The Wrestler (2008)

Drama - over the hill wrestler goes for a major comeback despite a serious heart condition. Mickey Rourke is awesome as a beefy hulk with sensitive emotions. Great story. Real. 109 min.

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)

Baseball Drama - based on the novel - New York baseball club's catcher is stricken with Hodgkin's disease, and his best friend, the star pitcher struggles to keep it secret. Fine acting by the two leads Robert De Niro and Michael Moriarty. 98 min.

For Your Consideration (2006)

Comedy - spoof on Hollywood, L.A., and the film industry. Story revolves around a low budget film with some promising talent. Mild conflicts between the director and the writers, the producer and the studio heads. Some great mini performances from the cast. Amusing. 86 min.

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

British comedy - "Poppy" is a flippant primary school teacher sharing an apartment with another school teacher friend. Together they brave the ups and downs of urban life. Interesting segments of the film feature an extremely uptight driving instructor and a handsome social worker who each make a deep impression on Poppy. Fine acting and a very unique film. 1 hr. 59 min.

The Secret Lives of Dentists (2003)

Dramedy - slightly pessimistic / realistic view of marriage... Two dentists marry and practice at the same office on top of raising three small children. Mammoth struggles begin when the husband suspects his wife of having an affair. Battles soar inside his mind as he tries to decide what to do about it. Fine acting, and/but a dark subject. 104 min.

Seven Pounds (2008)

Drama - Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is an extremely guilt ridden man desperate to redeem himself for killing his fiance and six innocent strangers in a car crash. He seeks strangers in dire need of medical help, including a bone marrow transplant, part of a liver, a lung, and other crucially needed body parts. Ben donates. The fascinating aspect of this movie is that Ben impersonates a federal officer to information about people deserving of his help. Fine acting by Will Smith brings it all together. 123 min.

Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

Dark Comedy/Romance - Ruthless and wealthy Beverly Hills divorce lawyer, Miles (George Clooney) meets up with a beautiful and clever woman, Marylyn (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who marries men for money and finds ways to divorce them to gain half their resources. Unfortunately Miles and Marylyn are not on the same side. Despite meeting under terrible circumstances they fall in love. Quite a zig-zag plot and entertaining at times. But nothing serious. 100 min.

The Royal Guard or "Eklavya" (2007)

Bollywood Drama - Shakespearean-like tale of a king and his protector (The Royal Guard). Problems begin when the king discovers his royal guard is the real father of his children... Bloodshed and revenge are plotted when the king's children discover the king has killed their mother. Fascinating and fairly swift moving if but Bollywood melodramatic. 105 minutes (short movie by Indian standards as song and dance scenes are nil)

Mamma Roma (1962)

Italian Drama - shot in black and white, powerful images of Mamma Roma (Anna Magnani) a former prostitute struggling to raise her son in a protected environment. But her pimp follows her ever forcing her to earn money. Fantastic performance by lead actress who exudes humanness. 110 min.

Broadcast News (1987)

Drama - Three ambitious newscasters battle for power in the pressure of a major network newsroom. Each a talent, one as a writer (Albert Brooks), one a top producer (Holly Hunter), and another a trusting face and voice to anchor the news (William Hurt). Awesome performances by the three leads! And a fine script. Not a dull moment. 132 min.

Dear God (1996)

Comedy - con artist Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) takes a stint as a post-office worker in lieu of a year of jail time. At the post office he opens a letter addressed to God and somehow mistakenly sends cash (that he owes his bookie) to the person writing to God. Tom becomes a hero, a miracle worker, and his life begins to change around as he finds more joy in giving than taking. Silly movie, lots of dumb stunts, but a solid message and a happy ending. 112 min.

Something New (2006)

Romantic Comedy - amusing though it addresses serious racial issues... Successful workaholic black lady lawyer falls in love with a white landscaper guy, and her life goes through some major changes. Fine script and some lovely performances. 100 min.