn of silent films, humans have had to navigate the treacherous social waters of yet another group entertainment decision
FROM THE DARK SIDE: JACK KETCHUM’S “THE GIRL NEXT DOOR”
I watch many, many dark, disturbing films, but most don’t even come close to this masterpiece of fear.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE WAY BACK
“The Way Back” is my new all-time favorite movie about prisoners escaping a Russian Gulag camp during World War II
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “PLEASE TURN OFF ALL DISTRACTIONS”
To everyone everywhere who ever goes to a movie theatre I politely remind you to SHUT UP!
AWARDS WATCH 2010
Self-congratulation is all the rage in Hollywood! Follow all the nominees here as they’re announced!
NEW: The Oscars
MOVIE REVIEW – THE RITE
The horror is mostly derived from sudden, shocking moments and not from the true nature of evil.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Bening is riveting here, as she has the ability to work the camera and turn you inside out, proving once again why she is one of the best ever.
THE MIDDLE SEAT: “WHERE YOU WANNA SIT?”
I need to see the movie straight on. And that’s not just at the theatre. I will go for any seat in any living room that gives me the most centered view of a movie.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE COMPANY MEN
It succeeds because it manages to tell the big story through the smaller stories of these men and their families
MOVIE REVIEW – TRON: LEGACY
Some of it makes sense and some of it not so much. But is any of that the point? No, not really.
MOVIE REVIEW – TANGLED
Disney is successful at making animated films because their stories and storytelling have something for every generation in the room.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE KING’S SPEECH
The interplay between Firth and Rush in the movie is not only a master class in acting, but it is some of the most fun you’ll see in a movie.
MOVIE REVIEW – NO STRINGS ATTACHED
When I think of fun and witty romantic comedy leading ladies I don’t think of Natalie Portman.
FROM THE DARK SIDE: LET ME DIE QUIETLY
A noir-type thriller that may require a certain mind-set from it’s audience for true appreciation.
WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE SEAT
This column is dedicated to movies. And while there are many aspects to cinema, I want to talk about us – the moviegoers.