The Notebook (2004)

 

A wonderful love story that is sometimes painful, but rewards you for the effort. Everything was just right. 

Rating: B+

Cold In July (2014)

 

There was never a real explanation as to why this benign family man who works at a framing shop decides to join a vigilante death squad. And while that sounds like a promising premise for a movie, Cold In July was a let down. Half the film was folks driving around slowly in cars. 

Rating: D

Hamlet (2000)

I kind of liked the updated version of Romeo & Juliet, so I thought I'd give this one a shot, since it received the same treatment. Watching a Shakespearean movie is like watching a foriegn film to me, I need subtitles just to figure out what the hell they are saying. And even when I do follow the jibberish, it usually turns out to be some flowery diatribe about misery and incest.

I freaking hate Shakespeare. Pure crapola. Even though this movie had an incredible cast, it still wasn't enough to overcome another dreary, tragic plot.

Rating: F

Mud (2012)

The two young leads are going places. Authentic performances in a film that had more to say than I anticipated. 

Rating: C+

Midnight Special (2016)

Interesting premise. It takes a while before you know what’s going on. Things unfold slowly. It’s never clear why the ladies are dressed like polygamists. But anyway, you’ll spend the entire film waiting for a big payoff at the end. Something happens, but it wasn’t enough to justify all the buildup.

Rating: C

Out of the Furnace (2013)

Great character development and a full-bodied build-up to what is essentially a revenge flick. Personally, I would have preferred a little less back story and a lot more revenge fueled butt-kicking at the end.

The closing scene didn’t pack quite enough umph to feel satisfying, especially after such a showcase of killer acting. Some great performances—perhaps even nomination worthy. That’s what will stick with you after the credits roll.

Rating: C+

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Almost nonstop action, violence, death, and mayhem the entire film. Loved it! Ridley Scott knows how to keep his audience’s heart pounding.

Rating: B+

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

A bit slow and documentary-like, but engaging at the same time. A fascinating look at a piece of American history nonetheless. Is it wrong if I spent half the movie wishing for another season of Deadwood?

Rating: C+

Felon (2008)

I need to just start seeing everything Val Kilmer has done and will do. The guy has transformed himself into one of the coolest actors of our time. Something nobody could see coming after such movies as Weird Science in his early years.

Anyway, Felon sounds like a remake of that classic Tom Selleck film An Innocent Man. Yes, Tom Selleck used to make classic films. Felon is much more than that. It's a realistic look at what might happen to an everyman sentenced to do hard time, with harder criminals--how he survives, what happens to his family on the outside, and a side plot about guards running their own gladiator fights.

Could be terrible in the wrong hands? It's not. Camera work is excellent. Pacing is right on. Acting by leads Val and Stephen Dorff are terrific. Realism is pumped up very high. It's an intense film without coming off as a Van Damme knockoff. Check out this overlooked gem.

Rating: B+

Swordfish (2001)

Computer hacker action movies have to work double time to impress me, and this one didn't impress. Plot was flimsy and John Travolta was annoying. I could have done without seeing Halle Berry's Statue of Liberty sized nipples as well. She's gross.

Rating: D

Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

Slooooooooow. The director did "Shine", so I thought this might be good, but it needed some serious editing. The movie got bogged down with too many prejudice issues, failed romances, and flashbacks.

Rating: D+