CATWOMAN -- by naudy

It's not as bad as you think. Really. My sister Caroline and I rented it in an act of self-loathing. (She's the one who made the comment at the end of THE WORK AND THE GLORY review. If you read it you'll understand the way both of us work. Unfortunately.) It was the night I was leaving Las Vegas. I didn't want to do anything and Car wanted to do something so CATWOMAN was the compromise.

It worked out pretty well. When one has the lowest possible expectations, anything that dosn't make me want to roll around on the floor in agony is great. And this movie, while a bit on the silly side, isn't agony. Sure Halle Berry plays a simpering wimpy badly-dressed artist who becomes bi-polar but she does get to flirt w/ the dreamy Benjamin Bratt and wear some rather spectactular leather goods. And, to be honest, who dosn't wish she could climb up walls in her stilettos, steal diamonds to wear as claws, and wield a whip with style and a smile?

Okay, so maybe I'm in the minority there, but it's still not a bad movie. It's good for when A) you've seen everything else, B) you have a few hours to waste, C) you plan on chatting with your friends during the movie, and D) you never ever want to see THE PRINCESS BRIDE again.

AMADEUS -- by Jacobus Scriptor

What's not to like in a movie with a laughing, pink-haired rather than stoic and dignified Mozart, awesome music, girls in tight dresses that make their boobies poke out, the biggest hair you've seen in your life, insane jealousy, dilemmas regarding the character of God, death by composition, and last but not least Mozart's cute little wife constantly calling him "Wolfie?"

This movie has a pleasant mix of tragedy, irony, humor, and bacchanalia. Narrated as a confession given by the antagonist we get the in-depth look at the Court Composer of some Austrian emperor or other. We observe as he deals with adoring the rock star-ish and yet inadequately appreciated Mozart, and resenting him completely for having superior talent and inferior piety. Eventually Court Composer (I don't remember his name) of course turns to the dark side and begins meticulously working to destroy Mozart and his career while shamefully attending every concert because he is unable to resist the "voice of God." I love the interactions between Mozart and his wife, their intense affection. His total preoccupation with his work draws the constant reminder from her to "get the money first." It is a reminder I frequently get in reference to my career as a crack-whore. This movie deals with conflicts of class, extreme piety vs. joyful life, Cambellian reconciliation with the father, and a hero who wins by losing. 'Tis truly a great flick

MISS CONGENIALITY II -- by naudy

The problem with sequels is no one knows what to do with them. MISS C --II, just like LEGALLY BLONDE 2:RED, WHITE, AND BLONDE takes the interesting character established in the first movie and promptly ignores, disregards, and ridicules her. What's worse is Regina King (pictured here in a Tina Turner dress) is in both of these movies -- as the same character!!! I mean, sure she has a different name and different clothes, but somehow she's been cast twice in two different sequels as the extremist-black-woman-who-ends-up-being-wrong-and-bonding-with-a-ditzy-white-woman. It's sad. 'Cause in the case of MISS C- II it's completely unjustified. Sandra Bullock in this movie plays a helpless stupid ditz who quotes fashion designers. Regina King is WAY cooler than Miss Bullock's character. It would have been a much better movie if Miss Bullock had sustained and maintained her moral/emotional/personal development from the first movie and served as a mentor to Miss King's character in this movie. But, as that's not an accepted Hollywood formula, it just wasn't to be.

Anyway, this film is yet another betrayal of a good idea. Don't waste your time.