Archive for October, 2001

The Abyss

After conquering Earth (Terminator) and Outer Space (Aliens), it was only a matter of time before director James Cameron set his sights on Inner Space. Cameron knew that the deep blue sea held just as much mystery and fantasy as anything beyond the stars, and set out to make the ultimate underwater adventure. Read the rest of this entry »

The Talented Mr. Ripley

In movies, as in life, there’s nothing worse than overstaying your welcome. Think back on how you felt when your relatives came to visit and wouldn’t leave. That is how I felt about “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” an engaging thriller that is also a little long in the tooth. Read the rest of this entry »

Strangeland

In the production notes for “Dee Snider’s Strangeland,” the former Twisted Sister lead singer said that he came up with the idea of an ultimate horror film after the birth of his daughter. Snider claimed that he all of a sudden became aware of all of the evil and cruel things that can befall a child in the real world. Read the rest of this entry »

Shrek

Trouble is brewing in the fairytale kingdom of Duloc. The kingdom’s diminutive Lord Farquaad is on a rampage, declaring war on all fairytale characters. As part of his campaign, he has a gingerbread man dunked in milk. Lying there, with one leg missing, the gingerbread man is defiant. When Farquaad’s persists, the gingerbread man tells him to “Eat me.” Read the rest of this entry »

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

It’s really difficult to enjoy the new “Star Wars” film without remembering all that came before. A virtual smorgasbord of visual splendors, “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” manages to be both original and familiar, which creates a beast with more conflicts that the one stirring inside Darth Vader. Read the rest of this entry »

Black Hawk Down DVD

“Black Hawk Down” is to entertainment what Roseanne is to song stylist. You don’t enter director Ridley Scott’s harrowing war drama looking to be entertained. It’s more of an experience, one that you won’t soon forget. Read the rest of this entry »

Payback

Hubba, hubba, hubba. That’s the catch phrase that runs through “Payback,” a verbal throwback to a simpler place and time. There’s nothing simple about “Payback,” and all of the characters seem to running out of or are on borrowed time. Read the rest of this entry »

Films Review October

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES (R)

Deliciously dark crime comedy about two women who take life’s lemons and make lemonade. Dorothy (Susan Lynch) and Petula (Rachel Weisz) are two women with dubious taste in men. Read the rest of this entry »