Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes (2015)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This portrays Sherlock Holmes as a much older character, without Watson, and still managing to end up in the middle of riddles. Very much more in line with what you'd expect from British movies than the American adaptations. In some ways, that means the story itself has a lot more depth and there is significantly less focus on action. Still, if you like Sherlock, this is an interesting addition to the series, though it doesn't tie in directly to any of the other movies.

Pokémon 6: Jirachi Wish Maker

Pokémon 6: Jirachi Wish Maker (2004)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the first of the Advanced Generation (series 2) movies. It also marks where they started making actual titles that fit the movies as a description instead of relegating the interesting titles to subtitle status. Brock is still traveling with Ash, but Misty has been replaced by May and Max. Max gets them in more trouble as he's drawn to yet another Legendary Pokémon. The team is on a deadline to save Jirachi before the comet is gone and/or Butler can use him in his science experiment for Team Magma.

Pokémon 4: 4Ever [Celebi: Voice of the Foest]

Pokémon 4: 4Ever [Celebi: Voice of the Forest] (2002)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Celebi is cute, but proves to be yet another Legendary someone is hunting. Conveniently, Sammy ends up being a very familiar friend, despite the time hopping he does with Celebi. Of course Ash has to end up right in the thick of things with Team Rocket on the outskirts.

Kate & Leopold

Kate & Leopold (2001)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kate and her actor brother live in N.Y. in the 21st Century. Her ex-boy friend, Stuart, lives above her apartment and finds this space near the Brooklyn Bridge where there is a gap in time. He goes back to the eighteen hundreds and takes pictures of the place. Leopold, a man living in the 1870's, was puzzled by Stuart's tiny camera and decides to follow him and they both ended up in this century. Leopold is clueless about his new surroundings. He gets help and insights from Charlie who thinks that Leopold is an actor who is always in character. Leopold is a highly intelligent man and tries his best to learn and even improve the modern conveniences that he encounters.

- listal

Kate does not believe Stuart's claims of time travel in the least, even when she sees Leopold for herself. It isn't until after a lot of interaction and finally paying attention, partially thanks to her theater buff brother who is convinced Leopold must be a great actor himself at first, drags everything out into the open. It isn't until she sees the impossible pictures at the very end that reality finally sinks in and this unlikely couple finds their happily ever after. Very mellow on both ends of the spectrum (romance and comedy), but they meet in the middle for an amusing affair that leave you both heartbroken and cheering with laughter through the tale.

Into The West

Into The West (1992)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


A mysterious and rather magical horse will get two young brothers in a rather large heap of trouble as it teaches them about their missing mother and brings their family back together. Apparently Da needed a good sharp reminder about just what the priorities in life really are. The Dublin speech pattern can be a little aggravating if you aren't already used to it. Honestly got a lot more out of the beauty and intelligence of the horse than most else of the rest of the movie (other than being disgusted with the general sad state of man between the fathers obvious neglect and the soldier's willingness to lie and cheat).

Shall We Dance?

Shall We Dance? (1996)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Japanese adaptation of the old story Shall We Dance. An average working father finds himself with an unexpected and hidden passion for dancing. In the process he also manages to break through the hard shell his teacher portrays, bringing the fun of dance back to her and introducing it to friends and family all at the same time.

Spy Kids

Spy Kids (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The CGI is sub-par in this film and the creations are more than a little odd. Two kids learn that their parents are spies after learning they've been taken hostage. Now the children must quickly determine who is friend and who is foe as they try to save their parents and play the ultimate spy game - for their own lives. As typical of many family dynamics, these two siblings originally don't get along at all. Almost typical and predictable the way several things play out.

Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted (2004)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Yet another interpretation of a Cinderella story. This one does involve a mythical realm with ogres, giants, faeries, and more. Entertaining in it's medieval setting with modern slang and music to join the fun. Not enough to top Ever After as my favorite, but still enjoyable in a very different way.

Based on Gail Carson Levine's award winning novel, this is the story of Ella, a young woman who was given a "gift" of obedience by a fairy named Lucinda. Anything anyone tells her to do, she must obey. When her mother passes away, Ella is cared for by her thoughtless and greedy father who remarries a loathsome woman with two treacherous daughters. This modern-day, fantasy Cinderella features fairies, ogres and elves...as well as a hero in the guise of Prince Charmont, whom Ella falls in love with. Unlike Cinderella though, Ella must depend on herself and her intelligence to get her through her troubles and find Lucinda in order for her "curse" to be broken!

- source: listal

The Kid

The Kid (1997)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The only boxing movie I can really recall getting into was Million Dollar Baby. This is about a boy who doesn't care about boxing like his parents do and another who lives and breathes it as his parents try to ban it from his life. A rather low key and definitely not very violent film despite the few boxing matches. More suitable for viewers of all ages than many films on the market today.

Jimmy Albright is a young athlete with a passion for boxing. His mentor, Harry Sloan, an aging trainer and former boxer, sees Jimmy's potential, not only as a boxer but as a young man. With Harry's guidance, Jimmy trains and fights his way to the top of his division. All things appear to be on track, except for one small twist: Jimmy's parents, Don and Doreen, don't know he's a boxer. Knowing that his parents wouldn't approve of his career, Jimmy devises a fool-proof system to keep his secret. Unfortunately, Tray, a boxing rival of Jimmy's, discovers Jimmy's secret and plans to eliminate him by telling Jimmy's parents of their son's double life. Tray's treachery unleashes a series of events that lead to death, reconciliation and a dramatic conclusion that culminates in an exciting boxing championship fight.

- source: imdb

Hostage

Hostage (2005)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This movie was much more complex then what I expected. Sometimes it is difficult to tell who is being held hostage by who and whom the real negotiator is. A kingpin, a numbers runner, a serial killer, a robber, a clueless accomplice, three kids and a wife all wanting something or hanging in the balance of how this hostage scenario resolves. Once again playing a government agent, this time a cop, with a daughter who hates him and gets abducted (sounds like Live Free Die Hard), Willis plays his role flawlessly.

Hero

Hero (2002)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

There are scenes in this movie that remind me of Final Fantasy, and others of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. As I'm not particularly fond of either film, the references didn't earn any points here. Three warriors are determined to kill the King of Qin. Refusing to remove his armor as long as the assassination attempts continue, he never thought the one to understand what he was trying to accomplish in his role of the tyrannical leader would be the one he feared to be his worst enemy. Two would die by their own hands. The third, the "nameless hero," would be executed by an overabundance of arrows after finally realizes what the others had tried to teach him before he went after the king.

Gangs of New York

Gangs of New York (2002)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This film deals with oppressed immigrants, revenge, and gang warfare on the streets of New York. Much longer than expected, this film actually takes 2 DVDs to finish. The only other movies I've seen that were so long were the Lord of the Rings extended editions. Overall this movie was not really my type of film. It had interested parts and was decent for a first run-through, but not something I'm likely to pick up again.