Title: Man on the Moon
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language, and some sexuality with brief nudity
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Starring:
Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, Paul Giamatti, Vincent Schiavelli, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross, David Letterman, Gerry Becker, Leslie Lyles, and Lorne Michaels
Rating & Review:
It is truly unbelievable how Jim Carrey looks, acts, and sounds just like Andy himself. Jim Carrey put in an enormous amount of time and hard work and it definitely paid off. Sometimes you forget that this is only a movie and that isn't really Andy Kaufman. Paul Giamatti plays Bob Zmuda and does a tredmenous job at it. Andy and Bob/Jim and Paul make a great team of laughs. And then there is Danny DeVito. He holds this whole movie (and Andy's life) together. DeVito is truly a great actor and this movie proves it. Jerry Lawler might have had a small part, but he put on a good show, too. Interesting casting choice of Cournty Love, let's just say that she's better than her other movies. And it was great to see old and familar faces again. Overall a funny, dramatic, and powerful film. Strongly recommended.
Best Part of the Movie: Jim Carrey is Andy Kaufman! It shows that Andy wasn't really a mean guy - he was just kidding!
Worst Part of the Movie: It's slow.
Web Site: www.man-on-the-moon.com
Title: Meet the Parents
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content, drug references, and language
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Jon Abrahams, James Rebhorn, Owen Wilson, and Nicole DeHuff
Rating & Review:
Not since 'Something About Mary' has Ben Stiller been so realistically hilarious! Both De Niro and Stiller needed a desperate winner - they found it with Meet the Parents. Previous bombs like Rocky & Bullwinkle and Keeping the Faith have recently drowned the carrers of this movie's brightest and funniest points (Bob and Ben). Jumping out of your seat from histerical laughter is common occurrence since the entire movie, first scene to last, is comically brillant. Believble situations and acting was key. The plot didn't go too far out that it couldn't be grasped yet still was realistic enough to relate to. With the stinky crap filling up the theathers lately, I've been turned off from Hollywood for over two and half months. Meet the Parents restores your trust in why we even go to movies in the first place -- fun entertainment. Stiller and De Niro deliever carrer-sparkling performances. The jokes are kept reasonably clean and oringal. Recommend this to your friends, neighbors, and epscially your parents. A great night will be had by all.
Best Part of the Movie: Just an all around great movie.
Worst Part of the Movie: I can't think of any.
Web Site: www.universalpictures.com/meettheparents
Title: Mission: Impossible 2
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action and some sensuality
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, William R. Mapother, and Anthony Hopkins
Rating & Review:
One of the most anticipatied summer movies of this year. The (so-called) sequel to the 1996 blockbuster. Tom Cruise is back on top of his mountain. Eyes Wide Shut was a flop, and he was denied at the Oscars. Unfortunely, I was disappointed that this wasn't as good as the 1996 installment. I was expecting big things from director John Woo. Woo's Face/Off was excellent and set a new standard in action trillers that everyone has been trying to match. Mission: Impossible 2 is not John Woo calibre. It has the "Reindeer Games" syndrome: lousing beginning, confusing middle, but a thrilling, entertaining ending. Through the whole movie you just have to wait for what you came for anyway. It's starts with a bunch of NOT funny comic relief where it doesn't belong. This is an action, not a comedy! Instead of preserving the famous sly spy facade of the orignal Mission: Impossible. John Woo took the 'Matrix' approach. Box office wise that was a good idea. I just wish the rest of the movie could have been as exciting as the last 20 minutes. But wait, there are so good things about this movie: I was so happy that Ving Rhames is back. He was my favorite character from the orignal. From Pulp Fiction to M:I he is a great actor to watch. Tom Cruise was good too, but I prefer his 1996 Ethan Hunt than this one. The Jennifer Lopez look-a-like Thandie Newton was lacking some major chrisma. Beauty is great but it is only skin deep. A real change from techno-intellgence to the slo-mo 'Matrix' generation. But whatever, it's going to make a lot of money anyway.
Best Part of the Movie: Tom Cruise + Ving Rhames = Fun
Worst Part of the Movie: First one was a lot better.
Web Site: www.missionimpossible.com
Title: Mystery Men
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for comic action violence and crude humor
Genre: Comedy/Adventure
Starring:
Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Reubens,
Greg Kinnear, Kel Mitchell, Geoffrey Rush, and Claire Forlani
Rating & Review: 
Great cast! Real comedic talent here. There's a lot of laugh-out-loud scences, but unfortunely some cheesy ones too. Other than that, this is a great movie - it's got it all: comedy, adventure, special effects, and ... flatulence!
This one proves you don't have to have a plot to have fun.
Best Part of the Movie: The wacky characters.
Worst Part of the Movie: Sometimes cheesy.
Web Site: www.mysterymen.com
Title: The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for crude humor and sex-related material
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson, and Larry Miller
Rating & Review:
The one and only charismatic Eddie Murphy out does himself again. Excellent characterization, you eventually forget that Eddie is behind the makeup and fat suits. Eddie Murphy proves once again how talented he really is. Plot? No plot, weak story...but is it fun? That's what really matters. You'll laugh yourself right out of your seat. The pretty Janet Jackson was soft. She added star power but not much else. Sherman Klump has invented another experiment that cures the effects of aging. Most of the movie isn't about that. And that's not where the laughs come from. They come from Eddie playing Papa and Mama Klump, and of course Grandma arguing constently. If you like to crack up hysterically at summer movies, I suggest you visit The Klumps.
Best Part of the Movie: Hilarious.
Worst Part of the Movie: Lousy "Armageddon" spoof.
Web Site: www.klumps.com
Title: The Patriot
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong war violence
Genre: Action/War/Drama
Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Michael Neeley, Gregory Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Adam Baldwin, Trevor Morgan, and Rene Auberjonois
Rating & Review:
For me, The Patriot is the biggest movie of the summer for two main reasons: number one, Mel Gibson is one of my favorite actors; number two, Braveheart, without a doubt, is my favorite movie of all-time. You can say this is like a sequel to Braveheart. Same kind of character and situation. A story about a man's country being ruled by England. At first, he is against war and wants to settle with peace. Then an evil English representive harshly murders one of his family members. That sparks a fire within. Now the man will not stop until his country has it's freedom. As you can see The Patriot and Braveheart have many similarities. One major difference is that Mel isn't behind the camera for this one. Instead, it's a blockbuster team of the writer from Saving Private Ryan, the director from Independence Day, the producer from Speed, and the actor from Braveheart. Another is while The Patriot has it's share of violent warfare, it is much tamer than Braveheart. Patriot also has a relaxed (dare I say comedic) side to it. Jason Isaacs plays a well-mastered part of the hideously evil Col. William Tavington. Amazing landscape of thousands of individual soldiers is an awesome sight to see. The soundtrack of Braveheart is simply beautiful. The Patriot's is nice but doesn't even touch James Horner's 1995 masterpiece. But now since we have cannons, we can enjoy the rumbling and booming machines knocking you right out of your seat! So far, the best movie of the year. As in every movie, Mel Gibson poured his heart and soul into his outstanding performance. Now I just wonder if Mel will do the Civil War next....
Best Part of the Movie: Best Picture material.
Worst Part of the Movie: Nothing will take the place of Braveheart.
Web Site: www.thepatriot.com
Title: The Perfect Storm
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for language
Genre: Adventure/Suspense
Starring: George Clonney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane, Karen Allen, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and John Hawkes
Rating & Review:
Ever since Three Kings, I have been a big fan of George Clooney. Isn't it instresting how both Three Kings and The Perfect Storm are set in 1991, starring George Clonney and Mark Wahlberg with George being the higher rank...? Anyway, The Perfect Storm is a gripping, sad, true story about Capt. Billy Tyne and his crew trying to get about home from the largest storm in recorded history. His crew is filled with good characters, and only one thing ties them together - fish. Throughout the film, there is an outstanding soundtrack from James Horner and John Mellencamp. Clooney and Wahlberg make a prominent team and they were both individually great. Yet the script is...dry. Which turns the speical effects and suspenseful environment into soggy mush. But there is a wonderful ending climax that WILL take your breath away.
Best Part of the Movie: George Clooney
Worst Part of the Movie: The book is better.
Web Site: www.perfectstorm.net
Title: Reindeer Games
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence, strong language, some sexuality and nudity
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Starring: Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise, Charlize Theron, Dennis Farina, James Frain, Donal Logue, and Clarence Williams III
Rating & Review:
Reindeer Games has a complex, intertwining plot that you don't even notice until the end. The beginning of the movie is terrible. It's dull, boring, and displays embarassing acting. The middle is a mess. Ben Affleck's presents is the only thing that keeps it together. Charlize Theron, no offense, but was down right horrible - acting wise. Gary Sinise's cardboard-thin character could have been a lot better, too. So far, you feel like you wasted your money. But then finally, want you've been waiting for - a really good action scene. Affleck delivers. But what's really great is the triple double-cross at the end. Everytime you think it's over, it's not. Impressive ending for an awful start. Careful, it's brutal.
Best Part of the Movie: Suprise twist at the end, and Ben Affleck eating pecan pie.
Worst Part of the Movie: Low quality acting
Web Site: www.reindeergames-themovie.com
Title: Scary Movie
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong crude sexual humor, language, drug content, and violence
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Starring: Anna Faris, Jon Abrahams, Shannon Elizabeth, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Cheri Oteri, and Dave Sheridan
Rating & Review:
Recently, the teenage movie scene has been falling downhill. Plagued by too many flops in a row. Then out of nowhere, director Keenen Ivory Wayans and two of his brothers present a low budget hopeful of spoofs on successful teen popcorn flicks. Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Blair Witch, Matrix, and a slew of others get beaten like they've stolen something. Teenagers (and sick people) across the country flocked to see Scary Movie. It had one of the biggest openings ever. For such a silly spoof, there was some commendable acting. The movie is centered on Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris), a Neve Campbell clone. (Quick side note: Anna Faris is a real cutie!) One gag after the other, and they just keep on getting more and more gross and disgusting. But just think for a second and you'll see this is the funniest movie of the year...and one of the best spoof movies of all-time. However, I believe you will have to have a opened and sick mind to enjoy it.
Best Part of the Movie: One of the funniest movies I have ever seen.
Worst Part of the Movie: Get your barf bag ready.
Web Site: www.scarymovie.com
Title: Shaft
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong language, and violence
Genre: Action/Thriller
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Jeffrey Wright, Christian Bale, Vanessa L. Williams, Dan Hedaya, Toni Collette, Richard Roundtree, and Busta Rhymes
Rating & Review:
In 1971, the original Shaft revitalized black Hollywood. Now, director John Singleton attempts to capture some of that instant-charisma with Sam Jackson. If you didn't know the character already, he establishes himself quite early into the movie. Simply put, the ultimate badass. Jackson plays the nephew of the original Shaft, Richard Roundtree, who makes a special cameo. The plot is like a fast food restaurant, in and out quick and afterwards you feel greasy. There are two main vilians: an arrogant white punk played by "American Psycho" Christian Bale. The other is a Dominican drug lord played by Jeffrey Wright. Wright's character was amusing but you could barely understand what he was saying. Two dirty cops (Hedaya and Santiago-Hudson) playing both sides were dull and needed some desperate 'tude. Busta Rhymes made an appearance. He wasn't bad but a few acting lessons wouldn't hurt. A fine crime thriller. Can ya dig it?
Best Part of the Movie: Shaft's costume and theme music.
Worst Part of the Movie: The enunciation of Jeffrey Wright.
Web Site: www.shaft-themovie.com
Title: The Sixth Sense
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material and violent images
Genre: Drama/Suspense
Starring:
Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, and Olivia Williams
Rating & Review:
Before "The Green Mile", The Sixth Sense was without a doubt my favorite movie of the year. I have seen it three times and everytime it just gets better. Genuinely scary, this smash-hit thriller will have you trembling out of the threater. With an amazing complex script and spine-tingling conversations, The Sixth Sense is hard to resist. Excellent directing from beginning to end. Oscar® nominated supporting acting made the movie. Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) had long, detailed dialouge and did a near perfect job presenting his haunting character. Osment was mesmerizing. Bruce Willis is better than ever, especially for being out of his usual environment. And Toni Collette (Cole's mom) was above par. Well done side story and great plot filler, it shows him actually helping the ghosts, instead of just talking about it. The intense music was in all the right places. A beautifully satisfing ending for Cole was just what you need after being thrown around for an hour and a half. And Bruce's ending I just will not give away...because it is the best twist of 1999. This is what movies are all about. Go see The Sixth Sense right now!
Best Part of the Movie: The brilliant acting and the ending.
Worst Part of the Movie: You feel bad for the little guy.
Web Site: www.thesixthsense.com
