GoSale.com :: Reviews by A2GPEV42IO41CI

Reviews Written By: A2GPEV42IO41CI

provided by Amazon.com


	The O.C. - The Complete Third Season
	"No Chrismukkah? Ewww!"	2009-11-11
The third season of The O.C. was a huge disappointment after the wildly successful first season and the pretty good second season. This year, the kids are seniors and college is on the horizon. Ryan romances a dull newcomer, acts like he's 40 years old, and has way too little screen time. Marissa, once the queen of Harbor School, goes to public school with some unsavory new friends. Summer and Seth spend most of their time bickering, as do Sandy and Kirsten. Only spunky Julie Cooper stays true to her character as she merrily copes with new-found poverty and an unexpected new love. What made the show great in the beginning was seeing Ryan adjust to the Newpsies and the on-again, off-again romances of the "Core Four" and their parents. Sadly, this season that all took a back seat to tedious guest-star story arcs featuring unlikable and off-putting characters. Even with all its shortcomings, though, this season is a must for OC fans and it does end in a surprisingly exciting finale. 3.5 stars.
	Another Country
	""I shan't be forgotten.""	2009-10-14
As the story opens, a British traitor describes the beginnings of his rebellion at a posh public school in the 1930s. In the flashback, we follow classmates Guy and Tommy (Rupert Everett and Colin Firth); Guy is struggling with hiding his homosexuality and Tommy is a budding Marxist. This fictionalized account of infamous spy Guy Burgess' youth is a fascinating look at that very British institution, the public school with its young aristocrats luxuriating in their privileged lives. Though the movie moves very slowly and has little action, I still enjoyed the ambiance and the gorgeous scenery in and around Oxford. Everett and Firth are amazingly young and give excellent performances. It is interesting to see a youthful Earl Spencer playing one of the students and some filming was even done at Althorp, the Spencer home. On the downside, the story fails to fully explain why Guy became a Russian spy and his "old man" hair and make-up are truly ridiculous, but I still recommend the movie as an enjoyable look at traditional school life. 3.5 stars.
	Carnal Knowledge
	"Depressing"	2009-09-10
The story opens in the fifties, and cool Jonathan (Jack Nicholson) and timid Sandy (Arthur Garfunkle) are college freshmen with one thing on their minds. Their deed-doing adventures soon begin but as we follow them over the next twenty years, we see they still haven't figured women out at all. This movie was considered very risqué in 1971, and still retains some shock value from the coarse and passionless way the two men talk about and experience the opposite sex. Though Nicholson was in his thirties, he still pulls off being a giggling college freshman. As his character ages, he becomes the bitter and worldly-wise man he's played so often and so well. Garfunkle (then a wildly successful folk singer) was a good choice as the bumbling young man who needs his roommate's prodding to go all the way with his girl (a lovely, young Candice Bergen). Ann-Margret was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Jonathan's tarty, miserable lover. I didn't like the movie much because of its unresolved episodic scenes and the callous approach to what women would call "romance." Although I can see its place in movie history as a barrier-breaking, in-your-face film about things people didn't really talk about back then, it still left me feeling sad and empty.
	Carnal Knowledge
	"Depressing"	2009-09-10
The story opens in the fifties, and cool Jonathan (Jack Nicholson) and timid Sandy (Arthur Garfunkle) are college freshmen with one thing on their minds. Their deed-doing adventures soon begin but as we follow them over the next twenty years, we see they still haven't figured women out at all. This movie was considered very risqué in 1971, and still retains some shock value from the coarse and passionless way the two men talk about and experience the opposite sex. Though Nicholson was in his thirties, he still pulls off being a giggling college freshman. As his character ages, he becomes the bitter and worldly-wise man he's played so often and so well. Garfunkle (then a wildly successful folk singer) was a good choice as the bumbling young man who needs his roommate's prodding to go all the way with his girl (a lovely, young Candice Bergen). Ann-Margret was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Jonathan's tarty, miserable lover. I didn't like the movie much because of its unresolved episodic scenes and the callous approach to what women would call "romance." Although I can see its place in movie history as a barrier-breaking, in-your-face film about things people didn't really talk about back then, it still left me feeling sad and empty.
	Vertical Limit (Special Edition)
	"Corny"	2009-09-09
Peter (Chris O'Donnell) and Annie (Robin Tunney) are brother and sister who once shared a tragic mountain climbing experience. Since then, Peter has refused to climb but Annie gets lured into climbing K-2 with a novice billionaire. (Of course) they need rescuing and (of course) Peter leads the way. This movie uses every mountain climbing cliché in the book and is so predictable, it's pathetic. After just minutes we know where the story is going and sure enough, it goes there. There are a few exciting disaster scenes, but even they were by-the-book, right on cue, no surprises. The Extras feature on the making of the movie was the best part of the DVD. I had assumed the actors were acting in front of blue screens with stock mountain footage in the background, but to my surprise they actually filmed it atop snowy and icy (New Zealand) peaks and the actors did a lot of their own stunts. If I had known that, I might have been more patient with the movie, but it really was a connect-the-dots climbing movie, complete with dastardly businessmen, noble climbers, a surprise avalanche, and deadly crevasses. Disappointing.
	Vertical Limit [Blu-ray]
	"Corny"	2009-09-09
Peter (Chris O'Donnell) and Annie (Robin Tunney) are brother and sister who once shared a tragic mountain climbing experience. Since then, Peter has refused to climb but Annie gets lured into climbing K-2 with a novice billionaire. (Of course) they need rescuing and (of course) Peter leads the way. This movie uses every mountain climbing cliché in the book and is so predictable, it's pathetic. After just minutes we know where the story is going and sure enough, it goes there. There are a few exciting disaster scenes, but even they were by-the-book, right on cue, no surprises. The Extras feature on the making of the movie was the best part of the DVD. I had assumed the actors were acting in front of blue screens with stock mountain footage in the background, but to my surprise they actually filmed it atop snowy and icy (New Zealand) peaks and the actors did a lot of their own stunts. If I had known that, I might have been more patient with the movie, but it really was a connect-the-dots climbing movie, complete with dastardly businessmen, noble climbers, a surprise avalanche, and deadly crevasses. Disappointing.
	Vertical Limit
	"Corny"	2009-09-09
Peter (Chris O'Donnell) and Annie (Robin Tunney) are brother and sister who once shared a tragic mountain climbing experience. Since then, Peter has refused to climb but Annie gets lured into climbing K-2 with a novice billionaire. (Of course) they need rescuing and (of course) Peter leads the way. This movie uses every mountain climbing cliché in the book and is so predictable, it's pathetic. After just minutes we know where the story is going and sure enough, it goes there. There are a few exciting disaster scenes, but even they were by-the-book, right on cue, no surprises. The Extras feature on the making of the movie was the best part of the DVD. I had assumed the actors were acting in front of blue screens with stock mountain footage in the background, but to my surprise they actually filmed it atop snowy and icy (New Zealand) peaks and the actors did a lot of their own stunts. If I had known that, I might have been more patient with the movie, but it really was a connect-the-dots climbing movie, complete with dastardly businessmen, noble climbers, a surprise avalanche, and deadly crevasses. Disappointing.
	Vertical Limit (Superbit Collection)
	"Corny"	2009-09-09
Peter (Chris O'Donnell) and Annie (Robin Tunney) are brother and sister who once shared a tragic mountain climbing experience. Since then, Peter has refused to climb but Annie gets lured into climbing K-2 with a novice billionaire. (Of course) they need rescuing and (of course) Peter leads the way. This movie uses every mountain climbing cliché in the book and is so predictable, it's pathetic. After just minutes we know where the story is going and sure enough, it goes there. There are a few exciting disaster scenes, but even they were by-the-book, right on cue, no surprises. The Extras feature on the making of the movie was the best part of the DVD. I had assumed the actors were acting in front of blue screens with stock mountain footage in the background, but to my surprise they actually filmed it atop snowy and icy (New Zealand) peaks and the actors did a lot of their own stunts. If I had known that, I might have been more patient with the movie, but it really was a connect-the-dots climbing movie, complete with dastardly businessmen, noble climbers, a surprise avalanche, and deadly crevasses. Disappointing.
	To Die For
	"Blind ambition gone wrong"	2009-09-05
Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman) will do anything to be the next Barbara Walters. She starts out as a small town weather girl and while making a documentary with some high school students, hatches a diabolical scheme to kill her husband (Matt Dillon) whose ambitions don't match her own. Loosely based on the true story of Pamela Wojas Smart, this movie is a clever black comedy focusing on the blind ambition of Kidman's character. She plays her as an outwardly dumb blonde who is, in fact, ruthless and willing to do anything to be famous. Joaquin Phoenix plays Stone's teenage lover who blindly carries out her plan. He's quite young-looking and completely believable as the adolescent pawn in her deadly chess game. The story is filmed like a documentary, in keeping with Suzanne's goal of being a celebrated interviewer. Having the characters speak into the camera reduces the tension but increases the humor, as most of the people involved are completely gullible and fall under Suzanne's spell. It's a macabre story played mostly for laughs with good acting all around.
	To Die For
	"Blind ambition gone wrong"	2009-09-05
Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman) will do anything to be the next Barbara Walters. She starts out as a small town weather girl and while making a documentary with some high school students, hatches a diabolical scheme to kill her husband (Matt Dillon) whose ambitions don't match her own. Loosely based on the true story of Pamela Wojas Smart, this movie is a clever black comedy focusing on the blind ambition of Kidman's character. She plays her as an outwardly dumb blonde who is, in fact, ruthless and willing to do anything to be famous. Joaquin Phoenix plays Stone's teenage lover who blindly carries out her plan. He's quite young-looking and completely believable as the adolescent pawn in her deadly chess game. The story is filmed like a documentary, in keeping with Suzanne's goal of being a celebrated interviewer. Having the characters speak into the camera reduces the tension but increases the humor, as most of the people involved are completely gullible and fall under Suzanne's spell. It's a macabre story played mostly for laughs with good acting all around.
	The Importance of Being Earnest
	"Disappointing"	2009-08-29
In Victorian England, two young ladies are convinced they can only fall in love with men named "Earnest," so wealthy Jack (Colin Firth) and his scoundrel friend Algernon (Rupert Everett) adopt that name and the result is unrestrained hilarity. (NOT.) This misguided version of Oscar Wilde's well-loved stage play suffers from poor direction at every turn. The sets and costumes are too brightly colored, the actors are too tanned and robust, and their mannerisms are so distinctly modern that one never believes it's the 1890s. One really vulgar addition to the original has two characters getting their beloved's names tattooed, colorfully, on their bums. shudder Colin Firth and Rupert Everett are both handsome, but they don't capture the period and they often mumble, which is unforgivable since the language is the best part of the show. The two young ladies are sadly miscast: Although Reese Witherspoon does a respectable English accent, she has to work so hard at it that it's distracting and she looks very 21st century. Frances O'Connor as Jack's love interest is pushy and unlikable. The real star of the film is Judi Drench who displays the perfect regal elegance and snobbiness her part requires. The movie is pretty boring until the last 30 minutes, when all the (supposed) wackiness of two men calling themselves "Earnest" finally starts to make sense and several coincidences pay off. Overall, however, this dismal reworking of a hilarious play has neither wit nor humor.
	The Importance of Being Earnest
	"Disappointing"	2009-08-29
In Victorian England, two young ladies are convinced they can only fall in love with men named "Earnest," so wealthy Jack (Colin Firth) and his scoundrel friend Algernon (Rupert Everett) adopt that name and the result is unrestrained hilarity. (NOT.) This misguided version of Oscar Wilde's well-loved stage play suffers from poor direction at every turn. The sets and costumes are too brightly colored, the actors are too tanned and robust, and their mannerisms are so distinctly modern that one never believes it's the 1890s. One really vulgar addition to the original has two characters getting their beloved's names tattooed, colorfully, on their bums. shudder Colin Firth and Rupert Everett are both handsome, but they don't capture the period and they often mumble, which is unforgivable since the language is the best part of the show. The two young ladies are sadly miscast: Although Reese Witherspoon does a respectable English accent, she has to work so hard at it that it's distracting and she looks very 21st century. Frances O'Connor as Jack's love interest is pushy and unlikable. The real star of the film is Judi Drench who displays the perfect regal elegance and snobbiness her part requires. The movie is pretty boring until the last 30 minutes, when all the (supposed) wackiness of two men calling themselves "Earnest" finally starts to make sense and several coincidences pay off. Overall, however, this dismal reworking of a hilarious play has neither wit nor humor.
	Immortal Beloved
	"Magnificent!"	2009-08-26
The year is 1827, and famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven has just died. He leaves his estate to someone only known as his "Immortal Beloved," so his secretary goes about finding out who she may be among his many lovers. This movie is absolutely beautiful. Beethoven's music, of course, is the soundtrack and also the main plot point, as the writer/director speculates on the events in the maestro's life that inspired each piece. The movie goes back and forth in time to each of the important people in Beethoven's life and we see his music evolve from much tragedy, some euphoria, and most of all, his passion for life. There is even a persuasive scene accounting for his deafness. With lavish costumes and picturesque Czech locations, it's lovely to look at but even more impressive is Gary Oldman's portrayal of Beethoven. Though playing a conceited, temperamental, and often angry man, Oldman still wins our sympathy and he is at his charismatic best. If you love Beethoven's music and/or period films, you'll enjoy this exciting biopic. Highly recommended.
	Immortal Beloved [Blu-ray]
	"Magnificent!"	2009-08-26
The year is 1827, and famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven has just died. He leaves his estate to someone only known as his "Immortal Beloved," so his secretary goes about finding out who she may be among his many lovers. This movie is absolutely beautiful. Beethoven's music, of course, is the soundtrack and also the main plot point, as the writer/director speculates on the events in the maestro's life that inspired each piece. The movie goes back and forth in time to each of the important people in Beethoven's life and we see his music evolve from much tragedy, some euphoria, and most of all, his passion for life. There is even a persuasive scene accounting for his deafness. With lavish costumes and picturesque Czech locations, it's lovely to look at but even more impressive is Gary Oldman's portrayal of Beethoven. Though playing a conceited, temperamental, and often angry man, Oldman still wins our sympathy and he is at his charismatic best. If you love Beethoven's music and/or period films, you'll enjoy this exciting biopic. Highly recommended.
	Immortal Beloved
	"Magnificent!"	2009-08-26
The year is 1827, and famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven has just died. He leaves his estate to someone only known as his "Immortal Beloved," so his secretary goes about finding out who she may be among his many lovers. This movie is absolutely beautiful. Beethoven's music, of course, is the soundtrack and also the main plot point, as the writer/director speculates on the events in the maestro's life that inspired each piece. The movie goes back and forth in time to each of the important people in Beethoven's life and we see his music evolve from much tragedy, some euphoria, and most of all, his passion for life. There is even a persuasive scene accounting for his deafness. With lavish costumes and picturesque Czech locations, it's lovely to look at but even more impressive is Gary Oldman's portrayal of Beethoven. Though playing a conceited, temperamental, and often angry man, Oldman still wins our sympathy and he is at his charismatic best. If you love Beethoven's music and/or period films, you'll enjoy this exciting biopic. Highly recommended.
	Tokyo Story - Criterion Collection
	"A gentle story about family"	2009-08-25
An elderly couple are excited to make the long trip to visit their grown children in Tokyo; once there, however, they find the children are too busy to spend time with them. This is a lovely and touching movie from the acclaimed director Yasujiro Ozu. His specialty was observing familial relationships and the ordinary day-to-day life of post-war Japan. In "Tokyo Story," we see a couple who love their children and patiently and philosophically forgive them for their rudeness. The circle of life and the real personalities of all the characters make for a poignant story. It moves slowly and may be too long, but the result is an unforgettable glimpse into another time and place. In Japanese with English subtitles. Recommended.
	Cinema Paradiso - The New Version
	"A perfect movie"	2009-08-11
World War II has just ended and life in the Sicilian village of Giancaldo centers around the Cinema Paradiso where townsfolk gather to see the exciting and glamorous world outside. Young Toto spends all his free time sneaking into the theatre for the movies and most especially for the old projectionist, Alfredo, who loves him like a son. Toto wants to grow up and show movies just like Alfredo, but one night, there is a terrible fire in the projection box. This movie is simply perfect. It's nostalgic and sentimental and quite touching. The actors are uniformly excellent, especially the adorable Salvatore Cascio who plays Toto as a child and Marco Leonardi who gives a sensitive performance as teenage Toto. Philippe Noiret is wonderful as the old projectionist who teaches Toto about life. In some ways, this movie is similar to The Last Picture Show; it's about the passage of time with the one constant being the local theatre. We watch as Toto grows up and the town modernizes, but the villagers retain their close bond with one another. The soundtrack alone is enough to send you running for tissues; it's beautiful and heartbreaking. The direction is outstanding, with nary a single wasted moment. In Italian with English subtitles, it's a timeless and universally-appealing story of a boy who falls in love with movies. Highly recommended.
	Cinema Paradiso
	"A perfect movie"	2009-08-11
World War II has just ended and life in the Sicilian village of Giancaldo centers around the Cinema Paradiso where townsfolk gather to see the exciting and glamorous world outside. Young Toto spends all his free time sneaking into the theatre for the movies and most especially for the old projectionist, Alfredo, who loves him like a son. Toto wants to grow up and show movies just like Alfredo, but one night, there is a terrible fire in the projection box. This movie is simply perfect. It's nostalgic and sentimental and quite touching. The actors are uniformly excellent, especially the adorable Salvatore Cascio who plays Toto as a child and Marco Leonardi who gives a sensitive performance as teenage Toto. Philippe Noiret is wonderful as the old projectionist who teaches Toto about life. In some ways, this movie is similar to The Last Picture Show; it's about the passage of time with the one constant being the local theatre. We watch as Toto grows up and the town modernizes, but the villagers retain their close bond with one another. The soundtrack alone is enough to send you running for tissues; it's beautiful and heartbreaking. The direction is outstanding, with nary a single wasted moment. In Italian with English subtitles, it's a timeless and universally-appealing story of a boy who falls in love with movies. Highly recommended.
	Cinema Paradiso - The New Version
	"A perfect movie"	2009-08-11
World War II has just ended and life in the Sicilian village of Giancaldo centers around the Cinema Paradiso where townsfolk gather to see the exciting and glamorous world outside. Young Toto spends all his free time sneaking into the theatre for the movies and most especially for the old projectionist, Alfredo, who loves him like a son. Toto wants to grow up and show movies just like Alfredo, but one night, there is a terrible fire in the projection box. This movie is simply perfect. It's nostalgic and sentimental and quite touching. The actors are uniformly excellent, especially the adorable Salvatore Cascio who plays Toto as a child and Marco Leonardi who gives a sensitive performance as teenage Toto. Philippe Noiret is wonderful as the old projectionist who teaches Toto about life. In some ways, this movie is similar to The Last Picture Show; it's about the passage of time with the one constant being the local theatre. We watch as Toto grows up and the town modernizes, but the villagers retain their close bond with one another. The soundtrack alone is enough to send you running for tissues; it's beautiful and heartbreaking. The direction is outstanding, with nary a single wasted moment. In Italian with English subtitles, it's a timeless and universally-appealing story of a boy who falls in love with movies. Highly recommended.
	Cinema Paradiso
	"A perfect movie"	2009-08-11
World War II has just ended and life in the Sicilian village of Giancaldo centers around the Cinema Paradiso where townsfolk gather to see the exciting and glamorous world outside. Young Toto spends all his free time sneaking into the theatre for the movies and most especially for the old projectionist, Alfredo, who loves him like a son. Toto wants to grow up and show movies just like Alfredo, but one night, there is a terrible fire in the projection box. This movie is simply perfect. It's nostalgic and sentimental and quite touching. The actors are uniformly excellent, especially the adorable Salvatore Cascio who plays Toto as a child and Marco Leonardi who gives a sensitive performance as teenage Toto. Philippe Noiret is wonderful as the old projectionist who teaches Toto about life. In some ways, this movie is similar to The Last Picture Show; it's about the passage of time with the one constant being the local theatre. We watch as Toto grows up and the town modernizes, but the villagers retain their close bond with one another. The soundtrack alone is enough to send you running for tissues; it's beautiful and heartbreaking. The direction is outstanding, with nary a single wasted moment. In Italian with English subtitles, it's a timeless and universally-appealing story of a boy who falls in love with movies. Highly recommended.
	The Human Stain
	"Amazingly bad"	2009-08-05
Coleman Silk (Anthony Hopkins) is a highly respected college dean and professor. After one innocent remark is misinterpreted as a racist comment, he is forced to quit his job in disgrace. Coleman begins a strange affair with an aimless woman (Nicole Kidman) half his age, who has had a tragic past and isn't ready to return his love. For me, this strange little movie was doomed from the start, when the big finish is shown right away. The rest of the story is shown in choppy, anti-climactic flashbacks (often out of order) which didn't allow for any build-up in tension or sympathy for the main character, Coleman. As a young man from New Jersey, he's played by Wentworth Miller who is quite charismatic and likeable, but looked and sounded nothing like the Welsh-accented adult Coleman (who sometimes appeared to channel a leering Hannibal Lector). Hopkins is so horribly miscast in this role that it's impossible to buy the racially-charged plot. Kidman was also completely wrong for this movie; her innate grace and elegance couldn't be hidden by a messy hairdo and I never bought her as an illiterate custodian. Her graphic love scenes with Hopkins were more creepy than romantic. There is so much personal tragedy among the main characters - including Gary Sinise who plays a troubled writer and Ed Harris as a crazed Vietnam vet - and yet the movie misfires completely and I felt no connection with them or the whole premise of injustice. Afterward, I was left shaking my head at this surprising mess of a movie and just amazed that so much talent couldn't save it.
	Five People You Meet in Heaven
	""Life has to end...Love doesn't.""	2009-07-09
Eddie (Jon Voight) is an old man who has spent his whole life doing maintenance at the Ruby Pier amusement park. Today, one of the rides malfunctions and threatens a child's life. As he rushes to save her, he is whisked to Heaven where he meets five people from his past - people he loved and hated, and even one he didn't know at all. I expected this movie to be sappy and maudlin and in a way it was, but it was so well done I was quite moved by it. Eddie's trip to Heaven is much like Scrooge's in "A Christmas Carol," but instead of three ghostly guides, Eddie is met by five people who touched his life or who were affected by his and who ease his transition to the great beyond. It's a fantasy world with frightening war scenes and innocent love scenes, and while I watched I couldn't help but think of my own life, quite ordinary like Eddie's, but who knows how many I have affected for better or worse? I tear up easily at sad movies, but this time I went far beyond sobbing; I wailed the whole time. The movie really got to me. We're all going to find out what death is like someday and I'm more than curious. Also, as I've aged and lost dear ones, I long to see them again. This is a thought-provoking, tender tale that really touched my heart.
	Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
	""Bad juju.""	2009-07-05
John Kelso (John Cusack) is a writer who has come to Savannah to cover a big party given by socialite Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey). The next day, however, Williams is arrested for murder and John stays on to get to the bottom of the case. Despite being a true story, directed by Clint Eastwood, and based on a successful novel, this movie left me bored and annoyed. The plot is quite slim so the story is filled out with quirky local (mostly real) characters that are unrelated to the case. We see a lot of local drag queen Lady Chablis (who steals the show, which isn't hard to do) and while she's entertaining, she's just a time-filler. The same goes for a mysterious voodoo lady, a man who is surrounded by tethered horseflies, and another who walks a dog-less leash - all colorful, atmospheric characters, but so what? Ultimately we know nothing about the killer or the deceased and the trial is less important than the oh-so colorful denizens of Savannah's unique society. Kevin Spacey specializes in eccentric characters and here he's over the top, arrogant, and unlikable. Jude Law plays Williams' lover and is only on screen for a minute or two. John Cusack is bland and lifeless, and since he's always on the screen he becomes really irritating. Disappointing.
	Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
	""Bad juju.""	2009-07-05
John Kelso (John Cusack) is a writer who has come to Savannah to cover a big party given by socialite Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey). The next day, however, Williams is arrested for murder and John stays on to get to the bottom of the case. Despite being a true story, directed by Clint Eastwood, and based on a successful novel, this movie left me bored and annoyed. The plot is quite slim so the story is filled out with quirky local (mostly real) characters that are unrelated to the case. We see a lot of local drag queen Lady Chablis (who steals the show, which isn't hard to do) and while she's entertaining, she's just a time-filler. The same goes for a mysterious voodoo lady, a man who is surrounded by tethered horseflies, and another who walks a dog-less leash - all colorful, atmospheric characters, but so what? Ultimately we know nothing about the killer or the deceased and the trial is less important than the oh-so colorful denizens of Savannah's unique society. Kevin Spacey specializes in eccentric characters and here he's over the top, arrogant, and unlikable. Jude Law plays Williams' lover and is only on screen for a minute or two. John Cusack is bland and lifeless, and since he's always on the screen he becomes really irritating. Disappointing.
	Plenty
	"Pointless"	2009-07-04
Meryl Streep stars as a young British woman working for the French resistance during WWII. After the war, she goes home. I didn't get this movie at all. I thought it was poorly conceived and written and basically a bore. Streep was the only good actor in the cast and even she overacted a lot in a very unsympathetic role. Though the movie spans twenty years, she didn't age at all, looking young and beautiful throughout. The director chose not to have fade-outs or subtitles telling us what year it was, so we had to guess by looking at the clothing styles. Very confusing and tiresome. We do get to see a dark-haired Ian McKellen as a stuffy diplomat and a young Sting as a clueless stud. But nothing much happens in this film; it's just endless talking (it's based on a play) and nothing interesting or touching is said. Odd and off-putting, this is one to skip.
	Plenty
	"Pointless"	2009-07-04
Meryl Streep stars as a young British woman working for the French resistance during WWII. After the war, she goes home. I didn't get this movie at all. I thought it was poorly conceived and written and basically a bore. Streep was the only good actor in the cast and even she overacted a lot in a very unsympathetic role. Though the movie spans twenty years, she didn't age at all, looking young and beautiful throughout. The director chose not to have fade-outs or subtitles telling us what year it was, so we had to guess by looking at the clothing styles. Very confusing and tiresome. We do get to see a dark-haired Ian McKellen as a stuffy diplomat and a young Sting as a clueless stud. But nothing much happens in this film; it's just endless talking (it's based on a play) and nothing interesting or touching is said. Odd and off-putting, this is one to skip.
	Plenty
	"Pointless"	2009-07-04
Meryl Streep stars as a young British woman working for the French resistance during WWII. After the war, she goes home. I didn't get this movie at all. I thought it was poorly conceived and written and basically a bore. Streep was the only good actor in the cast and even she overacted a lot in a very unsympathetic role. Though the movie spans twenty years, she didn't age at all, looking young and beautiful throughout. The director chose not to have fade-outs or subtitles telling us what year it was, so we had to guess by looking at the clothing styles. Very confusing and tiresome. We do get to see a dark-haired Ian McKellen as a stuffy diplomat and a young Sting as a clueless stud. But nothing much happens in this film; it's just endless talking (it's based on a play) and nothing interesting or touching is said. Odd and off-putting, this is one to skip.
	Plenty
	"Pointless"	2009-07-04
Meryl Streep stars as a young British woman working for the French resistance during WWII. After the war, she goes home. I didn't get this movie at all. I thought it was poorly conceived and written and basically a bore. Streep was the only good actor in the cast and even she overacted a lot in a very unsympathetic role. Though the movie spans twenty years, she didn't age at all, looking young and beautiful throughout. The director chose not to have fade-outs or subtitles telling us what year it was, so we had to guess by looking at the clothing styles. Very confusing and tiresome. We do get to see a dark-haired Ian McKellen as a stuffy diplomat and a young Sting as a clueless stud. But nothing much happens in this film; it's just endless talking (it's based on a play) and nothing interesting or touching is said. Odd and off-putting, this is one to skip.
	In the Valley of Elah [Blu-ray]
	"Forgettable"	2009-07-01
When young soldier Mike Deerfield returns from Iraq and immediately goes missing, his father, Hank (Tommy Lee Jones) tries to find him. Soon it appears that Mike was the victim of foul play, but Hank finds the military authorities strangely uncooperative and his only hope is a civilian police officer (Charlize Theron) who is disliked by her colleagues. Though the film deals with war and murder, it is surprisingly unemotional and uninvolving. There is no tension or danger, there were too many minor characters to keep straight, and all the actors delivered their lines with such unrelenting poker-faces that it actually became tedious and boring. Jones always gives a sensitive performance and makes it look easy, but here he's given so little to work with that he seemed to sleepwalk through his scenes. Theron plays a superwoman cop and mother who looked way too glamorous and was too emotionally upset by her work to be convincing. Susan Sarandon has a small part as Mike's mother. Based on a true story, this is ultimately about the futility of war and the dangers of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, but I just didn't find myself caring about any of the characters and thought it was too long and too dull.
	Mystery, Alaska
	"For hockey fans only"	2009-06-25
The folks who live in tiny Mystery, Alaska love their Saturday hockey games. Playing on the team is a big deal to most men, and when Sheriff John Biebe (Russell Crowe) gets cut because he's too old and too slow, he feels awful. It's even worse when a former Mysterian returns from the big city with news that the New York Rangers are coming to play the locals on national TV. The subtitle for this movie could well be "Northern Exposure on Ice" or even "Rocky in Skates." It's the tale of quirky small towners with all their domestic ups and downs who naturally pull together for the Big Game against the city slickers. In other words, it's pretty corny and predictable unless you're a hockey fan, in which case you'll probably love this movie. An ensemble piece, we don't see a whole lot of Russell Crowe; it's just as well because he seems woefully out of place. Yes, he can skate, but he's just too intense and intimidating for this lighthearted comedy. Sharing the screen with the likes of Burt Reynolds, Mike Meyers, and Little Richard doesn't help, either.