The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: A+

While the infamous and unpredictable outlaw (Brad Pitt) plans his next big heist, he launches preemptive strikes against those seeking to collect the reward money on his head. However, the most deadly threat to James may come from those closest to him. Based on the book by Ron Hansen.


Have you ever had a hero? someone you looked up to your whole life, a person you held in the highest regard, you heard stories of them through the years complementing and creating a larger then life persona that you couldn't help but to admire. You dreamt about meeting and impressing them through your own prowess and ambition, only to come to the realization that the hero you grew up trying to mimic was a cruel and callous, possibly self obsessed egocentric? The realization of this shocking experience forces you to reevaluate your priorities, your personality, your soul being. You become the opposite of everything you aspired to become in your youth, what would you do if met with your fallen role model after this change?

Like Robert Ford, I grew up on the amazing tales of Jesse James. The formidable, daring, and brave robber who stole from the rich Yankees and gave to the poor and suffering confederates who lost so much in the aftermath of our Civil War. As a child I would hear stories of his courageous bank robberies, and smooth escapes. I traveled to his famed cave where Jesse and his gang would divide their spoils, he was to me a "Southern Hero"!

I have watched countless movies glorifying Jesse James, and degrading "The Coward Robert Ford" (or so he is called), the most honest depiction of Jesse James and Robert Ford however (in my opinion) is this movie. The accuracy and honesty of this movie is crushing and liberating to me, how the director Andrew Dominik cuts through the fairytale and myth of one of Americas most notorious thieves/glorified hero's to expose the true man is refreshing and truthful, more to his credit is how he creates true sympathy and apathy for Jesse's assassin Robert ford, branded as a coward for his actions only after being glorified by an adoring public.

I won't reveal anything else about this movie that the title doesn't already expose to you, I found this movie to be more about self preservation then almost anything else. You decide who deserves to be more vilified? Brad pitt gives the performance of his life, he is haunting and intimadating, but Casey affleck (Gone Baby, Gone) is an actor on his way to becoming one of the greats. This is movie shunned by the academy, but not by me, and hopefully not by you either.

Rated "R" for violence

See Also: 3:10 to Yuma, Bobby, and JFK

Dan In Real LIfe: B

Dan Ashburn (Steve Carell) is a devoted single father and renowned advice columnist. When his entire extended family gets together for a reunion in a beach-front house, he unexpectedly meets Marie (Juliette Binoche), the woman of his dreams. She is smart, funny, beautiful and she just happens to be his brother Mitch's (Dan Cooks) girlfriend. The man with all the answers finds that the hardest advice to take is his own.

I am a fan of simplicity, I enjoy complication only when every other effort has been tried and exhausted, the natural flow of life however seems to be of the opinion that complication is good for me. Dan Ashburns life seems to be in the same position as me, and maybe you too!

"Dan in Real Life", is one of the most real movies I have seen in the last few months, Steve Carrell infers the quirkiness of a life spent in selfless service, helping others, advising others, and comforting others in complicated circumstances, while ignoring the joys and simplicities of life that allow us to dismiss or at very least bare the complicated.

The discovery or "Rude awakening" of ones loneliness and singularity can be daunting, "Dan" deals with the how one overcomes this issue through love, the love of family, the love of Friends, and love of a girl and Boy. All the Happiness, Sadness, uncertainty, certainty, and finally acceptance of this solution are shown in complete truthfulness, it is raw in its portrayal and beautiful to see.

There are several Cons to this movie, The script is predictable & seems to lag through several scenes, the lack of explainable interaction between characters, and the over acting of other characters is unrealistic and disappointing. With all that said, this is one to see with the ones you love.

Rated "PG-13"

See Also: Once, Garden State, About a Boy

The Bank Job B

A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family, Terry (Jason Statham) has always avoided major-league scams. But when Martine (Saffron Burrows), a beautiful model from his old neighborhood, offers him a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street, Terry recognizes the opportunity of a lifetime. Martine targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself...the true story of a heist gone wrong...in all the right ways.

I sincerely hope I am not alone in my opinion that Jason Stathem has the talent to be a really amazing actor, the tidbits of that hope comes through in short glimmers of very good films (Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, the first Transporter, and more recently Revolver). "The Bank Job" thank god is not only one of those movies he shines in, this is the movie where he radiates like a beam of light.

This movie seems as though it was created for Jason Stathem, he is smart, Cavalier, and Bold while projecting an underlining conscious that proves him ashamed of his past and current criminal escapades. My Adrenalin was flowing from the beginning to the end of this movie, small gasp of horror and cringing pain were given over small amounts of violence that came across vividly due of the realism and knowledge that this all happened in the late 70's, that all of this amazing storytelling is based upon the true story of some very shady characters.

There is no love lost on any of these characters, these people, all of them are jaded criminals, but Jason Stathem and the rest of this movie makes it one hell of an enjoyable experience to root for them!

Rated "R" for Violence, and Language

See Also: The Italian Job, Boondock Saints, and Lock, Stock, and 2 smoking Barrels.

Gone Baby Gone A+

Dorchester, one of the toughest neighborhoods in all of Boston, is no place for the weak or innocent. It's a territory defined by hard heads and even harder luck, its streets littered with broken families, hearts and dreams. When one of its own, a 4-year-old girl, goes missing, private investigators Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angela Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) don't want the case. But after pleas from the child's aunt, they open an investigation that will ultimately risk everything – their relationship, sanity and lives – to find a lost little girl.

Without a doubt one of the most overlooked, if not the most overlooked movie, director, and leading men of 2008. "Gone Baby Gone" rips your heart out and asks your conscience to decide between right and wrong on issues you have never been confronted with. There are conflicts inside each of us, "Gone Baby Gone" asks us to face our conflicted conscience and choose sides. Casey affleck is directed brilliantly by his brother Ben Affleck, who seems to capture the raw emotion of the Boston streets where good is good, bad is bad, and everything in between is "salt of the earth" hard working people that live with it all and never say a word.

It is clear that Ben Afflecks future is behind the camera, but Casey Afflecks future (lets hope) is just beginning. Fresh off of two gripping performances ( The assassination of Jesse James, and this movie) lets hope that his next script choices are not only better than his brothers, but he picks roles that show more of his dramatic layers. Morgan Freeman, and Michelle Monaghans acting is unscrupulous, but the real story is the undiscovered and untold history of Casey Afflacks character Patrick Kenzie. Guessing his story is why you should see this movie.

Rated "R"

See Also: Good will Hunting, Layer Cake, Crash

The Darjeeling Limited B+

Three American brothers Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman,who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other – to become brothers again like they used to be before their Father died and their mother (Angelica Houston) abandoned them to become a Nun in the mountains of the Himalayas.

At first glance this movie is something that no one gets, the type of show where we are so caught up in our own sense of reality that anybody Else's idea of reality is silly imagination, at first glance. As I sat listening to the opening song, and observing the characters so immersed in their roles as brothers trying to forget each other for the past year, yet willing to commit to reunite with each other to show there destain, mistrust, or success to one other. I was fascinated by their honesty hidden under there weak facade. This agreed upon "Spiritual Journey" Through India on the train "The Darjeeling Limited" brings these closer then they ever imagined through many sad and funny unexpected events.

Wes Anderson is a master a capturing amazing acting and making it look mediocre, the simplicity and quirkiness of his scripts complimented by his astonishingly bright and dark collaboration's of cinematography make for a very pleasing movie experience, why its pleasing I do not know, but that's probably my own sense of reality getting in the way of my imagination.

Rated: "R" for language

Also See: Rushmore, The life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Once: A+

An Irish street musician/ Vacum repairman (Glen Hansard) is waiting on someone or something to motivate him, when one day he meets a Czech immigrant girl (Marketa irglova) who becomes his inspiration to pursue his passion and in the process creating an unexpected friendship....


Every once in a while a movie, a song, peace of poetry, picture, phrase, or direct conversation cause's within us an epiphany that re inspires our youthful ideas of achieving what all odds say is impossible. Ideas of success, despite insurmountable obstacles, all because we knew deep inside that nothing could stop our passion or extinguish our tenacity for what we most desire. Once is one of those moving pictures, in cinematography, storytelling and arraignment this show expresses freedom.

The acting done by self professed "non-actors" is raw and refreshing, neither of these actors take acting too seriously and that is makes the acting so convincable and real. All of the songs featured in the movie were written and composed by Glen Hansard, making his performance of those songs in the movie so convincingly brilliant. The film from start to finish took 2 weeks, $500,000.00 and was filmed in its entirety with hand held video cameras.

This movie is moving, beautiful, and full of passion, if you see one movie that will lift you spirits and rejuvenate your soul ONCE is a must.

Rated "R" for language.

Stardust: C+

To win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), a beautiful but cold object of his desire, a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) ventures into the realm of fairies to retrieve a fallen star. What Tristan finds, however, is not a chunk of space but a star in the form of a beautiful woman (Claire Danes) being chased by competing brothers and a trio of witches needing to restore their ultimate powers and youth.

Aside from the usual nerdy scifi movies like "Lord of the Rings", Star Wars, and Star Trek I have no affiliation to movies such as Stardust and often make fun of those who do!

This movie with all of it's flaws was enjoyable enough to make me eat some of those harsh words I may have said to hardcore fantasy/scifi geeks over the years! Allow me to elaborate?

The acting in stardust starts out mediocre at best, the music starts out to load, the storyline / writing is confusing and unfocused for the first thirty minutes of the film, and just as your preparing to pluck your eyes out, blow your eardrums, and seriously contemplate suicide the movie slows down, becomes quieter, and starts get good! The main reason for this is the saving grace of Robert Deniro! yes, you read right, Robert Deniro. He single handed Makes this movie into the next generations "Princess Bride", What Deniro does as in all of his other movies is make the actors opposite him look really good, because he is really good. His character is a complete departure from "normal Deniro", this move is so unexpected that you are taken completely of guard, unlike Travolta in "Hairspray" the departure Deniro takes really works, is outrageously enjoyable and changes the whole pace, tone, and emotion of the show.

I found myself grateful for finishing the movie, and was left feeling the way the movie wanted me to? Happy (good job Bob).

Also see: Princess Bride, Eragon.

Bourne Ultimatium: A

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) completes his self professed mission to kill those responsible for the death of his beloved, leading him full circle to those who turned him into a covert spy/ CIA Hit man.

This is without a doubt one of the best if not the best action sequenced movies of 2007, the star of this movie is without question it's editor, whoever he was. The editing in this movie merges Jason Bournes seemingly more consistent flashbacks with amazing "here and now" action scenes making for a continually gripping movie experience. The action is non-stop, the car chase scene as in the earlier Bourne movies is jaw dropping.

My favorite part of this film however, is reserved for the veteran performances of some of today's most historical actors, namely Albert Finney (Big Fish). You would think that a young actor such as Damon in comparison to Finney would be out performed, he does to my surprise and great pleasure hold his own against this great. This combination of outstanding Editing, Acting, and Writing truly does make for one of the best action films of 2007.

Also see: Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy.

Hot Rod: B+

Aspiring amature "Stunt-Man" Rod Kimble (Andy Samberg) along with his loyal stunt crew, must conquer the "ultimate Jump" to save his step father ( Ian McShane) and prove himself the "greatest Stuntman of All Time".

There is a list of the "Greatest top 5 Stupid Movies" that every man child has, this list reads as follows; First: Dumb & Dumber, Second: Billy Madison, Third: Happy Gilmore, Fourth: Blades of glory and Fifth: Hot Rod! Andy Samberg is hilarious, his writing and comedic timing is one of the dumbest and funniest things I have seen and heard on the big screen, nothing about this movie is convincing, believable, or sensible but you'll laugh hysterically and with no regard to how hard your sides are splitting.

Let be perfectly clear, this movie is really stupid! That is why this movie work's, there is so much stupidity and theatrics that it flows, if that makes any sense.

Definitely a movie to watch.

Rated: PG-13.

See also: Blades of Glory, Billy Madison, Dumb & Dumber.

HAIRSPRAY: B

1960's Broadway play turned motion picture, a fun loving over weight girl Tracey Turnblad auditions for "The Corney Collins Show" a popular Baltimore dance show, becoming a local celebrity and dance trendsetter in the process...

Growing up performing in various school plays and a contender for a drama scholarship, I've had the opportunity to study theater from Broadway, New York to London, England; Watching some the finest artist perform their talents, Hairspray was not one of them. Many Broadway Musicals have been converted to film, from "The King & I" to the more recent "The Producers", all of which entertaining in their own right, the same can be said of "Hairspray", I found myself enjoying the moral and message of this film more then the film itself, this movie takes on racism, obesity, beauty, and 1960's relationship taboos through the most universal way possible, Music! I found myself humming, tapping my feet, and smiling to the quirky characters presenting this controversial material.

For all of the positiveness this movie delivers there are clear casting mistake's, namely John Travolta in Drag, who is just that, John Travolta in Drag! Amanda Bynes is clearly under cast, and the sound editing on this movie is terrible, the only actors voices strong enough to be heard through the over shadowing rhythms of the show tunes are those of Queen Latifa and James Marsden (Who is Excellent as "Corny Collins").

For all "Hairsprays" short comings, this is an enjoyable movie if you enjoy this genre, I do.

Rated: "PG" for Language, Suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.

Also see: Phantom of the Oprah, Moulone Rouge, My far lady.