Schindler’s List (1993)

Dec 27, 2006 by Mr. Nau A magnificently stunning work of cinematic perfection, this masterpiece sets the bar high for historical biographies. The story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved more than 1100 Jews from Nazi death camps, is brilliantly scripted, acted, and scored. This film truly shows us what one person can […]

These Girls (2005)

Dec 21, 2006 by Mr. Nau Caroline Dhavernas milks her sitcom persona for all it’s worth in this cute independent comedy about three girls who seduce a hunk thirteen years their senior (David Boreanaz) and manipulate him into maintaining flings with all three of them. The story is nothing new and some parts are downright […]

War of the Worlds (2005)

Dec 19, 2006 by Mr. Nau Steven Spielberg reimagines H. G. Wells‘ science fiction masterpiece with a huge budget and a stunning array of heart-stopping visual effects sequences. The script wanders significantly from the original literature and cheats lamely in the ending. With competent acting and palpable tension, it delivers quite a decent thrill ride. […]

The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Dec 17, 2006 by Mr. Nau There is a certain temptation for children of the eighties to idealize the popular culture of their childhood. Sometimes, this is warranted. In the case of this terribly written toy commercial, it isn’t. Sometimes, silliness and childishness are just fun. This was an offensive litany of stereotypes, violence, and […]

Cube (1997)

Dec 14, 2006 by Mr. Nau This refreshingly original psychological science fiction thriller throws seven individuals into a massive matrix of room-sized cubes with exits, sometimes leading to variously booby-trapped neighbors. The small picture is fantastically scripted and well-acted, despite the low budget, obscurity of the actors, modest production values, and constricted scope. Grade: B+. […]

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Dec 11, 2006 by Mr. Nau This conclusion to the prequel trilogy of the original Star Wars franchise bests the first two in its series by a very small margin. The visual effects are jaw-dropping and the scale is vast, but the story was inept, unbelievable, and filmed like an extended episode of Super Friends. […]

Winter Passing (2005)

Dec 07, 2006 by Mr. Nau The story of loss, sorrow, estrangement, and reconciliation features a gaggle of interesting characters in varying degrees of pain. With a beautiful script, a powerfully talented cast, and a sweet, lilting soundtrack, this movie delivers a full range of emotion — anger, frustration, and disappointment, as well as tenderness […]

Tsotsi (2005)

Dec 06, 2006 by Mr. Nau Set in the ghettos near Johannesburg, South Africa, and centering around a street-hardened thug and a baby he gets in a carjacking, this picture is the story of a young man’s redemption. The transformation of the protagonist brings us to a satisfying and emotional conclusion. What a beautiful story. […]

The Great Raid (2005)

Dec 05, 2006 by Mr. Nau A battalion of Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas planned and executed one of the most successful POW rescue missions in American history. It was a stunning achievement — certainly worth far more than this trudging, miscast, squandered scrap of film. The acting was deplorable and the script blew dramatic […]

Heart: The Marilyn Bell Story (2001)

Nov 30, 2006 by Mr. Nau This Canadian made-for-television movie is a dramatization of the first solo swim across Lake Ontario. The acting and photography are typical of such a production — clunky, unpolished, and amateur — while the story is thrilling and inspiring. Caroline Dhavernas is a little too cutesy as the spunky Marilyn […]

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