- American Splendor August 15, 2003
- The true story of autobiographical comic book writer Harvey Pekar. Grade: A
- Open Range August 15, 2003
- Beautifully made classic Western emphasizing values and character, directed by Kevin Costner. Starring Robert Duvall, Costner & Annette Bening. Grade: A-
- Le Divorce August 8, 2003
- Merchant-Ivory production (producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory) starring Naomi Watts and Kate Hudson as American sisters in France. Grade: A
- S.W.A.T. August 8, 2003
- (Insert 1970s TV show theme song here...nanana...nanana...). Grade: B+
- Freaky Friday August 6, 2003
- Based on Mary Rodgers's much-loved 1972 classic novel which inspired the 1976 movie with Jodie Foster. Recurring Disney actress Lindsay Lohan (The Parent Trap) stars in another classic Disney remake. I first saw both movies in elementary school (remember the classroom film projectors?). Grade: A
- American Wedding August 1, 2003
- Surprisingly better than the original and sequel. Very funny. If sex jokes and crude humor offends you, don't see this movie (in case you didn't already know). Believe it or not, I thought this was in better taste than the first two. Grade: A
- Seabiscuit July 25, 2003
- Inspiring, true American story during the Great Depression era, based on Laura Hillenbrand's 2001 book. Faithful film biography, unlike the idiotic 1949 version. Grade: A
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl July 9, 2003
- Worthy of the name Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean. The best swashbuckling time I have had since I first read Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island at age 11 or when I rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland for the first time at age 4 (I remember it like it was yesterday). I am a fan of Johnny Depp again. Depp, as pirate Captain Jack Sparrow is the real star of the movie (I haven't been a fan of Depp ever since I met him personally at his Viper bar/nightclub on Sunset in 1995, but that's another tale ye might be hearin' another time). Grade: A
- Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over July 25, 2003
- The third Spy Kids kids movie from director Robert Rodriguez. I like all three. Cool special effects -- better than Tron (1982) actually. I wonder how they'll do the 3-D when it comes out on DVD. Grade: A
- Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life July 25, 2003
- The first one was a disappointment (especially for me since I'm a huge fan of the video game). This one is a pleasant surprise. Grade: B
- Bad Boys II July 18, 2003
- Director Michael Bay just gets better and better. As usual, awesome and original cinematography. Grade: B
- Terminator
3: Rise of the Machines July
2, 2003
- Better than anticipated.
Pleasantly surprised. Non-stop action, good story (better story than
T2 if you ask me). A robot movie with heart, 'T3' combines brisk action
with compelling drama. And what a supporting cast. Review
Grade: A
- Sinbad:
Legend of the Seven Seas July
2, 2003
- This Dreamworks
SKG (Spielberg Katzenberg Geffen) picture should hold you over
for the seven days before Disney's "Pirates" comes out. Pretty
darn good actually. Produced by former-Disney-exec Jeffrey Katzenberg
(him and Disney's Mike Eisner don't get along). Grade: A-
- Charlie's
Angels: Full Throttle June
27, 2003
- Better than the
first movie. McG is McGreat. Director McG out-did himself. Incredible
opening sequence. I don't know how they fit it all in one movie. It
really is Full Throttle: the most stylistic and creative cinematography
you've ever seen, non-stop action, fight choreography, and
dance choreography. Don't listen to the critics (the other
critics I mean). Action, kung-fu, sexy outfits, dance moves, cool soundtrack,
what more could you ask for? Grade: A+
- 28 Days Later June 27, 2003 (Original Release), July 25, 2003 (Alternate Ending)
- Stay after the credits for an alternate, darker ending. Director Danny Boyle and Fox Searchlight, which is distributing the film, decided to add the second ending after buzz about its existence sprang up on the Web. Grade: A-
- The Legend of Suriyothai June 20, 2003
- Thai historical epic. Grade: B+
- Jet Lag June 13, 2003
- Juliette Binoche and Jean Reno in and around Paris' Charles De Gaulle International Airport. Grade: B-
- 2 Fast 2 Furious June 6, 2003
- No Vin Diesel? No problem. Director John Singleton's sequel lives up to the original -- the original American The Fast and the Furious (2001) that is -- based on Hong Kong's Legend of Speed (1999) with Ekin Cheng. Besides the cars and girls, Tyrese Gibson is the star of the show. Review Grade: B
- Finding Nemo May 30, 2003
- Review Grade: A
- The Italian Job May 30, 2003
- Remake better than the 1969 original. Review Grade: A
- Down with Love May 16, 2003
- Review Grade: A
- The Matrix: Reloaded May 15, 2003
- Amazing and awesome special effects and martial arts choreography by Master Yuen Wo Ping. Can't wait for the third installment. Be sure to wait until the end of the credits. Review Grade: A-
- The Shape of Things May 9, 2003
- Review Grade: A-
- X2:
X-Men United May
2, 2003
- Director Bryan
Singer and company does it again. Better than the original.
Plus, Kelly Hu as Deathstrike kicks Hugh Jackman's Wolverine butt.
Review Grade:
A-
- The Lizzie McGuire Movie May 2, 2003
- Surprisingly charming story and expansion of the Disney television series with Hilary Duff. Catchy songs. Grade: A
- Spellbound April 30, 2003
- Very moving and inspirational. These kids are pretty good. I only made it as far as the city-wide. Grade: A+
- Confidence
April 25, 2003
- Grade:
A
- Lilya
4-Ever April
18, 2003
- Grade:
A
- Bulletproof
Monk April
16, 2003
- Chow Yun-fat
as the Monk with No Name. Grade: B+
- Better
Luck Tomorrow April
11, 2003
- Yahoo!
Movies Site Official
Site Over-achiever Calvin in high school (without the angst,
anger, violence, and crime...maybe just a little bit of angst).
Justin Lin's controversial Asian-American film about growing up in American
suburbia (filmed mostly in Orange County, CA). Distributed by
MTV Films. Best Asian-American film since The
Debut (Yahoo!
Movies Site Official
Site). Grade: A
- What
a Girl Wants April
4, 2003
- Reworking of 1958's
The Reluctant Debutante, starring Sandra Dee. Grade:
B-
- Basic
March 28, 2003
- No Kurosawa
Akira's Rashomon
(1950), but Samuel L. Jackson is great as usual in a supporting-role.
Grade: B
- View
from the Top March
21, 2003
- "Top Gun"
for airline stewardesses with tight uniforms. Grade: B
- Agent Cody Banks March 14, 2003
- Grade: B-
- Poolhall
Junkies February
28, 2003
- Grade:
A
- Cradle 2 the Grave February 28, 2003
- Jet Li (Yahoo! Site, Official Site, IMDB Site) is amazing as always -- the last old school, traditional, kung fu master. Also starring DMX (Exit Wounds) and Mark Dacascos [Le Pact des Loups (The Brotherwood of the Wolf)]. Martial arts choreography by Corey Yuen [Eastern Condors (1986), Righting Wrongs (1986), Fong Sai Yuk (1993) aka The Legend, Fong Sai Yuk 2 (1993), Hero (1997), Kiss of the Dragon (2001), The Transporter (2002)]. Of course not the legendary masterpieces like Jet Li's Hong Kong films, but better than most of his other American movies. Filmed on location at my favorite night club, Le Prive in Koreatown -- the most exclusive night club in Los Angeles ($300 a table, secret password to get in, not to mention the clientele!, but I digress). Grade: B
Gods
and Generals February
21, 2003
- "The South
shall rise again." Grade: A
- Old
School February
21, 2003
- Calvin and his
friends back at SDSU again. I bet I liked this more than others
because I am 30-ish like the characters in this movie. So, I laughed,
I cried; it was funny and depressing (for me). Grade: A-
- Dark
Blue February
21, 2003
- LAPD story with
the LA riots in the background. Grade: B
- The
Life of David Gale February
21, 2003
- Not a bad movie
and story; even with the blatant liberal bias and excessive and unnecessary
snide remarks against any opposing viewpoints, Christians, Republicans,
conservatives, and virtues -- arguments opposing the death penalty notwithstanding.
Grade: B-
- Daredevil February 14, 2003
- Better than Spider-Man. Plus Jennifer Garner as Elektra. Grade: A
- The R.M. January 31, 2003
- This movie is good for all audiences. Although, I can personally relate to this comedy about a returning missionary since I grew up in an LDS (Latter Day Saints, i.e. Mormon) town of Oceanside, CA. I think half of my high school eventually went to BYU. Grade: B
- Biker
Boyz January
31, 2003
- The Fast and
the Furious on bikes. Biker Boyz (bikes) is a take
on The Fast and the Furious (cars) which is based on Hong Kong's
Legend of Speed (cars and bikes). Hmm... Grade:
B
- Confessions of a Dangerous Mind December 31, 2002
- The creator and producer of the 1970s gameshows The Dating Game and The Gong Show was also a CIA assassin. True story! Grade: A-
- The
Pianist December
27th, 2002 (LA/NY)
- Grade:
A
- Chicago
December 27, 2002
- Great musical
-- even for those who generally don't like musicals (like me).
Grade: A
- Catch
Me If You Can December
25, 2002
- Grade:
B+
- Two
Weeks Notice December
20, 2002
- Hugh Grant is
very funny. Grade: A-
- Antwone
Fisher December
19, 2002
- Grade:
B+
- 25th
Hour December
19, 2002
- Grade:
A-
- The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers December
18, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Star
Trek: Nemesis December
13, 2002
- The best Star
Trek movie since Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Grade: B+
- The
Hot Chick December
13, 2002
- Grade:
B
- Treasure
Planet November
27, 2002
- Treasure Island
in space! Faithful to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic.
Grade: A
- The
Emperor's Club November
22, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Die
Another Day November
22, 2002
- Grade:
A-
- Half
Past Dead November
15, 2002
- Martial arts choreography
by Xiong Xin-Xin. Worth it to see Nia Peeples kick some butt.
Grade: B-
- Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets November
15, 2002
- Grade:
A
- 8
Mile November
8, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Frida
October 25, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Formula
51 October
18, 2002
- Bad reviews from
other movie critics aside, Samuel L. Jackson and the creative cinematography
are enjoyable in this action-comedy from Hong Kong director Ronny Yu
[The Bride with White Hair (1993)]. Grade: B
- The
Ring October
18, 2002
- Scary remake of
the 1998 Japanese cult hit "Ringu" with a strong performance
by Naomi
Watts [David
Lynch's Mulholland
Drive (2001)]. Grade: B
- White
Oleander October
11, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Punch-Drunk
Love October
11, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Knockaround
Guys October
11, 2002
- A refreshing and
original take on the genre. Much better than anticipated with
fine performances from the cast. Grade:
A
- The
Transporter October
11, 2002
- Not much of a
story or plot, but cool and amazing Hong Kong-style stunts and martial-arts
from Hong Kong action director Corey Yuen [Fong
Sai Yuk (1993) aka The Legend with Jet Li]. Grade:
B-
- Moonlight
Mile September
27, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Ballistic:
Ecks vs. Sever September
20, 2002
- Great stylistic
cinematography, explosive action, cool techno soundtrack, and impressive
martial arts performances from Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels) and Ray Park
(Darth Maul from Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace). The latest
homage to the Hong Kong / John Woo genre from new director Kaos (Wych
Kaosayananda). Grade: A
- Spirited
Away September
20, 2002
- Grade:
A
- Barbershop
September 13, 2002
- Grade:
A-
- Simone
August 23, 2002
- Grade:
A-
- Blue
Crush August
16, 2002
- Surprisingly good
story and spectacular surfing scenes. Grade: B+
- XXX
August 9, 2002
- Fast and furious
extreme-sports James Bond. Grade: A
- Signs
August 2, 2002
- M. Night Shyamalan
does it again. Scary sci-fi thriller. Grade: A
- Lilo
& Stitch June
21, 2002
- Charming story
and cute animation with water-color backgrounds. Grade:
A-
- The Bourne Identity June 14, 2002 (HD-DVD)
- A fresh and kinetic espionage thriller loosely based on the late Robert Ludlum's 1980 novel. Directed by Doug Liman. Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Grade: A
- Windtalkers
June 14, 2002
- Hong Kong action
director John Woo teams up again with Nicolas Cage, whose duty it is
to protect the American Navajo code, based on the Navajo language, that
won the Second World War. Grade: A-
- The
Sum of All Fears May
31, 2002
- Spellbinding adaptation
of author Tom Clancy's suspenseful geo-political / military techno-thriller.
Grade: A-
- Spirit:
Stallion of the Cimarron May
24, 2002
- Beautiful and
emotional story. Breathtaking animation of the scenic and beautiful
American wilderness and landscape. Grade: A+
- Enough
May 24, 2002
- Surprisingly entertaining
and enjoyable, even comical, if not taken too seriously. Grade:
B
- About
a Boy May
17, 2002
- About TWO
boys actually. Very funny. Grade: A-
- Star
Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
May 16, 2002
- Battle!!! Totally
awesome! Much better than anticipated. Lives up to the hype.
Arguably one of the best of the franchise. Grade: A+
- Spider-Man May 3, 2002
- "Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man!" Grade: A
- Jason X April 26, 2002
- Trailer FridayThe13thFilms Yahoo! Wikipedia IMDb Grade: B-
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding April 19, 2002
- Grade: A
- The
Cat's Meow April
12, 2002
- Peter Bogdanovich's
best film since The Last Picture Show (1971). Grade:
A-
- Changing
Lanes April
12, 2002
- Grade:
A
- E.T.:
The Extra-Terrestrial March
22, 2002
- Great ’80s
nostalgia. Grade: A+
- Blade II March 22, 2002
- Lots of Hong Kong-style kung-fu! -- Choreographed by martial-arts master Donnie Yen (Once Upon a Time in China II, Iron Monkey). Better than the original: More action, less story. Grade: A-
- Resident Evil March 15, 2002
- Good if you like the "Aliens" sci-fi genre, special effects, and Milla Jovovich showing some skin. Grade: A-
- Kissing Jessica Stein March 13, 2002
- Official Site Grade: A+
- We Were Soldiers March 1, 2002
- Finally, an excellent Vietnam movie honoring our veterans with no political BS. Grade: A
- Black
Hawk Down January
18, 2002
- What happens when
the U.S. military serves under Bill Clinton and the UN. Accurate
portrayal. More like documentary than movie -- all action.
See also the PBS Frontline documentary "Ambush in Mogadishu"
(I bought a copy on VHS). Grade:
A
- Brotherhood
of the Wolf (Le Pacts de Loups) January
11, 2002
- Great Chinese
martial arts choreography and artistic and stylish cinematography.
Grade: A
- A
Beautiful Mind January
4, 2002
- Good, but much
over-rated. Grade: B-
- The Royal Tenenbaums December 28, 2001
- Cool retro-style and great music better than the story. Grade: A
- The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
December 19, 2001
- Like the Myth
video game or Dungeons & Dragons come to life. Excellent adaptation
of the Tolkien classic! Grade: A
- In
the Bedroom November
23, 2001
- Good, but over-rated.
Grade: B-
- Mulholland
Drive 12
October 2001
- Reviews
Naomi
Watts (Betty), Laura Harring, Ann Miller, Justin Theroux,
Robert Forster, Dan Hedaya, Michael J. Anderson, Michele Hicks, Monty
Montgomery, Rebekah Del Rio, Laura Herring, Brent Briscoe, Billy
Ray Cyrus. Cinematography by Peter Deming. Music Composed by Angelo
Badalamenti. Additional Music / Songs by Chris Isaak and Connie
Stevens. Executive Produced by Pierre Edelman. Cameo: Lee Grant and
Chad Everett. Produced by Mary Sweeney, Alain Sarde, Neal Edelstein,
Michael Polaire, and Tony Krantz. Written by Joyce Eliason and David
Lynch. Directed by David Lynch. Grade: A.
- My
First Mister 12
October 2001
- Grade:
A.
- Ghost World 20 July 2001
- Cool soundtrack. Grade: A.
- First Blood 1982
- Trailer Yahoo! Wikipedia IMDb Grade: A+
- Il deserto rosso / Red Desert 1964 September 4
- Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. Monica Vitti (Giuliana), Richard Harris (Corrado Zeller). Wikipedia YouTube Criterion Collection IMDb Roger Ebert
- A Man Escaped / Un condamné à mort s'est échappé ou Le vent souffle où il veut 11 November 1956
- Directed by Robert Bresson. Won best director at Cannes. Trailer Wikipedia IMDb MastersOfCinema Amazon.com Half.com Grade: A.
- 宮本武蔵完結編 決闘巌流島 Miyamoto Musashi kanketsuhen: ketto Ganryujima Samurai Trilogy 3: Duel at Ganryu Island 1 January 1956
- Trailer Wikipedia Amazon Netflix IMDb Grade: A+
- 続宮本武蔵 一乗寺の決闘 Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijoji no ketto Samurai Trilogy 2: Duel at Ichijoji Temple 12 July 1955
- Wikipedia Amazon Netflix IMDb Grade: A+
- 宮本武蔵 Samurai Trilogy 1: Musashi Miyamoto 26 September 1954
- The true inspiration for George Lucas' Star Wars (1977) — not 黒澤明 Kurosawa Akira's Seven Samurai (1954) or The Hidden Fortress (1958). Included is the quote, "You are not a samurai yet" (Yoda to Luke Skywalker: "You are not a Jedi yet") and ghostly images of the samurai's dead master (Obi-Wan Kenobi? Is that you?). Wikipedia Amazon Netflix IMDb Grade: A+
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