Reel Reviews -- V

V For Vendetta (+) -- Better than I thought it would be. For once, here's a movie in the comic book genre--excuse me, graphic novel genre--that doesn't suffer from the comic book curse. It wears the genre's conventions without dissolving into absurdity. The script is smart, the cast contains lots of classy actors, the action is impressive without going over the top--this one delivers what it promises. Posted 5/21/09.

Valkyrie (+) -- A good story, a great cast giving fine, professional performances, and some artful storytelling make this worth the ride. Oh, yeah, and it also offers everybody's favorite movie stars: Nazis! Enjoy. Posted 2/25/11.

(John Carpenter's) Vampires (~) -- Pretty much your standard undead bloodsuckers flick. John Carpenter can do better.

Vanilla Sky (+) -- For a while there, this one wasn't making much of an impact. The characters weren't that compelling, the story had little appeal...and then, about two thirds of the way through, there's a shift, and things become much more interesting. You suddenly realize that there is depth here, and an intriguing question is being asked. And it's a Cameron Crowe flick, so you know the music is good. All in all, worth it. Posted 11/4/03.

Vanity Fair (+) -- Boy, that Thackeray sure knew how to skewer the upper class. The target gets all it deserves, but one must wonder, would such a story as this exist at all except for the very noble class that the author despises? Probably not. Nevertheless, we benefit from that conundrum in the form of Reese Witherspoon, who makes a fabulous Becky Sharp and keeps the reels rolling, and the viewer's attention firmly where it should be. That, a well-crafted story, and a picture perfect presentation, make this a successful venture. Posted 2/13/07.

Venus Beauty Institute (~) -- Ah, those French do so love l'amour. Except, of course, when they don't, as with the cynical hairdresser heroine of this import. There are some nice scenes, plus some clever dialogue, but not enough of either here. And Natalie Baye, the putative star of this film, is too bland, and her character too off-putting, to make the viewer really care about what's going on here. (Though perhaps the presence of personal favorite Audrey Tautou--the reason I watched this--puts Baye in a comparatively unflattering light.) Posted 4/1/04.

Veronica Mars (+) -- Talk about putting the band back together...The big screen treatment of the big little TV show brings back virtually everybody who was anybody on the original series, and does so with almost all of the wit and style that made the show so appealing. It seems clear that viewers who were fans of the series will have a major leg up watching this flick versus those who are coming to it without that experience, so your mileage may vary as far as this review goes. But, as a loyal fan from way back, I can say I watched this movie with a big grin on my face the whole time, and I found the entire piece thoroughly enjoyable. You go girl, indeed. Posted 5/23/14.

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (~) -- More evidence that the current 3D craze should go the way of one very specific D--namely, the dodo. The awkwardness of the movie's very self-conscious use of 3D effects is not just distracting, but clearly got in the way of the cast, crew and producers when it came to making good jokes, good characterizations, and a good story. H & K retain a certain stoned charm, and their antics are still good for a few out loud laughs, but mostly, the guys aren't quite what they used to be. All that adds up to something short of a good movie. This one will show up several times a season each Christmas on basic cable, and that's about its level. Give it a look if there's nothing else on the tube while you're wrapping presents.  Posted 12/15/12.

A Very Long Engagement (+) -- Oddly exuberant, for a somber "tragedy of war" story. The credit probably goes to director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who brings a lot of his trademark quirkiness to what would otherwise be a mordant tale. Somehow, the frequent interjections of odd and strangely humorous behavior work, even as Audrey Tautou's mournful lead character rolls through a heart-wrenching quest for her lost love. There's a bit of the mystery to this story, and if you're not quite enthralled by those "put the clues together" machinations, you may find that focus distracting. But the overall story holds its own, and everything marches through to a satisfying conclusion. Posted 1/2/05.