Lakeview Terrace

Good movie. Samuel Jackson plays the neighbor from hell who does everything he can to force out the new interracial couple who moved in next door (Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington). I groaned several times at the poor decisions the neighbors made which would obviously backfire. But it was still fun to watch it all play out.

Burn After Reading

Good comedy. I’m not sure why everyone was expecting the Coen Brothers to come out with another No Country For Old Men. Clearly, the brothers are just having fun with Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand as two inept coworkers who find a CD which they believe contains CIA secrets. They attempt to blackmail John Malkovich. George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Richard Jenkins also star. A fun film, but being a Coen brother’s movie, expect a couple of gruesome murders. I liked it.

Righteous Kill

Good movie. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino star as two cops searching for a serial killer who kills the bad guys. John Leguizamo and Danny Wahlberg costar. I wouldn’t call this an action movie, but it’s a good cops and robbers who-dunnit. You’ve got one character saying he’s the killer, but everything still seems a little fishy till the twist at end. Good movie, but I still liked “Traitor” better.

The Women

Good chick flick. Four great (ultra rich) friends who help each other out through bad times; in this case, one has a cheating husband. Meg Ryan and Debra Messing play two scrappy looking mothers. Annette Benning and Jada Pinkett Smith play two sleek and chic childless singles. Also starring Eva Mendes, Candice Bergen, and in a small role, Bette Midler. The title is taken quite literally, since none of the husbands, fathers, or any male characters at all are shown in the movie. I liked this movie but I am biased, since I love chick flicks and movies where true friendship is the underlying theme. If you like a good chick flick too, then go for it.

Ripple Effect

Great premise, so-so execution. A Lebanese-American fashion designer finds both his business and marriage to Virginia Madsen failing. He is haunted by a car accident from 15 years ago where he hit Forest Whittaker and left him wheelchair bound. He believes that meeting with Forest may give him the peace of mind he needs to turn his life around. Minnie Driver also co-stars. The beginning of the movie was very choppy but eventually smoothed out. But then the end became sudden and choppy as well. These things bug me! Overall, a good story. But wait for it on DVD or cable.

Elegy

Well if you look up the word, it means a sad, mournful poem or song. That about sums up the movie. Ben Kingsley seems to have it all. He’s a respected professor, he gives interviews on TV and has a radio talk show. He has Patricia Clarkson for a lover. Dennis Hopper is his best buddy who keeps him grounded. But he’s sad and lonely and becomes obsessed with Penelope Cruz. I thought it was a creepy romance, what with him not so good to look at, and her simply gorgeous and full of life. And he wants to know all the details of her past lovers. Creepy! But right when I thought the movie was finished, it continued on and surprised me a bit with more depth. Deborah Harry has a bit part as Hopper’s wife and Peter Sarsgaard as Kingsley’s hateful son. This is the type of movie that the Academy Awards seems to love; but not me. Wait for it to come out on cable. Or not.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Very good movie. Woody Allen movie - thankfully he is not in it :). Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) spend two months in Barcelona where they meet the extremely – and amusingly so – forward Javier Bardem, who impacts the girls lives in ways they didn’t expect. Penelope Cruz doesn’t show up until the second half. I was afraid this would be some kind of weird sex movie that I would hate. In fact, the movie is very tastefully done and is rated PG-13. None of the irritating, overly analytical conversations that seem to be a Woody Allen trademark. Good movie. Gorgeous scenery of Barcelona and Orvieto. What’s not to like?