Moonlight Mile

IMDB link: Moonlight Mile
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: December 28, 2005

The things that were good about this movie were good because of the skill of the actors. The plot was lame (although I read on IMDB that it is based loosely on actual events in the life of the director) and predictable. Not my favorite Gyllenhaal performance (Bubble Boy is better), but Sarandon was excellent. - A

I must agree that Bubble Boy is better, but even with that admission, I have to say that I ended up liking this movie. What a cast! Sarandon, Hoffman, Gyllenhaal, and how can you not be totally in love with Holly Hunter? - T

Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt

IMDB link: Be Here to Love Me
Source: cinema
Date viewed: December 13, 2005

Interesting and thought-provoking, but not as clear on the details of the man's life as I would have liked, although I'm pretty sure that wasn't the point of the movie. Makes you think once again about the connection between genius, madness, and the impluse toward self destruction. - A

Finally, a film I can get behind. The saddest part of this film is that it reminds me that I had ten good years in which I could have seen the man perform live. Now all I've got is biopics and reissued albums on CD. But those are still pretty darn good. Anyone who doesn't like Townes' music is no friend of mine. - T

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

IMDB link: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Source: cinema
Date viewed: December 11, 2005

Not bad, except that wardrobe part - what's up with that?? And a talking lion? You'd think this was a Disney movie. - A.

Cute little Brits. Movie was fine. - T

A Very Long Engagement

IMDB link: A Very Long Engagement
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: December 9, 2005

A gritty WWI mystery. Pretty good overall, with a VERY nice Jodie cameo. -T

A movie with a message, and the message is: war is bad, love is good. I hope that doesn't ruin it for anyone. - A.

The Professional

IMDB link: The Professional
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: December 2, 2005

Another damn Luc Besson movie. (Both of those "Rivières Pourpres" movies and "The Transporter" were his as well.) The ham-fisted hand of the "director" bruises with its overly explanatory dialogue, the almost caricature-like reaction shots (although these were much worse in "Transporter"), and the overall lack of subtlety. That said, however, the main actors - Natalie Portman, Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Danny Aiello - transcend the mediocrity of the script, and make this a film worth watching. - T

Natalie Portman is really good in this movie. I claim to love Reno, but after undergoing the recent barrage of Besson/Reno films, I'm no longer sure what I'm basing that on. Reno doesn't speak French in this one. - A