The Aviator (2004)

 

Too long. Too dark. Too crazy. 

Despite a 3 hour running time, it still felt like pieces were missing. Many scenes didn't make sense, interrupting the flow. 

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+

Beetlejuice (1988)

 

First time seeing this since I was a young teenager. Fun walk down memory lane. The movie holds up. I don’t remember Keaton’s character being so perverted. Doubt my parents would have approved me seeing it back then. Tim Burton’s stamp is all over this film. The ridiculous gags are part of the fun. Going to watch the sequel right now. 

Rating: B-

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

One implausible action sequence after the next, held together with unfailing luck and an army of guardian angels. At any given moment I barely knew what was happening on screen, and after the movie ended, I could only tell you it had something to do with nuclear bombs and espionage. How this got a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is the real Mission Impossible. I suspect Tom Cruise and Scientology were involved.

Rating: D

My Best Friend’s Girl (2008)

It's what you expect and nothing more. It made me laugh really hard twice. You could do worse, and probably have if you are watching this.

Rating: C-

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

A by-the-numbers Hollywood spy thriller with one impossible scenario after another. Looks slick on the surface, but not much going on under the hood.

Rating: C-

The Good Shepherd (2006)

The pacing is so slow, you'll have a difficult time making it to the end. With no big payoff at the end, even if you do make it, you'll wonder why you bothered. All cloak, and no dagger.

Rating: D

Running With Scissors (2006)

I can see what the people behind this film were aiming for. High-minded indie fare that comes from behind to win Oscar gold. The big problem? Somebody forgot to polish up the script.

This pointless film attempts to be too many things, and ends up tasting like an old soda that's been sitting out on the counter for two days. No fizz. Bland. Flat. It's parts separated from each other. You'll have to force yourself to swallow one flat scene after another to make it to the credits.

Rating: F

The Departed (2006)

It's fortunate for the viewer that the source material for this film was so good, but also that the man overseeing it's American adaptation is such a master of his craft. Namely: Martin Scorsese.

This could have been just another crime drama; but with a top notch screenplay, A-list actors, appropriate editing, and the aforementioned direction, it excels into richer territory.

Was this the film most deserving of Scorsese's Oscar? Maybe. I find Oscars are rarely given when they are most deserved. Either way, it's a worthy candidate and a great film.

Rating: B+

State And Main (2000)

Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H. Macy? Yes please. The movie as a whole was ok, with a periodic shining moments throughout. A simple movie about a film crew taking over a small Vermont town.

Rating: C+

Along Came Polly (2004)

This was a cute romantic comedy in regular Ben fashion. Plenty of funny scenes that were even better than the previews made them out to be. Phillip Seymor Hoffman was an added bonus. He's a genius.

Rating: C+

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Another odd comedy from Wes Anderson, following a similar cinematic style as Rushmore. Even the music selections are related. Great cast and off-the-wall characters. For those that like their comedy dark, quirky, and over the heads of mainstream America, this is your movie. I liked it.

Rating: C+

Elizabethtown (2005)

Certainly not your run of the mill romantic comedy, but then what did you expect from Cameron Crowe? I enjoyed this film and it's uniquely functioning disfunctuality. Crowe made my favorite romantic comedy of all time with "Say Anything" -- here he delivers another fun film in a completely new way.

Rating: B-

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

Looks fantastic on DVD, but the story was a bit too sci-fi/fantasy/spiritual for me. There is an extra disc chock full of extras, but most aren't worth checking out.

Rating: C