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1. "Miami Vice" - I had high expectations for this one. I have mostly positive memories of the '80s TV show (well, the concept anyhow, and the newness of it all), I like Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, and I'd read or heard numerous favorable reviews. Well, unfortunately, none of that made up for its slow pace, confusing plot, and crappy dialogue. B-O-R-I-N-G. I really tried, but I just could not get into it, so I went to bed without finishing it. And you know I hate to do that.

2. "The Da Vinci Code" - Usually I'm the only one who read the book before the movie, but in this case the opposite was true: I think it's possible I'm the only person on the planet who didn't read the book. I was intrigued by the idea behind it, but frankly, I just don't have the time or energy to slog through that long of a poorly written book. And I know it's poorly written; even people who claim to have liked it admit that. I hate pedestrian writing, and I find it a chore and a distraction. So I got to be in the minority of people who go into the movie fresh, without more than just an idea of what it's about. And you know what? It's a pretty good story, and Ron Howard really knows how to bring a good story to the big screen. That being said, I'm not sure why he chose Tom Hanks for the lead; I like him just as much as the next gal, but he seemed miscast. He was fine, but that's the best I can muster; other performances were much better than his. I adore Audrey Tautou and would be very happy to just watch her buy groceries and put them away, so I was all for that casting choice. Ian McKellen and Jean Reno were just right for their roles, and the various supporting actors worked too. So I'm giving this my thumbs-up, although I can't say how much of that is because I didn't read the book and/or because I had low expectations based on what I knew of the book.

3. Tom Cruise is a total douchebag. There. Now that that's over with, I can tell you that "Mission Impossible III" is great fun. If you can just put aside the usual logical problems (Why are our guys always better shots than their guys? How come when there's only 8 seconds until the world ends, it's OK to spend 3 of them making a clever remark? Etc.) and sit back, you'll enjoy this, particularly the wicked awesome gadgets and the endless is-he-good-or-bad? plot twists. I still think Cruise looks ridiculous when he's running (standing perfectly erect instead of leaning forward and with his hands open instead of in fists), but otherwise he's just right for this kind of role and film. Whatever you expect from a Mission Impossible movie, this delivers.

Comments

[TwoBusy]

I agree with you on 2 out of 3. We saw "Miami Vice" over the weekend, and were sorely disappointed. Dark, dull and confusing. What a huge let-down. We were also happily surprised by how good MI III was -- miles better than the other two in the series. "Da Vinci," however... a crappy book with an interesting core concept becomes a thriller utterly lacking in thrills. Thhhhpppt.

[scott]

I disagree on MI:III. I remember the first one very fondly but this one was a dud. I disagree on DaVinci Code. It's true that Hanks' performance was odd and inappropriate, but this movie had deeper problems starting with the fact that it wasn't exciting. I thought it was a total dog all the way around.

I do, however, agree about Audrey Tautou.

I didn't see Miami Vice.

[Karan]

I haven't read the DaVinci Code either but I did see the movie and snore city is all I can say about that.

A much better, little viewed film with Audrey Tautou...A Very Long Engagement...which comes with a cameo appearance of Jodie Foster speaking French.

MiIII...I dunno...I had mixed feelings about it but it wasn't the worst film he's ever made that's for sure.