Reviews: "Cursed," "Man Of The House," & "Constantine"

This weekend I saw "Cursed," the new horror flick starring Christina Ricci. The film was directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. You may recall that their former teamup resulted in the "Scream" trilogy. It only makes sense that much of "Cursed" seems like a "Scream" spinoff, then. The campy humor, the strictly developed set of horror rules, and the well developed characters all are courtesy of "Scream." I am proud to call "Cursed" one of my favorite horror movies of all time, now. This werewolf tale is freaky and fun all at the same time. A standout scene involves a girl stuck in an elevator as the werewolf pounds at the other side. It is an absolutely frightening sequence. Jesse Eisenberg plays Ricci's brother and does a spectacular job as the geek-turned-stud. There is plenty of goofiness in this movie but I am a firm believer that a horror movie must have a sufficient mix of comedy in order to be successful. To top it all off, there are more twists than a reality show.


I also had the chance to see "Man Of The House" starring Tommy Lee Jones. This comedy revolves around a Texas Ranger (Jones) who must live with and protect five cheerleaders/sorority girls. It is entertaining and fun but nothing special. If it seems a little old fashioned, that is because it is. It has been sitting on the postproduction shelf for quite some time. The style of the comedy is a little dated but I still say that it is worth a watch. It is a happy little movie and will most likely make you smile.


A movie that is not really worth a watch, though, is "Constantine." The new Keanu Reeves supernatural thriller based on a comic book is all style and no substance. The fight between good and evil looks good, but that is all that can be said for this monotone flick. I had hope for it, espcially since the special effects are pretty cool. However, it is difficult to completely comprehend and I think it takes itself too seriously. If you decide to ignore this review and see the film anyway, be forewarned: it may cause depression.

Special Review: "Son Of The Mask"

Years ago, audiences met a funny little man with a green face and a yellow suit. Jim Carrey, the actor behind that green face, was at the top of his comedy game with "The Mask." After the huge success of the film, there was talk of a sequel. Now, several years later, we finally get our sequel.

"Son Of The Mask" ((PG), 86 mins) stars Jamie Kennedy as Tim Avery, a struggling animator. When Tim's dog Otis finds an ancient wooden mask, Tim puts it on and becomes the life of the party, literally. The mask allows the wearer to act upon his utmost desires and accentuates his personality to the max. Tim ends up impressing his boss and gets his wife (played by Traylor Howard) pregnant while wearing the mask.

The main conflict picks up when Tim's wife is called out of town for work and Tim is forced to take care of the baby. He begins noticing that the baby is different. Otis, who is jealous of the new baby, puts on the mask and comes up with a plan to get rid of the baby. He is caught off guard, though, when the baby fights back with well-conceived strategies. Meanwhile, Loki, a God that made the mask (played by Alan Cumming) comes to Earth to get the mask but discovers it is more difficult than he had thought.

This flick is nothing more than a great big ball of fun. Every once in a while you need something that is out there just to bring a smile to your face. "Son Of The Mask" will do just that. The special effects are astounding, especially those involving Otis who stole the show in the original film. The comedy is goofy and off-the-wall, but it is effective here. We even get a bit of unexpected sweetness between Tim, the baby, and Loki.

A lot of the humor is derived from old Saturday morning cartoons. There are obvious throwbacks to "Michigan J. Frog" and "Woody Woodpecker" and subtle hints at "Slimer" and other favorites. The movie is aware of its roots as it often presents short animated sequences. Perhaps the most effective throwback is to the Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons as Otis and the baby match superpowered wits.

The movie also offers a bit of social commentary when Tim sits the baby in front of a television showing "The Flintsones." The baby's eyes squint as he says, "Bam... bam..." It is an effective blow at bad parenting and a hilarious gag that will stay with you for well after the end credits roll.

Jamie Kennedy is no Jim Carrey, but he does a good job with his role. Traylor Howard of TV's "Two Guys, A Girl, And A Pizza Place" fame also does great. Finally, Alan Cumming is becoming quite the effective villain in family flicks.

After "The Mask" did well in theatres, a weekly cartoon was made. "Son Of The Mask" is more of a spinoff of that cartoon than a sequel of the original movie. In that sense, it is more family friendly and more colorful. As I left the theatre, I overheard kids saying that they had a wonderful time and couldn't wait to see it again. All of the adults were smiling, too.

It may be a live-action cartoon, but "Son Of The Mask" is a rare treat. It is well-made, reminiscent of the older sight-gag cartoons, and simply just a good time at the movie theatre. No matter your age, you are sure to have lots of fun watching this flick. It will make you smile and touch your heart.

Reviews: "Because Of Winn Dixie" & "Being Julia"

This weekend I saw "Because Of Winn Dixie," starring AnnaSophia Robb, Jeff Daniels, Dave Matthews, Eva Marie Saint, and Cicely Tyson. I had very high hopes for the movie, even calling attention to it in my Favorite Flicks of 2004 article (see "Benji Off The Leash"). Unfortunately, I was let down. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie and even started to cry. But there are some essential things wrong with this dog flick. First of all, I feel the ending leaves us very close to where we began. But pehaps the biggest fault is the dog's screen time. For several long periods of time during the film, I found myself wondering where the dog's story went. The title mentions his name. It starts off about the dog. The climax and resolution centers around the dog. Shouldn't the minor details in between be vastly about the dog? Instead, we meet people. On the one hand, these people have fantastic dialogue and act superbly. On the other hand, their stories are shrug-able and lead us nowhere important or enlightening. Overall, a movie about a dog that leaves you asking, "Where's the pooch?" didn't do its job right. In the end, it is still a happy movie and worth a watch.


I also had the chance to see "Being Julia" starring Annette Benning. I usually dislike English flicks and this one took me a while to get into. However, the payoff is marvelous. The story, set in the 1930's, is entertaining and there are some very funny gags. The end of the film features an acting battle (sort of speak), which left a huge smile on my face. If Hilary Swank is deprived of the Oscar, Benning is my next best choice. She brings a charm to every movie she stars in. This is a far cry from "American Beauty," but she displays her wonderful talent excellently.

Reviews: "Pooh's Heffalump Movie," "Hitch," & "Hotel Rwanda"

I saw three movies again this weekend. I'll start with "Pooh's Heffalump Movie," the hour long animated children's flick. It introduces a new character named Lumpy into the Hundred Acre Wood. Without a doubt, it is the best Pooh film in recent history. It is fun for kids and enjoyable for adults. My only complaint lies on Carly Simon, who provides a painful soundtrack to the movie.


I also saw the romantic comedy "Hitch," starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, and Kevin James. The flick about a matchmaker in New York is a poor excuse for comedic fare. Most of the jokes fall flat and left me sighing. Will Smith provides a solid performance but nothing stellar. Kevin James does well but is immediately forgetable. Finally, Eva Mendes nearly obliterates any hope for a good movie. She is simply not star material. The movie is extremely long and they tack on a silly dance number at the end to make it even that much longer. It is mildly entertaining, but "The Wedding Date" provides much more sincere romance and honest comedy than anything "Hitch" provides.


Finally, the Oscar nominated "Hotel Rwanda" is a very important film. It is difficult to watch, but it is vital to pay attention. The first half hour of the movie is boring but once you pass that mark, real action and drama ensue. Don Cheadle gives a great performance, but it is hardly worth an Academy Award. Instead, supporting actress Sophie Okonedo steals the show with fantasticly realistic acting. Another noteable actor is Nick Nolte, who gives a strong and sympathetic performance. It is a great movie (minus the setup) and certain scenes are very powerful. A scene in which Cheadle's character drives on a road covered with corpses is sure to stay with you for quite some time. In addition, many scenes will leave you on the edge of your seat. It is a depressing film, but powerful nonetheless.

Reviews: "Alone In The Dark," "Boogeyman," & "The Wedding Date"

This weekend I saw three films. I'll start with last week's "Alone In The Dark" starring Tara Reid and Christian Slater. It is a typical video game flick. It is kind of lame and the screenplay wasn't exactly fine tuned. The same could be said for the acting. But honestly, when you are running from invisible beasts, what kind of facial expression do you have? Anyway, it is reminiscent of "The Relic" and "Mimic," with a splash of "Resident Evil." All things considered, it is a bad movie, but if you buy a ticket to that kind of movie, I am sure you will enjoy it.


I was looking forward to seeing "Boogeyman." The previews looked creepy and kind of similar to the previews for "Jeepers Creepers," my favorite horror film of all time. Well, I can now proudly proclaim that "Boogeyman" is one of my least favorite movies of all time. It is absolutely dreadful. It is boring and dull. The quick cinematography is annoying and the story just lacks any substance. The final ten minutes pack in some great action, but it is a result of not spreading that action all throughout the movie. It was number one at the box office this weekend meaning there will most likely be a sequel. At least this particular film won't be the worst movie ever made for long.


Finally, I did not want to see "The Wedding Date" but I did and I am happy that I did, too. While I still can't stand Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney was fun to watch and so was the entire film. It is cliche but it is not as fluffy as I expected and I like that. It has more conflict and laughs than the ads make it out to have. It is not a great movie but it is a crowd pleaser and entirely enjoyable. The final scene features Michael Buble's version of "Save The Last Dance For Me" and sums up the movie wonderfully.

Reviews: "Hide & Seek" & "Million Dollar Baby"

This weekend I saw "Hide & Seek" starring Robert DeNiro and Dakota Fanning. For a horror movie, it is pretty scary. The first hour of the film effectively sets up the lives of the two main characters. The mood is veryh eerie, which is hard to establish in horror movies. That said, all things are falling into place. Fanning plays the daughter of a woman that commits suicide. Her father, played by DeNiro, brings Fanning to a small country home to get away from the grief of losing a loved one. Immediately, Fanning begins talking about someone by the name of Charlie. Charlie may or may not be an imaginary friend. Eventually, scary things start happening. The final act of the film takes us down the wrong road. It is a surprise, but I saw it coming. It makes very little sense and is a huge disappointment compared to the rest of the movie. Regardless, it is worth the price of admission and the actors deliver their performances spot on.


I also saw the Oscar nominated "Million Dollar Baby" starring Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman. This story of a female boxer is better than I had originally thought it would be. I still think "Sideways" deserves the Best Picture Oscar, but "Million Dollar Baby" should not be forgotten in other categories. The final act is hard to swallow, but it is an important movie.

Special Review: 2005 Oscar Picks 2

Best Picture: "Sideways"
Best Leading Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Aviator")
Best Leading Actress: Hilary Swank ("Million Dollar Baby")
Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Haden Church ("Sideways") and Clive Owen ("Closer")
Best Supporting Actress: Virginia Madsen ("Sideways") and Laura Linney ("Kinsey")
Best Directing: "Sideways" (Alexander Payne)
Best Adapted Screenplay: "Sideways" (Alexander Payne) and "Before Sunset" (Richard Linklater)
Best Original Screenplay: "The Incredibles" (Brad Bird)
Best Animated Picture: "Shrek 2"
Best Song: Josh Groban's "Believe" ("The Polar Express")
Best Sound Editing: "The Polar Express"
Best Sound Mixing: "The Polar Express"
Best Score: "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events"
Best Documentary: "Super Size Me"
Best Editing: "Collateral"
Best Makeup: "The Passion Of The Christ"
Best Costume Design: "Troy"
Best Cinematography: "The Phantom Of The Opera"
Best Art Direction: "A Very Long Engagement"
Best Visual Effects: "Spider-Man 2"

Special Review: 2005 Oscar Picks

On February 27, all eyes will be on Hollywood as ABC presents the 77th Annual Academy Awards. As a film critic, my passion flares high over the films lucky enough to be nominated as well as those that I believe got snubbed.

I am happy to announce that Josh Groban¿s "Believe" from "The Polar Express" was nominated for Best Song. The wonderful song embodies everything that made the film so magical. Unfortunately, "The Polar Express" was left out of the Best Animated Feature Film category. Therefore, it is my hope that "Shrek 2" walks away with the win.

Another film nominated in that category, "The Incredibles," gets my vote for Best Original Screenplay. While I don¿t think that "The Incredibles" is as classic as "Shrek 2" or "The Polar Express," it deserves recognition for its meshing of ordinary family life with extraordinary superhero life. Brad Bird¿s screenplay is fast paced and has a very satisfied ending. Perhaps best of all, though, the film appeals to all ages.

On the Best Adapted Screenplay side, I will be happy if "Sideways" or "Before Sunset" gets the Oscar. Alexander Payne¿s screenplay for "Sideways" is fantastically enjoyable and full of symbolism. On the other hand, only Richard Linklater could write a romantic masterpiece like "Before Sunset." Both screenplays are works of genius. In addition to writing "Sideways," Alexander Payne also directed it. He does a great job with the entire film and should win for Best Directing.

In the Best Supporting Actress category, Laura Linney had the strongest performance in "Kinsey." She plays Clara McMillen, sex researcher Alfred Kinsey¿s supportive wife. I can¿t imagine anyone else in the role. Of course, I would also be happy if Virginia Madsen won for her role as Maya in "Sideways." In the film, Madsen delivers a memorable monologue on how wine is alive in such a way that you taste ripened grapes in your mouth.

There is also a toss-up for Best Supporting Actor. Thomas Hayden Church, who portrays Jack in "Sideways," is a laugh riot. Chruch plays a man that is as immoral as they come but you can¿t help but want to know him. However, Clive Owen gives possibly the most powerful performance of the year as Larry in "Closer." He persuades you to both pity and despise his character. At the same time, he is downright scary.

I am not too fond of any of the nominees up for Best Leading Actress but I would most like to see Hilary Swank take the win for her role as boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in "Million Dollar Baby." I feel the same way about the nominees up for Best Leading Actor. In the end, my vote goes to Leonardo DiCaprio for his portrayal as Howard Hughes in "The Aviator." While I disliked the movie, I do believe DiCaprio did a splendid job. I am quite disappointed that Kevin Spacey and Paul Giamatti did not receive nominations for their roles in "Beyond The Sea" and "Sideways," respectively.

Finally, I hope "Sideways" wins the award for Best Picture. "Sideways" is a truly enjoyable and fun tale of two friends going to wine country. It is a story about finding yourself and it convinces you to savor every sip of life. If you have not yet seen it, make sure you do. It is a rarity among feature films.

Reviews: "Are We There Yet?" & "Assault On Precinct 13"

This weekend, I saw "Are We There Yet?" starring Ice Cube. It is a family comedy about a bachelor trying to win over a single mother. The kids in the film are obnoxious, which is actually the fault of the screenplay. While the entertainment is nonstop, it is also irritating and does not pass for comedy. I would be lying, though, if I said I didn't at least mildly enjoy the movie. It was number one at the box office this weekend. Let's hope it's stay there is very temporary.


I also saw "Assault On Precinct 13" starring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishbourne. I had originally envisioned this flick to be fun and fast. Unfortunately, it is not as fast-paced as the trailers make it look. I have never disliked a film featuring events that happen all in one night (ala "Go" and "Can't Hardly Wait") until now. This graphic tale about the seige of a police precinct is predictable, unsuspensful, and (at times) boring.


Overall, this weekend was unsatisfactory. Let's hope next weekend offers up some better flicks. On Tuesday, the Oscar nominations will be announced. Check back here for my picks.

Reviews: "White Noise," "Racing Stripes," & "Elektra"

Let's quickly catch up with the movies of the year thus far:

White Noise, starring Michael Keaton, was a huge disappointment. The horror film started off with a strong and eerie premise but saw a fork in the road midway through the plotline and took the wrong road. It took the road most traveled and failed to bring anything new or even fun to the table. Its execution was all wrong.


Racing Stripes was a bit more boring that I had expected. It has plenty of comedy and lots of fun, but the pacing is a bit too slow. Fortunately, it has enough positive attributes for me to still mildly reccommend it.


Finally, Elektra, starring Jennifer Garner, is a weak superhero film with a solid story. The story is human enough to keep anyone interested and the special effects are entertaining, however it just doesn't pack a hard enough punch. It is still worth a mild reccommendation.