"Your english is f%cking atrocious!"

A Love Song for Bobby Long - a film set in New Orleans starring John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson. This is another inde film I picked up because I saw a preview for it while watching another movie and it looking interesting.

The plot is simple. Scarlett's mother dies and she inherits a house that has two people living in it. According to her mother's will. Scarlett is to share the house with the two other tenants for a year. Living in the house is a former professor John Travolta, aka Bobby Long, and his former T.A. who is currently writing a book about Bobby. The two men are alcoholics and Scarlett is underage. They make an unlikely trio that manages to turn into a family of sorts. And like most families there are secrets buried and peaking out all over the place.

The movie has some delightful scenes. I wouldn't say this is the best film in the world and as most of my post point out, it is in need of editing. To paraphrase Stephen King "You have to murder your little darlings." Sharp editing can turn a mediocre film into a great one. Maybe catch this on tv especially if you like John Travolta, or even if you don't like him, he embraces Bobby Long in such a way that you almost forget it's John under all that white hair.

"You're a sunny little sh*t, I'll give you that much."

16 Blocks - an interesting film with a slow start. Bruce Willis and Mos Def carry this film. The premise is simple. Bruce Willis, Jack Mosely, is an alcoholic cop trying to leave and end his shift. He is pulled to take Mos Def, Eddie Bunker, 16 blocks to the court house so he can testify before the the grand jury by 10:00 am. Jack has 118 minutes to take Eddie 16 blocks. Almost immediately the pair are attacked cluing Jack into the fact that his passenger is carrying tales others do not want him to tell. Eventually Jack learns that the cops also want Eddie dead because he is giving evidence about corrupt cops.

Mos Def is excellent. He plays Eddie with a mixture of innocence, charm, and drive. Bruce Willis also excels as an aging drunk cop who has rediscovered his morals. The shady cops and city of New York also add a nice element to this film.

Overall I enjoyed this film. The beginning was rather slow and I was not as engaged as I had hoped. This movie had a lot of little elements that made it enjoyable and akin to another notable corrupt cop film - The Negotiator. The ending of this film was more satisfying. I'd recommend this film to those who enjoy cop films.

"There's nothing worse than having your pigtails shot off.'

Castle in the Sky - another reason why the 80s rocked. This is an animated film about a young girl, Sheeta, who is being chased by the government and pirates for a stone on a necklace given to her by her grandmother. While escaping from pirates she meets a boy, Pazu. This boy's father believed in a floating castle in the sky and was able to take one picture of it. Laputa is the name of the flying castle.

In order to discover the truth about Sheeta's necklace Sheeta and Pazu join the bumbling family of pirates that first chased them. Laputa is found but does it hold all the answers that those who are searching for it desire?

This movie is funny, filled with adventure, courage, loyalty and was a delight. It reminds me that movies aimed at children can be enjoyed by those of all ages. It is worth a rental.

"Are you Arabic?" "No." "Let me put it another way: are you married?"

The Manchurian Candidate - I watched the original - it stars Frank Sinatra, Janet Leigh, and Angela Lansbury. The story is simple and scary enough. A group of soldiers are brainwashed by a communist enemy. One of the soldiers, Raymond Shaw, is trained as a killer - he is their ace in the hole - he will kill without remorse. Raymond has an overbearing mother, Angela Lansbury, and a wimpy stepfather. Bennett Marco, Frank Sinatra, is one of the soldiers. Since returning from his stint he has been having nightmares involving Raymond.

All I could think about when watching Angela Lansbury was how sad it is that most of my generation only know her as Jessica Fletcher and people who are younger than me only recognize her as the voice of the teapot in Beauty and the Beast! And that is sad because she is a great actor.

This movie was interesting, if a little slow. I didn't completely understand the purpose of Janet Leigh's character but I guess she was a foil for Bennett. There were many intricacies in this film and they were laid out and developed in clear and calculated ways. I highly enjoyed this film.

"I saw Totoro!"

My Neighbor Totoro - a sweet simple story - a father and two daughters moves into a house in the country closer to an ailing mother who resides in a nearby hospital. Satsuki is eight years old and going to school. She gets along really well with her four year old sister Mei. They are close and have a very understanding father. The girls meet Totoro their neighbor a troll. He doesn't speak but is a great and helpful neighbor.

This movie is cute. Very short. Voice by Dakota Fanning and her little sister Elle - you can hear the kinship in their voices. This movie placates the child inside. Rent it.

"Are there any pirahnas?" "Bananas?" "No, pirahnas." "Uh, no. No pirahnas."

On a Clear Day - a great British film. A man in his fifties is let go from his job. He built ships. A new company has taken over and found him redundant. Not knowing what to do with himself he while on the booze cruise (taking the ferry from Dover to Calais) he decides that he should try to swim the English Channel. He doesn't tell his wife or his son his plan but begins to train with his friends. Meanwhile his wife is trying to become a bus driver. Also in his life is his son who is a stay at home dad who takes care of twin boys.

This movie was adorable, predictable, funny and sweet. This is my kind of film - family misunderstanding, guilt, blame, humor, and a tear or two. From the beginning the audience is aware of where it will end, and getting to the end is delightful. The actors subtly play their parts, my only criticism is that a few of the secondary players are underused making their transformations unnecessary and less forceful then could have been portrayed. But overall quite an enjoyable film akin to The Full Monty minus the need for money and nakedness and like Billy Elliot but without the desperation and less sadness. Overall a great film that would be enjoyed by many.

"This is a one off thing."

Brokeback Mountain - yes I finally watched the gay cowboy movie. I enjoyed almost every minute of it. Very impressive performances by Heath and Jake. Two cowboys are hired to watch over a herd of sheep on Brokeback Mountain. Their stay begins innocently enough but eventually a cold night and suggestive looks lead to a kiss. Eventually they leave the sanctuary of the mountain and each goes on to start their own families. And yet they continue their love affair for 20 years meeting a couple of times a year.

This movie was based on a short story. And I can honestly say I forgot I was looking at Heath and Jake I totally bought them as Ennis and Jack. Well, I did remember a little when they were hot and naked. But I digress. The boys were a delight. If they didn't have to return to their families I would have been happier. My biggest gripe with this film was poor Anne Hathaway. They did not age her well at all. They basically just gave her a variety of wigs - it was terrible.

I forgot that this was an Ang Lee film. Something about the film struck me as being very Ang Lee and then when watching a behind the scenes featurette I saw him. Silly forgetful me, but very good Ang Lee. This movie deserved the buzz. What I liked about this movie is that when it ended I felt as though I read a book. It made me think about the symbolic meaning of Brokeback as a place. It made me want to have a book club meeing to discuss the movie. Rent it if you haven't already.

"The man who said 'I'd rather be lucky than good' saw deeply into life."

Match Point - a Woody Allen film. The plot seems simple enough a young Irish tennis pro retires to teach rich people how to play tennis. He meets a rich guy. They both express an interest in Opera. Rich guy has an extra ticket and invites Tennis Pro into his family and in particular his sister. Romance ensues. However Tennis Pro is also interested in rich guy's fiancee. Tennis Pro eventually marries the sister but in the end has an affair with the fiancee.

The acting in this film was good. I had no complaints on that end. The movie centered around the theme, idea really, of luck. Luck as in chance not necessarily good or bad. The chance meeting of Rich guy and Tennis Pro, a break up a few months too late, a chance meeting in the Tate modern, and the location of a ring.

I don't think I enjoyed this film. There were are few scenes that were interesting but there are gaps. The relationships evolve but without a clear understanding of the length of time between scenes. The Tennis Pro's character is questionable. The audience is not sure of his motives, nor is there even a hint of his depth. The ending to me was bizarre. I am not sure many will enjoy this film. Apparently, I am the minority because this movie was one of Woody Allen's successful films. I stand by my opinion.

"Look at her, my little warrior"

Whisper of the Heart - an interesting animated film set in Tokyo, it follows the adventures of Shizuku a young woman fascinated with books. She and her best friend are supposed to be studying for their placement exams and yet both are distracted.

Shizuku is obsessed with finding out the identiy of a boy who she discovers has been checking out the same books she has but always before her. To her delight she discovers the boy is in her school. She is harrassed by her older sister and basically understood by her father.

I enjoyed this film. The story is quite sweet and for those who are fans a reference is made to the film The Cat Returns. It incorporates a dream of mine - to have a boy (man) fall in llove with me while I am reading in a library. The only note of discord is the repition of the song "Country Road" it is not one of my favorite songs and it plays a somewhat central role in this film. But other than that quite enjoyable.