All reviews written by Curt Burbach of Clackamas , Oregon on February 9th, 2005

   

 

Million Dollar Baby:

This was a very powerful and moving story. The film was very well written and acted. I can see why it was nominated for best picture, best director, best actor and best actress. I’m confident that it will win something at the Academy Awards later this month. Clint Eastwood produced, directed and starred in this gripping tale that depicts nearly every aspect of typical humanity. I suggest you watch it before someone tells you about it and ruins it for you. I give this very good film, four bones out of four.

 

Sideways:

My review for this film is nearly identical to the review I did last year for Lost in Translation. So here goes – The one word I’d like to use to describe this film is “quaint.” It is by no means a blockbuster and does not deserve to be nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards. It’s very slow paced, and you have to let it play out, therefore a lot of people may have trouble with it. I recommend waiting for it to come out on DVD, so you can stop it and tend to other things, when and if, you get bored. The acting was very good, and the story exposed many realistic views of the human spirit, or lack of it. It wasn’t a bad movie, it was quaint, and it will make you chuckle many times. I give it 2 ½ bones.

 

Finding Neverland:

This is the heartfelt and touching story of how Sir James Mathew Barrie acquired his inspiration to write the original Peter Pan script. Johnny Depp earned his second Oscar nomination for this but he isn’t going to win. I’m also happy to see that it’s nominated for best original score and best screenplay adaptation, because both were very good. The children in this film also do an outstanding job of acting. It’s a very good film and I award it 3 ½ bones.

 

Hotel Rwanda:

This film follows the true story of the genocide that took place in Rwanda during the summer of 1994. It’s a very powerful film that’s very well acted. I believe it is much more deserving of a best picture nomination than Sideways. It is, however, nominated in three categories to include best actor (Don Cheadle). And yes, he deserves it. Everyone should see this movie, at least for the world affairs lesson. There is still civil unrest going on in that country, and it would help to understand some of the history. Ten years after the big genocide, the country is still rebuilding, and tribunals are still being convened for those accused of crimes against humanity. Imagine watching Schindler’s List with the holocaust being only ten years old. I award this film four bones, and highly recommend you see it. 

   

*** (As seen on DVD) ***

 

The Manchurian Candidate:

I was surprised to see this film ranked as one of the top ten films of the year by one of the nationally syndicated movie critics back east. It’s a fairly complex cloak & dagger thriller that plays itself out appropriately. But, I didn’t find it emotionally compelling. The actors (Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep) did their jobs well enough, but the whole theme just didn’t set a solid foundation for an entertaining movie. Bottom line; I thought it was very average, and I give it two bones.

 

Ike: Countdown to D-Day:

Tom Selleck plays Dwight Eisenhower in this story, which explains the last several weeks leading up to D-Day. Unless you have some sort of interest in military history, this one will not entertain you. The film depicts the people and personalities of the decision-makers involved with the greatest military operation in history. Overall, I’d say it was decent, and I give it 2 ½ bones.

 

The Forgotten:

This movie is above average, and there’s one underlying characteristic that is possesses; It is shocking. I jumped out of my chair a couple times. Don’t let anyone tell you about the film before you see it. It comes in two versions; a theatrical version and an extended version. Watch it just for the shock effect. 2 ½ bones.

   

 

Notes: Academy Awards scheduled for February 27th;

 

I’ll be rooting for Million Dollar Baby to win best picture. Sideways is just quaint; The Aviator and Ray lack the emotional impact; Finding Neverland is very good, but Million Dollar Baby is even better. Hotel Rwanda should have been nominated too.

 

I will also be pulling for Jamie Foxx to win best actor for his portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray. The others did very well, but Foxx gave a performance that isn’t seen very often.

 

In the animated feature film category, I will be pulling for The Incredibles.

 

For cinematography, I pick The Aviator.

 

For make-up, I choose The Passion of the Christ.

 

Best Supporting Actor; I pick Morgan Freeman in Million Dollar Baby.

 

For all the rest of the categories, I either can’t decide or didn’t see enough of the performances to make a fair opinion.

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