Feeling Minnesota

NetFlix: Steven Baigelman makes his directing debut with this offbeat lovers-on-the-run yarn set in the rural Midwest. Drifter Jjaks Clayton (Keanu Reeves) returns home for the wedding of his brother Sam (Vincent D'Onofrio) to a woman(Cameron Diaz), who's only marrying him to pay off her debt to a gangster (Delroy Lindo). When Jjaks and the bride-to-be escape the nuptials together, Sam plans his revenge. Tuesday Weld appears as the boys' mother.

I'm going high on this quirkly little flick. The director has done nothine else and frankly this may be his one hit wonder, but a cute and quirky movie.

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.

Eddie Izzard: Circle

Actor-comedian Eddie Izzard stops in at New York City's Town Hall on his "Circle" tour, a hilarious and highly original one-man show that pokes fun at Charlton Heston, Darth Vader, Jesus, Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci and others. As always Izzard keeps his audience laughing by delivering a unique perspective that only his particular brand of no-holds-barred flamboyance can pull off.

Having now watched what was available for Mr./Mrs. Izzard, I have to say clearly his material and his delivery is becoming better and better. I'm no critic (or am I) but the harder I laugh, the better the rating. Simple and straightforward.

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.

Fido

Fido is a typical movie about the boy next door and his pet -- except in this case the loyal "pet" is a lumbering zombie named Fido (Billy Connolly). Problems arise when he breaks loose and noshes on the next-door neighbor, forcing owner Timmy Robinson (K'Sun Ray) into damage-control mode while he tries to persuade his parents (Carrie-Anne Moss and Dylan Baker) to keep Fido in director Andrew Currie's imaginative horror-comedy.

This movie was quite a weird little crack and everything we view in society. Do yourself a favor and rent it. It will twist your mind a little.

Garden State

Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff, who also directed) returns to his hometown in New Jersey after a decade away to attend his mother's funeral. Having just weaned himself off antidepressants, the young man begins to see his life in a new light, which leads him to confront his psychologist father (Ian Holm) and forge a connection with a new friend (Natalie Portman). This whimsical comedy premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Great little movie. 4 stars.

Code 46

In this futuristic sci-fi romance, William (Tim Robbins) is an insurance examiner whose company assigns him to investigate the use of papelles, fake travel insurance papers required by the strict government. Along the way, he meets Maria (Samantha Morton), the woman responsible for the phony papelles. Although he knows who she is, he engages in a fiery affair with her … but he'll have to end it within 24 hours, when his own papelles expire.

I dug this movie for it's little bizare story line and sci fi theme, which always will score points with me. I'll go 3 stars on this one.