Gangs of New York: The legend has it that Martin Scorsese worked many years to get this project to the screen, then once completed, the opening was then delayed to get it a better chance at Oscars.  It is a big bold movie, full of the violence of a rough time in American history, with the clash of gangs fighting for power in New York.  But, it isn't Scorsese's cinematic vision, but Daniel Day-Lewis' amazing performance that will be my single recommendation for seeing the film.  His character of Bill the Butcher is barbaric, but with a sense of wisdom and honor, that makes his performance fascinating to watch; you absolutely can't wait for him to be on screen again.  As one viewer said out loud during the movie, "He's gooood, isn't he?". 
      However the other performances including Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jim Broadbent range from good to very solid.  Also, I can never say I am bored at a Scorsese film, as he maintains a pace and intelligence of story telling that keeps your interest.  So I am recommending as a good film, but be prepared to be blown away by Day-Lewis.  movie seen 12/21/02 
RECOMMEND: The Godfather, Part II is the film I kept thinking about while watching "Gangs of New York", in particularly the flashback scenes of how Vito Corleone built his crime family and exacted revenge for the murders of his family.  I remember my friend and I being utterly blown away and nearly speechless when we left the theater after seeing the movie; it was that powerful.  It remains not only a classic, but now an intrinsic touchstone of our culture.
Garden State: Is a quirky little comedy, by first time director Zach Braff, who also wrote the script.  It is a delightful mind trip that follows a young guy who is zombied out on medication to his mother's funeral in New Jersey.  There are constant little perceptive surprises in the script that keep you amused and eager for the next scene.   Natalie Portman gives a charming performances as the girl he falls in love with along his trip as self-examination, as he comes off his meds.  It is simply filmed, but has a complex heart of troubled and troubling characters combined with true warmth and humor.  I think this is one of those word of mouth movies, since the small theater was nearly full when I saw it.  This is a HIGH RECOMMEND!  movie seen 08/27/04  
RECOMMEND: Breaking Away is a sweet little movie about a young man who is obsessed with bicycle racing and especially the Italian racers.  Paul Dooley's performance as his frustrated father amusingly anchors the film.  There was also breakout performances by Dennis Quaid and Daniel Stern as his friends who battle as locals with the college kids in town.  It was nominated for several Oscars, winning one for the script (as I suspect Garden State will).
THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER:  Is a movie fueled by the performance of John Travolta, not by its red herring-laden plot.   I had actually picked out the murderer the first time I saw him on screen, so it felt pretty inevitable to be found to be correct at the end.  I also found that the story of the murder victim to be more compelling than the plot of solving her murder - it would have made a more interesting film to follow her life and the reasons for what she did.  movie seen 6/19/99    
RECOMMEND: Absolute Power is a recent Clint Eastwood film about an aging thief who stumbles on to a murder involving the President of the United States and the resulting cover-up.  It has a similar tone to "The General's Daughter".   Ed Harris gives a strong supporting performance and his interplay with Eastwood makes for an interesting film.  I also enjoyed the truly evil, but goofy performance by Judy Davis as a Presidential aide.
Ghosts of the Abyss: is a 3D IMAX documentary created by James Cameron.  Using amazing equipment, they have filmed the Titanic from sights not previously seen inside the ship.  Interspersed are scenes with actors playing the parts of the people who were on the ship, giving a sense of humanity to the wreck.  I did get rather frustrated with the wasted dialog from many of the explorers, which seemed to be filler to lengthen the film.  But, there are some terrific 3D effects that made the audience giggle in their shared reaction.  And, more significantly,  there is the solemn realization of what happened that night and how people showed their best and worst in the short space of time it took the vessel to go down that makes us question what we may have done in the same situation.  Overall it is a worthwhile film that I enjoyed.  movie seen 4/13/03   
RECOMMEND: Titanic is huge film, which despites the fault of its creaky storyline, works because the event remains large in our minds.  James Cameron uses amazing special effects to show the sinking of the ship that takes you into the scene and you feel the fear and horror of it all.  And he manages to give humanity to many of the actual people who were involved.  Also, the sets were lovingly recreated so you get a good feeling as to what the ship was really like.  It is a great companion piece to the above featured movie and you may want to watch "Titanic" again after seeing the IMAX film. 
THE GIFT: Is a sparse Sam Raimi movie with another solid performance by Cate Blanchett as a psychic who becomes involved in a murder mystery.  There are the usual twists and turns and some unusual ones, but Cate gives the film it's strength and balance as a young widowed mother, who tries to help the people of her small Southern town, while raising her three young sons, and getting over the death of her husband.  She is supported with surprising performances by Giovanni Ribisi, Greg Kinnear, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes, and Keanu Reeves (in a particular menacing performance). movie seen 1/20/01    
RECOMMEND: Resurrection is a marvelous little movie about a woman skillfully played by Ellen Burstyn who gains psychic healing powers after being in a serious accident.  Those in her little hometown become afraid of her powers, ultimately leading to a violent confrontation.   I find the ending is terrifically moving.
GIRL INTERRUPTED:  Although Winona Ryder is the star of the movie, Angelina Jolie not only steals the picture from her, but as we now all know, won an Oscar for her performance of a very disturbed, but compelling young woman.  It tells the story of a troubled 18 year old (Ryder) who ends up on a mental hospital and looks at the relationships of the patients and the staff.   Whoopee Goldberg shines in a supporting role as a tough, but sympathetic nurse.   movie seen 4/29/00    
RECOMMEND: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest  is the picture about mental hospitals that all others are compared to.  The picture won several Oscars, solidified Jack Nicholson's career, introduced many new actors, and added the name, "Nurse Ratched" to our lexicon.  It remains funny, tender, intelligent, and very brilliant. 
GLADIATOR:  Russell Crowe is perfectly cast as the Roman general who becomes a gladiator seeking revenge.  I found the movie a strange blend of realistic fight sequences with a familiar Shakespearean-type storyline and unsettling photographic effects.  But, I found that, despite the faults, the performances lifted this movie up and made it ultimately satisfying.  Joaquin Phoenix is effective as the murderous son of Caesar and Connie Nielsen shines as his sister.  Djimon Hounsou gives another good performance as a fellow gladiator.   But, it is the wonderfully wise supporting performances by Richard Harris as the old Caesar and Oliver Reed as the old gladiator trainer (in his last role, since he died while the movie was being filmed) that give the underlying strength and a bit of epic grander to the film.  movie seen 5/6/00    
RECOMMEND: Quo Vadis  is a very 50's epic film with Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr that travels much of the same path as "Gladiator", but with a religious storyline added.  It doesn't achieve the greatness of "Sparticus" or Ben Hur", but is still a good movie.
GODZILLA: Yeah, I confess, I loved it. It is stupid and no human does one intelligent thing in it, but the graphics are great. It is "Jurassic Park" meets "Independence Day". So, just munch on a bunch of junk food and don't think - just put your brain on hold, ok?
RECOMMEND: KING KONG is the grand-daddy of all special effects big monster movies. It still holds up and it was made in 1933. "Twas beauty killed the beast"
Gone Baby Gone: Ben Affleck has directed a very gritty movie about a young detective trying to locate a kidnapped little girl.  There are many unexpected plot twists and turns that take you to a very unsettling ending.  It is well done with many good performances, but the storyline and language are as rough as the mean streets the movie is filmed on.  I give it a recommend with that proviso.  Seen 11/10/07
GONE WITH THE WIND: I was curious to see it in the theater again, since the first time I did see it was at the movies I found it a disappointment. I grew to love it as I watched it on TV and as I learned more about the making of it. It is a classic that has grown in reputation for 60 years. (I wonder if "Titanic" will have the same feeling when it's that old?)
So, what was my reaction to seeing it again on the big screen? Some disappointment - the picture was slightly blurry and the screen is very square - not wide screen as I had thought. (That is probably why it plays so well on TV, not much cut off the sides.)   The good part was the audience reaction - laughter and tears in all the right places. Shock at Rhett Butler's "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn". Appreciation of the strength of Hattie McDaniels' performance of Mammy. In other words, it still plays wonderfully. That is the secret - it's still a good story, with wonderfully acting, filming, etc. A gem that still glows.
RECOMMEND: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE  is the companion piece with Vivien Leigh's other Oscar-winning performance as a Southern belle. But, now she is the sad, fragile belle who is finally driven mad, by Stanley Kowalski in Marlon Brando's break-through performance. (In reading Vivien Leigh's biography, one learns just how close to each role, she really was. She had Scarlett's determination when she went after that role, and in her later life, suffered greatly from mental illness.)
Good Night, and Good Luck.: Is a fine movie that captures the battle between Edward R. Murrow and Sen. Joseph McCarthy over the HUAC hearings.  Clooney has filmed it in glorious black and white and the script is intelligent and well paced; the audience sat in quiet rapture watching it.  David Strathairn gives a sharp, smart performance and is well supported by the entire cast.  I highly recommend for anyone interested in that period of ignoble American history.  (Also, Dianne Reeves does a terrific job on the interspersed songs of the that time; hopefully the soundtrack will be available on CD.)  seen 11/5/05
RECOMMEND: Tail Gunner Joe is a pretty good TV movie about the rise and fall of Joe McCarthy.  Peter Boyle give a solid performance in a juicy role.
The Good Shepard: Strives to be a "Godfather" telling of the birth of the CIA, for the moral of the story is "But what gaineth a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?"?  Using a character, played with quiet forcefulness by Matt Damon, who is part of the secret Skull and Bones Society of Yale University, it tells how he was drafted into the OAS during WWII, which became the CIA in the Cold War.  There is some really forceful dialog, but a couple of scenes, particularly the one that ends the story, don't ring true, which diminishes the movie's flow.  Overall, despite its faults, I give this a recommend.  seen 12/28/06

Gosford Park: Is a sophisticated movie that will delight and somewhat baffle you.  Robert Altman uses his directorial skills to bring a quaint movie plot of a murder mystery at a English weekend party to an intriguingly modern look at the upper crust and their servants.  His technique of having multiple and moving off the screen conversations can annoy you as a "fly on the wall" not wanting to miss anything.  For example, there are many wonderfully subtle touches like the fur shawls that are the unfortunate complete animal that catch your eye.  Two newcomers to me were outstanding: Kelly Macdonald as shy, but wise young lady's maid and Clive Owen as the self-assured valet.  I enjoyed the movie like a rather delightful buffet, where you get a teeny taste of everything, but somehow remain unsatisfied because you feel teased and a bit frustrated because you want more.  And its a movie I know I will have to see again to catch all the things I missed on the first viewing.  movie seen 1/12/02   
RECOMMEND: Murder on the Orient Express is the elegant multi-starred murder mystery on the famous railroad train with Albert Finney as the Agatha Cristie's French detective Hercule Poirot.  It has a certain well-worn charm.
The Great Raid: Is an earnest attempt to tell the true story of a noble raid by American and Philippine forces on a Japanese prisoner of war camp nearing the end of the War.  Sadly, the characters are not fleshed out and the story-telling was a bit flat, so although I found it interesting from a historical viewpoint, a documentary could have told the story as well.  But, as a drama, it was a bit of a disappointment, which is probably why it took two years to get it released.  seen 8/13/05
RECOMMEND: Paradise Road is based on the true story of the internees at a Japanese prisoner camp, who found an escape in forming a vocal band.  The music is outstanding (as is the soundtrack) and the cast is solid from Glenn Close to Cate Blanchett in a early film performance.  It has heart and soul and an uplifting storyline.
The Greatest Game Ever Played: Is a fine under-dog challenger movie, based on the true story of a young golfer competing in the 1913 U.S. Open.  Director Bill Paxton brings action to the movie with some camera tricks and all performances are uniformly good.  But, the outstanding character is the little caddy, played by Josh Flitter, who delivers his little punch lines with amusing confidence.  He gives the movie a terrific spark and you anticipate each scene he is in.  This picture is a quiet little winner you can take the kids to.  seen 9/30/05
RECOMMEND: Caddyshack is the ultimate guy's movie, about country club snobs vs. the slobs.  The hilarious scenes with a huge cast of comedians has become legendary.  The lines are quoted as often by guys as those from "The Godfather".  It is truly a comedic classic.
THE GREEN MILE:  is Stephen King's magical mystery tour that takes place on death row in 1935.  It tells the story of a huge black man with mythical powers who has been convicted of the murder of two little girls, who comes to amazingly affect the lives of the guards and other prisoners.  What lifts this neatly, though leisurely, told tale is the performances of the reliable Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan (in his first major role), and all the rest of the cast and the attention to details in the sets and music.  Although I was not moved to tears like many in the audience, I did enjoy the movie and wasn't offset by its three-hour length.  movie seen 1/29/00  
RECOMMEND: Cool Hand Luke  is the classic tale of a prisoner who becomes a mythic figure to the other prisoners as his story is told and retold to the new guys on the chain gang.  Paul Newman's performance has a bemused charm that makes it one of his best-loved.   Several classic phrases like "Got your mind right, Luke?" and "What we have here is failure to communicate" have found their way into our lexicon from the movie.  I have always loved the score and was pleased to find it on vinyl many years ago.
THE GRINCH: I cannot say how much I anticipated this movie after such a luke warm movie year - I mean talk about perfect casting - Jim Carrey as the Grinch!   BUT...  it is rather like being served green eggs and ham.  There is a sour tone to the movie that offsets the wonderful body language and moves of Carrey.   I found the explanation that the Grinch was made fun of as a little boy as dumb and annoying as most of the new characters and some very tasteless jokes.   Taylor Momsen is adorable as Little Cindy Lou-Who and frankly the dog steals the movie as Max.  BUT...you cannot create magic with sets and makeup - either it happens or it doesn't.  So, although this movie will never be treasured as the book and cartoon have been over the years, savor Carrey's mugging and laugh at the little dog's cute poses.  movie seen 11/18/00 
RECOMMEND: Scrooged is Bill Murray's updated take on "A Christmas Carol".  There are some sharp pokes at modern television sensationalism and commercialism, with funny guest stars.   Not a great version, but has some fun and truth to it. 
Personal Side Note: while watching the newest "Grinch", I had to note that the story is actually another telling of "A Christmas Carol".  Wonder if Dr. Suess every paid Dickens any royalties?