Dr. Elizabeth Masterson (Reese Witherspoon) is in a beautiful garden, only to wake up and realize she’s been up for 23 hours straight in the ER/Trauma center of St. Matthews General Hospital in San Fransisco. My initial inclination was that this would be another hokey romantic comedy, and, well, to a certain extent, it is. But it’s…
In the documentary interviews on this DVD, Gregory Peck reveals that his mannerism of clutching the pocketwatch is taken directly from observing the way Harper Lee’s father fiddled with his pocketwatch. During filming, Lee befriended Peck and believed…
Was Emily Rose possessed or afflicted by a medical disorder that required clinical treatment and therapy? If that question sounds perfunctory, it is—intentionally. The way in which the subject of Emily Rose’s death is approached is with equal parts mysticism and fact. I’m pointing this out because generally, in real life, I tend to err on the side of…
“You know your speech, I know your speech… the kids know your speech,” says Susan (Gigi Rice), the wife of Andy Fiddler (Eugene Levy). He’s a dental supplies salesman. Fiddler is perfect for the job. He’s obsessive about dental hygiene… and about giving a good speech. I’m glad someone’s enthused, because I have this funny feeling we’re going…
The film opens on a dank streetside in Joliet, Illinois, at what appears to be the height of the Great Depression. A bookie, Granger (Ed Bakey) steps out of his office and witnesses a thief making off with an old man’s wallet. Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) stops the thief. The old man, Luther Coleman (Robertearl Jones), explains to them that he had to deliver that money to someone fast or face a…
In the year 2055, Charles Hatton (Ben Kingsley), is the greedy overlord of Time Safari, a company located in Chicago. Wealthy hunters can pay the company a hefty amount to hunt ancient game, dinosaurs. Though this may not sound like a good idea, there are a few very strict rules the hunter must follow…
What’s interesting about the process by which this mystery unfolds lies in the parallel between Justin’s career as a diplomat and his interest in gardening. Gardeners and diplomats both require patience. Fiennes manner is slight, carefully paced. He understands he’s treading…
The film works through its necessary conflicts, between Mel and Cher, between Cher and Tai Fraiser (Brittany Murphy, in one of her most underrated, clever performances), and so on… but intelligently, not malevolently. I credit this partly to Jane Austen, as the film is based loosely on Emma. I also credit this to Amy Heckerling, who demonstrates a keen understanding, much like Tina Fey (head writer of “Saturday Night Live” and screenwriter of “Mean Girls”), of…