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.

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.