Cast Away

Four-fifths of the way through this movie I realized that I was sick of having Tom Hanks on the screen in front of me. In retrospect, I think I was just tired of Cast Away when Hanks is no longer a castaway. As many critics, including Matt Zoller Seitz, have suggested, this film would be much better if it started with the plane crash and ended with Hanks' rescue. This Fredericksburg Christmas day moviegoing experience was better than the one involving the poorly projected Titanic. Cast Away was projected fine, but the theatre had an odor of ten year old popcorn and soda machine syrup. Needless to say, the trials and hardships of being stuck on an island for four years are much greater than going to a smelly old movie theatre. The airplane crash is one of the best ever and makes me want to compile a video of filmic airline crashes including the air disasters in Fight Club and Final Destination. What was the deal with that what? (In Attendance - Dad, Mom)

Tom Jones

Dan and I consulted two printed sources before agreeing to see Tom Jones. He was expecting something like Billy Liar and II went not remembering that I'd seen a production of this piece by my high school's drama department. The dinner table / flirtation scene generates excitement and energy. The rest of the movie was a complete waste of my time (but I saw it through to the end). If someone knows why this movie scored so many Academy Awards, please let me know. (In Attendance - Dan)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Ang Lee's current release doesn't get any better on a second viewing. It didn't lose too much steam, either. (In Attendance - P, H, G, L)

You Can Count on Me

The movie the Fall indie filmoers are talking about! And for good reason. Laura Linney, Matthew Broderick and Mark Ruffalo deliver great performances. I saw this alone during a quiet Sunday afternoon and had a great time smiling and laughing. I hate to use the word "heartfelt" but it fits so well here. The story is friendly and funny and touching. I can't imagine wanting anything else from a movie.

Proof of Life

Meg Ryan. Russell Crowe. I left the theatre happy. The performers are stars and the movie is a great late-90's go into the jungle and bring 'em back alive tale. Obviously, the film contains no surprises and it's not one about which you should get excited. For sheer movie going fun, Final Destination is ten times better. (In Attendance - Michelle)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Such a fine, fine movie. I left the theatre extremely pleased - something I didn't expect since I went in hoping Tiger would be my favorite movie of the year. I've been an Ang Lee fan since first seeing The Wedding Banquet and I was extremely pleased with this film and I'm hoping it will be a serious Oscar contender. Simply, everything about this movie works. The acting and fighting are superb. The story is filled with twists and turns that delight and enhance the narrative - never detracting from the fairy tale aspect of the movie. I'm curious to meet someone who didn't enjoy Crouching Tiger - I want to know what's not to like. (In Attendance - Mitch, Jim, Dan, Sarah)

Meet the Parents

Maybe I watch too much TV. Or maybe I see too many movie trailers. All the jokes were in the commercials and running before other movies. Happily, I knew to expect that and caught this movie on a relaxed nothing better to do weekday afternoon. A pleasant big Hollywood movie going experience was had. The movie lacked huge guffaws, but I enjoyed myself and understand why this was at the top of the box office for all those weeks. (In Attendance - Dan)

Requiem for a Dream

Solid B+. I was ready to give it an A-, but Chris talked me down - he was right to convince me that Marlon Wayans' character wasn't well rounded enough. I get frustrated when I read that this movie is about heroin addicts. The story that really makes it work is a story of addiction, but heroin has nothing to do with it. I'll now admit that I'm guilty of not having seen Aronofsky's Pi. It's not on my list of movies to rent. (In Attendance - Dan, Chris M.)

Charlie's Angels

Like the Batman TV show of 1966. Only directed by a guy named McG. I had a few drinks before seeing the movie and was in a happy-go-lucky mood. I was ready for the kicking, the punching, the snappy dialogue and the flips of the hair. Has Drew Barrymore saved us from action movie doldrums? Charlie's Angels certainly kicked more ass than John Woo's Mission Impossible II. (In Attendance - Payal)

Two Family House

Somehow I agreed to see this movie with Dan on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I knew very little about it and was pleased when I left the theatre. It fills that void of small, heartwarming, worthwhile films. I guess I'm not so sure there's a void there. I liked the movie and after twenty minutes, I got sucked into the story. Two Family House is a sort of wrong side of the tracks tale about the human condition and how people relate to each other and their environments. (In Attendance - Dan)

Human Resources

Like so many things, this movie has potential. But I guess that's like me saying I have the potential to learn French. After the movie (when I was in the mood to play video games) Jamie gave me a hard time for not spending the past three years reading about French labor laws. Why in the world did I think I'd enjoy this movie even though I don't know the intricacies in the debate about France's 35 hour work wee?. If I was expecting an interesting, detailed character study, I don't feel I got it. If I was expecting exciting filmmaking, I don't feel I got it. I've not seen Norma Rae, so I can't offer any sort of comparison. Human Resources is just boring. And I agree with Dan and Jamie that it's good that movies like this are getting made and distributed, but I want more from them - more intellectual debate, more emotion, more action. (In Attendance - Dan, Jamie, Sarah)

Best in Show

Is it possible to have complaints about the cast of this film? Is it possible to have complaints about this film? I found the movie to be completely enjoyable, yet I failed to laugh out loud like the rest of the audience. (In Attendance - Jamie, Anne, Jim and 2 of Jim's friends)

Almost Famous

Dan wanted to call it "Almost Good." I wanted to staunchly defend the movie, but I couldn't. It was just better than good and I can't understand why all the critics are excited. Where is the film's energy? The acting is good, but I wanted more human interaction - more story - more Cameron Crowe. Am I just lame that I didn't care about this kid and the rock band traveling across the US? All I found was one situation and scene after the other without any exploration. I'm just really craving depth in the movies I see these days and I wanted to know more about the kid journalist. I wanted to know more about his family. And, like everyone, I wanted more Philip Seymour Hoffman in the movie. (In Attendance - Dan)

Nurse Betty

I still think Neil LaBute is a pretty mean spirited guy even though the middle third of this movie produced constant smiles. I was riveted by Renee Zellwegger's character. Chris Rock practically plays Chris Rock. And Morgan Freeman pretty much plays Morgan Freeman. Nurse Betty is one of those films that would produce a completely satisfied feeling after having selected it as a spontaneous dvd rental. (In Attendance - Dan)

The Tao of Steve

Donal Logue is wearing a fat suit. A fake belly! How in the world can anyone care about this movie upon finding out this truth? (In Attendance - Dan)

Bring It On

The bad slayer from Buffy the Vampire Slayer fulfills the role of alternative cheerleader. Such craziness! Jim hyped this one pretty heavily in an email to his friends. I think he was heavily influenced by the crowd. I can't say I'm disappointed he suggested seeing it. I had fun. The movie is better than most of the others concerning similar subjects, but it's no Varsity Blues. (In Attendance - Dan)

Cecil B. Demented

I remember being amused. Bemused? Of course, I'm never happy seeing movies at the Angelika. (In Attendance - Jamie, Dave, Justin)

Saving Grace

All this laughing. All those people smoking pot on-screen. It would not be a stretch to call Saving Grace this year's movie about those guys who find the lotto ticket, get naked, and ride around on that motorcycle. (In Attendance - Janel)

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Such enjoyment! And RuPaul narrates! For those unfamiliar with Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker this movie is a must see! The movie is serious and reverent, yet silly and irreverent. My jaw hung - dropped from its normal position - for much of the movie. I couldn't believe what I was watching. I couldn't have walked out of the theatre more impressed. Seeing Jim and Tammy's Ministry's failed theme park / resort is one of the most amazing things. It made me think about so many social and political issues (poverty, housing, taxation, media and puppetry). (In Attendance - Chris M.)

New Waterford Girl

It's Canadian! The director of Pump Up the Volume explores the life of a youth rebelling against her town. The teen's name is Moonie and she makes a friend who can throw a punch. This movie's also got Andrew McCarthy playing a high school teacher. I wasn't stunned by the story or blown away by the cinematography - what really captured me was the dialogue. It's different than anything I've heard before. Have I just not had enough conversations with Canadians? (In Attendance - Dan, Amy, Sarah)

Benjamin Smoke

Dan and I talked for a solid fifteen minutes after the show about how this film could have been improved. And we essentially ended the conversation with this question: Was Benjamin not interesting enough to be the subject of a documentary? Or, did the film fail to portray all of the characteristics that must have made Benjamin as captivating off-stage as he was on? We both left wanting more knowledge of cabbagetown. We both left wondering why there wasn't more concert footage of Smoke. Dan left questioning the use of Patti Smith and the lack of information in the film about why Smoke (the band) was popular. I left wanting a huge DVD series of films portraying the lives of semi-prominent indie-rockers. (In Attendance - Dan)

Jesus' Son

A tiny theatre in Georgetown was outdone by this movie. I walked into theatre and was shocked at the diminutive size of the screen. After five minutes, the screen size no longer mattered. I was absorbed. The seventies. Heroin. Love. And an appearance by Jack Black (this alone is worth the price of admission). My only issue with the film is that it reminds me a little too much of Buffalo '66. (In Attendance - Payal)

X-Men

In all my years of reading comic books (and Stan's Soapbox) I never thought I'd actually be alive when a credible X-Men movie was made. And to have Ari Arvad listed as a producer! The first ten minutes of the film gave me constant shivers. Wolverine's Claws! The snow of Canada. Rogue dressed in a cloak. The interplay between the characters! Makes me want to type "snikt" right now. Renew my membership in the Marvel Zombie Society! So, yeah, I spent way too many years reading comic books. After the first ten minutes I failed to stay excited. I followed the action and laughed at some of the jokes, but this really is a movie for 14 year olds. If this movie had come out when I was 14 (instead I got Dolph Lundgren as The Punisher) I would have thrilled at trying to identify students at Professor X's School for Gifted Youngsters. Oh, wait. I did thrill at that. Kitty Pryde. The Iceman. Jubilee. I guess I wish that this movie came out when I was 14 so I could have done a better job identifying everyone. Friends I've spoken with about the movie have had the same reaction - When is the next one coming our? (In Attendance - Jim and his coworker)

Croupier

This British film fulfills that roll of a great movie to see on a Monday afternoon of a holiday weekend. And more gambling! I've got to stop using the term "meta" to describe various media I see, but I couldn't resist while watching this story of a writer who takes on the job of croupier in order to write about it. If I wanted to be lame and try to sell it to friends who were hesitant I'd tell them that that woman(Alex Kingston) from "ER" who plays the snooty doctor is in the movie. (In Attendance - Dan)

3 Women

This film was supposed to have screened the night before, but the print didn't deliver in time. I guess I now know what it feels like. Haunting and mysterious and filled with classic Altman touches, I can't believe this film has never been released on video. For anyone who is even slightly enchanted with the director, I hope this film is released on DVD. During college, two film professors suggested seeing this movie, and I'd been searching it out since then and I'm more than happy I finally got to see it. I don't know how to begin describing it and I wish I'd seen the film with someone else. I was really in the mood to talk about it when I left the theatre. Odd paintings and swimming pools seem to play a roll in the background of this psychological mind twister where Sissy Spacek becomes Shelley Duvall and Shelley Duvall becomes Sissy Spacek - but it's not quite that.

California Split

About an hour into this Robert Altman film I realized that I'd already seen 30 minutes of it. Elliott Gould and George Segal play two friends with an addiction to gambling. I left the movie thinking that if Robert Altman were the only person to ever make movies, I'd be a happy young man. Intelligence and fun and a camera that investigates the scene with zooming and panning allowing a sense of discovery and playfulness.

Shaft

An early Saturday morning movie has a good chance of being fun. An action movie like this needs a big crowd. There was no big crowd. I went in expecting little. I walked out knowing I got even less than I expected. (In Attendance - Eliza, Michelle)

The Skulls

At this point you're asking yourself "why did Marc go to this movie?" Unless you know me. If you know me pretty well you know I like crappy movies just as much as the American public. This screening of The Skulls started at 8pm - at conveniently the same time as TRUE WEST. With my friends going to see the play, I found myself with two hours to occupy. And I couldn't have made a better choice! Who doesn't love Craig T. Nelson as a power-hungry bad guy with a mustache? And Joshua Jackson - Pacey in his full, theatrical glory! And who can resist the charms of Popular's Leslie Bibb? At one point I missed five minutes of action sequence to make a phone call. And let's all admit it, my mind wasn't on the movie.

Short Attention Span Film & Video Festival www.shortspan.com

This collection of traveling short films lulled us into attendance at Anthology Film Archives. Overall, we were pretty disappointed with what we sat through. One of the highlights was the collection of films by Lev Yilmaz - behind the screen drawings that proved to be quite funny. At the end of show the audience was asked to select an "audience favorite." In deference to my days as a high schooler with a video camera (and in a nod to free style walking fan, Jeremy) I selected JB Sheets' "Radical FSW" as my favorite short attention span short. (In Attendance - Alex, Dan, Chloe, others)

Gladiator

I saw the first event movie of Summer 2000 in Ohio and the crowd couldn't have been more bloodthirsty. Russell Crowe is the reason this film worked as well as it did. If he hadn't carried off the role of Roman soldier, reduced to gladiator, as well as he did, I would have given the film a disappointing thumbs down. That's just what my NY friends did. And the more I talked with them, the more I realize that the film just doesn't hold together. The battle scenes are too far apart. Joaquin Phoenix embarrasses himself. The fight scenes are edited too quickly, making their structure hard to follow. Of course, I still stand by my original thought that this epic succeeds in being a somewhat bloated old style epic. Fun and enjoyable, but not something you get swept up in. I never looked at my watch but that shouldn't be what makes a movie worthy of being watched (especially since I don't wear a watch these days). (In Attendance - Steve, Mike, Greg)

The Virgin Suicides

All the reviews I read about The Virgin Suicides couldn't resist using the word "mood." And I entered the theatre completely expecting to be swept up in the mood of the film much more than the story. And that prediction/suggestion came true. I found the movie to have many moods...moods that I really enjoyed...moods that I wanted more of. I wanted this film to be cut into 30 minute segments and shown as a late night mini-series on MTV. There's so much music and so much beautiful photography that your senses are overwhelmed (and the part of your brain that's following the story part of the movie spins and spins and spins). As Dan said, "this movie attempts to be ambiguous, but in an obvious way." (In Attendance - Dan)

American Psycho

This movie makes me want to examine my thoughts on Fight Club - but I don't think I should have to do that. Mary Harron's American Psycho throws in a twist toward the end...well, not a twist but it adds a question mark that doesn't necessarily have to be there. I've heard that this ending was strongly suggested by the studio. I don't know why I'm going on and on about the ending - the movie makes it's mark during the individual scenes. It took convincing by Dan for me to be comfortable with saying favorable things about the movie. Christian Bale offers a great performance and dances his way in and out of a character who loses his grip on reality and commits a chain of gruesome murders. I sat horrified in my sit. I didn't expect to find the movie as repulsive as I did...but somehow the ideas get into your head, and Bret Easton Ellis' book offers plenty of room for a person to squirm in the movie seat. (In Attendance - Dan, Michelle)

High Fidelity

On Saturday afternoon I tried to explain my thoughts on this movie to Dan. I think he wanted to laugh me onto the street. I know that the movie isn't the book. And the book isn't the movie. But the book is one of those books that you want to clutch in your arms and take it back to your room and grant it that special place on the shelf. You say to yourself "this book is something special." And you want that book all to yourself, even as you highly recommend it to friends. The movie is nothing special. It gets so much right. But it's a movie. A movie from Disney. It's not a movie that you're just going to "discover" and that takes the "specialness" away from it. The feeling just isn't there with the movie. Friends have described the movie as not cinematic enough and I completely agree. Other friends have called it an incredible document that represents that lifestyle and moment in time better than we've ever seen it before. I also agree with those thoughts. During the film I wanted to pump my fist in the air and scream "Yes. Yes. That's it! Exactly!" I think we all recognized those characters on screen. But the movie is only a document and, sadly, I don't think it's going to be too much fun to watch five or ten years from now. (In Attendance - Michelle)

Black and White

Dan and I raced from a disappointing Mets game to this disappointing movie. The marketing department that promoted this film did a stellar job. I was overly excited about this film which claims to probe race and class differences in America (esp. Manhattan). Is it just me, or was there not enough of an exploration of those ideas in this movie? It brings up the issues and throws in some dialogue...and there's a hint of story in the background. The film wasn't "edgy" enough. I wanted more from it. I don't listen to Wu Tang Clan. I don't bet on basketball. I don't hit on Mike Tyson. I wanted to see that life showcased in this movie, and it just gave hints of those things. Maybe James Toback's film making style on this one got the best of him. I read in an interview that he shot so much that a few extra movies could be made out of the footage he left on the cutting room floor. Maybe I'd rather see one of those. (In Attendance - Dan)

The Straight Story

I failed to see this film in 1999. I knew I was missing a movie I really wanted to see, and I wish I'd seen it on a bigger screen with a newer print. The cinematography was amazing. The pacing was amazing. I don't understand why this film wasn't more popular. It's such an amazing movie. I can't imagine anyone not liking it. It's so charming. Does middle America not go see movies like this anymore. If The Straight Story had been released in 1981, it would have cleaned up at the box office. I can understand that some people found the film slow, but I liked that deliberate pacing and was prepared for it. The film is an incredibly safe and reliable rental for the video store. All this from David Lynch (who throws in some obvious houseflies to remind us that he is the director). (In Attendance - Liz)

Final Destination

Still on vacation in Seattle. I'd spent much of the day walking through Fremont and I was ready for a large bag of popcorn and a fun popcorn movie. I walked into the theatre just in time - I missed all the opening trailers and caught the opening credits. I sure hope teenagers across the country went crazy for this movie! Such a Friday night date option! It's that one film of the year that I really can describe as a fun, edge of your seat thriller! And gruesome. So delightfully gruesome. The film sucked me in from the very beginning. The time spent in the airport and on the airplane is great...just fraught with peril. A charming, fun movie.

Erin Brockovich

Steven Soderbergh returns to "Hollywood" style film making with this Julia Roberts vehicle. I write these thoughts almost a month from seeing the film and my views haven't changed to much - even as the picture skyrockets to its position as first film of 2000 to top $100 million from the US box office. I saw Erin Brockovich while on vacation in Seattle. A perfect afternoon screening (my stomach filled with a great big cookie). Steven Soderbergh seemed to hold back and let the story take control - his directorial touches were light. I came out smiling, but I think I was expecting more. I wanted more bombast - more action! Maybe I should have seen it opening night with a large crowd that was really into it. As my Mom pointed out, Soderbergh handles his secondary cast members quite well. The characters that Julia Roberts encounters in the small town are played just right - they're totally believable. And Aaron Eckhart - I can't wait to see what he does next.

The Target Shoots First

Dan called it his favorite film of 1999. Will I call it my favorite film of 2000? It's one of the best I've seen so far. As Dan describes, this film just speaks to me and the kids who are like me. What happens when a 20something with an indie/punk attitude has to put his philosophy degree to work and find a job in the corporate world of cavernesque Manhattan? Chris Wilcha spent the early 90s in the marketing department at Columbia House Record/Tape/CD club and generated 200 hours of video footage, bringing his camera to work every day. The Target Shoots First manages to mix wry humor with a serious discussion of the corporate world and its inherent ridiculousness. My first thought as I stood from my seat (still wanting to applaud)? This movie would make an exceptional double feature with Office Space. (In Attendance - Dan, Amy, Donovan, Chris M.)

Ghost Dog

A carefully orchestrated film in which a man trains pigeons, another man quotes Flavor Flav and a young woman lends her copy of Rashomon. Earlier this evening I didn't highly recommend it to Jamie, but I did say that if you want to go out and see a movie - this is the movie to see. (In Attendance - Chris L, Chris M., Dan, Mary, Lynn, Jim, Michelle, Jason, Mitch)

Mifune

I'm a sucker for the Dogme films. Digital Video and all those other rules somehow make it okay to get by with just a good story. Resembling The Celebration in physical feel and color and look, Mifune strikes a lighter cord emotionally. It's fun in that "look at all these weird people and how they're meant for each other" kind of way. A fun movie about strange things happening. And I really do like listening to all those Danish people. (In Attendance - Dan)

Wonder Boys

The Kips Bay theatre just fails to impress me. The screen is fine. The seats are great. But the crowd - they just aren't my kind of crowd. There's not enough of a reaction from the audience. Am I being a snob for thinking these people are snobs? Tobey Maguire does a fine job in Wonder Boys. The movie was enjoyable and I'll consider the ticket price money well spent. It took twenty minutes to get into the film and warm up to the characters and the story - which is a great mix of drama, comedy and just all around weirdness. The story meanders through various directions and loops in on itself creating a film that adds up to me just thinking about Tobey Maguire and Katie Holmes. Katie Holmes. I think some of her scenes must have been cut out. (In Attendance - Liz, Melissa)

Pups

Valentine's Day. An ideal day to buy a ticket for a violent movie. This movie screened at the LA Independent Film Festival and Matt Zoller Seitz from the NY Press raved about it. It's the story of a boy and a girl who find a gun. On the way to school, they decide to rob a bank - and instantly the film becomes Dog Day Afternoon for the MTV set - with an appearance by Kurt Loder - playing Kurt Loder! I've not seen too many films this year, but this could be a candidate for the best. Written, directed and produced by Ash it meets the requirements for an intelligently written, witty and knowing film about kids, violence and the media. I don't know the exact list of those requirements...i laughed a great deal and i came out thinking, wondering and questioning. One of the criticisms I've read of the film is that it doesn't take enough of a stand or it leaves things too morally ambiguous. I'm not so sure about that. I know that I'm ready for my friends to see the movie so we can talk about it. (In Attendance - Dan)

trans

I'm aching to type "from the mind of Minolta." But that's neither here nor there. Sometimes a collection of filmed scenes can make up a movie - and this is one of those times. A teenager escapes from his juvenile detention center and wanders through Florida in this simple, very human film. It took 20 minutes for me to be sucked in - I had to first accept the somewhat slow main character - but once the grocery store scene kicked in with its getting high on redi-whip appeal , the film takes off. I saw this film on my weekend of going to art museums and it fit right in - it's got that art film vibe with a slight taste of the experimental. I'm happy to have started off the year of moviegoing with this very personal introspective film. (In Attendance - Dan, Carly)