Reviews

In July of 1999, two aspiring filmmakers released a low-budget documentary-style horror film into theaters across North America. 87 minutes later, millions are afraid of the forest.

"The Blair Witch Project" is supported by an absolutely ingenious concept: three college students set out to shoot a documentary on the Blair Witch, a local legend, and are never seen alive again. Well, not if you count the chilling peek the audience gets into their final days in the form of the footage shot by the filmmakers, as we watch with mounting suspense as they near their fates.

What is so frightening about "The Blair Witch Project" is not what we do see in the end but what we don't. So abstract are the final minutes of film that the imagination of the audience is forced to take over, and that is the stuff that sleepless nights are made of.

I can't guarantee that everyone will be scared or even amused by "Blair," but I can tell you that I am not easily scared by a film, and this movie spooked me more than anything I have ever seen. I highly recommend it to people with an open mind and an appreciation for inventive filmmaking.

"Pleasantville" is a wonderful fantasy/comedy that is literally a social commentary on two clashing decades. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wouldn't be surprised if it took home some Oscars, especially for Cinematography. The visuals are stunning and the acting is as good as it gets, with featured performances by Reese Witherspoon, Tobey Maguire, the late J.T. Walsh, and Joan Allen (sure to garner an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress). If you haven't seen this movie, you are missing out on two hours of pure emotional, inspirational entertainment of the best kind. Rating: A

For those of you who have not seen the Hitchcock classic "Dial M For Murder" on which "A Perfect Murder" is based, let's just say they are two equally suspenseful films that are in many ways similar but in many more rather different. I enjoyed this film's interesting plot twists and found Paltrow's performance stunning. A lot of people don't see her as a real actress, but in this movie she turned in magnificent and convincing acting. I commend the makers of "A Perfect Murder" for playing on Hitch's 50's masterpiece, and adding their own unique touch to this heartpounding suspenser. Rating: B

I had not seen a film by David Mamet before "The Spanish Prisoner." This movie was wonderfully suspenseful and was filled with clever twists. It reminded me a lot of David Fincher's "The Game," in the sense that nothing was really what it seemed and you never really knew what was going on until the end, and even after the finale you had to stop for a minute and sort everything out in your head. Definitely worth a second, more scrutinizing look. Great acting in all of the movie's roles. It also makes you realize that no matter how much you trust someone, there's always room for betrayal. A

"Great Expectations" was much more interesting and satisfying than I had expected. Following the trend of 1996's "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet," this film is a 90's version of a classic story. Yet unlike the DiCaprio/Danes romancer, this film actually improved upon the story rather than make a mess of it. Paltrow and Hawke light up the screen, and Bancroft nearly steals the show as the crazy Ms. Dinsmoor. Nice direction and a wonderful soundtrack, also. B

This movie was, to say the least, a pleasant surprise. I've been a huge fan of this film series for years, and, to say the least, I was extremely nervous that this sequel would trivialize the original classic even more than parts 4, 5, and 6 did. This is one of the best sequels ever made. It's filled with plenty of scares and the plot is very realistic. And the film's climax is a fantastic scene. A wonderful way to end the series, with Curtis in top form. Great! B

"Scream" does not seem like the kind of movie that could make you appreciate American cinema. If you haven't seen it, then you're probably viewing it as just another silly slasher flick that creates more laughs than scares. On the contrary. This movie IS filled with plenty of scares and satirizes the horror genre in a way that literally has turned this film into a masterpiece. I guarantee you that while you may not love it (it nearly was rated NC-17 for its intense violence), you'll be highly amused by this one. A-

I was really surprised by this movie. I saw it expecting it to be another dumb film trying to seduce teenagers into watching a movie that expresses a lifestyle that is just the opposite of the way it is. While "Clueless" was not on the mark, it was by no means a total miss either. It's very funny and cleverly satirical. Whether you're an adult or a teen, chances are good you'll be charmed by this movie. B+

I'm a bit surprised that this movie did the business it did. Granted that the suspense piles itself up in almost unbearable doses and that Julia Roberts gives an affecting performance, I didn't find it as compelling as I was expecting. Still, I liked the movie, and it really makes you look at marital abuse in an entirely new way. B-

The inner world of infants is one that people are constantly trying to figure out. We probe their minds and study their behavior, hoping to understand their every thought. "Rugrats" presents us with an interesting lens through which to see life. And this show is not just for kids. It's filled with jokes for adults, because it's made by adults. If you're not watching it, catch an episode or two. And if your kids aren't watching it, you may want to have their heads examined. A+

Definitely one of the best films of all time. Kubrick has created a masterpiece of the human mind that has never been attacked with such audacity before or since. Based upon the Anthony Burgess novel (classic science fiction), this is not a movie that I'd recommend to the weak of heart. A

"Titanic," the high-budget, much-hyped romance/disaster epic, is a great movie despite its dragging three-hour length. It didn't deserve all the Oscars it won, as nearly everyone agrees, and I take pity on the poor soles who think that this is the greatest movie of all time. People, it's a good movie, but not the best of all-time. And it was the unfortunate iceberg in the way of the best film of 1997, "L.A. Confidential." A-

"Starship Troopers" is one kick-ass sci-fi action movie. The Oscar-nominated special effects are amazing and the acting is surprisingly good. I'd recommend this film for most, but not those who usually can't take scenes of intense gore and graphic violence. B

It's really sad that Dean Koontz's chilling novel of the same name produced the yawn-inducing "Phantoms." The best thing about this totally pointless, outrageously un-scary horror movie is that it's very short. D

Matt Damon gives a top-notch performance in "Good Will Hunting," as does the Oscar-winning Robin Williams. The great job of un-showy directing keeps the attention on the story. A heart-warming movie with a tight, award-winning script and wonderful acting. Not recommended for those who cannot stomach crude sexual humor. B

"Gattaca" is stimulating, suspenseful, and almost terrifying. Andrew Niccol's vision of the future's genetic perfection makes for a wonderful science fiction movie. There are some moments when it drags a little bit, but the acting is great and the direction is first-rate. B+

"Halloween" is, aside from maybe "Psycho," the greatest horror film ever made and is a true classic of cinema. There are moments when the suspense becomes too much and one literally has to pause the tape and take a breather. John Carpenter's direction is superb and Curtis's career-launching performance is definitely atypical among slasher flicks. Pop some popcorn and be prepared to cover your eyes at all times. A-