Damage (1992)

A sexual charged film about a father having an affair with his son's fiancee.  Of course the son isn't really that central to the story, it's the unspeakable obsession Jeremy Irons has with Juliette Binoche and she toward him that drives the narrative.  Their chemistry is dangerous and impossible to ignore.  Based on the book by Josephine Hart.  Grade: A-

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Novel) by Steig Stevson

The first book of this Swedish blockbuster was great with a rich complex mystery full of history and colorful characters.  This second book takes everything I liked about the first one but goes into overdrive.  Wow, I loved this book.  I stayed up late reading it, wondering what was going to happen to Lisbeth Salander and if Mikael Blomkvist would unravel the mystery of his former genius assistant.  Add some new characters, pump up the action, move the world of the story forward, expanding and enriching the characters already there and do it all with an easy-to-read style and you've got a winner.  And what an ending!  Grade: A 

Camille Claudel (1989)

An intense and beautifully shot biography of the woman sculptor of the same name, whose love affair with Auguste Rodin became legendary.  It's a sad tale of that thin line between genius and madwoman.  Isabelle Adjani is incredible in the role of Camille in a performance raw with complexities and fiery emotions.  Gérard Depardieu is excellent as well and the two of them have great chemistry.   Grade: A-

Local Hero (1983) 3/27

This is one of those charming light comedies that hits all the right notes without being showy or in your face.  Peter Riegert plays Mac, a corporate buyer sent to Scotland to purchase a small town and its beach.  Burt Lancaster plays the millionaire and amateur Astronomer who sends Mac on his assignment, believing he is a Scot because of his nickname.  Mac arrives and is sweep up into their community and in the deal of their lifetimes.  Grade: A-

Children of a Lesser God (1986)

This love story about a teacher of deaf high-schoolers who falls in love with the deaf janitor that works for the school is way better than I had thought it would be.  I don't know why I avoided this Oscar winning film but I thought it would be predicatble.  It's not.  It's a complex film about relationships and that to know how to communicate with your lover is just the tip of the iceberg.  One needs to know what to communicate and why.  I also must applaud director Randa Haines and writers Hesper Anderson and Mark Medoff (whose play this was based on) for making this film not feel like a typical play adaptation, where it feels stagey.  Obviously the acting is stellar from both Marlee Matlin and William Hurt, with Hurt's performance standing out as his best of his career.  Grade: A

Sons of Anarchy (Season 2)

The Hamlet-like motorcycle gang serial drama continues but this time it's matured into something a little bit different.  The father's ghost theme is still apparent but with the introduction of white supremacists bad guys Ethan Zobelle (Adam Arkin) and A.J. Weetson (Henry Rollins) a revenge story-line takes over.  The biggest and most welcome development is with Tara Knowles who gets tough and starts to accept her place as Jax's "old lady".   In many ways this season is a slight improvement on an already thrilling show with a cliff-hanger that left me gasping (Hey, I didn't give anything away.)  Grade: A-

Glee (Season 2)

I wouldn't say this sophomore continuation is quite as good as the first season, but it's still a kick ass show.  Sure some of the magic has faded and the love stories seem less urgent and exciting to watch, but the music still shines and sent shivers down my spine.  I also loved the new additions to the show, especially the new football coach.  Gade: A-

Chaos Theory (2008)

A surprisingly entertaining comedy about an anal minute-by-minute schedule freak who gets off track and because of this, his life sprawls out of control leading him to believe that one should live in chaos instead.  Ryan Reynolds holds his own along with Emily Mortimer as his wife.  Grade: B+

Force of Evil (1948)

A film noir about a lottery/ numbers scam that's as riveting as any gangster film made in the '40s.  John Garfield stars as a lawyer named Joe who works for a criminal named Tucker.  Together they're taking control of all the numbers rackets in town, and that includes Joe's brother, Leo.  Leo wants to operate as a legit business independently from Tucker.  But Tucker presses in and Joe and his employees are caught in the middle.  Great dialogue and a few location shots that are as memorable as any I've seen in a black and white film, this one is a gem.  I'm surprised I'm only now learning about it.  Grade: A-

That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)

Master surrealist Luis Bunuel's last film is a wonderful anti-love story that will entertain any who are open to the absurd and nonsensical.  If you're interest in logical story lines with characters that act rationally than I recommend you skip this one.  For me, Bunuel is one of the greatest film makers of all time.  He's up there with Stanley Kubrick, Hitchcock, and others of that skill.  Sure, this isn't his best but it demonstrates his strengths as a magician of the dream-like nonsense of our lives.  He makes bold statements with great humor and honesty.  Here we follow an older gentlemen trying to woo a younger woman that keeps thwarting him, never mind that she's played by two actresses (a little inside joke I'm sure).  This film speak volumes while never its intention to explain anything.  It leaves it all out there for the audience to grapple with and that's what makes it so fun.  Grade: B+ 

Silver City (2004)

While the setting is Colorado, the political mirror is the entire country and Chris Cooper's character is an all-out satire of George W. Bush.  What John Sayles has here is a mishmash of ideas siphoned into a film-noir-like mystery, as a report, Danny Huston,  investigates the death of a Mexican worker found fished out of a lake.  Sometimes it feels like a comedy, a very unfunny comedy unfortunately, and at other times it feels like a mystery with a mystery that never seems that important (which is kind of the point I guess). There are some good moments but as a whole I found it kind of a let down especially with such a strong cast.  Grade: C+

Love and Other Drugs (2010)

I'm not sure what to think of this romantic comedy based on the book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy.   I give director Edward Zwick a lot of credit for making this film as entertaining as it is.  But still, watching a drug salesman falling in love with a woman with Parkinson's disease isn't exactly the ingredients for a good time at the theater.  What does work is the casting, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway are a wonderful pairing and their intimacy is honest, brave and as engaging as two lovers should be.  I just wish I liked their characters more.  Grade: B-

Young Adult (2011)

A film staring one of the best antiheroes I've seen on film in a long time played perfectly by Charlize Theron.  Jason Reitman directs another winning script from Diablo Cody, they last working together on Juno.  Semi-successful young adult author Mavis Gary lives a lonely and empty life with her toy dog.  When she learns that her high school sweetheart is having a baby, she decides to go back to her home town and take him back.  Who care if he's happily married and about to start a family, they were in love and deserve to be together.  Awkwardness and great character exploration follows, forming a satisfying story of delusion and misdirected empowerment. Patrick Wilson and Patton Oswald co-star with great performances.  Grade: A

Shut Up, Little Man (2010)

My documentary kick continues with this funny and in some ways disturbing film about two twenty-something room mates, Eddie Lee Sausage and Mitchell D, who record their drunk neighbors, Peter and Ray, as they yell at each other.  Soon what begins as just a fun way to deal with their loud neighbors takes a life of its own.  Soon the recordings spread across the country inspiring everything from comic books, plays, puppet shows and movies.  Immorally exploiting another human being has never been so rationalized for comic and pseudo-artistic reasons.  If only Matthew Bate, the director, had explored the irony that he, himself, was exploiting his subjects too and might have delved deeper into the moral pickle that is voyeurism.  Kudos though for the parallel comparison with the Internet and our youTube society.  Grade: B+

Waste Land (2010)

Documentaries like these don't get made everyday: inspiring, important and beautiful.  It follows Vik Muniz, a famous Artist living in New York, returning home to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to literally turn Garbage into art.  To do this he visits one of the largest landfills in the world, Jardim Gramacho, and with the help of the very pickers who scavenger it for recyclables creates a series bold images that speak volumes about the human connection.  But the real art is how Vik changes the pickers he portrays, empowering them with a fever to improve their lives.  A wonderful upbeat film that teaches us all it's never impossible to use our talents to improve the world.  Grade: A 

Army of Shadows (1969)

A honest yet fictional depiction of a freedom fighter during the French Resistance during WWII.  Philippe Gerbier might be one of the good guys but his cold, uncompromising relentlessness is just as harsh as the Nazis he fights.  Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, this film historically didn't find an audience until later.  It wasn't even released in the United States until 2006.  It's considered a masterpiece by many critics today.  While a little long, I did enjoy it.  The only problem I had with it was that it didn't have a strong narrative drive.  This isn't a French Resistance thriller but a drama and character study.   Yet there are some powerful scenes that will leave most shaken and pondering the paradox of using evil to fight evil for good.  Grade: A-   

Wristcutters: A Love Story

In a clever take on the after-life, or at least a specific part where all the people who commit suicide go, Zia lives a mundane "after-life" working at a pizza place.  He then learns that his ex-girl friend, Desiree, killed her self too so he goes on a quest to find her with Eugene, his Russian musician friend and Mikal, a hitchhiker who insist she was sent to this place by mistake.  I loved this movie for its originality and its quirky yet dry sense of humor.  All the music used is from musicians who committed suicide and there are other references through out.  And it's a love story, which works, and its because this that it becomes more than just an experimental concept, but a story worth watching.  Directed by Goran Dukić.  Grade: A-

The Lorax (2012)

There should be a law that Dr. Seuss books can only be adapted in animation.  I don't care what company is involved, whether it's Blue Sky Studios (Horton Hears A Who) or Illumination Entertainment which produced this film.  His imagination is perfect for animation and live-action just doesn't work.  This film is a wonderful parable of a society consumed by consuming.  It is a loud and obvious pro-environment story where a young lad named Ted seeks out the mystery of the Once-ler and what happened to all the real trees.  Sometimes its message is a little preachy but at the same time it's a point that needs to be said and loud.  Grade: A-

She's Out of My League (2010)

Jay Baruchel makes a fortune playing skinny lovable losers.  Here his character finds himself dating an intelligent, sexy blond with a nice personality and a stable job.  Most of the film is funny and it has a simple moral that most people will agree is truthful.  The entire ensemble does a nice job with the material, even when the jokes fall flat or the story loses some of its momentum.  I especially enjoyed watching T.J. Miller and  Krystin Ritter.  My only major complaint is that it ends in satisfying but not especially clever climax.  Grade: B+

28 Up (1984)

The fourth film in the UP series follows its subjects from the previous films now at age 28.  I'm taking my time watching these because there's a lot of overlap.  Some day they could probably edit a single movie that captures every year.  If you aren't aware of this grand experiment of a social documentary, the Up Series filmed fourteen 7-year-olds in 1964 and revisits them every seven years.  So far the third film is my favorite but this one was quite good as well.  It's fascinating to witness how unpredictable life can be.  Grade: B+

The More the Merrier (1943)

This is one of those classic romantic comedies that leaves you smiling from ear to ear.  Jean Arthur is extraordinary in this film, don't ask me to explain why, she just is.  She's funny, sexy and relate-able and her chemistry with Joel McCrea is electric.  The story takes place during a housing storage in Washington DC and Jean Arthur allows for two male renters to stay in her spare room.  Comedy ensures and romantic sparks fly in a George Steven's film.  Grade: A

Colombiana (2011)

Films about women who kick-ass are increasingly becoming more popular.   The reason probably has something to do with the basic and raw correlation between sex and violence.  This one staring Zoe Saldana as a woman assassin out to revenge the death of her parents succeeds because of the star's determination and guts as well as an emotional element in the story that feels genuine.  It's basically everything you'd want in an action movie.  I could have done without some of the cliches and the under developed villain but as guilty pleasures go this one struck the right nerve.  Grade: B+

The Scorcer's Apprentice (2010)

Nichols Cage and director Jon Turteltaub reunite after National Treasure to make this fantasy film about the three apprentices of Merlin and their battle to save the world.  Jay Baruchel plays the next apprentice in Merlin's line.  Nichols Cage must train him so together they can prevent Alfred Molina from bringing back Merlin's nemesis Morgana.   The jokes mostly work and the special effects are what one would expect, very good but not Academy award good.  I had fun watching this brainless entertainment but certainly had to lower my IQ to ignore the obvious formula created weaknesses.  The best example of this is the fact that Baruchel's love story takes priority over saving the world from destruction.  Really?  Morgana's coming and Jay's more concerned about impressing some girl?  Grade: B.

The Skin I Live In (2011)

The master director and storyteller Pedro Almodóvar, one of my favorites, cooks up a marvelous little horror movie, staring Antonia Banderas as a doctor who specializes in plastic surgery and skin grafting a experimental skin.  In the clinic that's part of his home, he cares for a patient whom his own mother doesn't know much about.  That's all I will say.  Trust me, this movie is good.  It's inventive and completely the kind of thing Almodovar does so well.  Grade: A

Carnal Knowledge (1971)

For Mike Nichols' third film he studies the complex "asshole-complex" men have about sex and relationships, staring Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel.  The film follows best friends from their days in college all the way into their forties focusing on their disconnection with women.  Very well written by a script by cartoonist Jules Feiffer with top-notch acting from all on board, including Ann-Margret and Candice Bergen.  What surprising to me is that when it came out it was considered obscene and caused an outrage for discussing sex so openingly.  Times have changed more than you might think.  Grade: B+

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

This classic Spanish film from Victor Erice tells the story of two sisters, Ana and Isabel.   They live with their parents in a small village, where the arrival of the famous '30s monster film, Frankenstein becomes a big event.  There are some wonderful moments to this film with great symbolism.  My only problem with it is that I had a hard time caring about any of the characters besides Ana.  It's very poetic but also a little mundane. Grade: B

Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close (2011)

Based on the wondrous and emotinal novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, this film, directed by Stephen Daldry, tells the story of Oskar Schnell, a young autistic boy dealing with the death of his father, who died in the 9/11 attacks in New York City.   The book delves deep into the mind of Oskar and gives the book its unique perspective.  Because of this there's a sense that something is missing in the movie, but I applaud Eric Roth for capturing an essence of the novel's spirit, even if it meant too much voice-over.   Tom Hanks is perfectly cast as the father and Sandara Bullock plays Oskar's mother with just enough layers to make it work.  But it's Max Von Sydow who steals the show as the Renter, a man who doesn't talk but communicates by writing and yes/no palm tattoos.  Grade: B+ 

Pina (2011)

I was fortunate enough to watch this in 3D as it was intended and it was well-worth the higher ticket price.  Watching this dance documentary from Wim Wenders in 3D was the closest I've come to experiencing a live-theatrical art form without actually being there.  You feel like you're there as they move and explode up in the air and twist and thrust their muscles in ways that is magical and brutal at the same time.  Dedicated to the choreographer Pina Bausch, I was extremely moved to watch these dancers, all friends and members of Pina's dance troop, use their talents to celebrate the life of their mentor.   The music was also a grand bonus.  My wife and I loved the soundtrack so much we went straight to the music store and bought the soundtrack and listened to it on the way home.  Overall there are a few uninspiring dance sequences but when they're good and that's plenty, it's a powerful gut-hitting experience.  Beautifully bold, just like the woman the film honors. Grade: A-

Bill Cunningham, New York

This is a great documentary that introduces newbies (like me)  to a New York Times institution, a fashion photographer more interested in fashion than the people wearing the clothes.  Bill is a true artist and a jolly guy who lives a simple life but one that has had a profound effect chronicling what New Yorkers wear on the street or on the runway.  I love stories like these, about normal people who dedicate their lives to something they love and remain cheerful about it.  What a role model.  Grade: A-.

Woyzeck (1979)

Werner Herzog's adaptation of Georg Büchner's play stars the infamous Klaus Kinski as a low-ranking soldier on a downward spiral toward insanity.  The story takes place in a small German village.  The soldier, Franz, has a child with a flirtatious woman named Maria.  When Maria has an affair with a handsome, tall and popular soldier Franz is unable to deal with it.  Classic '70s Herzog with brilliant performances and camera work, dragged down by a somewhat unfocused pace.  Grade: B+