Cast: Jim Sturgess (Ben Campbell), Kevin Spacey (Prof. Micky Rosa), Kate Bosworth (Jill Taylor), Aaron Yoo (Choi), Liza Lapira (Kianna), Laurence Fishburne (Cole Williams)
For complete info, see IMDb's 21 page.
I was looking forward to seeing 21 and really wanted to see it in a theatre, but didn't get around to it. I somehow missed having it sent out when the DVD was released through Netflix, so it was at the top of my list for a long time before I got it. I definitely recommend renting 21 if you missed it in a theatre.
The fact that 21 is based on a true story definitely added to the appeal for me. The cast is amazing and the story is very well told. Of course, I don't know how well the movie matches up with what happened in real life as the kids from MIT headed to Vegas to count cards. The movie is very interesting and held my attention. Any time someone is beating the odds in Vegas, it's fun to watch. The way it changed these MIT students was entertaining.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2008, drama, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Brandon Routh (Clark Kent/Superman), Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane), Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor), James Marsden (Richard White), Parker Posey (Kitty Kowalski)
For complete info, see IMDb's Superman Returns page.
Since I only saw this movie in the IMAX 3D version, so I can't comment on the regular screen versions, but seeing it from the ideal location (center of the row and not too far up) for an IMAX theatre, this movie was incredible!
I wasn't sure how to feel about a new Superman movie. The originals were favorites of mine when I was younger and I wasn't sure I was ready for them to replace Christopher Reeve or Gene Hackman.
That being said, I think this cast was amazing! The addition of Kitty Kowalski (brilliantly portrayed by Parker Posey) really pushed this movie over the top to greatness - she was the perfect comic relief! I'm surprised that Tristan Lake Leabu who played Jason White (Lois's son) has never done anything before. I think we'll see him in a lot more. He was very good!
It was nice to see that during his time away Superman really improved his costume. The material is much better now and the look is definitely far superior to the original. You can tell Louise Mingenbach took a lot of time figuring out what to do for this costume. Very well chosen design.
Of course, it will always amaze me that Superman has such a horrible cover. I wear one contact most of the time, but sometimes I wear glasses. When I do, everyone still recognizes me. Occasionally, I get the "You wear glasses?" question, but I've never had anyone ask who I am if they already know me. *sigh* But, that isn't something those who created this movie, or the original, are responsible for, so I can't knock the movie for it.
I was glad to see a couple people seem to be starting to figure out that Clark Kent just MIGHT be Superman... Perhaps someday they'll put two and two together.
I highly recommend getting to an IMAX theatre to see Superman Returns if you can, even though only 4 scenes are in 3D (which I didn't realize until we got into the theatre - I guess that's the down side of not watching TV ads or listening to the radio much). The entire movie is in IMAX and seeing Superman Returns that was is definitely the best way to go. Of course, it wasn't filmed in IMAX (which they don't tell you till the movie is starting either), but it was still amazing. Heck, I even thought seeing a non-IMAX movie on that giant screen was worth it when they've done that in the past, so I would highly recommend it even if the IMAX company wasn't involved. The quality is definitely better with IMAX, though - you can't deny that.
I'm sure Superman Returns will be in theatres for a while, but definitely make sure you catch it while it is! This is one where the special effects really make seeing it on the big screen a must!
Grade: B+
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
If you haven't seen the movie and don't want any spoilers, stop reading now.
It bothered me a bit that Superman's son was such a weak child (on an inhaler and countless other medications). But, then I thought about it a bit.... and I figured that a couple options are possible and both of them work enough for me to be okay with it.
1. He could take a while to grow into his powers. And, perhaps didn't get enough sun when he was younger to be fully healthy, since a son of Clark's would get extra energy from the sun.
2. He could be over-medicated because the doctors don't understand him. If you think about how quickly doctors toss medications at kids (look at all the kids on ADD, many of whom are probably just too advanced for their teachers or need to be moved into the next grade), and adults for that matter. I'm not saying all doctors do this, but I definitely think our society as a whole is pretty over-medicated. Since doctors probably wouldn't understand any of Jason's blood work, they would be likely to think he needed medications. And those might have even made him weaker to some extent.
I know, I over-analyze some things in movies too much. I thought the movie was wonderful!
Labels: 2006, 3D, action, adventure, comics, fantasy, IMAX, James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, movie, sci-fi
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kevin Spacey (David Gale), Kate Winslet (Bitsey Bloom), Laura Linney (Constance Harraway)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's The Life of David Gale page.
This movie interested me right away because of the cast and the subject matter. The idea of someone who is against capital punishment (and an activist against it) being sent to death row is so perfect for a movie. What unfolds in The Life of David Gale is even more interesting than I could have imagined based on the previews.
This story continues to twist and turn throughout the movie, so you're never really sure exactly which way is up. I love movies that keep you guessing and The Life of David Gale did a great job with that, even though I often figure out movies too early.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2003, crime, drama, Kate Winslet, Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, movie, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 11:20 AM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kevin Spacey (Prot), Jeff Bridges (Dr. Mark Powell), Mary McCormack (Rachel Powell), Alfre Woodard (Dr. Claudia Villars)
For complete info, see IMDb's K-Pax page.
This movie about a mental patient who claims to be from another planet is really good. Prot ends up getting his doctor to doubt his own beliefs about the world, which is really nice to see in a movie. Not what I expected based on the previews, but a very good movie.
The cast is amazing, the story is good, and the movie is touching. Sure, the story is a bit unbelievable, but that's part of the point.
Grade: B
Labels: 2001, drama, fantasy, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, movie, mystery, sci-fi
Reviewed by Kat at the 1:40 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham), Annette Bening (Carolyn Burnham), Thora Birch (Jane Burnham), Wes Bentley (Ricky Fitts)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's American Beauty page.
Such an amazing movie, I don't know where to begin. Definitely Oscar-worthy!
The cast and story are wonderful and the direction and editing are superb. American Beauty is narrated by Lester, who tells us about how he decided to turn his miserable life around and ended up turning everyone else's life upside down in the process. A small-town guy with nothing to live for goes a little over the edge.
Grade: A+
Labels: 1999, Annette Bening, Best Picture, drama, Kevin Spacey, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:10 PM show | 0 screams
Cast (voices): Dave Foley (Flik), Kevin Spacey (Hopper), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Atta), Hayden Panettiere (Dot)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's A Bug's Life page.
When the advertising material started appearing for A Bug's Life (initially entitled Bugs, I have to admit that I was very wary of it in spite of the Pixar name. All of my reservations were unnecessary. A Bug's Life was a very entertaining story about ants dealing with every day troubles of dealing with the grasshoppers who rule them and the bugs they meet in a traveling circus troup.
So many of the props used in this animated movie are funny, since it really is from an ant's perspective. The animation is amazing and I highly recommend A Bug's Life, as I would any Pixar movie.
Grade: A-
Labels: 1998, adventure, animated, comedy, family, John Ratzenberger, Kevin Spacey, movie, Pixar
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson (Lt. Danny Roman), Kevin Spacey (Lt. Chris Sabian), David Morse (Cmdr. Adam Beck), Ron Rifkin (Chief Al Travis)
For complete cast, see IMDb's The Negotiator page.
A police negotiator accused of coruption and murder takes hostages to buy the time he needs to prove his innocence... Sounds like a soap opera plot, but it's good and very well done. The cast is wonderful, the movie is fast-paced, and a very good action movie.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, crime, drama, Kevin Spacey, movie, mystery, Samuel L. Jackson, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 6:55 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: John Cusack (John Kelso), Kevin Spacey (James 'Jim' Williams), Jack Thompson (Sonny Seiler), Irma P. Hall (Minerva)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil page.
I didn't read the book, so I can't compare the two. However, the movie as a stand alone piece is very good. The movie centers around the murder trial of a millionaire in a small town a visiting reporter had befriended. The cast is amazing, and they did a great job telling this story. This is an unusual murder mystery and I really liked that. It seems to take on the personality of the town (Savannah). Some of the quirky characters go a bit too far, or are concentrated on too much, but as a whole, I think this is a very good movie and one that's well worth seeing.
Just sit back and enjoy the town and all the inhabitants' excentricities. Don't expect a straight-forward plot-line and you'll enjoy yourself!
Grade: B+
Labels: 1997, crime, drama, John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, movie, mystery
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kevin Spacey (Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes), Russell Crowe (Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes), Guy Pearce (Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes), James Cromwell (Capt. Dudley Liam Smith), Kim Basinger (Lynn Bracken)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's L. A. Confidential page.
What an amazing movie! The way L.A. Confidential addressed the issue of corruption and politics involved in police investigations was very interesting. This is one of the best period pieces I've ever seen. They did a great job with making you feel like you were watching a story unfold that was taking place in another time. Everything was very well assembled to create the story of a big murder investigation and the politics that surroud it.
Each officer has his own way of dealing with the situation. Some of them use the situation to their advantage, and they all learn the reality of dealing with corruption.
A wonderful period piece that will always be a great movie to watch!
Grade: A
Labels: 1997, crime, drama, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, movie, mystery, Russell Crowe, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Matthew McConaughey (Jake Tyler Brigance), Sandra Bullock (Ellen Roark), Samuel L. Jackson (Carl Lee Hailey), Kevin Spacey (D.A. Rufus Buckley), Oliver Platt (Harry Rex Vonner)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's A Time to Kill page.
A Time to Kill is one of the very rare instances where I read the book first and like the movie better. It's probably because (for whatever reason) this John Grisham novel never really grabbed me like most of his novels do. The movie did grab me. I think the movie was very well done and put the viewer into a time in the south where racism was not only accepted, it was still encouraged by many. I can't even imagine what it would have been like to live around the KKK - especially in a situation like this. I think they did a great job of making the reality of this time very clear.
Grade: B+
Labels: 1996, crime, drama, John Grisham, Kevin Spacey, Matthew McConaughey, movie, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:20 PM show | 0 screams