TRAVIS BYRAM'S MOVIE REVIEWS

Some films are simply critic proof. That is, no matter the reviews, some films audiences will just see because of the blockbuster urge, the completist sense of "Oh, I've seen these three movies in the franchise, gotta catch this sure to be classic fourth installment," or simply just a loyalty to the franchise (how else would you explain Die Hard 5 making a single cent?) can get these monster movies with uh, poor reviews to say the least, some solid cash. This seems to be the formula for the Transformers films, frequently cheap horror flicks, and, until Fantastic Four erupted into headlines as one of this year's biggest flops, the superhero genre.  That exception aside, some films just seem destined for big bucks, bad reviews or not. Franchises and event movies have eclipsed the modern movie star: except for Tom Cruise. Headlines of controversial behavior have damaged careers of Mel Gibson, Lindsay Lohan, etc. With Cruise's, um, unique religious beliefs and err...

Last year, Woody Allen made what some people would call a "comeback."  Is it really a comeback though, when you're Woody Allen?  Woody Allen's been making virtually a movie a year, and a lot of times he makes good movies, but not to the point of success that "Midnight in Paris" did.  I loved "Paris," but I also loved what some consider one of his misses, the Larry David comedy "Whatever Works." (But that could be because I love "Curb Your Enthusiasm.")  Overall I'm just a big Allen fan, although I've seen maybe 6 of his films at the most, he's become one of my favorite directors, due to his obvious style in cinema. "To Rome with Love" is the third (and supposedly final) installment of his European trilogy (along with "Paris" and the exquisite "Vicky Cristina Barcelona").  Allen is like Picasso in that way, when he goes through a period of films.  The fact that he could just go on a...

Heading into "Cars 2" last year, I had a false sense of hope that it would be this significant Pixar film, despite the stinging reviews I'd read everywhere.  Anticipation was building, even the kids whining in their seats didn't bother me.  Then...it began, and that stupid James Bond spoof started.  That's when I realized I was going to be let down for the first time by Pixar. The lesson here is: expectations.  Like the food and drinks you've smuggled in because the prices at theaters are ridiculous, expectations are a key thing to bring with you to the movies.  When viewing "The Artist," don't expect to laugh out loud even though it's technically a comedy.  When Adam Sandler does a movie nowadays, don't expect it to be as good as "The Wedding Singer" or "Happy Gilmore."  And when you walk into Adam Shankman's "Rock of Ages," don't expect the next "Sound of Music," because you will  sure...