Movie Reviews - B

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Batman Begins: 5

I avoided this movie when it came out because I was convinced it would suck.  My boyfriend dragged me to see it, and I am happy to report that I was thoroughly, utterly wrong.  This is a gritty Bruce Wayne background piece, delving into his early training with Ra's Al-Ghul, a figure I've always liked.  Michael Caine is perfect and perfectly endearing as Alfred, Gary Oldman is a standup Gordon, Morgan Freeman is a great Lucius Fox, and Cillian Murphy does a very interesting Scarecrow.  Did I mention Liam Neeson gives a diamond of a performance?  Whoever did the casting for the film knew what they were doing.  Katie Holmes' appearance initiates the standard love interest protocol but the script doesn't follow through by forcing the union (or the tragic death of the woman), which is a relief.  When you consider this along with the great gadgets, well-paced fight scenes, and excellent atmosphere, you can see just what a great comic book movie this is.

Bats: 2 (only if you like classic, cheesy horror films)

Battlefield Earth: 1

Why oh why did Travolta push to get this movie made? They stuck him in high-rise, 1970's-knockoff boots, gave him hair extensions and he was the most unscary alien villain that I've ever seen. If I were him, I'd be trying to bury this movie for the rest of my life. I know that I'll be trying to forget it at once.

The Beach: 2 1/2

The scenery was gorgeous. The cast was full of whiny people. The story didn't matter in the long run. I wouldn't have seen it in the theater if I was expecting to pay theater prices for it.

Bedazzled: 3 1/2

This was a cute movie, as Brendan Frasier movies often are. Liz Hurley plays Satan, and Brendan Frasier plays a total loser. The devil offers him various wishes, and misconstrues them in hilarious ways. I thought that Brendan Frasier's coach for the Spanish section was especially good, as his accent was robust. It was a simple, funny movie based on an old theme. Satan's mighty popular for all of the Prince of Darkness thing...

Being John Malkovich: 3 3/4

This is one of the most unique and unpredictable movies I've seen in my life, but it did not leave me behind for long - I was able to wend through the plot as it went on. I cannot count the times I said "What the hell?" let alone how many times I thought the phrase, and you may follow suit when you see it... but I still suggest you see it. This movie is different. This movie is twisted. This movie is oddly, outrageously enjoyable throughout. It really defies summary description, so I suggest you do not read the back of the box or bother with trailers - just watch it.

Beowulf: 3 3/4

I heard a lot about this movie but didn't get to see it in theaters.  One thing I didn't hear or understand beforehand was that it's entirely animated, and that made a big difference for me.  I'd been expecting something like 13th Warrior with some CGI thrown in.  Instead, I was faced with a film that looked like a video game.  I was actually surprised at the difficulty I had connecting with the movie, given the obviously fake blood and not quite human enough CGI faces.  To be fair, the animation was pretty good (if only the Dragonlance movie had been animated thus!) and the actors were top-notch, but I spent a while aloof.  What drew me in was Anthony Hopkins.  He went beyond the rather typical character of the boisterous, lecherous old king and infused the role with some real depth.  Once he had me, I started to appreciate the way the story is set up.  It is very much like a fairy tale and if I had been prepared for the medium, I might have even enjoyed it more.

Bill Cosby: Himself: 5

This film shows Bill Cosby at his finest, doing stand-up that is truly timeless in most respects. I listened to his routines on records as a child but had not seen them; to see him on DVD was a real treat. Bill was just as hilarious as I remembered and he even won over my boyfriend, who hadn't seen or heard the routines before. The thing that really makes you feel the passage of time in a painful way is Bill's jokes about his son Ennis, who was murdered in 1997. The Bill Cosby in this DVD is much younger and has no idea his son will die at the age of 27 - but we knew it, and it caused a pause. Wherever you are, Bill, you've made me laugh my whole life; you have my thanks and my sympathy.

The Blair Witch Project: 3

The people who made the Blair Witch Project have proved to us that hype can be everything. I liked the small feel of the movie. I liked that it had a roughened feel. I got a kick out of the group of characters cussing each other out every five minutes, the way people might if they were lost in the woods. The end of the movie disturbed me and had some sort of spell-like quality about it. I thought they did a great job given what they had, but this does not stand up with the best horror classics.

The Bone Collector: 3 1/2

Bram Stoker's Dracula: 5

I've owned this movie for a long time now and it has never failed to amuse me. I used to stick it in the VCR whenever I was unsure of what to watch. I read Bram Stoker's Dracula and I found this movie version far more interesting. Yes, it varies from the book, but the variations actually enhance your experience. There's blood and sex, love beyond death, fate and more. There's also an amazing cast: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Cary Elwes, all directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The sets are great, the costumes are neat and the mood of the film is unique. A lot of Keanu-haters refused to let themselves enjoy this film, and that's fine - more for me!

Bordello of Blood: 3

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