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!