Category Archives: Rent It Tonight

Scorsese Dream Project “Gangs of New York” is Epic, Uneven

Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York (B-) is an epic historical drama set in the mid-19th century in the Five Points district of Lower Manhattan. While Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz are fine in their roles, it is Daniel Day-Lewis who steals the show as Bill “The Butcher” Cutting, the crime boss and political kingmaker of a time period inclusive of Irish immigration, the Civil War and the New York Draft Riots. It’s clear Scorsese was going for Dickensian characters and atmosphere on classic American turf, but then he rushes the final act. The story isn’t all that memorable, even if The Butcher’s menace lingers on.

“Punch Drunk Love” is Director PTA Having Fun

At around an hour and a half, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love (B-) is a quirky trifle from a director who’s accustomed to directing an opus. Adam Sandler’s character is a schmuck with rage issues, but he’s paired with the super-sweet Emily Watson in a romance. To the tune of Jon Brion’s harmonium and through bizarre sequences with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and others, this is PTA’s version of After Hours. Sandler glows from the great writing and direction.

Related article: I reference Adam Sandler’s acclaimed role in this Wall Street Journal story.

“Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” Ups the Fantasy Ante

Even richer in its themes about the importance of telling stories, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (A) centers on the friendship between the Hobbit characters played by Elijah Wood and Sean Astin while continuing to build a mosaic of characters preparing for a battle for the ages. The adventure in this installment is a wonder to behold. The sequences with Treebeard slow down the film a bit like the Yoda sequences do in another famous trilogy, but it’s mainly forward momentum all the way here as the merry band of adventurers encounter new obstacles.

Movie Version of “Chicago” One of the Best Big-Screen Musicals in Years

Rob Marshall’s 1924-set musical Chicago (A-) brings song and dance razzamatazz back to the screen as Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones take on the juicy roles of ladies who will kill for fame. Many musical numbers from the stage show become fantasy dream sequences in the film, which works beautifully. From the cell block tango to vaudeville sketches, this film brings all that jazz and more to the proceedings, and it’s a dark comedic good time.

Ogre the Moon! Animated “Shrek” a Clever Fairy Tale Send-Up

Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson’s endlessly imaginative animated tale Shrek (B+) tells the tale of an ogre (voiced by Mike Myers), a donkey (Eddie Murphy) and a princess (Cameron Diaz) on an adventurous journey in a far-away fractured fairy tale land. The in-jokes are inventive and will keep parents in stitches while kids enjoy the lovable characters in hilarious pratfalls. This whole subversive DreamWorks Animation enterprise pokes gentle fun at the Disney kingdom and gets great laughs from a supporting cast of misfit characters such as its own version of Pinocchio and The Three Little Pigs. John Lithgow is also a hoot as the diminutive villain. Fun and frantically paced, it’s a delightful modern classic.

“In the Bedroom” is Potent Domestic Drama

Todd Field’s In the Bedroom (A-) is a suburban stunner that starts out as a romance between Nick Stahl and Marisa Tomei, then something awful happens, then it’s something much more. Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson play parents forced to face the aftermath of violence in this searing and perfectly acted piece. Field is masterful in his debut work directing quite an accomplished ensemble.

David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive” a Mindbender of a Masterpiece

Brace yourself for David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (B+), a wild ride into the illusions of Hollywood where nothing is what it seems; or if it is, it won’t be for long. Naomi Watts is wonderful as a classic Lynch protagonist in a film that may or may not involve souls switching bodies, color-coded lights that may or may not involve parallel universes and just enough weirdness to keep you hooked.

Director Ron Howard and Russell Crowe Reunite for Wonderful “A Beautiful Mind”

Ron Howard’s A Beautiful Mind (B+) is a 1940’s-set psychological drama starring Russell Crowe as a Princeton science and math prodigy who gets enlisted into some strange and secret experiments. Jennifer Connelly plays his long-suffering but supportive soul mate. The film is fascinating and surprising at times and is a great showcase for its fine actors.

“Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring” is Astonishing

Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (A) is an epic fantasy that transports viewers to Middle Earth where a band of Hobbits, dwarves, elves and more must transport and destroy an enchanted ring that brings great power to those who wear it before it falls into the hands of dark villains. Elijah Wood is charming as Frodo the Hobbit and Viggo Mortensen dashing as human Aragorn in this adventure that starts the epic journey. Jackson is reverent to J.R.R. Tolkien fans but adds his own twists and turns to make the work more muscular. Sir Ian McKellen is towering as Gandolf, the wizard who provides a touchstone for the film’s characters and clarification for their mission. The effects are great and leave you ready for the continuing saga to come.

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is a Fabulous Gender-Bending Musical Extravaganza

John Cameron Mitchell directs and stars in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (A), a raucous rock musical about a transsexual lounge singer brought to America by a military man and given a botched sex change operation. Abandoned and left with the “angry inch” of the musical’s title, Hedwig sings about finding her other half in some incredible rock ballads such as “Origin of Love.” Up-tempo punk rock numbers take on a Ziggy Stardust quality as Hedwig starts to follow her muse on a concert tour, singing her pop hits “Wig in a Box,” “Midnight Radio,” and many more. The film is campy fun as karaoke bouncing balls and animated sequences dot the music sequences so viewers can sing along or participate. Part backstage musical, part poignant portrait of broken hearts and part love letter to that special someone, the film is a tender take on how you can make the most of the pieces you’ve got and rock out with the rest!

“Moulin Rouge!” is a Glorious Mash-Up of Tragic Romance Tropes and Full-Throated Creativity

Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! (A-) is a spellbinding romantic musical featuring modern-day songs by The Beatles, Elton John, Whitney Houston and more at the service of a fantasy Parisian-based story about a poet (Ewan McGregor) who falls in love with a courtesan (Nicole Kidman). Luhrmann’s bouncing-off-the-walls visuals slow down occasionally to feast eyes on the stunning central couple who is fully committed to its acting performances. It’s a splendid let’s-put-on-a-show production with surprises in store at every turn.

“Y Tu Mamá También” a Great Film on Growing Up

Alfonso Cuarón’s Mexican coming-of-age film Y Tu Mamá También (A) features Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna who take Maribel Verdú on a road trip that leads to a variety of surprising discoveries. Frank in its sexual content, bawdy and bold in its humor and choices and nostalgic in its glimpses at a nation in transition, it’s an amazing journey and a rejuvenating cinematic experience.

Related link: Learn about the deluxe DVD edition of this film at Criterion Blues.