"Frank & Cindy"

Not an easy movie to describe. And definitely not your typical Hollywood fare. At first I thought it was going to be a mocumentry like "Spinal Tap", not knowing it was based on real life. It's billed as a comedy, but, while there are funny parts, I'd hardly call it a comedy. It's about a dysfunctional couple, whose son comes home after college. The stepdad, Frank was a pop singer in his teens and is now a fat, hard drinking slob who lives in the basement. The mom is a recovering alcoholic who's full of zany ideas. One of her ideas is to have her son make a documentary about them. Rene Russo and Oliver Platt are absolutely great. It's painful to watch them bicker, which they do so well. Overall, this was a well made, very entertaining movie.
4 out of 5 stars

"187"

One powerful film. Right off you should know that "187" is the police code for a homicide. That sets the tone for this film. It stars Samuel L. Jackson as an idealistic high school teacher. After he's brutally attacked by a student at the rough high school where he teaches in NYC, he relocates to Los Angeles. There he accepts a substitute teaching job in a gang-riddled school. Naturally, trouble follows him. When one of his students is murdered and another attacked, you wonder if the perpetrator was a student or was it him. The movie is unsettling and keeps you on edge the whole time. As you'd expect, Jackson gives a noteworthy performance. This is a film that will stick with you, long after the end credits roll.
4 out of 5 stars

"The Water Diviner"

Russell Crowe stars in this epic drama set just after the First World War. He's a farmer in the Australian outback. When the war breaks out, his three sons volunteer and then are killed at Gallipoli. This heartbreaking news causes his wife to commit suicide. He then decides it's important to him to find the remains of his sons and make sure they have a proper burial. He travels to Turkey, which is not only still suffering from the aftershock of war, but is in the early stages of  political upheaval. It's based on a true story and I found it extremely moving. It's hard to imagine the loss of not just one, but three children. I don't know why this movie isn't better known. Well worth watching.
4 out of 5 stars

"I'll See You in my Dreams"

What a beautiful film. It's a bit hard to describe, as it's pretty slow moving and nuanced. Blythe Danner plays a widow who has just lost her faithful dog. She hangs out with several other widows who are all just going through the motions with their fairly boring daily routines. She strikes up a platonic relationship with a young pool cleaner. Then, the charming Sam Elliott enters her life. I found the movie funny, touching, and moving. And Blythe Danner gives a performance that made me ask, why isn't she in more movies? I'll definitely have to look for more of her films.
4 out of 5 stars

"Results"

This little movie is what "Indie" films are all about. In it, Danny (Kevin Corrigan), a clueless slob moves to Austin, Texas from New York City. He has recently inherited a boatload of money and isn't sure how to throw it all away. He joins a local fitness center and hires Kat (Cobie Smulders) to be his personal trainer. He falls for her and unsuccessfully tries to woo her. Meanwhile, Kat is the former lover of the gym owner Trevor (Guy Pearce). It gets complicated. I know it sounds like a dumb movie about a bunch of gym rats, but it's much more than that. There's some great writing here and I found myself laughing out loud at some of Danny's awkward antics. He's a bumbling knucklehead and Corrigan pays his part so well. If you're on the fence about watching this, just give it ten minutes. I think you be both hooked, and rewarded.
4 ut of 5 stars

"Walking Out"

A subtle, slow-moving cinematic poem about fathers and sons, and moving on. I know this description sounds cryptic, but watch this film all the way through and I think you'll agree. A young man on winter break from college, returns to spend some time with his father in rural Montana. The two hike into the mountains in search of wild game. When an accident occurs, it's up to the son to find their way back to civilization. It's the age-old story of survival, but, in a way like "A River Runs Through It," is done with great care and love of nature. (I heard a rumor that Robert Redford was involved in the movie, so it's not surprising). The cinematography and breathtaking scenery, especially the arial views, are worth the price of admission. It almost makes one want to visit this gorgeous place in the winter. Almost.
4 out of 5 stars

"Spivak"

In this little gem of a movie, Spivak, (Michael Bacall) has a serious case of writer's block. His buddies convince him that his problem is that he need to get out and experience life, which will help give him something to write about. So he joins them on a trip to Las Vegas where he has a one-night-stand with a beautiful blonde, out for one last fling before she gets married. He's smitten with her and keeps running into her and her fiancé back in L.A. He ends up getting set up with her beautiful cheerleader girlfriend. The story doesn't cover a lot of new ground, but it's a lot of fun.  And Michael Bacall gives a wonderful performance. I don[t recall seeing him in anything before, but I look forward to seeing what he does next.
4 out of 5 stars