by Vincent Leo · Published December 15, 2012 · Last modified November 22, 2019
It’s the day before Samantha Baker’s (Ringwald) older sister’s wedding. It’s also Samantha’s birthday. While her family all fuss and fret over the nuptials, they forget entirely Sam on her ‘Sweet 16’. The embarrassing grandparents...
by Vincent Leo · Published July 26, 2007 · Last modified February 12, 2019
It’s the 1920s, the Jazz Age in New York. Struggling intellectual playwright David Shayne (Cusack, The Grifters) finally has the chance to earn his first Broadway production, but to have the finances to see his dream...
1408 is based on the Stephen King short story of the same name, originally written for a collection of straight-to-audiobook tales called “Blood and Smoke”. Although the gist of it is the same, like...
by Vincent Leo · Published February 20, 2007 · Last modified February 18, 2019
Rob Reiner followed up his cult smash comedy, This is Spinal Tap, with a more conventional form of film: the road trip comedy. It’s a bit of an easy putt to make on first glance,...
by Vincent Leo · Published December 1, 2005 · Last modified August 26, 2019
The Ice Harvest falls into the subcategory of a Coen Brothers film done without the Coens writing or directing. It seems to be a genre that has been picking up steam recently, as the very Fargo-esque The...
by Vincent Leo · Published April 27, 2003 · Last modified December 9, 2019
Part Agatha Christie, part Alfred Hitchcock, Identity is a modern updating of old-school mystery/suspense for today’s slasher-flick appreciative audiences. Shades of Psycho mixed with “Ten Little Indians“ get churned in the idea blender. Toss in a few new twists, and...
Better Off Dead would continue the naturally comedic persona of John Cusack in light romantic comedies. Although not a huge hit at the time of release, it would develop an ever-increasing cult audience, and...
1980s / Comedy / Drama / Romance
by Vincent Leo · Published April 19, 2002 · Last modified March 23, 2019
Prior to Say Anything, Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut, he had written two notable teen comedies in the early Eighties, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Wild Life Although they aren’t necessarily prime examples of his talent, they...
The Hollywood idea of love: the less you know about the person you find attractive, the more in love you are. It’s really ok to throw away that close relationship you have with a...
As good an actress as Julia Roberts may be, she has done about as many bad films as good during the span of her career. Following what may have been her finest performance in...
Reviews from film writer Vince Leo, covering all eras and genres of films from classics to the latest releases.
Film reviews from Vince Leo, from classics to new releases, since 1996.
