I’ve read several negative reviews of “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” Their main gripe was that the sequel was just more of the same. Really? No kidding?

You see, that is the beauty of spoofing films like the James Bond series. Most of the Bond films were nothing more than mutant versions of themselves. Bigger budgets. Bigger set pieces.
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ALIVE & KICKING (R)

(First Look Pictures)

BIG DADDY (PG-13)

In its own little universe, safely tucked away inside a dark theater, “Big Daddy” seems harmless enough. It is when the lights come up and the doors swing open that the film’s flaws become overwhelmingly apparent. Read the rest of this entry »

What could I possibly say that would make a difference to Monty Python fans? Nothing. It would be impossible to try and sum up here what Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin have done for comedy. Brilliant writers and performers (and eventually directors), the Monty Python troupe redefined British humor. Read the rest of this entry »

As a fan of Stephen King, I must admit that I was not thrilled with “The Shining” when it first came out. As an admirer of director Stanley Kubrick, I understood his need to make the film his own, yet I felt betrayed that some of my favorite scenes in the book didn’t make it into Kubrick’s screenplay (co-written with Diane Johnson). It wasn’t until several years later that I began to appreciate what Kubrick had done with King’s words. King wrote a horror story, Kubrick created a psychological journey into madness. Read the rest of this entry »

UNDER CONSTRUCTION…COMING NOVEMBER 27

BLACK & WHITE (R)
(Columbia-TriStar) Read the rest of this entry »

DETOUR (R)

Joey Travolta used to be the butt of a lot of jokes when he pursued a career in front of the camera. Now Travolta is behind the camera, serving as director of this decent crime drama. Read the rest of this entry »

When most people look at a Stradivarius, they only see a musical instrument. When someone who has a passion for music sees a Stradivarius, they see more. They see its soul, its history, and most of all, its allure. It’s not just musical instrument, but a connection to a time and place that no longer exists. Read the rest of this entry »

More than thirty years after it’s Broadway debut, “Cabaret” is alive and well. There’s a new Tony Award- winning Broadway revival, and now this very special “Special Edition” DVD. The Bob Fosse-directed musical-drama was an instant hit when it was released in 1972, and garnered eight Academy Awards, including Best Director, Actress and Supporting Actor. “Cabaret” lost the Best Picture nod to “The Godfather,” but Fosse’s decadent vision of Berlin in 1931 beat out Francis Ford Coppola for Best Director. More vibrant than ever, “Cabaret” stars Michael York as the English tutor who takes a room at the boardinghouse of Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli), a friendly cabaret star who will sleep with anyone who can make her a star. Read the rest of this entry »

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is the perfect drive-in movie. That’s where I, and I’m sure millions of others, first saw it. I’ve never seen a decent print of the film. As a matter of fact, the print they used at the drive-in was so worn and faded that I first thought the film was in black and white. The new Pioneer Special Edition DVD of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” looks like a different film altogether. Read the rest of this entry »

After attending an evening of drinking and flirting at a Christmas party, Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise) and his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) retire to their swank Central Park West apartment for a little dope smoking and mind games. Read the rest of this entry »