Annapolis is the kind of hybrid military movie that can really only be truly enjoyed with diminished expectations and a sharp sense of parody. The film executes all the drills of the genre to completion, but the end result is too familiar and unsatisfying. After all of the naval training,… Continue reading
The underdog sports film is the most dependable of all. Whether based on true events or simply a tale of a ragtag team who wins the big game, the genre seemingly has crowds standing an applauding no matter how clichéd and tired it gets. Basketball has been the sports flavor… Continue reading
C.S. Lewis was ahead of his time. A hot stove topic of late has been that shortly before his death in 1963; Lewis made public his wishes that no film or TV version of his Narnia books was to be made with live actors portraying the animal characters. Well, someone… Continue reading
Shopgirl is gentle, heartfelt, and thought-provoking – a real rarity in today’s romance market that consists mainly of sitcom caricatures making bets as to whether or not they will fall in love. Based upon Steve Martin’s novella of the same name, there is undoubtedly some truth behind the events depicted.… Continue reading
Chicken Little is Disney’s first in-house computer animated release since their split with Pixar (and the demise of their 2-D department), and if this is what we are to expect in the future I will set my expectations appropriately lower next time around. It’s not that Chicken Little is bad,… Continue reading
The Greatest Game Ever Played had all the reasons in the world to be yet another tired “underdog wins it all” sports cliché films. The Disney sports formula, after all, is tried and true – and predictable. But leave it to director Bill Paxton to up the ante and deliver… Continue reading
It seems as though we are all extra curious as to whom we share an airplane with these days. I only fly about twice a year, but post 9/11 the tension can be felt upon the first step onto the aircraft. We look each other over as we walk down… Continue reading
Little did I know that we had such heroic animals during World War II – and that they were awarded medals of honor. The Dickins Award of Gallantry was given to pigeons (namely), dogs, cats, and a few other species that helped with communication in Europe. These “homing” pigeons could… Continue reading
Never have I seen New York City look so dank and depressing. The white rain comes down in speckled sheets outdoors, and then leaks in black, sludgy drops indoors. There are times during Walter Salles’ remake of Dark Water (another import from Japan) where we wonder if it will ever… Continue reading
Herbie was first brought to the big screen in 1968’s The Love Bug. The lovable, expressive car won over audiences and numerous Herbie adventures followed. Never failing to dig deep for a movie idea, Disney has brought Herbie back to the cineplex in Herbie: Fully Loaded. Before I get crackin’… Continue reading