Thursday, July 15, 2004

MOVIE - ANCHORMAN -- THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Will Ferrell (Ron Burgundy), Christina Applegate (Veronica Corningstone), David Koechner (Champ Kind), Steven Carell (Brick Tamland), Paul Rudd (Brian Fantana), Fred Willard (Ed Harken) & Chris Parnell (Garth Holliday). DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER - Adam McKay A comedy that understands that once you go over the top you have to keep going and Anchorman does that in spades. In between bouts of laughter you'll wonder what these guys (Farrell & McKay) were on when they dreamed up many of the movies funniest scenes. Running time - 91 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 9:20:24 PM     | MOVIE - SPIDER-MAN 2 - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), Alfred Molina (Dr. Otto Octavius), James Franco (Harry Osborn), Elizabeth Banks (Betty Brant), Bruce Campbell (Snooty Usher), Rosemary Harris (Aunt May), J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson) & Vanessa Ferlito (Louise). DIRECTOR - Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, A Simple Plan, Army of Darkness, The Gift & Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn) Despite inherent corniness Spider-man 2 has better special effects, a better villian and a story with heart that makes it a worthy film. Spider-man 2 proves two things: 1) Hollywood blockbusters and decent scripts don't have to be mutually exclusive concepts and 2) how bad the original Spider-man really was. As an added bonus, for those who missed the first installment, you don't have to subject yourself to it to enjoy Spider-man 2. Running time - 125 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 8:51:10 PM     | MOVIE - FAHRENHEIT 9/11 - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$1/2 (OUT OF 10) A QUASI-DOCUMENTARY WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MOORE Fahrenheit 9/11 is an important film in that it smashes many of the myths surrounding the invasion of Iraq and the murky dealings of the Bush Administration that often aren't reported in mainstream media. Moore also makes George Bush look like the idiot he is but to be honest that's not particularly hard to do. The two-fold problem with Fahrenheit 9/11 is its complete lack of objectivity and Moore's own occassionally shoddy reasoning and/or not fully supported arguments. In this respect Moore has done a disservice to other true Documentarians. The pros outweigh the cons and viewers of all political stripes should see this film. Running time - 110 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 8:25:11 PM     | MOVIE - DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Vince Vaughn (Peter La Fleur), Ben Stiller (White Goodman), Christine Taylor (Kate Veatch), Rip Torn (Patches O'Houlihan), Justin Long (Justin), Stephen Root (Gordon), Joel David Moore (Owen), Chris Williams & Alan Tudyk (Steve the Pirate). DIRECTOR/WRITER - Rawson Marshall Thurber (feature debut) A cross between the "Bad News Bears" and "Something About Mary" that will have you rolling in the aisles. The first comedy recently released that was actually consistantly funny. Running time - 96 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 8:05:45 PM     | MOVIE - SUPER SIZE ME - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$1/2 (OUT OF 10) A DOCUMENTARY WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY MORGAN SPURLOCK A very scary and well documented look at the potential harmful side-effects of our love affair with fast food. Sadly, despite the evidence presented (some of it humorous), it appears that Super Size Me has had virtually no negative impact on the fast food industry. A must see film for any interested in their own good health or the health of a loved one. Running time - 96 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 7:51:04 PM     | MOVIE - THE TERMINAL - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Tom Hanks (Viktor Navorski), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Amelia), Stanley Tucci (Frank Dixon), Barry Shabaka Henley (Ray Thurman), Chi McBride (Mulroy), Diego Luna (Enrique Cruz), Kumar Pallanatucci (Gupta Rajan) & Zoe Saldana (INS agent). DIRECTOR - Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Minority Report & Catch Me If You Can) Though not without its flaws (a few plot holes and the underwritten Zeta-Jones character) The Terminal is worth seeing for the nearly perfect virtuoso performance of Tom Hanks. As I watched this movie I kept thinking that no other actor in Hollywood could have pulled this role off with the skill and nuance evident in Hank's performance. Stanley Tucci also captures the true nature of uptight, overzealous bureaucrats more concerned with their self-promotion than anything else. A true romantic comedy that should be seen when it lands at a threatre or video store near you. Running time - 121 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 7:34:31 PM     | MOVIE - THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK - Review Rating $$$$$ $ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - Vin Diesel (Richard B. Riddick), Colm Feore (Lord Marshal), Alexa Davalos (Kyra), Karl Urban (Vaako), Thandie Newton (Dame Vaako), Judi Dench (Aereon), Nick Chinlund (Toombs), Chris Astoyan (Tony Nesteravich) & Christina Cox (Logan). DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER - David Twohy (The Arrival & Pitch Black) A semi-silly "blockbuster" that takes itself seriously enough to allow the viewer to shrug their shoulders, mutter "what the heck" under their breath and enjoy the show. Running time - 118 minutes Alternative Reviews: Roger Ebert's Review Rotten Tomatoes Reviews 7:12:06 PM     |

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