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.