Epinions Recent Reviews for soxfan

"The Thief Lord: too many effects, not enough enchantment

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:14:47 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - The tagline for this movie is "Magic is just around the corner." "Magic in all the wrong places" is more like it. This adaptation of Cornelia Funke's novel should have been a delightful fantasy film. But thanks to director and co-screenwriter Richard...

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: much better than the book

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:53:51 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - When my wife first told me that a friend of ours had invited us to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I almost said, "Thanks, but no thanks." It wasn't because I had anything against Harry Potter. I'm currently reading Deathly...

The Last Mimzy: The Last Mimzy: not in E.T.'s league

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:54:59 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - About two months ago, my wife and I bought a house. Since then, we've been up to our ears in bags, boxes and bubble wrap. When we haven't been sorting, packing and ferrying our belongings from one place to another, we've been working extra hours to build...

Read, Review and Recycle Writeoff: the language-lauding, boredom-banishing, elation-evoking "Tollbooth"

Mon, 4 Jun 2001 02:17:36 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Boredom, begone! Apathy, aroint! Doldrums, disappear!

You'll never afflict me again, because I have the perfect antidote: Norton Juster's "The Phantom Tollbooth."

A good book engages its readers, and "Tollbooth" does it better...

Charity Organizations: Volunteerism Writeoff: pitch in with PMD

Sat, 2 Dec 2000 05:30:58 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - I hate to admit this, but I used to think I didn't have time to volunteer.

In my defense, I have a helter-skelter schedule. I'm working for a children's theater company and its soon-to-be-launched entertainment website, an exciting but hectic...

"Little Shop of Horrors": campy, comic soundtrack

Mon, 20 Nov 2000 02:21:20 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - My prescription for stress relief reads something like this:

Ingredients: one (1) radio, one (1) "The Little Shop of Horrors" original motion picture soundtrack.

Instructions: Turn on radio. Insert soundtrack, and press play. Dance...

Political Movie WO: "Primary Colors" paints by numbers

Fri, 10 Nov 2000 04:07:01 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - "Primary Colors" should have been an easy five stars. The 1998 movie has the sort of qualifications that make producers drool with envy: an award-winning director, an Oscar-nominated screenplay based on a best-selling novel, and a talented cast...

Helping Hands Writeoff: "Primary Colors" gets my vote

Sat, 4 Nov 2000 21:15:26 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Some books remind me of cartoons, with lots of action, sharp outlines, and bright hues. Others are like paintings - exquisitely detailed canvases that start with small dots of color, and work their way up. "Primary Colors" blends the best of both...

"A Year in Provence": delicious, delightful memoir

Tue, 24 Oct 2000 18:45:57 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Every so often, I get the urge to run out and buy a French farmhouse.

The reason for this bizarre impulse? "A Year in Provence," the enjoyable memoir from Englishman-turned-expatriate Peter Mayle.

The British Book Awards named "A...

Sports Movie WO: "Eight Men Out"; tells story of a scandal

Fri, 6 Oct 2000 02:46:02 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - You need nine players to field a baseball team. But eight is enough to throw a World Series - and in 1919, eight of them did. "Eight Men Out," John Sayles' take on the "Black Sox" scandal, is not the best sports movie I've ever seen. As far as...

Gender-Bender Writeoff: "Wiseguy" tells it straight

Sat, 16 Sep 2000 21:25:02 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - "At the age of twelve my ambition was to become a gangster."

So says Henry Hill, the career criminal profiled in Nicholas Pileggi's fascinating read, "Wiseguy." This biography/memoir introduces you to Hill's little corner of the mob world,...

"Strictly Ballroom": awesome Aussie comedy

Sun, 10 Sep 2000 03:12:36 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - This movie needs a new name. I think "Stylish Ballroom" would make a more suitable title. Or "Smart Ballroom," perhaps. Or "Sassy Ballroom." Or how about "Simply Super-Duper Ballroom"? On second thought, leave the title the way it is. Who am I...

Dell Logic Puzzles: left-brain calisthenics

Sun, 3 Sep 2000 02:31:26 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Let's start this review with a logic puzzle of my own invention:

Soxfan, her brother, and her friend were at CVS to pick up a few things. On the way to the register, they stopped at the magazine stand, which that day had only three titles on...

"Stories" an indispensable collection for Bradbury buffs

Sun, 13 Aug 2000 01:18:15 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - A couple of years ago, I read Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451."

It was love at first sight. Bradbury's prose set off fireworks in my brain, waved smelling salts under my nose, grabbed me by the hand and spun me in wild circles. I emerged dizzy,...

"Bullets Over Broadway" hits its comic mark

Sun, 30 Jul 2000 00:18:33 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - "Bullets Over Broadway," simply put, is my favorite Woody Allen film.

Yes, "Sleeper" is zanier, "Crimes and Misdemeanors" is deeper, and "Annie Hall" is cuter. But if I were stuck on a desert island and could only take one Allen opus with me,...

Only dedicated fans should attempt this Star Wars exam

Tue, 18 Jul 2000 14:58:00 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Question: who will get the most out of the "Star Wars Diplomatic Corps Entrance Exam"?

a) Jedi knights

b) Star Wars fanatics

c) Casual Star Wars fans

d) Star who?

The answer: a) and b). "Entrance Exam" is geared...

"Pops Goes the Fourth": a birthday bash in the Hub

Fri, 7 Jul 2000 14:05:23 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Review Topic: Events & Festivals

Music. Fireworks. The Fourth of July. "Pops Goes the Fourth" is a crowd-pleasing spectacle that's an annual tradition in Boston. If you're anywhere near the city for the holiday, you need to be there -...

Getting around town: Boston's subway system

Sat, 24 Jun 2000 17:53:05 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Review Topic: Practical Information

I haven't driven a car in six and a half years.

I haven't had to. I live in the greater Boston area, which boasts a cheap, accessible and convenient public transportation system - the...

"An Ideal Husband": impeccable picture

Thu, 8 Jun 2000 19:23:22 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - "An Ideal Husband" is a gem of a film: witty, sparkling, elegantly made, and superbly acted by its talented cast. Though Rupert Everett is front and center on the movie posters, it's his fellow Englishman Jeremy Northam in the title role as Sir Robert...

Respond: good music for a good cause

Sat, 3 Jun 2000 01:44:33 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - I don't know a lot about music. I own a grand total of 8 CDs, and maybe three times that many tapes; I don't pay attention to the Billboard charts; and I haven't seen a music video in years. I'll probably end up writing only five music reviews - ever -...

"Good Will Hunting" scores only a B-

Tue, 30 May 2000 12:48:20 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - People around Boston, by and large, adore "Good Will Hunting."

I'm not one of them.

In my (humble) epinion, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck should stick to acting, and leave screenplays to someone else.

As much as I would like...

"Crimes of the Heart": Southern sisters in comic crisis

Sun, 28 May 2000 18:29:42 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - Beth Henley won the Pulitzer Prize for "Crimes of the Heart," an irreverent, warm-hearted comedy about three very different sisters struggling to make sense of their lives.

And it is a comedy, despite all of the trials and tribulations...

"Rounders": low risks, but high rewards

Tue, 23 May 2000 13:52:06 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - "Rounders" is like a low-risk, low-key poker player who doesn't win a lot of big hands, but somehow ends up with the pot at the end of the game. In this enjoyable film, the pleasure is not in watching the poker itself, but in observing the...

"Dave Barry Slept Here": humorous history

Fri, 19 May 2000 22:44:09 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - On October 8, 1968, Richard Nixon was elected president of the United States.

On October 8, 1492, Columbus set sail for the New World.

On October 8, 1776, the Colonies celebrated the first Fourth of July.

All important...

"Center Stage" brings new energy to old story

Tue, 16 May 2000 14:24:28 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author soxfan - The critics are right. "Center Stage" is sentimental. It's predictable. It trots out an old story, dressed up in new, good-looking clothes that don't hide its cliches. Know what? I enjoyed it anyway. Call me a pushover if you want - I...