Kate and Leopold: Is a time travel story with laughs and romance.  Meg Ryan plays her favorite stock character as the charming modern woman with man problems and Hugh Jackman is a dignified gentleman (I really mean hunk) who accidentally goes forward in time.  Of course, he is puzzled by the modern world and, of course, they fall in love.  But, there is a nice chemistry to the characters and a sweetness to the storytelling that makes this an enjoyable movie.  movie seen 12/26/01   RECOMMEND: Time After Time is a time travel story that brings H. G. Welles into the future looking for Jack the Ripper who had used Welles' time machine to avoid capture in their own era.  Welles finds love with a modern woman and the humor of the Victorian gentleman in modern San Francisco and his romance offsets bloody murder storyline.

KEEPING THE FAITH:  Tells the tale of  a priest and a rabbi and their adult relationship with their old childhood girl  friend.  Edward Norton has directed his first movie and plays the priest, with a gentle, intelligent performance that expands his range.  He is ably supported by Ben Stiller as the rabbi and Jenna Elfman,as the woman they both love. The comedy has some pratfall moments, as shown in the previews, but really has some nice heartfelt moments that explore the conflicts of their chosen religious life and human wants and desires.  movie seen 4/15/00    RECOMMEND: The Bells of St. Mary's  has Ingrid Bergman in her famous role of the Sister Superior running a school  in this amiable follow-up to "Going My Way".  It ranges from rather tender to highly amusing moments and has become a little Christmas classic.

King Arthur: Is a messy mix of "Gladiator", "Braveheart", and "Lord of the Rings" that doesn't take the best from any of the films and lacks the romance of the tale.  AVOID - stinks on ice!  movie seen 07/07/04   RECOMMEND: Camelot was the musical version of the tale, heavy on romance with a famous score.  Unfortunately, the unmusical cast of Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero, and Richard Harris and the artsy filming just doesn't work.  One of the reasons musicals died in the 1960's.

King Kong: Is the totally over the top, totally unnecessary remake of the 1930's classic.  It is a good half hour too long, some scenes are really gross, the natives are very creepy, and I found myself being amused by the lack of shivering of the heroine as she stood on top of the Empire State Building in the winter in a diaphanous gown.  On the plus side, I did enjoy the portrayal of Kong, which was definitely more gorilla like than the original and there were many good action scenes that put you on the end of your chair with the dinosaurs.  So, it is better than the 1976 remake, but honestly, why try to redo a classic?  It never works since the magic that went into the original isn't there.   seen 12/14/05 RECOMMEND: Son of Kong shows that even the Kong creators couldn't top themselves.  This cheesy remake has a dopey Kong son who makes goofy faces, but is ultimately heroic.  It does have Robert Armstrong back as Carl Denham, but that's about it.

The Kingdom of Heaven: Is an intelligent movie that explores the Crusades and the importance of Jerusalem to the world's religions.  Orlando Bloom plays the son a knight who escapes to Jerusalem and finds himself on the quest.  He gives an adequate performance, though he lacks the fire of a Russell Crowe, to really give the picture a spark.  I was impressed by the even-handed portrayals of both the knights and the Muslims, showing them as honorable and flawed human beings, not just characters.  The sets and the scenes are impressive and give a feeling for battles of that time.  Although it did run a bit long, I enjoyed it and give it a recommend.  seen 5/14/05  RECOMMEND: Ivanhoe is the classic Sir Walter Scott tale of knightly chivalry along with the political intrigue of restoring King Richard to his throne.  The 1952 version has much to recommend with solid performances by Robert Taylor and George Sanders, despite its dated appearance.

K-Pax: A man ends up in a psychiatric hospital claiming to be from outer space.  Is he really an extra terrestrial or a savant with a very troubled past?  The whimsy and wisdom in the story telling is a delight and Kevin Spacey has so much fun with this role that he sucks you right in and you roll along with the storyline.  It does keep you wondering right to the end what the truth is.   movie seen 10/27/01    RECOMMEND: Michael Michael stars John Travolta as a rather unusual archangel come to earth.  You can tell he is having a ball with this character and his charm makes the movie work.  And remember, he "smells like cookies"!