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"HAMLET 2" -- Steve Coogan is wonderful as a failed commercials actor who teaches theater out of sheer love of the form. He is completely sincere in the role, which is
hilarious. An offbeat comedy that also stars Catherine Keener, Elisabeth Shue and David Arquette. -- John Orr DVD
"HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE" -- The first in J.K. Rowling's delightful series of novels is brought to screen with all the best of a fine filmmaker's magic and a great cast to, uh, cast spells. Wonderful fun.
"HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS" -- Director Chris Columbus sets a new benchmark for bringing J.K. Rowling's delightful novels
to the big screen with the thrilling tale of Harry's second year at Hogwarts.
"HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX" -- The film series continues its downhill slide with
a film that is pretty to look at but suffers from horrid gaps in filmic logic and a disregard for the book and its fans.
"HANNIBAL" -- Excellent performances by Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini and Gary Oldman aren't enough to save this continuation of the Hannibal Lecter chronicles. The script and direction are a stew ruined by too many cooks.
"HANNIBAL" -- This megagrossing sequel to
"Silence of the Lambs" is pretentiously plotted,
Godawfully written and paced like an elephant sack
race. Still, terrific acting performances make this
thriller worthwhile.
"HEAT" Robert De Niro and Al Pacino pretty much burn the screen to the ground in bravura acting turns in this excellent crime thriller. Impressive supporting cast, including Ashley Judd, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Amy Brenneman, Natalie Portman, Ted Levine and Diane Venora. Director Michael Mann gets a little self-indulgent, but, so what?
"HIGH FIDELITY" -- This is my movie, these are my people. A compulsive but charming record store owner (John Cusack) tries to figure out why he keeps getting dumped by his girlfriends, while trying to win back his most recent girl. Quirky, but enjoyable comedy with a terrific soundtrack.
"HOLLOW MAN" -- Mad scientest Kevin Bacon
experiments with invisibility, but has trouble getting visible again. The seductiveness of invisibility's freedom drives the brainy (but lecherous) Doc right around the bend, and the body count rises. Over-the-top and graphic, the eye candy outweighs a predictable script and a hollow lead character.
"HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE" -- A cop-buddy movie, pairing the older, real-estate dabbler (Harrison Ford) and the younger, wannabe actor (Josh Hartnett). A plot involving a hip-hop group murder, but why bother? This is full of clichés, and sorely lacking in originality. Don't waste your time.
"HOTEL RWANDA" -- The powerful true story of hotel manager Paul Ruesesabagina (Don
Cheadle) who shelters Tutsi refugees at his hotel during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, at great
personal risk. This should be required viewing for all Americans, Europeans and citizens of the
so-called Superpowers, who did nothing to aid the Rwandan people during the slaughter.
Oscar-nominated performances by Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo (as his wife) humanize the
overwhelming, sometimes brutal images we see of human horror and degradation.
"THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL" -- Spectacular eye candy set in a creepy ex-asylum where bad things happened to loonies and sadistic doctors alike. It's haunted by unspeakable ghosts. Several people spend the night to win a million bucks apiece -- if they survive.
"HULK" -- Critically stomped (and dissed on the Internet), this is surprisingly good. Eric Bana is Bruce Banner, a scientist who is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation in an accident, becoming a supernaturally strong green behemoth. Great acting (particularly from Jennifer Connelly as Banner's girlfriend), and an emotionally versatile CG Hulk.
It's an art-house psychological drama and a CG-laden action thriller that becomes one great film.
"THE HURRICANE" -- Denzel Washington stars in the true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who spend 20 years in prison for murders he didn't commit. Compellingly directed by Norman Jewison.
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