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'Sleepy Hollow' is Tim Burton's reworking of Washington Irving's classic 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. In this version, Johnny Depp plays New York City constable Ichabod Crane at the eve of the Millenium (1799). Crane's superiors scoff at his crime solving methods and send him up-state to solve a series of decapitation murders in the quiet farming town of Sleepy Hollow. Upon arriving and meeting the townsfolk, Crane is immediately attracted to the lovely Katrina Van Tassle, the daughter of the richest, most powerful man in town, portrayed by Christina Ricci. When the town elders tell him the murderer is a ghost, the scientific minded constable can not believe it. This is a creepy, gothic film. The Headless Horseman, portrayed by Christopher Walken, is particularly menacing. The cast does a great job of conveying the doom and gloom of the haunted town. I really enjoyed the stories plot twists and turns, because you're never quite sure where this legend is taking you.

'American Beauty' is an absorbing film. The acting is phenomenal, especially Kevin Spacey as a man who has been beaten down by life for far too long. The film's idea about beauty and life are so acute that the characters sting you with their observations. This movie is a profound and powerful look at the disintegration of a 'perfect' family.

'The Bone Collector' is an atmospheric thriller. Benzel Washington plays Lincoln Rhyme, an ace forensics cop who becomes paralyzed in the line of duty. Only able to move his head, neck, and one index finger, he spends his days bedridden and besieged by seizures that threaten to kill him. When his former colleagues encounter some peculiar murders, they enlist his help. By using Officer Amela Donaghy, played by Angelina Jolie, as his eyes and ears at the ensuing crime scenes, Rhymes works on the puzzle from his bed. The acting is great. Washington is able to convey so much from a basically immobile performance. Jolie works hard to get something out of an underwritten character. The problem with the film is impossible to figure out. The characters are one-dimensional at best. If you enjoy great acting, then, perhaps that can counter the ill-conceived characters and plot devices.

'Dogma' is the often hilarious story of an abortion clinic worker who lost her faith. She attends church, but doesn't believe anymore. When she is charged with the pilgrimage to New Jersey to stop two fallen angels from entering a church and thus negating all of the existence, she is understandably skeptical. However, after witnessing many supernatural occurrences, including Chris Rock falling from the sky as the 13th apostle, the Metatron, a seraphin played by Alan Rickman who is as anatomically incorrect as a Ken doll, the Golgotha, a demon made up of human excrement, and Serendipity, a former muse played by Salma Hayek, Bethany, played by Linda Fiorentino begins to believe again. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Loki and Bartleby, two angels that have been expelled from Heaven to live in Wisconsin, are great! Both funny and at times rather menacing, both manage to convincingly play these otherworldly beings. Affleck especially must go through the gamit of emotions and he does it splendidly. Actually, all of the performances are fine. Kevin Smith, the writer / director / actor (Silent Bob), continues his series of thought-provoking and all together wonderful films.

'A Civil Action' is a poignant drama. Based on the true story of a community with an unusually high number of childhood deaths. Robert Duvall's performance of a smart and funny corporation lawyer. Watching John Travolta's sleazy lawyer do a free-fall from the heights of society to bankruptcy is powerful. Ultimately, the movie takes home the point that people are more important than money and that is always welcome message.

'Stigmata' is an interesting movie about the fascinating ability to display and feel Christ's crucifixion wounds. Apparently this condition only occurs in the very pious. However in the film, Patricia Arquette's character Frankie inexplicably begins to experience the 'stigmata'. A hard partying atheist, Frankie is none too happy with her sudden 'gift'. The film is not really about the stigmata or demon possession as much as it's about the Catholic Church and organized religion in general. I enjoyed the film, however, it's not particularly deep. Basically it has one message (a good one, in my opinion) and it drives that home.

With virtually no character development or plot, 'Virus' is left with blood, guts, running, and lots of yelling. Jamie Lee Curtis and William Baldwin try valiantly to infuse their characters with personality alas to no avail. It's too bad because these actors can act. There is just nothing for them here.

'Private Parts' portrays Howard Stern as a sensitive nice guy who would do anything for a laugh and thus is misunderstood much of the time. When you watch him on his E! or CBS television shows, his radio 'bits' seem much less harsh. His radio 'partners in crime' are also playing themselves and do a great job. Repeated viewings do not dull the hilarity of this movie. If you don't like Howard Stern, try watching this movie with an open mind.

'Shakespeare in Love' is a wonderful comedy and romance. Joseph Fiennes portrayal of Shakespeare as a young neurotic is ingenious. Geoffrey Rush is hilarious as the penniless owner of a theater desperately racing to open a play that Shakespeare is writing during rehearsals. The acting is terrific and dialogue sublime.

'Freaks' is an interesting study of a tight-knit 'family' of carnival folk. The code of the freaks is simple: They take care of their own. There are several haunting scenes in this film that are difficult to forget. Creepy and atmospheric, it is a must-see for horror fans.

'Thumb Wars' is a hilarious 'Star Wars' parody! The cast of thumbs couldn't be better. Steve Odenkirk has created a spoof that will stand the test of time. I hope that it will continue to be shown on TV and released on video. May the thumbs be with you, always...

'The Blair Witch Project' is like no other movie. It is an atmosphere and spooky sound driven film. The story of three college students lost in the woods is chilling. The movie explains very little but it doesn't need explainations to thrill and chill. A very inventive and effective supernatural horror movie.

'The Blair Witch Project' is like no other movie. It is an atmosphere and spooky sound driven film. The story of three college students lost in the woods is chilling. The movie explains very little but it doesn't need explainations to thrill and chill. A very inventive and effective supernatural horror movie.

'Blast from the Past' is a pleasant romantic comedy. Fraser is always effective playing naive. And it's hard not to enjoy everything Walken does: he's always great. Spacek is very funny as a women bored by her constant surroundings and Silverstone plays a modern woman with zest. Foley is as funny as ever. All and all a satisfying romantic comedy.

Visually stunning, 'A Bug's Life' is probably the brightest and most vibrant movie I have seen. It's fast and funny with lots to look at and enjoy. The out-takes at the end are hilarious. This is a movie that can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

I love a good vampire movie and 'Blade' fits the bill. The action is fast and furious right from the opening vampire massacre. Stephen Dourff makes a fun villian and Kris Kristofferson is great as Blade's only allie. Lots of action and blood make for a good time.

'Bulworth' is a satirical joy! It uses humor to address some serious issues, but it is not all 'fun and games'. There is a dark undercurrent which pierces through the story. I felt it was overlooked and under-rated when released in theaters. Nevermind the age difference between the romantic leads. In this case, it's really not important. Just give 'Bulworth' a chance and see one of the best political movies of the 1990's.

'Citizen Ruth' becomes an unwitting pawn in the middle of a heated national abortion debate in this pitch-black satire. Laura Dern's perfect performance as the glue-sniffing, alcoholic Ruth stands out in a movie full of great acting. The movie showcases the fanaticism of both sides involved in the battle over Ruth's unborn child. No one cares as much about Ruth as they do about 'the cause'. This film is an effective satire.

'American Pie' is a funny coming of age film. For all the crude humor, the movie is really rather sweet. Although the boys start out just looking for a good time, they end up finding love and even maturity. The girls are the ones who are in control of the situation. Alyson Hannigan especially offers lots of laughs as a band geek. Don't be fooled by the marketing and hype, this 'Pie' is warm and touching.

A heart-wrenching exercise in racism, 'American History X' made me cringe...a lot. Edward Norton gives a performance that goes from chilling to grief-stricken and everywhere in between. A truly a gifted actor who can convey so much emotion with only his eyes, Norton makes the film. It's sometimes difficult to see and hear the kind of hate that this movie portrays however, I think sometimes it's a good idea to get some perspective on the world around us.

A hilarious send-up of spy movies, 'Austin Powers' keeps the laughs coming. Playing the dual roles of Austin Powers and Dr. Evil and also creating and writing the film, Mike Myers is truly a comic genius. This movie continues to make me laugh, even after repeated viewings. Just thinking about Austin Powers and Dr. Evil makes me smile. It's an original and fun film experience.

'Apt Pupil' is a dark and disturbing film. Ian McKellen goes from benign to chilling and Brad Renfro gets progressively more chilling. The movie is really a psychological study of these two characters: how they effect each other in frightening ways. It is an interesting but ultimately depressing experience.

Combining heaping doses of comedy with its horror, 'Army of Darkness' is funny and fast. The silliest by far of the Evil Dead trilogy, I have to admit it is also my favorite. Bruce Campbell is at his wise-cracking best as Ash embarks on his third adventure. Ash as a character has really changed from the romantic, sensitive good guy of the original film. It's just really hard not to enjoy his journey.

Maybe it's because I've read 'The Amityville Horror Conspiracy' by Stephen and Roxanne Kaplan, but I found this movie rather silly. It could be because this is the first time I've seen it and it hasn't aged well compared with the faster pacing and special effects I'm used to. In any case, I found 'The Amityville Horror' to be a below average ghost story with virtually no suspense.

'Frank and Ollie' is the touching story of Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of the original Disney animators. Lifelong friends and collaborators they tell the story of how their beginnings at Disney animation and the classic films they worked on together. Using archival footage, interviews with Frank and Ollie's respective wives and current Disney animators, the film brings to life the rich picture of the unique and enduring friendship of these talented animators.