MARK S. DEROSA - MOVIE REVIEWS 2004

CLICK HERE FOR MOVIE REVIEWS FOR 2000 CLICK HERE FOR MOVIE REVIEWS FOR 2001 CLICK HERE FOR MOVIE REVIEWS FOR 2002 CLICK HERE FOR MOVIE REVIEWS FOR 2003

click here: CONTENTS

COMING ATTRACTIONS

CONTENTS

CLICK ON THE REVIEW YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE:

AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT THE COLORS MEAN:

TOP OF THE LINE (EXCELLENT,STELLAR)
(A+)

MUST SEE/REALLY GOOD
(A)

VERY GOOD (SOME FLAWS)
(B)

GOOD/AVERAGE
(C)

BORDERLINE OR BAD
(D)

*BOMB*/STINKO/
WASTE OF CELLULOID

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE	GARDEN STATE	COLATERAL	THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR	TOUCH OF PINK	THE BOURNE SUPREMACY	A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD
FACING WINDOWS	SPIDER-MAN 2	ANCHORMAN	THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR	TOUCH OF PINK	THE BOURNE SUPREMACY	A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD
STEPFORD WIVES	13 GOING ON 30	THE TERMINAL	SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER... AND SPRING	THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL	FARENHEIT 9/11	WHITE CHICKS
CARANDIRU	SHREK 2	SAVED	THE MOTHER	TWIST	HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN	NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
I'M NOT SCARED	KILL BILL 2	YOUNG ADAM	MAN ON FIRE	MEAN GIRLS	VAN HELSING	BULGARIAN LOVERS
TAKING LIVES	BON VOYAGE	DOGVILLE	THE MAYOR OF SUNSET STRIP	THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND	HELLBOY	NOI
MONSIEUR IBRAHIM	THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST	STARSKY AND HUTCH	THE RECKONING	SECRET WINDOW	GOODBYE, LENIN	ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON	LATTER DAYS	YOU GOT SERVED	THE DREAMERS	WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT	50 FIRST DATES	THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA

COLATERAL

RELEASE: 08/06/04-(R)-(2:00)-[DREAMWORKS SKG]
CAST: TOM CRUISE, JAMIE FOXX, JADA PINKETT SMITH, MARK RUFFALO, PETER BERG
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B+
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A+
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

GARDEN STATE

RELEASE: 07/30/04-(R)-(1:49)-[20TH CENTURY FOX/CAMELOT PICTURES]
CAST: ZACH BRAFF, PETER SARSGAARD, NATALIE PORTMAN, IAN HOLM, JEAN SMART
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A+
PERFORMANCES:     A+
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE

RELEASE: 07/30/04-(R)-(2:10)-[WARNER BROS. PICTURES/HART-SHARPE ENTERTAINMENT]
CAST: DENZEL WASHINGTON, MERYL STREEP, LIEV SCHREIBER, KIMBERLY ELISE, JON VOIGHT
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD

RELEASE: 07/23/04-(R)-(2:00)-[WARNER BROS. PICTURES/HART-SHARPE ENTERTAINMENT]
CAST: COLIN FARRELL, DALLAS ROBERTS, ROBIN WRIGHT-PENN, SISSY SPACEK
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A+
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE BOURNE SUPREMACY

RELEASE: 07/23/04-(R)-(1:50)-[UNIVERSAL PICTURES]
CAST: MATT DAMON, FRANKA POTENTE, JOAN ALLEN, BRIAN COX, JULIA STILES, KARL URBAN, GABRIEL MANN
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A-
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

TOUCH OF PINK

RELEASE: 07/16/04-(R)-(1:31)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: JIMI MISTRY, KYLE MACLACHLAN, SULEKA MATHEW, KRISTEN HOLDEN-REID, VEENA SOOD
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR

RELEASE: 07/16/04-(R)-(1:55)-[FOCUS FEATURES]
CAST: JEFF BRIDGES, KIM BASINGER, MIMI ROGERS, JON FOSTER, BIJOU PHILLIPS, ELLE FANNING
OVERALL:     B+
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY

RELEASE: 07/09/04-(PG-13)-(1:31)-[APATOW PRODUCTIONS/DREAMWORKS SKG DISTRIBUTION]
CAST: WILL FERRELL, CHRISTINA APPLEGATE, PAUL RUDD, STEVE CARELL, DAVID KOECHNER, FRED WILLARD, CHRIS PARNELL
OVERALL:     A+
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

SPIDER-MAN 2

RELEASE: 06/30/04-(PG-13)-(2:08)-[COLUMBIA PICTURES/MARVEL]
CAST: TOBEY MAGUIRE, KIRSTEN DUNST, JAMES FRANCO, ALFRED MOLINA, ROSEMARY HARRIS, JK SIMMONS, DONNA MURPHY, DANIEL GILLIES, DYLAN BAKER
OVERALL:     A+
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A+
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:   To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

FACING WINDOWS

RELEASE: 06/18/04-(R)-(1:42)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: GIOVANNA MEZZOGIORNO, MASSIMO GIROTTI, RAOUL BOVA, FILIPPO NIGRO, SERRA YILMAZ, MARIA GRAZIA BON, MASSIMO POGGIO, IVAN BACCHI
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

WHITE CHICKS

RELEASE: 06/23/04-(PG-13)-(1:37)-[REVOLUTION STUDIOS/COLUMBIA PICTURES]
CAST: SHAWN WAYANS, MARLON WAYANS, JAIME KING, LOCKLYN MUNRO, FRANKIE FAISON, JOHN HEARD, BUSY PHILLIPS, TERRY CREWS, BRITTANY DANIEL
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     C
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     C
NOTES:    To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

FARENHEIT 9/11

RELEASE: 06/23/04-(R)-(2:02)-[LION'S GATE/MIRAMAX/IFC FILMS]
CAST:
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     N/A
PERFORMANCES:     N/A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     N/A
MAKE-UP:     N/A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL

RELEASE: 06/04/04-(PG)-(1:27)-[THINKFILM INC.]
CAST: JANCHIV AYURZANA, CHIMED OHIN, AMGAABAZAR GONSON, ZEVELJAMZ NYAM, IKHBAYAR AMGAABAZAR, ODGEREL AYUSCH, ENKHBULGAN IKHBAYAR, UUGANBAATAR IKHBAYAR
OVERALL:     C
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     C
DIRECTION:     C
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     C
MAKE-UP:     C
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     C
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    To be reviewed.

BACK TO CONTENTS

SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER... AND SPRING

RELEASE: 04/02/04-(R)-(1:43)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: YOUNG-SOO OH, KI-DUK KIM, YOUNG-MIN KIM, JAE-KYEONG SEO, YEO-JIN HA, JONG-HO KIM
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    To be reviewed

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE TERMINAL

RELEASE: 06/18/04-(PG-13)-(2:08)-[DREAMWORKS SKG/AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT]
CAST: TOM HANKS, CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, STANLEY TUCCI, CHI MCBRIDE, DIEGO LUNA, BARRY SHABAKA HENLEY
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Quite frankly.... Tom Hanks is an actor to be reckoned with. He is a master in his class. With his Victor Navorski we are introduced to someone that we've never seen before and never once reminded of any of the plethora of other roles he has graced us with before. Granted... like most films that come out in the summer time (and not limited to this season) the plot and points of THE TERMINAL are somewhat hokey (albeit original)... but all in all we are here to have a rather good time... and this is achieved. THE TERMINAL is the story of a man flying into New York to fulfill a promise to his father. When he arrives, however, the news that his country is in a coup hits the airwaves and suddenly he is a man without a home and thus his passport is worthless. For months Victor is forced to live within the confines of a the terminal and fend for himself. What transpires is a show of strength and a picture of character as Victor not only finds his way through the muck and mire of beaurocracy... but makes friends, money and becomes somewhat of a hero in the process. This is a film to take a date to... a film to enjoy with family. There are no explosions and there is no dramatic tension or scares.... but it is thoroughly enjoyable and highly entertaining. The set alone... a HUGE airport terminal built expressly for this film... is worth seeing. Tom Hanks puts the seal on the deal. See you at the oscars, Tom.

BACK TO CONTENTS

13 GOING ON 30

RELEASE: 04/23/04-(PG-13)-(1:38)-[REVOLUTION STUDIOS / COLUMBIA PICTURES]
CAST: JENNIFER GARNER, MARK RUFFALO, JUDY GREER, ANDY SERKIS, KATHY BAKER
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     B
ORIGINALITY:     C
NOTES:    13 GOING ON 30 is a sweet little unlikely film. It is a puff-piece the way Hollywood loves to make a puff piece. It is a happy-go-lucky fairy tale with over-exaggerated plot points and an over-abundance of beautiful or far-too talented people living in a society where things always get tied up neatly and we get to go home believing alls well that ends well. Ok... that being said I should say that in the films defense... all of these things are precisely the point so you are pretty much getting exactly what you expected... and in most cases wanted. SO... the thing that I got out of 13 GOING ON 30 that I will take with me is the FACT that it's star, Ms. Alias herself, is a Julia Roberts in the making. Jennifer Garner is not only one of the prettiest and most unbelievably real talents... she's natural and makes you believe without any effort whatsoever that she is a 13-year-old inhabiting the body of a 30-year-old woman. So here's the point in a nutshell: We've all had enough of the switching body films... but for heavens sake... PLEASE give us more of Jennifer Garner.

BACK TO CONTENTS

STEPFORD WIVES

RELEASE: 06/11/04-(PG)-(1:45)-[PARAMOUNT PICTURES/DELINE PICTURES]
CAST: NICOLE KIDMAN, BETTE MIDLER, MATTHEW BRODERICK, CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, GLENN CLOSE, JON LOVITZ, FAITH HILL, ROGER BART
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     B
ORIGINALITY:     C
NOTES:    Quite frankly.... THE STEPFORD WIVES is exactly what I would have thought it was going to be. It is most definitely NOTHING to rave about... but by that same token it is also nothing to compare to some of the many clunkers that I've seen over the years... and in recent times. It is, actually, somewhat humorous in parts... and is chock full of fine character actors doing their perspecitve schtick through and through. Nicole Kidman is the Katherine Ross part from the original thrilleresque take on the Stepford, Connecticut robot story... she plays Joanna Eberhart, an aggressive and cut-throat Network executive churning out the many huge reality television successes and making quite a name for herself until something goes horribly wrong and she is unceremoniously dumped by the network. She subsequently has a breakdown and then relocates with husband Walter (Broderick) to the quiet and spacious Stepford community... where the men are happy and the women are all so... well... robotic. Midler plays co-hort Bobbie, a jewishy writer of nasty tomes and Roger Bart plays the third of a non-conforming trio as the gay and overly effeminate Roger. The scheme of the Stepford men is unraveled slowly and the marriage of Joanna and Walter unravels along with it... but all is well that ends well in this lovely gated community. It is fluffy, frilly, light and rather silly throughout... but it is a decent matinee and will no doubt make a very good DVD rental in months to come. Summer filler.

BACK TO CONTENTS

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

RELEASE: 06/11/04-(PG)-(1:26)-[FOX SEARCHLIGHT/MTV FILMS]
CAST: JON HEDER, EFREN RAMIREZ, JOHN GRIES, AARON RUELL, TINA MAJORINO, SANDY MARTIN
OVERALL:     C
STORY/SCRIPT:     C
PERFORMANCES:     D
DIRECTION:     C
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     C
MAKE-UP:     N/A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     C
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    I wish I liked this movie better than I did. Unfortunately this was not the case. MTV and Fox Searchlight have created a film that wants very badly to be a quirky love-fest much like the ones that come out of Wes Anderson's back pocket. It didn't happen for me. Young Napoleon is a bit grating to begin with. It's very one-note and a bit over the top in delivery. WE GET IT... but it is rubbed mercilously into our eyes and ears. The acting, although deliberate is SO monotone and lifeless that it, too, is overdone. Why is this funny? The life of this painfully geeky high-schooler is up there with the most painful in our own memories... but the fact that his family is as over-the-top quirky and mindlessly dysfunctional is pushing the envelope just a little too far. Perhaps I am over-reacting... I actually really wanted to see this film when I watched the trailers in advance. But by the time I left the theater I was relieved and grateful that I didn't have to sit and watch these statues deliver their lines without moving their lips any longer. Dynamite? Where were the explosions? I don't get it.

BACK TO CONTENTS

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

RELEASE: 06/04/04-(PG)-(2:22)-[WARNER BROS.]
CAST: DANIEL RADCLIFFE, RUPERT GRINT, EMMA WATSON, GARY OLDMAN, ALAN RICKMAN, ROBBIE COLTRANE, MAGGIE SMITH, EMMA THOMPSON, JULIE CHRISTIE, TIMOTHY SPALL
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     N/A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    I'd have to say that this one might actually be my favorite of the three thus far. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN is a darker, moodier and, dare I say, more "realistic" of the stories thus far told. That isn't to say, of course, that I am beginning to believe all these tales of Hogwarts and magic (it is also not to say that I don't believe...) but the fact remains that the characters... with or without the books are now far more familiar with US and with each other. They are growing as are the tales themselves. In Prisoner we again open at the summer home of Harry's overly obnoxious Aunt and Uncle... who make hating the poor boy a hobby. One would think at this point they would learn that this never has good results. Harry quickly leaves them and begins a swift and interesting journey back to Hogwarts and a third year of schooling. Much remains the same in the Academy... many of the teachers, the halls riddled with animated pictures, the moving staircases and almost evil torturous Quidich games. But Harry is a bit older and wiser... and is now being, it would seem, sought out by a man who was sent to prison for killing his parents some 12 to 13 years ago. The story is rich in the telling, dark in the scenery and stock full of characters that we know and are meeting for the first time. Directed this time around by Alfonso Cuaron we depart from the magical escapades and move more into the deeper, more mysterious bits of the magical background of the stories. It is a full two and a half hours of "can't keep your eyes off the screen" viewing... and before long pretty much every man, woman and child will have seen it. Enjoy!!! Summer has officially arrived.

BACK TO CONTENTS

TWIST

RELEASE: 06/04/04-(R)-(1:37)-[STRAND RELEASING]
CAST: NICK STAHL, JOSHUA CLOSE, GARY FARMER, MICHELLE BARBARA PELLETIER
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     C
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     C
NOTES:    I wanted to like TWIST a bit more than I did. It set the right mood and played all the right cards... but somehow in its dark and overly typical brooding moodiness... set itself apart from a film that would have exceeded any hope of being more than parody... Like so many of Shakespeare's plays the re-telling to different environments and characters can often be done with aplomb and a very interesting result. Although this Dicken's classic often sets to memory dark and dreary 19th century London settings, if not dancing pick-pockets and skullery maids in the streets... there is always room for a different telling and a classic twist... if you'll pardon the pun. In this version we find ourself in the world of the hustlers of Toronto. Fagin and his "boys" are living in a run down tenament, most dirty and disheveled, many hooked on heroin. All of the boys are out there in the streets selling themselves to bring back the money for the kingpin Bill Sykes (never seen on screen in this version) and the sweet and understanding Nancy is a diner waitress who pours coffee and advice for the young lads. Oliver (Joshua Close) is a runaway from a foster home introduced to the world of hustling by boy ring-leader Dodger (Nick Stahl) to pretty much the same result as the original feature (although we do not see the happy adoption in the end.) The streets are nasty and dirty... so that fits the mold. But there is something missing... be it heart... be it any sort of surprise... be it something to make you really want to be there... It isn't bad, mind you... just not all that good.

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE MOTHER

RELEASE: 05/28/04-(R)-(1:52)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: ANNE REID, DANIEL CRAIG, STEVEN MACKINTOSH, CATHRYN BRADSHAW, ANNA WILSON-JONES, PETER VAUGHAN
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     N/A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Although I expect a film of this nature is bound to ruffle a few feathers... THE MOTHER struck me mostly because it is a magnificent piece of work on celluloid. Set in the UK and filmed predominantly in London the story centers around a lonely grandmother whose husband passes away. She is visiting her successful and somewhat vacant son and daughter-in-law as well as her slightly depressive and less affluent daughter. The daughter is dating a married man, who just happens to also be a construction worker building an addition to the son's house. Darren (Daniel Craig) is a strapping man who at first May (The Mother- Anne Reid) is repeled by. Soon, however, she is drawn to him in a sexual way and the two are having an affair. The story is not all that unusual in scope... were it not for the age difference and the fact that the lead is NOT a sexy older woman, but is instead a somewhat frumpy and unattractive one at best. The characters are so well-defined and drawn out that there really is no room for questioning what brings each to be or do whatever they are being or doing. What is most striking, however, as mentioned to begin with, is the way the film is shot. The angles, the images, the color, the lighting is all so vivid and real. It made me feel as though I were there within the shot as well as there within each of their heads to experience the moments and feelings. This is not a happy-go-lcuky film. There is much to think about in the characters depressive existences... but it is most definitely worthy of the viewing, and all performances are rich and vivid.

BACK TO CONTENTS

SAVED

RELEASE: 05/28/04-(PG)-(1:33)-[MGM/UNITED ARTISTS]
CAST: JENA MALONE, MANDY MOORE, MCCAULEY CULKIN, PATRICK FUGIT, HEATHER MATTARAZO, EVA AMURRI, MARY LOUISE PARKER, MARTIN DONOVAN
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     N/A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Saved is a hoot... it is a fun and clever stab not only at the fanatacism of Christian schooling... but of the whole teen movie genre as well. In it we have a plethora of breakout performances that I can easily see as beginnings (or pleasant continuances) of some very lucrative careers in film. Take for instance, Mandy Moore. Here is a young performer best known for sugar sweet pop music and a couple of angelic girl next door film roles. Here Mandy turns herself quite convincingly into the over-zealous Christian bad-girl on campus... and does it rather convincingly. Jena Malone is another who I see moving steadily into some meaty film roles. She is the anti-sweet teenage.... last seen playing a heroin addict in the off-kilter "United States of Leland". Next up is the continuing resurgance of child star Macauley Culkin... a sarcastic and affected lad playing sarcastic and affected roles. There is also the knock-out Eva Ammuri, who I couldn't take my eyes off of... this one is moving on up and I'm sure that momma (Susan Sarandon) is proud. SAVED is a fair and comical look at the world created by zealots who see things only one way. It says so much with so little and allows the audience to experience the silliness of it all... while giving genuine laughs that honestly weren't written to ONLY poke fun or ridicule. This is a must see if you enjoy a good tickling of the funnybone.

BACK TO CONTENTS

SHREK 2

RELEASE: 05/19/04-(PG)-(1:33)-[DREAMWORKS SKG]
CAST: MIKE MYERS, CAMERON DIAZ, EDDIE MURPHY, ANTONIO BANDERAS, JULIE ANDREWS, JOHN CLEESE, RUPERT EVERETT, JENNIFER SAUNDERS
OVERALL:     A+
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     N/A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    One of the most refreshing things about SHREK 2 is the absolute feel of originality that is so rarely glimpsed by the likes of a sequel. There is so much imagination and oodles of charm seeping through the pores of this magnificent little feature. I enjoyed it from end to end feeling intertwined with the half-human, half-animated characters and wonderfully familiar voices. The portraits painted in all the lands of SHREK 2, especially the Beverly Hills/Hollywood setting of "Far Far Away" are so fun and imaginative that I smiled from ear to ear as they were laid out before me. The writing is witty and crisp, lively and wonderfully appropriate for both child and adult. There is a message for all built in and throughout the script and each moment is a zinger to one degree or another. All in all this ranks as the top film of the year (of its kind) and should rake in a great deal of dough from the hords of adoring fans. I, myself would consider visiting the theater a second time in order to pick up on any of the scenes I may have missed the first time around. SHREK 2 is a delight. Enough said.

BACK TO CONTENTS

CARANDIRU

RELEASE: 05/21/04-(R)-(2:27)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: LUIS CARLOS VASCONCELOS, MILTON GONCALVES, IVAN DEALMEIDA, AILTON GRACA, MARIA LUISA MANDONCA
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     B
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    Hector Babenco is a leading filmmaker/Director known for his harsh reality topics and prison settings (Kiss of the Spider Woman and Before Night Falls come to mind) delivers his most raw effort to date with the dramatization of a real life prison history in CARANDIRU. The story follows a doctor in the massively over-crowded prison to test all the men for the AIDS virus. With each man interviewed and tested there is a story and a bit of history to go with it. CARANDIRU is Spanish language and subtitled, but is a bold, in-your-face styled look at prison much like the HBO series OZ was. There are drug stories, murders, love affairs and all manner of background to both make us feel sorry for, identify with or hate the characters involved. CARANDIRU was torn down in the late 80's after a police raid that killed many of the men inside. It is a dark and dreary film... with a punch that lasts for days.

BACK TO CONTENTS

BULGARIAN LOVERS

RELEASE: 05/14/04-(R)-(1:41)-[CARTEL]
CAST: FERNANDO GUILLEN CUERVO, DRITAN BIBA, PEPON NIETO, ROGER PERA, ANITA SINCOVIC
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     B
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    Gosh... I wish I liked this feature a little more than I did. The story of a middle-aged gay man who falls in love with a ... oh... what would you call him... (bi-sexual? Straight?) man is a bit of an oddity in it's back stories. The front story is as simple as it gets. The older gentleman is starting to feel the aloneness of the world around him and the emptiness of the tricks that often come with the gay world of "hooking up". When he meets his younger and rugged man he is immediately taking care of him... which would be the only purpose 99% of the time in the eyes of the younger role. What follows is a love relationship that moves beyond the simple and into a bit of the complex... although it doesn't really live up to anywhere near a real or normal relationship by the standards of any pairing... What is ODD about this movie is the underlaying theme of radioactive materials being smuggled in a black-market sort of fashion. Throughtout the film I wondered why and if I cared at all. Bulgarian Lovers made me sad for the most part. It made me feel like I was getting old and it made the concept of real love look mighty tricky and non-existent in the gay society... especially when one moves into advancing years. Can I relate? Possibly... but did I like the film... the jury is stiill very much out on that one. The film is Spanish, by the way... it is the lover that is Bulgarian.

BACK TO CONTENTS

VAN HELSING

RELEASE: 05/07/04-(R)-(2:12)-[UNIVERSAL PICTURES / CARPATHIAN PICTURES]
CAST: HUGH JACKMAN, KATE BECKINSALE, RICHARD ROXBURGH, DAVID WENHAM,
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    Summer has most definitely arrived with VAN HELSING... a surefire boxoffice action adventure mish-mosh with all manner of famous Universal monsters from years past in the roles of villainy. Here we have a hunky Van Helsing (Jackman), complete with memory loss, a somewhat eternal existence and ruggedly handsome looks that will make the world stop to ponder while doing battle with him. Here he is up against the likes of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, The Werewofl (which at one point he even becomes), Frankenstein and that eternal baddie Count Dracula. Each monster worse than then next as the fight to save the family Valerious becomes the order of the day. The Count, it seems is avenging his own murder and picking off (or imprisoning) their family members one by one... once Van Helsing is on the scene, however, not only will he save the day... but provide the viewing audience with a plethora of non-stop action and fighing to make sure that there is nothing to be considered dull in this summer fair. The problem with Van Helsing could be said to be the fact that there are huge chunks of this film that are really quite funny... and I am not sure that they are supposed to be. Do we laugh at ourselves? Is this meant to be tongue in cheek for its entertainment purposes? Either way this is terrific summer fare... but in the grand spectrum of it all may not place out as the biggest of all the summer fare yet to come. See it soon... before all the others much like it are in the theaters.

BACK TO CONTENTS

MEAN GIRLS

RELEASE: 04/30/04-(R)-(1:33)-[PARAMOUNT PICTURES]
CAST: LINDSAY LOHAN, RACHEL McADAMS, LACEY CHABERT, AMANDA SEYFRIED, TINA FEY, TIM MEADOWS, AMY POEHLER, ANA GASTEYER, JONATHAN BENNETT, NEIL FLYNN
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    I happen to think that Tina Fey is a genius. The acerbic... and very dry wit of the current head writer (and news anchor) for Saturday Night Live is on the line of some of the masters of the comedy genre... and MEAN GIRLS benefits from the style. The film itself could have been easily chalked up to parody of parody. It is a familiar theme (Heathers, Jawbreaker) that comes through the ages. For the most part these films can be all TOO familiar in style and tone. We know the world of the rich and pampered popular set in High School all too well... but in the case of MEAN GIRLS we have a twist in the revenge of one young lady who simply learns that there is a way to beat them... AND join them. Sure... there are numerous amounts of stereotypes and plenty of redundant lines to be had.... but for the most part and in LARGE part because of the fine comedic performances by the entire cast MEAN GIRLS jumps a notch or two above the norm to some very worthwhile entertainiment. This is a funny film... and worthy of the time spent in the theater.

BACK TO CONTENTS

MAN ON FIRE

RELEASE: 04/21/04-(R)-(2:16)-[20TH CENTURY FOX/NEW REGENCY FILMS]
CAST: DENZEL WASHINGTON, DAKOTA FANNING, MARC ANTHONY, RADHA MITCHELL, CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, GIANCARLO GIANNINI, RACHEL TICOTIN, JESUS OCHOA, MICKEY ROARKE
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    Denzel Washington doesn't seem like a happy man in most of his films. There is a stoic and almost scary sort of demeanor that is presented and all too often it is all too prevalent in the tone of the characters he portrays. Is it who he is...? Is it the choice of roles? MAN ON FIRE presents another sad and shut down man, an alcoholic with a sad and unsatisfying past. He is in Mexico to meet his over-the-top friend (Walken) who is able to enlist the ex-CIA man for a lower paying bodyguard job in an overwraught and over-crowded Mexico City. He takes the job and, against his better judgment ends up softening and 'falling' for the youngster that he is protecting. Unfortunately there is a plot going on and you Pita (Fanning) is eventually kidnapped. So Creasy (Washington) the overzealous "Man On Fire" heals his wounds and gets out there to fix all those bad people one by one. What a guy. This is a film that has been done in so many different ways... but this time is done with such frezied and frenetic editing and camera work that you just want to go up to someone and slap them. Too much... just too much (and I am a huge editing fan...) Nothing particularly stands out in this one... it's ok... but not what I would yell and scream to friends about.

BACK TO CONTENTS

YOUNG ADAM

RELEASE: 04/16/04-(NC-17)-(1:33)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS/FILM COUNCIL]
CAST: EWAN MCGREGOR, TILDA SWINTON, PETER MULLAN, EMILY MORTIMER
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    The mood is dark... the landscape agrees. Young Adam... a name for which I either missed the reference or simply do not understand is a study in bleakness and a more impoverished part of life and its inhabitants. Ewan McGregor, however is splendid in the lead as Joe... a drifter who takes a job on a barge with a couple and their young son (Mullan and Swinton). Here he finds himself attracted to and in an affair with Swinton's character while the elder husband is driven away. But this is one of the two stories that are taking place in this dreary film.... the other being the death of a young woman who the two men on the barge find floating in the waters one day. She, it would seem, is an ex-girlfriend of Joe's... who, after their last meeting, accidentally fell into the water and drowned. Sure... it was an accident... but Joe didn't do a whole lot to help her considering this was an easier out for him considering she was pregnant with his child. He also does very little to come forward when the innocent plumber the young woman was 'dating' is tried and found guilty for her death... It's all very sad... very dark... very dreary. And who the heck is Adam?

BACK TO CONTENTS

KILL BILL 2

RELEASE: 04/16/04-(R)-(2:16)-[MIRAMAX FILMS]
CAST: UMA THURMAN, DAVID CARRADINE, MICHAEL MADSEN, DARYL HANNAH
OVERALL:     A+
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Very simply put... the best film I've seen thus far this year. Quentin does with Volume 2 what I had wanted to see in Volume 1 but did not. Last year the much awaited KILL BILL was released and I left the theater with a bit of a hangover because I hadn't received what I usually feel I deserve when I go to see Tarantino's work. It wasn't as though I had seen a bad movie... not by a longshot... instead I missed the wonderfully trademark dialogue and felt the action sequences were overdone.... In Part 2 we not only have some of the most classic dialogue I've seen in a Tarantino film... but the story more than makes up for (and in fact thoroughly explains the point to most, if not all of) Part 1. Uma Thurman is legendary in this film. She is graceful, poignant, angry and brutal. She is funny and sweet and beautiful through and through. The cast of supporting players (especially Caradine and Hannah... and the wonderful beard stroking Gordon Liu) is phenomenal. This is a film that entertains all throughout and leaves me wanting only to see the film again... it's a classic, folks... Quentin has done it again.

BACK TO CONTENTS

I'M NOT SCARED

RELEASE: 04/09/04-(R)-(1:48)-[MIRAMAX FILMS]
CAST: AITANA SANCHEZ-GIJON, DINO ABBRESCIA, GORGIO CARECCIA, GIUSEPPE CRISTIANO, MATTIA DI PIERRO
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Rarely does cinema get a glimpse of original ideas out of a genre that could be so easily overdone. I'M NOT SCARED does not fall squarely into the horror genre, as it might suggest... but does lean in some ways towards an innocent thriller without pretense and silly pretty people. Leave it to a foreign country to capture the feel of an original storyline without having to beef up the cast in ways to bring in certain audiences to ogle the pretty people in peril. I'M NOT SCARED is nothing of the sort... it is a charming story built around a 10-year-old Italian boy in Southern Italy circa 1978. In this tiny village he and the other children play in the fields and up at the abandoned building. When Michelle returns to look for his sisters left-behind glasses he stumbles upon something that not only frightens him, but fascinates him enough to return over and over to see what else can be seen. As the story unfolds, however, the plot (as they say) thickens and the people that are closest to the boy are drawn into the drama in ways that might not have been expected otherwise. It is a story of bravery and nastiness pitting the evils of adulthood and the innocence of childhood in to a pretty package that brings a tear to the eye once reaching its dramatic conclusion. I'M NOT SCARED is a very good sit in a movie-theater. It is taut and interesting.... it is what I wish so many American films could be.

BACK TO CONTENTS

NOI

RELEASE: 04/09/04-(R)-(1:40)-[PALM PICTURES/ARTIFICIAL EYE]
CAST: TOMAS LEMARQUIS, PROSTUR LEO GUNNARSSON, ELIN HANSDOTTIR, ANNA FRIDSRIKDOTTIR
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Noi is one of the more interesting characters that I will probably find on the big screen this year... and this break-out film also ranks as one of the more memorable... The premise is simple and straightforward... but the style and the feel of the script and especially the performance of the young man who portrays Noi is exceptional. Noi is a wonderkind... a brain that isn't motivated in his (very) small town setting of a tiny village at the base of a mountain in Iceland. He skips school and does very little to occupy all his time... but what this actor and the script do with Noi is worth the viewing and reading of subtitles. It's unusual ending is also worth the time. Highly suggestible offering amidst a box-office filled with a great many pretty bad choices.

BACK TO CONTENTS

HELLBOY

RELEASE: 04/02/04-(PG-13)-(2:13)-[SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT/COLUMBIA PICTURES/REVOLUTION STUDIOS/DARK HORSE ENTERTAINMENT]
CAST: RON PERLMAN, JOHN HURT, SELMA BLAIR, RUPERT EVANS, JEFFREY TAMBOR
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    Review is coming

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND

RELEASE: 04/02/04-(R)-(1:48)-[PARAMOUNT CLASSICS/MDP WORLDWIDE]
CAST: DON CHEADLE, RYAN GOSLING, CHRIS KLEIN, JENA MALONE, LENA OLIN, KEVIN SPACEY, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, MARTIN DONOVAN, ANN MAGNUSON
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Review is coming.

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE MAYOR OF SUNSET STRIP

RELEASE: 03/26/04-(R)-(1:40)-[WARNER BROS.]
CAST: DOCUMENTARY ABOUT RODNEY BINGENHEIMER WITH A HOST OF MUSICAL STARS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     N/A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     N/A
NOTES:    As much as I wanted to relive the glory days of KROQ and the many achievements of the mighty Rodney on the Roq throughout his heyday to current times... I found myself almost depressed by this documentary. Rodney is a sad little fellow that looks at all times as though he is befuddled and about to cry. While there is no comparison to the discoveries he's made and no equal to the amount of people he has helped and known throughout the years... the fact remains that this documentary was more about this sad man than it was the music that surrounded him for years. IF ONLY there were more in this documentary about the bands, the music, the discoveries and the eras he's touched and a little less about the many photographs and odd little stories... in the end I felt like I should cry for him... instead of celebrating a very important and seminal rock era figure. It's worth it for particular moments... but just not what I had thought it would be in total.

BACK TO CONTENTS

DOGVILLE

RELEASE: 03/26/04-(R)-(2:57)-[LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT]
CAST: NICOLE KIDMAN, PAUL BETTANY, LAUREN BACALL, BLAIR BROWN, JAMES CAAN, PATRICIA CLARKSON, JEREMIE DAVIES, BEN GAZZARA, PHILLIP BAKER HALL
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    When I first was stepping into the theater I wondered if I was going to be able to either stay awake or handle a three hour tour through the eyes of Lars Von Trier. What I found was an exceptionally unique and interesting piece of cinema that not only held my attention but kept me wondering how interesting all the filmmaking must have been. Here is a story about a woman who has seemingly "run away" and happens upon a small town in the middle of the country called Dogville. In it are the very few residents who have their way of life and hold tribunal in their little town hall for just about any decision that has anything to do with the town as a whole... or in its parts. Grace (Kidman) is a beautful and somewhat fragile young thing that catches the eye of one member of the village, Tom (Bettany) and after a period of doubts is accepted into the fold. What follows, however, is a twist in the means by which we as a people all see each other... as the small group of less than fortunate people become the tyrannical and short-sighted type of folk that the rich and powerful would be accussed of being. The end justifies the means and everyone in this tale gets pretty much what they asked for... But the best part of DOGVILLE is the filmmaking itself... the rare theater/stage type setting, the Strasberg method acting, the storytelling narrator. It all weaves magically together with the Von Triers hand-held camera to create a different, unusual and highly entertaining film unlike any I've seen in recent times. Excellent.

BACK TO CONTENTS

BON VOYAGE

RELEASE: 03/26/04-(PG-13)-(1:54)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: ISABELLE ADJANI, GERARD DEPARDIEU, VIRGINIE LEDOYEN, YVAN ATTAL, GREGORIE DERANGERE, PETER COYOTE
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    The French have a way of storytelling. BON VOYAGE is a slick and well-made winding tale that leaves no stone unturned and no moment without some form of vibrant activity. The story of World War II time France and the lives of several key players all intertwined, BON VOYAGE takes a glamorous actress (Adjani), a young man who helps her one night only to get pinned with a murder (Derangere), a woman helping a professor with dangerous materials that they don't want to the Germans to get a hold of, an escaped convict and a politician all into a story that weaves in and out of an interesting and all around well done tale of love, betrayal, intrigue, danger, death and war. Fast paced like the movies of the 40's and 50's, BON VOYAGE is a treat that you cannot (and should not) take your eyes off of.

BACK TO CONTENTS

TAKING LIVES

RELEASE: 03/19/04-(R)-(1:40)-[WARNER BROS.]
CAST: ANGELINA JOLIE, ETHAN HAWKE, KEIFER SUTHERLAND, OLIVIER MARTINEZ, GENA ROWLANDS
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    There are a few decent jolts to be felt in the new thriller TAKING LIVES... but when the film was over I honestly did not feel all that dazzled by originality... or any part of the full package. Granted... looking at Angelina Jolie can be a treat in and of itself... and she does do the stoic agent act quite convincingly... AND... I should say that Ethan is a good mix of whatever was necessary to make his character work appropriately... but all in all the film smacked of a vague familiarity... almost a little too much in texture as THE BONE COLLECTOR or other thrillers of the kind. TAKING LIVES will take a modest haul from the box office and do decently in video and dvd... but folks... let's break out of this mold and move on...

BACK TO CONTENTS

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

RELEASE: 03/19/04-(R)-(1:48)-[FOCUS FEATURES]
CAST: JIM CARREY, KATE WINSLET, MARK RUFFALO, KIRSTEN DUNST, ELIJAH WOOD, TOM WILKINSON, DAVID CROSS, JANE ADAMS
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    From the wonderfully genius and original mind of Charlie Kaufman comes a story about how important it can be to keep the experiences of our past no matter what they might have been. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play a couple that meet, fall in love and fall apart. Clementine (Winslet) bores and has Joel's (Carrey) memory erased from her mind which prompts him to do the same. When Joel goes through the process, however, he is re-introduced to Clementine and discovers that he might not want her out of his brain forever after all. The crux of the film is in Joel's head trying to evade the erasing being done as he hides within parts of his memory not being erased while dragging the memories he thought he wanted to lose with him. It is wildly imaginative and completely bizarre... and, at times, a little difficult to wrap your own mind around... But in a world filled with cookie cutter formula films, Eternal is a gem... a worthy sit in the theater.

BACK TO CONTENTS

GOODBYE, LENIN

RELEASE: 02/27/04-(R)-(2:01)-[SONY PICTURES CLASSICS]
CAST: DANIEL BRUHL, KATHRIN SASS, MARIA SIMON, FLORIAN LUKAS, ALEXANDER BAYER, CHULPAN KHAMATOVA
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    GOODBYE, LENIN is a delightful feel good film capitalizing on the love a son has for his mother. Taking place in East Germany in the late 80's the story deals with a young mother whose husband leaves her with their two children. After a period of depression she becomes an ardent 'family' socialist and raises her children while winning awards and living for her government and the regime. Around the time of the uprisings in 1989, however, she suffers a heart attack on the street and goes into a coma for 8 months. After spending the time at his mother's side in the hospital (and meeting a nurse in the process) Alex (Bruhl) is forced to create a world of East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall... an event that took place while his mother was in the coma, in order to make sure that she is not 'surprised' or excited... which could cause her to have another attack. The ruse continues for some time creating a warm, infectious and somewhat ludicrous result and a fun and effective film.

BACK TO CONTENTS

SECRET WINDOW

RELEASE: 03/12/04-(PG-13)-(1:52)-[COLUMBIA PICTURES/SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT]
CAST: JOHNNY DEPP, JOHN TURTURRO, MARIA BELLO, CHARLES S. DUTTON, TIMOTHY HUTTON, LEN CARIOU
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    For many years I have known that Johnny Depp would climb to the forefront of the industry as a bankable star. It isn't as though it took this long for this to happen... for the most part it has been Mr. Depp's choice to stay in the smaller and independent productions. Now he is here. SECRET WINDOW may not be the most ideal showcasing of his talents... but it is a somewhat eerie and interesting means of showing us what both he and Mr. King can do. I loved the character of Mort Rainey and the depiction of a slow and then instant transformation into a bitter insanity. Many of the players here are quite good but the film as a whole simply does not rise to a point of necessary return. It's an original... that seems to be derived from another original... if that makes any sense at all. Whatever the case, if you are a Depp fan (and I know there are many...) I would suggest the film for him alone.

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE RECKONING

RELEASE: 03/05/04-(R)-(1:52)-[PARAMOUNT CLASSICS]
CAST: PAUL BETTANY, WILLEM DAFOE, BRIAN COX, VINCENT CASSELL, GINA MCKEE
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    Paul Bettany is an actor to be 'reckoned' with... A character actor best known previously as the non-existent roommate in BEAUTIFUL MIND and the ships doctor in his true breakthrough last year, MASTER AND COMMANDER takes the lead in THE RECKONING as a priest on the run from crimes against the church. He finds himself embroiled in a murder plot in a small 13th Century village in the side of a mountain when he, along with a band of travelling actors he has joined stop there to perform. The film is original, albeit somewhat slow in pieces. It deals with subjects of honor and primeval law and order entangled with the ongoing topic of religion and guilt. As stated previously, what is strongest about this film is it's performances... not only by Bettany, but by Dafoe, Cox and an under-used Vincent Cassell.

BACK TO CONTENTS

STARSKY AND HUTCH

RELEASE: 03/05/04-(PG-13)-(1:41)-[DIMENSION FILMS/WARNER BROS.]
CAST: BEN STILLER, OWEN WILSON, SNOOP DOG, VINCE VAUGHN, CARMEN ELECKTRA, JULIETTE LEWIS, AMY SMART, JASON BATEMAN, FRED WILLIAMSON.
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     C
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    All in good fun... right? Although STARSKY and HUTCH bears very little resemblance to the original tv series... it takes a great many liberties in goofing on it. This, mind you, is not necessarily a bad thing considering anyone who has seen the original would know it is ripe for parody. What I liked about the film is the spot on performances by Stiller and Wilson... especially Stiller, who in many scenes displayed an uncanny resemblance to Paul Michael Glaser (I was a bit taken back.) The film is not a laugh-out-loud piece of comedy work... but there are some fun and entertaining moments... basically I suppose this sort of fare depends entirely on just how much you either identify with the original, feel like a light and fluffy afternnon chuckle OR would like to use the time after having smoked a doobie.

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

RELEASE: 02/25/04-(R)-(1:45)-[ICON PRODUCTIONS / NEWMARKET FILMS]
CAST: JAMES CAVIEZEL, MONICA BELLUCCI, CLAUDIA GERINI, MAIA MORGENSTERN, SERGIO RUBINI
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     A
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     A
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    If there is one thing to remember about breeding business it could be that there is no such thing as bad publicity... or controversy. THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is the labor of a deeply religious Mel Gibson... giving the world a piece of what he sees as the truth based on the last 12 hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life. The controversy stems not only from interpretations but from how others tend to equate historical leanings as anti-this or anti-that. Some of that might be true... or it might not... but the sum of the whole is that this is a passionate film about a passionate subject. Gibson spares nothing to portray the evils and the hatred that is portrayed. His actors are brilliant and his film work is splendid. Putting aside any pre-judgment based on the fact that I am not particularly religious and do not necessarily buy into most of what the bible preaches... I must say that the film made me feel to some extent that I was in a Sunday school watching the way a Christian world studies. That's OK. The biggest downfall about this film should not be in its religious leanings... but in the graphic violence portrayed to show the story as this interpretation calls for. It is not for weak stomachs. All in all... this is something that curiosity needed to see. I do not regret the experience and shall now tuck it safely into my past.

BACK TO CONTENTS

MONSIEUR IBRAHIM

RELEASE: 02/20/04-(PG-13)-(1:50)-[20TH CENTURY FOX]
CAST: GENE HACKMAN, RAY ROMANO, MARCIA GAY HARDIN, MAURA TIERNEY, CHRISTINE BARANSKI, FRED SAVAGE, RIP TORN
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA

RELEASE: 02/06/04-(PG)-(1:30)-[TRISTAR PICTURES]
CAST: FAY MASTERSON, ANDREW PARKS, SUSAN MCCONNELL, BRIAN HOWE, JENNIFER BLAIR
OVERALL:     C
STORY/SCRIPT:     C
PERFORMANCES:     C
DIRECTION:     C
MUSIC:     C
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     C
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     C
MAKE-UP:     C
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     C
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     C
ORIGINALITY:     C
NOTES:    Back in the olden days of cinema there was a director named Ed Wood (remember the fim with Johnny Depp?) who created some of the cheesiest and cheapest films on the planet. THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA is in this league... but the only saving grace is that it intends to be such a film. This is a black and white ditty with atrocious dialogue and inane acting revolving around one of the silliest stories that could possibly become a film. Is it fun or is it trash? My vote goes for FUN.... but it's just a little TOO silly for it to be a great film.

BACK TO CONTENTS

50 FIRST DATES

RELEASE: 02/13/04-(PG-13)-(1:30)-[COLUMBIA PICTURES/HAPPY MADISON PRODUCTIONS
CAST: ADAM SANDLER, DREW BARRYMORE, ROB SCHNEIDER, SEAN ASTIN, AMY HILL, BLAKE CLARK
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     C
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     C
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     B
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     C
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     D
NOTES:    This is an Adam Sandler movie. That being said one could draw their own conclusions. This is neither a seal of approval nor a condemnation... if you like Adam films you will enjoy 50 FIRST DATES, if not... why bother. I will say that the premise here is similar to one made famous in GROUNDHOG DAY with the wonderful Bill Murray chasing after Andie MacDowell over and over again with different scenarios based on the premise that he continues to wake up repeatedly in the same day. It's a comedy... so suspend your belief systems and let it ride. Drew is delightful... but I love Drew. This could be an excellent light and fluffy date move or something to rent in the months to come upon its release.

BACK TO CONTENTS

WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT

RELEASE: 02/20/04-(PG-13)-(1:50)-[20TH CENTURY FOX]
CAST: GENE HACKMAN, RAY ROMANO, MARCIA GAY HARDIN, MAURA TIERNEY, CHRISTINE BARANSKI, FRED SAVAGE, RIP TORN
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    MOOSEPORT is a nice comedy. It is impressive in its having pulled together all of these acting award winners for what honestly looked to be a rather silly and somewhat contrived fluff piece. Granted... as big studio goes this is up there with most of what is offered on the originality scale... (and that is not necessarily very good...) but the truth is that MOOSEPORT is sweet. In all honesty the main problem with the film is NOT in the script but in its lead... Ray Romano is one-note and somewhat annoying not only in that we see the same character from his overly-dysfunctional tv show but because his nasal delivery is a bit hard to take for a nearly two-hour film. Otherwise the characters and their portrayers all seem to fit rather well. Why oh WHY are we not seeing more of the magnificent and beautiful Maura Tierney? MOOSEPORT was a nice choice for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

BACK TO CONTENTS

THE DREAMERS

RELEASE: 02/06/04-(NC-17)-(1:56)-[FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES]
CAST: MICHAEL PITT, EVA GREEN, LOUIS GARREL, ROBIN RENUCCI, ANNA CHANCELLOR
OVERALL:     A
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     A
MUSIC:     A
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     A
EDITING:     A
COSTUMING:     A
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     A
NOTES:    THE DREAMERS is a piece of Bertolucci sensuality rolled up into the story of three beautiful and young movie lovers in 1968 Paris. There are quirks and holes to the story... but overall it is an oddly fascinating study of human nature and youth. Interesting cuts from some classic films and some unapologetic nudity give this film a slight edge, making THE DREAMERS a pleasant twist from the normal studio fluff.

BACK TO CONTENTS

YOU GOT SERVED

RELEASE: 01/30/04-(PG-13)-(1:45)-[SCREEN GEMS/COLUMBIA TRISTAR FILMS]
CAST: DEMARIO THORNTON, OMARI GRANDBERRY, JENNIFER FREEMAN, DREUX FREDERIC, MEAGAN GOOD, STEVE HARVEY, LIL KIM
OVERALL:     C
STORY/SCRIPT:     D
PERFORMANCES:     C
DIRECTION:     C
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     C
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     D
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     C
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     D
NOTES:    I will say one thing for this production... some of these guys and girls are absolutley stunning in their ability to "dance" and move around a floor. These choreographed sequences could very well be the only reason to see a film like this... which has little or no other quality that has not been seen hundreds of times before. Ho-hum. Thank god I had this on tape from the office.....

BACK TO CONTENTS

LATTER DAYS

RELEASE: 01/30/04-(NO RATING)-(1:45)-[TLA RELEASING/FUNNY BOY FILMS]
CAST: WESLEY A. RAMSEY, STEVE SANDVOSS, JACQUELINE BISSET, MARY KAY PLACE, ERIK PALLADINO, AMBER BENSON
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     A
PERFORMANCES:     B
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     C
EDITING:     B
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     C
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     B
NOTES:    I actually enjoyed this tale of unlikely love. It is a stretch in many ways... but in matters of the heart I suppose anything flies. It is both funny and heart-breaking at points and in the end becomes a tale proving that anything is possible.

BACK TO CONTENTS

WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON

RELEASE: 01/23/04-(PG-13)-(1:35)-[DREAMWORKS SKG, RED WAGON PRODUCTIONS]
CAST: KATE BOSWORTH, TOPHER GRACE, JOSH DUHAMEL, NATHAN LANE, SEAN HAYES, GARY COLE, GINNIFER GOODWIN
OVERALL:     B
STORY/SCRIPT:     B
PERFORMANCES:     A
DIRECTION:     B
MUSIC:     B
CINEMATOGRAPHY:     C
EDITING:     C
COSTUMING:     B
MAKE-UP:     B
ART DIRECTION/SET DIRECTION:     B
SPECIAL EFFECTS:     N/A
ORIGINALITY:     C
NOTES:    A cute film... stand-outs include Topher Grace's dry comic turn and the burgeoning career of Josh Duhamel. Simple love story... but nicely done, albeit quite implausible.

BACK TO CONTENTS

Counter

FOR MY HOMEPAGE