fourSTAR Film Reviews

SUMMER MOVIES EXTRA

2006-07-12T10:39:00.000-05:00

:::: I'm on the road with my band all summer (www.myspace.com/timwildsmith)... so here's a quick tidbit about the films I've seen in the last coule of months ::::

Mission Impossible 3
Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Tom Cruise
Stars: ★★★ (3)
Better than the second one.. way better.. not as good as thei first.

X-Men: The Last Stand
Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry
Stars: ★★★ (3)
Intense... action packed... lots of fun.

The Da Vinci Coode
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ian McKlellan
Stars: ★★★ (3)
Nowhere near as good as the hype, but fun nonetheless.

The Break-Up
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston
Stars: ★★ (2)
Laugh out loud funny at times, but exactly the opposite ending I was hoping for.

Nacho Libre
Director: Jared hess
Starring: Jack Black
Stars: ★1/2 (1and1/2)
Vibrant, colorful, and creative... with nothing in the plot to compliment it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly
Stars: ★★★ (3)
A lot darker than the first, but still over-the-top in every way. A big nod to the third film had me smiling.

Lady in the Water
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard
Stars: ★★★1/2 (3andnd1/2
Totally different than I expected, but equally as beautiful and complex as Shyamalan's other films.

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING ★★★

2006-05-04T22:45:00.000-05:00

Thank You For Smoking
(Fox Searchlight, 92 minutes, R)
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes, William H. Macy, Sam Elliott

I smiled a lot during this film. It's hard not to laugh at a satire that's done well.

Nick Naylor is the leading lobbyist for the tabacco industry. He's smart, quick, and always has an answer. America hates him, but he just wants the love of his son.

Aaron Eckhart easily gives one of his best performances, William H. Macy shines as yet another quirky character, and Rob Lowe kills as a superhuman film producer in Los Angeles.

My favorite thing about this film: not one cigarette is smoked in the entire thing. Classic.

★★★

LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN ★★★

2006-04-12T23:32:00.000-05:00

Lucky Number Slevin
(MGM, 110 minutes, R)
Director: Paul McGuigan
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Sir Ben Kingsly

Fast dialogue, quick camera shots, and a "you know it's coming" twist are what make this film fun to watch. There's something to be said about a film that can draw such an A-list group of celebrities to form the ensemble. What this film might lack in its screenplay it certainly makes up for in charisma and energy onscreen. Think "The Usual Suspects" with a little more quirkiness.

Hartnett steps up his game in this film, earning his keep amongst Hollywood royalty like Willis and Freeman. His scenes with Liu are full of chemistry. It's true that the screenwriters don't leave much to the big twist at the film's close, but it was so easy to forgive because of how it was played by these actors.

Violence and a scene of pointless (and gratuitious) nudity will make you wince, but actors doing what they do best will make you cheer.

★★★

INSIDE MAN ★★

2006-03-28T09:10:00.001-06:00

Inside Man
(Universal, 128 minutes, R)
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster

This is one of those films where you know from the word go that there will be a twist. This inevitably is means that you're going to either love ot or hate it. Or does it? Put together Denzel Washington as the detective trying to earn a promotion and Clive Owen as the "my plan is perfect" bank robber in a Spike Lee joint and find out what happens.

This movie banks on its big twist (get it.. banks). In other words, don't count on any incredible acting performances to get you through. Washington is a great actor. This is far from his best performance.

The entire time you watch this film you know that you don't know the whole story. For me, I want the reveal to be big and coming out of left field. For some reason this twist here (though clever) felt a bit forced and poorly timed. It was almost an anti-climax. This falls on the director and I can't help but ask why Spike Lee wanted to direct this film.

★★

V FOR VENDETTA ★★★

2006-03-21T22:44:00.000-06:00

V for Vendetta
(Warner Brothers, 132 minutes, R)
Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving

Based on a comic book, this film is set fifteen years in the future during a totalitarian rule in England. The film stars Portman as a young woman whose chance encounter with a masked hero/vigilante sets into motion a series of events that will change her destiny. The entire two plus hours of this picture are politically charged, violent, and thrilling. It's not hard to see how this story was adapted from a comic.

Much talk will be had over the underlying message of this film. Is it an attack on America's war on terror? It is a warning of things to come? This reviewer urges you to watch not for politics, but for entertainment. Therein lies its real value.

Portman continues to show her range as an actress. She hasn't pigeon-holed herself into any one specific role. In this film she plays her character's transformation so superbly and carries the film opposite her masked leading man. At first I was disappointed that Weaving never loses the mask (indeed he may have only lent his voice to this picture and we'd never know it), but more thought compels me to agree with this decision as it makes the film even more unique.

★★★

CACHÉ (HIDDEN) ★★★1/2

2006-02-20T16:54:00.000-06:00

Caché (Hidden)
(Sony Pictures Classics, 121 minutes, R)
Director: Michael Haneke
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche

The opening credits of this film roll as we see a simple shot of a house on a quiet street. Soon the characters voices come in and we realize that what we're seeing is the tape that they are watching in their living room. The tape was left on their doorstep. The house in the shot is theirs. With no explanation of what this is all about more tapes continue to arrive, accompanied by disturbing drawings.

The greatness in this film lies in its ability to draw you in from the very beginning. Throughout the film you'll see uncomfortably long shots in which nothing seems to go on, but you find yourself on the edge of your seat. The family becomes plagued by paranoia, and so do you.

I tend to focus on great individual performances, which both of the lead actors in this film give (it's great to not understand a word of the French dialogue but still be able to feel the emotion in the actor's speach and body language), but I think this film shines moreso in its writing, directing, and editing. The filmmakers get inside your skin with this one.. and they don't necessarily find their way out.

★★★1/2

MATCH POINT ★★★★

2006-02-08T19:06:00.000-06:00

Match Point
(Dreamworks, 124 minutes, R)
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox

Being young, I'm not very familiar with Woody Allen's work. This film makes me want to get to know it. This is a great movie.

This film features fantastic performances by its entire cast. Jonathan Ryhs-Meyers gives a breakthrough performance as a young tennis pro whose secret affair forces him to choose love or the comfortable life he's found through his wife. Scarlett Johansson shines as the young mistress.

Everyone in this movie is bad. Everyone is selfish. And this leads to a shocking twist. A truly original and terrific film.

★★★★

THE SQUID AND THE WHALE ★★1/2

2006-01-30T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Squid and the Whale
(Sony, 88 minutes, R)
Director: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, William Baldwin, Anna Paquin

From writer/director Noah Baumbach come this poignant story of a family struggling through the trauma of a divorce. Baumbach's quirky style is very much like Wes Anderson (The Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenenbaums), who produced this film.

The story is focused on the two sons caught between their parents' failing marriage. Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney both give fine performances as the divorcing couple. For such an intense topic the film uses some pretty hilarious dialogue to break the tension.

A welcome break from your typical cinema experience, but I'd rather watch an Anderson film to get that.

★★1/2

END OF THE SPEAR ★★1/2

2006-01-21T19:07:00.000-06:00

End of the Spear
(Jungle Films, 108 minutes, PG-13)
Director: Jim Hanon
Starring: Chad Allen, Louie Leonardo

This film tells the incredible story of five missionaries killed by an Amazon tribe and their families who came after them to live in peace with the same people who killed them. This is a touching story of forgiveness and redemption. Several very emotionally intense scenes are the showcase of this story. A very good showing for an independent film with a cast of new names.

★★1/2

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN ★★★

2006-01-16T19:07:00.000-06:00

Brokeback Mountain
(Focus Features, 134 minutes, R)
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams

This film has everyone talking, but probably for the wrong reasons. It's become a hot topic because of its content when it should be noticed for great filmmaking. Yes, this film is about two men who fall in love... the "gay cowboy" movie. If that's too much for you too handle then stop thinking about it and go see something else. If you're still interested then go see it, because it's a great film.

Incredible performances by a cast of young Hollywood stars, a director who knows how to shoot a beautiful scene, and a topic we've never seen before in movie theatres make this a movie worth seeing.

★★★

MUNICH ★★★1/2

2006-01-09T19:07:00.000-06:00

Munich
(Dreamworks, 165 minutes, R)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush

In 1972 eleven Israeli Olympic athletes were held hostage and murdered while the world watched. In this film Steven Spielberg tells the dark story of the men who made it their life's mission to avenge the deaths of their countrymen. An elite group of killers team up to slowly eliminate each member of the terrorist organization responsible for the Munich murders.

This is an intense story led by an outstanding performance from Eric Bana. He really steals the show with a great range of emotions. This is the finest performance of his career.

Steven Spielberg steps away from his futuristic action flicks (War of the Worlds, Minority Report) and really hits a home run with this film. Intense and beautiful... a great film.

★★★1/2

THE RINGER ★★★

2005-12-30T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Ringer
(20th Century Fox, 100 minutes, PG-13)
Director: Barry Blaustein
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Brian Cox, Katherine Heigl

At the risk of being politically incorrect I'll go ahead and say how much I enjoyed this film. It's hilarious and fun. The producers of this film, The Farrelly Brothers, are known for their ability to be tasteless. So you'd think that this film about a man who pretends to be mentally retarded in order to fix the Special Olympics would follow suit, but it doesn't. Sure, you laugh at the comedy presented by the situation, but the filmmakers here do a good job of showing respect for it as well.

Johnny Knoxville is actually a good actor. Who knew?! But the supporting cast here is what really makes the film. Characters like Stavi, Glen, and Thomas will make you laugh til you cry. Go get your friends. You'll want someone to relive the laughs with when it's finished.

★★★

FUN WITH DICK AND JANE ★

2005-12-25T19:07:00.000-06:00

Fun with Dick and Jane
(Sony, 90 minutes, PG-13)
Director: Dean Parisot
Starring: Jim Carrey, Tea Leoni, Alec Baldwin

In a recent television interview Jim Carrey did not even say a thing about his new film. That's probably because he saw it. This is a dumb movie, and once again I won't waste my time or yours by writing a long review.

If you just love Jim Carrey then there's a small possibility you'll want to see this film. The man is funny. But you'd probably be happier if you watched one of his previous films at home.

★

THE FAMILY STONE ★★★

2005-12-23T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Family Stone
(20th Century Fox, 102 minutes, PG-13)
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker

There's a moment in this movie where I was completely locked in on the story, literally on the edge of my seat. That's a the sign of a great film. This film has its moments for sure. It's the story of a family who is like most of our families, a little weird but full of love. When the oldest brother brings home his soon-to-be-bride for the family Christmas it quickly becomes apparent that the family does not approve. Insert a star-studded cast with enough side plots to keep things moving and you've got a nice little holiday film.

You'll be suprised and hopefully moved by an oustanding performance from Craig T. Nelson (from TV's "Coach"). Diane Keaton is great as usual. Luke Wilson is one of the best (and most versatile) actors in Hollywood. He can play any role and do it well.

If you missed this one during the holidays then make sure you catch it before too long.

★★★

KING KONG ★★★★

2005-12-19T19:07:00.000-06:00

King Kong
(Universal Pictures, 187 minutes, PG-13)
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody

This film is an epic adventure full of action, suspense, and even sadness. Peter Jackson follows up on his Lord of the Rings trilogy in similarly gigantic proportions with this 3-hour holiday masterpiece. No one can deny this man is an extraordinary filmmaker.

This movie follows the adventure of movie producer Carl Denham, played fantastically by Jack Black, as he takes a ship full of characters on the hunt for the infamous Skull Island to shoot his new film. When his lead actress is captured by a 25-foot gorilla the adventure really begins as they struggle to rescue her. Sit back and watch as Naomi Watts plays intricate scenes across from a CGI gorilla... she's wonderful.

Jackson and crew once again do a magnificent job of telling a story in such a way as to keep the audience enthralled from start to finish. This is by far one of the best films of 2005.

★★★★

CAPOTE ★★★

2005-12-12T19:07:00.000-06:00

Capote
(Sony Pictures Classics, 114 minutes, R)
Director: Bennett Miller
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Chris Cooper

Truman Capote was already a celebrated author in 1959 when he read an article in the New York Times about a family who had been murdered in Kansas. He thought it would be an interesting story to write about for a piece in The New Yorker magazine. When he got to Kansas and started uncovering the story he realized there was too much to tell in one article. He would have to write a book. What he didn't know was that this book would become his defining work, an American classic, and that the process of writing it would ruin his life.

What an intense and powerful story. Dark and beautiful at the same time. Philip Seymour Hoffman is simply brilliant. We see his character go from being intrigued by a story, to being consumed by it, to being devastated by it. You'll forget you're watching an actor and become convinced that Capote is on the screen in front of you. Go see this film and watch an artist perfect his craft.

★★★

SYRIANA ★★★

2005-12-11T19:07:00.000-06:00

Syriana
(Warner Brothers, 126 minutes, R)
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright

From the screenwriter of "Traffic" comes a political thriller that focuses on the oil industry, government, and the corruption that binds them. You'll go inside the story of a world fighting for control over the oil in one country and the idividual lives that are connected to it. A fictionalized story based on true events, this film is a very thought-provoking look at what's probably really going on in this industry. Don't go into this one expecting a feel-good movie event. It's more of a harsh look at one of today's more popular political topics.

Well-written with strong performances by Clooney and Damon. A unique film.

★★★

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA ★★1/2

2005-12-09T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Chronicles of Narnia
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
(Disney, 132 minutes, PG)
Director: Andrew Adamson

You must remember as you watch this film that it is based on a story written for children. The scenes unfold so quickly that you barely have time to meet the characters before they are thrust into some significant course of action, but that makes sense when you're trying to keep a child's attention. I'll admit I was a little hesitant to see a "live-action" film in which one of the main characters is a CGI lion, but I was rather impressed with the animation in this film. Several scenes showcase a pack of wolves that look completely real.

C.S. Lewis wrote a classic tale in which four siblings find themselves playing a significant role in the battle over a magic land called Narnia. This film brings that story to life and is quite a fun family adventure. You'll love Liam Neeson as the voice of the heroic lion Aslan, and Tilda Swinton is quite cold as the White Witch. Also watch out for a wonderful performance by a darling little actress named Georgie Henley who plays Lucy, the youngest of the four children.

★★1/2

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK ★★★

2005-12-05T19:07:00.000-06:00

Good Night, and Good Luck
(Warner Independent, 90 minutes, PG)
Director: George Clooney
Starring: David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr.

In the early 1950's a junior senator from Wisconsin began to make accusations that there were communist traitors within the American government. For several years Joseph McCarthy conducted investigations and made accusations without producing any proof of such crimes. Those in positions of authority capable of challenging his witch hunts were afraid to do so out of fear that they would become his next targets. This film is the story of Edward R. Murrow, the CBS broadcast journalist who decided to take a stand against McCarthy.

Along with the use of black and white film, George Clooney also uses a large amount of actual footage taken from the period to tell the story. David Strathairn gives a strong performance as a brooding Edward Murrow. A great piece of filmmaking coupled with an interesting story in American history makes for a very classy film.

★★★

DERAILED ★

2005-11-28T19:07:00.000-06:00

Derailed
(Miramax, 110 minutes, R)
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Starring: Clive Owen, Jennifer Aniston

I'm the first one to love a movie that has a big twist, or two, or seven. The problem with this film's twist is that you can see it coming from 43 miles away.. that's never fun.

I'm not convinced Clive Owen can carry a film unless it's an incredible script. Jennifer Aniston is a good actress, but she can't save a sinking ship on her own. I don't think you should waste any time on this film, and I'm going to stop now too.

★

WALK THE LINE ★★★1/2

2005-11-21T19:07:00.000-06:00

Walk the Line
(20th Century Fox, 135 minutes, PG-13)
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon

I read Johnny Cash's biography called "Cash" a couple years ago and absolutely fell in love with the man. Reading it was like having a conversation with him over coffee...so personal, so sincere. I was very sad when he passed away.

Watching this film was like seeing that book come to life. A little less autobiography and a little more love story... this film focuses more on the romance between Johnny and June Carter. Joaquin Phoenix gives what will surely be an award-winning performance (I hear he even sang all the songs himself). I think Johnny would be proud of the portrayal.

But the real gem of this film is Reese Witherspoon as June Carter.. wow! She deserves any and every award they can throw at her for a sincere and captivating performance as the only women who could tame this musical legend.

Run, don't walk, to the theatres so see this one

★★★1/2

SHOPGIRL ★★★

2005-11-14T19:07:00.000-06:00

Shopgirl
(Touchstone Pictures, 107 minutes, R)
Director: Anand Tucker
Starring: Steve Martin, Claire Daines, Jason Schwartzman

I'm not really sure what this movie was about or what I was supposed to take away from it, but there were moments that were really great. Jason Schwartzmen is incredible as a grungy guy who knows nothing about how to treat a lady. Steve Martin lands on the other side of the equation as a successful businessman who's seasoned in the art of romance. And of course they both are after the same girl... Claire Danes as Mirabelle. I'll let you guess who gets her.

It's hard not to draw some comparisons to Lost in Tranlastion... successful SNL alum/funny man digs a little deeper to play a dramatic role in which he pursues a younger women. I'd say Bill Murray has the edge on Steve Martin, but this film was based on a novella written by Martin... that's impressive.

Not your typical Steve Martin, but definitely a welcome change of pace and a charming story.

★★★

STAY ★★1/2

2005-11-05T19:07:00.000-06:00

Stay
(20th Century Fox, 98 minutes, R)
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling, Naomi Watts

You may not have heard of this movie as it went in and out of theatres fairly quickly in a busy fall season, but if you're into thrillers you may want to check it out. I'll be honest... I left this movie confused and frustrated. It wasn't until two days later that I suddenly got it (I think) and became really excited. Now I want to watch it again.

The tagline of this movie is a bit mysterious... "Between the worlds of the living and the dead there is a place you're not supposed to stay." ...and the film follows suit by being very artistic and sporadic. The cinematography alone is a good reason to see this film. The payoff comes at the end (if you're bright enough to catch on then), and it's one that makes you want to turn around and see the film again from your new vantage point.

Ryan Gosling shines in this film as a disturbed and suicidal college student. Look out for strong performances from him in the future. Ewan McGregor also shows his versatility as he strays from his action-adventure films of late.

A little strange, but at least worth a rental.

★★1/2

ELIZABETHTOWN ★★★1/2

2005-11-02T19:07:00.000-06:00

Elizabethtown
(Paramount Pictures, 123 minutes, PG-13)
Director: Cameron Crowe
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, Susan Sarandon

Sometimes a film just hits you in the right place. There's an "it" factor that you can't explain, but it's there. It causes you to emotionally connect with the film and its characters in a special way. That's how I feel about Elizabethtown. This movie caught me offguard. I had read and heard mixed reviews so my expectations were rather low when I saw it. I laughed out loud, I approached tears, and had a huge smile on my face as the credits rolled.

Three solid acting performances really ice the cake for this film. Orlando Bloom is quickly cementing his leading man status. The evolution his character grows through in the film is honest and well-portrayed. Kirsten Dunst is adorable. Her free-spirit is a great foil to Bloom's uptight character. And Susan Sarandon certainly gets a good laugh as Bloom's widowed mother.

Cameron Crowe's latest is perhaps his greatest. Don't miss it.

★★★1/2

PROOF ★★1/2

2005-10-21T19:07:00.000-05:00

Proof
(Miramax, 99 minutes, PG-13)
Director: John Madden
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal

This film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Auburn of the same name. It's the story of a women coming to terms with her father's death. Her father just happened to be a world-renown mathematician who went a little nuts at the end of his life. He filled hundreds of notebooks with proofs and one of his former students, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, insists on going through them all just in case.

Emotional performances by both Paltrow and Gyllenhaal are the real reason to watch this movie. They are both very good. I can see why this story would make an excellent stage show, but on film it just doesn't add up as well.

★★1/2