Chocolat (1988)

May 11, 2007 by Mr. Nau France is a girl who lived in northern Cameroon during the French colonization in the 50s. This glacial picture, mostly one large flashback surrounding her family and their servant, tiptoes along the story. The characters are compelling, the acting is good, but the film feels far longer than it […]

Lonesome Dove (1989)

May 10, 2007 by Mr. Nau Without much opportunity left in dusty Lonesome Dove, Texas, two army buddies, played by Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, round up a crew, wrangle a herd of cattle, and strike out for Montana. This epic mini-series follows the difficult journey, through treachery and tragedy, to a bittersweet conclusion. […]

Legends of the Fall (1994)

May 09, 2007 by Mr. Nau Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt lead an extraordinary cast in this epic Oscar-winning story set in Montana around World War I. So many spectacular acting performances fill this masterpiece. Beautifully filmed against the breath-taking Rocky Mountains, this picture has it all — action, romance, drama, and great characters. Grade: […]

Billy Elliot (2000)

May 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau Billy Elliot lives with his working class family in northern England. While his brother and father are on strike from the local coal mine, Billy discovers a ballet class and becomes passionate about becoming a dancer. While sometimes too campy, this triumphant, feel-good story is well-acted and enjoyable. Grade: […]

The Flying Scotsman (2006)

May 05, 2007 by Mr. Nau Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Boyd, and Danny Cox star in this autobiographical story of Graeme Obree, a Scottish cyclist whose radically innovative bicycle designs won him world championships and bans from UCI. This thrilling story shows how the obsession of one man and the support of his friends changed […]

Howards End (1992)

May 03, 2007 by Mr. Nau Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, and Helena Bonham Carter star in this drama surrounding two families in different social classes, set in early 20th century England. The pacing is glacial, the cinematography beautiful, and the characters primarily concerned themselves with propriety and politeness. Thompson completely steals the show, earning an […]

Platoon (1986)

May 02, 2007 by Mr. Nau Charlie Sheen stars as Chris, a new infantry private in the Vietnam War, in this extraordinary Oscar-winning war drama directed by Oliver Stone. With an all-star cast, the acting is brilliant and the story is gritty, realistic, and shows the horrors of this unpopular war with startling accuracy. Grade: […]

My Left Foot (1989)

Apr 26, 2007 by Mr. Nau Daniel Day-Lewis stars in the autobiography of Christy Brown, an Irish writer who detailed his experience growing up with cerebral palsy and learning to function. A talented cast tells the Oscar-winning story, but the slow pace of the picture made it seem like it was made for TV. Grade: […]

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

Apr 25, 2007 by Mr. Nau In 2001, the Enron accounting irregularities made national headlines in what turned out to be the largest corporate bankruptcy in American history. This extraordinary documentary shows the history of the company, the way it profited off the California energy crisis, and the way it screwed its own employees and […]

Like Water For Chocolate (1992)

Apr 24, 2007 by Mr. Nau A rich, sensual family drama centers around young Tita, her domineering and hateful mother, her unrequited love, and her ability to create emotional experiences with food. The pace of the story is glacial at times, the tone is warm and sensual, and the scope is huge, spanning over 40 […]

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