Green Zone

What really happened in the months leading up to the US war on Iraq? Surely there are a few who know. Maybe they were consulted on the story feasibility of this movie, maybe they weren't. Either way it's great fiction or shocking history. Most likely it's somewhere between?

Matt Damon plays an army Chief Warrant Officer who is suspicious about why his teams keeps coming up "donuts" on WMD sites around Baghdad. When he starts asking questions he gets help from the CIA in the form of Brendan Gleeson and a Wall Street Journal reporter in the form of Amy Ryan. They are all three pitted against Greg Kinnear is one of his best "bad guy" roles ever.

This movie has the stress and feel of "Hurt Locker" without as much intensity. There is plenty of action however. Damon's character never sits still.

This movie may be construed by some as anti-war. It may earn that. However, it is NOT disrespectful those who faithfully serve duty's call. Nor do I believe it belittles the people of Iraq.

Watch this movie with someone who still celebrates the now infamous May 1, 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech and encourage them to point out factual flaws with the story.

Flash of Genius

Maybe this should have been called "Splash of Genius"? I know that is not the key quote in the case, but the movie is more about the splash than the flash. The story is too slow to be flashy, but not too slow to be enjoyable. All the characters are likable and the story is surprisingly one most people can relate to. David and Goliath. That's the basic story.

Greg Kinnear is wonderfully flawed and tenacious in this role. His flashes of genius lead from point to point. From inventions to making his case. His character is annoying but gets the job done.

The rest of the cast are very good and there are some very good names on that list.

While this is a predictable bio-pic it is still worth the watch for a couple of reasons. First, the acting and story-telling are very good. Second, the moral of the story is worth the time and consideration.

Watch this with someone who feels like they've been taken advantage of.

Ghost Town

He sees dead people, and they annoy him. Here is the premise. A guy who really does not like people has a near-death experience and afterwards sees all the ghosts of Manhatten. Not enough? Wait there is more. All these ghosts want a favor from the guy who hates doing anything for anyone, dead or alive. It's New York remember.

Writer and Director David Koepp does not usually do movies like this. From Jurassic Park to the most recent Indiana Jones movie (both his screenplays), he is usually about the big-budget action thrillers. This romantic comedy is part homage to Manhattan, part ghost story, and part slapstick. I usually like the out-takes from movies, but in this case the movie is much funnier than the mistakes.

I don't often laugh out loud when I watch a movie alone. With Ghost Town I had to pause the movie in a couple of places because I was laughing so hard. Maybe I had one of those low comedy threshold days?

Ricky Gervais is fantastic in this role. You can't fake a gag reflex like that. And it was funny to me every time he did it. Greg Kinnear does his usual excellent job here in the primary ghost role. Téa Leoni is a darling in this role as the absent-minded scientist for which all the main male characters are competing.

Watch this movie with someone who will get all the subtle gags and quick witty banter.

As Good As It Gets

It may not get much better than this. Jack Nicholson (too many great roles to list here) won Best Actor for this role in 1998, and it still stands as one of his personal best. While I have been told by many that I resemble his character in this movie, it has no bearing on my high regard for the film. Enough said?

Helen Hunt (Twister, Castaway, and What Women Want) earned Best Actress honors for her role here. Can you name how many other stars have earned an Oscar for playing a Waitress? I thought so.

Even if this movie were just these two fine performances, it would be enough. But wait, there is more great, noteworthy, work to discuss.

Greg Kinnear (Sabrina, We Were Soldiers, and The Matador) was nominated for his supporting role but somehow did not win. Robin Williams did however that year? Was it perhaps because Kinnear's character is flagrantly, tragically, gay? Again, I vector off topic.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (A Few Good Men, Jerry Maquire, and What Dreams May Come) brings his now famous smirk into full power as Kinner's best friend and only defender.

And then there is the little dog, who really does carry this movie. Jill the Dog was wonderful. Why isn't there a category for Best Animal Performance?

This movie has almost everything. Big names. Great one-liners. Social taboos. Children. Animals. Characters you hate to love, and some you love to hate. Social commentary.

Does it really get much better than this? Why didn't it win Best Picture that year? Because Titanic did.

Watch it with someone who can't see how their OCD impacts others.