By Ben Thomson, Staff Writer Blonde, directed by Andrew Dominik, is very quickly shaping up to be this year’s most controversial film. The flashy, NC-17 rated retelling of Marylin Monroe’s life has been accused of being evil, immoral, sadistic and above all disrespectful to the actress’s legacy. I can say right now that the film is none of those things. In fact, accusing it of being any of that is giving the director too much credit. I’ll start by being nice. From a technical level, the film is nothing short of an achievement. To tell the story of Monroe’s life, … Continue reading Dumb Blonde: New Monroe drama disappoints

By Ben Thomson, Staff Writer Where the hell do I start? The Rehearsal begins with comedian Nathan Fielder entering the home of trivia fanatic Kor Skeet. Fielder immediately breaks the ice with awkward jokes. Skeet, as we learn, has been lying to his friends about having a master’s degree for years and wants Fielder to help him come clean.  But Fielder also has a secret: Prior to their meeting, Fielder spent days rehearsing with an actor who looks like Skeet in a one-to-one replica of the real Skeet’s apartment (built using digital scans captured by a team of fake exterminators).  … Continue reading Fielder’s practice makes perfect in The Rehearsal

By Ben Thomson, Staff writer Johnny Knoxville has gray hair. It seems trivial to point out, especially since he’s just as charming and energetic as you’d expect. And yet, when you see a bull almost break the man’s neck, you must stop and realize that Knoxville has gray hair. Jackass Forever, like previous installments, is effing hilarious. There’s something about grown men putting themselves through ridiculous amounts of pain for an audience of millions that just speaks to me.  It’s a different experience to see Preston Lacy jump into a pile of cacti than it is to see some random … Continue reading No butts about it: Jackass shines in cinemas