The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)

I'm not usually a fan of black and white films, but in the hands of The Coen Brothers, it looked beautiful. Smooth storytelling with cool narration from Billy Bob. I didn't care for the ending. 

Rating: C

The Life Of David Gale (2003)

 

Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslett star in a movie about capital punishment that makes its point without shoving it down your throat. Chilling in some parts, gruesome in others. Not something you'd watch for a good time.

Rating: C+

Thick As Thieves (1999)

 

I caught wind of this in the Sundance film guide and rented it through Netflix. Alec was in excellent form. The supporting actors did a hell of a job. Interesting plot with the right amount of humor. 

Rating: C+

Serendipity (2001)

 

Predictable but fun. Jeremy Piven & Eugene Levy had me cracking up. 

Rating: C+

All I Wanna Do (1998)

Early work from Kirsten Dunst. Catholic school girls revolt.

Rating: C+

Beyond Borders (2003)

 

Mostly disjointed storytelling with weak attempts to manipulate your heart strings. 

Rating: D

The One (2001)

The plot was a stretch, but a good stretch. Jet Li was in fine form. Solid special effects for the time.

Rating: C+

Six Ways To Sunday (1997)

Familiar plot where a new guy get's taken under the wing of a mobster and quickly moves up in the organization. Debbie Harry plays the crack pot mother very well.

Rating: C

Love Actually (2003)

Intertwining love stories, some of which were much more entertaining than others. Really enjoyed Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister. I liked the Portuguese story too. 

Rating: C+

Troy (2004)

They should have cut a few minor characters to allow for depth from the main ones. A serviceable epic actioner.

Rating: C

The Secret Lives Of Dentists (2002)

Two married dentists with 3 little girls. It's moody, odd, funny, and a bit dark. Dennis Leary does a good job. 

Rating: C+

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Even worse than the second film. More confusing, less characterization, more of the same fight scenes, and an unfulfilling end. They should have only made one.

Rating: D+

Meeting People Is Easy (1998)

 

An odd documentary on Radiohead. I didn't really care for the style, but I'm a huge fan of the band.

Rating: C-

Without A Paddle (2004)

Outside of an occasional laugh, the movie movie went where hundreds of films have gone before, only in a much less funny way. Lame lame lame.

Rating: F+

The Other Side Of Heaven (2001)

An LDS story unfolds on a tiny Tongan island. Better than expected.

Rating: C+

Startup.com (2001)

Documenting an Internet business from birth to death and its effects on the personal lives and relationships of its founders. 

Rating: C+

King Arthur (2004)

 

The studio forced Antoine Fuqua to release a cleaner version for the theater, but thankfully they released the director's cut on DVD. It's a new take on the Arthur and Guinevere story. Enjoyable characters and story.

Rating: C+

Audition (Odishon) (1999)

 

Just as the story began to get interesting, it took a turn for the sick and pointless. Senseless gore. Skip.

Rating: F

Friday Night Lights (2004)

 

Texans are morons. There's more to life than high school football, and yet everyone's lives there seem to revolve around it. Sad. Guess what, whether you win or lose state, the outcome is going to be the same: a job as a truck driver, insurance salesman, or handyman.  

Rating: C-

Let The Right One In (Låt Den Rätte Komma In) (2008)

 

Got to hand it to the Swedes for giving the Twilight fans the middle finger and putting out a real Vampire flick featuring a young, budding romance. This is unlike any blood sucking movie you've ever seen. Dark, authentic, and touching. I'd honestly like to see a sequel. 

Rating: B-