[Robert Crawford]

I've been greatly anticipating the opening of "Monster's Ball" for awhile. This past weekend, I watched Ebert and yes, even Roeper give glowing reviews of this film. Now, reading USA Today, I see that critic Mike Clark who I respect very much as a critic gave it a four star rating which is very rare rating from him. This is the link to his review. Of course, since I live in the boondocks of central Michigan, I'll probably won't have an opportunity to see this film until sometime in the middle of next month. By the way, this film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Peter Boyle, and Heath Ledger.


Crawdaddy

[Nick Sievers]

I too am looking forward to this. I quite like Billy Bob when he isn't trying to be "cool" with Angelina, and he can act. I've also seen some good reviews, Roger Ebert named it #1 of 2001 and its currently 79% fresh on rottentomatoes. But Rob you say you'll have to wait until mid-Jan to see it, I bet we will get this mid year and will be a very limited release.

[MickeS]

This looks like a great movie. The clips on "Ebert & Roeper" and "The Tonight Show" were excellent, made me really want to see this movie.

/Mike

[Tom Gradisek]

I'm looking forward to this one as well. I think it was Ebert who said that Halle Berry gives an Oscar-worthy performance and that she should be nominated. I was very surprised by this. I'm happy for her that she chose a role that has people giving her accolades.

Just in case you need a reason or two to see this film, Halle Berry does get nekkid once again.

[Craig S]

Quote:

Just in case you need a reason or two to see this film, Halle Berry does get nekkid once again.

Yeah, but I understand Billy Bob does as well...

Seriously, I'm hearing great things about this one as well, especially the performances. In addition to Thornton & Berry, Peter Boyle is supposed to have a great supporting turn as Thornton's racist father. I'll be there on opening weekend for sure.

[Edwin Pereyra]

I am also looking forward to this one as well. The Royal Tenenbaums and In The Bedroom are playing in theaters two hours away from me. If I wasn't committed I would have been there already. I guess, as always, I will just have to wait until it comes around here.

~Edwin

[Michael Reuben]

I don't know whether it's the best film of 2001, but it's certainly one of the most powerful and disturbing I've seen. Both Thornton and Berry are incredible; their performances grow in stature as I find myself thinking more and more about the film. Yes, they both take off their clothes, but unless you have a heart of stone, the context of the scene is so desperately sad that it's painful to watch.

Berry has never been afraid to look unattractive on camera (Jungle Fever, Losing Isaiah), and she doesn't pull back here either. Her Leticia has been damaged in so many way that there's almost nothing left in her face but despair, and Berry shows us in terrible detail how hopeless this woman feels -- and then how suddenly she will leap at what looks like a moment's respite (salvation is beyond her imagining). Thornton uses some of the same reserve he displayed in The Man Who Wasn't There, but here it's a cover for powerful forces held barely in check under the appearance of a calm surface. (The fact that his character doesn't fit in should be obvious from the name: an apparent good ol' boy with the very un-Southern name of Hank Grotowski.)

The supporting work by Heath Ledger and Peter Boyle is also very strong -- and chilling. The plot doesn't follow a predictable course, which is why I'm not trying to summarize it. Do not, under any circumstances, let anyone tell you the story before you see the film. All you need to know is that Thornton plays a prison guard who lives with his father and son, and who supervises the execution of a convicted killer (played competently by Sean Combs) to whom Halle Berry's Leticia is married. Let the rest unfold in all its messy unpredictability.

M.

[StephenT]

I'm really looking forward to this one, and I can only find a NY/LA release date. Has the wide date not yet been announced, or are they leaving it at those two cities? After the oscar nominations it sounds like it could get you'd think they'd give it at least a limited release.

[Michael Reuben]

[edited to remove redundancy now that the threads have been combined]

[Michael Reuben]

Neither IMDb nor the official site has any information about a wide release. Lion's Gate may be waiting to see whether the film picks up any more nominations, awards or critical endorsements.

The official site is at http://www.monstersballthefilm.com/, but whatever you do, do not go onto the message board. Some of the topic headers contain major spoilers.

M.

[Michael Reuben]

According to Upcoming Movies, this film will go wider on Feb. 8. I've also seen unconfirmed reports of additional theaters on Jan. 25.

M.