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.

Crossing Over

What "Crash" did for racial issues this movie does for immigration issues - almost. Crossing Over follows a similar format with A-List stars, compelling familiar scenarios, and short scenes to hold our attention.

The difference? The point of Crash was that everyone is both guilty of, AND a victim of, racism. That is not the case with immigration issues. So to that extent, the movie comes up a little short if held to the same standard as Crash. Otherwise, it is a very good collection of stories, very well told.

Harrison Ford plays a senior ICE agent who struggles with doing whats right and doing whats expected. Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd play a married couple both involved in immigration issues but from different sides of the law. Jim Sturgess and Alice Eve play a couple who are in the country illegally and will do anything to stay. Cliff Curtis plays Ford's partner at ICE and a member of a family who struggles with cultural heritage and the realities of American life. All the paths eventually cross.

I'm curious what Sean Penn's original part was on this. Any ideas?

Watch this movie with someone who was not born here.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

This was clearly not the fun roller coaster ride of Raiders or Last Crusade, but I think this movie was at least a bit better than many critics have made it out to be. I liked it, but I didn't love it. Last Crusade remains the best of the series in my opinion.

Any time you get Steven Spielburg and George Lucas together on a project you MUST accept that is will be a little cutting edge. I highly recommend watching the Extra Features on this DVD before watching the movie. That may accomplish a couple of things. First, you hear from the Titans themselves about how hard it was to decide to do this project and why it took the direction it did. It makes total sense once you have from them. Second it will catch you up on some of the high points of the previous 3 films. You don't need to have seen the first 3 to get or enjoy number 4, but I recommend it.

Harrison Ford was 65 when this movie was finished and he looked great and played the role of the now-senior Dr. Jones very well. Karen Allen reprises her role as Indy's old flame with a significant twist.

Jones is fighting the Russians this time now that WWII is finally over and the Cold War has begun. His nemesis is played by the ever-amazing Cate Blanchett. John Hurt is the big surprise and delightful member of the expedition.

Some have said there was too much CG in this movie and yes, there are significant amounts. But, I did not find it distracting. This movie could not have been made without it, or it would have been done very badly.

Like Spielberg, I would have been content to let the Crusade end with Raiders III. But I do not think this movie was a mistake even if the story bears striking similarities to "Secret of the Incas" starring Burt Lancaster in 1954. But if you know this history of the creative team behind Raiders in the late 1980's, they were wide open about using this great movie an an inspiration. End of story.

Watch IJ4 with someone who will suspend belief with you and enjoy the ride.