For Your Consideration - Rob

In case you thought Christopher Guest's best work was behind him, or that another movie with the same format and same cast couldn't be anything fresh, think again.

With "For Your Consideration," Guest may have done his best work yet. It's hilariously funny, heartwrenchingly touching, and just a great movie all-around. Guest has made some of my favorite films, including "Best In Show," "Waiting for Guffman," and "A Mighty Wind." This film takes its rightful place next to those classics, without reservation.

As always, Guest takes you behind the scenes to learn the slightly exxaggerated truth about, in this case, the "movie biz." Watching, you have no doubt that these wacky characters and the things they say are caricatures of real "Hollywood types," which makes it that much more enjoyable.

I clicked "play all" on the special features, and after every deleted, extended or alternate scene, I found myself hoping there was just one more. And they kept coming, just as enjoyable as the film itself.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: both (it's been a rough week)
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both - highly
BUY/RENT/SKIP: buy if you love Chris Guest, otherwise rent

Be Cool - Rob

Wow. At the time of this writing, it is one hour six minutes into Be Cool. Patti is asleep, and I have decided to write this review - the first review I've done in months - NOW, at one hour seven minutes into the movie.

"Get Shorty" was a near-great film. It was lacking the magic of "Pulp Fiction," but still had cleverness and a pretty high "cool" factor. The sequel, however, is about as cool as a heavy episode of "Eight Is Enough" or, maybe an ABC After School Special.

Former shylock Chili Palmer (John Travolta) has decided the 'movie biz' is too phony, and he wants to 'git real' by taking up with the bad-boy record industry (Harvey Keitel's character says, "this is the record industry - we're all 'wise guys'").

A stomach-churning performance by The Rock as a gay bodyguard... who... wants to be an... actor; a limp effort by Uma Thurman; more musician-wanna-be-actors (Andre 3000, Steven Tyler, Christina Milian) than you can shake a stick at; a definitely-getting-too-old-for-this Travolta - all add up to a huge disappointment.

If you've seen "Get Shorty" you'll think I couldn't possibly be talking about the sequel when I use words like, "syrupy-sweet dialogue," "musical numbers" "excessive and obvious product placement," "we have to save the recording studio and launch the careers of these talented but undiscovered treasures," oh, could I go on.

It's one hour 24 minutes in now... thank God, it must be almost over.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: Patti
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: no one on Earth
BUY/RENT/SKIP: avoid at all cost

ps. Ok, I'm back to report the old "hang 'em upside-down over the side of the building to scare 'em" trick. I knew I should have waited to write this until it was over.

Click - Patti

This latest from Adam Sandler is an attempt to re-invent "It's a Wonderful Life," and all of the other movies like that Frank Capra classic. We barely meet the main characters when Sandler's character discovers the magical remote that will soon change his entire life. Then we're whisked away to lots of low-brow jokes and repetitive gimmicks.

Just when you're settling into the feel of it's middle-school humor, the movie takes a serious turn towards the melo-dramatic. Fans of Sandler's wackier side may not respond to this dip in emotions. It goes pretty low.

So, does Click succeed? Nah, not really. It has its moments of goofy laughter and sentimentalness, but overall, it just wasn't as heartwarming as 50 First Dates or The Wedding Singer. Without a doubt, the movie belongs to Christopher Walken who manages to steal every scene he is in. See it, if for nothing else, than to appreciate this legend.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: Patti
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent, don't waste the BIG bucks at the theater

Dave Chappelle's Block Party - Patti

Before he went AWOL, Dave Chappelle decided to throw a lil' party in Brooklyn. This is part concert film, part documentary, part sketch-comedy. Anytime you have Dave, you know you are going to have a good time.

There are performances by some of hip-hop's biggest names, such as Kanye West, Mos Def, Dead Prez, and Erykah Badu. Even if this is not your style of music, the movie's momentum makes you want to get up and dance.

There are some wacky interviews....the ones of the couple who live in the renovated church were our favorites! Did I mention the marching band? Dave invited them while he was passing out free tickets to random folks in his hometown in Ohio.

This movie has something for everyone. No matter how you look at it, Block Party was just plain entertaining from start to finish.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent (buy, if you're a die-hard Chappelle fan)

Shopgirl - Patti

This adaptation of Steve Martin's novella (yes, you're thinking of the right Steve Martin) was sweet and simple; yet, something was definitely lacking. It's the story of Mirabelle, the title character who sells expensive gloves at Saks. Needless to say, business is slow. Her life is rather empty until she meets a Mr. Wrong, then a Mr. Sugar Daddy, and then a Mr. I've Re-Invented Myself.

There isn't much action; it's a people-movie. But even for a movie entirely about its characters, I want to be moved by them, to care about them, to believe in them. I felt myself struggling to do so with Shopgirl. The performances aren't that bad; but the narration was something we could've done without. At least, with a lot less of it.

Overall, an okay flick, if you're into the actors or you loved the book...or you're just curious what kind of story a "wild-n-crazy-guy" would write.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: Patti
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent

Crash (2005) - Patti

WOW! If you get a chance to see this movie before Oscar night, take it! This is a completely engrossing film about different people in Los Angeles. I could say "about different races in Los Angeles," but that seems to minimize the movie. It is so much more than just a "race" movie.

We meet a dozen or so characters whose lives will crisscross in some way. It is truly an ensemble film. I won't say much more about the plot, (I don't want to ruin the experience for you), other than it can get intricate at times. The story is multi-layered and the acting is exceptional. The scenes are funny one moment, then tense the next.

Without giving anything away, I have to tell you that the ending is powerful, thought-provoking, and above all...haunting. I wanted to watch it again the minute it ended. When was the last time you felt like that after a movie?

VERDICT

WHO FELL ASLEEP: Rob

WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both

BUY/RENT/SKIP: buy

The Chronicles of Narnia - Patti

We saw this movie back in December, but I've been too wrapped up in my day-to-day life to get this review done. My bad.

Even if you haven't read C.S. Lewis' enchanting series,this movie is a must-see! It's like a scaled-down version of LOTR. (If you don't know what that stands for, I feel for you.) The story follows four siblings who wander into a magical world through a mysterious wardrobe closet. It's an amazing fantasyland, and yes, there is a lot of hidden and not-so hidden symbolism.

My biggest criticism would be with some of the special effects. It seemed as though the FX dept. put all of their efforts into creating the lion, which was simply magnificent! However, other effects made me cringe with embarassment. Come on guys; you could do better than that.


VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both
BUY/RENT/SKIP: buy (if you have kids)

Million Dollar Baby - Patti

Okay, so maybe we were a little late to the dance, but we just got around to seeing this incredible film. Everything you've heard is true. If you were curious why it won four Academy Awards and haven't seen it yet, then ask no more. Just go rent it. This film is truly a masterpiece.

Clint Eastwood proves that he is a triple threat with this one. Not only does he do an outstanding job with his portrayal of Frankie Dunn, an oldtime boxing trainer, but he also directed and created the musical score. I have always been a fan of Clint's, but this movie finally made one out of Rob.

Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank round out the headlining cast. They completely embody their characters. Sometimes, they say nothing....but their eyes and stillness do the "talking." Everything, from the lighting to the incredible screenplay by Paul Haggis, plays a critical role in communicating the movie's feeling. Enjoy the highs and lows, keep the hanky nearby, and savor a finely crafted film.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both
BUY/RENT/SKIP: buy

Memoirs of a Geisha - Patti

I think that part of the reason this movie is receiving some flack is because people are going to it, expecting to see another Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, or Hero or House of Flying Daggers. Those were all excellent foreign films. Memoirs...is an American film. Sure, the cast is foreign, a mix of Japanese and Chinese actors. The story takes place in Japan, and we learn about Japanese culture (somewhat). But ultimatley, it's a very American movie.

This, however, doesn't make it a poor movie. The cinematography is amazing. The costumes and sets are breathtakingly lush. This has got to be one of the most beautiful films of 2005. The story follows a young Japanese girl (Chiyo/Sayuri) who was sold into slavery by her poor parents. Her beauty and very rare blue eyes are noticed early on, though, and she is eventually trained to become a geisha.

It's here that the story gets a little predictable for a time. After suffering through her lessons, Sayuri comes to realize that being a geisha might not be all that it is cracked up to be. We watch as she goes through adolescence, World War 2, and the internal struggles with her choices in life.

Still, something was missing. While I found the story engaging, I felt like I needed to understand the characters better. I wouldn't quite say it succeeded on the "epic scale" it was aiming for. But it was an enjoyable 2 and a half hours, nonetheless. You could probably just wait and rent this one.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: Rob, for about 10 minutes
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: Patti
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent

The Ice Harvest - Patti

If you blink, you might miss this lil' gem of a film. We saw it a few weeks ago, but some of it's humor is still lingering with us. I can't wait to watch it again. It is a dark, dark, funny movie.

The story is this: John Cusack plays a mob lawyer who decides one Christmas Eve to steal from the hand that feeds him. He isn't alone in this endeavor, though, and that's where the twists and turns start to unfold. Billy Bob Thornton plays his partner in crime, and an equally sleazy mob laywer. Connie Nielsen plays the seductive temptress that you're just never quite sure you can trust. Oliver Platt is scene-stealing hilarious as Cuasck's constantly drunk best friend. Randy Quaid is the devil himself, the big bossman.

Directed by Harold Ramis, this one has everything that you would come to expect from a dark comedy, inlcuding a well-written script and a fabulous cast. Go see it while you can in the theater....but only if you find betrayal, murder, and deceit amusing. If language or blood offends you, maybe pass. But you would really be missing out on something.

Did I mention it was dark?

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent

King Kong (2005) - Patti

Say what you want about this 3-hour remake of a remake, but this was one of the funnest movie-going experiences I have had in a long, long time! Peter Jackson captured the original film's magic and took it to a higher level, thanks, of course, to CGI.

Don't let the length of this movie scare you away...it never drags. My 9 and 10 year olds said it didn't feel like a 3 hour movie. The first act sets the stage for the necessary character and plot development. We meet Jack Black and Naomi Watts, who are completely engaging in their respective roles. Okay, Adrien Brody looks like he isn't really feeling "it," but that's the only criticism with the cast that I can think of.

Act two is when we arrive at Skull Island. I'm sure you've seen the trailer and know that this time, Kong is done right. He is simply breathtaking! As with his LOTR series, Jackson makes you believe that this is a place that actually exists. Sure, you may not want to visit, but a postcard from there would be cool!

By the final act, we are back in fabulous New York and the rest, as they say, is movie-making history. I felt like I was a kid again. I laughed. I screamed. I cried. What a blast! This one has got to be seen on the big screen. Kudos, Mr. Jackson!

VERDICT

WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither

WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both

BUY/RENT/SKIP: buy

High Tension (French) - Patti

The name of this one pretty much sums it up. The tension ran extremely high for Rob and I from start to finish. This foreign slasher flick is full of gore, gore, gore. I honestly felt that gurgly feeling that I sometimes have right before I get phsyically sick at least three times.

Two college friends plan to spend a relaxing weekend together in the countryside with the one's family. Simple enough, right? Well, this is a horror film; let's keep that in mind. The intensity gets kicked up a notch about 20 minutes into the film. And once it begins, it never lets up. Never. The pacing is consistent. The gross-out factor is relentless. The story is.....

Hmmm. Okay. There are some holes. In fact, if you watch this powerful film until it's revelation at the end, you will undoubtedly notice the inconsistencies within its plot. We still have many unanswered questions. But when we think back to how it grabbed us by the *%#@+ and kept us engaged (and awake) for it's brief 90 or so minutes, we're happy. The build-up is what was fun.

Sometimes enjoying a movie is more about the thrill of the ride than the film itself. To enjoy "High Tension," one has to suspend their disbelief. If you're a realist, this isn't the film for you. If you can appreciate the director and writer's artistic vision, it's worth checking out. (Just keep a trash can nearby.)

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both (but only for horror fan die-hards)
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent

A History of Violence - Patti

This is the one movie you absolutely MUST see this year! Adapted from (get this) a graphic novel, "A History of Violence" is an engrossing story of one man's journey to protect his family... yet, it's so much more.

I had no idea of the plot other than it was going to be brutally bloody and that it was directed by David Cronenberg when we decided to see "Violence." The movie has one of the best openings I have ever seen. You have no choice but to sit down and hold on tight for the ride that is about to start. It had me at hello, if you know what I'm saying! ; )

Without a doubt, this is Cronenberg's finest film since "Dead Ringers" or "The Fly." The cast is outstanding and their performances are first-rate. The story appears to be straightforward. However, things are definitely not what they seem. Do yourself a favor: Read as little as you can and just go see this movie. You will thank me later. Trust me!

Take note, however, if you are in any way squeamish. This film has some of the most graphic depictions of "real" violence that I have seen since "Saving Private Ryan." Still, it worked. I'm not sure how Cronenberg pulled it off...but he did. I cringed when brains were blown out, but I was moved by the character's motivation for blowing them out. It was more than just rooting for the hero. It was following him on his journey, understanding him, and empathizing with him in the end.

VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: neither
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: both
BUY/RENT/SKIP: buy