My Trivial
Pursuits
The Big Silver
Screen
Herein are my thoughts on films I've
watched or re-watched recently. If you
have any comments, or suggestions for
future films you'd like to see reviewed,
feel free to e-mail
me!
- Frequency - the alternative history theme has been done many times in books, movies & television, but this film's humour, the moving connection between father and son, and a gripping murder mystery make it worth the trip. 8 of 10
(to see
more)
- The
Insider - A taut and riveting true
story of an ordinary man up against the
power of corporate America, in this
case, the tobacco industry. Outstanding
performances by Russell Crowe and Al
Pacino. 9 of 10
(to see
more)
- Stir of
Echoes - A somewhat implausible, but
creepy and suspenseful little film.
Kevin Bacon is a blue collar worker who
starts seeing dead people as the result
of a post-hypnotic suggestion. 6.5 of 10
(to see
more)
- High
Fidelity - John Cusack plays a man
working through the latest in a chain of
failed relationships by tracking down
all of his old girlfriends to cleanse
himself of blame. This film features and
knockout script, biting and witty, with
excellent performances by the principal
and supporting casts...a must see! 10 of
10(to see
more)
- The Road to
El Dorado - Dreamworks' latest
feature is a rollicking adventure of two
lovable rogues in search of the
legendary city of gold. The songs were
just average, and we had to hear the
voice of Rosie Perez (ugh!), but the
characters and relationships were
interesting, and the entire film was
utterly
charming and light-hearted. 8 out of 10.
(to see
more)
- Romeo
Must Die - Jet Li's latest martial
arts flick isn't exactly great cinema,
but offers terrific action sequences,
with a nice touch of humour. A must see
for fans of the genre. 7 out of 10. (to see
more)
- Mission to Mars – a team of
astronauts heads out to Mars to find
their missing comrades, and ends of
finding more than they bargained for.
This film was truly enjoyable with
wonderful acting, particularly from Gary
Sinise and Tim Robbins, tense drama,
surprising plot twists, and dazzling
special effects. 9 out of 10.
- Pitch Black – a passenger ship that
is also carrying a convicted murderer
crash lands on a planet that turns out
to be inhabited by deadly creatures that
only come out when it’s dark.
Unfortunately, for the survivors, the
planet is about to enter a one-year
period of total darkness. Scary without
being gory, “Pitch Black” had very cool
special effects, especially the parts
showing Vin Diesel’s special night
vision. Diesel again demonstrated that
he is a rising young star to be watched.
7 out of 10.
- The
Boiler
Room - a young college student looks
to make a quick million selling IPOs at
a “chop shop” brokerage firm, but runs
straight into the dark side of
capitalism. “The Boiler Room” featured
fine performances by a fresh young cast,
especially by Vin Diesel (voice of “The
Iron Giant” and recently starring in
“Pitch Black”) and a fast-paced story
line. It did suffer from an abrupt
ending that felt a bit unresolved, but
overall, a highly worthwhile film.
Warning: this film contained frequent
profanity. 7 out of 10. (to see
more)
- October Sky – Based on a true story
of a high school student in a mining
town in West Virginia in the 1950s who
discovers a love of
rocketry. With the encouragement of one
of his teachers, and with a little help
from his friends, young Homer finds the
courage to pursue his dreams, despite
his father’s wish that he buckle down
and get to the mines. I loved this film
for its honest performances, the
inspiring story, the sense of wonder,
the charming humor, and the fun music. 9
out of 10.
- What
Dreams
May Come - Chris Nielsen (Robin
Williams) is killed in a car accident,
and goes to heaven, but his wife Annie
(Annabella Sciorra), out of grief over
his death and the recent death of her
children commits suicide and goes to
hell. Chris cannot bear the thought of
his soul mate’s suffering and journeys
into the depths of perdition to save
her. A touching film, with stunning
visuals and a wonderfully moving score.
8 out of 10. (to see
more)
-
Pleasantville - a modern-day brother
and sister are magically transported
into a 1950s black-and-white sitcom
called “Pleasantville”. Once there,
they find that everything stays pleasant
and perfect in this little town, because
nothing and no one ever changes. When
David and Jennifer start bring 90s
values into the picture, the people and
places in this black-and-white world
start “colorizing”. Soon, though, a rift
opens between the black-and-white
contingency and their fear and distrust
of the “coloreds”, bringing in a racism
angle that was a bit heavy-handed.
Nevertheless, “Pleasantville” was
enjoyable as an entertaining tribute to
the 50s sitcoms, plus the visual effects
and use of color were some of the best
ever seen. 8 out of 10(to see
more)
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Last Updated: May 3, 2000
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