Minority Report (2002)

Oct 31, 2009 by Mr. Nau Tom Cruise plays John Anderton, a precrime division detective in 2054 Washington in this science fiction thriller, based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. His job is to stop murders moments before they happen. This action picture is full of intrigue, amazing special effects, and solid acting […]

2046 (2004)

Oct 29, 2009 by Mr. Nau In this stunningly realized Hong Kong fantasy, a writer interweaves his past with an imagined future, involving three beautiful women with whom he has romantic relationships. This cinematic masterpiece is gorgeous, with beautiful settings, a phenomenal screenplay, imaginative use of color to distinguish themes, and unforgettable interplay between the […]

SherryBaby (2006)

Oct 27, 2009 by Mr. Nau Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in this Golden Globe-nominated drama about a single mother trying to put her life back together and reestablish her relationship with her daughter after a three-year prison sentence. Gyllenhaal ably plays the dysfunctional woman in a picture full of addiction, relapse, bad choices, and temptation. Grade: […]

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Oct 22, 2009 by Mr. Nau Russell Crowe is Captain “Lucky” Jack Aubrey in this naval adventure based on Patrick O’Brian’s novels. His ship, the Surprise, is chasing a French privateer around South America during the Napoleonic Wars. This huge picture with eye-popping naval battles and briny realism delivers a glimpse of life at sea. […]

Beat Street (1984)

Oct 21, 2009 by Mr. Nau Rae Dawn Chong stars in this old school hip-hop movie about a classically-trained dancer who discovers a subculture of breakdancers, DJs, and graffiti artists in the Bronx. The story line and the costumes are horribly dated 25 years later, but the genre’s musical pioneers perform a classic soundtrack. Grade: […]

Before the Rain (1994)

Oct 20, 2009 by Mr. Nau Aleksander, a refugee from Macedonia who becomes a respected photojournalist in London, returns home during the Bosnian war in this independent war film. Three sets of characters, including a silent young Orthodox monk, an Albanian girl who hides with him, and Aleksander’s friends and family bring the conflict to […]

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)

Oct 19, 2009 by Mr. Nau Jessica, frustrated with the parade of bad dates, reluctantly responds to a personal ad posted by Helen, who is looking for a girlfriend. The two of them start an unlikely relationship that runs from blissful to bored to tumultuous. This endearing picture has a lovely script and a poignant […]

Together (2000)

Oct 15, 2009 by Mr. Nau Elisabeth, a woman in an abusive marriage, takes her children to live with her brother, Göran, who lives in a commune filled with a variety of radicals and counter-culture activists. This fish-out-of-water comedy set in Sweden in 1975 explores friendship, politics, compromise, and building unlikely community. Grade: B. IMDB: […]

In Bruges (2008)

Oct 14, 2009 by Mr. Nau Two hit men are sent to Bruges, Belgium, to lay low after a botched hit in this dark comedy starring Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes, and Brendan Gleeson. With a tight script, a revealing dark story line, and wonderfully nuanced acting performances, this little gem thrives against an unusual, gorgeous […]

The Return of the King (2003)

Oct 12, 2009 by Mr. Nau The conclusion of Peter Jackson’s staggering adaptation of the masterpiece JRR Tolkien trilogy continues with the vast scale, astonishing battle sequences, intricate story, phenomenal acting, and inspiring heroes of the previous two installments. The final battle for Middle Earth between humanity and the armies of Sauron is thrilling and […]

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