The Reviews . . .

You've Got Mail . . rating: $5

Are Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan this generation's Tracy & Hepburn? Not quite, but they are both likable performers who can evoke our sympathy for lonely souls. You already know the plot, so the writers attend to the inevitable confrontation, followed by Hanks carefully charming Ryan.
Trivia question: What were the two character's email addresses?
Based on: The Shop Around the Corner (1939), In the Good Old Summertime (1949)

Shakespeare in Love . . rating: $7

A peek behind the scenes at Will Shakespeare's struggles and triumphs, and a nearly believable tale of the inspiration for one of his works. I found the script and players totally engrossing, and it was a refreshing to watch Romeo & Juliet unfold from a different angle. A few producers have recently re-discovered the timeless power of Shakespeare, and we can only hope more good films follow (such as A Midsummer Night's Dream).
Compare and contrast: How are Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love similar?

Prince of Egypt . . rating: $5

This Biblical story tries to accomplish too much, and comes across like the indecisive work of a first-time director. Inconsistencies abound, such as a playful chariot race in an otherwise serious film, or hushed vocals during the musical numbers. The Passover scene started with a respectful silence, but was marred in the end by distant wailing. My favorite scene? The clever artwork of the dream sequence.
Trivia question: Who provide the voices for Holt and Hoy, the fat & skinny Egyptian priests?

Life is Beautiful (La Vita è Bella) . . rating: $8

This is actually two stories in one: A fast-paced romantic comedy followed by one man's noble attempt to protect his family. Director Roberto Benigni uses the audience's own intelligence to build tension, as we can often predict the characters' future but not their ultimate fate. Even the musical director takes chances: The score for the final scene seemed inappropriate at first, but the odd contrast helped restore a sense of balance in the end. The subtitled dialog moves pretty quickly at first, but stick with it.
Trivia question: Name the uncle's horse.
Interpretation: What was the answer to the doctor's last brain teaser?

Blast from the Past . . rating: $5

A pleasant but predictable little comedy. Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek are a lot of fun to watch, as they and their character's quirks blend perfectly into the 1960's setting. The romantic story is pretty weak, especially when the director relies on close-up shots of emotional reactions.
Fun Tip: Do you recognize the clock behind the bar?

Rushmore . . rating: $6

It's kind of fun to watch Max as he pours his heart into one project after another, only to be stymied by his youthful inexperience with romance. Writers Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson remind me of the Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona) with their uneven tempo (frantic one moment, reflective the next) and quirky humor. This film borders on pretentious at times, but the characters are interesting.
Double Feature with: Welcome to the Dollhouse or Ferris Beuler's Day Off.

The Matrix . . rating: $6

The main ingredients all feel familiar - plot from Dark City , lead actor from Johnny Mnemonic , cinematography from 12 Monkeys , plus bits of Tron and Soylent Green . But somehow The Matrix marks it's own territory, largely due to a decent concept and great action sequences. I applaud the studio's low-key ad campaign for keeping important plot points secret.
Trivia question: What is the password for the movie's web site?

Gods and Monsters . . rating: $7

Apparently a true story about the twilight years of James Whale, who directed Frankenstein in 1931. The screenplay relies on just three main characters, and allows the viewer to experience Mr. Whale's battle with illness, medicinal side effects, and marginal control of his sexual preferences. Good acting, visual metaphors, and a clean script prove a successful combination.
Oddest line:   "How are you feeling?"   "I've just got a touch of the stroke."

Pushing Tin . . rating: $4

John Cusack's scripts have become predictable - compete against another guy while trying to impress the girl. In Better Off Dead it was skiing and the head cheerleader, in Gross Pointe Blank it was assassination and a old high-school sweetheart. Here it's air traffic control and Billy Bob Thornton's young wife. Unfortunately the childish competition is out of place in this drama. Other weak points: Vicki Lewis mis-cast as a body builder, and the esoteric conclusion.
Trivia question: Where was Pushing Tin filmed?

The Mummy . . rating: $5

This isn't a serious film - the audience knows it and, more importantly, the director knows it. It has all the classic jumping skeletons, crawly bugs, dark dusty corridors and booby traps we've come to expect. Some of the digital effects were poorly aligned and the opening matte paintings were mis-lighted, but it was fun anyway. Sort of "Indiana Jones Lite."
Trivia question: In what year is the film supposedly set?

A Midsummer Night's Dream . . rating: $3

Given the strong cast (Stanley Tucci is perfect as Puck) and Shakespeare's script, you would think this film was a slam dunk. But all the woodland scenes felt claustrophobic, and the jumpy story line was very hard to follow. The reward is in the final twenty minutes, where Romeo and Juliet meets Noises Off for an enjoyable conclusion.
Trivia question: What's up with the blue boy?

Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me . . rating: $4

I have to admit that parts of the movie (like Austin's coffee scene and Dr. Evil's rap number) are simply hysterical, but the novel charm of the first film seems to be missing. Austin gets the girls too easily, the beer product placement is shameless, and the final 5 minutes was a letdown.
Fun tip: Stick around until the end of the credits.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace . . rating: $6

After a 16 year hiatus, it's nice to see George Lucas release the next chapter of his space epic. Unfortunately, he seems more intent on capturing the younger crowd than pleasing older, addicted fans. As always, the fictional planets, special effects and action sequences are top notch. But the story seems a bit watered down, with less intrigue and complexity than Empire.
Karen's fun tip: Look for E.T. in the galactic senate.

Wild Wild West . . rating: $4

While decent summer entertainment, WWW pales in comparison to Men In Black. Some of the effects are stunning (Kenneth Branagh legs) and some of the gadgets are cool (a train with stilts). But the commercials gave away too much story, and I thought the glaring plot gaps were too significant to overlook.
Trivia question: The title track (by Will Smith) sampled from what famous artist?

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut . . rating: $7

If you (a) enjoy the cartoon on cable, (b) thought the Beavis & Butthead "fire" ban was stupid, (c) understood Natural Born Killers was a satire, and (d) admit that your last speeding ticket was your own fault -- then you'll enjoy this movie immensely. This foul-mouthed musical is full of tasteless jokes and cheap animation, but adds plenty of movie references and an actual message about what's corrupting America's youth.
Trivia question: What is the last item on the surgeon's "to do" list?

The Blair Witch Project . . rating: $6

This budget spine-tingler works because the concept is simple, and cleanly executed. Three campers get lost in the woods, which invariably leads to stress and mistrust - and the portrayal is quite accurate. Too bad the overly shaky camera work is so distracting.
Viewing tips: Pick a theatre with good sound, but don't sit too close. If motion simulator rides make you queasy, take some Dramamine. Should you feel ill, just close your eyes and listen to the dialog and sound - you'll still get 75% of the effect.

Mystery Men . . rating: $6

Yet another entry in the "comic book to celluloid" genre, this film is better than many of its peers. The well-paced action is entrancing, but the casting is genius: Kinnear, Rush, Macy, Garafalo, Stiller, and yes even Paul Reubens seem oddly perfect for their roles. What I didn't expect was the sharp-witted parody of superhero films.
Trivia question: Mark Mothersbaugh plays the nursing home bandleader. He's better know for co-founding what band?

The Muse . . rating: $6

I've always been apprehensive about Albert Brooks' films, but he hasn't disappointed me yet. I enjoy the dark humor and sarcasm and the fact that he gives the audience credit for their intelligence. Albert doesn't whine too much, Sharon Stone is perfect for her part, and the big-name cameos never seem to stop - a plus for film buffs.
Best sport: Lorenzo Lamas, for poking fun at actors who should never write.

Stir of Echoes . . rating: $4

A neat little supernatural thriller, nicely told from Kevin Bacon's point of view. But a number of elements seemed straight out of The Shining, plot points were glossed over in the interest of time, special effects were sub-standard, and the setting was too isolated to feel realistic (how come his boss never called?). Besides, does Bacon's voice really sound that gravelly?
Fun tip: When Kevin Bacon makes a call from the telephone pole, watch the red wire from his butt set.

American Beauty . . rating: $7

The set-up is familiar enough (Kevin Spacey is trapped in a loveless marriage and a dead-end job) but the plot is driven by characters actually doing something about it, instead of the usual out-of-the-blue tragedy or miracle. The writing and cinematography are well coordinated, and allow the casts' emotions to move the story along. The only weak spot was Annette Bening, whose character seemed incomplete in an otherwise strong script.
Trivia question: What other projects have director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball worked on?

Three Kings . . rating: $5

Despite some imaginative cinematography, moments of delicious black humor, and a likable cast, the plot was just too haphazard for me to enjoy. The movie flip-flopped from buddy/action film to ethics lecture, and didn't spend enough time in either genre to be effective. Note: the graphic violence is up to modern war movie standards.
Trivia question: Where was Three Kings filmed?

Fight Club . . rating: $6

Start with the desperation of American Beauty, add Brad Pitt from 12 Monkeys, then mix in some bare-knuckle boxing. The script is surprisingly good, with a wicked sense of comic relief and a lot more character development than you might realize. I was captivated.
Trivia question: What was the name of the soap company?

House on Haunted Hill . . rating: $3

This is classic teenage fright-fest material, where some people are isolated in the woods or locked in a house, and only one or two will survive the night. The setting is sufficiently creepy, and the effects are decent (if a bit recycled). Best scene? The amusement park. Worst direction? Geoffrey Rush's character "Steven Price" (Vincent Price starred in the original 1958 version) who even sports Vincent's trademark pencil-thin mustache. To be fair, I don't get much of a kick from horror films, so fright fans are likely to enjoy this more than I did.
Place you bets: On who will die next, and who will survive.

Bringing Out the Dead . . rating: $4

What if Nicholas Cage's character from Leaving Las Vegas kicked his alcoholism for just long enough to get a job in New York City as an ambulance driver? Director Martin Scorcese does a good job conveying the boredom between calls, but the novel's introspective moments aren't very satisfying when translated into droning voice overs. The cinematography has some novelty, but it wears thin after you see a camera angle or gimmick five or six times.
Trivia question: Why was the story set in NYC in the early 90's?

Dogma . . rating: $7

If the very thought of this movie offends you, don't see it. But the rest of us can savor Kevin Smith's long delayed work. There is a lot to absorb here: a half dozen meaningful characters, a mixture of various beliefs and mythologies, and a nicely woven plot as good as any "Seinfeld" episode. Only the scene at Mooby headquarters seemed out of place in the story line. I especially liked Matt Damon's simple but intelligent character.
Trivia question: The mythological character "Loki" played a part in what recent comedy hit?

Princess Mononoke . . rating: $8

If you've never experienced anime before, this film will amaze you. The plot and characters have a lot of depth to them, and director Hayao Miyazaki's artwork is worth the price of admission by itself. I was mesmerized. Note that this is not a cartoon - the occasional violence and complex story are too much for young children. And while I applaud Miramax for distributing this film at all, it's a shame they were unwilling to attract a wider audience.
Fun tip: Know who did the voices before you see the film - it's less distracting that way.

Toy Story 2 . . rating: $7

In one sense, it's the same as the original - top-notch animation, catchy music, and the same characters and voice talent. But the secret ingredient is still John Lasseter's ability to tell a great story. There's plenty to entertain parents and children alike, and the Sarah McLachlan song seems an early Oscar favorite. Initially planned as a video release, Pixar liked the story so much they re-did the animation for theatres. I'm glad they made the investment.
Fun tip: Watch the first Toy Story as a warm-up, then look for continuity.
Trivia question: Gerard, the tailor, was introduced in what Pixar film?

Any Given Sunday . . rating: $5

Oliver Stone's behind the scenes peek at pro football covers a lot of ground - team doctors, owners, the press, agents, endorsements, racism, injuries, drug use, family problems, retirement, and so on. There's also lot of conflict - owner vs. coach, veteran vs. rookie, coach vs. press, offense vs. defense, owner vs. owner. Oh, and some football. It's simply too much material, even for a stylish three hour film with no segues.
Trivia question: What is the score of the final game?
Trivia question: What's wrong with the Sharks' uniforms?

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