50/50

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Philip Baker Hall -- A really good story about a person (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is in the middle of his fight with cancer, and his therapist (Anna Kendrick), who is just starting out. I liked how it ended. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - R)

Tabloid

Joyce McKinney, Kent Gavin, Peter Tory -- The true story of a beauty queen, a Mormon missionary, and  a kidnapping. You have to see it to believe it. I think the phase "bat-shit crazy" comes to mind. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

The Tree of Life

Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain -- First the dinosaurs came and then Brad Pitt happened....and then the world blew up. That's it. I would rate it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2011 - PG-13) 

Proof

Gwyneth Paltrow, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis -- Really, really good-looking mathematicians. An hour and forty minutes later, I got to see the credits. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2005 - PG-13)

Paranormal Activity 3

A Bunch of People I Hadn't Heard Before This -- Enough already. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)

In Time

Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Olivia Wilde, Vincent Kartheiser, Cillian Murphy, Johnny Galecki -- In the future, where everything is measured in time, it's the old "have nots" versus the "haves". Justin Timberlake is one of the "have nots" that goes though life a day at a time. Amanda Seyfried and Vincent Kartheiser (AMC's "Mad Men") are the "haves". Justin Timberlake kidnaps Amanda Seyfried and they start holding-up banks together (where the time is kept).  And yeah, there is a "Timekeeper" (Cillian Murphy) involved in the plot, also. It kept my interest. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)

Catch .44

Bruce Willis, Forest Whitaker, Shea Whigham, Malin Akerman, Brad Dourif, Nikki Reed -- A real "shoot 'em up" but the time it is about girls. Tas (Malin Akerman), Kara (Nikki Reed), and Tara are looking to rob a drug dealer at the behest of their boss, Mel (Bruce Willis). It turns into a real shooting match. Kind of like "The Usual Suspects". Forest Whitaker was awesome. Kara (Reed) is shot by Francine (Jill Stokesbury) who is shot by Jesse (Jimmy Lee, Jr.)  who is shot by Tara (Deborah Ann Woll) who is shot by Billy (Whigham) who is shot by Ronny (Whitaker) who is shot by Mel (Willis) who is shot by Tes (Akerman). I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)

Rampart

Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Ned Beatty, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi, Robin Wright, Anne Heche, Cynthia Nixon, Ice Cube - A person with the Rampart Division of the LAPD is one of a dying breed - a white, racist cop. All the stars in the universe couldn't save the film. It was awful. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)

Another Earth

Brit Marling, William Mapother, Kumar Pallana - In this one, a planet suddenly appears in orbit. It is called Earth Two. On the night that it appeared, a girl gets into a car crash that is her fault. Two people are killed in the other car. She goes to prison for four years. When she gets out, there is a contest going on. The winner is guaranteed a seat on the first mission to Earth Two. She wins, but there are scientists that say that Earth Two is a parallel universe. She gives her seat up to a friend. And so she gets to meet herself (quite literally). It was alright. I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)  

Melancholia

Kirsten Dunst, Kiefer Sutherland, John Herd, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Gainsbourg - Two hours and the earth blows up. The End. The last twenty minutes were interesting, but why the nineteenth hole on the golf course? I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)

Lbs.

Carmine Famiglietti, Michael Aronov, Miriam Shor, Sharon Angela - About a guy and his boyhood friend struggling with addictions - he to food, the other one to dope. They decide to go to Upstate New York, far away from the temptations of Queens. Once they are there, however, it is an uphill battle. I really enjoyed it. The only person I recognized was Sharon Angela (she played Rosalie Aprile on "The Sopranos"). I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.  (2004 - NR)

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)

Something Borrowed

Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Krasinski, Colin Egglesfield, Steve Howey, Jill Eikenberry, Geoff Pierson - A chick-flick - and not even a good chick-flick. Darcy (Kate Hudson) and Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) are best friends. Rachel is in love with Darcy's fiancée, Dex (Colin Egglesfield). Yada, yada, yada. Ethan (John Krasinski) is in love with Rachel. Meanwhile, Darcy is cheating Dex with Marcus (Steve Howey). You can't read the players without a score card. I had to turn it off at several points in the movie. I was getting brain freeze. All the people are too good looking - even the ugly ones. Watch it if you dare. I rated the movie at a 2 1/4 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)

The Bang Bang Club

Ryan Phillippe, Malin Akerman, Taylor Kitsch, Frank Rautenbach, Neels Van Jaarsveld -- Not what you'd think! A group of four photojournalists who covered South Africa when apartheid ended and there were two distinct partys - the African National Congress (Mandela's party) and the Inkatha Zulus. They were locked in a bitter and bloody dispute. They won several Pulitzer Prizes for photojournalism. It was interesting. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

Bridesmaids

Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, Jill Clayburgh, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Rose Byrne, Terry Crews, and Wilson-Phillips as themselves -- A couple of hours of "Penelope" (the women who always has "one-upmanship" about herself). I've seen funnier films. But the  dress fitting scene was priceless.   Kristen Wiig as the Maid of Honor. Kemper, McCarthy, Covey and Byrne as the Bridesmaids. And Maya Rudolph as the bride. I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - R) 

Everything Must Go

Will Ferrell, Christopher Jordon Wallace, Rebecca Hall, Laura Dern, Stephen Root, Michael Pena - A black comedy about an alcoholic (Will Ferrell) who loses his job and then comes home and finds his locks changed at his house. He take on a business partner (Biggie Small's son Christopher Jordon Wallace) and they proceed to sell everything he's got. I usually don't like Will Ferrell, but I liked him this time. Think of it as "Days of Wine and Roses" the 2011 version. I liked it. I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

The Perfect Host

David Hyde Pierce, Clayne Crawford, Helen Reddy - That's the same Helen Reddy who sang "I Am Woman" back in the 70s. A "perfect" vehicle for David Hyde Pierce. A punk (Clayne Crawford) robs a bank. He decides to go an the lam in the wrong house. What first is a meek and mild mannered host (David Hyde Pierce) turns out to be quite the opposite. Watch it and see what you think. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (Because it had you second-guessing). (2010 - R)

The Beaver

Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin, with Matt Lauer and Jon Stewart -- A guy starts acting crazy, so he decides to let a hand-puppet do his talking for him (hence the name "The Beaver"). In the end, he cuts off his arm. Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster were awful in this movie (and it was directed by her). I would only give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2011 - PG-13)

Meek's Cutoff

Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Bruce Greenwood, Will Patton, Michelle Williams, Shirley Henderson, Neal Huff, Tommy Nelson, and Rod Rondeaux as The Indian -- It was, to say the least, confusing. It is 1845 and a group of settlers get lost on the drive out West. They take an Indian hostage and make him take them for water. In the end, they set him free without finding any water. I was more confused at the end of the movie. And Shirley Henderson's voice is, well, irritating. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG)

The Nines

Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy (TVs "Mike and Molly), Hope Davis, Elle Fanning, David Denman (Pam Beesly's fiancé in "The Office"), Octavia Spencer  -- Purely and  simply, I don't get it. You will have to watch the movie. I know that it is divided into three novellas. And I knew that the actors play the same parts in all three adaptations. And I know that monkeys are sixes, humans are sevens, koalas are eights because they are telepathic and they control the weather, and Ryan Reynolds is a nine. That is what I got out of the movie. Like I say, you will have to watch it to understand it. I rated it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2007 - R)

Super 8

Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney, Dan Castellaneta (he plays "Homer" on "The Simpsons") -- Just like "E.T.". A creature wants to get home. Unfortunately, there are government "meanies" standing in the way (in this case, the Air Force). In the end, the creature gets to leave. Hey, whatever happened to the Chief of Police? It was alright for the Tweens, but I found it lacking. I would rate the movie 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)

Ironclad

Paul Giamatti, Kate Mara, Brian Cox, James Purefoy  -- About King John (Paul Giamatti) beginning a reign of terror after he signed The Magna Carta. I only watched it because Paul Giamatti was in it. Oh, and  Kate Mara was nice to look at, too. That's it! "In days of old, when knights were bold, (...put the next line in here...)"  I would rate it 2 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)

Source Code

Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Michelle Monaghan, Jeffrey Wright -- About a guy who lives the same 8 minutes over again and again. He is trying to find the person who placed a bomb on a commuter train outside Chicago. He has a secret. You will have to watch the movie to expose the secret.  I would rate it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2011 - PG)

Rabbit-Proof Fence

Kenneth Branagh, David Gulpilil, Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan -- A true story about three Aboriginal children walking 1,500 miles across the Outback to get home. This happened in the 1930s. It was quite good. I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  (2002 - PG)

The Adjustment Bureau

Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terence Stamp, Jon Stewart -- I haven't had so much fun since I saw "Inception". There's a world of "decision-makers" (led by someone called the "Chairman") who decide everything that you do. David Norris (Matt Damon) walks in on the "decision-makers" while they are making an "adjustment". He decides to go against the "decision-makers". I can't began to tell you what happens next. You'll have to see the movie. And I think it is the top movie of 2011. Trust me, you won't be disappointed, although I am disappointed that I didn't see it in the theater. (I think that the "Chairman" is Frank Sinatra.) I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)   

Peep World

Sarah Silverman, Kate Mara, Leslie Ann Warren, Rainn Wilson, Alicia Witt, Ron Pifkin, Michael C. Hall, Judy Greer, Lewis Black, and Stephen "Ned Ryerson" Tobolowsky -- Superior cast; inferior movie. About a guy who causes all kinds of havoc when he writes about his family. I couldn't wait for it to end. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - NR)

True Romance

Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Bronson Pinchot, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Conchata Ferrell, James Gandolfini, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Kevin Corrigan -- It's got it all. Romance, a double-cross coke deal, Mafia hitmen, and Elvis. I think it is my favorite movie of all time, and I can watch it again and again. Do yourself a favor and watch it. You will not be disappointed. I would rate it a 5 out of 5 stars. (1993 - R)

All Good Things

Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Frank Langella, Philip Baker Hall, Kristen Wiig -- Not very good. A guy kills his wife. He is rich as bejesus. In the end, he gets away with it. The End. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

Vanishing on 7th Steet

John Leguizamo, Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, Jacob Latimore -- I waited though the entire picture because I figured it would reveal the plot in the end. Fade to black.... I know that there are "ghost images" and most of the people are gone. But I don't know where. It was a very confusing movie. I didn't like it. I would rate it 1 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)    

Hobo With a Shotgun

Rutger Hauer, a bunch of people not as famous as Rutger Hauer -- I think that it says it all - hobo with a shotgun. A hobo comes into town and is met with an evel mob boss. So the hobo grabs a shotgun -- well, you know what take place. I wasn't sure which side to root for. I liked the bosses' two sons, Ivan and Slick. But still, it was awful. A "Troma Entertainment"  type of film ("Toxic Avenger", "Class of Nuke 'Em High", "Surf Nazis Must Die"). I would give it a 3 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2011 - R)

Mr. Nice

Rhys Ifans, Chloe Sevigny, Crispin Glover, David Thewlis -- The true story of Howard Marks, England's biggest drug smugger in the 60s and 70s. Kind of like "Blow", but without Johnny Depp. It was alright, but again, no great shakes. I would rate it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

Daydream Nation

Kat Dennings, Reece Thompson, Andie MacDowell, Josh Lucas -- A girl (Kat Dennings) moves from the big city to a rural town. A serial killer has the whole town terrorized. The girl accidentally kills the serial killer. The End. It was alright. I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R) 

The Firesign Theatre: Wierdly Cool

Philip Auston, Peter Bergman, David Ossman, Phil Proctor -- I remember The Firesign Theatre when I was high school. Here it is, 40 years later and they still make me laugh. From a 2001 version recorded live, it had "Nick Danger: Third Eye:, "Porgie Tyrebiter", "Return Him For Regrooving", and a bunch stuff that  brought a chortle to my lips. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.  (2001 - NR)

Ceremony

Michael Angarano, Uma Thurman, Reese Thompson, Lee Pace -- A guy (Michael Angarano) follows an ex-lover (Uma Thurman) to her wedding ceremony convinced that he can win her back. Cute. I would rate it a 3 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

Hot Coffee

Stella Liebeck, Colin Gourley, Oliver Diaz, Jamie Leigh Jones, Sen. Al Franken -- Heard the one about the woman that spilled hot coffee on herself and wound up settling with McDonald's for millions? Here's the true story about the case. I think you should all see this movie. (But then again I am a Liberal Democrat.) I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. (2011 - NR)

The Rite

Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer -- Just like "The Exorcist" only not as scary. A priest (Colin O'Donoghue) tags along with an exorcist (Anthony Hopkins) to see how it's done. Supposedly a true story. I would rate it a 3 out of 5. (2011 - PG)

In Her Skin

Guy Pearce, Sam Neill, Ruth Bradley, Kate Bell -- An Australian film. Starring the paleontologist in "Jurassic Park" and the guy who played Detective Exley in the film "L.A. Confidential". About a crazy girl (Ruth Bradley) in Australia who decides to murder a 15 year old next-door neighbor (Kate Bell). Disturbing but good. A true story.  I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.  (2009 - NR)

The Company Men

Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, Chris Cooper, Craig T. Netson, Eamonn Walker -- A guy (Ben Affleck) and a whole bunch of people get fired from a big company. Too bad, so sad. Eventually he finds another job. Actually, I liked it. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R) [ I guess it had too many swear-words in it] 

The Green Hornet

Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Edward James Olmos -- God-awful!!! The only reason I watched all the way though was the fact that it was in Blu-Ray. Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) and Kato (Jay Chou) pretend to be bad guys, while fighting for good. I thought the theme song was awesome.  I would give it a 2 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)

Barney's Version

Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Mark Addy, Scott Speedman, Rosamund Pike -- The adult life of a foul-mouthed producer (Paul Giamatti) of a network soap opera. I didn't like it, though the actors were top-notch. He gets Alzhelmer's Disease in the end. I would only give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - R) 

Burning Palms

Dylan McDermott, Emily Meade, Zoe Saldana, Shannen Doherty, Paz Vega, Nick Stahl, Jon Polito -- Five vignettes about life. I think I liked the one about the gay couple and their adopting a daughter best. Disturbing but good. Definitely worth an "R" rating. I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5. (2010 - R)

Gulliver's Travels

Jack Black, Jason Segel, Emily Brunt, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Meredith Vieira -- Gulliver (Jack Black) and the citizens of Lilliput. It was alright, thou no great shakes. I think the kids would have liked it more than I did. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG)

The Roommate

Minka Kelly, Leighton Meester, Billy Zane -- Think of it as "Single White Female" only without the talent. As per usual, the roommate is weird. Instead of it being about two women their late twenties, it is about two women (Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester) in their early twenties. Some stretch, huh. I gave it 2 1/4 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - PG-13)

Blue Valentine

Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams -- Awful. Absolutely awful. There is two hours of my life that I shall not get back. Even the scenery was awful! I'll give it 2 out of 5 stars (and I am being nice). (2010 - R)