Iron Man 2 (2010)

Increased uniformed acting than in part one but not a better story. Is Paltrow better than Johansson? I think so. Paltrow comes off like a scared but firm schoolteacher while Johansson fares better in the action sequences, this reviewer enjoyed the contrast. Action sequences go boom and things fly fast, good guy versus bad guy, good guy wins. The end. Stick around after the end credits where more is revealed. Are the Avengers forming?

Man On The Moon (2000)

Jim Carrey is excellent as Andy Kaufman. This reviewer watched the first half (which was not convincingly setup after the very funny intro / title sequence) making believe it was a psychological thriller to keep entertained. The second half which is much better, almost makes the film a total success. Still, Carrey’s portrayal was slightly disturbing. Kauffman comes off as a bipolar, OCD, control freak which is hard to shake off and makes the entire movie difficult to comfortably enjoy. Or maybe that was part of the point?

Scarlet Diva (2000)

Now I have a headache and so did Asia Argento- she filmed it. Asia does have some of Dario’s aesthetics-over-story film making style but what the hell happened at the end? It’s incomplete! Do not mix this film with barbiturates- it may lead to a coma. Non-adventurous types beware!

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Blah, blah, smart acting. Blah, blah, clever writing. Blah, blah- did I say smart acting and clever writing? Listen carefully with headphones, I swear you can hear the director whisper, “Oh, how proud I am of myself for making this movie!” “Your welcome movie viewer!" The film goes on too long (feels longer than its 91 minutes) and nothing of real impact occurs. The movie had my interest half way then I stopped caring and I watched it fizzle out to a “so what” ending. I expected the film to end with Aaron Eckhart’s character, Nick receiving a shotgun blast to the face in some form of pretentious symbolism.

Wonder Boys (2000)

The best Michael Douglas film of the past decade (special mention to his acting in King of California (2007). Wonder Boys, a midlife crisis comedy / drama that has a few false moments but remains entertaining throughout. From director Curtis Hanson. It’s a wonderful "change of pace" film.

L' Auberge Espagnole (2002) and Russian Dolls (2005)

   

Four hours and 11 minutes of movie bliss. Please Mr. Cedric Klapisch, make it a trilogy! (Chinese Puzzle was released in 2013, thank you Mr. Klapisch.)

Shooter (2007)

A okay actioner where everyone either gets shot in the neck or in the head. Danny Glover, Elias Koteas and Ned Beatty play their villainous roles so broadly that I expected each to twirl their collective, invisible mustaches at the end of every scene. Kate Mara does her best Jessica Simpson impression and Michael Pena is very good but this is NOT his movie. Wahlberg remains as wooden as ever but is fine for what he has to do in the film. Other notable names add to the running time. Shooter is worth a look.

Harry Brown (2009)

With Michael Caine; One of the more interesting pieces of post, post, POST Euro-Grindhouse I've seen this year. See this if you liked the original Deathwish and miss Charles Bronson. Basically, this is the same movie.

Bill Hicks Live - Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-Up Comedian (2004)

Great material. The DVD is a little sloppy. Weird glitches in different places on both copies that I received from Netflix.

Hustle And Flow (2005)

The acting is on point, the music is well done and I am glad to have had finally caught up to this great film.

Green Zone (2010)

The film is a little too neat and clean in its politics but as an action film it delivers. No more shaky cam chase scenes please!

Ganja and Hess (1973) A.K.A. Blood Couple

A lengthy, interesting slow burn of a film. I enjoyed this anti-blaxploitation, anti-vampire film; Filled with sexual and non-sexual double entendres. Covering themes like the blessing and curse of religion, addiction, the hang ups of relationships and the negative aspects of minority success. Ganja and Hess is a odd, effective and fascinating film. Definitely not for everyone but the few seeking and finding the full, uncut version (beware of the Blood Couple cut) will be rewarded.

Galaxina (1980)

Awful! One of the last, sad films of Dorothy Stratten. Despite personal troubles, the 19 year old did have a clear screen presence. Unfortunately, this film is equal parts dull, unfunny and uninspired. Save your DVD player a waste of its and your time and save electricity. Don't bother at all. Sorry Miss Stratten.

Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars - The Motion Picture (1973)

The DVD has improved sound and picture (still a bit dark in places). Okay, so there's no surprise that it’s not well filmed but the performances still shine through wonderfully. The joy that is music, rock n roll and BOWIE is here!!! The downside- the endurance level sags in the middle and at times Bowie looks as if he wants to walk away but guitarist Mick Ronson picks the slack when Bowie appears to slightly falter. A nicely enhanced document of days never to return.

The Girl Who Played with Fire (2010)

After a great start with “Dragon Tattoo,” plot contrivances in this installment weighed down the story and pacing reduces this sequel into a cable TV movie with extra sex and violence. The entire movie feels like filler in place for the third story "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest." Which this reviewer will see shortly. The Girl Who Played with Fire was released Friday July 2nd, 2010.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

To this reviewer, Ingmar Bergman's movies have felt heavy handed and overtly solemn. Regardless of this, The Seventh Seal is an effectively acted thought provoker. The point, your going to die and death is a fact of life, death cannot be bargained with or fought against, although failing attempts will be made by many, all will fail. For those confused with the ending, just remember, the life cycle will continue even after we are gone.

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008) (Revisited)

Giving the least favorite Indiana Jones- Crystal Skull a second chance. So much for that. There is no sense of fun in this sequel. It's more like watching a video game / windup version of Indiana Jones than the interesting adventurer we first met over 30 years ago. The initial Mutt Williams/Indy/KGB action sequence works and is a reminder of how the earlier films were better and much more fun. The Crystal Skull surprisingly has a lot of dull CGI with the exception, in one chase scene, of some very funny CGI monkeys. Like everything else, Indy’s getting older but does the audience have to feel like they are aging with him as well? Older and slower doesn't always mean boring but in this case it does. The Crystal Skull also has a weird tonal change into Stargate territory during the last 10 minutes which becomes another disappointment. Crystal Skull, it's watchable but lackluster.

Hellboy Director's Cut (2004)

The Hellboy 3-Disc DVD is like eating a 7 course meal then drinking an entire bottle of wine and eating an entire cake in one shot. If you loved the film then this is the way to see it. The DVD contains some extended scenes and extra dialog but nothing major that changes the tone or storyline. The DVD also contains a massive, feature length "making of" which starts fun but borders into information overload by the end. Overall the discs are fantastic and the picture quality is quite good for a multi-disc set.

The Unseen (1980)

The Unseen should remain so. Poor Barbara Bach. The "acting" isn't great but it keeps this supposed horror film from completely being unbearable and unwatchable. Code Red's 2-Disc "Special Edition" of The Unseen is a contradiction and could have been put on one dual-layer DVD. Special mentions- Stephen Furst (in a diaper!) is effective as the key "victim" / "villain" and a interesting scene by Lois Young. There's not much to see after that.

Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Romeo (Leonard Whiting) is excellent but Juliet's (Olivia Hussey) reading is too mamby pamby in an attempt to be earnest. I would have enjoyed a slightly more aggressive style in the acting of Juliet. Still, Olivia Hussey uses her beauty in measures to compensate. Attractiveness is not a weakness but being bland hinders the mood and tone of the drama. Michael ​York is both amusing and terrifying as spoil-brat, villain Tybalt.

The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum (1975)

The film may have weakened in intensity from age but its message has not. The public / media still enjoy building up and tear down, those in the public eye ruining lives, egos and future dispositions. Recommended as a double feature with The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008). Katharina's actress Anna Winkler didn't become a big star here (for shame) but is still very active in Europe.

Danton (1983)

Danton's acting is solid. The ideas that bring about a revolution do not always carry over into reality after the revolution has begun. Idealists are usually sacrificed to signal the end of one. Maximilian Robespierre versus Georges Danton versus The Guillotine.

Precious (2009)

Good but not great, Lenny Kravitz better than Mariah Carey with less screen time, Gabourey Sidibe excellent in solo / monologue scenes. Mo'Nique simmers well but I've seen this narrative before. Paula Patton and the stock cast have little presence...again good but not great, read the book. Bonus from book- the "urban" humor the film lacked...although heart-breaking, part of the book's "enjoyment" is in the way it was written. PS: Director Lee Daniels fumbles a key scene towards the end- you'll know by how bad the take was which ends with an unnecessary long reactionary shot.

The Runaways (2010)

Stewart, Fanning and Michael Shannon who plays "Kim" are very good. Wide releasing the film, setting it up to flop- what were they thinking? Although the film fizzles out in an attempt to end on a non-conventional, (still ends up being a) conventional note, everything that comes before it holds attention. The movie feels as if it was tinkered with (maybe edited with studio persistence or altered becuase of Stewart's involvement, in the midsts of the Twilight series) and would have benefited opening with a smaller release. A release where word of mouth would have saved it from completely disappearing into the abyss.

Monsignor (1982)

Christopher Reeves stars. The acting is great but the story is blasphemous! Wow, a priest that deals with the mob, "cooks" the Vatican's books, kills and also sleeps with a nun! ​Reeves is very good as a truly un-likable man who gets "rewarded" on many different levels. Monsignor could have been a real hoot but takes itself way to seriously than it should.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

The producers had no thought of pacing or tone but the movie was not as terrible as reviewers appeared to have their collective knives out for. With all the quirks from Juno washed away, the film pokes fun at horror / demon possession (and the possible sexual dominance it can bring) and gives a finger to the current "Breaking News", knee jerk media. Jennifer becomes a victim, a weapon, a blessing and a curse for all characters involved. The film has solid acting and the decent special effects help. Megan Fox as the titled main character unfortunately has the least impact in comparison to Amanda Seyfield whom gets to display a wide range of effective and appropriate emotions. The film starts out fun but changes tones a bit and turns into "Buffy the, Carrie, Wonder Years Slayer" until it picks up again at the end. The majority of the soundtrack is enjoyable and stick around for the end credit stills. This reviewer not really sure if he watched the rated or unrated version of the film.

My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)

This reviewer watched the 2D version of My Bloody Valentine...wanted to like the film but...nothing worth mentioning other than murder (by a killer in a miner outfit, see poster) and mayhem (running, jumping, climbing...more running) and a funny scene involving one of the characters. Overall, rent it if your into horror but don't expect much.