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.