SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW

Director: Kerry Conran (debut)
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Gambon

A 1930's comic book serial comes to life with some astounding visuals. It's most unfortunate that there is no acting to speak of. It's even more unfortunate that there's not even a plot to speak of. There's just a 1930's comic book serial coming to life ... with astounding visuals. The art design is exquisite and quite intriguing to watch. The devotion to an old form is impeccable, if strange. Everything else takes a back seat, or is simply not to be found. The lack of any worthwhile writing severely hurts the film. The incredible visuals make it worth seeing, however.

Standouts: Massively inventive art design and unique tone throughout.
Blowouts: Nothing to really sink your teeth into. Light fare, yet attractive.

Grade: B

DOGVILLE (DVD)

Director: Lars Von Trier (Breaking the Waves, Europa, much more, leading member of Dogme 95)
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Paul Bettany, more

How about a bad 3 hour parable for ya? (Just what anyone wants for Christmas.) This film was remarkably interesting to watch for 30 or 45 minutes with its bare suggestive set and moody lighting. The town of Dogville, you see, was nothing more than painted outlines of a streets and houses on a sound stage with a door or wall or bed or desk here and there suggesting function. It was an interesting set, with an interesting cast, with interesting visuals, and you hope these people are going to do interesting things. They do for a while. Then I simply began to feel that the parable being told was simply absurd, that it didn't relate to humanity, that it was inaccurate. That would seem to be the death of any parable - and the fact that it's 3 hours long. Good god. Some interesting things to watch, and much that disappointed.

Standouts: An attempt at creative storytelling.
Blowouts: Pompous and boring as all get out.

Grade: C+