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: Chris Evans (Ryan), Kim Basinger (Jessica), Jessica Biel (Chloe), William H. Macy (Mooney)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Cellular page.
Cellular was a lot better than I expected. Had I known it would be this good, I might have bothered to see it when it was still in movie theaters. It's a very good thriller. Too bad the trailer made it look boring and old.
Grade: B
Labels: 2004, action, crime, drama, Jessica Biel, movie, thriller, William H. Macy
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: John Travolta (Jan Schlichtmann), Robert Duvall (Jerome Facher), Tony Shalhoub (Kevin Conway), William H. Macy (James Gordon)
For complete cast, see IMDb's A Civil Action page.
This movie about families of children who died suing companies for dumping toxic waste in their neighborhood is very good. It really addresses the issues facing our world today with the environment and dealing with the legal issues involved. It also shows the struggle the families go through fighting corporations in environmental battles. Knowing that they can never replace the loved ones they lost, it's amazing that these people had the courage to continue to fight the corporations involved. Environmental law is a very sticky subject and I think A Civil Action handles it well.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, drama, John Travolta, movie, William H. Macy
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:10 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Tobey Maguire (David), Reese Witherspoon (Jennifer), William H. Macy (George Parker), Joan Allen (Betty Parker), Jeff Daniels (Mr. Johnson)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Pleasantville page.
Initially, I thought the idea of Pleasantville, where two teenagers get trapped inside a 50's sitcom, which is the boy's favorite TV show, was a great idea. I had no idea how wonderful the movie would be, though.
Pleasantville is an amazing movie about living life to the fullest and experiencing all parts of life. A lot of people I know who saw this thought it was too centered on sex and didn't like it, but I disagree. Not everyone in Pleasantville turns to color for the same reasons. Some turn because of experiencing the joys of reading. Some, due to anger. Pleasantville explores the world without variation, where everything is seemingly perfect and pleasant. It shows us why the seemingly perfect or pleasant life is unfulfilling and why those there won't thrive in their one-dimensional view of the world. The special effects are also very well done.
I highly recommend this movie!
Grade: A-
Labels: 1998, comedy, drama, fantasy, movie, Reese Witherspoon, Tobey Maguire, William H. Macy
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:50 PM show | 0 screams