3:10 To Yuma

3:10 To Yuma
2007 -- Rated R
Director: James Mangold
Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda

   It could be that Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Life, Master and Commander: Far Side Of The World) is a good actor. Or it could be that Christian Bale (The Prestige, Batman Begins) is a good actor. Or maybe the story is good or the action is good or... maybe I'm just glad to see a bona fide western in the theater again. Or maybe it's all of the above. Whatever the reason 3:10 To Yuma is a good western movie.
    The original film was based on the Elmore Leonard short story of the same name. With this new treatment, Academy Award winner Crowe takes on the role of outlaw leader Ben Wade and Bale is the hard working rancher Dan Evans (roles played by Glenn Ford and Van Heflin respectively in the original film) who takes on the job of delivering the smooth talking outlaw to the nearest town with a train going to Yuma and the penitentiary located there. Along the way to the train the group battle Apaches, vengeful railroad lawmen and money hungry townspeople all the while each man gaining a degree of respect for the other that must be dealt with at the end of the line.
    One surprising delight in 3:10 To Yuma is the enigmatic performance turned in by relative newcomer Ben Foster as Charlie Prince, Wades myrmidon second in command. Prince, whose only allegiance is his fatally flawed devotion to Wade, is a sociopathic killer and Foster brings the character scarily to life.
    New westerns are few and far between so thankfully 3:10 To Yuma is worth the wait.

Mr. Brooks

Mr. Brooks
2007 -- Rated R
Director: Bruce Evans
Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, William Hurt

   Most folks I know are either a Kevin Costner fan or they’re not and if they’re not they say he has very limited acting range and his emotions are monotonous. That being said Mr. Brooks is a perfect vehicle for Costner. Mr. Brooks (Costner) is a very complex man and he must hide that complexity as best he can, which means his emotional range is very limited. You see, Mr. Brooks is a serial killer and not just your garden variety of serial killers either, Mr. Brooks is a schizophrenic – and he knows it.
   Yet while he spends his evenings killing, his daylife is consumed by a boorish existance as the owner of a box making company. He has even been named Portland, Oregon’s Man of the Year.
   Mr. Brooks has managed to keep his schizophrenia under control for two years by attending AA meetings, divulging only that he is an “addict.” But Marshall, Mr. Brooks’ imaginary alter-ego played wonderfully by the talented William Hurt, manages to convince Mr. Brooks to “do” one more killing.
   As complex a person as Mr. Brooks is, his complexity rivals that of the movie plot which, though never too hard to follow, successfully intertwines several different storylines. Demi Moore is Tracy Atwood, a Portland detective who has been on the trail of the “Thumbprint Killer” (Costner) for quite some time. Dane Cook is Mr. Smith who accidentally takes photos of Mr. Brooks’ latest escapade, but rather than turn him in, he wants to learn how to kill. Amidst all this, Mr. Brooks’ daughter suddenly appears on the scene, having dropped out of college because of an alleged pregnancy but it turns out that she too suffers from the same homicidal disease as her father.
   It would be difficult to divulge more of the plot lines without giving away too much of the movie. Suffice it to say that this is one heck of a movie that will keep you riveted to your seat. Costner is perfectly cast as Mr. Brooks and Mr. Brooks is easily the best movie of the year so far.

300

300
2007 -- Rated R
Director: Zack Snyder
Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West

    Admittedly I didn’t know a whole heck of a lot about King Leonidas and the Spartans before I saw 300, and though I have since been educated via the History Channel specials, I came away from this movie with a greater understanding and appreciation for the actual event that inspired the story. Based on the Frank Miller graphic novel, 300 is beautifully filmed and told, albeit with an ample amount of creative license. Gerard Butler (Timeline) renders King Leonidas as both a powerful leader and a loving husband and father. Lena Headey (The Cave) portrays Queen Gorgo in a way that keeps the viewer riveted through both her beauty and her unflappable devotion to her country.
300 is one of the best films of 2007

The Station Agent

The Station Agent
2003 -- Rated R
Director: Thomas McCarthy
Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Paul Benjamin

This jewel of a film is one of my top movies of 2003. Peter Dinklage (from TV's Threshold) is Finbar McBride, a man born with dwarfism. McBride leads a quiet life in the city until his best friend dies. Inheriting a small abandoned train depot in Newfoundland, NJ, he is determined to live an isolated existence. As the film progresses he encounters a small group of local characters from whom he tries to keep his distance, both physically and emotionally, but to no avail and eventually he befriends the quirky ensemble.
Though this film would lack its punch without the dwarf storyline, it does not pander to silly stereotypical short jokes. In fact, the story rarely touches on McBride's size, choosing instead to delve into the intricacies of the different characters personalities and relationships. Dinklage's performance is stunning. His skill at conveying every emotion with just an expression is remarkable. Add to that a powerful storyline and a quality supporting cast and you'll begin to see why this film was nominated for just about every film award there is and won Dinklage a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.
Light at times, sad at times and perfect from start to finish, The Station Agent is well worth renting, but even more so it is a powerful addition to anyones movie library.

Mystery, Alaska

Mystery, Alaska
1995 -- Rated R
Director: Jay Roach
Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Burt Reynolds

    Before Russell Crowe took the world by storm in Gladiator, he was a star in his native Australia. I first noticed him as the gunslinger-turned-preacher in 1995's The Quick and the Dead with Sharon Stone. I went to see Mystery Alaska because I wanted to go see a movie that night and I had already seen everything else at the theatre, so I said what the heck and bought a ticket. Sometimes serendipity is fortuitous because this is a gem of a movie that almost got by me.

    Mystery, Alaska is a town that revolves around it's weekend ice hockey matches. In a town that is snowed in for much of the year, the townspeople talk of little else and find their identity in the weekly matches amongst themselves. When Charles Danner (Hank Azaria), who has left the humble burg for the big city arranges to have a professional hockey team come play a match against the Mystery team it requires the townspeople to set aside their differences and pull together to beat the big league boys who aren't taking them seriously.

    Burt Reynolds as the towns judge and stoic critic of the home team has a engaging performance. Alongside Crowe's role as the town's police chief and the team's captain is a bevy of character actors that really flesh out this movie and make it an enjoyable experience - even if you are not a hockey fan!

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World
2003 -- Rated PG-13
Director: Peter Weir
Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany

   One of my many loves is the ocean and anything to do with the ocean, be it sailing, swimming, diving, fishing... it doesn't matter, I've got salt in my blood. Add to that the appeal of a swashbuckler and it's got to be a winner in my book. But Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World goes so much further than just a swashbuckler or sailing movie, it introduces the past to the present in a way few films can. Based on the series of novels by the late author Patrick O'Brian, the film is actually a masterful melding of two of O'Brian's stories, the first in the series, Master and Commander and the eleventh, Far Side of the World.

    The film covers the life aboard a Royal Navy ship captained by Jack Aubrey played to perfection by Russell Crowe. Also in the ships company is Paul Bettany who once again teams up with Crowe as the ships doctor Dr. Maturin. Master and Commander does on film what O'Brian did on paper. An erudite writer, O'Brian captures the nuances of life onboard ship, nuances that Crowe and company beautifully capture on film, whether it be the almost poetic language of the time or the conscription of boys to serve in the Royal Navy. Master and Commander is without a doubt the most serious and deliberate work to ever emerge concerning life at sea.

Click

Click
2006 -- Rated PG-13
Director: Frank Coraci
Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken

    When Adam Sandler first came on the scene I didn't get it. I didn't get it with Saturday Night Live, I didn't get it with Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore. But then came The Wedding Singer and I began to get it. Then The Waterboy, Mr. Deeds, and 50 First Dates and I was a fan. When 2004's Spanglish came out I wasn't sure I was ready for a serious Adam Sandler but the movie, storyline and characters won me over readily. Then came Click. I wasn't sure what to expect with this film but I figured it would be more of the comedic Adam Sandler. It was, but what I wasn't ready for was the serious message this film gets across. By the middle of the film, no one is laughing. Instead I hear sobs as the audience realizes that Sandler's character is trapped in a whirlpool of events that are spiraling faster and faster out of control. When the film ends and the audience is packed away in their cars and heading home I wonder if they like me have been made to reflect on their own lives and the choices they have made. The films message is clear - family MUST come before career or we will be looking back on our lives in the end with sadness and regret.

    Yes, there is comedy in Click but it is used sparingly and artfully. Sandler has made a giant leap ahead as an actor to be taken seriously.

    I would be remiss if I didn't also point out the stellar performances by the enigmatic Christopher Walken and the stunningly beautiful Kate Beckinsale who oozes a mature sexuality in every scene.

King Kong

King Kong
2005 -- Rated PG13
Director: Peter Jackson
Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Naomi Watts
I went to see this movie solely because I loved the work director Peter Jackson did on the Lord of the Rings trilogies and I wanted to see how he treated Kong. I was deftly afraid I was going to see another horrid remake of the 1933 black and white classic. Now weeks later I still feel an ache in the pit of my stomach as I recall the great ape's loneliness and demise. Jackson (and even more-so Andy Serkis, who played the ape for the computers) has crafted a worthy retelling of the story. Not once did I ever think about the time during the 3+ hours of the film. This is likely the best remake of a movie ever made.

Desperado

Desperado
1995 -- Rated R
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida

This is the second in the Mariachi trilogy of films by Robert Rodriguez and is the best of the three. The violence in this film is so high as to be almost comical, indeed it comes off as a dark comic book and without question Banderas is totally captivating in his role as El Mariachi, a man who played guitar until the gangster Bucho has his henchmen kill El Mariachi's girl then shoot his hands, thus ending his playing days. El Mariachi thus embarks on a killing spree as he attempts to track down Bucho. Also starring Cheech Marin, Desperado is a sexy, violent film that is way over the top. Along with his missle and machine gun guitar case toting compadres, the trio of Mariachi's decidedly destroy the town. The true highlight of this film is the exceptional music assembled for the soundtrack. In particular is the phenomenal opening tune which Banderas himself sings. Banderas and Hayek are smoldering on screen.

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White Christmas

White Christmas
1954 -- Not Rated
Director: Michael Curtiz
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen

Aside from his "On The Road" films with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby is probably best known for his quintessential Christmas movies (Holiday Inn and The Bells of St. Marys being the others). Both White Christmas and Holiday Inn are sometimes hard to tell apart because there is so many similarities. Consider: both films star Bing Crosby, both carry Irving Berlin's name on the musical score, both films are set in New England at Christmas, both feature "White Christmas" as it's central song, both films involve two male dancing partners (Crosby/Astaire and Crosby/Kaye) and two female dancing partners (Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale in "Inn" and Clooney/Vera-Ellen in White Christmas, and it goes on. White Christmas doesn't pretend to be high art as film goes but it is a gem of a movie that succeeds in delivering innocent "warm fuzzies" in a day and time when there are too few "warm fuzzies" to go around.

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The Body

The Body
2001 -- Rated PG13
Director: Jonas McCord
Antonio Banderas, Olivia Williams

This suspense thriller isn't necessarily the best film in the genre that I have ever seen, nor is it Banderas' best work, though he still carries the film on his shoulders quite well. What makes this film one worth watching is the entire premise it is built around - an archeological dig that discovers the skeletal remains that date to the first century and fits perfectly with the description of the crucified Christ. The obvious implication of the physical body of Christ being found would cause the destruction of the worlds greatest religion - Christianity - if proven to be true. Banderas as a priest sent by the Vatican to investigate is wonderful to watch as he unravels the mystery and fights to retain his faith in the face of the mounting evidence. Well worth watching just for the whole concept.

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The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
1966 -- Rated Mature
Director: Sergio Leone
Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef

The last in the Dollars trilogy, GBU is by far the best of the three and while the subsequent film Once Upon A Time In The West is by far a superior film, GBU is quite excellent in its own right. What sets GBU apart from it's predecessors is the haunting Ennio Morricone score. Wallach's turn as the savage Mexican bandit Tuco, complete with a gravelly stereotypical accent, is easily Wallach's best work.

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Once Upon A Time In The West

Once Upon A Time In The West
1968 -- Rated PG
Director: Sergio Leone
Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale

Truly Sergio Leone was one of the greatest directors of our time. In his hands silence, emptiness, voids, wide open spaces become integrel characters. Once Upon A Time In The West is in my opinion his greatest work. The opening sequence at the depot with its austere silence, coupled with the extreme closeups sets the tone for this exceptional film. Leone’s use of music in his films obviously sets him apart from his peers. In Once Upon A Time... each of the main characters has thier own musical theme which is set up in layers culminating in a rich full orchestral sound by the films end. Leone’s selection of Fonda (one of the iconic good guys of the American screen) as a villain is pure genious. Robards, Bronson and Cardinale flesh out this film in perfect fashion. A lengthy film Once Upon A Time... is mesmerizing from start to finish. Leone’s best work.

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Open Range

Open Range
2003 -- Rated R
Director: Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Bening

    Good versus bad, the good guys wear the white hats, bad guys wear black. Lost in a quagmire of studio megahits in 2003, this film is a jewel that captures a lost yet enduring era. Costner captures the vast enormity of the west in this beautifully detailed and crafted western epic.
    This film is number three on my list of top ten western movies.

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Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes
1968 -- Rated G
Director: Franklin Schaffner
Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowell, Kim Hunter

Charlton Heston had become famous to another generation as the patriarch Moses and Ben-Hur, but to a more recent generation his fame was born in the 1968 film Planet of the Apes as George Taylor. Though sci-fi fans enjoy the offsprings (including six sequels, a TV series and a cartoon series) of this hit film only the original is considered one of the top sci-fi films of all time. Planet of the Apes is also a strong social commentary using the human / ape allusion to make a statement of the race conflict in our own society at that time (and which in a large way is still ongoing today). One scene which brilliantly captures the commentary of de-humanization is when Heston is brought before a tribunal - naked! Many fans and critics point to the films tagline scene where Heston's character screams at his captors to take their paws off of him "you damn dirty apes!" as one of the best taglines in moviedom. I prefer the point when Heston screams "It's a madhouse!" Truly a gem of a film.

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Hatari!

Hatari
1962 -- Not Rated
Director: Howard Hawks
John Wayne, Red Buttons, Hardy Kruger, Elsa Martinelli

Set in the plains of Africa, John Wayne and ensemble are modern day wranglers only they capture wild African animals to export to zoos around the world. The film on whole is average fare but it is an enjoyable view. Red Buttons as "Pockets" almost steals the movie from the stoic John Wayne. Hatari is probably more notable because of its Henry Mancini soundtrack which features the tune "Baby Elephant Walk." But it is the opening score which is really dynamite. "Sounds of Hatari" is nothing but percussion. It starts out slow and works its way up to a frenzied cacophony of beating drums. On the soundtrack album the tune lasts only six minutes and fortyone seconds though it seems like fifteen (an enjoyable fifteen) and it leaves you breathless.

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Seven

Seven
1995 -- Rated R
Director: David Fincher
Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow

This is easily one of the most frightening films I know of. On the verge of being a Film Noir type of film, Seven keeps you on the edge of your seat, even after the suspect is caught. Kevin Spacey is magnificent as the psychotic genious who has perpetrated the "seven" gruesome murders. Nothing extraordinary stands out about Morgan Freeman or Brad Pitt's performances - and that is exactly why they are so good in thier parts as well as so believable.

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Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams
1989 -- Rated PG
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster

No other baseball film comes close to capturing the essence of the game of baseball. Even though very little baseball is actually played in this movie it manages to impart the knowledge of why baseball is truly the game all Americans identify with. Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster lovingly portray thier characters and the afinity they have for the game. Easily one the two or three all time best sports movies.

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Wind

Wind
1992 -- Rated PG13
Director: Carroll Ballard
Matthew Modine, Jennifer Grey, Stellan Skarsgård

Okay, so I know this film shouldn't be on anyones list of best films - and yet I have to include it on mine for a purely selfish reason - I love sailing. The story line is average, the characters are interesting and the photography... well, when the boats are on the water and racing the photography will please fans of sailing. Other than that there isn't a whole lot to say about this film.

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The Searchers

The Searchers
1956 -- Not Rated
Director: John Ford
John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles

Forever ensconced in the American psyche as the pre-eminent cowboy, John Wayne was also a wonderful actor though he is rarely lauded as such. In The Searchers, the Duke portrays one of the most complex characters of his storied career. The conflicts and emotions that ravage the character on the inside are clearly seen in Waynes eyes. Waynes portrayal may not have been good enough to win an Oscar in 1956 (Yul Brynner won that year) but it was surely good enough to at least be nominated, but he wasn't. A sad testament to the Academy's tastes.

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