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.