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WUD Film Drive-In

May 7
Iron Man 2
Bébé(s)

May 14
Robin Hood
Letters to Juliet
Just Wright

May 21
Shrek Forever After
MacGruber

May 27/28
Sex and the City 2
Survival of the Dead

Genres: Horror, Thriller
Director: Greydon Clark
Not Rated
Runtime: 90 min

Reviewer Ranking 7.5/10

Movie Review by: Eric Kamps

What does a wealthy business, a handful of college kids on spring break, and a cat carrying a demon inside of itself have in common? They all end up on a boat in The Uninvited. This forgotten gem of the 80’s is a true case of a movie being so bad that it’s good.

Genres: Animation, Comedy
Directors: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar
Not Rated
Runtime: 75 min

Reviewer Ranking 9/10

Movie Review by: John Ormson

There are only two possible reactions after watching this movie – either “That was the best thing I have ever witnessed” or “What the %&@# did I just watch?” – with very little gray area in between.

Genres: Drama, Romance
Director: Jason Reitman
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 108 min

Reviewer Ranking 8.5/10

Movie Review by: Kevin Mahoney

It is rare for a film to capture the mood of an entire era timely enough to remain relevant.  Up In The Air succeeds with, pardon the pun, flying colors. Blending witty and subtle humor with illuminating social commentary, Up In The Air craftily entertains while enlightening its viewer.

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Directors: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders
MPAA Rating: PG
Runtime: 98 min

Reviewer Ranking 10/10

Movie Review by: Hannah Morrissey

Without a doubt, Dean DeBlois’s and Chris Sanders’ (Lilo and Stitch) How to Train Your Dragon hails as the first awesome animated movie of 2010. With a winning combination of a strong narrative, memorable characters, and vivid imagery, at last DreamWorks has delivered a film to prove that Pixar no longer sits at the pinnacle of computer graphic storytelling. Based on the novels by Cressida Cowell, Dragon is a tale that slays!

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
Director: Louis Leterrier
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 106 min

Reviewer Ranking 5/10

Movie Review by: Hannah Morrissey

“Release the Kraken!” What an epic command, uttered not only by one of the most engaging actors of all time, Liam Neeson (After Life, Taken), but by Liam Neeson playing Zeus, the thunderbolt-wielding, nasty beard-donning king of the gods. No doubt, this is that one moment in the previews that makes you put that magazine down or let that piece of pizza fall out of your mouth in order to respond, “I must see this movie.” However, as has been well documented in myths and TV phenomenon such as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, the Greek gods are mischievous beings who like to meddle with the minds of humans, which is exactly what is occurring during these previews. As lowly mortals, we are duped into believing that Clash of the Titans, directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk), could be one of the greatest experiences of our lowly lives, and we are punished for our naiveté. This remake of the 1981 version fails to produce a plot, memorable characters, and anything but laughable dialogue.

Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: F. Gary Gray
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 109 min

Reviewer Ranking 8/10

Movie Review by: Hannah Morrissey

In this crime-driven thriller, director F. Gary Gray (Be Cool, The Italian Job) has created a masterful narration of one man’s determination (and desperation) to prove to the world that justice has abandoned the justice system. Starring familiar Hollywood jocks, Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, Law Abiding Citizen will keep you intrigued and maybe even leave you with a tinge of remorse at the end.

Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Pierre Morel
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 93 min

Reviewer Ranking 10/10

Movie Review by: Hannah Morrissey

Finally, movie enthusiasts have been blessed with proof that classic revenge plots can still be done…and kick ass! Taken, directed by Pierre Morel (From Paris with Love), is a high-concept, intense action flick comparable to testosterone on steroids. Those of you who love action will not be disappointed when Liam Neeson proves to what extreme measures he will take to uncover his missing daughter.

Be sure to check out the Wisconsin Film Festival this year, with movies playing from Wednesday, April 14 – Sunday, April 18.

Films are playing at numerous theaters across Madison, including Wisconsin Union Theater, MU Play Circle, Chazen Museum of Art, UW Cinematheque, MMocA, the Orpheum, and Monona Terrace Convention Center.

Plus, there are free events too, at both the Pyle Center and Steep & Brew Coffee House.

See their website for more details: http://2010.wifilmfest.org/

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
Director: Louis Leterrier
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 106 min

Reviewer Ranking 6.5/10

Movie Review by: Tim Fehling

Link to an energizing and uplifting 1-min theme “There is a God in You” from the Clash of the Titans soundtrack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh1FUrWajSM

What better way to kickoff the approaching summer blockbuster season than with a fantastic adventure of Greek Mythology? Perhaps something with a little more character. Though Clash of the Titans gives you plenty of bang for your buck, with exciting visuals, great action scenes and powerful music, it lacks [as some may have expected] characterization and a deeper story. The movie isn’t even 2 hours long, so there was definitely room for developing more plot and exploring more Greek Mythology, which is fruitful and limitless.

Genre: Documentary
Director: Adam Bhala Lough
Not Rated
Runtime: 75 min

Reviewer Ranking 7/10

Movie Review by: Mark Darnieder

In the written prologue of The Carter, Director Adam Bhala Lough states: “Every filmmaker should be so lucky to be granted a character as unique and compelling as Lil Wayne. You can’t write a character like Lil Wayne.” His assessment is absolutely correct, and the incredible footage he shoots as he is given unprecedented access to Lil Wayne’s personal life only proves his point.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Martin Scorsese
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 138 min

Reviewer Ranking 7.5/10

Movie Review by: Matt Freedman

Shutter Island is an assault on the senses. The first flickering images on screen produce a decrepit ferry sliding through a thick, soupy fog. Out of the speakers bursts an oppressive string arrangement, followed by the splatter of vomit ricocheting off of a toilet bowl. As the protagonist lifts his head from the toilet to the mirror, he pleads with his reflection, “Pull yourself together, Teddy.” Master director Martin Scorsese is back, and his newest film is a visceral experience. Much more important than the savagely twisted and occasionally absurd plot is the way this movie makes us feel: how our pulses quicken and our chests tighten even when our eyes can’t quite make sense of the images on screen.

Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi
Director: Vic Savage
Not Rated
Runtime: 75 min

Reviewer Ranking 2/10

Movie Review by: Eric Kamps

Ever wonder what would happen if monsters from the planet of Carpet Liquidators attacked the Earth? To be honest, I never really did, and after watching Vic Savage’s (Street Fighter) The Creeping Terror, I never will.

Genres: Action, Comedy, Romance
Director: Andy Tennant
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 106 min

Reviewer Ranking 6/10

Movie Review by: Hannah Morrissey

Sarcastic bickering. Handcuffs. A taser gun. Yeah, sounds like the typical accoutrements to a divorce. These are just a few of the techniques used by comedic couple Jennifer Aniston (Love Happens) and Gerard Butler (Law Abiding Citizen) in Bounty Hunter. Directed by Andy Tennant (Fool’s Gold), this film is an exhilarating ride with chases ranging from classic cars to golf carts to pedicabs, but lacks in the area of surprise and more surprisingly, romance.

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Director: McG
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 115 min

Reviewer Ranking 4.5/10

Movie Review by: Mark Darnieder

Terminator: Salvation is a frustrating movie, not only because it fails to live up to the lofty standards of the Terminator franchise’s first two installments, but also because any things the film does right are overwhelmed by the things it does wrong.  The result is a highly disappointing film. Starring Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) and Sam Worthington (Avatar), Terminator: Salvation tells the story of what happens after the apocalyptic Judgment Day the first three films were leading up to. Set in 2018, it focuses on a scattered group of resistance fighters, led by Bale’s John Connor, who are the last hope fighting against Skynet, the machines seeking to wipe out all humanity.

Genres: Sci-Fi, Short Film
Director: Jens Raunkjær Christensen, Jonas Drotner Mouritsen
Not Rated
Runtime: 7 min

Reviewer Ranking 6.5/10

Movie Review by: John Ormson

Link to 7-min Short Film: http://www.ov43.com/

Do you know two people that never seem to be apart? Maybe you even have a friend like that. But in Connected, that’s how post-apocalyptic life is for ○ and ▲ (for lack of real names, the symbols on their helmets must suffice). The two men, both wearing giant space suits and Darth Vader-esque helmets, are attached by a wire that allows them both to breathe fresh air in the harsh environment. As they walk, they run into ‘43’ (another nameless suit-wearer) who has his own advanced breathing device. The two groups confront each other in what becomes an intense and disturbing climax.

Genres: Comedy, Romance
Director: David Wain
MPAA Rating: R
Runtime: 97 min

Reviewer Ranking 10/10

Movie Review by: Erica Matlin

I have been attending the same sleep-away camp since 2001, so this summer will be marking my tenth summer at camp, which is why it seems quite fitting that I found David Wain’s Wet Hot American Summer (2001) hysterically funny. As a “camp kid,” this movie fulfilled my sense of humor and exuded a sense of nostalgia, probably because David Wain is also a “camp kid” and based the movie off the camp he attended as a child. Wain hit the nail on the head, creating a strong connection to every movie viewer who possesses a fondness for camp.

Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Rick Jacobsen
Unrated
Runtime: 109 min

Reviewer Ranking 4/10

Movie Review by: Hannah Morrissey

I have to agree with Michael Hurst when he says, “If you’re only going to see one movie in your life, make sure it’s Citizen Kane. But if you plan on seeing more than that, Bitch Slap is the one for you.” After finally watching the film, these words definitely hold some truth: don’t make Bitch Slap the only movie you ever see. Directed by Rick Jacobsen (Bad Guys), Bitch Slap is an obscene film with gratuitous violence, sex, and explosions that won’t put you on your feet, but more or less will leave you dazed and…perhaps disturbed is the word I’m looking for.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Director: Nathan Juran
Not Rated
Runtime: 82 min

Reviewer Ranking 7/10

Movie Review by: Eric Kamps

Venturing to Venus can be rough. That’s what I learned this weekend when I watched the movie 20 Million Miles to Earth. Apparently, you can’t just land on Venus and expect the atmosphere to be breathable, nor is it a great idea to bring back a monster from space.