Fracture - available in DVD

If you like Anthony Hopkins in Hannibal Lecter-like roles, you know, the creepily evil types, then you’ll like “Fracture.” “Fracture” is a movie that positions its protagonist (Ryan Gosling) and antagonist (Hopkins) on a continuum where each possesses the same trait: pride. Of course it soon becomes a contest of wills. Millionaire Ted Crawford (Hopkins) loves his wife, but when he discovers that she is having an affair, he develops a plan where he kills her, torments her lover, and gets away with it. Willy Beachum (Gosling), the cocky DA who takes on Crawford’s case, has just been invited to join a prestigious law firm so he isn’t paying attention. “Fracture” deals with some interesting issues – ego, moral choices, redemption. And with Hopkins in the lead, this movie is certainly worth seeing.

No Reservations

“No Reservations,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart, is an adaptation of the German movie “Mostly Martha.” While neither movie breaks new ground in terms of plot, “No Reservations” has an appealing cast and is a feast for the eyes. Kate, (Zeta-Jones), the executive chef in a popular Manhattan restaurant, is a woman who has no life other than her cooking. And she doesn’t even take pleasure in cooking. For Kate, the perfection of the product is everything. When Kate’s sister is killed in a car accident, Kate’s life is no longer the predictable recipe she prefers and she must address the needs of her grieving niece (Abigail Breslin).And to add insult to injury, she must also cope with a new sous chef (Eckhart), a boisterous, self-taught chef whose specialty is Italian cooking. Of course, this is a boy meets girl, boy gets and then loses girl and then gets her again story – with an orphaned niece thrown into the predictable mix. Nonetheless, “No Reservations” is enjoyable and satisfying. (7/29/07)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The Harry Potter movies have been getting progressively better because the Harry Potter books have been getting progressively better. However, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” or Harry Potter 5, has been pared down to the main plotline, resulting in a 2 hour and 15 minute movie – the shortest one yet. The main plot points are there: Harry’s angst and anger, Dumbledore’s inability to help Harry, Dolores Umbrige’s heavy-handed reign as Hogwart’s new head mistress, and the showdown in the Ministry of Magic. Most evident is the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Nonetheless, something seems to be missing. Maybe I just wanted the movie to last a little longer. By the way, if you haven’t seen “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” yet, I recommend seeing it at the IMAX. (7/14/07)

War

Note: During this screening of “War,” I will discuss an important plot point so if you plan to see the movie, stop reading.

“War” is about a man out for revenge for injustices suffered in the past. At first, this man seems to be John Crawford (Jason Statham), an FBI agent searching for Rogue (Jet Li), an assassin Crawford blames for killing his partner. In a twist at the end of the movie, it turns out that the man out for revenge is Rogue. But in order for this to be a twist, Crawford is the protagonist for most of the movie, chasing after the antagonist Rogue, who has sparked a war between the Japanese yakuza and Chinese triads in San Francisco. A much more interesting story would have made Rogue the protagonist because he is the more thought-provoking character. Nonetheless, Jet Li’s fight scenes in this ultra-violent movie are coolly efficient and effective. The pace is uneven, but there’s enough action that fans will be satisfied. (8/26/07)

Stardust

“Stardust” is a fairy tale for adults, with everything from once upon a time, magic, and evil witches to handsome heroes, maidens in distress and lived happily ever after. Plus there’s the added attraction of Robert Di Nero as a cross-dressing pirate. Don’t ask. The bit with Di Nero doesn’t sound like it would work, but it does. However, it’s not really a movie for young children because this is a fairy tale world that the Brothers Grimm would appreciate. All in all, “Stardust” is pure escapism and totally enjoyable. (8/11/07)

Resurrecting the Champ

“Resurrecting the Champ,” inspired by a story written by LA Times writer J. R. Moehringer in 1997, seems to be about a writer and a washed-up boxer, but it’s really about “‘…fathers and sons and the honesty between them,’” says director Rod Lurie (“The Contender” and “The Last Castle”). Eric Kernan (Josh Hartnett) is a sports writer for a Denver newspaper who produces words, but doesn’t really write. Pushed by his editor to be a better writer, Eric stumbles on an inspiration when he encounters the Champ (Samuel Jackson), who claims to be a former heavyweight contender. After his story is published and Eric has received kudos from everyone, he discovers it isn’t accurate and Champ isn’t who he claims to be. This moral dilemma serves to highlight the lies Eric has told his 6-year-old son. Samuel Jackson is perfect as the raspy-voiced former boxer, who may or may not have taken one too many hits to the head. Harnett’s bland sincerity works for this role, but I’m still not sure about his acting ability. All in all, “Resurrecting the Champ” is worth seeing, for Jackson’s performance and Lurie’s direction. (As a former journalism teacher, I’m partial to Rod Lurie’s work. I used to use his movie reviews in Los Angeles Magazine as models for my journalism students.) (8/27/07)

Hairspray

“Hairspray” does not break new ground nor is it up there with the A list musicals like “Chicago” and “Dreamgirls.” However, it is thoroughly enjoyable mainly because of newcomer Nikki Blonsky (Tracy), who dominates the screen with charm and personality in the opening number and doesn’t let go. She is ably supported by Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifa, James Marsden, and Amanda Bynes. The one casting mistake is John Travolta, who just isn’t convincing as Tracy’s mother. In fact, he looks like John Travolta in drag and it’s hard to get beyond that. In fact, it’s down right distracting. The plot, based on an earlier musical which was based on the 1988 screenplay by John Waters, mixes a teen’s involvement with an American Bandstand-like dance show in 1962 Baltimore with Civil Rights. This isn’t reality; it’s life through rose-colored glasses. Nonetheless, it’s a satisfying way to spend a Sunday afternoon. (7/21/07)

The Bourne Ultimatum

“The Bourne Ultimatum,” starring Matt Damon, is an action-packed, adrenalin-producing sequel that bears little resemblance to the original Robert Ludlum source material. Now that may not be a bad thing if you don’t mind a very simplistic plot. Like the first two movies, Jason Bourne (Damon) is trying to discover his true identity. In doing so, he becomes a danger to the CIA. He’s targeted for death by the department’s head of black ops, Noah Vosen (David Strathairn). But Bourne has allies this time around, CIA agents Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) and Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), who put their careers and lives in danger to help him. Jason Bourne is a perfect role for Damon. You can see that he is a man who regrets killing, but he doesn’t avoid it either. So if you’re looking for mind-numbing, nonstop action, “The Bourne Ultimatum” is for you. If you prefer a little more plot, then read Ludlum. (8/4/07)

Once

“Once,” a small independent film that has gained in popularity through word of mouth, is a modern day musical where the songs are woven into the fabric of the plot. Director John Carney tells the story of a Dublin street musician and his relationship with a kindred spirit, a young woman who hears his songs and compels him to record them. Although the chemistry between them is palpable, they remain platonic friends. He is going to London after the girlfriend who moved away and she has a husband in the Czech Republic. Nonetheless, you can see their true feelings for each other whenever they sing. The dozen or so songs in this movie were written and performed by the two leads and “Once” won the 2007 audience award at the Sundance Film Festival. “Once” doesn’t have the glitz of “Hairspray,” but it’s worth seeing. (8/5/07)

Death at a Funeral

“Death at a Funeral” is very funny if the people viewing this movie with me are any gauge. I have to explain that I don’t usually go to comedies because I rarely find them funny. I had hoped that this movie would be quirky and clever, and although a naked man under the influence of a hallucinogenic drug and a blackmailing little person are unusual, quarreling brothers, a foul-mouthed octogenarian, a hypochondriac, and a lot of slapstick aren’t. But if you like physical comedy, bathroom humor, and a naked man wandering in and out of various scenes, then “Death at a Funeral” is pretty funny stuff. (8/21/07)

The Invasion

What can I say about “The Invasion” other than it’s pretty bad? A movie starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig (the new 007) should be better. However, the script is weak and there is absolutely no chemistry between the two – and there should be. And to top it off, director Oliver Hirschbiegel’s low-key scenes of body snatching horror have been combined with the Wachowski Brothers’ anything but subtle action sequences to give the movie a split personality. This is one disappointing movie. (8/19/07)

The Last Legion

Take a bit of Arthurian myth, Caesar’s Rome, and marauding Goths from Britain, toss in odd casting and sprinkle in an improbable plot and you have “The Last Legion.” It’s not as bad as it sounds, however. Set in 630 B.C., Rome is teetering on the brink of ruin and a ten-year-old boy has just been crowned Caesar. Enter the Goths who sack Rome, set up rule, and imprison the boy. The movie starts out in Rome and ends up in Britannia, searching for the legendary Ninth Legion. A bit improbable, but if you’re not a history buff or an Arthur scholar, it’s an interesting adventure. And interesting might be the operable word for the cast. While I liked Colin Firth in “Love Actually,” he’s an odd choice for a Roman commander. Aishwarya Rai, a well-known Indian actress, is a beautiful Eastern warrior who can hold her own against Roman and Goth alike, but her beauty tends to be distracting. And Ben Kingsley, as good as he always is, often makes strange movie role choices and this is a good example. In spite of this movie’s flaws, it’s engaging and certainly a better movie than “The Invasion.” (8/18/07)