The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Human Drama set in Brooklyn, New York. Dysfunctional family struggles under the influence of two stubborn and selfish parents both struggling to be writers. The 12 and 16-year-old sons are caught in the middle, confused, and emotionally distraught. The acting is very real, and actors are likeable. Realistic movie and entertaining. 88 min.

Woman is the Future of Man (2006)

Korean Drama with English subtitles. 2 buddies reunite after several years, one an art professor, the other an aspiring film maker. As they spend the afternoon drinking together they reminisce and find themselves focusing on a former girlfriend they both knew. Drunk, and in the snow flurries of Seoul, they decide to pay her a surprise visit. Lots of sexual scenes in this flick, and this story tells of men drowning existential pains in the pursuit of women. Acting is fine, and the story unfolds in a way that captivates the attention. 85 minutes.

Valentin (2004)

Foreign Film from Argentina - Heart-warming drama about a very intelligent eight-year-old boy who lives alone with his grandmother in Buenos Aires in the early 1960s. He longs to be with his mom and dad but they are separated and neither seems to want to take care of him. This is a story of his plotting to get some kind of family together. Slow-paced, but well-acted with pleasing shots of Buenos Aires. 86 min.

10 Items or Less (2006)

Drama - Morgan Freeman stars in this funky little movie about an actor and a disillusioned young supermarket checkout girl. Lots of dialog and very little action. The charisma of Morgan and actress Paz Vega carry this film, the plot is quite simple and the ending ambivalent. 108 min.

Ratatouille (2007)

Comedy Animation via Disney and Pixar studios, (Creators of The Incredibles and Cars). Remy is a very special rat living in Paris dreaming of becoming a chef. Inspired by the famous Gusteau, Remy determines to create food delicacies in a fancy restaurant. Because rats are not allowed in the kitchen Remy must work undercover - actually he hides under the chef hat of a young man whom he dictates recipes to. Lots of fine effects and realistic artistry. This movie has a great plot as well. And even a happy ending. 1 hr 51 mins
 

Saraband (2005)

Swedish Family Drama - Starring Liv Ullmann and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Dysfunctional family struggles to get along in a remote setting. The uniting force is a talented and beautiful 19 year old granddaughter who is too attached to her lonely suicidal father. Interesting story as the father attempts to teach/coach his talented daughter with his superb skills as a musician, but smothers her with his emotional neediness. The story is told through a visiting in-law (Ullman) who decides to look up her ex-husband after many years of no contact. Mostly dialogue and philosophy of life with very little real action. But refreshingly unusual. 110 min.

Little Dieter Needs To Fly (1997)

Foreign Film - German. Documentary about a German boy who wants to be a pilot, immigrates to USA, joins the Air Force, then the Navy and is sent to Vietnam. The story really begins in Vietnam (actually Laos) as his plane is shot down, and he is sent to a prisoner of war camp, starved, tortured, and with extraordinary luck escapes to tell the story in this film. Recommended if you like exceptional stories told from one man's perspective on a low budget. Still, some of his scrapes with death are memorable! 74 min.

East is East (1999)

Comedy - set in 1970's in England. Pakistani family (Father from Pakistan, mother from England) raise seven children. The father stubbornly insists they do things the Pakistani way, including arranged weddings, formal Pakistani dress, and attending mosque services. Both the mom and the kids eventually rebel in a family mutiny. Film works OK as a family drama (some good performances) but not as a comedy - it just is not that funny. 96 min.

Veronica Guerin 2003

Drama/Suspense - Based on a true story about a popular and gutsy woman reporter bent on exposing powerful drug barons in Dublin. Threatened, beaten, and eventually killed, her death rallied the Irish public to demand a stop to large scale drug pushing in Dublin. Intense movie with fine performances from all and especially Cate Blanchett as Veronica the martyr. 98 min.

The Hurricane (1999)

Human Drama - based on a true and controversial story. Black prizefighter is sentenced to life for murders he didn't commit. Seems he was framed by a prejudiced New Jersey policeman who had it in for Carter ever since Carter's childhood. Carter spends 15 years in prison before he can find a judge and a court that will reverse the ruling. With the help of friends Carter rebuilds his life. Very well acted by Denzel Washington, this movie moves along pretty well. Some may complain it is a bit lengthy. The fact that the movie is based on a true story adds to its significance. More of a biography than a boxing movie. 2 hrs 30 mins

Ned Kelly (2004)

Cowboy Drama Aussie style - a fantastic and mostly true account of legendary Australian outlaw Ned Kelley who shot and killed 3 British policeman for unfairly hassling his family home. Fine acting by Perth-born actor Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain) and his sidekick Orlando Bloom. Photography and sets are fine. Pace of this movie is good. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It is a cowboy drama with some unusual twists. 110 min.

The Color Purple (1985)

Based on the novel "The Color Purple" the story examines female African American trials/hardships in the South in the 1930's. Husbands beat their wives, enslave them with daily duties, and direct their destinies. Our hero Celie has 2 children taken away from her and her sister as well, such cruelty. The acting in this film is over the top. Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, and Whoopie Goldberg all do a bang-up job. The photography is exceptional. Plays a bit long but well worth it. One of the better films I have seen ! It was nominated for 11 academy awards. 2 hrs. 34 min.

Hairspray (2007)

Musical Drama set in the 1960's - an adaptation of a Broadway show with lots of music and dance. The talent is awesome - so many fine voices and steppers. John Travolta is hilarious as a fat woman in drag. And crazy-looking Christopher Walken appears as the husband. Their daughter (Nikki Blonsky) is obsessed with dance and/but is very overweight. Somehow she manages to become a leading member of a television dance show. Overly dramatic but clever lyrics,unique dance choreography, and fine sets make this movie fun. 117 min.

Half Nelson (2006)

Human Drama - Idealistic white 7th grade history teacher coaches girls basketball after school in a Brooklyn ghetto. Problem is he is addicted to cocaine and must struggle daily to maintain his job and sanity. Star pupil/basketball player befriends him and gives him the loving support he needs to come back from the dark. Fine acting and scripting make this a real and enjoyable movie to watch. 107 min.