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Show 12 (P)REVIEWS BY JOHN-ROSS BOYCE In this unforgiving economic wasteland, who has the funds to actually review a movie in the theater? Not your humble servants at The V. That's why we're giving you our informed analysis of upcoming films based solely on what we see in the trailer. They say you can't judge a book by its cover. Fortunately, these are movies. Suckerpunch Release Date: 3/25/11 Dir.: Zack Snyder Warner Bros. Director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) brings us what appears to be another 2-hour display of style with absolutely none of that pesky substance. It's a good thing, too, because a proper plot or intricate characterization would only distract me from the pretty, pretty explosions and the close-ups of Emily Browning blowing her bangs out of her face. From all appearances, it would appear that Zack Snyder is sticking to his tried-and-true feature film formula - scantily clad women, CGI hodgepodge and jerky camera movement. One wonders if he'll ever learn to avoid platitudes like "Begin your journey - it will set you free," or if he really thinks that putting a kitana in the hand of a pig-tailed, short-skirted Lolita is Riot Grrl feminism rather than fetish. OUR PREDICTION: Girls who shop at Hot Topic and people who still use the phrase "alternative music" will enjoy this film. No one else. Hanna COURTESY OF YAHOO MOVIES THE STROKES Angles RCA, Rough Trade Records Released 3/18/11 ,rr I COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM There are styles and sounds that don't get old, no matter how many times you hear them. The Strokes' straightforward rhythms and jaunty buzzsaw guitar work, combined with Julian Casablancas' half-croon/half-snarl have remained listenable to the point of infectious. Now, after five years, The Strokes are back with Angles, an album that explores new territory while remaining tethered to the style that made The Strokes so great. The Strokes maintain their post-garage vibe; however, it is clear that the group has moved beyond The Velvet Underground's influence. "Two Kinds of Happiness" sounds like a lost track off The Cars' debut. The guitar work and vocal layering on "Gratisfaction" conjures images of May and Mercury. Smatterings of New Order appear. Yet, for as many tricks as they've mastered, The Strokes consistently bring it back and remind you whose album this is. New listeners and die-hard fans alike should be nothing less than enchanted. YELLOWCARD When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes Hopeless Records Released 3/22/11 Action flicks are the territory of marble-mouthed jocks like Stallone and Schwarzenegger; however, sometimes there comes a shoot-em-up featuring a non-traditional lead (READ: skinny, white teenage girl). Hanna, directed by Joe Wright (Atonement), looks as riveting as Rambo in its action. On the other hand, it also seems to carry an artful photographic presence and merciless pacing without the bad puns and shark-jumping which plague the average thriller. Not since Natalie Portman's turn in The Professional have I been so frightened by a teenage girl. The film is not without potential flaws. Eric Bana's German accent comes off like a breathy Herzog impersonation. A score by The Chemical Brothers could be a seizure-triggering trip-hop bombardment. But it would seem that the performances and cinematography would outweigh any snags in this film. audiences talk about, without making explosion noises or yelling, "Dude!" ANO:SS Review by John-Ross Boyce Release Date: 4/8/11 Dir.: Joe Wright Focus Features OUR PREDICTION: This is one of those action movies that THE STROKES W.0 YOL, •• COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM COURTESY OF YAHOO MOVIES WERE WE WRONG? WERE WE RIGHT? EMAIL US YOUR COMMENTS AT THEVPREVIEWS@GMAILCOM Yellowcard's fifth studio album, When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes, attempts to make the case that incorporating violin into 3-chord poppunk is no mere shtick. Violinist Sean Mackin's bow doubles like snapped spine on tracks like the epic album opener "The Sound of You and Me" and on the blistering single "For You, and Your Denial". However, despite a strong beginning and the appeal of the violin, WYTTSY is problematic. For one, the album's worst songs ("Sing For Me", "Be The Young", and "Life of Leaving Home") sound like deliberate attempts to emulate bands like Boyslikegirls and Quiet Drive. Moreover, the last four tracks meld together in a way which makes discerning one from the other difficult. WYTTSY's best moments - songs like "With You Around" and "Hide" - offer catchy vocals and nostalgic elements for longtime Yellowcard fans. But, ultimately, this album fizzles. Review by Robert Burnside |