Romeo is Bleeding

Gary Oldman and Lena Olin star in this Baz Luhrmann film from 1993. Definitely cool.

Noir atmosphere prevails in story of a crooked cop who is ordered to kill a VERY sexy hitwoman. Over the edge performances drive this dark tale. Not to everyone's taste but interesting and different.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0107983/

Year of the Dragon

Michael Cimino directed this 1985 cop flick starring Mickey Rourke.

Taut action film follows Vietnam vet NY cop whose prejudice against Asians is complicated by both a crime boss in China Town and his relationship with his mistress.

Taut drama with lots of atmosphere.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0090350/

Enchanted

2007 concoction directed by Kevin Lima starring Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Timothy Spall. A fractured fairy tale.

Starts as a Disney cartoon with all the cliches then takes a turn as Princess and other characters are whisked away to the real world.

Some cute "fish out of water" elements and charming. Parents may enjoy it more than the kids. Some genuine laughs but overly long.

Amy Adams is great as the princess and Timothy Spall is wonderful as the evil Queen's henchman. But the rest of the cast is outdone by a chipmonk!

www.imdb.com/title/tt0461770/

Avatar

James Cameron's blockbuster hit from 2009 just didn't do it for me. Is it woth seeing? Yes, for the visuals. Cameron envisioned a great looking movie with otherworldly characters, effects, and locations and I highly reccommend the 3-D version.

But the story? That's something else entirely. Elements of "Little Big Man", Cameron's own "The Abyss", and even "Fern Gully" made this film something that I felt I have seen before. Not a great calling card for the most successful film of all time.

So see it for the visuals and let the rest slide.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/

Crazy Heart

Scott Cooper directed this 2009 story of an alcoholic has been country singer who reassesses his life and relationships.

Stars Jeff Bridges who is perfect as "Bad" Blake, a outlaw country legend reminding me of Kris Kristofferson, Waylon, or even Merle Travis. Maggie Gyllenthaal stars as a reporter who ultimately leads to Bad's salvation, despite their doomed love affair.

Great acting. Great music. Three quarter's of a truly great movie...the last third or so seemed too pat for me. But I highly reccommend it anyway.

Look for Robert Duvall in a warm, heartfelt cameo.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263670/

The Men Who Stare At Goats

George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey star in this film from 2009 directed by Grant Heslov.

Whacked for sure. Jeff Bridges becomes leader of a division of the military called the New Earh Army, a group of psychics with paranormal abilities who supposedly will end war by conquering foes by remote viewing, phasing through walls, etc. Discovered by reporter McGregor, he follows one of them into Iraq. Is the guy on to something or just crazy.

Compared by many to a Coen Brothers film, I didn't think it came close. But it has a great premise even if it didn't follow through.

Worth a peek.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234548/

Sicko

2007 film from Michael Moore skewers the health care industry.

Weaker than Moore's previous movies Roger & Me and Farenheit 911, this one still manages to make its point with irony and humor. And what a point it makes.

HMO and insurance company foul ups and immoral, if not illegal, business practises. Interesting segments on how other countries fare against us in terms of health, life expectancy, and health care costs as well as an amusing but eye opening trip to Cuba.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/

Amadeus

1984 Milos Forman film starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Jeffery Jones.

I never really liked opera 'til I saw this film.

Solieri is fustrated that he does not receive the respect as a composer that young Mozart does. And Mozart is such a jerk! How can God allow this to happen? And what will Solieri do about it.

Peter Shaffer wrote the script based on his play.

This is a brilliant fim and works on so many levels: as a study of the two personalities, on the nature of creating art, on faith and religion...and the music and opera sequences wonme over.

Long, but worth it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086879/

3:10 To Yuma

This is a remake of the 1957 classic. Watch both. Either way you can't go wrong.

Gripping, suspenseful western from 2007 directed by James Mangold and starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe.

Poor, disbled farmer takes on the task of taking a muderer to a far off town to put him on a train to prison while the bad guy's gang tries to intercept them.

Both stars turn in great performances...Crowe is a bad guy you can't help but like. That is the probelm Bale faces as Crowe tries to psych him out along the way.

I had a couple problems with the ease in which Crowe gets the upper hand, but all in all a taut thriller with spurts of well shot action.

Both films, this one and the original from 1957, are well done action adventures with a psychological overtones.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381849/

Chocolat

Charming, good hearted film from 2000 directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Johhny Depp, Carrie-Ann Moss, Lena Olin, Leslie Caron.

A woman and her daughter arrive in a small French town and prepare to open a chocolate shop during lent much to the dismay of the town's mayor.

This feel good movie is funny, romantic, and has a lot to say about acceptance of others. But most of all it is fun. The cast is wonderful. I have a crush on Binoche.

Definitely worth seeing.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241303/

The Stunt Man

Man, has this film got it all...

1980 movie directed by Richard Rush is a thriller, drama, comedy, romance, action flick...about the only thing it isn't is a musical.

Starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, and Barbara Hershey, The Stuntman is about a fugitive who comes upon a film set. Unwittingly causing the death of the film's stunt man, the convict is given refuge by the director if he replaces the stunt man.

Railsback is the fugitive. O'Toole absolutely steals the show as the director, who threatens, cajoles, does anything to get his way and to get his scenes shot.

Brilliant film, lots of fun and thought provoking.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081568/

Jacob's Ladder

1990 Adrian Lyne thriller stars Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello, Jason Alexander, Ving Rhames.

A real mind freak of amovie where Vietnam vet and current postman Robbins starts seeing what may or not be frightening fantasy creatures as well as his deceased son.

Makes you wonder what's real, what's not.

Sometimes frightening, this film is a wild ride.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099871/

Frantic

Harrison Ford and Emmanuelle Seigner star in this 1988 thriller from Roman Polanski.

American doctor in Paris for a convention tries to find his wife who has disappeared. He is aided by a woman he doesn't know, doesn't trust as she takes him through a Parisian underworld of crime, drugs, murder, and espionage.

Slows down occaissionally but has some good moments. Polanski co-wrote the script.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095174/

Liberty Heights

One of the films Barry Levinson made that take a semi-autobiograhical look at growing up in Baltimore during the 1950s. The others were "Avalon" and "Diner".

This warm hearted film from 1999 stars Adrien Brody, Bebe Neuwirth, Joe Montagna. Something of a drama with humor, it is also a romance as two brothers struggle with life, family, and the ladies they have crushes on.

Hysterical scene that takes place on Halloween.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165859/

Pulp Fiction

If you haven't seen it...run - don't walk to the DVD store, NerFlix, or wherever and see it!
Arguably the coolest movie ever made.

Made in 1994 by Quentin Tarantino this dramedy stars John Travolta, Ving Rhames, Samuel Jackson, Uma Thurman..shall I go on? Bruce Willis, Eric Stoltz, Amanda Plummer, Tim Roth...and more.

Non-linear look at four stories that interconnect very cleverly. Dramatic, freaky, funny, and above all...cool.

Look for: Royale with cheese
It's a chopper, not a motorcycle
The Watch
and especially the segment with Mr Wolf
Don't miss it!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/

The lords of Flatbush

1974 film directed by Stephen Verona and Martin Davidson stars Perry King, Sylvester Stallone, and Henry Winkler.

Overlooked film that featured Stallone and Winkler before they became household names.

The Lords of Flatbush are a Brooklyn gang reaching that critical age: do they settle down and become adults or continue their meandering ways?
Often funny,, sometimes warm hearted.
Check out the scene at the jewelry store.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071772/

Seven

Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow star in this David Fincher drama from 1995.

Wow, and I thought I was good at twist endings...this one threw me for a loop!

Younger cop is assigned to a serial killer case. His training officer is about to retire but they both go to work trying to find the perp who uses the biblical Seven Deadly Sins as clues to the murders.

Great cast, very good performances. Surprise after surprise in this one.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114369/

To Live and Die in L.A.

William Friedkin film from 1985 stars William Petersen, Willem DaFoe, John Tuturro, Robert Downey, Sr.

Disconcerting cop drama about an agent who is determined to find his partner's killer. Revenge takes precedent over the law in this gritty drama.

Worth a look.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090180/

Purple Rose of Cairo

Woody Allen comedy from 1965 stars Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello.

1930's woman is unhappy with her husband and falls in love with a character in a movie who "steps out" of the movie to woo her.

Quirky, fantasy film is funny and also touching. Great performances from entire cast.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089853/

Mean Streets

1973 drama co-written and directed by Martin Scorsese stars Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro.

Keitel plays a young man in New York's Little Italy who makes a living doing collections for his wiseguy uncle. When offered a restaurant to run for his uncle he is forced to choose between what might be a lucrative future or love and friendship.

His girlfriend is has epilepsy and his best friend, Johnny Boy, is a loose cannon. These relationships create tension between he and his uncle.

The young cast (then) shines in what is basically the story of a young man's conflicts between his real life and his moral dilemmas...all played out on the "Mean Streets".

Fascinating and riveting. De Niro is incredible (What's a mook?)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070379/

Seven Days in May

Taut thriller from 1964 directed by John Frankenheimerstars Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas.

Rod Serling scripted this drama about an attempted military takeover of the U.S. Government.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058576/

Heaven Can Wait

1978 film directed by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry and wriitten by Beatty and Elaine May.

Football player dies prematurely and is sent back to Earth in another man's body. Remake of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan".

Likeable, sometimes funny movie with a tired premise, but this was one of the originals. Great cast includes Julie Christie, Charles Grodin, Jack Warden, and Buck Henry.

The Buck Henry influence is major.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077663/

A Bronx Tale

1993 drama directed by Robert DeNiro and written by Chaz Palminteri from his play.

Both star in this New York story of a boy's coming of age with two strong influences: his straight arrow loving father and a flamboyant criminal who rules the neighborhood.

Good feel for its 1960s setting and both actors know New York. Great cast supports them in a story that is poingant and heartfelt.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106489/

Gran Torino

Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood in 2008. He also stars.

Widower and Korean War vet is disgruntled by society in general and specifically about how ethnic his old neighborhood has become. After a teenager from next door tries to steal Eastwood's vintage '72 Gran Torino, the boy's family, especially his sister, wins Eastwood over to the extent that he befriends them.

At times comic, at times tragic, Gran Torino is a little heavy handed. But Eastwood and the entire supporting cast are fine and the film won me over just for its message and heart.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/

Nothing Sacred

William A. Wellman directed this deric March and Carole Lombard.

One of the original screwball comedies about a reporter who fakes a story and the hilarious complications that ensue.

Romance, comedy, and drama all belnd well. Lombarde was a masterful actress who excelled in comedic roles. Catch this one.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029322/

Sea of Love

Harold Becker directed this 1989 film starring Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin.

Suspense thriller about a detective who is searching for a serial killer who finds victims through a lonely hearts column.

Barkin is the love interest and possibly the killer.

Intense, taut mystery with both actors turning in pro performances.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098273/

Diner

Barry Levinson directed this 1982 comedy/drama about a group of friends coping with responsibilities and adulthood.

Great dialogue and good story...part of Levinson's group of films centered in Baltimore. Outstanding cast includes Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Ellen Barkin, Steve Guttenberg, and Tim Daly.

Has a lot of heart...and humor. Love the scenes in the diner (natch) and the sports test a fiance has to take before she is considered worthy of marriage.

I'll have some gravy on those fries.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083833/

Paths of Glory

Stanley Kubrick film from 1957 stars Kirk Douglas as a French officer and lawyer who defends soldiers who are accused of cowardice after a badly planned World War One battle.

Looks at the futility of war, what constitutes bravery, and tears apart the justice system.

Dynamic social commentary with great acting.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050825/

The Big Sleep

Bogart and Bacall in a 1946 classic from Howard Hawks.

Their chemistry is evident in this noir mystery about a rich family that hires detective Philip Marlowe to protect the patriarch's younger daughter. But Marlowe falls for the older sister. Can she be trusted?

Great thriller-mystery with killer cast.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038355/

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Robert Redford directed this film from 2000 starring Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Jack Lemmon, and Will Smith.

Golfers love this film but it should appeal to everyone.

Traumatized World War One vet tries to piece his life - and golf game - together. Big match pits him againsy legendary golf figures like Bobby Jones. Help is provided by a mystical caddy (Smith at his best...humble and folksy.

Touching drama with an excellent cast is seen through the eyes of a youngster who adores the game and idolizes his golf hero.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146984/

To Have and Have Not

Bogart and Bacall at their best. Howard Hawks directed them in 1944. This is the first film they worked on together and the chemistry is evident.

Faulkner worked on the screenplay from an uncredited Hemingway novel.

Bogart plays a charter boat captain during World War Two who tries to remain aloof and neutral. But circumstances force him to become involved in the resistance and with a sexy cabaret singer.

Great adventure romance.

Walter Brennan shines as Bogart's drunk first mate ("Ever been stung by a dead bee?"), Bacall is HOT and Bogart is prime.

Not to be missed.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037382/

Blade Runner

One of my favorire sci-fi films. Ridley Scott directed this futuristic saga starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, and Daryl Hannah.

Looks into the question we all have: how long will I exist?

Ford, a Blade Runner, is assigned to kill replicants who have returned to Earth to meet their maker. Who is human, who is not? What makes us human? Why are we here? Raises the big issues is an intentionally slow paced film that is a marvel visually.

Impressive and impressionistic.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/

The Magic Christian

Joseph McGrath directed this 1969 comedy adapted from a Terry Southern novel. It stars Peter Sellers, Ringo Starr, and Christopher Lee.

The richest man in the world sets out to prove that anyone can be bought.

Sellers, as usual, is hysterical. Ring Starr once actually had a promising career in film...what happened to that?

Funny English satire. Outstanding soundtrack.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064622/

Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Whew...was it the acid? Or the ether?

Riotus Terry Gilliam film from 1998 follows Hunter S. Thompson's alter ego Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his "attorney" and advisor Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) as they travel from L.A. to Vegas to supposedly cover a motorcycle race.

Thompson was a unique individual, a proponent...hell the grandaddy of Gonzo journalism where the reporter's experience is part of the story. In Thompson's case his experience WAS the story, period.

This is an trippy, all out comedy romp that won't suit everyone's taste, but give it a try. Funny, absurd, dead on social commentary...and a look inside the world of a genius journalist who operated under his own rules (and paranoia).

Johhny Depp has him nailed. Brilliant portrayal. And look at the supporting cast: Del Toro (incredible), Tobey McGuire, Gary Busey, Ellen Barkin, Christina Ricci, Cameron Diaz...the list goes on and on.

A laugh fest. Love the first scene on the highway when the drugs kick in and the inventory of what illicit substances are in the trunk of the car.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120669/

Man of the Century

Very creative and original romantic comedy from 1999 directed by Adam Abraham and starring Gibson Frazier and Cara Buono.

Young man living in the modern world dresses, talks, and acts as if he is in a 1930s movie. He seems totally unaware that he hasn't caught up with the real world, but his sunny disposition, innocence, and earnestness win over his friends, coworkers, and love interest. As a reporter for the city's paper he is involved in a plot by criminals to plant a false news story.

Great mix of sensibilities. Highly creative and much fun.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138537/

Cool World

Kim Basinger and Brad Pitt star in this Ralph Bakshi mix of live action and animation.

Cartoonist creates an imaginary world that comes to life. Sexy Basinger attempts to transform herself from the cartoon world to real life.

Interesting twist on Roger Rabbit premise, but darker and more of a noir style.

Fun and worth a look.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104009/

Birdy

Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage star in this 1984 drama from Alan Parker.

Story of two Vietnam vets who both return home damaged...one physically, the other mentally. Always fascinated by birds, one friend thinks he is a bird himself. Touching story of how they can help each other overcome their afflictions.

Interesting drama is eventually uplifting. Good cast, intriguing story.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086969/

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Terry Gilliam comedy from 1988 starring John Neville, Robin Williams, Eric Idle.

Muchausen ( a teller of tale tales) relates his adventures that may be true, may be fantasies. Doesn't matter. Go along for the ride. Very imaginative and funny.

Look for Robin Williams as a manic King of the Moon...and a small bit part from a young Uma Thurman.

Gilliam's films are always a treat.

Enjoy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096764/

O Brother Where Art Thou

Coen Brothers perfection from 2000 starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, and Charles Durning.

Three dim-witted chain gang prisoners escape and go on a quest for treasure and enlightenment in this comedy masterpiece based upon The Odyssey.

Imaginative and hysterical.

Clooney is remarkable as are his co-stars. Too many favorite scenes to mention but look for Holly Hunter's small role as Clooney's estranged wife ("You're not bona fide!") and Durning's take as a Southern politician.

Great soundtrack.

Funny, original, and worth seeing over and over. Not to be missed.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190590/

Band Wagon

Great 1953 musical from Vincente Minnelli starring Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, and Nanette Fabray.

Has been performer (Astaire) gets involved in a musical that revives his spirits and career. Plot isn't important here...the draw is the music and dance numbers.

Innovative scenes make this a delight, especially the "Girl Hunt Ballet" which spoofs film noir.

Frothy, fun, and memorable.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045537/