REEL REVIEWS

I have a few free hours. I have a magazine in front of me, a computer on my lap and a DVD playing on the TV. I can’t seem to focus on which to do first. I want to do them all at once. You already know I went to the RedBox…so you know I’ll be reviewing not so new movies. This is unfortunate because the last month of the year is really the best time to see theater films being that production houses want Oscar worthy performances fresh on the minds of Academy voters. I have been missing out on so many great films due to this house move. I hope to catch some of them before the award shows in January and February. Having said that, here goes on the rentals:

DEFINITELY, MAYBE
It was really cute—in the way your blind date is ‘really nice.’ I loved the leading man, the cute banter, the sweet dating story, and the happy ending. It was the other stuff that waaasssssnnn’t quite right. I needed more dialog—it was slow. I wanted them to pick up the pace. If I had to compare it to something I would say the story was a bit Sleepless in Seattle-ish, but didn’t quite get there. The slow beginning eventually picks up in the end. DEFINITELY not a film for the guys (I’m sure they’ll fall asleep). It’s worth a rental for the ladies who want to see a little romance MAYBE.

THE X-FILES
This was predictably an upscale TV episode. It was good—probably better on the big screen—but basically the story line could have been a 2-hour TV special and be done. Worth a rental if you’re stuck in the house this winter. I think the men out there will enjoy it more than the ladies.

INDIANA JONES/CRYSTAL SKULL
After all the tradition and hype, the expectations for this movie were out of proportion. Although it included all the elements that made the other films so successful, this time ‘Indie’ didn’t quite live up to his name. It was obviously a transition film (Ford can’t do this forever). We had the traditional history puzzle to solve, insects running over, dust-filled scenes and gold filled treasure hunting, but I couldn’t help feeling a lot of the story was missing. It felt disjointed--just not as detailed as the previous films. THEN, they hit us with *SPOILER* the alien ship and predictable Darth Vader type ending. Honestly, I feel asleep during the middle of the movie. My advice--Let someone else fill you in on this film and wait for the next one. Let’s hope the Spielberg/Lucas team brings back the Jones magic we all love for their next adventure. (I suppose Mutt will need to get his PhD.) Two things I loved about this film: 1) the wardrobe and 2) hearing the Jones theme music again! Da na na na, da na na…. love it!