I had no reason to worry. This film is extremely interesting and the acting is superb! As someone who has often exited at Howard Hughes Parkway off the 405, I knew little about the man before seeing this film, which focuses on the first half of his adulthood. Hughes (DiCaprio) was a billionaire with two passions - film and aviation. The movie starts with the making of his film, Hell's Angels ("the first multi-million-dollar motion picture") and continues through his trials and tribulations with aviation -- building new planes, breaking speed records, testifying before crooked congressman about federal aviation legislation. The movie also shows his relationships with Hollywood starlets like Katherine Hepburn (played fabulously by Cate Blanchett) and slowly introduces the audience to Hughes' mental issues with hypocondria and OCD. Leo was pretty amazing -- the Best Actor race will be tough to call. And the supporting cast -- John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsdale -- was also first rate.
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(1/3/05)

So I was a little nervous about this new, darker Batman. If it was a success, then George's flick would look that much worse (although George himself will never look bad, much less worse ;) He'll always be the hottest Batman. But, after seeing "Batman Begins," I have to say that Christian Bale is a very close second. (What's up with all the italics in this review already? I digress...)

This film goes back to the beginning of young Bruce Wayne's story and explains everything you ever wondered about in the story. How'd they come up with that suit? Where'd they find a Batcave? Who invented all those cool gadgets? And why'd he name himself "Batman"? All those questions and more are answered... in a very plausable way. Even the villians -- treated as true comic-al characters in the four previous films -- have a realistic place in the dark world of this film.

The cast -- with the exception of the over-exposed-soon-to-be-Mrs. Cruise, whose role could have been played by anyone -- is excellent. The aforementioned Christian Bale is probably the best overall Batman yet. And his supporting cast is top-notch: Liam Neeson as his "mentor" Ducard; Michael Caine as Alfred; and the always awesome Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, an employee of Wayne Enterprises. Together with Director Christopher Nolan (remember the excellent "Memento"?), they craft what is the best action flick of 2005 thus far. Go see it. You won't be disappointed!
Kurlz.com Rating: I'll buy this on DVD
(6/18/05)

Matt Damon is, I think, one of the most unlikely action heroes ever. But he's so perfect as Jason Bourne, who in this edition comes out of hiding to clear his name. The film is well-written and full of suspense, unlike most crappy action films lately (see Van Helsing review below). And the car chase in this film through the streets of Moscow -- filmed with hand-held cameras that make you feel like you're right there in the passenger seat -- is one of the best ever!
Kurlz.com Rating: I'll buy this on DVD
(8/10/04)

The acting in the film (if you're able to ignore Renée's annoying squintty eye thing) is excellent. Russell once again loses himself in his character, making you feel every joy and disappointment right with him. Paul Giamatti is perfect as his boxing manager. And Renée (other than the eye thing) is a great Mae, giving her strength, making you feel her anxiousness over being married to a boxer, and showing her love for her kids above all else. Together, the cast and crew transport you to another era and make you laugh, cry, grimace and cheer as this historic tale plays out.
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(6/8/05)

I can't believe that through connections and loopholes, an idiot like George W. Bush became President of our once great country. In this film, Michael Moore clearly shows not only how he became President (thanks to his brother Jeb and a Supreme Court, mostly appointed by his father and Ronnie) but how his family is TIED to the Bin Ladin family via their oil holdings and other businesses.

It once again points out how the American media is helping the government brainwash the American public, through a constant barrage of fear and violence (see "Bowling for Columbine" for more on that), into supporting a war against a country (that would be Iraq) that had very little, if anything, to do with the terror attacks on 9/11. We would be bombing Saudi Arabia (home of the Bin Ladins and Al Qaeda and the majority of the 9/11 hijackers) if that's what we were avenging. But nooooooooo... Saudi Arabia has OIL. And the royal family there hobnobs with George Sr., and has funded almost every business Jr. ran into the ground before doing the same to our federal government. We can't go after Saudi Arabia... the Bush and Cheney families might lose some of their millions. So George and Dick, who were planning to go after Iraq long before 9/11, used that horrible day to manipulate the public into believing that Iraq was the real enemy in the war on terror. Yeah, the dead Iraqi children on the side of the road (seen in footage Moore shows here, but no American news outlet would never air) are clearly dangerous!

To see and hear from soldiers who have or are serving in Iraq, or to hear a mother read a letter from her now-dead son, all questioning why we invaded Iraq, is heartbreaking. To know that all those families are being torn apart in the name of freedom, when in reality they are suffering for money-grubbing American corporations and oil-mongers, is disgusting. I sat through this film with my mouth open, shaking my head, and crying. It made me truly ashamed of our country and our "leader" -- a "leader" who didn't have the brains to excuse himself from a classroom of 8-year-olds when he learned our country was under attack and 3,000 Americans had just been murdered. You MUST see this film!
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(7/13/04)

Well, it turns out that it wasn't a chemical malfunction that makes the foursome so fantastic, but some freak space storm. And having no expectations going in was good because this isn't the best movie ever. (It's definitely no Batman Begins!) However, I didn't feel completely ripped off when I walked out either. It's fun. It has some cool special effects. And surprisingly, that big rockman suit actually works in its cinematic surroundings. On the downside, the acting's not the greatest and the story kinda wraps up quick -- I was expecting more to happen after the intitial "teamwork triumphs over evil" bit... but it looks like they're saving that in the event of a sequel.
Kurlz.com Rating: Wait for it on cable
(7/8/05)

It's sad and scary and makes you wonder how people can be so completely void of humanity and susceptible to mob-mentality. But it also celebrates the human spirit and the good that does exist in the good people of this world, people like Paul Rusesabagina, who will risk everything to help the helpless. Like "Schindler's List," this is not a pleasant film to watch. But it is a film that everyone should see.
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(2/6/05)

The acting in this film is superb (pleeeease let Morgan Freeman finally win the Oscar® he sooooooo deserves for this!). And the story is both exhilarating and heart-wrenching, while extremely thought-provoking at the same time. This is definitely worth seeing!
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(1/22/05)

OK, now that the disclaimer is out of the way, I can safely say that this movie was AWESOME! It is the great start to what will hopefully be an amazing summer movie season! To quote Diana, as she came bouncing down the stairs out the back of the Dome at The Arclight, "It was like a 2-hour episode of Alias! They even have their own Marshall!" (For non-Alias fans, Marshall = the geeky, super-brilliant tech nerd who can decrypt anything, find anyone anywhere by repositioning a satellite, and creates really cool spy-toys. They also have little bombs implanted in people's heads just like the "Alias" episode two weeks ago when the evil people almost killed Sydney's best friend Will the exact same way... but I digress.)

Unlike the first "Mission: Impossible" movie, this one has a storyline you understand. Like the second "Mission: Impossible" movie, it also has some really cool action sequences. And like both, it also has Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt) and Ving Rhames (Luther Strickell), plus a new cast of assistant IMF spies, including Jonathan Rhys Meyers (the cute coach from "Bend It Like Beckham"). And, as the topper, it has Philip Seymour Hoffman as ubër villian Owen Davian. From the very first scene of the movie, you know he's super-bad and you love him for it! Owen is after something called the "Rabbit's Foot." When Ethan Hunt steals the briefcase with the key to it, Davian kidnaps Ethan's new wife and gives Ethan 48 hours to find the "Rabbit's Foot" and trade it for his wife. I could make yet another "Alias" comparison about that, but I won't. Just realize there's not much that's original in this film. However, I highly doubt anyone going to see the third film in a franchise based on a TV series is really expecting originality. So go enjoy all the stunts and explosions and don't forget the caramel popcorn!
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(5/5/06)

Okay, I digress. Other than the SHOCK of seeing one of my favorite guys named John standing in the alley I walk past for lunch sometimes, and driving around the corner in front of the Starbucks I go to EVERY day, and then walking out of the Rite Aid that I shop in that is a mere THREE TINY BLOCKS from my house, this movie was very enjoyable. A little contrived and predictable, but what romantic comedy isn't these days?

The movie focuses on Sarah (Diane Lane), a recently divorced preschool teacher whose sister puts her profile up on an online dating site. Low and behold, there is also a recently divorced guy named Jake (John Cusack), whose best friend answers Sarah's "ad" on Jake's behalf -- without telling him -- and sets them up on a blind date in a dog park. What happens from there is the rest of the movie, which includes a scene where the couple is frantically driving around looking for an open drug store... in front of, behind, and down the block from my office, and then a mere 0.5 miles from my house. (I'm not upset about that. Really, I'm not.) Anyway, it's cute. It's enjoyable. I'll inevitably own the DVD and watch it on cable over and over and over again. It's got a great soundtrack too, so enjoy! (And if you work with me and saw John Cusack walking out of a Star Trailer on Magnolia, Lankershim or any of their surrounding side streets in the last nine months, you better run!)
Kurlz.com Rating: Wait for it on cable
(7/23/05)

Poseidon

I think it might have to do with the lack of web-slinging that occurs in the middle of each. The 01:00-01:20 mark is usually when Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has his identity crisis and tries to shed his Spidey-skin. Then the baddie goes after Aunt Mae or Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) and Spidey must swing into action, thus ending my boredom.

The sequel finds Peter broke... his unpredictable job as hero constantly getting in the way of steady, paying employment. He has pushed MJ away to keep her safe, but watches her from afar, as she's now a model and actress in NYC. He's still friends with Harry (James Franco), who's taken over as CEO of Oscorp, now that his father (you know, the Green Goblin) is dead at the hands of Spider-Man. And the baddie this time is "Doc Ock" (Alfred Molina), a formerly good scientist who is turned into an eight-armed villain when his fusion experiment (funded by Oscorp) goes terribly wrong.

For a summer blockbuster, "Spider-Man 2" actually has a much better story, and more heart, than most. But it also has better action! Whether Doc Ock is pounding up the side of a building, or Spidey is standing at the front of a packed, runaway metro train, trying to stop it before it reaches the end of the tracks, the effects and intensity are top-notch. And nothing beats the shots of Spider-Man swinging through the city -- the camera angles make you feel like you're right there with him. Even the opening credits (done comic book-style, of course) were good, reminding the audience of all the important plot points from the first movie. If you must see one movie based on a comic book this summer, make it "Spider-Man 2" ('cause "Catwoman" looks like it's gonna suck!).
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(7/10/04)

This movie IS the best of the prequel trilogy. I just don't have an emotional connection to any of the new characters the way I do the old. The special effects were awesome. The action scenes were cool. Yoda once again goes all kung-fuey with his light saber. But WHY was Chewy only in like two scenes? And WHY were C-3PO and R2-D2 seperated so much... they're a comedy duo! And WHY, WHY, WHY, did it take soooooooo loooooooooong to get to the good stuff? SPOILER ALERT! We all know Anakin is going to turn into Darth Vader. And most of us love Darth Vader, in the way you love good villains. So why did this film take so much time showing how conflicted he was about going to the Dark Side? I mean, I know that showing Anakin's journey to the Dark Side was the whole point of the prequels, but quite honestly, I already sat through two movies of him trying to become a Jedi and getting continually put in his place by the Jedi Masters above him. So by the time I walked into Episode III, I just wanted the payoff -- not more of how unappreciated Anakin feels. And, as for the defining reason why he turns, one scene between him and Palpatine/Evil Emperor saying that he must use the Dark Side of the Force to save his love Padmé would have been enough to get that point across. We already know he loves her... wasn't that what 99.9999% of Episode II was about?

I spent the first 2/3 of this movie going, okay... when's he turning into Darth and when are Luke and Leia being born?? That's all I wanted out of this movie... to have all the loose ends tied up so I could go watch the original trilogy, the one I LOVE, and know how all the pieces fit together before the end of Empire when Darth says "Luke, I am your father." And I DID get that... it just didn't happen till almost the end. I say cut about 30 minutes out of the beginning of this film for the "Special Edition" and it'll be just perfect!
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a matinee-priced ticket
(5/29/05)

However, some really hoaky costumes got in the way of his statement. And the fact that I figured out the twist about a quarter of the way into the movie when the first clues were dropped (people in the village mentioning bad things that had happened in the past) kinda killed the suspense. But I actually enjoyed looking for the little clues and wondering if I had figured it out correctly.

Overall, the acting was okay. No one really stood out, which, with at least three Oscar-nominated or winning actors in the cast, you'd think they would. And with the twist figured out, the scary factor goes away. So on the Shyamalan scale, it falls below "The Sixth Sense" and "Signs" but I guess equal to "Unbreakable" (which I don't even really remember...).
Kurlz.com Rating: Wait for it on cable
(8/27/04)

That relaxed feeling lasted till about 15 minutes into the movie, at which point I tensed up for the next hour and 45 minutes. THIS MOVIE IS SCARY AS HELL!! I think in all the looney-loo-ness surrounding its star, I forgot this is a movie directed by Steven Spielberg, the greatest filmmaker ever. AHH! At one point, I even noticed my foot uncontrollably shaking on its own.

In case you haven't heard, War of the Worlds is the story of an alien invasion on Earth... well, sort of. Turns out, well, I won't give it away. But it's scary. They render our technology useless, they incinerate people, and they seemingly cannot be stopped. Throughout all of that destruction, Looney-Loo's character, Ray Ferrier - a deadbeat dad stuck with his teenage son Robbie (Justin Chatwin) and young daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning) for the weekend - turns into super-survivalist, doing whatever is necessary to not let his kids down again, in this one last ultimate chance.

It's an amazing film. Great special effects, good acting, and a real heartwarming story at its core. Steven Spielberg rocks... the film was so good, Looney-Loo didn't even bug me... the way he has for the last two months... non-stop.
Kurlz.com Rating: Worth a full-price ticket
(7/1/05)

Pairing Owen and Vince together was pure genius. Both are really funny guys and both play up what they're best known for: Owen's flirty banter and Vince's super-fast-talking schmooze. In fact, Vince is back to the schmoozy "Swingers" mode that made him a star. And he definitely gets the most laughs here, as he's abused over and over again, in many diverse and hilarious ways, throughout the film.
Kurlz.com Rating: I'll buy this on DVD
(7/16/05)