B-Movies
-
Blade II: Wesley
Snipes stars in this sequel to the vampire-slayer action film. The
action scenes are as good (maybe better) than the original, but you can
really see the computer effects. The plot and story are standard
action fair, so prepare yourself for just a bunch of fights, explosions,
and blood. Rating 2.5
out of 4. (3/31/02)
-
A Beautiful Mind: Russell
Crowe stars as mathematician John Nash in this Ron Howard-directed film.
The acting, plot, writing, and direction are all very strong here as we
follow the life of Nash through his breakthroughs and breakdowns.
This film atones for Ron Howard's "Grinch" and Russell Crowe's "Gladiator"
Oscar win. Rating 3.5
out of 4. (12/31/01)
-
Brother: Takeshi
Kitano directs and stars in this Yukuza, L.A. gang, mofia gangster film.
This film is pretty violent and shows an almost unbelievable portrait of
the loyalty and conviction of the Yukuza. The film drags some toward
the end. Rating 3
out of 4. (8/11/01)
-
Bridget Jones' Diary: Renee
Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant stars in this British romantic comedy.
The film is put together well and the acting is good, but it is not a great
film. If you enjoy Jane Austen novels, you will probably enjoy this
movie. Rating 3
out of 4. (5/11/01)
-
Blow: Johnny
Depp stars as drug-trafficer George Jung in this "based on a true story"
film. The supporting characters were good in this film which documents
the explosion of cocaine use in the 1970's. I felt the story could
have been explained a little better, but overall it's entertaining.
Rating 3 out
of 4. (4/6/01)
-
The Brothers: Four
African-American professional males battle through love in this film.
There are some laughs here, but the plot is ultra-formulaic. There
are pieces of good dialogue but nothing that really disguishes the acting
from any other movie. Rating 2
out of 4. (3/24/01)
-
Before Night Falls:
This film is based on the story of Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas and his
struggles as a homosexual during the Castro revolution. Javier Bardem
definitely gives an "Oscar"-caliber performance, but he is the only truly
shining part of the film. The film meanders through the plot and
did not get me emotionally involved. Rating 2.5
out of 4. (02/24/01)
-
Bamboozled: Spike Lee's latest
is his most opinionated. A black-faced minstrel show becomes
a major hit in present times. A biting parody about African-Americans
and race relations that loses a bit of steam toward the end. Rating
3
out of 4. (10/28/00)
-
Best in Show: Parody about 4
dog-show-caliber dogs and their wacky owners. The stories involving
the owners have some funny parts and some not so funny parts. Fred
Willard puts the movie in the "good" area with his dog show commentary.
Rating 3 out of 4. (10/14/00)