Network (1976)

Ooh. I did like this movie. I was actually expecting one of those critics' favorites that I don't usually like (I'm not deep enough or enough of a movie snob yet to appreciate them or something, heh) but this was a fascinating movie from beginning to end. Even if you didn't buy into the point it was making about media, I think it would still be a really good movie, and one definitely worth watching. Faye Dunaway's character was fascinating as we watched her evolve, only to realize at the end, she's been that way all along. I just didn't notice it most of the way. Good movie. 4 stars.

The Stepford Wives (2004)

This movie was terribly, terribly panned, but it didn't deserve it. It didn't succeed as a new version of the original, but as its own movie it was mostly entertainment and definitely watchable. My main complaint is the ending. It got sillier and sillier with each passing moment and didn't really work. *SPOILERS* Fine, bring all the women back from Stepfordization, but as least give a semiplausible reason why you're doing it. *END SPOILERS* Aside from that, though, a much more enjoyable movie than I anticipated. 3 stars.

Monster House (2006)

I read a review claiming this is the best animated movie in a long time. NOT so. Although the flick has a nice premise and the protagonists are likeable, the explanation of how this all came to be had me scratching my head and going, "Wait... what?" The movie got completely goofed up by an overly complicated plot. (If I didn't understand it, then little kids *probably* won't. Heh.) This is unfortunate because the rest of the movie is fairly entertaining. 3 stars.

Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

If this movie hadn't inexplicably depressed me for the next two hours after I finished the flick, I'd probably be able to rate it more highly. :-) As it is, still a very interesting movie. It was especially interesting seeing it right after Match Point, which shares a lot of the same themes and even a similar plotline. Has a lot of interesting thoughts about morality and God, which I always love hearing people talk about. Also, a really nice end sequence. I've had to work hard not to overuse the word "interesting" in my review here, but that pretty much sums up my reaction to it in a nutshell: Interesting. Didn't captivate me in any way, but it was wonderful watching it play out. So I'm going to give it what appears to be my average movie rating these days: 3.5 stars.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Silly summer action flicks. That being said, this wasn't too bad. I barely remember MI1 and never saw MI2, so I had nothing to really base it on. Lots of explosions that I ended up kind of tuning out, but overall a fairly solid flick, and definitely of more interest to those who enjoy explosions and funky gadgets. 3 stars.

High Society (1956)

Although of course this could never measure up to the brilliance that was Philadelphia Story, it's not at all bad as a remake. It takes a lot of the depth of the original and condenses it, making it less interesting but easier for an evening of mild entertainment. The three leads all do a very good job. Cole Porter's never been my favorite musical theater composer, but the songs here are fun (if entirely forgettable). Overall, not a bad flick, although nothing terribly memorable. 3.5 stars.

House of Games (1987)

Once you get used to Mamet's slightly odd, deliberately wooden dialogue, there's a wonderful movie here. Fascinating characters played beautifully by the lead actors, with a very satisfying, if not exactly uplifting, ending. This was one of those movies that just keeps me interested all the way through, even though it's certainly not nonstop action. Interesting character flick. 4 stars.