Charlottes Web Movie Review a 2006 film starring Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi and directed by Gary Winick.From the opening credits (done with skillful paper art used for a storybook, “3-D” effect), Charlotte’s Web is charming. To quote the spider, Charlotte (and I suspect author E.B.White would agree), this film version of his story is both “Terrific” and “Radiant”. I was in tears by the end; this film spins a web of great humor and visual delight, and a very moving sort of beauty in both content and form. I was very struck by the art direction….moonlight on Charlotte and her web, the lane turning from Summer to Fall; the wonder of the Fair, with multitudes of details, all done in bright, small spots of color, equally treated, whether balloons or people much thought and talent was put into the making of this film.

Without ever being didactic or simple, the messages, too, are lovely and clear. When Wilbur the Pig speaks highly of Charlotte (voiced beautifully by Julia Roberts), a sheep asks, “Are we seeing the same creature?”; “I guess not,” he replies.

In a similar, quietly understated way, the entire barn is awoken to the miracle of Sunrise, as they share the experience with their new young friend, Wilbur. “Has it always been this way?” they wonder. The simple handling, too, of Wilbur’s heart-break, as Charlotte’s hundreds of newly born babies go flying off: “I had so much I wanted to tell you,” he says, “And someone I wanted to tell you about.” There are the makings of a classic fim in this movie rendition of a well loved book.

The funniest moments? Steve Buschemi’s Templeton the Rat, on his back in the buttermilk, the Crows with their discussions of, and adventures with the scarecrow, but the most side-splitting and also most endearing moment was the flying spiders, imitated by the Sheep.

Dakota Fanning, impressive previously for her charismatic role in Man on Fire, is well-cast as Fern, and I was intrigued by Louis Corbett as her brother, Avery. In his initial scene, he asks why Fern gets to have a pig. We laugh, and we feel for him; the screenplay has Avery as a younger brother, and less of an adversary, which works very well.

See this movie with every artist you know, every child you know, and every cynic you’d like to reawaken to Wonder.

Shanti Mai
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Who Killed the Electric Car? Movie Review a 2006 film starring Phyllis Diller, Colette Divine and directed by Chris Paine. Though this documentary is filled with interesting facts and utterly charming people, GM’s little EV1 stole the show. An adorable piece of art and functionality, the EV1 came and went without my notice. Yet how I now miss it! Oddly, it was killed by its own parent company - as tragic a plot as any Shakespearean play.

Who Killed the Electric Car? is done as a mystery, with multiple suspects. The soundtrack at times is absolutely brilliant, and the film, whose subject matter could be quite distressing, is done in a manner both fair, hopeful and, at times, humorous. I really liked it. It captured not just my interest, but my heart.

Some people hope to spot Elvis at the local 7-11. I hope to spot an EV1.

Shanti Mai
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Pizza Movie Review a 2005 film starring Ethan Embry, Kylie Sparks and directed by Mark Christopher. I hate to be the bearer of a negative movie review, but I’d also hate for you to receive a Pizza that didn’t deliver.

I’m all into Independent Films, but if I were to call Pizza an “independent film”, what I’d really mean is “Leave it alone.” There is no chemistry between the two leads and no real interest in the character Cara-Ethel, played by Kylie Sparks . Her early voice-impersonation of an imaginary girlfriend is the film’s “upper crust” - and it’s over quite quickly. The script is unbaked and unfunny, the directing dismal, as if the director was either bored or rushing through, without enough funding for any second takes. I was all prepared to like the nerdy teen (ala The Breakfast Club or Napoleon Dynamite); it was all I could do to keep taking a bite of this disaster.

This Pizza is not delivered on time, is limp, and doesn’t have nearly enough “toppings”. If you feel like calling for a delivery, ask for 1988’s Mystic Pizza, which actually has some flavor!

Synopsis: Nerdy brainy girl has an imaginary friend over for her 18th birthday so that her blind mother doesn’t feel sorry for her and know that she’s alone at her own party. When her pizza delivery guy comes, he takes her with him on an equally boring adventure. I usually love to root for the underdog, but there’s always an exception. I hope that Sparks’ next film gives her something to chew on, and that none of those involved in this movie give up, but learn from their efforts. We need good independent films.

Shanti Mai
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America Freedom to Fascism Movie Review a 2006 film starring Aaron Russo, Katherine Albrecht and directed by Aaron Russo “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. Few would disagree. -Yet sometimes uncovering the truth about the things that matter isn’t easy. AMERICA: FREEDOM to FASCISM is possibly the most shocking film you’ll ever see. It’ll blow the lid off of everything they ever taught you in History or Economics. This documentary points directly to the source and funding of the deception leading to many of the serious problems we’re facing today: butchered elections, illegal war, political parties that are equally bribed by huge corporations, strangle-hold interest rates, disappearing dollars.

Hollywood award-winner Russo begins his oddysey by investigating whether there is any merit to the claims of tax resisters. Is there a law that required the average citizen to pay? His discoveries - (the tax issue is just the tip of the iceberg) will make your jaw drop, and not a few of you will cry. Like Russo, you’ll begin to realize that things are VERY different from the way you thought they were.

You will also learn, however, what can be done about this escalating loss of our freedom. The brave individuals you’ll meet in this film demonstrate how: from former IRS agent Sherry Jackson and Joe Bannister, former IRS Special Agent, who both quit the IRS and are bravely speaking out to educate the public; to jurist Marcella Brooks who trusted her own eyes and ears and defied the recommendations of an unjust judge, thereby freeing an innocent man and educating judge, jury, court witnesses - and us. Brave individuals in the Tax Honesty movement have been telling us some of this information for years. You will meet them and see them for who they really are, not conspiracy theorists, but clear-thinking and ethical Americans.

Perhaps most importantly, this film will allow you to see this nation’s true potential, something few of us have ever seen. This independent documentrary film is an education, revealing the collective power we have as “We the People”. This film will make you want to dust off that unused power and join with others to revive the inspired principles of our (barely) living, breathing Constitution. The quotes alone - from Washington, Jefferson, Henry Ford, Kissinger, and the self-incriminating remarks of the international bankers at the top of the world - are worth the cost of purchasing the film. You’ll want to be able to repeat them to those who won’t believe you.

Be prepared to watch the film several times. I, personally, have never been so repeatedly chilled and angered by the same material. Having now seen the film five times, I am resolute and empowered. I wish the same for each of you.

Shanti Mai
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The Shipping News Movie Review a 2002 film starring Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore and directed by Lasse Hallström. The Shipping News is unusual, filled with mystery, drama, and a wonderful sense of place. It’s a film about overcoming tragedy and personal shortcomings, yet there is nothing predictable or familiar about it. The characters are unique, the setting is breathtaking, and Kevin Spacey is perfect as the awkward, failure-haunted Quoyle.

Like Quoyle, we find our own way in his world. Without judgement, the events play out and the past is revealed. We start out as clueless and as he is and, by the end, are as blessed as he is by his healing.

Be sure, though, to watch the film before you read the book - or wait a few years. Though the film shows strong and true on its own, it is a pale, small experience compared to E. Annie Proulx’s exquisite prose. Like grading on a curve, the book makes the A grade of the film look more like a B by comparison.

Shanti Mai
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In Her Shoes Movie Review a 2005 film starring Cameron Diaz, Anson Mount and directed by Curtis Hanson In Her Shoes is one of those lovely mixes that actually works: part comedy, part drama. Some message, some malarkey. If you’ve enjoyed Cameron Diaz in There’s Something About Mary; Toni Collette in Muriel’s Wedding, or Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment, there’s a bit of this film you’ll find both familiar and fresh.

The themes: how you can find yourself in being of service to others; that some things in life just don’t go away - the trick is learning to love those things and grow through your experiences with them. Forgiveness, redemption, family….but before it sounds too heavy or didactic, it also reminds one of Collette and Diaz comedies mentioned above. It’s sweet, it’s moving, and it’s funny.

Whether learning to fill her own shoes, how to deserve and earn her own shoes, or learning to forgive and to put herself in another person’s shoes, you’ll laugh and cry along with these celebrated actresses.

Shanti Mai
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Good Night and Good Luck Movie Review a 2005 film starring Jeff Daniels, David Strathairn and directed and written by George Clooney.  Intelligent and stylish, Clooney’s  Good Night and Good Luck is about journalist Edward R. Murrow’s exposure of Senator Joe McCarthy’s un-American attack on alleged Communists. It is filmed in delicious 1950s black and white, as if the whole film is colored by Murrow’s clear character: subtle, strong, sure, straight.

I was impressed by director Clooney’s feel for the subject matter, and his respect for both his subject and his audience. There isn’t a single scene of hyped-up drama, a single instance of music-manipulation, just reality, and plenty of it. McCarthy, for example, is played by himself, through skillful use of archive footage.  David Strathairn as Murrow is understated and flawless.

The parallels to today cannot be missed, especially the timely footage of Eisenhower talking about our precious right to habeus corpus, so recently eviscerated by Bush. Just substitute the word Communist for the word terrorist, and you’ll receive an invaluable lesson.

Bless George Clooney! Here is a man the media has placed in the position of an idol, a man-toy, who is wise enough, and deep enough, to use that box office power to create a film of great significance. Watch it with your children as an opportunity to instruct them about character and courage. Watch it for yourself to renew your sense of hope - and the power a few brave souls have to change the world.

Shanti Mai
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