The Thin Red Line - 5 stars out of 10

The Thin Red Line - 5 stars out of 10

"Thin Red Line" is a Who’s Who Among Hollywood Actors and yet, the portrayal of the soldier feels completely anonymous.  This film offers a unique perspective.  Most war films focus on the battle or the effects of war on a soldier after he has returned home but "Thin Red Line" focuses on the effects on the soldier while he is still deployed.  As far as war films are concerned, I always rate fictional accounts below true stories but this film's prerogative is not to tell a specific war story; rather, it is more of a dramatic look at humanity.  One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the sound effects, which are constant and provide this film with its realism.  It also doesn't hurt that the well-establish group of actors (many of whom only appear onscreen for less than ten minutes) each interprets his character with a unique set of emotions.  Amidst the many stars, Jim Caviezel and Ben Chaplin shine the brightest.  The most poignant scene of the film occurs about 2/3 of the way through, when the Americans invade the Japanese camp.  Hans Zimmer's slow, quiet string score begins almost silently as the soldiers creep through the fog, progressively growing in volume and tension (but not in tempo) as the fighting escalates.  It creates a duality of agression (through the imagery) and peacefulness (through the music).  The film does tend to drag at times, making me question whether the 3-hour runtime is worth it, but I would watch it again just for the aforementioned scene.

Bananas - 5 stars out of 10

Bananas - 5 stars out of 10

Woody Allen is as endearing as ever, though this film as a whole can't compare to "Manhattan." This farcical script feels like a combination of Mel Brooks and The Marx Brothers. If you are in a realist mood where you are going to take everything seriously, this is not a smart choice. Every ridiculous situation (particularly anything that is covered by sports commentators) is intentionally way over the top, typically resulting in a laugh. Though Louise Lasser does not bring much to the film, Allen is big enough to drive the entire film himself (though I did enjoy the brief screen time of a very young Sylvester Stallone). It isn't my favorite Woody Allen film but if you are in the mood for a laugh, "Bananas" will certainly do the trick.

Broken Arrow - 1 star out of 10

Broken Arrow - 1 star out of 10

How can a terrible movie like this be #1 at the box office for its first two weekends?  Between the poor acting and dialogue that could have been written by a 5-year-old, it is often difficult to take this film seriously.  One of my biggest annoyances with Hollywood is the equation of using 6 minutes of character development and then moving right in to the action sequences.  It seems like the director did not even attempt to hide the fact that this script is only a means of creating a few big explosions.  Lines like this are inexcusable:
[Helicopter pilot flying low to the ground and firing guns at main characters in a dry, unenthusiastic tone]: "Let's have some fun."
[Smacks some complaining guy in the throat with a crowbar, before exclaiming in a monotone]: "Hush... Hush!"
And according to Samantha Mathis, characters in movies are required to say "This is a really bad idea" every time that they do something that is a bad idea.  The good news - There is action the entire film.  The bad news - There is action the entire film because there is no plot.  The poor script still could have redeemed because of the talented cast... but then John Travolta delivers the worst performance of his career.  "Broken Arrow" is a tragic disappointment and, though the explosions are cool, nobody should subject themselves to these decent actors displaying terrible acting in a portrayal of a pitiful script.

Malcolm X - 6 stars out of 10

Malcolm X - 6 stars out of 10

"Malcolm X" is a very comprehensive account of the events and ideals that defined his life.  It is also  a very sad reminder of how much hatred there is in the world.  The film does not hold anything back, showing Malcolm's criminal life, conversion, stand against racism in the country, and assassination by his own race.  Its 3+ hour runtime makes it a bit daunting but is worth it if you do not know a lot about Malcolm X.  Coming into the film with a mere surface knowledge of his life, I was very surprised by Malcolm becoming a minister for the Nation of Islam and later being persecuted by them.  Denzel Washington is fantastic in the title role and was rewarded with an Oscar nomination, though his performance couldn't compare to Pacino in "Scent of a Woman."  The most impressive thing about Washington's performance is the diveristy in characterization from criminal to convert to charismatic speaker.  The other actors are just pawns in the storytelling, since the script focuses so heavily on the main character.  The only other actor that stood out is Delroy Lindo, who radiates cool in any role.  "Malcolm X"s greatest asset and biggest downfall is its runtime, as every moment of the film is important and worthwhile but the length makes it impractical to watch unless you watch it in two parts; however, if you ever have 3 1/2 hours on your hands, this is worth your time.

Defiance - 5 stars out of 10

Defiance - 5 stars out of 10

I watched "Defiance" a year ago and yet, it was so forgettable that upon rewatching, it merely provided a weak sense of familiarity.  I acknowledge that this is an incredible true story and that it was well-acted, but it drags on so slowly that my mind wanders.  I suppose that all of the slow character development is necessary for the last twenty minutes to be so poignant, but I could be content watching the wedding scene and the ending then calling it a day.  Even after all of the character development, I don't feel particularly attached to the characters when they died.  I blame the often boring pace of the film on the script, as the cast as a whole brought the emotions necessary for this story but it still falls flat.  I enjoyed the performances by Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber (which made the ending scene particularly moving) but again, a good story and good acting with a poor script does not equal a good film.  All of the negativity aside, it is amazing that these hunted actually survived in the woods, and even more that these events occured less than a century ago.  I am glad that the story of the Bielski's can be preserved forever, particularly because they never sought recognition for the impact that they left on thousands.

Kick-Ass - 6 stars out of 10

Kick-Ass - 6 stars out of 10

This film was far from what I expected.  Based on the movie poster and the title, I figured that this would be a superhero spoof similar to "Green Hornet," filled with tongue-in-cheek comedy about how unrealistic it is for superheroes to actually exist.  Although it started that way, I was taken aback by the intensely realistic gore (not because blood bothers me, but because I wasn't prepared for it).  I expected a main character like The Star Wars Kid and I actually wasn't too far off.  But forget everything else about this film - nothing can compare to Chloe Moretz's performance.  She absolutely kicks... butt, doing most of her own stunts and nearly matching the intimidation of her character in "Let Me In."  The greatest moment is when she shows up in her schoolgirl outfit, pretending to be lost, and then puts a gun in the guy's mouth.  That transition between innocence and bada** (also displayed in her first sequence with the bowling alley) reemphasize her diverse talent.  Unfortunately for the rest of the actors in this film, she makes them all look like amateurs.  This does not exclude Nicolas Cage, who is back to his old ways as if the script purposefully indicates: [deliver lines awkwardly, as if you do not know how to act and are just interested in another paycheck].  I really love his earlier films but something has gone terribly wrong in his career and he needs to start trying again.  Aaron Johnson's secret identity is supposed to be a teenager who is invisible to everybody; unfortunately, he played this role so well that I forget that he was even in the film.  They could have done more with his two friends to make them a memorable comic due, but I really enjoyed looking at Lyndsy Fonseca (particularly during the self-tanning scene...)  The film often suffers identity confusion, not sure if it wants to be a comedy or a legitimate superhero film, but it's an enjoyable story that is totally worth watching just for Chloe Moretz's innocent eyes behind her mask... abruptly followed by her kicking butt.

High Noon - 9 stars out of 10

High Noon - 9 stars out of 10

"High Noon" is the quintessential Western.  I tend to dislike Westerns because they drag on but this film is concise with its simple “Lone Marshal Against The Bad Guys” plot.  The storytelling is wonderful with its frequent references to clocks throughout the film, allowing it to unfold in "real time."  Oscar winner Gary Cooper is the perfect fit for Marshal Kane, commanding the screen with bravado while allowing his emotions to penetrate his gruff exterior when things look hopeless.  Although this is the definition of a one man show, Cooper receives support from Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy from "It's A Wonderful Life) as one of his only allies, Grace Kelly as his beautiful new bride (and who I wish would have received more screen time since she's always a pleasure to watch), and Lloyd Bridges (who would go on to play Izzy Mandelbaum in Seinfeld!).  The intensity never falters, growing with each look at the clock.  I thought that the title song was a bit hokey at first, but I love how it developed into the heroic theme that appears every time that Marshal Kane is abandoned by another friend, accepting that the fate of the town lies in his hands.  Despite its simplicity, once the clock strikes noon and the train arrives, this rivetting conclusion remains one of the finest in cinema.  If there is one Western on your movie bucket list, it should be this one.

Red Dragon - 8 stars out of 10

Red Dragon - 8 stars out of 10

Serving as retribution for the atrocious display of violence that was "Hannibal," this prequel puts the franchise back on track by using psychology to drive the plot instead of pointless gore. The all-star cast includes Edward Norton as the FBI agent who put Dr. Hannibal Lecter behind bars and must confront him again to solve a new case. Although this sounds very similar to the plot of "The Silence of the Lambs" (and it is very similar to the plot of "The Silence of the Lambs"), this is not necessarily a bad thing since the first film used such a successful equation. It also may sound the same as the movie "Manhunter", because it is... I typically prefer Norton as the villain but he was excellent as the protagonist in this film. In an attempt to mention all of the enjoyable acting performances in this review, I will state that Mary-Louise Parker and Harvey Keitel both have excellent chemistry with Norton. As was the case with the first film, there are two villains who are equally awful but serve completely different purposes. One of these days, Ralphe Fiennes will get to play a role in which his face is not disfigured... but for now, he was incredible as The Red Dragon (particularly as his two personalities conflict with each other). Even though you hate him for what he does, you'll also feel pity for him as the story progresses. Emily Watson was wonderful opposite of him, convincingly playing this blind character to the point that you will forget that she is an actress. The most painful part of this film is Philip Seymour Hoffman's plight, as the prospect of being glued to anything now freaks me out. A lot of things can be said for this film but in the end, what matters the most is that Anthony Hopkins is creepier than ever and continues to deliver chills over and over again.

The Silence of the Lambs - 10 stars out of 10

The Silence of the Lambs - 10 stars out of 10

As long as there are movie critics, "The Silence of the Lambs" will rightfully be heralded as one of the best films of the 90's. From the incredible script that received an Oscar, Anthony Hopkins brings life to one of the most frightening characters ever to grace the screen... and his pulse never rises above 85 beats per minute. Jodie Foster, who is very selective about which roles she plays, shines in her Oscar-winning role as FBI agent Clarice Starling. This film is different from any other, featuring two different villains who antagonize the heroine in completely different ways. On one hand, Ted Levine is incredibly creepy as the unstable Buffalo Bill, abducting and torturing women for his sick "project" while eluding the police. Although the plot of the movie focuses on capturing this man, the true villain is actually Foster's biggest ally - maniacal Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter who takes as much interest in penetrating Foster's fear as he does in helping her to solve the case. Hopkins received an Oscar for his performance as Hannibal and it will always be his most memorable role. From Brooke Smith's bloodcurdling screaming in the basement to Hopkins' mind games that affect the viewer as much as the characters, "The Silence of the Lambs" will send chills down your spine whether you are watching it for the first time or the fifteenth.

High School Musical - 6 stars out of 10

High School Musical - 6 stars out of 10

I'll admit it... "High School Musical" is a guilty pleasure for me. While it has been put down for its made-for-tv quality and less-than-perfect singers, there is no denying that its plot creates a social commentary of the life of any teenager and that its music is really catchy! I credit the writers for using the music to advance the plot as each song (even the show tunes) lines up perfectly/comments on what is happening within the story. I don't think that Disney could have ever imagined that HSM would become a phenomenon when they began production. It's success is obvious from its two sequels (including one on the big screen) and by boosting the careers of each of its main characters. Among the leads, the most impressive performances come from Ashley Tisdale who is so far over the top that you cannot look away, Monique Coleman whose small role leaves a large impression, and Lucas Grabeel, who is the only actor in the film with true singing ability. Although I do not support the severe amount of autotuning to the singers' voices (to the point that most of it sounds electronic), particularly Zac Efron, I still enjoy this story that teachers experience every day of work and the catchy tunes that get stuck in your head for weeks.