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Reviews
Sideways (2004)
Best Picture? Not Really...
While the theater in Yuma last week had only 15 people in a 125 seat house the movie and the "crowd" was rather quiet during the 1st hour while the 2nd hour provided more interaction and a few laughs.
I am a 2nd generation Californian and have toured many a winery but I just don't see how or why everyone seems to "love" this movie. The story just takes too long to get to a point that you want to empathize or relate to either character. In the end I was hoping for Miles to find happiness and Jack to stop being "Jack." However upon leaving the movie I just felt like it was just middle aged men (especially Jack) behaving badly.
Ray (2004)
Ray Lives!... Foxx Rules!
Jamie Foxx deserves all the awards for best actor this season as you just feel and see Ray Charles in every scene. He stated in interviews that he studied the early Ray tapes and interviews to keep the early Ray in perspective. That was a brilliant move and Jamie Foxx truly became a 30's something Ray.
I bought the DVD on its 1st day of release as I never got to the theater and while this may have been even more enjoyable with a crowd, it was still superb at home. You'll feel pain, joy, sadness, of his success and the temptations that seem to haunt all musicians. However you'll appreciate Ray Charles like never before and be singing long after the movie ends and buy his last Grammy Awarded album "Genius Loves Company." But that's another review for a music web-site!
A Clay Aiken Christmas (2004)
Nice Holiday Fare
I rated this Christmas special an "8" as I too was rather upset like another users comments: "that Megan Mullahey's song "I'll be Home for Christmas was not on the DVD." I too thought she did a wonderful rendition and was very surprised with her voice when I heard her on the TV Special in December. In fact I was watching the DVD today with my wife hoping to show her the wonderful performance that I remembered from the TV special.
However the rest of the DVD was superb and remarkable for Clay as executive producer and star to be so polished and genuine. He truly has evolved as a professional singer, producer, and performer. We liked his back-up singer Quiana duet and the segments with Barry Manilow and agree with others the song "Mary Did You Know" rates as one of the best!
Coral Reef Adventure (2003)
Great Music & Message re: the Coral Reefs.
We (my wife and I) really enjoyed this documentary movie on the fragile coral reefs. As this is in the IMAX format you really feel like your are diving in the South Pacific or the Caribbean. We are occasional scuba divers and snorkelers and have always loved the magnificent hues of coral reef waters. So anyone with similar interests should see this documentary as it makes a strong message about the reefs and shows the beauty we all may lose if left unprotected. The colors are very vibrant and the surround sound is just another benefit added to the great musical score by Crosby, Stills, & Nash! You'll go home singing all those classics from their Deja Vu album from the late 60's!