The Golden Compass

WORTH-IT: The Golden Compass stars two of today's Aussie stars (Kidman and Craig) alongside raging ice Bears, Western Sky Fliers (Sam Elliot), mischievous children, magical witches, and an authoritative Monastery. The bottom-line here is that there is probably even more going on in this movie, but that is all I can remember. It is the first installment of an infamous trilogy, based on the anti-religion novels of Phillip Pullman. At base-level, it is simple that, a first installment. The entire film is a build up for what we don't know is going to happen. It's two hours of introducing characters, proving character's strength, and loosely brushing over the suggestion that organized religion is going to take over our souls. The Golden Compass is worth going to see though, first and foremost because of the havoc Pullman's motive has caused, but ultimately, because this film's special effects and eye popping visual stimulation are phenomenal. Never has a bear spoke with such frightful sincerity. Never has a witch seemed more enchanting. The storyline, although incomplete, offers a substantial amount of entertainment... enough to make me say I enjoyed the movie. And, I will say in defense for screen writers, the film has the ability to stand apart from the religious antics the book doses. Without the knowledge of Pullman's works, or the inability to separate fictional entertainment from everyday politics, this film can simply be taken as entertaining eye candy. Enjoy. I'll see the next.

The Lake House

ALMOST: Before judging me for even seeing this movie, understand it was a TV showing when no better offers were on the table. Saying that, you can rest easy knowing that, inevitably, Keanu Reeves delivers a fascinatingly dry appearance as a static, mono-emotion, flat character in this Sandra Bullock collaboration. Not that Sandra herself takes on the best roles for her once fabulous reputation, but she at least pulls off her roles to the best of her acting ability, and actually can evoke more than one emotion per character, and does in fact make more than one face to show those particular emotions. As for the flick, an interesting story. It's basically a time warped love story, magically linking two lovers, two years apart, teaching their minds to time their meeting perfectly in the year 2008. Don't get excited though, because the story is as far as the intrigue gets. The plot is confusing, to say the least. And with Keanu remaining the same throughout every scene, one is prone to lose track of which year we're in and what events go with what year. Although the confusion is enough to piss off any viewer wanting to see past the love story, you will find yourself caught up wanting to see how it ends. You won't be able to let it rest, because above the narrative value, or the flabby love story, you will seek the answer, will they find each other? Ha ha! So, not that I recommend you watch it, as KR is so painful to tolerate, but if you too find yourself with no better option, it's quite twisted and does actually evoke a little curiosity that will drive you through that vegging TV time spot.