"The Way"

This is one of the best movies I've seen in ages. Totally blew me away. The story is about a father who travels to France to retrieve the remains of his son who died on a pilgrimage. While there, he decides to make the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago himself. Along the way he hooks up with three other trekkers. The performance by Martin Sheen as well as his companions was nothing short of brilliant. The writing and the scenery were both great as well. A movie that deserves repeat viewings. 5 out of 5 stars.

"A Simple Curve"

This film takes place in a small town in British Columbia. It's the story of Caleb, who's in his late 20s and his father, Jim, who own a high end woodworking shop. Their business is in trouble until hope arrives in the form of an old friend of Jim's. There's isn't a lot of action but the movie is well written and acted, especially Michael Hogan who plays the eccentric, old hippie Jim. The scenery is absolutely stunning. If you're looking for a sweet, feel good movie, this one's for you!
4 stars.

"A Great Wall"

I found "A Great Wall" a very sweet little indie movie. It's the dual story of a Chinese-American man who brings his family to China to visit his sister who he hasn't seen in 30 years. It also centers on her family in Peking. As you'd expect, the Chinese-American Dad takes in many aspects of Classical Chinese culture and learns to appreciate them. The movie is well acted. There's not a lot of action in the movie and it  does moves at a leisurely pace. In the end, I found it to be a real gem of a movie.

4 stars out of 5.

"Never Again"

How refreshing. A romantic comedy aimed at adults instead of 16-year olds. This one stars Jill Clayburgh and Jeffrey Tambor (who I've only seen in Arrested Development). The two 54-year olds have decided after failed marriages to never fall in love again. Well, they end up meeting in a gay bar and of course, reluctantly fall for each other. The movie is witty, well written and is definitely geared for adults, with plenty of salty language. There are a couple scenes where I laughed out loud, which I rarely do at movies. The chemistry between the two is magical and Jeffry Tambor has some great lines. Four stars.

Trailer: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/never-again/trailer

"Today's Special"

One of the best feel good movies I've seen in ages. The movie is about a young Indian American who has a job as a sous chef in a gourmet restaurant. When he gets passed over for a promotion, he quits his job and makes plans to learn cooking in Paris. However his plans change when a family tragedy occurs and he has to take over his father's run down Indian restaurant. Although the movie is somewhat predictable, that's okay. The acting is good overall, the characters are all charming, and the plot will keep you entertained. It's the kind of film I didn't want to end. Five stars out of five!

"American Wake"

The story is about a firefighter who recently lost a partner in a fire and a young, talented Irish-American fiddle player. It deals with their relationships with their girlfriends and coming to terms with their family's expectations of them. It stars Billy Smith and Sam Amidon and isn't your typical fast-paced Hollywood romantic comedy, yet it's not depressing either. Some viewers might find it slow moving but I thought the pace was just right. The title comes from an Irish party they throw for folks leaving for America, whom they figure they'll never see again. The acting, dialog, and story line were all excellent. And the beautiful photography and music added to the feel of this gem of a movie. 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

"Broken English"

Parker Posey plays a single woman in her 30s who's friends are all in serious relationships. Then she meets an oddball Frenchman where things get complicated. Parker Posey is delightful, as she is in every movie I've seen her in. The acting, story line, and dialogue are all excellent. The movie was written and directed by Zoe Cassevetes. Four stars out of five.