Dangerous (1935)

Down and out actress who's known as a jinx is rescued by a rich guy who feels he owes his inspiration and success to seeing her give a performance years ago. Starts off pretty well…but the hero's really no prize. He happily drops his fiance for the actress -- and then assumes the worst of his new "love." I mean, come on. Does his heart only go along the path of least resistance?

B-

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

I find it very difficult to grade this film without also grading the man (even in his fictional form) at the center of the story. This guy was a jerk who thought the rules didn't apply to him. He believed himself to be head and shoulders above others -- the only one with potential for originality. There's a tremendous scene in which he plays Go and, when he loses, blames the game for his loss, declaring that his play was perfect...knocking over the board in his hurry to escape from the failure.

The tragedy of this movie is that all of the amazing portions of it are simply inventions (either of his imagination or of the filmmakers). The secret government work? Awesome, but fake. The "stick with my man even in the rough times" attitude of his wife? Wonderful, but that's not the way it happened... Ron Howard seems incapable of trusting his audience with the truth, rough edges and all, about this unlikable man -- demanding that we not only respect his genius, but feel all warm and fuzzy about his behavior too.

This was the second time I've seen this film - the first time was in the theater after it'd been nominated. I remember that, at that time, I was quite irritated with Crowe's performance as it seemed to be just a collection of tics. This time, I appreciated the performance more -- due in no small part, I'm sure, to the fact that I was in my living room and able to rewind a bit to catch things he mumbled.

Certainly worth watching, but don't believe for a minute you're watching an accurate bio-pic.

B-

The Aviator (2004)

I've said it before and I'll say it again…if you can't tell your story in about 2 hours, you don't have a movie -- you have a miniseries!

This might have been a decent film if it'd been considerably tighter, but there's really no telling. As it stands, I was just irritated and confused. Howard's mid-movie descent into madness in the screening room is too abrupt...or are we to believe that a fingerprint on a glass would be that traumatizing? In the same vein, the return to semi-sanity is really, really quick - Ava shaves him and buttons him up and he's ready to do battle at his hearing. Well, well -- if it's that easy to overcome, why doesn't he do it every damn day? Ugh.

Cate Blanchett is, however, really really good.

C-

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

I was pretty disappointed when this got nominated for its screenplay because that meant that I'd "have" to watch it.

What a pleasant surprise! Bernal is, of course, adorable as the young Guevara. The story is also one of those stories that make me feel as though there's hope for humanity and that I might be able to play a part in it bettering the planet as a whole.

B+

Baby Doll (1956)

Overwrought and seamy. Just felt nasty and ignorant and way too loud - and none of the actors grasped the concept of subtlety. Another black mark against Tennessee Williams.

D

Being Julia (2004)

I really didn't want to see this movie. Somewhere along the line I adopted the idea that this was an "aging actress film." I imagined lots of introspection and tears while she slowly realizes she can no longer command the stage as she once did...and must concede starring roles to bimbos while taking supporting "Auntie" parts.

Oh, my. I don't think I could have gotten this movie more wrong if that had been my intent! This was so vibrant and alive and funny and tricky that the entire (packed) audience was just eating it up, me included. When I wasn't laughing, I was grinning or wide-eyed. Bening, you're a goddess!

A

Vera Drake (2004)

Heart-of-gold cleaning woman has a life hidden from all those closest to her. The movie's not bad...but the several repetitious scenes in a movie that's far too long really got on my nerves. It was also quite hard for me to believe that someone seemingly so naturally good would be able to hide these illegal activities from everyone. If she believed so strongly in the righteousness of her acts, no way could she not have spoken these beliefs aloud -- especially to her openly crazy-about-her husband. The very best parts of the movie were those that concerned bachelor Reg and his slowly blossoming romance with daughter Ethel. Those were heartwarming and welcome.

B-

Series 7: The Contenders (2001)

I love the fact that, although the premise is completely unbelievable (reality show where the last one alive wins), it's also got a real handle on familiar show structure. The new contestants, for the most part, have great loathing/disdain for the reigning champion - but quite quickly become every bit as ruthless. While watching, both Nathan and I got so into the rhythm of the show that I actually started to fast-forward when the pre-advertising bumper ("coming up on the Contenders...") showed. This is clever without being too much so for its own good...and moves at a marvelous clip. There's no boredom here.

A-

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)

This was pretty interesting…but not nearly as interesting (and explosive) as I thought it'd be. I confess that I knew nothing of the band before I sat down to watch this film and I wonder if that has something to do with my lack of passion for this "inside peek." My interest was more general -- watching how a band finds songs and decides on titles was cool...seeing them psychobabble with a therapist were, for me, the least moving portions.

Gary and I had quite a few "pause & chat" breaks while we watched. We had different sympathies (mine were with Hetfield, his with Ulrich) and that this was a catalyst for talking about what we think are fair expectations in working relationships made it a source of value in an unusual way.

B-

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Hilary Swank reminds everyone why she's an award-winning actress in this one. It's a tearjerker that left me not feeling resentful at having sobbed. The last third goes on a little longer than I thought necessary -- but I don't begrudge the indulgence. It's a good, solid movie with a couple of beautiful, believable, much-needed relationships at the core.

B+

Smilin' Through (1933)

It's pleasant for the most part…but pleasant ain't enough, especially when we're dealing with true love, eh?

C+

P.S. (2004)

Such a wonderful premise - like a "Chances Are" played straight rather than for laughs. Same name, same face, same phrases, same artistic bent of an admissions director's long-dead boyfriend show up in a college applicant.

Grace and Linney are breathtaking in their amazement at each other (her for the miracle of what seems to be a walking dream -- him for the wondrous gift of being surprisingly desired by a desirable woman). It makes the fact that the mystical bent of the film seems to be abandoned about three-quarters of the way through quite a letdown. We're left to assume that the relationship continues (or doesn't) with little regard for the extremely unusual catalyst.

B

The Divine Lady (1929)

Cook's daughter rises to ambassadress and becomes a key figure in England's naval victories while also being the center of scandal. Not horrible, but pretty blah.

C-

Charley Varrick (1973)

Hard to categorize this one - it could've been a thriller, but it's so matter-of-fact. Matthau just quietly, emotionlessly, does what he needs to do to save himself. It's good, but the lack of emotion does hurt it, in my opinion.

B

Ray (2004)

Jamie Foxx is a gifted mimic - but I never felt anything BUT the mimicry of the performance. Emotionally, I felt nothing…poor writing? Probably. Poor acting? Possibly.

If Foxx wins an award this year, I hope it's for Collateral and not this one (though I doubt I'll get my wish). What a shame the mesmerizing Sharon Warren was ignored in the supporting actress category. Her scenes made me wish I was watching a film strictly about the youth of Mr. Charles and the onset of his blindness. As a whole, the production felt very linear - like a mildly interesting biography I was skimming.

B-

Mean Creek (2004)

Very effective. Kids decide to get back at a bully and, despite changing their minds, things go horribly wrong. Haunting and horrifying.

B+

Brute Force (1947)

Kind of stagy, but pretty good anyway. The singing prisoner named "Calypso" is ridiculous though, as is the photo of the representative woman in the cell.

B