Love Ranch

Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci, Gina Gershon, Taryn Manning, Bryan Cranston -- Marginally true story of the Mustang Ranch, in Nevada brothel, (in the story it is the "Love Ranch") and its owners Grace (Helen Mirren) and Charlie (Joe Pesci) Bontempo. Charlie buys a boxer's contract and starts training him at the Love Ranch. Grace ends up falling in love with the boxer. Despite all the stars, it was pretty slow going. Helen Mirren did all the acting in this movie. I am going to have to put it on my "do not see" list. I would rate it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

You Don't Know Jack

Al Pacino, John Goodwin, Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro -- The life and times of Jack Kevorkian. As usual, HBO Films was spot on in its portrayal of Dr. Kevorkian (Al Pacino). I thought it was an excellent film. Directed by Barry Levinson. You should see it! I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. (2009 - NR)

$5 a Day

Christopher Walken, Alessandro Nivola, Sharon Stone, Dean Cain, Amanda Peet, Peter Coyote -- I love Christopher Walken and have done so for over thirty years (I first saw him in "Annie Hall" by Woody Allen). This latest offering, "$5 a Day", is no exception. Walken plays a guy who exists on five dollars a day because he takes advantage of all sorts of free stuff (such as the free breakfast when it is your birthday at IHOP). He talks his son into going with him on a trip across the country. Further hijinks ensue. Sharon Stone is good as the "Babysitter". I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2008 - PG-13)

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

Gemma Arterton, Martin Compston, Eddie Marsan -- A really weird tale about a couple of guys and kidnapped heiress. Alice (Gemma Arterton) is held hostage by Danny (Martin Compston) and Vic (Eddie Marsan) for $2 million in ransom. The plot keeps sifting. I liked it. I have seen Eddie Marsan several times including "Sherlock Holmes", "Happy-Go-Lucky", and "Me and Orson Welles". I think he is a fine actor. I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2009 - R)

RKO 281

Liev Schreiber, James Cromwell, John Malkovich, Roy Scheider, Melanie Griffith -- The second movie I have watched in a month where the main character is Orson Welles. This time the plot revolves around his filming "Citizen Kane" and about William Randolph Heart's trying to stop the project. Another HBO film. I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1999 - R)

The Good, The Bad, and The Weird

Woo-sung Jung (The Good), Byung-hun Lee (The Bad), Kang-ho Song (The Weird) -- Remake of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" with a little of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" thrown in for good measure. In the 1930's, three outlaws battle the Japanese army and Chinese bandits for control of a treasure map. It was in Korean but I managed to get the gist of the thing. Awesome fight scenes! I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars. (2008 - R)

The Lightkeepers

Richard Dreyfuss, Blythe Danner, Bruce Dern -- All of the actors were flat! It was like they showed up at a place, read some lines, and then went home. It was all right, just not anything spectacular. The story is, Seth Atkins (Richard Dreyfuss) runs a lighthouse in 1912 Cape Cod. A stranger washes up on shore who has the same proclivity as Seth; he hates women. One day, a pair of vacationers, both women, show up next door. Come to find out, the woman is Seth's wife. Further merriment follows. The End. Harmless fun, but I wouldn't recommend it. I would give it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2009 - PG)

The Last Airbender

Noah Ringer, Aasif Mandvi, Dav Patel -- Based on "Avatar" series. I thought the best part was Aasif Mandvi (from the Daily Show") playing the evil Commander Zhao. A boy (Noah Ringer), the last of the Air Nomads, gets rescued by Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone). Commander Zhoa tries to stop them before the boy finishes training. Neat special effects, but I was bored with it. I would rate it 2 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG)

Malice

Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin, Bill Pullman, Bebe Neuwirth, George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft, Peter Gallagher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joshua Malina, Tobin Bell -- Exactly like "A Few Good Men", only a Doctor (Alec Baldwin) has the "God Complex", instead of Col. Jessup (Jack Nicholson). Especially in the "Discovery" scene in the movie. It was real obvious that Aaron Sorkin had written it. I liked the movie, but it was old hat. A college professor (Bill Pullman) and his wife (Nicole Kidman) sue a Doctor. From there, the plot gets more involved. I definitely think that it's one you should see, if only for the writing. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. (1993 - R)

Bare Knuckles

Jeanette Roxborough, Martin Kove, Chris Mulkey -- Like "Lionheart" with chicks. Samantha (Jeanette Roxborough) teams up fight promoter, Sonny (Martin Kove), and manager, Al (Chris Mulkey), to take on women's boxing (bare knuckle variety). Martin Kove was the "Sensei" of the "Cobra Kai Martial Arts Academy" in "The Karate Kid" movies (the one's with Mr. Miyagi in them). He went from bad to worse. Utterly pathetic. The bright spot is Trixie (Dana Reed), as one of the women boxers. I would rate it 2 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2009 - PG-13)

Hitler Meets Christ

Micheal Moriarty, Wyatt Page -- The two men, Hitler and Christ, discuss life in the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Written by Moriarty. I gave it a half an hour and then I turned it off. He was much better in "Pale Rider". I would rate it 1 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2007 - NR)

Changeling

Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Dovovan -- Directed By Clint Eastwood. True story. About the corrupt-ridden LAPD during the late 20s and early 30s. Jolie plays a woman desperately searching for her son after he is kidnapped. I think it is Eastwood's finest work. Much better on big screen. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. (2008 - R)

The Killer Inside Me

Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Ned Beatty, Simon Baker, Bill Pullman -- A West Texas sheriff is slowly unmasked as a psychotic killer. It take a lot of twists and turns in it. Kind of confusing, but still great. "Adult Fare" if ever there was one. The main character was off the wall. It held my interest.... for sure! I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. (2007- R)

Knocked Up

Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Martin Starr, Charlyne Yi, Joanna Kerns, Harold Ramis, Kristen Wiig, Alan Tudyk, Bill Hader, Ken Jeong, Craig Robinson, Mo Collins, B.J. Novak, Jessica Alba, Steve Carell, Andy Dick, James Franco, Eve Mendez, Ryan Seacrest, Dax Shepard -- I admit it.... I love this movie. Seth Rogen plays a schlub of a guy who impregnantes Katherine Heigl. The mirth continues. I especially liked Paul Rudd in the role of the brother-in-law. Best line of the whole movie: "I think you should get a shma-shmortion at the shma-shmortion clinic". I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. (2007 - R)

Flakes

Zooey Deschanel, Aaron Stanford, Christopher Lloyd, Keir O'Donnell, -- A novel idea ("cereals only" eatery) managed by Neal (Aaron Stanford) and owned by Willie (Christopher Lloyd). Neal's girlfriend (Zooey Desckanel) goes to work right across the street at another "cereals only" restaurant owned by Stewart (Keir O'Donnell). Further hijinks ensue. In the end, everything works out and the four go in to business together. The End. It needed more jokes and less angst. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2007 - NR)

Elephant

Timothy Bottoms, Alex Frost, Eric Deulen, John Robinson -- Gus Van Sant's fictional account of what happened at the Columbine High School massacre. I saw it right before I had my stroke, but I forgot it. An HBO film, that I admit I liked very much (although the "Steadicam" takes some getting used to). I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. (2003 - R)

She's Crushed

Natalie Dickinson, Henrik Norlen, Keith Malley -- Definitely rated R for gore! But I can watch all most anything. Takes unrequited love to the next step. But didn't the little boy learn never to go someplace with a stranger? Keith Malley was the officemate. He was a scream! P.S. I watched it during the day, I couldn't watch it at night. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2009 - NR)