Short movie reviews with big opinions

The Social Network - 4 stars

2010-10-13T19:59:00.000-04:00

The Social Network is the story of the founding of Facebook, or The Facebook as it was originally called. There is a lot of speculation as to the accuracy of this story. I thought that a feature film had to either have nothing to do with real people or had to be accurate. Someone please explain to me how it can be fictionalized like this!

Anyway, it was a very watchable movie. It was acted very well, including a pair of twins played by one guy. It was entertaining and informative.

The Education of Charlie Banks - 4 stars

2010-10-13T19:44:00.000-04:00

The Education of Charlie Banks was very thoughtful. It follows a smart, yet not totally awkward, boy from the Bronx from age 10 to 20. He has friends spanning the socio-economic spectrum and is just trying to make his way in the world while living with his conscience. It's hard to describe this without giving anything away, so I'll say that the theme, which emerges about 2/3 of the way into the movie, is perfectly woven throughout the film. The characters are multi-dimentional, the writing is sharp, and the scenario feels very real. Stars Jessie Eisenberg, who also plays Marc Zuckerberg in the Social Network, and Jason Ritter.

Iron Man 2 - 2.5 stars

2010-10-13T19:38:00.000-04:00

Iron Man 2 is too sequely (I've coined a new phrase!). Does that make sense? All things that are wrong with sequels was wrong with this movie. It takes the original, puts the dialogue in a Magic 8 Ball, shakes it up a tiny bit, then re-shoots. The only value in it is to the producers who make money off the good name of an excellent action film, Iron Man.

Breaking Bad (TV) - 4 stars

2010-10-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

Breaking Bad is a TV drama about a high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking meth when he finds out that he has inoperable lung cancer. It's amazingly well made with brilliant writing, acting, and direction. I was totally fixated on this show for a couple of weeks. I stopped watching during the second season when I realized that there was no way out for these characters. They just keep doing the same things over and over again. So, I feel like I got the point and it was time to move on.

Definitely worth watching for a while.

Greenberg - 2 stars

2010-05-02T20:49:00.001-04:00

Ben Stiller plays Roger Greenberg, a 40 year old with anger issues and terrible social skills. He is dog-sitting for his brother's family in Los Angeles and reconnecting with friends form his past. The acting and writing were good, for what it was.

Jim liked Greenberg a lot more than I did. Myself, I can't stand this kind of film - where the point is to beat into you the fact that certain people have terrible judgment and will make the same mistakes over and over and over and over. I got the message 30 minutes into the film.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, who I always like, co-wrote and plays a small part. The other writer is Noah Baumbach, who wrote the Squid and the Whale. It's not nearly as tortured as the Squid, but still depressing.

An Education - 4 stars

2010-05-01T16:15:00.000-04:00

An Education is a fictionalized memoir of 16 year old girl in England in the 1960s. She's smart, and articulate, and beautiful, and socially well adjusted. Her life revolved around getting accepted at Oxford. Then she meets David. Beautifully acted and starring Peter Sarsgaard and Carey Mulligan, with a small part by Emma Thompson. I have never seen Carey Mulligan before, but look forward to watching her again. She's magical on screen, with a very Audrey Hepburn grace, style, and manner. She was perfect in this role. Peter Sarsgaard continues to enthrall me. He draws you in as if he is looking you straight in the eye and standing just on the edge of your personal space, finding an intimacy that is comfortable instead of intrusive.

While talking with my co-worker about this film, she told me about a hilarious SNL skit that he did on the "Peter Sarsgaard SARS-guard." Take 2 minutes to watch this brilliant piece of humor. I have no idea how he can keep a straight face.

The film tells a familiar, but classic, love story. It's honest and direct, making it highly enjoyable.

More proof that I'm an expert

2010-05-01T12:05:00.002-04:00

I've been asked to join the advisory board of the Gateway Film Center! They want my brilliant advice about how to make the event center the best it can be. Of course, they asked the right person. Actually, I'm not sure that they know what they are getting into. Ask my opinion and I'll give it to you. I have a free pass to unlimited movies for me and a guest (no you can't borrow it) for 2010. We've been averaging about 1 film a year in the theater, so this will force me to get back into non-work, non-baby world.

First order of business is their website. Hopefully the manager will take my advice and talk to Jim. The functionality is pretty minimal, which is certainly hurting their ticket sales.

Tomorrow, Jim & I are going to watch the Secret of Kells while his mom babysits for Violet. We picked it because it's the most highly rated film on Rottentomatoes.com that is playing in the morning when she is available. Rotten Tomatoes pulls all of the movie critic reviews into one site and produces an overall score. The Secret of Kells got an 89%.

Whip It - 3 stars

2010-04-10T21:33:00.001-04:00

Whip It is Drew Barrymore's directorial debut. Starring Ellen Page (Juno) as Bliss Cavender, Whip It is a coming of age story of a girl who discovers roller derby. The entire cast is fantastic. Drew has a small, but mighty role. Juliette Lewis shines as Bliss' rival.

The real star of the show is the roller derby. If you have never experienced derby, it's kind of like women's rugby on skates. It's a brutal sport in short skirts with a campy following.

Although the acting and action were great, it's an all too familiar story without a new twist or exceptional storytelling. If Whip It were a slightly better film, it would be the kind of movie you would re-watch time and again.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 3 stars

2010-03-08T21:37:00.002-05:00

Benjamin Button was a masterpiece in the making. By that I mean that it had immense potential that it failed to fulfill. It was well acted, had superb makeup (which is actually the star of the film), and good chemistry. However, despite the gimmick, the story was too generic.

I felt like I was watching Forrest Gump without the humor. Remember how the odd guy was content with himself because he didn't know any different and he just fell into unusual situations? It was the same in Button. The people around him acted oddly, either treating him too much like an insider or too much like an outsider.

The relationships didn't have much depth because he kept traveling and there were too many of them. It felt choppy. It tugs at your heartstrings at the end by using a time-tested formula of the parent/child relationship.

Puccini for Beginners - 3 stars

2010-01-06T20:41:00.003-05:00

This is a cute straight-gay-bi love triangle which does a good job of getting into issues of sexual orientation and finding your adult self in your 20s. Starring Justin Kirk, whom I love in Weeds, this small film has a lot of entertaining characters who walk dangerously close to being stereotypes without crossing the line.

Set in NYC with a down-to-earth script, the movie has a realistic feel, even though there is some dense dialogue.

It is very similar to movies with this theme like Kissing Jessica Stein and Three of Hearts which makes me think there is a gay movie producer who is trying to introduce LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi, trans) culture to the straight world. Even though it's formulaic, the writer does a good job of keeping the dialogue fresh and the actors are real pros. I especially love the angry lesbian philosopher who bitterly judges everyone. Also nice is the surprise ending.

Tyson - 3.5 stars

2010-01-02T20:57:00.003-05:00

If someone told me that this movie was a documentary of Mike Tyson talking to the camera for an hour and a half, there is no way that I would have watched this. I'm glad that I had no idea what I was getting or I would have missed it. I heard about Tyson while listening to NPR. NPR, by the way, continues to surprise me. You'd think they are just about news and cooking and old guys talking about cars, but they also have great music and entertainment programming. Anyway, they were doing their annual entertainment list of best movies, songs, etc. The top 10 movies of 2009 consists of 13 films (why not?), including Tyson.

These year in review lists are one of my favorite ways to build my Netflix queue, so I added all 13 to the list. Jim & I were looking for something to watch tonight, and it was available on the instant queue, so we started it. I need to pose a question here to the masses of people who read this blog - why does Netflix only allow you to watch certain films/shows instantly? Why not let you watch anything streaming instead of having it mailed to you? Is it so they can charge different rates for different services? Then why not offer an all-online subscription? Let me know if you have any insights.

Back to our topic at hand... Mike Tyson is a fascinating creature. Everyone has an impression of the fighter known for his police rap sheet and for biting Evander Holyfield's ear. He's crazy, right? He went to jail for 3 years for rape, was accused of beating his then-wife Robin Givens, and regularly flew off the handle in front of the media. Then you start watching this very calm and oddly articulated man. He's very complex. I was fascinated by the way he talked, which isn't the language of his generation. Here's my conclusion: (which you may not want to read until you watch the film, but it isn't exactly a spoiler) he doesn't have a personality of his own. His speech is stolen from his mentor, who was 60 years his senior. That's why he keeps getting into trouble even though he's reasonably smart and knows that his actions are frequently crazy. I was also struck by how candid he is. He readily admits weakness and mistake, which is contradictory to so much in his personality. It's like he has no impulse control. Or, maybe he is a new person. You'll have to watch and judge for yourself.

I give it 3.5 stars because it is so revealing and well made, but it was still about 5 minutes too long and I don't expect to watch it again.

Phoebe in Wonderland - 4 stars

2010-01-02T12:12:00.003-05:00

Usually the first film element that I notice about and comment on is the acting. In my opinion a good cast typically makes for a good film. It seems to me that the cast is the #1 element that makes or breaks a film. I don't know if that's because good actors have good taste in film or if the acting can cover up a mediocre script.

Phoebe in Wonderland has a fantastic cast filled with some of my favorite lesser-known actors, but its whole is greater than the sum of its parts because of the amazing script and flawless directing.

Let's start with the cast. Bill Pullman -this guy has done some diverse work that doesn't really get him noticed. I absolutely loved him in Malice, one of my favorite psycho-thrillers of all time. It's hard not to be outshone by Alec Baldwin and Nicole Kidman, but he holds his own in this movie. I've watched it repeatedly and still love it. He can rock comedy just as well, starring in Spaceballs as his second feature film. Second is Patricia Clarkson. I first saw her in the 1998 come-back movie for Ally Sheedy, High Art. Clarkson plays a drug addicted German lesbian. She was so believable that I didn't expect her to be good in other roles, which she continues to be. Felicity Huffman is known best for Desperate Housewives, but I loved her most in TransAmercia, a transsexual road movie. Phenomenal! Finally, Elle Fanning, younger sister to child-star Dakota Fanning, proves to be as good an actress as her sibling.

The synopis on IMDB is actually really good, so I'm going to quote it here:

Felicity Huffman, Elle Fanning, and Patricia Clarkson star in director/screenwriter Daniel Barnz's illuminating tale of parenting and growth concerning an exceptional young girl whose troubling retreat into fantasy draws the concern of both her dejected mother and her unusually perceptive drama teacher. Phoebe (Fanning) is a talented young student who longs to take part in the school production of Alice in Wonderland, but whose bizarre behavior sets her well apart from her carefree classmates. Her mother (Huffman) is an aspiring academic who is beginning to feel like she has not only failed in her professional career, but as a parent as well. Though Phoebe's gifted drama teacher (Clarkson) has no doubts about the young girl's talent and capacity for learning, the frustration of seeing such a promising student slowly slip ever further away from reality soon becomes a growing concern both at home and at school.

It's a coming of age/slice of life film that makes you feel one with the characters, whether or not they are in power or powerless, adult or child, mainstream or eccentric.

The final thing to note is that I watched this movie because Netflix thought that "Jim" would enjoy it. Poor Jim... I keep rating movies on his account and it recommends films that it thinks I'll like. They picked a winner with this one!

All the President's Men - 4 stars

2009-12-30T21:32:00.002-05:00

All the President's Men is the story of the Washington Post reporters, Woodward & Bernstein, who uncover the Watergate scandal. I have the hardest time understanding history. It's taught to us in school as names, places, and dates, which I can't memorize to save my life. Ask my friend Sharee and she will tell you that she aced history by studying with me because he had to drill repeatedly and I still barely passed. Movies about history, on the other hand, are something that I can understand. Put it into a story, with characters that relate to each other in a context, and I can get that.

This is a very well told story. Starring Dustin Hoffman, who can do no wrong, and Robert Redford, who is so likable that you will watch him play himself in any film, the two leads have wonderful chemistry together. It's also fun to see a vibrant Jason Robards, who started his acting career in 1946 and died in 2000.

As an aside, Robards was wonderful in his second to last film, Magnolia. Magnolia is 3 hours long, but worth every minute. And, you get to see Tom Cruise ACT in a supporting role. Shocking.

Anyway, All the President's Men does a great job of showing what it was like for the reporters to follow their instincts while under tremendous pressure to back down. It's life affirming and wonderfully nuanced. I especially enjoyed Robards yelling "Woodstein!" when he was angry at Woodward and Bernstein. Another likable moment that repeats throughout the film is watching the 2 actors stand next to each other and play off each other. Redford looks 7 feet tall next to Hoffman.

Babetteflix

2009-12-30T21:29:00.003-05:00

My friend Babette has a much better movie review blog than I do, so I better throw her some props. Babette used to work in the film industry and is also a writer, so she is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and articulate in her reviews. The best part about her blog is the frequency of her entries. Babette faithfully goes to the theater every week and has seen more movies than anyone else I know.

Here's something you won't hear me say often: listen to her, not me!

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil - 3 stars

2009-12-26T21:12:00.003-05:00

When I lived in Santa Barbara I got to see author John Berendt speak and he was intriguing. He has a very unassuming way about him that makes you very comfortable. I understand how he could go to a city, hang out for a little while, and then end up in the middle of a murder trial.

Berendt went to Savannah, GA, to cover a society party. If I recall correctly, he described the folks in Savannah as something like crazy, drunk, and all fully armed.

The movie starts off slow, but picks up speed about 20 minutes into it. John Cusack plays Berendt, a different character than his usual down on his luck good guy. Kevin Spacey is the other lead. The real treat is when Lady Chablis is on the screen. She's a transsexual show girl. I was amazed by how well the actor embodied this character. Then I watched the credits and saw that Lady Chablis was played by herself.

Definitely worth the watch, especially if you are a film buff.

Jerry Maguire - 3.5 stars

2009-12-26T21:00:00.003-05:00

I've always had lukewarm feelings about Jerry Maguire. Jim got in on our Netflix queue and I kind of smirked when he told me what he got. He asked why I was rolling my eyes (which I wasn't, I was smirking). I told him that I think it's cute how he really likes chick flicks. He responded with "Jerry Maguire isn't a chick flick. Oh, wait. Yeah, I guess it is."

This is probably the 3rd or 4th time that I've seen this movie. It's certainly getting better with age. My age, that is. There is wisdom in how they portray the single mom, his work relationships when he bares his soul (I love how is his co-workers applaud and whisper that hes' going to get fired because he was so honest), and the shared look between his wife and friend when watching the wedding video.

The reason this movie doesn't hold together is Tom Cruise. He has no chemistry with Renee Zellweger because he's all persona. It's the rare film where he comes down to earth to be a human being instead of a leading man/superstar. He's not believable as someone who would marry Dorothy. Sure, he's desperate not to be alone, but this actor playing this character is much more likely going to hit the bars or find a hooker before hitting it with his idealistic assistant.

It's directed by Cameron Crowe, so I'm tempted to go back and watch Almost Famous again. I might just like it more than I did the first time around.

Sunshine Cleaning - 3 stars

2009-12-13T22:26:00.005-05:00

I watched Sunshine Cleaning last week. Now I can't remember it. My parents and my husband will tell you that this never happens. I remember movie details and actors better than I remember just about anything else.

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration - forgetting the movie, not the other part.

Alan Arkin, Emily Blunt, and Amy Adams star in this family drama/comedyish film about 2 down-on-their-luck sisters who start a company to clean up after bloody crime scenes. It's a slice of life picture that doesn't tie up in a little bow at the end.

I remember liking it, but I can't really articulate why. The acting was good. I think the story was pretty good, just not all that memorable.

Seredipity - 2.5 stars

2009-12-13T22:13:00.005-05:00

What happens when John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven, and Eugene Levy act in a movie with a bad script? Serendipity. That is "Serendipity," not serendipity. You learn at the beginning of the movie that serendipity means a happy accident, a pleasant coincidence. Jonathan and Sara meet and leave it to chance to see if they will ever find each other again. However, watching Serendipity is an accident of another kind. The script is trite. Nothing new or original happens in this movie. It's predictable and kind of boring.

There is one really good line in it, of course delivered by Jeremy Piven: "You're such an a$$hole. You're my hero!"

I should also add that Jim noticed that John Cusack performed his trademark move - the crouched on the ground pose that he tends to do in every movie. The defeated, yet about to be victorious, good guy pose.

Take a pass on this one or watch it when you're down with the flu.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV) - 3 stars

2009-12-11T20:57:00.003-05:00

I can't decide if this show gets funnier or worse the more that I watch it. I think the answer is that it's funny if you watch it about once a month. It's abrasive and the characters dumb and narcissistic. However, there is something to be said for over-the-top brash comedy.

Danny DiVito plays a familiar character - over-confident weirdo/loser. He co-owns a bar with 2 of his kids and their friend. Part of the joke is that nobody is ever in the bar. They are all just drinking their inventory and coming up with get rich schemes or revenge schemes, or get the girl in bed schemes.

Modern Family (TV) - 3 stars

2009-12-11T20:47:00.004-05:00

Modern Family is a new spin on the family sitcom. Ed O'Neill, the father from Married with Children, has a hot young wife and young son, his adult son is gay with an adopted baby, and his daughter has a nuclear family.

The gay couple is delightful. I'd like to see either of them in a straight role, since they are so convincing as a gay couple.

O'Neil is wealthy and smart enough to land a foxy young Columbian. She plays the role to a T while avoiding stereo-types of a foreign trophy wife. Her 10 year old son, Manny, is a riot. He's a miniature adult - overly articulate and thoughtful with a crush on his cute older step-cousin.

Catch episodes on Hulu.

Glee! (TV) - 4 stars

2009-12-10T21:18:00.009-05:00

I love Glee! It's a musical Brady Bunch; a multi-cultural high school Cosby Show; a family-friendly Election. Set in Lima, Ohio, this show tackles real issues that adults and students have to face, has a tremendously talented cast, and actually has a plot line.

Not only am I sucked into the story, but also some (not all) of the actors look like real people and they actually integrate human characteristics into the plot. For example, there's a kid in a wheelchair (played by an able-bodied teen in a real life boy band) and they had an episode where the other kids were forced to sit in a chair for a week. It's an old scenario, but they do it really well, without feeling forced. Jane Lynch (pictured) adds an element of mean-spirited friction, which gives the show an extra dimension.

The thing that makes the show lasting, instead of more of a one-hit-wonder is that it doesn't take the predictable easy way out. Lies are exposed, tyrants are toppled, underdogs get to shine, and the plot continues to develop.

Jim says he doesn't like it, but he's watched every single episode with me. I think he's lying since actions speak louder than words. However, he does admit to liking "chick flicks," so I guess I'll have to ferret out the truth a little later.

The last 5 episodes are available on Hulu.

Julie and Julia - 4 stars

2009-12-10T21:10:00.007-05:00

Julie & Julie is what chick flicks ought to be. The true story of a wanna be writer working her way through the entire Julia Child cookbook in 1 year in order to prove to herself that she can finish what she starts.

At the same time, Julia Child is rising from a bored ambassador's wife, to a cooking phenom. Meryl Streep plays her to perfection, in a way that only She can. Is there nothing that this woman can not do? It looks like she packed on a few pounds and grew a few inches to play Child. How is that possible?

Amy Adams is cute as a button. Make-up makes her appear as a plain Jane, although she still is dazzling.

The writing is delicious, constantly laugh-out-loud funny, with barely a dull moment. This is the kind of movie that you will want to re-watch on rainy Sundays.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - 3 stars

2009-11-22T20:56:00.004-05:00

I didn't really care for the first 2 X-Men movies. The first one was a mediocre action flick. The second one sucked. The story attempted to be a good versus evil megapic, but failed to tell a cohesive story. So, I wasn't all that psyched to watch the third installment.

Lo and behold, it was good! Hugh Jackman does a great job of playing Wolverine. There is a clear, good storyline that you can follow and is interesting.

No surprise that Origins goes back to the beginning for Wolverine. It's personal and descriptive, and you can root for the hero. It's worth watching when you want to zone out.

American Gangster - 4 stars

2009-11-22T20:51:00.004-05:00

Denzel Washington can't make a bad film. Throw in Russell Crowe and you have a must-watch movie. Excellent all around and deserving of its 2 Oscar nominations.

American Gangster is a true story about the rise of gangster (Washington) and his pursuit by a NYC policeman (Crowe). One of the reasons why this story was such a big deal is that the black driver of a Mafia boss rose to power and superseded the entire NYC mafia scene.

The story is tight, the acting is perfect, and the drama is real. Rent it today.

Last Chance Harvey - 4 stars

2009-11-22T20:40:00.005-05:00

Last Chance Harvey stars the Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman, and delivers on its star power.

Hoffman plays Harvey who is at the end of his career, divorced, and lonely. He goes to London for his semi-estranged daughter's wedding where he meets Kate (Thompson). It's patiently paced, thoughtful, and revealing. The film poses the question of how someone ends up where they are in life - how much of it is luck and how much of it is your own doing. Perfectly acted, excellently written, beautifully shot, Last Chance Harvey is a very well made film.

Doubt - 4 stars

2009-08-27T21:29:00.002-04:00

The first 102 minutes are great. The last 2 minutes were terrible. Did they have some high school student write the ending? It stars 3 of the best actors on screen - Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. The writing and directing are very carefully nuanced. I love how they set up the power dynamic with subtle little plays like someone sitting behind the desk when it isn't his office.

Definitely worth a watch.

Two Lovers - 1 star

2009-08-12T21:58:00.003-04:00

It's probably not fair to review a movie that I haven't watched all the way through, but I will.

Joaquin Phoenix plays Leonard, a loser Brooklynite whose fiance left him, who tried to kill himself, who is living with his parents. Somehow, gorgeous Gwenyth Paltrow's befriends him.

That's where they lost me. Never has the beautiful, charming, independent babe made friends with the boring, ugly loser who lives with his annoying parents. If I lived in the same building as this guy, I wouldn't even talk to him.

No wonder Phoenix decided to join a band.

Slumdog Millionaire - 4 stars

2009-08-09T18:11:00.002-04:00

This isn't at all what I expected. With all of the hype, and the cute song & dance at the Oscars, I thought I would watch a light Bollywood movie. Instead, it was more along the lines of the Kite Runner. A poor man makes it onto the Indian Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He does so well that the host thinks he's cheating. That part you already know. What you may not know is that there is a back story to each of the questions. He knows each answer because it connects to a tramatic event in his life. Difficult to watch, but very good.

The Code (Thick as Thieves) - 3.5 stars

2009-08-09T18:02:00.004-04:00

Jim had to remind me that I saw this movie, so it obviously wasn't that memorable. It was pretty enjoyable though. It's a light heist flick with Morgan Freeman, Rhada Mitchell and Antonio Banderas. The Code has some predictable moments, but has some surprises, as well. The heist is similar to the Ocean's 11 series or to The Score (Edward Norton). Antonio Banderas can't carry his own weight, but is fine with 2 the other two outstanding actors flanking him.

Religulous - 4 stars

2009-08-09T17:29:00.003-04:00

Religulous is a documentary by political commentator/comedian Bill Maher. If you aren't familiar with him, he's similar to Michael Moore (Farenheight 911).

If you don't like his politics, you won't like this film. If you are religious, you won't like this film. In fact, you should probably stop reading this review. If you want to watch the whole thing from begining to end, you probably won't like this film. However, if you are like me, then you will like this film. Jim & I watched it over several days because we are new parents and keep falling asleep.

Bill interviews religious leaders or profiteers from various religions and makes them look like they don't know what they are talking about. Frequently he will have written on the screen "not true" or "no it's not" as someone is speaking. He also gets people to don a quizical look as he asks pointed questions or challenges their beliefs. He has clearly done his research. I learned plenty of new things about Christianity, about which I'm not very educated.

The Contract - 3 stars

2009-08-09T17:02:00.003-04:00

The Contract is a "thriller" about a nice guy, layed by ultimate nice guy John Cusack, who stumbles into the life of a contract killer, played by Morgan Freeman. The film had potential, but you can tell that they ran out of money while filming so they cut a bunch of corners. There are a couple of noticable plot holes. Also, it appears that they were trying to edit out language for ratings. A thug comments on a woman's "tush." Not language you expect to hear from this character.

Ultimately, the movie is worth watching if you run across it on TV. Freeman and Cusack can do no wrong, and it's not much worse than most of the films out there. I wouldn't rent it though, there are too many other good movies to choose from.

Iron Man - 4 stars

2008-12-27T15:36:00.003-05:00

Iron Man has all you hope for in an action movie. It has a good story, well rounded hero, lots of action, and it's fun. Iron Man is a superhero like Batman, an ordinary guy who uses gadgets and determintion to do extraordinary things. Robert Downey, Jr. plays the role perfectly, demonstrating that he still has some acting chops. He has 2 more Iron Man movies in the works, along with half a dozen other projects. Check out imdb.com for all you would ever want to know about any film/show or anyone associated with said film/show.

Bobby - 3.5 stars

2008-12-27T15:28:00.004-05:00

Emilio Estevez wrote and directed Bobby, a slice of life pic about a bunch of people who happened to be at the Ambassador Hotel when RFK was shot. The film is well done and is filled with a star studded cast including Harry Belafante, Anthony Hopkins, Sharon Stone, Martin Sheen, Laurence Fishburn, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy...

It's well written, well directed, and well acted. I only give it 3.5 stars because I don't think enough happens or is there enough nuance that I'd want to watch it again. It probably would mean a lot more to someone who was around during that time period or who knew more about the Kennedys.

Costumes and set deocration are excellent.

Dark Knight - 3 stars

2008-12-27T15:17:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted any reviews in 9 months, because I didn't think anyone was looking at the blog. Turns out, at least one person is, so I'll continue to post every once in a while. If you look at it, then please let me know or comment, and I'll post more frequently.

The Dark Knight is the second of the Christian Bale era Batman movies. I'm a HUGE Batman fan. The first, Batman Begins, was phenomenal. I also really liked most of the other modern-day Batman movies. I have a cat named Batman. Get the idea?

This movie was a huge disappointment. The previews were mezmorizing. Heath Ledger as the Joker was touted as one of the best villians ever. So, you can imagine that I was very excited to finally watch this. Unfortunately, it was a very run of the mill action/comic book movie. Heath's performance was too understated to be impressive. He just seemed like a guy with some makeup who liked to kill people. I didn't feel his mania anything like the villian in Batman Begins.

Also, the story was thin. A two and a half hour movie could have some more substance.

8 Mile - 4.5 stars

2008-04-12T10:58:00.002-04:00

I love 8 Mile. It's fantastically written, directed, and acted. Amazingly, it stars Eminem, prooving that this guy is no one-trick pony. He's like Madonna in the 80s, a young new talent that does things a different way. He's dismissed for being a thug, but really he's a genius.

The star of the story is B Rabbit, a young Detroit rapper who is trying to make a rap demo so he can make his way out of the trailer park. His mom's a mess (brilliantly played by Kim Bassinger), he's in a dead-end job, and his girlfriend just faked a pregnancy. Definitely worth a watch. We own the movie and watch it every few months.

Lions for Lambs - 2 stars

2008-04-12T10:46:00.003-04:00

Lions for Lambs (2007) is very mediocre, which seems a difficult feat given it's star-studded cast. Directed by and starring Robert Redford, along with Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. Three stories intertwine as the US changes tactics in Afghanistan. It's preachy and tries too hard, with entirely too much uncomfortable grinning. In the end, the moral of the story is convoluted. I think the moral is that idealism on all sides is blind and fool-hearty, but I'm not sure. Don't bother with this one.

The Nines - 4 stars

2008-02-18T21:04:00.005-05:00

The Nines is a very good small film. It accomplishes what many independent films try to do, which is tell an unusual story in an unusual way, on a small budget. It's a trio of short stories, starring the same small cast, which end up un-neatly tying together at the end. The (almost) perfect-looking Ryan Reynolds plays Gary/Gavin/Gabriel. You have to watch the movie to find out why he's almost perfect... This performance puts demonstrates that the guy has chops. Hope Davis is one of the other leads and is always enjoyable. Melissa McCarthy of Gilmore Girls is able to play completely different kinds of characters with complete believability (is that a word?). Be sure to check out the short film on the DVD that she made 10 years ago with one of these characters. Elle Fanning, little sister of Dakota Fanning, does a stellar job as a mute girl.

It's hard to explain the film without giving it away. It's very complicated, touching on life's unanswerable questions. A lot is left to the imagination. This is NOT a linear film. I recommend watching the special features or reading some user comments on imdb to help sort out all that has happened. If you like independent films, this may be the one for you.

Mini's First Time - 3 stars

2008-02-18T20:56:00.002-05:00

Mini's First Time stars the young Nikki Reed, who I've never seen before, the always fabulous Alec Baldwin and surprisingly different Carrie-Ann Moss (Trinity in the Matrix) with support from Jeff Goldblum and Luke Wilson. Carrie-Ann makes this film - it's always fun to watch outrageously bad mothers in film. The story is that thrill-seeking Mini is trying to accomplish as many "firsts" in her life. She has no fear and finds her way into crazy situations, duping adults along the way. It's entertaining until the end, although the surprises aren't exactly a surprise.

Good Will Hunting - 4 stars

2008-02-18T20:47:00.002-05:00

Good Will Hunting deserves all of the acclaim that it got. First-time writers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won an Oscar for the script. Matt is the star of the show as a genius having trouble facing his past, which in turn makes it hard for him to engage in what he values most. He's forced to see a therapist played by a thoughtful and non-spastic Robin Williams. Minnie Driver is perfectly cast as his love interest. It's brilliantly written and perfectly executed. You feel Boston, you know these characters and you root for them all the way. The only reason I don't rate it higher is that Good Will Hunting is not a ground-breaking film. Also, as a 10 year old movie starring my peers, it makes me feel old...

He Was a Quiet Man - 4 stars

2008-02-10T22:01:00.000-05:00

He Was a Quiet Man stars Christian Slater as a 40-something loser balancing on the edge. It's similar to Falling Down, but much more enjoyable. This premise is familiar, but the film is very unusual. It's told in a unique way, the story is creative, and it's superbly acted. Overall, it's a very good movie. Elisha Cuthbert is convincing as a head-strong coworker. Definitely worth a watch.

No Country for Old Men - 2 stars

2008-02-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

No Country for Old Men is the latest Coen brothers film. I enjoy their comedies - Big Lebowski and Raising Arizona were hilarious and very clever. However, I haven't enjoyed their dramas. This film is no exception. No Country is s-l-o-w and absolutely nothing happens. In fact, here's the whole story - guy finds money, bad guy who wants the money chases the guy who has the money. Only, there is no car (as in car chase). That's it. The acting is very good and the direction is excellent. Woody Harrelson has a small and entertaining role. Jim hated it too, but everyone else I've talked to has enjoyed it. So, watch at your own risk.

3:10 to Yuma - 3 stars

2008-02-10T21:19:00.000-05:00

3:10 to Yuma is the story of a man who joins a posse to bring in a notorious thief. The film has a punch from the very beginning. It has a very interesting pace and the acting is excellent. You can't go wrong with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Plus, it's beautifully shot. However, the last quarter of the film is ridiculous. The plot turns implausible which delegitimizes the rest of the story. It's really frustrating. Don't waste your time.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age - 4 stars

2008-02-10T21:09:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is the sequel to Elizabeth, both starring Cate Blanchett. It's the story of Queen Elizabeth I, who is in a unique position as an unmarried queen with no heirs during the height of the British Empire. In her position, everyone wants a piece of her. She has to be astute to protect her position, and her life, while balancing the need to have meaningful human contact. The stakes are great in this excellent historical film. Blanchett is superb as Elizabeth. This is a sequel that I actually recommend. However, I will qualify it by saying it's more of part II of the story instead of rehashing the same old plot, which is my definition of a sequel.

Dexter (TV) - 5 stars

2008-01-16T22:06:00.002-05:00

I'm riveted by this show. It's VERY creepy, so not for the faint-hearted. I also don't recommend watching it before you go to bed, which I do.

Dexter is a TV series about a sociopathic serial killer. The characters are complex and there are surprises around every corner. It stars Michael C. Hall, who played the younger brother in 6 Feet Under. Dexter is as high quality as 6 Feet Under was in the early years. Supporting cast is all great. The direction is absolutely brilliant. I especially love the opening sequence, which is almost sensory overload. I'm completely riveted by the storyline and can't wait to see what these crazy characters do next.

UPDATE (1/24/08)- I've just upgraded this show from 4.5 stars to 5 stars. Season 2 is even better than Season 1. In fact, I'm obsessed. If you want to get started, Season One will be airing on CBS starting Sunday, Feb. 17 at 10PM ET. If you can handle the anxiety, you MUST watch.
You can also rent Season One at your favorite DVD rental establishment. Let me know what you think!

Last King of Scotland - 4 stars

2008-01-16T22:06:00.001-05:00

We just watched the Last King of Scotland about the rise and rule of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime as seen by his idealistic personal physician during the 1970s. It gets its name from the homeland of the physician and Amin's affection for the country.

Forest Whitaker is excellent in the film as Amin, along with James McAvoy as the young doc. The film is quite graphic, certainly the end is not for the faint of heart.

It's one of the better biopics I have seen, a very good film in its own right.

Charlie Wilson's War - 4 stars

2008-01-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

It's lots of fun being off work and getting to see movies!

Today Jim & I saw Charlie Wilson's War, starring Tom Hanks. Since Joe Versus the Volcano, I can't remember Hanks making a bad movie. This one is certainly worth watching. It's a very well told story of the US involvement in removing the Russians from Afghanistan. It's very easy to follow and very entertaining. The characters are all a lot of fun. Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant, as always, playing a spy with no manners. Julia Roberts is again miscast as a southern debutaunt-power broker.

NPR Top Movies of the Year

2007-12-22T19:49:00.000-05:00

David Edelstein's Top 10 Films of 2007

by David Edelstein and Terry Gross

Fresh Air from WHYY, December 18, 2007 · Fresh Air's arbiter of things filmic offers his annual year-end movies wrap-up.

1. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
2. Away From Her
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Sweeney Todd
5. The Savages
6. No Country for Old Men
7. No End in Sight
8. Michael Clayton
9. Ratatouille*
9. Persepolis*
10. Grace is Gone

* denotes a tie

Other movies that turned David Edelstein's head:

Private Fears in Public Places
The Host
L'Iceberg
We Own the Night
Interview
Bug
Starting Out in the Evening
Sicko
Lady Chatterley
Gone Baby Gone
Charlie Wilson's War
Superbad

* I haven't heard of most of these movies, but they must be pretty good. I'll certainly take notice.

Talk to Me - 4 stars

2007-11-27T09:27:00.001-05:00

Starring Don Cheadle, Talk to Me is a biopic about Petey Green, an ex-con radio DJ. He's the straight-talking voice of DC during the civil rights movement. It's a refreshing film with lots to look at. The movie takes place through the 70s and 80s, so the scenery is amazing along with very colorful costumes.

Don Cheadle is more impressive every day. He's done a wide range of fabulous films including Hotel Rwanda, Crash, and Oceans 11.

Hairspray - 4 stars

2007-08-30T21:20:00.000-04:00

Hairspray was excellent. It's a remake of the campy John Waters film from 1988. It's set in the 60s in racially divided Baltimore. You can't beat a socially conscious musical with John Travolta dancing in heels and a fat suit. The story was great, theme excellent, acting/singing/dancing very good. I didn't like the opening number, but the rest of the songs were fab.

Lots of fun! Maybe even worth seeing twice!

Knocked Up - 4 stars

2007-08-06T21:05:00.001-04:00

Knocked up was surprisingly good. It was a good brainless comedy touching on a subject that hasn't quite yet been done to death. It's been a while since we've had good stories about accidental pregnancy. I was pleased that they don't take the easy way out with the story line -loser guy finds the light and becomes upstanding young father. It was excellently cast with Paul Rudd as adorable as ever. If you liked the lead male, Seth Rogan, check him out with one of the pothead sidekicks in Freaks & Geeks. This is a top notch TV show about high school kids in the 80s. It's only one season - rent it on DVD.

Finally, beware, there is a shot in this film that is graphic and unexpected, which they show twice. If you want the spoiler, then let me know.

Dream Girls - 2 stars

2007-08-06T21:01:00.000-04:00

Dream Girls would have been a really good movie if they had more than one song. They kept breaking out into song, each with almost the exact same tune. After 45 minutes I was forwarding through the musical numbers, not good for a movie about a musical act... The actors were quite good. I was surprised that Eddie Murphy can sing!

Shooter - 3 stars

2007-07-27T17:07:00.000-04:00

Let's face it - the real reason to rent Shooter is it stars Mark Walberg. He is a pretty good actor and quite easy on the eyes. The movie is enjoyable, but predictable. He's a disgruntled ex-military guy that is recruited to help stop a presidential assassination. A nice surprise is seeing Kate Mara as an adult. She played the older daughter in Brokeback Mountain.

Weeds Season 2 (TV) - 5 stars

2007-07-27T16:56:00.002-04:00

Weeds a superior television series. I can't think of anything I would do different, other than provide more episodes to watch. Jim & I are equally as engrossed. The premise is that 40-something suburban housewife (played by Mary Louise Parker) is suddenly widowed. She wisely decides that the best way to support her 2 kids is to sell marijuana, which she knows absolutely nothing about. Kevin Nealon and Elizabeth Perkins are part of the stellar supporting cast. Nealon's character is surprisingly funny - he's a loser/pothead/accountant/city councilor. Season 1 certainly has some adult themes, but season 2 is even more adult. They humorously tackle race, politics, sex, raising kids, religion, local politics, obesity, and everything else facing Americans today. Season 2 is now available on DVD and Season 3 is being shown on Showtime.

Notes on a Scandal - 3 stars

2007-06-15T22:54:00.001-04:00

It looks like I forgot to write up the last movie I saw, which was 6 months ago. Notes on a Scandal stars 2 Dame Judy Dench and Cate Blanchette. 2 actors that are a dream to watch. You can probably guess from the title that the story centers around a scandal. My problem with the movie is that I didn't believe the scandal. I don't want to give anything away, but I just didn't find the scandalous scenario plausible. The acting is good, along with the writing. The problem is in the casting. Cate Blanchette, for all her abilities, is just too stunning to play lowly. I don't buy it. Dench is a thrill to watch.

Ocean's 13 - 2.5 stars

2007-06-15T22:50:00.000-04:00

This is probably the first new movie I've seen in 6 months. Ocean's 13 was a big fat disappointment. I'm not a big fan of sequels. Generally I think they are a rip-off, recycling the same jokes and story lines as the first installment. I really enjoyed Ocean's 11 and Ocean's 12, and was actually looking forward to Ocean's 13. Ocean's 12 did repeat the same formula as Ocean's 11, but it didn't feel formulaic. It was fresh and funny. Ocean's 13 is very poorly scripted, with the leads phoning in their performances. They don't even repeat the best stuff in the first 2 - they don't have the lumbering idiots trying to pull off something complicated. There is a busy scam, but it's not creative and they all act like they know what they are doing. The only good gag comes from Matt Damon.

The Good German - 2 stars

2006-12-12T11:47:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post a review for this. What I can remember is that I didn't like it. The story was trite, the acting stiff. I don't like Tobey McGuire, and he annoys me in this movie. Yuck.

George Clooney and Cate Blanchett wasted their talents on this.

Casino Royale - 1 star

2006-12-12T11:47:00.001-05:00

It's sad how disappointing this movie was. It's the latest installment of the 007 series. The new Bond was fine, and looks good enough. The problem was the story. This version of character is supposed to be new in the job. He doesn't fulfill all of the suave confidence that is Bond's signature. Instead, he is cocky and inexperienced.

Also, there wasn't any story to follow. All we have is a terrorist is doing something bad. There's no background or reasoning. We just know the terrorist is from somewhere in the middle east.

The best action scene was the opening scene, so you can turn it off after 15 minutes.

Breaking & Entering - 3 stars

2006-11-11T00:38:00.002-05:00

Breakin & Entering is a strong film, but not extraordinary. There are too many movies out there to waste your time on average. Jude Law has the same inhuman quality from his other films, which works well in B&E. Juliette Binoche and Robin Wright Penn are radiant, as always. It's a very nice story of people trying to find their way through relationships while still being true to their hearts. It's subtle and enjoyable, but lacks a strong ending. Little Children had the same problem with the characters changing old patterns without a realistic catalyst. Bad pattern.

Opens mid-December.

Stranger than Fiction - 4.5 stars

2006-11-11T00:38:00.001-05:00

Stranger Than Fiction is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It's inventive, thoughtful, and poetic. At it's core, it's a love story. Not really a romantic love story, but a story about love. It plays with reality like Adaptation or Being John Malkovich, and does it as skillfully. Will Ferrell is lovely in this serious role. Maggie Gyllenhaal, a favorite of mine, is magnetic. Dustin Hoffman is adorable, but he's re-playing the same role he's been doing for a while (a la Meet the Parents). Emma Thompson and Queen Latifa are also good. In the words of Frances McDormand's Jane in Laurel Canyon, "it pulled me across the room." Go see this one.

Happy Feet - 2.5 stars

2006-11-11T00:37:00.001-05:00

The Film Fest director described Happy Feet as a combination of March of the Penguins and Moulin Rouge. I have to agree, but not in the way he intended. It doesn't combine those great elements, it copies them. The story starts out exactly like March. The penguins are walking across the ice trying to protect their eggs and find their eggs. However, they are singing. It's very cute for about 3 minutes. Then you realize that the songs are uninventive ripoffs or just songs by the artists themselves. The story has too many elements shoved together, none of which really engage. It tries to be the story of the kid who doesn't fit in, the environmental story, the cross-cultural story. It's fine, but not nearly as original as it could and should have been. Brittany Murphy has an incredible voice, and Robin Williams never ceases to amaze as 3 different characters.

Kids will love it. There are a few scary moments with the big, mean seal. Opens Nov 17th.

Closer - 2.5 stars

2006-11-02T01:14:00.000-05:00

Starring Natalie Portman, Jud Law, Julia Roberts, and Clive Owens this one's about a love triangle with a fourth (Portman). The acting is good, with Portman stealing the show, the story on the other hand floats around ambiguously most of the time. The writer does a great job taking you through emotions in each of the individual break-ups that litter this film, with a masterful portrayal of those intimate moments when you realize a break-up is for real. Roberts, Law and Owens hold their own (with Roberts leading that pack) but don't quite have it in this one. The characters seem to wafer between sadism and stupidity in their choices about love and their partnership, making want to roll your eyes.
- Jim

Mean Creek - 4 stars

2006-11-02T00:55:00.000-05:00

Starring Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan and Carly Schroder and a group of friends and family who take Josh Peck (the local bully) into the back country to exact a little revenge. When all goes awry they find out who they and their friends really are. George (Peck's character) turns out to be a bit more human than they think, until his poor judgement and lack of social skills reminds the group why they came in the first place. Well acted and doesn't take the easy outs when the opportunity is provided. The similarity of the mannerisms between Mechlowicz and Brad Pitt are almost creepy, his character is the most predictable. I highly recommend this movie, don't watch it too late at night it has a piercing quality that will follow you into your dreams.
- Jim

Running with Scissors - 2 stars

2006-10-20T23:22:00.000-04:00

This movie is perfectly named. Watching it really felt like Running with Scissors. This film has some great performances and some wonderful moments (check out the stills on imdb), but it's still painful. Annette Benning stars as a dysfunctional mother married to absent alcholic father Alec Baldwin. She abandonds her misfit teenaged son with her even crazier shrink and his family including Gwyneth Paltrow. This film tries to combine the non-stop dry humor of The Royal Tenenbaums and the mysticism of the magic Magnolia only to fall flat on it's face. It's major saving grace is that it's a true story. I wonder if I would have liked it more had I known that at the beginning. Jim & I almost walked out, and we saw another couple leave. By the way, I think this shot is an homage to the absolutely brilliant Harold & Maude (if you haven't seen this one, run, don't walk, to your nearest video store).

Running with Scissors opens nationwide on 10/27/06.

Little Children - 3 stars

2006-10-20T21:34:00.000-04:00

Little Children is a good film that fails to be great. As usual with major studio films with big stars, the acting was very good and it was well shot. However, it was too long in parts (aka it dragged) and most importantly the very dramatic stories fell flat at the end. Here you have complex relationships with interesting characters, then all of a sudden they go, "Oh, I guess I'll stop doing that thing now," then finish going about their day. Jackie Earl Haley's perfomance was Oscar worthy as a pedofile.

The movie poster and preview don't exactly represent the film. It is a bit creepy and sexy at moments, but primarily it's a film about relationships, family, and personal struggle. The trailer had me expecting a horror film.

In theaters now.

The Accidental Tourist - 2 stars

2006-10-20T16:31:00.000-04:00

I watched the Accidental Tourist because I just read the book. The book is great, the movie sucks. It's quite difficult to translate a slow, character-driven story to the big screen. Plus, the casting was all wrong. For example, Gina Davis who can't pull off quirky and dishoveled, they needed more of a Lily Taylor. Gina is better at white trash (see Thelma & Louise).

Skip it.

The Departed - 4 stars

2006-10-16T20:20:00.000-04:00

The Departed is a near perfect Boston/mafia/cop movie. The all-star cast really lives up to it's potential, a rare find. Leonardo DiCaprio seems to have come into his own, Matt Damon has perfected the young smarty, Alec Baldwin is always brilliant, Mark Wahlberg steals the show as an obnoxious cop, Martin Sheen is classic, and Jack Nicholson is over the top crazy. On top of all that, it's hilarious. It's a mafia movie so there is some violence, which isn't all that bad. There is a ton of foul language, mostly coming from Wahlberg, which is one of the funniest things about it. Definitely a must see, but it's not necessary to see it in the theater. If you haven't seen Little Miss Sunshine yet, go see it with a crowd before it's too late.

Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted (1997) - 1 star

2006-09-29T23:50:00.000-04:00

This movie sucks. If you are really into extended scenes of people puking or into watching small animals blow up each other with granades, then go for it.
- Jim

Catch a Fire - 4

2006-09-27T01:34:00.000-04:00

Catch a Fire is a stunning movie. This will certainly be nominated for Oscars. Here is a quote from imdb that sums it up perfectly:

"This movie, set in the 1980's, depicts and contrasts the brutal oppression of White South Africa with the opposition of the ANC, most notably Joe Slovo, a hero of the time. Joe Slovo paid a high price for his opposition, including the loss of his wife to the oppressors of the day, but this movie, with a screenplay written by one of his children, takes a high-minded, forgiving approach that few of us could ever contemplate in the circumstances. Told through the eyes of Patrick Chamusso, a gentle man whose quiet life becomes radicalized by oppressive forces, the movie is powerful, emotional and, curiously - for reasons mentioned, balanced."

The movie was directed by Philip Noyce who also directed Rabbit Proof Fence (see my review of this amazing film). The only known actor in the film is Tim Robbins, along with an amazing cast of American and South African actors. It's impossible to tell which is which, the accents and emotions are so real.

Catch this one on October 27th when it goes into general US release.

The Woodsman - 3 stars

2006-09-22T01:05:00.000-04:00

The Woodsman, starring Kevin Bacon, is about a man re-entering society after serving 12 years for child molestation. He truely thinks what he did was bad, but has an uncontrollable impulse.

The movie is pretty good, taking the high road when it could have easily gone down the most obvious route. He struggles at work when people find out, he develops a new relationship, and trys to make contact with his family. All at the same time as still battling his demons. Kevin Bacon delivers another nuanced and creepy performance. Kyra Sedgwick is consistently good and always cute. It's not as disturbing as it could have easily been, but it does attack a gross subject.

Romper Stomper - 3 stars

2006-09-19T22:12:00.000-04:00

Romper Stomper is about a gang of Australian neo-Nazis, led by Russell Crowe. As you can imagine, it's very violent. The role is a perfect fit for Crowe, as he is himself an angry and controlling Aussie (that's pronounced Ozzie) and performs naturally.

It's not the most violent film I've ever seen, nor is it the best neo-Nazi film. American History X starring Ed Norton is much better and more gruesome. They do share some interesting similarities, aside from the obvious. They are both excellent character studies. Both leads are responsible for protecting someone they love. But that's where the two diverge. The characters in the 2 films react very different to increased pressure and new information. Not knowing much about Melbourne (for those of you keeping score: it's pronounced Melbun), I was surprised that the focus of their hatred was Viet Namese immigrants.

Dune - 3 stars

2006-09-12T00:07:00.000-04:00

Dune is a classic that you will watch over and over again. I mean you have to watch it over and over again in order to start figuring out what the heck they are talking about. There are so many intergallactic names, places, and concepts in this epic (that means long) sci-fi tome that you are better off with a guide. Fortunately, I have one. Besides the confusion, it's fun to watch. They do a good job of creating a futuristic society that is surprisingly well constructed.

Primal Fear - 4 stars

2006-09-12T00:03:00.000-04:00

Edward Norton's (my boyfriend) first role won him an academy award. He's that good. Primal Fear is a surprising thriller. Smarty Pants figured out some of what was happening, but not everything, so that's pretty good. Again, the acting is excellent and Richard Gear co-stars. So really, there's something for everyone.

Watch this one.

Chasing Amy - 3 stars

2006-09-11T23:56:00.000-04:00

I loved Chasing Amy the first time I saw it. I thought it was witty, fast, clever, and sexy. This time it wasn't so great. I found it predictable and preachy.

For those of you out of touch with this generation of movies, it was written and directed by Kevin Smith, aka Silent Bob. He also did Mall Rats, Clerks, and Dogma. Each of these movies has the exact same setup - 30 somethings from New Jersey who think they are teensomethings prostelatize on their dating theories and other important topics like smoking weed. You will only enjoy these movies if you come directly from NJ or were born in the late 60s, early 70s.

I still LOVE the scene at the bar when Ben Affleck is grooving while she sings. His body language and facial expressions are perfect! There's a fun cameo of Matt Damon, too.

Bourne Sepremacy - 3 stars

2006-09-11T23:51:00.000-04:00

The Bourne Supremecy is a solid action flick, especially for a sequel. Matt Damon does a believable job as a leading man in an action flick, much better than his boyfriend. It's too bad that Franka Potente dies in the first couple of minutes, she was good in the first one and fabulous in Run Lola Run (4 stars). I also enjoyed Joan Allen as the ranking CIA agent.

Lost Boys - 3 stars

2006-09-11T23:44:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that I've never seen The Lost Boys from beginning to end. Made in 1987, it's a cult classic of my generation. The cast is great with Dianne Weist, Keifer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Jami Gertz, and of course, the Coreys (Corey Haim & Corey Feldman). Dianne moves her sons Jason Patric (hot!) and Corey Haim to "Santa Carla" (aka Santa Clara), the murder capital of the world. Lo and behold, vampires are the source of all the missing people. The story is predictable, but vivid and fun. It's not for children, but not as scary as it could be. The sets are cool and the make-up is very good. The acting is solid. Basically, it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in pjs with popcorn and your high school friends.

And Justice for All - 3 stars

2006-09-11T23:40:00.000-04:00

And Justice for All is a serious lawyer movie from 1979. Al Pachino gives one of his better pre-thug performances as a do-good lawyer navigating the corrupt and jaded legal system. It was probably eye opening 20 years ago, but the subject is now common. His defendands are all colorful characters that are fun to watch. The acting is the best part of the movie, and everything else is solid.

Kids - 3 stars

2006-08-20T00:40:00.000-04:00

Kids is painful to watch. It's like Black Velvet with children. The movie is really well done - great script, great directing, great acting, but the subject is aweful. The worst part is that it's probably all true. Maybe not always and all of the time, but certainly unattractive boys are lying their way into bed with 15 year old virgins and groups of kids are beating the crap out of any random who crosses their path. I had no way to rate it since I didn't enjoy it, so I just gave it a 3.

Wild Things - 3 stars

2006-08-20T00:20:00.000-04:00

I was expecting Wild Things to be trash, but it was pretty good. Starring Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Cambell and Denise Richards, it provides several surprises. All 4 of the principal actors were solid, but Kelly's mom wasn't. The direction was one of the best parts, with lots of visual clues telling the story - like mom and daughter slamming the door at the same time to demonstrate how much they are alike. I also liked how the common folk always knew more about what was going on than those who were supposed to be in the know. One more thing, Bill Murray plays the lawyer, so there is some humor, too.

It's quite adult and racy - not for those who are easily bothered.

Little Miss Sunshine - 4.5 stars

2006-07-17T21:54:00.000-04:00

Go see Little Miss Sunshine! It's a clever, refreshing, and totally surprising heartfelt comedy. Only once does it take the obvious, easy out - which turns into something fresh. There are physical scenes in this movie that make the top comedy scenes I've ever seen. The cast is excellent with Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, Steve Carrell (playing a serious role), Greg Kinnear, plus 2 fabulous young newcomers.

This movie has been described as filled with eccentrics. I disagree. The cast of characters are real people with eccentricities that all of us have and sometimes expose.

It's a rare winner of a film.

The Devil Wears Prada - 3.5 stars

2006-07-17T21:44:00.000-04:00

The Devil Wears Prada was a nice surprise. It's a fun story of a brainy college grad who takes a job she thinks will be something to keep her busy while she finds something respectable. She's the personal assistant to the editor of Runway Magazine (aka Vogue), which turns out to be the monster job. It's the eternal struggle between feeling challenged & valued and balancing your personal life, but it's freshly told in a way that will appeal to the masses.

Meryl Streep is, of course, excellent. Anne Hathaway is forgivably overacted. The HOT Adrian Grenier (Entourage) makes an appearance as well.

Ali - 3 stars

2006-06-28T21:27:00.000-04:00

Ali was a good movie that could have been great. It had all the elements of a great movie, but didn't quite fulfill any of them. The acting was pretty good, but not great. Will Smith at times embodied Muhammad Ali, but at times fell into his own voice. Jon Voight was brilliant as Howard Cossell. Cossell was charming with great timing. I had no idea it was Voight until I saw the closing credits, even after seeing his name on the opening credits.

The story started off brilliantly, with wonderful visuals to put you in a time of race wars. Then it jumped around with no explanations. MLK was killed in a scene with no previous mention of him, without saying his name, or any other mention of him again. It was very confusing.

It does paint a picture of Ali as a smart man with a huge heart, a super-hero of a kind. I wish I had seen this before I saw Ali himself at LAX a few years ago.

The Girl in the Café - 3 stars

2006-06-23T21:45:00.000-04:00

There are some real strengths and weaknesses of the Girl in the Café. The story is about a lonely, shy man with a very stressful job who falls for a lonely girl (there's about a 30 year age difference) that he meets, well, in a café.

Strengths: the acting is very good. I enjoyed both leads Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald. They have cute accents, which is always a winner. The characters are well drawn and provide some surprises. The filming was excellent. They do a great job creating visual effects with costumes and angles. For example, Lawrence was feeling left out of the group, so he was the only one dressed differently, his chair was pulled back slightly from the circle, and his feet were turned in. I also liked the ending.

Weaknesses: the characters made the same painful mistatakes over, and over, and over. I hate that. The story was stagnant through about a third of it. Also, I didn't buy how someone as weak as Lawrence can end up in such a high powered job. He's pathetic.

So, overall it was fine, but not great. I wouldn't watch it again.

Batman Begins - 3.5 stars

2006-06-08T23:50:00.000-04:00

Batman Begins stars the always hot Christian Bale (amazing in Laurel Canyon). It's an excellent superhero story, good acting (except the overrated Katie Holmes), good special effects... It was much better in the theater, but still a very good watch at home. I'm looking forward to the next installment due in 2008 which will keep most of the stars including Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman (one of my favorites) and Michael Caine.

Barbershop - 1 star

2006-06-08T23:47:00.000-04:00

Why was this movie a hit? Barbershop has poor acting and not much of a story or character development. Pass.

Transamerica - 4.5 stars

2006-06-08T23:39:00.000-04:00

Transamerica is a one-of-a-kind film about a pre-operative male-to-female transsexual. An almost unrecognizable Felicity Huffman plays Bree brilliantly. You really think she is a man successfully passing as a woman, with help of hormones and preliminary surgery. With a story like this you expect some horrible tragedy, like she's outed and gets beat up. To the filmmakers' credit, the story keeps true to the experience of an individual struggling to find her voice. The special features, especially the full commentary, are worth watching as well.

Freaks & Geeks (TV) - 4 stars

2006-06-08T23:22:00.000-04:00

Freaks & Geeks is set in 1980 in high school reality, not the schmaltz you see on most sitcoms that are supposed to be high school. The main characters are kinda burnout/losers who are actually kinda cool and a bunch of nerds, like real high school students. The parents are pretty good too. It's well acted, with the best work coming from geek #3, Bill. He's definately a star in the making as the nerdiest kid ever. It's not mindblowing, but a really good watch. Not everything is realistic, but I'm still sucked into the characters

Mrs. Henderson Presents - 3 stars

2006-05-28T00:24:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Henderson Presents was billed as being much more racey and interesting than it is. Mrs. Henderson is a wealthy widow who opens a cabaret. Ticket sales slow, so she decides to have nude models on stage. The film is well made and easy to watch. Dame Judi Dench is always great.

Vera Drake - 3.5 stars

2006-05-28T00:18:00.000-04:00

Vera Drake is set in gritty 1950s England. She is the perfect wife and mother trying to help out anyone who needs it. This is a lovely film with great acting and a very good story line. I don't want to spoil it by saying more about the movie except that the tone of the movie is serious. If you look at the synopsis or reviews of this (and just about any other movie) it will spoil half of the film!

Breakfast on Pluto - 2.5 stars

2006-05-28T00:14:00.000-04:00

Breakfast on Pluto is all style and no substance. "Kitten" is a young transexual who is searching for her mother in London. It's very beautiful and stylized, but the story doesn't really move along. Liam Neeson plays the priest who takes him in as an infant.

House of Sand & Fog - 3 stars

2006-05-28T00:07:00.000-04:00

The title of the House of Sand & Fog doesn't tell you anything about the film. Starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley, this is a story of tortured souls who just can't get anything right. That's exactly what you would expect from a movie starring these two actors. Jennifer's life is falling apart - her husband left her, she has no job, and she's just been evicted. Ben's family seems very proud and successful, but it's all a house of cards. They come together when Ben buys Jennifer's house at an auction after she's been wrongfully evicted. Be prepared for a depressing movie.

Thumbsucker - 3.5 stars

2006-05-27T23:51:00.000-04:00

Thumbsucker is a slow, but entrancing slice of life movie. Justin is a 17-year old thumbsucker who is trying to "change." Everyone around him has sound advice that they don't take themselves. The acting is very good and so is the writing. The film doesn't take any easy outs, like harping on the thumbsucking too much. The cast is good with a couple of young newcomers starring with Vincent D'Onofrio and Vince Vaughn, who look a lot alike. Surprisingly, Keanu Reeves does a good job and is especially hot at the end.

Mission Impossible III - 3 stars

2006-05-25T01:53:00.000-04:00

I saw Mission Impossible III at the Arclight Cineramadome. You probably don't know what that is, but can tell it's cool. It's a huge theater in Los Angeles with loud sound and a giant screen. Anything you see there is an experience.

You get exacty what you expect with this flick. It is pretty obvious with one or 2 good turns, mostly decent acting with a lot of action. It's probably much better in the theater than at home. Kudos to Tom Cruise for not completely sucking and for getting 10 years younger. Phillip Seymour Hoffman delivers yet another fabulous performance. Can this guy possibly disappoint?

Jarhead - 2.5 stars

2006-05-25T01:45:00.000-04:00

Jarhead fulfills its mission to be yet another war movie. It's pretty watchable because of the great cast - the magnetic Jake Gyllenhaal, creepy Peter Scarsgaard, Jamie Foxx, and several others. It's pretty good at depicting how people change based on their surroundings and experiences, but is quite generic otherwise.

Thank you for Smoking - 4 stars

2006-05-06T23:29:00.000-04:00

Thank you for Smoking was a very nice surprise. The movie was fresh, creative, well acted, and well written. Rob Lowe is a treat as the eccentric Los Angeles movie exec. Katie Holmes was acceptable, although I kept waiting for her to bear her breasts. Rumor has it that nut-job Tom Cruise had the scene pulled.

Writer/director Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman, did a great job illustrating the slime that is lobbying and politics. The tobbaco lobbyist is able to manipulate everyone and villianize the sweet William H. Macy who plays a Senator from Vermont.

A good watch for anyone.

Cruel Intentions - 4 stars

2006-05-06T23:14:00.000-04:00

I love Cruel Intentions. It's total trash. I'm rating this movie highly because I can watch it over and over and it has some great scenes. It is not, however, a brilliant film by objective standards.

Over-sexed, over-mature, spoiled teens manipulate each other in this Dangerous Liaisons remake. Ryan Phillippe is as delicious as I've ever seen him. There is only one moment in the film where his acting is atrocious. Sarah Michelle Geller (Buffy) is evil as Kathryn and Reese Witherspoon is well rounded as Annette. The only downfall of the movie is Selma Blair completely sucks.

During filming, Reese & Ryan met and fell in love. They now are married with 2 children.

Birthday Girl - 2 stars

2006-04-16T20:47:00.000-04:00

I had high hopes for Birthday Girl because it stars Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin (the English hottie from the adorable The Truth About Cats & Dogs). The acting was fine, but the story was lame. It's one of those stories where the hero has obvious ways out of the problem, but makes really stupid decisions that no one would make. It could have been surprising and thrilling, but is boring and predictable. Don't watch this one.

Erin Brokovich - 4 stars

2006-04-12T00:29:00.000-04:00

Erin Brokovich is the true story of a single-mom who leads the charge in one of the biggest lawsuits in US history. A California town's water was contaminated by PG&E, making it's residents sick with several types of cancer and many other diseases. Julia Roberts provides the performance of her career. Albert Finney, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, is a delight to watch as the tired and socially challenged attorney. The story is extremely well told. You experience the challenges with balancing career opportunities, parenting, dating, and risks. The actual Erin Brokovich has a cameo as a waitress. An overall great film.

Gandhi - 3 stars

2006-04-05T02:01:00.000-04:00

Gandhi is an historic film. It's certainly a good movie, and beautiful. Ben Kingsley was brilliant. The film moves surprisingly fast for over 3 hours. All of this is known.

However, as an organizer I was disappointed that they didn't delve into his motivation, challenges, and growth. One day he was a rich lawyer who suffers a minor humiliation. The next day is he leading the revolt against British occupation of India. I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea. You don't know what really made him from a man into "Gandhi."

Weeds (TV) - 4.5 stars

2006-03-30T01:51:00.000-05:00

Weeds is a new tv series from Showtime about a suburban housewife selling pot in a wealthy California town. Really, it's about how to survive in suburbia. For example, the theme song is all about how every house and ever suburbanite is the same. Then you dig into the content of the show and the people are all distinguishing themselves in unique ways. It stars the rockin' Mary-Louise Parker (Fried Green Tomatoes, Angels in America), plus a bitchy Elizabeth Perkins, an actually clever Kevin Nealon, and a big ensemble cast. Excellent show. I can't wait for season 2.

Arrested Development (TV) - 4 stars

2006-03-19T19:43:00.000-05:00

Arrested Development is a tv show starring one of my favorite then-teen stars, Jason Bateman. I know this isn't a movie, but I rented it on netflix and I make the rules, so I'm reviewing it here. This is a very dry, dark comedy about a family filled with overpriced losers and a straight-man, Bateman. It gets funnier and funnier the more I watch it. I recommend renting the first disk, and watching a few episodes from the beginning. One episode probably won't do it for you. Portia DeRossi and Jeffrey Tambor star with a variety of newcomers. One taste of the humor is the characters have names like Maeby, Gob which is pronounced like Job of the Bible and stands for George O. Bluth, and George Michael.

Thanks to Seraphim for recommending this.