Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Before Kate Winslet did Titanic and Peter Jackson tackled the Lord of the Rings trilogy, they worked together in 1994 on Heavenly Creatures, a beautiful and disturbing tale of teen obsession, madness, and murder. The fact that this is based on an actual crime is even more disturbing.

In a girls' school in 1950s New Zealand, Pauline Parker (Malanie Lynskey) is a loner with messed-up hair and an air of depression and anger. When the sprightly newcomer Juliet (Kate Winslet) enters the school and takes an interest in Pauline, the two become fast friends. To Pauline, Juliet has everything she doesn't: beauty, a cultured family (as opposed to Pauline's working-class folks), exuberance and travels. And for Juliet, Pauline provides a steadfast companion and a buffer against Juliet's devastating fears of being left alone.

As the two girls spend time together, they develop a fantasy kingdom: first just a name and brief history, but soon a long genealogy of the royal family, sculpted dolls of the major characters, and they even begin referring to each other as the prince and princess of this made-up land. (Pauline calls her boyfriend by the fictional prince's name because "it sounds nicer.") Pauline and Juliet seem to share their delusion in this world, as they envision the same sights and dance and interact with human-sized clay figures living in this world -- and killing the people who anger the girls in the real world. The girls begin shutting out everything except each other, joined in even more fantasies (they'll go to Hollywood and become instant stars and celebrities) -- and a very dangerous plan to make their fantasies real.

Peter Jackson directs the two young, gifted actresses very well here, as their behavior becomes increasing manic to us and giddy to each other. Watching Pauline and Juliet, one can almost feel the drives that can lead to the school violence that occurs all too frequently. And the fantasy sequences are bright, colorful, and magical -- a sparkling contrast to what the two girls see in their own lives. Heavenly Creatures is an unsettling film, but a great one -- and it showcases the early talents of a great actress and director.

Overall Grade: A

Reviewed by James Lynch

The Holiday (2006)

The Holiday is a newly released DVD that fits in the romantic comedy genre. It stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslett, Jude Law and Jack Black who all perform well in this film (As an aside, it’s always a little strange seeing Jack Black in a more serious role… I always see him as the washed up teacher in School of Rock, but that's another story.).

Both leading ladies are involved in completely dysfunctional relationships with their current men. They both simultaneously decide that they need a serious break- we're talking about a "holiday" (gotta love those Brits!) on another continent. So the two meet online, and decide to exchange homes for two weeks (I have heard of folks actually doing this so this is not as far fetched as this would seem). While each is busy trying to escape their current life, they end up finding what they were looking for all along.

While The Holiday is a lengthy 2:15 film, particularly for a romantic comedy genre film, it really is needed, as the parallel journeys of the two women are told. If you're looking for a clever date movie to watch with your significant other, than this film should be near the top of the list. I thoroughly enjoyed this well acted film which had several memorable and touching scenes.

Overall Grade: A-

All The King's Men (2006)

With a cast including Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Anthony Hopkins, and James Gandolfini, a movie has to be good, if not great, right? Well, after trying to watch All The King's Men, it just proves (once again) that no amount of star power can save an otherwise dismal script.

The plot focuses on the life and times of Huey "The Kingfish" Long. He was the original power broker from Louisiana, first as their governor, and then after a one term limit, as their senator. He was also attempting to challenge President Franklin Roosevelt's reelection campaign for the '36 election. With his political power, and colorful personality, I'm sure this is fertile ground to make an intriguing film about this character. Interestingly, his first job was as a door to door salesmen, and he spent the rest of his career selling himself to his constituents.

Unfortunately, All The King's Men is quite the dismal film. The plot line is barely nonexistent. The artificial laid on Cajun accents required use of the subtitles. Gimme a break- James Gandolfini's was especially fake. The whole thing moves at a glacial pace, and barely makes sense. It's really sad when the twenty minute documentary in the bonus features has more to impart than the main attraction. Also annoyingly, even though the film is clearly about Huey Long, they insist on renaming the main character played by Sean Penn to Willie Stark. Why you might wonder? I truly have no idea.

In summary, I recommend All The King's Men to no one, unless you have to see Tony Soprano speak with a fake Cajun accent. Run, don't walk...you've been warned! It was truly a waste of good acting talent on such an ill conceived, and poorly written screenplay.

Overall Grade: F