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Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
 People keep saying that Abigail Breslin (she was also in Signs) steals this film. That's not exactly accurate. Yes, she's the main character of Little Miss Sunshine, and the film begins and ends with her. Her wide-eyed fascination with beauty pagents - so cleverly shown in the opening scene, and her off-the-wall talent performance at the pagent at the end of the movie establish a sweet, vulnerable, lovable character, Olive. But don't for a second forget Olive's dysfunctional, outrageous family - who manage to both support and let her down in one phrase. They are all supposed to be background (probably in the script they were), but when you have Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin in the same room - they're anything but background. I'm glad that the camera stayed on them a little longer, and the editor left them in more scenes. Otherwise, you'd get a feeling their talents were wasted. This is an amazing ensemble effort, for a film where it's not necessary - the story tells itself quite easily. read more...
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Al Franken: God Spoke (2006)
 We rarely get political on this site, hence the absence of Michael Moore's and Al Gore's controversial documentaries, or any documentaries for that matter. However, when a well-known comedian jumps into book publishing, then talk radio, and even politics - all with great success, it must be noted. Al Franken, one of few truly creative minds that came out of Saturday Night Live ensemble is here with a documentary movie. "God Spoke" - the fun starts right there, with the title. For those not familiar with the man, and his political work over the past few years - pick up his books. The documentary is a natural extension of the books - it is a gentle introduction to how a one-line writer got involved in press headlines, in local politics, and eventually in Washington shenanigans - while still remaining a comedian and entertainer at heart. For those who have read Al's bestselling "Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them", and recently, "The Truth in Jokes" - some of scenes in this movie will be familiar. Juxstaposed with news reels, and with Al's early SNL work - this film is a story of a personal journey, in a way - a man's ongoing battle for truth. read more...
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A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
 Rovert Altman finally got his Oscar in 2006 - but it wasn't for a specific movie. It was a lifetime achievement, a handout, something you give to the best kid in class just to shut him up. Looks like the Oscar was wasted, because his "lifetime" is far from over - judging by Prairie Home Companion, Altman is still the man. Even when he takes such a frivolous, easygoing subject as live radio - he manages to infuse it with so much class - it's a marvel to watch, and a pleasureto listen to his characters. After watching his movies, without fail, I always want to see another of his movies. Not the same one - that's overkill, but another film, with other actors, doing the same overlapping, observational, very personal dialogue. This is as close as you get to the concept of "putting a bunch of actors around a table and turning on a camera". There's a show on TV that does this - called "Dinner for Five" - watch it, if you're an Altman fan. And go check out his other movies. read more...
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The Da Vinci Code (2006)
 The Da Vinci Code is apparently a phenomenal book. Not necessarily a good book, but it sold about seven gazillion copies, in forty three thousand languages, made Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) the richest man alive, and now we're taking book orders from Mars and Jupiter. Everyone wants to read the book, everyone has read it. Now is time for a tiny, slightly embarrassing confession: I have not read the book. My wife, my younger cat both did - and both encouraged me to delve into this masterpiece, but somehow (maybe due to the entire world breathing down my neck) I decided not to. Just didn't care for it. So when the movie was finally teased on the big screen - I believe it was June 2005, almost a year before the big premiere - I got curious. Nope, I still didn't read the book, watching as the whole world once again plunged into Dan Brown's fiction novel, convincing itself (and possibly others) that this is a groundbreaking discovery, I stayed away. Knew some details, was familiar with the historical parallels, but still didn't see anything to go ga-ga over. read more...
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The Matador (2005)
Pearce Brosnan is an anti-Bond. A killer with a crisis of conscience. A former suave spy who's losing his velvet touch, and is sliding into drunken stupor. This movie was sold to us as the first big acting change for Brosnan. He mocks the famous Bond persona, ditches the class and becomes an antihero. Yes, The Matador is that kind of movie, but it's not the first time Pierce got drunk and stinky on screen. That's an outright lie, designed to lure people into theaters. Those with a bit of memory will recall The Taylor of Panama - the first departure for Brosnan - a delicious spy caper, with a despicable anti-hero. Great movie, with great political themes. Check it out sometime - Geoffrey Rush is amazing, as always, and the tone of the film is so great. read more...
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Superman Returns (2006)
 The Man of Steel is back, after 19 years of movie development hell. Multiple rewrites, many failed casting ideas, many walk-outs. So now what? Are we expected to embrace this sequel, simply because it's been "nurtured" for so long, or because superhero movies are popular these days? Perhaps we should instantly fall in love with the film based on overwhelming marketing campaign? I can no longer tell what "reviews" are plants, and what - come from people who have the balls and honestly to day "the new Superman movie is FAR from a satisfying experience". I tend to agree with these people. Not as an act of countercurrent to hip, jolly plugging of the new and improved Superman brand, but as a natural, honest reaction. Why? A movie that's gone through so much production hell doesn't have to feel like a burden. It's a fantastic story, with great characters, and involving plot, but it's so damn dark and slow, I felt like I was watching yet another Batman origin story. Where did all the fun go? The man can fly, see through walls, and hear multiple sound waves. Why is he not having any fun? read more...
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Inside Man (2006)
 Jodie Foster doesn't do bad movies. That's a fact, and if you take a look at her resume, you will agree. She picks her projects methodically, doesn't overkill us with 2-3 films a year, and always, always leaves behind a great, appealing, real character. Even her little cameo in "A Very Long Engagement" was precious. Her films might be misunderstood, or before their time (Contact, Nell), even formulaic (Panic Room, Maverick), but she still manages to elevate the quality of the film, making the scene(s) more grounded, and characters easier to relate to. In "Inside Man" Jodie plays a secondary character - her appearance and role are minimal, yet necessary to establish the moral center of the movie. But man, does she steal those few fleeting scenes. Not to say the leads are weak - they are indeed very good. The problem with male leads of this film is that they're stuck in "been there, done that" mode. The roles fit them both, but the roles are quite tired. read more...
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V for Vendetta (2005)
 Alan Moore (whose graphic novel this movie is based on) is striking out for the third time. His other works have been transferred to big screen, but with little success. From Hell, starring Johnny Depp was a classic thriller. It was too scary for audiences, and the critics didn't like the female lead (Heather Graham). Then there was League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - the second graphic novel I ever got. Man, was I looking forward to this - famous literary heroes banding together for a fantastic adventure. And despite exceptional source material, and some cool casting (Peta Wilson, Stuart Townsent, Richard Roxburgh anyone), the movie fell flat. I adored the over-the-top effects and the Nautilus, but the story, the heart of the adventure was gutted. Now comes along V for Vendetta. read more...
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Poseidon (2006)
 Wolfgang Petersen just has no luck these days. The director who gave us Das Boot, Enemy Mine, Air Force One and The Perfect Storm is wading back into the water with Poseidon, and it seems nobody wants to swim along. Sure, after a few weeks in theaters the film has made its money back (or most of it anyway), and there's always overseas market, the IMAX screens, and the DVD releases. But the mass appeal is gone. Even for a remake, Poseidon is not faring very well, with either critics or audiences, and it's a real shame. Here is a movie that's been sold as an action flick, but has so much more to offer - perhaps a credit to stars, or writers - and many of us are going to miss it completely. read more...
Note: josh lucas, kurt russell, richard dreyfuss
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Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
 I think I know J.J. Abrams' weakness when it comes to his projects - he's a premature ejaculator. Seriously, this guy either finishes up the fun part(s) way before he should, or he simply pulls out of the storyline, and abandons it. I've seen this problem with Alias series, MI3 movie, and I'm afraid the same fate awaits Lost. Abrams can put on a great show, but he leaves it altogether (or in the wrong hands), and the project implodes or loses its track. Mission Impossible is a disappointing movie in the franchise, but it's a very good action flick on its own. It wants and tries to be so much more, and for the first half or so - it succeeds. Tom Cruise (you know, the guy who owns the franchise, calls all the shots and controls the universe) made a good choice hiring J.J. Abrams, but he should have been involved in the editing process, or at least, read the script from the end to the beginning a few times. All the elements are there, but what starts off as an intense spy caper becomes a loud, flashy action film - worthy of summer blockbuster title, but unfortunately, not being able to live up to its name. The mission is very much possible, and very much tired. And if you've been watching action dramas on TV (24, Alias, the Unit), you might just be bored. Let's not even compare this franchise to Jason Bourne series. read more...
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