Buried (2010)

An American truck driver in Iraq is kidnapped and buried for ransom. A claustrophobic little flick that takes place in a buried coffin- its a race against time to be found and rescued. Whats inside: Ryan Reynolds, a lighter, a flask of hooch, a cell phone with the worlds longest half charge of use, and 95 minutes of fairly tense movie making. This was one of those 'well this is the only thing on' type movies. Well played but ultimately too thin to prevent my attention from wandering. If this subject matter interests you World Trade Center (2006) is a much more entertaining watch.

Nude Nuns with Big Guns (2010)

A clergy run drug operation fucks with the wrong nun. This is one where the title describes exactly what you will see in the movie. Lots of nudity. Lots of gunfire. Lots of cheese. Actually all the B elements not withstanding, this isn't a terrible movie. Naked boobies abound as a nun sold into prostitution takes her revenge on the priests and bikers who have wronged her. Fairly straight forward fuck you and die style action. Beers are a plus while viewing this one.

Secretariat (2010)

Disney docudrama about the most famous horse in triple crown history. Disney once again demonstrate they are the masters of feel good family friendly movies. All around exceptional work. The movie runs the same way Big Red does.. slow out of the gate and lengths across the finish line. This is to horse racing what The Blind Side(2009) is to football. Highly Recommended.

Black Swan (2010)

A ballerina's dedication to perfection pushes her towards madness as she embraces the darker aspects of her persona. This is a very theatrical and well constructed film. What is set up as a narrowly focused character drama becomes a fun house ride into psychosis with the viewer often left to wonder what is real and what is not (some scenes are easier than others). Perhaps that's the point. While this isn't a slasher flick with gallons of gore, there are some butt puckering scenes that will give you the willies. If you are a fan of psychedelic Hitchcock style stories, you may find this right up your alley. A chick flick directed at all those little girls who used to burn their Barbi's and play with just the heads. Sorbet with fish eyes.

Shanghai (2010)

An American spy goes to China to investigate the murder of his friend. A cloak and dagger style movie that once again showcases John Cusack's growth as a dramatic player. Supported by Ken Watanabe The Last Samurai (2003) and Yun-Fat Chow Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), the story moves along at a fairly brisk pace and maintains a taut sense of danger and intrigue throughout. Like other high calibre dramas, good and bad aren't always clearly defined and you find yourself a little conflicted as each of the main players get the character development needed to create that emotional bond with the viewer. A great period piece set in the turmoil of 1941. A late dinner with a nightcap. Recommended.

TRON: Legacy (2010)

The son of famous gaming software genius Flynn finds his missing father trapped in a computer generated digital world know as The Grid. This is basically a reboot of the 1982 classic Tron. Visually its as exciting as the first one and even more so in IMAX 3D. There were a couple places where I thought I was watching scenes from Star Wars:Return of the Jedi (1983). If you remember the original and were a fan, you will like this one too. If you have never seen the original and want to know what people sounded like and thought were cool in 1985 you can find it here. As much as I was looking forward to this one, I don't see it having the same impact the original one did, and in fact fear it is just a feeler to produce new revenue streams for Disney and support the animated TV series Tron they have set for 2011. I don't often recommend you endure the theater to see movies, but this is one you really should see in IMAX 3D.

Let Me In (2010)

A new neighbor will change the life of a bullied schoolboy. I recently reviewed the original movie Let the Right One In (2008) and this one follows it fairly close, with just a few minor changes. I'm not really giving anything away by telling you this is a vampire movie.. correction, its a movie with a vampire in it. This is really more a young romance movie with a twisty. At first glance this is just another better than average movie with a fly in the ointment. Players are all in step.. FX are good.. the dialogue flows well for the most part, there were a few wooden moments but nothing overly distracting. The real flavor of this movie is when you consider the implications. Think 'full circle'. This isn't really a horror movie even though there are a couple scenes that would qualify for one. A newish take on an overused theme that yields positive results. If you are looking for something that will keep you interested without being overly loud, violent or scary this would be a good pick. One of the rare movies that I hope they make a sequel. Pizza and Gummi Bears.

Dear Mr. Gacy (2010)

A dramatized version of the real life interaction between John Gacy and Jason Moss. What starts out as a class project soon becomes an obsession. An interesting portrayal of a horrifyingly messed up killer. There is no attempt made to make Gacy lovable or to humanize him in any way. From the first contact Gacy makes your skin crawl with his smarmy smuttiness. William Forsythe does an outstanding job. There are a few parts where you think 'okay, if the kid is this stupid..' but remember when you were 18? The actual photos and footage at the beginning end of the movie really nail this one together. Even if you aren't a serial killer groupie, this is a better than average cat and mouse style drama. There are some actual forensic photos at the beginning of the movie, just a heads up in case that sort of thing bothers you.

Barry Munday (2010)

A chronic womanizer wakes up in the hospital minus his sack with a paternity suit pending. This is a luke warm everybody is okay kind of comedy that slowly builds to produce an all is right with the world warm fuzzie. A fair watch for a new couple on a cold evening while they still remember what it was like being single. Despite the emasculated one dimensional male lead and the overly bitchy stand-offish female lead, the urge to stuff them both into a trash compactor and go looking for their parents with murder in your heart passes fairly quickly. Just enough naughty to keep the guy in the room while the double shot of 'the sisterhood' is kept on the mild side. This would probably work well as the opening movie in a double header with a more serious drama. A meatloaf sandwich and a glass of milk.

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (TV Series 2008)

This is a TV pilot that never became more. Another remarkable effort by Joss Whedon, this is a musical comedy about a Super Villain named.. you guessed it.. Dr Horrible. For 43 minutes I can't recommend you go and purchase or rent this unless you are queer for Joss Whedon, then of course by all means.. hell I did. You can catch this in pieces on YouTube.. but however you see it, if you want something that's outside the box but doesn't require an art snob to explain it to you, then make every effort to see this.. hilarious!

The American (2010)

A hitman looks to retire and finds its not as simple as that. Nothing really new here.. seen this story a dozen times. What sets this one apart is the presentation. This is a very well put together movie, very 'adult' if you will. The tempo represents more what one would expect in life and not what you find in these super adrenalized action flicks.. and lends to relating to the players. What action it does have is crisp, brief and efficient, no extra gore or super kung-fu fighting. I was really taken by surprise watching this and found it very enjoyable. If you are looking for something with a bit more depth, but not so much it will tire you out, this is a good choice. This is one of those well rounded home cooked meals you get at Mom's house. Recommended

2081 (2009)

In the future, exceptionalism is outlawed. This is a short.. about 20 minutes or so, but has more impact than 90% of whats out there. While set in 2081, its easy to see this becoming a reality much sooner... if we allow it. In the same category as 1984, but a microwave version. Legal and Right aren't always the same thing. Highly Recommended.

Ip Man (2008) [Yip Man]

A semi biographical story of a master of Wing Chun and master to Bruce Lee. Okay, the Bruce Lee bit is a hook and while historically accurate, the only part of the movie Bruce Lee is portrayed in is a rather shameless scene at the end of an otherwise nearly flawless movie. I'm very happy with the direction Kung Fu movies have been taking over the last decade or so by showing the heart, soul and honor of Chinese martial arts. This is very comparable to Fearless (2006) and just as enjoyable to watch. There are some over the top theatrics to be sure but this is more than offset with the persona of a man who is truly at one with himself. Its a shame Bruce Lee isn't around to see what fruit his seed has produced. Highly Recommended.

The Town (2010)

Another tender hearted bad boy movie about a bank robber who meets a girl and pines for the straight life. This is a better than average gangster style movie about a crew of bank robbers. Fairly well written and well played (unless you're Boston PD or the FBI). There are some slight continuity issues (Affleck's whisker growth in concuring scenes), but nothing you can't get past. While you don't really get anything new with this one you do get a rather neat tidy package of action and drama that will keep your eyes on the screen. I don't see it winning any awards, but it is entertaining and keeps a fairly rapid tempo. If you enjoy this genre, this will show up as a well prepared and hearty bowl of beantown soup.

Never Let Me Go (2010)

In this 'could happen tomorrow' sci-fi drama where clones are grown for organ harvesting, we follow three who hold out the hope for more. WOW! This is the best serious sci-fi I have seen since Cargo (2009) and Gattaca (1997). Not only is the movie well presented (I hear the book readers bitching already), its offered up with a quiet resignation that is so often seen in 'civilized' society. With the political and social acceptance of abortion and euthanasia, and the continuing propagation of the notion that those in favor be served by 'the little people', I can see the growth of live clones for harvesting (the movie uses the noble term "donation") occurring before the end of my lifetime. On top of this rather ignoble commentary of humanity, you have a very nice romance with all the tear jerking finality that tragic romantics demand. This movie doesn't require a huge amount of brain juice, but you do need some. Hard to imagine going wrong with this one. Highly Recommended.

Easy A (2010)

A little white lie snowballs into huge drama. This is a real gem of a flick that gently builds to a John Hughes 80's style finale'. Funny, witty and easy to watch the laughs come quick and natural. The only hitch was a couple dumb stereotypes and a ridiculous statement about the civil war, but it was minor and quickly passed. The lead is amazingly polished and confident but hey its Hollyweird. So jump into a gumdrop high school where being blonde is the norm...put on your big fluffy pink slippers and grab a big bowl of popcorn and let the fuzzy begin! Recommended.

Skyline (2010)

Aliens appear and take over the planet in 3 days. Not what I had hoped, but not as bad as some are saying. I think the hype is hurting this flick because its a pretty fair watch. Players are less than stellar, FX are good.. both in line with Cloverfield (2008) . Despite the wide net thrown in the set up, the story is narrowly focused. Try to keep expectations in check and you will much more likely enjoy the watch. On the plus side there are some cool details if you pay attention, and if you are a fan of alien monsters and biotech there are some very respectable sequences. There was a lot of possibility with this one but unfortunately it comes up short. Fans of Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys (TV Series 1996) will recognize Rhesus 2 instantly.

Inception (2010)

A group of thieves who crash dreams to steal information is hired by a super connected industrialist to plant information instead. Borrowing from Dreamscape (1984) and mixing The Matrix (1999) style themes and action, this movie comes out swinging but alas fell short of the hype for me. I thought they over used slow motion and made scenes unnecessarily loud and busy. Some of the major story elements made no sense (why the van? why not big money's private jet?). On the plus side the idea is a cool one, even if its 30 years old, and some of the FX were very cool. Players and mechanics were all up to par and the end can be viewed as a twist, set up for a sequel, or set up for a twisted sequel. Where ever you come down on this one, its not a waste of time and will likely keep you entertained if not enthralled. Somewhere between the upper end TV dinners and really good Chinese take out.

13Hrs (2010)

What starts out as a dysfunctional weekend outing for a group of young adults quickly turns into a nightmare as they are hunted by a terrifying creature. The story isn't bad and it has a pretty cool series of twists, but between the candy ass male characters and all the bickering in a situation that's ending lives I was annoyed rather quickly. However some stupid funny things happen so it wasn't a total bust. I don't know if revealing the nature of the beast would take anything away, so I will leave it unsaid. Sort of a could be but not quite movie with a promising ending.

Agora (2009)

A historical dramatization of the murder of philosophy in the ancient world. Set in Rome's Egypt, this is the story of Hypatia of Alexandria, a woman of philosophy and science. The rise of the Christian horde turns a quiet life of teaching and study into a struggle to stay ahead of the narrowing tolerance for those not adhering to the dictates of the growing influence of a charismatic and power hungry priest. Now before anyone's panties get in a wad, this is just a movie and the destruction of the great library is still a mystery. Man has been corrupting the word of God since the first 3 pages of Genesis so don't get lost in minutia. This movie is not a documentary, although I would say this is not an unreasonable interpretation. Be that as it may, thats only part of the movie, the other part deals with the main character, a woman so steeped in the desire to understand what her eyes tell her about celestial movement that it consumes her life. This may be nothing more than a retelling of Lilith, but whatever the facts are it was an enjoyable and entertaining watch. It is presented in a very serious manner though, so quell the urge to 'go do something' when the end credits roll. Recommended.

2:13 (2009)

Ritualistic serial killings test the depths of one detectives sanity. Better than average cop chasing crazy killer movie. Better than average character depth, natural sounding dialogue, and a sense of the routine make some of the story turns easier to digest. There is some disturbing imagery, but overall its more cop drama than bloody thriller. Sort of along the lines of Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002) but lacking the colorful 'from the psycho perspective' segments. A solid and enjoyable watch.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)

A serendipitous story about one dog's devotion. Based on a true story that took place in Japan around WWII, it has been reset in the American Northeast. A truly heart warming tale that is told one in another. You have the shell, that of a grandson who never knew his grandfather and the meat- which is the tale of Hachi. Light hearted and whimsical up until the 'event' (you will know when it happens), then its time to break out the tissues for the masterful finale'. You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this one its just damn fine story telling. There are a handful of players you will recognize, but they neither add nor take from the story in a significant fashion. Great family viewing. Warning- may result in dog ownership. Highly recommended

Stoic (2009)

Three young inmates vent their savage nature on a fourth when a prank goes wrong. This is a hard movie to view. The mindless brutality and cruelty dramatized is all too real these days and is a real statement on a society that pushes helplessness as some sort of virtue. All I could think of while I watched this was why the kid didn't fight back. But I guess had he done that they wouldn't have this movie. All the mechanics are fine, no complaints on the players and only a few on the FX. For a wonderful journey into just how fucked up people can get, this is just the movie for you. It took me days to watch this and I can't say I enjoyed it.

The Last Airbender (2010)

Live action interpretation of the anime Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Series 2005–2008) by M. Night Shyamalan. This movie represents Book One, or The Book of Water from the series. Being a fan of the series I went into this viewing with a bit of trepidation and excitement. Unfortunately trepidation was the proper emotion. I'm sad to say this movie missed at every level and its unlikely they will finish what should be a trilogy. I am very familiar with the storyline and had a hard time following this movie. The players were for the most part wooden and the dialogue was more befitting a grade school play. On the plus side FX were good, especially Momo and Apu (the lemur and bison). I recommend you pass on this and instead go with the original series, not only will you enjoy it more, it will make a lot more sense than this one did.

Piranha (2010)

Spring break at a lake town winds up to be more excitement than bargained for. Mindless T&A, bloodshed, sight gags, screaming, chaos, and everything else needed for a big budget B style monster movie. While the basic set-up is the same as Piranha (1978) this is more a high testosterone remake than a sequel. Sort of a Club Dread (2004) with more gore and less humor. Leave your brain somewhere safe, grab some suds, and enjoy 85 minutes of FX, breasts, and a couple million flesh eating prehistoric fishes.

Machete (2010)

A former Mexican Federalli and all around badass(Danny Trejo)is hired to assassinate a political figure only to be double crossed. Over the top exploitation movies just hit a new high. This flick has more laughs, blood, asskicking, sex (dig that 70's bassline), firepower, and raw stinky macho than any 5 movies combined. This is just damn fun viewing! Despite what is being said about this flick being political and whatever buzz words are being thrown about, here's my take. This movie is no more about politics than The Passion of the Christ (2004) is about S&M. There are stereotyped characters and roles and involve themes that are decades if not centuries old. Being that the movie takes place in Texas, and the timeline is now, it is necessary to include examples of today's society. If you are someone who finds images of Jesus on saltines and a conspiracy in every broadcast, you shouldn't be watching ANY movie, much less this one. If however, you like movies that don't preach at you about one thing or another and just blows the crap out of stuff while a bunch of one dimensional characters run around killing each other, it doesn't get much better than this. Grindhouse on steroids. 100% red meat... no frills, no filler, no bullshit! Viva Machete!

Women in Trouble (2009)

A day in the life of 10 different women. Right out of the box this one comes out and lands a solid one-two to humor and intrigue. Great naturally flowing dialogue along with an upbeat tempo and a solid group of players makes this one very enjoyable viewing experience. This is the kind of natural comedy that unfortunately is being overshadowed by noisier and much less humorous fare. A word of warning, this does get risque' (in places) and while the cussing is minimal and I don't recall any nudity, the subject matter may be considered a bit vulgar and clothing is revealing. Also, if you are sensitive about sex and sexual behaviour, be aware its a significant part of the dialogue. I laughed myself silly with this one and think you will too. Recommended.

The Last Seven (2010)

You wake up with no memory in a city with no inhabitants. I am a sucker for this kind of movie where the obvious is kept just out of view until it dawns on you to turn your head slightly for the proper perspective. Riddled with flashbacks the story uses atmosphere well to ramp up tension in the right places. There's some disturbing imagery but nothing too heavy. The end is what sealed the deal for me on this one, very cool when you realize what you have been watching. There is a curve at the very end however that left me a little confused but not without a notion. Creepy! If you like thrillers that let your brain do most the work, this is such a one. Not the best thing on the shelf, but shells and Velveeta is a tasty dish.

Knight and Day (2010)

A world changing discovery has the hidden forces behind the scenes chasing each other through the streets of major cities on at least two continents exchanging gunfire and blowing things to hell. Another action packed shooter full of cool car crashes, ridiculous quantities of brass hitting the ground, and all the butt puckering thrills they can cram into a movie where the leading man is shorter than the leading woman. As much fun as it was watching this flick, they still manage to maintain annoying stereotypes as a form comic relief. It works only so well and comes at a heavy price. It didn't kill this one for me, but it was teasing the line in a couple places. It seems Scientology, despite making Cruise insane, hasn't hurt his onscreen abilities. Unfortunately time is not being so kind to Cameron Diaz who looked a little haggard. Of course having a character who couldn't decide whether to take charge or be the annoying drama queen with a high pitched scream didn't help her much. But that's nitpicking isn't it? A high speed hit of adrenaline is what you get with this one, along with cool FX and a Tom Cruise smile that 007 would be proud of.

Marmaduke (2010)

The comic strip Great Dane from hell Marmaduke makes the transition from paper to celluloid. Moving from the Midwest to the left coast opens up new adventures for Marmaduke and his hapless family. Well voiced and family friendly, the age old teen angst story is pitched at us once again, but from a dog's eye view. Critter CG is up to date and undersold which works well (except the final sequence, but hey it worked for Shrek (2001) right?) If your dog spends more time on your sofa than you do they may be interested in seeing this one, and if you're good, they will let you and the kids watch with them. A squeaky dog toy that's not so slobbered on.

Let the Right One In (2008)

A bullied loner and product of a broken home makes friends with the strange girl who moves in next door. Its not long before they share her terrifying secret. In anticipation of Let Me In (2010) I went looking for the original version. Wasn't at all what I was expecting. While certain retro aspects were surprisingly refreshing, especially given current trends, I found others to be rather boorish and stilted. Being a Swedish movie I will chock this up to cultural differences. The tenor is more that of a drama/biography instead of a horror film, with a quiet resignation instead of fear and tension. I'm sure the American version will 'fix' this. I'm thinking that this version followed the book more closely than the remake. The bulk of the story centers on the growing relationship of the two primary players, especially trust. A good appetizer to wet interest in anticipation of the remake.

The A-Team (2010)

An unconventional "Alpha Team" is set up on a covert ops mission and its a race against the clock to clear their names. If you were a fan of the TV series, this would be the origins. This is a fun filled action packed blast of a movie with some hearty laughs and a lot of smiles. The finale' is a bit over the top, but fun to watch with a couple laughs. They leave it open for a sequel, after seeing it I'm inclined to think there will be one. For a good fun shooter with no gore this would be a good pick. A hearty burger and fries... enjoy!

Beneath Hill 60 (2010)

In WWI Australian miners were recruited as sappers to dig tunnels and set explosives; this is a dramatised history of Captain Oliver Woodward and his actions that won him the Military Cross. This is a top shelf drama with all elements extremely well played. The vision of the front line and the FX are all convincingly realistic (I especially appreciated the sound of the bullets striking)without being overly gory or graphic. Driven by an excellent story and cast of players that commands near undivided attention. I would compare this with Flyboys (2006), but with less syrup. Excellent choice for viewers wanting more meat in their sandwich. Highly Recommended.

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

In a world ravaged by a super virus that turns people into zombies, Alice continues her adventures in the 4th installment of the franchise. I'm SICK of 3D. That said, its obvious this cash cow has been absconded by the Hollyweird whores. Taking elements from The Matrix (1999), Ultraviolet (2006), Blade: Trinity (2004), and Æon Flux (2005), this bastard child bears little resemblance to either the game or the first 3 movies. A 5th movie is set up, so be prepared if this one makes money. Action was about what has become expected for this series, however I was continually distracted by the amount of make-up on both the lead female players. As far as I'm concerned they used up all their story material in the first two, with the third being a better than fair stand alone.. this one tries to hide behind the current 3D craze with little else brought to the table. Save your cash unless you have to see 3D, and make this a rental.

Downstream (2010)

The oil has run out and its the end of everything- Oh my!!
For some reason people think that oil running out somehow will reduce the planet to a desert with bands of roving cannibals despite the fact that for the majority of human history we didn't use oil. They did throw us a twist saying that a mysterious cancer has killed all the women.. then turned around and made one of the main characters a female and included a brothel in the script!! A luke warm serving of gruel. I did appreciate the ending though for more than the fact it put this movie out of its misery. View if you must, but save your cash and see it on DVD, or better, cable.

Hunter Prey (2009)

A Spacecraft goes down on a dirtball leaving 3 survivors in pursuit of their escaped prisoner. This is a great B+ movie that rely on story telling and player interaction instead of big budget techno displays. This views like a modest budget version of Enemy Mine (1985) without all the syrup. The plot is basic, and the storyline very narrow with only a handful of characters in the entire movie. I have no technical complaints although the veneer on some of the FX was thin it was nothing that I couldn't get past. There is a measure of suspended belief, but not totally out of the character framework.. perhaps explainable by the application of some unseen benevolent cosmic force. Players all deliver a respectable performance of a script that leaves out much of the filler we are usually punished with. Sci-Fi fans should especially appreciate. A tasty no frills dish.

The Expendables (2010)

A team of freelance mercenaries are hired to overthrow the leader of a banana republic, but things are never what they seem. This is a rock-em sock-em tough guy wet dream with a side of whoopass. A lot of star power generated for this movie, although Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger appear only as a cameo and are uncredited. Story line is fairly cookie cutter; rag tag group of heavily outnumbered bad asses go into a meat grinder, not for the 5 million dollars, but because they are all such good buddies. Anyway its an issue easily solved, take your brain out and strap in because its a hell of a fun ride! Adrenaline junkies come get your fix!! Even though the main character is Stallone, the rest of the crew, especially Stratham, all get their chops. Stallone has really grown as both a player and a director and while this is unlikely to win any awards, he sure seems to know what audiences like. Couldn't shake the feeling that he was sort of passing the torch though. A thick BBQ steak of a movie. Recommended.

Shoot the Hero (2010)

An attempt to save a failing relationship lands a couple of young lovers in the middle of gangster business. Give this one a chance, it starts slow and annoying but finishes strong. Take a geek and his snotty girlfriend, a band of small time gangsters, a group of inbred militia hillbillies, and a couple couch potato hit men, mix them together in a disjointed low key comedy, and you have this movie. Not exactly prime time viewing, but better than having your teeth cleaned. There are snickers to be had as well as a revelation for all the doubters of the Clark Kent persona (OMG thats Jason Mewes!). A good background movie that doesn't require your whole attention to follow as some of the pieces don't fit so well anyway.

Robin Hood (2010)

In the age of the eternal rewrite it was just a matter of time until they got to this old classic. This is sort of a prequel to the story we all know, with the introduction of Longstride as the main character. While this did nothing for me in terms of the story of Robin Hood, its not a bad movie and I found it quite enjoyable. A little formulaic but I've come to expect that with big Hollywierd productions. The rewriters had some fun with the characters that worked well as did the historical seasoning. If viewed as a medieval adventure/drama this is a respectable serving of good viewing. Fans of Robin Hood are likely to be disappointed.

Vampires Suck (2010)

Spoof of Twilight. A comedy in the caliber of Meet the Spartans (2008). If you enjoyed that, then you will enjoy this. This formula is getting very stale for me and laughs were hard to find. One thing I will give points to is Jenn Proske's portrayal of Becca Crane. She nails the whole dissociative emo thing that drives the Twilight storyline. This tuna sandwich is well past the due date.

Charlie Valentine (2009)

An aging wiseguy pulls 'one last score' that turns to shit and puts him on the run from his old boss. This is the story of one of the successful wiseguys in 'middle management', who in his golden years finds he is holding nothing but empty memories and an ability to turn his back on people. While not the same scope as Miller's Crossing (1990), I found it to have a similar flavor. Not a big shoot'em up movie, (most the violence is at both ends) it instead focuses on the more human aspect of things. Fairly gritty without being overly graphic or too vulgar. The dialogue is lean and lends to the overall feel of the movie well. A good watch for drama fans needing an adrenaline fix. Recommended.

Suck (2009)

A struggling band discover a key to fame that has nothing to do with music. Not what I expected given the title. Actually this is a pretty funny watch; imagine fronting a band of vampires while your roadie stuffs garbage bags with groupies.. Dark slapstick served deadpan with a side of Alice Cooper. Well played and fun to watch. A comedy that leaves pretentious at the door, now how refreshing is that? Enjoy your Slushee.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

A group of Jewish American soldiers covertly enter German occupied France to create terror and mayhem. This is a Tarantino film and I must say I was a bit disappointed. Its not terrible in and of itself (although Brad Pitt's character started to grate my nerves), just not what I've come to expect from a Tarantino film. This is one of those 'near-history' stories that sprinkle historical events into an otherwise completely fictitious tale. On the plus side there are a number of memorable scenes and one hell of a great ending. Schnitzel mit sour kraut.