This week - Shall We Dance! - Ocean's Twelve - The Grudge
Shall We Dance!
Director: Peter Chelsom
It seems that a lot was lost in translation turning a popular Japanese comedy from 1996 into this American version. This is feel-good fluff of the most tedious kind. The narrative is weak and the characters are sad caricatures. Sure, it's a fairytale, but it's an utterly toothless one at that. For a movie that is supposed to be about the passion and power of dance, it certainly isn't very captivating or enjoyable. There is, regrettably, nothing "strictly ballroom" about this movie. The ballroom dancing is boringly unimpressive, the music is largely uninteresting and the director doesn't manage to get much out of his high-profile cast. They all sleepwalk through the movie, unable to create a single joyful spark. More corny than enchanting, this forgettable movie is dreadfully clumsy on its feet. *(Julie Vinten)
John Clark (Richard Gere) leads a very satisfying life. He has a well-paying job that he likes. He's blessed with a lovely, understanding wife (Susan Sarandon) and two adoring kids. Riding home from work John spots a pensive Paulina (Jennifer Lopez) standing at a window. Initially he may have thoughts about having an affair. However, it seems he's merely interested in learning how to dance. It's a simple story of one man's desire to trip the light fantastic. The underlying sweetness of "Shall We Dance" isn't cloying and serves its purpose well. A wonderful supporting cast supplies this movie with heart and soul. Particularly noteworthy are Lisa Ann Walter and Stanley Tucci. Those who say that sunshine brings happiness have never danced in the rain. So, let's dance! *** (Laimons Juris G)
Ocean's Twelve
Director: Steven Soderbergh
If you're expecting another "Ocean's Eleven," you are going to be disappointed. "Ocean's Twelve" is a character comedy which depends on the chemistry and camaraderie between the actors and their witty conversations. But the movie is more "Ocean's Five" than "Ocean's Twelve." Apart from George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the rest of the cast seem surplus. However, there is real energy between the main characters and this is largely what saves the movie from being a redundant mess. The smart-ass filmmakers are too full of themselves to care about storytelling and plot. "Ocean's Twelve" is entertaining and has some good laughs, but overall it definitely seems to have been more fun for the filmmakers than the viewers. **3/4 (Julie Vinten)
In "Ocean's Eleven" the individual personalities of the crooks in the gang were interesting and fun. In this drawn-out sequel there seems to be little, if any, sympathy for the nonsense going on. Not even the usually debonair George Clooney manages to pull this picture out of its doldrums. Ditto with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon or the other talents involved. Only Catherine Zeta-Jones seems serious enough about her part to make you care. On the other hand, Julia Roberts has about as much charm as a crocodile sunbathing on a crowded beach in Florida. Her only major contribution to this tedious movie is to play a character pretending to be Julia Roberts. Can you imagine that? There are plenty of other features worth watching rather than this dreary concoction. ** (Laimons Juris G)
The Grudge
Director: Takashi Shimizu
"The Grudge" is Japanese director Takashi Shimizu's remake of his own Japanese language movie "Ju-on: The Grudge" from 2003. This haunted-house horror-movie comes close to being a shot-to-shot remake of the original, but this is a smoother, Americanized version. For those who have seen the eerie original, there isn't much reason to see this one. Just like the American remake of "Ringu" ("The Ring"), this movie has lost some of the uncanny creepiness that made the original Japanese version special. The new version is still spooky and has a few good shocks in store, though. The acting is also very poor, although the women are rather good at looking scared. There isn't anything exceptional about "The Grudge," but the movie will certainly give you some fine chills - and that's good enough. **3/4 (Julie Vinten)
Japanese director Takashi Shimizu has remade a film he made in 2003. "The Grudge" starts out fine and dandy but disintegrates the instant television pop princess Buffy shows up. However, it's only actress Sara Michelle Gellar, not the well-known vampire slayer she portrays. Too bad, the petite martial arts expert would have jolted this movie into another more significant dimension. Gellar is actually a fine actress, but like all practicing thespians, she needs adequate material to work with. A good plot and a decent story is always a big plus. This reviewer kept waiting for something (anything) to happen, but the humdrum tale plods along aimlessly. Despite some potentially shock-worthy images nothing really scary gets your adrenaline flowing. This picture was made for crass commercial reasons. Who needs it? ** (Laimons Juris G)
***** Excellent. Don't miss it!
**** Very good. See it!
*** Good. It's up to you.
** Average. Nothing special.
* Waste of time. Forget it.
