This Man Must Die (1969)

This isn't your typical revenge flick.  Directed by Claude Chabrol, it's not just about a man trying to find the driver of the car that ran down his young son, it's also about how revenge makes it impossible for one to love again.  While it feels like a dated thriller it's still an enjoyable story with acceptable performances.  If you like Chabrol than this is one to check out even if it's not his best.  Grade: B+

I Remember Mama (1948)

George Steven's adaptation of the play of the same title is a memorable family drama centered around a mother of true courage, strength and passion.  Irene Dunne is the perfect choice to play the role and her performance is perfectly subtle and consistent.   The entire ensemble is great because it's hard to imagine they're not really a family.  I'll admit that as the film started I didn't expect much.  But by the time the film ended I had tears running down my cheeks.  What a glorious picture.  Grade: A   

The Intouchables (2012)

This is French feel-good comedy of the year.  I loved this film and expect it to be nominated for Best Foreign Film.  It's funny and dramatic with characters you fall in love with.  What more could you ask for?  Based on the true story of Driss, an unemployed man from the Ghetto, played with great charisma by Omar Sy, who becomes the nurse to a wealthy quadriplegic named Philippe, played by François Cluzet.  As buddy comedies go these two actors have that winning chemistry that every film maker craves.  Watching their friendship grow is inspiring and also quite humorous.   Grade: A-

Medium (Season 5)

Allison DuBois and her family are back in this well-crafted and entertaining fifth season.  I wouldn't say it's the best season of the series but as psychic-detective episodics go this one still thrives, keeping with the wonderful family dynamic that works to maintain the narrative whole.  Grade: B+ 

The Tempest (2010)

It seems that Julie Taymore was more interested in creating a visual dynamic circus than telling a compelling story.  That's not to say she fails in this adaptation of Shakespeare's play, it's just in creating a specticale she forgot about the story a little bit.  Helen Mirrem, Alfred Molina, Alan Cumming, Tom Conti and surprisingly Russell Brand pull off Shakespeare quite well while the rest of the cast misses the mark, reminding the audience how hard the Bard's language is to some actors.  I enjoyed the change of gender for Prospero into Prospera and many of the special effects work.   But I hope that this isn't the last time this terrific play gets adapted.  I'd love for a more seasoned director of Shakespeare tackle this someday for the silver screen.  Until then I'd recommend read the play and only check this one out if you're curious.  Grade: B

Bloody Sunday (2002)

Paul Greengrass's honest and realistic depiction of the tragedy known as Bloody Sunday is a powerful work of art as well as an important recreation of how easy police forces can overreact.  The fact that no one was charged for what was obviously a major misuse of force is maddening and a great shame.   It is no wonder why Greengrass was able to make United 93, he understands how to dramatize a real event without over politicising it.  It is baffling how anyone could shoot unarmed people and while the film demonstrates the confusion of that day it can never lessen those military men's guilt.  A must see for anyone who loves history.  Sure it's a depressing film but too important to ignore.  Grade: A

Passion of Anna (1970)

Another ground braking film from Ingmar Bergman.  While not his best, it still stands up as a work of fine drama with strong performances from everyone involved.   Andreas, played by the legendary Max Von Sydow, is a private man who becomes involved with Anna, played by Liv Ullmann, a friend of his neighbors, the Vergerus.   Their relationship soon desolves and its how it unravels that's so impressive.  There's also subplots based on Andreas' friendship with the Vergerus played by Bibi Andersson and Erland Josephson .  Grade: B+