Cast: Angelina Jolie (Evelyn Salt), Liev Schreiber (Ted Winter), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Peabody)
For complete info, see IMDb's Salt page.
If you like action movies, Salt is a good choice. It was interesting and had some great special effects. There were some good plot twists and the story was entertaining. Is it plausible? Not really, but it's a movie. Since movies are designed to help us escape from every day life for a bit, I see no reason to expect them to play by the rules of what could/should really be able to happen. Salt was enjoyable to watch. I recommend seeing it on the big screen, since the special effects are well done.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2010, action, Angelina Jolie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liev Schreiber, movie, New York, Spy, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 6:35 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nick Gabriel (Warren), Deborah S. Craig (Deb), David Burnham (Jason), & Nancy Andrews (Claire)
I almost missed this great show, since I moved on the 15th and things were crazy before and after the move. I didn't have time for Facebook (or I would have seen David's status updates about the opening of the show, etc.) and when I got the email from David about this show I saw the dates and immediately filed it away in my "I can't go to that" pile and tried to forget (pretty successfully) what I'd be missing.
Thankfully, Goldstar emailed me and though I'd been ignoring most Goldstar emails because of lack of time, I happened to see this one at South Coast Rep and noticed that it was the show David was doing there. That was it, I was in and got a couple friends to join me. I'd first seen David Burnham in The Light in the Piazza and became an instant fan. We met and became friends, too, which makes it even better to get to see him in shows. I had heard of the others in the cast, but hadn't seen them in anything personally. The show interested me, since it's based in New York City, my home town.
Ordinary Days has wonderful music and the cast at South Coast Rep was great. The scenic design, projection design, & lighting are all very well done. I was very sad that I didn't get a chance to see Ordinary Days until closing night. If I'd seen it earlier, I could have bought tickets to see it again (and I definitely would have done that). I'm hoping it will make its way back to New York or perhaps to LA so I can see it again. My friends in New York would really enjoy it and Warren actually reminded me a lot of my best friend still living in NYC.
The four different stories overlapped and worked together to form a very interesting and cohesive show. I highly recommend seeing Ordinary Days if you get a chance. I hope it will go on to do well and that there will be a cast album available. It's one of those shows where I might have bought the album at the show so I wouldn't have to wait for it to ship from Amazon, but the cast recording doesn't exist yet. Hopefully, it'll be available at some point and I'll be able to own the music and listen to it any time.
Grade: A
Labels: comedy, David Burnham, Deborah S. Craig, drama, musical, Nancy Andrews, New York, Nick Gabriel, theatre
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:45 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Adam Kantor (Mark), Will Chase (Roger), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Mimi), Eden Espinosa (Maureen), Tracie Thoms (Joanne), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Rodney Hicks (Benny)
For info on purchasing tickets to Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday's performances, check out The Hot Ticket's Rent page. Unfortunately, it is only for shows at each theatre.
If you enjoyed seeing Rent live or the movie, I highly recommend this compilation of the last performance of Rent on Broadway and earlier performances with the same cast. If you haven't seen Rent yet, wait for the tour next year with Anthony Rapp & Adam Pascal (the original Mark & Roger). They were amazing on Broadway next year and I will (of course) see them again when they're in LA. Of course, if you're not close enough to an area where touring productions perform and cannot get to a city where you could see Rent this is a pretty good substitute.
They filmed a couple nights to make sure they could get every angle and that everything would be perfect. They did an amazing job with this production and the cast is wonderful! Adam Kantor, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Eden Espinosa, and Tracie Thoms were particularly good. Will Chase is probably my 2nd or 3rd least favorite Roger that I've seen, but he still does a very good job.
The only problem with this production were the sound and video not being in sync (by Seasons of Love it was so bad that it was off by a beat). This made it frustrating any time characters were clapping, banging drums or tables, and any time there was a close-up of someone singing. It was like watching a dubbed movie. Though I've heard this is much less likely in a digital theatre, it's the only time I've experienced this problem in a movie. The management told us afterwards that we should have told them right away, but who's going to leave a movie when it's the ONLY night you're able to see it? Unfortunately, the producers of Rent Filmed Live on Broadway did not check with my schedule before selecting their dates, so I didn't have a lot of options.
The other problem had nothing to do with the movie itself. I have never been in a movie theatre and heard so much talking. I wanted to strangle the couple diagonally behind me, who FINALLY stopped talking. The woman who was singing along was exceptionally annoying, too. If I pay $20 for a movie ticket (more than double the normal price of a movie ticket), I paid to see the movie. I do not want to hear people talking or singing along. If she were good enough for me to pay to hear her sing, she would be on Broadway. And even if she were good enough to hear her sing on Broadway, she should not be singing along with the movie. It's rude.
In spite of the issues with the film, I loved it and I REALLY hope it comes out on Blu-ray, since I know that neither of the issues with the live film would be an issue on Blu-ray. The sync would be perfect and there would be no talking. :-) The Hot Ticket hasn't released the other movies they released in theatres this way, but I'm hoping Sony understands (from the 2005 movie and DVD sales) that the market for Rent is pretty big and that most "Rent-heads" will purchase the DVD if they make it available.
Grade: A+
Labels: 2008, drama, movie, musical, New York, Rent, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: David Duchovny (Tom), Julianne Moore (Rebecca), Billy Crudup (Tobey), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Elaine)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Trust the Man page.
Normally movies that spend so long in development (some sites list it as a 2004 film, some 2005, but it was released 2 weeks ago) scare me a bit. However, the cast of Trust the Man is amazing and it takes place in my favorite city (NYC). A friend (also from NYC) saw it and told me I had to see it on the big screen, so that was enough for me to move it from my list to a movie I'd definitely see in a theatre, even though we hadn't seen a movie in a theatre in almost a month.
Bart Freundlich (the writer & director) clearly loves New York City and that shows throughout the movie. I definitely highly recommend Trust the Man for anyone who loves New York and knows it well. They use locations from all over the city and you'll really enjoy it.
The story of Trust the Man is also good and would be good if it took place elsewhere. It's a movie about two couples where the one woman and man are brother and sister, the women are best friends, and the men are best friends. The way that the romantic relationships develop is explored really well due to the dynamics of the friendships and families.
Perhaps (from the reviews I've read) you have to love New York or theatre to fully enjoy Trust the Man. I don't really think that's necessary, though. My husband and I both enjoyed it and he was raised here in Orange County.
If you don't have time to catch Trust the Man in a theatre (especially because of its limited release), be sure to rent it on DVD.
Grade: A-
Labels: 2006, Billy Crudup, comedy, David Duchovny, drama, Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, movie, New York, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Antonio Banderas (Pierre Dulaine), Alfre Woodard (Augustine James), Rob Brown (Rock), Yaya DaCosta (LahRette)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Take the Lead page.
Take the Lead is not just another chick flick, though I admit that women are more likely to fully enjoy it. The most amazing thing about this movie is that it's based on a true story and has affected a lot of children in New York City. Pierre Dulaine is an amazing man and I'm glad they made a film about him.
The dancing and acting in Take the Lead is really amazing. The story is wonderful and it made a great film. I highly recommend it! It made me want to go dancing! If only my husband would agree to take ballroom dancing lessons with me. I miss it!
If you love dancing, you must see this movie! Even if you don't, it's worth seeing, since the story is great and very touching.
Grade: A-
Labels: 2006, Antonio Banderas, dancing, drama, movie, musical, New York, Rob Brown
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:55 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Adam Pascal (Roger Davis), Rosario Dawson (Mimi Marquez), almost the whole original Broadway Cast of Rent
For complete cast information, see IMDb's Rent page.
As a huge fan of the musical Rent, I was partly thrilled and partly mortified about the idea of a movie version of my favorite musical. Then, years passed and I thought perhaps it would never happen. Next thing I knew, they had cast almost the entire original Broadway cast of Rent and were starting to film. I wasn't sure Chris Columbus was the best choice, given his background, but then I found out that he's a big fan of the musical Rent, too.
Chris Columbus did an amazing job using the OBC I have loved for almost a decade and preserving my favorite musical for all time. I couldn't be happier that I'll be able to own this on DVD (February 21, 2006 release date) soon!
I saw Rent in movie theaters 5 times and would have seen it more when I was off the week between Christmas and New Years, but sadly it had closed by then. I almost never see a movie twice in theaters, since there are so many movies I like to see, but Rent was well worth the time. I cried every time I saw it. I was amazed at how well they captured the emotion of the musical I love so much.
If you haven't seen the musical Rent, go see the movie (or rent it)! If you have seen the musical, go see the movie! Steve Chbosky did a great job adapting the script, the cast is amazing, the sets and filming were really well done. Definitely a must see! And, in my case, a must own.
Grade: A+
Labels: 2005, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, drama, movie, musical, New York, Rent, romance, Taye Diggs
Reviewed by Kat at the 10:10 AM show | 0 screams
Cast: Josh Hutcherson (Gabe), Charlie Ray (Rosemary), Bradley Whitford (Adam), Cynthia Nixon (Leslie)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Little Manhattan page.
Little Manhattan is a really cute movie about two 11-year-old kids who find love in Manhattan. As someone who knows the city well, I thought it was very well done!
The movie is narrated by Gabe (an 11-year-old boy) as he takes you through the weeks of his first love. Gabe makes great comments even as the story plays out about what he says and does when confronted with the weird way love can make you feel and act. Little Manahattan is definitely a great idea for a rental.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2005, comedy, Cynthia Nixon, family, Josh Hutcherson, movie, New York, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 11:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Jennifer Lopez (Marisa Ventura), Ralph Fiennes (Chris Marshall), Natasha Richardson (Caroline Lane), Stanley Tucci (Jerry Siegel), Tyler Posey (Ty Ventura)
For complete info, see IMDb's Maid in Manhattan page.
As with any movie that uses Manhattan as a back drop, part of me was sold on this movie before I saw it. I think it's a cute version of the Cinderella story. Not unique, or believable, but cute. The cast does a really great job. I'm not a big fan of Jennifer Lopez generally, but I think she did a good job here. Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson were wonderful as always and the rest of the cast was great, too.
Definitely sappy romantic comedy, but sometimes those can be fun. If you enjoy the occasional romantic comedy with a totally predictable story line, you could definitely forget about thinking for a while with this movie. Worth the time to watch the rental.
Grade: B
Labels: 2002, comedy, movie, New York, Ralph Fiennes, romance, Stanley Tucci
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:10 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Amsterdam Vallon), Daniel Day-Lewis (Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting), Cameron Diaz (Jenny Everdeane), Jim Broadbent (Boss Tweed), John C. Reilly (Happy Jack), Liam Neeson ('Priest' Vallon)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Gangs of New York page.
With Liam Neeson and other great actors in the cast, I thought this would be a great movie about the early days of my home town and the gangs that ruled the city. Unfortunately, I just found it lacking. Not a fan of DiCaprio in generaly, but I thought it'd work out okay in such an ensemble piece. The movie just seemed to really drag on. Not the best pick for the first movie we see in the year, but I wanted to see it before the awards. It was nominated for 10 of them. Of course, at the time, I didn't know it wouldn't win any or that I'd be glad it didn't.
Grade: C-
Labels: 2003, Cameron Diaz, crime, drama, history, Leonardo DiCaprio, Liam Neeson, movie, New York
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:20 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Richard Gere (Will Keane), Winona Ryder (Charlotte Fielding), Anthony LaPaglia (John), Elaine Stritch (Dolly)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Autumn in New York page.
Other than taking place in New York (my favorite city and home of my heart), there are very few redeeming qualities about Autumn in New York. A May-December romance when he's a playboy who has no time and she's a terminally ill woman who teaches him to live? Does that sound too sappy to work - even in a movie? Yup, but that's the story anyway.
Autumn in New York goes way beyond sappy and achieves sickeningly sweet. Richard Gere is always nice to look at and he's very well dressed in this movie. New York is always good to look at and the beautiful colors on the trees definitely shows my favorite time in the city. I go back to NYC every fall to enjoy the beauty of it and this movie captures that very well.
Grade: C+
Labels: 2000, drama, movie, New York, Richard Gere, romance, Winona Ryder
Reviewed by Kat at the 5:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Sylvester Stallone (Kit Latura), Amy Brenneman (Madelyne Thompson), Viggo Mortensen (Roy Nord)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Daylight page.
Not sure what I expected of Daylight, but I know I expected it to be better than it was. As disaster movies go, this is near the bottom of the heap. I liked the idea that it took place in a New York tunnel and thought the plot had a lot of potential, since people are trapped, need to find their way out of the tunnel to the safety of the day light, etc.
Daylight would make an okay rental, but not worth spending the money on for a big theatre experience, even with the special effects.
Grade: C+
Labels: 1996, action, adventure, drama, movie, New York, thriller, Viggo Mortensen
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:50 PM show | 0 screams