Movie Review
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Oceans 12
I liked Oceans 11. It was great fun. The cast of Ocean's 12 look like they are having fun. Unfortunately for the audience, they are the only ones. The filmmakers spent all their money on the stars, and forgot to hire a scriptwriter. The whole idea behind the movie seems like an afterthought. There is one entertaining segment involving Julia Roberts' character and Bruce Willis, but for the most part, this movie is dull, with huge gaps in time that are supposed to keep you guessing, but I just lost interest.
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Ocean's 13
In Ocean's 13, Clooney, Pitt, Damon and company are clearly having fun, although not quite as much fun as in Oceans 11. That makes it not as good either, but it is a huge improvement over Oceans 12. This time it has a plot and a slight sense of morality centering on righting wrongs.
3 Stars Out of 5
Old School
Old School is the funniest movie this year! Will Farrell is the best he's ever been and is the brilliant center of this extremely hilarious film. I went with two friends and we laughed until we hurt! Because of it's subject matter, it's not for everyone, but it will make you laugh.
4 Stars Out of 5
Oliver Twist
Roman Polanski's remake of Oliver Twist is at least the 18th time the story has been put on film. So why did it need to be made again? Perhaps Roman Polanski thought he had a fresh take on the story. He didn't. It looks the same as most of the others. The children he cast in the film are mostly bland, and not terribly good actors. Ben Kingsley is the best part of this version and he at times overacts. But at least things are interesting when he is on the screen, when he's not, this film goes to sleep. 2 Stars Out of 5
The Omen
The Omen sticks very close to the original as far as the plot is concerned, but brings the story into modern times. It's got eerie ambiance and bad makeup. The kid can't really act, but we have the terrific presence of Mia Farrow in the film's best role. Yeah, it's got some bad dialogue, and is kind of hokey, but I still had fun. 3 Stars Out of 5
Once Upon A Time In Mexico
There is no question that Robert Rodriquez is a talented filmmaker. He can and does do everything in Once Upon A Time In Mexico from directing to camera to the editing and the score. But maybe he'd better let someone else do the writing next time. The story line is incoherent. It jumps from one scene to the next and has little or no continuity between them. There is lots of gunfire and explosions, and Johnny Depp once again steals the show.2 ½ Stars Out of 5
One Hour Photo
Robin Williams turns in the performance of his life with his spooky portrayal of Sy the photo guy. He is complex and pathetic. And you'll likely see an Oscar Nomination for Mr. Williams. That said, this is not an action movie. It is a slow-building examination of what it is to be lonely and obsessed, and what happens when it's taken too far.
4 Stars Out of 5
One Missed Call - Warner Brothers - Rated PG-13
One Missed Call Is another unremarkable retread of a horror film where restless spirits combined with technology equal bad things happening to the lead characters. How many movies have there been with people on the street turning to ghouls? Here's another. The only jumps are cheap ones that come from loud noises. It follows the all too familiar path of the Ring and The Grudge and just about every Asian horror film from the past five years, but this one is tired and not scary in the least. It's a snoozer. Do everything you can to miss this call. Don't return the message.
1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Open Range
I'd like to see what Kevin Costner could do directing a movie that he doesn't appear in. He shows us skill as a director, in Open Range, but I think if he were to devote his full attention to directing we'd really have something. This is no Dances With Wolves, but it is a decent western…It is flawed and it is too long, Costner is his usual cardboard self, but Robert Duvall's performance is the heart and soul of this film and is the main reason you should see it. Annette Benning looks more plain than we've ever seen her but adds some life into an, at times, lethargic script.3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Open Season
Open Season. Yaaawnnnnn. Did we really need another computer animated talking animal movie? And how many times will they make this same movie? Animals in captivity tossed out into the wild. This is the third time I've seen it in the last year! But this one is too long and has more scatological jokes (you actually see an animal defecate onscreen). The bad guys here are all hunters and have mullets. Now, I know it's not politically correct to hunt. (at least not in Hollywood) So if you are a hunter and don't want your kids to think you are a heartless buffoon, avoid this movie at all costs. Even if you're not a hunter, that's pretty good advice. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Order
The Order was held up for 18 months while the producers tried to improve the special effects. It didn't pay off. While the special effects are passable, they don't make the movie. The film makers should have taken the extra time to improve the lighting, the direction and the script. The film is so dark at times you can't see what is going on. The story has been so hashed together that it makes very little sense, and the director needs to go back to director's school. At the conclusion of the film, I heard one theater patron loudly say, "Well, that stunk." Yup...2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Osama
Based on a true story, and starring an amateur cast who lived through much of what they're reenacting, Osama is the first feature film to be made in post-Taliban Afghanistan. Trapped in a cruel society where women cannot work, and must always be escorted by men or be inside, this is about a family where all of the men have been killed. That leaves the women the choice of going out alone and being shot by the Taliban for their offense, or starving to death. So the grandmother suggests that her granddaughter pose as a boy, named Osama, to work and bring food. This film has a documentary feel to it. It is oppressive, tense, harrowing and real. It tells a story that needs to be remembered. Sometimes it takes seeing how bad things can be to appreciate how good we have it. This film helps put things in perspective.
4 Stars Out of 5
The Other Boleyn Girl - Sony - PG-13
The Other Boleyn Girl should probably have been called "The Rules-Royalty Edition: How to Land a King" because it seems more like a reality series than a historical drama. The script plays fast and loose with the facts, focusing on what its lead characters do and don't do to snare Henry the 8th. It features Irritating hand held camera work that is out of character for a movie that is not as heavyweight as it wants to be. It is betrayed by extremely lightweight moments by all of its three leads - most especially Eric Bana who is badly miscast. Off with its head! 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Out of Time
Denzel Washington makes everything he is in good. Out of Time with another actor would be rather forgettable. But Washington just makes you watch and feel something for a character that appears to have more than a few moral dilemmas in his life. The supporting cast does great work but especially memorable is John Billingsley who provides all of the comic relief.3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Over Her Dead Body - New Line - Rated PG-13
Over Her Dead Body is not as bad as I had imagined, but far from good, and that's mostly due to amateurish direction and a tired script. The winning cast does their best. I was especially impressed with Lake Bell as the kooky psychic, and Paul Rudd with his terrific delivery and sarcasm, but Eva Longoria Parker is too snippy and grating to make you feel anything for her, and to believe that she could ever marry anyone. This one suffers from comedy rigor-mortis. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Over The Hedge
Over the Hedge tries too hard. It feels forced. It has a thin plot, but a lot of the jokes are pretty good, and adults who go with kids won't be thinking about prying their eyes out with a fork. That said, you probably need the kids to enjoy this movie. It's not on the level of Shrek, but it's not as bad as Pokemon either.
3 Stars Out of 5
Owning Mahowny
Philip Seymour Hoffman turns in a stunningly good performance that is the driving force behind Owning Mahowny. The story is true and is a bit of a downer, but his captivating performance along with fine support work from Minnie Driver and John Hurt, makes the movie...4 Stars Out of 5
