Genre: Comedy

Year: 2008

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: William H. Macy, Cheryl Hines, Steven Kaplan, Alia Shawkat, Chad Jamian Williams

Director: Brian Hecker

My Review: A less than typical/rather typical indie teen comedy. Danny Stein is a teen aged kid growing up in a community full of aging retirees. His parents have divorced, and he's trying to figure out what life is all about. As the Prom approaches, Danny hasn't got a date, but he can't figure out who he's supposed to ask. By the time he does, it's too late, and disaster ensues. This independent production was fairly well produced, well directed and had a great cast. Unfortunately, aside from the awesome location/setting (in a Florida retirement community), this teen comedy lacked much in the way of original thinking. Should Danny ask his childhood sweetheart, the cheerleader or that quiet Chinese girl from one of his classes? The script was a linear, slightly funny, rehashing of all those typical teen angst, coming of age, romances. I found it entertaining, but only marginally so. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Danny Stein is a high-school senior and class vice president; he's in charge of the prom, along with Camille, his best friend for years. Everyone including Camille and her parents assumes that Danny will ask her to the prom, but he wants something less platonic and more romantic - more memorable. His choices include the sophomore cheerleader he drives to school, a friend of a friend, and a quiet Chinese girl in his classes. With his parents' help (they're going through a divorce), he gets the tickets, rents a tux, reserves a limo, and, over his mother's objections, gets a room at the prom-site hotel. This, everyone believes, is the way to establish memories. Will anything work out?

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Year: 2003

Country: Germany

Rating:

Starring: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Saß, Chulpan Khamatova, Maria Simon, Florian Lukas

Director: Wolfgang Becker

My Review: Directed by Wolfgang Becker. Starring a cast of relatively unknown German actors. This is a great movie. The story - Before the reunification of East and West Germany, a staunch socialist suffers a heart attack and falls into a coma. While she's in the hospital, events outside unravel. The Berlin wall falls, the communist empire crumbles and her children grow up. She comes out of the coma eight months later. Her doctor warns that any shock could cause her to relapse. Her son then constructs an elaborate charade in order to shelter her from the shock of reality. Character based drama at it's best. The acting and directing were great, the casting, locations and sets terrific. The historical context and accuracy were awesome. Don't pass it up. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: East Germany, the year 1989: A young man protests against the regime. His mother watches the police arresting him and suffers a heart attack and falls into a coma. Some months later, the GDR does not exist anymore and the mother awakes. Since she has to avoid every excitement, the son tries to set up the GDR again for her in their flat. But the world has changed a lot.

Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War

Year: 1941

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges

Director: Howard Hawks

My Review: While America is gearing up for WWII, there were many patriotic, nationalistic, propaganda pieces released in American theaters. Some were good movies, some were dogs. This was one of the better ones. Production began in late 1940, filming in early 1941, and the film was released (premiered) in American theaters in July of 1941. By September it was airing everywhere. Clearly designed to send a signal to the American public, this movie trumpeted the patriotic virtues of a church-going, non-violent, self-professed conscientious objector. When Alvin York is drafted (during WWI) he initially decides to evade the draft, then decides to object on conscientious grounds. He's drafted, goes through basic training, continues to object, and when his request is denied, his commanding officer refers him to the bible. A particular passage justifies Sgt York's change of faith. He will now kill Germans in accordance with the Lord's will… Filled with propaganda, the film itself is based upon the experiences of the actual Alvin York, an American drafted during WWI. This poor Appalachian Pacifist, from a family of 11 children, wanted nothing to do with killing, but he did his duty as best he could. When it came down to it, Alvin decided to fight and kill as it would hasten the end of the war and ultimately reduce the number of people killed. Hollywood - of course - glamorized Alvin's experiences, made them into something patriotic, honorable and righteous. Personally, I'm opposed to the taking of human life - no matter the circumstances. However, I can't deny the just use of force in protecting human lives. In the movie, Alvin is a quiet spoken, well mannered (after his conversion to christianity), expert marksman with high minded ideals. In basic training, his skill with the rifle and respectful attitude earn him trust and promotions from peers and superiors. While he's receiving basic training, his commanders learn of his religious objections. They provide him with some inspirational advice, give him a leave of absence (so he can think and pray on it), and promise to honor his decision. Alvin returns home, does a bit of praying, reads some U.S. history books, and talks with his pastor and family. In the end, Alvin decides to return to basic training, and place his fate in gods hands. He will do as his Nations asks, and do his best to preserve life whenever possible. Once basic training is over, Alvin joins his unit at the front. In a pitched battle (the Meuse-Argonne Offensive), Cpl York and his unit are pinned down, outgunned, and getting picked off one-by-one. When the command structure is decimated, Cpl York finds himself in charge. He quickly assess the situation, and employs his 'Turkey Shoot' strategy to execute a tactical advantage against the German lines. As York and a few members of his unit work their way around and behind the static German lines, they're able to bring firepower onto the German's in such an effective manner that the German's are forced to surrender. York and his comrades manage to capture more than 100 Germans, totally changing the odds of this particular battle. Alvin is recognized for his valor, courage and brilliant execution of winning strategy. He's awarded medals by the French forces, the Amercians and ultimately promoted to Sgt for this action. Elevated to status of National Hero, Sgt York returns to America, where his story is used to inspire patriotism, raise recruitment and build upon the national resolve to win this war. After a ticker tape parade, celebration and publicity tour, Sgt York returns to Tennessee and settles down to live the good life with his sweetheart Gracie Williams. The script and direction were very tightly controlled, and the performances flawless. The casting of Gary Cooper in the role of Alvin York nearly guaranteed the films, success. His memorable, and earnest portrayal fully conveyed the patriotic, but humble beliefs and efforts of this simple man. Armed with his dog-eared bible and an Army issue carbine, Sgt York did his best to do his duty. He balanced his religious beliefs and his patriotic duty in order to reduce the number of lives taken in this horrid war. The editing and camera work were extremely well done, and this movie earned two Academy Awards out of the eleven nominations. A ware era classic. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A hillbilly sharpshooter becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI when he single-handedly attacks and captures a German position using the same strategy as in turkey shoot.

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy

Year: 1989

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Richard E. Grant, Rachel Ward, Richard Wilson, Jacqueline Tong, John Shrapnel

Director: Bruce Robinson

My Review: A great dark comedy that lampoons the world of advertising. Starring Richard E. Grant as advertising executive Dennis Bagley. Bagley is at the top of his game, living a fast and frantic life in London's business district, Bagley has everything the materialistic capitalist could desire. Beautiful wife, big house, fast car, and a corner office. All this is threatened when he can't come up with an add for his newest client - Pimple Cream. When the stress gets the best of him, he starts to crack. What starts as a simple pimple soon becomes something otherworldly, deadly, and downright disturbing. This satire cuts deeply at the world of fast talking ad agencies and their efforts to sell anything for a buck. The special effects were extremely well done, and the manic pacing and editing make this independent production an instant cult classic. The ending was a bit rushed and seemed hastily filmed. Touching on horror, satire, and drama, the movie really describes our cultural obsession with the new, shiny, improved product. Please excuse me as I unwrap my brand new iPad2! I give it a 4 out of 5. On a technical note, the Netflix 'watch instantly' selection includes nearly 20 minutes of complete silence/blank video after the final scene.

Summary: Dennis Dimbleby Bagley is a brilliant young advertising executive who can't come up with a slogan to sell a revolutionary new pimple cream. His obsessive worrying affects not only his relationship with his wife, his friends and his boss, but also his own body - graphically demonstrated when he grows a large stress-related boil on his shoulder. But when the boil grows eyes and a mouth and starts talking, Bagley really begins to think he's lost his mind. But has he?

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Year: 2009

Country: France, USA

Rating:

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro, Antoni Corone

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

My Review: Jim Carry plays Steven Russell in this manic, dramatic, romantic, comedy about a gay Texas cop who quits pretending, turns to crime and and falls in love. Based on a true story, this movie is a twisted turn on your typical romantic, crime, comedy. Steven Russell seems to be the typical upright citizen. A Texas cop with suburban life and loving wife, he's fooling all his friends, but not himself. A car accident makes him reassess his life. He reveals the truth about his super secret lifestyle. He leaves Debbie and takes up the swinging gay lifestyle of south Florida. While there he starts breaking the law to satisfy the perceived desires of his latest boyfriend and his own ideals of the good life. When he gets caught, he's sentenced to prison, where he meets the man of his dreams. Phillip Morris (played by Ewan McGregor) is a sensitive and kind hearted man with a dream to live the simple life with his life mate. When Steven is released, he undertakes a love quest to free Phillip through any means available. Posing as an attorney, Steven manages to win Phillip's release, and the two go on to live their dream life… If only Steven wasn't such a compulsive liar, swindler and con man. Warning: If you're offended by openly gay couples or sweaty man-on-man scenes, you might want to skip this flick. Jim Carrey's performance was good, but his performance wasn't as passionate as some other roles. Ewan McGregor was good as well, but I didn't sense the proper chemistry between the two. It seemed as if they didn't really believe in the roles they were playing (I have no idea what their actual sexual orientations are). I didn't care for the pacing, but found the editing and direction well done. I liked the movie, but it's far from one of Jim Carey's better movies. 3 out of 5.

Summary: Steven Russell is happily married to Debbie, and a member of the local police force when a car accident provokes a dramatic reassessment of his life. Steven becomes open about his homosexuality and decides to live life to the fullest - even if it means breaking the law. Steven's new, extravagant lifestyle involves cons and fraud and, eventually, a stay in the State Penitentiary where he meets sensitive, soft-spoken Phillip Morris. His devotion to freeing Phillip from jail and building the perfect life together prompts Steven to attempt and often succeed at one impossible con after another.

Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War

Year: 2009

Country: France, China, Germany

Rating:

Starring: Ulrich Tukur, Daniel Brühl, Steve Buscemi, Anne Consigny, Dagmar Manzel

Director: Florian Gallenberger

My Review: This German movie depicts a WWII drama based on the true life story of John Rabe (played by Ulrich Tukur). Rabe was a German businessman who lived in China from 1910 until 1938. This Nazi party member was charged with the management of a power plant run as a profitable business by Siemens AG corporation. John Rabe was one of the few westerners who remained in Nanking after the Japanese began attacking the city. He and others did all they could to establish a safety zone devoid of Chinese troops. A place where citizens could go if they couldn't safely evacuate the city. The Japanese-German Anti-Comintern Pact and Rabe's persistence resulted in the successful establishment of this International Safety Zone. According to historical estimates, John Rabe and the others responsible for the establishment of this zone saved the lives of appx 200-250 thousand Chinese civilians. The massacre of Nanjing went on outside the zone, and the safety of everyone inside the zone was a threatened by the presence of some Chinese military members and other threats. The movie isn't 100% factual, but it's hard to imagine any dramatic release following Rabe's diary to the letter. I found it to be a well produced movie, with some excellent acting. Unfortunately, this German production once again illustrates the inability of mainstream American cinema to produce anything that isn't designed to titillate, exaggerate, and explode. Steve Buscemi's appearance and performance were a welcome surprise. I give this movie a 4 out of 5. I've added 'City of Life and Death' to my queue. It's a Chinese version of the 'Rape of Nanking'.

Summary: A true-story account of a German businessman who saved more than 200,000 Chinese during the Nanjing massacre in 1937-38.

Genre: Drama, History, Sport

Year: 1988

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: John Cusack, Clifton James, Michael Lerner, Christopher Lloyd, John Mahoney

Director: John Sayles

My Review: The dramatic tale of real life corruption and greed in the Major Leagues. How the Chicago White Sox threw the 1919 World Series for a cash payoff. In 1919, the Chicago White Sox players, led by a small core of disgruntled, underpaid, greedy players conspired to throw the World Series, setting up the opportunity for major winnings by the crime syndicate. With a great cast, John Cusack, D.B. Sweeney and others starred in this dramatic re-enactment of baseball's darkest days. The 'Black Sox' scandal affected baseball for many years afterwards. This movie focuses on the player's personal motivations for throwing the game. Makes the players into victims, the mob as opportunists, and the team's owner as the villain. Despite the odd role-reversals, I found it to be an extremely well written movie. An excellent script, some fine acting (from a terrific cast) and outstanding pacing and direction. While some might laud John Cusack's performance, I found the star to really be David Strathairn playing star pitcher Eddie Cicotte. The role was far more difficult, the motives far more complicated, the inner-turnmoil far more evident. An excellent 'non-baseball' baseball movie. 4 out of 5.

Summary: The great Chicago White Sox team of 1919 is the saddest team to ever win a pennant. The team is bitter at their penny pincher owner, Charles Comiskey, and at their own teammates. Gamblers take advantage of this opportunity to offer some players money to throw the series. (Most of the players didn't get as much as promised.) But Buck Weaver and the great Shoeless Joe Jackson turn back at the last minute and try to play their best. The Sox actually almost come back from a 3-1 deficit. Two years later, the truth breaks out and the Sox are sued on multiple counts. They are found innocent by the jury but baseball commissioner Landis has other plans. The eight players are suspended for life, and Buck Weaver, for the rest of his life, tries to clear his name.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain

Director: Joseph Kosinski

My Review: A 21st century update to a classic 20th century cyber classic. In 1982, Tron was groundbreaking, daring, new and sophisticated. In 2010, this sequel feels like many of the over produced sci-fi, action, blockbusters churned out annually by Hollywood. While the movie held my attention, I watched primarily for nostalgic reasons. The visual effects were excellent (despite some evident limitations in the synthesized versions of Jeff Bridges), the costumes awesome and the sets spectacular. Unfortunately, they didn't really move beyond the paradigms created by the original Tron. The story - Sam Flynn (played by Garrett Hedlund), son of missing tech visionary Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), is a listless, rebellious, young man. Disinterested with taking on adult responsibilities he plays pranks on the managers of his fathers corporation, squanders his inheritance, and satisfies himself with little more than vain pursuits. When an enigmatic 'page' leads him to an abandoned video arcade, he begins to wonder whether his missing father is actually 'presumed' dead. What follows is a thrilling ride into a cyber world that feels as much like the Matrix as it does Ultraviolet. With a glossy outer coating, this movie lacks much in the way of true plot, and the script was quite easy to follow. Jeff Bridges acting was intentionally downplayed so as not to create too much disparity between him and his less experienced co-stars. The perfect bodies and club stomping tunes stand in as a substitute for the lack of acting, add to that some excellent visual effects and you get a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

Genre: Drama, History, War

Year: 2006

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shidô Nakamura

Director: Clint Eastwood

My Review: Based on a book (by Tadamichi Kuribayashi), screenplay written by Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis, directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara and many others. Of the two movies (Clint Eastwood directed two movies with similar themes (the battle on Iwo Jima) - This one and Flags of our Fathers), this one is by far the better movie. The writing is much better as is the acting, the setting and the original story (for American audiences). We've never seen this side of the battle before, and I for one appreciated it. I won't turn this into a debate on the atrocities of war, or which side did what to whom. As a movie, this was an outstanding accomplishment. Eastwood's directing seems better in this movie, but the acting and quality of the actors was also visibly better. I really liked the 'letters' aspect as well. Throughout the movie, there is a focus on correspondence with loved ones. Each side had families back home, and we were shown a side of the soldier we are rarely allowed to see. The side that wants to survive, the side that wants to make it through to the other side. The side that has something/someone waiting for them after the war is over. The pacing, lighting and camera work were all outstanding. Bravo Mr. Eastwood. This one is outstanding. 5 out of 5.

Summary: The island of Iwo Jima stands between the American military force and the home islands of Japan. Therefore the Imperial Japanese Army is desperate to prevent it from falling into American hands and providing a launching point for an invasion of Japan. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi is given command of the forces on the island and sets out to prepare for the imminent attack. General Kuribayashi, however, does not favor the rigid traditional approach recommended by his subordinates, and resentment and resistance fester among his staff. In the lower echelons, a young soldier, Saigo, a poor baker in civilian life, strives with his friends to survive the harsh regime of the Japanese army itself, all the while knowing that a fierce battle looms. When the American invasion begins, both Kuribayashi and Saigo find strength, honor, courage, and horrors beyond imagination.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Year: 2011

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel

Director: Neil Burger

My Review: Kim and I went to see a movie in the theater! It's been a while, but we finally managed to get our schedules together, and a date night was had. This time around, we tried a new theater. The Landmark Theatre in Greenwood Village. A slightly upscale theater, with nice comfortable seating, free popcorn, sodas, VIP seating… Well, enough about the theater, on to the show. One movie was on both our lists, so the choice wasn't all that difficult. This movie featured some relatively new talent (Bradley Copper, Abbie Cornish), some solid supporting cast (Andrew Howard, Johnny Whitworth), and one veteran (Robert De Niro). I was quite happy with the acting (especially Bradley Cooper's), and the eye candy (Abbie Cornish) wasn't bad at all. Unfortunately, the short run time (105 minutes) didn't allow for much character development. The script was quite tightly woven, but the pacing a bit too fast. The direction was o.k. emphasizing paranoia and a sense of urgency throughout. The story is one of success at all costs. Here is an out of work writer with aspirations but no motivation. Coasting on his good looks and a girlfriend he doesn't deserve, Eddie Morra is one step away from homelessness and total obscurity. His girlfriend dumps him, and the rent is due. Eddie's day couldn't get much worse. A chance meeting with his ex-wife's brother puts opportunity in his hand - In the form of a small pill, Eddie's about to turn his life around. The miracle drug NZT can solve all his problems, while simultaneously making all his problems ten times bigger. Sure, its FDA approved! The movie was filmed in a frenetic style with some awesome visual effects and excellent lighting. I really liked the costumes, sets and camera work. The story - Not so much. I liked the novel premise of the movie, but there wasn't much to surprise the viewer, only the last ten minutes provided any sort of promise. Yeah - The last ten minutes. That's way to late in the game to grab my attention. Lots of violence, glorification of the drug culture, and a plot that couldn't get much more original than the premise. If you've seen the previews, you've already got most of the story. I liked it for the technical aspects, but the story didn't live up to the hype promised in the previews. 3 out of 5.

Summary: An action-thriller about a writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As one man evolves into the perfect version of himself, forces more corrupt than he can imagine mark him for assassination. Out-of-work writer Eddie Morra's (Cooper) rejection by girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) confirms his belief that he has zero future. That all vanishes the day an old friend introduces Eddie to NZT, a designer pharmaceutical that makes him laser focused and more confident than any man alive. Now on an NZT-fueled odyssey, everything Eddie's read, heard or seen is instantly organized and available to him. As the former nobody rises to the top of the financial world, he draws the attention of business mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), who sees this enhanced version of Eddie as the tool to make billions. But brutal side effects jeopardize his meteoric ascent. With a dwindling stash and hit men who will eliminate him to get the NZT...