Reel Reviews -- K

K-19: The Widowmaker (+) -- It's nice to see a couple of old pros like Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson in their best form, keeping it understated and letting the story do the work. It's also nice to see a military story told from "the other side," one that acknowledges that "they" have their heroes too. As for the movie in toto, there's a good, tense story told with meticulous attention to detail. The focal conflict is resolved a little too conveniently, but that's mostly a quibble. All in all, this movie was unfairly overlooked. Posted 11/30/03.

Kate & Leopold (+) -- Remarkably well done for a sappy chick flick. There's nothing really original here; all of the story elements (time-shifted confusion, romantic longing, etc.) are recycled from other tales. Meg Ryan is beginning to get too old for this sort of thing, but I'm guessing Hugh Jackman (sans Wolverine get-up) must have had them sighing in their seats when this was in the theaters. Plus the supporting cast is small and capable, if not spectacular. But it all works suprisingly well. Overall, a movie that's more than the sum of its parts. Posted 12/19/02.

Keeping The Faith (+) -- A very funny look at religion, relationships, and religious relationships. Most of the credit goes to Edward Norton, who wrote, directed and starred (along with Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman).

The Kids Are All Right (+) -- A low-key, enjoyable movie experience filled with subtle humor, honest emotion, and plenty of charm. I might have a minor quibble about how it all turns out in the end--the Ruffalo character's treatment seems unduly harsh; it wasn't his action alone--but that doesn't stretch far enough to bring the film as a whole down. Worth a look. Posted 1/5/12.

Kill Bill (Vol. 1) (+) -- Here we have a movie comprised of a slew of scattershot scenes...punctuated by sequences of absolute cinematic brilliance. If Tarantino ever got it all together--cut through the bullshit, tightened everything up, crafted the whole thing perfectly--he might make the greatest movie ever made. This isn't it, but it's still well worth seeing for its filmmaking skill and bravado. NOTE: I recommend it, but Kill Bill is one of the most insanely violent movies anyone has ever imagined; proceed with caution. Posted 10/19/03.

Kill Bill (Vol. 2) (+) -- Ah, Volume 2--the reflective massacre movie. Much quieter than its predecessor, not quite as violent (though it still has its moments), this one has much more in the way of story and character than Volume 1. That tack is helped immensely by the presence of David Carradine--by now almost a talking, walking, animated death mask--as the object of the titular menace. His character fleshes out the tale, brings a depth that makes you care whether or not The Bride gets her vengence. Ultimately, put it all together and you get a worthy, entertaining tale. Posted 5/31/04..

King Kong (2005) (~) -- Insanely long, but then again, I can't say it ever lost my interest. I'm not sure this movie needed to be remade, again, but their hearts were in the right place, if the execution was not. Which is not to say it's bad; the individual elements are top notch, including superb special effects, some fine performances (particulary by Naomi Watts and, believe it or not, The Ape, in the frameworked person of Andy Serkis), and a healthy respect for the previous material. But it takes too long for the star to appear, plenty of the action sequences could have been cut out, and even what's good seems altogether a little flat. If you check it out on a big screen, and don't pay too much to see it, you could have a rewarding 3+ hours. Posted 3/28/07.

Kingdom Of Heaven (+) -- You go into this film expecting a healthy dose of mayhem and spectacle. Be patient--you get it eventually. But you also get a measured--in places almost meditative--movie, a film with a lot on its mind. Some of its allegories are obvious, but subtlety isn't cutting it much these days, so that's to be forgiven. This story could make you think twice the next time someone tells you that "God wills it!" and that certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. Posted 3/28/07.

The King's Speech (+) -- This is almost exactly the movie you expect. Sure, it's Oscar bait; yes, it's so very British; and you know exactly how things are going to play out. And yet, this is an extremely entertaining movie, one that raises George VI--Bertie to his friends--that much higher in the viewer's esteem (assuming the story as depicted here is something near the truth). That such a personal story would have such international consequences adds layers of depth and drama to a well-done but otherwise standard issue historical piece. Altogether, a work worth viewing. Posted 8/19/11.

Knocked Up (+) -- A movie that starts as little more than a collection of good lines and cardboard characters, but the actors start to flesh out their characters, the writing keeps up, and eventually something clicks, until you wind up with a thoroughly enjoyable film. How much staying power it has, I can't say; it may be forgettable as soon as the DVD stops spinning, but for its running time, its fun while it lasts. Posted 4/16/09.

K-PAX (~) -- Another "alien hiding in plain sight" flick. It takes a turn for the serious that almost ruins it, but for the most part it's a pretty decent movie.