V for Vendetta (2005)

This stirring film tells the tale of a freedom fighter attempting to save the people of future Britain from their dystopian fate. The Wachowski brothers adapt the story of heroism and bravery from the graphic novel by Alan Moore. Striking visuals and wonderful performances nearly make this an instant classic. Grade: A-. IMDB: V for […]

Blade II (2002)

Wesley Snipes returns as Blade, the Daywalker, in a silly vampire flick that blows its wad in the first half hour. The fight sequences at the beginning dazzle and get increasingly contrived and hokey by the end. The story wasn’t just predictable. It was boring, without style, and completely unnecessary. Grade: D-. IMDB: Blade II.

Silent Hill (2006)

Directed by Christophe Gans, this is a cheesy action/horror flick based on the game series of the same name. The special effects are suitably spooky, but in an “I’ve seen this before” way. Plot holes and wooden acting plague the story. This is mainly for fans of the games. Grade: D-. IMDB: Silent Hill.

Of Mice and Men (1992)

John Malkovich and Gary Sinise team up in a beautiful adaptation of the classic John Steinbeck novel. Malkovich is barely recognizable as the incredibly strong, but mentally handicapped, Lennie. Sinise directs and stars as George, who travels to find work with his friend. Great performances make this film a classic. Grade: B+. IMDB: Of Mice […]

The Story of the Weeping Camel (2003)

This Oscar-nominated documentary centers around a nomadic Mongolian family and one of their camels, who has given birth to a colt and rejected it. The family tries everything to get the mother camel to accept the baby and ultimately resorts to getting a violinist to perform a special ritual. Grade: B-. IMDB: The Story of […]

Broadcast News (1987)

William Hurt, Jack Nicholson, Albert Brooks, and Holly Hunter anchor a strong cast in this comedic drama about a network television station and a talentless anchor’s rise to the top. Very well-acted, although quite cheesy in parts, this endearing picture tugs at the heart and evokes a few guffaws. Grade: B-. IMDB: Broadcast News.

Ultimate Avengers (2006)

This straight-to-video animated movie is loosely based on the comic book series The Ultimates. The kid-friendly plotline makes this less interesting than if they had stuck closer to the story from the comic. The voice acting and animation is done well and makes this a fun rental. Grade: C. IMDB: Ultimate Avengers.

Sideways (2004)

Apr 28, 2006 by Mr. Nau This quirky buddy picture about two guys touring Southern California’s wine country gets the audience deeply involved in a well-written story. The acting is superb and the bittersweet relations between men and women in this film make it a highly compelling watch for anyone, full of poignance and humor. […]

I Am David (2003)

A poignant tale about a determined boy who escapes a Soviet work camp in Bulgaria to travel alone across Europe, this beautiful picture features astonishing acting performances, sudden and unexpected tear-jerking moments, a magnificently written and realized script, and a grand sense of scale that takes the breath away. Grade: A. IMDB: I Am David.

The Corporation (2003)

Apr 20, 2006 by Mr. Nau This powerful documentary about the rise and dominance of large corporations attempts to educate the public on the relaxation of laws to accomodate and empower large business entities. The comparison between corporate behavior and that of psychopaths is eye-opening. While well-intentioned, this powerful indictment runs too long. Grade: B-. […]

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