Crazy Heart is an intimate look at a Country singer on his last legs. In many respects this movie has a strong parallel to Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler". In both cases the hero of the movie is in the twilight of their career, both want to achieve more but don't take care of themselves, both find a love in their life. The details are different and the endings are not alike but the flavor of the movie is the same. There is wry humor that makes you laugh out loud in the theatre but basically it is an excellent story with great acting...especially by Jeff Bridges. He deserves his oscar shot with this performance.

"Slumdog Millionaire" is a totally welcome and very pleasant surprise. If there was any film I would without hesitation tell a friend to go see, that film would be “Slumdog Millionaire”. Not only is it truly an original film, it has one of the most memorable sequence of scenes involving a young boy that has ever been captured on film. The acting in the film is very good from the entire cast. Three separate actors have to play the main character, Jamal, as well as his brother Salim. All three actors who play both characters do a great job. Even the younger actors show a great range, while none of the 6 actors have one particularly weak link of any kind. Much of the supporting cast must have been famous in India because many of the older men in the film just did a magnificent job. The love interest in the film, Latika, was believably gorgeous when the final actress began to play the older version of the girl. There is no specific actor in the film that I can look at and say was miscast.

It was a thrill seeking romance that brought warm feelings and immense danger all rapped up in one. The movie out shined all the "egotistical" movies out of the water, this my friend is the movie that isn't given all the hype it is suppose to receive.

This film teaches us never to give up, follow your dreams to happiness, always love and never hate anybody, be honest, work hard, remember your past but don't hold onto it, and to just be yourself.

I recommend this film to many.

The story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show's questions. Intrigued by Jamal's story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out.

An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

Seven Pounds is just like what the trailer indicates, a movie with numerous suprises and also teary moments--and boy there are a lot of them in the film. Will Smith stars as Ben Thomas, who made a tragic mistake in his past and tries to make up for it by helping 7 different strangers, leading up to big time conclusion and secret. Smith, as promised, does not let down with his great performance. Oscar worthy as usual but not acknowledged by the Academy, so what else is new?, very touching as he really gets the audience to feel and sympathize (and maybe even empathize) with him. The movie rides you through a whirl wind of emotions as there are some humorous parts due to Smith's charm (which is why he is he biggest star in Hollywood right now), but the film mainly is a dramatic and will get you teary eyed. Even if you do not like the movie, you cannot ignore Smith's great performance---as his performance can carry a movie. Rosario Dawson, Woody harrelson, michael ealy and others also give solid performances. The movie also has a good musical score that compliments the tone that it is trying to install upon the audience. Great movie, loved it.

Roy Scheider (Jaws, The French Connection), Daryl Hannah (A Walk to Remember, Kill Bill), and Jonathan Scarfe (Raising the Bar, ER) star in this award-winning drama set at the dawn of World War II. A Nazi soldier (Scarfe) is torn between duty and his passion for Rachel (Nina Dobrev, Away From Her, How She Move), the beautiful daughter of a rabbi. Forced apart by the violence surrounding them, the lovers embark on a perilous journey to find each other… no matter how terrible the price.

Full Movie

The superb Christopher Plummer plays Flash, a curmudgeon with a hankering for classic movies and booze. Cameron is a volatile teen who commits grand theft auto just because the car is an exact replica from Christine. Their relationship is forged in the darkness of a movie theater and fueled by a mutual appreciation of rebellion and cinema. Cameron enters a student film contest, though he lacks the resources of his peers. Learning that Flash is a retired Hollywood gaffer-and the only surviving crew member from Citizen Kane-Cameron follows him to his home at the Motion Picture Residence for the Elderly, a colony of aging film folk set aside by the industry. A quirky fellowship develops, in which Flash and his friends help Cameron make his film, and, in doing so, change his life.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

Inspired by a true story, "The Great Debaters" chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small African American college in the deep south into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as well as his radical political.

I really loved this movie because of Denzel Washington, Denzel parlayed his matinee idol looks and finely hones acting skills. Have you already seen john Q, deja vu and man on fire? naks! that is some of the example of the movie Denzel was staring and he played the most important rule which he acts best.

This film is great, beautiful and inspiring, i was sitting in tears at the end of the film. The knowledge it contains is truly amazing, i learned so much from this. it's a movie that you can watch several times in a row, and it will never get old.

A drama centered on retired professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson as he makes his way through the independent circuit, trying to get back in the game for one final showdown with his former rival.

The Wrestler. Quiet yet strong. Poignant yet never over the top. Stirring, nail biting, electric, somber, sad, hopeful, silently glorious, and releasing. Rarely am I moved to the point where I am in quiet repose over a movie for hours. I cried...my husband even shed a tear. I cried for those that we often never think about twice - the supposed losers, the has-beens, those that we so easily judge as being morally a bit bankrupt - we usually turn a blind eye to them not knowing or understanding their joy and pain and why they are on their particular path.

The people were brilliantly brought to life by stunningly brave and lucid performances from the entire cast. And yes, I agree with most of the critics that this is most definitely an Oscar worthy performance by O'Rourke - rarely do you see such pure passion for a role played out so effortlessly. Marissa Tomei was subtle, and brilliant. Rachel Evan Wood was every bit the embittered child-become-adult. The other wrestlers had this almost tortured beauty to them - their love for their sport and one another was quite apparent.

Everything seemed so very real - no one seemed to be acting. You lose yourself in the characters, paralleling themselves to one another while relating them to yourself. The camera work had a good deal to do with inserting the viewer into the lives of the people they learn to care for - everything was so subtle, yet somehow in your face - you can't escape the character - you aren't allowed to let your mind drift off to your laundry, the kids, work.

This movie is beautifully crafted, loved, nurtured, simple yet incredibly profound. You must go see, hear, and understand it. You will walk out feeling as if these people were your people - a bond that may stay with you forever.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

In late 1950's rural Alabama, young Lewellen lives with her stern religious grandmother, Grammie, but spends most of her time with her much-adored, wild and rough Daddy in his falling down shack. Lewellen is deeply talented and finds comfort and safety, as well as a place to put her hurt and rage, in the music of Elvis Presley, even though Charles, the wise groundskeeper of the mansion down the road, tries to convince her that "there is more to fill out that emptiness with than just Elvis." Lewellen and her closest friend, Buddy, are caught in a shed during a heavy rainstorm. During the storm Daddy is struck by lightning and the event leaves him incapacitated as an emotional and mental child. Grammie is convinced that Daddy was stricken down by God to punish Lewellen for her alleged sins with Buddy. Lewellen becomes Daddy's caretaker and their dysfunctional relationship becomes even more pronounced, Lewellen becoming the parent and Daddy the child. Without any guidance, Lewellen begins to move into dangerous terrain. When Elvis Presley comes to town for a concert, Lewellen is desperate to go but has no money for a ticket. So, Buddy tricks Lewellen into dancing and singing like Elvis for Wooden's Boy in exchange for tickets he has to the concert. During the impersonation, Wooden's Boy attacks Lewellen and leaves her innocence behind. Lewellen's descent into the cycle of abuse and her own pursuit of self-destruction begins. It is only Charles who can see the spirit in Lewellen and save her soul. He teaches her to use music, "the Blues," to turn her tragedy into a gift.

Full Movie

OR

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

When her beloved grandfather Charlie suddenly falls ill, twelve year-old Casey finds herself making some life or death decisions - and learning to live with the consequences.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

The story revolves around three soldiers, Cheever (Tim Robbins), Colee (Rachel McAdams), a naive private who's pinned her hopes on connecting with a dead fellow soldier's family, because she has lost all ties to her own, and TK (Michael Peña) when they return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries they learn that life has moved on without them. They end up together on an unexpected road trip, with Colee on a mission to bring her boyfriend's guitar back to his family because he saved her life, and she hopes to live with them. TK seeking confidence to face his wife after a shrapnel injury that threatens his sexual function decides that he must first see prostitutes to find out if he can still be the husband he wants to be for his wife, and middle-aged Cheever planning to return to a wife who unknown to him is looking to get a divorce and to a son who is in need of twenty grand to go to college. But when an unexpected blackout cancels all flights out of New York, they are forced to make their way to their destinations together. Cheever agrees to share the cost of a rental car for the drive to Pittsburgh with the two similarly stranded servicemen, TK and Colee. After Cheever finds out his wife is looking to divorce him he decides to go to vegas with his fellow travelers. This is a last ditch desperate effort to pay for his son's college tuition. What begins as a short trip unexpectedly evolves into a longer journey. Forced to grapple with old relationships, broken hopes and a country divided over the war, TK, Cheever and Colee discover that home is not quite what they remembered, and that the unlikely companionship they've found might be what matters the most.

This seems like a film that's made for the obvious ups and downs throughout but it actually manages to be quite original and refreshing. Instead of feeling like a film that's just about resolving the individual situations, it's a lot more carefree and a lot more about these three individual people simply enjoying life together and keeping one another upbeat. Of course there are many different stops on the way to their ultimate destinations in order to give us some situations of them interacting in the real world, but each one is a lot of fun and we gain a little more depth to the characters at each stop. All of the characters are well-fleshed out and don't feel like just another retread of stereotypes we've seen over and over again. And all the way through we are treated to three strong performances from three solid actors. The real star is Rachel McAdams, though, she keeps the laughs coming all the way through and steals just about every single scene with her bright eyes and southern drawl, but you can tell that there is real emotion brimming just under the surface. She's a girl who has every reason to hate life with a fury, but she remains optimistic and tries to get those around her to enjoy living just as much as she does. One scene in particular, when she finally meets the family of her fallen friend, is a showcase for what an extraordinary actress she is, and is definitely one of the best performances of the year. The Lucky Ones is a refreshing and very well-acted story. I give The Lucky Ones a 3 and on my avoidance scale a very big 0, go see this wonderful film.

The story of California’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

“Milk” is a love song film to Harvey Milk and his legacy as a Gay Rights Activist. Harvey Milk’s tireless efforts to give the gay community a voice in America and alter the way Americans see our gay brother and sister is soulfully captured. “Milk” gives reality to the idea that a single voice, no matter the life, can change a nation if you have truth on your side. Harvey Milk, used his voice, the voice for survival and fairness to those oppressed in this great nation. Like Martin Luther King Jr., Harvey Milk had charisma and placed his life on the sacrificial Altar of inclusion so others may live their lives to the fullest.

“Milk” is indefatigable while peering into the heart of Harvey Milk’s life and final years living in San Francisco, 1970 to 1978, where his activism leads to a political career (he was known as The Mayor of Castro Street ) and the maintenance of equal rights legislation in the US. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office and after serving for approximately one year was assassinated by a fellow councilman (Board of Supervisors in California) bringing to a sudden and sad close to a promising career and powerful voice for human rights in America.

“Milk” opens showing newspaper clipping headlines of anti gay sentiment in the nation and the regular and constant rousting of gay men by police from known gay hangouts in cities and towns all across in the US. Director Gus Van Sant introduces us to Harvey Milk at his kitchen table speaking into a microphone taping himself saying for posterity, (I paraphrase here), “…this tape should be played upon my death should I be assassinated”. Van Sant returns often to Mr. Milk sitting at his kitchen table recording high points in his life as a well placed narration throughout the film.

Van Sant and writer Dustin Lance Black reflect upon the Religious Right attacks on gays in the work place with footage of anti gay rights activist/singer Anita Bryant, crusading across America giving speeches of hate glorified by her beliefs in God. When we compare those views from the 70’s to today, it is remarkable how far we’ve come as a nation and the distance we have yet to travel in our universal perspective of our children and neighbors.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

The film follows the story of young teen April whose troubled life began in a dustbin - a new born baby, abandoned and alone, not celebrated, not wanted but discarded and left like so much rubbish in an industrial bin behind a pizza parlour. On the morning of her fourteenth birthday April has a devastating row with her foster mother, Marion and leaves the house determined to find out where she really comes from, who she really is and maybe, just maybe, find her real mother. Telling no-one what she’s up to or where she’s going, April skips school and begins the search she’s dreamed about all her life. It’s a blur of social workers, children’s homes and special schools as April revisits and recalls the key scenes of her fragmented past. It’s a painful journey, sometimes frightening but there’s also friendship and love and laughter. And now she’s started, there’s no going back - April must find her mother.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

This movie is based on true story about a mother who lost her child in the 1929 and found herself trapped in corrupt LAPD system. The acting is very good especially Angelina Jolie as the mother. The music score put me in some kind of emotional trance. Basically, this movie has kept me interested from start fo finish like a rollercoaster journey (more than 2 hours long though). It has some mystery in it.

Anjelina Jolie is a gem of an actress who known about the methods of galvanizing emotion well, this is a movie about hope and love, and commitment to a cause, that never goes astray or fails even in the darkest, dimmest times.

Please go see the movie, I'm not the best at writing reviews, I've written a few, but only to the ones who either totally did, or totally did not deserve to be seen. I hope this review has helped, go with no expectations, you will leave amazed!

ORGIES AND THE MEANING OF LIFE is an eccentric and exciting film illuminating the inner and outer life of Baxter Goode, a man trying to find an ending to his book (about a sex obsessed stick figure searching for a portal to the three dimensional world) even as his father, a best selling Christian author, tries to stop him. His life is further complicated by his search for the ‘one’, a woman he is sure will liberate him from his long addiction to orgy fantasies. Both of these pursuits are somehow connected to God, who may or may not be a stick figure, and Baxter’s lesbian roommate, who may or may not be imaginary.

Employing live action, animation, and experimental story techniques to explore existential, professional, and sexual crisis, ORGIES AND THE MEANING OF LIFE promises to be one of the more unique movie going experiences you will ever have

Watch Full Movie