Archive for February, 2006

The Man Who Wasn’t There

The Coen Brother’s latest film “The Man Who Wasn’t There” reminded me of the theory about how a butterfly flapping its wings in the rain forest can cause a hurricane halfway around the world. Taking their cue from such great film noir masterpieces as “Double Indemnity” and “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” the Coen Brothers have created their own modern day masterpiece. Read the rest of this entry »

Timeline

The wonderful thing about working in the science-fiction genre is that, within reason, you get to make up the rules. A good storyteller can work outside the box and still suspend disbelief. Don’t expect either from “Timeline,” a time travel action-adventure that, excuse me while I take the low road, is a waste of time. Read the rest of this entry »

The Spanish Prisoner

“The Spanish Prisoner” is an anomaly, a small, independent, intelligent film that completely defies the rules. It’s an exception and a alternate to the big-budget fair that is currently playing on local screens. Read the rest of this entry »

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

You can’t keep a good serial killer down. Just ask Freddy Krueger. Just ask Jason Vorhees. Just ask Michael Myers. Michael Myers, the scourge of Haddonfield, a small, picturesque town where “Halloween” will never be the same. Locked away in a mental institution when he was a child, Michael grew up to become something more than evil. Read the rest of this entry »

Derailed

A cautionary tale for men who can?t keep it in their pants, Derailed feels like yesterday?s news. Despite strong performances and a current of urgency, this contemporary thriller derails even before it leaves the station. Anyone who sat through Unfaithful Attraction or a decade worth of Law and Order will beat the plot to the punch. Read the rest of this entry »

Galaxy Quest DVD

Delivered with affection and tongue-definitely-in-cheek, “Galaxy Quest” is one big grin of a movie. Arriving amidst the Holiday rush of heavy, dramatic Oscar-contenders, “Galaxy Quest” breaks through with great performances and sharp, witty dialogue. Read the rest of this entry »

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

I love it when people say “Why don’t they make them like they used to?” Who are they, and what did they used to make? And why was it so much better than what they make today? So many questions, so little time. Read the rest of this entry »

Gladiator DVD

Forget snowboarding and base jumping. Today’s thrill seeker’s think they invented extreme sports. Far from it. That honor would go to the gladiators of ancient Rome, who were trained with one goal in mind: kill or be killed. As if life in ancient Rome wasn’t harsh and decadent enough, imagine being enslaved and forced into brutal combat for the amusement of the masses. Read the rest of this entry »