Stop-Loss

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A soldier comes back from his second tour in Iraq, and right when he thinks he's getting out of the Army, he gets Stop-Lossed, which means that the government sends him back despite the fact that his contract is over, because in the fine print it says that they can do that during times of war.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Abbie Cornish, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Timothy Olyphant, Victor Rasuk, Rob Brown, Ciaran Hinds, Mamie Gummer, Linda Emond, Alex Frost

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! While this is not an 'important' film, it deals with important issues, about how difficult it is for soldiers to recover from the atrocities they see at war, and how the government is taking advantage of the people who are nice enough to volunteer. This movie isn't brilliant, but it's an easy to swallow way to understand the complexities of the situation. While war is not the answer, it does make you wonder if we need to re-instate the draft.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you find gunshots funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It definitely makes you feel hopeless and helpless.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Probably not any movie awards, but maybe a Nobel Peace Prize... What? Al Gore proved that movie makers are, like, totally eligible!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Easy on the eyes... Although I sometimes had difficulty telling Ryan Phillippe and Channing Tatum apart when they are dressed the same and maneuvering in the shadows.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Kimberly Peirce makes a lot of interesting choices, like inter-cutting one soldiers' personal video footage to advance the narrative of the film, and breaking out into music videos a couple of times, in an effort to stir emotions. And the final shot of the film almost says it all, but Timothy Olyphant, who plays their commanding officer is just a few levels short of the level of the emotion he needed to convey to drive home the point.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It definitely makes you feel like the main character is between a rock and hard place with no way out, and it does a great job of helping us non-military-folk relate to what it must be like over there, but it takes a bit too long to get to the conflict, and the ending is only half satisfying-- which is mostly because the truth in this story is that there is no satisfying ending besides ending the war.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: Should we reinstate the draft? Should Stop-Loss be illegal? If it were, would we be forced not to fight, because we wouldn't have any fighters? Or is it the fault of those idiot soldiers for not reading the fine print when they signed up? (support our troops)... Talk amongst yourselves.

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Drillbit Taylor

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Three high school Freshmen hire a bodyguard (Owen Wilson) to defend them from the school bully.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Owen Wilson, Troy Gentile, Leslie Mann, Nate Hartley, David Dorfman, Alex Frost, Josh Peck, Valerie Tian, Danny McBride... and a great cameo by the bodyguard from My Bodyguard, which I'm only spoiling because that movie came out 28 years ago, and you might not remember what he looks like if I don't tell you to look for him.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Did you know that Drillbit Taylor is a homeless person? Yeah, it's kind of depressing. And despite his generally positive attitude about it, it lends a sad undertone to the first three-quarters of the film. Thankfully, the climax is satisfying.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Sure, but don't expect a laugh riot.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: How should I know? I've never been bullied.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I don't know who ShoWest is, but they always seem to be giving out awards for the Star of Tomorrow. By weighing their odds with a cast this young, I think these guys might be angling for that one. It's their only chance.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Owen Wilson's lines weren't up to his ability, but he still made the best of all of them. And Troy Gentile, who often gets cast as a young Jack Black, has a huge career in front of him-- so long as he doesn't start doing drugs like the rest of them.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I've got no complaints.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Could've been a lot funnier, more heart, less predictable, more clever, less over-the-top... But it wasn't that bad.

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Sex and Death 101

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A guy (Simon Baker) finds out the names of all the women he will ever sleep with, and he proceeds to cross those names off of his 'to-do' list.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Simon Baker, Winona Ryder, Leslie Bibb, Mindy Cohn, Julie Bowen, Frances Fischer, Dash Mihok, Patton Oswalt, Tanc Sade, Neil Flynn

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. If 27 Dresses had been written from a male point of view, you would come out with this movie. While 27 Dresses is the female fantasy about love and marriage, this movie depicts the male fantasy of sex without strings. Alternate titles for what I saw could have been: '101 Ways to Avoid Getting Married,' '101 Women Who Don't Want a Relationship,' or-- let's keep it simple and call it, "All Women are Easy Sluts."

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's by the writer of Heathers, and the tone is similar, but the jokes aren't quite as fresh.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Only if you're sensitive about sex with dying old ladies, girl-on-man rape, or necrophilia.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: New Year's Eve is and always has been the most overrated party night of the year. I've only enjoyed it a small handful of times in my life, and I'm happy to announce that one of those times was at a party hosted by the writer-director of this film. So Kudos to you, Daniel Waters-- which in Greek means, 'Praise for Exceptional Achievement.' A fun New Year's party is a hard task to pull off, and you did it. You win the New Year's Eve Party Award!... Too bad you can't win 'em all.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Quite possibly where the problem lies. To be fair, without noble goals to strive for or undying love for baby animals, most of the characters aren't particularly likable to begin with. On top of which, before seeing this I thought Winona Ryder hadn't been working much because she was busy going in and out of jail, but it turns out it's because she's been going in and out of talent.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The words over-the-top and fantastical come to mind. What I'm trying to say is that no effort is made to seem remotely like real life. I'm not knocking it, it's good to pick a style. But the directing choices did remind me of the 80s for some reason.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Shallow on the surface, but quite possibly containing metaphors about the parallels between marriage and death, if you choose to analyze it more deeply.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: I could see this movie catching on in a culty way, over time.

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21

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Inspired by the true story, and the book, about 6 MIT students who counted cards in Black Jack, and took Vegas for a million dollars.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Laurence Fishburne, Josh Gad, Sam Golzari

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's entertaining and educational! Especially if you're looking for a system with which to run the Black Jack tables and get rich quick... Or, more likely, lose your shirt.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: They try for it. All but a few of the jokes felt a little on the nose to me.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: More like frustrate you... which is one of the many emotions worth going to the movies for.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I'm giving the Best Jonah Hill Impersonation Award to Josh Gad. Rarely has a casting choice so obviously tried to compensate for the actor they wanted but couldn't get. (P.S. this is not inside information, it's merely an educated speculation.)

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Kevin Spacey's role was written with him in mind, and it's obviously a no-brainer for him to work his magic on. Kate Bosworth is a little stiff, and it's hard to feel anything much about her character beyond, "Wow, has she got perfect facial features." And Jim Sturgess is clearly the new Tobey Maguire. You know, almost attractive, in a completely non-threatening dorky guy way.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Really a good time! I love the montages, and the way Robert Luketic smoothly moves back and forth between the bright lights and glamour of Vegas, and the gloomy, snowy, cold of Boston. It's hard to believe it's the same guy who directed Legally Blonde (also a great movie, but with a totally different look.)

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It keeps you entertained the whole way through. There are a few holes in the logic, but not so big that they can't be overlooked, because the story is fascinating in and of itself.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: The real story takes place in the 80s and 90s, and the movie is modern day, so that had me confused for at least the first half. Also, the main character's name is Ben Campbell, but the real guy's name is Jeff Ma, so when they say "inspired by a true story," they really mean, "Inspired."

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Never Back Down

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: With help from a wise mentor (Djimon Hounsou), a teenager (Sean Faris) turns to the world of underground mixed martial arts fighting to overcome anger and frustrations over a tragic event in his past that he feels responsible for.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters, Wyatt Smith, Leslie Hope

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. In this homo-erotically charged mash up of a modern day Karate Kid crossed with an iphone commercial, you’ll get exactly what the ads promise. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the fight sequences are pretty exciting, but it’s all been done and seen before. And been done way better.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: You’ll think it should have made you laugh way more, except when you’re laughing at the unintentional humor. Which you’ll enjoy doing more than once.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you’ve ever had a cracked rib, this movie might bring back those painful memories, and in so doing, make you cry.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I’m sure there’s an MTV Movie Award nomination in its future for Best Fight. And I’ll go out on a limb and say maybe even for Best Kiss (even though it’s just the plain old heterosexual kind).

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Better than expected. Hounsou is magnetic no matter the material and he’s a large presence in this despite playing a supporting role. And even though some of the “teen” leads are surely teetering on the edge of 30 in real life, they’re all quite good. Suspension of belief will be needed, but at least you won’t be cringing over line readings.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Pretty darn good. The mixed martial arts fighting style really pops and is extremely well choreographed and shot. It’s probably the only reason anyone is seeing this movie, and it won’t disappoint in that regard. Okay, so some people are also going so they can see Sean Faris and Cam Gigandet with their shirts off… and let’s just say that if the director was responsible for that, too, then even more kudos.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Pretty formulaic. At least it pays lip-service to some character development and back story, which elevates it slightly from a straight ahead beat-a-thon. And it also deserves credit for putting forth a strong message about accepting personal responsibility and coming to terms with the bad choices we all make in life.

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Snow Angels

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A character drama that juxtaposes the heartache and disappointment of adult couples breaking up, with the wide-eyed innocence of a teenage couple discovering first love.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Kate Beckinsdale, Sam Rockwell, Michael Angarano, Olivia Thirlby, Jeanetta Arnette, Griffin Dunne, Amy Sedaris, Nicky Katt, Gracie Hudson

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's a high quality indy, but many people would consider this film depressing. Then again, some people like that.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Not often, but pretty loudly when you do.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: You will watch many powerful emotions, but not necessarily feel them in your own heart.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Sam Rockwell deserves an Independent Spirit Award for his performance as a shunned, alcoholic father and husband, with a questionable level of sanity.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: It's easy to see why actors looking for a challenge would choose to sink their teeth into these complex roles. And it's no surprise that veterans like Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale bring depth and realism to these mostly improvised emotional scenes, but to see Gracie Hudson, (who can't be more than 4 years old), step up to the challenge of facing off with these old pros in her first role ever, is really something .

Q: How is the Directing?

A: David Gordon Green has a consistent style, that keeps his films looking simple and real.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There are good scenes and good moments. There are dramatic turns and relatable human behaviors. But I never really felt like the story sucked me in or engrossed me emotionally.

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Blindsight

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A documentary about a group of blind, Tibetan teenagers who climb Mount Everest.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: The first blind man to get to the top of Mount Everest, Erik Weihenmayer, a blind woman named, Sabriye Tenberken, who started the Braille Without Borders school in Tibet, and six of her blind student climbers.

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go!... If you like movies about third-world blind kids doing stuff that you most likely can't.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: More like chuckle.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It could have, but won't.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Isn't going on the climb reward enough?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Very little emotion is conveyed in their eyes.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: When you take into account the altitude and the underlying possibility of sudden death, it starts to look very impressive.

Q: How is the story?

A: The structure is interesting, I only wish she would have found a way to make me cry.

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Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna )

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When a 9-year-old Mexican boy's grandmother/guardian dies, he crosses the border illegally, and tries to make his way to Los Angeles to find his mother.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Adrian Alonso, Kate del Castillo, Eugenio Derbez, America Ferrera, Jesse Garcia, Maya Zapata, Carmen Salinas

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! If you like small movies. You will get a deeper, more layered understanding of the difficulties and rewards involved in becoming and staying an illegal Mexican in the United States.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: According to the audience I sat with, the movie is much funnier if you are fluent in Mexican-Spanish.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Probably.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It has come out of the Film Independent "Project: Involve" program for minority filmmakers, and it's being distributed by Fox Searchlight, which together pretty much guarantees at least one Spirit Award nomination. In case you're not following, the Film Independent organization nominates the Spirit Awards, so it behooves them to nominate the success stories that come out of their own programs, because then people want to sign up for their programs, which is how they make their money. I know, like most award shows, it's all very legitimate.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Adrian Alonso, who plays the 9-year-old boy, is so good that you wonder how on Earth the director found him. But it turns out he's done 8 times more feature films than the director, starting with playing Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas' son in The Legend of Zorro. And although I had never personally seen any of Kate del Castillo or Eugenio Derbez performances before, I can tell just by watching them that they are two of Mexico's biggest stars.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: For a road-movie shot in only 5 weeks, not a single piece of coverage seemed to be missing. Every necessary angle and reaction shot was there.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Cute and warm-hearted.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: I finally understand why Mexicans like their own music-- which as far as I'm concerned should make their ears bleed, as it does mine. It's the lyrics. Which in this film where all translated into subtitles, rather than simply used as background music. It turns out that (not unlike the slaves), the music tells the story of how they will escape their lives of oppression, cross the border (in both directions), and insult the white man to his face, without him ever being the wiser for it.

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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: An out of work governess (Frances McDormand) shows up at an American actress's (Amy Adams) loft, and pretends the employment agency has sent her to work as the actress's "social secretary." This one day together changes both of their destinies forever.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Lee Pace, Tom Payne, Mark Strong

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It's cute but totally predictable, light, and theatrically hyper-stylized.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Maybe.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you're hungry. (That's an inside joke between me and the people who have actually seen the movie.)

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Keep your eye on the costume design. Amy Adams' clothes are original and classic looking at the same time, for this 1939 set piece. And man, is she good at wearing the stuff! She manages to walk and saunter in ways that draw your attention to the flow of every article of clothing she wears, as it sweeps off of her dramatically. Additionally, there is a lingerie show in the film that reinforces the costume designer's (Michel O'Connor) undeniable cache of talent.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Frances McDormand is an old pro, but Amy Adams, while remaining one of the most enjoyable actresses to watch on screen, may be a little over the top in this one. Though her performance is grounded in reality, she seems to be living in a heightened reality as compared to most of the other characters in the film-- which worked perfectly in Enchanted, but is a tad too much here.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It is reminiscent of a 1940s comedy, which is clearly exactly the point.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Though based on a book, it feels more like it's based on a play. The characters are few, and it is very self-contained, sometimes requiring the kind of coincidence that can only be pulled off on a live-theater stage. The old fashioned farcical elements are strong, but as a film, it could perhaps have been opened up a bit.

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The Bank Job

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: The true story of a group of small time criminals who are covertly hired by high level English secret service men to rob a bank, so that they can recover compromising photographs of Princess Margaret.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Richard Lintern, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays, Michael Jibson, Hattie Morahan, David Suchet, Peter De Jersey

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! It's hard to believe this incredible story really happened. What seems like a simple heist gets gradually more and more complicated, as it begins to include and affect top level government officials and crime lords. It's at the top of its genre.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Whether from the tension or the dark humor, the audience will be listening to your reactions--

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: --none of which will be crying.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's the kind of movie that should be recognized for Editing Awards, but isn't.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Jason Statham is raw. Saffron Burrows is pretty.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The pacing is perfect. It starts fast and never lets up.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: At first, it's hard to keep up, but pay attention. Before you know it, you will have a handle on everything, and be glad you stuck with it, as it twists and turns in clever and ever more complicated ways.

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Married Life

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Based on the 1951 pulp novel, "Five Roundabouts to Heaven", by John Bingham, this is the story of a man (Chris Cooper) who is cheating on his wife (Patricia Clarkson), and decides that killing her would be easier on her than getting a divorce.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, David Wenham

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! A smart, mature movie for adults, that keeps you wondering what's going to happen next.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Yes, there is an underlying dark humor boiling under the surface of the drama.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it will have you on the edge of your seat-- emotionally-- not in an action way.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Could do, if it's remembered in the fall. The script and Patricia Clarkson's performance are worthy.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: It stars Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Rachel McAdams and Pierce Brosnan-- how do you think the acting is?!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I was sitting in the second row, underneath what was possibly the biggest screen I've ever seen, so I'm going to go with: very tall... In other words, from my seat it was hard to get a fair view of the visuals, and I don't think I'm in a position to judge.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Clever, original, and constantly turning in unlikely directions. Right when you think you know what's going to happen next, you find out that you don't. It lets you think, and puts your morality in direct conflict with your compassion. And here's the most unlikely part... one of the writers was also responsible for the hateful script known as I'm Not There.

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