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Bachelor Mother (1939) A Bennett   Owned VHS   07 February 2003 It is a shame that the romantic comedy has not learned the lessons set forth in this consumately crafted (from the script to the acting) early entry in the genre. An intoxicating-as-pink-champagne Ginger Rogers finds a baby and is unable to convince the world at large (or her employer) that it is not hers.

Bad Santa Tony Pisarenkov   Loews Tenleytown, Washington, DC   20 December 2003 Just the kind of misanthropic, off-color, politically incorrect antidote to the feel-good monstrosity that Christmas has become that I needed.

Bad Santa Jennifer Strang   Loews Tenleytown   20 December 2003 Billy Bob Thornton was brilliant in this un-pc satire on a total loser alcoholic santa. The kid in it is also great, as are Bernie Mac's scenes with a trash-talking midget. A must see for anyone with an off-sense of humor.

Ballets Russes Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 November 2005 A documentary about the history of the famous Ballet Russe ballet company in its various permutations, with interviews of surviving members as the backbone. A must for ballet fans, curious for the rest.

Ballistic: Ecks vs Sever Julie Gephart   Theater   06 October 2002 This movie was not nearly so bad as I was expecting from the reviews. Sure, the plot was silly and extremely poorly edited, but the action suited me fine. And by "the action," I of course mean "Lucy Liu, Killing Machine" and not "all those irrelevant explosions and car chases."

Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever Kristin Schrock   DVD   01 January 2003 The "plot" keeps this from being a good B-flick on par with Reign of Fire. Lucy Liu is cool and there's this scene where she pulls these club-like things out of her coat and proceeds to kick all sorts of a**. But it fails in the way that I think Sleepless in Seattle fails--it keeps it's two leads apart for too long. But its not the worst movie in the world, although I have already broken my resolution to stop watching crappy movies.

Barbershop A Bennett   Rented DVD viewed during Detroit layover   07 September 2003 Smile-level funny, but no belly laughs. Understandable response, perhaps, after transcontinental red-eye flight.

Basic Instinct Julie Gephart   DVD   28 November 2003 A Hitchcock movie with nudity – what more could you ask from a cinematic experience? This time I watched it with the director’s commentary track and got schooled on the finer points of lighting.

Batman Begins Mike Gadd   Martinsburg Regal (with the 2L size large coke)   19 June 2005 This is what a Batman movie should be like. No goofy comic book campiness. Very dark and human. Things get a little convoluted at the end but that's alright. Christian Bale makes a nice Batman even though it looks like the mask is a little too small for his head.

Batman Begins Kristin Schrock   Oakley Drive-In (w/ hotdog and drumstick)   25 June 2005 I'm probably the only one who is not particularly interested in the beginnings of Batman. To me, it's enough to know that his parents were killed and now he dresses up like a bat to fight crime. That being said--this one is good popcorn fun, especially at the drive in. And it was fun to count the number of British people in this thing--including Batman himself.

Batman Begins Mike Gadd   Family Drive-In   31 July 2005 The magic of the drive-in has pretty much worn off. If it was ever there. Initially the uniqueness of the setting and the ability to unashamedly eat chinese take-out made a poor movie not seem so bad. Eventually you realize that sitting in your car to watch a movie isn't everything you'd hope for. Especially if it's raining or muggy out. You can't keep your car running to turn the air on to defog your winshield or run your wipers because the newer cars automatically turn on the headlights. This action is frowned upon. You do get to see 2 movies for your troubles. This one was the first. Needless to say there was much lost in the translation to the outdoor screen.

Battlestar Galactica (2003) Julie Gephart   Basic cable   10 December 2003 During the first half, I was ready to give it rave reviews – beautifully shot, strong characters, gripping story. During the second half, I was watching the clock and waiting for it to be over. How it fell apart so completely is still a mystery to me, except maybe that all of the human drama was in the first half.

Battlestar Galactica 2003 Mini-series A Bennett   TiVo'd from SciFi   09 December 2003 It seems necessary to mention that I am a no-hold-barred-don't-analyze-it-too-much fan of the original Battlestar and all its occupants. That said, this 're-imagining' of the classic (much as Soderbergh's 'Oceans 11' was a re-make of Sinatra's) is not so bad. It suffers a little from the use of sci-fi conventions already plumbed by shows like Farscape (I've got the bad guy in my head and I'm having sentient hallucinations of him!) and Star Trek (imagining the Cylons as a neo-Borg-type entity), it needlessly (and at times confusiongly) gives characters such as Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer additional names (Lee, Kara, Sharon)--stating the former are only 'call signs'. But all that said, the acting is strong; particularly by Jamie Bamber (Apollo) and Mary McDonnell (new character Laura Roslin), and the timeless story of the rag-tag fleet--all that's left of humanity--fleeing the Cylon tyranny in hopes of finding Earth allows for endless storyline possibilities. It's not your daddy's (or, indeed, your own) Battlestar--and without the mention of the Rising Star, the original series' casino starship, one is left wondering where any fun or hijinks might be had in this neo space-verse. The original series plumbed the last days of disco and rampant consumption during the infant dawn of the 80s. This version attempts to re-channel a post September 11th world. The tone is darker, but that said, were it to become a series (which SciFi has the option to call up), I'd watch.

Be Cool Steve Gadd   Fairfax Town Center   04 March 2005 Elmore Leonard has become a black hole whose powers of attraction draw in all kinds of talent. There are a dozen "As Him/Herself" listings in the credits. The comedy is entertaining enough, though an encyclopedic knowledge of Hollywood and music lore would help with the industry in-jokes.

Beautiful A Bennett   TiVo'd from the Oxygen Network   27 June 2003 Denial of self, denial of offspring. Welcome to "Beautiful," a film that could have been better. A film with three, solidly good moments (more than most films get), yet a film that was like a ship without a rudder (even though Sally Field was supposed to be directing). Things that worked (like the intriguing relationship of the two main characters, both female) were not fully realized, and things that worked better as a metaphor than as a literal situation (beauty pageants) were beat to death, particularly in the last 45 minutes of the two and a half hour production (with commercials).

Beauty Shop A Bennett   Milford Giant Cineplex - Bottled Water Only   01 April 2005 A brief diversion. Neither funny--nor unfunny enough to come to mind once the credits rolled, it was enjoyable enough.

Bedazzled Julie Gephart   Mysteriously free HBO   21 January 2003 Can you even comprehend the stunning beauty that is Elizabeth Hurley? CAN YOU? I'm surprised Brendan Fraser could even stand in the same room with her for some of these scenes, much less manage to deliver any lines. I would recommend watching this movie without sound in order to spare yourself from the entirely stupid plot of geek-selling-soul-to-devil.

Behind Enemy Lines Mike Gadd   DVD rental   20 October 2002 Sure wish I had seen this on the big screen. Great action scenes and slow motion bombs and bullets flying.

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   13 October 2005 As if one guy in a gorilla suit wasn't enough

Belle de jour Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez moi   26 December 2005 Un peu difficile sans sous-titres. Je n'ai compris que 30% du dialogue.

Bend It Like Beckham A Bennett   Mariemont Faux Tudor-Style Theater (all seats $5)   10 May 2003 It's never good when the way the leading man runs causes giggles. But then again, maybe that was just us. Included less soccer than I expected.

Beowulf And Grendel Steven Krise   My Basement - NetFlix   15 July 2007 Somewhere between a literal rendition of the epic and 13th Warrior. Not so much an action/adventure/fantasy as a character piece set in picturesque Iceland. Apparently, Gerard Butler is dreamy.

Best in Show Julie Gephart   Basic cable   11 November 2003 I think I got set up by overinflated expectations due to all the rave reviews. I did not find this movie hilarious, but it was pleasant, and I grinned a great deal.

Better Than Chocolate Julie Gephart   Mysteriously free HBO   09 February 2003 Story of a young girl trying to manage the clash between her new artistic hippie lesbian subculture and her depressed, sexually repressed mom who moves in with her after a divorce. Also, it was a terrible, stupid movie.

Big Fish Jaqi Ross   Hollywood Video rental   15 August 2004 The story revolves around a dying father and his son, who is trying to learn more about his dad by piecing together the stories he has gathered over the years. The son winds up re-creating his father's elusive life in a series of legends and myths inspired by the few facts he knows. Through these tales, the son begins to understand his father's great feats and his great failings.

Big Trouble Steve Gadd   DVD at home   12 November 2002 Based on a Dave Barry book, the Elmore Leonard-style comedy has its moments. Probably the last time Johnny Knoxville and Martha Stewart will appear in a movie together.

Bill Cosby:49 Mike Gadd   video rental   06 September 2003 Not as good as his 'Himself' video but still worth seeing. Plenty of belly laughs.

Black Cloud Ray Hunley   DVD   15 August 2005 While not breaking any new ground, this film nevertheless was an engaging portrait of an amateur boxer from the Navajo nation.

Black Jesus Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   20 June 2003 One of the biggest travesties of modern cinema is that filmmaker Valerio Zurlini is not better known. If "Black Jesus" is any indication, he is right up there with the other greats, Italian and otherwise. Breathtaking cinematography, excellent acting (with Woody Strode in the lead) and a creative adaptation of the story of Jesus to the struggle for independence in colonial Africa. Do stay away from the current Ivy Video DVD edition, however. Besides being dubbed, which nearly ruined the film, the print used for the transfer looks like it was pulled from the dumpster, and the sound mix is abysmal.

Blacktop Julie Gephart   Mysteriously Free HBO   18 January 2003 Bad movie starring MeatLoaf as a psycho trucker who kidnaps Kristin Davis and leads her boyfriend, Bucky the Human Chipmunk, on a long chase to get her back. This had the kind of really bad writing or editing that made me spend most of it going "Wha..? But didn't they just...? So can't she...? But why would he...? Isn't that the...?"

Blind Shaft Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 March 2004 Filmed by an ex-pat Chinese director on a shoestring budget using mostly amateur actors and friends of the production staff and subsequently banned by Chinese government censors, the film offers a fascinating and surprisingly unemotional look at the economic plight of everyday Chinese, combined with an unoriginal but well-executed version of the timeless story of moral corruption and redemption.

Blood Simple Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   24 March 2005 M. Emmet Walsh is, as always, brilliant, but the Coens' best work was ahead of them.

Blood Work Mike Gadd   borrowed video (and quickly returned)   28 November 2003 Poor adaptation of one of Michael Connelly's best. Even with a different ending. How many times are we supposed to look at Clint Eastwood with his shirt off and still stay focused on the movie?

Blue Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   15 January 2004 The first installment in the "Colors" trilogy, "Blue" is much more inward-looking and darker in tone than "White," as well as being much more of a solo performance for the lead (Juliette Binoche). It also places a much greater emphasis on visuals, which are expertly done. Less readily accessible than "White" but no less enjoyable, especially on the big screen.

Blue Sky Julie Gephart   Mysteriously Free HBO   15 February 2003 Has Jessica Lange ever done a movie where her character was not spiraling further and further out of control on a path of self-destruction? With some Jessica Lange, Tommy Lee Jones, and even a young Chris O'Donnell, you can't have an entirely unpleasant viewing experience.

Borat Steve Gadd   DVD   04 July 2007 Watched the whole thing.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Tony Pisarenkov   The Avalon Theatre, Washington, DC   08 December 2006 Very cringe-inducing, but definitely had its moments.

Born Romantic A Bennett   DVD Rental   18 October 2002 Not as awful as "Dance with Me," not as good as the gently wonderful meditation that was "Shall We Dance," and, as always, light years away from the genius that is "Strictly Ballroom." One in a continuing series of mis-represented British films, the actual film was unrecognizeable from the box's packaging and description of content. Have yet to decide if that was a good thing.

Bourne Supremacy Kristin Schrock   Kenwood Theatre   21 August 2004 I posted this some time ago--but it was lost! For some reason, Matt Damon's Jason Bourne is incredibly compelling. I don't even like Matt Damon. But these movies are popcorn fun--despite the fact that the director was a little two keen on the hand-held camera. What's the point of having a beautifully choreographed fight scene if you can't see what's going on?

Bowling for Columbine Tony Pisarenkov   Harkins Camelview 6, Scottsdale, AZ   19 November 2002 A documentary that attempts to examine the foundations of gun violence in the US and how it is related to gun ownership. Unfocused, attempts to cover too many extraneous issues, does not even provide a hypothesis much less attempts an answer, but manages to be somewhat thought-provoking anyway.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Julie Gephart   Basic cable   22 November 2003 The plot was ok, the dialog was bad, but mainly this movie was a visual feast from beginning to end. I guess maybe there’s something to be said for famous directors after all.

Brian's Song A Bennett   TiVo'd on AMC - the no longer classics channel   04 August 2005 The first time I’ve seen this film--a cinematic icon. I don’t think it deserves critiquing, everyone pretty much agrees that it’s awesome as they cry into their giant pillows. I will say that I’m curious to know if people now find it racist, or at least anciently biased. James Caan’s Brian Piccolo uses more racial epithets (meant in ‘joking good fun’) on Gayle Sayers than I’ve heard in use in the last 10 years of my life. And that’s in just 90 minutes. Not once did Gayle Sayers get to unleash his own tongue on the honky, in good fun or no. Rather, he spends the last 30 minutes revering whitey as though he’s a demigod. What’s that all about?

Bride & Prejudice Kristin Schrock   Esquire Theatre   05 March 2005 An adaptation of Pride and Prejudice via Bollywood. It's difficult to review the movie outside the novel--that is, if you didn't know/love Pride and Prejudice would you like the movie? It was colorful and fun--even with singing. The biggest failing for me was Darcy. He's portrayed more as an American boob--rather than prideful. He stares vacantly rather than smolders. On the bright side--Sayid of Lost plays Mr. Bingley and my favorite mother, Marsha Mason shows up as Darcy's mother (playing the Lady Katherine role).

Bride & Prejudice A Bennett   Hollywood Video DVD   04 August 2005 Neither Bollywood nor Hollywood enough. The reason Austen’s crisp wit (in P&P ESPECIALLY) works is it must always be balanced on a razor’s edge with politeness. It is so clever and subtle that it should soar far overhead of the other characters. In the modern world setting this wit is unfortunately too often portrayed as mere sarcasm--accessible to any twelve year old. The BBC/Firth version did it best so far, and while Ashiwaraya Rai seemed possibly up to the task, Martin Henderson endures this film as though he just woke up, mistaking bewilderment for reservation, and stupidity for pride—or maybe the screenwriter’s did that. This film’s saving grace was watching Lost’s Sayid dance, dance, dance.

Bridget Jones's Diary Steve Gadd   DVD   11 March 2005 A rom-com classic.

Bringing Down the House Julie Gephart   Airplane   01 August 2003 Thank you, United Airlines, for providing free headsets on your flights. It is the least you could do after all of the misery you caused me. I love Queen Latifah, and I laughed at this movie, and I’m not ashamed. It was badly written and predictable, but the physical comedy was excellent.

Bringing Down the House Steve Gadd   DVD   02 September 2003 Steve Martin is a master of physical comedy, but there was room in the script for more regular comedy.

Bringing Up Baby Julie Gephart   Basic cable   15 November 2003 The combination of Katharine Hepburn and a pet leopard seemed like a sure-fire winner, but… not so much. I’m just not a fan of this type of slapstick, everything-goes-wrong comedy.

Broadway: The Golden Age Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   15 August 2004 A too-long, amateurish look at the "golden age" of Broadway musicals (1950s and 60s) taken through a series of interviews with countless broadway actors and a handful of songwriters and lyricists. Educational and occasionally fascinating, but could have definitely benefitted from some assertive editing and recommended only to the dedicated fans of musical theatre.

Broadway: The Golden Age Jennifer Strang   Landmark E Street Theatre   15 August 2004 A mostly entertaining documentary about the "golden age" of broadway - roughly 1940-1960 - as seen through the eyes of the actors and actresses who lived it. If you enjoy broadway, its exciting to listen to some of the greats, including Carol Burnett, Robert Goulet, and Angela Lansbury, among many others, describe their experiences. However, for those not interested in this topic, the documentary could easily be boring and tedious. Unfortunately, even for those intereseted in the topic, as I am, the editing is substandard. Not enough old footage and way too much rambling. Nonetheless, a worthwhile experience overall for fans of broadway.

Brokeback Mountain Steve Gadd   Countryside Megaplex   11 February 2006 Beautifully filmed, affecting, and more than just an arbitrarily unconventional romance.

Broken Flowers Chris   Theater   07 August 2005 Jim Jarmusch's latest is like all his others...slow, measured, understated. Unfortunately, this one's a little too much of all of those things to get high marks.

Brotherhood of the Wolf (except in French) Kristin Schrock   DVD   21 September 2003 I thought this involved werewolves. I was mistaken. And it took me most of the movie to figure that out. A highly stylized frenchie movie about a beast terrorizing the french countryside. Two strangers come to town to try to solve the mystery. One happens to be a very compelling Iroquois who was clearly not played by a Native American, proving that even the French don't cast Indians to play Indians. So I was all for the movie until it took a weird turn in a brothel. I had two theories about the "mystery" of the beast. Both were correct in a very convuluted revelation. 2 Points for me!

Bruce Almighty Steve Gadd   Reston Town Center   01 June 2003 Jim keeps the God gag rolling for an hour and a half.

Bruce Almighty Mike Gadd   borrowed dvd   14 February 2004 This movie certainly had its moments. Too bad most of them were covered in the previews.

Bubba Ho Tep Jaqi Ross   E Street Cinema   11 January 2004 Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by acclaimed author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the true story of what really did become of Elvis.

Bubba Ho-Tep Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   03 April 2004 There are some films that I just wasn't made for

Bubba Ho-Tep Kristin Schrock   DVD   04 July 2004 Bruce Campbell stars as an old Elvis, stuck in a nursing home where the residents are having their souls sucked by an ancient mummy. Incredibly bizarre, but I can never resist the charm of Bruce Campbell who even in the silliness brings an element of gravity as the movie tries to touch on mortality and the meaning of life--especially when you're at the end. All that being said--this is probably only for Bruce Campbell fans and there are dozens of us! Dozens!--oh, and Mike Gadd? I really, really liked Lost in Translation. So, at least there's someone else.

Bubba Ho-tep Steven Krise   TiVo in my basement   13 February 2007 An existential tale of how Elvis (masquerading as an Elvis impersonator) and the brain of JFK (in the body of an elderly black man) rediscover Lebensfreude whilst battling a cowboy mummy (the eponymous Bubba Hotep).

Bukowski: Born into This Jennifer Strang   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 July 2004 If you enjoy documentaries about eccentric artists, this one's for you. The director does a nice job of mixing current interviews with past footage. Mr. Bukowski was truly a character - his essence is captured in this wonderful film.

Bukowski: Born into This Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   13 July 2004 A thoroughly researched and very enjoyable and human portrait of a fascinating man whose myth was much larger than his self. Befitting a good documentary, full of interesting footage and even more interesting characters, and especially impressive for a first feature-length work.

Bulletproof Monk A Bennett   Milford Gigantic Cineplex   19 April 2003 I will watch Chow Yun-Fat do anything. I can say that now, having paid to see this film.

Bulletproof Monk Kristin Schrock   DVD   21 September 2003 I probably shouldn't claim this one since I fell asleep through large portions in the middle. This was not my choice of a rental. Chow and Sean William Scott manage to have a great deal of chemistry despite being saddled with a weak script. That's about all I can say about it.

Burn After Reading Steve Gadd   Regal Cinemas Ballston   24 October 2008 Typical Coen Bros. fare.