The River Why 2010

     An adaptation of David James Duncan's novel about a young man's search for a rainbow trout.  Gus runs away from his family to follow the solitary life of fly fishing.  His goal is to find his way out from under the shadow of his father in the fishing world.  Maybe he will be able to find himself.
     If you are very interested in fishing, you probably will like this film.  I have nothing against fishing and find it to be very relaxing but how much action is there in fishing?  I had a difficult time paying attention.  2 1/2* (This movie is so-so) 

104 min, Drama directed by Matthew Leutwyler with Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, William Hurt.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 5.4 out of 10, no critic score 26% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Young Adult 2011

     Divorced young adult fiction author Mavis Gary returns to her small Minnesota hometown.  She plans to win back her high school sweetheart who is now a happily married father.  Unexpectedly she forms a bond with another former schoolmate who has had a particularly difficult life.
     Mavis is not a very likable person, well suited to young adult fiction since she has never grown up.  She finally sees what kind of person she is but then someone tells her she's great?  3* (This movie is OK)

93 min, Drama driected by Jason Reitman with Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser, Collette Wolfe, Jill Eikenberry, Richard Bekins, Mary Beth Hurt, Kate Nowlin.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, 6.8 out of 10, 81% critic 58% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Way 2010

     A grieving father experiences a major epiphany during a pilgrimage to the Pyrenees in honor of his late son.  His son died making a trek down the Way of Saint James and his father Tom vows to complete the journey.  Traveling the 800km path with only his son's guidebook and backpack he forms powerful bonds with three fellow travelers.  They alter his perspective of the world and remind him what it means to lead a meaningful life.
     Isn't it GREAT that Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez are not like Charlie Sheen!!  A good premise but too long and not strong enough, this could have been a much better movie.  This is about heavy material but treated too lightly.  3* (This movie is OK)

121 min, Action directed by Emilio Estevez with Martin Sheen, Deborah Kara Unger, Yorick Van Wageningen, Angela Molina, Carlos Leal, Simon Adreu, Eusebio Lazaro, Antonio Gil.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, 7.3 out of 10, 80% critic 83% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Love is Never Silent 1985

     Margaret struggles with her own need for independence and the obligation she feels for her deaf parents in the depression.  She had a older brother to share the burden but he was killed when they were both young children.  She tries to find happiness on her own but her initial joy in her marriage starts to be strained under the guilt she feels for deserting her parents and the bitterness they express towards her.
     This is enjoyable and you see how difficult it is for Margaret.  She understands why her parents act the way they do but it doesn't make it easier to deal with them when they get really stubborn.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

100 min, Drama directed by Joseph Sargent with Mare Winningham, Cloris Leachman, Sid Caesar, Phyllis Frelich, Ed Waterstreet, Fredric Lehne, Mark Hildreth, Lou Fant Julianna Field.

Note:  Not listed on Blockbuster, imdb 8.1 out of 10, no critic review 92% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Art of Getting By 2011

     A high school slacker forges an unlikely bond with the most popular girl in his class.  He becomes an apprentice to an older artist after learning that is disdain for homework my cost him his diploma.  George is not a people person but he's made it through high school with a minimal amount of effort usually drawing in every class.  Sally is a natural born beauty whose popularity helps to hide the fact that she's miserable at home.  Despite appearances, Sally and George discover that they actually have a lot in common.  Now, just as George begins to turn the corner with his slacker attitude, his lazy past threatens to hinder his forward momentum.
     Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts are good in this and Rita Wilson plays Freddie's mom.  Everyone has a lot of problems, high school is tough on teens and parents.  3* (This movie is OK)

83 min, Drama directed by Gavin Wiesen with Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Elizabeth Reaser, Sam Robards, Jarleth Conroy, Ann Dowd, Marcus Carl Franklin.

Note:  Blockbuster 2 1/2*, imdb 6.4 out of 10, 17% critic 48% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Deja Vu 1997

     Los Angeles store owner Dana is shopping in Israel but a meeting with a mysterious woman leads her to Paris and then the White Cliffs of Dover.  She meets and falls in love with Sean, a married English painter.  Soon after, Dana is off to London to rejoin her business partner fiance Alex.  Dana and Alex, Sean and his wife all gather as weekend house guests of John.  Both Dana and Sean are surprised to see each other again.
     Dana can't decide, should she break off her engagement with Alex and follow her heart with Sean.  She decides to marry Alex but a last minute wedding gift from her father changes her mind again.  A lot of indecision and back and forth until you don't know what's going to happen?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

117 min, Drama directed by Henry Jaglom with Stephen Dillane, Victoria Foyt, Vanessa Redgrave, Glynis Barber, Michael Brandon, Vernon Dobtcheff, Graydon Gould, Noel Harrison.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 6.6 out of 10, 65% critic 69% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Another Earth 2010

     This film challenges our concepts of reality and redemption with the discovery of a mirror of our own planet.  An astrophysics student has just been released from prison after causing a fatal car accident.  Rhoda was distracted by the sight of a new planet in the night sky which had just moved from the other side of the sun.   She enters and wins an essay contest and the prize is a trip to Earth 2, she wants to see if an alternate version of herself exists.  If there is an alternate version, has the other Rhoda made different choices and followed a different life path?
     An interesting concept and visual with an earth just like this one in the sky.  Does it offer second chances after a horrible unforgivable mistake?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
 
92 min, Drama directed by Mike Cahill with Brit Marling, Matthew-Lee Erlbach, D.J. Flava, William Mapother, Meggan Lennon, A.J. Diana, Bruce Colbert, Paul S. Mezey, Ana Valle, Jordan Baker.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.0 out of 10, 64% critic 69% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Moonlighting 1982

     Nowak is one of four Polish laborers living temporarily in England.  In exchange for a place to stay, they agree to renovate their landlord's flat within a limited time frame.  None of the men have work permits and the schedule is hectic.  They agree never to work on Sunday because that is the day they talk to their loved ones in Poland.  Nowak is the only one who speaks English and one Sunday he learns that all telephone and telegraph communication is cut off due to the Soviets declaring martial law in Poland.  Nowak decides to keep the information a secret, he doesn't want to jeopardize their living arrangements and the job.  He burns their letters from home, he pushes them mercilessly to make sure the project is completed on time and he starts stealing to finance the renovations.
     Nowak is under a lot of pressure every day, you wonder if and when he will be caught stealing.  He does speak English but he doesn't really understand as much as he should.  He had a choice between two paths, silence about the military coup and taking everything upon himself or openness with the men and sharing the burden.  3* (This movie is OK)

97 min, Drama directed by Jerzy Skolimowski with Jeremy Irons, Eugene Lipinski, Jiri Stanislav, Eugeniusz Haczkiewica, Edward Arthur, David Calder, David Grant, Judy Gridley, Dennis Holmes.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 7.4 out of 10, 100% critic 77% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 2011:

     Bella marries Edward even though Jacob has been and is still in love with her.  They spend their honeymoon on Dr. Cullen's private island.  She becomes pregnant which leads to a dangerous childbirth. Relationships between the Cullen's and Jacob's group become strained.
     This is probably the worst installment of the series, everything seems so weird and unexplained but you don't really want to know the answers.  I didn't expect much and I received less!!  Bad acting and weak plot.  3* (This movie is OK)

117, Sci-Fi directed by Bill Condon with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Pater Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 4.7 out of 10, 49% critic 74% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

My Week with Marilyn 2011

     Based on a missing chapter from a memoir by Colin Clark.  A lowly production assistant spent a week with the most famous celebrity of the era.  It was during the production of the 1957 comedy romance, The Prince, the Showgirl and Me in 1956.  The film stars Marilyn Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier.  Monroe had just gotten married to playwright Arthur Miller and they were on their honeymoon as production got underway.
     Michelle Williams makes you feel like you are actually watching the real Marilyn Monroe and Eddie Redmayne is very good as the young third assistant director.  4* (I really liked this movie)

99 min, Drama directed by Simon Curtis with Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Dougray Scott, Julia Ormond, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, Dominic Cooper.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.2 out of 10, 83% critic 79% critic on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Decendants 2011

     An adaptation of the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, Matt King is a middle aged Hawaiian who runs a trust responsible for millions of dollars worth of untouched real estate.  The land has been passed down to him and various cousins and he's preparing to sell the area to make millions for everyone in the trust.  During this process, his wife suffers a severe head trauma during a boat race, it's a tough time for him and his two daughters.
     I usually don't think George Clooney is acting, he is just playing himself but he is good in this role and this film is very different.  A lot of difficult subjects with both kids and adults trying to get though it.  The backgrounds are very beautiful since it's filmed in Hawaii.  4* (I really liked this movie)

110 min, Drama directed by Alexander Payne with George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Judy Greer, Beau Bridges, Nick Krause, Patricia Hastie, Mathew Lillard, Robert Forester.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 7.6 out of 10, 89% critic 81% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Adventures of Tintin 2011

     Computer animated motion capture adaptation of Herge's comic strip, the first installment in the trilogy.  Adventure seeking Belgian reporter Tintin and surly Captain Haddock race to recover a treasure that was lost at sea four centuries ago.  The Malevolent Red Rackham is determined to beat them to the treasure. 
     I was not at all familiar with the comic strip or Tintin before this film.  I know a lot of work went into the making of this movie but it just doesn't hold my interest.  Some animated movies just don't seem to have enough of a plot.  3* (This movie is OK)

106 min, Action directed by Steven Spielberg with Jamie Bell, Any Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Mackenzie Crook, Toby Jones, Gad Elmaleh, Daniel Mays, Enn Reitel.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.6 out of 10, 74% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Stuck Between Stations 2011

     Casper is a soldier returning to Minneapolis on leave because of his father's death.  He accidentally reconnects with his childhood on his last night of freedom.  Rebecca is a grad student who has made a lot of mistakes involving her adviser which jeopardizes her college future.  The next day they will both go back to their lives but a little moment in time changed their lives. 
     I was not correct in my ideas about this film because of the title, I thought it was in a train or bus station waiting for a connection?  Josh Hartnett has a totally different look in this film and so does Michael Imperioli (you wonder why Rebecca would look twice at him?).  The plot is weak and just not enough going on except hanging out.  3* (This movie is OK)

84 min, Drama directed by Brady Kiernan with Zoe Lister-Jones, Sam Rosen, Josh Hartnett and Michael Imperioli, Casey Greig, Brent Doyle, Sarah Sandusky.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 6.2 out of 10, 71% critic 86% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Color of Lies 1999

     A tense suspense drama about the fallout from a crime in a small Breton town.  Rene is a professional painter but times are hard and he teaches art to children after school.  One of his students, a 10 year old girl is found murdered and Rene is the last person to have seen her alive.  His wife, Viviane is a very busy district nurse trying to keep their household together on little money.  Frederique is the new chief of police in a cozy and fashionable seaside community in Brittany.  She barely knows the people living here but now must question them to solve the crime.

     This is good, you know who is not the killer but you're not sure who is.  Later a man is killed and you think you probably know who the killer is this time.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

 

113 min, Drama directed by Claude Chabrol with Sandrine Bonnaire, Jacques Gamblin, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Antoine de Caunes,  Bernard Verley, Pierre Martot, Bulle Ogier, Adrienne Pauly, Noel Simsolo. 

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 6.7 out of 10, no critic reviews 45% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

 

 

 

 

 

Losing Chase 1996

     Chase is a chronically depressed and emotionally exhausted mother who has had a recent breakdown.  Her husband hires Elizabeth to help Chase with their two boys and running the house.  Chase unleashes a barrage of verbal battering, she despises Elizabeth and treats her terribly.  Elizabeth takes it all until one night when she breaks and blows up at Chase.  This forces Chase's depression to begin to abate when she sees Elizabeth is on her side after all.
     It doesn't help Chase that her husband is angry at her for her breakdown and her oldest son swears and yells about everything.  Elizabeth has had a hard life herself and she doesn't deserve anything that Chase is dishing out!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

98 min, Drama directed by Kevin Bacon with Helen Mirren, Kyra Sedgwick, Beau Bridges, Michael Yarmush, Lucas Denton, Nancy Beatty, Elva Mai Hoover, Ron Gabriel.

Note:  Blockbuster 2 1/2*, imdb 6.7 out of 10, no critic score 77% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Magnificent Ambersons 2001

     A remake of Orson Welles' screenplay, set in Indianapolis at the beginning of the 20th century.  The automobile was just starting to be produced which made a huge difference in every town of the USA.  George is a spoiled, snobbish and utterly unlikable rich young man from the wealthiest family in town.  He is horrified after his father's death that his mother rekindles her relationship with a man she left decades earlier.  On the other side of the coin, George is in love with this man's daughter.
     George needed a lot of spankings and he must not have gotten any?  He wants to run his mother's life and she lets him but doing so he messes up his own life.  Those with a fortune sometimes see time take it away.  3 (This movie is OK)

150 min, Drama directed by Alfonso Arau with Madeleine Stowe, Bruce Greenwood, Johathan Rhys-Meyers, Gretchen Mol, Jennifer Tilly, William Hootkins, Dina Merrill.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 5.8 out of 10, no critic reviews 45% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Love Letter 1998

     A romantic fantasy based on a short story by Jack Finney, Scot is a young man engaged to be married but he's having second thoughts about the wedding.  He buys an antique desk and finds a letter from a woman named Elizabeth Whitcomb hidden in a secret compartment.  He becomes fascinated by the letter and writes her a reply using antique writing materials.  He's shocked when he receives a reply from the time period of her life in the 19th century.
     Warning, a Hallmark Movie but I found it enjoyable with likeable characters and a different type of romantic plot.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

99 min, Drama directed by Dan Curtis with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Estelle Parsons, Campbell Scott Daphne Ashbrook, Myra Carter, Gerrit Graham, Irma P. Hall.

Note:  Blockbuster 2 1/2*, imdb 7.2 out of 10, no critic review 65% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Silkwood 1983

     Based on a true story, Karen Silkwood works at the Kerr-McGee Plant nuclear plant in Cimarron Oklahoma, it is 1974.  The job is mundane until Karen and and several other employees become contaminated by radiation.  Faulty fuel rods and inadequate safety measures are going unreported and covered up by the company.  Karen begins working with the union to bring problems to the press but this causes dislike for her from other employees and the company.  Her boyfriend and roommate also become drawn into this mess.
     This is good, realistic, character driven, impressive acting and strong plot.  You know what is happening to Karen and what they are doing to shut her up.  One of the first movie screenplays from Nora Ephron.  4* (I really liked this movie)

131 min, Drama directed by Mike Nichols with Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, Cher, Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid, Fred Ward, Ron Silver, Charles Hallahan, Josef Sommer, Sudie Bond.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.1 out of 10, 70% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Immortals 2011

     Epic mythological fantasy, King Hyperion is a brutal tyrant on a bloody mission to find the Bow of Epirus which will enable him to overthrow the Gods of Olympus.  The Heraklion army goes on a brutal rampage across Greece, razing every town in their path.  A young stonemason emerges from the rubble of his village determined to make the King pay for killing his mother and his other crimes.  The King captures the Sybelline Oracle, the Oracle sees a vision when meeting the stonemason and helps him assemble a small army capable of defeating the King.
     The is from the makers of 300 but it is not as good, the plot is weak, battles can't be everything.  Mickey Rourke was perfect in the Wrestler but he is not one of my favorite actors.  3* (This movie is OK)

110 min, Action directed by Tarsem Singh with Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, John Hurt, Joseph Morgan, Anne Day-Jones, Greg Bryk.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 6.2 out of 10, 34% critic 53% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Footloose 2011

     1984 musical romance remake about a teen from the big city who moves to Bomont after the death of his mother.  In this town they have outlawed dancing and loud music because of the death of five teens after a local dance.  Ren sets out to convince the local councilmen and his fellow classmates that dancing and music are normal.
     There are about 140 cast members in this movie and you may need to be under the age of 18 to enjoy this?  Classic formula, new boy comes to town, doesn't like the rules, meets the popular girl, tries to change things.  3* (This movie is OK)

113 min, Drama directed by Craig Brewer and Kenny Ortega with Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell, Miles Teller, Ray McKinnon, Patrick Flueger, Kim Dickens, Ziah Colon, Brett Rice.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 5.3 out of 10, 70% critic 67% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Read My Lips 2001

     Carla is a woman in her mid-twenties working as a secretary in a real estate development office.  She is shy and she needs to wear hearing aids because of partial deafness.  She's very busy and her boss offers to hire an assistant for her, Paul has just been released from prison and he's looking for a job.
     This is good, Carla and Paul are like oil and water, very different people.  She starts to like him and really wants him to stay at the office job but he owes a man 70,000 francs.  The only way for him to pay it back is to start working at his club which won't go well with his parole officer.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

119 min, Mys/Suspense directed by Jacques Audiard with Vincent Cassel, Emmanuelle Devos, Olivier Gourmet, Olivia Bonamy, Olivier Perrier, Bernard Alane, Cecile Samie.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, 7.4 out of 10, 97% critic 81% audience on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Mercenaries 2011

     The Prime Minister of Serbia and his family are assassinated, a U.S. Ambassador and his aide are kidnapped.  An elite special ops unit is given the mission to rescue the American and his aide.   The U.S. cannot be involved so mercenaries are sent to prevent Europe from being plunged into war.
     Too much like a TV movie, you do connect with the team, the Ambassador and his aide.  Is is becoming a standard that a movie with Billy Zane or John Leguizamo will be on the lower end of the ratings?  3* (This movie is OK)

97 min, Action directed by Paris Leonti with Billy Zane, Robert Fucilla, Kirsty Mitchell, Geoff Bell, Vas Blackwood, Rob James-Collier, Michael Nardone.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 4.1 out of 10, 0% critic 38% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.
 

Flesh and Bone 1993

     Arlis Sweeney can never shake the memory of his father's wasted life, just one of his crimes was murdering a family and Arlis helped him do it.  Arlis supplies vending machines in small Texas towns and lives an uneventful life with no surprises.  He strikes up an unexpected friendship with Katy who she has just left her husband.
     The opening scenes of this film are tough and you don't forget it throughout the movie, you almost want to stop and not see anymore.  You know the only survivor will appear at some time in the story but you aren't sure who it will be.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

126 min, Drama directed by Steve Kloves with Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, James Caan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scott Wilson, Chris Rydell, Joe Berryman, Lisa Blount.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 6.2 out of 10, 67% critic 39% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Violette Noziere 1978

     Based on the true story of a 19 year old woman in the 30's who was tried for the poisoning of her father and the attempted murder by poisoning of her mother.  Violette is a thrill seeker who falls for a no-good slug.  He is always in need of money and Violette hatches her scheme in order to inherit her father's fortune.
     Very good acting by Isabelle Huppert, Violette is very repressed by her home life but she is also mentally unstable.  The ending is surprising.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

123 min, Drama driected by Claude Chabrol with Isabelle Huppert, Jean Carmet, Stephane Audran, Jean-Francois Garreaud, Zoe Chauveau, Jean-Pierre Coffe.

Note:  Blockbuster 4*, imdb 7.2 out of 10, 83% critic 67% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Betty 1992

     Adapted from a novel by George Simenon, Betty has been forced by her husband and his family to leave her children and her home.  She has a breakdown but is rescued by an older woman named Laure.  They are both alcoholics but Laure has managed to create a normal life for herself after the death of her husband.  Laure is a former nurse, her husband was a doctor and she listens to Betty's stories of her life.
     This film uses a flashback flash forward technique to tell about Betty.  This is interesting but I did not like the ending and I didn't see it coming.  3* (This movie is OK)

105 min, Drama directed by Claude Chabrol with Marie Trintignant, Stephane Audran, Jean-Francois Garreaud, Yves Lambrecht, Christiane Minazzoli.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 6.8 out of 10, 83% critic 54% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Sidewalks of New York 2001

     Comedy-drama shot in only 16 days about relationships in New York, six people are followed through the course of an average day.  Tommy is a successful TV producer, he meets Maria in a video Store.  Maria is a teacher just out of a bad marriage with Ben.  Ben meets Ashley at a coffee shop but she is involved with Griffin who is a married dentist.  Anne is Griffin's wife and a real estate agent, she is showing Tommy properties.
     This is filmed to seem like a documentary and it's enjoyable but with a lot of cliches included.  It's sad that Brittany Murphy has passed at a young age.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

107 min, directed by Edward Burns with Rosario Dawson, Dennis Farina, Heather Graham, Edward Burns, David Krumholtz, Brittany Murphy, Stanley Tucci, Nadia Dajani.

Note:  Blockbuster 2 1/2*, imdb 6.5 out of 10, 56% critic 50% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Missing 1982

     Inspired by the true story, a political drama in an unspecified South American country (Chile) is in the throes of a military coup.  Charles Horman suddenly disappears, he has been a thorn in the side of the country's military since he arrived in the country.  His wife Beth tries to find out what happened to him but she doesn't get answers from the ruling junta or the American consulate.  Charles' father Ed sets out to help Beth and to find his son.
     Very good acting and very believable, it seems more like news footage than a movie.  Charles' father Ed had a lot of ideas about politics, his son and Beth before he lands in this country.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

123 min, directed by Costa-Gavras with Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek,  Melanie Mayron, John Shea, Charles Cioffi, David Clennon, Richard Venture, Jerry Hardin, Richard Bradford.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.7 out of 10, 96% critic 81% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.


   

The Story of Women 1988

     Set in 1941 in a Nazi occupied French town, Marie discovers that she is successful at performing abortions and she can raise the standard of living for her family.  She meets a prostitute who becomes her friend and she discovers she can make money by charging her and another woman rent.  Her husband Paul comes home from the war but she ignores him to follow her "new" life.  Things take a sharp turn when one of her customers dies and her husband becomes fed up.
      Huppert does an excellent job in this film which makes the characters seem real.  She becomes trapped in the reach for money and forgets about the dangers.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

106 min, Drama directed by Claude Chabrol with Isabelle Huppert, Francois Cluzet, Marie Trintignant, Nils Tavernier, Lolita Chammah, Aurore Gauvin, Marie Bunel.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 7.6 out of 10, 80% critic 74% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Fright Night 2011

     This is a remake of a 1985 horror comedy hit.  Jerry is the new neighbor on the block, outwardly he's an amiable guy with a quick smile and a sharp wit.  When students start to be missing from homeroom, Charley finds out that Jerry is a vampire.  His mother is not convinced that any of this can be true, since it's Las Vegas, many people work at night, have dark blinds and sleep during the day. 
     This would be really scary if it weren't so funny, some the things that happen are really crazy.  The special effects are good and Colin Farrell seems like one of the last people you would cast as a vampire.  These vampires are not at all  like Twilight.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

106 min, Horror directed by Graig Gillespie with Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, Anton Yelchin, David Tennant, Imogen Poots,  Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Dave Franco, Redi Ewing.

Note:  Blockbuster 3 1/2*, imdb 6.5 out of 10, 74% critic 62% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Space Between 2010

     Montine is a flight attendant in her 40's who is unhappy with her life, her mother is bedridden, she relies on alcohol to deal with the stress of her job and family.  She's placed on probation by the airline after her short temper gets her in trouble again.  Omar is 10 years old and flying to LA to start a special school where he has won a scholarship because of his high scores.  The flight is grounded in Texas because of the World Trade Center disaster, Montine and Omar are stuck with each other.
     Melissa Leo and Anthony Keyvan are good in their roles but it's a strain to watch this film.  We need to remember the events but everything seems to have been filmed multiple times before.  3* (This movie is OK)

86 min, Drama directed by Travis Fine with Melissa Leo, Anthony Keyvan, Brad William Henke, AnnaSophia Robb, Phillip Rhys, Hunter Parrish, Kyle Bornheimer.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 6.5 out of 10, no score yet from critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

InSight 2011

     An emergency room nurse begins to experience the memories of a murder victim after being electrocuted by a defibrillator.  Kaitlyn heard the victim speak to her before she died but records indicate that she died in the ambulance.  Kaitlyn becomes determined to find the killer, she thinks the police are not doing enough and they think it was a random attack.  Peter is a veteran detective and he wants to believe Kaitlyn but he also doesn't want her to become another victim.
     You want this to be good but it seems too much like a TV movie, just not enough substance.  3* (This movie is OK)
   
90 min, Mys directed by Richard Gabai with Sean Patrick Flanery, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Natalie Zea, Veronica Cartwright, Adam Baldwin, Lesley Ann Brandt, Max Perlich.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 5.0 out of 10, not rated by critic 59% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.