War, Inc.

War, Inc.

First Look Studios

June 13, 2008

Satire

DVD
D+

Not nearly as funny or insightful as it thinks it is. John Cusack stars and co-wrote.   Joshua Seftel directed.

Runaway Bride

Runaway Bride

Paramount etc.

July 30, 1999

Romcom

DVD
D

Gere plays such a misogynist that he even sneers at a set of adorable baby girl triplets.  Garry Marshall directed, because of course he did.

Martian Child

Martian Child

New Line

November 2, 2007

Dramedy
DVD
D+

I found this cliched and heavy-handed, although I bumped it up a D+ because of Joan Cusack, who as usual acts well against her brother John, although she deserves better material.  This is based on the David Gerrold short story and novella (neither of which I've read, but it appears that the protagonist was gay in one version).  Menno Meyjes directed.

Ice Princess

Ice Princess

Disney

March 18, 2005

Sports Drama

DVD
B

This movie caught me off guard by how good it was.  The performances were solid, particularly of course Cattrall and Cusack as the moms, I didn't see some of the plot twists coming, and I even liked the Aughties soundtrack.  And I am not at all interested in sports, including skating, but I winced at every fall and cared about these characters.  The title is awful though, as is the release poster, making this seem fluffy in the worst sense.  Tim Fywell directed.

Friends with Money

Friends with Money

Sony Pictures

April 21, 2006

Dramedy
DVD
B-

This is one of those odd movies where I don't really like anyone in it but I find them interesting enough that I want to see what happens to them, and the ensemble does work well together.  (Except Joan Cusack, who's usually a scene-stealer, feels miscast.)  Nicole Holofcener wrote and directed.

Chicken Little

Chicken Little
Walt Disney
November 4, 2005
Children's, Comedy, Fantasy
DVD
D+

Unfunny expanding of the fairytale, which doesn't make any sense, because in fact a very large object falls on the town and causes damage and havoc, yet somehow the title character is a loser for warning everyone?  Still, it was kind of fun recognizing the voice cast (and the Barenaked Ladies on the soundtrack), so yeah, D+.

Mark Dindal directed and co-wrote, as he did for Cats Don't Dance, and there's the same lame level of pop-cultural references.

Arlington Road

Arlington Road
Screen Gems
July 9, 1999
Drama
DVD
D-

This opens with the Bridges character rescuing a seriously and mysteriously injured boy and then there's some borderline racism (in Bridges's class on terrorism), and there's some stuff with friends and neighbors and I just didn't care.  I would've gone with a D but the sound recording on the dialogue was poor.  Or maybe that was a blessing, who knows? 

Mark Pellington directed.

The Allnighter

The Allnighter

Universal

May 1, 1987

Comedy
DVD
D+

The Bangles singer's mother directed and co-wrote her movie debut, this bland, predictable comedy which can't even do a "crying because of onions" scene correctly.  I was hoping for '80s cheese, a la An Alien in L.A., and it can't even meet that low bar.  I don't think I've ever felt so sorry for Joan Cusack.