The Fisher King

As if from current headlines, The Fisher King (1991) is still relevant, touching, and instructive. Monty Python alumnus, Terry Gilliam, spins a haunting tale of guilt and redemption. I wonder why I like these movies so much? Hmmm....

Robin Williams (Moscow on the Hudson, Awakenings, and Patch Adams) plays a man who lost his wife in a New York City night club shooting rampage. His grief drives him to madness and homelessness. Sadly, the shooter was acting on the rants of a self-absorbed shock jock played by Jeff Bridges (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Jagged Edge, and The Fabulous Baker Boys).

Guilt from the incident drives Bridges to seek redemption from William's character who leads him on a crusade across Manhattan.

Mercedes Ruehl (Big, Crazy People, and recently part of the Entourage cast) won an Oscar for her role as Bridges long-suffering girlfriend. Between her angst, Bridges guilt and depression, and Williams psychosis, this movie has something everyone can recognize in themselves or someone close to them.

It is an emotional roller coaster. The same scene will have you in fits of laughter and fighting back tears. One of the basics of a good story is that the main character goes through some change over the journey. In this movie, all the main characters go through immense change.

Watch it with someone whom you love just the way they already are.

The Martian Child

In what should be required viewing for every parent, Director Menno Meyjes keeps us wondering just what is pretending, and what is reality. If you ever felt like an outsider at school, you will relate to at least one of the characters in this movie. If you are a parent of such a child, this movie will touch you deeper than anything you've seen since Lorenzo's Oil.

John Cusack (Sixteen Candles, Eight Men Out, and Serendipity) breaks out of his "Brat Pack" persona and becomes a real person with real emotions. As a widower, he is properly vulnerable and lonely. He decides to consider something he and his late wife has started to do, adopt.

Relative new-comer Bobby Coleman does a fantastic job playing the little boy who claims to be from Mars. What we don't know is if he really is, ala K-Pax, or if he is pretending. You'll not find out here.

The supporting cast is very good. Joan Cusack (Working Girl, My Blue Heaven, and too many others to pick from) plays, what else, John's sister. Amanda Peet (this is the first thing she has done since her Seinfeld appearances that I really liked) plays Cusack's gardener/friend. The sexual tention is obvious, but it is only once addressed on screen, and that is perfectly timed.

The sound-track is superb and you may want to add it to your collection. It is not however constantly in your face. It comes and goes and helps tell the story with lyrics in support of the scene.

While this movie is a little on the sappy side at the end, it is not over-done, and you probably won't mind. Watch it with someone who is unique.

Frequency

What happens when you twist a top notch thriller with a mild sci-fantacy with a family drama? I'm not sure either, but in 2000, Director Gregory Hobilt (Fallen and Untraceable currently in theaters) spins a masterful tale of time warped just-in-time heroism. Before Denzel Washington left himself messages in "Deja Vu", Dennis Quaid (The Right Stuff, The Big Easy, and Suspect plus a very good Bonny Raitt video) and Jim Caviezel (Pay It Forward, Unknown, and Deja Vu with Denzel) did it in "Frequency".

Fireman Father Quaid leaves clues as to his murderer, and then finds a way to communicate them to his grown up son Caviezel, decades later. It is a very clever concept, if not a new one. But, excellent acting and editing make this a very fun, exciting, movie to watch. But I fear I may have already given too much away.

Timing is everything, and this movie gets it right.

Watch it with someone who likes solving a good mystery.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story

If you have a daughter, watch this movie with her. Not only is this a great spin on the Cinderella tale, it is a fun story. Never mind Drew Barrymore's (E.T., Wedding Singe, and 50 First Dates) funky accent, she does a great job with this role. Angelica Houston (Prizzi's Honor, The Adam's Family series, and Lonesome Dove series) is perfect as usual. Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible II and Desperate Housewives series) is the ideal Prince Charming, once he learns how to behave.

The sets, costumes, and locations for this Andy Tennant (Fool's Rush In, Anna and the King, and Sweet Home Alabama) classic are worthy of several watches and should be a part of your personal collection if you have children of any age. There are plenty of familiar storybook names in here to keep their attention. Tennant does a fantastic job reeling his audience in with authentic everything. Like his other movies, this romantic comedy is truly fun to watch, multiple times.

Like most children's stories, this has a moral and it is a good one to make with young and old alike. The ending is very satisfying and well-played out. I especially recommend this movie if you have daughters. Mine loved this movie when they were young, and still do as far as I know. It is a very positive "girl power" story without being overly anti-male. Barrymore's Cinderella is smart and industrious and sticks to her principals. It are these characteristics that get her the Prince in the end, rather than magic.

This movie is certainly worth a watch again if you have not seen it in awhile. And if you have not seen it yet, please do so soon. Watch it with someone you hold dear.

Movies You Can Skip

In no particular order...

Feast Of Love - looked good on paper - Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinear, Fred Ward, Selma Blair, and Kate Mulligan all in a 'everybody loves somebody else' story - bad slow - no likeable characters except for the dog.

Peaceful Warrior - if you read the book you'll hate the movie for how badly it represented the characters - there are no gas stations on campus at Berkeley, so setting this one in the middle of a park is too unbelievable - the only relatable character is Joy and she is not on screen long enough (pretty much like the book).

Good Luck Chuck - this movie could have been called several other things, all of them just as stupid as the plot and characters, and none of them family-friendly - Jessica Alba and Dane Cook should have done a much better job of convincing us they were acting.

Dragon Wars - Korean myth placed in modern day LA - tough sell - but an honorable attempt - almost enough wire fighting and action, and the CG dragons were pretty good, but just not enough good acting, and too much of the other kind.

Death Sentence - if you plan the Kevin Bacon game, you can now add John Goodman as a direct link - but that is about the only pleasant thing about this movie - hard to watch - too many really bad decisions by the characters - and a rotten message to the audience.

3:10 To Yuma

I know Russell Crowe can do drama with action (Gladiator and Cinderella Man). I know he can do drama without action (Beautiful Mind). I know he can do comedy (A Good Year). But, I was not sure he could do a Western. I'm still not sure. Too much of his Maximus character was obvious in 3:10 To Yuma. That quiet, smirking, supremely confident leader from Gladiator showed up again to lead a group of miscreants who rob trains and stage coaches full of money.

Christian Bale (Reign of Fire, Batman Begins, and The Prestige) does a wonderful job playing a handicapped Civil War vet who is trying to make a go at ranching in 1870's Arizona. He has his reasons for everything which unfold and the story progresses. In the process he actually gains the respect of the bad guy (Crowe) he is trying to bring to justice as a hired mercenary.

My highest regards go to the supporting cast here. WOW. Peter Fonda (personally I think this is the best thing he has ever done) has the most recognizable name, but there are plenty of others who are absolutely perfect in their roles. Alan "Tandy Cakes?"Tudyk (Knight's Tale) is so much fun as a Veterinarian who tries to doctor-up a posse tossed together to go after Crowe's character.

There were a couple of plot flaws however. For instance, in one scene, the bad guys are chasing a stage coach as it approaches the safety of an army fort. The stage drivers are shot, and the passenger is burned alive inside the stage, but the army never comes out of the fort to challenge them or chase them away. All this happens within sight of the forts gates, and seemed very odd to me.

Another minor problem I had with this movie is the gun fight towards the end. A very small Arizona railroad town with a very loud fast-moving gun fight going on, and yet people are still out wandering around town, selling fruits and veggies? I don't think so.

But, all my petty negatives aside, this is a good story, well told.

Watch it with someone who is good at guessing other peoples's motives.

I Love You to Death

When she finds out the extent of his philandering, Tracey Ullman decides to kill her pizza shop owner husband Kevin Kline. The problem is he won't die. Even a couple of amateur hit men fail to get it done.

Don't you hate when that happens?

Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, The January Man, and De-Lovely) and Tracey Ullman (what hasn't she done) lead a very strong, very funny cast of recognizable faces. Joan Plowright (101 Dalmatians, Last Action Hero, and Dennis the Menace) stars as the scheming mother in law who attempts to poison Kline with her meat ball sauce. What married guy can't relate to that?

The late great River Phoenix (Sneakers, Indiana Jones Last Crusade, and Stand By Me) and Keanu Reeves (same character he has played in everything from Parenthood to Point Break when he got stoic all of a sudden) show up as determined, but luckless hit men. I have to admit being able to relate somewhat to these two guys. Some days are like that. Their dialogue is actually very very good.

Several other familiar faces and a very fast-paced script make this movie a fun story to watch, regardless of whom you are rooting for. Yes, this is a "guys=bad girls=good" movie, but not to the Thelma and Louise extent.

Watch this movie with someone who will still like you afterwards.

The Missing

This movie is first and foremost a story of redemption and forgiveness. This is not your typical blockbuster directed by Ron Howard. It is dark and haunting, but it is complete. There is nothing missing. It shows the complete range of movies Howard is capable of bringing to the screen.

Tommy Lee Jones (Men in Black series, Lonesome Dove series, and Al Gore's roommate at Harvard) leaves his family to "go injun" in this story set in 1885 New Mexico. His medicine woman daughter, Cate Blanchet (LOTR series, Aviator, and the next Indiana Jones movie) runs a ranch with her daughters. Daddy and daughter can't stand each other who turning their back on what the other considers important.

But, when girls are being kidnaped by thugs, and one of the girls is a granddaughter of Tommy Lee Jones, Daddy and Daughter unit, begrudging unit to get all the girls back. Jones is true to his Cherokee roots and goes after the bad guys. If you think you know what happens, think again.

Sounds sort of stock, but if you'd like to see a new twist on a western theme; and a bit dark at that, I recommend this one. Watch it with someone who does not jump too far when scary things happen.

Secondhand Lions

Released in 2003, Second Hand Lions had almost no publicity, and was in theaters for only a couple months. This is a shame, and the same is on the viewing public. This is a very fun story, believe it or not, very well told.

And come on, look at the cast: Haley Joel Osment (Forrest Gump, Sixth Sense, and Pay it Forward to name a few good ones), Michael Caine (The Man Who Would be King, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Cider House Rules as if I could pick from all his work), and Robert Duvall (MASH, The Godfather series, and The Natural amongst his best work), bring huge amounts of talent to this story. And from the looks of it, they had way too much fun telling it too.

If that is not enough to coax you into a peek, please consider that Kyra Sedgwick and Josh Lucas lead a very strong supporting cast.

This is very much a story about another story. If you grew up with an older family member who loved telling stories which you were not sure to believe or not, this story will bring back a few memories. It may even lead you to rethink a few of your conclusions.

If you are from Texas, or know anything about folks who live there, you'll appreciate that this story is actually totally believable.

Watch it with someone who has a very good imagination.

King of California

This confirms it. I love quirky independent movies. This one is almost a comedy. It is almost a drama. And it's not quite a tradgedy. I'm not sure where to put it. Regardless, it is totally Californian.

Mike Cahill, in his first time out as Director (and screenwriter) delivers a fractured family fairy tail of a story about the California dream. Or at least one of the many California dreams.

You'll probably relate to this movie if you loved your father despite his screw-ups, or if you have lived somewhere in suburban California in the last few years. You'll probably love this movie if you have ever hunted for treasure. And if you shop at Costco, I think your membership requires you to watch this so you can be move vigilant in the store.

Evan Rachel Wood makes her feature film debut as a fiercely independent, grudgingly delinquent 16-year-old daughter of Douglas's character. She also narrates the story in a way that all children of parents can appreciate.

There are plenty of unpredictable minor plot twists that keep you smiling, and a surprise ending that may keep you scratching your head. So let me know what you think. Did he? Or, didn't he?

Watch this movie with someone you are related to. You'll both enjoy it more.

Black Snake Moan

"There ain't but one kind of blues."

If you like Blues, you could enjoy this movie with your eyes closed. Watch it just for the music. But I strongly recommend keeping your eyes, and your mind, open.

At first, I was very hesitant to watch this movie, thinking it was going to be like Venus. I could not have been more wrong. Samuel L. Jackson sings and 'plays' some crispy, smothered in gravy, blues. Delicious.

"God done put you in my path. And I aim to cure you of your wickedness" spoken by the same voice that declared "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord" (Pulp Fiction) is just plain movie magic to me. Christina Ricci plays one messed up little girl. Does she play any other kind? Samuel L. Jackson sings her back to health. Can I get an AMEN?

Anyone who has spent more than 48 hours in the South should be able to recognize every single character in this movie. And you know I don't mean the actors. This is the most believable movie I've seen in a very long time.

Having said that, there is plenty to not like about this movie. The "R" rating is well earned, and some scenes are very hard to watch. And I don't just mean Justin Timberlake in military fatigues. Director Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow) has brought another brilliant story to the screen. Almost subliminal flashbacks tell the worst part of this story, but they are so well done that I felt haunted, but not sickened. And it really is a pretty sad, sick story told over and over every day in all parts of society.

Towards the end of the movie is a scene where Jackson's character sings "Black Snake Moan", an old blues tune updated and electrified. It brings the various parts of this story neatly together. I love when that happens. Watch this scene a time or two after you've seen the whole movie. It's good enough to be it's own music video.

Watch this movie with someone you want to hold tight, and hang on.

Bossa Nova

In honor of Carnaval season in Brazil, let's talk about my favorite Brazilian movie; Bossa Nova. This music-filled romantic comedy combines English and Portuguese, American and Brazilian actors, and what at the time was a new phenomenon, internet dating.

Amy Irving (Yentyl and Steven Speilberg's first wife) stars as an American teaching English in Rio de Janeiro (my dream job). She unknowingly beguiles a middle-aged lawyer in her building who is struggling to free himself from his ex-wife, and deal with his father's failing tailor business. Too complicated? Okay, suffice it to say that everyone is connected to everyone else via one of the characters. And the lesson is well taught that nobody is who they claim to be on the internet.

Very clever writing, wonderful music, and cinematography that makes any Carioca homesick, blend into a wonderfully fun movie to watch. Watch it with plenty of pipoca and guarana.