T - Don Ignacio's Movie Reviews

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List of "T" Movies

Tadpole (2002) PG-13 comedy

This unusual tale is reminiscent of The Graduate. Aaron Stanford stars as an uncharacteristically mature high school student who doesn't find anything attractive about girls his age--rather he is attracted to women in their forties. More specifically, he is in love with his mother-in-law (Sigourney Weaver). This clever, quirky film is short and sweet (running at 78 minutes) and is a perfect comedy for those wanting to steer away from the mainstream. Starring: Aaron Stanford, Sigourney Weaver, John Ritter, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Iler, Peter Appel, Adam LeFevre, Alicia van Couvering, Kata Mara, Ron Rifkin, Paul Butler. Directed by: Gary Winick. B+

The Tailor of Panama (2001) R drama

Veteran director John Boorman delivers this film that could have been much more. Pierce Brosnan stars as a British secret agent assigned to Panama to oversee the canal's changing-of-hands from the U.S. to the Panama government. In Panama, he consults with a high-profile tailor (Geoffrey Rush) who knows all the important people. Unfortunately, Brosnan doesn't realize at first that Rush likes to make up stories, and most of what he says is a lie. The overall idea was a good one and it does make some acute observations about the world superpower's (misguided?) domination in the governments of third world countries, but the uneven direction didn't do it any favors. The film features a to-die-for cast, however. It also features appearances from Daniel Radcliffe only months before Harry Potter brought him to international fame. Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine McCormack, Leonor Varela, Harold Pinter, Mark Margolis, Mark Ferrero, Dylan Baker, Daniel Radcliffe. Directed by: John Boorman. C+

Take the Money and Run (1969) PG comedy

This early Woody Allen film is a funny mockumentary about the world’s most inept criminal. Not all of the jokes are hits, but plenty of them are, which makes this a highly recommendable for his fans. The underlying heart of the film makes it endearing. Starring: Woody Allen, Janet Margolin, Marcel Hillaire, Jacquelyn Hyde, Lonny Chapman, Jan Merlin, James Anderson. Directed by: Woody Allen. B

Take This Job and Shove It (1981) PG comedy

Robert Hays stars as an executive of a beer company who is assigned to head a plant they just bought … it happens to be in his hometown and a brewery he once worked for. He comes with many ideas for changes, most of which his old friends and bosses really dislike. However, when the company decides to sell the brewery to an incompetent millionaire, it's time for a revolution and everyone's involved! The film lacks enough charm and spirit for a recommendation, but I did enjoy watching it. Starring: Robert Hays, Art Carney, Barbara Hershey, David Keith, Tim Thomerson, Martin Mull, Eddie Albert, Penelope Milford, David Allan Coe, Lacy J. Dalton. Directed by: Gus Trikonis. C+

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) R horror

An effective psychological horror film from South Korea that has plenty of well-orchestrated twists and turns to keep the film engaging till its final scene. Su-mi (Im Soo-jung) is released from a psychiatric hospital and reunited with her sister Su-yeon (Moon Geung-young). They give and get a cold reception with their step-mother (Yum Jung-ah), who has a few screws loose, and their widower father (Kim Kap-soo) who seems peculiarly vacant. The girls are still mourning the untimely death of their mother, particularly as Su-mi has a nightmare of her mother's levitating ghost. There are some genuine frights here, in terms of jump scares as well as psychological horror. While I wouldn't say I love the film to death, I must recognize it as yet another shimmering example of the superior quality of Korean horror. Starring: Im Soo-jung, Moon Geun-young, Kim Kap-soo, Lee Seung-bi, Lee Dae-yeon, Park Mi-hyun, Woo Ki-hong. Directed by: Kim Jee-won. B+

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) R drama

Quite an entertaining film stars Matt Damon as the envious friend of a wealthy, carefree Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law). Using his skills as a scam artist, he murders Greenleaf and starts living his life. It features fantastic performances from the lead cast as well as the supporting, which includes Gwyneth Palyrow as Greenleaf’s girlfriend. Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack Davenport, James Rebhorn, Sergio Rubini. Directed by: Anthony Minghella. A-

The Talk of the Town (1942) NR comedy

Leopold Dilg (Cary Grant) is a political agitator wrongly jailed for arson and murder. He escapes prison and finds shelter in the a cottage home of a childhood friend Nora Shelley (Jean Arthur), who is readying to rent the cottage to a law professor Michael Lightcap (Ronald Coleman). She gives him shelter, but the law professor shows up early. This film is set up like a screwball comedy but ends up having a thoughtful message (even if a little muddled) about how the theoretical impacts of laws differ from the practical impacts. I also enjoyed, and found genuine, the friendship struck by the three main characters. Starring: Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Ronald Colman, Edgar Buchanan, Glenda Farrell, Charles Dingle, Rex Ingram, Emma Dun, Leonid Kinskey, Tom Tyler. Directed by: George Stevens. B+

Talk Radio (1988) R drama

Oliver Stone directs this tense, fascinating and immensely entertaining film about a controversial Dallas talk radio host (Eric Bogosian) who goes a bit too far in riling up Dallas-area biggots. Bognosian is top-notched in his role who also wrote the screenplay adapted this from his own off-Broadway show. This is a highly recommended and thought-provoking view. Starring: Eric Bogosian, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope, John C. McGinley, John Pankow, Zach Grenier. Directed by: Oliver Stone. A

The Tall Guy (1990) R comedy

This is a disappointing film starring Jeff Goldblum as the straight man in a comedic act with a self centered celebrity (Rowan Atkinson). Goldblum meets a nurse (Emma Thompson) who he immediately falls in love with. The script tries too hard to be over-the-top and forgets to be funny sometimes. The characterizations also should have been more genuine especially since they had an excellent cast to work with. Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Emil Wolk, Geraldine James, Anna Massey, Susan Field, Hugh Thomas, Jan Lloyd. Directed by: Mel Smith. C

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) PG-13 comedy

Will Ferrell manages to bring on the laughs, but the premise is weak in this send-up of the Nascar culture. Ferrell plays an egomaniac who always wins races. This is thanks to the help of his buddy (John C. Reilly) who always faithfully comes in second. The jokes are usually great, but the way the plot switches gears between acts is rocky enough to blow a gasket. The purposefully over-the-top product placement quickly gets annoying. Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Leslie Bibb, Jane Lynch, Amy Adams, Andy Richter, Molly Shannon. Directed by: Adam McKay. B-

The Taming of the Shrew (1967) NR comedy

This is an extremely entertaining adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedy that features spirited performances from a classic cast. Richard Burton plays a bachelor who agrees to marry a heiress with a mean steak (Elizabeth Taylor) in exchange for wealth. He has quite a daunting task ahead of him! This is clearly among the most enjoyable Shakespearean movie adaptations. Starring: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Lynch, Vernon Dobtcheff, Michael York, Michael Hordern, Natasha Pyne, Victor Spinetti, Cyril Cusack. Directed by: Franco Zeffirelli. A

Tammy and the Doctor (1963) NR romantic comedy

This Sandra Dee flick is only notable because it contains Peter Fonda's screen debut. Well, his acting here sucks, so that's no reason to see it. The cheesy dialogue and Dee's naļve personality and backwoods lingo should keep you laughing -- even though it's in a strictly unintentional manner. Only girls around the age of seven might enjoy this one the way it was intended. Starring: Sandra Dee, Peter Fonda, Macdonald Carey, Margaret Lindsay, Beulah Bondi, Reginald Owen, Alice Pearce, Adam West, Joan Marshall. Directed by: Harry Keller. D

Tarzan (1999) G animated

Disney turns Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic novel into an excellent animated feature. Tarzan, an orphaned child on a deserted island is adopted by an ape. He remains the "ugly duckling" of the ape clan, who wonder what kind of creature he is until a small group of human sightseers arrive on the land. That's where Tarzan meets Jane, a daring young Englishwoman. This is easily one of the better latter-day Disney movies, and adults will like it too. Voices of: Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Glenn Close, Rosie O'Donnell, Wayne Knight, Nigel Hawthorne, Brian Blessed, Alex D. Linz, Lance Henriksen. Directed by: Kevin Lima and Chris Buck. A

Taxi Driver (1976) R drama

Martin Scorsese's classic drama depicts the life of a socially troubled taxi driver (Robert De Niro). Ultimately, this is a character study, but the plot is also interesting as De Niro vies for the affection of a gorgeous presidential campaign worker (Cybill Shepard) and tries to rescue an underage prostitute (Jodi Foster) from her way of life. This is a gritty film but an engaging one. The perfect, jazzy instrumental score is about as good as it gets in soundtracks. De Niro, in his "You talking to me?" role, is classic. Starring: Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepard, Peter Boyle, Albert Brooks, Harvey Keitel, Jodie Foster, Murray Moston, Richard Higgs, Leonard Harris, Steven Prince, Martin Scorsese. Directed by: Martin Scorsese. A+

Teaching Miss Tingle (1999) PG-13 thriller

Such a fancy Miramax production and it boasts an impressive cast, but unfortunately that does nothing to salvage its abysmally lazy plot. High school senior Leigh Ann (Katie Holmes) would have had Valedictorian in the bag if it wasn't for her evil history teacher Mrs. Tingle (Helen Mirren). There's no apparent reason for her ire; she just doesn't like prissy goody two-shoes who dare put in hard work and then expect a reasonable grade in return. Tingle gets an excuse to petition for Leigh Ann's expulsion when she catches her with a copy of the final exam. But it was all circumstantial; she was caught in the wrong time in the wrong place when a burnout acquaintance of hers, Luke (Barry Watson), put the exam into her hand. She didn't even want it. In desperation, Leigh Ann, her best friend Jo Lynn (Marisa Coughlan) and Luke show up at Mrs. Tingle's house hoping to talk some sense into her. Not only does that tactic fail to work, but the situation escalates when they decide to take her hostage. This plot would seem more appropriate for a bad comedy, but at least bad comedies have a semblance of being funny. This is billed as a "black comedy," perhaps aiming for something like Heathers, but it just completely misses the mark. Starring: Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes, Jeffrey Tambor, Barry Watson, Marisa Coughlan, Liz Stauber, Michael McKean, Molly Ringwald, Vivica A. Fox, Lesley Ann Warren. Directed by: Kevin Williamson. D+

Team America: World Police (2004) R comedy

This incredibly silly and shameless film from the South Park creators makes fun of everything from politics, to celebrities, to action movies … to itself. Done entirely with marionettes, this film follows the adventures of a team of ultra-American heroes who singlehandedly fights terrorists (while usually doing far more damage than the terrorists were probably planning). Meanwhile, the ultra-Liberal Film Actors Guild (F.A.G.) headed by Alec Baldwin, teams up with Kim Jong Il to put Team America behind bars. Unbeknownst to F.A.G., however, Il’s planning a bit of a terrorist act for himself. This film is so overly relevant and overly offensive that there’s no reason to take it seriously. It's funny! Voices of: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristin Miller, Masasa, Daran Norris, Phil Hendrie, Maurice LaMarche, Chelsea Marguerite. Directed by: Trey Parker. B+

Teen Wolf (1985) PG comedy

Michael J. Fox stars as an average high school basketball player who finds out something extraordinary about himself one fine day: he is a Werewolf. One would expect a Werewolf to not receive much respect from high school peers, but Michael J. Fox ends up being popular anyway. You see, his Werewolf-self is quite good at shooting hoops. It's has a slight script that could have been much better, but it's all in good fun. Starring: Michael J. Fox, James Hampton, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine, Jim McKrell, Lorie Griffin, Mark Arnold, Matt Adler, Mark Holton, Jay Tarses, Scott Paulin. Directed by: Rod Daniel. C+

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) PG action

The turtle costumes themselves, visually stunning Henson puppets, are the best part of this film that should have an appeal for preteens (who aren't concerned that the 'Turtles' were a fad in the early '90s). This is, naturally, a silly movie with a ridiculous script, but what makes it worse is that the supporting cast is terrible. The film is entertaining in a way, but it never rises above the level of ridiculous. Starring: Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelin Sisti, Leif Tilden, David Forman, Michael Turney, Jay Patterson. Directed by: Steve Barron. C

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006) R comedy

Anyone who appreciates the goofy humor of Tenacious D's music can surely appreciate this film, which tracks the formation of the group and their epic quest for the Pick of Destiny that has been responsible for such groups as AC/DC and The Who. This movie is hilarious through and through especially the musical numbers. Starring: Jack Black, Kyle Glass, JR Reed, Fred Armisen, Ned Bellamy, Ronnie James Dio, Meat Loaf, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller. Directed by: Liam Lynch. B+

The Tenant (1976) R horror

This is one of those films that groups of nerds who like art house movie nerds should watch and then discuss theories about what it all means. As for me, I have no clue. The ending baffles me in particular. I'm halfway thinking it means nothing and that this whole thing is just a joke on the audience. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching this movie, because it's so dang creepy. It begins remarkably dull, though, with a single man renting an apartment in Paris. He finds out, though, that the previous tenant committed suicide, a fact that he finds he obsesses over. Soon enough, he starts getting inundated with noise complaints from his neighbors. Sometimes he made noise, other times, he didn't. And sometimes when he looks out his window to the apartment across the courtyard, he sees someone staring back at him. Starring: Roman Polanski, Isabelle Adjani, Melvyn Douglas, Jo Van Fleet, Bernard Fresson, Rufus, Shelley Winters, Lila Kedrova. Directed by: Roman Polanski. B

The Terminal (2004) PG-13 comedy

Tom Hanks is Viktor Navorski, citizen of the fictional country of Krakozhia. While en route to the United States, his country's government falls in a coup. This renders his US visa invalid. He's also unable to fly back to Krakozhia, because they aren't accepting incoming flights. Thus, he becomes a semi-permanent resident of the airport. Further complicating matters is he doesn't speak English. He barely has any idea what's going on. What makes this movie fun is watching the resourcefulness of this character play out. Tom Hanks, uncannily, sinks himself into this role so well that I completely believe him. He not only crafts himself a nice place to sleep, but he also makes friends with a ragtag handful of airport staff. He goes on a date with a flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones). While the premise of the movie is slight, it's lighthearted and breezy. It's difficult for me to figure out how a movie with this premise could possibly have been better. Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, Chi McBride, Diego Luna, Barry “Shabaka” Henley, Kumar Pallana, Zoe Saldana, Eddie Jones, Jude Ciccolella, Corey Reynolds, Guillermo Diaz, Rini Bell. Directed by: Steven Spielberg. B

The Terminal Man (1974) R sci-fi

Based on Michael Crichton's novel, "The Terminal Man" is about an unfortunate man (George Segal) who experiences "black outs," which causes him to have uncontrollably violent rages. He is sent to a hospital where surgeons attempt a ground breaking new type of brain surgery that would hopefully cure him, but that won't stop this mad man from escaping before the work is done! It's certainly an interesting flick, but it should have been more chilling. Starring: George Segal, Joan Hackett, Richard Dysart, Jill Clayburgh, Donald Moffat, Matt Clark, Michael Gwynn, Norman Burton, William Hansen, James B. Sikking. Directed by: Mike Hodges. B

The Terminator (1984) R sci-fi

Arnold stars as a time-traveling cyborg, who will stop at nothing but to complete his mission to destroy the mother of the unborn rebel hero in this intense futuristic action film. James Cameron, who directed this film, does an excellent job with the action sequences and special effects, but it's all just too dark and gloomy. Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Beihn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Rick Rossovich, Bill Paxton. Directed by: James Cameron. B

Thank You For Smoking (2006) R comedy

Thanks to a great script and fun direction from Jason Reitman (the son of Ivan), this film is incredibly enjoyable. Aaron Eckhart stars as a PR guy for cigarettes who must use his media savvy to soften the talk about cigarettes being bad for you without totally lying about it. This is a biting and daring satire of big corporations and the PR biz, and the film provides so many laughs that it's hard to count them. Even the final few lines of the movie were funny. Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner, Rob Lowe, William H. Macy, J.K. Simmons, Robert Duvall, Kim Dickens, Connie Ray, Todd Louiso. Directed by: Jason Reitman. B+

That Thing You Do! (1996) PG comedy

This highly enjoyable tribute to one hit wonders marks Tom Hanks' directing debut. It documents the beginning, the growth, the peak, and the quick death of the fictional '60s band called "The Wonders." With the lighthearted pace, a funny script, and a great cast (including the hilarious Steve Zahn), this is a film that you will want to re-experience. The title song is a pretty catchy one, too. Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Charlize Theron, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Ethan Randall, Tom Hanks, Obba Babatunde, Bill Cobbs, Chris Ellis, Sean Whalen, Rita Wilson, Chris Isaak, Kevin Pollack, Howie Long, Peter Scolari. Directed by: Tom Hanks. A

Thelma and Louise (1991) R adventure

The first thing to mention is the beautiful Southwest American road trip scenes. Anyone who's driven those lonely dusty roads will verify this film captures its spirit precisely. It serves as a barren yet colorful backdrop to these two lively characters--their close friendship every bit as legendary as preceded by its reputation. They set out on this trip to relieve themselves of the shackles of their drab existences. Thelma (Geena Davis) is the unfulfilled housewife of an overbearing salesman (Christopher McDonald), and Louise (Susan Sarandon) is a sharp-tongued waitress. The trip had barely started when they stop at a roadhouse for drinks. Harmless enough, it seems, when Thelma starts dancing with a wonton cowboy. But then he tries to rape her in the parking lot. Louise reacts by pumping a bullet into his chest. Believing they wouldn't stand a chance should they turn themselves into the police, they go on the run. And it's quite the journey. They encounter a vagabond (Brad Pitt), a state trooper, and an ogling trucker. Along the way, Thelma gets braver, Louise's sense of self-assuredness becomes unraveled. Their desperado spree spirals more and more out of control. This film has quite the adventure. Its remarkably exciting, nihilistic ending is just about perfect. Starring: Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brad Pitt, Timothy Carhart, Lucinda Jenney, Jason Beghe, Sonny Carl Davis. Directed by: Ridley Scott. A-

There's Something About Mary (1998) R comedy

This screwball comedy seems like it's in a continuous state of floating ten feet off the ground. The humor is so inspired that even when I think a particular joke doesn't gel, I hold on because I know something hilarious is coming around the corner. The movie's best moments also happen to be the most disgusting ones. I laugh not because of how outlandishly repulsive they are, but how unspeakably embarrassing it is for the characters. I also don't have to feel bad about laughing at them -- they're either unlikable or they seem like such good sports that I'm sure they're laughing too (albeit perhaps years later). Ben Stiller stars as Ted, a teenager with teeth crowded of braces, when he first develops a crush on Mary (Cameron Diaz). After doing a good turn for Mary's autistic brother, she agrees to go to prom with him. But his plans are thwarted after a horrible zipper accident that involves certain parts of the male anatomy, causing him to spend prom in the emergency room. Thirteen years go by -- Ted hasn't seen Mary since. As time failed to heal his infatuation, he hires a private detective Pat (Matt Dillon) to track her down. Pat succeeds but finds he also finds Mary irresistible. What ensues is a series of creepy, stalking men clashing for the affection of this perfect woman. This is a comedy that wears its R-rated badge proudly, and rarely do I feel this good laughing at such undignified material. Starring: Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Lee Evans, Chis Elliott, Lin Shave, Jeffrey Tambor, Markie Post, Keith David, W. Earl Brown, Jonathan Richman. Directed by: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly. A-

There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (2011) TV-MA documentary

Generally a good pick for the true crime junkie. I won't reveal details about the ending, but I will mention that I think there is only one reasonable explanation for what happened. And it doesn't look good for Aunt Diane. The filmmakers seemed to only brush upon that explanation so as to be polite with the grieving family (who are in a state of denial). Nonetheless, what a horrible affair this was. A mother who was driving a van full of kids suffers some kind of psychotic breakdown on the highway, ends up somehow going the wrong way, and gets in a head-on collision. It kills her, everyone in the car she hit, all the kids in her van. Sans one kid, who doesn't remember many details. This documentary does a thorough job detailing the facts of the case and interviewing those impacted. Be warned that there's a frankly exploitive picture of the woman's corpse. Just close your eyes during that part -- it adds no real value. But all in all, a well done documentary. Directed by: Liz Garbus. B-

They Shoot Horses, Don't They (1969) PG drama

The premise is forced and pretentious, but this is nevertheless an engaging story about a marathon dance tournament during the Great Depression. Whoever can stay on their feet the longest wins a small fortune of $1,500. It goes on for months and the contestants get increasingly more desparate for the cash. It's devastating and depressing, but a well made and well acted movie. Starring: Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Susannah York, Gig Young, Red Buttons, Bonnie Bedelia, Bruce Dern, Robert Fields, Allyn Ann McLerie, Michael Conrad, Al Lewis, Severn Darden, Jacqueline Hyde. Directed by: Sydney Pollack. A-

Things Change (1988) PG comedy

David Mamet directs this endearing comedy about an old shoeshine storeowner (Don Ameche) who takes the blame for a crime he didn’t commit to protect a gangster. On his final two days as a free man, a low-level gangster (Joe Mantegna) is sent to look after him. But he goes against orders and takes the old guy for a great time in Vegas. The winning script contains a few great laughs, but it is the strong underlying heart that makes this a worthwhile view. Starring: Don Ameche, Joe Mantegna, Robert Prosky, J.J. Johnston, Ricky Jay, J.T. Walsh, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman. Directed by: David Mamet. A-

The Thief Lord (2005) PG fantasy

This fantasy film tries so desperately hard to be a triumph of limitless imagination that it's a shame that it's essentially just a lifeless, dull film about a group of children pick-pockets on the loose in Florence. They agree to help an old man uncover something that is of great value to him, and it turns out this item would repair a merry-go-round that has the power to make him young again. This movie is nothing but tired cliches and totally devoid of magic. Starring: George MacKay, Rollo Weeks, Aaron Johnson, Lathaniel Dyer, Jasper Harris, Alice Conner, Carole Boyd, Jim Carter, Robert Bathurst, Alexi Sayle, Vanessa Redgrave, Caroline Goodall, Bob Goody. Directed by: Richard Claus. C-

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2002) R drama

This excellent film examines the intertwining lives of several seemingly unconnected characters and their search for happiness. At surface value, this is can be an entirely drab film, but it really is quite happy underneath its surface. The large cast, which contains some recognizable faces, is mostly exceptional. The fact that the plot is told out of order makes it even more interesting. My only criticism is that this movie is too slow and not as inspired as it should have been. Starring: Matthew McConaughey, John Turturro, Amy Irving, Alan Arkin, Clea Duvall, Tia Texada, Frankie Faison, William Wise, Shawn Elliot. Directed by: Jill Sprecher. B+

Thirteen Days (2000) PG-13 drama

The Cuban Missle Crisis was a pivotal moment in American history because the U.S. became frighteningly close to engaging in a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. This film lets the viewer experience what went through President Kennedy's (Kevin Costner) mind at the time. This is a heartily recommended movie to those who tend to not fall asleep during talky political pictures. Starring: Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Steven Culp, Dylan Baker, Henry Strozier, Frank Wood, Michael Fairman, Len Cariou, Janet Coleman, Stephanie Romanov, Bill Smitrovich, Ed Lauter, Dakin Matthews. Directed by: Roger Donaldson. B+

13 Going on 30 (2004) PG-13 comedy

Harmless retread of Big, but it fails to achieve anything beyond surface level gloss. Jennifer Garner stars as Jenna, a nerdy teen girl from 1986 who wants to be more popular. After getting snubbed by the cool kids, she makes a desperate wish that she was 30 years old. The next thing she knows, it's 2004 and she's a rich and powerful magazine editor. She has no knowledge of anything that happened in between 1986 and 2004 -- she's left to fill in the gaps based on her surroundings and how people come to interact with her. Turns out she's a bit of a jerk and also likes to sleep around. (Awkwardness abounds when a boy-toy casually disrobes in front of her.) Discombobulated in this environment, she seeks refuge with her best friend Matt (Mark Ruffalo), even though they hadn't interacted since they were kids. What keeps this film entertaining is Garner's performance who's believable as a 13-year-old girl trapped in a 30-year-old's body without coming across as creepy. Ruffalo is also reliably good playing that friendly but slightly jaded character that he's known for. He does, though, seem awfully quick to believe Jenna's story about that wish she made in 1986. While this is a slight film that's lacking in chuckles, I wouldn't call it a terrible thing to sit through. Or maybe it's just that "Thriller" dance scene. Starring: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis, Kathy Baker, Phil Reeves, Samuel Ball, Marcia de Bonis, Christa B. Allen, Sean Marquette, Kiersten Warren, Lynn Collins. Directed by: Gary Winick. C

The 39 Steps (1935) NR thriller

This early Hitchcock fare is a perfect account of a man (Richard Donat) wrongly accused of murder, but he has important secret information and he runs from the cops to a place where he can unload his vital knowledge. Along the way, he becomes handcuffed to a beautiful blond, Madeleine Carroll, who opposes him. This is considered one of Hitchcock's finest British films. Starring: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Peggy Ashcroft, John Laurie, Helen Haye, Wylie Watson, Frank Cellier. Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock. A+

This is Spinal Tap (1984) R comedy

If you love rock'n'roll and you think that most rock stars are idiots, then this is a movie for you. This is an influential mockumentary charting the comeback tour of a fictional British hard rock act Spinal Tap. Their tour starts out with reasonable success, but due to the pomposity and mediocrity of their material, and their general stupidity, they fail in the end. The jokes in this film are very funny, and the songs are hilarious too. The commentary on the DVD version is heartily recommended. Starring: Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, Tony Hendra, June Chadwick, R.J. Parnell, David Kaff, Bruno Kirby, Howard Hesseman, Dana Carvey, Ed Begley Jr., Patrick Macnee, Fran Drescher, Billy Crystal, Paul Shaffer, Anjelica Huston. Directed by: Rob Reiner. A-

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) R crime

A heist film with style. Perhaps this film even invented style. You'd think so, anyway, after watching it. Steve McQueen (the king of style) stars as Thomas Crown. He's the masterminds one of the most lucrative bank heists in history. Not only does this film do an excellent job showing this heist in action, but it's innovative in doing so. Multiple images that depict simultaneous events of taking place flash on an off the screen. This would become an oft-imitated technique. This movie also features that brilliant Academy Award winning song "Windmills of Your Mind" that plays while Steve McQueen flies around listlessly in a glider. Unfortunately, this is only the first half of the film. The second half is far less exciting -- when Thomas Crown engages in a lackluster romance with an attractive insurance investigator (Faye Dunaway). She's set on proving that Crown was responsible for the robbery, and the romance may or may not have been an intentional byproduct of that investigation. Dunaway's performance is fine -- it's just that the cat-and-mouse relationship they have going isn't nearly as exciting as it should have been. I also wish there was sexual tension in their relationship, as opposed to just indulging in a basic, full-on romance. But boy, do those two look good on the screen. While this is regrettably an imperfect film, it's one that nonetheless comes highly recommended for fans of '60s pop culture kitsch. Starring: Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke, Jack Weston, Biff McGuire, Yaphet Kotto. Directed by: Norman Jewison. B+

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) R

It's somehow comforting to know that Hollywood is still capable of producing brain-dead clunkers like this. A thriller that isn't thrilling. Especially at first when we haven't a clue as to who the antagonists are and what they are doing chasing a middle-aged accountant Owen (Jake Weber) and his child Connor (Finn Little) cross country. Meanwhile, we are introduced to the character Hannah (Angelina Jolie), a volatile firefighter, whose inaction in a recent forest fire caused the deaths of two children. Yadda, yadda, yadda, Owen is on his own in the woods and crosses paths with Hannah. They strike a kinship only found in action-adventure films wherein action-man (in this case, action-woman) assists a damsel-in-distress (in this case, a child-in-distress) flee the wrath of men with guns. Not only that, but there's a raging forest fire, and also -- weirdly -- bolts of lightning that seem to chase them. The film's only redeeming quality is it's an easy target for people like me who like watching bad movies and making our own private episodes of Mystery Science 3000. Starring: Angelina Jolie, Finn Little, Nicholas Hoult, Aidan Gillen, Medina Senghore, John Berthal. Directed by: Taylor Sheridan. D

Three Amigos (1986) PG comedy

The Three Amigos are Lucky Day (Steve Martin), Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase), and Ned Nederlander (Martin Short). They are silent film stars who don silver studded vaquero outfits and have their own theme song. They also have a salute that's rather inappropriate. When I laugh at some of these jokes, it makes me feel like I'm 12 years old again, which is roughly how old I was when I first saw this. While this might not be the smartest comedy in the world--many of its gags hit a dead note--this is where I learned the crucial vocabulary word "plethora." The story goes like this: When the Three Amigos are fired from the studio, they immediately receive a telegram with a job offer in Mexico. They think it's for a movie, but really it's a message from poor villagers who are seeking help fending off a rough band of bandits who are terrorizing their village. Steve Martin and Martin Short are incredibly lively and animated throughout, while Chevy Chase looks like he'd rather be somewhere else. The songs by Randy Newman are very funny. One of them ends with an animatronic turtle saying "Goodnight, Ned." Dumb, but I laugh every time. Starring: Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Patrice Martinez, Alfonso Arau, Tony Plana, Joe Mantegna, Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman. Directed by: John Landis. B

Three Fugitives (1989) PG-13 comedy

Nick Nolte and Martin Short star in this action/comedy. A paroled convict (Nolte) unintentionally gets himself involved in an amateur's (Short) attempt at a bank robbery. The film is all right, but it is nothing noteworthy. It's good enough to pass the time, but nothing I'd ever recommend. Starring: Nick Nolte, Martin Short, Sarah Rowland Doroff, James Earl Jones, Alan Ruck, Kenneth McMillan, Bruce McGill. Directed by: Francis Veber. C+

Three Men and a Baby (1987) PG comedy

Leonard Nimoy directs this entertaining comedy about three roomies (Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson) who, one day, find a little baby girl at their doorstep. Being three bachelors at large, they have absolutely no idea how to take care of a child, but they try, nevertheless. The film rather falters when it comes to its "Hey, let's capture a drug lord" subplot. Starring: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson, Nancy Travis, Margaret Colin, Celeste Holm, Philip Bosco, Michelle Blair, Paul Guilfoyle, Cynthia Harris, Derek de Lint, Colin Quinn, Edward D. Murphy. Directed by: Leonard Nimoy. B-

Three Men and a Little Lady (1990) PG comedy

This pointless sequel to Three Men and a Baby only has its charm going for it. If you’re expecting a funny script or anything, you can forget it. Nevertheless, the three leads do manage to exert some inertia into the dead script. To my surprise, this film has among the worst endings in movie history, which is an amazing feat, because that’s pretty much what I thought of the first one. Starring: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson, Nancy Travis, Robin Weisman, Christopher Cazenove, Shelia Hancock, Fiona Shaw, Jonathan Lynn, Lynne Marta, Everett Wong. Directed by: Emile Ardolino. C-

Three O’Clock High (1987) PG-13 comedy

This fun riff on High Noon as a high school geek (Casey Siemaszko) waits an impending fight with the high school bully (Richard Tyson). It’s surprisingly taut and tense throughout as this generally good student suddenly finds his status changes drastically amongst the school’s staff and administration and his peers. The interesting camera angles and close-ups tries really hard to be stylish, but not always to good effect. Starring: Casey Siemaszko, Anne Ryan, Stacey Glick, Jonathan Wise, Richard Tyson, Jeffrey Tambor, Liza Morrow, Philip Baker Hall, John Ryan, Yeardley Smith. Directed by: Phil Joanou. B+

Thumbsucker (2005) R drama

Just when you thought the world didn't need another independent movie about a depressed teenager, there came "Thumbsucker." Unfortunately, the film has a rather turgid pace, but a few sparks of creative moments keep the film entertaining. Be sure to stick with it until the end, because it turns out to be much more resonant than expected. Starring: Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves, Benjamin Bratt, Kelli Garner, Vince Vaughn, Chase Offerle. Directed by: Mike Mills. B

Thunderball (1965) NR spy

This is an adequate Bond flick about villainous creeps from SPECTRE who hold the world hostage using two stolen nuclear warheads. Plot wasn't fleshed out too well, the pacing could have been livened up. The ample underwater scenes ridden throughout the movie are quite tedious. The gizmos are kind of cool, though. This is strictly for Bond fans, or perhaps an Austin Powers fan who wants to know where Mike Myers got his principle target. Starring: Sean Connery, Claudine Auger, Adolfo Celi, Luciana Paluzzi, Rik Van Nutter, Martine Beswick, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn, Roland Culver. Directed by: Terence Young. B-

Thunderbirds (2004) PG sci-fi

A family of astronaut heroes are in trouble and it's up to the formerly neglected youngest of the family (Brady Corbet) and his dorky friends to save them. This is strictly a sci-fi film for undiscriminating kids (or anyone else who doesn't care that the script is dumb). This is an unforgivably cheesy movie, and I think it's time for director Jonathan Frakes to be demoted to Number 2. Starring: Bill Paxton, Anthony Edwards, Sophia Myles, Ben Kingsley, Brady Corbet, Soren Fulton, Vanessa Ann Hudgens, Ron Cook, Philip Winchester. Directed by: Jonathan Frakes. D+

Thunderheart (1992) R drama

This is a well done drama, loosely based on a true story, about the maltreatment of Native Americans in the '70s. Val Kilmer adequately plays an FBI agent who is assigned to investigate a murder in a Souix Reservation. He is chosen for this job solely because he's one fourth Native American, but he resents that part of his ancestry. However, he eventually comes to discover the meaning of his heritage and soon learns to appreciate it. The acting of Graham Greene was good, but nobody else's is. The pace is lackluster, but it is a thought-provoking culture movie. Starring: Val Kilmer, David Crosby, Sam Shepard, Graham Greene, Fred Ward, Fred Dalton Thompson, Shelia Tousey, Chief Ted Thin Elk, John Trudell, Dennis Banks. Directed by: Michael Apted. B-

Time After Time (1979) PG sci-fi

This is a captivating rendition of H. G. Wells' The Time Machine that actually depicts the author (played successfully by Malcolm McDowell) traveling to the future from the late 1800's to 1979 chasing Jack the Ripper. ThereWells meets a beautiful woman (Mary Steenburgen) and they instantaneously fall in love. It's somewhat uneven, but it is entirely enjoyable. Later, in real life, Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen were married. Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, David Warner, Charles Cioffi, Kent Williams, Corey Feldman. Directed by: Nicholas Meyer. B+

Timeline (2003) PG-13 sci-fi

This is a mostly enjoyable time travelling action film adapted from Michael Crichton's so-so novel about a group of history graduate students travelling to medieval France to rescue their professor (Billy Connolly). The movie looks good and the fish-out-of-the-water quality of it is pretty entertaining. But, it relies too much on action movie cliches. Starring: Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Billy Connolly, David Thewli, Anna Friel, Neal McDonough, Matt Craven. Directed by: Richard Donner. B-

Tin Cup (1996) R comedy

Kevin Costner stars as a talented golfer with a tremendous ego and determination to attempts to makethe U.S. Open. It's not easy to do that, however. He must quit showing off and stop acting like a jerk. Amidst all this, Costner is competing with his former golfing partner for an attractive therapist (Rene Russo), and overcome his debt problems. This is worth a look, especially for the suspenseful, pivotal golf game. Starring: Kevin Costner, Don Johnson, Rene Russo, Richard "Cheech" Marin, Linda Hart, Dennis Burkley, Rex Linn, Lou Meyers. Directed by: Ron Shelton. B

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) NR drama

This is a flawless film adaptation of Harper Lee's best-selling novel. It manages to keep the viewer while it follows the experiences of a southern lawyer (Gregory Peck) and his two children. Peck is so good in this film that it earned him an Academy Award. The child actors in this film do a better job acting than most adult actors do. This is an American classic, and anyone who hasn't seen it is missing out. Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Frank Overton, Robert Duvall, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix. Directed by: Robert Mulligan. A+

To Sir With Love (1967) NR drama

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for heartwarming inspirational teacher movies, and this is one of the mothers. Sidney Poitier is Mr. Thackeray, or Sir, a teacher at an inner urban high school in London. Just a temporary job for him, as he seeks a higher paying job as an engineer. He is told by a jaded colleague that these children are unteachable. They are unkempt, aloof, uninterested in traditional school lessons. But Mr. Thackeray takes an unconventional approach to these unconventional children: he teaches them things they need to learn. Life lessons. What to look for in a romantic partner. Even how to make a salad. He also treats his pupils as adults--the first time most of them have been treated as such. Poitier's performance is strong as always--expressing anger and frustration but also existential bliss when he observes that his inspirational lessons succeed. His character serves as a reminder that every person deserves a chance, no matter where they come from. Starring: Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall, Faith Brook, Geoffrey Bayldon, Patricia Routledge, Lulu, Michael Des Barres. Directed by: James Clavell. B+

To Sir, With Love II (1996) NR drama

Amazingly resisting the urge to call this 2 Sir, With Love, this made-for-television film takes place almost 30 years after the original. Sidney Poitier returns as Mr. Thackeray. The opening scenes see him waxing nostalgic over his first year as a teacher. He gazes into his original classroom, and scenes from the 1967 film ghostly fade into view. He is greeted by one of his original students Pamela (Judy Geeson) who accompanies him to his retirement party. Lulu is seen there on stage singing the old hit song. It's all quite lovey-dovey till Mr. Thackeray makes a shocking announcement: That he's going to Chicago to teach at an inner city school. Not a bad idea for the film, since we get to see how he does with a different generation. And I always love watching Mr. Thackeray sternly set wayward kids straight, even when they're just caricatures. But the film's focus strays too far away from the classroom here when he gets involved in a stand-off between dueling gangs. While I can fitfully appreciate this sequel, as unnecessary as it is, I still find it wholly disappointing that it didn't recapture the original's warmth. Starring: Sidney Poitier, Christian Payton, Dana Eskelson, Fernando Lopez, Casey Lluberes, Michael Gilio, LZ Grandson, Lulu, Judy Gleeson. Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich. C

Tom Jones (1963) NR comedy

Albert Finney in the title role, plays a young womanizing, 18th century bastard, whose adopted father kicks him out of the estate where he's forced to survive on his own. Tom Jones and a young lady named Sophie are deeply in love, but Sophie's father would never approve the marriage of her daughter with a bastard. So, Sophie runs away and tries to find Tom, but she soon finds out that he just recently slept with another woman. Oops. This film is one of the funnier comedic films ever made. It is directed with such a lighthearted style and the actors play their roles to such perfection. Starring: Albert Finney, Susannah York, Hugh Griffith, Edith Evans, Joan Greenwood, Diane Cilento, George Devine, David Tomlinson. Directed by: Tony Richardson. A

Tom Thumb (1958) NR fantasy

I'm under the impression that anyone who loves the "It's a Small World" ride at Disney World will also love this film. It just gives off that vibe. Everyone is so happy-go-lucky, they dance and sing songs, they wear colorful costumes made out of velvet cloth, and there's even magic. A lumberjack named Jonathan (Bernard Miles) is out chopping wood when the Forest Queen (June Thorburn) requests that he spare a tree that she describes as "the oldest and fairest of them all." He submits and is rewarded with three wishes. But he and his wife (Jessie Matthews) squander them in an argument over supper. Despondent after losing out on having their dearest desires met, they make one hopeful fourth wish: For a child -- even if he's no bigger than a thumb. Guess who should show up at their doorstep the next morning but Tom Thumb (Russ Tamblyn). Child-rearing made easy -- he's already talking, walking, and dancing! (And also, strangely post-pubescent -- but probably best not mention that to anyone.) Great dance numbers abound with his toys that come alive when the grownups aren't around -- brought to you by phenomenal stop-motion animation. Tom's wide-eyed innocence is put to test when dastardly villains Ivan (Terry-Thomas) and Anthony (Peter Sellers) realize Tom's tiny stature might be useful in helping them commit dastardly crimes. This is a bright, bubbly and energetic film, full of color and wonderful tunes. The gigantic sets are nearly flawless -- keeping the illusion alive that Tamblyn, so featherlight on his feet, really is that small. Starring: Russ Tamblyn, Alan Young, Terry-Thomas, Peter Sellers, June Thorburn, Bernard Miles, Jessie Matthews, Ian Wallace, Petter Butterworth, Peter Bull. Directed by: George Pal. B+

Tommy (1975) PG musical

When I thought nothing could get weirder, I watched this film adaptation of the Who's '60s concept album. You'll really have to have a knack for the abstract in order to watch it and enjoy it. To the best of my ability, I discern that this film is about a small boy (Roger Daltrey) who sees his mother (Ann-Margret) and his father's brother (Oliver Reed) in bed together. Then he becomes dumb, deaf and blind for the next twenty or so years with his mother taking good care of him. They start worshiping Marilyn Monroe, and sometimes his parents leave him with people who do really really bad things to him. Then he somehow becomes the pinball champion of the world. Ann-Margret gets rich off of this and starts dancing in bubbles, baked beans and mud. Then, Jack Nicholson says he's not really deaf, blind and dumb; it's some sort of mental block. Then Roger Daltrey is suddenly cured and everyone finds out that he's the messiah. Yeah ... what the dilly? Starring: Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Roger Daltrey, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Robert Powell, Paul Nicholas, Tina Turner, Barry Winch, Victoria Russell, Arthur Brown. Directed by: Ken Russell. C

Tommy Boy (1995) PG-13 comedy

Chris Farley plays a clumsy dimwit who must go around the country selling auto-parts to companies in order to pay off a debt. If they don't, it would result in a corporate takeover by an extremely powerful automobile manufacturer. The plot is weak and the acting is thin, but funny. My biggest complaint is David Spade's character who is unmercifully cruel and sarcastic for no reason. Farley's character is extremely dopey doesn't compliment the film one bit! On the bright side, it does have its fair share of moments. Starring: Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek, Dan Aykroyd, Julie Wagner, Rob Lowe. Directed by: Peter Segal. C+

Tony Rome (1967) NR mystery

A neo-noir mystery with the right idea of having Frank Sinatra star as a Bogart-like private eye. Sinatra is fine in this, but where the movie fails me is the mystery itself -- it isn't so mystifying. So much about this movie could have been spruced up, and that should have started with the character of Tony Rome himself. He is a compulsive gambler, but the movie hardly shows any of that. All we see is he's a semi-washout who lives on a houseboat. One real missed opportunity is when Rome is accosted by a whacked-out but desperate woman who believes her cat is being systematically poisoned. Instead of shooing her out of his office, wouldn't it have been funnier (and consistent with a gambling addict) had he taken the side job and blown it on the gee-gees? Anyway, the main mystery centers around a mysterious blonde Diana (Sue Lyon) who ends up unconscious (drunk) in a hotel room. Tony is hired to take her home and keep the name of the hotel out of it. He does so, and her wealthy father hires him to figure out what happened to her. Adding to the mystery is she had $100 with her that night and left with $15, having no recollection on what she spent it on. Even more devastatingly, she is missing a priceless broach she had on her that night. The set-up is fine but the reveal is turgid. Starring: Frank Sinatra, Jill St. John, Sue Lyon, Gena Rowlands, Simon Oakland, Richard Conte, Robert J. Wilke. Directed by: Gordon Douglas. C+

Tootsie (1982) PG comedy

This top-of-the-line comedy produces great laughs and, in turn, is considered one of the greatest comedies of all time. Dustin Hoffman stars as Michael Dorsey, an actor whose pain-in-the-butt attitude has ruined his reputation and any chance of finding an acting job. So he does the unthinkable: He dresses up as a woman and lands a job in a soap opera. Unexpectedly, he becomes a celebrity and nobody, except roommate Bill Murray, knows his "little secret." This is an excellent comedy! Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Charles Durning, Bill Murray, Sydney Pollack, George Gaynes, Geena Davis, Doris Belack, Ellen Foley. Directed by: Sydney Pollack. A+

Top Gun (1986) PG action

Tom Cruise stars in this testosterone-pumping thriller as an egotistical fighter pilot and his experiences at an exclusive fighter pilot academy. There he falls in love with his instructor (Kelly McGillis), battles top-notch pilot Val Kilmer for the #1 spot in his graduating class, and undergoes a disastrous tragedy. The dialogue has its weak, and it is corny in spots, but that doesn't matter because it's fun. Starring: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, Rick Rossovich, Barry Tubb, Whip Hubley, Tim Robbins, John Stockwell. Directed by: Bryon Haskin. B

Top Gun: Maverick (2022) PG-13 action

Tom Cruise reprises his role as Maverick, a fighter pilot who's quickly aging out of the Navy. And yet stuck after all these years in the rank of Captain. He catches wind that an admiral (Ed Harris) is on his way to unceremoniously shut down his hypersonic jet program. But Maverick wouldn't be "Maverick" if he wasn't going to steal the airplane and push it to its Mach 10 objective anyway. In fact, his ego gets the better of him and he goes beyond it, which causes the airplane to explode. Whoops. A dishonorable discharge is in the books, but his old friend Iceman (Val Kilmer, who only appears on screen briefly) puts the kibosh on that. In fact, Iceman even goes further and recruits Maverick back into the TOPGUN program. But not as a fighter pilot. As a teacher. (Maverick is not a teacher! Maverick is a fight pilot!) Turns out there's an unidentified country that built a uranium enrichment plant that's about to go live, and it must be destroyed ASAP. This nearly impossible mission requires skills that only Maverick has, which he must pass down to a new generation. By far the only reason to watch this film are those plentiful, high-octane fighter jet scenes. I confess I felt my whole chest tense up as I watched those. Really well executed. I do, however, lament over the filmmakers' decision to neglect pontificating what was supposed to have happened after this mission -- whether it was successful or not -- and which of these outcomes was going to be the start of WWIII. But I suppose those are the types of questions that low-levels aren't supposed to be asking or even be thinking about. Much less the audience. My other complaint is the character drama. While it mostly works fine, it still comes off pedestrian. Most of it being tension between Maverick and a fighter pilot named "Rooster," who is son of "Goose" from the first film. Even worse is the romance with Jennifer Connelly's character -- it hits nothing but dead notes. I'm not even sure why she's here other than Maverick needs to get laid. The dialogue is fine though, broken up here and there with some well-earned chuckles. While this film is a little simple-minded for my tastes, I do have to give it credit for providing me with one of the best adrenaline highs I've ever gotten short of exercising. Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer. Directed by: Joseph Kosinski. B+

Top Secret! (1984) PG comedy

Brilliant send-up of war films. The storyline doesn't make much sense, but that's bound to happen when gags take precedence over narrative. And these gags give me a steady supply of laughs. Besides, the quasi-random development of this storyline is really part of the fun -- especially when there's always something silly around every corner. Done by the same folks who did Airplane!, this might not be as quotable, but it's almost as much fun. This is also Val Kilmer's film debut. He stars as a spy and rockabilly singer, Nick Rivers. He's parodying Elvis Presley -- prone to breaking off into energetic song-and-dance routines. An East German resistance member Hillary Flammond (Lucy Gutteridge) is his love interest. Then a love triangle is introduced when she reunites with Nigel "The Torch" (Christopher Villiers), who she'd originally been romantic with when they were both castaways on a deserted island (via a Blue Lagoon parody). I find the fact this deadpan character does spy-work while in a blonde, curly wig is about as funny as anything else here. Starring: Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge, Christopher Villiers, Jeremy Kemp, Michael Gough, Omar Sharif, Peter Cushing, Harry Ditson, Jim Carter. Directed by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. B

Topkapi (1964) PG thriller

This is an utterly delightful thriller/comedy about a group of mostly amateur thieves who endeavor to perform the world's most challenging theft: A priceless dagger from the Constantinople Museum. The going seems tricky, but as every clever master criminal knows, there is a way around everything. The cast, all of whom deliver impeccable performances, are unforgettable. Starring: Melina Mercouri, Peter Ustinov, Maximilian Schell, Robert Morely, Akim Tamiroff, Despo Diamantidou. Directed by: Jules Dassin. A+

Tormented (1960) NR horror

A satisfactory ghost story, but it isn't scary nor is it especially campy. It's tastefully done, however, and remains quite entertaining. Tom (Richard Carlson) is a jazz pianist who is set to marry the wealthy Meg Hubbard (Lugene Sanders). However, he runs into an unexpected setback when an old flame Vi (Juli Reding) drops by and demands they rekindle their relationship. She even threatens to show Meg some steamy letters he had sent her during their fling. They go atop an abandoned lighthouse to discuss further, but Vi leans against rusted-out railing that gives way, and she hangs on for dear life. Tom reaches out to save her but then has second thoughts. If she falls to her death, all his problems are solved. Or not. The next morning he sees Vi's body floating in the water. He goes out to retrieve her, but brings her to shore, only to notice he's really holding an armful of seaweed. Later, while walking with Meg on the beach, and he sees disembodied footprints walking next to him. But things get really freaky when he sees Vi's ghostly head appears to informs him that she will haunt her for the rest of his life. This is hardly great cinema, but I find watching Tom's supernatural-laced guilt complex quite absorbing, especially as his further selfish actions lead up to irreparably disappointing his presumptive future sister-in-law, the 10-year-old Sandy (Susan Gordon). Nicely done on the whole, but there were some missed opportunities here -- the psychological torment angle could have been played up more, and the atmosphere could have been creepier. Most predominantly, we see and hear far too much of the ghost. At one point he handles her head which is obviously plastic and from a mannequin. That would have been solved easily if the filmmakers took a less-is-more approach. Starring: Richard Carlson, Susan Gordon, Lugene Sanders, Juli Reding, Joe Turkel, Lillian Adams. Directed by: Bert I. Gordon. B-

Torn Curtain (1966) NR spy

This is one of Alfred Hitchcock's lesser efforts. It stars Julie Andrews and Paul Newman who play an American couple traveling to East Germany to steal a top secret chemical formula. This film is too long and, especially for a Hitchcock film, surprisingly lacks needed suspense and surprise! It's not a bad film overall, but leave this is only for people on a quest to watch every Hitchcock movie. Starring: Paul Newman, Julie Andrews, Lila Kedrova, Hansjorg Felmy, Tamara Toumanova, Ludwig Donath, Wolfgang Kieling, Gunter Strack, David Opatoshu. Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock. B-

Total Recall (1990) R sci-fi

RoboCop director Paul Verhoeven helmed this nearly perfect sci-fi follow-up. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as an ordinary construction worker who is bored with life. To spice things up, he goes to a memory-planting company to go on an imaginary trip to Mars. Just as he is about to go under for the memory chip implant, the doctors stumble upon an already implanted chip. It turns out Schwarzenegger is really a secret agent and his memory of the past had been fake. He travels to Mars where an evil corporation's oxygen monopoly has its citizens by their bootstraps. This movie is full of intrigue and mystery; you'll never predict where it's going. Furthermore, Schwarzenegger struggles with the idea that the journey could really just be from the memory-planting company. This is a neat movie with an excessive (and thoroughly tounge-in-cheek) violence. Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson, Jr., Michael Champion. Directed by: Paul Verhoeven. A

A Touch of Class (1973) PG comedy

It's overrated, but it is nonetheless an enjoyable romantic comedy. Glenda Jackson stars as a free-spirited single mother who is having an affair with a married man (George Segal). Together they go on a trip to Malaga, but it ends up only being a series of mishaps. It isn't particularly funny, unfortunately. Jackson, who wasn't thought to have been able to thrive in comedies, showed the critics and won the Best Actress Academy Award for this. Starring: George Segal, Glenda Jackson, Paul Sorvino, Hildegard Neil, Cec Linder, K. Callan, Mary Barclay, Michael Elwyn. Directed by: Melvin Frank. B

Touch of Evil (1958) NR drama

Orson Welles gives an uncomfortably effective performance as a highly respected but corrupt police officer who becomes at odds with a Mexican-born police officer (Charlton Heston) when he investigates a bomb explosion. It is a harrowing and atmospheric film that’s a great mark on Orson Welles’ late directorial career. Starring: Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff, Joanna Moore, Ray Collins, Dennis Weaver, Val de Vargas, Mort Mills. Directed by: Orson Welles. A

Toy Story (1995) G comedy

This is the world's first CGI feature, and it is quite clever. It's about toys that talk and move only when humans are not watching. When a young kid, Andy, gets a Buzz Lightyear, a high-tech space ranger action figure, Woody, a worn out cowboy doll, gets jealous. The plot is creative and funny with a moralesque conclusion. It is also notable for the number of stars supplying the voices. This doubtlessly will become a family favorite for generations to come. Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Razenberger, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney, Don Rickels, John Morris, R. Lee Ermey, Laurie Metcalf, Erik Von Detten. Directed by: John Lasseter. A+

Toy Story 2 (1999) G comedy

Woody and Buzz are back in this utterly hilarious sequel. Apparently, Woody's is a rare action figure of a Howdy-Doody-like puppet from the '50s. He is discovered by a money-hungry fanatic, who promptly "kidnaps" Woody and is put in his private collection. Now Woody must decide whether to endure an immortal life behind glass or to live on in the house of Andy (his child owner) until he outgrows him. This is not as magical as the original, but it is very funny. Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson, Jonathan Harris, Joe Ranft, Andrew Stanton. Directed by: John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich and Ash Brannon. A

Trading Places (1983) R comedy

This is a wonderful comedy about two rich dudes, Randolph and Mortimer, who place a bet that you can't change a low-down criminal for the better by turning him into a rich man and vice versa. So they decide to pick on rich snob, Dan Aykroyd, frame him for a crime and pay everyone off in his former life to not let him back. Eddie Murphy, a criminal, is given Aykroyd's house, job and money. So, who's going to win the bet? Strong comedic performances come from the all-star cast. Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, Kristin Holby, Paul Gleason, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Belushi, Al Franken, Alfred Drake, Bo Diddley, Frank Oz. Directed by: John Landis. B

The Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) PG comedy

We laughed at B-movie director Edward D. Wood for many reasons, and one of those reasons was he made a movie starring Bela Lugosi after Bela Lugosi had passed away. Blake Edwards, who was a much more respected filmmaker, does the same thing to Peter Sellers, and that nearly ruined his career. These outtakes have a thin plot that threads them together: The Pink Panther diamond has been stolen again and Inspector Clouseau is commissioned to find it. Then Clouseau suddenly goes missing. (He kept on leaping decades in age throughout the movie, which cannot be good for the health). Because there weren't enough outtakes to fill the movie, a reporter (Joanna Lumley) interviews Clouseau's colleagues and former criminals to form a retrospective. It’s totally pointless. Starring: Peter Sellers, David Niven, Herbert Lom, Richard Mulligan, Joanna Lumley, Capucine, Robert Loggia, Harvey Korman, Burt Kwouk, Graham Stark, Peter Arne, Andre Maranne, Ronald Frazer. Directed by: Blake Edwards. D-

The Transporter (2002) PG-13 action

This blah action movie stars Jason Statham as a hired getaway driver who gets into some serious trouble that forces him to beat up hundreds of people and run away from explosions and stuff. He also gets to meet and fall in love with a cute female (Shu Qi). It’s another poorly acted, poorly scripted attempt at an action film. The frequent attempts at humor are unfunny, and even though many of the fighting scenes are well choreographed, the camera movements are annoyingly jerky. Starring: Jason Statham, Shu Qi, Francois Berleand, Matt Schulze, Ric Young, Doug Rand, Didier Saint Melin, Tonio Descanville. Directed by: Louis Leterrier. C-

Trapped in Paradise (1994) PG-13 comedy

Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz star as brothers in this poorly conceived film in which they rob a poorly guarded bank in a small town called Paradise. A duo of powerful criminals in prison become upset over this action. This icky plot is made watchable by the talented cast, but I would skip this one. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz, Madchen Amick, Vic Manni, Florence Stanley, Richard Jenkins, Donald Moffat, Angela Paton, Richard B. Shull, Jack Heller. Directed by: George Gallo. C-

Treasure Island (1950) NR adventure

This is an extravagant Disney live-action adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel. Young Jim Hawkins boards an English vessel with the mission to uncover buried treasure, but the captain makes the mistake of letting Long John Silver hire the crew who would rather do something else with the treasure. Each cast member fits their parts perfectly. The movie is both entertaining and exciting, and it is good for the kids. Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Walter Fitzgerald, Denis O'Dea, Ralph Truman, Finlay Currie, John Laurie, Francis de Wolff, Geoffret Wilkinson, David Davies. Directed by: Bryon Haskin. B+

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) NR adventure

A trio of prospectors, Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt, travel into the Sierra Madre in Mexico in search of gold. They actually find some quite easily, but can these shifty characters survive the wilderness, bandits and each other? Not only is this grand adventure considered one of Hollywood's best, it's a surefire audience-pleaser that's barely dated. Be sure to see it before you die. Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, Bruce Bennett, Barton MacLane, Alfonso Bedoya, Arturo Soto Rangel, Manuel Donde, Josey Torvay, Margarito Luna. Directed by: John Huston. A+

Trees Lounge (1996) R drama

Steve Buscemi made his directorial debut with this well-done dramatic comedy. Buscemi stars as a bar-goer who is ill-suited for his dead uncle’s job as an ice-cream man. He develops an unethical relationship with a 17-year-old girl (Chloe Sevingy) even though he used to date her aunt (Elizabeth Bracco). This is an engaging film with a well-written script, and Buscemi is excellent acting out his own script. Starring: Steve Buscemi, Mark Boone, Jr., Michael Buscemi, Anthony LaPaglia, Elizabeth Bracco, Rockets Redglare, Daniel Baldwin, Carol Kane, Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by: Steve Buscemi. B+

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) R drama

Entertainment and a lesson in American civics nicely intertwines. This film chronicles the trial of seven people charged with incitement of a riot at a Vietnam War protest at the Democratic National Convention. The trial is fascinating, in particular the incredible bias of the presiding judge being unbelievable but true, infamously having one of the defendants--a member of the Black Panthers--bound and gagged during the trial. This film also boasts what's pretty much a dream-cast--Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman, Eddie Redmayne as Tom Hayden, Frank Langella as that idiot judge, among others. This is a great movie for people who love watching hippie radicals antagonize "the man." Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alex Sharp, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Noah Robbins, Daniel Flaherty, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Frank Langella, Michael Keaton. Directed by: Aaron Sorkin. B+

Tristan and Isolde (2005) PG-13 romance

The sets are marvelous, but little else is in this bloated medieval romance. James Franco and Sophia Myles are the title characters: two star-crossed lovers who see each other despite that it might put the stability of the British kingdom in jeopardy. There is a chronic lack of steam in the script; even the fighting sequences seem contrived. Nonetheless, the script and acting are solid enough to make this a passable movie especially for those who enjoy medieval period pieces. Starring: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O’Hara, Mark Strong, Henry Cavill, Bronagh Gallager, Ronan Russell, J.B. Blanc, Graham Mullins, Thomas Sangster. Directed by: Kevin Reynolds. C

Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (2005) R comedy

This messy film is about a film crew attempting to film an “unfilmable” 18th Century novel. However, just as the author in the source material couldn’t get his book written, the film crew doesn’t quite get the movie filmed. Many of the jokes in this mockumentary are funny if obscure. To some viewers, this quizzical film might be crazy enough to be worth a watch, but it’s not for all audiences. Starring: Steve Coogan, Bob Brydon, Raymond Waring, Dylan Moran, Keely Hawes, Gillian Anderson, Stephen Fry. Directed by: Michael Winterbottom. B

Tron (1982) PG action

Those whose reason for not wanting to see Russell Crowe’s Gladiator was because there weren’t enough computers in it, then look no further! Jeff Bridges stars as a video game programming guru (1982-style) who threatens to expose the head of an electronics giant (David Warner) of a corporate misdeed. But then he becomes imprisoned in a giant computer, and must overcome all sorts of virtual challenges to save himself. This is a fantastic (if a bit confusing) adventure, but the acting is terrible apart from Bridges and Warner. It could have been better, I suppose, but this is Disney. Disney is rarely this daring. This is the first movie to have created scenes using computer-generated images. Starring: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan, Barnard Hughes, Dan Shor, Peter Jurasik, Tony Stephano, Craig Chudy. Directed by: Steven Lisberger. B

Troy (2004) R action

Wolfgang Petersen directs this exciting film based on Homer’s Illiad. Very good action sequences and the story (that basically survived through countless generations of oral storytelling in the Dark Ages) is utterly intriguing. It was nicely done, certainly, but it’s hardly ideal. It’s a bit overlong, and I would have liked to hear more from the gods (whose presence is absolutely vital in the story!) At any rate, this is a perfectly entertaining picture. Brad Pitt is great as Achilles. Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Sean Bean, Brendan Gleeson, Saffron Burrows, Peter O’Toole, Julie Christie, Rose Byrne, Garret Hedlund, John Shrapnel, Nathan Jones, James Cosmo, Julian Glover. Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen. B

True Grit (1969) G western

John Wayne earned his only Academy Award with his performance as a gruff, one-eyed U.S. Marshall who is hired by a teenage girl to kill her father's murderer. For the most part, it's a fine family film full of excitement and adventure. The wonderful scenery is a plus. Be sure to watch for Dennis Hopper in a small role as a dirty criminal. Starring: John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Jeremy Slate, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Alfred Ryder, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey. Directed by: Henry Hathaway. B

True Romance (1993) R thriller

This graphically violent black comedy is a critically hailed cult film, but it's really not that great. It's about a man who killed a drug lord, and he tries to sell off the man's cocaine. There are many movie stars playing small roles, but that wasn't as appealing as it might have been. Some hilariously out-of-whack subplots, however, is the film's strongest link. Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Bronson Pinchot, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Saul Rubinek, James Gandolfini. Directed by: Tony Scott. C+

The Truman Show (1998) PG comedy

A '90s classic, this film is about a seemingly ordinary man (Jim Carrey) who is living the American dream in a picture-perfect town. However, unbeknownst to him, his life is being filmmed, and the whole world is watching it live on TV. His town is just an elaborate movie set, and everyone living inside (including his wife, parents, friends) are paid actors. When he begins to suspect that his life is a fabrication, the show's producers (headed by Ed Harris) try every "supernatural" means of keeping him happy and unassuming. This is a great movie that is completely entertaining, and highlighted by a spirited performance from Carrey. Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Brian Delate, Una Damon, Paul Giamatti, Philip Baker Hall, Peter Krouse, John Pleshette. Directed by: Peter Weir. A+

The Turning Point (1977) PG drama

A mother of three (Shirley MacLaine), who gave up her burgeoning ballet career to raise a family, relives that past when her daughter (Leslie Browne) joins the same dance company. There, she is forced to confront her former peer (Anne Bancroft), who is painfully coming to terms that she’s getting old. Not only is the script gripping, but the ballet scenes are mesmerizing. Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Anne Bancroft, Leslie Browne, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Tom Skerritt, Martha Scott, Anthony Zerbe, Marshall Thompson, Alexandra Danilova, Antoinette Sibley. Directed by: Herbert Ross. A-

Turtle Diary (1985) PG comedy drama

This film is a unique treat about two people (Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson) uniting to set a captive sea turtle free in the ocean. Kingsley and Jackson both give outstanding performances and the supporting cast is also nice. This is a refresting film! Starring: Glenda Jackson, Ben Kingsley, Richard Johnson, Michael Gambon, Rosemary Leach, Eleanor Bron, Harriet Walter, Jeroen Krabbe. Directed by: John Irvin. B+

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) PG-13 war

This is an accurate historical depiction of an African American division of the WWII Air Force. These men generally over-qualify as war pilots, but nobody will let them fly because of their ethnic origin. This film, while a made-for-television movie, features a fine cast. Starring: Laurence Fishburne, John Lithgow, Cuba Gooding Jr., Allan Payne, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Courtney B. Vance, Andre Braugher, Chris McDonald, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Kekhi Phifer. Directed by: Robert Markowitz. B

12 Angry Men (1957) NR drama

There are 12 people on the jury (in this case, all white men, but let us not stray from the point) who must unanimously make a decision. Guilty or not guilty. The judge informs the jury that a guilty verdict would send an 18-year-old man to the electric chair. The evidence of guilt seems clear. The foreman (Martin Balsam) takes an initial vote. Eleven vote guilty, one not guilty. The holdout is Juror #8 (Henry Fonda). He doesn't necessarily believe the defendant is innocent--he just thinks they should talk about it more. As they churn over the evidence, they end up poking more and more holes into the prosecution's case. The character development in this film is phenomenal--there are 12 people to keep track of in the span of 96 minutes. Yet it feels like I got to know them just as well as I ever get to know anybody. This movie exposes the juror's personal prejudices, when ego supersedes the truth, and how careless some can be when it comes to life-or-death decisions. This is a remarkably taut, exciting film--in addition to being a fantastic civics lesson. How many times I've seen this film, it always fascinates me to see what causes certain jury members to change their vote. Surely, this is one of the great talking dramas. Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Edward Binnes, Joseph Sweeny, George Voskovec, Robert Webber. Directed by: Sidney Lumet. A+

29th Street (1991) R comedy

This unusual comedy drama begins when a New Yorker (Anthony LaPaglia) wins first New York State lottery, and he is unhappy about it. He’s been having this remarkable lucky streak ever since he was born and it is driving him nuts. This film is warmhearted and sometimes funny, which makes this film quite enjoyable to watch. The character he's based on, Frank Pesce, plays an actual role in this film (the older brother). Lucky. Starring: Starring: Danny Aiello, Anthony LaPaglia, Lainie Kazan, Frank Pesce, Robert Forster, Ron Karabatsos, Rick Aiello, Vic Manni, Paul Lazar, Pete Antico, Donna Magnani, Darren Bates, Tony Sirico, Richard K. Olsen, Richard Cerenzio. Directed by: George Gallo. B+

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) PG sci-fi/horror

Rod Serling's famous television series brought to the screen will certainly not disappoint. It follows the same footsteps as the classic television series did; the movie is really only four modern-made episodes. Three of the four are actually very entertaining! The first one, however, is not very good. It's about a highly prejudice man (Vic Morrow--who ended up dying on the set) who is taught a lesson by "stepping in the shoes of" a Jew, an African and an Asian. It may be moralesque, but it's just not entertaining. The second, however, is very good about a group of people in a retirement home, who are watching their biological-clocks ticking and they are given a moment to relive their childhood. This segment is very touching and it isn't a surprise that it's directed by Steven Speilberg. The third one is good as well; ridden with special effects and a very interesting story as it slowly unfolds (let's not give anything away)! The fourth stands out as well, even though it isn't as good as the last two. It's about a man driven to insanity in an airplane during a lightning storm when he sees things out the airplane window. Starring: Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers, Bill Quinn, Selma Diamond, Kathleen Quinlan, Jeremy Licht, Kevin McCarthy, William Schallert, John Lithgow, Abbe Lane, John Larroquette, Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Burgess Meredith. Directed by: John Landis, Steven Speilberg, Joe Dante and Steven Miller. B+

Twin Dragons (1998) PG-13 martial arts

Interesting dual role for Jackie Chan in this mild martial arts flick. He plays twins who were separated at birth; one guys a world-famous composer, the other is a street-wise kung-fu man. They unexpectedly clash in Hong Kong causing ample confusion not only amongst themselves, but the bad guys, too. Zero plot with stupid and unfunny jokes to fill in for places not ridden with martial art action. Not one of Chan's finest films, but it should be enough to please his fans. Starring: Jackie Chan, Teddy Robin, Maggie Cheung, Nina Li Chi, Anthony Chan, Philip Chan, Sylvia Chang, Alfred Cheung, Jacob Cheung. Directed by: Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark. C

Twins (1988) PG-13 comedy

This is one of those movies that entertains solely on the basis of its concept and how good the two lead actors play into it. Otherwise, it's very soft around the edges. One of those basic feel-good films from the late '80s with a soundtrack of fluffy, soft piano and set designs rife with pastel colors. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are long lost twins. Not identical, of course, as they are apt to point out. They were born as part of a genetic experiment. One got the best characteristics of six fathers, while the other (whom they weren't expecting) got the leftovers. You already know which got which. The story arch that involves them going on a cross-country road trip to deliver a stolen engine to an industrialist isn't terribly interesting. What makes the film worthwhile are the tiny things about DeVito's and Schwarzenegger's interactions. DeVito being cynical and street smart, Schwarzenegger being naive and book smart. They are both remarkably gifted comedians--Schwarzenegger proving it for the first time here--and I chuckle quite a bit. Further, find the both of them endearing. All this movie aims to be is nice, light entertainment, and it achieves that goal quite well. Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Kelly Preston, Chloe Webb, Bonnie Bartlett, Marshall Bell, Trey Wilson, David Caruso, Hugh O'Brian, Tony Jay. Directed by: Ivan Reitman. B

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) G sci-fi

Stanley Kubrick directs this sci-fi icon that features not only revolutionary special effects, but also an intelligent plot. A flight to Jupiter has gone awry when the ship’s computer, HAL 900, has gone haywire. The ending, while confusing and essentially incomprehensible, is still a treat to watch. Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richer, Douglas Rain, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, Robert Beatty, Sean Sullivan, Vivian Kubrick. Directed by: Stanley Kubrick. A+

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