Life of Pi (2:07) 2012

Think Tom Hanks, Wilson, the volleyball and the beach. Now morf these images so they become an Indian teenager, a Bengal tiger and a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. Pi, excellently portrayed by Suraj Sharma, battles the elements, the tiger and loneliness as he tries to survive adrift for many days with limited supplies. The scenery and the background music add so much to the film. The Bengal tiger is absolutely beautiful. I recommend this film with the caution that the first several days at sea are hard to watch as a zebra with a broken leg and a hyena land in the small boat with Pi and the tiger. I predict Life of Pi will land multiple Oscar nominations.

Skyfall (2:25) 2012

James Bond is back and looking very young, dashing and rugged for his 50th anniversary. Skyfall is a blend of classic Bond - a casino scene, two international destinations, while chasing and evading the "bad guys". M16, the London headquarters, is the target of a bombing. M, played by Judi Dench, escapes unharmed and 007 has to learn the identity of this villain, seen as an inside job. Q is back as a young computer genius so the gadgets we all loved to see unveiled are gone. Skyfall is a definite transition Bond film. Bond fans will love it for the memories. My daughter, who is not a Bond fan, also enjoyed it. This is a film that will serve as a break from the holiday stress and pressure. See it.

Flight (2:18) 2012

Flight is not an easy movie to write a review. The strengths of the film is the cast - Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker, a heroic pilot, Don Cheadle as the airline's attorney, and Bruce Greenwood as the pilots' union representative. John Goodman has a smaller role as Whip's friend and drug supplier. Don't worry, nothing is being revealed that isn't in the first fifteen minutes of the movie. Whip is a hero after he lands a plane carrying 102 passengers after flying through extreme turbulance and dealing with a mechanical failure. Whip lands in the hospital with several injuries - eye and leg and awakens to learn that six souls on board have died and his co-pilot has serious injuries. The pilot's union rep informs him that a toxicology report has been taken - not good news for Whip but the airline's attorney will work to suppress the report. Hmmm, the audience is now thinking, I'm not flying again and not because of the weather and the crash landing. Flight is a hard movie to watch but it is worth viewing.

Taken 2 (1:30) 2012

Taken 2 could very well be subtitled Taken For the price of admission. Liam Neeson is his excellent self as Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent on a security assignment in Istanbul. He is surprised by his teenage daughter, Kim and his ex-wife, Lenore who has recently split from her second husband. Kim has recovered from being taken and almost sold as a sex slave. Bryan and Lenore are the ones, as part of a revenge plot, taken this time. Fortunately, Bryan keeps a small cell phone in his sock so he is able to phone Kim. Kim evades her captors and is able to do all kinds of spy stuff - set off grenades, drive on a speed chase through the crowded streets of the city. Enough said - just rent it. Special note - the scenery of the city is absolutely beautiful on the big screen.

Argo (2:00) 2012

Run to the nearest movie theater to see Argo, the true story of the daring escape of six American embassy workers taking sanctuary at the Canadian Ambassador's residence during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. Ben Affleck produces and stars as Tony Mendez, a CIA agent, who leads the six safely out of Iran. Mendez has the help of two Hollywood bigwigs in quickly setting up a fake movie company to film a fake sci fi movie using Iranian locations. The six embassy workers are given fake Canadian passports and resumes.We all know how it ends but the movie has the audience totally engaged in this thriller. It has humor thanks to John Goodman and Alan Arkin. Argo intertwines newscasts and news footage from that time. My prediction is that Argo will do well at the box office and will receive Oscar nominations. A MUST SEE!

Touble with the Curve (1:58) 2012

Trouble with the Curve has received mixed reviews.  I agree with the critics who praised it and with the critics who panned. Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) stars as an very talented, but aging scout for the Atlanta Braves. He is a long time widower with a thirty something daughter is on the verge of becoming a partner in her law firm. Gus and Mickey (Amy Adams) relationship is not a close one, she resents that her father sent her to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother's death. Mickey, who loves the game of baseball, takes time from work to be with her father as he scouts a very promising high school baseball player who is being sought after in the draft. As they spend time together, Mickey wants to deal with the issues that prevent her from being close to her dad. She keeps hitting a brick wall because Gus doesn't want to talk about the past.
As she is working to being closer to her father, Mickey is keeping a possible love interest at arm's length. Flanagan  (Justin Timberlake) is scouting for the Red Sox and is interested in the same player as the Braves. He is also very interested in Mickey who is, as he states, "emotionally unavailable." Will Flanagan get the girl? What team will sign the prospective phenom? Will Mickey become closer to her dad?
The strength of the movie was the cast. Eastwood was excellent as the wise cracking curmudgeon. Adams and Flanagan have chemistry and John Goodman is believable as Gus's best friend and boss. I thought the first half of the movie was trite and slow moving. The second half moved along as Adams and Timberlake began their romance. The ending of the movie was predictable but happy. All in all, a pleasant experience but my suggestion is that viewers step up to the rental plate.

End of Watch (1:49) 2012

End of Watch is being praised as one of the best cop movies of late and I wholeheartedly agree. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena are partners in South Central Los Angeles. Officer Zavala (Pena) is married and his wife is expecting and Taylor  (Gyllenhaal) is in a relationship with Janet. Their assignment involves patrolling 13 a crime ridden area where drug deals are the norm of the day. As dangerous as their assignments are, the duo's lives are in danger. Taylor and Zavala stumble upon a house full of heroin and the head of a Mexican drug cartel wants them dead. While off duty, we get a peak of their lives when off duty, the parties, the wedding, and the birth of Z's son. Taylor is taking a film study course so he videotapes some of the action on the street, in the patrol car, giving the film a documentary feel. Predictably, the movie is full of vulgar language and bloody violence giving the viewer the reality of the dangerous life of a city city police officer. I highly recommend this movie with one exception  - the mothers of city police officers as pointed out to me by one of my retired teacher friends, a mother of a NYC police officer.

Lawless (1:55) 2012

My friend and I saw Lawless a week ago. We agreed that it was a good story. The problem is it is so bloody and violent that we weren't sure if we would stay to see the movie. Lawless is based on the book titled "The Wettest County in the World" by Matt Bondurant's grandfather and his two great uncles moonshine and bootlegging business. Set in rural Virginia during the Prohibition Era, the film has a great soundtrack and has many panoramic scenes of the countryside. (Lawless was filmed in Georgia, not Virginia). The costumes and antique cars take the audience back to the roaring twenties. The problem with the movie is with the violence including a scene of throat slitting which I was not prepared for. Of course it is Hollywood and the victims of beatings heal very quickly without leaving any scarring. I predict that Lawless will not be in the theaters long but it will find a larger audience on the small screen. Wait for the rental.

The Words (1:36) 2012

The movie begins with Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) reading from his new book to a large audience. His story is about a young struggling writer, Rory Jensen, who finds a manuscript in a beat up valise while in Paris. Jensen (Cooper) retypes the manuscript on his laptop. His wife (Saldana) reads the book and thinks it belongs to her husband. Jensen sells the book to a literary agent and the book is a top seller. Jensen is uneasy about his success but begins to believe that he wrote the book. Then he has a conversation with an old man (Jeremy Irons) who is the true author of the book. The story of the old man's life is told in flashbacks and voice overs.The question which Irons poses is "'what is the price for stealing another person's life? Jensen is now at the crossroads - what will he do or not do? The Words has received terrible reviews. Two of my friends and I thought it was good. The film does not have a  neatly tied up ending but one which provoked a discussion amongst us. See it.

The Intouchables (1:52) 2012

A record breaking box office hit in France, The Intouchables is a story of a paralyzed very wealthy, educated  man and his poor attendant, a man with a prison record.  Driss applies for the job taking care of Philippe, knowing that he has no chance of employment. He interviews so he can have a signed record which he needs to apply for benefits. Much to his surprise, he is given a two month trial. Philippe and Driss are as different as night and day yet over time they form a relationship and a strong bond. Driss is easy going, fun and street wise. Philippe, trapped by his body, enjoys Driss flirting with the staff, speeding around the streets trying to evade being ticketed by police. Driss enjoys the good life, lavish living quarters, good food but is still tried to his old neighborhood where is aunt and many cousins reside. This foreign film, with English subtitles, will most likely be nominted for a Best Foregin Film. Although a tad long at the end, it will be an nomination which is well deserved.

Premium Rush (1:30) 2012

Premium Rush is a mixed bag. The strengths of the bike messenger themed movie is the action. Joesph Gordon-Levitt weaves through the traffic jammed streets of the Big Apple on a single gear bike with no brakes. He is  charming, reckless former trick bicycle rider and law school graduate. He hasn't taken the bar exam because he doesn't want to wear a suit and sit in an office.  Wilee picks up a package containing a ticket worth a lot of money which he needs to deliver to Chinatown. A police detective, with a gambling problem, plans to intercept the ticket to pay of his debt. Wilee, his girlfriend, and his rival, race through the streets, avoiding police to make the delivery before the seven o'clock deadline. Full of action, neat camera angles and lots of bikes crashing into cars keeps the movie going at a good pace. The story is told in a nonlinear way so the audience understands why key events have taken place. Is the dialogue great? No. Are the main characters likable? Yes. Is the villain despicable? Yes. I believe that Premium Rush will be a hit with the high school and college crowd. And for the rest of us, it will be an afternoon spent in a summer escape action film and for those of us going back to school, it a good way to end our vacations.

Sparkle (1:56) 2010

Sparkle is Whitney Houston's final performance on screen as she passes the torch to Jordin Sparks and Carmen Ejogo, her on screen daughters. In the film, Houston almost made it big but never signed a record contract. Her three daughters are very talented especially Sister. Sparkle is a backup singer but is a prolific songwriter. The third sister has her sights on being a doctor, which in 1968 Detroit, will be no easy feat. The trio meet Stix, a manager, who beleives the sisters will make it big. They perform one musical number after a another while keeping their performances a secret from their mother. The script is predictable, Sister meets a local comedian and lives with him. Satin has a drug problem and Sister soon follows down the same road. Sparkle has not received great reviews but the music and the costumes of Motown age keeps the movie afloat. Watching Whitney Houston belt out a song in a church scene was worth the price of admission. The film has its shortcomings but Houston and Sparks make up for them.

Hope Springs (1:40) 2012

A movie with a very real dialogue, at times funny, sometimes touching, and sometimes very emotional. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones have been married for thirty-one years and have grown apart. Kay (Streep) is very unhappy and puts it on the line - four thousand dollars worth. She signs the couple for a week long intensive marriage counseling with Dr. Feld (Steve Carrell). Every morning, the couple meets with Feld to discuss, or not discuss in Arnold's case, their feelings. As in real life, the couple moves forward, then takes a couple of steps backwards. Arnold finally has to come to terms with the essential question - does he want his marriage to continur or end. This is a wonderful movie, Carrell may be given a nod for best supporting actor for his low key performance. Streep says it all with her facial expressions and Jones is a curmudgeon, sometimes lovable and sometimes not. Hope Springs is one of the best movies of the year, I highly recommend it.

The Watch (1:40) 2012

Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill are members of a local neighborhood watch. They are not on the watch for criminal activity but alien activity. Yes, aliens have ovetaken an Ohio Costco and have killed a night security guard. The Watch is not a horror movie nor even a comedy. It is a mishmosh of crude humor, cheesy dialogue and stereotypical characters. Now having said all that, I thought the movie got better as it went along and was able to hold my attention. It was my hope that The Watch was going to be as good as last year's alien comedy hit, Paul but fell incredibly short. The Watch won't be in the theaters very long, my suggestion is to wait and see it some night when you come across it when channel surfing.

All Hail the Beat (0:03) 2012

All Hail the Beat is a documentary about the Roland TR -808 drum machine which is used by musicians and DJs all over the world. The interesting fact is the 808 has not been made since 1984 and most musicians have never seen one!

Bionic Eye (0:03) 2012

Bionic Eye is part of the Focus Forward Short Films. This documentary discusses the possible use of an bionic eye which will allow those suffering from retinitis pigmentosa to see again. This technology works by having a small chip to read light and send it to the optic nerve. Let's hope the work of these Boston doctors is successful.

The Dark Knight Rises (2:45) 2012

Of all the superheroes, Batman is not high on my list of favorites. I have always liked his alter ego, Bruce Wayne and his high society living. My uncertainity about Batman is that I really don't care for dark movies, movies that take place at night or in the shadows. I do have to say that I really did like this latest version. Although it is long, the action and dialogue keeps the viewers engaged. The film picks up as Batman has kept to himself for eight years, taking the blame for popular Harvery Dent's death. He also has a shattered knee and walks with a cane.  A new villain, Bane arrives to "liberate" the people of Gotham. Batman rises to the challenge with the help of a young police officer, Blake and Catwoman. Blake is (Gordon-Levitt) is an orphan having lost his parents early in life so we know where this is eventually going. Catwoman (Hathaway) was a sexy jewel thief who really did have a conscience and Batman's mother's necklace. This summer's most anticipated movie doesn't disappoint, it truly rises to the top.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (1:31) 2012

This is the summer of very different movies and Beasts of the Southern Wild is one of the best examples. The movie was filmed in Louisiana and has exquisite scenery, except for the shots of the industrial complex. Hushpuppy is an adorable, imaginative six year old who lives in The Bathtub with her heavy drinking father, Wink. The Bathtub is based on the low lying Isle de Jean Charles. The residents of the Bathtub are very poor and isolated but are a close knit community who believe in celebrating life. A big storm comes and many residents do not survive. Wink and Hushpuppy are among the survivors who are forcibly evacuated. The survivors join others at a shelter. Wink is seriously ill, actually dying, but the group decides to break out and return to the Bathtub. I took Beasts of the Southern Wild as a cautionary tale of poverty and global warming. When the oceans rise, many of the poor will be the first to perish. Those who do survive will do much better than most of the middle and upper class whose survival skills are not well honed. This is a highly recommended film, the six year old unknown actor is fantastic.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2:17) 2012

The good news: the cast was wonderful. Sally Field and Martin Sheen as Aunt May and Uncle Ben were great picks for Peter's family. I am a big fan of Andrew Garfield and thought he had a sheepish and appealing smile. Although he is twenty-eight, he was believable as a high school student. Emma Stone portrayed his girlfriend Gwen, who is actually was first girlfriend in the comics. The story starts with Peter as a little boy just as his parents are escaping from danger. The who and what of the danger is unknown the and now. The flashback was an effective way to start the film, however, I thought the first hour of the movie dragged in places. Spider-Man evolves into a crime fighting super hero wanted by the police. He does battle with a Giant Lizard who once was Dr. Curt Connors, his father's partner in cross genetics research. We saw the movie in 3D and it was worth the money to watch Spidey swinging from crane to crane in the Big
Apple. All in all, a pleasant way to spend a hot afternoon - sitting in the air conditioned darkness wearing 3D glasses rooting for Spider-Man. I felt like a kid again.

Ted (1:55) 2012

Is Ted crude and vulgar? Yes. Is Ted politically correct? No. Does it have bathroom humor? Yes. Will you laugh your head off? Absolutely, unless you are easily offended. Ted reminds me of past summer comedies - Bridesmaids and the year before, The Hangover. The audience can't help but laugh time and time again. John Bennett, a lonely friendless eight year old, receives Ted as a Christmas gift from his parents. He wishes for his bear to come alive and a shooting star makes the wish come true.One of the first scenes is John's parents reaction to the live stuffed bear. The audience just howled. Fast forward, John is now thirty-five and smokes pot, and drinks beer with his friend Ted. John has a going nowhere job at a car rental business but does a hot girlfriend of four years,  Lori isn't thrilled with the fact that her boyfriend has a best friend that is a stuffed animal, even though he does speak. Lori breaks off the relationship with her Peter Pan boyfriend and John is devastated. Ted sees his friend suffering and takes steps to bring the two together. Is it too little too late?Although there are lots of laughts, there is a serious part to the movie. Lori wants John to grow up but John cannot break away from his thunder buddy. I highly recommend Ted with the caveat that it does contain lots for vulgar language. But you can't help laugh.

300 (1:56) 2007

I had toyed with seeing 300 on the big screen as I was fascinated with the computer enhanced graphics and the style of the movie. My hestiation was that it was going to be very violent and bloody. And so it should be - it is the retelling of  the Battle of Thermopylae, the battle where 300 heroic Spartans stood to battle a much larger Persian Army. I just happen to come across it on television today and took the chance on seeing the five year old movie. It was graphically violent - heads literally rolled. Gerald Butler played the King of the Spartan army, both brave and wise as he leads his army against the Persians, winning battle after battle. King Leonidas was fighting for a cause -to live in freedom. When betrayed, he realizes that he and his men will be making a last stand and sends a wounded captain back to Sparta to tell the tale which still lives on today. The movie seems to be historically accurate and as violent as I expected. It was a good movie especially for history buffs.

A Mile in His Shoes (1:31) 2011

Dean Cain stars as Murph, a coach of a midwestern minor league baseball team. A car accident causes Murph to stop at a farm and discovers a pitcher with fantastic heat. The teenage boy Mickey comes with a  powerful throw. Cain wants to bring back to his team, the Rats, who are in desperate need of a pitcher. Mickey's parents are very protective of Mickey because he has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Murph promises to look out for him and soon the players on the team bond with Mickey. There is one exception - Lefty, the team's other pitcher who is jealous of Mickey's success. Lefty is up to no good when he invites Mickey to a party and has a girl lure him away from the party. Mickey is traumatized by his night in the woods alone and is not able to pitch just as the team is heading to the Championship. Will Mickey pull himself together in time to pitch in the Big Game?  This is an OK movie, its strength is in portrayal of Mickey and the challenges he faces - noise, crowds, and social relationships. I thought that Mickey's father was rather harsh but the ending showed that his dad was protective because he was afraid for Mickey. I love baseball movies so if your game is rained out someday, my suggestion is to stream this for an afternoon's entertainment.

Moonrise Kingdom (1:33) 2012

Think about the quirkest movie you have ever seen. Moonrise Kingdom will out quirky it. Bruce Willis, Ed Norton, Bill Murray and Frances McDormand are residents of an New England island community. (BTW, the film was shot in Rhode Island.) The Bishops' (Murray and McDormand) twelve year old daughter falls in love and runs away with a Khaki Scout named Sam. Once they are discovered missing, the entire island is out looking for them. Norton is the Scout Leader Ward who takes his troop to find Sam. The Sheriff, Captain Sharp (Willis) is looking for Suzy and Sam. This all takes place as a 1965 hurricane is about to strike making search and rescue attempts dangerous. When the truth about Sam is uncovered, Willis is willing to have Sam live with him if Sam and Suzy will be discovered and saved from the storm. Will Captain Sharp be a hero? Moonrise Kingdom is an odd little movie but it is fun. The setting and soundtrack support the cast,  both the veteran and young actors. It is hard movie to describe because it is so different but it is well done. It may not be everyone's cup ot tea but I do recommend it to all fans of quirky movies.

Magic Mike (1:50) 2012

Channing Tatum is Magic Mike in all his glory. Inspired by Tatum's early life, Mike is stripping to earn money to open his custom made modern furniture business. Along the way he meets Adam, soon to be known as The Kid. Adam joins the male revue of a Tampa club owned by Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). And when he comes to McConaughey, he is the power and the glory. Adam is young (nineteen) so Mike promises Adam's disapproving sister that he will take care of him. Adam succumbs to the darker side of the exotic dancing business - drugs, drink and women. This causes tension between Mike and the sister, to whom Mike is attracted. Dallas, with business thriving, decides to expand his revue by moving to Miami. Will Mike, who will receive a percentage of the business, move with the revue or has he had enough? The dance routines and the soundtrack were great and all the guys were stud muffins. This afternoon's matinee were all women and we all left smiling. There is a serious storyline and the behind the scenes look at this raunchy business reminded me of the movie Burlesque. For a ladies night out, I suggest Magic Mike.

The Double (1:28) 2011

Richard Gere and Topher Grace team up in the spy thriller. Gere is a retired CIA operative who pairs with a young FBI agent (Grace) to capture Cassius, a Russian spy long thought dead. The story has many twists and turns as the audience starts questioning who may be a double agent from Russia, now considered a threat. Gere and Grace are great together as the loner Gere tries to keep the newbie away from danger. If you are a Gere or fan of the spy thriller genre, it's worth a rental.

Brave (1:33) 2012

Disney's latest animation has it strengths and weaknesses. Merida, the Scottish princess, has locks of fiery red hair with a need for independence just as fiery.  But she is a teenager, and King Fergus and Queen Elinor have arranged a competition among the clans. The prize is Merida's hand in marriage.  Merida rebels and asks a witch for a spell to change her mother. Merida gets what she asked for. And we all know that we have to be careful what we wish for. Her mother does change but not in the way Merida anticipated. The clans are fighting amongst themselves because they want a resolution to whom will chosen for Merida. Merida soon realizes that she needs to make things right for the sake of her family and the clans. Will she put things right before the second sunrise? This is a visually stunning movie with a top notch Paddy Doyle soundtrack. There are two weaknesses or drawbacks, the first being the Scottish accent. I missed some of the dialogue due to the Scottish accent and wondered if young children would have the same problem. The second weakness is the plot. The movie went in a direction I wasn't prepared for and it lacked the action adventure expected of a warrior princess movie. However, the strength of  Brave is with the warrior princess. Merida wants to be strong and independent, a princess who chooses her destiny and not one whose destiny is chosen. Young girls should absolutely love this movie. Parents will love the message of the absolute importance of the family bond.

Madagascar 3: Eurrope's Most Wanted (1:33) 2012

Madagascar 3 is a children's movie. It's fun and cute  and containis some humor aimed at adults. The children in the audience really seemed to enjoy the escapades of Alec, Marty, Gloria and Melman as they t\o get back to their home at the Central Park Zoo. Posing as circus act, they join up with a circus traveling through Europe. At the same time, they need to stay ahead of a Cruella DeVille like character, Captain DuBois, who wants Alec's head literally and figuratively. With the runaway gang infusing new ideas into the struggling circus, returning home begins to actually be possible. But then there is the saying, you can never go home again.  Madagascar 3 is a big hit with the children, less so with the adults. There is one beautiful scene, which I could see time and time again, the opening of the new circus act - Cirque du soleil style. It's think it is time for Madagascar to quit while it's ahead.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2:03) 2012

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and other well known senior British actors comprise the residents of the Exotic Marigold Hotel. The residents have left England to spend their golden years in an Indian retirement hotel. To paraphrase one, just like Florida without the golf courses but with elephants. Most of the residents have come to India because living in England is too expensive but they are also looking for new experiences. Muriel Donnelly  (Smith) has come to have a hip replacement, Graham Dashwood (Wilkinson) is a retired judge returning to look for an old love. When they arrive, there are surprises. The hotel is not in the best of conditions, the weather is hard to adjust to, and the culture shock for some is extremely hard. The sights and sounds of India are fantastic on the big screen, with some residents particularly Wilkinson and Dench embrace the changes. As the days pass the group form relationships amongst each other. When it looks like the Hotel must close, the individuals find they have to again make a difficult choice, will they stay or return? Three of us went to see this movie last night, two of us seniors and one adult in her thirties. We all liked the movie very much. The acting was excellent, the dialogue was witty and funny and very touching in parts. It was recommended to us by two of my retired teacher friends whom also raved about the film. This is a must see for the baby boomer and senior citizen sets!

Men in Black (1:45) 2012

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back as special agents fighting Boris, an escapee from LunarMax, who is attempting to destroy Earth. Agent J (Smith) goes back in time and meets his much younger partner played by Josh Brolin. Brolin nails Agent K's (Jones) mannerisms, speech patterns and facial expressions (or lack of expressions). The scenes with Brolin are the best part of the movie. MIB3 contains the standard fare of aliens, often masquerading as humans. Some aliens are our friends and others are criminals and the agents having to determine the good aliens from the evil ones. The end of the movie uncovers some of the secrets which Agent K has been keeping from Agent J in a touching final scene. If you are a fan of MIB, the third film is better than the second and almost as entertaining as the original. MIB3 is doing well at the box office this holiday weekend. The summer blockbusters are off to a good start!

Crooked Arrows (1:40) 2012

Every once in awhile, a true gem of an independent movie shines brightly. Crooked Arrows is this gem. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this modern tribal lacrosse movie. Joe Logan is a Sunaquat tribal member who is brokering a deal to expand the local casino. In order for the tribal council to approve his plan, Joe must first coach the tribe's lacrosse team. Although Joe is reluctant, he does accept the position and rediscovers his love of the game. The Crooked Arrows are just like the other movie teams, Bad New Bears and the Mighty Ducks, with the players have raw undeveloped talent. Joe works to have the players work as a team. As the Crooked Arrows begin to win games and move up in the standings, they bring lacrosse back to their people. Will they be able to win the state championship? The film,financed by the Onandaga Nation, is an underdog crowd pleaser. The opening scenes explain how lacrosse was first played. The soundtrack and the scenery (set in New York but filmed in Massachusetts) add to the story. Although the storyline is predictable, this is a fun and inspiring family movie. See it!

It's Complicated (2:00) 2009

Need some laughs? (Jane) Meryl Streep and (Jake) Alec Baldwin are long divorced with adult children when Jake discovers that he is not really happy with his much younger second wife. Jake wants to give it another try with Jane. Jane has moved on, running a successful business and is at the start of a new relationship with a wonderfully sensitive and fun new man, Adam. Jane and Jake become involved again and have a fling unbeknownest to their children. Is love better the second time around? This is a very entertaining lighthearted fare. Streep and Baldwin have wonderful chemistry, it is easy to believe they are divorced but still care for each other. And it is just as easy to believe Streep and Adam (Steve Martin) have a chance of finding happiness together.  The best scene in the movie is when Streep shares with her girlfriends the news of her relationship which is with her ex husband. Their reaction alone is worth the price of admission. If you missed this movie the first time round, it's well worth a spot on the queue.

Marvel's The Avengers (2:22) 2012

The Avengers broke all attendance records for new releases this weekend. My daughter and I went today at 3:30 and the theater was packed to see old favorites, Thor, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Captain America. It's a long movie but it is action packed, full of computer generated effects. I noticed that the very young children (ages 5-7) were restless but everyone else was engaged in the movie. My favorite is the wise cracking flippant Iron Man played by Robert Downey, Jr.  Mark Ruffalo is The Hulk with a smaller part but reminds me of Bill Bixby, the original TV Hulk. The plot picks up with Loki, Thor's brother, returning to Earth. He plans to enslave the human as he conquers our planet. The Avengers, first at odds with each other, join forces to battle Loki and his army. Lots of crashes, killing, car smashes and building destruction take place throughout the film. It's a romp, the beginning of the summer blockbusters. A must see for all comic book fans.

Chimpanzee (1:17) 2012

Filmed in the jungles of the Ivory Coast and Uganda, the Tim Allen narrated story of the orphaned
Oscar is a wonderful family movie. There is a scene that may be unsettling for children - a rival group led by Scar attack and kill Oscar's mother. This happens off screen and is reminiscent of the long ago Bambi scene. Being orphaned at such a long age makes Oscar's outlook for survival bleak. Rejected by other chimp mothers in is group, Oscar starts to lose weight. Then a little miracle happens, the alpha male, Freddy takes Oscar under his wing. And nurture overcomes nature. Chimpanzee is the best of the recent Earth Day releases.  The panoramic views of the jungle, the sunrise and sunset shots, and the waterfall shots are worth the price of admission. Oscar is adorable and captures the hearts of the viewers. This is a must see of animal or nature lovers.

The Lucky One (1:41) 2012

Logan, a veteran of three tours of duty in Iraq, is in search of the woman whose picture he found after a night raid. He noticed the reflection of the laminated picture on the ground. He went to pick it up and as he was looking at the photo, an explosive device hit the location where he had been standing. Thinking that the mystery woman saved his life, he starts looking for her when he returns to the States. Logan is able to identify where she lives by the water tower  in the picture's background. Beth, with her grandmother, runs a kennel in the southern town of Hamden. Logan locates her and takes a job at her kennel. Beth resists her attraction to Logan but Logan eventually wins Beth over. The couple do run into problems. Keith, Beth's ex-husband, is jealous and threatens to gain custody of their eight year old son, Ben. Logan never shares why he has come to Hamden nor speaks about his experiences in the war. Beth is grief stricken because he brother Drake died the year before in Iraq. With all the stress, will Logan and Beth's relationship survive? The Lucky One is based on a Nicholas Spark's novel. It is a chick flick filled with romance, predictable dialogue and events.  Zac Efron is an absolute hunk, definitely eye candy. The movie going experience was a breezy, no heavy thinking event. It seemed to be more of a made for television movie and suggest viewers check it out when it becomes available as a rental.

Orbit: Look at the Sun (0:05) 2011

Orbit: Look at the Sun shows us our star in blazing color.  Our sense of awe continues with the close up views of solar storms and sun spots.

Boy (1:27) 2010

Boy  is a charming and endearing film from New Zealand. Set in 1984, eleven year old Boy lives with his Granny, his younger brother Rocky and several younger cousins. Boy's mother died giving birth to Rocky and his dad is in prison. Boy idolizes Michael Jackson and is hoping that his father, another man he idolizes, returns home some day. His Granny leaves to attend a funeral and soon his father returns with two of his mates. Dad has a goal, to dig up the money he stole in a robbery. The problem is he does remember exactly where in the field he buried the money. Boy is happy to have his dad back but over time he sees his dad's shortcomings. Will his dad stay or will he take off when he recovers the stolen money?  Boy has humor but also has a serious side as Boy has to take care of the younger relatives. The family lives in impoverished circumstances and his father's return, well welcome at first, causes Boy to rethink his feelings about being just like his dad. The soundtrack and scenery adds to the charm of this movie.

Bully (1:39) 2011

Bully is a powerful documentary about the devastating effects of bullies running rampant. The film follows five families, two of which have lost sons to suicide. At times, Bully is very difficult to watch as the viewer sees and hears the cruel treatment of vulnerable students by their peers. The parents' agony of having lost their children is heartbreaking to watch. Although there are several instances of rough and vulgar language, this is a documentary of great value.  Their losses became a springboard for action, rallies against bully are being held across the country. This is a documentary that should be seen by every School Superintendent, Board of Education member, PTA, teacher, and high school student. Middle School students, due to the heavy emotions which accompany suicide, need to see this film with parental and/or teacher guidance. I certainly hope and believe Bully will be nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary.

The Whale (1:25) 2011

Luna was an two year old orca who was separated from his pod while in Nootka Sound, British Columbia. The townspeople fell in love with Luna as he seemed to crave human attention. The Native Americans believed that Luna was one of their tribe who had died several weeks before he surfaced. A battle took place between the government who thought it was in Luna's best interest to be reintroduced back to his pod or sent to an aquarium. The Native Americans thought nature should be allowed to take its course. Due to the difference's in thinking, Luna sometimes received much attention and sometimes he was ignored. Eventually, it became apparent that Luna was in danger. He would swim up close to boats and was in danger of being injured by a boat's propeller. Everyone wants what is best for Luna but exactly what is in his best interest? The Whale was the closer for the EFFY 2012 and in my opinion, the festival saved the best for last. This is a must see documentary for nature lovers, families, and students.

Bestiaire (1:12) 2012

Bestiaire was my least favorite showing of EFFY 2012. The documentary, with no dialogue, highlights a variety of wild animals at a Montreal animal park. Bestiaire opens in winter when the animals are indoors in shelters. This part of the film is difficult to watch and I actually left for several minutes. The animals are caged and restless. One lion repeatedly keeps banging up against the locked door, bringing to mind "like a caged animal". The documentary continues with the spring season as the animals are finally allowed outside and are free to roam in enlarged but fenced areas.

Homeless (0:02) 2011

A hermit crab sheds his shell and is in search of a new home in this computer animated/live action blend.
It really is a cute movie that can be viewed by following this link: .http://www.swaglikeme.com/blog/2012/1/5/homeless.html

The Island President (1:41) 2012

Mohamed Nasheed became the first democratic president of the Maldives, a nation of two thousand islands located in the Indian Ocean. Nasheed led his democratic party in overthrowing a long reigning dictator. Nasheed was arrested four times and spent eighteen months in solitary confinement before the Maldives held their first presidential election. Once Nasheed took office, he was faced with the overwhelming evidence that the Maldives are sinking. Well, not actually sinking but battling erosion of beaches due to rising ocean levels. Nasheed and his Cabinet participated in the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009 as they attempt to bring pressure on the participating countries to reach an agreement to lower carbon emissions in attempt to slow global warming. The Island President  is very well received last night at EFFY. It was an inspiring story of a man who is solving sand against the tide. This cautionary tale is told with humor, clarity and hope. This is a must see documentary.

Acqua (0:08) 2011

Containing no dialogue, a young woman undertakes a solitary pilgrimage to river. She enters the river with her large glass jug and brings the water back to her home. Water is an important of all of life's events.

Chasing Water (0:19) 2011

Chasing Water is nineteen minutes of beautiful, truly awesome video. Peter McBride traces the route of the Colorado River by air starting at the headwaters. The river winds several states and  the Grand Canyon to eventually the sea. Actually the mouth of the Colorado River is located at the Matagorda Bay which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. One rafter attempts to paddle the route which takes about five months. McBride joins the rafter towards the end of the journey so they can paddle to the bay. Unfortunately, with water being syphoned to provide drinking water for large cities, the duo are faced with an unpleasant surprise. I fell in love with this documentary.  Check out the following web site:
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/video_colorado_river_running_near_empty/2443/

The Atomic States of America (1:35) 2011

Kelly McMaster experienced a typical childhood growing up on Long Island. Her home, however, was in a nuclear reactor community. Cases of a rare childhood cancer started to appear within the radius of the laboratory. The rare cancer was associated with low level exposure to elements which leak from reactors.
This documentary explains the history of nuclear energy, the use of nuclear energy as an energy source and the associated health risks.  A close up of the battle between Shirley residents and the laboratory is highlighted. This is an important documentary as President Obama has been a proponent of building new reactors. His stand is being closely scrutinized since the Fukushima reactor was heavily damaged by the tsunami.

663114 (0:08) 2011

663114 is a beautifully animated short about the life cycle of the cicada. The cicada, drawn in black ink, continously moves up a tree as the narration describes its sixty-six year life cycle. As the cicada inches up the tall tree to safely shed its shell and lay eggs, a earthquake shakes the screen. The cicada narrowly misses being washed away by the tsunami. And then there is the accident.

Big Boys Gone Bananas!*

The latest offering of the Environmental Film Festival at Yale was a sequel to an earlier documentary Bananas!* shown at EffY two years ago. Big Boys Gone Bananas!* relates the events that took place when Dole tried to suppress the showing of Bananas!*, a documentary about Central American farm workers exposure to unsafe working conditions. Shortly after the filmmaker Fredrik Gertten entered Bananas!*  in the Los Angeles Film Festival and put up his web site,  Dole reacted and reacted with full force. Dole filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers and put pressure on the LA festival to pull the film. The filmmakers received help from their own country, Sweden, as Sweden places a high value on free speech.
I don't want to give anymore details about the fight between David and Goliath other to say that at the end of the screening the audience leaped to their feet and gave the filmmaker a very enthusiastic and extended round of applause.

The Last Mountain (1:35) 2011

The Last Mountain is a fantastic movie, so far it has been my favorite of the EFFY documentaries. The residents of the southern part of West Virginia are fighting Massey Energy. Massey is a big powerful coal company that is  aggressively practicing mountain top mining which means they blow up mountains. The residents have to live with the deforestation of their environment, sludge piles full of highly concentrated heavy metals and polluted streams, rivers, and wells. The opening of the documentaries highlights one of the environmental activists speaking about six of her neighbors, including her brother who have all died as a result of brain tumors. Bobby Kennedy, Jr. has joined in battling the politically well connected corporation making the enforcement of the Clean Water Ace very difficult. Let's win one for the Gipper.

Eating Alabama 2012

Tonight's EFFY feature is titled Eating Alabama, a documentary about a young couple decision to eat only food grown when they return to their home state. The couple, Andrew Grace and his wife, travel eight hundred miles to shop at farmers' markets. They also start a small, but ever expanding garden in their front yard. They soon realize that rural Alabama has given way to suburban sprawl and the small farms of Grace's childhood have disappeared. As the couple stick to their pledge to eat only local foods for a year, they begin to explore locally grown novel foods. They spend time learning how to prepare the vegetables and fruits in new ways and eventually host community type dinners for their friends.  This was an interesting, sometimes humorous look at the benefits and challenges of investing in locally grown food.

Surviving Progress (1:26) 2011

Surviving Progress was the first feature of the Environmental Film Festival at Yale. Usually, I will post my thoughts about a movie after the ride home. Couldn't do that last night as this is a documentary which makes the viewer think, think and think some more. But at the same time, there is a lot of eye candy with close ups of nature. The cinematography was enthralling, there is a short scene of a city at night, with the cars speeding by and the airplanes frequently landing in the background. The main messages of the film that I took away were one, planet Earth is in trouble. Progress have been a double edge sword. It has allowed for some people to live very nicely but others have been passed over. There is a very clear message that we need to plan and conserve our natural resources. People have been acting as though our resources are an limitless bank where we can continue to borrow and borrow. Oops, we have used up our credit limit and then some. While we have made such technological progress in the last five thousand years, our brains are still hard wired as hunters and gathers from long ago. Is there hope for us on this planet?

Meet Mr. Toilet (0:03)

Meet Mr. Toilet is a short film documentary about the sanitation of  human waste. Mr. Toilet is in reality Jack Sim, a businessman, who is changing the world one poop at a time. In many third world countries, people use the local rivers as their toilets which results in contaminated drinking and cooking water. Sim is promoting his toilets in attempt to decrease waterborne disease. Using animation, this short film deals with a serious subject in a humorous manner. 

Opening Night at EFFY 2012

Tonight was the opening night of the Environmental Film Festival at Yale. Surviving Progress was tonight's documentary, it was preceded by a short film, Meet Mr. Toilet. The two films will be reviewed in the next two postings. An interesting event took place as we were arriving at the Yale Art Gallery, tonight's location. As my daughter was climbing the stairs to the Art Gallery, I happen to notice a sign stating that the entrance to the film was around the corner on High Street. I called out to Elizabeth, my daughter, to follow the sign just as three others were also going up the stairs. Two of the trio were wearing EFFY tee shirts so I knew they were student staff. As we walked to High Street the two girls introduced me to the gentleman in their group. It turns out the man was a co-director of Surviving Progress, Harold Crooks. We chit chatted as we walked around the corner and into the auditorium. He was a very pleasant and down to earth. I asked him if I could take his picture so I could post it on my blog. He was very agreeable and asked if I would email him the picture. So needless to say, I was really enjoying EFFY even before the movie started.

Environmental Film Festival at Yale Starts Tonight!

EFFY 2012 begins tonight! The opening film will be shown at the Yale Art  Gallery. Please follow the link to read the New Haven Register's article highlighting the ten films. The link is: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/04/06/entertainment/arts/doc4f7f783f58f54899319863.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Footnote - Hearat Shulayim (1:43) 2011

Two rivaling men, father and son, struggle to maintain a relationship in modern day Jerusalem. Eliezer Shkolnik, the father, is a long time Talmudic studies researcher.  His long time hope has been to receive the coveted Israel prize. His son, Uriel also a Talmud scholar but highly published and highly regarded. Much to the family's delight, Eliezer's dream comes true when the long awaited telephone call announces he is the winner of the Israel prize. The next day, Uriel receives a phone call, his father's award was meant for him. If he accepts, he knows he will lose what little of the relationship he has with his father. And yet, Uriel knows that his father is a honest man true to his profession. This dark comedy from Israel was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film.  Subtitled in English, the film contains quirky characters with a humorous bent. The film is considered a gem by the critics and I would agree.

Mirror, Mirror (1:34) 2012

Julia Roberts reigns as the evil queen in this modern retelling of the Snow White fairy tale. Snow White finds the seven dwarfs in the forest but in this version they are petty thieves. The Prince has a magic spell cast on him so he is in "puppy" love with the queen. Snow White trains with the dwarfs and decides to take back her kingdom to prevent the marriage of the queen to the prince she loves. This is a fun movie for the entire family. The movie has action, humor, and is visually rich. Nathan Lane is, as always, fun to watch as Brighton, the queen's lackey. The audience at today's matinee was made up of  mostly young elementary students who seemed to get a big kick out of the film. With April vacation soon upon us, Mirror, Mirror will be a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

The Whistleblower (1:52) 2010

This is one tough movie to watch. Based on true events, Rachel Weisz portrays  a former Nebraska policewoman turned Bosnian peacekeeper. Kathy applies for a job overseas in order to make good money so she can move nearer to her teenage daughter. Once she arrives in Bosnia, Kathy job is to stop the exploitation of young women who are trafficked for sex. As Kathy encounters the women, who have been brutalized physically and emotionally, she encounters an even  darker side of the underbelly of sex trafficking - private contractors and diplomats are involved in the sex trade. A very lucrative business, many are invested in supressing information Kathy has uncovered. The Whistleblower is a good movie but one that made me a little sick to my stomach. There are several scenes where the women are being beaten and raped and it is extremely hard to watch. Kudos to the filmmakers for bringing attention to this international injustice.

The Hunger Games (2:22) 2012

Just like millions of Americans, my daughter and I were in the theater this weekend watching the newly released The Hunger Games. Box office numbers for the The Hunger Games have topped more than $150 million and for a good reason. It really is a good movie, full of action, highly imaginative and good acting. Katniss and Peeta are the two teenagers chosen to represent their district in the annual hunger games. They face twenty-two other teenagers in this televised survival game where the winner is the last person standing. Katniss and Peeta are attracted to each other but there can only be champion. Will they turn against each other so one will survive? I certainly can understand why this is such a popular movie with teenagers. The two stars are good actors and have chemistry. The action moves at a good pace, with just one slow down towards the end. The costumes, hairstyles and sets in the Capitol will probably lead to some Oscar nominations. The Hunger Games is an highly original story and deserves to be seen!

A Painted House (1:38) 2003

A Painted House, set in rural 1952 Arkansas, is based on the famous author John Grishom's early life. The story is told by Luke, a ten year old boy, who lives with parents and grandparents, struggling cotton farmers. Life cotton farming is difficult, crops fail, and excessive rain causes floods. Prejudice is a way of life, a migrant Mexican worker falls in love with a daughter of one of the white farmers and when the secret relationship is discovered, his life is in danger. Luke has a very close relationship with his grandfather but as the flooded crops endanger their livelihood, Luke faces the possibility of having to move north with his parents. An original CBS Hall of Fame movie, A Painted House is a look at the poor Southern farming culture.

Thunder Soul (1:23) 2011

Nominated for an 2011 American Spirit Award nomination for Best Documentary, Thunder Soul is a lively and upbeat film about the Houston's Kashmere High School Stage Band in the mid seventies.  "Prof" Conrad O Johnson was the band teacher of an all African American funk band and a father figure to many of the students. Thirty-five years after graduation, students in his award winning band travel from far and wide to reunite for a concert at their alma mater. Prof is in his eighties and his thrill with this tribute concert.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (1:52) 2012

Quiet and quirky are the two movie descriptors that immediately come to mind. Dr. Fred Jones (Ewan McGregor) is one of Britain's leading fish experts. Harriet (Emily Blount) is a financial consultant for a extremely wealthy Yemeni sheik. These two sweet characters are brought together when the sheik, a humble man of faith, decides to build a dam in his homeland and stock the river with salmon. Jones, a man of science, believes the project to be foolhardy and impractical. Salmon need cold water and Yemen is a desert country. Jones and Harriet, with the prodding of the Prime Minister's press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas), fly off to Yemen to make the improbable possible just as the salmon swim upstream every year. Will something more than eggs be spawned? Will friendships, love and faith develop? Being the opening day of The Hunger Games, the lines at the theater were not for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. My daughter and I were part of a small audience that really seem to enjoy this movie. Jones being a man with Aspberger's Syndrome so he can be socially awkward and inept. Having little humor, Jones provides some witty lines that produced audience laughter. Don't know about anyone else, but I fell for the sheik hook, line and sinker. His quiet charm is just so very endearing. The movie does have a touch of a travelogue feel and that is not meant to be a criticism. Filming takes place in two locations - a Scottish castle which I assume is in the highlands and in the desert of Morocco. Both settings, vastly different terrain, are beautifully filmed. As you can probably tell, this British film is definitely my cup of tea.

Environmental Film Festival at Yale 2012

Check out the EFFY web site. The line up of the full length films, including short films, have just been posted. There is quite a variety within the environment theme. I have already viewed and reviewed The Tsunami and The Cherry Blossoms, a short documentary which had been nominated for a Oscar Short Film - Documentary. For animal lovers, there will be several films including Disney's Chimpanzee, The Whale, and an interactive documentary Bear 71. Please follow the link for further information about about the festival, movie days and times. The web site includes a brief synopsis of each movie, full length or short. Trailers are also included for some of the films. I have thoroughly enjoyed attending the EFFY each year. This year's line up looks absolutely wonderful! If you live in the Greater New Haven area, hopefully you will be attend most or some of the free festival. Please follow the following link to read more about the EFFY: http://environment.yale.edu/film/films.

The Tale of Desperaux (1:34) 2008

Desperaux is a big eared, adorable mouse who believes in chivalry. However, the mice in the kingdom of Dor are displeased with Desperaux's ways as he doesn't conform to the kingdom's rigid rules. Desperaux is banished to the palace's sewers to live with the rats. He makes friends with Roscuro, a rat. Desperaux is on a quest to save Princess Pea but Roscuro also has a quest which is not noble. Although they are on different paths, they need to stand together to fight off the sewer rats. Will Desperaux fulfill his destiny and become a hero? I just love Desperaux and the wonderful ending message. Based on a Newberry winning children's book, this animation is wonderful old style creation. Although he received lukewarm reviews when it was originally released, the hub channel is broadcasting it tonight. It is a wonderful movie to watch as a family.

We Need to Talk About Kevin (1:52) 2012

Wow! What a movie! We Need to Talk About Kevin is a tough but riveting movie. Tilda Swinton is the mother of Kevin, who just shy of sixteen, commits a massacre at his high school. Through flashbacks, we view Kevin as a constantly crying baby, a difficult child who is very late in toilet training, and a sullen teenager. His mother, Eva, has difficulty bonding with Kevin. Kevin prefers his father and is much more responsive to his attention. Franklin doesn't experience how difficult Kevin can be and seems to be generally in denial about  his son. Not wanting to give any more details, this is a very taut movie. Tilda Swinton is excellent, she deserved an Oscar nomination for her performance. The very beginning of the movie is confusing due to all the flashbacks but it soon settles down to the unfolding story of family living with a stranger, the first born son. This film has been accurately described as having a nature vs nurture theme. It certainly gives food for thought, a banquet of thought. See it!

The Big Year (1:40) 2011

Three men, Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, are avid birders who devote a year to zigzagging the country as they race to see the most birds in a one year period. Based on the book, The Big Year, the three birders are in competition with each other to see or hear more than 700 birds in very interesting locations. The travel to the Brownsville, Texas dump, Attu Island in Alaska and many national parks. In order to see pelagic birds, they take boats trips which is very trying when seasickness strikes. Yes, this is a rich man's hobby when taken to this height. As the men race across the country, chasing rare bird alerts and storms which bring stragglers and exotic birds, each man realizes their is additional costs to a Big Year. They are leaving family and careers to go off at the drop of a hat. The film is told in chronological order starting with New Year's Eve, and ends on December 31. Who will be the top birder of the year? This is a cute movie, more of a travelogue with the birds as the focus. I missed it in the theaters and would have liked to see Attu scenery on the big screen. I enjoyed The Big Year as an audio book immensely, seeing it as a movie was a light and fluffy experience. True birders will enjoy the movie.

The Lorax (1:34) 2012

The Lorax is an animation based on Dr. Seuss's book The Lorax, a cautionary tale of the dangers of mistreating and misusing our precious natural resources. The release of The Lorax was timed to coincide with Read Across America, a national celebration by public schools of Dr. Seuss's birthday.
Danny DeVito is the voice of the Lorax, Zac Efron is Ted, the boy who cares enough to plant the last tree seed . The animation is lively and colorful with a variety of animal characters including a trio of singing fish. We spent the money to see The Lorax in 3D and it was well worth the extra cost. It was great to see all the families with their children of varying ages at today's matinee. It was apparent on the walk out of the theater that everyone seemed to really enjoy the movie.  This is a wonderful family movie with a positive environmental message that is highly recommended.

The Godfather (2:55) 1972

The Godfather is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the first of the highly regarded trilogy's release. The Corleones, one of New York's  crime family is headed by Vito played by Marlon Brando. His son Santino is machine gunned to death, leaving one of other sons, Michael (Al Pacino) as heir apparent. Michael originally desires a life to be a honest, law abiding citizen but is drawn into the family business after Vito narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. Michael builds up the family business by expanding to Nevada.  The Godfather is one of America's most highly regarded and popular films having earned an Oscar for Best Picture and Best Actor. Every once in awhile, one of the networks will have a weekend special and broadcast the trio. And I invariably will sit down and watch some, most or all of this classic.

A Separation (2:03) 2011 Iran

Simin wishes to leave Iran with her husband and eleven year old daughter. Her husband, Nader refuses to leave his father who lives with them and has Alzheimer's. Simin is granted a divorce and leaves to live with her family while the custody of their daughter is settled. Nader hires a pregnant woman to take of his father during the day. He returns home one afternoon to find his father has fallen out of bed and the caretaker has left. When the caretaker returns, an argument ensues setting off an unfortunate chain of events.  This is an interesting look at modern day Iranian life. The Iranian court system is so different from the American judicial system but a divorce is a divorce no matter where one lives. Families, with their strengths and dysfunctions, are universal. A Separation is a very realistic look marriage, divorce, parenting and taking care of an elderly parent. This foreign film should take home an Oscar tonight.

2012 American Spirit Award Winners

The American Spirit Awards have been announced:

Best Feature:  The Artist
Best Male Lead:  Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best Female Lead: Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Best Supporting Male:  Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Supporting Female:  Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
Best Foreign Film: A Separation (Iran)

Congratulations to all the winners. Please follow the link for a list of all the winners: http://www.movieline.com/2012/02/25/2012-film-independent-spirit-awards-winners-list-updated/

Wanderlust (1:38) 2012

When George loses his job in Manhattan, he and is wife Linda lose their newly purchased micro loft in the West Village. Without an income or home, they leave NYC to live with George's obnoxious brother in Atlanta. On the way to Atlanta, the couple spends a night at Elysium, an intentional community, often referred to as a hippie commune.  George realizes that he doesn't want to work at his brother's portal bathrooms company or stay with him. Returning to the pot smoking community, George and Linda are free from the stress of modern life. They are enjoying their stay until George learns that the community engage in free love. George finally relents and agrees that they should follow all the community practices until Linda sleeps with Seth, the leader. Hmmm, George is not happy. Wanderlust is a comedy starring Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston. It is very funny, at times. Sometimes, it is crude and vulgar. There is a very funny scene with Rudd talking to himself in front of the mirror. The community is full of colorful characters with humorous lines. Although it is uneven, it is entertaining.

Act of Valor (1:44) 2012

A team of Navy SEALS are sent on a mission to intercept foreign nationals before they scatter to various US cities in order to commit terrorist acts. The team are not actors but real Navy SEALS. The acting isn't very convincing but the action makes up for the lack of dialogue. The audience sees the SEALS jump out of planes, rendezvous with a submarine and other breathtaking stunts, which aren't stunts for them. Although the dialogue was limited, it was interesting to hear their lingo. All boots on the ground was a term used when all the SEALS landed safely. The missions are dangerous, very dangerous and it would be unrealistic to think that none of our troops are ever hurt or killed. It was an interesting look at the inside world of our heroes.

The Secret World of Arrietty (1:34) 2012

Based on the children's book The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty is a wonderfully charming family animation. Arrietty is a borrower, a little person who lives with her parents under the floorboards of a rural cottage/ The borrowers do not steal, they borrow only what they need and won't be missed. Arrietty's parents continually stress that borrowers should not be seen by beings, as they are not trustworthy. One day, a pre-teenage boy comes to stay at the cottage. He is resting before his heart operation. Shawn sees Arrietty one night and they eventually form a friendship. Arrietty and her parents' secret is safe with Shawn but not with the housekeeper, Hara. Hara is bound and determined to catch the little people to prove their existence. Shawn will go to any length to keep the borrowers away from Hara, even if it endangers his own life. Disney Toyko is created a quiet and beautiful animee. The audience of all ages will enjoy this movie.  Highly recommended.

The Vow (1:44) 2012

Leo and Paige are happily married and living in Chicago. Leo owns a small recording studio and Paige is a Chicago Art Institute student working on sculptures for which she has been commissioned. Driving home on a snowy night, the couple are rear ended by a truck. Leo is fine and Paige sustains a brain injury, her recent memory has been lost. She has no memory of meeting, dating and marrying Leo. Leo is patient, hoping that Paige will regain her memory or fall in love with him all over again. Paige's wealthy parents, with whom she had been estranged, take advantage of her memory loss and encourage her to move back home. Will Leo be able to save his marriage?  The Vow is not a great movie but it is enjoyable. Based on true events, Leo and Paige are nice people who have to deal with an unfortunate event in the best way they know how. There are no miracles, just the hard work necessary to make a marriage work.

The Bodyguard (2:09) 1992

Last night, Lifetime Channel broadcast The Bodyguard in memory of Whitney Houston. I remember going to see it ten years ago and really liking it. Watching it again, I liked it just as much and for a different reason - that reason being Whitney Houston. I've always been a big fan of Kevin Costner. He was excellent as a former secret service agent, Frank Farmer, who is brooding over the assassination attempt on President Reagan's life. Rachel Marron (Houston) is receiving death threats and her team hires Farmer to be her bodyguard and head of security. Marron resists his efforts because they infringe on her freedom. Rachel is so resistant that Farmer decides to leave but Rachel receives a threat that shakes her up so much that Farmer stays. Watching Houston again, she was wonderful in her first acting performance. She delivers some prophetic lines, including "When you're time is up, it's up." The Bodyguard received poor critic reviews at the time of its release. It was a popular audience pleaser due to the Houston and Costner connection and the fantastic soundtrack. I assume that The Bodyguard will be rebroadcast frequently in the next several weeks as a tribute to Houston. It truly is worth taking the time and watching.

Mr. 3000

Stan Ross is a forty-seven year old retired major league player. Thinking that his 3,000 hits will qualify him for the Baseball Hall of Fame, he is shocked to learn that he only has 2,997 hits. Ross arranges to rejoin his team, the Brewers  just long enough to make the 3000 hits. The young players consider him old, his former manager objects to him using the team, and his former love interest sees the same old self-centered player. Getting three hits is not easy but as Ross struggles at the plate he begins to realize how much he loves the game. Eventually Ross becomes a real leader, encouraging the players to function as a team. Will Ross reach his 300th hit before the end of the season? The late Bernie Mac played Ross and was very good as the over the hill player. The soundtrack was excellent. If you are a baseball fan, this is a movie for you.

2012 Oscar Short Film Predictions

Here are my predictions for the Oscar Shorts Film in each of the three categories:

Short Films: Documentary  The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Short Films: Live Action:   The Shore
Short Films: Animated:       La Luna

Amazonia (0:05) 2010 USA

Amazonia is a beautifully detailed animation about two cute critters looking for food in the Amazon rainforest. As they are searching for the animals they prey on, they have to be on the look out for the animals that prey on them. Sometimes you eat and sometimes, if they aren't alert, you will be eaten. This is a short film that didn't make the list for Oscar nominations and that is unfortumate. It would have given La Luna a run for the award.

Hybrid Union (0:05) 2010 USA/Ukraine

I have to admit I really didn't understand this animation. Two characters Plus and Minus, opposites by nature, unite to create a new source of energy.

Nullarbor (0:10) 2011 Australia

The Nullarbor is a large treeless semi-arid plain in Southern Australia. A young man is taking a road trip across the deserted Nullarbor when he runs out of cigarettes. He comes across an elderly man driving in his old car. He asks for the man for a cigarette and is refused, This sets up a competition as they try to outdo each other on the road. Who will reach the coast first? I really liked this Down Under animation, even more than some of the Oscar nominees for Short - Animation.

Skylight (0:05) 2010 Canada

Skylight is a higly commended Canadian animation with an environmental bent.The Antarctic penguins are in peril and this mockumentary suggests a hilarious and unusual cause of their endangerment. Skylight was shown at EFFY. (Environmental Film Festival at Yale).

La Luna (0:07) 2001 USA

Pixar's La Luna will more than likely receive the Oscar in the Short - Animated category. Three generations of a family, a grandfather, father and his son row out to sea at night. The moon is shining and the trio raises a ladder to reach the moon. The typical high quality art work combined with a unique storyline will undoubtedly allow this short to shine brightly.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (0:17) 2011 USA

Mr. Morris Lessmore loves books, books and more books. One afternoon, Lessmore is caught up in a Wizard of Oz type storm and flies through the air. When Lessmore lands, he finds the books have magical qualities. The books can now walk and fly off the shelves. This animated may take home the Oscar as it is very colorful and imaginative and like The Artisit, silent.  My daughter thought it sweet, it just wasn't my favorite.

Wild Life (0:14) 2011 Canada

A young Englishman begins a great adventure by settling in remote Western Canada during the early 1900s.In his letters home, life is going well but in reality life is hard and lonely as he is unprepared for frontier life. I liked Wild Life, both in style and story. It was interesting to read that the animation was based on the real life experiences of one of the artist's ancestors.

Dimanche/Sunday (0:09) Canada

A train nosily rockets through a small village every Sunday. The residents go to church, children visit their relatives for dinner. Frankly, I didn't really understand this animation - I think it missed something in the cultural translation.

A Morning Stroll (0:007) 2011 UK

A man takes a stroll in the city and encounters a chicken. This stroll takes place in 1957, 2007 and again in 2057. This is a rather odd or quirky animation. I did like the chicken. It is hard to believe this will take home the Oscar.

2012 Oscar Nominated Shorts -Animated

Five animated shorts have been nominated for an Oscar. The Criterion showed all five nominations, one highly commended and several others. All the animated shorts will be reviewed.

Tuba Atlantic (0:25) Norway

Oskar learns that he has only six days to live. Returning to his home near the ocean, he spends his time shooting seagulls and dealing with a teenage girl who is working to be an  "Angel of Death". Oskar regrets that he has been estranged from his brother Jon for the last thirty years. He tries calling Jon in New Jersey only to learn his numbered has been changed.  He has only one hope of reaching him, and that is blowing a giant tuba that Jon and he invented when they were young boys. Will the west wind carry the tuba sound all the way to NJ?  Tuba Atlantic is one of the oddest short film I've ever seen but it does have a certain humor and charm.

Time Freak (0:11) 2011 USA

Stillman invents a time machine and plans to travel back to Ancient Rome. He tests the machine by traveling back to yesterday where he encounters Debbie, a woman he really likes. He flubs their conversation. He then decides to go back to yesterday and try to make the conversation exchange better. Not satisfied, he returns to yesterday again, and yet again. And he can't seem to get pass yesterday.

The Shore (0:30) 2011 Northern Ireland

The Shore may very well take home the Oscar in the Shorts - Live Action. Shot on location near the coast in Northern Ireland. Joe, with his adult daughter Patricia, returns to his hometown for the first time in close to twenty-five years. His impeding visit is bringing Joe anxiety, he hasn't spoken with his best friend, Paddy, since he left quickly (due to "The Troubles"). Joe also left behind a fiancee, Mary, who later married Paddy. Will the reunion be a happy one? Ciarán Hinds stars as Joe, a man with mixed emotions. Beautifully filmed on near the beach, this short contains dialogue which is humorous, touching, realistic and typically Irish. I'm rooting for The Shore to take home the Oscar.

Pentecost (0:11) 2011 Ireland

Damian is an altar boy in a Irish town and is devoted to "football"  or soccer as we called it  in America. Damian is not as devoted to being an altar boy and daydreams while serving Mass.During Mass, he swings the incense burner too high, causing the priest to lose his balance as he ascends the steps. Now Damian is banned from being an altar boy.  His father is furious that he has caused shame to the family and has banned him from watching soccer. The parish soon learns that the archbishop is returning to his hometown, and the best of the altar boys need to serve. Will Damian redeem himself? This is a lighthearted look at the Church and sports.

Raju (0:23) 2011 Germany

A childless German couple travel to India to adopt a young child. After meeting four year old Raju at the orphanage, the papers are signed and the new family return to the hotel. The next afternoon, Raju and his new dad are watching kites flying in the air. When Dad looks down, Raju is gone. The search begins and the adoptive parents uncover disturbing information. Raju is a strong contender for the Oscar.

2012 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Live Action

Tonight my daughter and I went to the Criterion Cinemas to view the Oscar Nominated Shorts - Live Action. In general, we preferred this year's selections compared to last year. This year's selections were, for the most part, more humorous.

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms (0:40) 2011 (USA/Japan)

The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms opens with a video camera shooting the tsunami hitting the coast of Japan as people stand safely on a hill. The camera catches the absolutely devastating destruction of the water blasting everything in its way. The camera catches people running towards the hill as they are about to be overtaken by the surge. We see their last minutes alive. In the midst of all the destruction, the cherry trees survive. The tsunami occurred in March, a month later the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Although cherry blossom festivals were canceled last year, residents did take time to enjoy nature as it is reborn, bringing hope and beauty. My prediction is The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms  will take home the Oscar. It is a story of courage, resilience, hope and determination. The scenes of destruction are balanced by the many shots of the cherry trees in the varying ten stages of blossoming. It is a beautifully filmed tale of the triumph of the human spirit.

Saving Face (0:40) 2011 Pakistan/USA

This Oscar nominated short film is a painful one to watch. Each year more than 100 women are attacked by husbands or suitors. The extremely heinous part of the attack is that the women have aid, battery acid was specially mentioned, thrown into their faces. The burns and disfigurement are horrific and eyesight can also affected. Saving Face addresses the efforts of a Pakistani plastic surgeon who performs surgery on the women. The other focus is on the women legislators who worked tirelessly to pass laws making acid burn attacks a serious crime. Saving Face may take the Oscar but it is so tough to watch, it may get passed over. There is a powerful scene of  the doctor is speaking with a burn victim. Although the doctor is a seasoned veteran, the emotion he fights back as he hears one woman's story is riveting.

The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement (0:25) 2011

James Armstrong is a 86 year old African American barber in Birmingham, Alabama. Armstrong is thrilled with the 2008 election, he and his friends never thought they would live to see a African American as president. Looking back, Armstrong speaks about his experiences marching and protesting in the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. News footage is shown as he speaks about his two sons on the day they enter the whites only school. This documentary is a profile in courage.

Incident in New Baghdad (0:22) 2011 USA

Ethan McCord was serving in Iraq when he and his company were sent to backup a street shooting between our troops and suspected terrorists. The suspected terrorists turned out to be a news reporter and his cameraman. The pair, along with five other men were killed. McCord inspected a van which was parked at the scene. McCord discovers a father shot dead in the driver's seat. In the back seat, is a seriously wounded three year old girl and a seven year old boy.  Being a father of young children, finds this to be very difficult event to deal with emotionally. He returns home, adjusts to family and civilian life until he watches the news one day. He recognizes the soldiers, he being one of them, running towards the medics with the children. PTSD, here he comes, again.

2012 Oscar Nominated Shorts - Documentaries

The Criterion Cinema in New Haven, CT is showing the Oscar Nominated Shorts in each of the three categories - Documentary, Animated and Live Action. Tonight I viewed four of the Documentary nominations. They are a formidable group and each will be reviewed individually,

Orange British Academy Film Awards 2012

Orange British Academy Film Awards 2012 announced the winners for this year. The following is a partial list of winners:

Outstanding British Film:  Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Leading Actor:  Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Leading Actress:  Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Supporting Actor:  Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Supporting Actress:  Octavia Spencer  (The Help)
Documentary:  Senna
Film Not in the English Language:  The Skin I Live In
Animated Film:  Rango

Congratulations to all the winners. Please follow the link for the complete list:  http://www.bafta.org/film/awards/

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (2:33) 1956

An oldie but a goodie featuring Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones. Ten years after the end of WWII, Tim Rath lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children. He commutes by train to his workplace in Manhattan. The hour commute also him time to reflect about his war experience in Italy. Rath recalls the horrors of war and the men he lost in battle. Tom also remembers Maria, a woman with whom he fell in love. After the war, he returns to Betsy and civilian life. Tom and Betsy struggle with their marriage and raising three children. Tom is also being pressured into being a company man which means giving up time with his family. As Tom is working out how to balance his life between work and family, he learns that he has fathered a child with Maria. How will Tom deal with this new information? I watched  The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit  with my aunt as neither one of us had seen the movie. Actually, we didn't even know what it was about but we are big Gregory Peck fans. I thought it was a rather long movie with the second half of the movie being more interesting. I did get a kick out of Rath speaking about his $8,000 a year salary. The movie prompted a discussion on how difficult it must have been for men returning from the war and having to adjust to life back in the US. We also wondered how many men, knowingly or unknowingly, left children behind.

The Elephant in the Living Room (1:36) 2011

The Elephant in the Living Room is a documentary which highlights exotic animals, their owners and the resulting dangers. A Dayton, Ohio police officer is often called to capture exotic animals on the loose. Yes, in Dayton, residents see lions attacking cars on a highway, a mountain lion in a wooded area adjoining residents' backyards.  Officer Harrison has captured multiple alligators, boa constrictors and venomous pythons. Harrison speaks about how there are many pet owners who keep exotic animals as pets until the "pets" become too big and/or too dangerous. These animals either escape or are abandoned in wooded areas. Juxtaposed is interviews with Terry Brumfield who keeps two lions in cages on his property. Terry has raised one of the lions from a cub, a gift from a friend when Terry was recovering from an injury. Terry loves and cares for them. Harrison and Brumfield cross paths when the lions escape and attack passing car on the highway.Will these two men be able to agree on what is in the best interest of the lions? Although I have absolutely no interest in raising any exotic animal, the documentary knocked my socks off with the information on how common it is for people to own them, with or without a license. Harrison and Brumfield has opposing beliefs but the documentary gives both sides a respectful, balanced look. I recommend this documentary which gives a up close look at exotic animals - on the television screen. Which is as close as I need to get.

Abduction (1.46) 2011

Nathan Harper is a typical high school student, living with his mother and father in well-to-do neighborhood. Nathan does have a psychiatrist with whom he sees to deal with anger management, impulsivity and general feelings of not fitting into his life. Usual teenage issues. One day, as he is working on a research paper with his classmate, Karen, he stumbles upon a website which shows a picture of him as a little boy -  a Missing Children website. Nathan confronts his mother who admits he is not their biological son. Before she can explain his early history, two hit men come to the house and assassinate his parents. Nathan and Karen run away and begin to figure out what has happened. Will Nathan learn who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? This action/thriller flick actually exceeded my expectations, not that they were high to begin with!  I needed to suspend my belief and just go along for the ride. Harper is played Taylor Lautner, of Twilight Saga fame. I suggest that Abduction would please the high school crowd, older crowds maybe as they flick the remote on a snowy day.

Life, Above All (1:46) 2010

Set in modern day South Africa, young teenager Chandra mourns the loss of her young sister due to influenza. At least, that what she has been told. Her stepfather is an alcoholic who leaves soon after the funeral. Chandra soon discovers that her mother is ill but refuses to go to the hospital. A local medicine woman urges the mother to leave the small village and return to her family home a bus ride away. Chandra is left home to take care of herself and her two younger siblings with the help of her neighbor, her mother's best friend. Chandra suspects that her mother's illness is AIDS, an illness that brings shame and isolation. Her suspicions are further heightened when her stepfather is found dead at the bottom of construction hole. In an act of bravery and love, Chandra leaves his village to find her mother and bring her home. Although I found Life, Above All a difficult film to watch at the beginning, the character of Chandra grew on me. This South African coming of age film is very powerful in dealing with the AIDS issue. In the United States, AIDS patients are given medication and treatment with confidentially highly guarded. We rarely hear of children being orphaned because they have lost both parents to the illness. This film packed quite a punch in bringing this issue to global attention.

Radio (1:49) 2003

Although it received poor reviews from the critics, Radio is my favorite football themed movie. Based on true events, Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as the main character Radio. Radio is a young African American high school student in South Caroline during the 1960s. Radio is also student with developmental disabilities. Being a young man of color and a disability , Radio is subject to racism and isolation. One day, the coach of the high school team notices Radio and invites him to help out with the team. Radio devotes his time helping the team but some of the players and parents are unkind to Radio. As time goes by, the players, parents and community, grow to accept Radio as a member of the team. I remember sitting in the theater and having my friends keeping handing me tissues as I didn't cry, I sobbed during some of the scenes. This is a movie about acts of kindness, leadership, acceptance and tolerance. Radio is a wonderful family movie.

Big Miracle (1:46) 2012

Bottom line - Take your family and run to the theater to see Big Miracle. Based on true events in Barrow, Alaska in 1987, a family of three California Gray Whales are trapped by ice blocking their journey to the open ocean. A local news reporter films the whales known as Fred, Wilma and BamBam as they surface in an ever narrowing patch of water in an effort to breathe. The local story is picked up by the national news networks and captures the hearts of Americans and later the world.  A Greenpeace worker played by Drew Barrymore works feverishly to keep attention on the whales and the resulting rescue attempts. As temperatures drop, keeping the water patches clear of ice in the Arctic Circle is a Herculean task. Will the oil company executives join forces with Greenpeace, the National Guard and even the Russians in time to save the whales? Four of us went to see this fantastic movie and we all agree that this is a wonderful movie. I remember when the story broke almost twenty five years ago and was rooting for the whales not realizing all the efforts of so many diverse people. Filmed on location in Alaska, this is a must see movie for adults, teenagers and children, nature lovers or not.

The Grey (1:57) 2012

Ottway (Liam Neeson) is on a plane departing from an Alaskan oil rig. The plane crashes into the tundra with Ottway and six other rig workers surviving. The group begins to walk towards to the treeline to their chances of survival. They are in agreement if they stay with the charred plane they will freeze or run out of food as rescue is unlikely. The most imminent danger to the group's survive is a pack of wolves, very big wolves. The pack is not afraid of the humans; quite the opposite, the wolves wait until an individual has walked away from the group and then attack. As Ottway and the others walk, the members are picked off one by one. Sometimes death comes  from a wolf, sometimes illness and accidents. The Grey is a man's action/survival thriller. Although it comes with blood and gore, I do admit that I did like this movie. I found that the movie held my interest, the survival activities in the Alaskan wilderness seemed realistic. Of course, my wilderness experience is limited to reading Gentle Ben and Brian's Winter with my sixth graders.

We Are Marshall (2:11) 2006

In 1970, The Marshall University football team, coaches and staff were returning home from a North Carolina game when the plane crashed killing seventy five members. The University experienced profound grief and shock at the huge loss. The University officials considered discontinuing the football program realizing how difficult a task this would be. In West Virginia, football is a way of life so the rebuilding began with the hiring of the new coach  Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey). Lengyel knew this was going to be a difficult uphill task. Using rookies and second string players, Lengyel and his assistant coach, who had  decided to drive home instead of being on the plane, field a team of proud and fierce competitors. Through hard work, the team shows they have the right stuff both on the field and off as they lead the university and town to healing. The movie received mediocre reviews from the critics but was an audience pleaser. Filmed at Marshall University, one of the most powerful scenes I've experienced still moves me to tears. As the university officials are meeting to decide the fate of the football program, the student body gathers outside their office and shout "We Are Marshall". Have tissues ready. Go Herd!

The Tracker (1:42) 2010

Set in 1902 New Zealand, Kereama is wrongly accused of murdering a British soldier. Knowing that will not receive a fair trial because is a Maori, Kereama escapes a runs towards the island's interior. A small troop of soldiers chase after him. Knowing that he is a native of the island,  the a British Army major hires an immigrant Afrikaner veteran of the Boer War as a tracker. When the Afrikaner captures Kereama, the pair heads back to headquarters. As time goes on, the Afrikaner realizes that Kereama is really innocent is a victim of racism. The Afrikaner lost his wife and daughters in the Boer War and rightfully blames the British for their deaths. If the Afrikaner releases his captive, he will lose the bounty he needs to begin again. If he brings Kereama in, the bounty is collected by he has condemned a man to death. Will he help the British army, the army that is responsible for his fanilies' death? I wish I had been able to see this movie on the big screen, the New Zealand scenery, especially the the waterfalls are breathtaking. Of course, being of Irish descent, I, too, have a poor opinion of past British government policies. This is a very interesting movie.

Remember the Titans (1:53) 2000

In 2000, after arriving at the Middle School to teach, it was my good fortune to chaperone the eighth grade class to the local theater to see Remember the Titans. Denzel Washington was the newly hired coach of a Virgina high school football team. This true story took place in 1971 and integration in the Southern States was just taking place. The football team had a difficult time accepting the members of the other race. The assistant coach was disappointed that he was passed over when the new coach was hired. Over time, the team begins to form friendships and close working relationships. As the team begins to win games, a few parents began to make problems for the coach. Besides the parental problems, the teams run into racism from other teams and the referees. In spite of overwhelming odds, the team posts winning a winning record and are headed to the state championships. Will they take home the title? I've seen this movie many times. I love the characters, the storyline and the soundtrack. I highly recommend this family movie containing the positive social themes of acceptance, tolerance, and determination.

Superbowl Sunday Nears

One a year, the National Football League champions face off against the American League champions in the Superbowl. This year, the New England Patriots will play the New York Giants for the Superbowl Title. Many people will have parties, eat and drink too much, place bets or enter pools to be part of this annual event. This is especially true on the East Coast this year. Of course, the people who do follow football will be at the movies. On Sunday, the theaters will be full of woman as the movie industry claims they do well with their click flicks. I am a Patriots fan and do like the Giants so I will watch the game. But I intend to be a the matinee on Sunday. In order to help celebrate a great American sport, three highly rated movies will be reviewed this weekend.

Groundhog Day (1:42) 1993

A long standing American tradition is the annual celebration of Groundhog Day on February 2. Each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania the town residents watch for Phil, the groundhog to come out of his burrow. If Phil sees his shadow, as he did today, there will be six weeks more of winter.  Ten years ago, Bill Murray starred in a movie titled Groundhog Day. Murray is Phil, a TV weatherman sent to Punxsutawney to cover the Groundhog Day festivities, an assignment he dislikes. His crew consists of a producer and cameraman which he treats them poorly. Bill has become bitter, he  believes he should be on national television. The day after Groundhog Day, Phil wakes up and quickly realizes that he is stuck in February 2nd. He repeats the events of the day already knowing the outcome. He goes to bed and wakes up again to find it is Groundhog Day. He tries to break the loop with crazy antics without success. He finally realizes that he has to change his approach and treat people with respect. Will the new Phil make time move on. This is a highly successful and popular comedy which I watch periodically. If you come across it today, take the time to watch and enjoy this movie.

Mooz-lum (1:39) 2010

Tariq Mahdi has gone off to college. He has a roommate who is also Muslimbut Tariq is not very friendly and rejects his offer to join the Muslim club at the University. Tariq, or T, as he prefers to be called is distant with his father. T has a loving, but distance, relationship with his mother and sister. Tariq's sister is close in age and does visit him on campus. The reason for his anger and confusion about his religion is told in flashbacks. We learn of his experience with a teacher at a Muslim boarding school he attended when he was a teenager. While his sister is visiting him, the WTC is attacked, turning the spotlight on the Muslim students and they blacklash they experienced. I found this to be a gem of an independent film as it looks at a family under stress. The movie's theme is that of peace and reconciliation. The cast is small but excellent in their roles. The background music is beautifully haunting.

The Desert of Forbidden Art (1:20) 2010

Igor Savitsky's efforts to save forty-four thousand works of art is highlighted. This documentary tells the incredible true story of this man's tireless effort to save the works of artists who were the enemies of Stalin's government. Savitsky risk his life many times in doing so. Naturally, one would ask, "Where do you hide all these works?"  The works are displayed in a museum in the desert of Uzbekistan, To be more precise the works are held by Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art. Also known as the Nukus Museum, the museum is located in Karakalpakstan, a independent state of Uzbekistan. This independent state is one of the world's poorest but is rich in avant garde Russian works. The Nukus Museum is highlighted, many paintings are shown and their system of keeping the dry air humidified is discussed. The museum workers manually place pans of water in the different galleries .to help keep moisture in the air. I highly recommend this documentary about a determined man and the artists who held on to the belief that their art said it all and needed to be kept alive.

A Smile as Big as the Moon (Hallmark Hall of Fame) 2012

The Hallmark Hall of Fame shown tonight is titled A Smile as Big as the Moon. The movie is based on a book about the experiences of a Michigan high school class of students with special needs who attend Space Camp in Huntsville in the late 1980s. Mike Kersjes realizes that his Forest Hills students are much more capable then people realize. When given opportunities and high expectations, the students will rise to the occasion. The teachers work with the class practicing all the skills they will need for the camp experience for seven months. The most important skill is teamwork which will be quite a challenge for this diverse group of students. With a generous donation and school board support, the class reaches their US Space Camp destination. The group competes against other teams. Given the strengths of the students, the team remains competitive. The last task the team must perform is a simulation of a space shuttle flight. The closing scene is the award ceremony. I won't give away ending but I cried. And that's what special education teachers do when they are witness to the triumph of the human spirit.

SAG Awards 2012 Announced Continued

The SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture is:

                                           The Help

Congratulations to the cast of The Help. The award is greatly deserved, The Help is the movie I was rooting for.

SAG Awards 2012 Announced Continued

The winners of SAG awards are:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:  Jean Dujardin in The Artist
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:  Viola Davis in The Help

SAG Awards 2012 Announced

The winner for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role is Christopher Plummer.
The winner for Outstanding  Female Actor in a Supporting Role is Octavia Spencer.

Congratulations!

First Thoughts on 2012 Oscar Nomination for Actress in Supporting Role

Without a doubt, the Oscar Nomination for Actress in Supporting Role is the tightest contest this year. The following list of the five nominees are as follows:  Berenice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer, Octavia Spencer. Althought I am rooting for and predict that Octavia Spencer will take home an Oscar for her fantastic performance as Minnie, one of housemaids in The Help. Spencer had great lines which she delivered with humor and feistiness. I was fascinated with her eyes, they said it all! Having said that I thought that Melissa McCarthy was hysterically funny in The Bridesmaids. I still laugh at her performance in the ladies room as she and the other bridesmaids are dealing with the effects of food poisoning. Jessica Chastain also deserved a nomination for her role as the social outcast with a heart of gold in The Help. Berenice Bejo is the up and coming starlet and love interest in The Artist. Since it is a silent movie, she has no dialogue but she can act and dance. Lastly, Janet McTeer is Mr. Page in Albert Nobbs, a house painter in 1898 Dublin. McTeer befriends Nobbs and encourages Nobbs to reach his goal.