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)

The Resident

Hilary Swank, Lee Pace, Christopher Lee, Jeffrey Dean Morgan -- Same old thing - A tenant (Hilary Swank) and a creepy landlord (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). I couldn't wait until it was over. Lee Pace was the boyfriend. The landlord looked like Javier Bardem (without the talent). I would rate it 2 1/4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

The Violent Kind

Cory Knauf, Joe Egender, Taylor Cole, Mackenzie Firgens, and Samuel Childs as "Murderball" - A really strange movie. A biker gang meets up with rockabillies from the 1950s. Oh, and the rockabillies time-traveled. More confusion. I think there was a spaceship at the end of the movie. It was so bad it was good! I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

Passion Play

Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox, Bill Murray, Kelly Lynch, Chuck Liddell, Brian Doyle-Murray - A down on his luck trumpeteer (Mickey Rourke), has a falling out with a local mob boss (Bill Murray). Murray orders a hit by a bad guy (Chuck Liddell) on Rourke. Something goes wrong with the hit and Rourke escapes. He meets Megan Fox in a carny show. That is all I am going to tell you about it - you need to watch the movie. I liked it! I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

The Winning Season

Sam Rockwell, Rob Corddry, Margo Martindale - A chronic alcoholic (Sam Rochwell) coaches a high school girl's basketball team. Along the way to the state championship, he teaches them about life. Pretty good! I would rate it a 4 3/4 out of 5 stars.  (2009 - PG-13) 

Casino Jack

Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz - About Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey), a Republican's Republican, and how helped get Bush (both father and son) get into the White House. Along the way, he helped fleece the Native Americans out of millions. A true story. You have to see it to believe it. I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)  

Teenage Paparazzo

Adrian Grenier, Austin Visschedyk - Adrian Grenier (Entourage) takes a look at teen paparazzo, Austin Visschedyk. What ever it is, I don't get. I mean come on---Paris Hilton. True story. Still, I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - NR)

Kill the Irishman

Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Bob Gunton, Tony Darrow, Vinnie Jones, Tony Lo Bianco, Steve Schirripa, Paul Sorvino, Mike Starr - Almost the exact same cast as "Goodfellas". About a Irish "wiseguy" in Cincinnati during the 1970's. "Goodfellas" was more believable (despite having Christopher Walken in the cast). I would give it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars.  (2011 - R)

How Do You Know

Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Mark Lynn-Baker, Kathryn Hahn, Tony Shalhoub - After being cut from USA softball team, a thirty year old woman (Reese Witherspoon) takes stock of her life. After hooking up with a major league ballplayer (Owen Wilson), she fings herself strangely attracted to a out-of-work corporate shill (Paul Rudd). For the first hour, it dragged. But for the second hour, it was all right. I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - PG-13)

Music Within

Ron Livingston, Michael Sheen, Hector Elizondo, Rebecca De Mornay, Marion Ross, Clint Howard, Leslie Nielson - A true story of Richard Pimentel, who championed disabled rights from the early 1970s intill today. I thought it was awe inspiring. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.  (2007 - R)

The Savages

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney, Philip Bosco - About a man (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his sister (Laura Linney), and the decisions they must go through when an eldely, abusive father gets dementia. It was quite good. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.  (2007 - R)

Made in Dagenham

Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Richard Schiff, Rosamund Pike - The true story about how the women struck the Ford plant in Dagenham, England for equal pay rights back in 1968. It was very interesting. Sally Hawkins is always good. I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.  (2010 - R)

Meskada

Nick Stahl, Rachel Nichols, Jonathan Tucker - A B-Movie actor's dream. Nick Stahl (Terminator 3, Sin City), Rachel Nichols (GI Joe: A Rise of Cobra, Star Trek), Kellan Lutz (Twight (all 3 pictures), Nightmare on Elm Street), Jonathan Tucker (The Ruins, Hostage), and Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints (both movies), Pandorum). Not quite a-list actors. I watched it twice, and was confused by it both times. A couple of burglars (Jonathan Tucker and Kellan Lutz) kill a young kid when they burgle a house. The whole town wants to keep it quiet. A couple of police detectives (Nick Stahl and Rachel Nichols) want to crack the case. I was very confused by all of the it. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

Guncrazy

Drew Barrymore, James LeGros, Billy Drago, Michael Ironside, Tracy Walter - A remake of the 1949 Film Noir "Gun Crazy". This time, it was just like "Badlands" (Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek), only not as good. Anita (Drew Barrymore) starts a penpal relationship with Howard (James LeGros), who is serving time. Anita convinces Reverend Hank to offer a job to Howard when he gets out of prison. Howard marries Anita but then Anita kills a sheriff. The two of them go on the lam. It wasn't good. I would rate it a 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1992 - R)

Straw Dogs

Dustin Hoffman, Susan George - A Sam Peckinpah film. A man (Dustin Hoffman) and his wife (Susan George) hire a crew to install a roof. The rest of it is just gibberish to me. The only good Sam Peckinpah (I think) is "The Getaway" starring Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw. Tedious at best. I would rate it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. (1971 - R)

Unstoppable

Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Dunn, Ethan Suplee - A true story about a runaway train! Check out the real story on the web (CSX #8888 in Ohio). I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG-13)

Invasion U.S.A.

Dan O'Herlihy, Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill, William Schallert, Edward G. Robinson, Jr. - An Army invades the United States in the name of "the People's Revolution". Department of Defense hogwash - but good fun! If you want to see a good film, see "Red Dawn" starring Patrick Swayze and Powers Boothe. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (1952 - NR)

My Soul to Take

Max Thieroit, Emily Meade - It was so stupid, I couldn't even make it to the 30 minute mark. Awful!!!! About some teenage kids (16 going on 30), and some crazy serial killer guy. Directed by Wes Craven. I would rate it 1 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Lauren Graham, Jim Gaffigan, Jeremy Davies, Aasif Mandvi -- Being a teenager is too much of a shock for a 16 year old, Craig (Keir Gilchrist), and so he checks himself in to a mental health ward. One of the patients he meets there, Bobby (Zack Galifianakis), sets Craig on the right path. I really liked it. I would give it 4 1/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG)

Love and Other Drugs

Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, George Segal, Jill Clayburgh -- A drug representative (Jake Gyllenhaal) develops a conscience. Yada, yada, yada. Definitely a chick flick. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

Wild Targets

Emily Blunt, Bill Nighy, Rupert Grint, Martin Freeman -- An art forger (Emily Blunt) rips off the wrong guy. A hitman (Bill Nighy) is sent to find her. Further hijinks prevail. It was okay. Light English comedy. I would rate it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - PG-13)

Rubber

Wings Hauser, Roxane Mesquida, Ethan Cohn, Jack Plotnick -- A tire (that's right, I said a tire) named Robert, goes on a killing spree. I think it was horror, but on the light side. I really liked it! The picture is just before Robert kills the hotel maid. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. (2010 - NR)

Never Let Me Go

Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Sally Hawkins, Charlotte Rampling -- Boys and girls grow up to be replacement parts for the adults. I would rate it 3 3/4 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

127 Hours

James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, Treat Williams --True story!! Aron Ralston (James Franco) went to a particularly rugged path to go walking. On his way down, a rock slips and pins his arm. No matter how he tries, he can't get it out. On the fifth day he gets up the courage, and takes off his arm to get free. The last 15 minutes of it were both scary and good. He even got a picture of his hand without the arm before he left. You should go ahead and see this movie! I would rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. (2010 - R)

Birdemic: Shock and Terror

Alan Bagh, Whitney Moore, Rick Camp -- Possibly the worst motion picture of all time! Wooden actors, crappy sets, and a plot line that was unbelievable. And let's talk about the birds.... they were airbrushed in. That is why I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. Joel McHale, the host of "The Soup", told the viewers about this one last week. I couldn't wait to see it. It made no sense. You should see it! Like I say, 4 out of 5 stars. (2008 - NR)