Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

This sequel was perfectly set up. Making it work was, in the brilliant words of a new cast member, "not really rocket surgery". As a rule of thumb sequels suck in my opinion. This one does not. In fact, I think they took the best parts of the first all the way to the bank this time.

After 10 years of real time (8 years screen time) the boys are back in Boston and gunning for a group of bad guys. The new characters, played wonderfully by Clifton Collins Jr. and Julie Benz, add new layers of funny. As off the hook as Willem Defoe's character was, these too are even better and fit into the story perfectly.

Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus are back and randy as ever. They are at their best when fighting each other, bumbling through jobs, making friends and influencing people.

The story goes from silly to sublime amongst some very sloppy editing, but otherwise it's a fun ride.

Watch this with someone who has seen the first or it won't make sense to them.

Sunshine Cleaning

Can you handle a movie about overcoming dysfunction? Can you handle a story about suicide? Can you deal with a movie that is about dealing with the messes left behind by departed loved ones? If not, don't watch this movie. Among other things, these are the central themes of this movie.

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are very good as sisters who try to work together in a crime scene cleaning business. Toss into that mix of a well-intended but seldom successful entrepreneur father played by Alan Arkin. All are very likable characters but deeply flawed and scarred by a common occurrence.

Additional characters are also very strong. Steve Zahn and Clifton Collins Jr. are wonderful as the men next most involved in the sisters lives. These two veterans rarely get top billing but are masters at their craft.

A very young Jason Spevack is a very interesting side story here. While he is the son of the main character, his plot line is not a main story line but makes for very good entertainment. I'll wager we see more of this kid in future productions.

This movie is about very normal people who try very hard to lead happy lives. And despite their best efforts have a very hard time of things. You may or may not relate to these people, but hopefully you will find some respect for their trials. No everyone has it as easy as some of us.

Watch this movie with someone who knows what it means to struggle for just some of the basics.