Second Best

Dark Comedy centers on amateur writer-philosopher Elliot, who was fired from his publishing job, divorced from his lovely wife, and who has a homosexual son. Elliot sustains himself with a humble job selling clothes and writing a series of articles for "2nd best people and losers". His dark and cynical views on life are almost comical. Actor Joe Pantoliano somehow makes this movie interesting to watch by showing us his humanness and character vulnerability. Unusual movie.

One Fine Day

Romantic comedy with handsome George Clooney (famous columnist) and lovely Michelle Pfeiffer (advertising executive). Two busy single adults with spoiled children meet over traumatic circumstances of both missing a school field trip for their kids. Forced to rely on each other for baby-sitting but with contrasting personalities, there are many mishaps on this eventful day that make for a fun movie.

Shut Up and Sing

Political musical documentary. All about the Dixie Chicks (country style girls band) and their struggle to fame. And popularity setbacks when lead singer said "We're ashamed the president is from Texas," (Country Western fans are mostly right wing patriots). Radio stations stopped playing their music and there were even death threats from reactive "fans". Time is a great healer though, and 3 years later the Dixie Chicks were back on top. This is a fun movie IF you like country music and don't mind documentaries (This one has interviews, live footage, and the stars backstage, at home, and in the studio making songs)

Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa (Rocky VI) is written, directed, and acted by Sylvester Stallone AND he does it again!! He pulls it off with fine acting, and good supporting performances. A balance of emotions, music, and ring violence. This aging Rocky is as likable as any!!

The Holiday

Romantic comedy with dramatic substance. Fine acting and script make this really fun to watch despite simplicity and predictability. Two abandoned and heart broken women in separate cities (London and Los Angeles) meet on the Internet and decide to swap houses for two weeks over Christmas vacation with some very entertaining results. Cast include Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black. Fun and/but a bit long (2 hours 18 minutes)

Shattered Glass

Documentary journalism drama - Riveting story of The New Republic young star writer Stephen Glass who fools the magazine and a nation of readers into believing his fictitious stories are fact. Fantastic plot (truth is stranger than fiction), excellent script and believable acting make this tale enjoyable to watch.

Man of the Year

Surprisingly brilliant mix of comedy and political drama. Lots of jokes and lots of truth. Robin Williams is excellent as a popular television comedian who runs for president and wins via a computer bug in the election system. Actress Laura Linney is very believable as the nerd programmer who discovers the bug. Fine cast and superb script. Writer/director Barry Levinson must be a genius. I really enjoyed this movie.

Nacho Libre

Comedian Jack Black stars in this funky but magical comedy filmed in Mexico with a likable cast and picturesque scenery. Loosely based on a true story, he cooks for orphans in a monastery by day and secretly wrestles for money at night. Some really funny moments. A most unusual film.

Flags of Our Fathers

Bloody Documentary War Drama by Clint Eastwood - large scale American losses on the volcanic Island of Iwo Jima as the Japanese dig in and fight to the death. Very realistic and with a cynical plot - a single photograph of flag-raising becomes a symbol for the American war effort AND a way to raise funds for a final victory. But the heros in the picture are reluctant to call themselves heros -"the real heros are dead" they say. Lengthy and painful to watch. But educational.

Game 6

Drama with some comedic elements featuring Michael Keaton. Plot revolves around a play writer and Red Sox fan who gives up his opening night to watch the Red Sox on television. Some philosophy and unusual characters. Interesting, and relatively brief. An artful film.

Casino Royale

Casino Royale may be the best James Bond movie ever! The new Bond (James Craig) can fight, run, dodge bullets, drive fast, romance, and show deep feelings of sheer determination. His body and mind are like rock. This film is over 2 hours long but due to fine acting (with some romance), excellent script and direction, new special effects, and lovely photography of far away places - it never ceases to entertain! Highly recommended especially for lovers of this genre.

Babel

Multi-threaded plot and a very long movie. But xlnt photography and powerful acting entertain at each step. Morocco, Mexico, and Japan are the 3 settings. But the ending was anti-climatic and unsatisfying. Felt like something to be continued...

Borat

Outrageously different spoof documentary nails the American psyche. Sacha Baron Cohen writes and stars as a Kazakhstan man bent on introducing his country and culture filming a travel documentary to America. The acting is so real and so authentically casted one wonders about it. Breaks all boundaries. Not always comfortable to watch. Some really funny scenes.

Scoop

Murder Mystery Comedy by Woody Allen. Plot: College journalist takes on a murder case and falls in love with the prime suspect. Filmed in London and well acted by Hugh Jackman (suspect), Scarlett Johansson (journalist) and Woody Allen (friend of journalist). The script is uneven, sometimes believable and often not. But that is Woody Allen, isn't it. Unusual flick!

Stranger than Fiction

Stranger than fiction is a clever story with fine acting and directing. Fiction tragedy writer's main character turns out to be a real person who frantically searches out his author to spare his life. This most unusual film captures your attention, entertains you and makes you think. Will Ferril, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman are the 3 main characters. Recommended!