AI: Artifical Intelligence

Grade: C

There’s only one word for this major disappointment of a movie – b-o-r-i-n-g. If this two and a half hour failure were paced any slower, we would be watching photographs on screen instead of moving images. For some inexplicable reason, Steven Spielberg has subverted everything that makes his movies magical – whimsy, humor, charm – and has instead created a Stanley Kubrick wannabee. The result is “ET” meets “Eyes Wide Shut” – plodding, confused, pretentious – and completely devoid of anything even remotely representing a spark. Those moments that feel at all Spielbergesque are little more than rip-offs of his or George Lucas’ other movies – spaceships, lighting design and aliens from “Close Encounters,” and a walking talking Ewok right out of “Return of the Jedi.” Jude Law is engaging although thoroughly unnecessary as a robotic gigolo, William Hurt has a decent cameo, and there are fun voices from the likes of Robin Williams and Meryl Streep, but Hailey Joel Osmond is beginning to get very tired indeed – what was a revelation in “Sixth Sense,” became a very similar performance in “Pay It Forward,” and is now the same tired thing all over again here as he plays a robot who wants to be human. The Spielberg screenplay is also muddled and confused and the John William’s music is simply overwrought (angel choirs – come on now?!) But the heart of the problem is that the movie takes itself so darn seriously that it loses what it needed the most – any sense of humanity.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0212720/

Sexy Beast

Grade: B+

For a movie with so little plot or character development, this is one surprisingly taut and fascinating movie. The story revolves around a character’s attempt to stay in retirement from the British mob, despite the psychotic attempts of his former mob boss to yank him back into the business. We don’t ever really know the history these characters share, in fact there is nary a detail anywhere. Yet the blind terror they feel is so palpable the audience can cut the tension with a knife, as we use our imagination to fill in the blanks and surmise the background all by ourselves. We feel surprising sympathy for these people we never really get to know, such is the strength of a terrific little screenplay and some truly first rate performances. Ben Kingsley is positively demonic as the maniacal nutcase of a mob leader, but it is Ray Winstone who truly shines as a devoted husband, desperate to be left alone to live out his days poolside in Spain. Slowly and deliberately paced, this one spins its web quietly, but it is a gripping little gem of a ride all the way.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0203119/

Big Eden

Grade: B

It truly is refreshing to see a story about a community that embraces gay relationships, even encourages them, especially in smalltownsville. Idyllic to be sure, but the performances by the supporting cast are so genuine, so simple and touching, that it isn’t long before we accept that such places truly exist – even if they don’t. Unfortunately, the supporting players are far more interesting than the three protagonists, making the love triangle centerpiece not nearly as involving as one would wish. The internalized homophobia also doesn’t make much sense, considering the fact that all three men suffering such a malady have grown up in such a welcoming, nonjudgement town. Nice, even groundbreaking in its way, but ultimately not as satisfying a movie as one would wish for.

More Movie Info: http://imdb.com/title/tt0212815/