Eight Below: is based on the true story of sled dogs who survive a year in the Antarctic, when the scientist teams are forced to leave them behind.  Filmed by Disney, the content is fine for older children, who can handle some tough scenes.  There is action, comedy, and really touching scenes and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as have everyone else I know who have seen it.  The dogs are wonderful to watch and the movie is a winner.  (Note: the true story took place in 1958 and involved Japanese scientists.  Those surviving dogs were named Taro and Jiro became national heroes in Japan and the Japanese movie about them is titled "Antarctica" - follow  link on name to IMDB screen about it.)  seen 2/21/06
RECOMMEND: Andre is a charming tale based on the true story of a sea lion who was rescued by a family in the northeast and whom would return every year to visit the town in the summer.  Tina Majorino is very affecting as the little girl who makes Andre her best friend - there are some really cute and sweet scenes between her and the sea lion.  A must see for animal lovers.
88 Minutes: Is one of those monstrously frustrating movies that has a nifty premise, but doesn't manage to fulfill from either the script, acting, or even camera work.  Al Pacino plays a college professor who is an expert on serial killers who gets a call saying he'll be dead in 88 minutes.  His character then neither shows any genius or logic - either running like a fool or sounding just bewildered and frustrated - which is what the audience begins to feel.  They should have just sent this one direct to the discount DVD pile.  Seen 4/18/08
ELECTION:  Is a very sharp adult satire that uses a high school election to look at the compulsion some have for over-achievement and how one act for the what a person believes is the right reason can destroy a life.  Matthew Broderick plays a teacher who aims to stop the "perfect" student, who is running unopposed for student body president by persuading another more popular student to run against her.  Each character comments on what then happens with amusing contrasts as to the views and the story definitely takes unexpected twists and turns.  This is not a common comedy, but one that a person can savor for its fresh approach and insight into what otherwise has become a plague of teen movies.    movie seen 5/8/99    
RECOMMEND: Matthew Broderick is best known for Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but my pick is The Freshman, a little loony cult comedy also starring Marlon Brando, who gives a wonderfully performance of a Mafia father, whom Broderick's character becomes reluctantly involved with.  It takes very funny twists and turns and is a wonderful gem of a movie.  (And Penelope Ann Miller is also in it.  Click on her name to see my web page for her.)
Elf: like Will Ferrell's candy and syrup diet in the movie, the emphasis is heavy on sweet humor combined with gentle slapstick.  He is the human raised by Santa's elves who goes on a journey to find his human father in New York (played stonily by James Caan).  Will's character is like a charming A.D.D. child who is entertaining and annoying all at the same time; the script ends predictably happily.  A charming movie for the holiday.  movie seen 1/11/03   
RECOMMEND: It's a Wonderful Life is the now timeless Christmas story that tells the story of a frustrated man who learns though his life didn't go the way he wanted, that he brought value to the lives of all the people around him.  But, it is the character of Clarence the darling angel who is sent from Heaven to help him that reminded me most of "Elf": a cheery combination of innocence, wisdom and sweetness.  The scene in the bar when he orders mulled wine is so adorably classic.  Although they don't run it all day every day for the month before Christmas, it has become a true staple of the holiday.
ELIZABETH:  Cate Blanchett is a shoo-in to be nominated for an Oscar as Elizabeth I.  The strength of of her performance anchors a lush movie.  It has a well-written script that shows the growth and development of Elizabeth from a young princess to the monarch of legend and strong support by a cast that includes Geoffrey Rush and Richard Attenborough.  My only complaint is the fancy camera work that becomes annoying in the use of a blurred screen for effect. movie seen 12/5/98  
RECOMMEND:  ELIZABETH R was seen on PBS from a British tv series starring Glenda Jackson as Elizabeth from young princess fighting for her life and then the throne through old age.  Her performance is brilliant and with many hours on screen well-developed.  A real treat and an education in history.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Is lavishly filmed with amazing costumes and sets, but sometimes the camera work reminded me of a bad MTV music video with the camera taking many odd angles that didn't help the story - they were just annoying.  Cate Blanchett has a true presence on the screen, as the queen struggling to maintain her throne against the forces of religious and political differences in England, culminating in the battle with the Spanish Armada.  However, sadly, I think this was all done with more passion (and intelligent script) by Helen Mirren in her movie for television, "Elizabeth I".  So weak recommend for the spectacle despite the many weaknesses.  It's a pity since the first movie was so glorious.  Seen 10/20/07
Enchanted: The previews had me giggling with the concept of Disney cartoon characters falling into New York as live people.  There are many chuckles and a couple of entertaining songs, but the problem for me is that the previews gave all the good jokes away and there were no big surprises.  I did find that Amy Adams does a super job as the heroine Giselle, with the appropriate delightful perkiness, and James Marsden is very funny as the hero prince, so the movie does work.  There is something for everyone in this picture, so I will give it a recommend.  (Just wish that previews were teasers and not mini movies!)  Seen 11/22/07
Ella Enchanted: Is a blend of "The Princess Bride" and "Shrek", brightened by the adorable charm of Anne Hathaway.  She isn't just a beauty, but a true comic talent, and now we discover she can sing too!  Under the spell to be always obedient, she goes on a journey to find a way to break the cursed spell and meets up with ogres, elves, and giants.  Unfortunately, the talents of the rest of the large cast like Minnie Driver are pretty much wasted, in what turns out to be a mediocre film. movie seen 04/09/04  
RECOMMEND: Snow White and the Three Stooges is one of those odd curiosity pieces that was favorite of mine as a kid.  The title explains the plot and the reason I loved it was because Carol Heiss played Snow White in it and I love figure skating.  Now is it just very tired and sad since the Stooges were so old and worn out in it.
END OF DAYS:  Yes, Arnold is back, but the real question is "Why?"  This movie has the devil (played with malicious fun by Gabriel Byrne) being battled for control of the world on New Year's Eve, 1999, with lots of special effects and Arnold's stunts, but not much logic to the plot.  Oh, Arnold actually tries to act, but did better playing pregnant in Junior.  Luckily, this movie will disappear as quickly as New Year's does.  movie seen 11/24/99   
RECOMMEND: Arnold should be thankful that his isn't the worst end of the world movie of all time.  Damnation Alley is the biggest bomb in this category.  Jan-Michael Vincent and George Peppard journey across the country in a doomsday scenario.  It is in the so awful it's fun to watch.  Bad acting, bad sets, lame script - this baby has it all!
ENEMY AT THE GATE: Is a terrific film about the epic struggle that evolved in the Siege of Stalingrad during W.W.II.  It has an unforgettable beginning showing the poor young Russians troops being thrown in as cannon fodder at the Nazis. A Russian officer monotonously repeats the same phrase as they pass out the insufficiently numbered guns to the troops who are paired up, "First soldier takes the gun and shoots.  When he dies, second soldier picks up the gun and shoots."  The poor soldiers are mowed down by the Nazis and the few that survive the killing field, try to retreat, only to be mowed down by the Russians, too, to prevent the retreat.
      From there, the film settles into a cat and mouse game between a young Russian soldier, ably played by Jude Law,  who has become too effective a sniper for the Nazis and the expert German sniper (Ed Harris) sent in to kill   him.  Fine support by  Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, and Bob Hoskins make for a great film.  movie seen 3/20/01    
RECOMMEND: Platoon was the 1986 Oscar winner for Best Film of the Year which was Oliver Stone's telling of the Vietnam War, realistic and harrowing, with fine performances by Willem Defoe and Tom Berenger.
ENEMY OF THE STATE: Is a snap, crackle, pop thriller with excellent effects, pace, and action and usual fine support by Gene Hackman.   Will Smith gives a strong performance as a lawyer who gets accidently caught up in a scheme by operatives in the National Security Agency to spy on all citizens.  For a change, the people caught up in the storyline act like normal people would when they are caught in something way beyond normal, not like superheroes, but confused and insulted that their honesty is questioned.  (The writers' obviously have seen NORTH BY NORTHWEST  a few times.)  movie seen 11/21/98  
RECOMMEND:  The storyline has a direct link to a great film of the 1970's starring Gene Hackman directed by Francis Ford Coppala titled THE CONVERSATION.  He portrays a surveillance expert who gets caught up in a murder.  To quote Leonard Matlin's 1998 Movie & Video Guide: "Coppala's top-notch, disturbong script makes larger statements about privacy and personal responsibility....One of the best films of the 1970's." 
ENTRAPMENT:  Yes, Sean Connery is 68 and he still has it.  This is a caper movie with sexy Sean as the experienced thief and Catherine Zeta-Jones (who reminds me of a young Ava Gardner) as an insurance agent trying to catch him (especially in bed!).  There are lots of twists and turns, action, and suspense.  Not a great movie, but enjoyable entertainment.  movie seen 5/22/99    
RECOMMEND: To Catch a Thief is not the best Hitchcock film, but it is fun to watch Cary Grant and Grace Kelly and the lovely scenery of Monaco.  Cary plays the retired thief who is sent out to get the new thief who is imitating his style. And what style the whole movie has - more style than substance, but oh, so pleasant to watch.  (I am always tickled by what Hitchcock said to Grace when she appeared for the first time on the set in a very chic gold lame dress - "There's hills in them there gold!").
ERIN BROCKOVICH:  Julia Roberts has taken on her most brassy character yet, based on the true story of a young divorced  mother, who helped instigate the largest payoff on a lawsuit against a utility company.  She combines a truly obnoxious personality with a good heart and soul for an unforgettably winning performance.  She is ably assisted by the veteran actor, Albert Finney, as the reluctant attorney, whom she drags into the case.  The growth of both of them is warmly shown in the final, charmingly funny scene.  You're on a roll, Julia, this is your best yet.  (Kudos also to a strong supporting cast and a solid directorial hand.)  movie seen 3/17/00    
RECOMMEND: Although the above movie is being called Julia's "Norma Rae", I thought that Cher's starring role in Mask  reminded me more of the Erin character.  Both were based on true women from the "wrong side of the tracks", with brash personalities , which hid their tender sides.  The "Mask" title refers to the facial deformity suffered by her son.  I have always thought that this is Cher's best work, unfortunately overlooked by the Academy.
Evan Almighty: Is a mix of several plotlines (see list below) that has a sweet feel and the understated charm of Steve Carell.  He played the reporter in Bruce Almighty and now is on his way to Congress, when God visits and tells him to build an arc.  The usual disbelief ensues along  with the animals of the world coming two by two, which makes for the best of the movie jokes.  Although I can't say I was bored by the movie, I wasn't also overwhelmed by the humor or jokes, so its just a wimpy "OK".  (Kids did seem to enjoy it more and it makes for a good family movie.)  Seen 6/23/07

Mix These Movies Together to Make Evan Almighty:
Oh, God (1977), The Santa Clause (1994), Dr. Doolittle (1998), Legally Blond 2: Red, White, and Blue (2003)
EVER AFTER:  It is a pleasure to see a movie that finds a fresh view on an old story, does it with a well-written script, strong performances and authentic settings. The Cinderella story has been overdone through the years (even Jerry Lewis did a turn in Cinderfella, but always remains a favorite tale. This movie should be counted as the best yet.  Angelica Houston is terrific as the stepmother whose cruelty to "Cinderella" is caused by her jealosy of her husband's love for his daughter. Drew Barrymore is charmingly strong as Cinderella - she has really come into her own with this movie.  I can highly recommend this film for anyone for it's substance, beauty and good humor. Where else can Leonardo DeVinci be the fairy godmother?
RECOMMEND:  Franco Zeffirelli made a lusty, funny version of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It is my favorite of all their movies together - the appear to be having such fun making it and both are so "right" for the parts. This a wonderfully bawdy film with amusing supporting performances.