The Other Guys (2010)

If you are fan of Will Ferrel, you will most likely enjoy this one. If you are fan of Mark Wahlberg, you may not enjoy his attempt at comedy. It fell flat for me. If you like Samuel L. Jackson or Dwayne Johnson, you will enjoy the first parts of the story. If you are Yankee fan, you may not. If you are a fan of Michael Keaton, you may not like his choice of character here. If you are fan of Eva Mendes you might like this.

While there are a few good laughs this story plays like an over-long SNL sketch. But that is the case with most Ferrel movies in my opinion. They take a good thing to far and dwell on what was funny the first time or two, too long.

The PG-13 rating is a bit weak if you ask me. There are enough sexual references to make parents wish they had not watched this with their teens.

Watch this with a guy between the ages of 18 and 28.

Shrek Forever After (2010)

Not just more of the same. Actually this was better than I expected. Somehow the creative team behind this franchise keep coming up with something new. Allegedly this is the last in the series, but after doing over $235M at the domestic box office, I wonder.

All the regulars returned to lend their voices to this now classic series. And, as usual they do a great job. There are even a few newcomers. But I suggest you watch the DVD's special features to learn who.

I must say, I love what they did for and to Rumplestiltskin. Anyone who has read the original version of his story know how close they came to capturing the creator's intent.

This movie is fine for families and even most small kids. The PG rating is based on some potentially scary scenes and animated violent battle scenes.

Watch this movie with someone who is a good sport when it comes to fracturing fairy tales.

Seven (1995)

Brad Pitt really CAN act. Or, he could back when this movie was made.

Morgan Freeman is very convincing as a cop. But then again, has he ever picked a bad script or been anything less than convincing in a role?

Kevin Spacey is totally creepy, pretty much as always, and is the perfect bad guy even though he gets only a few minutes of screen time.

This is both a psycho thriller and a murder mystery. More shock-thriller than mystery. Gladly it was made 15 years ago so it's was not the gross-out murder movie it might have been today. This is instead a very smart movie with some very disturbing material.

If you missed this back when it was in the theaters, as I did, see it soon. This is a great example of how very smart movies are made. If you have not seen this in the last 15 years, watch it again and see how much Pitt has changed and how little Freeman and Spacey have.

The Graduate (1967)

It was the late 60s and conformity was on the way out. Raging against 'the machine' was becoming very popular. Rebelling against parental expectations was at an all-time high. This movie is about all those things. Forget teen-angst, this movie is about 20-something angst.

Normally a movie where all the early main characters are totally self-absorbed and without redeeming values, is not a good movie. But Director Mike Nichols is a genius. he does not bring in the story's redeeming value character until late in the story. By then the fear and loathing are complete. The delightful doe-eyed character played by Katherine Ross is SO welcome by the time she is introduced, the movie is then worth finishing, and not a moment too soon.

This is an old movie and much has been said about it. All I want to add is that as hard as the first half of this movie is to watch, the payoff in the last few moments is worth it. Believe it or not, this a romance story. Boy get's girl, then boy gets girl's daughter. OH!

Dustin Hoffman appears in his first starring role here. Has he changed much? And who knew he was 14 years younger than Ross. Does not show up here on camera.

Watch this movie with someone very patient who also has a love for good movie making.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

This is a fairly fun spin this classic tale. Adding to Merlin-lore is best done carefully, and this crew does a respectable job.

Nicolas Cage plays the centuries old Balthazar (a former apprentice of Merlin himself) who searches for a young man to pass the torch on to, so-to-speak. Jay Baruchel plays that young man, and is fun watch and worthy successor in the Merlin. I would hope to see some sequels. Alfred Molina plays the main bad guy, and is his usual delightful self. The rest of the supporting case is up to par with the stars.

While this is not a cinematic masterpiece by any means, it is a fun movie to watch with good characters and great funny moments. There are some very respectful nods to the animated version for those who have seen it and remember.

The PG rating is appropriate and this is a good family show.

Watch this movie with your favorite science nerd.

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

This is not your father's dragon movie, and not because of the outstanding CG. Jay Baruchel is the voice of a kid who has a "al dente pasta" body who also happens to be the son of a viking clan leader. His father is voiced by Gerard Butler.

What this movie has going for it, in addition to the great animation, is an unusual story, with an unexpected finish. No spoilers here, but not everyone lives happy ever after. As is the case with many current movies for kids, this movie is partially about parent/child drama. And this story might resonate well with kid's who are stressed about not meeting their parents expectations.

There are some great funny bits and a few more tender moments. But the real hook for me were the surprises. For example, it was no surprise that the kid feeds the hurt dragon a fish. But, having the dragon barf back a chunk to share with the kid, and his reaction, was priceless. This movie is full of that kind of treasure.

Watch this movie with family in the room.

Barry Munday (2010)

Maybe, just maybe, if you are a guy between the ages of 17 and 27 you will relate the main character. If you keep reading and still relate to the guy, my apologies.

In my mind a movie has to have at least 1 character that is likable to make it. In my opinion, this movie does not. You may not agree. The main character is a socially retarded, sexually clueless, guy within a few years of turning 30.

Pretty much all the main characters are pathetic losers and situation is plausible but a little far fetched. Do we really have to dumb down our storytelling to sell tickets? I hope not.

Don't watch this movie unless you lost a bet.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

How does a movie that cost $200M make money? Star power, special effects, surprises, and a pretty good story. This movie has them all and made more than 50% back on the opening weekend. How nice for the suits in Hollywood.

The sequel itself was better than I expected and a lot of fun to watch. I can highly recommend the Blue-ray version with the surround sound turned WAY up.

Robert Downey Jr returns as the barely-in-control Tony Stark. Supposedly his character is based on the Oracle founder Larry Ellison who has a cameo role to go along with his liberal product name placement throughout the film.

Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts and gets her shot at the top spot. No spoilers here.

My favorite new character is played by Scarlett Johansson. Her boss is played deliciously by Samuel L. Jackson.

Don Cheadle comes on board as Rhodes. I actually like his version better.

Mickey Rourke clearly did his homework here. Best thing he has done in a long time.

Watch this movie with someone who will enjoy sitting back, turning it up, and rock(et)ing OUT!

The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

Mel Gibson at 26. Sigourney Weaver at 32. Linda Hunt at 37. All are a bit older now and have done some very popular, and not so, work.

Linda Hunt won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar here, and her character is the fulcrum point for the other 2 main characters played well by Mel and Sigourney. Bottom line, this is a story about learning to give up whats urgent for what's important.

It is beautifully photographed and set to music. The characters who come and go are well set for the story. While it is a difficult story to watch at times, it is a fairly historical look into a time in another country most of us are totally unfamiliar with.

The best way to watch this movie is to put yourself in the place of one of the 3 main characters and ask yourself what you would have done in their place.

Watch this movie with someone who may not be familiar with how international news was reported prior to the internet.

Lone Star (1996)

A good friend recommended this to me recently, and he was right, its is a very good movie. There are actually multiple interconnected stories going on in this small Texas town. But isn't that the case with all small towns?

Chris Cooper plays a reluctant county sheriff who is haunted by the ghosts of the two previous sheriffs. Not literally a ghost story, but close enough. Elizabeth Peña plays a school teacher who is haunted by the romantic memory of Cooper's character. Kris Kristofferson and Matthew McConaughey play the two former sheriffs who hated each other.

This story is both a murder mystery and a love story. Behind both are parent-child relations. Connecting the two plot lines are eco-political scheming, inter-racial relations, some very submerged rage, and some great lines. The acting is superb and the music is classic tex-mex. Toss in a bit historical reality and you have a very interesting story.

Watch this movie with someone who forgets they have immigrant ancestors.

Three Kings (1999)

About half way between now and the liberation of Kuwait a very interesting movie was made. What was it all about? Who can say for sure.

George Clooney plays a Special Forces officer who tends to color outside the lines. Mark Wahlberg plays a soldier who helps Clooney's character steal gold that Saddam stole from Kuwait. Ice Cube and Spike Jonze also play unconventional soldiers who help. So who are the Three Kings? No spoilers here, watch and find out.

While it does get a little preachy at times, the action and the comedy are there if you are paying attention. It is not such a terrible thing to hear what might have been the point of view of some at the time on both sides of the conflict.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks war is all about honor and glory.

Animal House (1978)

Director John Landis may well be the King of Cliche, andthis movie is no exception. In fact, this movie sets the bar very high and has often been imitated since.

Many now-famous stars got their start with this movie, including: John Belushi (Blues Brothers), Kevin Bacon (A Few Good Men), Tom Hulce (Amadeus), Stephen Furst (voice of Booster in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command series), Karen Allen (Indiana Jones), and many others. Nice casting.

If you were part of any fraternity in college, you may be offended by this movie. Or not. If you were a GDI (gawd-damned-independent) in college, you will certainly not be offended. If you remember college, you will most likely be amused. If you don't, you may be totally busted.

This DVD contains a great little mockumentary about the alum of the film. Very funny. You should watch this before the movie itself. There are way too many funny stories behind this movie to comment on here. Bottom line - you should know that much of what happened in this movie really did happen to somebody involved in the writing, directing, or production.

Watch this movie with somebody who went to college in the 1960s and pay attention to how they react.

Kelly's Heros (1970)

Chronologically the second movie in the "Clint" DVD boxed set, this set the bar very high for the buddy/ensemble comedies. Forty years ago somebody had a fun idea - take some of the biggest stars around and put them all in a movie together. That formula still works most of the time.

Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles, and Gavin MacLeod play a very different band of brothers. This group is scheming to steal $16 million in gold from the German army and keeping the American army from finding out about it. A near perfect crime.

You have comedy of course with some great one-liners from the king of the zingers Mr. Rickles. There is some action, some battle scenes, and some great dialogues between flamboyant characters.

Watch this movie with someone who does not take their war movies too seriously.

Robin Hood (2010)

High budgets and huge stars lead to high expectations. If you are a fan of "Hood-lore" then this is a must see. For the rest, it totally depends on what you are in the mood for and which stars you like to watch.

Russel Crowe plays Robin in this "prequel", with Kate Blanchett as a very strong Marion Loxley. Max von Sydow is brilliant as Sir Walter Loxley and Mark Addy is wonderful as Friar Tuck. Little John is played by so well by Kevin Durand that I totally forgive him for his role in Lost. HA! He's not proportionate. Best line in the movie.

The bad guys are perfect - Mark Strong as Godfrey and Oscar Isaac as Prince John.

Bottom line this is a version of the story leading up to Robin Longstribe being declared an outlaw and becoming Robin Hood. It is NOT the Gladiator of Hood-lore as Director Ridley Scott wanted. It is however a worthy addition to the collection of stories around this theme.

Watch this movie with expectations lower than the $200M budget would suggest, and you won't be disappointed.

City Island (2009)

Every family has it's secrets. Or, more correctly, every family member has them. This movie is primarily about best-kept secrets. There are enough character studies in this story to keep a professional amused.

Andy Garcia plays a second generation City Island native, or Clam Digger, who keeps multiple secrets from his family. Julianna Margulies plays a wife with no secrets, apparently. Steven Strait plays one of the secrets and Dominik Garcia-Lorido (yes Andy's real daughter) plays his daughter with a few secrets of her own. The secret keeping son is played by Ezra Miller. All in all - a very funny dysfunctional family. But in truth, their only real problem is that they don't tell each other the truth.

Alan Arkin and Emily Mortimer have wonderful roles as well. You gotta love movies where new Yorkers poke a little fun at themselves.

If you think you know NYC but have never heard of City Island (a best kept secret itself), you will probably love this movie. If your family needs a lesson in telling the truth to each other, this is a great story to help you get there. If you like a story with a very credible, funny, tidy ending, you should love this one.

Watch this movie with someone who has dreams of being an actor.

Central do Brasil (1998)

Central Station is a troubling but heart-warming story from the harsh realities of Brazilian life.

A retired school teacher played by legendary Fernanda Montenegro writes letters for illiterates in Rio's central train station. Some she chooses to mail, many end up in a drawer in her apartment, and some are tossed in the trash. Not very nice.

The real star of the movie however is a little boy who just wants to meet his father played by Vinícius de Oliveira. He is either a gifted prodigy or his director, Walter Salles (Motorcycle Diaries and Paris, jet t'aime), is a genius. I figure both are true.

The two become entwined and linked to each other to their own chagrin. They embark on a cross-country journey to find the boy's father. Part comedy part drama, this story could reach you on several different levels.

You will see parts of Brazil that few gringos ever see, and certainly no tourists. You will see a woman who is convinced her sins are revisited upon her in the form of a young boy. You will see a boy hell-bent finding his father against all odds. You will see a journey worthy of NatGeo's Great Migrations. You will see a very satisfying ending, if not totally happy.

Watch this with someone who will laugh at the uniquely Brazilian funny bits AND explain them to you later.

The Electric Horseman (1979)

The critics didn't like this movie then and many still don't. It's one of my favorites to watch. Lots of funny scenes and great one-liners.

Robert Redford plays an allegedly washed-up champion rodeo cowboy. Jane Fonda plans a television report with a nose for a story. Willie Nelson, in his film debut, plays the best friend and "handler" of Redford's character.

If you like country music or western humor, this might be a fun movie for you to watch. If you like the idea of the little guy really "sticking it" to the big guy, you will most likely enjoy this one. If you like horses or cowboys or both, chances are this movie will register with you.

Redford did all of his own riding scenes for this movie and owned the horse for several years after the movie was completed.

Watch this movie with someone who does not believe horses belong on stage with dancing girls.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead (2009)

This movie is certainly not for everyone. If you are into vampire lore, you may like this a bunch. If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, you may also like this. If you are both, BAM!, watch this movie.

Jake Hoffman is perfectly neurotic here as the "controllable human" director of the Hamlet remake in New York City. John Ventimiglia is creek weird as "the master". Everyone else, even Ralph Macchio, do a good job of being over-the-top dramatic. If that is your thing, enjoy.

Watch movie if you love vampires and couldn't care less about Shakespeare.

Flickan som lekte med elden (2009)

The Girl Who Played With Fire (English title) is the second installment of the 3-part story of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. If you are familiar with the story you don't need to read any further.

An investigative journalist with a knack for getting into trouble teams up with a uber-goth computer hacker with multiple demons in her closet. Noomi Rapace is outstanding as Lisbeth and one wonders has much of Noomi is in the character and vice versa. Michael Nyqvist is the journalist with more than enough on his mind.

This second installment has a few loose ends towards the end, but I expect those will be revisited in the final movie.

How do you prove you did not commit murders when you had motive, opportunity, and means. Oh and your prints are all over the weapon? Well clearly you will need help. Getting there is what this story is about.

This movie is graphic. Sexually and violently. Be forewarned. There are scenes of rape and torture. Don't look if you don't want to see.

While this movie is not as good as the original, it does set up the last of the series perfectly.

Watch this movie with your grip on reality bolted down.

Where Eagles Dare (1968)

This is the first movie in the Clint Eastwood boxed set aptly titled "Clint". I say first only because it is the oldest. The movies are actually organized by genre; cop, western, war, etc.

Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood - at the time the old guard and the new Turk. The extra features on the DVD have a very interesting interview with Richard Burton where he describes the differences between them. Classic Burton and an interesting Hollywood interview.

In the movie Burton plays a British intelligence officer and Eastwood plays an American special forces officer. They are tasked with leading a rescue of a British pilot downed in German territory. They dress as German troops and work their way towards the prisoner.

If you like war movies, this is a classic. If you like movies where you are kept guessing who is really who they say they are, this is a good story well told. If you like big stars and defining roles, you should like this.

Watch this movie in a very cold room to help create the proper atmosphere.

The Karate Kid (2010)

Released internationally on some bootleg copies, and more appropriately, as The Kung Fu Kid, this remake of the classic 1984 movie of the same name does not measure up. There are some very respectful nods to the original. There is some good acting. The photography is very nice. But it does not add up to the much-loved original.

Jackie Chan is very good as the teacher. Jaden Smith, as the kid, is a little stiff with his lines at times and a little too contrived at other times. Taraji Penda Henson fills her role well as the single mom who has to move to China from Detroit to start over again.

There plenty of similarities as there should be, but I did not feel the warmth and humor of the first effort.

That said, I think it's okay to spend time with kids watching this movie. They may relate to the guy who not only is the new kid at school but all the new kid in-country.

Watch this with any kids in your reach between the ages of 10 and 15.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Easily the best of the bunch. Great story, true to the original. Great animation. One forgets is a "cartoon". Great voices - talk about an all-star cast.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return as the voices of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Joan Cusack is back as Jessie. Don Rickles and Estelle Harris as the Potato Heads. Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger Rex and Hamm. All the staples of of series.

We are treated however to some new fun surprises. Micheal Keaton and Jodi Benson as Ken and Barbie. Fabulous! And Ned Beatty as the strawberry scented Lotso. If you have not seen it yet, you don't know what you are missing.

John Morris returns as guy who has been the voice of Andy all these years.

You may know what you think is going to happen next, but you will not guess how. You may know what you think is going to happen in the end, but you are still surprised and pleased. At least I was, and I love when that happens.

Watch this with someone who has donated their favorite toys to a worthy new owner.

Absence of Malice (1981)

If you can get past the fashions and haircuts, this is a very smart movie. This is the story of a story. If you are student of journalistic ethics you will find this movie interesting. If you every wonder about the path a story in the news takes with it's twists and turns, this is an impressive peek behind the scenes.

Of course this is back in the day when newspapers were the forefront of investigative journalism so you'll have to imagine what that was like. Imagine also a story where doing the right things is conflicted with doing things right. This is a theme and a lesson that never gets old. Maybe it means now more than in 1981?

Paul Newman was subdued but brilliant as the son of dead gangster trying to outwit the FBI and a federal Justice Dept. task force, and a very nearly great newspaper reporter played by Sally Field. Other faces you will surely recognize are Bob Balaban, Melinda Dillon, and a very special cameo by Wilford Brimley.

This is a drama of a fairly high order. Pay attention to the details. Understand what is, and is not, happening. Enjoy the ride.

Watch this with someone who want to be a journalist, or a bureaucrat, when they grow up.

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

The average cost of a gallon of gas (in the US) when this movie was made was about 36 cents. Here we are 35 years later and the topic is just as valid, just as plausible, and germane as ever. Amazing how a good story told well holds up.

Based on a James Grady novel of similar name, this Sidney Pollack film made some very interesting connections long before they became popular conspiracy theory fodder and then open policy.

Robert Redford, not quite yet 40 when this was done, is his usual great. Unspoken acting are some of his best traits, but he also delivers a line perfectly. A young Faye Dunaway is caught up in the excitement and delivers an interesting portrayal of an atypical New Yorker. I not saying anything, I just saying.

Other faces you may recognize include Cliff Robertson, John Houseman, and Max von Sydow. Add a cool jazz soundtrack by Dave Grusin, and you've got a great retro look into the 1970s.

Watch this movie with someone who likes to read books.

Holy Rollers (2010)

Here is another very interesting movie that peeks inside a world most of us know little or nothing about. How does one go from being a student on track to be a Rabbi to being one of New York's top Ecstasy smugglers? Watch and find out.

There are funny bits and sexy bits. No kidding. There are absurd twists and very interesting characters. Jesse Eisenberg does a very good job of skating the edge between innocence and business savvy. Justin Bartha is over-the-top good as the out-of-control neighbor and mentor.

Ari Gaynor is smoking hot as the gangster moll here. And why not, she got her start as a recurring character on Sopranos.

All that said, this is not a compelling story and as with most drug-related gangster movies we all kinda know how it will end. We just don't know when or to what extent. In this case it's a satisfying end with characters one cares about.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks money is NOT the root of all evil.

An Education (2009)

This is a very interesting coming-of-age story all young women should watch. The acting by all is first rate. But the best part of this movie, to me, is the soundtrack.

Carey Mulligan was amazing and well deserved her Oscar nom here. We'll hear from her again no doubt. Peter Sarsgaard is equal parts charming and creepy. Alfred Molina is perfect as the father. The rest of the cast is perfect.

Among other things this is an enjoyable, if not regrettable, look back at some 1960's mentality. How far have we come? That's up to you.

If you are a young woman heading to college, or if you have one in your household, I highly recommend watching this movie. It is rated PG-13 so there is not much to worry about. If you are a Daddy of the aforementioned daughters, you should watch too.

Watch this with someone who has a dream of going to Paris.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Some lists have this work in the top 5 movies of all time. It's certainly in my top 10 favorites.

Morgan Freeman is brilliant as usual. His unique voice serves well as narrator and character.

Tim Robbins is a man of few words but portrays one of the best characters of his career. Happy Birthday today Mr. Robbins.

They are surrounded by a great cast of diverse thieves, murderers and thugs. Then there are the inmates (nyuk nyuk). One of my favorites is James Whitmore as the prison librarian.

One of the things I find myself doing every time I watch this great movie is asking myself what I'd do in those circumstances, from beginning to end. If you are a frequent reader you know I like redemption movies, and this is on the top of that list.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks that planning ahead means putting out tomorrow's clothes, tonight.

Gladiator (2000)

Yes, it's been 10 years since we were introduced to a classic Roman tragedy. If you skipped it back then, or since because it was too gory or violent, I recommend you watch it with the remote in hand. This movie is about way more than fights to the death. For those of us who have seen it many times, it might be time to see it again for new reasons. If you have not seen it because you were too young at the time - see this one for the pure entertainment values.

Russell Crowe has come a long way since then. Regardless of what you think about his work after this movie, it is good to see how wonderful this performance really is. He earned his Oscar.

Joaquin Phoenix gets my vote here for creepiest film villain, maybe ever. If you have see this movie before, one new reason to see this movie is to focus on Phoenix. Talk about nailing a character.

Richard Harris died just a couple years after this movie was made, but not before he created one of films best-loved wizards, Albus Dumbledore. Yup, same guy. His Caesar Marcus is brilliant and too short on the screen.

Connie Nielsen plays the much-tormented soul caught between love and survival - Lucilla. Her Danish ancestors are no doubt very proud.

Need more reasons to see it, or see it again? Watch for the goofs. The guy in the stable scene wearing blue jeans and a cell phone on his hip who can't walk backwards out of camera view fast enough is still in the movie on DVD. The list of geographic and historic boo-boos is long. Enjoy.

If however you just like to watch one of the top 100 movies made so far, enjoy. If you rent the DVD I highly recommend the "Treasure Chest" from the Special Features.

Watch this movie with someone who needs to learn to make the very best from every situation.

All That Jazz (1979)

So, you think you know dance? If for no other reason, watch this movie to see how many dance moves you can spot that are now referred to a Michael Jackson signature moves. MJ didn't moon walk until 1983, for an example.

This autobiographical movie was written and directed by Bob Fosse. If you don't know who Bob Fosse was, you don't know jack about dance. Fosse won an Oscar for directing Cabaret, in which he was also choreographer and dancer. He followed that project up with a stage-shot bio-pic of legendary comic Lenny Bruce. For this he also was nominated for Best Director. Both these projects are referred to in the movie and are central to the storyline.

This movie was nominated for 9 Oscar's but won only 4. Not too shabby. Roy Scheider was nominated for his central role here, and does a monumental job. The honor that year went to somebody named DiNiro in some boxing movie. Oh - good competition.

This movie documents the self-destruction of one of entertainment's brightest stars. And it's all told from his point of view with Broadway flair.

Watch this movie but remember, it is now 30 years old and production standards are different today.

Coco Before Chanel (2009)

Audrey Tautou continues her brilliant career. In the slow-moving but lushly photographed bio-pic, she plays the iconic Gabrielle Chanel. The film covers her life from early childhood when she is dropped, by her father, at an orphanage, until she opens her successful hat shop in Paris.

Alessandro Nivola plays the rich Englishman who is Coco's first real love. Benoît Poelvoorde plays her benefactor and friend. The relationships are complex but traditional.

This is richly romantic story with sadly tragic twists and turns. It is as educational as it is entertaining.

Watch this movie with someone who likes period pieces and subtitles.

El secreto de sus ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes) 2009

Hands down, this is one of the best movies I've seen in 2010. It is smart. It is funny. It is tragic. It is very romantic. Dramedy does not begin to cover the range of genres this movie covers.

Ricardo Darín is marvelous as a retired investigator with the Buenos Aires police. He decides to write a novel based on one of his unsolved cases. To do this he goes back to the office and talks to his old boss played deliciously by Carla Quevedo. The chemistry these two have is equal to that of their characters.

Side characters make any good movie better, and this one is no exception. Guillermo Francella is wonderful as the comic relief, the true brain, the mock buffoon, and best friend of Darin's character.

The rest of the cast is up to the task and are brilliant together. None will be familiar to American audiences, but are very familiar faces to Argentine audiences.

The rape scene early in the movie is the hardest part to watch. Scenes of the crime investigation are next. But, they are relatively brief and can be dealt with the fast forward if needed without any loss to the story line.

If you like movies with a mix of suspense, mystery, humor, and romance combined with a surprise ending, you will certainly like this one. In Spanish with English subtitles, it moves to fast you hardly notice. But do pay attention to the quick witty repartee between characters.

Watch this with someone who knows how to hold a grudge.

Terriers

I'm breaking form and going WAY outside the movies-worth-a-watch realm here. But, there is a new TV series on FX called Terriers. San Diego based private detective show. Shows all sides of San Diego county - refreshing for some - dark and seedy for others.

Donal Logue plays a street smart but socially retarded ex-cop and recovering alcoholic. His business partner is the confusingly bipolar (brilliant-doofus) played by Michael Raymond-James. Other regular characters come and go depending on the week's episode (13 so far), but they are all very very good.

This may be the first TV series I've reviewed here, but not the first I have TiVo'd. Rescue Me and Castle are also both worth the watch in my opinion. I don't have time to watch many, and I consider these worth my time.

Watch this with someone who can see beyond the doofus to the genius behind.

Boogie Woogie

The bad news is that this movie is full of self-serving, egotistical, London art snobs. They lie cheat and steal. The good news is that they appear to only prey on each other. They other good news is that there actually IS a story. You just have to wait for it.

The other good news is that there are some great names and wonderful performances. There is also a very disturbing scene involving a removed body part that has little or nothing to do with the story.

Gillian Anderson, Heather Graham, Amanda Seyfried, and Gemma Atkinson lead a strong stunning female ensemble. Danny and Jack Huston, Stellan Skarsgård, Simon McBurney, Alan Cumming, and the legendary Christopher Lee all give the male gender a bad bad name. Very bad name.

The story, as such, is about a fictional painting that everyone appears to want. The story ends with as many questions as it poses. What really happened to the painting? Where did the money go? And where did it come from? Oh, and why do some characters appear to have different names depending on the scene. I clearly didn't have the score card to keep track.

Watch this if you are really really really into art, hard-R for sexual content movies, and vague story lines.

Erin Brockovich

Julia Roberts may have won the Oscar for her work here in 2001, but the rest of the cast is outstanding. Albert Finney was nominated, and maybe should have won given the competition that year. Everyone else from Aaron Eckhart to Peter Coyote to Marg Helgenberger is wonderful. Real California High Desert residents.

Even the real Erin Brockovich has a small role - can you spot her? Interestingly, her character is named Julia. The real Ed Masry is in the same scene. Mr. Tracey Walter, a veteran of big and small screen that all of us know by sight if not by name, has a pivotal role.

Can anyone however explain why this movie is so yellow? Agfa film maybe??

This is a good movie for older girls and young women to watch. Yes, it has an R-rating for language but the less to be learned is important. If you have not seen this movie since it came out, it's worth a watch again to see the familiar faces. If you have not, it's good to learn who this SoCal heroine is about.

Watch this with a single parent who is struggling.

John Rabe

Not quite "Schindler's List" but very very close. This German bio-pic is very high on production quality, drama, tension-breaking humor, and excellent acting. It may be very hard to watch for some - the atrocities of war often are.

Ulrich Tukur plays a German business exec who turns superhero to scores of Chinese citizens during the Japanese invasion in the winter of 1937. His connections with both the Nazi party and Siemens Corporation saved countless innocent lives.

After the siege he returned to Germany and was branded a traitor, the journal he kept was lost for decades. This movie is told directly from the pages of his own writings.

Steve Buscemi does his best acting to-date playing a cynical American doctor at the time. He even does a very funny song and dance routine. The rest of the cast is excellent but most of us won't recognize many names.

The dialogue is a mix of English, German, Chinese, and Japanese. It is very easy to keep up.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks they know all the WWII stories.

Date Night

Just out on DVD this goofy movie is fun for everyone over the age of about 18. No, it's not R-rated, but not many under that age will get all the best bits. Married couples, or couples who are in a comfortable groove will most likely appreciate the point.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey, arguably the funniest people on TV, star as a married couple out for a night of something different. Their worst crime, as you will see, is taking some other couple's reservation at a very in-demand restaurant. Non-New-Yorkers take note. You can shoot someone, steal their car, and even resort to blackmail, but worst of all is to pretend to be someone else and take their reservation. Be warned.

This movie is outrageous as it is funny. The guest appearances are very good. Mark Wahlberg is great with his limited role. But can anyone tell me while he needed a wardrobe assistant?

This is a great date movie because regardless of how the date goes, it's better than the one portrayed in this movie.

Watch this movie with couple who are stuck in a rut.

The Fabulous Baker Boys

Here is another excellent movie I recently watched again for the shear pleasure of it.

Dave Grusin is as well known for his movie music as John Williams. But you may not know his name. If you like jazz however, you know the Grusin brothers. And no, this movie is most definitely not about them.

Rather, this movie is about a pair of other brothers who are part of the small-time lounge entertainment scene in Seattle in the late 80s. As their act grows stale they add a female vocalist.

Jeff and Beau Bridges play the brothers, and Michelle Pfeiffer plays the singer. The chemistry or lack thereof between the 3 is very good and often quite funny. This is probably my favorite Pfeiffer movie and one of only 2 times she has been nominated for a best actress Oscar. Supposedly Madonna turned this role down because the scrip was too "mushy".

If this is a romantic comedy, it is a fairly dark one. If it is a musical, it is one with some great dialogue. If this is a drama, it has some very funny bits. Either way, enjoy the music and the ride. It is a no stress PG-13 (lots of f-bombs) date movie.

Watch this with someone who remembers Swedish knit leisure suits. Oh my.

December Boys

Need a pleasant evening with mildly funny entertainment? Need some beautiful scenery you've probably not seen before? Need to see Harry Potter get some? This might be a good choice.

Daniel Radcliffe plays the oldest of a group of orphans in Australia's Outback who are given a summer holiday at the beach. Each boy has a different experience. Each of the residents of the small community have unique reaction to the boys. And what Australian movie would be complete without Jack Thompson. His is not the star, but clearly an important fixture.

This movie is about community - about family. We all have a love-hate relationship with our families, either conscious or subconsciously.

As truly interesting as any of the characters is the Black Stallion. What was the point of that?

This movie has funny bits for anyone who has had a summer vacation in a totally foreign environment. It might also appeal to someone who was once an awkward lonely boy. Otherwise this movie is at best a look at Australia most of us rarely see.

Watch this movie with someone who won't notice that the music comes from a decade after the events supposedly happened.

OSS 117 - Lost in Rio

Originally titled "OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus" this French spoof on Bond films is so bad some people might think its good. I didn't. But, if you like very campy, intentionally offensive, but very well told spoof movies, this is a good choice. Clearly in the vein of Pink Panther classics there is even a homage to Marathon Man and Vertigo in the final scenes.

Jean Dujardin is perfect as the flawed but legendary One-Seventeen of the French spy service. He looks enough like Sean Connery to pull off the obvious nods. How he kept a straight face during all this is beyond me, but I would love to see the out-takes.

Louise Monot is stunning as the Israeli agent paired with doofy 117.

The rest of the cast is just plain funny. Some of it is local Rio humor. Some of it is anti-Semitic. some of it is anti-Nazi.

If you choose, watch this movie with somebody who will get the Rio humor and not be offended by the rest of it.

Eastern Promises

This movie is certainly worth a watch again. If did not see it before, for whatever reason, consider any of the following reasons.

Viggo Mortensen did his homework very well. He comes off as a very credible Russian. And why not? He went there and lived among the "Vor" to learn how. We walked the walk AND talked the talk. Chilling portrayal.

Director David Cronenberg always goes for gritty reality in his pictures. He worked with Mortensen on History of Violence which you may also want to see.

Naomi Watts is the pivotal character of the story as a Labor and Delivery Nurse in a London hospital.

Armin Mueller-Stahl is perfect as the head of the crime family operating just below the radar in London. Vincent Cassel is his loser son. Great casting with a strong international group.

Yes, it is violent. Yes, Mortensen's character bares all in a steam room scene. That adds a level of reality that we don't usually get in crime movies.

While not for everyone, this movie is certainly a must-see for anyone who likes gangster stories, crime thrillers, or naked kings.

Watch this with someone with a high tolerance of cut-throat bad guys.

Vitus

Watch this movie to see the huge range of Bruno Ganz who played one of the best "Hitlers" in film history. Watch this movie to see Teo Gheorghiu make music. He is actually listed on the soundtrack credits for playing his own piano scenes. Not often can you find a kid who can do both - act like a pro and play like the wunderkind he portrays. Pure magic.

What do you do with a highly gifted child who wants only to be "normal"? There are really only two options - brain damage or acting. Which would you choose for your child?

There is an interesting mix of Swiss German and English in this movie. You never know what to expect from which character. But, use the subtitles just to be safe.

This story is a little bit Big, little bit Trading Places, and a little bit Little Man Tate - among others.

This music is, of course, fantastic. The photography and editing are very good. This is a movie good enough for the whole family.

Watch this one with someone who might be surprised to find a full flight simulator inside an old barn.

180° South

Dude, let's make a movie about mountain climbing and surfing. Oh wait some other dudes did the same thing forty years ago. Bummer. Oh well, let's do it WITH them. It can be sort of a new-school-old-school sort of thing. Right?

Right. And in this case, it pretty much works. Forty years ago two guys from Ventura, California drove and surfed their way south to Chile. They never came back home. They now run a huge conservation program down in Patagonia. This movie is as much about their efforts as anything.

The rest of this very interesting documentary is about Jeff Johnson's journey to climb Cerro Corcovado in Patagonia. He sails south and gets "shipwrecked" on Easter Island. He meets up with great friends and interesting people along the way.

If you enjoy documentaries which support a cause, you will most likely enjoy this one. Quirky music and amazing photography help the time pass as Johnson himself narrates his quest.

Watch this with someone who has no idea where Patagonia is located.

Waitress

Don't be fooled. This is not a romantic comedy. It is however, a dark drama with several truly funny moments.

Keri Russell plays a pie-making genius who also happens to be a very unhappy waitress. Her unwanted pregnancy occupies most of her thoughts. The rest of her thoughts go into getting away from her insanely controlling and abusive husband, played coldly by Jeremy Sisto, and inventing pies. The pie parts are funny. The husband parts are sickening.

The bright spots in the main character's life are her OB doctor, her co-workers, and one customer in particular. Nathan Fillion does a fun job of playing the doctor. The co-workers are wonderfully done by Cheryl Hines and writer/director Adrienne Shelly who was murdered prior to the release of the movie.

Andy Griffith plays the brightest star in this tale however. Not only is his character pivotal, it is also the most heart-warming.

This is most of all a movie about starting fresh. The pies are symbolic. The diner is symbolic. There are many life-lessons to take from this story if you can get back it's weaknesses.

Watch this movie with someone who needs to get out of a bad situation but does not really know how.

La Vie en Rose - La môme (original title)

If you see only one French movie in your life, this should be one to consider. Also known as "The Passionate Life of Edith Piaf", it is the story of Edith (duh) told from a sometimes maddening mix of time-line changes. We see her from childhood to death bed.

Marion Cotillard won a Oscar for her nothing-short-of-genius work in the title role. How often does the lead of a "foreign" film win Best Actress? That answer alone speaks volumes. Watch and see for yourself. The rest of the cast comes and goes and is wonderful in their respective supporting roles.

This movie WILL make you cry, and for various different reasons. I cried for an abused little girl, for a brilliant short scene with Marlene Dietrich played flawlessly by Caroline Sihol, and I wept during the final musical performance. Your results may vary.

Watch this movie with someone who needs to be reminded that they had it pretty good growing up the way they did.

The Ghost Writer

There are certainly enough big names in the cast to make it worth the watch. More than that however is a twisty plot with plenty of unanswered questions. Smart directors let us come to our own conclusions and don't try to tell us everything. The much-in-the-news-recently Roman Polanski is a genius.

Wait, you say? How did Polanski direct this movie in Cape Cod and England when he could not leave Switzerland? Simple. German locations. Post production from a Swiss prison. How else?

The story itself is a delight for conspiracy theorists. More questions than answers, and very smart story telling. Ewan McGregor plays an unnamed ghost writer hired to complete the memoirs of and very Tony-Blair-like Pierce Brosnan. In fact, the many comparisons between the story and reality are very thinly veiled.

Olivia Williams plays the dutiful wife and Kim Cattrall plays the dutiful secretary. Of course sparks fly.

Fun cameos by James Belushi, Timothy Hutton, and Eli Wallach make this a very fun watch. The story is crisp and the pace is brisk. Pay attention.

Watch this with someone who will try and connect all the somewhat related dots.

Paris, je t'aime

Paris, I love you. Movie, you are wonderful too. Back in 2006 Tristan Carné got the idea to combine stories from a variety of talents to show what a great city means to a variety of people. Paris was first on the list. New York came later in 2009. We'll soon see Shanghai and Jerusalem and I hear Rio is in development.

There were so many great names in this I will list only the ones American audiences will be most familiar. Apologies to my many French readers. here are a few reasons to watch this movie:

Steve Buscemi in a subway scene many of us have dreamed of or feared.

Miranda Richardson in a hot red trench coat.

Juliette Binoche who finds a cowboy (Willem Dafoe) to look after her son.

Nick Nolte surprises everyone.

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Bob Hoskins, and Elijah Wood in 3 very odd relationships.

Olga Kurylenko as a very hot vampire.

Natalie Portman best sees Paris though the eyes of a blind man.

Gena Rowlands and Ben Gazzara show us how exs should get along.

Rufus Sewell and Emily Mortimer get a little help learning to laugh together.

There are truly too many other great performances to list here. Be patient and watch all the stories. The point is that everyone we see has an interesting story. And, from time to time our story lines cross.

Watch this with someone who has been to Paris and will delight in seeing it again.

Gone with the Wind

Over 80 years ago a movie was made that has sold more tickets than any other movie made since. Never mind about box office totals. The only way to really compare movies is with butts in the the seats - tickets sold. Box office is a function of ticket prices as much as anything. Yes, the suits in Hollywood are more concerned with the bottom line, and that is their job - forgive them.

Margaret Mitchell wrote a novel which won a Pulitzer Price in 1936. It is still a must-read for serious students of U.S. history during the 1830s. David Selznick, a Hollywood legendary insider, purchased the movie rights for $50,000 - a colossal amount at that time. With this he produced a masterpiece.

Now, books have been written about this movie and I intend to say nothing new. So, if you have seen it before, watch it again with someone who has not - IF you can find one. If you have not seen this movie, put away your 3D glasses, and your surround sound, and your CG-centric expectations. Brace yourself for world-class storytelling and Oscar-winning acting. Make some popcorn and learn some new words like overture, entr'acte, and intermission. This is old school movie making that stands the test of time.

Watch it with someone who does not realize how much they manipulate others.

Green Zone

What really happened in the months leading up to the US war on Iraq? Surely there are a few who know. Maybe they were consulted on the story feasibility of this movie, maybe they weren't. Either way it's great fiction or shocking history. Most likely it's somewhere between?

Matt Damon plays an army Chief Warrant Officer who is suspicious about why his teams keeps coming up "donuts" on WMD sites around Baghdad. When he starts asking questions he gets help from the CIA in the form of Brendan Gleeson and a Wall Street Journal reporter in the form of Amy Ryan. They are all three pitted against Greg Kinnear is one of his best "bad guy" roles ever.

This movie has the stress and feel of "Hurt Locker" without as much intensity. There is plenty of action however. Damon's character never sits still.

This movie may be construed by some as anti-war. It may earn that. However, it is NOT disrespectful those who faithfully serve duty's call. Nor do I believe it belittles the people of Iraq.

Watch this movie with someone who still celebrates the now infamous May 1, 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech and encourage them to point out factual flaws with the story.

Surf's Up

Like surfing movies? Like "Riding Giants"? Like CG animation? Like penguins? If you said yes to 2 or more of these, you will most likely enjoy this movie. I did.

We don't get many CG mockumentaries. This one sets the bar pretty high. There are some obvious references to one of the best surf documentaries of all time, Riding Giants. There are also enough beach and surf movie cliches to bring back some funny memories. This "cartoon" was good enough to earn an Oscar nom in for Best Animated Picture. Impressed yet?

Shia LaBeouf and Jeff Bridges play the two main characters. This is a very nice paring of voice talent with characters, and both have a unique sound. Zooey Deschanel and Jon Heder play the love interest and comic support perfectly. James Wood plays the Don King of surf promoters. Very funny.

References to other penguin movies of early and often. Both Happy Feet and March of the Penguins are spoofed here.

Watch this with someone who has spent time playing in or riding waves.

Molière

Literary buffs please forgive the following comparison. This movie is almost the French version of "Shakespeare In Love". I know, I know, Shakespeare and Molière were very different people with very different stories. But I cannot help but see the similarities. I very much enjoyed both movies.

Romain Duris is brilliant in the title role. Fabrice Luchini is hilarious as the comic foil. And, Laura Morante is delicious as the love interest between them. With a full cast of outrageous and captivating characters, this movie has everything a good romantic comedy should have. People to love and people to dislike. Witty banter. Twists you see coming and some you don't. Ridiculous situations and barely believable solutions. All in good fun.

The point of the movie is basically that although he wanted badly to produce legitimate tragic theater, Molière was best know for his great comic plays. Only his life fit the formula for tragedy, and then only barely.

If you liked "Shakespeare in Love" you should enjoy this one too despite the French dialogue over English subtitles. It's a fun funny ride.

Watch this with someone who is not happy enough doing what they do best.

Next

Little bit action thriller. Little bit romantic comedy. Little bit sci-fi. Little bit present day Minority Report. That said, it is a fun movie to watch with all the thriller cliches. Tough-as-nails FBI agents, Russians with a stolen atomic bomb, freight dock shoot-out, and a man-hunt in the belly of a cargo ship.

In the middle of it all is Nicolas Cage as the uber cool Vegas magician with Jessica Biel as his dream girl, both figuratively and literally. Julianne Moore plays the dedicated if not obsessed FBI Special Agent chasing after Cage.

While this is not the tightest of scripts or plot lines, it can be fun to watch if you do put too much thought into it. For instance, there are no trails where you can walk to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back on the same day - inside the park or on any of the reservations. But suspend belief for that part of its a fun set of scenes.

Watch this one with someone who won't be bothered by fact that you are never sure when you are seeing what really happens or what Cage sees as a vision of what happens - Next.

The Book of Eli

This is either a good movie or a bad one. Two stars or four? How can I decide? What do you say about a movie with things you like and things you don't like?

Let's make a list.

The Good - Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis - good performances
The Bad - Sepia tone movies
The Ugly - Sight impaired Ninjas

This movie is a little bit Road Warrior and a little bit Ten Commandments, and a little bit Kung Fu.

It is quite violent but the sepia tone saves us from the gore and does add to the whole post-apocalyptic feel. Otherwise I found it annoying.

Personally I found it hard buy it all at the end. Let me know what you think?

Watch this movie with someone who is not a huge fan of cats.

La Doublure (The Valet)

Smart. Funny. Not always predicable. Can I say anything nicer about a romantic comedy? This French production is first rate.

Gad Elmaleh does a wonderful job playing "Every Man". Few guys will not be able to relate to this character. Fewer will not be able to enjoy his predicament. Alice Taglioni and Virginie Ledoyen play his lovely counterparts in the mock tryst.

Kristin Scott Thomas, a personal favorite, is delicious as the, omniscient, powerful wife of the blundering CEO played by Daniel Auteuil. Fantastic supportive cast.

If you enjoy French scenery, this movie may not be a good choice. It could have been shot at any studio in the world. But for you purists, it is shot entirely on location. Enjoy!

Yes, it's in French with subtitles. Read every word and enjoy the voices. Call it a mini-vacation?

Watch this with someone who needs to be reminded how good they have it right where they are.

The Last Station

Set in and around Tolstoy's last days. It is as much about the drama within his inner circle as the author himself.

Christopher Plummer plays Tolstoy and Helen Mirren his wife, the Countess. Paul Giamatti is Chertoff and James McAvoy the young aid who finds himself stuck in the battles between them. The story is as much about the struggles in the mind and heart of young Valentin Bulgakov, Tolstoy's last Secretary, as anything. His struggles represent those of mankind.

Tolstoy is arguably the most celebrated writer in the planet's history. Some see him as a messiah, some a saint. Others see him as a prophet and others as a mad social genius. Regardless of your perceptions, this touching story, ending at the last train station he visited, will at least educate and perhaps inspire.

Watch this movie with someone who knows little or nothing about Tolstoy and see if they strive to learn more after the movie.

The Princess and the Frog

Disney does a wonderful job here of extending their line of Princess stories and all that goes with it. Taking another well-known fable and turning into a musical animated family movie IS was Disney has been know for for decades. This movie is no exception and lives up to the standard set by Walt himself.

Anika Noni Rose provides the voice talent for the princess in the title role, and her singing as well. Both are outstanding. The voice of the frog and his prince alter-ego is Brazilian Bruno Campos. If you think you recognize his voice it may be because he has been in so many US television shows.

The rest of the cast is delightfully rounded out by such greats as John Goodman, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, and Terrance Howard. Too many others to mention make this a very fun movie to listen to.

The only thing I didn't like about this movie was the abandonment of detail during some of the musical scenes. It's as if they used rough-cuts instead of full finished cells with backgrounds and dimensions. The other thing I didn't like about some of the musical scenes was that Disney appears to just recycle ideas used 20 years ago with other movies.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this movie. And, I think your family will too regardless of your heritage. Watch this with someone who has an ear for jazz however and see how they smile.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Originally, and perhaps more appropriately, titled "Män som hatar kvinnor" or Men Who Hate Women, this posthumously published graphic story told in three parts, is amazing. I'm not sure where to start, but you need to be forewarned about this one.

Scenes of rape and torture are, believe it or not, what this story is based on. Still with me? Okay. A wrongfully discredited investigative reporter and a very punked-out cyber security analyst, the girl with the tattoo set out to sold a 40-year-old murder mystery. They end up scoring much more.

Micharl Nyqvist is again amazing. Fellow Swede Noomi Rapace is at once disturbing and stunning in her roll as what some call the hottest female in fiction these days. Watch the charming interview of her in the DVD extras for that quote.

The DVD comes with English audio or the original Swedish with English subtitles. I highly recommend the latter so you get the original voice inflections. You don't need to read too much to get what's going on.

This movie is long and is not always fast-moving. But there are NO wasted moments. Everything means something now, and more, for something later. Pay attention.

Watch this movie with someone who has either a strong stomach or a high tolerance for things to which the sensors usually say "hell no".

Edge of Darkness

Based at least partially on the 1980s British TV mini-series, this story is part Erin Brokovich and part Gran Torino. That is not a terrible thing. Those were great stories told very well. Watch this movie and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Mel Gibson plays a Boston cop investigating the death of his daughter. The deeper he goes, the deeper it gets. No real surprises there. His daughter is played by Bojana Novakovic.

This story is full of wonder characters. Wonderfully good, wonderfully mysterious, and wonderfully bad. To me, a good story has just the right mix.

This is yet another story about a Daddy-Daughter relationship. I like those for some odd reason. If that is not your thing don't worry. There are so many other things going on you won't have to focus on the relationship.

This happen very fast in this movie so bucket up. It is violent with just a touch of gore. But, as I've already said, it's fast, it action-packed, and it's interesting.

Watch this with someone who loves the conspiracy-theory stories. See if they click with this one.

Remember Me

Director Allen Coulter's work is probably familiar to all of us, but we just don't know his name. That is a shame. After working in TV since the late 80s he makes the great leap onto the big screen. And not for the first time, but, in my opinion, in his first significant production.

Robert Pattinson is no small commodity these days, and neither is Pierce Brosnan or Lena Olin. All three are wonderful, smart, evolutionary characters in this touching, if not difficult to watch story. I say difficult because we watch the main characters make really bad choices over and over again. But that is part of the evolution. That is a critical part of the story. Be patient.

Emile de Ravin of Lost fame holds her own very well against these big screen heavy-weights. He accent is gone and she almost seems like the native New Yorker she portrays. Her cop Dad is played brilliantly by Chris Cooper, who, in this story at least, is my favorite character. Daddy's of daughters almost always are my favs.

Three groups of people will most likely LOVE this movie. 1 - Fans of brooding pretty boys. 2 - Fans of New York City. 3 - People who realize whats going to happen once they hear the first President Bush on Television. No spoilers here.

Watch this with someone who is in one of the above categories.

Invictus

Did Morgan Freeman do an outstanding job as Nelson Mandela? No doubt. Could a real South African have done just as good a job? Probably, but it may not have sold as many tickets in the US. Sad huh? Could the captain of the South African Rugby team have been played as well by someone other than Matt Damon? Maybe someone actually from South Africa?

Okay this seems to be my quest for the summer - actors actually from the countries the movies are about.

Dear Hollywood Suits, please watch more foreign movies. There is plenty of talent out there NOT from the US. Maybe you will sell fewer tickets in the US but how much will you save in salaries? Okay I have no idea, but you get my point.

Back to the movie? Inspiring and funny don't usually come in the same package. This time it does. As a former resident of the apartheid state I can see the struggle for change. This story tells us more behind the scenes in the early 90s than most of us Yanks are aware of. A little history is a good thing.

This movie is a very good thing. Watch it with someone who knows nothing about rugby.

Shutter Island

This movie is not nearly as scary and the previews would lead you to believe. But it is much weirder than you might expect. Without giving too much away, this is another one of those stories where you think you know who the good guys and bad guys are until the end of the movie when you are surprised by who really is whom.

Leonardo DiCaprio does another great job playing a Boston-based cop. The range of emotions on display here are wonderful. Mark Ruffalo plays a very cool opposite to DiCaprio's overwrought character. Nice pairing of contrasts.

The supporting cast is very impressive and deserves much of the credit for the thrill in this crime thriller. Ben Kingsley and Max von Sydow are the biggest but by no means the best. I loved Ted Levine in the one scene he had with lines. Powerful stuff. Patricia Clarkson, Michelle Williams, John Carol Lynch, Elias Koteas, and Jackie Earle Haley all had pivotal roles played well.

The r-rating is for disturbing violent scenes although you never actually see much violence. What is implied however is very disturbing. Director Martin Scorsese does an amazing job of letting the audience's mind think it's knows whats going on. His continuity team really let him down however. The list of goofs is long and does not appear to include my favorite. A female patient who is given a glass of water to drink while being interviewed, raises an obviously empty right hand to drink and sets an empty glass down on the table with her left. What?

Watch this movie with someone who enjoys a good psycho-thriller with more psychos than thrillers.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

It's a little bit Aladdin, and a little bit Conan the Barbarian. A little bit Kingdom of Heaven, and little bit Indiana Jones. It is also a little bit Tea Party. It's UK and American actors portraying Persians. Were there no good Persian actors to be found? No middle eastern talent? I find that hard to believe.

That said, it was a fun movie to watch. And yes, I saw it in a theater. Another rare trip for me, but this one had none of the usual downfalls. Theater owners have found a who new way to keep me away. Commercials. Before the movie starts, there are what feels like 30 minutes of commercials, only a few of which would be traditional previews.

Jake Gyllenhaal, and LA native, plays the title role with just the hint of an accent. All other cast members with a significant role are from the UK. Gemma Arterton and Ben Kingsley along with Alfred Molina for comic relief, are all wonderful.

Watch this movie with someone who can remember why we like movies in the first place - to suspend belief and escape our own realities.

Doctor Zhivago

I don't intend to say anything new about this movie. If you have never seen it, I strongly suggest you give it a thorough viewing. If you have not seen this movie in a while, please share it again with someone who has not.

What can you get from Zhivago? A little history. A little drama. A lot of romance, and a 45-year-old lesson is how to make great movies. Best Art Direction. Best Cinematography. Best Costumes. Best Writing. Best Music. Not enough? You also get to see young Alec Guiness before he became Obi-Wan. You will also see Rod Steiger as a rotten bureaucrat. Both have passed now, and the film world is a lesser place as a result.

Omar Sharif plays the title role - brilliantly. Julie Christie and Geraldine Chaplin play his love interests which take him across Russia at a time when doing so was dangerous and difficult. These talents are all still with us and still working. Amazing.

Watch this with someone who loves poetry - in words, in notes, and in pictures.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Disney goes out on a limb with this one, but it works for me. Tim Burton dances with the devil again and comes up smelling roses - again. Dark tellings of classic stories ring truer with me than the the more gentle versions. Reading the original tales one finds some very dark themes and scenes. So, I like to see these fresh spins on old stories.

Relative newcomer Mia Wasikowska does a wonderful job of playing big and small Alice. Helena Bonham Carter (6th Burton film), next door neighbor and mother of Burton's children, plays the CG-altered Red Queen of Hearts - brilliant! Johnny Depp (7th Burton film) plays the totally Mad Hatter, and although his accent changes from scene to scene, it fits well with his character. At one point when someone threatens to "off his head" his replies, "too late". Very funny.

This movie is okay for the younger viewers as well. Some of the scenes may be a little scary for the less-than-PG crowd, but otherwise there is plenty of humor on all levels to keep everyone amused.

Watch this movie with someone who will get all the subtle nods to chess and card games.

Arlen Faber (The Answer Man)

So maybe if your movie does not sell a lot of tickets all you have to do is change the name and put it out on DVD? Originally released as Arlen Faber in 2009, it made the rounds of several film festivals gleaning only one nomination. Then it went to VOD, TV, and some limited theaters. Now it's out on DVD as The Answer Man.

Arlen Faber, the title character is played by Jeff Daniels. This is an unusual character for Daniels and I can see the appeal. Grumpy and reclusive on the outside, he is funny and vulnerable on the inside. Not a really new story, but the twist is interesting. It seems that Faber wrote a book once upon a time that captured the world's imagination. He had answers from God.

Whether he did talk to God or not is not really the issue. The story is about how he deals with the fame and back-splash from his claims. The story begins on the 20th anniversary of the publishing of the book.

Faber finds himself in need of the help of people outside his normal circle and he is changed by them. Lauren Graham plays the chiropractor the gets Faber back on his feet - figuratively and literally.

Watch this with someone who dreams of writing a bestseller.

It's Complicated

White people behaving richly. That is one way to look at this movie. Do YOU have anyone in this movie YOU can relate to? That does not make it a bad movie by any means. In fact it is a good story very well told.

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin play a divorced couple who make attempts to reconnect. Steve Martin plays the third side of this odd triangle. There are adult kids involved here too, and John Krasinski does a great job as the comic relief tasked son-in-law.

Some might think many of these characters are sorely underacted. But I believe their characters are fairly well played. Many SoCal residents are not all that interesting to anyone other than themselves. Sorry neighbors - we don't make inspire much in each other.

That all said, there is a large group of middle-aged divorced white folk out there who can relate to the situations if not the characters. Though people stop living under the same roof, they don't usually stop being part of each others lives when kids are involved.

Watch this movie with someone between the ages of 40 and 60.

Crazy Heart

So many things going on during this movie, taken separately are very good, but together make a memorable movie. The story is not exactly new. Producer and co-star Robert Duvall played a similar character with somewhat similar results a few years ago. This effort is much better.

Here are some things I'm crazy about when it comes to this movie:

The music - well deserving of the Oscar.
The acting - Jeff Bridges certainly earned his too, and Maggie Gyllenhaal deserved her nomination.
The story - good things CAN happen to bad people.
The scenes - what can I say, I like dives.
The unexpected things - like the humble abode our fading country star calls home in Houston.
The photography - this movie makes the dreariest places look pretty good.

Watch this movie with someone who can enjoy all the verses.

Nine

Nine what? Not big stars, there are only 8. Not musical numbers, there are more than 9. It was, after all, a Tony-winning Broadway play before it was a movie. Not complex relationships, there are only 7 or 8. So why the Nine title? I believe it is all about the magic of being a kid - a 9 year old kid.

Throughout the movie the agonizing protagonist has flashbacks to when he was 9. As a carefree, mischievous boy, Guido, was controlled by his faith and his mother. The adult Guido converses with his dead mother who is still a big influence in his life. Daniel Day Lewis plays the torture son, all grown up, and Sophia Loren is a delight as the mother.

This movie is also about the craziness of making movies. The egos involved, the money, the players, and the process. Hype and Hollywood. Nothing is what it seems. Although the story takes place in 1960's Italy, many similarities still exist.

Marion Cotillard plays the long-suffering wife and Penelope Cruz plays the mistress and muse. Judi Dench plays the costume mistress and closest adviser, and Nicole Kidman plays the bombshell star. Kate Hudson plays a feisty American fashion journalist, and Stacy Ferguson (Fergie) plays the sexy boyhood memory.

Bottom line, it is only when Guido discovers the joy of his youth that he can climb back in the directors chair with success. A great lesson for all of us. If we can find childhood joy in our jobs, we'll never "work" another day in our lives. Or something like that.

Watch this movie with someone who loves a good musical - or Italian style - or movies about making movies.

The Lookout

Little bit crime drama. Little bit thriller. Little bit comedy. Not sure what to call it, but it's fun to watch. You'd think, based on the story-telling advice of one of the main characters, that this story would be easy to predict. And, while you CAN see the train coming, and you know it's going to smack you, what you don't see coming is how the characters will react. That makes for some fun.

Joseph Gorden-Levitt plays a high school kid who suffers from head trauma. His memory loss and other troubles are shown all due reverence. But the effects on himself and others are often funny.

Jeff Daniels plays his roommate and best friend who also happens to be much older and blind.

The bad guys are played perfectly by Matthew Goode and Greg Dunham. These are nasty villains you will love to hate. The supporting cast is rounded out nicely by some fun performances with a few familiar faces.

The only plot problem I noticed was that the main character's memory problems are episodic rather than constant. Some things he must write down to remember. But the bad guy's name he remembers from the very first meeting. Odd.

I even liked the partial narration by the main character. To me it felt like it was used just right.

Watch this movie with someone who might think their dreams are not worthy of cultivation.

Nordwand (North Face)

This German film rocks! This film is both visually and mentally stunning. The photography is first rate and helps the audience feel right on the mountain. The director referred to it as "worm's view" of the action. Very apt. The story is compelling from both a human and historical point of view.

Benno Fürmann is brilliant as the lead of this hell-bent team of climbers. Florian Lukas is his ever-enthusiastic climbing partner. These two play German heros who were part of the pre-WWII competition to climb "the last problem of the Alps", the north face of the Eiger in Switzerland.

Johanna Wokalek plays a Berlin photo-journalist who was a childhood friend of the duo who returns to report on their efforts. Ulrich Tukur plays her smarmy boss.

The film in many contrasts at the same time. The audience is taken from the cold of the mountain to the warmth of the lodge. From the absolutism of the Third Reich to the moderation of their Swiss and Austrian neighbors. The film is a delicious ride up and down the peaks of emotion.

Watch this with someone who has some experience climbing rocks of any size.

Brothers

Based on the Dutch film of the same name, this gripping drama is more about family than it is about war. Like other recent war-related dramas, this movie does not dwell on the morality of any particular conflict, but rather addresses the humanity involved.

Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal play brothers - one "good" and the other "bad". As much as anything else, this movie is about labeling. Parents label kids. Kids label themselves.

Natalie Portman and Sam Shepard play influential roles here as soldier's wife and father respectively. All around, the acting here is solid. The characters are all likable, believable, and the audience will find someone to relate to.

At first I was afraid to watch this movie because I thought it would be too depressing. It was actually not at all what I expected. The story takes us through some complex emotions and real issues relevant to current society.

Watch this with someone who thinks they have issues to deal with.

Tôkyô Sonata

You think YOUR family is dysfunctional? Check this one out. Oh, it's in Japanese with subtitles, but one hardly notices. I found myself both disturbed and fascinated by each of these characters.

The father loses his job but chooses to not tell the family or attempt to disturb the routine in any way. Along his new journey he meets other men in similar circumstances.

The oldest son, like many teens his age, just wants out of the family home and an independent life. He eventually ends up in the U.S. Army of all places.

The youngest son, smarter than most kids his age and very able to express himself, wants nothing more than to learn to play the piano. And with good reason, and hence the title.

The mother, perhaps the most complex character of all, tolerates only so much before making her escape. Brace yourself.

And in the end it makes for what must be very interesting dinner table conversation. But, something tells me nobody says a word about the previous 48 hours.

All in all it is a very interesting study of Japanese culture. How realistic it is, I do not know. If YOU know, please enlighten me.

Watch this movie with someone who has lived or worked in Tokyo and see what they say.

The Dukes (2007)

It is nothing new that I'm not all that impressed with award-winning movies. This is just another on a long list.

The music is fun and some of the acting is very good. The story however is weak and most of the acting is hackish. But don't let that alone keep you from watching this one.

Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi play down-on-their-luck former Doo Wop stars. They have relocated from New York to LA and life does not turn out like they wanted. Their agent, played oddly by Peter Bogdanovich.

The two former entertainers decide to plan heist of questionable merit then add Frank D'Amico (welcome comic relief literally and figuratively) and Bruce Weitz to the "gang".

There are a few surprises on the way to a classic Hollywood ending.

Watch this movie with someone who enjoy the music enough to turn a blind eye to the rest.

Pressure Cooker (2008)

While this is a story that takes place mostly in kitchens, it is NOT a movie for foodies. While this is a movie about triumph over adversity it is not a "feel good" story. The whole point of this movie, in my opinion, is to illustrate to those of us who live outside this world, to what extremes, and what extraordinary measures, are required to lift a child of poverty out of the vicious cycle.

The more uncomfortable that thought makes you the more you need to see this movie. Many of us talk the talk of pulling oneself up by one's own bootstraps and making one's own way in the world. This movie makes the point very clearly that nobody can do it on their own. It really does take a village to raise someone, and we are all in the village, directly or indirectly.

Yes, it is a documentary, and very few of those make my blog. This one, while not as exciting or entertaining as others here, is nevertheless just as worthy.

Kudos to the kids who stick with this program. Kudos to the adults to make it possible. And kudos to those who watch this movie and feel inspired to DO something.

Watch this with someone, anyone, who will benefit from the message, or who can benefit the cause.

The American President

Rob Reiner may be best known for directing When Harry Met Sally, a bar-setting romantic comedy, but his variety is expansive. His only Oscar nod came from the courtroom drama A Few Good Men. This story combines both political reality with romantic comedy.

Michael Douglas and Annette Bening are wonderful here as a sitting President and hired-gun lobbyist. Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, and Richard Dreyfus have small roles as well.

This is an enjoyable story if you don't focus too much on the gravity of the different situations. Watch it as a romantic comedy and not a political drama. Expect to be entertained and not educated.

While this movie didn't actually win anything it was nominated for everything significant at the Golden Globes in 1996.

Watch it with someone who knows what a difference a good pair of shoes makes.

The Blind Side

If you skipped this movie in the theaters because it looked like a football movie, you missed the point. This is a movie about family with a few minutes of football included. It is a bit of a tearjerker but those parts are mixed with a generous dose of some very funny moments.

Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for her work here but the whole cast was great. Especially Jae Head the kid who takes the first steps to bring Michael Oher, the main character, into the mainstream. Country singer Tim McGraw plays the Dad close enough to reality.

I can't say enough nice things about how well Quinton Aaron played a homeless traumatized kid who it taken in by family with means and a whole lot of heart. This is a feel-good movie of the finest kind.

Even if you don't know anything about football, like the main character didn't, it's okay because everything you (and he) need to know is explained.

Watch this movie with family and make sure everyone feels included.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Who would have thought the best thing to happen to Guy Ritchie's work would be to dump Madonna? In my opinion, everything he has done since their break-up is fun to watch. If nothing else, his movies are way more marketable than before. Any ideas why?

Any other ideas why he used an American to play Holmes however? Okay, fair enough, perhaps only the massive ego of Robert Downey, Jr. could replicate that of the fictional Holmes. What? Am I wrong about that?

Jude Law is perfect as the faithful Dr. Watson, and Rachel McAdams is devilish as Irene Adler, the only woman Holmes ever saw as an "equal" in the original series of stories.

The bad guys in this tale are played well by Mark Strong (a Guy Ritchie regular) and Ed Tolputt, though we never see Tolputt's face.

What seems odd to me here is that the story spins as if Holmes had never heard of Professor Moriarity before. In the original Conan Doyle stories he was the arch-nemesis of Holmes. So one might think this story a prequel. But wait, at one point in the story Watson reminds Holmes that Ms. Adler is the only criminal to outwit Holmes twice. These stories are part of the well-known Holmes lore. So the coexistence of those two characters in the same story under these conditions is a little inconsistent. That is by no means a spoiler by the way.

Watch this movie with someone who knows the basic characters and can keep up with the rapid fire dialogue.

The Young Victoria

If you like period pieces with lavish costumes and semi-authentic sets and locations, you will probably like this unusual love story. I say unusual because it is a real story about an unusual relationship for it's time. Arranged marriages of this time at this level rarely had so much genuine love and respect.

Emily Blunt plays an strong Victoria beginning at the age of 17. Rupert Friend is her supportive Prince Albert. Paul Bettany is their cunning Lord Melbourne. Mark Strong plays the rotten Sir John Conroy and the stage is set for a very public power struggle. Queen Victoria's great great great great granddaughter, the Princess Beatrice of York, has a small role.

Even if you are not familiar with the realities of this story you might enjoy this story. They certainly don't get in the way, but that is not to say the movie strays too far. The sets are elaborate if flawed. The locations are as authentic as possible. The costumes earned the Oscar.

Watch this with someone who likes to waltz.

Moon

How long could you live in solitary confinement? Sam Rockwell plays a guy who signs on for a 3-year (or so he thought) gig on a moon-based mining facility by himself (or so he thought). No spoilers here, but a few things in the story are not what they seem - or there would be no story.

Basically this is a story of corporate greed with a 2001: Space Odyssey facade. In fact given the movie feels like an homage to Stanley Kubrick. Classical music in space scenes and an always calm monotone computer, voiced by Kevin Spacey, are just two examples.

SciFi fans will most likely enjoy this unless they are also action junkies. This is an old-school sci-fi film where bad things happen to good people in space.

Watch this movie with someone who will enjoy pointing out all the 2001 similarities.

Pirate Radio (The Boat That Rocked)

Everywhere else on the planet but here in the US this movie was called The Boat That Rocked. A more fitting title. These guys rocked the UK in the mid 1960s but they were as far from pirates as you and I. That said, this is the best movie I've seen in a while.

Bill Nighy plays the crusty but dignified financier of a floating radio station that beams banned music into the UK. His gang of DJs includes some great performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman as the only Yank; Nick Frost as Doctor Dave; Rhys Darby as Angus Nutsford; Chris O'Dowd as Simple Simon; Tom Brooke as Thick Kevin; Tom Wisdom as Midnight Mark; Will Adamsdale as News John; Ralph Brown as Bob Silver; and Rhys Ifans as Gorgeous Gavin Cavanagh.

Also featured are Kenneth Branagh as the cabinet member charged with shutting the station down and Jack Davenport as his "private assassin". Tom Sturridge plays Young Carl who comes aboard ship at the beginning of the story when he is kicked out of school. His mother is played briefly by Emma Thompson. Too many names already?

The music they play is mostly authentic period stuff, but the non broadcast soundtrack was mostly recorded after the time covered in the movie and intended for familiar dramatic impact. It works. There are too many other little mistakes to count, but the movie moves so quickly you may not catch them.

Watch this movie with someone who knows the words to at least half the songs. Make it a sing-along?

The Black Balloon

An actual black balloon makes only one appearance in this film. I have no idea why that garners a title role. Please enlighten me?

Rhys Wakefield plays the 15-going-on-16 son of a military father. The boy tries to fit in when his family moves to the new town. Many of us can relate to that awkward position. Complicating matters however are a PPD-NOS Autistic older brother, a pregnant mother, and a father who takes his orders from a teddy bear - literally. This otherwise nuclear family teeters on the edge of dysfunction and disintegration.

Luke Ford plays the otherwise-enabled older brother. Australian super model Gemma Ward plays the long-suffering new girlfriend of the younger brother. Everyone puts in a excellent performance which is why it's so hard to watch sometimes.

The gist of this movie? It's a roller coaster ride between the love/hate relationship of two brothers. My problem with it is that nobody really changes. There is no character evolution. The Dad keeps taking orders from the teddy bear. The Mom continues to be the only thing holding the family together. The older brother makes no improvements and the younger brother appears that he will go on bouncing from loathing to loving his autistic sib.

Watch this if you dare with someone who think THEY have a difficult family situation.

Defendor

If you can make it past the first 40 minutes of this movie there is a pretty nice pay-off. The message is short-lived but sweet, then it's back to the insanity. Maybe it's seeing Woody Harrelson playing a mildly retarded guy who likes to act like a super hero. Maybe it was seeing how many bad choices Harrelson's character makes in the first 30 minutes. Maybe it was lack of any really likable or pleasant characters. Either way, this movie was a little tough to watch.

But then, 40 minutes in, the audience is treated to a very tender scene between 2 of the main characters. They totally relate to each other for just a moment. It ties them and their stories together and makes sense of the first half of the movie. Then it's over the the story goes back to it's odd origins. But armed with the knowledge that these two characters have made a real connection it "feels" different.

Kat Dennings plays the other half of this very odd crime-fighting couple. Her character is a drug-addicted low-rent hooker who bears a grudge against every bad guy the Defendor goes after. That makes it more interesting but also more pathetic at the same time.

I do however like the way things end. I bought it. No spoilers here but there are no happy endings despite the R-rating. That is mostly for language and drug use.

Bottom line? This movie is about vigilantism, a popular movie theme. The characters are all very unlikely however.

Watch this movie with someone who feels like they don't belong or afraid.

The Time Traveler's Wife

If you like tearjerker movies with lots of kissing, you will most likely like this one. Rachel McAdams plays the girlfriend and wife of a guy who bops in and out of her life from the age of six. Her age not his. The story bounces from present to past to future. Pay attention.

Eric Bana, who has been very selective in his projects of late, plays the time-traveling husband with great passion. I very much enjoyed his performance here. You may have to just watch the movie to get how it works.

Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt may have owned the rights to this story, but the actors owned the audience hearts. This is not to say there are not plenty of points of confusion. This movie is best if you don't think too much about it. But that is the case with much of Hollywood these days.

The movie gets better and more gripping as you go along. Patience is required.

Watch this with someone who likes the kissing and won't worry about whats missing.

Everybody's Fine

Robert De Niro has picked some interesting projects lately. In a nutshell, this movie goes from one awkward conversation to the next. It is a slow-moving family drama. The good news however is that every character is real, believable, and there may be someone here for each of us to relate to. Oh, and nevermind that it's a huge commercial for Amtrak and Greyhound.

De Niro plays a recent widower who is totally out of touch with his kids. As one of his sons puts it "People are polite. They don't always tell the truth." He has been told pretty much what he wants to hear. When his kids don't show up for a family weekend, he goes on a cross-country trip to see them.

Kate Beckinsdale, Sam Rockwell, and Drew Barrymore play his kids. They talk to each other but not really to their Dad. Sometimes it's like that. The payoff comes an hour and 15 minutes into the story when they finally get around the table for the first time if only fictionally. Everybody's not fine. But, I believe the best way to describe the ending of this movie is - bittersweet.

Watch this movie with someone who either needs to feel better about their family situation or needs a reality check to see how much of the rest of the country lives.