The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard - 2009

Paramount Vantage, Gary Sanchez Productions, Kevin Messick Productions

Directed by Neal Brennan

Cast:

Don Ready – Jeremy Piven

Jibby Newsome – Ving Rhames

Ben Selleck – James Brolin

Brent Gage – David Koechner

Babs Merrick – Kathryn Hahn

Paxton Harding – Ed Helms

Ivy Selleck – Jordana Spiro

Stu Harding – Alan Thicke

Dick Lewiston – Charles Napier

Blake – Jonathan Sadowski

Story: A used car dealership in Temecula, California is facing hard times. If they don't sell cars, Ben Selleck will have to sell his dealership and fire all the employees. So he makes a last minute decision that will forever affect the way he does business, he hires a traveling crew of professional car sharks, headed by Don “The Goods” Ready. Don's crew of four show up ready to blast the dealership, and end up taking a bet to sell every car on the lot in three days, or sell the dealership to a local BMW dealer. Don is a rover, never thinking about settling down, and he has just lost his best friend in Albuquerque, but he takes the challenge and discovers his real destiny in Temecula, California.

Review: Plot? Who says a comedy needs a plot? Apparently no one ever told Andy Stock or Rick Stemson, but that doesn't seem to matter much. The Goods is an absolutely hilarious look at the irreverent business of selling used cars that hasn't been addressed this well since “Cadillac Man” or “Used Cars”.

They picked the perfect cast for this side splitter. Jeremy Piven is one of those guys who can pull off the two-dimensional character with finesse. His portrayal of Don Ready is the perfect lead for this cast of unlikely car salesmen trying to save the failing dealership. Ving Rhames plays his role with audacity, as do both Kathryn Hahn and David Koechner, all three exceptional comedians in their own right.

Seeing Alan Thicke and James Brolin in the film, along with Wendie Mallck, reminds us that older actors may not take the stage often, but when they do, they know their stuff. While their roles are brief, they are exceptional and add the right amount of balance to the film.

All in all, while I don't see this film walking away with any Oscars, it is an entertaining adult comedy with some great lines and a few scenes so ridiculous they are priceless. The kiddies need to be in bed or out playing in the yard though. Rated a serious R of language and nudity. Oh, don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for a cameo by the ever hot Gina Gershon.

The American President - 1995

Universal Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, Wildwood Enterprises

Directed by Rob Reiner

Cast:

Pres. Andrew Shepherd – Michael Douglas

Sydney Ellen Wade – Annette Benning

A. J. MacInerney – Martin Sheen

Lewis Rothchild – Michael J. Fox

Robin McCall – Anna Deavere Smith

Janie Basdin – Samantha Mathis

Lucy Shepherd – Shawna Waldron

Leon Kodak – David Paymer

Mrs. Chapil – Anne Haney

Sen. Bob Rumsfeld – Richard Dreyfuss

Nina Siemaszko – Beth Wade

Story: President Shepherd is coming up the end of his term and would like to have another. His campaign staff and White House staff are busy trying to get him reelected while giving him the time he needs to do his job, but there is a slight glitch in the form of a new lobbyist for environmental concerns. Sydney Ellen Wade of Virginia has been retained by an environmental lobby to get the necessary votes to pass a new bill requiring a reduction in carbon emissions in the next ten years. However, the problem does not lie in Sydney's politics or her job. President Shepherd is a widower, and he is smitten with her. They begin dating, much to the chagrin of the staff and Sydney's employer, and to the delight of Sen. Rumsfeld, a candidate for the next election and a real muckraker. Rumsfeld attacks Sydney on every possible level, using her past to try to intimate the President is being influenced by a right wing radical instead of being the President. President Shepherd feels the best way to address his allegations is to ignore them, but the staff and Sydney disagree.

Review: Okay, without a doubt this is one of my favorite romantic comedies. Michael Douglas comes off as Presidential, Annette Benning is spectacular, Martin Sheen is exceptional, and the supporting cast is marvelous. And this is all directed by Rob Reiner, the 2nd generation actor writer director who understands every aspect of film making and is not afraid to let loose with all the knowledge, power and presence required to make a first class film.

Of particular note are David Paymer, Michael J. Fox, and Anna Deavere Smith, all three exceptional character actors whose contributions add so much to the texture and tone of the film. Paymer is the perfect foil to Fox, and Anna balances them perfectly, giving a unity to the staff presence in the film.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the film is the incorporation of 'normal' events in the White House during the romance. We are not excluded or merely “clued in”, but we participate in all the activities of the President, which makes the film more realistic and visceral. The flow of the film is exceptional, since there are no explosions or other violence to distract us, and the cinematography is amazing. The sets are perfect. Rated PG-13 for a scene of sexual innuendo and a few uses of profanity, this film is far from offensive in its delivery, its demeanor, or its presentation. A classic which will enhance any collection.

Dark Shadows - 2012

Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Infinitum Nihil

Directed by Tim Burton

Cast:

Barnabas Collins – Johnny Depp

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard – Michelle Pfeiffer

Dr. Julia Hoffman – Helena Bonham Carter

Angelique Bouchard – Eva Green

Willie Loomis – Jackie Earle Haley

Roger Collins – Jonny Lee Miller

Victoria Winters / Josette DuPres – Bella Heatcote

Carolyn Stoddard – Chloe Grace Moretz

David Collins – Gulliver McGrath

Alice Cooper – Alice Cooper

Story: Joshua and Naomi Collins came to the New World with their son and heir, Barnabas, in 1720 and established a fishing industry in New England. The industry flourished and the family became wealthy, naming the town Collinsport, and building a vast manor on the hill overlooking the town which they named Collinswood. All was well until Barnabas rejected the advances of one of the maids, Angelique, who was a practitioner of the black arts. Angelique murdered Joshua and Naomi, caused Josette, Barnabas' betrothed, to hurl herself from a cliff to the sea, and turned Barnabas into a vampire. To further torture him, Angelique turned the townspeople against Barnabas, causing them to riot and imprison him in an iron coffin and bury him in the woods. 190 years later, Barnabas' coffin is unearthed by a crew excavating for a new McDonalds restaurant, and Barnabas is freed. He is lost in this new world, and returns to Collinswood, only to find his family home in ruin and his descendants mere shadows of their former selves. Barnabas sets himself to restoring the family prominence, only to encounter Angelique, who has kept herself alive through the centuries using black magic. Secret after secret is revealed as the two square off in a battle for the former Glory of the Collins.

Review: Formula for a great movie? Tim Burton+Johnny Depp+Helena Bonham Carter+Michelle Pfeiffer = Terrific movie.

Now, I grant you, I was not an avid viewer of the adventures of Barnabas Collins in the 60's, although apparently every girl in my high school was. But I doubt that melodramatic soap had much relation to the film I saw, other than the names of the characters and the ever present scene of the waves crashing upon rocks on the New England shoreline.

Small matter. The film I watched was funny, spooky in a predictable sort of way, and the story was fresh. Depp once again creates a strange and unusual persona as Barnabas Collins, at once both the vicious, blood thirsty vampire and the refined gentleman of the 16th century. There are so many elements combined, the jeweled necklace reminiscent of Bela Lugosi's Dracula, the darkened eyes, the long claws of the Nosferatu, and Depp's uncanny ability to pull all these elements together to give us a comedic and enjoyable character we cannot help but like.

Michelle Pfeiffer was an excellent choice as the current head of the family, a sturdy, refined and resilient woman determined to hold her head up despite the fallen state of the once powerful Collins family. Eva Green as Angelique is marvelous in her role as the evil yet business savvy woman whose only goal in life is the continuing destruction of the Collins family and reputation. The children, played perfectly by Chloe Grace Moretz and Gulliver McGrath, present the internal conflicts of the Collins, Carolyn who comes off as a very typical teenager, and David, who speaks frequently with his dead mother. Bella Heathcote, who portrays both Victoria in the present and Josette in the past, is also an excellent actress, and gives us just enough weird to balance the prim and proper appearance she first presents.

Of particular note is Helena Bonham Carter and her role as the doctor. The blatant comic relief she provides once again demonstrates her ability and depth as an actress, and one can easily see why Burton and Depp apparently enjoy working with this talented lady.

Overall, the film grabs your attention and keeps it throughout. The dialog is entertaining to the extreme, and the photography and cinematography is exceptional, as one would expect of anything from Mr. Burton.

Rated PG-13 due to the language and violence, as well as several references to sexual situations, I think this film will add nicely to any collector of the trio's work. I have one on order as soon as they are released.

Groundhog Day - 1993

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Directed by Harold Ramis

Cast:

• Phil – Bill Murray
• Rita – Andie MacDowell
• Larry – Chris Elliot
• Ned – Stephen Tobolowsky
• Buster – Brian Doyle-Murray

Story: Phil the Weatherman has a little problem. Okay, Phil the Weatherman has a lot of problems, but this particular one is unique. Phil is caught in a Karmic Loop. He has to keep living the same day over and over again until he gets it right. But he has no idea of what right is. Up until now, he has been a miserable excuse for a human being, selfish, self centered, and inconsiderate, thinking of other people as just a means to an end. His producer, Rita, and his cameraman, Larry, pretty much consider Phil as another never will be local broadcaster who works cheap enough to get by. For Phil, no matter what he does, he wakes up in the same room at six a.m. every morning. Slowly it dawns on him that he can do anything he wants, anything at all, and there are no consequences. Or are there?

Review: Groundhog Day is one of those films you either love or hate. No in between, no take it or leave it. Everyone has an opinion, and surprisingly they all appear to be valid. I fall on the “love it” side of the equation, but I am a huge Bill Murray fan. Everyone knows a Bill Murray, the guy who wants to do something just wrong enough to get him fired and just right enough to be fun. Bill's character in this film is at the stage in his life where he is totally focused on advancing his career, regardless of what happens to those around him, which is why he cannot advance his career. Chris Elliot as Larry the cameraman is resolved to his role in life, observing the lives of others and getting his paycheck at the end of the day. Maybe Chris wanted to try a straight role for once, maybe there was only room for one comedian in the film, but Chris actually contributes little to the film. Andie MacDowell is the naïve, wide eyed beginning producer who really doesn't care about her job as much as she cares about her own agenda. Only in her case, she isn't willing to step over or on people to get where she needs to be in life. Personally I like this film because it is an exhaustive study on the transition of a man through circumstance from an ass to a man. Rated PG for a couple of sexual situations and some violence, I'd say the teens would not be offended, but I doubt they will get it. Collectible if you like Murray, or just like an interesting play on Karma.

Kindergarten Cop - 1990

Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Cast:

• Det. John Kimble – Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Joyce Palmeri – Penelope Ann Miller
• Det. Phoebe O'Hara – Pamela Reed
• Miss Schlowski – Linda Hunt
• Cullen Crisp, Sr. - Richard Tyson
• Eleanor Crisp – Carroll Baker
• Sylvester's Mom – Cathy Moriarty
• Samantha's Mom – Park Overall

Story: A hardcore narcotics detective and his partner go undercover to locate the runaway wife of a drug kingpin and their son in a rural Oregon town. Phoebe O'Hara is to substitute teach the kindergarten class while John Kimble looks around the town for clues. But on the night before they are to take their positions, O'Hara falls ill and Kimble is forced to fill the role as the teacher to the kindergarten class. Miss Schlowski looks on as the children run amok and Kimble almost loses his mind, but O'Hara saves the day, and by the end of the show the kids are loving their new teacher.

Review: Before this, I think everyone thought about Arnold as Conan or the Terminator. And you can hardly blame them. After all, Arnold is the muscular, imposing prototype for the majority of action heroes on the screen today. Even after Twins, Arnold had a lot of resistance to using him in non-action roles. But this role is the one that proved he could be funny and still make a great impresson on the audience and fans alike. Arnold is all the things any action hero would cringe at, polite, gentle, understanding, and even in touch with his feelings. Pamela Reed is the perfect foil for Arnold in this lighthearted comedy with a twist. Her presence on the screen provides just the right amount of pure comedy and tomfoolery to make the less than plausible scenes work. And as usual, she ends up with all the great lines. Penelope Ann Miller is, well, Penelope Ann Miller. Her role as the teacher across the hall from Arnold's class gives the two of them a few occasions to intermingle, but I think Reitman could have made a few more scenes work. Linda Hunt is absolutely delightful as the principal who looks on while this brooding hulk of a man tries to tame the wild children. Cathy Moriarity provides us with a look into the “single parent capital of the west”, and while her role is brief, her input and presence is remarkable. Overall, the film has a buoyancy that allows you to sit through the more placid moments and still want to stay in your seat to see what happens. The real stars are the kids, of course, and I would be remiss not to mention early appearances by Odette Yustman (now Annable), Adam Wylie, and Krystle and Tiffany Mataras, to mention just a few. Rated PG-13 for references to drugs, some language, and some violence, this film is a classic for the kids (I'd say 10 and up, but that is your call) and definitely a keeper for your collection.

Laws of Attraction - 2004

Deep River Productions, Irish DreamTime, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)

Directed by Peter Howitt

Cast:

• Daniel Rafferty – Pierce Brosnan
• Audrey Woods – Julianne Moore
• Thorne Jamison – Michael Sheen
• Serena – Parker Posey
• Sara Miller – Frances Fisher
• Judge Abramovitz – Nora Dunn

Story: When you are the number one divorce lawyer in the city, especially when its New York City, you tend to get noticed and attract high profile clients. But what happens when you are suddenly vying to keep your status as number one? Audrey Woods is a ruthless professional who tries to keep everything professional in her life, including her sparsely populated love life, when suddenly she comes face to face with Daniel Rafferty, an incredibly talented attorney who has the audacity to compete with her, even beat her in court. When Rafferty “steals” a client away from him, the fashion designer wife of a rock star, Woods counters with becoming the rock star's attorney, and the discovery is so hostile over a castle in Ireland, the two lawyers are ordered to investigate the claims by traveling to Ireland and speaking with staff. While in Ireland they attend a local town festival where they are introduced to the local customs, in a very personal way.

Review: Delightful and wonderfully romantic. Is that too much? Seriously, you have here the perfect love story in the perfect setting with the most perfect couple one can think of, if you are thinking of true Irishmen and Irish descendents. Pierce Brosnan is witty, charming, cute “as per Frances Fisher in the film”, and above all, incredibly gifted in this role. When you watch him here, you are reminded of the films of David Niven or Cary Grant, and that is no mean comparison coming from someone who sorely laments the lost of such talents. Julianne Moore comes up to Pierce brilliantly, and you could see this film occurring thirty years ago, starring Grant and Hepburn. Julianne's character is the perfect foil for Brosnan's in this delightful duel of the sexes. Parker Posey and Michael Sheen are the typical young adults caught up in their success, and going through a rough patch of the “I'm so neglected” stage of marriage, which the two of them carry off wonderfully. The maraschino cherry on this particular confection is the wonderful appearance of the beautiful Frances Fisher, than lovely lady who has the cheekbones of Venus de Milo and the accompanying smile. Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language, I personally recommend this as a film for you and that significant other when the kids are in bed, or for Date Night.

Other People's Money - 1991

Warner Bros. Pictures, Yorktown Productions

Directed by Norman Jewison

Cast:

• Lawrence Garfield – Danny DeVito
• Andrew “Yorgy” Jorgenson – Gregory Peck
• Kate Sullivan – Penelope Ann Miller
• Bea Sullivan – Piper Laurie
• Bill Coles – Dean Jones
• Arthur – R. D. Call
• Harriet – Mo Gaffney

Story: "Larry the Liquidator" is a man on a mission. As a Wall Street Investor and a player in the game, he wants to make as much money as possible. His computer, named “Carmen”, is the first thing he looks at in the mornings, and she's telling him about New England Wire and Cable, a sixty year old company on the verge of obsolescence. As a stockholder, he decides to visit the company and see if he can buy them out. His visit doesn't go so well. The owner and chairman of the board, “Yorgy” Jorgenson, almost has him thrown out of the building. But Larry is undeterred. He begins buying stock in the company to force a takeover. “Yorgy” enlists the help of his stepdaughter, a successful New York City attorney, who begins filing injunctions and using all sorts of legal tactics to protect the company, but when Kate Sullivan finally walks into Larry's office, Larry begins what has to be the strangest romance ever seen in cinema. Through maneuver after maneuver, he tries to woo the beautiful Kate, while continuing to pursue the defunct company.

Review:About four years earlier, Gordon Gecko became the most hated man in America, the epitome of greed and corruption. Danny DeVito, that diminutive tyrant from Taxi, manages to give us a fresh perspective on the successful, honest Wall Street investment type. Lawrence lives well, a posh NYC townhouse, a valet/cook/chauffeur, and a corner office in his own firm on Wall Street. This is a side of DeVito unseen up to this film, and it shows you just how versatile he can be. He is the romantic leading man in this delightful study of human interaction, and he carries it off beautifully. Penelope Ann Miller, that ravishing redhead with the lithe body and delicate bone structure, plays the modern, independent woman who has battled her way to the top and knows how to play the game. She is forceful with just the right amount of submissiveness, prideful with just the right balance of humility, and classically beautiful in a very subtle, yet Venus de Milo way. Gregory Peck delivers a stunning performance as the aging, stubborn, factory manager who refuses to accept the advice of others, sort of a mortal Yoda with no ability to see into the future. Dean Jones departs from his ever bubbly Disney persona to deliver a serious role of the president of a company with an uncertain future. Piper Laurie, well, there is a very short list of desirable women in the world, but she is definitely on it. She comes across as the ever present cheerleader, the woman behind the man. Overall, the plot is fast paced and entertaining, with plenty of DeVito personality to make this one of the finest romantic comedies to ever hit the screen. Rated R for language and sex-related dialog, I hardly think the teens in your household will be offended or negatively impacted by this delightful film. Definitely a collectible for you connoisseurs of fine romantic comedy, and fans of DeVito.

Joyful Noise - 2012

Alcon Entertainment, Farrell Paura Productions, Gospel Truth Pictures

Directed by Todd Graff

Cast:

• Vi Rise Hill – Queen Latifah
• G. G. Sparrow – Dolly Parton
• Olivia Hill – Keke Palmer
• Randy Garrity – Jeremy Jordan
• Walter Hill – Dexter Darden
• Pastor Dale – Courtney B. Vance
• Marcus Hill – Jesse L. Martin
• Bernard Sparrow – Kris Kristofferson

Story: A small town church choir competes every year in the “Joyful Noise” national choir competition. After the loss of their director, Pastor Dale must choose a new leader. The committee chooses, Vi Rose Hill, the assistant director, over G. G. Sparrow, the director's widow and the major supporter of the church. Vi Rose is a single mother, raising two teenagers alone, and she is very rigid and stubborn person. Olivia, her daughter, is a good girl who is not allowed to date at 16 years old and is attracted to G. G.'s grandson. G. G. is a member of the choir and wants to introduce more modern music and styles to the choir, and when her grandson, Randy, comes to live with her, she hopes his involvement will help to sway the tide in her direction. But Vi Rose and Pastor Dale are unconvinced, and G. G., Randy, Olivia, and the rest of the choir must overcome many hurdles to get Vi Rose to see the light.

Review: A return to a Great Family film without cartoons! Lots of great music, incredibly beautiful scenery, exceptional performances, and that's all in the first five minutes! Seriously, a movie like this comes along once every couple of years, and the words “feel good” are usually attached to the comments made by the critics. If you can't feel good after seeing this, you need to have someone check your pulse and respiration. Queen Latifah, the former rapper who has come far beyond her humble beginning, is wonderful as Vi Rose Hill, a mother trying to raise two children in this scary world. Dolly Parton shines out as the old country woman who has seen all the changes, lost her husband of many years, and is still keeping the faith. Her charm shines through in every scene she is in, and that means you get a lot of down home country charm. Add in the veteran actors, Courtney B. Vance as the pragmatic pastor of this small town flock, and Jessie L. Martin as the absent husband of Vi Rose, trying to support his family in a troubled economy. Newcomers Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan are terrific as the teens who are trying to figure out their place and what to do about the attraction they feel. The plot is fresh, the dialog fun, and the film keeps your interest without once having to shoot anyone or blow up anything. Rated PG-13 (?) for a supposedly sexual reference, I personally think every member of the family will be tapping their toes and singing along where they can. Collectible, well, too soon to tell, but I have a copy.

Staten Island (original title) - 2009

Staten Island (original title) – 2009 aka Little New York

Europa Corp., Open City Films, Why Not Productions

Directed by James DeMonaco

Cast:

• Parmie Tarzo – Vincent D'Onofrio
• Sully Halverson – Ethan Hawke
• Jasper Sabiano – Seymour Cassel
• Mary Halverson – Julianne Nicholson

Story: A mob story in three vignettes, all centering on three people who live and work on Staten Island. Parmie Tarzo is a minor league mob boss who has ambitions, but his crew doesn't agree with him, so they pay off a Russian hitman to kill him. It doesn't work out, but the experience has left Parmie with an altered view of his own identity. He isolates himself in a treehouse to help protect and endangered forest area. Meanwhile, Sully Halverson is married to the love of his life and they want to have a baby, but Mary is having some problems getting pregnant. While they are at the fertility clinic, Sully sees a video about genetic alterations to create genius babies. He wants to do this for his child, but he doesn't have the $50,000.00 he needs, so he and two friends decide to rob a mafia type for the money...Parmie Tarzo. Jaspaer Sabiano is the deaf mute meat cutter in a little Italian deli on Staten Island, and he is friends with Sully, who is discovered as one of the three thieves who stole from Parmie. When the stories all conclude, we discover why we have watched them, and how their lives intersect.

Review: This is delightful comedy where the mobsters all get their just desserts, but only after a series of really dumb moves by all concerned. Vincent D'Onofrio, who for years has played the role of Detective Goran in Law and Order: Criminal Intent, shows us his ability to completely change persona and delve into the mind of a small time hood with delusions of grandeur. Ethan Hawke delivers an excellent performance as the guy who cleans septic tanks for a living and wants a better life for his kid. Julianne Nicholson, who was also on Criminal Intent for a season across from Chris Noth, shows us an interesting character as Hawke's wife. And Seymour Cassel is excellent as the deaf mute counterman who secretly assists the mob in some of their more nefarious endeavors. The film is shot with the three perspectives merging into one, so the entire plot comes together in a very cohesive manner. One of the better indies I have seen. Be forewarned it is a Russian Comedy, which is to say everyone dies, but they all die happy....well, not everyone. Rated R for violence and language, I highly recommend this one as a great rental. Collectible? Not particularly, but definitely a must see.

We Bought A Zoo - 2011

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, LBI Entertainment, Vinyl Films

Directed by Cameron Crowe

Cast:

• Benjamin Mee – Matt Damon
• Dylan Mee – Colin Ford
• Rosie Mee – Maggie Elizabeth Jones
• Duncan Mee – Thomas Haden Church
• Kelly Foster – Scarlett Johansson
• Peter MacCready – Angus Macfayden
• Lily Miska – Elle Fanning
• Walter Ferris – John Michael Higgins

Story: Based on the true story of the Mee family who operate the Dartmoor Zoological Park in England, this touching story is a treat for the entire family and a must see for all Damon and Johansson fans who think their only abilities lie in beating people up. Benjamin Mee is a writer who lives to record adventures. His articles are published by a national paper, he has written a few books, and he is well known in the journalism community. But when he loses his wife, Katherine, his life begins to come apart. His brother, Duncan, is a practical man, an accountant who wants to help his brother, but Benjamin is looking for a new life. When Dylan becomes a problem in school, he must find a new place to live so his children can get back into school. As he and his daughter travel out with the real estate agent, they happen upon a closed down zoo, complete with animals and a staff. As they move in and begin to renovate, they discover things about themselves, and learn to deal with many of the issues between them. By the time they are ready to open, they have reunited as a family.

Review: Okay, so I don't review a whole lot of family films, but I am happy to make an exception here. This is a delightful, well thought out, and thoroughly enjoyable film that touches on some very sensitive subjects and shines like a beacon through it all. Matt Damon and Thomas Haden Church have a charisma which bonds them on the screen and helps the audience to identify with them as brothers. Damon's charm and gentle personality is disarming, and his ability to transcend the “Bourne” image shows just how capable and talented an actor he has become. Scarlett's role is equally challenging from past performances, particularly with her “Black Widow” persona about to be displayed across the big screen in the Avengers, but she plays the part of the zookeeper with a sensitivity that reaches off the screen and into your heart. Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones all give excellent performances in their roles as the younger generations dealing with the realities of loss, life, and just being kids. John Michael Higgins and Angus Macfayden lend an air of comedy with out going over the top, giving just the right tones to this impressive film. Since family films rarely make it to the Oscars, we probably won't see this one on the dais next year, but it is a shame, since the film is a testimony to great cinema. Rated PG for language and theme, I can't see why the preteens wouldn't enjoy this as well as the rest of the family. Definitely a collectible film, especially for fans of Matt, Scarlett, and just plain good theater.

Young Adult - 2011

Paramount Pictures, Denver and Delilah Productions, Indian Paintbrush

Directed by Jason Reitman

Cast:

• Mavis Gary – Charlize Theron
• Matt Freehauf – Patton Oswalt
• Buddy Slade – Patrick Wilson
• Beth Slade – Elizabeth Reaser
• Sandra Freehauf – Collette Wolfe
• Hedda Gary – Jill Eikenberry
• Jan – Mary Beth Hurt

Story: A thirty seven year old woman lives in a dumpy apartment in Minneapolis and ghost writes a book series titled “Young Adult”. She is single, alone except for her Pomeranian, and at a crisis time in her life. Suddenly she receives an email inviting her to the naming ceremony for the first child of her high school sweetheart. She travels to her hometown, expecting to be met with open arms, and instead finds a happily married man who is trying to be friendly to her. She also runs into Matt Freehauf, otherwise known as “hate crime guy”, who was beaten and crippled in his senior year by a group of football players who thought he might be gay. They form a strange bond as he tries to dissuade her from making a complete fool of herself. In the end, Mavis learns she needs to move on with her life, the way her friends have.

Review: Okay, so after all his successes, Jason Reitman deserves a pass on this one. While the story is well written and the cast is excellent, the film lacks angst, appeal, and really any comedy to speak of. It is a tragedy of the lowest order. Charlize Theron is certainly capable of much more emotion than was shown in this film. Patton Oswalt gives an exceptional performance, but his persona displays much more maturity than a geek living with his sister in the house he grew up in and painting model figurines. Patrick Wilson is probably the best of the performers in the film, and he plays Mr. Small Town regular Joe, a character that gives him little challenge and falls far short of his abilities. Jill Eikenberry is the domineering mother who discovers her daughter is back in town only after hearing it from a friend, and her performance lends credibility to Theron's character, but overall the effect is less that expected. Call me crazy, but when you tag the film with the word Comedy, I really expected something in the film I could actually laugh at. If Reitman was trying for the angst of Allen or the subtle humor of his dad, he missed the mark. Rated R for language and sexuality, I personally regard this as 94 minutes of my life I would like to get back. Collectible? Maybe, since I am sure Theron's agents are trying to buy up every copy for their burn bag.

The Descendants - 2011

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Ad Hominem Enterprises

Directed by Alexander Payne

Cast:

• Matt King – George Clooney
• Alexandra King – Shailene Woodley
• Scottie King – Amara Miller
• Sid – Nick Krause
• Brian Speer – Matthew Lillard
• Julie Speer – Judy Greer
• Cousin Hugh – Beau Bridges
• Cousin Milo – Michael Ontkean
• Scott Thorson – Robert Forster

Story: Matt King has a few decisions to make. Matt is a real estate broker in Hawaii, and he and his relatives are the direct descendants of King Kamehameha the first. His wife, Elizabeth, is in the hospital following a boating accident that has left her in a coma. His daughters are almost strangers to him. And he is the executor of a huge estate on the island of Oahu that is up for disposition. Some of the family wants to sell, some of the family is against the sale, but the law of perpetuity in Hawaii is changed and they will lose the land in seven years. Matt tries to do the best he can. His oldest daughter, Alexandra, is angry, and he doesn't know why. He assumes it is over his failure as a father, but she tells him it is because she discovered her mother was having an affair. Soon the doctor at the hospital tells Matt his wife will not wake up, and there is a DNR order on file for her, so he must find a way to let his daughters know their mother will soon die. Through all of this, Matt is obsessed with finding the man his wife was having an affair with, and strangely, the search leads to a reconnecting of Matt and his daughters.

Review: George Clooney continues to impress and amaze in this sometime sad, sometime delightful story of a father reuniting with his family. This role is reminiscent of his role in “One Fine Day” with Michelle Pfeiffer, but offers a little less wit and a little more maturity. Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller are excellent as the two daughters, with Shailene demonstrating a savvy wisdom in her delivery of lines most adults would find difficult. Robert Forster plays the wife's father, and he gives us an insight that most people would find rare, the father who trusts his son-in-law and cares for his wife at home in her battle with Alzheimer disease. All of the characters in this film are dealing with dramatic changes in their lives, and their interactions and decisions are really what we empathize with. This kind of film has to connect with the audience, and this one does an excellent job. Special hats off to Matthew Lillard, a young star of the past whose appearances have been fewer and fewer of late, and to Beau Bridges, who as Cousin Hugh reminds us that we all have a Cousin Hugh in the family. Rated R for language and sexual references, I think most families will agree this is a film for the teens, especially for families who have had to deal with loss. Definitely collectible for Clooney fans.

Midnight in Paris - 2011

Gravier Productions, Mediapro, Pontchartrain Productions

Written and Directed by Woody Allen

Cast:

• Gil – Owen Wilson
• Inez – Rachel McAdams
• Cole Porter – Yves Heck
• Zelda Fitzgerald – Allison Pill
• Ernest Hemingway – Corey Stoll
• Getrude Stein – Kathy Bates
• F. Scott Fitzgerald – Tom Hiddleston
• Salvador Dali – Adrian Brody

Story: Gil is a successful Hollywood script writer who longs for the romantic times of the 1920's in Paris. He and his fiancee, Inez, have “tagged along” with her parents to Paris. Inez is a domineering sort who presses Gil to go places he does not want to go, and do things he does not want to do, and he is so undecided about life he allows her to do so. But he regrets his choice to do script writing, and has been working on a novel for several years. He just lacks the confidence to show it to anyone. One night after a wine tasting, Gil decides to walk the streets of Paris instead of accompanying his fiancee and her friends dancing. As the clock strikes midnight, he is hailed into a older car by a group of folks out for a night on the town and finds himself in the company of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. They arrive at a party where Cole Porter is playing piano, and Ernest Hemingway is sitting to the side getting drunk. After an exhilarating night, he is back in his own time, with a promise from Hemingway to have Gertrude Stein look at his novel. Night after night, Gil returns to the 1920's to meet such legends as Matisse, Dali, and even travels to the 1890's for one night to meet Gauguin, Degas, and Toulouse-Lautrec in the infamous Moulin Rouge. When all is said and done, he realizes he does not belong with Inez, does not belong in the past, and remains in Paris to work on his novel.

Review: Woody Allen has a perspective that will never be duplicated or imitated properly. Not only is this story classic Woody, but the acting and perspective of the characters is so clearly his vision in this delightful comedy about confronting choices and taking risks. Owen Wilson gives a remarkable performance as Gil, the everyman who has come to the crossroads of his life and is uncertain about the path he has chosen. Rachel McAdams is so good at being the spoiled brat daughter of the well off parents, self absorbed, self aggrandizing, and totally unaware of anything she cannot control or seduce. The transitions from Paris of 2010 to Paris of the 1920's is seamless, without the mystical special effects of so many Hollywood productions these days. Gil is sitting on the stairs when an antique sedan comes by and the party goers call him in. The cast is a wonderful mix of American, French and British actors who all seem so at ease in the roles you would swear you had run into them in the street. The music throughout the film is perfectly suited to the city, and the photography is incredible. Kathy Bates stands out for her performance of Gertrude Stein, the groundbreaking author, patron of the arts, and openly gay woman who influenced so many of the artists of the "Lost Generation". And I would be terribly remiss if I did not commend Corey Stoll in his bold performance as Ernest Hemingway, who was Stein's opposite in so many ways. As romantic comedy goes, this film will become a classic in the hearts of anyone who appreciates a finely woven tale of awakening and redemption in the city of lights. Rated PG-13 for sexual references and smoking, I hardly think the teens will have a problem with this film. Rent it, buy it, and watch it when you need a great story to pick you up.

Footloose - 2011

Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Dylan Sellers Productions

Directed by Craig Brewer

Cast:

• Ren MacCormick – Kenny Wormwald
• Ariel Moore – Julianne Hough
• Rev. Shaw Moore – Dennis Quaid
• Vi Moore – Andie MacDowell
• Willard – Miles Teller
• Wes Warnicker - Ray McKinnon
• Lulu – Kim Dickens
• Chuck Cranston – Patrick John Flueger
• Rusty – Ziah Colon

Story:This is an homage to the classic 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, and Dianne Weist. The story hasn't changed. A tragic accident takes the lives of five teenagers coming home from a senior dance, one of them the minister's son. The small southern Presbyterian town is so shocked and appalled it outlaws dancing and other types of parties, and places curfews in effect in an effort to protect the teens from themselves. Three years later, Ren MacCormick moves to the town after losing his mother to leukemia, and quickly learns about the restrictions. His Uncle Wes is owns a used car lot in the town, and realizes his nephew will need an advocate in order to get along with the local sheriff and minister. Ren makes friends quickly, but he soon learns the minister's daughter is heading down a dangerous path with an older race car driver, Chuck Cranston. Ren works to pass a petition around town to withdraw the ordinance banning dancing, and while he does not succeed, he manages to get permission to hold a senior dance in a local cotton mill adjacent to the town.

Review: Footloose is about more than dancing, although Kenny Wormwald certainly can do that. Footloose is a classic tale of tragedy and redemption, about the differences between teens and adults, about the way we see ourselves and others. Craig Brewer has managed to update this classic film without losing one iota of the feel of the original. Kenny Wormwald is excellent as Ren, the out of town boy thrust into the small country town environment. Julianne Hough plays the minister's daughter with a flair that shows some insight into the dynamics of a family dealing with the loss of a child. Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell were perfect choices for the minister and his wife, and Quaid adds a different perspective to the role than Lithgow's original portrayal. Ray McKinnon gives us a new look at his ability to adapt his normally more aggressive character acting to a kinder, gentler advocate, and Kim Dickens provides just the right touch as the aunt. Very appealing were the characters of Willard and Rusty, played by newcomers Miles Teller and Ziah Colon. Filmed in the small town of Acworth, Georgia, the photography and cinematography are excellent. Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content, and some violence and drug use, this is a film, with correct parental supervision, should be viewable by the entire family.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith - 2005

Mr. And Mrs. Smith - 2005

Regency Entertainment, Monarchy Entertainment, 20th Century Fox

Directed by Doug Liman

Cast:

• John Smith – Brad Pitt
• Jane Smith – Angelina Jolie
• Eddie – Vince Vaughn
• Benjamin Danz – Adam Brody
• Jasmine – Kerry Washington
• Father – Keith David
• Martin Coleman – Chris Weitz
• Suzy Coleman – Rachael Huntley
• Gwen – Michelle Monaghan
• Julie – Stephanie March
• Jade – Jennifer Morrison

Story:Two attractive, young, middle class adults are talking to a marriage counselor after five (or six) years of marriage. They sound pretty normal, until you hear how they met in Bogota, Columbia, providing each other with an alibi for their actions. Unbeknownst to one another, they are both professional assassins working for competing agencies. As fate would have it, they are assigned to the same hit and interfere with one another, and each assassin is given an assignment....kill the competing assassin within 48 hours or face termination. This film gives an entire new meaning to Couples Therapy.

Review: Now I am sure there has to be at least a thousand people living middle class suburbia lives who are really high tech assassins. And with all of them out there, it stands to reason two of them might actually meet, fall in love, and continue to do what they do without ever telling the other. Not buying it? Me either, but who says a movie has to have a plot to be entertaining? Jurrasic Park pulled it off three times. I think the appeal here lies in pretty people (Bradjolina) and marriage counseling taken to the extreme. Vince Vaughn, a tremendous talent, provides the perfect foil for Brad, and adds tremendously to the film. Angelina's staff of beauties looks like something out of early Bond or In Like Flint, but they add to the artistic merit of the film (okay, they are great looking women worth looking at), and the special effects and photography is wonderful. PG-13 is about right, language is pretty restrained, so its the violence you have to watch out for. Not particularly collectible, but highly entertaining, especially if you and your spouse have been married for about five (or six) years.

Dogma - 1999

View Askew Productions

Written and Directed by Kevin Smith

Cast:

• Bethany – Linda Fiorentino
• Liz – Janeane Garofalo
• Loki – Matt Damon
• Bartleby – Ben Affleck
• Metatron – Alan Rickman
• Azrael – Jason Lee
• Rufus – Chris Rock
• Serendipity – Salma Hayek
• Jay – Jason Mewes
• Silent Bob – Kevin Smith
• God – Alanis Morrisette
• Cardinal Glick – George Carlin

Story: The Catholic church has come up with a new way to get people in the door: a massive new campaign called Catholicism WOW!, starring the new symbol of the church, the Buddy Christ. In order to kick off this campaign, they have come up with a special dispensation for all newcomers: you walk through the doors of the church and BINGO, all your sins are automatically forgiven! This is great news for Loki and Bartleby, two angels who have been kicked out of heaven and sentenced to Wisconsin, for if they can renounce their immortal status as angels and enter the church, they can die as men and return to heaven. If they do, they will have negated God's word, and they will unwittingly undo all of creation. To stop them from accomplishing their mission, Metatron, a special angel who acts as the voice of God, contacts Bethany, the last Scion, and charges her with a mission from God. She is aided on her mission by Jay and Silent Bob, and Rufus, the unnamed 13th apostle. Azrael, a demon from the hell, commands the Stygian Triplets, three demons who have already placed God in a coma. Will the demon succeed in helping the angels to enter the church and negate all of creation?

Review: Kevin Smith will be serving an eternity in hell for writing and directing this movie, and we will all be joining him for enjoying it. This young genius, the creator of Clerks, Mallrats, and the unnamed leader of counterculture has succeeded in making the perfect statement about the dogma of the Catholic church, and he has done it in a way sure to offend any devout Catholic. The rest of us, however, are free to laugh our asses off as we roll through all the irony, comedy, and sarcasm of the film. Linda Fiorentino is amazing as Bethany, and the woman deserves an Oscar in the category of “How in the world did you manage to keep a straight face in the midst of all that”. Having Jay and Silent Bob, the icons born of Kevin's previous films, as Bethany's protectors and prophets was nothing short of genuis (a word I tend to use a lot when I talk about Kevin Smith), and allows Kevin to reprise the role we all love so well. Salma Hayek plays Serendipity, the muse who fell to Earth, who can inspire everyone else except herself. Chris Rock, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Jason Lee, all veterans born of Kevin's films, perform with perfection, making this an exceptional piece of satire, parody, comedy, and art all rolled into one. Definitely rated R for language, nudity, violence and general poor taste (by the Catholics, that is), this is one of those films to watch when the kids are in bed. Collectible for everyone except devout Catholics, who will probably do time in purgatory for even mentioning its name, let alone watching it.

Necessary Roughness - 1991

Paramount Pictures

Directed by Stan Dragoti

Cast:

• Paul Blake – Scott Bakula
• Coach Ed Generro – Hector Elizondo
• Coach Wally Rig – Robert Loggia
• Dr. Suzanne Carter – Harley Jane Kozak
• Dean Phillip Elias – Larry Miller
• Professor Andre Krimm - Sinbad
• Dean Carver Purcell – Fred Dalton Thompson
• Jarvis Edison – Jason Bateman
• Lucy Draper – Kathy Ireland

Story:Ooops. The team and coaches of Texas State University are sanctioned by the NCAA, and the school is forced to recruit a football team from actual students in order to play. Ed “Straight Arrow” Generro is hired to coach and recruit his team. He brings in Wally Rig as his defensive coach, and starts to recruit students. But Dean Elias sees this as an opportunity to eliminate football from the curriculum forever, and sets about trying to sabotage the team academically. Meanwhile, Coach Rig has a brilliant idea. He recruits Paul Blake, a former high school quarterback who was set to play for Penn State when his father passed away and he had to take over the family farm. Blake is in his thirties, but his curiosity to know if he can still play draws him back into the game and he enrolls to play. All sorts of things emerge. Blake's journalism professor, Dr. Carter, was a cheerleader who had a major crush on Paul in high school. Blake's science professor, Andre Krimm, was a former football player who dropped out of football to pursue his career in science and still has eligibility left. In need of a kicker, they recruit a soccer player, Lucy Draper, who is anything but male. While they fail to win all their games, they prove that honesty and college football can go hand in hand.

Review: So why review a 21 year old movie? Easy. Good movies have no expiration date, and this is certainly one of them. At the time, the NCAA was going through all sorts of problems with player bribes, payoffs, faked grades, violations from steroids to hookers to cars for the players. This movie was brave enough to face these problems and gives an accurate picture of trying to build a football team from a bunch of wanna be's and never were's. Scott Bakula is perfect in the role, neither attempting to affect a fake Texas drawl nor over playing the role. Hector Elizondo and Robert Loggia, two veteran actors who could easily dominate the film, instead add their considerable talents to make the film believable. Several great touches are added, including Rob Schneider as the announcer for the games, and the appearance of a prison team arranged by Dean Elias (Larry Miller, the schmuck you love to hate) adds an extreme and interesting comic scene. Dick Butkus, Earl Campbell, Roger Craig, Ben Davidson, Tony Dorsett, Evander Holyfield, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Jim Kelly, Jerry Rice, Herschel Walker, and Randy White are the prison football players. The film is cohesive, the language is minimal, and the violence is limited to the football field, practice, and a slight altercation between two teams at Billy Bob's. Collectible if you are a fan of good sports movies, and definitely a great film for the family on a Saturday night.

Rustler's Rhapsody - 1985

Paramount Pictures, Impala, Tesauro S.A.

Written and Directed by Hugh Wilson

Cast:

• Rex O'Herlihan – Tom Berenger
• Peter – G. W. Bailey
• Miss Tracy – Marilu Henner
• Colonel Ticonderoga – Andy Griffith
• Railroad Colonel – Fernando Rey
• Colonel's Daughter – Sela Ward
• Bob Barber – Patrick Wayne

Story: A tribute to the serial westerns of the silver screen. Sort of. Rex O'Herlihan is the Singing Cowboy who rides into town to save the day from the evil cattle baron and his henchmen. He's not psychic, but he seems to know exactly what will happen in every town he rides into. Peter, the town drunk, is enthralled by Rex's smooth manners and fast draw, not to mention his exceptional wardrobe. He soon signs on with Rex as his sidekick, and together they fight for the rights of the townspeople and the sheepherders against Colonel Ticonderoga and the Railroad Colonel. All the thrills and suspense of the Saturday morning matinees of the late 1930's and 1940's, without the bloodshed or death.

Review: I was born in 1952, so I must have been about 10 years old when my brother and I were dropped off at the local theater in Waukegan along with a couple of hundred other kids to watch the Saturday morning matinees. In our days it was Flash Gordon, Sky King, and Commander Cody, all legendary “cliff hangers”, which meant they would always end the episode with the hero in danger and you would have to come back next week to see what happened. In the 1930's and '40's, the theme was the American West, and the heroes all rode stallions of white or gold, had two guns, sang and played guitar, and wore white hats. Tom Mix was the silent movie hero, then came Gene Autry, Randolf Scott, and later Roy Rogers. This well written parody takes all those memories and rolls them up in a pleasingly benign story that incorporates the old and the new. Language and sexuality are not an issue, so the kids can watch without worry. While there is a lot of innuendo, nothing is explicit enough to warrant anything more than a PG rating, and I think that is a little excessive. Not necessarily a collectible, but worth a viewing on a Saturday morning with the kids, just before they head out to play.

The Blues Brothers - 1980

Universal Pictures

Directed by John Landis

Cast:

• ”Joliet Jake” Blues – John Belushi
• Elwood Blues – Dan Ackroyd
• Curtis – Cab Calloway
• Reverend Cleophus James – James Brown
• Ray – Ray Charles
• Mrs. Murphy – Aretha Franklin
• Mystery Woman – Carrie Fisher
• Sister Mary Stigmata (The Penguin) – Kathleen Freeman

Story: “Joliet Jake” Blues is getting out of Joliet prison. His brother, Elwood, is there to pick him up in a used Mt. Prospect police cruiser. Elwood drives him to the orphanage where they were both raised to visit “The Penguin” aka Sister Mary Stigmata, who informs them the orphanage will close unless she has $5,000.00 to pay for tax assessment. The church is not interested in keeping the orphanage open, but when Jake offers to come up with the money, The Penguin refuses to accept what she knows will be stolen money. They meet Curtis, the caretaker who lives it the basement and taught the boys to play music. He tells Jake to get straight, to get to church, so the brothers go to the church of the Reverend Cleophus James, where Jake receives a vision. From that moment on, the brothers are on a mission from God to put their band back together, raise the money to save the orphanage, and redeem themselves while evading the police, the Illinois Nazi party, an irate country band, and a jilted fiance of Jake's.

Review: One of the most hilarious movies to ever come out of a Saturday Night Live skit. Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi lead us from one ridiculous situation to another as they proceed on their mission from God. James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, and the Blues Brothers Band fill your ears with some of the greatest rhythm and blues hits of the 50's and 60's, complete with choreography and dance that is sure to please. The stunts are amazing, the acting excellent, and the plot is cohesive and well thought out, as ridiculous as it is. This is a classic film for the entire family, even though there is some profanity, a few off color jokes, and a lot of overt violence that is all played for laughs. Probably more for the 13 and older set, but frankly, a fun film that is too ridiculous to miss. A definite collector's item as one of the top live action comedies of all time.

P.S. I Love You - 2007

Alcon Entertainment, Grosvenor Park Productions, Wendy Finerman Productions

Directed by Richard LaGravenese

Cast:

• Holly Kennedy – Hillary Swank
• Gerry Kennedy – Gerard Butler
• Denise – Lisa Kudrow
• Sharon – Gina Gershon
• John – James Marsters
• Daniel – Harry Connick Jr.
• Patricia - Kathy Bates
• Ciara – Nellie McKay
• William – Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Story: A young couple are madly in love with one another, but a sudden problem comes up. He dies from an inoperable tumor. With no children and no purpose and without her husband, she begins to withdraw, barely leaves her apartment, and is heading toward a serious breakdown when a letter arrives in the mail. A letter from her dead husband. He has arranged to have the letters delivered and in each letter he gives her a task to complete. Against her will, he is leading her to get on with her life, He enlisted the help of her mother, her friends and even his parents to make this all happen, and his plans lead his love through a path of new adventures and cherished memories.

Review: So here is my Valentine's Present to my readers. A chick flick. But not just any chick flick. An incredibly good one. I don't care if you are male or female, you have to love this idea, people fall so much in love the only thing that matters is the happiness of the other person. Gerard Butler and Hillary Swank are perfect together, which is no surprise to anyone who knows their work. The supporting cast members could all be swapped out for the leads in this case, since you have a cast of seasoned professionals with their own followings. Of particular note are Gina Gershon and James Marsters, two underused and powerfully good character actors with enough talent to carry off a film by themselves. Toss into that mix the incredble Kathy Bates and Lisa Kudrow, and for icing on the cake add Nellie McKay and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and you have the perfect cast for any romantic comedy you would want to watch. Next you take some incredible scenery and photography, mix in a wonderfully romantic plot, and a director who understands the limits of his necessity, and you have the perfect Valentine's film to watch with your lover tonight. A PG-13 rating means the little ones ought to be in bed before you start, but that was probably your intention anyway, right? After all, it is Valentine's Day.