French filmmaker Luc Besson is audacious.  Sometimes that means really good, as in 1994’s Leon: The Professional, which introduced young Natalie Portman to the world. Sometimes it means really, really bad, as in 1997’s The Fifth Element, which is crazy, puerile […]

Judging by its astounding 8.8 rating at IMDb (out of 10; it would currently qualify as the 10th – 13th best movie of all time by that parameter), people really, really like this intergalactic misfit superhero movie.  I enjoyed it […]

Once in a while — a great while — a movie comes along that startles me with its execution, that kicks me in the head like a mule and makes me remember just why I love movies in the first […]

I really liked Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and this sequel, which occurs some ten years after the events of that film, is even better.  The original 1968-1973 quintet ranged from astonishing to cheesy; 20th Century-Fox couldn’t or […]

I’ve always enjoyed the music of The Four Seasons, especially after the band adapted the name Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  Their hits of the 1970s are bright and bold, and lots of fun to sing.  Yet when the […]

Maybe because “Transformer” toys didn’t exist when I was a kid and I was too old for them when they did appear, I’ve never thought much of the concept.  It doesn’t seem even remotely believable that big ol’ transformers can […]