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Movie Review - MUNICH (Thursday, December 29, 2005)

    Steven Spielberg's latest movie, Munich, based upon the travesties surrounding the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, is quite chilling. The intensity of the film is aided by the poignant somber tones in John Williams' brilliant soundtrack, adding to his already stunning oeuvre. The film superbly tells the story of how terror, instigated by anger and vengeance, can change the human soul forever.

     Spielberg, at the end of the film, ties the past to the present and future. The final scene takes place near Manhattan and the credits roll with the iconic symbolism of the Twin Towers standing strong in the background, a dark reminder that terror befalls all those who live upon this earth, even the powerfully strong United States.

     The story of the main character, Avner (an Oscar-worthy performance by Eric Bana), is a grim reminder of the severe, cruel nature of killing - a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, certainly. He fears the murder of his family, in the end, even when it is not coming.

     The film is given a deserving "Rated R" stamp. The blood, violence, nudity, and extreme nature of the film warrants this rating. Please be advised, Munich is not for the light of heart; however, it is deservingly the BEST PICTURE of the year. Hopefully, the Academy will see it as such. *********½ - 9.5 stars out of 10 stars

By James Molnar

Movie Watch 2005 (Wednesday, August 10, 2005)

    On a warm Wednesday morning, I was surfing the internet on my laptop when I remembered that I had not checked out apple.com's trailers website for quite some time. (It is updated with the latest movie trailers in all sizes for all speeds of the internet user.) I began my search through the extensive catalog. In order to make your life easier, I have composed the following list of films that (at least from the trailers) appear to be ones not to be missed:

• Proof

  • Trailer - 1:47

  • Drama / Romance

  • MPAA Rating: Not yet rated

  • In theaters: Coming soon

• An Unfinished Life

  • Trailer - 2:30

  • Drama

  • MPAA Rating: PG-13

  • In theaters: September 9th, 2005

• Thumbsucker

  • Trailer - 2:15

  • Drama\

  • MPAA Rating: R

  • In theaters: September 16th, 2005 (NY and L.A.)

• Just Like Heaven

  • Trailer - 2:15

  • Drama

  • MPAA Rating: R

  • In theaters: September 16th, 2005

• Oliver Twist

  • Trailer

  • Drama

  • MPAA Rating: PG-13

  • In theaters: September 30th, 2005

• Rent

  • Music Video- Seasons of Love - 3:05

  • Musical

  • MPAA Rating: Not yet rated

  • In theaters:

    • November 11th, 2005 (New York, L.A., and Toronto)

    • November 23rd, 2005 (Nationwide)

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

  • Interesting teaser trailer

  • Drama

  • MPAA Rating: PG-13

  • In theaters: November 18th, 2005

• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

  • Featurette- Story - 3:27

  • Fantasy / Family

  • MPAA Rating: Not yet rated

  • In theaters: December 9th, 2005

• The Da Vinci Code

  • Trailer

  • Drama

  • MPAA Rating: Not yet rated

  • In theaters: May 19th, 2006

GO SEE THE TRAILERS.

By James Molnar

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Movie Review - Video and Written (Sunday, November 07, 2004)

The Incredibles [PG]

    To start my review, I pose a question: What makes Disney/Pixar films so great? It is the people at Disney and Pixar whose unique storylines, amazing attention to detail, and unrelenting enthusiasm for filmmaking make their animated movies extraordinary. They have come a long way since Toy Story in 1995. Less than a decade later, the geniuses behind Disney/Pixar continue rolling out great movie after great movie. This is where The Incredibles comes into play. After a critically acclaimed Finding Nemo, can The Incredibles be as good as its Pixar predecessors?

GO READ THE FULL REVIEW.

By James Molnar

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Movie Review - Video and Written (Friday, June 11, 2004)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban [PG]

    Wow! I can’t believe that it has already been a year and a half since I reviewed the last movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Over that time, I have read the third and fourth books in the series, Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire, preparing for the fifth book’s release and the third film’s debut. I have been waiting for this film since last summer, wondering how new director Alfonso Cuarón would translate the book to the big screen. I knew that his past would allow him to make a darker and more suspenseful movie, but the question was: Would he be able to accomplish this?

GO READ THE FULL REVIEW.

By James Molnar

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Television Review (Sunday, April 04, 2004 - Updated June 3)

The Practice

    I might have written a review about The Practice last week; however, I need to tell you, if you don't already know, how good this show is. David E. Kelly has created and produced such a great and powerful show. I watch it dutifully every Sunday and every time the show ends, I am so glad I watched the episode and a part of me is sad that the episode ended so soon. As the screen fades to black, I sit astounded at the conclusion and have a few thought-provoking minutes. This is why I love to watch television; this is why the TV exists: to show you quality entertainment that invokes thought and is not just a straight-forward-no-thinking-allowed type of show. (The current flux of reality shows can be used as an example. They are great ratings grabbers, but do NOTHING for the sole purpose of television. I can admit some are good; however, the majority of the shows are not.)

    The Practice has been offering the same amount of drama and excitement since day one (March 1996). I can say that I have not watched since the get-go, but I have been hooked ever since my grandmother drew me in years ago, telling me just how good it was.

    As ABC announced on air, the "Final Five" episodes of The Practice are starting to be shown, starting with the episode I saw last week (03/28).

    Since it seems like ABC is pulling the show's plug, I must say that they did it to themselves. ABC basically engaged in a death treat against The Practice early last year when they decided, for a time, to move the show to Monday nights at 9:00, moving it from it regular Sunday at 10:00 timeslot that it had for quite some time. Dragnet, the show that was put on Sunday nights eventually failed and was cancelled. ABC made a big mistake. By the time they moved The Practice back to Sunday, viewer ship was going. ABC then decided to fire half the cast, which while I at first was absolutely appalled at this, has come to accept that this was the best move for the show. Now, the next move for the show will be to finish up its eighth and last season. (Although, I have to have some hope in that my favorite show on TV right now won't be cancelled. Then again, I know in my gut that its fate has been sealed.)

    So for all you Practice fans out there, you still have time to watch the final four episodes. The Practice should be back on April 18. So if you could go on-line to and try last-minute efforts to save The Practice, do try. I guess we have at least have four more episodes to cherish and believe me, I will. I give The Practice 9/10 stars.

James Molnar’s Review of the Week is now published every Sunday, except during holidays and vacation, with permission from the JMNewsletter, which has sole rights to his articles. Therefore, they are Copyright © 2004 The JMN Studios. All rights reserved. They are NOT to be reproduced in any way, unless with permission from the JMN Studios.

By James Molnar

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Television Review (Sunday, March 28, 2004)

Is The Practice getting ready to sign off?

    As I do a review of one of my favorite shows on TV, The Practice, I must say that I knew this is the last season I’m going to see the full gang. James Spader has recently come onto the show as lawyer-without-morals Alan Shore. I can say that he has reinvigorated the show in a whole new way.

    Currently, he was just fired from “The Practice” and is suing Young, Frutt & Berluti (the name of the firm) in court for “wrongful termination.” William Shatner is currently guest-appearing as Shore’s helpful attorney. He also adds a nice spark to the show.

    Who will win the case? Find out on tonight’s The Practice on ABC @ 10:00 p.m. ET. I give the show 8.5/10 stars. It is sounding like ABC is going to pull the plug on this show. Will Alan Shore walk away winning the case? It doesn’t matter, but actor James Spader, who plays Shore, certainly will be walking away with the key to the drama. ABC has said he will be starting a spin-off and I don’t think The Practice will survive with it.

By James Molnar

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Television Review (Sunday, March 21, 2004)

Wonderfalls

    The new FOX drama, Wonderfalls, might be in the time period that I still want to watch my favorite show of the year (Boston Public); however, the thought process of the writers is totally different than any show that I have seen in recent days, adding to Wonderfalls’ brilliance.

    The show centers around a young woman named Jaye Tyler (played by Caroline Dhavernas). Jaye works at "Wonderfalls," the gift shop of Niagara Falls. Each episode starts off with an inanimate object giving Jaye a message. For example, a big bass fish in the second episode (which aired 03/19) tells her to "get her words out," referring to a girl she just met and telling Jaye to help the girl. The message's meaning, at first, is very blurred and Jaye tries to guess what it means. By the end of the show, the audience, along with Jaye discovers the true meaning of the message.

    Jaye has been compared to Amber Tamblyn's character Joan Girardi in Joan of Arcadia. God talks with Joan and gives her jobs just like how the objects talk to Jaye and give her missions. The characters are comparable, but are somewhat flawed because God becomes a person when talking with Joan, symbolizing a down-to-earth personality. While Jaye receives her missions from objects, saying that the personality behind is beyond humans. Although, both cases show a care for humans and to try help them out.

   What really surprised me was the fact that I couldn't predict what was coming next. When I predicted the plot, which I try to do (trying to figure out how the show works), I couldn't predict the plot. i love when that happens! It shows the show's true originality.

    Wonderfalls is on FOX Fridays at 9:00. The best part is that you don't even have to miss Joan of Arcadia either. So now your Fridays should be a little more interesting. I know mine are. I give Wonderfalls 7.5/10 stars.

    NOTE: This show's rating are not too hot and if the rating don't improve FOX will drop another good show. Please tune in! Bye for now.

By James Molnar

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Movie Review (Sunday, March 13, 2004)

The Passion of The Christ [R]

    Upon entering the movie theatre, you knew that this movie was not your ordinary movie. The audience, for the most part, already knew the storyline and conclusion. What would compel them to see a movie where they already knew the plot and resolution? From the moment the film starts, you do not watch the movie; you experience it. The film isn’t treated as your normal movie. There are no previews for other films and even the opening titles, which would normally be like the opening graphics telling you who made the film and the title of it, are not even seen until the end of the movie. This adds to the drama. ...

GO READ THE FULL REVIEW.