http://www.smalltowncritic.com COOP COOPER is an independently syndicated film critic with a split personality. His "Southern Side" prints mainstream reviews that appear in various print publications across the mid-south. His "Dark Side" from Los Angeles befouls the site with reviews of horror and grindhouse flicks. Welcome to the site where COOP's two halves (and his contributors) review and debate the latest film/DVD releases... Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:01:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/07/15/micro-reviews-via-twitter-predators-blood-and-bone-the-white-ribbon-the-brood-eclipse/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/07/15/micro-reviews-via-twitter-predators-blood-and-bone-the-white-ribbon-the-brood-eclipse/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:23:49 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2785 Coop’s most recent MICRO REVIEWS (via Twitter): All I can think about is how jazzed I am about INCEPTION tomorrow... PREDATORS: Cheesy fun that honors and expands upon the original. Quite satisfying, but does it warrant more sequels? Maybe. 3&1/2 out of 5 BLOOD AND BONE: Michael Jai White plays badass, honorable ex-con fighting in underground circuits. Another Lionheart remake. Bah. 2 out of 3 THE WHITE RIBBON: In a pre-WWI German village, a cruel act reveals an underlying evil. Masterful allegory on the rise of fascism. 5 out of 5 THE BROOD: Shrink invents therapy to manifest rage in flesh of patients. Mediocre Cronenberg film still tops most horror efforts. 3 out of 5 ECLIPSE: Better than the first two due to bigger battles and neat vamp backstories. Romance scenes still terminally cheezy. 3&1/2 out of 5 Thy Twitter has spoken. -Coop ]]> http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/07/15/micro-reviews-via-twitter-predators-blood-and-bone-the-white-ribbon-the-brood-eclipse/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/06/21/micro-reviews-via-twitter-get-him-to-the-greek-bitch-slap-the-calamari-wrestler-tales-from-the-script-uwe-bolls-rampage/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/06/21/micro-reviews-via-twitter-get-him-to-the-greek-bitch-slap-the-calamari-wrestler-tales-from-the-script-uwe-bolls-rampage/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:47:37 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2779 Coop’s most recent MICRO REVIEWS (via Twitter): Got some high-rated exploitation (and one documentary) this time around! All of these movies are terrific, especially Uwe Boll's surprisingly powerful RAMPAGE (who would have expected that one?)... RAMPAGE: Uwe Boll knocks one out of the park. Hyperviolent domestic terrorist shocker delivers. Hell freezes over. 4 out of 5 BITCH SLAP: Fun, hyper violent, tongue-in-cheek exploitation about 3 sex bombs killing each other over loot. 3&1/2 out of 5 THE CALAMARI WRESTLER: Japanese wrestler dies and reincarnates in a mansized rubber squid suit. New camp classic. 4 out of 5 TALES FROM THE SCRIPT: A little bitter, but a must-see doc for anyone even remotely interested in screenwriting. 4 out of 5 GET HIM TO THE GREEK: Russell Brand = comedic genius. Best drug freak out scene of all time. Can't stop giggling. 4 out of 5]]> http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/06/21/micro-reviews-via-twitter-get-him-to-the-greek-bitch-slap-the-calamari-wrestler-tales-from-the-script-uwe-bolls-rampage/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/06/07/micro-reviews-via-twitter-splice-exam-d-e-b-s-disctrict-b13-ultimatum-valhalla-rising/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/06/07/micro-reviews-via-twitter-splice-exam-d-e-b-s-disctrict-b13-ultimatum-valhalla-rising/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:00:58 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2761 Coop’s most recent MICRO REVIEWS (via Twitter): SPLICE: Frankenstein redo with icky scruples, laughably repulsive monster and jerk hipster protagonists. Uncool. 2 out of 5. EXAM: 8 job hopefuls locked in a room with ticking clock and menacing set of rules. Cool concept, sloppy plot. 3 out of 5. D.E.B.S.: Lesbian evil mastermind seduces crack agent of an all-girl superspy team. Spoof undermines message. 1 out of 5. DISTRICT B13: ULTIMATUM... Cliche, low on action. Huge insult to the original which set action standards. 2 out of 5. VALHALLA RISING: A bloody, trippy, grimy, violent, slow and pretentious allegory for the death of religion. 2 out of 5.]]> http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2010/06/07/micro-reviews-via-twitter-splice-exam-d-e-b-s-disctrict-b13-ultimatum-valhalla-rising/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/08/11/g-i-joe-the-rise-of-cobra-2009-movie-review-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/08/11/g-i-joe-the-rise-of-cobra-2009-movie-review-by-coop/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:00:54 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2377 mega-blockbuster “Transformers” films, nor did it discourage “The Mummy” series director Stephen Sommers from attempting a live-action “G.I. Joe” adaptation. For a big, dumb action movie idea, I’d say they hired the perfect director for the job.]]> http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/08/11/g-i-joe-the-rise-of-cobra-2009-movie-review-by-coop/feed/ 2 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/08/01/hair-metal-movie-madness-7-coop-commands-you-to-sweep-the-leg-you-have-a-problem-with-that/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/08/01/hair-metal-movie-madness-7-coop-commands-you-to-sweep-the-leg-you-have-a-problem-with-that/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:01:04 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2338 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/08/01/hair-metal-movie-madness-7-coop-commands-you-to-sweep-the-leg-you-have-a-problem-with-that/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/30/the-secret-lives-of-stunt-women-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/30/the-secret-lives-of-stunt-women-by-coop/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:00:42 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2314 Coop here reporting from Los Angeles. While I’m in town, I thought I’d find some interesting film industry folks to learn more about what they do. Luckily, I stumbled upon some old friends who enlightened me to a part of the business I knew very little about. Of all the individuals in film, few are as mysterious and unique as those who do stunt work. Not only do these artists employ acting skills, they also harness fierce athletic abilities to achieve seemingly impossible (or painful-looking feats). Those who perform stunts form a very tight circle in the business; and in the case of women, one of the tightest circles in the entire industry...]]> http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/30/the-secret-lives-of-stunt-women-by-coop/feed/ 1 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/25/hair-metal-movie-madness-6-need-inspiration-to-get-in-shape-vision-quest-has-it-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/25/hair-metal-movie-madness-6-need-inspiration-to-get-in-shape-vision-quest-has-it-by-coop/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:00:24 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2293 Vision Quest (1985) is the best of these films. Matthew Modine plays Louden Swain, a smart and precocious beanpole who suddenly decides to give his high school career meaning by performing a near impossible feat...]]> http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/25/hair-metal-movie-madness-6-need-inspiration-to-get-in-shape-vision-quest-has-it-by-coop/feed/ 1 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/23/neo-the-ninja-the-creators-of-the-matrix-return-with-a-ninja-assassin-trailer-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/23/neo-the-ninja-the-creators-of-the-matrix-return-with-a-ninja-assassin-trailer-by-coop/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:32:49 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=2289 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/07/23/neo-the-ninja-the-creators-of-the-matrix-return-with-a-ninja-assassin-trailer-by-coop/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/27/bob-is-right-fighting-sucks-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/27/bob-is-right-fighting-sucks-by-coop/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:30:41 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=1670 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/27/bob-is-right-fighting-sucks-by-coop/feed/ 7 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/26/bleedin-wicked-googly-films-about-35-of-those-other-sports-part-4-of-7-by-jay/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/26/bleedin-wicked-googly-films-about-35-of-those-other-sports-part-4-of-7-by-jay/#comments Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:00:15 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=1593 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/26/bleedin-wicked-googly-films-about-35-of-those-other-sports-part-4-of-7-by-jay/feed/ 5 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/08/10-toughest-movie-heroes-of-all-time-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/08/10-toughest-movie-heroes-of-all-time-by-coop/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:57:27 +0000 admin http://www.smalltowncritic.com/?p=764 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/08/10-toughest-movie-heroes-of-all-time-by-coop/feed/ 45 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/03/16/the-perfect-sleep-oldman-rutten-bono-all-say-do-not-go-see-this-movie-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/03/16/the-perfect-sleep-oldman-rutten-bono-all-say-do-not-go-see-this-movie-by-coop/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:13:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/the-perfect-sleep-oldman-rutten-bono-all-say-do-not-go-see-this-movie-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/03/16/the-perfect-sleep-oldman-rutten-bono-all-say-do-not-go-see-this-movie-by-coop/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/01/15/fighting-a-remake-of-lionheart/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/01/15/fighting-a-remake-of-lionheart/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/fighting-a-remake-of-lionheart/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/01/15/fighting-a-remake-of-lionheart/feed/ 7 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/09/21/redbelt-2008-12-dvd-review-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/09/21/redbelt-2008-12-dvd-review-by-coop/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:00:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/redbelt-2008-12-dvd-review-by-coop/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/09/21/redbelt-2008-12-dvd-review-by-coop/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/17/ong-bak-2-a-neat-trailer-for-martial-arts-fans/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/17/ong-bak-2-a-neat-trailer-for-martial-arts-fans/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:50:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/ong-bak-2-a-neat-trailer-for-martial-arts-fans/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/17/ong-bak-2-a-neat-trailer-for-martial-arts-fans/feed/ 1 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/11/kung-fu-panda-2008-film-review/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/11/kung-fu-panda-2008-film-review/#comments Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:46:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/kung-fu-panda-2008-film-review/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/11/kung-fu-panda-2008-film-review/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/08/never-back-down-2008-review-capsule/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/08/never-back-down-2008-review-capsule/#comments Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:07:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/never-back-down-2008-review-capsule/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/08/never-back-down-2008-review-capsule/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/05/foot-fist-way-2008-12-film-capsule/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/05/foot-fist-way-2008-12-film-capsule/#comments Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:52:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/foot-fist-way-2008-12-film-capsule/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/06/05/foot-fist-way-2008-12-film-capsule/feed/ 0 http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/05/14/romeo-must-die-2000/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/05/14/romeo-must-die-2000/#comments Wed, 14 May 2008 00:30:00 +0000 Coop http://smalltowncritic1.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/romeo-must-die-2000/ http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2008/05/14/romeo-must-die-2000/feed/ 0