Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Kevin Willmott

What if the Confederacy had won the Civil War and slavery had continued? This wonderful project, dripping with satire and irony, shows us an America that never freed the slaves in great detail. It strives to use variety to hold its viewers, but does run low on steam, although there is no denying its creativity. There is enough tongue-in-cheek humor mixed in and many different methods of delivering the content to keep it from becoming dry, but it is a little repetitive.

This clever and imaginative mockumentry is presented as a British documentary, airing for the first time in America that looks back at the C.S.A.’s history since the Civil War. This program is presented right along with commercials from modern C.S.A., gives a wonderfully imaginative, alternate version of 140 years of American history told through interviews, movie scenes and news clips. There are countless tie-ins with authentic historical events.

This film is a gift to admirers of well-done documentaries, history buffs and aficionados of satirical works. Top-notch writing pays off here and the feature is brimming with humor and imagination. This will be enjoyable by all thinking viewers, with a particularly strong ending.

Director: Philip Kaufman

Starring: Ken Wahl, John Friedrich, Karen Allen, Toni Kalem, Alan Rosenberg, Jim Youngs, Tony Ganios, William Andrews, Erland van Lidth

I love this movie. There are excellent characters, great dialog and an energy level that is sure to have you smiling. The movie was made from a popular novel of the time, based on the suggestion of writer/director Philip Kaufman’ son. The story is light-hearted, entertaining and is loaded with more symbolism than a thick-headed pseudo-intellectual like me can pick up on, but it can also be enjoyed simplay as an action-orietned coming of age film, as well. But some viewers (like me)will appreciate it as more than that. They will think that the direction, writing, music came together here to create a rare film, indeed; a cult favorite .

Ken Wahl is Richie, the leader of an Italian high school gang, (its more like a social group than a gang, really) in The Bronx in 1963. Along with friends like the mouthy Joey (John Friedrich), the cool Buddy (Jim Youngs) and the quiet, tough guy, Perry (Tony Ganios), they chase girls, deal with racism and rival gangs as their world changes as the world around them changes. For me, the symbolism comes mostly in the form of a strange rival gang called the Ducky Boys, who seem to represent the forces in society that try to stop the characters from growing and changing. Don’t take my word for it. Watch it for yourself, then add a comment to the review telling me how wrong I am.

The biggest surprise here is that the cast and crew of this little gem slipped away into obscurity, or mediocrity, after showing such promise, like a sports team that comes together to pull off a championship that no one expects them to win. If you were to take American Graffiti and blend it with The Warriors (another more violent gang movie that came out the same year, but was set 20 yrs later in a strange coincidence), then the result would give you some idea of what to expect here. Some viewers will find this to be light, quickly-forgotten fare, but I first saw it more than two decades ago and it will always hold a special place in my movie library.

Director: Susannah Grant

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Sam Jaeger, Kevin Smith, Juliette Lewis

I am going to nominate Catch and Release as the movie least likely to be remembered by anyone at this time next year. The entire effort is mediocre with some decent acting built on top of a story that should be dark, but isn’t and tries to be funny but isn’t very good at that either. It’s not like it’s a bad movie. It isn’t. They just couldn’t find a way to step out from the pack.

Jennifer Garner is Gray Wheeler and the movie begins at the funeral of her fiancé. The film manages to keep a fairly light tone as she tries to adjust to her loss with the help of his three best friends, Fritz (Olyphant), Dennis (Jaeger) and Sam, who is played by Kevin Smith in a rare acting role in a movie that he didn’t direct and he provides a lot of the comic relief, here. The story really gets going when Gray discovers that she didn’t know her lost loved one as well as she thought and that his friends have a few things to share with her, as well.

Nothing special here. Jennifer Garner is cute and Juliette Lewis plays the same character as always. They manage to keep pulling surprises out of the story, but it’s not enough. If the previews appealed to you, or if you are a Jennifer Garner groupie then this one will be to your taste. If you are a Kevin Smith fanatic, this is a safe one to miss. If you do see it, I’m guessing that you will have forgotten the title by Monday.

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Amy Adams,
Martin Sheen.

Director: Steven Spielberg

I read this book several years before the movie came out and remember thinking “Wow, this would make a great movie”. I was right, especially if Steven Spielberg takes the project, gets a fantastic script and fills it with great actors as he did with this effort. The pace is fast, the characters are well-developed and the result is one of the best movies of 2002.
The true story of Frank Abagnale is as fascinating as the movie. They actually had to leave out lots of good stuff, so if you feel like an easy, entertaining read, catch this one, but enough about the book. Frank Abagnale is a 1960s high school student who finds his life torn apart by his parents’ divorce. Unsure of how to conduct himself in this strange new world, he falls into a gypsy life of check forgery and impersonation to survive. He does considerably better than survival, with money and women filling his life like snow on my front sidewalk. Hanks plays Frank Hanratty, a FBI agent obsessed with catching this ‘paper hanger’.
This project comes together through the combined talents of many of Hollywood’s finest. The result is a don’t-miss flick that is one of my all-time favorites that has me gushing like a teenager at a Justin Timberlake fan meeting.

Director: Mike Akel

Starring: Shannon Harragan, Chris Mass, Jannelle Schremmer, Troy Schremmer

Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) produced this wonderfully innovative mockumentary about educators learning their craft in the bloody trenches of high school. Don’t be fooled by the cover, though. Mr. Spurlock didn’t write, narrate or appear in this feature. Movie rookie, Mike Akel directed, and co-wrote, the finely-crafted feature and did a great job, though there are a couple scenes where they step out of the mockumentary style that, while entertaining, hurt the overall flow. All of the performers, from the four leads, to all of the students, are amazingly natural and convincing, with an impressive script and story.

Chalk tells a documentary-style story about the school year of four fledgling educators that include a 1st year history teacher (Troy Schremmer), 2nd year PE teacher (Janelle Schremmer), 3rd year history teacher, Mr. Stroope, and a 1st year Asst. Principal (Shannon Harrigan). The movie starts out in an optimistic September, and follows the four of them through a variety of challenges as the year progresses.

This is an extremely entertaining film for those with any interest in the subject area and is better than most mockumentary features. It is sometimes frightening, often funny, and occasionally uncomfortable, but it is always engaging and entertaining. Teachers will love it, and spend a lot of time, both nodding and shaking their heads and students will feel like they are getting a sneak peek into that mysterious staff room (if they care).

Director: Ted Demme

Starring: Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., Glynis Johns, Raymond Barry, Christine Baranski.

Ted Demme does a good job with this comedy/drama about the kidnapping of a bickering family at Christmas, but he had plenty of help to do it. The story is simple and unconvincing, but is buoyed by strong dialog, expertly delivered by the three principals, backed up with a strong supporting cast. The film is set at Christmas, but don’t expect any, “Gee, Dad, what about the other kids? Does Santa help them, too?” kind of moments.

Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey are Caroline and Lloyd Chasseur, an unhappily married couple whose fights are like pro wrestling cage matches. One of these fights, on Christmas Eve, no less, is interrupted when a fleeing burglar, Gus (Denis Leary), on the run from the police, kidnaps them. Soon, our desperate criminal is even more desperate to get away from these serial bickerers. Things only get worse, when the extended family arrives, which just extends the fighting. Soon, the career criminal is moonlighting as a fledgling, Oprah-quoting, family therapist as he just tries to stop the incessant family brawling.

Sarcastic humor and impressive performances are the strengths of this feature, which has Denis Leary at his wisecracking best. Not your typical Christmas feature but worth watching just the same.

Starring: Will Farrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson,
Queen Latifah, Tony Hale

Director: Marc Forster

This is a clever, original and interesting comedy that has a good story, but is a little short on laughs, but does serve as a showcase for Will Ferrell’s talents.
Ferrell is Harold Crick, a stereotypical, boring tax auditor living a half-life of predictable routine devoid of surprises, changes and true happiness, when he suddenly begins to hear an unfamiliar voice narrating his life as if it were a story. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays an anarchistic baker, who steals Crick’s heart and Emma Thompson plays the author who may, or may not, steal his life, while Dustin Hoffman’s character tries to figure it all out. I wasn’t crazy about the ending, but this is an entertaining film nonetheless
Not Ferrell’s funniest, but it is a departure from his usual sillier roles. This is a pleasant enough distraction for a couple hours for those who like intelligent, understated comedy/dramas.

Director: Judd Apatow

Starring: Seth Rogan, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Martin Starr.

Judd Aptow, the mind behind “The 40 year Old Virgin” brings us another story about a guy who has no luck with women, getting lucky with a woman, but when this luck turns into an unplanned pregnancy with a woman he barely knows, the story really starts. It has some laughs and some good dramatic scenes, but really pushes the taste boundaries with very crude language (beyond most movies of this genre) and some pretty graphic visuals. Still, a decent flick overall thanks to quality performances and a decent script.

Katherine Heigl is Alison Scott, an ETV producer out to celebrate her promotion when she meets Ben Stone (Seth Rogan), a funny, but rather unattractive, unemployed loser. Still, through the wonders of alcohol, Ben gets the night of his dreams, followed eight weeks later by the phone call of his nightmares. His one night stand is pregnant (Are we paying attention, kids? It can happen to you.). He is gallant and supportive and the two of them decide to get to know each other and see if a relationship could come out of this awkward situation. Watching all this are Ben’s buddies, who supply alot of the humor here, along with Alison’s sister (played by Leslie Mann, who is Judd Aptow’s wife), and her husband who provide the window into married family life.

An ordinary guy leaps for the clouds and tries to win the heart of a model-quality beauty. Its an old story, but one we never really get tired of. This is not as funny as some others, but still gives a few giggles and tells a pretty good tale. Its worth seeing, but be warned it falls somewhere between a teen sex comedy and a touching chick flick, and you will probably not remember the title two weeks after you see it.

Director: Morgan Spurlock

Starring: Morgan Spurlock, Alexandra Jamieson, Dr. David Satcher, Bridget Bennett

This is my favorite documentary. It is funny, informative and has a really good story. Add this to the fact that we don’t know how it will end. What will the final result be? Spurlock does a phenomenal job as the director/writer/actor/guinea pig. He has great screen presence and lets his personality shine through to let the viewer really care what is happening.

Super Size Me asks the question what would happen if someone ate nothing but MacDonald’s for a month? Morgan Spurlock declares his intention, talks to a series of experts to both determine his own current state of health, and get their viewpoint of what the effects of this diet may be. While we are going thru this month long experiment, Spurlock also talks about the state of the fast food industry in general and the weight problem issues of the United States.

This is a wonderful documentary combining entertainment and social responsibility to create a wonderful program that I consider a must-see, and a great addition to anyone’s movie library

Director: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Almost Famous is writer/director, Cameron Crowe’s affectionate reminiscence of his days as the youngest contributing editor to Rolling Stone magazine, and is a warm and captivating motion picture. The performances here are strong by the entire cast, but Billy Crudup and Frances McDormand (what else is new?) really stand out. The characters are strong and well developed. The story is wonderful, but a little slow and could have used a little more punch perhaps, but this is still a very good film.

Almost Famous is a semi-autobiographical story, set in 1973, about an innocent, music-loving teen named William Miller, who finds himself hired by Rolling Stone Magazine despite the concerns of his strong, over-protective mother. Unaware of his age, they send him on the road with an up and coming band named Stillwater, led by its charismatic guitar player, Russell Hammond. William’s innocence and soft-spoken presence wins over both the band, and the small, tagalong group of young, female ‘band aides’ (“We’re not groupies”), led by the charismatic Penny Lane, played by Kate Hudson in her break out role. The fictional band here, is apparently a composite of Crowe’s own teenage experiences with the Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin. The band’s ego-clashing, bickering, excessive behavior and their general on-the-road lifestyle, power the story to a somewhat sugary finish.

Almost Famous is a must see for fans of music films and strong dramas. Some viewers will find it a bit slow, but almost everyone will likely enjoy it. The well-drawn characters and the gentle well written story, combine with impressive acting to make this an excellent, coming-of-age film.