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-