Reel Reviews -- B

Bad Lieutenant (--) "Lurid" hardly covers it. There's barely a story here--just Harvey Keitel in some mid-career adventures in vile behavior. It's little more than a travelogue of sin and perversity, though the film does include a lot of unintentional comedy in many of the earlier scenes--if you watch it in the right frame of mind. But really, you don't need to watch it at all. Posted 5/31/08.

Bad Santa (+) -- Of such stuff are a curmudgeon's dreams made. In a world where corporate radio stations start playing Christmas carols in mid-November--the better to distract people with schmaltz--we need more works like this. Special props to Billy Bob Thornton for giving a tour-de-force as the scuzzy Santa. It gets a demerit or two for wimping out a bit at the end; otherwise, this would be "Best Of All" material. Posted 12/7/03.

Bamboozled (+) -- Brilliantly done work of satire. The biting, hilarious humor of the beginning gradually dissolves into deepening drama as the principals in the story--the stars and developers of a cynically created "new millennium minstrel show"--are swept toward a tragic ending. Excellent work from Damon Wayans, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tommy Davidson, Savion Glover and Michael Rappaport (particularly Wayans, in a radical departure from his previous work). Probably Spike Lee's best movie, and just as probably should have been nominated for Best Picture. Posted 9/9/02.

Bandits (+) -- It works. It's not something that will change the world, but you can find worse ways to pass the time. The story holds the attention, Billy Bob Thornton is typically excellent, Bruce Willis is in his best mode (when he doesn't try to do too much), and Cate Blanchett is funnier than you'd think. Posted 5/11/03.

Barcelona (~) -- Relatively well-done. A mildly interesting view of Americans abroad. That's about it.

Barfly (~) -- A "colorful" bit of cinema, to say the least. Loving portraits of life among the down, out, and drunk are few and far between, so I guess it gets points for that. If Bukowski is your idea of a good time, you just might enjoy yourself with this one (and I must admit it has its moments of weird appeal). Others might be less enchanted. Oh, yeah, and Mickey Rourke in the role of a drunken loser? Fit like a glove--but you already knew that. Posted 5/11/05.

Batman Begins (+) -- Not your typical comic book movie--and that's a good thing here. Director Christopher Nolan left the standard issue Batman camp in the vault, choosing instead to play it straight and serious, and the results are damn near spectacular. Everything feels very real: a terrific, entertaining story, well-presented and well-acted by Christian Bale, Michael Caine and others (including a tragic reminder that the now-trainwrecked Katie Holmes had a real career ahead of her). This film owes a lot not just to Frank Miller, but also Nolan's previous work (the very uncampy Memento and Insomnia), and even the '90s movie version of "The Shadow" (though this is a much better work than that). This franchise has been played out before, but if they want to have another go with this team, I'd be up for it. Posted 3/28/07.

The Baxter (+) -- A film with a lot of that "little movie that could" feel to it, with plenty of cuteness, charm, and slightly cynical wit sprinkled within the otherwise standard issue romantic comedy storyline. The nonlinear timeline and voice over narration can be grating, but the cast is likeable (a number of familiar faces, with Michelle Williams leading the way) and the heart of the matter remains sincere. It never quite reaches the highest highs, but the film stays near its peak for most of the running time. Good enough. Posted 3/5/07.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (+) -- First things first: HOLD THE FUCKING CAMERA STILL. Now that that's out of the way...I wanted to hate this film, because of the stupid fuck amateur shakycam bullshit, but that contrivance becomes less of a problem as the movie moves forward. Good thing, too, because the visual settle-down actually lets you focus on the meat of the movie: the deeply compelling relationship between main character Hushpuppy and her father Wink. The girl got all the glory around Oscar time, but I actually found Dwight Henry's work as Wink to be the more riveting performance. Both excellent performances, along with an interesting storytelling vision and a lot of engaging oddness, make this movie worth the effort. (The film is also fairly short, which never hurts the cause.) Posted 6/1/13.

A Beautiful Mind (+) -- I'm nagged by the feeling that they're not being entirely accurate here, but ultimately it matters not--this is an intriguing and well-done story. It's got some suspense, some emotion and--for those with fairly open minds--even some consideration on the question of what is really "real." And, all off-screen personality issues set aside, Russell Crowe is truly a brilliant actor. Posted 12/23/02.

Bedazzled (~) -- Mostly harmless, occasionally funny. It suffers a bit by its being partly based on the preposterous notion that Brendan Fraser is a geek. (And no, I never did see the original, so I can't judge one versus the other.) Posted 10/14/02.

Being Human (--) -- The disjointed, episodic storyline would have been bad enough. But the pretentious, annoying voice over narration really queers the deal. Someone was trying to make a grand statement with this movie. Instead, we're only left with a question: what's the point? Posted 3/13/06.

Being There (+) -- It's almost too subtle; it takes a while to really get into this movie. But the humor is a delight once it gets rolling, and Peter Sellers's performance--a miracle of restraint, given some of the other characters he played in his career--is nothing short of astounding. He left us way too soon. Posted 12/15/02.

Bend It Like Beckham (+) -- The exuberance of this movie could even make me like football (world-style football, that is). There are some quibbles: the plot convolutions get a little too complex--one conflict at a time, please--and there's a little bit of "80's sports movie training montage" disease in a few scenes...but those are quibbles. You can't help but admire the pluck of the young heroines, and the portrayal of the Sikh family never makes the parents out to be the villains--a healthy respect that gives the movie its enjoyable depth. She shoots, she scores. Posted 2/28/04.

Bernie (+) -- An odd little movie, to be sure. I don’t think everyone will find this film to the his or her liking, but there was just enough humor, quirky fun, and good performances to pull this over the top in the end for me. Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey give fine performances in their roles, but the real stars of this movie are the Texas locals who bring a whole Home Depot paint department’s worth of “color” to the screen in the interspersed interview segments. Besides, I can’t really argue too strenuously against a Richard Linklater movie. Yeah, see it--just bring your most open mind to the proceedings. Posted 8/21/13.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (+) -- The strength here lies in the actors and the characters they bring alive for the viewer. Dench, Nighy, and Wilkinson shine as the most compelling members of the very far from home retiree group; the audience’s bond with those three characters serves to pull the movie through to a status almost as lofty as its exalted title. Otherwise, the local cast contributes little to the proceedings, and the vaguely formulaic climax would hardly serve a less accomplished troupe of actors. But the charm and talent win out in the end, both for the characters and the viewers, making the trip ultimately worth the inconveniences. Posted 5/4/13.

The Best Years Of Our Lives (+) -- An extraordinary film, worthy of its Best Picture award. The tripartite storyline examines the plight of returning WWII veterans from all angles, up and down the social, economic, political, and emotional spectrum. Great performances by Dana Andrews, Frederic March and Harold Russell, along with William Wyler's keen direction, make this one a classic that everyone should see. Posted 5/30/05.

Bicentennial Man (+) -- It deserved better reviews than it got upon release. Nice work by Robin Williams as a robot trying to be human.

Big Daddy (--) -- A mean, ugly pile of pigshit.

Big Fish (+) -- Not as good as it should have been, but the bar was set pretty high, so you still get a good movie. The fantasy sequences play much better than the worn-out father-son relationship plot. Credit for the good stuff goes to Ewan McGregor's bright performance and Tim Burton's inventive mind. Posted 1/31/04..

The Big Kahuna (+) -- Your classic "filmed play" kind of movie: tight, focused, to the point, and smartly done. The chief pleasure here is watching Kevin Spacey tear through the material, but there is enough depth and intelligence in the script to present some thought-provoking arguments, too. Nice work. Posted 3/6/05.

Big Night (+) -- Very entertaining. And a must see if you like Italian cuisine.

The Big Sleep (+) -- This movie is muddled and confusing. And the on screen sparks between Bogart and Bacall? I didn't believe a moment of it (ironic, since they were hot for each other off screen). So why do I recommend this movie? Because no one could deliver a line like Bogart. The more I see of him, the more I'm a fan. Posted 4/19/05.

Billy Elliot (+) -- Young English coalminer kid gets the music in him…and enchantment ensues. Alternately uplifting and wrenching, Billy's tale is perfect if you're big on underdog tales. Definitely worth a look.

Birthday Girl (+) -- So, you still think mail-order brides are a good idea? Caveat emptor, baby. Of course, if they all come over looking like Nicole Kidman, the m.o.b. companies might grow to rival GM. As for the movie, it moves briskly, deftly combines comedy and drama, and somehow makes you want to see Ben Chaplin's poor schlub come out on top. So I guess it works. Your marriage to Olga? I make no promises there... Posted 6/19/05.

The Bishop's Wife (+) -- A bit odd in concept: a helpful angel who covets a churchman's wife? That's not exactly canon, but hey, when the angel is Cary Grant, I guess the rules will stretch. Moral twitches aside, the film is at its best when it sticks with being subtle. A dominant low key approach is almost undermined by a few scenes of half-assed screen magic that threaten to drive the proceedings right into silliness. But the story's sincerity ultimately wins the day, making for an entertaining and effecting film experience. Posted 4/21/07.

Black Hawk Down (+) -- A gritty, rough portrait of the "fog of war" and the complexity of modern combat. The actors build believable characters and present a solid look at the detachment of soldiers from policy: of how only the fundamentals of time and place (do it for your buddy) matter to the men on the ground--an interesting theme that thoughtfully resonates even after the film ends. Good to look at and think about. Posted 4/16/09.

Black Swan (+) -- First, the quibble: a little too-much shakey-vision here. Director Aranofsky should be better than that. Perhaps he felt that style was necessary to create the vision he wanted to present. Whatever went into his directorial decisions, DA did craft an atmospherically unique film, something that I must say is unlike any movie I've ever seen. It's a consistently compelling experience, with an ever-building intensity that keeps the viewer riveted to the presentation. It may not be everyone's cup of plié--disturbing imagery, graphic sex, some violence, insanity...and ballet--but the adventurous viewer will most certainly be rewarded. Posted 11/12/11.

Blade (+) -- Wesley Snipes is so wooden there was no need to fight the vampires with a stake. Nevertheless, stylishly done with a pretty good story.

The Blair Witch Project (~) -- So this is what scares people these days? Not really, from this perspective. The loose plot had some truck-sized holes--just follow the damn stream, dumbshits!--but the idea was inventive, and that earns some props.

Blast From The Past (+) -- Cute. Not a whole lot to say beyond that, but in this case, it's enough.

The Blind Side (+) -- Cute. Sweet. I'm not sure there's much more to say than that. It's a very personal story, well told and finely presented; a little predictable here and there, but very good for what it is. Not exactly Best Picture material, but you will certainly enjoy spending these two hours. Posted 4/15/11.

Blood Diamond (~) -- Not a bad effort about an important subject, but...there's a spark lacking here, that little bit of something that lifts the ordinary out of the pack and into rarer heights. It's just never really present in this film. Can't blame the cast; they do good work with what they have. It's hard to place a finger on it, but something's missing nevertheless. Oh, yeah, and if you're looking for a movie to cure your elderly relative of his virulent racism...this ain't it. Posted 4/7/09.

Blow (+) -- Surprisingly poignant story about drug dealer George Jung. A movie which intimates--despite abundant evidence around us to the contrary--that crime really doesn't pay. Worth consideration. Posted 6/8/02.

Blue Jasmine (+) -- I think this is a very good movie, but I’m not really sure. These days it’s tough to tell if Woody Allen is achieving something subtly brilliant, or if he’s just wasting our time with nonsense. I suspect the former here, but I’d be willing to listen to arguments for the latter. This film comes across, beginning from the first scene, as an almost clinical examination of a maximally unlikeable character, set (in flashbacks, at least) in the typical Allen setting of the insular world of New York’s extremely rich, with occasional sojourns into working-class San Francisco. The setting and story make you think that some overarching political statement is being made here...but maybe not. It’s really opaque, and hard to tell what the director really thinks of these people, or even if his main character finally gets the comeuppance she deserves. (The ending is so open-ended that anything thereafter is possible). So it’s hard to say about this movie--yet, I’ve already written a long paragraph about it, and am still thinking about it, so it’s a movie that certainly makes an impression, probably through the excellent performances if nothing else. Watch it and judge for yourself. Posted 5/23/14.

Blue Sky (~) -- Tough to go wrong with Tommy Lee Jones and Jessica Lange, but this one comes close. Too turgid for the average viewer.

Boiler Room (~) -- So, what's with the heavy-handed use of the hip-hop soundtrack? A statement, perhaps, that the young white males who dominate this movie are not so different from the 'niggas' in the hood? Yeah, we get it: expensive suits and gold chains don't live so far apart after all. Frankly, that's not exactly an epic statement. And even if it were particularly insightful, the over the top presentation we get here is a turn off; it may be subtle to the filmmakers, but it's something that some of us out here already know. That problem drags down this film, despite a some good moments, and makes it less than it might have been. Posted 2/19/08.

The Book of Eli (~) -- When the surprise twist comes at the end, it is--given all that has gone before it--utterly preposterous, almost to the point of dishonesty on the part of the filmmakers. That flaw almost ruins an otherwise entertaining bit of post-apocalyptic hoo-hah. The presence of two old pros--Denzel and Oldman--who are incapable of giving a bad performance goes a long way towards redeeming the storytelling misdeeds. In sum, it's uneven, but worth a look if you have the time and indulgence. Posted 8/29/11.

Borat (+) -- No, it's not the funniest movie ever made. But it has to rank up there. It's not an entirely original idea--the concept owes a lot to the Festrunk brothers from old SNL days, among others--but it is brilliantly executed here. Sacha Baron Cohen's particular genius seems to be a dogged determination never to break character, plus a great instinct for never letting a gag go too long (a common mistake in comedy). I don't know from offensive, so I won't warn anyone away from this hodgepodge of racial/ethnic humor; movies like this are for real adults anyway. Bottom line: if you have any kind of sense of humor, you will laugh. Posted 11/12/06.

Bounce (+) -- Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but I think this one's worth a look. Probably because Gwyneth Paltrow is good enough to lift any movie she's in.

The Bourne Identity (+) -- It's enjoyable, largely based upon the performances of the leads, Matt Damon as the titular badass and Franke Potente as the requisite cutie. The technospy horseshit almost ruins it, but if you keep your eye on the human element, it's worth it. Posted 6/6/03.

The Bourne Supremacy (~) -- It's kind of a shame, really. The first one was pretty good, and this movie could have been so much better than it is. The story is compelling, the action audacious, no expense was spared on production or location...but the direction just plain sucks, mostly because of devotion to the "constantly move the camera around" concept that supposedly makes even static scenes into something active. No, it doesn't, it's just annoying. Hold the camera still, asshole. There's still some good stuff here; you might enjoy it despite the shakyvision direction. Watch it on cable or get it from the library--just don't pay for it. Posted 4/7/09.

Bowfinger (+) -- An overlooked movie. Good cast, funny script, and Eddie Murphy shows just how good an actor he is.

Bowling For Columbine (+) -- Michael Moore's latest work takes on the U.S.A.'s love affair with guns, and shows how it is definitely an abusive relationship. It's less strident than his earlier works, but no less clear in its presentation of the argument or effective in making its point. Moore presents the issue in his inimitable style and lets the reality make its own case, and the case is a devastating indictment of our society. Objective? Not really. Political? Certainly. Brilliant? Without question. Every citizen of this country should watch this movie, then try to justify the hatefulness that lies in our society's core. A "Best Of All" inductee. Posted 12/9/02.

Boys Don't Cry (+) -- Tough to watch, particularly if you have a pathological hatred of rednecks (as I do). But Hilary Swank gives a great performance in a very sad story.

Brassed Off (+) -- Nice little movie about the disintegration of coal mining towns in Britain, and the one ray of hope provided by the miners' amateur orchestra. Hard to find, but worth it.

Brave (+) -- Why isn’t this movie considered racist? Is it only because the over-the-top character portrayals feature blue-eyed people? You may ponder that enigma at your leisure as you watch this one--and you probably should watch it, since this is an effective, well-done work of cinema, one of the better recent efforts to come out of the Pixar mold. While there is a bit of that usual Disney corn pone--the stuff that always threatens to ruin anything released under their banner--the rest of the film is an involving story of family tension, fairy tale fun, and just enough comedy to keep things light. Oh, and don’t you change, Merida--you’re exactly the girl you need to be. Posted 6/20/13.

Braveheart (+) -- Gotta dig all that spectacle. Pretty heavy on the gore, though.

Breaking The Waves (--) -- A little too dreary for my taste. Not badly done, just a rough movie to watch.

Brokeback Mountain (~) -- This movie is totally gay! There, I said it. Of course, it's got lots of gorgeous scenery, beautifully filmed, and you even get to see Anne Hathaway's tits, so what's not to love? Oh, right--the ass pounding. Well, setting aside orientation questions, the film itself has a solid story at its kernel, but feels a little stretched out, possibly an attempt to be "epic." That, plus the slowed down pace, can make this one tough to stay with, though the fine performances of the leads (Ledger and Gyllenhaal) as the conflicted cowboys are themselves worth watching. Probably worth your time, unless you really don't like gay cowboy movies. Posted 4/22/07.

The Brothers Grimm (--) We've come to expect more from Terry Gilliam than this, but here the problems lie mostly with the writing. The story is stupid, sloppy, and nonsensical, and contributes the lion's share in making for a flat and tedious movie. Gilliam's not the only sad sight here; good performances by Matt Damon and especially Heath Ledger were wasted in this effort. Everyone's heart was in the right place, apparently, but that's not always enough. Posted 11/12/06.

Bubba Ho-Tep (+) -- The best things about this movie? Its title and Bruce Campbell. The biggest problems with this movie? The title and Bruce Campbell. That tounge-obviously-in-cheek name, along with the presence of the current King of Camp, makes it hard to know if you're supposed to take this flick at all seriously. Almost certainly the answer to that question is "No," but you are sometimes left to wonder. There are a lot of laughs here--mostly from Campbell's Elvis schtick, though the titular beastie is himself good for a few laughs. The strengths more than make up for the weaknesses (lame set-up, some bland and bad writing, and Ossie Davis's unconvincing performance). Posted 10/18/03.

Bubble Boy (+) -- Strangely appealing. There's plenty of Farrellyesque fun for all here. It's not especially "important," but I must admit, I was laughing a lot at this movie. And I dug the slightly subversive element to the story. Posted 2/26/03.

Buffalo Soldiers (+) -- A strange movie. The story flies well below the radar, never hitting anything like a high note. Yet, it still holds the viewer's attention. A large amount of credit must go to Joaquin Phoenix, whose performance mirrors the story: understated but arresting nonetheless. Phoenix's supply room sharpie holds court throughout the film. It's a pleasure to watch him fleecing his way through an uninspiring Army career, and to watch him bounce back against all efforts to rein him in--all the while giving his character an implied depth that by all rights just shouldn't be there. Take a look and you'll see what I mean. Posted 1/23/06.

But I'm A Cheerleader (--) -- A subject ripe for satire--homo hysteria--but the treatment here isn't nearly smart or biting enough. Most of the jokes fall flat, and only the presence of numerous familiar faces can flag down the viewer's attention. The message of tolerance barely registers; indeed, the ultimate outcome in many ways seems to validate the targeted hysteria. And it all gets lost in too much blandness. Bottom line: this razor needed a much sharper edge. Posted 5/8/06.