The Box

Starring: Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella
Thriller, Rated PG 13 (2009)

Norma (Diaz) and Arthur (Marsden) are a young couple in their 30's who are struggling financially. Out of nowhere a man called Arlington Steward (Langella) appears on their doorstep and offers them a box and proposition that if they push the button they will receive 1 million dollars, however someone they do not know will die. The couple struggles with this decision and questions whether or not it's some kind of hoax or not. They only have 24 hours to decide and the choice they make has consequences that neither one expected and they are faced yet again with a tough decision to make.

• This movie was directed by Richard Kelly who also did Donnie Darko. There is some similarity in the supernatural bizarre story line but not quite as weird.
• I didn't realize that this movie was set back in the 1970's. That was a surprise to me.
• As the story goes on the origins of the box and Arlington Steward is revealed and it begins to make more sense.
• This is a very unforgiving box and a reminder that sometimes it's best to just do the right thing just because.
• It causes one to question your own morality-what would you do? The prospect of 1 million dollars is very tempting indeed.

4 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.