White Squall (1996)
Dec 15, 2007 by Mr. Nau This coming-of-age adventure, based on a true story, features good performances by a cadre of talented young actors, in a story about young men who crew the school ship Albatross. Jeff Daniels does a solid job as the ship’s captain, working with a script written by a survivor. Grade: […]
Apocalypto (2006)
Dec 08, 2007 by Mr. Nau Mel Gibson directs this epic story of a small Mayan village that comes under attack and its members captured for sacrifice. The story is tight and focused, the sets gorgeous and authentic, and the acting quite believable. Gibson’s unexpectedly solid efforts here bring the enigmatic Mayans to vivid, spectacular […]
Children of Men (2006)
Dec 08, 2007 by Mr. Nau Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine star in this dystopian story set in a postapocalyptic London after the human race loses its ability to reproduce. The vision of a crumbled civilization and the attempts of the government to contain the growing chaos is brought to life with frightening […]
Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet (1953)
Dec 05, 2007 by Mr. Nau Sonny Rollins joins varying groups of musicians, including his quartet and, later in the album, the Modern Jazz Quartet, on this early album that features a number of standards, as well as originals. This wonderfully listenable set is just good straight ahead jazz and the solo work is top-notch. […]
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Dec 02, 2007 by Mr. Nau Forest Whitaker earns his Oscar for Best Actor with his portrayal of Idi Amin, the infamous dictator of Uganda known for brutal repression and human rights abuses. James McAvoy costars as a young Scottish doctor who befriends him. Whitaker captures the menacing figure perfectly, working with a wonderful supporting […]
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Dec 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau This spoof on all modern police action flicks is unbelievably fun, always completely deadpan, and ridiculously hilarious. Nicholas Angel is an outstanding London police officer who gets transferred to a small village for making his colleagues look incompetent. The action sequences are amazing, the humor irreverent, and the story […]
Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)
Dec 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau A classic novel by Gabriel García Márquez is adapted into a film by a director that doesn’t seem to get it. The cast is talented enough and the cinematography and set design are absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, the makeup and costuming aren’t and lots of poignant moments seem clunky and […]
Four Sheets to the Wind (2007)
Dec 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau Sterlin Harjo writes and directs this wonderful low-budget independent film, his feature film debut, about a young Seminole man, trying to find himself after his father unexpectedly commits suicide. Full of heartfelt and engaging performances, this lovely drama never feels anything but completely authentic — sometimes melancholy and sometimes […]
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