Spellbound

IMDB link: Spellbound
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: January 24, 2006

This is about what I expected. It's just another competition, like any other. Bread and circuses. My two favorites were the first two to be eliminated, so that was a little disappointing, but really, it didn't matter much. - T

I enjoyed this movie more than Tom did, apparently. The format was, as Tom indicates, predictable: you get to know a few kids, you follow them to the big spell-off, and then you see what happens to them. It was interesting to me to see the different backgrounds the kids came from. I forget that many people in America lead very different lives from mine. My favorite did well, but didn't win. - A

Mystery Men

IMDB link: Mystery Men
Source: Private collection
Date viewed: January 19, 2006

I love this movie. It might be William H. Macy's finest role. Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Hank Azaria, Greg Kinnear and Geoffrey Rush are also great. If you haven't seen it, put it on the queue. - T

A very funny movie. Everyone is great in it. The concept is good, the dialogue is good, the message is good. It's all good. - A

Hidalgo

IMDB link: Hidalgo
Source: Netflix
Date viewed: January 13, 2006

Terrible. - T

Terrible. - A

Brokeback Mountain

IMDB link: Brokeback Mountain
Source: Cinema
Date viewed: January 12, 2006

Forbidden love can really cause a lot of trouble, eh? - T

I liked this movie. The scenery was amazing, especially Jake Gyllenhaal's eyes. - A

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

IMDB link: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Source: Lent to us by Rob
Date viewed: January 2, 2006

Douglas Adams wanted so much to be funny, and he tried so very, very hard, but his wit was as blunt and as heavy as the morality club that he swung. Alan Rickman steals the show, and although that's not saying much, it's still something. - T

A silly movie. I enjoyed Rickman as Marvin and Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast. John Malkovich did a fine job in his cameo. Martin Freeman was pretty good, but Zooey Deschanel was terrible. - A

The Assassination Bureau

IMDB link: The Assassination Bureau
Source: Dad's DVD collection
Date viewed: January 1, 2006

Dated, but funny. Overall, an enjoyable period piece. - A

It seemed a little like a mix of Pink Panther and James Bond, but that might be giving it a little too much credit. Overall, I agree with Amy's assessment. - T