Reviews

Nice family movie and who doesn't love dolphins? Eye of the Dolphin is a family drama that will appeal to anyone who likes movies with the hard edges blunted and the narrative bumps smoothed. There's real heart to be found in the story but it comes along with borderline saccharine sentimentality, a too facile ending, and clean outcomes that aren't earned. The film's final scenes frustrate, not because bad things happen but because there's a sense that the movie has cheated us by substituting a resolution of convenience instead of one of substance. Among its assets, Eye of the Dolphin counts wonderful photography (both above and below water) and an effective performance by leading actress Carly Schroeder. Tween and teen girls will identify with her and the character she plays, and this makes the movie targeted strongly at them. Older viewers who are hoping for something with more heft may be disappointed.

The much beloved Rocky saga from Sly Stallone began with this film and it is indeed a great film, the best of the series in my opinion. What makes Rocky special is that it concentrates on characters, not sports. It would be disingenuous to say that the climactic boxing match is unimportant - it is, after all the movie's centerpiece - but that's not all Stallone's movie is about. There are only two fights - one at the beginning and one at the end. In between, every screen moment is used to develop Rocky as a person. He is not traditional hero material - he's crude, stupid, boorish, and has limited aspirations. Nevertheless, there's something likable about the guy, and it has its root in the gentle, caring way he treats Adrian. And it's this relationship that's the key to making Rocky's ending triumphant. He may lose the fight, but he gains so much more. This is movie magic at its finest.

Sunshine is a great thinking man's science fiction film and if not for the final half hour it would be right up there among the finest. Sunshine has a more ethereal look than the average science fiction movie but, considering the subject matter, it works. With the sun in such close proximity, we're treated to a number of shots when bright white bleaches the screen. Other times, there's darkness. The film is in color, but there's a lot of literal black and white. The special effects, while not on the spectacular scale of something like Transformers, are impressive. This is Boyle's third partnership with Garland, and their second consecutive genre effort (following the horror movie 28 Days Later). Hard-core science fiction fans will likely greet Sunshine with a smile. Others may find this to be an odd motion picture, but there's enough going on that even those who are expecting something flashier should still be engaged.

Not a great comeback by the man who directed Lethal Weapon. If Timeline is a disappointment, it's because I still have some respect for director Richard Donner, despite his recent lack of success. Because of Lethal Weapon and Superman, I was willing to overlook Assassins. Before Timeline, Donner hadn't made a film in five years. As a comeback, this is a huge letdown. Then again, what could one reasonably expect from a movie that boasts an acting-challenged stud in the lead role. I know... Keanu Reeves did it in The Matrix, but, sad to say, Paul Walker is no Keanu Reeves and Timeline is definitely no The Matrix. There are times when the movie comes across as so laughably absurd that it's almost entertaining. Once or twice, I was half-expecting the Monty Python troupe to appear, searching for the Holy Grail. The lengthy battle scene at the end provides a little entertainment value, but we don't care enough about the paper-thin characters for this to have more than a cursory curiosity value.

What can I say about Breezy? Yes, it may reek a little of snobbishness, to take one of Clint's lesser known directorial efforts and plant it smack-dab in his all-time top five, but Breezy is a dusty jewel of a movie. Similar to the irritating, inter-generational quirk-bomb that is Harold and Maude, Clint's film tells of a bed-hopping beatnik played by Kay Lenz and her slow, steady and utterly charming relationship with an older, starched-shirt divorcee played by William Holden. In the press of late, Clint has lambasted what he believes to be a be a generation of pampered, politically correct pussies, but a film like Breezy, which is so affirmative about the notion of peaceful co-existence and accepting primal impulses, you can't help but think that it's all just stealth marketing for Sully.

One senses that Edie Sedgwick deserves better than this. It's not that Sienna Miller doesn't throw herself into the role but the screenplay - a conglomeration of truth, half-truth, and fiction - lacks depth and the direction is just as shallow. Factory Girl hints at a greater tragedy than the one it presents. By adhering to surface details and never letting the audience get to know the title character, the movie comes across as a generic bio-pic about another lost girl of the 1960s whose 15 minutes of fame leads to a downward spiral. However Sienna Miller is good and if there's any reason to see this film its for her performance.

Predator was such a great film it is still quotable to this day and an experience to watch even if you've seen it. Predator 2 is an alright movie but comparing it to the original is futile. None of the main cast return and the setting isn't a lush jungle anymore, it is downtown los angeles. But there are some decent set pieces and one in particular where the Predator descends upon a gang is quite good. Ably supported by well known faces like Danny Glover and Bill Paxton Predator 2 is better than a bad movie but not as good as a great one. Still if you have seen the original you can watch this.

To give it credit 2012 doesn't try to be anything but a high budget CGI fest appealing to the lowest common denominator and as such it should make a killing at the box office worldwide. John Cusack, Woody Harrellson(relishing scenery chewing here) and Danny Glover are all on hand to collect a paycheck for standing or running in front of green screens- depending on your temperament 2012 is your call.

Die Hard was a massive success back when it released and its easy to see why: It's an incredibly well paced action film with a wisecracking lead we relate to and an awesome bad guy. Directed by John Mctiernan Die Hard is a template for great action movies- It has relentless action, great one liners and suitable pyrotechnics instead of mindless CGI. John Mclane and Hans Gruber have endeared themselves in pop culture. What is incredible about Die Hard is that it has lost none of its edge and still retains every bit of its charm to this day. No matter how many movies Willis makes he shall forever be best known for running around barefoot atop the Nakatomi building.

This is a good documentary and the shots and coverage of the deep ocean is quite pleasing(and harrowing in places). However, with the advent of instant access to so much content, there isn't anything here that you won't find in better resolution on Netflix or Amazon. Still, if you enjoy documentaries or have even the slightest of fascination with sea life I feel you can spend an hour and some time with Deep Sea.

Wolfgang Peterson's Troy is a great period war film with the plot that concerns the Trojan War and takes place in a matter of days(or weeks as opposed to the 10 year timeline of the historical event). Featuring a host of stars like Brad Pitt, Peter O Toole, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom the film is an epic with some neat battle sequences. Among the performers Eric Bana shines the brightest though it is Pitt's Achilles who commands the screen. If you like historical epics then Troy by Wolfgang Peterson is right up your alley.

I was a massive fan of the Turtles growing up in the 90s(who wasn't) and with that in mind I must say this version is an abomination. Even knowing that this was from the Michael Bay camp doesn't help because this ruins and spits over everything you grew up with. It's not even a "so bad it is good" film. Megan Fox, in the last throes of her career plays April O Neill and Will Artnett plays her creepy co-worker. The turtles look and feel larger and more menacing then their cartoon counterparts and even the effects and action is nothing special.