What Women Want

What Women Want

Icon Productions etc.

December 15, 2000

Comedy

DVD
C-

I saw this movie at the time, when I would go to just about any romcom.  However, I found Gibson's character deeply unpleasant, and I felt insulted by the thoughts that he gets the ability to read.  This time, well, I tuned out before either the romcom or fantasy elements, and it was nice to see the various recognizable faces.  (Although not Helen Hunt, not yet.)  So I can live with a C-. Nancy Meyers directed.

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.

Ides of March

Ides of March

Sony Pictures Releasing

October 7, 2011

Drama

DVD
C-

A fictional presidential campaign that feels very flat and dated now.  Clooney not only stars but directed and co-wrote.

The First Purge

The First Purge

Perfect World Pictures

July 4, 2018

Sci-Fi

DVD
D+

Dystopia, from back when we didn't know what 2020 would look like.  Gerard McMurray directed.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
THINKFilm
October 26, 2007
Crime Drama
DVD
C-

Three years after Lumet directed Tomei in the Alfie remake, he gives her a sex scene and a nude scene in just the first quarter hour.  So a C- rather than a D+ for this tale of two criminal brothers.  Note that the alphabet has given Ethan Hawke back to back entries for this blog.

Alfie (2004)

Alfie (2004)
Paramount
November 5, 2004
Dramedy
DVD
D

First of all, I've never seen the original Michael Caine '60s version, so I'm not judging this as a remake.  Secondly, I knew the protagonist would be an unsympathetic character, not just sleeping around, but leading women on emotionally.  But I didn't know that we would have to endure Law not just narrating but speaking directly to the camera more than to his co-stars, to an extent that would embarrass Groucho.

Charles Shyer directed and co-wrote the update, and he had already done The Affair of the Necklace by this point.  Note that Krakowski's appearance here, as Dorie, predates her role as Jenna on 30 Rock, but that was all I could think about during her "sex in a limo" scene.