United 93

**** Stars

"United 93" is a monumental film. It is a brutally stunning visual that will stand among the crowning achievements of 2006.

We all know what happen on the horrific day five years ago. It was shocking, horrifying, disturbing, and most important...heroic. Director Paul Greengass completely honors the tragic victims of the day the world stop turning. United 93 is a visualized account of the fourth hijacked plane on 9/11. It begins as an ordinary day at an airport. The pilots discuss their flight routes, the attendants discuss their upcoming schedules, and the passenger’s board a routine flight for work, vacation, family visits etc. What happens next is nothing close to ordinary.

Four hijackers take over United 93, along with three other planes. They kill the pilots, hold the plane hostage and change course to a different location. The crew and passengers begin to understand about the World Trade Center and The Pentagon through their cell phones and their families. They realize that their only chance of survival and to prevent another attack is to try to tack back the plane. You know the rest.

Greengrass is a respectable and honorable filmmaker. This is a documentary like film that has no time for Hollywood waste or political garbage. It is simply a tale of heroism and how those in the air and those on the ground made the best decisions possible to prevent more devastation. Families of the victims are encouraging all Americans to see this film. They want us not to mourn those who died, but to celebrate their lives and their acts of true heroism. Shouldn't we honor that? Paul Greengass and the cast and crew of "United 93" sure do. This is a film to remember.

Stick It

** Stars

The Sentinel

*** Stars

Pete Garrison (Michael Douglas, in his first role since 2003's The In Laws) has been a Secret Service agent to the president for as long as he can remember. He's been trying to protect the president from any threat that comes his way, which ironically becomes himself. He is set up to take the fall for an assassination attempt on the president after one his loyal agents and friend is killed. Garrison desperately attempts to prove his innocence by searching for the real criminal behind this operation. While doing this, he is tracked by his former best friend David Breckenridge (24's Kiefer Sutherland)

The performances and script are solid. I can't ever imagine the president going to Toronto for a public speech right after the presidential helicopter is shot down. Still, this is an entertaining and well-crafted thriller.

Friends With Money

*** Stars
Friends with Money gets one thing perfectly right. When you are not with your friends, you talk about them. You mock, question, and discuss their acts with someone else. Very sad, but very true.

Four life-long friends (Olivia, Christine, Jane, and Franny) are all grown, and three of them are married and rich. The other (Olivia played by Jennifer Aniston) is single and scrubbing toilets for a living. Christine, Jane, and Franny begin to realize that their money is slowly tearing away their friendship with Olivia as they all begin to experience the hard-aches and troubles of growing up. This is Jennifer Aniston's best film since The Good Girl. I really hope she turns in an awarding winning performance sometime in the not so distant future. Thankfully, she is one her way with Friends with Money.

Scary Movie 4

*1/2 Star

This is the fourth installment of the Scary Movie Franchise and by far the worst. With an 80 minute or so run-time, it began to struggle from the very beginning. What the hell is Dr. Phil doing in a movie?

Thank You for Smoking

***1/2 Stars This satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor (Eackhart), who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son. Aaron Eackhart is a smoking hit has Naylor. He is at the top of his game.

The Weather Man

*** Stars
Nicholas Cage is very good at playing down-on-his-luck characters and he ads another credit with The Weather Man. He may be at the top for his professional career, but he is rock bottom with his personal life. He's divorced, he barely knows his kids, and his father is dying from Lymphoma (Michael Caine). He regrets the decisions he made about his marriage and doesn't seem to care that his career has made him famous (even though many people throw fast food at him for wrongly predicting the weather).

This is a depressing and emotional story of one man suffering from his mistakes. Nicholas Cage is dynamite for this role. He covers the plot holes and brings his character into focus. This is a very underrated performance.

The Inside Man

*** Stars

The Libertine

**1/2 Stars

For what it is, it's well done. There is two reasons to see this movie: 1. If you enjoy the study of hedonism and 2. Johnny Depp. His performance is deeply disturbing, yet surprisingly touching. He plays John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, in London of the 17th century. He has a passionate romance with a young actress, Elizabeth Barry, and he writes a rebellious play which lampoons the monarch who commissioned it, Charles II, leading to the Earl's banishment and eventual downfall. It's a total blast to watch Depp, especially in an opening dialogue where he explains that you will not like him throughout the entire film. Well done Johnny.

V for Vendetta

***1/2 Stars

"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder treason and plot. I see no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot."

It's an action adventure, it's controversial, its a political thriller and much more. From the creators of the Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta is the first big hit of 2006. Based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd's ground-breaking comic books from the late 1980's V for Vendetta tells of a totalitarian Britain in a futuristic setting. A young woman named Evey (a bald Natalie Portman for half the movie) is rescued from a rape and beating by a masked vigilante known only as "V" (Hugo Weaving who is perfectly cast). V is mysterious character who is skilled in the art of combat and deception. He urges his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about who this man is, she also discovers the truth about herself and that spirals into who she becomes.

This is an action thriller that refuses to let you have a moments breath. It requires incentive, concentration, and an open mind. Do not look at this as an attack on our government. Look at it as a "what if" situation. America is in their 2nd Civil War, the world is falling apart, and Civil Liberties have been taken completely (taken more than what's morally right). If you aren't ready to see explosions in London then stay away, but go to this movie and expect a damn good time.

The Hills Have Eyes

** Stars

The Hills Have Eyes is no classic to the horror genre, but manages to rise to the level to satisfactory if what you are expecting is torture porn.

16 Blocks

**1/2

There is a purpose to 16 blocks. What that is I cannot tell you. It's basically another movie of the Bruce Willis assembly line. Of course there's nothing wrong with that.

The Pink Panther

**1/2 Stars

Starring: Steve Martin

I can't recommend it, but I wouldn't discourage you from seeing it...that much.

Oscar Results

Best Picture: Crash
Best Director: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Best Original Screenplay: Crash
Best Adapted Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Best Cinematography: Memoirs of a Geisha
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Editing: Crash
Foreign Language: Tsotsi
Sound Editing: King Kong
Best Song: It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp
Best Sound Mixing: King Kong
Original Score: Brokeback Mountain
Art Direction: Memoirs of a Geisha
Documentary Feature: March of the Penguins
Documentary Short: A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age
Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Makeup: Chronicles of Narnia
Costumes: Memoirs of a Geisha
Animated Short: The Moon and the Son
Live Action Short: Six Shooter
Best Animated Feature: Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Best Visual Effects: King Kong
Best Supporting Actor: George Clooney, Syriana


CRASH UPSETS BROKEBACK! This is the second greatest upset in the history of the Academy Awards...the 1st: Shakespeare in Love over Saving Private Ryan.

Capote

**** Stars

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Truman Capote (Which one is which?) This performance will haunt you, shock you, and blow you away. This is the year for Hoffman.

Date Movie

0 Stars

In its 80 minute or so run time, can you guess how many times I laughed?...



None.


It's pure and simple, Date Movie is the cinematic equivalent of nuclear waste.

Oscar Predictions

The 78th Academy Awards...

Who Will Win- *
Who Should Win- +

BEST PICTURE

Brokeback Mountain*

Capote

Crash+

Good Night, And Good Luck

Munich

Who Got Snubbed:
King Kong: It deserved more than a nomination. It deserved a win with its style, its emotion, its story, but must of all, it was the best time at the movies all year.

Cinderella Man: I knew it was a long shot, but I would have really enjoyed seeing the fantastic four up for another prize (Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Russell Crowe, and Akiva Goldsman)

A History of Violence: Not only one of the best reviewed movies of the year but it gives us stunning performances, an ingenious screenplay, and an ending that will literally blow you away.

Walk the Line: Apparently, the Golden Globes and audiences don’t seem to matter anymore.

Who Shouldn’t be There:
Munich: Sorry Steven, but you just are not worthy of any awards with this film. Your three hour long thriller should have been reduced to an hour and forty-five. End it Steven. Just end it.


BEST DIRECTOR
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain*+
Bennett Miller, Capote
Paul Haggis, Crash
George Clooney, Good Night and Good Luck
Steven Spielberg, Munich

Peter Jackson for “King Kong”: Jackson is a masterful storyteller. He respects the original film more than any other man. This should be his year like in 2003 with “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”

David Cronenberg for “A History of Violence”: Cronenberg gives us one of the most powerful films of the year. It will mess with your head and crush you when you least expect it. This is his baby.

BEST ACTOR
Philip S. Hoffman, Capote*+
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
David Strathairn, Good Night, And Good Luck

Who Got Snubbed:
Russell Crowe in “Cinderella Man”: Maybe the Academy would have given him the nomination if it wasn’t for the incident over the summer. Come on, give the guy a break. His performance was sensational.

BEST ACTRESS
Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Keira Knightley, Pride and Prejudice
Charlize Theron, North Country
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line*+

Who got snubbed:
Joan Allen in “The Upside of Anger”: I loved her in this film. It reminded me so much of Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give”

Ziyi Zhang in “Memoirs of a Geisha”: She had to learn English and play woman with a different racial background.

Naomi Watts in “King Kong”: It’s the first time Watts has tackled this material and she gives a dead-on performance as Ann Darrow, Kong’s first and only love.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man*+
Jake Gyllehnaal, Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt, A History of Violence

Who got Snubbed:
All five contenders deserve their nominations. All five contenders deserve a win.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Frances McDormand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener*
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain+

Who got snubbed:
The entire cast of “Crash”.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Crash*+
Good Night, And Good Luck
Match Point
The Squid and The Whale
Syriana

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Brokeback Mountain*+
Capote
The Constant Gardener
A History of Violence
Munich

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Howl's Moving Castle
Corpse Bride
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*+

Each film in every category is a deserving nominee except one…the last hour of Munich. But with Steven Spielberg, anything can happen and that has been proven this year. But with this race heating up, it seems that each film could win. But right now, it seems that Brokeback Mountain is leading the charge. There were two kings of 2005: Kong and Clooney. Now it seems they will not rule at all at the Oscars.

Firewall

*** Stars

Ford is back with a bang...

Ok, it's not a big bang...

But it sure is a good time.


Harrison Ford has been absent from the movies since 2003's Hollywood Homicide. Now he's back in this thriller about Jack Stanfield, a bank security expert, whose specialty is designing theft-proof financial computer systems. Bill Cox (Paul Bettany) is bank robber who threatens to kill his family if he doesn't rob the bank for him. Jack is forced to find a flaw in his own system and steal $100 million. With the lives of his wife and children at stake, he has only hours to intervene Cox's plan and beat him at his one game.

Firewall is an effectively made thriller. Sure, it's routine and yes we have seen it before. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. I love watching Harrison Ford doing what he does best...act. He convinces me more than any other actor when he fights. He's tired, he misses his punches, he gets knocked down and just barely has enough strength to end the battle. Am I a bad person for enjoying this movie more than Spielberg's Munich?

Final Destination 3

**1/2 Stars


"You have to respect a franchise where its purpose is to kill off the main characters. Just stop thinking and enjoy the fun..."

Glory Road

*** Stars