Take 4: Another Johnny Depp Movie

Sorry for the delay, all. Been a busy couple weeks, and while I got through the first three movie fast, didn't get around to the last one for a while. Enjoy!

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What Lies Beneath (2000)

In 25 Words or Less: Spooky occurrences surround a Vermont housewife as she adapts to a daughter who just left for college, a workaholic husband, and strange neighbors.

For People Who Like...: Somewhat tense dramas. While there are "ghost story" elements, the movie is more of a thriller/drama then a truly scary movie. Kind of like a watered down Sixth Sense.

I Know Them!: Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford head up the cast...guess they didn't have a lot of scripts on their plate at the time

Things to Look Out For: Downright Creepy Bathroom Seance; Interesting Camera Usage (Binocular Cam, Rear-View Mirror Cam, Etc.)

Curt's Favorite Character: The dog, Cooper. He did a great job. Especially with the bathtub scene at the end.

Miscellaneous Notes: Hard to review a movie like this without giving too much away. I remember seeing this in the theaters and really liking it...enough, I guess to add it to my Netflix list sometime last year. Strangely, though, I don't have a lot to say about it.

Overall Recommendation: 6.5 out of 10 - Upon reflection, I really only liked this for the scary moments...and while there aren't a lot of them, the ones that it does have are pretty good. The rest of the movie is pretty predictable, though. So if you're looking for a passable thriller with a few chilling scenes throw in, check this out.

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Network (1976)

In 25 Words or Less: To help boost ratings, failing TV network brings on crazy anchorman they had formerly fired. The impact is more than they bargained for.

For People Who Like...: Excellently written (and performed) dialogue/monologue; Academy Award winning films: 4 awards (including Original Screenplay, Actor and Actress) and 6 nominations (including Best Picture and Director); Movies like Broadcast News or Fahrenheit 911.

I Know Them!: Faye Dunaway (as the progamming planner for UBS who has a hard time separating reality from television and for whom ratings are the ultimate arbiter of all things); Robert Duvall (as the head of the corporation who bought UBS)

Things to Look Out For: "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"; Some Reality TV Concepts That Can't Be Too Far Down the Road

Curt's Favorite Character: Max Schumaker, played by William Holden, as the best friend of Peter Finch's character, Howard Beal (the above-mentioned "crazy anchorman"). A genuinely good person that you root for through the entire movie, and it seems like the only person who is supporting his friend Beal and looking out for his best interests a majority of the time.

Miscellaneous Notes: As mentioned above, some genuinely good writing. Anyone looking to find a dramatic monologue for an audition might want to check out the screenplay for some good ones. Also, there's an Easter Egg on the DVD that talks about how Nielsen Ratings work.

Overall Recommendation: 8 out of 10 - I have to admit, there's a lot of pressure pushing up this score, considering how much critical acclaim it has received. I kind of view the "8" threshhold as crossing into the "gotta see at least once" region of movie-watching, and this does fit that category, especially in an age of programming directors pushing the envelope and consolidation of ownership in the media. Very timely, even close to 30 years after it was released.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

In 25 Words or Less: Pirates sail the Caribbean looking for the means to lift their curse, wreaking havoc, pillaging and plundering along the way.

For People Who Like...: Swashbuckling adventure, along the lines of The Three Muskeeters

I Know Them!: Actually, I know a LOT of them...Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Jonathan Price. Seems they even raided the casts of my favorite BBC comedies, with Steve (from Coupling) and Gareth (from The Office) both having pretty major parts.

Things to Look Out For: If you've ridden the ride at Disneyland or Disneyworld, plenty of scenes from the ride appear in the movie...particularly the famous "Three Imprisoned Pirates Trying to Lure Dog Who Has Keys" scene

Curt's Favorite Character: Would have to be Johnny Depp, as Capt. Jack Sparrow...by far the most colorful character, and Depp always puts his all into whatever character is served up to him. No exception here.

Miscellaneous Notes: Not too long after this hit theaters, we were hit also hit with Eddie Murphy's The Haunted Mansion. Makes me wonder if they are planning on turning more rides into movies. While I could see potential in a Space Mountain movie, or perhaps even a Matterhorn or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, let's just hope they stay away from It's a Small World.

Overall Recommendation: 8 out of 10 - Although a Disney movie, plenty of action to keep thing moving along, and the fight scenes are decent. I was surprised at the amount of violence for this being Disney, but it wasn't gratuitious or anything. Makes me want to catch the ride again.

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Knockaround Guys (2002)

In 25 Words or Less: Son of a mafia under-boss and his tough guy friends fly to a small Montana town to retrieve a misplace satchel of money.

For People Who Like...: Gangland movies...maybe? Or movies where cultures collide (Brooklyn gangsters meet small-town life).

I Know Them!: Vin Diesel, Seth Green, John Malkovich, Dennis Hopper

Things to Look Out For: Drama, When You're Expecting Comedy (My Mistake); Confusing Mexican Stand-Off

Curt's Favorite Character: There was a lot of potential in Louise, the Airline Lost-and-Found Clerk, had this been a comedy. Barring that, Vin Diesel was okay.

Miscellaneous Notes: As I hinted at above, I was expecting this to be more comedic than dramatic. And it was a little overdramatic, at that. That didn't work so well for me. Also, although I don't mention him above, the lead actor was Barry Popper. While I'd heard the name before, and had seen the actor in some things, I had never put the two together until now. Also...the soundtrack (at least during the closing credits) was pretty decent.

Overall Recommendation: 5.5 out of 10 - Enjoyed it slightly less than Dreamcatcher. It was okay to see once, but definitely could pass on it as well. Was slow for me at the beginning, picked up a little when the problems began for our ragtag gang of four, and then just kind of went south.