A.I.: Artificial Intelligence: Although the storyline is supposed to be the quest of Pinocchio to be "real" boy, it is in truth the retelling of "The Wizard of Oz".   David, the needy robot, is Dorothy as he travels through Oz with his companions to get advice from the wizard, avoids disaster with the wicked witch, and has his wish to "go home" granted by the good witch.  The sets are stunning and Haley Joel Osment gives another outstanding performance as the little boy robot, but I found myself getting annoyed with the storytelling and the movie's awful slow pace.  (At one point I had to stop myself from yelling at the screen, "Grant his wish for crying out loud, so we can all get out of here!)  So, I can't recommend the disappointing movie: it's too long and too retread.  Even Jude Law as a charming gigolo robot can't save it (though he is much fun to watch).  movie seen 6/29/01    RECOMMEND: Blade Runner is   a movie that does a more memorable job at this type of story and it was a leader in the design effects that A.I. would imitate.  Sean Young is a standout of an artificial life form who has to come to terms with her true creation.

About Schmidt: Jack Nicholson manages to combine laughter and tears in this tale of a retired insurance VP who takes a journey to his daughter's wedding and finds himself.  Nicholson loses his usual smirk and gets into the character of the poor schmuck who discovers how really empty his life has been.  Kathy Bates adds spark as a goofy, but caring future in-law (and has a surprising nude scene).  I found the movie a bit slow paced, but ole' Jack does suck you in with his terrific performance.  Worth a viewing.  movie seen 3/22/03    RECOMMEND: The Straight Story is the wonderful little film based on a true story.  An elderly man decides to take a journey to see his ill estranged brother and his means of transportation is his lawn mower.  Richard Farnsworth gives a tender, strong performance in this story that details his interactions with the people he meets along the way whom he helps and who help him.  The scene in a bar between two WWII veterans is particularly tender and touching.   A fine film for rental.

THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE:  Is a case where less isn't more.  I kept wanting more jokes and imagining better ones.  Oh, there are laughs, but unfortunately not enough to recommend, even  Robert deNiro with patent leather hair.  (And it's a shame, since I can remember watching the shows as a kid with my dad when they were new and both of us laughing at the jokes, since it worked on so many levels.)  movie seen 7/6/00     RECOMMEND: George of the Jungle is the rare TV cartoon that made a successful movie .  The jokes work and  Brendan Frasier not only looks great in a loin clothe, but has that rare ability to appear naive enough to pull it all off.  Really a laughfest that adults and kids can both enjoy.

ALMOST FAMOUS:  I found myself smiling throughout the whole movie.  It is fresh and fun and wise, all at the same time.  Director Cameron Crowe tells his own life story in a fictionalized account of a 15 year old rock and roll reporter on the road with an up-and-coming rock band.  Frances McDormand and Philip Seymour Hoffman give standout support to newcomer, Patrick  Fugit.  And there are breakout performances by newcomers, Billy Crudup, as the charismatic band's leader, Jason Lee, as the disgruntled lead singer, and Kate Hudson, as a "band aid, not groupie".  This is a winner.  movie seen 9/23/00   RECOMMEND: Let It Be is the documentary that was supposed to show how the Beatles created their music, but actually showed how the band fell apart.  It is a sad end to the magic they had together, as evidenced in their brief concert on the roof.

Amelie: Is a delightful combination of wistful charm and earthy humor - very French and very fresh.   You go from absolute belly laughs to sweet romance, with wonderful characters and terrific photography.  Don't be turned away by the subtitles, I can assure you the audience adored this film.  Audrey Tautou has adorable Betty Boop eyes and is totally enchanting as the lead, who decides to "fix" the lives of the people around her, but has trouble taking care of her own.  Definitely a winner!  movie seen 11/17/01    RECOMMEND: Emma is witty adaptation of Jane Austin's book about a young lady who involves herself in being matchmaker for her friends, but doesn't recognize her own feelings for her true love.   Gwyneth Paltrow plays another credible English young woman and is a delight in the lead role.

America's Sweethearts: What a waste of talent in this lead-footed supposed comedy - nary a chuckle out of the audience.  I would only recommend insomniacs  buy a ticket.  movie seen 7/28/01    RECOMMEND: Twentieth Century is classic comedy at its best with John Barrymore as an ego-driven director who tries to woo back his star (and lover), Carole Lombard, in her breakout role.  One of the first and one of the most memorable of the 1930's screwball comedies.  (PLEASE: everyone involved w/America's Sweethearts, please watch this movie and educate yourself on lasting funny!)

AMERICAN BEAUTY:  Is a brilliantly written and performed, coldly funny adult tale of a man trying to cope with life and finally succeeding.  Kevin Spacey gives another great performance as the menche who becomes the man he wanted to be by going back to the things he had treasured.  Annette Bening is the Martha Stewart wife on steroids who makes him crazy.  His and his daughter's lives are changed by the new neighbor, a rather mystical 18 yr. old, who puts everything on video film. It is not your average movie, but worth seeing.  movie seen 11/6/99   RECOMMEND: To Die For  is a dark comedy staring Nicole Kidman as a woman determined to be a famous reporter, who seduces a high school student into killing her husband.  Has one of the best endings ever in a movie.

Analyze That: Is a limp sequel to the very funny "Analyze This".  The jokes lack a pay-off or freshness, so the movie has no punch.  Even seeing DeNiro "singing" the score of  "West Side Story" elicited very little laughter in the small audience.  I doubt we'll see another sequel.  movie seen 12/7/02    RECOMMEND: My Blue Heaven is a mildly amusing story with Steve Martin playing an outrageous mob guy hiding out in the Witness Protection Program in a small town.  Rick Moranis plays his foil as an FBI agent assigned to him.

ANALYZE THIS:  Is a constantly funny spoof of the classic gangster movies that wisely has Robert DeNiro as the "conflicted" mob boss and Billy Cristal as his reluctant psychiatrist.   The supporting characters are recognizable faces straight from "The Godfather" movies with amusing twists to them.  A real delight and treat to watch.   movie seen 2/20/99     RECOMMEND: The President's Analyst was a great 1967 satire with James Coburn playing the psychiatrist to the President whom everyone tries to get to.  Pokes fun at the Cold War and the times.

Anchorman: Is heavy on silly, though the guys in the audience were really laughing it up.  Will Ferrell and the gang are anchorman in the 70's not dealing well with have their first woman co-anchor (well-played by Christina Applegate).  The movie like an extended funny SNL skit.  Frankly the little bits shown in the ads are funnier than the film as a whole and I had more fun with the references to the 1970's, but there's enough in it for me to give a lukewarm recommend.  movie seen 07/10/04    RECOMMEND: His Girl Friday is the best version of "The Front Page" with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell playing a newspaper editor and his ex who are hiding a murder suspect to get a news story.  It is nonstop hilarity - Howard Hawks comedy at its best.  A classic gem.

ANGELA'S ASHES:  is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book of Frank McCourt's memories of growing up dirt poor in Ireland.  The losses and pain take their toll on the family.    The father, Malachy Sr., is played by Robert Carlyle showing the pride he had in being Irish and a fighter in "The Troubles" and his frustration and descent into "the drink", but who is able to inspire his son with his stories.  Emily Watson's performance as the mother, Angela, demonstrates the dignity she maintained despite burying her pride to ask for charity and doing whatever she has to do to feed and clothe her family.  Each of the three boys who play Frank add an honest element to his story.   I have not read  the book, so didn't have any preconceived ideas.  I found myself totally immersed in this often heart-wrenching, occasionally funny story, finding it honest and truthful.  I give it a high recommendation.  My only complaint is the end left me frustrated, wanting to know what happened to the family.  Maybe now I will have to read the book.  movie seen 1/22/01    RECOMMEND: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn  is the American version of a similar story, also based on a writer's own childhood.  James Dunn won the Academy Award for his fine performance of the alcoholic Irish father who fills his daughter's life with wonderful pipe dreams.  The hard-working mother is strongly played by Dorothy McGuire.   Peggy Ann Garner stands out as the young girl who's dream of education in a better school is realized by her father.

ANNA AND THE KING:  Has lush photography, sets, and costumes and a strong, dignified performance by Chow Yun-Fat as the King of Siam.  But, I found Jodie Foster a bit  too modern for her role and I was disappointed in the telling of the story.   I read the book of Anna Leonowens' story and believe there was much more to their relationship than a frustrated romance.  She spoke of the clash of cultures and religion, of education and philosophy, and of  human condition.  But, despite my disappointment in the underplaying of the real issues and the film being a touch too long, I would still recommend it for the beauty of locale and the hints at the complex relationship between a King and brave woman.  movie seen 12/18/99     RECOMMEND: Anna and the King of Siam  was the first filming of the story and stars Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison.  It is a nicely done with strong performances, but has some dramatic contriviances that stray from the facts. NOTE: A&E recently ran an excellant bio of the real Anna Leonowens that shows that her real life was more interesting, then all the other tellings have shown.  She was born into poverty in India and by grit, determination, love, and a lot of lies, rose herself up in society.  She travelled the globe from India to Siam to England to North America to Russia before her death in 1915.  She did fight slavery and for the women and children she taught.

ANTZ: This is the tale of an ant who wants more out of life than the position he was given in his larvae stage.  Woody Allen supplies the voice of the ant who becomes a reluctant hero, when he develops a crush on the princess ant (voice by Sharon Stone).  The plot is pretty standard: evil general who wants to overthrow the queen for the "good of the colony", but there are enough adult jokes to keep the grown-ups laughing and enough cartoon action to keep the kids from squirming.  Frankly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  (Caution for concerned parents: There were some mild swear words - surprising, but this isn't a Disney movie!)  Movie seen 10/3/98 RECOMMEND: HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO is a classic Preston Sturges comedy staring Eddie Bracken as a frail Marine reject who is mistaken for a war hero.  Very funny and like so many Sturges movies, still relevant

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY:  Oliver Stone's movies are never boring to watch and this is no exception.  Al Pacino gives a nice performance as the coach of a team going through lots of problems from injured players to a bitchy young owner (played with ferocity by Cameron Diaz) on its way to the Play-offs.  Honestly, I can't say I learned anything about the game of football or why it is so important to so many (that is still a total mystery to me), but I did have a damn good time watching the game played out in the movie.  Be sure to stay through the end credits - terrific plot payoff.   movie seen 12/23/99     RECOMMEND: North Dallas Forty  had Nick Nolte and Mac Davis as football players in this comedy drama that really showed the physical toll the game has on the players.    It is a highly regarded view of the game.

ANY PLACE BUT HERE:  Is another goofy mother-angry daughter story, but it is one of the better ones, mainly because of the strong performances by Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman.  This mom buys a gold Mercedes and takes her teenage daughter to Beverly Hills to look for their fortunes.  They fight with amusing and touching consequences and eventually learn to understand each other and each's needs.  Yes, been there, done that, but still an OK film.  movie seen 11/24/99     RECOMMEND: I have always enjoyed Mermaids  although it wasn't a big success.   Cher plays the goofy mom and Winona Ryder plays the confused daughter (they're Jewish and she wants to be a nun).  The younger sister role introduced Christina Ricci and the Cher's sweet beau is played by Bob Hopkins.  There are some real laughs and heart-felt moments that make it worthy watch.

ARMAGEDDON: A meteor is going to destroy the world - gosh, where have I heard that before?? Well, with Bruce Willis playing John Wayne and lots of pyrotechnics in space, the mission is accomplished. Frankly, it was entertaining though it had more action than anyone could follow, but there was a goofy sense of humor to it all. Overall, nothing new or remarkable, just, what I call a good popcorn movie. RECOMMEND: The folks who wrote this movie, must have see HELLFIGHTERS with John Wayne as kids. It is the story of oil well fire fighters (based on Red Adair) and has a young fire fighter (Jim Hutton) in love with Wayne's daughter (Katharine Ross).

Around the World in 80 Days: AVOID THIS MOVIE, if you remember the 50's version with affection.  It is too much Jackie Chan with bits and pieces from his better buddy movies.  His traveling companions, Steve Coogan and Cecile De France, definitely have charm, but unfortunately, the script didn't do them justice.  It was so bad, I nearly walked out halfway through.  Sad waste of film.  movie seen 06/26/04   RECOMMEND: Around the World in 80 Days was filmed by Mike Todd in Todd-AO and won the Oscar for 1956.  I can remember seeing it in the theater as a child and being overwhelmed by the beauty of the photography.  Over the years, I've also come to enjoy the humor and storytelling.  David Niven is perfect as the very British Phileas Fogg and the amazing comic and acrobatic talents of Cantinflas as Passepartout.  I recently rewatched it on DVD and realized that I hadn't seen it in wide screen since I saw it almost 50 years ago in the theater; it was like seeing it for the first time - a delight!

The Astronaut Farmer: Is a charming fantasy with Billy Bob Thornton as a man trained in NASA, who leaves the program due to a family emergency and ends up building a rocket in his barn.  He gets in trouble with the Feds when he attempts to buy rocket fuel.  There are amusing small town characters mixed with gentle humor combined with the hopefulness of dreamers.  I found myself leaving with a smile on my face, even though the plot was difficult to buy.  Just a really sweet, entertaining picture which I can recommend to the family.  seen 2/24/07 Some other movies with similar subjects: The Right Stuff (1983) Field of Dreams (1989) October Sky (1999)

Atonement: Was one big snooze.  I found the characters largely unlikable, so didn't care about the outcome and half way through starting checking my watch hoping it would be over soon.  I found myself wanting to sing "Is That All There Is?" when the "surprise" ending was shown - I was only hoping it was the ending.  Most overblown movie since "The English Patient".  I will give credit for the extended scene on the beach at Dunkirk, but that shot is not worth the price of admittance.  Avoid unless you need a nap.  Seen 1/11/08

Austin Powers in Goldmember: Frankly, I think Mike Myers is a comic genius and would love to see him and Eddie Murphy together in a character play-off with a solid script behind them.  BUT, I got very tired of the potty, grade school humor and frankly didn't really laugh very much at the movie.  Thought the "Hard Knock Life" video takeoff was the best part of the movie and I did find Beyonce Knowles entertaining as Foxxy Cleopatra and always enjoy Michael Caine even in trite roles.  So, unless you're a fan, save your money and wait until its free on tv.  movie seen 8/8/02    RECOMMEND: Casino Royale is a mish mash of a take-off on the James Bond hits, which actually used a Ian Fleming as the jumping off point.  Seems like every actor in it, including Woody Allen!, is named James Bond.  It is better known for Burt Bacharch's score, including the hit, "The Look of Love".  (The same book was used for the first James Bond filming.  OK, quiz time - what year was it and who played Bond?  Tick Tock, Times Up - 1954 and it was Barry Nelson in a made for tv filming.)

THE AVENGERS: Disappointing is the word. Lots of style, but no substance or the sly wit of the original. Story made no sense and Steed kissed Emma Peel !!! Save your money and watch the reruns on TV! (Yes, even Sean Connery couldn't save it for me.) RECOMMEND: See Sean Connery in any 007 movie - more wit and action and he's the best secret agent ever.

The Aviator: Is a good solid movie that tells show the decent of Howard Hughes from his beginnings in Hollywood to his sink into mental illness.  Leonardo DiCaprio nails the intense essence of Howard Hughes, even though he looks nothing like Hughes: truly a remarkable performance that should net him an Oscar nomination.  Also Cate Blanchard embodies Kate Hepburn with warmth and substance and Kate Beckinsale shows Ava Gardner as not just a free spirit, but a caring person.  The movie is three hours long, but moves very well.  There is humor and pathos in the tale and  I also enjoyed Scorsese's use of film color, such as the faded Technicolor in the beginning (the blue-green lined up peas tell so much) and the more somber colors near the end that highlight the movie making.  This may not be great epic bio, but I enjoyed it and give it a strong recommend.  seen 12/30/04   RECOMMEND: Anthony Hopkins wouldn't have been my first choice to play Richard Nixon since he looks nothing like him, but he was able to channel the internal workings of the man and gives Nixon a real soul with his performance.  Also, Joan Allen also gives a strong supporting  performance as Pat Nixon.  It is somewhat restrained for an Oliver Stone movie, but ably explores the life and career of probably our most controversial president.