Recent DVD rentals:

Hellboy (2004) -- I enjoyed this movie much more when I saw it at the theatre.  Watching it on DVD, I almost tempted to say that it was a little boring.  Ron Perlman's sarcasm was about the only thing holding this movie together.

50 First Dates (2004) -- I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.  It was genuinely funny and romantic--one of the best movies I've seen so far this year.

Paycheck (2003) -- This movie was an enjoyable rental.  If you can forgive Ben Affleck's stiff performance, the movie is quite enjoyable.  Also, you may have to forgive the ridiculous premise of the movie.  Nevertheless, Woo manages to entertain the viewer despite the aforementioned shortcomings.

Timeline (2003) -- This movie was good in parts and extremely boring in others.  Renter beware.

The Butterfly Effect (2004) -- I saw the director's cut of this movie.  Basically this movie is the polar opposite of It's a Wonderful Life.  Unlike Jimmy Stewart's character who enriches everyone's life, Ashton Kutcher destroys everyone's life.  The movie deems that it would be better if his character had never been born.  His so-called ultimate sacrifice is pretty sick--he strangles himself with his umbilical cord in his mother's womb and everyone lives happily ever after.

The Secret Lives of Dentist (2003)--This movie was wonderful.  In an age when male performances are so over the top, that they end up as caricatures, e.g. Pacino and Walken, it was a joy to watch a very understated yet powerful performance.

Gothika (2003)--This movie was alright.  It made use of all the psychological movie clichés and sound effects.  I like Halle Berry, so without her, this movie was a bit of a stinker.

Love Actually (2003)--I loved this movie although I must admit that I enjoyed some storylines more than others.  The overall effect is great though, as the the filmmakers effectively deliver their message.  As a bonus, I must admit that for the first time I really enjoyed watching a movie with the commentary on.

Alex & Emma (2003)--A really cute, funny, and romantic movie.  What more could you ask for?  [I know alot of people found this movie boring, but it was the subtlety and the slow pace of it, which I enjoyed most.]

American Pie 2 (2001)--While watching this movie, I wasn't quite sure that I wasn't watching the first one.  I actually had to stop the movie and check the DVD.  This movie totally lacked originality and was simply a rehashing of the same jokes and storylines featured in the  first movie. 

Old School (2003)--Why anyone thought this movie was funny, escapes me.  Although there were a few great Will Ferrell moments, they were just too far and few in-between.  This movie was so distasteful I didn't have the stamina to even finish it, and I'm known to watch just about anything.  The only other movie that I haven't been able to finish lately was The Mexican (2001)--Julia Roberts' character was just too d#mn annoying.

Holes (2003)--I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie--a really interesting and intertwining story.  My kids also loved this movie.  It has been hard to find something they like outside of the Fellowship trilogy.  They are not interested in baby movies, such as Finding Nemo (2003) or Daddy Day Care (2003),  neither are they interested in teen fare such as How to Deal (2003).  Another favorite of theirs is Freaky Friday (2003), which I enjoyed as well.

Bruce Almighty (2003)--not nearly as good as I expected.  It was mediocre at best.  Maybe unlike the preceding reviewed film, it left too many holes.

The Pianist (2002)--If I had known beforehand what the topic of the movie was, I probably would not have rented it.  I tend to stay away from slavery and Holocaust movies.  Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised and taken aback by Adrien Brody's performance of a survivor's journey. 

Johnny English (2003)--All I can muster is---disappointing, and soooo not funny.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)--Yes, I'm going back to a classic.  This movie is intensely gripping, but at times very difficult to watch.  Angst rules.   "Martha!!!"

28 Days Later (2002)--I really enjoyed this movie.  I've seen quite a few zombie movies in my day and this is by far the best.  As a side note, I think I'm in love with the main character played by actor Cillian Murphy.  After he shaves and cleans up, I was like 'wow.'

Deliver Us From Eva (2003)--This could have been a good movie, but.....  I think perhaps they went a bit too far.  The writers probably wrote themselves into a corner and couldn't come up with anything except absurdity. 

Memento (2000)--What can I say about this movie?  I must admit the first time I rented it, I almost turned it off.  It was hard to follow the backward storytelling and I didn't really see the point.   I am so glad I stuck with it, because the payoff was something, not experienced in any other movie I've seen.  I was blown away.  I immediately wanted to see it again.

Boat Trip (2003)--Don't ask me why I saw this.  At first I thought I had the wrong DVD, when the DVD menu featured breasts galore.  A weird mix--A male gay cruise and women's breasts with a hetereo-love story thrown in just for the heck of it.

Legally Blonde 2:  Red, White & Blonde (2003)--This movie is perhaps the dumbest thing I have ever seen in my life.  Other then a few lights moments with Elle's innocent determination, this movie really floundered and wasted a lot of good talent--Sally Fields and Bob Newhart.

Down With Love (2003)--Wow, what a charming little ditty this was.  If you love the romantic comedies of the fifties and sixties, in particular Pillow Talk (1959), you should enjoy this tribute.  Although it gets a little silly at the end, overall it was really good. 

Charlie Angels:  Full Throttle (2003)--Ok, maybe not the best action movie but an improvement on the first installment.  I think perhaps the inclusion of some totally unrealistic stunts hurt the movie or maybe too much 'bimboness', not enough delineation of the characters, or something.  Who knows?  I really wanted to like this one but oh well.....

Bringin' Down the House (2003)--While watching this movie, I didn't know whether to laugh or to be insulted.  This movie was chock full of outdated racial jokes, gags, and stereotypes.