Reviews
Primary Colors (1998)
An insightful film leaving you with much to think about
This is a superb film providing a very interesting glimpse into the political process. The film is very well written and acted. The performance by Travolta was excellent from the mannerisms to the accent. The only real flaw in the film is the lack of character development of the Henry Burton character. Normally this might not be a problem as the movie really is centered around Jack Stanton (Travolta). The problem is that we are seeing the events through Burton's eyes. It becomes disconcerting when Burton moves from the woman he is involved with at the movie's start, to being sexually involved with campaign aide Daisy, to being alone. Other than that this is a movie that should be seen.
A League of Their Own (1992)
A decent film about the only Woman's Baseball League
This is about the most even movie I have ever seen. The film had enough to keep my interest for the duration, but not enough to make me think "Wow, I've just seen a great movie" There is little in the way on conflict for the talented cast to act around. Consider Hanks who plays a recovering alcoholic ex ballplayer. His transformation is not mentioned in any way. One moment drunk and down on himself, the next moment fully recovered and socially functional. There is no down point of this movie so there is no soaring to an up point. The movie is even all the way through. What really peaks your interest is the history behind the league.
The Grifters (1990)
If you like film noir you will like this film...
The Grifters is the epitomy of the film noir, or "everybody dies in the end" genre. There are violent scenes, albiet without the major blood spillage often found in todays films. The plot is a decent one, weaving in and out of three seperate lives as they head on a collision course towards each other. I won't give away the ending, which if you know ahead of time will ruin it for you, so don't ask your friends about it. Just discuss it after. I was put off by the abuse of women in this picture. I immediately down grade any movie where women are struck. My recommendation is if you enjoy film noir, this is the movie for you. If you are at all skeptical of the genre, stay away, you'll be happy you did.
The Borrowers (1997)
Decent effects cannot save a poor plot...
While this movie had "very interesting" (according to my wife) special effects for all the scenes with the Borrowers, it could not overcome a plot that was a best merely a vehicle to show the little people. In the end, we just did not care about the characters at all. This movie would be good for kids though. There is nothing objectionable as far as material goes.