Movie Reviews
I love movies–not all of them and certainly not all types. You won’t see me making comments on horror, slashers, or really stupid movies.
A movie can earn up to 4 Golden Eggs 
, meaning, drop everything and get your ticket (or DVD)!
Below are many of the movies that I’ve seen over the past year with the latest at the top. Here’s a start … I’ll regularly add to the list.
Sort list by: title | rating | view date ↓
July, 2002
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2002-07-24 10:42
Harrisons Flowers
with Andie MacDowell, Elias Koteas, Brendan Gleeson, Adrien Brody, David Strathairn, and Alun Armstrong is a drama about a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Harrison Lloyd who is missing on assignment and presumed dead in a far-off country-think Bosnia. Wife Sarah is sure her husband is not dead and sets out to find him with camera. She is shocked at what she finds and what war really is. The flowers? -hubby raises orchids and beautiful they are. Who Should See It? --not kids-this is an intense movie. 3 ½ Golden Eggs.
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2002-07-24 10:42Showtime
with Robert De Niro (Mitch) as the no-nonsense detective, Eddie Murphy (Trey) as a cop who wants to be an actor and detective (if he can't make it as an actor) and Rene Russo as the ratings obsessed TV producer of a cop reality show. There are genuine laugh-out-loud scenes...others drag. Murphy's Trey stumbles into De Niro's bust, screwing it up. To eliminate the PR damage from De Niro shooting a camera out of the cameraman's hands, his superiors toss him to the PR wolves to do a mini-series about cops-Showtime. Murphy becomes his enthusiastic sidekick and an instant media celebrity. The visual commentary on intrusive reporters is ongoing with Showtime and is more truth than fiction. What De Niro does for a hobby is a kick. Who Should See It? --The movie is mixed, but if you like Murphy and De Niro, you will probably like this one. 2 ½ Golden Eggs.
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2002-07-24 10:41Monsoon Wedding
delayers a wedding that includes family members from America and India-of course, there are always secrets that pop up in these events and Monsoon Wedding has its share. It's both comedy and a love story-underneath the appearance that all is in order, is a tad of dysfunctional family tension, intrigues and an affair or two. Three languages are used-English, Hindi and Punjabi (the later two have sub-titles); the colors used throughout the movie are brilliant, the contrasts of society evident; and the importance of family is woven throughout as well as the sense that all will end well, with and without the potholes of life. Who Should See It? -not kids, this is an adult film. 4 Golden Eggs.
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2002-07-24 10:41Beauty and the Beast
--IMAX version is back with a few new scenes and a new song. Seeing it on the big, big IMAX screen creates a 3-D experience. Who Should See It? -perfect for families of all ages...it's wonderful. 5 Golden Eggs.
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2002-07-24 10:40The Rookie
with Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Brian Cox, Beth Grant, and Jay Hernandez is a true story about baseball pro pitcher Jim Morris. As a kid, he's caught up in the merry-go-round of moving every year as a military family. He's drafted to the minors, but never makes it out due to a shoulder injury-his fate brings him back to Big Lake TX, marries, has kids, teaches science at the local high school (most likely the only one-Big Lake taint too big, even for TX!) and coaches high school baseball. The theme of the movie is-it's never too late. He instills winning in his team by making a deal with the kids-(actually, the kids create the deal)-if they win the district championship, Coach Morris will try one more time for the major leagues. The kids win. . .and Jim goes for it, bringing his 3 kids to the try-outs. Who Should See It? -If you liked Remember the Titans, you will like this one. It's a feel good, safe flick for the entire family. 4 Golden Eggs.
0.3 May, 2002
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2002-05-24 10:40Beijing Bicycle
is set in the capital of China and tells a story of a young man seeking his fortune (meaning that he gets to own the bicycle that he delivers messages and parcels on). As an outside observer, you follow the teen cliques and gangs, as well as common families claiming whatever turf they can. Geui (played by Cui Lin) proudly looks forward to the day when the bike will be his. On a routine deliver, it is stolen, ending up in the hands of Jian (Li Bin) a teen who lives in what would most likely be considered the middle class. Jian and Geui are linked in their equal goal of owning a bike; Geui attempts to earn his-Jian steals money from his father (who has promised for years to get him one) and ends up buying the stolen bike. Geui's pursuit of his bike weaves the two together with some interesting solutions to their joint problem-the yen and the yang of survival and acceptance. English subtitles. Who Should See It? --Adults, kids won't have the patience for it. 3 Golden Eggs.
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2002-05-24 10:39Hart's War
with Bruce Willis (Col. McNamara), Marcel Iures (SS Major Visser) and Colin Farrell (Lt. Hart) is about sacrifices made by soldiers at war, honor and incredible courage. Willis is the ranking American officer in a brutal German POW camp (forget the campy Stalag 17 and Hogan's Heroes humor). He attempts to keep a sense of honor among the prisoners within the compound, planning all the time to strike back at the enemy and SS Major Visser. A murder in the camp sets the stage for a massive distraction set in play by Willis and Farrell. Who Should See It? -Mature kids (post 11) and up. It's not a pretty movie but is gripping, extremely well done. Too many times, all you see in a war movie is the blood and guts part with a general somewhere away from harm masterminding the next movie. Hart is there. 4 ½ Golden Eggs.
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2002-05-24 10:39Italian for Beginners
-is set in Denmark (English subtitles) and is part comedy, part relationships when six men and women find themselves in an introductory Italian class. As the six stumble, they get to know each other (and themselves)-the widowed minister, the woman who cares for her curmudgeonly father, a young man with a crush on an Italian cook, a restaurant manager who loves Italian football, a hairdresser and her future beau begin to share experiences as they all fumble through an Italian class for beginners that becomes the glue for budding relationships in futures glowing. Their family obligations, miscommunications, and mix-ups all adds to the simmering brew. Who Should See It? -Adults, it's fun. 4 Golden Eggs.
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2002-05-24 10:23Iris
with Judi Dench, Jim Broad bent, and Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville as the younger versions of Dench and Broadbent is a mixed bag. The acting is excellent and I wonder if Dench can do no wrong. Her somewhat befuddled hubby also gets top honors. Pitched as a love story that is woven with tragic occurrences-Alzheimer's-it's different. Viewers are told that Iris Murdoch is a brilliant writer and spouse John Bayley a renowned literary critic-I felt cheated, I wanted to know more about her novels and his work. What I learned is that she enjoyed and loved men and women alike, that she was considered one of the most brilliant women in England. When Alzheimer's rears its nasty head (and this is one rotten disease to have for the patient and family)-it's crushing for Iris and John, who live with and through words that are now lost. Who Should See It? -This is for adults, there is nudity and sexuality. One of the important elements that surfaces is the immense amount of work placed on the primary caregiver of an Alzheimer patient. They need help, the sooner the better. 2 Golden Eggs.
0.3 April, 2002
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2002-04-24 10:22Big Fat Liar
with Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) as Jason Shepherd is a classic fibber-he lies about everything to the point that not even his close pal and parents believe anything he says. Jason is nailed by his teacher for not doing a critical story assignment and is told that he has until the end of the day to deliver it. Jason pulls through, gets the story done-an autobiography of his lying skills-sets out to deliver it and is hit on his bike (will, actually his sisters girly book) by a sleazy Hollywood producer, Marty Wolf who steals his story and sets out to produce it. This movie had the potential to be fun and ended up a dud. Who Should See It!-kids from 8-12, the story is weak, but this group may like it-1 ½ Golden Eggs
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2002-04-24 10:22John Q
with Denzel Washington (as John Q), Robert Duvall, James Woods, Anne Heche will tick-off hospitals and HMOs. It's a story about a father who tries to work with the system and gets dumped on. From hours cut back on the job; to the employer Mickey-Mousing around with insurance benefits; to a quasi-cold witch (Anne Heche) hospital administrator who can green light whether John's son gets on the heart transplant list; to the extremes that John Q will go to save his son, including taking the hospital ER hostage. This is a good flick and worth your time. Who Should Go See?-teens and up. 4 Golden Eggs.
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2002-04-24 10:21Mulholland Drive
is director David Lynch's (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet) bizarre movie that has envy, jealousy, sex, auto crashes, weird twisted people and lesbian sex. If that's your cup of tea-go for it. The plot is convoluted and basically incomprehensible-supposedly a wealthy (or star-you don't know at first) woman is threatened with her life, a car crash happens where she escapes, finds herself in the Hollywood Hills and is befriended by an aspiring actress who helps her find out who she is. Why people have flocked to see this film is beyond me. Who Should See It?-Adults only, on a scale from 1 to 5, it gets 1 cracked Egg, I found nothing Golden about it.
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2002-04-24 10:21Collateral Damage
with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Good Guy Firefighter Gordy Brewer has got lots of action, explosions, and a few twists/surprises in turn. This is one of the movies that were pulled after 9/11. Gordy's wife and son are killed in an explosion set up for the enemies of the Columbia guerillas, including CIA dudes-they are "collateral damage"-innocent people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and die-it happens per the chief guerilla, The Wolf. Gordy gets frustrated by what he perceives as the Government's failure in getting The Wolf and sets out to do it his way. As a firefighter, he's got lots of explosive know-how and uses it. The end of the movie offers the only surprise, that is, if you haven't figured it out by then. Who Should See It!-only dedicated action seekers, the story is weak-1 ½ Golden Eggs
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2002-04-24 10:20Mothman Prophecies
with Richard Gere, Debra Messing and Laura Linney is a quasi-suspense thriller that probes a series of odd occurrences through the eyes and mind of a Washington Post journalist reporter played by Gere after he decides to investigate the circumstances surrounding his wife's death. In what starts out as a routine drive to do a story, he ends up in Pt. Pleasant, hundreds of miles from his intended destination and clueless as to how he got there. Our journalist turns detective upon meeting the trusted local cop (Linney) who shares that there are lots of strange things going on-Gere figures out that the death of his wife is connected with it. He decides to stay in Point Pleasant, begins to think he's losing his sanity, as he attempts to unravel the puzzle. Who Should See It?-teens and up, on a scale from 1 to 5 Golden Eggs, it's a 3. I could have seen this as a rented video.
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2002-04-24 10:20The Count of Monte Cristo
with Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris and Dagmara Dominzyk is based on Alexandre Dumas' classic story of an innocent man wrongly imprisoned (he's set up by his best friend) and his strategy for revenge against those who betrayed him. Caviezel plays the Count, who's as honest as the day is long in his youth and is besotted by the beautiful Mercedes (Dominzyk) who his best friend openly covets (Pearce). The Count is unlawfully sentenced to the infamous island prison of Chateau D'If, and over time, everything he ever believed about right and wrong is deleted and replaced with just getting even with those who did him in. With the help of another fellow inmate (Harris), the Count plots and succeeds in escaping-the action begins. Who Should See It?-teens and up, on a scale from 1 to 5, it gets 3 Golden Eggs-Harris is good as he mentors his fellow prisoner.
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2002-04-24 10:19Birthday Girl
with Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin opens with a meek and desperately seeking John, the British bank clerk looks for his dream woman. With nothing popping up, he turns to the Internet and marries a Russian mail-order bride. The brooding Nadia arrives knowing little English. Our banker feels duped, tries to contact the agency that sent her over to take her back and fails. Once home, Nadia seduces him and as fate has it, they grow closer…until her cousins show up. Under the guise of a birthday celebration, John discovers that he has been duped again when Nadia's cousins show up. John learns that the three of them are nothing but con artists. He becomes a hostage and schemes on how he can get his life and Nadia back. Who Should See It?-mature teens and up, on a scale from 1 to 5 Golden Eggs, it's a 2 ½. There is humor, nudity and adults doing dumb things that most kids would rate as stupid.
0.3 December, 2001
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2001-12-24 10:18The Majestic
with Jim Carrey has some spirit (and a very cool theater marquis). Carrey is a Hollywood B writer who gets blacklisted during a McCarthy type era, has a few two many, takes a drive and lands in the drink, so to say. When he wakes up, he has amnesia, is found by a locale and steps into a town that still mourns its dead heroes with their photos displayed in their stores. Real time is the early 50s, the town is in the 40s. By the time it's over, Carrey finds his voice (and vision), the town finds its voice and all live happily ever after. Who Should See It?-mature teens and up.
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2001-12-24 10:18Lord of the Rings
is a mixed bag. The special effects are stunning. I confess that I haven't read the original Tolkien books, so whether the movie(s)-another will roll out next year--follow the story line, I wouldn't know. The movie is dark, the creatures are quite nasty, it's pure fantasy about good and evil. I know that there are lots of raves for it and my family members thought it was great--I was bored after the second hour. Who Should See It?--mature teens and up. Grammar won't like it.
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2001-12-24 10:18Black Hawk Down
is the latest of the war movies (after Spy Game and behind Enemy Lines) and is the true story of the Battle of Mogadishu, the longest sustained ground battle involving American soldiers since the Vietnam War. An elite force of 120 American Delta units and Ranger infantry were dropped into Mogadishu in 1993, to abduct two of a Somalian warlord lieutenants. Instead, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters (these are huge) were shot down, and what was expected to take an hour lasted over 15, resulting in the deaths of 19 Americans, 73 wounded, and over a thousand Somalians dead. This movie is not for the faint of heart--it's grueling and never stops. War is hell and nothing to be illusionary about. Go see. Who Should See It?--history seekers, action lovers--not for young kids.
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2001-12-24 10:17Gosford Park
with Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, Alan Bates, and Kirsten Scott is a combo of a murder mystery and dry comedy. It mergers parts of Thomas Upstairs-Downstairs, Remains of the Day and the Age of Innocence. Maggie Smith is a hoot. Who Should See It?-mature teens and up, it's a type of period piece.
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2001-12-24 10:15The Royal Tenebaums
with Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Danny Glover, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, and Luke Wilson is a story of the reuniting of an incredibly dysfunctional family. The kids (Stiller-the financer, Paltrow-the playwright, and Wilson-the tennis star) were all considered brilliant in their youths but fizzed big time as adults. Hackman as Royal Tenebaum claims he is dying of cancer, gets his estranged wife Etheline (Houston) to let him move in after he is evicted from the hotel he has lived at for years. This is a quirky kind of a comedy. I didn't laugh a lot, but was amused. Who Should See It?-mature teens and up.
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2001-12-24 10:15Dinner Rush
with Danny Aiello and Sandra Bernhard is set in Gigino Trattoria, a NYC restaurant and is one of the season's gems. Aiello is Louis, the eatery's owner whose best friend has just been gunned down. His son, Udo, is the critically acclaimed gourmet chef with a big ego. Bernhard is a snotty food critic, the cast is great from the condescending diners to the gambling cook. Who Should See It?-mature teens and up. Definitely go see.
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2001-12-24 10:14The Imposter
with Gary Sinise and Madeline Stowe is a psychological thriller from the future-the year is 2079 (how come all the future movies make everything gloom, dark and dreary backgrounds?). Sinise plays Spencer Olham, a scientific hero whose work promises to save Earth and finds him accused of being an alien spy. With that, the manhunt begins. The Imposer is based on a short story written in 1952 by Philip Dick. Who Should See It?-Sci-fi fans will like it, otherwise, take a pass.
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2001-12-24 10:13The Affair of the Necklance
with Hilary Swank, Jonathan Pryce, Christopher Walken delivers a history lesson of sorts and proves that networking was critical in France during Marie Antoinette's time. Swank's goal as the Countess is to get her good family's name back that was destroyed when she was a child. What she does to accomplish it is fascinating to watch unfold. All kinds of duplicity, betrayal, and high jinks. Who Should See It?-mature teens and up. This is a period piece.
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2001-12-24 09:48Ali
with Will Smith (Ali) and Jon Voight (Howard Cosell) begins with Ali's defeat of Sonny Liston and ends with his fight with George Foreman. Along the way are women, the draft, Malcolm X and Howard Cosell (Voight is terrific). Smith gets Ali's voice and humor-sparring with Cosell is a kick and a highlight. Smith does a good job with the fight scenes. Who Should See It?-teens and up-it's a good way to spend 2 ½ hours.
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