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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Sometimes, when you're watching a movie, you have to be a little forgiving about how far-fetched it is. For a movie like "K-PAX" to work, that kind of mentality is needed before you enter the theater. Some less forgiving viewers might find "K-PAX" a tad over-dramatic and pretentious, but there are some interesting themes and issues existing somewhere beneath the surface. \nProt (Kevin Spacey) is admitted to the Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan. He's a very quiet and harmless man, but he insists to Dr. Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges) that he's not human, but merely an alien visiting Earth. He comes from the planet K-PAX, a thousand light years away. Powell thinks Prot is insane but gradually is led to rather convincing evidence that makes him motivated to discover Prot's origin. Of course, the question of the film is whether Prot is really an alien from another part of the galaxy or whether he's insane and has a horrible past. \nProt is a role made for Spacey. He's meant for it. Bridges' performance is adequate, but his contrasting normalcy to Prot's odd behavior is simply there to make Spacey's performance look good. And it does. \nThe movie's central theme is concerned with the value and significance of the family and human contact in everyday society. We see Prot's character interacting with other patients, which at times is very pretentious, but at other times, is quite wonderful. We also see Mark putting obvious priority on his job over his family, and Prot even tells him "You should really look at your own planet and life." \nThe end is barely acceptable for its melodrama, but the truth about Prot's origin isn't blatantly revealed and that saves it from being over-the-top. That is one thing I liked about this film that I can't say about many other films. It doesn't insult your intelligence. It leaves things opened for interpretation, whether we are interpreting what exactly happened or trying to figure out what the film has to say to us. Despite a few flaws, the film is very enjoyable to watch and I'd recommend it to anybody who needs a little entertainment escapism.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
In the Bedroom - R\nStarring: Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Stahl\nDirected by: Todd Field\nShowing: Showplace East 11\n"In the Bedroom" is a truly haunting tale that sincerely and genuinely eats at the emotions. There are no contrivances here. Nothing is forced as things are played out subtly and gradually. We experience the life of a perfectly happy family in the wonderfully light town of Camden, New England. But lurking under the surface is a tragedy waiting to erupt. And when this shocking yet very believable disaster occurs, what unfolds before us is the absorbing, involving deterioration of this once wonderful family in this once wonderful town.\nAmong this innocent town's residents is a married couple named Matt and Ruth Fowler (Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek). Matt is a reputable physician and Ruth is a high school chorus music teacher who is more than satisfied with her job. The Fowlers have an only child named Frank (Nick Stahl), a college graduate student with a lot of potential to succeed like his prototypical parents. But Frank, falling in love with an older woman named Natalie Strout (Marisa Tomei), forgets his priorities and sticks around to maintain the relationship with her.\nBut the real complication is that Natalie's ex-husband Richard (William Mapother) is still in love with her, and his violent behavior is something we fear will bring inevitable tragedy to the wonderful town of Camden. And when the inescapable strikes, what unfolds are the deep-rooted flaws that a perfect married couple never had trouble denying to the world and to each other before, but now find difficult to ignore. Deep-seeded evil also reveals itself in a once-flawless and innocent town. From a very shocking but expected tragedy unravels a turmoil that eats at our protagonists in a way we simply can't ignore.\nThe writing in this film is something we mustn't overlook. The subtle style of story-telling is something we can all truly enjoy in an otherwise blatant and cliche Hollywood narrative-filled year of movies. The characters in this drama are only slowly introduced to us, but have so much substance, the loss is truly irritating to the senses. The acting in this film is eye-popping and has already garnered several deserved awards. Expect to see both Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson somewhere on that list of this year's Oscar nominees. \nThis film is actually very similar to "Ordinary People" (which won the Oscar for Best Picture of the Year in 1980). Genuinely involving and absorbing, "In the Bedroom" is one of the most memorable and haunting movies of the year and is giving other Oscar contenders a run for their money. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so surprised to discover that I wasn't the only one in a fairly filled theater to shed a large tear watching this powerfully shaking tale.\n
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Sometimes, the scariest movies don't let you see the thing you are afraid of. Typically, our own fear-inducing imaginations scare us a lot more than what's revealed explicitly. Who hasn't been home alone at night and associated every little noise they heard with an intruder in the house? Well, Mark Pellington, director of "Mothman Prophecies," understands this philosophy. Seeing is sometimes not nearly as scary as imagining.
(01/16/02 5:00am)
In the Bedroom - R\nStarring: Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Stahl\nDirected by: Todd Field\nShowing: Showplace East 11\n"In the Bedroom" is a truly haunting tale that sincerely and genuinely eats at the emotions. There are no contrivances here. Nothing is forced as things are played out subtly and gradually. We experience the life of a perfectly happy family in the wonderfully light town of Camden, New England. But lurking under the surface is a tragedy waiting to erupt. And when this shocking yet very believable disaster occurs, what unfolds before us is the absorbing, involving deterioration of this once wonderful family in this once wonderful town.\nAmong this innocent town's residents is a married couple named Matt and Ruth Fowler (Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek). Matt is a reputable physician and Ruth is a high school chorus music teacher who is more than satisfied with her job. The Fowlers have an only child named Frank (Nick Stahl), a college graduate student with a lot of potential to succeed like his prototypical parents. But Frank, falling in love with an older woman named Natalie Strout (Marisa Tomei), forgets his priorities and sticks around to maintain the relationship with her.\nBut the real complication is that Natalie's ex-husband Richard (William Mapother) is still in love with her, and his violent behavior is something we fear will bring inevitable tragedy to the wonderful town of Camden. And when the inescapable strikes, what unfolds are the deep-rooted flaws that a perfect married couple never had trouble denying to the world and to each other before, but now find difficult to ignore. Deep-seeded evil also reveals itself in a once-flawless and innocent town. From a very shocking but expected tragedy unravels a turmoil that eats at our protagonists in a way we simply can't ignore.\nThe writing in this film is something we mustn't overlook. The subtle style of story-telling is something we can all truly enjoy in an otherwise blatant and cliche Hollywood narrative-filled year of movies. The characters in this drama are only slowly introduced to us, but have so much substance, the loss is truly irritating to the senses. The acting in this film is eye-popping and has already garnered several deserved awards. Expect to see both Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson somewhere on that list of this year's Oscar nominees. \nThis film is actually very similar to "Ordinary People" (which won the Oscar for Best Picture of the Year in 1980). Genuinely involving and absorbing, "In the Bedroom" is one of the most memorable and haunting movies of the year and is giving other Oscar contenders a run for their money. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so surprised to discover that I wasn't the only one in a fairly filled theater to shed a large tear watching this powerfully shaking tale.\n
(11/15/01 5:00am)
\"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is coming to theaters tomorrow. Film critics and other audience members have already emerged from the London premiere, reportedly "gushing" over the film's magic. One word heard over and over again about the reaction of viewers is "spellbound."\nCritics have said director Chris Columbus remained faithful to the literary work. After all, why would any filmmaker change anything in a movie when its book has captured the hearts of more than 110 million readers? Perhaps this is why the film has generated as much hype as "Star Wars."\nIn Bloomington, tickets began vanishing a week before the movie debut. Box-office outlets say the tickets are selling faster than any other film in the last two years, a whopping 90 percent already sold. Showplace West, off West Third Street, has 12 screens in its building and Harry Potter will take up five of them, something no movie has ever done in any Kerasotes theater. And if the advanced ticket requests continue the way they have been, the theater plans to use even more screens. But Kerasotes isn't only stocking up on screens, but also on concessions. And Showplace West is going to use practically its entire staff for opening night, managers say. \nIn addition to movie theaters, Barnes and Noble has been preparing for opening night. Manager Julie Drake says that the sales for "Harry Potter" really haven't changed because of the movie. "They've held steady all along, really," she says. "They've been selling well, and they're still selling well. It's without a doubt the most widely sold book in the store. And I don't think the movie is going to hurt the sale of the books at all. When kids see the movie, they'll want to read the other books." \nTarget Department Stores is also getting a piece of the action. With the purchase of a large drink, Target offers a special Harry Potter plastic glass with a sampler CD of Harry Potter games attached to the lid. And they have also been successful in selling Harry Potter toys, books, tape cassettes and Halloween costumes. \nThe abundance of Potter memorabilia has caused critics to wonder whether Hollywood will taint the purity of the story by making it into a film. Raymond Gutjahr, a professor of young adult literature, is not too worried but plans to wait and see the movie until after the hype dies down. \n"Books and movies are two different things. I'm not going to compare them," Gutjahr says. "Maybe the movie will do something differently from the book. But you have to go in with an open mind. You can't constantly think that this or that didn't go with what went on in the book. A book and a movie are simply two different things."\nGutjahr adds that the universal themes in the book have caused its widespread popularity. \n"It's very accessible reading," he says. "You have a truly endearing hero, somebody that people have a lot of sympathy for in the book. And then you have a really good villain, you have clear evil, and that propels the narrative forward. You're constantly reading to find out what happens." \nHe says the prevalent themes of friendship and loyalty also causes the story to be appealing to people of all ages.\n"(Rowling) is not doing anything inventive here. It's a fairly straight-forward, simple plot line that really hits the hearts of readers," he says. "I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to suspend the laws of nature. We would all love to have an invisibility cloak. It's a wonderful make believe world, and people love escapist literature." \nPeople also love escapist cinema, and under the current national situation, there couldn't be a better film released at a better time. Already breaking records, this film is predicted to destroy "Titanic"'s record of being the highest grossing film of all time.\nThe expected financial success of the film is mainly due to the hype of fans. People are walking around campus with Gryffindor shirts and Quidditch hats. (Gryffindor and Quidditch are fictional terms in the novels, for those who haven't yet read the books.) Students are also hanging Harry Potter posters on their dorm walls and have dressed up as the wizard for Halloween. \nOne student, sophomore Elizabeth Sabo, is an avid reader of the books. Sitting in a the new Panera Bread store and sipping a mocha, she talks wildly about the novels. \n"The books have such a universal appeal," she says. "Kids can read them and enjoy them, but adults can read them as well, and pull some deeper meaning from them because the books are so multi-faceted and have so many levels." \nIronic how she loves coffee shops, when J.K. Rowling herself spent much of her time in her favorite coffee shop, writing the acclaimed books. From this, Sabo responds, "Well, I've always had a thing for mochas, but knowing that Rowling wrote in a coffee shop just adds to the goodness of the overall experience."\nShe adds that she expects to enjoy the movie because she is so fond of the novels.\n"I know how good the books are, and even if the film is only half as good as the books, that would still mean a great film." \nEven people who haven't read any of the books are excited to see the film, such as senior Missy Brouse who bought her tickets a week in a half in advance. \n"I'm expecting to come out of this movie saying, 'Wow, that was really good,'" she explains. "Everything I've heard from friends and critics and just all the hype its getting -- it's really amazing. I'm wondering if I should read the books before seeing the movie. Every time, I always like the book better, but I think this movie has the potential to be as good as the books"
(11/15/01 4:19am)
\"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is coming to theaters tomorrow. Film critics and other audience members have already emerged from the London premiere, reportedly "gushing" over the film's magic. One word heard over and over again about the reaction of viewers is "spellbound."\nCritics have said director Chris Columbus remained faithful to the literary work. After all, why would any filmmaker change anything in a movie when its book has captured the hearts of more than 110 million readers? Perhaps this is why the film has generated as much hype as "Star Wars."\nIn Bloomington, tickets began vanishing a week before the movie debut. Box-office outlets say the tickets are selling faster than any other film in the last two years, a whopping 90 percent already sold. Showplace West, off West Third Street, has 12 screens in its building and Harry Potter will take up five of them, something no movie has ever done in any Kerasotes theater. And if the advanced ticket requests continue the way they have been, the theater plans to use even more screens. But Kerasotes isn't only stocking up on screens, but also on concessions. And Showplace West is going to use practically its entire staff for opening night, managers say. \nIn addition to movie theaters, Barnes and Noble has been preparing for opening night. Manager Julie Drake says that the sales for "Harry Potter" really haven't changed because of the movie. "They've held steady all along, really," she says. "They've been selling well, and they're still selling well. It's without a doubt the most widely sold book in the store. And I don't think the movie is going to hurt the sale of the books at all. When kids see the movie, they'll want to read the other books." \nTarget Department Stores is also getting a piece of the action. With the purchase of a large drink, Target offers a special Harry Potter plastic glass with a sampler CD of Harry Potter games attached to the lid. And they have also been successful in selling Harry Potter toys, books, tape cassettes and Halloween costumes. \nThe abundance of Potter memorabilia has caused critics to wonder whether Hollywood will taint the purity of the story by making it into a film. Raymond Gutjahr, a professor of young adult literature, is not too worried but plans to wait and see the movie until after the hype dies down. \n"Books and movies are two different things. I'm not going to compare them," Gutjahr says. "Maybe the movie will do something differently from the book. But you have to go in with an open mind. You can't constantly think that this or that didn't go with what went on in the book. A book and a movie are simply two different things."\nGutjahr adds that the universal themes in the book have caused its widespread popularity. \n"It's very accessible reading," he says. "You have a truly endearing hero, somebody that people have a lot of sympathy for in the book. And then you have a really good villain, you have clear evil, and that propels the narrative forward. You're constantly reading to find out what happens." \nHe says the prevalent themes of friendship and loyalty also causes the story to be appealing to people of all ages.\n"(Rowling) is not doing anything inventive here. It's a fairly straight-forward, simple plot line that really hits the hearts of readers," he says. "I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to suspend the laws of nature. We would all love to have an invisibility cloak. It's a wonderful make believe world, and people love escapist literature." \nPeople also love escapist cinema, and under the current national situation, there couldn't be a better film released at a better time. Already breaking records, this film is predicted to destroy "Titanic"'s record of being the highest grossing film of all time.\nThe expected financial success of the film is mainly due to the hype of fans. People are walking around campus with Gryffindor shirts and Quidditch hats. (Gryffindor and Quidditch are fictional terms in the novels, for those who haven't yet read the books.) Students are also hanging Harry Potter posters on their dorm walls and have dressed up as the wizard for Halloween. \nOne student, sophomore Elizabeth Sabo, is an avid reader of the books. Sitting in a the new Panera Bread store and sipping a mocha, she talks wildly about the novels. \n"The books have such a universal appeal," she says. "Kids can read them and enjoy them, but adults can read them as well, and pull some deeper meaning from them because the books are so multi-faceted and have so many levels." \nIronic how she loves coffee shops, when J.K. Rowling herself spent much of her time in her favorite coffee shop, writing the acclaimed books. From this, Sabo responds, "Well, I've always had a thing for mochas, but knowing that Rowling wrote in a coffee shop just adds to the goodness of the overall experience."\nShe adds that she expects to enjoy the movie because she is so fond of the novels.\n"I know how good the books are, and even if the film is only half as good as the books, that would still mean a great film." \nEven people who haven't read any of the books are excited to see the film, such as senior Missy Brouse who bought her tickets a week in a half in advance. \n"I'm expecting to come out of this movie saying, 'Wow, that was really good,'" she explains. "Everything I've heard from friends and critics and just all the hype its getting -- it's really amazing. I'm wondering if I should read the books before seeing the movie. Every time, I always like the book better, but I think this movie has the potential to be as good as the books"
(11/02/01 4:47am)
I coached baseball this summer. I would arrive early before practice, sit in the dugout in my solitude and restlessly read "Harry Potter," a genuine page-turner. And when it was time for practice to begin and the boys and girls came running onto the field with their gloves and their bats, they had no intention of playing baseball. They wanted me to read them "Harry Potter." \nWell, this is it, fellow Potter fans! We have been eagerly awaiting not only the release of the fifth book, but the movie. The premiere of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is next week in London and millions of us will get our first taste of what critics and others think of the long-awaited movie. \nAudiences are likely to flock to a film like this, not only because of its indescribable popularity or for escapism from the recent national terrorist scares. It's because the story is well ... so darned good. And those film analysts out there who suggest the film's running time of just under two and a half hours may be daunting for children with short attention spans might want to think again. The fourth Potter novel is more than 700 pages long, and did that discourage any of us? \n"Harry Potter and The Sorceror's Stone" is the first of J.K. Rowling's series of books about the a wizard's search to unravel the mystery of his powers and the puzzled past of his murdered parents. This story has about as much magic outside of the book as it does in the pages, appealing to all ages, from children who haven't even reached elementary school to adults who are old enough to file for a senior citizen card. Readers have simply accepted the fact that Harry Potter grabs you by the collar and throws you into this wonderful world that you just don't want to leave. \nAnd for those who have seen pictures of the cast ... wow! Is it me or do these actors look exactly how you imagined the characters to be? Child star Daniel Radcliffe is probably finding it hard to believe he is the most envied boy in the world after being cast as the title character. He was reportedly very nervous while making the hot new film, but director Chris Columbus and fellow star and veteran actor Robbie Coltrane (who plays Hagrid) both suggest that Radcliffe's performance is "uncanny." And who knew that such well-known actors like Richard Harris would be perfect for Professor Dumbledore or that Alan Rickman is Professor Snape. \nBut please now, let us not neglect the talent of the crew behind this epic saga. Columbus is simply perfect for the job of director. Some wanted Steven Spielberg, but remember, Columbus has also warmed our hearts with films such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Home Alone." I think he's capable. Don't forget the even less noticeable screenwriter Steven Kloves, who garnered an Oscar nomination for "Wonder Boys." Or John Seale, the cinematographer, who's responsible for such films as "Rain Man" and "Dead Poet's Society." Did I mention the musical composer John Williams? I think we all know the music to "Jaws," "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones."\n"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," the second book in the classic saga, is already being filmed as we speak. (And for those of you who haven't been updated, The Associated Press in London has just announced that Hugh Grant has stepped down from the starring role of Gilderoy Lockhart because of scheduling conflicts. The role has officially been given to veteran actor Kenneth Branagh. Does anyone besides me think this is an awesome choice? Did anyone not see his performance in "Hamlet" in 1996? If you haven't, I suggest you run to the video store and pick it up.)\nAccording to the filmmakers, later film adaptations really depend on the success of the first two. With actors like the aforementioned, I think we can safely say they'll be more adaptations. We'll get a better glimpse of things to come for the success of the Harry Potter movie franchise next week at the London premiere.
(10/31/01 5:00am)
Sometimes, when you're watching a movie, you have to be a little forgiving about how far-fetched it is. For a movie like "K-PAX" to work, that kind of mentality is needed before you enter the theater. Some less forgiving viewers might find "K-PAX" a tad over-dramatic and pretentious, but there are some interesting themes and issues existing somewhere beneath the surface. \nProt (Kevin Spacey) is admitted to the Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan. He's a very quiet and harmless man, but he insists to Dr. Mark Powell (Jeff Bridges) that he's not human, but merely an alien visiting Earth. He comes from the planet K-PAX, a thousand light years away. Powell thinks Prot is insane but gradually is led to rather convincing evidence that makes him motivated to discover Prot's origin. Of course, the question of the film is whether Prot is really an alien from another part of the galaxy or whether he's insane and has a horrible past. \nProt is a role made for Spacey. He's meant for it. Bridges' performance is adequate, but his contrasting normalcy to Prot's odd behavior is simply there to make Spacey's performance look good. And it does. \nThe movie's central theme is concerned with the value and significance of the family and human contact in everyday society. We see Prot's character interacting with other patients, which at times is very pretentious, but at other times, is quite wonderful. We also see Mark putting obvious priority on his job over his family, and Prot even tells him "You should really look at your own planet and life." \nThe end is barely acceptable for its melodrama, but the truth about Prot's origin isn't blatantly revealed and that saves it from being over-the-top. That is one thing I liked about this film that I can't say about many other films. It doesn't insult your intelligence. It leaves things opened for interpretation, whether we are interpreting what exactly happened or trying to figure out what the film has to say to us. Despite a few flaws, the film is very enjoyable to watch and I'd recommend it to anybody who needs a little entertainment escapism.
(10/31/01 5:00am)
I coached baseball this summer. I would arrive early before practice, sit in the dugout in my solitude and restlessly read "Harry Potter," a genuine page-turner. And when it was time for practice to begin and the boys and girls came running onto the field with their gloves and their bats, they had no intention of playing baseball. They wanted me to read them "Harry Potter." \nWell, this is it, fellow Potter fans! We have been eagerly awaiting not only the release of the fifth book, but the movie. The premiere of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is next week in London and millions of us will get our first taste of what critics and others think of the long-awaited movie. \nAudiences are likely to flock to a film like this, not only because of its indescribable popularity or for escapism from the recent national terrorist scares. It's because the story is well ... so darned good. And those film analysts out there who suggest the film's running time of just under two and a half hours may be daunting for children with short attention spans might want to think again. The fourth Potter novel is more than 700 pages long, and did that discourage any of us? \n"Harry Potter and The Sorceror's Stone" is the first of J.K. Rowling's series of books about the a wizard's search to unravel the mystery of his powers and the puzzled past of his murdered parents. This story has about as much magic outside of the book as it does in the pages, appealing to all ages, from children who haven't even reached elementary school to adults who are old enough to file for a senior citizen card. Readers have simply accepted the fact that Harry Potter grabs you by the collar and throws you into this wonderful world that you just don't want to leave. \nAnd for those who have seen pictures of the cast ... wow! Is it me or do these actors look exactly how you imagined the characters to be? Child star Daniel Radcliffe is probably finding it hard to believe he is the most envied boy in the world after being cast as the title character. He was reportedly very nervous while making the hot new film, but director Chris Columbus and fellow star and veteran actor Robbie Coltrane (who plays Hagrid) both suggest that Radcliffe's performance is "uncanny." And who knew that such well-known actors like Richard Harris would be perfect for Professor Dumbledore or that Alan Rickman is Professor Snape. \nBut please now, let us not neglect the talent of the crew behind this epic saga. Columbus is simply perfect for the job of director. Some wanted Steven Spielberg, but remember, Columbus has also warmed our hearts with films such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Home Alone." I think he's capable. Don't forget the even less noticeable screenwriter Steven Kloves, who garnered an Oscar nomination for "Wonder Boys." Or John Seale, the cinematographer, who's responsible for such films as "Rain Man" and "Dead Poet's Society." Did I mention the musical composer John Williams? I think we all know the music to "Jaws," "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones."\n"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," the second book in the classic saga, is already being filmed as we speak. (And for those of you who haven't been updated, The Associated Press in London has just announced that Hugh Grant has stepped down from the starring role of Gilderoy Lockhart because of scheduling conflicts. The role has officially been given to veteran actor Kenneth Branagh. Does anyone besides me think this is an awesome choice? Did anyone not see his performance in "Hamlet" in 1996? If you haven't, I suggest you run to the video store and pick it up.)\nAccording to the filmmakers, later film adaptations really depend on the success of the first two. With actors like the aforementioned, I think we can safely say they'll be more adaptations. We'll get a better glimpse of things to come for the success of the Harry Potter movie franchise next week at the London premiere.
(10/25/01 5:59am)
Several films have been pulled because of recent events, but "The Last Castle" was released on time, despite featuring a scene where a helicopter is hijacked and used to ram into a building.\nAccording to its advertisements, "The Last Castle" is about leadership. Viewers may see the film as silly and over-ambitious, yet more or less entertaining. Big names like Robert Redford and James Gandolfini may attract attention (and "The Sopranos" fans), but the film is your typical cliche thriller on essentially the same level as "Toy Soldiers." \nArmy General Irwin (Redford) disobeys an order and is indirectly responsible for the death of several soldiers. He admits his guilt and accepts any punishment, giving his character a heroic, martyr-type personality. Sentenced to seven years, he is sent to The Castle, a military prison ruled by Colonel Winter (Gandolfini). Winter has no military experience yet collects little toy soldiers and is envious of Irwin, thus instigating a jealous, provocative war to gain the obedience of the prisoners.\nThe story is fairly far-fetched, and matters aren't improved by the writers' decision to make vicious criminals seem like slaves fighting for their freedom in "Braveheart." And depicting every single one of these gruesome prisoners as a sympathetic character is also stretching it. The last film I can think of to get away with that and make it look good was 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption." And besides…those prisoners were "all innocent." Regardless, "The Last Castle" is certainly not "Shawshank." \nThanks to the talent of some key players, the silliness of the film is a little less noticeable. Gandolfini plays his character with a cartoonish type of evil, but is unpredictable and very fun to watch. Meanwhile, Redford relies on resistance, instead of dramatics. \nSome people will likely accept "The Last Castle" at face value, be entertained, suspend all disbelief and not look too deeply into it. Others may find this tale truly cheesy. But if you're more forgiving than I am, you might just enjoy yourself. I guess I'm just waiting for other epics to be released like "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Lord of the Rings." Perhaps, unlike this film, they'll live up to the hype of their trailers.
(10/25/01 4:00am)
Several films have been pulled because of recent events, but "The Last Castle" was released on time, despite featuring a scene where a helicopter is hijacked and used to ram into a building.\nAccording to its advertisements, "The Last Castle" is about leadership. Viewers may see the film as silly and over-ambitious, yet more or less entertaining. Big names like Robert Redford and James Gandolfini may attract attention (and "The Sopranos" fans), but the film is your typical cliche thriller on essentially the same level as "Toy Soldiers." \nArmy General Irwin (Redford) disobeys an order and is indirectly responsible for the death of several soldiers. He admits his guilt and accepts any punishment, giving his character a heroic, martyr-type personality. Sentenced to seven years, he is sent to The Castle, a military prison ruled by Colonel Winter (Gandolfini). Winter has no military experience yet collects little toy soldiers and is envious of Irwin, thus instigating a jealous, provocative war to gain the obedience of the prisoners.\nThe story is fairly far-fetched, and matters aren't improved by the writers' decision to make vicious criminals seem like slaves fighting for their freedom in "Braveheart." And depicting every single one of these gruesome prisoners as a sympathetic character is also stretching it. The last film I can think of to get away with that and make it look good was 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption." And besides…those prisoners were "all innocent." Regardless, "The Last Castle" is certainly not "Shawshank." \nThanks to the talent of some key players, the silliness of the film is a little less noticeable. Gandolfini plays his character with a cartoonish type of evil, but is unpredictable and very fun to watch. Meanwhile, Redford relies on resistance, instead of dramatics. \nSome people will likely accept "The Last Castle" at face value, be entertained, suspend all disbelief and not look too deeply into it. Others may find this tale truly cheesy. But if you're more forgiving than I am, you might just enjoy yourself. I guess I'm just waiting for other epics to be released like "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Lord of the Rings." Perhaps, unlike this film, they'll live up to the hype of their trailers.