TRAVIS BYRAM'S MOVIE REVIEWS

While contemporary movies can be excellent sometimes, nothing does match the experience of watching a good-old black and white film, where the only thing higher than the trousers the men wear is the quality of work put into the movie.  That's why, from now and then, I'll review a classic movie, pertaining to something relevant happening nowadays, a trend of some sorts. The always-smiling Kristen Stewart vs. "Mirror Mirror's" Lily Collins That's exactly what's happening now, and what an odd trend it is: Snow White.  In passing when you hear about Snow White you smile and are remembered of the 1937 Disney version.  It's a cute movie, you think.  Have you ever really dug down and thought about the premise, the idea, the essence of Snow White really is?  A poor girl, whose father died, gets sent out into the woods to be killed by someone her insane stepmother hired (and to bring back her heart nonetheless, ewww)...and that's just the beginning.  ...

Most movies, at least it seems nowadays, people don't care who's directing a film.  Although Joss Whedon is a respected name in Hollywood, you think a billion people saw "The Avengers" for the sake of Joss Whedon? No.  Last year's "Hugo" suffered the opposite fate; legend Martin Scorsese was at the helm, it got massive critical acclaim (deservedly) and it still earned less than its budget.  So here's the question: are directors selling points to movies anymore? The answer: maybe, but Tim Burton is certainly the exception.  An array of beautiful, eccentric characters comes to mind, most of them featuring Johnny Depp, the Thelma to his Louise: the Mad Hatter in Wonderland, Edward Scissorhands cutting paper, Beetlejuice terrorizing homeowners and Sweeney Todd giving "haircuts."  Just thinking of his movies puts a smile on your face.  While not all his projects are on par, like his remake of "Planet of the Apes," even when his movie...

This isn't so much an announcement like the MTV Movie Awards post was.  This is more of an area to vent my frustration for awards shows like this.  Apparently teens vote (14-17) on these ridiculous categories, which is mostly broken down by genre, sci-fi actor, drama actress, etc.  At the time recieving a massive surfboard might be cool, but in theory, it sounds extremely lame.  Since they have about 3 million categories for film, I'll just list the ones that were of a particular note of interest to me: BEST ACTION MOVIE: Abduction Wait what? Hold up.  Let's stop the list right there.  "Abduction?" "ABDUCTION?!?!?!  The movie with a 4%  approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes?  A movie so bad critic Steve Newall called it "...like watching Pinocchio with abs." Said abs must the only logical explanation a movie like "Abduction" got a best action nomination. Act of Valor Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol Red Tails Sherlock ...

A good writer must always be willing to realize he made a mistake, and I've realized one has occurred.  In my review of "The Hunger Games" I stated that it was the most buzzed about movie of the year.  I was wrong.  It is obviously "The Avengers." Realistically it'll probably be "The Dark Knight Rises" coming out in a few months, but at the moment, "The Avengers" is the only thing people want to talk about, the only thing they want to see, the only thing they want to think about.  I haven't seen my peers, fellow critics, and others more excited about a superhero movie since the original "Dark Knight."  To say my hopes weren't at an all time high for this is an insult to my hopes. That said, (I feel terrible, writing about the film this late, but I was told people were sitting on theater steps during it's gargantuan opening weekend, so I didn't even attempt) the buzz is 100% accurate, but I can't call it t...

Since there are rather obscure categories (Gut-Wrenching Performance? Best Kiss? And now Best Villain is referred to as "Best On-Screen Dirt-bag?" Geez) in the MTV Movie Awards, I'll only cover a few major categories.  "Hunger Games" and "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" appears so often it's almost ridiculous, but here are the big categories ("*" indicates my prediction to win): BEST CAST: Bridesmaids Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 The Hunger Games* 21 Jump Street The Help It's good to see actual Oscar movies nominated for this awards show.  The only movie actually in theaters right now from this list is "Hunger Games" and "21 Jump Street" (barely).  You want to know what was nominated last time they had a Best Cast award? "Fantastic Four" and "The Dukes of Hazzard."  Yeah. That's real. BEST ACTOR: Joseph Gordon-Levitt- 50/50 Ryan Gosling- Drive Josh Hutcherson...

Before stepping into to review the movie "Bully" I want to get a few things out into the clear: Regarding the movie's rating, I could care less about it. It has no relevance to the movie besides giving it some buzz for people to see it.  The second thing I want to get out there is that I was on both ends of the cyber-bullying spectrum in the 7th grade.  The god-awful graveyard that used to be MySpace was my refuge for ridiculous outbursts against my other classmates.  I used to instigate one girl in particular, we'd go back and forth arguing for months over nothing.  Near the end of school I sent her a despicably nasty message; she showed it to my homeroom teacher, and why she never showed it to the principal I'll never know.  On the other end a kid threatened to beat me up online.  The next day.I showed the message to the guidance counselor and he got suspended for a few weeks. Cyber-bullying absolutely destroyed my seventh grade year.  ...

It was brought to my attention literally minutes ago that a theater chain (Regal, I believe) will have the ability to allow texting in certain theaters.  To that I say -----> Texting allowed in movie theaters?  Are they gonna tell us next that people can bring in their pets? Maybe microwave their frozen dinners in the theater?  Although it is just a movie theater, it's not your living room!  Have a little respect! There are dozens of things that tick me off when I go into a theater, but the big three are: Making out (One couple did it through most of "Thor" with a kid sitting right beside them) Movie commentary (Not unless your last name is "Ebert") And texting.  Actually I don't even care if you are texting.  It's having your phone out.  The light's a distraction from the theater.  Also, if you're playing "Words with Friends," I'll be tempted to look at that screen instead of the massive one in front of me. A perfe...