"Under the Eiffel Tower"

This film is more of a rom than a rom-com and that's a good thing. The story follows Stuart (Matt Walsh), a middle aged guy who loses his job at a bourbon distillery. He joins friends on a tour of France and eventually falls for a beautiful owner of a vineyard (Judith Godreche). Along the way he teams up with a Scotsman (Aired Scott) who's quite the character. This movie is somewhat formulaic and predictable, but that's okay--sometimes you just need an enjoyable diversion for an hour and a half. The scenery and cinematography are noteworthy. If you looking for a pleasant diversion, this is it.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Camera Store"

Certainly one of he more unusual movies I've seen. It's about a traditional camera store at a mall, just as digital photography is coming on the scene. Two older gentlemen have worked there for ages. The entire movie takes place on Christmas Eve day and evening and seems like it could have originally been a play. As the story unfolds, we get the back story of Ray, the general manager, and we see why he's such a bitter person. Several other stories are interwoven, and as depressing as it was, I couldn't stop watching it. Sort of like a terrible accident where you just can't look away. The film is obviously dialogue heavy and almost nothing happens. But the writing and acting are superb. Just don't watch it over the holidays!
4 out of 5 stars

"The Journey"

The concise description: "My Dinner With Andre" on wheels. The full description: A captivating film based on true events about the ground-breaking meeting between Rev. Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness. Timothy Spall plays the scowling, bullheaded Paisley and Colm Meany is his spirited counterpart. The chemistry and interactions between the two are subtle at times, and laugh-out-loud funny at others. The action primarily takes place on their ride out to the airport, where Paisley is to board a plane to Ulster for his 50th wedding anniversary. I wasn't sure what to expect with this film, but I must say, it's one of the most rewarding hour and a half I've spent in front of a screen in a long time.
4.5 out of 5 stars

"4L"

I doubt you've ever witnessed a road trip movie quite like this one! It's about two lifelong buddies who get a letter from one of their old friends who's dying. They decide to take a road trip from Spain to Timbuktu to see him before he dies. They meet up with and invite his estranged daughter to join them on their journey. The three unlikely travel mates travel through the Sahara Desert in an old modified Renault 4L, and the adventures abound. The actors are real characters, the scenery is remarkable, and their escapades are wild. If you enjoy road trip movies and don't mind subtitles, you'll get a bang out of this.
4 out of 5 stars

"For Love or Money"

Nobody does goofy rom/coms quite like the Brits. The story is about a nerdy guy Mark, played by Robert Kozinski, who is about to sign a deal that'll net him two million pounds. A girl who spurned him when they were young (Samantha Barks), gets wind of this and pretends to fall in love with him. He discovers her plot and decides to see how miserable he can make her and have her still stay on track to get married. It's a delightful romp full of zany antics-- pretty mindless entertainment, but if you're in the mood for something fun, you'll enjoy it.
3 out of 5 stars

"Now and Then"

What an absolutely sweet movie. It's sort of a "Stand by Me" for girls. The film starts with four BFFs reuniting for the birth of one of their daughters. Then the story jumps back in time to them growing up in suburbia in the 1970s, when they were 12-years old. They're involved in all sorts of escapades including first encounters with boys, being obsessed with a kid who mysteriously died 20 years before and other capers. The four girls' meeting with a young Vietnam vet was worth the price of admission for me--a heartfelt moment that I found quite touching and subtly profound. It stars some big name stars but the younger actors steal the show.
4 out of 5 stars

"Boi"

If you're in the mood for something a little offbeat and quirky, this should fit the bill. It's about the exploits of a twenty-something Spanish lad, Boi, who takes a job as a limo driver. His first assignment is to drive a couple of unusual Chinese businessmen around Barcelona on an oddball mission. This movie reminded me of one of my favorite films, "After Hours", an early Scorsese work, about a nightmare of an evening that seemingly wouldn't end. Boi is a struggling novelist, who's trying to contact his elusive, pregnant girlfriend. The movie is full of amusing characters and is described, for some reason as a "road trip" film. I guess it is. Sort of.
4 out of 5 stars