Year of The Dog

From the mind of Mike White, who has given us "Chuck & Buck" and "The Good Girl" comes this very quirky comedy/drama about how just far our love for animals can take us.

Molly Shannon stars as Peggy, a woman crazy about her beagle "Pencil". When Pencil accidentally dies, Peggy's world crumbles until she meets Newt (a very good Peter Sarsgaard), a animal shelter worker and dog trainer. Newt introduces her to "Valentine", a German Shepherd with some behavior issues. Peggy adopts him and begins to spend more and more time with Newt as well. Animals take center stage in their relationship and Peggy's passion begins to overwhelm all aspects of her life.

The film also stars John C. Reilly as Peggy's neighbor, Laura Dern as her sister-in-law, and Regina King as her boy crazy girlfriend. Peggy's obsession with dogs leads to various odd scenes with all these characters as well as her boss, played by Josh Pais.

The dogs in the film are terrific and adorable. The story starts out light and fun but takes a more dramatic turn as the film goes on. Ultimately, it tells us that our happiness in life can sometimes be found in very unlikely places but we go where our heart takes us.

Spiderman 3

Well, the bloom is off the rose. If you have invested the time in the first 2 films, of course you will want to see how it all turns out but...the magic is gone. The film deserves an A for action but it also gets a B for bloated.

The seduction of Spiderman to the dark side takes too long to get going and Venom's appearance is too little and too late, showing up for the climatic battle (where Mary Jane is menaced by...a taxi cab and a dump truck...Yikes!! The dialog is sappy and many of the secondary characters have lost their zip (Jonah Jameson, for one). Toby Macguire's attempts to be dark and evil are just silly and a scene where he tries to make Mary Jane jealous with Gwen Stacy is just ridiculous.

The action sequences, however, are terrific and Thomas Hayden Church steals the film as The Sandman. His CGI is fantastic and in his human form, his acting is fresh and believable. Too bad, the screenplay messes with the original facts about the character's backstory and motivation to suit the plot. Devotees of the comic will be annoyed with that as well as the introduction of Gwen Stacy as a rival for Peter Parker's affection. Gwen's backstory is also tweaked to suit the plot and Bryce Howard is wasted in a poorly written character. Credit though, must also be given to Topher Grace who adds a breath of life to the role of Eddie Brock.

We are being teased with the prospect of Spiderman 4 (after all, Doc Connors has appeared in all 3 films so far and fans know what happens to him) but this film should make enough money to put the franchise to rest. Let's see what Robert Downy Jr. can do with next year's "Iron Man" movie.

The Air I Breathe

Another screening at the Tribeca Film Festival, "The Air I Breathe" features a great cast entwined in 4 overlapping stories. Forest Whitaker is a quiet businessman who bets his life on a horse race, a gangster's enforcer (an excellent Brendan Fraiser) sees the future, a pop star (a better than expected Sarah Michelle Gellar) gets involved with a crime boss ( a typical Andy Garcia), and a doctor ( always reliable, Kevin Bacon) must try to save the love of his life.

The director, Jieho Lee, uses the overlapping technique we've seen before in films like "Pulp Fiction" and "Amores Perros" and for the most part makes it work (although just a little too neatly).

The stories are based on a Chinese proverb focusing on the four cornerstones of life: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. It is a strong drama with some harrowing scenes but it does reward in little ways throughout the film.

A Dirty Carnival

Screening at The Tribeca Film Festival, "A Dirty Carnival" is about the rise and fall of a Korean gangster. The title is a metaphor for the life gangster, Byung-doo, leads on the mean streets of Seoul.

The film is an exciting crime drama filled with all the elements you would expect including greed, betrayal, violence, and tragedy. Interestingly, there is very little on screen blood for such a violent film. The weapon of choice for these Korean gangsters is a metal bat and while it inflicts much pain, it leaves the film without the usual bloodshed. In fact, there are practically no guns at all in the film, which for that fact alone, makes it very interesting to watch.

The action scenes are choreographed beautifully and are very exciting. The story has been told before but the acting and charisma of the lead characters keep the viewer involved throughout the 141 minute running time.

The film is in Korean with English subtitles. No American release date is set.

Hot Fuzz

From the folks that brought you "Shaun of The Dead", "Hot Fuzz" is a loving satire of almost every action cop movie from the 80's and 90's. Played for laughs and yet deadly serious, this British comedy works on many levels.

What makes the serious nature of the film so funny is the presence of so many distinguished English actors. Steve Coogan, Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Edward Woodward, Jim Broadbent, and Timothy Dalton are the most recognizable faces for an American audience and they are all terrific in both minor and major roles. The lead character, Sgt. Nicholas Angel, is played by Simon Pegg, who also co-wrote the film. His dim witted side kick, P.C. Danny Butterman, is played by Nick Frost.

Sgt. Angel is a super cop making the rest of the London police force look bad so he is promptly promoted and sent off to work in a sleepy little village in the English countryside. Of course, nothing is what it seems and total mayhem ensues. There are liberal amounts of blood and gore in the more violent moments which are so over the top, the filmmakers could only think "more gore equals more laughs" and you'll swear Michael Bay directed the last 20 minutes. If you're a fan of British humor in a "Monty Python" vein, grab a pint and don't miss "Hot Fuzz".

The Hoax

Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, and Marcia Gay Harden star in the apparently true story of Clifford Irving's royal scam of McGraw-Hill in the 70's. Irving made claims that he personally knew and interviewed reclusive Billionaire, Howard Hughes. He managed to get a million dollar advance out of McGraw Hill for the publishing rights. The story has been documented many times over but "The Hoax" still manages to entertain and amuse.

Gere and Molina are a terrific team...a modern day Laurel & Hardy playing well against each other with Gere as Irving and Molina as Dick Suskind, his best friend and co-conspirator. Ms. Harden plays Edith Irving in what I can only assume is a spot on depiction of the real Edith. Hope Davis plays Andrea Tate, the lead editor at McGraw Hill who is first to be suckered by Irving.

Director Lasse Hallstrom captures the period of the 70's perfectly with costumes, makeup and an accurate and appealing soundtrack. "The Hoax" is interesting, both in subject and performance but ultimately will play just as well on DVD.

Black Book

A great return to form for director Paul Verhoeven. Going back to his Dutch roots, Verhoeven co-writes and directs this WWII story inspired by real events. The story centers on a Jewish woman hiding from the Nazi's in 1944 German occupied Holland.

After a series of horrific circumstances force Rachel Stein to join the Dutch resistance, she dyes her hair blonde and changes her name to Ellis de Vries. When she meets a high ranking Nazi officer, Ubercaptain Muentze, on a train, Ellis goes undercover as his clerk and lover. An unlikely romance begins between them and their situation become more complicated and dangerous as the film goes on.

At a very quick paced 2 & 1/2 hours, this film has it all. Romance, sex, intrigue, action, last second escapes, double and triple crosses, and terrific acting from the principle cast. Carice van Houten is wonderful as Rachel/Ellis and Sebastian Koch, so good in "The Lives of Others", stays true to form as her sympathetic Nazi lover, Muentze.

For the most part Verhoeven drives the story with some restraint towards bad taste however, be warned, there a few few scenes that push the envelope. After all, this is the same man who brought us "Basic Instinct" and "Showgirls". But don't let that stop you from a exciting and satisfying movie experience. "Black Book" is in English, German and Dutch.

The Namesake

A thoughtful and emotional drama that explores one's place in family and society. When the Ganguli family moves to America from India, their American born son, Gogol, rebels against his traditional values and drifts further and further away from his family. He changes his lifestyle, his name, and integrates himself into the life of his girl friend's family.

Events occur that force Gogol to re-evaluate his life and the story is propelled on a journey of self discovery. The film moves at a leisurely pace beginning with the arranged marriage of Gogol's parents and moves through the years with much attention to detail.

We are exposed to much Indian culture as the film divides it's time between India and the U.S. but the story, at it's heart, is a universal one. Each generation must discover their own identity and yet, maintain the traditions and values that help shape the individual they are to become.

Kal Penn, a long way from "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle", stars as Gogol with a terrific multi-layered performance. Irrfan khan and Tabu play his parents and both are excellent. The entire cast does a wonderful job bringing all the characters to life. Directed by Mira Nair, "The Namesake" is a richly woven fabric that will appeal to an audience looking for a film with depth and feeling.

Grindhouse

Certainly not for everyone's taste but if you like fast cars, blood spattered zombies, loose women and big explosions, then this one's for you. Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino have teamed up to bring you the full experience of "Grindhouse" movies from the early 70's. "Grindhouse" features great fake coming attractions for films like "Werewolf Women of the SS" and "Machete". It also includes scratchy film, missing reels, bad acting, cheesy sets and dialog, old animated ratings messages, psychedelic previews of coming attractions and lots and lots of blood.

Each director has made a "grindhouse" film and both have their appeal. The two films, "Planet Terror" and "Deathproof" are bound together by the fake coming attractions and the three hour experience is a fun return to the glory days of cult films being shown all along 42nd street in New York and similar neighborhoods across America.

"Planet Terror" stars Rose McGowan and Freddy Rodriguez battling killer zombies. If you've seen the ads, you'll know Rose ends up with a machine gun for a leg and is quite the CGI highpoint. "Deathproof" stars Kurt Russell as a crazed stuntman driver who likes to crash into and run down women. At first you think the film exploits women but Mr. Tarantino is clever enough to turn the genre on it's head and portray the women as the heroes of the film. "Deathproof" has some great Tarantino dialog and a terrific car chase climax. Rosario Dawson is along for the ride in "Deathproof" but literally takes a backseat to Zoe Bell and Tracie Thoms.

Both films have many cameos including Bruce Willis, Naveen Andrews, and Michael Parks, as well as cult horror film directors like Eli Roth and Tom Savini. For fans of the genre, Grindhouse is lots of fun and a visual treat but as I started out by saying, it's not for everyone.

Meet The Robinsons

The Disney machine cranks out another mass market advertisement for it's merchandising, theme parks, website and anything else it owns or can partner with to make a buck.

Expanding on a quote from from Walt himself, "Keep Moving Forward", "Meet The Robinsons" strings together plot points from other movies (liberally from "Back To The Future") to move the Disney machine forward. The plot is confusing for very small kids and mildly entertaining for older kids. The pop reference "in-jokes" are few and far between and the "twist" can be seen coming midway through the story.

When Lewis, the hero of the film, finally meets the Robinson family, he is introduced to a wide assortment of comic characters who are never fully developed resulting in an attitude of "who cares" about any of them. They all have individual oddities that have lots of potential which is never explored.

The saving grace for the film is the terrific animation and lively 3D effects (if you see it in 3D). Even without the 3D, the quality of the animation is still what you've come to expect from Disney. The film is preceded by a experimental 3D Donald Duck cartoon from 1953. In 3D or not, it's better than the feature film.

Red Road

Another new film from the New Directors/New Films Festival at Lincoln Center, "Red Road" centers on the particular path chosen by a lonely woman who works for the Glasgow, Scotland "City Eye" agency. Apparently Glasgow has surveillance cameras set up all over the city and "City Eye" monitors activity 24 hours a day.

When "Jackie", played by Kate Dickie glimpses a man from her past during her surveillance shift, it sets in motion a life changing series of events. To reveal more would spoil a terrific 3rd act when many answers come in unexpected ways.

The film is very slow to start. It's a deliberate act by the director to pull you into the boredom of Jackie's world. As the film progresses, the pace quickens and leads to a highly emotional payoff. This is a story of grief, forgiveness, redemption, and renewal. Kate Dickie is excellent as "Jackie", a woman longing for a closure buried deep inside her. Martin Compston, who showed promise in "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints", is volatile as "Stevie" and Tony Curran is terrific as "Clyde", a man with a terrible past trying to start again.

The strong Scottish accents are supported by subtitles for an American audience. Opens in limited release April 13th.

Salty Air

From the New Directors/New Films series at Lincoln Center comes this emotional debut feature by Alessandro Angelini. When a social worker in an Italian prison begins to suspect a newly transferred prisoner may be his father, whom he hasn't seen for 20 years, guilt, grief, and redemption collide as a family's old wounds reopen.

The acting is terrific especially by Giorgio Pasetti as Sparti, the convict forced to confront his past. Directed with authority by Mr. Angelini, "Salty Air" packs an emotional punch that will stay with you long after you leave the theater. In Italian, with no set American release date as yet.

300

Short on plot but long on action, "300" tells the story of the 300 Spartan soldiers who did their best to defend Greece from the advance of an overwhelming Persian army. The film borrows the plot from history but is literally based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller.

As shot, the film basically plays as a live action graphic novel much in the vein of "Sin City", another Frank Miller graphic novel brought to the screen. It is a dark and moody film. The cinematography is awash in blacks and grays offset by splashes of red blood. Much of the film is CGI generated but seamlessly incorporated into the visuals.

The action is ferocious, violent and a visceral treat for fans of the genre. If this type of film appeals to you, try your best to see it on an IMAX screen where it can truly overwhelm your senses.

The Lives of Others

Winner of the Oscar for last years best foreign film, I can see now why this beat out my favorite film of last year, "Pan's Labyrinth". Written and directed by Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck, "Lives of Others" is his feature film debut. Based on this outstanding drama, you would think Mr. Henckel Von Donnersmarck was a seasoned film maker with many films already in his resume.

Set in East Berlin, circa 1984, "The Lives Of Others" centers on The Stasi, the East German secret police and their hold over the populace of pre-Glasnost East Germany. When one Stasi agent is assigned to spy on a writer and his actress girlfriend, he finds himself beginning to question his own beliefs and values.

The acting is just exceptional, particularly Ulrich Muhe as the Stasi agent, Captain Weisler. Without a car chase in sight, the tension mounts as many lives hang in the balance of one man's actions. The film has so many subtle moments of emotional impact, it will haunt you for days. The last half hour, in particular, is riveting right up to the very end.

Do not miss this amazing film. In German, with English subtitles.

Zodiac

Immaculately detailed with fine acting, "Zodiac" tells the true story of the serial killer that plagued the San Francisco Bay area for almost 20 years. Director David Fincher gets everything right. The costumes, sets, props and music all faithfully recreate the period of time from 1968 through the nineties.

San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, along with crime reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and detective Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) all become increasingly obsessed with the case and Graysmith eventually writes a book about it which formed the screenplay for the film.

The quality of film making here is impeccable but in order to get every detail right, the film clocks in at about 2 hours and 40 minutes. In some instances, the days and years pass quickly, propelling the story forward without missing any of the necessary details but the length of the film, filled with a great deal of dialogue, can be draining on the viewer.

While a story about a serial killer, "Zodiac" is not your typical "slasher" film. There are some violent scenes recreating the murders but the film can best be described as the finest investigative journalism movie since "All The President's Men".

Breach

Six years almost to the day of the actual events, "Breach" tells the story of the most infamous spy in American History and how he was eventually exposed and arrested. Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent of the highest order was eventually tried and convicted to a life sentence for selling secrets worth billions (not to mention a few lives lost as well) to the Russians. The film opens with footage of Robert Ashcroft's press conference about Hanssen's capture and then moves back in time to reveal how he was brought down.

Chris Cooper plays Robert Hanssen without a false note. Mr. Cooper is one of our finest character actors working today and "Breach" is one of his best performances. Playing the FBI "agent" that wins his trust but ultimately gets him caught is Ryan Phillippe, who continues to grow as an actor. His work in "Flags of Our Fathers" and now "Breach" show a new level of maturity on his part. Together they make "Breach" a great game of cat and mouse (even though you already know the outcome). Co-starring in this cerebral thriller is Laura Linney and Dennis Haysbert as the FBI agents building the case.

The film moves at a leisurely pace and is devoid of the usual spy movie "car chase" moments but there are still plenty of tense scenes. A taut script and solid acting makes "Breach" an exception to the usual Hollywood leftovers released this time of year.

The Painted Veil

A worthwhile holdover from the holiday film season, "The Painted Veil" is the second filmed version of the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The first was a 1934 version starring Greta Garbo as Kitty Fane and now we have the modern version starring Naomi Watts as Kitty and Edward Norton as her husband, Dr. Walter Fane. I'm sure Garbo was wonderful and I will seek out the original version now for a comparison. But for now, I can report that Watts and Norton are just terrific together.

The story takes place in 1925. Norton is a infectious disease doctor living in China. He quickly meets and marries Watts, a society girl in London looking to escape her family life and brings her back to live with him in Shanghai. When an outbreak of cholera is reported in a remote Chinese village, Norton volunteers to go help the locals.

The story follows a journey of discovery for these two souls and the chemistry between them is wonderful. Ms. Watts has the more difficult role as her character moves through various life changing experiences but Mr. Norton, excellent as always, completely inhabits his character and plays beautifully against her. Liv Schreiber, Toby Jones, and Diana Rigg co-star.

The exotic setting, with it's beautiful rivers and mountains, danger of cholera exposure, tension between the British and Chinese, along with fine acting by the entire cast, keep you absorbed throughout the film. It is a terrific adult drama that is a refreshing alternative to "Norbert" and "Hannibal" and the rest of the Hollywood winter waste out there.

Smokin' Aces

A few years back, Joe Carnahan wrote and directed a taut Indy thriller called "Narc" starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. "Smokin' Aces" doesn't even come close as a follow up.

Starring Jeremy Piven, Ray Liotta, Ryan Reynolds, Andy Garcia, and Alicia Keys, the film is a bad live action cartoon. The characters are poorly written and what passes for acting is a downright shame. Mr. Liotta phones in his FBI agent. Mr. Garcia plays his role on sleep aids and Jeremy Piven just dissolves deeper and deeper into a messy drug stupor.
Ms. Keys does an adequate job in her first role (a strange choice) in a major film. And since his is the best written character, Mr. Reynolds outshines everyone else in the film. No wonder Ben Affleck and Matthew Fox have unaccredited cameos. The film is a mess.

The ending, in particular, is truly terrible. While it's effect is dramatic, it makes no sense at all and stretches what little credibility the film has beyond the limit. Another fine example of the junkyard January has become for movies.

Notes on Oscar Nominations

The Oscar nominations were revealed this morning and while most were expected, there were still a few surprises. Taking a look at each major category-

Lead Actor- Only surprise here was that Leonardo DeCaprio got nominated for Blood Diamond rather than The Departed, which was the far better film and role for him. He couldn't even keep his accent straight in Blood Diamond. Nice to see Ryan Gosling get recognized for Half Nelson, a terrific Indy drama. Early favorite to win- Forest Whitaker for Last King of Scotland.

Supporting Actor- No surprises here. I'd love to see Jackie Earl Haley win for a fearless role in Little Children. This is a tough one though.

Lead Actress- No surprises here either. Helen Mirren should be a lock.

Supporting Actress- Nice to see Abigail Breslin get the nom for Little Miss Sunshine but this is a lock for Jennifer Hudson.

Best Animated Film- Strong choices and I hope Cars runs over the cute penguins of Happy Feet

Best Foreign Film- Pan's Labyrinth should run away with it but could be upset by The Lives of Others. I'm pulling for Pan.

Best Director- A very tough category as all nominees are extremely strong. Personally I'd go with Clint Eastwood but many think this is Martin Scorsese's year.

Best Film- Probably the toughest choice to make. All five nominations are well deserved. babel took the Golden Globe but I think it's going to come down to a fight between Clint & Marty again. I'd like to give the edge to Letters From Iwo Jima but Departed may just take it.

Tears of The Black Tiger

Strictly for film aficionados, "Tears" is a Thai film that has finally found a U.S. distributor. Stealing liberally from '60s filmmaking and multiple genres, "Tears" is part tragic love story, western, gangster film, and soap opera rolled into one vivid Technicolor visual treat.

The story concerns a young pleasant boy, Dum, who falls in love with Rumpoey, the daughter of a wealthy family. Of course their love is forbidden and sets the stage for a melodramatic tragic love story. Dum grows up to become a bandit known as "The Black Tiger" and Rumpoey grows up as the daughter of the Governor and fiancé of the local police captain.

Filmed in a vivid color palette, the film is visually stunning. Stylistic camera work adds to the fun, including slow motion shootouts with liberal blood splatter ala Sam Peckinpah. Sergio Leonne inspired music coupled with a traditional Thai score and songs make for an eclectic soundtrack.

This is a film, the likes of which, today's American audiences have never seen. If you are interested in sampling something truly unique, you can't go wrong with this Thai treat. Unfortunately it's only playing at the Film Forum on Houston street but if this review has you intriqued, make the effort to venture downtown.

Alpha Dog

It's January and the tradition of dumping the Hollywood trash continues with the release of "Alpha Dog". Another in a long line of films about wealthy disaffected California youth, "Alpha Dog" is memorable only for a decent turn by Justin Timberlake and the scary thought that's based on a true story.

In 1999, A lowlife drug dealer "kidnapped" the younger brother of a druggie who owed him money. This is the story of that incident in all it's tattoo'd glory. Emile Hirsch is miscast as Johnny Truelove, the dealer with a dopey plan. If this is supposed to be based on a real person, I don't know how he ever became a successful dealer in the first place. Playing Frankie, his right hand man, is Justin Timberlake. With tattoos all over his body, Timberlake brings life to his pseudo-gangster and acts as the somewhat moral center of the story. Playing the "kidnapped" teen is Anton Yelchin, best known for playing Birdie on Showtime's "Huff". Yelchin is a very good one dimensional actor. If you need a naïve, innocent, virginal character, he'd be the first one to call. As his drugged out and really scary older brother, Ben Foster continue to shine in very edgy roles. Picking up a paycheck is Bruce Willis as truelove's father and Sharon Stone as Yelchin's step mom. I'm sure they, along with Harry Dean Stanton, only did this film as a favor to director Nick Cassavettes.

If you're attracted to reenactments of true crime tales or a major fan of Mr. Timberlake's, then wait for the DVD otherwise adopt a different film than "Alpha Dog".

The Good German

Director Steven Soderburgh newest film staring George Clooney and Cate Blanchett is an interesting experiment in filmmaking. Shot in black & white using old style cameras and cinematography, Soderburgh strives to recreate a 1940's melodrama. For the most part he succeeds but whether or not today's audience will embrace a film like this remains to be seen.

The story takes place in Berlin just at the end of the war. Clooney is a war correspondent who comes to the city to cover the peace talks and instead finds himself caught up in the murder of a G.I. and helping his old girlfriend, played by Blanchett, get safely out of Germany. The film also stars Toby Maguire and Robin Weigert (Calamity Jane from HBO's Deadwood).

The closing moments of the film deliberately mirror Casablanca's ending. Clooney channels Humphrey Bogart and Blanchett, Ingrid Bergman. The mood, lighting, score and seamless integration of stock footage all contribute to a faithful film noir of the period. The only thing that breaks the mood is the contemporary use of explicit language and one scene of a topless dancer.

"The Good German" is intriguing and well acted. Blanchett is an amazing chameleon (especially after just seeing her in "Notes From A Scandal"). Clooney is the classic stoic hero and Toby Maguire tries hard to shed his "Spiderman" image. If you're looking for something different besides sequels, remakes, and teen comedies, this "retro" drama fits the bill.

Notes On A Scandal

Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett give a master class in acting as they go head to head in this intimate little drama of secrets, desires, and their consequences.

Dame Dench is a single teacher at a middle school in England who is befriended by Ms. Blanchett when she comes to teach at the same school. When Dench discovers an ugly secret about Blanchett (an unfortunate subject happening more now than ever), rather than tell, she decides to use the information to further her relationship with the younger teacher for her own purpose. Ms. Blanchett becomes trapped between her family, her secret, and the older woman's increasing intrusion into her life.

There are amazing moments between the two women as their forced relationship continues to build and finally boil over. Dench, who narrates the film, speaks volumes with just a look and Blanchett's growing anxiety is painfully real. Bill Nighy plays Ms. Blanchett's husband and more than holds his own in the company of these two wonderful actresses.

It's a smart script and wonderful acting. To reveal more would be scandalous.

Dreamgirls

What seemed like a dream project on paper doesn't quite turn out that way on screen. Don't get me wrong, "Dreamgirls" is very entertaining but it fails to raise the bar for movie musicals the way "Chicago" did a few years ago. The screenplay and direction by Bill Condon basically portrays the Broadway show on film. Having an opportunity to use the medium to enhance the story, Mr. Condon plays it safe and doesn't bring anything new to the screen. If you missed the play, you will probably appreciate the film all the more for it's accurate reproduction. For me, this was the same problem with the filmed version of "The Producers". "Chicago" got it right by adding a new dimension to the story and actually made it better.

The cast of "Dreamgirls" put forth a mighty effort and standouts include Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy. Beyonce is a wonderful singer but her acting is pretty stiff. Jamie Foxx shines early in the film but as his character ages, his initial energy diminishes. Danny Glover does a fine job as the road weary manager. The costumes, dancing, and singing are terrific but bursting into song/speak rather than dialog stops the story dead rather than moving it forward. As written, the story and pace follow the stage performance perfectly. You realize the end of act one and almost expect the intermission sign to light up.

If nothing else, see "Dreamgirls" to discover Jennifer Hudson. A loser on "American Idol", she proves they made a mistake by lighting up the screen with her acting and singing. If the name hadn't been already taken, "Dreamgirls" could have been called "A Star Is Born".

For Your Consideration

Christopher Guest's latest comedy, while not up to the high standards of his earlier work, is still a fun send-up of Hollywood with solid work from his usual ensemble of actors, including Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy (who co-wrote the film with Guest), Parker Posey and Harry Shearer.

The story concerns a small budget film, "Home For Purim", starring Ms. O'Hara's character, Marilyn Hack. When a tiny article appears on the internet calling her work "Oscar Worthy", a buzz begins to grow about the film and it's stars. Soon, Oscar buzz is growing not only for Ms. Hack, but for Mr. Shearer's character as well as Ms. Posey's. Producers, publicists, managers, and TV talk show hosts all get in on the growing buzz which builds towards the actual day nominations are announced.

The rest of the large cast, including some fun cameos all contribute to the satiric script. Fred Willard and Jane Lynch, in particular, are very funny as a clueless "Entertainment Tonight" duo. There are many laugh out loud moments but the subject matter may be too much of an inside joke to the general public.

"For Your Consideration" has all but disappeared from theaters but is definitely worth checking out in a few months when it hits DVD.

Best And Worst of 2006

THE BEST

10) 13 Tzameti- Excellent yet disturbing film commenting on the decadence of man and how low we can go.
9) Little Children- Desperate Housewives meets Happiness. Strong work from Kate Winslet and a heartbreaking Jackie Earl Haley.
8) The Departed- Excellent crime drama from Martin Scorsese. Great work from a great cast and an American version of a Asian hit that actually worked.
7) The Queen- Helen Mirren is brilliant as Queen Elizabeth dealing with the death of Princess Diana and Britain's complicated relationship with the royal family.
6) Babel- Terrific human drama connected by a single element dealing with both intimate and global issues.
5) Apocalypto- Say what you want about Mel Gibson, he’s a great filmmaker. This is a well crafted, exciting, powerful adventure and a wild ride.
4) The Proposition- Gritty and realistic Australian western with beautiful cinematography and great acting by Guy Pearce, Danny Houston and Ray Winstone. It recalls early Sam Peckinpah.
3) Crime Novel- Brilliant Italian film about three friends who become notorious gangsters in Rome during the 70’s.
2) Flags of Our Fathers/Letters From Iwo Jima- Excellent individual films examining themes from the same battle from American and Japanese perspectives. Taken together, a masterpiece on the futility of war.
1) Pan’s Labyrinth- Simply amazing. A perfect blend of fantasy and reality creates a captivating and remarkable adult fairy tale.

Honorable Mention

Man Push Cart
Little Miss Sunshine
The Illusionist
Casino Royale
The Last King of Scotland
United 93
Inside Man
Volver


THE WORST

10) The Fountain- Full of leaks. A metaphysical mess.
9) Poseidon- Used the wave from "The Perfect Storm" to do a lame remake.
8) All The King’s Men- Sean Penn tries to keep it interesting but dull and miscast remake.
7) Crank- Bad live action road runner cartoon.
6) V For Vendetta- P for Pretentious.
5) Running With Scissors- Some strong acting but depressing story and non-likable characters. Good 70’s soundtrack though.
4) Kettle of Fish- terrible comedy with miscast Gina Gershon and Matthew Modine.
3) The Omen- Shot for shot remake without the suspense. Rent the original.
2) The Wicker Man- Lame, lame, lame remake of the British cult thriller. Rent the original.
1) Lady In The Water- The worst movie of the year. What were actors like Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright thinking? Shyamalan sinks to new depths.

Rocky Balboa

An unexpected knockout of a movie. I went into this not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised at the solid script and acting. Sylvester Stallone sends Rocky out on a high note compared to the punch drunk last few Rocky films.

There is plenty of schmaltz in "Rocky Balboa" but Stallone finds a great balance between the nostalgia of Rocky's past and a contemporary storyline that actually works. The film is very well cast with Burt Young returning as Paulie to provide sage advice and comic relief and Geraldine Hughes as a possible new romance for Rocky. Her character, Marie, is a nice touch having been introduced way back in the first Rocky film. The film also co-stars Milo Ventimiglia as Rocky's grown son and Antonio Tarver as his new opponent, Mason Dixon.

The story works because Stallone keeps it simple and fairly realistic. He takes the characters back to their roots and though there may be some unintentional laughs, you really start to believe in these characters again and care about their outcome.

Adrian would be so proud.

Happy Feet

I finally caught up to this popular animated holiday film. While I found the animation terrific and the dancing and singing penguins very cute, I also had issues with the film.

The majority of the story takes place in Antarctica and watching the penguins with just a snow and ice background (and a few underwater scenes) gets pretty tedious after a while. For small children, the snow leopard sequence can be pretty frightening and even though the elephant seals are not threatening, they too can look pretty scary to a small child.

Additionally, on one hand, the animation renders the animal life incredibly realistic but on the other hand, they all sing and dance (except the predators who behave naturally). This is a mixed messages for kids and it happens over and over again with animated animal movies. There is also a subplot about ecology and the food chain. Small children won't understand it and older children won't buy the fairy tale resolution. If you want to teach your children about real penguins, take them to an aquarium or zoo.

Robin Williams provides the voice of 2 characters and both accents are racial stereotypes. Besides Mr. Williams, vocal talent is provided by Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Britney Murphy and as the lead character, "Mumble", Elijah Wood. They all do a good job with their characters.

Possibly the filmmakers were inspired by "March of The Penguins" or maybe it was the Polar Bear/Penguin Coca Cola commercial ( I expected every bird to be holding a bottle by the film's end). Either way, I've had my fill of animated penguins.

Pan's Labyrinth

The latest film from director Guillermo del Toro is a masterpiece. A blend of fantasy mixed with harsh reality creates a perfect film experience. The acting is excellent, the visuals amazing, and the story, original and totally captivating. Traditionally, I don't publish my yearly Top 10 list until January 1st but right now, this is the film to beat.

The year is 1944 and the civil war in Spain has just ended. A remote army outpost in the forest, run by a sadistic Army captain, is the setting for the story. The captain's pregnant wife arrives with her daughter Ofelia (from a previous marriage) to live with him while she brings her pregnancy to term. Ofelia's real father has died and she doesn't look forward to her new life until she discovers what she believes to be a fairy, and an old Labyrinth behind the building where they live.

The captain spends his days searching the forest for lingering rebels still fighting the war. Ofelia spends her days in a fantasy world of fauns and fairies. The magic of del Toro's story lies in the blending of the two worlds. Has Ofelia discovered a different existence within the labyrinth or is it of her own creation to escape her dark reality?

The art direction and cinematography are stunning. The fantasy sequences are beautiful as well as frightening. The captain's actions against the rebels are brutal and violent. This fairy tale of a film is not meant for children. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles but much of the story is visual and words aren't even necessary. This is a film not to be missed. It's simply remarkable. And if you do enjoy it (as I hope you will), rent del Toro's earlier work, "The Devil's Backbone", an excellent film as well which explores similar themes.

Children of Men

This is an intelligent but bleak vision of the future. Women are infertile and the human race faces extinction in a matter of years. The story takes place in and around London and the country is in chaos. All immigrants have been labeled illegal and are rounded up and placed in refugee camps. A rebel group, calling itself "The Fishes" is fighting back against the government and there are frequent bombings and firefights. The city is in ruins. Julianne Moore is one of the rebel leaders who recruits star Clive Owen to help with what might just be the future of mankind. Michael Caine co-stars as Owen's friend, an aging hippie, who provides help and shelter as the story progresses.

Filmed through a cold blue/gray lens, the story grows bleaker by the minute but it is Mr. Owen's new found hope for the future that drives him forward. His resolve becomes the audience's strength and we rally around him as he strives to complete his mission.

This was a risky film to release at the holidays as it certainly is far from cheery but along with solid acting and a smart script, it's ultimate message of hope for the future makes it worthy viewing.

We Are Marshall

In 1970, a plane crash claimed the lives of 75 people made up of players, coaches and fans of Marshall University's football team. This was the worst disaster in sports history. Not only are the families devastated but it leaves Marshall University and the entire town of Huntington W. Virginia with a loss many thought would never be overcome. "We Are Marshall" is the story of how rebuilding a team could heal a town. As long as there are real life inspirational sports stories, Hollywood will keep turning them into movies. "We Are Marshall" joins the "A" list of films like "Hoosiers" or "Rudy". As with those films, it is inspirational and heartfelt and filled with time worn clichés and stock characters. What sets it apart is the tragic story that sets up the the comeback.

Many films like this one start out with the words "inspired by true events" or "based on real events". "Marshall" starts out with "this is a true story". Since that is the case, it's really hard to criticize the story. What is fair game are the performances of the actors, which is always tough when they are portraying real people. Matthew McConaughey plays Jack Lengyel, the coach hired by Marshall to rebuild the team. Unless we know the real Jack Lengyel, we can only assume his performance is honest. One annoying trait was talking out of the side of his mouth. If that was his own invention, he would have been better served without it. Matthew Fox has a very emotional role as Red Dawson, a surviving coach, and basically plays his TV character, Jack, the tortured doctor from "Lost" with red hair. Ian McShane, in a complete reversal of his "Deadwood" character, plays a grieving father, representing the grief of the entire town.

If you are a fan of these types of films, it has everything you look for, including a groovy '70's soundtrack played over montage after montage of team rebuilding, the injured player who just won't quit, and of course, the coaches' speech before the "big game". It took years for Marshall to be a competitive football team again but eventually they did, going on to have many championship seasons. Even though you recognize the clichés, you can't help but be moved by the story.

The Good Shepherd

Director Robert DeNiro sets out to make "The Godfather" of espionage films but loses his way in the editing room. There is an intelligent, absorbing story buried in the excesses of this plodding, numbing film and knowing when to cut may have saved it.

Billed as the untold story of the birth of the CIA, the premise is very inviting but after a promising start, the film gets caught in it's own complexities and loses its focus. Staying centered on the CIA's inception would have been far more interesting without Matt Damon's soap opera of personal issues. His personal sacrifices become the heart of the film and could have been expressed in a more economical fashion and still made the point.

The acting is actually very good. Mr. Damon maintains his stoic, icy demeanor throughout keeping his family, and unfortunately the audience, at a distance. Angelina Jolie, while terribly miscast as his wife, makes the most of her role and brings much needed energy to the dull proceedings. The rest of the pedigree cast (including William Hurt, Alex Baldwin and John Turturro) do fine work but unfortunately Mr. DeNiro's glacial direction keeps the audience struggling to appreciate the effort.

The central question (no pun intended) is how much will a man sacrifice for his country? The film answers the question but takes too long to tell the tale.

Letters From Iwo Jima

Clint Eastwood has reached a new pinnacle in his career. First he brings us the superb film, "Flags of Our Fathers" and in the same year follows it up with it's brilliant companion piece, "Letters From Iwo Jima". The two films cover the same historical moment in time but couldn't be further apart. "Flags" covered the American point of view of the battle of Iwo Jima, focusing on the famous flag raising and the guilt that haunted the men responsible for their effort when pressed into service by the military propaganda machine. "Letters" focuses on the battle itself, told completely from the Japanese point of view. It is an intimate portrait of war told through the letters and memories of the soldiers that lived and died during terrible battle.

After a brief contemporary prologue, the story shifts to 1944 as the Japanese prepare to defend Iwo Jima from the coming American attack. The story focuses on a handful of Japanese soldiers, enlisted men and officers alike, and follows them through the attack and battle for possession of the island. Through their story we come to know them not as the enemy but rather husbands and sons just like our own troops, fighting and dying in a conflict not of their choosing.

The steel gray cinematography lends itself perfectly to the barren island, it's black sand beaches and it's man-made caves. The score is haunting and compliments the story without overwhelming it. "Letters From Iwo Jima is this generation's "All Quiet On The Western Front". As a bookend to "Flags of Our Fathers", Mr. Eastwood has delivered a masterful one-two punch on the futility of war.

Night At The Museum

Great Special effects and an original story make this a really fun film. It takes a minute to get rolling but once Ben Stiller accepts the job as a night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, the film shifts into overdrive. Plenty of mayhem ensues when everything at the Museum comes to life at night, thanks to a magic Egyptian charm. The clever screenplay mixes slapstick, family values, history lessons, and an unlikely love story into basically a two hour commercial for the museum.

The casting is excellent. Ben Stiller is a master at controlled chaos and Robin Williams is a restrained but perfect Teddy Roosevelt. Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan are great fun as a feuding cowboy and Roman general. And for the adults in the audience, it's good to see Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cobb still haven't lost their touch.

Having been to the real museum many times, you can easily imagine many of the exhibits coming to life. There may be some concern that the film would scare children from visiting the museum but even the few scary moments are quickly played for laughs, particularly initial moments with the T-Rex and The Mummy. Actually, I believe by the film's end, people will be encouraged to visit the museum and that's a good thing as it's a wonderful institution. For any family, this is a enjoyable "night" out.

Curse Of The Golden Flower

If you enjoyed "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "House of Flying Daggers", or "Hero", you will certainly be looking forward to this latest period piece out of China. I know I was. Starring Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li and directed by Yimou Zhang, "Golden Flower" had all the ingredients for a smash hit. Unfortunately, the film does not perform up to the standards of the previously mentioned films.

The story is full of family secrets, double crosses, incest, and betrayals but bogs down terribly in the first half. The setup for all this intrigue is very slow and not much actually happens but Zhang redeems himself in the second half of the film when secrets are revealed and betrayals are set in motion.The CGI work in the climatic battles scenes could have been better. Much of the fighting resembles a videogame but the close-up martial arts work is terrific. The good news is the film is beautiful to watch. The colors, sets, costumes, and pageantry are outstanding.

Yun-Fat, playing the Emperor, (aside from a quick sword fight he performs sitting down) doesn't have much to do except brood and Gong Li, beautiful as always, plays her part as the Empress pretty much the same way with much biting of the lip. The story is Shakespearean in scope (although it actually predates Shakespeare) and for fans of this genre, it works but it could have been stronger.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Inspired by Chris Gardner's true story, this film is perfect for the holidays. Chris Gardner was a smart man dealt a tough hand. Struggling to make ends meet with only a high school degree, he hustles everyday for his family. After his wife (played by an effective Thandie Newton) has had enough and leaves, it is up to Chris to keep it together for him and his 5 year old son.

Will Smith is outstanding as Gardner. He is certain to pick up an Academy Award nomination for his work here. Not one minute of his performance rings false. You feel his pain, frustration and exhaustion in every frame. Smith's film son is portrayed by his real life son, Jaden Smith, and he does a fine job holding his own against his dad. I don't think he's quite ready for his acceptance speech yet but if he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps, he's got a future.

Credit the screen writer and director (as well as Smith) for a story that stays honest and never gets too sappy. It's a dog eat dog world and you have to credit Gardner's resolve to stay in step with the pack. Smith's performance and this story are both an inspiration.

Apocalypto

After everything I had heard about the violence of this film, frankly, I was expecting a lot worse. Is it violent? Yes, but it is also a terrific film. Say what you will about Mel Gibson's personal behavior but when he's behind the camera, he is an excellent filmmaker. Mr. Gibson definitely has issues. With each of his last few films, he has upped the violence level considerably. However, he has also written and directed a film with a simple yet powerful story, well acted and beautifully shot.

Jaguar Paw lives a peaceful existence in the Mayan jungle with his son and pregnant wife. Their village is raided by another more powerful tribe and many are killed. Jaguar Paw manages to hide his wife and son but is captured along with other men of the tribe. They will be kept alive only to be sacrificed later to appease the gods. His escape and the manhunt that ensues make up the rest of the film. The sacrifices made at the temple are extremely violent but actually could have been far more graphic. Knowing what these men are capable of makes things all that more exciting as Jaguar Paw is pursued through the jungle, determined to survive and find his family.

The cinematography is wonderful. The pace of the film is frenetic and never lets up. The music, by James Horner, compliments the story beautifully and don't be put off by the sub-titles. Yes, the film is spoken in a Mayan dialect but dialog is kept to a minimum and visually, the story is very easy to follow.

Cover your eyes at times but don't be afraid to see this original, well crafted, exciting, adventure.

Blood Diamond

"Blood Diamond" presents itself as a serious "Romancing The Stone". It's a decent enough action adventure but it features stock characters in a film that tries to hard to be an important message movie. Leonardo DeCaprio is the hardened diamond smuggler out to find the rare "Blood Diamond" discovered and hidden by Djimon Hounsou. Hounsou plays the proud fisherman kidnapped from his family by the evil rebels and forced to work in the conflict diamond mines. Rounding out this African "Mod Squad" is Jennifer Connelly as a reporter who wants the story and of course, falls for DeCaprio. The acting is solid especially from Hounsou (who's always good) but the script contains too much silly dialog and too many repetitive chase scenes.

Through a series of well timed escapes, the two men join together when DeCaprio promises to help Hounsou find his family if they split the profits from the diamond. Connelly's character exists only to awaken DeCaprio's conscience and provide commentary about "conflict" diamonds and their horrible impact on the people of Africa. Since the film takes place in 1999 and conditions have changed now in Sierre Leone, part of the message is moot but questions are still raised. While accords have been signed and "conflict" diamonds are only a small percentage now of the World Diamond trade, one can only look at our own diamond jewelry and wonder where those diamonds came from. Genocide still exist today in parts of Africa but "Blood Diamond" was released as holiday entertainment, so we are more concerned if DeCaprio gets his diamond, Hounsou reunites with his family, and Connelly gets her story.

Additional editing would have made for a better film. Cutting down on those endless chase scenes would have saved time for more emoting from Hounsou or silly dialog from DeCaprio. Save "Blood Diamond" for DVD and for a real important message, read about what's happening now in Darfur.

The Wire-Season 4

I don't usually write about a TV show but I just watched the finale of this year's "The Wire" on HBO and had to comment.

Nothing else on TV comes close to the brilliance of this show. Each season brings more depth and intelligence to an amazing drama. Every facet of this show is pure poetry. The acting, direction, writing, and even Baltimore itself as a character, never ring false. If you have "On Demand", start watching from the beginning. Rent or buy the first three seasons. If this season of The Wire were a feature film, it would blow away the competition at the Academy Awards.

It's too smart for television but HBO, to their credit, keeps it going. Season four is filled with so much raw emotion, heartbreak, and no easy answers that at times, you can't bring yourself to watch and yet, there is the glimmer of hope and a better tomorrow for some of the characters.

If you care about quality drama that will challenge and move you, get "wired up" now.

Bobby

The title misleads you into thinking this is a film about Bobby Kennedy. The film is actually about Kennedy's impact on an assortment of real and fictitious characters at the Ambassador Hotel on the day he is shot. An all star cast including Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, William H. Macy, Christian Slater, and Anthony Hopkins, just to name a few, play the various characters working or staying at the hotel on that historical day. In total, 22 recognizable actors worked for scale in this labor of love by writer/director, Emilio Estevez.

Estevez does a decent job blending fact and fiction, inserting many news clips of Kennedy into the story, rather than recreating the man himself (with the exception of a few back shots). The storytelling is ambitious with so many characters (including Estevez himself as Moore's husband and manager) but Estevez fails to develop some of them along the way. His overall effort though succeeds in entertaining and enlightening us as well.

Watching the film brings to mind, old disaster movies like "Airport" and "The Towering Inferno". Star studded affairs linked by a central theme. You care for some characters more than others and in this case, you know going in, who is sure to be killed. Kennedy's impact on this particular generation and the hope he represented reverberates throughout the film and when he is shot, you instantly feel that shattered moment. That message of hope, like that of Martin Luther King and JFK before him, lives on, to one day come to fruition.

Volver

The sins of the past can come back and heal rather than harm in the latest film from Pedro Almodovar. It was Almodovar who first brought our attention to Penelope Cruz. In "Volver", she returns to her native Spanish, where her work is far better than her English speaking roles. Here, working again with Almodovar, Cruz shines as the centerpiece of this intimate family drama.

Cruz plays mother, daughter, and sister in a family of women scarred by events of the past. When tragedy strikes again, it is up to Cruz to hold everything together and when a major revelation occurs, it appears to further complicate things. Almodovar is a master when it comes to writing for, and directing women. Everyone in the film is wonderful and there are many moments of quiet beauty and surprise.

"Volver" is possibly Almodovar's most commercial film yet even as he expands on themes he has covered in some of his more outrageous films. He has a remarkable touch for creating light and poetry out of dark subject matter.

Deja Vu

An interesting action/thriller that,if you buy into its premise, will keep you entertained. Denzel Washington plays an agent for the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) who is investigating the bombing of a New Orleans ferry loaded with U.S. servicemen and their families. The film starts out as your typical “find the killer” story but takes a detour into science fiction when the plot hinges on time travel.

Val Kilmer and Adam Goldberg play FBI agents working on a “top secret government project” who bring in Mr. Washington as their investigative expert. Why the FBI needs an ATF agent as their “investigative expert” is our first leap of faith. When he realizes their project can actually send things into the past, Mr. Washington uses it in an attempt to prevent the tragedy from happening in the first place. Paula Patton plays the woman who is the key to finding the killer and of course, ends up Mr. Washington’s love interest. Another leap of faith.

You sense you seen these plot elements before…Hmmm, Déjà vu? What keeps the story grounded is the serious and committed acting of Denzel Washington. He believes it so we believe it too. Time travel plots are very tricky. If you change the past, then there’s no longer a need to go into the past but if you don’t go, you don’t change it…very complicated stuff, which raises all kinds of questions at the end of the film. Don’t try to figure it all out. Movies like this are all about the ride and Director Tony Scott along with Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is very adept at giving you a fun ride. I have a strange sense they’ve done it before….

The Fountain

Contrary to expectations, "The Fountain" is not about the fountain of youth but rather The Tree of Life. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz star as lovers in this sci-fi, time traveling love story. Jackman's acting is intense and serious but wasted in this metaphysical mess.

The plot (or what resembles a plot) moves between 16th century Spain, the present and the far future where Jackman must find The Tree of Life in order to save Weisz, who appears to be immortal but apparently, is not.

The best analogy I can offer describing this film is when you have an intense dream and wake in the middle of the night to write it all down. It makes sense at the time but when you read it back in the morning, it's incomprehensible. "The Fountain" is the result of writer/director, Darron Aronofsky's dream.

On a positive note, the art direction is excellent although the lighting is so dark for most of the film, you can't appreciate it. The whole thing is a 96 minute bore ruminating on immortality, faith, love and the healing power of tree sap. Don't bother drinking from this "Fountain".

Babel

"Babel" is the newest film from director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. As he's done in the past with "Amores Perros" and "21 Grams", he expertly weaves multiple story lines connected by a single thread. With each film, Inarritu continues to impress with this style of storytelling.

Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett play American tourists traveling in the Moroccan desert. While they are both major stars, this film is truly an ensemble piece and their story is but one of four human dramas with one thing in common. Pitt manages to disappear into his role and does some great work with his limited scenes. Blanchett, due to the nature of her role, is limited in her acting, but still conveys a great deal of emotion. The film also features Gael Garcia Bernal and an excellent group of international co-stars.

The action shifts back and forth through time and place from the Moroccan desert to the Southwestern US, Mexico and Japan. The stories are so believable and the acting is so good, you will feel like you're watching CNN News rather than a movie. When Cate Blanchett's character is accidentally struck by a rifle shot, it sets off a series of further accidents and misunderstandings affecting her children, their Mexican nanny, the Moroccan family that owned the rifle and a Japanese deaf-mute teenage girl and her father. What transpires throughout is tragic and yet by the end, we sense a glimmer of hope for at least some of the characters.

This is a thoughtful and moving drama and one of the year's best films.

Casino Royale

I am very happy to report that James Bond is back... shaken, not stirred. Much has been written since the announcement of Daniel Craig taking over the franchise, and most of it very critical. Mr. Craig has taken the iconic role and completely made it his own. While I'm sure this will be debated by die-hard fans everywhere, he is the best Bond since Sean Connery.

This film revitalizes the franchise by literally taking it back to it's roots. Staying pretty faithful to the Ian Fleming novel, "Casino Royale" introduces Bond to his first 00 mission. The film is full of the action we expect from a Bond film but this action is grounded (for the most part) in reality. The stunt work is terrific. The CGI, from what I can tell, is kept to a minimum. There is a plot that makes sense, real dramatic moments and a very human James Bond. Mr. Craig plays him as a diamond in the rough. This Bond is serious, intense, and flawed. This Bond bleeds... repeatedly. He is beaten, shot with a nail gun, poisoned, tortured, nearly drowned, and beaten some more. I could criticize his incredible healing ability but why bother, it's James Bond.

The screenwriters (including Paul Haggis. What doesn't he write these days?) have done a great job infusing the Bond elements we all love (Judy Dench as M, the exotic locations, the women, a creepy villain) into a story that, while bloated, never goes as over the top as we've seen in the recent past. The film runs two and a half hours and could have easily been cut by 20 minutes or so. There is a point when you think it may never end but end it does and it will leave you with anticipation for Mr. Craig's next turn in the tuxedo.

Saving Money At The Movies

Last week, AMC/Loews quietly raised their ticket prices. An adult ticket is now $11. I haven't checked yet but I'm sure Clearview, City Cinemas, and UA Regal theaters won't be far behind. I recommend a few ways to save some money. First, sign up for free reward cards. AMC has a movie watcher program, Clearview has a rewards program and UA Regal has a movie club card, all of which give you points towards free snacks and free tickets. Even if you don't go often these points add up and help save you money.

Another way to save is to take advantage of a little known secret at all AMC/Loews theaters in the city. If you go before noon any Friday through Sunday, or holiday, the price is just $6.
For some reason the AMC/Loews at 72nd street only has this deal on Saturdays and holidays but this theater is the only exception.

And finally, check HR sites at your job or AAA, for discount passes which can save you at least $2.50 on each ticket. Of course, you can also read my reviews and be more selective about what you see.

Running With Scissors

Despite the pedigree cast and terrific acting, "Scissors" doesn't cut it. The film is based on the true memoirs of Augusten Burroughs. Burrough's book was apparently very popular but having not read it, I was drawn to the film by the cast and not the story. Luckily the acting rises above the plot and keeps you interested.

As a teen, Augusten is sent to live with his mother's shrink and his family. Having difficulty enough adjusting to his parent's divorce and his metal unstable mother, Augusten must now reside with the family that puts the D in dysfunctional. The Finch family is played by Brian Cox, as Dr. Finch, Jill Clayburgh as his wife, and Gwyneth Paltrow and Evan Rachel Wood as their daughters. While all do an outstanding job, Jill Clayburgh is just wonderful as the long suffering repressed wife and mother. She deserves an best supporting actress nomination at Oscar time.

All of these characters are damaged goods. Repressed, depressed, confused and somewhat psychotic, it is not a happy picture. If not for the acting, watching these characters for two hours would just be painful. But the saving grace of them all is Annette Bening as Deirdre Burroughs, a leading role with Oscar nomination written all over it. Ms. Bening is just terrific in a difficult role as a mother with delusions of grandeur coupled with intense mental anguish. Joseph Cross plays Augusten and holds his own among all these top notch actors. His scenes with Bening are heartbreaking and true. Alex Baldwin plays the small but important role of Augusten's father, downplaying his usual bombastic character and showing some real depth.

This one gets an A for acting but a D for a depressing story.

Stranger Than Fiction

The idea of a person discovering their reality is not what it seems and confronting their maker about it has been done before with Jim Carry in "The Truman Show". Call this "The Truman Show Redeux". Instead of Mr. Carry, we now have Will Ferrell, who discovers he is a character in the imagination of author Karen Eiffel, played by Emma Thompson.

The earlier film played for more laughs while exploring questions of one's existence. "Stranger Than Fiction" forgets the laughs and plays it straight. This is not necessarily a problem, however, one's expectations from the trailer and Mr. Ferrell's history suggest you will be laughing during this film. Mr. Ferrell's attempts at a deadpan dramatic performance are a disappointment. While I applaud his effort, it's too much of a leap for him and the audience finds itself forcing laughs at his situation just because he is Will Ferrell.

The story, moving from the Truman TV reality, places us in the literary world of Karen Eiffel's new book. A novel about Harold Crick that she hasn't finished due to a bad case of writer's block. When Harold actually begins to hear Karen's narration, his mundane world collapses and he is forced to face his mortality as Karen tries to figure out how to kill her character. Along for the ride are Maggie Gyllenhaal as a baker who inexplicably falls for Harold, Dustin Hoffman as a literature professor helping Harold figure things out and Queen Latifah, who is wasted as Karen's assistant. She simply isn't given enough to do.

This is a smarter film than you'd expect. The ideas of existence, free will, and one's fate are entwined throughout the film and the ending finds a manipulative way to keep from painting the story into a corner. It's more entertaining than a philosophy class on free will but it's been done before...and better.

Marie Antoinette

This film had me from the start but lost me somewhere between the pastry trays and the French Revolution. Sophia Coppola does a fine job of recreating 18th century Versailles and all the excesses that befit the royal family. The excess of food, drink, gambling, clothing, and most of all, boredom are all portrayed lavishly by Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, Judy Davis, Steve Coogan, Asia Argento, and Rip Torn.

What drives the first half of the film is the problem of consummating the marriage for Marie and Louis. Once solved, all we can do is wait for the revolution while Marie spends like crazy and Louis empties the royal treasury donating war funds to the Americans fighting their own revolution.

The use of contemporary music and dialog by Ms. Dunst work in a fun and illuminating way as we watch this young girl grow into her place in history. But even this starts to wear thin as we begin to anticipate the next song selection turning the film into a very long music video.

Ms. Coppola has a very artistic vision as a director and the film looks fabulous. The problem is she falls victim to her own excess. Endless shots of Ms. Dunst from every angle possible carry the boredom of the court into the boredom of the theater. Had she cut 20 minutes, I think the film would have been much tighter and more enjoyable.

The Queen

"The Queen" takes us inside the royal family just after the death of Princess Diana in 1997. As an American, it is fascinating to watch the the machinations of the British government during this time of public shock and grief. The exchanges between the newly elected Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and her royal highness are absolutely priceless. There is quite a bit of humorous dialogue which I perceived to be unintentional and only funny as an outsider looking in.

During the week between the accident and Diana's funeral, the royal family opts to remain private and retreat to their country estate. The British public, who obviously worshipped Diana as a public figure, resent the actions taken by the royal family and public opinion begins to plummet for the monarchy. Tony Blair recognizes the importance of a public show of grieving to unite the country and does his best to gently persuade The Queen to change her mind.

As The Queen, Helen Mirren is simply brilliant. One can only imagine what it's like inside the royal family and Ms. Mirren acts like she's lived the part her entire life. Every line and every look come so naturally to her, you forget she is acting. She will be very hard to beat come Oscar time. As Tony Blair, Michael Sheen is up to the challenge of verbally sparring with Ms. Mirren. The very reliable James Cromwell plays Prince Phillip and Alex Jennings portrays a spot-on Prince Charles.

The story is cut with actual footage from the period which only serves to create an air of authenticity to the entire film. One would think the screenwriter, Peter Morgan, was a fly on the wall during that tragic week. It is easy to dismiss The Queen as the villain and Tony Blair the hero of the story but as the film unfolds, things are not so clearly defined and a key line by Ms. Mirren towards the end of the film puts everything in perspective. Whether or not it's all accurate, "The Queen" is fascinating look into a world most of us never see.

The Last King of Scotland

Based on the true story of the infamous Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin, "Last King" is a tour de force for actor Forest Whitaker. While the story's point of view comes from a fictional character, Dr. Garrigan (played by James McAvoy), it is Mr. Whitaker's performance that keeps you riveted to the screen.

   Amin is impressed by the Scottish doctor and makes him his personal physician. At first, the doctor isn't interested but is soon won over and begins to enjoy his involvement with the charismatic Amin. However, he slowly comes to realize the monster hidden behind the smile.

    McAvoy plays a great counterpoint to Whitaker's dictator. Naïve at first, his awakening once he learns the truth is very natural and the film's climax at Entebbe Airport is filled with tension as he attempts to free himself of Amin's control.

    Mr. Whitaker is a wonderful actor. He recently did a terrific job guest starring on the TV series, "The Shield". His portrayal of Idi Amin is Oscar worthy and he most certainly should receive a nomination at the very least. While the doctor's tale occasionally ventures into melodrama, you are jolted back to reality every time Mr. Whitaker is on the screen.
Don't miss one of this year's absolutely best performances.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Based on Sacha Baron Cohen's fictional character, Borat makes the successful jump from a TV sketch to the big screen. This formula has a shaky past and most of the time doesn't work. Fortunately, Borat lends itself perfectly to a full length film and is unlike anything you've ever seen.

The film is outrageous, offensive, and hysterically funny. It is "Blazing Saddles" for a new generation. When that film opened in the 70's audiences could not believe what they were hearing and seeing but it left them weak from laughter while breaking taboos at the same time. Borat is a TV personality from Kazakhstan who journeys to America to learn of our culture. Much like "Saddles", the film sets up outrageous situations in familiar settings but the big difference is most of the people Borat encounters are real and not in on the joke.

This sets up biting social, political, and sexual commentary. Many of the reactions to Borat's behavior are extremely funny but it's also scary to think some people in this country still have the attitudes revealed in the film.

Just as the story begins to wear thin, a new encounter or situation will have you laughing out loud. This is not a film for everyone as many will NOT get the joke but if you go with an open mind and realize this is satire, you may find yourself weak from laughter. Be warned, there is plenty of gross comedy and bad behavior but underneath there is method to the madness and it's name is Borat.

The Prestige

Without revealing any secrets, the basic plot is simple enough. Due to a tragic act, two friendly magicians-in-training become bitter enemies over the years, each trying to outperform the other causing nothing but further tragedy.

Oh how I wanted to love this film and oh, what a disappointment. Christopher Nolan has worked magic in the past with "Memento" and "Batman Returns". This time, with magic as the literal subject matter, his tricks fail to impress. The "pledge" of the trailer sets up a promising "turn" but the final act or as it's known to magicians, the "Prestige" rests on two faulty elements. One is obvious very early in the film and the other is completely ridiculous.

What does work here is the very capable performance of Christian Bale. This man is incapable of a bad performance. From his very first performance in "Empire of The Sun" (very underrated Spielberg), Bale has delivered over and over again with every film. Hugh Jackman plays the rival magician with his usual dashing aplomb. Michael Caine plays his "Alfred" role from "Batman Returns" and once again, Scarlett Johansson lends herself as eye candy in an otherwise minor role as the assistant with vacillating loyalty. There is a worthwhile cameo by David Bowie, who makes a wonderful entrance.

There have been some comparisons between this film and "The Illusionist". While both are period films about magicians, the stories are really quite different and frankly, "The Illusionist" pulls the rabbit out of the proverbial hat. "The Prestige" is left just holding the hat.