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Reviews
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
One of my all time favorites
Not only are the performances moving and compelling, but the story just grabs and won't let go. Even knowing what's coming, after seeing the movie many times, the ending still brings me to tears.
Dreyfuss is so totally believable. He captures everything from the arrogance of the younger man to the frustration and fatigue of the older.
This movie works on so many levels, from the messages about the educational system to the family interactions and challenges, to the romantic bits.
An absolute must-see!
Coach Carter (2005)
Predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable
For its genre - the high school uplifting turnaround - this is a good example. Samuel L. Jackson delivers a solid and believable performance. The members of the team are also believable, and the story is definitely uplifting. There are no major surprises.
One of the things I look for most, especially with big name actors like Jackson, is whether I believe that they are the character while I'm watching the movie, or whether I'm seeing the actor portraying the character. Jackson is totally believable as Coach Carter.
This movie includes enough drama, including vignettes focusing on the lives of some of the players, to keep it interesting throughout.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Tom Cruise can ACT
Y'know, it's all too easy to watch a Tom Cruise movie these days and just think "that's Tom Cruise." In this movie, I found his character to be believable. Annoying and frustrating at times, but believable. And Dakota Fanning is wonderful.
The story is pretty much the story, and if you know WOTW, then it's familiar. This remake, with up-to-date effects (aliens and their machines), is well done. The mystery and incomprehensible nature of the aliens and how they prepared and why they're doing this remains from Wells's classic.
Well worth the price of a ticket.