Diva (1982)

Really looked forward to seeing this, but was let down somewhat by the seen-that-before feel. Some surprises, but far too few. And…she may be a diva – but she's no actress.

C+

The Knack...and How to Get It (1965)

Leonard Martin calls this "extremely funny." Leonard Maltin's a filthy liar. Extremely uncomfortable at times. I didn't enjoy it one whit - and Michael Crawford does his "Hello Dolly" dumb guy schtick. Hated it then. Hate it now.

D+

Hamlet (1948)

For the first time, I feel that I truly understand what all those mouthfuls of dialogue mean! I don't LOVE this film, but I thought it was so well done -- instead of seeming pretentious (as Branagh's Shakespeare always feels to me), the story seemed truly distressing and tragic. And I could FOLLOW it! Call the papers!

B+

Isadora (1968)

I don't know why so many biographies center around whiny hedonistic sorts… This is just that type of movie. I looked up the running time after I'd been watching it for what seemed like months to gauge when I could hope for its end; Maltin's guide insisted that it was only a bit over 2 hours -- I was wagering on a running time of over 3. I lost the bet.

F

Blade II (2002)

Far surpasses the original. Effects and fight scenes were stupendous. Plenty of "why the heck don't they…" moments, but hey! What do I want? LOGICAL bloodsuckers and their hideous wide-mouthed, flower-tongued cousins? Good fun.

B-

The Time Machine (2002)

Given the negative reviews, I was really surprised by this film. The effects were beautiful and the story heart-pounding.

B

Cast Away (2000)

Better than I remembered (saw in theatrical release and didn’t care for it – reviewed after catching it on TV). Tom's travails are mesmerizing, even when he spreads about a half page of dialogue over an hour of screen time. It's the third act that kills this movie. The teary reunion between Chuck and the gal he left behind is quite yucky, considering she has a loving husband & daughter now. Are we supposed to be hoping they get back together? Ugh.

B

Don't Say a Word (2001)

Not bad for what it is: a time-limit ransom thriller.

C+

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990)

Young buck kidnaps the girl of his dreams…just until she falls in love with him. Hmmm…think she's gonna fall in love with him? Still, I liked it – except for the weird masturbatory scene with the scuba toy, that is. That scene may have had more to do with a gorgeous body than story-telling.

B

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)

Nice follow-up to the original…not just a rehash of what was done before. Although the set-up takes a little while & I don't know what they were thinking with the future get-ups…

The Grim Reaper steals this show. He just cracked me up continually.

B-

The Stunt Man (1980)

I hate being confused…and I loathe films that take pleasure in deliberate confusion. There were some clever moments in this -- but the first hour or so was a perpetual nightmare impossible to unravel.

C-

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Really silly -- terribly funny low-rent flick about a couple of dummies plucking famous figures from history and bringing them back to modern-day California. My boys just couldn't stop laughing, and it wasn't mass hysteria. The stuff is seriously funny!

B