Troy (2003)
Posted on February 8, 2006
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Wolfgang Peterson takes very generous liberties with The Iliad in this blockbuster that stars Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, and Peter O’Toole. While most people won’t even notice the goofs, there’s no excuse for the level of license taken here. This work is, after all, nearly 2800 years old.
IMDB: Troy.
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2002)
Posted on February 8, 2006
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This picture is a powerful documentary about the occupation of Tibet by China, the effect on the Tibetans of Chinese resettlement programs, and the unshakeable belief in nonviolence in the face of staggering oppression. The film is extremely political, of course, but depicts the people and traditions of Tibet beautifully.
Grade: B+.
IMDB: Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Posted on February 8, 2006
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I want my money back, Will Ferrell. Just because you’re funny and you make people laugh with most of your movies does not mean that every film you do is a gloriously smirky piece of comedic genius. This piece of shit left me watching the clock on the DVD player.
Grade: F.
IMDB: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
John Scalzi – Old Man’s War (2005)
Posted on January 26, 2006
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John Scalzi takes us on a satisfying thrill ride, tagging along with our protagonist, John Perry, as he joins the army in old age after losing his wife to a stroke. This exceptionally well-written book is fairly short, but the action is intense and dramatic with very believable characters.
King Kong (2005)
Posted on January 20, 2006
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A long, tedious remake of the 1933 classic, Peter Jackson directs this $207 million creature feature, starring Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, and Jack Black. An unrelenting barrage of special effects eye candy sends us on more than three hours of a yawn-worthy story. It’s only a monkey movie, Pete.
Grade: C.
IMDB: King Kong.
Stevie Wonder – A Time to Love (2005)
Posted on January 19, 2006
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Stevie Wonder gathers together a stellar group of musicians in support of his first album in a decade, including Bonnie Raitt, Prince, India.Arie, his daughter Aisha, and Paul McCartney. With the undeniable genius of this gigantic musical legend shining through every joyous note, this album is an instant classic.
AllMusic: Stevie Wonder — A Time to Love.
Il Postino (1994)
Posted on January 18, 2006
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A superbly lyrical and intensely emotional film about the friendship between Pablo Neruda and a mail carrier in a quaint Italian village, this masterpiece explores an uneducated man’s desire to put his passion into words, with the help of a poet. Spectacularly set, acted, and scripted, I loved this picture.
Grade: A+.
IMDB: Il Postino.
Ben Bova – Saturn (2003)
Posted on January 16, 2006
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Toss 10,000 of society’s least wanted—personae non gratae of every conceivable type—and watch the power struggle begin. In this political science fiction drama, various factions vie for power in a space station. Despite conventional flat characters, this is an entertaining read, with a few unpredictable twists and turns.
IBL: Ben Bova — Saturn.