Stop-Loss (2008) R - 4 Stars

Now here's a movie I sure didn't hear about when it came out but I really liked it. Great acting and really good story with deep compassion about what it must be like to return home after being beat up in a war. Ryan Phillippe is really good playing highly decorated soldier Brandon King. He's just returning from duty in Iraq where many of his fellow soldiers were ambushed, injured and killed. On the day he is suppose to be released from service, he's told he's been "stop-lossed" meaning he must go back to Iraq and serve another tour of duty, if not he'll be AWOL.

Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Philippe) is serving in the Iraq war and on duty using his watchful eyes in a city where at any time and from anyone - man, woman or child, he could find his life at risk. When he and his fellow soldiers are fired upon in the middle of the city, the two U.S. Humvee's follow in pursuit. As the men drive their trucks into the alley, they realize it's an ambush and three good men are lost in the battle as well as many civilians. Barely escaping with their lives, the soldiers are finally sent home where Brandon is decorated with the purple heart for saving Private Rico Rodriguez (Victor Rasuk), life. In front of friends and family, the men are honored as the try to blend back into their lives before Iraq. But for some of the young men, the sounds of war haunt them as they attempt to lead normal lives.

Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum) is Brandon's best friend and war buddy, engaged to Michelle (Abbie Cornish). When Steve begins displaying unusual behavior, digging a grave size hole in the front yard wearing on his underwear, Michelle calls Brandon for assistance. Tommy Burges (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), yet another affected soldier shows up at Steve's house and they all agree the three need a day alone to settle their heads. But scared by images, they find it harder to fit in and even sleep at night. Leave comes to a close and they return to base as today, Brandon is supposed to be released from the Army. Instead, he is told he's been "stop-lossed" and must return to active duty in Iraq. As he tells off a superior and ordered to the Brigg, Brandon can't live with thought of going back, overcomes his two escorts, and escapes in his Jeep. He's out but now considered AWOL and shows up at his parents ranch. Michele is there and offers to help Brandon by driving him as far away as possible. But hiding from the government is no way to live and Brandon must chose between loosing everyone he loves by fleeing the country or returning to duty where he might loose his mind.

Paramount Pictures, MTV Films
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Writer: Kimberly Peirce, Mark Richard
Producer: Kimberly Peirce, Mark Roybal, Scott Rudin

I viewed 3/09

One Last Thing... (2006) R - 3½ Stars

It's hard to mark this movie with comedy as part of it's label, but parts of it are purposely funny. But there nothing funny about terminal cancer and the movie has a nice way of ending, for this unfortunate teen living with a fast moving clock. I thought it was a charming movie and Angarano's character was well written to show the frustrations of knowing your fate.

Dylan Jameison (Michael Angarano) 16, has two large tumors growing in his brain that have been listed as terminal. He and his widowed mother, Karen (Cynthia Nixon), are trying to keep their spirits up and live each day the best they can. The "United Wish Givers" grants hears about Dylan and selects him to pick a last wish of anything he chooses. Dylan and his father uses to go fishing all the time and Dylan decides he would like to go fishing with his all time favorite football hero, Jason O'Malley. The stage is set and Dylan will appear with Jason on a local television broadcast as he accepts granting Dylan's last wish. But as Dylan is thinking about what he would really really like, he changes his mind during the broadcast and asks for something typical from a 16 year old boy; to spend a weekend alone with his fantasy girl, supermodel Nikki Sinclair (Sunny Mabrey).

Nikki's agent gets word of Dylan's request and thinks it would be a good way to help Nikki get back on the charts. She's been drinking too much, showing up late, and not being hired by many. This might be just the thing to help her career.

To his surprise, Nikki shows up at his door step while Dylan's too best friends, hormonal overloaded Ricky (Matthew Bush), and slightly more responsible Slap (Gideon Glick), are visiting. But she's gone as fast as she came, and Dylan feels let down. However, Nikki does leave her phone number in New York so Dylan feels he must fly there if he's to be with her. Against the advice of his mother, and with donated funds from Jason O'Malley, Ricky, Slap and Dylan head to Manhattan in search of finding Dylan he last final wish.

HDNet Films, 2929 Productions, Magnolia Pictures
Director: Alex Steyermark
Writer: Barry Stringfellow
Producers: Joana Vicente, Susan Stover, Jason Kliot

I viewed 3/09

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) R - 4½ Stars

I had to see what the hype was all about and got my copy as it came out on DVD 3-30-09. After seeing previews, my thoughts imagined more of a musical, but this is nothing like I was expecting. The movie, based on a true story, is not only gripping, but a truly realistic portrayal of a very colorful culture. The young children actors are amazing in their roles, especially to learn that most of them have never been in front of a camera before. It's fun, sad, tragic, romantic, and the outdoor toilet scene is wild. My only complaint is it took me a while to get the connection that the older Jamal was flashing back to his past. I recommend viewing with closed captions so you won't miss any of the dialogue as some scenes have rather heavy accents.

When an extremely poor boy from Mumbai, wins a large sum of money on a television game show, he's accused of cheating. Jamal has no formal education and his only knowledge is what he's learned growing up on the streets. But no one will believe that a slumdog from the streets of Mumbai, could possibly win any other way.

Jamal Malik nine, and his brother Salim, eleven, live life as street urchins, begging and stealing on the streets of Mumbai. They become orphans when their mother is killed in an attack on their village by a group of Muslim haters. Left to fend for themselves, they sleep where ever they can find shelter. Jamal is upbeat and always is looking on the bright side of his pitiful life. He views their plight more as an adventure, like being one of the three Musketeers, and he and Salim only make two. Latika, also age nine, has also been left to fend for herself and Jamal notices her and feels she's his destiny fulfilling the rank of the third Musketeer. He invites her to join them in shelter they have taken out of the weather, and the three become good friends. As they grow, they learn the hard truths of greed and child abusers, which cause their unfortunate lives to take separate directions. But Jamal (Dev Patel), now 18, believes in his destiny, enters and goes on to win 20 million rupees on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. He knows Latika is a fan of the game show and it's his hope she will see him. But first, his big problem will be convincing the show he didn't cheat and is only armed with his soul and the knowledge from his past life experiences.

The cast of children include:

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar - Jamal (youngest)
Tanay Chheda - Jamal (middle)
Dev Patel - Jamal Malik (older)
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail - Salim (youngest)
Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala - Salim (middle)
Madhur Mittal - Salim Malik (older)
Rubina Ali - Latika (youngest)
Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar - Latika (middle)
Freida Pinto - Latika (older)

Now check out these awards on top of the Oscar pick of 2008:

2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Unforgettable Moment Award
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Cultural Crossover Award
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Art Direction
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Chicago Film Critics Association - Most Promising Performer
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Dallas/Ft. Worth Film Critics - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Dallas/Ft. Worth Film Critics - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Florida Film Critics - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Florida Film Critics - Best Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Drama
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Houston Film Critics - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Houston Film Critics - Best Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Iowa Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Iowa Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Kansas City Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Kansas City Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - London Film Critics Association - Best British Film
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Board of Review - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Board of Review - Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Board of Review - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Society of Film Critics - Best Cinematography
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Cinematography
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Score
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Online Film Critics Association - Best Editing
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Breakthrough Performance
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Performance By a Youth - Male
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Editing
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Producers Guild of America - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Editing
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Cinematography
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Score
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Screen Actors Guild - Best Performance by a Cast
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Southeastern Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Southeastern Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association - Best Foreign Language Film
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Washington D.C. Film Critics Association - Best Picture
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: Simon Beaufoy
Producer: Christian Colson

I viewed 3/09

Nights in Rodanthe (2008) PG13 - 4 Stars

OMG, I haven't had tears in my eyes for a movie for a while now but this one got to me. Set in a beautiful sleepy town where everyone knows each other, a perfect selection to find that inner peace, both Adrienne and Dr. Flanner are in desperate need of. Lane is outstanding, and even though Geer has not been one of my favorite actors, I found he gave a convincing performance himself and they looked great together.

Adrienne Willis (Diane Lane), a woman living with her two children and separated from her husband, finds herself in need of a retreat, and with the father Jack (Christopher Meloni), taking the children for the weekend, she agrees to take care of her best friend Jean's (Viola Davis), bed and breakfast in the small coastal town of Rodanthe, North Carolina. When Jack comes to pick up the children, Danny (Charlie Tahan), and Amanda (Mae Whitman), he tells Adrienne that he wants to move back home. The children become wildly ecstatic about the possibility their parents will become a family unit again, but Adrienne isn't ready to just yet forgive Jack after he broke her heart to be with another woman. She hopes escaping to the inn for the weekend will help her find some tranquility that she so desperately is in need of. There will only be one guest that needs attending to.

Dr. Paul Flanner (Richard Gere), has come to the tiny town at the request of Robert Torrelson (Scott Glenn), who's wife died while undergoing surgery with Dr. Flanner. Dr. Flanner has been haunted by the images of Mrs. Torrelson as he strives for perfection and to be the best surgeon he can possibly be. He hopes meeting with Mr. Torrelson will help find closure for both of them. But with a hurricane about to make land, Dr. Flanner and Adrienne will find comfort in each others arms, sparking a romance between the two of them that will change their lives forever.

Di Novi Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: George C. Wolfe
Writers: John Romano, Ann Peacock, Ken Hixon
Producer: Denise Di Novi

I viewed 3/09

Empire (2002) R - 4 Stars

I really like movies starring John Leguizamo, not because I think he's a great actor, but his movies are usually right up my alley. He does a real good job playing a powerful Latino drug dealer from the Bronx, trying to give up selling drugs in exchange for playing with the big boys on Wall Street. It seems the grass is not always greener on the other side when Leguizamo finds out the hard way he's been scammed. I think Leguizamo's personal commentary throughout the film, works really well. The critics didn't like this movie much but I for one, strongly disagree. Have we seen this type of movie before? - Yes. Is it fairly predictable in many ways? - Yes. Is it entertaining and one great seductive psychological thriller? - YES!

Victor Rosa (John Leguizamo) considers himself an entrepreneur / businessman, while making cash selling a heroin mixed drug cocktail, he's aptly named, "Empire." The money is excellent and has given Victor the power and respect of the neighborhood. Basically he's a good guy that doesn't try to screw people over. Life is good for Victor and he's just bought his fiancee Carmen (Delilah Cotto), an expensive gift of diamonds. But Victor yearns to take his street smart talent for making money, to a higher legitimate business so he can be proud of what he does.

Carmen, a Baruch College student, has a friend at school named Trish (Denise Richards), and as the two start becoming close, Trish invites Carmen, and her fiancee, to a fabulous party her boyfriend Jack Wimmer (Peter Sarsgaard), is throwing for the upper elite. Victor and Jack hit it off and as they talk shop, Jack invites Victor to join in on a "sure deal" investment. Victor is eager to get to the next financial stage of his life and easily comes up with the million that's needed to buy in. In no time, Jack produces results with the money and Victor is convinced he's found a way to go legit. But as Jack entices Victor into the next business venture, it's more money than even Victor has and he must turn to drug dealer La Columbiana (Isabella Rossellini), for a loan. You better know what you're doing getting yourself into a deal with La Columbiana, as she is the last person you want to double cross. Victor gets the money to Jack, only to learn the next morning, Jack has taking him to the cleaners and left town. Now Victor, confronted with a high price tag to repay, must track Jack down to settle the score.

Arenas Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Director: Franc Reyes
Writer: Franc Reyes
Producers: Daniel Bigel, Michael Mailer

I viewed 3/09

Four Sheets to the Wind (2007) R - 2 Stars

One of the few films about and cast with American Indians it gives a combination of laughter and sadness and enormous sociocultural interest. I think the movie could have been so much better. It's not the low budget production as I thought that was done nicely with the money spent. However, the films direction, wasn't enough to keep me involved in the players lives.

Cufe Smallhill (Cody Lightning), is a Native America living on a reservation with his father in Holdenville, Oklahoma. When he finds his fathers dead body next to a pile of sleeping pills, he needs to make sure he honors his dad's wish by sinking his body in the family pond on the reservation. But traditional values lean towards putting dad in a normal coffin with a proper ceremony so Cufe is forced to load a donated coffin with watermelons and weights in order to fool. Instead with the help of some friends, Cufe fills the coffin with Registered Seminole who's part Creek, honors his fathers last wish when he finds his dead body. Dad's wishes were to be submerged in the pond. Cufe goes to Tulsa to spend time with his sister, Miri (Tamara Podemski). While knocking on her door, Miri comes in contact with Francie (Laura Bailey), one of Miri's neighbors. As the two become close, Cufe is beginning to think he life is turning around. But as he sees his sister's city life has her running around with different men and drinking all the time, he struggles to decide which of his lives are better.

2007 - Four Sheets to the Wind - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize for Acting

Indion Film, First Look
Director: Sterlin Harjo
Writer: Sterlin Harjo
Producers: Chad Burris, Ted Kroeber

I viewed 3/09

Snow Buddies (2008) G - 3½ Stars

If you have kids, you know Disney movies and just can't go wrong if a heartfelt adventure is in order. Snow buddies is no exception and you'll fall in love with these adorable K9's. The movie teaches kids the values of being kind to animals and pets. Good family adventure for all ages.

The cute and cuddly puppies from Air Buddies, Rosebud, Buddha, Budderball, B-Dawg, and Mudbud, find themselves in a new adventure in the icy world of Alaska. While looking for a tasty ice cream treat, they become locked in a container headed for Alaska. Here they meet new friends like a malamute named Shasta, and compete in a sled race and win. But it's not all fun and games as the puppies need to find their way back home.

Disney Studios
Director: Robert Vince
Writers: Robert Vince, Anna McRoberts
Producers: Robert Vince, Anna McRoberts

I viewed 3/09

Poison Ivy 4: The Secret Society (2008) NR - 2½ Stars

Made for TV, this is yet another loose sequel in the series. Can we stop now please? I suppose the allure of the movie, sexy college girls in compromising positions, might keep them coming back for more, I think if you've seen one, you've seen enough. Though the girls do a decent job of acting, the story still remains cheesy and appears like a slightly soft porn version of Mean Girls.

Danielle "Daisy" Brookes (Miriam McDonald), is a plain country girl going off to college. Leaving her steady boyfriend behind, she heads to New England to stat over. One thing she doesn't know is she's just walked into a den of manipulating women who run a billion dollar secretive feminist Ivy Society. These girls get what they want and have spotted Daisy dropping her luggage and being escorted by Blake (Ryan Kennedy), to her room. She doesn't know that Blake is the son of the Dean Graves (Catherine Hicks), and the well MANicured Professor Andrew Graves (Greg Evigan).

Daisy meets Azalea (Shawna Waldron) who is going after the same internship that Daisy is. Azalea heads up a clique of young femme fatales known as Ivy Society, and wants Daisy as a member so she can keep a closer eye on her. When Daisy refuses to become part of their group, a murder takes place that looks like Daisy committed. Azalea assures she can make it all go away if Daisy devotes herself to their society, or blow up in her face. Daisy's only hope at survival is to expose the Azalea and the other girls before she becomes their next victim.

Insight Film Studios, New Line Home Entertainment
Director: Jason Hreno
Writers: Michael Worth, Peter Sullivan, Liz Maverick
Producer: Lindsay MacAdam

I viewed 3/09

Chain Reaction (1996) PG13 - 3 Stars

Even though the movie stars Morgan Freeman, one of my favorites, unfortunately even he can't hold this one up. Rachel Weisz, though a good actress, her accent and demeanor just don't seem to fit with me. Scientist, yes, but with this group, no. The movie starts well with it's best scene, an explosion that Keanu Reeves must out ride, that you think this might be a good action packed adventure. But from that point on, the pace drags on and you loose connection with who's doing the chasing. Identification of the real bad guys is unclear and it's not clear if Freeman is a good or bad guy. Who are all these secret agencies? I've actually seen the movie twice now and it doesn't become any clearer. To me, the only memorable part is the awesome explosion at the start.

Eddie Kasalivich (Keanu Reeves), a bright student at the University of Chicago, is working with a team of other scientists, on a new fusion technology to turn water into clean energy. Paul Shannon (Morgan Freeman), is overseeing the project. One day while Eddie is working from home, he finds an audio frequency which causes his mini reactor to work. Overjoyed, he takes the concept to the lab to try it large scale. A celebration of the team is in order when the process succeeds. After drinking too much, co-worker Lily Sinclair (Rachel Weisz), allows Eddie to drive her home. When he returns to the plant to retrieve his motorcycle, he witnesses a van pulling away and hears the alarm from inside. Dr. Alistair Barkly (Nicholas Rudall), has been tied up and blindfolded and the fusion reactor is about to blow. Eddie barely has time to escape the building before it explodes reducing a large neighborhood to ruins. The president is notified and the FBI, headed by Agent Ford (Fred Ward), is called in to investigate. Eddie returns to Lily's house as it seems he is the one that has been framed for taking Dr. Barkly's life and disintegrating an entire town. The rest of the movie is the two fleeing for their lives as the FBI, tries to take them out.

Zanuck Company, The, Chicago Pacific Entertainment, 20th Century Fox
Director: Andrew Davis
Writers: J.F. Lawton, Michael Bortman
Producers: Andrew Davis, Arne Schmidt

I viewed 3/09

Three Bad Men (2006) NR - 2 Stars

This has got to be one of the cheesiest acting jobs I have ever seen. And not just out of a few, but from the entire cast. It would be as if I got a bunch of my friends together one weekend and said, hey lets make a western. While the concept of the movie is okay, nothing else went into it.

Three bank robbers, Frame Johnson (Chris Gann), Ed Fiske (George Kennedy) and Luther McKinney (John Dixon), are running from the law when they come across a man bleeding to death. Before he dies, he begs the men to help his wife who's been kidnapped by Dutch Henry (Mike Moroff) and his savage pack of outlaws. Knowing the woman will be harmed without their help, they decide to show they have a heart and honor the dying man's request.

THINKFilm
Director: Jeff Hathcock
Writer: Jeff Hathcock
Producer: Jeff Hathcock, Jerry Bestpitch

I viewed 3/09

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) R - 3½ Stars

Not a bad attempt at humor, Zack and Miri Make a Porno actually has some laughs as it touches you in your soft spot. Though fairly predictable, Rogen keeps the script rolling with his pretty funny one liners.

Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri Linky (Elizabeth Banks) are platonic friends living together in a financial demise. With their 2nd eviction notice at the door, they're about to be thrown out of their home. While Zack is at his 10 year high school reunion, he chats with an old schoolmate who has become a porno star. Zack decides desperate times call for desperate measures and suggests making a low budget porno himself to save financial ruin. With the help of friends, they begin auditions for their version of "Star Whores." When Zack and Miri make their naked debut, they discover a romantic love the two have kept suppressed all these years making their relationship, and their movie, a success.

Dimension Films, The Weinstein Company
Director: Kevin Smith
Writer: Kevin Smith
Producer: Scott Mosier

I viewed 3/09