Legends of the Guardians (2010)

Jan 31, 2011 by Mr. Nau In this animated feature, a group of young owlets are captured by a sinister group of slave-holding owls, mentored by an old slave owl, and seek out a group of the heroic Guardians of Ga’hoole. This feel-good story, mainly aimed at children, delivers lessons in perseverance against oppression. Grade: […]

New Amsterdam (2008)

Jan 27, 2011 by Mr. Nau John Amsterdam is an immortal NYPD detective, who gained immortality after rescuing a Native American girl from his fellow Dutch soldiers in 1642. He uses his intimate centuries-long knowledge of New York City to solve crimes while trying to find true love. This eight-episode series is worth watching. Grade: […]

Edward J Larson – A Magnificent Catastrophe (2008)

Jan 24, 2011 by Mr. Nau Edward J. Larson examines the election of 1800 in deep detail in this engrossing history. The minute battles between John Adams’ Federalists and Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans are covered. This is a fascinating look into the early history of the United States and Larson writes the story in approachable style. […]

2012 (2009)

Jan 20, 2011 by Mr. Nau This picture is the result of what happens when special effects professionals decide to make a movie without the input of a single writer. John Cusack stars in this orgy of stupidity in which he’s trying to escape death as the filmmakers use lots of explosives to destroy the […]

The Walking Dead, Season 1 (2010)

Jan 19, 2011 by Mr. Nau This amazingly well-done AMC original series follows Deputy Rick Grimes as he wakes from a coma, finds the world ravaged by zombies, and goes to find his family. This engrossing series, adapted from a comic book series, features a very talented cast, incredibly scary monsters, and a believable plot. […]

Cavite (2005)

Jan 17, 2011 by Mr. Nau In this forgettable low-budget thriller, Filipino expatriate Adam is informed by phone that his mother and sister will be killed if he doesn’t obey the captor on the other end of the phone, who seems to see and hear everything. We follow the desperate man through filthy squatter camps. […]

Duck Season (2004)

Jan 06, 2011 by Mr. Nau Two best friends settle in for a lazy unsupervised Sunday of video games. They order, but refuse to pay for, pizza, and are invaded by the neighbor girl, who likes to bake. This charming character study delivers many endearing moments under the unbearable weight of boredom due to power […]

Empire Falls (2005)

Jan 04, 2011 by Mr. Nau Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Russo, this adaptation for television includes a cast completely full of Oscar winners. The author’s screenplay is wonderful and the acting performances are absolutely unforgettable. Ed Harris, as Miles Roby, steals the show as a small diner manager in rural Maine. […]