Shadow of the Vampire

Grade: D

Overwrought, melodramatic, self-important dreck. John Malkovich chews scenery like nobody's business, here with a German accent that's just bloody awful. Willem Dafoe, in the role of an actor/vampire is clearly having a hell of a time here, but his acting is simply way over the top and completely one note (I'm reminded of Martin Landeau's far richer work as Bela in "Ed Wood," where he was both diabolical and human at the same time). The major conceit here, that the actor in the original "Nosferatu" was a real vampire, is just plain stupid. While the film creates an interesting mood early on, it quickly spins completely out of control. I suspect the real story behind the making of the film would have been far more colorful and interesting -- this one is a bore far too impressed with itself.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0189998/

Traffic

Grade: B+

Intellectually stimulating and complex, visually interesting, yet also emotionally distant and vacant. Different stories about the drug trade and political relationships between the United States and Mexico are fascinating, and there are moments of blunt realism, yet these moments are blurred by others that are pure Hollywood (Michael Douglas as the incoming Drug Czar walking out on his first press conference, a car explosion figured out moments after it occurs by one partner, screaming out to the partner who gets blown up come to mind). I’m also not a fan of camera work that won’t let you forget you’re watching a movie, and while this Director’s choice is appropriately stylized to the story, in nonetheless manages to distract one way as well. The use of Sepia tones whenever the action is in Mexico seems inappropriate (and racially suspect), especially for a film that suggests the United States is guiltier of the drug problem than our southern neighbors are – the U.S. in Sepia might have proved more faithful to the story. Still, the film is thoughtful and intricate, with excellent performances throughout, and was always interesting if not quite engrossing. This one is a prime example of a very good movie over-hyped by movie critics. “The Godfather” it ‘aint, but it’s still one of the better films this year.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0181865/

Before Night Falls

Grade: B-

A wonderful performance from Javier Bardem and one hell of a story helps make a movie that’s rather choppy and confusing a worthwhile experience nonetheless. Partially subtitled, one wonders why the entire film wasn’t, as Bardem’s voice-overs are extremely difficult to decipher. Other characters fade in and out, and seem virtually interchangeable. Still, if one accepts the film as one man’s inner journey to self-acceptance and his use of self-expression as a personal war against oppression, the film is a moving ride. The final AIDS-ridden half hour is unnecessary and drags the film out, but Bardem finds the dignity, strength and humor that gives the film its heart.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0247196/

Finding Forrester

Grade: C+

This one is a major disappointment. I really really wanted to love this -- A movie about a great writer in hiding and his young protégé learning how to help one another find their way in the world – what’s not to love? The makers of this one so want it to be the new “Good Will Hunting.” They want it so bad they can taste it. They even give Matt Damon a cameo to remind us that they’re the same team that brought us -- you guessed it – “Good Will Hunting.” Unfortunately, this earnest but plodding movie lacks all of the things that made “Good Will” such an amazing film – beautifully realized performances, one of the best screenplays of the year, and that indefinable touch of magic that comes along far too rarely. “Forrester” has acceptable if uninspired performances, a paint-by-numbers screenplay we’ve seen many times before (Didn’t Al Pacino do the exact same movie as a blind man a few years back?), and absolutely no spark. The plot contrivances are all there, from the Ben Affleckesque brother who seeks a better life for his younger sibling to the arrogant teacher wannabe writer who torments the pupil with more talent than he’ll ever have to the cute, rich white girl whose father puffs a cigar while disapproving of her relationship with a black boy. There’s even a “will he or won’t he sink the basket at the big game” moment thrown in for good measure – I almost expected Howard Cunningham to step out of “Happy Days” and offer Jamal a lifesaver. Meaningless, in fact idiotic advise on how to be a true writer doesn’t help at all here, especially when we never actually get to hear any of this so-called great writing. When the moment finally does arrive, Sean Connery begins reading some of his protégé’s work, the music swells, and instead of hearing the words we see the faces of adoring and moved students instead – a cheating moment in a screenplay that neither works all that hard nor trusts the audience enough. Even Sean Connery is pretty bland and uninteresting, and we never discover enough about what makes his character tick to really care about him. “Finding Forrester,” well, simply doesn’t find him.

The Family Man

Grade: C

Poor man's "Heaven Can Wait" meets even poorer man's "It's a Wonderful Life" -- right down to snowflakes representing the start/end of the "what if" glimpse into a man's life not taken. Well meaning, but also cold and aloof, and totally lacking charm. Nice performance by Tea Leoni, but Nicholas Cage is simply too weird for a comedy/family movie -- there is no chemistry hereat all between them. There is a picture about lonely but wealthy city life vs. family life in the suburbs trying to get out, but there are only drips of a more interesting movie laying around. You know you're in trouble when you can predict how a movie will end even before the lights dim and the movie starts -- I did and it was.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0218967/

Cast Away

Grade: A

What a magnificent film this one is – certainly the most thoroughly engrossing movie of the year. Tom Hanks just keeps getting better and better, and will probably win a much deserved third Oscar for his performance as a work addicted man who ends up stranded on an island for four years. Breathtaking cinematography and certainly the best sound work this year – the crashing waves and torrential storms become characters in and of themselves. A 12-step philosophy quietly weaves itself into the story, as a man learns sometimes life truly is simply about breathing and taking one day at a time. Beautiful touches throughout (exactly what does the film’s title refer to – life stranded on an island or the life he finally returns to? The way “four years later” and “four weeks later” show us how relative time is in the human experience?) Also some truly stunning moments, including a plane crash that leaves one both breathless and terrified. Finally, a subtle and nice performance from Helen Hunt, admittedly the most overexposed actress of the year. But at the heart of the film is Hanks, whose sense of life regret mixed with hope is both quietly touching and powerful. Loved this movie.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0162222/

Thirteen Days

Grade: A-

Beautifully realized and thoroughly engrossing story about the political intrigue and quiet acts of courage surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bruce Greenwood gives a stunning, Oscar-caliber performance as John Kennedy, finally forgoing the deep and too often over-clipped Boston accent for a richer and deeper performance that gets to the heart of the man instead. Kudos also to Dylan Baker, who is one of those one-scene wonders the Academy usually loves as Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Kevin Costner seems to be making a career out of playing semi-fictionalized, composite characters who provide the moral center of the films he’s in, and while he’s fine here it would have been far more preferable to focus more on John and Bobby and less on him. Also, the military comes off as a bit too stereotypically hawkish here – a little nuance would have helped as well. Still, the movie is riveting and educational, and shows one the inner greatness of Kennedy, and fills one with great sadness in the final moments when we hear the real Kennedy’s voice over the shadows of these great men.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0146309/

Pollock

Grade: B+

Ed Harris and Marcia Gay Harden give searing performances in this uncompromisingly brutal bio-pic about the most famous American artist of the 20th Century. The quest to find one’s own voice and artistic approval from one’s colleagues is subsumed by a tale of the decent into mental illness, self-destruction and co-dependency. As we hear Pollock talk about his art to literally anyone who will listen, we are less impressed by his virtuosity as a painter and more disturbed by his never-ending need for a sense of self-worth and validation. It’s a nasty, unpleasant journey, but the acting is so devastatingly on-target that it’s never less than gripping and often powerful. If Ed Harris the Director is just a bit too in love with Ed Harris the actor, and spends too much time filming his own striking blue eyes and various states of torment and too little time on Harden’s equally compelling story (Streisand’s lighting of “Prince of Tides” comes to mind here), we can for the most part forgive him for such self-indulgence, except for the last half hour of the film which drones on until it finally reaches the inevitable conclusion. Still, this is a terrific character study, with two of the year’s finest performances. As an unfortunate bi-product, so deep is one’s disgust for Pollock the man, so contemptuous of both his self-destructive and ultimately homicidal tendencies, that one leaves the theater more than happy to never gaze upon his artwork again.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0183659/

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wo hu cang long)

Grade: A-

Visually stunning -- magical, in fact, this film creates an entirely new universe -- poetic and lyrical, with a simple but lovely story of loves lost on this earth, mayhap to be found in the afterlife. The plot is a bit confusing initially, and I do wish the ending had a touch more clarity. But the look of the piece is awe inspiring -- the martial arts scenes are truly out of this world, with a philosophy of life and existence that is both thoughtful and moving. Reminded me of "Star Wars" in so many different ways, especially in its heart and soul desire to take us to a place we've never seen before. This is a film that never makes you question, never makes you think to ask, "how did they do that?" You simply believe.

More Movie Info: http://chevy.imdb.com/title/tt0190332/