Der Untergang (2004)

The final secretary for Adolf Hitler tells of the Nazi dictator's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII.

Although a topnotch production and a good cast (Bruno Ganz' idiosyncratic impersonation of Adolf Hitler, however, is on the verge of parody), the movie's depiction of a precarious moment in German history is dubious in its intentions.

After re-watching: my first impression still applies.

Maltin***1/2: "Riveting dramatization...Long but thoroughly engrossing; Ganz is outstanding."

King Kong (2005)

In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with leading lady Ann Darrow.

A remake of a classic movie that is worthy to be compared with the original and adds its own magic with a capable cast, top-of-the art effects and some nice new touches to the famous story

Maltin***1/2: "A rare remake that reinvents the original film while honoring it at the same time. Jackson pulls us into a world of wonder, both on Skull and Manhattan Island, and takes us on a long but thrilling adventure that's hard to beat."

Head in the Clouds (2004)

Three young lovers must make choices as they find themselves surrounded by increasing political unrest in late-1930s.

The movie has all the ingredients to make this a sweeping historical melodrama, but somehow it doesn't have the sparkle to evoke great emotions.

Maltin**: "Duigan's screenplay bites off more than it can chew, spanning 20 years, the evolution of two relationships, and a character's ploitical awakening. WW2 section rings hollow; artificial backdrops don't help. Theron and Cruz are quite good, and very sexy."