The Stepford Wives

Two Stars
Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Glen Close, Christopher Walkin

It's not really funny, and it's not really freaky. As long as you're not looking for much in eiher of those categories, you'll enjoy the fascinating concept and plot lines. The ending is too drawn out and extreamly corny, the story progresses too slowly, and starts without a clear introduction. The real pleasure in watching is to see great performances from some of my favorite actors. Glen Close is masterful, her charecter by it's nature rubs you wrong, but she amazes you when you are completly drawn in by her. Chirstopher Walkin delivers another show saving performance and even Bette Middler returns to her former caliber performances (with the exception of the conclusion) in this film.

The best part of the movie are the plot twists in the mystery. Unfortunatly, this triumph of writing is mired in the stringy conclusion. Watch this movie on an occasion when you aren't looking to be dazzled, and you'll come off a fan of The Stepford Wives.

Napolean Dynamite

Three and One Half Stars

I've heard critics chirping about this film for a few months now. I'd wanted to see it, but hadn't had the chance. When it came up on the list of in-room movies at the hotel, we decided this was our chance.

Napolean Dynamite lived up to every desctiption of a bizzare, quirky film. The format was very unorthodox, almost like a mockumentary, but without the narration and direct shot cinematography. After being completly dissarmed by the style of the film, you become immediatly involved with the charecters. Thier progression is slow, but boredome never becomes a factor as the stange and unique happenings of this little Idaho town (shot entirely on location) keep you mesmerized. You can't realy define whether plot development is a factor becasue there really is no plot, it's almost a video diary you follow.

Come with an open mind and readiness to laugh at others' missfortunes and you'll likely enjoy "Dynamite".

L.A. Confidential

Two Stars
Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, James Cromwell

We watched what must have been an edited version of this movie on a cable network late one night this week. I'm glad it was as the accounts of the movie from others who have seen it were grimm at best. Thanks to the editing, I was left with a rather good movie.

At first L.A. Confidential had a similar feel to "The Untouchables", even a bit of "Dragnet". But soon the disturbing sub plots overshadowed the quaint feel of late 40's Hollywood. Luckily the murder mystery balances out the bizzare storyline.

Russle Crowe, one of my favorite actors to watch, makes his US film debut in L.A. Confidential. His performace however is lackluster in comparisson to his late works. I don't know wheather to attribute that to personal acting habits or directorial coaxing. This film is peppered with other great performances by Danny DeVito, James Cromwell, and the outstandingly subdued detective played by Kevin Spacey.