Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Strangers With Candy (DVD)

Strangers With Candy (2005) starring Amy Sedaris. Sedaris portrays 46-year-old Jerri Blank, newly released from prison and looking to start life over again by going back to high school. The title is funny, the premise is promising, but there's little payoff in the form of funny jokes. Grade: C

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Monster House (DVD)

Monster House (2006). Animated. Three kids -- D.J., his chubby friend Chowder and pretty Jenny -- go up against the house across the street, which seems to be possessed. The animation is excellent and atmospheric as the three friends seek out the secret of the Monster House. This is one cartoon movie that may actually be too scary for young children, so parental guidance is recommended. Grade: B+

Friday, November 24, 2006

Over the Hedge (DVD)

Over the Hedge (2006) with the voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Thomas Haden Church, Nick Nolte, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Avril Lavigne, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes. A group of forest animals awake in the spring to find themselves hemmed in on all sides by development. An outsider -- a raccoon, voiced by Willis -- convinces them to try to steal food from the humans who now surround them. Kids might like this animated movie, but even for a cartoon it's lacking in humor and warmth. Grade: C

Friday, November 17, 2006

The Break-Up

The Break-Up (2006) starring Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau. Aniston and Vaughn play a couple who break up, but can't afford to move because neither of them alone can pay the mortgage on their condo. So they stay together and torture each other in ways that are uncomfortable to watch. For a movie that's supposed to be a comedy, this one left me feeling awfully sad. Grade: C

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Cars (DVD)

Cars (2006) with the voices of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt. Well made animated feature from Disney/Pixar about anthropomorphic cars. The story is chiefly for kids, but the movie also contains a paean to old Route 66 which will resonate with some adults. The DVD also offers a few extras (two short animated pieces and some commentary) that add value. Grade: B

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Mission Impossible: III (DVD)

Mission Impossible: III (2006) starring Tom Cruise, Keri Russell, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hyper-kinetic, overly gimmicky, not even barely believable. Grade: C+

Friday, November 03, 2006

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (DVD)

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). What a piece of crap. Grade: F