Run Lola Run (1998) R - 3 Stars

Do you were wish you could have a "do over" in your life? Where if you could go back just 20 minutes and do it again, you could alter the outcome. Well, Run Lola Run, aka "Lola Rennt," does just that. But has Lola imagined the possible scenarios in her head before acting out, or does she really get a do over; you get to decide. Franka Potente, with her fiery red hair, gives an outstanding performance as Lola. The movie, relatively short and in German with subtitles, is a fun and simplistic offering of three scenarios for Lola to get the money. Each offering adds subtle differences, effecting all the people surrounding her. First, she helps Manni rob a store, Second, she asks her father (Herbert Knaup), and Third, she wins it gambling.

Lola, (Franka Potente), is not having a good day. Her moped is stolen causing a delay in meeting up with her boyfriend Manni, (Moritz Bleibtreu). Manni is not have a very good day as well. He has been given a "test job" to fence some stolen goods. All he has to do is bring the cash back to Ronnie, (Heino Ferch), to prove he is worthy of doing the job. While riding the subway, a homeless man bumps into him causing Manni's sack of cash to be accidentally left behind on the train. This is not good as he needs to meet Ronnie precisely at 12:00. He phones Lola who insures him she has it under control. Lola takes to her feet and runs across town to make it to Manni in time.

Awards:
Run Lola Run - 1999 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Foreign Film

Bavaria Film GmbH,X-Filme Creative Pool
Director: Tom Tykwer
Writer: Tom Tykwer
Producer: Stefan Arndt

I viewed 12/10

Steel Toes (2007) R - 3 Stars

While you may not find this movie in a Humanities class, I loved the endurance concept. The radical white Neo-Nazi supremacist being taught tolerance by his enemies, the Hindu and the Jew. Powerful storyline and performance by both Walker and Strathairn though the movie suffers in direction. While it voices powerful statements, it loses weight by not going deeper into the character development. For example I would have like to be involved more the Mike's background as well as the relationship between the Jewish lawyer and his Hispanic wife. For me, the dinner scene should have been cut out in order to compassionately let the viewer fall deeper into both men's plight.

Mike Downey, (Andrew Walker), is a soldier in the white supremacy Aryan movement. After a concert, he and his girlfriend are making out in the streets when an immigrant kitchen worker exits to throw out a bucket of dirty water. He mistakenly throws in the direction of Mike causing an eruption of emotions that puts the worker in the hospital where he eventually dies from his injuries. Mike is incarcerated and charged with his murder.

David Dunkleman, (David Strathairn), a liberal Jewish attorney, has been assigned the case. The two men historically are enemies and while Dunkleman must support the law and rights of a man he loathes, he reaches deep in his soul, recalling the teachings of his father, to save the life of one of societies worse nightmares.

Galafilm Productions, Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC)
Directors: Mark Adam, David Gow
Writer: David Gow
Producers: Francine Allaire, David Gow

I viewed 12/10

Miracle at St. Anna (2008) R - 3 Stars

After I watched this movie, I was sort of surprised to see Spike Lee's name on it. Having seen many of his movies before, it's a much more subtle message of racial hatred he loves to spread. I think it's a fair depiction of what it meant to be an African American solider, fighting for a country that hated you. Set in 1944 Italy during WWII, is about a group of soldiers who hold onto faith in the darkest of times. The story changes dialog often and varies from Italian, German and English so you have to be prepared to read subtitles that speed too fast across the screen, if you are to stay on track. It's overly long at almost 3 hours and it moves too slowly but it does finally come together in the end. It's loosely based on the true story of the 92nd Infantry - Buffalo Division, and the soldiers who not only had to brave the tragedy of war but did it enduring racial hatred because their skin was black.

The movie jumps back in forth in time and starts out on December 19, 1983, with Corporal Hector Negron, a postal worker for over 30 years, shooting a Peppi Grotta, (Pierfrancesco Favino),  trying to purchase a stamp. Detective Antonio 'Tony' Ricci, (John Turturro), and Tim Boyle, (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), are interviewing Negron, trying to understand how this quiet man did such a thing. If you can get past parts that are truly unbelievable ie; Negron having a loaded Luger pistol at work everyday, waiting for revenge on a traitor from his past and a soldier toting around a 30 pound marble bust on his belt while in combat, and try to walk in the shoes of these brave African American soldiers, then I think you can enjoy it as a good war movie.

When the Germans blow up a bridge in Florence, Private First Class Sam Train (Omar Benson Miller), retrieves a marble bust. He wraps it in netting an attaches it to his hip, and rubs it's head constantly for good luck. Along with 2nd Staff Sargent Aubrey Stamps (Derek Luke), Sargent Bishop Cummings, (Michael Ealy), and Corporal Hector Negron, (Laz Alonso), the men begin to believe it does have magic powers as its kept them alive behind German lines. The men, Buffalo Division of the 92nd infantry, have a mission to capture a German soldier and bring him in for questioning.

Private Train, sees a young boy Angelo Torancelli,(Matteo Sciabordi), who wonders into a barn that is blown up. Train is compelled to take this helpless boy with them as they cross the Tuscany's Serchio River, to the Italian village of Colognora. It is there, they discover true humanity in the small village of St. Anna di Stazzema and a girl named Renata (Valentina Cervi).

Awards: 2008 - Houston Film Critics - Best Original Score

Touchstone Pictures, On My Own, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Director: Spike Lee
Writer: James McBride
Producers: Luigi Musini, Roberto Cicutto, Spike Lee

I viewed 5/10

Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2009) R - 2½ Stars

The ending of this movie reminded me a bit of the movie "Crash," but on crack. It's a brutal epic of surviving life in the hood. I have to say the acting was pretty intense for the little known cast, which gave the story a bit more believability. Troubled families who don't have the means to get out,  must survive in their darker side of reality. From a mother pimping her daughter, the little punk, macho, packing, hoodlums, trying to get even for the anger their young lives have experienced already, to daily struggles with drugs and personal sexuality. I almost gave it 3 stars.

Here is the story of four troubled families heading for collisions in their lives. Pre-op transsexual Marybeth, (Kerry Washington), works as a prostitute to save enough money for her final surgery. Her line in boyfriend Benny, (Desmond Harrington), pulls small time burglaries to help pay for their expensive crack habit. Manny, (Victor Rasuk), works security in a run down apartment complex where Willy, (Ridge Canipe), a ten year old boy, lives with his sister Susie, mother (Illeana Douglas) and her short tempered boyfriend.  With a mother strung out, Willy begs for money on the streets to insure he and his little sister are taken care of.  At night, Manny work at a 24 hour convenience store where all the freaks solicit. After almost getting shot one night, Manny now keeps a gun in the store for protection. His wife, Concetta, (Shannyn Sossamon), stays home and tends to their small infant boy who seems to always cry tugging on their last nerves.  Romeo, (Evan Ross), is a young thug terrorizing anyone in his path as he searches for his younger brothers' killer. Gabriella, (Hope Olaide Wilson), is still in the closet but about to make her debut to her mother. But in an instant, all their lives will be tragically changed as that's just how it is in Cracktown.

Lightning Media, Magic Film & Video Works, Streetwise Films
Director: Buddy Giovinazzo
Writer: Buddy Giovinazzo
Producers: Larry Rattner, William Fisch

I viewed 12/10

Inception (2010) Pg-13 - 4 Stars

Aka "Oliver's Row", this is a movie you really have to pay close attention, especially at the beginning. My sister and I started to watch it and got about half way through and turned it off because we were lost. We weren't paying enough attention and talking to much. Watching it alone, listening, and really understanding made it much more enjoyable for me. As a matter of fact, it really got me thinking about the power of the subconscious mind long after the movie was over. I really love the "totem" they all keep with them to remind them of reality.

Inception is an extremely complex idea with similarities to The Matrix. I so loved Momento from Christopher Nolan and I'm always amazed on what his dreaming up next. Movies that mess with your mind are my favorites, and the terrific special effects don't hurt. I was really into the movie until the dream scene with the snow. That scene didn't hold my attention as well as the rest, perhaps because of the monotone effect in white. The more I think of it, that is probably why it's like that as a lot of people do not dream in color.

Dom Cobb, (Leonardo DiCaprio), is the worst type of thief. He steals from your mind. The best in his field in corporate espionage, he uses his abilities to extract secrets from deep inside the subconscious mind. It's cost him dearly in his past and when Saito, (Ken Watanabe), offers him a second chance on redemption by pulling off one last assignment, he must accept. But this is no ordinary request of stealing an idea from the mind. This time, he must plant the seed of idea and make it grow, tipping the natural course progression.

Cobb assembles a team of specialists including Ariadne, (Ellen Page), Arthur, (Joseph Gordon-Levitt),  Eames, (Tom Hardy), and Yusuf (Dileep Rao). The plan is to invade the mind of  Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy). Cobb can have it all and return to his normal life but his past Mal, (Marion Cotillard), still haunts him and keeps getting in the way.

Awards:
2010 - Hollywood Film Festival - Hollywood Movie of the Year
2010 - Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards - Best Art Direction & Best Original Screenplay -Christopher Nolan

Legendary Pictures, Inc., Syncopy Films, Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writer: Christopher Nolan
Producers: Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan

I viewed 12/10

Blood in the Face (1991) NR - 3½ Stars

I love documentaries because they force me take a look into another real world. Having an open mind, I try to find the logic in what is portrayed to form my own opinions. Seeing the passion of how some feel, opens my eyes and in some cases, enlightens me. But personally, cults like these are the main reason I am against organized religion of any kind. In my opinion, spirituality doesn't need to be found by joining a organization.

This movie does make a good point about something, being a Caucasian, I've often thought about and that is the white race will someday be a minority due to the breeding ratio Caucasians have adhered to. But, it's the only thing I agree with in this film. To me. this is exactly how radicals started, racism grows and continues and wars are made. This is America, and everyone has a right to give their opinions no matter how ignorant it sounds.

"Blood in the Face," is a documentary featuring archival footage intertwined with live interviews from the late 80's and early 90's. The title literally means to blush or draw blood coloring to their face, feeling shame. These groups believe that only white people can have this reaction to their face, thus making white people the superior chosen ones. The movie gives a small peek into the beliefs of the American Nazi Party, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Aryan Nation of white supremacists. Live footage of David Duke and George Lincoln Rockwell plus Michael Moore is an off screen interviewer in the film.

First Run Features
Directors: Anne Bohlen, James Ridgeway, Kevin Rafferty
Writer: James Ridgeway
Producers: Charlie Arnot, Anne Bohlen, James Ridgeway

I viewed 12/10

Invictus (2009) PG13 - 4 Stars

Morgan Freeman is wonderful in his portrayal President Mandela. Such a soft spoken President, yet a true leader of his people.Invictus, from Latin, (unvanquished) is a poem written by William Ernest Henley as he lay in bed after having one leg amputated in 1875.

Nelson Mandela, (Morgan Freeman), drew from these words as he spent 27 years prisoned in his fight against apartheid. Just at the close of apartheid in South Africa, he was elected president spending his first term as president of the country. The first thing he knew he must do as president to unite the country was to forgive the oppressors he was so against. Tension and mistrust now divided the country by race and poverty level. Mandela's main objective was to unite both the blacks and whites through the universal language of their sport, Rugby.

With under a year to go till the 1995 Rugby Word Championships, Mandela brings courage and strength to a already defeated "Springboks" rugby team. He empowers team captain of the "Springboks", Jacobus Francois Pienaar, (Matt Damon), into believing in himself and turning the team around to win the 1995 Rugby World Championship for South Africa.

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Awards include:
2009 - National Board of Review - Freedom of Expression Award
2009 - National Board of Review - Best Director
2009 - National Board of Review - Best Actor

Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Tony Peckham
Producers: Lori McCreary, Robert Lorenz, Clint Eastwood

I viewed 12/10

The Fall (2006) R - 4 Stars

I knew from the first time I saw the image on the DVD box, I wanted to see it. The movie lives up to it's cover, jammed packed full of fantasy and visual stimulation. You could almost turn the sound off to watch the film and still obtain the journey. The cinematography is so breathtaking, I pushed the movie up from 3½ Stars to 4 for the stunning visuals alone. It's not your typical family fantasy and given it's "R" rating due to it's content of drug abuse. Parents should decide in sharing with smaller children. The little known cast does an outstanding job blending in the perfect stew of emotional and diverse illusion.

The story is of a little girl who has a broken arm after falling and now inhabits a very unusual 1920's hospital, in the Los Angeles area, as she recovers. I absolutely love Catinca Untaru as Alexandria and her tiny accent wonderfully rounds out the innocence of her character. Traumatized from her childhood, she befriends a patient, Roy a paraplegic, who failed at suicide. But in his morphine stage, he becomes a fabulously creative story teller to help them both pass time. The two develop a close bond where Alexandria will do almost anything Roy requests to keep his stories alive, like sneaking into the dispensary to obtain more morphine. But there's a fine line between reality and fantasy that are turning Roy's stories into Alexandria's nightmares.

Alexandria, (Catinca Untaru), is a curious girl recovering from a broken arm that has her in a full body cast. She suffered the injury from picking oranges on her families ranch. Since recovery is slow, Alexandria has been at the hospital for a while and most have become to know her name. She meets Roy Walker, (Lee Pace), who's a paraplegic stuntman recovering from his attempting suicide over the death of his girlfriend. Desperate and feeling story for himself, he greatly enjoys the company of Alexandria and begins a epic storytelling adventure for her that mixes from their real lives into fantasy. Their fantasy warriors include (Jeetu Verma), the Indian, Charles Darwin, (Leo Bill), the Orderly, (Julian Bleach), the Mystic, Sinclair, (Daniel Caltagirone) as Governor Odious, Otta Benga, (Marcus Wesley), the ice delivery man, the doctor (Kim Uylenbroek), as Alexander the Great, Luigi, (Robin Smith), the one legged man, nurse Evelyn, (Justine Waddell) as Princess Evelyn, (Ketut Rina) as the Chief Mystic and (Emil Hostina) as the Bandit. Roy's imagination grows as does his self pity while he convinces Alexandria to find more morphine to ease his pain before he will carry on with his tale.

Awards include:
2008 - Austin Film Critics - Best Cinematography
2007 - Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival - Best Film

Absolute Entertainment, Googly Films, Radical Media
Director: Tarsem Singh
Writers: Nico Soultanakis, Tarsem Singh, Nico Soutanakis
Producer: Tarsem Singh

I viewed 12/10

Food, Inc. (2008) PG - 4 Stars

Food Inc., is a very eye opening movie that everyone should see and hopefully respond, forming a stronger unit of American consumers. If we ever want to see Agricultural and Industrial standards changed, our collective voices must be heard. We all need to answer the questions of why it is cheaper to feed your family fast, over processed food than it is to eat healthy. It appears this whole agricultural automation might just be what kills us. Instead of celebrating less people visiting hospitals, big business uses their control to send us there faster.  Small farmers have been forced to work for big corporations that put profit ahead of consumer health. After all, pharmaceutical, health, and insurance companies all feed off this political corporate business of America. Please watch this documentary, get angry and help do something about it to insure the health of future generations The part that was the scariest to me is when it shows how many people we have put in the White House that have solid ties to our USDA and FDA regulations. Follow one woman's journey to reform the system after her young son died of E. coli from consuming hamburgers at a fast food restaurant. He died 12 days later and in his absence, "Kevin's Law" was born.

Awards:
2009 - Washington D.C. Film Critics Association - Best Documentary

Participant Media, EFilm, Film Finances, Inc., DeWitt Stern Group
Director: Robert Kenner
Producers: Elise Pearlstein, Robert Kenner

I viewed 12/10

A Killer Within (2004) R - 2 Stars

With horrible acting right from the start, it was not hard for me to leave the room a few times without pausing the action, if you can call it that. It's not the worst movie I've ever seen and the storyline finally does come into play, but getting there was a ride I almost got off before it started. But it actually does have a plot and has an ending I was not exactly expecting.

Dallas attorney Addison Terrill, (C. Thomas Howell), works long hard hours to have a luxurious home and a trophy wife he adores. However Becky, (Sean Young), is bored with motherhood, drinks too much, acts like a spoiled brat and really doesn't like their child too much. When Addison has to work late one night, he arrives home to find his wife has been brutally murdered. With his son in the hospital as the only eye witness, Addison becomes the prime suspect. With time running out against clearing his name, he must request the help of best friends Sam, (Ben Browder), and wife Sarah, (DeDee Pfeiffer).

Fireside Entertainment, FilmCor Pictures, LLC
Director: Brad Keller
Producers: Joey Stewart, Anthony Bologna
Writers: Chris Peirson, William Peirson

I viewed 12/10

The Wronged Man (2009) N/R - 4 Stars

Imagine police coming into your families home and arresting you for raping an 11 year girl? And with a weak case against you, the court still manages to find you guilty, sentencing you to life in prison. Since you live a simple lifestyle, your family does not have the means to hire expensive attorneys and you spend 2 years in jail with your entire family refusing to give up on you. Then one day, a stranger comes into your life, and selfishly invests 20 years of her life pro bono to win your way to freedom. "The Wronged Man" is and made for T.V. movie based on the true story of Calvin Willis, who spent 22 years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit. If it were not for the passion of one special paralegal, Janet "Prissy" Gregory, and DNA testing, Calvin Willis would still be behind bars today.

Janet Gregory, (Julia Ormond), aka "Prissy", is a single mom and paralegal in a small Southern Louisiana town. When her boss is suddenly killed by lightning, she helps out by reassigning his case load. But one case in particular, the case of Calvin Willis, brings back an emotional haunting she just can't walk away from it.  The more she looks into the case, the more she discovers many discrepancies that don't. She devotes the next 20 years of her life doing everything she can to bring the case back before a judge. Finally on September 19, 2003, "Prissy" and Calvin Willis, (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), walk down the steps of the Louisiana State Correctional Facility as Calvin becomes a free man.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Lifetime Movie Network
Director: Tom McLoughlin
Writers: Teena Booth, Andrew Corsello
Producer: Robert J. Wilson

I viewed 12/10