Not So New Film Review

The Not So New Movie Review - Reviews of what's hot at the video store brought to you by J's Magic Galleries. Also offering free clipart and graphics and family safe entertainment.

Rarely given, but worth viewing maybe several times.

Often considered a classic and worth at least two viewings.

Entertaining, but generally lacking in depth.

Let me preface this review by stating that I have always been, and always will be, a movie buff. For more years than I care to divulge, I have been considered by many as a bonafide movie "addict" not only as concerns the film itself, but also for critiquing the performances of the director, the writer, the set and costume designer, the music composer, the cinematographer, the producer, and not to forget...the actor. It takes considerably more than just a little action and a few special effects to qualify a movie as a memorable film. Notable names, as is evidenced by past history, are often associated with films that have been, or will some day be, considered "classics" in film history.

My own preferences run to what I consider "meaty" films, i.e. those that begin with a good writer with a different point of view; a director who has a sense of the piece involved and is concerned with preserving the merit of it; a cinematographer who has the ability to see through the eyes of the writer and replicate his viewpoint with unadulterated bias; the costumer or set decorator who knows when and how to appropriately fill the scenic void without detracting from the written work; and the actor who literally "feels" the piece and actually becomes the character he or she portrays.

So, while the movies you see reviewed here may not be the latest box office attractions, they will be films which may be considered worth a second watch (or more), and ones which we feel at some time or another will go down in the annals of moviedom as thought-provoking reels in time.

"Sweeney Todd"

The question is: "Is there anything Johnny Depp can't do?" Brilliant, but bloody. Outstanding offering. ***-1/2

"The Invasion"

A typical example that just having two top stars in a movie doesn't mean it will be any good. A waste of money.

"The Bucket List"

The Performances are great with the writing they had to work with.

** 1/2

"Elizabeth

Awesome in every regard--directing, acting, writing.

****

"There Will Be Blood"

Daniel Day Lewis reigns supreme in this intense masterpiece, which is

already a classic.

****

- Memorable Film From 2000 -

Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Craig Ferguson, Martin Clunes, Tcheky Karyo

SAVING GRACE is genuinely funny British comedy about Grace, a recently widowed woman who risks losing her wonderful estate and beautiful garden because of the huge debts her husband left when he died. To cure her financial ailments, she uses her horticultural talent to raise--and then sell--marijuana plants. But, when Grace gets herself caught between the police, some serious London drug pushers, and the real estate agents who have a claim on the estate, audiences will certainly turn a blind eye to the law in order to 'save Grace.'

- Memorable Films From The Past -