"Mystic River"

Sean Penn
Tim Robbins
Kevin Bacon
Laurence Fishburne
Marcia Gay Harden
Laura Linney
Kevin Chapman
Thomas Guiry
Emmy Rossum
Spencer Treat Clark

R           137min           2003

During a summer in 1975, Dave Boyle and two friends, Jimmy and Sean, are playing on a sidewalk in Boston when Dave is abducted by two men and subjected to sexual abuse over a period of several days. Eventually escaping, but haunted into adulthood by his trauma, Dave becomes a primary suspect when Jimmy's daughter, Katie, is found murdered. Sean, assigned to investigate the crime, finds himself facing both demons from the past and demons in the present as the circumstances surrounding Katie's death are uncovered is the plot of “Mystic River”. Written by J. Lake

Directed by Clint Eastwood and winner of two Oscar awards I found Mystic River to be a striking film. I found that the characters were flawed and real. It was a story that could happen on any street, no just in the USA but anywhere. This film has an outstanding cast.

Although it set in Boston this film could be set anywhere. The way Clint Eastwood tells this story makes it so accessible. It could have been set in Africa, England, or France and you would still gotten the drama and flaws of this characters. It ground with reality and flawed characters. Every character in this film was flawed and it was these flaws that fleshed out the characters. It had the feel that it was the retelling of a murder case that you have all the inside information. It a movie that gives you clues to what has happen and what is happening. Mainly what is shown you is misdirection and when it is revealed the behavior makes sense.

The film is full of outstanding veteran Hollywood actors. Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laura Linney and Marcia Gay Harden lead this riveting drama, but its Sean Penn, winner of the Oscar for Best Actor in a Drama, gave a performance that man me respect him more as an actor. I never really paid attention to him until seeing him in “I am Sam” that when I became a fan of his. His performance in “Mystic River” shows that Hollywood underrates him and he truly deserved his Oscar.

I give it 4/5 Gs

"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines"

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Nick Stahl
Claire Danes
Kristanna Loken
David Andrews
Earl Boen






R           120min           2003

“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” this time around John Connor (Stahl) is in his twenties and living ‘off the grid’ and by chance events encounter another T-101, sent to protect him and a new female Terminator (Loken) sent to kill him and his lieutenants on day of Judgment talked about throughout the trilogy.

This is a sequel just as good as the previous outing of Terminator films, but it does have its inferior moments. The logic behind this new Terminator can be confusing. Overall it’s a good action film that you come to know from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This chapter adds just another dimension of the characters in the previous film and wraps up there stories nicely. This film felt like a closing of chapter. This is one of the final films before Arnold became “the Govenator.”

“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” shows that the future for John Connor was already written and the damaging effect this situation has been on his life. The addition of Danes as a love interest is a familiar dynamic that has been seen since the first one and John’s conception.

Overall this time around it didn’t feel as fresh as the others but did deliver on action and answer some of the major question that the series brought up. A rumor in Hollywood is that there may be more films to come without Schwarzenegger. If its does I’m guessing they will deal more with John Connor and his war with the machines and less about the Terminators.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"School of Rock"

Jack Black
Jordan Claire Green
Veronica Afferbach
Miranda Cosgrove
Joey Gaydos Jr.
Robert Tsai
Angelo Massagli
Kevin Alexander Clark
Joan Cusack
Mike White
Sarah Silverman

PG13           108min           2003

“School of Rock” is about a slacker musician, Dewey Finn (Jack Black) that gets kicked out of his band, his best friend is about to kick him out on the street, and he’s looking for a new band to take to battle of the bands. When Dewey decides to impersonate his best friend Ned at a prestigious school, he finds the talent for his new band.

“School of Rock” is a film tailor made for Jack Black. He shines in this role as a slacker musician teacher student the world of rock and sticking it to the man. The talents of these kids are another thing that makes this film shines. It’s a feel good film and is enjoyable from beginning to end. “School of Rock” is a must for any music lover’s film collection.

Jack Black is naturally passionate about rock and it shows through in his performance. Dewey antics are miss guided by come from a place the heart. His passion for music is the passion that we want all our teachers to have.

The amazing thing about “School of Rock” is that the kids are actually playing the instrumentals. These are some talented kids to be so young. The excitement that these kids play and the transformation from awkward kids to superstars make this film appealing. Dewey imparts the wisdom of the rock generation upon them, Stick it to the man and live to play one great rock show.

“School of Rock” is a rock music lovers dream come. Showcasing so them most recognizable rock song. The songs chosen highlight the film and tell the story like a good soundtrack should. It’s a soundtrack that should be loved by most.

The DVD has two commentaries one with Jack Black and the filmmakers and the other is the “Band Kids”. There are feature about the film; an interesting is the one that follows the kids during their press junket tour at an film festival. The DVD also has a successful plea from Jack Black to ‘Lynard Skynnard’ to use one of their songs.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"11:14"

Rachel Leigh Cook
Hillary Swank
Patrick Swayze
Barbara Hershey
Henry Thomas
Colin Hanks
Shawn Hatosy
Ben Foster
Rick Gomez

R           86min           2003


“11:14” is about the lives of several residents of this town and their events that converge at 11:14 in a traffic accident. Reminiscent in its storytelling to “Pulp Fiction”and “Memento”it has many interesting characters. This is a true indie film with Hollywood actors in the parts and they are not wasted. It has great writing and character develop.

The non-linear storytelling lends its self to the film. The way its told it references itself to give the viewer a better understanding of what is happening and what they are seeing. I took each section told at face value and it wasn’t until middle ways that the big picture came into view.

“11:14” has talented actors in their parts. Hillary Swank was shocking in this unglamorous and unconventional role; at first her high profile was a little distracting to me and took me out of the film until her character was developed later in the film. Overall this was a well cast film. It’s parts were better that the total sum.

Once you see the big picture you realize you how seemly outrageous this film is and how its these random events in life that lead to things like this. This film is a perfect example of the ‘Chaos Theory’. Events that lead to the craziest night in these people’s lives and the will never know how connected they are.


I give it 3/5 Gs.

Dracula III: Legacy

Jason Scott Lee
Jason London
Rutger Hauer
Roy Scheider
Diane Neal
Alexandra Wescourt

R           85min           2003

“Dracula III: Legacy” is the second sequel to Dracula 2000, film back to back with its predecessor Dracula II: Ascension. Uffizi (Jason Scott Lee) and Luke (Jason London) go to Romania to save Elizabeth (Diane Neal) from Dracula. Along the way in this war torn Romania they face a TV News crew and rebels trying to curb the rising vampire population.

This sequel I could actually believe happening if it were not from its predecessors. This film was executed better and better suited the actors. This film was more of an action adventure with the villain, Dracula, than a horror film. The story stumbled in several places until it lost all footing in the end.

Dracula III: Legacy flowed better and gave you reasoning for the actors’ casting thin the previous film. Lee and London are a Riggs and Murtaugh pairing. They complement each other in this film. But the switch to a new Dracula was a little disconcerting, with flashbacks using the other one.

Where as the previous was boilerplate horror, this one was an action adventure. There is a lot more character development for Uffizi. Jason London acting stood out in this film as compared to everyone else. Although it was better execution it was still a bland action adventure.

Legacy still had some plot point stumbles and illogical moments, just not as many as it predecessor. The major plot I have trouble with is the movie is the ending. It left me with “Is that it?”. I don’t know why these sequels were made and I don’t care. They are a waste of time.

As. I asked myself what was the point of these films; I told myself, “I only paid a dollar to see it I really can’t complain”. If you pay any than that you will be disappointed. There are better horror movies out there.

I give it 1/5 Gs.

Dracula II: Ascenison

Jason Scott Lee
Jason London
Craig Sheffer
Diane Neal
Khary Payton
Brande Roderick
Stephen Billington

R           85min           2003

“Dracula II: Ascension” is the sequel to “Dracula 2000,” with the immortal dark lord, Judas of Iscariot; being used in medical experiments to cure a crippling disease. As always nothing good will come of it.

This and its sequel were filmed at the same time and were definitely a waste of production money. The plot was illogical and the characters were under-developed. It was weak in its execution and boring. There were many miss cast parts in this film. I classify it as an “End of Days.”

At the end of Dracula 2000, if there was going to be a sequel the villain would have been female, as Van Helsings’ daughter was the only one left. I would have thought that Dracula’s body would have incinerated and left nothing but ashes. There was not one character you cared about. You’ll actually root for them to die. Once they figure out whom they’re dealing with instead of finishing him off, they decide that it’s in the best interest of science to study him.

Dracula II: Ascension is your standard boilerplate horror movie. Imbeciles doing stupid things fight a villain that’s way out of their league. Instead of ending with everyone dying, this movie sets up its sequel Dracula III: Legacy. This movie is tiring and gave me a headache, Jason Scott Lee comes in as a mystery vampire hunter, acting like he was transplanted into this film from Timecop: Berlin Decision.

There really isn’t anything redeeming about this film, even the actors were miss cast in parts. They were not believable in their parts and didn’t fit together as a group of medical students. You didn’t believe that Diane Neal and Craig Sheffer are or ever in a relationship. They seem just as they were, two actors meeting and doing a job. Even the death scenes, which were greatly appreciated, were boring.

Dracula II: Ascension is a waste of time. It doesn’t resemble anything of its predecessor. Its boring and poorly executed, you know the death are coming 10mins before they happen. It doesn’t do anything to enhance the legend of Dracula and it actually detracts from it. It makes him seem less.

I give it 1/5 Gs.

"The Cooler"

William H. Macy
Maria Bello
Alec Baldwin
Ron Livingston
Paul Sorvino
Shawn Hatosy
Estella Warren

R           101min           2003

“The Cooler” Is about a man, Bernie Lootz (Macy), with the worse lucky, is so bad that it can rub off other people. He’s employee by the manager of the Shangri La, one of the last casino doing business the old way, to ‘cool’ anyone on a hot streak. Until his lucky changes when he meets his ‘Lady Luck’, played by Maria Bello, a waitress at the Shangri La.

If you’re looking for a good moral tale, this is your man. It’s a believable story with some unbelievable events. I found Macy acting perfection. You get engrossed in this film and root for these characters.

From the start Bernie Lootz is that everyday man, down on his luck, trying to change and find a better way. He is what you imagine what bad luck in Vegas will do to a person. It’s this character that makes you come to love the story. You care for Bernie and hope that he finds the happiness that he deserves.

Macy brings that everyday fell to Bernie. He acts him to perfection, from his bad knee to his rotten luck, Macy portrays him as a optimistic pessimist. He is down and out, with rotten luck and you empathies with Bernie’s plight. When Bernie finds love with a down on her luck waitress, he finds his ‘Lady Luck’ and everything in Bernie’s life changes.

An outstanding cast supports Macy. Alec Baldwin, as the manager of the Shangri La, gives you that old school mobster fill. Maria Bello plays her waitress with a heartbroken warm. Even Paul Sorvino came comes at up out of nowhere and grips you. It was a shocking role, for me to see, from Sorvino that he pulls off.

“The Cooler” is a rare film that was more of an Indy film done with mainstream talent. You care for the character and hope that meet with the best. It is a great ensemble piece. ‘The Cooler’ is a film that shouldn’t be missed.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

The Life of David Gale

Kevin Spacey
Kate Winslet
Rhona Mitra
Laura Linney
Cleo King
Constance Jones
Lee Ritchey
Gabriel Mann

R       131m       2003

A shocking and amazing tale told by Alan Parker using some of today's best actors. "The Life of David Gale" is a must see. Put all your polictical opinion on the shelf and just sit back, watch this film. You'll be entertained and at the same time asking yourself questions.

I give it a 5/5 Gs



Is the death penalty humane and just punishment?

Thirteen

Holly Hunter
Evan Rachel Wood
Nikki Reed
Jeremy Sisto
Brady Corbet
Deborah Kara Unger
Kip Pardue
Sarah Clarke
D.W. Moffett
Vanessa Anne Hidgens
Jenicka Carey

R       100min       2003

A very troubling tale of a girl at thirteen losing control of her life. Although very good, "Thirteen" was an unrelatable tale to me. I asked my mother, an 8th Grade teacher assistant, about it and seh said that this happens very often, which shocked me. It's a good cautionary tale that parents and children should sit together and watch to open some dialog with each other. Partial based on Nikki Reed's life this is very good story. Evan Rachel Wood brings in a great performance pulling the wool over Holly Hunters' eyes. This one should not be missed.

5/5 Gs



Who has it worst at thirteen, boys or girls?

Elf

Will Ferrell
James Caan
Bob Newhart
Ed Asner
Mary Steenburgen
Zooey Deschanel
Daniel Tay
Faizon Love

PG           93min           2003

'Elf' is a great holiday movie for a depressed spirit. It starts a little slow but once it picks up it is hilarious. Ferrell's perform makes you remember what is like to be a kid again. Jon Favreau did a spectacular job with this movie. If you can't love this movie then... you've will be visited by three ghost.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

If today you found out you were adopted what would you do?>