RED

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUcOaCqP-xI/AAAAAAAABPw/S9t5f12KjZ4/s1600/RED.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568435304820374290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUcOaCqP-xI/AAAAAAAABPw/S9t5f12KjZ4/s200/RED.jpg" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 122px; float: right; height: 200px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> RED<br /><strong>year:</strong> 2010<br /><strong>cast:</strong> Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren<br /><strong>rating:</strong> ***<br /><br />For anyone who says there's too much over-the-top, unrealistic action involving characters more like superheroes than humans, another can say, "But this is a comedy satirizing bombastic action films." And for those who say it isn't very funny, a response could be, "But it kicks ass." Well it does kick ass, but the characters are introduced as if we already know them: giving the feel of an anticipated sequel with people who already earned their stature, so there's not much development. Bruce Willis is good doing his usual, but he's hindered by love interest Mary-Louise Parker, playing the reluctant "I can't believe I'm in this situation" love-interest to an exasperatingly annoying level. John Malkovich, channeling Murdoch from THE A-TEAM, tries too hard as the comic relief; Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren are way too endearing; Karl Urban makes a fine antagonist, but an old pudgy Richard Dreyfuss is misplaced as the main villain. And although there are terrific moments within, the entirety doesn't always gel: feeling like a spectacular highlights show of a big game... Yet the <em>plays </em>that work, do work well.

action, blockbuster, bruce willis, helen mirren, john malkovich, morgan freeman, tens

RED

title: RED year: 2010 cast: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren rating: *** For anyone who says there's too ...

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUHU5kqrh5I/AAAAAAAABPA/j4r9aWQskPo/s1600/BR.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566964699966965650" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUHU5kqrh5I/AAAAAAAABPA/j4r9aWQskPo/s200/BR.jpg" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 165px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> THE PRINCESS BRIDE<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1987</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ****</div><br /><div></div><div>One of the most enjoyable, and quotable, films of all time, this thoroughly addictive fantasy seems real even though... as read by grandfather to grandson... we know - and are sporadically reminded - it's make-believe, making the two main character's plight... young lovers Cary Elwes and Robin Wright separated by her impending royal wedding... endearing without being corny. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman, there are no filler roles: Mandy Patinkin as a Spanish sword fighter seeking revenge on his father's killer; Wallace Shawn as a short, bullying kidnapper; Chris Sarandon as the haughty villain; and Andre the Giant as a lovable but dangerous lug are equally important in this timeless classic.<br /></div>

cary elwes, christopher guest, cult, eighties, fantasy, peter falk, rob reiner

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

title: THE PRINCESS BRIDE year: 1987 cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn rating: **** One of the most enjoyab...

BREEZY

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUHOy7bcMWI/AAAAAAAABO4/gIDsjmneQ-Y/s1600/kay%2Blenz.png"><strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566957988748210530" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUHOy7bcMWI/AAAAAAAABO4/gIDsjmneQ-Y/s200/kay%2Blenz.png" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 183px" /></strong></a><strong>title:</strong> BREEZY<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1973</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> William Holden, Kay Lenz</div><div><strong>director:</strong> Clint Eastwood</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> *1/2</div><br /><div></div><div>Not sure what’s more unrealistic: a teenage hippie girl instantly falling for an old William Holden, who doesn't resemble his younger self… or even a distinguished version of how he once looked. Or the initial reluctance of Holden to accept this ever-willing free-spirited <em>babe </em>into his house and heart. Directed by Clint Eastwood without any signature style, save for wide-angle landscapes reminiscent of his first directed project, the entertaining PLAY MISTY FOR ME: polar opposite of this pointless male-fantasy melodrama. Kay Lenz, as the title character, looks too old for a teen and William Holden seems far past a midlife crisis. Eastwood himself would have fit better in the role. But the dull script, a <em>breezy</em> ride without any drive, is the real problem. </div>

clint eastwood, drama, kay lenz, lynn borden, mid-life crisis, romance, seventies, william holden

BREEZY

title: BREEZY year: 1973 cast: William Holden, Kay Lenz director: Clint Eastwood rating: *1/2 Not sure what’s more unrealistic: a teen...

TEMPEST

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUG9pxBIhmI/AAAAAAAABOY/HlM7afgpMxc/s1600/tempest.jpg"><strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566939139637020258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TUG9pxBIhmI/AAAAAAAABOY/HlM7afgpMxc/s200/tempest.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 125px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></strong></a><strong>title:</strong> TEMPEST<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1981</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Molly Ringwald, Susan Sarandon, Raul Julia, Paul Stewart, Sam Robards</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ***1/2</div><br /><div></div><div>“Show me,” says John Cassavete’s intensely desperate character each time a tempest brews: once in New York, where he’s married to Gena Rowlands; the next on a tiny Greek island he lords over with frustrated daughter Molly Ringwald, sexy girlfriend Susan Sarandon, and horny goat herder Raul Julia. The best aspects of this unique dark comedy are how the time-frames are edited together, beginning with Cassavetes on his island; then going back in time to New York where he, as a frustrated Architect, desperately needs a getaway: creatively sustaining past and present till the mainline story connects. The direction by Paul Mazursky can be self absorbed, but in a film centering on a control freak's drive for personal freedom, it all fits. And one particular scene, as an angry Cassavetes <em>storms </em>after Raul Julia for making a pass at his daughter… cutting to a montage of both characters initially bonding… is, like much of the film, a sublime marriage of editor and director.</div>

dark comedy, drama, eighties, gena rowlands, john cassavetes, molly ringwald, paul mazursky, paul stewart, raul julia, sam robards, shakespeare, susan sarandon

TEMPEST

title: TEMPEST year: 1981 cast: John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Molly Ringwald, Susan Sarandon, Raul Julia, Paul Stewart, Sam Robards rat...

HEARTBEEPS

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TToPgK1dtsI/AAAAAAAABLo/wd9y4H_y2lY/s1600/heartbeeps1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564777334908499650" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TToPgK1dtsI/AAAAAAAABLo/wd9y4H_y2lY/s200/heartbeeps1.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">title: </span>HEARTBEEPS<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">year: </span>1981<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">cast: </span>Andy Kaufman, Bernadette Peters, Randy Quaid, Christopher Guest<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">rating: </span>***<br /><br />For a movie Andy Kaufman publicly (on David Letterman) apologized for, it isn't so horrible. Two human-like robots, Kaufman and Bernadette Peters, are propped in a back warehouse with a big window. Both stare out at the sunset and want to venture into the forest. On their journey is a comedian robot telling purposefully bad jokes and a tiny cute robot (voiced by Jerry Garcia's guitar) with tractor wheels: much like "Short Circuit" and "Wall-E" years later. The adventure is laidback and has some fun moments. And with a frightening renegade police robot... inspiring two more latter films, "Robocop" and "Chopping Mall"... on their tail: there's even some suspense. Well okay, it's not a great movie, but if you turn off your brain it might just work.

andy kaufman, bernadette peters, christopher guest, comedy, eighties, jerry garcia, randy quaid, science-fiction

HEARTBEEPS

title: HEARTBEEPS year: 1981 cast: Andy Kaufman, Bernadette Peters, Randy Quaid, Christopher Guest rating: *** For a movie Andy Kaufman pub...

GALAXY QUEST

<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TTOYRE8y_oI/AAAAAAAABLg/Yk7-04HNuEQ/s1600/taipei-galaxy-quest.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562957383886634626" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TTOYRE8y_oI/AAAAAAAABLg/Yk7-04HNuEQ/s200/taipei-galaxy-quest.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>GALAXY QUEST<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">year:</span> 1999<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">cast: </span>Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shaloub<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">rating:</span> ***1/2<br /> <br /> What really works in this, a fast-paced comedy depicting the cast of a fictional Star Trek-like TV series, "Galaxy Quest"... whose unemployed veterans go from an autograph show into a real life outer space battle... is the last half exceeds the clever premise (borrowed from "The Three Amigos") that puts you headlong in the adventure with terrific CGI special effects that never get tiresome. The nonstop action doesn't take away from the characters: Tim Allen in the William Shatner role... although his famous overacting's filtered into the Spock/McCoy grump, Alan Rickman. Sigourney Weaver is also good but a frantic Sam Rockwell, as the <span style="font-style: italic;">other (unnamed) crewman</span> who will always die on the series, steals<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>the<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>show. And a side-plot involving a geeky fanboy back on earth, aiding his mentors from his home computer, is a terrific, and essential, bonus.

action, alan rickman, comedy, nineties, sam rockwell, science-fiction, sigourney weaver, tim allen

GALAXY QUEST

title: GALAXY QUEST year: 1999 cast: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shaloub rating: ***1/2 What really...

BREAKING AWAY

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TTDjka0cGtI/AAAAAAAABLI/5BU_DQtOEgs/s1600/breakingaway.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562195754616625874" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TTDjka0cGtI/AAAAAAAABLI/5BU_DQtOEgs/s200/breakingaway.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 192px; cursor: pointer;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> BREAKING AWAY<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1979</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Jackie Earle Haley, Paul Dooley, Daniel Stern, Hart Bochner, P.J. Soles<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">director: </span>Peter Yates<br /></div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ****</div><br /><div></div><div>Feel-good classic about teens from the poor side of the tracks, this one distinguished by a confidently upbeat, quirky main character who, while pretending to be Italian, longs to race bicycles with Italy's visiting team. When not peddling around town, Dennis Chrisopher hangs with local slackers Dennis Quaid, Jackie Earle Haley, and Daniel Stern, known as "Cutters" and demeaned by rich kids at the local university. The bicycling scenes are wonderfully shot by action director Peter Yates, and although the class envy gets tiresome, and Christopher's relationship with his parents seems a bit cartoonish, as the big race between the locals and students approaches, each character contributes equally to a fantastic (though predictable) conclusion. </div>

daniel stern, dennis christopher, dennis quaid, hart bochner, jackie earle haley, P.J. Soles, paul dooley, seventies

BREAKING AWAY

title: BREAKING AWAY year: 1979 cast: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Jackie Earle Haley, Paul Dooley, Daniel Stern, Hart Bochner, P.J....

THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE

<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TTCLvIIhmPI/AAAAAAAABKw/NIOAYe7jr48/s1600/eddie%2Bcoyle.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562099181555914994" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TTCLvIIhmPI/AAAAAAAABKw/NIOAYe7jr48/s200/eddie%2Bcoyle.jpg" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 173px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1973</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Robert Mitchum, Steven Keats, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan, Mitch Ryan<br /></div><div><strong>director:</strong> Peter Yates</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> ****1/2</div><br /><div></div><div>Several stories build at once: A group of kidnapping bank robbers led by Alex Rocco; Steven Keats as an intensely cautious gun dealer working from his car; Robert Mitchum as Eddie Coyle, quelled by an impending court date with a peripheral knowledge of everything; and Peter Boyle as a bartender thug corresponding with Richard Jordan, a wily cop nudging Coyle to rat his "friends." Mitchum, as the world-weary convict (also a family man), is top-notch. As the walls close in, his expressions alone, mixing maverick-cool and doomed fear... and director Peter Yate's ability to juggle each connected story with sublime precision... makes for one of the great crime gems of the seventies, more ensemble than star-driven. </div>

alex rocco, crime, peter boyle, peter yates, richard jordan, robert mitchum, seventies, steven keats

THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE

title: THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE year: 1973 cast: Robert Mitchum, Steven Keats, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan, Mitch Ryan director: Peter...

TRUE GRIT (2010)

<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TS6fE_3kIJI/AAAAAAAABKo/R7iMPs-BjMI/s1600/True-Grit-image-10392.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561557498061922450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TS6fE_3kIJI/AAAAAAAABKo/R7iMPs-BjMI/s200/True-Grit-image-10392.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 183px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>TRUE GRIT<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>2010<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">cast:</span> Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">rating:</span> *<br /> <br /> The Coen Brothers claim this is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> a remake, but rather, a brand new vehicle more faithful to the source novel. But with the exception of a few scenes, it's a pale imitation of the John Wayne classic. The plot has an assertive fourteen-year old girl who, in order to track her father's killer, hires a violent U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn. The entire first act, setting up the three leads... also including Matt Damon as an uptight Texas Ranger with aims of his own... never settles into any worthwhile communication. By the time the search is underway, we hardly know the characters: each at odds but without seeming genuinely motivated. The villains are an afterthought, and antihero Jeff Bridges, as the legendary tough guy, is more a sloppy town drunk slurring tales that, if visualized (and comprehended), might make a more interesting film. At attempting to make an arthouse Western, the Coens failed twice: it's not intelligent nor involving or exciting. And the beautiful scenery feels condensed and wasted throughout.

adaptation, coen brothers, jeff bridges, josh brolin, matt damon, remake, tens, western

TRUE GRIT (2010)

title: TRUE GRIT year: 2010 cast: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin rating: * The Coen Brothers claim this is n...

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TS1a329LImI/AAAAAAAABKg/jYhPzOmAUf8/s1600/al_pacino_you_don__t_know_jack_by_donvito62-d2zaarc.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561201030563832418" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TS1a329LImI/AAAAAAAABKg/jYhPzOmAUf8/s200/al_pacino_you_don__t_know_jack_by_donvito62-d2zaarc.png" style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">title: </span>YOU DON'T KNOW JACK<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">year:</span> 2010<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">cast: </span>Al Pacino, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">rating: </span>**<br /><br />Although parts of this biopic of Jack Kevorkian are interesting, it's as dull as any propaganda can be. Al Pacino looks, and sounds, the part: but in playing a famous (or infamous) person the director's obviously praising, it's more a one-note impersonation than reality. The good guys, including Jack and his cohorts, are proud, enlightened and flawless; while the bad guys <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">aren't</span> the big stalking media who named him "Doctor Death," but a small fraction of over-the-top Christians. The direction by Barry Levinson flows decently enough, but the story of a man this controversial needs balance to work.

al pacino, biopic, john goodman, susan sarandon, tens

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK

title: YOU DON'T KNOW JACK year: 2010 cast: Al Pacino, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro rating: ** Although parts of this ...

THE IN-LAWS

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSZh7t5ZFTI/AAAAAAAABKI/3-j__0GbnKk/s1600/inlaws.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559238468595946802" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSZh7t5ZFTI/AAAAAAAABKI/3-j__0GbnKk/s200/inlaws.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" /></a><strong>title:</strong> THE IN-LAWS<br /><div><strong>year:</strong> 1979</div><div><strong>cast:</strong> Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Penny Peyser, Michael Lembeck</div><div><strong>rating:</strong> **</div><br /><div></div><div>Peter Falk and wife have dinner with their son's future in-laws, including Alan Arkin, an average-guy dentist who's stunned as Falk lies through his teeth. Seeing these two unique actors mix and mismatch is wonderful. If the entire film, which quickly becomes a zany adventure involving espionage within a third world country, remained on this extremely odd couple putting up with each other instead of battling thugs (which <em>any </em>actors could do), it might have been something. Although one scene involving flying bullets and the word "serpentine" is hilarious, most of the action/chase scenes are typical and monotonous, taking away from the personalities within. </div>

alan arkin, comedy, michael lembeck, penny peyser, peter falk, team-up

THE IN-LAWS

title: THE IN-LAWS year: 1979 cast: Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Penny Peyser, Michael Lembeck rating: ** Peter Falk and wife have dinner wi...

GROWN UPS

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSZiOYLE3zI/AAAAAAAABKQ/dDenqCT-gQE/s1600/grownups.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559238789182054194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSZiOYLE3zI/AAAAAAAABKQ/dDenqCT-gQE/s200/grownups.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">title:</span> GROWN UPS<br /><div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">year: </span>2010</div><div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">cast:</span> Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Chris Rock</div><div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">rating:</span> *1/2</div><br /><div></div><div>The problem with this horrendous Adam Sander (and friends) comedy isn't the plot, a BIG CHILL clone about a group of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">grown ups </span>spending a rural weekend in honor of their recently departed basketball coach: a prime mentor during the good old days when they played boardgames and hung around outdoors, something their kids, all video game addicts, find boring... It's the terrible one-liners, choppy editing, and the way in which, like many of Sandler's lesser films, the ensemble cast (Adam's usual cronies) are having more fun than the audience.</div>

adam sandler, chris rock, comedy, david spade, ensemble, joyce van patten, kevin james, tens

GROWN UPS

title: GROWN UPS year: 2010 cast: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Chris Rock rating: *1/2 The problem with this horrendous Ada...

BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSDuZa3wIxI/AAAAAAAABJg/6POtYYR6nCo/s1600/images.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557704060652495634" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSDuZa3wIxI/AAAAAAAABJg/6POtYYR6nCo/s200/images.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 126px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>BEAUTIFUL GIRLS<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>1996<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cast: </span>Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Michael Rapaport, Uma Thurman, Noah Emmerich, Natalie Portman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rating:</span> ****<br /><br />Timothy Hutton, back in a role worthy of his talents, is an undefined city-dwelling piano player in his late twenties, returning to his small town and quickly getting back into the swing of things: consisting of drinking and hanging-out with old pals Matt Dillon, who's having an affair with a married woman; Noah Emmerich, a faithful dad and husband; and scene-stealer Michael Rapaport, who not only refuses to grow up but has a theory: the fantasy of the perfect woman (aka supermodels) exceeds the promise of<span style="font-style: italic;"> true love</span>. Uma Thurman plays the quintessential <span style="font-style: italic;">beautiful girl </span>who, along with a cute, intelligent thirteen year old neighbor Natalie Portman, helps Hutton not only realize what life and love are about: but if they can be one in the same. Funny without being silly; serious without pretentiousness... this is the epitome of an "uplifting" movie where every character shines.

comedy, drama, ensemble, matt dillon, michael rapaport, nineties, romance, timothy hutton

BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

title: BEAUTIFUL GIRLS year: 1996 cast: Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Michael Rapaport, Uma Thurman, Noah Emmerich, Natalie Portman rating: ...

INCEPTION

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSAFWENz_WI/AAAAAAAABJY/EISQtk1VXz4/s1600/leonardo-dicaprio-greensburg.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557447816822127970" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TSAFWENz_WI/AAAAAAAABJY/EISQtk1VXz4/s200/leonardo-dicaprio-greensburg.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" /></a><div><b>title:</b> INCEPTION</div><div><b>year: </b>2010</div><div><b>cast:</b> Leonardo DiCaprio</div><div><b>rating</b>: **</div><div><br /></div>The premise of entering another person's dreams is intriguing enough, as are scenes where Leonardo DiCaprio explains, often visually with applied mind-trip tours, how the whole thing works. But a confusing plot (or plots) and overlong action scenes distract from the essential element of dreams and inception, as do detours about Leo's dead wife which, after a while, becomes the entire film: leaving the other characters... fellow dream-teamers, clients and villains... in the dust. Director Christopher Nolan loves his dialog, but (like always) uses way too much of it. Perhaps a YOU ARE HERE red dot would help what becomes<i> information overload</i> after a while.

action, blockbuster, christopher nolan, leonardo dicaprio, science-fiction, tens

INCEPTION

title: INCEPTION year: 2010 cast: Leonardo DiCaprio rating : ** The premise of entering another person's dreams is intriguing enough,...

VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TR_c8M0HoNI/AAAAAAAABJI/kOeVeF-cbCc/s1600/dawn_treader_concept_2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557403391988572370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bFgFFecXa_Q/TR_c8M0HoNI/AAAAAAAABJI/kOeVeF-cbCc/s200/dawn_treader_concept_2.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 193px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">title: </span>VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">year: </span>2010<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">cast: </span>Georgie Henley<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rating: </span>**<br /><br />Sadly, the most action-packed of the C.S. Lewis Narnia books is a boring film as the titular DAWN TREADER... a gallant sea vessel with King Caspian, Lucy, Edmund, an annoyingly miscast Eustace Scrubb and a crew of humans and creatures we never really care about... sails from one bland island to the next. What are they searching for? It's never quite clear. Either is any particular villain. With the exception of a whispering green mist, there's nothing to fear or fight; except a CGI sea serpent which, compared to the rest, is a relatively quick round within a long, sluggish bout.

adventure, fantasy, franchise, tens

VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER

title: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER year: 2010 cast: Georgie Henley rating: ** Sadly, the most action-packed of the C.S. Lewis Narnia books i...