714 reviews from Firewater

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 1
Once again, I hop on a bandwagon after the wheels have fallen off. I never watched a single episode of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER when it was originally aired. I had seen the movie, of course, and found it lacking something. Fast forward a few years, and of course I'm aware that the show has developed a cult following, but still believe that the premise is too silly for me. Well .I just finished Season 1, and while I didn't immediately fall in love with its "monster of the week" pattern, I did fall in love with the characters. A deft combination of humor and subdued horror, the final episode of the season hints at a potential for something even more thrilling. I am personally thrilled that there are many more seasons for me to play catch-up. [01-02-09]

Eagle Eye
Not orginal, not as smart as it thinks it is, EAGLE EYE still manages to entertain. This is a remarkable feat considering it features one of my least favorite actors, Billy Bob Thornton, and Shia LeBeouf, who is suddenly in the running for the same award from me. Okay, the movie gets points in the win column for Rosario Dawson and Michelle Managhan, both of whom I like a lot. The story is familiar. The screenwriters even had the audacity to use the phrase "enemy of the state." While inventive, much of the action is too far-fetched for anything except outright fantasy. When I finished watching this movie I wasn't afraid that any of it could come true. A one-time only watch for me. [12-30-08]

Death Race
I am not above a little brainless, escapist fun, which is exactly what DEATH RACE provides. This one is equal parts THE FUGITIVE, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, MAD MAX and THE RUNNING MAN, with a dash of the video game Twisted Metal thrown in for good measure. Could this be why there's not a Death Race video game yet? This is high-octane action adventure here, with a lot of car crashes, shooting and explosions. All produced under the aegis of Roger Corman. Big budget B-movie, and I liked it. [12-28-08]

Masters of Horror: Season 1: Vol. 4: Disc 1: Takashi Miike: Imprint
This one was pulled from the air by Showtime for unsettling content. I'll say. You'll recognize actor Billy Drago from a lot of movies and television shows, even if you don't know his name. Probably not his best work here, but that doesn't detract much from the horror show presented by Takashi Miike's IMPRINT. This was the perfect length for a story of this type. Any longer may have been unbearable. Scary? No, not to me, and probably not to you if you're a horror fan. Unsettling? Yeah, that hits the nail on the head. [12-28-08]

Burn After Reading
Some wise person has said that the difference between tragedy and comedy is your perspective. Make no mistake, BURN AFTER READING is a tragedy. But, it is a tragedy that had me laughing throughout. I really liked this one. No, it's not as good as FARGO. Few things are. It's in the same vein, though. There is something to like and hate about each character, and D.C. is like one of the characters. Frances McDormand is a standout, as always, but all of the actors turn in fine performances. The Coen Brothers score again. [12-27-08]

The Office: Season 4
If you've watched the previous seasons of THE OFFICE, you already know what an excellent series this is. This show hasn't peaked yet. The trials and tribulations of everyone's least favorite boss, Michael Scott, continues. Steve Carell is a tremendous actor, somehow making this viewer empathize with Michael, even feeling sorry for him at times. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, and the chemistry between the actors has never been better. I will continue to watch this series as long as it stays on the air. [12-27-08]

Pale Rider
PALE RIDER was never one of my favorite Clint Eastwood westerns. But, I've given it a second chance some twenty-three years later. I have to admit that I enjoyed it more this time around. Maybe I've matured some. The build-up in this one is slow and steady, the characters like chess pieces being moved in preparation for the final reel, which is explosive (in every sense of the word). The late Chris Penn and Richard Dysart give memorable performances, as does Michael Moriarty. The dialogue is spare, with Eastwood having the fewest lines, it seems. There are parts that still seem too cloying to me, like the death of the girl's dog and the subplot of Moriarty's woman being in love with the Preacher. The backstory is never fully explained, but I like it like that. And, once again, we don't know the name of Clint's character. Others have pointed out the similarities to SHANE and even Eastwood's own HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER. Yeah, the similarities are there, all right, but those aren't bad movies to be compared to. [12-27-08]

Star Trek: The Animated Series: The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek
If you are a Star Trek aficionado, you can't ignore STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED SERIES, whose 22 episodes aired over two seasons in the early Seventies as a continuation of the original live-action series. It features the voices of all of the original characters except for, inexplicably, Walter Koenig's. The actor who played Chekov did, however, write the teleplay to one of the episodes, "The Infinite Vulcan." There has been talk over the years about leaving the cartoon out of the official Star Trek "canon," but several of the events of this short series were later referenced in other Trek series and books. While I recommend this to anyone who is a true fan of the original series, I have to include the caveat that this is a Filmation production, which translates into overall crappy animation and production values. With almost all the original actors and series writers on board, however, this one is worth just listening to. [12-26-08]

Death Sentence
As a parent, you ask yourself what would you do if you were put in the same set of circumstances. For good or ill, I think I would respond the same way Kevin Bacon's character Nick Hume did in DEATH SENTENCE. It's the "for good or ill" part that describes the plot of this movie, which is about actions and reactions; about causality. Who am I kidding? Ebert was right. This is a movie about a bunch of people shooting at each other, and I liked it a lot. Bacon adds a gravitas to the role that would have been missed by lesser actors, and John Goodman has a supporting role that I thought was downright scary. Not everyone's cup of tea, and certainly not for the kiddies. [12-24-08]

Camp
I guess I didn't hate this one, but it was close. I'm not the demographic that CAMP was aimed at, which I believe is the "tween" crowd. Plus, I really don't like musicals. You may wonder why I even queued this one. It was Anna Kendrick, who blew me away in another indie flick, ROCKET SCIENCE, made about four years after this one. She shines in CAMP as well. She is an actress to keep your eye on, I think. This movie, though, is not the best showcase for her talent. The plot is FAME meets MEATBALLS. I kept wishing Jason Voorhees would make an appearance. [12-24-08]

Starz Inside: Comic Books Unbound
COMIC BOOKS UNBOUND is okay for what it is, which is a shallow overview of the history of comic books in film. There's quite a bit about Superman, fitting since he is the forefather of all costumed superheroes, and a bit more about Batman. What I found interesting were all the comics, or "graphic novels," if you prefer, that were adapted to motion pictures without all the hoopla. Sure, I knew that 300 and ROAD TO PERDITION were originally comics, but I didn't realize that A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE was. Since CGI has caught up with, and perhaps passed, almost anything an artist can imagine, the use of comic books as source material for movies will continue, perhaps indefinitely. Whets my appetite for SIN CITY 2, THE SPIRIT, and WATCHMEN. At only an hour long, this doc is worth the rental only if you're interested in the subject. [12-20-08]

Man on Fire
Initially, the choppy editing and quick cuts of MAN ON FIRE bothered me, but as I became enthralled with the story of Creasey and 'Pida I no longer noticed it. Somewhat like that moment you forget you're reading subtitles, which this one has at times as well. The constant motion of the camera and the various video effects mimicked the constant state of turmoil that Denzel Washington's character was suffering throughout. Yes, this is another take on the Death Wish/Punisher-type revenge drama, but it is more than that. It is an innocent love story between a damned man and a precocious young girl. Denzel was terrific in this, but all of the other actors were as well. The conclusion, while it doesn't bode well for sequels (thank God), is a satisfying one. [12-17-08]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I liked ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, mostly because it was quirky and played loose with narrative structure. And because the film had heart at its center, which is necessary to keep an experimental film such as this one from bombing outright. It did not bomb, and the screenplay more than earned its Academy Award. Kate Winslet was beautiful and weird, and Jim Carrey, for a change, did not spend the entire movie mugging for the camera and over-acting. In fact, this is the first movie I even liked Carrey in since as far back as I can remember. There is still something lacking here that I just can't put a name to. Something in the subplot with Tom Wilkinson and Kirsten Dunst that just didn't gel for me. Still, worth a watch. [12-15-08]

Lost: Season 4
LOST: SEASON 4 continues to warp space and time in a way that fans of the show already love. This time, they turn it up to eleven. At the end of the last season, we were left thinking that rescue was imminent. The flashforwards of this season and Hurley's mention of the "Oceanic Six" in the initial episode may lead you to believe that it is true. Of course, with a reputed two additional seasons in the plans, there must be more to the story, right? John Locke and Benjamin Linus continue to be the most interesting characters to me, but Sayid is in the running in his flashforwards as an assassin. Some mysteries are resolved (Who is in the casket?), but others are introduced in true Lost fashion. The conclusion of this short season is both explosive and mind bending. Ben Linus did what? I love this series. [12-14-08]

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 6
The sixth season of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM puts the series back on track, in my opinion. Larry continues to fumble his way through life, doing things that most of us would be ashamed to consider. This show is hilarious, and is going in the vault of all-time favorites. [12-13-08]

The Dark Knight
Christian Bale has now solidified his position as my favorite Batman actor, but as others have repeated it is Heath Ledger who makes THE DARK KNIGHT something special. This movie is action-packed and thrilling, everything that word-of-mouth told me it was. But, and this is a big "but", I preferred BATMAN BEGINS. I fully expect a barrage of "not helpfuls" for voicing this opinion, but at times this movie seemed to sprawl a bit too much, and seemed to be in search of an ending long before reaching its nearly three hour running time. Also, because of the infatuation with Ledger's Joker, Batman at times seemed to be a secondary character in his own movie. Final assessment: a very good movie, but not a great movie. Bring on the slings and arrows. [12/12/08]

Oldboy
OLDBOY deserves to be watched. This is a well crafted psychological thriller about a man seeking revenge for being imprisoned for fifteen years. I won't say I didn't see the ending coming, but I was surprised that what I saw coming did, in fact, arrive. Much of the movie is trippy and leaves the viewer wondering if what happens is real or in the lead character's head. There are also some decent fight scenes. Deserves to be watched, and recommended. [12-10-08]

The White Stripes: Under Blackpool Lights
It's settled. I am a fan of Jack White. I came back to The White Stripes via his latest side project, The Raconteurs (who also rock, I must add). THE WHITE STRIPES: UNDER BLACKPOOL LIGHTS is an amazing bare-boned set, with a prodigious amount of music coming from the Whites without any additional musicians. Meg takes a beating on the Net for her drumming, but I think she does what she's meant to do. No, she's no Bonham, but she keeps decent rhythm. Plus, she really appears to be into the music. Jack White is a musical phenom. Yeah, that's right. That's what I said. He has earned a place in my personal pantheon of guitar gods. As I write this review, I see that NF has Unavailable under the dvd image. Could I have been the last person able to queue this one? Damn, I should have kept it. [12-09-08]

Untitled X-Files Sequel
I am pleasantly surprised after that turkey of a first motion picture. THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE goes smaller and more intimate, focusing on what really drove the popularity of the television series, which is the chemistry between Scully and Mulder. This is not one of the "mythology" entries in the on-going saga. In fact, Mulder's sister gets only a couple of mentions, and then only as a reference to his motivating psychology. No aliens here. No monsters (well, maybe one). Also no Cigarette Smoking Man or Deep Throat or Lone Gunmen, or any of the other weapons in the X-Files arsenal. Except for Skinner, who shows up halfway through. Billy Connolly does a brave turn as a pedophile priest receiving visions from God, and Amanda Peet is as lovely as always. I liked this one a lot. If you're an X-Phile, you will, too. [12-07-08]

House of Games
HOUSE OF GAMES is for fans of the confidence game, both long and short. And for fans of Joe Mantegna, who is excellent in this morality tale. David Mamets sparse, stingy dialogue style may take some getting used to, but it works well in this Eighties noir psychological thriller. Thank you, sir, may I have another. Classic. [12-07-08]

The Happening
It's not that THE HAPPENING is a bad movie. It's that it's not much of one. I, for one, did not mind that the cause of the "toxin" wasn't explained away. The characters themselves warned us early on that nature doesn't always give away its secrets. The early scenes showing the deaths caused by this unexplained event are eerie and effective. The story itself moves along at a brisk pace, the perfect length at 90 minutes. It is the ending that keeps me from rating the movie higher. I think it is a copout. I also suspect that there may have been an alternate ending that test audiences liked less. [12-06-08]

George Carlin: It's Bad for Ya
GEORGE CARLIN: IT'S BAD FOR YA is not the best of his body of work out there. Nor is it the worst. Carlin does not look well in this one. Maybe it's just because I knew this was his last recorded performance before he died. The rants are familiar and insightful. His opinions on death and the existence of an afterlife or God are sadly punctuated by his real death. I am a Carlin fan, and I always will be. I hope he was wrong and that he is smiling down at us now. [12-05-08]

The Island
If there were ever a science fiction/action movie that suffered because of a bad title, THE ISLAND is it. Yeah, yeah. I know. The island is a metaphor and all that. That much is clear now. I may have originally confused this one with THE BEACH. Anyway, I didn't want to watch the new Blue Lagoon. I admit my mistake. You can count me in with most of the Michael Bay haters out there, but this movie rocked it hard. At first, I thought it was going to be just another LOGAN'S RUN rip-off, and it was, sort of, maybe with a dash of SOYLENT GREEN. Once Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson escape into the "real" world, however, the movie takes off. Sure, your disbelief must be suspended from the neck until dead at some points. That's not enough to ruin a good action movie, though, which is what this one finally becomes. I really liked this one. [12-03-08]

Step Brothers
If you take a hilarious idea for a five-minute skit and stretch it to ninety minutes, you end up with something like STEP BROTHERS. Man-child humor reached its apex (and perhaps its nadir) with Jerry Lewis movies, and this new Will Ferrell entry into the genre hasn't changed that. Since John C. Reilly blew me away in WALK HARD, I still held out hope for this one, hope that was dashed against the rocks by the fifteen minute mark. Still, if you go into this one with lowered expectations, it's watchable. Perhaps you could create a drinking game involving various body parts or sexual acts mentioned. [12-02-08]

Lucky Number Slevin
I'd have to read the script to find out if it was the writing or the editing that devalued LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN for me. With its bluechip cast and mostly interesting story, this should have earned four or five stars. But, there was something lacking here. The twists were neat but telegraphed. The changes in tone were disconcerting, as was the art director's fixation on weird wallpaper designs. I loved Bruce Willis's hitman, and the juxtaposition of Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley as The Boss and The Rabbi. Plus, Lucy Liu has never been lovelier, in my opinion. But, the combination of world class ingredients came out a little bland for my tastes. [11-29-08]

The Devil's Rejects
THE DEVIL'S REJECTS revels in over-the-top violence, committed with an insane glee that the viewer either shares or is repulsed by (sometimes both). If you've never pulled for the bad guy to get away with murder, you will have a difficult time enjoying this movie. If you've ever thought you were the bad guy, the Firefly family will make you feel angelic in comparison. Sid Haig once again steals the show as the insane clown Captain Spaulding, but William Forsythe gives him a run for his money as the sheriff seeking revenge. The soundtrack also pleases with good Seventies rock music. I tip my hat to Mr. Zombie. [11-29-08]

Sukiyaki Western Django
NF usually predicts my ratings accurately. Not so with SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO. My predicted rating was 2 stars. My real rating is 4 stars, maybe 4.499 stars. I liked this movie a lot. Stylized violence, some cartoonish action, and some decent acting. Plus, Quentin Tarantino in a couple of roles. This is a Japanese spaghetti western, with Hideaki Ito as a unique Man With No Name. There's some swordplay in this one as well, and a Gatlin gun. If you were a fan of KILL BILL, you will probably "get" this one as well. [11-27-08]

River Queen
Not much to say about this one except that I couldn't stay awake while watching it. RIVER QUEEN features beautiful scenery, but moves with the pace of a long, long sinuous river. The voiceover also grated on my nerves. I'm sure there are gems here to be mined if you're a patient viewer. I'm not. [11-26-08]

Hancock
Super-hero movies must be exceedingly difficult to pull off successfully. So few of them do, and HANCOCK is no exception. This movie has all of the elements that I thought would make it wonderful. The always likeable Will Smith, the beautiful Charlize Theron, and the consistently funny Jason Bateman. Over-the-top special effects (I mean, it's easy to become jaded with CGI, but these are really very, very good). And yet, this movie fell somewhat short of wonderful for me. The actors hit their marks perfectly, but the story was lacking, as if this were a screenplay written by committee. There is an old Hollywood adage that a good movie could be filmed against a white wall as long as the characters were interesting. These characters were okay, but didn't seem to be actually driving the plot. Not a bad popcorn movie, I suppose, but instantly forgettable. [11-26-08]

The Deaths of Ian Stone
THE DEATHS OF IAN STONE was heading for a four-star review from me until it bogged down in the late second, early third acts. When the explanations started to fly, my interest started to wane. Ian Stone dies every day at the hands of some cool otherworldly creatures with hands that morph into long curved black blades. It's MATRIX meets ALIENS to me, with a weak ending. [11-24-08]

Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t!: Season 2
This is not a show for those who dislike having their beliefs or preconceived notions challenged. This is a show for skeptics. I love this series and can't wait to watch the remaining seasons. After watching this season, I refuse to recycle anything but aluminum cans. Oh, also, PETA sucks. [11-24-08]

Sleepaway Camp
I somehow missed SLEEPAWAY CAMP back in '83. It probably would have earned only two stars from me back then. But, now, through the prism of 25 years, this movie is a hoot. The Eighties clothes and hairstyles, the deliberate copying of FRIDAY THE 13TH. There may be a legitimate actor in the cast, but if so, he or she was having a bad week. This is a movie so bad that it calls for a Joe Bob Briggs commentary track or Mike/Joel and the robots. I watched it because someone had posted the movie in a thread about shock endings. Okay, it is funny shocking, but that's about it. Still, I couldn't turn it off, so that's saying something. Enjoy the cheese. [11-24-08]

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
I've never heard as many words issue from Bob Dylan's mouth before. NO DIRECTION HOME is a treat for everyone who has enjoyed any of Dylan's music, or his words, which often read as well as most poetry I've been forced to read. While this Scorcese-helmed documentary shows Dylan opening up more than I've ever seen, the artist still remains wrapped in the cloak of mystery he helped weave. Dylan is iconic, like Lennon, like Marley, like Elvis. But he's still alive. [11-22-08]

Felon
If they cast the lead for the Brett Favre story anytime soon, I hope Stephen Dorff is considered for the part. I was struck by his resemblance to the quarterback during this flick. FELON is an uncommonly good prison movie in which Dorff plays the archetypal good man sent to prison who has to learn to survive. Dorff delivers in his role, but it is Val Kilmer who surprises as the mass murderer John Smith. Kilmer seems comfortable in making the move from pretty-boy roles to rugged character parts, and he chews up the scenery in this one. Harold Perrineau, known to me mainly as the easy to hate Michael on LOST, is the bad guy in a sea of bad guys in this one. Good movie that I highly recommend. [11-19-08]

Tropic Thunder
TROPIC THUNDER could be subtitled "Ben Stiller does his war movie." Stiller's considerable talent has still not made him a gold-plated stock to invest my time in over the years. He swung for the fences and got a homerun with this one. He was even willing to give up the best role to Robert Downey Jr., who turns in a bravura performance that, because of its context, will never win him an Oscar, but probably should. Really. I'm not being sarcastic. Jack Black is an annoying presence throughout, but it's okay, because he's supposed to be annoying. Nick Nolte is perfect as grizzled Vietnam vet "Four Leaf" Tayback. Other than Downey's, the surprise performance for me was Tom Cruise's small role as a bald, hairy-armed billionaire who's financing the movie within a movie. Ben Stiller also directs this one. Well done. [11-19-08]

The Foot Fist Way
I'm going against the majority on this one. THE FOOT FIST WAY was a tour de force for actor Danny R. McBride, who I recognize as a secondary character from several movies, most recently TROPICAL THUNDER, which I watched the same night as this one without knowing he was in both. This one was a word-of-mouth recommendation for me, in the same way I came to watch OFFICE SPACE and SUPER TROOPERS. It has the same vibe as both of those movies. Definitely low-budget and unconventional, with a plot that is mostly unpredictable (a couple of exceptions) and humor that is definitely skewed. MacBride manages to make the unsympathetic taekwondo instructor sympathetic somehow. I believe this movie will enjoy a long shelf-life on DVD. [11-19-08]

The Kingdom
THE KINGDOM wasn't exactly what I expected. That's not a bad thing. I was expecting a self-important film with a lot of political overtones. This was a good, perhaps very good, action adventure. An action sandwich maybe, since the opening sequence is very rousing, as is the closing sequence. It bogs a bit in the middle for some exposition and character development, but not enough to either ruin or improve the movie for me. More than anything, I was struck by how ably Jamie Foxx walks in Denzel Washington's shoes. [11-18-08]

Fulltime Killer
I liked FULLTIME KILLER. I would have gone as high as four stars if the ending hadn't dragged out so long. The true "ending," in fact, was relegated to a series of flashbacks. The flashbacks had been handled adroitly throughout the movie, but don't give me one to explain the conclusion to the rivalry between the assassins "O" and Tok. Other than an ending that really lacked resolution, this was a very good action movie. I found it difficult to root for one assassin over the other. Mostly I rooted for the young woman Chin. [11-16-08]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Animated Feature)
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS was definitely better than EPISODE I, and considerably less tedious than the other two "prequels". I liked this one a lot and look forward to more of the same. The computer animation was brilliant and this type of movie seems to represent the next logical phase in the genre. Honestly, except for the stiffer faces on the "human" characters, this was not very different than the prequels anyway, which were heavy with CGI. This story was engaging, at once thrilling and injected with the humor we've come to expect from the series. My only gripe, and it is a minor one, is that the Star Wars theme music has been altered. Now that's sacrilege. [11-14-08]

American Hardcore
I was on the fringe in this particular movement. AMERICAN HARDCORE made me want to practice the three chords I played best and scream into a microphone. Watching this documentary made me understand that I never sucked as bad as I thought I did. There is some genuine art to be found here. Don't worry if you don't get it. It wasn't meant for the masses. [11/13/08]

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL reminded me a little of THE HEARTBREAK KID, which I hated. I actually thought this one was pretty good. Not great, just pretty good. I've been a fan of Jason Segel's since FREAKS & GEEKS, and he didn't entirely disappoint here with his script or his acting. Mila Kunis is amazing in her role, all grown up, a real woman able to more than hold her own with the also attractive Kristen Bell. The rest of the supporting cast are also excellent, especially Paul Rudd and the English chap. There has been much ado about Segel going the Full Monty in this one, but it's over with quick. Close your eyes or don't, whichever you prefer. This one didn't bore me. [11/11/08]

Red
There are plenty of other reasons to like the movie RED, but the main two for me are: I like dogs; and, I like Brian Cox. Like the movie A SIMPLE PLAN, this story is a case where each tiny decision in the movie eventually makes the outcome inevitable. The butterfly flapping its wings and all that. The pace of the movie is slow and measured, but seems in keeping with the country setting. Cox, as I suggested before, is brilliant, playing a man of honor and of few words, and playing him believeably. I know men like his character. I'd even hope that I was one of them. A very good drama with a satisfying conclusion. [11-09-08]

Fido
If you can imagine that the events of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD actually occurred in the world of LASSIE, then you have an idea what this heart-warming zombie tale is all about. Well done period piece, with the wonderful Carrie-Anne Moss and Dylan Baker as the parents to little Timmy, and Billy Connolly as the zombie pet the little boy names Fido. A potent reminder that shock collars don't always work and you should always spay and neuter your pets. FIDO is a keeper. [11-08-08]

Alice Cooper: Brutally Live
I was an Alice Cooper fan back when the songs Eighteen and Schools Out really reverberated in my young as-yet-unformed ego. This 2000 concert film has done nothing to alter my admiration of this performer. This is my Alice Cooper, not the Vincent Fernier who strolls the links. All the usual bits are here. The guillotine, the building of the Frankenstein's monster, the dead baby. It is quite a show. At one point, Alice (in character) calls Kiss, Ozzie and Marilyn Manson his unruly offspring, and in this I believe he is dead on. I liked many of the songs a lot, but I loved the show. [11-07-08]

Northern Exposure: Seasons 1 & 2
NORTHERN EXPOSURE is a pleasant blast of cold Alaskan air from the past. I missed most of the later seasons of this series because life intervened and, to this date, I never learned how to program a VCR. But, I remember a few of these shows from seasons one and two, and I remember that I liked them, even back then. Janine Turner as Maggie the pilot rocked the boy hairstyle and made it particularly sexy, and Rob Morrow seemed to be attempting to channel Woody Allen in his role as Dr. Fleischman. While it is the sexual tension and flirtation between these two characters that formed the nucleus of the show, it was the varied characters and the weird, dreamlike tone of the series that made it unique. I look forward to continuing to catch up with the citizens of Cicely, Alaska. [11-05-08]

My Name Is Earl: Season 3
While I still really like this series, MY NAME IS EARL: SEASON 3 has been my least favorite so far. As if suspecting the formula is getting stale, the writers spend much of this season with Earl in prison or in a coma. The episodes in which Earl is in a coma and is living a dream life in a television sitcom were almost unwatchable for me. Still, I like these characters and have faith that the series will get back on track. [11-02-08]

Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith
If you liked the first two filmed Q&A's, or if you're a huge Kevin Smith fan anyway, you will enjoy SOLD OUT: A THREEVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH. It is, however, the least enjoyable of the three. There are funny moments to be sure. His story about playing Warlock in LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD is worth the price of admission. His story about his weenie dog Shecky is cute. His story about anal fissures should have been left on the cuttingroom floor. Painful. I mean, really. Don't be fooled as I was that the second disc is all extras. It is required viewing since it includes the last half of the Q&A. Silent Bob is a talker, and I'm still a fan. [10-30-08]

Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith: Bonus Material
*Warning* Duplicate review of Disc One. If you liked the first two filmed Q&A's, or if you're a huge Kevin Smith fan anyway, you will enjoy SOLD OUT: A THREEVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH. It is, however, the least enjoyable of the three. There are funny moments to be sure. His story about playing Warlock in LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD is worth the price of admission. His story about his weenie dog Shecky is cute. His story about anal fissures should have been left on the cuttingroom floor. Painful. I mean, really. Don't be fooled as I was that the second disc is all extras. It is required viewing since it includes the last half of the Q&A. Silent Bob is a talker, and I'm still a fan. [10-30-08]

Pushing Daisies: Season 1
PUSHING DAISIES is a sweet show. Saccharine, even. This series has the feel of an adult fairytale, with an Edward Scissorhands vibe, complete with a narrator whose voice I believe I recognize from commercial work. The actors all do wonderful work and there are genuinely touching and funny moments. But, something about the style puts too much distance between this viewer and the characters. I could never quite care about the characters since they are so obviously not real. A wonderful premise, a good-looking cast, great art direction---and yet, just okay for me. [10-28-08]

Stuck
STUCK is a psychological thriller made more horrorific since it was based on a true story. Loosely based, I should say. You probably remember the story of the woman who hit a man and left him in her garage to bleed to death. This isn't quite that story. Stephen Rea is excellent as a man who's really having a pretty bad day, and Mena Suvari is perfect as the alternatingly sympathetic and unsympathetic main character. In all, it was just okay for me. If you're looking for full-tilt horror, this isn't it. [10-25-08]

Crash
I waited much too long to watch CRASH. What a wonderful movie. The individual performances, even from Ludacris, were great, and the story had me glued to the screen. There are all types of racism and Paul Haggis seems to try to shine the spotlight on all of them. Don't expect an extraordinary amount of action going into this. It is a character drama, with some heroics but no real heroes. I doubt true racists will be swayed by the movie's theme, but the rest of us benefit. [10-20-08]

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
It's almost as if everyone was just waiting for this movie to release so that they could say how much it sucked. INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is not a bad movie. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. In my mind, all of the sequels suffer from their comparison to LOST ARK, which blew my young mind all those years ago. But, also in my opinion, this was probably the best of the sequels. Harrison Ford remains heroic without denying his age, the chase scenes are amazingly filmed, and Marion Ravenwood returns to Indy's life, this time with some extra baggage. The story does what it's supposed to, which is to provide an excuse for a bunch of action set pieces. But, I liked the alien angle myself. One complaint: why did people keep calling him Henry instead of Indy throughout the movie? That's just not right. [10-18-08]

The Transporter 2
TRANSPORTER 2 is a lot of fun, and I liked it. But, it's not as good as the original. Credibility is not something I demand in an action adventure movie, but there are moments in this one, already documented ad nauseum by other reviewers, that stretch credibility to the breaking point. The result is that I was not able to become emotionally involved in the outcome of this movie, which was never really in doubt. Some kickass fight sequences and lots of insane gunplay and fancy driving. Won't change your world, but still fun. [10-18-08]

Baby Blues
BABY BLUES was surprising and surprisingly scary. If you like your horror real and immediate and way too close to home, this one will get to you. The bathtub scene evoked memories of the Andrea Yates case, of course, but if this is based on an actual case, I don't know what it is. The acting was pretty good, although the children were maybe just a bubble out of true. After Mom goes on her rampage, that was a blessing to me, though, a reminder that this is all make-believe. This one will give me nightmares. [10-16-08]

The Return of Spinal Tap
I've always thought that a sequel to THIS IS SPINAL TAP was needed. THE RETURN OF SPINAL TAP isn't it. I don't know how I missed this one, since I was such a fan of the movie I saw as a teenager, but in a way I'm glad I missed it until now. This is a Spinal Tap "concert" film, with a few short video segments that a reminiscent of, but nowhere near as good as, the Rob Reiner directed film. But, the fact remains that this pseudo-band can genuinely rock. Harry Shearer seems to be channeling Lemmy, while Christopher Guest is Randy Rhodes. I've never been sure about the Michael McKean character. Mick Jagger, maybe, but not really. Not for those who hated the real movie. [10-15-08]

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
No, I didn't love TALLADEGA NIGHTS, but it was okay. Maybe if I were more of a fan of NASCAR or Will Ferrell, I could have rated it higher. This is moronic comedy, to be sure, and has enough funny moments to justify the time it takes to watch it. But, as with most things Ferrell, funny bits are exploited until they are no longer funny. Like his praying to "the baby Jesus" because that's his favorite image of the Lord. Gary Cole does a memorable turn as the deadbeat dad to Ricky Bobby, and Andy Richter is hilarious as Sacha Baron Cohen's "husband." Somewhere in the middle, between ANCHORMAN and OLD SCHOOL for me. [10-12-08]

Lost: Season 3
What's not to love? LOST: SEASON 3 is a lover of paranoid fantasy's dream come true. For my money, this was even better than the second season. "Henry Gale" emerges as Ben Linus, and the characters of Juliet and Desmond are expanded this season. The stalwart core of the series are still here, with romantic entanglements both foreseen and unforeseen. John Locke asserts his place at the center of the LOST mythos as well. Some mysteries are resolved, while many more are introduced, just as characters are introduced and dispatched, seemingly without mercy. Season 3 reintroduces some of the wonder of the first season, and that ever-present feeling of discovery as the characters learn more about their surroundings and themselves. Never take any revelation, however small, for granted in this show. Even VW Microbuses are important. [10-10-08]

Anatomy of Hell
In ANATOMY OF HELL, a rather pretty French woman pays a gay man to watch her while she's naked and tell her why he finds women disgusting. I am a straight man, but by the end of this movie I was finding his arguments compelling. This movie is disgusting and stupid. Amira Casar is quite fetching and spends most of the movie in the nude, although the viewer is informed that a body double was used for the gynecological close-ups. Watch this one at your own risk. [10-07-08]

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 3
The third season of IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA is outlandish, boorish, crass, vulgar and hilarious. However, this season saw sidetrips into the surreal that didn't play to the show's strong suit, which has always been showing the relationship between five characters even their mothers couldn't have loved. The show has been referred to as "Seinfeld on crack," which is as concise and accurate a description I could give it. This has it all: inappropriate behavior, drug humor, foul language, and unredeemable characters. And it's funny. [10-07-08]

Rest Stop
You know, the thing about lower-budget horror movies is that you sometimes see movie stars before they make it big. The corollary is, of course, that you sometimes see actors on the downhill skid in them as well. Guess which one Joey Lawrence is. Now called "Joseph," he has a bit part in REST STOP that was probably padded to suit his dubious fame. Woah. For what it is, this movie is okay, nothing special, with few genuine scares but a couple of uneasy moments that may be worth the price of the ticket. The movie inexplicably takes a supernatural turn somewhere in the middle that never truly pays off, but I loved the inbreeders in the Winnebago. Unfortunately, actress Jaimie Alexander had to carry most of this movie on her quite lovely back alone, and she really wasn't up to the challenge. But, if you're a fan of cheap, improbable slasher thrillers who doesn't question the fact that a woman in the middle of being terrorized by a truck-driving psycho takes a break to get drunk alone on Wild Turkey, then this one's for you. [10-04-08]

88 Minutes
One of the recipes for building tension and suspense is to establish a ticking clock, whether on a time bomb or for a showdown (ala HIGH NOON). This movie, 88 MINUTES, attempts to do the same thing, but mostly it seems contrived. Even after the reason for exactly 88 minutes is explained, it really doesn't make sense. The direction is subpar and the story flings red herrings with a ham-handedness that is depressing. The previous sentence made me hungry. I'm going with three stars because I like Al Pacino. But, honestly, he phoned this one in. [10-04-08]

Leatherheads
LEATHERHEADS is just okay to me. I like George Clooney, but I'm not a huge fan, which may make the difference. The fact that it is a period piece is interesting, and Renee Zellweger's take on the girl reporter with a lot of moxie is dead-on, reminiscent of many other similar performances you've probably watched on AMC. John Krasinski from THE OFFICE was okay and held his own. Nothing truly memorable here, though, and I don't think I would watch it again. [10-03-08]

The Big Bang Theory: Season 1
THE BIG BANG THEORY joins the roster of my favorite sitcoms of the new generation. Johnny Galecki of ROSEANNE fame is perfect as Leonard, but it is the lanky, brilliant but socially-retarded Sheldon, as played by Jim Parsons, who steals the show. He is the newest in a long line of comic characters you love to hate. I don't understand all the physics-talk in this one, but I don't have to. I do understand funny, which this series has a lot of. [09-30-08]

Lost: Season 2
First off, I want to write that I did read the reviews and avoided the trecherous Disc 7. Thank you for the warning. Second, LOST still rocks. Yes, the honeymoon is mostly over, since the intimate introductions all took place in the first season. But, new characters are introduced this season (and several dispatched with prejudice), which would have been enough to keep the series fresh. The writers, however, continued to deepen the mystery with The Hatch, The Armory and The Question Mark, and the wonderful addition of the characters Mr. Eko and Henry Gale. This series has become like video crack to me and I can't wait to watch the next season. [09-30-08]

Elevator Movie
Believe the overwhelmingly bad reviews for this one. I'll admit that I queued ELEVATOR MOVIE because the subject matter piqued my interest and seemed twisted and racy. It was twisted; I'll give them credit for that. Not racy or titillating or intriguing. No adjective that might suggest a positive connotation at all. This one-setting movie seemed to be stretching for a Twilight Zone feel in the beginning, but, failing that, tried to become a video adaptation of a Penthouse Forum letter written by a demented tween. Remember the name of film student Zeb Haradon: avoid him like Uwe Boll at his worst. [09-27-08]

Be Cool
I postponed writing a review for BE COOL until I felt I could honestly give it three stars. There were a lot of things that I liked about this movie. Travolta and Thurman together again gave me PULP FICTION flashbacks. I also actually enjoyed the performances of Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson, and Cedric the Entertainer. I flatout loved the fact that Elmore Leonard, the author of the novel, received an executive producer credit on this one. Those of us in the know, know that Leonard is the man. But, there was also a lot that I hated about this movie. I could never accept Christina Milian as the "diva" ingenue. While all of the characters were going insane, thinking they had discovered the next great thing, I was wondering if they were listening to something different than I was. I realize that Miss Milian was probably lip-syncing to someone else's voice, but doesn't change the fact that the voice was nasal and annoying and otherwise unremarkable. The story itself was also weak, as was the Leonard novel, and stank of the eagerness to capitalize on its more worthy predecessor GET SHORTY. Travolta, who had impressed me with his work as Chili Palmer in that first movie, seemed to have been told to take a different acting approach in this one. Perhaps bad direction, since Travolta never projects the coldblooded ruthlessness he owned in SHORTY. Plus, there seems to be zero heat between him and Thurman. I found myself missing Rene Russo and Gene Hackman a lot in this one. Compared to the first movie, this one is a two-star movie for me at best. Taken on its own, without the comparison, let's call it a three. [09-27-08]

Smart People
Not as good as it thinks it is, SMART PEOPLE is still worth a watch. The performances of everyone pictured on the box cover are all spot-on. My first thought was that it was trying to be WONDER BOYS a little too much. Also my last thought. Ellen Page continues to add to her already considerable body of work with another great performance. And, Dennis Quaid surprised me, although he wasn't quite as convincingly smart as he was supposed to be. Thomas Haden Church goes a long way in this one to secure his place as one of my favorite supporting actors in indie-type dramadies. You'd do better watching WONDER BOYS if you haven't seen it, but this one is not a complete waste of time. [09-26-08]

Street Kings
The ending of STREET KINGS kept me from rating it higher, because I really liked it until then. No, it's nothing you haven't seen before, but the casting was good and the action and gunplay hit all the right notes. I even discovered something about myself. It is possible for Keanu Reeves to play a character that I like. He even seemed to be acting in this one. Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie are also great as two sides of the same political coin. But, what did I hate about the ending? Too drawn-out, for one. Too obvious for another. You would have to have lived with your head in the sand for the past four or five decades not to see it coming. Maybe the "whodunnit" wasn't the point of this movie anyway. Worth a watch, particularly for fans of James Ellroy. [09-20-08]

Todd Rundgren: Live in San Francisco
This was a pretty good set from Mr. Rundgren. For a three-piece combo, the band really rocked. Before I watched this I knew very little about the man other than a couple of songs and the fact that Liv Tyler called him daddy for quite a few years before she knew who her daddy really was. I still would not call myself a Rundgren fanatic, but I will admit that the man can sure play a mean guitar. Also, I like the song Bang on the Drum All Day.[09-18-08]

The Forbidden Kingdom
I want Jackie Chan and Jet Li to make another movie together. A hardcore kung fu movie without the fantasy elements, featuring the two of them fighting to the death. R-rated and violent. Okay, that being said, I still really liked THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, which was sort of a Westernized Asian kung fu epic fantasy featuring a Boston kid and kung fu movie fan who is magically transported to a mythical Asian land of no particular dynasty. This is a Quest story, one that will be very familiar to epic fantasy fans, with Jet Li and Jackie Chan as two of the American boy's companions and teachers on the journey. A rousing adventure, geared more towards the youngsters than fans of the Shaw Brothers. But, this will do until they make my movie. [09-16-08]

Baby Mama
Yes, BABY MAMA was predictable and most of the big laughs were given away by the trailers. But it was funny. The producers of this one could have went for the Full Monty on this one and gone for the gross-out, but this is a fairly restrained PG-13. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler demonstrated that Girl Power can carry an adult comedy. Sigourney Weaver and Steve Martin make the most out of their small parts. And was that Romany Malco from the show WEEDS? Why, yes it was. This may never make the list of all-time faves, but for now I really liked it. [09-14-08]

Incredible Hulk
Compared to Ang's angst-addled offering, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is a five-star movie. Without the comparison, let's call it three-point-five rounded up to four. Of course it's difficult to go wrong with Edward Norton and Tim Roth, but Liv Tyler and William Hurt were okay at best. The story was filled with decent action sequences but the CGI is still too cartoonish for my tastes. Getting much, much better though. This one harkens back to the television show as much as to the comic book. The television theme song even makes it on this one. In many ways this one was structured like the Bourne movies, although not quite as good. The ending, which includes a cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, suggests another movie in the works. Iron Man Vs. Hulk, maybe, with the Hulk-Busting Armor? Or, even better, The Avengers? Maybe more than a former comic book geek can hope for. [09-12-08]

An American Crime
Catherine Keener gives a brave performance in AN AMERICAN CRIME, as does the ubiquitous Ellen Page. This movie is made more horrible because it is true, or is "based" upon a true story. Its strong emotional impact is mainly because of this, and the natural empathy for those children who are suffering similar abuse even as I type this. Beyond that, this movie is just okay. It drags a bit and put me to sleep a couple of times before I could make it past the halfway mark. [09-10-08]

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I was on vacation when I watched I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY. You know what I mean. Late at night, free premium channel at the hotel. It's already paid for, right? That was the frame of mind I was in when I started watching this movie, which is probably why I liked it. Kinda sorta liked it. Kevin James was far funnier than Adam Sandler in this one, in my humble opinion. It was difficult to buy Sandler as the all-around fireman stud he was supposed to be. It was easier to accept James as the overweight schlub widower. There are good performance by the supporting cast, including Dan Aykroyd, Jessica Biel, Steve Buscemi, and Sandler's usual gang of idiots. I wondered if certain people would be offended by some of the jokes in this one, even if the message was ultimately one of acceptance. But, I guess if Richard Chamberlain and Lance Bass didn't object, I have no right to either. [09-09-08]

Iron Man
I must have become jaded because once a movie as slick and bombastic as IRON MAN would have easily earned five stars from me. I did like this movie. I really, really liked this movie, to tell the truth. The CGI effects are put to good use, rather than providing only eye candy for the audience. The Black Sabbath song "Iron Man" made it to the soundtrack (I was upset because the BOC song "Godzilla" didn't make it to that dismal movie). Robert Downey Jr. is, perhaps, the best choice ever for Tony Stark. Just the right touch of snobbish elitism that makes him a believeable trust fund baby, while at the same time being the likeable rogue genius. This one harkens back to the 1960's origin of Iron Man, with Gwyneth Paltrow as the indomitable Pepper Potts, Stark's confidential secretary, and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan the chauffeur. Jeff Bridges also does a superb bald turn as the villain of the piece. My familiarity with the Iron Man mythos probably limited my ultimate enjoyment of this superb summer movie, but it was still great fun. [09-09-08]

Land of the Dead
I really liked LAND OF THE DEAD. No, there are no earth-shattering new effects, and, yes, the zombies still move slowly. They're stupid, too, but in this one they seem to be getting smarter. A natural progression, in my opinion, keeping in tune with the original trilogy. The acting is better than average in this one as well, with Simon Baker, John Leguizamo and Dennis Hopper. As always with Romero, this one is a social satire also, with the land of the dead providing the backdrop for class struggle. I recommend this one. [9-08-08]

Lost: Season 1
LOST: SEASON 1 has blowed me away more than Arzt the high school science teacher (watch the show, you'll understand). This is drama and adventure and mystery and science fiction (yes) all in one well-crafted package. The season ends with story questions still unanswered, as well as a cliffhanger promising more in the next season. You've heard about this show, of course. It is about survivors from an airplane crash on an island. But, since the characters are more fully revealed in their backstories through flashback, the island scenes never begin to feel claustrophobic or, worse, like Gilligan's Island. I love the characters and I love this show. [9-01-08]

Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show
VINCE VAUGHNS WILD WEST COMEDY SHOW was a documentary about a 30-day comedy tour. Don't queue this one if you're expecting a comedy concert film. I found it interesting and sometimes poignant, the behind the scenes footage was quite informative and revealing. There must be some truth to the adage that comedians are often the saddest people in the room. The comedians showcased in this DVD aren't the best in the world, not by a longshot, but they're still pretty good. Not a waste of time. [08-28-08]

Old School
OLD SCHOOL is not a Will Ferrell movie. Ferrell is in this movie for comedy relief, which is how I like him, while Luke Wilson plays the lead. Vince Vaughn also does an admirable job as Wilson's best friend. This movie taps into some classic favorites such as ANIMAL HOUSE (the whole frat vs. Dean plot) and STRIPES (KY wrestling instead of mud wrestling), while still having some semi-original plot elements. This is a teenage alcohol-and-sex comedy for thirtysomethings. Not necessarily grown up. Just older. There is a Luke Wilson-Ellen Pompeo romantic subplot that just never seems to gel. Pompeo's emotional reactions to Wilson's character are so bi-polar I have to assume that much of their story arc ended up on the cutting room floor. Not that I'm complaining. At 93 minutes, this movie was the perfect length. I really liked this one and recommend it even to the Will Ferrell haters out there. [8-28-08]

Robot Chicken Star Wars
ROBOT CHICKEN: STAR WARS is only 23 minutes long, approximately twice as long as the average Robot Chicken episode. But, Seth Green and his pals manage to cram a lot of treasures for Star Wars geeks everywhere (including here) into this short DVD. The appeal to those not fans of the SW universe would probably be limited. [8-27-08]

Casino Royale
CASINO ROYALE presents a James Bond only a mother, or someone else's wife, could love. Daniel Craig has either never watched a Bond movie or he consciously made acting choices against stereotype in this one. Here is a rough around the edges, street-tough Bond. A calculating killer. There is still some humor, of course, but the action seems less cartoonish somehow, while still being exhilirating. The early chase sequence through the construction site is worth the price of admission for this one. Shaken or stirred? I agree with Craig: Who gives a damn? Not your father's Bond. Heck, not even my Bond, but I loved this one. [08-26-08]

God, the Universe and Everything Else
At the time I'm writing this review, only one of the men in this little television episode remains alive. Stephen Hawking. Sagan passed away some time ago, and Clarke and Magnusson only recently. The only reason I bring this up is because the most attractive feature of the short television video GOD, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING ELSE, aside from the title's uncredited homage to Douglas Adams, is that all of these men are together, alive and interacting. Something that can never happen again in this reality. The episode itself is a rather shallow look at subjects which require much more depth. Arthur C. Clarke's discussion of the mathematical fractal called the Mandlebrot Set is cut short, making it seem little more than a design from an old Spirograph set. Watching all three interview subjects sidestep the question of the existence of God is also amusing. I recommend this to anyone interested in these men, but not for any inquisitive soul looking for answers. [8-25-08]

Drillbit Taylor
I didn't expect much from DRILLBIT TAYLOR, and I didn't get much. But, it was enough to earn a mildly positive score. This is a by-the-numbers "bum saves the day" story. Only, this time the bum is Owen Wilson as the title character, and he is always a likeable slacker, and the ones being saved are kids starting high school. There is the expected romantic subplot and an overall positive message. This will never be a part of Firewater's secret stash, but it wasn't an unpleasant way to pass the time. [8-23-08]

Towncraft
I moved to North Little Rock in 1997, and except for a brief, miserable stint in Memphis, I've lived in Central Arkansas ever since. That's why TOWNCRAFT was interesting to me. I didn't know anything about the Little Rock punk scene that reached its apex before I moved there. This documentary was a fascinating look at the kids---now adults---who drove this scene, and for a brief moment it made me want to throw my guitar and amp into a van and go on tour. Vino's has the best pizza in LR. I had eaten there many times before learning how it played such a large role in the local music scene in the late 80's-early 90's. Music is still a big part of the Vino's experience. If you're an Arkansan (transplanted or otherwise) like me, you'll definitely get a kick out of this one. If not---well, I still think you'll enjoy it. [8-19-08]

Savage Sinema from Down Under: Marauders
Hard to complain about MARAUDERS when all my fellow Flixers rated it 1.6 stars. Should have listened to them, I guess. I expected mindless carnage and inept acting when I queued this one, and I was okay with that. I didn't expect something that looked like it was shot on a home video camera. Plus, the movie wasn't really scary or shocking, as promised. The carnage, in fact, is minimal. So, my complaint isn't that this is a bad movie, but that it's not my kind of bad movie. [08-18-08]

Coupling: Season 4
I'm not going to hop on the bandwagon for Season 4 of COUPLING and talk about how the show is just not the same without Jeff. It's not the same, naturally, but it is still funnier than 99% of what passes for situation comedies. Plus, Richard Mylan, whose Oliver is a replacement for Jeff, does an admirable job as the loveable loser. My only complaint is that he is written to be too much like Jeff. This season is worth watching if you've enjoyed the previous three. I'm sad that I've watched them all now. [08-17-08]

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 5
Season 5 of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM may not be the best of the series. But, the worst of this series is better than the best of most others. Larry David, the real-life model for George Costanza, proves again that he was the edgy heart and soul of SEINFELD. This is the type of comedy that premium cable was invented for, with coarse language and irreverent humor and bits that shouldn't be funny but somehow are. The guest stars are also amazing, among them Dustin Hoffman, Ted Danson, Richard Lewis, and Wanda Sykes. It is the interplay between David and his continuing cast that keeps your interest, though. This is good television and I'm looking forward to Season 6. [08-17-08]

The Jet Li Collection: Evil Cult / Dr. Wai
DR. WAI is virtually unwatchable on this "twofer," but EVIL CULT was fun and campy kung fu. The captions are sometimes unintentionally funny as well. It was great to see a very young Jet Li in action. I can understand why he became a star both in his native China and here in the States.

Steven Wright: When the Leaves Blow Away
Steven Wright has always been able to make me laugh, and in WHEN THE LEAVES BLOW AWAY he is as deadpan funny as ever. At least, for about half its running length. The standup portion of this DVD is pure gold, but the student movie part is more than a little leaden. Stop watching at about the 40-minute mark. [08-11-08]

The Score
I thought I had THE SCORE figured out from the beginning, because the plot twists seemed to be telegraphed a little ham-handedly. But, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a heist movie where there is no one to root for but the "bad" guys, and there is no single personified antagonist, ala OCEANS ELEVEN. The performances are stellar, but that should come as no surprise from the likes of De Niro, Norton, and of course the late Brando. Miss Piggy has become a great director. [08-11-08]

Mama's Boy
It's not that MAMA'S BOY is a horrible movie. It kept my interest, and I watched the entire thing. Diane Keaton and Jeff Daniels were excellent in their roles, and Anna Faris seemed to be channeling a likeable Courtney Love, which must take considerable acting talent. Which leads me to Jon "Napoleon Dynamite" Heder. Couldn't stand his character in this one, which seems to be a cross between Napoleon and that bratty kid from PROBLEM CHILD. If that's the way the character came across on the page, I have to blame the scriptwriter, not Heder. But---and this is a huge "but"---I could not stand this whiny, ungrateful, 29-year-old character who still lives with his mom and has a huge, often icky Oedipal complex (it seems). I didn't like him at the beginning or at the ending, and couldn't fathom why anyone, such as Faris's character, would. He also liked Morissey. [08-10-08]

In Bruges
I really liked IN BRUGES. It was unexpected and unique. Very dark black comedy, with action-crime thriller overtones. Farrell and Gleeson made a great hitman duo, and Fiennes made the most of a very small part. The movie was funny in a very realistic way (mostly), but it is also sad. My high school English teacher would have said the story is about Causality and Redemption. Don't want to spoil the ending, but a sequel seems unlikely. [08-06-08]

Borderline Cult
I should have read the reviews for BORDERLINE CULT. I will never watch another Ulli Lommel production on purpose. This was like a grade school video project filmed by a demented tween. The story is nonexistent, a series of brutal torture-murders broken up by video diaries. The cinematography, also nonexistant. The acting: putrid. I recommend that everyone watch this so that you know to avoid Lommel's other movies. [08-06-08]

Wicked Little Things
This one is 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3, for Ol' Firewater. J.S. Cardone, the director of WICKED LITTLE THINGS, is hesitant to designate his movie as part of the "horror" genre. Instead, he prefers to call it a modern Grimm's fairy tale. Okay. Mr. Cardone and I agree, to a point. This movie is long on atmosphere but short on scares, not unlike much of the PG-13 horror out there, such as THE MESSENGERS. This one earned its R rating through language, one scene where teenagers are drinking beer and smoking pot, and a couple of gory scenes that are, lets face it, pretty tame for a horror movie. The cinematography is beautiful, and the eastern European locations that are meant to pass for Pennsylvania are stark and creepy. The story is a little stupid, and the viewer is forced to suspend his disbelief almost too much. I'm not talking about the suspension required to believe that children killed in an early-20th Century coal mine collapse would turn into the flesh-eating undead seeking revenge. Nah. That was easy. I'm talking about believing someone would move into a house, sight unseen, because she found the deed to the house in her late husband's effects. Or that the house would miraculously still be furnished, which is fortunate since she brought no furnishings of her own. Little things like that. The zombie children are creepy, though. That alone tipped the scales in this one's favor. [08-05-08]

Master of the Flying Guillotine
If you are a fan of the genre, MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE is a must-see. Handicapped martial arts experts who still manage to kick serious butt. A cheesy but obligatory tournament sequence. The pretty Asian girl who is also a kung fu expert. Revenge. And an unhealthy dose of 1970's cheese. This restoration was great fun. [08-04-08]

Doomsday
I can only imagine the pitch for DOOMSDAY. "It's OUTBREAK meets RESIDENT EVIL II meets ROAD WARRIOR meets GLADIATOR meets ." You get the picture. This is a movie without an identity. It was great seeing Rhona Mitra of BOSTON LEGAL fame as the Milla Jovavich of the piece, and Bob Hoskins and Malcolm McDowell (who's not even listed in the cast by NF) are always fun. There is a lot of action that is well done, and I would have given this three stars if not for the poor sound mixing. When I turned up the volume enough to hear the dialogue, the sound effects were too loud. Not the worst waste of two hours. [08-02-08]

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY is great late night viewing. I was watching it at one o'clock this morning and was literally rolling on the floor laughing. I got out of bed so I wouldn't wake Mrs. Firewater and watched it from the bedroom floor. The creators of this one stuck with the winning formula. Hilarious stoner road trip movie, with a guest appearance by Neal Patrick Harris, only this time the quest is to clear their names after being falsely accused of being terrorists. A little heavier subject than the search for White Castle hamburgers. Kal Penn and John Cho are amazing as Kumar and Harold, I should add. Any other pairing, say Ashton Kutcher and that other guy, would not work near as well. Be warned: not to be watched with kiddies nearby. Lots of boob and crotch shots, drug use and foul language here. [08-01-08]

The White Stripes: Rhinoceros
THE WHITE STRIPES: RHINOCEROS was interesting, to a degree. Maybe because I'm new to The White Stripes, getting into them by way of Jack White's other project, The Raconteurs, who I like a lot. This is an unauthorized bio-documentary, with no White Stripes music whatsoever, but I learned a bit about the Detroit music scene and the relationship between Jack and Meg. The interviews with the people around the periphery of Jack White were interesting. So, I'll give this one a good, but not great. If you're already a White Stripes fan and know a lot about them, you'll score it less. [08-01-08]

Flawless
The reason I avoided FLAWLESS for so many years is because it was directed by Joel Schumacher, the man who single-handedly nearly destroyed the Batman franchise, and whose brand has lost value in my eyes. The reason I queued the movie in 2008 is because De Niro is one of my favorite Old School actors, and Philip Seymour Hoffman has impressed me as much as any actor of my generation. Schumacher lets his freak flag fly in this little movie about drag queens and the hero-cop stroke victim. But, it is surprisingly good. The story is an odd couple friendship tale reminiscent of AS GOOD AS IT GETS Nicholson-Kinear subplot. Only, in this movie that friendship is the main plot, and De Niro's search for love is the subplot. Hoffman is amazing in this one as the drag queen Busty Rusty. Worth a watch. [07-30-08]

Diary of the Dead
And so now we have George Romero's DIARY OF THE DEAD as an entry in the zombie ouvre that he helped to popularize. Let me list the things I didn't like about this movie. The first-person style was limiting and kept the viewer from seeing a lot of what I'm sure would have been cool action. To paraphrase one of the characters: if it doesn't happen on-camera, it didn't happen. Rather than feeling more intimate and in-depth, the shaky handheld style made the story seem shallow, even with added effects like security camera footage and the addition (hang on to your hats) of another handheld camera used by another main character. The story itself was also a bit predictable, and without solid, satisfying resolution. The ending of one main character (I won't spoil it for you) is telegraphed from the very beginning. All of that aside--and that's a lot---I still really liked this movie. For me, Romero's zombie movies have always been more about ideas than boo-hah scares, and DIARY provides a lot a contemporary social commentary through the medium of the living dead. And the zombies are slow and shuffling again, which seems fitting. Like the director of the movie-within-the-movie says to his actors, the living dead couldn't move fast; they'd snap their ankles. I feel like the response on this one is extremely polarized, but I'll stand by my review. I liked it. [07-29-08]

Be Kind Rewind
I never wanted to like a movie as much as BE KIND REWIND, but I just didn't. The concept is imaginative; the acting is okay. Mos Def and Danny Glover were better than Jack Black, who I've shortlisted for most-annoying-actor. The movies that were "Sweded" are the most entertaining part of this movie. Everything else moves at a snail's pace. [07-27-08]

Monster House
I thought that MONSTER HOUSE was, for lack of a better word, cool. It wasn't really scary (although it may be for the wee ones) and, worse, it wasn't really funny. But, it was entertaining, in a friends unite to kill the monster type of way. The explanations for the monster house were perhaps a bit unnecessary, but I'm never a fan of over-exposition in the horror genre. Good, tame Halloween fare. [07-27-08]

Family Guy Presents: Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story
This feature-length program is funny for the same reasons FAMILY GUY is funny. Bawdy jokes, irreverant humor, and a willingness to not only push the envelope of acceptibility, but to tear it completely to shreds. This one is guaranteed to offend you in some way if you have even one iota of humanity remaining. But, the show was always an equal opportunity offender. This cartoon is definitely not for the kiddies. [07-27-08]

The Onion Movie
THE ONION MOVIE is a series of skits disguised as a movie. The satire is biting, and overall funny. But, as you may expect, it is little more than dramatizations of articles from The Onion. I can't call it a waste of time, since it made me laugh out loud several times. This would make a great 30-minute television series. [07-26-08]

21
21 has made me interested in reading the nonfiction book it was based upon, which I'm betting has little in common with what I just watched. Interesting concept, some decent acting, and a contrived ending that stinks of Hollywood script doctoring. The entire Lawrence Fishburne story arc seems implausible to me, an attempt to generate tension and opposition where it didn't exist. Or at least didn't exist in such a personified form. This one is okay for a one-time viewing. [07-25-08]

High Plains Drifter
I recently watched HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER again, after many years. I still like this movie a lot, and I think it holds up well, even after 35 years. Is the nameless gunslinger the ghost of Marshal Duncan, who cursed all of the citizens of Lago as he lay dying by their actions? At the end, when Mordecai (Billy Curtis) says, "I still don't know your name," Clint responds, "Yes, you do." I believe Clint kills about ten people in this one. It's on Watch Instantly now, so give it a click to see a younger Eastwood slap leather, rape the willing, and paint the town red. [07-25-08]

Superhero Movie
SUPERHERO MOVIE had moments that made me chuckle. Maybe I should have given it three stars just for that. And I admit that I had to look up the "2 Girls, 1 Cup" reference on Wikipedia. Disgusting. What this movie is, is a spoof of SPIDER-MAN, only with the hero, Rick Riker, bitten by a genetically altered dragonfly instead of a spider. There is a brief homage to X-MEN, with Tracy Morgan as Professor Xavier, one short scene that spoofs Batman's origins, and a couple of near-cameos of members of the Fantastic Four, including Pamela Anderson as "Invisible Girl." It is pretty lame, even for a spoof, but I was ultimately disappointed because it could have been much, much better. I agree that the superhero genre is overdue for satirization, but the makers of this movie had a much broader collection of source material to draw from. Superman, Hulk, Daredevil, Elecktra, Punisher, and so on. The special effects in this one, the true attraction of superhero movies, are lacking. I would have loved to see this one get the big-budget treatment. As it stands, I didn't like it so much. [07-23-08]

Half Nelson
I had heard of HALF NELSON, of course. Ryan Gosling was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in this film. However, after reading a synopsis of the movie, I felt it had been done before. White teacher in an inner-city school changing the life of at least one student. Right? Wrong. This is different. I finally watched this after seeing LARS AND THE REAL GIRL and being blown away by Gosling's performance in that fine movie. The boy can act. After watching this one, I understand why he received his nomination. Part DANGEROUS MINDS; Part REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. This movie doesn't flinch at the dirtier aspects of life, and director Ryan Fleck doesn't seem to be making hasty judgements. There is a lot of drug use in this one. Newcomer Shareeka Epps also gives a phenomenal performance as the student who gets closest to Gosling's character. Good movie. [07-22-08]

Underworld: Evolution
I liked UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION at least as much as its predecessor. Perhaps a bit more. It is a great-looking film, starkly beautiful in its usage of shadows in the night sequences, which are plentiful in a vampire saga. What colors exist are so muted that the film may as well have been in black-and-white except for the sunlit segments. Kate Beckinsale is also beautiful, but then again I've always had a thing about ladies with British accents and slight overbites (even fanged ones). If this movie has any failings, it's in its having to over-explain everything so that the viewer will understand what's going on. The exposition was probably necessary, though. I found myself a bit lost during the first third of the movie. The action is good and the CG effects aren't too distracting. Worth a watch. [07-20-08]

Boston Legal: Season 1
I just finished watching all five discs of BOSTON LEGAL: SEASON 1, and I am hooked. This television show was recommended to me because a friend said my sense of humor reminded him of one of the lead characters. I'm not sure if he meant the James Spader character or the William Shatner character. I like both characters. Spader's Alan Shore is self-loathing and ascerbic; Shatner's Denny Crane is both grandstanding and forgetful. Both are seriously flawed and egotistical. The more I think about it, I'm wondering what my "friend" was trying to tell me. Anyway, I love this show, and all the actors are great, as is the writing, led by David E. Kelley. But, without Spader and Shatner, this is your run-of-the-mill legal show. These two are the stars around whom all others on the show orbit. [07-17-08]

Jumper
Doug Liman came through for me in his previous directorial efforts. He didn't let me down entirely with JUMPER, but it was touch-and-go through much of the movie's relatively short running length. "Manniquin" Skywalker tries to act in this one, but manages only to pull off a pale impersonation of Ryan Phillippe. The teleportation idea is interesting, though not particularly original, but the Paladins vs. Jumpers plot is just stupid. Bad guys who exist solely to provide conflict, with little apparent character motivation. Samuel L. Jackson is still good though, even with the Sisqo hairstyle.[07-16-08]

The Bank Job
THE BANK JOB is a heist movie with some bite. Set in the peace-and-love early 70's, this story finds the Jason Statham character, a low-level criminal improbably named Terry Leather, set up to knock over a bank to retrieve some incriminating photos featuring a member of the royal family. Only, Terry doesn't know that's why they're tunneling into the bank; he thinks they're just robbing the place. So, in addition to being a rousing caper with its share of comic relief, this movie also has political intrigue, featuring the clash between MI-5 with corrupt government officials, corrupt police, corrupt civil rights activists, and major criminals themselves involved in prostitution and pornography. Of course, the criminals are supposed to be corrupt. The story is simple and straightforward, with some nudity and violence that is sudden and brutal. I liked this one a lot and would recommend it to all my friends.[07-16-08]

Fool's Gold
I liked FOOL'S GOLD about as much as I liked HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS. Which is to say, only a little. I never queued this movie. NF sent it to me, unasked for, and it has never showed up on my "sent" listing. It was addressed to me, so I consider it a bonus. I never would have watched it otherwise, unless I caught it on commercial television. Still, even as a bonus, it was just okay for me. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey have a natural screen chemistry, I'll admit, but the script just wasn't that good. Undersea treasure hunting has been done to death. The length was also wrong. At nearly two hours, it clocked in about thirty minutes too long. Not a complete waste of time, but you can find better. [07-13-08]

Collateral
Just when you've sworn off Tom Cruise because of his off-screen craziness, he reels you back in with another excellent performance. The man can act: there's no denying that. The surprise, for me anyway, is that Jamie Foxx can act equally as well. At two hours, this movie could have benefitted from a little paring down, but Michael Mann doesn't let the action flag for long. Not that the action is the most important element here. No, this is a character study, with Cruise and Foxx as the bad and good guy, respectively. Cruise is believable as the hitman, Vincent, and even though I suspected he would ultimately lose I couldn't help but root for him a little. I waited too long to watch this one.[07-13-08]

Trekkies 2
While not a good as it predecessor, TREKKIES 2 is still a good documentary. True "trekkies" (or "trekkers." The jury is still out on which is the proper name) seem to be an optimistic bunch who truly celebrate individuality and enjoy that feeling of belonging to something larger than themselves. Even the Klingon-lovers, in their own twisted way. The segment on the Serbian fans touched my heart. The segment on Sacramento tribute bands made me want to fly to California and check out their music scene. I don't think you have to be a die-hard Star Trek fan to appreciate this documentary's sociological significance.[07-12-08]

Weeds: Season 3
The third season of WEEDS continues to expand on the themes presented in the first two seasons. Yes, this is about the trials and tribulations of a suburban drug-dealing soccer mom. But, it's about much more than that. Nancy Botwin's extended family is equally as interesting, and it continues to grow (pun intended) during this season. This is a show that is not afraid to tackle controversial subjects, such as porn, political corruption and religious fundamentalism. Such a menu isn't, admittedly, for everyone, but I've enjoyed it. And I look forward to season four. [07-12-08]

The Ruins
THE RUINS was an odd hybrid of HOSTEL and any of the old Cronenberg venereal horror movies. This movie is not scary. Repeat, not scary. It is weird and creepy, and it does go for the gross-out, ala HOSTEL, a few times. But it is never really scary. There was one scene where the two female leads were coming up from the ruins that had the potential to be scary, but it was ultimately a letdown. The story itself was simple and linear, without the psychological subtext that I expected from the man who wrote A SIMPLE PLAN. And the ending---well, let's just say once again that this is a horror movie and horror movies don't always end well. [07-11-08]

Coupling: Season 3
COUPLING continues to amaze with its third season. I find it bittersweet knowing that Jeff will not be in Season 4, because his antics are one of the reasons I like this show so much. Like any sitcom, this series begins to fall into the trap of formula. Think FRIENDS with a bar instead of a coffee shop. Even Jeff's bits show some wear in this season. But, the creators of this series demonstrate a willingness to stray from the comfortable. Case in point: the opening episode of this year, Split, which is shown entirely in split-screen format. A good stunt even if it hadn't worked, but it succeeded remarkably. I will watch the final season, even without Jeff, and I hope it will be as terrific as those that preceded it. [07-10-08]

Batman: Gotham Knight
I'm not enamored of the anime-style applied to BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT because I don't believe that the caped crusader necessarily lends himself to such a kinetic style. He is a creature of mystery and shadow. Plus, in his Bruce Wayne persona he was waif-like and looked like he couldn't fill the costume. The six segments themselves are really nothing special, storywise. The real attraction here is that these cartoons incorporate the BATMAN BEGINS world and whet the appetite for the next installment in the franchise. [07-09-08]

The Tracey Fragments
Back in January of 2008, I saw an exhibit in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art that this movie reminded me of. The exhibit was a room with about, I don't know, twenty video monitors each playing a different looped image. Okay, THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS isn't quite as incomprehensible as that was, but it's still too artsy and look-at-me for my tastes. Ellen Page once again carries a movie nearly alone, and she does an admirable job. But, the story is indeed fragmented, jumping back and forth in time, and although this is already a short movie at 77 minutes, it would have been shorter still if it had been told in a linear fashion, without all the repetition. Without the video editing effects, this movie would not attract attention at all.[07-09-08]

The Skeleton Key
I'm giving THE SKELETON KEY three stars instead of less for two reasons. First, the twist at the end is a pretty cool one, and it makes you reexamine everything else that happened during the movie. Sort of like a cheaper version of USUAL SUSPECTS. Be wary, though, the plot doesn't hold up with too much scrutiny. The second reason I'm giving the movie three stars is because director Iain Softley wisely kept Kate Hudson in the skimpiest wardrobe through much of the movie. I know this is prurient, but I won't apologize for being male. Other than these two things, the movie has little going for it. It is a genuine Southern Gothic, slow-paced and atmospheric with little going on other than a few fake southern accents. The scares are cheap and ultimately pointless. Fans of graphic horror will find nothing to love here, but if you like your horror movies on the tame and spooky side, this one is for you.[07-07-08]

Fellowship of the Dice
Definitely low-budget and honestly independent, FELLOWSHIP OF THE DICE was just okay for me. If I had ever been into RPGs (that's roleplaying games for the uninitiated), perhaps I would have loved this. Part of the movie is really a documentary, interviews with participants at a convention or conventions. The meat of the movie is pure fiction, about the introduction of the character played by Aimee Graham to the world of gamers. I think the movie falls a bit short of the "hilarious" promised in the NF synopsis, but it does seem realistic. Weirdly, each of the participants in the session reminded me of someone I know. I didn't see myself in them, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Aimee Graham looks a lot like Sarah Polley to me. If you are a former D&D player, or this is a subject that interests you, you will probably enjoy this. [07-06-08]

The Mist
For those of you familiar with the Stephen King novella, you will find that Frank Darabont accomplished something with his version of THE MIST that King was unable to. He gave it an ending. You may had heard grumbles about that, but I thought the ending played fair with the rest of the story. Not necessarily a feel-good movie. If you're anything like me, you don't necessarily require that, especially in a horror movie. This is a creature feature that manages to keep its focus on the human characters. Thomas Jane is quickly becoming a favorite leading man, and Andre Braugher, as always, is fun to dislike. Marcia Gay Harden steals the show as a wacko Bible-thumper (nothing against wackos or Bible-thumpers separately, you understand). Harden evoked memories of Piper Laurie as Carrie's mom. In all, I liked this much better than I liked the novella. No, it's not as good as SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (how could it be, really?), but for me it's better than THE GREEN MILE. Worth a watch. Or a wait, if you're patient.[07-05-08]

Film Geek
I liked FILM GEEK enough to finish watching it. Melik Malkasian, as Scotty Pelk, has ascended to the heights of geekdom with this one role. His character is so annoying that you want to reach through the video screen and give him a monster wedgie. Sure, most of us can identify with having an obsession or two, or with being awkward in social situations, but this identification isnt enough to make us like the traits we might not necessarily like within ourselves. The plot of the movie itself is almost inanely simple and the ending feels tacked on. Not the worst low-budget movie Ive seen. Far from the best.[07-05-08]

Robot Chicken: Season 1
ROBOT CHICKEN is perfect television for the microwave generation. At fifteen minutes in length, each episode is a machine-gun strafing of humor perfect for those of us with short attention spans. With its references to Thundercats, Smurfs and Dukes of Hazzard, the series is definitely aimed at a more adult audience. And, bonus, the show is very funny. If you're not a fan of parodies or seriously twisted humor, avoid this. If you are, then enjoy.[07-03-08]

Hard Candy
I found my way to HARD CANDY by way of JUNO, of course, and once again the fresh-faced Ellen Page did not disappoint. This story could almost be presented as a two-person stage play, since aside from a couple of exteriors and an initial scene in a soda shoppe, it takes place entirely in the home of the pedophile photographer played by Patrick Wilson. Sandra Oh and Jennifer Holmes both make brief appearances that are little more than cameos. The weight of the movie is carried solely on the shoulders of Page and Wilson. Both actors give great performances but the standout is, once again, Ellen Page as the 14-year-old Hayley. As the box cover art suggests, this is twisted take on the tale of Red Riding Hood and a caveat to parents about allowing their children free access to the Internet. [07-03-08]

Vantage Point
VANTAGE POINT is an action-adventure movie at its heart, pure and simple. A political assassination is played and re-played Roshomon-style from the different perspectives, or "vantage points" if you prefer, of the main characters. Lots of jump cuts and some jittery camera work. But, also a lot of explosions, gunfire, and a pretty nifty car chase sequence. The truth of the plot is not very plausible, although that doesn't necessarily detract from my enjoyment of this type of movie. The constant rewinding and replaying of the same crucial moment was more than just a gimmick for me. It was the main theme of the movie: perception is not always reality. Good performances from all involved and a recommendation from Firewater. [07-02-08]

Mr. and Mrs. Smith
MR. AND MRS. SMITH is a PG-13 action-thriller, so the violence, though plentiful, is a bit cartoonish and unrealistic. Don't get this one if your main goal is a thrilling shoot-'em-up. This movie provides plenty of unbelievable action thrills, but it is, at its heart, a romantic comedy. With some action elements, I guess. Pitt and Jolie demonstrate some palpable chemistry in this one. The scenes in which they're trying to kill one another may come back to haunt them someday. Director Doug Liman also directed THE BOURNE IDENTITY, GO and SWINGERS, all of which were movies I enjoyed. I'm happy to add this to the list.[07-01-08]

Grandma's Boy
GRANDMA'S BOY, a Happy Madison production, provides about what you would expect. Crude humor, pot-smoking, and a dude-centric target audience. It also provided a lot of laughs, however cheap, and the return to my life of Linda Cardellini from FREAKS AND GEEKS. She's blonde this time, but still quite fetching. I watched this one after STRANGE WILDERNESS, which I did not think very highly of. GRANDMA'S BOY had a better script and more convincing performances from its actors. I would recommend this one to you if you're not easily offended.[07-01-08]

Inside
As grisly as the NF synopsis sounds, INSIDE is one hundred times worse. This movie is dark and gory, and the only way I could watch it in its entirety was by constantly reminding myself that all of the brutal violence was cinema magic and not real. The camera's eye doesn't blink on this one, and it doesn't cut away even when you want it to. I understand why the reviews for this seem to be extremely polarized. I don't know that I could handle watching it again, but I applaud the results of the filmmakers's work.

John Adams
I am glad that there are enough of us around who appreciate series such as JOHN ADAMS to keep them coming. This HBO original draws upon its exceptional source material to present a historical drama that is at once entertaining and educational. This seven-part miniseries is epic in its scope but never wavers in its focus on John and Abagail Adams. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are fantastic in their respective roles, as is David Morse as General George Washington. Politics, it seems, has been a dirty business from the very beginning. Like others, I lament that few modern politicians seem to have the courage of their convictions that Giamatti dramatizes for John Adams.

Hard Boiled
HARD BOILED still holds up well considering it's sixteen years old at the time of this writing. I really liked this movie. John Woo has a knack for making violence seem almost elegant. The body count is off the charts in this one and the ammunition never runs out. If I pause to think about it, I'm sure there are plot holes and logic problems aplenty, but I don't care, really. This one delivers the goods, with a rousing finale that brings it all home, even from across the Pacific.

Little Miss Sunshine
I'm not sure why I've put off watching LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE for so long. I loved this movie. What is it about? On the surface it is about a dysfunctional family trying, against all odds, to get its youngest, and happiest, member to a California beauty pageant. But it's about so much more. Winning, losing, "losers", dreams, disappointment, family, and, yes, love. There are great performances from all of the actors involved, from oldest to youngest, and Alan Arkin deserved his Academy Award as the heroin-snorting grandfather, although additional golden statues were arguably earned as well. This is a road movie and more of a "dramedy" than a comedy, though it reminded me of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION more than once, if in a more serious way. I would not hesitate in recommending this to anyone.

Everything Is Illuminated
I'll admit to being a shallow person. Elijah Wood's glasses in EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED made me think of the character he played in SIN CITY. Okay, that's out of the way, so let's talk about the movie. Scripted and directed by actor Liev Schreiber, ILLUMINATED moves at the slow but steady pace of a novel of literary, rather than popular, merit. I haven't read the book and would probably not enjoy it anyway. However, I did like this movie. Schreiber has a fine visual sense that elevates this story to art, and the musical score fits this movie perfectly. The movie is funny and sad and ultimately made memorable by the aggregate of its small revelations. I may become a collector so that I don't forget either.

Apocalypto
With APOCALYPTO Mel Gibson achieved another feat I would have thought impossible: the creation of a captivating action-adventure movie that is a "foreign" movie in most of the world. Even if you try to hate Mel for his outsized ego and his hubris, you will have to admit that the man knows how to film a good story. A couple more like this one and I may forget that the man was ever an actor and will choose to remember him as a director instead. As with any subtitled film, the only hurdle is getting accustomed to reading the dialogue, but that doesn't take long. I found myself lost in the jungle world of this movie fifteen or twenty minutes in, and forgot I was reading. The story itself is simple and rousing, and not as gory as we were led to believe (you've seen much, much worse). I admit I should have seen the ending coming, but I was so captivated by the chase that I didn't even think about the ending. But, when it occurred, it was apt, and there is both closure and the feeling of new beginnings here.

25th Hour
Edward Norton. Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Rosario Dawson. 'Nuff said. 25TH HOUR is a powerful movie about a man going to prison for dealing heroin. It's about more than that, of course. It's about the nature of friendship, about love, about New York City in post 9/11 America. It's also about nothing, lacking a coherent plot and thus any true resolution of whatever threads of story did exist. The performances of all the actors, which are nothing short of brilliant, are what elevate this Spike Lee effort for me. I'll be thinking about scenes from this movie for a long time to come.