I Am Legend (script) "Despite niggling flaws, there's a reason this script remains a hot property, and one of the scripts that deserves to be rescued from development hell as soon as possible. But make no mistake; this is a script that deserves to be rescued by the right hands, someone who, like Protosevich, understands that this film works in subtleties. The little moments: Neville weeping in despair after a fight, the stillness and caged animal mood in the days the hemocytes don't attack, the straightforward way the flashbacks are presented, Neville's encounter with the hemocyte child after escaping. This is a delicate balance that is going to be hard to translate. I hope whoever grabs it does it right..." (full review)
Shrek 2 "Shrek 2 is as good as the first film in just about every way - it's filled with razor sharp humor for the adults, it's fast-paced enough for the kids and there's so much going on for both that repeated viewings are almost mandatory. Perhaps the only bad thing that can be said about Shrek 2 is that it really is more of the same..." (full review)
Troy ""Troy" is obviously modeled after the stunning success of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator." But step outside of the those dubious financial intentions, and Wolfgang Petersen's take on Homer's "The Iliad" is more similar in tone and majesty to the historical epics of the 1950s and 60s. The only weak link in the chain is Brad Pitt, woefully miscast as Achilles, but he's passionate and backed by an incredible cast to help sell this epic (in all the good ways), engrossing, and oft-told tale of Grecian war..." (full review)
"Gladiator's gratuitously manipulative storytelling style had me worried that the sword & sandals epic had forever been lost to the pushers of the action/schmaltz fix. But as it turns out, I needn't have worried: Troy is a really, really good film..." (full review)
"After the trailers you could suspect it, and it turns out to be true: Troy totally overdoes it, changes historical aspects and is kitschy until the last dialogue. Nevertheless: the movie works. Troy is worth seeing, it's a big epic BEN HUR style. But show Homer some respect, buy the Illias as a book and read it, so that you can differ Hollywood from history..." (full review)
"While Wolfgang Petersen's movie will hardly make the same lasting impression as The Iliad, the picture is, by Hollywood standards, a loyal rendering of the legendary tale. It's also pretty good fun. Like a soap opera produced by the Pentagon, it's an out-sized melodrama of love and war..." (full review)
"At its running time of 163 minutes, Troy certainly begins to justify its budget. Still, once you get past the elaborate set pieces and effects, you're left with some decently entertaining battle scenes, one very memorable battle between Hector and Achilles and a lot of trite dialogue. Wolfgang Peterson made a nice-looking film that ultimately doesn't hold up to epics like it. It will make for a good DVD and HBO watch, but isn't destined for the immortality and glory that its characters so bravely fought for..." (full review)
"Between battles the film doesn't know where to go. The exposition reaches comedic levels. There are too many characters, too many subplots, and much too much flat, lifeless dialogue to keep an audience interested. But if you're in the mood for a few energetic fights, some cool special FX and naked dudes in oil -- you could do worse (but not much). Really, this is an "epic" only fans of The Rock could love (and he's not even in it)..." (full review)
Two Brothers "'Two brothers' is an old-fashioned epic Hollywood adventure that could only have been made today. The story reminds one of the adventure novels by the likes of H. Rider Haggard and Rudyard Kipling, with some contemporary WWF sentiment against hunting and for the conservation of wildlife subtly weaved in. It is an accomplished and beautifully photographed fable that will entertain parents and children alike. This could be one of the year's best family films..." (full review)
Raising Helen "Kate Hudson deserves a better vehicle for her talents than the tired romances she seems trapped in at the moment. The radiance and life force that made Almost Famous so memorable still shines through, slightly dimmed because the material is not nearly as engaging as she is..." (full review)
