‘Round Midnight (1986)

May 31, 2007 by Mr. Nau The legendary tenor saxophonist, Dexter Gordon, stars as a fictional tenorman in this Bertrand Tavernier picture about the friendship between a famous American jazz musician and a French fan. A uniquely beautiful story, good acting performances, and a spectacular soundtrack featuring performances by a phenomenal performer make this film […]

March of the Penguins (2005)

May 30, 2007 by Mr. Nau Morgan Freeman narrates this nature documentary that chronicles the mating, incubating, and birthing journey of the Emperor penguins in Antarctica. The sheer majesty of these incredible birds is a sight to behold. The beautiful cinematography and a haunting orchestral score enhance an educational experience, appropriate for viewers of all […]

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

May 30, 2007 by Mr. Nau Stunning visuals and a gorgeous soundtrack make this period piece about a geisha working in Japan through end of World War II. We get a glimpse into the traditional world of the geisha, as well as conniving and backstabbing competition among them. This picture is a certainly wonder to […]

Joe Pass – Virtuoso (1973)

May 29, 2007 by Mr. Nau Joe Pass unleashes his mind-blowing technique, meticulous improvisation, harmonic counterpoint, and beautifully sensitive phrasing on the world in this set of standards unaccompanied on acoustic guitar. Aptly named, this incredibly musical and very accessible album provides interesting interpretations of familiar old tunes. Every tune on this classic satisfies completely. […]

We Were Soldiers (2002)

May 29, 2007 by Mr. Nau Mel Gibson leads a talented cast in a based-on-a-true-story picture depicting the Battle of Ia Drang, the first major battle between the US Army Air Cavalry and the North Vietnamese Army. With very realistic action and decent acting performances, this is a exciting, satisfying war drama. Grade: A. IMDB: […]

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

May 28, 2007 by Mr. Nau Tom Hanks stars in this superlative World War II epic, directed by Steven Spielberg. This picture features some of the most astonishing World War II battle sequences ever filmed. The gritty realism and powerful acting performances of this stunning virtuosic achievement set a very high standard for subsequent war […]

North Country (2005)

May 28, 2007 by Mr. Nau Niki Caro directs this emotional, infuriating story of the harrassment endured by women in an iron mine in Northern Minnesota. Charlize Theron leads a talented cast that brings the drama to the screen with a remarkable sensitivity, showing the experiences of people who never deserved the horrifying cruelty they […]

A History of Violence (2005)

May 27, 2007 by Mr. Nau Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, and William Hurt star in this story of a small town diner owner who once had a secret life as a mob hitman. The acting performances were clunky and much of the violence seemed gratuitous. Squandered heroic sympathy and miscast characters blow this […]

Hustle & Flow (2005)

May 26, 2007 by Mr. Nau Terence Howard stars in an Oscar-nominated performance as a small-time pimp in North Memphis who gets an old high school buddy to help him out with a rap demo. With a talented cast, real characters, and a gritty story, this picture never glorifies the underworld characters it depicts. Grade: […]

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

May 26, 2007 by Mr. Nau Björk stars as a poor Eastern European immigrant in this avant-garde musical shot with handheld cameras and without incidental music. Some of the plot themes are sentimental and seem manipulative. Clearly influenced by old musicals and grainy cinema verité, this film features musical numbers that are strictly for Björk’s […]

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