About A Boy
This movie is FANTASTIC! Hugh Grant plays the epitome of an insensitive prick who "does nothing" for a living. Then one day, while on the prowl for single mothers (they are eager for sex), he's introduced to Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a boy whose mother (Toni Collette) is a manic-depressant. Though he's in no way interested in Marcus' mom, Grant develops an interesting relationship with Marcus (no, he's not a pedophile) and the two become VERY unlikely friends. The movie is fun and funny, and Grant is REALLY spectacular. It might seem like a borderline chick flick, but the guys in the audience almost seemed to enjoy the movie more than me!
GRADE: A
Adaptation
This quirky movie about adapting a book into a movie is enjoyable albeit odd. It follows Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage), the writer of Being John Malkovich, and his brainwracking attempt to turn Susan Orlean's (Meryl Streep) The Orchid Thief into a script. Also starring Nicolage Cage as Kaufman's twin brother Donald, whose approach to scriptwriting is the opposite of Charlie's. So there's this battle with the Kaufman twins and then there's the battle with adapting this book, and then there's this story about how the book's author and her subject (Chris Cooper) came to develop a friendship (and then some).... So it's all kinda messy, but in a fun, comical way. I don't think everyone will enjoy it. But if you like oddness and don't mind a double dose of Nicolas Cage, it's worth a watch.
GRADE: B+
Air Force One
This movie is INTENSE!! It deserves a solid grade of an A almost all the way through, but it'll begin to drag toward the end of the movie. Other than that, I have nothing to say except go see this movie!!
GRADE: A
Aladdin
One of the best movies I have ever seen! This is the only movie I have seen three times in one sitting. One of Disney's all time bests. It's funny, it's exciting, it's romantic, etc. It's the tale of a pauper who finds love and adventure with a princess, genie, monkey, and magic carpet! Definitely see this movie for any occasion.
GRADE: A
Ali
What director Michael Mann (who also directed The Insider which was VERY good) set out to tell is unclear. Is Ali supposed to be a biography, a snapshot of Ali's greatest moments, the events that shaped his era?? Well, whatever he was trying to do is unclear, which makes this movie somewhat sketchy. But what makes this movie even harder to watch is, surprisingly, Will Smith. I think he's a great actor, but because I come from a generation that grew up with Fresh Prince of Bel Air instead of Ali vs. Frazier, it's hard to believe that Smith is Muhammad Ali. This movie might have a different effect on older audiences, but for me it was very difficult get a glimpse of who The Champ, The Greatest, Ali really is.
GRADE: B
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is a very good movie by director Cameron Crowe. I've heard that it is based on his own career as a young Rolling Stones writer, though the movie doesn't say so. Taking place in the early 1970s, Patrick Fugit is William Miller, the young, talented, and curious journalist who is given the opportunity to travel with the band Stillwater and write and article about them for Rolling Stones magazine. He gets to know the band and it's BandAids (groupies who don't have intercourse, as they put it). I liked the movie because you see it and experience it through Miller, who has this awesome opportunity that anyone who knows anything about music would love to have. His innocence and grace make him hard to dislike. In fact, Fugit reminds me of Tobey Maguire who also has this same innocent, yet intelligent quality about him. Also starring Jason Lee, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, and Frances McDormand, Almost Famous is just great.
GRADE: A-
Along Came a Spider
A good suspense thriller about a guy that kidnaps a Senator's daughter. Morgan Freeman plays a "damaged" cop trying to figure the who, what, and why's of the kidnapping. Tagging along as a partner is Monica Potter, the secret agent who headed the security at the school the kidnapped girl goes to. I'll keep this review short so as to not give anything away. The movie, however, builds up pretty well with it's plot, but the last moments of the movie get kinda cheesy. Actually, I think you'll either really enjoy the movie or not. I'd say I didn't, but I'm giving it a B cause I think a lot of people might find it more exciting than I did.
GRADE: B
Amelie
Amelie is the story of a Frenchwoman in her early 20s who discovers a box of childhood memories in her apartment that doesn't belong to her. Upon finding the owner, anonymously leaving the box for him and seeing his happiness, she embarks on helping others that deserve it and pulling pranks on those that don't. But while she's setting things right in other people's lives, it's her own that also needs a little help. I LOVED this movie, because it was unique and foreign and very unlike the "American-brand" of moving making these days. The cinematography and storyboard are very novel and exciting. The characters are special and appealing. This movie is as delicious as creme-brulee and if you don't like creme brulee and it's as delicious as whatever tasty dessert you can imagine.
GRADE: A+
America's Sweethearts
America's Sweethearts is a laughable movie but mostly because it is Hollywood making fun of itself. It stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as an obnoxious, conceited, and demanding movie star who is estranged from her equally famous husband played by John Cusack. Billy Crystal is the PR guy that is trying to get them back together so that he can promote their last movie made...with the help of Julia Roberts who plays Zeta-Jones' sister/assistant and is also in love with Cusack. The plot is not as twisted as it sounds. It's actually too corny to be real, but in Hollywood, what is real? I have no idea. This movie made me giggle, but didn't do much else. After watching America's Sweethearts, the question still remains: Is Hollywood really as dumb and fake as it's portrayed? The funniest "thing"/person in this movie, however, is Christopher Walken. Despite that this movie isn't that great (but not an entire flop), watching Walken as a crazy director is enough reason for me to watch this movie.
GRADE: B-
American Beauty
Intensely weird is one way to describe this movie. Sad, funny, bizarre, amazing, terrific, and strange are other ways. Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning, and Thora Birch portray a seemingly normal family, but when you "look closer" (the movie's tagline), you realize there is much more going on. The same can be said of everyone else in the movie: the neighbors, the friends, etc. It's a dark movie, sprinkled with humor and quirkiness, with a big pinch of unpredictability, and huge doses of Oscar-worthy performances. In short, expect really well-acted weirdness.
GRADE: A
American Pie
I know I'm getting old because I just can't enjoy this crude, immoral movie about four hormonal teenage boys who make a pact to lose their virginity before graduation. I'm sure there's some good humor in this movie and ultimately, it does try to convey a good message, but I don't know....I found American Pie to be hormones wasted on film.
GRADE: C-
American Psycho
A most disturbing and yet trivial movie. Christian Bale stars as Patrick Bateman, the title character of American Psycho, based on the popular and controversial Bret Easton Ellis novel. I haven't read the novel, but I've heard it is very graphic. Prepare to be shocked. American Psycho has blood, violence, and sex, but not in the desirable doses. To summarize, Bateman is a wealthy, Wall Street guy whose personality has been shaped by the materialistic world around him. To compensate for his lack of personal identity (and spawned by the sight of a business card better than his), he goes on a killing spree. Actually, I don't know if that's the correct interpretation of the novel, but that's what I've gotten from the movie. Now apart from a disappointing ending and the graphic/blood factor, this movie was not bad. Christian Bale was awesome. Also stars Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, and Samantha Mathis.
GRADE: B+
American Wedding
My expectations were fully met when I saw this movie. American Wedding is a tasteless comedy with all the sexual jokes blatantly laid out. Complete with frontal nudity and a slew of potty mouthed people (but mainly Seann William Scott reprising his role as Steve Stifler), this movie serves exactly what you would expect. Knowing that, I think American Wedding was just fine and dandy for a crude humored, sexual, 20-somethings comedy. But to give it more depth, here's the plotline: Jim (Jason Biggs) pops the question to Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) and they attempt to get married against predictable odds.
GRADE: C+
Analyze This
Robert Deniro as a panic-stricken mobster is pretty funny to watch. He's a superb actor, but i can't say much for his bawling scenes. Billy Crystal fit his role well as the psychiatrist who is forced to help DeNiro with his problems. Lisa Kudrow is pretty funny as Crystal's "understanding" fiance. Anyway, the comical dialogue of this movie is incredible. The movie is very constant with it's hilarious humor. It will definitely keep you laughing.
GRADE: B
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Watching anything starring Will Ferrell with a straight face can be a tough task. He slips right into each character and leaves you wondering if he's ever going to be "just Will Ferrell" again. Well, thankfully, he puts that much effort into all his endeavors. Anchorman is no exception. Completely ludicrous and cameo-friendly, Ferrell is now Ron Burgundy, top-rated newsanchor in San Diego. When Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), an ambitious journalist, arrives at the news station, Ron not only finds himself pining for her but also fighting her to keep his sole anchorman position. The humor comes not just from Ferrell, but also a great cast of Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Steve Carrell, and cameos from Jack Black, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, and Vince Vaughn. My only gripe is that when this movie pauses for humor breaks, it really does pause. The audience is dead with unwanted monotony. We're here for the comedy, so deliver it non-stop darn it!
GRADE: B
Anna and the King
Another remake of the story of an Englishwoman teaching in Siam. Jodie Foster plays the Englishwoman, Anna Leonowens, teacher to the children of the King of Siam (Chow Yun Fat). Beautiful is the word critics are using to describe this movie and it suits it perfectly. But it seems the movie was made more for its cast and crew than for an audience. Everyone in the movie seems more wrapped up in making a good looking movie for themselves than for an audience. I thought it was a nice movie, but I didn't really feel part of it or like have a "movie experience." Maybe I'm not making much sense, but anyway....a good looking movie, but not a good movie itself.
GRADE: B
Antz
A short and sweet computer-animated movie, Antz offers light humor, a simple yet enjoying plot, a bit of romance, and good animation. Worker ant (voice of Woody Allen), who's tired of his insignificance in a colony of millions, tries to become significant. In his search for significance, he finds and changes the ideas of a few other (million) ants.
GRADE: B
Any Given Sunday
Is there a testosterone leak in the house? Watching Any Given Sunday was like watching a football game. Well it should be, since the movie was about a football team. Underlying meanings of this movie could be teamwork, hardwork, discipline, cooperation, power, control, etc. Al Pacino plays the coach, Cameron Diaz plays the team owner, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and more play the players. Its well-casted and well-made (directed by Oliver Stone). This movie makes me want to yell at the top of my lungs (why not? everyone else in the movie was yelling). A few unnecesary frontal nudity shots, though. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack must be great. Any Given Sunday is lively, well-paced (despite its nearly 3 hour long length), and (for lack of a better word) "hip."
GRADE: A-
Anywhere But Here
There is way too much talent floating around in this movie. Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon do, however, use a good portion of it to portray the pain and happiness of a mother-daughter relationship. I cried, I laughed, I reminisced...it's such a great coming of age movie, where both the mom and daughter are growing. But the drawback is that you've got two wonderful actors who are doing an amazing job, but the movie was just oozing with talent it was almost suffocating to see it used in such a pleasant, but not extraordinary movie.
GRADE: B+
Armageddon
The better part of this movie is one big suspenseful rollercoaster! I can't think of anything better than sitting in suspense and anticipation (even though the ending is near-obviously predictable). However, the first hour of this two and a half hour movie has poor dialogue and drudging humor. I give a big plus to the action and main plot, but a minus to the mini plots which make the movie a bit drab. Bruce Willis, Steve Buscemi, Ben Affleck, and others star as the oil-drillers called upong to save the planet. Liv Tyler plays Willis' daughter and Affleck's girlfriend. My favorite was Billy Bob Thorton's role as NASA commander, Truman. His performance is solid and encouraging. In short, the movie is big on action and suspense, has good doses of humor and romance, but tries to add and make more suspenseful what's already good enough.
GRADE: B
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
A.I. is the brainchild of the late Stanley Kubrick (Eyes Wide Shut, Clockwork Orange) but raised by the directorial nurturing of Steven Spielberg. Visually spectacular and deeply imaginative, A.I. stirs the mind in a "what if"-way regarding humanity's distant future, where robots exist for the benefit of humans. Then the scientists decide to build a robot that can love for the benefit of humans without children. The whole movie dances around the increasingly thin line of humans and robots and the "love" that will ultimately bind or unwind the two. A.I. stars Haley Joel Osment, as the first (and last) robot created to love humans and Frances O'Conner, as the mother that learns to accept then neglect Osment. Osment's robot follows the story line of Pinnochio, in that he wants to be a real boy, so that O'Conner will accept him like a real son. Along Osment's journey to find his "blue fairy" to turn him into a real boy, Osment meets Joe, the mechanical gigolo (Jude Law). The plot sounds pretty amazing....but unfortunately, it is amazingly SLOW. The dialogue was pretty boring too, but considering all that was put into the visual setting of this movie, I guess the producers felt the dialogue shouldn't be that vital an aspect. Nevertheless, you'll find that after one hour of practical silence (well...not really), and then another hour of watching Osment and Law run around escaping robot torture and looking for the blue fairy, you just want the movie to end. But it'll be another half an hour of "is this the end?" thinking before the movie finally halts and you're left with: "huh? what did I just pay to watch?" I'd say this movie doesn't work well in the generation that we're in and will never be fully respected as a piece of creative geniousness. But oh well....it'll have to settle for being a cult classic, if even possible.
GRADE: B-
As Good As It Gets
Though enjoyable for older audiences (no, there's no violence or sex scenes, but some nudity), this movie has a high-class cast and is very nicely written and performed. It's a light comedy about a guy (Jack Nicholson) with Obssessive-Compulsive Disorder who learns to be a better person. And with the help of a waitress (Helen Hunt) and his neighbor (Greg Kinnear) he can!
GRADE: B
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis was a long cartoon movie about the mythological lost city, Atlantis. Milo Thatcher (voice of Michael J. Fox), is a museum specialist on old languages and joins an interesting crew of people to find the lost city. The movie has typical Disney-cynical dialogue, but it's the mythological story that will most intrigue (or bore) audiences. There's actually not a lot of dialogue in this nearly 2 hour movie. The graphics aren't super-duper and there's really nothing great holding this movie together except the plot: does Atlantis exist? What's so great about Atlantis? What's gonna happen after they find Atlantis? I wasn't completely bored, but I wasn't completely entertained or enthralled. So it's a coin flip whether or not to see this.
GRADE: B-
Autin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers (Mike Myers) must stop Dr. Evil's (Mike Myers) plans for world domination and rescue his father (Michael Caine) from the weird and anatomically-guilded Goldmember (Mike Myers). This is the third of the Austin Powers movies and probably the funniest, though lacking a real efficient plot. But let's get back to the funny business: this movie is definitely hilarious, but if you think about it, the jokes are more or less slight variations of other Mike Myers movies. I think the humor is found in making fun of itself and also in having a dozen cameos of big-name actors. I could also go for less crude and vulgar humor (Mini-me humping Beyonce Knowles? Please!), but this movie comes equipped with plenty of it. Another tidbit about this movie is it's attention to father-son relationships, which is really funny between Dr. Evil and his son (Seth Green), but works on a less humorous level between Austin Powers and his father. In all: the plot is weak, the humor is more or less recycled, the cameos are funny, and you'll probably need to watch the first two to fully appreciate this one.
GRADE: B
Avengers
Let me start off by saying that I wish I didn't see this movie. My expectations (though not very high) were completed not met. In fact, I tried to make it my goal to stay awake. (Fortunately I succeeded.) There is good reason why there were no reviews for this movie prior to the premiere: "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Well, Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes (wonderful actors as known by past Oscar nominations) star as the duo that are out to stop Sean "I-finally-made-a-bad-movie" Connery from taking over the weather world, and thus the world. I don't even know why I bothered to explain the movie, because it's be much easier to just say: Go see something else!
GRADE: D-
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