U

Guess.

Despite its name, if you've been following along in the playbook, very little is actually revealed as new info in this documentary. While it presents facts and damning accusations upon the current administration, it's mostly bullet points that are already known to those who read newspapers and other non-fanatical news outlets. This one in particular relies heavily on sound and video bites rather than presentation, trying to make the guilty parties look bad as much as proving it. This is probably an acceptable alternative to Fahrenheit 9/11 for those who don't like Michael Moore. This is also the updated version of Uncovered: The Truth About The War In Iraq, with an additional documentary in Special Features, and 30 minutes of additional footage.

*** out of *****

Robert Greenwald's third Un- documentary

This film completed Robert Greenwald's trilogy of Un- movies that began with Unprecedented: The 2000 Election and Uncovered: The War On Iraq. The film is a little dated now, having been made before the 2004 election and recent events, however it still points out earlier issues, such as the underhand tactics that passed the Patriot Act, or how the TIPS program's hotline actually went to FOX News. While the revelations are startling, they're a little few and far between. At this point, they're even getting dated and rehashed. What's needed is a focus on current, new scandals that aren't getting the coverage they should, instead. The film is short at only 60 minutes and includes a lot of talking heads, often the same ones repeatedly, but a few of them are actual victims that have particularly important stories to tell.

*** out of *****

Glorified con video of Chiller Theater in NJ

Twice a year in NJ, a horror convention called Chiller Theater is held. This video is basically a semi-narrated highlights tape with decent production values (for a fan convention) that somehow made it onto NetFlix. The reviews there are pretty bleak, most have derided it as freaks and losers, giving it one star. After watching it, I can understand why those uninitiated to fandoms might feel that way - the documentary is filled with some pretty wild, free, sexual, and profane behavior that would put most cons I've seen to shame. But that's the nature of horror movies, from classics to b-grade, and therefore, if you're a member of any convention-based fandom, this will be pure candy. It demonstrates how exactly like other conventions (furry, anime, comic book, trek, etc) this one tends to be. They even use the same terminology and sentiments. To serve as a bridge between other fandoms, it includes footage of attendees dressed in star wars gear, LotR gear, goth gear, and even fursuits! This is a fantastic way to see how the horror fandom is both just like other fandoms and different at the same time (better booth babes) and clearly defines the phrase "laughing with them, not at them".

**** out of *****

Naked Gun meets Shaft

I was concerned that this would be way too "urban-humored" for me to enjoy, much less understand. Wow, was I wrong! If you're a fan of the Zucker-brothers classic films, like Airplane or Naked Gun, this is the blaxploitation version. Very goofy and funny and, for a good-humored individual, almost totally innofensive. Tons of cameos and very silly. David Chapelle nearly steals the show, being screamy, in-your-face, and hysterical most of the time as Conspiracy Brother. Definitely worth a rental for goofiness.

**** out of *****

Vampires vs. werewolves

I have to admit first off that I was wrong about two things in the movie. The first is that the previews didn't do the werewolves justice. They're not my ideal (what's this scampering on the walls crap?), but they're definitely not as bad as previously considered. The creature FX featurette (worth watching) says they were designed to be sexy and catlike, so I guess I can cut them some slack. :) The other thing I was wrong about is who the bad guys are, but I'll leave that for the reader to see for themselves. It's a very fun movie with exciting FX and very stereotypical, gothy, Matrix-like vamps. Worth it for a fluffy, fantasy, popcorn flick, and it's all prepped for a sequel.

*** out of *****

Uninspired sequel

Hasn't the 'Matrix' genre died out yet? I'm starting to get kinda tired of the BDSM-geared, one hit one kill, cool as a cucumber, indestructible hero or heroine figure in action films. This film unfortunately takes that definition and runs with it, putting our God-like protagonist in a multitude of action-packed, but repetetive and increasingly gory combat situations, separated by totally forgettable plot and script. Evolution picks up within hours after the first film left off, following the same story to a similar conclusion. They've changed the werewolf model to a much worse design, making them appear like aliens (except for the boss one which is much better - yes, it watches like a videogame). The entire movie is filmed with a steel/blue filter, making for monochromatic scenery, actors, and blood. Worst of all is that, despite the mythical fantasy elements of vampires and werewolves, the whole shebang devolves into a miasma of gun battles and fistfights at the end. Yes, werewolves and vampires punching each other. Boring and predictable.

*1/2 out of *****

Old cowboy unretires to kill bad guys

In the same vein of other movies made for older folks that depict them in empowered positions, beating up or just plain outdoing young folk, this film presents us with a weatherbeaten Clint Eastwood hauling out his wild west routine to entertain the folks who grew up with him and are now crotchety and bitter - just like Clint Eastwood! The story is solid and the characters are agreeable, including fine performances by Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman (I love him in westerns). It focuses mainly on how killing people is bad, and so is revenge, but you gotta do both of them if you want money (???) - there are no heroes here. The pacing is a tad slow, with some drawn out pauses before the next line finally comes. Maybe this is where Eastwood started on his career of directing and/or producing depressing, angsty films. This one's not quite as harsh as the ones that follow, but it's definitely not very nice.

***1/2 out of *****

Guess.

This is the first in a trilogy of documentaries, including "Uncovered: The Truth About the War in Iraq" and "Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties". It's short at only about 50 minutes, suitable for a television program. This is probably the driest of the three documentaries, with little sensationalism and no recognizeable names (unless you count those who made the news). It clearly illustrates the behaviors, attitudes, connections, and poor choices made on both sides, mostly in Florida, during the election that affected its outcome. The usual holes are illuminated and the people involved run away from interviews, as expected. It's a good illustration of how not to run an election - or how to get away with stealing one.

***1/2 out of *****

Coming of age story, with martial arts

The ads for this movie made it look like a gritty, violent, noir martial arts package. It comes as a surprise then that about half the movie is an upbeat, fluffy family-style story featuring Morgan Freeman teaching Jet Li how to play the piano and such. In fact, the disparity between the dark and bleak sequences featuring a rather frightening Bob Hoskins, and the happy upbeat drama sequences are so broad that it's a shock to the system when it switches between them. Almost like a pre-"Brokeback" Ang Lee and Ron Howard teamed up to make it. The action sequences are rather standard, focusing mainly on the situation rather than the fights themselves which tend to be near-cornball. But somehow it manages to squeeze this feel-good movie in between the cracks, ultimately making an upbeat, positive, and surprisingly cool and different film than what's on its movie posters. The non-action portions of Jet Li's performance are also a unique and skilled departure from his other fare.

***1/2 out of *****

Intolerance in the Czech Republic

You've probably seen indie american films that are dark tales, where good people suffer horrible fates and the credits roll without redemption. They're nasty movies that vary on the scale of black humored to outright offensive. This film uses that tactic, albeit more lighthandedly, to explore racism and intolerance in eastern Europe. A foreign, subtitled film billed in many places as a comedy (which in American markets usually means humorless, depressing social drama), it does have a few absurd moments - but they are drowned out by the ordinary, desperate, and often unlikeable characters. It revolves around human traffickers who sell a baby to a pawn shop, which should really set the mood right there. It's above average for these types of films, but the morals are in your face and it uncannily mirrors the ugly side of people.

**1/2 out of *****

Evil 'Jeffrey'

This film wavers from nastily black humored to painfully observant. It follows a guy tracking down another character through a maze of urban legends, some kooky, some nasty, some silly. It really hits home with its heavy-handed depiction of anti-gay sentiments and the ending is very uncomfortable. Still, it often seems too self-absorbed, unwilling to exposit to the viewer exactly what's going on in the protagonist's head or why he's doing certain things. There's a lot of guesswork involved. Definitely should be on the must-see list for gay films, tho.

***1/2 out of *****