March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins: An extremely fascinating documentary that takes a look at the life cycle of the penguins. The movie is narrated by Morgan Freeman….who lets face it….does the best narrations. The film makers shot this movie near the South Pole and what you get to see is simply remarkable. It is a movie I watched with a smile, as once again I was amazed by mother nature. The film is a crowd pleaser with funny moments and plenty of “awwww” from the audience. You get to care so much for the penguins and their small chicks that you actually feel emotion from them……which is better than most actors out there today. See this movie!
* * * and ½ - (In Theaters now, out on DVD in November)

With a running time of 89 minutes
This Film is rated G

Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby: Wow! This movie is getting great critic reviews and there is a reason why!!! Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, Hillary Swank and Morgan Freeman it tells the story of an oldtime boxing trainer (eastwood) and a want to be female boxer (Swank). The story centers around boxing, but like other great films is really about a whole lot more. The characters in the film have such a real feeling, the story is deep and sad. The movie is a little formulated but Eastwood does a beautiful job creating this class act film.
* * * *

With a running time of 129 minutes
this film is rated PG-13

The Life Aquatic

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou: Bill Murray teams up with Wes Anderson again for a corky film about an oceanographer. The cast is great with Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe to name a few. This movie seemed a little slower than some of Wes Anderson's previous films, but still had the humor. The film will need multiple viewings to be truly appreciated.
* * *
with a running time of 119 minutes
this film is rated R

Collateral

Collateral: Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx star in this action/drama. The movie takes place in one night, with the premise of a Hitman (Cruise) uses a cab and it's Driver (Foxx) to go around L.A. and take out his targets. Most everything about this Movie was outstanding, great cinematography, great acting, and the story was excellent. There were some things I did not like and that is what keeps it from 4 stars, but still a very highly recommended movie.
* * *

with a running time of 119 minutes
this film is rated R

Sin City

Sin City: Visually Stunning! The movie is based on Frank Miller’s graphic novels. The movie itself has about 3-4 short stories going on, I made the mistake of thinking these were going to intertwine and become one story, that is not the case. Really that was the only let down I had, the characters and the way it is shot is what makes it so good. You have Mickey Rourke as Marv…he steals the show. Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, and Clive Owen were also great. If you are into comic books and graphic novels this is your movie, but even if you are not it is worth a viewing.
* * *

With a running time of 126 minutes – Now on DVD
This movie is rated R

The Upside of Anger

The Upside of Anger: Joan Allen and Kevin Costner star in this drama about loss and how people deal with difficult times. Costner plays an ex-baseball player who lives near Allen, she is a single mom with 4 daughters struggling with a few issues in her life. Both of them rely on the booze to get by. At times I thought the story was all over the place, but still got it’s point across. The characters seemed a bit hard to believe in the beginning, but as time goes on you really start to like them…..this ultimately is what made me give this film a positive review.
* * *

With a running time of 118 minutes - Now on DVD
This Film is Rated PG-13

Crash

Crash: This is a statement film - it is about racism and shows you all sides of it. One of the best written movies I have seen in years as it takes multiple character and multiple story lines and connects them all. Each story line and each character is being affected by racism from one way or the other…..it is really a fantastic look into our society. The cast is superb and to many names to list them all but the stand outs included Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dilon and Brendan Fraser. This will no doubt be on my best of the year list……so go see it and enjoy!!!!
* * * *
With a running time of 112 minutes
This film is rated R

Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man: Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger star in this true story about a boxer and his family during the great depression. Really the whole movie is successful because of how good the story is…very powerful. The rest of it all just falls into place…the acting is good, nothing note worthy and Ron Howard’s Directing gets the job done. Boxing and the Movies mix well and this is no exception, the crowd is caught up in the story, cheering for the underdog and it just make you feel good!!!!
* * * and ½

With a running time of 141 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Imaginary Heroes

Imaginary Heroes: Sigourney Weaver and Jeff Daniels star in this odd drama that tries to show some humor as well. The story is serious at the core, a family is being torn apart when one of it’s members takes his own life. The writers toss in the humor and it only works to an extent; I think it overall hurt the film in the long run. The plot gets deeper and sadder as we work through their lives. Overall the movie worked, just think it missed it’s mark.
* * and ½

With a running time of 117 minutes --- Now on DVD
This Movie is rated R

Batman Begins

Batman Begins: The caped crusader is back and this time Christian Bale is the man under the suit. As the Title of the film suggests this is the story of how Bruce Wayne became batman. We pick up with some flash backs from his childhood and the tragic events that happen to his parents. We then see him training in various martial arts and fighting techniques --this leads him back to Gotham City to fight crime. Sticking with the trend of the new super hero movies, they try to make every thing practical and work in the real world. The action sequences are good, nothing outstanding, the acting from Bale as the new Batman is solid (I liked the choice) and Michael Cain plays Alfred to the tee, the story holds up well, but failed to WOW me. This is a very solid superhero movie which is very entertaining.
* * *
With a running time of 139 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

The Machinist

The Machinist: Christian Bales stars in this strange film about an industrial worker who has not slept in a long time. His weight drops down to 112lb and for a man his height – he literally is skin and bones. The sight of his back bone and rib cage is gross and is used to draw you into the story -- why is he doing this to himself? The story does open up, but it very slow. Some may find it more intriguing, but it fell a little short for myself.
* *
With a running time of 101 minutes - On DVD
This film is rated R

War of the Worlds (2005)

War of The Worlds: Needing a bold statement?, how about this – Of all the movies I have ever seen, War of the Worlds is the most in need of seeing in a theater. If you are interested in checking it out, see it in the theater or don’t bother (this coming from a home theater guy too), cause the star of the show is the special effects and sound -period. The story is the same as the original from H.G Wells – it is simple and to the point – Aliens from another world come to our planet to eliminate us and make earth their new home. Tom Cruise plays a divorced dad and dock worker, at no point is he trying to save the world like in other disaster films, we simply see the story through his eyes. For a summer blockbuster I give this a recommendation, but most unfortunate I have to lower my grade of the film cause of the terrible Hollywood ending………just terrible.
* * and ½

With a running time of 118 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Coach Carter

Coach Carter: Samuel L. Jackson stars as the coach in this story about a school of inner city kids in Richmond, California. What I liked about the movie is the message – Coach Carter comes into the basketball program not only to coach basketball, but to set standards for these kids to go to college. He has them sign contracts to maintain grades in school and really installs the idea that there is much more to achieve in life than being able to dribble a basketball. He goes to deep measures to make sure the kids get the message and in the mean time makes national news. As for what I didn’t like -- just about all of the acting…..Jackson was over the top, the kids were blah and the crowd reaction shots to the game action was laughable. Still this movie is based on a true story…..and a good story at that.
* * and ½

With a running time of 128minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Layer Cake

Layer Cake: This movie comes to us from the producers of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Again we have an all British cast- this time the story revolves around a drug dealer….or as he says “a middle man in the drug business”. The movie starts with an easy premise, but as the story develops the more “layered” or confusing it all becomes. I think the idea was great, but they made the mistake of trying too hard to make the story surprising…..plus with English accents it makes it even harder to follow.
* * and ½

With a running time of 106 minutes
This film is rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind: The 1st great movie of 2004!! Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in this highly imaginative story written by Charlie Kaufman. Kaufman's stories are brilliant and need the right director to some how bring it all to the screen, Michel Gondry does just that. Carrey plays Joel who goes to a clinic to have all his memories of his girlfriend (Winslet) erased. The movie then jumps into Joel's mind as memories are disappearing, visually amazing!! Things turn dramatic and true when Joel realizes just how much memories of people mean to us.
* * * * - highly recommended

with a running time of 109 minutes
this movie is rated R

The Bourne Supremacy

The Bourne Supremacy: Now this is how the summer action movie is suppose to be done. This film grabs your attention and forces you to keep watching. Matt Damon returns to play Jason Bourne, who is trying to be on the "down low" since the last time we saw him. Then he is framed for a botched CIA job and the action and suspense heat up. Throw in one of the best car chases ever filmed(*) and you have a VERY entertaining film.
* * *
with a running time of 111 minutes
this film is rated PG-13

(*) - French connection still the best car chase in cinema history

When Will I be Loved

When Will I Be Loved: I guess in a way I am excited to write this review.....because it is not often I can write this - This is one of the WORST movies I have EVER seen!!!!!! Neve Campbell stars in this dreadful film that deals with sexuality, money, and relationships. The movie is only 1 hour 24 minutes long so don't look for any insight into the characters, The movie is so hacked together you almost think the editor accidentally edited 2 different movies together. Director: "Hey let's throw in some pointless nudity with Neve Campbell to get people talking about the movie" - Yeah, talk about how bad this crappy film is. booooooooo
0 - stars

with a running time of 84 minutes - Now out on DVD
this film is rated R

Kill Bill volume 2

Kill Bill Volume 2: Quentin Tarantino concludes his revenge story. The story picks right up right were volume 1 ended, with a little recap...Uma Thurman's character is still seeking revenge on Bill and 2 other assassins who are on her list. The format of volume 2 is the same as 1, broken into chapters, Thurman's character gets into a situation then we see a flash back or story told about the past which lead to the situation she is currently in. If volume 1 was in high gear, volume 2 kicks it down a couple notches = Much slower paced, not as much action, but even more character development and humorous moments between them - (this is were Tarantino is a genius). I still recommend, just know it is slower moving and enjoy.
* * * - Kill Bill Volume 2 opens on Friday

with a running time of 124 minutes
this film is rated R

The Door in the Floor

The Door in The Floor: Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger star in this film based on the best selling novel A Widow for 1 year. Not knowing to much about the film I was expecting a thriller perhaps, but that did not happen.....actually nothing happened in the movie. The story is about a strange older couple and how they lost their two sons in an accident. I found the movie struggling to find a path....seemed like the film makers did not really know what they wanted to say and the result was a movie that did nothing for this viewer.
* -- stay away

with a running time of 111 minutes - New DVD
this film is rated R

Secondhand Lions

Secondhand Lions: Michael Cain, Robert Duvall, and Haley Joel Osmant star in this very good, very wholesome movie. Osmant plays a 13 yr old boy who is forced, by his Mom, to live with his two great uncles for the summer. The two uncles are rich, and the rest of the family is after the money, this is why Osmant's mother wants him to stay with them....to find the money. As stories arise of how the uncles got their money a bond is formed between the boy and his two aging, heroic uncles.
* * *

with a running time of 110 minutes
this movie is rated PG-13

Radio

Radio: Cuba Gooding Jr and Ed Harris star in the true story of a retarded boy and a man who took the time to care. Harris plays the role of high school football coach in a town that puts HS football above all. Radio (Gooding) starts coming around football practice and soon Harris has him on the sidelines. The coach realizes what is more important, it takes time for others to see, but soon Radio is embraced.
* *

with a running time of 98 minutes
this movie is rated PG

Dodgeball

Dodgeball: A screw ball comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. When one gym owner wants to buy out another's gym he has to resort to a Dodgeball tournament with a cash prize of 50k. The story is not the important thing here, it is the characters and Stiller's is great. Vince Vaughn plays the straight guy and I feel they missed something there -- Jason Bateman comes in later with a great role and the rest of the cast is good as well.
* *

with a running time of 93 minutes
this film is rated R

A Home at the End of the World

A Home at the end of the world: Colin Farrell stars in this movie based on the best selling novel with the same name. BLAH! I feel the movie rushed the story, which by half way through was a good thing, cause I just wanted it to end. Growing up in a very open minded family (Farrell) sees his brother and mother die at a young age and his father dies while he was in high school. He then lives with his best friend's family, he later gets involved sexually with his best friend (him). The film goes on to show how important Family is.......overall a Dud!
*
with a running time of 92 minutes - DVD
this film is rated R

The Notebook

The Notebook: A sad love story that spans a lifetime. Noah and Allie meet while Allie's family is at their summer home in South Carolina. Her parents do not approve of Noah mainly because of his status: poor, but that does not keep the 2 of them from falling in love with each other. What really makes this movie stand out is the 2 main characters who were cast perfectly, but at the same time big thumbs down to the casting director for their choice of actors to play the characters when they are older. Based on the best selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, the film succeeds in showing us the power of love!
* * *
with a running time of 124 minutes - out on DVD
this film is rated PG-13

Sky Captain and the World Tomorrow

Sky Captain and the World Tomorrow: Shot completely in digital, nothing in the movie is real other than the actors. The look and the sound of the film are really the reason to see this! Jude Law plays the sky captain and Gwyneth Paltrow stars as the reporter following the action, as an evil scientist has a plan to destroy the planet and start a new on his own. While watching you will notice many references to other films, which I took as an ode to cinema past - being that this film is technologically at the high point. A good home theater set up will make this film that much more enjoyable....so turn up the volume a notch and enjoy!!!!!!
* * and a 1/2

with a running time of 93 minutes - on DVD now
this film is rated PG

The Incredibles

The Incredibles: Pure Joy! Might just be the best animated feature from Pixar thus far. The story is simple; a family of superheroes is living in a family protection program because the public is sick of them. When a want-to-be superhero comes up with an evil plan, the only ones to stop him are the family of the Incredibles. Action packed animation, “incredible” sound, so well written – this is a film that makes going to the movies FUN!!!
* * * *

With a running time of 121 minutes – out on DVD
This film is rated G

Melinda and Melinda

Melinda and Melinda: Will Ferrell and Radha Mitchell star in the new film which is written and directed by the great Woody Allen. The movie is split into two different stories, in each a girl comes to a dinner party uninvited. -- One side takes a tragic look at events that unfold; the other side turns it into a comedy. The point being, how close together Tragedy is to Comedy. Will Ferrell plays the leading man on the comedy side. This is the role Woody Allen would have played himself if he was 20 years younger, and it was the highlight of the film (a glimpse of yesteryear for Woody fans).
* * *
With a running time of 100 minutes - In Theaters now
This Film is rated R

Hidalgo

Hidalgo: Loosely based on true events in the 1890’s, this film tells the story of a great horse race across the deserts of Arabia. Viggo Mortensen plays Frank Hopkins who enters the race. What we have here is a simple story that the screenwriters tried to make deeper and with more angles to it, did not work for me. I also feel that they failed to make Hidalgo (the horse) into a character that we cared about….they tried, but again I did not think it worked. What did work was the race, from sand storms to swarm of bugs – we had the feeling of an adventure in a foreign land, that was what kept me watching.
* *

With a running time of 131 minutes (to long for this type of film)
This movie was rated PG

Vera Drake

Vera Drake: Imelda Staunton stars in this very deep and power film dealing with abortions in England in 1950. Staunton plays an excellent role as Vera Drake a wife and mother who cares so much for her family, at the same time she is administrating abortions to young girls. Vera sees what she is doing as helping someone who has no one to turn to. The movie works its way in so that the viewer sees both sides of the argument and is what makes the movie so compelling. I would only recommend this movie if you are in the mood for a deep drama.
* * *
With a running time of 125 minutes - Now on DVD
This film is rated R

The Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries: The title gives this one away…..it is about a trip around South America on a motorcycle. One of the 2 people making the trip just so happens to be Che Guevara – Leader of the Cuban Revolution in the 1950’s. The movie has humorous moments, but is mainly a drama. What we see is a young man realizing his destination in life. I think the more familiar you are with Che Guevara’s life the more you will enjoy the film; I did not get much out of it.
* * and ½

With a running time of 127 minutes - DVD is in Spanish with English subtitles.
This film is rated PG

My top 10 movies of 2004

Out of the roughly 60 movies I saw that were released in the year 2004, here are the top 10 worth seeing..........
10. Collateral / In Good Company - wanted to mention them both
9. Before Sunset
8. Spiderman 2
7. Hotel Rwanda
6. Garden State
5. Finding Neverland
4. The Aviator
3. Sideways
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
1. Million Dollar Baby

National Treasure

National Treasure: Nicolas Cage stars in this Treasure Hunt. Set in modern day, Cage plays Ben Gates who’s whole family down the line has been searching for this mythical treasure that has been passed down for centuries. The Clues were laid out by our founding fathers; which means they are hidden in such place as the declaration of independence and such. I am a big fan of these kind of adventure movies…..sort of had a Goonies feel to it all. Problem I had was with Cage’s character….he was not cocky enough to play the cool action guy and not dorky enough to play the kind of guy that somehow finds himself mixed up in it all – just sort of there. Still this is a highly entertaining rental
* * *
With a running time of 131 minutes – out on DVD
This film is rated PG

The Aviator

The Aviator: Martin Scorsese directs this biopic of Howard Hughes, who is played masterfully by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film covers about 25 years of Hughes' life, from his early 20's - his 40's. Howard Hughes had inherited his families wealth and with it became a Hollywood star and the greatest visionary in the field of aviation. He dated the likes of Katharine Hepburn who is played by Cate Blanchet (she has best supporting actress in the bag), and Ava Gardner to name a few. The other aspect of Hughes' life is his phobia of germs and how is caused him to ultimately become a recluse. This came just short of movie of the year, everything about the movie is done so good, the only problem is the story did not feel complete when the lights went up.....still - an exceptional film!!!!
* * * and a 1/2

with a running time of 167 minutes
this film is rated PG-13

The Life Aquatic

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou: Bill Murray teams up with Wes Anderson again for a corky film about an oceanographer. The cast is great with Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe to name a few. This movie seemed a little slower than some of Wes Anderson's previous films, but still had the humor. The film will need multiple viewings to be truly appreciated.
* * *
with a running time of 119 minutes
this film is rated R