hb_ver Reviews

Chicago (2002)

Sizzling, Zany, Treacherous, a helluva good time!!

[10 February 2003]

This is a story with vitality, fun, and all that jazz. A story about greed, murder, corruption, adultery, and all those things we hate to love and love to hate. Let your imagination run wild in another musical revival much in the same way as last year's `Moulin Rouge.' `Chicago' is an energetic and zanily treacherous tale behind the genius mind of Bob Fosse, now brilliantly written and adapted to the screen by director Rob Marshall. This razzle dazzle musical set in 1930s Chicago focuses on Roxie Heart (Renee Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), two women who will stop at nothing to make it big on the stage, but are put in jail after killing off their spouses for cheating on them. In comes Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), a hot shot lawyer who comes to prove their innocence at all costs. The entire cast, including Queen Latifah (Momma) and John C. Reilly (Amos) pulls all the stops in some solid performances, but the standout is Zeta-Jones in a bravura performance. The music is readily tuned to all that jazz and the cinematography is top-notch as it is dark and appropriate for the movie's Broadway feel. Winner for best picture in the Broadcast Film Critic's circle and the Golden Globe Award for Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture.

The Hours (2002)

Captivating, Life-Affirming, Arresting!!

[10 February 2003]

The year's best acting showcase next to `Chicago' is a beautiful literary adapted tearjerker from the novel by Michael Cunningham. The performances are moving and brilliantly showcased by Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, and Ed Harris. Directed by Stephen Daldry, `The Hours' is a melancholic, arresting, and powerful movie about three women living in three different times and how one's life touches and shapes the life of the other. Amazingly enough, the film takes place in one day. It features Virginia Woolf (Kidman) writing the novel Mrs. Dalloway and how Laura Brown (Moore) and Clarissa Vaughan (Streep) are wired within the book's pages, which reveals an emotionally overwhelming, tragic, yet life-affirming story. This unforgettable mosaic is woven through some poignant vignettes and its flawless editing, rousing musical score, and masterful screenplay make it one of the year's best. This film garnered a best picture win from the National Board of Review and the Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Motion Picture. Special note: This has been a great year for John C. Reilly (`Magnolia') who has appeared in some of the year's most recognized films including `Gangs of New York,' `The Hours,' `Chicago,' and `The Good Girl.'

Narc (2002)

Gritty, Brutal, Thrilling!!

[10 February 2003]

This is a thriller to end all thrillers. It is sweat-inducing, heart-pounding, bloody, brutal, and so energetic you will be tired after the film has ended. Directed by Joe Carnahan, `Narc' is a movie that dresses itself nicely instead of delivering its conventions. Ray Liotta is a memorable and intimidating cop who lost his partner (Alan Van Sprang) and now desires vengeance upon the savage killer. Jason Patric is solid as an undercover narcotics officer returning from retirement to seek the cop killer. The two become partners to once again reemerge themselves in the drug world, fight mental scars, and ultimately find redemption in working on the behalf of Sprang's widow and children. The movie is definitely not for all tastes. The violence is heavy-handed and shocking in several ways. However, there has never been anything like it, and for that, it deserves a watch. Surely it will leave you breathless, cold, and shocked to the bone. The movie is directed with style and the use of the hand-held camera and snappy editing create an appropriately gritty effect. Not to be missed!

Far from Heaven (2002)

Brilliant, Colorful, Stylish, in Short Heavenly

[6 February 2003]

Todd Haynes ('Safe') has once again teamed up with Julianne Moore to create the colorful and beautifully woven tale of 'Far From Heaven.' At a time when social taboos were at their natural high in 1950s Connecticut, 'Far From Heaven' explores the broken bonds of a perfect married couple (Moore and Dennis Quaid) with two perfect kids, and issues such as homosexuality and interracial relationships. His hidden homosexuality is emerging while she is seen with a Negro and becomes the town gossip. While he struggles at keeping the marriage together, she seeks consolation with her gardener, who happens to be the very same Negro she was seen with. But that special friendship will change her life forever. What is most vibrant about this one-of-a-kind experience was the mind-boggling recreation of the 1950s, with top-notch cinematography and set designs that made you feel like you were actually in another world. Every scene is beautifully woven into the action taking place. The rousing musical score lifts the spirits up and the script is highly moving and original. Supporting actors Dennis Quaid and Patricia Clarkson (playing Moore's best friend) did a truly amazing and grand acting job, but Moore is a tour-de-force. She is truly one of our greatest actresses today. Great praise to Todd Haynes! I think that everyone here deserves an Oscar nomination. Truly one of the best movies of this year.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Intriguing, perceptive, touching, and funny!

[15 December 2002]

The wintermester of award winning films has finally arrived and I'm thankful for that. Having a chance to watch Catch Me If You Can ten days before its worldwide release was both rewarding and worthwhile. Steven Spielberg has perceptively created a true story, a period piece full of life, a colorfully captured era, a touching story of broken bonds between parent and child (especially that special relationship between father and son), an amusing chase of cat and mouse, and alas a trip that was so unpredictable and intriguing it makes you stare in awe and wonder. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Frank Abagnale Jr., a young teenager who lives with his parents (Christopher Walken) circa 1960s and is adjusting to his families financial downfall after his father loses his former job and consequently his parent's divorce. After his father opens a bank account for him, Frank runs away from home to pursue a fake life of fraud checks and fraud identities. He pretends to be a co-pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, steals millions of dollars in the process, and falls in and out of romantic escapades. Meanwhile, FBI detective Carl (Tom Hanks) is hard on track behind Frank's many adventurous schemes trying to catch him. While the movie keeps you at the edge of your seat with its humor and fast paced entertainment, it also manages to be touching with one of its most important themes being the father son relationship. Frank Sr. (Walken) teaches his son Frank Jr. (DiCaprio) that "there are two mice who fall into a bowl of cream, one mice quickly gives up trying to get out, the second mice keeps struggling, continues and never gives up until he manages to get out by turning the cream into butter." This is Frank Sr. biggest lesson to his son. But Frank Sr. is convinced that his son is not a criminal and he won't turn him in to the police simply because he is his son. Frank loves his son too much and the only way that his son knows to repay his love is by buying his father a new Cadillac and offering him some money. It's interesting how Frank Jr. thinks that his parent's divorce and the destruction of his family is caused by the lack of money, which is exactly what causes him to pursue exactly that: money. He wanted to save his family or at least make sure that his never suffered because of lack of money. The music by John Williams is giddy, fast, and bouncy which reflects the sneaky endeavors of Leo's often weasel of a character. DiCaprio, Walken, Sheen, and Hanks all bring a knockout showcase, even though Hanks' southern accent is often annoying. Many of the scenes take place around or on Christmas day which make the movie sort of a holiday treat. I will not reveal the ending which ends kind of abruptly. I must admit that it did left me wanting to see more of the relationship that flourishes between Hanks and DiCaprio. But I was thoroughly entertained. This is a sure thought-provoker and a must-see for the holidays, especially anyone who admires its cast and crew. (9/10)

E.T. (1982)

A sweet story of friendship and faith!

[21 October 2002]

Steven Spielberg has created a fairy tale for the 80s as a little boy

Elliot befriends a lovable alien creature from outer space in one of

the most loved movies ever made. Spielberg carefully recreates

what could be any boy's childhood fantasies and carefully weaves

them into a story about family in the suburbs trying to hold on

together after their dad leaves their mother and heads towards

Mexico. Dee Wallace is perfect as the depressed and yet loving

mother of three, a teen, a little boy (Elliot) played memorably by

Henry Thomas, and a little girl (a never more appealing Drew

Barrymore). E.T. (The Extra Terrestrial) is left stranded on earth

after his spaceship leaves him behind and he becomes a survivor

with the help of Elliot, whom begins to literally feel all of the alien's

emotions. Problem comes when government agents are on the

hot trail to capture E.T. and Elliot and his friends must help get E.T.

back to his home planet. Undeniably one of the best movies of the

80s with movie magic to spare. Spielberg's "feel good" happy

ending and idealized happy family after broken bonds is evident

here. Witness the powerfully told story of love, friendship, family,

and ultimate sacrifice. An originally comic and heart-warming

movie for all ages! 10/10

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Audacious, Iconoclastic, with Vitality to Spare!

[20 October 2002]

One of the best movies of the 1990s is probably the most unique in the sense that it stands by itself in its audacity and vitality. Quentin Tarantino is an auteur of the 90s and has proven a masterful director for great ensemble casts, an insightful well-developed script, inspiring and striking camera angles and cinematography, and has developed a new genre of gangsters, crime, and mystery with an array of violence, drugs, sex, and fast-paced action. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are dynamic and deliver powerful performances as a duo of hitmen, Bruce Willis is compelling (in one of his finest roles) as a prize-fighter and struggling boxer, and Uma Thurman is memorable as a sexy drug addict. All these lowlifes are connected in one way or another to big time mafia leader Ving Rhames who happens to be Thurman's husband. Movie is also unique in the sense that it is broken up into different scenes that don't seem to go in order from beginning to end. Obviously the movie is not for all tastes for its dehumanizing and repulsive theme which is evident in every single scene. Nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture, Pulp Fiction is a mezmerising ride. 9/10

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

A crack-tension packed psychological thriller!

[18 October 2002]

Classic psychological thriller that manages to be gruesome, oppressive, suspenseful, elegant, and intelligent. The Silence of the Lambs is Directed by Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme and star Academy Award winners Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Foster plays an FBI trainee, Agent Starling, who must interview a crazed, imprisoned, psychopathic cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) in hope of gathering information to trap another serial killer by the name of "Buffalo Bill." When Starling and Lecter meet, fireworks ignite as they both are forced to dig into the past and recall deep rooted memories that can be painful and exhausting. The suspense lies in those intellectually tasteful conversations between Starling and Lecter. The nerve-wracking countdown begins when "Buffalo Bill" captures a senator's daughter. Starling must find the connection between all the killings in order to find all the answers to find him. The ending is literally heart-stopping encompassing unbearable tension when Starling and the killer are forced to face each other in a death hunt of cat and mouse. Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. (9/10)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Grand, Spectacular Science fiction!

[10/10 · 18 October 2002]

2001: A Space Odyssey is still the grandest of all science fiction

movies, the most visionary of all Stanley Kubrick works. Its theme

of humanization is enticing and powerful. Story covers a giant leap

from the age of the ape man to civilized space. The movie is a

visual dream, a spectacle of lights and special effects that are

awe-inspiring and captivating. The musical score is masterful and

adds a great intensity to the mood of the film. And did I mention

HAL is just a machine that is represented by a menacing red light,

and his commanding scene presence makes him one of the most

terrifying of all screen villains. Its a story about the life cycle, the

duality of man, man vs. machine, suspense, horror, the future, in

short an iconoclastic society. It is a must-see movie that must be

viewed with patients and pathos, one that is the definitive vision of

the art that is filmmaking. On a more personal note: Kubrick's

atmosphere has been critized for being cold and banal. Such a

dehumanizing place makes the movie even more emotional for my

taste.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Funny, Colorful, Entertaining!

[18 October 2002]

Probably the greatest musical ever made (and also one of the greatest comedies), Singin' in the Rain is the definitive form of entertainment. Starring screen legends Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor, Singin' in the Rain was released in 1952 as an all musical, all singing, all dancing extravaganza. It truly is. It is probably the greatest feel-good movie of all time. Kelly and O'Connor have a great musical duo with "Moses Supposes." Add Reynolds and you have the classic "Good Morning." O'Connor's "Make 'em Laugh" is a scream and hilarious. Kelly has his unforgettable "Singin' in the Rain" number where he literally tap-dances with an umbrella under pouring rain. Jean Hagen, as Lina Lamont, was the only actor to be nominated for an Oscar and is truly the standout in the film providing most of the laughs as a brainless and obnoxious blonde with an annoying high-pitched voice. The film is a perfect showcase for showing the transition from silent films to talkies and all the mishaps that came along with the period of the late 20s and early 30s. Witness the romance, the dancing, the music, the singing, the comedy, the profound impact of the greatest musical entertainment of all time! 10/10

The Ring (2002)

Gripping, Compelling and Scary!

[9/10 · 15 October 2002]

Sensationally scary and ultimate suspenser about a news reporter (Naomi Watts) who is trying to find the cause of the death of four teenagers who were killed exactly seven days after watching a video clip of disturbing images. Her son is psychologically connected to the mysterious secrets behind the killings. Problem starts when Watts watches the video and a thrilling countdown of seven days ignites to unravel the mystery. To reveal more about the plot will ruin the incredible thrills and chills. The editing is choppy but the script is carefully controlled and Watts is nothing short of amazing in the lead. Everybody does a fine job, but Watts is the driving force in the movie. The story is so interesting and told with such visual flair, one becomes a reporter like Watts in this mysterious and hypnotic caper. One of the most outrageous and courageous psychological horror films in recent years. Truly heart-stopping and exciting.

Boogie Nights (1997)

Brilliant, Bold, Powerful!

[15 October 2002]

Director Paul Thomas Anderson has created a fascinating account of a family of pornographers in the late 1970s. It is a frank, compelling, and disturbing vignette of unforgettable characters. Mark Whalberg (in his best performance to date) plays a well-endowed 17 year old who begins working in the porn industry under porn director Burt Reynolds (in an Oscar nominated performance). John C. Reilly plays a fellow porn star, Julianne Moore (never better) as a famous porn queen, Philip Seymour Hoffman as a timid homosexual porn crew member, William H. Macy as a fatalistic loser who's wife is always cheating on him, and Heather Graham (Reynolds daughter) as a rising porn star. Everybody does a fine job. The best scenes belong to former porn star couple Don Cheadle and Nicole Parker who add some of the comic relief to the film. What's intriguing is the way the actors interact with each other and the way they struggle to find their self-identity, plus a bravura script, colorful and startling cinematography, and a rousing rocking 70s soundtrack that make Boogie Nights one of the best films of 1997. It is a touching, humorous, and shocking film bursting with originality with an overall message of: redemption and forgiveness.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Blazing, Powerful. An Ultimate Cinematic Triumph.

[14 October 2002]

Courageous, powerful, smashing, sharp, passionate, dark, terrific, epic, visionary, tough, grand, brassy, emotional, and flawless. Orson Welles' Citizen Kane is a cinematic masterpiece of editing, montage, acting, story-line, music, cinematography, and directing. It is a milestone in motion picture history and Welles directed, co-wrote, and starred in it at the age of 25. Story's plot covers a man's ascent into the corrupt world of politics and the greed that lies in the newspaper industry. Then story shifts to the lost of his friends and love of his life. It is the unraveling story of a banal and self-absorbed man that has lost his beloved "Rosebud." That in itself is an intriguing mystery and pretext that will keep you guessing up until the final haunting scene in the movie. Those low shots and high shots and the astonishing black and white cinematography with striking blackness gives the film a touch of surrealism. The script is powerfully written and all the actors do a wonderful job. Hailed as the first modern sound film, Citizen Kane is the work of a visionary filmmaker that will be loved and treasured for years to come.

Red Dragon (2002)

Gothic Psychological Thriller

[10 October 2002]

While RED DRAGON does not surpass THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, it comes really close with a story that is similar in tone and plot. Norton plays a retired FBI agent who is dragged back into practice by Keitel to interview our favorite cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter(Hopkins) about another serial killer who is known only as the "tooth fairy" (Fiennes). Interesting concept is that Norton is the very person who put Hannibal behind bars in the first place. The script was carefully controlled but why get an amateur director to do this movie. Thankfully, the ensemble cast drew me in. There are no slackers in this wonderful cast of pioneering actors (old and new). What's great about DRAGON is that we actually get to know the serial killer's (Fiennes') character and what drove him to become a crazed psychopath. His relationship to Watson (a blind and wholehearted woman) holds the story together and adds a sexual tension to the film that is unique to the series. Norton, Keitel and Hopkins are compelling in the leads. I really didn't care for Hoffman's character, but his scene with Fiennes when the "Red Dragon" is revealed is a humorous and scary scene. It's a perfect combination of suspense and humor. I must admit that while MANHUNTER (an earlier version of DRAGON) has superior cinematography, DRAGON comes really close and its effect of creepiness and chilling atmosphere. Surely, DRAGON is one of the best movies you'll catch this summer and definetely a worthy entrance to the series. Enough already though! But go and get another good scare and be entertained!

White Oleander (2002)

Emotional Powerhouse!

[8/10 · 10 October 2002]

Based on the book by Oprah, White Oleander is a mosaic of characters that are weaved through a series of comic and tragic vignettes. You can call it a melodrama, a serio-comic drama, a character driven drama, in short, an emotional powerhouse. Alison Lohman plays Estrid, a rising teenage girl who has lived under the demandig control of her banal and self-absorbed mother (Michelle Pfeiffer). When Pfeiffer is put in jail for killing her boyfriend (with the poisonous oleander), Estrid must travel from one foster home to another and back to prison to visit her mother as she tries to find her self-identity. Zellweger gives a sweet and solid performance and Wright Penn is perfect as white trailer trash and play two of Estrid's foster mothers. It was nice to recognize (Patrick Fugit) the star of "Almost Famous." The movie brilliantly captures the turbulent years of a confused and rising teen in a surprisingly unconventional way. The script is carefully observed and full of amazing anecdotes. The jittery camera adds a visual intensity to the film and gives you a sense of desperation and anxiety. All of these assets plus an amazing cast drew me in on one of the most enticing statements to come out of Hollywood in a long time. I would compare it to American Beauty and Ghost World. On another note: Recalling Pfeiffer's performance as catwoman as one of the most creepiest villains ever captured on film, manages to be even scarier with a demanding presence in Oleander. In sum, White Oleander is a movie about being a survivor in the most crucial moments, a process of finding who you are, and growing up. ***1/2 (8/10)