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THE HANGOVER: If you are offended by language, off-color jokes, and raunchy antics, you may want to skip The Hangover. But if you do, you will miss what is, arguably, the funniest Vegas comedy ever made. Had I found the second half of the film as hilarious as the first half, I might rank it among the funniest comedies ever. Two days prior to his wedding, Doug, two friends, and a future brother-in-law head to Vegas for what they hope will be a memorable bachelor party. The aftermath left in the hotel suite the next morning suggest it must have been a legendary night, but Doug is missing and the hung over men remaining have absolutely no recollection of where Doug is or why there is a tiger in the bathroom, a chicken in the living area, and a baby in the closet. The fun is in the tension of trying to find Doug in time to return him to his wedding and to piece together the mystery of the forgotten bachelor party. The four leads are brilliantly played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Ken Jeong. Heather Graham and Mike Tyson appear in cameos. Barbara and I both liked this farcical comedy and settle on the same grade. GRADE B+

HAIRSPRAY: It was impossible for me to watch this one without smiling. And my foot kept bouncing to the catchy music. What a delight! The enthusiasm and energy are irresistible. Director Adam Shankman brought out the very best in his actors. Christopher Walken and John Travolta are a couple for the ages. Travolta is especially delightful as the very large mother of a very chubby Tracy Turnblad. Although you can’t really forget she’s a he, Travolta creates such a real and sympathetic character that you begin to think of him as Edna Turnblad. And the dance number that he/she and Walken do is wonderful. This film is based on the Broadway musical, "Hairspray," which was based on the original 1988 movie, Hairspray, written and directed by John Waters. The story is the same in all three versions: It’s 1962 and highschooler Tracy dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show, a fictional American Bandstand. Along the way to fulfilling her dream, she is instrumental in integrating the TV show. Of course, there is a villain: It’s Velma Von Tussel, the station manager, played hilariously by a great-looking Michelle Pfeiffer. The always entertaining Queen Latifa is the mother of one of Tracey’s friends, a black schoolmate who teachers her some very special dance moves. Elijah Kelley is a standout in this role and his little sister, played by Taylor Parks, is one terrific little dancer. Nikki Blonski is adorable as Tracy. Blonski had never acted or danced before this. She saw the musical on Broadway when she was 15 and totally identified with Tracy. She went to an open casting call and got the lead role. Now that’s a real Hollywood story! Some of the actors from the 1988 version appear in this film. Ricki Lake was Tracy then and appears in this one as a talent agent. Jerry Stiller played Tracy’s father in the original and is Mr. Pinky in this version. And John Waters, has a very brief appearance in the opening number as the flasher who lives next door. Gary enjoyed the movie as much as I did and we agree on a grade of A-. GRADE A-

HALF-NELSON: Director Ryan Fleck must have been influenced by the Dogma school of filmmaking. He used hand-held cameras, the film seemed grainy, and the lighting was murky—even the daylight scenes. This film has gotten some rave reviews and I can understand why critics were impressed with Ryan Gosling. He is, indeed, impressive as a drug-addicted high school History teacher. In spite of his drug habit, he seems to be a very good teacher—one who tries to get his student to think. Also, Shareeka Epps, as Drey, a girl in his History class and on the basketball team he coaches, is every bit his equal in this film. Drey discovers her coach’s secret and the two become unlikely friends. Drey has her own connection to the drug world, but, so far, she has been able to steer clear of it. I can’t say we enjoyed this film. There wasn’t much to enjoy besides the acting. We’ve seen how drugs can destroy a life before and this movie didn’t offer any new insights. It does get points for realism. Based on his enjoyment of the film, Gary gives the film a C. I might be persuaded to give it a C+ because I know it was a well-made movie, even though the jerky hand-held camera movement bothered me. GRADE C/C+

HAMLET 2: This is a story of a high school musical production that offends many in the community. Like the musical, the movie itself may offend some viewers. It is the story of a failed actor (Steve Coogan) who becomes a high school drama teacher in Tucson, Arizona. When the school’s drama program is faced with the threat of cancellation, he decides to save it by presenting a musical that he has written—a sequel to Hamlet. When his wife (Catherine Keener) points out that everyone dies in the original Hamlet, he answers with "I have a device." The device is time travel, and involves both Hamlet and Jesus traveling back and forth in time. The school board tries to stop the production, especially because of its portrayal of Jesus. While some may find the song, "Rock Me Jesus," a tad offensive, it’s actually quite an entertaining number. Coogan is a talented comic who can and will do just about anything to get a laugh. Gary felt some of the scenes were in the film for no other reason that to set up the comic punch line. I agree with him that the movie is uneven—some bits are hilarious while others fall flat. I thought the roller-skating bit--funny at first--was overdone. However, I laughed intermittantly thoughout the film. I especially liked Coogan’s conversations with the school’s pint-sized drama critic. Keener is always good. Here she makes the most out of a minor role. Amy Poehler is amusing as an ACLU lawyer who sees the school board’s attempt to close down the musical as a first amendment case. We especially liked Elizabeth Shue playing none other than Elizabeth Shue. In the film, Shue is now a nurse in a Tucson hospital who left Hollywood because she got tired of the rejection. It’s not easy to play yourself, but Shue is very good at doing it. Some of the funniest bits are the opening commercials in which Coogan, the erstwhile actor, appeared. Gary can’t go higher than C+, but I say B-. GRADE B-/C+

HANCOCK: Barbara and I were both "underwhelmed" by Hancock. The concept is original and we are both Will Smith fans. Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman easily hold up their ends and director Peter Berg was more than adequate. Smith plays Hancock, a flawed superhero who is also a depressed drunk. Most superheroes are admired and respected, but not Hancock. He may lower the crime rates, but his image would have to be considerably improved, just for him to be merely disliked. To the image rescue comes Bateman (Ray), a struggling Public Relations man. Theron, Ray’s wife, plays and interesting role which I will not give away. For us, the first half of the film, which has most of the laughs, plays better than the second half. Still, we liked it well enough to give it a respectable grade. GRADE B

HAPPY ACCIDENTS: Yesterday we saw Kevin Spacey as a space traveler and today we saw Vincent D'Onofrio as a time traveler. That's two quirky semi-science fiction movies in one week. Both of them are worth seeing. Happy Accidents is a happy combination of romantic comedy and science fiction. Ruby (Marisa Tomei) has had bad luck with the men in her life. She and her friends keep pictures of old boyfriends in a box labeled "ex-files," and their discussions about men are very funny. When Ruby meet Sam (D'onofrio) she thinks he is different and only later learns how really "different" he is. Sam seems unfamiliar with ordinary things, for example, he doesn't know the difference between roses and carnations. Sam finally admits that he is a "back-traveler" and has come to 1999 New York from 400 years in the future. Sam is very convincing, and Ruby decides to play along with what she thinks is a game. But is it a game? Or is Sam really a traveler from a future world. To tell you anymore would spoil this unpredictable, witty and thoroughly enjoyable film. Tomei and D'onofrio have great chemistry and kept us engaged throughout the 110 minutes running time. The film was written and directed by Brad Anderson. Anderson is the nephew of Holland Taylor who appears in the film as Ruby's therapist. GRADE B

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY: In this delightful film, director Mike Leigh introduces us to Poppy, a London primary schoolteacher whose cheerful optimism is infectious, but can sometimes exasperate those around her. Poppy is a 30-year-old single woman who loves her life, and seems to like and care for almost everyone she meets. From the opening scenes of Poppy riding her bike to work through the North London streets, we are smitten. Sally Hawkins is marvelous: she is able to play a Pollyanna-type character with a natural sweetness and intelligence that never becomes cloying. Her relationship with a dour driving instructor is key to the film. Eddie Marsan is the tightly-wound instructor and he is the perfect foil for the peppy Poppy. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) Mike Leigh used Hawkins in a small role in Vera Drake (2004) and was quick to recognize her appeal and her skill. Both critics on At The Movies felt she was destined to become a star. Roger Ebert said that he didn’t think there were many actresses who could so successfully bring off the character of Poppy. We were completely charmed by Hawkins and by this happy-go-lucky film. As another audience member commented, "How nice to see something light and cheerful for a change." And something so well done. GRADE B+

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE: Kids will love this film. Adults who read and loved the books, will like the film but may have concerns that it loses something in its translation to film. I am afraid I neither loved nor liked the film. Perhaps I should disqualify myself since I never read the books and I dont really care much for kids films. Shreck is one of the few exceptions. Having said that there are many things about the film worth mentioning. The little boy who plays Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is extremely appealing. The monsters and ogres and elves (oh my!) are creatively produced and the special effects are dazzling. It was also fun to see John Cleese as Nick, the ghost of a knight who "almost" lost his head. Barbara enjoyed the movie more than I did. She particularly liked Maggie Smith as Prof. McGonagall, the "living" portraits on the wall, the moving staircases, and the mirror that showed Harry his mom and dad. She also liked Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, the gentle giant. However, we both though that Quidditch is a stupid game, although the sequence was stunningly created. On the Ebert and Roeper show, they referred to HARRY POTTER as "The WIZARD OF OZ of the 21st Century." That may prove to be true for the younger generations, but it won't for us. I can't go higher than a C, but Barb gives it a B-. GRADE: C/B-

THE HEART OF THE GAME: Most people who occasionally attend films never have the opportunity or inclination to see documentaries. Often it is just as well but, The Heart Of The Game is different. It is exciting, heart warming and, in my opinion, one of the best films of the summer. It took seven years to film this gem and when they started, the makers had no idea of where the story would take them. The film captures the passion of a Seattle high school girl’s basketball team and focuses on their unorthodox coach and an incredibly talented girl’s fight to play the game she loves. The film has everything: humor, excitement, drama, suspense. If you miss this film in the theaters, watch for it at Blockbusters or Netflix. GRADE A-

THE HEARTBREAK KID: If you are old enough, this title may sound familiar. It is a remake of a 1972 film with the same title. The ’72 version starred Charles Grodin and Cybill Shepherd and was directed by Elaine May. The 2007 version stars Ben Stiller and Michelle Monaghan and is directed by the Farrelly brothers who also brought us There’s Something About Mary, Shallow Hal, and Fever Pitch. Barbara and I were pretty much in agreement on this version. We laughed frequently and were completely won over during the first twenty minutes. Sadly the next hundred and twenty minutes were very uneven. There were a few laughs, but not as many as one would hope for or come to expect with the amusing opening. Ben Stiller seems to have made a career playing insecurity and humilliation but I think he does it well. M. Monaghan is charming in her role and Malin Akerman with her bekini-perfect-body showed outstanding comedy talent in her role as the new bride. In supporting roles, Jerry Stiller and Rob Corddry deserve special mention. The plot is built around the intriguing question,"What might it be like if, on your honeymoon, you realized you married the wrong person?" Our local reviewer liked this film a lot, but we have to agree with the more negative reviews of most of the other critics. Since we liked the final eighteen minutes of the film, Barb and I give it a probably generous C. GRADE C

HEARTBREAKERS: This film is sort of a Grifters-Lite--very light! The mother-daughter team of Max (Sigourney Weaver) and Page (Jennifer Love Hewitt) use their sex appeal to con men first into marriage and then into an expensive divorce. One critic compared this movie to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels but this one is a far cry from the Michael Caine, Steve Martin effort. Heartbreakers has some very funny moments, but it's too long and much of its farce falls flat. Gene Hackman is amusing as a rich, retired tobacco company owner. With his constant smoking, horrible cough, and tobacco stained teeth he is a walking advertisement for smokers anonymous. He has some great throwaway lines. At one point he talks about how smoking is for kids. His company worked with a group of nine-year-olds, he mutters, and "after they got over the puking you couldn't keep them away from the cigarettes." Ray Liotta is also funny as a con victim and he knows how to throw away a line. When he re-entered the action toward the end of the movie, my interest picked up considerably. While Weaver has some comic ability, she's no Glenn Headley. One critic said that the problem with the movie is that the main characters are never quite likable, but neither are they ever all out wacky. Hewitt has no comedic talent so it's fortunate that she isn't burdened with many funny lines. Anne Bancroft also appears. We saw this with Movie Viewers Bill and Will E. from Scottsdale. They wouldn't give the film more than a C-, but, because we did laugh some of the time, Gary and I can go up to a C. GRADE: C

HEARTS IN ATLANTIS: Stephen King likes to put some mysticism in his novels, even in his coming-of-age stories. It is this mysticism that keeps me from being completely enthusiastic about most of King's stories. In Hearts In Atlantis, Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin), 11, becomes friends with an older man named Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins). Bobby and his mother, Liz (Hope Davis) rent their upstairs apartment to Brautigan but are unable to get much information about him. He'll only say that he comes from someplace "not as nice as here." When Brautigan hires Bobby to read the newspaper to him, they form a sort of father/son relationship. Brautigan asks Bobby to look out for the "low men"-- bad people who are looking for Barutigan-- although we aren't sure if these men are real or imagined. Perhaps they symbolize all the frightening adult things that children face as they grow up. In HEARTS, the "low men" look like FBI or CIA operatives who presumably want Brautigan because he is psychic and can help them in their fight against the "Red Menace." Did I mention that this takes place in the 50s? We liked the mood of the movie and the amazing ability of Anton Yelchin to hold his own with Sir Anthony Hopkins. The friendship between Bobby and his best friend, Carol, is very sweet, and the ending touched us. Roger Ebert gave the film thumbs up, and ended his review with this comment: So, should you therefore read the book after seeing the movie? I would recommend the audiobook; William Hurt's reading is one of the best audio performances I have ever heard. The New York Times reviewer hated the film and called it "a shameless, nostalgic fiasco," and felt that the film conveyed "no genuine emotion." We liked it better than that. In fact, Gary is willing to go as high as a B+. Scott Hicks is the director and William Goldman wrote the screenplay. GRADE B/B+

HEIST: This intricately plotted heist film has lots of things going for it: A script by David Mamet (he also directed), one double cross after another, tight pacing, and Gene Hackman. Joe Moore (Hackman) and Bobby Blane (Delroy Lindo) are thieves who have worked together for years. Ricky Jay plays the third member of the group. He is David Mamet's favorite character actor. Rebecca Pidgeon rounds out the cast as Fran, Joe's wife. It's hard to create an innovative heist movie--they are all pretty much the same, but this did hold our attention. The movie opens with a jewelry heist during which Joe is caught on the security camera without his mask. This creates a problem. The group had agreed to do another job for Mickey Bergman (Danny DeVito), but Joe feels it would be best for him to retire. Bergman doesn't agree and withholds Joe's share of the jewelry take until Joe and his friends follow through on "the Swiss thing." Don't try too hard to figure out the sequence of events because there are some logical loopholes. Just enjoy the action and the interaction. In the beginning of the movie you'll notice some of Mamet's characteristic dialogue, particularly in some of Pidgeon's lines, but the movie has more action than dialogue so I don't think you'll find it distracting. The best thing in the movie is Hackman, arguably one of the best actors working today. I agree with the New York Times critic who said, "Mr. Hackman . . . works by sleight of eye, voice, face and soul he's so cool that this critic would stay awake to watch him take a three-hour nap." GRADE B

HENRY POOLE IS HERE: Barbara and I found it refreshing to see a full-length movie without car chases, explosions, or even gunfire. Henry Poole, effectively played by Luke Wilson, is going to die. We are all going to die sooner or later, but Henry has been told it will be sooner, not later, and he is understandably depressed. It is predictable that before the end of a Hollywood comedy, Henry will get a reprieve and learn his time has been extended. But an intelligent script and outstanding acting makes the journey to the ending credits worthwhile. This warm-hearted love story could easily have become maudlin, and I am sure some critics will say it did. While true believers who want to reinforce a conviction that faith can literally move mountains will love this film, yet it is ambiguous enough to satisfy hard-nosed skeptics like me. GRADE B+

HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU: This film is predictable, shallow, and will probably be labeled a "chick flick," but I loved it and so did Barbara. Researching the title, I find it was a book featured on the Oprah show and it has been flying off the book shelves ever since. Written by former Sex and the City writers Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, the book debunks many of the myths that women create about men and dating. The film assembled an all-star cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Anniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Kris Kristofferson, just to mention a few. The film follows several interconnected stories, some sad, some funny, and, we thought, all entertaining. There are at least a dozen scenes that would stand alone as acting exercises in an acting class. I thought the opening scene of the film, not only set up the flavor of the movie, but was one of the all-time best opening scenes I can remember. Watching twenty-and-thirty something kids trying to navigate the turbulent waters of young love and read the ambiguous signals of the opposite sex was just the "no car chases" kind of movie we were looking for. I am sure we will grade the film higher than typical critics will and my grade is higher than Barbars’s. GRADE A-/B

Barb: Worthy of mention is Rhada Mitchell (The Children of Huang Shi). The lovely Australian actress provides some appealing love interest, and Morgan Lily, who plays her daughter, is adorable. We also liked Adrianna Barraza, who was so good as the housekeeper in Babel. She plays Poole’s next door neighbor and is the first to see the "miracle" on the wall of Henry’s house. Luke Wilson’s brother, Owen, enjoyed a burst of success a few years ago, but we think Luke is by far the better actor and should have an excellent film career. Because Henry Poole Is Here, is a sentimental film with a happy ending, I'm certain that Gary is right--the critics will dismiss it. However, our new local critic, with whom we often agree, gave it 4 out of 5 stars. We’re with him.

HIDALGO There are some exciting moments in this "Seabiscuit-in-the-desert" action movie. Unfortunately, there are some fairly routine moments in between. The two most memorable performances are from Omar Sharif as a wealthy Sheik and the horse that played Hidalgo. Hidalgo is the horse that Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) rode in the fabled Arabian 3000 mile race across the desert. The movie plays fast and loose with the facts. For example, Hopkins actually won the race by 33 hours, rather than by a nose as the movie contends. But, this is an adventure created for the kids, so we can forgive Disney for making it more dramatic.* There is a sand storm that looks like it was left over from The Mummy and lots of recycled dialogue from a host of previous adventure films. The subplots take a lot of time, and they look like something from Raiders of The Lost Ark. Mortenson, sporting his usual scruffy beard, looks like a real cowboy and he can ride. Sharif's scenes always manage to energize the movie. Peter Mensah is Jaffa, a slave dedicated to protecting the Sheik's daughter. He is impressive in the rescue scene. We can't give this more than a C+, but if you like desert scenery and horses, you may enjoy it. GRADE C+

J. Frank Dobie, who introduced many to Frank T. Hopkins in his 1934 book, The Mustangs, quotes Aristotle in his introduction, "The artistic representation of history is a more serious pursuit than the exact writing of history, for the art of letters goes to the heart of things."

HIGH FIDELITY: Top five reasons we liked this movie: (Sorry, I just couldn't resist writing the review this way.)
1. John Cusak: He always delights. Here he has created a quirky likeable character in Rob, a commitinent-phobic man who struggles to understand why he has such difficulties with women by making a list of his top five breakups.
2. Jack Black: He is Barry, a goofy and very funny music-obsessed clerk in Rob's record store who will surprise you in the end. The other supporting characters are equally interesting, especially Then Hjele, Rob's giriftiend, Laura.
3. The script: It's intelligent, clever, ftmny, and always unpredictable. I like that in a script.
4. The direction: It's cool, man. And we liked the Chicago settings
5. The top five lists: Rob and his two clerks have many esoteric and hilarious conversations about music. When the father of Rob's girlfriend dies, Barry immediately makes a list of the top five songs about death.
GRADE: B+

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: The title makes this film sound like a documentary, or perhaps an educational film. It is neither. It is an excellent piece of film making by Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg ("The Fly" and "M. Butterfly). Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt are interesting and believable actors who move a thriller along in a way that will rivet your attention. It is the story of a seemingly average American family being torn apart by cataclysmic violence. We are all part of a culture that has historically used violence as a means of settling disputes and continues to do so. And for hundreds of thousands of years "survival of the fittest" has shaped our evolution. This film was a big hit at the Cannes Film Festival and I predict it will do well at the box office. Some will say it is propelled by gratuitous sex and violence. Perhaps. But it forces us to examine violence in a visceral way that will not be easily dismissed or forgotten. Barbara particularly liked Maria Bello (The Cooler), an actress that is rapidly becoming one of our favorites. GRADE B+

HITCH: (2005 release) We think this romantic comedy starring Will Smith is a winner. It’s funny and sweet—too nice, apparently, for some of the critics. Our local critic said that Will Smith has enough charisma for two movies, and we couldn’t agree more. Here he is a Date Doctor who consults with nice guys who want to make a good impression on a "special" woman. Kevin James is Albert, a chubby, nice tax accountant who wants to go out with a rich, famous client. He’s incapable of even talking to her, until Hitch gives him the benefit of his knowledge. James, so funny in TV’s The King of Queens and in his standup routines, is equally funny here. And eminently likeable, too. Hitch definitely knows all the moves for romancing a woman, but he never falls in love himself. Until he meets Sara, that is. Sara, (Eva Mendes--Training Day) writes a gossip column for a New York Newspaper, and she may be the one woman for Hitch. However, both of them are afraid of falling in love. Gary thinks that whoever did the movie trailer deserves an award because the trailer makes you want to see the movie without giving anything away, and without spoiling the funny bits. We both enjoyed the film immensely and give it an A-. GRADE A-

THE HOAX: In the early 1970s, writer Clifford Irving stunned the publishing world by claiming that he had been appointed by Howard Hughes to help him write his autobiography. (We remember the incident and perhaps that is the major reason for our enjoyment of the film.) Irving’s chosen publisher, McGraw-Hill was naturally suspicious, since the reclusive billionaire had not appeared or spoken in public for years. However, when a hand-writing expert declared that the note authenticating Irving’s claim was indeed written by Hughes, they were convinced. Convinced enough to advance Hughes $1,000,000, and to give the check to Irving. Of course, it was all a hoax. Irving, unable to get his recent novel published, had concocted the scheme and convinced his friend and researcher, Dick Susskind, to go along with it. Together, they produced a manuscript and delivered it to McGraw-Hill. It was only after the book was being printed that Hughes finally put an end to the hoax by stating in a telephone interview that he had never heard of Irving. Irving spent over two years in prison and upon his release, wrote The Hoax, the book upon which this movie is based. Richard Gere is very impressive as Irving, showing us how Irving became obsessed with Hughes, even mastering his handwriting so perfectly that it fooled a handwriting expert. Irving convinces himself that Hughes’s silence is actually tacit approval. Irving was a truly inspired liar—so inspired that he even began to believe his own lie! Alfred Molina is also wonderful as Susskind, a terrible liar but a brilliant researcher. Hope Davis is Irving’s editor and Marcia Gay Harden is his wife. I was delighted to see Julia Delpy (Before Sunrise & Before Sunset) in a small role as Irving’s lover. The film was directed by Lasse Hallström who did such a fine job with The Cider House Rules and The Shipping News. GRADE B

HOLES: This Disney movie is a good old-fashioned adventure story and we both enjoyed it. It was adapted for the screen by the author of the original novel. I'm told that the book is very popular with young people, and I can see why. The story has some interesting characters and good triumphs in the end. The cast of the movie is first rate. Sigourney Weaver is The Warden of a detention camp for young boys who have run afoul of the law. Jon Voight has great fun playing the very odd Mr. Sir, the manager of the camp. He's just on the edge of over-acting, but doesn't cross the line. Tim Blake Nelson (Oh Brother, Where Art Thou) plays the camp counselor. The philosophy of Camp Green Lake is simple: You take a bad boy, make him dig holes all day long in the hot sun, it makes him a good boy. Stanley (Shia LaBeouf) is sent to the camp because he is convicted of stealing a pair of sneakers. Of course, he didn't do it. At the camp, Stanley befriends a young boy named Zero (Khleo Thomas). Both young men are outstanding. Henry Winkler is quite funny in the role of Stanley's father--an inventor working on a preparation that will neutralize foot odor. The story of Stanley's stay at Camp Green Lake is told amid flashbacks that describe a family curse, and others that tell the story of the town that once existed on the camp site. The editing and the photography are excellent. We were totally caught up in the story and thought it was better than most films we've seen so far this year. It may be geared toward young people, but these two old people liked it a lot! GRADE B+

HOLLYWOOD ENDING: This could have been a very funny movie. The idea is good: A neurotic has-been director is hired to direct a potential block buster movie, but suffers psychosomatic blindness on the first day of the shoot. Woody Allen wrote and directed this film, and it has the typical funny Allen one-liners. It also has a terrific cast. Tea Leoni is Ellie, Allen's ex-wife. Ellie is currently involved with the studio head making the picture, and she has gone out on a limb to get the job for Allen. Consequently, when she finally discovers that he has been directing the picture blind, she covers for him and helps him finish the film. The reasoning behind her decision is shaky, but Leoni is good enough to make it work. Debra Messing, from TV's Will and Grace, is Allen's current bimbo girlfried and she is quite good in the role. Treat Williams is the Studio head, and Mark Rydell plays Allen's agent. The movie starts out well, but bogs down in the middle. One problem is that Allen doesn't play blindness very well. Even a recently blind person could manage to hear a voice and determine what direction it's coming from. But Allen consistenly looks in the wrong direction when talking with someone. It's not realistic and it's not funny. The comic potential of the basic idea is not realialized here, in spite of some funny moments. We can't give this one more than a GRADE C+ .

THE HOLIDAY: Director/writer Nancy Myers obviously loves the movies. Three of the characters in her new holiday romantic comedy work in the movie industry—a writer, a sound track composer and a producer of movie trailers. Plus, her story is full of movie cliches. It’s totally predictable, but then, aren’t most romantic comedies? This movie is not as good as Myers’ 2003 romance, Somethings Gotta Give, but we thought it was a pleasant diversion with some lovely houses and people. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett, both unhappy in love (if you can believe that) agree to exchange houses for two weeks over Christmas. I think Winslett gets the better of the house bargain. Her typical English cottage is charming, but the Diaz house in Los Angeles is spectacular! However, Diaz gets the better of the "man" bargain. She gets Jude Law while Winslett gets Jack Black. Myers must have worked hard to get Black to tone down his usual hyper performance. I’m afraid, she overdid it to the point where his character doesn’t have much personality. On the other hand, the director must have encouraged Diaz to hype up her performance. Which she definitely does, although we thought it fit her character. Eli Wallach is enormously appealing in the role of an old-time movie writer who is ninety years old—Wallach‘s exact age. If you like romantic comedies, or what some would call "chick flicks" then you will enjoy The Holiday. We both give it a B-. GRADE B-.

HOLLYWOODLAND: Ben Affleck was the perfect actor to portray George Reeves. Both actors hit it big with one role—Affleck in Good Will Hunting, and Reeves as Superman on TV, and neither was able to duplicate that success in subsequent endeavors. The saddest thing about Reeves‘ life is that he hated playing the man of steel. He felt ridiculous. Affleck projects the charm necessary to bring Reeves to life, and he also does a good job projecting the weary resignation that marked the last years "Superman's" life. Affleck’s much praised performance here may actually revive his career. He won a Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival. When George Reeves died in 1959 from a gunshot to the head, the LAPD quickly ruled it a suicide, but there those who doubted that the actor took his own life. Since no one knows for certain what happened, his death remains a Hollywood mystery. Hollywoodland explores that mystery. Adrien Brody is Louis Simo, a P.I. hired by Reeves’ mother to find the truth. The movie cuts back and forth between Simo’s personal troubles and his investigation of Superman’s death. Diane Lane is Toni Maddox, the wife of a studio head and the woman with whom Reeves was involved, and Bob Hoskins is her husband, Eddie Maddox. The movie advances three murder theories without coming to any conclusion. We thought Brody did an excellent job as the smart-alec P.I., and Lane and Hoskins were terrific. The film reminded Gary of L.A. Confidential. It isn’t quite as good as that film, but we did enjoy Hollywoodland. GRADE B+

THE HOURS: Our local critic began his review this way: The film opens with a suicide...and then we meet people who are really depressed. He called it a "morose" movie, and it certainly is dreary. In a creatively conceived plot, we meet three women who are having difficulty handling their lives. The first is Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman), who, as you probably know, eventually committed suicide. In fact, the movie does begins with her suicide, but quickly goes back in time to a day in Woolf's life in the year 1923 when she was writing Mrs. Dalloway. We also meet Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) and watch her struggle through a day in the Los Angeles suburbs in 1951. The third woman is Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) who is planning a party for Richard, a former lover and dear friend who is dying from AIDs. Her day is in New York City in the year 2001. The action cuts between the three women and many themes connect them. Depression, feminism and sexual orientation seem to be predominant themes. None of these women is comfortable in her own life. Each handles it in a different way. Kidman is unrecognizable in her prosthetic nose. (I think it was the nose that won her the Golden Globe.) Moore is fantastic in a very difficult role. Her Laura is so repressed and depressed that she can barely speak. And Streep, well of course she is terrific. John C. Reilly is excellent as Laura's clueless husband, and Ed Harris gives his usual intense and affecting performance as Richard, the dying poet. I can't say I enjoyed this movie. A story can be depressing yet exhilarating to experience. Leaving Las Vegas is an example of a film that many found depressing, but I was stunned by its emotional power. We did not find this movie either exhilarating or emotionally stunning. However, we did spend much time afterwards searching for unifying threads in the story and trying to figure out the "meaning," of it all. That speaks well for any film. We have to give The Hours a grade of B for the creativity of the plotting and the skill of the actors. It was not an A movie for us and I am surprised that it won the Golden Globe. I don't think it will garner an Oscar. GRADE B

HOTEL RWANDA: Is there is no limit to man’s inhumanity? This film tells the story of Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), the manager of a luxury hotel in Kigali, Rwanda during the genocide of 1994. Through his heroic efforts, the lives of over 1,000 refugees were saved. He sheltered them at his hotel and did whatever had to be done to feed and protect them. Nick Nolte is Col. Oliver, the head of the U.N. peacekeeping force. Peacekeeping soldiers are not allowed to fire their weapons, so they weren’t much help. When the bloodshed reached epic proportions, all the white people were given safe passage out of the country. The West and the U.N. deserted the country, and the Rwandans were left to fend for themselves. Rusesabagina was a Hutu, but his wife was Tutsi. For many years, the Tutsi had been the ruling class in Rwanda, but when they lost power after the 1959 revolution, the Hutu took over. Eventually, the political climate pitted these two groups against each other, and the hatred that developed resulted in violence. Years ago they had lived together in harmony, but by 1994, the Hutu ruling party declared that all Tutsi and Tutsi supporters were the enemy and must be destroyed. The Hutus determined to kill all Tutsi, even the children. By the time the conflict was over, there were over a million dead in Rwanda. You cannot watch this film without thinking of the genocide happening today in the Sudan. And today, the World Food Program and the U.N. are scaling back their activities in the Sudan even as the number of civilians requiring assistance has grown to more than 2.2 million people. (From an article in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58717-2005Jan8.html) Cheadle deserves, at the very least, an Oscar nomination for his brilliant portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina. This is a must-see movie. GRADE A

(Note: If you are interested in the complicated history of the Rwandan genocide, visit this website: http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/rwanda/Geno1-3-09.htm

HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG: Ben Kingsley is a magnificent actor. He is like a blank slate upon which each of his characters can be perfectly drawn. He totally inhabits the role of Col. Massoud Behrani, a man who fled Iran when the Shah was deposed. He has been working several menial jobs here in the United States to support his family in a style far above their present means. When he buys a bargain house at a tax sale auction, he believes that it is God's blessing and the beginning a new life for his family. Kathy Nicolo is the owner of the house. She inherited it from her father eight months earlier. A recovering addict, she has been so depressed since her husband left her that she failed to open any of her mail. It is a shock when the Sheriff's deputy comes to evict her. Kathy can't believe that in eight months she lost the house her father worked for thirty years to own. Connelly is stunning in the role--she gives a performance every bit as mesmerizing as Sir Ben's. The whole real estate transaction is a terrible mistake--the County's mistake. They confiscated and sold the house because of her failure to pay a tax that she never owed in the first place. The County bureaucracy is the only villain in this film. These are decent people and you can sympathize with them: Kathy wants her house back, and Behrani doesn't believe he should be penalized for the County's error. In fact, you can symapthize with everyone in the film--Behrani's wife and daughter and Ron Eldred, the deputy who comes to evict Kathy and becomes involved in her problem. Eldred is excellent, as is everyone in this emotional film. We predict that House of Sand and Fog will keep you totally engrossed until the inevitable tragic ending. It is based on the novel by Andre Dubus III and was directed by Vadim Perelman. We think this powerful film is one of the best of the year. GRADE A

THE HULK: This is an incredibly long movie and it is incredibly slow getting started. Once Bruce Banner morphs into the green monster, things do get going. Some of the effects are quite stunning. I liked watching the Hulk leap among some of the Southwest's most majestic scenery and I was impressed with the final battle between the Hulk and his father (Nick Nolte). Nolte was good in a bizarre role, Jennifer Connelly was beautiful in a nothing role, and Eric Bana was properly tortured as the scientist/creature who is living proof that it isn't easy being green. Director, Ang Lee, emphasized the psychological aspects of Banners strange condition, and also gave the film some heart with a love story. BUT, science fiction is very low on our list, and comic book movies aren't much higher, so the combination is deadly for us. We took grandson, Nathan, and he also thought the beginning was slow, but he liked the action sequences. He gives it a B, Gary says D, and I would have to say C, because there were some parts I liked. GRADE C/D

HUSTLE & FLOW: This movie almost made me like rap music. I would have thought that was impossible before seeing Craig Brewer ‘s remarkable film. In it, we meet people who, at first glance, seem to be urban Black stereotypes. But as we get to know them, they all become fully realized, complicated characters who ultimately win our respect and understanding. Terrence Howard is Djay, a small time pimp and drug dealer who is intelligent, thoughtful, and considerate of his "women." He desperately wants to make something out of his life and chooses music as a way to accomplish his dream. He meets an old school buddy, Key (Anthony Anderson from TV’s The Shield), who dreams of being a big-time record producer. With some help from their friends, they produce a rap number—one that we actually enjoyed listening to. Shug (Taraji P. Henson), Djay’s main woman, finds some self worth by singing backup on the demo tape. Djay pimps Nola (Tyran Manning) from the back of his car, but she, too, wants more out of life. That Djay understands this is to his credit. Manning and Hensen are both memorable in their roles and Ludicris, a rapper who plays a rapper in this film, is also very good. I’ve admired Anderson on The Shield and he is equally admirable here. But it is Terrance Howard’s performance as a pimp-with-a-soul who took our breath away. He is an incredible actor. (See bacl page for more on Howard.) GRADE A-

THE HURRICANE: Denzell Washington is powerful as Ruben Carter, a troubled youth who became a champion boxer only to be accused of a bar shooting. It's important to remember that the crime took place during the turbulent sixties when racial tensions were everywhere. One of the prosecutors later referred to "The depth of racial antipathy that existed in Paterson in June, 1966..." It appears that Carter was the victim of that racial antipathy by the police force and the prosecutors. Two black men walked into a bar in Patterson and began shooting at everyone. Carter and Artis, who was driving Carter home that night, were stopped by the police because they were in a car similar to one seen driving away from the scene of the shooting. At the time of the crime, no one at the crime scene identified Carter and Artis as the killers. The police took the pair to the hospital where two injured men could also not identify them. Both Carter and Artis passed lie-detector tests and were released about 7 p.m. on June 17th. It was only later that they were arrested, and, at that time, two witnesses changed their stories and did identify them as the shooters. Carter spent twenty years in prison for the crime he insists he did not commit. Some have argued that the movie plays fast and loose with the facts. Most of the discrepancies concern details that have more to do with dramatic effect than with whether he was guilty or innocent. One of the discrepancies is the invention of a fictional villain: a detective that is determined to "get" Carter. Whether or not you believe in Carter's innocence, the film is powerful and Washington richly deserves his Golden Globe Award. GRADE: B+/A-

THE HURT LOCKER: In my not always humble opinion, this is the best war story since the terrific TV series, Band of Brothers. Hurt Locker has been highly praised by critics. Of the 96 reviews gathered by Rotten Tomatoes.com, 93 were positive with an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. The film ignores the politics of war and focuses on the day to day life of soldiers who risk their lives trying to disable IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) in Baghdad. Were you aware that IED’s have caused more than half the American deaths in Iraq? Much attention has been given to the fact that this macho war film was directed by (take a deep breath) a woman, Kathryn Bigelow. My 25 years of marriage to Barbara has made me immune to the staggering impact of this revelation. Bigelow has made all the right choices in putting together this riveting film. Three relatively unknown actors play the leads, but I hope their outstanding performances will assure their future in the film industry. Jeremy Renner plays Staff Sergeant William James who is a compulsive risk taker, but extraordinarily skilled and what he does. Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty add believability and diversity to Bravo Company, the squad of bomb technicians who are in the final few weeks of their tour of duty. Few would quibble with the old adage, "War is Hell," but you might get some disagreement with "War is a drug." Many soldiers can’t wait for their tour of duty to end. Some, like Staff Sergeant James, get hooked on the constant adrenaline rush of danger. The psyche is complex and Bigelow explores this with deft mastery. Barbara and I agree that this is one of the best films of the year. GRADE A