The Incredible Hulk (2008)

"Hulk smash" were two frequent words from the comic book Hulk. They are used just once in the movie, but at a perfect time and it almost describes the movie. Almost.

Edward Norton was a perfect choice for Banner/Hulk, and Liv Tyler was a delicious choice for Banner's love interest Dr. Betty Ross. William Hurt and Tim Roth round out the fun cast as the bad buys. Two very nice surprises were a brief shot of Bill Bixby (TV Bruce Banner) and Lou Ferrigno (TV Hulk). I also totally enjoyed the visit by Tony Stark (Ironman) at the end. Oops. Don't let that spoil anything for you.

This is a fun movie for Hulk fans from the comic to the TV series to the video game. If however someone is not familiar with the Hulk story, this movie does not really offer enough back story to get them up to speed fast enough. Do a little homework first if necessary and you'll enjoy the film much more.

I liked this movie for many reasons, not the least of which are the scenes shot in Brazil.

Watch this movie with someone who loves their superhero comics.

Legend of 1900

Okay movie buffs, what do the films Cinema Paradiso, Rob Roy, and Nobody's Fool have in common? Right, good guess. The Legend of 1900. Each movie contributed key players to this amazing project.

Director Giuseppe Tornatore, puts this amazing story to film 10 years after his Cinema Paradise triumph. This movie raises the bar of "a good story well told" very high.

Pruitt Taylor Vince (Nobody's Fool, JFK, CSI and Deadwood series) plays a down and out jazz musician with an unlikely story to tell. He know of the greatest jazz pianist who ever lived. He was born and 99% of his life aboard a cruise ship. The ship is about to be decommissioned and sunk to make an artificial reef, and Vince's character thinks the pianist is still living aboard the abandoned ship.

Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Rob Roy) plays the pianist, named 1900, because that is the year folks think he was born aboard a cruise ship. The shy a-social kid grows up listening to the rhythm of the ship, and the many entertainers who come and go.

Terrance Williams III (Mod Squad, TJ Hooker, and Twin Peaks - for you small screen fans) plays Jelly Roll Morton. For you jazz neophytes, Jelly Roll Morton is credited with being the father, the originator, of jazz music. His blues riffs, stomps, and rags can still be heard in traditional and cutting edge jazz. But that is way off topic.

In our story, the the fame of a great jazz pianist who lives on a cruise ship reaches the ears of Jelly Roll Morton. Mr. Morton considers himself the greatest jazz player of all time and books a cruise to meet and out-play the young, white, relatively unknown, upstart. What ensues is a delightful round of dueling jazz pianos.

Even if you are not a huge fan of 1920's jazz and blues, I recommend this movie for one of my top-10 movie magic scenes of all time. Late one night, while a storm rages and the ships pitches and rolls in the ocean, 1900 plays in concert with the storm. The magic happens when he releases the brakes on his piano and is rolls around the room while he plays, never hitting the walls, or anything else. Pure Hollywood razzle dazzle.

Watch this movie with someone who will dance with you during the great music scenes.