Narcissistic crap masquerading as art or haunting portrayal of one man's guilt? Gallo plays a motorcycle racer who travels across the States to revisit his one true love (Sevigny). While I'm all about art flicks, this one is frustratingly difficult to watch. With almost no dialog, the majority of the film consists of Gallo driving his van through various towns and cities, down one stretch of highway after another. So why would anyone rent this movie? Because of it's notoriety. It contains a graphic hard-core sex scene between Gallo and his (then) girlfriend Cloe Sevigny. By graphic, I mean X-rated graphic. While there's a certain thrill to watching name actors engaged in actual sex and while the scene itself is um, arousing it's also jarringly out of place with the rest of the film. In interviews Gallo insists he didn't include it to be controversial, that it was integral to the movie etc. All I know is that I'd recommend you grab the clip off the 'net instead and save yourself 90 minutes of roadside scenery.

Similar in feeling to Memento, The Machinist has a surprisingly simply premise and admittedly one that I did not see coming. Christian Bale plays Trevor Reznik, a tormented man who has not slept for nearly a year. After causing an accident in the metal factory where he works that leaves his co-worker (Ironside) an amputee he begins to doubt his sanity. Sleep deprivation leads to paranoia as he chases a phantom stranger (Sharian) who's existence no one else will acknowledge. The moody atmosphere is refreshing in it's execution and the plot is one that will fool you long after you think you've figured it out. But the image of a skeletal Bale who lost over 60 pounds for the role is in itself a reason to see this movie. No other actor has gone to such physical extremes - even more amazing considering that this was a small, independent release.

Based on the true story of the genocide that occurred in Rwanda in 1994. The always excellent Cheadle plays hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina the reluctant hero who helps save over 1200 people from being butchered. Add into the mix the frustrated Canadian general (Nolte) running the UN peacekeeper contingent and the horrified reporter (Phoenix) hoping to get the West to pay attention to the ongoing atrocities. This movie definitely belongs alongside 'The Killing Fields' and 'Welcome to Sarajevo' - excellent films that showcase the brutality mankind is capable of. I had only one complaint, and it's a small one. While it touched upon it, I wish the film had delved deeper into the West's and the UN's responsibility in this sad affair. The fact that it was more important to stop the killing of thousands of European's in Yugoslavia than it was the millions slaughtered in Rwanda.

Loosely based on a true story, Depp plays Scottish playwright James Barrie. Coming off his latest flop of a play he meets a widow (Winslet) and her four boys in a park one day. Despite tension with his wife, interference from her mother, and disapproval of the community he goes on to form a strong bond with them. Particularly with young Peter who's emotionally troubled over his father's death. His experiences with the family inspire him to create his greatest work - Peter Pan. Once again excellent performances all around - especially Freddie Highmore who plays Peter. About the only quibble I have with the film is that within the first 5 minutes I had a pretty good idea of where it was going. Still, bring the Kleenex as you'll be bawling by the end of it.

Two strangers awaken to find themselves in a filthy room, each with a leg chained to the wall and no recollection of how they got there. In the middle of the floor lies a dead man clutching a tape recorder. Searching their pockets they find a cassette with 'Play Me' written on it. So begins 'Saw', a grotesque film with an intriguing premise and horrifying imagery that falls short of being a classic. While not entirely original - owing much to the excellent low budget flick 'The Cube' - the opening scene goes a long way to keeping you involved in the story until the surprise ending. Being a horror flick there's the usual plot holes, but they are easily overlooked in the face of such brutal and sickening situations. Unfortunately Glover and especially Elwes are poor choices for this genre. Had different actors been cast 'Saw' likely would have achieved Cult status.

As someone who lived through the Edmonton tornado, extreme weather both fascinates and frightens me. I am also very concerned about the effects of global warming. [It sickens me that Polar Bears will likely become extinct during my lifetime, all so some loud-mouth American can slide his fat ass into his SUV and drive down the block to the local Dunkin Donuts] So it was with much interest that I watched Hollywood's latest take on the subject. Surprisingly I found this movie to be quite enjoyable. Dennis Quaid plays Jake Hall, a scientist who warns the US government of the coming disaster - as global warming paradoxically hastens in the next ice age. Along the way his son Sam (Gyllenhaal) becomes trapped with his friends in New York. This leads to Jake and his colleagues struggling to rescue them before it's too late. I found the scenes of New York as an icy wasteland fascinating to watch. I also liked how there was at least some attempt to reflect this as a global disaster, with Canada and Scotland sharing in on the fun. Yes, it's a bit implausible in parts but the special effects coupled with the social commentary make this a good watch.

I'll skip reviewing the movies themselves as everyone knows the story and has probably seen the films dozens of times already. It is important to note that these are not the originally released films. Instead they are the 1997 re-release editions to which a number of additional changes were added. On the whole I like all the 'improvements', although the whole Greedo scene still bugs me. Other than the changes, why would you want to own the set? Because the movies look and sound amazing. These are definitely the DVD's to own to showcase your entertainment system. Countless hours were spent removing the slightest imperfections from the master reels and the end result is stunning. As for the sound, there's nothing like hearing John Williams' booming score and the cacophony of sound effects in THX. In addition to the three films an additional DVD contains scores of bonus material including the excellent documentary 'Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy'. Ok, so what's my favourite of the three? It'd be Empire Strikes Back - the best by far.

The latest documentary from Oscar winner Michael Moore borrows the title from Ray Bradbury's classic sci-fi tale 'Fahrenheit 451', a story about a futuristic society where books are burned because the content deemed to dangerous. An apt choice as the White House will definitely deem this movie incendiary. In it Moore alleges that current events are all part of an Orwellian desire for eternal war and eternal fear in order to keep perpetuating the status quo. He goes to great lengths to portray the leader of the most powerful nation on earth as an illegitimate president and a bumbling idiot. The scene where Bush is in a Florida classroom and the look upon his face as he's frozen in uncertainty upon hearing that the United States is under attack is particularly telling. Especially powerful is the opening where Moore spares us having to witness the planes crashing into the towers yet again. Instead, the audience sits in complete darkness for an entire minute listening to the jets impacting one after the other and the horrified screams on the ground. While somewhat of a departure from his previous films (he spends most of the time narrating instead of appearing on camera) he manages to inject some subtle humour and the scene where he tries to get members of Congress to enlist their sons and daughters to fight in Iraq is vintage Moore.

From the brilliant mind of Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) comes this latest gem of a movie. One day Joel (Carrey) has an odd compulsion to ditch work and he takes the train to the coast. There he encounters Clementine (Winslet) who although he's never met her before, there's something oddly familiar about her. Describing the rest of the movie would not only give away too much, but it also wouldn't do justice to this head trip of a film. Carrey easily puts in the best performance of his career, showing that he has what it takes to be a serious dramatic actor. Winslet is stunning in appearance and her mannerisms dredged up memories from my past - adding a personal connection to the mix. The rest of the cast are also excellent. Look for Elijah Wood in his first post-LOTR role. Truly not a mainstream film, it will leave you reflecting long after the final credits role. In the end you are left with the notion that perhaps certain people are just destined to be together.