THE CORRUPTOR

The sequel to a flop critically and commercially, it'll take a wonder to bring in the crowd. The Corruptor follows up to The Replacement Killer starring Mira Sorvino and Chow Yun Fat few years back. The latter's second attempt at hitting Hollywood jackpot falls short once again. Many may say it yanks him further from scoring. Chow plays the cop in Chinatown where in this movie, is the breeding ground of every vice and corruption imaginable. A kinda Stephen Dorf-type young punk and a sleazy fat mafia-in-the-making underground 'boss' wrecks havoc in their territory for any nosey-parker cop and ultimately seduces him into the profitable arrangement. Mark Wahlberg aka Marky Mark of Boogie Nights and The Big Hit plays this cop with the brawn and apparently a little brain that comes with the package.

Little ingenuity in this over-produced genre of films, The Corruptor is unwatchable in its first half and a little better in its latter half. Do not count on Wahlberg to turn this into a hit. With dark and filthy sets (literally) throughout the entire movie and 'standard' action sequences with the same-mo car chases and gun-firing audiences have grown numb towards, not even Hong Kong legendary star Chow nor up-n-coming hot Wahlberg make a difference. Sad but true, action-king Jackie Chan draws in the crowd better. Try this if you're desparate or not totally convinced.

LITTLE VOICE

Little Voice or LV is the name of a quiet girl who speaks little but is blessed with the voice of Judy Garland. She has to tolerate and live with a 'casual' mother whose current beau discovers her talent and becomes her self-invited agent. LV loves her dead father like none other and only sings with life whenever she feels him around.

This small tale about the talented girl is small in production but loaded with non-commercial talents. Oscar's favourite Brenda Blethyn of 1995's indie pic Secret and Lies teams up with Golden Globe winner Michael Caine as the mercenary pair desparately pushing their discovery to stardom. The duo's hilarious performance is unmistakably Oscar material. Hollywood's new gem Ewan McGregor, the new Obi-Wan Kenobi, is the shy telephone guy named Billy who has a crush on LV and probably her only trustworthy friend in life.

With a cosy indie-like plot and such talents, this film should go down indie-fans' throats well. For the commercial crowd who unfortunately forms the majority, Little Voice may lack the punch many movie-goers look for. A special note of interest, LV played by Jane Horrocks sings the songs herself. Wow!

STEPMOM

After a years of looking, on-screen enemies and off-screen best pals Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman and My Best Friend's Wedding) and Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking and Thelma and Louise) finally found a more than agreeable project to co-produce and co-star in. Stepmom Isabel (Julia) finds herself in an antagonising situation when she moves in with her boyfriend who has an adorable son and a hateful teen daughter. On top of it all, she has to cope as a job-demanding fashion photographer while constanting finding herself half-measuring up to ex-wife and perfect mom Jackie (Susan). Julia and Susan found the ideal director for this project that deals with family ties and pains in Chris Columbus. This familiar name brought Hollywood some of the best family films including Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire. With an acute sense of humour and intense drama, Chris brings this movie to life with many real family moments.

Academy award winner Susan Sarandon plays the mother crazy over her children dealing with their newly found mother who she finds totally inexperienced and an absolute pain. A real life mother herself, Susan is nothing short of convincing. She tugs much heart-strings when she bids farewell to her children before her frail body succumbs to cancer, already sorry for her absence at her daughter's wedding and her son's graduation ceremony. Academy award nominee Julia Roberts lights up the screen as usual with her gleeful act as a sincere and struggling lover of Ed Harris. Not paling next to Susan, Julia brings a flavour we're all addicted to in her role with sparkling laughter and emotional drama. Playing the man in the family is Oscar nominee Ed Harris, vying for one this year for his work in The Truman Show. Outstanding performances aren't just confined to these big names. Anna, the bitchy adolescent coming to terms with her family change is played by the young and talented Jena Malone. With several fine performances in TV movies and playing the young Jodie Foster in Contact, she was the only one the film crew saw for this role, "As soon as we met her we knew that she was going to be perfect."

A perfect cast including Liam Aiken who played the simply adorable and mischevious son of Jackie. He scores with his smart-a** punchlines and goofy faces. This family drama is unlike many of its field with their sappy moments and melodramatic confrontations. Stepmom is the quinntessential drama that interests with a pace and plot that more than please. Undoubtedly an apt choice for anyone with a family and anyone yearning for one... that will make it everyone wouldn't it? Stepmoms and bitter exes, this is probably the solution to your hatchets. The movie of the season, this should not be missed. - Click on any of the pictures to visit Stepmom's official website. Cool and welldone.

THE THIN RED LINE

After 20 years of hiatus, acclaimed director Terrence Malick is back to direct a war epic about survival, war and life, The Thin Red Line. Many known actors are chipping into this art-house picture including Nick Nolte (Afterglow), John Cusack (Con-air), Sean Penn (She's So Lovely), Woody Harrelson (Indecent Proposal), with George Clooney (Out Of Sight) and Mr John Travolta (A Civil Action) having cameo roles. This documentary-styled film spans almost 3 hours long with a lot to say, much to show but seemingly little to do.

James Caviezel stars as Private Witt, the main protagonist among a few others that shifts about, depicting to us war as he sees it. This film is highly philosophical, speaking about life and death to a level of spirituality. The poetic style is evident not only in its screenplay where every word and phrase lingers in the mind. The cinematography is nothing short of pure splendour. The breathtaking scenes of the jungle and the grassy nolls form such a visual feast. Terrence's capture of shots of the exotic and even the common wildlife with such sense their integration with the film is so aptly poetic it doesn't take a writer to appreciate. With a script filled with philosophical 1st person voice-overs, the contemplations of these characters sound almost too beautiful for the brutal subject of war.

Amidst the spirituality-sting of the film, Red Line manages to incorporate vivid and exciting scenes of real war confrontations. Such frank and blunt depiction is not uncomparable to Spielberg's hit, Saving Private Ryan. Action sequences are not limited but will unavoidably seem sparing in this lengthy film. This thoughtful movie is like a poetry turned motion picture. Unfortunately, Red Line sinks despite its gripping battle scenes and the heavy themes. A main storyline which is almost always relied upon to bind a film and hold interest is obtrusively lacking. With pretty features but not a face, the film flows along like a river without end. The obmission of a strong plot seems intentional and is probably its biggest difference from Pte Ryan. This beautiful documentary is undoubtedly fantastic but as such, it will have a poor chance of earning the best picture award this year.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

With an original blend of fact and fiction, Shakespeare In Love tells the story of how William Shakespeare's 'Romeo & Juliet' came about. One of the world's most popular love stories about the star-crossed lovers are based on Shakespeare's love affair with Viola while he was writing the play : this is so at least according to this best picture nominee with 13 Oscar nominations, just 2 shy of beating Titanic's record 14. Joseph Fiennes (of Elizabeth and brother of Ralph Fiennes) is William Shakespeare and the ever lovely Gwyneth Paltrow (Sliding Doors, Great Expectations) plays Viola, the beautiful and rich lady arranged to be married to a mercenary toad. Viola has such a deep passion for plays and poetry that she disguises herself as a young lad to audition for and finally wins herself the coveted role in Shakespeare's latest production : Romeo & Juliet. Things get out of hand when her affair with William and her true identity is exposed as not only is she set to be married to someone else, women on stage was a taboo and most objectionable then in 1593.

This original screenplay has a most interestingly original plot, woving pieces of Shakespeare's true life details with an exciting fictitious story while shedding hints of borrowed ideas from the rest of his works into this 'The Making Of Romeo & Juliet'. Originally named 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', the play within the movie holds as it is, juxtaposing the love relationship between William and Viola. This romantic comedy is truely one of a kind with an ending few can guess beforehand. Despite the presence of the word 'Shakespeare' in the movie title, this film is modern in its theme and its dialogue most understandable. The jokes, witty or physical, are plentiful, injecting life and much mirth to this love story.

Remember the only huge commercial hit Gwyneth had before this with Emma, it seems she has a special way with period films, scoring big again in this one. Denied years back of an Oscar nomination, she finally earned her 1st nod here and she is most deserving of it. Displaying such range in her performance, she turned Viola to life with a soul. That coupled with an amazing debut performance by Joseph Fiennes, the pair's chemistry is undeniably visible, and almost tangible. Shakespeare showcases more talents with little but significant parts; Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth (Mrs Brown) and Geoffrey Rush (Shine) as the comic debt-ridden owner of his own theatre. Aside from these 2 Oscar nominated supporting actors, Ben Affleck (Armageddon) and My Best Friend's Wedding's charming Rupert Everett, who is mysteriously uncredited (as is Shakespeare himself), also shared the bright limelight.

With 13 nominations at this year's Academy awards, Shakespeare In Love is undoubtedly a strong contender for the most coveted best picture award. John Madden (II) has a good shot at the best director accolade if not for Ryan's genius Steven Spielberg himself. With such a colourful plot and cast, colourful sets and costumes, this is a no-miss for film lovers. - Click on any of the Shakespeare images to link to the official website.


ELIZABETH

Nominated for 7 academy awards including Best Picture and Best Actress for Cate Blanchett who plays the titular role, Elizabeth is created by 'Working Title Films', Britain's most successful production company responsible for hits such as Four Weddings And A Funeral and Dead Man Walking. Director Shekhar Kapur has the critically acclaimed Bandit Queen under his belt. Born in India, he moved to England in 1970 and ultimately pursued a film career.

The film is about Elizabeth Tudor, the Protestant Queen of England who ruled for 40 years, also known as the Golden Age, leading the country to an unprecedented level of peace, wealth and prosperity. Focusing on her rise to the throne and the obstacles threatening her throne during the early years of her ruling, Elizabeth is a thrilling film that scares and enlightens. Cate Blanchett, Golden Globe winner for her performance as the beloved Queen, is perfect in every way for this dramatic role. Her queer blend of vulnerability and strength is a dead-ringer for this mysterious figure. According to Shekhar, "Cate has a translucent quality that is ageless - not in terms of age, but in terms of century. There is something about her face that has the quality of being very modern yet very period. She also has the ability to be strong and vulnerable at the same time." With a performance nothing short of being brilliant and a role that's always favoured by the academy, Gwyneth Paltrow is facing a strong contender. Incidentally, both leading waif beauties are costarring alongside academy award winner Matt Damon (Rounders) in a new film entitled Mr Ripley.

Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare In Love) plays the role of Lord Robert Dudley, the devoted lover of Elizabeth, as well as he did William Shakespeare. A display of such charm and passion is not seen for quite some time on the big screen. Even Clark Gable (Rhett Butler of Gone With The Wind) will have to bow down to this. Geoffrey Rush (Shine) nailed his role as a cold but loyal subject of Elizabeth, as did every other character including Christopher Eccleston (Jude): the cast ensemble simply remarkable. Michael Hirst, nominated for his screenplay may have his chances diminished by controversy surrounding the accuracy of the screenplay in accordance to the English history.