Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (book review)

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004) by David Sedaris. Amusing collection of autobiographical essays from the author of "Me Talk Pretty One Day." Sedaris has a truly unique point of view, the world seen from inside his particular dysfunctional family. Grade: B+

The Sure Thing (DVD review)

The Sure Thing (1985) starring John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga, with appearances by Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins and Nicollette Sheridan. A romantic comedy directed at the teen demographic that works rather well. The commentary and trivia tracks are also rather interesting as they give insight into the making of the movie and some of the compromises which were necessary because of the low budget. Cusack is excellent as the glib but shy Gib, who is having trouble getting laid. Zuniga is beautiful and smart as his reluctant love interest. The only problem I had with this movie was two extreme coincidences which throw the two together. Grade: B

Finding Neverland (DVD review)

Finding Neverland (2004) starring Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet. Rarely does a movie capture and hold my attention the way this one did. Much of the credit must go to Johnny Depp, who is pitch-perfect in the role of J.M. Barrie, writer of the play "Peter Pan." Set in 1904 London, the movie is both magical and sad, funny and tragic. Although it may not be historically accurate, it works as a self-contained universe. Grade: A-

Friday Night Lights (DVD review)

Friday Night Lights (2004) starring Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Connie Britton. If you're one of those many people, mostly female, who couldn't care less about football, this movie is not for you. There's just too much football in it. For those who like sports movies, it will be a treat -- the rare film about sports that deals more with the people who play, the coaches and their families, and which doesn't have a typical Hollywood ending. Grade: B+

Dating Dead Men (book review)

Dating Dead Men (2004) by Harley Jane Kozak. Engaging and often very funny mixture of detective tale and romance, with a lot of odds and ends thrown in. A richly imagined, light-hearted book. Also an easy read. Grade: B+

My Sister's Keeper (book review)

My Sister's Keeper (2004) by Jodi Picoult. Two sisters, Anna and Kate, have a predestined relationship. Anna was conceived purposely to be a donor (cord blood, bone marrow, etc.) for her older sister Kate, who has leukemia. But what happens when Kate needs a kidney, and Anna doesn't want to be a donor anymore? The drama plays out from several different points of view, and it raises questions of ethics and family relationships that just don't have any easy answers. It is also emotionally moving. Grade: A-

Alfie (DVD review)

Alfie (2004) Jude Law, Susan Sarandon, et. al. In 1966, when the original "Alfie" was made, the story of womanizing Alfie rang true. His bed-hopping antics were accepted or at least expected practice then. Now, though, we live in an uptight era with the specter of AIDS haunting every sexual act. And there is nary a mention of a condom in this whole film. The movie has other problems; you'd probably be better off just renting the original version with Michael Caine. Grade: C

The Incredibles (DVD review)

The Incredibles (2004). The animated story from Pixar about a family of superheros called out of retirement for one last adventure. Until the sequel. Cool. Grade: A-

A Widow for One Year (book review)

A Widow for One Year (1998) by John Irving. By the author of "The World According to Garp" and "The Cider House Rules." Intriguing premise set in 1958: Sixteen-year-old Eddie has an affair with the beautiful Marion, 39. Forever after, he has a thing for older women. The novel drifts for quite a while in its middle section, however, as Ruth, Marion's daughter, goes on an adventure in Amsterdam that involves research in the red-light district. Toward the end, the novel gets back on track, but it has taken an awful long time to get there. Grade: B

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (DVD review)

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (2003) starring Clive Owen, Charlotte Rampling, Malcolm McDowell. Owen, a former gangster, comes back to the city when his brother commits suicide. He spends the entire movie searching for answers, and it's just downright boring and senseless. I kept thinking there was going to be some action to resolve the plot, but it never came. By far the worst movie I've seen in a long time. Grade: F

Intimate Strangers (DVD review)

Intimate Strangers (2004) in French with English subtitles. Starring Sandrine Bonnaire, Fabrice Luchini. Of course you've never heard of the stars of this film, and why should you? It starts with an intriguing premise: A woman, seeking psychiatric help, accidentally goes to the office of a tax accountant instead of the psychiatrist. She starts telling him her secrets and he, perhaps intrigued by her beauty, listens without telling her of her mistake. The movie goes downhill from there, however, as the drama gets muddled, the plot seems predictable and the ending is disappointing. I usually like foreign films more than this. Grade: B-

What Was She Thinking? (book review)

What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal] (2003) by Zoe Heller. Seemingly based on the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, this book tells the story of a female teacher who has an affair with one of her students, age 15. It is also, maybe more so, the story of her friend, another teacher who knows her secret and fails to keep it. For such a sensational topic, the book is not the interesting, especially the first half. It does pick up interest when the affair becomes public and the repercussions for all concerned become clear. Grade: B

The Silence of the Lambs (DVD review)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn. Winner of the Oscar for best picture, this movie is at times gruesome but has a strong story that drives through to the end. There is one scene where the director takes liberties with the audience, but otherwise an excellent thriller. Strong performances by Foster and Hopkins. Grade: B+

Howards End (DVD review)

Howards End (1992) Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter. This is one of those rare times when my review includes not only the movie itself, but the DVD it appears on. The movie is a delight, but the DVD is a bit of a disappointment. The picture is splendid and the sound is fine, but there are none of those extras which we have become accustomed to. Most especially, there are no subtitles available, a lack which I felt strongly since everyone speaks in a very British accent and words and phrases tend to escape me ears from time to time. The film itself is excellent. Grade: A-

Bleachy-Haired Honky Bitch (book review)

Bleachy-Haired Honky Bitch (2004) by Hollis Gillespie. Amusing collection of essays by Gillespie, who is (or was) a flight attendant, German interpreter and writer. She lives in Atlanta, and these writings are mostly autobiographical tales of her quest to join the middle class and own a house. Grade: B+

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+

Twelve Monkeys (DVD review)

Twelve Monkeys (1995) starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt. Directed by Terry Gilliam. This is a hard movie to grade, because so many viewers will have such varying reactions to it. I like this kind of movie in general, but found this one a bit disappointing this time around (this is about the third time I've seen it). For those who aren't familiar with it, it's a rather bizarre future noir in which time travel is used in an effort to save the remnants of Earth's population from a plague. Bruce Willis plays a convict who "volunteers" to travel back in time and try to find out what the origin of the plague was. Needless to say, there are convoluted time travel paradoxes involved, but it's all tied up rather neatly in the end. Grade: B

Garden State (DVD review)

Garden State (2004) starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman. Braff's character, Andrew Largeman, is called home to New Jersey from California when his mother dies. Andrew, whose acting career is stalled, reconnects with some old friends but fails to reconnect with his father (Ian Holm). Much quirky humor with his old friends ensues. Braff, best known for the TV show "Scrubs," also wrote and directed "Garden State." Natalie Portman is utterly charming as Sam, the slightly cracked girl he accidentally meets and falls in love with. Overall, this is an offbeat movie, flawed but enjoyable to watch. Grade: B

In Good Company (movie review)

In Good Company (2004), starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson. A corporate raider buys the company for which Quaid works, and Grace is brought in as his new, young hotshot boss. The situation is complicated by an affair between Quaid's daughter (Johansson) and his boss (Grace). This movie has the best of intentions, but I was oddly disappointed. The actors all give good performances, but the script is lacking in zing. It does a good job of depicting the devastation of the landscape in the modern, cutthroat corporate world, but not much else happens. I wanted to see a more substantial part for Johansson, who is an excellent actor, and I wanted to see her wearing less makeup than she wears here. Basically, she acts as just a foil for Grace and Quaid. Grade: B-

Hidalgo (DVD review)

Hidalgo (2004) starring Viggo Mortensen. Set in 1890, "Hidalgo" tells the story of a man and his horse, who enter a great race in the middle east called the Ocean of Fire. Horse lovers and children may enjoy this movie, but discerning adults will likely find little to care about. There were many scenes where I thought to myself, "nonsense." There is much that makes no sense in this movie; yet it has a certain grandiose flavor that a viewer could enjoy if he chose to ignore the flaws. Grade: C+

The Quiet Room (book review)

The Quiet Room (1994) by Lori Schiller. The subtitle of this book is "A Journey Out of the Torment of Madness," and that about sums it up. It tells the true story of Lori Schiller, who started hearing "Voices" at the age of 17 and was eventually diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. Her illness combined the mood swings of bipolar disease with the auditory hallucinations that sometimes accompany schizophrenia. Also included are chapters written by Lori's parents, siblings, friends and doctors, so that you see the effects of the devastating disease from several points of view. This book lacks the professional sheen of some best-sellers, but makes up for it with gritty reality. A true horror story. Grade: A-

Manny and Lo (DVD review)

Manny and Lo (1996) starring Scarlett Johansson, Mary Kay Place. A charming, low-budget film starring a young Johansson as one of two sisters who have gone on the lam from foster homes after their mother's death. Things get complicated when one of the sisters gets pregnant, and they find help in an unexpected place. Grade: B+

The Motive (book review)

The Motive (2005) by John Lescroart. A man and his mistress die in a fire in a Victorian mansion in San Francisco. Good cop Abe Glitsky investigates the crime and lawyer Dismas Hardy defends Catherine Hanover, who is falsely accused in the death of her father-in-law. Kind of a "Law & Order" in book form -- a combination of police procedural and courtroom drama, with some thriller elements thrown in. Although this book is credibility-challenged, I still found it entertaining. It took about fifty or a hundred pages before I felt completely engaged, however, and some readers may not want to invest that much time in a relatively low-reward book. Grade: B

Open Water (DVD review)

Open Water (2003) starring a cast of unknowns. Susan and Daniel are left behind when their scuba expedition boat leaves without them. They are left floating, alone together, on what seems like a vast, endless sea. But they are not really alone, for the sea is filled with little fish, stinging jellyfish and, yes ... sharks. The drama is slow going at first, but once it shifts into high gear some viewers will find this film both harrowing and horrifying. I found the ending genuinely surprising and even a little shocking. Grade: B

Subwayland (book review)

Subwayland (2004) by Randy Kennedy. Interesting compendium of columns about the New York subway system, written by Kennedy for the New York Times. The only complaint I have is a rare one -- the articles are too short. Some of the subject matter is fascinating -- mostly dealing with the fringe of the fringe related to the subway -- but many of the columns barely brush the surface of the story before they're over. Still, an enjoyable read. Grade: B+

The Manchurian Candidate (DVD review)

The Manchurian Candidate (2004) Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Meryl Streep. This remake of the 1962 "classic" has the virtue of starring Denzel Washington instead of Frank Sinatra. Everything else has been updated, too. No longer based in Cold War paranoia, this film taps into the current war on terror for its bogeyman. The mind control is brought about by high technology instead of simple brainwashing. The acting is fine, but the resolution of the plot is not well-explained. Grade: B-

Stander (DVD review)

Stander (2003) starring Thomas Jane as cop-turned-bank-robber Andre Stander in South Africa. A police captain, enraged at the social injustice of Apartheid, turns to robbing banks. At first, he ends up investigating his own crimes. But he is soon caught and jailed, only to escape and embark on a second crime spree. In the process, he becomes a bit of a folk hero in South Africa. The movie is engaging enough, but it will have a been-there, seen-that feeling to viewers who have seen "Bonnie and Clyde" or "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Grade: B-

Hero (DVD review)

Hero (2004) in Chinese with English subtitles. Visually stunning, with different parts of the story having their own color schemes; yet the story itself is curiously unsatisfying. All the intrigue about assassinating or not assassinating an ancient Chinese ruler doesn't resonate much for Western viewers, and there is little human drama to draw you in. Grade: B

The Bourne Supremacy (DVD review)

The Bourne Supremacy (2004) starring Matt Damon, Joan Allen. Those who enjoyed Franka Potente in "The Bourne Identity" should know that she appears only briefly at the beginning of "Supremacy." The film has several other flaws. Although the plot is clear, the characters are well developed and the acting is good, "The Bourne Supremacy" is lacking in drama. There is little movement on the question of Bourne's "real" identity. The director can be blamed for the action scenes, which feature so much jump-cutting and jittery camera work that they amount to little more than a blur of motion. Other than that, the film is basically one long chase scene, and ends, sadly enough, with an extended car chase (gee, where have we seen this before?). On the plus side, Matt Damon is engaging in the lead role as Jason Bourne. Grade: B-

Dogrun (book review)

Dogrun (2000) by Arthur Nersesian. A 30-ish woman comes home to find her lazy boyfriend watching TV. He won't talk to her. She fixes him dinner, then gets mad when he won't eat it. A minute later she realizes he is dead. This is how Nersesian's fascinating and beguiling novel begins. It's another of his sharply observed, sometimes humorous depictions of life in the Big Apple, told from a woman's point of view. Grade: B+

I, Robot (DVD review)

I, Robot (2004) starring Will Smith. Not for Asimov purists, this movie puts a slightly more ominous twist on the Three Laws of Robotics. Will Smith stars as a detective in a futuristic Chicago, circa 2035. The rendering of the world of the future is imaginative and feels original, but the robots themselves are somewhat of a disappointment. They all look exactly alike and, though extremely strong, are not very tough. The overall arc of the plot makes sense however, and the writers deserve credit -- although the kernel of the story owes a debt to other, much earlier writers of science fiction. Grade: B

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (DVD review)

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), starring Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, and a notable supporting cast. This is one lightweight movie, which is both its strength and its weakness. There are numerous missteps and flaws in continuity, but they hardly matter in what is essentially a sardonic fable. There are laughs to be had, but there are just as many clunkers among the jokes and sight gags. Grade: B-

The Boy Who Would Live Forever (book review)

The Boy Who Would Live Forever (2004) by Frederik Pohl. Strictly for hard-core science fiction fans, this is the latest in the Heechee series which Pohl began in 1977 with "Gateway." Although "Gateway" was a ground-breaking book, Pohl has wandered far off course with this book. For one thing, the title is never satisfyingly explained in the telling of the story. For another, too many characters are thrown into the mix and the narrative lacks focus. Grade: B-

Strayed [Les Egares] (DVD review)

Strayed (2004) (In French, with English subtitles) In France, during the early years of World War II, the German army is advancing, and a column of refugees is fleeing south from Paris. A widow, traveling with her two children, leaves the road when German airplanes bomb and strafe them. She forms a shaky bond with a stranger who seems to know what he's doing, and they hole up in a French country house. The events that ensue are, disappointingly, only moderately interesting. Grade: C+

Spanglish (movie review)

Spanglish (2004) starring Adam Sandler, Tea Leoni, Paz Vega. In spite of its many flaws, I liked this movie. The greatest attraction is the Spanish actress Paz Vega, appearing for the first time in an English-language film. Vega plays an illegal immigrant from Mexico who gets hired as a housekeeper in the Anglo home of Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni. She is startlingly beautiful and appealing. Leoni is over the top, in a good way, as the rich housewife who doesn't quite know what to do with herself. Sandler is uncharacteristically subdued as her husband, a famous chef. Although some viewers may be disappointed in the film's resolution, I still found the overall experience gratifying. Grade: B.

Collateral (DVD review)

Collateral (2004) starring Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx. Cruise is convincing as a morally blank assassin for drug lords. Foxx makes a good foil as the taxi driver who Cruise hijacks for a night of murder. There's even a fairly exciting chase scene. The movie has a bit of a believability problem, however. Grade: B.

Unlubricated (book review)

Unlubricated (2004) by Arthur Nersesian. The engaging female protagonist works in New York City and is struggling to become an actress. After surviving 9/11, she becomes involved in the production of an off-Broadway play titled "Unlubricated," in which she also hopes to star. Nersesian's dialog and characters all seem to be dead-on, and there's a good mix of black humor seasoning the whole tale. Grade: A-.

Raising Helen (DVD review)

Raising Helen (2004) starring Kate Hudson, Joan Cusack, John Corbett. Seems like we've seen this one before. More than once. Hudson plays a driven career woman who ends up unexpectedly with a house full of kids (not hers) to raise. At first she doesn't know what to do, then she figures it out, and along the way she meets and falls for a man (Corbett). This movie is mostly inoffensive, but oh so predictable. Grade: C.

The Terminal (DVD review)

The Terminal (2004). Tom Hanks. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Hanks plays a man from Eastern Europe who gets stuck in the New York City airport terminal when there is a civil war in his home country. There are some good moments, some amusements, but the movie goes way off track with his romance with a flight attendant -- a romance that just sort of peters out and results in a lame ending. Grade: C.

Ava's Man (book review)

Ava's Man (2001) by Rick Bragg. The "Man" in the title is Bragg's own grandfather Charlie, a hard-working family man and a moonshiner in the woods of Alabama and Georgia. The book tells an episodic but fascinating multigenerational tale, filled with family stories passed down through uncles, aunts and cousins. Grade: B+

Maria Full of Grace (DVD movie review)

Maria Full of Grace (2004). Interesting drama about one Colombian girl who becomes a drug mule. The plot, such as it is, is pretty much linear. But the movie goes into considerable detail about what makes someone become a drug mule, and what the mule has to go through to smuggle the drugs. (Hint: It involves swallowing a rather large number of drug-filled pellets. The pellets are hard to swallow, and if one should break in your stomach, you die.) Grade: B.

3 Dollars (book review)

3 Dollars (1999) by Elliot Perlman. A man and wife, seemingly solidly middle class, live in Australia in the 1990s. As the book progresses, they both lose their jobs to "restructuring" in the new, deregulated economy. Perlman's novel is well written and amusing, at the same time taking savage swipes at 1990s society. At the end, as at the beginning, the protagonist ends up with three dollars in his pocket, hence the title. Grade: B

American Beauty (video movie review)

American Beauty (1999). Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari. Repressed middle-class marketing executive Spacey decides to rebel against his pointless existence, and a series of unexpected events ensues. Benning delivers a great performance as his manic-depressive wife, Birch as his daughter and Suvari as the high-school cheerleader who becomes the willing object of his lust. The script is excellent, edgy and unpredictable, funny and sad. Grade: A.

Jesus Saves (book review)

Jesus Saves (1997) by Darcey Steinke. A suburban horror story in the guise of a novel, this book will make some readers' skin crawl. The detail and length of an abducted girl's suffering are squirm-inducing. On the other hand, the narrative seems to go off into fantasy tangents that don't really further the story. I found it frustrating because I felt there was a good book hiding here, but it just wasn't accessible. Grade: B-

Around the World in 80 Days (DVD movie review)

Around the World in 80 Days (2004), starring Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Cecile de France. I can't say I was disappointed in this film, because I wasn't expecting much. But boy, what a piece of crap. The parts that are supposed to be funny are mostly just embarrassing, the Jackie Chan martial arts scenes are poorly choreographed, and the story is for the most part just dull. It's hard to imagine how even a child could be amused by this pale new version of the 1956 movie based on Jules Vernes' book. Some viewers may enjoy the many cameos. Grade: C-.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (DVD movie review)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint. A rich movie-viewing experience, even for adults, features a convoluted plot that may have some scratching their heads. The producers and director deserve credit for creating a rich fantasy world full of intriguing detail. The real star of the movie seems to be Emma Watson, as Hermione, who initiates most of the action and provides a smart protagonist who knows what to do next. Harry, unfortunately, seems to be just tagging along for most of the movie. Grade: A-.

One True Thing (DVD movie review)

One True Thing (1998) Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger. Driven career woman Zellweger returns home to care for her dying mother (Streep), whom she has never felt close to. She has always idolized her father, played by William Hurt, who is a literary professor. During the time she cares for her mother, she comes to see both parents in a new light. Worth seeing for Zellweger's performance, though some may find it a bit of a tear-jerker. Grade: B.

The Devil in the White City (book review)

The Devil in the White City (2003), by Erik Larson. The author brings to life Chicago in 1893, the World's Fair held there that year, and a chilling serial killer who inhabited Chicago while the fair was going on. Best of all, it's a true story. One of the better books I've read this year. It's rather long, but nevertheless makes for a quick read. Grade: B+

Secret Things (DVD movie review)

Secret Things (2002), in French with English subtitles. Drenched in sex, this French comedy-thriller features a cast no American is likely to recognize. It walks a fine line between porn and art, and would certainly get an NC-17 rating if it were made or distributed in the U.S. That aside, it's pretty good fun as two young women explore their sexuality, then try to exploit it in the business world, with disastrous results. Grade: B

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (DVD movie review)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet. Interesting story about lovers who break up, then decide to have their memories of each other erased by a hole-in-the-wall company named Lacuna Inc. Some great mental gymnastics and interesting use of special effects make this an engaging tale about love and how two people may just be meant to be together. Good performances by the stars, too. Grade: B+

Behind the Scenes at the Museum (book review)

Behind the Scenes at the Museum (1995) by Kate Atkinson. The multi-generational story of a family and its foibles in York, England. Ruby Lennox, the protagonist, tells of growing up poor in a dysfunctional family, complete with poor parenting, infidelity, and living above a pet shop in a dwelling called Above the Shop. The house is inhabited by ghosts, and Ruby's life is scarred by Pearl, her lost twin. With all the tragedy of their lives, the book is filled with an underlying humor and warmth. It's a bit of a challenge for American readers because of the British vernacular and cultural references, but a worthwhile read. Grade: B.

Elf (DVD movie review)

Elf (2003) starring Will Ferrel. Boy, is this movie a disappointment. It may appeal to grade-school kids, but there's nothing here for the discerning adult. It's not a family movie, in the sense of a movie that appeals to kids but has another layer of meaning for adults. There is no other layer of meaning, just a really dumb plot and lousy special effects. Grade: D

A Million Little Pieces (book review)

A Million Little Pieces (2003) by James Frey.
Harrowing memoir of Frey's stay in a drug rehab center and the pain of his improbable recovery. Intensely emotional, intensely descriptive, at times this book is almost too painful to read. It kept me interested, however, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something a little off the beaten path. Grade: B

Hot Plastic (book review)

Hot Plastic (2004) by Peter Craig. Fascinating story about a "family" of con artists who travel throughout the country and even to Europe in an attempt to keep the grift alive. The main con they run is in fake credit cards, hence the title of the book. Their adventures are made interesting by vividly portrayed characters, and an inside look at the many ways in which people can be tricked out of or just plain robbed of their money. Grade: A-

Eye of the Needle (DVD movie review)

Eye of the Needle (1981) starring Donald Sutherland, Kate Nelligan. Sutherland is compelling as the icy Nazi spy who has information that can turn the war around. Nelligan is convincing as the lonely, sexually frustrated woman who inhabits the island where he is stranded. Grade: B+

Swimming Pool (DVD movie review)

Swimming Pool, starring Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier. The young actress Sagnier is the chief attraction in this Hitchcock-esque tale about a writer (Rampling) who is loaned a French country house by her publisher so that she can get away from England and get some writing done. Soon Sagnier, as the publisher's daughter, shows up and events take off on an ever-escalating binge of sex and, eventually violence. But what is real, and what is in the writer's imagination? We don't find out until the final scene. Pay close attention. Grade: A-

Sexy Beast (DVD movie review)

Sexy Beast, starring Ben Kingsley. Kingsley, who once played Ghandi, comes full circle in his menacing portrayal of a violent thug in "Sexy Beast." The movie is set in Spain and England, with Kingsley portraying a crook sent to recruit a reluctant, "retired" criminal to help in a heist. The heavy use of British dialects makes the subtitle feature of the DVD very handy. Grade: B

The Secret Life of Bees (book review)

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in South Carolina in the 1960s, this tale of a teenage girl searching for her place in the world is by turns poignant, spiritual, inspirational, funny and educational. Its only flaw for me was that it seemed at times to slip out of the adolescent voice and into the adult voice without explanation. I found the book very moving. Grade: A-

Skinny Dip (book review)

Skinny Dip, by Carl Hiaasen (2004). A funny thriller by the Florida-based writer. It starts with a woman being pushed over the side of a cruise ship at sea. "I married an asshole," she thinks as she plunges toward the water. But her husband has miscalculated, as she is a superb athlete and was on her college swimming team. Should she turn him in to the police, or would it be more entertaining to get her revenge another way? Grade: B+

You Remind Me of Me (book review)

You Remind Me of Me, by Dan Chaon (2004). A young boy is attacked by the family dog, leaving his face scarred for life. Later, he learns that he has a half-brother that his parents never told him about. His odyssey to find his brother and ultimately himself comprises this novel. Grade: A

The Return of the King (DVD review)

The Return of the King is the third and final installment in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Directed by Peter Jackson, it features stunning visuals -- and a three-hour running length. The plot will be familiar to Tolkien fans, and it is a stirring account of the final battle between Men and Evil in Middle Earth. The dialog is hard to understand at times, but the DVD has English subtitles available, so if you want you can catch all the nuances of the script by turning on the subtitles. I found this feature particularly helpful in understanding characters like Gollum and Gimli the dwarf. Grade: A-

Bel Canto (book review)

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (2001). A select group of opera lovers find themselves taken hostage in a botched kidnapping attempt. The novel traces the path they follow as they are confined with their captors and gradually captives and captors begin to form bonds. Tends to drag a bit in spots, but overall an acute observation of human nature. Grade: B+

Mean Girls (DVD movie review)

Mean Girls, starring Lindsay Lohan. This movie, based on the book "Queen Bees and Wannabees," leaves a bit to be desired, yet Lohan is winning as the girl who starts at a new school and must learn the savage ways of teenage girls. Grade: B

Star Wars (DVD movie review)

Star Wars IV: A New Hope. Everyone knows this was the first "Star Wars" film, but according to Lucas it's part 4 of the story. It may be a treat for fans or first-time viewers, but it didn't hold up that well for me. The biggest positive is the quality of the image, which has been cleaned up for the DVD and is superb. The DVD also offers English subtitles, so you can catch subtleties of dialog you may have missed before. Grade: B

Man on Fire (DVD movie review)

Man on Fire, starring Denzel Washington. Jazzy cinematography can't disguise retro script, which is a pretty much standard revenge drama. Set in Mexico, with Denzel playing a bodyguard hired to protect a young girl (Dakota Fanning) from kidnappers. Grade: C

Camouflage (book review)

Camouflage, by Joe Haldeman (2004). Haldeman, author of "The Forever War," produces readable, old-fashioned science fiction. "Camouflage" is not a great work of literature, but it is a great read for science fiction fans. Two ancient aliens, both able to change their appearance, have lived undetected on Earth since prehistory. One learns to be more human, while the other lives to kill. By the end of the book, they will meet each other in a climax with a couple of nice twists. Grade: B+

Shadow Divers (book review)

Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson (2004). One of the best books I've read in a long time, this is a nonfiction account of the discovery and exploration of a previously unknown German U-boat that sank off the New Jersey coast during World War II. Kurson goes beyond the narrative of the dive and search of the U-boat to delve into the lives and background of the characters who partake in the quest, and this is what makes the book so compelling. Grade: A

Jersey Girl (DVD review)

Jersey Girl (2004) starring Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, George Carlin, Raquel Castro. Jennifer Lopez stars early in the film as Affleck's wife, who dies in labor. Affleck must come to terms with single fatherhood, and Liv Tyler is appealing as the young woman who helps bring him back into the world of the living. A pretty good cast is wasted in this movie, in which the script hits wrong note after wrong note until you might just want to scream. Grade: C-

The Ladykillers (DVD review)

The Ladykillers (2004) starring Tom Hanks. Occasionally amusing, mostly disappointing caper film about a group of would-be robbers who gather in an old woman's cellar for the purpose of tunneling from her house to the money room of a casino. The thieves are bumblers, as one would expect, but their bumbling is mostly irritating instead of funny. Even Tom Hanks, as the leader of the gang, hits a sour note in his portrayal by going a bit over the top in his acting. Grade: B-

Finding My Balance (book review)

Finding My Balance by Mariel Hemingway (2003). Hemingway, granddaughter of the famous author, writes somewhat movingly about her life, which has certainly contained its fair share of tragedy. She uses yoga as a framing device, starting and ending each chapter with a description of one of her favorite yoga positions. This sounds like it might be interesting, but unless you're already into yoga it probably won't be. Mariel Hemingway is a beautiful woman, a successful actress, and rich to boot. In this book, however, she comes off sounding rather simple-minded and occasionally a little shallow and self-absorbed. Grade: C

Truth and Beauty (book review)

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett. Dedicated to Lucy Grealy, 1963-2002. Patchett and Grealy are both well-known in literary circles, and this book is a very intimate and touching look at their friendship of many years. It makes a good follow-up to Grealy's book, "Autobiography of a Face," in which she describes her childhood cancer and the aftermath of the many operations she underwent to try to repair the damage it did to her face. Read "Autobiography" first if you get the chance. Grade: A

Rain Man (DVD review)

Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise star in the 1988 winner of the Best Picture Oscar. Although the film seems a little dated now, it still has many comic moments and evokes deep feelings about the relationship between the two brothers. Great soundtrack, too. Grade: A

The Passion of the Christ (DVD review)

(2004) As most movie-goers probably know by now, this is Mel Gibson's production of a film depicting the brutal torture and crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of Romans and Jews. Viewers will have to decide for themselves whether they want to venture into this territory. It is bloody and violent, but there are also a few moments of tenderness and compassion. Grade: B

The Girl Next Door (DVD review)

(2004) A sexy young woman moves in next door to a lonely high-school boy. To his surprise, she shows interest in him. Everything is fine -- until he learns that she is a porn star. Then the movie goes flying off the rails into bad taste and poor script. Execrable. Grade: D-

Dogville (movie review)

Dogville (2003, on DVD). Written and directed by Lars von Trier. Nicole Kidman plays a young woman who seeks refuge in a remote mountain village, and slowly comes under repression at the hands of the local citizens. "Dogville" features a large, diverse and talented cast, but at three hours it is tedious, needlessly cruel, and depressing. Grade: D

Ella Enchanted (movie review)

Ella Enchanted (2004). The improbably beautiful young Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries") stars as Ella, a maiden in a magical kingdom. At birth, she receives the "gift" of obedience from a wacky fairy, and then her problems begin. The spell requires her to do whatever she is told to do, and her wicked stepsister makes her life a misery. A mixture of Cinderella, Shrek and, well, The Princess Diaries, this movie seems squarely aimed at tween girls, but could also be enjoyed by families (don't make the boys watch it). I've read that the movie is not true to the book it is based on, but I haven't read the book so didn't mind. Grade: B+

Calendar Girls (movie review)

Calendar Girls (2003, on DVD) A ladies club in England decides to raise money by having members pose nude (sort of) for a calendar. There's all sorts of controversy, of course, until the calendar becomes a smashing surprise success. This is a rather charming movie, but unfortunately the audience who will appreciate it is mostly limited to women over 50. Grade: B

How I Killed My Father (movie review)

How I Killed My Father (2003) on DVD. In French, with English subtitles. The title to this movie has also been translated into English as "My Father and I," which certainly takes the punch out of it. It features an age-old story, told in modern fashion, of the conflict between a father and son. The son, a successful and wealthy doctor, gets a letter telling him his father has died and was unable to return to France. A few moments later, the father appears, apparently alive, in the crowd at a party at the son's mansion. Is the father really alive? Is he a fantasy of the son's mind? Is the story being told in flashback? It's never really clear, and scarcely matters. Ultimately, there are no characters to like, and it's hard to care what happens. Grade: B-

Starsky & Hutch (movie review)

Starsky & Hutch (2004), DVD. Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Juliette Lewis. Well-intentioned comedy version of '70s TV show may be most pleasing to fans of the original series. Sports a fine supporting cast and provides a few genuine laughs, along with the usual Ben Stiller nonsense. Owen Wilson is laid back as usual. Grade: B

Bon Voyage (movie review)

Bon Voyage (2003) DVD, in French with English subtitles. It's 1940, and a beautiful actress gets in a bind when she kills the sex maniac who is stalking her. She's a user of men, and she recruits a faithful friend to help her cover up the killing.

France is about to be invaded by Germany, and this film is a strange brew of comedy and tragedy as madcap adventures are set against the ominous advent of the Nazis in Paris and throughout France.

The lead actors will not be familiar to most American viewers (with the exception of Peter Coyote, who apparently speaks French and German), but they are appealing and the leading man will remind many of a French Noah Wyle.

It's a bit of a mixed bag, but I liked it. Grade: B

Weapons of Choice (book review)

Tedious sci-fi tale about a naval battle group that gets thrown back in time from 2021 to (big coincidence) the Battle of Midway. Will modern weapons affect the outcome of World War II? Will you care after you wade through this book, which is just Part One of a trilogy?

A difficult read and not especially entertaining. Grade: C

More Reviews...

To see more movie and book reviews, click on the Archives section (left).

Hellboy (movie review)

Hellboy (2004), DVD. Starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair. Another comic book brought to the movie screen. It's no "Spider-Man," but "Hellboy" should please fans of the genre, with plenty of action, special effects, and really evil villains -- plus a fine performance by Perlman as the title character, and a script that has a sense of humor as well as of drama. Grade: B

Take the Cannoli (book review)

Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell (2000). A fine collection of humorous, insightful essays. Vowell is bemused by the contemporary American scene, but also by herself. A good read. Grade: B+

The Big Bounce (movie review)

The Big Bounce (2004, DVD), starring Owen Wilson, Sara Foster, Morgan Freeman, Gary Sinise, Charlie Sheen. Based on an Elmore Leonard book, this movie drifts far off course and leaves the viewer out at sea. It's supposed to be a kind of wacky caper film, but it misfires at almost every turn. Despite the goofy charm of Owen Wilson and the youthful beauty of Sara Foster, there's just not enough here to keep us entertained. Grade: D

This is me.

Freaky Friday (movie review)

Freaky Friday (2003), starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan. Some will say this movie's target audience is tween girls and their mothers, but I found it charming, disarming and funny. True, it's completely implausible, but who cares? It's a fantasy.

It's a remake of the 1977 film starring Jodie Foster, and it does a good job of updating the story about a mother and daughter who "magically" switch bodies for a day. The stars, Curtis and Lohan, both deliver pitch-perfect performances as they juggle their magical, switched identities and their "real" identities.

The bottom line? I've seen this movie twice, once in theater and once on DVD, and both times it left me feeling entertained and feeling good.

Grade: A-

13 Going on 30 (Movie Review)

Jennifer Garner is incandescent as a 13-year-old who is magically transported into her own body at age 30. She sparkles, she shines, she makes us laugh.

Unfortunately, she is not supported by a strong script or a strong cast. Although there are some good performances around her, they don't rise to her level, and Mark Ruffalo in particular is weak as her love interest.

Grade: Jennifer Garner: A, Script: C, Movie: B

Bad Santa (movie review)

See Santa Claus. (Actually, it's Billy Bob Thornton in a bad Santa outfit.) See Santa Claus drink. Santa Claus is a f**king alcoholic and big-time thief. Oh, by the way, Santa's favorite word is "f**k," and if you don't like it you better skip this movie. In fact, skip this movie anyway.

Santa's scam is to take a job as a department-store Santa, work until Christmas Eve, then use his position to rob the store and make his getaway.

Along the way Santa meets a pathetic kid who is the victim of bullies. Santa needs a place to stay, so he moves into the kid's house (kid's parents are conveniently gone). Inexplicably, Santa grows a heart.

So we have a happy, sentimental ending? Not quite. The kid is really, really not appealing, and Santa is really, really not a sympathetic character.

Bad Santa is a bad movie. Grade: C-

The Barbarian Invasions (movie review)

The Barbarian Invasions (2003), in French with English subtitles. A college professor who has been a philanderer for his entire adult life is dying of cancer. His family, in particular his estranged son, gather round to bid him farewell. For all the sins of his earlier life he is miraculously, unbelievably forgiven before the inevitable end.

The story takes place in Canada, with a couple of side trips to the U.S., where superior medical care is available for a price. The son procures heroin for the father to ease his pain and, later, to ease his death. While I was curiously unmoved by this film, it did hold my interest, with a cast of interesting characters. Grade: B-