Deja Vu

Viewed: 06.07.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 4.5 out of 5

Plot:
If you could save someone's life by altering the past, would you? Denzel Washington teams with director Tony Scott (Man on Fire) to explore this ticklish question.

Memorable Quote:
"What if you had to tell someone the most important thing in the world, but you knew they'd never believe you?"

My Thoughts:
This movie is absolutely terrific. It is a great action thriller with a lot of plot twists that really make you think. The acting is superb from all the lead and supporting characters and you are on the edge of your seat the entire time. If you liked the space-time continuum scenarios of the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, you're going to love this movie.

I always have a hard time getting into a Denzel film for some reason. He is terrific in almost every role he plays but maybe because he is so good every time, I find it difficult to see him as a different character. But this movie just grabs you straight from the start and you can't wait to see what happens in the next scene and how the mystery will be solved.

Tony Scott is a pure movie genius and every movie he makes is a must see for me. Ever since the early days of 'Top Gun' and 'Days of Thunder' he has churned out excellent big Hollywood action blockbusters.

I think the only reason this movie did not top the $64M at the box-office was the way it was marketed. This is a must see in my opinion.

Reign Over Me

Viewed: 07.23.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 4.5 out of 5

Plot:
A man (Adam Sandler) who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate (Don Cheadle). Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears to help the man recover from his grief.

Memorable Scene:
Me, weeping uncontrollably in my first class seat throughout most of the movie.

My Thoughts:
If you want to feel pain in your heart and unclog a tear duct or two, watch this film. I don't think there is person out there who can watch this without shedding a tear. Not only did it make me think of all the people who's lives were destroyed by the events of Sept. 11th, but I also had to deal with my own internal demons of potential loss and grief. This is by far the best Adam Sandler role (surpassing his terrific 'Punch Drunk Love' character) and he deserves some kind of recognition for an amazing job. And Don Cheadle is always excellent and nails his role perfectly.

When I got back home and hugged my loved ones I told KajaWife about the movie and by the time I finished we were both in tears. You have to watch this movie. The problem is when and how? If you are already in a dark mood this might push you over the edge. If you're in a good mood, that will definitely change. Maybe just watch it by mistake, like I did, on a plane (yeah, not the best place to watch a post 9/11 flick). But find some time and watch it. Maybe when this country comes to grips with what happened here and starts treating 9/11 as a national day of mourning and memoriam will this movie be shown on a yearly basis on national television. But for now, just find a time and go see it. You have to.

Pan's Labyrinth

Viewed: 02.08.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Theater
Overall Review: 4.5 out of 5

Plot:
A very pregnant woman takes her imaginative daughter to the mountains of Spain, circa 1944, to meet her new stepfather, a fascist military captain. As the self righteous captain and his men "hold down the fort" and fight the last of the post civil war rebels, the despondent little girl immerses herself into her own phantasmic imagination.

My Thoughts:
Pan's Labryinth is, in my mind, a masterpiece by director, Guillermo Del Toro. This movie was so intensely beautiful, yet so tragic. It grips at your heart and somehow makes you happy and sad at the same time.

It is not often a movie can be so dark and hopeless, yet magical and creepy. It is absolutely worth the price of admission to see it on the big screen. I will offer a few warnings however. First, the movie is subtitled, so prepare to do a fair amount of reading. If you aren't down with that type of movie, then move along.

Second, this movie is not some Harry Potter or The NeverEnding Story kidfest. While there are moments with fairys and such, at its core this movie is dark and, at times, disturbing. Finally, I think this movie is just different from your typical American movie. At times you can just tell it is a foreign film. I do not write this with negative intent. I think it is great that this movie is breaking into our market and I really applaud the producer for getting it done. It's easy with Del Toro's movies.

As a side note, I got my feet wet with the Del Toro movie, The Devil's Backbone, which I also loved (here is the youtube video for that movie). That movie was creepy and I really dug it as well.