The Aviator

There is a lot of hype about this movie, and sure enough it's everything they say it is.

Leonardo DiCapprio is brilliant as Howard Hughes. A man of vision. A man of aviation. A thinker. A dreamer. A playboy. And a madman. His performance paints an in-depth and emotional portrait of a complicated businessman who toys with making movies and making millions.

Kate Blanchet plays Katherine Hepburn who has a love affair with Hughes. Their eccentric natures bring each other happiness for a short time. Hepburn's desire for publicity and Hughes a one track mind for aviation spells disaster. He couldn't give her the attention she craved. And due to Hughes paranoia, all of Hughes love affairs with women are short lived and very explosive. But that goes with the territory of dating such an extraordinary man. Hell, it's fun to know not only was he brilliant, he was never boring.

Other than this picture being visually astounding with rich color and all the flavor of that time period, how close it follows Howard Hughes' life, who knows. I've never read about him, so as a novice to his achievements, from this movie, I feel as though I knew the man himself. And in more than one way, I'm very glad I was only an observer. As with men of great passion, there is always madness. But we all have a little bit of ambition that others may deem insane. Whether that's in love or in business. But it didn't overshadow the greatness of his achievements.

This is one movie you just have to see for yourself. Telling you things that happen in it just will ruin it for you. There are notible performances, meaning this is one of the movies that actually all the actors are up to par. So it's a real treat for everyone to watch including critics.

I'm not one for thinking stars need awards to know they're great actors. That's just a given. You are or you aren't. But I do hope DiCapprio is given the credit he deserves for his performance. And Martin Scorsese never ceases to amaze as a director and storyteller.

Worth the money rating: $$$$

On video-- Wimbledon

Okay, I love tennis. Faithful US Open attendee. This movie made tennis boring, probably because it was about a stupid love story. First of all I don't think Lizzie, Kirstin Dunst, would ever go for a guy like Peter, Paul Bettany. First of all, the guy isn't even attractive and looks awkward playing tennis on the screen. The characters have no depth and the love story happens so quickly we have no idea why they like each other, well other than sex. And relationships based on sex never last, except in movies, I guess.

There was some eye candy in the movie if you're looking for that. And if you're routing for the long-shot, well you may like this movie. Though come-backs in tennis based on love, well, that's a very long-shot if you ask me.

This movie holds little charm. But like my roommate said, "It's better than the bad movies that are on cable right now."

Basically this movie is a tad better than one of Dunst's other bad films, "DICK".

Worth the money rating: $$

On video-- The Airport

Since there's a major snow storm in New York, I thought I'd check out a few rentals.

I think Tom Hanks is one of the best actors of our time but I'm tired of seeing him just based on the sheer number of movies he continues to be in. His role in this movie has been hailed as one of his best performances since Forrest Gump. Of course, Forrest Gump can't be duplicated.

Hanks plays a forty-something man whose small country is under a revolution and no longer exists as far as the US government is concerned. This happened while he was in mid air on his way to NY. Ivan, Hanks, is forced to live within the confines of the JFK terminal until his countries' status changes. After what seems like two days, Ivan meets Catherine Zeta Jones and starts a romance. Figures, a guy with no job, no home and nothing to offer, finds a girl who is willing to date him in New York. Women out number men here, three to one. Anyway, he gains the support of eveyone who works in the terminal and has one goal for being in New York which unfolds in a sappy moment with Zeta Jones in front of an odd fountain. Does this movie have a happy ending? It's Speilberg, what do you think?

Although this movie has an interesting premise, the only delight was Hank's advisary, played by Stanley Tucci. There were some moments that were really unbelievable— meaning unrealistic. No one would wait nine months in a terminal and possibly enojy it and grow from the experience.

But if you're stuck in a snow storm, I guess the movie's right up your alley. Or should I say, if you're stuck in a terminal, it's for you.

Worth the money rating: $$$