Windtalkers (2002)

 

John Woo directs this over-budget stinker. There is a sprinkle of Navajo code stuff, but it’s mostly endless monologues and battle scenes. 

Rating: D

Election (1999)

 

A reminder that bad decisions have consequences, but don’t necessarily ruin your life. I’d forgotten how sad some of these characters are. Worth a second viewing, but not as good as I remembered it. 

Rating: C+

Meet Bill (2007)

Watched with lowered expectations on my way back from Malaysia. It managed to keep me awake and entertained, so that's saying something. Enjoyed most of the cast and story. A bit cliché in parts.

Rating C

Cheaper By The Dozen (2003)

Outside of a few good lines, most of the film was a parade of forced physical humor and scenes that make you not want to have kids. Yes, I realize 12 kids are a handful, but wouldn't it help if there was some type of discipline in the family? The kids ran the house, and it was frstrating to watch them cause thousands of dollars woth of damage without the parents batting an eye.

I think the film would have been much better if the humor wasn't so forced and the director injected a little more realism into the script.

Rating: D

Identity (2003)

This movie freaked me out. I was ashamed to be covering my eyes with my own hands. They use the classic slow build up to a jump-out shot to get the scares, but they are effective. The story may be a little thin, but the acting was pretty good.

Rating: C

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)

An enjoyable film with a terrific cast. Another one to add to the short list of movies that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Rating: C+

Donnie Darko (2001)

I really liked how this film was put together, but after multiple viewings, I'm still not confident I fully understand it. I have a love/hate relationship with time travel movies. The mood, tone, and sound of the film is fantastic. Jake is a fine actor. I like this movie but I want to love it.

Rating: B-

The Box (2009)

They took a short story and created an insanely convoluted plot around it that was neither satisfying or logical.

Rating: D+