TWILIGHT

A teenage girl (Kristine Stewart) moves to the Pacific Northwest to live with her father. While learning about the many social clicks at her new school she meets and befriends a gorgeous school mate who happens to be a vampire (Robert Pattinson).

I can't recommend Twilight. The adapted screenplay is very simple and sophomoric, which I guess shouldn't be a surprised since the film involves goofy teenagers and scenes that take place in a school cafeteria and shopping for prom dresses. Twilight feels like an after-school special. Do they make after-school specials anymore? I've read a few reviews that insinuate that Twilight is a film that promotes abstinence. Huh? I don't buy it. In simple terms, Twilight is a teenage love story that will span 4 movies all based on a series of books by Stephanie Meyer.

Jamie gives Twilight a generous "5". Although I wasn't impressed with this first installment, it may benefit from a better 2nd and 3rd effort. Its difficult to judge a sum without the whole. At the end of the film there is an insinuation that "werewolves" will play a major plot point in the next edition. Is there a 10 year old girl out there who has read the books that can comment on this?

Twilight is directed by Catherine Hardwicke. She was not hired to direct the next movie. I hope the next director gives the second installment a darker feel and perhaps a little more blood and gore. It seems un-American to have a movie about vampires and not have fake Hollywood blood flow across the screen. Somewhere Bela Lugosi is turning over in his grave at the lack of blood and gore in Twilight. And don't get me started on the the vampire's "glistening skin". Or how about the vampire's talent of climbing tress with a horny teenage girl on his back? On second thought, Twilight gets a "4".

If you liked Twilight, check out 2003's Thirteen and 2005's Lords of Dogtown. Both of these films are directed by Hardwicke and are much better than any kiddie vampire flick. Heath Ledger will forever be remembered for exercising his demons as the Joker and for kissing cowboys, but in Lords of Dogtown he gives a great performance as a surf board maker who can't shake a hippie-lettuce addiction. .

Great Films: A River Runs Through It

I've seen A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT countless times. It is one of the more beautifully photographed films I've ever seen. Robert Redford's direction and narration is top notch.

No need to be into fly-fishing to appreciate Brad Pitt's under-rating acting ability. Boy, does he look young in this film!

Jamie says "10".

Australia

After inheriting a cattle ranch in the outback of Australia, a British aristocrat (Nicole Kidman)takes on the task of herding over 1500 head of cattle across hostile land to the town of Darwin, Australia. To help in the treacherous task she enlists ranch staff and a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) who she eventually falls in love with. All of this takes place during the backdrop of WWII.

Australia is full of problems. There isn't much chemistry between the two leads and the screen play practically combines 2 stories. Once the cattle drive portion is complete, the Japanese attack on Darwin, Australia begins. There is no continuity between the two portions of the films. The movie could literally be 2 separate films. Because of this, each story didn't have enough time to develop.

However, the worst part of the movie is actually much simpler. Australia is one of the more poorer made epic films that I've seen. Many of the films scenes take place on a sound stage. It seems there was no effort to make set pieces such as rocks, trees, and the sunset to look remotely real. During an action sequence that involved a cattle stampede it looked as if the actors were filmed on fake horse in front of a "blue-screen". Once again, no effort was made in making this action sequence look real. Over the past decade movies such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Titanic, and the Matrix featured top notch special affects. Why Australia failed in this area I find fascinating.

Australia is in a time-warp. Just because the film takes place in the 1940's doesn't mean it should be filmed as if it was made in the 1940's. Jamie says "4".

Australia is directed by Baz Luhrmann. He also directed Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet. All three of these films I've found to be border-line unwatchable.

The King of Pop: Top 10 Movies of 2008

Entertainment Weekly is my favorite magazine. I consider it my weekly pop culture bible.

Stephen King writes a bi-weekly column for the periodical titles The Pop of King. Everyone knows he is a great writer...but he is also a great columnist. King never disappoints while pointing out the most important as well as the most ridiculous aspects of the crazy world of pop culture.

In true King fashion his is the first Top Ten film list I've seen this year. Do you agree with his list?

Stephen King's Top 10 Movies...

1. The Dark Knight
2. Slumdog Millionaire
3. WALL-E
4. Tropic Thunder
5. Funny Games
6. The Bank Job
7. Lakeview Terrace
8. The Ruins
9. Redbelt
10. Death Race

I've seen 7 of King's Top 10. Three of those seven have a chance to be in my Top 10 list...Which will be released a few days before the Oscar telecast.