PATRIOT, THE (9 1/2)
I've been waiting a long time for this one. If Saving Private
Ryan bothered you, do not go see this movie. If you love to look
at Mel Gibson, go see this movie. If you want to sink into the Revolution
Era for a few hours, go see this movie. The Patriot captures the
spirit of the 1700's, not only in costumes and sets, but in attitude.
If you liked Shenandoah, go see this movie. If you like war movies,
this is a prize. Very long movie. Very, VERY violent and bloody
movie. Lots of catch you by surprise moments, at least there were
for me. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I loved the movie.
I heard Gene Shallit didn't.
Several older couples were at this movie...afterward, they said it
was loud.
Well, not only is war hell, Harry, it is LOUD!!!
PAY IT FORWARD (9)
Can you ignore some child profanity?
Can you ignore Hollywood sex outside marriage hype?
Oscar nominations no doubt to Kevin Spacey & Haley Joel Osment!
Don't miss it--and pay it forward!
PEARL HARBOR (9)
Josh Hartnet and Ben Affleck battle the Japanese and each other
over freedom and love, respectively. This movie is more about love
and less about war although plenty full of war. Kate Beckinsale leads
the pack of wartime nurses as they fall in love and tend the wounded: a
graphic portrayal of a devastatingly horrific event, and a glimpse of what
it must have been like for so many personally, as well as military people.
3 hours and 3 minutes. Pearl Harbor misses the mark for a sound track,
which would have added so much more to this movie as it was then some of
the most wonderful music ever written.
PERFECT STORM, THE (9)
George Clooney? Mark Wahlberg? Diane Lane? Pfffffffffftttttt!
The Atlantic Ocean gets the Oscar for this film. Even though the
characters are undeveloped, overact, and yell a lot, this film is great
for special effects!! I found myself sitting, literally, on the edge
of my seat, holding my breath, twisting about...it's adventure and tense!
See it! It's entertainment!
PLANET OF THE APES (8 1/2)
This is not a remake of the original Planet of the Apes, nor is
it original, since there has already been one version of this title. So
consider it a Tim Burton adaptation of the original. Danny Elfman has a
powerful music score. With Mark Wahlberg, who STILL remains one of my least
favorite actors, as a rebel astronaut who sneakingly flies out into space
only to land on the Planet of the Apes. He encounters what life would be
like if animals were the human race and humans were treated like slaves
and animals...actually worse. This movie is partly a comedy. It's very
funny! You will have fun figuring out by their voices who is behind the
ape masks. Marvelous makeup and lots of leaping monkeys, excuse me, APES.
Scant profanity. No nudity, like who would care? And no smoking agenda
or gay agenda. But of course, there is the we have to all be equal regardless
of race, creed, or number of feet we have agenda.
PLEDGE, THE (7)
What goes around, comes around. Jack Nicholson's beginnings
in One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest and now The Pledge. Jack must
have felt like it was old home time at the movies. Don't you just
get the feeling when you watch Jack that he isn't acting? That he
wears the same clothes on the street. That he wears stocking caps
rather than comb his hair? That he is basically Jack all the time?
It's Jack's movie--as all Nicholson movies are.
PRINCESS DIARIES, THE (9)
Well, what in the world has gotten in to Disney?
They haven't made a movie THIS clean since Mickey Mouse. "G" rated all
the way, but don't let that scare you off if you think it won't be cool
enough for you to see. If you like make-overs, you are going to thoroughly
enjoy seeing the princess take on her new look. Julie Andrews stars as
the Queen of Genovia who comes to the US to claim her clutzy, unattractive
granddaughter as the Princess of Genovia. It's the ugly duckling turns
into a swan story, but how can you go wrong with Julie Andrews? Hector
Elizondo is superb as always. And Anne Hathaway is great as the duckling.
Load up the family and take everyone to see The Princess Diaries.
PROOF OF LIFE (9)
This is the movie supposedly responsible for Meg Ryan & Dennis
Quaid's wedded bliss to end. Still, Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan have
no torrid love affair in this movie about search and rescue & terrorism.
Suspenseful and well made movie. Caruso & Morse in supporting
roles. Some language. Beautiful scenery. Worth the trip to
the theater.