dlitt-1 Reviews

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Well worth the price of admission

[8/10 · 27 May 2006]

First let me say that I have read the book. Unlike many of the literature critics out there, I liked it too. Do I care what some critic that just wants to be cool says about the movie, I suppose I do because I went into the movie with low expectations. Instead, I was surprised at how true to the book it was, and how well crafted the movie was, especially the cinematography. I've read that there is no chemistry between Hanks and Audry Toutou, Is there supposed to be? In the movie, the relationship is not presented as a love interest, just two people thrown together in a brief adventure. If I have a complaint, it's that the Silas character was miscast. The accent was a little hokey and for some reason, he just didn't seem real, more like a cartoon villain. This must have been a pretty hard movie to script. The writers have over 40 million people that have read the book and despite what the movie critics and even the literary critics say, the Da Vinci Code is a great ride- again. Score another bulls-eye for Mr. Howard.

Spanglish (2004)

A Multi-layered collage of human frailty

[8/10 · 28 March 2006]

Now I know that many of you live in LA and see this as some kind of brown-while morality tale, and I suppose everyone's environment is going to shade their opinion. I, however, don't live in southern California and have seen this movie a number of times and enjoy more with each viewing. Paz Vega's performance alone is worth watching, but the help she gets from veteran Cloris Leachman, and newcomers Shelbie Bruce (her daughter, Cristina), and Sarah Steele as the plumb and plucky Bernice is memorable. The moments of pure perfection (the three-way translation conversation between John, Flor, and Cristina)compensate for the melodramatic story line and the uneven performances by Adam Sandler and Tia Leoni, two actors that certainly deserved a more subtle approach to their direction. Spanglish will stay will you longer after seeing it just once, and Paz Vega's "Hollywood" debut promises more fun to come. Bravo.

Step Into Liquid (2003)

It Just Feels Good!

[10/10 · 14 March 2006]

This movie just feels good. It's an uplifting look at the spirit and the courage of these men, women, and children that make the sea their playground. There's no plot, no special effects, and no actors, just surfers and the ocean. If you just want to disappear for an hour and a half and come out feeling like you've inner child has been renewed, this is the one.

Dale Brown, son of the Endless Summer's Bruce Brown, does a splendid job of showing us big surf from around the world and the surfers who have made the pursuit of these waves a way of life. Along the way, we see generations of some of the best surfers continue to surf into their sixties and seventies with their own sons, daughters, and grandchildren. We even meet a middle-aged surfer that has a quest to surf every day of his life, no matter the weather, until he surfs over 10,000 days in a row.

It's not Shakespeare, it's a trip around the globe with some very likable people doing what they love to do. Our gratitude to Dale Brown and his crew for inviting us along.

Elvis Has Left the Building (2004)

It's just a little fun.

[7/10 · 30 December 2005]

Okay, it's not Spielberg, but it's a little movie that's a lot of fun. Competent performances by Basinger and Corbett certainly help sell the premise, but it's a screwball comedy a la "The Russians Are Coming". Besides, how bad could a dark comedy be whose focus is on an Elvis impersonator convention? Help comes in many forms including appearances by Denise Richards, Angie Dickenson, Pat Morita, Richard Kind, and Annie Potts. Other cameos spice things a bit. If don't mind spending 90 minutes on a little quirky movie that delivers a few good laughs and a lot of amusing moments rent the DVD. It's worth it. This last line is in here because IMDb makes you write ten lines.

Finding Neverland (2004)

A Wonderful Experience for all ages

[10/10 · 1 January 2005]

Depp is astounding and Mark Forster's direction is subtle, but right on the mark. Dustin Hoffman's character could have been so far over the top, but instead the result was a perfect blend of charm and wit. The movie is magical on a number of levels, but the performances are first rate, including Kate Winslet's. Take your family. Everyone from Grandma, to your ten year old will love it. I saw this movie under the worst of circumstances (New Year's Eve/full theater, front row) and was caught up in the plot within 10 minutes. Certainly one of the top ten movies of 2004. Depp's portrayal of Barrie will have you believing in Neverland.