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...

Tom Cruise knows how to keep them guessing. Last year he starred in Oblivion , the fairly entertaining sci-fi action flick starring Cruise as someone who's not exactly positive about the situation he's in, and has a kick-butt female counterpart partner. And in here he's....well you know where the joke's going. As reviews have noted, perhaps why this film has garnered the acclaim not because the premise is 100% original, but it works on its premise, has plenty of great special effects, and to be blunt (ba dum tss) the female action hero kicks the pants off of Oblivion 's. Emily Blunt, who has really emerged as the Sigourney Weaver of the present. Turns in films like Looper  have cemented her as the biggest female action star out now, and the critics are unanimous in her elevating the movie to something more than just typical summer science fiction fare. The premise is basically this, and I'm giving a condensed version because it's better not to know the p...

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...