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Bad Lieutenant
(1992) |
4.5 /10 |
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Self indulgent character study of an appalling cop who finds
redemption after a nun is raped. Keitel's performance is compelling
yet many scenes are gratuitous (including full frontal) and film's
later half drags it down considerably.
[English, 96min,
NC-17] |
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Barbershop
(2002) |
5 /10 |
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Spike Lee lite;
Ice Cube fairs well in this so-so dramedy that takes on controversial issues in
prime time sitcom fashion. Nice to see a predominately black cast not stripped
down to jobless pot smokers (as in Ice Cube's
other
movies) but representing a slice of urban life in this
manner has been done many times over (ex:
Do the Right Thing).
Cedric the Entertainer stands out with some funny, and at times enlightening
monologues.
[English, 102min,
PG-13] |
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BASEketball
(1998) |
5.5
/10 |
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Rather
tame for “everything goes” mentality in post-Scary Movie era,
this Zucker brainchild finds tone-perfect cast (lead by South Park’s
Parker n’ Stone) to comment on over commercialization of professional
sports. Best wit occurs early on, as in opening narration, before
satire succumbs to silly slapstick; exploration of fictitious game is
sadly limited. Stealing spotlight are great cameos by Bob Costas and
Al Michaels as uninhibited announcers.
[Spanish,
103min, R] |
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The Battleship Potemkin
(1925) |
7
/10 |
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Famous
silent film depicting Russian revolution through semi-symbolic
characters and set pieces helped pioneer montage editing, though jumpy
pacing is wearing. However, massacre on Odessa Stairs is one of few
sequences in movie history that transcends time, remaining an
immensely effective accomplishment nearly 80 years later with it's
soaring cinematography, jarring violence, and tense, emotional
buildup.
[Russian, 66min, NR] |
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Beautiful Girls
(1996) |
8
/10 |
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Well written story of a group of men and their views on relationships
with some very funny moments. A young Natalie Portman makes a strong
impression post-Leon.
[English,
112min, R] |
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A Beautiful Mind
(2001) |
7 /10 |
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Russell Crowe is
guaranteed an Oscar nod, but the movie shifts
tones earlier on following a significant plot revelation, becoming a dreary
task to watch until it picks up in the very end.
[English, 135min, PG-13] |
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Before Night Falls
(2000) |
7.5 /10 |
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Beautifully
shot with surprising stylistic choices considering genre; excellent
performance from Javier Bardem, but vague telling of poets interesting
life leaves more to be desired.
[English,
133min, R] |
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Before Sunrise
(1995) |
8
/10 |
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Extremely grounded "infatuation story" which captures all the
awkward moments and natural conversation while defying movie
conventions. Hawke and Delpy create a rich, natural chemistry that
becomes backbone of movie.
[English,
105min, R] |
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Behind Enemy Lines
(2001) |
5.5 /10 |
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Try "behind
a bad script." Laughably poor at times but
sharp on style with
some creatively entertaining action sequences. Features an Adidas
jump-suit wearing sniper with perhaps the worst aim in film history.
[English,
106min, PG-13] |
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Being There
(1979) |
6.5 /10 |
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Oddball
comedy milks single joke premise for all it's worth: a mentally
retarded, TV obsessed, recluse gardener is forced to enter outside
world, where he has meteoric rise to international fame and influence
after an accidental encounter. Peter Sellers fully commits to role but
his character remains a frustrating enigma and credibility becomes
increasingly strained as situations reach farcical levels (despite
biting satire). A sexy Shirley MacLaine is standout among supporting
cast.
[English,
130min, PG]
6/09 |
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Ben-Hur
(1959) |
8 /10 |
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Grandiose
epic with Heston commanding in lead and featuring
amazing chariot race
sequence, but gets bogged down with heavy Biblical angle
(reliance on
religious themes is one of it's faults). Despite massive production,
film did
not need full three
and a half hours.
[Spanish,
212min, G] |
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The Big Kahuna
(1999) |
8 /10 |
|
Is preaching about Jesus any different than selling lubricants? That's
one of many loaded question tackled head on in this compelling
character study built around a then-sizzling Kevin Spacey and a
surprising full-drama mode Danny DeVito. Theater roots lead to an hour
and a half of continuous conversation, questioning everything from job
commitment to a purpose in life.
Climactic
confrontations are stellar displays of writing and
acting, especially DeVito's phenomenal speech on "character."
[English,
90min, R] |
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Big Trouble
(2002) |
5 /10 |
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Waste of
talented cast and another dud for Tim Allen (a Home Improvement
reunion must be looking real good now). Airport security jokes fall
flat post-9/11, but that doesn't excuse the rest of the movie's
sporadic comedy.
[English,
85min, PG-13] |
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The Birdcage
(1996) |
7 /10 |
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Simple concept: gay couple acts straight to fool conservative future
in-laws. Add Robin Williams and Nathan Lane to the mix and it's an
entertaining comic farce. Laughs don't come as often as they should,
but two sequences strike paydirt, one of which is the hilarious
climactic dinner. Hank Azaria steals the spotlight as eccentrically
gay housekeeper and Gene Hackman plays "dull" to perfection.
[English,
117min, R |
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Black
Christmas
(1974) |
7.5
/10 |
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Predating
Halloween, this under seen tale of stalked college girls drafted
blueprint for slasher horror genre.
Attention to
characterization, inventive camerawork (great use of POV), and overall
"less is more" approach heightens emotional impact of terrible events.
Phone harassing psycho killer is obvious precursor to Scream
and Olivia Hussey puts Neve Campbell to shame. Extremely ambiguous
ending, while unsettling, poses far too many questions.
[English,
98min, R] |
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Black Hawk Down (2001) |
7 /10 |
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Immersive
combat movie with good production and acting, but marred by
excessively large (and undeveloped) cast that heavily dilutes emotion.
Some jarring scenes, but Saving Private Ryan still is king when
it comes to battle realism.
[English,
144min, R] |
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Blade II
(2002) |
6
/10 |
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Lacks the tight plot, hyper energy, charismatic villain, good comic
relief, decent drama, and nearly everything else that made the first
one a surprise comic book adaptation. Even Snipes' solid martial arts
can't avoid post-Matrix "enhancements," and despite the very
cool 'hybrid vampires,' this is a dreary, unfocused sequel.
[English,
117min, R] |
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The Blair Witch Project
(1999) |
8.5 /10 |
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Immensely polarizing, landmark Indie film overcomes cliché horror
setup (three college students lost in woods) with novel concept
of "actors" shooting footage themselves, resulting in hyper-real
depiction of paranoia and fear. Despite falling into uninspired
Real World-style arguments one time too many, limited budget
results in truly terrifying less-is-more moments, in particular a late
night tent attack and the chilling climactic cabin sequence.
[English,
86min, R]
5/09 |
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Blood: The Last Vampire
(2000) |
8
/10 |
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A school girl hunting vampires in 1960's Japan? I'm sold. Definitely
lacking story, but the animation is a visual treat; short and sweet. A
must see for any fans of Anime.
[Japanese, 48min, NR] |
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Bloody Sunday
(2002) |
6.5 /10 |
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Pseudo-documentary recreation of 1972 Ireland tragedy is shockingly
realistic, but sacrifices characters for a strictly visual emotional
experience. Only one to transcend format is James Nesbitt, as civil
rights leader Ivan Cooper; who's face nearly single-handedly embodies
the horror of the events for all involved. Extremely bias perspective
brings into question historical accuracy of filmmakers.
[English,
110min, R] |
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Blue Crush
(2002) |
2.5 /10 |
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"Total wipe
out dude"; sure the surf scenes are creatively shot, the female lead
is attractive, and this subculture was previously untapped, but horrid
soap opera caliber story and dialogue have a funny way of making a
movie suck. Potential to educate audience on surfing isn't even
explored
and seeing Kate Bosworth's face digitally plastered on stunt woman is
creepy.
[English,
104min, PG-13] |
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Blue
Velvet
(1986) |
9
/10 |
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Arguably
David Lynch's most successful cinematic marriage of his trademark
nightmarish style and a cohesive, engaging narrative. Pairing of young
Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern make for believable love story amidst
discovery of corrupt underbelly in their Norman Rockwell-esk town
(nicely symbolized in opening). Rossellini oozes frantic sex appeal
but it's Dennis Hopper's volcanic psychopath that tears through film
with explosive unpredictable rage. Excellent use of 1960s music on
soundtrack.
[English,
120min, R]
6/09 |
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Bonnie and Clyde
(1967) |
6 /10 |
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Overrated.
Good performances from Beatty and Dunaway, but offers no insight on
title relationship other than typical "disorganized violent criminals
getting what they deserved." Gene Wilder stands out with his bizarre
comedic role. A young Gene Hackman also noteworthy.
[English,
111min, NR] |
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The Boondock Saints
(1999) |
6 /10 |
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Wildly uneven violent drama running heavily on Tarantino fumes with
highlight Willem Dafoe's truly bizarre FBI agent. Features handful of
very cool scenes and interesting out of sequence chronology, but in
the end, just a lot of sporadically stylish hot air.
[English,
11min, R] |
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The Bourne Identity
(2002) |
7 /10 |
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All around decent movie; decent acting, decent action (including one
of the better car chases in recent memory), decent directing and while
not scoring any freshness points on plot, tension is consistent from
beginning to end (Damon and Potente make nice combo).
[English,
119min, PG-13] |
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Bowling for Columbine
(2002) |
7 /10 |
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Begins light as gun crazed America is portrayed comically through
laugh out loud interviews and biting commentary. Then comes a jarring
turn to tragedy; history of US hypocrisy set to "Wonderful World" is a
truly haunting sequence, as is disturbing recount of Columbine
shooting. Falters in second half, when Moore trades insight for his
own camera mugging crusades, opening a can of worms too big to handle.
[English,
120min, R] |
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Breakfast at Tiffany's
(1961) |
9 /10 |
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Excellent love story that rings true because it's allowed to develop
naturally (as in all the most effective romance movies). Audrey
Hepburn captivates in a way very few contemporary actresses could ever
hope for. Climactic standing-in-rain scene is especially moving
(before it was done 1,000 times over) and features some great lines of
dialogue.
[English,
115min, NR] |
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Brian's Song
(1971) |
8
/10 |
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Emotionally charged TV movie from back when TV movies were good. Billy Dee Williams and James Caan are football rookies competing for the
spotlight who become close friends, despite racial differences. Then
tragedy strikes in the form of cancer leading to a final act that is
devastating with a capital "D."
[English,
73min, G] |
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The Bridge on the River Kwai
(1957) |
8 /10 |
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Alec Guinness is especially good in this classic war movie. Character
tension at camp is the strongest attribute but is discarded right when
it gets interesting for lesser characters; makes up with suspenseful
finish.
[English,
161min, PG] |
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Broken
(2005) |
1.5
/10 |
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Once the
novelty surrounding the heavily
touted can-you-believe-we-made-this-for-only-$8,000 budget wears
off (which is fast), director Alex Ferrari's short movie reveals
itself as a poorly written, amateurishly acted, nauseatingly
pretentious attempt at achieving "cool," while exhibiting no concept
of what that means. From the inexplicably quirky characters, to the
smug "what it real?" ending, this is discount-bin Indy filmmaking
through and through (despite what Roger Ebert may have to say).
[English,
20min, NR] |
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Brotherhood of the Wolf
(2001) |
8
/10 |
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Completely
over the top mixing of Kung-fu and fantasy genres, anchored in
18-century France. Bites off too much at times (no pun intended) but
wonderful photography, beautiful women (Belucci is seductive as ever),
and sheer creative ambition, make for a largely unique, engrossing
film experience.
[French,
142min, R] |
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Bullets Over Broadway
(1994) |
6.5 /10 |
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One of the rare Woody Allen films NOT starring Woody Allen. John
Cusack is in prime form as hyper sensitive playwright who must
indirectly work with the mob to get his show made. Cast is full of
talent, including an incredibly annoying performance from Jennifer
Tilly, but film never manages to take off.
[English,
98min, R] |
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Bullitt
(1968) |
8.5
/10 |
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Hard
hitting, violent detective story featuring excellent camera work, one
of the best filmed car chases in history, and Steve McQueen as the
ultimate cool cop. Surprisingly ahead of it's time with style and
content.
[English,
113min, PG] |
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Bully
(2001) |
7.5 /10 |
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Rough, well acted account of true story with disturbing violence and a
powerful finish, but gratuitous sex (no matter how good) detracts from
main focus. Nick Stahl is effectively menacing as titular character
despite less than intimidating stature.
[English,
113min, R] |
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