Dead Poets Society * * * *

Rated PG

In this inspiring story, Robin Williams is Mr. Keating, an English teacher who teaches his students at a strict prep school how to love Shakepseare and poetry. He teaches them to think for themselves and that's something that upsets both the school and the parents. Robert Sean Leonard plays Neil, a young man who wants to become an actor, but his father is determined to make him become a doctor. When Neil defies his father and tries out for the school play (with Mr. Keating's support), all hell breaks loose! This is such an uplifting story about going down the "road less traveled" instead of following the path that the crowd wants you to go. It's a definite must see movie!

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Much Ado About Nothing * * * *

Rated PG 13

Now here's Shakespeare the way that it should be.....understandable! This is such a witty and terrific movie, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. In the film, Benedict is a man determined to remain a bachelor and Beatrice is the woman who eventually wins over his heart. While the two pretend to hate each other and bicker back and forth in a very amusing way, you can see that they really do love one another. Meanwhile, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) falls in love with and intends to marry the beautiful Hero, but not if a very cruel Keanu Reeves can stop it! This movie also stars a very hilarious Michael Keaton and a very talented Denzel Washington. I guarantee that everyone will not only understand this movie, but they'll enjoy it as well. It's one that should not be missed!

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Swing Kids * * * 1/2

Rated PG 13

The time is Nazi Germany, and swing music has been banned by the Nazi's because many of its musicians are either black or jewish. The German youth defy the Nazi's by listening to the music anyway and by meeting at secret, underground dance clubs. That part of the story is true. Now for the fictional part. Robert Sean Leonard plays Peter and Christian Bale play Thomas. They're two best friends who wind up having to join the Hitler youth. Thinking that they can be Hitler youth by day and swing kids by night, they soon realize that they will have to decide between their music or loyalty to the Third Reich and they're very different decisions is something that starts to ruin their friendship. I loved the movie. The dancing scenes are awesome and the music is so upbeat and fun. I think everyone will enjoy it.

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In The Gloaming * * *

Rated PG

This made for HBO movie (now on video), Robert Sean Leonard plays a young man who returns home.....to die of AIDS. This film revolves around his family as they try to cope with their son's deadly disease and although it's a bit depressing, it's still uplifting, as e see the family come together in this wonderful drama. It's a little slow at times, but still quite good, and it's directed by Christopher Reeve.

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Safe Passage * * *

Rated PG 13

In this exciting drama, a family is being torn apart as they wait to hear if their son has been killed in a military explosion. Susan Sarrandon is the mother who is an emotional wreck as she waits to hear the news and Sam Shepard is the estranged husband who just wants to come back home. Robert Sean Leonard plays the eldest son who has to try and keep everyone together. I didn't like this movie the first time I saw it, but it grew on me big time. Now it's a favorite of mine. This is a very well written movie and all of the actors do a great job!

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The Boys Next Door * * *

Rated PG

This made for TV movie (now on video) is about four mentally disabled men in a big-city group home who have to face the fact that their social worker whom they love, may quit his job and move on with his life. I don't remember a lot about this movie since it's been a while since I saw it, but I do remember that it was very funny, and also very sentimental. I enjoyed it a lot and plan to look for it on video real soon.

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The Last Days of Disco * * *

Rated R This movie is basically about a bunch of young people looking for love during the popular disco era. Although I hate most disco music, I liked this film a lot. There's a few funny scenes in it and the acting is quite good. Of course, RSL is great as always and I even enjoyed watching him dance. I think you'll like it too!

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Killer: A Journal of Murder * * 1/2

Rated R

This is a very violent and explicit movie made for HBO (and now on video), and it's also based on a true story, which is what makes it so interesting. James Woods is a murderer on death row and Robert Sean Leonard is the prison guard whom he befriends. The film mostly revolves around their friendship and while RSL does a great acting job and the story is indeed interesting, but I think they could have done more with the characters. It's still a good movie, just not one of my favorites.

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My Best Friend Is A Vampire * * 1/2

Rated PG

Okay, this isn't exactly the best movie ever made. In fact, it's pretty bad, but it's still enjoyable. First of all, it's so stupid that it's funny. You'll probably question yourself as to why you're still watching it fter about 5 minutes, but you can't help it. Although it's stupid and the acting is bad, it's a lot of fun to watch. I think RSL does a good job in it as a young man who is turned into a vampire and then chased around by vampire hunters (one of which is an actor from Titanic). Some people will love this movie, but others will absolutely hate it.

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The Age of Innocence * *

Rated PG

I went to the theater to see this movie because RSL was in it, and I had to sit through this long and boring movie to see him pop up towards the very end! It's basically about star crossed lovers in 1870's New York and although I usually like period dramas, I did not like this one. I'm thinking about renting it though only because I want to see if it's as boring as I thought it was. Maybe I missed something. If I did, I'll let you know, but until then, this movie gets only two stars from me.

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Mr. and Mrs. Bridge * *

Rated PG

RSL isn't in this one very much, but he still does a good job. The movie basically follows the lives of an upperclass family and RSL is the son in the family. As a movie, I'd probably give it three stars, but as a RSL, it gets four because he's hardly in it. I also thought it was pretty boring, although all of the actors are very good.

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Married To It * *

Rated R

The profanity in this movie got to me a bit, but after a while it didn't seem so bad. The problem that I had with the film is that I don't think it lived up to it's potential. Its about three NYC couples who befriend one another and while RSL does a great job (as usual), I found it to be a pretty boring movie. Parts of it are cute and funny, but it's not RSL's best work.