After being disapointed by recent "dumb" comedies like "Anchorman" and "Dodgeball," I was really surprised how much I liked "Wedding Crashers." It was very funny, and actually managed to feel like a real movie, and not a 90 minute Saturday Night Live sketch (though it did have a funny Will Ferrell cameo). I'd recommend "Wedding Crashers" if you're just looking for something to make you laugh.
Finally, a Batman movie nails the tone correctly, and realizes that it's Bruce Wayne, not Batman, that audiences need to care about. Christian Bale plays the character perfectly, and Cillian Murphy steals his scenes as Scarecrow. A few akward love interest moments bring it down a little bit. Overall, however, it's the best comic book adaptation I've seen.
The final "Star Wars" movie has finally come and gone. Eventhough this one starts out with incredibly bad and akward dialogue, Ep 3 saves itself with the two big battles at the end. The fight between Yoda and the Emporer as they litterally destroy the Senate was worth the price of admission alone. Unfortunately, major moments of cheese throughout still knock it down a few pegs.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 
After waiting years to see a movie adaptation of "The Guide," I have to say that it didn't disapoint me. It was a funny, enjoyable movie. Not Lord of the Rings, but then, neither was the book. If I can recommend one thing, don't reread the book before you see it. It's nice to to be comparing every line to the book. Also, see if you can spot Sam Rockwell's subtle GW Bush impression.
April 2005
Sin City 
"Sin City" is refreshing and enjoyable if for no other reason than the fact that you've never seen anything like it. The visual style and it's unique voice help overshadow some bad performances and plot messes. Worth checking out if you're a Rodrigeuz or Tarrantino fan. Benicio Del Torro is solid as always, and Mickey Rourke rocks. That's right. Micky Rourke.
February 2005
Million Dollar Baby 
After walking out of Mystic River disapointed and surprised at all the hype it got, I was less than motivated to see Million Dollar Baby. The low expectations may have contributed to it, but I left Baby thinking it was one of the 20 best movies I've ever seen. Swank, Eastwood, and Freeman all deliver great performances, and in the end, create real, deep characters. It may just have been the narration by Morgan Freeman, but Baby keeps making me link it in my mind to another great film, The Shawshank Redemption.
January 2005
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Wes Anderson attempts his most ambitious film to date in Life Aquatic. For the most part, it all worked out great. The music was great, and a tangent where his crew goes to rescue a kidnapped acquaintance was hilarious. For the most part, the pace was slower than his movies usually are, and I could have done without Owen Wilson attempting an accent. Overall, a very good movie, but made me long for the simpler, character based Bottle Rocket and Rushmore.
