"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.

'The Departed'

Leonardo DiCaprio
Matt Damon
Jack Nicholson
Mark Wahlberg
Martin Sheen
Ray Winstone
Vera Farmiga
Anthony Anderson
Alec Baldwin

R           151min           2006

‘The Departed’ is a Martin Scorsese film based on the Chinese film ‘Infernal Affairs’. Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.

This is another top-notch film from Martin Scorsese. It’s an amazing told story and is totally engrossing. It’s a face paced intense drama, with brutally real violence and language, a trademark of Scorsese. At the end I felted jacked-up, then relieved when the credits started rolling, I didn’t think my heart could take anymore, and as the screen when back to the menu I started over and watched it again. The character development, the drama, the well-placed humor makes this a masterpiece to go down as an instant classic.

‘The Departed’ is a dramatic crime mystery that it performed by some of Hollywood’s most talented actors. DiCaprio and Damon are great as rivals and Jack Nicholson puts in another great performance. Martin Sheen is good too. It is Mark Wahlberg, though if given some more screen time would have stolen the show. You never questioned Sgt. Dignam motives through out the film.

This film deserves the Oscar for best picture, best adapted screenplay, best supporting for Wahlberg and best director for Scorsese. If Martin Scorsese doesn’t win an Oscar for this film he never will and a true travesty. This is a film that if you haven’t seen you should, ASAP.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

'Man of the Year'

Robin William
Christopher Walken
Laura Linney
Lewis Black
Jeff Goldblum

PG13           115min           2006

‘Man of the Year' is not what I expected from this movie. Its about a political comedy i.e. Jon Stewart who at the prompting of a audience member to his show runs for the President of the United States and wins.

Barry Levinson put together a group of actors that played to their abilities and as such this cast shines in this film. Robin Williams is funny in his part. There is even a funny bit on Saturday Night Live. But I felt Lewis Black was the funniest. Having just discovered him in ‘Accepted’ his rambling was funnier to me than Williams, who does have some funny moments.

‘Man of the Year’ is an entertaining movie at face value. It makes you laugh. It does everything right and gives a complete story. I feel that this premise could be a great dramatic movie that address what this film makes light of.

There are real issues that were made light of that the American vote should address. As a voter I sometimes feel that my vote doesn’t count. Those that are elected have sold out to the lobbyist and special interest. There is no integrity in politic any more and this movie shows it in a comedic way.

What I felt hurt ‘Man of the Year’ was Williams’ Tom Dobbs naiveté; someone this close to politics should never be that naiveté. It just didn’t make sense and that’s where it lost me. With everything in history, JFK, Watergate, IRAN Contra and countless other things a person in politics should never go in with blinder on. Politics is a ruthless, dirt business. That not many can go into an come out unscathed.

Even as it rubbed me the wrong way I still fill that it did a good job it what it out lined. ‘Man of the Year’ is a comedic parody of the underdog winning the day and the integrity to do the right thing. But sometimes the right thing isn’t the right thing.

I give it 2/5 Gs

'Half Nelson'

Ryan Gosling
Shareeka Epps
Anthony Mackie





R           106min           2006

“Half Nelson” is about an inner-city junior high school teacher with a drug habit forming an unlikely friendship with one of his student athletes after she discovers his secret.

This movie is captivating, moving and believable. It’s a story told many times before but this time it was refreshing to see in done so spectacularly. Gosling and Epps performances are what drive this film. It’s a film that should be at the top of every critics list.

From the opening scene of this film is captures your attention. With Hollywood and it over inflated ego, indie films are the valves of good quality film. “Half Nelson” doesn’t beat you over the head with its story but gives you a sharp taste of reality. It shows how you can find an ally and a friend in the strangest of places.

Ryan Gosling is one of Young Hollywood’s Top Actors and he shines in this part. “Half Nelson” definitely shows why he is deserving of all accolades. If you passed him on the street in character you would be he had a problem. He balanced the then line his character walked beautifully; but not to be out done by his co-star Shareeka Epps. Shareeka Epps performance is equally believable. It’s her performance that grounds this film. You she her struggle and it shows how easily kids can be influenced… to fall or rise.

‘Half Nelson’ is a stark reminder of the struggles faced in the street of American. That the problems faced by inner city are strong and seductive to not only children, but adults as well. ‘Half Nelson’ shows that we all need allies and connection in life. It’s this strange and wonderful connection that influence and shape the people we were, the people are, and the people we will be.

It tells a strong emotional tale that is entertaining and enjoyable even though the conflict is a strong one to handle. The performance by Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps deserve award nominations. ‘Half Nelson’ shows that connections are made in the most unlikely of situations. It’s a film that you will be disappointed that you were late to the party on.

“Half Nelson” has few special features, nothing special. It has a Director/Writer Commentary, outtakes, deleted and extended scenes. It also has a musical video by RhymeFest. It has movie previews of ‘Dreamland’, ‘American Hardcore: A Tribal History’ and ‘Running With Scissors’.

I give it 5/5 GS.

Zoom: Academy for Superheroes

Tim Allen
Courtney Cox
Michael Cassady
Kate Mara
Spencer Breslin
Ryan Newman
Rip Torn
Chevy Chase
Kevin Zegers

PG           83min           2006

‘Zoom: Academy for Superheroes’ is about a over the hill superhero named Zoom (Allen) brought out of retirement to train a new generation of superheroes for an impending doom.

The is straight crap. Who ever decide to make this film deserve to lose whatever money they lost. This script was a half ass attempt to capitalize on the comic book crazy in Hollywood and the powers that be not realizing what makes a good comic book movie.

First off to comic book fans the material is not tongue in cheek; it’s to be taken with seriousness. That’s not to say that it can’t have humor. There is a thin line that must be balanced to pull off a comic book film. ‘Zoom’ relied too much on the comedy of Tim Allen, Chevy Chase, Rip Torn and Courtney Cox.

Comic Book Readers want to see the fantastical grounded in a heighten reality. One massively successive example is ‘Heroes’ on NBC. Each character has a superpower but its grounded in reality. ‘Zoom’ never once gave a ground reality it was over the top from the beginning to end. This was the first indication of a flop that someone should have notice.

‘Zoom’ never made you invest emotional in its characters. It had weak emotional moments but nothing that would make a connection to the viewer. Give the audience a reason to care for these characters. I was more interested in the back story of ‘Zoom’. The picture of the old team spark more curiosity, having Alexis Bledial, Wilmer Vanderrama, and Kevin Zegers and how they died would have been a more interesting story.

Most successful comic books are not light-hearted and tongue in cheek. They display some facet of humanity and heighten it. ‘Zoom’ is the polar opposite of ‘Sky High’, not to say ‘Sky High’ was an exceptional piece of work but at least you could get behind the characters.

They highlight of this film for me was Ryan Newman. She was Princess and she stole the show. She’s a “strong little princess” and she played it too a tee. This would be the only reason to see this movie if you’re a big fan of hers. Even then I would be hard press to recommend this movie.

I classify this movie as an “End of Days”, a rarity in its given by me. Read my “End of Days” page for the back-story.

I give it 0/5 Gs.