adamgehrke.com

Loosely based on the popular children’s book by Maurice Sendak, this is the story of Max (Max Records), a typical young boy with a wild imagination and a heart for adventure. After a falling out with his mom (Catherine Keener), Max runs away from home and is transported to a magical land, a land where the wild things are and where he can be king. Max quickly learns that being king isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially since all the wild things seem to be depressed, distant, and feel that their family is falling to pieces; an allegory for his own life at home, and a somber story. On a lighter note, cinematically the film is beautiful and costumes from Jim Henson’s workshop work perfectly to bring a realistic feel to the film. The voice talents for each of the wild things are also top notch, James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O’Hara, and Forest Whitaker just to name a few. The score provided by Karen O is also notable and features enough obscure indie rock to make any college radio junkie feel right at home. Bottom line, if you’re seeking a feel good wild rumpus with the wild things you’ll need to search elsewhere. However, if you’re looking for a fascinating look into family dysfunction through the eyes of a child this is your ticket. Perhaps a matinee, Where the Wild Things Are is rated PG.

Straight out of the 1970’s Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White) is an action hero. Skilled in the ways of Kung Fu, helicopter piloting, detective work, womanizing, and just being awesome, Black Dynamite is a force to be reckoned with. Aided by his partner Bullhorn (Byron Minns), Black Dynamite is faced with the task avenging his brother’s death, and stopping a sinister plot devised by none other than Richard Nixon (James McManus). Shot, directed, edited, and scored in the style of 1970’s blacksploitation films, Black Dynamite is a hilarious look at a genre that many would just prefer to let lie. Considering that the entire film started out as a spoof trailer shot for $500, the end project is surprisingly good, and, for anyone with that special penche for 70’s crime fighters, you can’t go wrong. Worth seeing, Black Dynamite is rated R.

Stories of love, romance, passion, and indiscretion are woven together in this collage of short films all centered in New York. Lending their acting talents to the project are names such as Andy Garcia, Natalie Portman, Eli Wallach, Shia LaBeouf, and Orlando Bloom just to name a few. And, with multiple directors and writers, audiences are almost guaranteed to find something interesting, entertaining, and discussion worthy. And, for those looking to score bonus points on a satisfying romantic date, you can’t go wrong with this film. Worth seeing, New York, I Love You is rated R.