7/22/05
Feature Review:
The Island - Big, dumb action film starring beautiful people with lots of blatant consumer product placement. To be fair, this mild diversion of a movie is directed by Michael Bay and has awesome special effects. However, even with charismatic Ewan McGregor and the stunning Scarlett Johansson, I started to lose interest after they avoided certain death about the fifth time. Rated PG-13. The Grade: C
Also Opening:
The Bad News Bears
The Beat That My Heart Skipped
Chronicas
The Devil's Rejects
Hustle & Flow
7/15/05
Feature Review:
Wedding Crashers (Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughn) - An amusing, raunchy, romantic comedy. Thank God that some people remember how to make R rated films. Plotwise it is pretty simple but it is the journey that makes it fun. Not only are the two leads charismatic but the supporting cast featuring Christopher Walken and Jane Seymour are great. At nearly two hours in length it could have used a bit of editing but it manages to hold itself together until the very end. Rated R. The Grade: B / B-
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Johnny Depp & Freddie Highmore) - I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. Although, I'm a huge fan of the original film, so this one had to overcome some high hopes. It isn't that there aren't good ideas in Tim Burton's perverse, dark comedy it's just in the end they don't add up to much. Johnny Depp does a great job of creating a counter-point to Gene Wilder's Willie Wonka but his tortured anti-social soul becomes a bit annoying and trite by the end. There are some fantastic visuals but stretches where I was just plain bored. Rated PG-13. The The Grade: C+
Also Opening:
The Beat That My Heart Skipped
The Beautiful Country
Happy Endings
Undead
7/10/05
Feature Review:
Me and You and Everyone We Know - Performance artist Miranda July wrote, directed, and stars in this quirky, independent ensemble comedy-drama. The plot is rather aimless but the movie is filled with neat, nifty ideas all the way through. Most people will find it a bit weird, a bit crude, and a bit human/real. I found it to be a promising if, not entirely satisfying first effort. And lasted I'd like to say, "Macaroni." Rated R. The Grade: B-/C+
Fantastic Four - This is sort of an okay comic book film. Okay special effects and some fun bits. Not much really happens, though. Jessica Alba looks good in her costume and Michael Chiklis looks rad as the Thing but you know, it's just there. It was just okay. Rated PG-13. The The Grade: C
Also Opening:
East of Eden & Rebel Without A Cause - Two classic James Dean films showing for a very limited run at Landmark's Ken through Monday the 11th. The Grade: A+
Major Dundee - Reissue of Director Sam Peckinpah's film, starring Charlton Heston, Richard Harris, and James Coburn. Playing a limited engagement Landmark's Ken Cinema. Rated PG-13.
March of the Penguins - Documentary about you guessed it, penguins. Cool. Rated G
7/01/05
Feature Review:
War of the Worlds - Director Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise have teamed up to do an updated version of H.G. Wells seminal classic. The original movie version, made in 1953, is great so they had their work cut out for themselves. Fortunately, they have made an impressive motion picture. This is big time entertainment - phenomenal special effects and great sound make it a memorable movie experience. Storywise it is pretty simple and as far as sci-fi goes, rather old school - Aliens invade and humans try to survive. Some of Spielberg's humanism might annoy you but this is cool stuff. Nice subversive, symbolic touches also: take note of the hero's occupation and ask yourself who is the father of his wife's unborn child???????? Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and disturbing images. The Grade: A-/B+
Also Opening:
Fighter Pilot - exclusive engagement at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Ma Mere - limited engagement at Landmark Ken Cinema.
Rize - limited engagement at Landmark Hillcrest
Rebound - Martin Lawrence in a Bad News Bear style comedy.
Yes - exclusive engagement at Landmark La Jolla Village.
E.flo
(fin)
