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PCR # 227  (Vol. 5, No. 31)  This edition is for the week of July 26--August 1, 2004.

This Week's PCR
Movie Review
"Catwoman"

Movie review by:
Michael A. Smith

One star

Movies are rated 0 to 4 stars

theater seats


LA FLORIDIANA
What’s In A Name? A Look at the Origin of Names of Florida’s Towns and Counties C to D
 by William Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"Catwoman"
 by Mike Smith
ODDSERVATIONS
Pricey Fixx Tixx....The Psych Furs are coming to Jannus Landing....1974 vs. 2004 - the difference 30 years makes
 by Andy Lalino
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
THE CURE appearance at The Florida Amphitheater: Concert Review
 by Terence Nuzum
COUCH POTATO
Twilight Zone Magazine Revisited....The Lost Works of Vin Blesi
  by Vinnie Blesi
SPLASH PAGE
"Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"....The Future For "Spider-Man"....Identity Crisis For Catwoman....Ash In Comics....Avengers Disassemble!!!
 by Brandon Jones
MATT'S RAIL
Romero Rumors True!! New Dead Film In The Works....Bush Speak
 by Matt Drinnenberg
MIKE'S RANT
Hey, You Dropped Your Gun....You Think I Hated The Movie....Movie Notes....Happy Birthday....Meet The Beatles, Part 27
 by Mike Smith
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Warner Brothers     
Starring: Halle Berry, Benjamin Bratt and Sharon Stone
Directed by: Pitof
Rated: PG 13
Running Time: 1 hour 43 mins


If you're over the age of 10, you are probably familiar with the story of Catwoman. If you are old enough to remember the old "Batman" television series, you either grew up worshipping the slinky Julie Newmar or the Purrrrrr-fect Eartha Kitt. Heck, you may even remember the character as played by Michelle Pfeiffer in "Batman Returns." If you remember any of these references, put them out of your head. Because, in spite of the "based on characters created by Bob Kane" credit, the Catwoman of this film has as much to do with the others as a duck has to do with baseball.

In a nutshell, Patience Phillips (Berry) is a young advertising artist who is suddenly being followed by a cat. The cat comes and goes and even gets Patience out on the ledge of her building, causing a small disturbance. One night, she stumbles across some shady dealings at her company and she is presumed drowned. However, the magical cat shows up again, breathes on her, and she miraculously comes alive on what looks like a rejected set from the musical, "Cats." The place is so dark and full of cats that I kept expecting Halle to break out in a chorus of "Memory!"

The above paragraph is pretty much the highlight of the film. Berry, who you may remember won an Oscar two years ago, is definitely a trouper. She does her best with the lousy material she has been given. Stone has some fun as a model being replaced both professionally and physically by her husband and Bratt, a very underrated actor in my opinion, has a few moments as a cop who cares. Director Pitof, a former visual effects specialist on French movies, seems to have been influenced by MTV. Almost every scene is cut to a loud musical score that brings nothing to the film. I can't believe this film cost $100 million to make. I'm guessing it was for the sets, because the script isn't worth a nickel. If you want to remember fond memories, check for "Batman" on TVLand. If you want to ruin them, see this film. On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "Catwoman"  One star


This week's movie review of "Catwoman" is ©2004 by Michael A. Smith.  All graphics this page are creations of Nolan B. Canova, ©2004, all rights reserved. All contents of "Nolan's Pop Culture Review" are ©2004 by Nolan B. Canova.