How could you give "American Beauty" only a B-? ARE YOU NUTS?

The American Beauty review is undoubtedly the one I've taken the most flak for. As I explained in my review, I had a hard time sympathizing with the characters. Also, they seemed less like real people I know than someone's cynical caricatures of people I know. In a story focusing on the relationships between the characters (some might call it melodrama), I feel it's important for those characters to be believable, otherwise the story rings false.

If you read what my ratings mean, you'll see a grade of "B-" still means I recommend seeing the film - I just thought it could've been better. If it wins the Oscar for best picture, it won't kill me. If Tom Cruise wins for best supporting actor, that might kill me.
-- N-M

first of all Net Monster your a moron magnolia was a masterpiece no good movie is too long and this was an off beat film the frogs idiot. I cant belive crap like the sixth sense can get nominated and this masterpiec cant or three kings or jim carrey the golden globes are the only award show that means anything

Was that period after the word "idiot" an accident? Of course, by stating that the Golden Globes is the only award show that means anything, you do realize you're dissing the MTV awards, don't you?
-- N-M

I just saw "Boiler Room" and I liked it. However, I do agree with you that it could have been better from the following standpoints:

1. You're right about Ben Affleck - he was barely in the movie (and I thought he was supposed to be the star). But, I disagree with you about the quality of his scenes - I thought they were among the best in the movie.

2. The way that Seth talked about his "brilliant scheme" and then we never learned what it was was bizarre.

3. The ending came at a time when I thought there was still 10 to 15 minutes to go. Big disappointment!

This could have been an A movie. Still, I thought it was a B+ and a hell of a lot better than Meg Ryan's latest. I thought this subject was well worth exploring in this age of phenomenal stock performance and investing in companies that don't actually yet have a product. I also thought the acting and dialog were generally good.

I agree the film showed potential early on. But sometime in the third act the wheels came off.
-- N-M