"Least Among Saints".

What a powerful, indie film. It's about a war vet (Iraq?) who comes back and has to  deal with his demons, and a kid next door who's mother ODs. He's determined to help the kid to find his father. One refreshing feature about this movie is everyone looks like real people, not a bunch of Hollywood beauties. This is what Indie films are all about. Great movie.
4.5 stars out of 5

"Perlasca"

I have to admit, I love WWII movies. Especially ones based on true stories. This one is based on the life of Perlasca, an Italian cattle trader who was stuck in Budapest during the war. He risked his life and stood up to the Nazis to try to save a number of Jews. He mouthed off and was arrogant to a number of German commanders. What a great story. He kept quiet about what he had done during the war but was recognized years later. I'm sorry I can't find a decent trailer in English. Trust me, you'll love this movie.
4.5 stars out of 5.

"Inventing the Abbotts"

Another gem that slipped under the radar somehow. This is a feel good movie when you just need that sort of thing. Two brothers, a young Joaquin Phoenix and Billy Crudup, and raised by a single mom in a small town in Illinois in the 1950s. They're in love with three rich sisters, who's father (Will Patton) wants them to have nothing to do with the lads. Everything about this movie is perfect, the sets and costumes, storyline, and the acting. It's simply a delightful, romantic little film.

5 stars out of 5

"Your Sister's Sister"

Another little gem that passed by under the radar. Too bad. A year after his brother dies, Jack (Mark Duplass) is invited to spend some time alone by his dead brother's girlfriend (Emily Blunt) at her parent's cabin. When he gets there, he ends up spending the night with her sister. Things get very complicated from there. It's a classic indie romance that's well written and well acted. Once again, this is what indie films are all about. Loved this film. 
4.5 stars our of 5

"God Bless America"

Okay, I'll say right off, this movie isn't for everyone. It's pretty over the top violent in a Terantino way. The movie is about a guy who loses his job and fantasizes about killing everyone at his workplace. He ends up going on a shooting rampage and kills a lot of awful people who deserve to die. I found myself rooting for him and an accomplice he picks up along the way. It's a very funny movie if you can handle a bit of violence.

"Born Romantic"

What a fun movie. It's about three couples who meet at a salsa club, get involved with each other, have problems, then reunite in the end. Okay, I'm giving away the ending, but you know what's coming, right from the beginning. Sure the movie is predictable, but it's so much fun to watch. I especially liked watching Craig Ferguson in this movie. If you're looking for an hour and a half of mindless diversion, check this one out.
4 out of 5 stars

"Perfect Sense"

This is a movie that plays out like a Saramago novel. It's about a world where everyone slowly loses one sense at a time, due to a pandemic virus. It's sort of creepy, but in a a way, a beautiful film. I highly recommend it. But with a warning--it will haunt you for a long time And it will make you appreciate the senses you have and love every minute you spend on this planet.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Beginner's Guide to Endings"

When their dad dies, three unsuspecting brothers discover they're going to die soon. Their father (Harvey Keitel) has gambled away all the family's money. So the brothers set out to change their lives and start to really live. While I wasn't expecting much from this movie, and it was in my queue forever, it turned out to be an offbeat indie film that's well written and well acted.Very entertaining with several laugh-out-loud moments.
4 stars out of 5.

"Slacker"

Wow! Reviewers either loved or hated this movie. And I can see why. It's considered a classic and it's one of the first movies Richard Linklater made. The whole movie is a continuing dialogue by a bunch of pretentious college students. I thought it was a bunch of fun.

"Twice Born"

This movie features Penelope Cruz at her best. I don't know why she isn't cast in more movies and isn't recognized as the great actor that she is. Anyway, this movie is about an Italian woman who returns to Bosnia with her son, 16 years after she lived there during the war. It brings up numerous memories and the movie jumps back and forth in time. Ms. Cruz does an amazing job and while the movie is pretty depressing, it is also quite powerful. Well worth watching.
4.5 stars out of 5

"Mr. Nobody"

Choices. That's what this movie is all about. The story centers around a 118-yearl old mortal in a world of immortals. Nemo Nobody, played by, Jared Leto, is the last human being who's lived naturally. The story jumps back and forth continuously as he tells his story. His parents divorced when he was young and a pivotal scene shows him deciding wether to follow his mother at the train station, or stay behind with his dad. As the movie progresses, we see the hundreds of choices he could have made through is life and their consequences. It's confusing at first, but it makes total scenes in the end. The movie is brilliantly shot--to the point where you could watch it with the sound off and still be mesmerized by the visuals. I don't understand why it never made it big in the United States. Actually, I don't know why nobody's ever even heard of this film.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Breakfast With Curtis

This is another shining example of what Indie films are all about. The basic plot is a nerdy, home-schooled (not fundy-Christian) kid has a run in with his hippy neighbor. Five years later, the old hippy hires him to film a blog about him. Eventually, the hippy compound and the nerdy kids family reunite. This is one of those non-formulaic films (Happy beginning, tragedy strikes, happy ending). It's a funny, chaotic romp that's fun to watch all the way through. If you were a teen in the late 60s and early 70s, I guarantee you'll enjoy this flick.
4.5 out of 5 stars

Short Term 12

This is not an easy film to watch. It's about a group of young social workers who work with kids who are are working their way back into society. They relate to the kids because they've experienced similar problems. There are many humorous moments as well as some very emotional ones as well. A very powerful movie, with some outstanding performances. A movie worth watching more than once.
4 out of 5 stars.

"How I Live Now"

What a wonderful film but dark film. It's about a young American girl who goes to England just as WWIII is starting. She stays with her quirky English cousins out in the country. At first she's pouty, angry and aloof. Eventually things unravel as the war begins and she opens up to life's experiences and joins in with her cousins. This movie definitely exceeded my expectations and worth watching! Saoirse Ronan, who plays the young girl Daisy was magnificent.
4 out of 5 stars.




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"An insignificant Harvey"

What an amazing indie film. It basically has no plot, and is pretty subtle, which my daughters hate. I love what I call "subtle" films. This movie is about a "Little person" who lives in an Alaska type environment. He really has no friends until a dog befriends him. Then several people befriend him. This movie is not unlike "The Station Agent" although the "little person" theme has nothing in common with the movies.

"Broken"

I disliked this movie at first. I found it very disjointed and hard to follow. It centers around a young girl and the disfunctual families in her small neighborhood. A lot transpires in the course of the movie but in the end, it's all worth watching. And it's a movie that sticks with you for quite a while. Few movies do that, and isn't it what movies are supposed to do?

"Straight A's"

Based on the description of the movie, I was prepared to be underwhelmed by this film. Instead, I found it to be a totally charming, funny, and perfect example of what great indie movies are all about. The basic plot is about a loser uncle who returns home to visit his brother and his wife, who happens to be his ex girlfriend. He strikes up a friendship with his brothers children and the story revolves around his relationship with him and his old girlfriend. I'm not going to give anything more away. Just watch this wonderful movie! Give it a chance.
4 out of 5 stars

"It's a Disaster"

Unlike the disastrous "This is the End", this movie is an enjoyable, witty, well-acted movie. Four couples get together for a "couples" brunch. Before long, we realize something's up--the internet doesn't work, their cell phones can't get a signal, and finally the power goes out. Through a neighbor, they find out their city has been attacked by terrorists and their days may be numbered. Instead of panicking, they work through their relationships, uncover unknown secrets about each other, while trying to figure out a way out of their mess. I thought the dialogue was mart and funny and found myself laughing out loud at various conversations and incidents. Most of the actors are relatively unknown except for David Cross of Arrested Development and America Ferrera of Ugly Betty.
4 out of 5 stars

"Robot & Frank"

I was a little skeptical about this movie at first. A movie about a retired cat burglar and a robot? But after watching it for a few minutes I was sucked in. The story is a about an elderly cat burglar, played brilliantly by Frank Langella, whose adult children hire a humanoid robot to look after him. He has a lousy diet, doesn't get any exercise, and his place is a pig sty. He reluctantly agrees to have the robot live with him and things start to change. That's all I'll reveal without giving away the story. The movie includes several unexpected twists, and in the end, I found it very entertaining. 

4 solid stars out of 5. 

"Bandits"

How can you go wrong with a cast featuring Bruce Willis, Cate Blanchett, and Billy Bob Thornton? This quirky indie film is so much fun, you just never know where it's headed, and it keeps you guessing until the end. Willis and Thornton break out of prison and begin a series of unusual bank robberies. The show up at the home of bank managers in the evening and spend the night with the family. The next morning the go the bank and the manager opens the vault for them. Along the way, they accidentally take Blanchett hostage, and she's totally on board with their capers. What a refreshingly fun movie. Both Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton are enjoyable to watch.

4.5 out of 5 stars.