Movie Review - "Secret Window"

... is a mystery starring Johnny Depp as a writer with "issues". He is caught up in a divorce, accused of plagiarism, and on the verge of insanity.

Good story that leaves the viewer guessing - at least until the last 45 minutes of the movie.

Check it out but consider it a non-first date movie. The cheating wife and divorce thing may affect your relationship.

Movie Review - "Shade"

... is a movie with Sylvester Stallone as a card shark. Three con artist attempt to hustle him in a card game.

With over $2 Million at stake, the pressure to succeed is high. What happens?

Check it out sometime. The story drags at times but overall I consider it a good movie.

Consider it a first date movie. Your date won't leave wondering if you are a nutcase.

Movie Review - "Gangs of New York"

... movie with Daniel Day Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio with a cameo from Liam Neeson.

Gangs run rampant in the city. Daniel and Liam are two key gang leaders. There is a fierce battle that leaves Daniel's gang the victor. Liam is killed and leaves an orphan son, Leonardo.

Years later, Leonardo returns to avenge his father. The remainder of the movie focuses on Leonardo's actions.

Long movie, wait till a rainy day and consider it a "non-first date movie".

Movie Review - "Along Came Polly"

... comedy with Ben Stiller and Jenifer Aniston. Ben is a newlywed life insurance adjuster. Jenifer is a waitress living a "bohemian" lifestyle.

Ben gets jilted while on his honeymoon, returns to work, and soon after meets Jenifer while on the rebound.

Good comedy and first date movie. Check it out sometime.

Movie Review - "Starship Troopers 2"

... is a sequel to "Starship Trooper". The bugs are still attacking in force, but they have taken a different route to destroy humans.

The blood and gore is rampant, but the movie does not have the same feel as the first movie.

Wait for a rainy day to rent this one and don't consider it a first date movie.

Movie Review - "Paycheck"

... is a movie starring Ben Affleck as a "reverse engineering" Engineer. He is hired by companies to purchase a product, take it apart, then rebuild it into something better.

However, there is a catch. His memory is erased at the conclusion of an assignment which is not a big deal when the pay is good.

Unfortunately, one assignment goes too far.

Good movie with enough suspense to keep you interested. Check it out, it is a first date movie.

Movie Review - "Last Samurai"

... is historical movie starring Tom Cruise as a military advisor to Japan. His assignment focuses on modernizing Japan's military and training its soldiers in modern war.

Ill-preprared to take on the warlord class of Samurai, Tom is ordered to engage them. In the ensuing battle, Tom is captured but his life is spared because of the ferocity he showed in battle.

As a captive of the Samurai, he recovers from his wounds, learns to speak their language, and trains in the ways of the Samurai. Ultimately, he becomes an ally of the Samurai.

Great movie with lots of action. Enjoy the scenery and the martial arts. Check it out.

Movie Review - "Calendar Girls"

... is a true story about a group of women from a small town in Great Britain. They are members of the Womens' Institute, an organization that seeks to provide for the enlightment and education of its members.

Tragedy strikes one of their members; her husband dies of leukemia. As a memory to her husband, the group conspires to make a few "pounds" to purchase a chair or sofa for the hospital where the husband died. They decide on spicing up their annaul calendar by posing in the buff.

Good movie made even more interesting with women acting "guite randy" in their antics to make the calendar.

Movie Review - "Miracle"

... movie with Kurt Russel as the coach of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team.

Although the outcome is predictable, Kurt's performance provides more depth to the personality of the team and its preparations against the Russians.

Check it out some time.

Bonus Review not yet avaible on DVD - "Van Helsing"

... is a movie that expands upon the Dracula myth. A good versus evil story that brings in Frankenstien and the Werewolf in the battle against vampires.

Graphic violence abound throughout "120 plus" minutes of action. But, if you like action and visual effects, check it out before it comes out on DVD.

Movie Review - "Chasing Liberty"

... coming of age flick about a teenager played by Mandie Moore but with a twist. She is the President's daughter.

Wanting to break-away from her parents, she seeks freedom and liberty to do what she wishes without the Secret Service or her parents looking over her shoulder.

After a successful get away from her protectors, she begins a trip to the Love Festival in Berlin. She befriends a young photographer and together they journey to Berlin.

But, the handsome young photographer is really someone else ....

Give it a chance and rent it sometime. It is a first date movie, so there is nothing to scare away your date.

Movie Review - "Love Actually"

... another comedy that involves a group of people who are somehow linked to one another. Sort of a love triangle but replace the triangle with an octagon.

Hugh Grant plays the British Prime Minister. There are others that I recall but cannot name off-hand. Regardless, the fame of the actors and actresses are less important than the role they play.

It is a nice "first date movie". Watch it at some point.

Movie Review - "Stuck on You"

... a comedy about two siamese twins with opposite personalities. Starring Greg Kinnear and Matt Damon, the movie takes you through the trials and tribulations when they attempt to expand their world.

I liked the movie, more slapstick than anything else. But, as a guy, I enjoyed the movie. Watch it on a rainy day.

Movie Review - "Big Fish"

... a fantasy / comedy with Ewan McGregor as a father with an ability to stretch the truth. His son believes the tall tales as a child but eventually "grows-up" to be a skeptical adult.

A great "feel-good" movie and definite first-date movie. Watch it when you get a chance as there is some bit of truth in the stories.

Movie Review - "A Date with Tad Hamilton"

... a comedy / love story about an actor, Tad Hamilton, a female Piggly Wiggly cashier, and her long time "just friends" friend and Piggly Wiggly Manager.

The Cashier wins a date with the actor. He enjoys her company and thinks they have a connection. The Manager truly loves her but ill-timing leaves him without her companionship.

A first-time date movie and a chick flick. No surprises in the end.

Movie Review - "Identity"

... a drama starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet. Murder and mystery abound; so pay close attention to the movie's twists and turns.

A group of strangers are pulled together by a chain of events. They find themselves stranded in a motel in Nevada. No one can leave because heavy rains have closed the roads. In short order, they discover someone is killing them one by one.

Watch the movie with your first date and impress her on your investigative prowess. Just remember, there is no butler to fall back on.

Movie Review - " Rundown"

... an action packed movie with "Rock", Christopher Walken, and American Pie's Stiffmeister. If you like action and lots of fighting, you will enjoy this one. Although it has a somewhat weak story-line; the action and the acting pull this one through.

Rent it and prove to your first-date who you really are - a guy. Else, wait till you get through several more dates and are more serious in your relationship.

Movie Review - "Gothica"

... Halle Barry plays a psychologist who works in a women's correctional facility for the criminally insane. Her husband is the warden; she is on his staff. On a rainy night, she is involved in an accident and blacks out. When she awakes, she is an inmate accused of brutally murdering her husband.

Scary at times with an excellent plot. Suggest watching it with your signifiicant other only if you want to cringe together. Rent it when you get a chance.

Bonus Review not yet available on DVD - "Prince and Me"

... Julia Stiles plays an ambitious college student working her way through college. Her focus is on school and doing well. That is, until a handsome "exchange student", who is really the Prince of Denmark, enters her life. A good movie about young love. A first date movie and enjoyable to watch but would wait for the DVD.

Movie Review - "Cheaper by the Dozen"

… comedy starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as parents of twelve children.

Steve Martin plays a football coach, and Bonnie Hunt is a writer. They give up their dreams for ambitious careers to raise a large family. When the opportunity for a dream job arises, they take it. However, they soon discover success and happiness are not synonymous.

It is definitely a first date movie. Watch it when you get a chance.

J. M.