Directed by: Bob Fosse
Written by: Jay Presson Allen
Based on the play by: Joe Masteroff
Produced by: Cy Feuer
Starring: Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Joel Grey, Helmut Griem, Fritz Wepper, Mairsa Berenson, Helen Vita

This musical adaptation set in pre-World War II Germany is about Sally Bowles, an American jazz singer at the Kit-Kat Klub. When an English teacher named Brian arrives at her door, she invites him into her home, and they fall in love. Sally takes him to the Klub, where he meets Max, who begins to teach English. Max then falls in love with another of Brian's students, and the two couples start going on picnics, and walks together in the park. It is then when the Nazis invade Berlin. Throughout the film, the Master of Ceremonies, and Sally perform acts in the Klub, including "The Money Song", "Wilkommen", and "Mein Herr". Bob Fosse provides masterful direction with his second feature film. The three leads are also brilliant, most especially Minnelli.

Oscars: Best Actress (Liza Minnelli), Best Supporting Actor (Joel Grey), Best Director (Bob Fosse), Best Original Song Score and/or it's Adaptation, Best Sound, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing
Other Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay

Directed by: Ben Stiller
Written by: Lou Holtz Jr.
Produced by: Judd Apatow, Andrew Licht, and Jeffrey A. Mueller
Starring: Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, Jack Black, Diane Baker, George Segal, Eric Roberts, Ben Stiller

Steven is an architect, who is just moving into a new apartment after breaking up with his girlfriend, Robin. His television isn't working so he calls a cable guy, who makes him a preferred costumer. He is then following Steven everywhere and helping him with his love life. He is even sent to prison. When Steven tells the Cable Guy to leave him alone, he gets ready to ruin his life. This film starts out promising, but then drops down a lot. This film is terribly poor, and un-funny. Jim Carrey puts on a darker role then his lighter characters, but doesn't succeed. This role is more for Adam Sandler. This is the start of many mis-steps in Matthew Broderick's career followed by Godzilla, although Inspector Gadget wasn't bad. What ever happened to Ferris Bueller?

MTV Movie Awards: Best Comedic Performance (Jim Carrey), Best Villain (Jim Carrey)
Other MTV Movie Award nomination: Best Fight (Jim Carrey Vs. Matthew Broderick)

Directed by: Nigel Cole
Written by: Tim Firth, and Juliette Towhidi
Produced by: Nick Barton, and Suzanne Mackie
Starring: Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, John Alderton, Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Geraldine James, Penelope Wilton

This female version of The Full Monty has many flaws, but still manages to be an enjoyable flick. After Annie's husband dies of leukemia, her friend, Chris decides to make a calendar to raise money for cancer. The only difference is that they will be in the calendar, and they will be nude. At first, their friends don't want to do it, but then agree. The calendar is soon a world-wide success, and the girls soon head to Hollywood. Annie, meanwhile, tells Chris to stay in England, and take care of her family. The film has many funny moments, but runs too long. The performances are really good and it's a charming film, but The Full Monty will be remembered more.

Golden Globe nomination: Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical (Helen Mirren)

Directed by: Michael Moore
Written by: Michael Moore
Produced by: Michael Moore, David Brown, and Ron Rotholz
Starring: John Candy, Alan Alda, Kevin Pollak, Rip Torn, Rhea Perlman, Kevin J. O'Connor, Bil Nunn, James Belushi, Steven Wright

Documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore tries his hand at fiction with so-so results. Although funny, it starts to sag near the end. The President of the United States attempts to find an enemy to start a cold war with. He then decides to go against the hockey-playing, beer-drinking Canadians. Sheriff Bud Boomer takes it too seriously, and actually makes America hate Canada. When the country above kidnaps Boomer's girlfriend, he goes after them, switching off the electricity along the way. The performances make up the okay script, and poor direction. "MASH" alumni, Alan Alda does impressive work as the President, while John Candy is really good in his last performance. The actor who steals the show, though, is Dan Aykroyd as a highway patrolman who asks Boomer to put the anti-Canadian graffiti on his lorry in both English and French. If you're curious about this film, just see the beginning, and then press stop near the end.

Directed by: Bennett Miller
Written by: Dan Futterman
Based on the book by: Gerald Clarke
Produced by: Caroline Brown, Michael Ohoven and William Vince
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Rollins Jr., Mark Pellegrino, Chris Cooper, Bob Balaban, Bruce Greenwood

Philip Seymour Hoffman gives an extraordinary performance as writer Truman Capote in this wonderful picture. The film begins with Capote anxious to start something new. He reads in the newspaper about a family called the Clutters that were murdered in Kansas. Along with his best friend, Harper Lee (who would later go on to write To Kill a Mockingbird), he meets with the policeman whose major goal is to find the killers responsible and the friends of the Clutter family. When the killers are finally arrested, Capote meets with the two people and start to become very interested in the more sensitive one, Perry Smith. When they are put under the death penalty, Capote decides to get them a new lawyer to keep them alive and find out what happened on the fatal night that the Clutters were killed. The entire film is brilliant from Bennett Miller's direction to Dan Futterman's script. However, the centre of the whole set piece has to be Philip Seymour Hoffman's spectacular portrayal of Truman Capote. He manages to get the voice of the famed author, but also the mannerisms. In essence, he becomes Truman Capote. Catherine Keener is also wonderful as Harper Lee, which adds to the realism of this incredible film.

Oscar: Best Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Other Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Best Director (Bennett Miller), Best Adapted Screenplay

"Film Website" Award: Best Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Other "Film Website" nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Clifton Collins, Jr.), Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Best Director (Bennett Miller), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design

Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Written by: Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch
Produced by: Hal B. Wallis
Starring: Humphery Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Clause Rains, Dooley Wilson, Sydney Greenstreet, Conrad Veidt

Rick runs a club in Casablanca, Morocco. He's the big man in town, until his previous girlfriend, Ilsa arrives. She tells the piano player to play "As Time Goes By", and the two start to fall in love, again. Meanwhile, her new husband, Victor is trying to get out of Casablanca, and to America. They can't find the traveling papers, so Rick decides to help them. Humphrey Bogart gives a brilliant performance as the lead and should have won the Oscar. The other cast are also great in an all-time classic that also features the greatest film song in history.

Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director (Michael Curtiz), Best Adapted Screenplay
Other Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Humphery Bogart), Best Supporting Actor (Claude Rains), Best Scoring for a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, Best Black-and-White Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Joseph Barbera, and William Hanna
Produced by: Fred Quimby

This is a brilliant cartoon that is also a great music lesson. Tom and Jerry leave their usual household setting and enter the music hall, where once again everyone's favourite mouse is pestering everyone's favourite pussy cat. Tom is playing for an audience on his piano, but Jerry wants to stop him from playing, so he attempts to distract Tom, who with incredible intelligent, sharpness, and speed manages to hit all the right notes despite the annoyance of the little bugger. The show is a success as is the cartoon which went on to win a very well deserved Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Once again, repeating the above comment, music teachers will want to show this short to their students, which features the music of Chopin and Franz Liszt.

Oscar: Best Animated Short Film

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Jeff Nathanson
Based on the book by: Frank Abagnale Jr., and Stan Redding
Produced by: Steven Spielberg, and Walter F. Parkes
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Natalie Baye, Amy Adams, James Brolin, Martin Sheen, Brian Howe

The Abagnale family is very happy, but when Frank Jr.'s parents divorce he runs away. He then makes false cheques, and poses as a lawyer, a doctor, and an airline pilot. He goes on the FBI most-wanted list, and is being chased down by a Boston, no-nonsense agent called Carl Hanratty. On his journey he meets his father, and they share their thoughts. And everytime Carl gets close to catching Frank, he runs. He soon turns into a wild-goose chase, and Frank is traveling all over the world, even getting married. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a charming and funny performance as Frank, but it's Christopher Walken who steals the show as his caring father. Spielberg gives his usual brilliant direction, while John Williams composes a score that would make Henry Mancini proud. It's the perfect cat-and-mouse caper for everyone.

Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Walken), Best Original Score

"Film Website" Award: Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Walken)
Other "Film Website" nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Written by: William Boyd, Bryan Forbes, and William Goldman
Based on the books by: David Robinson, and Charles Chaplin
Produced by: Richard Attenborough, and Mario Kassar
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Paul Rhys, Geraldine Chaplin, Kevin Kline, Anthony Hopkins, Moira Kelly, Kevin Dunn, Milla Jovovich

Richard Attenborough once again gives a brilliant direction on a very important historical figure (following Gandhi) with Robert Downey Jr. providing a flawless performance in the title role. This film biography follows Charlie Chaplin's ride to fame and controversy. After moving to the United States with Karno's Theatre Group, he is hired by Mack Sennett to star in the his comedy pictures in the newly created median of film. Soon, he builds his own studio and starts to direct, write, produce, and score his pictures. Later, Chaplin has many relationships and marriages to younger girls and the FBI ends up keeping a file on him and calling him an activist. This film features an all-star cast that features many popular actors playing many classic Hollywood legends. Kevin Kline plays United Artists partner Douglas Fairbanks, Dan Aykroyd plays Mack Sennett, and Paul Rhys plays Sydney Chaplin. The best performances however are from Robert Downey Jr., and Charlie's real-life daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, playing her own grandmother. This and Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin are a must for anyone interested in the life of the great silent comedian.

Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Original Score, Best Art Direction

Created by: Dave Chappelle
Starring: Dave Chappelle, Liz Beckham, Anthony Berry, Sophina Brown, Billy Burr, DJ Cipha Browns, Yoshio Mita, Paul Mooney

In this strange and awkward world, Napoleon Dynamite and Anchorman seem to be beloved by people my age. You can add to that list Dave Chappelle. I heard quite a lot about him, but then when I saw some episodes of his show, I was greatly disappointed. He was touted as original and groundbreaking, but he is really just a wannabe Chris Rock and In Living Color. His skits are not at all funny and drag too long. Chappelle's voice is irritating and he seems to think that he can fill the shoes left by Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and the Wayans Brothers. If he is getting such a big teenage following, I am worried about today's youth.

Most Recent nominations:
Emmy Award nominations: Outstanding Music or Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Music or Comedy Series (Show #204), Outstanding Writing for a Music or Comedy Series

Directed by: Tim Burton
Written by: John August
Based on the book by: Roald Dahl
Produced by: Brad Grey, and Richard D. Zanuck
Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee, Jordan Fry

Tim Burton has got completely right what Mel Stuart did very wrong in 1971 with a much more faithful film version of Roald Dahl's classic book. The crazy chocolate maker, Willy Wonka has sent out five golden tickets hidden in his famous chocolate bars which will allow children to enter his mysterious factory. A poor boy named Charlie finds one of the tickets and along with his grandfather and four completely naughty children, he takes a tour inside of it. One by one, each child starts to disappear and the audience are treated to whimsical songs by the factory workers known as the Oompa Loompas. This film is completely magical and has that usual Burton and Dahl dark humour. Johnny Depp is wonderful as Willy Wonka (with no resemblance at all to Michael Jackson) and Freddie Highmore shows that he is a star in the making. The Oompa Loompa songs with music by Danny Elfman and lyrics from Dahl's book are brilliant and the production design even more so. Burton has done justice to one of my favourite childhood books the way Mel Stuart failed to do.

Oscar nomination: Best Costume Design

"Film Website" Awards: Best Makeup, Best Art Direction
Other "Film Website" nominations: Best Actor (Johnny Depp), Best Original Score, Best Costume Design

Directed by: Ralph Nelson
Written by: Stirling Silliphant
Based on the short story and book by: Daniel Keyes
Produced by: Ralph Nelson
Starring: Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom, Dick Van Patten, Leon Janney, Lilia Skala, Ruth White, Edward McNally, Barney Martin

In this more dramatic science-fiction story, Cliff Robertson gives a very good performance as an idiot who gets a chance to become smart. Claire Bloom plays the scientest who gives him the experiment which works very well. However, things soon get very complicated when he is fired from his job at the bakery and starts to remember what his old self was like. While the film does contain a lot of story flaws, that doesn't diminish the fact that this is a very charming and well-done features. Cliff Robertson and Claire Bloom give wonderful performances as the two leads as well.

Oscar: Best Actor (Cliff Robertson)

Directed by: Kevin Smith
Written by: Kevin Smith
Produced by: Scott Mosier
Starring: Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee, Dwight Ewell, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Carmen Lee, Welker White

Kevin Smith's most mature and most dramatic effort Chasing Amy stands alongside Clerks as one of his biggest masterpieces. Ben Affleck plays Holden McNeil, a comic book writer who falls in love with a fellow artist called Alyssa Jones. However, he finds out that she is a lesbian which keeps his inner desires inside until one faithful night. Joey Lauren Adams's performance is pure Oscar material (and unsurprisingly she was snubbed) while Jason Lee is also fantastic as Holden's jealous roomate Banky. However, most of the acclaim must be given to Kevin Smith for writing an inventive and intelligent screenplay that will impress many who just think that he's only good at writing sex jokes.

Golden Globe nomination: Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical (Joey Lauren Adams)

Directed by: Rob Marshall
Written by: Bill Condon
Based on the play by: Bob Fosse, and Fred Ebb
Produced by: Martin Richards
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifa, John C. Reilly, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Lucy Liu

In this delightful musical, we meet Roxie Hart, a wanna-be star who arrested for killing furniture salesman, Fred Casely. In prison, she meets Matron "Mama" Morton, who can get her anything...for a price. She then meets Billy Flynn, a slick-talking lawyer who can turn her into a star. She soon starts competing with idol, Velma Kelly for the spotlight, and earliest possible trial date. Then, a woman performs a never-before-seen triple homicide, and becomes more popular. So, Roxie fakes having having a baby, and gets attention again. There has been some talk, whether the musical's back, after the success of Moulin Rouge! Well, I can easily say after watching this film they are. The songs are wonderful, and the ensemble cast is brilliant, especially Zellwegger, Gere, and Zeta-Jones. This is possibly the greatest musical experience, since Cabaret (another Fosse production).

Oscars: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Sound, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing
Other Oscar nominations: Best Actress (Renee Zellweger), Best Supporting Actor (John C. Reilly), Best Supporting Actress (Queen Latifa), Best Director (Rob Marshall), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song ("I Move On"), Best Cinematography

"Film Website" Awards: Best Original Song ("I Move On"), Best Film Editing
Other "Film Website" nominations: Best Actor (Richard Gere), Best Actress (Renee Zellweger), Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Director (Rob Marshall), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design

Directed by: Ken Hughes
Written by: Ken Hughes, and Roald Dahl
Based on the book by: Ian Fleming
Produced by: Albert R. Broccoli
Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Gert Frobe, Anna Quayle, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill, James Robertson Justice, Heather Ripley, Adrian Hall

In this somewhat entertaining musical, the Sherman Brothers make some brilliantly written music, but that doesn't for a badly constructed story, and poorly done screenplay. Caractacus Potts has just invited a car that can fly, and float. Along with two children, and a school teacher with the embarrassing name of Truly Scrumptious, they fly to a German-style village, where the children are soon kidnapped and put in a dungeon. Now, Potts and Scrumptious must save them, along with Grandpa Potts. Overall interesting in some parts, it won't keep your interest for very long. The music, and art direction are really good, though.

Oscar nomination: Best Original Song ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang")

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom
Written by: John Irving
Based on the book by: John Irving
Produced by: Richard N. Gladstein
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Erykah Badu, Paul Rudd, Kathy Baker, Jane Alexander, Erik Per Sullivan

Homer Wells lives happily in the orphanage of his home in New England. There, he is trained to be a doctor by his father figure, Dr. Wilbur Larch. Like all the other orphans there, though, he wants a family to live with. He soon gets his chance, when a beautiful girl named Candy arrives at the orphanage. He decides to go with them, and lands a job picking apples in an apple orchard. Throughout his year there, he gets to see a film other then King Kong, and makes love for the first time. Meanwhile, Dr. Larch tries many ways to go back to being a doctor. This film is amazingly written, and has a wonderful ensemble cast lead by Tobey Maguire, and Michael Caine. Overall, this is a heart-warming pic for everyone.

Oscars: Best Supporting Actor (Michael Caine), Best Adapted Screenplay
Other Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Lasse Hallstrom), Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Charles Chaplin
Written by: Charles Chaplin
Produced by: Charles Chaplin
Starring: Charles Chaplin, Merna Kennedy, Al Ernest Garcia, Harry Crocker, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford, John Rand, George Davis

The only one of his films not to be mentioned in Charlie Chaplin's autobiography is quite, ironically one of his best features. The title circus is the setting for this comic masterpiece. A three-wing circus is not able to make it's audience cheer. However, when the Tramp just happens to come upon it, the show becomes a success. The ringleader then hires him to work in the show, while also entertaining the masses, unbeknownst to the Tramp. He soon falls in love with the ringleader's daughter, locks himself in a lion's cage and finds himself on the tight walk with monkeys dangling on his head. This film has many funny moments, including the two parts I mentioned previously mentioned and is a sheer delight. Chaplin gives his usual brilliant direction and this also provides fitting as one of the last few silent films before the arrival of The Jazz Singer.

Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Charles Chaplin), Best Comedy Direction (Charles Chaplin)

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Directed by: Orson Welles
Written by: Orson Welles, and Herman J. Mankiewicz
Produced by: Orson Welles
Starring: Orson Welles, William Alland, Joseph Cotton, Everett Sloane, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins, Erskine Carter

Orson Welles crafted a brilliant first feature in his attack of 1930's newspaper tycoon, Randolph William Hearst. After gigantic newspaper owner, Charles Foster Kane dies, a reporter goes on a search to find out the meaning of his last word, "Rosebud." Through a series of interviews and flash-backs, the reporter continues his search but doesn't even come close. Taken from his childhood home, Kane soon takes over America and is soon running for President of the United States. He continues through rocky marriages and poor life decisions and soon dies lonely in a cold castle full of statues on top of a hill dubbed Xanadu. Orson Welles and Herman Mankiewicz wrote an incredible screenplay of intelligent. Welles gives a unique direction and amazing performance as Kane, along with flawless cinematography that not even today's standards can match. Orson Welles was to Randolph William Hearst in 1941 as Michael Moore is to George Bush in 2004. This is a classic that would be a sin by any film buff to miss.

Oscar: Best Original Screenplay
Other Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Orson Welles), Best Director (Orson Welles), Best Scoring for a Dramatic Picture, Best Sound, Best Black-and-White Art Direction, Best Black-and-White Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Charles Chaplin
Written by: Charles Chaplin
Produced by: Charles Chaplin
Starring: Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Harry Myers, Al Ernest Garcia, Florence Lee, Hank Mann

In Charlie Chaplin's last silent film, he manages to make you laugh and cry. As usual, he plays his beloved Tramp character in a new adventure. When he saves a millionaire from drowning, they become best friends. The problem is this only when he is drunk. The Tramp soon meets a blind flower girl, who believes that he is a rich billionaire. It is then that he decides to help the girl, and get her an eye operation. This then leads to the most heart-warming moment in film history. Although it doesn't have the social satire of The Gold Rush, and Modern Times, City Lights is still a very well-done picture. The drunk millionaire bits get old after a while, but that shouldn't stop you from watching this nice feature.

National Film Registry Award Winner

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Directed by: Fernando Meirelles
Written by: Braulio Mantovani
Based on the book by: Paulo Lins
Produced by: Andrea Barata Ribeiro, and Mauricio Andrade Ramos
Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Seu Jorge, Douglas Silva, Jonathan Haagensen, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen

A wonderfully gritty Brazilian film, City of God is a very entertaining look at the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Filmed in the style of a documentary, this film details a young wannabe photographer as he tries to survive the violent city streets while taking pictures of the local gangsters. Fernando Meirelles looks like he is going to become the Martin Scorsese of Brazil and the editing is especially note-worthy. All the actors, which are in their first features look like they have a good future ahead of them. People who are against subtitles should see this film as well, because it will make them want to watch more foreign films.

Oscar nominations: Best Director (Fernando Meirelles), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

"Film Website" nomination: Best Film Editing

Directed by: Kevin Smith
Written by: Kevin Smith
Produced by: Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier
Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes, Marilyn Chigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier

Incredibly crude and vulgar but really funny, Kevin Smith's Clerks deserves to be considered the greatest independent comedy of all-time. It all takes place in the span of one day when Dante Hicks is called upon to clerk the local Quick Stop on his day off. Throughout the film, he has to deal with annoying customers, drug dealers and his best friend Randal. They talk about the ending to Return of the Jedi, title dictating behaviour and things I shouldn't even type here because it's a family site. Kevin Smith's screenplay is wonderfully funny and a great behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in convinient stores. Jeff Anderson and Jason Mewes steal the show altogether playing Randal and foul-mouthed drug addict Jay. This is a terrific comedy and an inspiration to filmmakers everywhere.

Idependent Spirit Award nominations: Best First Feature, Best Debut Performance (Jeff Anderson), Best First Screenplay

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Written by: Stanley Kubrick
Based on the book by: Anthony Burgess
Produced by: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Warren Clarke, Adrienne Corri, Miriam Karlin, Sheila Raynor, Aubrey Morris

Alex lives in the near-future, and each night, with his gang of "droogs", he goes out for the "old ultra-violence." Hence, he rapes and kills people. One day, he kills a cat woman, and after being betrayed by his gang, the police catch him. He is put in prison, and later in a mental asylum, where he is forced to watch violent films all day. He is cured, but then all his victims, get their own back. Kubrick cleverly uses the book's vocabulary in the screenplay. McDowell is amazing as Alex, and Kubrick's direction is top-notch. Not for all eyes, this film is terribly disturbing, but still interesting to watch. Warning: Do not try what is shown in A Clockwork Orange at home.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Stanley Kubrick), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Stven Spielberg
Produced by: Julia Phillips, and Michael Phillips
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Francois Truffaut, Bob Balaban, Melinda Dillon, J. Patrick McNamara, Warren J. Kemmerling

Roy Neary is a simple electrician, who one night after all the power goes out, he has a close encounter with an alien. He heads back home to tell his family what he saw. When they arrive at the place he saw them, they are already gone. Meanwhile, a young boy named Barry is playing a strange musical sound on his xylophone. He then walks out into the garden, to later get abducted by the aliens. His mother, Jillian is horrified and tells the police. Two government officials decide to cover it up, saying it was a weather balloon. At Roy's home, he starts building a giant version of Devil's mountain in his workshop. His family then abandons him, and he decides to visit the mountain, along with Jillian to find the secrets the government is hiding. After Jaws, Steven Spielberg made another instant classic with this sci-fi masterpiece. Richard Dreyfuss gives a heart-warming performance as the lead, and Spielberg writes a great screenplay along with a solid direction. Watch this with E.T., and you have a great double feature.

Oscar: Best Cinematography
Other Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Melinda Dillon), Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Thomas Carter
Written by: Mark Schwahn, and John Gatins
Produced by: David Gale, Brian Robbins, and Michael Tollin
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rick Gonzalez, Rob Brown, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner, Channing Tatum, Denise Dowse, Ashanti

Samuel Jackson gives a very good performance playing real life basketball coach, Ken Carter in good, but predictable sports drama. In the rural town of Richmond, it's more likely to go to prison than to college, but Ken Carter wants to change these statistics. He decides to become the Richmond Oiler's new basketball coach, and adds some new rules to the role of the "student athlete." To stay on the team, they have to have a 2.3 grade point average, sit in the front row in class, and wear ties on game night. At first, the students don't mind these new changes, but then they start to get annoyed, and when Carter sees that they are failing, he locks the gym doors which soon leads to a controversial trial against him. This film does have the usual sports chichés, but it is because of Jackson's great performance and the film's brilliant message, that it receives my recommendation.

MTV Movie Award nomination: Breakthrough Female (Ashanti)

Directed by: Anthony Minghella
Written by: Anthony Minghella
Based on the book by: Charles Frazier
Produced by: Albert Berger, William Horberg, Sydney Pollack, and Ron Yerxa
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Renee Zellweger, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Natalie Portman, Donald Sutherland, Ray Winstone

An interesting Civil War film, that sags here and there, Cold Mountain is a good film for those who can stomach it. The opening sequence is already gut-wrenching when Yankees and the Confederates fight in a blood-shattering battle. The shy Inman is a works-man who lives in Cold Mountain, and has a mad crush on the rich Ada Monroe. What he doesn't know is that so does she. Right before going off to fight in the War, Inman gives Ada a farewell kiss, and so the love birds start singing. Through the letters she sends him, he is determined to return to Cold Mountain, and see her again. Meanwhile, Ada's father has died and she has to take care of the farm herself. An woman called Ruby then comes teaches Ada how to take care of farms, and animals. Ada and Ruby then start to bond and become good friends. Inman on the other is having trouble getting home. Along the way he meets a not-so-smart reverend, and an over-protective widow, while also getting in trouble with some Yankees. Cold Mountain has it's many moments, but is too violent for my tastes. The screenplay falls behind a lot, and it is required for the actors to save the feature. Renee Zellweger and Philip Seymour Hoffman add some comic relief, Natalie Portman gives a nice role that has nothing to do with Star Wars, while Jude Law gives an Adrien Brody-type performance. I only recommend this film for the performances, and the photography, that's it.

Oscar: Best Supporting Actress (Renee Zellweger)
Other Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Jude Law), Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("Scarlet Tide"), Best Original Song ("You'll Be My Ain True Love"), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

"Film Website" nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Renee Zellweger), Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("You'll Be My Ain True Love"), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Directed by: Michael Mann
Written by: Stuart Beattie
Produced by: Michael Mann, and Julie Richardson
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tom Cruise, Mark Ruffalo, Jada Pinkett Smith, Peter Berg, Irma P. Hall, Javier Bardem, Bruce McGill

Tom Cruise sheds his hero image and plays a villain for a change, in the incredibly filmed action film. Jamie Foxx plays Max, a taxi driver who just happens to pick up a strange gray-haired fellow named Vincent who offers him $600 to drive him around to five different spots. However, things change quickly when a dead body falls on Max's cab and it is found out that Vincent is a contract killer. The tension soon grows quick between the two, who are later being followed by a police officer. Michael Mann's direction is very quick moving, while Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx give interesting performances. The star of the film however is the digitally-filmed cinematography that wonderfully shows Los Angeles's night life. However, the beginning and end of the film are tiring and could have been changed. Overall, this is a fun ride, despite some slow bits.

Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Jamie Foxx), Best Film Editing

"Film Website" nominations: Best Sound, Best Cinematography

Directed by: Christian Charles
Produced by: Gary Streiner
Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Orny Adams, Chris Rock, Greg Giraldo, Colin Quinn, Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Ray Romano

Jerry Seinfeld made a hit with "Seinfeld", but after the cancellation he decided to return to his roots as a stand-up comic. In this poorly-edited documentary, we follow him as he talks to other comics and teaches a rookie-in-training called Orny Adams. We follow Orny as he goes from performing on Letterman to not getting many laughs in Montreal. Seifeld, meanwhile, has conversations with Chris Rock, Jay Leno, and Ray Romano. He also meets his hero, Bill Cosby. The problem with this film is that we don't see enough of Seinfeld telling jokes, and more of him traveling and chatting with his friends. Orny, meanwhile, is not funny at all, and will make you shout "We want Seinfeld!"

OFCS Award nomination: Best Documentary

Directed by: Wayne Kramer
Written by: Wayne Kramer, and Frank Hannah
Produced by: Sean Furst, and Michael A. Pierce
Starring: William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, Ron Livingston, Paul Sorvino, Estella Warren, Shawn Hatosy, Joey Fatone

William H. Macy, and Alec Baldwin give career-best performances in this charming Las Vegas-set picture. Bernie is the un-luckiest man in Vegas, so unlucky that he's contagious. Bernie works at the Shangri-La Casino in Las Vegas, and whenever someone is having a winning streak, Bernie is called to turn their luck around. Bernie then starts having a sexual relationship with a waitress. It is then that Bernie's luck changes, and his boss, Shelley is not pleased. Bernie's son, and daughter-in-law are soon caught up in the world of gambling. This is an incredibly original look at life in Vegas, and all casinos in general. The entire cast give stellar performances, and watch out for a surprise ending.

Oscar nomination: Best Supporting Actor (Alec Baldwin)

"Film Website" Award: Best Supporting Actor (Alec Baldwin)
Other "Film Website" nomination: Best Supporting Actress (Maria Bello)

Directed by: Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
Written by: John August, Pamela Pettler and Caroline Thompson
Produced by: Tim Burton and Allison Abbate
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Albert Finney, Joanna Lumley, Enn Reitel, Christopher Lee, Tracey Ullman

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp teamed up once again for this wonderfully entertaining and fun animated film. Victor is set up to be married with the wealthy Victoria. However, in a strange turn of events, the two fall in love (not that that matters to her parents. When Victor runs out of a wedding recital, he practices in the woods. When he places the ring on a stick, he realises that it is actually the finger of the infamous Corpse Bride. He is then taken to the Land of the Dead, but what Victor really wants is to get back to Victoria. The animation in Corpse Bride is absolutely splendid and brilliant with Tim Burton's macabre humour shining through. As usual Johnny Depp disguises his voice very successfully and proves that he is also a wonderful actor behind the microphone. Helena Bonham Carter also gives a great performance in the title role.

Oscar nomination: Best Animated Film

"Film Website" nominations: Best Animated Film, Best Original Song ("Remains of the Day")

Directed by: Peter Hastings
Written by: Mark Perez
Produced by: Jeffrey Chernov, and Andrew Gunn
Starring: Eli Marienthal, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christopher Walken, Daryl Mitchell, Diedrich Bader, Meagen Fay
Voices of: Haley Joel Osment, Diedrich Bader, James Gammon, Brad Garrett, Toby Huss, Stephen Root, Candy Ford

The original Disneyland attraction, "The Country Bear Jamboree" isn't very good but it's a classic piece of work like "Pirates of the Carribean" when compared to it's feature film counterpart. Haley Joel Osment gives a tepid voice-over performance as Beary, a country music-obsessed bear who was adopted by a human family. When he finally discovers that he's adopted (how could he not notice before?), he's goes off to try and reunite his favourite band, The Country Bears. Jim Henson's puppets are well-done and musical celebrities like Elton John and Queen Latifah appear in small, funny cameos. However, that doesn't disguise the fact of how bad this film is. The directing, writing and acting are completely stale. Even Christopher Walken gives a terrible performance as a man trying to destroy the bear's music hall. Small children will also find this film offensive.

Razzie Award nomination: Worst Supporting Actor (Christopher Walken)

Directed by: David Hand, and Wilfred Jackson
Produced by: Walt Disney

Walt Disney did it with The Tortoise and the Hare, and here he does it again with this loose adaptation of The Country Mouse and the City Mouse. It's very funny, and it would later provide inspiration for Tom and Jerry. A mouse from the city invites his cousin from the country to come visit him for a night out. Throughout his stay, the country mouse has to dodge traffic, humans, and very hungry pussy cats all to get some cheese. This all leads to a brilliant chase sequence to remember. This obvious ancestor of the soon-to-be-popular Tom and Jerry short films is a very good triumph which is an obvious testament to Disney's great goal to provide family friendly entertainment.

Oscar: Best Animated Short Film

Directed by: Nick Park
Written by: Nick Park
Produced by: Sara Mullock
Voice of: Julie Sedgewick

This wonderfully funny short is, dare I say it, actually funnier then the Wallace and Gromit shorts. Nick Park is an animation genius who's up there with Seth McFarlane and Walt Disney. Taking place completely in a zoo, a group of polar bears interview the animals at the zoos. They state their opinions with very funny answers. The Brazilian jaguar is by far one of the funniest animated characters to appear on screen, as he has all the best lines. I'm Brazilian, and everything is true what he says. They like space, are very chatty, and hate the cold weather. This brilliant clay-mation would later become a popular series for the BBC, which I haven't seen yet, because I don't get the BBC. I highly recommend this excellent short film.

Oscar: Best Animated Short Film

Directed by: John Cornell
Written by: Brett Hogan, and Paul Hogan
Produced by: John Cornell, and Jane Scott
Starring: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, Hechter Ubarry, John Meillon, Charles Dutton, Juan Fernandez, Kenneth Welsh

Reporter Sue Charlton is living happily in New York with her Australian boyfriend, Mike. When her ex-husband is the target of Mexican drug dealers after taking pictures of them, he runs away. Soon they kidnap Sue, and bring her to their Manhattan mansion. Mike soon rescues her, and they flee to Australia for cover. They are then followed and the drug dealers start the ultimate head-to-head battle with Mike. The first film is a classic, but it's sequel is just terrible and doesn't go anywhere. The problem lies with the creators taking away the comedy that made the original so successful and replacing it with meaningless action. This is a truly horrible film that doesn't even deserve a rental.

Golden Screen Award Winner

Directed by: Simon Wincer
Written by: Matthew Berry, and Eric Abrams
Produced by: Paul Hogan, and Lance Hool
Starring: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, Serge Cockburn, Jere Burns, Jonathan Banks, Alec Wilson, Paul Rodriguez, Kaitlin Hopkins

In probably the last installment in the Crocodile Dundee series, we see a somewhat entertaining sequel, but compared to Crocodile Dundee II, this deserves a recommendation. Michael Dundee and his girlfriend, Sue live happily in the Australian outback with their son, Mickey. When she gets a high-profile journalist job in Los Angeles. They are soon off to Hollywood, where who knows what everyone's favourite crocodile hunter could get up to. Mike is soon trying to figure out the scheme of a mysterious which just makes completely un-needed sequel. This is a fun film to sit back and relax, and although it doesn't stand as a classic like the first film, it's still good fun.

Young Artist Award nomination: Best Supporting Young Actor (Serge Cockburn)