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Directed by: Michael Bay
Written by: George Gallow, Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland, Doug Richardson
Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, T�a Leoni
My rating: * * * 1/2
C, A, Cr
Directed by: Michael Bay
Written By: screenplay by Ron Shelton and Jerry Stahl, story by Marianne Wibberley &
Cormac Wibberley and Ron Shelton, characters by George Gallo
Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Gabriel Union, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle
Review: Bigger action that the first Bad Boys movie but not better. This has some very distasteful moments where the previous didn't, some of its comedy is over-the-top, and mildly offensive rather than funny. Still the action and stunts are certainly decent, and without a few very dodgy moments in the movie, it's good entertainment. I just don't consider dead bodies being run over in a car chase either funny or entertaining. But Will Smith and Martin Lawrence still have that same rapport and they still kick butt in their usual way. So if you can overlook the dodgy bits you should find it a half-decent action movie.
My rating: * * *
C, A, Cr
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Written by: Harley Peyton
Starring: Bruce Willis, Cate Blanchett, Billy Bob Thornton
My rating: * * *
C, D, R, A
Directed by: Tim Burton
Written by: Bob Kane, Sam Hamm, Warren Skaaren
Starring: Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Jack Nicholson
My rating: * * * *
D, A, T, Cr, SF
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer, based on characters created by Bob Kane
Starring: Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy
Review: Some thought it was too soon to return to the Caped Crusader after the blunders of Batman & Robin and Batman Forever. Thankfully Batman Begins is very much a return to form for the Batman series. From what I remember of Tim Burton�s Batman, this latest offering is as good, better even, and certainly has none of the kitsch of the aforementioned later movies.
This film makes the character of Batman the most realistic and believable we have seen. The movie really goes back to the origins of Batman and spends ample time exploring who Bruce Wayne is and why he does what he does. We find out why the symbol of the bat means so much, where he gets all his gadgets from and so on.
Christian Bale is excellent as Bruce Wayne/Batman, creating the two personas as their own separate entity. Michael Caine is wonderful as Alfred and gives the film many of the few laughs it has. Cillian Murphy is just a bit terrifying as Batman�s nemesis, the Scarecrow. As for Katie Holmes, many have criticised her performance and/or her casting, but I think she did just fine, the only bit I didn�t like was the whole thing between her and Bruce Wayne near the end. Thankfully they put in a nice future villain reference at the very end to tantalise and ready us for the inevitable sequel. It will be a challenge, however, to make the sequel as good as this, because a lot of the success of this movie is due to the exploration of how Batman came to be. However, I won�t write it off yet. As an example, Spider-Man 2 was just as good, if not better than the original, as it explored what happens to a super-hero when saving the world begins to erode all chances of having a personal life. It also showed how a well-developed villain can help as well.
But back to Batman Begins; it is certainly no popcorn comic book movie. It�s dark and violent and sometimes quite frightening with mostly excellent performances and character development. Recommended.
My rating: * * * * 1/2
D, A, T, Cr, H
Directed by: Harold Ramis
Written by: Peter Cook & Dudley Moore (1967 screenplay), Larry Gelbart, Harold Ramis, Peter Tolan
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Hurley, Frances O'Connor
My rating: * * *
C
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Written by: Charlie Kaufman
Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
My rating: * * * *
C, D
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Ken Nolan, based upon the book by Mark Bowden
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana , Tom Sizemore , Ewan McGregor , Sam Shepard
My rating: * * * * 1/2
O, W, D
Directed by: Ted Demme
Written by: David McKenna, Nick Cassavetes, based on a book by Bruce Porter
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Rachel Griffiths, Paul Reubens, Ray Liotta
My rating: * * * 1/2
D, T, R
Directed by: Doug Liman
Written by: Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron, based on the book by Robert Ludlum
Starring: Matt Damon, Franke Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox
My rating: * * * 1/2
A, T
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Written by: Tony Gilroy, based on the book by Robert Ludlum
Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles, Karl Urban
Review: A worthy follow-up to 2002's The Bourne Identity, this spy thriller keeps the action going as it covers locations from India to numerous European cities. A couple of good car chases and some plot intrigue keeps it interesting, and the hand-held camera is a nice touch, although at times it becomes a little head-spinning and makes it harder to focus on the action. Matt Damon reprises the role of Jason Bourne (this is Damon's first sequel, soon to be followed by Ocean's 12) and does a good job of it, as do the other cast members, but this movie isn't so much about the acting as the action. I liked this movie because it had a very European feel, even though most of the actors were American, and espionage thrillers are unfortunately fewer these days which is a pity because they (including this one) often make for more intelligent action movies.
My rating: * * * 1/2
A, T
Directed by: Sharon Maguire
Written by: Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis, based on the book by Helen Fielding
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth
My rating: * * * *
C, D, R
Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, based on the novel by Annie Proulx
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway
My rating: * * * *
D, R
Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Written by: Steve Koren, Mark O'Keefe, Steve Oedekerk
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman
Review: This is a charming and funny movie, with Jim Carrey in his element. He really is a very gifted comedic actor, although what you think of him may depend on your taste in comedy. This movie made me laugh out loud in parts, which most so-called comedies don't often do. Sure its silly but its also very funny. The religious elements do not come on too strong and it is neither particularly offensive to God nor too moralistic. It perhaps gets a litle sentimental near the close of the movie, but the end is funny, and the bloopers in the credits are hilarious.
My rating: * * * 1/2
C, R
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Jeff Nathanson, based on the book by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Review: A bit of a different turn for Steven Spielberg with Catch Me If You Can, since we don't usually see him doing comedy, but it works. This film is funny as well as touching, and very stylishly made, with a brilliant score from John Williams. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a great performance as Frank Abagnale Jr., con man extraordinaire at the age of 17, giving him depth and showing the contrast in his character. At times he just seems like a kid who wants someone to listen (that someone ends up being Tom Hanks, good as always) and at other times he is able to successfully impersonate numerous professional adults while cashing millions in forged checks. I really marvelled at Frank Abagnale, Jr, he was brilliant at what he did (even though it was wrong), and for those who know the end to the real story (Abagnale now works for the FBI in the forgery department), all I can say is, some people have all the luck!
My rating: * * * *
C, D, A, Cr
Directed by: Tarsem Singh
Written by: Mark Protosevich
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Weber, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Dylan Baker
Review: Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) is a child psychologist who is working with an experimental technique that allows her to go into the mind of comatose patients and communicate with them when no one else can.
When serial killer Carl Stargher (a creepy Vincent D�Onofrio) falls into a comatose state before the FBI can question where he is keeping his latest victim, Catherine must go into his depraved mind to find out where his victim is being kept before time runs out.
This movie isn�t quite up there with great serial killer films like Silence of the Lambs or Seven, but Vincent D�Onofrio still makes a fantastically disturbing antagonist. As for the rest of the cast, well firstly, it�s strange to see Vince Vaughn (as FBI agent Peter Novak) in a serious role. He�s made so many comedies over the past few years since making this movie, but he�s still more than fine in this role. Jennifer Lopez also does a good job as Catherine Deane, playing her as compassionate and empathetic, a person who will take great personal risks to benefit the children she's working with.
However, probably the most successful parts of this film are the amazing production design, effects, costumes and makeup. Some truly disturbing places are visited while Catherine is in Stargher�s mind and they are marvelously rendered.
As far as serial killer / horror movies go, you should get your fair share of scares as well as a few horrible images lingering in your mind. Look out for (or maybe avoid) a scene where someone gets their intestines pulled out with an archaic torture device�ugh. It really makes your stomach churn.
Not a bad film, all in all, and worth watching especially for the amazing visuals.
My rating: * * * 1/2
D, T, H, Cr
reviewed June 2006
Directed by: David R. Ellis
Written by: Story by Larry Cohen, screenplay by Chris Morgan
Starring: Chris Evans, Kim Basinger, Jason Statham, William H. Macy
Review: Jessica Martin (Kim Basinger) is a high school biology teacher who is unexpectedly kidnapped by a scary dude with a crew cut (Jason Statham) and his cronies. Knowing a little bit about science, she�s able to fix a smashed phone in the attic where they�re holding her and she connects with the cell phone of young and care-free Ryan (Chris Evans). Once he�s convinced that her story of being kidnapped is true he sets out to help her, and proceeds to do all manner of things, holding up a cell phone store for a charger, stealing two cars, driving all over LA chasing the guys who�ve kidnapped her and are threatening her family. He is aided by a weary cop (William H. Macy) who wants to quit the job and open a day spa.
The film gets right into the action at the beginning and it doesn�t really let down from that point on. It is a decent action thriller with a few good points to make about today�s cell phone users. There is plenty of action and enough laughs to keep it entertaining, and while the actors don�t really stretch themselves, emerging actor Chris Evans does a decent job in the lead role.
This film is also a nice antithesis to Phone Booth, which was written by Larry Cohen, the guy who gets the �story by�� credit on this one. Although its not quite as tight as the aforementioned movie, nor is Evans as compelling as Colin Farrell was, it's an entertaining action thriller with a few nice touches of humour directed at the mobile phone generation.
My rating: * * * 1/2
A, T
Directed by: McG
Written by: John August, Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Bernie Mac, Crispin Glover, Demi Moore
My rating: * * * 1/2
C, A
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Written by: Bill Condon, based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and musical by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah
Review: Stylish, glittery and glamorous feature film version of the Broadway hit musical Chicago. The actors all do fine jobs, especially with all the singing and dancing. Zellweger and Zeta-Jones prove to be very capable performers with strong vocal displays. It was an ambitious project to bring a hit stage musical to the screen, not knowing if it would translate, but this film definitely works, and I can hardly find a flaw in the production. Fun, vibrant, full of style, and very entertaining.
My rating: * * * *
O, Cr, Mu
Directed by: Michael Mann
Written by: Stuart Beattie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Mark Ruffalo, Jada Pinkett Smith
Review: Set between the hours of dusk and dawn on the roads, freeways and back alleys of L.A., Michael Mann�s latest film is swathed in tones of blue, set to a soundtrack of chilled out tunes and urban beats. Jamie Foxx is Max, a cab driver whose fate it is to pick up Tom Cruise�s hit man, Vincent, who offers Max $600 to chauffer him around town while he carries out some business. Once the first body hits the roof of the cab, Max realises what business it is and wants out but it�s too late. The scene is set � Max has to drive Vincent around, knowing he is helping him to kill people, but getting shot himself if he doesn�t. His terror escalates, yet at the same time, Vincent�s cool grip on things slips and Max begins to take control of the situation.
One of the real highlights of this film is the intelligence of the script, particularly the exchanges between Max and Vincent. I was reminded of Mann�s earlier film Heat (1995), and the play between Al Pacino�s cop and Robert DeNiro�s criminal.
The acting is first-class. To begin with, Tom Cruise assays a character that is his most evil to date. The trademark charm is there in Vincent, but it is a facade, the smile is there to mock. Tom Cruise is so convincingly cold and brutal; he plays Vincent as a man with the calmness and precision to take lives with absolutely no hesitation or remorse. He also plays him with an element of humanity, and we see the edges begin to fray on Vincent as the night draws on. Jamie Foxx, best known for his comedy, checks it at the door and convinces as a man thrown into a frightening ordeal, scared to hell and back, but trying to grasp some hold of the situation.
The cinematography is beautiful, with slow, dreamy shots of city lights and palms swaying in the wind, accompanied by laid-back music, which amps up to operatic heights towards the climax of the film. The action scenes are well executed and convey a real sense of terror and adrenaline. This is a superior, well-crafted, engrossing thriller that will leave you with a chill.
My rating: * * * * 1/2
D, T
Directed by: Kevin Reynolds
Written by: Jay Wolpert, based upon the book by Alexandre Dumas
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris
My rating: * * * 1/2
A, R, D
Directed by: Carlos Carerra
Written by: Vicente Lenero, based on the book by Eca de Queirosnero
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancon, Sancho Gracia
My rating: * * * 1/2
D, R, FL
Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: Hui-Ling Wang, James Schamus and Kuo Jung Tsai, based upon the book by Du Lu Wang
Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen
My rating: * * * * 1/2
A, R, D, FL, O