Tag: Stephen Tobolowsky

LOCARNO16 REVIEW: Where Is Rocky II? [2016]

Jared Mobarak

“You can Hollywood anything” It was around the time Pierre Bismuth won his Oscar as an original story creator on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that he stumbled upon an unknown work by Edward Ruscha via a BBC documentary. This tape captured the artist as he created a fake rock dubbed “Rocky II,” a fiberglass/resin creation that ultimately replaced “Rocky I” once it was proven unsuitable for longevity in the desert (having been manufactured from wheat paste). It’s a fascinating discovery—a piece by a renowned figure that nobody’s seen…

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REVIEW: Toy Story of Terror [2013]

Jared Mobarak

“And if something does happen to the potato—I don’t want to miss it!” While Disney/Pixar has dove into children’s television with Cars-centric offerings and a Buzz Lightyear spin-off, it’s surprising it’s taken this long to craft a primetime special. With what used to be a flawless feature film enterprise bolstered by award-winning shorts, perhaps they believed themselves above the small screen until now. But as Pixar evolves from luxury brand to simply one more animation arm of Disney proper, good press and high ratings aren’t something to ignore out of…

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REVIEW: Buried [2010]

Jared Mobarak

“Or else he’ll take me to SeaWorld” Oh, what lies we are willing to tell in order to selfishly make ourselves feel safe and guiltless while those we fool have their lives destroyed or to guard them from the stark realities of truth for a short time more. Thinking he’s about to die, what does a husband say to his wife when she asks him to promise he’ll come home safe? If he’s being held hostage and asks the man tasked with finding him how many saves he’s made, does…

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REVIEW: The Time Traveler’s Wife [2009]

Jared Mobarak

“I really wish she could hear you sing” When I discuss Audrey Niffenegger’s debut novel The Time Traveler’s Wife with people, I tell them, besides it being a top five book of all-time for me, that it is a romance/love story. There are fantastic elements of science fiction, (one of the best use of time travel I’ve ever experienced), as well as moments of true suspense with the thrilling adventures of our titular traveler too, but they only help bolster the tale of true love at its core. I’ll admit…

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