June (NF16/MM1/CC2/OS3/ST1)

* Salem's Lot: (1979 - Horror, thriller) Made for TV movie based on Stephen King's novel. This horror flick is set in a sleepy community on the coast of Maine. The main character has just returned home in order to write a novel about a creepy old mansion. Little does he know that the lingering evil in the old Marsten house has attracted the attention of something most vile. The old mansion on the hill soon becomes the epic-center for a vampiric infestation. This a great vampire movie. While the cliche's are all there, and the character acting is mediocre. The movie shines with deft camera work, excellent pacing, music, lighting and sets. Filled with suspense, this thriller manages to plunge the viewer into a sublime state of horror which creeps me out to this day. 5 out of 5.
* The Good Shepherd: (2006 - Thriller, drama) A spy movie unlike most. Not your hollywood version of a spy thriller. Unlike others of it's ilk, this movie relies on intelligence and subtle drama to tell the engrossing tale of the earliest days of the CIA. You won't find gobs of CGI explosions, women in latex, or men who kick-box their enemies into submission. What you will find, are ordinary characters in extraordinary situations. There's a lot of history in this movie, and I thoroughly enjoyed the thick layers of subtext laid down by the writers in this excellent drama. The pacing was a bit slow, but deliberately so. 4 of 5.
* My Super Ex-Girlfriend: (2006 - Comedy, romance) Kim and I decided to watch this one using Comcast's pay service. A mindless comedy where the characters are clearly defined by their gender. The acting was fair, but the fare was only barely palatable. A romantic comedy where one of the characters is a super-hero. The premise led to some good opportunities for lines, and the writers did a fair job in that regard. Unlike most super-hero movies, there really isn't a super-villain, so this movie clearly falls into the romantic comedy slot. As I was brain drained, and unwinding, I found it humorous and entertaining. I liked it (but only barely so). 3 of 5.
* Catch and Release: (2006/II - Romance, drama, comedy) I would never have watched this movie if it hadn't been for a business trip. It was featured as an in-flight feature on the air plane. Starring Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Sam Jaeger, Kevin Smith and Juliette Lewis. This movie was quite sappy, so sappy it made me groan. Some woman's man dies, and she's in mouring, while living with a bunch of guys? Less than a week goes by, and she's sleeping with one of the guys best friends! The plot was weak, sappy and too long. The acting was fine, and the characters were fairly well developed. A chick flick with a bit more character depth than usual. In the end the story was too weak to support the fine acting. 2 out of 5.
* Knocked Up: (2006 - Comedy, romance) I saw this movie while I was out on the East Coast, during a business trip. Went with a group of guys from work. Outstanding! This movie was a laugh a minute. My ribs hurt from watching this one. Written and directed by Judd Apatow (Also did Anchorman and 40 Year Old Virgin). This is definitely a worthy work from this talented young man. If you enjoyed 40 year old virgin, but found it a bit unrealistic, and a bit too raunchy, you'll love this movie. This one combines romance and comedy instead of relying entirely on comedy. The relationship aspects helped move the writing/story at a respectable rate. The acting was great. Even the slightly aloof character played by Katherine Heigl is played perfectly. The writing was astonishingly good. Some of the situations were absolutely hilarious. Seth Rogen (the male lead) does an outstanding job as the loveable buffoon slacker type. Unconcerned with his own situation, he nonetheless commits to becoming a father, even though he knows he's not cut out for the job. While the matching at first seems untenable and unrealistic, the writing convinced me that this was a couple willing to look past the material, first glance exteriors in their relationships. My god the lines were funny! Huge laughs, while keeping it sweet enough to tug at the heart. I'm definitely buying a copy. My only criticism is it's glamorization of drug use/culture. Oh, by the way. This is not an appropriate movie for children. 5 out of 5.
* Breach: (2007 - Drama, suspense, espionage) I saw this movie as an in-flight feature during some air travel. Based on the true story of Robert Hanssen an American FBI agent who sold U.S. secrets to the Russians/Soviet Union. Here's the story of how he was caught. Features some really good acting. Especially that of Chris Cooper (playing Robert Hanssen) and Laura Linney (as agent in charge of the case against Hanssen.The camera work, pacing, lighting and music gave this movie a very somber feel, a bit like a wake. The tension and suspense built very slowly, and the story was well told. The writing was weak (lots of technical problems) when it came to making Chris Cooper into an IT guy. The stuff he spouted regarding computers was ridiculous. Thankfully that aspect of the character wasn't a focus for the story. Chris Cooper did an excellent job portraying an overconfident, self-assured ass hole with a grudge against the system. 4 out of 5.
* The Astronaut Farmer: (2006 - Adventure, drama) I saw this movie as an in-flight feature during some recent air travel (June, 2007). Starring Billy Bob Thornton, and many others (including an uncredited appearance by Bruce Willis). Here's a different story for you. A former astronaut (NASA drop out), lives on a farm in the middle of Texas. He's getting older, but he still harbors a dream of one day venturing into space. Despite the unwanted attention it draws, and the strain on his family, he's built a rocket in his barn, and he's actually planning to launch the thing! Some of the camera work in this movie was excellent. The framing, lighting and pacing were very well done. Thornton's acting was subdued, and quite good. Thankfully, he didn't overplay the role. The acting by Virginia Madsen was also very good. This is a family friendly adventure. A great ride of a drama that's firmly rooted in family values and determination. I give it a 3 out of 5.
* Fast Food Nation: (2006 - Drama, documentary) I liked Dazed and Confused and A Scanner Darkly by Richard Linklater. Unfortunately, here he's taken a turn for the worse. This is one of those multi-threaded, many stories equals one movies. The kind I despise. The multi-threading treatment is something I just don't like. I feel that it confuses the viewer (for the most part), serves to fracture the movie at the expense of cohesiveness, sometimes acts as a substitution to coherent plot lines, and is in general a remarkably bad way to write a movie. Now onto other things. O.k. this movie is based on a novel, but I can only hope that the book is much better than this adaptation. I'm somewhat liberal in my views, but this one was just a bit too left wing. Come on. How could the main character be shocked by the fact that there was shit in the meat? Come on, get real. There really wasn't much to go on in this movie. I can see reality this harsh when I watch the illegal immigrants working at the construction site across the street. Oh, the horror! This movie attempts to examine the health risks, environmental impacts and social ramifications of the fast food industry. As the different strings of the movie begin to draw together, we're treated to some mediocre acting, ridiculous dialogue, less than shocking revelations, and social commentary on the plight of illegal immigrants. Nothing shocking, nothing new, nothing revealed, other than the sad truths that we already know. Cattle are treated like animals, poop makes for a poor food additive, illegal immigrants get the shaft. No cynicism, no satire, no bite. This movie bit the 'big one' when it came to delivering on the premise. A drive by treatment of the drive through industry. 2 out of 5.
* The Five People You Meet in Heaven: (2004 - Drama, fantasy) I wasn't planning to watch this movie, but someone from work recommended it. I wish I hadn't. It has the word 'Heaven' in it, so I'm sure every Christian must love this movie. Oh god I hope not. A made for TV movie, that really seemed to be a combination of 'A Christmas Carol' and 'A Wonderful Life'. The acting, aside from that of Jon Voight, wasn't all that good. The message of this story - "Your life has meaning", was presented in a three hour long, depressing, repetitive manner. The music was terrible. Every song carried the same sappy, depressing, over dramatic tone. After three hours of this 'joyous' movie, I was just about ready to slit my wrists. It was a good 'Made for TV' movie, but a failure as a movie. Over produced, overly dramatic, and a bit too dark. There was compassion, and a overall positive message, but 'A Wonderful Life' and 'A Christmas Carol' are far superior movies. I'll bet that the book is much better - but this is a movie review. 2 out of 5.
* Cuba: (1979 - Action, adventure, romance, historical) Comcast on Demand - Some really good movies, some not so... Cuba is a fictionalized account of the waning days in Batista's Cuba. Set in the 50's during the Cuban revolution (to overthrow Batista's regime). Sean Connery plays a soldier of fortune, a former British commando commander hired by Batista, to help him get rid of the communists. Unfortunately for Batista, he's hired Connery's character too late to make any difference, and Connery is swept up in the revolution like everyone else. From the very beginning, he becomes involved in a three way love triangle with a long lost love and her playboy husband. The Hollywood factor was notched up to high gear on this movie, which didn't help it much. There's a lot of historical inaccuracies, and the characters are highly stereotyped. The direction was lacking, as was the production value was very low despite the excellent location shots, set work and costumes. The acting was good, but the writing was poor. I'm such a sucker for Connery. 3 out of 5.
* The Beach: (2000 - Adventure, romance / USA/U.K.) Here's a movie I've seen before. The wife like Leonardo DiCaprio, and we bought this DVD at a garage sale. A movie which examines utopian ideals. A young backpacker is looking for paradise; a tropical beach away from the tourist path. He stumbles upon a utopian colony during a chance encounter. With map in hand, and the lure of paradise, he drags along two strangers. Together they take a journey to paradise, and discover that utopia is better as an ideal. The cinematography in this movie was excellent, as were the tropical locations. The acting was pretty good for a young group of relatively (aside from Leonardo DiCaprio) unknown actors. The pacing was a bit fast, but it was well complemented by an excellent soundtrack. Based on a novel, the movie seemed a bit thin in exploration of some themes. You could tell that the writers were doing their best to pack in as much of the book as possible. The characters were relatively well formed, and I really enjoyed this movie. I found it engrossing, thought provoking and entertaining. 4 out of 5.
* Memory: (2005 - Crime, mystery, thriller / Canada) aka Mem-O-Re. Here's a moo-v I wish I could forget. A murder mystery thriller where the protagonist sees the actions of the killer through a series of dream like visions. The visions begin after contact with a hallucinogenic substance. Apparently the visions are the memories of some one related to the protagonist by blood? Apparently the memories are passed on to the offspring through genetic transfer, and the drug has unlocked these memories. Wait a minute, the protagonist is seeing memories from events that happened after he was born? Apparently, the writers thought I'd enjoy the convoluted, but illogical plot threads. The acting in this movie is terrible. The best acting, and it's pretty poor, comes from Dennis Hopper. The direction is lacking and there are no real surprises in the mystery. As this odd murder mystery unfolds, I often found myself guessing exactly who the killer was, and what was going to happen next. Poor pacing and sound work. The only merit of this movie (a key plot point) is destroyed through excessive exposition. After removing any doubt or mystery, the movie proceeds to it's logical let down conclusion. I give it points for the key plot point and the 2 out of 5.
* A Civil Action: (1998 - Drama, mystery) A courtroom drama starring a fantastic cast (John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub, William H. Macy, John Lithgow, Kathleen Quinlan and others). I've seen this movie before, but I'd forgotten how good it is. Despite Travolta's overacting, the acting was excellent. Travolta was well cast as the overconfident lead attorney in this case. The story takes us outside the courtroom as we try to unravel a medical mystery which has poisoned several residents in a small town. Based on a novel (of a true story), the screen-play/writing was excellent. Personality conflicts, financial burdens, and the process of our justice system all conspire to thwart the protagonists. The ending of this movie was very refreshing. I give it a 4 out of 5.
* Young Mr. Lincoln: (1939 - Drama, historical) Fictionalized account of a young Abraham Lincoln. This film, directed by John Ford is an excellent story. John Ford and Lamar Trotti have managed to create a masterful vision of Lincoln that is unpretentious, mythic and historic. The camera work, direction and acting are great. Here we see Lincoln growing up in a simple life, while striving to serve a higher goal. As he teaches himself law, he learns a lot about politics, people and justice. The second half of the movie is a courtroom drama which recreates Lincoln's greatest court case. In this courtroom drama we find the failings of early courts, the difficulties of seeking justice within a frontier nation. Lincoln is depicted as a common man who aspires to greater goals, yet never surrenders to the new aristocracy of America's elite. The ending foreshadows the problems ahead (in America's history). Henry Fonda was outstanding as Mr. Lincoln, and John Ford's direction was outstanding. The only flaw of this movie was some misplaced emphasis on music and somewhat poor editing. 4 out of 5.
* In Cold Blood: (1967 - Crime, drama) I've seen this movie before, but the best movies demand repeat viewings. Based on a Truman Capote non-fiction novel. The music (By Quincy Jones), acting, cinematography, directing and editing set this movie apart. Yes, I said editing. The film was masterfully cut and synchronized to enhance the scene transitions with dialog, music and characters. Dark, moody, and brooding, with a great cast. Robert Blake (Yes Baretta) and Scott Wilson give great performances in this drama about two low lifes who set out on a 'Sure Thing' only to end up taking a trip to the 'Corner'. Shot in black & white (1967), this chilling tale recounts (in a subtle documentary style) the true life crime of two social derelicts. The camera work in this movie is outstanding. There is excellent work with shadows, playing light, panning shots and scene transitions. One of my favorite scenes from this movie. As Robert Blake's character is speaking about his past, he's standing in a dark room. He's standing by a window, and light from the moon is shining through the window. While the subject of the speech would move some to tears, his character seems to reveal no remorse or regret regarding his past. While he's speaking, rain is falling outside the window. The light from outside is projecting a shadow on his face, it's a shadow of water drops running down the window pane. The shadow looks like tears. The tears he would be shedding, if he was a normal person. This one gets 5 out 5.
* Dolls: (2002 - Drama, romance / Japan) Written and directed by Takeshi Kitano (Johnny Mnemonic, Sonatine, Zatoichi - the blind swordsman), this movie uses an interwoven style to tell three different, but equally tragic, love stories. The characters are loyal, persistent and patient. As they pine and suffer for lost love, or tragic unrequitted love, we're exposed to a beautiful but slow meditative movie. Very precise in it's telling, the acting was outstanding, the music, costumes and locations superb. Unfortunately, for me, I found the multiple plot lines - a sort of many stories equals one theme - to be confusing and distracting. I started to think that they we're going to somehow tie the story together into a cohesive whole. While the overall themes tied together, their was no overaching plot. The puppetry at the begining was too long, and it came too early in the film to appreciate. 3 out of 5.
* Mallrats: (1995 - Comedy, romance) Written and directed by Kevin Smith. The best part of this movie was the casting. Starring: Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, Jason Lee, Claire Forlani, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Renée Humphrey, Michael Rooker, Jason Mewes (Jay) and Kevin Smith (Silent Bob). Unfortunately, none of these young actors (it was 1995) was that good at acting. With that said, their talents were well cast to this movie. A light hearted comedy with romantic overtones and some gratuitous nudity. I enjoyed the character sketches, the silly situations and the character dialog. Unfortunately, the pacing was far too fast. The entire story unwinds in a shopping mall. After two of the main characters suffer break-ups, they flee to a local shopping mall. Once there, they encounter the girls they just broke up with. Realizing that they really are shits, they go through great pains to win back the affections they can't do without. 3 of 5.
* M: (1931 - Crime, thriller / Germany) A black and white movie from the early days of sound. Directed by Fritz Lang, this movie was the first movie about a serial killer. The first half of the movie was a bit slow, but the second half moved at a satisfying clip. There was no soundtrack, and the sound production was poor. The direction was great, and the acting was very good (especially that of Peter Lorre) for the era. The movie features a plot twist that I haven't seen since. An astonishing accomplishment, given today's copycat cinema industry. Another plot twist — The killer is caught as a result of a blind persons testimony — has been copied so often that it's become cliched. On the second viewing (originally seen in 2005, seen again in 2007), I have to admit that the writing, camera work and acting really were exceptional. This movie gets a 4 out of 5.
* Stalingrad: (2003 - Documentary / Germany/Russia) This three part documentary was narrated with two points of view. One from a historians point of view and another from that of the survivors and veterans. Those who lived through the war. Civilians and soldiers from Russia and Germany add a humanistic point of view missing from many documentaries about WWII. This documentary made extensive use of soldier shot footage, computer generated models and archive footage. This documentary did a very good job at bringing dramatic emphasis to the horrors of war. The survivor stories painted a very grim picture. Problems with this movie? The movie didn't include native languages. It was all in English, and there wasn't any subtitles. The DVD menu was very sparse. Despite the DVD production problems, this movie was very well done. 4 out of 5.
* Pandora's Box: (1929 - Drama / Germany - Büchse der Pandora, Die) A black and white, silent picture. The musical score on this Criterion disc was mesmerizing, superbly matched to the mood of the movie. This movie is a dark drama that tells the tale of a young woman trying to survive in the big city. Directed by Georg Wilhelm Pabst, this movie featured Lousie Brooks in the lead role. As a carefree woman in the Jazz age (late 1920's), the main character does what she must in order to get ahead. She's loose with her morals, and very promiscuous. This movie, shot in 1929, contained an amazing number of adult themes. There's no overtly sexual content, but there is a lot of naughtiness implied (It was banned in many countries). Lulu's tragic tale is one of any girl who gets into showbiz for the glitz, glamour, and glory! She starts out on top. Fresh, shiny and precious. By the end of the movie she ends up worn, soiled and cheap. The acting was great. It's amazing how much you can glean from a look, from the way an actor moves, from a simple glance across the room. The director caught this nuance in an outstanding manner. When the director prominently displayed a menorah in Lulu's apartment, I realized that this film could easily be an allegory to the rise and fall of Nazi germany. She starts out with a misguided but well intentioned set of ideals, sets out on a quest to conquer everyone around her, hurts a lot of people along the way, and ends up in the direst of states by the end. 4 out of 5.
* The Passenger: (1975 - Drama, mystery / Italy - Professione: reporter) Written (in part) and directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. This movie stars Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider. Filmed on location in Europe (Spain, France), the story takes us along on an amazing journey as the main character (played by Jack Nicholson) switches identity with an acquaintance who turns up dead in the room next door. Nicholson fully assumes this strangers identity as an impulsive act of escape. Little does he know that the identity and it's trappings has an agenda all it's own. As Nicholson explores the new identity, he comes to realize that he's involved himself in some international conspiracy, and a dangerous course of action. As he gets closer to the hidden goal of this stolen identity, the stakes start to rise and the danger increases. Fantastic camera work, direction, and acting, mark this powerful portrayal of a man who abandons his own identity for that of a complete stranger. The pacing is slow, but deliberately so. It allows for some fantastic camera shots, and a depth to the movie that could not otherwise have been achieved. Thankfully, this movie is lacking in narration, but big on mystery and the essence of film noir. 4 out of 5.
* I'll Cry Tomorrow: (1955 - Drama, biography) Watched this movie while staying at a B&B. Based on an autobiographical novel by Lilian Roth. This movie featured some fine acting by Susan Hayward, Richard Conte, Eddie Albert and Jo Van Fleet. A movie about alcoholism and recovery. The story is one of a harsh childhood, an overbearing mother, and a misguided star. As the main character dives headlong into escape. She discovers booze works well to help her forget her horrible private life. It doesn't take long before the bottle leads to a one way ride towards the bottom. Her career suffers, she spurns all those who love her and ends up spent and headed for an abysmal ending. The acting in this movie was outstanding. The performance of Susan Hayward made this movie more than it would have been without this talented and beautiful actress. The music in this movie was also noteworthy. 4 out of 5.
* In the Heat of the Night: (1967 - Drama, mystery, crime) Made in '67, this brave movie made no effort to skirt the highly charged racial issues of the era. Based on a novel, directed by Norman Jewison, this movie features some extraordinary acting by Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Poitier plays a big city black detective caught up in the small town events of a murder investigation. Reluctantly compelled to help a white southern sheriff played by Rod Steiger. Poitier's task is made more difficult by bigotry, racism and violence directed at him by some of the residents in this segregated backwater town. An excellent murder mystery set in a southern town where racism runs deep. The writing was terrific and the two lead actors (Steiger and Poitier) portrayed their characters with an astonishing amount of depth and nuance. Outstanding movie. I plan to buy a copy. 5 out of 5.