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.