“Hannibal,” the much anticipated sequel to Jonathan Demme’s Oscar-winning “Silence of the lambs,” is a feast for the eyes, not the stomach. What was once taut and terrifying has become mundane. Everything that made the first film so riveting has been tossed out the window. What remains is an exercise in gratuitous violence geared to titillate rather than horrify. Read the rest of this entry »

When author David Morrell wrote “First Blood” in 1972, he killed off lead character John Rambo at the end of the novel. Luckily, that ending was changed when “First Blood” became a film ten years later. Read the rest of this entry »

What started off as a dare by Director Alfred Hitchcock became a cottage industry for Universal Pictures, spawning two theatrical sequels and two made-for-television (cable) efforts. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m a sucker for movies like “Miracle on 34th Street.” I like my Christmas movies the same as my Christmas trees: sappy. I want to be able to pretend for two hours that “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I want to be there when young attorney Fred Gailey (John Payne) pulls out all of the stops to prove that Edmund Gwenn is indeed Kris Kringle. Read the rest of this entry »

“Before Night Falls” isn’t a great film, but it does feature a great performance from Javier Bardem, one of Spain’s leading exports. As Cuban poet and writer Reinaldo Arenas, Bardem delivers a soulful performance filled with understanding and understatement. If only the film was as brave and bold. Read the rest of this entry »

A crime has been committed, and once again it’s society that has to pay. Unless of course you read this review, then you can save yourself seven hard-earned dollars by skipping Clint Eastwood’s “True Crime.” Read the rest of this entry »

BLACKOUT, THE (R)

Despite an interesting cast, this long-on-the-shelf drama (it was originally shot in 1997) fails to capture the grit and intensity of director Abel Ferrara’s best work, including “Bad Lieutenant” and “The Addiction.” Matthew Modine plays Matty, a movie star who finds satisfaction in Miami Beach’s underground nightlife. Read the rest of this entry »

Even though I was only seven, I remember how sad the world felt when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I couldn’t comprehend why I got to stay home from school that day, or why everyone in my family looked stunned. All I knew is that a great man had died. Read the rest of this entry »

BASE, THE (R)

Action star Mark Dacascos (“Double Dragon”) does just fine in this moderately entertaining thriller about a U.S. Army Special Forces agent who suspects that his base is being used by drug cartels to move product. When his suspicions prove right, John Murphy (Dacascos) learns that the conspiracy involves a base Sergeant (Tim Abell) and his men. Read the rest of this entry »

“Black Hawk Down” is to entertainment what Rosanne 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 »