There was once a time when James Bond movies meant great story, impressive stunts, gorgeous women, and meeeeean baddies. Lately, however, it seems that when a Bond movie comes out, it's "just another action movie". Sadly, the same is true with the latest installment. Don't get me wrong -- it still has its stunts, women, and baddies. It's just that action movies have (with the help of movies like The Rock, Face/Off, and Con Air) begun to be more than just blowing stuff up. The Bond franchise seems to be struggling to stay on top of the competition.

The basic story: A man who happens to be a friend of M is killed at MI6 headquarters, and M (Judi Dench) takes it personally. Bond is on the case to protect the deceased man's daughter, who is continuing his work of building a new oil pipeline in the former Soviet Union. Stuff happens, things blow up, M is kidnapped, and Bond has to save the day.

I like the gadgets -- I always have. The sessions with Q always crack me up (and John Cleese as Q's apprentice R was just hilarious)! However, this movie just didn't have enough gadgets to be tested. Also, I think they went a little overboard on the puns -- even *I* was groaning in a bad way. I do admit, though, that the closing pun (at the end of the movie) was just GREAT!

Pierce Brosnan was born to play Bond -- I've thought so since before "Remington Steele" was taken off the air. So suave and sophisticated, I viewed Steele as a Bond-like character. Denise Richards joins the ranks of "Bond Babes" as Doctor Christmas Jones ("And no jokes -- I've heard them all." "Sorry, I don't know any doctor jokes.") She's good, but didn't seem to have much to do except serve as a distraction. I'm used to the female leads taking charge and kicking some butt! And, as usual, the stunts and explosions are larger than life. Physics aside, most of them made me say "wow".

The villain -- Renard (The Full Monty's Robert Carlyle), an evil terrorist who's "already dead" (MI6 attempted to assassinate him several years earlier and only managed to lodge a bullet in his brain. The bullet has shifted several times, cutting off some of his senses -- he can't feel pain, for example -- and will eventually kill him). I think he should have been more frightening than he was -- after all, a man who can feel no pain would be difficult to hurt -- but nothing was done with him until the climax of the movie. I was more scared of Robert Davi in License to Kill, and HE was just a drug dealer. He could have been better used, I think.

Here's the bottom line: Not as good as Goldeneye, but better than Tomorrow Never Dies (all in this reviewer's humble opinion) -- if you like Bond, you'll like this movie.

This movie is rated PG-13 for violence, some sexuality and innuendo.

SCORE: 8 The question that MGM must ask itself: Is Bond outdated? For action purposes (the main part of the movie, really), I'd have to say no... As for the womanizing aspect of the character -- Will we next see The Spy who Gave me HIV? Return to top

What drew me to this video was the picture of Rosie O'Donnell as a nun. What captivated me while watching it was the little boy. Joseph Cross makes a powerful debut as Joshua Beal, a young Catholic-school attendee who decides to search for God to make sure his recently-deceased grandfather (Robert Loggia) is being cared for. And that's all this movie is about.

Told both in "real time" and in flashbacks, the film chronicles Josh's search and explains his close relationship with his grandfather in terms we can all relate to. And to tie it all up, the conclusion gives us a report -- literally -- on what Josh discovered along the way.

O'Donnell (the initial draw) plays a surprisingly small role, as does Camryn Manheim of TV's The Practice. They are both excellent in their respective roles -- O'Donnell is a sports-fanatic nun, which was some interesting comic relief. Denis Leary and Dana Delany are Josh's parents. Not bad, but their performances don't really stand out. The ones that do are, surprisingly, the children -- especially Cross. He and Timothy Reifsnyder (Josh's best friend Dave O'Hara) have a good on-screen rapport.

Joseph Cross glows on screen. To look at him, you'd think he was just another "cute face", dimples and all... But you know what? He's not. He pours his all into the role, and it shows.

Forgive the choppiness of this review, but Wide Awake kind of caught me napping. I honestly wasn't ready for what this movie truly is: a warm-hearted tale of grieving, and a piercing look into the heart of a 10-year-old child. A touching story, a sympathetic character, and a movie that will make you think, if only for a little while.

Wide Awake is rated PG for small amounts of language.

SCORE: 9 An inspiring movie that snuck up on me, I hope you don't pass up this very nicely done, low-key drama. The talented Joseph Cross will be one to watch for in the future. Highly Recommended! Return to top

In the first few minutes of this movie, we're introduced to Chris (Robin Williams), his wife (Annabella Sciorra), and his two kids, who are soon killed in a car accident. Four years later (still in the first few minutes of the film), Chris himself is killed in another car accident and goes to heaven with the help of guide Cuba Gooding Jr.

And then it gets weird.

I have to admit, I had very high hopes for this movie. From the first time I saw the trailers, I thought, "Oh, a good cry movie.. I like those." I even made sure to bring in some extra napkins from the concession stand for the occasion. I wanted to cry. I wanted to feel for the characters who will have endured so much to be together again by the end of the movie...

But it just didn't happen for me. I don't know just what it was, but I just couldn't bring myself to feel enough for Chris to shed a tear.

This is not to say the movie was a failure. Quite the opposite. The visuals alone are worth the price of admission! Rich in color and texture, with elaborate set design, this movie is a definite treat for the eyes, as well as for the thinking members among us. Art buffs will be especially dazzled, as (according to an art-loving friend of mine) the film uses some relatively famous pieces. I smell Oscar for the production designer (if there is such a category -- for a flickguy, I sure know little about the awards, eh?)!

Story-wise, it's also excellent, taking snippets from his life and relating them to what's going on in his death. It's paced well, though it does take a few dips into obscurity. You have to stay awake to catch some of the nuances. It was some of the writing that made me come close to tears late in the movie, as a key moment in his life contained the answer to his wife-in-hell dilemma.

But what about the performances? You'd think that a movie of this emotional content would depend heavily on how convincing the actors are. I think you're right. Williams and Sciorra are a "good" on-screen couple, emoting love without having to be "steamy", although (and here's one of the no-cry reasons, I think) what they showed of his life with her didn't exactly convey the massive love he professed in heaven. Sciorra, likewise, bellows and wails at the loss of her dearly departed "Christy", but again, I wasn't sure how he was the glue that had held her together after their children passed.

Despite these grievances, though, I do see Acadamy Award nominations looming (especially for Annabella, whom I've adored ever since The Cure.)

Bottom line: It tried too hard to be a tear jerker, and (in my case) only managed to coax a warm fuzzy feeling. Still, it was a good view.

This movie is rated PG-13 for language and "thematic elements".

SCORE: 8 I know my review seemed overall negative, but I really did like it. I had just wanted so much more than I was given. Great actors, marvellous story, and rich and gorgeous set design combined to give the audience a sensory tidal wave, although the empathy I wanted to feel was heavily lacking. Overall, a fantastic escape from reality. Recommended! Return to top