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A Christmas Story Julie Gephart   DVD   24 December 2003 I love this movie like nobody's business. It's one long laugh from start to finish.

An Ideal Husband A Bennett   owned VHS - 2003 Jeremy Northam Film Festival   17 February 2003 A film so perfect in its perfection it makes one almost unable to keep from quipping at its 'ideal' status. Rupert Everett proves himself worthy far above others to utter Oscar Wilde's words, and deserving every bit of his own self-worship (as well as that of Minnie Driver's). In fact, one could make a case that the film in its entirety is little more than a love letter to his character (each other character, after all, without exception, is, in their own way, in love with him). Jeremy Northam takes second chair, though he does get his own love scene with Cate Blanchett. His lip is crawling with mustache, though--save in one brief flashback sequence. Still, he manages to perform worthily despite the burden of such facial hair.

An Injury to One Jaqi Ross   National Gallery of Art, D.C.   21 February 2004 Perhaps my all-time favorite documentary. The Montana town of Butte and its celebrated struggle with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company provide the focus for Travis Wilkerson's beautifully-crafted, experimental documentary. Zeroing in on its assertions with sly agitprop style, An Injury to One rises above one-dimensional origins to become a consummate example of nonfiction filmmaking and, affirms historian John Gianvito, "a work of formal precision and acrid beauty".

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.

Capturing the Friedmans Jaqi Ross   DVD   04 April 2004 Documentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middleclass Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes.

Casablanca Kristin Schrock   VHS   31 January 2003 Not that you really need me to tell you this is a great movie. However, ABennett and I figured something out while watching it. Although everyone smokes pretty much constantly throughout the entire movie, we are only shown a cigarrette being lit 4 times. I can now add that bit of trivia to the one about the Little Peole in the background at the end.

Casablanca (1942) A Bennett   owned VHS   31 January 2003 There is a reason this film has the reputation it has. Not only is it possibly the MOST QUOTABLE film I've ever seen, it also continues to be a great viewing experience each and every time I watch it (and that would be--at this point--many times). This film has enough well-drawn characters that any viewer could find at least one to like and identify with. This review may be cliched, but only if you've never taken the chance to give this film that should never have worked, let alone survived, a fair chance as a viewer. You know, either that, or you're an idiotic boor.

Chinatown Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home (Film Night #2 at Jenn & Tony's)   07 June 2003 Unlike many "classics," this one deserves every bit of its status. I suppose Jack Nicholson has not had a role like this in at least fifteen years for the same reason that the ending would never fly in Hollywood today (and barely did in 1975). See it -- no one's film experience is complete without seeing "Chinatown."

Director's Cut, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring A Bennett   DVD purchase   24 November 2002 A film at once beautiful, frightening, touching, action-packed and timeless. Whether it is the same as the books or not is immaterial. A work of unqualified perfection, from Sean Bean to Peter Jackson. An unforgettable viewing experience. Someday I will go to New Zealand. Additionally, a film wherein men are not afraid to touch and embrace each other, and exhibit an ethic of care usually proscribed solely to the female of the species.

Donnie Darko Kristin Schrock   VHS   14 September 2003 This movie is messed up. But in a very good way. Donnie Darko hears voices. He sees a man in a rabbit suit named Frank. Frank tells Donnie the end of the world is coming. Is Donnie schizophrenic? Has he unlocked the secret of time travel? It's bizarre and funny and incredibly sad (my favorite kinds of movies). Also, Patrick Swayze is getting himself some work. Woo!

Eternity and A Day Tony Pisarenkov   VHS; no official US release   07 December 2002 A poet confronted with his impending death attempts to come to grips with his regrets and finds partial reprieve in a friendship with an Albanian orphan on the streets of Athens. The most brilliant portrayal of dying and regret since Visconti's 'Death in Venice'

From Hell Casey     10 March 2006 This movie was great. The story of Jack the ripper was great and johnny depp was great!!! Def. see this movie

Ghost Dog Kristin Schrock   DVD   21 September 2003 Wow. What a wonderful movie. Droopy eyed Forest Whitacker is an urban samurai, and really to say more than that may give too much of it away. It's wonderful. Go, now, rent it tonight.

Gone With the Wind A Bennett   VHS   28 November 2002 Still disappointed that this doesn't come in Widescreen, and that I don't own it on DVD. A remarkable film for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is the competence and subversive message presented by the female leads--both for 1861 as well as 1939 when the film was made. Love that Technicolor!

It's A Wonderful Life A Bennett   DVD on a couch down the street   19 December 2003 Thank you, DVD, for excellent pause-ability to note the skull on Potter's desk, and the same photos (redressed) of both Peter Bailey and Uncle Billy's dead wife Laura scattered about like Easter Egg points in a driking game for repeat-viewing eyes. Also, why are everyone's names changed in the French audio track? Must Bert become Marcel, and Mary become Madeline? And in the Spanish track, why is it still George and not Jorje? Doubtless, timeless questions to ponder until next year.

Koyaanisqatsi Steve Gadd   DVD at home   23 November 2002 An arresting and unique combination of time-lapse, slow motion, and stock film with a Philip Glass soundtrack. In part a documentary on technology, in part a medatative experience. Thanks to Gareth for the gift.

La Dolce Vita Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   17 August 2004 My all-time favorite film, newly restored, on the big screen. What more could I ask for, a date with Anouk Aimee?

Les Triplettes de Belleville Jaqi Ross   Loews Georgetown   23 February 2004 Animated: When her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters--an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire--to rescue him.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Mike Gadd   Martinsburg Regal Cinema with the half gallon Coke   28 December 2003 Hard to decide if this or Nemo was the best movie of the year. Certainly nothing wrong with this one. I learned later that Gimli was played by the guy who was the Arab buddy in the Indiana Jones movie. How did they make him seem so short? The attention to detail in this picture was thoroughly impressive.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers A Bennett   AMC Newport-on-the-Levee   21 December 2002 Mike, I must disagree about the Ents. While they were nice, their construction seemed to come from another film's art department entirely...What to say about this film? I've been eagerly awaiting it for a year, which is a lot of build-up, and I was not disappointed. Gollum repulsed me completely for the first 10-15 minutes he was on screen. And then, like a rubber band being pulled too taut and snapping, my disgust contracted into something much more like pity for the poor beast. Even in the darkest, densest moments of the Helm's Deep sequences, Peter Jackson is wise enough as a director to give the audience Gimli to chuckle at, Legolas to cheer for, and the Lothlorien elf from film one to mourn. Jackson has my heart, if not my pocketbook. And he deserves both.

Lost Boys of Sudan Jaqi Ross   Visions, D.C.   13 March 2004 Lost Boys of Sudan is a feature-length documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America. Orphaned as young boys in one of Africa's cruelest civil wars, Peter Dut and Santino Chuor survived lion attacks and militia gunfire to reach a refugee camp in Kenya along with thousands of other children. From there, remarkably, they were chosen to come to America. Safe at last from physical danger and hunger, a world away from home, they find themselves confronted with the abundance and alienation of contemporary American suburbia.

Munich Tony Pisarenkov   Cinema Arts Theatre, Fairfax, VA   14 January 2006 Krauthammer totally missed the point. For my money, the depiction of the three-way conflict between the imperative for saftey and security, the desire for revenge, and the need to remain civilized human beings who abhor violence that is tearing apart the Israeli society was right on. And it's a great piece of filmmaking regardless of your politics.

Requiem for a Dream Tony Pisarenkov   DVD   16 February 2003 Just when you thought that everything that could be said cinematically about drug abuse has been said, along comes Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream." The requisite teenagers shooting up and where it gets them are here, and they are portrayed very well, but the real power lies in Sara Goldfarb's (Ellen Burstyn) story -- drugs, certainly, but not in the way you've come to expect. Things get surreal to the point of trippiness, but amazingly, and mercifully, fail to contribute any kitsch factor. One of the most physically powerful and visceral films in recent, and maybe not so recent, memory.

Saturday Night Live - The Best of Chris Farley Ian Hassell   Video   02 September 2002 Two Words: Motivational Speaker

Signs Mike Gadd   dvd at home   09 May 2003 Why not watch it again? It's one of my favorites. Just about the perfect movie. The story, acting, special fx, etc. was all I could hope for in a movie. I'll be in line for the next M. Night movie.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Steven Krise   Uptown Theatre, DC   03 June 2005 Quite possibly the best of the sextet. I had a number of moments where I was literally on the edge of my seat watching with bated breath. The fall of Anikin was handled with a deftness that was unexpected from hack director, George Lucas. The fact that I've been waiting over 20 years to see this film coupled with the 60 oz of stout I had prior to viewing may have had a hand in my enthusiasm.

The Conformist Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   13 September 2006 It's a travesty that Bertolucci's far inferior Last Tango in Paris is a cult classic while this film is unavailable and incredibly difficult to see despite having a better story (hell, having a story), better characters and equally brilliant cinematography.

The Godfather Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silvert Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   13 October 2004 Truly a cornerstone film of the twentieth century. Right up there with Citizen Kane, Chinatown, and a very small and select group of others.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Theatrical Version A Bennett   Springdale is the SECOND exit on I-275   07 December 2003 This version will only be in theatres until tomorrow, Thursday, Dec.11--when the extended version of 'The Two Towers' opens for its four-day run prior to Wednesday's 'Return of the King' debut. Carrying nearly 20 minutes of additional footage *IN ADDITION* to the additional 30-some minutes of footage available on the extended cut DVD, at three hours and fourty-five minutes, this is one long view. But, having known we were in for an EXTENDED level of enjoyment going in, I've no complaints. After all, who wouldn't like to spend more time in Lothlorien with Galadriel--and hear Celeborn actually get to speak? Or share more moments with Bilbo and Frodo, or Frodo and Gandalf--or pretty, pretty Legolas? Well, maybe some people wouldn't like it, but then again they wouldn't be me. Fellowship is a film I have loved since I first saw it two years ago. How pleasing it is to know that Peter Jackson understands what George Lucas never will: how to add things to your film that enhance the story, elucidate plot points, and _matter_. Besides, this cut? Still shorter than 'Gone With the Wind'.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Theatrical Version A Bennett   1 of only 99 theatres in the country showing this   13 December 2003 (cont'd) Both my brother and my dad (repeat viewers of the original, truncated theatrical versions) announced post-credits rolling that they felt like they'd witnessed and entirely different--and greatly better--film than the original "Towers". As for myself, I'm still soaring on the experience--and a bit hesitant to take in "Return" this coming weekend--after all, perhaps I should just wait until Peter Jackson can release the story he actually meant to share, unedited, and in its full glory...of course, you'd be quite gullible to believe that I would be able to wait another year. Thank you, Peter Jackson, for showing us that what at first seemed a C+/B- was always, indeed, a Great Biggie A.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Theatrical Version A Bennett   Springdale: they gave away t-shirts,people cheered   13 December 2003 Put yourself in director Peter Jackson's place. Your contract states you *must* turn in the final cut of each film that is no longer than a set length. Your studio refuses to release anything longer than this into theatres. If you do not comply, someone else will decide on the final cut. Oh! What exquisite torture it must have been for Jackson to read the less-glowing reviews of The Two Towers! Especially since each and every criticsm made of this middle film is answered--yea, refuted--in this extended version! At three and a half hours (43 minutes longer than the original theatrical version) we have time to learn all about previously underdeveloped characters and storylines. Eomer gets introduced (and developed) properly; Eowyn gets scenes with Aragorn (who we learn is 87 years old--one of the Dunedin) that make her infatuation understandable, and even earned. In some excellent dramatic irony, we see Boromir get the order from his dad to attend Elrond's council in 'Fellowship', and we learn WHY Osgilliath is important to Faramir (and Gondor), and a little about who Faramir is, and why. Treebeard gets some more screen time (as do Gimli and pretty, pretty Legolas), and we see Pippin grow taller in Fangorn. The film's beginning and ending are altered by complete scenes, and valuable whimsy is infused where it had been lacking. Sam and Frodo actually smile (it doesn't last long)! And other happenings somewhat alleviate the darker tone of this mid-point. Unlike the extended "Fellowship", whose added parts are definitely a welcome addition--"Towers"' extras are/were actually *vital* to the film, and likely needed to build on for "Return of the King". Not to mention that extra scenes explain more than one 'deus ex machina' in the theatrical cut. (cont'd)

The Matrix Mike Gadd   dvd at home   26 April 2003 A final viewing before enjoying part 2 next month. I don't like giving out perfect scores, but this one earned it with bells on.

The Pianist Tony Pisarenkov   Harkins Camelview 5, Scottsdale, AZ   25 January 2003 Brilliant to a point that defies description. Just see it.

The Professional Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   15 October 2007 Seriously intense and very powerful. Quite possibly the best action film I've ever seen; certainly the best that is a serious drama at the same time. I'm surprised I was only vaguely aware of it until now. Edit: This is the 1994 film with Jean Reno, titled Leon in France, not the 1981 one with Belmondo.

The Queen Tony Pisarenkov   AMC Shirlington, Arlington, VA   03 March 2007 Far more than a solo act for Helen Mirren. The whole thing is quite well done.