Reviews

The last chapter in the Star Wars saga, "Revenge of the Sith" brought audiences around the world to jam into theaters to witness the end of a box office blockbuster that began in the summer of 1977. George Lucas' brainchild & marketing giant has thrilled in the past & finishes with one of the most engrossing musical scores, best special effects, & most visually stunning sci-fi adventure film of all time. With cast returnees such as Ewan MacGregor (Obi-Won Kenobi), Hayden Christiensen (Anakin Skywalker), Natalie Portman (Senator Padme Amidala), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Ian MacDairmid (Chancellor Palpatine), Frank Oz (Yoda), Jimmy Smits (Senator Organa)& Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) round out the all-star players. With incredible battle & flight scenes, music & sound effects, & an exciting storyline combine to create movie magic to all who view this film.

"Revenge of the Sith" chronicles the final & destructive path of Anakin Skywalker's decent to the Dark Side of the Force. With the Clone Wars in its 3rd year, two Jedi are leading the fight for freedom. On a dangerous mission to capture Seperatist General Grievous & Count Dooku as well as rescue captive Chancellor Palpatine, General Obi-Won Kenobi & Anakin Skywalker Frienships manage to save the Chancellor, kill Count Dooku, but let General Grievous escape. The two Jedi return somewhat victorious & Anakin finds out a special secret. Padme reveals to her husband that they were pregnant, but Anakin's reaction does not exactly show joy. It was not only hard keeping their marriage a secret buy now a baby was coming. Soon after, Anakin dreams that Padme dies in childbirth. The seed is planted; Anakin must find a way to prevent Padme's passing. His love for her blinds him & causes him to question the ways of the Force. As the story goes on, friendships & loyalties are broken as the true face of the Dark Side, Darth Sidious, emerges to challenge the Jedi Order, lead by Master Jedi Yoda. Master Yoda, sensing Anakin's fears & realizing the war against the Galactic Empire is failing, the 900 yr old Jedi Master goes to Kassykk to lead the last major defense with the mighty Wookies. Yoda collaborates with Wookie leader Tartful & fierce young warrior Chewbacca to combat the Imperial assault on land & by sea. Yoda is successful & leaves Kassykk to search for Darth Sidious. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi is victorious in his search & battle with General Grievous at his stronghold, & returns to the Jedi Temple to meet with Master Yoda. Darth Sidious, aka Chancellor Palpatine, convinces Anakin that he alone could teach him how to use the Dark Side to save lives. To make matters worse, the Jedi Council denies Anakin's promotion to Master Jedi, allow him to sit as a Council member, & asks him to spy on Palpatine. Angry & confused, Anakin slowly feels a connection to Palpatine, who gains the young Jedi's confidence. Once Anakin realizes Palpatine is the Supreme Sith Lord, he goes to tell Mace Windu. Windu & other Jedi attempt to arrest Palpatine, with the evil Sith murdering 3 of the 4 Jedi. As Master Windu & Palpatine square off, Anakin interferes & causes Windu's death. Palpatine, now in his hideous true form, indoctrinates the confused Skywalker into the Dark Side & renames him "Darth Vader." Sidious commands his new right-hand to go to the Jedi Temple with armed Troopers & murder any Jedi who stand in his way, even the Patawan Jedi young-lings. Darth Sidious executes his secret weapon against the Jedi which was the Executive Order 66, turning the Trooper Army against the Republic. Jedi were murdered all over the galaxy with cold precision, leaving the Republic vulnerable & bewildered. Once Yoda & Obi-Won Kenobi find out Anakin's terrible truth & vow to destroy the Sith once & for all, Obi-Won pays Padme a visit to find out where Anakin is. Obi-Wan alerts Padme to Anakin's truth much to her dismay. On a mission to kill the Viceroy Gunray& Republican leaders on the fiery planet of Mustafar, Anakin knows that he must face his greatest & most difficult duel ever,... mentor & friend Obi-Wan Kenobi!!!! Padme & Obi-Wan Kenobi try to reason with Anakin with disastrous results. Force-choked by an angry Anakin, Padme lay unconscious. Believed to have been betrayed, Anakin throws down the gauntlet with Obi-Wan & the epic battle ensues. Meanwhile, Yoda engages Emperor Darth Sidious in a light saber duel, with Yoda escaping from help of Senator Organa. After fighting for a time on the erupting fire planet, Obi-Wan defeats Anakin & leaves him to die on Mustafar. Darth Sidious finds a mortally wounded Anakin & takes him back for medical attention. After hours of prosthetic surgery to keep him alive, Anakin rises from the operating table as Darth Vader, complete with body armor, helmet with breathing apparatus, & a menacing speaking voice. The evil Emperor tells Vader that he killed Padme, only fueling his ire. Vader oversees the construction of the new mammoth battle station along with Darth Sidious & young commander Tarkin. At the same time, Padme is giving birth but is having complications. Yoda & Obi-Wan discover not one but twins are born. Joy turns to sadness when Padme dies of a broken heart. Realizing the danger that lie ahead for the twins, Yoda decrees that twin baby girl Leia be adopted by Senator Organa & twin baby boy Luke be raised by his Uncle Owen & Aunt Peru on Tatooine. Obi-Wan goes into hiding nearby on Tatooine & Master Yoda goes into exile in the Degobah System.

And the rest is history. Lastly, all of us loyal fans will remember those famous words as we say goodbye to one of the most successful & exciting sci-fi sagas in cinematic history:

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away,...

Even with star power & great special effects,"Van Helsing" does little to enthrall moviegoers or take in big bucks at the box office. Seen more as a tribute to classic horror films such as The Werewolf(Lon Chaney) & Dracula(Bela Legosi), "Van Helsing" just does not have the "bite" that hardcore sci-fi/horror/adventure fans love. The performances of hunk Hugh Jackman(X-Men) & Kate Beckinsale(Underworld) are mediocre at best while Richard Roxburgh as Count Vladislaus Dracula stole the film. David Wenham(Lord of the Rings) provided some comedy relief while the rest of the cast seemed to fade into the scenery. "Van Helsing" will please some, but the most fickle of film goers will scoff at the acting performances & cheesy storyline.

"Van Helsing" chronicles the adventures of Gabriel Van Helsing(Jackman), Vatican orphan & monster hunter. Upon an unsuccessful mission in Paris to capture Mr. Hyde(Robbie Coltrane), Van Helsing returns to the Vatican to meet with Cardinal Jinette(Alun Armstrong) for his most important mission ever. With bumbling friar Carl(David Wenham) by his side, Van Helsing travels to Transylvania to destroy the fiendish Count Vladislaus Dracula & loyal assistant Igor(Kevin J. O'Connor), who plans to unleash his offspring onto the world to feed. In order to complete his evil plan, Dracula must have Dr. Frankenstein's monster's energy in order to bring his vampire babies to life. After fighting off Dracula's brides & the Werewolf(Anna's brother, Velken),Van Helsing, Anna, & Carl attempt to hide Frankenstein's monster from Dracula & his minions. They are attacked by the Werewolf & Dracula's brides, escape, but Van Helsing is bitten by the the Werewolf. To make matters worse, Anna is kidnapped & taken to Dracula's castle & Frankenstein's monster is captured. Van Helsing & Carl successfully save Anna but are over matched by vampires.

Not discouraged, the three heroes find a way to follow Dracula to his remote stronghold to save Frankenstein's monster & the world from certain doom. With a torn piece of a magical painting & his mystical ring, friar Carl finds out how to kill Dracula & the way for Van Helsing to do it. Since bitten by the Werewolf, Van Helsing will turn when the full moon rises & will be able to destroy Dracula. Dracula owns the potion to rid Van Helsing of his curse of lycanthropy. But first, three have to get the antidote from a well-guarded room in Dracula's castle. Once the three are transported to Dracula's castle, Carl & Anna get the antidote with Igor's help & Van Helsing goes after Dracula. Once transformed into a werewolf, Van Helsing battles Dracula to the death. Van Helsing triumphs, thus destroying Dracula's offspring. Tragically, Van Helsing attacks Anna and kills her while she attempted to inject him with the serum. Van Helsing & Carl burn her body in proper fashion on a great mountain near her village. Van Helsing, grieving Anna's death, looks on to new adventures.

Not a bad flick but has too many low points. Jackman & Beckinsale work okay together but have no romantic chemistry. Only great CG & scene-stealing Richard Roxburgh keep this film afloat. Give "Van Helsing" a look but do not expect a lot.

All of us who are fans of Blade, whether it be in the comic or movie form appreciate quality action/martial arts, great actors/acting, & a leading man who brings the title character to prominence. I was so looking forward to enjoying "Blade" with his cool demeanor & fantastic martial arts displays. Being a martial artist myself, the thrill of a TV series starring Blade caught my attention immediately.

Unfortunately, rapper-turned actor Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones is way above his head taking this role for the TV series. Jones is no LL Cool J, Busta Rhimes, or even Queen Latifah for that matter. Jones' portrayal of the fearless vampire hunter is beyond wooden; boringly comatose fits more in this case. Being a die-hard fan of the films expertly done by accomplished martial artist & actor Wesley Snipes, I find it hard to imagine any actor taking on the role of Blade without the athleticism & martial arts skills it takes to successfully pull off such a demanding part.

Jones looks awkward at best in the action sequences & could not copy Snipes' rendition of Blade to save his life! I was so disappointed with Jones' portrayal that I may not be watching much more of the series. The rest of the cast has a lot of potential but will have to carry Jones unless another actor is cast for the lead. In short, dump Kirk Jones & find another actor worthy of Wesley Snipes' Blade. As a concerned fan, I hope "Blade: The Series" does not stop fans from going to the theaters for any more "Blade" flicks. And hey Jones, stick to rap & give up acting!!!!!

"The Passion of the Christ", Mel Gibson's historical account of Christ's crucifixion, is a modern day cinema masterpiece. Although thought by many as somewhat gruesome & anti-Semitic, "The Passion" paints an all to realistic account of the persecution & ultimate crucifixion of Jesus never before witnessed on the silver screen. The subject matter of Christ's last moments will always be sensitive in nature & fodder for the skeptical & Gibson's rendition does little to quiet the ongoing disputes & skepticism. "The Passion" is depicted in excellent slow-motion shots, recollections of events leading up to the crucifixion, native languages spoken with subtitles, & ultra-realistic imagery of Christ's brutal persecution & crucifixion. Gibson spared no viewer the absolute horror of the beatings & bloodshed Jesus endured, as well as the beauty of the His love towards his persecutors. Gibson captured Christ's final moments with his own religious & film-making passion & succeeded with capturing the viewer's heart & thoughts of faith and love.

"The Passion of the Christ" chronicles the last 12 horrific hours of Jesus of Nazareth. The story begins with Jesus praying just after the Last Supper. Jeshua is betrayed by Judas, a disciple of His, & is captured in the Garden of Olives by the Jewish militia. Judas was paid by the Jewish religious leaders to lead them to Jesus in order to arrest Him. Jesus had been teaching for years & spreading His word, healing the sick, & gaining followers who questioned the Jewish faith & saw Him as the Messiah. For His crimes, Jesus was long sought after to stand for His betrayal of lies. Jesus is bound in chains & brought back to Jerusalem to be judged. In the Jerusalem square, the Jewish religious leaders lobby for His persecution for crimes against the faith. As foretold, Peter denies his friendship with Jesus three times. Judas, racked with guilt, goes to the Jewish religious leaders to plead for Christ & return the 30 silver pieces given to him for his betrayal. Judas later hanged himself in grief over what he had done. Jesus was brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to answer for His crimes. Pilate sees no reason to punish Jesus, who then sends Him to Galilean king Herod for final judgment. Herod, amused & disgusted, questions Him then sends Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate leaves Jesus' fate to the people & Jewish religious leaders to decide & it is flagellation to be carried out. Jesus is brought to a square where Roman soldiers prepare to punish Him. Mary, Mary Magdelan, & others watch in horror as Christ is struck numerous times by cane & cat-o'-nine tails, leaving His body with torn flesh & immense pain (hard to watch). After the savage beating, He is brought before Pilate & the angry mobs to be given His ultimate punishment, crucification. With His body battered & bloodied & a crown of thorns upon His head, Jesus carries his cross with assistance from Simon & is finally nailed to the cross where He prays for Man, who watch Him die on the cross. The film ends with Jesus resurrected from His tomb, walking into the world again.

I have never witnessed such a brutal display of cruelty & brutality as seen in His persecution. Gibson spared us nothing & made us uncomfortable with his portrayal of the savagery & cruelty of the beatings, the agony expressed of His face & body, the severe pain He felt, & the bloodshed spilled. Mary, filled with emotional pain & suffering at having to witness her Beloved Son's demise, grabs the heart of all who see her. You cannot turn away your eyes; you are riveted by the performances & emotionally attached. James Caviezel is brilliant in his portrayal of Christ & should have been forever changed by His role. Maia Morgenstern is captivating as the Holy Virgin Mother Mary.

"The Passion of the Christ" will move you in many ways. The flashbacks used give subtle hints of the past & the looming Satan beckons Christ to abandon His faith & succumb to temptation. A film worth seeing if only to satisfy curiosity. This is not a film for children nor the faint of heart. The scenes of persecution are extremely graphic & will disturb some viewers. Brutal. Historic. Amazing.

A big budget, big imagination, big CG & animatronics, & director Steven Spielberg. What do all these things add up to? One of Hollywood's most successful money-making sci-fi adventure blockbusters to ever hit the silver screen. Children & adults alike flocked to the theaters in droves in 1993 to witness movie-making magic never before attempted. Still today, "Jurrasic Park" ranks in the top ten in highest grossing major motion picture in Hollywood history.

The film features the scientific work of billionaire entrepreneur John Hammond(Richard Attenborough) who creates dinosaurs from fossilized mosquito containing DNA from dinosaur blood. Hammond's research & lab team engineers the dinosaurs to be all female, thus keeping their population numbers stable & have no authorized breeding in the Park. Hammond also builds a mega theme park on a remote island where the dinosaurs are displayed in grand fashion. In order to obtain endorsement approval from his company's stockholders & impress a nervous attorney, Hammond agrees to have a paleobotanist, paleontologist, mathematician, & his unassuming grandchildren to visit Jurassic Park to get their approval. Unbeknownst to Hammond, computer genius Dennis Nedry(Wayne Knight) has plans of his own to cash in on Hammond's dinosaurs. Making a shady deal with crooks, Nedry is selling dino DNA but needs to temporarily shut down the park's security system to gain access to a restricted area. Hammond finds paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant(Sam Neill), paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler(Laura Dern), mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm(Goldblum), & grandchildren Lex(Arianna Richards) & Tim Murphy(Joseph Mazzello). The group is flown in & gets right to Hammond's tour from dino eggs to finished product. Hammond next takes the group by jeep to an open plain where everyone is astonished by the sight of real live dinosaurs herding, feeding, & co-habitating amongst each other in the park!!! Hammond also shows the group his prize Velociraptors who must be separated from other dinosaurs & must be fed by lowering a cow into their pen. The Velociraptors are the most cunning, most resourceful, most intelligent, & most skilled hunters of all the dinosaurs. They also are very vocal, using various calls to signal each other & relay messages. Hammond & his dino wranglers use extreme caution when handling Velociraptors.

After returning to the main park building & a brief explanation of how dinosaurs are created, Hammond takes the group to the motorized tour where the dinosaurs are showcased in their natural habitats. Nedry, determined to make money for black market dino DNA, crashes his jeep on the way to his deal but ends up dino food for some nasty acid-spitting dinosaurs. The trouble now is that only Nedry knows the passcode to turn the security system he created back on-line. The group goes by area after area with dino no-show, faulty equipment, & boredom. Everything goes fairly well with the Jurrasic Park tour until the security system is shut down & the disasters to come are realized! Stopped at the featured T-Rex exhibit, the group is greeted by Jurrasic Park resident menace Tyrannasaurus Rex, who broke through the non-electrified fencing containing him. The giant carnivore sniffs out & attacks the group, killing the bloodsucking lawyer & injuring Malcom's leg. The children flee the wrecked Jeep & run for their lives with Dr. Grant. Dr. Sattler makes her way to the compound where she tells Hammond of the carnage inflicted on the group by the dinosaurs. One other big problem has arisen; the Velociraptors are loose from their pens & are now hunting the group. Dr. Sattler & a Park dino wrangler find Dr. Malcolm just in time to escape the hungry jaws of an angry T-Rex!! While resting in a tree, Dr. Grant consoles the children while encountering one of Jurrasic Park's kinder residents, a frisky Brachiasaurus. Dr. Grant discovers the awful truth of the dinosaur reproductive dilemma; the African frog used to fill the dino DNA strand gap has caused some of the all female dinosaurs to change their sex to facilitate mating!! Hammond, Dr. Sattler, & computer whiz Ray Arnold(Samuel L. Jackson) decide that the only way to reboot the security system for the Park is to shut down the main power & restart everything. Dr. Sattler agrees to run to the power shed & risk her life to save Dr. Grant & Hammond's grandchildren still out in the Park. Luckily, Dr. Sattler makes it to the power shed & rushes down to the main fuse box following Hammond's lead. The plan works but the joy is short lived when Dr. Sattler is stalked by a vicious Velociraptor! She escapes the immediate danger right into the arms of Dr. Grant. The two scientists & Hammond's grandchildren make their way into the main compound in order to find refuge from the ever cunning Velociraptors. After surviving several attempts by the Velociraptor, the group is saved unexpectedly by the ferocious T-Rex!! After boarding his private helicopter to escape the island, the scientists all agree not to endorse Hammond's Jurrasic Park, with the deflated billionaire in agreement.

With record-breaking premiere attendance, superb product marketing, & terrific publicity, "Jurrasic Park" was destined to make movie history. A great film to watch with older kids, there are many reasons to enjoy this film(dinosaurs, story, CG, & cinematography). I give this film an 8 out of 10 with 1 1/2 thumbs up!!!

Star power can make or break a film, even if the storyline is somewhat weak or the supporting cast is barely sufficient. As evident in "The Core", Hilary Swank's Oscar winning presence is just not enough to vault this film out of the depths of the B-movie graveyard. A retold version of "Journey to the Center of the Earth", the film tries very little to grab viewers attention to the point of experiencing minimal enjoyment or satisfaction after viewing. I felt almost robbed of my money & my time spent on this poorly acted film.

"The Core" chronicles the bizarre natural phenomena occurring in places across the globe. Birds lose the ability to fly using their internal magnetic compass, violent lightning storms occur without warning, & other unnatural disasters plague countries all over the world. College professor Dr. Josh Keyes & his graduate staff discover that the strange happenings around the world are due to the Earth not spinning on its axis, causing the catastrophic events. Called upon by the military, Dr. Keyes & friend Dr. Serge Leveque examine bodies confiscated for autopsy. Dr. Keyes discovers that only a failure of the Earth's electromagnetic field could cause a dead man's pace-maker to stop working. Dr. Keyes, realizing what is to come, scrambles to get the get the military to understand the ultimate danger. With the Earth's electromagnetic spinning action not working, the planet will soon destroy itself from the inside out. Desperate to gain an ear, Keyes enlists the help of world renowned scientist Dr.

Francis Ford Coppola's horror spectacular "Bram Stoker's Dracula" stays very close to the original true account of Vlad "the Impaler" with all the blood, sexuality, gore, & carnage but does not leave out the fangs. Of all the Dracula films made over the years this one was missing one key component, that being Gary Oldman. Oldman's portrayal of the Transylvanian count supersedes any other & makes this film edgier, more sensual, & much more interesting to view. Oldman does more than drink blood or morph into a hideous beast; he shows a side of himself rarely seen in that of a lover. Oldman's Dracula is vulnerable, crazed with broken heart, & the consummate tragic figure. I found Oldman's performance to be one of the best if not the best performance of the Count I have ever seen.

The story is simple but moves at a good pace. Many, many years earlier, Vlad Dracula is a prince who is deeply in love with his bride, Elisabeta. For pride & protection of his realm, Vlad leads the kingdom's forces against the Turks with success, which also gains him the nickname of Vlad "the Impaler". Unbeknownst to Dracula, a Turk spy shot an arrow into the castle with a note attached bringing false news of Vlad's death. Hopelessly distraught, Elisabeta threw herself into the river below to her death. After returning from his successful war campaign, Dracula is stunned to realize what has become of his lovely young bride. The High Priest tells Dracula that Elisabeta is damned forever for committing suicide according to religious belief. Filled with uncontrollable rage, Dracula renounces his faith, curses God, & thrusts his sword into the Holy cross which bleeds in gushes. Dracula drinks the blood & is forever transformed into what we now know as Count Dracula. Meanwhile in Carfax Abbey, England, two young lovers Mina Murphy(Winona Ryder) & Jonathan Harker make plans to marry. Before all plans are to be finalized, Harker must go on a business trip & complete a big transaction for his boss' firm. Young Jonathan Harker(Keanu Reeves) goes to Transylvania to complete a real estate deal made with mysterious Counnt Dracula(Oldman). During an evening supper, Harker mistakenly shows Dracula a photo of his beloved Mina, who eerily looks a lot like Dracula's Elisabeta. The devious Count devises a plan to keep Harker at the castle while traveling to England to seduce an unsuspecting Mina/Elisabeta. The strange Count holds the poor Harker captive in his castle indefinitely. Packed in his native earth aboard a ship, Dracula nightly feeds on crew members until the ship floats into England unmanned. Dracula infects the rats on board & holds the legions at bay to use later to release a plague on the city. Dracula then goes on the prowl for Mina & seduces longtime friend Lucy Westenra, a local wealthy young woman. As time went on, Lucy fell under the curse of Dracula with a form of anemia & strange physical symptoms. Baffled & confused, Dr. Jack Seward tries to cure Lucy to no avail. Dr. Seward, beau Lord Arthur Holmwood, & Quincy P. Morris all scramble to find answers to Lucy's condition. In desperation, Dr. Seward calls upon the expertise of his former medical professor & friend Prof. Abraham Van Helsing who arrives to help cure Lucy. Van Helsing reveals Lucy's condition as vampyrism, the curse of the foul Nosferatu. Lucy's condition worsens & results in death. Meanwhile, Mina meets the seductive Dracula & begins a strange courtship. Mina cannot understand her magnetism to the Count but still will not totally break her love for Harker. Sensing her need to go to Harker, Mina sets sail for Transylvania to find her love. Harker, who escapes Dracula's brides stumbles upon a nunnery in the mountains where he is nursed back to health. Mina reunites with Harker & the two marry. Furious by Mina's betrayal, the Count knows that Harker must be destroyed & that he must release the plague on England to further his ire. In the crypt, Van Helsing, Seward, Holmwood, & Morris discover that Lucy is the undead & must be vanquished. Holmwood sadly drives a stake through his fiancé's heart & Van Helsing decapitates her. Mina & Dracula share an intimate moment with Mina accepting the dreaded curse in order to be with him forever. Reluctantly, Dracula condemns Mina to an everlasting life of blood thirst. Van Helsing & the men intrude on the interlude with Dracula escaping. Van Helsing, knowing that Mina is now cursed, gathers the men together & sets off to Transylvania to destroy the evil Count. Dracula, using Mina's thoughts, travels to his homeland as fast as he can before Van Helsing & the others reach him before sunrise. Van Helsing finds Mina only to realize that she is in league with Dracula & must help her fight the thirst swelling within her. Also, Van Helsing must fend off Dracula's brides who are in a trance fueled by their loyalty to their master & their blood lust. Once caught up with Dracula, Van Helsing & the men fight the master vampire to the death. Dracula is mortally wounded & falls into the chapel inside the castle with Mina. The fallen Nosferatu begs the lovely Mina to end his suffering & release her from his curse. Mina grants Dracula's wish & breaks the curse within her.

With great costumes, terrific scenery, well done make-up work, & wonderful performances by Oldman, Ryder, & Hopkins, "Bram Stoker's Dracula will mesmerize & enthrall you. One of the best Dracula films made to date. I give the film a 7 out of ten with a big thumbs up!!!

Film-making is a tough & competitive business with directors following Hollywood movie-making protocols in order to stay busy. One director/writer dares to defy Hollywood standards of film-making like none other, and that man is Spike Lee. Lee's prior films such as "Mo' Better Blues" & "School Daze" have transcended the usual methods of movie-making by using unorthodox camera angles, derogatory racial slang, & elusive story lines/topics/messages as well as race relations in America. No other director has tackled the issue of race relations in America & the Black consciousness better, more accurate, or with more conviction than Lee. "Do the Right Thing" challenges the notion that no matter where you live or who you are, we all have preconceived notions about each other in terms of race & ethnicity. And at any given moment under certain circumstances, racial tension can erupt with only dire consequences to follow.

The film centers around the Bedford-Styvesant section of Brooklyn on the hottest day of the summer. On a corner in the middle of the neighborhood stands Sal's Famous pizzeria, owned & operated by Italian-American Sal(Danny Aiello) & sons Pito(john Turturro) & Vito(Richard Edson). For more than 20 years, Sal has made his delicious Italian-American food for many of the neighborhood's residents to his satisfaction. Sal is content with where he does business & wants no troubles. Unlike his father, Pino hates the pizzeria & is prejudiced towards Blacks & Hispanics. Pino's ire is further bolstered because of pizzeria deliveryman & deadbeat father Mookie(Lee). Mookie, well known in the 'hood, goes about his day always looking to "get paid". Mookie isn't so popular with girlfriend Tina(Rosie Perez) who cares for their young son Hector, who Mookie rarely sees or supplies support to. On top of that, Mookie lives with responsible & socially conscience younger sister Jade(Joie Lee) who constantly reminds Mookie to "take care of his responsibilities" & be a man.

As the film marches on & the mercury rises to very uncomfortable levels, racial tensions begin to bubble. Incidents upon incidents begin to occur. In the midst of the burgeoning tensions, a lonely & drunken old man called Da' Mayor(the late Ozzie Davis) tries to win over stern & cynical matriarch Mother Sista(real life spouse Ruby Dee) in a quirky kind of love between the two. Neighborhood lackeys ML(Paul Benjamin), Coconut Sid(Frankie Faison), & "Sweet Dick" Willie(the late comic Robin Harris) complain about new immigrants to the area have better opportunities to succeed while Blacks like themselves continue to struggle to make ends meet. Local youth cause mischief, city police make reluctant rounds, & Sal endures run-ins with neighborhood tough "Radio" Raheem(Bill Nunn) & loud mouth Buggin Out(Giancarlo Esposito). Enraged by the failure of Sal to put Blacks as well as Italian-Americans on his pizzeria's "Wall of Fame", Buggin' Out calls for a boycott of Sal's Famous. With "Radio Raheem at his side, Buggin' Out storms into Sal's Famous. When Sal destroys "Radio" Raheem's boom box, a major fistfight ensues & starts an all out riot that spills into the streets. City police & fire arrive on the scene to quell the madness. In the process of apprehending "Radio" Raheem, police apply a choke hold too tight & strangle the neighborhood tough. Realizing "Radio" Raheem has been murdered, the resident youth converge on Sal's Famous to loot, destroy, & set it ablaze. The carnage affects everyone present, especially Mookie. The following day Mookie returns to Sal's Famous to collect his final pay. Angrily, Sal pays Mookie & inquires what his former employee plans to do. Mookie states that he is on his way to visit with his son & find a new way to "get paid".

Check out a young Martin Lawrence who plays a minor role along with a supporting cast of relatively unknowns. Call this film what you will. Judge it on it's merits or lack thereof. One thing cannot be denied; this movie makes you take a long, hard look at race relations in America & its ever presence in our society, no matter how shallow or how deep you believe racial prejudice to exist in our everyday lives. Lee's methods are "in your face" & controversial to say the least but nonetheless effective, if you take the time to pay attention. Check it out, even if just to satisfy your curiosity. I give it a 7 out of 10 with one thumb up!!!

Val Kilmer(The Saint) & Michael Douglas(Fatal Attraction) star in this true story brought to the silver screen. Both actors combine to portray complimentary roles as railroad builder & big game hunter respectively. Supporting roles completed the film very well with Om Puri, Tom Wilkinson, Bernard Hill, & native African John Kani.

The film takes place in Africa's Uganda, with the Tsavo River cutting through it. British Army Colonel & engineer John Henry Patterson(Kilmer)is called upon by nasty millionaire developer Robert Beaumont(Wilkinson) to build a bridge over the Tsavo River for the railroad. Patterson agrees & travels to Uganda to begin work. Patterson is greeted by native Ugandan guide & assistant Samuel(Kani) who helps him with the workers, etc.. The bridge & rail workers consist of Ugandans & East Indian men who along with coping with racial tension amongst each other but also must contend with a dangerous lion infiltrating the camp. Determined to keep his deadline, Patterson guns down the lion & gains the respect of his peers. All appears well when the attacks start again with grisly results. Workers are attacked both during the day & at night to Patterson's dismay. Patterson tries various methods to trap and/or kill the lion to no avail. Patterson soon discovers there is more than just a single lion; two very large & bloodthirsty lions are brothers & on the prowl. The ferocity & swiftness with which the lions demonstrate gain them the dub by locals as "The Ghost & the Darkness". The killings go on with Patterson having both a worker strike & a reluctant visit from Beaumont. After surveying the situation, Beaumont calls in veteran big game hunter Charles Remington to kill the lions. Once arrived, Remington takes over the hunt with no success. Remington & Patterson become friends & collaborate to trap & kill the lions. A plan is made with Remington, Patterson, & a nervous Samuel prepared to do battle with the vicious lions. They are successful in killing one of the lions, with one left still to deal with. After an unsuccessful try, Remington & Patterson find the lions' lair which contains the bones of many, many past kills in a vast heap. These lions were not killing not for food but for sport or the "thrill" of killing. After a night of boozing & cavorting, Remington is attacked in his tent & savagely killed by the lone lion. Angry & desperate, Patterson goes after the killer lion. In the end, Patterson triumphs by shooting the lion while being charged. Patterson completes his mission with the bridge & railroad in place & rid the town of Tsavo of the dreaded "Ghost & the Darkness".

I enjoyed this film quite a bit & have no problem seeing it time & again. Kilmer & Douglas are great together with a surprise comedic relief from Jon Kani as Samuel. Definitely worth a look for all those who like a true story film with a more than adequate cast. A 7 out of ten with a thumbs up!!!

Bill Cosby's brainchild "The Cosby Show" gave us a glimpse into the everyday existence of the Huxtables, an African American family consisting of successful obstetrician Heathcliff(Bill Cosby), law firm partner Claire(Phylicia Rashad), & five children ranging from college to elementary school age. From oldest to youngest are Princeton student Sondra(Sabrina Le Beauf), high school senior Denise(Lisa Bonet), Jr. high school student Theo(Malcolm-Jamal Warner), middle school student Vanessa(Tempest Bledsoe) & elementary school student Rudy(Keisha Knight Pulliam). Each child comes with their own set of problems & mishaps. The show centers around how Cliff & Claire handle each situation related to their family dynamic & the results. No matter in the good or bad times, both parents deal with their & their children's lives with understanding, patience, humor, & lots of love. Along the course of the show's long run, we get to meet other family members such as Cliff's parents & Claire's parents, cousin Pam Tucker(Erika Alexander) & family friend regulars like Cockroach, Peter, & Kenny. Also, new members join the cast in Elvin/Geoffrey Owens(Sandra's husband), Martin/Joseph C. Phillips(Denise's Navy husband), stepdaughter Olivia/Raven Symone'(Martin's daughter), & Dabnus Brickey(Vanessa's fiancé). All in all, a wonderful comedic/dramatic sitcom that the whole family will enjoy. The show is in syndication, so everyone can watch until taken off the air. A pleasure since its inception (1984), "The Cosby Show" broke stereotypes of African American culture & career achievements by displaying the Huxtables as "successful", not poor & struggling like "Good Times". The show won T.V. awards & achieved the accolades not reached by Black dominated sitcoms to this era. Times do ever change, & "The Cosby Show" proved that notion.

Few comic book action films live up to their billing but "Fantastic 4" provides great action sequences, CG & prosthetics, & better-than-average cinematography. A good cast in Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis(The Shield), Julian McMahon(Nip/Tuck), & the beautiful Jessica Alba. All of the actors mirror the Marvel Comic book heroes but McMahon's Dr. Von Doom, the story's villain. McMahon seemed a bit weak in his role due to a lack of enough "evil" displayed in his character. Michael Chiklis' Ben Grimm/The Thing steals the show with his soft-hearted & sensitive big man portrayal. Gruffudd is good as the studious & stretchy scientist Reed Richards, Chris Evans is excellent as impatient party monger Johnny Storm/Human Torch, & Jessica Alba fits well into her role as the brave & sexy Sue Storm/Invisible Woman.

In "Fantastic 4", the three astronauts Richards, siblings Sue & Johnny, & Grimm along with mega rich sponsor Victor Von Doom trek into space with disastrous results. Bombarded by cosmic radiation, all five people are transformed into super heroes to their surprise. After medical testing upon returning to Earth, each member discovers their new gifts & realizes the good that could come of them. Richards gained the ability to stretch his body to unbelievable lengths, Johnny could ignite himself into a human torch & could fly, Sue could create force fields & turn invisible, & Ben Grimm gained incredible strength & is encased in impenetrable rock. While three of the astronauts adapted to their gifts, Grimm was saddened by his gifts because of the horror his wife would endure once she sees him. The members decide to go to Richard's apartment to find a cure for their "gifts". After a major accident on a New York bridge, the newly dubbed Fantastic 4 rush to action to save citizens from peril. Meanwhile, Dr. Von Doom goes through changes of his own,...into the planet's worst & most lethal villain. Soon enough, the heroes & the super villain do battle for the planet with the Fantastic 4 prevailing.

"Fantastic 4" does Marvel Comics proud & provides a fact-paced action adventure from start to finish. A good soundtrack & wonderful special effects complete the film's appeal. Check this movie out, folks. "Fantastic 4" will not disappoint!!!

This film is a prime example of why some sequels discredit the original film. In this case, "Kickboxer" should have stood alone but instead was followed by B-movie reject "Kickboxer 2". The film was bad in every way possible with horrible acting performances by Sasha Mitchell, Peter Boyle, Matthias Hues, Michel Quissi, & Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Each actor was "wooden" & underachieving as well as overpaid for this film. Sad fight choreography, even worse cinematography, & ridiculous script writing doomed this film to failure.

It's not worth bothering with reliving much of the story because there isn't much to tell. Sloan(Mitchell) goes back to the UKA circuit to make $ for his decrepit gym to keep it open. Sloan wins his bout against enemy & current UKA champion Vargas(Hues), renounces the title belt, & announces his retirement again. Angered by his defeat, Vargas & his goons sneak into Sloan's gym, beat him up badly, & set fire to the building. Badly injured & financially strapped, Sloan endures a lengthy hospital stay. Once out of the hospital, Sloan finds a hotel room to recuperate & wallow in self-pity. A knock on the door presents Xian Chow, former Muay Thai trainer of brother Kurt Sloan. Chow offers to help train Sloan but he resists. Soon, Sloan & Chow work together with great results. Fellow kick boxer & gym rat Brian Wagner(Vince Murdocco) takes on corrupt fight manager Justin(Boyle) & fight czar Sanga(Tagawa) to turn pro. Wagner wins his first few fights, makes some money, & asks Sloan to come to his championship fight. Sloan agrees & takes Mrs. Wagner along to see him fight for the first time. Confident & arrogant, Wagner waits for his opponent to step to the ring. A last minute announcement calls for a replacement fighter who happens to be the ruthless Thailand Muay Thai champion Tong Po(Quissi). Tong Po punishes Wagner for several rounds before killing him in the ring. After a visit to the hospital with Wagner's mother, Sloan learns the truth about Tong Po & his brother's death in Thailand. Angry & in grief, Sloan vows to have revenge. When Sanga offers a challenge for a fight with Tong Po in the Ancient Way, Sloan accepts without reservation. The two men enter the ring, wrap their hands in rope & resin, dip their fists in broken glass, & prepare to fight to the death. The tall, muscular, & ruthless Tong Po beats up on Sloan for several rounds before finally displaying the Muay Thai fighting spirit needed to pound the Thai champion into a knockout. Revenge has been had by Sloan & he reopens his gym for the neighborhood roughs.

"Kickboxer 2" will not dazzle, uplift, or have you cheering for the hero. It is simply mindless entertainment, & I MEAN MINDLESS!!! This film will lurk in the depths of one of the worst martial arts action B-movies in film history. Just thought you should know that!!!

Novelist William Peter Blatty & director Willam Friedkin collaborated to create one of the most frightening, thought-provoking, & shocking films of all time. "The Exorcist" challenged the questions of religious faith, mental illness, & validity of demonic possession. In 1973, the film caused quite a stir with moviegoers such as heart attacks, anxiety episodes, vomiting, & theater walk-outs. The public at large was simply terrified by the film's strong adult content, horrific scenes of demonic possession, & strong language.

"The Exorcist" is the story of the demonic possession of young Regan Teresa MacNeil. Regan is daughter to Chris MacNeil, successful actress & divorcée. The MacNeils moved to Washington D. C.'s Georgetown area to start over as well as be on location for a film Chris is shooting. All seems well until Regan's behavior & physical appearance begins to take a strange & ugly turn. Somehow, an African demon named Pazuzu & several of his minions escaped from the attic & found their way to poor unsuspecting Regan's bedroom & entered her body. Things really begin to go bad when Regan urinates slime on the floor in front of friends during a party held by Chris. Regan tells party guest Burke Dennings that he would die in her room. The following night Dennings was found dead having fallen out of Regan's window & suffered a severe broken neck so that his head was turned completely around, facing backwards. Lt. William Kinderman, lead police investigator, questions Chris about the murder with little to go on. Kinderman next questions Fr. Damien Karras. Karras gives the detective not much to go on either other than sarcasm & standoffishness. Karras is a priest who has lost his faith & is thinking of leaving the priesthood. Karras cares for an ill mother who needs to be institutionalized. Tired & wayward, Karras lives a life of inner turmoil, alcohol dependency, & guilt for his mother's condition. Fr. Karras meets with fellow Jesuit & longtime friend Fr. Dyer to talk about his lost faith & consideration of leaving the priesthood. Unbeknownst to Karras, his faith or lack thereof will be surely tested to the breaking point soon enough. Worried & distraught, Chris takes Regan on a painful journey of hospital tests that reveal nothing concrete. As a last ditch effort, Chris has a hypnotherapist visit the home to help Regan. While under hypnosis, the secret of Regan's behavior is revealed in demons possessing her soul, lead by Pazuzu. From here on in, Regan's possession racks her body with ulcerated sores, foul smells, blistered skin, a very mature & evil speaking voice, & superior strength. The demon's true form has surfaced, turning Regan into a twisted, hideous, & frightening entity. Desperate to help her sick child, Chris enlists the services of the cynical Fr. Karras to see, authenticate, & possibly perform an exorcism. Karras sees Regan & believes her condition to be "psychological" in nature. Karras audio taped & used fake holy water with Regan during his session. After another session with Regan & more strange behavior displayed, Fr. Karras believes that Regan is in need of an exorcism. During the night, Fr. Karras is summoned by her Chris' assistant to show her a message of "Help me" written on Regan's stomach. Fr. Karras now knows that this sweet child is trapped inside herself & needs assistance to be set free.Karras goes to the Archbishop to get his blessing & was turned down. The Archbishop agrees to let Karras perform the ancient ritual under the guidance of weathered Jesuit priest & archaeologist Fr. Lankester Merrin who has performed exorcisms in the past & is the most experienced in the field. When Fr. Merrin arrives, the possessed Regan calls out to the priest & bears down for battle. Fr. Merrin & Fr. Karras conduct the ritual of exorcism with little results. Regan curses, raises her bed off the floor, shakes the room, moves objects, twists her head in a complete turn, & spews green slime in buckets. Regan's demons lie & curse the two priests in hopes of breaking their faith & their will. Fr. Merrin tells Fr. Karras not to listen to the Devil's words & stay strong. But Fr. Karras is afraid, afraid of his diminished faith & the guilt of his mother's death. Regan speaks to Fr. Karras in his mother's voice to shake him even further but resists. The two Jesuits continue the Exorcism Rites, slowly wearing down the defiant Regan. Fr. Merrin, tiring fast, stops to take his nitroglycerin pill for his heart condition. Taking a break, Fr. Karras leaves the frail Merrin alone with Regan. The weary Merrin proceeds to counsel Regan with disastrous results. Fr. Karras returns to the bedroom where he finds Fr. Merrin dead lying next to the bed of a jubilant Regan laughing evilly. Angered by Reagan's treachery, Fr. Karras attacks the demonic Regan & begs her to allow her possession to enter his body in order to release the girl from her curse. The demons leave Regan & invade Fr. Karras who leaps out of her bedroom window, falling to his death with a fractured skull. Shortly thereafter, Chris & a recovered Regan leave Georgetown to begin again. Karras friend & fellow priest Fr. Dyer stops by as Chris & Regan prepare to leave. Chris tells him that Regan remembers nothing about the possession, killings, or the exorcism. Fr. Dyer says goodbye to the MacNeils, forever changed by the events of Regan's possession.

"The Exorcist" will scare you, no matter how many horror films you have seen or how tough you think you are. The realism of Regan's possession will stay with & disturb you beyond anything you have ever witnessed. Do not watch this movie alone or with the lights off. WARNING: YOUNG CHILDREN & PERSONS WITH A WEAK CONSTITUTION SHOULD NOT WATCH THIS FILM!!!!!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Fight films are all pretty much the same. Guy makes a challenge to another guy, guy accepts challenge, the two men meet in the ring, & only one man remains standing in the end. No difference here except the two lead characters give us a glimpse into HOW they came to be. With great fight choreography, a decent supporting cast, & better than average performance by Ving Rhames makes "Undisputed" a step ahead of boxing flicks like "Gladiator" & "Rocky V".

In Sweetwater Prison, inmate Monroe Hutchens(Snipes) is the reigning "undisputed" heavyweight champion. On the outside, Hutchens was a promising California state amateur champion destined for a pro career. Hutchens is cool, calm, & collected man who, only once, lost his cool & committed murder. Meanwhile, heavyweight champion James "The Iceman" Chambers loses his title, fortune, & freedom when he is jailed & sent to Sweetwater on a ten year stretch for rape. Angry & looking for respect, Chambers uses his status to make a mark for himself with the prison population. When Chambers discovers Hutchens, he tries to establish his dominance with Hutchens begging to differ. Ever the opportunist, mob boss Mendy Ripstein(Peter Faulk) arranges a big money fight between Chambers & Hutchens. All the while, Chambers tries to find a way to get himself out of prison & back into the ring. The big fight goes back & forth with both men inflicting heavy damage on each other. In the end, Hutchens proves his merit by knocking out Chambers. Hutchens returns to his quiet prison existence while Chambers is released from prison to continue his pro boxing career. Chambers won back his heavyweight title immediately & resumed a life of fame & fortune. Only the witnesses of the prison fight as well as Hutchens & Chambers know who is the real "undisputed" champion.

Rhames' performance stole some limelight away from Snipes whose role was somewhat understated. Snipes did look crisp & cut in the fight sequences with his work with legendary boxing trainer Emmanuel Stewart paying off. Good performance by veteran actor Peter Faulk with a decent supporting role for Jon Seda("Gladiator", "Kevin Hill"). Give this film a look. A pretentious storyline & mediocre acting performances are forgiven for the pure pugilistic excitement of a big fight.

Russell Crowe earns high marks for his performance as Maximus in the heavily Oscar nominated "Gladiator". With a superb supporting cast consisting of Joaquin Phoenix, late Oliver Reed, Connie Neilsen, Richard Harris, & Djimon Hounsou, "Gladiator" quickly vaulted Crowe to super stardom. The brutal battle scenes, background shots of the countryside in Rome, the costumes & weaponry, & the gladiator fights exceeded all expectations. Ridley Scott's masterpiece of film-making will stand the test of time & should be used in film schools to teach students effective film direction.

"Gladiator" chronicles the story of Maximus(Crowe), General to frail Caesar Marcus Aurelius' Roman Army as well as a husband & father. After a victorious battle far from home, Caesar(Harris) holds private court with Maximus to offer him his position after his passing. Overhearing this, Caesar's jealous & scheming son Commodus(Phoenix) guilts his father then murders him. Commodus plots to get rid of Maximus because of his lust for power & envy of his father's love for Maximus. I could go on but I would be giving away too much.

To make a long story short, Maximus survives Commodus' henchmen's attack, is found near death only to be sold into slavery, loses his wife & son to murder by Commodus' minions, & becomes a very celebrated gladiator in the area. Maximus exacts his revenge on Commodus in the end but pays a heavy price. Maximus soon is reunited with the ones he loves most, his lovely wife & son.

There are no disappointments to report with "Gladiator" other than to say that Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus was not his best performance of late. He does get back on track later in "Ladder 49" which suited him much better. All in all, a very good film with beautiful cinematography & background music as well. So, grab your snack & beverage from the kitchen & enjoy this soon-to-be classic. And hey, thumbs up!!!

"Red Dragon" does not contain the level of cerebral horror as "Lambs" but does have shock value & will disturb the viewer. The star power is above average with good performances notably by Ralph Fiennes(The English Patient) & Edward Norton(American History X).

Will Graham(Norton) is a retired FBI agent living a calm & secluded existence with his wife Molly(Mary-Louise Parker) & son Josh(Tyler Patrick Jones) in Florida. Unfortunately, Will is still haunted by the memories of his apprehension of sadistic sociopath psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter(Hopkins). Will was nearly killed by Lecter when he discovered that it was actually the psychiatrist who was committing the unspeakable crimes that Graham was investigating for the FBI. Graham's quiet family life is interrupted by his old boss & friend Agent Jack Crawford(Keitel). Crawford pleads with Graham to use his investigative gifts" to help on a case baffling the FBI for some time. Reluctantly, Graham agrees to help only in a consultant capacity & flies to the crime scenes of the latest "Tooth Fairy" victims. Graham observes the crime scenes, slowly getting his "feel" back for sensing the motives of the killer. Graham discovers that the killer smashes mirrors at every crime scene & uses the shards of glass to put into the eyes of the women to "see" him as an object to desire. With the last victim, the "Tooth Fairy" makes a fatal mistake; he touched his victim's eye with a bare hand. Unfortunately for Graham only a partial print remained thus prompting further investigation & evidence gathering. Meanwhile, the killer's true identity is revealed to the viewer as psychotic video processor Frances Dolarhyde(Fiennes). Abused as a child both physically & emotionally by his maternally detached mother, Dolarhyde is very withdrawn & anti-social. Dolarhyde also suffers from a cleft palate which left him somewhat disfigured & slightly speech impaired. His manifestations of severe psychosis has created a person who believes that he is "becoming" someone or something greater than himself. In this case, Dolarhyde is becoming the Red Dragon, a mythical creature of great power & even greater wrath. Through work Dolarhyde meets blind film developer Reba McClane(Watson) & quickly decides on developing a pseudo-romantic relationship. Their dating is extremely awkward for Dolarhyde & troubles him significantly. Dolarhyde takes Reba to a zoo, on a favor from zoo staff, where she gets up close & personal with a sedated tiger. The meeting between Reba & tiger is almost erotic for Dolarhyde as he watches from the background. Graham & Crawford work hard to piece the crimes together & are inching closer than before. Graham has only one last ditch effort to help break the case wide open & that is a meeting with the infamous Dr. Lecter. Graham does so with great reservation but needs Lecter's brilliant criminal mind to "get the feel". Of course, being around Lecter has its price. Although Lecter toys with Graham, the psychiatrist does provide him with clues to help the case further along. National Tattler reporter Freddy Lounds hounds Graham for an exclusive on the case to Graham's ire. But Graham grants Lounds' request only to use the scoundrel reporter to lure out "The Tooth Fairy" by posing for pictures & talking about the case. Angered more than ever, Dolar is becoming more and more irritated by Graham & Lounds. Dolarhyde kills a worker friend of Reba's & captures National Tattler star reporter Freddy Lounds(Hoffman). While glued naked to a wheelchair, Lounds is subjected to Dolarhyde's rage. A break in the case comes when a routine toss of Lecter's cell reveals tabloid correspondence between Lecter & the "Tooth Fairy" & is intercepted by the FBI. The message is written in code on toilet paper & ripped apart but is breakable. Graham, Crawford & his staff are on a race against time to decode the message before the National Tattler runs its next day's edition. Meanwhile, Lecter is kept at bay to slyly put the message back in his cell without him becoming suspicious. The Tattler runs the coded message to not cause suspicion. Graham suddenly realizes how the killer is choosing his victims. While going through the victim's materials, he stumbles upon home movies of the victims. Graham finds that the killer has seen these tapes & has prior knowledge of how best to access the homes. Graham & Crawford discover the identity of Dolarhyde through the name of the video company he subcontracts through. Realizing the end may be near, Dolarhyde takes a trip to Washington to the museum where the original Red Dragon painting is held. He violently kills the museum worker & proceeds to EAT the painting!!! Dolarhyde returns home to Reba, who being blind, does not see that he is planning his next gruesome crime. Dolarhyde sets his home ablaze in an attempt to get rid of Reba because she is now a "liability" to him. Reba survives but is forever emotionally scarred by her relationship with Dolarhyde. The message is finally decoded, disclosing to the "Tooth Fairy" Graham's address in Florida & instructions by Lecter to "save yourself, kill them all."

Graham, in fear, rushes to his family's aid knowing that Dolarhyde is closing in on his final kill. Molly & Josh are awakened by Graham & quickly realize the real danger they may be in. Dolarhyde makes his move & grabs Josh in the process, holding a large broken piece of glass to the boy's throat. Graham, taking a big risk, degrades Josh for urinating on himself, which is the exact same treatment Dolarhyde received form his mother as a child. Graham uses Dolarhyde's psychosis against him to release Josh & Molly shots the killer dead. Peace is now restored to Will Graham, if only until another case comes along.

"Red Dragon" will frighten younger or sensitive viewers so be aware. This one will cause a sleepless night!! All those who love a good thriller with "bite", enjoy it with the lights on. Happy scaring!!!

The performances of both Alan Rickman & rapper Mos Def shine brightly in this film of racism, perseverance, & the pursuit of advancements in medical science/surgery. Rickman's self-righteous & pompous Dr. Alfred Blaylock compliments greatly Mos Def's quiet, determined, & passive-aggressive role as lab assistant/technician Vivien Thomas.

The two men met at a time when medical science was headed for major discoveries & taking chances was not the order of the day. During the 30's & 40's, America was a different place for people of color in the negative sense & the medical community offered little or no opportunities for non-whites as well. Most people of color worked menial labor jobs liked servants or skilled craftsmen & lived with no luxuries & not much hope for more. Vivien Thomas, a carpenter by trade, stumbles upon a job assisting prominent surgeon & professor Dr. Alfred Blaylock. The snobbish Blaylock working on experiments to cure patients of shock to no avail. Soon, Dr. Blaylock discovers that Vivien is more than just a lowly assistant but a very intelligent young man yearning for a chance to prove himself to the powers that be. Vivien develops new techniques & surgical devices to create a "blue dog" & a way to reverse the condition. Realizing the potential to turn the medical community on its ear, Dr. Blaylock takes Thomas on a long & arduous journey with him through bigotry, scientific discovery, tension between the two men themselves, & successful "blue baby" surgeries. Although Thomas did not receive the notoriety & accolades that usually come with advances in medicine, he carried on for many years working with & teaching doctors his techniques Johns Hopkins. Thomas was elevated to Director of Surgical Services but still had not reached his ultimate goal. Finally after the death of longtime partner & friend Dr. Blaylock, Thomas was awarded an honorary doctorate of medicine by his colleagues & the prestigious Johns Hopkins. After a lifetime of self-sacrifice, determination, & love of medicine, Thomas had arrived & felt the satisfaction he always wanted; Vivien Thomas was now a face in the medical community that had shunned him for so long.

"Something the Lord Made" is a feast for the heart & the mind. All those who view this movie will walk away with better appreciation for those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifices in their own lives to change our existence for the positive. Rickman & Mos Def play off each other brilliantly & make you believe. Rickman always gives you everything called for in a role & does not disappoint in this film. I was most impressed with Mos Def's performance & gained a newfound respect for this young actor.

If you are not "moved" by this film, you'd better check your pulse. Your heart may need some fixin'!!!

Anyone who is in their late thirties to forties should remember laughing to the antics of Raj(Ernest Thomas), Dwayne(Haywood Nelson), & Rerun(late Fred Berry) from the popular sitcom "What's Happening!" The show was centered around three ghetto Los Angeles black high school boys & their hilarious high jinks. Roger Thomas(studious & spectacled), Dwayne Nelson(nervous but loyal), & Freddy Stubbs(chubby & dimwitted) were the best of friends who spent a lot of time together at school & at Rob's Soda Shop. At Rob's was Shirley(late comedian Shirley Hemphill), the wise-cracking & worldly waitress who provided sparkling wit with insults to spare. When not with Dwayne & Rerun, Raj came home to strict but loving divorcée mother Mabel Thomas(late Mabel King) & cute but pain in the keister little sister Dee Thomas(Danielle Spencer). From one kind of trouble or silly situation to the next, the three guys never split up, always help each other, & find a way to persevere when the going gets tough.

The show was quite successful & can be shown in reruns on TVLand or Nick at Nite. Oldschoolers & kiddies alike can enjoy a show that gave me hours of unadulterated pleasure as a kid. "What's Happening!" did expand to an unsuccessful spin off called "What's Happening Now!" which featured the core cast all grown up. Raj & Shirley bought & co-owned a diner while Raj pursued a writing career. Raj also is married in this show to Ann-Marie Johnson & cares for her niece. Dwayne & Rerun are off on their careers while sharing an apartment. Dee Thomas is all grown up & in college. The comedy was not as sharp as the original series but kept loyal fans watching. The show did not last but entertained some nonetheless.

All said, "What's Happening!" holds fond memories of a time long gone. Three of the show's actors have passed on in recent years & the core thespians have been low key since the show ended. For those who watched & enjoyed the show, you know that successful sitcoms are hard to come by. Those of you who have not seen "What's Happening!", you missed out on a small piece of 70's Americana.

Very few "B" movies find a way to entertain moviegoers but "Soldier" somewhat breaks the rules. The storyline is simple & in no way complex nor is the acting stellar. The star power consists of Kurt Russell, Jason Scott Lee(Bruce Lee Story), Jason Isaacs(The Patriot), Connie Neilsen, Michael Chiklis(The Commish, etc.), and the ever strange Gary Busey. The basic sci-fi film buffs will appreciate the film's subtle nuances while the more serious sci-fi connoisseurs will scoff at the same.

"Soldier" chronicles the life of Sgt. Todd(Russell) who from birth to adulthood endures intense military training, psychological brainwashing, & countless war campaigns to become an elite soldier. Todd is the best soldier in his squadron under the command of stern Cpt. Church(Busey). Unbeknownst to Church, a new breed of soldier has been created to challenge the old order, spearheaded by egotistical Colonel Mekum(Isaacs). Mekum's best soldier, Caine 607(Lee), competes against Todd & several others only to defeat them easily. Left for dead, Todd is dumped on a waste planet to rot. Barely alive, Todd manages to make his way to a secret colony of planet survivors. Taken in & cared for by colony elder Mace(Sean Pertwee), Sandra(Neilsen), & mute son Nathan, Todd recuperates under a watchful eye. Wary & suspicious, members of the colony inquire how Todd found his way to their hideout. During his stay, Todd is confused & bewildered by the simplest of human behavior. Todd knows combat & killing, not civilized behaviors. After several incidents including Mace's son, Todd is expelled from the colony to fend for himself. Meanwhile, the military has located the presence of life forms on the waste planet. Colonel Mekum makes plans to wage a private war against the colonists to test the superiority of his elite fighting force led by Caine 607. After attacks have been executed the survivors, Mace searches & finds the lonely Sgt. Todd. On the way back to the stronghold, Mace is killed by enemy fire. Todd, sensing his humanity for the first time, runs back to aid the helpless colonists. Todd equips himself with weaponry & conducts a seek & destroy mission against the military forces. Cunning & resourceful, Todd takes out the enemy with precise maneuvers & strategic planning. Finally, the two best soldiers meet for a battle to the death: Sgt. Todd & Caine 607. Both men beat on each other heavily with Todd rising as the victor. Todd takes the remaining colonists to the military ship to leave the planet for good. After disposing of Colonel Mekum & his officers, Todd assumes command of the crew & takes off to a distant planet to start over. Todd looks out at space holding young Nathan, feeling more like the human he has become rather than the soldier he had always been.

"Soldier" will provide minimal entertainment for a minimal price; your time. Russell's portrayal is fairly dull & "wooden" which is what he played very well. Lee provided little in the way of acting support to Russell as the evil but elite soldier Caine 607. Busey gives you his usual trademark "toothiness" & unorthodox acting style but I suppose added some measure of quirkiness to the mix. Jason Isaacs is at his maniacal best as he usually does playing the villain Merkum. Overall, this film gets it's message across, even though it has to pull the viewer along kicking & screaming to get it. If you have an empty social calender & have a few hours to spare, give "Soldier" a look-see. Hell, I did.

There are very few films that take a simple storyline & deliver better than good performances but "Powder" breaks the rules. Sean Patrick Flannery gives a wonderful performance worthy of honorable mention. With an excellent ensemble cast consisting of Mary Steenburgen, Lance Henricksen, & Jeff Goldbloom, "Powder" excels on a grand scale where other lower budget movies have failed. Very few quirks in editing & subtle nuances did not hurt this film enough to let it's message shine.

"Powder" is the poignant story of Jeremy "Powder" Reed, an young introverted recluse who is stumbled upon when his grandparents pass away leaving him alone on their farm. Jeremy was born to a mother who was struck by lightning thus transforming the tiny newborn to the horror of his birth father, John Box. Jeremy is a special human being because of his albino skin & hairless body, telekinetic powers, & superior intellect. Jeremy has read voraciously, has never watched television, & has never been off his grandparent's farm. Jeremy has lived in the cellar his whole life, never to have experienced the outside world.

Found by a local sheriff Doug Barnum(Henricksen) & boys state school director Jessica Caldwell(Steenburgen), Jeremy is taken from the farm & placed in the state boys home to live. While at the state boys home, Jeremy is studied by staff, ridiculed & ostracized by fellow boys, & seen more as an "object" rather than a person. State Boy's Home teacher Donald Ripley(Goldbloom) takes to Jeremy & understands more than anyone who & what Jeremy really is; a genius who is closer to being the only perfect human ever on Earth. Sheriff Barnum, dealing with his spouse dying of cancer & a strained relationship with his only son, has a lot on his plate besides Jeremy. After several run-ins at the boys home, Jeremy strikes out on his own back to his grandparent's farm. Jeremy gets a ride home from Jessica who only wants whats right for him.

Sensing the sadness in Sheriff Doug Barnum's heart, Jeremy visits his home & uses his incredible gift to give him his dying wife's last thoughts. Barnum's wife's last thoughts were of him finally letting go of her & repairing his relationship with his son. Jeremy ultimately ends up at the farm with Jessica Caldwell & is confronted by the Sheriff Barnum & State Trooper Deputy Harley Duncan. Sensing the coming storm, Jeremy runs out to the field only to reach his most yearned for place, that being the freedom of pure energy. Jeremy is happy for the first time since his grandparent's death, & now he can join them in heaven.

"Powder" will warm your heart & produce a few tears for those who love a different kind of "feel-good" film. Flannery's performance is unforgettable & vaults him above his peers as an actor. Grab your snack, drink, & box of Kleenex for this one. Enjoy!!!!

"Sugar Hill" tells the story of two Harlem drug-dealing brothers, Romello & Ray Nathan Skuggs, who struggle to stay on top of their chosen profession as well as their relationship with drug-addicted father Arthur Romello Skuggs(Clarence Williams III). Romello realizes that his life has gone in the wrong direction & that he wants out, to honor his deceased mother's wishes for him.

Ray Nathan(Michael Wright), heir apparent to the drug ring, wants to get rid of the competition & rule Harlem with his younger brother. Romello(Wesley Snipes), fed up & idealistic, wants out of the drug business & is looking to start over with new girlfriend Melissa(Theresa Randle). Scared of becoming a target, Melissa wants nothing to do with Romello who convinces her to leave with him. Romello tries to bring together a bitter Ray Nathan & strung-out druggie Arthur to no avail. Romello forgave his father for the past & desires Ray Nathan to reconcile before its too late. Ray Nathan is still angry with his father for the death of junkie mother Ella Skuggs. Romello finally convinces Melissa to be with him & leave to begin a new life together. Romello wants only to take Ray Nathan, Arthur, Melissa & himself back to the South to start over & away from the drug & street life.

The problem: Gus(Abe Vigoda), an old Italian drug lord & Lolly(Ernie Hudson), new drug dealer & ex boxing champ, want the brothers out of the way as well as their territories in the drug trade. Gus has a history with Arthur Romello & makes Romello aware of it. Gus told Romello that his father killed his brother Sal many years ago. Lolly kills fellow dealer & best friend Ricky Goggles(Steve Harris) as a warning to Romello & Ray Nathan. Ray Nathan in turn murders one of Gus's men. Lolly calls in a hit on Romello but kills a local wannabe gangster Kymie Daniels(Donald Faison). Romello tells Gus he is out of the game & prepares to leave with Melissa. Ray Nathan kills Arthur by giving him a overdosed shot of heroin. Ray next goes to Gus & Lolly to concede but instead kills them in the restaurant. Ray Nathan then runs into Romello & tells him he killed their father. The two argue with Ray Nathan accidentally shooting Romello with Melissa watching in horror. The film ends with Romello sitting in a wheelchair with Melissa & son living in the South, starting life anew.

A good film with a very tragic ending. Unbelievable scene where Arthur(Williams III)overdoses while Ray Nathan watches in horror & shame. The realism of Arthur's overdose is unforgettable & wreaks of solid acting talent. This film does little to glorify drug dealers & rightfully so. No Nino Browns to despise this time!! Check it out.

The inspiring story of Percy Talbot(Allison Elliot), recently released from prison & looking to start over, finds her way to the New England small town of Gilead. Percy meets & works for cantankerous grill owner Hannah Ferguson(Ellen Burstyn) who takes no mess, relies on no one, & shows little compassion. Hannah's nephew Nahum Goddard(Will Patton), ever cynical & mistrusting, warns his aunt of Percy's past & intentions. Tough & determined, Percy works hard and stays out of trouble. When Hannah takes a fall(breaks her leg), she must lean on Percy to run the grillwhile bedridden. Lack of cooking skills make Percy's debut a total disaster. Luckily for Percy, Hannah calls in Nahum's wife Shannon(Marcia Gay Harden) to help with the cooking. Percy & Shannon work side by side building a quick friendship & mutual respect for one another. Percy soon meets Joe Sperling(Kieran Mulroney, a handsome young local man, who takes a liking to Percy & wants more than just a friendship. Percy guards herself & her feelings so much that she pushes Joe away. Joe finds himself falling in love with Percy & is crushed by her refusal to marry him.

Hannah, showing some trust, asks Percy to put a sack of canned goods on a stump in the back for someone to pick up before turning in for the night. Percy obliges but is very curious of the stranger who comes to get the sack. Percy waits up for the stranger who she labels "Johnnie B." & follows him into the woods. Losing the stranger, Percy returns to the Grille to an angry Hannah. Hannah tells Percy to mind her own affairs & that the only hope of getting to the stranger was ruined. Percy goes for a quiet walk in the meadow & is quietly approached & touched by the "Johnnie B." Hannah, tired & overworked, looks to sell the Grille & retire. Percy comes up with an idea to hold a writing contest with the best essay winning the Spitfire Grille as the grand prize. Each contestant must write an essay on why they deserve the Grille & send in a fee. Hannnah agrees & along with Percy & Shannon, the three read the essays to decide a winner.

Hannah puts all the fee money into her safe until the contest is over. Nahum, up to no good, takes the money out of Hannah's safe & blames Percy & her "accomplice in the woods" for robbing her. Nahum gets the Sheriff & angry locals to form a posse & apprehend Percy & the stranger. Percy hides in the church for sanctuary & is found by Shannon. Percy tells Shannon of why she was in prison & about the child she lost to family services. A sympathetic Shannon tells Percy that Nahum & the posse are closing in on her & her partner in crime. Percy realizes that the posse will find "Johnnie B." & that she must find him before they do. Percy chases after "Johnnie B." & accidentally is swept into a strong river undertow. "Johnnie B." finds Percy downriver, soaked & dead. Nahum, shocked & bewildered, sees "Johnnie B." or Eli, Hannah's long lost son who disappeared after serving in Vietnam. The town holds Percy's funeral with which Nahum tells the truth about his misdeed. Now that the truth is out, Hannah must still decide on the essay contest winner. A winner is chosen & Hannah prepares for the arrival. Walking down the road, the winner stops in Gilead Park to meet everyone for the first time. It is young woman with a baby boy in tow, nervous & excited to begin a new life & opportunity for her son in Gilead. The following day, Hannah is awakened to find a stranger sitting in a booth. To her surprise & delight, Hannah is seated across the table from her long lost son Eli Ferguson. Hannah holds his hands warmly as tears run down her face. Hannah is whole again & her heart beats with love.

A wonderfully acted film with a great cast in Elliot, Burstyn, Patton, & Gay Harden. This was a terrific performance by Marcia Gay Harden, who got critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival. A movie worth a good long look. Don't miss this one, ya hear!!!