Hulk (DVD review)

Hulk (2003) Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly. I can't say that this film disappointed me, because I wasn't expecting much. It might appeal to teens, but adults will find little to like in this comic book brought to the big screen -- and now the TV screen. The movie is way too long, with only the action scenes to recommend it, and they are too few and far between. Grade: C

An American Rhapsody (DVD review)

An American Rhapsody (2001) Scarlett Johansson, Nastassja Kinski. Baby Suzanne is left behind in Communist Hungary when her parents escape in the 1950s, but years later, as a teenager (Johansson), she joins them in the U.S. It is a difficult transition for her, for she has been raised from babyhood by a kindly couple who treated her as their own child. She is thrust into an alien world in the U.S. of the '60s, and has difficulty relating to her parents, especially her mother (Kinski). Eventually, she must return to Hungary to discover her sense of self. Based on a true story, this movie is both poignant and inspiring. Grade: A-

Love Me if You Dare (DVD review)

Love Me if You Dare (2003) in French with English subtitles. The movie's title in French is "Jeux d'Enfants," which translates something like "Child's Play." This is a very unusual film, a dark romance about a boy and a girl who, as youngsters, begin a game of "dare." The game continues as they grow older, to the point where it interferes with their lives and becomes increasingly dangerous. Some may find the conclusion to be a downer -- there's definitely no happy ending. Others will find it darkly funny. It deserves extra credit for being unique. Grade: B+

Shaun of the Dead (DVD review)

Shaun of the Dead (2004) starring Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield. If you're in the right mood this movie might strike you as dead-on hilarious. Shaun, played by Simon Pegg, is so wrapped up in his own weird little world that he doesn't notice, at first, that England has been struck by a disaster and something is changing people into zombies. Later he and his friends fight the zombies, but they can't help but stop and fight with each other every step of the way. Some of the resulting humor is very good. If you're like me, you'll find the English accents impenetrable, which makes the subtitles feature on the DVD quite handy. Kate Ashfield stands out as Shaun's girlfriend, Liz. Grade: B

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (DVD review)

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow. Take two parts "Raiders of the Lost Ark," add one part "Empire Strikes Back" and a dash of "War of the Worlds." Throw in jazzy computer-generated special effects, and mute the palate so that everything appears sepia-toned with just a touch of color added. Season with flimsy plot. Voila! "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow."
Angelina Jolie has a rather small role, and those who are looking for a display of her beauty will be disappointed. Some of the action scenes are thrilling, but overall the film's murky look drags it down. Grade: B-

A Thousand Acres (book review)

A Thousand Acres (1991) by Jane Smiley. Modeled on Shakespeare's "King Lear," this book tells the story of a midwestern farming family, and how things fall apart when the pater familias decides to deed the farm to his children before he is really ready to retire. The tale is in the telling, and this one is told in the convincing voice of his oldest daughter, Ginny. Everyone in the family is a little cracked, and it makes a good read to watch each character crumble as the plot advances. Grade: B+

Zelary (DVD review)

Zelary (2003), in Czech with English subtitles. Even 60 years later, World War II dramas continue to have great dramatic potential. In this story, Eliska, a casual member of the resistance in Czechoslovakia, finds herself pursued by Nazis and is force to seek refuge in the remote village of Zelary. Her host and protector is a much older man, Joza, who is a simple lumber mill worker. The plot is a bit slow-moving, and the movie is a bit long, but it holds its share of tension as both Nazis and later Russian soldiers bring the war to the village. Grade: B

Robot Stories (DVD review)

Robot Stories (2003) . Written and directed by Greg Pak. Starring a mostly Asian cast who will be unfamiliar to American viewers.
There are some interesting moments in the four short films which make up "Robot Stories," but mostly it is a disappointment. The budget is low, the special effects are not very special, and the stories are not terribly original. Grade: C+

Ripley's Game (DVD review)

Ripley's Game (2002) starring John Malkovich, Ray Winstone, Dougray Scott. The conscience-free Mr. Ripley, played in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Matt Damon, is here portrayed, much older and richer, by John Malkovich. Ripley is called upon to assassinate someone for a former associate, and he capriciously fobs the job off on an ordinary man who has offended him. Despite the twists and turns of plot, there's really no one to root for in this movie, and the viewer is likely to end up not caring much what ultimately happens. Grade: C+

Mean Creek (DVD review)

Mean Creek (2004). Starring Rory Culkin and a cast of unknowns. George is a big fat bully, and Sammy (Culkin) is his latest victim. The plot thickens when Sammy and a group of friends devise a plan to "befriend" George so that they can get revenge on him. They get their revenge, but it goes horribly wrong. This is a good low-budget thriller with plenty of tension. Grade: B+

The Truth About Celia (book review)

The Truth About Celia (2003) by Kevin Brockmeier. A young girl disappears, and her father writes a book of short stories, each imagining a way in which she might be all right. Touching and sad. Grade: B+