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13 Going on 30 Kristin Schrock   Showcase Cinemas   24 April 2004 Can Jennifer Garner be anymore appealing? I think not.

21 Grams Steve Gadd   Fairfax Towne Center   20 February 2004 Benicio del Toro gets his chance to try and outperform Sean Penn in this gritty film about mortality and revenge. The director takes liberties with chronology, perhaps hoping to make it more difficult, and therefore more serious, and the story gets pushed just a little too far, and the result is almost as captivating as Amores Perros.

25th Hour Steve Gadd   DVD   26 December 2003 Edward Norton makes this film work, a variety of "what would you do if you had only 24 hours to live." But what kept the 135 minute runtime from seeming too long was Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is so perfectly square, so jarringly and affectingly out of place, I think they had to splice him in with bluescreen special effects.

A Very Long Engagement Steve Gadd   DVD   02 September 2005 A surprisingly demanding fairy tale about a lover lost, by all accounts, in the French trenches.

Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story Steve Gadd   E-Street Cinema   01 December 2006 This documentary about Japanese citizens kidnapped into North Korea has come a long way since we saw a rough cut in the directors' home last year.

About Schmidt Steve Gadd   Reston Town Center   08 February 2003 Jack Nicholson (who has been on the Brando Diet, by the look of things) tries to deal with the world's lack of need for him after his retirement. Middle America co-stars, with big Nebraska skies, motor homes, and corny roadside attractions. Without Jack it could have been dull, but he turns in a great performance.

After the Wedding Steve Gadd   DVD   12 November 2009 Our first Netflick.

American History X Steve Gadd   DVD   02 February 2005 Edward Norton is an angry young man.

An Affair to Remember A Bennett   VHS @ Tonya's House   20 December 2002 Melodrama? What melodrama? Give it up--she's a *cripple* for Pete's sake. That's why she can't let Cary Grant love her, for all that he waited until midnight in the rain atop the Empire State Building. A sort of overly sentimentalized story about fidelity, though its level of schmaltz is nothing to "Somewhere in Time."

Analyze This Steve Gadd   DVD at home   27 August 2002 Well-written comedy about a gangster getting in touch with his sensitive side.

Anatomy of a Murder Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   29 March 2005 Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick and George C. Scott make this an essential entry in the courtroom drama canon. All the achetypical elements are here: the wisecracking judge; the poor but noble defense attorney; his drunken, elderly assistant; the slick big-city prosecutor; the defendant's hot, hot wife.

Apartment Zero Steven Krise   Netflix   21 November 2007 An odd couple (the slick coke using salesman from Die Hard and a very young Mr Darcy) come to accept murder as transformation.

Ararat Steve Gadd   DVD   26 July 2005 A colorful, layered issue film, in some ways subtle and in some ways not subtle enough, which aims to draw attention to the Armenian Genocide. The bitter pill is delivered not with an onslaught of historical evidence, but by portraying a fictional director trying to make a Hollywood-style dramatization of the events. The film-within-the-film format allows the characters to question their own motivations and the liberties taken with their history.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Cape Fear (1962) Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   25 June 2005 Continuing the original/remake comparison series. For the first time, I think I have to give the barest of nods to the remake version. Bob Mitchum and Gregory Peck give nothing up to Deniro and Nolte, but Scorsese's direction makes the difference in the 1991 version. The original, the story of ex-con Mitchum seeking revenge on the man who put him away, remains a chilling bit of genius nevertheless.

Castaway Mike Gadd   Borrowed video from somebody (don't remember who)   24 January 2004 A little late to the game on this one. I got it from someone about 2 years ago but we were just a month away from flying to Florida and I had heard about how realistic the plane crash scene was so we held off. Quite the plane crash too. As lifelike as the train crash in 'The Fugitive'. You certainly have to be in the Tom Hanks fan club to enjoy this movie. I kept thinking of the dude in the book 'Adrift' who floated across the Atlantic. He could have been Tom's body double.

Changking Express Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   18 August 2006 Absorbing and well done, but multiple independent stories touching at a single point work better in threes rather than twos like here.

Charlie Wilson's War Steve Gadd   DVD   03 March 2009

City By the Sea Kristin Schrock   DVD   03 August 2003 Part of my "I shun society" movie-fest. This one has the pretty-pretty James Franco as the junkie son of cop, Robert Dinero. This movie wanted to say something about fathers and sons--and it comes close--but it's not quite there. James Franco does a lovely job, though, and Eliza Dushku appears as his ex-junkie girlfriend.

Closer Steve Gadd   DVD   31 July 2005 This film is populated with movie characters, a species of creature so interesting that it can make major life-altering decisions based on another person's appearance, or having been told a lie, or pure whim. If you see one of these individuals, hang around. They are likely to buy you an expensive drink, or tip you with a diamond ring, or break down in tears and tell you a story.

Coffee and Cigarrettes Kristin Schrock   DVD   02 October 2004 A bunch of actors improvise in various, seemingly unrelated vignettes. I confess, I did doze off in the middle, but I especially enjoyed Bill Murray's bit and Cate Blanchette's.

Cold Mountain Steve Gadd   DVD   03 April 2005 Strangely, I don't know if I would have enjoyed this movie more or less without having read the book. A lot of the appeal was in revisiting the scenes of Inman's long journey home, but I missed the rustic prose. At two and a half hours, it sometimes seemed slow and sometimes seemed like a rushed highlights reel, with major scenes boiled down to their basic elements.

Conan the Barbarian Julie Gephart   Basic cable   31 May 2003 Laugh if you must, but I stand by it as a good movie. And no, I'm not just distracted by all the shiny muscles.

Control Room Jaqi Ross   E Street Theater   22 July 2004 This documentary, shot in Qatar, takes a behind-the-scenes look at Al-Jazeera, the Arab world’s most popular news network, and Central Command, where the international media were headquartered in the run-up and start of the Iraq war. Without being didactic, “Control Room” raises important issues about objectivity and news bias.

Control Room Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark E Street Theatre, Washington, DC   22 July 2004 A documentary that provides a look into the workings of Al-Jazeera television that mainstream Western media probably never will, makes a point, effectively for the most part, that as mass news outlets go, Al Jazeera may have a greater claim to objectivity than most of the ones we're familiar with and, more importantly, that any news outlet plays to a specific audience and that in this day and age, an argument can be made that no reporter is truly objective. Nice to see a documentary with some real insight and analysis for a change.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Mike Gadd   dvd at home   08 May 2003 Only the second subtitled movie I've seen; 'Life is Beautiful' being the first (and worth a ten spot, if anything is), so it took a little while to get used to constantly looking down to read. Sometimes you didn't want to tear your eyes away from the action. I don't know how they kept from lopping off ears and noses with all the swordplay. I can't say I completely understand the end though. Why'd she jump?

Deep Blue Sea Julie Gephart   Basic cable   23 August 2003 Big scary sharks and LL Cool J. All the makings of a fine cinematic experience.

Die Hard Steve Gadd   DVD   11 March 2006 Maybe it was the make-up, but Bruce in "16 Blocks" looked about as old and worn out as Clint Eastwood. We had to restore our memory of his youthful vigor with this classic, in which a skullcrackin' David Addison whups multicultural terrorist butt.

Disney's Holes Mike Gadd   $2 theater with new armrests with cupholders:Nice!   19 July 2003 This movie does a respectable job of not straying very far from the book. It had a decent story that didn't need hollywood to improve it.

Distant Steve Gadd   Landmark E Street Theatre   25 July 2004 The near-absense of dialogue, music, and events make for a long but rewarding movie experience. Snowy scenes of Istanbul made the perfect backdrop.

Donnie Darko Steve Gadd   DVD   15 January 2006 Sure, this was a good movie. It may have lost a point because of the Inflated Expectations factor. Also, whenever a movie has time travel, I have to demand a little more. Significantly, the full-length director's cut didn't seem overlong.

Eight and a Half Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   03 January 2004 Signalling the beginning of Fellini's highly allegorical later period, this is a film essentially about its own making. Undoubtedly chock-full of subtle references, ideas and messages, it is very difficult to track at first, but will no doubt reveal its charms on repeated viewings.

Election Julie Gephart   Basic cable   11 July 2003 Entertaining throughout. Funny but still intelligent.

Elf A Bennett   Milford Gigantic Cineplex--children everywhere.   22 November 2003 Shockingly, refreshingly free of sardonicism. Will Ferrell's amazingly unfettered, unironic performance is nothing short of award-worthy, and Jon Favreau's direction that he play it as such, inspired.

Elf Mike Gadd   $2 theater   18 January 2004 A cute, harmless movie. Several good chuckles. It even had a good rule for life: The gum on the sidewalk, don't eat it. It's not free candy. Fun seeing James Caan in a non serious role.

Elizabeth A Bennett   TiVo'd from USA...now showing historical epics?   23 June 2004 It’s the acting that makes this film what it is. It’s Cate Blanchett’s * * AWESOMELY * * portraying the change in an untried young woman, who must learn what it takes to become a strong sovereign and command the bickering, treasonous men who surround her. It’s Geoffrey Rush saying less than 10 lines the entire film, but watching everything she does as Queen and coming to realize her immense potential for leadership and discipline. When she finally appoints Walsingham as her hammer, it’s a relief to the audience that the two have joined forces. I would like to stress again that Cate Blanchett steals this film, takes it home in her pocket and wears it like she paid for it at the store. Probably a more enjoyable experience if you have a working knowledge of pre-Elizabethan politics. No other film comes to mind that has been able to take an almost ‘death’ moment as its climax and yet make her ending transformation seem so darn triumphant that you’re all but bowing down to your own TV set. Rumor has it the director and Blanchett are keen to make a sequel, detailing the further adventures of one of the greatest female rulers to date.

Escape from Sobibor (1987) A Bennett   Owned DVD   16 October 2003 The most successful death camp escape during World War II saw 300 of Eastern Poland's 600 Sobibor prisoners gain their freedom with the help of Russian Army Jew Rutger Hauer. He's 6' 2"--you'd bloody well escape if he suggested it. A TV movie that's much better than average, ironically pointing out that those who most value life can prove the most impassioned at taking it. Personally, I will never manage to grasp that people who lived through such unnatural times, doing such extraordinary, unreal-to-me things can then go on (as the ending voiceovers/paragraphs of such movies always tell us) to open grocery stores, become accountants, live in Connecticut.

Eternal Sunshine of the *Spotless* Mind Kristin Schrock   Kenwood Theatre   20 March 2004 **EDITED to correct the title. Duh.**I had some expectations, which weren't entirely fulfilled. This wasn't exactly a mind trip, or really that enjoyable. But it was interesting, which is always something, and in the end it was a thoughtful little love story. Better as a rental I think, then forking over the 7 bucks for a ticket.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Steve Gadd   University Mall Theatre   16 June 2004 Two semi-compatible lovers hire Lacuna, Inc. to erase their memories of each other. "Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders."

Facing Windows Steve Gadd   DVD   01 January 2006 I got a disturbing "Lifetime" vibe from this movie, in which all the straight male characters were louts. To be fair, it was quite watchable, with the melodious Italian and beauty of Rome plusses.

Fitzcarraldo Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   19 August 2006 Seeing a film at 2:00 a.m. after a couple of bottles of wine, much less this famously static Herzog/Kinski number, is no way for a respectable person to behave.

Frenchman's Creek (1944) A Bennett   Owned VHS   14 February 2003 A mis-treated court wife (Joan Fontaine) and a wanted-by-the-law pirate (DeCordova) prove that romantic sighing and semi de-fanged pirates (in the role of dashing lover) can not only make a thoroughly romantic film, but also an exciting one, despite its fantastical approach. Based on the DuMaurier novel of the same name.

Gangs of New York Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   17 April 2005 Was going to rate it 6, taking off a full point for the abominable accents, but realized that would mean that I rated Van Helsing higher. Aaarhgh, but those accents, though. Daniel Day-Lewis and John C. Reilly are forgiven, the rest - especially DiCaprio and Diaz - can go hang.

Good Morning Jaqi Ross   Freer Gallery, D.C.   05 March 2004 In this delightful comedy—a perfect introduction to Ozu's lighter side—two young boys take a vow of silence to protest the inanity of adult conversation (not to mention their father's refusal to buy them a television).

Happy Accidents A Bennett   DVD rental   01 January 2003 I spent so much of this enchanting film in knots over what I dreaded the ending to be. And then it wasn't as I had dreaded, so I was just left with enchantment. And happy thoughts where Vincent D'Onofrio is concerned. Which is not a bad trade-off, let me tell you. To share the plot would be to spoil the viewing, but I will say: not, exactly, your typical romantic comedy--too many lively discussions of quantum physics for that. :) And an Anthony Michael Hall cameo.

Happy Accidents Kristin Schrock   DVD   01 January 2003 I think I'm in love with Vincent D'nofrio who perhaps gives the steamiest explanation of the Time Travel (yes, Time Travel) in the history of film. This movie made me wish that I could bear to watch his Law & Order show.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Julie Gephart   Borrowed DVD   01 July 2003 In a miraculous turn of events, I was not incredibly annoyed by the CGI character Dobby. This prompts me to tentatively reconsider watching the Hulk. As a side note, this DVD had the most extra features of any DVD I have personally encountered.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban A Bennett   Milford; post-Cracker Barrel Feast of Feasts   05 June 2004 This is my favorite Potter book. At least to date. The film, while light years beyond the first two, begs the question: if replacing the director made such a marked improvement, how about replacing the screenwriter as well? So many things in this film are engaging. Unfortunately the stripped-down-from-the-book film plot (which boils down to the last third of the film) does not particularly end up being one of them. If the novel were to be properly adaptaed, I'd expect a film more like the mind-bending brawl about identity that was The Usual Suspects. Instead we get something more like what the Olsen Twins' first fantasy film might be like. But that's a mark against the script, as the end result of a film can only be as good as its most basic part. Novel author Rowling gave them more to work with, and that is wherein my regret lies.

Horatio Hornblower IV: The Wrong War A Bennett   Owned VHS   24 March 2004 Has under-explored, unnecessarily inserted 'romance' plot that gums up the action. After all, it's Capt. Pellew and Archie's relationship to Hornblower that really keep these films afloat.

Hot Fuzz Tony Pisarenkov   DVD chez G&N   18 August 2007 Very, very funny.

Hotel Rwanda Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   05 May 2005 Uplifting and chilling portrait of a man protecting refugees during the Rwandan genocide.

House of Sand and Fog Steve Gadd   DVD   24 February 2005 I remember seeing the trailers and thinking that this looked like a bore: some house, the ocean, Gandhi, whatever. But the movie had me hooked halfway through, with its flawed, very human personalities brought together in a realistic scenario -- no gold ingots, car chases, or kidnappings. Great performances, of course. But the tragic twist seemed a bit contrived, a way to engineer the maximum emotional response from the viewer. It's sad all right, but it feels a bit manipulative.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Mike Gadd   dvd   06 August 2003 I didn't expect to laugh this hard for this movie. It's not often I have to rewind a movie because I've missed some lines due to a good belly laugh. The two guys from the office had more than their share of good lines. I also enjoyed the 'sensitive movie goer' and the 'old concession stand worker'. The wheels started to fall off at the end but overall it was a pleasant experience.

Hustle and Flow Steve Gadd   Countryside Megaplex   12 August 2005 A very good movie, with another (after "Crash") great performance in the lead role. Avoid it if you have any hang-ups about subject-verb agreement or standard pronunciation.

I am Sam Steve Gadd   VHS at home   22 October 2002 Sean Penn redeems his reputation in my book with this sentimental Rain Man variant. Well over two hours, but it didn't seem that long. I did get a bit tired of the shakycam and blue filter techniques.

Ice Age Mike Gadd   DVD at home   27 December 2002 Fun for the whole family. We saw it at the theater and the dvd was a christmas present. After the movie was over don't you know we had to watch every minute of bonus material we could squeeze out of disk 2. I enjoyed watching the actors read the parts as much as it did watching the show.

Ice Harvest Kristin Schrock   Showcase Cinemas Norwood (Bargain Tuesdays)   29 November 2005 I was playing hooky from work, so I was pretty much going to enjoy anything. This one is a darker Gross-Pointe Blank that doesn't quite work, but John Cusack can pretty much sell me on anything.

Identity Steve Gadd   DVD   24 November 2004 This movie gets an extra point for saving us from "The Transporter," which was great in concept but awful in execution. John "Bad Tipper" Cusack plays an ex-cop having a very bad day, a nightmare in fact. You don't have much chance at guessing who the killer is, but the result is satisfying.

Imitation of Life Julie Gephart   Basic cable   17 April 2004 Lana Turner totally falls in love with her maid, except somehow the movie keeps pretending instead that she’s in love with Handsome Jerk, who repeatedly sulks off when she has the nerve to have career success. Actually a surprisingly thought-provoking movie for 1959 Hollywood, as it is largely about the black maid’s daughter who appears white and constantly struggles to disassociate herself from her mother.

In America A Bennett   Hollywood Video DVD   31 May 2004 It's not an Irish story, but an American one, see? With some cutie wee bairns and a (supposedly) ill Djimon Hounsou that looks more like carnal (yet angelic) perfection. Samantha Morton,--who rocks as an actress--has yet to win me over to her chemo-survivor haircut. Paddy Considine looks like the Independent Film Channel's version of TV's Ed.

In America Kristin Schrock   DVD   01 June 2004 I think I used to hate Samantha Morton--possibly because she played Jane Eyre in that A&E adaptation. But she's got some chops that will rock your world. This wasn't really what I expected, but a pleasant reprieve from the schlock I normally force upon myself.

In Good Company Kristin Schrock   DVD   17 July 2005 Charming movie that's really a romance between Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace. And, for the most part, it works. My biggest beef--the film used a lot of montages (not a bad thing) which made it seem like a lot of time was passing--but it's unclear how much.

Indiscreet Julie Gephart   Basic cable   28 July 2003 This may be the very first truly grown-up romance I’ve ever seen on film, and I didn’t even realize I was missing such a thing until I saw it. It was a lovely and delightful movie until Cary Grant turned out to be a cad, which just goes to prove I should have trusted my instincts all along. Nobody with that crazy fake accent could be an honest man.

Inner Senses Jaqi Ross   Meyer Auditorium, Freer Museum of Art   16 July 2004 Though it starts out as an obvious Sixth Sense ripoff, Law Chi-Leung and Derek Yee's cerebral horror-thriller is an entertaining and worthy effort. They manage to tell an interesting story with just the right cinematic touch. For a Hong Kong film, this is easily above average work.

Inside Man Steve Gadd   DVD   29 September 2006 Men rob a new way in NYC, but the cop is hip to the MO by the end. Not bad, Mr. Lee.

Insomnia Steve Gadd   Sterling Cinema and Drafthouse   25 August 2002 From Christopher Nolan ('Memento'), a cool thriller set in the nightless and starkly beautiful landscape of Alaska. Al Pacino appears to have given up sleep entirely for this role.

Intimate Strangers Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark Bethesda Row, Bethesda, MD   04 September 2004 The story of a woman who wonders into a tax lawyer's office instead of a psychologist's by mistake, and the peculiar relationship that develops between them when she tells him about her marital problems and he is too much of a chicken to tell her she has the wrong guy. Less hokey than the concept might suggest and more engaging than I expected. A relatively pleasant surprise.

Jane Austen's Emma (1997) Julie Gephart   Basic cable   25 July 2003 If you had told me halfway through that I would actually like Emma by the end, I would not have believed it possible. Therefore, I can only conclude that some sort of hypnosis was at work during the second half of the movie. Thankfully, this was not the version with Gwyneth Paltrow, or I'm sure no amount of hypnosis could have saved her.

Jarhead Casey     27 March 2006 This wasn't one of my favorite movies, it had it times but all over not a great movie.

Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   10 April 2005 English title: The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser. Why they changed it from the far cooler Every Man for Himself and God against All, I'll never know. Based on the true story of Kaspar Hauser, a man who one day appeared in the middle of a German village, apparently having been kept locked in a cellar his entire life up to that point.

Junk Kristin Schrock   DVD   08 November 2003 A japanese zombie movie wherein the American military is evil (natch) and everyone just stands there and waits to be eaten by the zombies that slowly, ever so slowly (there are the undead, after all) creep towards them. Fun because it's so very bad. Also, even though you've been terrorized by the living dead, seen your friends get eaten, you can still laugh at the end and drive away in a brand new Corvette.

Kill Bill Vol 2 Kristin Schrock   Rave Theatre   16 April 2004 I had some expectations for a fun time with this second installment. Unfortunately, the fun fight movie tranformed into a drama. So I'm not sure what to make of it. It would be interesting to see how it plays out as one film. However, as it stands, its similar to when an artist will release a two disc set--one disc is really good, but the second disc, you know they were reaching, and they needed a good producer (in this case editor) to cut away all the excess. Darryl Hannah, however, is quite good and, perhaps, is the brightest part of this. I don't want to give too much away, but I was bothered by the, what do you call it, simplication or elevation of motherhood. It seems that any time a cool character has a kid, all the fun stuff seems to disappear. David Carradine does some speechifying.

Kill Bill Vol. 2 Jaqi Ross   Hollywood video rental   23 August 2004 There were five on her list. Now it's three. O-Ren Ishii and Vernita Green were the first to fall, now The Bride (Uma Thurman) is out to finish the job by killing Elle Driver, Budd, and last of all, Bill (David Carradine). If the final three aren't afraid now, they better start, because she's coming for them. However, something has thrown off her plans a bit. Her daughter (whom she was pregnant with as she was getting married) is still alive. What affect this will have on her quest for vengeance is unclear, but the question is, will The Bride have actually succeeded in completing her ultimate goal, to kill Bill?

Kill Bill: Vol 1 Steve Gadd   Reston Town Center   31 October 2003 Elaborate, choreographed fight sequences as seen in The Matrix, beautiful settings like those of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, with delightful, quirky scenes as seen in Tarantino's other work, and great gushing gouts of blood never before seen by man. Actually, imdb reveals that most of the movie is composed of homages to films that only a kung-fu-loving video store clerk would recognize.

King Kong (2005) A Bennett   Gigantiplex Milford Cinema popcorn, MUG Root Beer   02 January 2006 Probably the largest budget approved by a motion picture studio used to explore the Stockholm Syndrome.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Steven Krise   TiVo in my basement   16 February 2007 Self-aware little film noire-ish piece set in modern Los Angeles. Val Kilmer was wonderful as Gay Perry.

Kontroll Steven Krise   My Basement (TiVo)   05 June 2008 I was expecting a low-budget horror flick, but it turned out to be more of a psychological allegory. Other reviewers have panned its shallowness, but I liked the characters and found the visuals to be arresting.

La Femme Nikita Steve Gadd   DVD   02 August 2005 The music now seems a bit dated, like "Terminator," but it's still a classic thriller.

Le Comte de Monte Cristo A Bennett   BRAVO DVD, avec les sous-titres   27 December 2002 (1998) This 8-hour French adaptation of the novel broke my heart. Because, until three minutes before the end I was entirely enraptured with it. I was making plans to marry Gerard Depardieu (an unlikely choice, yet oddly compelling as the Count). I was so *pleased* with it. And then, in three minutes (180 seconds) it fell apart. And its rating fell from a 10 to a 7. Am I a capricious viewer? Perhaps. I'd like to have some time alone with whoever wrote the ending, though, as it re-writes the novel's. I love this story. Always have. The Count embodies Man's idea of God: vengeful, seemingly subject to unknown whims, without mercy. And yet, of all the characters, it is Monte Cristo himself who is the only true believer. His anger at God and what he perceives to be God's injustice fuels the story and his actions. In attempting to battle the Almighty, the protagonist is the only one who truly acknowledges His existence, for all the other characters spend entire conversations debating it.

Let it Be Me Julie Gephart   Basic cable   05 June 2004 Dancing Guy is in love with Yancy Butler, who is in love with Campbell Scott, who is in love with Jennifer Beals, who is in love with Dancing Guy. Meanwhile, Patrick Stewart (with hair, ew) serves food to Katharine Houghton and buys perfume from Heather Graham, and everybody dances. A lot. I love a good dancing movie.

L'Homme du Train Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   04 December 2006 It has come to my attention that various readers of this site have accused me, based on my review of the despicable Amélie, of being a France-bashing, freedom-fry eating neanderthal. As a refutation, I present a French film I greatly enjoyed: Patrice Leconte's The Man on the Train. Although I must admit I have some doubts as to whether it really is French - I mean, nobody surrenders, there's very little cheese eating, and one scene hints as to a character actually using soap. Hah! I kid because I love. Well, love Audrey Tautou at the end of a trail of blue arrows, I mean. But this film was decent as well: a slow-paced, fascinating character study which totally drew me in until the last five minutes or so ruined everything.

Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Kristin Schrock   DVD   15 May 2005 I'm a big fan of Wes Anderson--and I'd say that bad Wes Anderson is still pretty good. This is a bit too much like Rushmore and Royal Tenenbaums for comfort. That being said--it's not a bad way to spend the time. Also, I do love me some Jeff Goldblum. High points--David Bowie in Portugese and a shout-out to Shackleton.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steven Krise   My basement on DirecTV pay per view   04 October 2003 Far better than the first LOTR offering. Who can complain about an orc being beheaded?

Lost in Translation Steve Gadd   Reston Town Center   15 February 2004 Nicely done story, with great visuals and a terrific set in the Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Lovely and Amazing Kristin Schrock   VHS--Ben's Living Room   26 December 2002 This won't let me do decimal points, but i would give this 7.5. This is by the same woman who did Walking and Talking--a movie I really, really, dare I say, love. Catherine Keener does unhappy woman like no one else. But even though it was enjoyable, the pay-off at the end was not there and themes that the whole movie plays with were sort of left undeveloped.

M Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   03 July 2005 Fritz Lang's portrait of a serial killer. Interesting to see how little the portrayal of forensic investigation techniques in film has evolved since 1931. We've gotten much better at scripting endings, though.

Maria Full of Grace Jennifer Strang   Landmark Bethesda Row   03 August 2004 Disturbing portrayal of three young women who are hired as "drug mules" to deliver drugs from Columbia to New York. Definitely a side of the drug trade that is rarely seen. Highly recommended.

Maria Full of Grace Tony Pisarenkov   Landmark Theatre, Bethesda, MD   03 August 2004 A simple but not simple-minded film about Colombian drug mules, the ugly truth of their trade and their misadventures in New York after an operation goes bad. Powerful in its directness.

Maria Full of Grace Steve Gadd   DVD   30 May 2005 Fed up with her job de-thorning roses, Maria decides to take a chance and smuggle 62 packets of cocaine in her stomach.

Matchstick Men Mike Gadd   Some backwoods theater in Slidel, MS   19 September 2003 Killing time before flying home, this was the best choice out of 4. Nick Cage is back on his game as a con man with a severe case of OCD. Plenty of facial tics and Slingblade-like grunts. What was amusing for me is that some of the stuff they had him doing as a result of his OCD seemed perfectly normal to me.

Mean Creek Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   24 September 2005 Punks plot prank on porker, problems pop up, punks pule plaintively.

Michael Clayton Steve Gadd   Flexplay DVD   04 April 2009 Seven stars for the movie, which was nothing less or more than expected. And a 9.5 for the Flexplay DVD format. For the price of a rental, you get a pristine unscratched disc and two days to watch it, with nothing to return. The only downside is the barebones menu with no extras.

Minority Report Mike Gadd   dvd rental   01 June 2003 A full movie experience. Fun to watch and certainly one to get the brain juices working. There's issues with the whole idea of changing the future after seeing what's coming. Short Tom Cruise sees something bad that's going to happen 36 hours into his future so he runs around trying to stop it from occuring. He's told that he has kicked off a series of events that will lead to this event. Now, if he hadn't seen what the future held then he wouldn't have been running around trying to stop it. Would it have still happened? Who knows. I really enjoyed the eye scanning spiders.

Misery Mike Gadd   TBS or something like it   29 August 2003 An excellent example of how fine acting can carry a simple story. Bates and Caan do an incredible job. I had to turn the channel for the hobbling scene. Once was enough.

Miss Congeniality Julie Gephart   Mysteriously free HBO   06 January 2003 More fun after we got out of bumbling cop-world and into pageant-world. There were typically lame and stilted moments like in every Big Comedy, but there were fun parts too. If I have to watch a comedy, I'm all for Sandra Bullock being in it.

Miss Rose White A Bennett   Owned VHS   12 April 2003 Yes, again, me with the WWII. And why not? There's drama for you, there's horror and immediacy, and, I don't know--hurt/comfort? Angst? Oppressed people groups? Everything I needs me in a moving picture. From the play "A Shyana Meidel" (I probably mis-spelled that). Perhaps a bit talky, but the writing is good and the acting (particularly Amanda Plummer) is affecting enough to still grab me by the guts after multiple viewings. Rose White, American, tries to deal with her past as Polish immigrint Raizel Weiss, when her sister (whom she has not seen for 17 years), who was in a camp comes to New York five years after the war is over and disrupts Rose's carefully created world.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Steve Gadd   Countryside Megaplex   22 July 2005 The only movie cliche missing was the one with the hero hanging over a chasm by a little root.

Mrs. Miniver (1942) A Bennett   Hollywood Video Rental VHS   13 February 2003 An interesting look at the propaganda machine in Hollywood during WWII. And, not a bad film to boot. If I was ever staring down an escaped German flyer in my British kitchen, I'd want Greer Garson right there with me--that is, if Xena (always a first choice in any situation) were busy elsewhere and couldn't make it. Per Tonya, the eldest Miniver child's name (Vin) is said over 90 times in this film. How's that for partiality?

My Big Fat Greek Wedding A Bennett   Kentucky Great Escape 18 Movie House   30 August 2002 I cannot imagine a single, living person that I would enjoy spending time with not smiling and laughing repeatedly while watching this film.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding Kristin Schrock   Theatre   04 September 2002 A definite crowd pleaser. It was only when I started to think about it, that the movie started to bother me--happy endings and all that. But that's just me. I'm a cold-cold hearted person. I'm sure you'll love it.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding Steve Gadd   DVD   10 July 2003 Still enjoyable on second viewing.

Mystic River Steve Gadd   Reston Town Center   23 January 2004 Clint Eastwood directs a good story about three Boston kids whose lives cross again years later. Despite some unnecessary flourishes and plot problems, the story keeps your attention and the star performances are watchable.

Mystic River Jaqi Ross   Hollywood video rental   12 September 2004 Three childhood friends (Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon) are reunited in Boston when Penn's daughter is murdered. Robbins was molested as a boy and still shows the scars of it. On the night of the murder he arrives home covered with blood. He tells his wife that he killed a mugger... but there's nothing in the paper the next few days. Penn is desperate to find the killer and Bacon plays a member of the Boston police who tries to figure out what happened. Slow pace and moody cinematography make this film.

Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas) Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   06 June 2005 Slick con film from Argentina. Gastón Pauls and Ricardo Darín are excellent and I wasn't completely sure until the very end which one was the mark. Remade in English as "Criminal", with John C. Reilly.

Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas) Steve Gadd   DVD   10 October 2005 A small time con man teams up with a master to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime operation. Naturally, things get interesting you start to wonder who is scamming who. Filmed in Buenos Aires just before things got really bad there.

No Highway in the Sky Julie Gephart   Basic cable   24 July 2004 I liked at least the first part of this so much that I can’t even mock it. Jimmy Stewart is an obsessed scientist, stereotypically removed from people and emotions and Real Life. He’s developed a theory that the newest airplane model will develop fatal stress fractures after a certain number of hours in flight, and his detached fascination with the idea gets a human jolt upon discovery that his trans-Atlantic flight is an early prototype of that model, rapidly approaching the critical point in his theory.

North by Northwest Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   04 April 2005 The crop duster; Mt. Rushmore; Eva Marie Saint.

Nowhere to Hide Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   21 September 2005 A buddy cop film from South Korea. Kind of formulaic, but well-made and interesting.

Ocean's Eleven (1960) Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   28 March 2005 First in a series of "How does the original compare?" films. O11, the original, is less focused on the details of the heist, and more on the characters and their relationships, than its successor. It won't be mistaken for a masterpiece of characterization, however. The Rat Pack, as usual, basically play themselves (smooth Sammy, goofy Dean, charismatic Frank, etc.). In this version Billy O. does not make off with as big a haul, but he's not saddled with Julia Roberts in the end either, so it's basically a wash.

One Hour Photo Mike Gadd   dvd at home   31 March 2003 Robin Williams makes a wonderful nutjob. Tightly filmed and intense at times.

Pirates of the Caribbean Julie Gephart   Airplane   19 December 2003 I’m not cool enough to call it “The Pirate Movie,” especially since I didn’t pay to watch it. United Airlines thought to distract us from the fact that we were sitting on the runway for an hour by starting the movie, and it sort of worked. The movie was fun, but it probably lost a little something on the five-inch screen.

Pirates of the Caribbean Steve Gadd   DVD   12 May 2004 Entertaining as promised.

Raiders of the Lost Ark Julie Gephart   Basic cable   29 May 2004 Things I remembered about this movie: giant rolling ball, snake pit, melting faces. Things I had forgotten: how hot Harrison Ford looked with stubble, the fact that Margot-Kidder-alike women must have been the bee’s knees at some strange point in time.

Red Eye Kristin Schrock   DVD   29 January 2006 Servicable thriller. I didn't quite buy the shift from crying victim to kick-a** herione. But it did feature Veronica Mars' Beaver (the character) credited as "Headphone Kid's brother".

Reign of Fire (a.k.a. the Dragon Movie) Kristin Schrock   Theatre   16 September 2002 Rated high for enjoyment level, not quality. In the words of Jennifer Beals, "This isn't a peace treaty." But I haven't had this much fun at the theatre in a very long time. It's even better when you queer the movie: The Bale's love for Gerard Butler (who played Atilla the Hun as a gentle lover) is tested in a dystopian world when a crazy, totally buff Matthew McCaughnahey comes to save the day.

Requiem For A Dream Steven Krise   My Basement (NetFlix)   06 March 2008 I've never felt like I've physically had the wind knocked out of me by a sequence of images in a movie. The Office is a fairly good palate cleanser.

Reservoir Dogs Steve Gadd   DVD   12 January 2005 Despite inflated expectations, this movie held up well. Story, storytelling, and dialog make it work.

Rollerball (1970 Version) Kristin Schrock   DVD   19 June 2004 Better than I expected--corporations are evil, 'mkay, but humanity cannot be repressed forever as Rollerball Star James Caan resists the corporate directive to retire. The Rollerball games are overlong and it's somewhat predictable, but not a bad way to spend a cable-less evening.

Romeo Must Die A Bennett   Hollywood Video DVD   06 April 2003 In fair Verona (San Francisco), where we lay our scene/Two houses (Black - Chinese), both alike in dignity/From ancient grudgebreak to new mutiny. Finally, a film that proves once and for all that the NFL is, unquestionably, evil. Romeo and Juliet, if Romeo (Jet Li) began the play banished, the Capulets and Montagues were warring mafia/gangs, and both Tybalt and Mercutio were each trying to engineer hostile takeovers of their master's territory. Dad-gum-it, I *enjoyed* this film. Jet Li TEARS UP the screen when he fights--and any scene where he's allowed to speak Chinese. Aaliyah brings the charisma, and together they actually have some interesting "opposites attract" chemistry. Could have been more tightly scripted, or cut to an hour and a half. Julie, I miss you, good person with which to view fu.

Run Lola Run Steve Gadd   DVD   03 March 2005 Little more than an extended music video, this film has just the right color and tempo for a nice cinematic buzz.

Seabiscuit Ray Hunley   HBO   03 July 2005 This is the second movie I've seen which features Chris Cooper's character shouting "Turn him loose!" It always chokes me up.

Shanghai Knights Kristin Schrock   Theatre   08 February 2003 My new boyfriend Owen Wilson is very, very funny. A mindless romp with an inspired "Singing in the Rain" fight sequence. The bloopers at the end had me in tears. I would've watched an entire movie of those.

Shrek Steve Gadd   DVD   11 May 2005 Cute. Not as technically accomplished as "The Incredibles," but with more double entendres and fart jokes.

Sicko Steve Gadd   BitTorrent Cinema   26 July 2007 Another entertaining bit of propaganda, making the (entirely one-sided) case that American healthcare is messed up, and Canadian, British, French, and Cuban healthcare is tip-top.

Sin City Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   02 September 2005 Darker and more cartoonish than I expected, but I'm not complaining. The experience really was like reading a Frank Miller graphic novel. I hope he has as much influence in the upcoming V for Vendetta.

Slumdog Millionaire Steve Gadd   Regal Countryside Cinema   16 January 2009

Something's Gotta Give Mike Gadd   Dvd rental   27 July 2004 Not a bad movie overall. Certainly well acted though the wailing got old after a while. It seemed that Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton's faces were distorted using claymation at times. Something not quite right at watching old people make out either.

Spiderman Mike Gadd   DVD at home   31 December 2002 New Years Eve viewing with the kids. A fun movie not unlike the first Batman. Good special fx with the web swinger sailing through downtown NYC. From what I hear it stayed true to the comic book.

Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie Kristin Schrock   DVD (rented for an 8 year old)   01 April 2005 I enjoy the Spongebob cartoon. The movie seemed overlong and there was singing--but, dude, David Hasselhoff. It's really no wonder that the Germans love him so.

Stephen King's IT Jeff Gadd   Video   28 October 2002 A very creepy movie of a monster that is a clown or looks like a clown.Some familiar actors,but not all.NOT a movie to watch alone. IT is a very strange movie.

Super Size Me Jaqi Ross   Hollywood video rental   11 October 2004 Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock makes himself a test subject of this documentary about the commercial food industry. Rigorously eating a diet of McDonald's fast food, three times a day for a month straight. Spurlock is out to prove the physical and mental effects of consuming fast food. Amusing social commentary.

Supersize Me Steve Gadd   DVD   11 August 2005 With its light touch and sharp editing, this exposé was more entertaining and less heavyhanded than expected. (Thanks, Tony, for the encouraging nudge.)

Suspicion Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   05 April 2005 Joan Fontaine tries to decide whether Cary Grant is a murderer, or just a scampish rake in this Hitchcock classic. Nigel Bruce steals the show as "Beaky" Thwaite, Grant's bumbling friend / possible victim.

Sweet and Lowdown Tony Pisarenkov   VHS at home   20 December 2003 A well-done dramatization of the life of Emmett Ray, the self-described second greatest guitar player in the world. Both Sean Penn and Smanatha Morton deliver excellent performances. Recommended.

Sweet and Lowdown Jennifer Strang   VHS at home   20 December 2003 An excellent bio (directed by Woody Allen) about Emmet Ray, a guitarist who enjoyed a brief period of fame in the 1930s. Sean Penn was great as the egotistical and self-destructive performer, and Samantha Morton very convincing as his mute girlfriend.

Sweet Home Alabama A Bennett   Great Escape 14 in Wilder, KY   19 October 2002 I will never be a Reese Witherspoon fan. That said, this film was enjoyable, there were some laughs, the husband did a quite nice job with his part. Script stumbled where most romantic comedies (romcoms) do anymore, but manage to make me not notice so much until after the credits rolled.

Terminal Steve Gadd   DVD   04 December 2004 Another one man show for Tom Hanks, this one with minor characters more interesting than a volleyball.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Steven Krise   R/C Theater in Frederick   05 July 2003 In a number of ways this is a re-make of T2, however, it's better than T2 every could hope to be. We finally get to see the all important moment when Skynet becomes self-aware. Also, given the advances in computer technology in the 15 years since the first Terminator, there's now a plausible mechanism for Skynet's awakening.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Kristin Schrock   DVD at my Brother's House with no pumpkin pie   29 November 2003 This movie worked hard to explain why there's a third movie when "judgment day" was stopped in T2. Except we all knew there had to be a war against the machines, otherwise there can be no John Conner--his father's from the future. Competent enough, but I did miss bad a** Linda Hamilton.

The Battle of Algiers Steve Gadd   DVD   21 February 2005 A celebrated documentaty shot on location, telling the story of the uprising leading to Algerian independence from France.

The Birdcage Steve Gadd   DVD   08 May 2005 Maybe not quite as funny the second time because of inflated memories of how funny it was the first time.

The Bourne Identity (2002) A Bennett   Hollywood Video   06 June 2003 To me, Matt Damon is like broccoli. I don’t like it, but if it stays out of my way I mostly don’t mind its actual existence. That said, this film was not unpleasant to watch, albeit forgettable on the whole. Written before Total Recall, The Long Kiss Goodnight, the Alias finale (though probably not before Spellbound), its subject matter of hysterical amnesia is always going to prove a compelling twist (as the Lifetime Channel attempts to illustrate for us again and again) to any storyline--and even more so to a story with espionage-ish run-for-your-life ties. Proficient characters are always good to watch, Damon’s many accents and languages seemed well-done and none of them inspired me to snicker at him behind my hand. Also, this film understood something essential about the stalking bad guy: the less he speaks the scarier he is. Viewing this really made me want to re-watch the Jacklyn Smith/Richard Chamberlain version from my youth, for which I still harbor pleasant memories.

The Cat's Meow Kristin Schrock   VHS   04 September 2002 As you probably already guessed, Alicia and I tend to watch the same movies. I enjoyed this one a little more than she did. About a bunch of Hollywood rich people out on a boat, it's a mystery that's not really a mystery, with characters that have their own motivations. Wonderful performances by Eddie Izzard, Edward Herman, Kirsten Dunst, and Cary Elwes.

The DaVinci Code Natalie Williams   DVD at home   05 February 2007 I love the subject, and the movie was ok... kind of hard to do justice to the book. The extras were great tho!

The Day After Tomorrow Julie Gephart   Actual theater in Woodinville   06 June 2004 The visuals made up for the lame writing.

The Departed Steve Gadd   Fairfax Towne Center   08 December 2006 A festival of capping.

The Descent Steven Krise   The Regal Super Happy MegaPlex 16   20 August 2006 Women battle "demons" underground. or Monsters in a cave.

The Edge of Heaven Steve Gadd   DVD   15 December 2007 Not my favorite of Fatih Akin's work, but enjoyable enough.

The French Connection Tony Pisarenkov   DVD at home   19 November 2006 Classic suspense from a time when even an Oscar-winning Hollywood blockbuster could deprive you of any satisfaction at the end.

The Game Steve Gadd   DVD   30 January 2005 There's nothing like watching this movie for the first time, and it's almost as much fun watching it with someone else who hasn't seen it.

The Good Girl Steve Gadd   DVD   03 July 2003 I haven't been able to put my finger on what I liked about this movie. It was a simple story with convincing characters and good pacing, I guess that was enough. A couple of glasses of wine probably didn't hurt either.

The Good Shephard Steven Krise   Regal Cinemas, Fredneck   23 December 2006 "We make sure the wars are small."

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Kristin Schrock   DVD   24 December 2005 There was something missing from this movie. I think it was silliness. There's an opening song with Dolphins that I think captured the essence of the book--but it didn't last. Sam Rockwell, as always, was wonderful.

The Humiliated Jaqi Ross   National Gallery of Art, D.C.   18 January 2004 In The Humiliated, Jesper Jargil closely tracks Von Trier's conduct while shooting the controversial Dogme 95 film The Idiots.

The Italian Job Kristin Schrock   DVD--Marky Mark Double Feature   04 January 2004 A fun romp that didn't have nearly enough kissing. When you have two attractive leads, it only seems logical that they should lock lips. But, this did continue the tradition of featuring Edward Norton in his underwear.

The Italian Job (1969) Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   31 March 2005 Third in the "originals" series. This film lacks the revenge angle of its successor, which I haven't decided yet is a feature or a bug. However, it gets at least one full point for casting Benny Hill as a concupiscent computer expert with an eye for the rubenesque. The cliff-hanger ending gives the nod to this movie over the 2003 version.

The Journey Jaqi Ross   Hollywood video rental   13 September 2004 After college, Eric Saperston bought a 1971 Volkswagen Bus, took his Golden Retriever, Jack, and set out to follow The Grateful Dead and work a ski season in Aspen. While out on the road, he called up some of the most powerful people in the world and asked them out for a cup of coffee.

The Ladykillers Steve Gadd   Reston Town Center   31 March 2004 You can hardly go wrong with the Brothers Coen. This comedy remake has all the elements: a great lead, an oddly amusing plot, and a great soundtrack. I didn't notice any fixation on round spinning objects, however.

The Ladykillers Kristin Schrock   DVD   21 November 2004 Not the comedy the previews led you to believe, but a fun movie regardless with a few chuckles--of the dark variety. Also fun to view it in French (Hooray for the DVD!). The movie hinges on the eccentric characters that make up this movie universe. Tom Hanks is in the role originated by Sir Alec Guiness is in fine form--but, of course, now I'm curious about the original. And if you look closely, you'll see Bruce Campbell who is on screen for maybe two seconds--but I'd recognize that chin anywhere.

The Life Aquatic gareth   the cellar   08 July 2005 A few would-be Wes Anderson fans had given me fairly sour reviews of this film, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Though it could be described, as one such nay-sayer put it, as another installment in the developing American theme of "middle-aged men behaving badly," but if that's the worst one can say about it, then ride on, Wes I expect some people don't like watching low-down main characters, or perhaps simply aren't acclimated to a land-free shooting location. Nevertheless, The Life Aquatic has everything I've come to expect from Anderson's films: gorgeous interiors that pique the imagination and evoke an almost, but not quite real world effect; an entertaining cast of characters, each capable of surprising us at any moment with an unexpected, but not non-sequitur action; a story which simply refuses to order itself according to any lines of profluence, or around any central plot, besides the one so absurd we don't really take it seriously in the first place; an extremely light and subtle humor, which never dwells on its tiny, brilliant jokes; and of course, that strange mixture of the comic, tragic, and farcical that never quite allows the viewer to settle into genre-expectations as a means of short-circuiting the film's most powerful content. In addition to Anderson's cast of regulars, Jeff Goldblum and Willem Dafoe play some of the funniest roles I can remember having seen. Thoroughly enjoyed it. When I wasn't wincing over the follies of our protagonist, that is. No, I guess I enjoyed that too.

The Lives of Others Steve Gadd   Cinema Arts Theatre   20 April 2007

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Steven Krise   Regal Cinemas, Countryside   08 February 2004 Probably the best of three movies, in my uncultured opinion. I didn't even notice the over-long 3 hours slip by. We get see Gandalf kick serious orc ass this go' round in two-weapon fightin' style. I found the demise of the Witch King to be anti-climactic, though. Still, it was almost worth the $9.00 I paid for admission.

The Million Dollar Hotel Steven Krise   IFC on DirecTV (in my basement)   13 December 2004 A Bono-Wim Wenders joint venture-ish thing (B co-wrote the original screen play). The movie plods along at points, but has quirky enough characters and interesting enough soundtrack to overcome its deficits and bring through to the end. Includes Mel Gibson as a slightly psychotic FBI agent who had a 3rd arm removed from his back recently and Milla Jovovich as a sort mentally ill Hollywood Skid Row Madonna-Whore.

The Pirate movie Mike Gadd   $2 theater   15 November 2003 Went again with the kids this time. I think I enjoyed it a little more now that I know Johnny Depp was inspired by Keith Ritchards for his character. I did regret the free refill of the large popcorn later.

The Quiet American Steve Gadd   DVD   14 September 2003 A love triangle slowly unravels in Saigon. Graham Greene's understated drama works well without being showy.

The Return of Frank James Julie Gephart   Basic cable   04 January 2004 Frank James done lit out after them cowardly scoundrels what shot Jesse in the back. Old Frank is a good boy, though, and he never did kill nobody.

The Ring Julie Gephart   DVD   18 October 2003 I was worried, because I don’t really watch scary movies anymore, but it all turned out ok. Interesting, but not too scary. It also helps to always plan to sit next to someone who is going to be way more scared than you are.

The Road to Perdition Mike Gadd   dvd at home   29 March 2003 Not exactly the feel-good movie of the year but still well done. The acting was solid (especially the boy - I'm always impressed when a young person acts like a normal young person and not a grown up version of one; see: Signs, The Sixth Sense). The perfect ending would have happened 10 minutes before the actual one.

The Rookie Mike Gadd   dvd at home   11 May 2003 One of the best sports movies out there. I realize it's been jazzed up for Hollywood but at least they used real athletes to throw the ball around. Based on a true story, I remember following this guy's stats in the paper after the days he would pitch. It was quite an achievement.

The Search for Robert Johnson Steven Krise   In the kids' playhouse in my basement   16 February 2005 Seems to be based largely on the same body of investigative evidence as the book I just finished (some of the dialogue is directly quoted from the book), though, I don't think the works are intentionally related. Interesting in that it puts faces to the names that surround the story of Robert Johnson, but it would have been vastly improved if John Hammond had let RL sing for himself instead of trying to hack out some of Johnson's songs.

The Straight Story Steve Gadd   DVD   03 May 2005 David Lynch and Disney team up to present -- that's right, David Lynch and Disney -- to present the story of Alvin Straight, who at age 73 decided to reconcile with his ailing brother. Without a driver's license and stubbornly independent, he rode his John Deere lawnmower for five weeks to make the trip. Lynch's musical collaborator Angelo Badalamenti adapts to the easygoing pace nicely, adding a folksy score with few hints of spookiness.

The Sum of All Fears Steve Gadd   DVD   14 September 2003 Strange how the main plot of extremists sparking a war of nuclear powers is so convincing, but the details are so unrealistic. The director of the CIA can't be reached by his top lieutenant because he can't hear his cell phone at a football game. A bit later, after a nuclear explosion, the hero has no problem making cell phone calls from ground zero, though it's no use to the director, who dies abandoned in a dark corner of a hospital while doctors do "whatever they can" for hopelessly injured victims.

The Village Mike Gadd   Martinsburg Regal   30 July 2004 Not as good as Signs, but still quite effective on many levels. I read most of the 'professional' reviews afterwards and was extremely disappointed with how much they give away. Some incredible acting done by Ron Howard's daughter.

The X-Men Jeff Gadd   Video   16 June 2003 Interesting if you are into mutants. The Marvel Corportation is doing great in making there comics into movies.

They Live Steven Krise   My basement on AMC   31 October 2003 Let's face it, John Carpenter's movies suck (cf that vampire one with the thick Baldwin in it), but at least they suck in a way that makes them fun to watch. Who else would have the balls to put Rowdy Roddy Piper in the lead of a "sci-fi, aliens have taken over the world and only a handful of us can see them by wearing these stylish sunglasses" flick? You don't see that "ET" guy doing it?

This Film is Not Yet Rated Tony Pisarenkov   Cineplex Odeon Dupont Circle, Washington, DC   07 October 2006 A humorous, but under the surface chilling, investigation of the MPAA and its ultra-secretive ratings board. Reasonably well done, and brings much needed focus to the fact that while the freedom of expression in the US is indeed great, the freedom to bring this expression to the masses is strictly controlled.

Thumbsucker Kristin Schrock   DVD   29 January 2006 It's a bit too in love with itself--with it's disaffected teen-coming of age-plot. But Tilda Swinton plays said disaffected teen's mom--and I'll pretty much watch her in anything.

Tom Dowd & the Language of Music Tony Pisarenkov   DC Visions, Washington, DC   19 August 2004 A documentary about recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd who was responsible for capturing everyone from Charlie Parker through Aretha Franklin to Eric Claption on tape as well as pioneering many modern recording techniques (including first commercial use of multi-tracking). Occasionally heavy on technical details of the recording process, and I wish more vintage studio footage was included (I am sure it would have been if it existed), but on balance a fascinating portrait of the world of recorded music from the 1940s onwards and the man who made most of it happen.

Touchez Pas au Grisbi Tony Pisarenkov   AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD   19 October 2003 With the incomparable Jean Gabin (of The Grand Illusion fame) in the lead, and a very young Jeanne Moreau, this is not a story of a specific heist so much as a portrayal of the criminal underground of post-war Paris. Well filmed, well written, with hefty doses of the French "savoir vivre." Plays very much like a period piece now, but still very enjoyable.

Two Weeks' Notice A Bennett   Whistler's Other Video Store   12 April 2005 One of the better (the best, even?) romcoms to come out in the last five years. Bullock & Grant should re-team. An even better script would surely create even better results.

Vampyros Lesbos Steven Krise   My Basement (TiVoed off of Sundance Channel)   13 June 2007 To quote Alan Cummings, "It manages to defy all categories it could easily be pigeonholed into and has a tone and atmosphere all its own. Oh, and did I mention there's loads of tits in it?"

Van Helsing Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   15 April 2005 Of course there were lame plot devices and ridiculous dialog, but it worked great as what it was. Quite entertaining, if you allow it to be.

Vanilla Sky Steve Gadd   DVD   23 February 2005 The "what is dream and what is reality" has been done before (see Cronenberg) but this remake has nice production values, and I really like the finale.

Volcano High (Whasango) Julie Gephart   Basic cable   07 February 2004 This movie would have been way better with drugs a bit stronger than my chosen cold medicine. Apparently this was a specialized MTV dub wherein the soundtrack was hip-hop and all of the characters were voiced by rappers, giving it quite a surreal feeling against the Korean kung-fu visuals. The visual effects and fights were remarkably good.

Whale Rider Ray Hunley   Netflix DVD   09 April 2005 A story about the special relationship young girls have with their whales. Keisha Castle-Hughes really is brilliant in this absorbing portrait of Maori life.

What About Bob Mike Gadd   Dvd purchased at Target for $5.50   10 August 2004 An old favorite that was too cheap to not pick up. Bill Murray at his goofy best.

What Lies Beneath Mike Gadd   dvd at home   29 March 2003 This movie's been sitting around the house waiting to get watched. It wouldn't be nearly as good of a movie without Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, both whom seem to be aging gracefully.

What's Love Got To Do With It Julie Gephart   Basic cable   22 February 2004 I would like to nominate Angela Bassett’s Arms for a co-starring role in every single movie I watch for the rest of my life.

Wild Strawberries Tony Pisarenkov   National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC   17 July 2004 A story of an old doctor reminiscing about his childhood and youth and realizing his failure as a human being even as he was a great success professionaly. Bergman's appropriately bleak allegories and a subtext of Swedish society in the 1950s struggling with its Lutheran inflexibility and encoraching modernity make this a small masterpiece, however rough around the edges it appears today.

Without a Trace (Sin Dejar Huella) Steve Gadd   DVD   03 June 2005 Aurelia and Ana, each fleeing their own troubles, hook up on a road trip from Ciudad Juarez to Cancun. A drug dealing ex-boyfriend and corrupt federales on their tail keep the pressure on, but the movie frequently loiters over achingly beautiful scenes along Mexico's eastern coast.

Woman of the Year (1942) Julie Gephart   Basic cable   13 September 2003 The first of the Hepburn/Tracy movies, and my favorite so far. I thought it was going to preach at me about how a woman can’t have a career and be a good wife, but it came through with fairly flying colors.