Role Models (2008)

Sep 06, 2010 by Mr. Nau Two friends, played by Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd, choose to mentor two teenagers in order to avoid jail in this buddy comedy. Witty writing, an ironic supporting cast, and ridiculous villains, including the ball-busting Sweeny and goofy King Argotron, make this low-brow comedy a good time. Grade: […]

Kinky Boots (2005)

Sep 02, 2010 by Mr. Nau In rural northern England, Charlie Price tries to save his family’s shoe factory. He meets a tall drag performer and becomes inspired to try to craft a line of boots that support heavier wearers. This unusual friendship comedy features tongue-in-cheek comedy, an offbeat story, and wonderful musical performances. Grade: […]

Notes on a Scandal (2006)

Aug 26, 2010 by Mr. Nau Barbara Covett is an aging high school teacher, played by Judi Dench, whose friendship with a much younger teacher, Sheba (Cate Blanchett), leaves her torn between Sheba and the teenage boy that Sheba is having an affair with. This wonderful Oscar-nominated picture is a painful, but superbly written, drama. […]

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Aug 25, 2010 by Mr. Nau John Cusack leads a hilarious cast in this buddy picture. Three thirty-somethings and a much younger nephew of one of them travel to their old party resort and find themselves transported back to 1986. Side-splitting antics take place and, while the humor is crude, the story is endearing. Grade: […]

The Inglorious Bastards (1978)

Aug 24, 2010 by Mr. Nau In this World War II comedy full of exciting action sequences and hilarious hijinks, four American soldiers are on their way to the stockade for various crimes when a German attack frees them. While trying to escape, they’re pressed reluctantly into service on a critical mission by a strange […]

Avatar (2009)

Aug 23, 2010 by Mr. Nau James Cameron wrote and directed this science-fiction action-adventure spectacular about a paraplegic Marine sent to infiltrate an alien civilization on a mineral-rich planet. The thoroughly engaging story is enhanced by the some of the most astonishing visual effects and engrossing world-building in the history of cinema. Grade: A+. IMDB: […]

Holy Smoke (1999)

Aug 16, 2010 by Mr. Nau Harvey Keitel and Kate Winslet star in this ridiculous drama about a cult deprogrammer who accepts a contract to break a young woman away from a spiritual guru. Aside from obviously gratuitous nudity with which Winslet’s Ruth tests her sexual power against PJ (Keitel), there’s no reason to rent […]

The Ballad of the Sad Café (1991)

Aug 16, 2010 by Mr. Nau In this screen adaptation of the Carson McCullers novella, Vanessa Redgrave plays Miss Amelia, a destitute shopkeeper in rural Georgia, whose hunchbacked cousin and ex-husband both suddenly appear in her life. This cacophonous picture is steeped in Southern music and culture, but mostly comes off as a goofy mess. […]

The Station Agent (2003)

Aug 13, 2010 by Mr. Nau Peter Dinklage delivers an unforgettable performance as Finbar, a quiet dwarf who inherits an abandoned railroad station house after the death of his employer. He encounters a group of interesting characters in rural New Jersey, with whom he reluctantly becomes friends. The script is superb and explores friendship and […]

The Good German (2006)

Aug 11, 2010 by Mr. Nau George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, and Tobey Maguire star in this Oscar-nominated drama set in Germany immediately after World War II about a journalist investigating the suspicious death of his driver. This period piece was shot using techiques available in the 40s and has a gorgeous old ambience to it. […]

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