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/