The Nines (2007) R - 3 Stars

This movie reminded me a lot of Donny Darko, and if you liked that one, I think this might be right up your alley. The style is complexed and can be somewhat confusing as a lot of imagery goes along with the story line. One of those movies that sometimes warrant seeing a second time to fully grasp. Like Donny Darko, this movie tackles questions of God, destiny, fate and philosophy. Filmed in 3 short episodes, they all showing different connected scenarios of one mans existence of being a 9, a Super Being above all humans, only 7's. It's the kind of movie that makes you think about it's true understanding and it's open to your personal interpretation.

Part one "The Prisoner" Gary (Ryan Reynolds) is a trouble actor under house arrest for driving under the influence of cocaine, turning his car upside down. It all started when he attached a green yarn bracelet to his wrist. He get in his car, picks up some cocaine, seeks a local hooker to a party with, while driving with two of himself in the back seat. Sarah (Hope Davis) is his neighbor next door enticing him offering a way out while Margaret (Melissa McCarthy) his publicist, tries to keep him in line. He feels he is going crazy in the house, hears noises and finds notes in his writing, he swears he didn't do. His only reality is what these two women tell him.

Part two "Reality Television" Gavin (Ryan Reynolds) is doing a behind the scene look, Project Greenlight-style documentary, of his upcoming soap opera and the choices made to get his show on the air. Susan (Hope Davis) is his uppity programing VP that's involved in the shows promotion and calls for replacement of the main star of the drama, Melissa (Melissa McCarthy). Also Gavin's best friend, the reality show films as he tells her she's fired. But it's all about business and Melissa is quickly replaced with Dahlia (Dahlia Salem) and just as quick, the show is canceled. As the film makers have long since left, Gavin finds himself in New York City still talking to the cameras.

Part three "Knowing" Gabriel (Ryan Reynolds) and his wife Mary (Melissa McCarthy),along with their daughter, are stranded in the mountains where their car won't start and no cell service. Gabriel volunteers to walk down the hill and try to get service with his phone. Along the way he comes in contact with Sierra (Hope Davis) who at first is reluctant to help but later feels comfortable to offer her car for assistance. Just a small walk down the hill, Sierra takes him on a short cut through the woods. She offers water and after he his drink, informs him a drug might be in the water. The daughter is entertaining herself with the video camera which is displaying "part one" until she tells mom, he's not coming back. Gabriel takes off his green yarn bracelet, and departs the earth.

Pandora Films
Director: John August
Writer: John August
Producers: Dan Jinks, Dan Etheridge, Bruce Cohen

I viewed 6/08

Donnie Darko (2001) R - 4 Stars

A fairly low budget movie with good results of a guy that hallucinates a giant rabbit to travel back in time only to be nearly killed by an jet engine dropping from the sky. This bizarre movie leaves a lot of things open for the viewers interpretation. It's the type of movie which if you leave for a potty break, you won't understand a thing. It's really entertaining in a weird way and you can see it many times and still make different judgements about. The ending will have you saying, Huh? Watch the cometary on the DVD as it may help with question you have after viewing this rather dark and mysterious movie.

Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) suffers from daylight hallucinations. A young man struggling with schizophrenia, who's life is completely destroyed by fear. He sees his psychiatrist Dr. Lillian Thurman (Katharine Ross), on a weekly basis who supplies him with pills he doesn't like to take. She tries to explain to his parents Rose (Mary McDonnell) and Eddie (Holmes Osborne) what his condition is like for Donnie. But his mother Rose's reply is "It feels wonderful," when Donnie asks her how it feels to have a wacko for a son.

One night after he is woken up by a voice and calling him outside, he is confronted by a large bunny named Frank, who tells him the world will come to an end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds, precisely. Coming back into the house, a jet engine crashes through his roof and would have killed him if he were still lying in bed. When it doesn't kill him, it seems like the whole time frame of the universe is now off kilter and no airplane has reported the loss of an engine.

Donnie meets Gretchen Ross (Jena Malone), the new girl at his school who is attracted to him. It seems she comes from a troubled home who's mother has been abused by her father and the two share something in common, the rebellious English teacher Karen Pomeroy (Drew Barrymore). A self-help guru expert (Patrick Swayze), tries to evaluate Donnie.

Frank constantly visits Donnie and gets him to do things like flood the school so a certain event will take place as a consequence. In a series of intertwining story lines that deal with the concept of time travel through worm holes, and the meaning of life, Frank will help Donnie set the universe back in balance again.

2002 - Donnie Darko - Toronto Film Critics Association - Special Citation

Newmarket Films
Director: Richard Kelly
Writer: Richard Kelly
Producers: Nancy Juvonen, Adam Fields

I viewed 5/07

The Cooler (2003) R - 3 Stars

I'm beginning to really like the versatility of William Macy's acting. Here he plays a "cooler" someone that once placed next to a winning gambler, will suddenly cool them off and they'll start to loose. He's the best the casino's got until he falls in love with a waitress and the two almost are killed defying their boss.

Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) absolutely sucks at gambling. He has an extremely high debt with the Shangri-La Las Vegas casino of about $100,000 dollars. Bernie and the operations director / mob boss Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), have an agreement that Bernie will cool off anyone who has started to win big in the casino. It just happens naturally whenever Bernie gets close to another player or tries to gamble himself. His future is bleak, as he's been the cooler in this casino for years now. He's almost paid off his debt and when he meets cocktail waitress Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello).

Natalie doesn't really consider Bernie for much of anything till he defends her honor one night. She rewards him with a night of anything goes sex, and now looks at him in a whole new way. Bernie falls instantly in love with her and as soon as she starts to love him back, his luck improves as does the outlook of his life. Not being able to cool off players anymore, he wants to leave town with Natalie and start a new life. But Shelly can't let him go that easily and blames Natalie for his new stroke of luck. The couple must fight for their love and get out of Vegas at any cost.

Awards:

2003 - The Cooler - National Board of Review - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
2003 - The Cooler - National Board of Review - Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking

Lions Gate Films
Director: Wayne Kramer
Writers: Frank Hannah, Wayne Kramer
Producers: Sean Furst, Michael Pierce, Lulu Zezza

I viewed 3/08

Ice Spiders (2007) R - 2 Stars

An experiment goes wrong in the Lost Mountains of Utah. Spiders DNA is being manipulated hormonally and these, now extra large spiders, are attacking and tormenting the town. Pretty cheesy but heck I guess I've seen worse in a Sci-Fi.. The graphics need to be a whole lot better but it's not the worse movie I've seen.

A group of Olympic hopefuls are at the Lost Mountain Ski Resort to train. Olympic skier (Patrick Muldoon), is there to help them out and offer any pointers. But their lessons are interrupted when a swarm or enormous spiders invade the ski lodge.

Scientist (Vanessa Williams) has been working on a government project extracting DNA from spiders and finding ways to genetically alter their size. Now, these spiders have grown way too big and have broken out of her lab, invading the town below. It's a race against time to stop these before they eat the entire town.

I watched 11/07

The Game Plan (2007) PG - 4 Stars

I thought this was going to be a silly movie but gosh I really liked it. The story line brought out a lot of my emotions and Madison just couldn't be cuter. All around good acting and a great family film with something for everyone. Kyra Sedgwick does a good job playing Stella Peck, Joe's manager, who definately can't score a touchdown with children. It's not just another football movie, but pretty funny with a great lesson to be learned.

Joe Kingman (Dwayne Johnson "The Rock") is the quarterback of The Rebels from Boston, about to enter the playoffs. Not only is he the star player but he has every modern gadget, a great sports car, fantastic pad where parties happen all the time, and any woman he wants. He really has gotten to the point in his life where he has it all. Life is going perfect for Joe until a knock at the door.

A long lost love Karen (Paige Turco), sends her very mature seven year old daughter Peyton (Madison Pettis), to the door of Joe. She arrives with a small suitcase and claims Joe is her father and she needs to stay with him. She come complete with proof and Joe has no choice but to allow her in. Really throwing a wrench into Joe's wild party life, he must give up his bachelor days for tea parties, ballet classes, and bedtime stories. Young Peyton tries her hardest to make Joe like her but it seems she keeps screwing up till Joe finally realizes the most important things in life he will discover from this one pint size little girl.

Buena Vista Pictures
Director: Andy Fickman
Writers: Kathryn Price, Nichole Millard
Producers: Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray

I viewed 2/08

Red Dust (2004) R - 2½ Stars

The movie had the potential to be better but still a touching story of one mans fight against a nation. Problem was, even though you felt for Alex and joined his side against the racist officer, his lawyer seems out of place. It just wasn't that exciting of a movie to me.

In 1986, social activist ANC freedom fighter Alex Mpondo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) was tortured and beaten while in custody. He still bares the scars of the brutality Dirk Hendricks (Jamie Bartlett) a police officer, inflicted upon him. All he was trying to do was stand up for his right of equality. Alex returns to his home town in South Africa to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission against amnesty for Hendricks.

In 2000, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TARC) was formed to give amnesty for those who stepped forward and told the truth of their wrong doings. But they must tell the whole truth, no matter what the consequences.

Sarah Barcant (Hilary Swank), a big city New York lawyer and Human Rights Activist, who has also returned back to her homeland in South Africa, decides to represent Alex to uncover the fate of his friend who has gone missing.

Videovision Entertainment
Director: Tom Hooper
Writer: Troy Kennedy Martin
Producers: Anant Singh, Ruth Caleb, David M. Thompson

I viewed 5/07

10th & Wolf (2006) R - 3½ Stars

Based on the true story of Special Agent Joseph D. Pistone of the F.B.I., otherwise known as "Donnie Brasco" getting a family member's help to take the mob. The movie has a good cast of actors and the intensity is high, especially if you like gangster type movies. Pay attention, there's a lot going on in the beginning of the movie, it's a bit gory but after all it is a gangster movie and the meat locker is a cool scene. Worth the money on a rental.

Tommy Santoro (James Marsden) grew up within the Philadelphia Mafia. By the time he had turned 12, he knew what his father did for a living. And after he saw his father shot dead outside his house, he knew he didn't want to be a part of this life. Tommy's brother Vincent (Brad Renfro) and his cousin Joey (Giovanni Ribisi), join into the the family business, while Marine Sgt. Tommy went off to serve in Operation Desert Storm. When Tommy assaults an MP and steals a jeep, he is arrested and thrown in military jail. It is behind bars where he meets a corrupt agent Horvath (Brian Dennehy) with the F.B.I.

Horvath threatens to put Tommy away for years unless he becomes an informative against his family. He would have to blend back in and gain their trust, keeping the F.B.I. informed of and transactions. Tommy doesn't want to betray his family but also knows he doesn't want to end up the way his father did so he reluctantly agrees.

Once back in Philadelphia he gets back in touch with his brother and cousin and soon finds open arms await him in joining into the business. He learns Vincent is in way over his head and Joey has been trying to make a name for himself. But when a wire is found, and the mob suspects Tommy of wrong doing, he'll be in for the fight of his live to save Joey and Vincent.

THINKFilm
Director: Robert Moresco
Writer: Robert Moresco
Producers: Suzanne de Laurentis, Leo Rossi, Suzanne DeLaurentiis

I viewed 5/06

The Corner (2000) Disc Two NR - 3½ Stars

The Corner is a documentary that follows a family of three and the people that surround their lives, followed and documented for one year. This neighborhood is in some of the darkest ghettos of Baltimore Maryland and disc two is split into three episodes, each focusing on the groups of people united by their addictions. Originally made for an HBO mini-series, the collection is a two disc set showing the struggling lives of families and what they confront living in the inner cities. The acting is great, believable and assures me I'll still never be addicted to the big "H" heroin.

The fourth episode entitled "Dope Fiend's Blues" centers on Fran's group she lives with. Their days and nights are planning to see who can come up with the score for the evening. Gary compares his life to a vat of crabs awaiting the kill. As one tries to climb out and save himself, the others do whatever they can to pull him back down. He remembers the days when he had everything and gave willingly to his friends who all took advantage of it but didn't want to see him get ahead. This episode, Fran has finally been accepted at the rehab center and Gary and DeAndre visit her through the fence. She finally will put an end to her habit and walks out 28 days later a free woman. Free from drugs that is. She visits the old gang who admire how well she looks but she tells them she can't go inside or stay there anymore. And like the vat of crabs, deep inside they all want to see her fall back inside. Instead, she gets a house with a room for both her children and the three become a real family again.

The fifth episode entitled "Corner Boys Blues" focuses back on DeAndre and his new responsibilities he must now take on as he prepares for fatherhood. His girlfriend is pregnant and not having an abortion and even though the two are feuding over a jealousy issue, DeAndre wants to step up to the plate and be a better father than he has known from his own dad. He tries to get a job at Wendy's but can't seem to keep up with the pace of wiping tables and emptying the garbage. Her briefly returns to selling on the street just to stay caught up. But when the boys in his hood are threatened from their corner, he must decline to stand ground. Now Fran has hooked up with a guy from her drug meetings and is about to move in the house. This guy comes off thinking he is DeAndre's dad which is not going over well. Gary is out of work as crab season is over and he's hurting for dope. When he runs into Fran, she tells him he is about to become a grandfather. Gary sees how well Fran is doing, but he knows he must get going as he's on the hunt for his next fix.

The sixth episode entitled "Every one's Blues" focuses on everyone in the neighborhood. Ritta has her baby boy Dante from DeAndre even though DeAndre acknowledges it's his, he's gone back to the corner to make a quick buck. One of the neighborhood addicts "Blue" has sought help at the rehab center and is now to this day (of the filming) clean 6 years. Fran unfortunately can't handle life with her new boyfriend Marvin, who ends up stealing everything in their kitchen for his next fix. Till Fran find herself on the streets, though on momentarily, relapsing and to this day (of the filming) has now been clean again four years. Gary finally dies in his family's basement of an overdose leading to a heart attack. And at the end of the movie we get to finally meet the true stars of our show, Fran, Blue, Ritta and DeAndre who are all clean now and DeAndre has even taken responsibility for his child. Ritta attends college and has her own place and a good job, but most of the players in our story have all passed on. The theme of this episode was that being an addict is the hardest job in the world. Staying sober is the easy part once you cane look at the big picture and rescue yourself.

2000 - The Corner - Academy of Television Arts and Sciences - Outstanding Miniseries

HBO Films
Director: Charles S. Dutton
Writer: David Simon
Producer: Antonia Ellis

I viewed 6/08

The Corner (2000) Disc One NR - 3½ Stars

The Corner is a documentary that follows a family of three for one year. This family lives in the ghettos of Baltimore Maryland and disc one is split into three episodes, each focusing on one family member. Originally made for an HBO mini-series, the collection is a two disc set showing the lives of families and what they go through living in the inner cities. The acting is great, believable and assures me I'll never be addicted to the big "H" heroin.

The first Episode entitled "Gary's Blues" focusing on the father Gary McCullogh (T.K. Carter). Gary grew up in this neighbor and even once worked at the local corner drug store. Times were different then and Gary managed to stir clear of drugs and build a successful life for him self. When his girlfriend Fran Boyd (Khandi Alexander), became pregnant, the three joined as a family to welcome in DeAndre (Sean Nelson). Gary had it all, money, great home and car but lost everything to drugs. The once elegant home he lived in has now been replaced with sneaking into an abandoned building to sleep at night. At the age of 34, Gary has been using heroin for 4 years now and even though he's found his way in and out of jail, he continues to use. This once successful business man is reduced to stealing copper piping or taking money from his son, to score some dope.

The second episode entitled "DeAndre's Blues" focuses on the young son now at the age of 15. He was probably too small to remember a lot of how nice his home and family life was as now he sells drugs and skips school to get by. You can't blame him really for his life style as both of his parents are users. He's tried a few times to do the right thing by staying in school and actually participating giving a speech from Martin Luther King at a class presentation. He even got a job at a crab market but his allergies to shell fish having him sweeping the floor for $4.10 an hour. He's not down for this new lifestyle change and goes back and forth to the streets in search of loyalty from his friends and a quick buck. He'd love to have things the way they used to be with two sober parents at home, but he's excepted that pushing the drugs to people like his parents, is the only way to afford the things he needs to survive.

The third episode entitled "Fran's Blues", focuses on the mother who seems to be calling most of the shots in this families life. Fran has been doing drugs for a long time of her life but really got hooked on heroin after her sister Darlene died. She stays with three other family members now so the rent can be split 4 ways to have money left over for her addiction. She's love to blame the rest of the world for her problems, but contends that she's always been a mother for son DeAndre, puts a roof over his head, clothes and feeds him and supports him for staying in school. She's almost accepted the fact that things are never going to be good again for her and instead stays on top of the hustle of the people in her neighborhood. Even she remembers how it used to be. Her brother has gotten sober, 6 years now, and Fran finally decides what she needs to do. She arranges to check in at a 28 day rehab program. She's even excited about becoming clean but when she gets there, her hopes are lost as they inform her no beds for another week. She returns to her home and back to her life of drugs.

2000 - The Corner - Academy of Television Arts and Sciences - Outstanding Miniseries

HBO Films
Director: Charles S. Dutton
Writer: David Simon
Producer: Antonia Ellis

I viewed 6/08

High Crimes (2002) PG13 - 3½ Stars

I thought this was a pretty high intense drama where what you think is real, is not. And then when you are convinced it's something else, it's not that either. Morgan's hair needs to be addressed though. It's a good movie and definitely worth the rental.

Claire (Ashley Judd) and Tom Kubik (James Caviezel) live in a really nice home just outside of San Francisco's city limits. Claire, a defense attorney at a major firm, seems to have a pretty nice life but the one thing she wants she can't have is a baby. But things go terribly bad, when a break in in their home unleashes an routine investigation.

Claire and Tom are out walking when suddenly surrounded, Tom is taken into custody on a murder charges. They keep referring to Tom as Ron Chapman. Claire is completely confused and attempts to make bail on her husband but the military is convinced he is Ron Chapman an ex-marine, that murdered 7 Innocent victims in the 1980's in El Salvador. She enlists the help of Charles Grimes (Morgan Freeman), an ex-Army judge who's makes it known he has a bone to pick with the military.

Tom finally tells his wife the truth that he really is Ron Chapman but needed to change his name because a powerful general (Bruce Davison), was trying to pin the crimes on him. He tells Claire that he didn't do it but was the work of another solider under direct orders of the general. Every time Claire starts to trust in what her husband says, the story changes again and gets even worse.

Embry (Adam Scott ) is assigned to the case and the four take on the military bureaucracy. It seems that 6 witnesses that are called to trial suddenly start disappearing or show up murdered. Hold on for a twisted change of events at the end that will have your jaw dropping.

20th Century Fox
Director: Carl Franklin
Writers: Yuri Zeltser, Cary Bickley
Producers: Arnon Milchan, Janet Yang, Jesse B'Franklin

I viewed 5/07

Down in the Valley (2005) R - 2½ Stars

A cowboy from South Dakota in the valley of Los Angeles, falls in love with a girl against her fathers wishes. I actually liked this movie and started to get into it and feel it could have been such a better production if more direction were considered along the way. I love Edward Norton's character and actually all do a great job of acting but some scenes are flawed and some drag on. There is no chance to interact on any deep level and pull you into the characters. But WOW, check out the gas station prices just 3 years ago, $2.19 a gallon, $4.59 here in L.A. now.

Tobe (Evan Rachel Wood) 18, is a young teen on the way to beach with her girlfriends. They stop to get gas where a good looking cowboy Harlan (Edward Norton), gives them full service. The girls flirt with Harlan who tells them he is just here from So. Dakota and never seen the beach before. Tobe suggests he come with them and without a second thought, Harlan quits his job and jumps in their car. Though there is quite a difference in their ages, Tobe and Harlan immediately hit it off. She loves the romantic and simple ways that this cowboy speaks and he is drawn to her by her innocent and sexuality.

Tobe's father Wade (David Morse), is the sheriff of a town in California's San Fernando Valley and he doesn't approve of this love affair between his 18 year old daughter and a 30 something cowboy. He's a single parent doing his best to raise two children but Tobe refuses to allow her domineering dad to stop her from seeing this boy who has awoken her. Soon she will question and slightly become leery of Harlan when the two go horseback riding and end up being confronted by gun toting Charlie (Bruce Dern), a local rancher Harlan has borrowed the horse from. It seems Harlan has told Tobe he got the horse from his old friend Charlie, who in actuality has never seen or met Harlan before. This makes her wonder if there's more to Harlan then he in letting on but she just can't agree that maybe her father was right. When she catches Harlan teaching her little brother Lonnie (Rory Culkin), how to shoot with a hand guns, she still tries to hold on to the one thing that has taken her away from her solitude.

Wade threatens Harlan to stay away from his daughter, Lonnie becomes more intrigued and starts to look up to Harlan and Tobe rebellious behavior grows to unearth their already unstable household.

THINKFilm
Director: David Jacobson
Writer: David Jacobson
Producers: Stavros Merjos, Adam Rosenfelt, Holly Wiersma

I viewed 5/07