August Rush

After cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and guitarist Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) share an enchanted night together, circumstances rip them apart, and the child (Freddie Highmore) produced by the union is raised by an opportunistic stranger (Robin Williams) who nurtures the boy's musical talent. Determined to find his parents, the boy -- known as August Rush -- relies on music to draw his mother and father to him. Terrence Howard co-stars.

After watching this film the first time, I could only remember the child prodigy in the story.  I completely missed the love story.  Furthermore, there's the character played by Robin Williams, who is story himself of lost dreams and opportunities.  It's a great story.  The love story is a great one as well, allthough it starts far too unbelievably as a sephisticated young woman spends the night on the roof of a building with a complete stranger and gets pregnant.  From there, the story develops quite well.  The music is original and fun. Kimball ****

Netflix link to August Rush

The Last Legion

With his empire crumbling and his parents dead, 12-year-old Roman Emperor Romulus (Thomas Sangster) is exiled to Capri with his mystical tutor (Ben Kingsley). While there, he discovers a magical sword once owned by Caesar that foreshadows his destiny. Assisted by general Aurelius (Colin Firth) and warrior Mira (Aishwarya Rai), they escape and set out to avenge the death of Romulus's family -- and to save Europe from the rule of the brutal Goths.


I wasn't sure about this movie, but wow, was I please.  This is a great story.  Good action, and generally clean.  I especially enjoyed the goodness of the heros and the very clear badness of the bad guys.  It's probably too much for the little ones. Kimball****

Netflix link to The Last Legion

Something the Lord Made

Play Preview This Emmy-winning HBO film based on a true story follows white surgeon Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and his black assistant, Vivien Thomas (Mos Def), who teamed in the 1940s to develop a procedure to save children suffering from a heart defect. But Thomas's status as a second-class citizen prevented him from getting recognition, as Blalock took all the credit. Their relationship, while close, was complicated by the social realities of the time.

I have grown to appreciate the acting capabilities of Alan Rickman. In this film he plays the roll of Doctor Blalock. He’s very convincing in the roll. Mos Def is another great actor. This film was moving and very interesting. Doctor Blalock has a language problem which may be offensive to some.Kimball ***

Netflix link to Something the Lord Made

Music of the Heart

Play Preview In director Wes Craven's inspiring Oscar-nominated drama -- which is based on a true story -- violinist and single mother Roberta Guaspari (Meryl Streep) struggles to convince the administration at an East Harlem high school to let her establish a music program. Having won that battle, Roberta nonetheless continues to face an uphill climb as budget cuts threaten her determined and deeply felt efforts to bring the arts to underprivileged kids.

I love music anyway.  This is a great story and Meryl Streep is fantastic in her roll as Roberta.  Music is a powerful medium for both good and evil.  I praise those who use it for good.  The acting is great, the script well written, and the story is heart warming. Kimball ****

Netflix link to Music of the Heart

Avatar

Disabled Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) travels to planet Pandora to become an avatar, ingratiate himself with the natives and help Americans mine lucrative unobtainium. But he finds himself in an interstellar conflict after falling for Na'vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). James Cameron writes and directs this Golden Globe-winning CGI odyssey that has broken box office records. Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang co-star.

I was not ready for what I was about to experience. I admit, I expected this one to be pretty good. Ticket sales were going through the roof and the trailer was pretty good. As I stood at the ticket counter and forked up the dough for six adult tickets plus two more dollars for the 3-D glasses I thought to myself, “This better be worth it.” When the show was ending I couldn’t believe how fast time had gone by. I was 100% entertained for over two hours. I don’t know when that has ever happened before. Forget all the hype about it being a “Save the Earth” film, this was a wild ride that will be hard to beat. The story has been told many times over; bad white guy persecutes poor simple minority group, and is converted by beautiful woman. But, put the story is this setting, of a far away planet that literally comes alive in 3-D and it’s like it’s never been told before. The computer animation, the sets, the wonder of it all is just beyond words. I found myself wishing that I could go to Pandora, no, wait a minute, does it really exist? I don’t know, maybe it does. Anyway, I can hardly wait to buy my own copy of this movie. Kimball **********+

Netflix link to Avatar

Knowing

Play Preview Fifty years after a time capsule was buried at a local school, teacher John Koestler (Nicolas Cage) examines its contents and discovers that it holds many shockingly true predictions. Soon, John is convinced that his family will play a role in an impending apocalypse. Rose Byrne co-stars as Diane Wayland, the daughter of the woman who first buried the capsule, in this tense blockbuster thriller from ace sci-fi auteur Alex Proyas.

I like Nicolas Cage, so I liked this movie for that reason. It was interesting, and fun as a SiFi but I didn’t really like the story. It was too dark and too depressing. Besides, I can’t really connect with the whole global warming, man verses nature, end of the world crap. A bunch of aliens come to save samples of earth and to transplant them onto another planet. Great, but the aliens far dark, scary, and almost evil. It’s someone’s creative explanation for the Adam and Eve story. I didn’t buy it. Sorry, I know this show was popular, but I wasn’t impressed. Kimball ***

Netflix link to Knowing

My Dog Skip

Lonely, 9-year-old Willie Morris (Frankie Muniz) lives in the flea-bitten town of Yazoo, Miss. He stinks at sports and has no playmates. So, over the strenuous objections of his hardnosed father (Kevin Bacon), Willie's mother (Diane Lane) buys him a dog that he promptly dubs "Skip." Before you know it, Skip transforms Willie's life: He makes friends, plays sports and develops an unbreakable bond with the spunky terrier. Based on a true story.

This is a nice film, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes just a little better. I’ve actually stayed the night in Yazoo City, MI. It’s a small town on the rail road and quite pretty. The story is rather predictable, but the acting is good and the coming of age themes are well treated. It’s a decent film. –>Kimball***

Link to My Dog Skip

Star Trek

Capt. Kirk (Chris Pine) and his trusted team on the starship USS Enterprise boldly go where no man has gone before in this installment of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi franchise that follows the early days of the intergalactic adventurers. The crew includes Spock (Zachary Quinto), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Sulu (John Cho). Eric Bana co-stars, and Leonard Nimoy appears as an older version of Spock.

Everyone knows that I'm a Treky, but you don't have to be a Treky to love this show. JJ Abrams was brilliant in his directing of this "beginnings" story about the timeless characters of the Starship Enterprise. I can't begin to express how impressed I was with the acting, the action, the story and the development of the characters. I have to say that I really had my doubts about ressurecting James T. Kirk, but between Pine's acting and Abrams directing they really pulled it off. The only negatives in this film was the imorallity which was so unnecessary, and Leonard Nimoy's terrible acting, which was surprising. -->Kimball*****

Netflix link to Star Trek

Forever Strong

Rick (Sean Faris) is a star player on his dad's rugby team until a DUI lands him in a reformatory. While he's serving his sentence, tough rival coach Larry Gelwix (Gary Cole) allows him to play for his team, which helps Rick straighten up his act. Upon his release, however, Rick becomes a pariah to his former teammates and even his father when he refuses to divulge Gelwix's strategies. Sean Astin co-stars in this inspiring true story.

I enjoyed watching this film. The rugby sequences were really good and the story was uplifting. The acting was not really up to par and the lines were predictable, but all in all this is a good film. Sean Astin is the best actor in this flick co-staring as Rick's counselor at the juvenile detention facility. Rick is not your typical young man and if your teens can relate to him, well, then you have issues. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to Forever Strong

Swimming Upstream

Jesse Spencer ("House M.D.") stars in the true-life drama of Australian swimming champion Tony Fingleton. Desperate to escape his tortuous older brother and alcoholic father (Geoffrey Rush), Tony finds sanctuary and his life's calling at the local public pool. And though his new passion is marred by his father's growing animosity and illness, the talented athlete nevertheless perseveres, ultimately gaining both sports glory and self-respect.

Aside from his violent father and some profanity this is really a pretty good film. It's well acted and a great story. Tony rises to the top in spite of terrible odds motivated by his mother's love and his desire to go to the states to attend a prestigious university. He proves that anything is possible if you really want it. The terrible consequences of alcohol are portrayed with some disturbing scenes of domestic violence, and one is left feeling a certain degree of simpathy for Tony's father who is a victim of his past. I felt a desire to cheer Tony, love his mother, cry for his family, and help his father. It made me wonder what a difference it would have made in the life of this family to have found the gospel. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to Swimming Upstream

Amistad

Steven Spielberg directed this story about the 1839 revolt aboard Spanish slave ship La Amistad and the uprising's tragic aftermath. An African-born slave (Djimon Hounsou) leads a mutiny against his brutal captors. Because the ship is in American waters, a U.S. court must decide the slaves' fate. In an eloquent courtroom speech, ex-president John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) argues for the Africans' freedom.

Very interesting history. Very well made. Great performances by all including Matthew McConaughey and Morgan Freemanand. I was suprised that I hadn't heard of this film. The twists and turns of this story are great. It is very mature in its theme and drama. There are some disturbing scenes involving torture of slaves and black slave nudity. Small children should not watch this. For history sake and awareness I say this is a must see. Some may dissagree with me, but oh well, se la vi. -->Kimball****

Netflix link to Amistad

Anatomy of a Murder

Nominated for seven Oscars, this legal thriller profiles the attempts of country lawyer Paul Biegler (James Stewart) to exonerate Frederick Manion (Ben Gazzara). Charged with a local barkeep's murder, Manion claims the victim raped his wife (Lee Remick). Employing a temporary insanity defense, Biegler tries to outmaneuver slick celebrity prosecutor Claude Dancer (George C. Scott), but discovers there's more to this case than meets the eye.

I love Jimmy Stewart. I don't know that I have ever seen him in anything that I just couldn't stand. This is one of his great performances, allthough I wasn't particularly impressed with the film. Everything is great except for the ending. A suprise ending it was, but not the suprise I expected, if that makes any sense. You're left with a sense of confusion about who was the good guy, and who was the bad guy. Surprisingly, there were a few rather adult themes and conversations throughout this film. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to Anatomy of a Murder

The Pennsylvania Miners Story

During the summer of 2002, time stopped for nine Pennsylvania coal miners who were trapped inside a mine for more than three days. Miraculously, all survived -- an uplifting ending to a story most thought would end in tragedy. This made-for-TV movie tells the miners' story from their point of view using actual locations and footage from the real-life Quecreek mine. Stars John Ratzenberger, Michael Bowen and Robert Knepper.

This was ok. Not really great as movies go, but a good story. It's worth seeing, but not as the main feature. -->Kimball**

Netflix link to The Pennsylvania Miners Story

Seven Pounds

Distraught over his wife's death -- and convinced that his own actions had something to do with it -- a depressed IRS (Will Smith) agent begins plotting his suicide, vowing to improve the lives of seven strangers in the process. But a chance meeting with a woman who has a life-threatening heart defect (Rosario Dawson) threatens to derail his plans when, suddenly, their budding relationship feels a lot like love.

The show was well acted of course, and well directed. I had a problem with several things though. One, there were a few of those "bleep of the screen" scenes where the actors get to unleash their hormones and call it work. I also was not to into the whole compassionate suicide thing. By the end of the movie I was depressed and ready to send him a "Snap out of it" phone call. Then, the way he kills himself was just too bizzar for me. In all, this show left me with a dark and depressed feeling, and wishing I could turn on "Home Improvement" or something to lighten up the mood. -->Kimball**

Netflix link to Seven Pounds

The Inheritance

Years before writing Little Women, Louisa May Alcott penned this "lost novel" chronicling the life of orphan Edith Adelon (Cari Shayne), a girl who's taken in by a wealthy man (Tom Conti) and his wife (Meredith Baxter) to become their daughter's companion. Despite her low status in England's rigid class system, Edith's winsome qualities tend to shine through -- and she soon catches the eye of a handsome, wealthy suitor (Thomas Gibson).

This is a very nice film. A real chick flick, but a good one. Completely clean, and innocent and well acted. A must see for the ladies, and a should see for the guys. Everyone needs a little culture. -->Kimball****

Netflix link to The Inheritance

The Spanish Prisoner

Never trust what you see. When a naïve inventor (Campbell Scott) develops "The Process," a top-secret program guaranteed to make billions for his company, the wolves come out -- to fleece him. David Mamet wrote and directed this twisty mystery with masterful sleight of hand. Powerful performances by Ben Gazarra and Steve Martin, plus plenty of surprises and stings, make The Spanish Prisoner the ultimate con flick.

This is a pretty good show as a backup. The acting by Campbell Scott and Steve Martin is good enough. Felicity Huffman's character is odd at first and it seems that she is a poor actress and too predictable, but, wait, is she, or is she acting? The mystery is good, and the clues are well laid out. Be patient, you may like this one after all. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to The Spanish Prisoner

The Express

Rob Brown stars in the true story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win football's Heisman Trophy. Dubbed the "Elmira Express" for his relentless drive, Davis also lived up to the nickname off the field as he battled for racial equality. Dennis Quaid co-stars as Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who teaches Davis the game and in return learns much from his running back's bold civil rights achievements.

This is great film because Ernie Davis was really a great guy. Rob Brown is as good as he always is as is Dennis Quaid. I like seeing good people to great things and for the right reasons. This film may have a bit of a racial twist, but the story is fantanstic nonetheless. -->Kimball****

Netflix link to The Express

The Remains of the Day

Dutiful butler Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) dedicates himself wholly to tending Lord Darlington's (James Fox) house, turning a blind eye to Darlington's Nazi sympathies. When housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) tries to coax Stevens out of his staid shell, his reluctance may cost him dearly. He finally seeks out Miss Kenton later in life, but is it too late? This Merchant-Ivory period drama was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture.

Here you have very good actors doing a superb job in a slow film. This picture also has Hugh Grant, and Christopher Reeves. With so much star power you would expect more. Don't get me wrong, it is a good film, just a bit slow. Anthony Hopkins plays Stevens, the butler, who is so committed to his duties that he fails to see the things that are truly important. He loses his chance at love and misses the importance of the events unfolding around him. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to The Remains of the Day

Man on Fire

Creasy (Denzel Washington) is a former federal agent whose outlook on life is anything but sunny. While in Mexico City, he halfheartedly takes a job protecting the child (Dakota Fanning) of a couple whose lives have been threatened. The little girl begins to grow on Creasy, and the two form a bond that revives his trampled soul. But when she's kidnapped, Creasy's fury is unstoppable as he desperately tries to save her. Tony Scott directs.

What can I say...You've got Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, and Dakota Fanning. I love this show for several reasons. One, just because. Two, It's a great hero story involving the ultimate sacrifice for love, and it's a love developed unwillingly. But, who coldn't love Dakota? And, I think Christopher Walken is a great supporting actor every time. This film is graphically violent for which it get's its R rating. -->Kimball****

Netflix link to Man on Fire

Believe in Me

After accepting a job to coach high school basketball, Clay Driscoll (Jeffrey Donovan) is disappointed to discover he's been assigned to the girls' team. But the harder he works his female players, the more he sees that they're just as capable of greatness as boys are. Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern co-star in this small-town sports drama based on the true story of an Oklahoma coach who led his team to the state championships in the 1960s.

This film is based a true story. Jeffrey Donovan is not a great actor in my opinion, but he does a fare job with this one. Bruce Dern in the same old bad guy you've come to love from his past films. The story is a good one and if you like sports shows you'll like this one. -->Kimball ****

Netflix link to Believe in Me