Romancing the Stone (1984)

Turner is a fish-out-of-water city girl hooking up with action-guy Douglas in Colombia. A lot of fun, but shows its age far too often (especially with the distinctly '80s score).

B-

Trader Horn (1931)

There's just no one to like in this film that plays like a grainy overview of the dangers of Africa. Horn is a bigoted ass with a God-complex; Peru is a namby-pamby imbecile; Nina is a screeching banshee...yuck on all counts.

D+

The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)

This is like sitting through the longest elementary presentation ever – without even having a kid you know involved. Looks like the bits were made up on the spot and they didn't have enough film stock for retakes when the voices wavered and the timing fell flat. I kind of wish I'd been alive back then...doesn't look like it took much talent to be a star.

F

The Accused (1949)

Pretty good drama with Loretta Young committing self-defense homicide then covering it up. She does a nice job of convincing us of how hunted she feels. Got just a *tad* unbelievable in her breakdown scene, but that's just a minor flaw in a decent film.

B

The Arrival (1996)

Fairly well-done B-movie. Doesn't take itself seriously and it's diverting…but ultimately forgettable.

C+

Charlie's Angels (2000)

I'm almost embarrassed to admit how entertaining this film was. Great implausible action sequences and some funny throwaway lines along with a lot less skin than I expected.

B

You Can't Take It with You (1938)

Tries to take on class consciousness in its more serious scenes, but works best when it's all-out zany. Jean Arthur's usually grating voice actually seems at home in her wacky household.

B

The Glass House (2001)

Orphaned teen and spoiled younger brother go to live with evil guardians who live in a sterile house. You can tell they're evil because…the kids SHARE A ROOM and, well, because...THEY LISTEN TO PRIVATE PHONE CONVERSATIONS....mwuhahahahaha!

Too bad it doesn't try harder.

D+

Cleopatra (1934)

Static, pedestrian film that gets downright silly during the initial seduction of Antony scene and then a tiny bit interesting near the end. But a slightly interesting finish does not a recommendation make.

C-

Cheaters (2000)

Chronicle of actual academic team from a poor school cheating their way to the top. While I was interested in the story, it just went on a bit too long and made the slighted team member/snitch seem clownishly unbelievable.

C+

America's Sweethearts (2001)

It seems as though they relegated all the potentially hysterical and interesting pieces to the sidelines and instead chose the pedestrian "blooming love" as their centerpiece. What a waste! I could have watched clips of the ending "film" for much longer than was allowed; and it would have been great to have more of the scheming Tucci.

Ah well, as it is, I didn't hate it...but there's no need to either see it again or recommend it to anyone. Catherine Zeta Jones does a wonderful job, though, as the self-absorbed diva. Come to think of it, she pulled off much the same character-type in High Fidelity.

B-

Serendipity (2001)

The leads are both so sweet that I was actually rooting for them. It all works out just the way it should without being too over-the-top (oh - except for the fussy Eugene Levy salesperson role).

B-

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Stupidest undercover cop ever…with equally dumb superiors….and big-time dummy movie editors combine to make this one unbelievable lump of film. Watch it for the races.

D+

Body and Soul (1947)

Nicely done story of boxing mug being taken to the top, and for a ride, by shady management. Luckily, he has a faithful woman to stick by him. Uplifting, though rather long, tale.

B