August 2005 – Tail Slate

‘Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch’ is a charming sequel

Stitch loses control in 'Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch' — Stitch loses control in ‘Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch’

[rating=3]Starring: Dakota Fanning, Tia Carrere, Chris Sanders, Jason Scott Lee, Holliston Coleman, Jillian Henry, Kevin McDonald, Liliana Mumy, David Ogden Stiers
Director(s): Michael LaBash, Anthony Leondis
Writer(s): Anthony Leondis, Eddie Guzelian, Alexa Junge, Michael LaBash

Before I sat down to watch Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch, I had to take the time to watch the original film. I wanted to get a sense for the originals of all the characters and how they ended up together. I have to say, this series of film is probably one of the most original things to come out of Disney in years.

‘Pretty Persuasion”s Director Marcos Siega is a Hot Commodity

by Brian Milinsky

You can tell right away whether or not someone is a “people person” and Marcos Siega, director of Pretty Persuasion is definitely one of those. It was obvious from the moment he walked into the room and asked the nine or ten journalists/critics present to introduce themselves, “so I’ll know who I’m talking with.”

Pretty Persuasion

by Brian Milinsky

She is pretty and she is so persuasive she puts the M in manipulate. Oh yeah and the S in slut.

‘The Great Raid’ is the story of a little-known, amazing military mission

by Brian Milinsky

‘The Great Raid’ is a very underrated film about an extraordinary military mission

AMC TV Puts August into Bond-age

by Brian Milinsky

One-sheet for 'From Russia with Love' — One-sheet for ‘From Russia with Love’

Beginning August 8th and running through the end of the month, those fortunate enough to subscribe to AMC can watch “The Complete James Bond Marathon” with a James Bond film from the period 1962 – 1989 screening every weeknight. Included in the mix is the wonderful documentary “Bond Girls are Forever” hosted by Bond Girl, Maryam d’Abo.

‘Cypher’ may be direct-to-DVD, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad

by Michael Sheridan

[rating=3]Starring: Jeremy Northam, Lucy Liu
Director(s): Vincenzo Natali
Writer(s): Brian King

Jeremy Northam in 'Cypher' — Jeremy Northam in ‘Cypher’

I like bad sci-fi. Low budget, direct-to-video sci-fi is like eating a chocolate bar — you know it’s bad for you, but it’s so sweet you forget that it’s damaging your stomach and rotting your teeth. But every once in a while you manage to stumble across a direct-to-video sci-fi flick that isn’t that bad.

That’s Cypher. It’s not great, but its entertaining and features some fun science fiction thrills.

‘When Billie Beat Bobby’ is a well produced, true life story with strong performances

by Michael Sheridan

[rating=3]Starring: Holly Hunter, Ron Silver, Matt Letscher, Bob Gunton, Jacoueline McKenzie, Elizabeth Berridge, Fred Willard
Director(s): Jane Anderson
Writer(s): Jane Anderson

Ron Silver and Holly Hunter in 'When Billie Beat Bobby' — Ron Silver and Holly Hunter in ‘When Billie Beat Bobby’

I actually wasn’t too jazzed about watching this movie. Looking at the DVD cover, and the goofy artwork and look of Holly Hunter and Ron Silver in their 70s looks was really silly. But the film actually turned out to be quite interesting, even though the ending is pretty well known — and heck, its in the darn title.

When Billie Beat Bobby isn’t about the suspense of who wins, even though I think it may have benefited had they tried a little, it’s about how this simple tennis match affects women all over the country. Sure, the match was laughed off by many as nothing more than a gimmick. A mere publicity stunt, perhaps, but at the time the idea of a woman athlete beating a male athlete really meant something. Women’s liberation was at its apex, and the aroma of “revolution” was still sweet in the air.

‘Momentum’ is a nice bit of sci-fi fluff

by Michael Sheridan

[rating=2]Starring: Louis Gossett, Jr., Teri Hatcher, Grayson McCouch, Michael Massee, Carmen Argenziano, Nicki Aycox
Director(s): James Seale
Writer(s): Deverin Karol

Grayson McCouch and Teri Hatcher in 'Momentum' — Grayson McCouch and Teri Hatcher in ‘Momentum’

I sat down to watch the DVD of Momentum with a bit of strange coincidence. I was away for a few days about two weeks ago, and one of those days this movie was on the Sci-Fi channel. I only got about twenty minute into the movie before I had to go out, but I thought it was interesting.

Then, what do you know, the good folks at Buena Vista sent it over to me. As I understand, they are pumping out a series of films on the Miramax and Dimension shelves as they shift gears from the reign of the Weinsteins, and this was one of Dimension’s properties. Either way, it was kind of funny to find this in my mailbox a few days after my return.

Read more‘Momentum’ is a nice bit of sci-fi fluff