Public Enemies (Review)
While rife with period detail and often shot at authentic locations, 'Public Enemies' doesn't possess the visceral jolt of director Michael Mann's best films, all of which pulsate with the technologically informed rhythms of modern life. Yet Mann almost makes us believe that Public Enemy No. 1 John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) will live forever. And, in a sense, he has. Grade: B-.
Whatever Works (Review)
Larry David, of 'Seinfeld' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' fame, is an acquired taste I no doubt won't ever wholly embrace. That being said, I had far less difficulty than you might imagine giving Woody Allen's latest film, 'Whatever Works,' the benefit of the doubt despite the presence of David as Boris Yellnikoff, a pompous boor. Grade: B-.
Cheri (Review)
Set in the Belle Epoque era of the late 1800s, Michelle Pfeiffer plays Lea, an aging high-society courtesan whose romantic dabblings with a young stud named Cheri (Rupert Friend) lead to a certain ennui of requited lust for the aged Lea, whose life plan was not as thoroughly conceived as she imagined. Pfeiffer momentarily teases the oh-so-droll drama from its dull-witted eroticism from time to time, but the overall effect is that of stale chocolate. Grade: C.












