The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Posted on May 22, 2006
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This film, from the Dan Brown novel, is the story of a symbologist and a French police detective uncovering the conspiracy of Catholicism’s greatest secret.  As they get deeper into the conspiracy, they narrowly escape danger several times.  Slow-paced but fun, this movie marks the beginning of Summer Blockbuster season.

Grade: B.

IMDB:  The Da Vinci Code.

Saved! (2004)

Posted on May 20, 2006
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Mary is a senior at a fundamentalist Christian high school, whose boyfriend confesses that he’s gay. She tries to “save” him from his homosexuality by seducing him and ends up pregnant. This coming-of-age comedy set against a sometimes cringe-worthy Christian backdrop features many laugh-out-loud moments.

Grade: B.

IMDB: Saved!.

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Posted on May 18, 2006
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River Phoenix stars in the story of a narcoleptic gay street hustler working the streets of Seattle and Portland, who embarks on a quest to find his mother. His search takes him to Idaho and Italy. This reimagined Shakespeare play features a motley cast and takes time to get moving.

Grade: C.

IMDB: My Own Private Idaho.

Miracle (2004)

Posted on May 18, 2006
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The United States Olympic hockey team had not won a gold medal in 20 years. Coach Herb Brooks relentlessly develops a team the ends the drought. The action is riveting in this Disney-produced feel-good sports movie, starring Kurt Russell, and the camera brings us right into the battle.

Grade: A-.

IMDB: Miracle.

Meet the Feebles (1989)

Posted on May 17, 2006
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Written and directed by Peter Jackson, this is the behind the scenes story of puppets and their Variety Show. Graphic scenes of violence, sexually transmitted disease and drug abuse abound. This “comedy” is over the top, and more depressing than funny. I can’t understand why this is considered classic humor.

Grade: F+.

IMDB: Meet the Feebles.

Dracula (1992)

Posted on May 16, 2006
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Gary Oldman is terrifying as Count Dracula in this staple horror film, based on the novel by Bram Stoker. Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, and Winona Ryder round out an all-star cast in the classic vampire story. Cheesy accents and bad model work couldn’t drive a stake through this picture.

Grade: B-.

IMDB: Dracula.

A Kiss Before Dying (1956)

Posted on May 15, 2006
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This noir thriller stars Robert Wagner as a college student who sees his life spiraling out of control when he discovers that his girlfriend is pregnant. The script was adequate and the cast was decent. A few surprises and twists make for a fairly entertaining experience in a B movie.

Grade: C+.

IMDB: A Kiss Before Dying.

The Final Cut (2004)

Posted on May 14, 2006
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Robin Williams stars in a riveting science fiction thriller as a “cutter”, someone who creates an edited movie from the memory implant of a newly-deceased person. The movie is shown at “Rememory”, a funeral-like ceremony. Well-crafted and full of palpable tension, this overlooked film is thoroughly entertaining.

Grade: A.

IMDB: The Final Cut.

Seven Ways from Sundown (1960)

Posted on May 13, 2006
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In this western film, Audie Murphy plays a young Ranger tasked with bringing in a charismatic outlaw. Murphy is excellent playing the likable lawman Seven Ways from Sundown Jones. Barry Sullivan as the outlaw Jim Flood is as charismatic as he is bad. A good story for fans of westerns.

Grade: B-.

IMDB: Seven Ways from Sundown.

Blade: Trinity (2004)

Posted on May 12, 2006
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The Daywalker returns in the third installment of the Blade series—this time stalked by the FBI, joined by a stylish group of “Nightstalkers”, and facing the venerable Dracula. Not even Jessica Biel revealing her midsection and shooting toxic arrows could save this orgy of lackluster action and abysmal scripting.

Grade: F.

IMDB: Blade: Trinity.

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