APRIL 2006 MOVIE VIEWING #821-#830

30 Sunday
Perfect Catch (Bobby Farrelly / Peter Farrelly) #830
[DVD] 2.5 / 5
Surprisingly good film around Drew Barrymore falling in love with Jimmy Fallon and having to balance the relationship with Fallon's favourite pastime, Baseball. Filmed ironically the same year the Boston red Sox finally won a World Series, it is a great look at how two people must compromise for a relationship to work. Disappointingly though, Barrymore needs to break away from these kinds of films.

29 Saturday
Final Destination 3 (2006 James Wong) #829
[Highpoint Cinema] 1.5/5
A disappointing follow up to the second film (which was quite good). This film starts of well with a thrilling rollercoaster flash back, and while some of the plot ideas are nice (ie: photographs), the whole concept becomes a bit far fetched and unrewarding.

After the Sunset (2004 Brett Ratner) #828
[DVD] 2.5/5
Whilst not as good as The Thomas Crown Affair (remake), Pierce Brosnan portrayal of a diamond jewel thief perhaps trying one last heist is still quite credible. The downfall of this fim is Woody Harrelson's character, a bumping detective following the trail of the jewel thief. Disappointing that a potential good film was ruined by poor character development.

21 Friday
The Weather Man (2005 Gore Verbinski) #827
[DVD] 2/5
The story of Nicholas Cage and his attempt to piece together his relationship with his family while trying to overcome the pitfalls of being a weather presenter. More of a black comedy than anything else, Cage, as always, looks as though he is acting. Michael Caine, as always is the standout, as Cage's dying father. See this film only for Caine's performance.

16 Sunday
A Sound of Thunder (2005 Peter Hyams) #826
[DVD] 1/5
Such a disappointing film considering the book is quite fascinating. When hunters travel back in time to prehistoric times, they accidentally alter the future, but don't realise how. This film went straight to DVD in Australia and it shows, with a B Grade feel to it. So disappointing.

14 Friday
Primer (2004 Shane Carruth) #825
[DVD] 1.5/5
Sparse story about a group of men who discover a way to travel back in time. A film which has the same atmoshphere feel to it like 'Cube', it is a story which becomes quite convaluted if full attention is not paid. Only view if you are in a 'thinking' mood.

13 Thursday
Stranger on the Third Floor (1940 Boris Ingster) #824
[ABC] 2/5
Peter Lorre as always is very good in this black and white mystery about a reporter who'se circumstantial evidence ends up convicting an innocent man. Plagued by an extraordinary dream sequence, (which for its time is very interesting) where he envisions that he is the cause of the murder, this B grade film isnt great but then again it isnt too bad.

9 Sunday
The Inside Man (2006 Spike Lee) #823
[Highpoint] 2/5
Spike Lee's attempt at a heist film is disappointing. Told in flashback, it is the story of a series of bank roobers who attempt to pull of the perfect crime. But it falls down in its confusing narrative and unanswered questions- and to be honest, the twist at the end isn't that amazing.

2 Sunday
Grizzly Man (2005 Werner Herzog 2005) #822
[DVD] 2.5 / 5
The documentary of a man who lived amongst Grizzly Bears for a large part of his life and his attempt to ensure their survival. A moving documentary made even more so by the tragic finale. The song over the closing credits 'Coyote' is powerful, simple and deeply moving. Werner Herzog at his finest.

1 Saturday
The Cinncinati Kid (1965 Norman Jewison) #821
[DVD] 2.5 / 5
Paul Newman challenges Edward G Robinson in this poker game drama. Robinson is great, mainly for the fact that by this time on screen he has aged and behind him are all the screen credit from his gangster films in the 1930's - 1940's.
This film builds to a great crescendo of the final poker game.