Paul Baker Movies
The only thing more terrifying than Snakes on a Plane is "Snakes on a Submarine," and that's exactly what we get in this claustrophobic, sub-aquatic thriller starring Luke Perry. Lieutenant Commander O'Neill (Perry) was piloting a retired submarine to its final port when Admiral Wallace (Tom Berenger) diverted the crew for one last mission: rescue an imperiled army research team before they meet a watery death. In order to reach the researchers and their top secret cargo while avoiding detection by a hostile enemy fleet, Lieutenant Commander O'Neill orders his crew to "run silent" in the depths. That silence is soon broken, however, when the cargo proves to be two genetically altered leviathans. Now, far beneath the ocean floor, a new kind of predator emerges to prove just how vulnerable man truly is when there's nowhere left to run. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Inspired by the epic Old English poem of the same name, director Robert Zemeckis's digitally rendered film follows the Scandinavian hero Beowulf (Ray Winstone) as he fights to protect the Danes from a ferocious beast named Grendel (Crispin Glover). Though at first Grendel seems invincible, Beowulf eventually manages to defeat him in a desperate battle to the death. Devastated by her son's violent demise at the hands of Beowulf, Grendel's mother (Angelina Jolie) sets out in search of revenge. Later, Beowulf faces the biggest challenge of his life when he attempts to slay a powerful dragon. Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn, Alison Lohman, John Malkovich, and Brendan Gleeson co-star in an epic fantasy adventure penned by Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, (more)
Forbidden Warrior is structured loosely on a popular Asian myth. The story concerns Seki, an attractive woman who discovers that she can utilize an ancient book of spells in order to accomplish just about anything. She must master these spells before the book falls into the hands of those who mean to do some serious damage with it. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Matiko, Kang Sung, (more)
- 1998
Musical theater stalwart Bernadette Peters performs over two-dozen songs on this concert film. Included during the performance are renditions of "We're In the Money," "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "I'll Be Seeing You." The DVD release of the concert contains a full biography for the performer. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernadette Peters
- 1992
Though there is never any doubt where the sympathies of the filmmakers lie, this anti-death-penalty documentary nonetheless offers a powerful comment on the American criminal justice system. The focus of the American-born director's attention goes to the 79 inmates housed in Death Row at Missouri's Potosi Correctional Center. Three, especially, are interviewed at length. Their simple and articulate response to the questions put to them contrasts sharply with the pompous and flowery language used by prison officials in their interviews, who celebrate the prison as a "non-polluting local industry." In one particularly chilling interview, the designer of the lethal injection machine discusses how he became an expert in "execution technology," and the rationale behind his invention. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Let's Get Lost is a penetrating Oscar-nominated documentary on the life of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker (1929-1988). After a generous amount of screen time devoted to Baker's American career, from his days with Charlie "Bird" Parker and Gerry Mulligan to the formation of his own combo, the film dwells upon Baker's lengthy tenure in Europe. Of particular interest are the clips culled from Baker's appearances in Italian films of the 1960s. In-depth interviews with Baker's friends and co-workers paint a portrait of a troubled genius, whose drug addiction and womanizing gradually eroded his talent. Much of the terminal footage is literally that, showing in harsh detail what Chet Baker had become in his last year on earth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Intending to complete a master's thesis about the sexual relationships between men and women, sociology student Paul Barton sets off to capture examples on videotape. Paul's viewfinder takes him around campus and into rooms of a sleazified Hollywood motel to get first-hand study sessions. During his adventure, he meets and falls for fellow student Jeanne and begins a more personal exploration in the Love Zone. This comedy drama contains sex, nudity, and profanity. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Shellen, Marie Laurin, (more)
