Genre: Crime, Drama

Year: 2009

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mozhan Marnò, James Caviezel, Navid Negahban, Ali Pourtash

Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh

My Review: Set in Iran, not long after the fall of the Shah (1986), this movie is based on the true story of conditions inside Iran. As some will attest, these practices continue to this date. Don't think that this movie condemns Sharia law, or the religious and social beliefs of the devout. This movie is a cautionary tale about morality, corruption and blind faith. A quote at the beginning of the movie sets the stage quite nicely. "Don't act like the hypocrite, who thinks he can conceal his wiles while loudly quoting the Koran. - Hafez, 14th Century Iranian Poet". The movie starts when a journalist is traveling through a remote and mountainous region of Iran. His car breaks down, and he hitches his ride to the nearest village with a mechanic. While he's there, a local villager imposes upon him with her tale of tragedy, corruption, and sin. As she recounts a tragic tale of deceit, secrets and social injustice, we're taken on a tragic, violent and shocking journey into the secret soul of one corrupt village. The drama is outstanding, powerful and compelling; the acting excellent, and the writing flawless. Difficult to watch (especially the ending), but socially important. 4 out of 5.

Summary: A drama set in 1986 Iran and centered on a man, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village and enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive tyrant had a tragic ending.

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Year: 2009

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo, Michael Hurst, Ron Melendez

Director: Rick Jacobson

My Review: Busted - It's a guilty pleasure. Every now and then, this red-blooded American man gets caught red handed. The only reason to watch this movie. The allure of three sexy, naughty, busty, babes. In this throw-back to 70s sexploitation films, three scantily clad women search for hidden treasure in a desert outside L.A. Three very different vixens (one leggy stripper, a homicidal drug runner, and the scheming leader) don shovels, push-up bras, and automatic weapons, as they dig up a mystery in this 'pulp-fiction' inspired thriller. Lots of guns, silicone, bad make-up, cheesy lines, mediocre acting, and bad writing. The only thing this movie had going for it was the cinematography. The camera work was very well done. Excellent lighting, some good editing, but overall - It was a wasted effort. The story was worthless, and the flash-back narrative distracting. The ladies were hot, but the R-Rating was wasted on violence, not nudity. There were some very sexy scenes, but the principals were always fully clothed, leaving the viewer entirely unconvinced and less than satisfied. The twist is character based, and easily spotted. This movie gets a 2 out of 5 for its camera work.

Summary: When three curvaceous babes arrive at a desert hideaway to steal from an underworld kingpin, things quickly spiral out of control. Allegiances are switched, truths are revealed, criminals are unmasked and nothing is quite what it seems as the fate of the world is precariously balanced among this trio of sexy femmes fatales.

Genre: Documentary, Crime, Drama

Year: 2008

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Kurt Kuenne, Dr. Andrew Bagby, David Bagby, Kathleen Bagby, Dr. Shirley Turner

Director: Kurt Kuenne

My Review: A very well done documentary. Interesting, suspenseful, gripping and heartfelt. A true story - In 2001, Andrew Bagby (beloved by everyone - literally) is murdered and the murderer gets away with it! This documentary follows Kurt Kuenne (the filmmaker) as he travels cross-country connecting the dots, consoling grief-stricken friends and family and digging deeper into this murderous mystery. As the film progresses, shocking revelations provide impetus, heighten our suspense and transform this documentary into a gripping social drama. A legal odyssey that spans the continent - From Sunnyvale California to St. John's, Newfoundland. This movie packs interviews, narration, and archive footage into an extremely well edited memorial to Andrew Bagby. My recommendation - Watch this movie without reading other reviews (many are spoilers). Thankfully, I watched it after a simple recommendation - Netflix indicated my rating might be 4.2. The movie had a powerful impact. Powerful, socially moving and dramatic; serves as a small measure of justice in it's own way. 5 of 5.

Summary: In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child. Friends, relatives, and colleagues say warm and loving things about Andrew, home movies confirm his exuberance. Andrew's parents, Kathleen and David, move to Labrador where the ex-girlfriend has gone. They await an arrest and trial of the murderer. They negotiate with the ex-girlfriend to visit their grandchild, Zachary, and they seek custody. Is there any justice; is Zachery a sweet and innocent consolation for the loss of their son?

Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 2004

Country: Japan

Rating:

Starring: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura, Fuyuki Murakami

Director: Ishirô Honda

My Review: The original Godzilla - The Japanese movie, from 1954. Not a remake, not a sequel, spin-off or rip-off. Here's the original Japanese version. The story - American's secretly test a hydrogen bomb, and the results; are monstrous. Something rises from the depths of the ocean. A legendary monster from the prehistoric age. Towering above the islands of Japan, this monstrous reptile blasts Tokyo with its radioactive breath weapon. Japanese scientists do their best to stop this menace before it's too late, but some protect the creature with hopes of studying it. Subtle social context colors the script, and the screenplay is obviously designed to act as a warning to those who tamper with the primal forces of nature, and a polemic against war and the horrors of nuclear weapons. The special effects aren't half bad - Considering the year of release. The lighting and music were excellent. 3 of 5.

Summary: A 164-foot monster reptile with radioactive breath is revived, thanks to nuclear testing. It goes on a mad rampage, destroying Tokyo - how will they kill it ?

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 2009

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Rosie Shaw, Adrienne Shaw

Director: Duncan Jones

My Review: Instant sci-fi classic. Sam Rockwell plays Sam Bell, a Lunar miner. Sam's stationed on the far-side of the moon, mining Helium-3 to help fuel Earth's energy needs. Sam and his robotic companion, GERTY, manage the mining operation on this rather lonely outpost. Isolated and cut off from standard radio contact, Sam does his best to keep himself and the mining operation running. His three year contract is approaching it's end, and he's looking forward to a reunion with his wife and child. With just three weeks left to go, Sam begins to see and hear strange things. When he decides to do a little investigating, he unveils secrets better left hidden. An excellent mystery, fine thriller, and socially cutting drama. Excellent camera work with perfect sets and props. The special effects are truly outstanding. With models, miniatures, and superb camera work, the immersive environment created in this movie trumps anything done with chi. 5 out of 5.

Summary: Sam Bell has a three year contract to work for Lunar Industries. For the contract's entire duration, he is the sole employee based at their lunar station. His primary job responsibility is to harvest and periodically rocket back to Earth supplies of helium-3, the current clean and abundant fuel used on Earth. There is no direct communication link available between the lunar station and Earth, so his only direct real-time interaction is with GERTY, the intelligent computer whose function is to attend to his day to day needs. With such little human contact and all of it indirect, he feels that three years is far too long to be so isolated; he knows he is beginning to hallucinate as the end of his three years approaches. All he wants is to return to Earth to be with his wife Tess and their infant daughter Eve, who was born just prior to his leaving for this job. With two weeks to go, he gets into an accident at one of the mechanical harvesters and is rendered unconscious. Injured, he awakens back at the station in the infirmary, he assumes assisted by GERTY. GERTY tells him that a rescue team named Eliza will come to the station to clean up the aftermath of the accident. After his recuperation, he takes an unauthorized trip back to the broken harvester, where he makes an unexpected discovery. Because of his find, he begins to doubt his sanity, then his true identity, then the company and GERTY's willingness to do what is best for him. Because of his resulting beliefs, his sole mission becomes how to get back to Earth on his own.

Genre: Comedy, War

Year: 2009

Country: USA, UK

Rating:

Starring: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang

Director: Grant Heslov

My Review: The premise intrigued me (I have an interest in the premise/subject), and I really thought I'd like the movie. Loosely (very loosely) based upon the unsubstantiated rumors of U.S. military involvement in paranormal research, here is a wild spoof on conspiracy theories and military secrets in general. George Clooney starred as Lyn Cassady - a Jedi Warrior trained by the U.S. Army to use psychic powers against the enemies of freedom. Instead he became disenfranchised when the ideals and new age, hippie, peace-loving tenets of his mentor (Played by Jeff Bridges) were subverted and compromised by the egotistic, slightly antagonistic character played by Kevin Spacey. While the movie contains some bright spots - The casting, and camera work were great - it lacked any sense of urgency or conflict. The antagonist was hardly that, and the premise for the movie escapes examination. Excessive exposition, in voice over, keeps the viewer informed throughout all the flash back, fast forward, editing, but the writing and editing lacked impetus or impact. The fine performances were somewhat blunted by a lack of urgency in direction. The political message revealed in the films closing had little impact, seemed out of place, and failed to pull together the lightly covered tongue in cheek satirical spoofs bandied about during the films hour and a half airing. 3 out of 5.

Summary: A reporter, trying to lose himself in the romance of war after his marriage fails, gets more than he bargains for when he meets a special forces agent who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit whose goal is to end war as we know it. The founder of the unit has gone missing and the trail leads to another psychic soldier who has distorted the mission to serve his own ends.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance

Year: 2009

Country: UK, Germany, USA, France

Rating:

Starring: Michael Hadley, Charlie Rowe, Lucy Fleming, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Sturridge

Director: Richard Curtis

My Review: Originally titled 'The Boat That Rocked', this movie's name was changed (in U.S. release) for reasons unknown to me - Surely the producers calculated that the word 'Pirate' would result in a bigger audience. After all 'everyone loves Pirates'. In my opinion, the original title is far more appropriate. I like movies that reference music, historically portray music, feature great music. This movie did all three. It's a story based on historical fact. During the mid 60's, at the height of the British 'Rock and Roll' invasion (in the U.S.), the British government, did all they could to restrict the 'corrupting' influence of 'Rock and Roll' at home (in the U.K.). Stogie old conservatives (the government) despised the freedom, love, and artistic expression represented in the 'Rock and Roll' lifestyle. As a result, numerous ships anchored outside British territorial waters operated 'Pirate Radio' stations. Blasting Rock and Roll straight into the heart of conservative England, they sought to transform the culture, to bring about a revolution in the staid and stoic society that they so loved. This movie is the story of one such ship and crew. The 'Boat that Rocked' is a composite story of the brave souls who helmed the mic in this battle to free the airwaves and bring some individual liberty to the repressed masses of Great Britain. The writing was great, the casting fantastic, the acting imbued with a spirit of 'Rock and Roll', and the music excellent. I thought the rating was a bit off base. I can't really figure out why it was rated 'R'? I rate this one a 4 out of 5.

Summary: "The Boat That Rocked" is an ensemble comedy in which the romance takes place between the young people of the '60s and pop music. It's about a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz. The Count, a big, brash, American god of the airwaves; Quentin, the boss of Radio Rock -- a pirate radio station in the middle of the North Sea that's populated by an eclectic crew of rock and roll DJs; Gavin, the greatest DJ in Britain who has just returned from his drug tour of America to reclaim his rightful position; Dave, an ironic, intelligent and cruelly funny co-broadcaster; and a fearsome British government official out for blood against the drug takers and lawbreakers of a once-great nation.

Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

Year: 1951

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: William Phipps, Susan Douglas Rubes, James Anderson, Charles Lampkin, Earl Lee

Director: Arch Oboler

My Review: (I watched this movie on my Roku player - It was a featured presentation on the 'Drive-In Classics' by Vidpoints.com) This sci-fi drama picks up after a nuclear holocaust has cauterized much of the Earth. The cities are deadly radiation zones, plants no longer grow, and food is becoming scarce. Humans are an endangered species. The survivors are those in remote areas, shielded from radiation, flying planes, or sailing across the ocean. The primary characters are unwitting Adam and Eve archetypes. The other cast members act as enablers, allies or antagonists. In 1951, this movie may have been one of the first to grapple with the moral issues of a nuclear aftermath. The drama is thick with numerous social issues: Racism, survival instincts, love, hate, and hope. The acting was mixed, the pacing extremely slow, and the direction uneven. The ending was mixed; sad enough to lament, yet offering a glimmer of hope. Well done. 3 out of 5.

Summary: The world is destroyed in a nuclear holocaust. Only five Americans survive, including a pregnant woman, a neo-Nazi, a black man and a bank clerk. The five fight each other, fall in love, and act really depressed a lot.

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Year: 1968

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Fiedler, Herb Edelman, David Sheiner

Director: Gene Saks

My Review: Classic comedy with charm and wit. Based on a hit broadway play (same name), this movie was a fantastic treat. Neil Simon wrote the play and Screen Play. Gene Saks directs this compelling story. Felix Ungar (played by Jack Lemmon) has just separated from his marriage of 12 years. Distraught and suicidal, his best friend Oscar Madison (Walter Matthau) makes a fateful decision. In a desperate move of compassion and concern, he takes him in - gives him a place to stay, and a fresh start on life. The two bachelors couldn't be more opposite. Felix is complete neat freak, obsessive, compulsive and socially retarded. Oscar is a slob, undisciplined, carefree and lacks ambition. Together the two make an 'Odd Couple', but that's the formula for success in this crazy comedy. The casting, direction, acting, editing, music and pacing were all perfectly orchestrated. Tragic, comedic, heart felt and hopeful. This one should've won an oscar. I give it a 5 of 5.

Summary: Felix Ungar has just broken up with his wife. Despondant, he goes to kill himself but is saved by his friend Oscar Madison. With nowhere else to go, Felix is urged by Oscar to move in with him, at least for a while. The only problem is that Felix is neat, tidy, and neurotic, whereas Oscar is slovenly and casual.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Year: 2009

Country: USA, Germany

Rating:

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan

Director: Guy Ritchie

My Review: This movie was purchased at Kim's insistence. She loved it. It was on my list (to watch), but I wasn't quite as impressed. Here's a re-imagination of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective series by Guy Ritchie (director of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch). Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. This movie seeks to remake the genre as an action flick. This remake/reimagining is based on a Comic book by producer Lionel Wigram. The Comic book influence makes for great storyboarding, translated into great camera work, but the story is watered down when compared to the narrative of the original genre. I enjoyed the revised Watson character, but the new Holmes as a disheveled, pugilist, savant didn't quite meet with my approval. The pacing was quite brisk, and the HD (we bought the Blu-ray version) treatment was great. Unfortunately, the plot was rather transparent. Mystical bad man threatens to overthrow the British government using black magic. Holmes and Watson team up to thwart his dastardly plans. The level of intricacy was shifted from plot to background. The settings, props, and digital locations were all highly detailed, the plot wasn't. I liked the movie, but didn't appreciate the rather linear and uninspired plot. The ending was a clear set-up for sequels or a series. 3 of 5.

Summary: After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.