"Riphagen-The Untouchable"

What a dark movie. It's based on a true story set in WWII. A Dutch collaborator with the Nazis makes deals with Jews to help protect their valuables until after the war. Well, let's just say he's not totally honest with them. He's one of the most vile human beings I've ever seen depicted in the movies. Riphagen (Jeroen van Koningsbrugge), gives one of the most amazing performances I've seen recently. You just want this guy to die.
4.5 out of 5 stars



I have to apologize, I could only find a Dutch trailer and I couldn't embed a video. You'll have to do a cut and paste. Sorry, but believe me, it's an incredible movie.

"Colonia"

A young couple is separated during a military coup in Chile and the photojournalist is sent to a secret military camp which is disguised as a religious cult facility. His girlfriend( Emma Watson) goes in search of him, and joins the cult to find him and get him out. This movie is based on true events during the Pinochet regime and is spellbinding. All the actors were phenomenal, and I though Michael Nyqvist played the evil protagonists just about as well as you could play it. He was pure evil! What a great story.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

"Scenic Route"

Two old friends decide to take a trip cross country. Instead of taking the usual route, they decide on taking the "Scenic Route"--which is to say, the road that no one takes. So their beater of a truck breaks down and a series of major fights ensue between these guys. They end up out in the middle of nowhere in the desert, on a a lonely, untravelled road. The movie devolves into the two guys examining their existence and their relationships with each other. At the the movie's conclusion you question whether the events actually took place or not.
4 stars out of 5.

'The Call Up"

A bunch of gamers sign up for a competition with a grand prize of $100,000. Little do they know that they signed up for a virtual-reality battle. If you're into offbeat, sci-fi movies that will totally surprise you, this is one for you.  It starts out pretty normal and then unravels into a totally crazy and unpredictable warfare drama. I did not see the ending coming. What a zany movie.
4 out of 5 stars.

"The Finest Hours"

This is a movie about courage and conviction. A young Coast Guard  sailor is in  love with his sweetheart. He's given an impossible assignment to rescue the crew of an oil tanker that's been split in two. He goes out in gale winds to rescue the crew. Amazing photography and acting. A totally gripping story.And it's based on a true story.

"A Royal Night Out"

I saw this movie in London, of all places. It was absolutely wonderful. It's based on a true story of the future queen of England, Elizabeth, who wants a fun night out on the the evening that the Allies celebrate  the end of World War Two. It's such a fun romp and I highly recommend it to anyone who's a fan of the Royal Family.
4 out of five stars.

"Sweet Bean"

What a beautiful film. A young man operates a small dorayaki pastry store in Japan. He's approached by a 75-year old woman to help him run his shop. He ends up hiring her, and because of her amazing ability to make a tasty bean paste, attracts people from all over. But, she's hiding a secret which changes everything. What a sensitive film, with great acting, incredible cinematography, and perfect musical score.
4.5 out of five stars