Ondine (2009)


Neither mythical romance nor dark tale of cynical disappointment, the film forces an unearned, unsatisfying “happy” ending. My review of the film on KCActive.com.

Stalker (1979)

Sci-fi guru Andrei Tarkovsky's film about an obsessed tour guide to the Zone in which there is rumored to be a room that grants deepest wishes is about as slow and baffling as it sounds. It also contains purposely shaky camera work that causes motion sickness. Best part is the black dog that makes appearances in both visions and "reality."

The Karate Kid (2010)


With all the appropriate nods to the original's iconic moments, the remake shows off its own mix of weightiness and comedic timing.

Peter & the Wolf (2006)

In this recent retelling of the story set to Prokofiev's suite, Peter's insular world is suitably ragged and menacing. The short contains amazing animation and spellbinding drama.

The Jungle Book (1967)

Without the actual sacrifice of Baloo at the hands of fierce Shere Kahn, Mowgli remains selfish to the end. Even with Louis Prima's rousing musical number, this Disney classic doesn't hold up to childhood memory.

Moon (2009)

Lunar roughneck Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is counting down the days until his replacement arrives and he can return home to his family on earth when an accident reveals he's his own replacement. Tense clone-on-clone action isn't enough to save this Space Odyssey knock-off.