In Good Company ***
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer, Clark Gregg, Philip Baker Hall, Zena Grey, Malcolm McDowell
Director: Paul Weitz
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Dan Foreman (Quaid) is the Sales Director at Sports America magazine. He is a very good salesman who has built relationships with his customers. When Sports America is taken over by Worldcom, Dan (and his co-workers) find their world turned on end. Dan finds himself demoted to "wingman" for the new boss, Carter Duryea (Grace). 26-year old Carter is not a salesman, but he has had success in the business world. He is in over his head, and must rely on Dan's assistance if he wants any chance to succeed.

After seizing an opportunity to come over for dinner at Dan's house, Carter is amazed by the nice life that Dan has put together for himself. Coming off of a failed marriage, Carter longs for what Dan has, and soon finds himself dating Dan's daughter Alex (Johannson) behind Dan's back.

"In Good Company" is a movie about relationships and the business world. The interaction between Quaid and Grace and Grace and Johannson feels genuine, and that is the main reason that this movie works. There is nothing too original here story-wise, sometimes grasping at long-time plot devices, but it is the start interaction with each other that makes this movie stand out. Dennis Quaid gets to be the likeable guy that most see him as in real life, and Topher Grace gets a chance to shine on the big screen as the good-hearted young man that he seems to be in real life.

And, while this movie does rely on formula to some extent, director Paul Weitz is gutsy enough to not give any of the characters a clear answer to their problems. It feels real, and that is why "In Good Company" succeeds.

Oscar Nominations 2005

The 77th annual Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:

Picture:
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
Ray
Sideways

Director:
Martin Scorsese, The Aviator
Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby
Taylor Hackford, Ray
Alexander Payne, Sideways
Mike Leigh, Vera Drake

Actor:
Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda
Johnny Depp, Finding Neverland
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Aviator
Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby
Jamie Foxx, Ray

Actress:
Annette Bening, Being Julia
Catalina Sandino Moreno, Maria Full of Grace
Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake
Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby
Kate Winslet, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Supporting actor:
Alan Alda, The Aviator
Jamie Foxx, Collateral
Morgan Freeman, Million Dollar Baby
Thomas Haden Church, Sideways
Clive Owen, Closer

Supporting Actress:
Cate Blanchett, The Aviator
Laura Linney, Kinsey
Virginia Madsen, Sideways
Sophie Okonedo, Hotel Rwanda
Natalie Portman, Closer

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Before Sunset
David Magee, Finding Neverland
Paul Haggis, Million Dollar Baby
Jose Rivera, The Motorcycle Diaries
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Sideways

Writing (Original Screenplay):
John Logan, The Aviator
Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Brad Bird, The Incredibles
Mike Leigh, Vera Drake

Animated Feature Film:
The Incredibles
Shark Tale
Shrek 2

Hotel Rwanda ****
Cast: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix
Director: Terry George
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The country of Rwanda was having some serious problems in 1994. The members of the Tutsi tribe in the country were being killed by the Hutu tribe. In fact, it was more of a massacre (the death toll was around a million), and the world looked on and did nothing.

One man did though. His name was Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle). Paul was a hotel manager, of all things. He sheltered 1,200 member of the Tutsi tribe in his hotel, despite being a member of the Hutu tribe. His tribal status, along with knowing how to buy off the right people and manipulate hotel registries is what allowed him to do this good deed. His main focus was his family, as his wife was Tutsi, and his kids mixed. But he quickly came to realize that he could make a difference, even if it was small, in this awful conflict. Calling in favors, Rusesabagina was able to get these refugees to safety with the help of the United Nations.

Don Cheadle has been giving solid performances in smaller roles for years now, establishing himself as a great actor. "Hotel Rwanda" is his chance to really break through. And break trough he does. The excellence of this movie is because of him. He brings tru humanity to a man who does not want to be in the position that he is in. His struggle to help more than his family is difficult, and Cheadle conveys the difficulty with the grace of a great actor. He should be nominated for an Oscar, and if he is not, it would be a great shame.

The movie as a whole is disturbing. The lack of assistance from the global community baffles the mind. And the fact that one man could take his "safe" life in his own hands to save as many as he could is inspiring. "Hotel Rwanda" is about the choices we make as individuals and as countries to do what is right. This is an excellent film that should be seen by all. It will not be necessarily enjoyed, but it should be experienced.

The Aviator ***1/2
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly, Kate Beckinsale, Adam Scott, Alec Baldwin, Ian Holm, Alan Alda
Director: Martin Scorsese
Running Length: 2:48
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" is a look at about two decades in the life of millionaire Howard Hughes (DiCaprio). As the movie opens, he is spending tons of money to get his film "Hell's Angels" filmed to his satisfaction. His passion for aviation leads him to acquire TWA, develope a spy plane, and battle with Senator Ralph Owen (Alda) and Pan-Am president Juan Trippe (Baldwin) over international flights. The movie ends with the long awaited flight of the "Spruce Goose". Along the way, he romances Katherine Hepburn (Blanchett), Ava Gardner (Beckinsale), and Faith Domeregue (Kelli Garner). He also battles an obsessive compulsive condition that nearly hobbles him a number of times.

"The Aviator" is an unflinching look at Howard Hughes' life. The highs and the lows are portrayed equally, showing him to be an intelligent and driven man with a debilitating sickness. DiCaprio does an adequate job as Hughes (I find DiCaprio to be overrated). Cate Blanchett is excellent as Hepburn, and supporting roles by Reilly, Baldwin, and Alda hold the film together. I would argue that the biggest drawback to the film is the somewhat abrupt ending. Not knowing anything about Hughes, it left me wondering what happened next.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
So, here is a summary of my list. If you disagree, let me know. If you agree, let me know. I will defend my choices passionately! 2004 was a better than average year for movies (in my opinion), and I hope that 2005 will be able to surpass it. Thanks for visiting my site and reading my reviews. Stay tuned for more in 2005.

#1 The Passion of the Christ ****
#2 Spider-Man 2 ****
#3 Sideways ****
#4 House of Sand and Fog **** (from 2003)
#5 21 Grams **** (from 2003)
#6 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ***1/2
#7 Secret Window ***1/2
#8 Dawn of the Dead ***1/2
#9 I, Robot ***1/2
#10 The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou ***1/2
#11 Collateral ***1/2
#12 Friday Night Lights ***1/2

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#1 The Passion of the Christ ****
If "Spider-Man 2" was the most enjoyable film of 2004, Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was the most powerful. The story of the last days of Jesus is one of the most intense and thought provoking films ever made. Anchored by the intense performances of James Caviezel as Jesus, Maia Morgenstern as Mary, and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdelen, Mel Gibson's film was the movie to talk about in the first half of the year. I knew when I saw it that it had a good shot at being my #1 movie for the year, and to be fair, nothing really came close. This is also a great movie that everyone should own.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#2 Spider-Man 2 ****
This was, hands down, the most enjoyable movie of 2004. It has something for everyone: action, special effects, romance, character development...and it is very well made. Roger Ebert called it the best super hero movie ever made. I agree. The second installment in the Spider-Man series builds upon what has gone before, advancing the overall storyline. It also gives us a great villian in Doctor Octopus. The effects are amazing, and the battles between the hero and villian on the building, on the train, and at the end are simply awesome. "Spider-Man 2" is a movie that should be in every DVD collection.

Elektra ***
Cast: Jennifer Garner, Goran Visnjic, Kirsten Prout, Will Yn Lee, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Terence Stamp, Natassia Malthe, Bob Sapp, Chris Ackerman
Director: Rob Bowman
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: PG-13

"Elektra" takes the best part of "Daredevil", namely Jennifer Garner, and spins her off as the titular character. When we last saw Elektra, she was dead. After being raised from the dead and trained by Stick (Stamp), she takes on the job of a paid assassin. And she is good. Eventually, she passes on a job to eliminate Mark Miller (Visnjic) and his daughter, Abby (Prout). The reason for passing on the job: she has gotten to know them and sees a kindred spirit in young Abby. Of course, The Hand (the group that is out to have them killed) just sends more assassins, and Elektra finds herself playing protector for the Millers. Along the way she will get to fight a few bad guys and perhaps even avenge her mother's death.

Jennifer Garner has proven that she can do the action thing with TV's "Alias", so it is no surprise that she holds her own in "Elektra". She carries the movie firmly on her shoulders, and is the best thing about the movie. The biggest fault of the movie is the direction. Rob Bowman has made some good films, the best of which is the "X-Files" movie, but he seems a little out of his element at times with the heavy duty martial arts scenes that appear in "Elektra". He manages a level of stylishness though, but that is not enough to make this movie be all it could be. Fans of Garner and Marvel comics in general should rejoice though. "Elektra" is a good action movie that will satisfy most.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#3 Sideways ****
Paul Giamatti's star is on the rise, and "Sideways" only lifts him up higher. This funny and sad story of men going through depression and a mid-life crisis was so enjoyable to me, mostly due to Giamatti's performance. If he isn't nominated for an Oscar, I will be extremely surprised. The story itself follows two buddies on a road trip in California's wine country. This is one of those movies where everything clicks and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Also, of the movies that will probably get nominated for Best Picture, this is my current favorite. Highly recommended.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#4 House of Sand and Fog **** (from 2003)
Despite that fact that nothing good happens in this movie, and everyone in it is worse off by the time it is over, this is one heck of a movie. Do not go into this one looking for cheer though. Ben Kingsley gives one of the best performances that I have ever seen on film, as an Iranian trying to make the most of life in America. Shohreh Aghdashloo also (now of "24" fame) gave a performance that received an Oscar nomination as well. This is powerful stuff and not for people who like happy endings.

Spanglish **1/2
Cast: Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, Paz Vega, Cloris Leachman, Sarah Steele, Shelbie Bruce, Ian Hyland
Director: James L. Brooks
Running Length: 2:08
MPAA Classification: PG-13

"Spanglish" is told through the eyes of Christine (Bruce), a Mexican girl who comes to America with her mother Flor (Vega). Flor resists Americanization as much as she can, but when taking a job as a housekeeper for the Claskys, she realizes that that is easier said than done. The Claskys are a well to do family headed by renowned chef John (Sandler). He is the "good" parent and a all around nice guy. His wife, Deborah (Leoni) is out of work not a very pleasant person. Her relationships with her husband and daughter are strained. Flor's insertion into the family mix causes changes in everyone, mostly for the better. Soon, Flor and her daughter are moving into a summer home with the Claskys, and cultures begin to seriously clash.

"Spanglish" does not really have a plot so much as it examines a period of the characters' lives. Since it is told through Christine's eyes, there is not as much resolution as many may like. Instead, the story is strong on character, developing the three primary characters fully.

Adam Sandler gives another solid dramatic performance (his first was the offbeat "Punch Drunk Love"). He is the nice guy, and is easy to like. You feel for the guy as he has his ups and downs, and genuinely want him to succees. Téa Leoni brings believability to the bitchy wife. Self centered and oblivious to other's feelings, Deborah is a character that you do not want to like. Cloris Leachman brings some comic relief as Deborah's mother. Finally Paz Vega does a solid job as the woman caught between cultures, struggling to do what is right for herself and her daughter.

Despite the good performances, "Spanglish" felt like a bit of a misfire to me. I wanted more than I got out of it. Perhaps it was the unlikeability of some characters or the lack of a real plot, I do not know. In the days since I saw the movie, I have softened my review some, but I still can only recommend this on DVD.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#5 21 Grams **** (from 2003)
Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio Del Toro star in this excellent movie about lives that intersect because of tragedy. Top notch performances all around, combined with non-linear storytelling make this a compelling movie. Sean Penn gave a far superior performance here than in the more publicized "Mystic River". Be warned though...this is not really a "feel good" movie.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#6 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ***1/2
Here is a series that gets better and better with each installment. "Azkaban" features a new director and a darker tone. The combination, along with the return of the actors from the previous films makes this the best Harry Potter movie yet. Now, if only they can keep the cast together for all seven movies, they will be in good shape. And only ten months to go until "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#7 Secret Window ***1/2
There has not been a Stephen King movie this good since "The Green Mile". Much of that is due to Johnny Depp's performance as sanity-strained author Mort Rainey. He brings his trademark quirkiness to the role, and makes the movie fun. Another plus to this movie is a reworked ending that improves upon the original story, and gives it a little extra punch. It also manages to achieve a level of horror while maintaing a PG-13 rating.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#8 Dawn of the Dead ***1/2
This is, hands down, the biggest surprise on my list. I would have never thought that this movie would make it anywhere near the "best of" list, but boy was I wrong. This remake was excellent in so many ways, and provided the horror, humor, drama, and real characters to make a solid movie. Sure, it is gruesome at times, but I urge you to give this movie a shot. I do not think you will be disappointed.

White Noise *1/2
Cast: Michael Keaton, Chandra West, Deborah Kara Unger, Ian McNeice
Director: Geoffrey Sax
Running Length: 1:38
MPAA Classification: PG-13

When Anna Rivers (West) says goodbye to her husband one day, Jonathan (Keaton) does not realize that it will be the last time he sees her alive. Her mysterious death leaves him shrouded in mourning. Enter Raymond Price (McNeice) and a client of his, Sarah Tate (Unger). They are able to convince Rivers that his dead wife is talking to Price via EVP, or Electronic Voice Phenomenon. EVP is when the dead talk to the living through prerecorded static.

Once a believer, he throws himself into getting as much of it as he can, buying a lot of equipment to help him communicate with Anna. The only problem is that it might not be Anna who is communicating with him, but something more sinister.

"White Noise" takes an interesting idea and mangles it to death. The movie would suggest that it is quite easy to communicate with the dead. After all, Jonathan has tremendous success almost right off the bat. Also, the idea of talking with the dead is overshadowed by evil spirits that apparently just like to kill people. I am probably playing spoiler with some plot points here, but I am not too bothered. There are some interesting ideas presented in "White Noise" besides EVP, among which is obsession, but they are glossed over for the cheap scares that are easy to see coming. Michael Keaton has not had a notable movie in years, and "White Noise" will not change that.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#9 I, Robot ***1/2
This is one of the surprises on my list. When I saw the previews for "I, Robot" I was struck by unlike the book it seemed. The worry that produced was unnecessary. Even though it is significantly different from the source material ("inspired" is a good way to describe it), the movie is an excellent melding of science fiction, drama, mystery, action, and even a little humor. Oh yeah, and it is interesting as well. Who would have thought that a big summer movie could be this good?

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#10 The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou ***1/2
Bill Murry has given another fine performance as the Jacques Cousteau-esque Steve Zissou. He is the glue in the latest movie from quirky director Wes Anderson that holds everything together. This is an offbeat adventure that ranges from subtle to over-the-top at times, but is always enjoyable.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#11 Collateral ***1/2
What is better than Tom Cruise as a bad guy? JAmie Foxx giving the first of his two great performances in 2004 (the other being in "Ray"). This is probably the best onscreen duo of the year, with Cruise as the bad guy-assassin, and Foxx as the timid cab driver who is forced to drive the assassin all over town to complete his mission. Cruise is excellent as the bad guy, Foxx is excellent as the good guy, and the movie as a whole provides both excellent character development and action.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
#12 Friday Night Lights ***1/2
Maybe it is the former high school football player in me, but this is one of the best sports movies that I have ever seen. I found it to be very realistic, from the players and the games to the town's reaction to the teams success or lack thereof. Granted, I have never played Texas high school football, but this movie embodies everything that I have ever heard about the sport in that state. And while the team does not win the championship, it really is about the journey and not the destination. This is a great sports movie.

The 12 Best Movies I Saw in 2004
Over the next two weeks or so, I plan to (hopefully) dole out my list of the 12 best movies I saw during 2004. That is not to say the 12 best movies of 2004, but the 12 best I saw in 2004. For example, this does not include movies like The Aviator, Spanglish, Kinsey, and Million Dollor Baby, which came out in 2004, but I have not seen yet due to their late releases in 2004. Likewise, the list includes two movies that were actually released in 2003, but I saw in 2004. That is also why there are 12 movies on my list. I am somewhat surprised by some of the movies on the list, and not so surprised by others. Feel free to let me know what you think, if you agree or disagree. If it takes longer than two weeks, bear with me, the entire list will eventually get out. It just depends on how ambitious I feel.

Meet The Fockers ***
Cast: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo
Director: Jay Roach
Running Length: 1:55
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Poor Gaylord Focker (Stiller).You would think that after meeting his fiancee's parents, Jack (DeNiro) and Dina Byrnes (Danner), and barely surviving, he would be in the clear. Wrong. Now, the Byrnses are coming to meet father and mother Focker, Bernie (Hoffman) and Roz (Streisand). To call the excentric might be an understatement, and Jack is his usual uptight self. And, of course, that means that Greg's life is about to become hellish once again.

"Meet The Fockers" is the sequel to the popular "Meet The Parents" that was released a few years ago. Following the same formula, "Fockers" puts Greg in one uncomfortable situation after another as the parents meet. All the principals from the first film are back, along with Hoffman and Streisand as the Fockers. Both do a good job as the quirky parents that must have made poor Greg's life interesting as a child. Hoffman is the standout in this movie, I think. He is probably the most likeable of all the parents, and is genuinely funny almost every time he is on screen.

If you liked "Meet The Parents", you will like "Meet The Fockers". Simple as that. If you didn't, then stay away. This is more of the same, and for the most part it works. When it is funny, it can be extremely funny. Hopefully, now that Greg has survived this second meeting, his life will less stressful. He deserves it!

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou ***1/2
Cast: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Gambon, Noah Taylor
Director: Wes Anderson
Running Length: 1:58
MPAA Classification: R

"The Life Aquatic" tells the story of Steve Zissou (Murray), an oceanographer in the vein on Jacques Cousteau. Zissou is in the waning days of his career, with his films losing their popularity. After his long-time friend is killed on a dive by a "Jaguar Shark", Zissou plans his biggest hunt yet: to hunt out and kill the jaguar shark. Why? Revenge.

Joining him and his crew on the adverture are a reporter (Blanchett), and a man who claims to be his long lost son (Wilson). Both these people will make the ride a bumpy one, but Team Zissou is up to the challenge.

A Wes Anderson film is always enjoyable. He plans every detail of what you see, and has a camera style that is not used enough in movies today. You always get the big picture, and there is so much to see and take in. So much so, that you will notice new things in repeated viewings that you never noticed before. I thouroughly enjoy his style, and he seems to get better and better with each film.

Bill Murray has found the perfect roles in the last few years, and is making a name for himself as a solid actor. "The Life Aquatic" is no exception. He heads the ensemble cast, and is the emotional center of the film. All the supporting players are good in their roles and add greatly to the film.

In the end, "The Life Aquatic" is probably not for everyone. There is more to it than there might initially seem, but it might make you think a little. A lot of audiences do not like that, but I for one found it refreshing.