It’s a pleasure watching an intelligent adult film. It’s even better to see one that treats a difficult subject with great clarity despite underlying moral and legal ambiguities. Most of all, it’s great to see such a film with a great cast working from a great script.
Keiichi Sugiyama's ORIGIN: SPIRITS OF THE PAST
The visuals and artwork are impressive but the characters and story are a letdown.
Tony Scott's “THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123”
This is an enjoyable Summer action vehicle that’s held together by Scott’s taught action direction, witty dialog, and effective performances by Washington, Travolta, and Gandolfini.
McG's TERMINATOR SALVATION
This is a worthy continuation of the Terminator franchise. There’s enough new stuff here to keep your attention, the action is spectacular, and the characters are sufficiently differentiated to create some dramatic tension despite being frequently out-staged by the savage action sequences.
Although visually arresting, I thought Tarsem Singh’s THE CELL was inuman, inhumane, and tawdry. THE FALL is also visually gorgeous. It’s also clever, imaginative, and touching.
Mamoru Oshii's “THE SKY CRAWLERS”
Wonderfully animated, this moody anime adventure combines elements of 1984 (perpetual warfare), Blade Runner (androids with fuzzy memories), Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise (alternate history and retro-futuristic aircraft), and Dark City (constant recycling of character experiences and events).
The “invisible aliens among us” story has been done many times before. This one focuses less on wild histrionics than continually escalating terror.
Yoji Yamada's LOVE AND HONOR
A young samurai lives comfortably with his wife in an apartment on the grounds of a rich, aged feudal lord. His complaint: his job as a royal food taster leaves him dissatisfied and longing for more challenging and personally rewarding responsibilities.
J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK
I wasn’t a big fan of the original Star Trek TV series, but I did enjoy the movies and subsequent TV shows. Having a new Star Trek movie that reinvents original series and charcater premises is a welcome event, escpcially when you see and hear the results on a huge IMAX screen, which I just did.
David Fincher's THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
The special effects are the most impressive I’ve seen since Peter Jackson’s King Kong.
Timur Bekmambetov's “WANTED”
Talk about no redeeming social value! But it’s great fun.
Lilo & Stitch
This movie is one of the sweetest movies I’ve seen in years. And I mean that as a sincere compliment.
Spike Lee's “MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA”
There’s enough creativity, truth, history, drama, and excitement here for three movies.
Takeshi Yamazaki's “RETURNER”
This movie is 1000% better than it should be. Credit the director (Takeshi Yamakazi) and his top-notch crew and cast.
Farah Khan's “OM SHANTI OM”
This is the most entertaining movie I have seen since Andrew Stanton’s WALL-E.
In no particular order:
Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
Many of the scenes in the Theatrical Return beg for more exposition. I don’t know if that’s because the story has been too highly compressed, or if I’m just aware that an Extended Edition is due out in a couple of months. Probably a bit of both.
George Lucas' THE PHANTOM MENACE
When I first saw this movie in the theater I was bored. My reaction is much more positive with this 2-DVD set.