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 pageants – so cleverly shown in the opening scene, and her off-the-wall talent performance at …

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 …

A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

Robert 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 …

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 …

Last Comic Standing Finale

Congratulations, America! Your most popular comedian (voted by you) is a cripple. How telling, how sadly ironic. Please don’t bash me over the head with your political correctness, or call me a bigot. Try to understand this simple comedy concept – the audience should be laughing with the comedian. As soon as they’re laughing AT …

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, …

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 …

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. …

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). …