Rent

...an unforgettable moving experience...


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“Rent” is an absolutely brilliant feature. Every aspect of it truly shines. However, it is not perfect for one solitary reason – it was not intended for the big screen.

“Rent” is the movie version of the hit Broadway musical, which won a plethora of awards. The film, which is basically the stage version caught on tape with a larger budget and on-location scenes, stars most of the original cast. Set in New York City, it tells the story of a group of Bohemian friends.

The cast of characters are struggling with life as they know it and all of the... (Read More)

The Ice Harvest

...lacks the strings necessary to make an ensemble web work.


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At the screening of “The Ice Harvest” that I attended, I could not help but notice a man with a wide smile on his face selecting a prime seat. He was clearly happy to be in the theatre and, from the looks of it, he was very excited about seeing the movie.

Less than halfway through the flick, I glanced over at the man to see him facing the ceiling, mouth wide open, and eyes tightly shut. That is when I heard the snoring.

Set on the night of Christmas Eve, “The Ice Harvest” focuses on mob lawyer Charlie Arglist... (Read More)

Just Friends

...fun holiday-themed entertainment.


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“Just Friends” has a lot more intelligence than the filmmakers gave it credit for. Unfortunately, this ends up costing the movie an awful lot of laughs.

Ryan Reynolds stars as Chris, a music executive trying to sign the popular yet untalented pop star Samantha James, played by Anna Faris, in “Just Friends.” Samantha’s stupidity leads to her and Chris being stranded in Chris’s hometown over the Christmas holiday.

Chris eventually spots Jamie, played by Amy Smart, his former best friend. In high school, Chris was very overweight. He always had a crush on Jamie but Jamie did not reciprocate the... (Read More)

Walk The Line

...fascinating...simply powerful.


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There is no better way to say this than stating the cold, hard truth. “Walk The Line” is the must-see motion picture of the season.

Joaquin Phoenix, last seen in “Ladder 49,” stars as the man in black himself, Johnny Cash, in “Walk The Line.” The movie tells the story of Cash’s life, emphasizing his rise to stardom, struggle with drugs, and magnetism toward June Carter. Carter is played by Reese Witherspoon, of “Just Like Heaven,” in the film.

This is the movie that I will be rooting for during next year’s Academy Awards. This flick is absolutely superb. I... (Read More)

Yours, Mine, And Ours

...creatively constructed chaos...


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“Yours, Mine, And Ours” is your conventional muddled family flick. It doesn’t offer any surprises, it knows how to get on your nerves, and it isn’t very original. Those reasons all contribute to my hesitance in admitting that I liked it.

Dennis Quaid of “Flight Of The Phoenix” stars as Frank Beardsley, a widowed Coast Guard Admiral, and Rene Russo of “Two For The Money” stars as Helen North, a widow handbag designer in “Yours, Mine, And Ours.” The two were an item during their school days and seeing each other again brings back old feelings. This leads them to... (Read More)

Derailed

...will definitely hold you captive for an hour and a half.


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There was a time, not too many years ago, when movie theatres were prime places to be surprised. Now, twists are a dime a dozen and it is far too simple to uncover a movie’s secrets. Such is the case with “Derailed,” a thriller that would have been a lot more thrilling had it been released a few years ago.

Clive Owen, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “Closer,” stars as Charles Schine, a family man in “Derailed.” One day, Charles is on his way to work via train when it becomes known that he has... (Read More)

Zathura

...undoubtedly cool...a blast.


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At the screening of “Zathura” that I was in attendance for, I overheard a conversation between two ushers. Usher A asked, “What is ‘Zathura?’” Usher B then responded, “‘Jumanji’ in space.” Usher B’s assessment was quite accurate.

“Zathura” stars Jonah Bobo of “Around The Bend” as Danny and Josh Hutcherson of “Kicking And Screaming” as his older brother Walter. One day when their father, played by “Arlington Road’s” Tim Robbins, leaves the house to run errands, the two boys are left in the care of their older sister Lisa, played by Kristen Stewart from “Panic Room.”

With their sister sleeping... (Read More)

Chicken Little

...somewhat unimpressive.


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“Chicken Little” is a milestone in Disney’s history. It is the first non-Pixar Disney computer animated feature film after their final traditionally hand-drawn animated flick hit the big screen. This tiny fowl has the weight of the entire studio on his shoulders.

Unfortunately, he is not strong enough.

Zach Braff of “Garden State” lends his voice to the title character in “Chicken Little.” Like the story the flick is based on, Chicken Little claims that the sky is falling sending the town into a panic. He is then ridiculed when he can’t come up with any proof and becomes the... (Read More)

Prime

...middle-of-the-road...


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The most exciting surprise in “Prime” is blatantly revealed in the trailer for the film. As if that were not bad enough, the storyline plays out as though the audience is not aware of the big surprise.

Uma Thurman of “Kill Bill” stars as Rafi, a 37-year-old woman that is fresh off a divorce. Rafi is quickly swept off her feet by David, a 23-year-old painter played by Bryan Greenberg of television’s “One Tree Hill.” Rafi is uneasy with the prospects of dating a man so much younger than she is but she soon embraces the new relationship thanks to... (Read More)

Stay

...just too much of a mess.


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Ewan McGregor has had a tough time on the big screen this year. First, he starred in “The Island,” a spectacular summer feature that, unfortunately, did close-to-zero business at the box office. He then provided his voice to the main character in “Valiant,” a terrible computer animated flick that was thrown to the birds by audiences. Now, he is starring in yet another flop – “Stay.”

McGregor plays a psychologist named Sam Foster in “Stay.” Sam’s patient Henry Letham, played by “The Notebook’s” Ryan Gosling, begins exhibiting strange behavior and Sam wants to do everything he can to help. Henry is... (Read More)

Jarhead

...awfully peaceful...


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The biggest problem with “Jarhead” is the fact that it is very anticlimactic. This was done for a reason – the war that it is based on was anticlimactic – and that makes it rather profound but that does not make it a good movie.

“Jarhead” stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Anthony Swofford, a marine serving the United States during Operation Desert Storm. Gyllenhaal also narrates the film and this gives his character the opportunity to offer comments about the service. Swofford notes how he is unhappy in the marines and how giving up college was a huge mistake.

Swofford and his fellow... (Read More)