NEW RELEASES QUICK GUIDE: WHAT TO SEE

A MIGHTY HEART IS JUST THAT
The movie is based on Mariane Pearl's (Angelina Jolie) heartbreaking story surrounding her husband, reporter Danny Pearl's (Dan Futterman) life and untimely death. While in Pakistan investigating a story, Danny is taken, plucked from the busy streets. It takes a few days for the reality to sink in, but Mariane keeps focused and strong. She is, by the way, also very pregnant. Their friends, cohorts and authorities gather around to form a team to investigate and find Danny. It is a complicated story to follow, as they also must keep track on a white board as to who is linked to who, where and how. After giving a television interview about her husband, she remains calm and composed. It is only when she is home and alone that we see and feel how heartbreaking and traumatic this ordeal was.
Rating: A well done film.



OCEAN'S 13 ENTERTAINING, BUT NOT THE LUCKY NUMBER
The old crew has reunited again, this time to help their pal Reuben (Elliot Gould) and the theme of the job is just desserts. The target is Willie Bank (Al Pacino) the new kids in town who is planning to make a big splash. Opening night is of course the perfect time to teach this very bad man a lesson. Much of the planning we have seen before in Ocean's 11 and 12. George and Brad are handsome as ever and Don Cheadle gets to bring my favorite, Petey Greene from Talk to Me, in for a few wild minutes with Willie. I loved the role Oprah Winfrey plays (as herself) as both George and Brad are pulled to watching her show. These two banter like an old married couple, finishing each other's sentences and it's cute, but just not enough. Funny parting lines between the two commenting on each other's real lives (George gained weight for a role and Brad's family with Angelina).
Rating: Entertaining to watch and some clever scenes and dialogue, but not as sharp.




THE REAPING: NOT YOUR AVERAGE THRILLER
Hillary Swank surprised me by taking the role of Professor Katherine Winter, a skeptical hard-nosed explainer of all that seems biblical. So, she is approached to visit a small town in Louisiana to try to help explain the phenomena that has been happening as of late. If anything, this movie is not your typical slasher film. As the movie (and the unexplainable keeps happening) we find the back story on our heroine and see why and how she became a skeptic. Lots of information on the biblical plagues, also an extra on the DVD, made everything seem realistic. However, once at the end of the picture it gets just a bit too melodramatic for me. Rating: Interesting film, entertaining and just spooky enough to make you squirm.



LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD: YIPPEE KI YAY...
He's BAAACCK!!! What good would a sizzling summer be, in a cool theater with Detective John McClane sticking his nose into something dangerous? And what good would the approaching cold weather be without being able to sit next to a roaring fire, drinking a nice Chardonnay and freeze frame on every drop of sweat he... sorry. He's back, he's dirty, sweaty and one tough MF! So why not save the world one more time. Full of one liner's, some very funny, as well as the same recycled ones, a decent plot line and a fun supporting cast. Loved seeing it on the big screen, even though it wasn't his best (#1), it certainly worth watching!
Rating: Not as good as the first, but so what? Fun to watch and clever.





REIGN OVER ME: MUST SEE
"Chick flicks" abound and the only men we tend to see in friendship-movies are in the mob, a gang, the war or "working a case" together. This is a movie about friendship and the difference it can make in someone's life. It is the most tender and sensitive movie, both in performances and in writing I have seen in a long time. Dynamic performances by Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. One story post 9/11 that we have never seen before. Rating: A must see. Maybe a little long, but you make up for that in quality.




1408: ENTERTAINING
Typical skeptic/writer/loner researches supposed haunting and then writes about them (IF there are any). Mike Enslin (John Cusak) discovers an intriguing paranormal-invitation to visit a hotel in NY where ghastly events have taken place. Despite the hotel manager's (Samuel Jackson) offers and bribes, he can not convince Enslin to stay away. Based on a short story by Steve King, he is subtly credited throughout the movie. It is well written and goes further into the psyche than most thrillers. (and what does 1408 add up to???)
Rating: Fun to watch and scary enough to follow. I love John Cusak!

BREECH: MUST SEE
Inspired by a true life story of one man, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) who leaked top secret materials to the Soviet Union. Edge-of-your-seat suspense with Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) as an under-cover agent put in place to assist in gathering of evidence to help build a case against Hanssen. Outstanding performances by all. I really forgot to breathe in some moments, very close calls and very well done movie.
Rating: A must see... wow!







HOT FUZZ: ENTERTAINING
It just ended up in my lap one day and I had nothing better to do... but for all of you who like the "spoof" movies, this was a a good one as the spoof is very dry and sharp witted. I actually laughed out loud (which is rare). Hot shot detective gets sent to a small town. Looks very boring and hum drum until the crazy meter goes way up. They spoof many things while also carrying a movie that makes sense. Some english humor, some slapstick, but funny facination with movie detectives. Before you rent it, be sure to watch Bad Boyz and Point Break. This is one very funny movie. Rating: Very quirky humor and well done.






LA VIE EN ROSE: MUST SEE
This may seem like the typical starlet who lives an impovershed life and then achieves fame and dies young. It's not. In fact, some of Edith Piaf's performances were given when she was much older than when she was first discovered. She had a hard life, no doubt, but when she sang, everything melted away and she was the song, not the singer. Actress Marion Cotillard became Piaf and when she felt pain, we did too. It is hard and painful, and beautiful and amazing all in one. And for once, the starlet aged and kept signing all the way to her death.
Rating: Although very sad at times, this is an amazing film. Tres' bien!