Chaindance

Directed by:  Allan A. Goldstein
Starring:  Michael Ironside, Rae Dawn Chong, Brad Dourif
Running Time: 1h 36min

One has to love what this film was trying to accomplish, a drama where a hardened inmate reconciles with an inmate of another sorts, a man hospitalized with cerebral palsy.  The performances are as good as one could expect from B-list actors, enough to make it enjoyable and believable.  Unfortunately, there are cliched moments and a completely unnecessary subplot just to spice up the sex and violence quota.  If the film had stuck to the core it would have been more rewarding.  That aside, Ironside gets to play a better role than he's usually reduced to.  He sinks into the role and gives us the transformation the character needs but I can't help but see the Nicholson in his appearance and acting.  A nice film that needed better direction.

Grade: C+

Chain Reaction

Directed by:  Andrew Davis
Starring:  Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward
Running Time:  1h 46min

Well, Morgan Freeman's run of successful and interesting movies couldn't last forever.  After starring in the best two movies of the past two years he is limited to play the same character that he played in Outbreak and without any other talent in the film he languishes in his own talent.  Reeves is neither believable nor charismatic as the star of the film and we can thank him for not taking the Speed 2 role seeing as his acting abilities wouldn't help the fact that yet another dumb sequel is being made.  Back to this movie, it suffers from traileritis, where the trailer promises action you've never seen before but the movie isn't half as exciting as the trailer.  Hopefully, you'll have rented another movie with this preview and can save the $4.00.

Grade: C+

The Chamber

Directed by:  James Foley
Starring:  Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway, Robert Prosky
Running Time:  1h 51min

John Grisham's lawyer books turned movies have officially become tiresome.  Now I could have said this back when The Pelican Brief was first released but now it can't be denied.  Grisham serves us yet another tale involving a young lawyer against all odds, fighting for justice, with the aid of a nice female helper.  Should he be working for his client?  Will he beat the odds?  WHO CARES?  There wasn't a single character in this movie that was worth caring for or even worth watching.  O'Donnell is extremely stiff as he delivers his lines in the same tone, regardless of emotion.  His handling of the big Grisham monologue is empty.  Hackman is reduced to looking sad and then yelling.  It's a shame that Grisham's films attract such great talent and hard-earned $$$.

Grade: D

Chasing Amy

Directed by:  Kevin Smith
Starring:  Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith
Running Time: B+

Kevin Smith's apology to the critics who hated Mallrats at the end of the film sums up what is good and bad about this movie.  The fact that Smith grew up a bit, took on some serious ground and peppered his unique funniness in an attempt to please those critics.  The fact that he is trying to please those critics also takes away from the humour that is so abundant in his first two films.  Granted, this isn't a full fledged comedy.  It's comedy in the sense that it doesn't take itself too seriously.  Extremely stunning performances by a cast that was used as side jokes in the first installments of the New Jersey trilogy really make the film.  The blend of seriousness and comedy is great but not complete.  This is a good transition film for Smith.

Grade: B+

Chili's Blues

Directed by:  Charles Biname
Starring:  Roy Dupuis, Lucie Laurier
Running Time:  1h 45min

This film starts off really annoying.  The dubbing is irritating as the story doesn't focus on its main characters until later.  Once this happens, do you ever get used to the voices, falling in love with the leads, no matter what they reveal or what actions they take.  This must be adapted from a stage play as the set is limited and the situation contrived to let the circumstances unfold.  Never has a female lead so enraptured me as Laurier.  And Dupuis' boyish maturity contrasts so well with the mature girlishness of Luarier.  The middle does tend to ask itself, where is this going but after a revealing statement the pace flourishes to the denouement.  One thing is for certain, you have to LOVE the Life Saver magic and the unbridled joy it brings.

Grade: B+

Chinatown

Directed by:  Roman Polanski
Starring:  Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, John Hillerman
Running Time:  2h 11min

A truly great script allows the viewer to comfortably sit back and watch the performers slowly unravel a compelling mystery.  Very controlled performances come out of Polanski's direction, making the genre of film noir ease into the 70s.  Nothing seems overcooked or typical. The scenery is stylish, the cars fantastic, and the wardrobe a wonderful sight.  The only real problem is the pace at which the film moves.  It's understandable why it builds the story, and the colours and performances help cut the film's long running time.  Nothing flashy, which is good because it allows a good script to provide the satisfaction.

Grade: B+

Chinese Box

Directed by:  Wally Wong
Starring:  Jeremy Irons, Gong Li, Reuben Blades
Running Time:  1h 35min

Irons gives an inspired performance in a film where Hong Kong itself is a lead character.  Irons is the foreigner trying to make sense of his place in life and in a strange land.  Struck with Leukemia, he shifts his focuses inward and changes himself so that he changes others.  The documentary style shooting gives the film historic realism, as Hong Kong is handed to the Chinese from the British.  Love, power and business must change hands and the takeover must truly affect every resident, it is altering the life of Irons.  The grittiness still can't make up for the slow pace however, and the film never seems to climax or pivot enough to truly move the viewer.  Great scenes of Hong Kong and Irons' acting are the highlights of a slow moving film.

Grade:  C+

City of Industry

Directed by:  John Irvin
Starring:  Harvey Keitel, Stephen Dorff, Timothy Hutton, Wade Dominguez, Famke Janssen
Running Time:  1h 37min

A very slow, unevenly paced movie.  It shows what happens before the action and after the action with absolutely no action.  Relationships aren't fully developed, motives very unclear, and dialogue very simple for complex situations.  There is a multitude of unnecessary shots, mostly of people driving around in cars, or sitting around waiting for something to happen.  Then, when they are given something to do, we are whisked away to yet another character driving around doing nothing.  Keitel is wasted, as is Janssen, whereas Dorff is given an interesting character but can't do anything with it due to lack of screen time, especially for a main protaganist.  This movie was probably made of other movies' cutting room floor!

Grade:  D+

Clockers

Directed by:  Spike Lee
Starring:  Harvey Keitel, Delroy Lindo, John Turturro, Mehki Phiffer
Running Time:  2h 09min

No one has more style to his films than Spike Lee.  Some of it may be borrowed (from his executive producer no doubt) but the way he puts it all together is stunning.  Some of it filmed in documentary style gives the subject matter added life, truly expressing the reality of it all.  He adds old cinematic techniques to release the drama in the dynamite and tense emotional scenes.  Then to make the film truly his own he adds his style.  The mock video game which mimicks reel life (or is it the other way around?), the camera spinning around Strike, the reflection of Keitel in the eyeball, this movie has more impact than any hood film, Hollywood cop story, or mystery murder.  Sure to become a classic in time.

Grade: A

Clueless

Directed by:  Amy Heckerling
Starring:  Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd
Running Time:  1h 37min

Heckerling gets everything right in this hilarious reworking of Jane Austen's Emma.  The casting is perfect, in all aspects.  The acting is thus perfect.  The dialogue is delivered perfectly and the pacing is just brilliant and refreshing.  Not in the MTV quick cutting style that Disney has tried to create recently.  It just goes to show you what good can happen when a creative force like Heckerling gets a fair amount of control.  On the other hand, poor Silverstone's character can't seem to get anything right in her attempts to fix all her friends' lives.  She is perfect for this role, and may have a lot of difficulty trying to shake off the image that has come with it.  With her talent it shouldn't be a problem.  Instead of watching the show, buy this.

Grade: A-

Conspiracy Theory

Directed by:  Richard Donner
Starring:  Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Cylk Cozart
Running Time:  2h 15min

Gibson gives a solid performance as the nut job who finds himself involved in a real conspiracy.  Right from the start he has the audience and unfortunately things fall out of his hands and the audience is forced to endure way too much.  As the film grows in length so too does the need to seriously suspend disbelief or else give up hope on the film.  Roberts and Stewart are fine in their roles but the film drags and the extremely obvious attempts at humour come off lame.  It's as if the writer had stored up some jokes he thought were funny and decided to drop them in the script periodically, just to destroy all packing and timing.  This film could have gone somewhere, and almost did, but it eventually bent to Hollywood chase scenes and romance.

Grade: C

Contact

Directed by:  Robert Zemeckis
Starring:  Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerrit, James Woods
Running Time:  2h 29min

Foster is once again the focal point of two hours of thought provoking filmmaking.  She's in almost every scene and her talent does not bore.  We want more.  All the circumstances seem realistic, enough so that a vivid discussion can follow the movie.  However, at times I thought I was watching Forrest Gump all over again.  The music swelling at the right moments, the grand shot placed at the right time for the perfect amount of time.  The filmmaking is so precision that it lacks vision.  Except the "journey" sequence, which gave a whole lot more than I expected, yet still leaving plenty to the imagination.  Another problem is the intensity of the two stars' relationship, stemming from a one night stand!  This movie gets better as time passes though.

Grade: B

Crash

Directed by:  David Cronenberg
Starring:  James Spader, Deborah Kara Unger, Elias Koteas, Holly Hunter
Running Time:  1h 37min

It's unfortunate that this film was the center of so much controversy for all the wrong reasons.  The sex scenes, which there are plenty, aren't what should be censored or argued over.  They are actually done in good taste, very intricate and alluring in their  harshness and realism.  This is no soft porn.  This is a film that has a deep underlying meaning.  As to what it is, I'm not sure after one viewing.  I can see conflictions between man and machine, love and danger, death and passion.  The place of excitement and orgasm within all of that.  The concepts of power and control and survival.  It's all there.  But putting it together is a task which the movie, though beautifully shot and acted, still seems muddy on first view.  But a good one at that.

Grade: B-

Creature From the Black Lagoon (in 3D)

Directed by:  Jack Arnold
Starring:  Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, Richard Denning
Running Time: 1h 20min

Classic horror brought to you in the best way.  This laugh-a-thon in 3D makes you wonder why 3D never lasted, then gives you the answer at the same time.  The dialogue is hokey, it seems like every single line is worth a laugh.  The sexism throughout is hilarious in hindsight, as it is so blatant and obvious!  The same goes for the caricatures of the natives, especially the captain of the boat.  All this and I haven't even mentioned the creature!  Surprisingly good for its time, the amount of underwater scenes are great.  However, Gill-man can't quite seem to swim as graceful as you'd think he would.  Oh, the same music that's supposed to strike fear, the helpless girl, the silly antics of the bedridden chum, all the macho posturing!  Amazingly, it's all the same music.

Grade:  A

Cruel Intentions

Directed by:  Roger Kumble
Starring:  Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair
Running Time:  1h 35min

What harm can be done to such a fabulous tale?  Phillippe tries hard to destroy this sinister tale but the likes of Gellar and Blair save it form his horrible acting.  One cannot believe that any girl in her right mind would want a bump on a log with the personality of a chalkboard.  However, Blair and Gellar, and Witherspoon for that metter, make things believable in that their desire and curiousity for sex could overcome that.  Which allows Phillippe to portray the body that these girls revolve around.  Gellar is fantastic, and Blair hilarious in an update that is thoughtful and invigorating.  Someone forgot to tell Phillippe that it was set in present day however, as he tries to recreate Malkovich (as if he ever could!)  A better male lead and it's a B+.

Grade: C+

Dante's Peak

Directed by:  Roger Donaldson
Starring:  Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton, Charles Hallahan, Jamie Rene
Running Time: 1h 48min

What starts off initially as an intense, captivating disaster waiting to happen, quickly turns into a disaster once the movie leaves its attempt at originality and turns the characters and situations into boring, cliched melodramatic foils.  The two leads may have possibly pulled it off as they are both believable yet have that little bit of fantasy that creates movie magic.  But then that gets covered in ash as the studio tries to make too much of that movie magic in easily contrived disaster scenes and destruction for the sake of filling the trailer with exciting images.  It's too bad that the trailer was the only excitement as we move through rescue after rescue with no worries at all.  Absolutely nothing new to offer here.  Just a cute leading couple.

Grade: C

Daylight

Directed by:  Rob Cohen
Starring:  Sylvestor Stallone, Amy Brenneman, Stan Shaw, Jay O. Sanders
Running Time:  1h 54min

Well, I actually went and saw a Stallone flick and was impressed.  The effects were great and Sly wasn't overly annoying thanks to his co-stars, who were.  I guess my tiny repertoire of disaster flicks allowed me to enjoy this movie.  The small group of survivors resembled a pack of Stephen King demographically mixed characters.  I did find that the black characters were very negatively imaged save for one, who himself wasn't too competent and needed Sly's help to achieve anything.  Maybe I enjoyed the evening more than the movie.  I just basically had a good time and was really impressed at the fact that people who mattered actually died.  The dog thing was ridiculous though!

Grade: B+

Dead Presidents

Directed by:  Allen and Albert Hughes
Starring:  Larenz Tate, Chris Tucker, Keith David, Freddy Rodriguez
Running Time: 2h 00min

Sold as a bank robbery film, this totally original piece of filmmaking is really about the African American experience in the 70s.  Vietnam, before the war and after, and the social situations many Black people found themselves in.  The disillusionment that the whole country felt, yet seen through the eyes of a young Black man.  The drama is heartfelt, and Tate really matures before our eyes, both as the character and as an actor.  The war is dealt with ferociously, tackled with the fever that the Hughes try to emulate from their idols DePalma, Scorcese, and Coppola.  A real character study that never leaves its mark.  We are aware that this is just one story of one man, yet a story that was felt for many in the 70s.

Grade: B-

Deliverance

Directed by:  John Boorman
Starring:  Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Running Time:  1h 49min

A tight little suspense action movie that owes a lot to the scenery and the scenery chewing performances of the lead actors.  A quaint canoe trip seems a bit dangerous but the four "city boys" aren't prepared for what happens to them.  A wonderful comment and look into human survival and instinct.  I caught this one on TV so I'm sure that I missed a good thirteen minutes or so.  Those missing minutes may explain the weird cuts and odd pacing of the film.  The relevance of some of the villagers and their conditions seem to go unexplained, almost adding an "Island of Dr. Moreau" subplot that never emerges.  A movie like this only leaves the viewer with a scary reminder the next time they find themselves lost in some unknown woods.  Things can get worse.

Grade: B-

Dennis Miller: Citizen Arcane

Starring:  Dennis Miller
Running Time:  1h 00min

A live performance where the crowd isn't really into it really hinders Miller's otherwise hilarious quips and allusions.  He doesn't really help the cause either when he starts getting opinionated on all matters of controversy.  This has always been his style but he used to mix comedy well with his opinions but this time, especially early in the act, he just seems like a cranky man.  As for the audience, they seem to be lost on half his jokes, which Miller makes fun of, without them realizing.  Hurt by the crowd, he comes off less funny than normal.  Still, his fire-quick insults and comparisons are hilarious, as is his Jim J. Bullock comments.  Nasty, yet so true, Miller is always entertaining, even if the audience isn't up to the task.

Grade: B-

Destiny Turns on the Radio

Directed by:  Jack Baran
Starring:  Dylan McDermott, Nancy Travis, Quentin Tarantino, James Belushi
Running Time:  1h 42min

Not your usual flick, this movie blends plot elements that are variations on a theme.  From the lovers torn apart to the robbery gone wrong to a mystical entity controlling everyone's fate.  With all these different ideas you'd think that the film would be different or unique in some way.  It isn't.  It isn't a bad movie, it's just that there isn't anything special.  It's just a mediocre film that cashes in on Tarantino's desire to show his mediocre acting ability.  Travis is sexy and could be used more effectively in a better film.  The whole thing is very anti-climatic.  The characters don't really go through any major development and the mystical part seems just that.  It's a mystery as to why it's in the movie at all.

Grade: C-

The Devil's Advocate

Directed by:  Taylor Hackford
Starring:  Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffery Jones
Running Time:  2h 24min

Pacino sinks his teeth into a role he was meant to play (no disrespect meant).  Reeves and Theron find themselves lucky to share this script with him.  It's fantastic!  It would have rated an A+ if it weren't for those two actors and their inability to rise to Pacino's level (a tough task undoubtedly).  The movie stays unsettling and scary but still manages to give us humour (in camp form) and psychological intrigue.  What's at stake for Reeves still seems personal even though it means a whole lot more in the scheme of things, which allows the audience to be involved on multiple levels.  The powerlessness of Reeves vs. the devil echoes the mass audience's own feelings but the thing that allows us to keep hope still remains.  And it's not God for once!

Grade: A

Donnie Brasco

Directed by:  Mike Newell
Starring:  Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, Anne Heche
Running Time:  2h 06min

A thespian lover's ideal pairing of one of today's greatest actors and tomorrow's best, as Pacino and Depp form an amazing relationship at the heart of what would be just another mob movie.  Now mob movies are generally interesting and the reason why they usually hold strong to their audience is the combination of a good script, interesting characters, excellent acting, talented direction, and the portrayal of a different set of morals and lifestyles.  This movie has all of that, as well as a constant presence of danger.  Depp plays the role spendidly, really intertwining his character's relationship with Pacino.  At first it seems forced, but as he grows in the movie you see that Depp purposely plays it that way.  There isn't room for all my praise.

Grade: A

Dream with the Fishes

Directed by:  Finn Taylor
Starring:  David Arquette, Brad Hunt, Cathy Moriarty, Kathryn Erbe
Running Time:  1h 37min

A strange film that uses the descriptive tagline that it's about "voyeurism, LSD, and nude bowling".  Well, it certainly delivers what it promises.  And it does so on the grounds that these are some of the things a man on his deathbed would like to do.  It never tells us what he has, but it doesn't matter.  It's the bizarre relationships that enfold from his sickness and the last days, and how in the face of death we decide we want to live.  Arquette's character is truly loopy, with a very emotional core that makes him likable.  The movie is shot very indie style but doesn't dumb down the situations, making them seem actually very possible (and enticing).  The theme of love is dealt with coldly however, but perhaps it's a comment on society.

Grade: B

Drowning in Dreams

Directed by:  Tim Southam
Starring:  Fred Brehome
Running Time:  1h 20min

A fascinating story about a millionaire who throws all his money away in his crazed obsession with a sunken yacht is turned into a toned down exploration that creeps along with little interest.  This is a story that can be tapped for great drama, suspense and an intriguing look into what drives us.  Instead, it loses us by blandly giving us testimonies from people in a structure that strips them of their impact on each other's lives.  A few good editing techniques are used but they could have been more effective.  The underwater shots are dull.  The fading out of the voice overs is mind boggling!  Why?  We WANT to hear their words!  Interesting only because of the real life story and people, not because of the style and direction of the film.

Grade: C

Eddie

Directed by:  Steve Rash
Starring:  Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Langella, Dennis Farina, Richard Jenkins
Running Time:  1h 39min

Yet another dumb sports movie, only this time we get to see why sports movies haven't really changed in the years gone by.  The only interesting moments of this movie is when the actual basketball players get to speak.  And when they do they're funnier than Whoopi ever is.  She should stick to being a comedic figure with dramatic movies, where her true talent shines through.  This movie is supposed to be a comedy but Whoopi's energy is so low and draining that she can't carry the laughs on her own.  Another great performance by the assistant coach, who seems to take minor roles and really give them some flavour.  Overall, this movie had about three laughs, none of which came from Goldberg.

Grade: D+

EDtv

Directed by:  Ron Howard
Starring:  Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harellson, Ellen DeGeneres, Elizabeth Hurley
Running Time:  2h 00min

An interesting depiction of what would happen if someone's life were broadcast live 24 hours a day.  The commentary on our hypermediated society is both thought provoking and entertaining.  Woody and Matthew appear to be brothers, and are cast well.  In fact, the whole casting is tremendous, apart from Hurley, who though great in her role, would have been better if her character was an unknown (or on the level of Elfman at least). Howard, as always, mixes humour, family, and drama into a tight slice of real life.  The take is both realistic yet reflexive, as camera for the film and in the film are edited together perfectly, never alienating the audience.  Some reactions to EDtv could have been different but I really enjoyed the path they did choose.

Grade: B

The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition

Directed by:  Irvin Kershner
Starring:  Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Running Time:  2h 07min

This has always been my favourite installment of the Star Wars trilogy.  The amazing locales and new characters that are introduced are one of a kind.  Yoda, the series' best character gets the most screen time in this one, as well as Boba Fett.  (Fett doesn't really do all that much.  I think I made his figurine do a hell of a lot more!)  The planet Hoth, the cloud city of Bespin, and the swamp Degobah give the characters refreshing situations, as well as a new friend, Lando Carissean.  I think I love this one the most because I could do the most with the toys that were produced from it.  The dark ending is a first, where the good guys don't really win, they just survive.  No need to re-do this one, its basic elements are all that's needed.

Grade: A

Entrapment

Directed by: Jon Amiel
Starring:  Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ving Rhames
Running Time:  1h 50min

First off, the chemistry between Connery and Zeta-Jones is made instantly real by the way it's played.  Zeta-Jones is irresistible in that old fashioned, truly beautiful movie star sort of way, radiating with every scene.  Connery is as dashing as any leading man could get, including those half his age.  So the film does work that way.  As a suspense piece it does work, due to a pro-active cure to traileritis.  Finally, a studio has used a trailer to set up audience preconceptions to add to the film's mysteries.  Unfortunately, the film doesn't work on its action scenes.  Too much ballet from Zeta-Jones, not enough from supporting player Rhames, and only a minimum of true audience engagement makes this one just above average.

Grade: B-

Eraser

Directed by:  Charles Russell
Starring:  Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Williams, James Caan, James Cromwell
Running Time:  1h 54min

Arnold seems to have grown tired with this flick, even though he has a decent leading lady opposite him.  The villain is obvious from the start (opening credits) and the plot has been done before.  In fact, it seemed like I had seen most of these stunts in previous Arnold films.  The Terminator character, the Commando get-up, the True Lies government tie-up.  It was Arnold's greatest hits without the beat!  One interesting thing was the high tech gun that was the focus of the movie.  However, for some reason it seemed that the only time it would really kick ass was when Arnold had it.  Disappointing for Arnold fans, interesting action for action fans.

Grade: C+

Event Horizon

Directed by:  Paul Anderson
Starring:  Sam Neil, Laurence Fishburne, Joely Richardson
Running Time:  1h 36min

In a mix of horror and sci-fi, this film tries to give the Jacob's Ladder treatment to Alien.  With only a little success.  There is suspense and some scary "what the hell is going on!!" moments, mostly conceived by quick cuts, roaming cameras, and eiree lighting.  The premise itself is an excellent idea but they forgot to give it an ending.  A truly satisfying ending would have made this film a franchise ready event. The cast doesn't get to show a mix of emotions, which is truly necessary for this film to pull off its grand idea.  The character elements are given straight up and don't deviate enough to give the film the needed impact of what such an actual occurrence would.  If this review sounds cryptic it's in order to not give away the ship's origins.

Grade: C+

Everyone Says I Love You

Directed by:  Woody Allen
Starring:  Woody Allen, Julia Roberts, Edward Norton, Drew Barrymore
Running Time:  1h 37min

Woody once again surrounds himself with beautiful women and tries to make us believe that one of them (Roberts) will fall in love with him.  At least this time there's a funny explanation, as his daughter has knowledge of everything Roberts tells her shrink  Having the narration of his daughter is very effective and allows other characters to play in the film, without a direct connection to the irritating Woody.  The set pieces of singing and dancing are hilarious.  Classic spoofing of the musical genre, at its finest.  Allen knows exactly what's sweet and romantic about musicals, and what's just plain cheese and onions.  It's a fine parody film, and musical comedy in its own right.  Once again, Allen finds the perfect line to walk and executes again.

Grade:  B

The Evil Dead

Directed by:  Sam Raimi
Starring:  Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, Hal Delrich
Running Time:  1h 25min

As high a grade this film could receive, being in reality a cheesy low budget horror film full of schlock.  In essence though it is delightful fun, very creepy, very funny, very amusing.  Raimi uses some ingenious camera work and brings to life a rather difficult horror villain.  A possessive force that inhabits the body is extremely difficult to visualize and is effectively done.  The inexperienced cast makes the film seem more real, and in effect even scarier.  Cliches do arise but for their blatant exploitation and destruction.  Balancing the humour with the scares is extremely hard to do at this budget level and for that this film is a superb triumph.

Grade: C+

Exotica

Directed by:  Atom Egoyan
Starring:  Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, Don McKellar, Elias Koteas
Running Time:  1h 44min

A character study at its finest, Exotica interweaves many characters, plot lines, narratives and time into an engaging film.  Fluid direction and brilliant subdued acting give the film its own life.  The title strip club comes alive as a character that fulfills everyone's needs.  The way the story progresses and the characters' relationships start to converge is masterfully enfolded.  Egoyan and his cast say so much about things that go unsaid and undealt with, yet are spoken of only in silences.  In those silent actions, healing takes place and the question is when to deal with the past or to just go on living.  The film is brilliant in its honest emotion and portrayal of suffering in silence, and blocking out our worst fears.  A masterpiece.

Grade: A

Face/Off

Directed by:  John Woo
Starring:  Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Joan Allen, Gina Gershon
Running Time:  2h 18min

There is no amount of praise that I can lay upon this film to do it justice.  I was dying to see this movie and it still blew my expectations.  Every single thing about this film is light years ahead of what Hollywood has offered since my birth.  The acting is superb, the shots beautiful, the action amazing, the comedy well placed.  Characters we care about, images we should see more of.  The only annoying thing wasn't that annoying the second time I saw it.  From start to finish this film is absolutely satisfying.  A definite classic, one to purchase in widescreen, to be watched over and over again.

Grade: A+

Fair Game

Directed by:  Andrew Snipes
Starring:  Cindy Crawford, William Baldwin
Running Time:  1h 30min

An obvious attempt to target the testosterone crowd, this movie does just that.  It delivers action, sex, more action, and Crawford amazingly being soaked in water throughout the entire movie.  We are to believe that it takes place in a span of two days yet she seems to change at least six times.  Her first attempt at acting is a poor one but she holds her own against the rest of the horrible cast, including Baldwin.  Only one good scene and that's the comedy provided by a 7-11 clerk.  When guys want to see action and sex it is usually when they are separated.  They want to see Cindy in bed and the hero kicking ass without her.  This movie has too much Cindy the hero and to see Baldwin as a hero is just as hard.  Where's Arnold when you need him?

Grade: D

Fallen

Directed by:  Gregory Hoblit
Starring:  Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davis
Running Time:  2h 04min

This movie had the best ending I've seen in a Hollywood film since Seven came out three years ago.  Washington is such an amazing actor that it seems like he's wasting his time in this wishy washy Angles and Devils cop thriller.  But upon completion of the film you can see why he wanted to do this film.  He is the film's greatest asset, as he makes very contrived scenes enjoyable.  His co-stars play typical characters but pull everything above typical stereotypes, rising to Denzel's challenge.  The direction tries to mimic Seven, with its overall darkness, which is annoying but suitable.  I think I could watch Denzel in just about anything but it's nice to see him break from his usual to give us this film that puts a twist on an old Hollywood genre.

Grade: A-

Fan, The (Pan and Scan version)

Directed by:  Tony Scott
Starring:  Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin
Running Time:  1h 56min

Two dynamic performances by two great actors spark this movie to its exciting climax.  Barkin plays a sexy and straight journalist, way beyond the role's original depth.  The movie doesn't really offer up any surprises as to what is going to happen; it's the journey through it all that's so exhilarating.  The Pan and Scan version makes many scenes awkward, and having seen it in the theatre, it doesn't take too much away.  A couple reactions lose their feeling but the two leads are still dynamic.  The best thing about this movie is that it avoids the two out, three men on, bottom of the ninth cliche in almost all baseball movies.  The darkness of the film increases with De Niro's descent into madness.  The over usage of Nine Inch Nails is ridiculous!

Grade: A-

Fargo

Directed by:  Joel Coen
Starring:  Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi
Running Time:  1h 38min

A gritty little tale about a kidnapping gone wrong gives us characters and scenery that we aren't used to seeing in Hollywood productions.  The way the Coen brothers use the snow and the cold to add to the frustrations of the villains is pure enjoyment.  Funny lines and accents don't seem unreal, and give a flavour to this movie.  In fact, had there not been the "You betchas" and the sly little A Clockwork Orange reference this movie would just be like any other botched evil plot film.  The whole cast just brings the story to life, making it a distinct film that will certainly be remembered.  Though not best picture material this is a damn good movie, worth multiple viewings.

Grade: A-

Farinelli: Il Castrato (Subtitled)

Directed by:  Gerard Corbiau
Starring:  Stefanio Dionisi, Enrico Lo Verson, Jeroen Krabbe
Running Time:  1h 50min

An emotional tale about two talented brothers and their music.  Think Fabulous Baker Boys in the castrated singing circuit.  The emotions that are conveyed through the music are wonderful.  This is also due to the fact that without the music this movie really couldn't hold up.  The actors don't really relate like they should when the music is gone.  Or maybe that is what the underlying intent was.  The stage costumes are spectacular.  The central focus of the film is interesting but is more of a slow progression with a climax that doesn't explode, but just happens.  Interesting period piece, but nothing spectacular.  A good joint venture on the part of the three countries involved.

Grade: B-

Father's Day

Directed by:  Ivan Reitman
Starring:  Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Julia-Louis-Dreyfus, Natassja Kinski
Running Time:  1h 39min

Crystal is funny as always, completely hilarious.  Williams gives one of him more annoying performances.  He's either really good or excruciatingly bothersome.  The idea behind this film was that it would pair up two great friends who also happen to be two of the funniest people in showbiz.  Unfortunately, they try to do a greatest hits package, using old routines in a tired formula.  This movie could have had so much more fun than mime jokes and Williams in a room full of props.  Williams' character was so inconsistent it really distracted from the fine turns by Crystal and Louis-Dreyfus.  Had they kept this film mature and witty instead of Disneydumb the reward would have been tremendous.  Instead, it is a disappointment, yet still funny.

Grade: C+

Fear

Directed by:  James Foley
Starring:  Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Peterson, Alyssa Milano
Running Time:  1h 36min

Good teenage flick, soundtrack interesting but it played too much of the same band and at one point it even played the same song over with no plot intentions.  Performances and casting are dismal and the whole movie has trouble finding a reason behind its actions.  It plays like a "what do we do now" type of production and gives no meaningful history to support the characters' behaviours.  I do give credit for the gruesome scene used to make the viewer's emotions come out.  Never has a film gone so far to just simply get a reaction out of its viewers.  Fine for a scary night at home but a waste in any other purpose.

Grade: D+

Feeling Minnesota

Directed by:  Steven Baigelman
Starring:  Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz, Vincent D'Onofrio, Dan Akroyd, Delroy Lindo
Running Time:  1h 39min

Cameron Diaz does her best Keanu Reeves impression which leaves us with two emotionless, monotone, dull as shit romantic leads.  This film is written in the style of "what do we do now?"  It's as if the writer had an interesting premise which amounted to about five minutes, and kept tacking on another five minutes of stupidity every time the previously braindead five minutes started going nowhere.  D'Onofrio supplies the only laughs in this romantic comedy that isn't romantic or funny.  His one scene with Lindo is the only thing worth watching.  Well, Diaz is beautiful but totally wasted playing dumb with Keanu's typecast dumbness.  I'm proud to say that I didn't pay a cent to see this!

Grade:  D

The Fifth Element

Directed by:  Luc Besson
Starring:  Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker
Running Time:  2h 06min

Oldman is his chamelean self again, totally immersing himself in his role, his costume, and the scenery.  It's hard not to, what with the totally out-of-this-world approach to the future.  Things are recognizable only in structure as the director's vision is completely original.  This is a future where you can't question its basis; everything is totally new.  They don't have to stop and explain what it is the characters are doing, seeing, or engaging in; you wouldn't understand it, it's the future.  This creates an exciting viewer-film relationship, with the only thing grounding the viewer is the fact that the story hasn't changed.  Willis is still the reluctant hero (who better to play the role?) and in the end love conquers all.  Enjoy!

Grade: B-

First Kid

Directed by:  David Mickey Evans
Starring:  Sinbad, Brock Pierce, Blake Boyd, Robert Guillaume
Running Time:  1h 40min

Sinbad is funny and this movie is not.  Disney wastes his power by teaming him up with uninspired co-stars, including a horrible child actor who plays the First Kid.  I have to quote EW's review, as I am in total agreement with the fact that the movie is a bunch of predictable scenes.  "Sinbad+roller skates+a huge birthday cake=guess what?"  The use of violence is horrible and Disney can in no way criticize anyone when it comes to glorifying violence to a youth market.  The fights in this movie are totally unnecessary.  They exist in some teenage wonderland where all teenagers are midgets, hang out in the schoolyard, and worry about crushes.  The world was like Jack, only Jack was in Gr. 5.  This view of Gr. 9 must have come from another planet!

Grade: D+

Fled

Directed by:  Kevin Hooks
Starring:  Laurence Fishburne, Stephen Baldwin, Salma Hayek
Running Time:  1h 38min

Whoever thought that an audience would actually believe the occurrences in this movie or even enjoy them for that matter must have been out on a limb!  The actors are wasted and actually just wasting time in this film.  The talents of Fishburne were on better display on Pee Wee's Playhouse.  As for the Baldwin, this movie ends his winning streak of good movies.  Salma Hayek's beauty and charm also go unrewarded as their characters walk around with either no motivation or improbable cause.  I couldn't believe it when I saw the huge faux pas after Baldwin puts on his jacket to go out!  This movie actually paid the editor!  The only good point was the "Haven't you seen 'What's Love Got to Do with It?'" line.  What a waste!

Grade: D+

Flirting with Disaster

Directed by:  David O. Russell
Starring:  Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, Tea Leoni, Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Jenkins, Lily Tomlin, Alan Alda
Running Time:  1h 27min

No other film has captured the realm of comedy like this one does.  This film has all the actors playing on high with each one given enough screen time to produce a multitude of laughs.  The layers upon layers of funny material make for non-stop laughter.  Underneath it all is a funny situation.  On top of it are hilarious, interesting, beyond stereotypical, unique characters.  Those characters are saying funny lines, in funny ways, with hilarious physical comedy on top of it all!  Then add to that the fact that there's usually two to three people on screen at the same time doing all these funny things makes for an easy equation.  This film is the definition of comedy.  This is the worst review for one of the best movies ever!

Grade: A+

Foolish Wives

Directed by:  Erich von Stroheim
Starring:  Erich von Stoheim, Maud George, Mae Busch, Cesare Gravina
Running Time:  1h 47min

What a foolish idea to think that this movie deserved to be made in the silent era.  The conniving and seduction of the count seems ridiculous when he says very little.  This movie is a mish mash of jumbled scenes, very uninteresting throughout.  The conclusion is as plain as day right from the get go.  No one to care about, it doesn't matter who gets screwed and who wins.  It is unfortunate for a melodrama to have a hero and a villain that the audience is impartial to.  Quite a contrast to see the American early film as compared to the amazing, interesting and visually stunning European film of the same time.  One sees the true devastation of the WWs, seeing as we are now subject to U.S. film being the "trendsetter".

Grade:  C-

Frame by Frame

Directed by:  Douglas Barr
Starring:  Michael Biehn, Marg Helgenberger
Running Time:  1h 45min

This action suspense doesn't really have too much action.  Which is a shame because it stars an extremely underrated action hero in Biehn.  The fact that he has to slum it in this film is upsetting.  But what he brings to his role really makes the movie.  His performance keeps us interested in what would otherwise be a more for TV snore fest.  The sub-plot seems totally inconsequential, there only to consume time to make this feature length.  Or perhaps to supply us with the "action".  It does more of the former than the latter.  Watch it only for the talent of Biehn, and how he is creepingly likeable.

Grade: C-

Frankenstein (Restored version)

Directed by:  James Whale
Starring:  Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles, Dwight Frye
Running Time:  1h 11min

A classic film in that it totally changed the way Frankenstein was viewed, which is unfortunate.  Whale himself became synonymous with these films, just as Karloff did towards fame.  With much from the book and much left out, it's disappointing how this rendition is viewed historically.  The settings and lighting are great, with obvious influence from Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.  Very similar in the sense that those films' style and film work far outweigh the subject matter.  Which is a shame in this instance because Frankenstein is such a great novel.  Anyhow, the acting here is great, bordering camp and humour with the original horror and drama intentions.  Great close-ups and cutaways, but not quite as frightening as some have deemed.

Grade: B-