"Neerja"

What an inspiring film. It's about a plane that's taken over by hijackers. A young stewardess takes over the negotiations with them. The young actress, Sonam Kapoor does an amazing job keeping the passengers from harm.  And the film cuts to her family back at home following her plight. (I don't know this for sure, but I'm guessing, the soundtrack is by A.R. Ramen). This is based on a true story and it is a very intense film. I'll be surprised if you don't have tears by the end of this one. I have two daughters and my only though at the the end of this movie is: GIRL POWER!
4.5 out of 5 stars

"The Other Sister"

How did I miss this gem from 1999? It stars Juliette Lewis and Dianne Keaton and centers around a college-age girl who's mentally challenged and falls for a boy who is also mentally challenged. Her mother, Dianne Keaton, is an overly protective parent who tries to control her life to protect her. The young girl decides to move in with her boyfriend and fights tooth and nail with her mother to do so. It's very well done, however I've seen a couple movies that starred actual mentally challenged actors,  and the movies were way more provocative. A sweet movie nonetheless.
4 out of 5 stars

"!3 going on 30"

If you're in the mood for some light comedy, this is a great film. Nothing deep, just a fun, mindless film very well done. It's fairly predictable, but sometimes you need that. It stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Rufallo. The movie starts at a 13th birthday party that's totally embarrassing because the birthday girl is a nerd and the party is taken over by the cool girls. She wishes she was thirty, and because the guy next door sprinkles some magical dust over her, her wish is granted when she wakes up. I know it sounds stupid, but trust me, it's really well done. A heartfelt movie.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"100 Streets"

I really enjoy movies with parallel stories that overlap in the end. This movie is about the lives of an ex-rugby star and his estranged wife, a sensitive cabbie, and a young, gifted small-time drug dealer trying to distance himself from the gangs he's surrounded by. All the actors in this movie are amazing. This film had the potential to be mediocre, however the level of acting raised it to another level.
4.5 out of 5 stars

"Two Lovers and a Bear."

A really offbeat movie that will only appeal to indie film fans. It's abut two young lovers, Roman and Lucy, who live in northern (as in Arctic) Canada. They're there to escape their pasts. They're afraid of returning south but eventually have to. It's about their journey and dealing with the ghosts that haunt them. Beautiful scenery and great acting and chemistry between the two lead actors. And a very unexpected ending to boot. And the "Two Lovers and a Bear" joke Lucy tells is one of the funniest I've heard in a long, long time.
4 stars out of 5

"Lovesong"

Another little indie gem. It's a story about two women, Sarah and Mindy, who were close friends in college. They get together several years later for the first time in ages. Sarah has a precocious young daughter and a husband who is constantly away on business, and Mindy is a free spirit. They spend a day or two rekindling their friendship. Cut to three years later to Mindy's wedding weekend where the two friends reunite. It's a total chick-flick, which is fine with me--I love chick flicks. The scriptwriting, acting, and photography are all perfect. I can't understand why movies like this never get the attention they deserve, yet the crappy, overproduced Hollywood blockbusters gross millions. Go figure.
4 stars out of 5

"All We Had"

A reckless mon and her 15-yearl old daughter are a couple of drifters. They decide to head from the Midwest to Boston and end up getting stuck in a small town. This is a classic indie film at its best. The acting and photography are first rate. Not a lot happens, except the two lead actresses move ahead in their lives. If you like subtle, nuanced films, you'll enjoy this one. 4 stars out of 5.