The Accidental Husband

Starring: Uma Thurman, Colin Firth, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Comedy, 2007 (Rated PG 13)

Thurman stars as the Love Doctor, a talk show host of a very popular radio show that specializes in matters of the heart and relationships. Women all over NYC listen to her religiously and take her advice as truth. A woman breaks up with her fiance a week before their wedding based on Dr Emma Lloyd's advice and the jilted fiance Patrick (Morgan) tries to get back at her for ruining his life. In the process of exacting his revenge he finds out that he actually likes Dr Lloyd despite the fact that they are total and complete opposites. Dr Lloyd herself is on the brink of getting married to her book publisher Richard (Firth) and now that Patrick has wreaked havoc on her perfect life she finds herself questioning her own relationship and asking for advice when she is usually the one that gives it.

• This movie was pretty funny and enjoyable.
• Thurman's character is a classic type A has everything together perfectionist and it was interesting to watch her perfect little shiny life crumble a little bit.
• Richard was the perfect husband on paper and completed her neat and perfect life but that is not always the one you should be with.
• I didn't quite feel the chemistry between Emma and Patrick but I loved the story and the way it ended.

4 Stars

Inglourious Basterds

Starring: Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent
Comedy, 2009 (Rated R)

A group of men led by Lt Aldo Raine (Pitt) that refer to themselves as the Basterd's make it their mission to hunt Nazi's and teach them a lesson that they will not soon forget. They find out they have an opportunity to destroy top SS guards including Adolf Hitler himself and so they join forces with a German actress in an attempt to carry out this plan. Meanwhile a young woman named who narrowly escaped being murdered by Nazi's suddenly finds herself befriended by a high ranking SS officer who just so happens to be the star of a Nazi propaganda film. She too sees an opportunity to carry out a plan to destroy those who tried to destroy her but things don't go exactly according to plan. For anyone.

• This one wasn't really on my list of movies I wanted to see even though I do like Brad Pitt but it just so turns out I really liked it.
• It had a lot of classic Quentin Tarantino touches like the dated movie soundtrack, the separation of movies into different chapters, and the way those characters in those chapters end up crossing paths in unique ways. Oh, and of course it was pretty long.
• Brad Pitt was really funny in this. The movie was an interesting cross between comedy and drama due to the heavy subject matter.

4 Stars

Nothing Like The Holidays

Starring: John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Debra Messing
Drama, PG 13 (2008)

This is a movie about adults coming home for the holiday's and how often they bring all of their excess baggage with them along with presents. There is the Iraq war hero, the Hollywood starlet, and the successful lawyer with his equally if not more successful stock broker Caucasian wife. This is a Mexican family that loves each other and when they find out that their parents who have been married for three decades are on the brink of divorce it causes quite an uproar.

• We do find out the parents are on the brink of divorce but the reason why turns out not to be what you expect.
• I enjoyed watching a movie about a regular Mexican family that was really about family and not boxed into some of the typical stereotypical themes that often arise in movies about Latinos.

3 Stars

My Sister's Keeper

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva
Drama, 2009 (PG13)

The parents of a young girl diagnosed with cancer decides to genetically create another child that can provide what will hopefully be lifesaving donations that will keep their youngest daughter from dying. Over the years Ana (Breslin) is subjected to numerous medical procedures and with Kate (Vassilieva) still dying actual organ donation is next. Ana decides to pursue medical emancipation so as to gain rights to her own body even as her sister Kate withers away.

• Get your kleenex ready because you are going to need it. Their were tears streaming and eyes tearing up on every main character in the movie within the first 30 minutes. I found myself fighting sobs by the half way point.
• Very touching movie. Despite everything the family has to face you can tell that they really love each other.
• Your heart just goes out to Kate for living such a pain filled life of being ill. Vassilieva does an amazing job of capturing not only the pain and but also the joy that is inside of Kate despite her uphill battle for life.

Julie & Julia

Starring: Meryl Streep and Amy Adams
Comedy, 2009 (PG-13)

This is the true story of two different Julia's wherein Julia Powell is inspired by Julia Child. Julia Powell is a lowly government secretary who works in a cubicle and has friends who design things, write things, and have big titles. She is a writer but doesn't consider herself to actually be one because she couldn't find anyone to publish her book. Shortly after her and her husband move to Queens she grows tired of her uninspired life. She loves cooking and decides to cook 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book in 365 days and write a blog about it. Well, french cooking is not as easy as Julia Child makes it look and with a full time job the task becomes way more difficult then she ever imagines but also yields amazing rewards that she never thought possible.

• This movie is very touching. So many 30 something woman can identify with feeling like they are going nowhere fast and have somehow ended up in their 30's with nothing to show for it.
• I am actually a Julie myself except I have not ever written a book. Successful friends and a cubicle job. Wouldn't it be amazing to have her fairy tale story?
• I really love Amy Adams. She is perfect in this role. She has such a real and endearing quality about her that plays perfectly.
• Meryl Streep does a great job mirroring Julia Child's high pitched style of speech and they did an amazing job of making her look taller then she is.
• The movie switches back and forth between Julia Powell and Julia Child but it's never confusing. It's just fun.

5 Stars

Four Christmases

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Reece Witherspoon, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall
Comedy, 2008 (PG 13)

A couple who routinely avoids Christmas with family in favor of tropical island vacations together find themselves snowed in and unable to avoid visiting all four parents in one day for Christmas. As they visit each parent and see each other with their families they learn things about each other that they hadn't known. Kate (Witherspoon) has a light bulb moment in regards to their relationship that changes things but is it for better or for worse?

• This movie was way funny and I would expect nothing less from Vince Vaughn. He is just a funny guy.
• The relationship between Kate and Brad is very cute. They are so much alike that they are perfect for one another until Kate decides she wants to change the rules a little.
• I love Reece's platinum blonde hair and side swept bangs. She looks great and acts great too.

4 Stars

I Hate Valentines Day

Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett

Romantic Comedy, 2009

A florist is such a hopeless romantic that she limits every guy to 5 days so as to keep the romance fresh and avoid any hurt or disappointment. She begins dating a handsome man who opens a restaurant across from her flower business but when the five dates are over she finds that she feels just a little bit differently about her normal operating procedure then usual.

• I thought it was cute how the passage of time in this movie was marked by the different holidays as shown by the decorations and flowers inside Genevieves' flower shop.
• Her character is flanked by the two gay guys who work with her and some other unique friends that add a lot of humor to the movie.
• I am not sure how John Corbett became Mr. Romantic comedy lead (I suppose his role on Sex In The City helped out a lot). He has a kind goofy quality about him in this movie that makes him any girls dream date.

3 Stars

The Ugly Truth

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler
Romantic Comedy, 2009

Hiegl plays Abby who is an uptight lovelorn television producer who hasn't had sex in eleven months. Falling ratings causes her TV station to hire Mike to appear in a television on sex and relationships much to Abby's dismay. Abby knows exactly what her dream man is like and Mike is the exact opposite and totally cynical when it comes to love. He convinces her to accept his expert advise on how to properly snag her dreamy doctor neighbor and Abby finds out that Mike isn't as bad as she originally thought he was.

• Heigl is wonderful as usual playing her kind of typical role as a successful and beautiful woman who is lacking in the love department.
• It was strange to see butler in a Romantic Comedy after his mantastic role in 300 but he pulled it off well. I can kind of hear his Irish accent on some of his "I's" but he did a really great job.
• Some very funny moments. Perfect for those who love romantic comedies-which I totally do!!

4 Stars

Fighting

Starring: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Velez

Drama, 2009 (Rated PG 13)

A young man struggling to get by in New York City has a chance encounter with a low end businessman who offers him an opportunity to make money doing underground fighting matches. Along the way he falls for a young woman who works in the bar the group frequents. Everything is on the line in a final match with a nemesis from his past.

• Channing Tatum is quite clearly very hot. Nice eye candy to look at and not a bad actor either.
• The whole underground fighting scene seemed kind of phony.
• Good movie that kept me entertained from start to finish.

3 Stars

The Fourth Kind

Starring: Milla Jovovich

Thriller, 2009

This movie is based on the true story of Dr. Abigail Tyler who was a psychotherapist in small town Nome Alaska . It focuses on what happened after her husband dies in 2000 while they are both in the midst of delving into some strange incidents being reported by her patients. What happens to Dr. Tyler and her family are said to be related to alien encounters of the 4Th kind. What you believe is for you to decide.

• I didn't know too much coming into this movie except that Jovovich was in it and that it looked scary. That was enough to make me want to see it.
• I found it very interesting how the raw footage from the actual events are shown in a split screen with scenes from the movie. The acting was so excellent that the movie scenes very closely resembled the real footage.
• It is especially chilling that everything in the movie is based upon actual audio and video recordings.
• This was a good movie. It had some good scary moments but when I walked out of the theatre I could only describe it as OK.
• It definitely gets you thinking about what might be out there can't be explained and that we know very little about.

3 Stars

La Mujer de mi Hermano

(My Brother's Wife)

Starring: Barbara Mori, Manolo Cardona, Christian Meier

Drama, 2005 (Rated R)

A beautiful woman becomes bored and dissatisfied with her routine marriage has an affair with her artist brother in law. A surprising discovery leaves Zoe devastated and confused. It becomes clear very quickly which brother is loyal and she is forced to make a decision.

• I actually borrowed this from a co worker who recommended it.
• Mori (Zoe) is a real natural beauty and also a great actress. In fact all the main players in this movie were quite good looking.
• The story line kept me interested and wanting to know what happens next.
• Very well made movie.
• All in Spanish with English subtitles.

4 Stars

Role Models

Starring: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Elizabeth Banks
Comedy, 2008 (Rated R)

A guy and his sort of partner in crime who are energy drink reps do something really reckless after getting dumped by his girlfriend that causes him to have to choose between jail and community service. They choose community service and two bachelor types who know nothing about kids become "bigs" to two "littles" and the adventure begins.

• This movie was better then I thought it would be.
• Lot's of foul language and the bulk of it coming from the kids.
• Very heartfelt movie. Enjoyable and laugh out loud funny.

4 Stars

Watch the trailer

Yes Man

Starring: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Molly Sims

Comedy, 2008

A man in a rut attends a seminar and then decides to say yes to everything in his life that he would normally say no to. What follows is a path and an adventure that he would have never been on had he stuck to his isolated routine ways. It even leads him to love.

• Deschanel is definitely the go to girl for quirky off beat characters. It's almost like she plays the same role but just in different movies.
• This movie was FUNNY! I found myself laughing out loud over and over again.
• Jim Carrey is so engaging and just so good at what he does.
• I caught this one on Cinemax originally not ever intending to watch it but boy was I wrong for passing it up.
• It has a great message about the word yes that I liked. Open yourself up a little and good things may come to you that you didn't think possible.

4 Stars

Marie and Bruce

Starring: Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick
Comedy Drama, 2004 (Rated R)

An unhappily married woman wakes up one morning determined that she will finally tell her husband how she really feels. Over the course of the day they go about their mundane tasks before meeting up at a friends party after which they have planned to go to dinner to talk.

• This movie was a total disappointment. Good actors don't necessarily make good movies and this was a perfect example.
• There were some strange almost dream like totally non sensical sequences involving Marie. They added nothing to the movie except confusion.
• The dialogue was extremely repetitive, overly formal, and downright boring to the point where after a while I could hardly stand to listen anymore. Darling this and Darling that. In fact, I didn't watch the last 1/3 of the movie preferring instead to surf the Internet.
• Great actors with a great reputations but if you happen to see it in Blockbuster leave it on the shelf.

1 Star

Rudo Y Cursi

Starring: Gael Garica Bernal and Diego Luna
Comedy Drama, 2008

Two brothers in Mexico are handed their ticket out of poverty when they are offered the opportunity to play professional soccer. Now that they finally have their chance and have hit the big time how will they handle it? You can take the man out of the barrio but you can't always take the barrio out of the man.

• Spanish with English subtitles.
• Watching these boys navigate their new town and new opportunity was kind of like watching a train wreck. You wanted them to succeed but at the same time you just knew that they were not meant for the good life. They just don't have the tools or wherewithal to handle it. Sadly.
• These boys are taken totally out of their element and given a great opportunity but poor decisions stand in their way at every turn. Classic scenario
  

4 Stars

I Love You Beth Cooper

Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack Carpenter

Comedy, 2009

A nerdy Valedictorian (Denis) declares his love for the blonde pretty popular head cheerleader during his graduation speech. He invites her to his non party and a crazy night of randomness that includes parties, drinking, and locker room group showers ensue after Beth's crazy Army boyfriend crashes the party and sends them all on the run. Does the girl of hims dreams live up to the fantasy?

• This movie hit upon just about every coming of age teen movie cliche there is. The popular girls, the geeky duo that spends their childhood getting beat up, the bully jock, and the rich snobby girl who throws lavish parties in her parents beautiful home.
• Paul Rust is not so believable to me as a high school teenager. He just looks a little too old to me. His character and some of the dialogue is so incredible awkward. Almost too awkward at times so that it's not really funny.
• This movie does have some funny poignant moments. Overall though, I just got the sense that the movie was trying to hard.
• The movie got better as it went along though and I lived the ending.

3 stars

100 Feet

Starring: Famke Janssen, Michael Pare

Thriller, 2008

A woman who was abused by her husband throughout her marriage is sentenced to house arrest for his murder. She soon finds out that till death do us part is not always the case. Even in death she is haunted by her abusive husband but is at a loss as to what to do about it because he is already dead.

• This movie somehow slipped under the radar. I don't really even recall ever hearing about it and just happened to see it at blockbuster.
• It had some very scary and thrilling moments.
• Janssen is a great actress.

4 Stars

Paraiso Travel

Starring: Aldemar Correa, Ana De La Reguera, John Leguizamo
Drama, 2008 (Rated R)

A girl who will do whatever it takes to get out of Columbia and into New York City entices and pushes her reluctant boyfriend into going along with her. They are both from middle class families and actually have decent lives where they are. The journey is long and dangerous. Once they finally cross over they become separated and as the boy struggles to make it in the Big Apple and begins to adjust to his new surroundings he still finds that he cannot forget her.

• This movie is absolutely amazing. The acting is great all around. Seeing John Leguizamo in this was a nice surprise. He is amazing.
• Unlike most movies that show people crossing over into America these two did not come from extreme poverty and that added a slightly different and interesting spin on the story.
• Correa's portrayal of Marlon is nothing short of perfect. He is strikingly handsome and really captures Marlon's innocence, loyalty and goodness.
• Reina is quite the evil loud mouth girlfriend and if you asked me she never deserved someone as good as Marlon in the first place. A classic example of not realizing what you have until it's lost.
• This film can be watched in Spanish with English subtitles or with dubbed in English. I started out watching it in English but didn't like it so I switched.
• When searching for great little known/and or foreign films sometimes I strike out but this one was a home run.

5 Stars

The Proposal

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds
Romantic Comedy, 2009

A bossy high powered book publishing executive finds out that her Visa will not be expired and she will have to return to Canada. In order to avoid this she basically tells her assistant who she has ordered around and mostly ignored for the past 3 years that he must marry her so she can keep her Visa. At Grandma's birthday weekend in Alaska the pair find out more about each other then they ever thought they wanted to.

• I really liked this funny movie.
• The story line was kind of typical but they did it well and it worked.

4 Stars

Orphan

Starring: Peter Saarsgard, Vera Farmiga, Isabelle Fuhrman

Thriller, 2009

A married couple that already has two children adopt a 9 year old girl. She seems to be the perfect new daughter at first but the mother quickly realizes that Esther isn't what she seems. Terrible things seem to happen when she is around and their family begins to fall apart as she pitts one person against the other. The mom is suspicious and made out to be merely paranoid and ill, while Esther has the father wrapped around her little finger. The mom searches for clues as to the origins of their new daughter but if she doesn't find answers soon enough it might be too late to save her family.

• Classic story line about the child who is a "bad seed." Accordingly she appears charming to some but shows her evil side to others and has amazing powers of manipulation.
• This movie had the that classic story line but with a little twist that I didn't see coming.
• Very action packed and engaging.
• They really picked the perfect little girl to play Esther.
• It was perfectly scary while keeping me entertained and interested.

4 Stars

Whatever Works

Starring: Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood

Comedy, 2009

A caustic eccentric man recounts his tales of marriage and attempted suicide. He leaves his well to do lifestyle in favor of a meager existence and this is the story of what happens along the way.

• The opening "monologue" was way too long for me.
• I got this movie basically because I like Evan Rachel Wood. She was good as usual for some reason but for some reason her accent wasn't that convincing to me.
• The actors actually addressed the audience which was different.
• This movie felt more like a theatrical play to me.

2 Stars

Burn After Reading

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich
Comedy, 2008

In this movie at one point or another no one is who they seem. A personal trainer stumbles upon a CD that appears to have secret intelligence information on it. His co worker who thinks that her health insurance should cover her cosmetic surgery and is a frequent online dater sees an opportunity to finance her make over and they quickly find themselves way over their head. The antics and tangled web of confusion that ensues is absolutely hilarious.

• I wasn't particularly interested in seeing this movie for some reason but I happened to catch it on Cinemax and I am glad that I did.
• I loved Brad Pitt in this. His whiney portrayal of a pretty boy personal trainer was absoloutely spot on and entertaining. I am used to seeing him play Mr cool private eye types so this was great. George Clooney's character was really funny too.
• Totally entertaining.

5 Stars

The Girlfriend Experience

Starring: Sasha Grey, Chris Santos
Drama, 2009

A high priced escort who offers her serviced to a variety of men is trying to up advance her business. Her boyfriend is a personal trainer at an upscale gym who is also trying to do the same.

• At least I think that was what this movie was about but it was hard to tell because it really, really sucked.
• A lot of the scenes were shot out of order and it did not work for this movie as far as I could tell. There was a journalist, a guy trip to Vegas, and a client whom she apparently thought might be her soul mate.
• One of the reviews on the cover said "Sasha Grey's performance is totally captivating" but I just didnt' see it.
• Just a bad movie. I am not sure at this point why I thought it would be good but I am generally willing to give movies a shot.

1 Star

Out At The Wedding

Starring: Andrea Marcelius, Desi Lydic

2006, Romantic Comedy

The misadventures of a woman who lies to her new fiance about her family to spare him from them and lies to her family to spare them from her fiance. She sneaks of to her sister's wedding and when a rumor about her sexuality gets started she propagates it spare her little sister's feelings. When her two worlds collide unexpectedly she enlists the help of a lesbian stranger to keep the lie going and what happens next is a totally unexpected comedy of errors.

• This movie was funny but the acting was mostly bad.
• The casting choice for the lesbian was questionable. I couldn't tell if she was a man, women, or male to female transexual. The credits rolled and showed a female name but that still doesn't really answer my question
• It actually had a good story line that was interesting but I can't really rave about it because of the overall poor quality of the acting and appearance of the film.

1 Stars

Adventureland

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristin Stewart, Ryan Reynolds

Comedy, 2009

After finding out that his parents are unable to finance his trip to Europe a recent College grad is stuck at home for the summer working a minimum wage theme park job. There he meets Em. Her family is wealthy and she doesn't really need to work there but she does so to spite her father. They seem to hit it off right away and she seems to be the one bright spot in his ruined summer.

• This movie is set in the 80's and I love all of the old songs that were featured in the soundtrack.
• James is this awkward, funny, nerdy and very likable guy. He is the kind of guy that girls should want but often don't because their too busy chasing after the cool, rich guy.
• A great real movie about real people. I could identify with a lot of the characters.
• The clothes and the hair are very bad of course because it is 1987 but other then that the movie was great.

4 Stars

Away We Go

Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph
Drama, 2009

A thirty something not ever getting married couple embark on a cross country journey to find out where they should settle down to have their baby after finding out that his parents are moving out of the country. Along the way they meet up with old friends and learn a little bit from each along the way.

• I liked this movie. Verona and Burt just seem like a very real couple that anyone could actually relate to. The movie is just very grounded and rooted in reality which I like to see sometimes because not everyone has a hot job in marketing and lives in a loft style NYC apartment you know?
• It has comedic moments but it isn't over the top in any way.
• Great acting and a nice message about life and a lot of things that people worry about think about on a day to day basis.

3.5 Stars

The Unknown Woman

Starring: Kseniya Rappoport, Clara Dossena

Drama, 2006 (Foreign/subtitled)

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

A determined Ukranian woman who escapes a life of prostitution and moves to a new town to start fresh. Starting out in the building of her target she eventually schemes her way into becoming a nanny/housekeeper to a family of three. She is leading the typical life of an impoverished foreigner but she actually has quite a bit of cash which she uses to set herself up. She has a tough and austere demeanor and as her past comes back to haunt her we find out why.

• This movie was interesting and different. I loved it!! It's so hard to know which foreign films to get and I can't remember how I even discovered this one but I glad I did.
• Right away you know that this woman is running from something and trying to get something but we don't really find out what that is until towards the end of the movie.
• The story line includes a number of flashbacks not always in sequential order that give us clues as to her tortured past and what it is that she is so afraid of. Sometimes flashbacks can be annoying and overly confusing but these worked.
• Clara Dossena who portrayed Irina's charge is a great little actor. All the acting was amazing and the story line kept me on the edge of my seat.
• The random dramatic bursts of sound throughout the movie were timed perfectly to set the tone and kept pace with the momentum of the story line.
• When the credits started rolling the first thing I said was "Wow."

5 STARS

State Of Play

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Helen Mirren
Drama, 2009

The apparent murder of a politician's research assistant sets off a string of events and other deaths that reveal a plot my a private military company to take control of government based intelligence operations. In a newspaper reporter's search to find the truth he discovers things he didn't know about his good friend and politician Stephen Collins (Affleck).

• This movie really held my attention with a good story line, good acting, and a little bit of action thrown in.
• I have a hard time keeping up with overly intricate plots and characters but I did OK with this one.

4 Stars

Management

Starring: Jennifer Anniston, Paul Zahn (2008)

Romantic Comedy

This heartfelt movie was about a man who lives and works at a small town hotel owned by his parents who meets a young professional just passing through town on business. After making an advance on her and deciding that she is the love of his life he pursues her across the country.

• Paul Zahn plays Mike perfectly. He is so not Sue's type, but there is something so goofy, sweet, and lovable about Mike that even she somehow can't resist his awkward and so not cool advances.
• This movie is a testament to the power of love and how it doesn't always make sense. When you feel it, you feel it and often will do whatever you have to in order to pursue it no matter what the odds. Sometimes it's right there in your face and you don't even know it but once you do...it's amazing.
• If you love a good love story like I do then you will love this movie like I did.

5 Stars

Drag Me To Hell

Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long

Horror, 2009

A loan officer who does not provide a mortgage extension to an old sick woman is cursed. Over the next three days she is tormented by an evil spirit as she competes for a coveted promotion and the good graces of her boyfriend's mother.

• I watched the unrated theatrical version.
• I liked this movie a lot more then I expected. It had all the makings of a really bad horror movie but I was pleasantly surprised.
• Not once, but twice I screamed out in fear. Lots of bodily fluids in this one, be prepared!
• It was refreshing somehow because although it had a classic horror movie kind of formula it still kept me guessing. Aside from the evil spirits trying to drag me to hell bits it actually had a decent story line.
• Some of the special effects were a little fake but that didn't really bother me.
• I wondered at first why Lohman was even in this movie. This is such a departure from her usual dialogue driven dramas. There is just something so vulnerable and and sweet about this actress . She did a great job and although going into it I thought this movie was "beneath" her I think the movie rose to her standards-for a horror movie of this nature.

4 Stars

Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past

Romantic Comedy, 2009 (PG-13)
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Douglas, Lacey Chabert


Drawing on the age old scrooge concept a shallow, self centered womanizer is visited by the ghosts of his girlfriends past, present and future to help him see the error of his ways before it's too late.

• Very cute and funny movie
• Some of the dialogue was so sappy sweet and cliche but oh how I loved it. It's so romantic. The kind of thing that makes my heart melt.
• The message is kind of black and white but I buy it 'cause I'm all for love and romance. Those who don't buy into it are not likely to agree.
• Moral of the story: If you don't believe in love and lead a single loveless bachelor type man's man lifestyle you an empty shell of what you could be. Accordingly, the life you lead along with everyone you touch will be negatively impacted.

4 Stars

Lymelife

Drama, 2008 (Rated R)
Starring: Rory Culkin, Jill Hennessey, Kieran Culkin, Alec Baldwin, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon, Emma Roberts

A coming of age story in which a young boy must deal with the reality of the life he thought he knew falling apart when he discovers that he doesn't have the quite so happy family he thought he did. Meanwhile he is in love with the girl next door who's father has contracted Lyme disease and finds himself jobless and miserable in his own marriage.

• The movie can be kind of slow at times but overall I liked it.
• Great ensemble cast: All are amazing actors in their own right.

3 Stars

Fragments

Drama, 2008 (Rated R)
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Forest Whitaker, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Hudson

On a typical day in a small town diner a man walks in and begins shooting. The story that follows starts here where we see how one event can impact many lives in many different ways.
All the different stories played out as each person leaves the diner and tried to get on with their life in the wake of such a tragic event. Some characters intersect and others do not.

• I'm not sure what it was for me but some of the story lines I just didn't get and because I didn't get it I kept waiting for answers that never really came. Most of the story lines made sense but on in particular involving a doctor who actually opened the door for the shooter before leaving and his wife had me totally confused.
• Great acting all around.
• I'd say this movie is OK. It kept me interested because I wanted answers but felt a little let down at the end when I didn't get them.

3 Stars

X Men Origins: Wolverine

Action, 2009 (Rated PG 13)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston

This movie provides the back story on Wolverine one of the Characters in X Men. We meet his brother Victor and it takes the viewer from his childhood when he first discovered his mutant abilities to adulthood as he and his brother fight side by side using their powers as tools for the US Government. Eventually, he turns his back on that life of killing in favor of becoming a lumberjack but his old life comes back for him and he finds himself once again on the battlefield except this time it's against the man he used to fight for.

• I really hate it when people are mean and evil for no reason and when good innocent people die. Both happen within the first 30 minutes of this film.
• Great acting, great action.
• The movie also has a twist that I didn't expect involving the love of his life who is murdered by the very same group that he used to fight with.
• I put off watching this movie for a while. I wanted to see it but once I got it home I kind of didn't. I should have watched it sooner because it was very good. I actually sat and watched without surfing the net at the same time which I seem to have been doing on the last couple of movies I watched.

4 Stars

Bring It On Fight to the Finish

2009, Rated PG 13

Starring: Christina Milian, Rachele Brooke Smith, Holland Roden,

A captain cheerleader of an up and coming E Los Angeles cheer squad is forced to move to Malibu and finds her All Star cheerleading dreams crushed. The squad at her new school is lackluster and needs a lot of work to dazzle any crowds. She grudgingly joins the squad Sea Lions, recruits two of her best friends from her old squad and leads the charge to beat the rival All Star squad led by the snobby popular Avery (Smith).

• If you aren't into the whole cheerleader dance movie thing this is not your movie. I watch an cheerleading, dance or gymnastics movie I can get my hands on.
• If you liked all of the re makes since the original Bring it On you will like this one too.
• It's the same formula but just different actors and a slightly different set of factors. There is star cheerleader who is uprooted to a different inferior squad. There is a love interest and a plethora of extreme cheerleading stunts that culminate in a high stakes cheer competition.
• There are ab muscles popping out all over the place under these extremely short cheerleading uniform vests.
• Avery (Smith) is played by the same actress that starred in Center Stage: Turn it up. I also noticed a face from the Sea Lions squad that was in Stick It.
• Totally unrealistic but cute!!

3 Stars

Dance Flick

Comedy, 2009 (Rated PG 13)
Starring: Daman Wayans Jr, Shoshanna Bush, and a bunch of other Wayans Brothers too!

A white girl who has just recently given up dancing after the death of her mom moves from the suburbs to an inner city school to live with her dad and tries to fit in.

• Basically a spoof of Save The Last Dance with Julia Stiles and then adds in a bunch of other spoofs from various dance movies.
• I usually don't go for the movies that I know are going to be ridiculously and stupidly over the top but I really like dance movies and have seen just about every one out there so I went for it.
• There were some funny moments in the beginning but then I really just lost interest and wasn't paying attention to the point where when the ending credits rolled I didn't even know what had happened. I was too busy on my laptop.

1 Star

An American Affair

Drama, 2009 (Rated R)
Starring: Gretchen Mol and Cameron Bright

Explores the relationship between a beautiful woman who has had an affair with president John F Kennedy in the past and her horny teenage neighbor Adam (Bright).

• This movie was kind of slow for me.
• Cameron Bright is an amazing young actor. He has been impressive in everything i've seen him in. He had some very risque scenes in a movie with Nicole Kidman called Birth.
• I didn't really "get" this movie. Caswell (Mol) was a former mistress of JFK that keeps a diary so important that the CIA is after it. Her ex husband who also happens to be a CIA agent watches her at night through the window and often comes over unannounced for a dramatic "I want you back" fest. Huh?

3 Stars

Duplicity

Drama/Suspense, 2008 (Rated PG 13)

Starring: Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Paul Giamatti, Tom Wilkinson

Two government counterintelligence agents have a one night stand that leads to love. They make a plan to go into the private sector as counterintelligence agents in the world of corporate sales to scheme there way into a big score that will make then lots of money and ultimately enable them to retire in someplace like Rome.

• It was almost comical because the world of marketing and corporate sales had a full intelligence branch complete with private jets and surveillance teams. Is it really like that, but I just don't know it?
• I kept expecting an action scene or guns to be pulled out but then I had to realize that this is the world that creates cosmetic products not hostages.
• It was way too long.
• I didn't like it as much as I thought I would but it was OK.

3 Stars

Gigantic

Romantic Comedy, 2008 (Rated R)
Starring: Paul Dano and Zooey Deschanel

A man in his late 20's who is still finding himself and just so happens to have an obsession with adopting a baby from China falls for the daughter of one of the customers at a mattress shop where he works.

• Cute movie but it was dry and very slow.
• Classic Deschanel type indie movie. I watched it because she's in it.
• I still can't quite figure out what the deal is with the homeless man who routinely attacks Brian (Dano).

2 Stars

The Poker House

Drama, 2009 (Rated R)

Starring: Selma Blair, Jennifer Lawrence, Bokeem Woodbine

Shows a day in the life of a 14 year old girl with two younger sisters and a strung out alcoholic drug addicted mother who hosts a nightly poker night/party. Among the guest who attend are prostitutes and pimps. The girls are pretty much left to fend for themselves on a day to day basis with no supervision from mom. Based on a true story, this movie was written and directed by the lead character Agnes. Takes place back in the 60's.

• Great acting.
• Good although very sad story.
• Didn't really hold my attention too much.

2 Stars

The Informers

Drama, 2008 (Rated R)

Starring: Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke, Billy Bob Thornton

This movie is made up of a series of different connected stories about rich dysfunctional people in dysfunctional relationships, most of which are involved in drugs or other illegal activities in 1980's Hollywood. Most of the characters are either directly involved in or loosely related in one way or another to the film/entertainment industry. Theirs is a world where just about anything goes. There is only one story line that has to do with an every day joe trying to make it. He just so happens to have a criminal uncle who drags him into a crime.

• There isn't really a story line or plot. Just the random goings on of a group of intersecting people.
• There is quite a bit of nudity and more then one orgy that takes place.
• Sad stories about mostly sad people.

3 Stars

Guns

Drama, 2008

Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Colm Feore

This movie weaves together a series of connected stories that are all related to the illegal gun trade in Canada. It starts out with a tragic event that claims the life of a little girl and the series of events that occur after it. The moral of the story is clearly that gun are bad.

• It's a good story but the way the movie is put together did not hold my attention too well.
• Gets a little more interesting as the story progresses...if you can make it that long,
• I was surprised to see Cuthbert in this. It seems like she is usually in better quality movies.
• This is a long one! The first half is 1 1/2 hours long so just when I am ready for the movie to be over I realize I am only half way through. It's good enough for me to want to see what happens but not bad enough for me to shut off.
• The acting is pretty good.

2 Stars

Sin Nombre

Drama/Suspense, 2008 (Rated R)

Starring: Paulina Gaitan, Edgar Flores

A young girl sets out on a journey with a father she is just now meeting and her Uncle to cross the border into the United States all the way from Honduras. This is expected to be a 3 week journey!! Along the way she crosses paths and finds an unexpected friend in a recent ex gang member who is on the run from the violent gang after crossing the leader of the entire gang.

• I find myself rooting for this gang member to cross to the US and maybe have a fresh start even though I know that as a gang member he's done terrible things.
• Gaitan is an amazing actress. I saw her in another really good movie called Trade.
• This is all in Spanish subtitled in English. Be aware that the subtitles are kind of small.
• It's amazing the lengths that people resort to in order to get to the US.
• Really great and moving story. Well executed.

4 Stars

Surveillance

2008, Thriller (Rated R)
Starring: Julia Ormond, Bill Pullman, Pell James

Two FBI agents show up in a small town police station to uncover the events that led up to a grisly murder scene. There are killers on the loose and this is not their first crime in this small town. As the agents begin questioning the surviving witnesses-a little girl, a junkie, and a police officer-a major unexpected twist occurs. You find out that people definitely are not who they seem as they each tell their version of how the events went down.

• The best word I can think of to describe this movie is ugly. Dirty evil small town cops, sick and twisted killers, a family and a couple of junkies all come together in a way that make this movie very ugly. Ugly people doing ugly things.
• It definitely keeps you guessing and wondering along the way, which to me is a good quality in a movie.
• There is a very unexpected twist about 1/2 way through.
• I'd say go ahead and watch it but just be prepared for some ugly sick and twisted scenes.

4 STARS

Sunshine Cleaning

Comedy/Drama, 2008 (Rated R)

Starring: Emily Blunt, Amy Adams

Rose was the popular cheerleader in school but her life has not exactly panned out the way she had hoped. She enlists her sister Norah to go into business together in the "niche" industry of crime scene post-mortem clean up in their small town.

• Rose is a 30 something single mom struggling to make it. She just wants to feel good about herself and her life. It's a story about a woman finding her way but without all the glitz of movies like Confessions of a Shopaholic.
• So many woman including myself can probably identify with Rose. Nobody wants to be the popular cheerleader who ends up a failure.
• Oh boy, I would not have the stomach to do what they do. Just regular cleaning up after folks would be hard for me without all of the blood and guts.
• There is a scene in the movie where Rose (Amy Adams) is in bed waiting for her lover and she is wearing a lavender chemise with white polka dots from Victoria's Secret. I know this because I have the very same one!! It's one of my favorites.
• I really liked this movie.

4 STARS

Camille

Romantic Comedy, 2008 (PG 13)

Starring: Sienna Miller, James Franco

Camille is a happy bride in love and will do anything it takes to make it to her honeymoon destination even if her new husband is less then enthusiastic.

• I was trying to figure out why in the hell is this beautiful sweet girl in love with this evil no good ex con who obviously could care less about her. Even worse, why is her family so happy about it?
• As the movie goes on you figure out why. Simply put Camille is in love. No one can tell her anything when it comes to her new hubby so that's that.
• This movie is part comedy, part drama, part way too silly but somehow it works.
• Love is something else.
• Very sweet and cute movie.
• Sienna Miller turns on the southern accent and I love her portrayal of this sweet character. She is so talented. I didn't even realize she had an English accent (not American) until I saw her in an interview.
  
  
  4 STARS

Where God Left His Shoes

Drama, 2008 (NR)

Starring: John Leguizamo, Leonor Varela

A man tries to find a job in order to qualify for an apartment on Christmas Eve so he can get his family out of a homeless shelter for the holidays.

• My heart really went out to this family.
• The situation for the family literally just goes from bad to worse as they are evicted from their apartment and find themselves in a homeless shelter.
• Frank feels so terrible that no matter how hard he tries he can't do anything to help his family. The odds are totally against him.
• What moved me to tears is seeing that no matter how little they had there was still so much love between Frank and his wife. He had nothing to offer her but his love and no matter how bad things got she always loved him back.
• Wonderful movie.

5 STARS

Watch Trailer Here

The Last House On The Left

Action/Horror, 2009 (R Rating)

Director, Wes Craven

• I watched the unrated DVD version.
• A devious evil threesome kidnap two innocent teenagers who just so happened cross paths with a boy who is helpless to stop them from their murderous intentions.
• Riveting.
• The scene where they attack Mari is very gritty. It was quite long and seemed to go on forever to the point where it became very uncomfortable to watch.
• So much tension.
• I don't think I moved until this one was over.
• My goodness that girl is a fighter.
• I let out a loud "YEAH" at one point. Couldn't help it.
• Towards the end of this movie I literally had to let out a breath because I was holding it and didn't even realize it.
• There is a 1972 version that might be worth watching.

See Movie Trailer

5 STARS

Push

Mystery/Suspense, 2009 (PG13)

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans

• Way too much going on in this movie for it to be any good.
• Watchers, pushers, it went on and on but not in a good way.
• Fanning is a great little actress though. Even in this bizarre almost senseless movie she managed to deliver a great performance. I was surprised to see her in this. She's way better then this movie.

2 STARS

I Love You Man

Comedy, 2009 (Rated R)

Starring: Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones

• A man gets engaged and becomes very aware that he has no friends and of the fact that he never really has. The search is on to fill up his wedding party roster.
• Laugh out loud funny.
• Rudd's character is so amazingly awkward and goofy that it's almost embarrassing to watch him interact with others at some points. But it is hilarious.
• He is basically, a female in a straight man's body. I like men to have a sensitive side but I think he would be a little much for me.

5 STARS

The Soloist

Drama, 2008 (PG13)
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Morton Downey Jr

• A reporter out looking for a story and happens to run into a mentally ill homeless man who just so happens to be a former Julliard student.
• The main story is between the reporter and the homeless man but there is a pretty good underlying story as well between he and his ex wife/boss.
• Great acting of course-you don't expect anything less from Foxx and Downey.
• Made me feel just a little bit hopeless about the plight and problems of mentally ill homeless people. Seems to be yet another impossible issue to really fix.

5 STARS

The Edge Of Love

Drama/Foreign, 2008 (Rated R)
Starring: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, and Matthew Rhys

Basic Rundown: A love story set during World War II in which Vera (Keira Knightly) is a spunky independent women who performs in a night club to make ends meet during the war. She re acquaints herself with her teenage crush Cillian (William Killick) who is married to wild and crazy Caitlin (Sienna Miller) just before she meets handsome soldier William (Matthew Rhys) whom she marries right before he ships off. Vera, Caitlin, and Cillian form an interesting threesome and both marriages are tested to the limit by events that take place while William is away and the incident that occurs upon his return.

• Excellent acting.
• Held my attention.
• My blood was boiling towards the end because Vera's so called best friend Cillian selfishly turns on her at the end even after all she did for him and his crazy wife.

5 STARS

Julia

Drama, 2008, Rated R

Starring: Tilda Swinton (Julia)

Basic Rundown: Julia is a raging alcoholic who makes a habit of one night stands with random men. After getting fired from her job she decides to go in on a money making scheme with a mentally unstable fellow AA member that includes a kidnapping that spirals way out of control. She ends up on the run from the law and everyone in between

• Great Acting. Swinton is amazing.
• Riveting
• This Lady is a woman who does some really kick ass and horrible things but for some reason I can't dislike her. She just keeps going and going and going and going....

5 STARS

Martyrs

Foreign/Horror, 2008 (NR)

Starring: Morjana Alaoui, Mylene Jampano

Rundown: This movie is about a child who escaped from a horrific torture chamber as a child and what happens when she ends up back at the scene of her torment 15 years later.

• This movie is in a word disturbing.
• I have never seen anything like it.
• Extremely graphic and violent.
• I have a high tolerance for violence and gore in movies and even I was left stunned after what I saw. I simply didn't know what to think.
• Certain images from the movie replayed in my head hauntingly so even a couple days after watching.
• It had me literally looking up the word 'martyrs' on wikipedia and then pondering its meaning and how it ties in with the movie.

5 Stars

Watch Trailer Here

Slumdog Millionaire

Drama, 2008 (Rated R)
Starring: Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto


Rundown: A boy accused of cheating his way to the top of the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire recounts incidents in his life upon questioning by the police that revealed the answers to the questions presented on the show. Somehow his life of poverty in India provided him the knowledge needed to progress to the big money rounds of the show.

• This movie was a pure joy from start to finish.
• I kind of "slept" on this one. I'd heard a lot of great things about it but it took me a long time to get around to watching it. Too long.
• There is a fabulous love story woven into the plot.
• My eyes and my attention were glued to the screen, especially at the end.
• This movie had me literally jumping for joy, shouting and crying. I'm actually glad I watched this DVD at home so I could let loose.

5 STARS