Blow (released 2001)

“Blow” (cocaine) is about drug dealer George Jung who made a fortune peddling Columbian cocaine in the 1970's. Nice shots of Columbia and California. Fine acting by versatile Johnny Depp. Ray Liotta excels as the sympathetic father. Penelope Cruz plays a sexy Columbian socialite who marrys Jung. It was fun to watch this movie and but I knew it would end with our hero in jail.

The Abyss

"The Abyss" is an older (1989) high budget science fiction film of deep sea close encounters. The dramatic misadventures of an undersea oil rig attempting to rescue a crashed nuclear submarine meet unexpected aid from underwater aliens! Stars Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio bring realism and romance to this far-fetched scenario. Michael Biehn plays the psycho Navy Seal who threatens to blow everybody to pieces. 2 and a half hours of non-stop action entertainment, and a very happy 1950's like ending.

The Hunted

The Hunted is an action drama flick with the simple plot of Special Forces Teacher (Tommy Lee Jones) having to track down his star pupil (Benicio Del Toro) to keep him from killing civilians. It is well acted and beautifully photographed using scenes from the Pacific Northwest. Both actors are charismatic macho megamen. Entertaining, but predictable.

SPIDER MAN 2 better than 1

Not my favorite genre but great graphics, a quickly evolving story line, fun dialog, and great acting on behalf of the villain (Alfred Molina - with 4 mechanical arms out of his back) made this worth watching! Tobey Maguire (Spidey) and Kirsten Dunst (the girl) created some sparky romance as well. Hero-villain fight scenes were moving. Two hours of good fun.

Warm Springs

Beyond documentary is this intensely captivating drama of Franklin D. Roosevelt's midlife struggle with polio and depression. A great look at how severe illness and tragedy forge sensitivity, strength, and character into the former and incredibly popular US president Franklin D Roosevelt. Actor Kenneth Branagh sheds all Englishness and BECOMES a very real FDR. He makes this movie work! Though the story covers less than a decade of FDR's life, it surely is the most crucial time of his life. Recommended.

A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT

This was a VERY LONG movie for me. I suspect French films just move more slowly. Of course I enjoyed the lovely Audrey Tautou with her large eyes, delicate face, and movements so feminine. But the plot of this movie - more than 2 hours over battlefields and innumerable interviews looking for what we think is probably a dead man... I found myself losing hope. Were it not for our star's face and the French environments so artistically photographed, I could not have made it through this movie. Genius is a subjective thing.