MOVIE REVIEW - Forgotten, The (2004)

I would tell you what this movie was about, but I've already forgotten. I like Julianne A Lot, but this movie did NOT draw me in. It had some decent suspense and some good puzzles I wanted to figure out, but I was really bored by the time they got there, and I did NOT like where they took me.

MOVIE REVIEW - True Colors (1991)

John Cusack and James Spader in a pre-political thriller that totally holds up a decade later. This was a great story of ambition, corruption, finding your roots, friendship, betrayal, and cycles. I could see watching this movie in 20 years and it being just as good.

MOVIE REVIEW - Romper Stomper (1992)

Early Russell Crowe skinhead movie. Clearly not a Hollywood film, this is dangerously close to a B movie. You see early signs of the Russell intensity, but the moviemaking is just quality.

MOVIE REVIEW - Proof (1991)

Early Russell Crowe / Hugo Weaving film. Interesting plot about the evil mental games two people play with a blind man. If this movie was done today, with Russell, it could be really good (and bad). But this was before his time, the quality wasn't quite there. Still, an interesting study in friendship and betrayal.

MOVIE REVIEW - Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, The (2004)

I wanted to like this quirky movie. It had plenty of interesting characters, the potential for a wildly entertaining though subtle plot, and it's so similar (in tone, actors, writer/director) to The Royal Tennenbaums, which I did like. But it just didn't come together for me. There were endearing moments, laugh out loud moments, some beautiful (though bizarre) scenery. Seems I should've liked this more. It just didn't have enough life.

MOVIE REVIEW - Mildred Pierce (1945)

Very Good film noir, starring Joan Crawford in an Oscar winning role - deserved. It has some flaws - I knew where it was headed from the opening scene. But it didn't ruin the movie, thanks to a subtle intensity throughout. Another flaw: when someone coughs in a movie, they're gonna die - just know this, it's a given Every Time. But still, definitely worth seeing.

MOVIE REVIEW - American History X (1998)

This violent drama about skinheads had some great moments. Ed Norton did his typical Excellent acting job. But in the story, his transformation was just WAY too fast. He was the intelligent, passionate leader of white supremists, and the jokes of a black guy in prison turn him around? That wasn't believable at all. And his brother (played by Edward Furlong) just isn't a good actor. Good, but could've been much better.

MOVIE REVIEW - Monkey Business (1952)

Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Marilyn Monroe in a cute screwball comedy. Funny moments, but not hysterical. Cute overall, though.

MOVIE REVIEW - Mississippi Masala (1991)

Boring Denzel movie, fairly early in his career. The story just wasn't very compelling, though it felt like it should've been.