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1408
Twists and turns abound in 1408. At last! A film adaptation of a Stephen King story that is actually scary! John Cusack does an admirable job and carries the whole movie while Samuel L. Jackson is hardly in it. This INTENSE film has hardly any gore at all, and is one of the few examples of how a PG-13 movie can be truly chill-up-your-spine inducing, sweaty-palm scary. 4 Stars Out of 5
The 40 Year Old Virgin
In The 40 Year Old Virgin, Steve Carell shows that he is leading man material, and again displays what we have known for a long time…he is funny! The film is crude in a few places, and at times downright crass, but it has a heart in-between all the hilarity. I laughed a lot. You will too. 4 Stars Out of 5
Fahrenheit 911
Fahrenheit 911 plays fast and loose with the truth, and is clearly out to sully President Bush. It is categorized as a documentary. This should probably be called a mockumentary as many of the things in the film have little basis in fact. I tried to watch this with my political opinions set aside. I think Michael Moore is a pretty good film maker. I seldom agree with his politics, however. Here, he employs a subliminal film making technique. When subjects in the film agree with the film maker, he shows them clearly and in focus. When they disagree, he blurs the image. Bush is shown with a distorted, blurred image most of the time. Perhaps Moore has let passion for his goal get in the way of making a good film. This is a heavy handed attempt to unseat our current administration. He is overdramatic in his narration and writing, and the result is not as funny or as entertaining as his past films. 2 Stars Out of 5
Failure to Launch
Failure To Launch is better than I thought it would be. The movie is only somewhat amusing, but Zooey Deschanel steals every scene she's in with her hilarious performance as Sarah Jessica Parker's roommate. Unfortunately, she's not in the movie enough. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey have no chemistry whatsoever. Their performances leave much to be desired. The plot has loads of gaps in logic, and gives us a silly end. And speaking of ends, I could have done without seeing Terry Bradshaw's naked hind end. That has forever scarred me. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Family Stone
The Family Stone is an erratic film that moves suddenly from comedic to weepy and back to comedic again. Very good performances from Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams keep things going. But the film suffers from one major problem. Sarah Jessica Parker's character is too unlikable and unbelievable. I kept asking myself how anyone so socially retarded could have any kind of relationship, let alone have any kind of business success! Parker's performance is curiously flat. She doesn't even know what to do with it. Overall, the film has moments of fun, but is ultimately not terribly satisfying. 3 Stars Out of 5
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer begs the question, why are all the superheroes dancing this year? First we had to labor through Spiderman, now, Mr. Fantastic cuts a rug. Note to the studios: Please stop. This is shorter than the first film, and it gets right into the action. It's better, but still far from fantastic. But the greatest sin of this film is making Jessica Alba, arguably one of Hollywood's great beauties, look like a weird albino with blue contacts, pasty white makeup and too blonde hair. Another note to the studios: Please! Stop! 3 Stars Out of 5
Far From Heaven
Far From Heaven, should get a Best Actress Oscar for Julianne Moore. She plays the perfect wife with a perfect family in a perfect house in the 1950's. Underneath the illusion, are things that aren't so tidy. This film is shot in rich vivid colors evocative of an old color postcard. Also stars Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert. An important film that makes us appreciate how far we've come.5 Stars Out of 5
The Fast and The Furious Tokyo Drift
The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift follows the same basic formula as the first two in the series. Loud, exciting action with pretty women and prettier cars coupled with melodramatic bad acting and bad dialogue. This time we get some pseudo oriental wisdom thrown in. It's a mind numbing guilty pleasure. There is a disclaimer at the end warning people not to try drifting, but by that time they are already heading to the parking lot and revving up their engines. 3 Stars Out of 5
Fast Food Nation
Fast Food Nation seems entertaining at first, but becomes tired after the first 30 minutes or so and then turns decidedly politically left, demeaning corporations and lauding eco-terrorists and illegal aliens. It climaxes with actual scenes of animals being slaughtered making for a bleak, nasty, and thoroughly unenjoyable experience. 2 Stars Out of 5
Fear dot com
In this, people are going crazy and bleeding from the eyes but it's not the Ebola virus...it might be that they watched this movie! I'm not sure who the film makers had in mind when they made this picture, and I don't think I want to! There is some obvious talent at work here. The film is technically well done. But it deals mostly with the torture and killing of young women. It's lurid, exploitative, gruesome, repulsive, and yes, it is scary. But the scariest part of this movie is that people will actually pay to see it. 2 Stars Out of 5
Jet Li's Fearless
Jet Li's Fearless is billed as his last martial arts film. Good. If this is the best he can do, he should retire. The action sequences are dull, and the story hard to follow. It's in Chinese with English subtitles, which makes it all the more difficult. It's time to leave the martial arts to younger, more exciting stars like Tony Jaa. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Feast of Love - MGM - Rated R
Just about everybody finds love and loses it in Feast of Love. And, most everybody gets naked at one time or another, but nothing is satisfying in any way. Greg Kinnear is whiny, Morgan Freeman plays the wise old sage again, and most everyone else is forgettable. It's called Feast of Love, but it's not really a feast. Not even a snack really. More like licking the grease off of a fast food burger wrapper. 2 Stars Out of 5
Feel the Noise - Sony - Rated PG-13
Omarion that…uhem "actor" who you might remember from You Got Served, stars in Feel The Noise. His acting is a combination of cardboard and wood, and the movie follows the typical formula. It just puts another location on the same old rap movie. It seems there is only one rap movie script floating around Hollywood; they just interchange actors and titles from movie to movie. This disposable and amateurishly cobbled together Jennifer Lopez production is sure to go down in the annals of mediocrity. Here's a line from the movie: "Everybody has a dream, man, and dreamin' is free." OK, I have a dream…that J-Lo get's out of the movie producing biz. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Femme Fatale
This is a really good looking, bad film! Brian DePalma directed this erotic thriller, but even he can't get by the ridiculous story (which he wrote, by the way), and laughably bad acting from Rebecca Romijn Stamos. At the end of the film, I said, "What was that?"...I don't know, but it sure looked good...2 Stars Out of 5
Fever Pitch
In Fever Pitch, the stars Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon, are appealing. Barrymore is always appealing, and Fallon is MUCH better than in the hideous, "Taxi". This mostly formulaic romantic comedy projected across a baseball motif mostly works, but may be a bit too heavy on the romance for the guys, and a bit too heavy on the baseball for the girls. Overall, I liked it. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Fighting Temptations
The Fighting Temptations is a feel good movie that really does make you feel good! It is absolutely exuberant! Beyonce Knowles is still a tad stiff in her acting, Cuba Gooding Jr. should have taken it down a notch, and there is precious little chemistry between them, but the story, message and music compensate for these small problems. It is also nice to see Melba Moore again! And the Ojays add more great music to a really great soundtrack. Don't miss it. 4 Stars Out of 5
Final Destination 2
Final Destination 2 is the same as Final Destination 1 except this time instead of a plane crash, we have a car crash…This movie is strictly retread. But the ending is funny. And don't even bother seeing it unless you have seen the first film, you won't get it. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Final Destination 3
If you liked Final Destination 1 or 2, you'll like number 3. It's all really the same film, just with different actors and this time the setting is at an amusement park. This one may be a shade better as it begs us to laugh at the inventive and gory ways that death takes its toll on the young cast. It's bloody fun. 3 Stars Out of 5
The Final Season - Yari Film Group - Rated PG
The Final Season is an ultra low budget sports flick with bad writing and bush league direction. Tom Arnold sounds like he's got a cold, and Rachael Leigh Cook is woefully miscast. It's packed with clichés: the music, slow-motion shots, and plot are all standard issue sports movie stuff, it's just not done well. No hits, no runs, and mostly errors. 2 Stars Out of 5
Finding Nemo
Pixar keeps delivering phenomenally good movies. After Monsters, Inc, I wondered how they could top it. Well, they haven't topped it, but have come pretty close. Finding Nemo has even more advances in computer animation that made me gasp in wonder at times. But animation doesn't make a great movie by itself. The plot and story are superb and wildly inventive. What struck me the most, were the perfect voice performances by the entire cast, especially Ellen Degeneres and Albert Brooks. This is a movie the entire family will love. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Finding Neverland
Johnny Depp is the heart and soul of Finding Neverland. His performance should be nominated for an Oscar. He gets better and better with every film he does! He perfectly embodies the spirit of a man who never wanted to grow up. Cate Winslet is superb, but the real find of this picture is Freddie Highmore, who plays young Peter. This isn't a children's film, but your older children will appreciate it. It has its dark moments, but it is whimsical, and magical. It's one to see if you've never really grown up! 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Firehouse Dog
Usually, dog movies make you like the dog. The ugly one in Firehouse Dog - not so much. He's not endearing in any way. He even poops in the food! The movie isn't the wild comedy it's been advertised to be, but is more of a drama that has some lame comedic moments driven by cheesy computer effects. Bad Dog! 2 Stars Out of 5
Firewall
Firewall is a movie that's OK while you watch it, but the second you are in the theater parking lot, you'll forget all about it. It's a typical action thriller with a far less than believable plot, but contains serviceable performances from Harrison Ford and Paul Bettany. Virginia Madsen is totally wasted in this film as Ford's wife who is kidnapped by the bad guy. There are worse ways to spend two hours and eight bucks, but there are lots better too. 3 Stars Out of 5
First Daughter
I've seen First Daughter before. But that time it was called "Chasing Liberty" and starred Mandy Moore. This time Katie Holmes plays the President's daughter. Michael Keaton plays the president, and both are wasted in a predictable, dull carbon copy of the previous film. Why did they make this? I don't know. The other film wasn't much good either.
2 Stars Out of 5
First SnowGuy Pierce stars in First Snow, a bleak noir-ish film that drags horribly in spots. The performances are adequate, but not flashy enough to lift this film and it's below average writing to anything worth watching. 2 Stars Out of 5
First Sunday - Sony - Rated PG-13
First Sunday is only occasionally funny, with the few laughs provided by Tracy Morgan and Katt Williams, who are painfully over the top in their performances, while Ice cube barely has a pulse. The unbelievable and silly plot has a nice message about the power of forgiveness, but that is overshadowed by the shear stupidity of it all. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Flags of Our Fathers
Magnificently directed by Clint Eastwood, Flags of Our Fathers tells a true story of heroism in World War II, and what the government did to capitalize on it to win the war. It's told in a series of flashbacks and some questions may arise as you watch the film, but your questions will be answered, just give it time. The ensemble cast is superb, and there may well be an Oscar nomination or two in store for this terrific film.
4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Flicka
Flicka is sincere and heart warming. It is a pretty good family movie that girls who love horses will adore. It's also a great Dad-daughter movie. But a word of warning to dads, get prepared for the tear jerking part. Or you may find your daughter saying something like, Dad, are you CRYING??? 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Flight Plan
Jodie Foster is intense and terrific in Flight Plan. She is a terrific actress, but this movie is way beneath her. The script is preposterous and predictable after the first half, when the film reveals what it really is. It is sort of fun as long as you stow your brain in the overhead compartment, and don't take it out for the duration of the flight. 3 Stars out of 5
Flushed Away
A fun interesting story and humor for the adults as well as the kids highlight Flushed Away. From the studio that brought us Wallace and Gromit, this is a film that is entertaining for the whole family. 3 stars Out of 5
Flyboys
Exciting action sequences and a good story highlight Flyboys. It's good old fashioned movie making with an engaging storyline, awesome flying sequences and a little melodrama tossed in for good measure. James Franco is still trying to be James Dean, but he is very good in this mostly enjoyable film about the early days of fighter pilots.
4 stars Out of 5
The Fog
What I learned from The Fog is you should never do dishes when it's foggy, and seaweed can kill when provoked. While the script is silly, The Fog is a lot like many other recent horror movies. Some good effects, a jump or two, but in the end it's bland and ho-hum without much sense. Selma Blair is a good actress, but as a former radio morning guy, I cringed when I heard her try to be a disc jockey. 2 Stars Out of 5
The Fog of War
The Fog of War is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. It keeps you involved and rivets you into listening to and learning from one of the central figures in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. It deserved its academy award.
4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Fool's Gold - Warner Bros - Rated PG-13
Aside from Matthew McConnaughey and Kate Hudson exhibiting their swimsuit clad bodies, Fool's Gold offers exactly what its title suggests. It's the kind of movie that turns your finger green after you've worn it a few minutes. It could have done with some heavy editing. It's packed with scenes that should have ended up in the DVD's bonus features, or better yet, buried at sea. It's a corroded, bloated, bland and laugh-free film.
Who's the fool? Well everyone. Who gets the gold? There isn't any.
1 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Forbidden Kingdom - Lionsgate - Rated PG-13
The Forbidden Kingdom finds Jackie Chan and Jet Li together for the first time and both with dual characters. Chan is as usual, entertaining, and Li is his usual wooden self. But this movie isn't about acting, it's about elaborately staged fight scenes, which it does very well. It's a mostly pleasant storybook Kung Fu movie. 3 Stars Out of 5
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Universal - Rated R
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a romantic comedy for guys. It's not uproarious, but contains enough laughs to keep the men involved, while having charm and a lot of heart making it a good one for women too. But here's a word of warning for the sensitive types: It's got the full monty over and over again. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Forgotten
Julianne Moore is one of those actresses that can dramatically improve any movie she's in. She does it again in The Forgotten. This film starts out promising and has a couple of pretty good jumps. I don't want to give anything away, but this starts out as an engrossing psychological thriller and turns into a totally different movie that might have worked better if it committed to it a little more. As it is, it seems a bit too farfetched, and has an ending that leaves too many questions.
3 Stars Out of 5
Formula 51
Formula 51 refers to a designer drug that the main character invents. I wonder how many chemicals influenced the making of this film? There is not much here to like. Even Samuel L. Jackson, one of my very favorite actors, cannot carry this film. The characters are for the most part, unlikeable. There are a few snickers here and there, but this action comedy is very short on comedy. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
For Your Consideration
For Your Consideration is from Christopher Guest and his comedy troupe that are responsible for such gems as "Waiting for Guffman", and "Best In Show." This time, however, tends to be more of an inside joke. Those familiar with how Hollywood works will find this film more entertaining than those who don't. I thought it was very funny. The entire cast is awesome, but it's Catherine O'Hara who really shines. 4 Stars Out of 5
The Fountain
The Fountain is ponderous and pretty, mind numbing, incomprehensible psychobabble. It's one of those movies that you leave the theater scratching your head and saying, "huh?" It was great to look at, but I still have no idea what it was supposed to be about. 2 Stars Out of 5
Four Brothers
Four Brothers is at times funny, other times, dramatic, but always hyper violent. It is a lot of fun, especially a chase scene on the snow-covered streets of Detroit. It's a revenge film with the four brothers out to inflict as much violence on their mother's killer as possible and include as many as they can along the way. I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining this film is. But it made me never want to go to Detroit! 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Four Feathers
It looks like it might be a stuffy period piece, but it isn't boring. This is a good movie that wants to be great, but just isn't quite there. The biggest flaw in the film is it feels like big chunks were left on the cutting room floor. Where there should have been powerful scenes, they are missing! But it has plenty of action, a good story, and Heath Ledger and Kate Hudson prove that they can carry a movie on their own. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Fracture
Strong performances highlight Fracture. Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling work well with each other. Plot holes hobble it somewhat, but this twisty legal thriller is fairly enjoyable and will provide for some spirited conversation afterwards. 3 Stars Out of 5
Freaky Friday
Freaky Friday is a fun family film. Jamie Lee Curtis pulls off a spectacular performance as a daughter in her mom's body, and does it with gleeful abandon! She is the best she's been in years and shows us her gift for comedy. Lindsay Lohan also shows impressive acting talent as she captures the "mom in the daughter's body" side of the equation perfectly. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Fred Claus - Warner Brothers - Rated PG
Fred Claus features an emasculated Vince Vaughn, who tones it way back to get a PG rating. Unfortunately, the filmmakers have also toned back all of the laughs. So far in fact, that there are none. It's a tedious, lifeless, half hearted, sour film with a ton of star power, but a colossal waste of talent.
The producers have been the bad ones, but it's a lump of coal for the audience. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Freddy Vs. Jason
This is a splatter fest that features dismemberment's, decapitations and the like. It basically follows the same formula as the other 17 films…teens misbehave and get murdered…This does have some humorous moments between the gore...Oh, and watch out for Freddy Vs. Jason 2. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Freedomland
Freedomland falls into the category of "what were they thinking?" It drags horribly in the first half, leaves too many loose ends, has a jumbled plot and an especially one note performance by Julianne Moore. But that's just part of the problem. The film seems like it actually wants to stir up race divisions in order to seem relevant. It only left me leaving the theater scratching my head and saying, "huh?" 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Freedom Writers
I am a sucker for these kinds of movies. Freedom Writers is another classroom drama about taking underprivileged kids and inspiring them to greater things. It's been done before many times. But I have to admit, Hillary Swank and this film won me over. 3 Stars Out of 5
Friday After Next
If you've seen the trailers for Friday After Next, you've seen the best jokes. This is just more of the same drug-induced trash that we saw in the first two movies, but worse. This is a tedious, sorry excuse for a comedy. There's just not much to like here. The best part was when it was over and I could leave.1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Frida
Frida is a true story about Mexican artist and icon Frida Kahlo. This stars Salma Hayek in the role of her life, and Alfred Molina as her fellow artist and husband Diego Rivera. Geoffrey Rush, Antonio Banderas, Ashley Judd, and Edward Norton all have small roles. This film explores the relationship of Frida and Diego, her life burdened with extreme physical pain, and her struggle with alcohol, drugs, and how she expressed her life in her art. This is an imaginative and innovative film that earns 4½ Stars out of 5
Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights has a gritty, documentary feel that puts you right in the middle of it all. The acting is impeccable, with Billy Bob Thornton turning in an understated, powerful performance that is typically great. Surprisingly good, is country singer Tim McGraw who plays an abusive, alcoholic father to one of the players. I had a great time watching Friday Night Lights. It's simply one of the best sports movies ever. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Friends With Money
Friends With Money has a great cast. Too bad it's not a great movie. It's got lots of talk, with very little plot, lots of arguments and conflict, but ends up being like Jennifer Aniston's character…kind of blah, kind of depressing, not very interesting. 2 Stars Out of 5
From Justin To Kelly
From Justin To Kelly was slapped together in 3 months and looks like it. This is frivolous and devoid of any meaningful dialogue, story, or plot. The music doesn't move the story (what there is of it) it just seems put in because "it's time for a song now." Stars Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini can definitely carry a tune, but can't carry a movie. Justin has some screen presence, and is the only one, with lots more acting lessons, that could have a future in film. 2 Stars Out of 5
Fun With Dick and Jane
Fun With Dick and Jane features a great pairing of Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni. They are a great comic team who obviously had a lot of fun making this movie. The film however, isn't quite so great. It has some laughs, is mostly likable, but sometimes seems a bit tired. And while it half heartedly tries to be satirical, it ends up being just a serviceable but pleasant remake. 3 Stars Out of 5
Funny Games - Warner Brothers - Rated R
Funny Games is oppressive and tension filled, but is more of an art house film than a traditional horror movie. It stars an irritatingly over-polite pair who might be brothers, has gore and violence galore, and is unconventional in mood and style. A character even breaks the "fourth wall" and talks to the audience, while in another place he rewinds the film. The film pretends to be against the violence it so gleefully portrays. But, it left me thinking, "What's the point?" After much deliberation, I happy to tell you that the point is, Naomi Watts is in her underwear for much of the film. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
