"Four Last Songs"

It's listed as a comedy but this movie is quite a bit more than that. The plot revolves around an American pianist (Stanley Tucci) who is trying to put on a performance of classical music by a recently deceased composer. Along the way he encounters numerous obstacles including the composer's widow, his mistress and other characters. His circle of friends includes a bunch of misfits and oddballs including the always whacky Rhys Ifans and Hugh Bonneville. The movie isn't just a light comedy--there are some emotional and heavy-duty moments in it. This is one of those rare films worth watching several times. Highly recommended.
4.5 stars out of 5

"The Giant Mechanical Man"

Janice, a thirty-something is adrift after losing her job at a temp agency. She ends up falling for a street performer, even though her sister and brother-in-law are pushing her to marry a writer with an ego the size of a house. Jenna Fischer and Chris Messina are absolutely charming in this little film. The writing and acting are first rate. And the best part for me was that it was shot in my hometown--Detroit. Would have loved to be an extra in this fine romantic comedy.

3.5 stars out of 5

"Punching the Clown"

If you're in the mood for some light entertainment, this is the prefect choice. The movie stars Henry Phillips, a folk singer who moves to L.A. to make it big. His career starts to take off until a vicious rumor begins to circulate. What makes this movie so special is the songs Henry Sings. They're truly twisted and laugh-out-loud funny. This is a movie I could watch over and over.
4 1/2 stars out of 5

"Beautiful Girls"

What a charming little movie. The story revolves around a pianist who returns to the small town where he grew up for his high school reunion. He gets caught up in the affairs of his unambitious friends. Not a whole lot happens, but he faces the possibilities of what his future could be.The relationship he stikes up with Natalie Portman is absolutely priceless.  Great cast and writing. The film stars Timothy Hutton, Uma Thurman, Mat Dillon, Rosie O'Donnell, Mira Sorvino, and a very young Natalie Portman.
4 1/2 stars out of 5

"Jeff, Who Lives at Home"

The theme of this charming indie film is "Everything happens for a reason". The story centers around two brothers, played by Jason Segel and Ed Helm. Segel's character, Jeff is in his 30's and still lives in his mom's basement. Jeff is sent to the store to buy some glue for a home repair. And there his day of destiny begins. The story line is pretty unpredictable and the plot takes several twists and turns. It's offbeat and I can see why it didn't do well at the box office. Both Helm and Segel do a great job. Susan Sarandon playing the mom was also excellent, as usual. Highly recommended.
4 1/2 stars out of 5

"The Cure"

An 11-year old strikes up a friendship with the boy next door who's constantly picked on because he contracted AIDS through a transfusion. When they read that a doctor in New Orleans has discovered a cure for the disease, the two of them head down the Mississippi on a raft. It's a touching story, with plenty of beautiful scenery. And the two young actors, Joe Mazzello and Brad Renfro do an absolutely amazing job.
4 stars out of 5.

"Dandelion"

A very different coming-of-age movie. The tale centers around Mason, a lonely teen-age boy who lives with parents who are totally uncommunicative. When a troubled girl moves into their small town, he falls for her and they form a close bond. When his dad accidentally hits and kills someone with his car, Mason takes the fall for him. The main part of the tale is after he gets out of a juvenile correctional facility. The movie has a lot of open spaces, both in terms of dialog and scenery. The photography is beautiful, taking its time showing the broad vistas of the mid-western landscape. And the acting is superb. You might get bored with the pacing of the movie, but I found it captivating.
3.5 stars out of 5.

Here's a link to one of the few trailers I found: http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIGMTOhQfm4A9xj7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrc3VyamVwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQD?p=%22Dandelion%22+movie+trailer&vid=4ca8f78ba940ca7e7a407554ae238b4a&l=&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4796714816241807%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.videodetective.com%2Fmovies%2Fdandelion%2F58858&tit=Dandelion&c=1&sigr=11ko0tc2k&&tt=b