Unknown White Male PG 2-Strings

Documentary about a man who leaves his apartment and, for no reason, loses his entire memory. I know I sound like a pig here, but I had a hard time feeling bad for this guy: English, very handsome, filthy rich, dated gorgeous women, rich friends. All access. It was a curiosity, and interesting to watch, I just didn’t care very much.

The Kite Runner PG13 –3 Strings

Two boys navigate Afghanistan during the Russian invasion. The book is far better than this reader. Honestly, if you’re going to have to read a movie, why not just put it into the actual novel. Not a bad movie, just not very memorable.

Mr. Woodcock PG13 –2 Strings

Angry PE teacher picks on boy, eventually marries boy’s mom. Seems like a plot like this would yield a better movie. Exactly like ‘School for Scoundrels.’ It’s not bad, as such, it’s just not at all as good as ‘Bad Santa,’ a criminally funny film that perfects the ‘angry Billy Bob’ role. Sarandon fails as the mom/love interest.

There Will Be Blood R-5 Strings

Oil man suffers…suffers miserably. I can’t imagine better acting from this year. Javier Bardem in “No Country…” was fine, Daniel-Day Lewis is incredible. It’s the kind of movie you spend your time thinking “something bad is going to happen.” Great story based on the book “Oil!” Oh, yes, there will be blood…there will be blood.

Speed Racer PG-3 Strings

60s cartoon made into feature-length film. Not sure what to make of this one. Colorful and disjointed, that really pushes the envelope of CGI visuals. No real story to tell and lots of moves that make it feel like a cartoon, and the boy and the monkey are just as annoying now as they were when I was a kid.

Girl 27 UR-3 Strings

Documentary about an MGM extra who was raped. Basically a cover up on a corporate scale. The downside is that the woman is literally a nobody. Lacks the gravitas of insider scandal, with all of the tragedy of violence. All of the players are minor, though all of the actions are major.

Into The Wild PG13-3 Strings

Boy ditches is well-to-do lifestyle for the simple life. Felt like director Penn’s hand was firmly planted in the film all the way through…the obviously vacuous parents, the über hip sister, the ‘real’ people ‘out there.’ In some ways, seemed rather predictable…like a midlife crisis. Penn must be one angry dude.

Iron Man PG13-5 Strings

Weapons seller regrets his life and become a hero/vigilante. Loved this hero as a kid. Loved him. Good story, top-shelf acting that only rarely goes south with simple-minded, lower class humor. Stay all the way through the credits for some sequel info. Marvel scores with its first film.

51 Birch Street PG-1 String

Doc about a father who hides what may or may not be an affair. Really a movie about one guy’s “revelation” about who is parents really are…(human), rather than who he perceives them to be (perfect). Don’t bother, no real punch line.

In America PG13-2 Strings

Irish immigrants come to America. I really liked this the first time I saw it when it was called “Little Miss Sunshine.” I’d be hard pressed to find any real difference between the two films. The daughters, here, were adorable and didn’t fit in their uber depressing real-life existence. Not a bad movie, just not that good. There's a reason why you've never heard of it.

Deathwatch R-1 String

Something is killing WW I soldiers. You read that right. I was intrigued by the setting, but couldn’t understand who was doing the sci-fi killing, and, more importantly, why the killing was being done. Remember when you saw “The Cube 2” and didn’t know what you’d just seen? This movie is the same thing.

Death Sentence UR-0 Strings

Father avenges untimely death of boy from (wait for it) a white tattoo gang. I could tell this was a poorly written, poorly acted, poorly shot movie BEFORE the credits were over. I’ll watch the rest of it, but I’m writing this review @ 8 minutes into the movie. It’s like a Disney movie shot by blind people (no offense intended) who live on urban myths and stereotype (offense intended). The reviewers were right.