Joueuse (2009)

Marketed in the US as "Queen to Play" on DVD, this French film is a variety of things.  Part girl-power story.  Part chess "sports" story.  Part feel-good success comedy.  Depending on who you are and where you are in your life or your journey, this movie could mean different things to different people.

Kevin Kline plays a mysterious American doctor, "hiding out" in Corsica an island off the coast of France.  His cleaning lady is played by Sandrine Bonnaire who is obsessed with learning to play chess after seeing an America couple playing a very loving game at a hotel.

You do not need to know how to play chess to enjoy this movie, but it will help.  You can absolutely NOT be a male chauvinist however.  If nothing else however, this can be a great little visit to Corsica.

Watch this movie with someone who's passion or talent is greater than their confidence.

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.

De-Lovely

If you were invited to go back and watch your life as a movie, what would it look like?

In this highly stylized, very smart script, Writer Jay Cocks (The Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York) delivers a truly lovely tribute to singer Cole Porter. It begins with an aged Porter sitting in a theater while a state-play is prepared. Once he realizes the play is to be his life, the story gets more interesting.

Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, I Love You to Death, and Dave) is so perfect as Cole Porter, you forget he is acting. It is obvious how much fun he had playing this role. It earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

Ashley Judd (A Time to Kill, and Double Jeopardy) plays Porter's long-suffering, very patient, understanding wife, Linda. As for the historical accuracy of this picture, I cannot give an opinion, and critics disagree. But either way, Judd did a great job with the range of emotions her character went through.

The story moves back to the older Porter sitting in the theater with Gabe (angel Gabriel?) played with stone-cold precision by Jonathan Pryce (Evita and Pirates of the Caribbean series). This type of additional narration adds greatly to the story, and is well written and well-acted.

Even if you are not a fan of Cole Porter music, or that era of shows, this movie is worth the watch because it is so unique. On the other hand, if you do like music from this time, you will love this movie. The soundtrack is worth having on your ipod.

Watch this movie with someone who likes to dance.

I Love You to Death

When she finds out the extent of his philandering, Tracey Ullman decides to kill her pizza shop owner husband Kevin Kline. The problem is he won't die. Even a couple of amateur hit men fail to get it done.

Don't you hate when that happens?

Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, The January Man, and De-Lovely) and Tracey Ullman (what hasn't she done) lead a very strong, very funny cast of recognizable faces. Joan Plowright (101 Dalmatians, Last Action Hero, and Dennis the Menace) stars as the scheming mother in law who attempts to poison Kline with her meat ball sauce. What married guy can't relate to that?

The late great River Phoenix (Sneakers, Indiana Jones Last Crusade, and Stand By Me) and Keanu Reeves (same character he has played in everything from Parenthood to Point Break when he got stoic all of a sudden) show up as determined, but luckless hit men. I have to admit being able to relate somewhat to these two guys. Some days are like that. Their dialogue is actually very very good.

Several other familiar faces and a very fast-paced script make this movie a fun story to watch, regardless of whom you are rooting for. Yes, this is a "guys=bad girls=good" movie, but not to the Thelma and Louise extent.

Watch this movie with someone who will still like you afterwards.