Starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman
This thriller follows an innocent man as he is spied on and victimized by shadowy operatives using the sophisticated surveillance and information technology possessed by spy agencies. It has a serious subtext; how important is our privacy, and how can it be protected?
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Producers (2006)
Musical; Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick
A movie producer and an accountant set out to make a failed Broadway musical in order to get rich. Things don’t go as they planned; their “guaranteed failure” becomes a success.
A movie producer and an accountant set out to make a failed Broadway musical in order to get rich. Things don’t go as they planned; their “guaranteed failure” becomes a success.
Nanny McPhee (2006)
Starring Emma Thompson and Colin Firth
This warm, funny movie is about a family of unruly children confronting a determined and mysterious nanny. It’s not just an updated Mary Poppins, though it is a worthy successor to that film for a new generation.
This warm, funny movie is about a family of unruly children confronting a determined and mysterious nanny. It’s not just an updated Mary Poppins, though it is a worthy successor to that film for a new generation.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Starring Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens; Directed by Mel Brooks
After Blazing Saddles, you’ll never be able to see another western quite the same. It spoofs the entire genre, having a lot of fun in the process. Some of the sight (and sound) gags are delightful.
After Blazing Saddles, you’ll never be able to see another western quite the same. It spoofs the entire genre, having a lot of fun in the process. Some of the sight (and sound) gags are delightful.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Starring Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle; Directed by Mel Brooks
Shot in luminous black and white, this spoof of creature movies features hilarious scenes and delightful slapstick. This is one of Wilder’s best and funniest films.
Shot in luminous black and white, this spoof of creature movies features hilarious scenes and delightful slapstick. This is one of Wilder’s best and funniest films.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal
Two cowboys fall in love while tending sheep. This is a gorgeously made movie with beautiful scenery and a sad story of two men who find themselves in an impossible place. Due to mature content, parents must decide if this is appropriate for their children.
Two cowboys fall in love while tending sheep. This is a gorgeously made movie with beautiful scenery and a sad story of two men who find themselves in an impossible place. Due to mature content, parents must decide if this is appropriate for their children.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
Starring Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow
This is a throwback to old TV serials and B-movie thrillers. The science fiction plot is improbable, but stars Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow light up the screen. The special effects are very special in this film; it's very beautiful because of the unique way in which the movie was made. To say that the effects are "computer-generated" is to miss the point about what makes this film so much fun.
This is a throwback to old TV serials and B-movie thrillers. The science fiction plot is improbable, but stars Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow light up the screen. The special effects are very special in this film; it's very beautiful because of the unique way in which the movie was made. To say that the effects are "computer-generated" is to miss the point about what makes this film so much fun.
Remember the Titans (2000)
Starring Denzel Washington and Will Patton
This great sports film follows a coach (Denzel Washington) as he works to integrate a school system's football program. It adds a special element to the standard story of how a coach mobilizes a team to reach into their potential and excel. This is a believable and inspiring film based on a true story.
This great sports film follows a coach (Denzel Washington) as he works to integrate a school system's football program. It adds a special element to the standard story of how a coach mobilizes a team to reach into their potential and excel. This is a believable and inspiring film based on a true story.
Good Night & Good Luck (2005)
Starring David Stathairn and George Clooney
This is a stunning look at Edward R. Murrow's work in opposing the corrosive effect of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. It features an Oscar-nominated performance by David Stathairn, and an Oscar-winning performance by George Clooney (who also wrote and directed) as Murrow's producer Fred Friendly.
This is a stunning look at Edward R. Murrow's work in opposing the corrosive effect of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. It features an Oscar-nominated performance by David Stathairn, and an Oscar-winning performance by George Clooney (who also wrote and directed) as Murrow's producer Fred Friendly.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, and Ralph Fiennes
This is a good entry in the Harry Potter movie opus. Harry's entering adolescence, and it's more terrifying for him and Ron to ask a girl for a date than to face all the supernatural evil of Lord Voldemort. I like the dark, serious tone that director Mike Newell lends to this movie, yet the movie still has some of the extremely funny sensibility of the best of the Harry Potter books.
This is a good entry in the Harry Potter movie opus. Harry's entering adolescence, and it's more terrifying for him and Ron to ask a girl for a date than to face all the supernatural evil of Lord Voldemort. I like the dark, serious tone that director Mike Newell lends to this movie, yet the movie still has some of the extremely funny sensibility of the best of the Harry Potter books.
Howl's Moving Castle (2005)
Animated; Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
This is from Japanese moviemaker Hayao Miyazaki, who created the dazzling Sprited Away. This tale is about a young girl who undergoes a startling transformation, and must learn about the world and herself during her quest to return to normal.
This is from Japanese moviemaker Hayao Miyazaki, who created the dazzling Sprited Away. This tale is about a young girl who undergoes a startling transformation, and must learn about the world and herself during her quest to return to normal.
Firewall (2006)
Starring Harrison Ford (2006)
Bank robbers hold the family of a bank security specialist hostage so that they can rob his bank. The resourceful specialist (Harrison Ford) works to thwart the robbers and save his family. Paul Bettany is menacing as the evil chief of the robbers. Predictable, okay if you like Ford. (Received Oscar nominations for best supporting role by a ditch-digging implement, and for most creative use of an iPod.)
Bank robbers hold the family of a bank security specialist hostage so that they can rob his bank. The resourceful specialist (Harrison Ford) works to thwart the robbers and save his family. Paul Bettany is menacing as the evil chief of the robbers. Predictable, okay if you like Ford. (Received Oscar nominations for best supporting role by a ditch-digging implement, and for most creative use of an iPod.)
Friday, February 2, 2007
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1996)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes; Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Australian director Baz Luhrmann offers us a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in an urban landscape with gangs and guns. The language is still Shakespeare’s, but the look and feel are all Luhrmann’s. It seems a bit shrill, but very interesting visually; this is a high-energy tragedy.
Australian director Baz Luhrmann offers us a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in an urban landscape with gangs and guns. The language is still Shakespeare’s, but the look and feel are all Luhrmann’s. It seems a bit shrill, but very interesting visually; this is a high-energy tragedy.
The Descent (2006)
The Descent is a horror movie about a group of female spelunkers (cave explorers) who choose to explore the wrong cave. It’s been compared to Alien.
The Polar Express (2004)
Starring Tom Hanks; Animated
This is a magical movie all about Santa Claus and a child’s journey to the North Pole. This is destined to become a Christmas classic. Tom Hanks dazzles as he portrays many different characters in this film. Some of the animation is breathtakingly beautiful.
This is a magical movie all about Santa Claus and a child’s journey to the North Pole. This is destined to become a Christmas classic. Tom Hanks dazzles as he portrays many different characters in this film. Some of the animation is breathtakingly beautiful.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom & Keira Knightly
This sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl has humor, some great action scenes, and some almost unbelievable stunts and special effects. You won't soon forget the human balls, the hamster wheel, or the Kraken. It's good clean fun, suitable for family viewing.
This sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl has humor, some great action scenes, and some almost unbelievable stunts and special effects. You won't soon forget the human balls, the hamster wheel, or the Kraken. It's good clean fun, suitable for family viewing.
Cars (2006)
Animated
This is a well-done treat that imagines a world built, inhabited, and run by cars. The story of the brash racing car who needs to learn humbleness isn’t ground-breaking, but it’s well-done. Some of the visuals of the western U.S. are stunningly realized.
This is a well-done treat that imagines a world built, inhabited, and run by cars. The story of the brash racing car who needs to learn humbleness isn’t ground-breaking, but it’s well-done. Some of the visuals of the western U.S. are stunningly realized.
Superman Returns (2006)
Starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Kevin Spacey, and Frank Langella
I liked the Christopher Reeve version of Superman (1 and 2, anyway) more. Iowa native Brandon Routh does a good job as the new Man of Steel; he just doesn’t have as good a script, or as good of a supporting cast. Things are more complex as Superman has been away from Earth for several years; he returns to find Lois Lane married (and with a child), and Lex Luther (played with cold glee by Kevin Spacey) up to no good.
I liked the Christopher Reeve version of Superman (1 and 2, anyway) more. Iowa native Brandon Routh does a good job as the new Man of Steel; he just doesn’t have as good a script, or as good of a supporting cast. Things are more complex as Superman has been away from Earth for several years; he returns to find Lois Lane married (and with a child), and Lex Luther (played with cold glee by Kevin Spacey) up to no good.
The Shaggy Dog (2006)
Starring Tim Allen
In this Disney movie a man turns into a dog. As a result he comes to understand his family better, and becomes a better man. Plus, he can now catch Frisbees in his mouth.
In this Disney movie a man turns into a dog. As a result he comes to understand his family better, and becomes a better man. Plus, he can now catch Frisbees in his mouth.
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin
A Fish Called Wanda is an excruciating funny movie in which the excellent ensemble cast entertain us in a variety of ways. This film features a transcendentally funny turn by Kevin Kline.
A Fish Called Wanda is an excruciating funny movie in which the excellent ensemble cast entertain us in a variety of ways. This film features a transcendentally funny turn by Kevin Kline.
V for Vendetta (2006)
Starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman
V for Vendetta is a dark, violent, ultimately affirming vision of a totalitarian world in which a solitary hero fights for everyone’s freedom with swords and bombs.
V for Vendetta is a dark, violent, ultimately affirming vision of a totalitarian world in which a solitary hero fights for everyone’s freedom with swords and bombs.
Monster House (2006)
Animated
Monster House is not just a children’s film. It is more like a myth or fairy tale, brought to life with truth and feeling. It’s Halloween-themed, which is why, I guess, the studio released it in the middle of the summer. (Perhaps they’ll release the DVD on Halloween.)
Monster House is not just a children’s film. It is more like a myth or fairy tale, brought to life with truth and feeling. It’s Halloween-themed, which is why, I guess, the studio released it in the middle of the summer. (Perhaps they’ll release the DVD on Halloween.)
Last Holiday (2006)
Starring Queen Latifah
Last Holiday is a good family movie; Latifah is entertaining as a store clerk who finds she has a month to live, and decides to spend every last dollar she has living her life to the fullest and fulfilling her deeply held dreams.
Last Holiday is a good family movie; Latifah is entertaining as a store clerk who finds she has a month to live, and decides to spend every last dollar she has living her life to the fullest and fulfilling her deeply held dreams.
Munich (2005)
Directed by Stephen Spielberg
Munich is a harrowing revenge procedural about a team of Israelis who hunt down and kill the people responsible for the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Munich is a harrowing revenge procedural about a team of Israelis who hunt down and kill the people responsible for the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
Starring Tom Cruise and Philip Seymour Hoffman
Mission Impossible 3 delivers for those who like explosions, guns, violence, and a chilling, nasty villain (Hoffman). Cruise is fun to watch, and the stunts are thrilling. It's a good, diverting summer movie.
Mission Impossible 3 delivers for those who like explosions, guns, violence, and a chilling, nasty villain (Hoffman). Cruise is fun to watch, and the stunts are thrilling. It's a good, diverting summer movie.
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