The Conversation

NetFlix: Gene Hackman set the standard for 1970s film acting with his portrayal of Harry Caul, a surveillance expert obsessed with his privacy. A past mistake -- and the fear that he may repeat it -- haunts Caul. The Conversation benefits from tremendous supporting performances (especially that of the late, great John Cazale), excellent use of San Francisco locales and Walter Murch's sound editing.

Hmm...This was an OK movie. Reminded me of streets of San Francisco with Karl Malden, a hit TV show in the 70's. It was Coppola written and directed, so that certainly has some bearing and weight. I did enjoy the time (and effort) the director and story line took to develop. As the observer, I got a clear sense of why the protagonist did what they did and why. That simple fact seems missing in so many feature films these days.

Clay Pigeons

Death seems to follow Clay Birdwell (Joaquin Phoenix), a small-town Montanan who tries to end an affair with a woman (Georgina Cates) after her husband -- his best friend -- commits suicide. But when fast-talking serial killer Lester Long (Vince Vaughn) forges a friendship against Clay's will, the death toll climbs even higher. Now, a feisty FBI agent (Janeane Garofalo) has Clay in her sights as the prime suspect.

I'm going 4 stars on this movie. I found Vince Vaughn to be quite good in this role and frankly it would seem to be a stretch for him as he's always plays the screw off role in most movies I've seen. Anyway, interesting story line, good plot, funky twists, mildly bizzaro humor. Good movie all in all.

The Constant Gardner

This tale of political intrigue centers on Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a member of the British High Commission based in Africa, and his quest for truth. When his wife (Rachel Weisz, in an Oscar-winning turn for her supporting role) is murdered, Justin begins his own international investigation. Not even the rumors of his wife's affairs will stop him from uncovering the truth -- a conspiracy much larger and more dangerous than he'd imagined.

I don't remember a fucking about this movie. 2 Stars.

Good Night and Good Luck

NetFlix: George Clooney's Oscar-nominated docudrama pits TV newsman Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) against Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his single-minded crusade to quell the red threat at home. Despite corporate pressure to back off, Murrow and his CBS staff are determined to examine the lies and fear tactics perpetrated by McCarthy during his Communist witch-hunts. The impressive cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson and Jeff Daniels.

Me: Hmmm....Good movie. Interesting topic, interesting time period, interesting "view" into history (with some creative license thrown in) and some very interesting acting by David Strathairn, George Clooney and Jeff Daniels.

The Aviator

NetFlix: Martin Scorsese directs this Best Picture nominee about Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio), who turned a small fortune into a massive one by producing such classics as Hell's Angels, The Front Page, Flying Leathernecks and Scarface. He simultaneously branched into and transformed industry after industry, including aviation. Winner of five Oscars, including Best Cinematography, Art Direction and Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett).

Me: I gotta admit, I didn't know much about Howard Hughes, unless you count the Spruce Goose, however this was a totally typical Scorsese flick with his use of big cinematography and the classic split screen dialog where you see two charecters as they converse over bizarre topics.

Frieda

Netflix: Julie Taymor directs this Oscar-winning biopic of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), focusing on her often rocky relationship with husband Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). Also known for her controversial political and sexual reputation (she was a communist and a bisexual), Frida struggled with a life of wracking pain following an accident, the amputation of a leg, and finally, drug and alcohol abuse that killed her at age 47.

We dug this movie. I little on the long side, but an interesting story. The guy who played Doc Octopus in Spiderman was a great Diego Rivera. I would call this movie, worth the view.

Ned Kelly

NetFlix: Ned Kelly (Heath Ledger) and his brother Dan (Laurence Kinlan), the sons of an Irish pig thief, form a group of bandits called the Kelly Gang with two other men (Orlando Bloom and Philip Barantini). Tired of being mistreated due to his heritage, Ned roams the Australian Outback with his mob, robbing banks and evading police. First jailed at age 16 for stealing horses, Ned Kelly is most notoriously known for the battle at the Inn at Glenrowan.

Aussie style RobinHood flick...Geoffery Rush plays a great commander in this movie.

Hotel Rawanda

Amid the holocaust of internecine tribal fighting in Rwanda that sees the savage butchering of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children, one ordinary man (Oscar nominee Don Cheadle) musters the courage to save more than 1,000 helpless refugees by sheltering them in the hotel he manages. Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte and Joaquin Phoenix co-star in this powerful film (sort of an African version of Schindler's List) directed by Terry George.

Maybe the fact that this movie was a Netflix top 100, slanted my view and therefore I expected more. This was a good movie, with good acting, and a good storyline, but frankly nothing more. Don Cheadle's performance was quite stirring, but hell, how could you not envoke strong emotion and a convincing performance in this environment, even if it is on a hollywood set? I'm giving it 3 stars. Certainly worth seeing, but don't get your panties all raised up in a bunch over it, if you have panties, and if you do, if you can get them raised up in a bunch and if you can get the raised all up in a bunch, certainly don't do it over this movie.

The Motorcycle Diaries

Description: This film tells the incredible true story of a 23-year-old medical student from Argentina, Che Guevara (yes, that Che, played here by Gael Garcia Bernal), who motorcycled across South America with his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) in 1951-52. The trek became a personal odyssey that ultimately crystallized the young man's budding revolutionary beliefs. Based on Che's own diaries of the trip.

My Promulgation: This is one of a few movies I've reviewed that receives an unprecedented 5 of 5 stars. Why? Because I liked it, you dumbass. Why did I like it? Ahhh, that is a different question, taking pages to answer. I will give you a quick summary.

1. I love Argentina and Chile, and for that matter South America.
2. I love third world countries.
3. I love stories of adventure and travel.
4. I love foreign films.
5. I love stories that tell of life altering and defining events.

Rent it, you won't be disappointed.

Closer

Description: In this drama based on a hit Broadway play, Academy Award-winning director Mike Nichols exposes the ugly core hiding behind the slick veneer of the relationships of four beautiful people -- a photographer (Julia Roberts) and her boyfriend (Clive Owen), and a romantic (Jude Law) and his quirky beloved (Oscar nominee Natalie Portman). When two of them embark on an illicit affair, a cascade of betrayal ensues, questioning the very meaning of love.

My Promulgation: Hmmm. This was one of those "how weird can relationships be portrayed in a movie" kinda movie. Does everybody think Julia Roberts is a great actress? I think she's a one dimensional dud, and in this movie she doesn't disappoint. Seems like she "plays" the same role over and over and over. BORING. I give it 3 stars but I don't have a clue as to why. Oh I remember now. Natalie Portman (Uh Star Wars, you bozo) has some hot scenes and she's kinda cute....She made up for Julia (I cry @ congressional hearings, and can't really act) Roberts.

Dead Man

Only Jim Jarmusch could direct a Western like this: A poetry-loving American Indian mistakes accountant William Blake (Johnny Depp) for the English writer of the same name, while bounty hunters take Depp for a murderer. Jarmusch packs the film with an unlikely collection of castmates, including Iggy Pop, Gabriel Byrne, John Hurt, and Robert Mitchum in one of his last roles.

My Promulgation: John Depp is a great "freaky" actor. In this movie he doesn't disappoint. Too bad this was Robert Mitchum's last movie. The Iggy Pop char (and him) were not worth a chihuahua shit so it only got 3 stars.

Amores Perros

Director Alejandro González Iñarritu's internationally acclaimed debut film recounts three tales that unfold and intertwine on the brutal streets of Mexico City. Streetwise loser Octavio (Gael García Bernal) has an obsessive crush on his sister-in-law; Daniel (Álvaro Guerrero) dumps his family for a disturbed supermodel; and ex-guerilla El Chivo (Emilio Echevarría) cares for a wounded dog while planning an assassination

My Promulgation: I liked this movie. It was interesting and the story line appeared somewhat unique to me. I think it was subtitled so be sure you can read fast.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Eddie (Nick Moran) is usually slick with a deck of cards, but after losing at a fixed table for London high rollers, he's in massive debt to a local porn kingpin (P.H. Moriarty). Eddie's irate father (Sting) refuses to hand over his bar to save his son's fingers, leaving Eddie and his friends few options. To come out ahead, they craft a heist to steal the money from the criminals next door -- with overblown results.

My Promulgation: Totally like Snatch and this and that and whatever the fuck I can't remember those other similar movies. Worth a watch, but sure as hell won't change your life or alter your views on anything.

Primer

An engineer builds a machine (quite by accident) that can transport the user back in time. But his discovery comes with an ominous caveat, because at the heart of this puzzling device, nothing is as it seems on the surface. The narrative inventively blends a patchwork story line with overlapping streams of dialogue that help build tension and suspense in this Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner. David Sullivan and Shane Carruth star.

My Promulgation: This was a "hmmm... how did that work exactly" kinda movie. I enjoyed it.

Veronica Guerin

Veronica Guerin (Cate Blanchett), a real-life reporter for Dublin's Sunday Independent, delved into the netherworld of drug lords in pursuit of a great story -- but her zeal put her life in grave danger. Gerard McSorley and Brenda Fricker co-star in this Joel Schumacher-directed drama based on events in the acclaimed Irish journalist's life.

My Promulgation: This was an OK film….Little too "melodramatic" for my taste, but it was OK.

The Cooler

Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is the unluckiest man in Las Vegas. Looking to knock out their highest rollers, one of the last mob-run casinos in town uses Bernie as a "cooler" to defuse lucky streaks. The scheme goes along just fine until Bernie falls in love with a cocktail waitress (Maria Bello) who becomes his "lady luck," much to the chagrin of the casino's crooked director (Alec Baldwin).

My Promulgation: Nothing to inspirational in this flick staring Macy the guy who was in Fargo. It was OK.

The Man Who Wasn't There

Set in the summer of 1949 in a small northern California town, this film noir from the Coen brothers stars Billy Bob Thornton as Ed Crane, a barber who's dissatisfied with his life. His wife Doris's (Frances McDormand) infidelity presents him with an opportunity for blackmail that he thinks will turn his life around ... but his scheme lays bare even darker secrets that eventually lead to murder.

My Promulgation: The Coen brothers are known for making some odd flicks, and this is certainly one. Billy Bob and Frances McDormand are both pretty good in this dark little oddball flick. Flick Flick....Can I use that word any more in two sentences....Fuck...Anyway worth the view.

Collateral

Max (Oscar nominee Jamie Foxx) takes a job as a taxi driver to make ends meet, hoping to one day run his own business. Twelve years later, he's still driving the same cab and is about to have his craziest day on the job yet when he discovers that Vincent (Tom Cruise), who's just paid Max a handsome sum to be driven around all night, is a hit man. Now, it's up to Max to save the life of Vincent's final hit … while keeping his own life intact.

My Promulgation: I think Jamie Foxx is a pretty good actor. Even though I think Tom Cruise is a typical Hollywood goofball (can you say Scientologist?) and most of his movies suck, this one was OK.

Ray

This biopic tells the life story of rhythm and blues legend Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx, who won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal). Born to a poor family in Albany, Ga., Charles contracted glaucoma at age 6 (which robbed him of his eyesight) and nonetheless went on to become a world-famous pianist and performer. He dealt with racism, romantic letdowns and his own heroin abuse, but managed to triumph over all obstacles. Taylor Hackford directs.

My Promulgation: Good movie but did it deserve the TONS of hoopla it recevied? Nah. I'm giving it 4 stars since it was still pretty decent.

The Station Agent

When his only friend dies, a young dwarf named Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) relocates to an abandoned train station in rural New Jersey, intent on living the life of a hermit. But his solitude is soon interrupted by his colorful neighbors, which include a struggling artist (Patricia Clarkson) coping with the recent death of her young son and a talkative Cuban hot dog vendor (Bobby Cannavale).

My Promulgation: I dug this movie. Highly! It was an interesting story, with good charecters and ultimately a feel good, glad to have friends kinda flick. Check it out, it will make you smile.