A Glance Back at December 2011

As 2011 draws to a close in about seven hours, there are three notable movies. Granted, I haven't seen MI3 or Sherlock Homes as of yet, but either one of them will have to go some to pass the following:
The Muppets is a wonderful family movie filled with singing, dancing and corny lines. It is a crowd pleaser as we reunite with the familiar faces of Kermit and Miss Piggy.
The Artist is a black and white silent film which pays tribute to the films of the Roaring Twenties before talkies became popular.  A very unique film with no dialogue which drove me a little crazy but it is so well done that The Artist will receive multiple nominations.
My Week with Marilyn is a movie that I saw again today. I took my aunt and my son and they both enjoyed it. My aunt who would be able the same age as Marilyn if she were alive, though it was a movie that showed Marlyn's life with great sensitivity. Michelle Willams will receive an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Monroe.

A Look Back - 2011 Fall Movies

As the year draws to a close, some of better and best movies of the year are released. Here are some of the more memorable ones.

October - A Dolphin's Tale and Take Shelter.  A Dolphin's Tale is a wonderful family movie about a young boy and girl's attempt to save a dolphin who has lost its tail. Without a tail, a dolphin can't survive because the tail serves as a rudder. Thanks to a family's efforts in saving a rescue center for sea life, a doctor who works with prosthetics is asked to create an artificial tale for the dolphin. A heartwarming, true story. A must see for the entire family.
Take Shelter is a movie that has the viewers on the edge of the seats asking, "Is Curtis keenly tied to the changes in the environment or is he suffering from the same mental illness as his mother?" Well done movie with a Twilight Zone feel.

November - The Way. Martin Sheen stars as a doctor who journeys through the Spanish countryside on a pilgrimage with his son Daniel's ashes. As he walks and grieves, various characters, and some of them are characters, accompany him along his journey. As annoying as they are, the group bonds. Very touching, quiet movie.

A Look Back - 2011 Summer Movies

The summer of 2011 brought the usual fare of highly advertised action adventure blockbusters, and some of them had disappointing attendance. Looking back, here are the highlights of the summer:

July - Project Nim. Project Nim is a documentary about teaching a young chimpanzee who is taught sign language at a primate center in the early 1970s. Nim is treated like a human and is even raised with a family with young children. As time goes on, Nim becomes stronger and stronger. He eventually becomes unpredictable and violent. He is sent to the Oklahoma Primate Center and is not treated well. This is a  behind  the scenes look at a sad story of a primate that is  the object of human treatment, which really is mistreatment. Project Nim is one of the best documentaries of the year.

August - The Help, Sara's Key, and The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. August had a trifecta of great movies. There were even several more movies that almost made the list but this trio is hard to beat.
The Help is the story life in a small Southern town in the early 1960s as shown by two perspectives, the well-to-do white Junior League housewives and that of their African American maids and nannies. This is a movie that has the audience laughing and crying, sometimes almost simultaneously.
The Help will receive multiple Oscar nominations.
Sara's Key is a story of a Jewish family torn apart by the Holocaust. The film moves between the present and the past. A journalist uncovers secrets about her husband's family during the roundup of Jews in France. As she digs deeper and deeper, the story of two young Jewish children unfolds. Although the past cannot be changed, the present and future will be. Another must see.
The Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the prequel to the 1970s movie, The Planet of the Apes. Extremely well done, this is a hit that will please science fiction fans. The special effects are well worth seeing for themselves alone. I expect several Oscar nominations in some of the lesser known categories.

September - Moneyball.  I love movies about baseball and this is one of the better ones. Based on a true story, Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's. Given a small budget, he builds a winning team by hiring overlooked talent. He is the laughing stock of baseball as the team loses game after game. Given time, the team begins to gel and win, win, win. Moneyball is a crowd pleasing grand slam.

We Bought a Zoo (2:04) 2011

Benjamin Mee is a recent widower with a thirteen year old son, Dylan, and a seven year old daughter, Rosie. He abruptly quits his job and buys a  house in a different town. The purchase of his residence is "complicated". The Mees have bought a zoo with forty-six different wild animals. The family, along with the zookeeper and the crew, work hard to reopen the zoo. As the opening nears Mee runs out of money and he is at odds with his son. Dylan wants to return to the home where he grew up. Of course, there are other complications, an aging tiger and projects needed to be completed in order to receive approval for the adventure park opening. In the movie, Field of Dreams, the famous line is "build it and they will come". Will Benjamin and his family discover that this is true of zoos? This is a wonderful family movie which is based on a true story. The children and nature loving adults will love all the scenes with the animals. Rosie, the seven year old girl, is an adorable young actress. There is a moving scene with Benjamin and Dylan as they are struggling with the loss of Katherine, the wife and mother. This is a movie that is well worth seeing this vacation week.

A Look Back - 2011 Spring Movies

The following are movies that are well worth renting if you missed them on the big screen.

April - It's a tie - Water for Elephants and Jane Eyre.  Water for Elephants is the story of a young veterinarian who leaves his home when his parents are killed in a car accident. Jacob joins the circus and travels around the country taking care of the animals. He also falls in love with the owner's wife (Reese Witherspoon). This causes the owner to become jealous and plans on throwing Jacob off the train. Very good period piece.

Jane Eyre - One of my retired teacher friends and I are suckers for English nineteenth century films based on novels by Bronte and Austin. Jane is played by Mia Wasikowska who is fantastic in this role. The panoramic shots of the Moors is breathtaking and adds to the isolation of English country life.

May - Again, we have a tie - Rio and Bridemaids. Rio is a animated story about Blu, a Brazilian macaw, who lives with his owner, Linda. Linda is asked to bring Blu back to the rain forest for breeding purposes.
Soon after arrival, Blu is birdnapped by bird smugglers. He escapes but can't fly and must rely on his bird buddies for assistance. Rio is a great family movie.
Bridemaids - One of the funniest, if not the funniest, movie of the year. The scene where the bride and her bridesmaids go shopping to try on dresses is one of the funniest scenes ever filmed. The audience was doubled over in laughter. It is crude and vulgar but it is fun.

June - Midnight in Paris. Owen Wilson is the star of Woody Allen's latest film. Gil is a writer vacationing in Paris with his fiancee. He longs for Paris in its heyday and one night finds himself in the company of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. This is one of Allen's best works/

The Artist (1:40) 2011

The Artist has received high praise from critics and it is richly deserved. The style of this black and white silent film is eye candy. Hazanavicius, the director, hits the bulls eye with the late 1920s style costumes, hair styles, automobiles and home furnishings. I did struggle with no dialogue because I like snappy dialogue with lots of one-liners. Fortunately, the acting and the soundtrack moved The Artist along at a good pace. The storyline is about the career of George Valentin, a star of the silent films. Being 1929, the talkies become so popular quickly, Valentin finds himself left in the dust with no career or wife. Valentin does have a connection with an up and coming young starlet, Peppy Miller, whom he gave a start. Peppy never forgets Valentin. As her career rises and his fails, she reaches out to give him a helping hand. Will Valentin's pride prevent him from accepting help? I recommend this highly unique tribute to the glory days of Hollwoodland but I again caution viewers that there is no dialogue so be prepared for a very different type of movie going experience.

A Look Back - 2011 Winter Movies

As 2011 draws to a close and Oscar predictions are popping up, this is a good time to review the movies that I thought, sometimes in disagreement with movie critics, were good quality movies. One movie per month will be highlighted.

January - 127 Hours - yes, I realized that this is really a 2010 movie but by the time I worked up the courage to see it, it was well into January, This is definitely a big screen movie, the scenery was fantastic.
James Franco gave an outstanding performance as a hiker who becomes trapped by a boulder in an cave. No one knows his location or even that he has gone hiking, so help is not on the way. Told in flashbacks, the movie keeps moving, we see the deterioration of his physical condition, and finally his decision to perform his own amputation. Based on a true story, this is a riveting story.

February - Even the Rain - Tambien La Lluvia - Set in Bolivia, a film crew is shooting a movie about Christopher Columbus and the exploitation of the indigenous population.  As the crew is filming, residents of the nearby city are protesting the privatization of  the local water supply. As the film crew realize that the protesters, in this just cause,  are in need of assistance are torn. If they give aid to the protesters, the movie will not be finished within the budgeted time. Viewers see that the struggles of the indigenous people never end.

March - Paul - My son was home for the holidays and we rented Paul as he missed it on the big screen. We laughed at this science fiction comedy starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg as two British tourists visiting all the reported alien sighting spots. Much to their shock, the pair meets Paul, a wisecracking, pot smoking alien. The trio soon find themselves on the run from government agents. While it is a rather raunching comedy, it is funny and recommended for adults,

Offside (1:39) 2006

Iranian filmmaker Jafari Panahi comedy takes place during the Iran v Bahrain soccer game taking place in Tehran. The winner of the game will proceed to the Word Cup. Excitement is running high as the stadium is filled to capacity -  with men, women are not allowed in the stadiums. Several young women are determined to enter the stadium dressed as men. A handful of women are rounded up and placed in a holding area inside the stadium. They can't see the action but can hear the cheers when Iran scores. The women bond during the time they are being held and later celebrate on the bus on the way home. Offside is based on an incident in the director's real life. Panahi's young daughter asked to go inside the stadium while a game was being held. She was not allowed but was able to sneak in somehow. As an American woman, it was hard to imagine that my entrance to a sporting event would be prohibited. When the film was finished, I watched the interview with the director. Panahi related that Offside was prohibited from being screened in Iranian theaters but CDs were distributed on the street so many of the Iranians had an opportunity to watch it at home.

War Horse (2:26) 2011

Albert, the son of farmers in rural England, raises and trains a horse he named Joey. The two have a special bond as they work together to save the family farm. The turnip crop fails just as the British soldiers are coming to enlist men for the first world war. Albert is too young to join up but Joey is leased to a young officer who promises to take good care of him. Albert receives a drawing of Joey from the young officer as he is informed of his death. Albert does know what has happened to Joey but Joey has fallen into enemy hands. When Albert is old enough to join, he enlists and soon finds himself in a trench in France ready to face the enemy. Albert is injured in No Man's Land as Joey is running away from the Germans when he runs into barricades protected by barbed wire. Will these two brave individuals be reunited? War Horse, while a little too long, is a very emotional experience. It takes awhile for the movie to get going but it picks up steam when Joey us sent to the front. We were glad that we saw it on the big screen, the scenery in England was fantastic. The five us agreed that this is not a movie for young children but middle school age  on up will enjoy this movie epic.

The Adventures of Tintin (1:45) 2011

Tintin is a journalist in search of the big story in this Spielberg animated adventure. Tintin buys a ship model unaware that the ship holds one of three clues to a long lost gold treasure. Tintin pairs with Hackett, a ship captain, whose grandfather had lost the gold when his ship was sunk. They travel the world pursuing the two other clues as they are being pursued by Red Rackham, who will use any method to obtain all of the clues. Will Tintin, his dog Snowy, and Hackett survive a place crash in the dessert, being shot at by Rackham's men, and cast overboard in a lifeboat? Will they find the three clues? Will they find the gold? The style of the animation reminds me of an Indiana Jones adventure without the love interest. I thought the movie was too long by about fifteen to twenty minutes. The computer graphics were impressive but the storyline not so much. My nephews liked the movie, I thought it so-so. Based on a comic book series by the Belgian Herge, I'm not quite sure how American children will respond to this movie.

The Music Never Stopped (1:45) 2011

The Music Never Stopped  is a gem of a movie. Gabe is a man in his mid thirties which a large benign brain tumor. Gabe has been estranged from his parents after a disagreement with his father over burning a flag in the protest days of the 70s. He is reunited with his family after a successful surgery. His parents learn that Gabe is not able to form new memories and is "stuck" in the mid seventies. Gabe is a musician who responds to music that he listened to with his father but comes alive, almost normal, when he listens to Rock and Roll. His father doesn't like the Beatles, Stones or the Grateful Dead. Henry, the dad, realizes that if he is to ever have a real conversation  again with his son, he needs to learn about the music his son's loves and and over time, Henry comes to appreciate the Dead and other artists. This is a wonderful, heartwarming story of reconciliation, tolerance and acceptance. I highly recommend this movie, a great story with a fantastic soundtrack.

Warrrior (2:19) 2011

Brendan is a married physics teacher with two young daughters. One of his daughters had a heart condition causing the family to run up huge medical daughters. On the verge of losing his home, Brendan enters a mixed marital arts competition and wins. When he returns to school on Monday, the Superintendent pays him a visit, suspending him without pay. Being a member of a teachers' union, I found this part of the movie unrealistic. Brendan, in real life, would have been given representation from the union including legal counsel. With no money coming in, Brendan enters the SPARTA competition which has a winner take all five million dollar prize. Brendan learns that his brother, Tommy, has returned home from a tour of duty in Iraq, is a hero, and has entered the same competition. The brothers have been estranged for years and are not on speaking terms but may eventually face each other in the ring. Can punching each other bring them closer together? I don't like movies about boxing and fighting. I really am a big fan of Joel Edgerton. The dialogue was not inspired. Nick Nolte was excellent as the estranged reformed alcoholic father and trainer. And I cried at the end.

Toy Story 2 (1:34) 1999

Woody and Buzz are back for another adventure. Andy is away at summer camp and the toys are free to spend some down time doing as they please. A devoted toy collector has his eye on Woody, a cowboy doll who hasn't been in production for a long time. The toy collector steals Woody to add him to the Round Up Gang. With the gang together, the toy collector will send the toys to a museum in Japan. Woody has to make a choice, will he go to Japan to enjoy his status as a rare toy or will he reunite with Andy and his friends.
It's been awhile since I've seen the sequel and this animation is still a lot of fun. It was interesting to Woody and the toys talk about how Andy was getting older and wouldn't be playing with toys much longer, setting up Toy Story 3 very nicely.

Young Adult (1:33) 2011

Mavis is an divorced alcoholic ghost writer for a once popular teen series. She receives an  forwarded email from a  hometown friend  from Mercury, Minnesota announcing the birth of a little girl. The father is  her former high school boyfriend, Buddy. She decides to return to Mercury after talking  herself into thinking her former boyfriend is miserable and bored with his life with his wife and baby daughter. Mavis meets up with Buddy (Patrick Wilson) and decides to make a play for him. Walking into a bar from her early years, Mavis also  meets up with Matt, the invisible boy who had a locker next to hers throughout high school. Matt, a victim of a hate crime and  left with a physical disabilities, strikes up a conversation with Mavis and quickly realizes her plans to go after Buddy. Matt, realizing Mavis is terribly unhappy,  becomes a shoulder to cry on. Mavis soon has to admit and face the realities of her situation. Will she be able to build the life that most people in Mercury think she has? Charlene Theron is absolutely wonderful as the troubled and trouble making Mavis. Her side kick, Matt,  played by Patton Oswalt is a very sweet man who was dealt a terrible blow in high school and is so sensitive to Mavis turmoil and pain. I thought this was a very good movie as I was torn between feeling badly for Mavis and then being angry with the way she treated others.  Young Adult is highly recommended.

Daddy Longlegs (1:38) 2010

Lenny, the divorced father of two young boys, is living in New York City and works as a movie projectionist. His boys, Sage and Frey, live with their mother and spend two weeks of vacation time with their dad. Lenny, who loves his boys, is not a responsible father and puts his needs first. Lenny is impulsive, self-centered, displays poor judgement and needs to grow up. Their vacation time together is very trying for Lenny as he tries to juggle work and fatherhood. He doesn't rise to the occasion and places his children in harm's way. Will the two weeks push him in a new direction - that of a responsible adult? Daddy Longlegs was an independent film which was nominated for an American Spirit Award last year. The movie is low budget in both look and feel. It is an interesting look at parenthood when one of the parents is lacking in the skills needed for this most important job. Being a teacher, I am a mandated reporter when children are suspected of being neglected and abused.  Good thing I wasn't in this movie, as Lenny would have been reported to the authorities making this an entirely different movie.

White Irish Drinkers (1:49) 2010

Brian and Danny are brothers living in 1975 Brooklyn. The younger brother, Brian, works at a local movie theater and has ambitions to be an artist. Danny is a petty thief with ambitions of leaving home. Their father is a brute when he has been drinking and often punches and beats Danny but leaves Brian alone. Danny is arrested after he takes the fall for his friend. Danny has an opportunity to make a lot of money quickly. His opportunity is robbing the theater  after a special concert where Brian works. At first, Brian is willing to look the other way but forgetting to the lock the back door so Danny can slip into the office. Brian, realizes he is loyal to his boss Whitey, who has been very good to him. The night of the concert an unexpected event takes place changing the brothers' lives for ever. This is a true independent gem. The cast of experienced actors and some unknown are excellent. The story is one of a dysfunctional family who are all trying to get through life in the best way they known.

Salem Falls (1:29) 2011

Salem Falls is a Lifetime Movie based on a Jodi Picoult novel of the same name.  Jack, a former social studies teacher, moves to Salem Falls after being released from prison for a crime he did not commit. He takes a job as a dishwasher at the Do-Or-Diner and falls for the Addie, the owner. Addie is trying to rebound from the death of her six year old daughter three years ago.As Jack begins to rebuild his life,  a trio of young girls are dabbling in witchcraft and their leader Gillian, the daughter of a wealthy business owner, falls for Jack. Gillian wants to leave town him but Jack with have none of her plans. Gillian decides to take revenge by accusing Jack of raping her. Jack now faces another trumped up charge and Addie doubts his innocence. will Jack be able to clear his name? This is a typical Lifetime movie and I have to admit, even though it wasn't very good, I kind of liked it in the same way as every once in awhile, reading a trashy novel hits the spot.

Golden Globe Nominations 2012 are Announced

Please follow the link for the list of all nominees for the Golden Globe awards. http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

The Golden Globe nominations for movies are divided into two categories - Drama and Comedy/Musical.

Drama category:  Of the six nominations, I've seen The Descendants, Moneyball, The Ides of March, Hugo, and The Help. The other nomination is The War Horse which will be released on Christmas Day.
As of now, I'm backing The Help.

Comedy/ Musical category: Of the five nominations, I've see these three: The Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris and My Week with Marilyn. The two which I haven't seen: 50/50 and The Artist.

I think The Artist will win based on the buzz on the Internet.

The Devils' Double (1:48) 2011

Latif Yahia is a lieutenant in the Iraqi army fighting the Iranians. Unfortunately, he is a classmate of Uday Hussein and even more unfortunately, looks like him. Latif is drafted to be Uday's body double. Of course, this is an offer he can't refuse. Latif undergoes plastic surgery and dental work to look even more like Uday.
Latif is given clothes, watches, an extravagant lifestyle, and  lives in Uday's palace so he can be at his Uday's beck and call. As Latif spends time with Uday, he realizes that Uday is insane. He witnesses Uday's cruelty, his drunkenness and his drug-fueled mistreatment of women and young girls. Dominic Cooper plays both Latif and Uday brilliantly. The Devil's Double is a fascinating and disturbing  look at Hussein and his inner circle filled with decadence, brutality and madness. Although there are a more than a few scenes that will turn your stomach, it really is worth renting.

Green Lantern (1:45) 2011

As much as I really like movies about superheroes and as much as I really adore Ryan Reynolds, Green Lantern is a movie that isn't worth a rental. The first part of the movie was very hard for me to stick with, the story is that the Green Lantern Corps has chosen Hal Jordan for their newest member. The movie was a little more interesting when Jordan first appears in public to save a large number of people from harm when a helicopter is malfunctioning and will crash into the crowd. Let's face it, even the green ring can't put Humpty Dumpty together again.

My Week with Marilyn (1:39) 2011

Bottom line: Run to the nearest theater to see this movie! Michelle Williams is excellent as Marilyn Monroe and is supported by a fine cast including the great Judi Dench. The film takes place in 1956 when Marilyn is in England to shoot what later came known as The Prince and The Showgirl. Marilyn was directed by her co-star Sir Laurence Olivier, who quickly becomes frustrated with her late arrivals as well as her flubbing and forgetting her lines. The film is based on the memoirs of Colin Clark, a twenty-three year old 3rd assistant director working on his first job. Williams is very convincing as she shows Marilyn's battling her insecurities and her doubts. Colin is very taken, just as all the men are, with Marilyn and falls in love with her as she relies on him more and more on and off the set. Everyone warns Colin that she will break his heart, but it's Marilyn. Who wouldn't give his right arm for that opportunity?

The Other Side (0:17) 2010

In 2040, a man and two two children are living in destitution with few resources and little hope of a better life. There is one dangerous action they can take - cross the border to a country with a higher standard of living. The trio pay a coyote to smuggle them across the border but after the drive turns around at the border, the family has to walk fifteen miles across the desert and mountains to reach the other side.

Windtalkers (2:14) 2002

Joe Enders (Nicholas Cage) returns to duty in Saipan after being injuried during a battle on the Solomon Islands. Enders has lost his platoon and suffered an hearing loss. His assignment in Saipan is not to fight the Japanese but to keep a code talker, Ben Yazhee, alive and out of the hands of the enemy. Yazhee (Adam Beach) is a Native American who speaks his native Navajo language. The US Army used Navajo speakers to send coded messages that could not be broken. The Navajo codes were never broken and used until they were declassified during the Vietnam War. The Native Americans code talkers have been credited with saving many American soldiers lives during WWII. The major criticism of this film is that Windtalkers is a vehicle for Nicholas Cage in an action war themed film. Windtalkers would have been a much better movie if the focus had been on the Native Americans and their stories with a greater focus on the training they undertook to become code talkers.

Get Him to the Greek (1:49) 2010

The bottom line - I just wasted one hour and forty-nine minutes of my life. Get Him to the Greek is crude, vulgar and for a comedy, not really funny. I will give credit to Russell Brand, he is very good as the wasted rock star who is given a chance to make a comeback. Enough said.

Martha Marcy May Marlene (1:42) 2011

Nominated for three American Spirit Awards, Martha Marcy May Marlene  is the story of a young woman who leaves a cult in upstate New York to reunite with her sister. Martha or Marcy, depending on where she is living, spends two years on a farm in a rural area. She is under the "spell" of charismatic Patrick, played brilliantly by John Hawkes, until her group participates in a home invasion which ends badly. She runs away and lives with her sister and brother-in-law in Connecticut. Marcy has difficult adjusting to life outside the cult, she sleeps a lot but also has nightmares. She has vivid flashbacks in which she has difficulty telling if the are dreams or realities. Her sister, Lucy, is concerned about her emotional state as she is in the dark about her sister's life for the past two years. As time goes on and Martha Marcy's behavior becomes more erratic, Lucy realizes the her sister needs help. Will the damaged Martha Marcy be open to receiving the help she badly needs? Elizabeth Olsen is the star of  Martha Marcy May Marlene  and her Spirit Award nomination is greatly deserved. The film itself is a truly independent film with its small budget, excellent cast and a interesting story.

Hot Coffee (1:34) 2011

Many of us remember the newspaper article about the woman who sued McDonald's after she spilled a cup of coffee she was holding between her legs. The jury awarded her over 2.7 dollars in damages. Popular thinking was she won a frivolous lawsuit. Hot Coffee reveals that the coffee she was drinking had a temperature of 170 degrees, a water temperature which causes third degree burns. The documentary also reveals that she was one of seven hundred who filed claims against McDonald's for burns received from the excess water temperature. Hot Coffee continues with an examination of tortes and torte reform. While some of the dialogue is rather technical, this is an excellent look at our legal system with regards to ordinary people trying to receive compensation for injuries.

Toy Story: Small Fry (0:07) 2011

Buzz Lightyear and Woody are back in this animated short shown with The Muppets. Buzz is a miniature toy given with kids meals at the local poultry fast food restaurant. The mini Buzz escapes from the display case and jumps in the little girl's backpack. The original Buzz gets dropped in a playscape filled with balls and is left behind. The mini Buzz goes home and tries to pass himself as the real Buzz. But the gang has their doubts.
This is a seven minute gem!

The Muppets (1:42) 2011

Walter, a muppet at heart, travels to Los Angeles to tour the Muppet Studios. Walter, his brother Gary, and Mary, Gary's teacher girlfriend arrive at the studio to find the studio has been abandoned. Walter overhears plans for the Studio to be purchased by a wealthy oilman who will raze the buildings and drill for oil. Walter, Gary and Mary decide to find Kermit, who has dropped out of sight, to urge him to gather the gang together and put on a telethon. Kermit travels around the country to enlist Fozzie, Animal, the Swedish Chef, and yes, Miss Piggy to come back to perform in the fundraiser. Can they save the studio? This is a super fun movie with lots of singing. dancing and humor. It was great to see all the familiar characters. The Muppets is a fantastic movie for the entire family. This is a definite must see.

Bobby Fischer Against the World (1:33) 2010

Bobby Fischer was a child chess prodigy and  the US Chess champion at age fifteen. In order to become the world champion, Fischer needed to play Boris Spassky of Russia. The twenty four game tournament took place in Iceland in 1972. Fischer did beat Spassky and became world champion at age twenty-nine. Then Fischer realized he now had no goals, no childhood and began to show signs of mental illness. He becomes more and more isolated and disappears from the spotlight and for awhile becomes a man without a country. Years later, he emerges from obscurity  to challenge Spassky to a rematch.  This documentary is a fascinating look at the rise and fall of a chess legend.

Wrangler (1:34) 1988

Set in Australia at the beginning of the twentieth century, Alice is battling to keep her father's horse ranch. After her father's death, Alice learns that the ranch is badly in debt and she has lost the mortgage. Fortunately, the holder of the deed is a wealthy American businessman Ben Creed who is romantically interested in Alice. Unfortunately, Creed loses everything in an explosion including the deed. There is only one chance to prevent the ranch falling into the hands of the local villain - a drover named Jack who is also fond of Alice and Creed's rival. Does this romantic triangle save the ranch? Australian movies are my absolute favorites but this one just didn't cut the mustard for me. Does anyone know if this was a made for Australian television?

Happy Feet Two (1:39) 2011

Mumbles and Gloria are back in this sequel to Happy Feet. Their young son is not much of a dancer. Erik has another focus - he wants to fly. Erik is inspired by Sven, the leader of the Adeles. What Erik doesn't realize is Sven is really a puffin. As Erik and his buddies return home with Mumbles, they discover that an ice shelf has collapsed and their colony is trapped with no access to the sea. Faced with seeing their entire colony including Gloria starve to death, Mumbles and Erik enlist some help from their animal buddies living in Antarctica. The big rescue attempt has the animals dancing to Queen's Under Pressure. Happy Feet Two follows the tradition of sequels not be of the same quality of their original. However, it is very lively and very likable family movie. The panoramic view of  Antarctica and the undersea shots of the krill colony is absolutely gorgeous. Both my daughter and I enjoyed the movie and I recommend it to families looking for an enjoyable afternoon at the movies.

The Tree of Life (2:18) 2011

The Tree of Life is a beautifully filmed nature movie. For that one aspect, I regret missing it on the big screen. The soundtrack greatly adds to the movie going experience.  And that is where all the positive remarks stop. Brad Pitt plays a father of three young sons in the 1950s Waco, Texas. He loves his boys and provides well for them but he is a flawed man. As the boys become preteens, Jack treats them in a harsh manner, at times. The movie jumps from past to present throughout. Sean Penn plays the eldest son but his role is limited to walking on the beach and in the desert. I just didn't understand this film! But I still love Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.

Film Independent Spirit Awards 2012 Nominees

Film Independent announced the nominees for this year's Spirit Awards this morning. Follow the link for the categories and their nominees: http://www.spiritawards.com/nominees.

Best Feature: I need to see 50/50 and The Artist but, for now, I think The Descendants will be hard to beat.

Tibet in Song (1:22) 2008

For many centuries Tibet passed on their folk songs to the next generation through a strong oral tradition. Every activity had a song attached to it, milking and drinking beer are two examples. Dancing the native dances were also a very popular pasttime. In 1950, Tibet was invaded by Chinese who have forced and continue to force their culture on the Tibetans. The Chinese brought radios to Tibet and played Chinese music on the "music boxes". In 1995, a young musician named Ngawang Choephel returned to Tibet to record his native traditional music. Choephel's mother fled Tibet with him when he was two. When he returned, Choephel wanted to meet his father for the first time and travel to the rural areas collecting music. He was eventually stopped by the police, arrested  and sentenced for eighteen years in prison. Tibet in Song contains many examples of folk songs and many shots of the beautiful Tibetan montains and countryside. The Tibetans have suffered greatly from the hands of the Chinese invaders, their courage and culture are to be greatly admired.

Hugo (2:06) 2011

Someone will have to explain to me why Hugo is some highly rated. The cinematography is fantastic in 3D, the boy who plays Hugo is adorable, but the movie drags. I just didn't like the style of the movie and the story is just odd. I really don't think that children will have the patience for the two hour movie. The story is about a young orphan who lives in a train station and takes care of all the clocks. He has a nonworking automaton that he has been repairing. He steals gears and parts from a merchant who runs a toy stop. Hugo learns that the shop owner made movies before the first world war. As my son would say "Big Whoop." Please think twice before spending money for this movie, especially in 3D. And feel free to disagree.

The Descendants (1:50) 2011

Matt King (George Clooney) is a lawyer and the trustee of a very large tract on undeveloped and very valuable land. His wife Elizabeth is in a boating accident and is in a coma on life support. Matt now has to take care of his daughters, teenage Alex and young Scottie which is proving difficult as he considers himself the backup parent. The doctor advises Matt to go around and inform family and friends that Elizabeth's life support will be discontinued per her wishes. As difficult as this, matters become more difficult when Matt is told by Alex that his wife was cheating on him. Matt now has to deal with his daughters, the family land deal, and coming to terms with his wife's death and the knowledge that she was unfaithful. This is a wonderful movie for many reasons. Clooney will be nominated for Best Actor, the daughters are fantastic, the dialogue realistic, snappy and touching. The scenery of Hawaiian the beaches, the mountains and the coast should be seen on the big screen. What I was unprepared for was the many scenes of the family visiting the unconscious and dying Elizabeth in the hospital. The scenes were peppered throughout and up to the end of the movie.

Gone the Wind (3:42) 1939

AMC is broadcasting Gone With the Wind in commemoration of the movie's 75th anniversary. Set in 1861 Georgia, Scarlett O'Hara is the belle of the ball with all the plantation owners' sons. All the young men are vying for her attention but Scarlett has her sights set on Ashley Wilkes. Ashley is very taken but not with her, he is planning to marry Miss Melanie. Scarlett has one admirer from Charleston, wealthy Rhett Butler who is considered to be a real scalawag. War breaks out and all the men enlist in the Confederacy. Melanie and Ashley wed, days later Scarlett and Charles, Melanie's brother wed. Scarlett soon becomes a widow leaving the door open for Rhett to keep her company. Scarlett moves to Atlanta and is there when Sherman's troops  burns the city to the ground. Returning to Tara, the family plantation now in ruins, Scarlett works very hard to rebuild. She marries Rhett but Rhett knows that Scarlett loves Ashley. Rhett is devastated when their young daughter dies in a horse riding accident. After Melanie's death, Scarlett realizes she never did love Ashley. Is it too late to save her marriage? Gone With the Wind is a long time family favorite, my younger sister was named after Melanie. Is you haven't seen this great American classic, please do!

The Boy She Met Online (1:29) 2010

Cami is seventeen and meets a college engineering student online. Or so she thinks. Cami finally meets Jake and begins dating him without her mother's knowledge. After several dates, Cami admits to Jake that she is not eighteen but seventeen. When she admits the truth, Jake tells her his truth, he is not a college student but has just released from prison after serving time for a felony. Tori, Cami's mother, discovers that Cami is dating and dating an ex-con. Jake, realizing that his chances for a legitimate job are slim, starts making a few drug deliveries. Events starts crashing down around Cami and Jake, will their love survive?  The Boy She Met Online is a Lifetime movie with a good premise for this day and age but is just a typical made for television movie.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (1:57) 2011

Much to my surprise I really liked this movie. I have never read any of the books and had just rented the Eclipse sequel to understand why the series is so popular with the Middle School girls in my school. I liked Eclipse and thankfully had my daughter fill in the back story. This morning I went to see Edward and Bella get married and it was a truly beautiful ceremony. During the honeymoon Bella becomes pregnant which comes as a surprise to all. Bella  and Edward fly home because Bell experiences a rough pregnancy. Then an unexpected complication arises, the baby is growing at an alarming rate. This part of the film reminds me of Troi's pregnancy on Star Trek: Next Generation. Edward has to enlist Jacob's help as the werewolves will eliminate Bella's baby.  Breaking Dawn has received poor reviews from the critics but it is very enjoyable two hours. Some of the dialogue is a little hokey but the movie has a great spirit. The soundtrack and cinematography adds to the movie going experience. I am anxious tospeak with the students tomorrow to hear their reactions to Breaking Dawn.

We have your Husband (1:31) 2009

Jayne Valseca is living an ideal life with her husband Eduardo and two children on a Mexican ranch. Although Eduardo is the son of a well known publisher, the Valsecas have worked hard to build up the ranch during their fifteen year marriage. The day after celebrating their anniversary, Eduardo is kidnapped and held for ransom. Based on  true events, the Lifetime Original Movie tells the gripping story of Jayne's dealing with the kidnappers over the course of the next seven months while showing Eduardo's  life in captivity. This was a riveting made for television movie.

I Hate Valentine's Day

The stars of My Fat Greek Wedding, Nina Vardalos and John Corbett, are reunited in this romantic comedy.  Genevieve is a florist who strongly believes in the five date rule. Genevieve fearing being involved in a relationship will go on a maximum of five dates and then says goodbye. Greg, opening a restaurant nearby to the florist shop, meets Genevieve and agrees to the five date rule. After the fifth date, Genevieve realizes she has fallen for Greg and wants a relationship. Greg, does want a relationship but knows better to break the five date rule. Valentine Day is upon them, will they become a couple? A poorly rated movie, it truly does lacks charm.

Beautiful Boy (1:40) 2010

Bill and Kate are on the verge of separation. Their son Sam, away at college for the first time, calls them one night. He is quiet and subdued with little to say. They assume that Sam is experiencing the stress and pressure of college life. The very next day, Bill is at work when the news of a college shooting breaks on the air and the mass shooting has taken place at Sam's school. Fearing for the safety of  his son, Bill rushes home to wait with Kate to receive news from Sam. When the police pull up, the know that a parent's worst nightmare has happened - their son has died. What they are unprepared for is, Sam died by his own hand after shooting 17. Bill and Kate then experience grief, guilt, isolation and every emotion which accompaniessuch  a tragedy. The film explores how Bill and Kate, individually and as a couple, deal with this unthinkable event. Mario Bello and Michael Sheen are excellent as Sam's parents showing a wide range of emotions from gut wrenching sobbing to uncontrolled rage as they deal with the big issue - what kind of parents were they to have a son who commits an unimaginable crime? A very somber movie which deals realistically with extremely tough topic.

Beneath the Blue (1:34) 2010

Beneath the Blue is set in the Bahamas at a Dolphin Research Center. Rasca is an specially trained dolphin capable of communicating through whistles. The US Navy would like to take possession of Rasca for security purposes and have an ensign, Craig, work uncover to that end. Craig meets the daughter of the Research Center director and makes inroads in obtaining Rasca. Rasca is in danger from another source, sonar testing experiments performed by the Navy is killing nearby dolphins. Beneath the Blue is a sequel to Eye of the Dolphin which I haven't seen. Both movies are inspired by true events. Shot on location on the Grand Bahama Island has great scenery.The movie mostly likely wouldn't hold the attention of a young child but would be of interest in middle school age children, especially those interested in oceanography.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2:04) 2010

I freely admit that I haven't read any of the The Twilight Saga books nor have I seen either of the first two movies. My daughter watched The Twilight Saga: Eclipse tonight in preparation for the new Twilight Saga release on Friday. I watched the movie asking her for clarification about characters and events. My experience was that the plot was fairly easy to understand. Bella, a human, is in love with Edward, a member of the Cullen clan. Jacob, a member of the werewolf pack, competing against Edward for Bella. The trio needs to move past the love triangle to battle vampires. The movies are targeted to the teenage audience and it was refreshing to see that there was little sex or inappropriate language. Of course, there was scenes involving violence but they are not intense. The Twilight Saga is not a genre that enjoy but I can understand why the trio are appealing to the teenage population. I may well go see The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
this weekend.

The Pastor's Wife (1:29) 2011

A Lifetime Movie, The Pastor's Wife is based on a true story. Matthew Winkler was a greatly beloved pastor in a small Tennessee town where he lived with his wife, Mary and his three daughters. When he doesn't show up for a service, the parishioners discover his has been shot to death and his wife and children are missing. After an Amber alert is issued, Mary and her children are found in the next state. When the shotgun is discover in her minivan, Mary is arrested. During her trial the reasons she shot her husband are revealed. Is she telling the truth? In 2006, the murder of Winkler was picked up by all the newspapers and online services. It made for riveting journalism, and the movie is just as riveting.

Pride (1:48) 2007

Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) is looking for employment in the tight job market in 1974. He lands a temporary position in closing up a little used, run down community center. The center in the poorest part of Philadelphia has a swimming pool. Jim, a swimmer on his college team, encourages young men playing basketball to use the pool. He eventually trains the men to be a team and then have the PDR team swim competitively. Based on a true story, Pride received poor reviews when first released as it was referred to as cliche'. I thought this was an inspiring story with a fantastic soundtrack. The story was predictable but holds the viewer's attention. It is certainly well worth a rental.

That Beautiful Somewhere (1:33) 2006

A young female scientist teams up with a police detective to solve the mystery of a bog body found in the back country of Ontario. Catherine, an archaeologist, is hiding a medical condition and Conk is hiding the scars of war. The bog body turns out to be Red Wind, a Native American who lived over a hundred years ago. A Native American elder, Harold, helps the duo with the mystery of the bog man and helps Catherine with a healing ceremony. I would have loved to have seen this movie on the wide screen because of the scenery. That Beautiful Somewhere was filmed at North Bay, Ontario with many panoramic scenes of the countryside. The cast was limited to the two leads and a limited number of minor characters but this small cast provided an intense thriller. This is a true gem of independent movie.

The Tower Heist (1:39) 2011

The Tower Heist is not a great movie but it is a lot of fun. Josh, Charlie, Lester and other employees of The Tower learn that their savings are lost. They had ask Arthur Shaw (perfectly portrayed by Alan Alda) to invest their pensions after being told he could triple their portfolios. Shaw has been arrested and is being investigated for fraud. The FBI can't find the money Shaw has been hiding for a quick get away.
Josh, Charlie and Fitzhugh hire Slide, an ex-con, to steal back the hidden money. Slide is played by Eddie Murphy who is at his best in this type of comedic crook role. The Tower Heist is a mindless romp but it is very timely. Many people have suffered financial losses at the hands of unethical investors. Hooray for the little guys who even the score!

The Way (1:55) 2011

Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) is a widowed opthamologist living in California. While playing golf, he receives a overseas phone call telling him is only child, Daniel, has died in a freak storm on the first day of his pilgrimage walking The Camino de Santiago. Tom flies to France to escort the remains back home. Tom has a change of heart and decides to make the pilgrimage, scattering Daniel's remains along the route. As he starts his solitary journey he soon is accompanied by a Joost, a Dutchman and soon later, Sarah, a Canadian. Tom  is aloof not really wanting their company as he grieves for his son. As the trio walks from town to town, Jack from Ireland, joins the group. The foursome are on the journey for entirely different reasons. Although Tom finds them annoying, especially Jack, they start to grow closer and Tom shares his reason for this  two month pilgrimage. This is a quiet movie as Tom is comes to terms with his life and his son's death.  The cinematography is outstanding and deserves to be seen on the big screen.  Bottom line: just see it!

The Other Woman (1:59) 2011

Emilia is a Harvard graduate and lawyer who has an affair with her married boss, Jack. Jack's marriage is on the rocks but he is devoted to his son, Will. When Emilia becomes pregnant, Jack divorces Carolyn and the two get married. And they lived happily ever after. Just kidding, the newlyweds have a plethora of problems. Emilia and Jack's infant daughter dies of SIDS, Carolyn is difficult to deal with, and Will causes problems between his mother and stepmother. Emilia is estranged from her father, who cheated on her mother, causing problems with her relationship with her extended family. In all this turmoil, Will begins to warm up to Emilia as Jack and Emilia's relationship becomes strained. The Other Woman received very poor reviews. I watched it mostly to see Natalie Portman who was the star of the movie. The characters are not particularly likable and there are lots of scenes of fighting and arguing. There is a very emotional scene when, in a flashback, the parents discover the infant daughter has died.

Puss in Boots (1:30) 2011

Before Puss in Boots became famous as Shrek's sidekick, he lived in the Spanish village of San Ricardo with his adopted mother and his best friend, Humpty Dumpty. Unfortunately, Humpty Dumpty thinks that Puss abandoned him during one of their capers and has vowed to get even. Puss, quite the ladies' man is taken with his nemesis, Kitty Southpaws, and has joined  her to obtain the magic beans. With the beans, they can go up the beanstalk and get the golden eggs. However, Jack and Jill are standing in their way. This was an absolutely delightful animation that is fun for the entire family. The dialogue is chocked full of  quickly delivered and funny lines. Jack and Jill are unlike anything that you have ever seen. We saw the 3D version which I don't think was worth the extra money but everyone in the audience seemed to be enjoying the movie so I didn't mind spending the extra money. Puss in Boots is a real treat, please take the family!

Margin Call (1:49) 2011

After all the employees have left for the night, a young analyst uncovers startling and disturbing facts about his investment firm, they are on the brink of ruin. Pete calls his colleague and their boss back to the office. This unleashes a night of decision making - what will the course of action be for the next morning? Margin Call is set in 2008 just before the Wall Street scandals and collapse. We see the inner workings of an office where employees make lots of money in trading, living by the motto of being first, being smarter or cheat. The cast of the film are well known - Jeremy Irons, Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore and Stanley Tucci. Margin Call is a Kevin Spacey vehicle, he plays Sam who is loyal to the firm but has doubts about the course of action the firm will be taking. Jeremy Irons is perfect as the top boss John Tuld. This independent gem is a somber movie, sometimes technical in the financial dialogue but seems to be a realistic look at what happened with investment companies in 2008. This is definitely an art house film. This is definitely worth a rental.

In Time (1:49) 2011

Justin Timberlake is the star of this cat and mouse science fiction adventure. Will Salas lives in a society where time is the most prized commodity. Unfortunately for Will, he lives from day to day - literally. Humans have been genetically engineered to stop aging at age twenty five years. In order to keep living, everything is paid by earnings of time. For example, a cup of coffee costs three minutes. People live in time zones with the richest people living in New Greenwich. Will's life in the ghetto changes the night he meets a man who is 106 years old and wants his time to run out. As Will is sleeping, the stranger transfers his time to Will and Will wakes up a wealthy man. The problem is that everyone wants Will - dead or alive. In Time is a very somber movie, it reminded me of Gattica. Although In Time received poor reviews, I liked it. Its message of a few people controlling the wealth at the expense of the many is certainly a timely one (no pun intended). However, when it was all said and done, my suggestion is to wait until the movie is released on DVD unless you are a die hard science fiction fan.

A Better Life (1:50) 2011

Carlos is a gardener in LA and works hard to provide for his high school son, Luis. Life is not easy as Carlos is an undocumented worker who entered the US illegally. When Blasco, the owner of the business, offers him the opportunity to buy his truck and the gardening tools, Carlos asks his sister for a loan. Carlos, although he doesn't have a driver's license, buys the truck and takes over the business. Life is starting to get better until a new hire steals his truck. As Carlos begins to look for his stolen truck, Luis offers to help. As the adventure brings the two closer, an unfortunate event threatens to separate the two.
This a gem of a movie. A Better Life shows the realities of the life of honest, hard working immigrant workers. The movie is also very moving as Carlos has to battle hardship as he maintains his values and his dignity so he can be a good role model for his son. Carlos wants more than anything to give his son a good life and provide him with opportunities. This is a very good movie, reminiscent of another wonderful with a similar theme, Under the Same Moon. Both of these movies deserve to be high on your rental queue.

The Rum Diary (1:59) 2011

For the most part, Johnny Depp is in good movies. And for the most part, The Rum Diary, isn't one of them. Paul Kemp is a jounalist who arrives in 1960 Puerto Rico. Kemp is the only applicant for a job on the  San Juan Star, a failing newspaper. He is hired to write the Horoscope column and rewrite copy. He is enjoying Puerto Rico especially the abundance of  alcohol, which he imbibes overabundantly. As Kemp experiences the culture, he sees the disparity between the rich and the poor of San Juan. Kemp has a close look at the corruption that is taking place when he is asked to moonlight to work on an ad campaign for a wealthy businessman. I struggled to stay with the first half of the movie, the second half did pick up the pace as Paul becomes motivated "to get the bastards."  Depp is good in is part as the hard drinking journalist and is funny in the scene where he is driving a car with no front seat. I would normally say this movie wasn't my cup of tea but this time I'll just say it just wasn't my rum and coke.

Take Shelter (2:00) 2011

Curtis is happily married with a young daughter, Hannah. Hannah is hearing impaired and is learning ASL along with her loving parents. Curtis works hard drilling for an excavation company. One night, Curtis has a vivid nightmare about an terrible storm and his beloved dog attacking him. Soon he begins to have night terrors on a daily basis. Curtis also starts hearing thunder, sees lightning and feeling an oily rain. At times he is the only witness to these weather events. Curtis doesn't share his disturbing dreams with his wife because he secretly fears the dreams may be the onset of schizophrenia, an illness that his mother was diagnosed with in her early thirties. This was an excellent thriller, taut and engaging. As the movie unfolds, the viewer continues to move between thinking Curtis is starting to unravel and Curtis has the ability to sense a forboding event. Take Shelter reminded me of a Hithcock movie, as it unsettling throughout. Take shelter at your local arts cinema and see it!

Five (1:30) 2011

Five is an anthology of short films shown on the Lifetime Channel about women battling breast cancer. The five stories are titled: Pearl, Mia, Charlotte, Cheyanne and Lilli. The woman have diverse lives, Pearl is a doctor of oncology who works with breast cancer patients. Her own mother, Charlotte, lost her battle to breast cancer in 1969. Cheyanne is a twenty-six year stripper and Lilli is a young African American lawyer. Mia is a divorced woman with adult children whose story is told in  chronologically reversed  flashbacks told over the course of two years. The ensemble cast has many famous stars like Patricia Clarkson and Jeanne Triplehorn, Tony Shalhoub, Jeffrey Tambor, Bob Newhart, Rosario Dawson and others. The episodes were directed by Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston and other notable directors. This is a must see for all women!

The Mighty Macs (1:40) 2011

Set in the early 1970s, Cathy Rush takes a job as a coach of a Catholic  college womens' basketball team. Immaculata College is in financial trouble, the gym has burned down and the girls have no chance of having a winning team. Cathy starts coaching with the help of one of the young nuns who is having doubts about her vocation. The girls need to develop skills, the ability to work as a team and a belief in themselves. Based on a true events, the team overcome incredible odds to receive an invitation to the first National Women's Basketball Tournament. I highly recommend this movie. It starts out like a made for television movie but this family movie has wonderful messages. As the Cinderella story unfolds it becomes  very easy to become their biggest fan. By the end of the movie, the nuns are praying for a win and the audience is cheering so the heavens can hear.

Climate of Change (1:25) 2010

Villages in India, Togo, West Virginia, Africa, Norway and New Guinea  have one thing in common. There have citizens who are involved with saving their environments. Teenagers in India are urging for the reduction of plastics. A villager in Togo are urging native people to stop cutting timber to send to Europe. A village in Africa sponsors an annual Solar Cooker Festival, an environmentally friendly way to cook food. In New Guinea, a village practices sustainable lumbering. Trees are cut down only when needed and then only certain trees can be used. And on the documentary continues highlighting positive environmental practices. Tilda Swindon is the narrator of this beautifully photographed film. Reduce, reuse, recycle and view this documentary.

Solo (1:38) 2006

jack Barrett has been working for the Sydney Australian underworld as a hit man for years. He wants to retire because his work is making him sick. The Gentlemen, the down under crime syndicate, doesn't want Jack to retire because once your in the business, you really can't get out. Finally, Jack is given the word that he can retire after one last job.  The job? Eliminate a young woman graduate student who is working on her thesis. The focus of her work is the early history of The Gentlemen. Obviously, the mob doesn't want her nosing around. Jack has met and spoken with the grad student and is attracted to her. He is resisting this last job, a decision that puts both her and him in jeopardy. A dark, seedy movie is not one that I would particularly recommend.

Betrayed at 17 (1:30) 2011

This Lifetime Channel original movie deals with a very real modern day problem. Lexi is a high school student who has a one night stand with Greg, a football player. What Lexi doesn't know is Greg slept with her on a bet and Greg  videotaped them in bed. Caraleigh, Greg's former boyfriend, forwards the recording to the other students to get revenge on Greg and Lexi. At a party, Greg is shocked to learn that the recording is out there and Lexi is devastated. As she runs from the party, Lexi runs into the street, is hit by a car and killed instantly. The movie up to this point is fairly realistic and timely. The plot thickens as to the responsible person for the leak really is so the focus of the aftermath of a student death is lost.
The first half of the movie is worth viewing as a cautionary tale as to ramifications, intended and unintended, of spreading gossip, texts and  videos.

G-Force (1:30) 2009

G-Force is an animated comedy about specially trained guinea pigs who are combating an evil billionaire from taking over the world. The villain is using especially adapted kitchen appliances in his plot. I'm a little bit embarrassed to say I saw it in the movies two summers ago and watched it again on the Disney Channel. Although it was given poor reviews, I thought it was humorous especially for young children. G-Force includes positive messages including the importance of recognizing one's strengths and loyalty to friends. It definitely a fun, and yes silly,  movie to watch with the children.

My Afternoons with Margueritte - La tête en friche (1:22) 2010

This film offers viewers  a tender and sweet movie experience. Germain is a big man considered to be an oaf by his French village. Margueritte is an elderly woman who spends time in the park watching the pigeons. Germain and Margueritte  strike up a conversation which leads to a relationship. Germain is not much of a reader. Flashbacks show scenes of Germain having difficulty with learning in elementary school. Germain's mother is not maternal and doesn't display affection towards him. Margueritte begins reading books to him and opens up his world. She also builds him up with her nurturing ways. Short and sweet - just like the movie - just see it.

Hanna (1:51) 2011

I missed Hanna in the theater this summer although I had planned on seeing it. It turns out I am glad. Hanna has been raised in the isolation North Finland wilderness by her father. Erik has raised Hanna to take care of herself in a whole new way. He has taught Hanna to kill people and taught her well. How can I recommend a movie about a child killer? Yes, it is far fetched and violen tand for me it was a turn off for me to see Hanna kill time and time again. Granted, she was killing people that were out to get her first. Cate Blanchett plays the rogue government agent, somewhat of the insane side,  who is out to eliminate both Erik and Hanna. The movie does have to positives to report. The first being Saoirse Ronan who plays Hanna. She is very good at playing a low affect teenage assassin  on the run. The second was the soundtrack, the background music did add to the movie.

Real Steel (2:06) 2011

Do you have children who are Middle School age boys? If you do, this is a movie for them. And you will enjoy Real Steel almost as much as they do. Charlie Kenton is kind of a loser. A former boxer, Charlie boxes robots through remote control. He owes people, and not good people, money from lost boxing matches. Charlie learns that his eleven year old son Max's mother has died. Charlie doesn't know Max as he signed away his parental rights at birth. Charlie agrees to take Max for the summer while his caretaker aunt and uncle take a vacation in Italy - for a price. Charlie and Max come across an old robot, a fixer upper. The pair work on making Atom, a sparring partner, a boxer. The trio is successful which leads to a Championship Match. Will Atom become the next Rocky? My daughter remarked that this movie reminds her of the toy Rock'em Sock'em Robots. While that is accurate, the themes of the movie are wonderful for children. The action is fast paced but not frantic, Charlie and Max's relationship grows closer as they share experiences. This is a good family movie - don't pulling any punches, see it this weekend.is

Mostly Martha - Bella Martha (1:48) 2002

-Martha is a temperamental and successful chef in Germany. She is serious about her work and her cooking fuels her fire. One day she receives a phone call that changes her life forever. Her sister has been killed in a car accident but her young niece Lena has survived. Lena's father lives in Italy and doesn't know he has a daughter. Lena comes to live with Martha until her father is located and comes for her. As Martha is trying to adapted to this big change in her personal life, a change in her professional life is proving to be just challenging. Mario, a joyous Italian, has been hired as the sous chef and Martha has to share her kitchen with him. Mostly Martha is predictable, Mario is attracted to Martha and begins to win her over. Lena and Martha have a rocky start to living together but soon Lena begins to become interested in the culinary arts. Just as Martha's live is starting to gel Lena's father appears at the door. Will Lena leave to live with her father? What happens to Martha and Mario? If this plot sounds familiar it may be due to the American retelling of this story, No Reservations, in 2007. This is one of the few times that I prefered the American version. Mostly Martha was a serious, somber story, No Reservations was more bubbling and joyous. It did strike me that both versions were very close to each other in story characters and events. Either one is well worth a look!

Bottom of a Glass (0.04) 2011

A short film told without dialogue using a muppet type characters and songs. The story of the young teenage victim is shown in flashbacks.

The Fall (0:11) 2010

A mix of live action and animation, the story tells of a man dealing with his grafitti artist brother, who is dealing with mental health issues. The brothers live with their father who spends his time sleeping and drinking. The use of animation mixed with live action is very effective.

Secret Admirer (0:08)

Sheila's husband is spending the night with the boys watching football. Sheila is upset but has a online secret admirer who she will be meeting for the first time at noon. Sheila brings the secret admirer back to her apartment but stabs and kills him when tells her that it is just a fling. Will her detective husband get a clue?

False Alarm (0:03) 2010

Darrell starts his day with the alarm clock ringing. He showers, eats and sensing something is wrongs takes a look at his calendar.

This Time (00:13) 2010

This Time was one of the five short films shown on a New York television show titled African American Short Films. A bride Cheyenne, out with her bridal party the night before her wedding, is surprised by a former boyfriend. The veteran, Kevin, has returned from his deployment and wants her to call of the wedding. The bride refuses because she doesn't pay his explanation that he called off the relationship because her brother had died overseas and he didn't want her to go through another similar loss. Will Kevin stop the wedding? Watch for the surprise ending.

The Ides of March (1:38) 2011

George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman are the stars of this political film. They are four of my favorite actors and they do not disappoint the audience. Steve (Ryan Gosling) is an young but experienced press secretary employed by Gov. Mike Morris (Clooney). Steve believes in the governor and his platform. The Ohio Democratic primary is a toss up but it is looking as though Morris will win. Steve receives a call from the opposing campaign manager offering him a job which he turns down. The private meeting is leaked to the press and this starts a chain reaction. Will we learn if there is really such a thing as loyalty in the world of politics? The Ides of March is a solidly good movie. The storyline is straight forward and frightening realistic. It is also a sorry commentary of the state of American politics. The Ides of March is well worth trip to the theater, it certainly gives a lot of food for thought as we enter another upcoming presidental campaign.

The Ketchup Cut (0:06) 2010

The Ketchup Cut is a short film finalist from the National Film Challenge. Shot in black and white, reminiscent of a 1950 film noir, a bottle of ketchup is the main suspect in the murder of a young man, Chopsticks, paper towel, spoon, and steak knife are also under suspicion in this whodunit. A journalist interviews each one of them doubting that ketchup is the real killer. This short is rather cleverly filmed.
Here's the link for those interested: http://filmchallenge.org/2010-Finalists/2010-finalist-the-ketchup-cut.html

A Good Woman (1:33) 2004

Mrs. Erlynne (Helen Hunt) is an attractive woman who is making a career of living off wealthy men and married men. Set in the 1930s, Mrs. Erlynne is forced to move to Amalfi, Italy where many wealthy Englishmen live. Mrs. Erlynne quickly connects with a young newly married man, Robert Windermere. Robert's wife, Meg, discovers that Robert has written checks to Mrs. Erlynne and believes they are having an affair. What is the true nature of their relationship? A Good Woman is based on an Oscar Wilde play. Although the cast areis comprised of well known actors, the movie is rather flat. It just misses the mark.

Dolphin Tale (1:52) 2011

Sawyer is an eleven year old boy attending summer school in Clearwater Florida. His father left the family five years ago and his cousin Kyle is in the Army and shipping out. One morning on his way to school , he comes across a beached dolphin in distress. The dolphin, later named Winter, is transported to a rescue center. Sawyer ends up spending his summer at the Rescue Center with Dr. Clay and his daughter Hazel. Winter recovers but develops a bulge her in spin due to the way she moves her amputated tail. At the same time, Kyle is sent home from overseas when he wounded in an explosion. Will Kyle and Winter be healed? This is a wonderful movie for children and their families. Besides the "taking care of the environment" message, there are messages about the importance of family, the importance of not giving up and more. It is syrupy at times but the ending is surprising emotional. Dolphin Tale, in its third week of release, was number one at the box office this past weekend. And I certainly understand way. 

Save the Delaware (0:05) 2011

Save the Delaware is a short film which exposes the dangers of fracting on the Delaware River System Basin. The documentary is also a call for action for residents who live in the Basin area as fracting will compromise their drinking water. Citizens need to attend an October 21st meeting to urge for the prohibition of gas well drilling.

Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the video.

The Shunning (1:28) 2011

The Shunning, an original Hallmark Channel presentation, takes place in Lancaster, Pa. Katie, an Amish nineteen year old, is engaged to be married. Katie is hesitating about taking the big step feeling that there is something missing in her life. Katie learns that she was adopted at birth and her birth mother would like to meet her. The community, concerned about Katie's leaning towards the "English ways" decide to shun her. This part of the movie didn't make sense since the Amish shun for serious breaks with their religious beliefs. The Shunning is a peek into the everyday life of the Amish. There were some goofs like the wearing of wedding rings, the Amish think wearing jewelry is vain. All in all, The Shunning is a film that is appropriate for family viewing. Based on a novel, it plays like a made for television movie. Oh wait, that is exactly what it is.

Jumping the Broom (1:47) 2011

Sabrina and Jason are getting married on Martha's Vineyard, Sabrina's family home. Sabrina's family is very wealthy and comes from old money. Jason, a successful young executive, comes from a blue collar background. His father died earlier and his mother works in an office. The two families meet for the first time at the Vineyard the weekend of the wedding. Needless to say, there are clashes of cultures and family secrets. The usual bride and mother-in-law conflict arises because Jason's mother is afraid she will lose him, Jason resents that his mother still treats him like a child. And so forth. Watching Jumping the Broom is similar to watching a made for television movie or one by filmed by Tyler Perry. The characters are likable, the plot is formulaic, and everyone is happy at the end.

Not Without My Daughter (1:47) 1990

This turned out to be an oldies but goodies weekend at my house. I watched again Not Without My Daughter starring Sally Fields. Based on true events, Betty Mahmoody accompanies her doctor husband and their daughter for a two week visit to Iran to meet his family. Once Betty arrives in Iran, she realizes that the visit isn't for two weeks but to live permanently. At that time, the United States did not have diplomatic relations with Iran and Betty learns that due to her marriage she is considered an Iranian citizen. The only way she will be able to leave the country with her daughter is to cross into Turkey illegally, an action which could cause her to be executed. I believe that this movie is a cautionary tail for any American woman who travels to any country that doesn't have diplomatic relations with our country. Getting into a country is a lot easier than leaving.

The Nun's Story (2:23) 1959

If I had a dollar for every time I have watched this movie or parts of this movie when it is on television, I could be retired living on a tropical island. I love this movie for two reasons - Audrey Hepburn as Sister Luke and the movie itself. Since I was Catholic educated for twelve years, nuns were a big part of my school life. The movie takes place in Belgium and the Congo prior to World War II. Gabby, her prenun name, wants to devote her life to God and serve others. However, her biggest problem is falling in line with the vow of obedience, for after all, she is a thinking woman. The best part of the movie is when Sister Luke is sent to the Congo to work as a operating nurse for Dr. Fortunati played by Peter Finch. Dr. Fortunati understands before Sister Luke that she is not cut out to be a nun. Based on a factual best seller, the movie does well in portraying the struggles of women who don't fit the mold of religious life. It is a long movie but well worth the time. It did seem outdated at this point in time, my daughter who was not Catholic educated, watched it for about ten minutes. She left because she was turned off by the thinking of the order at that time.

Martyr Friday (00:10) 2011 Egypt

Martyr Friday is a documentary about the Eygptian uprising that took place earlier this year. The protests, the resignation of President Mubarak and the resulting celebrations are highlighted. Martyr Friday is a surprisingly emotional look at the struggles of a people coming together to overthrow their leader.

David and Goliath (00:12) USA

A man is running away from German soldiers until he comes to a farmhouse. A German Shepard, chained to his doghouse, is guarding the property. The runner is desperate and tries to quiet the dog. And then a little miracle happens, the guard dog becomes quiet and allows the runner to hide in his doghouse. This is a wonderful reanactment of a true event.

A Doctor's Job (00:10) Peru

A Lima, Peru doctor drives a taxi to earn extra money to care for his elderly mother's care. Driving a taxi in Lima is competitive but gets nerve wracking when the doctor drives a get away car against his will. Matters get even worse when one of the thieves gets seriously shot.

The Forest (00.12) Hungary

A man is with a group of friends in the Hungarian forest playing like an adult version of hide and go seek. He separates from his teammate and is walking on one of the trails. He passes a young couple and has an uneasy feeling. A while later he encounters a crime scene, the victim is the woman he passed not long ago. Now what he do? The Forest is shot in black and white giving it a 1950s feel. I have to admit that this was one of my least favorites.

Sexting (00:08) USA 2010

A woman, played by Julia Stiles, sits down at a restaurant and proceeds to tell her boyfriend's wife exactly what she thinks. After unloading, Stiles tells the wife it's her turn to say what's on her mind.

The Legend of Beaver Dam (00:12) Canada 2010

The Legend of Beaver Dam - a meshing of horror, comedy and musical. Eight teenage Pathfinders and their leader are singing around the campfire. The leader is singing the participation song about Stumpy Sam, a zombie like serial killer. And sure enough Stumpy Sam shows up to do the deed. This is a very gory, bloody and violent short film. And the audience was laughing as the teenagers broke into song during his rampage. From the audience's applause, The Legend of Beaver Dam was a big hit at the New Haven viewing of the Manhattan Short.

I Love Luci (00:11) Scotland 2010

Luci is a dog whose owner is in prison and is being taken care of by his girlfriend, Marjorie, a recovering drug addict and alcohol. Luci and Marjorie are to be reunited the next day except two things go wrong. Luci is stolen outside a drugstore and Marjorie has lost her partial plate. The plate has her two front teeth. Marjorie needs to find Luci for more than the obvious reason. This is one gross short film!

MAK ( 00:18) Switzerland

Inspired by an newspaper article, MAK is the story of a young teenage Moldavian mother who travels to Switzerland. She puts her baby into a baby hatch so he can become a Swiss citizen. This is an interesting short because I was unaware of the existence of a baby hatch. The drawback to this short was that the baby was always crying. This helped show how overwhelmed the young mom was but it also became tedious quickly.

Dik (00:10) 2011 Australia

A six year old comes home from school with a drawing and a sentence describing the picture. When he shows his father, the father misinterprets his artwork. This leads to an argument between the parents. This is one very funny short, the audience laughed throughout the short. I voted this short as my favorite.

Incident by a Bank (0:09) 2009 Sweden

Based on a true event, Incident by a Bank is a detailed recreation of a failed bank attempt. Using ninety extras and one camera, two onlookers are observing suspicious activity and wondering if a bank will be robbed. And they watch the entire bank job unfolded. Unbelievable as it sounds, parts of this short are really funny as the onlookers are wondering if a bank holdup will take place.

Manhattan Short September 23rd - October 2nd 2011

New Haven, Connecticut was one of the venues for the Manhattan Short One World*One Week*One Festival . The ten finalists were shown at the Whitney Humanities Center tonight and it was a wonderful night of international films. Each of the ten finalists will be reviewed.

Winter in Wartime - Oorlogswinter (1:43) 2008

Fourteen year old Michiel is aiding a wounded British soldier in this coming of age story set in Nazi occupied Holland.  Jack's plane has crashed and he shot a German soldier as he was hanging by his parachute in a tall tree. Jack has a serious leg wound and can't travel. Michiel comes across him hiding in a shelter and helps him. Michiel has his older sister Erika help take care of him because she is a nurse. Michiel makes a decision not to tell his father, the major of his town because his father is cooperating with the Germans in the sense he wants to keep the peace. Michiel's Uncle Ben is helping with the resistance and is reluctant to involve him. The Germans arrest Michiel's father and two other men who they mistaking believe are aiding the soldier. Will his father be released? Will Jack make it to his contacts and safety?  This is a beautifully shot film with many scenes of the snow covered Dutch  countryside. Winter in Wartime is a quiet movie, not much action or violence, but it does well in building suspense as Michiel works hard to keep Jack undiscovered. Michiel has to make some tough decisions when he has to decide on who to trust and this struggle is very effectively shown in the movie. I highly recommend this movie.

Jack (0.04) 2009

Jack, a Lakota Sioux, served proudly in Vietnam as part of the 7th Cavalry. At a party back in the States, Jack is told that the 7th Cavalry was the unit which massacred his people at Wounded Knee. This short film highlights his reaction to this news. Jack took first place in The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian presents the winners of the first-ever, “Answering the Call: Veterans Day Short Film Contest. The film can be viewed following this link: http://www.nmai.si.edu/fvc/veterans.

Repatriation of the Pawnee Scouts (4:00) 2009

The 2nd place winner of the Veteran's Day Short Film Contest was Repatriation of the Pawnee Scouts.
Six Pawnee Scouts, having been honorably discharged from the Army in 1868, were traveling through Kansas when they were shot to death by settlers. The Army was doing psychometric studies and had the decapitated heads sent east. The short shows the remains of the scouts sent home to be put in mother earth so there spirits can be free. Follow this link for the short: http://www.nmai.si.edu/fvc/veterans.

I Am the Warrior (0.03) 2009

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian presented the winners of the first-ever, “Answering the Call: Veterans Day Short Film Contest held in 2009. I Am a Warrior is a narration of the Native American contributions to their native land during wartime from the time of the Revolutionary War through WWII.  I Am a Warrior was given an award for 3rd place. To watch the short follow this link:  http://www.nmai.si.edu/fvc/veterans

Higher Ground (1:49) 2011

Corinne (Vera Farmiga), married fifteen years, lives with her husband and three children in the Hudson Valley. The Miller family are pillars of a close knit Fundamentalist Church community. All is well until Corinne begins to question her faith when her close friend Annika is diagnosed with a brain tumor. As Corinne struggles with her belief system, her marriage to Ethan founders. Higher Ground, Framiga's directing debut, is a close up look at a way of life that is unfamiliar to me and which I found very interesting. Farmiga does a great good at showing us a woman becoming open to new ways of thinking and feeling.. Her husband and friends, while good people, are stagnant in their thinking. Corinne simply outgrows her way of life and needs to move forward. And that was not easy for her, her family and her community. Four of us (all women) thought this was a good movie. It certainly provoked conversation on the ride home. And that is the best sign of a good movie.

Roadkill (1:28) TV 2011

Roadkill is a SyFy Original Movie which I had no interest in watching. I came across the movie as I was flipping through the channels and very surprising got hooked. Six American friends are touring Ireland in an RV. They accidentally hit an elderly woman with the RV who is a gypsy. The gypsies cast a curse on the tourists, The curse comes in the form of a large predator bird who is picking off the group one by one. The only hope for the group, other than getting back to Dublin, is a holding onto a medallion which keeps the wearer safe. I read later that this movie is popular among the Maneater series watchers. I'm not sure what the Maneater series is and it is one of life's mystery I will not try to uncover.

Red Hill (1:35) 2010

Shane Cooper reports to duty as a constable in Red Hill. Red Hill is in the quiet remote Australia. He has moved to Red Hill because his pregnant wife needs to a quiet lifestyle due to hypertension. Shane's first day happens to coincide with the prison breakout of Jimmy Conway, an Aboriginal who is serving time for murder. Red Hill police and citizens arm themselves since they believe that Jimmy is headed back to town. Jimmy quickly arms himself and begins to shoot the police, one by one. With one exception - Shane the new constable. As Shane discovers the dead bodies of law officers,he uncovers long time secret shared by Old Bill, the chief and his cronies. A suspenseful movie with beautiful scenery of the high-country and a lively soundtrack, Red Hill is a modern day Western. It is a violent, dark movie but plays like an American western set in the mid 1800s.

Moneyball (2:06) 2011

Do you like movies about underdogs? Do you like movies with a sports theme? Do you like movies about baseball? If you answered yes to any of the three, walk to your local theater. If you answered yes to any two, jog to the theater and if you answered yes to all three, run as fast as you can to the nearest theater! With Brad Pitt in the lead role, it's like putting extra butter on freshly popped popcorn. Pitt is Billy Beane, the real life general manager of the Oakland Athletics. Beane has difficulty signing top rated players due to his small budget of 37 million. Beane hires Peter Brand, an Yale graduate with an economics degree, to help sign underrated players for a song. The young team struggles to win games and Beane worries about retaining his job. As the season progresses, the team gels and goes on a record breaking winning streak. Will this be enough to take the team to the World Series? I recommend this movie for several reasons, the first being that this film is based on real events. The second is the highly rated cast of Pitt, Hill and Hoffman. The third reason is that I do strongly agree with Beane's basic premise, baseball is an unfair game. Rich teams get the talented players that poor teams don't have a chance of signing. Play ball!

The Lion King (In 3D) (1:27) 1994

Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa are back in 3D for a limited two week engagement. As I was sitting in the theatre wearing the glasses, it crossed my mind that maybe the extra cost of the 3D was a waste of money. Then the opening scene started and I was hooked again. The 3D effects won't be overwhelming but subtle  adding a nice touch.  Having watched the movie off and on over the years, it came as a surprise that The Lion King has a limited amount of musical numbers. The Lion King is worth another look on the big screen and worth the extra cost to see it in 3D/

Madeinusa (1:43) 2005

Madeinusa, the mayor's daughter, lives in the Peruvian Andes with her father and sister. Her mother left the family to live in Lima. During the local festival, a young man visits this remote village and is interested in Madeinusa. Although the festival takes place during the Holy time, it really is a time of village decadence. Madeinusa has been designated a Film Movement film. Frankly, I didn't finish this movie. It gave me the creeps because it was so odd.  Please comment about this movie because I don't get it. Enlighten me please.

Fallen Art - Sztuka spadania (0:06) 2004

A Polish animated short takes place at an old army base in a remote setting. Soldiers are taken to a high platform, given a medal, saluted, and then kicked off the platform resulting in the soldier free falling to earth.  The free fall is captured and artistically inspires the general. There are no words or subtitles to Fallen Art but there is a lively musical score.  Thank goodness the short is only six minutes in length, I had to watch it twice to understand what was happening.

Mozart's Sister - Nannerl, la Soeur de Mozart (2:00) 2011

Mozart had an older sister who they family referred to as Nannerl. Four years older that Mozart, Nannerl was also very talented. She could sing and play the harpsichord. She was also an accompanist violinist but was forced to stop playing since it was not socially acceptable. Nannerl was also was a composer but her father forbade it since composition was above a woman's ability. Nannerl was first promoted as a musical partner with her brother. Given the Wolfgang was a child prodigy, Nannerl soon became the second banana on tour. This is a slow plodding movie. However, it is also contains beautiful music, gorgeous scenes of palaces and their grounds. Mozart's Sister shows how grueling it was to be a traveling musician and also how frustrating it was for Nannerl to be so creative with such limited choices and opportunities.
This is a true art house film and it won't be every one's cup of tea but is does nicely for those who seek out artsy movies.

Drive (1:40) 2011

I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is the acting is very good. The bad news is Drive has some violent scenes, chock full of blood and gore. So much so it turned me off and I hesitate to recommend Drive. Ryan Gosling is a loner, working as an auto mechanic and part time as a stunt driver. Sometimes, he also is the driver of the get away car in robberies.  Gosling's character's doesn't have a name, he is referred to as "the Driver." Gosling, a quiet, low affective man, meets his neighbor Irene and her young son. He immediately is attracted to Irene and spends time with her and her young son. Irene's husband, Standard, is released from prison and comes home. Unfortunately, the mob wants him to do one last job. After the Driver finds Standard beaten up, he offers to be the get away driver. The pawn holdup goes wrong and the Driver finds out the mob is now after him. And this is where it gets very gory. I couldn't even watch some of the scenes. I did like the film, Gosling is wonderful as the skilled sociopath. He and Carey Mulligan give effective low key but powerful performances. The choice of music for the film is unusual and interesting. Caveat emptor.

Top Gun (1:49) 1986 An Oldie but Goodie

One of my all time favorites, Top Gun just celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its release. And I've probably watched this movie about twenty-five times. I love the soundtrack, the aerial shots, and the relationship berween Mav and Goose. Watching tonight after not seeing it for awhile, it was a hoot to see a young Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer. Steeped in 1980 culture and at the inner, but fictionalized, circle of Top Gun pilots. When you are surfing the channels and get to AMC, Top Gun is worth a look or another look.

The Boatlift (0:11)

The Boatlift is an excellent, uplifting, emotional documentary that is a must see. Thankfully, The Boatlift is available online at multiple sites. Two of the sites are The Coast Guard Digest and YouTube. Narrated by Tom Hanks, The Boatlift  recalls the efforts of private and public boaters to evacuate people from Manhattan on 9/11. When the towers fell, a half of million were stranded on Manhattan as the bridges and tunnels were closed. As the multitudes of survivors walked to the Sound, the Coast Guard began shuttling people away from the island. Given the magnitude of the crowds, the Coast Guard sounded a Mayday and asked boaters to help with the evacuation. And they did. People never had seen so many boats. The evacuation took nine hours and there were no accidents. Please watch this documentary about the unsung heroes of that day.

Incendies (2:10) 2011

Jeanne and Simon are twins living in Canada when their mother dies. During the reading of the will, they learn that their father is alive and they have an older brother. Before they can obtain their inheritance, the mother requires that they give both their father and brother letters she has written. The mother, Nawal, is a native of Lebanon and has kept her past a secret. Jeanne flies to her mother's village and begins to uncover facts of her mother's life. She learns the her mother was in prison after she left her village. Nawal's early life is shown in flashbacks. Jeanne begins to learn some of the sad details of her mother's life and calls for her brother, Simon for moral support. The twins soon uncover all the sordid details. The message of the mother is that through love, the cycle of violence can be broken. It crossed my mind that the message could also be "ignorance is bliss." Incendies was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film proving that Canadian films are not always lightweights.  Shot in Lebanon, the scenery is fantastic. The movie was extremely well acted. I thought the ending was a light far fetched but the two hour movie will keep you enthralled.  Incendies belongs high up on the rental queue.

Circumstance (1:47) 2011

Circumstance takes place in Tehran, Iran. Two teenage girls  secretly visit the underground social scene as they tell their families they are going to sewing class.  Atafeh and her parents welcome back her older brother, Mehran, from drug rehab. Mehran is now a changed man, no longer driven by his love of music but more interested in collaborating with the Morality Police. This is also a change for his family who are well educated and more secular. Mehran is attracted to Atafeh's best friend, Shireen. The problem is that Shireen is sexually attracted to Atafeh. Atafeh is also attracted to Shireen and is not happy with Mehran wanting to marry Shireen. The viewer can imagine how much danger the girls are flirting with. Mehran has hidden cameras throughout his home and is spying on all. Mehran also informs the police as to the location of the underground club the girls attend. The club is raided, they escape but eventually the Morality Police catch up with them, hauling them in the police station. My daughter and I attended the movie at the Criterion. It was screened in theatre 9 which holds no more than 20 people so we knew it was definitely an art house film. As we walked my daughter first words were "Thank God that we don't live in Iran." And I was in total agreement. This a good look at daily lives of young women (from affluent families) and the challenges they face. No violence but I was surprised at some of the vulgarity, they can swear like American teenagers. Circumstance was filmed in Beirut, Lebanon giving the film an authentic feel.

Brothers on Holy Ground (0:58) 2001

Brothers on Holy Ground is a documentary about New York firefighters made by Mike Lennon, a New York firefighter and is available through snagfilms.com. The documentary was filmed before, during and after 9/11. Officers, firemen and family members who lost their loved ones the day of the attack on the WTC are interviewed. I cried.

Beneath Hill 60 (2:02) 2010

Based on true events, Beneath Hill 60 tells the story of Oliver Wendell, an Australian miner during The first World War. Wendell enlists in the army and is sent to the Western Front. Germany has dug an elaborate underground tunnel system. The tunnels of Hill 60 are holding a massive amount of explosives. Wendell and his tunnelers are digging their own tunnel system under the German tunnels. The Brits are planning to tunnel to the the explosives and then blow them up. The tunnelers have both a dirty and dangerous job. Their jobs is also compounded by the Germans having listening posts along the Allies  system so the tunnelers have to work quietly, stopping when they think the Germans will pick up their sounds. When Wendell thinks of the girl he left behind, flashbacks of his life in Australia are shown. This is a little known, but important war story. Most of the movie is set in the tunnels and trenches but the story movies along at a decent pace. This is a must see for history buffs.

Contagion (1:46) 2011

Beth (Paltrow) arrives home from a business trip in Hong Kong feeling ill. Within days she is dead and so is her young son. Also dead are the people she came in contact with at a casino she visited before her departure for home. High contagious, the flu spreads rapidly with a death rate of 20 to 30 percent. Quickly, the WHO and Atlanta's CDC become involved with the race for a vaccine. A blogger (Law) with a large following is promoting a homeopathic remedy and discouraging readers not to take the vaccine. Within months, twelve million people worldwide are dead and social order is rapidly breaking down. Schools are closed, the hospital nurses are on strike until protocols are in place, and state borders are closed. The film addressed the bird flu and H1N1 and how these viruses mutate. Contagion is a frightening movie because it addresses the subject matter is a very realistic way. My grandmother always spoke about how frightening the Spanish Flu was in 1918. She was a teenage store clerk and lived in fear because so many people she knew died. She didn't like having to exchange money with customers. Let's hope we never have to live through this. On an another note, the best line in the movie was a prominent doctor saying to the blogger. "A blogger is not a writer, it is just graffiti with punctuation." I recommend this movie for the thoughtful, realistic manner in which the subject matter is treated, giving us a lot of food for thought.

The Last Kiss (1:43) 2006

Michael (Zach Braff) is turning thirty, has a successful career and a perfect girlfriend, Jenna. Then Jenna announces she is pregnant. Michael panics. When he meets Kim he spends time with her without telling Jenna. While this is taking place, Jenna's parents are having marital problems and briefly separate. Michael's friend Chris is also having marital problems. The Last Kiss focus on three couples as they struggle in their marriages. The story unfolds as the couples either reconcile, recommit or dissolve their relationship. To be brutally honest, I struggled to maintain interest in the movie for the first twenty-five minutes. I was about to shut off the movie when I began to care about the characters, especially Jenna's parents played by Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkerson. If you decide to watch The Last Kiss, be prepared to struggle through the first part of the movie, the last hour will bring about a satisfying ending.

In a Better World -Haeven (1:58) 2010

In a Better World was given a well deserved Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Elias is a Danish boy is targeted by a bully at school. Adding to his misery is his coping with parents who have separated and headed for divorce. He misses his father, a doctor, who travels back and forth to Africa to work in a refugee camp. Christian has just moved from Sweden to live with his grandmother and his father after the death of his mother from cancer. Christian befriends Elias which leads to Christian attacking and beating the school bully. Later, while Christian is with Elias, his dad and little brother, Elias witnesses an altercation between Christian's dad and another father. Elias's dad will not fight back as he believes that fighting or violence solves nothing. Elias finally agrees with Christian's plan to get even with the man who hit his father. However, the plan for revenge doesn't go as planned. Will the two families come together to help their sons work through the aftermath of the plan gone awry? Plain and simple, this is a very good movie. It is sometimes slow moving but the relationship between Elias and Christian unfolds in a very convincing way. The boys struggles are mirrored in the doctor's experiences in treating African refugees.  See this Danish movie.

Law Abiding Citizen (1:48) 2009

Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx are two of my favorite actors so I was surprised that I never saw Law Abiding Citizen when it was first released. Now I know - the message of the movie was blown to smithereens by all the violence. Clyde Shelton (Butler) is a family man who is tinkering in his basement when two men invade his home, beat and tie him up and then murder his wife and young daughter. The two killers are put on trial, one is given the death penalty and the other a short prison sentence because he cut a deal. Clyde is not happy with the deal because he beleives that Nick Rice, the Assistant D.A., give the deal so he wouldn't have to go to trial. It turns out that the heartbroken Clyde is also a highly trained former agent. He speciality was designing ways to "take out" enemies of the government. Now Clyde turns those skills to invent ways to "take out" the family murders. He then will turn his attention to the defense attorney, the judge and other officials that he thinks took the easy way out. How long will it take Rice (Foxx) to stop him? The premise of the movie is that justice is not always served, guilty people do go free. But the premise is lost in all the violence, the viewer starts off being sympathetic with Clyde but that feeling is soon lost as innocent people die. If you are channel surfing and come across this offering, keep on going. This movie should never have been made.