MOVIE REVIEW - Wedding Crashers (2005)

A decidedly raunchy buddy comedy that is more understated (and therefore more funny) than I expected. Owen is Owen, Vince is Vince, and the script is mostly straightforward guy humor. But it works pretty well.

MOVIE REVIEW - Sentinel, The (2006)

A decent but not compelling suspense thriller about the secret service with a mole trying to assassinate the president. There were multiple unbelievable moments (typical Hollywood action ridiculous escapes, Kiefer too quickly believed Douglas was a bad guy, etc.), and the overall plot was highly predictable - but the ride was still moderately enjoyable.

Kiefer was more professional and matter-of-fact in this role than he is in 24 - less emotional, more believable. Michael Douglas was, well, typical Douglas. I liked Kiefer's realistic view of love - MDouglas to Kiefer: "Dave, I love her." Kiefer: "Yeah, uh, that's practical." There has never been a lovelier first lady, nor one who had more nipple protruding through her business suits, than Kim Basinger. Early on, there was a subplot involving Eva Longoria's beauty, but it never went anywhere - like later scenes had been cut.

The editing was slightly jarring - someone would be walking down a sidewalk, then it would skip to him walking down the same sidewalk, 4 feet and 2 seconds ahead of where he had just been, same scene; then it would skip again to him walking down the same sidewalk, 4 feet and 2 seconds ahead of where he had just been. Not sure the purpose of that.

I was subconsciously relieved to see a non-partisan White House movie coming out of Hollywood.

MOVIE REVIEW - Crossing, The (1990)

Lame early Russell Crowe movie. Nothing here to see, except his costar is his now-wife.

MOVIE REVIEW - Thank You For Smoking (2006)

Now this is one great movie. Equal parts scathing accusation, hysterical satire, and profound commentary. I had a ball watching Aaron Eckhart skirting every controversy, winning every argument, and dealing with his own ethical issues. He was Clinton-esque in his ability to turn his losses into wins, but he was more likeable. What motivates him to lobby for Big Tobacco? “Population Control” was his flippant, humorous answer – but when the rubber meets the road, it was all about the mortgage – and, as he says, so it is for all of us. Poignant in its message that “no one is all bad, no one is all good”, and it’s so riotously funny that it in no way comes across as preachy. This could be one for the history books.

MOVIE REVIEW - Inside Man (2006)

With an excellent cast in Denzel, Clive, and Jodie, this is a cool bank robbery flick that melds modern day thriller with old school film noir. As complicated as The Maltese Falcon and with several doses of typical noir music; as interesting, intense, and up to date as The Bourne Supremacy; and with just a touch of light-heartedness, almost as cool as Ocean’s Eleven – this is a pretty nifty movie. Brian Grazer and Spike Lee are an interesting combination – I hardly noticed Lee’s fingerprint (thankfully). I really liked all three main characters – Jodie was especially cool, with a mix of dignified and sleazy. I was intrigued when Denzel first enters the bank to talk to the thieves – his character was smart and ballsy. When he came out, he said to his partner, “I got him right where I want him.” Partner: “Where’s that?” Denzel: “Right behind me with my pants down around my ankles, but it’s a start.” I figured out “the escape” fairly early on, but that did not diminish the complicated plot or my enjoyment of the ride. Cool, funny, intense, good movie. Of course, I think I need someone to explain to me what happened.

MOVIE REVIEW - Laurel Canyon (2002)

Dreary family dysfunction drama set in the rock music industry. Francis McDormand is a legendary music producer modeled after Joni Mitchell. She's a terrible mom to Christian Bale - so much so that she gets entangled in a three-way with her boyfriend (Alessandro Nivola) and her son's girlfriend (Kate Beckinsale). They try to keep it a little light-hearted, but it mostly just drags you down. Good performances by all, but the lessons in infidelity aren't really worth the trip.