Bugsy Malone (1976)

Dec 29, 2007 by Mr. Nau Imagine a mobster movie in which the Tommy guns shoot cream pies instead of bullets, entirely acted by young teenagers. Imagine it as a musical, but where adult singers are dubbed in over children’s voices. This Oscar nominee defies logic, sense, and reason, but introduces Jodie Foster and Scott […]

Colors Straight Up (1997)

Dec 29, 2007 by Mr. Nau This obscure Oscar-nominated documentary tells the story of an inner city organization that introduces high school students in Watts to the arts—literature, music, and drama. This fascinating look shows us the hard lives of some students and the giant impact the group has on its community and members. Grade: […]

Rounders (1998)

Dec 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau Matt Damon delivers a powerful performance as card shark law student in this poker picture. Edward Norton turns in decent supporting work as his slimy sidekick, who gets him in lots of trouble. The script is tight, the amazing supporting cast full of stars, and the characters remarkable three […]

Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

Dec 22, 2007 by Mr. Nau Cillian Murphy turns heads in this strange and occasionally funny drama about a transvestite cabaret singer from Northern Ireland named “Kitten”, trying to find his mother in England in the 60s and 70s. Solid supporting work is turned in by the likes of Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, and Stephen […]

Deep Impact (1998)

Dec 21, 2007 by Mr. Nau This blockbuster about the end of the world features a cast with talent and a production team that made an inexcusable number of errors in geography, science, and politics. Téa Leoni is never believable as a news anchor for a single frame. Other cast members turn in completely forgettable […]

There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Dec 21, 2007 by Mr. Nau While juvenile and full of incredibly hilarious moments of irreverent, grotesque, and slapstick comedy, this strange love story squanders the talent in front of the camera and many opportunities to make a coherent, worthwhile point. Despite a funny cast and witty writing, several scenes are painfully incompetent and remarkably […]

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Dec 17, 2007 by Mr. Nau Russell Crowe leads a phenomenal cast in this Oscar-winning biopic about Nobel laureate John Forbes Nash and his lifelong struggle with schizophrenia. Jennifer Connelly, as his wife, gives a career-defining performance. Ron Howard’s direction of this great script brings the audience into the mind of this troubled genius. Grade: […]

The Kite Runner (2007)

Dec 15, 2007 by Mr. Nau Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel comes to life in this beautiful work of art that stars Khalid Abdalla as a young Afghan man who returns to his homeland to find the son of his childhood friend. With lots of historical insight, this picture delivers rare perspective on an interesting culture. […]

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 […]

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