Reviews prior to January 1, 2002 -- over 120 of them -- may be found here.

Note: As of January 1, 2002 reviews are now provided below in reverse chronological order (newest on top). If you are looking for a particular movie you may wish to use the "find" or "find in page" feature of your web browser, most commonly found under the "edit" pull down menu. Reviews below are heartfelt AND brief, for information about the plots, who stars in them, etc. visit the Internet Movie Database, and the popular press.

Disagree with a review, send Shafe e-mail at yourreviewstinks@gshaffer.com, yes I'll get it!

Shafe's Movie Scale
0.0 Terrible, stay at home, save your money for a root canal	2.5 Enjoyable. Not bad, not great. Worth a video rental at full price.
0.5 I'll never get these minutes precious back!	3.0 Worth seeing, a fine film. Invest the time and money.
1.0 Not even close.	3.5 Great! Succeeds on all fronts.
1.5 Doesn't even qualify for a video rental at $.99	4.0 Fantastic!!! Few films rate 4 Shafe's, see on the big screen.
2.0 On a cold, rainy day might be worth the $.99	The notorious Negative Shafe is only given to movies that were so bad I left before it was over or I could not recommend under any condition.

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NEWEST MOVIE REVIEWS AT THE TOP

FORMAT CHANGE: As of February 2004 I've taken the easy way out in terms of formatting. I'm delighted that friends and family tell me they come to the page to see what I've seen and hear if I like recent movies. At the same time I suspect it is the information and not the format that people like. So from now on entries will be formatted with date seen, title in CAPITAL LETTERS, and overall rating based on the time-tested how many out of 4 Shafes. After the scores will be a few words of comment

PIECES OF APRIL
3/6/04
1 Shafe - This movie got great reviews and was on many top ten lists. Any while I can take some dysfunctional families in movies this one was some unbearable (more like nails on a black board than truly disgusting) that it simply wasn't enjoyable.

STARSKY AND HUTCH
3/5/04
2 Shafes - Fun, a good laugh here and there, but nearly as good as I thought it could be. Stiller and Wilson are a great team together and this defines the perfect at home video.

INTOLERABLE CRUELTY
2/26/04
1 Shafe - I remember when this came out at the theaters months ago, I thought this movie would be fun. Instead it is flat, offers only a few chuckles and ranks as the Cohen brothers least impressive film to date.

SWIMMING POOL
2/15/04
3 Shafes - The story folds on itself, but many interesting parts and keeps you thinking and talking long after the movie is over.

FINDING NEMO
2/14/04
3.5 Shafes - Delightful, kids and adults will both love and so beautiful to watch. Animated.

HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
2/8/04
3.5 Shafes - Very good, well crafted (Jennifer Connolly and Ben Kingsley) about home on beach. Dark, but sincere look at both sides of the issue.

BEFORE SUNRISE
2/5/04
3.5 Shafes - Must admit I "watched" this form while painting, which is to say I heard 100% of it and "saw" about 3% of it. A great film for dialogue, and it worked very well without visuals. Sort of a My Dinner with Andre feel -- well done, and interesting thoughts that come back to you after the movie is over.

ELIZABETH
2/1/04
3 Shafes - Sheri's pick, better than I expected - engaging story. Some of the violence too real for my liking.

MYSTIC RIVER
1/30/04
4 Shafes - A great movie, so well acted and out together. A gripping story with many layers. A must see.

KISSING JESSICA STEIN
1/24/04
4 Shafes - Amazingly fresh, touching, and delightfully truthful in the embarrassment and weirdness of new relationships. Lots beyond the girl who decides to see how having a women as partner would be life.

JONI MITCHELL: WOMEN OF HEART AND MIND
1/23/04
4 Shafes - Absolutely wonderful, amazing how early she wrote so many hits, and the documentary is full of great footage (performances, stills, and more) as well as various people, including Nash, Crosby and many others. Loved it.

UNFAITHFUL
1/21/04
2 Shafes - I must be honest, I didn't watch the entire movie - not my cup of tea, too much pain for those involved. It has received good reviews and I can see why, well acted.

HUMAN STAIN
1/11/04
3.5 Shafes - Very good movie with Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins, about race, class and more. A film that many miss that is well worth seeing.

SHATTERED GLASS
1/8/04
4 Shafes - Great, from the get-go. Wonderfully told, engaging and amazing that this could happen, story of young magazine reporter who fabricated stories.

ROGER DODGER
12/29/03
4 Shafes - Just a 4.0, but so good at sticking to a vision of what the writer/director wanted, and such wonderful characters and sparkling dialogue that it merits 4.0.

ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL
12/27/03
2 Shafes - Okay, with Kevin Spacey, set in Dublin. Why would he not live with his kids and family at the end of the film, story confused about itself at times.

COLD MOUNTAIN
12/25/03
1.5 Shafes - With Mom and Sheri, Christmas Day. Not my cup of tea, an "epic" that didn't work for me. Too brutal and I didn't care that much for the characters.

GROUNDHOG DAY
12/22/03
4 Shafes - Even better than I remember, much more to it. And the info about the making was very interesting.

FREAKY FRIDAY
12/18/03
2.5 Shafes - Fun comedy with Jamie Lee Curtis, switching bodies story of mother and daughter. Just okay. Cute.

SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
12/14/03
3.5 Shafes - Nicholson and Keaton - fun, smart, last third of film (after two-thirds sparkled with mature writing) became standard romantic comedy fair.

LOVELY AND AMAZING
2/11/03
3 Shafes - A good 91 minute film, think I liked more than Sheri. Mother and two daughters, interesting view and some brave acting.

LIMBO
12/10/03
3.5 Shafes - Friends (Diane and Denny) highly recommend. Very good, gripping story, wonderful characters, classic ending.

THINGS CHANGE
12/1/03
2 Shafes - Mamet co-writer Shel Silverstein. Not the best Mamet, older film, fun to see William H. Macy and Felicity Hoffman much younger. Has to do with gambling and debt, so-so.

BLUE CAR
11/25/03
3 Shafes - About young women and teacher, Ebert and Roeper said good. Hard to watch, destructive family, but very well acted and compelling story of young student and teacher. Not a love story, more of an obsession.

LOVE ACTUALLY
11/24/03
4 Shafes - Wonderful, saw it twice. Wrote letter to the Bee about is. Delightful to see these lives, and not predictable in all cases.

OWING MAHONEY
10/20/03
2 Shafes - Philip Seymour Hoffman stars, it sure looked great. But ended up being not that good.

FAR FROM HEAVEN
10/13/03
4 Shafes - Very good, 1950s multiracial, very well acted and compelling story.

LAKEBOAT
10/12/03
1 Shafe - IMDB: Film adaptation of David Mamet's comic play Lakeboat about a grad student who takes a summer job on a Great Lakes freighter and sees life through the eyes of his low-brow crew members. GS: Early Mamet. Lots of dialogue, no real arch of a story. Lets face it I got bored and fast- forwarded through much of the last :30. Not that great and some scene drug on and on.

MATCHSTICK MEN
9/19/03
3.5 Shafes - Fun start to finish, never saw it coming. Saw it again with Sheri.

THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE
9/17/03
4 Shafes - From the first minute it had me and it didn't let go until the end. The voice over was fantastic. One of the best documentaries I've ever seen.

LAUREL CANYON
8/21/03
3 Shafes - Enjoyed it, fun, and loved the way the characters were drawn. The characters developed in interesting and fun ways.

Each movie below is reviewed on three scales-
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: This is my overall rating.
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: How the film rated in terms of the type of film it seemed to want to be. Dumb and Dumber wasn't trying to be Terms of Endearment. So, I rate each movie as drama, suspense, comedy, etc.
"Five Years From Now" Rating: In a conversation five years from now how do I think I'll rate the movie, will it last in my mind.

AMY'S O
08/11/03
Walked:3.5; Accomplish 4.0, Five years 3.0. Delightful comedy, rated R for subject matter. A sleeper and an engaging film about love, men and women. Fun, fun, fun. Seen on video.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
08/09/03
Walked:3.5; Accomplish 4.0, Five years 3.5. A classic with Gregory Peck. Richly textured and I suspect ahead of its time. Many lessons and wonderful acting. Seen on video.

SEABUSCUIT
08/04/03
Walked: 3.0; Accomplish 3.0, Five years 2.5. The raring belies the fact that it could have been more. Others loved it, I found the symbolism hit me over the head too many times. A well crafted/produced film but not nearly as good as I expected.

WHALE RIDER
08/03/03
Walked: 3.5; Accomplish 4.0, Five years 3.0. Set in New Zealand, a delightful film about a young women not being taken as seriously as a leader as the boys by her Maori culture. Seeing the local people in this film is wonderful.

AMERICAN WEDDING
08/01/03
Walked: 3.5; Accomplish 4.0, Five years 2.5. I'm a sucked for the American Pie films, this is #3. Laughed and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Rated R for good reason and raunchy fun at its best.

FAR FROM HEAVEN
06/19/03
Walked:3.5; Accomplish 3.5, Five years 3.0. Great story, set in 1950's of women who's husband is gay and she likes the black gardener.

LOVE LISA
06/18/03
Walked: 0.5; Accomplish 1.0, Five years 0.5. I truly enjoy seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman on the screen (in this case video). This film about his not wanting to open the letter left by his wife who committed suicide is dull, boring and real disappointment.

DINNER RUSH
05/23/03
Walked: 3.0; Accomplish 3.5, Five years 2.5. The perfect video movie, fun, great characters and great dialogue. recommended by my New Zealand mate Tom Watkins, takes place 80% in a New York restaurant, but don't let that put you off.

March 2003

View from the Top (3/21/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
Cute, fun, shallow, ya could see the plot coming down fifth avenue. Ranks as mediocre and one of Paltrow's least impressive comedy efforts.

Bringing Down the House (3/14/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 1.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.0
Disappointing. Predictable, I've seen much better comedies and much better Steve Martin movies. Wait for video.

February 2003

The Guru (2/28/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.5
Don't ya just love Heather Graham? Me too. A truly fun film with lost of spirit and a cleaver story. A true delight. The film is rated R and while not vulgar the rating allows for some more than risqué humor than your usually PG-13 fare.

Daredevil (2/17/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
I must admit after the preview I had no interest in seeing this film, plus I'm not a big fan of Ben Afleck. But in the recommendation of Ebert and Roeper I checked it out, and it was good, very good. I think the best superhero film I've seen. Much better than Batman.

January 2003

25th Hour (1/15/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Outstanding. One of the best film I've seen in year. Engaging from start to finish. Spike Lee let's us do some of our own thinking for ourselves (no spoon feeding you what to think) which is magnificent. If you love real films with grit, acting, structure, and nuance this the film for you.

Rabbit Proof Fence (1/12/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
A year or so ago folks said I never met movie I didn't like. I think a scan down this page will reveal that's no longer the case. However after seeing (and thoroughly enjoying) Adaptation and About Schmidt recently I was hoping to keep the string alive of films I liked. What I got was a great film. This is the story, set in Australia, of how from the 1920's to as recently as the early 1970's half-caste (Caucasian-Aboriginal children) were legally removed from their families. Depressing subject matter? I guess. But this story of one of hope and does not bear the look of an independent film. Three great movies in two weeks, what a treat.

Adaptation (1/10/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Engaging from the simple voice over narrative to the final frame. I've tried to explain the movie plot within a movie vehicle to two folks and they have become confused. Trust me, it is me and not the movie. Introspective in a delightful way, surprising at many times, and such smart screenwriting. A film too many will miss, don't be one of them.

About Schmidt (1/5/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 4.0
Pure. That is the word that comes to mind as think and think about this film. No, the characters are not pure people, it is not about a pure society. It is a film that is pure in its intent from beginning to end. A film that could be seen many times with new lessons learned each time. Subtle humor not for laughs, but acts of how these characters behave are sprinkled throughout. The content of this film does not require the big screen, but the excellence does. Much better in a dark theater without any distractions. This may become one of my all time favorites.

Chicago (1/3/03)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
A wonderful musical. The task of bringing a Broadway production is achieved with great skill, well worth seeing and delight to behold. Fun, engaging, and stylish.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1/3/03 on video)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 4.0
Saw this 1992 film on DVD, and is was even better than I remember. The two DVD sets includes lots of extras, and I look forward to them all. The tale is dark, but so many parts are real of what many of us have felt at some points in our lives. A Mamet classic, the phrasing of the words, the timing are indeed poetry on screen.

December 2002

Catch Me If You Can (12/25/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
Years ago, maybe four, I was at a conference where Frank Abagnale Jr. was the guest speaker at a noon luncheon. Yes, the very same Frank Abagnale Jr. portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can, the holiday bluster buster directed by Steven Spielberg and also starring Tom Hanks. Many times I have told the story of how I saw Abagnale sitting by himself and how I went to introduce myself and ask a few question so he wouldn't be sitting their all alone. And, I have told how he politely, but firmly told me he prefers not to talk with people from the audience prior to a speech. I took my seat. And, I have told countless times about how he spoke in perhaps the most monotone, unemotional presentation I have ever seen, and at the same time how the content of his speech (his life story) was memorizing from beginning to end. It worked for his speech, it does not work for the film. Must of what Spielberg puts on the screen is close enough to what I know about Abagnale's life, the story is indeed fascinating, and like the speech I heard the movie is flat, unemotional, stark in so many places. Maybe that was the whole idea, that being one of the best forgers of checks ever is not glamorous, or that being the FBI agent (Hanks) who spends years tracking Abagnale is also not all that exciting. But it seems as a movie the story begged for more. Abagnale's parents seemed like cardboard cutouts as did other characters throughout. I had been waiting a long time to see this movie and it left me disappointed that a compelling story was not told in more engaging way.

Gods and Monsters (12/23/02) on video
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Winner of the 1998 Academy Award for best screenplay from an adapted work this film was wonderful. It tells the story of the last days of James Whale the man who directed Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Showboat. The writing, timing, characters, and pace are wonderful. You finish the film knowing you have glimpsed at least a part of his life. Highly recommended for those who can watch a film where nothing explodes.

Personal Velocity (12/23/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
An "inde" (independent) film that sports three (approximately) thirty minute vignettes of women moving through various personal changes at various speeds (velocities). Outstanding character development. Shot in a digital format that at times was a bit too much like a home movie for me. Parts of this film indeed exposed the raw nature of real lives, but each story was gripping. After a string of unimpressive movies that left wondering if was me or the movies that were a bit off, this one broke the spell. More a film than a movie and that was just fine by me.

Gangs of New York (12/22/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
Martin Scorsese's long anticipated, and help up, film. I swear I wanted to like this film, I really did. A knew it would be violent, very violent, and while that is not really my cup of tea I took that in stride. Sure the sets are huge, the majesty of what is recreated grand. But, alas, not a single character I really cared about or found believable. They all seemed to be soft line drawings of who they were meant to me. I recently saw another Scorsese film, the 1999 Bringing Out the Dead (not reviewed here) on video and loved it. Not sure what happened this time.

Two Weeks Notice (12/20/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
I knew what I was getting into going in, a Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant romantic comedy. And, I must say "it wasn't that bad." I know that's not much of a rave, but some smart lines, some nice minor characters and all in all an enjoyable experience. Looks like they had fun making it, and smart dialogue helped it move along. Would be just fine on the home theater system.

Star Trek Nemesis (12/13/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
While I don't consider myself a Trekker or a Trekkee, I have seen all the Star Trek films and have much enjoyed many of them. With this movie the franchise seems to have run out of steam. A few plot lines are of some interest, but all in all uninspired. The blend of humor and action long gone. Disappointing.

Analyze That (12/8/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 1.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.0
A few, too few, sparking moments in this Bill Crystal and Robert De Nero comedy. The original (Analyze This) was much better and they should have stopped there. A times I actually felt sorry for De Nero, seemed embarrassing what he was doing on film. Okay for a video in a pinch.

November 2002

Standing in the Shadows of Motown (11/25/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 4.0
Moving, inspirational, brilliant, superb. I literally can not remember the last time I enjoyed a movie this much. The blend of performances, interviews and subtle recreations of historic events make for some of the best movie footage in ages. If like or lived through the Motown sounds (Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Night and the Pips, the list goes on and on and on) this should be a must see movie, and all the better on the big screen.

Emperor's Club (11/24/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Fantastic! Well crafted, superbly acted, characters well defined, a clean arc through the film. And, things do not turn out as you think they will in all regards - which is great. Deeper at various levels than one might assume and characters with complexity. A must see.

Die Another Day (11/22/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 1.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.0
Same James Bond, same plot, same stuff in a new setting. Why do I keep seeing these movies?

Femme Fatale (11/20/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
Brian de Palma (director) hits the nail on the head with the sexual thriller. Little dialogue, but still offers many twists and turns and questions to pondered not only about the film, but about relationships. If there is such thing as a "chick flick", this would have to be a "man's movie."

Harry Potter 2 (11/19/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
Better than the first one, but nothing spectacular - though for kids a whole other story. Better/deeper character development this time around.

Frida (11/9/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
I know I should have liked it more, all the history, all the politics, all the costumes. Alas, it was just okay.

Punch Drunk Love (11/1/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.5
I'm not a big Adam Sandler fan, but Adam Sandler finally shows he can act in a deliciously quirky movie. Not for everyone, but I though well crafted.

October 2002

Bowling for Columbine (10/30/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
A must see documentary. It has been sold, or at least seems to be talked about, as an anti-gun movie. This, by no means, is the central premise to this film. Michael Moore takes us through an amazing serious of logical steps, backed up by a variety of facts, to an conclusion that not only makes sense but is obvious once explained. To state the conclusion here would ruin the viewing.

August 2002

Simone (8/25/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
Great concept (women made on computer and inserted into movies become huge star), poor execution (Al Pacino eating up the scenery, and studio trying to make you think that "Simone" was truly digital - she is not). A few fun moments, fine a cheap video rental, enough other movies around not to waste your time.

Full Frontal (8/18/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.5
The name does not reflect anything about the content of this "indy" movie. Steven "I usually make big huge films like Traffic, Ocean's Eleven and Erin Brockovich, but wanted to make a small $2 million film" Soderbergh goes nuts. Actors (Julie Roberts, and tons more) getting paid next to nothing, doing their own make-up, no limo pick up for the 18 day shoot. Alas I liked it for the most part even if was like the first film by some frenetic 22 year old director. Various insights pop-up, and a film within a film within a film, etc., etc., etc. If you like different movies, movies that challenge you a bit you'll like it, if you haven't seen an independent film in years I'd take a pass.

Hearts in Atlantis (8/14/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Amazingly poignant and a reminder to search out the films that are not blockbusters. A story that engaged me, that made me see things differently. It hasn't been since Good Will Hunting or As Good As It Gets or Cider House Rules that story aspect of a film has drawn me in to such an enjoyable degree. If only all movies could be crafts so well.

Road to Perdition (8/11/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
Maybe it's just me, everyone else seemed to rave about this movie. Moved along nicely, but nothing that brought me in, made me see things differently, that's what I want from a movie.

Signs (8/10/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
I don't do scary, but was talked into this one. Not that scary, and not that good. Story movies well and movie crafted to maximize tension, but (even though may not be fair to compare to Sixth Sense) not M. Night's best work.

July 2002

Austin Powers on Goldmember (7/29/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
Second the best, first one second best, this one - funny - by I would rank third of three. First 15 minutes are best of movie. If you like this series don't miss it, otherwise no big deal.

Men in Black II (7/14/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 1.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 0.5
A far cry from the first, way to much energy on aliens, not enough on humor or plot.

May 2002

Spiderman (5/9/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
The best super hero movie I've seen. Blows the dark/dank Batman out of the water, takes Superman's softness to a clean hard edge. Cartoon violence a plenty, but put together in such a way as sustain the energy throughout. The bounty of misunderstood relations was a bit much, but a fun romp for a blockbuster. And better than Jurassic Park too.

April 2002

Mansoon Wedding (4/30/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
What a delight! Yep, an "art house" film, and so what's wrong with that? Nothing. Set in India, a modern day story of love, family, life, celebration and more. And much more humor than I would have thought, a real winner. Give a pass to the same old thing at your umteenth-a-plex and check this one out.

Changing Lanes (4/28/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Every once in a while a movie hits the nail right on the head, and Changing Lanes did that. I knew going in that -- in the first ten minutes -- an important file folder and documents would be lost and that for the rest of the movie a rich Caucasian lawyer and lower class African-American telemarketer would do battle over the file and engage in vengeful behavior. But could the movie stand up to this premise? YES! From the first scene to the last it was well crafted, full of shots framed in such ways as to both hold my interest and share what the characters were feeling. People changed, but not to the extent that it was unbelievable. Some good lessons, something to think about, and movie that didn't take the cheap way out.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (4/21/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.0
What can say? People rave about this movie. It was exactly what I thought it would be, a 2 hour movie crammed into 3 hours. Take each of the numerous predictable fight scenes and scale each back 70% and maybe you have something. I wasn't all that hot to see this, and I was right, it wasn't all that hot.

Human Nature (4/20/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 0.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 1.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 0.5
What a disappointment! Tim Robbins, one of a my favs in a not funny at all comedy. Same writer as Being John Malcovich without the wit. Forced, un-inspiring and just plane dull.

The Sweetest Thing (4/14/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.5
Wow, after really panning some movies of late (Showtime, Birthday Girl, and Big Trouble), this one - which was alleged to be a stinker by some critics - was much better than I an anticipated. Nothing out of this world, but I say a solid comedy and some real laughs throughout the theater. Sure a bit of the humor is a your juvenile/gross out variety, and gut busting in places as well.

Big Trouble (4/5/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 0.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 1.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 0.5
I had my fingers crossed going in, could Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Janeane Garofalo, Dennis Farina and host of actors pull off this comedy capper? NO! Slow witted, without an edge and just not funny. A pass at the movies and there must be something better to rent from the video store.

The Rookie (4/3/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.5
Say what you will, this pure G rated (not even PG) film was a delight. Fun, touching, inspiring and a story well told. Why not forget about things blowing up and violence for an hour or so and see a family film that works. And not just for kids, I think most folks with a heart for inspiration will enjoy this Disney flick.

March 2002

Showtime (3/18/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
Not much of an endorsement, but not as bad as I thought it might me. Di Nero is a fine actor, and noting is funnier than Murphy at the top of his comedy game, but neither was either. A fun home video/DVD rental, but hardly worth a trip to the movies.

February 2002

Birthday Girl (2/2/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 1.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 1.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 0.5
Romantic comedy or thriller, it didn't know what it wanted to do. Local critic gave it 3.5 starts, Ebert and Roeper thumps down. I'm thumbs down. Plot holes throughout, and I even like Nicole Kidman.

January 2002

Kate and Leopold (1/26/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 3.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 3.0
Cute, funny and much smarter than I expected. Three Shafe's at the movies, and four at home on video. Downright good fun, and some really laughs in between. It may not stick with you long, but sure is fun while it lasts.

Gosford Park (1/21/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
hey, maybe it's just me. Everyone else seemed to love it. Didn't seem to go anywhere. I had high hopes and love many other Robert Altman films. This one just seemed to sit on the screen and lacked tension to provide any driving force.

Orange County (1/19/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
Snappy at times, slow at others. Part farce, part teen flick, part road trip. Jack Black was great in High Fidelity (a four Shafe movie), here he is jack Black doing Jack Black. Interesting to have the offspring of many Hollywood folks on board this firm, but that didn't make it great.

A Beautiful Mind (1/6/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 4.0
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 4.0
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 4.0
Brilliant, touching, well crafted. One of the best films in over a year. Characters you care about, and story that propels to want each new scene to see what unfolds. It doesn't "need" the big screen as some films do, due to visuals, but I have no doubt much more moving on the large format.

Harry Potter (1/4/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 1.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 2.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 1.5
Read about half the book and really enjoyed it. Loved many other "children's" movies and enjoyed them. Though it is all about magic, it lacked a sense of real magic. Many folks I know felt it fell flat also.

In the Bedroom (1/2/02)
"At the Moment I Walked Out of the Theater" Rating: 2.5
"What It Was Trying To Accomplish" Rating: 3.5
"Five Years From Now" Rating: 2.5
Said to be Oscar worthy and no doubt well acted. And, I can handle a painful story such as Leaving Las Vegas (a four Shafe movie), but this didn't have the same urgency. Just seemed like angry, bitter people who couldn't communicate well.

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