The Ledge (2011)

Are you willing to die for your beliefs?  Charlie Hunnam (of Sons of Anarchy fame) and Patrick Wilson face off over both religious differences and the love of Liv Tyler's character.  The great Terrance Howard is trying to keep his world from spinning out of control and his target from jumping from a ledge.  Twisted and odd as this story seems to some, it's all very plausible.

The characters are compelling and the story works even though it may feel way off base to many of us.  Hunnam's character may have been played by an older guy but Charlie makes it work, and makes us like him.

Although this movie was shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana there are not discernible southern or creole accents.  Perhaps that made it an easier sell on the coasts?

Watch this movie with someone who needs to learn to tell stories faster.

Hævnen (In a Better World) 2010

Well deserving of the "foreign film" Oscar, this Danish story of two struggling families covers multiple current topical problems.  Sewn together in ways you won't expect, the smart and touching script may speak to you directly one way or another.

If you have dealt with the loss of a loved one, bullies, a broken family, braces, teen angst, or children with emotional problems, you will find someone in this story to relate to.

Mikael Persbrandt and Ulrich Thomsen play successful men with troubled sons.  The sons are played by Willian Nielson and Markus Rygaard in their first big screen performances.  All are very intense and enjoyable to watch. Trine Dyrholm plays the main Mom in the story and has a range of emotion that may have been played by Streep had this been an American production.

I will be very surprised if you find you heart does not go out to both these families in one way or another.

Watch this movie with someone who felt they had a troubled childhood.

Jane Eyre (2011)

Far less mellow-dramatic and soapy that previous versions I've seen.  Characters were more realistic and easier to relate too.  This and some great cinematography made for a very enjoyable DVD.

Mia Wasikowska is again great in this classic role.  Michael Fassbender matches her with a magnificently manic performance.  The rest of the cast is period perfect and included Dame Judi Dench as all English dramas should.

What was missing here was all the things that made other versions overly long and occasionally painful to watch.  It is also obvious the director here, Cary Fukunaga, is also a great cinematographer.  This movie is as pretty to watch as it is to listen too.

Watch this movie with less tissues that you used in previous versions.

Paul (2011)

Need a good spoof of Spielberg sci-fi movies like Close Encounters, Star Wars, and ET?  This movie was as much fun as Fan Boys.  So if you enjoyed that one, you will most likely "get" this one too.  The fun part is recognizing all the connections.  If you miss them, the story is more or less just average.

Simone Pegg and Nick Frost are goofy comedy geniuses.  Either that or they are the UK's version of Jack Black.  I prefer the first observation.

The other fun surprises here are the great performances from some very familiar faces like Jane Lynch, Jason Bateman, Sigourney Weaver, and Seth Rogen.  These are not the only ones of course.  The entire cast was clearly having a good time.

Don't watch this movie with high sci-fi expectations.  Instead, have a bunch of popcorn and your sense of humor completely intact.  And I do recommend the unrated version for the out of control language and "alien behavior".

Ready (2011)

Here is your Bollywood romantic comedy.  Stunning settings. Big scale spontaneous dance numbers.  Clear good guys and bad guys.  A happy ending.  What more could you want?  From a B-wood romcom; nothing.  From a good story well told, much is left wanting.

Stars Salman Khan and Asin and great as they are cast.  The story is set - mistaken identity leads to love and happiness after tricking the bad guys into agreement, sort of.

Where this story is weak in plausibility and realism it is strong on soundtrack.  That said, this is a fun watch if you don't want more than a happy ending with beautiful people in lovely places.

Watch this movie, if you want, with someone who wont mind all the silly tangents the story takes.

Buck (2011)

If you love horses, you will probably love this movie.  If you love pop-psychology you will probably enjoy the many levels of lessons here.

This movie is about helping people and their horses get along better.

Buck Brannaman was brought in as a consultant for the movie Horse Whisperer.  The movie ended up more about Buck, by Buck, and with Buck in several scenes, than anyone expected, including Robert Redford.  Redord appears briefly to tell that part of the story.

Watch this movie with someone who may not be aware that California has more cowboys than beach boys.

X-Men: First Class (2011)

Not sure why it is, but prequels are often more interesting than sequels.  No?  Okay, maybe not.  Maybe only when it comes to super heroes?  This one ranks up there with Batman Begins in my opinion.  In fact, I like this one better than most the other X-men installments.

James McAvoy as a young and emerging Dr. X is great.  We learn how he becomes who he is.  We also learn what a haunted soul Magneto is and how he arrives at his situation.  Michael Fassbender does a great job giving us a multidimensional character.

In fact, the entire cast is well suited.  I especially enjoyed Kevin Bacon as the bad guy.  This movie will make playing the Kevin Bacon game even easier.

Watch this movie with someone who might not be previously familiar with the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

Chalo Dilli (2011)

This is not your usual Bollywood romantic comedy with spontaneous music numbers.  There is very little romance and only 1 or 2 music numbers which made little or no sense.  Not that any spontaneous numbers do.

There is however a good deal of wacky, offbeat, comedy.  I am often of fan of "theater of the absurd", this story go a little off the reservation.

Lara Dutta, a former Miss Universe, is stunning and convincing in this piece.  Maybe a little too convincing?  I never really warmed up to her like I'm sure the audience was intended to.  Vinay Pathak plays the John Candy to her Steve Martin in this Indian version of Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

If nothing else for us Americans, this is an interesting look into Indian culture we've not seen since Slumdog Millionaire.  The mix of Hindi and English combined with good subtitles makes it easy to keep up.

Watch this with someone who is planning a trip to or through India.

Joueuse (2009)

Marketed in the US as "Queen to Play" on DVD, this French film is a variety of things.  Part girl-power story.  Part chess "sports" story.  Part feel-good success comedy.  Depending on who you are and where you are in your life or your journey, this movie could mean different things to different people.

Kevin Kline plays a mysterious American doctor, "hiding out" in Corsica an island off the coast of France.  His cleaning lady is played by Sandrine Bonnaire who is obsessed with learning to play chess after seeing an America couple playing a very loving game at a hotel.

You do not need to know how to play chess to enjoy this movie, but it will help.  You can absolutely NOT be a male chauvinist however.  If nothing else however, this can be a great little visit to Corsica.

Watch this movie with someone who's passion or talent is greater than their confidence.

The Perfect Host (2010)

Great twist on the usually maddening home-invasion stories.  Instead of evil bad guys terrorizing the hapless family, in this case you have a hapless visitor tormented by an evil host.  Without giving too much away, there are plenty of twists and turns and surprises in this story.  If you like those things you may very much enjoy this movie.

That all said, this movie has one glaring weakness - plausibility.  If I went into full detail I would have to do a spoiler alert, and I don't do spoilers.  Bottom line, I don't believe a host this meticulous nature in such a detail oriented occupation would make the kind of mistakes that lead to the situations that make this movie both darkly comedic and a little hard to "buy".  Email me for the details if you like, or if you disagree.

David Hyde Pierce is perfectly cast in this role, and he plays it with relish.  He is clearly having a great time bringing this character to us.  Clayne Crawford plays opposite him and definitely holds his own again Pierce.  Despite the self-inflicted problems of his character, Crawford earns at least our empathy if not sympathies.

Watch this movie with someone who loves dinner parties.

Win Win (2011)

This is a very very good movie that is not for everyone.  Wrestling fans will get it.  Foster kids will get it.  People who have given someone else a second chance will get it.  If you are none of the above, I suggest skipping this one.

Paul Giamatti is his usual great here as the good guy trying to be all things to all people.  Alex Shaffer, who reminded me of a young Sean Penn, is scary good.  More please young squire.  It helps that he really did win a state wrestling championship.  Adds a great measure of authenticity to the film.

Along side these two are Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, and Burt Young, a very quirky and most excellent supporting cast.  Tops marks for all.


Watch this movie with someone who needs to learn that giving second chances is sometimes as healing as getting one.

The Conspirator (2010)

First, kudos to the "new" American Film Company.  This film is their debut of an ambitious mission to make films depicting American history.  Robert Redford directs a dream cast with pleasing results.  To date they have made back less than half of their $25M investment, which is sad, but I pledge to see and rate every movie they make.

James McAvoy and Robin Wright do a great job.  The story is really about them but the rest of the cast are spot on.  Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, Danny Huston, and Colm Meaney play the government's men is this compelling story.  the rest are too numerous to mention.  Suffice it to say that as period works go, this is one of my new favorites.  Savannah, GA looks a lot the an old DC - clearly.

With one little exception, the film feels as authentic as can be.  In one scene however, a character is coming out of a bathroom and the sounds of a flushing toilet is heard.  I don't know when flushing toilets were common in Washington, DC or what they sounded like, but I'm pretty sure some liberties were taken here.

This movie is mostly dialogue and wondering what will happen next, so don't set your sights on an action thriller.  What would you do to preserve a fragile nation?

Watch this movie with someone who likes American history.

Limitless (2011)

Definitely NOT formula.  Boy loses girl.  Boy loses mind.  Boy takes a pill and his world changes.

Bradley Cooper is that boy.  His famous blue eyes change as does his character's personality.  There is a great use of color and CG extra FX.  I don't usually like movies with what I call MTV editing, but this movie finds just the right mix.  Kudos to Neil Burger.  I also liked his treatment of The Lucky Ones (see previous review).

Robert De Niro is cast is a curious role here, far less gritty than his norm.  But, he does a very good in roles that might otherwise have gone to somebody like Michael Douglas, Pierce Brosnan, or John Houseman.  Abbie Cornish is love interest, and if you have not seen her before, this is a very good introduction.  Nice range, great look

No spoilers here, but are we set up perfectly for a sequel? I do hope so.

Watch this movie with someone who wishes they could use a little more of their brain power.

The Music Never Stopped (2011)

Be patient.  This story takes a little time to get going.  The character develpment is thorough and delicious.  The pay-off is worth the wait.

If you are a child of the 60's, or a fan of that decade's music, or if you are just a hippie at heart, you will most likely enjoy this movie.  On the other hand, it may just make you angry all over again.

This is partially a movie about the power of music.  But it is also about generation gap bridging, family relationships, and the power of the human mind.

J. K. Simmons does his usual excellent job of playing a 2-dimentional Dad.  Lou Taylor Pucci is "The Last Hippie".  Actually the movie is based on an essay of that title.

Julia Ormond plays professor looking into the impact music has on memory and the mind in general.  Cara Seymour plays the torn wife and mother of the two main characters.  Well played everyone!

Watch this movie wearing something tie-dyed.

The Eagle (2011)

Little bit Braveheart.  Little bit Gladiator.  And a little bit King Arthur.  Not as good as any of the above, but not a total waste of time.

Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell are good together but they make it work well enough to keep my attention through the whole movie.  Donald Sutherland and Mark Strong even make a few appearances


I watched the unrated version and figure there were really two scenes, both graphic and gruesome, but not overly gory or prolonged.  Who knows what else was slipped in the full version?


Watch this if you are into stories about liberty and honor.  Otherwise feel free to skip it.

Rio (2011)

Cute. Playful.Colorful. All with brief glimpses of what life for some is like in Rio.  Not overly preachy.  Great Carnaval animation.

All that said, I have the same complaint here which I have with other animated films set in other countries.  Why didn't they use more local talent?  Are the Hollywood suits convinced that people paid to see this movie because of the voice talents on Anne Hathaway and Will.I.Am?  A native New Yorker and Angelino playing Brazilian birds didn't feel right to me.  However, I totally bought Jesse Eisenberg, another New Yorker, as the bird-napped blue parrot. Go figure.

This music is fairly authentic, and there is something here for all ages.

Watch this movie with someone who loves to dance.

Unknown (2011)

Little bit Memento and a little bit Bourne series.  But not quite as good as either.  The average Joe, me included, figures out whats going on about half way through.  That said, it is worth the watch if for no other reason than to see how nice the new unified Berlin looks.

Liam Neeson is not sure who he is, and neither does Diane Kruger.  But, they put the moves on some of the best in the business and share some interesting chemistry.  I find the roles Neeson has taken since the untimely passing of his wife very interesting.

January Jones is beautiful but unconvincing here.  Perhaps her Mad Men role has spoiled us for much else?  Hope not.


My favorite performances in this story are by Bruno Ganz and Frank Langella.  Though they are on screen for only a short time it is obvious to see how seasoned pros weave their craft compared to some of the younger folks.


Watch this movie with someone who knows that good scientists don't usually make good NASCAR drivers.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Well well, a movie that is better than it's hype.  Nice.  Refreshing.  Funny.  Smart.

Others who have compared this movie to Inception maybe saw a different version than I did?  I don't see any similarities.  I saw more similarities with City of Angels and The Matrix, but that's just me.

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt appeared to be enjoying themselves and that chemistry translated well at my house.  I guess the hype had my expectations fairly low for this movie, but I truly enjoyed it.  If nothing else, it is a fun look at New York.

Watch this with someone who has doubts about their control over the future.

Rango (2011)

Big names.  Big voices.  Great animation.  A wee bit preachy.  But, still a very fun movie to watch.

The biggest surprise is who does the Eastwood-esque voice of The Spirit of the West.  The character looked, walked and talked just like the man with no name.  But it was not who you think.  No spoilers here.

Johnny Depp and Ned Beatty square off as the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Isla Fisher is the voice of the love interest, sort of.  And several others lend some very funny performances.  The voice of the rattlesnake is the second biggest surprise.

Written by the same guy who wrote Gladiator, The Last Samurai, and The Aviator, some of my favorite works, this story is as moralistic as the others.  Vegas stole the water and left small desert communities high and dry.  No judgments here.  I don't know the facts.

Watch this movie with someone who has a romantic vision of the old west and the many legends who punctuate those stories.

Source Code (2011)

A very interesting concept indeed.  Not totally new, but spun differently enough that it felt fresh.

Jake Gyllenhaal chooses such interesting roles.  His range is clear here.  He goes from the frightened and depressed downed chopper pilot to the Bond-esque terrorist-fighter literally in the blink of an eye.

Most leading men are happy with great chemistry with one co-star.  Here he gets it very right with two.  I'm not sure which relationship I liked better.  There both touched me but were so different.

Watch this with someone who who might need to get the moral or the story - when life, or death, gives you lemons, make the best possible lemonade.

Battle Los Angeles (2011)

I liked this movie better when it was called "Independence Day".  Nuff said?

Cookie's Fortune (1999)

Thinking about visiting the south?  Watch this movie instead.  You will get a 2-hour review of many things Southern.  In one way or another all these deliciously quirky characters are connected or related.  Watch to the end to find out how.

Glenn Close is a know-it-all-busy-body.  Julianne Moore is her socially-challenged sister.  There are so many other great names, let me try a list a few - Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Charles Dutton, Patricia Neal, and Ned Beatty.  Even Lyle Lovett and Courtney Vance have great cameos.

The first hour is chock full of character development.  Be patient.  The second hour clips right along and is stuffed with twists and turns.  Stay for the pay off.

Watch this movie with someone who fishes.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

In his first role as a less-than-attractive character, Matthew McConaughey does a great job.  And by great job I mean he is totally credible as a scum-sucking bottom feeder.  But as expected, his character redeems himself by the end of the story, sort of.  Consistent with my theory of human nature, people don't really change unless threatened in some way, and when the threat is gone, so goes the changes.  But I digress.

Marisa Tomei is hot but subdued here.  No scene stealing here, just a solid performance.  Love it.  William H. Macy is great in his limited but hugely pivotal role here.  This guy can do no wrong in my opinion.  Other great names giving just the right amount of flavor to the story include John Leguizamo and Josh Lucas.

Evil personified here is played by Ryan Phillippe.  He does the pretty-boy thing well, but in my opinion, did not pull off the real depth this character could have.  Okay, granted, he is not the true evil "genius" here; slight spoiler alert.  But, I think he could have played it a little more over the top.

Watch this with someone who may not be aware there are creatures thriving among us just like every character in this story.

Barney's Version (2010)

I confess to low expectations on this one, but I was totally wrong.  Not only is this a good romantic comedy, it is also a very funny commentary on growing older and relationships.

Paul Giamatti delivers another masterful performance.  Dustin Hoffman surprises with the opposite to his Foker's character.  Rosamund Pike is stunning and classy as the love interest.

Jake Hoffman does another great job even playing on the same cast as his father.  Lots of fun other faces too make this a great watch for everyone over the age of 30.

Great Canadian cinema.  I loved it.

Watch this movie with someone who has met the love of their life under less than ideal circumstances.

Des hommes et des dieux "Of Gods and Men" (2010)

With social, political, and personal lessons galore, this brilliant French production is short on words but long on  morel.  Beautifully photographed and masterfully orchestrated, this film should be watched by everyone.  Especially if you are negotiating international relations or if you are stuck in the middle between two warring tribes.  Or if you are a Christian or Muslim.

Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale leads a brilliant cast locals and French nationals.  There are so many characters to love here, and so many to wonder about.  Can terrorists and foreigners get along?

Watch this movie with someone who will enjoy the lack of dialogue as much as the subtext.

Kill the Irishman (2011)

Did this movie escape your radar? If so, it is well worth the watch.  The long list of big names makes this story increasingly interesting as it unfolds.

Ray Stevenson is the constant in this equation.  The common thread, and a very good one. Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Christopher Walken, Finnula Flanagan, and many others play a mix of Cleveland organized crime figures in the late 1970s.

Tony Lo Bianco, Robert Davi, Steve Schirripa, and Paul Sorvino among others play their New York connected Italian competition.  All do a super job.  This is a great all-star cast.

With a great mix of archival news footage this story unfolds as it happens.

Watch this with anyone who has lived in or been to Cleveland.

The Rite (2011)

Because this story is based on people who are real, and still alive, and no doubt some input into the telling, it is more tame than the usual exorcism tale.  Far more so than something conjured from someone's tortured imagination.  To some tame may mean lame.  So be it.

In my opinion, only true believers will "get" the message of this movie.  Belief in one is totally dependent on belief and faith in the other.  No spoilers here.

Anthony Hopkins plays multiple roles here, again no spoilers, but he is his usual brilliant.  I loved his line spoofing the 1973 classic The Exorcist.

Colin O'Donoghue is gorgeous, but I'm unclear on his acting skills just yet.  Let's see another film or two?

And no, the motorcycle worked on by the old priest is working on in the movie is not the world's fastest Indian.

Watch this with someone who ponders the question or the reality of The Devil.

The Company Men (2010)

Most of us, maybe all of us, know somebody who is represented by the main characters in this movie.  That makes it a little more real, a little too real, and a little painful to watch.

Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones are guys in the way upper middle class who lose their jobs. There has been a ton of that going around in the last half decade.  If we have not experienced that ourselves, who know someone who has.

The painful process of losing one's job and making the necessary life-adjustments is only vaguely familiar many of us.  There but for the grace of some higher power go we?  Several scenes in this movie are painfully real.

Watch this with someone who has not lost their job recently.

Carancho (2010)

The best way I can describe this story is one of constantly turning tables.  Just when you think you have it figured out, things change.  There is enough drama, enough funny, enough blood, and plenty of little surprises to make this otherwise slow-moving story interesting.

Ricardo Darín is too good for words.  His chemistry with Martina Gusman is tragic, magic, and works.  I usually love Argentine cinema.  They have such a wide range of quirky topics.  This one included.  Happy endings do not appear part of their repertoire.  No spoilers here.

Watch this movie with someone who worries about their car insurance.

También la lluvia (2010)

When the local water conglomerate turns off the water to the residents of Cochabamba, Columbia, the leader of the revolt says they've taken the river, the lakes, the wells, and "even the rain".

This same revolt leader played smartly by Juan Carlos Aduviri, is chosen for a key role in a movie being shot in the area.  As the story unfolds, similarities appear between his character and his personal life.  The story is as much about his and the transformation of the film crew come from Spain to shot a movie about a Franciscan Priest's revolt against Columbus.

This is a slow-moving, thoughtful story about power and the people as well as the power OF the people.  The pace quickens and the story moves along until close to the end.  Unlike many movies, most characters here evolve in different directions.  It is not just about one key player changing.

Watch this with someone thinking about joining a grassroots movement.

True Grit (2010)

I'm still surprised how many people do not realize this movie is a remake.  John Wayne played this role originally, in 2 different movies in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  Jeff Bridges does a most worthy job.

Thanks to the genius Cohen brothers, the movies are very different even though the story is the same.  I actually think this new version is better.  Forgive Duke.

Matt Damon and Barry Pepper are almost unrecognizable in their roles here, and both do a great job.  This story has so few characters, each moment on screen is precious.  Everyone did a fantastic job.

This is a dark period comedy indeed, and not everyone will appreciate how things unfold.  But I believe this is a faithful retelling of the story.

Watch it with someone who has a strong sense of justice.

The Mechanic (2011)

Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from exercising bad judgement.  I was glad to see a version of this, one of my favorite old quotes, in this movie.  I remember seeing the original with Charles Bronson when I was a kid.  This is a worthy remake.

Jason Statham plays the top dog assassin amongst a company set up hire out their services.  When the company president tricks him into killing his best friend and mentor, Statham's character takes his revenge.  Bronson played this character back in the 70's and Statham is as quietly confident and efficient as the original.  Well played.

Ben Foster steps up his range a notch while still managing to play the loser trying to make good. Donald Sutherland is warm and fuzzy as the mentor and friend.  The rest of the cast fit well and play nice together.  Ha.

With only a few continuity and factual problems, this movie is fast-moving and often suspenseful.

Watch this movie with someone who think vengeance is their mission.

Sweet Land (2005)

Anyone with European ancestors who settled in the upper mid-west US should watch this movie as a peek into their family history. For the rest, this should be viewed as wonderful storytelling.

Elizabeth Reaser plays a German mail-order bride who arrives in rural Minnesota after the end of World War I. The story is about the connection between herself, her husband, and the land they worked for nearly 50 years. Patrick Heusinger plays her husband, a socially backwards Norwegian.

Their love story spans 5 decades and shows us all what it means to truly work the land. Their hardships and attitudes are indicative of many of our ancestors.

Beautifully photographed and edited, this movie is art as well as history.

Watch this movie with someone who has Scandinavian ancestors.

La soga (2009)

Nature or nurture? Are we products of our upbringing and environment, or are who we are from our first breath? This story, written by Manny Perez, who also is brilliant in the lead role, is clearly on the side of nurture theory.

This peek into the Dominican Republic police operations is like looking into our own wild west history. Very interesting and very well done. In a mix of Spanish and English the story is so easy to follow you may not even need the subtitles.

Denise Quiñones, a former Miss Universe, is stunning here as the love interest. Juan Fernández appears made for this role as the corrupt police general.

While this movie is certainly violent, it is not overly gory. The soundtrack is danceable.

Watch this movie with a vegetarian.

Black Swan (2010)

This movie is certainly not for everyone. Not everyone likes ballet. Not everyone likes mild psycho thrillers. Not every likes creepy overbearing parents or bosses. Not everyone like an overly dramatic finish. This story has all of those things and more that might turn the weak-minded away.

Natalie Portman is stunning and definitely earned her best actress Oscar here. Nominated in 4 other categories, this is certainly a movie for fans of cinema to see. It is done in a classic grand drama style, not often used by Hollywood anymore. Very well done indeed.

Barbara Hershey is great here as the control-freak mother. Vincent Cassel is creepy good as the ballet director. His range is made more obvious to those who have been following his career.

Even if you don't like many or all of the items mentioned above, you should see this movie. You will be talking about it for weeks. If you like ANY of the above items, you must see this one.

Watch this movie with someone who gave up a career in dancing.

En ganske snill mann "A Somewhat Gentle Man" (2010)

Stellan Skarsgård shows his skills in this dramedy about second chances, redemption, and family. It takes a strong actor to dance this bad, and say yes to so many women. It takes a firm confidence to allow being filmed from behind with a bald spot as large as one's pony tail.

When Scandinavians tell a story they do it slowly. It's like making a good stew. Character development is critical and the audience is allowed to enjoy the moments, sights, sounds, and aromas, as if they were part of the story.

The supporting cast are also great and too numerous to mention here. Hopefully my Scandinavian readers will forgive that. Few characters are truly loathsome, but almost all are flawed enough to be real.

Watch this movie with someone who will enjoy the subtitles enough to not even notice them.

The Tourist (2010)

If you are in the mood for a movie with beautiful people doing exciting things in beautiful places, then this might be a good one for you. On the other hand, if you take away those things, there is not much to get worked up about.

Angelina Jolie is elegant if not a little less steamy that her past roles. Johnny Depp is both funny and fierce. But there is too little chemistry between them for my tastes. Paul Bettany does all the real acting here as the anguished Interpol Inspector chasing them. Timothy Dalton who might have been given the lead role back in the day plays the Chief Inspector. And I have to say he does it well.

Steven Berkoff does his usual splendid job playing an international bad guy and Alessio Boni is great as the local Venice cop who makes things happen.

For sure this movie keeps you guessing who the mystery thief is until the end. Some may guess early and some will find out in the end. No spoilers here, but it could have been done a bit better and with much better ending lines.

Watch this movie with someone who has actually been to Venice and enjoy their memories of the place.

Cosa voglio di più "Come Undone" (2010)

Why would a semi- attractive woman agree to an awkward, unsatisfying affair, when she is already in an apparently happy, if routine, marriage? One wonders.

This movie explores this theme, unless something was totally lost to me in translation.

While the story is well-told, there is not much of a story. I struggled to pay attention for the first 40 minutes.

If you like Italian cinema, or if you want to see what Italian middle-class looks like, feel free to watch this movie. Otherwise, I cannot recommend it.

Watch at your own risk.

The Wildest Dream (2010)

If you are not into climbing, or even camping, this documentary may not be your thing. If you are not even mildly interested in the concept that somebody may have reached the top of Mt. Everest before Hillary's documented, and current historical record, again, you may not enjoy this.

For the rest of us, this movie is a delightful mix of documentary, archival footage, and dramatizations. Very well done.

Conrad Anker finds the frozen remains of a British climber who was last seen approaching the summit 75 years earlier. His goal is to prove that Mallory's attempt was possible given the equipment and lack of rigging on the mountain, if not prove that he was indeed on top.

Along the way some very interesting Everest history and facts are presented as well as the introduction of some great personalities.

Watch this movie with a warm cup of chocolate handy.

Luther (2010)

This series is to BBC what Terriers is to FX and Fox. Good guys doing bad things for all the right reasons. I love it. Three words could describe this series. Wicked. Smart. Addictive. I can't stop watching. Seriously.

Deliciously wicked because, while all the regular characters are more or less loveable, they are deeply flawed and guilty of, what in this country would be, felonies. Perfect.

Cunningly smart because a few of the characters are truly genius. The dialogue is quick and limited to only that which is necessary. There is no idle banter. Every word means something.

Addictive because the clever people at "The Beebe" give just enough of a glimpse of the next episode while the end credits play to make ones imagination soar and mouth water. Well done.

Bottom line, this is very well done television.

Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Warren Brown, and Indira Varma are brilliant. I can't say enough very nice things about this cast.

Watch this series with your favorite crime solving friends.

The Way Back (2010)

Sometimes surprises come from odd places. Plot descriptions for this movie do not do it justice. Yes, a group of prison camp escapees walk 4000 miles to freedom, but there is so much more than that. There are character evolution, surprises, humor, stunning photography, and great survival tips.

Dragos Bucur, a relative newcomer, is surrounded by veteran stars and still manages to hold his own. Ed Harris plays the lone American in this international group of escapees. Colin Farrell plays a Russian thug who helps facilitate the escape but does not make it to the promised land. Spoiler you say? Not so fast. See for yourself.

Saoirse Ronan is the sole woman with any significant role here and she holds her own very well. In fact, one might say she is key to getting the survivors to India. You will also likely recognize Mark Strong in a role that is very uncharacteristic for him.

This movie earned a "Best Make-up" nomination, which may surprise you. What make-up you ask? Exactly!

Watch this movie with someone who likes camping.

Hereafter (2010)

To many of us the phrase real psychic is an oxymoron. This movie actually pokes a little fun at that as well. For the believers, this movie gives proper reverance to those on both sides.

This is not however, an easy movie to watch. That might explain why it did not do better at the box office. The story jumps around a bunch, sometimes masterfully; sometimes a little confusing. One must pay attention and keep up with the subtitles during the Paris scenes.

Matt Damon does a very interesting job playing the publicity shy introverted psychic. Cécile De France is fantastic as a new convert to the possibility that something and someone is on the other side of the veil. The McLaren twins do a great job being themselves.

Clint Eastwood does his usual classy job directing this complex story. It begins and ends well and makes for very interesting watching between.

Watch this movie with someone who can discuss spiritual issues without getting all religious.

Burlesque (2010)

This is a little bit Splash Dance, little bit Moulin Rouge, and just a little bit Cabaret with an LA twist. All in all, it's a fun movie if you like singing and dancing with a little sex on the side. Keeping the PG-13 rating was surely important at the box office, so make that very little sex.

Cher plays the owner of a cabaret-like dance club in LA that Christina Aguilera wants so badly to dance in. Cam Gigandet plays one of the bartenders, and Stanley Tucci plays the glue that holds them all together. Brava Seniore Tucci.

This is a good movie to watch loud unless you don't like loud thumping dance music. And if that is the case, don't watch this movie at all. This story really is about the singing and dancing, and a little bit of romance and real estate finance.

Watch this movie with someone who likes a good live show.

Morning Glory (2010)

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at national morning TV shows? You may still have legit wonders after this movie, but at least you will know what some in Hollywood think.

Rachel McAdams plays a very young Executive Producer of the last place show with a very short time to turn it around. Diane Keaton plays the anchor she does not fire, and Harrison Ford plays the reluctant replacement of the fired guy.

Jeff Goldblum and Patrick Wilson play the other 2 main influences in the EP's life and work.

This is not a movie for dummies. There is some very fast highbrow "banter" here and if you snooze you lose your chance for a giggle.

How often does Harrison Ford play a character who is truly nasty?

Watch this movie with someone who is hooked on their morning TV program.

Wild Target (2010)

Has Bill Nighy had this many lines in all his other movies combined? This role appears to have been written for him and his quirky mannerisms and speech patterns.

Emily Blunt is chaotic here and delightful. Rupert Grint can't seem to get away from his Weasley character. But he is very good here.

While the story is by no means new, the characters make it a fun ride. Even the "bad guys" are somewhat lovable. In fact, everyone in this movie is basically a bad guy, no?

Watch this one with somebody who enjoys dry, wry, British humor.

Unstoppable (2010)

To say this movie is about generations getting along might be a bit of a stretch. There is also a little train action too. But that is a major theme. Old school methods clashing with young gun mentality.

Denzel Washington, who used to be one of the young gun guys now settles in nicely in the old school role. Chris Pine, who has not yet been type-cast as the new Capt. Kirk, plays the rookie fresh out of training. Their two worlds collide and in the process a train smashes a bunch of stuff too. The third person in the new dynamic trio is played convincingly by Rosario Dawson.

On the movie gets rolling, he action does not stop (pun intended) until the end. Along the way there is a little humor and a bunch of drama. Since we pretty much know how things end I can't really spoil anything for you. As usual in this case you just can't be sure of the how.

Watch this movie with someone who likes trains.

Secretariat (2010)

Here is another movie from last year where the horse is a hero with personality. As with most biopics, we know how this one ends. What is interesting is the beginning and the middle.

Diane Lane and John Malkovich are as unlikely a pair off screen as off. But in this case it totally works. I enjoyed their banter and mild battles. If the real people involved in this story are as interesting as they are portrayed, this is truly a story worth telling. Don't get me wrong, the horse's story along is worth telling.

There are several other familiar faces, new and old. Nelsan Ellis was my favorite. At one point in the movie the owner, Mrs. Tweedy, claims to be the voice of the horse. If that was true, then Ellis's character, Eddie Sweat, was his soul.

Watch this movie with someone who knows nothing about horse racing.

The Next Three Days (2010)

To what extremes would you go to exonerate and then liberate a loved one you believed was falsely incarcerated for murder? Would you become obsessed or would you be able to let it go and move on with your life? What if you were faced with a choice of choosing a child over a spouse? Could you keep your wits about you? This is what faces the main character here, played craftily by Russell Crowe. His wife, played by Elizabeth Banks is sent to prison. There is also a very smart cameo by Liam Neeson in an unusual role for him. With a few minor plot gaps, this story moves quite fast. Pay attention and try not to get hung up on the factual and continuity problems. There are several. Watch this movie with someone you care about and ask them to what lengths they would expect you to go in similar circumstances.

Tangled (2010)

Mandy Moore is fantastic as the voice of Rapunzel in this twisted tale of the original Brothers Grimm tale. As with many others, the original is not necessarily just for kids. Disney's telling here have several layers for everyone.

There are a few other voices you may recognize, but mostly as the "ruffians" the main character is told told to avoid. Have fun identifying them.

This is a very good movie for parents to watch with their kids. Lots of parent/child conceptual drama, and at least a few topics for discussion.

While Disney does a good job of storytelling, this one climbs above many of the rest. Both sides make mistakes and all sides pay the consequences.

Watch this movie with someone who likes to see horses as the hero of a story.

The Fighter (2010)

It takes a very tough person to stand in the ring for more than a few rounds. Same goes for this movie. It is not for the weak-minded or faint of heart. But it is well worth the pain of watching horrible people ruin each others lives. Mark Wahlberg was the main character here and did a great job, but as in the fiction, his older brother played by Christian Bale, gets all the glory and won the Oscar. And their clueless, self-serving mother played by Melissa Leo also won. There is no lack of talent or great performances here, but one one can win. Amy Irving was also nominated for her role as the champ's love interest, but the wicked witch of Lowell won out. Based on real people and events, this movie is a mix of actual and mocked footage. Very well done. And, some of the people in the real story of the early 2000s play themselves. This adds a great feel to the movie. Watch this movie with someone who feels they have to choose between family and success.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

It appears that 8 Hollywood years have passed in the last 23 real world years. But then again if you factor in the court time and appeals etc, the ratio may be much closer. Either way, and the bottom line is, this sequel is not as good as the original. Hopefully they will let it end at that.

Michael Douglas and his character make one helluva comeback here. Charlie Sheen and a few others from the original make cameos. But the story is really about young idealistic lovers played by Shia LaBeouf and Carey Mulligan. It is also about Fathers and Daughters; greed and trust; and a small dose of redemption mixed in.

If you have not seen the original I recommend watching it first even though you may feel let down by the second. A decent job is done telling the back story because so many of today's movie public never saw the first one. But having seen the original I didn't have to spend any time trying to figure out who did what to whom.

Watch this movie with someone who does not understand the financial industry bailout.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

The creative team who brought you Shaun of the Dead are back, without their zombies. What they did bring was twisted respect for Dirty Harry movies. What did that translate into? According to their own claim in the special features, a whole new genre of cop movies. Did they succeed? You decide.

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as more or less complete opposite police officers in a small English village outside London. They come up against a very unusual set events, all while trying to figure out what kind of cops, and men, they really are.

Along the way, with the help of some extreme harsh editing (I used to call this MTV editing), the boys learn all sorts of things in some very funny, very graphic, ways. While this movie is very different from Shaun, the sense of humor and fun is clearly the same.

Watch this movie with someone who is obsessed with cop-buddy movies.

Red (2010)

Retired: Extremely Dangerous. Hope to be there soon!

What is NOT to like about this movie? It is dark, funny, violent, twisty, fast, outrageous, and smart. What a fun ride. I really did not know what would happen next. On that alone I can recommend this movie.

Bruce Willis has played many fun, exciting characters, but this one if my favorite so far. DC Comics may have created Frank Moses, but Warner Brothers missed the boat on this one. Kudos to Summit Entertainment for picking up this project and bringing him to life.

This is the Space Cowboys of spy films. I loved it as much as I love Sneakers.

Watch this with someone who does not believe John Malkovich can do comedy.

The King's Speech (2010)

Clearly one of best movies of the year, but I'm not sure it was the best. It is almost impossible to compare this movie with the likes of Inception. Fiction and biographies don't line up well on the things used to score a film. But compare The King's Speech to the Social Network or one of the other bio-pics from 2010, and it's a solid winner.

That said, this story has appeal for all. The message is healthy and the main characters are all wonderfully real. This movie helps define courage for the vast majority of us who never really have to show any. And it is done in a way we can completely relate to.

Watch this movie with someone who has a personal challenge to overcome.

Megamind (2010)

Very much along similar lines as Despicable Me which was released 4 months earlier, this movie is enjoyable for most of the same reasons. Almost all the characters are over-the-top outrageous and look nothing like their voice-celebs. Both send a good message to kids and have a tidy ending. Both are funny on levels all ages can appreciate.

What I don't understand is why this movie cost almost twice as much to make. Sadly for the suits in Hollywood it made less than Despicable Me so far. I'm guessing the list of big name talent behind the voices had something to do with it?

Bottom line, this movie is funny and smart and moves at a good pace. Because I did not know the names behind the voices ahead of time, I had a great time trying to guess. In almost every case I was pleasantly shocked. If you have a knack for voices and don't know who's who in this movie, I suggest you do the same.

Watch this movie with someone who has yet to discover their true calling.

The Pacific (2010)

This HBO miniseries from the same folks who brought you the award-winning Band of Brothers is maybe a little more raw and real at showing the ugly sides of war. This series has also drawn a number of awards.

If you like long historical war dramas, you will most likely enjoy this one. The characters are likable and the whole feel of the movie is real. They've done a great job weaving several stories together.

The cast is outstanding and there are too many to name. But the 3 prime Marine characters are played masterfully by James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazello, and Jon Seda.

The Blu-ray version has tons of extras, including maps, facts, and a Tom Hanks narration.

Watch this series with someone who might think the Japanese have always been our friends.

Magnum Force (1973)

Some refer to this movie as Dirty Harry 2, and in a way there are absolutely correct. It IS the perfect sequel. I say perfect because it directly addresses the controversy created by the first movie. It is almost as if the creative team thought "okay, you think THIS is fascism in America, we'll show you fascism in America". Dirty Harry was not about fascism but about law, order and justice in a broken system. And the system can be broken in both directions as this installment shows.

Clint Eastwood reprises his iconic folk hero of a San Francisco cop who gets bad guys, regardless of what side of the law they are on. Hal Holbrook does a wonderful job of being his boss.

If you have not seen this series in a long time, watch to see how many familiar faces you can spot and how many other rogue cop shows follow this pattern. If you have not seen the series at all, put this on your list and see how the genre was perfected 30 years ago.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks law and order is the solution.

Get Low (2009)

If you enjoy Depression era backwoods humor, you will most likely love this movie. If you appreciate good storytelling, I'm sure you will include this among your recent favorites. It is actually a movie about storytelling, sort of.

Robert Duvall and Bill Murray are prefect in their roles; a Tennesee hermit with 40-year-old secrets and a recently relocated Chicago hustler. They each have what the other wants and must bend a little to meet in the middle.

Sissy Spacek is dear as a quiet widow who returns to the old home town. Bill Cobbs knows more about Duvall's flawed character than most but is not about selling redemption. Lucas Black is the one who works to bring them all together.

Somewhere along the lines of Oh Brother Where Art Thou, this is a story of forgiveness. Everyone wants it, and everyone has some to give. No spoilers here, but we have to forgive ourselves somewhere down the line.

Watch this with someone who thinks the know all about that crazy old neighbor down the road.

Dirty Harry (1971)

Forty years ago a genre of cop stories was perfected and an iconic American folk hero character was "born". Before there was "I'll be back" and "Yippee-ki-yay, mother...", there was ""Do ya feel lucky punk?" and "Go ahead, make my day."

Clint Eastwood's Harry Callahan expressed what many were thinking at a time in our country when the concept of political correctness just getting it's legs. Some say the phrase "anti-hero" was coined to describe Dirty Harry. Was it a pro-fascism movie? Was it anti-liberal? You decide.

If you have not seen this movie or it's sequels, you owe it to yourself as movie fan to see what some consider the Father of Rogue Cop movies. Truth be told this genre was not new, but it was never done better. Dirty Harry was released the same year as The French Connection, another great in the same theme. They may have just been a reflection of what a large segment of the population was thinking then. Have times come full circle? Notice any familiar notions?

Watch this movie with someone who remembers the Silent Majority.

Tamara Drewe (2010)

Fans of the British comic of the same name should enjoy this. Writer wanna-bes should too. And, if you want to see a vague modernized version of "Far From the Madding Crowd", this may be something you'd like.

It is a basic predictable but funny, British romantic comedy.

Gemma Arterton plays the title role with apparent relish and zeal. Dominic Cooper and Luke Evans vie for her attention, as do many other members of the cast.

This a fun lite-fare movie to watch when all you want is to giggle at the comings and goings of a small English town.

Watch this movie with someone who dreams of being with a proper rock and roller.

Sex and the City 2 (2010)

True fans of the series should enjoy this installment. Movie snobs may not. Expect to be torn if you are both. All the regulars are back with a couple of great cameos and additions.

For me, the Liza Minelli cameo was the best. What a great surprise. Penelope Cruz and Miley Cyrus were also fun to see. Ron White was a surprise, but brief.

This movie is full of great one-liners and puns. But it is also full of examples of what it means to be an ugly american. That dulled some of the fun for me.

Watch this movie with someone who won't need to use a cheatsheet to remember who all the players are.

The Social Network (2010)

A good story? Check. Who among us does not have a Facebook account or know somebody who does? Well told? Double-check. Wise use of flash-backs and excellent cinematography makes an otherwise "normal" story more interesting.

Jesse Eisenberg is brilliant as Zuckerberg, the world's youngest billionaire and co-founder of Facebook. This is his story. As one telling line toward the end of the movie points out, the guy was not an asshole but he was trying very hard.

Social retards rarely realize the impact they have on others.

Another very interesting performance in this movie is by Justin Timberlake. He plays the guy who founded and lost Napster. Timberlake does a super job of showing how much impact this guy had on Facebook. Very interesting.

You don't need to have a Facebook account to understand this movie, nor do you need to understand computers or venture capitalism. But all those things will help. The dialogue is very fast and often technical or slang.

Watch this movie with someone who can explain at least 2 of the 3 things above.

Luftslottet som sprängdes "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (2009)

This is a very fitting end to the wild ride that this series truly was. Released in the US dubbed in English, I highly recommend watching in the original Swedish and letting the subtitles do their thing. There is not really that much dialogue anyway.

This addition has far less action and violence than the first two - well, except for the last 10 minutes. Don't miss them. Seriously, they tie the entire work together in one of the tidiest endings I've ever seen.

This movie is more of a psychological-courtroom drama than the psycho-thrillers that preceded it. There are plenty of answers to questions raised previously and a few new questions asked that are left for the audience to ponder. Brilliant storytelling.

Don't get me wrong there is plenty in this movie to be uncomfortable about, but less of it.

Do you need to see the first two to get this one? No, but you should see them to truly appreciate the final episode.

Watch this movie with someone who may or may not feel paranoid sometimes.

Inception (2010)

Twenty years ago Jane Wagner asked, through a character played by Lilly Tomlin, "What is reality anyway? Just a collective hunch." In this movie we return to that question. Is reality just an illusion?

Writer and Director Christopher Nolan may well be a cinematic genius. He is certainly one fine story teller. As many others have pointed out, this movie is a beautiful synthesis of new and old movie making. They are done so well together you almost forget the line exists between whats real and what CG. But that is, after all, the point of the movie.

Leonardo DeCaprio continues to impress me. I try very hard to not like him but every movie he does beats that impulse down with great gusto. The rest of the cast are very much in a supporting role here, but the names and their work are equally stunning.

Joseph Gorden-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Dileep Rao, and Cillian Murphy, all young guns with good resumes join as senior cast with huge names; Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Pete Postlethwaite, and Michael Caine.

No spoilers here, but from the get-go this movie keeps you guessing about which reality is which. You will have to draw your own conclusions.

Watch this movie with someone who has vivid dreams.

Night Catches Us (2010)

This movie is good for those of us who remember the Panthers, and it is also good for those who have never heard of them. Anthony Mackie does a great job showing us a wide range of conflicting emotions. His character returns home to a 1976 Philadelphia neighborhood torn by racial and religious rifts. Kerry Washington plays the woman he left behind. Their relationship has changed as have most in the old neighborhood.

What's good here are the many directions Mackie's character is torn. Family pulls one way. Old friends and foes another. The secrets of his past pull yet another, as does his desire for the right people to know who did what to whom, when, and why. No spoilers here.

If you can ignore the cell antennas atop a building early in the movie you really do get the feeling of being "back in the day." The music is great and the surely not too much has changed in some parts of town. The cinematography is very good except for a few detail goofs, but they are very small. I loved the shot of the fireflies rising up out of the morning grass near the end of the movie.

No doubt similar scenes played out is all large US cities around this same time.

Watch this movie with someone who knows nothing of the strife and turmoil of the time.

Despicable Me (2010)

Want a fun, cute little movie you won't have to think about too much? This is a good one. Want a movie you can watch with kids of all ages and not worry about what may or may not happen or be said? This comes as close as movies come these days.

The animation is first rate and over-the-top outrageous. In this case, that is a great thing.

The voices come from some very surprising big names. Don't bother trying to match them up by ear. You need a list to believe you ears in this one. Happily, the animated characters look nothing like their voice counterparts as is the case with so many CG toons lately.

Here is a short list:
Steve Carrell
Jason Segel
Russell Brand
Julie Andrews (no kidding)
Will Arnett

The voices of the 3 little girls who change the bad guy's world are fantastic. I hope they can act as well as they read. Oh wait, they can, and already have.

Watch this movie with someone who was a fan of Mad Magazine's Spy vs Spy.

Inhale (2010)

What would you do if you had to make a choice on the epic scale of Meryl Streep's Sophie, or Dermot Mulroney's Paul in this movie? We think that would be an easy answer, but watch the movie and think again.

Diane Kruger plays the wife of Mulroney's District Attorney on the quest of lungs for his diseased daughter. When the normal channels fail them this distraught couple goes for an "dirty secret" alternative.

The makers of this film clearly have an agenda and the story does help tell it well. If you don't mind the message, the film is actually very well made. On the other hand, there are parts of this movie that are hard to watch, especially if you are a parent.

There are plenty of other strong performances by familiar faces, but Kristian Ferrer, as young Miguel (aka Jefe), steals the show for the most part.

Watch this movie with someone who appreciate the multiple ironies.

The A-Team (2010)

This is a very worthy adaptation of the old TV series of the same name. Didn't see the TV series, no worries. You can still enjoy the movie - character set up is excellent. I love it when a movie starts telling the story before they run the opening credits.

While the story shows scenes from all over the planet, scenes with actors were shot almost exclusively in Canada. Liam Neeson, plays the leader of an Alpha-team of misfits. Despite being a non-smoker, he appears to love the Colonel's signature cigar. Bradley Cooper plays the charming schemer and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (yes, of UFC, MMF, and WWF fame) reprises the role made famous by Mr. T.. Jessica Beal is delightful as the Capt. Sosa trying to catch them all.

The biggest surprise is the performance by Sharlto Copley. His "functional lunatic" character is comic glue that keeps this movie from taking itself too seriously. I enjoyed his role here much more than his District 9 character.

Although this is another in a long line of movies where you may have trouble figuring out who the bad guys really are, rest assured, you will know in the end. No spoilers here.

Watch this fun action comedy with someone who won't get hung up on the differences or similarities between this movie and the TV series.

L'arnacoeur (2010) Heartbreaker

A little bit Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and a little bit The Valet (also French), but enough of it's own strength to stand alone. If this movie had been made in the US the perfect stars might have been Colin Farrell and Scarlett Johansson with Johnny Knoxville and Rachel McAdams as partners in crime.

But fortunately the is a French film will all that goes with that. Instead Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis got the roles and the story is better for it. François Damiens and Julie Ferrier play the heart breaker's gang. Funny stuff.

Shot is some very exotic locations, including Paris (of course) and Monte Carlo, this is a good movie to see as well as hear. If you don't mind English subtitles, the French is actually quite easy to follow.

This story really does leave you wondering the boy will get the girl right up until the end. I like when that happens. And in a French movie you never know which boys and girls will end up with each other. That makes for fun storytelling.

Watch this with someone who enjoys a good romantic comedy with twists.

Knight and Day (2010)

If the USA had a James Bond, I would like to think the Roy Miller character here would come pretty close to fitting the bill. I enjoyed this movie more than I expected to. Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz had wonderful chemistry. The action is almost non-stop and the dialogue is smart and snappy. They do not over the funny bits and good guys are not always perfect. Cruise and Diaz do most their own stunts too.

Peter Sarsgaard is almost understated as the FBI agent chasing the two of them. No spoilers here, but there are times when it's okay to wonder who the good guys and bad guys really are. It all clears up in the end.

The PG-13 rating is okay which helped it receive a Teen Choice award nomination. The would actually be a fun family movie to watch. Something for everyone.

Watch this with someone who knows something about restoring or American cars.

The Town (2010)

This may be the best thing Ben Affleck has done since Good Will Hunting. Once again he is acting his own material, but this time he directs too. This is also one of the smarter bank heist movies in a while, but not as smart as Inside Man.

Rebecca Hall definately adds a touch of class to what would otherwise be a pretty grim, gritty, tale. Jeremy Renner is once again great as the guy who skates the fine line between sanity and psyho-killer. Jon Hamm is very smart the FBI agent going after all of them.

No spoilers here, but I love the bittersweet ending.

This was Pete Postlethwaite's next to last move, and while his role was small, it WAS pivotal. I have been a fan of Pete's work in the Sharpe series on BBC. Pete will be missed.

Watch this movie with someone who has a strong tolerance of Boston accents, rough language, and car chase scenes.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Most of us don't need to travel to three exotic locations to learn how to eat, pray, or love. This movie is the story of a real person who did however. And, as odd as it seems, all the characters in this story are very easy to relate to.

While it is not a cinematic masterpiece, it is also like a little mini-vacation. And isn't that really what we want from a movie?

Julia Roberts plays a travel writer from New York who questions her identity. After a painful divorce she goes to Italy to learn to enjoy doing nothing, to India to learn to pray and forgive, and to Bali to love.

Along the way, she meets some wonderful people played by Richard Jenkins and Javier Bardem. Viola Davis plays the long-suffering best friend and Billy Crudup the husband.

The music and scenery alone are worth the watch in this movie. Then you get the subtle lessons, little gems really, punctuating the entire story. All combined it is a good movie to watch with people you are close to.

Watch this with someone who needs to learn at least one of these lessons.

Soul Kitchen (2009)

Murphy's Law appears to apply in Germany as well, at least it does for owner of bad cafe in a bad location. Could any of us rebound from the loss of our significant other, a visit from the tax collector, a conspiring childhood friend, the health inspector, a deadbeat brother who is supposed to be in prison, and a back injury, all within a few days of each other?

Adam Bousdoukos is fantastic as the luckless restaurant owner. Moritz Bleibtreu is the convict brother. Funny stuff. Birol Unel is a Turkish version of Chef Ramsey. Pheline Roggan is delicious as the waitress who binds them all together.

While this movie is in German with English subtitles, it is a very fun watch. The dialogue is not too fast. The music is fun and very danceable - which is the point. The situations both are comic and dramatic. This is billed as a romantic comedy, and I totally agree, on many levels.

Watch this movie with someone who has worked in the food service industry.

Kings of the Evening (2008)

What can you say about a movie that was made in 2008 but not released until 2010, and then grossed less than $100K before being pulled? I know what some might say, but I say this is a decent Christmas movie. What, you say? A Christmas movie?

This is a story of forgiveness, self-respect, honor, and redemption. No, it's not a bible story.

Tyson Beckford, yeah, the super model, plays a down-and-out young ex-con, estranged from his family and his identity. The lovely Lynn Whitfield plays the owner of a boarding house who takes in the Beckford's Homer. Glynn Turman is brilliant as a much older, hapless version of Homer. Rounding out the main characters is Linara Washington who fills the pivotal role here. These 4 working together is movie magic.

Kudos to Director Andrew P. Jones for letting these 4 take the scenes and spin a story worth watching. Yes, white guys can direct. While this is a story taken from South African culture, it is a worthy lesson in self-respect under horrible circumstances.

Watch this movie with someone who will not cringe at the realities of racial tensions during the Great Depression.