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Billy Crudup stars in this slow moving film as "Cal", an architect who one day just walks out on his loving wife and son. What Cal is in search of we know not, but he is full of self-loathing for leaving and begins a drunken trek cross country. In his travels he meets a series of people who he treats like crap and then wallows in more self loathing and drink. The movie does end up with a moral; Cal realizes that he had it pretty good at home, but we don't realize this until we've sat through at least the first ninety minutes wondering where this movie and Cal, for that matter, are headed. Adding to the confusion are some flashback sequences that are never explained and have nothing to do with the ending what-so-ever. The only bright spot is when Cal meets up with Dulcie (Moore), and you think "Aha! I know where this movie is headed", and then it doesn't go that way at all. And that's a shame. Dulcie's story line is dropped just as the movie takes a turn towards being remotely interesting, and we are sent right back on Cal's boring journey. There is nothing redeemable in the character of Cal, and what he needs is a swift kick to the butt. Add to that a soundtrack that is ninety percent Willie Nelson songs, and you can see where a good shot of caffeine prior to watching this movie will come in handy. On an upnote, the cinematography was beautiful; it just should have been saved for a better movie. If you really need to be told that there's no place like home, watch "The Wizard of Oz" instead.

"Chicago" is slated for many Oscar nominations, and I attest that it truly deserves each and every one. This magnificent musical brings to life the story of fictional Roxie Hart (Zellweger), who dreams of becoming a famous show girl, like her idol, Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones). When Roxie shoots her boyfriend in a heated rage, she ends up in jail along side Kelly, both vying to get Billy Flynn (Gere) as their lawyer. The fun is non-stop. The choreography magnificent. The performances superb. Zellweger is perfect as Roxie, winning a Golden Globe Award for this great performance. Richard Gere has tapped danced his way to a most deserved Golden Globe award also. Who knew he could be so darn charming? My votes for the Oscar wins however, go to the supporting players in this film. Zeta-Jones is a knock-out and steals every scene she's in. John C. Reilly is outstanding as Roxie's sympathetic and simple husband; his performance will break your heart. Finally, the musical numbers are so spectacular, that I wanted to jump up and cheer after each one. I think I should have. "Chicago" is a movie to stand up and applaud for. It's that good.

Although this movie bombed at the box office, I'm going to suggest you see it anyway, for sheer entertainment value alone. Based (in part) on the book by H.G. Wells, and a supposed remake of the 1960's movie, "The Time Machine" is the action packed story of a grief-stricken man, who invents a time machine in hopes of going backwards in time to erase the tragedy that has overtaken his life. Now, I have not read the book and I barely remember the original flick, so don't expect any great comparisons to either one here. What I can tell you about this movie is, taken for sheer entertainment value alone, it's a great ride. The special effects are riveting, the Morlocks are truly scary, and the action well-paced. The film's downfall, however, lies in its ending. It's anti-climatic and although you see it coming you are truly disappointed that it actually ends this way. It's like being on a most exciting roller-coaster only to have the last minutes of the ride do nothing more than drive you around at a slow pace. This movie could have been a contender, if it weren't for the ender. Ha, I just kill myself sometimes.