The Jacket (R)
Jack Starks (Adrien Brody), a 1991 Gulf War Vet who was nearly killed
in action, returns home to Vermont and is falsely accused of murdering
a State Trooper. Plagued by amnesia, he is sent to a mental
institution where the doctor's (Kris Kristofferson) unorthodox
treatments include drugging and straitjacketing the patient, then
tossing him into a morgue drawer for hours at a time. While in the
drawer, Starks is somehow able to travel ahead in time, and attempts
to track down the real killer. If this all sounds a little weird, it
is but somehow it works. Also starring Keira Knightley, MacKenzie
Phillips (the years have not only been unkind, they've been malicious)
and Jennifer Jason Leigh. 102 minutes.
Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back (R)
After reading Roger Ebert's review of Kevin Smith's Jay And Silent Bob Strike
Back, I didn't think that I would bother with it. Although I'd enjoyed his film
Dogma I had not seen Mall Rats, Clerks or Chasing
Amy. The characters Jay and Silent Bob are "connecting threads" that run through
all four movies and if you have not seen them all, so we were told, we would not get
Strike Back. I went anyway and really enjoyed it. Sure it's crude, sophomoric and silly.
But It's also smart, fast paced, well written and features tons of cool guest appearances. In
short, everything Rat Race and American Pie 2 aren't. You will undoubtedly get more out
of this film if you are familiar with Smith's earlier work, but even if you're not, don't let
it keep you from this hilarious motion picture. This movie is definitely not for kids or
conservative adults. Starring Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes with many cameos.
Jeepers Creepers (R)
I am not a big fan of horror movies but I know good ones when I see them.
The Night Of The Living Dead and The Exorcist were
two of the most memorable cinematic experiences I ever had. Jeepers
Creepers, a B-movie if there ever was one, starts out with
a bang but ends up being totally laughable. I could only recommend this film to horror fanatics under the age of thirty with nine
dollars and ninety minutes to kill.
Jerry Seinfeld Comedian (R)
A digital camera follows Jerry, his friends and aspiring comic Orney Adams. We get a glimpse
of Seinfeld developing a brand new act in hotels, cars, airplanes and in the small comedy
clubs that he started in. Some routines work. Some routines need work. Some routines don't
work. As the film progresses, his set gets longer and more polished. An interesting behind
the scenes look at one of America's top funny men. Unfortunately, the film is grainy (that
new digital technology) and presented in standard (square) format. Also, the background music
and incidentals obscure some of the dialogue. I'm sure that director Christian Charles made
these "creative" choices but I found the look and sound of
Comedian annoying at times. Also starring Colin Quinn, Chris Rock, Bill Cosby,
Kevin Nealon, Gary Shandling, Jay Leno and the terminally smug Robert Klein. 104 minutes.
John Q (PG13)
Denzel Washington stars as John Q. Archibald, a man who's young son needs a
heart transplant. The trouble is, his HMO will not cover a "catastrophic illness"
such as this. John's wife Denise (Kimberly Elise) admonishes her husband to
"do something." John Q. produces a Glock, takes over the hospital's ER
and holds a dozen or so hostages. He demands that his son be put at the
top of the donor list. This cliché ridden film picks up steam as it goes
along and is quite watchable. They should have edited out the last few
minutes. The producers would have saved a bundle. The now familiar Larry
Kings and Jay Lenos speaking on their shows about a fictitious movie
character has been done to death. Also starring James Woods, Anne Heche,
Robert Duval and Ray Liotta. 118 minutes.
Joy Ride (R)
In Joy Ride, brothers Lewis (Paul Walker, one of the worst elements of
The Fast And The Furious) and Fuller (Steve Zahn, one of the best elements of the classic
That Thing You Do)
embark on a cross country drive in Lewis' newly purchased '71 Chrysler. Jokester Fuller
installs a CB radio in the car and the two proceed to use it to play an embarrassing prank on
a trucker who turns out to be a psychopath. The trucker identifies the car and begins to
terrorize the brothers and Venna, a female friend that the brothers pick up shortly after the
prank. A great set up for a horror movie. I suspect that this film will be a hit for the under
thirty set. There were too many implausabilities for me. How does the trucker manage to identify
and kidnap Venna's roommate (who is not with them) while keeping up with the trio on the highway?
How does the trucker paint messages over numerous road signs on the highway without being seen?
I was snickering when I was supposed to be scared.
And I hate candy bars. This ride is bumpy and nauseating. The worst part about this silly
little film is that it sets itself up for a dreaded sequel. Also starring Leelee Sobiesky
(whom we are now now beginning to see see way too much of).
Jurassic Park III (PG13)
Good sequel-sequel. The cast includes Sam Neill (The Dish), Tea Leoni (don't be fooled by the
exotic name) and the versatile William H. Macy (Boogie Nights, Fargo). I needn't go into the
story. Let me just say that once again some minor characters get trod upon and eaten by those
pesky dinosaurs. Pass the A1 Mr. Speilberg.
Just Married (PG13)
A couple goes on the honeymoon from hell in the new romantic comedy Just
Married. Great locations (France and Italy) and likable stars (Brittany Murphy and Ashton
Kutcher). Unfortunately, the dialogue, situations, gags and gross-outs are by and large
sophomoric and trite. In addition, all of the newlywed's problems are the direct result of the groom's
naiveté and stupidity. I guess she loves him simply because he's good looking. Too bad because this is the movie that Murphy's legion of fans have been waiting for. 95 minutes.
Just My Luck
(PG13)
A successful young advertising executive who possesses The Midas
Touch (Lindsay Lohan) kisses a handsome but down on his luck
would-be music manager and their fortunes become reversed. Lohan is
very likable and this is a good plot premise but Just My Luck
is so predictable and so cluttered with ridiculously phony
characters and situations that it is barely watchable. 108 minutes.
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