WELCOME TO THE RILEYS... NOT YOUR TYPICAL FAMILY

James Gandolfini is a talented actor. He can portray the tough mobster who could kill you for messing up his sandwich order just as easily portray the grieving father who, when meeting a young woman who reminds him of his deceased daughter, decides to give her some guidance and help while asking nothing in return. Kristen Stewart is that young woman who is of course young, naive and a "dancer" who entertains men like him to make a living. She's typically hardened at a young age and obviously skipped her adolescence in order to survive on the streets. Like a feral animal, she reluctantly accepts his help and then grows to enjoy both the company and the improvement he brings to her life. Oh, did I mention he's married? His wife (Melissa Leo) has been mentally fragile and house bound since her daughter's death but finds the strength to find her husband at his out of town "conference" only to find he ditched it in order to help the girl. Rather than storm out and accuse him of wrongdoings, she decides to stay and help and gets to use her dusty mothering techniques. They all need each other and get their needs filled just enough to continue on in this game we call life. Strong performances by all. Broken people trying to put themselves back together. Married people working together rather than attempting to deal with their grief separately. A strong film, unexpected and attention grabbing.

PLEASE GIVE: AND PLEASE WATCH

Kate: I'm not spending $ 200 on a pair of jeans for my teenage daughter when there are '45' homeless people living...
Abby: What does that have to do with anything? They don't want jeans!

Catherine Keener is one of the most under rated actresses of our time. She is lovely and amazing (ha ha) smart and tender, funny and authentic. In this film, she plays a New Yorker whose sense of guilt guides her misguided efforts to be a genuinely good person. For the lack of a more delicate explanation her family is waiting for their neighbor, a hilarious Ann Guilbert, a 90-year-old woman whose death will allow them to expand their apartment. While they are waiting, they make friends with the woman's daughters, Amanda Peet and Rebecca Hall. Intertwined in the storyline about life and death and real estate, there is the stories of the relationships between mother and daughter, husband-and-wife, sister and sister. It is a very honest film where there aren't no bad guys, just people who are trying to make things right and rationalize their actions. Basically, it's about people trying to get along with each other however misguided their attempts may be. It is a subtle and poignant film, not to be missed.

LAKE MUNGO: AN ODD "HORROR FILM" WORTH A MENTION

Following in the steps of Blair Witch and Paranormal, this pretend documentary takes place in Australia, following the Palmer family. We watch interviews with family, friends and other interested parties after daughter Alice is found dead in Lake Mungo. Yes, this is a ghost story of sorts. Little bits of information is revealed slowly that take us down the wrong path then back to "reality" and then into surreality. Obviously I can't go into the details, but this film makes a strong story about a family and their struggle with their loss. It is also a good thriller, with no blood or guts, just one bad face shot; nothing worse than what they show on Law and Order. It makes a mild attempt to throw us off the track in the end, but still remains solid as the story of a family in grief. Not too scary, but well done indeed.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX: INDEED IS FANTASTIC

Mrs. Fox: This story's too predictable. Mr. Fox: Predictable? Really? Then, how does it end? Mrs. Fox: In the end, we all die. Unless you change.

Never again will I doubt Wes Anderson. Being a fan of his work, I let this one pass by doubting that he could keep his uniqueness while working with stop action figures. I was wrong. From start to finish this film about a fox (George Clooney) who is looking to improve his lot in life for himself and his family (Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman) is totally reminiscent of the Royal Tennenbaums. The dialogue is the glue that holds it all together aside from the cast of loyal alum. Rat (Willem Dafoe) is a scene stealer in a movie where all the scenes are stellar. This is the best cussing movie I've seen in a while.

UP IN THE AIR: EVERYBODY NEEDS A CO-PILOT

 How much does your life weigh? Imagine for a second that you're carrying a backpack. I want you to pack it with all the stuff that you have in your life... you start with the little things. The shelves, the drawers, the knickknacks, then you start adding larger stuff.  Now I want you to fill it with people. Start with casual acquaintances, friends of friends, folks around the office... and then you move into the people you trust with your most intimate secrets. Your brothers, your sisters, your children, your parents and finally your husband, your wife, your boyfriend, your girlfriend. You get them into that backpack, feel the weight of that bag. Make no mistake your relationships are the heaviest components in your life. All those negotiations and arguments and secrets, the compromises. The slower we move the faster we die. Make no mistake, moving is living. Some animals were meant to carry each other to live symbiotically over a lifetime. Star crossed lovers, monogamous swans. We are not swans. We are sharks.

BROTHERS: NEW FILM, OLD STORY

Another reason to love Natalie Portman (Grace Cahill). She is the loving, young wife of Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), a Captain in the Army taken hostage and left for dead. His black sheep brother, Tommy, steps in (Jake Gyllenhaal) and helps the family deal with the grief until surprisingly Sam is found alive and returned home, a shell of his former self. Of course Grace and Tommy find solace with each other, but not in the garish way it might be predicted. This isn't a bang bang film but a reflection on character and people and some side notes on war and politics. Nothing outstanding, but sturdy performances all around.
Bite: Nothing new or thrilling but an okay movie.

THE BOX

THE BOX: HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE

Arlington Steward: I have an offer to make. If you push the button, two things will happen. First, someone, somewhere in the world, whom you don't know, will die. Second, you will receive a payment of one million dollars. You have 24 hours.

Somebody get me a cigarette fast because I have just been thoroughly mind f#&*ed! Maybe if had more Tang and sat through more Twilight Zone episodes in the '70's I could have made better sense of this film. I won't go into much detail except the year is 1976 and this nice Virginia suburban family is having money troubles. However, that's about to change.

LAKE CITY

LAKE CITY: YES, DAVE MATTHEWS CAN ACT

When there’s no where else to go, go home. So home is where loser Billy (Troy Garity) heads when things get rough in the city, with his girlfriend’s son in tow. Being the eternal warm motherly woman, Maggie (Sissy Spacek) is nonplused when she arrives home to find the son she hasn’t spoken to in a year raiding her refrigerator. Slowly the story unfolds and we discover why Billy is on the run, why the kid is with him and how the events of the past can bring this new family back together.

SUNSHINE CLEANING

SUNSHINE CLEANING IS SPOTLESS
Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) wants a better life for her son and herself. After her mother died when sh was young, she has spent her life taking care of everyone but herself. Full of high hopes and positive affirmations, she works as a housekeeper until she can earn her real estate license; her ticket out. She passes the time in a "relationship" with her high school boyfriend, now married to someone else. She struggles to care for her handful of a son, her get-rich-quick scheming father, Joe (Alan Arkin) and her emotionally bruised sister Norah (Emily Blunt). She tries to find solace in the arms of her married ex-high school boyfriend, Mac, but she comes up alone and broken. An opportunity comes knocking; working as a crime scene clean-up worker to which she dives into full force, dragging her sister behind her. Rose exudes confidence and starts to glow with the pride of doing meaningful work and feeling like she is making a difference. Her sister reluctantly joins her as she seems allergic to working in general.
She doesn't like it, but tries her best, perhaps to please her sister and even finding her own self worth. She has spent a lifetime morning the loss of her mother without being sure exactly how to do just that. She is a pathetic mess trying to find some peace of mind.

STEP BROTHERS

STEP BROTHERS... KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY
I will pull no punches. This movie is riddled with obscenities, vulgarities and any other 'ities' you can name. It is crude, immature and offensive. That being said, I laughed my ass off. I literally have no more ass because the film took it from me. Another Ferell/Reily movie and I wasn't expecting anything much due to its short stay in theaters. Granted it is not for everyone, but along the lines of SUPERBAD, this movie teases you to guess what will happen next. I assure you, it is wasted effort. The story centers around two 40 year old men who still live at home with their parent. The parents marry leaving these two socially awkward and unbelievable men to deal with each other. Together they go through their ups and downs. There were scenes that made me gag and then others that sent me back to laughing. It is that fine balance that makes up for the absolute collision of a film. Be sure to watch through the end credits to see vengeance served and check out the Line-o-rama feature where the actors use alternative dialogue. I don't care if my "readers" think it's too over the top. It was; so suck it.
PICK: Finally a winning combination of these two great actors into one hilarious film.

DEATH AT A FUNERAL

DEATH AT A FUNERAL PUTS THE 'FUN' IN FUNERAL

Only the British could get away with the antics in this film. It's the day of the funeral of two brother's father. One is a mild mannered man, the other his famous writer brother arriving first class from New York. There are far too many characters to summarize here. When the film starts with the wrong body delivered to the house, it can only go up from there; and it does go up. Higher and higher, faster and faster... there are a million stories and subplots going on at the same time, like an Altman film on speed. This movie does an amazing job at getting you really dizzy and then bringing you back to a sober halt. There is as much drama, realistic and genuine than there is comedy and bawdy humor. Very real issues are covered during the course of this film and at the end of the day, it is another movie about life and death. There is one scene that is truly the most disgusting and horrific scene than I have witnessed in a very long time; worse than anything from the Saw series or any other horror film. It must be seen to be believed. So well done and enjoyable from start to finish.

PICK: Must see film, funny and sad and everything in between. Big Pick!

THE DARJEELING LIMITED

THE DARJEELING LIMITED IS A TRAIN NOT TO BE MISSED
There are two kinds of people in this world; those who love Wes Anderson's work (The Royal Tenenbaums, Bottle Rocket, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou) and those who hate it. The DVD has a short "featurette" before the film officially starts, Hotel Chevalier, starring Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman (Jack).It offers some insight about Jack that comes up later during the film and is a nice short little added extra. After meeting Jack in the featurette, we are then introduced to his other brothers, Francis (Owen Wilson) and Peter (Adrian Brody). Francis has pulled his brothers together for a "spiritual journey" in India. "The past has happened, but it's over isn't it? Not for us." They haven't seen each other since their father's funeral and they start to re-bond before getting kicked off the train. Soon it is revealed that Francis has ulterior motives for their quest, despite his daily itinerary. Wes Anderson's films are magic to me. They are all about family and relationships and their complications and this film is no different. Some of the story is literate and some is unknowingly beautiful. It seems that the train if forever in motion and to get on it they must run after it. The film begins with this and ends with this practise. Bill Murray, a veteran Anderson cast member, gives an appearance as a business man who misses the train. When the brothers catch the train after literally loosing their baggage the effect comes full circle. Angelica Houston also a veteran "Andersonite", also makes a brief, but valuable part in the film. Although mostly humorous, this film has it's serious moments too. In my mind, movies, at the end of the day, are always about life and/or death. This movie is about both. Anderson's work is not for everyone, but I adore him and his vision and adored this film.

PICK: While not for everyone, I loved this film, both in subject matter and execution thereof.

MARGOT AT THE WEDDING

MARGOT AT THE WEDDING SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THE BOUQUET Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale) brings to us an odd assortment of characters, fully developed and interesting to watch... at least for a while. Nicole Kidman is Margot, who is on her way to her estranged sister, Pauline's (Jennifer Jason Leigh) wedding with her preteen age son, Claude. Their arrival gives everyone a few days to visit before the ceremony. We meet the groom, Malcolm (Jack Black) who practically steals the movie away from his dynamic co-stars. He is crass, vulgar and speaks his mind, which is against everything Margot is for. Kidman realistically reveals the realities of her character as she imbibes wine, Xanax and tries hard to repress her feelings. Typically she hurls insults and cruelly snaps at her son and her sister. She gives new meaning to inappropriate parenting skills. Leigh is comfortable in Pauline's skin. She dances between calm and chaos. The script is tight and mixes subtle comedy in this mostly dramatic film. Again, we see a family that puts the 'fun in dysfunction'. The film moves a bit too slowly. When all is said and done, the ending left me dissatisfied. The whole movie flows from one scene to another with minimal effort except the end. I'm not always one for a happy ending, but there were too many unanswered questions. I didn't like spending the time (maybe too much time) to get to know and understand these people only to be cut off so curtly. Overall an entertaining film to watch, especially Black in a serious role, but not one of my favorites.
Pick-ish: A middle of the road pick, not great but interesting to watch.

WE OWN THE NIGHT

WE OWN THE NIGHT OWNS THE VIEWERS TOO
This is not an average "cop" movie. This is a powerful and intense drama about two brothers; neither living the life they wanted. Joe (played by Marky Mark Wahlberg) is his father's son and a cop. His father, Bert Grusinsky (Robert Duvall) is the Deputy Chief and is quite proud of his son... one of them anyway. The other son, Robert Green (Joaquin Phoenix) manages a disco/dance club and is fond of his Russian boss who treats him like family. Eva Mendes is Amanda, Bobbie's ubersexy girlfriend. Now this is where the train jumps the tracks. I'll not be specific so as not to ruin the twists and turns which usually only covers the ending. Not so here. The film is not a "typical" cop movie. There are no "dirty cops". There is no black or white, good or bad, right or wrong. This film is emotionally charged and driven which is a different place to go with a mostly all male cast. It's about emotion and sympathy and vengence and fear. The audience is challenged to forget what we think we know. I liked that, but would not have forseen it. Brothers who rival each other, and also love each other AND don't have a problem saying it outloud. Mendes, although ravishing, is more than an ornament. She doesn't hang off Phoenix like a cheap suit; she is a real and sincere person. This is the best I've seen from her thus far. Each character is individually well crafted and yet there is a connection between them that is implied, but not obvious. It is raw and vulnerable and tough all at the same time. Phoenix steers the ship, but Wahlberg, Duvall and Mendes are solidly rowing. Fantastic film all around.
Pick: Well crafted acting and solid script make a delicious and riveting film.

EAGLE VS SHARK

EAGLE VS SHARK IS AN EVEN MATCH
It would be too easy to compare this film to NAPOLEON DYNAMITE from 2004. Both movies have off-beat characters; but school is out and it's time for the real world in New Zealand. This is an usual love story. Lily (Lauren Horsley) looks forward to lunchtime at her job at a burger joint so she can glance, and perchance take the order of the object of her desire, mall worker, Jarrod (Jemaine Clement). Lily crashes his costume party as a shark and he is the eagle; "I almost came as a shark actually, but then I realized an eagles slightly better." One thing leads to another and she agrees to go back with him to his home town for his confrontation with an old high school bully. While he prepares for the showdown (using numchucks and sweet moves) she gets to know his family and weaves a quiet thread that links them all together, whereas time and circumstances have pulled them apart. This is a sweet and simple love story and Lily is sweet and simple in a mature way. There is more to her than meets the eye and she proves to be strong. Jarrod is hilarious to watch because he is so earnest and serious about his endeavor. The film is beautiful, New Zealand is beautiful, and the stop-motion animation is different and fun. It's an easy comparison to ND, but there is so much more depth and insight in this movie.
Pick: A sweet and smart film, fun and lighthearted with some dramatic overtone.

DEATH SENTENCE

DEATH SENTENCE... Too stunned for clever tittle

It's at times like these that I miss smoking, because after the adrenaline rush I've just been through, in theory, it sounds like it would help... Aside from it's gory, realistic violence, I can not believe that I didn't know more about this movie until now. There are no words to describe the range of emotion I felt while on this two hour nightmarish journey (though I will of course try). On purpose I am going to be very vague about the plot in case you see the movie. When you do, you will know why I couldn't say much. Most outstanding is Kevin Bacon as Nick Hume, loving husband and father. He is no longer Kevin Bacon playing a part. He IS Nick Hume, average Joe with a middle-class job with a fabulous wife and two lovely boys. Through the opening credits we watch home movies of the Hume family; the birth and growth of their children, their family celebrations, their close-knit all American normal family. As never before, after this fast introduction, I feel like I know the family and I like them. I feel them. 14 minutes into the movie the unthinkable happens and the family is left numb. I felt their pain. 18 minutes into the movie and the tears began. Then the adrenaline starts. Bacon is a crafty actor and you can see in his eyes what is going on in his head without saying a word. On the other side of the tracks we meet another family; not all American, not middle-class, most of all, not loving. Another big nod goes to John Goodman for playing the creepiest, smarmy bastard who is most realistic and scary. You will never think of him the same lovable way after seeing this movie. 54 minutes into the movie is the most suspenseful chase scene I have ever watched. The bad guys are gang members and they are very bad men. You will not like these boys/men. While Hume is being chased you think, this could actually happen. You feel how it would feel if it were you. We are on the run with him and just as terrified as to what to do next. I think I actually stopped breathing at that point. The movie darts back and forth between the emotional family life and the downward spiral that Hume finds himself on. While still trying to play it cool, back at the office a co-worker asks Hume how he is. His answer is quite telling. "Well, you don't really know what you'd do until it happens. Surprise yourself." Therein lies one of the themes of the movie. Just when you think that things are going to be okay, we get hit with another intense scene. My heart racing so fast I can hear it. Again, up on the roller coaster then down, but wait, the movie is still unfinished. The very bad men in the gang has to learn that retribution goes both ways. This could have been pushed too far, but Bacon kept Hume believable and realistic. He doesn't turn into some amazing action hero, he is still Hume, but placed in a very difficult spot. This is not an episode of MacGiver turning a paper clip into a machine gun. Up until the very end, he is still a loving husband and father. It is at the very end that we also learn that violence that begats violence never ends and nobody wins. There is no tidy way to just finish this movie. It's not as simple as turning off the TV. You keep playing and replaying things over and over. Yes, it is a violent film, but this is a violent world and I think when not living in that violent world we tend to forget it exists. This film stays with you, bothers you and leaves you wanting more answers or a different ending (but that would be a different movie). I can not speak more highly of a film that even so violent, is full of love and pain and the human condition. My heart aches.

BIG Pick: Exceptional film, well done from outstanding actors to director; most excellent. See for yourself... if you dare.