A Cry in the Dark (1988)

Oct 30, 2007 by Mr. Nau Meryl Streep picks up a well-deserved Oscar nomination in this Australian crime drama about the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain. Meryl plays the bereaved mother with her husband (Sam Neill) at her side. Streep’s acting was memorable, but the rest of the performances seem very amateurish and difficult to believe. […]

A Map of the World (1999)

Oct 28, 2007 by Mr. Nau Sigourney Weaver and David Strathairn star in this melodrama about a woman falsely accused of child molestation after another child drowns in her pond. Terribly cast, ineptly directed, absurdly clunky, and full of ridiculous cringe-inducing moments, this is a difficult movie to watch and a relief to have finished. […]

300 (2006)

Oct 21, 2007 by Mr. Nau The legendary Battle of Thermopylae is depicted in this wonderful war film, based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller. The action sequences between the Spartans and the Persians are unbelievably stunning, with gorgeous sets and cinematography. Full of bravado, the courage of the characters defending their homeland is […]

Blood Diamond (2006)

Oct 14, 2007 by Mr. Nau Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou lead a phenomenally talented cast in a thriller set in Sierra Leone’s violent civil war. The entire conflict is funded by the diamond trade and we get inside the war, the slavery, the smuggling, and the violence—from three intertwined points of view. […]

Days of Glory (2006)

Oct 14, 2007 by Mr. Nau During World War II, several countries in North Africa were French colonies. In this war epic, four young Algerian men enlist in the French army to fight the Nazis, enduring discrimination from native French soldiers. This engaging picture is beautifully scripted and well-acted by a group of relative unknowns. […]

Heaven (2002)

Oct 10, 2007 by Mr. Nau Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi star in this Krzysztof Kieslowski-penned crime drama. Blanchett and Ribisi do a surprisingly good job at speaking convincing Italian. The cinematography, sets, and script are wonderful and it’s easy to care about the characters, even the one who has committed an inconceivably horrible crime. […]

The War Within (2005)

Sep 28, 2007 by Mr. Nau Hassan, a Muslim student, is arrested and tortured by the CIA. After he’s released, he joins a group who are plotting to attack Grand Central Station with suicide bombers. This controversial picture is heart-stoppingly realistic and both an indictment of the American government and the lure of religious fundamentalism. […]

Vera Drake (2004)

Sep 27, 2007 by Mr. Nau Imelda Staunton plays a working class British woman who is incredibly sweet to everyone around her and has a secret life as an amateur abortionist. Her incredibly fluent and absolutely believable acting performance resulted in an Oscar nomination. A solid script and good supporting players make this an excellent […]

James Dean (2001)

Sep 26, 2007 by Mr. Nau James Franco portrays the iconic James Dean in a Golden Globe-winning performance in this made-for-television biopic. A talented cast of character actors brings this turmoiled story to life. The script is very well-written and the picture lends greater understanding of a tragically short-lived movie star. Grade: B+. IMDB: James […]

Tony Takitani (2004)

Sep 23, 2007 by Mr. Nau This ISA-nominated Japanese film is the story of a solitary guy who falls for a woman who likes expensive clothes. After she dies unexpectedly, he hires a similarly-looking girl and tries to deal with the loss of his wife. This lyrical little gem is slow-paced and quiet. Grade: B. […]

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