Dave Millet

I can't remember the last time I was so surprised by a film. As someone who has never invested in Jane Austen's book, and never really wanted to, I was expecting a long and tedious movie that would force me to sleep within moments. But thank the Lord it proved to be a much different experience than I had anticipated, and I'm not ashamed to say it's one of the best romances I've seen. One thing I loved about this story is that it's not too heavy-handed. It's not a full-blown comedy, but there are small shades of humor and a certain lightness that give the film a little more spark, without abandoning one of the central issues of humanity during that period. For me, however, it was the central performances that really took this story to another level. Keira Knightley is absolutely luminous as Elizabeth, bringing wit, humor, and genuine humanity to one of Austen's most beloved characters. She is equated by a pitch-perfect turn from Matthew MacFadyen as the quiet and somewhat stern Darcy, and their chemistry is impeccable. From a technical standpoint, this is a work of art, from the rich cinematography, the sets and costume designs, and that beautifuly low-key soundtrack which adds just the right amount of emotion to the film without becoming bombastic and sappy. Overall, this is a journey I have no regrets becoming part of, and I can see why it's taken its place among the greatest literary works of all time.

With a third TRON movie on the way (TRON: ARES) I decided it was time to revisit that universe again. The original TRON has been a favorite for many moviegoers, with its extraordinary visuals that, although somewhat dated, created a unique and exciting experience. It was followed by the 2010 sequel, TRON: LEGACY, and after not having watched it in a very long time, it holds up surprisingly well; it's every bit as exciting as I remember. One of the film's biggest criticisms lies in the story, and I can see why. It does feel like a fusion of similar storylines we've seen before that were a bit more effective, and it doesn't break any new ground. As far as characters go, they may not be entirely original, but I found them easy to latch onto and root for. While Garrett Hedlund is a solid hero as Sam Flynn, and Michael Sheen is spectacular as club owner, Zeus, it was Olivia Wilde who gave the film a stronger emotional pulse. As Quorra, she brings a delightful, childlike charm as a character looking to escape the world she's been trapped in for so long, and to experience the wonders of what lies beyond in the real world. She's also someone not to be taken lightly when it comes to fighting and a very intelligent being, which made her even more exciting to watch. As for the return of Jeff Bridges, part of me wishes they would have done a little more with him, but he proves to be a crucial element that helps Sam find his way out, and the two of them actually do click. It was fun to see him return. I don't need to say much about Daft Punk's Grammy nominated soundtrack (which I still listen to) that hasn't already been said. All I can say is that it provides a hypnotic spark that takes TRON: LEGACY to a much higher level. However, TRON: LEGACY is a mostly visual experience - and still one of the best-looking films I've seen. The moment Sam (Garrett Hedlund) enters "The Grid," the movie pulls us into a mind-blowing world that feels unique and every bit as beautiful to look at. Visually it only uses certain colors, with that stunning "glowing" blue dominating the film, it's a very detailed universe that carries some powerful and creative action sequences that not only echo the original TRON, but truly expands upon those effects in the best possible way. Overall, despite its shortcomings in plot and not quite as much depth as there could have been, TRON: LEGACY is a thrilling follow-up to the 1979 film that I can say I'm proud to have in my collection, and one that will be easy to revisit more in the future.

Here's a simple question: did we really need a sequel to that legendary film? I think we all know the answer to that. It's likely everyone involved in this production knew they had a VERY tough act to follow in many respects, so I can't help but imagine their thoughts and their expectations going into this world. And as a fan of musicals, my own expectations were somewhat low, to say the least. However, what could've easily been a dull, lifeless "cash grab" turned out to be a genuinely loving and impassioned tribute to a timeless classic, retaining much of that film's visual and musical energy that truly surprised me. The songs were surprisingly infectious and the incorporation of animation into a live-action world was every bit as creative and effective as its predecessor. While the entire cast was perfect from top to bottom, it's Emily Blunt who truly wears the crown, honoring Julie Andrews' legendary performance without feeling like a copycat. She manages to be simultaneously playful and stern, and her spectacular vocals are absolutely luminous. My only complaint here is that the movie does tend to walk the line between remake and original, occasionally relying a bit too much on the charm of the original film. But that's a small issue that, in the end, doesn't really hurt the film too much. Overall, MARY POPPINS RETURNS proved to be a surprisingly solid follow-up that feels like it was made with genuine love, respect and technical skill. Unnecessary, perhaps, but it paid off beautifully in the end.

(Another somewhat lengthy review - just can't help myself sometimes.😉) This movie is a vivid reminder that we never really lose touch with our childhood; in many ways, we can always stay connected to those experiences, whether it's through movies, gaming, sports, whatever enthralled you as a kid. No matter how many times I watch this, I feel like a five-year-old again, and it's something that, even now, not many films have been able to do with this much passion and creativity. Aside from remaining one of the best ideas for a holiday movie, it's a perfect fusion of tone: from the dark, menacing qualities of Halloweentown, to the joyous glow of Christmastown, there's a charming thread that connects both worlds seamlessly. The stop-motion animation may not be quite as detailed as it is today, but I think that's part of the movie's charm. The characters are another one the film's greatest assets. Jack Skellington might be one of the most likeable animated characters the movies have blessed us with, and Sally being an equally charming and likeable character as Jack's friend who suspects his ideas might lead him into danger. Then, of course, we have Danny Elfman's music, a brilliant array of styles, turning this into one of the best cinematic musicals out there with his infectious songs - and his stunningly impassioned vocals. I really have nothing to complain about THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. It's just a fun, often spooky, and a funny and lively film that truly deserves to stand among Hollywood's brightest achievements.

So I had the chance to sit down and watch E.T. again after God knows how long. Lately, I've been revisiting some older movies (mostly from the early 80's) and I finally landed on this one. Needless to say, E.T. hasn't lost a single grain of its power, and it's a vivid reminder that the landscapes of storytelling are truly boundless. Truth be told, I don't have anything to complain about here. Everything works: the story, the cast, the visuals, it all converges beautifully and seamlessly into a film that's both entertaining and emotionally rich. Director Steven Spielberg's known for creating some of the most exciting blockbusters in Hollywood history, and with good reason. He creates stories that can truly appeal to all of us - whether we're 7 or 77 years old. With this 1982 classic, he did exactly that, and it's been praised not only as being among Spielberg's most endearing and powerful works, but also as a timeless addition to science fiction (the image of Elliott's silhouette flying across a very large and beautiful moon remains one of the most exciting and beautiful images the movies have blessed us with). Spielberg and co-writer Melissa Mathison bring tremendous emotional power, humor, and stunning technical elements to what could have been a "by-the-numbers" or "sappy" children's film. But it turned out to be much more than that, and as a 45-year-old, I proudly hold this in my all-time favorites list.

"War changes people something terrible." - Domnhall Gleeson as Starbroad Thewes This is one of those movies that I really don't have much to complain about. It's just a well-crafted piece of filmmaking all around, visually beautiful and emotionally engaging with dimensional characters that make the 2.5 hour journey more than worth it. One of the movie's greatest assets lies in its depiction not only of the brutal challenges of war, but in the way it changes people. The filmmakers really did a great job of giving these ideas genuine resonance without making this a completely depressing story. In fact, there's quite a bit of humor in COLD MOUNTAIN, much of it courtesy of Renee Zellweger's award-winning performance as Ruby, the spunky hands-on, no-nonsense young woman who helps Nicole Kidman's character, Ada, learn to survive through an excruciating time. Another major accomplishment comes from the fact that, despite Nicole Kidman and Jude Law's characters having so little time together onscreen, there's a genuine chemistry between the characters that makes their story surprisingly poignant. Overall, COLD MOUNTAIN works on more than one level: a gripping love story, an intense portrayal of war, and a deep and powerful testament to faith, hope, and friendship that never comes across as "preachy" or "sugar-coated." (And I'm not much of a reader, but part of me is tempted to plunge into the book on which this is based.)

A creative assault on the eyes, the mind, and surprisingly, the heart that can be a bit overwhelming visually, but it gives us characters that I found easy to identify with, along with some eye-popping action, comedy that absolutely sparkles, and an emotional core that truly surprised me. I'll admit that there were moments that were quite confusing, but thankfully, as the movie progressed, I was able to keep up a bit more, and boy, it was worth the ride. Just don't expect complete clarity in this adventure. The film took home seven Academy Awards - including Best Picture and Best Director - with three of those awards for acting, and mark my words, those praises were well-deserved. This cast is absolutely sensational, and amidst the frantic, almost dreamlike shifts from one reality to the next, they give the movie its greatest asset: an emotional and truly resonant core. Michelle Yeoh was finally given the leading role she's deserved for so long, and it's easily her greatest screen performance yet. She makes Evelyn a truly identifiable character, allowing us to feel the chaos and frustration of the world, and the pain of disconnection from those we love. She is given equally compelling support by Ke Huy Quan as Evelyn's soon-to-be ex-husband, and his endearing presence could not have been more perfect. As Evelyn's daughter, Joy, Stephanie Hsu provides the film a strong emotional pulse, and her relationship with her mother is captured in a poignant way. Finally, we have Jamie Lee Curtis in what is easily one of the best moments of her career thus far as Deidre, bringing both humor and heart to what could've been a one-sided role. She's an absolute blast to watch here, and I honestly can't wait to see what the future holds for her. It's always refreshing to see filmmakers take chances like this, and the Daniels have truly gone far above and far beyond to give this to the world. (Note: I'm still not sure if I'll be able to eat hot dogs or bagels again!😂)

The first film was a charming and endearing piece of fantasy filmmaking that has, over time, been embraced with love by audiences and critics, and it ultimately became a staple in the genre. The characters were appealing in that they were easy to like, the visuals felt unique and immersive (they're a bit dated now, but that's not really issue, thankfully) and the story, based on Michael Ende's novel, managed to pull you in with surprising ease. It's still considered a fantasy classic, and one that I, like many others, hold very dearly. Unfortunately, the 1990 sequel, while far from the worst movie I've seen, completely abandons everything that made its predecessor so fun to watch. For starters, the completely new cast didn't come close to matching the charm of the first movie's ensemble. I can't blame the actors here completely - Clarissa Burt as Xayide had a certain over-the-top yet seductive presence that I did enjoy - but aside from her , the rest were completely miscast and ultimately, completely hollow and much less likeable. Secondly, many of the visuals here have been dumbed down to the point where you felt like you were watching a play designed by young children beginning to explore their own imaginations - none of it was inspiring or convincing, and although there were a few sparks of creativity (the "Tri-Face" creature actually surprised me) and a few nice nods to the first film, but those moments are very few and VERY far between. I won't go so far to call THE NEVERENDING STORY 2 a complete trainwreck, but it's definitely a very disappointing movie that absolutely pales to the classic that came before.

A powerhouse lead performance from Natalie Portman guides this dark and delightfully strange psychological thriller/horror film that's hard to categorize into one specific genre, and watching it again recently, the film has lost none of its powerful sting. As a fan of director Darren Aronofsky's previous movies, BLACK SWAN takes a very different and anxiety-driven approach to the world of ballet, with the lead character's mental and emotional decline (if that's the proper word) being a genuinely terrifying experience. The line between reality and nightmare is often blurry which, for me, is really what made this such an exciting experience: you don't know who or what situation to trust. As the film progresses, the tension squeezes you tighter and tighter as Nina begins to let go of her innocence that proved to be something of an obstacle for her (I still find myself wanting to cheer for Nina when she finally takes the spotlight in that twisted final act). The film also carries one hell of a cast. Not much needs to be said about Natalie Portman that hasn't already been said, but needless to say, that Academy Award for Best Actress was beyond well-deserved, with her making Nina's transformation fascinating, scary, and completely believable. She's also got terrific support from a pitch-perfect Mila Kunis as the sexy and charismatic Lily who tries to help Nina break down the walls of fear; a captivating Vincent Cassel as Nina's somewhat mysterious director, and even a brief but heartbreaking turn from Winona Ryder as a well-known ballerina who has been forced out of the spotlight, refusing to believe that her days of glory have all but vanished. The bottom line is that if you're looking for a movie with complete clarity, as well as blood and guts, you're in the wrong place. It's definitely NOT for everyone. However, if you want something to truly mess with your mind, bury itself under your skin, and make every hair on your arms stand straight up, then you should give BLACK SWAN a shot if you haven't already watched it.

I was hesitant to give 9-1-1 a try when it first began, mostly for the fact that it didn't look like anything we haven't seen before. After the first season ended, however, I was really shocked by what I had seen. It was an addictively fun show: the characters were all engaging and likeable, with each having their own interesting stories and personalities; the humor was surprisingly sharp (the delightfully absurd scenarios the 118 find themselves in always put a smile on my face) and the action was genuinely exciting and well-staged. Needless to say, I have no regrets jumping on board to this show. Whether or not the transfer to ABC paid off, I'll have to continue to follow it as the season progresses, obviously. That gargantuan three-episode opener, however, had everything I love about 9-1-1, so naturally, like many others out there, I'm pretty excited to see where it goes. I'm not that much of a TV person (only two or three on my list) but It's nice to be truly hooked on television again.