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Reviews
Superman Returns (2006)
Superman: Back In All His Glory
It's been twenty years since Superman was last seen in the movies. Now, the Man of Steel is back in "Superman Returns," directed by Bryan Singer. In this story, Superman had gone off for five years in search of traces of Krypton, his home planet. In his absence, Lois Lane has become a mother, while archenemy Lex Luthor is planning his next criminal empire. The latest chapter in the Superman saga makes an impressive splash! Brandon Routh is well cast as Superman, proving himself a worthy successor to the late Christopher Reeve. Kevin Spacey makes a fine Lex Luthor as well. The filmmakers give us many facets of the Superman legacy, referencing the character's first appearance in the comics, and even reviving John William's memorable score from 1978's "Superman." All these factors have made the wait worth it for fans.
United 93 (2006)
United 93: A Tale of Terror and Hope
"United 93" is the first movie about the events of September 11th, 2001. Some critics have speculated that, after nearly five years, it was too soon to make such a movie. But the surviving family members of those who had perished had nothing but support for director Paul Greengrass. And ultimately, the movie proves to be respectful and well-crafted. One good thing about "United 93" is the flow of the story. It starts steadily, as we see the terrorists calmly preparing for their mission, the crew and passengers boarding the airplane. Then the tension builds as reports of the other hijacked planes surface, and chaos reigns in air traffic control centers. Finally, the story reaches its climax as the passengers rise up against the terrorists. Admirably, there are no exaggerated performances or characters. The terrorists are not stereotypical villains, and the passengers are not over-the-top heroes. The immortal words of Todd Beamer, "Let's roll," are not presented as a catchphrase, but underplayed. The cast consists of unknown actors, and also includes air traffic personnel who were actually on duty that day, including Ben Sliney, supervisor at the National Air Traffic Control Center at Hearndon, Virginia. "United 93" presents a shocking moment in American history, a tale that simply had to be told.
Cars (2006)
Cars: One For the Winner's Circle
The latest Disney/Pixar epic, "Cars" is yet another brilliant work. The story takes place in a world populated completely by living motorized vehicles. The main character is Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), a rookie race car with dreams of winning the Piston Cup. When he is on his way to the big race in California, he gets sidetracked in a little town called Radiator Springs, along Route 66. The story is filled with colorful characters, from Mater, a rusty good ol' boy tow truck voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, to Doc Hudson, the town judge/mechanic, and former Piston Cup champion, voiced by Paul Newman. Pixar once again makes clever casting choices, including several personalities from the world of stock car racing: Darrell Waltrip, Mario Andretti and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Racing legend Richard Petty voices "The King," Strip Weathers. Even Paul Newman is a racing enthusiast! The imagery is as breathtaking as always, from the shapes in the desert around Radiator Springs, to the dizzying, exciting action shots at the race sequences. Score another victory for Disney and Pixar!
Crocodile Dundee (1986)
The Great Aussie Classic
"'Crocodile' Dundee" has to be the best-known movie to come out of Australia, and the one that made Paul Hogan's career. He plays the title role of Mick Dundee, a clever hunter from the outback with a larger-than-life reputation. It's Dundee's legend that attracts the attention of American reporter Sue Charlton (played by Linda Kozlowski). She accompanies him into the wild, and later, brings him back to New York City. "Crocodile" Dundee proves to be a fish out of water in America, and yet, he manages to get by with his simple charisma and resourcefulness. It's a nice comedy, with laughs and romance. Any day is a "g'day" to watch it!
American Dreamz (2006)
American Dreamz: The Humor of Reality
In "American Dreamz," director Paul Weitz takes aim and satirizes many targets of the world we know. The main targets are the show "American Idol" and the George W. Bush Presidency. In the world of this movie, President Joe Staton (played by Dennis Quaid, channeling President Bush) is a simple-minded man manipulated by his Chief of Staff (Willem Dafoe, resembling Vice President Dick Cheney). For publicity, he agrees to be a guest judge on talent search reality show "American Dreamz." The host of this show is acid-tongued Martin Tweed (the Simon Cowell of this story, played by Hugh Grant). And the contestants include all-American girl Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore) and novelty act Omer (Sam Golzari). In reality, Omer is an incompetent Arab terrorist who'd rather sing show tunes. But he has a mission to blow up President Staton. And Sally has her own agenda: beneath her sweet image, she is catty and calculating. This movie looks at reality TV with a keen eye. Of course, it exposes reality TV as not being 100% real. "American Dreamz" will serve up satire with music and laughs.
The Cannonball Run (1981)
Fast, Furious and Funny!
One of the most madcap action comedies of all time is "The Cannonball Run." In it, star Burt Reynolds and director Hal Needham are reunited after their stunt-rich classic "Smokey and the Bandit." The rest of the cast boasts many names such as Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jackie Chan, Terry Bradshaw, Adrienne Barbeau, Peter Fonda and Farrah Fawcett. The story follows everyone on a mad dash across the country in the infamous Cannonball Run, an insane (and illegal) race from the East Coast to the West. Lots of the humor is lowbrow, but it will still make you laugh. The quintessential character of this story has to be DeLuise's alter ego Captain Chaos, since the movie is pure chaos itself. "The Cannonball Run" is a nice mix of adrenaline and laughs!
Fat Albert (2004)
New Lessons From an Old-School Cartoon
"Fat Albert" can be called a kind of update on the classic cartoon created by Bill Cosby. Instead of a straightforward live-action adaptation of the animated show, the story brings the characters through the TV into the real world. When Fat Albert comes to solve Doris' troubles, he and his friends find a much different world than the one they knew in the 1970s. And complications arise when Albert falls for Doris' foster sister Lauri. It's an interesting concept having the characters change their personalities as they stay in the real world (Mushmouth can speak clearly, Weird Harold isn't so awkward, etc.). And older viewers will feel nostalgic seeing the classic characters. But a sharp eye can tell the animated versions of the characters in the movie are dramatically different from the cartoon as it actually was. (That was one problem critics had with the movie.) But the movie is still good for some laughs, and even has some touching moments. On the whole, it's a good family movie.
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
More Dark Crude Laughs
"Scary Movie 4" marks the fourth movie in the franchise, and the second in the franchise to be directed by David Zucker. You can tell the difference between Zucker's style and that of the Wayans Brothers, the creators of the "Scary Movie" franchise. Under the Wayans, the humor was more outrageous, focusing on sexual organs. Zucker's style isn't so sexual, but there are more dumb jokes. The crude sex humor is still there (watch what happens when Charlie Sheen tries to overdose on Viagra). The cast, led by Anna Faris as Cindy Campbell, once again spoofs the recent horror movies and thrillers, such as "Saw" and "War of the Worlds." This movie is good for some laughs, but it's not the best movie in the "Scary Movie" franchise.
Thank You for Smoking (2005)
Blowing Smoke
"Thank You For Smoking" is the movie adaptation based on Christopher Buckley's clever satire on the tobacco industry. The main character, Nick Naylor (plyed by Aaron Eckhart), is a tobacco lobbyist and spin doctor extraordinaire. He knows people hate him for representing a product known to kill thousands. But he has the good looks and charm to win people over. The movie is just as clever as the book, and filled with memorable characters: Rob Lowe as Hollywood super-agent Jeff Megall; Robert Duvall as tobacco baron "The Captain"; and William H. Macy as Senator Finistirre, the politico on an anti-cigarette crusade. The story makes you laugh, but also opens your eyes to the tobacco industry, showing you how they work to attract new smokers. You might even find yourself sympathizing with characters you ordinarily wouldn't like. That just proves the power of spin doctoring!
Chicken Run (2000)
Chicken Run: Nick Park Hatches a Classic
British animator Nick Park made his name with the clay-animated antics of Wallace and Gromit. In his feature film debut, "Chicken Run," he shows off his winning style. The story, which is a take on "The Great Escape," follows the escape plans of the chickens at the Tweedy Farm in England. Their ringleader is Ginger, a hen voiced by Julia Sawalha. When Rocky (Mel Gibson), an American circus rooster, comes "flying" in, the plan becomes to fly off the Tweedy Farm. The clay animation is well done in this movie, and is even more impressive without assists by computer animation. There are several great characters, including the comic rats Nick and Fetcher, and Mrs. Tweedy (Natasha Richardson), who makes the most wicked cartoon villainess since Cruella DeVil. This movie is truly up to par with Wallace and Gromit's excellence.
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
Pre-History Marches On
The popular characters of "Ice Age," Sid, Manny, Diego and Scrat, are back in the sequel "Ice Age: The Meltdown." In this installment, the Ice Age is coming to an end as the great glaciers melt. But Manny the Mammoth (voiced by Ray Romano) isn't as worried about flooding as he is about becoming extinct. That's when he meets female mammoth Ellie (voiced by Queen Latifah). The movie displays the breathtaking visuals of the original "Ice Age." The story is not quite as good, though. Some things were corny, like the scene with the vultures' musical number that spoofs "Oliver!" But the comic antics of Scrat always satisfy. The sequel to "Ice Age" does not quite match the original, but it's still worth watching.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Tarantino's First Big Shot
"Reservoir Dogs" is the movie that introduced the world to Quentin Tarantino's style of movie-making. Stories full of cool characters, non-linear events, music and pop culture, and of course, lots of violence. Tarantino directed the movie, and also appeared as Mr. Brown. The story in "Reservoir Dogs" involves a jewel heist, even though the crime is never seen. The men hired for the heist are all strangers to each other, and all given aliases, to prevent them all from learning anything about each other. But the heist soon goes awry, and it ends violently. Two scenes in particular stand out about this movie: one is the infamous scene in which Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) slices off a cop's ear, a violent scene which is mostly implied. The other is the Mexican standoff scene near the end, a very tense moment. Tarantino has proved his power as a groundbreaking filmmaker with "Reservoir Dogs."
A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
An Unreadable Book, an Unfilmable Movie, an Impossible Dream
It starts with Laurence Sterne's 1767 novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman," a notoriously hard book to read. The story is full of digressions. (For example, Tristram, the title character/narrator isn't even born until the book is more than half over!) Many have speculated that the absurd novel would be impossible to adapt into a movie. Director Michael Winterbottom took up the challenge, and came up with the high-concept "Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story." He took a satirical approach: about twenty minutes of the movie is devoted to scenes from the book. Then the movie digresses from the story entirely, and goes behind the scenes to the making of the "Tristram Shandy" movie. Then it becomes a movie about making a movie adapted from a book about writing a book! The best explanation for the roundabout nature of the movie (and the book) is best explained by Patrick Curator, played by Stephen Fry: in the book, Tristram Shandy tries to write his life story, but it keeps getting away from him. This symbolizes that life is filled with distractions and complications. Steve Coogan stars as Tristram Shandy, as well as his father, Walter Shandy, plus a fictionalized version of himself. He plays his own persona as a frustrated star, dealing with a girlfriend and baby, filming hardships, a few scandals, and the thought of his co-star, Rob Brydon, getting more screen time than him. The story might be hard to follow, but it fits with the original source material.
Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Vampires Vs. Lycans Again
"Underworld: Evolution" is Len Wiseman's follow-up to his first installment, which chronicled a secret battle between vampires and werewolves (a.k.a. lycans). The sequel picks up where the original left off. Markus, the original vampire, has just been woken, and is out to wreak havoc. We also get to see how the vampire/lycan war began, with the schism between the Corvinus brothers: Markus and William, the original lycan. The sequel is loaded with blood and gore, proving to be even bloodier than the original "Underworld." The visual effects are eye-catching. Particularly with Viktor, with the appearance of a creepy half human-half bat. The story seems a bit far-fetched at times. But the end does leave the story open for a third installment.
The Pink Panther (2006)
Steve Martin Stumbles Into a Classic Character
Millions remember Peter Sellers as the original Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Now, in the latest "Pink Panther" movie, the late comic actor is replaced with Steve Martin. And filling the legend's shoes could not have been easy! In this re-imagining of the story, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) calls upon bumbling small-town gendarme Clouseau to solve a murder mystery, which comes with the theft of the fabled diamond, the Pink Panther. I went in not expecting the movie to be as good as the Peter Sellers original, but I tried to stay optimistic. In the end, the movie was not as good as the original, but still good for some laughs. The slapstick is heavy, and some of the jokes seem to be forced. Steve Martin does put in a funny performance, giving us his interpretation of Inspector Clouseau. Other performances include Beyonce Knowles as Xania, a suspected pop singer, and Jean Reno as Ponton, Clouseau's more competent partner. This movie is enjoyable, if you keep an open mind.
The New World (2005)
A Beautiful But Slow Story
"The New World," directed by Terence Malick, tells the classic story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith. Here, Colin Farrell plays Captain Smith, while Pocahontas is portrayed by newcomer Q'Orianka Kilcher. The story follows these characters, as well as the Indians and English settlers at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. It's not clear exactly how historically accurate the story is. Kilcher makes good in her debut, playing the timeless Indian princess as kindly and compassionate. As for the movie, the imagery is lush with shots of beautiful forests. Some of the dialogue is well-written, such as the poetic voice-overs. But the story is slow in its pace. Either the movie had to be shorter, or there had to be more elements to hold the attention of the viewers.
The Cookout (2004)
The Screwball "Soul Food"
"The Cookout" might not be the best movie you can see, or the most sensitive to black people. Still, it is enjoyable. It stars rapper Storm P (aka Quran Pender) as Todd Anderson, a young, newly-drafted NBA star. He's just gotten a house in a New Jersey gated community, and his whole family is celebrating with a cookout. The humor here is over-the-top, as are several characters. Queen Latifah's security guard, for example. Other characters do manage to make laughs. Like Tim Meadows as Leroy, the conspiracy-obsessed paralegal, and Ja Rule and Roberto Vanderpool as Bling Bling and Weezer, the dimwitted hustlers. "The Cookout" may not be so nutritious, but it's fine for empty calories.
Munich (2005)
Between Vengeance and Justice
"Munich" is Steven Spielberg's offering, hoping to tell the story of Black September, a Palestinian terrorist group that triggered a tragedy at the Munich Olympic games of 1972. The attack led to the deaths of eleven Israelis. This led to bloody government-sanctioned retaliation. Eric Bana plays Avner Kaufman, a Mossad agent appointed as leader to a group of men charged with hunting down the terrorists of Black September. The story is bloody, and does not pull any punches. Bana gives a good performance, showing Avner's descent into paranoia. The viewer gets a real sense of what Avner is going through, after overseeing one assassination after another. "Munich" is a dark but story for our time, or for any other.
Casanova (2005)
The King of the Red Hot Lovers
"Casanova," directed by Lasse Hallstrom, offers a fictionalized look at the legendary Venetian libertine. Heath Ledger plays Giacomo Casanova, and Siena Miller is Francesca Bruni, the object of Casanova's affections. The story follows Casanova as he tries every trick in the book to win the heart of Francesca. The story offers laughs and even some thrills, with Ledger playing his part as a lovable rogue. There are other great performances: Jay McInerney as the Doge of Venice is good, and Oliver Platt is a scene-stealer as Paprizzio, the fat Genoan lard baron. Jeremy Irons plays a good heavy as Bishop Pucci, the Roman Inquisitor. The scenery is eye-catching, showing the beauty of Venice and Carnivale. Not much effort is made to be serious in the story, but it's still a nice gondola ride of a movie.
Hoodwinked! (2005)
Not Just a "Shrek" Ripoff
"Hoodwinked" is not a ripoff of "Shrek," but more of a movie in the spirit of "Shrek." It takes the classic fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood and shakes it up. This version of the story takes a healthy dose of "Rashomon." While the animation is not up to par with the likes of Pixar or Blue Sky, the story is clever, piecing together four different points of view. Many of the voices are well cast: Anne Hathaway as Red, Glenn Close as Granny, and many others. There are also plenty of laughs, provided by the buffoonish Woodsman (voiced by Jim Belushi), Japeth the mountain goat, and various animal characters. While "Hoodwinked" is no "Shrek," it is still worth watching.
The Producers (2005)
It's Springtime For Hitler Again!
First, there was Mel Brooks' clever movie "The Producers." That got adapted into a Tony-winning stage musical. Then the musical became adapted into a movie. This hilarious spectacle is sure to please! Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, the same roles they made famous on Broadway. Lane is a riot, channeling Zero Mostel's bombastic character. Meanwhile, Broderick surprises as he does a decent take on Gene Wilder's original hysterical act. Will Ferrell scores laughs as Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind, and Uma Thurman puts in a good song and dance as Swedish sexpot Ulla. The movie perfectly catches the style of the old-fashioned musical, with a large serving of slapstick. This snappy production is sure to be a hit with everyone!
King Kong (2005)
King Kong: The Once and Future King of the Jungle
Peter Jackson's "King Kong" has long been the director's dream picture and a labor of love. After so much time, Jackson does not disappoint. The remake of the 1933 classic showcases Jackon's epic style of storytelling. The story starts in Depression-era New York, where ambitious filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black), leads a film cast and crew, including actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and playwright Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) to a remote island to shoot his movie. There, they encounter creepy savages, dinosaurs, giant insects, and of course, the 25-foot gorilla Kong. They bring the titanic ape back to New York, where he goes on to wreak havoc in the streets, ultimately to take on a brace of Curtiss Helldiver biplanes at the top of the Empire State Building. This is a gripping story, filled with excitement and amazing visuals. Jack Black gives a surprisingly good performance as Denham, full of bombastic showmanship. "King Kong" firmly establishes Peter Jackson as a cinematic king!
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Crossroads of the Fantasy and Spiritual Worlds
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is based on the famed fantasy novel by C.S. Lewis. It's a story much in the vein of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. In this story, the four Pevensie children must leave wartime London as the Germans attack, for the safety of a country house. There, they encounter a magical wardrobe that leads them to a land inhabited by talking animals and legendary creatures. The good leader is the divine lion, Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), who must battle Jadis, the White Witch (played by Tilda Swinton). The story is fascinating, even with the underlying Christian message. The visuals are amazing and eye-catching. In the end, you'll eagerly await more of Narnia's lore.
Æon Flux (2005)
Aeon Flux: Not Much In a New Dimension
"Aeon Flux" is based on Peter Chung's cult animated series from MTV. Charlize Theron stars in the title role, an assassin for the rebel Monicans. In this story, set in the far future, the human race has been mostly decimated by a plague. The city of Bregna is the last spot of civilization on the planet. It has the image of a utopian society, but in reality is a police state. Chairman Trevor Goodchild is in charge of Bregna, but the Monicans are trying to unseat him. The movie does have some interesting visuals and exciting action. But some fans of the original cartoon might not enjoy it. Some of the story twists might seem out of the blue, and the acting performances come off as wooden. All in all, the original animated series was better.
Big Night (1996)
A Gourmet Italian Feast For the Eyes
"Big Night" could be called a gourmet movie. It's the story of two Italian brothers, Primo and Secondo, who run a failing restaurant in New Jersey. The food is excellent, but it's too sophisticated for the locals' taste. They might have to close their doors, but first, they plan a huge dinner, expecting Louis Prima and his band. It's a movie with lots of heart. Many scenes are rich in emotion, even when the characters have no dialogue. Tony Shalhoub gives an intense performance as Primo, the chef who always strives for perfection in haute cuisine. The food seems to become a character in itself, particularly the pasta colossus, the timpano. "Big Night" is the kind of movie you wish you could taste!