The Road

— “The Road” was a very interesting look at a father trying to preserve an outmoded sense of right and wrong while moving among the few survivors of a cataclysmic event. Vigo Mortensen's performance is outstanding. A rather bleak tale, but then again, what else would we expect from Cormac McCarthy. Oddly, some of the images are also very beautiful in a world with no sun and very little color.

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[2009. 111 min. Directed John Hillcoat. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, and Kodi Smit-McPhee.]

The Messenger

— “The Messenger” is certainly not uplifting and nothing like Vietnam era films, but did a great job. The first half dragged for me and I certainly was happy to make it through the first hour and move into less subtle plot development. Great acting.

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[2009. 113 min. Directed Oren Moverman. Starring Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, and Woody Harrelson.]

Invictus

— Clint never disappoints me, rousing some part of me that needs to be touched every now and then so I know that forgiveness and reconciliation really are possible, and not just on a personal for on a group level. “Invictus” is also a good look at leadership done right, and a reminder not to strive for tolerance when acceptance is possible.

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[2009. 134 min. Directed Clint Eastwood. Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and Tony Kgoroge.]

An Education

— "An Education" is a touching first love story with great acting. There's really nothing like inexperience to drive a plot!

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[2009. 100 min. Directed Lone Scherfig. Starring Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, and Alfred Molina.]

Chéri

— “Chéri”, directed by Stephen Frears of “The Queen” & “Dangerous Liaisons” fame, is a wonderful period piece starring Michelle Pfeiffer, with scenes based on Colette’s novel unfolding slowly and deliciously. Felt more like a play than a film except for a large number of knowing glances. Both Pfeiffer and Kathy Bates are worth seeing.

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[2009. 86 min. Directed Stephen Frears. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend, and Kathy Bates.]

Inglourious Basterds

— Never much liked Quentin Tarantino's films even though I could admire the look. I must be the only person I know who didn't like "Pulp Fiction" and the "Kill Bills" were a yawn. But I loved "Inglourious Basterds". Graphic, but some gorgeous shots, great humor and acting, good writing. I'm so happy I gave it a chance!.

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[2009. 153 min. Directed Quentin Tarantino. Starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, and Michael Fassbender.]

Sunshine Cleaning

— I expected to like "Sunshine Cleaning". Too bad it worked so hard for an "indie" feel, did so little with a good premise, and had Alan Arkin doing his "Little Miss Sunshine" role again. Only Amy Adams seemed to have more than a single dimension to her role.

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[2008. 91 min. Directed Christine Jeffs. Starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, and Alan Arkin.]

Taking Woodstock
(and District 9)

— I have to wonder how much my age has to do with my enjoyment of “Taking Woodstock”. Some portions were unbelievably funny! Depicts a more "gay" sixties than I remember, but with the culture clash I do remember. A really interesting coming of age film with one of the pivotal points of a generation happening just a few fields away. (Also saw "District 9" - Great film!)

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[2009. 120 min. Directed Ang Lee. Starring Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Edward Hibbert, and Imelda Staunton.]

The Class

— Laurent Cantet's "The Class" is a look at a year in the life of a junior high teacher in a "rough" Paris school. Kind of a "Dangerous Minds" done right. Nothing very black and white with lots of subtle ethical issues. I liked it much more than I thought I would.

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[2008. 128 min. Directed Laurent Cantet. Starring Francois Begaudeau and Agame Malembe-Emene.]

Lars and the Real Girl

— Netflix "suggested" “Lars and the Real Girl” based on my likes. It was quirky, well written and acted, sort of funny and quite a bit preposterous. Ryan Gosling is always good, and the amazing acceptance of his character’s delusion by everyone in the town made me yearn to be in a place where everyone really does try to do the right thing.

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[2007. 106 min. Directed Craig Gillespie. Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, and Paul Schneider.]

Julie & Julia

— I can’t help but laugh at Nora Ephron’s sense of humor which was evident throughout “Julie & Julia”. Meryl Streep’s wonderful, and Amy Adams does a decent job too. Too bad the parallels are a little forced and Julie’s story just doesn’t have the depth of Julia’s. I’m not likely to turn to French cooking anytime soon, but I sure am hungry for Beef Bourguignon.

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[2009. 123 min. Directed Nora Ephron. Starring Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Chris Messina.]

Moon

— "Moon" is much more linear than I expected and appears to have no MTV generation effort to confuse time and space (and focus), no deafening soundtrack, and no overuse of computer animation. Sam Rockwell is wonderful and Duncan Jones' direction must have been pretty good because it didn't bother me. (Trivia: Jones was born Zowie Bowie—David Bowie's son—so it's easy to understand why he changed his name.)

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[2009. 97 min. Directed Duncan Jones. Starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, and Dominique McElligott.]

Away We Go

— "Away We Go” has some very funny parts as a couples journeys across the US to find a place to start their family. I'm a sucker for Mendes' films and this seems like a much lower budget entry than his others, plus more people would see it as a comedy than, say, "Revolutionary Road" or "American Beauty.” It was fine, but not even close to “Revolutionary Road” or “American Beauty”.

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[2009. 98 min. Directed Sam Mendes. Starring John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, and Allison Janney.]

Cassandra's Dream

— Watched "Cassandra's Dream" last night and it was just okay. I didn't like it as much as "Match Point" or "Vicky Christina Barcelona". Even so, Woody's always better than many movie options.

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[2007. 108 min. Directed Woody Allen. Starring Colin Farrell, Ewan McGregor, Tom Wilkinson, Hayley Atwell, and Sally Hawkins.]

Changeling

— Watched "Changeling" for Mother's Day.

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[2008. 141 min. Directed Clint Eastwood. Starring Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, and Amy Ryan.]

Frozen River

— Have seen all 3 films with previews on the DVD for "Frozen River" ("Waltz with Bashir," "I've Loved You So Long," and "Rachel Getting Married"). That must mean I'm the right demographic for "Frozen River"...which I'm about to watch.

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[2008. 97 min. Directed Courtney Hunt. Starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, and Charlie McDermott.]

Revolutionary Road

— "Revolutionary Road" left me remembering when Valium and Phenobarbital were panaceas. This period piece was incredible and rates among my favorite films.

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[2008. 119 min. Directed Sam Mendes. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kate Winslet.]