MOVIE

RATING

BRIEF COMMENTS

The Abyss*

7

James Cameron adventure flick about the tough crew of an undersea oil-exploration submarine and its captain (Ed Harris), who are tasked with rescuing a stranded nuclear submarine and end up getting a lot more than they bargained for.  Known (deservedly) for astonishing underwater photography and exciting action sequences; would be a truly great movie with better scripting and pacing. 

Beau Pere ("Handsome Father"--French)

2

Lounge piano player dating a divorcee takes up with the latter's teenage daughter when her mother dies. Tasteless and tiresome, with laughably over-acted dubbed voices instead of subtitles. You will get tired of the piano player's hang-dog looks about five minutes into the movie. 

Bend It Like Beckham

8

Enjoyable movie about young Indian-British woman (Parminder Nagra, who has since been on E. R.) who is fantastic at soccer, but has to battle it out with her traditionalist family to be allowed to play on a team.  She gets support from a good friend (Keira Knightley) and a coach, with whom there is a hint of romance (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).  A bit formulaic (I wanted to title it My Big Fat Indian Soccer Game), but still fun to watch.  I always seem to enjoy sports movies, even though I'm not a big sports person.

Brothers McMullen, The

8

Charming and understated indie comedy/drama of three very different Irish Catholic brothers in New York and the women who love them. Made for next to nothing by Edward Burns, but made a lot of that next-to-nothing, putting Burns on the map. 

Carbon Copy*

8

George Segal plays an ad executive whose midlife crisis is interrupted by a long-lost black son (Denzel Washington in his debut role), complicating his upper-class life; the other important role is his father-in-law/boss/mentor/devil’s advocate, played well by Jack Warden.  Billed as a silly comedy of manners, this is actually a much more intelligent and even moving film than you’d expect.  With more developed characters beyond the aforementioned trio, it would be a fantastic film. 

Cars

6

Pixar animated film with talking cars who live in a world with cars instead of humans; ultimate racer Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) learns a thing or two about life from an old vintage model, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman).  Not bad, but doesn't add much to the now-overdone genre of the fantastically-detailed-animated-film-with-jokes-adults-can-enjoy genre.  It does have some beautiful background landscapes (especially the western landscapes) and terrific vocal talent (Newman, Tony Shalhoub, and Cheech Marin, among others).  The irony of a movie that celebrates the way America was before the interstate, while featuring cuddly talking automobiles, wasn't lost on me. 

Central Station (Brazilian)

9

Immensely moving story of young boy, middle-aged woman, and unusual friendship they strike up traveling together across the pampas plains in southern Brazil. Develops deliberately and with surprising believability, despite the differences of the characters (somewhat similar to Finding Forrester in that regard); cinematography made me want to see southern Brazil someday.

Chasing Amy

9

Kevin Smith's triumph, about a comic-book writer (Ben Affleck) who falls for a colleague who happens to be a lesbian (Joey Lauren Adams). Car-stopping scene is one of the most moving love scenes on film. Jay and Silent Bob, of course, threaten to steal the whole thing.....

Coach Carter

6

Sporting-goods-store owner Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) takes over a troubled San-Francisco-area school basketball team, dispensing the usual tough-love-and-caring to the players there while (admirably) enforcing the academic eligibility rule.  Not a bad movie (it does get you to root for the kids, and Jackson is good as usual), but doesn't add much to the tough-school-hero genre established already by Lean on Me, Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds, and others.  Just once, I'd like to see a movie that argues that good education can be a team effort, and doesn't always happen because of a Tough Loner/Hero (or Heroine) Who Fights To Make It Happen Against the Evil School System.

Cool Hand Luke

10

Paul Newman stars as an inmate in a southern prison in the 1960's who can't quite get with the system; George Kennedy is almost as great as a rival who becomes a follower.  A landmark American film, made famous by the memorable line by Strother Martin (playing the mean warden), "what we got here is failure to communicate."  Morgan Woodward is a menacing presence as another prison official, the lead guard, and the rest of the cast is excellent.  Please see this. 

Cool Runnings (Jamaican)

8

Winning, and tremendously entertaining, sports-flick yarn about the first Jamaican bobsled team (yes, seriously!) and their long journey to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Canada.  A fun flick, and less formulaic than you might expect (although the music is a bit much).  John Candy (playing the classic old-coach-with-a-past) is excellent in what must have been one of his last roles, but the movie really belongs to the actors playing the team members.

Cruel Intentions

8

Excellent, if cynical, twenty-first century update of Dangerous Liaisons that uses rich kids in contemporary NYC instead of French nobility. Ryan Phillipe and Sara Michelle Gellar are the two baddies who plot the ruin of an innocent upper-crust girl (Reese Witherspoon); all impress, but Gellar really stands out in the Glenn Close role (she is one wicked chick!). 

Dead Man Walking

9

Very powerful story (based on real events) of irredeemable killer on Louisiana's death row (Sean Penn) and nun who tried to counsel him (Susan Sarandon).  Does excellent job of examining death penalty and taking a stand while acknowledging other points of view on the issue.  Local DC actor Robert Prosky has a prominent role.

Death at a Funeral

6

Farce about the death of an old-money English patriarch, and how his funeral unravels his wackily dysfunctional family.  Screamingly funny at times, but downright masochistic at others.  The best performances were by Matthew Macfayden, who seems like the English John Cusack, the lovely Keeley Hawes (playing his wife), and Peter Dinklage from The Station Agent.

Delirious

6

Clever farce starring John Candy as a likable soap-opera writer who hits his head and finds himself a character in his own soap, where he can influence events simply by "writing" them with his typewriter.  Soon, he's tempted to use this ability to win the love of the Miss Wrong he invented (Emma Samms), even as Miss Right (Mariel Hemingway) waits in the wings.  Quite funny at its best (especially Candy in one of
his last roles), but never quite lives up to its full humor potential.

Deliverance

9

Four suburban-yuppie friends (Burt Reynolds, John Voight, Ronnie Cox, and Ned Beatty) go canoeing on a soon-to-be-flooded river in northern Georgia; they get much more (to say the least) than they bargained for.  It's too bad that this movie's become such a cultural joke, because it's so much more than that; it's an absorbing adventure, a landmark moment in film history, and above all a thought-provoking moral choice.  The movie made Reynolds and Beatty (deservedly) famous, but I thought that Voight's performance was the best.  David Bromberg's famous "Dueling Banjos" tune is one of the best-known--and the best--things about the film; the scene in which it is used is truly stunning. 

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

5

Wayans brothers spoof of Boyz n' the Hood-type movies, with endless gags in the Airplane/Naked Gun tradition; some are clever, but many more misfire. Jill hated it with a passion!

Down in the Delta

6

Unremarkable story about older mother (Mary Alice) who sends her crack-addict daughter (Alfre Woodward) and her grandson (Mpho Koaho) from Chicago to their ancestral home and relatives in Mississippi, hoping that the country scene will give the daughter a chance to reform herself.  The film buys into the whole small-town-life-is-more-wholesome-and-moral-than-city-life myth a little too much, but there are some good performances, especially from Koaho, who has a bright future.  This was poet Maya Angelou's debut as a film director.

Dying Young

4

Romantic weepie starring Julia Roberts in her usual role as a no-nonsense working-class woman; in this case, she's hired as a nurse for a wealthy young man dying of leukemia (Campbell Scott).  You can see where this one is going a mile away, of course.  Well-acted and even moving at its best (I liked the ending), but still uneven and disappointing; Scott's acting is brilliant at times but inconsistent (he was better in Singles, Big Night, and Music and Lyrics).  The music is nearly unbearable muzak; it's not a coincidence that the most effective scenes have no music. 

Finding Forrester

8

Excellent story of young black high school student in the Bronx and his challenging friendship with legendary but has-been (fellow) writer (Sean Connery). Takes a slow pace wisely, making an improbable relationship very believable; the ending is an absolute winner in the best Dead Poets Society tradition. 

For All Mankind

10

Incredible atmospheric documentary about Apollo missions, made with three elements--NASA footage, interviews with astronauts, and Brian Eno's great music.  Captures the feeling of being in space perfectly!  Competes with Silk Road and Hoop Dreams as my favorite documentary. (Now distributed by National Geographic.)

For Gillian on Her 37th Birthday

7

Good drama about eccentric widower (an excellent Peter MacNicol) and his daughter (the always-likable Claire Danes) struggling with memory of their late wife/mother (Michelle Pfeiffer, who shows up in dream sequences).  Script is tiresome when it tries to be funny, but moving when it tries to be serious.  Jill liked it even more than I did. 

Frida

8

Excellent biopic of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), focusing on her troubled life and complicated
relationships with fellow artist/husband Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina) and communist leader Leon Trotsky (a miscast Geoffrey Rush).  Hayek bears an amazing resemblance to the real Frida, and acts surprisingly well; the Mexico City setting and Molina's acting are even better.  A wide variety of techniques are used to simulate Frida's inner world and how it translated into her art.  Interestingly, the script speculates that Frida's family was a great positive influence.

The Full Monty (English)

8

Winning story (sorry about that trite description, but it applies!) about laid-off industrial workers who start a male strip group; more fun than I expected. Robert Carlyle, who was disgusting in Trainspotting, is much more likable here.

The Gods Must be Crazy 
(South African)

7

Several lives and cultures (an innocent San bushman, a dictator, a volunteer teacher, and a bumbling backwoodsman who has a crush on her) intertwine in this interesting concoction; a lot of silliness, but one of the most lyrical endings ever put on film (besides The 400 Blows, of course).  I didn't like the director's trademark of speeding up the film every time any character was running anywhere.

Gray Matters

6

So-so comedy about two (uncomfortably) close siblings (Heather Graham and the very funny Thomas Cavanagh) who fall in love with the same woman (the lovely Bridget Moynahan).  Clever and funny at its best, it's undone by annoying supporting characters who seem to be dying to steal the show (Molly Shannon, as the Worldly Best Friend at Work, is by far the worst) and some over-cuteness; Sissy Spacek  and Alan Cumming are nice surprises as Graham's therapist and best male friend.  Please, please, PLEASE make this the last movie with "I Will Survive" in its soundtrack!

Grosse Pointe Blank

8

A turnoff ending, but a great deadpan John Cusack role as a contract hitman going to his high school reunion (even that sentence is fun to type!)

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

8

An underrated and adventurous film, the very last with Hepburn/Tracy.  Savaged by critics for having the nerve to be idealistic about interracial romance; deserves much better.  When I re-watched it recently, I noticed that it is actually quite funny in places, thanks mostly to Tracy's deadpan character.

Hairspray

8

Fun John Waters tribute to early '60's (including both the pop culture and the civil rights movement), set, of course, in working-class Baltimore. There will never be another human being (let alone another actor!) like Divine, who plays dual roles; a young Ricki Lake is also charming as the lead.

Hear No Evil

3

Cheesy thriller intended as a vehicle for deaf actress Marlee Matlin; she plays an innocent young woman who gets stalked by coin thieves (it's a long, and not terribly original, story).  Besides being unoriginal, the plot has gaping holes; a few cute scenes with Matlin and her leading man, D. B. Sweeney, redeem it a bit. 

High Fidelity

8

Funny and offbeat comedy, with the always-good John Cusack as a Chicago record store owner who has better relationships with favorite albums than with people (espcially the opposite sex); Todd Louiso and Jack Black almost steal the show as his annoying employees/hangers-on.  Lots of cameos and a genuinely surprising plot keep it all entertaining, and the music is (appropriately) well-selected--our hero wouldn't have it any other way!

Hot Wheels World Race

5

Animated science fiction fable about a high-tech car race through Highway 11, a thoroughfare in another dimension.  Doesn't have the deepest plot or characterizations in movie history, but does have some amazing animation (especially the forest and desert landscapes) and is surprisingly non-violent for a movie of its kind (my son was able to watch it, and loved it).   Apparently made to promote Hot Wheels products, but not horrible for that. 

How She Move

7

Two young women (Rutina Westley and Tre Armstrong) search for a way out of their inner-city Toronto neighborhood, and hope to find it in step dancing (basically very athletic ensemble dancing to a hip-hop beat); the leader of the local step group (Shawn Fernandez) tries to find a place for them.  The script is too predictable and the acting is uneven in quality, but the stunningly choreographed and filmed dancing, and some impressive dramatic moments, make the movie in a big way. 

The Hunting of the President

7

Everybody in America should read Joe Conason and Gene Lyons' book of the same title, on which this movie is based, to learn about the Machiavellian lengths to which Bill and Hillary Clinton's enemies went to discredit and smear them from the first day of his administration (and, in some instances, even before that).  The movie (by TV producer and longtime Clinton friend Harry Thomasson) isn't a bad summary of the book, although it relies a bit too much on hokey music and witty editing, as if Thomasson had seen one too many Michael Moore movies.  Former Clinton adviser Paul Begala gives the best of the talking-head interviews. 

The Idolmaker

8

Impressive drama of early-1960's songwriter (the late Ray Sharkey) who knows he won't be a success on his own, so he becomes manager/svengali to teen idols of his own creation (Paul Land and a very young Peter Gallagher).  Script is a bit heavy on showbiz cliches, but it's saved by terrific performances by Sharkey and Tovah Feldshuh as his girlfriend/media connection/conscience.  Some of the dance moves and sets seem a bit anachronistic, like they came from the glam rock period (the movie was made in 1980) rather than the Elvis-in-the-army era in which it is set; other than that, the period feel is good.  The music is all original, and is a real asset of the film, although some royalty money spent on actual period music would have made the film seem even more of its time. 

The Incredibles

6

Funny Pixar animated flick which makes fun of comic-book cliches; a superhero couple (voices of Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter) are forced by our litigious society to go underground and pretend to be normal suburbanites.  I laughed quite a lot, although I was tired of it by the end, partly because of the overstimulation that seems endemic to kids' movies these days (see my review of Shark Tale for more of my kvetching about this). 

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

2

Goofy farce about two tough New York City firemen (Kevin James from Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Adam Sandler) who register as domestic partners so that one of them, a widower, can get health benefits for his kids.  Not as homophobic as you'd expect; the problem is that when "not as homophobic as you'd expect" is the best thing you can say about a movie, it's a pretty sad commentary.  For some reason, Dan Ackroyd, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, and Rob Schneider are all in this movie; Rhames is one of the few things I like about it. 

Islands in the Stream

7

Watchable movie version of Ernest Hemingway's autobiographical novel about his life in the Bahamas before and during World War II, focusing on his seafaring life and his relationships with his absent family.  There's enough plot here for three movies!  George C. Scott is terrific as the Hemingway character; the other actors' impressions vary widely.  Overall, this is quite good, but I suspect the book is more interesting.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

7

Jay and Silent Bob, those irrepressible slackers whose presence graced all of director Kevin Smith's indie films (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and Dogma) finally get their own flick, which finds them on a long, strange trip to Hollywood to stop a film an old friend is making with their likenesses (yes, that really is the plot!)  Almost everybody, famous and not-so-famous, who has ever appeared in a Smith movie is in here somewhere; the result is a lot of fun for his fans (like me).  If you aren't a Smith fan, or have a low tolerance for silly humor, this probably isn't your best rental choice. 

Jeffrey

4

Irritating man-meets-man movie set in New York; somewhat redeemed by the presence of Patrick "Captain Picard" Stewart. If you want a good gay movie, see Love! Valor! Compassion!

Jerusalem (Norwegian)

8

Long epic about devout 19th-Century Norwegian family and their journey to the Holy Land; seems determined to examine every aspect (good and bad) of religion in its 3 hours. Not for every taste, but I liked it.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

7

Adaptation of Richard Bach's hippie-era novel about self-actualization; James Franciscus plays the eponymous bird, who seeks to fly higher and faster than any seagull ever flew, and whose nonconformist views get him ostracized from his flock.  A bit hokey and overlong, but still worth watching for the unbelievable nature cinematography, which is some of the best I've ever seen (and is at least two notches above the usual PBS-special photography), and which carries its weight of the telling of the story.  Neil Diamond's famous soundtrack music is overbearing at times, but is a plus for the film overall.  The Christian themes might bother some people, although I didn't have a problem with them. 

The Last Waltz

9

Astonishing documentary about the last concert by legendary rock group The Band, performed in San Francisco in 1976.  Director Martin Scorsese keeps things interesting by alternating songs, special appearances by most of rock music's big names (The Band were well-connected), and often-funny interviews with the Band members.  The 2002 rerelease was even better, with cleaned-up sound and footage, not to mention a chance to see it in a theater (something I can't recommend highly enough).  If you see one movie about rock music, it should be either this or The Kids Are Alright (or maybe This is Spinal Tap if you're in a funny mood).

Lawrence of Arabia (English)

10

One of the great epics of cinematic history; new footage in director's cut doesn't add much, but is still worth seeing. 

Love! Valor! Compassion!

8

Impressive story following eight gay friends for a summer; some hokiness, but also many very powerful moments. The most famous cast members (Jason Alexander, John Glover, and Stephen Spinella) are the best--Glover plays twin brothers very well.

Luther

8

Very good, if sanitized, biopic of 16th-Century religious dissenter and founder of Lutheranism, Martin Luther.  Joseph Fiennes is serviceable, if not outstanding, in title role; Alfred Molina (as a Catholic rival), Bruno Ganz (as Luther's mentor), and Peter Ustinov (in one of his last roles as Prince Frederick, Luther's secular protector) stand out.  Luther's trial for heresy, the scene of his famous "Here I stand... I can do no other" speech, is particularly stirring.  The biggest problem is that it really should have been longer, with Luther drawn in more vivid detail (and it's disappointing that his antisemitism, and his complicated relationship with the violence inspired by his writing, aren't dealt with). 

Madagascar

7

Pixar animated spectacle following the escape attempt of a zebra (voiced by Chris Rock), a lion (Ben Stiller), a hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and a giraffe (David Schwimmer), along with a zany gang of penguins, from the New York zoo where they are the "stars" and back to the wild.  Very entertaining, with a digestible moral and clever ideas, but not that different from a lot of the other funny-for-adults-but-entertaining-for-kids-and-with-incredible-animation movies I've seen in the last year or two with my son.  The sign language is authentic, by the way. 

Matrix, The

1

If you were wondering what movie would get a rating of 1 from me, this is it!  This utterly uninvolving piece of filth is about an unemotional computer guy (the ever-versatile Keanu Reeves) recruited by one secret high-tech society to fight a larger, vaguer high-tech society; both come off as thoroughly unpleasant, along with virtually every image in the entire film. Even the supposed heroine (Carrie-Anne Moss) is grating to look at!  A good actor (Lawrence Fishburne) is wasted playing second fiddle to Reeves.  (By the way, I have heard people suggest that this movie is a sort of proletarian-socialist tract; I would have an easier time accepting that notion if the whole thing was not so obviously intended to make boatloads of money, especially from the young male demographic.) Click here to read Jill's review of this movie, which is even worse. 

Men Don't Leave

7

Not-too-bad drama about widow forced to move to Baltimore from rural Maryland to find work; Jessica Lange is serviceable, if not outstanding, in the role. Joan Cusack is a scream, as usual!

Men of Honor

7

Good, if formulaic, actioner about first black certified diver in the U. S. Navy (Carl Brashear, played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) and his cantankerous instructor, Billy Sunday (Robert de Niro, who is as harrowing as he is in Mean Streets!)  Very frank about racism faced by Brashear; also captures suspense of diving well.  Charlize Theron appears in a small role that doesn't seem necessary.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

7

Mystery set in Savannah, Georgia, with good acting by John Cusack, Jack Thompson, and Kevin Spacey; story doesn't quite cohere. 

Mon Oncle d'Amerique ("My American Uncle"--French)

6

Interesting black comedy featuring three very different French people (Gerard Depardieu, Roger Pierre, and the extremely beautiful Nicole Garcia); the story is not a love triangle as you would expect, but an examination of their personal and (especially) their work lives.  Ostensibly based on the work of a famous French biologist, who plays himself and narrates the movie; intriguing at first, this device gets old well before the movie ends.   Still, the stories are engaging, and the acting is good, especially Depardieu (although fans of his might be disappointed that he doesn't get more screen time). 

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

8

Absolutely hilarious--and touching--story of young suburban Greek-American woman (Nia Vardalos, who also wrote the script with a nod to her own life) and her newfound  independence from her traditionalist family, culminating in her relationship with a handsome and sensitive man who is--OHMIGOD!--not Greek! (John Corbett).  While the acting is worthy, the script's observations about family and life are what really make this one a winner.  (Personally, I loved the vegetarian scene, for obvious reasons!)  The occasional plot nitpicks are irksome, but easily forgotten--a sign of a really fun movie. 

My Life as a Dog (Swedish)

3

Unmemorable story of growing up in 1950's Sweden; Lasse Halstrom did better with Ciderhouse Rules. 

Notorious

8

Good, old-fashioned post-WWII intrigue in Rio; Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains and (especially) Cary Grant in top form.

Novocaine

7

Hitchcock-like thriller following successful L. A. dentist (Steve Martin) as he has an ill-advised relationship with an eccentric-but-troubled patient (Helena Bonham Carter), thus threatening his engagement with his straight-arrow assistant (Laura Dern).  A flop in the theaters that didn't really deserve that fate, since it does create real tension and suspense (although for a successful businessman, Martin's character doesn't seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer).  The ending is audacious, but also a bit much. 

The Nutty Professor (1996 version)

6

Remake of the old Jerry Lewis remake of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, with Eddie Murphy playing eponymous professor with weight problem; very commercial (especially the raunchy humor, overacting, and music), but does showcase Murphy well in multiple roles, especially as the world's most salacious grandmother and her ultimate rival, her son-in-law (the professor's father).  Much more likable and believable than the other recent Hollywood movie I've seen about fat people, Shallow Hal. 

The Quiller Memorandum

6

Spy thriller set in post-WWII Berlin, with George Segal (as a young hero, not the comic character he usually plays now), Alec Guinness, and Max Von Sydow; some impressive atmosphere and action, but the plot is just kind of baffling. The spies discuss spy-stuff sitting in cafes drinking coffee!

Persepolis

9

Marjane Satrapi turned her autobiographical graphic novel about growing up in revolutionary Iran into a black-and-white animated movie (with the help of animator Vincent Perronaud); the result is truly astonishing, moving, and captivating. 

Peter's Friends (English)

8

Good semiautobiographical romantic/buddy comedy by Kenneth Branagh (who took a break from his usual Shakespearean/literary movies with it), focusing on a group of old friends from the same comedy troupe who reunite at one member's house (Stephen Fry, who is excellent); cast is mostly great and likable, especially Emma Thompson and Rita Rudner (who co-wrote the script with Martin Bergman).  Interestingly, one of the friends is black (Ambrosia Emmanuel) and a big deal isn't made out of it, the way it would be in an American film.   Often compared to The Big Chill, which I've never seen.

Philadelphia

8

Ambulance chaser (Denzel Washington) takes an idealistic job for once, representing fellow lawyer (Tom Hanks) fired for being gay and having AIDS; likable and moving, with great performances from leads. I sort of liked the opera sequence... Although its aftermath is what's really important.  The opening-credit montage of Philadelphia life is incredible (as Jill has pointed out to me).

Porco Rosso (The Crimson Pig)*

6

Anime movie about Porco Rosso, an Italian aviator with a troubled past in Italy between the two world wars, who is cursed with a pig’s face (and a cynical attitude).  A fascinating main character and some moving moments could have made this a great movie, but unbelievably stupid minor characters and dialogue undo it.  Michael Keaton is good as the voice of the main character in the English dubbed version; Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who plays a young female mechanic and his friend/foil, is even better. 

Primary Colors

2

Angry, vicious anti-Clinton screed pretending to be a political drama; John Travolta and Emma Thompson are two good actors who are forced by the script to be caricatures of Bill and Hillary Clinton as their worst enemies imagine them.  Only a good performance by Kathy Bates as a hard-boiled political operative saves this nonsense from a rating of 1. 

Secrets and Lies (English)

8

Working-class family saga about adult adoptee looking for her biological parents; deftly mixes idealism and realism (almost too deftly, perhaps). The only Mike Leigh film I've seen. 

Serial Mom

7

Clever, if over-obvious, John Waters spoof of suburban Baltimore life, with Kathleen Turner brilliant as smiling, perky serial killer (only Waters and Turner could have done that).

The Shawshank Redemption

9

Unforgettable and idealistic. They just don't get much better than this. Morgan Freeman is great as usual, but this may be his very best performance ever. 

Shine (Australian)

8

Extraordinary biopic of Australian piano virtuoso David Helfgott and his harsh upbringing at the hands of an abusive father (himself a survivor of the Holocaust) and eventual schizophrenia; not easy to watch, but very powerful. 

Sling Blade

8

Excellent Billy Bob Thornton story about retarded man (Thornton) released after serving time for murder, finding himself in another stressful situation; look for Robert Duvall in small-but-important role.  Thornton is a gifted director AND actor.

Small Change (French)

8

Another moving Truffaut movie about childhood; however, instead of burrowing deeply into a single character as he did in The 400 Blows, Frank weaves together several stories of young lives at the same public school in a small industrial town in France.  The ending is particularly stirring, if incongruous.  It's not as good as 400 Blows, but what is? 

The Spitfire Grill

6

Human-interest story about ex-con rehabilitating herself in small Maine town, with help of new boss (a suitably crusty Ellen Burstyn); nothing bad, but nothing special (other than being the only movie about a female ex-con I've ever seen). Relationship between Burstyn's character and her son is most interesting in film.

Straight Out of Brooklyn

8

20-year-old filmmaker Matty Rich's story about life in the Red Hook housing project in Brooklyn (where he lived himself) made quite an impression in 1991 when it came out, and is still powerful.  Rich's leads (especially father George Odom and son Lawrence Gilliard) and astute direction carry the story well, and make up for some unpolished acting and editing.

Star Wars I--The Phantom Menace

7

The first of the three Star Wars "prequels," which tell the story of  Anakin Skywalker's coming-of-age before he turned to the dark side of the Force.  This one's got plenty of action--in fact, almost too much of it--and at least two truly stunning scenes (a "pod race" between anti-grav vehicles on the desert world of Tatooine, and a climactic battle later).  It's not as good as the original three Star Wars movies, but the best scenes and some compelling characters still make it worthwhile. 

Star Wars II—Attack of the Clones*

6

The second, and in some ways the weakest, of the three Star Wars prequels; apparently, being a Jedi knight means you get to ignore basic laws of physics, something which happens one too many times.  Still, there are good, exciting moments, and the characters are further developed, especially the essential trio of Anakin (Hayden Christensen), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), and Padme (Natalie Portman).  Jack Thompson and Christopher Lee are nice surprises. 

Swimming with Sharks

7

Very, very cynical tale of Hollywood newbie (Frank Whaley) who ends up working for the Worst Boss of All Time, a despicable studio executive played devilishly well by Kevin Spacey. While the acting and the story are both worthwhile, I had a hard time getting into a story this relentlessly negative.  I like Benecio del Toro, but he seems wasted in a small role. 

Switching Channels

5

Half-decent press comedy; Burt Reynolds can be pretty funny (he's in a Broadcast News-ish romantic triangle with Kathleen Turner and Christopher Reeve).

Titanic

6

The Big, Formulaic Blockbuster of 1998; I liked it, but not nearly as much as everyone else (I was tired of it by the end, and I think Pearl Harbor did better with the formula).  I didn't think Kate and Leo were too bad together, and I always like to see David Warner and Kathy Bates (even if they were both typecast here).  Effects are generally believable, even if the story isn't always. 

Tune in Tomorrow

6

Really offbeat comedy/drama, definitely not for all tastes (adapted from a Mario Vargas Llosa novel!) about young man in 1950's radio industry (Keanu Reeves) who gets courage from an eccentric co-writer (Peter Falk) to declare his love to his aunt (Barbara Hershey). Falk is a great gonzo, but it's all a bit hard to take, and having Reeves in there doesn't help much, as usual.

27 Dresses

3

Assembly-line romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl as an annoying young woman singing the always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride blues; James Marsden plays an annoying young reporter who ends up sparring with her, and Edward Burns (of Brothers McMullen fame--see that review above) plays her boss and main crush.  Criticized (somewhat fairly) for being sexist, but is actually more unbelievable, condescending, and obnoxious than it is sexist.  Not the worst movie I've ever seen--there are some clever lines of dialogue, and the ending is appealing--but very, very far from the best.   Burns is a good actor who seems wasted here. 

The Ultimate Gift

7

The recently-deceased patriarch of a wealthy oil-business family (James Garner) wants to leave his whole fortune to his playboy grandson (Drew Fuller), but also wants him to deserve it, so he and the executor of the will (Bill Cobbs) force him to undertake a series of life lessons.  Along the way, he meets a young single mother (the beautiful Ali Hillis) and her seriously-ill daughter (Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine).  A bit too manipulative for my tastes--Breslin's character is almost aggressively cute--but still moving at its best, and it certainly has more substance than some other films I've seen that are aimed at a Christian audience, like Facing the Giants.  Cobbs, his character’s assistant (Lee Merriweather) and Brian Dennehy often seem like the heart and soul of the film.

Western (French)

6

Not an actual Western, but a road movie with two drifting Frenchmen trying to find female companionship; witty in places, but tiresome in many more. 

Whale Rider (New Zealand)

9

Fantastic, timeless story about a young Maori (Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was the Virgin Mary in The Nativity Story) who aspires to earn a leadership position in her tribe, and the respectful-but-stubborn grandfather (Rawiri Paretene) who stands in her way.  A beautiful film about the consequences of sexism, the power of tradition, and the difficult decisions we have to make about what to keep, and to not keep, from the past.  The aquatic sequences are especially powerful.  (The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand; the movie Once Were Warriors, which I haven't seen as of this writing in early 2009, is another modern-day story about them.) 

When We Were Kings

8

Fantastic documentary chronicling the 1974 boxing match in what is now the African country of Congo between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, known as the "Rumble in the Jungle."  We meet
all the larger-than-life characters associated with the event, including but not limited to Don King, Howard Cosell, James Brown, Foreman, and Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.  The largest of them all, however, is Ali; the movie shares all of his bluster and bombast, and the way he captured the hopes of black people everywhere.  Biggest complaint:  the movie seemed to peter out rather than come to a solid end.  

Wild Man Blues

8

Professionally-made documentary about Woody Allen, following him on a recent jazz tour around Europe (Woody plays clarinet on the side). Fascinating for people who like Woody; must be unbearable for anyone who doesn't like him. Revealing moments include several scenes with Soon-Yi (who comes off as no slouch), Woody's parents (who come off as hilarious), and his little-known sister, who manages him on the tour (no easy task). 

Without a Paddle

5

Entertaining, if silly and overlong, movie about three grown-up high school friends who try to recapture their youth with a Deliverance-style canoe trip.  Jill and I agreed that Seth Green, the most famous performer, was also by far the best of the three.  Set in Oregon, but filmed in New Zealand (which looks lovely, by the way).

Wizards

4

Animator Ralph Bakshi's story of a "technology versus magic" war on another planet; animation is sometimes stunning (especially use of montage with live action images and pencil drawings), but is garish almost as often.  The plot, meanwhile, is silly and trite, with one of the most idiotic endings I've ever seen.  Bakshi did a lot better with his 1978 adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, which I'll try to rent and review in an upcoming issue. 

You've Got Mail

4

Over-cute and overlong romantic comedy based on email exchanges (how innovative!) between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks; Ryan is the exact same character she was in When Harry... I wonder how much AOL paid for the product placement?