HESHER: ONE NAME SAYS IT ALL

Some people only need one name: Cher, Maddonna, Sting. We're never really sure if it's his first or last name, but that's the least of concern in this highly original and quirky film. Hesher (gracefully played with robust by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) may be the exact opposite of Napoleon Dynamite. He is dirty, foul mouthed, preoccupied with pussies, smokes, drinks and likes to mess with people. Then he meets this kid, TJ (Devin Brochu). TJ just lost his mom in a car accident. His dad (Rainn Wilson) lies heavily medicated in his pajamas on the sofa all day, drifting in and out of consciousness. They have moved in with TJ's grandma for the time being and let's just say that the kid is having a hard time. Mind you, this is no Lifetime movie of the week. Hesher accidentally gets run out of his makeshift home by TJ so he decides to move in with him, threatening death and disembowelment if he makes any fuss. Hesher does not joke around. Oddly enough, the family accepts him and soon after, he accepts them too. It's one of the most interesting group of characters I've seen in a real life situation. Hesher keeps them all guessing, but toward the end of the movie we see him shift, if only slightly. In fact everyone shifts and despite all the violence and anger and grief, everything turns out the way it should. It's appropriate. I must admit going for a walk with grandma was quite touching. Gordon-Levitt really outshines himself and pushes outside the box. It kept my attention and was different. I like it a lot.

RABBIT HOLE: WHOLE HEARTED

They say (who ever "they" are) that the worst possible loss is that of a child. Not only is it tragic when such a young life is lost, but it is out of the order of things when a child dies before their parents. This film is about a young couple, Becca and Howie (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) who are struggling to put their lives and marriage back together after their son is hit by a young driver; truly an accident. While the storyline is not new, it is done carefully and with refreshing honesty; grief is messy and unkind. Becca wants to resume life as usual and tries so hard to get back in to the rhythm of life without realizing she is trying to skip over her grief. Howie is the opposite, finding it hard to let go and swimming in a sea of memories. Both actors do tremendous jobs in this film. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was watching a character, rather than Kidman acting. In a film like this it could easily slide into a movie-of-the-week drama, but it stays grounded and truthful. There is no right way to grieve; no time deadlines; no rules. I really appreciated how they ended the film. No one ever lives happily ever after. In this film, however, they do continue to live.

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.

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.

A SINGLE MAN: STYLISHLY BORING

The seconds literally crept by through each frame of this Tom Ford film. It stylishly introduces us to George Falconer (Colin Firth) who is a professor whose partner was recently killed leaving a hug void in his life. Funny enough, set during a time when partner was used more in the business sense between two men, it's not a "gay" film. It just so happens that Falconer is gay and the person he loved was a man. The point is that he loved, so deeply that he doesn't want to go on, so he sets about living his last day on earth before he joins his lover in the hereafter; cue the things in life that one can't prepare for, such as other's actions and moments of clarity. Firth exudes the performance of a lifetime. Unfortunately, the script is so centered on the smallness of his actions it leads to a very subtle change and a more subtle film. A film, in fact, so subtle, that I was indeed bored. Julianne Moore did nothing but devote a few minutes as a lonely fag hag, beautiful as she was. A good looking period piece, just not un-subtle enough to keep watching for the small stuff; as in this film, you should sweat the small stuff.

SHUTTER ISLAND: NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

US Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is not having a good day.We meet him as he is puking his guts out on a ferry boat on his way to investigate a mysterious disappearance of a imprisoned mental patient on Shutter Island; the home of the criminally insane. Partnered up with Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) they set off amidst the creepy and foreboding settings to try to discover how a frail woman with no shoes could have escaped from a locked cell. Little do they know what lies ahead for them.

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.

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.

P.S. I LOVE YOU

P.S. I LOVE YOU... P.P.S. No I don't...

Holly Kennedy: What if this is it, Gerry? What if this is all there is to our life? You have to have a plan. Why do I have to be the responsible grown up who worries? Why can't I be the cute, carefree Irish guy who sings all the time?

Gerry Kennedy: Because you can't sing without making dogs bark?

Where did my Million Dollar Baby go?! First was The Reaping and now this? I guess 'girls do cry' because Hillary Swank spent most of the movie either crying or being ready to cry. Swank is a woman whose husband dies from cancer who needs to work through her grief. He, knowing his days were numbered, prepares all sorts of things to be delivered to her in hopes of helping her grieve. As noted in reference A. (as seen above) this script was forced and told the views what they needed to know in case they missed the over-acted scene before. This could have been a very good movie if there was a different lead actress. Swank has given too many Oscar worthy performances to drop down to this level. Additionally, she doesn't hold up as a comedic actress; AND she doesn't know how to fake-kiss correctly. There is the obligatory karaoke scene and then the "final goodbye" scene. This film had some 'star power': Harry Connick Jr, Geena Gershon, Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Bates, but they were so flat and two dimensional. They were totally lost in the background. The one thing I did like about this film is the actor who portrays the husband, Gerard Butler. Although I thought the script made him less appealing, and made him perform all the typical romance crap, he still was charming. He starred in one of my favorites, "Dear Frankie" which is far better than this movie could ever hope to being. He has six films in production as we speak (or as I write).

NOT a pick: Tired ideas, miscast actors, flat film. Save your tears and watch Million Dollar Baby again.

GRACE IS GONE

GRACE IS GONE IS AMAZING GRACE
When you chance something that you haven't heard any buzz on, it either really bombed or was so quirky that only a few people saw it in the theaters. This is one that went by unnoticed. Perhaps due to the reference to the war and the soldiers who die and those who are left behind to deal with the loss? John Cusack, as an actual character who played it straight and didn't reveal his usual screen presence, is Stanley, a man married to a woman stationed in Iraq. Early in the movie we get the picture than Stanley is a conservative who plays it tough with his two daughters (excellent work in both young actresses). After getting the news that his wife is dead, instead of telling his daughters, he takes them away for a long drive to an amusement park several states away. He uses that time to work through his grief and gets a perspective before he even thinks about telling his daughters. He tries his best in a sweet, nerdy way to show his daughters the value of having fun. All the rules go out the door as if it was a "make-a-wish" wish. The bond between Stanley and his daughters is so tender and real that your own heart beats in tandem with theirs. While difficult to first see Cusack in this huge departure to "adult" films (you know what I mean!) at the end of the movie he has proved his skill and craftiness as an actor. The moments that are told with subtlety are the ones I held my breath through. Both Cusack and his screen daughters are able to show what they are feeling without saying a word. In fact, I think the most poignant scenes are those where the words fade into the background as the score fills up the space. Those are the "Kleenex moments". I really enjoyed this film.
PICK: A powerful and special movie addressing the war in Iraq and the people whose lives are touched by it.

BELLA

BELLA IS BEAUTIFUL
"One Person Can Change Your Life Forever..."
This is one of those movies, like Magnolia where even though we can't connect the dots right away, by the end of the movie we see the picture of the whole puzzle and stand back shaking our heads and say, oh yeah, I get it. This is definitely a character driven story. No explosions, so gunfire, but compelling characters in a story where the end isn't what you think. It is a story about pain, redemption, grief, trauma, suffering but for some reason is life affirming and more warm than cold. Similar in The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom, your actions each day, no matter how big or small can possible alter the life course of another person as they can do the same for you. No major actors (major Latino actors) but each actor is strong and compliments the other. It is a beautiful story, even though there is not much plot in the movie, there still is a big picture.
PICK: A simple story told by not so simple characters, poignant and touching

THE ORPHANAGE

THE ORPHANAGE... A SCARY/LOVE STORY
Laura (Belén Rueda) and her husband purchase the house where she grew up, an orphanage. It is her dream to rennovate and re-open the house to disabled children. While busy with the renovation, her son withdraws into a fantasy world, including invisible friends and all. At the opening of the house, the family hosts a big party and everyone seems happy except her son, who throws a small fit and runs off. The rest, you'll have to see to believe.

When I saw this movie I thought I was seeing a horror film. I did not know that it: 1) wasn't an average horror film and 2) is a Spanish, a subtitled film. Shortly after the movie began the subtitles all but disappeared. Some elements are universally scary... objects that move on their own, strange sounds, and flashes of children with scary masks. Laura starts to lose her mind, engulfed in grief over the loss of her son, most say. She doesn't give up and goes to great lengths to find him. Without giving it away, the ending is vastly different than any other horror film I have ever seen. A realistic and sincere movie that will keep you trying to figure out what you saw for hours if not days.
PICK: An intelligent horror/love film, just scary enough to be believable.

LARS AND THE REAL GIRL

LARS AND THE REAL GIRL A PERFECT MATCH
The world can be a lonely and terrifyingly lonely place when you are both alone and lonely. This is an original film about how one town joined together to make the world a little less lonely for one man. Lars (Ryan Gosling) is a painfully lonely man. He is socially awkward and very quiet; Until one day, he gets the best present ever. Her name is Bianca, half Brazilian and half Danish and the effect she has on him transforms him from recluse to bright and self-assured. Oh, a more more thing... she comes from a box. No, seriously. The difference between Lars and maybe every other man searching the site, is that all Lars wants is companionship. He's far too withdrawn into his own world that is takes a woman who can listen. But she does more than that. His brother (Paul Schnider) and wife (Emily Mortimer) who begs Lars to join them for breakfast, dinner, coffee, water?? get Lars to see the doctor, Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) who diagnoses Bianca with "low blood pressure" and thus has to "treat" her (while attempting to look into his mind) regularly. After the initial shock, people begin (as requested by the doctor) to treat Bianca as a real person, while also showing support for Lars and whatever he's mixed up about. In his words, via Bianca, "All she wants is to be treated normal." He wrestles with reality as he argues with Bianca. It's safer. Soon Bianca has a social schedule that rivals Lars. The town really rallies together and piece by piece, the gap gets wider between Bianca and him. The conclusion of this film is sweet and heart touching. What's more touching is how the way this whole town reaches out for Lars, instead of making him an outcast, is genuine and sweet. This is a movie about what happens when someone is treated with compassion and care, despite the situation. Why can't we all remember to do this? (and yes, there is an actual 'Real Doll" site)
PICK: An original and odd premise to show the most simple kind of love. Well done.

RESERVATION ROAD

RESERVATION ROAD A HEART BREAKING JOURNEY
One night, 2 fathers, 3 children... 1 fatality... what would you do?
How does one night change two families forever? Ethan and Grace Lerner (Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly) are a typically happy married couple. They have two beautiful children Josh and Emma (Sean Curner and Elle Fanning). {Critic's note: I'm sure glad we keep getting replacement Fanning children just as Dakota is now a teen. I hope they stay happy and keep on procreating!} They stop at a gas station (Critic's note: STOP going to the gas station after dark ie: Death Sentence). At the same time, Dwight Arno (Mark Ruffalo) and his son are headed back from a baseball game. His family is not so happy. He lives to see his son Lucas (Eddie Alderson) per the custody arrangement. He is a doting father and is a bit of a hero in his child's eyes. The place their lives intersect is on RESERVATION ROAD. What comes next is the same event, told by each side in their own perspective. There are no "bad guys" or "good guys" there are humans who are grieving and in pain where the good and the bad line turns into gray. Performances were outstanding. Phoneix and Connelly show powerful gut-wrenching drama so well that it comes out from the TV and actually knocks the breath out of you. At first I thought Ruffalo was going to be a toss-away character, but alas, he really showed up for this role and did a supreme job. What threw me was Mira Sorvino, as Ruffalo's former wife. I didn't even recognise her until the end of the film. Her part isn't overly large, but that's something when you don't even know who a well known actor is. A story about the universal human condition. Well done.
PICK: Hands down, powerful performances, a lesson on grief, guilt and revenge.

THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE

THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE NOT ALL ASH AND SOOT
Audrey (Halle Berry) and Brian (David Duchovny) have a perfect life, with perfect children and a lovely perfect home; until one day. It is always that "one day" that changes the course of a lifetime, for either good or bad. Then there's Jerry (Benicio Del Toro), Brian's best friend since the second grade. Jerry fell off the path and fell off the wagon. He drank and used drugs and got in all sorts of trouble but Brian was always "there" for him. The one person that Audrey hated the most would end up being the one person who would walk her family through its grief and pain. He is not perfect. He may have a place in the healing, but it isn't always obvious. There was not one bad actor in this film. It was a real group participation and those ties show in the footage. Del Toro is at his best and shows one of the most ugly and painful detox scenes ever. No one jumps in to make a "pretty" film about an addict. The whole movie is like that; not always pretty and perfect. There is a lot of good in this film but it still seems to be lacking something... that something I can't describe. Some scenes get lost in the cinematography while others stand out for lack of production. At points it tries too hard, almost anticipating the tears. It is a good movie even if ingenuine at times.
PICK: Not a perfect film, but the strong performances outweigh the gaps. Del Toro rocks!

AWAY FROM HER

AWAY FROM HER "THE ULTIMATE LOVE STORY"
In Hollywood, older actors get about the same treatment older people get... we make them disappear. We have nursing homes and retirement "villas" where we leave them lined up against the corridors looking for a familiar face every other week unless the kids have soccer practise. Not that it's easy to care for them at home. Especially when Alzheimer's hits. And our unlikely hero of a husband, Grant (Gordon Pinsent) fights all the way. However, it is not he who suffers, but his wife of 44 years, Fiona, played with grace and depth by Julie Christie. They have a wonderful marriage and a comfortable routine in rhythm with each other. She is well aware that she is slowly "beginning to disappear" and her behaviors worsen. She is "going, but not gone." Fiona is the one who reads up on what the caregiver (usually the spouse) should expect. She is the one who picks the time and the place. (Note: This is a Canadian film and their system works differently from ours as I doubt anyone here chooses to enter a home unless in dire straights.) Due to policy, he can not see her for 30 days so she can acclimate. The time feels like years not days, and when it is permissible to visit, he has a difficult time making his adjustment. How do you grieve the loss of a person when their heart still beats, and they talk to you in that familiar voice, but it just isn't the same? Then we toss in new attachments and it gets more and more painful and conflicted. Christie does an eloquent job in her role, bringing tenderness and substance to a woman who is not dumb or crazy, she has Alzheimer's. Pinsent also gives us a clear picture that we oddly feel not in our heads, but in our hearts on how difficult it is to let go, to regain your life as if you were widowed. In every subsequent shot, he looks more and more disheveled and less hopeful. Sarah Polley, gifted actress, wrote and directed this film which is stunning. (I want to say 'for her age' but for anyone it would still be stunning.) This movie is a rarity where not only do these older adults have healthy and active lives, they also have sex. On the most part, I think our society doesn't want to see that, but here it is handled gently; and yes, Julie Christie is still one beautiful, sexy woman. Alzheimer's may be easier to recognise now, but it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking for those who are near and dear to those afflicted.

Big Pick: Absolutely a must see; Compassionate, excellent, touching and brave.