Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 10

11/9/2004

Films Reviewed: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Ray

Commentary: The new deluxe Gone with the Wind DVD set

Featurette: stock footage of Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx from Ray

Regarding Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason:

Matt: Your actual monetary value and mileage may vary with this sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary.  Renee Zelwegger is once again convincing as the every woman in life and love, but the film revisits too much old ground from the first one.  No real breakthrough, but fun to watch.  A reluctant three stars, simply because it works. 

Aron: Well, Renee Zelwegger was fantastic, with little asides that recall some of the better physical comedians out there.  Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, however, aren't given a whole lot to do in this one.  Still, pop culture junkies will get lots to enjoy from this film.  Three stars.

Average Rating: *** (out of ****)

Regarding Ray:

Aron: Boy, does Jamie Foxx deliver the performance of his career in this bio picture regarding one of Georgia's finest natives!  No stone is left unturned during this story, which explores Charles' light and dark sides.  And Foxx did all his own piano performing!  In fact, Charles only had two issues with the screenplay, and they were relatively minor.  Not to be missed by any stretch of the imagination; go see it now!  Four stars!!

Matt: Okay, I agree with Aron in regards to Jamie Foxx.  His performance will earn him an Oscar nomination.  There were times I was looking at the screen and I could have sworn someone used a time machine to get the younger Ray Charles to perform.  However, the movie is strictly biopic 101 that ended a little too quickly (and that's saying something for a two and a half hour film).  Maybe this should have been a television mini-series.  Three stars.

Average Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)

Commentary: From a favorite Georgia son to a favorite Georgia movie.  Gone with the Wind was released on DVD this week in a special, four disc edition.  Aron and Matt discussed the features and the lasting legacy of the film in this community.

Featurette: Footage of Ray Charles training Jamie Foxx on how to be "Ray Charles" for the movie Ray.  The footage speaks volumes of such a talented musician and a talented performance.