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