Author: Ken Hanke

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Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

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The Story: An intimate portrait of both the private and public sides of Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei. The Lowdown: A documentary about a subject who is so delightfully improbable that it ought to have crossover appeal for viewers who usually eschew documentaries altogether.

Monster on the Campus

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

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In Brief: The end of the line for anything that could even remotely be called a Universal horror picture, Monster on the Campus is a brisk and entertaining little B-picture with a so-so screenplay, better direction than it deserved and a lovably goofy-looking monster. A far cry from the days of Karloff and Lugosi, but…

My Little Chickadee

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

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In Brief: Mae West and W.C. Fields team up for this comedy set in the Wild West that finds West "marrying" Fields in order to become respectable (and because she thinks he has money). While the fireworks one might have expected from two such iconic comedians don't quite happen, it's still a very funny movie…

The Passion of Joan of Arc

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

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In Brief: Yes, Carl Theodor Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) is one the great films — a must-see for anyone with a serious interest in film. That said, bear in mind that it's more nightmarish than uplifting -- and pretty certainly not something you'd want to see too often.

The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

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The Story: The Oogieloves go in search of five golden baloons for the birthday party they're throwing for a throw-pillow. The Lowdown: Anyone over the age of 3 who doesn't run screaming from the theater is probably some hapless movie critic.

The Possession

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

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The Story: A young girl becomes possessed by the demon inside an old box she buys at a yard sale. The Lowdown: Well-made, nicely acted and slick exorcism tale that — even with the unusual wrinkle of Jewish mysticism — is ultimately just another possession story.

Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler September 5-11: The Words Sleepwalk with Ai Weiwei

Posted on September 4, 2012April 6, 2014 by Ken Hanke

We’re looking at a light week—or so it appears at this moment. The Labor Day holiday means that there’s the chance (fairly slim, I think) that someone’s going to sneak something into the mix—especially if any theater finds itself stuck with The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure for a second week. As it stands, however, we’re in for two art titles and one mainstream one.

Hit & Run

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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The Story: A man in the witness protection program jeopardizes his safety by driving his girlfriend to Los Angeles for a job interview. The Lowdown: Mostly unfunny comedy with nice leads that will appeal mostly to persons who like to watch cars endlessly driving around to no real purpose.

Horse Feathers

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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In Brief: The Four Marx Brothers descend upon Huxley College where Groucho has mystifyingly become president. Before they're through with it, it's safe to say that college, football and the institution of marriage will never be the same. In the running for the boys' very best film.

Footlight Parade

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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In Brief: The third — and in some ways the best — of the big Warner Bros. musicals with outlandish production numbers by Busby Berkeley. This one cashes in on the brief vogue for live shows in the movies, which, of course, means that the climax of the film will be a series of Berkeley…

Celeste & Jesse Forever

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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The Story: A divorcing couple try to remain best friends — with somewhat predictable results. The Lowdown: A clever attempt at making a self-aware romantic comedy that falls short of its desires. It makes for an occasionally pleasing diversion, but ultimately means less than it intended.

Robot & Frank

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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The Story: An ex-jewel thief finds his new health-care robot makes for an excellent partner in larceny. The Lowdown: Warm without being in the least treacly, this engaging comedy drama makes for very agreeable company — as do both of its title characters.

Killer Joe

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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The Story: The world's dumbest collection of trailer trash hire a killer to take out the much detested stepmother for her insurance money. The Lowdown: Blistering in its black comedy and unflinching in its brutal violence, William Friedkin's Killer Joe is bold, disturbing and often brilliant filmmaking — and the textbook definition of "not for…

Iphigenia

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 28, 2012August 28, 2012

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In Brief: Greek film (from the director best known for Zorba the Greek) version of the tragedy by Euripides. Shot amidst ruins (à la Jesus Christ Superstar), this is otherwise pretty straightforward stuff -- and it's going to depend on your fondness (or lack thereof) for Greek tragedy.

Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler August 29-September 4: Possessed Lawless Killer Robot Jesse Oogielove

Posted on August 28, 2012April 6, 2014 by Ken Hanke

It’s official: Wednesday openings no longer have any meaning whatsoever. I mean when something called The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure scores a showcase mid-week release…yes, well. However, this is generally a pretty heavy week of releases—three art titles, two mainstream ones, and the Oogieloves. Truly, there is something here for everyone—in virtually every rating known to man, including the rarely seen NC-17.

Stranger Than Fiction

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012

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In Brief: Often thought of — and not incorrectly — as the Will Ferrell movie for people who don't like Will Ferrell, Marc Forster's Stranger Than Fiction is quite simply a magical, close to perfect movie with more ideas and depth than a dozen ordinary movies. It's wrapped in a beguiling fantasy premise about a…

The Queen of Versailles

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012

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The Story: A look into the lifestyles of the super rich and ultra tacky — and their fall from grace when the stock market crashes. The Lowdown: Undeniably fascinating in its depiction of mindless consumerism and conspicuous consumption at its most virulent, but I'm not sure you'll take anything away from it other than bemused…

Modern Times

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012

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In Brief: Charlie Chaplin's last silent film is also the last appearance of his "Little Tramp" character — and it's one of the best films he ever made. Here, Chaplin finds himself pitted against the tyranny of the modern world (of 1936) and all its various pitfalls — from literally becoming a cog in the…

Big Trouble in Little China

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012

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In Brief: John Carpenter's cult favorite is a wild mish-mash of ersatz Chinese magic, a 2,000-year-old villain, martial arts, gorgeous production design and Kurt Russell as a stupefyingly dim-witted hero. It probably shouldn't work, but it somehow does thanks in large part to a jokey tone and endlessly quotable dialogue.

Le Havre

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012

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In Brief: A pitch perfect little movie from Kaurismäki, Le Havre feels much more simple and old-fashioned than it is upon examination. Sure, the story of a reasonably shiftless French shoeshine man who befriends an illegal immigrant black boy is aimed at playing on our sentimentality, but it does so with piercingly deadpan wit and…

ParaNorman

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on August 21, 2012August 21, 2012

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The Story: A young horror-movie fan who can talk to the dead finds himself heir to the task of preventing a 300-year-old curse from befalling the town of Blithe Hollow. The Lowdown: A clever animated horror comedy for kids. The animation is striking, the horror content surprisingly strong (and savvy) and the film is several…

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