Stellan Skarsgard plays a quiet and unassuming man, released from prison for murdering his wife's lover. Before he kills the informant who landed him in jail, he reconnects with his son and meets a woman. Will he kill or has time and the potential of his new found relationships rehabilitated him? Over the duration of the film you start to care about this character and the choices he makes.

4 Stars

Set in a pestilence ridden medieval country, a church sends a hardhearted gang of soldiers (ringleader played by Sean Bean) to an uncontaminated village to destroy a witch who is believed to have powers that bring back the dead. You will get your fill of gory open oozing sores, battles scenes and torture devices in this fun and improbable period/adventure/horror film.

3 Stars

One of the best films of 2010! It's a compelling drama with a brilliant screenplay and mesmerizing performances. Per the title, the story is as barbarous as the animal world. A family of criminals faces off in a bloody battle with the police. The family violently tears itself apart to survive.

5 Stars

Russian criminals fascinate me with their awesome personal history tattoos, gruff voices and overall badness. Here we find a young gang ordered to kidnap an imprisoned and scraped up enchantress of a woman. Everything goes haywire and the heavy gunfire joyride begins. This little violent Russian picture isn't too predictable and the players act with a lot of heart.

4 Stars

This is an intelligent mystery/drama film from Argentina. Ricardo Darin
(he was the taxidermist in The Aura (2005)) plays a retired investigator who is writing about a crime he once investigated and has stayed with him over the years. While writing he uncovers mysteries of the crime and he explores the passions around himself and the characters of his book. Excellent acting, script and direction - no wonder this won best foreign film in 2009.
5 Stars

Film recalls To Catch a Thief. Johnny Depp is our Carey Grant and Angelina Jolie our Grace Kelly. The problem is that neither of the modern versions seem to have that level of natural sophistication. However, an entertaining film worth watching. Depp is our plain math teacher from the Midwest, clumsily paired up with Jolie, a stylish and sleek undercover agent. I love how Depp is never afraid of taking on new acting challenges - in this it is taking the back seat a little for his leading lady. I am a fan of Depp - he is wonderful in this – just a tad less shiny than normal. The two take you on a fun Chase through Venice canals. Also includes a hearty performance by Timothy Dalton as Jolie's spy director.

3.5 Stars

As a fan of the 1969 version starring John Wayne, Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper, I had doubts. I've concluded that the deal is: it's a gem of a western that folks should see in whatever format. Bridges plays his very own Rooster Cogburn - rather than playing the Duke. The rest of the cast is wonderful, from Matt Damon as LeBouf the ranger to Barry Pepper as Ned Pepper the villain and Miss Steinfeld as the brave little Mattie. I enjoyed the dark eerie sets. Nice work Coen Bros.

4.5 Stars

With the top billed cast and crew, I had high hopes for this medieval crusade epic adventure. The male and female leads lacked depth in their performances. The plot was missing the suspense and twists you need for a film of this length. There were a few good battle scenes. A highlight is seeing Stellen Skarsgard and Michael Nyqvist as tribal elders.

2.5 Stars

I got in a few good laugh out louds (LOLs) during this goofy buddy cop film.

3 Stars

Or bad? I'd say not bad - but a real bore.

Viggo, if you are reading this - sorry! You know I usually like your work.

2 Stars

Jaws

The original and best version of the horror film series featuring a monstrous mechanical great white shark. It is decades old but holds up in part – largely due to young Steven Spielberg genius for creating drama, humor, suspense and grisly scenes. The film captures you from the opening scene where a swimming girl is bitten by something and pulled back and forth through the water. She frightfully holds onto a buoy as something pulls her down into the dark water. Then there is the perfect casting of the team that goes after the monster: Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider), Ocean Scientist 'Hooper' (Richard Dreyfuss), and 'Quint' (Robert Shaw) a WWII veteran and fisherman. This trio will have you laughing and cheering them onto win. The perfect scene of the film is when after a long battle with the shark the three are down below comparing battle scars. Then Quint tells the horrifying story of sinking on US Indianapolis and while waiting for days for rescue many of the sailors are eaten by sharks. After his story ends the group breaks out in sailors songs only to be interrupted by the monster shark ramming the boat. I recommend watching this film again in 30th anniversary re-mastered format - in the dark – but not before swimming.

5 Stars

Jaws II
You lose Spielberg directing, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss and even though you have Scheider as Chief Brody, the plot focuses on beach teens who are not much in the acting department. This version is only good to watch if you need your monster shark and retro bathing suits fix.

2.0 Stars

Jaws III
Terrible special effects, directing and acting.

0 Stars

Jaws IV
Actual footage from the first film is intertwined into this fourth chapter. Lorraine Gary returns as Ellen Brody - but she's a widow now. Ellen loses a family member to a shark attack and heads down to Caribbean to be with her son and family. She is followed by the shark monster. Joining the cast is none other than Michael Caine, playing Hoagie, a British seaplane pilot with jolly stories and a fancy for the widow Brody. 80's actor Mario Van Peebles is on board as well. There are some scary scenes but the revenge bit is a bit hard to chew. However if you love the original – you may enjoy the nostalgia of the original film in this version.

3 Stars

A light hearted film set in dreamy and glamorous Morocco. Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis are definitely a bit on the stylish and exotic side. I recommend watching this on your next romcom night paired with a pedicure soak, chocolate and martini with a twist.

4 Stars

I’m looking forward to seeing the new film based on the gothic novel. I watched this particular BBC circa 80s version recently. Timothy Dalton, playing Rochester, is wonderful. In my opinion he was really too great of a classically trained actor to have been casted as James Bond. His work in this little BBC film is evidence of that. Don’t get me wrong I still love his Bond films and all that is 007 related really. The dated studio quality and lackluster performance of Zelah Clark as Miss Eyre is annoying at times. You just have to hang on for the times Dalton is up.

3 Stars

It is easy to believe the word on the street – that Mark Wahlberg trained for 10 years for his role as boxing lightweight title winner Mickey Ward. I recommend The Fighter for his and every other actors performance in the picture.

5 Stars

Beautiful film of Seattle, Aberdeen, and Olympia overlaid with music Kurt loved and his own interviews. Happy sad nostalgia for NW grunge era.

4 Stars

This is a tribute to Jane Russell who played the quick witted and sexy Dorothy Shaw in this sparkly 1950s film. Love her speaks. Here is a sampling -

Ernie Malone: You're the most attractive girl in the room so I came over to tell you, do you mind?
Dorothy Shaw: No, I might as well warn you, flattery will get you anywhere.
Ernie Malone: In that case we haven't got any problems.

Dorothy Shaw: Remember, honey, on your wedding day it's All right to say "yes."

Gus Esmond: Dorothy Shaw. I want you to remember you're supposed to be the chaperone on this trip.
Dorothy Shaw: Now lets get this straight, Gus. The chaperone's job is to see that nobody else has any fun. Nobody chaperone's the chaperone. That's why I'm so right for this job.

Dorothy Shaw: In bed by nine? That's when life just begins!

5 Stars

Oscar pick! Squirrel shootin and eting. In the Ozark hollows, a poor teen girl, played by Jennifer Lawrence, left to care for her mom and young siblings must find her missing father to save their home. Putting herself in danger she relentlessly interviews the local drug mafia that includes her own kin. John Hawkes just might win the Oscar for a mesmerizing performance as her Uncle Teardrop.

5 Stars

Love is a mix tape.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

5 Stars

Word to this crazy mother. The plot thickens as she desperately tries to clear her dim witted son of murder. I was on the edge of my seat during this well casted and directed mystery/drama.

5 Stars

Wolverines are my new favorite animal. I learned a lot about them in this little documentary. Like their sense of smell is so keen that they can locate animals buried deeply by avalanches. Then they dig them out with their giant clawed paws and eat them down to the bone.

3 Stars

Yes, ‘Hornet's’ and not ‘Honey Bee's.’ A suitable title as this trilogy ends on a strong note, while so many others fail. Noomi Rapace gives another stellar performance as Lisbeth Salander - the super smart gothic beauty with a mysterious past. This episode is more courtroom style than the first and second episodes - but with ample amounts of nail biting violence.

5 Stars

An ex convict (Vincent Cassel) and deaf secretary (Emmanuelle Devos) are brought together and find each other useful in getting back at their enemies. I enjoyed the fairly exciting plot and interesting chemistry between the actors.

5 Stars

A lot of background on his party lifestyle - hanging out with John Lennon, Ringo and etc. Nice soundtrack - he had a lovely singing voice. I love 'Jump into the Fire.' Film is on the long side. Director could have used a dozen fewer interviews to tell the story.

3 Stars

Thomas Seyer (Romain Duris) is on the path to become a carbon copy of his scumbag real estate dealing father Robert Seyer (Niels Arestrup). A lucky meeting provokes Thomas to dive back into his piano play, stringing him along a different path. By the end of this film, you’ll be tapping along to the beat of this sexy bad French prick.

4 Stars

It makes sense that in real life Tilda Swinton lives in a castle.  I wouldn't be surprised to learn that this castle is a teleport for beautiful androginous immortal aliens that have perfected acting. In the film, Swinton plays a native Russian married into a wealthy Italian family - surrounded by lovely children, family and things. All seems well until new relationships help her uncover her true passions.

5 Stars

Ewan is lovely and does a great job as usual. Polanski directed film has the classic sleekness and style of 50s/60s political thrillers.

5 Stars

5 Stars

Pagans and Slaves and Christian Crusaders.  Brutal bloody fights. Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Clash of Titans) plays a silent one-eyed warrior led by crimson visions. Any space left due to lack of dialogue is filled with gorgeous cinematography and an archaic and gritty sounding score.


4 Stars

Ben Stiller does a good job playing a total head case. Supporting cast is also very good. James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem kicks out the soundtrack.

4 Stars

I gave this a four instead of a five because although I appreciate superheroes and comics I don't get all moist about them like a lot of other people. Anyways - well done film about a high school nerd becoming a superhero and fighting a bunch of gangsters.

4 Stars

Adam Scott will be a recognized name in Hollywood soon. Not sure about the plot of this movie but Scott really keeps you watching.

4 Stars

DOUBLE FEATURE!!!
Happy New Year



I can't believe they even considering re-doing this in English. OK, maybe I can. This Swedish film kicks so much ass.

5 Stars



This one is almost as good as the first. I’m looking forward to the final movie.

5 Stars

A creative thriller from Spain that's worth checking out.

4 Stars