Collection ID 1214
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye
Genre: Crime
Studio: DreamWorks   Release date: 2002   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a successful con artist who managed to pass himself off as several identities and the FBI agent hot on his trail.
My Rating:
My Review: Yes, its a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio in it. Many would say that it's a chick flick. I disagree. Leonardo DiCaprio seems to be setting himself up for typecasting.. Its not a romantic drama. Its an amazing story about a kid who runs away from home and becomes everything he's ever dreamed of. Unfortunately, he breaks several laws doing so. The best part about this story, and I didn't even know it until the end of the movie.. It's a True Story!

Collection ID 827
Director: Miguel Arteta
Starring: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Ad Hominem Enterprises   Release date: 2011   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Tim Lippe (Helms) was the guy people always thought would go places but then he just ... didn't. He's been living in über-sleepy Brown Valley, Wisconsin his whole life, still "pre-engaged" to his 7th grade teacher Macy Vanderhei (Weaver), while selling insurance to protect other people's dreams. But now, Tim's stalled life is about to get a kick-start because, for the first time in his 34 years, he's headed to a "major" metropolis - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - where he must try to save his company at a do-or-die insurance convention that, for him, will be entirely unconventional. From the minute he checks into his hotel with his ancient American Tourister and cummerbund money belt, it's clear Tim has no idea how the modern world really works. He is soon smitten with seductive Nebraskan insurance agent Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Heche) and awed by his experienced roommates, the straight-shooting Ronald Wilkes (Whitlock Jr.) and the suspicious Dean Zeigler (Reilly). Disheartened when he comes ...
My Rating:
My Review: Tim Lippe (played by Ed Helms (Andy from the American version of 'The Office')) is selected to represent 'Brown Star Insurance' at this year's '2 Diamonds Award banquet'. Traveling from the small town of Brown Valley, Wisconsin to the big city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tim is thrust into the highly competitive world of cut throat independent insurance companies. In the arena of this do-or-die convention, Tim learns about love, crack, whores, and lovely crack whores. His worldly room mates get him into and out of various troubling scenarios. The things I liked about this movie? It wasn't scripted full of unbelievable over the top scenarios. Instead it attempted to bring the hi-jinks down to the level of everyman working class stooges. It did a good job at that. The story was fairly uninspiring, but the acting and chemistry were quite good. Insurance man (Ed Helms) was charming and somewhat more believable than other bigger than life comedians.

Collection ID 1565
Director: Miguel Arteta
Starring: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Ad Hominem Enterprises   Release date: 2011   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Tim Lippe (Helms) was the guy people always thought would go places but then he just ... didn't. He's been living in über-sleepy Brown Valley, Wisconsin his whole life, still "pre-engaged" to his 7th grade teacher Macy Vanderhei (Weaver), while selling insurance to protect other people's dreams. But now, Tim's stalled life is about to get a kick-start because, for the first time in his 34 years, he's headed to a "major" metropolis - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - where he must try to save his company at a do-or-die insurance convention that, for him, will be entirely unconventional. From the minute he checks into his hotel with his ancient American Tourister and cummerbund money belt, it's clear Tim has no idea how the modern world really works. He is soon smitten with seductive Nebraskan insurance agent Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Heche) and awed by his experienced roommates, the straight-shooting Ronald Wilkes (Whitlock Jr.) and the suspicious Dean Zeigler (Reilly). Disheartened when he comes ...
My Rating:
My Review: Tim Lippe (played by Ed Helms (Andy from the American version of 'The Office')) is selected to represent 'Brown Star Insurance' at this year's '2 Diamonds Award banquet'. Traveling from the small town of Brown Valley, Wisconsin to the big city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tim is thrust into the highly competitive world of cut throat independent insurance companies. In the arena of this do-or-die convention, Tim learns about love, crack, whores, and lovely crack whores. His worldly room mates get him into and out of various troubling scenarios. The things I liked about this movie? It wasn't scripted full of unbelievable over the top scenarios. Instead it attempted to bring the hi-jinks down to the level of everyman working class stooges. It did a good job at that. The story was fairly uninspiring, but the acting and chemistry were quite good. Insurance man (Ed Helms) was charming and somewhat more believable than other bigger than life comedians.

Collection ID 417
Director: Tarsem Singh
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Colton James, Dylan Baker, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Gerry Becker
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: New Line Cinema   Release date: 2000   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Musical score (USA)
Summary: A psychotherapist journeys inside a comatose serial killer in the hopes of saving his latest victim.
My Rating:
My Review: Highly visual film by music video director Tarsem Singh. This movie is his only feature length motion picture credit. The screenplay was written by Mark Protosevich (I am Legend and Oldboy), who doesn't have too many credits behind his name. The movie stars Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio and others. The best acting (in my opinion) came from Vincent D'Onofrio as the very creepy antagonist Carl Stargher. Jennifer Lopez plays Catharine Deane a psycotherapist team member of a group with a new type of treatment. They enter the minds of sleeping subjects in order to view and even interact with the subconscious subjects. The FBI convinces Catharine and her team to use their new technology on a comatose serial killer (D'Onofrio) in order to determine the whereabouts of a missing kidnap victim. Can they dig deep enough into the psycho killer's mind to find the answers in time? Or will his latest victim suffer a water death in a few short hours? The movie is filled with visual imagery and feels a lot like a music video (ref director Tarsem Singh's background). The acting was wooden and listless. Jennifer Lopez is fun to look at, but she really isn't the best actor. Vincent D'Onofrio has an odd speech pattern, which actually works well alongside Lopez's acting. Thankfully they didn't make the film worse by casting other actors that outshine the principals. The movie is full of twisted visual imagery, but it lacks substance. Outstanding set design and fantastic costumes. It's definitely interesting to watch the twisted mind of the killer Stargher and the hotness of J-Low in those amazing outfits, but their really isn't a hell of a lot to like about the story. High on style, lacking on substance. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 1136
Director: Tarsem Singh
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Colton James, Dylan Baker, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Gerry Becker
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: New Line Cinema   Release date: 2000   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Musical score (USA)
Summary: A psychotherapist journeys inside a comatose serial killer in the hopes of saving his latest victim.
My Rating:
My Review: Highly visual film by music video director Tarsem Singh. This movie is his only feature length motion picture credit. The screenplay was written by Mark Protosevich (I am Legend and Oldboy), who doesn't have too many credits behind his name. The movie stars Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio and others. The best acting (in my opinion) came from Vincent D'Onofrio as the very creepy antagonist Carl Stargher. Jennifer Lopez plays Catharine Deane a psycotherapist team member of a group with a new type of treatment. They enter the minds of sleeping subjects in order to view and even interact with the subconscious subjects. The FBI convinces Catharine and her team to use their new technology on a comatose serial killer (D'Onofrio) in order to determine the whereabouts of a missing kidnap victim. Can they dig deep enough into the psycho killer's mind to find the answers in time? Or will his latest victim suffer a water death in a few short hours? The movie is filled with visual imagery and feels a lot like a music video (ref director Tarsem Singh's background). The acting was wooden and listless. Jennifer Lopez is fun to look at, but she really isn't the best actor. Vincent D'Onofrio has an odd speech pattern, which actually works well alongside Lopez's acting. Thankfully they didn't make the film worse by casting other actors that outshine the principals. The movie is full of twisted visual imagery, but it lacks substance. Outstanding set design and fantastic costumes. It's definitely interesting to watch the twisted mind of the killer Stargher and the hotness of J-Low in those amazing outfits, but their really isn't a hell of a lot to like about the story. High on style, lacking on substance. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 284
Director: Andrew Davis
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn
Genre: Action
Studio: Chicago Pacific Entertainment   Release date: 1996   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): German, English, Spanish (USA)
Summary: Two researchers in a green alternative energy project are put on the run when they are framed for murder and treason.
My Rating:
My Review: Starring Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz and Brian Cox. This movie is a gem in the rough. An HBO production that was never released theatrically, this movie is a fantastic technology thriller. A thinker that kept moving from begining to end. Reeves and his coworkers discover a clean source of limitless energy. Government agents quickly move to suppress the technology. They murder one of the scientists, kidnap others, and frame the ones who get away. The story isn't the greatest, but the casting was favorable, the locations well chosen, the characters worth watching and the pacing was done just right. Very well directed. This movie is a sleeper surprise.

Collection ID 994
Director: Andrew Davis
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn
Genre: Action
Studio: Chicago Pacific Entertainment   Release date: 1996   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): German, English, Spanish (USA)
Summary: Two researchers in a green alternative energy project are put on the run when they are framed for murder and treason.
My Rating:
My Review: Starring Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz and Brian Cox. This movie is a gem in the rough. An HBO production that was never released theatrically, this movie is a fantastic technology thriller. A thinker that kept moving from begining to end. Reeves and his coworkers discover a clean source of limitless energy. Government agents quickly move to suppress the technology. They murder one of the scientists, kidnap others, and frame the ones who get away. The story isn't the greatest, but the casting was favorable, the locations well chosen, the characters worth watching and the pacing was done just right. Very well directed. This movie is a sleeper surprise.

Collection ID 1062
Director: James Foley
Starring: Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry
Genre: Drama
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 1996   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: A young man fresh out of law school tries to win a reprieve for his racist grandfather who is on death row.
My Rating:
My Review: The Chamber is a movie based on a John Grisham novel. Screen play by William Goldman and Chris Resse. Starring Chris O'Donnel (as the young attorney, Adam Hall), Gene Hackman (as Sam Cayhall, the convicted klansman), Faye Dunaway (as the distraught, alcoholic, daughter of a convicted murderer), and others. Directed by James Foley, the only good thing about this movie was Gene Hackman's performance. He was excellent in the role of Sam Cayhall, a racist on death row. The story: Sam Cayhall is on death row for the murder of two young boys. He killed the two Jewish children because his Klan upbringing gave him no choice. Indoctrinated to hate and despise those who were different. In an odd twist, Cayhall's grandson; a young inexperienced lawyer, ends up defending him in court. The drama was excellent. Very personal, heated and deep. Unfortunately the movie was fairly predictable and the direction was poor. The performance of Faye Dunaway was very poor and Chris O'Donnel wasn't much better. If it hadn't been for Gene Hackman, this movie would have been quite a stinker. I give it 3 out of 5 on the strength of Hackman's performance and the location shots. 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 317
Director: James Foley
Starring: Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry
Genre: Drama
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 1996   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, Spanish, French (USA)
Summary: A young man fresh out of law school tries to win a reprieve for his racist grandfather who is on death row.
My Rating:
My Review: The Chamber is a movie based on a John Grisham novel. Screen play by William Goldman and Chris Resse. Starring Chris O'Donnel (as the young attorney, Adam Hall), Gene Hackman (as Sam Cayhall, the convicted klansman), Faye Dunaway (as the distraught, alcoholic, daughter of a convicted murderer), and others. Directed by James Foley, the only good thing about this movie was Gene Hackman's performance. He was excellent in the role of Sam Cayhall, a racist on death row. The story: Sam Cayhall is on death row for the murder of two young boys. He killed the two Jewish children because his Klan upbringing gave him no choice. Indoctrinated to hate and despise those who were different. In an odd twist, Cayhall's grandson; a young inexperienced lawyer, ends up defending him in court. The drama was excellent. Very personal, heated and deep. Unfortunately the movie was fairly predictable and the direction was poor. The performance of Faye Dunaway was very poor and Chris O'Donnel wasn't much better. If it hadn't been for Gene Hackman, this movie would have been quite a stinker. I give it 3 out of 5 on the strength of Hackman's performance and the location shots. 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 619
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman
Genre: Drama
Studio: Paramount   Release date: 1974   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Roman Polanski's brooding film noir exposes the darkest side of the land of sunshine, the Los Angeles of the 1930s, where power is the only currency--and the only real thing worth buying. Jack Nicholson is J.J. Gittes, a private eye in the Chandler mold, who during a routine straying-spouse investigation finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a jigsaw puzzle of clues and corruption. The glamorous Evelyn Mulwray (a dazzling Faye Dunaway) and her titanic father, Noah Cross (John Huston), are at the black-hole center of this tale of treachery, incest, and political bribery. The crackling, hard-bitten script by Robert Towne won a well-deserved Oscar, and the muted color cinematography makes the goings-on seem both bleak and impossibly vibrant. Polanski himself has a brief, memorable cameo as the thug who tangles with Nicholson's nose. One of the greatest, most completely satisfying crime films of all time. "--Anne Hurley"
My Rating:
My Review: Chinatown: Made in 1974, this film noir classic is a masterpiece of the genre. A truly remarkable film. Perfectly cast with Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston, this movie (directed by Roman Polanski) features excellent directing wrapped around a hard-boiled detective plot. The pacing was perfect and the characters carried more substance than any two movies. Set in L.A. during the late 20's early 30's. The plot is a roller-coaster ride from land scam to murder mystery to deep dark family secrets. I've seen it three times and it still keeps me guessing.