"Rock the Kasbah"

The perfect movie when your in the mood for some dumb Bill Murray fare. Not sure why this one got such bad reviews--I though it was very entertaining. Sure, it could have been better, but a mediocre Bill Murray movie is better than a lot of other so-called comedies. Murray plays a down on his luck talent agent, who decides to take his talented secretary, Zooey Deschanel, on a USO tour of Afghanistan, What could go wrong? It turns out, everything. She bails on him the first night and he ends up promoting a local girl on the country's version of "America's Got Talent". It's loosely based on a true story and I found myself laughing out loud at several skits. The scene where he performs "Smoke on the Water" to a bunch of stone-faced tribal elders is worth the price of admission/rental. Kate Hudson and Bruce Willis also star.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Certain Women"

A wonderfully slow-moving, and subtly beautiful movie. It's based on short stories by Maile Maloy, which are very loosely connected. The movie stars Laura Darn, Michelle Williams, and Kristen Stewart, each featured in one movement of a zen-like poem of a film. The stories are about an attorney, (Dern), representing a crazy old man, a woman, (Williams), looking to build a home out in the country, and a young woman, (Stewart), teaching a constitutional rights class to a group of small-town teachers. The film features excellent acting,  gorgeous scenery, and superb photography.
4 out of 5 stars

"Bachelorette"

You could describe this one as a raunchy girls' night out. A bunch of old college pals get together the night before their friend's big wedding day. And as you'd expect, just about everything that could go wrong, does. The situations get a bit slapsticky and over the top at times. But overall, it's a lot of fun. Definitely not for the squeamish or for those who are easily offended. It looks like they had an absolute blast making this film!
3 out of 5 stars

"To the Bone"

I was expecting a dark, depressing take on eating disorders, but this movie really wasn't. Lilly Collins did a great job as a 20-year old girl in treatment for anorexia nervosa. She's been in and out of various programs all her teen years and finally gets into one of the most effective clinics in the country. She comes from a dysfunctional family, which largely explains her illness.  I found it interesting the way eating disorders are treated much like alcohol and substance abuse cases. Very well done and worth watching.
3.5 out of 5 stars