There are no words for how offensive and appalling The Legend of the Titanic is. It’s astonishing how the filmmakers twist the tragic story of the Titanic and make it about whale hunting; with an oil tycoon intentionally sinking the ship (with the help of a gang of sharks) in order to kill his would be father-in-law to get whaling rights. The level of crazy is so dialed up, with talking mice, magic dolphins, and a giant octopus, that it boggles the mind. The film is just incomprehensible, and what’s more, the animation is garbage. Defiling the memory of one of the most tragic events of the 20th century, The Legend of the Titanic is an abomination.
“Party time! It’s party time! Everybody’s feelin’ fine ‘cause it’s party time!” Titanic: The Legend Goes On… is a mildly inappropriate and poorly made animated film that tells a Cinderella story aboard the ill-fated luxury liner. When a young orphaned girl named Angelica meets a rich and handsome young man named William, the two fall in love while traveling on the Titanic; meanwhile an elderly dowager works with a pair of bumbling thieves to rob first class passengers. The animation is substandard, with rather generic and cartoonish looking character designs. And the script is incredibly weak, doing very little character building and leaving tons of loose plot threads. At times it kind of works and is fun to laugh at (there’s a rapping dog for goodness’ sake), but Titanic: The Legend Goes On… is just too much of a mess.
Based on the Clive Cussler best-selling novel, Raise the Titanic is an exciting Cold War thriller. While tracking down a shipment of a rare mineral with military potential, retired Navy captain Dirk Pitt discovers that it was lost in the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, leading him to propose the impossible…Raise the Titanic. It’s a fairly interesting story that’s full of mystery and intrigue; especially given that this fictional account of Titanic’s discover and raising was written before the real-life discovery in 1985. Additionally, the model work and set designs are rather impressive, as is the film’s score. Raise the Titanic is a little contrived at times, but it’s also a fun piece of pulp fiction.
A Night to Remember recounts the tragic tale of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic on its maiden voyage after it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Based on Walter Lord’s bestselling book, the film follows various Titanic passengers and crew throughout the sinking, along with the rescue efforts (or lack thereof) of the Californian and Carpathia. This is simultaneously the film’s greatest strength and weakness; as it allows for an expansive overview of events, but also makes it difficult to get to know individual characters. The model work and special effects are pretty good (for the time), and give a real sense of scope to the tragedy. However, the score is rather bland and doesn’t have much emotional resonance to it. Still, while A Night to Remember has some weaknesses, it delivers a compelling depiction of one of the greatest maritime disasters in history.
From Twentieth Century-Fox comes Titanic, the first major motion picture about the Titanic disaster. The story follows a society couple that attempts to reconcile their estranged marriage on the maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic. Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck both give strong performances and have tremendous screen presence. Additionally, the writing (which won an Academy Award) is quite compelling. However, the film glosses over a lot of the actual people and events of the real sinking. Yet despite the lack of historical accuracy, Titanic is an especially well-made film that’s dramatic and exciting.
The Nazi propaganda film Titanic is incredibly bizarre yet imminently fascinating. Aside from a few names, the ship, and the iceberg, there’s no resemblance to the real people and events. In this version greedy president of the White Star Line Bruce Ismay pushes the Titanic’s speed in order to set a new world record in hopes of raising the company’s stock price and winning a prestigious Blue Riband; meanwhile the ship's only German officer, Petersen, attempts to warn passengers and crew that an impending disaster awaits if the ship isn’t slowed down before they reach the ice fields that lie ahead. The film is appalling on so many levels, yet it’s rather interesting to see how things have been distorted to fit the anti-British narrative. An obscene piece of propaganda, Titanic failed spectacularly (forgotten almost immediately after it was released) and sank into obscurity.
From Paul W.S. Anderson comes the disaster film Pompeii. The story follows a gladiator who’s sent to Pompeii for their games, but when Mount Vesuvius erupts he uses the chaos to break free of his bonds and attempts to rescue the magistrate's daughter, who saved him from execution. The plot is fairly trite, but is functional and provides characters to follow throughout the disaster. Kiefer Sutherland, Emily Browning, Carrie-Anne Moss, and newcomer Kit Harington lead the cast, and their performances are more or less adequate. The action sequences however, are especially good and bring a lot of excitement to the film. The CGI effects are a little overdone, but kind of work for the setting. And, the score is quite effective at accentuating the tone of the scenes. It has some problems, but overall Pompeii is an entertaining adventure.
Director Brett Ratner looks at the man behind the legend in the big-budget action film Hercules. Based on a graphic novel, the story follows the Greek warrior Hercules and his band of mercenaries as they come to the aid of the King of Thrace to help him fight off a warlord. The film features an impressive cast that includes Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, and John Hurt. However, the performances are a little weak; as the characters come off as one-dimensional stereotypes. Still, that’s about par for this type of action film, but is made up for by the exciting fight sequences. And, the score brings a lot of energy to the film. Yet while it has some problems, overall Hercules is a fairly decent sword and sandals style adventure.
From director Renny Harlin comes the trite and formulaic epic The Legend of Hercules. When Hercules is betrayed by his king and sold into slavery, he fights to regain his freedom and leads a rebellion. The casting is quite poor, and the performances are lifeless. Additionally, the special effects are overly produced; as the CGI stands out and looks remarkably fake. And Harlin’s directing makes a bad situation worse through sped up action scenes and freeze framing. The Legend of Hercules is a by the numbers sword-and-sandals film with no passion to it.
Testament: The Story of Moses is a compelling biographical docudrama from Netflix. Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars discuss the story of Moses; from his prophetic birth to his exile in the desert to his calling to free the Hebrews from Pharaoh. Interviews with the scholars are mixed with dramatic recreations and narration. The quality of the acting varies but is pretty good overall, and the production values, costumes, sets, score, etc., are quite well-done. Additionally, the scholars do an impressive job at articulating their points; although it gets a little confusing at times as the Muslim scriptures differ from the Judeo-Christian ones. And unlike other documentaries, the focus is less on historical proofs and more on the intent of the scripture writers in presenting Moses’ story the way that they did. Well-crafted and insightful, Testament: The Story of Moses is a comprehensive look at one of history’s most important religious figures.
From Netflix comes the captivating religious documentary series Mysteries of the Faith. Broken into four parts, several prominent relics of the Catholic Church are discussed, including the Crown of Thorns, the Holy Grail, the Holy Face, and the Holy Cross of Brazil. While there’s some discussion about the authenticity of these objects, the main focus is on the cultural and spiritual meaning that the relics have and the lore that surrounds them. Numerous religious leaders and scholars are interviewed, as well as some of the people who have had moving personal encounters with the relics. However, a couple of the episodes have some awkwardly transitions as they move from topic to topic, and the lore behind some of the relics is rather scant. Yet despite having a few weaknesses, Mysteries of the Faith is a fascinating look at some of the most sacred objects in all of Christendom and the effects that they’ve had on the faithful.
Journey to Bethlehem is a whimsical, lighthearted musical based on the Nativity story. After becoming betrothed to Joseph, Mary is visited by an angel who tells her that she will give birth to the Son of God; meanwhile three magi from the East travel to Judea after witnessing an astrological sign that a new king will be born. Several liberties are takes with the biblical account, such as making Mary a more proactive character and an exploration of the relationship between Pilot and his son. And there are some tonal problems; as bits of comedy are inserted that are rather jarring and don’t fit with the overall dramatic tone. Still, the musical numbers are energetic and fun, and feature some impressive choreography. Presenting a bold new vision of the greatest story ever told, Journey to Bethlehem is an entertaining and uplifting film.
The adventures of the Warrior Nun come to an end in season 2. After their confrontation with Adriel in Rome, the Sisters of the Cruciform Sword go into hiding and secretly gather their strength while Adriel sets himself up as a new god and wins over followers; which threatens to destroy the Catholic Church. Unfortunately the writing isn’t as good as the first season and has some very clear political agendas. Also, the time jump between seasons is rather jarring and a couple characters are rewritten. However, the action scenes are incredibly exciting and intense, and features some impressive special effects. Additionally, the plot does an effective job at building suspense and at setting up twists and reveals. Yet while Season 2 of Warrior Nun is fairly strong, the series had heavily strayed from the original concept and was cancelled by Netflix.
Russell Crowe stars in the supernatural horror film The Pope’s Exorcist. When a young boy becomes possessed while his mother is renovating an old Spanish abbey, Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s chief exorcist, is called in to help and makes a terrifying discovery. While the film claims to be based on Amorth’s memoirs, most of the plot is fictitious and recycles the same old possession tropes; walking on walls, demonic voices, body contortions, etc. However Crowe gives a fun performance as an eccentric priest, and the writers do a good job at building mystery and suspense. Additionally, the score is well-done and enhances the atmospheric tone. The Pope’s Exorcist has some weaknesses, but overall it’s entertaining and delivers some frightening thrills.
From Netflix comes the true-crime documentary The Devil on Trial. The film examines the trail of Arne Johnson, which attempted to put forth a demonic possession defense based on his involvement in a Catholic authorized exorcism and the expert testimonies of demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Several of Johnson’s friends and family members are interviewed, along with others who were involved with the trial; augmented with dramatic recreations and original audio recordings. And while most of the interviewees are of the opinion that something supernatural occurred, there are a few dissenting opinions presented; leaving it to the viewer to decide who to believe. However, the actual murder and trail are fairly mundane, lacking any real shocking twists or revelations. Still, overall The Devil on Trial is an interesting tale regardless of where the truth lies in it all.
Dana Carvey stars in the wacky screwball comedy Clean Slate. The story follows a PI named ML Pogue who, after suffering brain damage, develops a condition that causes him to lose his memory whenever he falls asleep, but as a key witness in a murder trail he can’t let anyone know. Carvey gives a great performance and is backed by a strong supporting cast that includes Valeria Golino, Kevin Pollak, Olivia d’Abo, and James Earl Jones. And the humor is especially well-done, with a lot of fun sketches of Pogue trying to bluff his way through situations. But the plot is rather thin and doesn’t make sense at times. Yet despite its problems, Clean Slate is entertaining and fun of laughs.
A Guy Thing is a mediocre, by-the-numbers romantic comedy. When Paul wakes up next to a strange woman after a wild batcher party, he tries to hide it from his fiancée, but things get complicated when he discovers that the woman is his fiancée’s cousin. Starring Jason Lee, Julia Stiles, and Selma Blair, the film has a solid cast. However, the plot is formulaic as all get-out; making it painfully predictable. And the comedy is incredibly broad, with a lot of low brow humor. Still, some of the jokes work, and Lee and Stiles are charming and do a good job with the comedy. It’s entertaining and delivers some laughs, but A Guy Thing is completely forgettable.
Lucy Hale stars in the raunchy sex comedy A Nice Girl Like You. When her boyfriend breaks up with her for being pornophobic, Lucy makes a list of things to do to get over her sexual inhibitions. Hale gives a fun, charismatic performance, but the writing is weak. There’s really no arc for the character; she does the things on her list, but isn’t shown learning anything or changing her attitudes, nor does she show any reluctance to do the items on her list (which kind of negates the whole pornophobic diagnosis). Still, the awkward situations that Lucy gets in completing her list provides some laughs. Yet while it’s entertaining at times, A Nice Girl Like You is a poorly make film that doesn’t work.
Anna Faris is The House Bunny in this mediocre comedy. When Shelley is kicked out of the Playboy Mansion she finds a new home at the ZETA sorority house, which is in desperate need of help to save their sorority from losing its charter. Faris gives a great comedic performance and is backed by a strong supporting cast that includes Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, and Colin Hanks. However, the plot couldn’t be more formulaic; hitting all the usual tropes and clichés. Still, a lot of the jokes work and the film has a positive message. Yet while it’s entertaining and delivers some laughs, The House Bunny is a rote comedy that’s rather forgettable.
“I’m not a girl, not yet a woman.” Pop star Britney Spears stars in the coming-of-age film Crossroads. The story follows three estranged high school friends who take a cross-country trip together after graduation. Spears gives a pretty good performance (though is a bit miscast as a virginal pre-med valedictorian), and the supporting cast, which includes Zoe Saldana, Taryn Manning, Dan Aykroyd, and Kim Cattrall, give solid performances as well. And the film tackles some surprisingly mature issues, including sexual abuse, teen pregnancy, and parental abandonment. However, there are also a number of useless filler scenes of singing to the car radio again and again and again, and other minutia. Yet while it has some problems, Crossroads is a compelling teen drama that has some interest things to say.
Fresh and exciting, Designated Survivor is a riveting political thriller that delivers an impressive (though a little uneven) first season. When terrorists bomb the Capital during the State of the Union Address, killing the President and Congress, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Thomas Kirkman is thrust into the presidency and must rebuild the government and find those responsible for the attack. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Kal Penn, and Maggie Q, the show features an incredibly strong cast. And, the writers do a good job at addressing the realities of rebuilding the government and at having an inexperienced politician suddenly assume high office. But unfortunately the show changes directions mid-season, replacing the showrunner due to “creative differences,” and becomes more of a left-leaning political drama. Still, the characters are compelling and there’s a fair amount of intrigue to the terrorist hunt (which is reduced almost to a minor subplot in the final third of the season). While it clearly has problems deciding what direction to take the show in, Season 1 of Designated Survivor is entertaining and full of suspense.
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz star in the action comedy Knight and Day. On her way to her sister’s wedding, June Havens has her world turned upside down when she crosses paths with a secret agent. The action’s pretty good and gives the film a lot of energy. The comedy however, is a little overdone; as the clever satire starts to become farcical after a while. Also, there are times when the score undercuts some of the energy of the action scenes. Still, Knight and Day is a fun and entertaining film full of thrills, as well as laughs.
Redeeming Love is a touching and powerful drama based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers. A modernization of the biblical story of Hosea set in the Old West, a farmer, feeling lead by God, rescues a prostitute named Angel from a brothel and marries her, but she finds it hard to leave her life of prostitution behind and to accept the new life being offered to her. Starring Abigail Cowen, Tom Lewis, Eric Dane, and Famke Janssen, the cast is pretty good and deliver strong performances. And director D.J. Caruso does an impressive job as well. Additionally, the film handles the material especially well; without being sexually exploitive or preachy. However, the pacing can be a little slow at times and a couple of the characters are underdeveloped. Yet despite having a few weaknesses, Redeeming Love is a compelling story about love and forgiveness.
Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman star in the hilarious rom-com Keeping the Faith. The story follows two friends, Brian and Jake, who grew up to become a priest and a rabbi in New York City, and reunite with their childhood friend Anna, but their friendships are jeopardized when Jake and Anna begin secretly dating. Stiller, Norton, and Elfman all have great chemistry together and do a good job at handling the witty, sardonic humor. And the film is surprisingly respectful of religion and has a positive message. However, the love story’s rather formulaic, featuring the usual tropes. Keeping the Faith has a few weaknesses, but overall it’s a fun and entertaining film.
Keri Russell stars in the satirical comedy Austenland. The story follows a young woman obsessed with the works of Jane Austen, who takes a vacation to a retreat in the English countryside where she gets to live out a Jane Austen style adventure. Russell gives a great performance and has good chemistry with her co-stars. Additionally, Jennifer Coolidge and Jane Seymour make for a strong supporting cast. Still, the writing is a little weak and the plot doesn’t always seem like it knows where it’s going. But despite its ups and downs, Austenland is fun and entertaining.
From Ron Howard comes the magical romantic comedy Splash. When Allen Bauer has a chance meeting with a mysterious woman on the beach, she follows him back to New York were the two strike up an unlikely romance; but unbeknownst to him, she’s a mermaid. The casting is brilliant, and includes Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Eugene Levy, and John Candy; who all give strong comedic performances. The storytelling is a little lazy, but the characters are interesting and the comedy is done very well. Full of laughs, Splash is a charming film that’s entertaining and fun.
Nora Ephron bastardizes the classic ‘60s sitcom Bewitched in this modern adaptation. The story follows a witch named Isabell who’s trying to live a normal life without magic, but soon finds herself tempted when she’s cast in a Hollywood studio’s revival of the classic television show Bewitched. Starring Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, and Michael Caine, the cast is pretty good. However, Ephron seems more interested in making a satire about Hollywood than a rom-com; causing a lot of unevenness in the tone and wild shifts in the plot. Still, a lot of the jokes work and the characters are charming and fun. Yet while it’s entertaining, Bewitched is a mess that doesn’t have a clear vision of what it wants to be.
From the Farrelly brothers comes the classic ‘90s comedy There’s Something About Mary. When a therapy session awakens feelings for his old high school girlfriend, Ted decides to track her down but finds that the PI that he hired to find her has fallen for her too. Starring Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, and Chris Elliott, the film has a strong cast that has great chemistry together; delivering a ton of laughs. However, in typical Farrelly brothers style, some of the humor is a bit crass and over-the-top. Still, most of the jokes hit and the soundtrack is lighthearted and fun. There’s Something About Mary has its weak spots, but overall it’s a wildly entertaining film.
Worthy of every bit of its infamous reputation, Gigli is an amazingly bad rom-com. The story follows a low-level mobster who’s tasked with kidnapping the mentally challenged brother of a federal prosecutor, and soon finds himself saddled with a partner when his boss grows concerned about the job he’s doing. Ben Affleck gives a terrible performance, as does Jennifer Lopez. And it’s only made worse by the cameos of Christopher Walken and Al Pacino (who show-up everyone who dares to share the screen with them). However, part of the problem is the writing; as the dialog is horrendous. The tone of the film is also an issue, as there’s a lot of disparate elements that don’t quite fit together. Gigli has a few things going for it, but it just doesn’t work and ends up making a mess of everything.
It Could Happen to You is a delightful romantic comedy that’s inspirational and heartwarming. In this New York fairytale a beat cop promises half of his potential lotto winnings to a waitress in lieu of a tip, but when he wins the money brings about a strange and whimsical journey of ups and downs. Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda are charming together and deliver wonderful performances. Rosie Perez however, is as annoying as all get-out. Also, the plot is a bit formulaic at times, and there are issues with the pacing. Yet while it has its flaws, It Could Happen to You is a lot of fun.
