The Citizen Review " A man goes to the movies. A critic must be honest enough to admit that he is that man." -Robert Warshow

Matthew Says: A

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, based on one of the most widely renowned children's novels of all time, Spike Jonze has quite some pressure. The question that came up in my mind was, "How is Spike Jonze's raw, artsy style going to mix with a classic children's story?" Well I promise you, Where the Wild Things Are delivers!

Everyone knows the story of Max, who is sent to his room after a tantrum, and escapes into the world where the wild things are. This film just enhances it, making it realistic to the modern family of today, and adds a newer meaning to the story.

The filming of it is breathtaking. The technical merit of the wild things with the raw camera style truly capture what is was like to be a kid. And first time screenwriter Spike Jonzes creates subtle and surprisingly touching scenes between these two different kinds of creatures who aren't really that different.

This one of the most inventive, audacious and spectacular films of the year. It runs on human emotion, inventivness, and being wild. It's a must-see for 2009.

Sincerely,
The Citizen Review

Matthew Says: B+

The Puffy Chair is the independant debut for the writer-director duo, the Duplass brothers. It's a romantic comedy of sorts, and It's one heck of a good one. What's different about this one is the film starts with The two lovers already together. And they're not polar opposites who suddenly have everything in common.

Josh's dad's birthday is next week, and he wants to get him something special. He found an exact replica of a burandy puffy chair that his dad loved when he was little on Ebay. So he and his girlfriend Emily go on a roadtrip to get the puffy chair and take it to his dad's. Along the way they pick up Josh's brother, along with minor mishaps (including sneaking into a motel, busting into garage doors, and an overnight marriage) and major relationship rethinking.

This film was shot on a $2,000 camcorder, and uses friends and family for actors, yet has far better acting, writing and realism than any other romantic comedy I've seen. The acting is insanley real, with emotional scenes that seem like you're peaking in on some couple's fight in the next room.

Sincerely,