Tag Archives: Kristen Stewart

Snapshot review: ‘American Ultra’

AMERICAN ULTRA

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in the action-comedy "American Ultra."  Photo courtesy of EPK.tv

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in the action-comedy “American Ultra.”
Photo courtesy of EPK.tv

Critical rating: 2½ stars out of four

Directed by: Nima Nourizadeh (“Project X”)

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walton Goggins, John Leguizamo and Bill Pullman

Rated: R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexual content

The story: “American Ultra” is an entertaining action-comedy about a youthful slacker (Jesse Eisenberg) who easily dispatches two assassins that attempt to kill him, leading to the realization that he is really a former CIA agent who had his mind wiped. His loyal girlfriend (Kristen Stewart) is along for the ride.

The scoop: There are funny moments, and director Nima Nourizadeh mixes them with sequences of brutally graphic violence. Viewers will have a good time if they can look beyond the glaring plot problems and focus on the solid performances and Nourizadeh’s emphasis of style over substance.  Those who demand more from their filmmakers will see “American Ultra” for what it is: a lightweight Tarantino clone.

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Video Verdict: ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2,’ ‘Red Dawn,’ ‘Playing for Keeps,’ ‘Wreck-It Ralph’

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.”

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by the final installment of the popular “Twilight” franchise.

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Video Verdict: ‘Snow White and the Huntsman,’ ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’

Kristen Stewart plays the title character in the fantasy film “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by an ensemble comedy about the joys of parenthood and an update of the beloved Snow White fairy tale.

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Video Verdict: ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,’ ‘A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas’

Robert Pattinson plays the vampire Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart plays his lover, Bella Swan, in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.”

Two sequels anchor this week’s crop of home video releases, the most noteworthy being chapter four in the “Twilight” franchise.

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February 7, 2012 · 7:53 am

Video Verdict: ‘Twilight: New Moon,’ ‘Blind Side,’ ‘The Fantastic Mr. Fox,’ ‘Brothers,’ ‘Men Who Stare at Goats,’ ‘The African Queen’

Kristen Stewart, right, and Robert Pattinson do a lot of sulking in the vampire drama “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”

This week’s DVD and Blu-ray releases include a Humphrey Bogart/Katharine Hepburn classic, a best picture candidate in the 2009 Oscar race and a pop culture phenomenon that had tweens flocking to theaters just a few months ago.

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Video Verdict: ‘Adventureland,’ ‘Rudo y Cursi,’ ‘Goodbye Solo,’ ‘Sunshine Cleaning’

Diego Luna, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal portray up-and-coming soccer stars in the Mexican drama "Rudo y Cursi."

Diego Luna, left, and Gael Garcia Bernal portray up-and-coming soccer stars in the Mexican drama "Rudo y Cursi."

It’s a great week for home video, with a handful of mainstream titles supplemented by an exceptional independent film and an equally good foreign offering.

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