Margin Call

Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Assiv Mandvi -- I admit it. I still don't how credit default swaps (CDS) work. I have seen the second film revolved around CDS in as many days, and to be honest with you, I still don't know how it works. Except that a lot of Wall Street people made a whole bunch of money and you and I get stuck holding the bag. Twenty-four hours within a "Bear Sterns" type of concern.  Again, excellent cast. I only saw it at home because there were no local theaters playing the movie. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - R)

Too Big to Fail

James Woods, William Hurt, Topher Grace, Cynthia Nixon, Edward Asner, Paul Giamatti, Billy Crudup, Michael O'Keefe, Bill Pullman, Tony Shalhoub, Matthew Modine, John Heard, Kathy Baker, Dan Hedaya -- About the bank failures back in 2008. The two main guys that were in it were Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke (Paul Giamatti) and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson (William Hurt). It was amazing how two actors looked so much like Bernanke and Paulson.  Kind of leaving the fox to guard the henhouse. An excellent cast. I would rate it 5 out of 5.  (2011 - NR)

Fireflies in the Garden

Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, Hayden Panettiere, Carrie-Anne Moss, Ioan Gruffudd -- A father (Willem Dafoe) is mean to his son (Ryan Reynolds). A lot of big names, not much action. An intellectual film (although Hayden Panettiere is nice to look at). I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.  (2008 - R)

Father of Invention

Kevin Spacey, Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville, John Stamos, Craig Robinson -- A telemarketer with some pretty big inventions (think Ron Popeil or Billy Mayes) goes to prison. When he gets out, he has to start all over again. He thinks of an idea, and is about to make it happen. It was all the right,though, again, it was nothing to write home about.  I have seen Kevin Spacey act better. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - PG-13)  

A Horrible Way to Die

A bunch of actors I know nothing about and a director that I hadn't heard of - I know, I know; having to watch the movie!!! Plenty of gore - not much else. A serial killer escapes and goes looking for his ex-girlfriend. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)  

Exporting Raymond

Philip Rosenthal - What happens to a successful American show when the commies get ahold of it. Amusing. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG) 

Red State

Michael Parks, Melissa Leo, John Goodman, Kevin Pollak, Steven Root, Ralph Garman, Patrick Fischler, Micheal Angarano - Another movie written and directed by Kevin Smith ("Silent Bob" in the "Clerks" movies). Exactly like Michael Moore including the wide girth. Kind of like the Westboro Baptist Church (God Hates Fags) only more sinister. The ATF gets involved and there is a Waco-like stance at the church. Good cast - horrible primus. Don't go out of your way to watch this. I would give it a 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)