Men In Black 3

My View:  Men in Black 3  (2012):  The MIB are back!   Agent Zed is dead, and a new agency head is taking over, Agent O (played by Emma Thompson).  Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back to 1969 to stop the death of Agent K (Josh Brolin) by an alien assassin. If Agent J isn’t successful, it could be the end of Agent K, the Agency and, even possibly, Earth.  Tommy Lee Jones makes an appearance at the start of the film, but this is Josh Brolin's film, and he does a fascinating job as the young agent K, perfectly mimicking Tommy Lee's  performances in the earlier films. This a clever film, but it's not a  great one.  It's still a fun ride on another adventure with the MIB gang on a mission to save the world. By the way, MIB3 was not shot in 3-D, so no need to see it in 3-D. My Rating:  Full Price   Men in Black 3 Website

Indiefest: Girl in Progress (2012) Eva Mendes plays Grace, a single mom who is working two jobs while trying to raise her teenage daughter, Ansiedad (played by Cierra Ramirez). Grace is always making the wrong choices, sometimes, at the sacrifice of her daughter, especially when it comes to men.  Currently, she is having an affair with her employer, a married doctor (played by Matthew Modine), whose house she cleans. While her daughter, Ansiedad, is fueled by the teachings of her English teacher, she decides that, to gain independence and get away from her mother, she must follow the ideas in all the coming-of-age stories that she has either read or watched in movies.  This is one of those films that you really want to love, but it just misses the mark, and you end up not even really liking it. I like the cast, especially, Cierra Ramirez but I felt that Eva Mendes just wasn’t quite up to the task of giving us the warm and complicated woman that this film needed. The script should have been a little more clever, especially with the ending, which seemed to happen much too easily. My Rating: Cable   Girl In Progress Website   

Indiefest: Bernie (2012) Based on a true story, Jack Black plays Bernie, an assistant director of a funeral home in a small east Texas town. Bernie is the most popular man in town, and he is great at his job.  He is also kind and generous with his time and money and is perfect with the widows in the area. Bernie becomes involved with “the meanest woman in the town," a wealthy widow, Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine). At first, the relationship is beneficial to both.  They travel, are good company for each other, and seem to have the same interests. But soon, Marjorie becomes obsessed with Bernie, cuts him off from his friends and family and makes him her virtual servant. The big question is, can Bernie survive in Marjorie's world?  Writer/Director Richard Linklater (Slacker, The School of Rock) does a masterful job of capturing the life of a small Texas town, especially showcasing all of the townspeople who are willing, at the drop of a hat, to give their opinion. Jack Black is fun to watch as the very effeminate, but earnest Bernie, and Matthew McConaughey, in one of his best performances in recent years, shines as the tough as nails, baseball bat wielding district attorney. This is one of those films that hits just the right notes and makes it fun to go to the movies.  My Rating: Full Price   Bernie Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#20 Worst Film:

Lost Horizon (1973) This film, based on the 1937 Frank Capra masterpiece of the same name, stars Peter Finch, Liv Ullmann, Sally Kellerman and Michael York. Considered one of the worst musicals of all time (with original music by Burt Bacharach), it’s also considered one of the biggest promotional flops. Not only did the soundtrack bomb, the line of “Lost Horizon” clothes, perfumes, and home paint (yes, you could make your den into virtual “Shangri-La”) died as well. During the film, if you look carefully, you can see that a number of the books in the “Greatest Library in the World” are from the Readers Digest Condensed Books series. If only the film had been condensed.   Lost Horizon Info

Forgotten Film: October Sky  (1999) Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) is the son of a coal miner in a small West Virginia town in 1957 and is destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. With the launch of the Russian satellite, Sputnik, Homer becomes inspired and decides he will design and build a rocket to send into outer space, a project that Homer’s dad and townspeople feel is a waste of time. But, with the help of a few friends and a high school teacher (Laura Dern) , Homer begins the process of building a rocket that could lead to a college scholarship and a way out of the coal mines. Based on a remarkable true story, this film makes you believe when you put your heart and soul into something, you will be rewarded.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   October Sky Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released on DVD): The Secret World of Arrietty (2011) I enjoyed this animated family film based on the beloved children’s book, The Borrowers.  It's about a family of four-inch tall people, who live in secret and take just what they need to survive from the Beings living in the big house above. It’s a beautiful film, and it doesn’t hurt that the cast is full of talented actors like Will Arenett, Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett.  My Rating: Full Price   The Secret World of Arrietty Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Madea’s Witness Protection (2012) I think the cast speaks for itself: Tyler Perry, Denise Richards, Tom Arnold, Doris Roberts. Can I get into the program so I don’t have to see this film?    Madea's Witness Protection Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of Bernie: Armadillo Handler

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Bourne Legacy (2012) After three films as Jason Bourne, Matt Damon has decided to pass the reins to the Robert Ludlum novel based "Bourne" series to Jeremy Renner.  I think the series will be in good hands.   The Bourne Legacy Website

Until Next Time!

Battleship

My View:  Battleship (2012): When a distant planet is discovered to have the same conditions for life as Earth, the government begins a project to contact the planet.  Five years later, Alien ships arrive.  One crashes into downtown Hong Kong, and the other four land just outside the Hawaiian Islands.  Now it’s up to the U.S. Navy, commanded by Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson), to stop the Alien invasion. Taylor Kitsch plays Lieutenant Alex Hopper, a headstrong, always in trouble, junior officer who just happens to be dating the Admiral’s daughter (Brooklyn Decker). You know you have a film that just isn’t going to work when a former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model (Decker) has more screen time than your biggest star (Neeson).  I did enjoy Rihanna as a kick ass Petty Officer who likes blowing up things, but the film made it look like she was the only female serving in the Navy.  This film’s plot is so full of holes and asks you to believe so many unbelievable things that the audience whom I saw the film with was laughing at almost every twist and turn. It's a big mess of film that thinks it can just put some cool looking alien spacecraft in front of you, and you will be happy with it.   If you do make it to the end of the film, and I am not sure you will, there is a bonus scene at the end of the final credits.  And, by the way, no one ever says, “You Sunk My Battleship,” but maybe they should have.    My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Battleship Website

My View: The Dictator (2012): Sacha Baron Cohen stars as Admiral General Aladeen in this film about a ruthless dictator of a fictional North African country. On a visit to New York City, his life takes an unexpected turn, and he has to survive on his own in the Big Apple. This is a film that you are either going to love or hate. As with all the Sacha Baron Cohen movies, he goes too far with almost all his jokes. I did not like this film mostly because his character is an extreme racist who makes derogatory comments about everything and everybody, and I became almost numb to them.  I felt that, too often, he went for the easy joke - the easy pratfall.   And, poor Anna Faris, who plays his love interest in the film, is just wasted in this role as an environmental, loving, hippy manager of a health food store.  While I didn’t find this movie offensive (though some people will), I just thought it wasn’t very funny.  
My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   The Dictator Website

Indiefest:  Darling Companion (2012): On her way back from taking her youngest daughter and grandchild to the airport, Beth (Diane Keaton) finds a dog by the highway.  Against the objections of her husband. Joseph (Kevin Kline), she adopts the dog. While out on a walk at their mountain vacation home, Joseph loses the dog and possibly loses his wife’s love and respect. Though I didn’t love this film, I did enjoy the way that the story-line developed with its very witty writing and strong characters. This is a dog lovers movie and shows the importance of the bond between people and man’s best friend.   It's also a film about relationships - new and long term.   My Rating: Full Price    Darling Companion Webiste

Indiefest:  Mansome (2012): This Morgan Spurlock (Super-Size Me, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold) documentary is about what it's like to be a man in today’s metrosexual, manscaping, modern day world.  Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, in a sort of bumper between segments of the film, are hilarious as they spend a day at a spa discussing all the trials and tribulations of what it means to be an man in today’s society...while they are getting facials and manicures.   Judd Aptow, Adam Carolla and Zach Galifianakis are all interviewed on various subjects like the pros and cons of beards /mustaches and if grooming products are for men.  It's not one of Spurlocks best, it’s still a fun ride through the world of manliness.   My Rating : Bargain Matinee    Mansome Website

Indiefest: First Position (2012): This documentary film follows six young ballet dancers (ages 9 -16) as they train and compete at the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions and a competition that draws thousands of dancers from across the world. This is an interesting look at the dedication it takes from the young dancers and their families.  All the dancers are worth rooting for, but it’s especially true for Michaela, who was adopted from the war-torn country of Sierra Leone when she was five, and Joan, a teenage boy who is training in New York thousands of miles away from his family in Columbia.  This is a marvelous film that celebrates the joy of dance but lets you see the tears and hard work that make it possible.  My Rating: Full Price    First Position Website

Forgotten Film:  Our Man Flint (1966) When this film was released, four films about the British spy, 007 James Bond, starring Sean Connery, had already been released, so it was decided that America needed an answer to the super spy, and thus Derek Flint was created. Flint (played by the charismatic James Coburn) comes out of retirement to stop a group of mad scientists who use a climate-control apparatus to cause earthquakes, volcanoes and storms. This film is shot with its tongue firmly in cheek as Flint would rather spend time with his “playmates” than break a sweat, but he is willing to save the world if it doesn’t take too much time. Coburn is perfect in the role as the suave, ever cool Flint, and the film pokes fun several times at the 007 franchise. This is a film that never takes itself too seriously.  Flint just wants to have a good time while saving the world.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Our Man Flint Info


Weird Credits: From the credits of The Dictator: Physical Comedy Consultant 


Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Prometheus (2012) A Sci-Fi film about a team of explorers who journey to the outer limits of the universe only to discover that they may be facing the end of mankind.  Hey, any Sci-Fi film directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator) and staring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron has got to be interesting, if not great.   Prometheus Website

Until Next Time!

Dark Shadows

My View: Dark Shadows (2012) In 1752, playboy Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) breaks the heart of a witch (Eva Green) and, to get back at him, she turns him into a vampire and buries him in a grave. In 1972, his grave is uncovered, and being undead, he returns to his mansion to discover it in ruins.  Its current occupants are his descendants, but they aren’t quite living up to the Collins name. This film has no idea what kind of film it is.  Is it a comedy, a dark comedy, a drama, a horror film?   It just doesn’t know, and the audience that I saw it with didn’t know either.  It’s like the director Tim Burton and Johnny Deep just threw ideas against a wall and kept what stuck. I thought the appeal of vampire movies was that they were sexy, but there isn’t anything sexy in this film.  And, Johnny Depp's makeup makes him look dead. The film has a great cast with Michelle Pfeiffer, Jackie Earle Haley, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Helena Bonhman Carter, but most of this talent is wasted on characters that seem to be just that - characters. The film is too long (almost 2 full hours) and feels like it could have used a couple of editing sessions to tighten up its pacing.   My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Dark Shadows Website

Indiefest: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) A group of British retirees travel to India to move to, what they believe, is a world class resort hotel. When they arrive, they realize that it’s not exactly what you would call “World Class,” and it’s nothing like what they expected. Some of the new residents, though, find joy and enlightenment in their new home. The film is fun to watch, India is beautiful to look at, and the cast, which includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, and Bill Nighy, looks like they had a blast making this movie. This is the type of film that audiences have been looking for - a smart, intelligent film that has warmth and humor.   My Rating: Full Price   The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Website

Indiefest: Sound of My Voice (2012) A couple (Christopher Denham, Nicole Cicius) who are making a documentary film try to infiltrate a secretive cult led by a charismatic woman (Brit Marling) who claims she is from the future, the year 2054. Will the couple accomplish their task, or will they be sucked into the culture of the cult? This is an interesting character study on how people get involved with cults and start doing things they normally wouldn’t do. Brit Marling is perfect in the role as the leader and helps you understand how someone would be controlled by a cult. While not a perfect film, it is an interesting one.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Sound of My Voice Website

The 50 (A Movie from My Best/Worst film of All Time)

#21 Best Film

Pulp Fiction (1994) Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) are hit men who are sent to retrieve a mysterious suitcase held by a mob boss (Ving Rhames). That’s just one of four stories that magically intertwine to make up a crazy ride of a movie. This film has an incredibly cast which also includes Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, and Bruce Willis.  What makes this movie work, though, is the creative dialogue that Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino brings to  the screen with his wry sense of humor.   Pulp Fiction Info

Forgotten Film: Cinema Paradiso (1988) Winner of the 1989 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, this film is about a successful film director who, in flashbacks, remembers his childhood when he developed a friendship with a projectionist at a local film theatre. The projectionist serves as a father figure to the young boy and teaches him about the magic of film. This film is a celebration of the movies and they can touch our lives.  It’s also a moving coming- of-age tale of a young boy who has lost his father in a war and needs a man to help shape his life.   My Rating: Full Price   Cinema Paradiso Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released on DVD): The Vow (2012) A newly married couple (Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams) are in a car accident.  When the wife comes out a of coma, she does not remember what has happened over the last few years, including all her time with her husband. I did not like this film mostly due to the fact that Tatum is not up to carrying the movie in his lead role.   My Rating: Cable   The Vow Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2012): Yes, the film has Bruce Willis, but it also has Channing Tatum and The Rock (Dwayne Johnson).  Do we really need to Go Joe?   G.I. Joe Retaliation Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of Dark Shadows: Hair Artist for Mr. Depp

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Brave (2012) Pixar’s summer animated film finally brings us a movie about a female hero, a young girl named Princess Merida, who must rely on her skill as an archer and her bravery to save her kingdom from a curse.   Brave Website

Until Next Time!

The Avengers

My View: The Avengers (2012) Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) puts together a team of Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), to form The Avengers. They join to face the evil Loki and stop his plan to take over the world. Writer/Director Joss Whedon has done an astounding job creating one of the best action adventure films in the past ten years. The film is not only full of incredible action sequences, but it also has a surprising amount of humor, and audiences may have to see the film twice to catch all of the funny deliveries. Downey is the main force behind the storyline, but all the superheroes get their moment in the sun, with the Black Widow and The Hulk characters particularly standing out.  I especially enjoyed The Hulk, who smashes everything in sight, in the final battle sequences.  When you see this film, make sure to stay through the final credits, as there is a special scene (the scene was filmed by the cast while at the LA premiere last month).   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Avengers Website

Indiefest: Monsieur Lazhar (2011) This film was Canada’s entry to the Best Foreign Language entry into last year’s Oscars. After an elementary school teacher commits suicide in her classroom, Monsieur Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant, is hired to take over the class in a Montreal suburb. While helping the children get over the loss of their teacher, Lazhar tries to get political asylum, which would allow him to stay in the country he has come to love. This is a powerful film about healing, dealing with the past and the great influence that teachers have over their students. Mohamde Fellag as Monsieur Lazhar gives a multilayered performance of a man who is trying to reach his students as he deals with the horrors of his past.   My Rating: Full Price   Monsieur Lazhar Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#21 Worst Film:

The Lonely Lady (1983) Based on a Harold Robbin novel, Pia Zadora stars as Jerilee Randall, a schoolgirl who dreams of being a famous writer. While at a party, she is raped (with a garden hose, yes, a garden hose) by one of her friends' buddies. She is rescued by the owner of the house, Walter (Lloyd Bochner), a big Hollywood screenwriter. Walter, even though he is at least 30 years older than Jerilee, falls in love with her, and they eventually get married. Cut to the chase - Jerilee leaves Walter and sleeps her way to the top, getting writing jobs as she seduces executive after executive, and eventually gets nominated for Best Screenplay at the Oscars. Living through the character of Jerilee is the only way Pia Zadora will ever get close to an Oscar.   The Lonely Lady Website

Forgotten Film: Night of the Comet (1984) Two high school sisters (played by Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney) wake up to find that most of humanity has been turned into dust by a comet. What is left is a few survivors and zombies, zombies that are out to kill the girls. While a little dated, mostly due to use of 80’s slang and hair-dos, the film is a fun ride when the girls take on the zombies with machine guns in one hand and hairspray in the other.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Night of the Comet Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): Haywire (2011) I really enjoyed this film about a rouge agent who is out for revenge.   The action sequences that former Mixed Martial Arts star Gina Carano did so realistically is what I loved most about this film.  But I do wonder how many stunt men were injured in the making.  My Rating: Full Price   Haywire Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): LOL (2012) This film is about high school romance in the age of social media and stars Miley Cyrus.  It's apparently so bad that it's only being released to theatres in a few cities to satisfy some legal terms. Let’s hope you’re lucky, and it doesn’t come to your local Cineplex.   LOL Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Avengers: Street Signage Placement Coordinator

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Ruby Sparks (2012) From the same team who brought you Little Miss Sunshine, Ruby Sparks is a film about a struggling novelist (Paul Dano) who, after suffering a serious bout of writer's block, suddenly gets the inspiration to write about a romance between a fictional girl and him. Everything is going great until the fictional girl (Zoe Kazan) suddenly appears in the flesh.   Ruby Sparks Website

Until Next Time!

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Family Faire:  The Pirates!  Band of Misfits  (2012)  In this animated film, Pirate Captain sets sail with the intent of winning Pirate of the Year.  The competition though, is tough this year and it’s going to take something special - like storming the streets of London and taking on the ultimate pirate hater, the Queen of England, to win. This film is from the same animation company, Aardman Animations, that brought us the Wallace and Gromit films and last year's Arthur Christmas. While I like the stop motion animation and the witty dialogue, the kids around me at the screening seemed really bored and uninterested. The film is very complicated and I think it will be hard for kids to understand what exactly is the purpose of the voyages of the Pirates. There are some clever characters in the film that kids will enjoy, like the monkey that uses cue cards to communicate, but I just feel this film doesn't have enough for kids to engage with to make it a good family film.   My Rating:  Cable   The Pirates: Band of Misfits Website

Indiefest: Damsels in Distress  (2012)  Lily (Analeigh Tipton) is the new girl on campus at Seven Oaks College. She joins a trio of girls, led by Violet (Greta Gerwig), who are determined to show Lily how to find the right man, even if Lily doesn’t always take Violet’s advice. Quirky and a little strange are the best words to describe this film, as it is full of outrageous dialog and very odd characters. Greta Gerwig is perfect in the role of the headstrong and determined Violet, who delivers lines with such a serious deadpan expression, that you have to believe she is fully behind what she says. Overall the film relies too much on repeat bits and has a tendency to go overboard with its best comedic ideas. This is one of those films you want to love but it just doesn't quite make the experience enjoyable enough for you to do so. My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Damsels in Distress Website

Indiefest: The Hunter  (2011)  Martin (Willem Dafoe) is a mercenary who has been sent by a European Pharmaceutical company, to Tasmania to track and kill the last remaining Tasmania tiger. The tiger is rumored to have a venom that paralyzes it's victims and the company wants the venom to use in its vaccines. When Martin arrives, he finds things are much more complicated than just hunting down an animal. He must deal with a family who's environmental efforts may have led to the death of their father and a community that devided between big business and the good of the Tasmanian forests. As always, Willem Dafoe gives an intense and multilayered performance and the storyline keeps you guessing on what he will do next.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   The Hunter Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)
#22 Best Film
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington  (1939)  This eleven time Oscar nominated picture was directed by Frank Capra, who during the period that this film was made, was at the top of his game.  Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, a naive young man who. due to back door politics and his family connections, is appointed to fill a vacancy in the US Senate. He is soon taken under the wing of a political savvy reporter (Jean Arthur), who tries to help him deal with the complexities of the political world. Smith learns that he is being used by a fellow senator (Claude Rains) to push through a bill in Congress that will damage the environment. The film is about how the little man, with enough conviction, can win when he has the people behind him and he believes in himself and his convictions.   Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Info

Forgotten Film: Blood Simple  (1984)  The filmmaking debut of Joel and Ethan Coen, Blood Simple is a celebration of the Film Noir style film where nothing is as it seems to be. A bar owner (Dan Hedaya) hires a private investigator (M. Emmet Walsh) to find out if his wife (Frances McDormand) is having an affair with one of his bartenders (John Getz). The film is shot mostly at night, with darkness covering most of the scenes, as the bartender learns that the affair he is having is just tip of the iceberg of what is going on in this world of deceit and intrigue. Frances McDormand is riveting in the role of a woman that is the key to a story that you understand until the end of the film.   My Rating:  Full Price   Blood Simple Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): Contraband  (2012)  I did not enjoy this very predictable film of a former smuggler (Mark Wahlberg) who is pulled back into the game when his brother-in-law gets in over his head. I especially didn't enjoy the performance of Giovanni Ribisi, who plays the main bad guy in the film, as I never could figure out what accent he was using, and he is way over the top with his performance.   My Rating:  Cable   Contraband Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Rock of Ages  (2012)  I realize this film is based on the big Broadway hit musical but it looks to be just an excuse for a bunch of stars, like Tom Cruise or Alec Baldwin, to sing karaoke.   Rock of Ages Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Damsels in Distress: Tap Dancing Foley Artist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Chernobyl Diaries  (2012)  This film is getting a lot of buzz among horror fans as it deals with a group of tourists who hire an "extreme" tour guide to take them to a town near the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster site. While exploring the town, they soon discover that they may not be alone.     Chernbobyl Diaries Website

Until Next Time!

 

The Lucky One

My View: The Lucky One (2012) Based on the Nicholas Sparks bestseller of the same name, U.S. Marine Thibault (Zac Efron) returns to North Carolina after serving a tour in Iraq. He credits his survival to a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. He is now determined to find her, the woman in the photograph, his ultimate good luck charm. The film delivers exactly what you think it is going to do, and yes, it’s a little sappy and very predictable, but isn’t that why moviegoers flock to these types of films?  Zac Efron doesn’t do a lot in this film but lift heavy bags of dog food and look cute.  I did like his love interest, actress Taylor Schilling.  This is Schilling's first major film role. She comes off prettier and softer than the trailer made her look, and she has a nice chemistry with Efron.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Lucky One Website

My View:  Think Like a Man (2012) Adapted from Steve Harvey’s bestselling book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the film follows four women who take Harvey’s advice on how to deal with their significant relationships. The men in their lives find out about the book and turn the tables on their women. This film has a very large cast, and I especially enjoyed the performances of Taraji P. Henson, Regina Hall and Jerry Ferrara.  Kevin Hart is the guy everyone will be talking about after the film, though, as his character is the most outrageous of the bunch - a man who is reveling in his divorce.  I liked the film, but it is a little too long and tries to give wrap up the film with everyone in the cast getting a happy ending.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Think Like a Man Website

Indiefest:  Marley (2012) This is a documentary on the reggae legend, Bob Marley. The film includes archival concert footage and interviews with Marley’s family, friends and former band members and has extensive behind-the -scenes and rare concert footage. You get to see what a great performer Marley was and the influence of his music, especially in his home country of Jamaica. My only complaint about this film is its length of two and a half hours, much too long of a documentary of a man who only lived to the age of 36.   My Rating: Full Price   Marley Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#22 Worst Film:

Airport 1975 (1974) Put it this way, Airplane The Movie "borrowed" several of the plot lines from this clunker including the singing nun, the sick child, the person with a "drinking problem" and flying instructions from the tower. A mid-air collision with a small plane kills or injures most of the flight crew. The lead flight attendant (cross-eyed bad actress Karen Black) takes over and flies the plane, but the audience is hoping the plane will crash and just finally end the film.   Airport 1975 Info

Forgotten Film:  Diner (1982) Written and Directed by Barry Levinson, the film is about group of young men who are at a cross-roads in their lives as they transition into adulthood and have to face the responsibilities that comes with it.  The group is reunited at the wedding of one of their friends, and, throughout the film, they hang out at their old haunt, the Diner. This very funny film has an brilliant cast, with Daniel Stern, Tim Daily, Kevin Bacon, Elle Barkin and Mickey Rourke in possibly one of his best roles as the ladies man, Boogie. The film is shown through a series of vignettes, and the dialogue is very free-flowing and natural.   My Rating: Full Price   Diner Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released on DVD):  Shame (2011) I did not enjoy this film, though I did enjoy lead actor, Michael Fassbender, in the role of a man so obsessed with sex, it takes over his life.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Shame Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Seen Only in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):   What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012) Jennifer Lopez headlines a cast that includes Cameron Diaz and Dennis Quaid. I have seen the trailer a number of times and haven’t laughed once.   What to Expect When Your Expecting Website

Weird Credits: From the film The Lady: Sign writer assistant 

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Avengers (2012) One of the most anticipated films of the summer as director Joss Whedon pulls Ironman, Thor, Captain America and the rest of the super heroes together to face Loki and his army. Scarlett Johansson is the Black Widow.  You don’t need to show me anymore - I’m there.   The Avengers Website

Until Next Time!