Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

Dec 25, 2008 by Mr. Nau Danny Devito and Billy Crystal star in this weird caper comedy about a pair of guys who each want to get rid of someone in their lives they can’t stand. Devito plays the homicidal mama’s boy to believable perfection and Crystal’s, as a neurotic whiny writing professor, balances him […]

Burn After Reading (2008)

Dec 25, 2008 by Mr. Nau The Coen brothers team up with an ensemble cast of astonishing talent, including John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Tilda Swinton, in this very original comedy. The script is first rate, the acting is wonderful, the dialogue is often hilarious, and the characters are quirky and […]

As Good As It Gets (1997)

Dec 16, 2008 by Mr. Nau Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear star in this Oscar-winning story of a curmudgeonly romance author with obsessive-compulsive disorder, whose weird friendship with his artistic neighbor and his favorite waitress make this highly original character piece unmissable. Spectacular acting performances and a wonderful script make it unforgettable. Grade: […]

The Muse (1999)

Dec 16, 2008 by Mr. Nau Albert Brooks leads a cast full of stars in this fairly obscure comedy, with a plethora of celebrity cameos, about a screenwriter who hires a muse after writing a series of scripts nobody wants. Sharon Stone, Jeff Bridges, and Andie MacDowell give decent supporting performances in this quirky light […]

Human Traffic (1999)

Dec 14, 2008 by Mr. Nau In this rave scene comedy, a gaggle of young British club kids look forward to the weekend—its endless parties, the opportunity to meet other like-minded clubbers, and taking lots of drugs. The appeal of this picture is absent for anyone who wasn’t a raver back in the day. Grade: […]

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Dec 14, 2008 by Mr. Nau Keanu Reeves stars as Klaatu, an alien who comes to New York City to visit humanity in this somewhat unnecessary remake of a 1951 science fiction classic. Jennifer Connelly does what she can with a script in a picture that’s entirely memorable for its dazzling special effects and action […]

Hancock (2008)

Dec 13, 2008 by Mr. Nau Hancock, played by Will Smith, is the least likable superhero ever, thwarting bad guys, but causing severe property damage in everything he does–from his destructive landings to using his body to stop locomotives cold. A fun story of an unlikely hero make this amazingly fun with plenty of action. […]

Leatherheads (2008)

Dec 13, 2008 by Mr. Nau George Clooney directs and stars in this romantic comedy about a football player in the Great Depression who is upstaged by a young college star in the fledgling professional football league. Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski also lend their talent to a funny movie that never takes itself too […]

The Love Machine (2000)

Dec 12, 2008 by Mr. Nau In this fictional documentary, a reporter is doing an exposé about an internet sex community and tells her subjects that she’s interviewing people who attend their university. The picture is offensively intrusive, ridiculously dated, and based on a flawed concept–an inept assault on the online privacy of its characters. […]

The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)

Dec 12, 2008 by Mr. Nau David Hurst (Campbell Scott) is a quiet, serious dentist who shares an office with his wife, Dana (Hope Davis). He suspects her of having an affair, which erodes his mental stability. This character-driven drama is effective, although sleepy, with a solid script and decent casting from the B List. […]

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