The X Files, 2
I was disappointed by the ‘The X Files, 2’. That is not to say it is a bad movie. Far from it! But, it was not what I was expecting. I was looking forward to Aliens, and the Cigarette Man, and lots of Conspiracies. What you get is more like one of the less important ‘X Files’ TV shows, expanded out into movie length. Fox Mulder is investigating a serial killer with an ESP psychic, while Dana Scully is messing around with Stem Cell Research, and developing a conscious. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson perform admirably, and the whole thing is capably written and produced and directed by Chris Carter. It all just plays, though, like a very widescreen TV special.
The Secret
David Duchovny also stars in this much more interesting movie produced by Luc Beeson. When David’s wife dies in a car crash, her soul, or mind, or whatever, moves into the body of their teenage daughter. David is presented with the problem that his daughter is now carrying on just like his wife. Meanwhile, David’s dead wife, living in the body of her daughter, discovers some pretty disturbing facts about their daughter’s private life. Based on a novel by Keigo Higashino, and the Japanese movie ‘Himitsu’, director Vincent Perez makes a fascinating American version of the story, which continually circles around the subject of incest, without really touching on it.
Mama’s Boy
In a recent review I slammed into Diane Keaton. I guess I have to take it all back now, as, in ‘Mama’s Boy’, Diane is terrific. She revives some of that sparkle which made her a great Star way back then. When a new man comes into the life of Widow Diane, she has a hard time moving her eccentric and controlling twenty nine year old son out of the house. He has to grow up and become an adult. Written by Hank Nelken, and directed by Tim Hamilton, the movie is an amiable family comedy, with a bitter edge. Jon Heder, Jeff Daniels and Anna Faris all give great support. Jeff and Diane, in particular, interact superbly. Perhaps, Diane Keaton’s long career is not over just yet.
Stop-Loss
Ryan Phillippe stars in this movie as a decorated War Hero, returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, to his Texas hometown. Along with his war buddies, he tries to resume the life he left behind. However, believing that he is to be discharged from the Army, and, for him, the horror is over, he is shocked to discover that he is ordered to return to duty in Iraq. Ryan makes the highly courageous decision to go AWOL. Written and directed by Kimberly Peirce, the movie is a brave examination of the young American soldiers who have no faith, no belief, and no commitment, in the current escalating war in Iraq.
Death Race
It is nice to see that Roger Corman is listed as one of the producers of this remake of his classic cult movie ‘Death Race 2000’ (1975). Credit is given where credit is due, and, at least he knew what was going on. Jason Stratham stars in this incredibly expensive movie, written, produced and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. Set in 2012, life sentence prisoners are used in a lethal televised car race which is intended to satisfy the bored American Public’s mounting blood lust. The reward for those who survive is their freedom. The movie is full of amazing special effects, extraordinary car chases, and lots and lots of people being killed. However, the movie means utterly nothing!
Hiroshima
This movie was made in 1995. It has taken a long time to appear on DVD, but the wait has been well worth it. Roger Spottiswoode directs a remarkable movie, which blends archival film footage with new ‘treated’ images, to create a seamless illusion that we are watching the real events that led up to the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, in 1945. In Washington DC, President Harry Truman is struggling with a moral dilemma whether or not to use this new terrifying weapon. Meanwhile, across the Pacific, in Tokyo, Japanese politicians are keen to end the war, but, the fanatical ‘War Lords’ are determined to fight to the last man. Coming in at three hours, the movie is long, but, it is enthralling from beginning to end. The moment when Enola Gay opens its bomb doors, and the bomb starts to fall, is absolutely chilling.
Marigold
When a beautiful ‘B’ Grade American actress, played by Ali Larter, is stranded in India, due to the collapse of her current project, she attracts the attention of another Indian director, and he puts her into his latest musical. The problem is the actress cannot dance. A handsome Indian Prince, played by Salam Khan, who is masquerading as the film company’s choreographer, comes to her aid. No guessing what happens next! This Bollywood movie is full of singing, dancing, romance, and slapstick comedy. It goes on forever!
Deception
How actors such as Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor could get enticed into such a shoddy production like this defies explanation. An accountant is introduced into a sex club by a business man, who then forces the accountant into corporate computer theft moving money into offshore banking accounts. The movie is badly scripted, badly directed, and, let’s face it, badly acted!
