Charlize-Theron Movie Reviews

That Thing You Do! is a movie that only gets better every timeyou see it. This story of a young bad from Eerie, PA tells a commontale, that of the one-hit wonder. This film does an excellent job ofshowing a normal garage band hit it big with the success of a hit songin 1964. The band is then put on the road, signed by the Playtonelabel, and gets heavy airplay thanks to their manager, the incredibleTom Hanks.

With this being the writing and directing debut ofHanks, it is one incredible piece of work. This film has a rapid firestory line. It includes many events of the bands rise to fame in ashort amount of time, but also shows what can ultimatly happen to anoverworked band. This film does well by the superb acting jobs by allof the band members, most notably Jimmy (Jonathan Schaech) and theincredible performance by Tom Everett Scott as Guy "Shades"Paterson.

This film is also noteworthy due to the fact that it israted PG. So many movies feel that they need to be rated R to get adecent point across. Not this film. It can show the real life of aband in a way that includes very little adult language and no violenceor sexuality. This is one refreshing film that goes at its own paceand takes the viewer to new places. A great film for Tom Hanks on hisdebut. It was overlooked in theaters but it deserves a home in everyvideo collection.

Hanks' writing and directorial debut is a hit. Four Erie, PA boys dream of stardom as they form a band called the Wonders. Talented as he is concieted lead singer Jimmy (Jonathon Schaech)is supported by his loyal and ever-loving girlfriend Faye (Liv Tyler)as he writes a touching ballad-type song called "That Thing You Do". Fortunately, the bands' drummer Guy "Shades" Patterson (Tom Everett Scott)accidentally picks the beat up a notch at a local band competition, and the crowd goes wild. They soon have a hit on their hands, and are being played on the radio. Enter manager (Hanks), who takes them on a tour for the record label Playtone, and turns them into stars. But Jimmy's growing ego and the bass player's small problem of having to report for Army duty pose a problem for the Wonders, even after their huge success on a variety show (the host is played by Hanks' longtime friend Peter Scolari, who starred with him in the sitcom "Bosom Buddies"). The most amazing thing about this movie is that no matter how many times you hear them play "That Thing You Do", you never get sick of it. Great cast, great script, and Steve Zahn as the bands guitarist is fabulous. DVD extras including the making of the movie (where you learn that the actors had to actually learn to play their instruments), the theatrical trailer, and 2 music videos, one for "That Thing You Do", and the other for "Dance With Me Tomight". Fun and refreshing.

This is just such a superb movie. I've watched this film no less than 20 times and enjoy it each and every time. Hanks does a tremendous job as always, and so do the young unknowns a well. Believable, funny, engaging, entertaining... and a catchy tune for the soundtrack as well. What more could you want?

A funny movie. Not a classic -there are no classics anymore- but a funny movie. Intelligently written so that many of us are able and willing to accept unusual situations in an unfamiliar environment. Not all of us sell used cars, wear tattoos or works gluing labels on cat-food cans. Actors are very good with some minor exceptions. Remarkable the magnificent command of the southern accent by British actress Natasha Richardson. The rest of her performance is great too. Billy Bob is excellent and so is Theron. Patrick Swayze, with his brand new set to teeth, his impeccably dyed brown hair and not looking a second older than sixty, seems a little like a miscast to me. First of all, he is not particularly funny, is not a brilliant actor and I had a pretty tough time figuring out how he happened to pick up a babe like Theron, unless he adopted her. But those are details. The movie is pleasant. I don't know if I want to own it but I spent a nice time watching it.

I just caught this movie on Starz, and even though I'm not usually into "Billy Bob" movies, I was totally sucked in after the first few minutes. What I thought was neat is that the "rednecks" in this movie weren't entirely stereotypical...as a matter of fact in my opinion they were pretty much on target. I know a handful of people in my neck of the woods who look/act/talk the exact same way. My favorite part of the movie is when the foursome finally get to Reno and the two women are running around their awesome hotel suite, dancing to a Shania Twain video on the leather couch. Just for the record, Patrick Swayze looks just as good today as he did nearly 20 years ago in Grandview USA. Yum! His character was a perfect match for Charlize Theron's slightly dumb, slightly slutty but still sweet Candy...who was a good enough friend to "Darlene" to sleep with her husband. Don't miss this one if you get the chance!

Waking Up In Reno is everything it's cracked up to be. Patrick Swayze takes on a role most of us have never seen him in - soft and somewhat dim-witted, gentle, and quite lovable. Charlize Theron plays the wife he is trying to impregnate. Billy Bob Thornton is a car salesman, and somewhat of a jerk in the film - but manages to remain oddly likable anyhow. Thornton's wife is portrayed by Natasha Richardson - a housewife with some issues of her own. These four quirky redneck friends decide to take a trip to Reno for a monster truck show and some much-needed vacation time. Along the way there are side-splitting laughs galore and a very dysfunctional good time. This is Jerry Springer meets Road Trip and the result is a ball of fun! You'll find yourself actually wanting to watch this one more than once - a strange sort of "feel good" movie - easily one of my favorites.

A funny movie. Not a classic -there are no classics anymore- but a funny movie. Intelligently written so that many of us are able and willing to accept unusual situations in an unfamiliar environment. Not all of us sell used cars, wear tattoos or works gluing labels on cat-food cans. Actors are very good with some minor exceptions. Remarkable the magnificent command of the southern accent by British actress Natasha Richardson. The rest of her performance is great too. Billy Bob is excellent and so is Theron. Patrick Swayze, with his brand new set to teeth, his impeccably dyed brown hair and not looking a second older than sixty, seems a little like a miscast to me. First of all, he is not particularly funny, is not a brilliant actor and I had a pretty tough time figuring out how he happened to pick up a babe like Theron, unless he adopted her. But those are details. The movie is pleasant. I don't know if I want to own it but I spent a nice time watching it.

I just caught this movie on Starz, and even though I'm not usually into "Billy Bob" movies, I was totally sucked in after the first few minutes. What I thought was neat is that the "rednecks" in this movie weren't entirely stereotypical...as a matter of fact in my opinion they were pretty much on target. I know a handful of people in my neck of the woods who look/act/talk the exact same way. My favorite part of the movie is when the foursome finally get to Reno and the two women are running around their awesome hotel suite, dancing to a Shania Twain video on the leather couch. Just for the record, Patrick Swayze looks just as good today as he did nearly 20 years ago in Grandview USA. Yum! His character was a perfect match for Charlize Theron's slightly dumb, slightly slutty but still sweet Candy...who was a good enough friend to "Darlene" to sleep with her husband. Don't miss this one if you get the chance!

Waking Up In Reno is everything it's cracked up to be. Patrick Swayze takes on a role most of us have never seen him in - soft and somewhat dim-witted, gentle, and quite lovable. Charlize Theron plays the wife he is trying to impregnate. Billy Bob Thornton is a car salesman, and somewhat of a jerk in the film - but manages to remain oddly likable anyhow. Thornton's wife is portrayed by Natasha Richardson - a housewife with some issues of her own. These four quirky redneck friends decide to take a trip to Reno for a monster truck show and some much-needed vacation time. Along the way there are side-splitting laughs galore and a very dysfunctional good time. This is Jerry Springer meets Road Trip and the result is a ball of fun! You'll find yourself actually wanting to watch this one more than once - a strange sort of "feel good" movie - easily one of my favorites.

The Italian job part of *The Italian Job* is strictly within the first 10 or 15 minutes; the rest of this mess is filmed in the much cheaper locales in and around Los Angeles. If you even care, it should be noted that this is a very loose remake of a negligible British film with the same title. In this version, there is plenty of trendy industrial music to accompany the quickly edited chase scenes, a scheme that clearly works when one considers the fellow sitting in the row in front of me at my local multiplex: the guy was literally rocking in his seat, rubbing his hands together manically, and shouting out the occasional "YAH!" No longer able or willing to create plausible action pictures, the Hollywood Machine has hit upon the secret of appealing to the hyperactive inner child in all of us. However, those not easily prone to rocking in their seats will find themselves indefatigably bored with this movie. Not as bored, though, as Edward Norton appeared to be. This arrogant actor displays his superior attitude to this material by giving what can be kindly described as a non-performance. (The rumor mill has given out that Norton had to participate in *The Italian Job* in order to meet the terms of the studio's contract.) Given his track record thus far, his arrogance is unwarranted. The truly great actors earn their reputation for greatness by making watchable movies that would be otherwise unwatchable without their presence. (Rather like Michael Caine, who -- surprise! -- was in the original *Italian Job*.) In other words, Norton could stand to learn something about teamwork from co-star Donald Sutherland, whose early departure in the film is sorely missed. Between Norton, Mark Wahlberg (in the Caine role), and the always-overacting Charlize Theron, true talent and screen-charisma are nowhere to be found: the excessively featured Mini-Coopers have more personality than the cast. But mine is the minority -- and therefore meaningless -- opinion, since today's audiences prefer the hypnotic and subliminal pleasures of constant noise, flashing lights, seizure-inducing editing, and unceasing product placement to the more difficult pleasures to be found in plausible storytelling. See *The Italian Job* -- then go see your Mini-Cooper dealer after the movie. Because, after all, a market tie-in's job is NEVER done.

ITJ is a bit a dissapointment because it makes itself a film of two-halves and doesnt really engage the viewer after Donald Sutherland departs the journey.

In short this is just simple Sunday afternoon entertainment and even the miss-cast Ed Norton does not make an impact. The premise is simple. Robbers get robbed by one of their own and then go seek their revenged. Cue a few chase sequences and some personal family matters. It doesnt really ever get off the ground. Very average robbery hookum.

This was a great film! The plot is terrific and the performances are top notch! Inventive solutions and I LOVE that Charlize is the wild driver in this picture! Everyone does a great job; characters are interesting, not too closed as is so often the case in this genre of film. Nicely done.

This movie is well directed, decently written, innovative, and a little different than any other lawyer movie you may have seen. It tackles some very deep themes, giving it a lot of potential. I really liked this movie, and even though certain parts are grotestque and possbily disturbing, it is not completely tasteless. Al Pacino delivers as always, and Charlize Theron showcased some of her acting talent (and her body). Keanu Reeves was horrible, horrible, horrible, but isn't he always?

Overall, this is a good movie about good versus evil and points out certain mysteries/paradoxes of the Christian mythical tradition. The story is a simple allegory, and there are some unexplained holes that will require some significant suspension of disbelief. It is not incredibly deep - that is, it won't change your world view - and one of Pacino's monologues is sort of vapid and choppy, but overall it is a good movie. The ending after Satan's last monologue is disappointing and contrived, so beware the final 5 minutes. If you're like me, you may find yourself rooting for the bad guy. Maybe it has something to do with Reeves's acting.

The DVD is very straightforward and standard - crisp video and sound quality, lousy special features. Its a good movie to watch, despite its shortcomings. Buy this movie used and watch it once or twice, it should be a good value. Hey, Pacino's in it, why not?

I'm a devout christian. I don't normally do movies with the Devil in it. It's just a spirt I don't want in my home. The Devil's Advocate is one of the freakiest movies I've ever seen.

The Devils Advocate is a story about a hot shot florida lawyer(Reeves) and his beautiful wife(Theron). He's never lost a case and he gets a job offer at a fancy firm in New York. One of the largest and most powerful firms in the world. He gets consumed in his work and his new job. His wife just wants him to start and family but work is becoming his obsession. As he's at the firm he starts realize his boss may have an alterior motive and might not be who he says he is.

Al Pacino is scary. He plays the devil to well. It's easily one of the best roles he's ever done. He plays Satan almost as well as he does Michael Corleone. It looked to me like he had way to much fun doing this movie. He just evil and vial. He really steals the movie.

Charlie Theron is fantastic. She is such a beautiful woman. She has looks that could stop traffic. It's amazing to see the change she takes place in the movie. I can't believe she'd make herself look that ugly. She is so believabel and is a great actress.

Keanu Reeves does a great job. I think it's one of the better films he has ever done in his carear. I love his fake southern accent. He looks like a lawyer and carries the swagger of a lawyer in the movie. He doesn't do all that great in some of the emotional love scenes, but I like him a lot in the movie.

The Devils Advocate is a scary movie. It's a not a nightmare movie, but more of an eye opening movie. Are we really that vain and blind to what goes on around us. It's not a movie for a young audience. I don't think I'd buy it, but it's worth a peak on tv or a rental.

This is a great movie. Who else better to play the devil than al pacino. I'm confused on one thing though. No one seems to know this, but a few years ago I watched this movie on tv with my roomate for the first time, and there was this REALLY freaky scene. It freaked me out, which is a rare thing for me. Keanu Reeves is like standing in the apartment and he has a hallucination. It's disgusting. His stomach is sliced open and he falls to the floor and looks up, and everything's ok. Does anyone recall that scene cuz it's gone! I rented this movie recently and there was no such scene at all. Did they cut it out? After watching that scene, i was like THIS IS A SCARY MOVIE! It bugged me. I know it was the Devil's Advocate. I'm not confusing the movie with something else. There was that psycho scene in it years ago. If anyone knows let me know by writing a review on here. Thanks.

This movie is well directed, decently written, innovative, and a little different than any other lawyer movie you may have seen. It tackles some very deep themes, giving it a lot of potential. I really liked this movie, and even though certain parts are grotestque and possbily disturbing, it is not completely tasteless. Al Pacino delivers as always, and Charlize Theron showcased some of her acting talent (and her body). Keanu Reeves was horrible, horrible, horrible, but isn't he always?

Overall, this is a good movie about good versus evil and points out certain mysteries/paradoxes of the Christian mythical tradition. The story is a simple allegory, and there are some unexplained holes that will require some significant suspension of disbelief. It is not incredibly deep - that is, it won't change your world view - and one of Pacino's monologues is sort of vapid and choppy, but overall it is a good movie. The ending after Satan's last monologue is disappointing and contrived, so beware the final 5 minutes. If you're like me, you may find yourself rooting for the bad guy. Maybe it has something to do with Reeves's acting.

The DVD is very straightforward and standard - crisp video and sound quality, lousy special features. Its a good movie to watch, despite its shortcomings. Buy this movie used and watch it once or twice, it should be a good value. Hey, Pacino's in it, why not?

I'm a devout christian. I don't normally do movies with the Devil in it. It's just a spirt I don't want in my home. The Devil's Advocate is one of the freakiest movies I've ever seen.

The Devils Advocate is a story about a hot shot florida lawyer(Reeves) and his beautiful wife(Theron). He's never lost a case and he gets a job offer at a fancy firm in New York. One of the largest and most powerful firms in the world. He gets consumed in his work and his new job. His wife just wants him to start and family but work is becoming his obsession. As he's at the firm he starts realize his boss may have an alterior motive and might not be who he says he is.

Al Pacino is scary. He plays the devil to well. It's easily one of the best roles he's ever done. He plays Satan almost as well as he does Michael Corleone. It looked to me like he had way to much fun doing this movie. He just evil and vial. He really steals the movie.

Charlie Theron is fantastic. She is such a beautiful woman. She has looks that could stop traffic. It's amazing to see the change she takes place in the movie. I can't believe she'd make herself look that ugly. She is so believabel and is a great actress.

Keanu Reeves does a great job. I think it's one of the better films he has ever done in his carear. I love his fake southern accent. He looks like a lawyer and carries the swagger of a lawyer in the movie. He doesn't do all that great in some of the emotional love scenes, but I like him a lot in the movie.

The Devils Advocate is a scary movie. It's a not a nightmare movie, but more of an eye opening movie. Are we really that vain and blind to what goes on around us. It's not a movie for a young audience. I don't think I'd buy it, but it's worth a peak on tv or a rental.

This is a great movie. Who else better to play the devil than al pacino. I'm confused on one thing though. No one seems to know this, but a few years ago I watched this movie on tv with my roomate for the first time, and there was this REALLY freaky scene. It freaked me out, which is a rare thing for me. Keanu Reeves is like standing in the apartment and he has a hallucination. It's disgusting. His stomach is sliced open and he falls to the floor and looks up, and everything's ok. Does anyone recall that scene cuz it's gone! I rented this movie recently and there was no such scene at all. Did they cut it out? After watching that scene, i was like THIS IS A SCARY MOVIE! It bugged me. I know it was the Devil's Advocate. I'm not confusing the movie with something else. There was that psycho scene in it years ago. If anyone knows let me know by writing a review on here. Thanks.

This movie is well directed, decently written, innovative, and a little different than any other lawyer movie you may have seen. It tackles some very deep themes, giving it a lot of potential. I really liked this movie, and even though certain parts are grotestque and possbily disturbing, it is not completely tasteless. Al Pacino delivers as always, and Charlize Theron showcased some of her acting talent (and her body). Keanu Reeves was horrible, horrible, horrible, but isn't he always?

Overall, this is a good movie about good versus evil and points out certain mysteries/paradoxes of the Christian mythical tradition. The story is a simple allegory, and there are some unexplained holes that will require some significant suspension of disbelief. It is not incredibly deep - that is, it won't change your world view - and one of Pacino's monologues is sort of vapid and choppy, but overall it is a good movie. The ending after Satan's last monologue is disappointing and contrived, so beware the final 5 minutes. If you're like me, you may find yourself rooting for the bad guy. Maybe it has something to do with Reeves's acting.

The DVD is very straightforward and standard - crisp video and sound quality, lousy special features. Its a good movie to watch, despite its shortcomings. Buy this movie used and watch it once or twice, it should be a good value. Hey, Pacino's in it, why not?

I'm a devout christian. I don't normally do movies with the Devil in it. It's just a spirt I don't want in my home. The Devil's Advocate is one of the freakiest movies I've ever seen.

The Devils Advocate is a story about a hot shot florida lawyer(Reeves) and his beautiful wife(Theron). He's never lost a case and he gets a job offer at a fancy firm in New York. One of the largest and most powerful firms in the world. He gets consumed in his work and his new job. His wife just wants him to start and family but work is becoming his obsession. As he's at the firm he starts realize his boss may have an alterior motive and might not be who he says he is.

Al Pacino is scary. He plays the devil to well. It's easily one of the best roles he's ever done. He plays Satan almost as well as he does Michael Corleone. It looked to me like he had way to much fun doing this movie. He just evil and vial. He really steals the movie.

Charlie Theron is fantastic. She is such a beautiful woman. She has looks that could stop traffic. It's amazing to see the change she takes place in the movie. I can't believe she'd make herself look that ugly. She is so believabel and is a great actress.

Keanu Reeves does a great job. I think it's one of the better films he has ever done in his carear. I love his fake southern accent. He looks like a lawyer and carries the swagger of a lawyer in the movie. He doesn't do all that great in some of the emotional love scenes, but I like him a lot in the movie.

The Devils Advocate is a scary movie. It's a not a nightmare movie, but more of an eye opening movie. Are we really that vain and blind to what goes on around us. It's not a movie for a young audience. I don't think I'd buy it, but it's worth a peak on tv or a rental.

This is a great movie. Who else better to play the devil than al pacino. I'm confused on one thing though. No one seems to know this, but a few years ago I watched this movie on tv with my roomate for the first time, and there was this REALLY freaky scene. It freaked me out, which is a rare thing for me. Keanu Reeves is like standing in the apartment and he has a hallucination. It's disgusting. His stomach is sliced open and he falls to the floor and looks up, and everything's ok. Does anyone recall that scene cuz it's gone! I rented this movie recently and there was no such scene at all. Did they cut it out? After watching that scene, i was like THIS IS A SCARY MOVIE! It bugged me. I know it was the Devil's Advocate. I'm not confusing the movie with something else. There was that psycho scene in it years ago. If anyone knows let me know by writing a review on here. Thanks.

Just when thoughtful adults despair that Hollywood will never again make movies for them to enjoy, Cider House Rules comes along and gives everybody reason to hope. From its wide, opening shot to its literary ending, this film delivers to its audience an old-fashioned, satisfying, movie-going experience while at the same time focusing on quite a surprising topic: abortion. Framed with Dickensian sympathy for all its characters, Cider House weaves its way in and out of the lives of half a dozen startlingly original people, many of them quite unusual for mainstream cinema. Michael Caine picked up the Oscar (he's a great actor but he's become a kind of beloved pet for middle-aged movie fans) as a drug-addicted humanitarian, yet Delroy Lindo gives the most haunting and complex performance as the black foreman of an apple-picking crew who loves his daughter too much. Tobey Maguire and Charlize Theron make this long film continuously watchable and even warmly sunny despite its repeated turns into dark material, and a gaggle of adorable moppet orphans keep tugging at the heart strings, but not so much you feel abused. A rare modern day classic.

A sensitive and intelligent character-driven film, adapted from John Irving's novel by the author himself, which features truly breathtaking cinematography, a lush musical score, and uniformly excellent performances by a formidable cast which includes Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Kathy Baker, Jane Alexander, and supporting Oscar-winner Michael Caine. The main plot line centers around a young man (Maguire), raised in an orphanage headed by a charismatic doctor (Caine), who decides to venture out into the world and learns the hard way that life is not merely black and white, but many subtle variations of gray. While this is hardly a unique theme, the characters in "Cider House Rules" are so exquisitely drawn, and the movie so masterfully produced, that everything which might in lesser hands seem overly familiar appears fresh, new, and distinctive.

The DVD offers a perfect sound and video transfer, and includes a nice selection of "extras", including a documentary on the making of the film, the original Theatrical Trailer, and highlights of the television ad campaign. Overall, the DVD is an exemplary presentation of a bona fide modern classic, and one that's well worth multiple viewings.

Toby McGuire first got my attention here... as did Charlize Theron. Excellent performances. The cast is tremendous. The plot is terrific. The themes and issues don't shy away from the heavy and yet, they don't force anything down your throat, ask you to agree or disagree--or even to come to a conclusion. Just a fine fine film. See it if you haven't.

Just when thoughtful adults despair that Hollywood will never again make movies for them to enjoy, Cider House Rules comes along and gives everybody reason to hope. From its wide, opening shot to its literary ending, this film delivers to its audience an old-fashioned, satisfying, movie-going experience while at the same time focusing on quite a surprising topic: abortion. Framed with Dickensian sympathy for all its characters, Cider House weaves its way in and out of the lives of half a dozen startlingly original people, many of them quite unusual for mainstream cinema. Michael Caine picked up the Oscar (he's a great actor but he's become a kind of beloved pet for middle-aged movie fans) as a drug-addicted humanitarian, yet Delroy Lindo gives the most haunting and complex performance as the black foreman of an apple-picking crew who loves his daughter too much. Tobey Maguire and Charlize Theron make this long film continuously watchable and even warmly sunny despite its repeated turns into dark material, and a gaggle of adorable moppet orphans keep tugging at the heart strings, but not so much you feel abused. A rare modern day classic.

A sensitive and intelligent character-driven film, adapted from John Irving's novel by the author himself, which features truly breathtaking cinematography, a lush musical score, and uniformly excellent performances by a formidable cast which includes Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Kathy Baker, Jane Alexander, and supporting Oscar-winner Michael Caine. The main plot line centers around a young man (Maguire), raised in an orphanage headed by a charismatic doctor (Caine), who decides to venture out into the world and learns the hard way that life is not merely black and white, but many subtle variations of gray. While this is hardly a unique theme, the characters in "Cider House Rules" are so exquisitely drawn, and the movie so masterfully produced, that everything which might in lesser hands seem overly familiar appears fresh, new, and distinctive.

The DVD offers a perfect sound and video transfer, and includes a nice selection of "extras", including a documentary on the making of the film, the original Theatrical Trailer, and highlights of the television ad campaign. Overall, the DVD is an exemplary presentation of a bona fide modern classic, and one that's well worth multiple viewings.

Toby McGuire first got my attention here... as did Charlize Theron. Excellent performances. The cast is tremendous. The plot is terrific. The themes and issues don't shy away from the heavy and yet, they don't force anything down your throat, ask you to agree or disagree--or even to come to a conclusion. Just a fine fine film. See it if you haven't.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.