Cast: Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt, Jerry Orbach, Rita Gardner
For complete info, see IMDb's Try to Remember: The Fantasticks page.
Anyone who enjoys the longest running Off Broadway show, The Fantasticks should rent this DVD (or watch it instantly through Netflix). I really enjoyed seeing the interviews as The Fantasticks closed it's amazing run. Looking back, I can't believe that I didn't realize it was still playing. I was in NYC during the run of The Fantasticks, but never had any clue it was still there. Such a shame that I got into reading Playbill.com daily and really understanding where I could find accurate theatre information too late.
If you aren't a theatre fan, clearly this documentary is not for you. If you are, add it to your list now!
Grade: B+
Labels: 2003, documentary, movie, musical, Off-Broadway, theatre
Reviewed by Kat at the 9:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Elija Wood (Jones), Franka Potente (Jane), Mandy Moore (Lisa)
For complete info see IMDb's Try Seventeen page.
Apparently, this movie was called Try Seventeen in the theatres - that's even a worse title than All I Want. I generally hate when they rename movies (like when they tried to re-sell Satisfaction as a TV movie called Girls of Summer - the original title was so much better and now, you can just say something like "See Julia Roberts & Liam Neeson before they were big stars."); however, this original title was terrible, so I can see why they tried to market it in a different way.
Of course, the movie is as bad as the original title and in spite of the cast, I probably wouldn't have bothered if it'd been called Try Seventeen still. Bad movies should have bad titles, so you know to avoid them. Fortunately, I didn't even wait for the DVD to arrive on Netflix (it was way down on my list). I just chose to watch it in one of the Netflix play instantly movies, since it was one of the shortest movies I could play and I had caught up to live for playoff hockey.
I definitely do not recommend this movie. There are surely over 100 really good movies you've never seen. Rent one of those instead.
Grade: D+
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: William H. Macy (Bernie Lootz), Alec Baldwin (Shelly Kaplow), Maria Bello (Natalie Belisario), Shawn Hatosy (Mikey)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's The Cooler page.
This movie about an unlucky man (Bernie Lootz) repaying a debt by capitalizing on his lack of luck at an classic Las Vegas casino run by Shelly Kaplow is very interesting. Seeing Bernie deal with the idea of not always being a jinx and the potential of happinness in his own life kept me interested throughout the movie. The cast is amazing and the story is well told.
The Cooler combines drama, romance, comedy, and life in Las Vegas casinos very well. I definitely recommend renting or Tivoing The Cooler if you didn't get around to seeing it in a theatre.
Grade: B
Labels: 2003, Alec Baldwin, comedy, drama, Maria Bello, movie, romance, William H. Macy
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Ryan Phillippe (Simon Cable), Sarah Polley (Clair), Piper Perabo (Anna), Stephen Rea (Doctor Newman), Robert Sean Leonard (Peter Cable)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's The I Inside page.
I'm a big fan of Ryan Phillippe & Robert Sean Leonard, so it's always great to see them. This movie was a bit like a less coherent Butterfly Effect. Figuring out where it was going was a bit taxing at times, but the movie held my interest. Even my husband never got sick of it, so that's a definite sign that they didn't go too far over the edge.
I liked seeing a scipt that was a bit more complex than the average Hollywood offering. However, the film ended in such a way that you never really get all the answers you'd like. This was pretty frustrating. I can't really say that I recommend the movie, but it was interesting. Perhaps if you go into it knowing you won't get all the answers you want it'll be a better movie.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2003, crime, movie, mystery, Ryan Phillippe, sci-fi, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Matt Damon (Bob) & Greg Kinnear (Walt)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Stuck on You page.
I definitely didn't have high hopes for this movie, but I have to say that it was better than I expected. Not a great movie, but worth recording from a movie channel on Tivo or renting. It was entertaining and that's really all one could expect from a movie with such a silly premise.
Grade: C+
Labels: 2003, comedy, drama, Greg Kinnear, Matt Damon, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:44 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: To see all the amazing Broadway stars who appear in this movie, check out IMDb's Broadway: The Golden Age page.
I can't say enough wonderful things about this movie! I wish I'd seen it in theatres. Unfortunately, it somehow missed my radar (and perhaps city). I bought it almost immediately after renting it through Netflix and can't wait for the others he's making! Some of the stars interviewed surprised me, like Douglas Sills (a personal favorite of mine), Daisy Eagan, and Marisa Jaret Winokur. There were also a lot of the standard favorites like Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, Patti LuPone, etc.
The varying views were wonderful to hear from the theatre world. It was nice to see that not everyone thinks that the Broadway of old is totally dead. I have hope for the future and recommend this HIGHLY to anyone who loves theatre!
At times, it was a bit too cyical, but I think that the interviews offered enough other opinions to allow for thoughts other than the negative ones.
Grade: A
Labels: 2003, Broadway, documentary, Douglas Sills, movie, musical
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:40 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Sean Penn (Paul Rivers), Naomi Watts (Cristina Peck), Benicio Del Toro, (Jack Jordan), Danny Huston (Michael), Carly Nahon (Cathy)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's 21 Grams page.
In 21 Grams a strange accident brings together a critically ill mathematician, a grieving mother, and a born-again ex-con. It's a really well done movie that is well worth renting! With a better title and previews, I think that 21 Grams would have done a lot better!
Grade: B+
Labels: 2003, crime, drama, movie, Naomi Watts, Sean Penn, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Jack Black (Dewey Finn), Adam Pascal (Theo), Sarah Silverman (Patty Di Marco), Mike White (Ned Schneebly)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's School of Rock page.
This was a fun movie. If you like Jack Black, then you really should check this out. It's funny and has some really good music. School of Rock is a cute movie about a guy who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prep school when he's in urgent need of cash and ends up teaching the kids a lot about life in the process. Very entertaining and definitely worth the time to rent it.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2003, Adam Pascal, comedy, Jack Black, movie, musical
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:45 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Scarlett Johansson (Charlotte), Bill Murray (Bob Harris)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Lost in Translation page.
I really should have stuck with my initial instincts on this movie. I saw it as a rental from the moment I saw the first preview, but the critics raved and it got nominated and I prefer to see all the nominated films before the Golden Globes and Oscars, so we saw it.
The movie never really got interesting. Lost in Translation did have a couple funny moments, but most of those were in the previews.
Grade: C
Labels: 2003, comedy, drama, movie, romance, Scarlett Johansson
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Ewan McGregor (Ed Bloom - young), Albert Finney (Ed Bloom - old), Billy Crudup (Will Bloom)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Big Fish page.
This is a classic example of a situation where I shouldn't have allowed myself to be swayed by the critics and Golden Globe nominations. I like to have seen all the movies nominated by the Golden Globes (or at worst by the Oscars, since many get nominated for both), so I moved Big Fish from my Netflix list to my movies to see list and we saw it.
I fell asleep. That's how boring it was. And, worse yet, I didn't miss ANYTHING I hadn't already seen in the previews when I fell asleep. The scene where the world stopped and popcorn froze in the air (featured prominently in the previews) was the only truly cool scene in the movie.
Definitely a rental when you have nothing better to do. Don't even put it high on the Netflix list. You've seen most of the movie if you've seen a preview.
Grade: C-
Labels: 2003, adventure, Billy Crudup, comedy, drama, Ewan McGregor, fantasy, movie, Tim Burton
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Sean Penn (Jimmy Markum), Tim Robbins (Dave Boyle), Kevin Bacon (Sean Devine), Laurence Fishburne (Sgt. Whitey Powers), Marcia Gay Harden (Celeste Boyle), Laura Linney (Annabeth Markum)
For complete info on this wonderful cast, see IMDb's Mystic River page.
Wow! What a movie! This has my vote for best picture - hands down! What an amazing movie. Definitely a bit heavy. Not the kind of movie you want to see if you want to go out and just have a fun night without anything serious, but it is wonderful and I highly recommend it.
Clint Eastwood did an amazing job directing a superb cast. The story is great, I'm going to buy the book so that I can read the original, too.
By far my favorite 2003 movie. It blows the rest of them away. Make sure you put this on your list of films to see if it isn't already.
Grade: A+
Labels: 2003, Clint Eastwood, crime, drama, Kevin Bacon, Laura Linney, movie, mystery, Sean Penn
Reviewed by Kat at the 12:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Jack Nicholson (Harry Sanborn), Diane Keaton (Erica Jane Barry), Keanu Reaves (Dr. Julian Mercer), Amanda Peet (Marin)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Something's Gotta Give page.
This is honestly the first time I've seen Keanu Reaves act where I've honestly thought, "Hey, he can really act. He's not just the goofball in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure." I was pleasantly surprised to see that the entire cast did a wonderful job with this great story.
The previews for Something's Gotta Give didn't do it justice. This is a great, quirky romantic comedy about love and coping with age.
Grade: A
Labels: 2003, Amanda Peet, comedy, Diane Keaton, drama, Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves, movie, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Constantine Maroulis (Roger Davis), Brian Gligor (Mark Cohen), and many other talented performers
Rent I can't imagine ever not recommending this show to everyone. The cast is still very good in spite of all the changes over the years to the touring production. If you haven't seen Rent yet, where have you been? Go see it the next time the tour comes to your area!
Grade: A-
Labels: 2003, Best Musical, drama, musical, Rent, romance, tour
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Luke Wilson (Alex Sheldon/Adam Shipley), Kate Hudson (Emma Dinsmore/Ylva/Elsa/Eldora/Anna)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Alex & Emma page.
When you look at this cast, you think that it's just got to be a good movie. In fact, initially, I wanted to see Alex & Emma in a movie theater, but it was gone so fast that I missed it. After renting it, I can say that I'm glad it wasn't in theaters long and I understand why it left so quickly.
Alex & Emma just never really got going. The story never really started. We waited and waited, but there was never really a plot worth watching or caring about in the movie.
Grade: C-
Labels: 2003, comedy, drama, Kate Hudson, Luke Wilson, movie, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Julia Roberts (Katherine Ann Watson), Kirsten Dunst (Betty Warren), Julia Stiles (joan Brandwyn), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Giselle Levy), Ginnifer Goodwin (Connie Baker)
For complete info, see IMDb's Mona Lisa Smile page.
I know a lot of people hated this movie, but I thought it was very endearing. I liked that for a change everything isn't perfectly lined up at the end the way you think it will be at the beginning, since everything doesn't fall in line with the typical Hollywood ending. Besides, Tori Amos was in this, which I didn't even realize before seeing the movie. I guess I haven't been reading her sites much lately. That was a great surprise, since I love her music. She looks great in that era, too!
I thought the cast was amazing, the costumes were very well done, and that the story was a good period piece.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2003, comedy, drama, Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, movie, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Jude Law (Inman), Nicole Kidman (Ada Monroe), Renee Zellweger (Ruby Thewes), Brendan Gleeson (stobrod Thewes), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Reverend Veasey)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Cold Mountain page.
A wounded Civil War soldier tries deserts and tries to get back home to Cold Mountain, NC so he can be reunited with his sweetheart. I didn't read Charles Frazier's novel, but I was very impressed with Cold Mountain. This movie examines the way war affects people long after the war is officially over and deals with the harsh reality of war in the Civil War era.
Definitely not for those who can't handle blood (this is, after all, a war drama), but if you can (even if you have to look away), the story is very well done and worth watching.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2003, drama, Jude Law, movie, Nicole Kidman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Renee Zellweger, romance, war
Reviewed by Kat at the 1:55 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto), Tom Cruise (Nathan Algren)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's The Last Samurai page.
Considering all the Oscar buzz surrounding Master and Commander, I didn't expect The Last Samurai to be better than it, but I think The Last Samurai should be getting the Oscar buzz instead. I was very impressed with this movie.
I think Tom Cruise did a great job learning all he had to know to play Nathan Algren in this movie about a US military advisor who embraces the Samurai culture when he is captured in battle. The Last Samurai is a very moving story with beautiful scenery and amazing costumes.
This glimpse inside the world of the Samurai was very interesting, even if it might not be totally accurate. I would have no way of knowing how accurate it is, since I know very little about the Samurai culture, but it seemed believable to me.
Grade: A
Labels: 2003, action, adventure, drama, Ken Watanabe, movie, Tom Cruise, war
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Brad Little (The Phantom of the Opera), Lisa Vroman (Christine Daae), Tim Martin Gleason (Raul), Kate Wray (Meg Giry), and many other talented performers
Like almost everyone who loves theatre, I went through a The Phantom of the Opera phase. Mine took place in high school (which still seems to be when most people hit it even now).
Although The Phantom of the Opera isn't the best show and definitely relys on too much spectacle, it is entertaining. I hope that this will be the last time I see it, since two times was more than enough and this was my third. However, it's definitely a show everyone should see if they like musical theatre and my boyfriend had never seen it.
The cast of the touring company is very good and the music is still good, though I prefer Evita or Song & Dance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2003, Andrew Lloyd Webber, ballet, Best Musical, drama, musical, Phantom, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Russell Crowe (Capt. Jack Aubrey), Paul Bettany (Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World page.
Considering all the Oscar buzz about this movie, I expected a lot more. Perhaps that was the problem and if I went in expecting less I would have been more impressed, but the story never really grabbed me. This seemed like one of the longest movies I've ever seen, though it wasn't even close to the longest movie I've seen.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World dragged in so many places that I found myself looking at my watch trying to figure out if it would end soon. I'd recommend waiting till it comes out on DVD and renting it.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2003, action, adventure, drama, movie, Paul Bettany, Russell Crowe, war
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones (Samuel Jones a.k.a Chaa-duu-ba-its-iidan), Cate Blanchett (Maggie Gilkeson), Evan Rachel Wood (Lilly Gilkeson), Jenna Boyd (Dot Gilkeson)
For complete info, see IMDb's The Missing page.
A woman and her estranged father search for her kidnapped daughter. The cast of The Missing is amazing. Evan Rachel Wood was particularly wonderful. The only issue I had with the story is that it was a little too slow in many parts. I found myself wondering when it would get to the next part of the story due to the dead time, which was unfortunatel.
Worth renting, but not as spectacular as the cast would indicate.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2003, adventure, Cate Blanchett, drama, Evan Rachel Wood, movie, thriller, Tommy Lee Jones
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:20 PM show | 0 screams