Miracle

Kurt Russell turns in the acting performance of his career—truly captures this character and loses himself in the role—very impressive work. The director, Gavin O’Connor and the editor, John Gilroy deftly created an historical sports film wherein the tension and excitement of a hockey team’s training and long road to glory are captured and yet, not done overmuch. This film has a wonderful sense of pacing and awareness of audience tolerance for sporting events portrayed on film—historical games, no less—and in this case, Hockey. Intense plays, upsets and victories all blaze across the screen between the quiet, dramatic scenes where the people ‘live.’ All the young actors playing the team members are excellent—only a few lame moments in timing or interaction. Patricia Clarkson is the unsung heroine—billed as Mrs. Brooks—she gives an enchanting portrayal of the supportive wife with a life of her own, as well. Mentioning her at the end of the movie would be an appropriate change for wide release. 

METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW 
Greatness is the measure of leaders that also accomplish an outcome valued by many others. In 1980, at the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, a hockey coach of some note, stepped across the line into greatness when his young team took the Gold Medal in Hockey. Herb Brooks was a simple man that was a great leader.

ALONG CAME POLLY

Jennifer Anniston is superb, especially considering there is no real chemistry with Ben Stiller, who also does a great job—good actors can hit the mark with their characters and never ‘make it’ as a romantic comedy ‘couple’—somewhat like casual one-night stands apparently serve a purpose, without the people involved becoming a couple. METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW When life takes a dive, one must start again fresh…when you have accomplished something, it is not the only thing you need do the rest of your life…everyone thinks opposites attract…and then Along Came Polly into their lives.

CROWD PLEASERS 
Peter Pan 2003 is the newest Peter, Wendy and Hook offering. Jeremy Sumpter, (Peter) was actually thirteen when he was filmed in this animation-enhanced, action movie for older children and adults…there is a tone of sexual tension that may hit a level at which some parents wouldn’t be comfortable with their children…previewing is suggested.

UPCOMING COMEDIES
 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton is a light, airy romp for some of our up and coming actors Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush, Rules of Attraction,) Josh Duhamel (soap opera star of All My Children and new series ‘Las Vegas’,) Topher Grace (Mona Lisa Smile) and Ginnifer Goodwin (Mona Lisa Smile and TV series ‘Ed’.) The Big Bounce is sure to please a perfect Owen Wilson vehicle—accompanied by Morgan Freeman—cameos with Charlie Sheen, Willie Nelson and Gary Sinise. Disney’s Teacher’s Pet has comedy and the voices of Nathan Lane, Shaun Flemming, Kelcey Grammar, David Odgen Stiers, Wallace Shawn, Megan Mullaly—good animation flick.

UPCOMING SCI-FI 
The Butterfly Effect with Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart may disappoint as the directors cut their teeth as a team on Final Destination—should we all take a chance on them again?

UPCOMING DRAMA 
Find out what happened to McCauley Caulkin in Saved.

UPCOMING OSCAR WINNER
 Charlize Theron for her role of Aileen (Aileen Carol Wuarnos, executed for her deeds in 2002) in Monster. This film is biographical in nature and portrays a deeply troubled woman with an unbelievably harsh past who turns to prostitution, metes out death with her favors, in the same brutish, monstrous fashion as did her earlier tormentors…for more you will have to brave the movie itself.