Cautiva

Cautiva is an excellent film from Argentinian filmmaker Gaston Biraben. Although it is fiction it is based on fact.

Cristina (Barbara Lombardo) is a normal fifteen year old girl who goes to Catholic school and has a good relationship with her parents. One day she is ordered to leave school and see a judge. There is proof from blood tests that the couple that Cristina is living with are not her real parents. She is told that her real parents were among the many people who "disappeared" during Argentina's dictatorship of the 1970s. The judge orders Cristina to live with her grandmother Elisa (Susana Campos). She does not want to do this. And why would she. She loves her mother Adela (Silvia Bayle) and her father Pablo (Osvaldo Santoro). But what is the truth? What really happened? With the help of her friend Angelica (Mercedes Fures) Cristina finds out what really happened.

This film is very suspenseful I kept wondering what really happened. And I must say that I had one opinion early in the film and that changed later on (and I was right to change my mind).
The film has a lot to say about what happened in those dark days in the 70s. At the beginning of the film we see Henry Kissinger at the World Cup Game in 1978. Kissinger and the US government approved of this terrible dictatorship. At the end of the film we are shown the School of the Americas - this is a place that trains US approved dictators. The US government should be ashamed of itself for supporting these tyrants. In any case, do yourself a favor and rent Cautiva. It is a riveting film that will give you much food for thought.

Feast of Love

Feast of Love is directed by veteran filmmaker Robert Benton. The script is written by Allison Burnett and adapted from a book by Charles Baxter.

The story is told through the eyes 0f Harry Stevenson (Morgan Freeman) a professor who is on leave. Throughout the film Harry philosophizes about the nature of love. Harry seems to be happily married to Esther (Jane Alexander) but he is a troubled man. Bradley Thomas (Greg Kinnear) owns a coffee shop and is also an artist. His marriage to Kathryn (Selma Blair) falls apart when she leaves him for a woman named Jenny (Stana Katic). Bradley then meets and falls for Diana (Radha Mitchell). She is having an affair with the married David (Billy Burke) when they meet but winds up marrying Bradley. Guess what happens? Will Bradley ever find true love? You will have to see the film to find out.

There is also the story of young love. Oscar (Toby Hemingway) works at the coffee shop. When Chloe comes in to ask about a job it is love at first sight. Their story is very touching.

Freeman, as usual, is good. I also liked Kinnear (I really felt so sorry for his character) and the bitchy Mitchell. I would have liked to have more in the way of the story of the two women but I guess the filmmakers thought it was better to focus more on hetero love. I am glad that they at least included that story because some filmmakers would not include it at all (yes, even in this day and age). And there were some nice, sensual sex scenes.

Feast of Love is not a great film. But it is a film that touched my emotions. And that is good enough for me.

Across the Universe

Just a note before I write my thoughts - There are many movies coming out and I have limited time. So I will try to give you an idea of what the film is about and then tell you what I thought of it. But I will try to do it in as few words as possible.

Now to the film at hand. I liked Across the Universe more than I thought I would. I really liked director Julie Taymor's two previous films Titus and Frida. She a unique and very creative talent. But the word on this film was not great. However, for someone like myself it is very well worth seeing.

The story starts out in Liverpool. Jude (Jim Sturgess) lives with his mom and works on the docks. He also has a girlfriend. One day he decides to work on a ship. But he winds up in Princeton looking for his father. He finds him but he also befriends Max (Joe Anderson). He is welcomed into Max's family and is smitten by Max's sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). Lucy has a boyfriend but, sadly, he is killed in Vietnam a short while later.

The film is filled with wonderful Beatles music sung by the cast. It is a real throwback to the fabulous 60s. We see race riots, soldiers fighting in the war and anti-war protests back at home. Taymor made everything feel authentic. And she was aided by screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais (who also wrote Still Crazy which is another film that I like). The visuals are stunning and the choreography is amazing. I found myself singing along to the tunes quite a few times. I cried during Let it Be and I had a huge grin across my face during I Am the Walrus (which was sung by sting).

None of the actors was particularly outstanding. But that didn't matter. This is a director's film.
I left the theater thinking yes, all we need is love. But where did the love go? I wish we could get some of it back from that time oh so long ago.

In the Valley of Elah

Writer/director Paul Haggis has made a very good film with In the Valley of Elah. It is a suspenseful who dunnit. But it is also a statement on how war affects people.

Tommy Lee Jones, in probably the best performance of his career, play Hank Deerfield. Deerfield is a former army man with an outwardly hard exterior. Both of his sons joined the army. His older son was killed ten years prior. Now his younger son Michael is said to have gone AWOL. Deerfield cannot believe this about his son. So he goes on a journey to find out what happened. While conducting his investigation mutilated body parts are found. They are what remains of Michael.

Enter Det. Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron). She was previously uninterested in the case of the AWOL soldier but things have changed since it is apparent that he was murdered. Oh, and the army wants to be top dog in this investigation. So there is a conflict between them and the police.

There is no point in saying anything more about the plot. It is a good one and really held my interest. The usually stoic looking Jones looks as if he is about to break down at any moment.
Sorrow and pain is written all over his face. Theron also puts in a strong performance as a detective who is also a single mom. Susan Sarandon plays Deefield's wife Joan. She only has a few scenes but they are powerful ones. Your heart just breaks when she cries. She has lost both of her sons - there is nothing worse than that.

In the Valley of Elah explores how war affects those who fight. There is no question that they are changed people. How could they not be. And there is also a political message that is anti war. The last scene in the film says it all. Congratulations to Paul Haggis and all involved for making this fine film. I highly recommend it.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

What can I say about this film? It is far from a masterpiece and yet there are some very good things about it. It is not a bad film at all but it has some serious flaws.

The first big problem is the length. It is two hours and 40 minutes. There was no reason for the film to be this long. The middle section could have been cut quite a bit. And the end of the film could have been trimmed as well. Writer/director Andrew Dominick adapted the film from Ron Hansen's book. And the problem with the film's length extends to its title. The title should have been shorter as well. I have no problem with long films. Lady Chatterley was the same length but that is what I call a true art film. While Jesse James is contemplative at times it is not a real art film.

Jesse (Brad Pitt) and his gang are about to pull off a last robbery. Joining him is his brother Frank (Sam Shepard). Tagging along are the Ford brothers - Charley (Sam Rockwell) and Robert (Casey Affleck). Casey has an obsession with Jesse. Jesse was a fodder for the tabloids back then and Robert has numerous books on him. At first it seems like Jesse likes Robert but then he pushes him away. Jesse is doing that with everyone he knows because he doesn't trust them. Now this makes for an interesting psychological profile of the man and that is one of the best things about the film. But there is too much time spent on some of the other characters that didn't need to be in the film. This film is in great need of a good editor. It is very obvious that Dominick was trying to do something very much like Terrence Malick here but it didn't always work.

I think that Pitt is really good as Jesse. You can see how he has grown as an actor (although I don't know if he really deserved that Best Actor award in Venice). Sadly, Shepard is not in the film for very long. I was hoping that his role as Frank would have been juicy but, alas, it isn't. Mary Louise Parker plays Jesse's faithful wife Zee. But she is wasted on a throwaway role. Rockwell hits the right notes as Charley. But I did not care for Affleck as the ultra obnoxious Robert. After seeing him in this film, Gerry and the trailer for Gone, Baby, Gone I have come to the conclusion that he lacks charisma. I don't understand the raves that he is getting for this role. Roger Deakin's cinematography is spectacular. He is a master in his field.

Some critics have compared this film to Bonnie & Clyde and McCabe & Mrs. Miller. I don't see that - both are better films. But it certainly does explore the love of the outlaw. When Jesse died he was treated like a hero. Nobody really cared about Robert Ford. I really cannot recommend this film to everyone. It just isn't for every taste. But I am certainly not sorry that I saw it. For those of you who don't mind sitting through a long, slow moving tales you will find some very good things in this film.

DVD Mini Review - As You Like It

No one has done more for the revival of Shakespeare in film than Kenneth Branagh. When I hear that Branagh is making a Shakespeare film I know that it will be damn good!

This lovely version of Shakespeare's tale of love, jealousy and betrayal just arrived on DVD. It played on HBO last month. I was surprised that it didn't have a theatrical release in the US but I just read that the reviews in the UK weren't great. Well, what do those critics know?!

Branagh moved the story to an English conclave in Japan. The film includes Ninjas and Sumo wrestlers. We also get to see some beautiful Japanese gardens.

The ruling king Senior is ousted by his younger brother Frederick (both are played splendidly by Brian Blessed). A short time later Frederick banishes Senior's daughter Rosiland (Bryce Dallas Howard). Frederick's daughter Celia (Romala Garai) is very close with Rosiland and leaves with her and Touchstone (Alfred Molina). Before she leaves Rosiland falls for Orlando (David Oyelowo). To complicate things Orlando's brother Oliver (Adrian Lester) sees Orlando as a rival for their father's inheritance. Oh, and Rosiland dresses up as a young male and when she meets up with Orlando she puts his love to the test. Yes, the story is a bit complicated and there are more characters. But this is Shakespeare we are talking about so you have to make an effort to understand what is going. I won't tell you more of the plot. You will have to see the film to find out what happens.

The acting is very good from all involved. Besides the people I already mentioned the cast includes Kevin Kline as Jaques (a friend of Senior's) and Janet McTeer as Touchstone's love interest Audrey. The real standouts in the film are Molina, Garai and newcomer Oyelowo. There is a terrific musical number at the end. There was a scene that reminded me of some of the musicals of the forties. In this story the motto is all's well that end's well. I recommend that you check this one out.

The Hunting Party

Richard Shepard's new film The Hunting Party is based on a true story. And quite a story it is.

Simon (Richard Gere) and Duck (Terrence Howard) are two journalists who cover the news in many hot spots around the world. They have won awards for their work and enjoy what they are doing (even though some of the locales are quite dangerous). But one day while on assignment in Bosnia Simon freaks out while reporting on the air. He gets fired and spends the next few years going from job to job and having financial difficulties. In the meantime, Duck lands a cushy job working for a well known television anchor (James Brolin).

Simon's and Duck's paths cross again when they meet up in Sarajevo. Simon says he has big news - he knows where the war criminal known as the Fox is hiding. He knows that Duck is a bit bored with his job and craves this kind of excitement (and he sure does). What follows is a dangerous and fascinating road trip up and down Bosnia looking for this thug. Joining them on the trip is the young journalism school graduate Benjamin (Jessie Eisenberg). His father is the head of the network that Duck works for. I won't say more about the plot but I will say that I learned a number of things about how governments "can't" find people who commit crimes against humanity (think Osam Bin Laden). And we also find out why Simon freaked out while he was on live television.

Shepard's writing and direction are intelligent. I don't understand why this film isn't getting more attention. Well, that happens to a lot of good films. Gere's performance is terrific - he is a very underrated actor (check him out in The Hoax which came out earlier this year). And Howard is proving himself to be an actor who grows with each new role. I recommend this film and do hope that it finds an audience. But if you can't see it on the big screen do catch it when it comes out on DVD.

Eastern Promises

Eastern Promises is David Cronenberg's new film and his second in a row with Viggo Mortensen.
Like the previous film, A History of Violence, this one is tight, well paced, has terrific acting and is heavy on violence. However, the story - with a screenplay by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Amazing Grace) is not quite as compelling as Cronenberg's previous film. Don't get me wrong - this is a great film. It just isn't quite up there with Violence.

The film starts off with an extremely violent scene (which I won't tell you about - I had to close my eyes when it was on). We soon cut to a hospital where maternity Nurse Anna (Naomi Watts) is on duty when a pregnant teenager is brought in. She is in very bad shape and doesn't survive. But the baby does. The mother left behind a diary. Anna's uncle is Russian (as was her father) and she hopes that he might be able to translate it. She wants to find the mother's family so that she can give the baby to them. All of this leads her to some very unsavory characters. Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl) is a restaurant owner but he is also the head of the Russian mob in London. His son Kiril (Vincent Cassel) is a disappointment to his father. He just doesn't have "it." But their driver Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) certainly does.

I am not going to say more about the plot. It is interesting and there are some intriguing twists.
You can see that the film was well researchwd. Cronenberg and company seem to know the ins and outs of the Russian community in London. And I really liked the way the film looked. Mortensen is excellent as Nikolai. His accent is spot on. Mueller-Stahl is also wonderful. But he almost always is. Cassel excels as Kiril. Watts is good but her role isn't as meaty as Maria Bello's in A History of Violence. I also enjoyed seeing the great actress Sinead Cusack - she plays Anna's mother Helen. And Howard Shore's score is top notch.

All in all, Eastern Promises is another fine film that Mr. Cronenberg can put on his resume. I do highly recommend it - just be warned about some of the violence. And I am very much looking forward to what he comes up with next.

DVD Mini Review - A Few Days in September

A Few Days in September, written and directed by Santiago Amigorena, is an interesting little film. I can't understand why it didn't get a theatrical release in the States. Well, actually, after reading an interview with Juliette Binoche I can.

The story revolves around a mysterious CIA man named Elliott (Nick Nolte). But while his presence is dominant throughout the film we see very little of him in the physical. A former co-worker of his named Irene Mantano (Ms. Binoche) is trying to set up a meeting between him, his daughter Orlando (Sara Forestier) whom he abandoned many years ago and his stepson David (Tom Riley). But this isn't an easy thing to do. There are many people who are after Elliot including a poetry spinning assassin named William Pound (John Turturro) who also worked with Elliott.

The film takes place in Paris and Venice and the location photography is beautiful. Binoche is wonderful as the mysterious Irene. The young actors are fine. And Turturro adds another terrific eccentric to his long list of great roles. Nolte is a very good actor but he didn't have much screen time. I look forward to seeing what Amigorena will do next.

I will not say much about the plot. But I will say that it takes place between September 5 and 11, 2001. And Binoche claims that an agent she worked with said that what comes across in the film is very close to the truth. See this film (on DVD) and make up your own mind. I've made up mine (actually it was made up a long time ago).

DVD Mini Review - Beyond the Gates

Michael Caton Jones' terrific film Beyond the Gates (called Shooting Dogs in other countries) was released in many places a year or two ago. However, it just got a limited release earlier this year in the US. And that is a shame. But you can now catch it on DVD (as I did).

The film is about the Rwanda genocide in 1994. The story is specifically about a school where many Tutsis hid from the Hutus who were out to kill them. The school is run by a priest named Christopher (John Hurt). Christopher feels a great deal of responsibility for these people. He is joined in his quest to help them by an idealist young teacher named Joe (Hugh Dancy).

Caton-Jones' direction is sharp, as is the screenplay by David Wolstencroft. The film was shot in Rwanda and it feels very authentic. However, I will say that the film is very graphic and there is a lot of carnage to be seen. But I admire the filmmakers for taking that route and not softening the blow of seeing this. Hurt, as always, is marvelous. Dancy is good as the shaken teacher. And Claire-Hope Ashitey is very good a Marie - one of Joe's students who really looks up to him. Oh, I should say that a number of people who worked on the film were survivors of the tragedy (and lost many family members).

By the end of the film I was in tears. How could one not be? Beyond the Gates is a good companion piece to Hotel Rwanda and Some Time in April. It should be seen by as many people as possible. Films like these are important because they remind us of the evil that humankind can inflict on each other. Let's hope that one day all of the bloodshed will stop.

DVD MiniReview- Rocky Balboa

I really liked the first Rocky film that came out more than 30 years ago. I thought that the second film wasn't bad either. But I think that I stopped going to see these films when the third one came out. Less than glowing reviews kept me away for the rest of them. But when Rocky Balboa came out last winter it got good reviews. I still didn't see it but a friend highly recommended that I catch it on DVD and I am glad that I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Rocky (Sylvester Stallone - who, of course, also wrote the screenplay and directed the film - and is still perfect as Rocky) is now pushing 60. He is still mourning the loss of his beloved Adrian (Talia Shire) and has to deal with his rather aloof son Robert (Milo Ventimiglia). He owns a restaurant and is still helping out his cranky brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young). He wishes things were the way they used to be.
During a visit to a local bar he runs into an old friend, Marie (Geraldine Hughes) and they resume their friendship.

Rocky is surviving but he needs to do more than that. He gets an offer he can't refuse - an opportunity to fight the world's heavyweight champion Mason Dixon (Antonio Carver - who is a real boxer. He takes the challenge even though he is no longer young.

The reason why I like this Rocky film so much is because it deals a lot with Rocky himself rather than boxing. The film is very inspirational because its message that if you believe in something you can achieve it. And it isn't important in how you hit but how you can take the hits and get back on your feet. The DVD features deleted scene and an alternate ending). I highly recommend that you see this film. It will make you feel very good.

The Brave One

I've seen all of Neil Jordan's films and I know that they fall into two categories. One category is for films that he has written as well as directed. And the other category is for films that he only directed. The Brave One falls into the latter category.

The film is written by Roderick Taylor, Bruce Taylor and Cynthia Mort. The screenplay is not great but not bad either. But Jordan's direction and the acting by Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard elevate the film above the typical vigilante film.

Foster plays Erica Bain, a radio talk show host. While she and her fiance David (Naveen Andrews) are walking their dog in the park (probably Central Park as the story takes place in NYC0 a bunch of hoods attack them. David dies but Erica eventually comes out of her coma. But she feels lost. And who wouldn't? But she feels that the police aren't doing enough so she decides to take things into her own hands. Detective Mercer (Howard) takes a special interest in Erica but as time goes on he starts to become suspicious.

Jordan is such a great director. The way he shot NYC makes you feel that you are standing right in the middle of things. And I would know how that feels because I live there. He really put the film together so well. Foster and Howard have great chemistry in their scenes together. And Foster really gets you with her vacant look.

I will not say more about the plot because that would really spoil things. There are some twists, including a big one, in the film. And that big twist made me wonder about the message that the filmmakers want to send. But, hey it is only a movie, right? But there are some things in the film that can really make you wonder.

So do not listen to the critics that did not like this film. Check out The Brave One. Judging from the big audience on a Friday afternoon I assume that most people do just that.

The Bubble

The Bubble is Eytan's Fox's latest film and it is terrific. It takes place in modern day Tel Aviv and focuses on three young roommates. Noam (Ohad Knoller) and Yeli (Alon Friedman) are both gay but not lovers. The third roommate Lulu (Daniella Wircer) is a straight woman. The Bubble is what living in Tel Aviv is - compared to the rest of Israel. But, as we shall see, that is not true.

The story starts off at an Israeli checkpoint. Noam reluctantly serves his army time this way. After his month long duty is over he returns to Tel Aviv. But he left his id card there by accident. It was found by a young Palestinian named Ashraf (Yousef Sweid) who happens to be gay. Ashraf and Noam fall for each other and Ashraf stays with Noam and his friends.

I don't want to get into too much of the plot because I don't want to give things away. Fox explores relationships, both gay and straight. There are some very erotic scenes in the film. He also delves into the politics of the region and shows the atrocities on both sides. Tel Aviv is a very open, modern city (in fact, the film is in part a love letter to Tel Aviv). Being gay is not a big deal there. But being gay in the occupied land is another story. I was pleased to see that there are so many left leaning young people in Israel. I was in Israel a long time ago and would love to go again. But this time I would spend more time in Tel Aviv instead of Jerusalem (beautiful but too religious for me). Also Fox and co-screenwriter Gad Uchovsky's decision to show what all of this hatred does was right on. An added attraction in the film is a guest appearance by Lior Ashkenazi (who was in Fox's marvelous Walk on Water) who plays himself.
I hope that we get to see more of this talented (and handsome) actor in the not too distant future. The film is filled with humor but there is also a great deal of sadness throughout.

The Bubble is a anti-war, pro-peace film. And it is a very good one at that. I don't think that many people will get to see this film because it is getting a very limited release. I strongly recommend that you see this in either in the theater or on DVD. You will walk away shattered.

DVD Mini Review - Au Hasard Balthazar

Robert Bresson's Au Hasard Balthazar is a gem of a movie. It may seem like a simple story but it is really quite complicated. Much has been written about this film so my comments are my own observations (and I will keep them brief).

Balthazar (who is named after one of the wise men) is a donkey and he is the main character in the film. I felt that the story was told through his eyes. Balthazar is adopted by Marie (Anne Wiazemsky) when he is young. His first years are pleasant and he is well taken care of. Marie loves him but she is a very passive girl. She doesn't try to stop the cruel people who harm Balthazar. She eventually falls for local bad boy Gerard (Francois Lafarge).

Marie's relationship with Gerard is not a good one. He is quite abusive. While this is going on we witness poor Balthazar's abuse with various owners. Although some might see him as being a passive beast I could tell by looking into his eyes just how sad he is. You also get a glimpse of the sad state of some other animals who are in a circus.

For me this film is about the never ending cruelty in the world. The cruelty that humans bestow on other humans and the cruelty that they bestow on other species. Balthazar's and Marie's fates are intertwined (you will see what I mean). The ending is very powerful, very moving and very sad. In wish the story ended on a different note. But I realize that it had to end the way it did.

SPOILER ALERT: A poster on imdb said that Bresson killed the donkey at the end of the film. If that were true I would never recommend this film (I read this after I saw it). But, happily, someone posted part of an interview with Bresson where he says that they gave the donkey a mild sleeping pill and that he woke up five minutes after taking it. I highly recommend this film and I would like to see it again. Perhaps I will buy a copy of it from Amazon.

3:10 to Yuma

3:10 to Yuma is a remake of a 1957 film that starred Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. I haven't seen the original film (yet) but most of the reviews that I read seem to think that the remake is better than the original - which is something very rare.

Director James Mangold has created an old fashioned movie in which the good guys and the bad guys are easy to spot. But wait - outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) is just so charming that you find yourself really liking him. And some of the men who wants to get him - including Grayson Butterfield (Dallas Roberts) are not very likable. Dan Evans (Christian Bale) wants to get him because he will be paid two hundred dollars. And he really needs that money because he is very broke. The film consists of many chase scenes and shoot 'em ups. But it is more than that. One
important theme that it explores is the relationship between a father and his son. And I believe that in part Evans is doing this because he wants to gain the respect of his son William (Logan Lerman).

I won't tell you any more of the plot. You will just have to see for yourself if you want to know what happens. Mangold does a very good job of bringing this Elmore Leonard short story to the
screen. Phedon Papamichael's cinematography is exquisite (they shot the film in New Mexico).
All of the acting is on target. Gretchen Mol does the best she can with the underwritten role of Evans' wife Alice. Peter Fonda is very good in the small role of Byron McElroy, one of the men trying to capture Wade. Alan Tudyk is also fine as Doc Potter, the local veterinarian who also wants to see Wade brought to justice. Ben Foster is wicked as Wade's second in command Charlie Prince. And Roberts also does a good job as Butterfield. Bale once again proves how he is growing as an actor. You really feel for his character. And what can one say about Crowe? He is just one hell of an actor. But the real find here is young Lerman. He acts with such intensity that it is hard to believe he is just a boy. All in all, this is a good film but not a great film in terms of awards worthiness. That means I highly recommend it but it is not a masterpiece.

Yes siree bob - the Western is back. Long live the Western!

DVD Mini Review - Stephanie Daley

Stephanie Daley is an interesting little film that appeared at the Sundance Film Festival. It was written and directed by Hilary Brougher. It is a small film that got lost in the shuffle but it is definitely worth seeing - especially on DVD.

The story focuses on a forensic psychologist named Lydie Crane (Tilda Swinton) who is investigating the case of a young woman named Stephanie Daley (Amber Tamblyn). Stephanie is being of accused of murdering her baby after it was born. She claims that she was not aware that she was pregnant. Lydie herself is pregnant and suffered a pregnancy loss a few months before. This brings a good amount of tension to the tale. Both Lydie and Stephanie have to come to terms with their grief.

I have always liked Swinton - she is an amazing actress. And this film is just more confirmation of her acting skills. Young Tamblyn is wonderful in the title role. She certainly has a good future ahead of her. Timothy Hutton as Lydie's husband Paul is good as is the underrated Mellissa Leo as Stephanie's mom (there is a very good deleted scene between Swinton and Leo in the special features section of the DVD - I think that it should have been included in the released version of the film because it gives you some insight into why Stephanie is the way she is). And Brougher is a director to watch. I look forward to seeing what she will do in the future.

I hope that this film will gain an audience on DVD. It truly deserves to be seen.

My Most Anticipated Fall Films

We are now entering the season where most of the heavyweight films are being released. What follows is a list of films that I am very much anticipating. I will probably not see every film on this list (some may wait until they are on DVD). And there are films that are not on the list that I will see in the theater (the release dates were not yet listed - I am going by Entertainment Weekly's Fall Film Guide). And, of course, some films will be pushed back. But here is a list of my most anticipated films in the coming months. The films that have an asterik beside them are the ones that I am the most interested in seeing. They are in release date order.

3:10 to Yuma
The Bubble
The Hunting Party
Across the Universe
The Brave One*
December Boys
Eastern Promises*
In the Valley of Elah*
Silk
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Into the Wild*
Trade
Feast of Love
Lust, Caution*
Grace is Gone
Michael Clayton*
Elizabeth: The Golden Age*
Sleuth*
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead *
Gone Baby Gone
Rendition
Reservation Road*
Slipstream*
Things We Lost in the Fire
American Gangster
The Kite Runner*
Lions for Lambs
No Country for Old Men*
Love in the Time of Cholera*
Margot at the Wedding
I'm Not There*
Cassandra's Dream*
Chronicle of an Escape*
Atonement*
The Band's Visit*
Youth Without Youth*
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly*
Sweeney Todd (I have a lot of reservations about this one but, for now, I will put it on the list)
The Bucket List
Charlie Wilson's War
Persepolis
There Will Be Blood*
The Savages*
The Orphanage*
Honeydripper*
The Man of My Life
Quixotic/Honor De Cavalleria
Lake of Fire
For the Bible Tells Me So
The Good Night

Some really good films from July and August

They say that the summer is usually a bad time for good films. Well, that just isn't true. In July and August I saw a number of films that I either liked or loved. Here are my favorites.

Vitus
Ten Canoes
Ratatouille
The Method
Rescue Dawn
Goya’s Ghosts
My Best Friend
Talk to Me
Interview
Becoming Jane
Live-In Maid
Blame it on Fidel
Moliere
2 Days in Paris
This is England

And here are the best performances from these films.

Christian Bale & Steve Zahn - Rescue Dawn
Javier Bardem & Natalie Portman - Goya's Ghosts
Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofer - Talk to Me
Steve Buscemi & Sienna Miller - Interview
Anne Hathaway, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters & James Cromwell - Becoming Jane
Norman Aleandro & Norma Argentina - Live-in Maid
Nina Kervel-Bey - Blame it on Fidel
Fabrice Luchini & Laura Morante - Moliere

Some other great performances from this year are Sienna Miller & Guy Pearce in Factory Girl and Salma Hayek in Lonely Hearts.

Factory Girl

I have been waiting for Factory Girl from Netflix for a long time so I decided to see in on MOD (The Weinstein Company gave Blockbuster exclusive rights to their films for DVD so Netflix just didn't have that many copies. Maybe even Blockbuster didn't have many copies either).

Anyway - the film, directed by George Hickenlooper is uneven but is certainly not as bad as some critics painted. And even though the dialog isn't always as sharp as it should be (and even if there are some reported factual errors) the film is still worth seeing.

The main reason for this is Sienna Miller's outstanding performance. She puts her heart and soul into her portrayal of poor little rich girl Edie Sedgwick. Edie was from a very rich family but decided to leave everything behind and come to New York to seek fame (she didn't need fortune). She become involved with Andy Warhol (an excellent Guy Pearce) and became his "It Girl." Of course, one can only be an "It Girl" for a short amount of time and things go haywire for Edie. It doesn't help that she left her one true love - the nameless Musician (Hayden Christensen) - to stay with Andy. The Musician goes on to marry someone else.

The film portrays Warhol in a very bad light. Could it be possible that he was so selfish and self centered? That is not a question that I can answer. The Musician is base on Bob Dylan but Dylan threatened to sue the Weinsteins before the film came out because he didn't like them using a character that in any case resembled him. I do remember him being linked to Edie way back when but, again, who knows how true that story was. In any case, Christiansen is not a good actor and does not bring anything to the film.

The film is never boring and interesting to look at. And, as I said before, I highly recommend it for the wonderful performances by Miller and Pearce. Factory Girl will not be everyone's cup of tea but if you like films about that era I suggest that you check it out.