Ladder 49 (2004)

Action/Drama - Baltimore Fire Department - friendship, courage, and romance. Great photography with some excellent performances by John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix. New firefighter Jack Morrison must chose between glory and family, job and friends. Fast pace story, impressive stunt work, and a fine music soundtrack. 115 min.

Flushed Away (2006)

Animation/Adventure/Comedy - domestic rat meets a sewer rat and their worlds collide. Lots of chase and near-death cartoon stuff. Fun music. Cute characters with voices by Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, and Ian McKellen. 85 min.

The Year of Living Dangerously (1983)

Political Drama - Australian reporter (Mel Gibson) in Jakarta falls in love with a British spy (Sigourney Weaver). Some fine acting all around and a unique philosophical monolog by Billy Kwan (Linda Hunt). Plenty of action too. 115min.

Mother (1996)

Dramedy - recently divorced writer seeks the source of his women problems and his writer's block by moving in with his mother. Not a comedy as much as a psychological study, it is well-acted and does have a message. Albert Brooks and Debbie Reynolds. 104 min.

The Scent of Green Papaya (1993)

French/Vietnamese Drama - lovely film of a Vietnamese servant girl growing up in Saigon. Scarce on dialog but very rich on photography. A zen-like slow-moving and/but powerful film if you make the time and mood to focus in on it. 104 min.

Beauty Shop (2005)

Comedy - Queen Latifah owns a beauty shop and it is not easy ! Lots of character interaction here and clever black dialog between ladies especially. An entertaining educational film with upbeat message. Fine performances. No major masterpiece but a fun piece of work 105 min.