The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski; Cult films always seem to mean more to devout followers than the average film viewer. Coens’ insane cadre of characters make for a fun diversion but it’s not nearly as hilarious or profound as many proclaim. Some great laughs and inexplicable performances; B

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck; Maintains the book’s mystery, imagery and flow while touching on all the same themes regarding deaf culture, museums, family and friendship. Captures the sensations using film and sound in clever ways; A-

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Hunger Games:Mockingjay Pt. 2; Needlessly split second instalment misses emotional beats for action sequences. Too big for novel details; B-

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

The Hunger Games:Mockingjay Part 1; Slow moving cash grab prologue tries valiantly to film unfilmable mental horror & anguish of Katniss; B-

Boogie Nights

Directed by:  Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring:  Mark Wahlburg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Running Time:  2h 35min

This movies takes you on a wonderful ride full of characters, images, sights and sounds that will leave you breathless and exhilarated.  The acting is superb, with many hilarious yet extremely heartbreaking performances, notably Macy and Hoffman.  This is the best film direction I've seen in awhile from a sophomore director.  He borrows heavily from classic 70s directors but in a loving and unique combination, ushering in the new crew of directors that grew up on such great 70s fare.  From the opening shot that lasts about three minutes to several eye-pleasing tracking and dolly shots, the film's length is never felt.  Your involvement in the characters is deep as you feel everything that they feel. The most heartwarming is the portrait at the end.

Grade: A