Burnt by the Sun (1994)

Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film of 1994, this film deals with a Soviet Colonel who is living with his young wife and children in the countryside enjoying life when Dmitri the young once-lover of his wife arrives with news from Moscow.  There's a lot of psychological games and betrayal seeded from past crimes and yet this isn't a film about revenge but more about the short-sightedness and paranoia of the Soviet Union.  There's also a weird magical realism moment with a glowing orb that seems lifted from a different movie.  Its symbolism doesn't ruin the narrative but feels out of place.  The performances are all worthy of attention and the tension between the Colonel and Dmitri is excellent, all of it hidden under smiles and good wishes.  I think Eat Drink Man Woman was more deserving of the Oscar that year but this Russian film's victory isn't an embarrassment.  Grade: B+.

The Traveler (2010)

Val Kilmer stars in a film that's about as bad as they come, a horror film about a stranger that torments a police station, predicting the death of each officer responsible for an interrogation gone wrong.  The script is awful, the look of the film typical and the direction generic.  If anything the acting isn't that bad, considering they're working with inferior dialogue.  Most people watching this film are probably asking the same question I did, not who is the Stranger (or Traveler) but why would Val Kilmer agree to play him.  Did he owe the director money?  Is he family?  Val Kilmer is such a fantastic actor, it mind boggles me that he would finish reading such script nonetheless act in it.  Most likely it's the paycheck he needs, a truth about acting no matter how "famous" one becomes.  It's forgiveable, but movie producers of the world, let's give Val a break.  He deserves more than this.  Grade: C-.

You Again (2010)

Here's the movie I've been waiting to see, the comedy that actually showcases Kristen Bell's comic chops.  It didn't think I'd enjoy this movie as much as I did.  But it surprises as a charming and funny movie about a young woman named Marni (Mrs. Bell) returning home to meet the girl (Odetta Annable) marrying her brother only to learn she's the girl who made her life miserable in high school.  Add Jamie Lee Curits, Sigourney Weaver and the wonder comic Betty White and you have a fun time. Grade: B+.

Tamara Drewe (2010)

Based on the comic strip by Posy Simmonds which is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd, Stephen Frears directs a film that feels really unique.  It has a dark edge to it that's still funny while also bleeding over into drama.  But it's never overly melodramatic.  I felt it had a few pacing issues but I guess that's not fair since I can't really tell you where those places are, and its pacing is what gives it its unique tone.  Gemma Arterton is wonderful as the title character, as the young woman who returns to the small town she grew up to cause a stir.  But for me the two performers who steal the movie are Jessica Barden as Jody Long and Bill Camp as Glen McCreavy.   Its these two characters and the actors playing them that make this movie sing.  Without their story threads the movie would have failed.  But it doesn't and it deserves a viewing from those who will appreciate its British sensibilities.  Grade: B+

Battle Los Angeles (2011)

A war movie documentary-style wrapped up in an alien invasion storyline: this should have been a great science fiction film.  But it's not because of its sentimental use of every war-movie cliche there is.  Examples: the heroic speech from the leader of the platoon, the distrust of the new guy who got their friend killed on their last mission, the young marine in charge who loses his cool and can't make a decision.  If you've seen Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down than you've seen this movie:  it's just aliens instead of Germans or Somalians.  I have to admit, I'm also getting tired of these "realistically" shot battles as if there's a documentary film crew following our heroes when there isn't a documentary crew following them.   Already this style is becoming overused in so many video games today.  Did the producers really think they were doing something special?  I've done a little bit of home work and learned that the director, Jonathan Liebesman, won the directing gig by creating a visual presentation that blew the producers away.  You'd have hoped that someone with such passion would have cared about the script as much as the technique to shoot the film.  Overall there is some great special effect work and Aaron Eckhart's presence can almost carry the film past its flaws, but in the end it's an empty movie pretending to be something its not.  Please don't make a sequel.  Grade: C.  

No Way Out (1950)

Joseph L. Mankiewicz's film about racial tolerance is an important artifact.  I can imagine that in 1950 it made a bold statement and created a great stir in the populous.  Sydney Poitier plays an African-American doctor who is accused of killing a patient, the brother of a racist criminal.  The racist criminal played with vile spite by Richard Widmark then sets out to destroy Poitier even as Poitier tries to prove that it wasn't his fault that his patient died.  It's a solid drama with strong performances throughout especially by Poitier.  Thankfully it's themes, while no less truthful, are kind of irrelevant today.  I'm not saying there's no more racism in the world, there is, but for most choosing to watch an old film like this turn out to be pretty liberal minded.  But maybe that's a false assumption.  For me, the social commentary is obvious.  Still it's an entertaining film and I'd recommend it if you like traveling back in time to another cinematic era.  Grade: B+.

BTW: Ossie Davis' first film.     

Best In Show (2000) -Revisited

I saw this comedy on Netflix and forgot how funny it was.  Christopher Guest and company (responsible for Waiting for Guffman) return to mock the Dog Show.  The result is a memorable mock-documentary with outstanding performances from all involved.  Eugene Levy (who co-wrote the script, or blueprint since much of it is improvised) plays husband opposite Catherine O'Hara who with their Terrier Winky travel to the Mayflower Kennel Dog Show to compete.  Of course this is an ensemble film so they're not the only kooky characters with dogs competing but its their story arc that is the soul of the film.   If you've watched any Dog Show on cable you'll recognize how realistic this film is, which is why it's so funny.  Unless you don't like Christopher Guest comedies then see this film.  Grade: A.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2011)

An adaptation of the 1973 film with Guillermo del Toro producing, I enjoyed this mystical horror film a lot more than most critics have, which is a shame because I fear people are choosing to skip it.  But I feel it's a very good monster movie with an uncompromising level of scares that had me jumping out of my seat a few times.  The story is about a little girl named Sally who moves in with her dad and stepmother who are restoring an old Victorian house.  But the house has a secret, an opening in the earth where evil waits to collect the souls of children.  I confess I have not seen the original made-for-TV movie but I can't imagine it's as good (although some have said as much).  For me Troy Nixey crafts a satisfying film that's creepy, mystical and exciting.  Grade: A-.

Spoilers:  The creature designers for this movie pull off an under-appreciated marvel, creating demons that are scary and at the same time small.  They could have turned out looking kind of silly or cartoony but they don't, they remain as freaky as their whispering voices imply.  Kudos to the cast too for giving solid performances, especially from Bailee Madison as Sally; this little girl can act.  I have to admit I was disappointed when I heard that Guillermo del Toro wasn't directing but his influence is felt and Troy Nixey does an exceptional job.  If I had to give one criticism is that the opening credits don't fit the feel of the film.  I wish they had kept them simple.

Easy Living (1937)

Written by the comic genius Preston Sturges, this is one of those classic screwball comedies that somehow keeps its freshness.  A millionaire, J.B. Ball, in a fit of rage tosses one of his wife's fur coats out the window.  It lands on a girl named Mary Smith , Jean Arthur, who tries to return it.   But Mr. Ball refuses and lets her keep it.  Hence a series of misunderstandings about this coat arise causing hilarious havoc for all involved.  Ray Milland and Jean Arthur are wonderful together and as with most Sturges comedies the side characters get the most laughs.  If you like Sturges or classic romantic comedies you can't miss this delightful film.  Grade: A-.

Afterlife (2005)

This BBC series is the more horrific version of the US television show Medium.  Dark and nasty at times it explores the psychic character in a masterful and complex way.  Lesley Sharp is the crowning jewel of this series.  Her Alison Mundy is crazy, beautiful and tragic.  Diving deep into her psyche must have been exhausting and the result is a spellbinding performance.  Andrew Lincoln, the skeptic of the show, is brilliant as well and seeing his struggle is ripe with tension.  Mostly what I loved about this series is how cruel it could be.  Many of the episodes play out like great horror stories.  If you are interested in a Medium like show without the touchy-feely-ness watch this series.  It's glorious.  Grade: A-

Cowboys And Aliens (2011)

The premise is in the title.  What if aliens invaded our world during the Old West?   When I heard of this film, based on a comic, I became excited especially hearing who would direct it (Jon Favreau) and star in it (Bond and Indiana Jones).   The first trailer was fantastic.  It's too bad the film didn't quite live up to the trailer (damn I hate trailers).  This is not a bad film though.  It has many wonderful entertaining elements.  Too bad the suspension of disbelief toward the end is really a stretch.  I mean come on, the aliens are so advanced, do we really think a bunch of cowboys with bullets can out fight them?   Harrison Ford is fun as the hard-as-nails rancher looking for revenge and Daniel Craig is so roughed and tough it's hard to hate him.  Grade: B.

Sucker Punch (2011)

A mess of a movie that's entertaining if you like watching video games.  You pretty much have to degrade your IQ and sensibilities to that of a teenage boy to get anything out of this concoction of violence, young girls in sexy costumes and bad melodrama.  There is a story in there, somewhere, of a young girl committed to an insane asylum by her stepfather to get her dead mother's fortune.  Once there we go into her head where the asylum becomes a dance club and the patients become dancers.  Then she can go on adventures further inside her head, bringing her girl friends along on missions that will supposedly, piece by piece, lead them to their freedom.  This clever mind-bending concept isn't the problem.  It's the fact that none of the girls are developed enough to care about and when they go on adventures the action lacks any kind of suspense or danger.   They march into an army of WWI zombies but we know the outcome, who will live and who will die.  If you're looking for excellent special effects and set pieces all for eye-candy then check it out.   If you want any kind of real storytelling, skip it. Grade: C.

The Pillow Book (1997)

Peter Greenaway's film is about a woman obsessed with inking Japanese calligraphy on her body and/or the bodies of others.  This is some kind of art form and she is able to use it for revenge on a family enemy.   I didn't care for this film.   It was slow and the story was as interesting as watching ink dry.  Maybe it's a cultural gap but I think it's because Greenaway focused so much on how to film this movie, technically, then on how to make these characters likable enough to care.  Grade: C+.

I want to make it clear that the nudity in this film did not bother me.  I can imagine some might think it is excessive.  If you don't like lots of nudity in your movies, including male nudity, then skip this film.  If you consider nakedness natural and unoffensive then still skip this anyway because of the bad story.

Down By Law (1986)

Jim Jarmusch is a king in Independent film circles.  He has such a unique style.  One of his bests, here he films two prisoners who are complete opposites and the Italian foreigner who befriends them and brings them together. Shot on black and white and starring Roberto Benigni in his first American movie, this is a solid work of storytelling that's more like a parable than a realistic drama.  Tom Waits and John Lurie are excellent together and I loved seeing their characters clash while at the same time maturing.  Grade: A-.

Case 39 (2009)

You can see the mid-point twist a million miles away but this is still a fun little horror film.  Renee Zellweger plays a social worker assigned to check on a little girl whose parents lock her up.  Able to free her from her parents she takes custody only to learn there's more to this family's story.  Zellweger is just fine as the terrorized but strong heroine and I loved the small role that Ian McShane plays as a police detective.  Grade: B.