[2] This laughably bad melodrama is based on a Eugene O’Neill stage play about a woman who cheats on her mentally ill husband in order to have a kid who won’t end up in the looney bin. Clark Gable and Norma Shearer give insanely over-the-top theatrical performances. I was reminded of Jon Lovitz’s ‘Actor’ skit on Saturday Night Live. The movie is also littered with …
[7] Hannibal Lecter is still on the lam (no pun intended) after the events in The Silence of the Lambs, but now there’s another killer who wants to bring him to justice. Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) directs this time, taking the subject matter into far more operatic territory. Where The Silence of the Lambs showed restraint with violence and gore, Hannibal does not. The …
[6] This ambitious coming-of-age drama stuffs its short running time with a nearly incongruous overview of Ethan Canin’s novel, but at least it skims a provocative surface. The story about love and conflict between two brothers is serviced remarkably well by Nick Stahl and Jerry O’Connell (all buff and sexy after dropping his Stand by Me pounds). Sam Elliott also brings color as a self-righteous …
[7] Paul Newman plays Fast Eddie, an overzealous pool player who’ll sacrifice everything to beat the renowned Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). This cautionary tale about obsession is the perfect showcase for several fine performances. It may be Newman’s finest work. He and costars George C. Scott, Jackie Gleason, and Piper Laurie were all nominated for Oscars here. Laurie has a unique, dark chemistry with Newman, …
[6] This story of a widower struggling to be a good father to his two boys refrains from indulging in too much sentimentality, but never fully shakes that “Lifetime Movie” feeling. Clive Owen and young George MacKay are very good, and the Australian setting makes for a beautiful backdrop — overall, the movie’s all right. It just isn’t anything we haven’t seen before. With Laura …
[8] A lonely writer falls in love with a singing, dancing courtesan in this bawdy musical that soars on the charms of co-stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The song numbers cannibalize lyrics from love songs over the past century, an approach you’re either going to love or hate. I think the musical sequences are the best part of Moulin Rouge!, whether it’s the Tex …
[7] Sam Rockwell plays a lone astronaut working at a lunar drilling station in Duncan Jones’ solid feature film debut, Moon. Moon is a story in the classic sci-fi tradition, spurred by Rockwell’s encounter with a mysterious stranger who shatters his understanding of reality. None of the concepts in Moon are especially original or groundbreaking, but Jones’ approach to the material is fresh and sure-handed, …
[4] This is the first miss for Judd Apatow, coming off a string of memorable comedy hits like The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Funny People features the usual array of wacky Apatow characters, but the personality and relationship patterns are disappointingly familiar. Funny People is obviously an attempt to make a deeper, more sophisticated film, but in the end, the only thing …
[8] After finishing The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson tackled a remake of his favorite film, King Kong. Jackson’s remake is largely faithful to the 1933 original, while generously expanding the storyline and embellishing some of the characters. Jackson protracts the opening act more than necessary, but his interpretation of Skull Island is amazing. It’s this middle portion of the movie that delivers the …
[7] Montgomery Clift stars as a Tennessee Valley Authority officer tasked with convincing a stubborn old woman to leave her family’s home before implementation of a new dam floods her property. Elia Kazan directs, reuniting with Jo Van Fleet (East of Eden) as the old woman. Much of the film was shot on location and I love the setting, captured in Cinemascope and DeLuxe color. The …
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