ALL REVIEWS ARE THE OPINION OF THE OWNER OF THIS WEBSITE. AS EVERYONE HAS
Valre's Archives
Win A Date With Tad Hamilton
Master and Commader: The Far Side of the World
Something's Gotta Give
Shattered Glass
Hope Springs
Cheaper By The Dozen
The Matrix: Revolutions
My Life Without Me
Thirteen
Honey
Election
Beyond Borders
Gothika
The Singing Detective
The Magdalene Sisters
The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie
Intolerable Cruelty
The Missing
Mona Lisa Smile
Runaway Jury
Under The Tuscan Sun
Lost In Translation
Duplex
Pieces of April
CAMP
The Heart Of Me
Open Range
Matchstick Men
Sylvia
The Arrival
Master and Commader: The Far Side of the World
Jasper, Texas
Buffalo Soldiers
Looney Tunes: Back In Action
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003
Cheaper By The Dozen
21 Grams
Cold Creek Manor
The Rundown
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
The Passion of the Christ
Taking Lives
Matchstick Men
School of Rock
American Splendor
Lost in Translation
The Butterfly Effect
Runaway Jury
My Bosses Daughter
Scorched
Uptown Girls
Once Upon A Time In Mexico
Big Fish
Freddy vs. Jason 2
Guest Reviewer's Archives
Rundown
Step Into Liquid
Cold Creek Manor
Secret Window
Tokyo Godfathers
Kill Bill Vol. 1
Brother Bear
Hamlet
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The Haunted Mansion
On Video: April 20, 2004
Eddie Murphy
Jennifer Tilly
Don Knotts
Wallace Shawn
Terence Stamp
Nathaniel Parker
Aree Davis
Marc John Jefferies
Director: Rob Minkoff
Genre: Comedy Family
Rating: PG for frightening images, thematic elements and language
Length: 99 Minutes
Synopsis: A man and his family encounter a haunted mansion while interviewing for a job. The 'inhabitants' of the house teach him a lesson about family and love.
Review: This movie looks great. It was fun to relive the Disney ride since I hadn't been
on it in 30 years. I can't say much else about the movie. I think youngsters will like it, but for
us older family members I found it a great sleeping aide.
On Video: April 20, 2004
Starring: Kate Bosworth
Josh Duhamel
Topher Grace
Ginnifer Goodwin
Gary Cole
Sean Hayes
Nathan Lane
Jay Underwood
Director: Robert Luketic
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, some drug references and language
Length: 95 Minutes
Synopsis: In an attempt to promote his new movie and avoid bad press from recent indiscretions, a movie actor agrees to participate in a contest in which one lucky girl will receive a date with him.
When a grocery checkout girl from West Virginia wins the contest, the two go on their date, but the actor continues to woo the girl much to the dismay of her life-long best friend who also has romantic feelings for her.
Review: This was a fairly good movie. It wasn't as adolescent as I had expected. There were
some laughs and the actors did a fine job. This is a good date night movie. If your past the dating
thing you may still enjoy just relaxing with a fairly easy flowing (predictable) movie.
On Video: April 20, 2004
Russell Crowe
Paul Bettany
Billy Boyd
James D'Arcy
Lee Ingleby
George Innes
Mark Lewis Jones
Richard McCabe
Director: Peter Weir
Genre: Action Adventure
Rating: PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language
Length: 138 Minutes
Synopsis: A ship's commander in the Royal British navy finds his vessel and crew in ruins after a surprise attack from an unseen foe. Now, he and the ship's doctor must work together to insure that their duty is protected as they pursue the mystery ship half way around the world.
Review: I have to say that I agree pretty much with what Samurjck had to say
about this movie but not totally. I am not into the battle scenes so I found them tedious.
I did think the movie moved along well and was surprised to see that there was more
to the movie than just battle scenes. This is a movie about relationships and love
of country and bravery. I thought the movie was beautifully shot and enjoyed the scenes
on the Galapagos. Definitely not an academy award winner but it's more than I expected
it to be.
On Video: March 30, 2004
Jack Nicholson
Diane Keaton
Amanda Peet
Keanu Reeves
Frances McDormand
Nichole Hiltz
Jon Favreau
Paul Michael Glaser
Director: Nancy Meyers
Genre: Comedy Romance
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and strong language
Length: 133 Minutes
Synopsis: Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) is a New York music mogul with a libido much younger than his years. He has the world on a string -- and a string of beautiful young girlfriends to prove it. During a romantic rendezvous with his newest girlfriend, Marin (Amanda Peet), at her mother's Hamptons beach house, Harry develops chest pains and eventually winds up being nursed by Marin's reluctant mother, Erica Barry (Diane Keaton) -- a successful, divorced New York playwright. In the process, Harry develops more heart pangs -- the romantic kind -- for Erica, a woman who is finally right for him in every way. However, some habits die hard, and when Harry hesitates to pursue Erica, his charming thirty-something doctor (Keanu Reeves) becomes smitten with her. Harry undergoes a true change of heart when he fights to win Erica back.
Review: I really enjoyed this movie. It's so good to see a movie about characters
that are over 22 years old. Both Nicholson and Diane Keaton did a great job in this movie.
This one will make you laugh and it will touch your heart as you experience the awarness
of the over 50's coming to find out that it really all does start at 50. I reccomend this movie
if like me your tired of always watching romantic movies about silly young kids. I will watch
this one over and over again. I am not a Nicholson fan but this one really made me laugh
and he was indearing as Harry Sanborn as Keaton was brilliant as Erica.
On Video: December 30, 2003
Hayden Christensen
Chloe Sevigny
Peter Sarsgaard
Steve Zahn
Hank Azaria
Melanie Lynskey
Greg Kinnear
Rosario Dawson
Director: Billy Ray
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual references and brief drug use
Length: 103 Minutes
Synopsis: Hayden Christensen stars as Stephen Glass, a staff writer for the respected current events and policy magainze The New Republic and a freelance feature writer for Rolling Stone, Harper's Bazaar and George. By the mid-90s, Glass' articles had turned him into one of the most sought-after journalists in Washington, but a bizarre chain of events suddenly stopped his career in its tracks.
Review: This movie is based on a true story and the DVD has an interview with Glass by
60 minutes. I thought the movie was interesting and entertaining. I don't remember hearing
about Glass and the scandal so it was all new to me. I liked the story and the acting was
fairly good. I'm actually surprised that I had not seen this sooner. Somehow I missed it.
I'd reccomend this one for an evenings entertainment.
On Video: April 6, 2004
Colin Firth
Minnie Driver
Heather Graham
Oliver Platt
Chad Faust
Mary Steenburgen
Frank Collison
Director: Mark Herman
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language
Length: 92 Minutes
Synopsis: Sometimes, the pursuit of happiness leads you to places you least expect. That's the premise behind this romantic comedy starring Colin Firth as a British artist who heads for America when his girlfriend (Minnie Driver) marries another man. In the east coast town of Hope, he discovers that not only optimism, but love, springs eternal. A nurse (Heather Graham) helps him forget about his ex … until she decides to drop into his life again.
Review: This was a cute movie. Colin Firth was very funny as well as being
fun to watch. The story was uncomplicated and quirky. This is a great date night movie or just watch it for a few laughs.
On Video: April 6, 2004
Starring: Steve Martin
Bonnie Hunt
Hilary Duff
Piper Perabo
Tom Welling
Ashton Kutcher
Alyson Stoner
Blake Woodruff
Director: Shawn Levy
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for language and some thematic elements
Length: 106 Minutes
Synopsis: Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt in this hilarious tale of two loving parents trying to manage careers and a household -- amid the chaos of raising twelve rambunctious kids.
With a crowd-pleasing supporting cast, including rising young stars Hilary Duff, Tom Welling and Piper Perabo, this heartwarming hit comedy delivers super-sized fun and laughs by the dozen!
Review: If you have seen the original movie and you are expecting this one to be like it forget it.
The only similarity is their last name and the number of kids they have. I love the original
movie and I've seen it many many times. That is not to say that this movie is bad, it isn't. It's
just not a remake it's a whole new movie. I had fun watching it and I had a few laughs. Martin
was great and so was Hunt. The movie is rated PG13 so you know it's not for little ones but
13 and over's will like it. I say rent it and have a good fun relaxing evening with some popcorn.
On Video: April 6, 2004
Keanu Reeves
Laurence Fishburne
Carrie-Anne Moss
Monica Bellucci
Daniel Bernhardt
Jada Pinkett Smith
Hugo Weaving
Clayton Watson
Director: Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski
Genre: Science Fiction Action
Rating: R for sci-fi violence and brief sexual content
Length: 129 Minutes
Synopsis: In the third installment of this science-fiction epic, the war between the humans and the machines reaches its climax.
As the machines dig towards Zion for the final battle against the humans, Neo and Smith are locked in comas. The fate of humanity rests on the shoulders of Neo as he takes on Agent Smith one last time.
Review: I loved the first movie. I really liked the second movie. I waited
a long time to see this movie and it was not worth the wait. This was a jumbled
mess of metal filled bug special effects. I waited and waited for some one on
one action and it didn't come until the end of the movie and then it was just
to far fetched to really hold my interest. I have no idea what the story was
about. What story there was was shallow and jumbled up. I was so
disappointed in this movie. It's a sad way to end the trilogy.
On Video: February 24, 2004
Sarah Polley
Scott Speedman
Mark Ruffalo
Deborah Harry
Amanda Plummer
Alfred Molina
Jessica Amlee
Kenya Jo Kennedy
Director: Isabel Coixet
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for language
Length: 106 Minutes
Synopsis: It takes an illness with a bleak prognosis to break open 23-year-old Anne's (Sarah Polley) longing for a better life. A mother of two stuck in a dead-end job, Anne has received nothing but grief from her troubled parents and her slacker husband (Scott Speedman). But when she finds out she's dying, she makes a list of things she wants to accomplish: get acrylic nails, sleep with another man and, best of all, realize her true potential.
Review: I found the character Ann a egocentric self-involved person. I had problems
watching a movie about a woman who finds out she is dying and instead of spending
that very precious time with her loved ones she intentionally decides to go out and have an
affair and break yet another man's heart. Is it not enough she is leaving her loving family
must she add another victim to her list. I find it hard to believe that anyone can be this
self-centered. Maybe her children would have liked to have some memories of the time
they spent with her, or her husband had things he wanted to tell her before she died,
or perhaps her mother or her father needed to find some closure. For goodness sakes
why didn't she feel that she wanted to have some closure for herself? Instead of taping
messages to her daughters to listen to on their birthdays for the next 10 years or so
why didn't she talk to them while she had time left? The author/director of this movie
says that, "Ann is her hero. Someone she wants to be like". I find that sad and
disturbing. The directing and photography were terrible, as if the story wasn't
bad enough on it's own. This is a Spanish (Almodovar) production that takes place in
North America and for all it's imperfection the acting by Sarah Polley is this movies
only redeeming quality.
On Video: January 27, 2004
Evan Rachel Wood
Holly Hunter
Nikki Reed
Jeremy Sisto
Brady Corbet
Sarah Clarke
Deborah Unger
Kip Pardue
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for drug use, self destructive violence, language and sexuality - all involving young teens
Length: 100 Minutes
Synopsis: 13 year-old Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) is a good girl. She's smart, gets along with her mother (Holly Hunter) and is never any trouble. But then she befriends Evie (played by Nikki Reed, who co-wrote the movie), a gorgeous and popular classmate who teaches Tracy to let loose and introduces her to the beguiling world of sex, alcohol, drugs and self-mutilation -- much to the horror of Tracy's friends, relatives and, most of all, her mother.
Review: This is a riveting movie. If you are the parents of a 13 year old (girl or boy) you should
see this movie. This story was Co-written by a 13 year old and it was written from her own
experiences. I don't think she is the only 13 year old going through these things. The performances
by Wood, Hunter, and Reed were fantastic. Wood is a genius that I hope will have a
long career ahead of her. The only thing I didn't like about the movie was the very last
shot of film. I didn't get what they were doing, but I guess they were trying to tell us
that while one set of problems were being addressed there were still going to be
a lot more before this 13 year old graduates into an adult. If you have children see
this movie no matter what age the are because they either will be or have been Thirteen.
On Video: March 23, 2004
Jessica Alba
Mekhi Phifer
Lil' Romeo
Joy Bryant
David Moscow
Lonette McKee
Zachary Isaiah Williams
Al Shearer
Director: Bille Woodruff
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 for drug content and some sexual references
Length: 104 Minutes
Synopsis: Honey, a tough, sexy dancer from the 'hood, starts to climb the ladder in the cut-throat dance choreography business. Ultimately, her mentor forces her to choose between sleeping with him or slanderous remarks from him that would ruin her career.
Faced with a no-win situation, Honey turns her back on her career and opens a dance studio for inner-city youths.
Review: If you liked "Flash Dance" or "Fame" then you should like this movie. "Honey"
is a updated more "hood" themed movie with mostly rap and breakdancing. I thought
it was quite good and Jessica Alba (who did all her own dancing in the movie) was
very good in it. I would reccomend seeing this one. It's uplifting even though it's
something we have all seen before.
On Video: October 19, 1999
Matthew Broderick
Reese Witherspoon
Colleen Camp
Jessica Campbell
Delaney Driscoll
Molly Hagan
Mark Harelik
Frankie Ingassia
Director: Alexander Payne
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Length: 103 Minutes
Synopsis: A popular teacher and a go-getter student square off in this comic caper about a high school election.
Review: This movie is fore adults although the humor is at times a bit immature. Reese Witherspoon was great in this movie as the crazed student running for class president. This is a wacky and sometimes silly movie but I got some laughs out of it. I'd suggest it for a fun evening of light adult entertainment.
On Video: March 23, 2004
Angelina Jolie
Clive Owen
Linus Roache
Teri Polo
Noah Emmerich
Yorick Van Wageningen
Director: Martin Campbell
Genre: Romance Drama
Rating: R for language and war-related violence
Length: 126 Minutes
Synopsis: Nick (Clive Owen), a medical student turned international disaster relief worker, and Sarah (Angelina Jolie), a philanthropist socialite, gradually fall in love after meeting time and again against the backdrops of disasters and wars throughout the world.
Review: “Beyond Borders” spans three war-torn, third-world countries. I didn't feel the love story
was the focus of the movie. It was more a backdrop for the horrors that are going on around our
world. You leave the movie wanting to know how to help. It was an eye opener for me and made
me angry that so much of this is going on in our world today. I'm glad I live in the USA but still
there are people out there that need help. From what I understand Jolie was deeply affected by
what she encountered while making this movie and has become an activist. She has adopted one
child and is soon going to adopt another. The role of mother she says, "has changed the focus
of her life". She admits she was off kilter for awhile but this experience has changed her forever,
she says. While your watching this movie you will feel such gratitude for the people who are out
there risking everything to help and you will wonder how you can help them.
On Video: March 23, 2004
Halle Berry
Penelope Cruz
Robert Downey Jr.
Charles S. Dutton
Amy Sloan
John Carroll Lynch
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Genre: Horror Suspense
Rating: R for violence, brief language and nudity
Length: 95 Minutes
Synopsis: A criminal psychologist wakes up one morning as a patient in the very mental hospital where she worked. She's been committed to the hospital for a violent crime, but she has no memory of it. The ghost of one of her patients finds her in the hospital and uses her to do his bidding.
Review: This movie was such a disappointment. I was really looking forward to a good scary movie. The problem with
this movie is that it's all been done before. The music tips you off to all the "scary" surprises. It was like they took
all the cliches from every thriller ever made and mixed them up on the cutting room floor and made this movie out
of the stuff on the floor. Halle Berry was very good in the movie. That is the only reason this one is getting
On Video: March 23, 2004
Robert Downey Jr.
Mel Gibson
Robin Wright Penn
Katie Holmes
Adrien Brody
Jeremy Northam
Carla Gugino
Saul Rubinek
Director: Keith Gordon
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R for strong sexual content, language and some violence
Length: 109 Minutes
Synopsis: Mystery writer Philip E. Marlow (Robert Downey Jr.) is suffering a debilitating bout of psoriasis in a hospital. Unable to move without pain, he reworks (in his own mind) the story of his first novel, The Singing Detective, putting himself in the role of the title character in which he's both a big-band singer and a super-sleuth.
Mix in flashbacks of Marlow's youth and his unhappy marriage, and you have a gripping murder mystery and a lavish musical rolled into one.
Review: I had heard of this movie but hadn't heard "about" the movie so I didn't know what to expect. I
expected it would be pretty bad seeing as no one was talking about the movie. Well, this is an unusual
movie for sure and one that some will like and some will hate. I don't think there will be any middle ground
on this one. If you love Robert Downey Jr and/or musicals your ahead of the game. While they
have classified this as a comedy I really didn't see it that way. What I saw was a physicaly sick man
with an even sicker spirit. This movie was about his madness during his illness but more so the
cleansing of his soul. There is an excellent supporting cast with some great character actors in small roles. There is sex and violence and violent sex; this isn't for kids. This is based on a BBC series and I seem to remember Albert
Finney doing a series on this same story for PBS a few years back. Downey was wonderful as always and
it was so good to see him back in form. I totally enjoyed watching his performance.
On Video: March 23, 2004
Geraldine McEwan
Dorothy Duffy
Anne-Marie Duff
Eileen Walsh
Nora-Jane Noone
Director: Peter Mullan
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for violence/cruelty, nudity, sexual content and language
Length: 119 Minutes
Synopsis: An unflinching drama that charts several years in the young lives of four "fallen women" who were rejected by their families and abandoned to the mercy of the Catholic Church in 1960s Ireland. While women's liberation sweeps the globe, these women are stripped of their liberty and dignity and condemned to indefinite servitude in The Magdalene Laundries, so that they may atone for their "sins."
Review: This is based on a documentary that was made for Irish TV titled, "Sex in a Cold Climate." It is included on the DVD
and I highly recommend you watch it so if you think that the movie is over stated you will see that the movie is
tame compared to the actual injustices that actually occurred. It is staggering to know that the last of these
horrible institutions was closed in 1998. I was appalled and astonished to find that out. Since having seen
the film I have learned that the Pope condemned it sight unseen. I'm not surprised he didn't want anyone to
see what actually took place in the Catholic Church especially in these troubled times.
I think this is a must see movie for anyone who wants to know how catholic women in Ireland have been
abused and how little we know about what is and was going on there. It's truly eye opening especially
after having seen "Angela's Ashes." This is well acted and well directed and although hard to watch it is a
very good movie.
On Video: March 9, 2004
Gena Rowlands
Kevin Zegers
James Caan
Director: Paul Johnsson
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements including teen drinking and smoking
Length: 102 minutes
Synopsis: Charlie (Kevin Zegers) can't seem to stay out of trouble, and his principal, Mr. Dewitt (James Caan), is at his wits' end. Fed up with Charlie's delinquent behavior, Dewitt gives the boy his choice of penalty: suspension or doing odd jobs for the town's most eccentric resident, Mrs. Ritchie (Gena Rowlands). Charlie chooses to help out Mrs. Ritchie, and the two begin a special friendship as Mrs. Ritchie teaches him about trust, life and love.
Review: This movie is just okay. I felt that Zegers was holding back on his performance and could have showed us more
of his feelings. The story was fairly standard in that "boy comes from troubled home and he is troubled. The gruff
mystical old woman shows him about life and love". I think the thing I liked about this movie was the gardening scenes and
the garden itself. Watching the flowers open up overnight was really pretty. I doubt that to many people are going to love
this movie. It was made by Showtime so rather than renting it I would suggest waiting to watch it on television.
On Video: February 10, 2004
George Clooney
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Geoffrey Rush
Billy Bob Thornton
Jack Kyle
Cedric the Entertainer
Julia Duffy
Director: Joel Coen
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, language and brief violence
Length: 100 Minutes
Synopsis: A Beverly Hills divorce lawyer gets his client out of a marriage without paying a settlement after setting up his client's wife. Now, the wife has plans for revenge by getting the lawyer to fall in love with her, so that she can take him to the cleaners.
Review: I'll start by saying that I usually do not like Coen Brother's movies. That was the reason I
didn't rent this one sooner. I decided to go ahead and force myself to watch this movie. Well, I
was very pleasantly surprised. I found the movie to be original and funny and charming. I liked
the plot twists (of which there were many) and I enjoyed the sense of whimsy. Zeta-Jones was
very good and looked stunning and Clooney was classy and silly at the same time. As a pair
I don't think they could have picked any actors that would have pulled this off as well as they
did.
On Video: February 24, 2004
Tommy Lee Jones
Cate Blanchett
Simon Baker
Evan Rachel Wood
Jenna Boyd
Val Kilmer
Aaron Eckhart
Eric Schweig
Director: Ron Howard
Genre: Western Drama
Rating: R for violence
Length: 130 Minutes
Synopsis: A daughter must team up with her estranged father when her daughter is kidnapped by an Apache shaman. Having spent many years with the Apache, the estranged father is able to track the shaman and his lost granddaughter.
Review: This movie was great! Ron Howard never seems to fail us. If you like westerns and edge of your seat
drama then rent this movie. The performances were outstanding. Jones and Blanchett were incredible. These
are two actors that never let us down. I must say there wasn't one bad performance in the entire movie. Yes there
is violence in this movie but it wasn't gratuitous at all. Those were violent times and if someone stole your child
to sell on the open market I dare say you would feel a tad violent yourself. I cheered when the bad guys got
done in and thats not something I usually do in front of my t.v. in my home. I can not understand why no one
was nominated for any awards for this movie. There wasn't any movie nominated or any actors or directors
that did a better job than this. Shame on the Academy for ignoring this fantastic movie.
On Video: March 9, 2004
Julia Roberts
Julia Stiles
Kirsten Dunst
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Ginnifer Goodwin
Laura Allen
Marcia Gay Harden
Topher Grace
Director: Mike Newell
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and thematic issues
Length: 117 Minutes
Synopsis: Katherine Watson, a recent UCLA graduate, is hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students, including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles), to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.
Review: Here we are again with the story of an idealistic young teacher who inspires students. The problem
is it's been done so much better than this. This film is full of closeups of Julia's face and after awhile it just
gets pretty boring. The set design and costumes are wonderful and the music was great. I don't think this
is going to be anyones favorite movie of the year but it is one of those movies that you can watch without
having to have any emotions involved in it. Just another silly movie was my feeling.
On Video: February 17, 2004
John Cusack
Rachel Weisz
Gene Hackman
Dustin Hoffman
Jeremy Piven
Luis Guzmán
Bruce McGill
Nick Searcy
Director: Gary Fleder
Genre: Drama Suspense
Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and thematic elements
Synopsis: In their first film together, screen legends Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman face off in this electrifying nail-biter about a ruthless jury consultant who'll do anything to win. With lives and millions of dollars at stake, the fixer plays a deadly cat-and-mouse game with a jury member (Cusack) and a mysterious woman (Weisz) who offer to "deliver" the verdict to the highest bidder.
Review: When Samurjck reviewd this movie asked the question "Is this movie realistic?" and replied
"Not at all". I sure hope he is right. I'd hate to think this kind of thing goes on but it wouldn't surprise
me. This was an excellent cast doing excellent acting. I was a bit confused by the plot in the beginning
because I felt the movie started out a bit scattered, but it picked up and turned out to be a good
movie.
On Video: February 3, 2004
Diane Lane
Raoul Bova
Sandra Oh
Lindsay Duncan
Pawel Szadja
Vincenzo Ricotta
Dan Bucatinsky
Director: Audrey Wells
Genre: Romance Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language
Synopsis: This film follows San Francisco writer Frances Mayes to Italy as a good friend offers her a special gift -- 10 days in Tuscany. Once there, she is captivated by its beauty and warmth, and impulsively buys an aging, but very charming, villa. Fully embracing new friends and local color, she finds herself immersed in a life-changing adventure filled with enough unexpected surprises, laughter, friendship, and romance to restore her new home -- and her belief in second chances.
Review: This is my favorite movie of the year. Guys it is a "chick flick". The scenery was
breathtaking and now I'm sure I must move to Tuscany. This is a movie about a woman in
personality crisis. Her surprise devorce leaves her stunned and unsure of who she is or what
he life has been about. She learns about herself and what a family really is while undergoing
the remodel of an old villa. This movie isn't about remodeling a house. It's about remodeling
Lane's characters outlook on life and most importantly her getting to know herself.
I loved this movie and can't wait to see it again.
On Video: February 3, 2004
Starring: Bill Murray
Scarlett Johansson
Anna Faris
Giovanni Ribisi
Hiroko Kawasaki
Director: Sofia Coppola
Genre: Drama Comedy
Rating: R for some sexual content
Synopsis: Bob Harris and Charlotte are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband. Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities.
Review: There is not much to say about this movie. I don't know why Bill Murray was nominated
for it. I don't know why Coppola got the award for it. I can only say that it is a very slow movie
and not one interesting thing happened in the entire movie. I feel ripped off and wish I had
saved my movie rental money for something better.
On Video: March 2, 2004
Ben Stiller
Drew Barrymore
Justin Theroux
James Remar
Harvey Fierstein
Swoosie Kurtz
Wallace Shawn
Amber Valletta
Director: Danny DeVito
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, language and some violence
Length: 97 Minutes
Synopsis: When a young couple buys their dream home, they have no idea what the sweet little old lady upstairs is going to put them through.
Reveiw: I watched this the day after watching Lost In Translation so anything would have been better than that.
This movie is okay. It's quirky and has some funny moments. If you just want to kill 97 minutes with a middle
of the road movie then rent this one.
On Video: February 24, 2004
Katie Holmes
Patricia Clarkson
Oliver Platt
Derek Luke
Alison Pill
Alice Drummond
Sean Hayes
Sisqo
Director: Peter Hedges
Genre: Comedy Drama
Rating: PG-13 for language, sensuality, drug content and images of nudity
Length: 80 Minutes
Synopsis: A young woman (Katie Holmes) tries to make Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged suburban parents (Oliver Platt and Patricia Clarkson) at her apartment on New York's Lower East Side, while also introducing them to her new boyfriend, Bobby (Derek Luke). Unfortunately, the meal doesn't go exactly the way she hoped it would … beginning with that temperamental oven!
Review: This was a low budget movie but Peter Hedges manages to give us a "gem" inspired by Hedges's mother's death from cancer. At times it makes us laugh but we don't miss the pain that all of the
characters are going through nor do we miss the growth that takes place by the end of the movie.
Patricia Clarkson was nominated for an academy award for this performance. I think it's worth
seeing if just for the sake of the turkey that gets shuffled from place to place. I liked this movie
and I'd like to see it again some day.
On Video: February 24, 2004
Anna Kendrick
Alana Allen
Daniel Letterle
Don Dixon
Sasha Allen
Tiffany Taylor
Joanna Chilcoat
Steven Cutts
Director: Todd Graff
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements regarding teen sexual issues, and some language
Length: 110 Minutes
Synopsis: An extremely talented young cast shines in this musical comedy about a drama camp where the outcasts of today hone their skills to become stars of tomorrow. Based on a real musical camp named "Stagedoor Manor" whose graduates include Natalie Portman, Mandy Moore, and Robert Downey, Jr.
Review: The acting in this movie is not great to say the least, but I was entertained because the
actors are so talented in their musical abilities. This is worth a watch just to see the music and
dancing. Don't expect to much but rent it for something different to watch. I also reccomend
the extra footage on the DVD.
On Video: February 10, 2004
Helena Bonham Carter
Olivia Williams
Paul Bettany
Eleanor Bron
Luke Newberry
Gillian Hanna
Andrew Havill
Shaughan Seymour
Director: Thaddeus O'Sullivan
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for some sexuality
Length: 96 Minutes
Synopsis: A woman returns to pre-World War II London to attend her father's funeral. There she meets her sister's husband for the first time and the two of them start a torrid love affair that will tear the fragile family apart.
Review: This is another waste of movie time. Carter was good as always but it's just the same
thing we've seen her do before. I thought the movie subject was superfluous. I was watching my
clock and wishing it would end. I don't reccomend this movie unless you love to watch anything
Helena Bonham Cater does (which I do).
On Video: January 20, 2004
Kevin Costner
Robert Duvall
Annette Bening
Michael Gambon
Abraham Benrubi
Michael Jeter
James Russo
Kim Coates
Director: Kevin Costner
Genre: Western Drama
Rating: R for violence
Length: 139 minutes
Synopsis: A group of free grazers, four men trying to escape their past, are driving cattle and living off the land on the open range -- a place where nature makes the only laws. When a ruthless, evil rancher tries to run them out of town, the men's peaceful existence takes a tumultuous turn and ends in the grittiest, most explosive gunfight on film as two men battle a town for honor, justice, and a way of life that's quickly disappearing.
Review: I thought the first hour of this movie was kind of slow but there was good photography and great scenery to
look at. The rest of the movie was quite good. Costner is very good in his portrayal of a guy with a lot of bad
memories that torture him and could keep him from every having any peace . Robert Duvall and Annette Bening
are wonderful in this film. Bening was especially strong and real. Good performances really for almost
everyone in the movie. You hate the bad guys and you like the good guys as it should be in a western.
It takes a while for the final shootout too come but when it does it is great fun to watch and really gets the blood pumping.
On Video: February 24, 2004
Nicolas Cage
Alison Lohman
Sam Rockwell
Bruce Altman
Bruce McGill
Melora Walters
Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Comedy Drama
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, violence, some sexual content and language
Length: 116 Minutes
Synopsis: A phobic con artist and his protege are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the con artist's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly.
Review: This movie is funny and quirky and Cage does a brilliant job with his character. At some parts the movie
seems slow, but then it comes back with a very strong ending.
On Video: February 10, 2004
Gwyneth Paltrow
Daniel Craig
Michael Gambon
Blythe Danner
Jared Harris
Director: Christine Jeffs
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for sexuality/nudity and language
Length: 110 Minutes
Synopsis: Academy Award Winner Gwyneth Paltrow is "sexy and willful" in the finest and most passionate performance of her career as legendary author and poet Sylvia Plath. A powerful and compelling love story about two of last century's most influential artists.
Review: Gwyneth Paltrow does a fantastic job in this movie. She proves she can act and deserved her oscar.
The movie however was slow and depressing. I seen it all before and didn't really enjoy seeing it again. It's
worth seeing this movie to see Paltrow but other than that I found it painful and boring to watch.
Year: 1996
Charlie Sheen
Ron Silver
Lindsay Crouse
Teri Polo
Richard Schiff
Tony T. Johnson
Leon Rippy
Buddy Joe Hooker
Director: David Twohy
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: PG-13
Length: 109 Minutes
Synopsis: A radio astronomer's life is turned upside down when he believes he's picked up a cosmic noise that signals extra-terrestrial intelligence.
Review: This is a well crafted Sci Fi. It's got all the elements to make a good Science Fiction
movie. It's fast pased, tense, and keeps you watching every minute. I liked this movie a lot.
Samurjcks Archives
On Video: April 20, 2004
Russell Crowe
Paul Bettany
Billy Boyd
James D'Arcy
Lee Ingleby
George Innes
Mark Lewis Jones
Richard McCabe
Director: Peter Weir
Genre: Action Adventure
Rating: PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language
Length: 138 Minutes
Synopsis: A ship's commander in the Royal British navy finds his vessel and crew in ruins after a surprise attack from an unseen foe. Now, he and the ship's doctor must work together to insure that their duty is protected as they pursue the mystery ship half way around the world.
Reviews: I like this movie. I thought the parts about the Galapagos Islands were interesting and the battle scenes were also interesting to watch. The writing kept it interesting and moving along quite nicely. I don't know about academy award winning though. I didn't think it was great. Just good.
On Video: February 3, 2004
Jon Voight
Louis Gossett, Jr.
Joe Morton
Bokeem Woodbine
Director: Jeff Byrd
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for strong violence/disturbing images & language
Length: 114 Minutes
Synopsis: The true story and aftermath of the horrible death of James Byrd, Jr., the African-American who was dragged to his death by three white men.
Review: This movie is pretty slow and not very well made. The acting is OK, but the movie seems more like a made for TV style movie. In other words if your expecting some kind of "Mississippi Burning" style movie this is nothing of the nature. It's just another quick and cheaply made "based on a true story" type film to educate the public on actual events that took place.
On Video: January 13, 2004
Joaquin Phoenix
Scott Glenn
Ed Harris
Anna Paquin
Dean Stockwell
Elizabeth McGovern
Gabriel Mann
Leon
Director: Gregor Jordan
Genre: Crime Drama
Rating: R for violence, drug content, strong language and some sexuality
Synopsis: U.S. Army soldiers become implicated in a drug and arms smuggling ring in Berlin just prior to the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
Review: A little unrealistic, but not to bad. I somewhat enjoyed Juaquin's character and the movie seemed to move along at an OK pace. I'm not really sure of the point to this movie, but do movie's really have to have a point. I wouldn't sit through this movie again, but this one time wasn't that bad.
On Video: March 2, 2004
Brendan Fraser
Jenna Elfman
Steve Martin
Billy West (voice)
Joe Alaskey (voice)
Heather Locklear
Timothy Dalton
Joan Cusack
Director: Joe Dante
Genre: Adventure Comedy
Rating: PG for some mild language and innuendo
Length: 90 Minutes
Synopsis: After a rift develops between Warner Bros. and Daffy Duck, Daffy and an unsuspecting security guard are fired. Bugs Bunny decides that he needs Daffy to make successful films, so he sets off with a beautiful studio executive in search of Daffy.
Review: Children will like this movie. It's kind of funny and entertaining. Some parts are silly, but thats why it's looney.
On Video: March 30, 2004
Jessica Biel
Jonathan Tucker
Andrew Bryniarski
Eric Balfour
R. Lee Ermey
Erica Leerhsen
Lauren German
Stephen Lee
Director: Marcus Nispel
Genre: Horror
Rating: R for strong horror violence/gore, language and drug content
Synopsis: A couple of teenagers out for a Summer drive accidentally encounter a backwoods Texas family that torments them by chasing after them with chainsaws. A remake of the classic 1974 movie that is loosely based on true events.
Review: I really like the way this movie was shot. It reminds me of The Ring. I don't know how much truth is involved in this movie, but it was still entertaining. A little more reality and historical content would have gotten it a higher rating. I know nothing about the actual event and this movie does nothing to change that.
On Video: April 6, 2004
Steve Martin
Bonnie Hunt
Hilary Duff
Piper Perabo
Tom Welling
Ashton Kutcher
Alyson Stoner
Blake Woodruff
Director: Shawn Levy
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for language and some thematic elements
Length: 106 Minutes
Synopsis: Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt in this hilarious tale of two loving parents trying to manage careers and a household -- amid the chaos of raising twelve rambunctious kids.
With a crowd-pleasing supporting cast, including rising young stars Hilary Duff, Tom Welling and Piper Perabo, this heartwarming hit comedy delivers super-sized fun and laughs by the dozen!
Review: This was pretty funny and good for the whole family. There was good music thrown in at the right times. Your typical uplifting family comedy with a new twist. There's twelve of them.
On Video: March 16, 2004
Sean Penn
Benicio Del Toro
Naomi Watts
Clea DuVall
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Danny Huston
Stephen W. Bridgewater
Kevin Chapman
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for language, sexuality, some violence and drug use
Length: 125 Minutes
Synopsis: Three strangers bound by fate and haunted by love will cross paths and change each other's lives forever.
Review: I liked it. It's a really well made, excellently acted, very emotional drama about real life problems and the people suffering with those problems. I will warn you though it skips all over the place throughout the film. It gets a little annoying after a while, but it does come together eventually.
On Video: March 2, 2004
Dennis Quaid
Sharon Stone
Stephen Dorff
Juliette Lewis
Christopher Plummer
Dana Eskelson
Paula Brancati
Kristen Stewart
Director: Mike Figgis
Genre: Suspense
Rating: R for violence, language and some sexuality
Length: 119 Minutes
Synopsis: Wanting to escape city life for the saner, safer countryside, New Yorkers Cooper Tilson, his wife Leah, and their two children move into a dilapidated old mansion still filled with the possessions of the previous family. Turning it into their dream house soon becomes a living nightmare when the previous owner shows up, and a series of terrifying incidents lead them on a spine-tingling search for clues to the estate's dark and lurid past.
Review: By reading the jacket for this film I thought it was going to be a scary ghost flick, but instead it's your typical and predictable "some wacko is going to get you" flick. I've seen enough of these. I did make it to the end though.
On Video: March 23, 2004
The Rock
Seann William Scott
Rosario Dawson
Christopher Walken
Nina Kaczorowski
Ernie Reyes Jr.
Ewen Bremner
Micki Duran
Director: Peter Berg
Genre: Action
Rating: PG-13 for adventure violence and some crude dialogue
Length: 105 Minutes
Synopsis: Beck is a bounty hunter sent into the treacherous jungles of the Amazon to bring the rebellious Travis back to the States. When Beck and Travis reluctantly join forces to hunt down a priceless treasure, this unlikely team embarks on a pulse-pounding, non-stop thrill-ride.
Review: Not a bad action flick. Most guys will like this movie. It's got a half way decent story line and lots of kick butt action. There are some funny parts and it's always good to see Christopher Walken doing his bit.
In Theaters: March 26, 2004
On Video: Estimated for July 2004
Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Matthew Lillard
Linda Cardellini
Seth Green
Peter Boyle
Alicia Silverstone
Neil Fanning (voice)
Director: Raja Gosnell
Genre: Family Comedy
Rating: PG for some scary action, rude humor and language
Synopsis: Scooby and the Mystery Inc. gang return in this adventure in which they must investigate the reappearances of several of the creatures from the classic TV show.
Review: This movie is too funny. I grew up on Scooby-Doo, so It figures that I like these movies. This one is just as good as the first if not better.
In Theaters: February 25, 2004
On Video: Estimated for August 2004
Jim Caviezel
Maia Morgenstern
Monica Bellucci
Rosalina Celentano
Sergio Rubini
Director: Mel Gibson
Genre: Drama
Rating: R for sequences of graphic violence
Synopsis: Mel Gibson's much talked about movie about the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life.
Well I can't tell you much about the first twenty minutes of this movie due to the screaming of some ladies kid, but the rest of it was excellent. Mel Gibson is a top grade director and story teller. The cinemotographer used did a fantastic job. The acting is top notch. It's your typical academy award winner. This movie WILL spark a lot of emotion in you. Please do not take your children to this movie. People get very emotional over these types of films and they don't want to be destracted by screaming kids. The first lady left after being yelled at by audience members, but then in the middle of the movie someone else's baby began crying and this continued for a few minutes until she got up and left. Get a clue people. My only complaint about this film is a complaint I have about all movies with subtitles. Not only do subtitles destract you from what your seeing on the screen, but they need to be left on the screen long enough for me to finish reading them. However even though this makes me mad it's not going to keep me from giving this movie
In Theaters: March 19, 2004
On Video: Estimated for July 2004
Angelina Jolie
Ethan Hawke
Kiefer Sutherland
Olivier Martinez
Gena Rowlands
Jean-Hugues Anglade
Tcheky Karyo
Director: D.J. Caruso
Genre: Suspense Action
Rating: R for strong violence including disturbing images, language and some sexuality
Synopsis: An FBI profiler tracks a serial killer to Montreal. Her unusual work habits brands her as an outsider to the local police force and she's left to work by herself. But when an unexpected romantic entanglement develops, she's left doubting her instincts and it may cost her the best chance to catch this devious killer.
Review: I thought it was just ok. I found it kind of predictable and quickly written. Sometimes I picture movie studios screaming at their writers saying just give me something or your fired, and then we end up with these kinds of movies. I wish you would take your time and write something original instead of something I've seen a thousand times with the same actors.
On Video: February 24, 2004
Nicolas Cage
Alison Lohman
Sam Rockwell
Bruce Altman
Bruce McGill
Melora Walters
Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Comedy Drama
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, violence, some sexual content and language
Length: 116 Minutes
Synopsis: A phobic con artist and his protege are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the con artist's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly.
It's good, I liked it. It sparks a lot of positive emotion in you and then crushes your hopes. I love that. The only thing I didn't like was that the movie portrayed this characters tourettes like illness as a subconsious manifestation instead of an actual chemical deficiency. I thought this was very ignorant of the writer and quite frankly I found it insulting. Still, putting that aside, I really did like the movie. Hollywood's political and scientific forum has once again upset me. It won't be the last time. I sense a scientoligist helped write this movie.
On Video: March 2, 2004
Jack Black
Joan Cusack
Mike White
Sarah Silverman
Kevin Alexander Clark
Miranda Cosgrove
Joey Gaydes
Caitlin Hale
Director: Richard Linklater
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for some rude humor and drug references
Length: 108 Minutes
Synopsis: After his band fires him, a musician takes a job as a 4th grade substitute teacher at a prestigious school. Not knowing much about teaching, the musician decides to tap into the musical knowledge of his young proteges and create a band.
Review: Good movie. Very funny and entertaining. I thought it was a great idea for a movie and it really worked. Very uplifting.
On Video: February 3, 2004
Paul Giamatti
Hope Davis
Harvey Pekar
Joyce Brabner
James Urbaniak
Judah Friedlander
Toby Radloff
Earl Billings
Director: Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini
Genre: Drama Documentary
Rating: R for language
Length: 101 Minutes
Synopsis: This is the story of a little-known working-class everyman, and first-class curmudgeon, Harvey Pekar. Pekar finds love, family and a creative voice through the underground comic books he writes, but still can't manage to find the quicker supermarket checkout line. Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.
Pekar is a frustrated file clek at a Cleveland V.A. hospital, but also a comic book fan who befriends the young illustrator Robert Crumb and is soon inspired to create comic books based on his own life, entiled American Splendor. Along the bumpy journey, he meets, marries and falls for Joyce, an admiring comic book seller.
Also appearing in the movie are the real Harvey and Joyce, comic book renderings of the couple, and cameos by some of Harvey's closest friends. In this truly original, ultimately heartwarming film, you will find yourself deeply immersed in a world of American Splendor.
Review: This movie was OK. I don't think I would watch it again, but I enjoyed learning a little history this time around. I thought the directing was an original concept and kept the movie moving along when it could have gotten boring. Also Paul Giamatti did an excellent job with his portrayal of Harvey Pekar.
On Video: February 3, 2004
Bill Murray
Scarlett Johansson
Anna Faris
Giovanni Ribisi
Hiroko Kawasaki
Director: Sofia Coppola
Genre: Drama Comedy
Rating: R for some sexual content
Synopsis: Bob Harris and Charlotte are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband. Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities.
Review: I liked it, but its not really my kind of movie. Bill Murray did a good job playing his usual character. The directing really was good and carried the movie a long way. It keeps it pretty interesting to watch. Scarlett Johansson is hot, that doesn't hurt any. Because I'm not into deep meaningful movies I'm only giving it
In Theaters: January 23, 2004
On Video: Estimated for May 2004
Ashton Kutcher
Amy Smart
Ethan Suplee
Melora Walters
Elden Henson
Eric Stoltz
Kevin Schmidt
Cameron Crigger
Director: Eric Bress & J. Mackye Gruber
Genre: Suspense
Rating: R for violence, sexual content, language and brief drug use
Length: 113 Minutes
Synopsis: A young man with repressed childhood memories comes up with a way to travel back in time and possess his younger self. However, each time he goes back trying to correct something in the present, the mess of his present life just gets worse and worse.
Review: Good movie. I really enjoyed it. Steven Kutcher actually performed well in this movie, can you believe it. It was a great story and well played out.
On Video: February 17, 2004
John Cusack
Rachel Weisz
Gene Hackman
Dustin Hoffman
Jeremy Piven
Luis Guzmán
Bruce McGill
Nick Searcy
Director: Gary Fleder
Genre: Drama Suspense
Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and thematic elements
Synopsis: In their first film together, screen legends Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman face off in this electrifying nail-biter about a ruthless jury consultant who'll do anything to win. With lives and millions of dollars at stake, the fixer plays a deadly cat-and-mouse game with a jury member (Cusack) and a mysterious woman (Weisz) who offer to "deliver" the verdict to the highest bidder.
Review: Well this is an interesting look at just how far the gun manufacturers will go in order to keep profiting, even if lives are destroyed in the process. It's also a good look into how far activists will go to try and stop them. Is this movie realistic? Not at all. Still it was somewhat interesting and the acting wasn't bad. Good cast.
On Video: February 3, 2004
Ashton Kutcher
Tara Reid
Terence Stamp
Molly Shannon
Michael Madsen
Andy Richter
Carmen Electra
Jon Abrahams
Director: David Zucker
Genre: Comedy Romance
Rating: PG-13 for crude and sex-related humor, drug content and language
Synopsis: When ambitious junior executive Tom Stansfield accepts an invitation to the stately home of his grouchy boss, he thinks it is for a big date with his boss's sexy daughter. But Tom gets a big surprise when he's expected to house-sit. And while he’s left to hold down the fort, Tom's out-of-control co-workers begin showing up ready to party.
Review: There's a couple funny scenes, but the rest of the movie was stupid.
In Theaters: July 25, 2003
On Video: January 27, 2004
Woody Harrelson
Alicia Silverstone
Rachael Leigh Cook
Paulo Costanzo
John Cleese
Director: Gavin Grazer
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for language
Synopsis: Three bank employees try to rob money from their employer unaware of their colleagues' attempts.
Review: This movie stunk. Still something about it intrigued me, but it doesn't take away from the fact that it stunk. It's too bad because it had a good cast of actors. For whatever that intriguing thing was all about
I'll give this one
On Video: January 6, 2004
Brittany Murphy
Dakota Fanning
Marley Shelton
Heather Locklear
Donald Faison
Michael Urie
Tony Devon
Director: Boaz Yakin
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language
Length: 94 Minutes
Synopsis: When the inheritance of a rich spoiled daughter of a deceased rock star is stolen, the young woman has to find her first job in order to make a living. After realizing that she's not qualified for anything, she accepts a position as the nanny to an emotionally distant eight-year-old. They find solace in the fact that they both consider themselves lonely.
Review: I was pretty impressed with this movie. I didn't think it was going to be so good. The relationship between Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning is touching and enjoyable to watch. Dakota Fanning is an excellent actress and deserves recognition for her portrails in the movies she's made thus far. Especially considering how young she is.
On Video: January 20, 2004
Antonio Banderas
Salma Hayek
Mickey Rourke
Willem Dafoe
Johnny Depp
Eva Mendes
Ruben Blades
Enrique Iglesias
Danny Trejo
Cheech Marin
Marco Leonardi
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Genre: Action
Rating: R for strong violence, and for language
Synopsis: The saga continues as El Mariachi makes his way across a rugged landscape on the blood trail of Barrillo, a cartel kingpin who is planning a coup d’etat against the president of Mexico. Enlisted by Sands, a corrupt CIA agent, El Mariachi demands retribution, and the adventure begins against a backdrop of revolution, greed, and revenge.
Review: I didn't like this movie all that much. Some of the action scenes are OK and some suck. The first movie is good, but this one is badly directed and written. I think trying to remake a movie is usually wrong. Because I watched it to the end, laughed a couple times and it had a hot girl in it I'll give it
In Theaters: December 12, 2003
On Video: Estimated for April 2004
Ewan McGregor
Albert Finney
Billy Crudup
Jessica Lange
Helena Bonham Carter
Alison Lohman
Steve Buscemi
Danny DeVito
Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Drama Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference
Length: 2 hrs. 05 min
Synopsis: Edward Bloom has always been a teller of tall-tales about his oversized life as a young man, when his wanderlust led him on an unlikely journey from a small-town in Alabama, around the world, and back again. His mythic exploits dart from the delightful to the delirious as he weaves epic tales about giants, blizzards, a witch and conjoined-twin lounge singers. With his larger-than-life stories, Bloom charms almost everyone he encounters except for his estranged son Will. When his mother Sandra tries to reunite them, Will must learn how to separate fact from fiction as he comes to terms with his father's great feats and great failings.
Review: I liked it. It's a good movie about a dying father and his son trying to learn something about his fathers life before he passes away. By the end I actually found it kind of touching. It's not just completely filled with weird scenes like the trailer shows. Your pretty much seeing it all in the trailer. I wish they wouldn't do that.
January 13, 2003
Cast: Ken Kirzinger
Robert Englund
Monica Keena
Kelly Rowland
Jason Ritter
Chris Marquette
Katharine Isabelle
Director: Ronny Yu
Genre: Horror
Rating: R for pervasive strong horror violence/gore, gruesome images, sexuality, drug use and language.
Length: 98 minutes
Synopsis: It's the showdown horror fans have been waiting for! This slasher movie produced by Wes Craven and Sean S. Cunningham pits two of cinema's biggest, freakiest, scariest ambassadors of evil -- the nightmarish Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) and the sinister Jason Voorhees (Ken Kirzinger) -- in the ultimate face-off. It's a battle to die for literally! Co-stars Kelly Rowland, Jason Ritter and Monica Keena.
Review: Well it's about time someone made this kind of movie. If you like the old Nightmare on Elm Streets or the Friday the 13th's then this is in the style of those movies, so enjoy. I however found them not scary and fake as usual, but since I grew up watching these movies I found it somewhat interesting to watch also, so I'm torn. I also expect a little nudity in my scary movies and this had that as where in some of the newer scary slasher flicks there is none and the overall effect of the movie is lessened somehow.
More Reviews on Archives Page 3 (click here)
On Video: March 23, 2004
The Rock
Seann William Scott
Rosario Dawson
Christopher Walken
Nina Kaczorowski
Ernie Reyes Jr.
Ewen Bremner
Micki Duran
Director: Peter Berg
Genre: Action
Rating: PG-13 for adventure violence and some crude dialogue
Length: 105 Minutes
Synopsis: Beck is a bounty hunter sent into the treacherous jungles of the Amazon to bring the rebellious Travis back to the States. When Beck and Travis reluctantly join forces to hunt down a priceless treasure, this unlikely team embarks on a pulse-pounding, non-stop thrill-ride.
Review: I have to say, I expected this movie to be more
action than it offered, mainly because it was marketed
as an action movie. I went to see it after watching
one of the previews, and was totally disappointed to
see that it wasn't that action packed. The Rock played
a guy who didn't like to use guns of any sort because
it brought out the worst in him, and by the time he
does pick up a weapon, the movie is practically over.
It did have some witty retorts from his costar Sean
William Scott, mainly because he was basically there
as the comedic relief. He played a greedy white guy
that wants some strange legendary treasure that
everyone seems to be after; on one side, it will free
the people from slavery under the leadership of a
rebel (Rosario Dawson), and on the other side, it will
make one person (Christopher Walken) richer than he is
already.
On Video: April 20, 2004
Rochelle Ballard
Layne Beachley
Laird Hamilton
Keala Kennelly
Darrick Doerner
Director: Dana Brown
Genre: Documentary Sports
Rating: Not Rated
Length: 87 Minutes
Synopsis: This documentary directed by Dana Brown smashes any preconceptions that the surfing community mostly comprises buff blondes and hardbodies. Zigzagging from the waters off Ireland to Da Nang in Vietnam and Oahu's ripping North Shore, Step Into Liquid profiles the diverse and fascinating characters who have devoted their lives to catching the perfect wave.
Review: This movie was not only astonishing visually, but also
quite intriguing in the message it was trying to
convey. It was basically trying to define the
philosophy of surfing and why people do it. They
described it as a lifestyle, not just something you do
when you have free time. All the people featured in
this film have such strong feelings for surfing that
they have a hard time putting it into words, but you
come to an understanding as to what they mean when you
see the abundance the movie has in content.
On Video: March 2, 2004
Dennis Quaid
Sharon Stone
Stephen Dorff
Juliette Lewis
Christopher Plummer
Dana Eskelson
Paula Brancati
Kristen Stewart
Director: Mike Figgis
Genre: Suspense
Rating: R for violence, language and some sexuality
Length: 119 Minutes
Synopsis: Wanting to escape city life for the saner, safer countryside, New Yorkers Cooper Tilson, his wife Leah, and their two children move into a dilapidated old mansion still filled with the possessions of the previous family. Turning it into their dream house soon becomes a living nightmare when the previous owner shows up, and a series of terrifying incidents lead them on a spine-tingling search for clues to the estate's dark and lurid past.
Review: A man and his wife finally get fed up with NYC living after their son nearly gets killed by a car. They start looking for places to buy in Upstate New York. One such place is Cold Creek Manor. When they finally find the place it appears that the main gate is locked but on closer inspection, the lock is open and inviting. So they take it upon themselves to investigate. Of course, they purchase the manor and all of its surrounding grounds and the secret it holds. It takes awhile for the plot to take hold, but the slowness is covered by expectancy, especially after Dale Massie shows up and a couple of weird things (no, I will not tell you what 'things') happen that points a finger at Mr. Massie and his family. Within the last 45 minutes, things start to move and suspicions grow heavy regarding our friend Mr. Massie. Some of the parts I liked best about 'Cold Creek Manor' are trying to figure out what secret is the manor really holding, what is going to be the breaking point for the psycho and what will he do. There are lots of expectant scenes where you feel or think that something will happen then either nothing happens at that point or something totally unexpecting happens. I liked it.
In Theaters: March 12, 2004
On Video: Estimated for July 2004
Johnny Depp
Maria Bello
Timothy Hutton
John Turturro
Gillian Ferrabee
Charles S. Dutton
Director: David Koepp
Genre: Suspense Horror
Rating: PG-13 for violence/terror, sexual content and language
Length: 106 Minutes
Synopsis: A writer coming off a bitter divorce retreats to his remote lake cabin to throw himself into his work. Things start to go wrong when a psychotic stranger stalks the writer claiming that he stole the idea of his latest book from him.
Review: All I can truly muster up to comment on this film is, it was a joy to watch. Not a lot of movies can have a part that is quite as amusing as Depp can act.
The extent that Shooter (Turturro) goes to prove Rainey (Depp) stole his story is pretty grim. He gets three days to prove that it was his story and with that, the movie took off. It had a very slow, otherwise non-compelling story to begin with, but Depp has a way of bringing a character to life that made you hold interest
as to what was going to happen next. Depp gave this role an excellent twist, Rainey
has a penchant for dry, almost tasteless humor, which really made this character enjoyable. Even with all of the problems that seemed to fall in his lap, he found time to kid around, and even talk to himself about how bad things were unfolding. I didn't imagine this sort of humor from such a character as this, it was a welcome surprise. Turturro also did a topnotch job as a psychopath with nothing to lose. His life threatening, breaking and entering nature were the catalyst that kept the movie going until the truth is divulged, and all parties are present for the unfolding. Director David Koepp did a fantastic job with the cinematography as well, he made it feel as if
someone was watching Depp; almost eavesdropping on many of the key scenes in the film. Koepp gives the movie a gritty, surreal form. I can't say enough good things about this movie and all the people that were involved in its masterful works. This movie takes a cliché, and puts a new twist on things, it was able to keep me guessing up until the very end. It served its purpose, and if you are looking for a good thriller to watch, or just want to see a movie with an actor who has no limits on what roles he can take and make them look effortless, I say go watch "Secret Window."
On Video: April 13, 2004
Toru Emori (voice)
Aya Okamoto (voice)
Yoshiaki Umegaki (voice)
Director: Satoshi Kon
Genre: Action
Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, violent images, language and some sexual material
Length: 92 Minutes
Synopsis: Three homeless people find a lost baby girl and start searching for her rightful parents on Christmas Day in Tokyo. Along the way they must confront their own haunted pasts, and learn to face their futures.
Review:This has to be one of the best animated features to
date. It is simply amazing. It has a great premise, a
subtle religious undertone, and a whole lot of depth.
The only thing that was sort of a bother is that it is
only in Japanese with subtitles, if you can get around
that you are in for a great movie experience. This
movie takes its three main characters through a
whirlwind adventure in which they have to face their
inner demons as they look for the parents of an
abandoned baby that they find on Christmas Eve. This
is destined to become a classic in the future, so you
better get a look and see what you're missing.
On Video: April 13, 2004
Uma Thurman
Daryl Hannah
David Carradine
Lucy Liu
Michael Madsen
Vivica A. Fox
Sonny Chiba
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Suspense Action
Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexual content
Length: 110 Minutes
Synopsis: A pregnant woman, who is a former assassin, is critically injured on her wedding day by her former employer and cohorts. After spending four years in a coma, she awakens with one thought on her mind, revenge. In Volume 1, the Bride tracks down former assassins O-Ren Ishii and Vernita Green leaving a wide trail of carnage in her wake.
Review: Undoubtedly one if the best revenge movies. This is
one of Quentin Tarantino's best efforts to date. The
Bride, perfectly played by Uma Thurman, is out to
destroy the group of people who have robbed her of her
future. Her main goal is of course, to kill Bill, but
in order to accomplish this goal, she must first go
through the many obstacles that are the members of the
elite assassin squad that she used to be a part of.
She doesn't just have malice towards him for
destroying her future life, but also that of her
unborn baby girl. She figures they have it coming for
not being able to kill her the first time they
attempted it. Go watch this awesome movie and see for
yourself what all the fuss is about, all I can say is
that everything you've heard that's complimentary to
this movie, is true.
On Video: March 30, 2004
Joaquin Phoenix (voice)
Jeremy Suarez (voice)
Jason Raize (voice)
Rick Moranis (voice)
Dave Thomas (voice)
Michael Clarke Duncan (voice)
D.B. Sweeney (voice)
Joan Copeland (voice)
Director: Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker
Genre: Family Adventure
Rating: G
Length: 85 Minutes
Synopsis: When a bear kills his oldest brother protecting her cubs, a young man sets out enraged with his mind set to kill the bear. Along the way, the spirits of the forest transform him into the very thing that he pursues. Now, the hunter becomes the hunted when his other brother finally decides to form a hunting party with the singular purpose to kill all bears.
Review: When I first saw the previews, I honestly wasn't too sure about seeing this movie. It looked like something that my kids would enjoy, but I wasn't so sure I would. Well, I can honestly say I was wrong, my kids loved Brother Bear as well as my husband and myself. The songs were catchy and I heard myself trying to sing right along. Great movie, great story and funny characters as well! I will see Brother Bear again!
On Video: 1990
Mel Gibson
Glenn Close
Alan Bates
Paul Scofield
Ian Holm
Helena Bonham Carter
Stephen Dillane
Nathaniel Parker
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Length: 135 Minutes
Synopsis: Shakespeare's brooding, medieval Dane, Hamlet (Mel Gibson), senses something rotten in the state of Denmark; specifically, he smells a rat behind his royal father's death. Hamlet's mother (Glenn Close) may be complicit in the tragedy, while ill-fated Ophelia (Helena Bonham Carter) is an innocent bystander in love with the young prince. A wonderful supporting cast includes Ian Holm as Polonius and Alan Bates as Claudius. Franco Zeffirelli directs.
Review:I watched Hamlet last night because I love Literature and also because it's been years since I have read the book. I read the book when I was in high school. I was very caught up in the movie, and stayed there, until the end. This is definitely a movie that I could watch again. I loved the cinematography. The location the movie was shot in was stunning and Zeffereli never lets us down.
I was very impressed by the acting, not just that of Gibson but of the entire cast. In fact, I believe that if you are as much of a literature fan as I am, that you will enjoy this movie and not want it to end.
