1/6/07--More movies from my vacation

So I got a chance to watch five more movies.....here's my reviews:

1) Superman Returns:  Well the new guy (Brandon Routh) is always going to be compared to Christopher Reeve, and the good news is....he does a pretty damn good job.  He certainly looks the part and in his biggest role so far, proves himself worthy to "wear the cape".  He's assisted quite ably by Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, chewing up the scenery every chance he gets.  There's also a nice touch as director Bryan Singer throws a couple of cameo roles to former Superman (television version) co-stars
Noel Neill and Jack Larson, plus screen legend Eva Marie Saint has a nice moment as Clark Kent's mother---and of course, even though he's dead, the spectre of Marlon Brando still looms in his original role as Jor-El, father of Superman  (you'll understand when you see the movie).  Overall, I liked it.  Its not Spiderman 2 or Batman Begins, but its pretty good.  ***1/2

2) Pirates of the Caribbean 2--This movie made more money than anyone expected and was an absolute summer blockbuster.  My question is....wasn't there anything else out there at the time?  Don't get me wrong....its a fun movie.  Johnny Depp is having big fun morphing Keith Richard, and Keira Knightley looks stunning but there's nothing happening here that we haven't seen before.  It just all seems like leftover dinner.  ***

3) The Seven-Ups--now here is a terrifically underrated movie from the 70's.  Roy Scheider, truly one of those great actors that seemingly has been forgotten about (hello?
Jaws?  All That Jazz?), is terrific here as an undercover detective in charge of a special squad of police officers (they only go after criminals who are going to face "seven years and up"--get it?).  There's just a terrific, gritty feel to the movie which leads to a real authentic feel.  The movie also costars the legendary Richard Lynch, one of my favorite "bad guy" actors ever....and it has one of the greatest car chases in movie history.  Add all this up.....and what you got is....   ****....terrific stuff.

4) Munich--Very well regarded movie (it was up for best picture) about the murder of the Olympic athletes at the '72 Munich Games and Israel's subsequent search for those responsible.  Its a little long...and generally, I got the feeling that it was moments that were absolutely stunning (the reenactment of the killing of the athletes is very graphic but done incredibly well) followed by moments where there was a lot of talking and some political commentary--perhaps by director Steven Spielberg.  Eric Bana, previously known for absolute crap like "The Incredible Hulk" is very effective here and is assisted very nicely by a largely unknown cast (made up mainly of Israeli's)--with the notable exception of Daniel Craig (the new James Bond) who has somehow been cast as an Israeli.  Sorry Spielberg, that's one bit of casting I ain't buying.  Good movie--***3/4

5) Wolf Creek--don't get me wrong....I like horror movies.  I detailed in a previous column what it was I liked about a seeming slasher film like Saw 2.  Now comes this little item from Australia...and I gotta tell you....after the last two films I've seen about Australia--this one and The Proposition---I don't think I'll be going "down under" anytime real soon.  Wolf Creek does a nice job of setting up a creepy situation, car with three kids breaks down in the middle of no where and the seemingly "nice guy" comes along to help them out...at which point all hell literally breaks loose.  Its supposedly based on a true story.  And while there are some scenes that are good and scary....there are also scenes that are just disturbing.  Nasty torture scenes that the movie could have easily done without--stuff that had to have been thrown in for sheer shock value that could have easily been changed or done without....and they ruined the whole movie for me....because they just weren't necessary.  *1/2

Later,
Jeff