Archive for May, 2002

Films Review July

ROYAL TENENBAUMS, THE (R)

When it comes to dysfunctional families, the Tenenbaum’s wrote the book. To emphasize that point, their story is told as a fable, chapter by chapter. page by page. It’s an unique framing device, but then “The Royal Tenenbaums” is a unique movie. Read the rest of this entry »

Dressed to Kill

Filled with the same sexually-charged suspense as his previous efforts, “Dressed to Kill” took writer- director Brian De Palma to new heights. Read the rest of this entry »

Films Review July

DRAGONFLY (PG-13)

Boy, February has been a bad month for wives. In “The Mothman Prophecies,” Debra Messing plays the wife of Washington Post reporter Richard Gere. After finding the perfect house in which to start their perfect life, the couple are involved in a car accident, and Messing later dies. Read the rest of this entry »

Isn’t She Great DVD

As a 42 year-old male, I find myself knowing more about author Jacqueline Susann than I have a right to. Perhaps it’s because my mother used to read all of her novels, or maybe I saw an A&E Biography. I don’t know, but I do know enough that Susann would have both loved and hated the film “Isn’t She Great.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Dinner Game

In director Nancy Savoca’s film “Dogfight,” River Phoenix played a Marine ready to ship off to Vietnam who engages in an ugly date contest with his buddies. Each man was to bring the female equivalent of a dog to dinner, and whoever arrives with the mutt of the litter wins. Thanks to a talented cast and Savoca’s delicate handling of the subject matter, “Dogfight” emerged as more than a mean spirited exercise in humiliation. Read the rest of this entry »

Dead-Alive

You could lose your lunch while watching Peter Jackson’s “Dead-Alive,” and I’m not talking about leaving it on the school bus or handing it over to the school bully. I’m talking about tossing your cookies. This is the second time I’ve seen Jackson’s film. You’d think some of the impact would wane after the first viewing. Wrong! Read the rest of this entry »

Barenaked in america

Before MTV and its bastard stepchildren took control of cable, the only place to see Rock Documentaries was on the big screen. Once relegated to midnight shows and film festivals, rock films came of age thanks to MTV and its spawn. Read the rest of this entry »

Accidental spy

Jackie Chan is quite engaging as a salesman whose day to day doldrums are interrupted when he accidentally foils a bank robbery, becoming a hero in the process. His notoriety is not lost on Many Liu (Eric Tsang), a mystery man who claims that Buck Yeun (Chan) comes from a long line of spies. With a little training, Buck finds himself on his first mission, where his martial arts skills and quick wit will be his only weapons. Sounds like a Hong Kong version of “The Master of Disguise,” or is it the other way around? Doesn’t matter, because Chan fans will eat up this non-stop barrage of incredible stunts, action and tongue in cheek humor. (Dimension) Read the rest of this entry »

Two Lost Worlds

Unlike it’s companion feature “The Flying Serpent,” this 1950 release is campy without being silly. Like “The Flying Serpent,” “Two Lost Worlds” feels like a Saturday morning serial that has been pieced together as a feature (even though it runs a scant 61 minutes). Read the rest of this entry »

Films Review May

CORKY ROMANO (PG-13)

Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live,” “A Night at the Roxbury”) stars as Corky Romano, a sweet and good natured veterinarian who learns that his long last father, an underworld crime lord (Peter Falk), has been indicted by the Grand Jury. Read the rest of this entry »