Acts of Worship (2001)

Nov 22, 2007 by Mr. Nau This gritty character study follows a drug addict through various crack houses and an attempt to get clean. The grainy cinematography indicates an exceptionally low budget and the picture feels like a film school project. The characters are flat and it’s difficult to care what happens to any of […]

Aimee & Jaguar (1999)

Nov 21, 2007 by Mr. Nau This Golden Globe-nominated period picture from Germany tells the story of two women, a Jewish activist in the German Resistance and the wife of a Nazi officer, who find love during World War II. The script is interesting and the story, based on the actual events, is very engaging. […]

The Matrix (1999)

Nov 18, 2007 by Mr. Nau Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving and Carrie-Anne Moss star in this brilliant post-apocalyptic science fiction blockbuster with astonishing special effects and innumerable unforgettable moments. The incredibly imaginative, groundbreaking script anchors a wildly entertaining story—full of kick-ass fight sequences, interesting philosophical ideas, and a truly menacing villain. Grade: A+. […]

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Nov 15, 2007 by Mr. Nau Eleven-year-old Keke Palmer shines as Akeelah Anderson, a middle school student in South Los Angeles, who tries to make it to the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Laurence Fishburne lends his talent as her coach in this endearing and inspiring story with a beautifully written script. Grade: […]

American Gangster (2007)

Nov 11, 2007 by Mr. Nau Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe turn in powerful, Oscar-caliber performances in this organized crime drama, based on a true story from the late 60s and early 70s. The action is violent, as one might expect, but the intricate twists and turns in the plot keep this from being predictable. […]

Rudy (1993)

Nov 10, 2007 by Mr. Nau Rudy Ruettiger wanted only one thing in life — to play football at Notre Dame. His struggles to get into the school, onto the team, and into a game make this based-on-a-true-story sports drama compelling. With solid performances and an inspiring script, this picture is a winner. Grade: B+. […]

Afterglow (1997)

Nov 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau Nick Nolte, Julie Christie, Johnny Lee Miller, and Lara Flynn Boyle star in this critically acclaimed and often uncomfortable marriage drama. The pace of the picture trudges at times and the script could have benefited from another revision. The central cast delivered much more than the screenplay or directing […]

Match Point (2005)

Nov 04, 2007 by Mr. Nau Woody Allen wrote and directed this wonderfully nuanced drama about a guy who finds himself in a rich family and falls for his brother-in-law’s fiancée. With Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Brian Cox, Scarlett Johansson, and Emily Mortimer starring, this picture was well-acted, engaging, and full of unexpected twists. Grade: A-. IMDB: […]

2010 (1984)

Nov 03, 2007 by Mr. Nau This sequel to the classic science fiction thriller of the late 60s resolves the story of the space ship Discovery. The acting was decent, but the cinematography wasn’t great compared to other movies of the mid-80s. The ending seemed tacked on, but the rest of the drama was exciting. […]

Wordplay (2006)

Oct 31, 2007 by Mr. Nau This unexpectedly entertaining documentary follows crossword editors and constructors through the building process of the New York Times crossword puzzles, shows us an obscure tournament full of hyper-intelligent people, and introduces us to celebrities who live for these puzzles. Full of clever humor, this is engaging and educational fun. […]

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