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.