November Screenings:

Deep Rising - *** a/k/a "'Aliens' on a cruise ship" Popcorn fun from Stephen Sommers
The Whole Ten Yards - **1/2 - Same movie as the first, still fun because of the cast.
Shrek 2 *** - Better than most movies, but a disappointment overall. Best jokes were in the background.
Changing Lanes *** - Great movie! As w/ most Affleck movies (save for 'Dazed and Confused') anyone could have done this role, but the structure of the film is great.
Jersey Girl - *** Good effort by Smith to break away from the style of his earlier films. Why he keeps casting Ben is a mystery to me. But, the guy sure can cry.
Scary Movie 3 - **1/2 exactly what it looks like and I'm a Charlie Sheen fan, so this reminded me of his 'Hot Shot' days...
A Home At The End Of The World - *** Colin Farrell can act when he has a good director. Great, interesting small film.
Scooby-Doo 2 - ** Fun for about 1/2 hour, just like the first but gets old fast. The cast keeps things moving as best they can.
Santa Clause 2 - **1/2 Okay sequel kept my attention because I *love* Elizabeth Mitchell.
Sweet and Lowdown - *** I will watch anything Samantha Morton is in.
View From The Top - **1/2 Why would an Academy Award A-List actress do a film like this?! I can only imagine she was promised great catering. Not a bad film, but it's like finding out Janine Garafolo is starring in the next Merchant/Ivory film; I don't doubt her talents, but it just leaves me with a dumbfounded feeling.
Angels in America - ***1/2 Great performances across the board.
The Stepford Wives - ** See above review of 'A View From The Top'.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown - ***1/2 Great documentary and history lesson. A Stand out moment was Joan Osbourne singing "Heat Wave" - the DTS soundtrack was *amazing* and if I closed my eyes in was like the band was in my living room. Definitely a purchase disc for me in the future.
Elf - *** Great holiday film and well made, showing promise for actor turned director Jon Favreau.
The Saddest Music In The World - *** A *very* unusual film that will lead to more viewings of Guy Maddin films (there are 28 as of this writing). Certainly very visual so if you're a fan of the look of silent films, I would highly recommend.
Coffee & Cigarettes - *** This film made me laugh, I liked the dialogue and most of it seemed improvised. Someday I'm going to do a Jim Jarmusch marathon because I don't remember much about his films yet I think they deserve deeper study.

October Screenings:

13 Going on 30 - **1/2
Saved! - ***
THX 1138 - **
Dreamscape - ***
Butterfly Effect - ***
Connie & Carla - **1/2
Identity - **
Firefox - **
Van Helsing - ***
Ella Enchanted - ***
Van Helsing: London Assignment - **
Garfield - *
Dune - **
Dogville - ***
La Cage Aux Folles - **1/2
La Cage Aux Folles 2 - **1/2
The Human Stain - **1/2
Man on Fire - ***
Northfork - **1/2
Sinbad: Legend of the 7 Seas - ***
Young Adam - **1/2
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron - ***
I Am Sam - ***1/2

July Screenings:

Paycheck - ***
Welcome to Collinwood - ***
Kill Bill Vol.1 - ***1/2
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - **
Bowling for Columbine - ***
Saturday Night Fever - ***
Duplex - **
Along Came Polly - **1/2
Love Actually - ***
Caligula - **1/2
West Side Story - ****
Fog of War - **1/2
To Live and Die in L.A. - ***
Battlefield Earth - **
The Gift - ***
Darkman - ***
Hanging Up - **1/2
Mambo Italiano - **1/2
The Singing Detective - **1/2
Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life - **
The Core - ***

Stuck on You - **1/2
 
Good performances by Damon and especially Kinnear doesn't help this 30 min. too long comedy about conjoined twins. It has the heart most Farrelly brother films have and moments of inspiried humor, but the 'Star is Born' plot takes up too much of the movie. I enjoyed the beginning with the daily routine of their home-town life and would have much rather seen this as a road-movie, a la Bubble Boy.

Stir of Echoes - ***
 
Given this film's release date was one month after The Sixth Sense and they're both about boys who see dead people, 'Stir' didn't have a chance. How little of a chance? About 270 million dollars less of a chance than the sleeper box-office champ 'Sense' had. Would this film have been the summer sleeper of '99 had M.Knight's film been released a month later? Doubtful--it doesn't have the wonderful intentional slow pace to build suspension that 'Sense' does. However, it plays well enough and has a good enough cast so if you put the similarities aside and concentrate on the film, you'll discover a good movie that knows the secret of horror films--less is more. I can't imagine director David Keopp's state of mind as he watched 'Sense' reign the box-office right up and through 'Echoes' debut.

Marthon from early April:

Looney Tunes: Back in Action***
Freddy Vs. Jason**
School of Rock***
Lost in Translation****
Dirty Pretty Things**
Once Upon A Time In Mexico**1/2
21 Grams***
Matrix: Revolutions*
The House of Sand and Fog***
28 Days Later**1/2

Open Range - ***

I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. Sure it's Rio Bravo meets Unforgiven meets every other western plot ever, but it's still done well enough that I was never bored. It's not masterful filmmaking like Costern's 'Dances With Wolves' but he does fare much better here than 'The Postman' or his uncredited work as a director in 'Waterworld.' As an actor, Costner holds the screen well enough, yet it's his few comedic moments that shows he return to something more light, a la 'Bull Durham' and 'Tin Cup'.

PS - Just when I thought the sound wasn't very good for a DTS track, the thunder from a storm scene kicked in -- the subwoofer nearly blew me right off the sofa (granted the sub sits directly behind the sofa, but still...) Just a reminder to everyone that DTS rules!

50 First Dates - ***

Yes, three stars - shut up! This delightful comedy had me smiling all the way through. Adam and Drew really do have some sort of chemistry that reminds me of all the great screwball comedy teams of the 30's and 40's. How about a remake of "His Girl Friday" with the roles reversed, having Adam being the fast-talking reporter who won't let his ex-wife remarry??? A well-made film with all those heart-felt moments I've come to not only respect, but admire in all Adam Sandler films.

Bug - **1/2

A boy squishes a bug and sets off a chain of events and comes full circle to have his actions directly affect his life. It's non-linear "Altman-esque" approach make this an unusual film, but is good enough that I was never bored. It has that, 'waiting for it to get started' feeling and you realize half-way in that it is what it is. Something for those people who say, "it's all been done -- nothing's original anymore."

Cold Mountain - ***

Anthony Minghella proves he's a great cinematic director and adds another commendable project to his already honored resume. A great cast, with the exception of a mis-cast Nicole Kidman (or a poorly written part for an always watchable performer), and excellent cinemetography make this a good film, but probably not enough to entice many small-screen viewers to become fans.

A Mighty Wind - ***

Great companion to Guest's "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best in Show" (my personal fav of the three). It's so difficult to tell what's improved and what's scripted as it's all seamlessly performed. It's not as funny as the other two films mentioned, but given the talent it takes to carry off something like this it's still entertaining, esp. if you're a *music* lover (i.e., enjoy more than 2 genres). Highly honored for several of it's performances and songs, including winning an Oscar nomination for "Kiss At the End of the Rainbow" and winning a Grammy for "A Mighty Wind."

Miracle - ***

I really hope Kurt Russell isn't forgotten come award season. His accent was dead on, not unlike Bill Macy's in "Fargo" but was never humorous--which is a credit to each actor and their approach (because it is a funny accent!) The film is basically a Mighty Ducks for grown-ups or Remember the Titans on ice, but it's done well enough to work on all levels.

Mystic River - ***1/2

This is one of those films where you know what happens, then you don't, then you're sure you do and you don't care when you're wrong because the story, performances, scenery and over all direction of the film takes you on a fantastic ride. Tim Robbins earned a well-deserved Supporting Oscar, turning in a better performance than the always great Sean Penn (winner of the Best Actor Oscar for this film).

Love Actually - ***1/2

A long running time cuts this short of perfection. Eight couples have a story, each worty of a film on their own right, but they're all condensed and connected like a Robert Altman film. However, extremely brilliant casting and endearing performances all around make this an absolute contender for yearly viewing during the holiday season.

Brother Bear - **1/2

For no reason I didn't want to like this movie. After the first 20 minutes I felt my reason of no reason was justified. Then 'the change' happens and the film kicks into gear. Thankfully, everytime things start to turn down the sappy road, Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis show up as Canadian Moose and save the moment. One would hope we'll eventuall see a video sequal with these two (see Lion King 1 1/2).

Murder By Numbers - *

Ryan Gosling gives a memorable performance in this otherwise forgetful remake of Hitchcock's Rope. Note to Sandra Bullock - stick to cute and vulnerable, not bitchy/bossy/macho and vulnerable.

Bubba Ho-Tep - **

A fantastic performance by Bruce Campbell and the always great Ossie Davis, but I feel the film doesn't balance the horror/dark humor as well as one would hope, given such a premise. A sure-fire cult classic, the film just didn't click with me.

Whale Rider - ****

Destined to become a classic. A must-see for kids of all ages, despite a completely unfair PG-13 rating. Keisha Castle-Hughes completely deserved her Oscar nomination.

In America - ***

A wonderful movie. Beautifully acted, especially by the two daughters who are sister's in real life. I've not seen a film directed by Jim Sheridan yet but I'll be adding all of his work to my Netflix queue.

Eight Crazy Nights - **1/2

It's no 'Grinch' but it has at its core the heart of most of Adam's films. May not become a holiday staple, but it may make it into my rotation along w/ A Christmas Story, Scrooged and Christmas Vacation.

Anger Management - **1/2

I'm a big Adam Sandler fan, with Little Nickey being the extreme exception. Honestly, I found the chemistry between Nicholson and Sandler quite humorous especially when playing opposite each other in an emotional volley of yelling at each other. It's no Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore, but I'm glad Adam's expanding himself or we never would have seen a variation of range he expressed in Punch-Drunk Love.

The Lion King 1 1/2 - **1/2

Not quite feature material, but much better than normal video sequel fare. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern approach may not be considered 'original' yet surely rare for this genre. Thankfully most of the original cast are here and make for an enjoyable film.

What's next? Hamlet w/ the cast of Toy Story?

Woody: Alas, poor Mr. Potato Head! I knew him, Buzz - a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

Barefoot in the Park - ***

I don't remember any specifics other than just liking this movie. Very much a filmed version of the play, the cast and script are likable enough to keep it moving. Great if you're nostalgic for a 60's view of New York.

Pillow Talk - ***

What would Nora Ephron be doing today were it not for films like this? The quintesenntial 'romantic comedy' post screwball era. Rock Hudson and Doris Day fit dashingly into the roles worn by Cary Grant and Kathryn Hepburn before them, and Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan after them.

The Triplets of Belleville - ***1/2

I regret not seeing this in a theatre but will definitely see it again soon w/ video projection. Visually stunning, nearly silent film with extremely catchy music. Weird, distrubing, funny... everything animation should be!

Fahrenheit 451- **1/2

Interesting enough if you're into that big brother aspect of society. Me, I prefer my music outlawed instead of literature and to fight for my freedom against robots. I only watched it because of it's comparison to Equilibrium (see below).

Taps - ***

Strong performances by Sean Penn, Timothy Hutton and especailly Tom Cruise make this a near 'must see' if you follow any of the actor's careers.

Equilibrium - ***

I remember liking the look of the film from the trailer, then read horrible reviews and put it out of my mind. Then Roger Ebert made a reference to it on a show saying how good it was (I think sometime around when Matrix Reloaded was released) and changed my mind. Definitely cult film material - look to hear more about this film in the coming years.

Safe - **1/2

Julianne Moore carries this film far, considering it's meticulous pacing, and proved she'd be a contending actress in the coming years. She's the new/next Meryl Streep and has caught my attention since my initial screening of Short Cuts back in 1993. Comparing this effort from writer/director Todd Haynes to his visually stunning Far From Heaven, it seems isolated housewives (both Julianne Moore) may be a common theme that interests him, although I don't recall this theme in Velvet Goldmine.

Training Day - **1/2

Above-average 'buddy cop' movie w/ a twist. As much as Denzel was deservedly applauded and honored, I feel Ethan Hawke had a great performanced to match, and it's quickly forgotten that he was nominated for his first SAG and Oscar for this supporting role.

Freaky Friday - **1/2

Fun film and entertaining performances by Jamie Lee Curtis and the always promising Lindsay Lohan.

The next few reviews will be very brief as I didn't make any notes while viewing and since the purchase of a video projector, I've spent a lot of time watching and little time writing. Once I'm caught up I hope to expand on some of these.

Mostly I'm just adding these to keep the 'movie log' up to date.

The Virgin Suicides - ***

A great start to a promising career for Sophia Coppola.

Big Fish - ***

Three is a bit generous as I feel this film never really reached a peak worthy of its elements. Brilliant casting in mediocre performances, great story that was anti-climactic and the running time was a bit long. Overall a nice addition to Burton's catalog.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 - ***

Wonderful film. Uma Thurman is absolutely fantastic and should have been nominated for several awards this year. I'm guessing they were saving the best for last as I've heard raves about Vol. 2. I'm sure her name will pop up more early next year when award show season comes around. Totally involving cinematic experience.

Last of the Red Hot Lovers - **1/2

If you like Neil Simon, Alan Arkin and films that take place mostly in one room like the plays that inspired them, you'll enjoy this.

Cinematically, I hear all the time how these types of films are terrible because they look like a play that was filmed--I don't have a problem with that. If it had never been filmed, I'd never have seen it and been denyed an enjoyable performance by Arkin.

Every Which Way But Loose - **1/2

A fun film overall - nothing too serious going on here and Ruth Gordon is hi-larious. In a year where most big films grossed around $40 million, this ape of a tale went past the $80 million mark--not bad for film about a fist-fighter and his orang-utan buddy, Clyde. A sneak peak into the past when the San Fernando Valley (my neighborhood) didn't seem such a bad place to live.

Rock-N-Roll High School - **1/2

Had I seen this while I was a teenager I probably would have loved it. I'm embarrassed to admit that as much as I do like the Ramones music, I'm totally unfamiliar with most of their work, yet appreciate and understand their influence on much of the music of my teen years--hair band metal. What was I thinking?!

Joe Dante shows here the potential he proved in some of his later films (Gremlins, Innerspace, The Burbs). In my opinion, he's either a director you "get or don't get," and in the former, such as my case, he provides great entertainment.

The Andromeda Strain - **1/2

Meticulously paced but strangely engaging tale of a mysterious virus that emerges in a small New Mexico town. Good for a rainy afternoon when you're in a non-spaceship/alien/monster sci-fi mood. I forsee an update/remake in the future, given the contemporary bio-weapon atmosphere in our world.

The Professionals - ***

One of the last great westerns of a slowly fading genre (revived in the early 90's), this film features a great cast and earned Oscar nods for it's directing, screenplay and cinemetography.

Meatballs - **1/2

This is a movie that seems to be made up as it goes along, and nothing relating to a plot ever gets started, yet the characters and atmosphere seemed to take me back to days gone by. It's like a love letter to anyone who went to camp, especially in the 80's. Would make a great double bill with Indian Summer, especially as Matt Craven is in both films. While the characters in Indian Summer are in no way related to those in Meatballs, the personalities are the same, just older.

Godspell - *1/2

Um, no.

Bringing Broadway shows to film just doesn't often translate. It took them 25 year to figure out how to do Chicago and after seeing Godspell, I'm thinking they should have taken as long if not longer. I'm all for musicals, even when the leads suddenly burst into song but the performances here are over-blown and dull. It's amazing to see how well an adaptation can be (Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, The Music Man, and almost anything from FOX in the 50's/60's) and how poorly it can be represented when you're basically doing the same thing; taking people singing on a stage setting and putting it to film in a "real-life" setting. JCS is about as basic as can be when it comes to it's main elements--the script is all music, the sets are a bare minimum and the performances carry over with great subtley, yet an there is an understanding with the filmmaker that the stage and screen are two different art forms but a story is a story. It just has to be handled differently, depending on the medium. This version of Godspell is just an out-door filming of actors turning in stage performances.

Millenium Actress - **1/2

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have seen very few Anime films and every one I see seems to get better than the last. This story brings an imaginative narrative to life by utilizing its extraordinary visual design to its fullest capacity. A movie studio is being torn down and one of it's most well-known actresses, now in Garbo-like seclusion, is being interviewed about her life. During her retelling of her past, her interviewers are mystically transported back in time to the exact time and place she is discussing and are able to act and react to all the situations. If you just flow with it, you'll enjoy it more than asking tons of questions during.

At least in this film they don't have a time machine where they could just go back to the day before any traumatic events and change history.

Frances - **1/2

Jessica Lange took home an Oscar in 1982 for her supporting role in "Tootsie," but she was also nominated in the Lead Actress category for this melodramtic biopic of actress Frances Farmer.

It is my firm belief that this movie is responsible for the Lifetime Network. It's unclear how much dramatic license the filmmakers took but it's evident from what they present that every bad thing that ever happened to a lead character in a Lifetime movie happened to Frances during the span of only a few years. It's melodramatic, over the top and often unbalanced--actors probably love this movie.

I have no knowledge of Frances Farmer nor do I care to research her career any further, however, Lange certainly deserved her recognition for this role that will forever remind me of all my ex-girlfriends.

Time After Time - ***

A brilliant concept and imaginative effects accompany this Sci-Fi thriller from the late 70's. Nobody plays their roles for camp which would be difficult not to when given such lines as, "My name is H.G. Wells. I came here in a time machine of my own construction. I am pursuing Jack the Ripper, who escaped into the future in my machine."

The plot has more than its share of loopholes, which is common among films involving time travel (especially those containing a machine--seriously, just go back to the day before it all happens and prevent it!) and it dragged on a bit towards the end, which I found very unsatisfying. It's still worth a look if you're in a Sci-Fi mood but it's more Twilight Zone than Aliens.

The Last Samurai - **

AKA "Dances With The Last of the ThirtySomething Braveheart Mohicans." Great cinematography, gorgeous costume design and admirable performances by Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe doesn't save this completely Hollywoodized film from coming off as an Oscar-nominee wannabe. The film's running time of 154 minutes could easily have been shaved to 120. I'm not complaining about long running times, it's the pacing of the film--ROTK's 201 min. goes by much quicker, yet, so did the oral surgery when I had my wisdom teeth removed. Only slightly more painful.

When Tom Cruise works with great directors, he turns in great performances. One need only see "The Color of Money," "Rain Man," "Born on the Fourth of July," "Magnolia" and my favorite, "Jerry Maguire," to see Tom's capability as an actor. Unfortunately, as director Zwick's last job was helming ABC's "Once and Again,' he should have warned Tom that he has trouble differentiating between a big screen and a small one.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three - ***

Enjoyable hijacking pic with a great ensemble cast headed by Walter Matthau. I've often thought that Tom Hanks and Mr. Matthau have several similarities in some of their characters they play and I could easily see Hanks playing the lead in a remake. A television remake was a done a few years ago and apparently my gift for casting will go unnoticed.

If the film doesn't interest you yet you're a Tarantino fan, note that the characters call each other by colors, as in Mr. Grey, Mr. Blue and Mr. Green.

Cheaper by the Dozen - **1/2

Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt are parents of 12 kids. Ooh, the possibilities. Sadly, this movie quickly turns from humorous slapstick to a Thirty Something/after school special and smothers the rather inspiring work of the younger actors. These young thespians represent themselves more like actual siblings than cutsy kids in a movie, which I found very refreshing. More of the interaction among the kids would have made this movie a terrific comedy, but Martin and Hunt make for a good combo--would love to see these two paired again in smart romance--something from Nancy Meyers, James L. Brooks or Cameron Crowe perhaps...?

Master and Commander: The Far side of the World - *

When I think of a film with a cast entirely of men, set on a boat at sea where all they do is play with their cannons and shoot them at other men, I expect some action. Starring Russell Crowe doesn't hurt.

Jokingly, I hint at a gay subtext. However, since this film is mostly dinner parties and string duets, a few scenes of raw man-on-man sex would not only gay it down a few pegs, but also liven the plot.

Maybe the next film will be called, "Master and Commander and Will and Grace."