Just Another Love Story (R) 7.0

Just Another Love Story (2007) Kærlighed på film (original title): Life in the suburbs as a father of two has worn down Jonas. When a victim of a car crash mistakes him for her boyfriend Sebastian, things take a very dramatic turn as the line between truth and deception is erased. (7.2)

Director: Ole Bornedal
Stars: Anders W. Berthelsen, Rebecka Hemse and Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Language: Danish (w/ English subtitles)

Once you start down the path of a small white lie, it may easily snowball into a big deception. Also, the grass is greener on the other side, specially so when your side is boring and mundane. The movie starts out slowly with an everyday working-class family, but turns into a thriller at the end. Quite nicely done. Obviously not intended for the American audience, and even the dialog takes small jab at the Hollywood scripts. The nudity may be a bit much, but perhaps useful in creating the realism. My Rating: 7.0

Source Code (PG-13) 7.5

Source Code (2011): An action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. (7.6)

Director: Duncan Jones
Writer: Ben Ripley
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga

From the previews, I knew that this was a time travel movie; sort of. But, it had a lot more than "just go back and fix the history" attitude to the story. There were dangling emotional attachments throughout the movie to make it interesting. It wasn't about the time, the whole time like most such movies tend to be. It was about characters and interactions. Good acting; suspenseful; entertaining. My Rating: 7.5

Terry Fator (PG) 7.0

Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (Video 2009): The million-dollar winner of "America's Got Talent" and his endearing puppets deliver spot-on performances in the styles of such favorite singers as Louis Armstrong, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Etta James, Brooks & Dunn and many more. (7.1)

Director: Mark Goffman
Writers: Terry Fator, Richard M. Kerns
Stars: Terry Fator and Taylor Dew

A ventriloquist act and impersonating famous singers. Now, taken together, that's quite good. It is difficult enough to sing in someone else's voice, but doing it without moving your lips is really something. If you like this sort of stuff, you will love this video. He is really talented. Add a bit more comedy and the show will be a mega hit. My Rating: 7.0

Cypher (R) 6.5

Cypher (2002): An unsuspecting, disenchanted man finds himself working as a spy in the dangerous, high-stakes world of corporate espionage. Quickly getting way over-his-head, he teams up with a mysterious femme fatale. (7.0)

Director: Vincenzo Natali
Writer: Brian King
Stars: Jeremy Northam, Lucy Liu and Nigel Bennett

Nice story of double crossing, deception and betrayal of loyalty but the end left me with the feeling that it could have done a bit more. Acting was nice by the screenplay probably needed more fleshing out of the consequences of different identities. Cinematography also could have been a tad better. After all, it is supposed to be a spy thriller. I want some fast cuts, more action sequences, etc. My Rating: 6.5

Dumbstruck (PG) 6.0

Dumbstruck (2010): At the annual Vent Haven Convention in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, ventriloquism capital of the world, director Mark Goffman discovers five extraordinary characters straight out of a Christopher Guest mockumentary. But in this delightful, it's-all-true documentary, the characters are real, and so are the emotional attachments that they have with their "dummies." (5.3)

Director: Mark Goffman

I love ventriloquism. This is a documentary focusing on five different artists and the struggles they go through. Not a whole lot actual comedy and art, but it is about the lives. I guess, I learned that it is a lot more than just a puppet in your hand and being able to talk without moving you lips. But it is not in the same league as a documentary about, say, social activism. Entertaining and informative, but eye-opening about the craft itself this isn't. My Rating: 6.0

Deceiver (R) 7.5

Deceiver (1997): Textile company heir Wayland is accused of murder of a prostitute named Elizabeth, whose body was found cut in two in the park. The murder is investigated by tough detective Kennesaw and his less experienced partner Braxton. (6.5)

Directors: Jonas Pate, Josh Pate
Writers: Jonas Pate, Josh Pate
Stars: Tim Roth, Chris Penn and Michael Rooker

My, what an interesting web of deception this is. The story alone is very intriguing, and add to that the very good acting and superb use of camera angles that creates unique perspective for the viewer, and you have a perfect mix for a good mystery-thriller. After the end, you still go "huh" and that adds to the enjoyment of the movie (but, as everyone knows, and as the on-screen characters show clearly, being deceived is no picnic). Kudos to the two writer-directors for being different. My Rating: 7.5

[PS: The story Perfect Evidence shows the other side of the coin/con. The movie is made-up. The radio story is real.]

Dead Awake (R) 7.0

Dead Awake (2010): A funeral parlor employee looks to unravel a 10-year-old mystery. (4.2)

Director: Omar Naim
Writers: Johnny Harrington (story)
Stars: Nick Stahl, Rose McGowan and Amy Smart

Low score on IMDB but this one is quite good, at least, for me. (YMMV) It is a fantasy, a thriller, somewhat morbid, and keeps you guessing all the way til the end as to who's real and who's not. Like the main character, I too, have "seen" my funeral and my "impressions" aren't too different from his. Plus, a lot of the storyline hits quite close to home for me. Even without the personal connections, I would give this move high marks for a unique story, good acting, nice cinematography and the overall quality. I would recommend this as a thriller/mystery. If you do watch it, spare a thought for the "other guy" as the script just sweeps that part under the carpet. My Rating: 7.0

You Can't Be Neutral (PG) 7.5

Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (2004): The life and times of Howard Zinn: the historian, activist, and author of several classics including "A Peoples History of the United States". Archival footage, and commentary by friend, colleagues and Zinn himself. (7.5)

Directors: Deb Ellis, Denis Mueller
Stars: Matt Damon, Daniel Berrigan and Howard Zinn

This documentary is a good compliment/companion for other such documentaries as Why We Fight and Hearts and Minds. In this day and age when the wealth gap is larger than ever in the history of mankind, it is easy to get discourage and say that one person can't do much. Dr. Zinn shows that yes, a single individual can fight the city hall, fight the man, and occasionally win a battle or two. My Rating: 7.5

Rio (G) 6.0

Rio (2011): When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams. (7.0)

Director: Carlos Saldanha
Writers: Carlos Saldanha (story), Earl Richey Jones (story)
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway and George Lopez

Colorful and great animation. The birds-eye view of Rio de Janeiro scenes are quite breathtaking. But the story and the dialog leaves a lot to be desired. Finding Nemo, this isn't; it could very well have been had the screenplay been done correctly. Not a whole lot for the grown-ups in the audience. My Rating: 6.0

Hornet's Nest (R) 7.0

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009): Lisbeth is recovering in a hospital and awaiting trial for three murders when she is released. Mikael must prove her innocence, but Lisbeth must be willing to share the details of her sordid experiences with the court. (7.0)

Director: Daniel Alfredson
Writers: Ulf Ryberg (screenplay), Stieg Larsson (novel)
Stars: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace and Lena Endre

From the beginning of this final installment of the story, you get the feeling that at the end, it will be nicely packaged and tried with a bow. Not a whole lot computer wire-taps this time around, but the old fashioned investigative work is what leads to the building of the case. The acting is pretty good. The dubbed English conversations are quite dry and somewhat emotionless at times. Perhaps, I will watch the whole series with the original Swedish + English subtitles at a later date. Very good story; I bet the novel is even better. My Rating: 7.0

Stay (R) 7.5

Stay (I) (2005): This movie focuses on the attempts of a psychiatrist to prevent one of his patients from committing suicide while trying to maintain his own grip on reality. (6.8)

Director: Marc Forster
Writer: David Benioff
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Ryan Gosling

The above description from the IMDB only scratches the surface of what this movie is. But then, any more than that will spoil the experience for the first time viewer. The storyline has a lot of stuff about suicides (uncomfortably close or intimately and soothingly familiar (?)) but it had me guessing at who's who, what's what and what's real. Nice use of imagery. While I've seen and driven across the Brooklyn bridge, I've never actually walked across ... hmmm, perhaps. (Been reading lots of fundamental physics books lately, and) while not the intention of the writer, this movie also reminds me that things happen the way they are; no reason; time is a series of 'Now's or moments. Haunting, and surrealistic. Enjoyed it very much. My Rating: 7.5

Zero Effect (R) 7.0

Zero Effect (1998): The world's greatest detective Daryl Zero aided by his associate Steve Arlo investigates a complex and mysterious case of blackmail and missing keys for shady tycoon Gregory Stark who is less than forthcoming about what is really happening! (6.9)

Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller and Ryan O'Neal

It is a comedy, mystery and a romance. I think it got the mix right. It is a detective story about people, really, and ultimately the PI finds out more about himself than anything else. The acting performances are pretty good and the story isn't half bad, considering most Hollywood scripts are half-backed. It is commendable that the writer/director didn't go for the feel-good sentimental story-book ending. My Rating: 7.0

Conspiracy Theory (R) 6.0

Conspiracy Theory (1997): Jerry Fletcher is a man in love with a woman he observes from afar. She works for the government. Fletcher is an outspoken critic of that government. He has conspiracy theories for everything, from aliens to political assassinations. (6.5)

Director: Richard Donner
Writer: Brian Helgeland
Stars: Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts and Patrick Stewart

A typical Hollywood action, drama, conspiracy, vet, spy, ... meh! Yeah, lots of action with all sorts of guys with guns, helicopters, etc but the story has so many holes and inconsistencies. The first part where the character building happens is somewhat amusing. After that, the story is all downhill, full of unrealistic action sequences followed by an ending with a typical feel-good Hollywood style melodrama. My Rating: 6.0

The Book of the Dead (PG) 6.5

The Book of the Dead (2005) Shisha no sho (original title): Set in 8th century Japan when Buddhism was a fledgling idea being introduced from China, this epic animated parable chronicles the adventures of a cosseted young noblewoman who risks everything to follow the ghost of a long-dead prince. (6.7)

Director: Kihachiro Kawamoto
Stars: Kyôko Kishida, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi and Rie Miyazawa
Language: Japanese (w/ English subtitles and voice over)

This is a Japanese animation movie, but it isn't anime. It is done with stop motion animation using Japanese puppet dolls. One history buff points out in the Netflix review that the costumes, the drawings, etc are correct for the period. The story revolves around a mix of Buddhist and Shinto rituals. The stop motion animation has been very well and painstakingly accomplished. Perhaps, I'm missing the larger meaning of the story, but it could have been a bit more fleshed out, IMO. My Rating: 6.5

The Nines (R) 7.5

The Nines (2007): A troubled actor, a television show runner, and an acclaimed videogame designer find their lives intertwining in mysterious and unsettling ways. (6.6)

Director: John August
Writer: John August
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis and Melissa McCarthy

I can't talk about the storyline without giving away a major aspect of the plot. A nice tangled web three (four?) stories told in a very interesting way. A very well thought-out story; well constructed and nicely presented. Until the end you don't know what's what and how they all fit together, but they do. I also liked the fact that the character is a "nine" instead of 'the mythical infinite-score of the "ten."' Just enough humor and yes, the three major actors play their roles perfectly. People who don't like this movie didn't get it. Upon reflection, more of a Sci-Fi than you'd think. (Ooh, I so much want to link to one of my blog pieces here, but doing so would give a spoiler.) My Rating: 7.5

The Bothersome Man (R) 7.5

The Bothersome Man (2006): Forty-year-old Andreas arrives in a strange city with no memory of how he got there. He is presented with a job, an apartment - even a wife. But before long, Andreas notices that something is wrong. (7.4)

Director: Jens Lien
Stars: Trond Fausa Aurvaag, Petronella Barker and Per Schaaning
Language: Norwegian

Powerful story: the perfectly sterile utopia, now at your service; so, is it heaven or hell? I can't help but notice that most western countries try to achieve this well-oiled and controlled society but have failed due to radicals who disrupt the cogs of the machinery. The story is somewhat similar to that of the Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. This NPR story from the Morning Edition reminded me what a real society should look, feel, sound, and smell like. Acting, the color scheme, etc. are perfect for the story. My Rating: 7.5

The Butterfly Effect (R) 7.5

The Butterfly Effect (2004): A young man blocks out harmful memories of significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life. (7.8)

Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber
Stars: Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart and Melora Walters

In my first review I had a lot to say about the theme of the story in this movie. It is quite intriguing and sometimes you'd want to have that ability to create the right "flutter of butterfly wings" at the right time. Of course, the modern theoretical physics says that things are the way they are because that's how they have to be (unitarity concept). Watching this movie the second time around, I didn't have the same emotional reaction (specially to the final sequences) as the first time (going cold in my old age, I suppose) and I've dropped the rating a notch. Still a very good, well thought-out movie. My Rating: 7.5

The Hudsucker Proxy (PG) 6.5

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994): When Waring Hudsucker, head of hugely successful Hudsucker Industries, commits suicide, his board of directors, led by Sidney Mussberger, comes up with a brilliant plan to make a lot of money: appoint a moron to run the company. (7.4)

Director: Joel Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Stars: Tim Robbins, Paul Newman and Jennifer Jason Leigh

It's a spoof, a screwball comedy; I get it. Still, quite far removed from reality and too many fast talking characters; I missed half the stuff said, even with the subtitles on. Yeah, it is funny in a certain way, but there's so much happening there's no time to laugh out loud or you'd miss the crazy story. Sorry, perhaps, not exactly my cup of tea. My Rating: 6.5

Temptress Moon (R) 7.0

Temptress Moon (1996) Feng yue (original title): The teeming underworld of 1920s Shanghai collides with old-world nobility in Chen Kaige's harrowing film. Ruyi, the youngest daughter of the noble family, is employed as a servant to her opium-addicted father and brother. Meanwhile, Ruyi's brother-in-law, Zhongliang, enjoys a thriving (illegal) career seducing and blackmailing married women in the city. (6.8)

Director: Kaige Chen
Stars: Leslie Cheung, Li Gong and Kevin Lin
Language: Mandarin

Ancient family traditions, manipulations of Triad families, westernization of an ancient society, etc. are very well depicted. But the real story is the heartbreak each one causes upon the others, sometimes knowingly and at other times, ignorantly. A story of power, money and love. Cinematography is nice, but to get the old-look, Christopher Doyle has used too much yellow hues, IMO. The plot and relationships are confusing at times, but at the end it all makes sense. The Wikipedia article about the film has quite a lot of details. Read it after watching the movie. My Rating: 7.0

Freaky Faron (PG) 5.5

Freaky Faron (2006): When she was 11, young Faron Hallowell was sent away to a mental institution for shooting and nearly killing a local weatherman--a secret mission she claimed was assigned to her by alien beings. (5.1)

Director: John Ross
Stars: Courtney Halverson, Lydia Milner and Carly Hayes

Premise of the movie is good. It is the delivery of it that was weak. The screenplay needed more fleshing out. It feels like this is a starter sci-fi for the 10-13 year-old girls. Acting wasn't bad at all. The story's unusual angles could have been exploited for more action. My Rating: 5.5