Blogcritics Author: Kevin Gustafson

Movie Review: Pineapple Express

Kevin Gustafson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:12:52 EDT

Pineapple Express is the only comedy you can watch in theaters this summer that won�t leave you burned.
Pineapple Express blows a cloud of smoke cruelly in the face of other comedies this summer. It’s a movie about idiots who get in over their heads. Though the plot is more predictable and doesn’t explain every detail clearly, it’s the first comedy this year that keeps you giggling all the way through. Dale Denton (Seth Rogen)...

Music Review: Pineapple Express Soundtrack

Kevin Gustafson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:01:26 EDT

Pineapple Express is a big hit at the movies. Is the soundtrack just as smokin? Well you won't be low.
I smelled the Pineapple Express soundtrack before my editors even dropped it into my lap. While I don’t normally review music CDs, I wanted to do this one since the movie is the best comedy so far this year. Judd Apatow produced Pineapple Express and he usually picks good songs. However, the music plays better in the film. Hardcore Apatow...

Movie Review: Step Brothers

Kevin Gustafson — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:13:08 EDT

Step Brothers has lots of kicking and screaming by curly-haired man-babies. It�s a foul film that�s wonderful only in spurts.
Step Brothers presents the most literal depiction of the man-child character to date. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star in this collection of shocking gags. While I busted up laughing at a few scenes, much of the movie left me in stunned silence. The movie might be better watched on DVD where the deleted scenes could improve the joke hit-to-miss...

Movie Review: The Dark Knight

Kevin Gustafson — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:16:35 EDT

Ledger lives as comic books' most devious mastermind tearing down the forces of good in a bleak but fascinating film.
When I left the theater to write this review, I knew this was going to be a hard job. With Titanic-level hype, The Dark Knight screams for a critic to poke holes in it. Unlike Iron Man, the summer’s other big comic-book movie, it rises above my expectations. Heath Ledger gives his best and final performance in the sequel to Batman Begins. The...

Movie Review: Get Smart

Kevin Gustafson — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 10:31:13 EDT

Get Smart makes it safe again to spoof Bond movies. The film almost trips itself up with dumb Bush-slapping.
Get Smart is like watching your favorite rock band play an awesome concert. Awesome, that is, when they aren’t championing causes between every song. Your experience isn’t ruined but you think maybe you paid too much to hear musicians talk. Get Smart is a hilarious spy parody when it isn’t shooting comic blanks at a Lame Duck. ...

Movie Review: Semi-Pro

Kevin Gustafson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:59:32 EDT

Will Ferrell's afro is undeniably funny. But after Semi-Pro, Ferrell should lay off the sports parodies for awhile.
Many critics denied the comedic power of Will Ferrell’s afro in Semi-Pro. I missed reviewing the movie the first time, but catching it on DVD, it’s not that bad. Ferrell entertains even when muscling through a gimped script. He keeps the 70’s vibe alive and once again shows off his uncanny singing ability. Jackie Moon (Will...

Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian

Kevin Gustafson — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 02:21:26 EDT

Strap on yer helmets, sissies! Director Andrew Adamson channels an 8-year-old Michael Bay. The result is not awesome.
“This ain’t no fairy tale!” must have been the rallying cry for the people who put Prince Caspian together. The moderately entertaining sequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will keep kids happy. But it’s a dumbed-down version of the first and nowhere near a classic. It ditches the fairy tale in favor of dark, yet...

Movie Review: Iron Man

Kevin Gustafson — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:09:17 EDT

This month $186 million worth of movie hardware lands in theaters.
This month $186 million worth of movie hardware lands in theaters. Of course, I’m talking about Iron Man, the best comic book movie since 2005’s Batman Begins. It sports a ton of action scenes and a twisting and turning plot. Robert Downey Jr. is custom-fitted for his role as Tony Stark. All in all, Iron Man’s a very thrilling...

Movie Review: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Kevin Gustafson — Fri, 2 May 2008 11:53:42 EDT

Bad date movies don�t exist. The couple can always make out instead. Don�t follow this reviewer and watch it alone.
Bad date movies don’t exist. The couple can always make out instead. Forgetting Sarah Marshall falls into this category. Don’t follow this reviewer and watch it alone. Unfortunately, everyone else will be getting a payoff at the end of the night while you’re the one left with a headache and a feeling of lost time. Peter...

DVD Review: No Country For Old Men

Kevin Gustafson — Fri, 4 Apr 2008 12:07:57 EDT

No Country For Old Men has all the essentials for a good film, plus many unexpected moments. Some of which include, um, an oxygen tank.
The air-powered weapon that Anton Chigurh hauls around is a handy tool. I wish I had it for the times I locked myself out of my college apartment. After placing it on the doorknob for a second, all you’d hear would be… pfft! Pop! The lock would be lying on the floor as I walked in. I wouldn’t kill my ungrateful roommate....