The Master

In theaters now.  A heavy drinking loner named Freddie finds some semblance of a family when he stumbles onto the ship of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a new "religion"--some say cult--he forms after World War II.  It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.  This is a movie that the professional movie goers love because it "runs deep" and it isn't a Chevy.  The acting is superb and I predict Academy Award nominations for cast and movie.  It is definitely a drama and can be very disturbing but portrays how cults can take hold of people.  Especially in this case, someone who has deep emotional and mental problems.

Trouble With The Curve

In Theaters now.  Slowed by age and failing eyesight,  crack baseball scout Gus Lobel checks out the final prospect of his career.  Lawyer daughter Mickey joins him uninvited on the trip.  Along the way,  the two renew their bond, and she catches the eye of a young player-turned-scout.  Stars Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake.  I loved the movie but I am not objective.  Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses.  Clint Eastwood is an icon in the movie business.  Both do an excellent job.  Justin isn't so bad either, actually he is really believable.  Learned more about baseball than I ever wanted to know.  Great entertainment, put it on your "to see" list.

The Guard

2011 movie now in DVD format.  When tightly wound FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) invades an Irish village in pursuit of international drug dealers, wisecracking local copper Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) does his best to annoy the American and get on with his circumscribed life.  But soon there's a murder, and Boyle finds himself swept up in detective work way beyond his pay grade.  At first, I was distracted by the heavy Irish accents but as the film progressed it got better.  Subtittles would have enhanced the enjoyment of this film and made for less guess work on the dialogue.  Now I know why theaters have the volume so high--If you blast out your eardrums, there's a better chance to understand thick accents.

One Day

2011 film now on DVD.  After a romantic tryst on college graduation night, Emma and Dexter pursue separate dreams.  This romantic drama based on a novel of the same name checks in with them each year on the same date, tracking their personal and professional progress.  Stars Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.  This is the ultimate tear jerker.  If you had a bad day and are in need of a Pity Party, this is the DVD for you.  It is soppy, soppy emotional, just bring your tissue box.  My major complaint was the mumbled dialogue with heavy English accents that were not understandable.  Truly a foreign film sans subtittles.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

In theaters now.  When Cindy and Jim Green are told they can't have a baby, they bury a box filled with wishes for their dream child.  That night, a mysterious boy appears who brings magic to their lives--and the entire town of Stanleyville.  Stars Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgeton, C J Adams, Dianne Wiest.  While deep down you know the movie is a fantasy, it still keeps your attention.  It does put a spin on the mistakes Cindy and Jim make in their parenting skills--especially when it comes to sports and winning. It is still an entertaining and feel good movie.  It is not meant for children under seven.  I had to sit next to a cranky 4 year old who just wanted to go home.

Circumstance

Iranian teens Atafeh and Shireen explore their forbidden attraction to one another against the backdrop of modern-day Tehran.  Atafeh's brother, Mehran, returns home after drug rehab and is soon dismayed by his sister's new found sense of liberation.   This 2011 film is now a DVD.  Half-way into the movie, you realize the girls' are forming a lesbian relationship.  This is set among the strict rules enforced on females and their role in Tehran society.  The movie can be disturbing especially the scenes the reflect the cruel behavior to women.  It is a real eye opener to the situation women face in the Iranian culture. 

The Secret World of Arrietty

I waited for this to come to DVD and that was a good choice.  When a time "borrower" named Arrietty makes friends with a young boy many time her size, she must also shield her family from his towering elders.  But trouble brews when a curious maid starts asking questions.  Animation is great but it is still a kid's movie.  Get it to entertain visiting kids under eight.