Hancock

Part sci-fi, part action thriller, part romance, and part superhero spoof, this movie has a little something for everyone. Everyone over the age of 12 anyway. Yes, it has a PG-13 rating, which it's earns. A few years ago this would have been an R movie.

Will Smith is very very funny as a drunken super-human-almost-hero. Jason Bateman is the perfect straight man. And, Charlize Theron is just a perfect specimen.

It is a pity this script was tossed around Hollywood for 10 years before this movie was made. As it is, it looks like the suits didn't think audiences would be ready for the story until after all the other superhero movies were sure to make money. I'm guessing they were wrong.

The dialogue in this movie is very funny. The concept is funny. The acting is funny. No matter how you look at it, this is a fun movie to watch. BUT, the movie changes. The last 30 minutes of the film is less funny. Don't worry. it does not get all serious and preachy. It does get a little more exciting.

Watch this movie with lots of popcorn and beverage of your choice.

In The Valley of Elah

The Valley of Elah is where David defeated Goliath. Who is David in this movie and who is Goliath is still a bit unclear to me, but the story is referenced a time or two. I suppose on some level, the character of Tommy Lee Jones is David. Small by comparison. Simple and humble. His Goliath is a little more complex though.

Jones' character likens Goliath to a monster. When he tells the story to a young boy, it is intended to teach the boy how to face his "monsters". It may well be that the monster facing Jones' character is the truth. Or, it could be the Army. Or it could be the war in Iraq. I think he found if difficult to handle the truth.

His sons followed his example and served in the military. His youngest son served in Bosnia and then later in Iraq. Shortly after returning from Iraq, the son disappears. Was he AWOL? Was he killed by drug gangs? Was he lured away by a woman? Few clues are left behind. Seemingly.

Charlize Theron is almost unrecognizably thin in her role here a the only local police detective who helps Jones find his son. Once again she goes to great lengths to physically become her character.

Susan Sarandon plays the mother of the missing soldier. It is a small role, but heart-breaking. She is brilliant.

Many said this movie was anti-war and unpatriotic. Few characters in film history have been more patriotic than Jones' character. I did not find this movie either anti-war or unpatriotic. I did however, find it disturbing, and sad. Regardless of the truthfulness of the events in this movie, few can deny that soldiers today are far different than those of the greatest generation. War is different. The enemies are different. The problems are different.

This movie will most likely not change your opinions about Iraq, or Bush, or anything else. This is not a political movie. It is a gut-wrenching murder mystery. Opps, I just gave away one of the early questions. Sorry.

I can recommend watching this movie, because it is well-made. It is a very compelling story, even if you may not want to watch every scene. Some shots are pretty grisly. So, watch it with those who serve in your thoughts. Then go out and find a way to help them cope; either as a group or as individuals.

The Cider House Rules

Seven Nominations and two wins. I don't always agree with who gets an Oscar, and this is one of those cases. This movie deserves more. This movie is on my top-20 list.

Michael Caine carried this movie. With a cast of much younger, but no less talented, actors, his solid performance won Best Supporting Actor and wove their work together. His importance to this movie is similar to the fictional orphanage in the story.

Tobey Maquire (Pleasantville, Spiderman series, and Seabiscuit) is the main character and represents all the character evolution as he should. His work here shows a wider range than some of his other work, and he is totally believable.

The other main character in the story is Maquire's character's love interest. Charlize Theron (That Thing You Do, Sweet November, and In the Valley of Elah) plays one of her more loveable roles here. So many of her characters are off-the-charts rough around the edges to say the least.

Most of us did not grow up in an orphanage. This story will help us better appreciate what we had no many how bad we felt we had it. Watching this movie may motivate you to go out and adopt someone. Fair warning.

Another warning is in order. More than one abortion occurs during this movie. Not on screen mind you, but you know what happening when it happens. And a healthy debate ensues between the main male characters.

If you can handle that, you will should enjoy this well-written, well-acted, visual masterpiece.

Watch it with someone who loves children.