I Am Legend

“I Am Legend” explores what life is like for the last man on earth, the psychological torment he encounters as loneliness threatens to drive him insane. Robert Neville (Will Smith), a military scientist, and his dog Sam roam through 2012 New York City by day and hide in his apartment by night. Through flashbacks we learn that an acclaimed cure for cancer mutated into a lethal virus, killing most of the world’s population and turning nearly all of the survivors into blood-thirsty vampires. Only a handful of people, Neville being one of them, have immunity, but Neville fears that these few have been killed by the vampires. To fend off loneliness, Neville talks to Sam as if she is a person, speaks to department store mannequins as if they’re real, and rents DVDs of television news shows to hear human voices. Neville also spends a great portion of his time capturing vampires and searching for a cure. This intriguing psychological study comes to an abrupt end about an hour into the movie when circumstances change and the plot becomes more action driven rather than character driven. The abandoned streets of New York City, with weeds pushing through the asphalt, vacant buildings standing silent watch, and the utter silence, is an effective backdrop. And Will Smith, much like Tom Hanks in “Cast Away,” is a commanding presence. However, the shift away from character to plot left me feeling cheated and unsatisfied. (12/16/07)

Atonement

“Atonement” certainly has wonderful production values and that is to director Joe Wright’s credit; however, I was less than captivated by its dark story. It’s 1935 when the movie opens and the budding romance between Cecilia (Kiera Knightley), and the son of a servant, Robbie (James McAvoy) is viewed through the eyes of 13-year-old Birony (Saoirse Ronan, later played by Romola Garai and as an old woman by Vanessa Redgrave). Birony, who has a crush on Robbie, feels both jealousy and a sense of protectiveness for her sister. This causes her to tell a lie that forever changes the course of three lives. Suffering – anguish – torment – sadness. That pretty much sums up the plot. The setting and costumes are sumptuous and Knightly and McAvoy appropriately tragic. The repetition of the sound of a typewriter (Birony is first an aspiring writer and later becomes a writer) adds cohesion to the plot. Although I’ve read articles claiming the movie is a strong adaptation of the book, a story this tragic is probably more appreciated when read. (12/15/07)

Juno

“Juno” is definitely a movie you have to see. It’s funny without being silly; clever without being condescending; charming without being overly sweet. The heart and soul of this movie is Juno (Ellen Page), a 16-year-old who discovers she’s pregnant after her first sexual experience with her boyfriend Paulie (Michael Cera). Juno briefly considers an abortion, but opts for adoption, which means she must carry the baby to term. With the support of her father (J.K. Simmons) and stepmother (Allison Janney), she searches for the right couple in the want ads of the penny saver. Her choice is Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and her husband Mark (Jason Bateman). Of course, everything doesn’t run smoothly, but the ending is perfect. “Juno” is blessed with a gifted performance by Page, an exceptional script and a strong supporting cast. What more could you ask for in a movie? Try it. I'm sure you'll like it. (12/10/07)

The Golden Compass

“The Golden Compass,” unfortunately, is not another “Lord of the Rings,” which set the bar so high that most other fantasy movies pale in comparison. And you know the movie has problems when the most interesting character is a CGI ice bear. Now that’s not to say you won’t enjoy the movie because you will if you like fantasy. Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards) lives in a parallel universe where people’s souls, called daemons, take the form of talking animals. Lyra is an orphan living at Jordan University and her only relative is the powerful Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), an adventurer out to discover what he can about Dust, the element that connects the various universes together. Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman), an icy representative of the Magisterium, an organization that seeks to limit free will, takes an interest in Lyra and the Golden Compass in Lyra’s possession. After Lyra manages to escape from Mrs. Coulter, she gathers companions to aid her in her quest to defeat the Magisterium: the armored ice bear Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellan), an aeronaut named Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott), the Gyptian king John Faa (Jim Carter), and the witch queen Serafina Pekkala (Eva Green). The only actor that seems out of place is Sam Elliott, who looks like he should be on the set of “3:10 to Yuma.”

The end of “The Golden Compass” makes it clear that there is more to come, which might happen if New Line Cinema gives the green light for the second book in His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman. One comment about some of the controversy around this movie: Pullman is an atheist, but none of his atheist themes make it into the movie. In fact, director Chris Weitz calls the central organization the Magisterium, not the Church and the focus is on the conflict between free will and tyranny. (12/9/07)

The Namesake - Available on DVD

“The Namesake” is a gentle tale about cultural identity and the inevitable assimilation that happens in America. The movie has two distinct parts – in the first, we get to know Ashoke and Ashima, who move to America after an arranged marriage in Calcutta and we follow the gradual development of their relationship. In the second, we meet their children, Gogol, named after a Russian author, and his sister, typical American teens who reject much of their parents’ traditional ways. The conflict is further illustrated by Gogol’s name, which he accepts as a child and then later rejects in favor of his formal name, Nikhil (or Nick). But even as Gogol searches for identity, his ties to his parents remain strong and it is this bond that is the heart of the film.

I must say, however, that the movie I expected to see is not the one I saw. The previews point to a movie about a young man’s search for his roots in the origins of his name. The second half of the movie is only slightly about this aspect. If you decide to see “The Namesake,” expect to see a movie with more depth and ignore the previews. (4/14/07)

Lars and the Real Girl

Regardless of the title, “Lars and the Real Girl” is a gentle movie with an important message: The important things in life come when one is ready for them to happen; they can’t be forced. Lars (Ryan Gosling) is 29 and socially awkward; he spends his days huddled in his cubicle and his nights huddled in his garage-converted apartment. He has trouble talking to his sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) let alone any of the people at work or in his small home town. Gus (Paul Schneider), Lars’s older brother, isn’t really worried until Lars introduces him to Lars’s new girlfriend, Bianca, an anatomically correct sex doll. Dr. Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson), the local doctor/psychiatrist, thinks the best plan of action is to go along with Lars. Soon the whole town has accepted Bianca as a real person, even Margo, a young woman who has her eye on Lars. There’s a lot of sadness in Lars, who considers a hug not comforting but painful. But as Lars resides in his make-believe world, we begin to see that, with the support of family and friends, he is making progress in the real world as well and we root for his break-through. Ryan Gosling is excellent as are Mortimer, Schneider and Clarkson. Director Craig Gillespie walks a fine line between over-the-top comedy and pathos in this quirky, independent film and it has enough going for it that mainstream audiences will find it enjoyable. (12/2/07)

I'm Not There

“I’m Not There,” directed by Todd Haynes and written by Haynes and Oren Moverman about the life and music of Bob Dylan, is a puzzle of a movie. If you’re expecting another “Ray,” think again. Haynes mixes myth and reality, deconstructing the life of a musical icon and reconstructing a loose narrative told in different styles by different actors. There’s plenty of Dylan’s music, but you’re never sure who the real Dylan is. Is he the young child (Marcus Carl Franklin) who rides the rails in the late 1950s and calls himself Woody Guthrie? Is he a singer (Christian Bale) in the Greenwich Village scene? Is he a musical spokesman (Cate Blanchette) for the hippie generation or a pill-popping rock ‘n’ roller? Is he an actor (Heath Ledger)? Haynes seems to think so. When you’re finished with “I’m Not There,” you’re left with impressions, pieces you must put together to determine who Bob Dylan is. But you never know for sure and that’s part of the charm of this movie. It certainly requires a second – maybe even a third – viewing. (11/26/07)

Hitman

I don’t ask much from a B level action flick because I pretty much know what to expect going in: lots of action, lots of violence, not much character development, straightforward plot. And that’s what I got from “Hitman,” a movie based on a video game. Timothy Olyphant plays 47, an assassin raised by monks and sent around the world to wreck havoc. His early training obviously did not address issues of right and wrong, good and evil. However, as the plot moves forward, 47 begins to understand that there is a difference. A focus on the hitman’s character development would have made this a better movie, but director Javier Gens is more interested in blowing things up and increasing the body count. As I said, a typical B action flick. If you don’t expect too much, you won’t be disappointed, but you have to be a hardcore action fan to see this movie. (11/22/07)

Spider-Man 3 - Available on DVD

“Spider-Man 3” wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. However, it wasn’t that good either. This time around, Spidey fights three bad guys: New Goblin, Sandman, and Venom plus his own dark side (the black Spider-Man) caused by goo from outer space. Does that make four villains? Why it is with superhero movies that directors think that if one villain is good, then three will be spectacular? It certainly makes for a complicated plot. And there’s way too much Mary Jane angst. So if you’re a fan of the Spider-Man movies, you’ll probably see “Spider-Man 3.” But if not, you should probably wait until the DVD comes out. (5/4/07)

Enchanted

When I first saw the previews for “Enchanted,” I wasn’t impressed, mainly because the clips seemed to emphasize slapstick humor. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the clever script and Amy Adams’ acting. The screenplay for “Enchanted,” written by Billy Kelly, counts on audience familiarity with Disney staples like “Snow White,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” and then pokes gentle fun. The movie opens in the animated world of Andalasia, where Giselle (Amy Adams), a heroine in the best Disney tradition, waits for her prince. When Prince Edward (James Marsden) finds her, he falls instantly in love and wants to marry her, which upsets his stepmother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), who fears losing her power. She devises a spell to send Giselle to a land ‘where there are no happy endings’ – New York. Once in Times Square, the animation is gone, but Giselle retains her cartoonish characteristics of being constantly cheerful and optimistic. She is rescued by Robert, a cynical divorce lawyer and his young daughter Morgan. Robert doesn’t believe Giselle’s story, but he can’t leave her stranded. But who is Giselle’s real prince – Edward or Robert? Giselle handles situations in the real world the way she would in Andalasia. When she needs help cleaning Robert’s apartment, she sings out a call to her animal friends and birds, rats, and cockroaches come running to do her bidding. She breaks into song in the middle of Central Park and everyone around her sings, too. On a darker note, Giselle doesn’t realize that Narissa’s evil henchman is out to get her to eat a poisoned apple – in the form of an appletini, of course.

Amy Adams is “Enchanted”’s biggest asset. She plays Giselle with straightforward sincerity without any condescension and her development into a multi-dimensional character is a pleasure to watch. Patrick Dempsey provides the obvious foil to James Marsden’s prince who may be good looking, but is not overly bright. And Susan Sarandon takes pleasure in chewing up every scene she’s in. “Enchanted” is definitely a family film; it is enjoyable for adults as well as children. (11/23/07)

August Rush

Despite most critical reviews that condemn “August Rush” as too sweet, too unbelievable, I found the movie thoroughly enjoyable for those very reasons. Eleven-year old Evan Taylor ( Freddie Highmore), living in a group home, is convinced that his parents are out there and if he can play his song, they will hear it and find him. After running away, Evan finds himself in New York and in the company of Wizard (Robin Williams), a sinister Fagin-like character who is the father figure to a group of run-away panhandlers. When Wizard discovers Evan’s musical abilities, he changes Evan’s name to August Rush and immediately sets out to exploit his talent. When August demonstrates his musical genius in a church, the minister enrolls him at Julliard and within six months he is to conduct a concert in Central Park. Is the plot credible? Of course not. There are too many coincidences and the characters are fairly one-dimensional. But Highmore’s sincerity shines through and you want August to be reunited with his parents. Sometimes you just want to see a film that makes you feel good, to escape into a world where positive thoughts can result in happy endings. (11/24/07)

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman, contains all of the wonder and magic a child can want – even an adult. However, this adult would have preferred a stronger narrative and a more convincing resolution to the conflict. The story, narrated by winsome 9-year-old Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills), is divided into various chapters of a book, which means the plot line is not as strong as it could be. The concept, though, is a good one: The 243-year-old proprietor of a magical toy store, Mr. Magorium (Hoffman) is, like King Lear, ready to name his successor. He intends to leave the store to his manager, Molly Mahoney (Portman), an aspiring classical pianist. Molly refuses his bequest, believing that she cannot keep the magic alive once he is gone. The resolution is not really developed and seems superficial. Nonetheless, when you are in this ‘Wonder Emporium,’ you are just as fascinated as any child. (11/18/07)

Beowulf

“Beowulf,” an action-packed animated recreation of an epic poem, is most effective for those who do not know the original story. For those that do, a major disappointment is the visual representation of Grendel, the monster Beowulf fights. The imagined monster is much more terrifying than the one on the screen. The biggest disappointment, however, is the addition of Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s mother. What? You have to add sex to a 10th century poem?

Director Robert Zemeckis has thrown pretty much everything into “Beowulf.” There’s an arrogant hero, a beautiful queen, a faithful friend, an envious courtier; there’s 3-D with spears and arrows rushing at the audience; there’s motion capture, which allows the animators to make the animation more life-like. There’s so much technology in this film that it’s hard to identify with the protagonist – ultimately you don’t really care what happens to Beowulf.

I have to wonder why Zemeckis decided to make this movie. Did he have a burning desire to turn a work of fiction into a movie or was he hoping to create another “300”? (11/20/07)

No Country for Old Men

“No Country for Old Men,” adapted and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy, values honor, truth, and goodness in a world moving in the opposite direction. The Coen brothers have captured McCarthy’s vision of a soulless America in this story about a man (Josh Brolin) who thinks he’s smart enough to take $2 million in drug money and outsmart his pursuers. However, he doesn’t realize that the man chasing him, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a sociopath with a bad haircut, is a predator straight from hell. Trailing from one bloody scene to the next is Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), who is more a commentator on the action rather than an active participant. The acting of the three leads is top-notch, especially Bardem, the cinematography breath-taking and the editing taut and stomach-churning. There’s plenty of violence, but the Coen brothers use it to illustrate what our world has become. It’s a pretty bleak picture. So is this movie, but it has my highest recommendation. (11/12/07)

The Darjeeling Limited

Director Wes Anderson takes us on a journey of healing with his latest movie, “The Darjeeling Limited and it’s questionable whether the journey is worth it..” Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody), and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) are brothers who have not seen each other since their father’s funeral. Now, a year later, they endeavor to take a trip across India to gain spiritual enlightenment. However, each brother is running from something and before they can heal, they must face their fears. Sounds like pretty good plot, huh? Unfortunately, the script is dry and devoid of much emotionalism and the characters hardly amiable. The only time Anderson explores feeling with any depth is when Peter fails to save a young boy from drowning. The brothers’ interaction with the drowned boy’s family and village is touching. And although the brothers manage to overcome their estrangement and move beyond their father’s death, they are not likable enough that I cared what happened to them. Either you like Wes Anderson’s movies or you don’t. This time around, I didn’t. (11/8/07)

Oscar Buzz

According to Entertainment Weekly, the movies gaining the most momentum for Academy Award nominations are listed below. Any comments?

Best Picture
· American Gangster
· Atonement
· Charlie Wilson’s War

Best Director
· Ethan and Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men)
· Mike Nichols (Charlie Wilson’s War)
· Ridley Scott (American Gangster)

Best Actor
· Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)
· Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah)
· Denzel Washington (American Gangster)

Best Actress
· Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age)
· Julie Christie (Away From Her)
· Marion Cottillard (La Vie en Rose)

Best Supporting Actor
· Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)
· Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood)
· Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild)

Best Supporting Actress
· Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There)
· Amy Ryan (Gone, Baby, Gone)
· Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton)

American Gangster

To compare “American Gangster” with “The Godfather” is to mislead and create expectations that will cause disappointment. “American Gangster” is not “The Godfather;” however, it has enough going for it that it can stand on its own merit. Based on fact, this compelling story follows two men, drug-lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), the persistent cop who chases him down, their lives never intersecting until Lucas’s possible drug involvement comes to Robert’s attention.

Frank Lucas quietly establishes his place at the top in the Harlem drug trade in the 1970s by going to Thailand, negotiating with key heroin producers, and shipping the pure drug to the US in coffins of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Lucas endeavors to be a new kind of gangster, modeling his ‘business’ after a CEO and wearing conservative business suites. Yet under the surface, there’s a seething coil of violence that explodes without warning. Washington is perfect as a man who can espouse loyalty and family in one moment and shoot a man in the head the next.

Roberts is an honest cop, established early in the movie when he turns in almost a million in cash rather than keep it. And Like Serpico, Roberts becomes a pariah among cops. When he is assigned to lead a drug task force to bring down the men at the top, Roberts tackles the job with determination. Crowe plays Roberts with an unwavering, single-mindedness, his thick shoulders hunched, his squinty gaze locked on the prize. He is a worthy opponent.

Director Ridley Scott has crafted a detailed story of a man responsible for affecting the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands, of people. And although Lucas’s life was glamorous – he knew athletes, movie stars, and politicians by name, you also see the sleazy side of drug use – the overdoses, the addiction, the broken families. You see the rise and fall of a man who deserves his fate. (11/4/07)

Bee Movie

Movies like “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story,” Shrek,” and “Finding Nemo” set the bar pretty high for animated films. Unfortunately, “Bee Movie” doesn’t measure up. Barry (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld) and his friend Adam (Matthew Broderick) are ready to join the honey production assembly line. The only job Barry finds attractive is being a Pollen Jock because they get to leave the hive. When Barry is allowed to leave the hive with the Pollen Jocks for a trial run, his exploration takes him to Vanessa (Rene Zellweger), a florist who saves him from being swatted. Because Barry can talk, a friendship develops. Then Barry discovers that humans steal honey from bees and the movie shifts to the courtroom. The movie is full of cameos: Sting, Larry King, Ray Liotta and celebrity voices: Oprah as the judge, John Goodman as the defense attorney, Chris Rock as a mosquito. Does this make a difference? Not really. Six-year-olds will be entertained, but it’s slow going for anyone older unless, of course, you don’t expect much from a movie. It’s hard to imagine “Bee Movie” generating anything other than mediocre word of mouth. (10/2/07)

Georgia Rule - Available on DVD

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I went to see “Georgia Rule,” but with Jane Fonda and Felicity Huffman, I thought it couldn’t be bad. What I got instead was an annoying movie with the confused director and a miscast actress. Gary Marshall (“Pretty Woman,” “Runaway Bride,” and “Princess Diaries 1 & 2”) doesn’t seem to know what kind of movie he wanted – a comedy with some drama or a drama with some comedy. In any case, the movie is uneven in tone and the light and dark don’t work together. And give me a break! Lindsey Lohan playing a bad girl? Is that art imitating life or life imitating art? She is a total distraction for the story Marshall is trying to tell. Save your money and rent it from Netflix. (5/11/07)

Mr. Brooks - Available on DVD

“Mr. Brooks,” starring Kevin Costner, isn’t a movie for everyone. It has an interesting premise – one of pitting good against evil by creating a central character with an alter ego. However, it’s not really an original premise; Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1886. Costner plays Earl Brooks, Portland’s Man of the Year, a man with a gruesome secret. You see, Earl is the Thumb Print Killer and he’s a very, very smart serial killer. To create audience sympathy for Earl, there’s Marshall (William Hurt), Earl's alter ego, ever goading Earl to murder and mayhem. Earl’s foil, the police detective (Demi Moore) investigating the Thumb Print Killer’s crimes, would have been more effective if she had been a genuine threat to Earl. Both Costner and Hurt are effective, but Moore’s role lacks credibility. The movie has a few twists, but I’d wait until it’s out on DVD. (6/8/07)

Dan in Real Life

Typically, I don’t see comedies because the humor is often based on the stupid - you know, stupid people doing stupid things. So it was with some trepidation that I went to see “Dan in Real Life.” After all, the previews do show Steve Carell getting caught in a shower with his clothes on, falling off a roof into the flowers, and doing a really stupid dance. However, most of the humor in this appealing story about life, loss and love is gentle and thoughtful. Dan (Carell), a widower with three daughters, is an advice columnist, one who gives good advice, but is often not an understanding or compassionate father. As his youngest says, “You’re a good father, but not a very good dad.” During a family gathering, Dan falls for Marie (Juliette Binoche), his brother Mitch’s (Dane Cook) new girlfriend. This makes for a lot of awkwardness before things are straightened out at the end. The one jarring note is Binoche at 43 is supposed to be near in age to Carell and Cook and while Binoche is radiant, it’s hard to believe that her character would be interested in the younger Mitch. Nonetheless, “Dan in Real Life” is a pleasant surprise. (10/28/07)

Talk to Me - Available on DVD

“Talk to Me” explores the symbiotic relationship between Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene (Don Cheadle), an ex-con turned radio talk show host in Washington DC during the late 60s – early 80s, and Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an upwardly mobile black man who gives Petey his first job. “You say what I’m afraid to say,” says Dewey at one point in the movie, “and I do what you’re afraid to do.” This statement pretty much sums up director Kasi Lemmons’ (“Eve’s Bayou”) perspective; she doesn’t force her audience to choose one man over the other. Both Cheadle and Ejiofor are effective as men who are seemingly polar opposites yet develop a strong bond of friendship. The soundtrack, full of vintage pop music, is also another plus. (7/18/07)

Things We Lost in the Fire

“Things We Lost in the Fire” deals with two heavy topics: overcoming grief over the loss of a husband and overcoming a drug addiction. Audrey (Halle Berry) loses her husband Brian when his Good Samaritan instincts backfire and he’s killed. She resented Brian’s loyalty to his boyhood friend, Jerry (Benicio del Toro), a heroin addict, but in her grief, she latches onto him as a way to keep Brian alive. Audrey’s two children accept Jerry as a surrogate father and this gives him the strength to turn his life around. Paradoxically, it causes Audrey to become angry with Jerry and things fall apart. Berry and del Toro are excellent, especially del Toro, but Danish-born director Susanne Bier has an odd habit of doing too many close ups of their eyes. Sometimes this works as it promotes a sense of intimacy with the characters, but most of the time it’s just annoying. And to put grief and addiction on a collision course means that the journey for the two protagonists is going to be full of anguish….and just as difficult for the audience, perhaps too difficult. (10/21/07)

Gone, Baby, Gone

In “Gone, Baby, Gone,” director Ben Afflick explores the difference between what is right and what is morally right. And as the consequences demonstrate, the decisions the main character Patrick (Casey Afflick) makes, while right, might not have been morally right. Private investigator Patrick Kenzie and his girlfriend/partner Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) are hired by Lionel and Beatrice McCready to help with the investigation of the disappearance of their young niece, Amanda. At odds with the situation is Amanda’s drug addict mother, two police detectives (Ed Harris and John Ashton) and their captain (Morgan Freeman). Nonetheless, Patrick and Angie continue to pursue neighborhood leads and discover that nothing is as it seems. For the audience this results in a few red herrings and some twists along the way. Ben Afflick does a surprisingly good job behind the camera and brother Casey is very effective as a man truly caught on the horns of a dilemma. The movie is worth seeing; however, if you don’t catch it in the theaters, be sure to see it on DVD. (10/20/07)

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Cate Blanchett is the film’s biggest asset, picking up where she left off in the 1998 version of “Elizabeth.” Her Elizabeth is bold, wily, and confident, but she is also growing weary of the ongoing court intrigues that threaten to end her reign as queen. Her biggest challenger is her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, who conspires with Phillip, the king of Spain, to put a Catholic ruler on the English throne. Phillip has a three-pronged attack: Mary and assassins who are already in England, and his vast Armada that will attack England from the sea. Also in this soap opera of a story we have adventurer Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), who catches both Elizabeth’s attention and that of her handmaiden Bess (Abbie Cornish). The first two-thirds of the film is interesting with its intrigues, betrayals and character interactions. The last third of the film condenses the sea battle and the defeat of the Armada into so little time that it denigrates that whole effort. The sets and costumes are quite spectacular as you might expect from a historical drama; however, the story, while engaging, isn’t that memorable once you leave the theater. (10/13/07)

Michael Clayton

“Michael Clayton,” starring George Clooney, is about a man who moves in the gray areas of life and who is forced to do the right thing. Michael Clayton (Clooney), an attorney for a large firm, is their fixer, the ‘go-to’ man when there are problems. He is most comfortable moving in the shadows and finding solutions that are just short of illegal, not to mention unethical. Michael’s friend Arthur (Tom Wilkinson), who has spent several years creating a defense for a giant agrichemical company, has a giant meltdown. As Michael investigates, he discovers that Arthur, instead of building a defense, has been building a case that supports plaintiffs’ claims that the company is responsible for several deaths. The chief counsel for the company (Tilda Swinton) maneuvers behind the scenes to smooth the way for her client. She embodies evil, but Swinton plays her with such bland ordinariness that it is hard to see that behind her mask lurks a woman with no soul. Clooney is at his best when his character struggles with his contradictions. Michael Clayton is not unaware of what is right and what is wrong, but somewhere along the way, he became so good at walking the line between that he has lost his way. So in a sense, this movie is about one character’s redemption “Michael Clayton” is a well-written and well-acted drama that pulls you in and makes you think, even after the final credits have finished. (10/16/07)

The Last Season

I had to conduct a pretty diligent search through the movie section to find where “The Final Season” is playing. Contrary to the LA Times ad, it’s not playing in theaters everywhere. However, it is playing in a theater nearby and at $3.50 a ticket. What a bargain. “The Final Season,” starring Powers Boothe and Sean Astin and based on a true story, is your typical underdog sports story. It’s 1991 and the Norway high school baseball team, winners of 19 out of 24 Iowa state championships, is playing its last season before the school closes. What’s remarkable about Norway’s record is the size of the town, 586 people, and the size of the school, 100 students. Yet year after year, the baseball team captures the state title under Coach Jim Van Scoyoc (Boothe). With pressure from the state to combine smaller schools into larger schools, the Norway school board allows the team its last season, to play for its 20th championship, not under Van Scoyoc, a vocal critic of the board’s decision to merge but under the guidance of novice coach Ken Stock (Astin). If you like baseball, you’ll like this feel-good movie although it’s nowhere near the caliber of “Field of Dreams” or even “Major League.” (10/14/07)

We Own the Night

“We Own the Night,” starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, and Robert Duvall, is about family and life’s choices. Burt (Duvall) and his son Joseph (Wahlberg) are New York policemen, chasing a Russian drug dealer. Bobby (Phoenix), Burt’s other son, who has turned his back on his family and changed his name, manages a club for a Russian family. Bobby’s extreme and carefree lifestyle ultimately crashes around him when, after Joseph leads a raid on Bobby’s club, Joseph is shot in the face by someone Bobby knows. Wahlberg and Duvall are effective, but their roles are small; the movie is about Bobby and Phoenix, offering a less than stellar performance, seems to be sleepwalking through most of the film. Nonetheless, “We Own the Night” offers convincing drama and enough tension to keep the audience involved to the end. (10/12/07)

MPAA

I will never understand why the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) gives graphic violence in a movie an R rating and gives graphic sex an NC-17 rating. Case in point is the R “Eastern Promises” received and the NC-17 for “Lust, Caution.” Certainly a case can be made for the very graphic violence in “Eastern Promises” being integral to the plot and the point director David Cronenberg wants to make about evil. And the violence, while abhorrent, should be there. However, because the violence is so graphic (two throats being slit and two fully dressed men being killed by an unarmed, naked man), the movie should have received an NC-17. On the other hand, “Lust, Caution” received a deserved NC-17 for graphic sex scenes that are integral to the plot and character development. The two main characters, living lives full of deception, can only be honest when they are having sex. Director Ang Lee was adamant about maintaining the integrity of the script and holding to his vision for the film so he did not re-edit to get an R. The bigger question here is why is violence more acceptable than sex?

Gracie - Available on DVD

“Gracie” is a fairly predictable film about a girl dealing with her grief over her brother’s death and overcoming odds to play on the boys’ soccer team. What adds another dimension to this movie is that it is based on many elements of actress Elizabeth Shue’s life: Shue played soccer on the boys’ soccer team for three years, starting in the sixth grade and her beloved older brother William, a soccer star himself, died at age 26 in an accident. Shue plays Gracie’s mother and her brother Andrew has a small role as the varsity soccer assistant coach. They, along with their other brother John, produced “Gracie.”

"It is a personal film, and the memories in it are a little bit sacred to us. But it was a family decision, and it is important for us to tell the story," [Andrew] Shue, who lives in Princeton Township, told The Times of Trenton for Monday's newspapers.

Elizabeth Shue has been in many of my favorite movies. Among them:

• Opposite Ralph Macchio in “Karate Kid”
• Starred in “Adventures in Babysitting”
• Opposite Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future”
• Won an Academy Award for “Leaving Las Vegas”
• Opposite Val Kilmer in “The Saint”

(6/3/07)

The Seeker: The Dark is Rising

“The Seeker: The Dark is Rising,” to be blunt, is a dud. The plot is redundant: a young boy, Will, must fight the forces of evil. (Harry Potter does it so much better.) The special effects are pedestrian. (See the Trilogy of the Rings, or "Stardust," a movie on a smaller scale.) And the young lead (Alexander Ludwig) is not charismatic enough to carry a movie. I like fantasy-type films, but this one just doesn’t make the grade. (10/6/07)

Into the Wild

“Into the Wild,” directed by Sean Penn and based on a true story captured in a book by Jon Krakauer, is about an idealistic young man, Chris McCandless, who decides to turn his back on civilization and return to nature by living in the Alaskan wilderness. Half of the movie is Chris’s trip to Alaska and the pleasure he takes in the journey and the people he meets along the way. The other is his solitary existence in Alaska where he discovers that happiness is meaningless unless it is shared with someone. Unfortunately for Chris, this lesson comes at a high price. Emile Hirsch, as Chris, is very effective as he portrays a young man who is both likeable and a jerk, adventuresome and crazy. Hirsch is ably supported by Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn (in a serious role), Hal Holbrook, William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden. Penn successfully weaves together both parts of Chris’s journey, cutting back and forth in time and using portions taken from Chris’s journal. And the cinematography by Eric Gautier is spectacular. I had mixed feelings about Chris McCandless’s story before I saw this movie and I still have mixed feelings. Chris was both brave and foolish and it’s the foolish part that I’m having trouble understanding. (10/9/07)

The Kingdom

Director Peter Berg tries to do too much with his latest movie, “The Kingdom,” starring Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, and Jennifer Garner. Part CSI-like crime procedural, part revisionist scenario, part Rambo-blow-‘em-up, part buddy movie – there are just too many parts to be effective. Terrorists attack an American compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing men, women, and children. After some political posturing, an FBI forensics team of four, headed by Ronald Fleury (Foxx), is given five days to investigate the crime scene. They dig through the rubble, looking for evidence of the kind of detonators and chemicals used in the explosion. The fact that this team is able to solve the crime and catch the terrorists harkens back to the days when America had an image of the good guys in white hats. The high octane final 30 minutes puts any Rambo movie to shame with a spectacular car crash, a heated gun battle and a knock-down-drag-out fight between Jennifer Garner’s character and a terrorist. Finally, there’s the growing respect between Fleury and a Saudi police colonel, both emphasizing the different cultures of these men and the bond that policemen share in catching the bad guys. And Berg uses the shaky hand-held camera way too much. All in all, I know that “The Kingdom” has been getting mostly positive reviews from the press; however, it just didn’t work for me. (9/30/07)

Four Movies to See

I usually consider a movie successful if it engages my attention and I am transported, albeit for a short time, to another place and, perhaps, to another time. Then all of the other elements of movie making come into play: script, acting, directing, maybe setting, music, and special effects. The movies that have my highest recommendation so far for 2007 include: “Eastern Promises,” “3:10 to Yuma,” “Shoot ‘Em Up” and “Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón.” These movies are not necessarily Academy Award quality, but they are certainly worth seeing. However, I would like to see “Eastern Promises” nominated for script, director, actor, and supporting actor.

“Eastern Promises” takes us into a world so removed from our reality that the brutality is difficult to watch at times. Steven Knight’s intelligent script poses the innocent Anna (Naomi Watts) as a foil for the sadistic Russian mafia leader (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his disturbed son (Vincent Cassel) and violent gangster Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen). Their thought-provoking interactions illustrate that it takes violence to fight evil, that good is not vicious enough to be an effective adversary. Mortensen and Mueller-Stahl are superb and David Cronenberg’s taut directing adds another dimension to the film, especially the steam bath fight scene where a nude and unarmed Nikolai fights two thugs intent on doing major bodily harm.

“3:10 to Yuma” is a worthy remake of the 1957 original strarring Van Heflin and Glenn Ford.. This new version, pairing Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, explores good and evil and the various shades of gray in-between. And there are enough differences between the two movies that seeing the current “3:10 to Yuma” does not have the feeling of watching a re-run.

One reason to see “Shoot “Em Up” is its tongue-in-cheek tone . After all, how can you not laugh when Clive Owen’s character, Mr. Smith, goes out of an airplane without a gun or a parachute and he not only survives, but he manages to shoot the dozen or so armed men who follow him out of the plane. There isn’t a credible moment in the film and that’s part of the fun. The other reason to see this film is Clive Owen. He’s just too gorgeous for words.

I’ve already written two pieces on “Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón” so I suggest you read those. However, at this point, I’m not sure this movie is still playing in theaters. You may have to wait until it’s available on DVD.

Eastern Promises

“Eastern Promises,” directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts, is a thought-provoking movie, much along the lines of Cronenber’s earlier “A History of Violence.” London midwife Anna (Watts) stumbles into the world of the Russian mafia when she tries to find relatives of a young woman who has died in childbirth. Her quest takes her to grandfatherly Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl) who wants the diary the dead woman left behind. Nikolai (Motensen), who has befriended Semyon’s creepy son, Kirill, and is ordered to get the diary, has his own reasons for inveigling his way into the mob family. There’s a lot of violence in “Eastern Promises,” but violence is an integral part of Cronenber’s story as he clearly demonstrates that it takes evil to fight true evil, that good does not understand evil enough to be a successful adversary. The only weakness in this compelling movie is the vague and, to a degree, unsatisfying conclusion. However, assuming that you can tolerate the violence, I urge you to see “Eastern Promises.” (9/23/07)

In the Valley of Elah

“In the Valley of Elah,” referencing the Biblical place where David fought Goliath, is more of a character study than a murder mystery. When Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones), former military police, receives word that his son, just back from Iraq, has gone AWOL, he decides to conduct his own investigation. When a charred dismembered body turns out to be his son, Hank pushes both the military and a local police detective (Charlize Theron) for answers. His anguish is clear as is his fear that something is terribly wrong with the military institution that means so much to him. With Hank, Tommy Lee Jones has created a multi-dimensional character, one who is both gruff and kind hearted; implusive and willing to apologize when he’s wrong; rigid in his beliefs about the benefits of being in the military yet grieving over the mistakes he made that might have cost his son his life. Susan Sarandon role as Hank’s wife is small, but she makes the most of her limited screen time. And Charlize Theron is effective as a woman struggling to prove that she's just as good a detective as any man. Although there’s nothing new in director Paul Haggis’ very obvious message: war takes a high toll, not just in deaths, but in the ruined souls that return, see this movie for Jones’ performance. (9/22/07)

Sydney White

I don’t mind going to movies by myself. I don’t even mind going to a movie where the theater is full of pre-pubescent girls and their mothers, which is what happened when I went to see “Sydney White.” In this retelling of the Snow White tale, there’s seven geeks instead of seven dwarfs, an online popularity poll instead of a magic looking glass, a witchy sorority president instead of the evil queen and a handsome young man by the name of Tyler Prince. Amanda Bynes (most recently a co-star in “Hairspray”) plays Sydney White with sincerity and on-spot comedic timing. If you like happily ever after fairy tales, with no pretensions of being realistic, then you’ll enjoy “Sydney White.” But you might want to take a 10-year old with you. (9/21/07)

Hollywoodland - Available on DVD

“Hollywoodland” is an interesting mix of fact and fiction, providing several theories for why actor George Reeves died. Reeves (played effectively by Ben Afflick), typecast as the television character Superman, died from a gun shot wound to the head. The police investigation concluded suicide and perhaps Reeves was depressed that his career did not go beyond Superman. However, maybe he was murdered and that’s what the fictional character Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) investigates. “Hollywoodland” is certainly better than “The Black Dahlia,” another based-on-a-true-story movie.

Music and Lyrics - Available on DVD

“Music and Lyrics” is a better than average romantic comedy because of Hugh Grant and a clever script. Grant’s comedic timing for his numerous one-liners is perfect. Drew Barrymore provides the right amount of sweetness as his love interest, but the movie’s success rests with Grant. And if you don’t like him, well……….. (2/19/07)

Perfect Stranger - Available on DVD

“Perfect Stranger,” starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis, has too many negatives to get a recommendation. The main problem is the script, which doesn’t play fair with its clues so the end comes from left field. Rowena (Berry), a tabloid journalist investigating the murder of her childhood friend, suspects a married advertising executive (Willis) so she sets out to prove his guilt. With this basic plot line, screenwriter Todd Komarnick throws in a little online sex, a jealous wife, and a sinister best friend, all of which serve as red herrings. Even the A-list cast can’t improve a weak script and without the cast, this movie would have gone straight to DVD. I suggest you wait until “Perfect Stranger” is free on cable. (9/14/07)

The Brave One

The “Brave One” is a thought-provoking study of the consequences of revenge. Jodi Foster plays Erica, a woman who, along with her fiancé, David, is severely beaten. Erica survives; David doesn’t and Erica’s quiet outrage at the police’s inability to catch David’s murderers is much more effective than any loud ranting. As Erica walks a fine line between sanity and madness, courage and fear, horror and revenge, she loses a piece of her soul every time she takes a life. Certainly the reason to see this movie is Foster’s powerful performance although Terrence Howard’s supporting role as a sympathetic police detective is also quite remarkable. (9/17/07)

In the Shadow of the Moon

Between 1969 and 1972, nine Apollo spacecraft traveled to the moon. In the documentary “In the Shadow of the Moon,” director David Sington tells the Apollo story through archival footage and the recollections of the surviving astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Gene Cernan, Mike Collins, Charlie Duke, Jim Lovell, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt, Dave Scott, and John Young. Notably missing is the reclusive Neil Armstrong whose “That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind” has become one of the most famous ever spoken. Through these men you learn of their wonder, their fears, their humility about being part of a tremendous US effort to beat the Russians to the moon. This movie is a reminder of a time when the United States was perceived as having the ‘right stuff.’ (9/16/07)

Across the Universe

“Across the Universe” is not a musical in the traditional sense – rather it’s a movie where characters sing. Directed by Julie Taymor, creator of the stage version of the “Lion King,” “Across the Universe” is a feast for the eyes and with Beatles’ songs, a feast for the ears. The plot is a series of images that are familiar to audiences of a certain age: psychedelic hippie scenes, the injustice of the draft, a growing discontent with the war in Vietnam, radical student dissent that results in violence, returning soldiers with post traumatic stress syndrome. Nevertheless, “Across the Universe” isn’t for everyone. It’s a little too long and there’s hardly a plot and no character development. See this movie for its visual delights and memorable songs. (9/16/07)

Dragon Wars

I enjoy fantasy and science fiction, including “Bridge to Terabithia,” “The Last Minsey,” “Ghost Rider” and all of the Harry Potter movies. And I loved the Trilogy of the Rings, both the books and the films. So what’s the problem with “Dragon Wars”? Better to ask, What’s right? This film is a total disappointment and for someone who has watched some pretty awful movies on the Sci-fi channel, that’s saying quite a lot. This Korean production with American actors has a plot that is both hard to follow and not engaging enough, actors that can’t act, and not enough dragon fighting. There’s a flashback within a flashback that attempts to explain that every 500 years, one special woman has the power to transform a serpent into celestial dragon, but the cost is her life. Two serpents, one evil and one good, want this transformation, but it’s the evil serpent that wrecks havoc in downtown Los Angeles chasing after the woman. And the dragon wars, rather single dragon battle, comes at the end of the film. I can’t believe I wasted my afternoon. (9/14/07)

3:10 to Yuma

“3:10 to Yuma,” a remake of a Glenn Ford-Van Heflin classic, is more than an ordinary western, more than good guy vs. bad guy. It’s a morality play with good and evil reflecting shades of gray: not all of the good guys are good and there’s bad and then there’s really bad. Christian Bale’s Dan Evans is a troubled rancher who remains true to his principles; however, this makes his character static. For Dan, there are no lessons learned, no new perspectives about life discovered. Only Bales skill as an actor imbues Dan with characteristics that make him multi-dimensional. Russell Crowe has the more colorful role as Ben Wade, a cold-blooded killer one minute and a charming rogue the next. Although director James Mangold’s “3:10 to Yuma” is about fathers and sons, it is more about the relationship between two men and how a hardened killer can come to admire a man who is willing to put his life on the line for what he believes is right. Initially I thought a remake of “3:10 to Yuma” was going to result in ‘Why?’ But it’s a complex story with strong characters and it deserves a large audience. (9/9/07)

Shoot 'Em Up

“Shoot ‘Em Up,” starring sexy Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti, is such a hoot! Take it from me, if you’re an action fan, you’ll get a kick out of this over-the-top, well, shoot ‘em up. The body count is high and the different ways to engage in a shoot out is definitely creative. And talk about unique ways to use a carrot as a weapon. Plus the way Owen handles the action proves that he would have made a spectacular James Bond. (He was my first choice.) Owen is Mr. Smith, whose impulsive good deed of trying to save a pregnant woman from thugs leaves him as sole caregiver of a newborn baby. With a professional hitman after the baby, Smith is also forced to act as protector. Owen is effective as the enigmatic Smith, a man who is not as jaded as he seems and Paul Giamatti does a skillful turn as the tenacious assassin. The tongue-in-cheek tone is perfect for this ultra-violent film. (9/7/07)

Talk to Me

“Talk to Me,” a biopic, explores the symbiotic relationship between Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene (Don Cheadle), an ex-con turned radio talk show host in Washington DC during the late 60s – early 80s, and Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an upwardly mobile black man who gives Petey his first job. “You say what I’m afraid to say,” says Dewey at one point in the movie, “and I do what you’re afraid to do.” This statement pretty much sums up director Kasi Lemmons’ (“Eve’s Bayou”) perspective; she doesn’t force her audience to choose one man over the other. Both Cheadle and Ejiofor are effective as men who are seemingly polar opposites yet develop a strong bond of friendship. The soundtrack, full of vintage pop music, is also another plus. "Talk to Me" is definitely worth seeing. (7/18/07)

Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón (revisited)

I had an opportunity to see "Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón" again and liked it more than I did the first time I saw it. The story of thieves robbing another thief who thoroughly deserves to lose his money unfolds with such style and enthusiasm that you want others to have the pleasure of experiencing this movie for themselves. Although the outcome is a foregone conclusion, the fun is watching their plan come together with a few surprises for the audience. (9/5/07)

Underdog

Usually there isn’t a dog movie I don’t like. I think I’ve seen them all: the Benji movies, “Zeus and Roxanne,” “Turner and Hooch,” and “Firehouse Dog” to name a few. Unfortunately, now I can add “Underdog” to the list. Although the beagle is a cutie, this movie is a dog – pun intended. Based on the 1970s cartoon, “Underdog” is about a dog that gains superpowers via the experiments of villain Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage). Unlike the cartoon series that included several levels of humor, the movie relies on the cute factor – cute dog, cute tricks, cute dog, cute costume, cute dog…you get the idea. Young children will like the movie, however. (8/4/07)

Becoming Jane

“Becoming Jane” is not so much a biopic as a well-imagined presentation of what happens one summer when Jane (Anne Hathaway) meets Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy). And although they are unsuited to each other, Jane and Tom fall in love. You see, neither has any money and as Jane’s mother says, “Love is nice, but money is indispensable.” While there is no historical evidence that this relationship goes beyond a summer flirtation, screenwriters Kevin Hood and Sarah Williams would have us believe that Lefroy is the reason Austen never married. “Becoming Jane” illustrates quite clearly that in the late 1700s, women had few choices; however, it also shows that independent women are not satisfied to meekly do what is expected. Certainly if Austen had married Lefroy or married anyone, she would not have written any of her books. Beautiful cinematography and a strong supporting cast round out an enjoyable moving going experience. (9/4/07)

The 11th Hour

I’m not sure what I expected when I went to see “The 11th Hour,” but it wasn’t a lecture with Leonardo DiCaprio acting as the transition from topic to topic. The film does manage to intersperse images of arid wastelands, polluted oceans, deforested areas, melting icebergs, etc. among the various scientists, environmental experts, ‘green’ gurus and even an ex-CIA chief. However, the organization of the content requires the audience to listen closely to one talking head after another. And the images flit by so quickly if you weren’t listening to the lecture, you might miss the connection. I did appreciate that directors Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners (sisters) included some concrete solutions to the problems they present. We are all aware that we have not been effective guardians of our natural resources and “The 11th Hour” presents a solid case that we are running out of time. There are certainly steps that each of us can take to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. (9/3/07)

Rush Hour 3

I avoided going to see “Rush Hour 3” when it opened a few weeks ago because I knew I would be disappointed. I liked “Rush Hour,” but “Rush Hour 2” had none of the charm and creativity of the original and “Rush Hour 3” is more of the same….been there, seen that. The paper-thin plot has Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) going to Paris after a Triad assassin. A lot of silly stuff pads the movie’s running time, with the least amusing being a parody of Abbot and Costello’s ‘Who’s on First?’ and Chris Tucker’s character is downright irritating. When the most enjoyable parts of the movie are scenes of Paris, you know you can skip “Rush Hour 3.” (9/2/07)

Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón (subtitles)

I typically peruse the New York Times movie reviews to determine my movie-going schedule for the weekend. What put “Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón” at the top of the list was the comparison to “Ocean’s 11.” Intriguing premise. Even more interesting is the setting for this Spanish language movie: Los Angeles and the immigrant community. Two thieves decide that they are going to rob one of their own, a con man who has amassed great wealth by selling his bogus formulas for hair growth, weight loss, even a cancer cure to poor Latino immigrants. Their plan, typical of the caper genre, requires thorough planning and exact timing and although the outcome is predictable, the fun is watching this group succeed. Directed by Joe Menendez and written by José Angel Henrickson, “Ladrón Que Roba a Ladrón” has an engaging cast and even manages to prove that there is honor among thieves. You won’t be disappointed if you decide to see this movie. (9/1/07)

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)