Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism (2004)

This make you think of barking too? Apt...

Genre: Documentary

Starring: Rupert Murdoch, Sean Hannity and other network inventors.

Directed By: James Foley (Xanadu; Wal-Mart: The High Cost Of Low Price)

Overview: How much of Fox News Channel is Right Wing propaganda? ALL OF IT.

Acting: The interviews are as you would expect, professional and well edited. The archive footage has some pretty melodramatic hammy moments... Just perfect...
Rating: 7

Cinematography: There were a few distracting shots, choppy pans, and some of the archive footage was obviously stuff recorded and re-recorded then played for us, which made the quality terrible, but overall it was in the standard Documentary style, and by that I mean it wasn't very original.
Rating: 6

Script: I hate Hannity even more that I thought I possibly could. I can't imagine something more faked as this news channel. To think we now get this station up here in Canada, and no Al-Jazeera... The footage they used was simply astounding. Still I wonder how much effort the producers had to put forth to actually get something this shocking. It's all too sad when I think, "Not that much". The script is smooth, very poignant...
Rating: 8

Plot: I hate Hannity even more that I thought I possibly could. Every scene is another botched operation on Truth, every apology is appropriately too late, every reneg buried. It's a good story, if not overwhelming at times. The conclusion was weak though. Great idea for a movie. Too bad this sort of thing exists...
Rating: 7

Mood: The mood is informative, not really melodramatic, though it is a touch preachy. Maybe a little too liberal, but I'm a liberal and I like it so it's fine. The documentary style held true to it's 1980s counterparts. This isn't "A Current Affair" though. It would have been nice to see some more innovation and better Titles, they were a touch low-tech.
Rating: 6

Oh Rupert, you're a CUTE little weasle!

Overall Rating: 68% (Losing The War On Boredom)

Aftertaste: This hurt. From flag-waving Bush-touting to outright lying and defamation of the son of a victim of 9-11, this was black story after "FAIR AND BALANCED" story. It was so good I had to stop it. You know when you read an article about corruption and you have to come up for air to stop the bleak future you face? Yeah. Good movie. Too bad about the delivery.

Crimson Gold (2003)

You know when they say choking yourself during orgasm makes it better? TRY THIS!

Genre: Drama (Iran)

Starring: Hossain Emadeddin, Kamyar Sheisi

Directed By: Jafar Panahi

Overview: A pizza delivery man begins to go insane. We follow him for a week, watching those events that drive him to his suicide in the film's opening.

Acting: The acting by Hossain is really well done, aloof, appropriately underdramatic. Overall, there was nothing that stood out as being grand, but this film couldn't have allowed it, it was very subdued, and quite on purpose. This was a character study, and acting was of the utmost. It held up very well.
Rating: 7

Cinematography: The cinematography isn't anything spectacular, the shots of his home were appropriately claustrophobic, but a few night scenes could have been less dark, a few scenes of grandeur could have done with more appropriate lenses. Often it took away from the scene, so this gets a "barely good" rating.
Rating: 6

Script: The script has to be great in these character studies to work. Since we're watching a man's life unfold, the dialogue had better be captivating, because real-life tends not to be. The script is believable and appropriately banal. Scattered amongst are some pretty well-written lines, clearly indicating that the writer was fully capable.
Rating: 7

Plot: The plot is weak. Unfortunately we begin with a suicide and are lead to learn why, as opposed to a watching a tragic descent ending in suicide. In a way the whole film was ruined, and the second scene took me a while to realize it was a week earlier, and not a few minutes later... Foreign films also tend to presume a lot about it's audience's intelligence in that they often make the mistake of explaining very little. The connect is there but I found I had to look for it. The continuity was good but there should have been a touch more in the character defining moments.
Rating: 5

Mood: The mood is encroaching and dark, like the cinematography. I don't particular remember the score, hence it had no impact. It was plain that this movie was in the relatively low-budget category, and the film suffered a little because of it, instead of having the gritty theme that was intended. Still though, there was something about the movie that kept me entertained, and the mood must really have done a lot for me. That second-last scene, in that palatial apartment watching Hussein by the pool really impressed me.
Rating: 7

...just don't do it in traffic

Overall Rating: 64% (The Gold Washes Right Off...)

Aftertaste: This movie had some pretty mixed reviews (one compared it to Taxi Driver's main character Travis Bickle, which frankly was the inspiration for me to see it) and I liked the idea. I really wanted to like this movie, and never found myself bored by it. The dark nature of the story sustained me very well, and I'm a little surprised at the low score that I just gave it, but I saw a greater potential that it delivered. I probably enjoyed this more than you would. It'll drift away pretty quickly, but it was a good story (though the score may not indicate that).

House of Flying Daggers (2004)

Sorry, I see nothing funny about bathing

Genre: Action Adventure Drama Fantasy Romance (China)

Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro (Chungking Express), Ziyi Zhang (Memoirs Of A Geisha; 2046)

Directed By: Yimou Zhang (Raise The Red Lantern; Hero)

Overview: A man seduces a woman in hopes that she will lead him to the head of the House of Flying Daggers gang, so that he may end their reign.

Acting: The acting is melodramatic, but this is standard in this sort of film, and it really wasn't distracting. There was nothing spectacular here, but it was good overall.
Rating: 7

Cinematography: The cinematography was grand and panoramic, as expected, but I honestly felt that there should be more. The ultra-green scenes in the bamboo forest and the fall field turning to snow was fantastic, but there was something missing in the beginning. Maybe it was lenses and filters, but it weren't no Hero.
Rating: 8

Script: The translation I watched was horrible and tacky. In all fairness the version I saw was intended for Chinese audiences, and maybe the American theater version is better written, and let's hope so, because I found myself laughing at the casual, matter-of-fact way Andy said the line "I was tortured." When you laugh at seriousness, it's not good. Also, throughout, I was thinking, 'Ok, ok, get on with it, this dialogue is predictable.' With such lines as "If I can't have her, nobody can," what else do you want?
Rating: 5

Plot: The guy finds her, infiltrates her, she leads him towards her secret, then he scuttles off to have a secret meeting, meant of course to let the audience know that this was the plan all along, but then another twist, and some danger thrown in, though in all likelihood, preventable. Twist reveals predictable twist and in the end there's but a hint of a surprise. Continuity was barely above par.
Rating: 6

Mood: The mood in this film, as with all others is the thing that these directors and actors and cameramen work so hard to produce, and of course it succeeded. This is up there with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for it's romantic yet heart-wrenching attempt. Good, and the score helped too.
Rating: 8

It sucks cause every time you visit, you get stabbed in the face. - E. Reid

Overall Rating: 68% (Off By A Sliver)

Aftertaste: Half way through I said "House of Flying Clichés". The friend I had over laughed in agreement. We didn't really take this movie too seriously. The fighting was good, but not great, the story was typical and without punch, the characters were fairly two dimensional in their view and in their actions. This film will fade as one of the over-hyped Wire films of the last few years. I know lots of people will be disappointed, because they all expect Hero. Well heros don't fade so quickly from the mind as this movie will.

Être et Avoir (2002)

"Is this a normal colour bowel movement, teacher?"

Genre: Family Documentary (France)

Starring: Georges Lopez, JoJo, and scores of other children

Directed By: Nicolas Philibert

Overview: The study of a teacher and his kids in rural France shortly before his retirement.

Acting: STOP LOOKING AT THE CAMERA! I guess the young kids couldn't help it really. Does that mean they were acting really natural? When the cows started doing it though, I think the director should have called the actor's guild for some more natural looking cows. :P As for the teacher himself, he acted very natural, maybe a little TOO patient, for the camera's sake? Well maybe not, but the doubt is still there.
Rating: 6

Cinematography: The documentary is shot as a drama, none of this voice-over quick-fire editing. It was pastoral, calm, peaceful. Long soundtrackless scenes of one-on-one interaction, whether it's the teacher with the older kids, the younger kids, the parents, or the parents with their children, or the children with each other, the shooting is professional and soothing.
Rating: 8

Script: The script had better be good. The documentarist had a whole year with these kids. And though it was in front of a camera, it still seemed unbidden by anything. As for the questions posed to the teacher in the little interview, they were well thought out.
Rating: 8

Plot: Easy, easy, easy. By that I guess I mean plotless. Slice of life movies can't ever score high here unfortunately, but the scene-to-scene flow was really well maintained and played out. Great continuity. The director knew well enough that our favorite character, JoJo should have appropriate focus.
Rating: 7

Mood: The slow mood of this film is great. Honestly, I thought that was a really well acted story, until I saw the poorly trained children, now and then looking up at the camera. That's when I started to wonder if it was actually a documentary. The interview with the teacher in the middle of the film made it clear that it was, and it was a really nice touch, getting his background and all that. Point is, the mood made me think it was a fictional drama, and it was a nice thing to see that a filmmaker could bend the rules enough to make it play out this well. Great job.
Rating: 8

"Now JoJo, didn't your mother teach you not to dookie your hands?" "No I saw her doing that with Daddy last night..."

Overall Rating: 74% (Pleasant)

Aftertaste: The cutest film I've seen in a long time. If you like kids, you'll really like this. I found myself bringing it up in conversation, because it was so different and original. Also, I guess, because this really isn't my kind of movie. I'm more of a dark, brooding, tragic, heavy kind of filmgoer. It's nice to see something so very innocent sometimes. Makes you remind yourself why you're so cynical... To protect the children.

Open Water (2003)

"Honey! Why's the water all warm now?!"

Genre: Drama Horror Thriller

Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis

Directed By: Chris Kentis

Overview: A couple on vacation go diving and get left behind. This film is about their struggle to keep their wits as they await rescue.

Acting: I was told that some would consider the acting poor, because the dialogue is so natural as to make it seem as though these people are overacting the melodrama or underacting their everyday lives. I can't say I've met anyone who has poorly acted out their own lives, do you?! I don't know what those critics mean to say by that. This was well acted, appropriate and exciting.
Rating: 8

Cinematography: This was shot on digital film. It's easy to manage, it's cheap, it's the wave of the future. Even though 28 Days Later is one of my favorite Horrors movies, it's hard to get used to this new fangled technology sometimes. We'll all have get used to it, I guess. Anyways, the digital gave it a touch of the camcorder feel, which added to the "vacation memories" mood of the film. It was well shot overall. I must say this though: the way that night out in the ocean scene is shot is one of the most riveting and intense scenes you'll see this year. Goes up a point just for that.
Rating: 8

Script: The script may have been a little too funny at times, frequent dry observational statement of the obvious. The fighting in the water is well done, the stresses that slowly accumulate are well written, and good overall.
Rating: 7

Plot: The plot is ultra simple. A couple gets lost. What's gonna happen to them? The plot here is so simple, in fact, that I'm sure some of the viewers might get a little bored of the fact that we're watching the same couple for so long, but the direction is good enough that it isn't all about that.
Rating: 7

Mood: The mood is, as stated before "camcorder vacation", pleasant and sunny, then stressful, then terrifying (I mean you can't go wrong with sharks). Good!
Rating: 7

The Bahamania Voyeur Shark prefers just to watch

Overall Rating: 74% (Clever)

Aftertaste: Holy, did I ever like this. It creeped me right out, and though it won't be one of the more memorable ones of the year, it was a great thrill ride. Guh! *shudder*

The Celebration (1998) - * ONE OF THE BEST *

You thought your family was messed up?

Genre: Drama (Denmark, Sweden)

Starring: Ulrich Thomsen (The Weight Of Water; Max), Henning Moritzen

Directed By: Thomas Vinterberg (Dear Wendy)

Overview: A family reunion for Dad's 60th birthday anniversary becomes an out-in-the-open melodrama when the eldest son drops a bomb during his opening dinner speech.

Acting: This film style allows for the acting to be undisturbed by any lighting or special effects. The way this story unfolds is so perfectly written that the acting follows naturally. The hysterics are perfectly placed, the rage (both seething and outspoken) is well timed. The aged's memory loss is properly played out. Everyone does a great job. Without these actors and their brilliant direction, this film could have really crashed and burned, but with great risk come the potential for great result.
Rating: 10

Cinematography: The cinematography here really needs some background explanation: this film is the first of the Dogma Project. A bunch of European directors got together and decided to make some movies true to reality: no added lighting, unnecessary make up, soundtrack. If you think about it, it's really hard to make a movie that is strictly good camera work, acting and story, all using natural light. The viewer who watches this pure spectacle of high-art, without this knowledge might dismiss it for a low-budget production. After a while though, even that can't hold, due to the professionalism of the cameraman and the artistic, ingenious angels. This movie's cinematography was a true challenge, and this film, Dogma #1, does a magnificent job in purity.
Rating: 9

Script: The challenge with the strict rules around being a Dogma project is the story. It has to be good and interesting. Other films in this project include Italian for Beginners, Julien Donkey-Boy, and the famed The Idiots. The story and the script are really all you have to judge, some hit, some miss. This script though is utterly ultra-dramatic while still dealing with very real issues, and to this family, very recent and sensitive ones. Without ruining a single scene, I just have to say that any writer who wants to learn about dialogue must see this. Some lines are so hard hitting that you blink and gasp for several seconds, no bullshit.
Rating: 10

Plot: The plot is so daring, I wonder how many people have tried to do such a thing during a family reunion? The plot twists and turns just enough from character to character while still never straying off course of the heavy impact of that speech. Natural and dramatic, realistic and unpredictable. Amazing because it's so believable.
Rating: 10

Mood: The Dogma Project's rules really add to the docu-drama reality effect of this film's mood. Without the minimalist approach, this may not have been as good. A lovely mansion surrounded by fineries all reflecting and brightened up by fancy lenses and track lighting would have made an interesting tale of high-society's cracks, but with this film, all that paled in comparison to the richness of the players themselves. A testament to filmmaking truth, without the glitz.
Rating: 9

"So do I ruin your evening sooner or later, dad?"

Overall Rating: 96% (Nigh Perfection)

Aftertaste: You're taking a real risk watching this movie. I mean if you're used to watching Troy, Speed and Starship Troopers, stay the hell away from this movie, it's got nothing for you except a complete revisiting and possible shattering of your preconceived notions of what Film is meant to be, which means of course you'll have to start thinking for yourself, and then you've really opened a can of worms. Still, this forum isn't for you in the first place, so I guess I'm talking to no one who would apply... This is my Number 2 favorite movie in the WORLD (begrudgingly bumped down by Requiem for a Dream in 2001). It's not pleasant, but it's brilliant and what Film truly is: a lesson teacher, an insight into Humankind, something that leaves an indelible impression. This masterpiece is all those things. Do yourself a favour and expand your horizons.

Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity (2002)

I don't care, Sandra Oh doesn't look good in a granny sweater.

Genre: Comedy Family Drama Romance (Canada)

Starring: Sandra Oh (Last Night; Sideways), Valerie Tian

Directed By: Mina Shum

Overview: A young girl uses Taoist magic to help her mother improve her life.

Acting: Sandra Oh does a great job. She was great in Last Night, and she's great in this. Rick Young, as Bing Lai, unfortunately suffers. He overacts in nearly every scene. Made me roll my eyes, it was so hammy. Where was the director then?
Rating: 6

Cinematography: The film is well shot, with enough art and originality mixed in with the standard. Decent, but there's really nothing much else to say.
Rating: 7

Script: Written by the director, the script had some good moral lessons and seemed realistic enough. Again, this category does not excel, but the scenes, especially the hard-hitting ones, get their point across.
Rating: 7

Plot: The story itself revolves around three couples, all belonging to the same community, hence all somehow interconnected. The child is constantly casting spells to make things better, but things seem to go wrong over and over. In the meantime, a man is facing a crisis of faith, while another is having a crisis of family. All three stories end really well, mostly predictable, but pretty poignant.
Rating: 8

Mood: The mood wasn't really the director's forte. If I was making a movie about ancient Chinese Magic, I would have more symbology, I'd have the girl surround herself a little more with it, I'd make it a touch more prevalent in the imagery, in the score. Don't get me wrong, Mina did well enough in getting the themes across, but it didn't jump out at me like I'd hoped.
Rating: 7

Uh, seriously, it's just rain, relax.

Overall Rating: 70% (Well, Maybe Not ALL That, But SOME Of That)

Aftertaste: The plot is really what made this movie. It's not a great film, but it was enjoyable. It hasn't left much of an impact, but they all can't now can they?

Old School (2003)

Actually I'll give it this much... It DOES get old quick

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Luke Wilson (The Family Stone; The Royal Tenenbaums) Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby; Elf)

Directed By: Todd Phillips (Road Trip; Starsky & Hutch)

Overview: He moves into a place off campus, and his friends convince him to turn it into a Frat house, so they can relive their glory days.

Acting: Will Ferrell did as well as he always does, if you like that sort of thing. I really liked him in Elf, but something about him here just didn't impress me as much. Vince Vaughn was great too. I'll tell you this though: I hate Snoop Dogg, and why didn't Rob Corddry have any lines? His greatest moment was nodding? As if.
Rating: 7

Cinematography: 'Cross Fades' a friend of mine exalted. So what? It was professional but nothing neat to look at. I had to gets my kicks out of the plot. *SIGH*
Rating: 6

Script: "Once it touches your lips...It's so GOOD!"
That wedding singer in the beginning was my favorite scene.
The script, admittedly had some great moments, (do I have to repeat that Snoop Dogg was NOT one of them?) and they were apropos, but again, nothing too impressive.
Rating: 7

Plot: The weakest link. It starts off really great, some good promise, then it turns into a lame version of Animal House, which I guess is fair, at least SNL is allowed to rip off itself. The Frat house goes through these trials at the end intended to give this movie a plot. They try their best and succeed, but end up getting flunked anyways, but Oh My! Justice prevails in the most typical formulaic style.
Rating: 4

Mood: A Drunken Will Ferrell streaking and getting shot with tranquilizer darts, blowjob classes and KY Wrestling. The mood was definitely Frat Boy, and Will holds it up for sure. As a comedy it held true, but nothing spectacular, sorry.
Rating: 7

"Turn arooound, bright eyes... every fuckin' time I fall apart...I need you now tonight... I fuckin' need you more than EVAH!"

Overall Rating: 62% (Old Hat)

Aftertaste: I tried to like it. I really did. One of my best friends showed me the best scenes and I swore, eventually, I'd get around to watching the whole thing. How was I to know that those three scenes were the best in the whole movie? This movie really did nothing for me. If I wanted to see Animal House, I'd watch it. If I wanted to see Van Wilder, which, ugh, I unfortunately did... Ok this was tons better than Van Wilder. I'll at least give it that.

The Station Agent (2002)

"Uh, I may not be a train expert but is that how you're supposed to stop one?"

Genre: Drama / Comedy

Starring: Peter Dinklage (Elf; "Nip/Tuck") Bobby Cannavale (Do The Right Thing; Escape From Alcatraz)

Directed By: Thomas McCarthy (The Visitor)

Overview: A dwarf inherits an old train depot and makes some interesting friends, regardless of his reluctance.

Acting: Angry little midget! The script for this movie and the intended mood allows for an overzealous portrayal by every character, yet none of the actors ham it up. They're all just perfectly quirky.
Rating: 8

Cinematography: This is shot really well. Old rustic scenes of a small town and artistic angles definitely add to the quality of this movie. The director must really like the rule of thirds, and so do I. It's a tried and true method of cropping.
Rating: 8

Script: The script is weird! Quirks abound, pushing the boundaries of the natural voice but it's believable enough to really enjoy. You'll like how Fin interacts with his surroundings. And Joe? Great guy. Odd script, very unique.
Rating: 8

Plot: The plot is slice of life with a bit more to it. All the characters have their own problems and we get to explore them all to a degree. I like that it's not all about Fin. This plot style worked really well in 25th Hour, and it works well here too. Still, slice of life stories tend to be twistless.
Rating: 7

Mood: It's the kind of movie where there's no jokes per se, but you find yourself laughing all the time anyways. If it was just the story of someone who was of regular height, it wouldn't have so much impact. If Fin wasn't such a jackass in the beginning, it wouldn't have done so well either. It's really well done. A pleasant surprise.
Rating: 7

Gorgeous Fran's hot dog and sausage stand.. IF YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN!

Overall Rating: 76% (Impressive)

Aftertaste: This was recommended to me by a couple of friends, who both said that it was a nice little gem of a movie. I tend not to trust that kind of a review, I always expect more than I tend to get from recommended "Hidden Gems". Still I always give them a chance, just in case. It's good! I must say I was impressed.

In This World (2002)

"So... you got First Class tickets too?"

Genre: Drama (UK)

Starring: Jamal Udin Torabi, Enayatulah

Directed By: Michael Winterbottom (The Road To Guantanamo; 24 Hour Party People)

Overview: Two Afghan refugees attempt to smuggle themselves to London for a chance at a better life.

Acting: The acting in this film is excellent. For actors who've been in nothing else before or since, it's impressive that in every scene, the fear and isolation, loneliness and hope are so well done. This director has a few titles under his belt by know ansd you can tell that he's comfortable in that weird little chair of his. There's no doubt that he uses his experience well.
Rating: 8

Cinematography: Made to look ultra-real, this is shot like a documentary, and for the first half hour I wasn't sure if it was or not. So many different styles are blended in this film: Hand-held, night vision, panoramic, their progress represented by that red line moving across a map; the professionalism of the camera work is astounding and unique, without being distracting.
Rating: 9

Script: Honest and real, there are no great lines to walk away with, but this film was so well written that the bad jokes seem endearing and everything people say seems perfectly natural.
Rating: 8

Plot: The plot is great, exciting, simple. From Pesawar, Afghanistan, we follow the trek of two people (one kid, one adult), to their attempted final destination of London, England. The younger child, Jamal, shows gems of wisdom beyond his years, like the scene where he bribes a guard with a Walkman. This film illustrates very well that the people smuggler's world is a shady one. There was one scene I wish had been explained a little better, well a lot better frankly, and you'll know which one I'm talking about when you see it, I'm not about spoilers.
Rating: 8

Mood: In this movie you'll see the biggest ice cream cone ever from Iran, the bloodiest killing of an ox in Afghanistan (a little much I thought); still, the cultural subtleties make for very interesting moments. Without the quality of the camera work and the score, or lack of score as many scenes show, the mood would not have been anywhere near as good. I thought that the documentary style made you feel like you were right there. Even the font they use and the ending credits enhance the film in this category. And a perfect title too... You'll see why.
Rating: 9

Ah, the Patriot Act, where Men are Muslims and Freedom is fleeting!

Overall Rating: 84% (Amazing!)

Aftertaste: I'm surprised at the overall rating here. It's higher than I expected. This film did not move me as much as I may have made it out to. It's great, and I really liked it, but this style of film is one that every person might not appreciate, especially if you don't like documentaries. Anyways, it's one hell of a dramatic adventure, and I'll recommend it to anyone who likes art house films.

The Hunting of the President (2004)

Just proves how efficient the Republicans are, Bush is doing the same thing all by himself...

Genre: Documentary

Starring: Narrated by Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby; Se7en)

Directed By: Nickolas Perry, Harry Thomason

Overview: The story of the 10 year Republican campaign to destroy Bill Clinton, by any means necessary.

Acting: Morgan Freeman and his distinct voice does as well as one would expect. The people interviewed also do a very natural job in front of the cameras. Nothing spectacular (nothing like the great interviews in Fahrenheit 9/11.)
Rating: 7

Cinematography: The style is rapid fire, the photos are often unforgiving, like famous footage of a Cambodian execution, they never let your eye lag. The images that go on during narration are obviously taken from a tremendously large archive. Nothing boring here.
Rating: 7

Script: The dramatic angle taken by this film makes for an exciting show. Scandal after scandal split up into bite sized chapters. If you like the concept of the movie, you'll enjoy how the interviews make it unfold. The DVD version has Bill Clinton speaking after the premiere and answering a few questions for about 40 minutes. This was a great segment. Don't miss it if you rented this.
Rating: 8

Plot: This kind of documentary, then kind that makes you grind your teeth at the Republicans, and leave your mouth agape in awe at the boldest of lies and corrupt dealings, it's a great plot. I mean, going to jail for not rolling over on a manufactured lie? Very nice.
Rating: 7

Mood: The overall mood of scandal and the attack of the President is well done. Morgan Freeman's voice makes it seem as though you're uncovering a dark secret. The footage is well put together and the history is well told overall.
Rating: 7

"Hello? I need one case of cigars... STAT!"

Overall Rating: 72% (It's Officially ... OK)

Aftertaste: The film was well done, the scandal well documented (obviously). I love Documentaries that shit on the Republicans and make them look as I know them to be: scoundrels. Overall though, it won't go into my repertoire of "Must Sees", but I liked it, especially the bonus feature where Clinton speaks after the premiere. Jesus is that man even smart.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Hilarious is Baldwin doing an SNL skit 15 years later yelling the same thing to Christmas elves...

Genre: Drama

Starring: Jack Lemmon (The China Syndrome; Days Of Wine And Roses), Al Pacino (Serpico; The Merchant Of Venice)

Directed By: James Foley (Fear; The Chamber)

Overview: A team of real-estate salesmen are told to win or get fired.

Acting: This is an all star cast, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin, Alec Baldwin. There is no problem whatsoever in this category. Kevin plays the subtle moron as perfectly as Jack Lemmon plays the pathetic has-been. Al Pacino does a really amazing job.
Rating: 9

Cinematography: Oppressive rain, dark and bland offices, tight shots, great timing, the cinematography is well done, no doubt. Nothing terribly imaginative, but keeps you close to the action of the character's faces.
Rating: 7

Script: Al Pacino's part is impressive, coming in at just the right time, screaming wildly about the very things that all the other salesmen were complaining about in the beginning of the movie: bad leads and management's incompetence. This movie flowed so well in its dialogue that it was too perfect, a touch contrived. Once you settle into the fact that all the speakers are great at tossing insults at one another, you'll enjoy the ride.
Rating: 9

Plot: I found this lacking a little. The whole time I thought something else would happen, and I kept waiting for it. I guess I should have been prepared for the obvious. The movie was really well written, but the twist wasn't that great. The movie runs on one theme, and succeeds, but there isn't much else.
Rating: 7

Mood: This movie must break the bank for swear words per minute. It's hilarious and film noir at the same time, which I didn't think was really possible. Still it pulled it off well and the settings and score added a nice touch overall.
Rating: 7

Not hilarious is how this guy gets shat on every chance there is

Overall Rating: 78% (Oh, you'll really like this one)

Aftertaste: Similar in many ways to Suckers, a film about car salesmen just having a day at the office. If you liked that you'll love this. It's more real, more gritty and with a bigger budget. Yes, Glengarry Glen Ross will stay up in my brain a while. It's worthy.

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

He said 'HI'. She said 'HI', you know like that, it's easy

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Starring: Billy Crystal (Analyze This; City Slickers), Meg Ryan (D.O.A.; You've Got Mail)

Directed By: Rob Reiner (Ghosts Of Mississippi; A Few Good Men)

Overview: The haphazard love story of two friends living in New York.

Acting: Billy Crystal and his "White man's overbite", his spitting seeds out the car window, his way of making the darkest things, like famine, funny. Meg Ryan does a great job of being "high maintenance who thinks she's low maintenance". The two work really well together. The chemistry may not have been 100% bang on, but they act like it...
Rating: 9

Cinematography: Great outdoor scenes of New York in the all seasons, cityscapes, museums all add to the classic cinematography style of this film, but no special effects, nothing new or challenging, just very professional.
Rating: 7

Script: One of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen in my life, the script is scathingly hilarious. With one of the best known scenes in film, (Meg Ryan's fake orgasm in a diner), this category has to get the highest rating possible. Really, it's that good.
Rating: 10

Plot: As romantic comedies go, the plot is intricate. These people meet, hate each other, and go their separate ways, several times, over several years. Over the years they eventually become friends and share in carrying each other's baggage. It's classic with a twist.
Rating: 8

Mood: The romantic comedy must obviously have this film as one of it's yardsticks. Punch-Drunk Love and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind obviously decided to appeal to the crowd that prefers an idea followed by romance, much like the natural style of When Harry Met Sally. This is a movie first and a romance second. For the male demographic, it's a much safer bet. In my mind, the mood is just right.
Rating: 9

"Mile High Club?"

Overall Rating: 86% (They Met, They Had Good Times)

Aftertaste: You won't regret renting this for your girlfriend. I taped this movie when I was 16 on my old VHS and watched it over and over again, it was so funny to me. Then I found this on sale for under 7 bucks. Can't go wrong. It brings back those nostalgic days when I watched movies like this over and over. It makes me want to go out and buy Yellow Submarine and Deep Cover which I've seen about 10 times or so. It brought back some of the old quotes I used to spout, and now that I remember them, they're back in rotation.

The Last Samurai (2003)

"So if I'm the last one... uh... what does that make you?"

Genre: Action Adventure Samurai War Drama

Starring: Tom Cruise (Top Gun; Eyes Wide Shut), Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins; Memoirs Of A Geisha)

Directed By: Edward Zwick (The Siege; Legends Of The Fall)

Overview: A disillusioned American officer finds peace in the Samurai's code.

Acting: There was one character, Ujio, that I found constantly on the verge of tears. True, she had suffered quite a bit, but it seemed a little too forced to me. Other than that, the acting on the part of every man was well played, well directed.
Rating: 8

Cinematography: The panoramic scenes of the modernizing Japan, the backdrop of battlefields. The stunning array of Japanese bridges and gardens. All this was expected, all this came to be, but it just wasn't enough for me. The movie was long enough, but five more minutes of peaceful landscapes or historic representation of the city streets would have made a big difference. Not as epic as I expected, still very impressive.
Rating: 8

Script: "Imagine someone who hates you with the utmost intensity, grabbing a handful of your hair while you're lying prostrate and helpless, then scraping the dull blade of a rusty knife around your scalp with a saw like motion, and let your imagination grasp, if you can Mr Graham, the effect of a strong quick jerk on the turf of your hair, to release any clinging particles would have on your nervous system. You'll have some idea how it feels to be scalped."

Well written, the scenes held true to the emotion of the film. I quite liked the diplomatic meeting with the Japanese council that Tom had after being released from capture. Very "seething undercurrent."
Rating: 8

Plot: The plot was fairly simple and predictable, a man realizes his way is wrong and fights alongside someone he truly admires. Nothing truly surprising here, no great twists. President Bush would do good to watch this movie about someone who cares about his countrymen more than his purse.
Rating: 7

Mood: The film stayed true to it's form. There was no great symbolism or imagery or foreshadowing that I noticed. I suppose the director decided to play it safe. Still it's what we all expected I'm sure. The mood here is pretty formulaic, and why mess with what works?
Rating: 7

Again, I must insist. Cruise looks more like the Second Last Samurai here as well...

Overall Rating: 76% (Really Nice)

Aftertaste: It's a good movie, one I've been meaning to get around to, but nothing truly moving or so grandiose that I'll ever insist people see it. I often like a nice good long movie, one that takes it's time in storytelling, and this was one of them. You'll like it. It's safe.