Movie Reviews

by Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin

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Beauty Shop

With Queen Latifah, Kevin Bacon, Alfre Woodard, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell

Entertainment: 3 Message: 3

Queen Latifah and others make for great fun in this makeover of the Barbershop movie franchise. Despite the clichés and recycled jokes, we laughed a lot – so much so, we didn’t care about how silly and predictable the plot is. The big, brassy, in-your-face characters make it worthwhile. This film won’t be in theatres much longer (due out on video before you can say “highlights and a perm”), so be sure to catch this lighthearted entertainment (1 hr 45 min).

Be Cool

With John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Vince Vaughn

Entertainment: 3 Message: 1.5

Chaos rules in this “all-over-the map” underworld piece, a throw-away sequel to Get Shorty. Full of cross-cultural power struggles, one-upsmanship, and more than a few surprises, Be Cool is a portrait of pop culture and the absurdities of the mainstream music business. It plays more like ethnography than coherent story. Still, it’s a colorful crime comedy, with a confusing plot and superb acting talent that is hard not to like (1 hr 58 min).

Because of Winn-Dixie

With AnnaSophia Robb, Jeff Daniels, Elle Fanning, Cicely Tyson

Entertainment: 3. Message: 4

A wonderful, sweet film that will open your heart. As charming and sentimental as a Hallmark greeting card, the story is based on the best-selling novel of a lonely young girl who adopts an orphaned dog. . Unfolding like a southern fairytale, the bond between the girl and her companion transforms her life. Making friends, bringing together the townspeople and healing her troubled relationship with her preacher father are some of the miracles that take place(1 hr 58 min).

Batman Begins

With Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4

The true essence of Batman is revealed in this richly deep and dark prequel to the popular series. Rather than the slick, surface appeal of the prior installments, this is an intriguing psychological exploration of roots and motives, bubbling over with raw energy, making this unquestionably superior to the other films in the franchise. Even though we know Batman’s modest beginnings as a DC comic hero and hokey TV series, discovering the true source of his bat-wings and attitude makes him all the more real (2 hrs 14 min).

Beyond the Sea

With Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4

Kevin Spacey passionately transforms into Bobby Darin – as much as he can, given that he is at times 20 years older than the talented crooner he portrays. Imaginatively crafted, with delightful musical interludes and dynamic flashbacks, we gradually see what inspired Spacey to make this film. The mood, Darin’s spirit and music stay with you long after the curtain closes. Spacey even belts out some of the Darin classics, and does a decent job of capturing the spark and presence that made him such a strong performer (1 hr 58 min).

Borat

With Sacha Baron Cohen, Kenneth Davitian, Pamela Anderson, Pat Haggerty

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 2

Purposefully politically incorrect, off the wall (and the ceiling), completely obnoxious and with over-the-top, junior high school style bathroom humor, Borat succeeds in offending just about everyone (and there are some real world lawsuits to prove it) …. so why would anyone want to see this? It is supposed to be a “no holds barred” comedy. Okay, we got the intent, but it’s not only deliberately insulting but also visually disgusting, and the onslaught is non-stop. We may be seen as contrarian here by not liking this barrage of insults (most critics praised it), and we felt somewhat uncomfortable about the parts that made us laugh. It is comedy, after all. See at your own risk (1 hr 24 min).

Born into Brothels

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4

Told through the eyes and lives of “underprivileged” children in Calcutta, India, this award-winning documentary is at once heartbreaking and inspiring. “Auntie Zana,” (the film’s co-director and cinematographer) champions their cause, teaches them how to take photographs, and is their shining light giving them hope within the vicious oppression of their circumstances. Nurturing their talents and the freshness of their perceptions, their photos speak volumes, providing poignant windows into their harsh world, and transform some of their suffering through education, the pure act of creation, and authentic self-expression (1 hr 25 min).

The Bourne Supremacy

With Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles

Entertainment: 3 Message: 2.5

Non-stop engrossing action explodes from the moment you sit down in this fast-paced spy thriller. The intrigue of missing memory while swimming in the underworld of espionage and well-placed paranoia is darkly fascinating and cleverly portrayed. Matt Damon gives a powerful performance, demonstrating his continued growth as an actor. This sequel is nearly as good as the original, but it has a “more of the same” feel to it; competent but routine. If you liked the first one, you will be pleased (1 hr 48 min).

The Break-Up

With Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Jon Favreau

Entertainment: 2 Message: 3

Oh, c’mon. Are we going to have that same argument again? You know how it bugs me when the sad and dark irony of a marginal relationship escalates into a full bore stupidity and insult contest. Why do you do that? (Needless to say, we didn’t care much for this one) See it with someone you despise. (1 hr 46 min).

Bride and Prejudice

With Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson, Daniel Gillies, Naveen Andrews

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 3.5

In the spirit of Monsoon Wedding, with themes reminiscent of Bend it Like Beckham, here’s another colorful, “Bollywood” romantic tale of Indian cultural values meeting American lifestyles, arranged marriages, courtship and weddings, all set in New Delhi. It’s a musical comedy with vivid song and dance, bright costumes and the stunningly beautiful Aishwarya Rai. Contagiously uplifting, lighthearted entertainment (2 hrs).

Bridge to Terabithia

With AnnaSophia Robb, Josh Hutcherson, Zooey Deschanel

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4.5

What a wonderful juxtaposition of fantasy and reality, fact and fiction, innocence and seriousness. Told through the eyes of 11-year-old children, this fabulous tale has plenty to offer adults as well. Socially relevant lessons spring to life from this adaptation of a 1977 “young adult” novel: understanding what makes a school bully tick, kids learning how to stand up for themselves, as well as believing in their dreams, the power of imagination, and the hearth of family. Could be considered a children’s version of Pan’s Labyrinth with similar messages, real life hardships and heartbreaks, parallel worlds, … yet less stark and set in modern society. The bridge between the Terabithian and so-called “real” world is a bit shaky, but you’ll end up with questions that lead to new strength and wholeness – not bad for 95 minutes (1 hr 35 min).

Brokeback Mountain

With Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Linda Cardellini, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway

Entertainment: 4 Message: 4.5

The theme of romantic love unfulfilled takes the uncommon form of two novice ranch hands whose lifelong friendship and romance never has a full chance. Set in 1963 Texas and Wyoming, their forbidden love story is told with great sensitivity, honoring the complexity of the characters and challenges of their life situations. Both painful and moving, they struggle through their heart-wrenching, long term love affair during an era typified by cruelty and fear of those who are different. This is an outstanding if not difficult film, directed by Ang Lee (Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and perfect for our times (2 hrs 14 min).

The Brothers Grimm

With Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce, Lena Headey

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 2

For those who like Terry Gilliam’s work (Brazil, The Fisher King), this creepy, epic fantasy delivers a wacky, surreal experience. In his typically bizarre, creative fashion, Gilliam haunts us with the dark beauty of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales – which are frightening enough in their own right. An intertwined yarn takes great liberties with the original stories and the German brothers’ lives, yielding something that resembles a plot. In reality, the Grimms were no snake oil-selling scoundrels, but devoted family men and university professors, who established folklore as a field for scholars. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger’s performances add likeability to an otherwise gloomy and often annoying bunch. Weird stuff (1 hr 58 min).

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