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

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kate Magowan, Robert De Niro, Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Peter O’Toole

Director Matthew Vaughn does a fine job with his second feature (his first was the tricky crime drama, Layer Cake), which is a family fantasy fairy tale-style project based on Neil Gaiman’s novel. The premise is rather silly, even for a feature of this sort, but Jane Goldman’s script is good enough to hold interest and give the talented cast enough to work with. The result is an energetic, feel-good, film that should be enjoyed by all ages, though a few scenes might be a bit frightening for young viewers.

Wall is a British village that is notable for its proximity to a wall that is mysteriously guarded, and for good reason, since it leads to a special, magical world. Young Tristan (Charlie Cox) boldly crosses to this world to retrieve a shooting star to prove his love to the village beauty (Sienna Miller), but when he finds the location of the star, he finds not a meteor, but a mysterious, beautiful girl played by Claire Danes. Soon, it becomes clear that everyone wants to capture this celestial visitor, including a witch, played wonderfully by Michelle Pfeiffer and the Princes of the kingdom. Look for De Niro in a different role as a flying pirate and Ricky Gervais in a small role.

This was a pleasant movie that is slightly reminiscent of The Princess Bride, though with far higher production values and a slightly more serious tone. The performances are fantastic, particularly by Pfeiffer and Danes. Sometimes Cox seems overwhelmed by all the talent around him, but he still does well enough. The overall result is a pleasing addition to the family movie library.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode

Starring: Roy Dupuis, James Gallanders, Owen Lebakeng Sejake, Deborah Kara Unger

Canadian Lt. General Romeo Dallaire was the military commander of the UN mission in Rwanda and this movie is his personal, and all too true, story of his time there during the genocide of 1994. It is not quite as moving as the similarily-themed Hotel Rwanda, but is also less geared toward formula drama and emotional manipulation, though this feature is still pretty grim and upsetting. The direction is slightly surreal and the acting is quite good, though I found Dupuis to be just a little too wooden (just a little over that line between stoic and wooden) in the lead role. It suffers a little from being virtually a one man show, with Dupuis’ lead character being the focus of virtually every scene but there is no denying the power and importance of this film.

Romeo Dallaire is a very brave, and equally honest, man and that is really what makes this film work. He is not afraid to show his human emotions and frailties, and this makes his courageous effort to save lives during The Rwandan genocide, at no small personal risk, all that more impressive. This film carefully documents the beginnings of the atrocity and fearlessly lays blame. Dallaire’s helplessness is enveloping and we feel his frustration in the face of ever-increasing shortages of men and equipment that leave him unable to do more than watch many of the atrocities.

This was a difficult film to watch and will be for most viewers. How can we watch this without a twinge of guilt? Almost one million people died in Rwanda in 100 days and the world knew about it and did nothing. All of us did nothing. A small group tried to help, led by a very special individual. This is his story. See it.

Director: Michael Moore

Starring: Michael Moore

Michael Moore is at it again. Thus far, on the big screen, Moore had tackled GM, gun laws and George Bush. This time out his opponent is the American medical system, which seems like a pretty, easy target. This feature follows the Moore formula by combining humour with stories and interviews that range from heartbreaking to outrageous. His pace is fast and entertaining, though some of the stories are truly heart wrenching, so be prepared.

Michael Moore is never afraid to tackle the most powerful institutions in America and this outing is no exception. This time the controversial filmmaker climbs into the ring with the American medical system and sends it down the canvas with a series of international comparison roundhouses and interview uppercuts with those who have suffered in the 37th best healthcare system in the world and the worst of any industrialized country if his facts are to be taken at face value. With Moore, that is always a big ‘if’. In my opinion, his heart is in the right place, even if his numbers aren’t.

Make no mistake. This is propaganda. Moore’s point may be valid and the issues he tackles are always deserving of a hard look, but he does not present a balanced view. Any case that his detractors may present is glossed over or not mentioned at all. This doesn’t make them right, but remember that his opinion is what gets airtime, here. Some question his facts and some even question his motives, but at least he makes people think about issues that politicians get paid to keep Americans from thinking about. This is an issue that the American people need to take a long hard look at, but don’t take Moore’s word for it, or even mine. Look at both sides and decide for yourself.

Director: Phillip Noyce

Starring: Val Kilmer, Elizabeth Shue, Rade Serbedzija, Valeri Nikolayev

The 1960’s TV series that starred Roger Moore and led to his casting as 007 when Sean Connery decided to move on was modernized and turned into a feature film in this Philip Noyce (Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger) film. Val Kilmer is impressive as a master-of-disguise high-end thief. The character’s many disguises are augmented by different acting performances for each. Elizabeth Shue is as gorgeous as ever and puts in a solid performance, as well, but despite these performances, the story drags and much of it feels contrived and forced.

Simon Templar (Kilmer), an orphan turned thief, is hired by a ruthless Russian businessman/politician, Ivan Tretiak (Serbedzija), to steal the secret of cold fusion which will provide limitless cheap power. The great mind behind this scientific break-through is not a think tank of pocket-protected team of science geeks, but is instead the young and beautiful Dr. Emma Russell and her sticky notes. Templar chooses the seduction route, but soon finds himself falling for the vulnerable beauty (surprise, surprise) and finds himself at odds with his former employer. The story is pretty mundane, though there are a few cool scenes, including one where Templar is pulling a heist in a Splinter Cell outfit.

This movie storms out of the gate and has flashes of promise and a great acting display by Val Kilmer, but gradually runs out of steam and story, so that by the end most viewers have lost interest. Not a bad movie, but really is only likely to please hardcore heist fans and those wishing to compare it to the classic series.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Matt Damon, Jeremy Davies, Vin Diesel, Ted Danson, Paul Giamatti, Dennis Farina.

This film starts out with the most powerful twenty minutes of footage that Hollywood has ever produced as Spielberg re-creates D-day with such skill that we all feel it. This alone would make this an impressive effort, but it soon launches into a simple, but strong, action/war drama that is loaded with strong, individual characters with such depth that will make you feel angry, sad, laugh and generally feel like these were people that you knew. The acting is uniformly strong, and is aided by talented veteran performers in small roles, throughout. Spielberg uses a jerky, and, sometimes, grainy camera style that adds to the realism. This is a tricky style to employ. It is effective when done well, but distracting and unpleasant when overdone (Check out the Bourne Supremacy for how NOT to do it). Even the sound (and lack of it) adds to the power of this film. The action scenes are shocking, quick, random and brutal. When the action stops, the story is full of natural dialogue and tension and even has some humor.

Saving Private Ryan seizes you from the early scenes on Omaha Beach and holds you as Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) is assigned to assemble a squad to go find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) and ship him home because his four brothers, also serving, have all been killed. As an act of mercy, the Army wants to send him home. The men set out on this “public relations mission” across the dangerous French countryside, reluctantly. The story includes action and internal conflict and camaraderie and the viewer is never sure what will happen next, right up to the final scenes.

This is the best war movie ever made and is one of the best movies of all time on top of that. It is one of the Maniac’s all-time favorites and a must for any movie collection. The screenplay should be required study for writers who want to create a large cast movie and not rely on stock, one-dimensional characters and the film should be required viewing for students looking to gain some measure of understanding of the sacrifices of those who served in World War II. When Spielberg puts his heart into a project, there can be no better director and in this case, there is no better movie.

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Lyriq Bent, Athena Perez.

When you make 3 successful, arguably entertaining films in a series and you have a fail proof marketing plan of releasing the most awaited scary movie of the year on Halloween eve, one thing is for sure in this world of enterprise and commerce…a fourth movie will be made. Especially when the first one was an artistic and creative opus as well as a commercial success, the second one maintained that air of originality and the third one was not God awful. That is exactly what this fourth feature is; God awful.

As with the the 2nd and 3rd installments of the saw series, this one picks up at the exact spot the last one left off. This one opens at the autopsy of Jigsaw played, as always, by Tobin Bell (although in this episode, he is far quieter and less clever with his witticisms, since he is dead). When they cut him open, they are welcomed by the latest message from John, that the games are not over, in fact they are just beginning. Sergeant Riggs, played by Lyriq Bent, the captain of the task force in the previous three movies is the lead character in this edition (since there is no one else left). Unlike the last three where John picks on people who generally deserve it, and have characteristics that really could use some, ummm… adjustments, Riggs’ tragic flaw according to the screenwriter (can you call someone who writes the fourth sequel a screenwriter, or are they simply a cookie cutter at this point?) is that he cares too much and tries to help too many people. Wow, what a world it would be if everyone was awful like that. In typical Saw fashion, Riggs sets off on a quest to stop the mad man and hopefully learn something about himself and not get his friends all killed.

This once refreshing franchise is starting to look like 10 day old lettuce and is finding its way into the pitfalls of all franchise chains, Police Academy, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, MacDonald’s and Jack in the Box. What made them great is what now makes them awful and Boring, same menu, same flavor and, ultimately, the same result; a long time in the bathroom. The true tragedy is that I think this movie made more money than the last one so we are sure to be sentenced to a Saw V. Hopefully Jigsaw will find me before next Halloween and make me pay for my years of making bad movie choices.

Director: Richard Donner

Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait, David Johansen, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Alfre Woodward,

This is one of the best Christmas movies ever made and my favorite version of version of the Dickens classic. There are great characters and a first rate cast lead by Bill Murray at his sarcastic best. He is backed up by Karen Allen, John Glover and the always funny Bobcat Goldthwait. The story is funny, and though it does get a little slapstick at times, it has a heart to go along with the laughs and builds to a classic Christmas kind of ending.

Bill Murray is a cruel and heartless network executive (Gee, aren’t they all?) whose busy life of making money and everyone around miserable, is interrupted by the visits of a number of ghosts to show him his past, present and future. Look for hilarious performances by David Johansen and Carol Kane as two of the ghosts. Along the way he clashes with an office rival, played by John Glover, and re-connects with an old flame (Karen Allen), before arriving at the inevitable ending, that is rewarding, nonetheless.

When it comes to the balance of humor, story and comfortable Christmas formula, movies don’t come much better than Scrooged. This is a wonderful movie in its own right and easily stands out among the legions of poorly written, syrupy yuletide efforts and is enjoyable no matter what time of year it is.

Director: David Von Anken

Starring: Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter

This is a very good western chase film that launches right into the story, puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there the whole time. Sprinkled with interesting characters, enough action, and unending tension, this one is worth seeing. The story is a little simple, but there is enough to let Neeson and Brosnan, skilled actors both, showcase their skills as a pair of hard-driven determined men.

This is gripping tale opens with Gideon, played by Pierce Brosnan, making his way alone through a wintery mountain pass, when he is attacked and shot by a mysterious group hunting him, led by Carver (Liam Neeson). Gideon turns out to be as resourceful as Rambo (and damn handy with a mighty big knife, as well) when it comes to escaping in the wild and soon sure death has turned into a long chase. Look for cameos by Wes Studi, Anjelica Huston and others. A couple scenes are pretty hard to buy, but I’m willing to give them that. Von Anken takes a slow, patient approach to revealing the history of Carver and Gideon and the end resolution will not be quite what you expect.

A must see for genre fans and action-drama lovers will probably enjoy it, as well. This one seemed to slip through the theaters and is undoubtedly quickly making its way to obscurity. You should catch it before it gets there.

Director: Gary Yates

Starring: Kevin Pollack, Liane Balaban, Jonas Chernick, James Tolkan, Aleks Paunovic, Babs Chula

I love a good scam flick. From the Sting to The Grifters and Matchstick Men, this is a genre that I really enjoy. Seven Times Lucky, from writer/director Gary Yates, is a dark addition to this genre. The twist-filled script, here, however, lacks any snap to the dialog and the characters, while professionally portrayed all seem too subdued and lack the fire the fire to engage an audience, even through its short, 85 min run time. The basic story is clever and it works, but Yates could have used some help on the dialog, and could have used more charismatic actors in the lead. Pollack, while a good character actor, lacks the charisma to carry a film.

Kevin Pollack is Harlan, a middle-aged career conman, who is lucky enough to get hooked up with Fiona (Kiane Balaban), an attractive, young pickpocket, and unlucky enough to also have a screw up named Sonny in his little crew, as well. When Sonny finds himself in deep trouble and needs a big score, Harlan and Fiona step in to help. Well, they mainly help themselves, but that’s still a kind of help isn’t it? There are some valuable stolen watches, big debts to some really rough people, but at least they have friends they can trust…

Seven Times lucky is a mediocre crime effort, that will hold some appeal for viewers, like myself, who love the Hollywood con game, but will not likely hold much interest for those who are not already genre fans..

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) *****

Director: Frank Darabont

Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, Mark Ralston

Frank Darabont wrote this screenplay from a Stephen King short story, and directed it, garnering seven Oscar nominations, including best picture (losing to Forest Gump). The acting here is first rate by the whole cast and the dialog is good. The real strength here, however, is the magnificent story about the resilience, and power, of the human spirit in the face of crushing circumstances.

Tim Robbins is Andy Dufresne, a bank vice president convicted of murdering his wife and sent to Shawshank Prison, where his hard life is made a little lighter by making a few friends, including a man who knows how to get things, ‘Red’ Redding, played by Morgan Freeman in an Oscar nominated role. Andy has to learn how to survive and keep his soul intact in an institution that seems designed to take it. Andy not only finds a way to survive, but manages to soar above his circumstances.

Many great films have had the power to bring us down as we feel the oppression of the characters deep in our souls. More still have had the ability to lift us, and put a smile in our hearts, as well as on our faces. Shawshank is one of the precious few films that has the power to bring us down into a hopeless spiral of the character’s dilemma, but then to lift us up by the end of the film and to fill our souls with a gentle belief in what is possible. This is one of the greatest films of all time and if you have somehow never seen it, I envy you for being able to have that precious experience of its first viewing.