Articles by Hilary Rowe
United 93
May 12, 2006 / 00:00 amI will admit that I approached United 93 with serious skepticism. I expected this reenactment of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to present a biased account of events in order to promote a specific political agenda. Now, I believe I was wrong. United 93 is a disturbingly realistic and surprisingly fair representation of the hijacked flight that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania before reaching its intended target.
Take the Lead
Apr 25, 2006 / 00:00 amDespite being a predictable film in the “noble-teacher-takes-on-delinquent-students” genre, Take the Lead is a film of impressive character, advocating chivalry, excellence, and self-respect. This film starring Antonio Banderas is based on the true story of a ballroom dance instructor, Pierre Dulaine, who volunteered to teach dance lessons in a New York City public school. With a heart for the school's rejects, he teaches them what it means to care about something passionately and to believe that they can rise above the circumstances of their difficult urban lives.
Thank You for Smoking
Apr 25, 2006 / 00:00 amJason Reitman's satirical comedy follows the work of its lead character, Nick Naylor, a talented spokesman for big tobacco. Nick possesses an extraordinary ability to twist the truth and to do so with style. As he teaches his young son: “If you argue correctly, you're never wrong.”
Crash
Feb 22, 2006 / 00:00 amBeing a film enthusiast by nature and by education, you can imagine how disappointed I was at the announcement of Oscar nominations that I had not seen any of the five films nominated for Best Picture. I have made my way through three of the films, and I can say without hesitation that Crash is the most complex and profound of the bunch.
Brokeback Mountain
Feb 8, 2006 / 00:00 amUntil now, I have done my best to avoid entering the debate about Ang Lee's newest film Brokeback Mountain. However, the announcement of the Academy Awards nominees last Tuesday, including seven nominations for this film, has brought it to the front of my consciousness. I decided it was time to brave the controversy and see for myself what all the fuss was about.
Tristan & Isolde
Jan 16, 2006 / 00:00 amNever tired of successful genres, Hollywood has again brought us that classic combination of historical war epic and doomed romance (think Gone with the Wind, Braveheart, Gladiator). Although Tristan & Isolde is unlikely to be remembered with the fondness of these popular films, I was surprised by its beauty and occasional originality.
Memoirs of a Geisha
Jan 16, 2006 / 00:00 amFew directors enjoy a debut like Rob Marshall's 2002 film Chicago, popular among critics and movie fans of all circles. Because of his initial success, high expectations surrounded his second feature, and it is comparable in many ways. Most strikingly, Chicago cinematographer Dion Beebe has rejoined Marshall to enrich Memoirs of a Geisha with bold and at times unreal color and light.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Jan 4, 2006 / 00:00 amC.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia stories have previously been adapted for the screen, most notably in the late 1980s and early 1990s TV version. But the recent screen adaptation arrived amidst great anticipation because of the prominent marketing that preceded it, thanks to its mogul producer Walt Disney Pictures. For many, it seems the film version did not live up to the magic of Lewis' beloved classic. Personally, I enjoyed the film immensely and found it to be true to the spirit and story of its source.
The Family Stone
Jan 4, 2006 / 00:00 amThis holiday film tells the story of a family with five children reuniting for Christmas. The oldest son, played predictably by Dermot Mulroney, brings home his uptight workaholic girlfriend, Sarah Jessica Parker, who fails to fit in in this household where practically anything goes. The cast also includes Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, and Rachel McAdams.
Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Nov 9, 2005 / 00:00 amFollowing three successful short films, the clever claymation comedy duo Wallace and Gromit have ventured into feature-length territory. Despite the challenges of bringing this British phenomenon to the big screen, filmmakers Steve Box and Nick Park have created a movie that should please loyal fans and invite newcomers to the series as well.