Kinky Boots

How far would YOU go to save the family business? This twisted funny British comedy is not for everyone, but it certainly will tickle many. Fashionistas should enjoy, folks in the lifestyle should enjoy, and anyone who has ever taken over a family business should at least relate.

Joel Edgerton plays the son who inherits a shoe factory long past it's profitable prime. Challenged to close or change products he finds help in an unexpected place. Chiwetel Ejiofor is way past funny in his role as the drag queen with all the right ideas.

Based on real events, this story is full of great one-liners and classic British humor situations. It is fast-paced and be prepared for some great accents.

Watch this with someone who appreciates a good pair of boots.

9

What started as a 10-minute short for graduate school became this much-discussed movie-with-a-message. Visually stunning, dark, and nightmarish, this animated feature is not for the wee ones. It clearly has Tim Burton's influence stamped all over it. Not many animated projects earn a PG-13 rating.

Featuring the voice talents of some greats including Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau, there are also some newer famous voices like Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly.

Just what IS the message or the moral of this story? Paraphrasing one character early in the film, 'Some things in this world are better left as they are found.' That is one way to look at this movie. Another is the last line - 'this world is ours now, it's what we make of it'. That is a different moral, but clearly meant to have an impact on the audience.

Watch this movie with someone who will help you figure out what we are supposed to learn from it.

The Ultimate Gift

Based on Jim Stovall's book of the same name this movie is a classic moralistic work. If you are anything like the main character here you will NOT like this movie. For the rest of us, this piece can be quite moving and educational.

Drew Fuller does a very nice job here portraying the evolution of fairly nasty character. James Garner and Bill Cobbs are his educators and benefactors. Abigail Breslin and Ali Hillis are the recipients of the lessons learned. All-in-all the cast is worthy of the Christmas Eve showing on the Hallmark channel. Enough said?

There are plenty of stereotypes to enjoy, and more than enough tear-jerking scenes. But, that is the point. This story plays on our emotions and our sentiments to teach us a lesson.

Watch this movie with someone who will not mind if you cry a bit during the show.

La mujer sin cabeza (The Headless Woman)

At worst, this is an incomplete story. At best this is a page from the notebook on life about how guilt impacts the mind. Either way it's not that fun to watch.

Filmed in Argentina it lacks any of the beauty Argentina has to offer, perhaps on purpose. It could have been done in any dry barren location. It is in Spanish with English subtitles. Mercifully it is only 87 minutes long.

If you have 90 minutes to blow, watch this with someone who will not hate you for it.

(500) Days of Summer

As the narrator points out early in the movie, this is not a love story. It is however a very clever tale of 20-something angst, self-absorption, and Relationship Theory 101. I'm guessing the people who liked Zach and Mira's porno and Away We Go will most likely like, or at least relate to, this movie also. To me, this is by far the best of the three. Perhaps it's a generational thing.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel make awkward chemistry, but that is the point. While they might have been very good for each other, there were not "right" for each other. No, that should not spoil things for you if you have not seen it yet.

My favorite character however was the supportive, beyond-her-years wise, younger sister. Chloe Moretz is great, as is her character.

Musically this movie is all over the place, and yet perfect at the same time. There are tributes to French, Swedish, and other European cinema stereotypes. There is out-of-sequence storytelling, and MTV editing. There are also some very smart split-screen scenes towards the end of the movie. These are my favorites actually.

Watch this movie with someone who will not be so put off by the negative beginning that they will miss best parts of the movie.

Perro Come Perro (Dog Eat Dog)

Columbia's entry for the 2008 Academy Awards won several awards from Latin American film festivals and were nominated for more from some north of the border, including Sundance.

The acting is first rate and the music is perfect. The story moves a little slow, but has a very interesting point for the patient. It is billed as a thriller, but I suggest it is more of a crime drama.

Bad guys steal from other bad guys and they do bad things to each other in the process.
Bottom line, everyone loses in this slice-of-life crime story.

Entirely in Spanish with subtitles, here is another movie worth reading.

Watch this movie with someone who either speaks very common Spanish or will not mind the subtitles and the weird, freaky, black magic bits.

Inglourious Basterds

Because somebody else already had the title spelled correctly for another project, that's why.

If you liked the spaghetti westerns of the 60's and 70's you will love this movie. The drama building up to something bad happening is thick and slow. You know something is going to happen, but you don't know what or how. And when it finally does happen, it is nothing like what you expected. Delicious.

Quentin Tarantino is wild genius. He worked on this script for over 10 years before getting serious about it. And in his world, anything is possible. History be damned. No spoilers here. Enjoy the film.

This movie is as much a foreign film as it is a domestic effort. Subtitles are frequent. German and French are spoken as often as English. Be prepared to read. The dialogue is fast and worth enjoying.

This is Brad Pitt's best acting effort since Snatch. He never breaks character. That snarky expression never leaves his face even when he is pretending to be an Italian escort. I predict this character will achieve cult status like other over-the-top Tarantino characters.

Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, and Daniel Brühl, all big names in European cinema show how great they truly are. Hopefully we will see more of them each in future films.

There is really only one bonus feature on the DVD worth watching, and I think it is critical to the movie. "National Pride" is a fictional propaganda film which really should be watched in it's entirety before watching the full film. It will help tremendously with knowing whats going in later in the film. It might be a bit shocking to watch but compared to what's in store, it's rather tame.

Watch this movie with someone who will not get hung up on history, continuity, or the facts.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

The original was better, but this is a worthy entry. Superstars make it watchable. I can't help it, I like John Travolta better as a bad guy that as a good guy. There is much about this character we can't really understand or appreciate, but you have to enjoy the performance.

Denzel Washington is part victim part suspect here, and he plays it well. As usual Denzel represents us all. "Everyman" is neither a saint nor a total scoundrel. It is the constant wavering between the two that allows us to relate to his characters. There are several obvious nods to Walter Matthew who played his character in the original.

John Turturro and James Gandolfini are great in their supporting roles here. For Gandolfini it must have felt like his Tony Soprano character had been elected Mayor of New York. Not too much difference. I found it a little hard to believe Turturro in the hostage negotiator role given some of his other work, but that is my problem, not his.

Now to the movie itself, this is best if you don't watch with too much of a critical eye on plot and continuity. Like the NY subway itself - it's easier to enjoy the ride if you don't focus too much on the details.

Watch this movie with a big pastrami sandwich like they serve at the Stage Door Deli, it might feel more real that way.

Julie & Julia

Based on two true stories of women who were "saved" by cooking 50 years apart, this is a fun movie for anyone who likes to cook. Nora Ephron has brought us another classic. Thank you.

Meryl Streep plays the one and only Julia Child. For those of us who remember watching her on TV way back when, this story is a wonderful flashback. Her lesser known husband is played brilliantly by Stanley Tucci. We should all be such good spouses.

Amy Adams plays a government worker turning 30 who feels lost in New York City. She discovers blogging and cooking and finds herself again. Chris Messina plays her husband while she cooks her way through Julia's book and posts her successes and failures online.

With a very healthy dose of fact these two stories are told parallel to show the many similarities. Foodies should enjoy many of the scenes where both good and bad practices and ingredients are used. Can you spot the biggest, most obvious error in the boeuf bourguignon scenes? No doubt Juia would groan.

Anyone who has been to cooking class should appreciate those scenes and anyone who has blogged will enjoy that association.

Watch this movie with someone who likes butter.

The Cove

This documentary is difficult to watch. The DVD actually contains 2 documentaries which should probably be watched by anyone who likes seafood, cooked or raw. They both overlap topics of mercury levels in seafood. The movie however is primarily about a group of activists who set out to expose dolphin slaughter at a particular town in Japan. There is a little topic-creep as it gets into the mercury issue however, but it ties in okay at the end.

Richard O'Barry, the original trainer of TV's Flipper, has spent the last 30-some years of his life as a dolphin activist. This movie chronicles one of his latest points of focus.

I say it it difficult to watch because dolphins suffer and die on screen. That was difficult for me to watch. If that is not the case for you, the movie will at least be informative.

The short "Mercury Rising" in the Special Features is a must see for anyone who eats seafood more than a few times a month. Pay attention to your mercury levels.

Other interesting bits here are all the skills used to capture the footage compared to all the resources used to hide and cover up what is going on. Very much a cat and mouse game.

This movie won audience awards at over a dozen well-known film festivals. Will it win any sympathy in your household?

Watch this movie with an open mind.

Keeping the Faith

This is perhaps my favorite Ben Stiller movie. Don't get me wrong, "There's Something About Mary" is a classic and a very fun movie, but I like this one better. Keeping the Faith is a crisp, funny, topical, real story, that most everyone can relate to. Which of the Mary characters do you relate to?

It starts smart and it ends smart. The writing is superb and the acting is not over done like most other Ben Stiller movies. If you are among those who say Stiller can't act, or that he only plays one basic character, watch this movie and let me know what you think. Rabbi Shram is outside his usual tight circle of characters. Zoolander notwithstanding, Stiller usually plays his perception of "Every Man" and sometimes it works. "Meet the Parents" is the best example of that.

But, back to Keeping the Faith. Edward Norton plays a wonderfully comic Catholic Priest who is infatuated with the same girl as Stiller's Rabbi Shram. Yes, there is a joke in there and if you don't think the opening scene is funny, you probably won't like the rest of the movie. It is a perfect set up. Jenna Elfman does some of her best work here as the long time childhood friend of the religious duo who comes back see them as adults. Brilliant - funny - touching.

Anne Bancroft and Eli Wallach play the senior influence on Stiller's character and Milos Forman does the same for Norton's. Great scenes we can all relate to.

Watch this movie with someone you can squeeze.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Perhaps my memory of the first installment of this story has faded, but this movie felt more fun than the first. I liked the first one - enough to watch this one. And I'm glad I did. There were some good lines and some great nods to other films.

Can you spot the tip of the hat to Indiana Jones films, Apollo 13, Top Gun, and others?

Ben Stiller reprises his role as the Night Guard at the museum who alone knows the secret of what happens after closing. Hank Azaria steals the show however, with all three of his characters. Amy Adams is very fun as Amelia Earhart. Robin Williams is back as Teddy Roosevelt as are others. Alain Chabat is great as Napoleon.

Voice talent is interesting too here and includes the Jonas Brothers, Eugene Levy, and Brad Garrett. Surprise!

Watch this movie with someone who has a very good imagination and likes going to museums.

Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale)

Talk about dysfunctional family holiday gatherings. American families have nothing compared to this Parisian family of 3 generations. Europeans behaving badly or whatever you want to call it, there are plenty of characters to love, to hate, to related to, and to be baffled by.

Catherine Deneuve leads this brilliant cast. Mathieu Amalric plays the middle and craziest of the siblings in this twisted family and Anne Consigny his tortured older sister. Other sibs, their spouses, their children, their friends, and all are played equally masterfully.

The photography is superb and the soundtrack is delicious. If you enjoy both those things, your time will be well-spent with this movie.

That said, this movie is NOT for everyone. It is slow. It is odd. It is in place morbid. Who holds the family hostage over a life-saving marrow donation? Can we even imagine this happening here? I think not. This movie is also in French - prepare to read. But also prepare to watch scenes more than one to see the scene and a second time to read the dialogue.

Watch this movie at your own risk, but be prepared for treasure if you like this sort of thing.

New In Town

While this movie follows the standard RomCom formula and is totally predictable, it does have a couple of things in it that make it worth a watch. First, the cold weather and fish-out-of-water Miami girl spending her winter in Minnesota is very interesting especially for folks for have known both extremes. Second, the great cluster of locals make for enough funny moments to keep us interested.

Renée Zellweger looks her age and as if shes had too much work done to hide. Sorry Renée but some of the close-ups were not very flattering. Perhaps this was by design? If so, the effect is successful.

Harry Connick Jr. plays her professional "rival" but personal love-interest. Similar to his character in "Hope Floats", this character is scared and flawed and available. The relationship is a bit rushed by the time constraints of the movie and never really felt real to me.

The real "characters" of this story are the locals, played to perfection by the likes of Siobhan Fallon, J. K. Simmons, and Frances Conroy. If you know anyone from Minnesota you will surely recognize these folks. No offense intended - I love these people. Ja sure.

This is sort of a cross between "Gung Ho" and "Hope Floats" and "Norma Ray", but don't read too much into that comparison.

Watch this movie with someone who has had to get out of coveralls in a hurry.

Angels & Demons

Zealotry redefined. Ron Howard delivers another fun, exciting, nail-biter. Not exactly a sequel to DaVinci Code, but not totally unrelated either. Tom Hanks returns as Dr. Langdon, the professor who defies labeling.

Ayelet Zurer plays the female lead who stops short at becoming a love interest of the good doctor. Ewan McGregor plays the youngest of Vatican leadership. Stellan Skarsgård, one of the best-known Swedes in Hollywood (Bootstrap Bill) plays the head of the Vatican's Swiss Guard. Armin Mueller-Stahl plays a senior cardinal and the stage is set.

Who killed the Pope and hired an assassin, played well by Nikolaj Lie Kaas, to kill the favorites to replace him? Who are the Illuminati and where are they hiding?

With a little help from Galileo and a lady bio-physicist, Dr. Langdon comes to the rescue again, this time at the request of the Vatican.

This great international cast give the movie a very authentic feel. There are so many wonderful accents and looks and voices. The soundtrack adds big-time to the feel of the movie.

Watch this with someone who believes in both science and religion.

Passengers

This movie is billed as a mystery. To me, the biggest mystery is how long it will take you to figure out what is going on. No spoilers here, so this has to be a fairly short review.

Anne Hathaway plays a trauma psychologist working with victims of an airline disaster. When their stories differ she pushes a little farther into the lives of her "patients" than normal. Soon a web of interconnection becomes obvious and the story unfolds.

Patrick Wilson plays one of the passengers and is creepy good. Who is helping whom more?

Andre Braugher, David Morse, and Dianne Wiest do a wonderful job of keeping the story going and both confusing and exposing the truth.

Watch this movie with someone who has fun guessing how movies will end and time how long it takes.

Crash

Everyone is guilty of, and everyone is a victim of, racism. Regardless of who we are and what we deny, this applies to all of us. If you have not yet seen this movie, you should. Watching this movie with a group of people is far more effective than any diversity training I've been exposed to.

Nominated for 6, it won 3 Oscar's in 2006 - Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Writing. All are deserved.

Talk about an all-start cast: Matt Dillion, Terrance Howard, Thandie Newton, Sandra Bullock, Brendan Fraser, Don Cheadle, and Michael Peña just to name a few. There are more for sure.

The acting is superb and just about everyone should be able to relate to at least one of these characters. That is what makes this movie so special - it's easy to put yourself in the place of at least one character. Lessons should be learned.

Watch this with someone who is, in one way or another, different from you.

Outlander

Not to be confused with the 1981 classic with Sean Connery "Outland", this story takes place a few thousand years earlier. In fact, this story takes place in what is now Norway in 700 and change A.D. Basically a group of Vikings meets a guy from the future who crash-lands his ship on earth with a stowaway in the form of a bio-luminescent dragon.

James Caviezel plays the uber-tough ET. John Hurt and Ron Perlman play warring kings and are totally convincing. Well done guys. Jack Huston plays a king wannabe and romantic competition for the space traveler. Sophia Myles is that love interest and tougher than nails daughter of the reigning king. See the story developing?

There is a thin spot in the plot that is never really cleared up, but it does not really matter. Why was this space traveler transporting the bodies of his dead family someone other than where he lived, and what caused his ship to crash? Did the stowaway cause the damage that lead to the crash? Perhaps, but that is never made clear.

With an R-rating for violence and some gore, this movie could easily have been PG-13. I'm guessing some lobbying was done to get the R-rating in the hopes of more ticket sales.

Watch this movie with someone who likes dragon movies.

Fanboys

To many people there are only two kinds in this world, Trekkers and Star Wars fans. This movie is a must-see for the Star Wars fans. Yes - it totally makes fun of fans of both stories. As the movie points out, never refer to Star Wars as just "a movie".

If you have seen or read most of the Star Wars saga you will not get most of the really funny bits. There are tributes to not only Star Wars, but most Lucas films. Not sure about the Princess Bride bits, but they were funny. There are also some very fun cameo appearance by Star Wars alumni Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams. Funny stuff. William Shatner also shows up at a Trek convention in Vegas. Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob) have a very short, very funny scene.

Every one needs their Death Star, their defining moment, their life's quest, the most important accomplishment of their life. That is how this group of Fanboys talk themselves into trekking (sorry couldn't help the pun) across the country to get a sneak peak at a new episode. They make it to Skywalker Ranch in northern California and get caught.

It's really not that bad of a story. It is full of fun characters. There is even a sweet little love story as part of the subplots. There are few loathsome characters but they are not on screen long enough to make a negative impact.

Watch this movie with your costumes on and lots of popcorn.

Star Trek (2009)

Wow. If you were not a Trek fan before (I was) you should almost certainly be one after watching this great prequel. Do you need to have watch the original TV series in the 70's to get this? No, but it will certainly help. You may not get the inside jokes, the puns, and the surprise relationships as much if you have not seen these characters on the little screen. And that is about half the movie.

The other half of the movie is an equal masterpiece. There are tributes or homage to so many other great space or action movies that I almost lost count. Can you spot them all? Star Wars, Top Gun, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Indiana Jones, and others get a heart-felt nod.

I highly recommend the Special Features on the DVD that covers the making of the film. In fact, I suggest watching that first and you may gain a greater appreciation of the special things done to give this movie a more authentic feel. One thing to note if you choose to not watch this feature, nothing was done via CG that could be done live. I was impressed and I hope you are too.

Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as Spock in a very interesting story twist. Zachary Quinto plays the younger Spock. I loved when the two meet at the end. Brilliant.

Chris Pine plays Captain Kirk and thankfully modeled his performance off of characters in Top Gun and Indiana Jones rather than the character from TV. All the rest of the cast were very good and totally believable as the younger versions of the familiar older characters many of us know and love so well.

Watch this movie with a Trekkie and a Star Wars fan and notice which parts they enjoy together.

The Proposal

First, let me say that this movie was far funnier than I expected. Then, let me say that I had pretty low expectations. Several scenes had me laughing hard enough that I had to pause so I would not miss potential funny bits. Fortunately there were plenty of these. The pace of the movie is very good and none of it feels wasted.

Sandra Bullock is wonderful as the overbearing boss who is forced to see her employees in a new light. Ryan Reynolds playing opposite her was a little tough to swallow for me. Their 8 year age difference is a little too obvious for me, but aside from that, this RomCom totally works.

Betty White steals the show as the eccentric Gammy to Reynold's character. Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen are super as his parents who cope with the surprise wedding announcement.

What would you be willing to do to land or keep your dream job? I think we might all be surprised to find out how far we'd go. For that reason it is pretty easy to relate to the premise here. And the characters are so over the top it's fun to insert ourselves into the story somewhere along the line. You'll notice how all the major characters are either very very good or very very bad, or very something else.

The bottom line - the moral of the story is that its easy to lie to someone you don't love.

Watch this movie with someone for whom you would go to great lengths.

Etz Limon (Lemon Tree)

If foreign dramas are your thing, this is a very good one. The main languages are Hebrew and Arabic so you may need the subtitles, but that certainly does not get in the way of a very good story, told very well.

Hiam Abbass does another wonderful job. Her character self-describes as a lone wolf, and the use of that plays very well in the second half of the movie.

A relative new-comer Rona Lipaz-Michael is excellent here as the Israeli neighbor to Abbass's Palestinian character. Both women are left to deal with things in the wake of men in their lives over which they have no control. After those world's collide both women experience a personal hell.

We are left to wonder a few things about the plot but if you don't think too hard it is still a pretty good story. It is really the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on a very micro level, at least from some point of view. Why would the new Defense Minister move to a home exactly on the border next to a lemon grove his security team deems a real and present danger to national security? Why not live in a much safer location?

Watch this movie with someone who loves gardening AND politics if you can find that combination.

Nothing But the Truth

Political thriller? Not quite. Court room drama? Hardly. This movie does not fit into most of the typical genre categories. It is clearly a drama, but it's also more than that.

Kare Beckinsale does perhaps her best work to date. Most of us first met her in the film adaption of "Much Ado About Nothing" in which she plays the lovely Hero. Since then she has done a variety of projects with a range of success. Her, she captures our heart and spirit by sticking to her values.

Matt Dillon plays a wonderfully strong "country lawyer" who is assigned as a Special Prosecutor in Beckinsale's character's case. These two are equally matched and determined.

Between stands a very interesting character played by Alan Alda. He seems equally concerned with his expensive attire and his client's case. As it turns out his best work begins when he stops charging for it.

So, who is the source who gives away the identity of the CIA operative who is married to the Ambassador? Who is the person who, by giving this info, leads indirectly to the murder of the CIA spy? See if you can figure it out before the end of the movie. Count how many times you get it wrong and let me know.

Watch this movie with someone who understands what it means to be persecuted for one's principals.

Kærlighed på film (Just Another Love Story)

The Danes certainly have a way of telling stories. This is a twisted, addicting, heart-tugging, tale of deception, depression, suppression, and perhaps love. If you don't mind reading a movie, or if you do understand Danish, this movie is well worth your time.

Unless you are a fan of Danish cinema you probably won't know the two main actors, but they are well worth the watch. Anders W. Berthelsen and Rebecka Hemse are both fantastic. They both show a great range of emotions and take us into their characters heads brilliantly.

Mind you, this movie has nothing close to a happy ending. That is no spoiler since the movie ends where it begins, but don't expect this to be what the title implies. I found myself asking what I might have done in similar situations as these characters found themselves. To me, that speaks highly of the writing, directing, and acting.

While the characters are not particularly likable they are certainly interesting and compelling. Each had a little something for us to relate to.

Watch this movie with someone who "gets" dark comedy and darker drama.

Max Payne

Normally, the transition from the little screen to the big screen is awkward at best. In this case going from video game to feature film was not all that bad. Admittedly I had low expectations and have never played any of the Max Payne games. Those who are avid fans of the game may feel different however.

Mark Walhberg is stoic and brooding in this role, which is appropriate. In fact, until the end, he showed almost now emotion at all. Since I have no clue as to how the game character behaves I cannot make that comparison. But I was pleasantly surprised at how this story was told in bits and pieces and we were not given too much information too fast or too slow.

For example we are not told until just the right time about the dark angels who haunt the movie from the beginning. I liked that.

Beau Bridges plays an old family friend with conflicting interests. Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges (no relation) plays a similar character on the other side of the law. Nicely done. Mila Kunis, yeah the voice of Meg Griffin, plays a vague assassin for the Russian mob in New York and factors in more prominently as the movie goes along. Bond girl Olga Kurylenko has a delicious role early in the picture as the sister of the Kunis character and the catalyst that brings Payne and the assassin together. Chris O'Donnell and Donal Logue play interesting characters with too-short screen time.

Watch this movie with someone who has, AND someone who has not played the game, and see how their opinions differ. Let me know?

Whatever Works

You don't have to be a Woody Allen fan to enjoy this movie, but it will help. You don't have to know that Mr. Allen wrote and directed this very dark comedy, but from the opening lines it is obvious. Who else dares break the 4th wall so often, or does it so well?

Larry David does an amazing job of playing a classic character Woody Allen would have played years ago. David should get an award for the best Allen impression without really trying.

Evan Rachel Wood does yet another wonderful job playing a role which adds to her collection of range and credibility. Brava Ms. Wood. More please?

The supporting cast is well-turned and fantastic in their own right. Patricia Clarkson and Ed Begley Jr. plays the funniest bible belt couple I've seen in years. Perfect casting along with the others who drift in and out of the story.

But is this really a story? Or is it an extended mathematical proof shown in dialogue form? In the end everyone gets exactly what they really want instead of what they think they want. Brilliant.

Watch this movie with someone who is repressing something deep.

Chéri

If you like impressionist art, you may enjoy this movie. Many scenes are so perfectly staged and photographed you can pause the shot and enjoy some fine art.

There is however something about classic stories of French culture IN France with few, if any, French actors. There are English accents and American accents. Why? Are there no attractive or funny actors in France? To me this was as annoying as having a Robin Hood with a California accent a few years back. Sad.

If you can get past the lack of accents and enjoy the scenes and the music you will be in for a treat. This is a very odd story of love and loss. Cougars, courtesans, escorts, escargot, and gold diggers all in the golden age of high society on "the continent".

Michelle Pfeiffer plays a retired hired girl who socializes only with others of her former profession. They all find each other detestable but one has to run in some social circle I suppose. Rupert Friend plays the son of one such former escort, played by none other than Kathy Bates, who falls for Pfeiffer's character and is loved in return. Oddly.

The true story develops when the two lovers are torn apart by an arranged marriage. If the separation is interesting the reunion is riveting. The ending may snap your head back just a little unless you are truly a hopeless romantic.

Watch this movie with someone who enjoys good costumes as much as good acting.

Dear Frankie

Ever seen a story that someone wished so hard for something, and actually pretended it was true, that it actually happened? Some say that is what life is all about. Law of attraction? Power of positive thinking? This is a charming little story that combines all those elements.

Emily Mortimer plays a Mom who takes her son to Scotland to get away from a bad home situation. In the process she tells him his father is a sailor and they await his return. However the ship she names has troubles and does not return to port for some time.

Jack McElhone plays the son and does an outstanding job in his first full-length project.

Gerard Butler plays the actor hired to be the boy's son.

The real stars of the story are the quirky fun town's folk who know and see all.

Watch this movie with someone you like to sit quietly with.

The Milagro Beanfield War

If you have not seen this, or have not seen it in a while, I recommend another watch. Robert Redford's second outing as a director and few, if any, saw this. It is a clever, charming dramady.

Chick Vennera plays a down and out guy who has lost the water rights to his Grandfather's bean farm. The ghost of his grandfather still haunts the place and inspires the locals to rebel against the evil land developers. Not a novel theme but a fun story told in a lovely way.

Sonia Braja plays a local activist who embodies the fighting spirit of the ghost and guilts the local newspaper man/ lawyer John Heard into formalizing the action. Great performances by everyone.

Well-played bit parts are played by Rubén Blades, Christopher Walken, and even Freddy Fender. Melanie Griffith even has a scene or two. Fun stuff.

The main thing to enjoy here is the subtle but power blend of music and character development. The soundtrack has stuck in my head for over 20 years. It still makes me smile.

This is an old story along the lines of David and Goliath. What makes is most worth another watch is great performance by some familiar names in one of the very early independent films. This was Redford's first big effort after the foundation of the Sundance Institute and it sets the bar very high.

Watch this with someone who has lived in New Mexico and they will explain.

Imagine That

If you need a light-hearted, feel-good, fun flick that won't make you think too much, this might be a good choice. If you are looking for a good hearty belly laughs in the Eddie Murphy tradition, this might not be a good choice.

Murphy's switch to family-friend fare has been noted and, with few exceptions, has not been noteworthy. Kids might enjoy this more if the imagined characters had been CG. Adults might have enjoy this more if it had not been so predictable. Either way both may be left "wanting".

It was not as far-fetched as the recent Adam Sandlers "Bedtime Stories" but at least it had the above-mentioned CG and surprises. This story is a little too sweet and a little too much in the middle to be any good to either age group.

Watch this only if you are a diehard Murphy fan, or if you are in the financial industry.

The Brothers Bloom

This is an excellent example of smart, fun, captivating story-telling by yet another independent production company. Hats off to Rian Johnson who wrote and directed this delightful melodramatic dark comedy.

Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo play brothers who make their way in the world as con men. Rufflalo's character loves the hunt but Brody's character, Bloom, wants out. Sounds vaguely familiar? I was worried this was going to be an updated version of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" but it was very fresh and not even close to the same story.

Rachel Weisz plays the con team's last mark and in the end everyone gets what they want. The best con of all.

Beautifully photographed all over Eastern Europe the director makes very creative use of light and shadow. Nicely done Mr. Johnson.

Don't expect this to be a romantic comedy. There are elements of both, but the comedy does not come from the romance or vice versa. This is first and foremost a drama as two 30-something misfits struggle to make their own place in the world.

Unlike so many stories lately with no characters to like or even relate to, this story has a relatively small cast and every one of them is interesting and fun to watch.

And when was the last time you came away from a movie with a handful of fun one-liners?

"You are constipated deep down in your soul" and "Your smile is the sunshine which fallen men need to see" are just a couple of fun paraphrases.

Watch this movie with someone who loves the unexpected.

Away We Go

What happened to the movie with characters who people in the audience could aspire to be like? This one has none. Instead, this story is full of people who you can hold up as an excellent example of people you don't want to be like. And you certainly would not want to invite most of these characters into your home. Needless to say, I found this movie uncomfortable and unpleasant to watch.

Some have compared this movie to the old slow romantic comedies of the 1960s and 70s. That is not too far off the mark. No doubt the makers of this movie were Woody Allen fans. His influences could be felt in many scenes.

John Krasinski of "Office" fame does a credible job here as the lovable doofus. Maya Rudolph of "SNL" fame is actually very good here and is perhaps the most enjoyable character.

If you must, watch this movie with low expectations and lots of patience.

The Tale of Despereaux

This is a charming, funny, inspirational family show. While there may not be enough of something for everyone, there is certainly plenty for the typical family with kids under 14.

There are for sure plenty of big stars doing voices to keep the adults guessing. Wait until the end to see how many you guess correct. There are good male and female roles. There is plenty of wit and mirth and imaginary stuff for younger and older kids.

The animation is pretty good but certainly not state of the art. My only complaint, and then only a minor one, is that the story is perhaps overly long. The book upon which it's based is a perfect length. Perhaps Hollywood made too much of too many unnecessary scenes?

All in all I was not disappointed and unless you are expected way too much, I think you may enjoy this too with you family.

Watch this with little ones present and see which character they relate to the most.

O'Horten

Here is another wonderfully slow foreign movie for you to read. Norwegian and cinema are not usually used in the same sentence, but in this case it completely applies.

Odd Horten, the main character, has a life altering incident the night before his retirement. It seems harmless at the time but it spins his entire life out of control. He handles is with typical Scandinavian fortitude. Baard Owe may be well known is Norway but I doubt many of us Yanks will recognize him. Many of us will surely relate to him however.

This character rolls with the punches no matter what is tossed his direction. While we can't all follow his example, there may be a lesson or two learned here about how to deal with the unexpected.

This movie is not for everyone. There are no special effects. No action. And actually very little dialogue. The music is great and the photography is wonderful though.

Watch this movie with a very patient person.

Yes Man

Could anyone other than Jim Carrey pull this part off? Few, very few. Maybe Robin Williams, maybe somebody less well known. But Carrey is still perfect for this. It is perhaps one of the best things he has done in a long time.

Zooey Deschanel holds her own here and pulls off a performance worth bragging about. How many others can you name that pair up with such a strong name as Carrey and don't get lost in the shuffle?

There IS a point to this funny movie too. It's all about moderation and making choices that make sense. Along the way there are some great slapstick one usually gets in a Carrey movie but also some very thought worthy drama.

We all know people who are extreme in their personality, one way or another. Watch this movie with one of THOSE people.

Easy Virtue

Which stereotypes are more correct here - the brash Americans or the stiff squeaky Brits? Either way this is a fun movie to watch. Don't expect too much in the way of cinema magic or brilliant plot lines. But you can expect some fun surprises and a few great one-liners.

Jessica Biel and Ben Barnes are interesting together, but I found the combo hard to "buy" from the beginning. By the end of the movie I understood why. The relationship of far more interest is that of Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth and Jessica Biel's characters. All do a great job with their roles.

As period romances go, this is okay. As romantic comedies go, it's still just okay. There are not that many period romantic comedies. And how many out there are based on Noel Coward plays? All in all a pretty clever story told in a fairly fun way.

Watch this movie with someone who enjoys a still upper crust British accent with their popcorn and tea.

Doubt

What can you say about a movie that is nominated for 5 Oscars and wins none? What can you say about a movie that in very entertaining and compelling without telling much of a story? What can you say about a movie with two of the best actors in the business today? I say thank you Hollywood for still making movies like this.

Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman are nothing short of brilliant in this story. I'm not clear on how they figured Hoffman played a supporting role here, but that is way besides the point. This guy's range is wide open. And Streep remains the gold standard and proves again why she is the most nominated actor in history. Yup more than Hepburn and Nicholson by 3 each.

But this movie is not just about the actors. Here the weather is as much a character as any of the cast. It is a reflection of the relationship between the main characters. Very smart.

Amy Adams is very very good here as well. This was a very good role choice for her. It should help her branch out into a wider range of opportunities.

You do not need to be a New Yorker or a product of parochial education to enjoy this movie, but it may enhance your experience if you are one or the other. Both? I guarantee it.

Watch this movie with someone who will pick on the the subtle changes in the relationships with all the characters.

Crank: High Voltage

At the risk of repeating myself, again, this sequel is not as good as the original. Jason Statham is back as Chev Chelios, the seemingly superhuman tough guy who survives everything. This time he is back from the dead.

This movie goes from the ridiculous to silly to almost plausible. It will certainly appeal to the younger male crowd and it earns a very hard R-rating. The entire story could have been told in 30 minutes, but with all the unnecessary and sometimes bizarre scenes, it goes on for 3 times that amount.

Country music's Dwight Yoakam returns as the good doctor who keeps the main character alive. There are several other kinds of stars here too. Porn stars, UFC stars, rock stars, and real gang stars. Over 300 hours of HD digital time was shot. If this 96 minutes was the best of the lot, it was probably a lot of fun, but a huge waste of time.

Watch this movie only if you don't expect much and don't mind soft-core porn, gang-related violence, and outrageous unrelated scenes.

Punisher: War Zone

This sequel, like most others, is not as good as the original. In fact, this one is barely even a sequel. You do not need to have seen the first installment to pick up the story in this one. None of the characters are played by the same actors, and there are even slight storyline differences which a fan of the first movie might find annoying.

This movie may appeal to some segments of the movie-loving audience. I however, am not in that demographic. This movie is more about the violence and gore than about the smart, funny, quirky characters who orbit around the main character. These types of characters are there, no question, but they are overshadowed by all the splatter. This movie felt more like a Batman or Dick Tracy story than the original Punisher.

Ray Stevenson does a credible job playing the all-too-human super hero. And Dominic West is over-the-top as the bad guy, but in this type of story, that is what is expected.

Watch this movie at your own risk and without pasta and sauce in front of you.

State of Play

While some similarities exist, not much other than the character names and the title are carried over from the brilliant BBC series to this very smart movie. You don't need to have seen the series to enjoy this movie. In fact, you may enjoy it more if you are not distracted by the differences.

In the extra features a producer makes the statement to the effect that everyone in Hollywood wanted to be part of this project. And there are huge names aplenty to be sure. Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck turn in very different roles than their norm, and both are great. Helen Mirren continues to be one of the best actors from any country. Robin Wright Penn and Rachel McAdams are both very strong and sexy characters here. Jason Bateman does his best acting to date and was a very pleasant surprise for me.

Set in DC this political murder thriller is good a keeping the audience guessing. The pace is brisk and one has to keep up with plot twists as they happen.

Watch this with someone who like to guess who did what to whom and watch them react at the end when all is revealed.

Sin Nombre (2009)

If you liked the way Grand Torino ended, you will probably like this movie too. Yes, you will have to read subtitles unless your Spanish is muy excelente.

All the "good" main characters seek an escape to the north, from as far south as Honduras, to as far north as New Jersey. This commonality unites them and makes them competitors at the same time.

The prophetess tells one traveler she will be taken north, not by the hand of God, but at the hand of the Devil. Is that what actually happens? Does a Devil seek and achieve redemption?

Gringos audiences will recognize few if any of the cast in this smart movie. Édgar Flores is nothing short of brilliant in only his second project. I hope we see him again soon. Paulina Gaitan who plays opposite Édgar for the second half of the film is equally delightful. The rest, too many to name, tell a smart story of escape, revenge, and redemption.

This often disturbing story of gang life in Mexico is painfully real. This movie is not for the squeamish. One character is fed to dogs shortly after execution. If that sort of thing will keep you up at night please think twice about watching this movie.

On the other hand, if you don't mind reading subtitles, and if you can handle a good story about life in other countries, this movie might be great for you. Be prepared to rethink how you might feel about immigration issues.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks of Mexico as a place of romantic resorts.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

What a surprise! This is not a half-bad romantic comedy. There is even a pretty good moral to the story. The music is fun, the clothes are great, and all the characters are believable.

Isla Fisher pulls off the lead role of her career (so far) here. This minx who stole our hearts in Wedding Crashers does it again as a talented writer with a urge to splurge. I'm told she captures the book's character perfectly.

I even enjoyed the narration. To work well in a movie a narration has to be well-timed and delivered perfectly. This movie is a good example. There was not too much and not too little.

A fairly deep line-up of stars make appearances as well: Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and John Lithgow all show up and do not disappoint as New Yorkers of one ilk or another. Even Lynn Redgrave has a memorable scene.

And speaking of scenes, please rent this movie just to watch the first dance scene at a Miami salsa club. Pure comic genius. Lucille Ball would be proud of this little Redhead.

Watch this movie with someone who loves to use credit cards.

Sunshine Cleaning

Can you handle a movie about overcoming dysfunction? Can you handle a story about suicide? Can you deal with a movie that is about dealing with the messes left behind by departed loved ones? If not, don't watch this movie. Among other things, these are the central themes of this movie.

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are very good as sisters who try to work together in a crime scene cleaning business. Toss into that mix of a well-intended but seldom successful entrepreneur father played by Alan Arkin. All are very likable characters but deeply flawed and scarred by a common occurrence.

Additional characters are also very strong. Steve Zahn and Clifton Collins Jr. are wonderful as the men next most involved in the sisters lives. These two veterans rarely get top billing but are masters at their craft.

A very young Jason Spevack is a very interesting side story here. While he is the son of the main character, his plot line is not a main story line but makes for very good entertainment. I'll wager we see more of this kid in future productions.

This movie is about very normal people who try very hard to lead happy lives. And despite their best efforts have a very hard time of things. You may or may not relate to these people, but hopefully you will find some respect for their trials. No everyone has it as easy as some of us.

Watch this movie with someone who knows what it means to struggle for just some of the basics.

The Golden Boys

Depth of cast alone attracted me to this movie. The storyline even looked good. Bad acting spoiled the party however. But, it is still worth a watch under certain circumstances.

David Carradine, Bruce Dern, and Rip Torn play 3 retired sea captain bachelors. They advertise for a bride/housekeeper in 1905 Cape Cod, and Mariel Hemingway applies and get the job. Charles Durning plays a cranky old religious zealot neighbor.

This is a cute story of small town romance. All the main characters are likable. What little music there is feels awkward and the scenery could have been better for having been shot in such spectacular place.

Watch this with your grandparents or with people who don't critique movies.

I Love You, Man

Bromance? Okay, I was skeptical when I first heard that term. But, this movie is a bit more than that. It is more than just another romantic comedy slash buddy movie. If used properly this movie could be a good reality check for soon-to-wed-couples.

Why are YOU getting married, and what role will your old friends play in the new relationship and your new life? Think about it. Talk about it.

Paul Rudd does an amazing job playing the guy who is great with his male/female relationships, but is terrible when it comes to having guy-friends. After a series of man-dates he learns what it means to have a best friend.

Sidney Segal does an equally amazing job as a guy also searching for a replacement for his friends who have moved on with their lives. In many ways this character reminds me of the Encino Man character Link. We should all have a friend like this to help us be a better friend ourselves.

This movie however is not for everyone. There are many awkward scenes where normally taboo subjects are discussed openly, much to the chagrin of the main character. There are many good belly laughs and even a few thought provoking moments which may cause a bit of self-examination. Maybe.

Watch this movie with your BFF and see if it changes your relationship.

Shoot on Sight

Shortly after the July 2005 bombings in London a police procedure was activated that authorized local police to shoot suspected suicide bombers on sight. This movie the a fictional account of one such incident.

It basically raises the question - Is it a crime to be Muslim?

Naseeruddin Shah whom most of us have never heard of is brilliant as a mid-level police official who is given the responsibility to investigate the subway shooting of a Muslim student by London police. Shah's character also happens to be Muslim.

The story evolves around what is going on with his mixed-culture family and inside the Pakistani Muslim community in London at the time. Very thought provoking.

The roles of good guys and bad guys flip flop a time or two before the end of the movie. This is a very interesting story, told in a very professional and, I believe respectful, way. I will surely hear from some of you if that is not the case.

Watch this movie with someone who will understand the choice presented to the main character by his nemesis towards the end of the movie.

The Punisher

One of you recently suggested to me that I check out this series given my taste for graphic comics made into movies. I had never heard of The Punisher comic so I had no interest in the movie. Thank you for the tip however. This movie has all the features of a classic comic gone action movie.

You have over-acting. You have comic relief. You have a central hero who is likable. You have a wealth of events Mythbusters can prove impossible. So if that is not your thing, don't watch this movie. On the other hand...

Thomas Jane, who was great as Mickey Mantle in 61*, is enjoyable in this role as the tragically heroic central character. He is just human enough, just vulnerable enough, and certainly buff enough to pull the role off.

There are some great names in the supporting cast too: John Travolta as the uber bad guy target of this episode's punishments, Roy Scheider as the gunsmitthing father of our hero, Rebecca Romijn as the sexy neighbor angel, Will Patton as the main bad guy's doer-of-dirty-deeds, with Ben Foster and John Pinette as the goofy but loyal neighbors.

This movie is admittedly not for everyone, but for those who like a good graphic comic brought to life this is a worthy effort. Thank you again for the suggestion.

Watch this with plenty of popcorn and a friend to enjoy the ride.

Inkheart

Fictional license can be a very fun thing. Based on a Cornelia Funke novel, this movie intertwines characters and events from some very famous stories. From Hook's ticking croc to Dorothy's Toto, you should find at something familiar in this movie.

Brendan Fraser plays a "Silvertongue" who brings story characters and events to life when he reads the words aloud. Something goes wrong early in the story and he spends the rest of the movie trying to set things right. As usual the main character needs help from several friends.

In this case the friends come in the form of Eliza Bennett who plays his equally gifted daughter and Paul Bettany who plays one of the story characters. Both do a wonderful job of character evolution and winning the audience over.

Helen Mirren and Rafi Gavron are also essential supporting characters as sister-in-law and story character respectively. Because this story is so rich with characters you have your choice of which to like and which to boo. There is someone here for all ages and all genders.

This is for sure a family movie but mind the PG rating. Some of the conjured-up characters might be a little too scary for the younger crowd especially considering how they are brought to life. We don't want to prevent anyone from reading aloud or wanting to be read to for fear of what might or might not happen.

Watch this movie on a dark and stormy night to enhance the ambiance.

The Soloist

Every once in a while a good story comes along that reminds us how we could and maybe should treat each other. I think this movie is one of those.

Jamie Foxx is a genius. How does one prep for this job? Here we find a great craftsman at the top of his game. Any comparisons to Rainman characters are completely founded. Foxx does as well with his portrayal of mental illness as Dustin Hoffman or Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets. As I look back at the excellent role choices Foxx has made over the last 5 years I'm sure he has a lock on more in the future.

Not since Chaplin has Robert Downey Jr. turned in such a great dramatic performance. I foresee more nominations on the way; for both these actors. I'm glad Downey's recent successes as fictional super heroes has allowed him the chance to take on roles like this one.

This story answers a great question which may apply in many other situations. Sometimes all someone needs is a friend. We don't need to rearrange their whole world to match ours. Sometimes all we need to do is validate their existence with a smile and a kind word.

Watch this movie with someone who loves Beethoven.

Seven Pounds

This is an amazing story. Director Gabriele Muccino, who also directed The Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith, does an incredible job here telling a complex story in a slowly unfolding way. We are told what we need to know just when we need to know it, and no sooner.

While this movie is a tear-jerker, the tears may not come until 90 minutes into this 120 minute masterpiece. And, it also has what may become one of the best on-screen kisses of the year, if not the decade, maybe even all time.

Will Smith seeks redemption for contributing to the accident that kills his wife and 6 other innocent victims. His method is unique, moving, and a little bit creepy. His soul-searching mingled with repentance is at the very least thought provoking. I don't believe I will think of others the same way again for a long time.

Rosario Dawson delivers a powerful performance as on of Smith's benefactors. She has been around awhile but I think this is the first time I really noticed her. Wow. More please?

Woody Harrelson and Barry Pepper both turn in moving performances as well.

Watch this movie with someone who wants to learn about true repentance. Don't get me wrong, I do not condone his final solution, but one has to admit he makes amends very well.

Nobel Son

Like smart movies? Like fast editing set to perfect music? You may just enjoy this one.

Like totally reprehensible "bad guy" characters? Alan Richman excels at playing the guy we love to hate. Think about it; ever since Die Hard he has played the detestable bad guy who "gets it" in the end. I have a hard time seeing him any other way, but he came close in Bottle Shock - sort of.

Actually everyone in this movie plays their role well. Danny Devito puts in my favorite performance of his since Throw Momma From The Train. What is a "reformed obsessive compulsive" anyway?

Bryan Greenberg plays the title role of a the son of a Nobel Laureate who is kidnapped in the weirdest chain of events I've seen in a movie since The Inside Man. This story is so well told I"m still not sure of some of the "facts" in this story. Where does this story really begin? Who sets whom up?

I loved Shawn Hatosy as the villain here. Was he or wasn't he crazy? You decide.

And if any of you guys out there have Mary-Steenburgen-with-a-hand-gun fantasies, this movie will be a good fix. Hands down, that is my favorite scene of the movie. Wait for it. Savor it.

The only real odd man out in this cast is Bill Pullman as the detective. Don't get me wrong I like Bill Pullman, but I had to force myself to believe his character. Colombo he ain't.

Finally I have to give a little love to Eliza Dushku. I would totally fall for this character. Eliza honey, you got game.

Watch this movie with someone who likes guessing whats going to happen next, and then watch their face when the plot twists.

An American Affair

This movie is not at all what I expected. I was thinking between Porky's and The Graduate. What it really is more of something like a cross between JFK and Summer of 42.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie. What an interesting way to tell another version of a popular JFK conspiracy theory. I found all the characters believable. Anyone who was alive at the time should recognize someone they know. And, if you went to parochial school, you must surely relate to several scenes here.

Cameron Bright is next to brilliant as this young teen who struggles with the realities of growing up in the 60's. Many themes are familiar but nothing is dwelt on too long.

Gretchen Mol is delicious as the artist-plaything with odd ties to the CIA and the White House.

Period footage is well used to give this piece of historical fiction a basis of truth. I enjoyed it all much more than I expected.

Watch this with someone who is not all that familiar with events and see if they find it plausible.

Taken

Hats off to Director Pierre Morel and the makers of this movie. It could have been far more violent and much more graphic sexually. All would have been unnecessary. The movie is just fine without it.

What lengths would you go to; what skills would you employ; who would you be willing to hurt to secure the return of a loved one who had been taken? This story may help you explore some of those thoughts.

Liam Neeson makes a very interesting choice in taking this role. A good story well told would do the trick I think. He plays a retired CIA "preventer" who goes from LA to Paris to retrieve his daughter when she is kidnapped.

As a daddy of daughters it was very easy for me to relate to Neeson's character. Every moment is believable. As I said this movie could easily have been made to be a very hard R. But, PG-13 is just right. No need to go there though.

Watch this movie with someone who has, or is, a daughter.

The Great Buck Howard

If this is the "old guard" making fun of itself it's pretty funny. If this is the "new guard" making fun of the old guard, it's kinda sad. I'm not sure. Can you tell?

John Malkovich is over-the-top funny here. Annoyingly odd. In fact his whole movie could be described that way. But, it is still worth watching if for no other reason that to see the performance of Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, who produced and plays the father of Colin's character.

This is not a movie without a message. There are actually a couple. The two main characters both present a different moral to us. Both they both can be boiled down to a single moment. When you do what you love, the money magically appears. So go for it. There is a bit of beauty in that.

Watch this movie with someone who does not realize how funny it is when it's all about them.

A Secret (Un secret)

More interesting French cinema. A young kid grows up with an imaginary brother who can do no wrong. All the while he suffers the endless disapproval of his father. When he discovers he really did have a brother, well, a half brother, who WAS the apple of his father's eye, there is a story in the making.

Cécile De France is stunning and believable in this role. I only wish we could see her in more mainstream movies here.

Mostly this movie is about choices people make in very difficult times. Most of us can't even imagine what must have been going through the minds of folks like these.

While this may not be the most entertaining movie to watch, it is very thought provoking. This is one of thousands of WWII stories. For most of us this is an unfamiliar story, so well worth the time.

Watch this with someone who has had to make difficult life choices recently.

Happy Go Lucky

Finally a very cute, very funny, British romantic comedy without Renée Zellweger or Hugh Grant. This is a cute, funny, smart story. There is a bit of all of us in one, if not many, of the characters. In which one do you see yourself?

This is partly a story about caring - about something; anything. A life without passion is a sad thing. This is but one of the messages. A life lived WITH passion has some meaning.

Sally Hawkins won a ton of awards for her role here as a North London school teacher who takes nothing seriously but her job and her search for a boyfriend. This slice from her life is delightful. If this story does not make you smile, I suggest you get over yourself.

Her supporting cast is excellent. Special kudos must go to Eddy Marsan for some amazing character creation. I can't think of a less pleasant person to take any lessons from, let alone driving lessons. Well done Mr. Marsan.

Watch this movie with someone who has little or no sense of propriety.

Tell No One (Ne le dis à personne)

This is a very good story told in a very interesting way. Yes, you have to read the movie unless you understand French, but it is well worth it. Whats the story? Eight years after his wife is murdered, she sends him an email.

This movie is as much a who-done-what as it is a who-done-it. What the writer giveth the writer taketh away. Never be too sure that you know whats going on, or what went on in the past. But make sure to keep track of which character is which. And don't even try to guess what will happen next until the very end, which I admit is very predictable.

Unless you are a fan of French cinema, the only face you may recognize is Kristin Scott Thomas. And yes, she speaks French perfectly through the whole movie. The rest of the cast is wonderful though. The main character looks vaguely like Dustin Hoffman.

Watch this movie with someone who will help you keep track of who's who.

Cadillac Records

Think you know the history of Rock & Roll? Think again. At least consider what this story has to offer. All based on real people and events. In fact if history were based solely on court findings, this WOULD be the story and we might have to declare a new king. Is America ready for that?

I truly enjoyed this movie because it is first and foremost a story about music and the people who made it. The acting is superb. What an amazing cast.

Adrian Brody is Leonard Chess the man behind Chess Records who recorded the likes of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Etta James, Chuck Berry, and Howlin Wolf. Oh yeah, and the Rolling Stones show up too.

It is obvious the whole cast got WAY into their roles here. It was all music I have known and loved for years and watching the movie I forgot it was a movie. That's good story telling.

Jeffrey Wright is an amazing talent. Beyoncé Knowles proves again she can do much much more than sing. Last but not least Mos Def is perfect as Chuck Berry.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks they know the history of Rock & Roll.

Bolt

This is classic Disney fare, and very well done. You've got to love a movie that makes fun of Hollywood stereotypes in such a believable way. The side characters make the movie. There really are no wasted scenes. Kids of all ages should enjoy this. I did.

If you have ever had a pet, this movie may speak to you. And I'm glad they didn't silly it up having the animals talk to humans. A dog, a cat, and a hamster. If this is not the oddest buddy movie ever...

John Travolta's voice was a great match for this dog. The other voices fit well too. Nothing seem out of place.

The only thing that felt odd to me was the country music soundtrack. If you think about it though, it makes sense. That's where the movie ends, AND where much of the movie takes place - in the country.

Watch this movie with someone who gets excited as a hamster in a plastic ball and it will be way more fun.

Australia

This is really 2 stories. There is the story of the cattle drive and then the story of the invasion. There are a few subplots going on behind all these as well, but everything is easily followed.

In a way, it is part "City Slickers" and part "Pearl Harbor" both with an accent.

There are a few big name actors here, but the real star is the young Brandon Walters. He was fantastic here. Is the really the central figure of the story too, not the box office names. This is a story about HAVING a story. In the end, all we really own is our story. I like that concept.

Hugh Jackman is the Drover who makes good on his promises and wins the day in the end. No spoilers there, you see it coming miles away. Nicole Kidman is almost the same character she played in "Far And Away" with a few subtle differences. But, she pulls it off well.

The bad guys are pretty bad, but not totally fearsome. David Wenham is the worst of them. Don't you hate it when the good guys can't prove the bad guy really is the villain?

Watch this movie with plenty of popcorn and a few family members around for good measure.

Marley & Me

If you have owned a dog, or a dear pet of any kind, you will probably enjoy this movie. It starts a little slow but hang in there. The pay-off is well worth it.

Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston make a credible couple that many of us may be able to relate to. Characters based on real people are usually turn out that way.

Kathleen Turner makes a very fun cameo worth the rental itself. Too funny.

Is the dog really an allegory for the greater message of the movie? Or, is Marley just a fun story about a badly-behaved dog?

Watch this movie with someone just like Marley - well, maybe just like the way Marley is described at the end of the story. We all need to BE and HAVE someone like that.

Knowing

This is one of the better dooms day movies I've seen in a long time. There is a good story, and likable characters. The story begins before the opening credits roll. The music fits. The special effects are just that - special.

I very much liked that they did not give us too much information too soon. The story was told in due time.

Nicolas Cage is very good here. No over the top gestures. No over the top acting. This goes in the books as one of his better efforts. Don't get me wrong, there are times and places when the gestures and over-acting are perfect. This is not one of those movies.

Chandler Canterbury, who played an 8-year-old Benjamin Button, is pretty amazing here. He has an ability to speak volumes with his face. That skill is well beyond his years. I look forward to much more from this bright little star.

I'm not sure I love how they chose to end the movie. I see the point, but I don't think it was necessary. Ending with the shots from the air would have been tidy enough for me.

Watch this movie with someone who will not try to rush the telling of this interesting story.

S. Darko

Originally I rented this movie because my daughter was in it. Turns out her scenes were cut. It took me an hour and forty three minutes to find that out however.

Why will YOU rent this movie?

Dark Streets

You could watch this movie just for the music, and that would be enough. But, pay attention to the story telling. While this is not the only movie in a somewhat new genre I like to call Indie Musical Drama. Its like a really long music video and lots more dialogue.

What, you want me to name some others in that genre? The Commitments, Backbeat, Monsoon Wedding, and Black Snake Moan. From some of the bigger houses come some names you might know? Moulin Rouge, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Victor/Victoria, Flashdance, and Evita to name a few. Musicals have been making a quiet comeback and I celebrate that.

Set in that mythical city of Gotham in the 1930s, a jazz club owner struggles with debt, family history, and a corrupt city. I actually kept waiting for Batman to step in and help our hero. There is a little bit comic book flair here too. Some like it, some don't. I do.

This is not a fast movie. The story pours out like honey. Don't be in in hurry to watch.

Gabriel Mann plays the troubled club owner. He is supported by a great cast of singers, dancers, and Gotham bad guys.

Now, lets get back to the music. If you like the music the likes of Aaron Neville, Etta James, Dr. John, Natalie Cole, and Chaka Khan, you will enjoy this movie. Toledo Diamond does a great job as Narrator, Emcee, Singer, Dancer, and conscience of the story.

Crossing Over

What "Crash" did for racial issues this movie does for immigration issues - almost. Crossing Over follows a similar format with A-List stars, compelling familiar scenarios, and short scenes to hold our attention.

The difference? The point of Crash was that everyone is both guilty of, AND a victim of, racism. That is not the case with immigration issues. So to that extent, the movie comes up a little short if held to the same standard as Crash. Otherwise, it is a very good collection of stories, very well told.

Harrison Ford plays a senior ICE agent who struggles with doing whats right and doing whats expected. Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd play a married couple both involved in immigration issues but from different sides of the law. Jim Sturgess and Alice Eve play a couple who are in the country illegally and will do anything to stay. Cliff Curtis plays Ford's partner at ICE and a member of a family who struggles with cultural heritage and the realities of American life. All the paths eventually cross.

I'm curious what Sean Penn's original part was on this. Any ideas?

Watch this movie with someone who was not born here.

What Goes Up

Perfectly awkward. Can one call a movie that? This is a perfect follow-up to Hamlet 2 for Steve Coogan. They are practically the same character. Interesting choices Mr. Coogan.

One of the points of this story is that teen angst may never go away. Some adults never grow out of it. The backdrop of this story is the Challenger shuttle disaster, but it really has nothing to do with the story. And hopefully has nothing to do with the real events at the time.

This movie gets more interesting as it goes along. As each character evolves they become more complex. I found myself actually wanting to find out how the story ends. About half way through the story I actually started caring about the characters. If you can be patient, you may find the same thing being true for you.

Coogan is actually very good here. The supporting cast of kids is also enjoyable. Especially Olivia Thirlby. Where did she come from? Hillary Duff plays one of the kids in the story and does a very credible job.

While this is not a great movie, it is a good one. It makes you think. Who knows what the writer/director was thinking.

Watch this movie with someone who loves abstract thinking.

Valkyrie

You do not have to be a student of German classical music to appreciate all the subtle plot points that go along with the title, but if you know what the original opera composed by Wagner is about, the movie will mean much more.

This is a movie of fast details with lots of characters mostly wearing similar clothes. One cannot afford to drift off or have a lapse of attention. A score card would help. It is best to watch with someone who is also paying attention so that you can double-check names and reference points.

Tom Cruise plays a very autocratic hero here not unlike his last best work in The Last Samurai. He is surrounded by a wonderful collection of experienced stars. Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, and Tom Wilkinson are all co-conspirators and the group gels very well.

The point of the story is told best in the postscript. This is the last of 15 attempts to assassinate Hitler. All obviously failed for various reasons. The Fuhrer sited divine intervention as the reason for the failures. Nine months later Hitler committed suicide.

This is not an anti-Hitler movie. It is not really even anti-Nazi. It is about how not all German soldiers were 100% committed to the oath they all took in support of Hitler. It is correctly complimentary of the fine structure and organization of the army at the time. It correctly points out how many German officers were not in support of the atrocities committed by so many others.

Watch this movie with someone who can help keep up with the pace and the key points.

Defiance

If you like the Bond character played by Daniel Craig, you will most likely love this role for him as well. This is a great story. Maybe even the best "untold" story of WWII. Edward Zwick is a genius. He does these great stories and makes them so captivating that we don't realize we're being taught history.

Liev Schreiber plays the younger brother of Craig's character. This duo is amazing together.

Make sure to watch the special features before you watch the movie. They are so good you may find yourself tearing up. Tears for special features? Yeah, they are that good and will give you a great history lesson about what really happened and who brought the story to light. Chalk up another one for doing family history?

Alexa Davalos is amazing. She gives the second best, second biggest, monologue in the story.

Watch this movie with someone who has family from Central Europe.

Gran Torino

You have to be patient with this movie. You cannot be like the main character and rush to judgement. If you can do those things you are in store for a delicious, tidy, satisfying ending.

Clint Eastwood, in his 66th screen appearance over the 6 decades he has been working, does his usual accomplished job of acting. He also directed and produced this film. I've yet to see anything he has done which I don't like. Eastwood makes good choices.

With a group of relative unknowns, Eastwood tells a story vaguely familiar to all of us, and painfully real to certain segments of society.

If you enjoy a fairly slow but methodical character-development drama, you may like this one. If you can sit through the main character's constant racist dialogue, you may see how it evolves. There are life lessons to be learned by young and old here. Lessons for natives and those born elsewhere too.

Watch this with someone who WAS born outside the United States and see how they react.

Just Like Heaven

If you like quirky romantic comedies, this one puts a cute spin on an old formula. Without being too sappy, this story puts destined souls together is an odd way. If you are big on fate, destiny, or soul mates, you may enjoy this story.

Reese Witherspoon's character pretty much has to die before she meets the man of her dreams. Mark Ruffalo plays the guy and holds his own with big star Witherspoon and a beautiful San Francisco setting. In fact, the setting is part of what brings these two together. The story even has a tidy, satisfying ending for the romantics in the audience.

There are some good laughs and wonderful scenery. There are some fun comic-relief characters as well in the form of Donal Logue (Tao of Steve) and Jon Heder (Napolean Dynamite).

If you like a challenge, watch the hospital scene with a comatose Witherspoon in the bed AND the standing Witherspoon in the same scene. See if you can figure out how they did that scene without special effects, which I assure you, they did not.

Watch this movie with someone from San Francisco who can point out what's real and what's now, if you can find one.

The International

Not quite as cool as 007. Not quite as hip as Austin Powers. Not quite as international as Bourne. And not quite as believable as The Interpreter. I guess that sums up my opinion of this movie. Not quite.

Clive Owen carries the whole cast on his shoulders here, and almost totally over-acts every scene. Almost. Compared to his melodramatic style everyone else seems stiff. Unless everyone else in the story is also over-acting, Owens seems fake to me.

Naomi Watts had no business taking this part. I found her very hard to believe in this role. She seemed to young, too soft, and too inexperienced, to be a New York District Attorney. Sorry, I just couldn't buy it.

I was doing okay with how things played out in this story until the scene in New York's Guggenheim museum. Two NYPD guys have to "clear" security to get their weapons in the museum, but somehow 10 minutes later there are half a dozen guys with Uzi machine guns shooting at them. And how is it that after a five to ten minute gun fight in one of the most famous places in the city there are no sirens or police outside the museum? These things just didn't feel right to me.

Watch this one with someone who really really likes Clive Owen.

The Village Barbershop

The John Ratzenberger of this movie is the same guy who played Cliff in Cheers, but his character is not even close. This Indy film is a delight to watch. It is a comedy but is slow-moving with superb character development.

Putting Shelly Cole opposite Ratzenberger was genius. The two of them are great together. If you ever thought a romantic comedy could be 99% sexless, this project shows it CAN be done.

Chris J. Ford wrote and directed this, and I salute him for the effort.

The characters are likable and even easy to relate to. The older crowd should "get" Ratzenberger's character and the younger crowd should enjoy Cole's. I enjoyed both. I have similar neighbors and got a good laugh out of the polar comparisons.

Watch this movie with a patient person.

Quantum of Solace

Ian Flemming would have been 100 years old when this film was released. It is the 25th Bond film and only the 2nd time a title was taken from a Bond short story instead of one of the novels.

A quantum of solace literally mean a measure of comfort. This IS what this movie is about. All the major characters seek a measure of comfort via vengeance.

You need not have seen the prequel to this movie to enjoy it, but it would help. Casino Royale was Daniel Craig's first appearance as 007 and we say a whole new kind of Bond. That character has more edge, more flaws, more grit, less sense of humor, and less charm. And, in my opinion, this movie continues the recent trend of not having new technology as part of Bond's aresenal. There is no Q, and that is a big part of what made the Bond films of the 60's and 70's so fun.

The Bond Girls in this film are however, true to form. Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton both did a great job. I would not be surprised to see Kurylenko's character back in future stories.

If you get the feeling that this movie feels more like a Jason Bourne story there is a very good reason for that. Many of the same team worked on this picture's stunt scenes and second unit work. The similarities are very obvious.

Also obvious in this movie are the many continuity mistakes. Bond films have been famous for these since the huge Red Mustang Mistake in Diamonds Are Forever. How many can you spot? There are over 20 significant goofs.

Watch this movie AFTER you have seen Casino Royale.

Bottle Shock

Here is another installment in a fun list of films introducing the rest of the world to a part of California many know very little about. The Napa Valley is only about an hour north of San Francisco, and is now well known for it's wine. But that was not always the case. This movie is about how that all got started, and many are surprise that is was not all that long ago.

Alan Rickman does a superb job playing a wine snob. He nails it. A Brit wine snob kept out of the inner circle of the then-dominant French wine industry hears that rowdy, upstart, Californians claim they have made wines as good as, if not better than, anything in France.

A contest during the American Bicentennial in 1976 is organized as a result. The now infamous "Judgment of Paris" is re-enacted as part of the film. Beautiful.

Bill Pullman and Chris Pine (the newest Capt. Kirk) play the father and son team who fought each other AND the French. They pull it off so well one might think they really are related. I wonder who they took notes from?

Freddy Rodríguez may not be the biggest star of the film but he is certainly the soul, the conscience, and the heart of the story. I've enjoyed everything thing young actor has done and I always look forward to seeing his work.

If you consider yourself a wine aficionado or just a enthusiastic amateur, you should enjoy this movie. But even if you know nothing about wine, like me, you can still catch even the finer points of the story.

Watch this movie with someone who knows thinks they know everything about Napa Valley.

Killshot

This movie has many of the elements I like. The story begins before the opening credits run. There are characters to like and dislike. The music is good. The story is compelling, and the ending is satisfying (even if you do see it coming).

Mickey Rourke plays a jaded hit man. He is very easy to dislike. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays his over-amped protege. His character is so repulsive that I actually enjoyed hating him. Characters that draw that kind of emotion from an audience is good story-telling.

Diane Lane is still a fun actress to watch. She has the looks and the skills to hold at least half the audience. She plays first a witness and then the hunted prey here, and pulls it off well. Thomas Jane, yes The Punisher himself, plays her estranged husband who happens to also be a witness hunted by the two assassins. Witness protection is only a program in this movie, not an actual fact.

It is true that this project went through several changes before we got the current vision. I can't really picture any of the other duos pulling this off with such gusto however. Robert DiNiro and Quenton Tarantino? I don't think so. Viggo Mortenson and Justin Timberlake? Ew. Thank you Disney for selling the rights to this story.

Watch this movie with someone who will see another good performance from an aging Rourke and not the creepy guy who showed up at the Oscars in a white tux.

The Secret Life of Bees

This movie is not for everyone. If you can make it past the first 20 minutes and the last 15 minutes, it is a delightful story. For those of us who did not grow up in the South East United States this is a stark, harsh, painful reminder of what life was life for a large portion of the population in the 50s, 60s and beyond.

If you are tough and stick it through the rough beginning, you are in for a delightful middle. I think this is at least a two-tissue-box movie. Laughter and crying are the staples and you go from one to the other rather quickly.

The characters are easy to relate to for some reason. I've very little in common with any of them and yet I totally enjoyed this story. It truly is a good story, very well told.

Dakota Fanning showed her colors here, and that is no pun. Queen Latifah continues to rise on my favorites list. For whatever reason I enjoy each of her performances than her last. Keep going girl. Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys also make passable efforts here, but nothing special from either.

How did Paul Bettany get this role? Were there no real redneck low-lifes available? Why did the Hollywood suits think it best to use a Brit to play a peach-growing-wife-beater from bassakwards Georgia? Maybe the same guys who figured Renee Zellweger could be a London hottie? Thought so.

Watch this movie with your Mom, your Sister, your Daughter, or your Wife.

What Just Happened

Is this a bad movie about making bad movies or is it a good movie about making good movies? You decide. It is almost certainly an insiders look at how movies get made and what goes on behind the scenes. Literally.

Robert Di Niro is the main character in this movie but he is only one of many stars. The best line is delivered by Bruce Willis, but so are the worst lines.

Michael Wincott and John Turturro are great comic relief. Every good story has one, this movie has two. That does not make the story better, just a little more interesting.

Aspiring Hollywood movie wannabees should watch this to get a glimpse at how things work "in the industry". It makes me glad to be as far out of the loop as I am.

If you dare, watch this movie with someone who wishes they worked in Hollywood.

Miracle at St. Anna

Don't let anyone fool you, this is not the "black" Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers", but it is close. Director Spike Lee does his reputation good with this effort. Some have called it a misfire. I disagree. Is it a classic, not by any measure, but it is a good story well told. That is enough for me to recommend it.

Laz Alonso is very good in both his rolls here. He is both the young and the old main character, and he knows who the Sleeping Man is. Do you?

Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, and Omar Benson Miller are a great group together as Buffalo soldiers trapped behind German lines in 1944 Tuscan Italy. The miracle is that they survive as long as they do, AND that this almost 3-hour movie holds one's interest for as long as it does.

Two standouts from Italy for us yanks to look forward to are Valentina Cervi and Matteo Sciabordi. Both are fun to watch and bring far more to the project than they are given credit. I hope to see both again soon.

While this movie has some racial tension as a main element, it is not a tense as Spike Lee's usual fare. That said, it is not an easily watched if you are not the open-minded sort. While the main events in the movie all actually happened, their relation to each other are mostly fictional.

Watch this movie with someone who is an actual fan of war movies.

The Wrestler

First let me say that I'm not a fan of professional wrestling. I did however like this movie. Yes, there are wrestling scenes and they are both staged and graphic. But they are an essential part of the story.

I have liked Mickey Rourke since The Pope Of Greenwich Village. On and off over his career he has played some very iconic roles. Randy The Ram must be added to that list. Some have said this story is too autobiographical for Rourke, but I don't think there are enough parallels to make that claim stick.

Marisa Tomei plays opposite Rourke and both were nominated for their work. The only thing I can figure out on the Tomei nomination is how hot she looked. Her acting was not all that special.

The story starts at a particular low point in the life of Rourke's character and spirals further down after that. I kept waiting for the character to hit bottom. I don't think he ever did. No spoilers here, but this deeply flawed person makes one terrible decision after another. You can make your own decision about the ending.

Watch with movie with someone with a strong tolerance for bad behavior.

Lakeview Terrace

You don't have to be an Angelino to enjoy this movie. This story could play out anywhere. But it adds another layer to the story if you are familiar with the locations involved. While the name of the actual bedroom community is slightly changed for the film, the places are real.

Samuel L. Jackson puts in another great performance doing what he does so well - an angry black man. This character has a few deeper layers and Jackson does a wonderful job of evolving. For whatever reason, I don't get tired of seeing him work this way even though I know he can do other things just as well.

Patrick Wilson who plays completely opposite to Jackson's character is also excellent. You start out not thinking much of this guy, and favoring Jackson's character, and the roles reverse over the course of the story. No spoilers here.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks living next door to a cop is the safest place in the world.