http://onmilwaukee.com/rss/rss_reneelorenz.xml Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Renee Lorenz en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 08:15:50 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://onmilwaukee.com/images/layout/rss_logo.png http://onmilwaukee.com 144 30 Classic gangsters loved a good embarrassment of riches. And for a movie like "Gangster Squad," showing off is fine. But, when the swanky style of the era meets the stylized swank of the movie's own excesses, things get out of hand. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/gangstersquad.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/gangstersquad.html?32491 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:41:00 CDT It feels like not a week goes by without someone posting something about how Facebook's invading everyone's privacy, spying on your browser history, etc., ad nauseum. (These posts are usually made on Facebook, by the way.) I understand the generic concern over the Orwellian slippery slope, but it doesn't take me too long to re-assess and arrive back at my old conclusion: Who cares? http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/internettracking.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/internettracking.html?32416 Thu, 3 Jan 2013 14:19:00 CDT Although outsiders may not see Milwaukee as a hotbed for the performing arts, locals know there's plenty of talent to go around. And, there are numerous venues across the city that proudly show off area actors, dancers and musicians. But, despite the wide array of opportunities available, Katie Rhyme and Karen Zakrzewski still felt something important was missing. http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/mkefollies.html http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/mkefollies.html?32390 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:05:00 CDT Merry Christmas, "Les Miz" lovers - I'm about to hate all over your musical. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/lesmiserables.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/lesmiserables.html?32364 Tue, 25 Dec 2012 13:29:00 CDT Well, it took director Quentin Tarantino 20 years, but he finally got his Western ... kinda. Although it's fair to say he's been preparing his entire career with his raucously bloody shoot-'em-ups, Tarantino's time warming up has been well spent if "Django Unchained" is the final result http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/djangounchained.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/djangounchained.html?32363 Tue, 25 Dec 2012 10:26:00 CDT Unlike most middle-aged men, Judd Apatow can afford a whole garage of Camaros and Mustangs. So, it makes sense that his mid-life crisis would manifest not with a youthful car buy, but by splurging on the production of a new movie. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/thisis40.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/thisis40.html?32347 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:41:00 CDT They say time flies when you're having fun. I don't know who "they" are (probably those terrifyingly upbeat "glass half full" people), but they nailed it. My 2012 is a blur of exciting times and memorable moments, most of which my lawyers have advised me not to discuss in detail. There's still plenty to talk about, though, and I've shared the highlights below. http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/rlpicks2012.html http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/rlpicks2012.html?32310 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:34:00 CDT Well, another year of movies is (almost) in the books. Full of many memorable ups and seared-in-my-brain-forever downs, here's my take on the best (and worst) of 2012. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/topmovies12.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/topmovies12.html?32301 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:51:00 CDT Eleven years after "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" introduced audiences to the majesty of director Peter Jackson's Middle-earth, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" makes a triumphant return to the mythical land with a new trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit." http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/hobbitunexpectedjourney.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/hobbitunexpectedjourney.html?32262 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:49:00 CDT After being tasked with putting together an actual wish list, I'm legitimately afraid of the death glare I'll get if I hand over my ultra-practical, completely un-whimsical list of stuff I want. So, I'm posting it here. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/xmaswishlist12.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/xmaswishlist12.html?32241 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:43:00 CDT Ferrets. A singing geriatric in an eye patch. Disturbingly upbeat wound care. These topics are the most recent added to the popular Found Footage Festival, which returns Dec. 19 with its sixth volume of so-bad-they're-good clips. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/foundfootagefest12.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/foundfootagefest12.html?32218 Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:01:00 CDT Movies about legendary historical figures almost always carry extra weight on their shoulders. But, "Hitchcock" went there, and emerged relatively unscathed with a clever, if superficial, homage to the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/hitchcockmovie.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/hitchcockmovie.html?32211 Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:29:00 CDT Winter means more than shutting yourself up at home with Rumchata'd weekend coffee. Just like many of you have plans to deck the halls and light up your homes with a little festive glow, there's no reason why your palate should go, well, un-lit. http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/seasonaldrinks12.html http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/seasonaldrinks12.html?32189 Fri, 7 Dec 2012 11:04:00 CDT On the outside, "Killing Them Softly" looks like the perfect respite from all the glittering Oscar bait scrambling to hit theaters before the year's out. Yeah, not so much. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/killingthemsoftly.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/killingthemsoftly.html?32125 Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:33:00 CDT The donations added to the annual Hunger Task Force bins may be a simple gesture, but they're just the beginning of a much larger and more intricate process. http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/htfholiday.html http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/htfholiday.html?32103 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:16:00 CDT I'm not a Black Friday shopper. Tempt my lushy proclivities, however, and you've got a whole different ball game on your hands. That's just what was on the itinerary this morning when I and two of my friends ventured out into the frozen hell that was 4 a.m. on a quest for fame, glory and Lakefront beer. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/lakefrontblackfriday.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/lakefrontblackfriday.html?32061 Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:14:00 CDT It's been a great year for kids movies. This week adds "Rise of the Guardians" to that list - a whimsical fantasy about children's most famous fabled icons and their secret allegiance to protect the collective innocence of childhood. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/riseoftheguardians.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/riseoftheguardians.html?32059 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:24:00 CDT As much as I like him in his more serious work, I'm always surprised when Bradley Cooper turns in a performance that strays from his name-making "Hangover" persona. If anything can change my mind, though, it's his thoroughly human contribution to "Silver Linings Playbook." http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/silverliningsplaybook.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/silverliningsplaybook.html?32057 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:49:00 CDT After some minor financial oopses at MGM (read: filing for bankruptcy) and even more post-production delays (Chinese invaders don't just Photoshop themselves into North Koreans overnight, you know), the remade "Red Dawn" finally gets to see the light of day. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/reddawn2012.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/reddawn2012.html?32050 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:21:00 CDT It wasn't too long ago that the Mythbusters proved to the world that you can, indeed, polish a turd. So, I don't know why I ever had so many reservations about the cinematic incarnations of the "Twilight" saga. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/breakingdawn2.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/breakingdawn2.html?32009 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:45:00 CDT Critics everywhere are falling all over themselves raving about "Lincoln," Steven Spielberg's epic narrative about America's notable president. It is, without a doubt, a very good film. Its all-encompassing excellence, however, is lost on me. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/lincolnmovie.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/lincolnmovie.html?32007 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:10:00 CDT In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Rouse Simmons' sinking, author Rochelle Pennington will visit the North Point Lighthouse to retell the story of the Christmas Tree Ship and show off some of the artifacts Lake Michigan has released from its depths. http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/christmastreeship.html http://onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/holidays/articles/christmastreeship.html?31968 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:58:00 CDT The James Bond franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and what better way to celebrate such a long-standing series than with a film centered around its foundation's near destruction? http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/skyfall.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/skyfall.html?31947 Fri, 9 Nov 2012 11:50:00 CDT Last month I previewed Jack and Nick Packard's upcoming Funny or Die videos, a set of five focused on the all-important (and a little made-up) National Bowling Month. The collection, which finally dropped today, has taken over the website. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/FoDbowlingmonth.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/FoDbowlingmonth.html?31940 Thu, 8 Nov 2012 15:28:00 CDT "Skyfall," the latest installment in the James Bond series, is due out in theaters this Friday. But, you won't have to wait that long to see it. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/007screenings.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/007screenings.html?31922 Wed, 7 Nov 2012 11:44:00 CDT The Milwaukee Short Film Festival has always been about promoting emerging local filmmakers. This year's 14th annual festival continues that tradition of support, showcasing more work from new and returning directors in addition to including new programs and features to attract even more interest. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/msff12.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/msff12.html?31914 Wed, 7 Nov 2012 08:59:00 CDT It's been 12 years since director Robert Zemeckis last brought a live-action venture to the big screen. This hit-and-miss bout of computer generation has given way to "Flight," a similarly hit-and-miss story about a troubled pilot and the aftermath of a harrowing plane crash. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/flightmovie.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/flightmovie.html?31877 Fri, 2 Nov 2012 14:28:00 CDT Combining a kid-friendly story and slick, well-written script is a pretty good way to guarantee a box office hit. Throw in the nostalgia of a whole history of bygone video games and there's no way you can fail. "Wreck-It Ralph" does just that, and the results are expectedly superb. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/wreckitralph.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/wreckitralph.html?31876 Fri, 2 Nov 2012 11:52:00 CDT Jack and Nick Packard have already made their mark on the comedy world with viral video hits "Bowling Trick Shots," "Hey, Pass Me A Beer" and others on the popular comedy website Funny or Die. However, the brothers will step up their game Nov. 13 when they release five new videos on Funny or Die, taking over the main page for two days in celebration of National Bowling Month. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/packardbros.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/packardbros.html?31816 Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:31:00 CDT Anyone who's seen a trailer for "Cloud Atlas" or even heard the smallest amount of buzz surrounding it knows it looks a little, well, nuts. This massive new undertaking from the Wachowski siblings boasts teaser footage guaranteed to melt your brain, plus a cast of characters and settings that - while impressive on paper - could have easily stifled the promise right out of it. Thankfully (and a little surprisingly), it didn't. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/cloudatlas.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/cloudatlas.html?31822 Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:11:00 CDT and#65279;"Don't Ever Cross Alex Cross." The tagline alone had me laughing at this movie way back when all I had to go on was the poster. And, as expected, all 101 minutes of "Alex Cross" the movie was just as terrible. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/alexcross.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/alexcross.html?31759 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:12:00 CDT Until recently, festival programmers weren't quite sure of its age at all. But, that's not stopping the festival team from celebrating their missed milestone with a "Second Annual 25th Anniversary." http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/lgbtfilm12.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/lgbtfilm12.html?31729 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:03:00 CDT "In Bruges" director Martin McDonagh. Christopher Walken. A bunny. This magical collaboration isn't some elaborate fantasy, it's just part of the all-too-hilarious reality of "Seven Psychopaths." The story of a writer's block-afflicted screenwriter, his motley crew of friends and an unintentional stumble into L.A.'s criminal underworld is an irreverent, smart and darkly funny adventure that easily earns a spot on the list of this year's top comedies. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/sevenpsychopaths.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/sevenpsychopaths.html?31692 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 10:17:00 CDT Part mystery and part horror movie, "Sinister" has been teasing scary movie fans with intriguingly vague trailers for a while now - its shadowy villain has certainly gotten people talking. While it's nothing to write home about plot-wise, "Sinister"'s scares are certainly enough to make you think twice about turning your lights off before going to bed. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/sinisterblog.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/sinisterblog.html?31689 Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:34:00 CDT After Ben Affleck delivered his hugely successful "Gone Baby Gone" in 2007 and followed it with 2010's "The Town," expectations for his latest directorial work, "Argo," were riding high. Audiences were naturally eager to see if his talent behind the camera would carry over into his new thriller, and there's no doubt it did. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/argomovie.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/argomovie.html?31688 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:49:00 CDT Sequels have a reputation for being awful injustices compared to their originals. Apparently, they should consider the "alternate universe" method used by "Here Comes the Boom," which, despite being the parallel-reality version of "Happy Gilmore," did a pretty good job holding its own. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/herecomestheboom.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/herecomestheboom.html?31674 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:38:00 CDT Unlike most traditional do-it-yourself shirt design hubs, Milwaukee-based Ink to the People takes on the burdens of transactions and distribution, all while offering its community a risk-free place to market their design with the resources of a big-time shirt-making business. http://onmilwaukee.com/market/articles/inktothepeople.html http://onmilwaukee.com/market/articles/inktothepeople.html?31648 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:03:00 CDT Considering "Glee"'s heyday is long over and "mashup" is well on its way to becoming the latest banned word, unleashing a movie about an underdog group of a cappella singers onto theaters doesn't really seem like a banner idea. But, "Pitch Perfect" is smart, darkly funny and even a little edgy http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/pitchperfect.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/pitchperfect.html?31609 Sat, 6 Oct 2012 16:53:00 CDT Actor/director Ben Affleck's found his calling behind the camera, it seems. His latest, "Argo," chronicles a covert operation to rescue six Americans behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis. It's already picked up rave reviews, but you don't have to take critics' words for it. You can see it for yourself this Monday. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/argopasses.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/argopasses.html?31604 Fri, 5 Oct 2012 14:14:00 CDT Back by popular demand, the second Milwaukee Film Festival Passport program features a collection of documentary and fiction films set in China. Two of these - "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry" and "High Tech, Low Life" - provide an especially unique and in-depth perspective of life behind the inspirational façade of modern China. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/weiweihightech.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/weiweihightech.html?31594 Fri, 5 Oct 2012 13:04:00 CDT After weathering the hits and misses of Tim Burton's more recent work, fans saw a promising break in the clouds when the full-length adaptation of "Frankenweenie" was announced. The black-and-white short that originally got him fired from Disney has, ironically, come full circle - not only does this spooky stop-motion tale reunite Burton with the kid-friendly studio, it has zapped new life into a career that was gasping for air. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/frankenweenie.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/frankenweenie.html?31599 Fri, 5 Oct 2012 11:57:00 CDT Funny, smart and delightfully in-your-face: they're not your typical descriptors for a documentary, but they fit "Beauty is Embarrassing" to a tee. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/beautyisembarrassing.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/beautyisembarrassing.html?31527 Mon, 1 Oct 2012 08:09:00 CDT The best children's movies are those with universal appeal. Often, though, that appeal is achieved with snappy double entendres and gimmicks that, while well done, are forced to fly over kids' heads to find an audience. "Le Tableau," on the other hand, makes catering to every age of its audience look as easy as Color by Numbers art. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/letableau.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/letableau.html?31523 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:12:00 CDT "3,2, 1...Frankie Go Boom" 's constant stream of zany, rapid-fire laugh fodder is a little overwhelming at the outset, but only because it delivers hard and fast right out of the gate and refuses to let up even after the credits start to roll. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/321frankiegoboom.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/321frankiegoboom.html?31522 Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:53:00 CDT I don't think it's unfair to be hesitant when Adam Sandler's name is attached to a movie these days. "Hotel Transylvania," however, was kind of a combo-buster. Overcoming any of Sandler's potential influence must have been a lot of work, though, since the resulting movie barely clocked in above average. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/hoteltransylvania.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/hoteltransylvania.html?31515 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:27:00 CDT I'm sure the people behind "Won't Back Down" knew what they were doing when they decided to release this public school politics firebomb to theaters when they did. And you know what? It was the smartest thing they could have done. It's got nothing to offer cinematically speaking, so plucking the country's discords is a genius piece of movie marketing. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/wontbackdown.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/wontbackdown.html?31504 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:26:00 CDT It took five years, but Milwaukee filmmaker Tate Bunker is finally ready to debut his feature film, "Little Red." Currently wrapping up post-production and scheduled to premiere at the Milwaukee Film Festival, the film has come a long way from its humble beginnings. http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/littlered.html http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/littlered.html?31469 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:03:00 CDT As the credits rolled on "The Master" and I sat back to contemplate what I had absorbed over the two-ish hours it spent on the screen, I got a weird sense of deja vu. It didn't take long before I realized the ambivalence I had for "The Master" was almost identical to the ambivalence I felt after watching director Paul Thomas Anderson's other much-buzzed about work, "There Will Be Blood." http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/themastermovie.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/themastermovie.html?31441 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:41:00 CDT "Ready ... set ... go." That was it. No fancy red light/green light over the door, no adrenaline-fueled dive out of the plane (which, in retrospect, would have been pretty hard to do strapped to my tandem instructor). Just three little words, a tip forward and I was a skydiver. http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/skydivemilwaukee.html http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/skydivemilwaukee.html?31419 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:59:00 CDT Now that he's done making headlines at the Republican National Convention, Clint Eastwood is back to doing what he does best - making movies. His latest, "Trouble with the Curve," hits theaters Friday, but if you act fast you won't have to wait that long. http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/troubletickets.html http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/reneelorenz/troubletickets.html?31378 Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:18:00 CDT