I haven't watched any scifi on television since Farscape went off the air, so I missed out on Firefly (and, yes, Battlestar Galatica -- sorry!) But the trailers for this movie looked good, so we went. Loved it. Great characters, great tone, fantastic sense of humor, and just dark enough. Might have to go back and watch the series now!

Continue reading "Serenity"

Liked it. Pretty cool to see how they transformed Chicago into Gotham City. The only thing I had a problem with is that I wasn't crazy about the villains, and their M.O. was a little suspect. Overall, though, recommended.

Continue reading "Batman Begins"

A funny, crude movie with a soft, lovable center. It's the unapologetic gags that won me over, as well as the hilarious supporting characters. Probably not a movie to see with your parents: just a heads up.

Continue reading "The 40 Year Old Virgin"

I loved this movie. It is such a refreshing story that effortlessly avoids so many of the Hollywood cliches. Many of the characrers just exist, and we're glad to meet them even if they don't move "the story" along. Because this movie really is about people with their quirks and their struggles with understanding the purpose of their lives. Zach Braff is a very, very talented dude, and I'm really looking forward to following his career both as a director and an actor. Natilie Portman: love her, excellent in this role. Also, while the soundtrack is fantastic, it's the effective use of that soundtrack within the movie that was so impressive. I don't think I'll ever be able to hear "New Slang" by The Shins again without thinking of this movie.

Continue reading "Garden State"

I liked this movie, despite the frustratingly unrealistic "lone survivor" ending. I liked this movie because of the beautiful way it portrays Japan in the last days of the samurai. The cinematography is breathtaking, and I found myself engrossed in the culture presented: the single-minded pursuit of perfection in whatever they do. The rest of the movie is good enough: a decent sense of humor and some impressive battle scenes balance the story. Ken Watanabe is very, very good in his role.

Continue reading "The Last Samurai"

Most fans cite Episode V as their favorite Star Wars movie, and I have to agree. A fantastic piece of storytelling and surprisingly deep character development, this movie is everything a "movie #2 of 3" should be.

Continue reading "The Empire Strikes Back"

In preparation for the new movie, we thought we'd go back and watch all of the other Star Wars movies. ANH, as Jedi geeks like to refer to it, was a fun ride. I hadn't seen the new Lucasized version of the movie with the new cantina scenes and the Jabba scene, so that seemed a bit wierd, but it sure was great to watch the movie again, now fitting it into the larger context of the Star Wars universe that was created after it was originally released.

Continue reading "Star Wars"

As powerful as everyone says. Great storytelling and wonderful performances all the way around. Some of the supporting characters (Baby's family, for example) could have been a bit more nuanced, but they served their purpose. In my opinion, it deserved all the awards it received.

Continue reading "Million Dollar Baby"

An entertaining, disturbing movie, even if it was a bit sensationalistic for my taste. "He almost died eating McDonalds!", an often-heard declaration describing the movie, is overstating things a bit. Hey, I felt really bad for Morgan Spurlock, watching him eat all the food, but I wanted a little more clarity on the rules: how much was he overdoing it (ordering a double-quarter pounder with cheese when he had already had it a couple of times that month) simply to make the most dramatic change possible? Any how about something on why that Big Mac guy seemed so normal ... what was his blood pressure? Anyway, I'm really glad this movie was made and I wish most of America would watch it, just to make people *consider* their diet and take some responsibility for their health.

Continue reading "Super Size Me"

Exceedingly silly, frequently entertaining. There are a few very funny interactions between Stifler and The Rock, and Christopher Walken gets a good chance to play Christopher Walken.

Continue reading "The Rundown"

First off, it becomes crystal clear after watching this movie that Charlize Theron deserved the Best Actress Oscar for her performance here. She is posessed by this character ... a totally convincing and absolute transformation. One shouldn't overlook the fine job that Christina Ricci did, though: she held her own and then some.

Okay, so the performances were great, but how was the movie? It was a depressing, disturbing movie that leaves you with a helpless feeling about humanity. The lead character is such a tragic figure, and the movie is incredibly effective at illustrating the dispair of circumstance that surrounds her life. This excellent movie will stick with me for a while.

Continue reading "Monster"

Maybe a touch less satisfying than Matrix Reloaded, but it's still a helluva movie. If you were to evaluate strictly as an action movie, you have to give it high marks, but it's a bit more than that. In my opinion, the Wachowski brothers did a good job of resolving the storylines into an effective conclusion for the trilogy. I had managed my expectations for this film since I talked to a number of people that were disappointed by it, but overall I thought it was great.

Continue reading "The Matrix Revolutions"

A bit of a sadistic thriller, this movie kind of reminded me of an old Clancy book called Without Remorse -- <movie-trailer-voice>a man pushed over the edge</movie-trailer-voice>. I really enjoyed the relationship between Washington and the very talented Dakota Fanning, but the last act of this film was just a little too much to swallow. Three stars.

Continue reading "Man on Fire"

Christine and I were all set to finally watch "Matrix Revolutions" when we decied we needed a little refresher course on the Matrix universe. So we popped in the Reloaded DVD. It seemed a little slower than I remembered, but I picked up more of the subtle plot points the second time around. I still highly recommend it.

Continue reading "The Matrix Reloaded"

I wasn't really familiar with the persona of Howard Hughes, so this movie really opened my eyes. Martin Scorsese puts his mark on this biopic, Leonardo DiCaprio does an excellent job of portraying this complex character, and there are some great supporting performances. What a life this guy led! This is a fantastic, engrossing film that, sadly, was the only Best Picture nominee I saw this past year!

Continue reading "The Aviator"

I had higher hopes for this movie. Yes, it's funny, with a bunch of great improvised lines, but it was just too uneven. Sometimes, it was a long time between laughs. Steve Carell deserves special mention as the mentally challenged weatherman, and Fred Willard, as always, delivers.

Continue reading "Anchorman"

Classic American cinema: three broken men and a broken horse find acceptance and redemption in each other, then prove to the world all you need to succeed in this life is a lot of grit and determination. Rah rah! A great tale, with an awesome performance by Chris Cooper.

Continue reading "Seabiscuit"

It's more of everyone's favorite animated ogre, Shrek. If you liked the first one (and who didn't?), you'll like the second. It's not as fresh as the original (it's a sequel after all), but still packs plenty of laughs. Entertaining, just don't expect anything new.

Continue reading "Shrek 2"

This movie really had the feel of a modern-day Greek tragedy. All of the pieces are set on the board and the viewer is helpless to prevent the inevitable conclusion as each move is made. Very strong acting all around, with intense performances that jump right out of the screen and into your chest.

Continue reading "Mystic River"

It's one thing to think about sailing on the high seas and to romanticize the tactical battles between ships, but the reality, I imagine, would be quite a bit different. This movie conveys some of the brutal reality of what it must have been like to sail aboard a ship in the 1700s better than any movie I've seen. The best thing, though, is that it really does it almost in a matter-of-fact manner, as the crux of the story revolves around the relationship between the captain and the ship's doctor, played by Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany, playing off each other as well as they did in A Beautiful Mind. This is a very good movie.

Continue reading "Master and Commander"

There was a lot of buzz about this movie before it came out, and I'm happy to report that this movie delivers in every way. It has definitely displaced Toy Story as my favorite Pixar movie. A family of superheroes forced to live a normal life in the suburbs under a "Superhero Relocation" program? Brilliant premise. The animation was fantastic, the voice acting very good, and the storyline was engaging from beginning to end. I thought that Edna, the superhero costume designer (voiced by director Brad Bird), stole the show, but all of the eight-year olds in the audience were rolling on the floor with the final kidnap scene.

I think this is the first PG Pixar movie, but I personally think that it's okay for younger kids to watch. Yes, it's loud and there are guns and explosions and even killings, but there really aren't any of those frightening scenes that Disney sadistically likes to include in their movies (Woody discovers the mutant toys? The sharks in Finding Nemo?). And the killings are really closer to the A-Team "pan back to the exploding Jeep and see the evildoers thrown safely from the wreckage holding their heads and groaning" than anything else ... it's not like there's blood or even bodies.

So, interesting question. This movie begs for a sequel, but Pixar and Disney are splitting up before that's possible. How does a sequel get made if Disney owns the rights but Pixar's got the talent? I sure hope there's a sequel, and that it's got more Frozone. "Woman, where's my Super Suit!?!"

Continue reading "The Incredibles"

This was our Halloween pick for this year. A good old-fashioned campy gorefest. Silly, stupid, bloody, and fun.

Continue reading "Final Destination 2"

This is the Clooney/Soderbergh version from 2002. A very slow-paced film that somehow manages to be intense at the same time. For some reason, this was an instantly forgettable movie for me. I'm not sure what it is -- I mean, I liked it enough, and it held my attention, but nothing really stuck with me. Maybe that's what happens when you remake a 2:45 movie as a 1:45 movie, I don't know.

Continue reading "Solaris"

A by-the-book disaster flick with excellent special effects. Everything was going great until the movie turned stupid, at exactly 1:00:00 in. Oh, a basic climatological shift putting the entire human race in jeopardy wasn't "dramatic" enough for you? Let's throw in a storyline about a father seeking redemption by saving his son. Good grief. Well, if you can block out the annoying bits, you've actually got a pretty cool movie with an intriguing premise and fantastic special effects.

Continue reading "The Day After Tomorrow"

This movie about a growing up as an Indian girl near London is mostly good, but occasionally brilliant. I imagine that seeing this movie would be a very empowering experience for girls that happen to be both blessed and cursed with a family with a very strong, traditional culture that can often appear to be at odds with modern life. "Bend it Like Beckham" does a wonderful job contrasting these cultures and the very strong persistent tension that our hero Jess is caught in. I really enjoyed the soccer scenes and the friendship that develops between the female leads. True, the plot of this movie maps almost perfectly to the Karate Kid/Rocky gold standard of plot evolution and character development, but that doesn't really get in the way.

Continue reading "Bend It Like Beckham"

Hey, look! All of your favorite John Grisham characters are here for your courtroom drama: the big evil corporation, the idealistic young lawyer/citizen, and the Belief in the System. The plot is interesting enough to keep you engaged, but to tell you the truth, it really doesn't hang together all that well. I suspect that the many plot cul-de-sacs, useless characters, and convoluted situations are more an artifact of the movie than the book: Grisham may not be a stellar author, but he usually knows how to string his chapters together into a cohesive story. John Cusack gave the one good performance. Gene Hackman was okay, reprising his Lex Luthor role, while Dustin Hoffman was wasted. And what the heck was Jeremy Piven doing in this movie? Give the guy some lines to say! He deserves better.

Continue reading "Runaway Jury"

This was a fun movie ... almost as fun as Ocean's 11. It's a different kind of vibe: it's both lighter and a little more sinister, if that makes any sense. I loved the Seth Green character ("The Real Napster"), but really all of the actors did a great job. Mos Def is really stepping up, and Jason Statham plays his usual "wheelman" role with typical aplomb. Charlize was very easy on the eyes, and my wife assures me that she had no complaints watching Mark Wahlberg for an hour and a half. Ed Norton's performance seemed a little dialed in, which is too bad, but not enough to really detract from the film. Very entertaining.

Continue reading "The Italian Job"

Yep, that Charlie Kaufman is a weird, creative dude. This is another fascinating film that I thought was just one tiny notch below Adaptation., but still one of the best movies of 2003. It twists, it turns, it's inventive ... maybe just a touch too predictable. Most of the movie has the aura of one grasping at a dream, but there's a real love story in here as well. Fantastic performance by Jim Carrey.

Continue reading "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

Yes, it's true. It's an amazing performance by Adrien Brody, worthy of the Academy award he received. You have to make sure you're in the right frame of mind to watch this movie, though ... it's tough. I can't even comprehend what it must have been like in Poland during the occupation. So even though Brody is fantastic, the movie's portrayal of the unfathomably cruel environment is what stays with me.

Continue reading "The Pianist"

I think this movie is a little bit better than The Bourne Identity, which means this is an awesome action/suspense flick. Bourne's a little edgier, a little angrier, and a little more comfortable with the persona he apparently inhabits. Lots of great locales with some really good chase sequences (not all car chases, mind you). Keep 'em coming!

Continue reading "The Bourne Supremacy"

A very good file from David Mamet that doesn't hit you over the head with its Mametness. Val Kilmer is a secret service/special ops guy responsible for rescuing the President's daughter, who's apparently been kidnapped. Elaborate schemes, plot twists, and snappy dialog abound. I really liked how you were just dropped into the story -- it took a while to figure out who the players were and what was going on. Even though I know it's a Mamet trademark, I thought the characters were a little too robotically single-dimensional. And although the plot as a whole took plenty of unanticipated turns, each atomic scene was too predictable. On the whole, though, a worthwhile movie.

Continue reading "Spartan"

A dumb dumb movie that's only worth watching for the Steve Irwin bits (which, admittedly, are quite entertaining). It's best when it plays up the camp, but you're still probably better off watching Animal Planet for an hour.

Continue reading "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course"

Of course documentaries are told from a particular viewpoint, and it's no secret what Michael Moore's agenda is. Many people won't watch this movie because they don't like Moore's stunts and tactics. In this movie, however, Moore keeps his sometimes annoying confrontational tactics to a minimum and lets the administration's (and other's) own words speak for themselves. This is a disquieting movie which leaves one with an uneasy feeling about the last few years. Even if you dismiss Moore's consipratorial claims, I imagine most will come away with a despondent feeling over the effect that the war has had on America's sons and daughters, as well as America's place within the world's community. This is a good documentary, not a great one.

Continue reading "Fahrenheit 9/11"

When I first heard that this movie was coming out, I thought "Oh great, now Disney's creating movies from amusement park rides? What's next ... Space Mountain? Haunted Mansion? Swiss Family Robinson?" But then I heard from some people that "Pirates" was actually a good movie ... I foolishly allowed my hopes to rise. That was a mistake. They ONLY reason to see this movie is for Johnny Depp's "Keith Richards as drag queen" interpretation of his pirate role. That's it ... the only reason to see this movie. Well, and to see Keira Knightley ... okay, those are the ONLY two reasons to see this movie.

Continue reading "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Better than your average action flick. Jason Statham (you've probably seen him in one of those Guy Ritchie films) is a great choice to play a morally ambiguous "transporter". He'll transport anything, no questions asked, for the right price: as long as you stick to the rules. The problem comes when he breaks his own rule on a run ("Never open the package") and starts to get involved. The plot is irrelelvant -- what makes this movie worth watching the is likability of the character that Statham creates, some sweet driving, and some very creative and entertaining fight scenes. I'm looking forward to "The Transporter 2" -- maybe they'll put him in a better story next time.

Continue reading "The Transporter"

I was afraid that this would be one of those stupid comedies where all of the funny parts were in the trailer. Well, I was half-right: this is a stupid comedy, but it ended up being wall-to-wall funny. I probably laughed out loud every couple of minutes, with plenty of chuckling going on thorughout. Ben Stiller is over the top as the overcompensating used-to-be-fat dumb jerk who owns the Bally's-as-projected-on-tv gym ... a refreshing change from that other one character he plays (you know, the "There's something about meeting Polly's parents ... & Hutch" guy). Gary Cole provides hilarious commentary as a sports announcer for ESPN 8 ("The Ocho"), and even Rip Torn gets a good turn here. Vince Vaughn is what really holds this movie together, though ... probably his best comedic role to date (yes, including Swingers and Old School). Great first effort for director Rawson Marshall Thurber, whose only other work is that hilarious "Terry Tate, Office Linebacker" commercial from a couple of years ago. Go for the laughs, enjoy the fun, and stay all the way through the credits.

Continue reading "Dodgeball"

A freaky zombie movie where the zombies know how to sprint. Director did a good job of creating a creepy, threatening environment, where London has been emptied of almost everyone because of a "rage virus" that's extremely contagious. I thought the last act (er, I guess technically the next-to-last act) with the soldiers was a really strange direction to take the movie ... it might have been a more satisfying movie if they didn't take that turn. But it is what it is: a good survival horror flick that could have been better, but could have been a lot lot worse.

Continue reading "28 Days Later..."

I've read all of the books, so I'd consider myself a fan, and I think that this is by far the best of the Harry Potter movies -- in this movie, the characters actually seem alive rather than robots mechanically acting the scenes from the book. There's a real sense of humor and humanity with these familiar personalities, and the special effects create an appropriate backdrop instead of taking center stage. I'm anxious to see where they're going to take this franchise -- the actors playing the characters are getting pretty old now.

Continue reading "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"

This is the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that stunned the world with their upset victories over the U.S.S.R. and other world-wide powerhouses. I saw the coach Herb Brooks and several other players from the 1980 team at a U.S. hockey game in the 2002 Olympics, so I had a special interest in seeing what direction they were going to take this movie. With such a naturally compelling underdog storyline, I'm pretty surprised that this movie hadn't been made previously. I like how they didn't deify the coach Herb Brooks, but instead portrayed him as a stubborn perfectionist that cared more about winning than being liked. Kurt Russell did a good job of owning the Brooks character, even if the Minnesotan accent wasn't quite as consistent as his overall performance. There's quite a bit of hockey in this movie, especially the last fifteen mintues, but you don't have to love hockey to like this movie. A decent movie appropriate for the whole family.

Continue reading "Miracle"

A good movie with some good performances (yes, even by Brendan Fraser), but a little too slow for my tastes. Sure, there's some interesting character development and a some deft handling of moral ambiguities, but I guess I just wanted more.

Continue reading "The Quiet American"

Stupid, indulgent, and infantile ... and I haven't laughed so hard in months. The sketches are a little hit-or-miss, and some are truly revolting, but some are so frickin funny I couldn't stand it. So, on the basis of that alone, it's worth a watch for those with strong stomachs.

Continue reading "Jackass: The Movie"

I enjoyed this film, which is classic Tim Burton: an engaging blend of fantasy and reality, where the boundary between the two is not all that clear. Great performance by Ewan McGregor, a fun story, and a touching ending. I wasn't blown away, but this movie is certainly worth watching for just about anyone.

Continue reading "Big Fish"

The first 20 minutes are terrible, but if you can get past that you'll find a decent Star Trek movie. Other than Captain Picard, it doesn't really delve too much into the characters (definitely not enough Worf), and the villain in this episode wasn't nearly as nuanced as the director would like us to believe. Only really worth watching if you are/were a fan of Star Trek TNG.

Continue reading "Star Trek: Nemesis"

Didn't work for me. Formulaic drama with one-dimensional characters. I have to agree with those that call this "Dead Poet's Society with girls", except that it's not nearly as good.

Continue reading "Mona Lisa Smile"

A really interesting Philip K. Dick premise that got blindsided by a stupid John Woo action film. Even Uma can't save this movie. All this movie did for me is make me want to see both Minority Report and Kill Bill again.

Paycheck (**)

This movie is about the last day of a drug dealer before he starts serving his 7-year sentence, and it does a good job of conveying the hopeless inevitability felt by the main character and his friends: he has run out of options. Edward Norton continues to be one of my favorite actors, and he gives another very strong performance in this Spike Lee Joint. Another standout performance is Brian Cox as the father. Spike Lee really lets the emotional component to the story take center stage in a way that quickens your breath sometimes -- complete with a Spike Lee Monologue (tm) that effectively captures the post-9/11 frustration and hate in the heart of this drug dealer that got greedy.

Continue reading "25th Hour"

This is a difficult movie to talk about. I suppose that's appropriate, since it was a difficult movie to watch. There are several scenes that have apparently been burned into my brain and keep popping into my consciousness at random points during the day. You're going to reflect on this movie whether you want to or not.

It's hard to separate the "movie" from the "experience". The movie was very well done, and it's really great that they kept the Aramaic and Latin, which created a much more immersive experience. Yes, the movie is extremely violent, and at first I thought it was gratuitously excessive. But after some reflection I've come to the conclusion that it was appropriate and needed, to break down the barriers many of us have built up to violence portrayed in movies. It's a very different kind of violence; Jay Leno (of all people) supposedly said (I haven't found the exact quote) that when Jesus was hit it felt like we were being hit as opposed to other violent movies were you feel like you are the one doing the hitting. That's a good description. Like I said, this was a hard movie to watch, but in the end I feel enriched having seen it.

Continue reading "The Passion of the Christ"

I'm kind of liking these modern musical movies. I liked Moulin Rogue more than this one, but this movie is still a great time. This adaptation oozes with sensuality -- you expect that from a Fosse Fosse Fosse production, and Rob Marshall's translation to the big screen doesn't disappoint. I wish the movie had a little less Renée Zellweger and little more Catherine Zeta-Jones, whom I thought was quite a bit more talented in the dancing and singing department.

Continue reading "Chicago"

How much Jack Black is too much Jack Black? We still don't know. This movie's all about Jack, and it's a good thing. He's got that John Belushi-like charm that, apparently, can carry a movie. Director Richard Linklater avoids getting mired in too much sentimentalism or back-story for the kids and keeps the performances skimming on the surface. This is not a deep movie, but one guaranteed to produce smiles from the audience.

Continue reading "The School of Rock"

Hey, this is a pretty good movie! I thought this movie would only appeal to aging boomers, but this GenX-er found it very entertaining -- almost entirely due to strength of Nicholson's performance. The role certainly isn't a stretch for him, but the truth is that Jack "coasting" is still way better than almost anyone. He's able to let his charm come all the way out in this movie, and it's formidable. Diane Keaton was really good, too, but her face distracts me: too much botox? It seems almost plastic.

Something's Gotta Give (***)

I have to say that this movie didn't live up to my expectations. Sure, it's an intense 81 minutes (it seems even shorter than that). Yes, it's pleasant to listen to Kiefer's velvety voice for most of that time. But this just didn't work for me. I wanted more, and the abrupt ending was unsatisfying.

Phone Booth (**1/2)

This is a warm-hearted comedy that is quite poignant at times. There were lots of memorable performances in this movie: Eve was really good (a natural talent) and Cedric the Entertainer almost stole the show. But I know what I'm going to remember most about this movie is the complete ensemble ... the barbershop itself becomes the main character here. Even though Ice Cube plays the lead character, it's actually a similar role to his part in Friday -- he's more of a detached observer (or, in the case of Friday, chronicler, pun intended) of an environment rich with vibrant personalities. Now that I know these characters, I'm looking forward to reuniting with them in Barbershop 2.

Continue reading "Barbershop"

This turned out to be a surprisingly effective comedy. Okay, sure, you can say that a movie that pokes fun at conjoined twins is in poor taste, but there's nothing malicious about it -- it feels, if you can believe it, genuine. You really get a sense of the tenderness and the bond that has developed between the two brothers. Of course, as you'd expect from the Farrelly brothers, it's laugh-out-loud funny. As you might not expect, there's not really any gross-out humor: it's more "Hal" than "Mary". If you can't tell, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.

Continue reading "Stuck On You"

Definitely better than it could have been, but this is no Purple Rain. Eminem gives a passable performance, but the storyline is a little too fractured to be satisfying. This film does do an effective job of portraying the depressing circumstances of growing up in poverty near Detroit. Oh, the battle scenes were entertaining.

Continue reading "8 Mile"

After watching this movie, I looked at what a few critics had to say about it and I was shocked to see some of them refer to this movie as a "teen sex comedy". Wow, I didn't get that impression at all! Yes, the movie is infused with sex, and the two lead characters are horny teens, and there are quite a few comedic moments, but this is far from a teen sex comedy. It's treatment of the subject matter is real, for one thing, and backdrop of the Mexican countryside (and the director's detached observation's through third-person narration) bring some sobriety to the film. Be warned, though: there is a lot of sexual material, so not exactly a movie you're going to want to watch with the in-laws.

Continue reading "Y tu mamá también"

I was really wincing the first ten minutes or so of this movie -- the performances were so forced, especially by Stifler, that I thought the whole movie was doomed. Everyone soon settled into their characters, though, and it became the American Pie experience we all know and love. They've pared down the cast a bit: no Tara Reid, no american beauty Mena Suvari, no mini-Keanu Chris Klein , no Nadia, and thankfully no that guy that plays Kevin). No, wait, I think Kevin was in the movie, but did he even have any lines? Glad to see Fred Willard, but I looked around and couldn't find Harry Shearer much to my surprise. Not nearly as good as the first Pie, and not even up to the level of the second one, it's still a teen comedy that works.

Continue reading "American Wedding"

I think my expectations might have derailed this film for me a little bit. I was expecting "more", but this film is really about subtlety and patience I wanted more Tokyo, more Bill Murray, more laughing. But that's not this movie. I do think it was a very plausible treatment of a relationship given the characters and the context. I will definitely watch this movie again to give it another chance -- for now, I give it a "good".

Continue reading "Lost in Translation"

This was the second time to see this movie, and it's just as cool as I remembered. "Cool" and "style" are really the two words that spring to mind when trying to describe this movie. A great caper flick with fun (though maybe a little too self-aware) performances by Pitt and Clooney and the rest of the cast.

Continue reading "Ocean's Eleven"

What a silly, silly movie. A funny idea, and I like the tone of the movie (very light-hearted), but the special effects just got out of hand here. There are so many and they're so pervasive, they're not even special -- just effects. Still, it did make me laugh quite a few times, but it's not a great movie.

Continue reading "Shaolin Soccer"

Boy, to be a fly on the wall for this movie pitch. A fictional movie about the inside of a real writer's head that's writing a half-real screenplay about a real book based upon real characters. This movie works on all those levels with amazing and surprising intersections between the layers. This is one of the most creative screenplays I've ever seen. It's just so funny and clever and recursive, especially how it handles the "second part" of the movie (I don't think it's a spoiler to call it hilarious satire). I didn't even know while I was watching that "The Orchid Thief" was a real book based on real characters ... and it blows me away that Charlie and Donald Kaufman were both nominated for "Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published", which must have been quite an interesting decision for the Academy. A masterpiece.

Continue reading "Adaptation."

Not as good as "Silence of the Lambs, but way better than "Hannibal". I also liked this interpretation of Red Dragon better than the Michael "Miami Vice" Mann version called "Manhunter" which starred William "C.S.I." Petersen in the 80s. Ed Norton's performance was good (nice recovery from "Death to Smoochy") and I bounced back to liking Anthony Hopkins' performance after detesting him in Hannibal. This movie was actually a little better than I expected, but it's no masterpiece.

Continue reading "Red Dragon"

A slightly underweight effort that was nonetheless entertaining. The problem with "these kinds of movies" is you know that there's going to be one of three "surprise endings" and there are no real clues to point you to which one -- it's totally arbitrary, which makes the movie as a whole less satisfying. I wish they had done more Spy School stuff, and the movie gets a little too Pacino in the end, but it was packaged nicely with just enough intrigue to keep you involved.

Continue reading "The Recruit"

Not a movie in the conventional sense, more like a work of art. You probably don't realize it, but you have most likely seen large chunks of this movie: images of cars speeding on expressways at night, people crowding to get on an escalator, the moon rising over the city, all sped up. A lot of amazing photography, and it has held up amazingly well (the movie is twenty years old). I have always liked the music of Philip Glass, but others might find him grating. I loved it and find this to be the perfect chill-out experience. The first in a trilogy.

Continue reading "Koyaanisqatsi"

A fitting end to an incredible trilogy. I really liked the way Peter Jackson weaved together the different storylines into an effective presentation. I don't think the movie needed to be as long as it did ... a few too many scenes were shown in slo-mo that (imho) weren't enhanced by the effect, and some of the parting scenes had me looking at my watch. But on the whole, an amazing cinematic acheivement that I was glad to witness.

Continue reading "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"

This is a great Christmas movie done in the classic style (I was going to say "old school" but I didn't want to get my Will Ferrell movies mixed up). I give Will Ferrell tons of credit for playing it straight and never once winking to the camera. Good job by Jon Favreau for showing restraint and nodding to Christmas movie traditions. Completely inoffensive, somewhat sappy, very funny movie.

Continue reading "Elf"

Upon reflection, there really wasn't a whole lot going on in this movie: three little girls doing a whole lot of walking. It still managed to capture my interest, though, and the photography was outstanding. A simple story well-told.

Continue reading "Rabbit-Proof Fence"

Oh wow, it's a lot of fun to watch a Quentin Tarantino movie when he's at the top of his game like he is here. I've read and heard quite a few reviews/opinions about this movie, and I can understand why it's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing: it all depends on your reaction to the violence and gore, which is the polarizing factor with this film. I chose to put on my "comic book violence"-colored glasses and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

There are two things that QT did so right with both Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill: the use of music to create the perfect atmosphere, and his mastery of a non-linear presentation of the storyline. First, the music: QT has an uncanny ability to bring a smile to your face (or make you cringe in the case of Reservior Dogs) simply by the music he chooses. I don't know how he does it, but it's always *just* *right*. From the opening credits of Pulp Fiction (with the changing of the radio stations) to the Nancy Sinatra tune and Mexi-Japanese songs in Kill Bill, it helps to create a memorable experience. Second, the non-linear storyline. While it's not used quite as effectively as Pulp Fiction, it's still effortless and entertaining. I mean really, there's not much of a plot here, so it adds some interest, but the story is kind of besides the point. It's a tribute to the genre with the QT spin on it. Can't wait for Vol. 2.

Continue reading "Kill Bill: Vol. 1"

I enjoy the writing of Po Bronson, with Bombardiers being right up there with Catch-22 as one of the funniest books I have ever read. I remember enjoying The First $20 Million is Always the Hardest: A Novel as well, although I think I keep confusing it in my head with Microserfs by Douglas Coupland. When I saw this movie was playing on Showtime, I had no idea that it was made into a movie. I guess it was only released in L.A. and New York in 2002. Well, it's certainly a cheeseball interpretation of the book, with sub-par writing by Jon Favreau, who adapted the screenplay. But, being a movie about the dot-com generation, I can't resist. It's not horrible, and having Rosario Dawson cast as the female lead certainly doesn't suck.

The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (**1/2)

WTF? This is one messed up movie. I guess I should have expected that with anything remotely related to Robert Crumb, but this movie redefines the boundaries of tastelessness for me. I was sometimes incredulous, often distgusted, and never amused. The only value to this movie is as a historical record (made in 1974) of a sick and twisted mind. I like subversive material as much as the next guy, but come on!

Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (*)

Ugh, what a piece of crap. A pitifully acted story about a killer tooth fairy that has to stay out of the light. Touching. I didn't even make it to the end of the movie. The opening scene was the only thing halfway decent: it was genuinely scary and suspenseful, but it sure took a nosedive after that.

Darkness Falls (*)

I don't know if I'd really call this movie "scary" ... it was certainly suspenseful and interesting. In fact, the premise was interesting enough to make me look into the story deeper than one should ... the plot is really holding together by a thread and shouldn't really be examined too closely. You get the feeling that all of the source material is there, but it was maybe chopped up a little too much in the editing room. Nonetheless it was a good Halloween night movie to watch ... better than "The Others", not as good as "The Sixth Sense".

The Ring (***)

Ah, the perfect antidote to Legally Blond 2 (the movie I saw previous to this one). This movie had much more of a sense of humor than I was expecting, and I laughed out loud a number of times. Terrific performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal (last saw her in Donnie Darko with her brother Jake), and better than average performance from James Spader. Spader, never one to turn down a weird role, is definitely in his Crash/sex lines and videotape mode here. I think the best thing about this movie, though, is that underneath it all it's actually kind of a touching, albeit twisted, love story. Recommended.

Secretary (***1/2)

The first Legally Blonde movie was actually a pleasant surprise, with the smartness of the lead character being able to bleed through her ditzy exterior in a somewhat believable manner. That doesn't happen here. Reese Witherspoon cannot save this movie, although I imagine with a lesser actor this would have been unwatchable. I think I laughed twice. The only consolation was that I saw it on an airplane and didn't have any other choice.

Legally Blonde 2 (**)

A good movie with a great cast ... a nice mix of psychological thriller and who-done-it, with a few classic horror elements thrown in for good measure. Only unfortunate thing was that I figured out one of the main twists a little too early in the film, but there was still enough going on to keep me intrigued. Might be worth watching again with the director's commentary.

Identity (***)

I thought this was a fabulous movie! Jennifer Aniston should have gotten a nomination, in my opinion, for her work here. She had me convinced 5 minutes into the movie that her character was authentic, and from that point on never thought of Rachel from Friends. Okay, maybe it was a little bit "Need more flair" waitress from Office Space meets Donnie Darko, but a totally engaging movie that successfully walked the line between depressing small town drama and dark comedy.

The Good Girl (***1/2)

I watched this movie in two sittings, both times in the wee hours in the morning when I couldn't sleep. Kind of ironic for a movie that examines the dream-state and its relationship to reality.

This was a facinating movie on many levels. First off, it's animated, but done in such a creative way -- basically, it's like someone filmed a movie with a handheld camera and then "painted over" the movie with Photoshop or something. I saw in the credits that someone was listed for "animation software", so maybe it was homegrown. Anyway, it was a really cool way to do it, and it allowed for some embellishments to series of conversations that the main character has. Which is all this movie is, really: a series of conversations, so you probably want to be in the right mood for it (mind-altering chemicals might be helpful here).

One more thing: I bet this movie is filled with subliminal images and messages. Just about every time I pause the movie, I saw something interesting in the animation foreground or background. Might be cool to own the DVD of this one.

Waking Life: the closest thing to experiencing a dream while you're awake ... or are you?

Waking Life (***1/2)

First off, kudos to Robin Williams for really being able to pull off the role of a lonely, creepy, aging guy. Very convincing, even when the plot twists start to pull at the credibility of the whole story. I liked the look of the movie, even if it was a bit too self-conscious at times (the monotones and "sav-mart" genericness). The movie left me with a little bit of a hollow feeling, like all the pieces didn't connect quite right, but still I have to say it was a good movie. Gotta love the Gary Cole boss character!

One Hour Photo (***)

A very powerful movie about a young girl growing up in a very traditional (read: sexist) culture. The movie was facinating, and the performances I thought were quite strong ... the lead actress playing Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) was exceptional. The fact that this movie was rated PG-13 blows me away ... there is absolutely nothing in this movie that would prevent me from recommending this to a 10 year-old (except it might be a little slow for them).

Whale Rider (***1/2)

I was actually expecting quite a lot out of this movie. I didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it was still worth watching. The characters just didn't hang together very well for me ... the escalation between the two protagonists a little too quantum. But still, a decent movie, just could have been better.

Changing Lanes (***)

When I first saw the billboard ads for Blue Crush, I immediately dismissed it as bikini-strewn trash. Then I heard some good buzz about it, so I was anxious to see the movie. It actually ended up being pretty good and not too formulaic. On top of the amazing surfing scenes and amazing (ahem) bikini scenes, I found the way that the movie examined the dual cultures of a vacation hot spot like Hawaii really interesting. When you're visting a place, you don't get to see the "real" place ... and there's a whole subculture of people that work to (surf/sky/fish ... you name it).

Blue Crush (***)

Pretty stupid movie, but some laughs. It was pretty disjointed and didn't really make a whole lot of sense ... kind of like a bunch of really good SNL skits sewn together into a not-so-good movie.

Old School (**1/2)

Quite an interesting movie. It was kind of like watching a long Queen video, with a little bit of Rocky Horror Picture Show thrown in there. Very entertaining, although I'm not quite sure I've got the ending yet. A very unique movie with some decent Meat Loaf-esque tunes.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (***)

Saw this totally uncensored on Comedy Central, which was super sweet. Watching this movie the first time it came out in theaters was a landmark moment in my life ... I don't think I've ever been so shocked at what I was watching. And it is so funny it's hard to believe. The creators know how to pay homage to classic musicals just perfectly.

South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut (****)

An excellent plotline and atmosphere. I really liked the overlapping stories and the interaction between pacino, swank, and williams. The director did a good job of conveying the insomnia feeling that the main character was going through. All in all, very good suspensful movie.

Insomnia (***1/2)

It's not often, after watching a comedy, that you want to read the book it was based on. This comedy has such wit, that I bet the book was even "more so". Overall good performances, and the cynacism made me laugh, but I felt like it could have been just a little more. Almost deserves another half star.

About a Boy (***)

A decent thriller. I know I've read a Bourne book or two, but I must have read one of the sequels because this was new to me. Nothing really amazing, I actually didn't think Matt Damon did all that much with the character, but it was nice seeing "Lola" again as a lead actress. Three stars because it was entertaining and I like spy movies.

The Bourne Identity (***)

Silly movie, but a must-see golf movie. Pretty good tension between Kevin Costner and Don Johnson. Chemistry between Costner and Rene Russo, on the other hand, seemed somewhat unrealistic. Cheech was good. All in all, a good light movie.

Tin Cup (***)

Average thriller, not too intelligent. A nuclear showdown with Russia. I'm not sure what they should have done to improve this movie, but it really didn't keep my full interest. Not very realistic.

The Sum of All Fears (**)

Ever since I had read Underworld by DeLillo, I've been interested in finding more out about Lenny Bruce. I feel like I know a lot more about him now. But the documentary itself I thought was only okay. I'm not sure what fell flat for me, but it just kind of fizzled out as it got to the most interesting part of his career, the end. Maybe more archival footage would have helped, but maybe it wasn't available.

Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth (**1/2)

Cool animation, good voice acting, smart enough to keep the parents interested. Very standard plot (like Shreck, big guy and little annoying/funny guy go on a quest), but made me laugh quite a few times, especially the John Leguizamo character.

Ice Age (***)

This movie was way deeper than I expected. I imagine a lot of people would be frustrated by the heavy dose of philosophy, but the awesome action scenes should satisfy. I found the movie very entertaining and want to watch it again as soon as I can. I really hope that the final movie resolves the many questions in a reasonable way.

The Matrix Reloaded (****)

I thought this was a pretty clever love story, and it kept me entertained throughout the film. Yes, a bit sappy at times, but the modern romance between "American Guy" and Gwyneth kept it interesting.

Possession (***1/2)

We watched this movie again in anticipation of the sequel being released next week. It's such a fantastic movie -- great to look at, great to think about. Style without compare. It really holds up over multiple viewings and I'm really looking forward to the sequels.

The Matrix (****)

A good action flick, but this whole series just doesn't do a whole lot for me. Must be because I never got into the comic book. Anyway, it's good mindless fun, some nice special effects, but not really all that memorable.

X2: X-Men United (**1/2)

Like a fine wine, this 80s movie only improves with time. The classic teen comedy does a great job of capturing the angst and excitement of high school. Lots of big names started with this film. Some fine, uh, tops were revealed as well.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (***1/2)

Nothing surprising, but still a heart-felt story of a high school science teacher/baseball coach that achieves his dream of pitching in the major leagues. The cool part is that it's true. I kind of wish I'd seen this on DVD to see the extras that no doubt tell more about the real life story.

The Rookie (***)

I know I watched the original version, but I must have fallen asleep originally because it was all new to me. Quite an amazing movie, the helicopter battle scene is incredible. I'd like to see the documentary "Heart of Darkness". All sorts of big actors looking very young in this version.

Apocolypse Now Redux (***1/2)

It's the style that gets you ... this has every look of a 50s movie. Not just the dress and mannerisms, but the actual film itself -- the quick cuts, the cheesy music, the technicolor. Very impressive. The movie itself was really quite good. I don't know what more I was expecting, it did everything very very well, but it just didn't touch me at the core.

Far From Heaven (***)

Definitely a formula movie, and the last act gets pretty absurd, but Kevin Kline gives a good performance that is fun to watch. We all wish we had a teacher like him.

The Emporer's Club (***)

Good movie that makes you care about the main character. The sideplot involving the doctor and his wife probably wasn't needed, but the movie comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Antwone Fisher (***)

Nice creepy movie. Good tension throughout the whole movie, but I don't think I got all the twists at the end until further reflection. I definitely like the moral crisis that is presented, with people being commanded to kill demons.

Frailty (***)

Really a wonderful movie. I was smiling from the opening scene through the entire movie. So quick, so witty, so interesting. Thoroughly entertaining. In French with subtitles, but don't hold that against it. Thinking back, there were so many funny things: the garden gnome's travels, messing with the grocer, and the opening scene. Great movie.

Amelie (****)

This is what is known as a "great classic movie". All the performances are top-notch and totally enjoyable. Now I understand why Jack Nicholson is such a superstar. The movie had me totally hooked, but I have to say, even though the movie is 131 minutes long, I thought the ending came a little quick. That's the only reason I didn't give this a four-star rating.

Chinatown (***1/2)

Fairly entertaining, but pretty formulaic. Not enough of a surprise or twist for me, but also not like "In the Bedroom" with its brutal realism. It almost worked, but fell short for me.

Unfaithful (**1/2)

Funniest thing about this movie to me was the notion of Owen Wilson as a male model. You can't stop staring at his messed up nose. Overall, I thought this was pretty good ... straightforward, nothing shocking, some good laughs.

Zoolander (***)

Pretty good movie, no real surprises. Better if you don't examine it too closely and just let the themes sweep over you. I really like the performance by Jena Malone, who was also in Donnie Darko. Kevin Kline was good as well.

Life as a House (***)

No real plot in this movie, but the sheer volume and inventiveness of profanity was kind of refreshing. It was kind of cool seeing all the cameos from the previous Kevin Smith movies, but it just didn't impress me all that much. I've heard it gets better with repeated viewings, but there are a lot of movies out there that I haven't seen yet!

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (**1/2)

I didn't really like the book (I think Harris was trying to be more of a writer than he really is), and I don't really like this movie. Some truly gruesome scenes. I thought Hopkins did a good job, and the guy that played Pazzi did a good job, but overall it was just too gross. I'll look at the second disc full of extras to see if they comment on why they changed the ending.

Hannibal (**1/2)

A very good movie, but one that I don't think will stick with me too long. Very creative title sequence, with cool tunes to accompany the interesting visuals. The look is dead-on. I'm kind of interested in seeing what the real Frank Abignale looks like, but not *that* interested.

Catch Me If You Can (***1/2)

Yes, I watched it again, this time with Christine. The movie made more sense after looking up a bunch of stuff on the internet. Now I'd definitely like to get the DVD to see the deleted scenes.

Donnie Darko (****)

I had no idea what to expect from this movie, so I was really surprised by it. Wow. I'm a big Lynch fan, so I like the "something very strange going on underneath it all" aspect. I'm still thinking about the movie, trying to wrestle with it. Some great performances. I'd definitely be interested in hearing the director's commentary on this movie.

Donnie Darko (****)

I thought this was really pretty good, maybe even my favorite one of the bunch. Maybe a little too loose on the set, but it's got a lot of funny moments. Lots of deleted scenes make you realize that what actually made it in the movie was pretty arbitrary.

Goldmember (***)

Up until Shallow Hal, my favorite Farrelly brothers movie. Yes, even more than "There's Something About Mary". I don't know what it is, but I liked this movie. Bill Murray certainly helped.

Kingpin (***)

Wes Andresen is the king of quirk. Owen Wilson has never been better than in this role. I liked this better than Rushmore, and I haven't seen Royal Tenenbaums yet.

Bottle Rocket (***)

Good documentary on the Ali-Foreman fight in Zaire. I haven't seen "Ali" with Will Smith, but I don't really see why I would now -- this movie is almost all about Ali. There is also a lot of great live musical performances in this movie, including a great performance by B.B. King. Another very intriguing character was Don King.

When We Were Kings (***)

Haven't watched this one in a while, so I had forgotten many of the details. DVD seems pretty good, I'd like to explore it some more. I definitely want to watch it again with the director's (Bryan Singer) commentary. Benicio Del Toro's character cracks me up. Great movie to see again.

The Usual Suspects (***1/2)

I had big hopes because it was directed by David Fincher, who did Fight Club, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. I liked it, but it wasn't up to Fight Club standards. I didn't recognize Jared Leto, and I enjoyed seeing Ann Magnuson, who I haven't really seen since "Anything but Love", the short-lived series with Richard Lewis, and who was the lead singer for Bongwater.

Panic Room (***)