Adam

Allegedly we are all supposed to learn something from every relationship we have. This movie is about learning from relationships. Actually it's more about 2 odd people working at making a relationship succeed, but in the end, each has learned from the journey.

We should be so clever and fortunate to learn so much so well from our relationships.

Hugh Dancy plays a young electronics engineer suffering from Asperger's Syndrome. He meets and falls for only-child-syndrome sufferer, Rose Byrne. The two strangers become neighbors, then lovers, then friends. Each is better for the experience but each hurts as well.

As Indie romantic dramas go, this sets the bar very high. There is a wide range of emotions for both characters and audience. The supporting cast is totally believable and easy to relate to.

Peter Gallagher plays the girl's gregarious father. Amy Irving the faithful mom. My favorite however is the Frankie Faison character. I've liked Faison's work since his very funny performance in the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair.

Watch this movie with someone who really really likes mac and cheese.

Shooting Dogs (Beyond the Gates)

This movie was released as Beyond the Gates here in the US, but most other places had the original, far more fitting, title. This is a fairly similar story to Hotel Rwanda without the happy ending. Not that the story of 1990s Rwanda had ANY happy endings.

John Hurt and Hugh Dancy are brilliant together as differing generations dealing with the same crisis of conscience. Dominique Horwitz, new to us Yanks, but well known in his homeland, plays the head of a French delegation of UN troops in Rwanda at the time to observe the peace. His own struggle is as much a part of the story as any one's.

Based on actual events as told by the few survivors, this is a touching story with all too real action on both sides. As a resident of different African nations 20 years prior to this story, I observed the tribe-on-tribe violence and hatred that this story brings to light. Far worse than the racism most of us are familiar with, this movie shines fresh light on why the word genocide was used in this case.

This movie is not for everyone. There are strong religious and political themes. If you are not comfortable with your own beliefs in light of what others think, you may want to watch something less challenging. Otherwise this movie should prove entertaining, informative, thought provoking, and possibly even lead to action on your part.

Watch this with someone who as has lived in Africa and see if they recognize anything or anyone.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

What a surprise! This is not a half-bad romantic comedy. There is even a pretty good moral to the story. The music is fun, the clothes are great, and all the characters are believable.

Isla Fisher pulls off the lead role of her career (so far) here. This minx who stole our hearts in Wedding Crashers does it again as a talented writer with a urge to splurge. I'm told she captures the book's character perfectly.

I even enjoyed the narration. To work well in a movie a narration has to be well-timed and delivered perfectly. This movie is a good example. There was not too much and not too little.

A fairly deep line-up of stars make appearances as well: Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and John Lithgow all show up and do not disappoint as New Yorkers of one ilk or another. Even Lynn Redgrave has a memorable scene.

And speaking of scenes, please rent this movie just to watch the first dance scene at a Miami salsa club. Pure comic genius. Lucille Ball would be proud of this little Redhead.

Watch this movie with someone who loves to use credit cards.