Iron Man 2 (2010)

How does a movie that cost $200M make money? Star power, special effects, surprises, and a pretty good story. This movie has them all and made more than 50% back on the opening weekend. How nice for the suits in Hollywood.

The sequel itself was better than I expected and a lot of fun to watch. I can highly recommend the Blue-ray version with the surround sound turned WAY up.

Robert Downey Jr returns as the barely-in-control Tony Stark. Supposedly his character is based on the Oracle founder Larry Ellison who has a cameo role to go along with his liberal product name placement throughout the film.

Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts and gets her shot at the top spot. No spoilers here.

My favorite new character is played by Scarlett Johansson. Her boss is played deliciously by Samuel L. Jackson.

Don Cheadle comes on board as Rhodes. I actually like his version better.

Mickey Rourke clearly did his homework here. Best thing he has done in a long time.

Watch this movie with someone who will enjoy sitting back, turning it up, and rock(et)ing OUT!

Vicky Christina Barcelona

This movie is about crazy people. You may feel free to define crazy any way you like and it will still probably apply. There is a good deal of comparison here as to who is crazier. Is it the Yuppie couple who want the house in the burbs with a pool and tennis court? Or is it the free-spirit American tourist who claims to want the opposite? Perhaps its the suicidal artist who is jealous of her ex-husband and tries to kill him frequently. Is it the American ex-patriots living in Barcelona or the local guy who paints and loves and lives his life?

You decide.

I think the least crazy person in this film is the painter, and then maybe his father. Everyone else is pretty much delusional, pretending to be, or wishing they were, someone, or something else. Only the painter and his father are exactly who they want and totally honest.

Woody Allen is still a genius.

Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson are two very confused American tourists who go to Barcelona. They meet other confused people, but they both fall in love with the same guy. The painter.

Javier Bardem is the painter. Remember this is the same guy who played the creepy killer in "No Country for Old Men". Bravo Mr. Bardem. This is great work.

Watch this movie with someone who will see past the stereotypes into the deeper meaning of restless souls.

The Spirit

I can give you 3 great reasons to see this movie - Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, and Scarlett Johansson. If that does not work for you here are 2 more reasons - Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson.

Now, if you don't like graphic comics or the movies made about them, you won't like this movie. If you liked Sin City or 300 or such, you may like this one. I did. And, here are a couple more reasons to watch the movie - Paz Vega, Stana Katic, and Seychelle Gabriel.

This movie does a great job of giving backstory along with the current story. And it even sets up the sequel with a funny twist. Again though, if you don't like this sort of comic, or novel, or movie, don't expect to fully appreciate all the little subtleties. Every part is over-acted, every line is intense. That is how these stories work.

If you go into this with a fun sense of humor and a playful mentality, you may really enjoy yourself. Find a character you can relate to get into it.

Watch this with someone who likes fast women and pretty action.

The Other Boleyn Girl

If you like period films about life "at court" in the 1500s, you may like this one. If you like torturous family dramas, you may also like this one. If you like both, you are in for a treat.

Based somewhat in fact and reality, this story is dark, brutish, and short, much like life itself was in those days. The acting here is just this side of over the top, but I suppose one wants that in a romantic drama.

Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson play the two Boleyn sisters who are talked into seducing King Henry VIII to gain the family added prestige and power "at court" by their father and Uncle. Both girls are temporarily successful, and both produce a female heir to the throne.

The drama revolves around the alleged competition between the sisters and the scheming of other family members. It is a good story, but one that most folks may find a little difficult to relate to, depending on one's background and culture. No doubt things like this still happen today.

The story itself is well told. The costumes are great and the music is enjoyable. Eric Bana does a pretty good job or portraying the well-known monarch.

Watch this movie with someone who will understand that nobody wins in this story.