| The Pacifier:
Is Vin Deisel's attempt at a family film, playing a Navy Seal
assigned to protect a rowdy family of five kids. Of course, while he
gets them to "tighten ship", he learns to loosen up. It isn't a
horrible film though it is predicable Disney family fair and is just an OK
movie. seen 4/30/05 RECOMMEND: The Private War of Major Benson is a rare Charlton Heston comedy, in which he plays the rough army major who has to head a military school. He, of course, learns from his students and becomes a better person for it, while toughing up a unhappy young boy. (Was remade as "Major Payne".) |
|
Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno):
Is set in 1944 Spain and revolves around
the frightening world of a girl, who is caught in the middle of a war
between the Fascists and Freedom Fighters. Her mother has married a
brutal Fascist Colonel and the girl escapes into a fantasy world that
mirrors her life. The film has a haunting quality to it, combined with
the starkness of life in war. I found myself totally lost in it and
didn't find the sub-titles much of a problem. I highly recommend, but
must caution - this isn't a children's movie (as the creepy photo from the
movie shows).
seen 2/14/07 Some other movies with similar subjects: The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
| Panic Room:
Jodie Foster plays a newly divorced mother of a teenage daughter who move into a
glamorous brownstone townhouse, with a fully equipped safe room. When their home is
invaded by men looking for money secreted in the house, they take refuge in the safe room,
but soon discover that it has become their cage. Then comes a war of nerves and
resourcefulness. Forest Whitaker does a fine job with his role as the conflicted bad
guy. His and Foster's performances, along with some super duper camera work help
elevate the movie from the normal popcorn flick and make it an entertaining thriller . (I
knew the picture was working when the woman behind me screamed out loud at one scary
scene.) movie seen 3/28/02 RECOMMEND: Rosemary's Baby is the well-known movie that tells the story of a woman tricked into giving birth to Satan's son. The Dakota apartment building in New York becomes a character in the movie and combined with Roman Polanski's fine cinematic filming made this film a classic. And it is those same characteristics, despite the difference in the theme, that tie this one to my movie review of the week. |
| THE PARENT TRAP: It is a temptation
to compare this redo with the famous Hayley Mills movie, since creaters of this version
pay homage to that film. One of the twins is called "Hallie" and Joanna Barnes
who played the "evil" Vickie is back playing Vickie as the mother of the
"evil other woman". The "Let's Get Together" song is song by the young
actress playing both roles. It is a charming fresh version, properly updated with
romantic performances by Natasha Richardson and Dennis Quaid and cute first performance by
Linday Lohan. Although, I did miss the warming up of the uptight Maureen O'Hara, which I
thought added a lot to the other version, the story still works well with the updates, and
nice performances by the supporting cast. RECOMMEND: Sure, see Hayley Mills in THE PARENT TRAP, but remember that it was really a remake TOO! Leonard Maltin's video guide lists "Twice Upon a Time" as the 1954 British version of the story by Erich Kastner . I saw that version a long time ago, but I also remember seeing a 40's hollywood version. Anybody else remember it? |
| THE PATRIOT: Is
a movie that combines old-fashioned story-telling with a modern sensibility. Mel
Gibson is the reluctant soldier, drawn into the Revolutionary War by tragic
circumstances. Although a long movie, it is well paced and keeps your interest
throughout with a strong script and interesting characters and performances. Note,
the computer-generated battle scenes are done seamlessly, but warning they are very
bloody. I have to give special attention to the fine performance of Jason
Isaacs (photo at the left) as a British officer so evil even his fellow officers can't
stand him. I am sure we will see more of him. movie
seen 7/3/00 RECOMMEND: Drums Along the Mohawk is a 1939 telling of the Revolutionary War staring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert, directed in rousing form by John Ford. It has been a long time since I have seen it, but I remember enjoying it. |
| PAY IT FORWARD: Tells
the tale of a young boy, played by Haley Joel Osment, who takes his teacher's
assignment of bettering the world to heart and starts a plan of passing on the doing of
good deeds. He begins with a homeless man and then takes on his teacher, Kevin
Spacey, and his mother, Helen Hunt, who in their own ways are the walking wounded.
The movie has a heart and purpose, but the combination of the many story lines and the
unsettling end left this viewer unsatisfied. It is not a bad film, but I found it
more contrived than honest. movie seen 10/21/00 RECOMMEND: Meet John Doe is a darker Frank Capra 1941 film starring Gary Cooper as the bum who is hired to portray the mythical man created by an ambitious young reporter (Barbara Stanwyck), whom she wrote would kill himself because of the misery in the world. From her writings, a movement is begun by the people of kindness and good will, which is mercilessly stamped out by the political hacks. There are the usual light-hearted moments with Cooper and Walter Brennan's banter, but the serious message of the movie still hits home. |
| PAYBACK: Was filmed in washed
out blue greens as a throw-back to the 70's style action movies, now famous for their hard
edgy feel. The film-makers even use the music of the time, and there are little touches
like old black phones and references to President Nixon. Mel Gibson plays a
small-time gangster who is left for dead by a mob guy after a robbery and comes back for
his cut of the money (and some revenge, of course). The violence and murder is done
without remorse, but Mel adds a wry sense of humor to it. It was a bit tough to
watch, but I did find myself fascinated by the twists and turns of the plot and the way it
was filmed. movie seen 2/6/99
RECOMMEND: Payback is a remake of Point Blank, which I have somehow missed seeing. CHARLEY VARRICK is another film made during that period of a similar flavor that stars Walter Matthau as a thief who discovers he has stolen from the mob and is pursued by everyone attempting to get the money back. It's been a while since I have seen it, but remember enjoying it. Matthau is able to play not just the grumpy old men roles that we now know him best as. |
| Pearl Harbor: Ever wait a really long boring time to ride a
really great ride at the amusement park? Well, that's "Pearl Harbor".
The tired script reads like an old Harlequin novel and is full of historical
inaccuracies and general inanities. But, the bombing attack is done with amazing
effects and only that is worth the price of admission. (To be honest, wait till its
on video, and fast forward through the lame romance to the good parts. It's kind of
sad when you realize what a great movie it could have been if they had taken the
time to write a decent script.) movie seen 5/27/01 RECOMMEND: From Here to Eternity is a classic movie with memorable scenes (Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster on the beach is the best known) and all around standout performances (Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra each won Oscars). It follows a group of soldiers up to the attack, focusing on their conflicts and passions. It is easy to see why it won the Oscar that year and remains a great film. |
| THE
PERFECT STORM: Is based a true story of six swordfisherman who get caught
up the mergence of Hurricane Grace with other storms in 1991 and the rescue attempt that
was made for them. It begins very slowly and builds up to the storm, which is
terrifying. But, the script-writing left me needing more cohesiveness in the telling
and in the characters to be totally effective. So, go for the special effects, but
don't expect to see a totally involving tale. movie seen 7/1/00 RECOMMEND: Huricane is a 30's classic tale of a paradise island that has all the soapbox elements, Jon Hall and Dorothy Lamour in skimpy costumes (her famous sarong), and the amazing storm effects to make for a enjoyable film. (Caution: 1979 remake with Mia Farrow was awful.) |
| Perfect
Stranger:
Is one of those murder mysteries
where you think you know where it's going, but then it veers into a trick
ending. I must admit that I found Halle Berry's character most
annoying and there were so many red herrings thrown in, that when the end
suddenly "wrapped" everything up, I just didn't care. So, save your
money and wait till its on TV to watch this mindless "entertainment".
seen 4/17/07
Some other movies with similar subjects:
|
| Peter Pan:
is a modern retelling of the famous J. M. Barry's story of
the boy who refused to grow up and the children who visited Neverland with
him. Director P. J. Hogan has made a noble attempt with good casting
and photography. There's is actually a boy playing Pan (instead of the
normal woman) and the flying scenes are terrific, but laughs were few.
More, I had problems with the sexual undertones between Peter and Wendy and
some rather gruesome violent scenes, so in the end the movie was a big
disappointment to me. movie seen
12/31/03 RECOMMEND: Peter Pan : I have great affection for the musical version, starring Mary Martin shown live on TV in the 1950's. The score is terrific and the elements of the storyline are all there. (I prefer it to the Disney version.) I have it on video and hoping they bring it out on DVD. The stage play has been frequently redone, so new generations of kids can enjoy the songs and story again. |
| Phone Booth:
is a tightly done little thriller, about a guy who is
terrorized by a self-righteous killer at a phone booth in the heart of New
York. Filmed with an edgy 70's style that includes split screens, it
is filmed in actual time which adds tension to the movie. Colin
Farrell does a good job as the two timer who gets caught in the nightmare
where all his duplicity is exposed, but the star is the voice of Kiefer
Sutherland who carries the movie to a higher level. (Please
watch for the little touches, like the word "penance" on the sign behind him
and the cartoons that look just like Sutherland in some shots.)
movie seen 4/5/03 RECOMMEND: The Boston Stranger is an edgy look at a real story about the serial killer who terrorized Boston in the 60's. Tony Curtis gives a brilliant performance (which was overlooked by the Academy) as the confessed strangler and Henry Fonda gives his usual solid performance as the detective on the case. It is marked by its brutal honesty in filming and the use of split screens that adds tension to the story telling. |
| The Pianist: is a brilliantly done film about a young Jewish pianist in Warsaw, Poland during WWII and Adrien Brody gives a superb performance as Wladyslaw Szpilman (based on Szpilman's autobiography). The movie follows Szpilman's experiences from the invasion of Poland to the end of the war, as he starts out in a well off family and ends up alone in hiding, barely surviving. Director, Roman Polanski, brings his own life experiences of surviving WWII in Poland to the film. The film is done with an understated, nearly sparse story-telling, and none of the emotional melodrama that is usually employed. In the end, though, it gives the movie an truthful elegance that is much more powerful. The scene near the end where Szpilman plays Chopin for a German officer is heart wrenching. I can't say enough for this terrific film and highly recommend it. movie seen 2/15/03 RECOMMEND: Island on Bird Street tells the tale of a boy who is left behind when his relatives are sent to the death camps, who learns to survive on his own in the Warsaw Ghetto. I found it on cable and it has a hypnotic feel to it; shame its not available on video. |
|
The Pirates
of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl:
Who would have ever thunk it - a Disney flick based on a
theme ride turns out to be a pretty nifty movie? Take classic movie
swashbuckling, add a pinch of a ghost story and lots of special film effects
and action, and throw in a terrific performance by Johnny Depp and you get a
fun couple of hours. The audience was really hooping and hollering
through the whole film. The other performances, including those by the
young romantic couple, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush,
as the evil Pirate captain, are all solid, but I must add my kudos' to
Johnny for stealing every scene he's in. This is really the best of
the summer (and the only non sequel!!!). Do not miss. movie seen
7/9/03 RECOMMEND: The Buccaneer is an old favorite of mine from late night tv. It is one of those classy trashy films, with lots of ever-emoting from Yul Brynner and Charlton Heston as Jean Lafitte and Gen. Andrew Jackson, fighting the battle of New Orleans. But, it also shows why Anthony Quinn wasn't known for his directing. |
| Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men's Chest:
is a prime example of the old comedian's law of not
doing one joke too many - you can lose the crowd. In the case of the
"Pirates", the special effects are definitely over the top and the movie
runs on too long. But, despite the obvious faults, the movie still
works since Johnny Depp is so much fun to watch. He makes Jack Sparrow
silly and smart all at the same time with his prissy swagger and cunning -
one of the best characters in movies. The plot has a logical flow and
ends with the promise of the expected sequel. This isn't a picture for
the younger kids, but the rest should have a good time with lots of action
and humor and the addition of some really creepy new pirates lead by the
infamous Davy Jones, so I can recommend. (But, you had better have
good bladder control - it does run too long.) seen
7/12/06 RECOMMEND: The Pirate, is one of the last musicals Judy Garland did for MGM and has some of the best dance numbers Gene Kelly ever did, including a spectacular one with the Nicholas Brothers. Unfortunately, it was not a success at the time , but has acquired a cult reputation for the musical numbers, including "Be a Clown". I enjoyed sharing it with my 3-yr old nephew who was mesmerized by the Technicolor numbers. |
|
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End:
Concludes the current series (despite Depp's hints at wanting to do another
one). It is so long and confusing that I actually started to doze off
in the middle - something I surely didn't do in the first two. It's
pretty sad when a monkey and a burnt out rock star are the best things in a
three hour, very expensive movie. So I can only give it a tepid OK for
the parts I liked, but as an overall movie it cannot stand on its own.
But, thank you, Johnny, for putting life into an old genre and for having
been so darned entertaining.
seen 5/25/07
Some other movies about Pirates:
|
| Planet of the Apes: The
costuming and ape performances are amazing - you do feel like you are watching real apes
acting. Unfortunately, the plot is pretty plodding and the surprise ending(s) lack
the same payoff as the original. But, special recognition to Tim Roth as the evil
leader chimp and Helena Bonham Carter as the sympathetic chimp. Their
characters are the most interesting and best performed of the cast. movie seen 7/28/01 RECOMMEND: Congo is as corny as it gets. A very fake gorilla who understands sign language is returned to Africa and with her teacher becomes immersed in a search for a legendary diamond mine. It's entertaining grade B cinema. |
PLEASANTVILLE: is an adult fairy tale story that grows dark. Two 90’s teenagers are pulled
into a 50’s black and white sitcom, where everything is always pleasant – the
temperature is a constant 72’, fire doesn’t burn, and there is nothing beyond
Pleasantville. It begins as a gentle satire, but as the people’s eyes of the town are
opened beyond their narrow two streets, they begin to see color and eventually turn to
color themselves. This brings out the worst in the still black and white townspeople, who
lack no tolerance for their now different neighbors. RECOMMEND: I went through so many choices in my mind. Many movies have used the contrast between black and white and color photography to emphasize the story line. But, my mind kept going to BACK TO THE FUTURE as it similarly took a 1980’s teenager and put him back into the 1950’s. His entrance into that period of time changed the future and thus his own life when he returned to the 1980’s. It was a gently, amusing, entertaining story that only touched on some of the issues of that time period. |
| Poseidon:
Saw this one in IMAX and the effects are OK, though at some times I
was getting dizzy watching bodies flying all over the place. However,
you do not want the explosions or floods to stop, since then you have to
listen to the cardboard characters talking, which is definitely a drag.
So, if you like watching lots of bodies flying through the air, burning up,
or drowning, this is the movie for you. If you want wit or intelligent
dialog - stay home. seen
5/13/06 RECOMMEND: Deep Impact is the exception to the rule, an intelligent disaster story, with a plot line and interesting characters. It starts you off believing in a scandal, then you learn that a large comet is coming to earth. There is action and heroism as they try to stop it. Perhaps because it was directed by a woman, Mimi Leder, there is an emphasis on the human connection, not just on the action. I truly believe this is the best of the "disaster" genre. |
| The
Polar Express: Is a charming
animated telling of the story of little boy who comes to believe in Santa
Clause again. He takes a Christmas Eve trip on the Polar Express to
the North Pole and there is lots of action and even a couple nice musical
numbers. The mid-century look works with the storyline. It is
also being shown in 3-D IMAX which could be spectacular for many of the
effects. I am sure this will be an annual Christmas classic. (I
must admit that I had a problem with the way Tom Hanks portrayed Santa, but
that's just my taste.) movie seen 11/10/04 RECOMMEND: Miracle on 34th Street is a true classic of Christmas which has been redone, but never as well as the original with Natalie Wood as the unbelieving little girl with her element of the childhood wisdom finding the magic of believing. Edmund Gwen won an Oscar for his performance as Kris Kringle. A must see at Christmas! |
| PRACTICAL MAGIC: attempts to be
mythical and wimsical, but falls flat. The elements are certainly there with the
amusing support of Dianne Weiss and Stockard Channing, but Sandra Bullack's performance as
a witch embarressed by her powers looked more like she was just as embarrassed to be in
the picture. And I couldn't quite figure out what Nicole Kidman's character
was up to. Sorry, Sandy B.- it's another dud for you. movie
seen 10/31/98 RECOMMEND: In BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE Kim Novak plays a sexy witch who literally puts a spell on James Stewart to get him to love her. She ends up losing her heart (and witching abilities) to him. Has funny supporting performances by Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, and Hermione Gingold. |
| Premonition: Is anchored by a good performance by Sandra Bullock as a woman who's day ends with her husband's death, but who finds him alive when she wakes up the next day. It is implied that she is either crazy or on drugs as the days progress out of order for her as her reactions don't seem appropriate to the people around her who are not experiencing what she is. I found myself intrigued, but that the ending was a bit of a let down. So I give it a recommend despite its faults (and I do love the poster). seen 3/23/07 |
|
The
Prince and Me: Is like cotton candy, its fun to eat,
but not very substantial. An indolent Danish prince decides to go to
college in America based on a "Girls Gone Wild" video ad. He meets up
with the goal oriented all-American college student, of course falls in love
and reforms. Julia Styles brings some substance to the movie and Luke
Mably looks so much like Prince William, it is eerie. I enjoyed it for
what it is, a totally romantic chick flick. movie seen 04/02/04 RECOMMEND: The Student Prince is a minor MGM 50's musical that was supposed to star Mario Lanza, but ended up with only his glorious voice. (Ann Blythe does well singing her role.) It is based on Romberg's operetta about a prince who falls in love with a barmaid. It is obvious that "The Prince and Me" is an updated version of this story. |
| PRINCE OF EGYPT: Cartoons have
come of age with this film. I had thought that this was an unlikely subject for a
cartoon, but excellent reviews persuaded me to see the movie. The artwork is
wonderful and the writers felt no need for the cute animals that Disney Studios feel
compelled to add for children. The emotion and humanism of Moses is what sets this
film truly apart. He is portrayed as honestly torn between the love of his adopted
family and the need to follow the god of his birth. In this it differs from the
rather stiff portrayal that we are used to by Charlton Heston in "The Ten
Commandments". A strong recommendation.
movie seen 12/20/98 RECOMMEND: Disney Studios' THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is their darkest and most adventurous cartooning and (for them) a flop at the box office. I was impressed, however, at the artwork. The scenes of Paris are amazing and I liked the score which had tinges of operatic sounds. Unfortunately, they didn't have the courage of "Prince of Egypt" to forget the cutesy supporting characters and make a more adult movie. |
| The Princess Diaries: Newcomer
Anne Hathaway is a delight as the charmingly awkward teen who discovers she is really the
princess of a small European country. Her talent with physical comedy is a treat to
watch. Julie Andrews offered warm support as her royal grandmother who takes
her in hand. Unfortunately, the story looses some of its oomph once the ugly
duckling turns out to be a swan, but on the whole a good-hearted, fun movie that the
audience enjoyed with much laughter and applause at the end. movie seen 8/3/01 RECOMMEND: Pygmalion is the classic 1938 British film version of the famous George Bernard Shaw play (best known to American audiences as the musical, "My Fair Lady"). Leslie Howard does a sublime Henry Higgins and Wendy Hiller is the quintessential Eliza. |
| Princess
Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement: The cuteness of the first movie is
very strained here, but luckily we have the adorable Anne Hathaway and the
charming Julie Andrews to make the treacle tolerable. Anne continues
her pratfalls and Julie sings a bit. Not absolutely
horrible, but not enough of the right elements to make this picture really
work. movie seen 08/11/04
RECOMMEND: The Swan is Grace Kelly's "swan song" movie, in which she plays a lovely princess who is torn between doing her duty of marrying the dull prince played warmly by Alec Guinness or her true love, the tutor, Louis Jourdan. A sweet charming little film with nice performances by all. |
| The Pursuit of Happyness: is the inspirational true story of man who sacrifices everything to make a better life for his son. When a business deal goes south, he hears about an apprentice program with Dean Whitter and applies for it, although he finds out it doesn't pay and only one person in each class of 20 gets offered a position at the end. He ends up on the street with his young son, but keeps doing what he can to keep the child fed, including giving blood and sleeping in the subway. Will Smith gives a touching strong performance, but his real son, Jaden, is the real find, in a natural performance that shows the relationship between a father and a son. I was teary at the end and the audience cheered at the ending, which is a true sign it affected them too. A winner that I can happily recommend. seen 12/15/06 |
| PUSHING TIN: Is
one of those quirky little movies about a little group of quirky people. John
Cusack is the primo air traffic controller with a great life and everything going for him,
until Billy Bob Thornton arrives on the scene and with a quiet manner, beats him at
everything. Their competition and how he loses everything drives the story. It is an
OK movie, but there aren't enough laughs in this black comedy to really recommend it.
Wait for video or cable. movie
seen 4/24/99 RECOMMEND: Being the daughter of a career pilot, I had some view into their off-beat sense of humor - which is part of Pushing Tin, and which was a way of dealing with the constant chance of death on the job. A similar movie that I have a fondness for is Air America, which deals with the secret air war waged in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam War years. It has the bonus of Mel Gibson and Robert Downey, Jr. fighting their own battle against the establishment. |