Juno

When you think of a movie of a pregnant high-school student, some people might be offended in what they assume would be glorifying promiscuity. It does nothing of the sort. It takes a real life situation and puts it into the character of Juno (Ellen Page) who speaks freely and honestly as a high-schooler of today. The movie focuses on Juno's relationship with her parents and a close friend but mostly back and forth between the boyfriend (Michael Cera) and the prospective adoptive parents (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). The directing was very good with the cartoonish aspect and the consistency of the runners. The soundtrack was awesome in that it totally fit the movie. All of the actors were wonderful and this is a true ensemble piece where everyone on cast and crew seemed to come together as one to make a deliciously enjoyable movie. Two thumbs up snapping together to the beat of the soundtrack. P.S. Education is the key to teenage pregnancy and ALL issues!

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Also known as "Le scaphandre et le papillon". This is based on the life of Elle editor Jean-Dominque (Jean0Do) Bauby who had a stroke and was paralyzed except for his left eye at the age of 42. The tag line is "Let your imagination Set You Free". WOW, the way that director Julian Schnabel used the camera to make you feel like you were Jean-Do was original and well-done. This also make you want to read Jean-Do's book not just because of the inspirational story but for the thought-provoking essence of the story. It is such an inspirational film and glowing story that I WILL see this again. The best quote is when Jean-Do says "Besides my left eye, two things aren't paralyzed; my imagination and my memory." He is the ultimate example of looking at the bright side of things in the face of despair. Two thumbs that after falling down like a diving bell, soars as high up as a butterfly can fly.

There Will Be Blood

Daniel Day Lewis takes a character (Daniel Plainview)and truly becomes that character. Paul Dano is an actor on the rise as is shown not only in the previous Little Miss Sunshine (thanks Danielle) but also as Paul/Eli Sunday, the ministerof the town. Dillon Fresier is subtlely good as Daniel's son, HW Plainview. These actors take There Will Be Blood (based on Upton Sinclair's novel Oil) and catapult it into a very good movie. I would be interested in reading this novel simply because of the movie. This is what movie's that are based on books should do; make you read or reread the book. This is movie is highly recommentded with two thumbs up as the oil spewing outward from the ground.

I'm Not There

The film inspired by the music and many lives of Bob Dylan is a film any Dylan fan ought to see. I cannot consider myself a Dylan fan but two things that struck me was how much Cate Blanchett really became a Dylenesque character and how sad it is that Heath Ledger was taken from this life too prematurely. Marcus Carl Franklin is obviously an up-and-coming actor and "one to watch". Other than that, the movie wasn't much to speak of or watch. Two thumbs neither up nor down but twiddly away in yearning to read Dylan's poetry/writing more than to watch this movie again.

The Savages

Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman are two more actors whom I will pretty much see in any film. Throw them into a movie where they are sister and brother dealing with their father who has dementia and add to that a nomination for an Oscar and you get a movie that Roxie HAS to see! It is a movie that I will see again in the same vain as Away From Her. These two movies focus not on the disease of Dementia or Alzheimer's but on how the patient's family members deal with the loss of the affected family member. Wonderfully written screenplay and acted with humor and strength and leaves the viewer in a thought-provoking state. Two thumbs up pointing in my Grandmother's honor at the wonderful effect she had and has on my life.........Please donate to Alzheimer and/or dementia research!

Kite Runner

This movie based on the book by the same name written by Khaled Hosseini has a lot to live up to for the fans of the book. I did not read the book nor do I aspire to read it but probably will be forced to by my friends who thought it was one of the best books they've ever read. This is the story of two friends Amir and Hassan who start of as servant's child and employer's child but they look past that fact to become friends. This is set in the middle east and so there is obvious unrest and through unfortunate (nasty) circumstances, there friendship is torn apart. Amir is then forced to come back to his homeland to reconnect with Hassan's son in order to make amends to the friendship. I felt as if he was only doing it because he was forced and because it was the right thing to do. I give this a thumbs up as a movie but thumbs down for not inspiring me to read the book.

Bucket List

Starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson while being directed by Rob Reiner, this movie is expected to be hilarious yet thought-provoking. Well, it does make you think about death and whether you would want to know how much time you have left and what you would do with that time. The humor is good but only slightly more than you get from the previews. I was thankful that Morgan's character remained faithful to his wife but I would have liked a little more character development of his family. Two thumbs barely up pointing to where we all hope we will go when we pass on from this earth.

Charlie Wilson's War

Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts have other movies to watch them in that are more enjoyable than this one. The best part of this movie was the performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust the brash CIA employee that does his job not necessarily to the likes of his superiors. The other part of this movie is that it really scares you into how much power and money is floated around by the US government--no wonder we are in debt! Amy Adams is her at her usual good acting self. It amazes me that she can be so outspoken and front-and-center in Enchanted and so quiet, demure yet subtlely strong in this movie. If you like the stars, and governement power go ahead and see this film otherwise see other movies with Philip, Amy, Tom or Julia in them. Two thumbs holding onto the remote to eject and replace the film with another.

No Country For Old Men

Javier Bardem is freaky evil! This movie is gross-out violent! The coen brothers do however write a humorous screenplay. This movie also has characters with no purpose. Right in the middle of the movie, when Stephen Root's minor character came onscreen, all I could think of for a minute was "I believe you have my stapler" because I would rather watch him in Office Space then being blown away in this movie. They also made Kelly Macdonald look to young to be Josh Brolin's wife, she looked more like his daughter which grossed out this viewer in the sexual innuendos. There is always one film where I wonder what in the heck the Academy is thinking when nominating and this is it! I give this two thumbs holding onto Cormac McCarthy's book that inspired it all hoping for a better understanding of it.

I Am Legend

Will Smith is nice to look at and a good actor. This movie however, tries to dazzle us with special effects which are inferior at best and scare us with a plot of "What if" no one was left on earth due to our "advances" in medicine. I walked out of this movie disappointed. The scene where he introduces himself to the mannequin was taken direct from Castaway when Tom Hanks character is talking with the volleyball and was just as irritating here. I would have liked to feel more for Will's character. I am Legend receives two thumbs bowing over in disappointment.

American Gangster

Denzel, Denzel, Denzel, how can a handsome and talented man be so good at playing a criminal. Although not as bad as his character in training day, the character of Frank Lucas is a heroin-smuggling kingpin but Denzel brings a family-oriented side to him. Normally Russel Crowe is over-rated in my eyes but he brings a troubled good guy persona very well opposite Denzel. The real star though is Ruby Dee who portrays Mama Lucas with authority yet compassion. This is a bit violent for the obvious gangster action but not as bad as the gross-out film No Country for Old Men. American Gangster also brings to it a realization of how mch power the government has similar to Charlie Wilson's War but this movie is better than Charlie. American Gangster gets two thumbs up but scared of crossing Frank Lucas.

Atonement

Atonement is part of the movie industry's never-ending quest to turn a book into a movie. A lot of people prefer the books and even more are disapointed in the elimination of characters or whole plots onto the bigscreen. Ian McEwan wrote the bok and co-wrote the screenplay for Atonement and this is what I believe helps. The author knows what they wrote, what is important and can work with the director to make sure nothing important is left out. When I read the book, I enjoyed it but felt as if I was missing something like it went over my head. The movie brings the story full circle. I liked the movie and cinematography very well. It sort of reminded me of Titanic where no actor/actress stood out in a really good movie however, Saoirse Ronan did stand out as being an amazing 13 year old actress who totally captures the character of Briony Tallis as young, book-educated yet socially-innocent and yearning to be noticed. Two thumbs up while holding the pages of the book that you should read----BEFORE seeing the movie!

Enchanted

Disney has done it again. For that matter, so has Amy Adams. Amy first burst onto my radar as the funny pregnant woman in Junebug who completely stole that movie. Now, she is delightful, beautiful and wonderful singing lead actress in Enchanted. Enchanted starts off being narrated by Julie Andrews who is an amazing legend so how can it go wrong from there. It can't. Deciding to poke fun at itself, Disney has hit another homerun with beautiful scenes, animation and especially music. Patrick Dempsey is his usual cute self and Susan Sarandon lives up to her own amazing acting ability in this toe-tapping, smile-placing movie. Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew aka: wormtail from Harry Potter movie fame) is a little typecast as the sniveling sidekick but enjoyable nonetheless. James Marsden is good too. With three songs nominated for an Oscar (Happy Working Song, So Close and That's How you know), this is a thumb-snapping treat to enjoy for the whole family. P.S. Don't let the cockroaches, rats and such cleaning the apartment gross you out! Tee Hee, Julie! :-)

August Rush

Freddie Highmore plays August Rush, an orphaned musical prodigy who is determined to find his parents (Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers) through his gift of music. With good support from Terranc Howard and Robin Williams and with breakthrough performances by Leon Thomas III as Arthur and Jamia Samone Nash as Hope, this is an inspirational tale about dreams, persistance and hope. The passion that August has for music reminded this reviewer of her passion for writing. Music and writing are not just important it is to the individual but to society as a whole. Nominated for an Oscar is the wonderful song "Raise It Up"; which is where your thumbs will point after seeing this movie.

Lars and the Real Girl

A strange premise in that Lars (played by Ryan Gosling) is a loner who lives in a garage next to his brother and sister-in-law (wonderfully played by Emily Mortimer) who is scared to get close to women because his mom died during childbirth. He goes online to order a blow-up doll that he treats as real along with the rest of his community. This is a very light-hearted but heartfelt movie. I also liked Patricia Clarkson playing the psychologist who was glue to all the characters. Kelli Garner portrayed Margo with intelligence, beauty and humor. Thumbs up as a way to escape from the real world with Lars and his real girl.