| ALL ARTICLES BY Sean Conover |
People in Planes, "Beyond the Horizon"Music Review - Sep 9, 2008
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From the first song to the last, singer Gareth Jones and his band mates ride the spectrum of nearly every possible rock sound, from alternative to pop to unplugged. |
Styrofoam, "A Thousand Words"Music Review - Jun 17, 2008
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With a heavy heart, I have to say that while I appreciate the effort, this is not a work of art for me. Sorry, Arne. |
Mad MoneyDVD Review - May 22, 2008
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A middle-of-the-road heist film that doesn't get too funny or exciting and tries to hitch a ride on the performances of its lead actresses. |
Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark: Live: Architecture & Morality and MoreMusic Review - Apr 22, 2008
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OMD performs a straight-forward, beginning-to-end live version of the groundbreaking Architecture & More, along with a few of their hit singles. |
CloverfieldDVD Review - Apr 22, 2008
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What was chaotic and exciting about a monster terrorizing New York City on the big theater screen couldn't possibly translate well to the home television screen. I was wrong. |
Korn: Live at MontreuxDVD Review - Apr 21, 2008
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As the last concert to be filmed before the departure of Welch and Silveria, this should be a lasting moment of the best metal bands to come out of the '90's; unfortunately, it isn't. |
The Weepies, "Hideaway"Music Review - Apr 15, 2008
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If you think the Weepies attained success before as background music on television shows, this album is going to be a goldmine for producers. |
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (Two-Disc Special Edition)DVD Review - Apr 8, 2008
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This is a movie aimed squarely at young kids; there are no elements to draw in teens or adults. |
Dan in Real LifeDVD Review - Mar 11, 2008
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A touching, heartfelt, and at times humorous film about a widowed father of three girls who wrestles with feelings of love and family after the death of his wife. |
Mike Doughty, "Golden Delicious"Music Review - Feb 19, 2008
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There are so many catchy hooks that if you're not careful, you'll get splattered with the sizzle and walk around with some of it stuck in your head all day. |
Damages: The Complete First SeasonDVD Review - Jan 29, 2008
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If you have ever enjoyed the twist and turns of a John Grisham novel, you will drown in the goodness of "Damages." |
Titanic (10th Anniversary Edition)DVD Review - Nov 23, 2007
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Believe it or not, it's been ten years since "I'm the king of the world" was first belted out on the big screen. |
Boston Legal - Season ThreeDVD Review - Sep 19, 2007
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After two years, Boston Legal has definitely fallen into a comfortable swagger. |
Boston Legal - Season 2DVD Review - Nov 29, 2006
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Boston Legal - Season Two is bursting with a full 27 episodes that, even if you didn't watch or catch up with season one, you will easily get hooked on. |
Scrubs - Season FourDVD Review - Oct 16, 2006
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Consistently one of the funniest (and underrated) comedies on television today, the fourth season of "Scrubs" is now available on DVD. |
Joshua Radin, "We Were Here"Music Review - Jul 17, 2006
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Zach Braff tells me I should listen. I trust his judgment, if not whole-heartedly his taste in music. |
Live, "Songs from Black Mountain"Music Review - Jun 6, 2006
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I was excited to hear an album from a group that I've enjoyed for many years. After the first three or four songs, I wasn't necessarily disappointed, but I can't say that I was impressed, either. |
Boston Legal - Season 1DVD Review - May 23, 2006
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"Powerful, dramatic, sexy and funny" is a short but nearly perfect description of Boston Legal. |
Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime IIMusic Review - May 12, 2006
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Is this a good follow up to an amazing album from 1988, or an abysmal failure by a band trying to cash in on a follow up to an amazing album nearly 20 years later? |
SerenityDVD Review - Dec 21, 2005
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While "Serenity" is the Most Enjoyable Movie of 2005 on my list, I am almost ashamed to admit I'm a little disappointed in the DVD Bonus Features. |
Four BrothersDVD Review - Dec 20, 2005
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When their mother is murdered in cold blood in a corner market robbery, three foster brothers return home to Detroit to join their fourth brother and attend her funeral - and to seek their own brand of justice. |
Peter Gabriel Still Growing Up - Live and UnwrappedDVD Review - Nov 22, 2005
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With the release of his newest concert DVD, am I in his target audience, or is this another release for his hardcore fans? |
Breaking Bonaduce - Episode 9A Dose of Reality - Nov 13, 2005
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Now that Danny has been through rehab, it is difficult to be thrust back into a life and family that haven't been through rehab. |
DerailedMovie Review - Nov 11, 2005
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Could someone break into your life at the most inopportune moment and disrupt it to the point where you are at risk of losing everything you've ever worked for? |
ShopgirlMovie Review - Oct 21, 2005
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One thing is for sure: Steve Martin has an interesting and unique view on relationships. |
The Girl in the CafeDVD Review - Sep 6, 2005
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In HBO Films' "The Girl in the Cafe," Richard Curtis ("Love Actually") has written a story that weaves a quirky romance revolving around the G8 summit and the global issue of poverty in Africa. |
The Mind of the Married Man - The Complete First SeasonDVD Review - Aug 26, 2005
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As a married man myself, I thought it would be interesting to see what creator and series star Mike Binder thought was on our minds. With Season One coming to DVD August 30, the opportunity to watch the show from the pilot to season finale is finally here. |
The Matrix RevolutionsMovie Review - Nov 5, 2003
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Every beginning has an end, and thanks to the Wachowski Brothers, "The Matrix" has a fitting final chapter. |
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the WorldMovie Review - Nov 5, 2003
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Have you ever wondered what life on a war ship must have been like in the 1800’s? |
Love ActuallyMovie Review - Oct 31, 2003
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"Love Actually" dives into practically every angle you can take regarding that little thing we call “love,” and it succeeds in pulling us along for the emotional ride. |
Brother BearMovie Review - Oct 30, 2003
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Ask anyone who hasn’t seen the film and I’m willing to bet they’ll say they remember the moose jokes. On the flip side, ask anyone who has seen the film, and I’m willing to bet they’ll say that the more memorable scenes of the film involve moose jokes as well. |
Intolerable CrueltyMovie Review - Oct 8, 2003
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As is common in most the Coen Brother's films, the films characteristics are grossly overplayed to maximize silliness. |
Good Boy!Movie Review - Oct 7, 2003
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When you see a trailer for a movie and it features talking dogs, you can’t help but wonder if the film is worth seeing. |
Runaway JuryMovie Review - Oct 6, 2003
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Grisham has another “Runaway” hit on his hands. |
School of RockMovie Review - Oct 6, 2003
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How do you like your Jack Black? |
UnderworldMovie Review - Sep 20, 2003
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Some scenes in “Underworld” resemble “The Matrix.” There, I’ve said it. Everyone is thinking it, so might as well get it out in the open. |
Secondhand LionsMovie Review - Sep 19, 2003
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"Secondhand Lions," the new film from "The Iron Giant" scribe Tim McCanlies, seeks to prove that old doesn't necessarily mean useless. |
Matchstick MenMovie Review - Sep 10, 2003
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Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman form a perfect con-trifecta in Director Ridley Scott's latest, "Matchstick Men." |
Dickie Roberts: Former Child StarMovie Review - Sep 9, 2003
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Do we pity these former stars, or is it ok to point and laugh? Thankfully, "Dickie Roberts" does a little of both in a lighthearted and silly manner. |
The Fighting TemptationsMovie Review - Sep 5, 2003
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I'll be the first to admit it: movie musicals don't appeal to me. Maybe I should clarify; I don't like movie musicals in the classic sense. |
Jeepers Creepers IIMovie Review - Aug 27, 2003
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Instead of invoking “the scary creature from hell,” the film instead invokes thoughts of “what the hell were they thinking?” |
Bad Boys IIMovie Review - Jul 16, 2003
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If you go in to the theater expecting nothing more than over-the-top explosions, expletives, and excitement, then you'll get what you pay for. |
The League of Extraordinary GentlemenMovie Review - Jul 10, 2003
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I had never heard of the series "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" prior the movie, so going into the film I was totally unaware of the characters and their backgrounds (with the exception of the help of Howard Price's preview here at The Trades). |
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlMovie Review - Jul 8, 2003
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Since the idea is only based on the ride, and somebody had to eventually make a pirate movie worth seeing since Disney last did it with "Peter Pan," I figured maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I thought. |
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven SeasMovie Review - Jun 19, 2003
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Since "Sinbad" is not a fully computer-animated film, is it's mixture of "old school / new school" animation enough to grab our attention, or will audiences see it as another recipe for blandness like Disney's "Treasure Planet," released late last year? |
Alex & EmmaMovie Review - Jun 18, 2003
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Thankfully, Director Rob Reiner is at it again, this time throwing likeable Luke Wilson into the Romantic Lead category. "Alex & Emma" will hook you until the very end, and may just become this summer's sleeper hit. |
WillardMovie Review - Mar 12, 2003
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Does anyone really like rats? I mean, mice are sometimes cute, but rats are big and, well...big. |
Final Destination 2Movie Review - Jan 28, 2003
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"Final Destination 2" keeps it's ideals planted in the same intriguing notion as the first: is there a natural order to that which we are supposed to die? |
Shanghai KnightsMovie Review - Jan 24, 2003
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In the sequel "Shanghai Knights," Chan and Wilson team up again as Chon Wang and Roy O'Bannon, leaving the old west and traveling to England in search of the man who killed Chon's father and stole the Chinese Emperor's Imperial Seal. |
Darkness FallsMovie Review - Jan 22, 2003
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With an interesting premise, what could have been a watchable suspense film unfortunately descends into a lame slasher flick. |
NarcMovie Review - Jan 9, 2003
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Joe Carnahan’s “Narc” breaks the stereotypical focus of the cop drama by instead focusing on the emotional pressures forced upon undercover narcotic agents. |
Just MarriedMovie Review - Jan 6, 2003
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"Just Married," although seemingly marketed as a Comedy Romance, ends up being more of a Romantic Comedy, but even that doesn't feel like a fitting description. |
Catch Me If You CanMovie Review - Dec 20, 2002
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Using classic elements of cat-and-mouse, the gleeful delight caused by each narrow escape delivers what is lacking in many films: fun and excitement. |
Confessions of a Dangerous MindMovie Review - Dec 19, 2002
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Sam Rockwell portrays the pitch-man turned killer in this enjoyable rollercoaster ride of a film that chronicles Chuck Barris' life from the day he was born right up through the present day. |
Treasure PlanetMovie Review - Nov 25, 2002
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Yes, "Treasure Planet" is an interesting adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island," but its similarities to last year's "Atlantis" are striking. |
Friday After NextMovie Review - Nov 19, 2002
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Hoping to laugh all the way to the bank yet again, Ice Cube and Mike Epps return as Craig and his cousin Day-Day in "Friday After Next." |
Half Past DeadMovie Review - Nov 14, 2002
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In an attempt to cash in on the Hip-Hop image yet again, Segal teams up with yet another rap star (Ja Rule) this week in "Half Past Dead." |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsMovie Review - Nov 11, 2002
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Columbus brings the second year at Hogwart's of the magician in training to the screen. |
The Santa Clause 2Movie Review - Oct 28, 2002
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Trying to capture that magic again, Allen reprises his role as the jolly BMOTNP (Big Man of the North Pole) in Disney's "The Santa Clause 2." |
Tuck EverlastingMovie Review - Sep 26, 2002
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With the release of "Tuck Everlasting," Disney is again trying to translate the popular images and magic of an award-winning novelist to the big screen. |
Sweet Home AlabamaMovie Review - Sep 25, 2002
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The ending of "Sweet Home Alabama" is telegraphed half way through (if not in the film's trailers), but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Most of the characters are enjoyable even if the story line is weak, but it still ends up being an overall fun ride. |
Ballistic: Ecks Vs. SeverMovie Review - Sep 19, 2002
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In contrast to the G.I. Joe cartoon, unscathed characters in a 90-minute film becomes unbelievable, and ends up being bad for business. |
The Banger SistersMovie Review - Sep 18, 2002
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Needless to say, the theme of the decade-old film "Thelma and Louise" was on my mind going into Susan Sarandon's latest buddy escapade, this time teaming up with Goldie Hawn in "The Banger Sisters." Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised, and my wife and I left the theater smiling instead of her calling me names. |
The Four FeathersMovie Review - Sep 16, 2002
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Not quite an epic film journey in the tradition of "Lawrence of Arabia," the film fails to fully hit it's mark, although it does come close. |
The TransporterMovie Review - Sep 13, 2002
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In "The Transporter," Besson has decided to combine his experience and success together into one concoction, mixing the formulaic plot of his early films with the action of "Kiss of the Dragon." Unfortunately, this results in a rather bland recipe, with something missing in the finished product. |
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost DreamsMovie Review - Aug 1, 2002
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With the unsurprising success of "Spy Kids," Director Robert Rodriguez hurried his young spies back to the production studio for this sequel before they got too old. Will new spy gadgets, along with fantastic creatures and a higher profile cast bring back the masses? |
SignsMovie Review - Jul 31, 2002
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M. Night Shyamalan returns with his third film, following in the footsteps of "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable." This time, he takes on the extra-terrestrial-laden topic of crop circles. Sure, the circles have been shown to be hoaxes, but what if they aren't? |
Stuart Little 2Movie Review - Jul 22, 2002
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Will this sequel live up to its predecessor's level of quality, or is it a pitiful attempt by the studio to cash in on the predecessor's success? |
The Country BearsMovie Review - Jul 20, 2002
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Going into Disney's "The Country Bears," I was torn as to how I would approach the film. As a parent of young children, I'm delighted to see that G-rated films are still being produced, even though they have a stigma of being 'unmarketable' in today's world. As a movie-goer, I cringed at the thought of having to sit through a "Chuck E. Cheese" performance for an hour and a half. |
Eight Legged FreaksMovie Review - Jul 17, 2002
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What do you get when mix toxic waste, an isolated town, and an exotic spider rancher? Why, a gigantic spider movie, of course. |
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision CourseMovie Review - Jul 15, 2002
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With seething performances by some of Hollywood's greatest and beautiful cinematography, this film is bound to be a front-runner in next year's Oscar race. Oh, wait...that was "Road to Perdition." If you're expecting any of these things from "Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course," you're out of luck. Otherwise, if you're not expecting too much, you may just be surprised at how fun this film actually is. |
Sunshine StateMovie Review - Jul 11, 2002
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As a resident of North Florida, John Sayles' newest film "Sunshine State" appealed to me for two reasons. |
The Powerpuff GirlsMovie Review - Jul 6, 2002
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Cartoon Network's "The Powerpuff Girls Movie" zips into theaters this week with what may be the most famous, and most quoted, MPAA rating to date: "Rated PG for nonstop frenetic animated action". That may also be a one-sentence review of the film if there ever was one. |
Hey Arnold! The MovieMovie Review - Jul 2, 2002
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If you are a die-hard fan of the Nickelodeon television show "Hey Arnold!" you will enjoy this feature-length film. If you enjoy the show, but don't feel the need to pay to see a 90-minute episode, you can wait a few months for it to be broadcast. |
Lilo & StitchMovie Review - Jun 24, 2002
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Following a successful marketing strategy, Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" roared into theatres this weekend. With just the right blend of comedy and emotion, this film is sure to delight audiences, and reinstate Disney as the leader in children's fare. |
...And in This Corner...And in This Corner - Mar 13, 2002
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You don't want to watch. You just want to flip past, maybe sneaking a peek...maybe catching a glimpse of something gruesome. But you know you will watch, because an hour this gruesome will be actually fun to talk to you co-workers about tomorrow. |
Return to NeverlandMovie Review - Feb 10, 2002
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A beloved classic is retread as a sequel, and I have to ask: why did this film not go straight-to-video? |
Pearl HarborMovie Review - May 23, 2001
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Top Gun meets Titanic meets Star Wars, and even though each of those movies are magnificent on their own accord, they are not quite as potent when mixed. |
Meet the ParentsDVD Review - Mar 7, 2001
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So what kind of Extras are included on this week's major new DVD release, "Meet The Parents: Collector's Edition"? |
Bring It OnDVD Review - Feb 14, 2001
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And so begins my new endeavor: DVD Reviews. However, if you're looking for reviews about the film itself, you may want to look elsewhere. This week's experiment: Bring It On. |
Family MattersFamily Matters - Jan 19, 2001
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You know, sometimes, people can surprise you. |
The X-Files - Episode 163: WithoutTelevision Recap - Nov 14, 2000
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The truth is still out there, but does anyone care anymore? |
Malcolm in the Middle - Episode 19: Lois's BirthdayTelevision Recap - Nov 14, 2000
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Reese is the older brother, a sadistic bully but not too well endowed in the brains department. Dewey's the little brother and the baby of the family. That puts Malcolm squarely in the middle. |
The Simpsons - Episode 251: Insane Clown PoppyTelevision Recap - Nov 13, 2000
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Begun as a short on "The Tracey Ulman Show" in the mid-1980s, "The Simpsons" is still going strong more than a decade later. |
King of the Hill - Episode 87: I Don't Want to WaitTelevision Recap - Nov 13, 2000
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Mike Judge, famous for "Beavis and Butt-Head", brings us a slice of life from suburban Texas. |
The Kid in MeMiscellaneous Musings - Jul 11, 2000
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At what point does the kid become a grown-up? For me, hopefully never, just don't let me plan any trips to the movies for a while. |
Why I Go To The MoviesMiscellaneous Musings - Apr 28, 2000
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CD Giveaway - Paper Bird, "Rooms"
Ends May 28, 2013
Drifting ever so slightly away from traditional folk music, this Colorado band delivers harmony and energy aplenty. |
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