THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE: AWESOME GLIMPSE OF HELL

They say that war is hell on so many levels, but whoever they are never met Uday Hussein. Dominic Cooper in a performance that is flawless stars as both the good guy and a bad guy in this riveting film. Based on a true story, we follow army lieutenant Latif Yahia as he is forced, literally at gunpoint, to become the body double for Saddam Hussein's thoroughly evil son, Uday. Not only is the story itself compelling to watch, but the way that they filmed Cooper in both roles was amazing. In fact, many people don't believe that the same actor played both roles. I loved this movie and his performance. Very much a must see film.Also, be sure to check out the DVD extras which feature the man who the story is based on.      

WRECKED: WHO IS HE??? WHERE IS HE???

A man, wakes up at the bottom of a ravine, surrounded by bodies and barely able to move...this is the setting for this terribly slow, but interesting movie. Honestly, I don't have strong feelings about it one way or the other. I think that Adrien Brody did a decent job with what he was given, which wasn't much. I was surprised to find him in this movie. However slow, the ending was fulfilling enough.  

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TOP THREE NON-TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MOVIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS


#3: LESS THAN ZERO
A true '80s film that gives us a taste of what growing up white, over privileged and under supervised does to a person. Clay (Andrew McCarthy) returns from school back East for Christmas break after leaving his two best friends behind. Most of the movie is spent with him running after his ex/not ex girlfriend Blair (Jami Gertz) and his ex/not ex best friend Julian (Robert Downey Jr.) trying to help him out of a mighty mess with drug dealer Rip (James Spader). Stellar performances from all involved, especially (two of) my true loves, McCarthy and Downey. One of the few anti-drug movies that shows the ugly side of the pretty people's world.

Anecdotal note: On vacation in Vegas, my best friend and I are walking through a casino when a short man passes by me looking just like Andrew McCarthy. I tell her and she begins the chase, I follow at a much slower pace. She gets close enough to yell his name and he turns, which eggs her on more and sets him on a moderate jog back to hotel. She, not to be beaten easily, has the nerve to use the hotel lobby phone and asks the operator for his room and then thrusts the phone at me. Not knowing what to say, I ask if it's him, which of course it is, and I tell him we were the crazy girls running after him and beg for him to come to the lobby for a photo. Ever so kindly, he does not accept my offer as he has an "early call" on the set for whatever he was filming, but thanked me for calling. I was on cloud 9 for days. (sigh!) Good times.

#2: DIE HARD
New York cop, John McClain ( Bruce Willis) as he recalls the invitation "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs...” has come to Los Angeles to visit/reconcile with his wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and children. Unfortunately there are several determined German terrorists led by a cultured bad guy Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman is brilliant) who try to get in his way. Being the tough as nails cop that he is (aren't all of NY finest like that?) he fights back and practically saves the day single-handedly. With one liners that were repeated far too many times for years after, this action packed, thrilling film has earned many kudos for being one of the best action flicks ever AND it just so happens during... Christmas! Bruce Willis owned this movie and the air around it. Yipee Ki Yay!

However, the #1 non-traditional Christmas movie will always be...

#1-THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT
Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) is a typical almost boring woman except for the fact that she lost her memory. However, that does not stop her from being a mother to her 8 year old daughter and having some sort of a relationship with some guy. One day, out of the blue, a stranger appears at her door seeking revenge and somehow, out of instinct, she manages to save her family and kick his ass before passing out from a blow to the head. It is after that trauma that she and the last private detective she can afford, Mitch Henessey, Skillfully played by Samuel Jackson, ("...everyone knows, when you make an assumption, you make an ass out of "u" and "umption") head out to find some answers; and answers she does find. It turns out that Samantha is really Charly Baltimore, mysterious and lethal government agent who was thought dead; and that's where the fun begins. This is a great action film, but it is also a very funny, very clever film. The humor is dry and sometimes bawdy, but plain old fun. This time, however, the hero is a woman who can and will kick your ass. Geena does a great job of "switching" personalities without it being overly dramatic as Mitch notes, "What I'm saying is, back when we first met, you were all like "Oh phooey, I burned the darn muffins." Now, you go into a bar, ten minutes later, sailors come runnin' out. What up with that?" Samuel's one liners and earnest and funny; well... "in New York (he's) Frank, and in Chicago he's Earnest." The banter between them is as odd of a coupling as it is fun. Charly asks, "Were you always this stupid, or did you take lessons? To which Mitch retorts, "I took lessons". Timothy (Craig Bierko) is a very, very bad man as is my usually beloved David Morse as Luke. Yes, it is filled with language, violence and more violence, but those words and actions are chosen wisely and have purpose. Does this story have a happy Christmas ending??? Show times at my house through Christmas will be: 10:45 am, 12:40 pm, 3:20 pm (matinee prices) 7:05 pm, 9:33 pm and 11:12 pm.Watch the trailer at: http://imdb.com/title/tt0116908/trailers-screenplay-E11906-310

WRECKED: WHERE ARE YOU? WHO ARE YOU?

I'm Adrien Brody damn it!!! Maybe somebody ought to have remembered that before making this film... perhaps, Adrien Brody?! This man wakes up. He is in a car. There is a dead body in the back seat, another tossed from the wreck and no civilization to be seen. What do you do? Call your agent! This is a slow movie, spent mostly watching Brody cope with the situation at hand of which he can't remember anything about. It is a long drawn out process which spans the entire length of the movie, until at the very end, we finally get the payoff. Let's just say, this time, I liked the dog. It reminded me a lot of 127 Hours, except it is more visceral and psychologically complicated. Again, not what I'd call a great movie, but it kept my interest and I cared about the ending.

MEET MONICA VELOUR: SATC, MEET NAPOLEON
Local boy makes it big! Tobe (Dustin Ingram) is a young man from Auburn, whose passion in life is porn; well, more specifically, a once popular porn star, Monica Velour. He is an avid fan, collecting bits and pieces from her life that no one else would know even existed. With star shaped pasties in his big naive eyes, he sets off to meet her once he hears she is making a public appearance. Yes, another coming of age film for a character that reminded me too much like Napoleon Dynamite. Of course, being a sophisticated screen audience, we can guess that he finds her hard worn by life. Kim Cattrall does her best poor version of Samantha with a drinking problem to portray a woman who has seen it all and lost hope somewhere between the first and last truck stop. The two of them make for an odd couple indeed. He wants to save her and she doesn't want to be saved. I wasn't crazy about this film, but it was certainly entertaining and there were a few laughs. There were several problems I had with some of the situations they found themselves in and the moral ambiguities, which normally doesn't effect me at all, but it was watchable. 

SCREAM 4: HORROR-BLE!

Most people don't (didn't)  know that horror movies are my guilty pleasure. I guess that secret is out now. I like thrillers and suspense more than blood and guts. Most times I can only watch them during the day, however. I liked the way the Scream series brought comedy into the genre. However, this time, we are laughing AT you, not with you. I was happy to hear that the original cast members would be involved with the film so many years after the last installment. Additionally, having Wes Craven on board seemed to be a get-out-of-jail-free card. The beginning was hopeful as their brand of humor poked fun at false starts to bad slasher films. Loved seeing Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell! But the energy drops there. Thing is, it ended up being highly predictable and disappointing. Cox, Campbell and Arquette seemed to sleep walk through their lines, not that the newbies proved any better. Things just didn't add up or make sense and the ending seemed almost an afterthought. The writing just wasn't above par for what we've come to expect from these and the pay off was a let down. Let's hope that in the future, trilogy's stay that way. Not worth seeing.

 PAUL: THE ALIEN IS THE LEAST YOU WILL BELIEVE...

Graeme Willy: Whats the matter Clive?

Clive Gollings: There is an alien in the kitchen making bagels and coffee.

Graeme Willy: Did you want tea?

Clive Gollings: No, I don't want tea!

Graeme Willy: Right, because tea is weird in America.

 

...which is to say, I didn't expect to have the following reaction to this movie about two British Comic-Con nerds and an alien; I absolutely loved it. Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) are two uber-nerds who are in America for Comic-Con and a road trip across the center of America's alien highway, including area 51. While on their quest, they pick up a foul mouthed, sarcastic and surprisingly funny alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen). He is escaping being dissected by the military base where he has lived the last 60 years of his life. As in all good escape movies, there are the "men in black"; Jason Bateman, the most serious and threatening aside from the "big guy" a surprising casting coo (which I'll leave for you to find out!) The threesome become friends as they get to know each other. Be prepared for the obligatory anal probing jokes. They also add Fundamentalist Christian, Annie (Kirsten Wiig who stars in everything nowadays) who when given universal insight sets off to explore the world previously forbidden to her, more specifically the art of cursing. It sounds way out there and plausibly stupid, but I laughed out loud; many times. It had all sorts of clever jokes and inside winks to the sci-fi community. A fantastic cast, some totally unexpected. Pegg and Frost were fantastically brilliant and their chemistry was out of sight making this more than just a bromance. It also had its tender and sweet side which made the ending all that more enjoyable. I haven't laughed like this in a while. Be prepared for strong language, strong views on evolution and side splitting fun. You might say Paul was out of this world. (Of course, I would never...) Please to enjoy! (Also: be sure to watch through the end credits for additional scenes!)

BRIDESMAIDS: THE YEAR'S FUNNIEST FILM

Annie: You read my diary?

Brynn: At first I did not know it was your diary, I thought it was a very sad handwritten book.

This movie by far has proved that women can be funny, in a brash, in-your-face, out-loud, and over-the-top kind of way. In this film, we see women, some of them are actually very pretty, and they can act just as immature and petty and crass as men have acted in The Hangover, all of Judd Apatow's films and any other doofy "bromance". I think this is the first film where women can be pretty and funny and human. Mind you, this is no Kate Hudson-girl-planning-her-dream-wedding rom-com poof, stuck between two grooms.

Annie (a fabulous Kirsten Wiig) is the maid of honor to best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) who gets engaged at the start of the film. While Annie tries to do her bridal duties, her life is falling down around her bit by bit, but she keeps the mess hidden. Loved Jon Hamm as her self centered "boyfriend". Equally loved Officer Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd) as the actual nice guy who we like! This is a real movie about real women who are friends and screw up and make mistakes and can be redeemed by the end of the film. Megan (Melissa McCarthy) is a feminine Zach Galifinakis and delivers some memorable lines. Check out the line-o-rama on the bonus features. Please be advised that this is NOT a women only film. This is a VERY FUNNY FILM and stands alone in its own right. A total must see!

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.

SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS: OFF-BEAT IS TASTY

Mark Ruffalo makes his directorial debut with an old friend, Christopher Thornton, better known here as DJ (Dean) Delicious. The story is unconventional and pushes the limits of believability. However it is that sense of magic and the powerful supporting cast that push the story along. Ruffalo also plays a priest working on skid row and notices the effect one of his flock has had on another. Soon this young man learns about faith healing and his ability to do it. The catch: he is is a wheelchair and can not heal himself. A reluctant hero, Dean is pushed to his limits before he decides to sell his gift to the highest bidder, which also puts him in an up and coming band, something he loved before his crippling accident. He is no saint and follows the reckless life of women, booze and drugs before a terrible tragedy takes him away from all of that. So what does he do now? Where does he belong and can he be saved from himself? Also starring Orlando Bloom as a cocky lead singer of the band, a ethereal Juliette Lewis and a power hungry, tough Laura Linney. It wasn't until I watched the extras that I learned that Thornton not only stars in the film and star being the key word, but he wrote the screenplay and also happens to be in a wheelchair in real life. I can't wait to see what he does next. Ruffalo however, should stick with acting. Again, one of those odd stories with compelling characters well acted by top talent. Not everyone will like it, but I did.

EVERYTHING MUST GO: INCLUDING THIS FILM

Congratulations to Will Ferrell for carrying through on a serious role. Mark that one off the bucket list! Problem is, the result was a sad, depressing dud of a movie. Nicky Halsey is kind of a jerk. It becomes apparent once we discover he is an alcoholic which is why he lost his job, after numerous attempts to stop, and now he comes home to find he is loosing his wife as everything he owns is put out on the yard in a hint-hint fashion. He's just not very likable and even though he does make some changes toward the end of the movie, it's just not enough. This film was painful for me to watch, even if he did a good job with his part.

HANNA: ADAPT OR DIE

Hanna isn't a typical teenager. She doesn't own an Ipod, lip gloss or skinny jeans. But those aren't the things that make her atypical. She lives with her father, rouge CIA agent, in icy Finland and has been raised as a soldier, trained in combat, to survive in extreme circumstances. When we meet Hanna and her father, "the plan", her life's goal, etched in her head since birth is finally ready to be carried out and all she has to do is press a button. Launch into action uber-tense Marissa (a fantastic Cate Blanchett) with her Texas twang and steel cold heart who becomes both the hunter and the hunted. The story twists and turns and is a heart pounding race to the finish. Unfortunately the end ends with a whimper and not a bang, but it is the right ending to this girl's journey. Saoirse Ronan is stunning as a young woman who is both full of knowledge and naivete at the same time. At times she is like a wild animal and at others she is just a wide eyed teenager seeing all that the world has to offer for the first time, both good and bad. Eric Bana as her father is too full of heart and yet disconnected in that CIA operative kind of way. However Blanchett is a woman who is as tightly wound as they come. I will never brush my teeth again without remembering her. Her protagonist is about as cold hearted, cold blooded and steely as possible. This is a truly engaging film.

THE LINCOLN LAWYER: HE CAN DEFEND ME ANYTIME

Mick Haller: I checked the list of people I trust

and your name ain't on it.

After watching this film, a friend turned to me and asked why it was called the Lincoln Lawyer until the closing shot where she noticed what kind of car he had been driving around in. That's just the kind of guy Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is. To call him slick would be an understatement. He's the kind of guy that seemingly gives lawyers their bad images. He may not be honest all of the time and may bend the rules and drinks far too much, but yet he's still likable. This film takes place in the "real" Los Angeles; gritty, dirty and full of low-lives. Much to his surprise he is called in to represent a wealthy young man accused of rape, played eerily stone faced by Ryan Phillippe. Talk about a low life dressed in a nice suit. Haller discovers this and much more but a lawyer is obligated to provide the best defence for his client no matter if they are actually guilty or innocent. However, the rule breaker finds a few ways to dodge the bullets. William H. Macy plays Haller's friend and investigator. What I liked best is seeing a gay man portrayed on screen without the clear announcement that he is. That's the way it should be. Also fun was Marisa Tomei as Haller's ex wife and current sympathetic ear (and sympathetic other things!) This movie is as full of twists and turns as the Hollywood Hills and it keeps it exciting. It's a side of LA we don't often get to see sans the gang violence and racial tension. I thought McConaughey did a fine job walking a fine line between good and highly questionable. I was thoroughly entertained and would certainly recommend it.

INSIDIOUS: TOO MUCH HYPE, BUT NOT AN AWFUL FLICK

My guilty pleasure is watching suspense thrillers, okay, it's really watching horror movies, BUT the ones without all the blood and guts. I like to be afraid, not grossed out. Brought to us by director James Wan, his style is a collective homage; in part to haunted house movies, in part to poltergeist and the last, little seen psychic astral projection and the "Further". It was visually quite stylish and well presented, but the plot was lacking and the acting was acceptable, but not much more. It is spooky and you'll find the edge of your seat quite worn, but that seems like its only intention. I can't recall it now, but I seemed to have liked the end twist, which is always a good sign. I think the hype out played what was delivered, but the delivery wasn't so bad.

HORRIBLE BOSSES: AMUSING FILM

Dean 'MF' Jones: I think I can help you boys.

Kurt Buckman: Are you a businessman?

Dean 'MF' Jones: Mother F**ker Jones.

Dale Arbus: Your first name is 'Mother F**ker?

Dean 'MF' Jones: My real name is Dean.

Nick Hendricks: Dean Jones, that's the same name of the actor in Herbie and the Love Bug.

Kurt Buckman: Yeah he probably doesn't even know that is.

Dean 'MF' Jones: I know who he is b***h. I can't walk around this f**king neighborhood with that Disney-ass name.

 The poster for this film, shows six good reasons why this a funny movie. Unlike others, I did not see this as "the funniest film of the year". However, I did think it was fun to watch.The uncompromising Jason Bateman stars with Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis who are three good friends who all have the same problem: their bosses. Kevin Spacey is an asshole, Colin Farrell is a coke head and Jennifer Aniston, well, let's just say she has some sexual frustrations. All three friends are pushed to their breaking point and one night in jest, it is suggested that they solve the problem by murdering each other's bosses. Jamie Foxx is perfect as a consultant hired on to advise on their proposed criminal deeds, Dean MF Jones. As with many things, the fun is in the journey and watching these three ordinary Joe's try to act as criminals is a long path to nowhere. Anyone who has daydreams of getting rid of their boss will appreciate at least the idea behind this film.