Film and Video Reviews

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Here are some movies we really like. Some are big budget films that everyone has heard about while others are smaller, low budget independents as well as direct to video gems. You can buy them (from Amazon), rent them (from NetFlix), or in some cases. download or watch them online.

“24” season 3 set - I had never seen an episode of 24 on TV, but thanks to the DVD fad of releasing whole seasons as boxed sets, I became addicted around Xmas. Just finishing the released Season 3 set, there are some benefits they started doing for those who didn’t see it on TV. First off the quality of the DVD’s is superb with crystal clear (and occasionally, the intentional grainy) film images. But the coolest benefit is the usage of DVD technology to do things like commentary tracks, an old staple, but also a “branching version” of several (most) episodes. You can see extended and/or deleted scenes play during an episode, which rocks because so few DVD’s take advantage of the interactivity& functionality of the medium.

The concept of the show has always been clever: Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) must stop... terrorists in 24 hours, and each episode plays out in “real time”. Of course, on DVD there are no commercials so each episode clocks in at only 43 minutes, and the voice over stating that the events occur in real time is removed on disc. As each season has gone on, the concept has worn a little thin and gets more & more implausible, but quite frankly – who cares? 24 represents one of the most daring & cinematic shows on television (and thusly DVD). Season 3 is no exception, but I have yet to start watching season 4 on TV until I watch the bonus disc which has a 7 minute sneak preview/prequel to the new season. (JF)

Betty Blue - Betty Blue (Beatrice Dalle) suffers from mental problems and is inclined to irrational bouts of passionate fury when she begins a steamy sexual relationship with Zorg (Jean-Hugues Anglade), a handyman and writer. Eventually, Betty's mental issues start to catch up to her. Will she and Zorg be able to start their life anew, or does Betty's instability mark the end of their relationship? Warning - there are lots of sex scenes in this flick - played au natural. Excellent directing and a wonderfully, convoluted plot with lots of surprises. (RM)

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Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - This sequel to the hit movie Bridget Jones's Diary begins four weeks after the final events of the first film. The formerly single Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) discovers that life with her new beau, barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), isn't everything it was cracked up to be, and neither is her new job as a news reporter for the "Sit Up Britain" television show. Co-stars Hugh Grant, Jacinda Barrett and Jim Broadbent. Not hilarious - but a great chick flick. The Magic Mushroom scene is a scream. (MS)

CatWoman - OK- so she got the Razzie for this. But it really ain't that bad. And watching Halle Berry sashay in tight leather was worth watching the entire movie. Discover how an unassuming woman named Patience Prince becomes the fiendish feline Catwoman (Halle Berry) in this purr-fect adventure movie. As Catwoman, Patience discovers she has the senses, speed, reflexes and perhaps even the nine lives of a cat, opening her to a thrilling and dangerous world where she vacillates between good and evil. Co-stars Sharon Stone, Benjamin Bratt and Frances Conroy. Sharon Stone is so good at being bad. This entire flick is like foreplay for the next CatWoman movie where I hope stuff actually happens...

CLOSER - Mike Nichols directed this and he is known best for actors and their performances in films like THE GRADUATE and REGARDING HENRY. Here we get to see Julia Roberts actually act, as there is no trace of her regular persona that permeates (and subsequently bores) most of her films. Clive Owen has a lot of material to work with and he earned his Golden Globe playing a dermatologist that goes from nice guy to evil by the end, whereas Jude Law plays the bastard who develops into sympathetic. The wild card of the film is the ever-lovable Natalie Portman. On a serious roll going from Garden State to Closer, playing quirky characters are all but culminated in this flick by her incredible magnetism on screen. CLOSER is for adults, as it explores sexual relations and focuses more on the male psyche's perception of women. This movie deals with sex in a very real, very honest way. Aside from a very suggestive (although ultimately visually tame) way where Natalie Portman's infamous nude scene was excised by director Nichols. Much like a favorite movie of mine, YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS, each character in the movie is fairly detestable, with little to cling to. About the only reliability is in that we are all flawed people who make mistakes too.(JF)

CONSTANTINE - I never read the comic on which it is based, so I have no real bias when watching this solely as a movie. It’s okay. The one flaw seems to be that Keanu has pigeon-holed himself as a psychic “Neo”, complete with black trench coat. I like movies with a pseudo religious theme, and Constantine doesn’t disappoint, although they brush past things like plot in favor of FX heavy depictions of Hell and CGI demons. In a rare move, the movie goes with some “less is more” showing angels’ wings only very briefly, yet that makes them all the more realistic and compelling. Keanu can kiss any chance of not being Neo away after this movie, but Rachel Wiez (2nd time playing damsel near “Whoa” with the 1996 movie Chain Reaction) and she emotes enough for both of them (I say that without any sarcasm). Worth seeing, but not the most original movie. (JF)

Danny Deckchair - This is great. Have you ever wanted to just get away from it all? Loopy Australian truck driver Danny (Rhys Ifans) hatches a novel way to escape his drab life after a fight with his girlfriend: He ties large helium-filled balloons to his deckchair and floats away into the sky. But a violent thunderstorm sends him hurtling out over the Outback, where he lands (as in the Wizard of Oz) in a small town where no one knows him. Meanwhile, the news media is in a frenzy about Danny's fantastic disappearance. (MS)

Dawn of Twilight - He is known as Twilight...Michael Thorn..A professional assassin...He has killed more times than he can even remember, but it is that past that now haunts him deeply.Only he knows his true name and the pain that resides in his heart.He seeks an end to his career or even his own life... but he has been given one last hit. Her name is Dawn.Twilight is shown only a single photograph... nothing else... He is given 24 hours to find her and kill her... but he is not alone...There is someone else after her as well...and if he finds her first...Twilight will follow her fate....but this woman is more than just another mark......more than he could ever suspect......and time is running out.(This film contains violent themes and strong language. Parental discretion is advised.). This film has it all - bad audio, poor lighting, amateurish cinematography and editing but it the music is good, the story is all right and the acting is competent. Get it here from CustomFlix.

Diary of a Mad Black Woman - Lamely directed by Darren Grant, this film zigzags from side to side from drama to outlandish comedy to sit com romance as it tells the story of a black woman and the philandering husband that did him wrong. Produced by Tyler Perry, who wrote the screenplay from his successful play, also portrays three of the lead characters in this film. The scenes where Tyler plays the gun-toting, dope smoking and the ever so wise Medea are the highlights of the movie. The scenes of black culture, celebration and family life work well while the abuse scenes and the corny romance between the wronged wife and her new knight in shining armor suck big time. The lighting is so-so, the editing is leaden and the pacing is plodding. I really wanted to love this film but left extremely disappointed. (MS)

Employee of the Week is a real sleeper. The official description and title give little hint of what this film is all about. David (Matt Dillon), a congenital loser, seems to have finally turned his life around with a well-paying bank job and his impending marriage to a beautiful woman (Christina Applegate). David's best friend Jack (Steve Zahn) thinks he's blowing it by "settling" -- an ironic comment coming from a guy who impersonates coroners so he can rob corpses. But when David is fired, well, maybe there's truth in Jack's admonitions. This is really a fast moving comedy film that is really a caper film with lots of great twists towards the end. Then again, I must confess I did see the absolute final twist coming from a mile away. Aside from that, this is like a comedic version of the Usual Suspects. (MS)

This is a very well produced, very well thought out documentary about space exploration and the future - and more specifically, how moon exploration and colonization may be the best solution for solving many of Earth's problems regarding the energy crisis, global warming and others. The ideas and concepts are very thought provoking and extremely interesting. This would be a great DVD to show to middle and high school students to ignite their interest in science and the potential of outer space. In addition, the political angle to space exploration is also examined as the moviemakers explain how Vietnam short-circuited America's move into space during the late 1960's and how the current Middle east wars and conflicts are sapping money and interest from space today. You can get more information at http://www.gaiaselene.com (MS)

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle - If you liked Dumb & Dumber and Dude Where's My Car, you'll love this movie. It's sort of like the Asian version of Cheech & Chong. Sure it doesn't make a whole lot of sense but there's lots of good site gags and jokes. Plus it boasts the world's cheesiest fake raccoon and animation; Sometimes, it takes a strange night to put everything into focus. That's what happens to Harold (John Cho), a Korean-American banker, and his roommate, Kumar (Kal Penn), an Indian-American med school student. Both men are at a crossroads in life, about to make major decisions that will affect the course of their future. They arrive at wisdom by accident as they drive around their New Jersey city to find the best stoner fix: White Castle burgers. (MS)

Hotel Rwanda - Shocking and enlightening. Amid the holocaust of internecine tribal fighting in Rwanda that sees the wanton and savage butchering of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children, one ordinary man (Don Cheadle) musters the courage to save more than 1,000 helpless refugees by sheltering them in the hotel he manages. Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte and Joaquin Phoenix co-star in this powerful film. directed by Terry George, Hotel Rwanda will make you cry. Luckily most of the violence happens off-screen but your imagination makes it even all the more chilling..

Incident of Loch Ness - The quiet town of Loch Ness is invaded by a gaggle of off-kilter filmmakers in this mockumentary of making a film about the making of a film. Funded by producer Zak Penn, eccentric German director Werner Herzog heads to Scotland to shoot a documentary about Loch Ness Monster lore. John Bailey also arrives to shoot a film that reveals Herzog's creative process. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that Penn had ulterior motives in his casting choices, and both films begin to fall apart. Unfortunately this movie is slow and not very funny. Those looking for insight into how Werner Herzog works will also be disappointed.(MS)

MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Clint Eastwood always seems to age with such dignity. His latest directorial effort shows that he gets better as he goes. Following a story of an up & coming female boxer takes a few turns (not twists) that humanize the story. Hilary Swank shows a lot of charisma as the female boxer, and Morgan Freeman as a washed up boxer, now janitor whose relationship with Eastwood's trailer have so many precious, and loveable scenes that the movie rocks from start to finish. Clint Eastwood knows his acting range and he plays it as always with his inimitable style and charm. Morgan Freeman, similarly can only vary so much - but combined with great dialogue & situations, these two greats are magical when they just gently rib one another. Add on Hilary Swank's Southern charm and this movie goes for 15 rounds.

SPOILER ALERT: Now the issues raised in the movie have sparked many controversies. The whole topic of Euthanasia brought on a lot of religious groups spoiling the movie publicly by giving away the ending in broadcasts. I guess they are protecting the rights of fictitious characters & their right to live. even though they don't really exit & the situation never happened. Overall, I loved the movie. It's unexpected, humorous, and heartbreaking. (JF)

NEW SUIT is an incredibly funny little film that takes you on a journey inside the machine that is “Hollywood”. New Suit was an official selection at over a dozen film festivals, winning Best American Independent Film at The Fort Lauderdale Independent Film Festival, and the Platinum Award for Feature Film at Worldfest Houston. NEW SUIT was directed by François Velle (Comme des rois, L’instit), produced by Christina Zilber and Laurent Zilber (Joyride, The Nazi Officer’s Wife) and written by Craig Sherman. The film stars Jordan Bridges (Mona Lisa Smile, Frequency), Marisa Coughlan (I Love Your Work, Freddy Got FIngered), Heather Donahue (The Blair Witch Project, Boys and Girls), Benito Martinez (Million Dollar Baby), Dan Hedaya (Swimf@n, Clueless), and Paul McCrane (ER, The Shawshank Redemption).

Kevin Taylor (Bridges) is a young screenwriter with a dream, but his unfortunate reality is fetching coffee (and hookers) for a washed-up producer and listening to his blowhard colleagues' mouth off about scripts they've never read. One day he jokingly mentions a "hot" script that doesn't exists; his colleagues, unwilling to admit ignorance, pretend they know all about it. Soon half of Hollywood wants the script, while the other half pretends they've already gotten, read, loved, optioned and financed it. Deftly satirizing Hollywood's inane ability to embrace only the most (literally) hollow ideas, New Suit stylistically exposes the truth: It's not the package but the packaging that counts.

No fancy editing, no fancy camerawork - just a great story that really works. Available March 15, 2005. (MS)

RAY - Two and a Half hours seem to blow by pretty quickly with this movie. If you're not a fan of his music, the movie will probably seem annoying, but as someone rose on the songs, I loved every second of it. It will be a crime if Jaime Foxx doesn't win the Oscar for best actor. Foxx embodies every ounce of Ray Charles and carries on every minor tick and gesture of the "genius of soul". The film's non linear depiction of Ray Charles's life, jumping back & forth through time, works for this film and makes a nice reveal of many past ghosts in his life.

SPOILER - my only complaint kicks in near the end with an extremely out of place flashback/fantasy scene that very nearly destroyed the entire movie for me. The scene is mercifully brief but it did rip me completely out of the moment, and my suspension of disbelief took several minutes to regain.

Jamie Foxx, again I cannot praise him enough - was so convincing that many times I had to remind myself it was NOT Ray Charles on screen. The story flows well and has a lot of detail and you care about a very flawed, yet likeable main character. (JF)

Red Riding Hood - Written by Ovidio G. Assonitis (Choke Canyon, The Visitor) and Andrew Benker, and was directed by Giacomo Cimini. This riveting film stars Kathleen Archebald, Roberto Purvis (Exorcist: The Beginning, The Mark), Justine Powell, Marco Fiorini (The Listening), Susanna Satta, Fabio Sonnino and Arianna Iachatti. Great camerawork, music and editing, outstanding direction and acting. Even though I am unfamiliar with these actors or production team, I was quite impressed with this extremely stylish and occasionally violent flick. Loosely based on the classic Red Riding Hood story, it mixes humor, horror and pathos. The only thing I didn't like was the tacked on ending... Check it out - what do you think? (MS)

Rock And Roll Frankenstein - this is hilarious. Great concept and relatively well made for a low budget film. Its all about how an ambitious record producer cajoles his scientist nephew into constructing the world's greatest musician -- stitched out of body parts from late, great rock 'n' rollers. Along the way, they steal the hands of Jimi Hendrix, the brain of Elvis and other choice bits and pieces. But controlling this monstrosity (who has a "King"-sized ego, of course) is going to be difficult. Brian O'Hara directs. (MS)

SIDEWAYS - Ever since I saw ELECTION, I've admired writer/director Alexander Payne. Now the previews for SIDEWAYS made it seem like a hilarious comedy romp with Lowell from Wings riding shotgun with Paul Giamati, who has eternally been cast in side roles since appearing in Howard Stern's PRIVATE PARTS. Ultimately, the marketing department should be shot for selling this as a comedy. SIDEWAYS is at least equal parts drama and character study along with comedy. I daresay it has more drama weight than comedy on the filmic scale. Because of this, the film was disappointing, although it is a great film. Die marketing department! Die for deceiving me!

Now back to the film itself . two guys go to Wine Country to have a week vacation before one of them gets married, the other is a failed writer trying to find out who he is & what he will do with his life. Paul Giamati gives such a rich and magical performance, I swear it's a crime he didn't get a nomination for this. Every ounce of frustration & pain his character goes through can be seen on his face. His usual way of delivering lines for comedic affect are now used to show the hurt. Awesome. Now Virginia Madsen plays up to spec on her role as a wine enthusiast/waitress, and I dug it. Thomas Haden Church, best known as Lowell Mathers on TV's WINGS got an Oscar nomination for his role in SIDEWAYS as a struggling actor days before his wedding sewing wild oats. Strangely, Church has made his film career playing kinda the bad guy, and being not so nice (see short lived TV series NED & STACY, GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, and DEMON KNIGHT). I guess the Academy is awarding him for being able to break away from LOWELL.

Again, this film is NOT singularly a comedy or a drama. It's both and shifts back & forth expertly. My only wish is that I hadn't been expecting a comedy (damn marketing people!). (JF)

Silver City - I had very high hopes for this modern poltical parody and parable but the film moves about too slowly and has a lot of dialog. Even though GW Bush isn't mentioned by name, there is a lot that Bush bashers will love in this flick. Down-home Dicky Pilager (Chris Cooper) can't put a coherent sentence together, but he's running for governor anyway, as a candidate for those looking for an approachable leader. But his campaign hits a snag when he hooks onto a corpse in the middle of a fishing photo op. Journalist Chuck Raven (Richard Dreyfuss) smells a stink -- and a story -- so he hires a gumshoe (Danny Huston) to find out who the corpse is and its connection to the politico. MS

The Stupid Show - The American Dream - The debut DVD of comedy group The Stupid Show, more than two years in the making. The Stupid Show has been making comedy since 1999 but has never stepped up into making a production of it's bizarre skits and public mischief. The American Dream is the finished product. Some skits are funny, some are dumb and some are really offensive. However, it's a great example of what a bunch of funny guys can do with a camcorder and some editing gear. Click Here - It's just $15.99 from CustomFlix. Check out the online trailer.

This Girls Life - A truly incredible and well-written flick that deals very sensitively with the life of a porn actress. Yes, there are adult subjects and some sex scenes, but overall this is truly a great and under-appreciated sleeper movie. Porn star Moon (Juliette Marquis) wants more out of life and sets out to get it in this highly lauded drama. The sole caretaker of her Parkinson's-afflicted father (James Woods), Moon has brains and heart, which is why her pals (Rosario Dawson & Kam Heskin) don't understand why she's still in the business. But a new love (Kip Pardue) and a chance encounter with a deranged fan (Michael Rapaport) encourage her to closely examine her choices. Great acting from newcomer Juliette Marquis and James Woods. Maybe the best James Woods has done for many a year.

Troy - Big, ponderous and long-winded. A good film to while away an evening with. Odd, I don't remember the Iliad being full of all these good looking young actor types. In 1193 B.C., Prince Paris of Troy (Orlando Bloom) kidnaps legendary beauty Helen (Diane Kruger) from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta, setting the two nations on a collision course for war. The Greeks, including Achilles (Brad Pitt), marshal their entire armada, sail to Troy and begin a decade-long siege. Eric Bana plays Hector, the leader of the Trojan forces, and Sean Bean is the wily Ulysses (of Trojan Horse fame). (MS)

Vera Drake (2004) - Vera Drake (played by the amazingly talented Imelda Staunton) spends her days doting on her working-class family. But Vera also has a secret side: Her family and friends don't know that she visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for their unwanted pregnancies -- an illegal practice in 1950s England. When her crime is discovered by authorities, Vera's world quickly falls apart, deeply affecting both her and her family. Well acted and well written with strong emotional tuggings, this is a very slow movie without much of a punch. (MS)