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-