Being first....

Cinderella Man

Say what you want about Russell Crowe, the person. Russell Crowe the actor is great. And he is great in Cinderella Man.

Cinderella Man tells the true story of James J. Braddock, a 1930's boxer who struggled through the Depression to put food on his family's plate, and light and heat in their home. When he gets an opportunity to fight a match with only one day's notice (and a guaranteed payment of some much needed money), he jumps at the opportunity to provide for his family. Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Private Parts) plays Joe Gould, Braddock's manager. Paul Giamatti is an actor who increases instantly the credibility of any movie in which he appears. Renee Zellweger plays Mae Braddock, Jim's wife. She's serviceable, although the character is a little whiney.

Ron Howard directs. With the exception of Apollo, I think this is his best work. Great direction. The fight scene's are great.

But don't think that this is another boxing movie. This is a great, true, character driven story. Braddock is a decent loving man and father. There is a wonderful moment when Mae is preparing dinner for the family before Braddock goes to a fight. They're almost out of milk, and they can't get more because their milk bill is past due. Mae just smiles honestly, kisses her husband, and mixes some water into the remaining milk. And when their daughter is still hungry after having her dinner (which consisted entirely of one piece of balogna), Braddock just tells her that he dreamed of having a huge steak dinner and he's still full, so he gives her his piece. Braddock would rather fight on an empty stomach than see his daughter hungry.

Throughout the whole movie, there is one constant: Jim Braddock is a decent man. The boxing matches take up so little of this 2-plus hour movie. This is a fantastic movie along the lines of Rocky.

I'm going to buy it. And you should at least rent it.

Cry_Wolf

Wow, did this movie blow.

I rented this unrated version of a supposed "slasher" movie, expecting to see a mediocre horror flick with lots of teenagers getting killed. What I got was a piece of crap "thriller" that remained PG quality in terms of violence, and starred actors who all looked old enough to be well into their twenties, playing rich high schoolers in a private "prep" school.

Oh, and Jon Bon Jovi also appeared in it as a journalism teacher. Had I known that JBJ was in it, my expectations would have been reduced accordingly.

Anyway, a group of 8 or so "popular" students decide to play a "lying game" by spreading a rumor that a woman killed in town was a victim of a serial killer (a.k.a. "The Wolf"). Unsurprisingly, more victims start to turn up, and "The Wolf" starts instant messaging one of the "popular" students (a.k.a. "The New Kid").

This movie sucked. It was boring. It was uninspired. It was stupid, stupid, stupid. If you watch it, let me know so I can laugh at you.

King Kong

We all know enough about this movie so I don't feel that I have to go through the traditional "This is what it's about" blah blah blah.

This movie is excellent. Naomi Watts deserves an Academy Award nomination. Director Peter Jackson once again shows that not only is he amazing when it comes to special effects, he is wonderful with the actors. King Kong and Ann Darrow (Watts) have a beautiful, touching connection never before seen in either the 1933 or the 1976 versions. Kong is an old, lonely gorilla, desperate for some kind of interaction. The tragedy that follows is heartbreaking.

Kong is also one bad ass ape. Kong takes on three (yes, three) Tyrannosaurus Rexes (Rexi?) all at once. What a fight!

Be aware that this movie is over three hours long. Truthfully, a good 30-40 minutes could have been edited off. Just a shade too long. The first hour is devoted entirely to characterization and setup. Kong is nowhere to be seen. Once the second hour hits, however, and the crew lands on Skull Island - hold on to your seats! But any quibble I may have about the length is secondary to the spectacle that is "King Kong."

Jackson gives us such eye candy: a Brontosaurus stampede; giant spiders and centipedes; giant flying bat-like things; the list goes on.

All in all, a very good movie. Well acted, well directed, and very enjoyable, even if it is too long.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

I preface this review by saying that I have read and re-read the Narnia books untold times. I love them. I'll never forget how much I wished I was able to visit this wonderful world, closing myself up in my bedroom closet, and pretending that I was entering Narnia.

I'll also never forget learning in high school that the books were a huge metaphor for Jesus, and how cheated and duped I felt. Aslan is JESUS??? Are you kidding me? I felt so used. Of course now, as an adult, it is really obvious. I have re-read these books several times as an adult, and still love them as pure fantasy, ignoring in my own mind the obvious Christian symbolism. And I love them.

So, how did the film stack up to the first book? Wonderfully! First, Tilda Swinton as the White Witch. WOW. She is damn spooky. Next, the kids. All of them are pitch perfect, with particular mention of Georgie Henley, who IS Lucy.

Finally, the special effects: They're great, of course. Aslan and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver are so wonderfully realized, and the wolves are damn scary! Now, this is NOT a film for little kiddies. Although there is on obvious lack of blood throughout the movie (imagine a battle scene with thousands of actors, and not one drop of blood), there is one particular moment with Jesus, um... I mean Aslan and the minions of the White Witch that is quite terrifying.

I can't wait for the next films. Although no official word has been released, I can't imagine that they wouldn't follow this remarkable film with Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Magician's Nephew, A Horse and His Boy, and all the other books in the series. See this movie.

UPDATE: It has been officially announced that Disney has slated "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" for a December 2007 release! Woo hoo!