U-571:  Is an exiting tale of W.W.II submariners who capture a Nazi sub for its decoding machine.  I grant you the storyline is well-worn of the commander proving himself to be a true leader, but the action is so good, that you go along for the ride.  I was truly on the edge of my seat for the majority of the movie and found it a satisfying "popcorn" movie, though it doesn't have the emotional resonance of "Saving Private Ryan".   movie seen 4/21/00     RECOMMEND: Run Silent, Run Deep  has a similar plot of a younger submariner played by Burt Lancaster who is embroiled in a battle of wills with an older commander played by Clark Gable in this well-done movie (that even features Don Rickles in a straight role).

UNBREAKABLE: M. Night Shyamalan's follow-up to the brilliant "The Sixth Sense" is dull and dreary with a less than surprising ending.  Bruce Willis and Samuel L.Jackson both look like they're having the same trouble staying awake through this pretentious snooze as I did.  Only attend if you are an insomniac.  movie seen 11/22/00     RECOMMEND(?): Batman Returns is the one movie about comic book characters that is actually worse than "Unbreakable".  It goes beyond dreary to repugnant.

The Upside of Anger: Tells the tale of a woman dealing with her rage and family when her husband has apparently left her for another woman.  Joan Allen gives another multi-layered performance that ranges from misery to bitter humor, as she uses alcohol to deal with her anger.  I was impressed by Kevin Costner's performance as the neighbor who begins as a drinking partner, but finds comfort in her crazy household.  On the plus side are the amazing and solid performances by the two of them; on the downside is the plot which has logic holes you could drive a Hummer through and a really stupid ending.  So I can only give this a wobbly OK thanks to Joan and Kevin, not the script.   seen 5/06/05  RECOMMEND: An Unmarried Woman is a standout Jill Clayburgh movie from the 70's about a woman whose husband suddenly leaves her.  It is sad and funny and very human all at the same time.

Uptown Girls: Is a tedious comedy about a Rock 'n Roll Princess who is forced to take a job as a nanny to an uptight little girl.  Both the characters are so totally obnoxious and self-involved, that when the more tender moments come, it is rather like going into another movie, rather than a natural plot progression.  Treat this movie like a computer virus - avoid at all costs.  movie seen 8/22/03    RECOMMEND: The Super is a minor comedy starring Joe Pesci as a slum landlord who sentenced to live in his own building, until he agrees to make improvements.  There are the usual fish-out-of-water jokes that Pesci mined better in "My Cousin Vinny", but the laughs are sufficient to make it OK.