Quick Hits

American Graffiti (1973) - B+. Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford star in George Lucas' directorial coming out party. Set in 1962 in the Valley in California, the tracks the last night in town for some graduating high school seniors before they head to college. The film has some interesting dialogue, and the way Lucas weaves the storylines is effective. The soundtrack is phenomenal, trotting out every 'americana' hit possible from the 50's and early 60's. This is Dazed and Confused for Baby Boomers. If I were 60 or thereabouts, this would probably have been an A for me. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h32Kdrh0Z48

When We Were Kings (1996) - B+. This is a documentary about the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and doubles as an ode to Ali. It won the best documentary Oscar in 1996, so I gave it a shot. It was interesting to learn about the fight and some of the video of Ali is riveting just because of his audacity. The best parts of the film are Norman Mailer's commentary and the fight itself. Waaaaaaaaaay too many goofy African music interludes. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL5jE-zd_mM