







Interview with Michael Caine
There's something charming about an English accent, whatever they say it sounds elegant. Michael Caine was talking about the character he plays in a film entitled "The Statement."
A difficult part for him because he hates Nazi's and he plays one who ordered the execution of seven Jews during the German occupation of France in the l940's.
"Why did you take this part?" I asked.
"Because I've been in 90 films so far and I'm 70 years old and looking for either parts that are challenging or fun. This one was challenging. My next film is a small part as Batman's Butler. That should be fun.
"What was your childhood like?"
"Eclectic. My parents were Protestant and Catholic and they sent me to a Jewish school as it was the closest to where we lived outside of London. The kids called me Morry the Goy. My real name was Morris."
"Do you think the Nazi's were anything like the Terrorists?"
"No. The Terrorists are not only religious fanatics but they are discontent with their lot in life. They are filled with hatred and don't care who they kill even if it's themselves. The Nazi's wanted to kill but didn't want to be killed."
"Yes," I said, "what we have now is even more dangerous that what we faced in World War Two. Are there a lot of Muslims in England?"
He nodded, "We have a Muslim group that puts out a newspaper saying they want to see the Islamic flag flying over Buckingham Palace. Needless to say, the Queen takes a dim view of that. I've been married for over 30 years and my wife is a Muslim but she doesn't want to take over the British government."
"Is the British government worried about that group?"
"Well, they haven't taken any action against them but they are keeping an eye on their activities."
"In "The Statement" there were Catholic Church officials who actually helped the Nazi's right?"
"Yes, there were Nazi sympathizers in many places and this is a true story. Between l940 and l944 there were 330,000 Jews living in France and they were deported by French Administrators and French Police to Concentration Camps. Without the zealous cooperation of many French citizens the Nazi's would have been unable to carry out their extermination job in France."
"Interesting. There is an old saying that when evil happens and good people do nothing to stop it they help facilitate it. But on a lighter subject, you look very healthy and fit for being 70. How do you stay that way?"
"I walk. I love to walk. You see so much more than when you drive. Plus, I lived in California for the first few years of my acting career and I learned how to make the light and lean California cuisine."
I smiled, "Do you think you'll ever retire?"
"I hope not," he winked.


Copyright Devra Z. Hill © 2005 All Rights Reserved

America: Freedom to Fascism
Documentary
I don't know anyone who enjoys paying income taxes but most people think it's the law. This eye-opening film exposes the fact that there is no law saying the average American citizen has to pay income taxes. Aaron Russo is an award winning filmmaker who produced "The Rose" and "Trading Places." Recently, he decided to discover the truth behind this "no law" rumor concerning the ratification of the 16th Amendment also known as the "Tax Amendment."
He interviews government officials from the IRS, FBI, Politicians and tax attorneys and authors to find out exactly what is the Federal Reserve. Even he is surprised that the Federal Reserve is not part of our federal government but is a private banking corporation operated by unidentified private bankers. The Federal Reserve has the right to counterfeit money because now money is not backed by gold! The Federal Reserve is a banking cartel. Thus the government works for a private bank and the bank works for its owners. The Federal Reserve is an illegal corporation.
Many people think we have to pay income taxes to help pay for government services but there are many other taxes that pay for those services. This tax is what the English fought against, "Taxation without representation." Income taxes could be compared to paying for protection against the government so they won't put you in jail but if every citizen stood up and said "No, I'm not paying income taxes" the government would have to change just from the overwhelming population of protesters. The jails are so crowded now that they couldn't possibly put all the law-abiding citizens in also.
Recently our so-called Democratic government is talking about forcing everyone to carry a National ID Card and having a computer "Spy Chip" placed under our skin to track every move we make. We must fight back against this.
Watching "America: Freedom to Fascism" was like watching a true life horror film. A Fascist Nation is one in which big government and big corporations work together to stifle the people and Mr. Russo says he hopes he can wake up Americans to the myth that America is NOT still the land of liberty that it started out to be.
THE BABYSITTERS
Stars:John Leguizamo,Katherine Waterston, Cynthia Nixon
Katherine Waterston is a high school teenager who babysits to save money for college. When she babysits for John Leguizamo she develops a crush for the father of two of her regular charges. One night when John drives her home he senses her attraction so he kisses her goodnight then feels guilty and gives her a large tip.
That kiss leads to an affair but love to a teenage girl doesn't mean the same as lust to a middle aged man. When John's married buddies find out about the babysitter affaire they want in on the action and Katherine becomes a High School Madam.
"The Babysitters" is a controversial disturbing film and as I watched it I thought if our Government would legalize Prostitution with Adult women we might not have as many Pedophiles in our society. "The Babysitters" sits Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: R PeachArch, O.D.D, Entertainment
Step Brothers
Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen
Mary Steenburgen decides to remarry when her son, played by Will Ferrell is 39 unemployed and living with her. She marries, Richard Jenkins, who has a 40 year old son, John C. Reilly, who is also unemployed and living with his father. Will and John become Step Brothers living together and hating it. They act more like children than grown men and constantly get into fights.
This is very stressful for their parents and for Wills real brother played by actor, Adam Scott, who is the complete opposite of his brother, Will. Adam is a successful, married businessman whose wife seems to have her eye on Will's Step Brother.
"Step Brothers" is a slapstick comedy with some salacious X rated scenes, still it laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Columbia Pictures


Brideshead Revisited
Stars: Emma Thompson, Matthew Goode, Hayley Atwell
This is a romantic epic set in pre-World War 2 England. The film is based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by author Evelyn Waugh. Actor Matthew Goode comes from a middle-class background and is enthralled by a very wealthy aristocratic family whose mother Emma Thompson is trying to raise her son and daughter in the Catholic religion.
Matthew is an Atheist who tries to understand Catholicism when he is seduced by Emma's son. He soon finds himself also attracted to Emma's daughter. He loves the familys elegance, wealth and glamour as he enjoys the atmosphere of the magnificent mansion and the beautiful estate that envelops it.
"Brideshead Revisited" is an interesting look at privilege, ambition, desire and forbidden love. The acting, story, scenery and sexual tolerance bring "Brideshead Revisited" to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Miramax
Swing Vote
Stars: Kevin Costner, Kelsey Grammer, Madeline Carroll
"Swing Vote" is a comedy about the political system and should be a funny story to anyone who thinks politics are a joke these days. Kevin Costner is a beer guzzling loser who's trying to raise his adorable and very smart daughter, played by 12 year old newcomer Madeline Carroll. He doesn't vote because he thinks his vote doesn't count but his daughter shows him how wrong he is.
Kelsey Grammer plays the Republican President and Dennis Hopper is the Democratic hopeful. Both men try to tell the public what they want to hear, hoping that their political promises will be believed. Lobbyists are hoping their donations will bring the politicians over to their side.
As Kevin struggles to be a better example to his daughter she shows him how to be a good citizen and that made me think she'd make a good President! The camerawork these days is digital which makes the "Swing Vote" scenes swing, I do miss 35 millimeter cameras but still I vote it Three Quarters Up the Hill.
PG 13 Touchstone Pictures
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Stars: Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Patricia Clarkson
This movie is written and directed by Woody Allen and is a romantic comedy about 2 young American women, Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson who take a vacation in Barcelona, Spain. So we also get a tour of Barcelona
Rebecca and Scarlett are best friends who have completely different attitudes towards love. Rebecca is sensible and engaged to a respectable young man. Scarlett is sexually uninhibited and searching for a passion that will sweep her off her feet. She meets that passion with Javier Bardem, an artist who has just broken up with his ex-wife, Penelope Cruz, who stabbed him when they broke up. She later regrets doing that but she is emotionally unstable and subject to wild mood swings.
When Penelope sees he has a new girlfriend she tries to get him back and then the story becomes intriguingly sexual. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is just different and funny enough to shoot to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 MGM Studios
Henry Poole is Here
Stars: Luke Wilson, Adriana Barraza, Radha Mitchell
Luke Wilson plays a disillusioned man who is slowly dying from Cancer so he attempts to hide from life in a rundown tract home. After he moves in he meets his next door neighbor, Adriana Barraza, a religious woman who believes she's seen the face of Christ on Lukes outside wall.
His other neighbor, Radha Mitchell, is a pretty divorcee with a 8 yr old daughter who hasn't spoken a word since her parents breakup but she surreptitiously records neighborhood chatter. The point of the film is Hope showing religious people who hope touching the face of Christ will make their lives better.
Luke is not religious and is frustrated by all the people who come to his backyard to see the miracle and then a miracle happens to him. The director of this film, Mark Pellington was intrigued by the theme of hope after his wife died suddenly and tragically leaving him with a 2 year old daughter to raise. "Henry Poole is Here" is an interesting look at life and makes it Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: G Overture Films
The Rocker
Stars: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Josh Gad
Rainn Wilson plays drums in a rock band but gets fired when the band is offered a new job if they hire a new drummer who happens to be a relative of the man offering the job. Rainn is so upset he tries to hurt the other members in the band but he only hurts himself.
He holds a grudge against his old band for 20 years until he's given a second chance to renew his career by joining his nephews high school rock band. Now he's got a chance to reclaim the rock star throne he always wanted.
"The Rocker" has a lot of good rock and roll music and a nice motto about not being so angry when others disappoint you that it makes you act like a crazy guy. There are some silly scenes but it still rocks Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 20th Century Fox
I.O.U.S.A
Documentary by Patrick Creadon
This documentary explores the rapidly growing federal debt and it's implications on American citizens. America is currently faced with the challenges of an ever-expanding government and military plus increased foreign competition.
There are 2 reasons why this is an important film right now. First the economy has become the number one issue in the 2008 election and second it shines a light on economic and financial topics that a lot of people don't understand, like China and India are buying America because the CEOs of our own corporations want cheaper labor for higher profits. Greed and selfishness are destroying America.
We also see interviews with Congressmen like Ron Paul and financial giants like Warren Buffet. The Producer Mr. Creadon says he made this film in the hope that it would stir up US citizens to ask question of those who are asking for our vote. As Baby Boomers prepare to retire we see America's overextended entitlement programs and the economic disaster of epic proportions that will soon be here.
The Women
Stars: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes & many more
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Back in 1936 The Women was a stage play written by Clare Boothe Luce but this is a modern, funny updated script about a society wife, Meg Ryan who discovers her husband cheating with Eva Mendes. All of her longtime girlfriends try to help her get through the sadness of infidelity.
The screenwriter, producer, director of this film, Diane English had a hit TV series called "Murphy Brown" starring Candice Bergen who is also in this story along with such stars as Bette Midler, Carrie Fisher and many others but no men make appearances they just get talked about.
What happens when you combine a brilliant, all-female, all star cast of New York friends. You get a 21st Century amusing story that shows the immense changes to women's lives since the 1930s. "The Women" laughs to The Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Picturehouse Films
Burn After Reading
George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich
John Malkovich is a CIA agent who gets fired for drinking. He is very upset with that decision and decides to write his memoirs. His wife, Tilda Swinton, is not happy with his decision but also not happy with the marriage and is already having an affair with George Clooney, George is also not happy in his marriage and goes online to find dates.
Elsewhere in the Washington, DC suburbs, Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt work at a Hardbodies Fitness Center. Frances is not happy with her body or face and wants plastic surgery from the toes up. She tells Brad what she wants but doesn't have enough money and then he finds a computer disc containing Malkovichs memoirs. Brad thinks they can sell the disc for a lot of money to the Russian Embassy in town.
Then a cascading series of darkly funny encounters occur but they are more dark than funny. I rate it Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated R Focus Features
The Secret Life of Bees
Stars: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifa, Jennifer Hudson
This is a touching melodrama about the need for love, sisterhood and redemption through the daunting journeys of life. Dakota Fanning has the bad luck of having a mean, sadistic father who is beating up her mother when Dakota tries to stop him and accidentally kills her mother with the gun that's dropped on the floor.
Then the father is very mean to Dakota so she runs away with her Nanny, Jennifer Hudson. Because this story is set in the 1960s when black people were sometimes mistreated by whites in the South, Hudson winds up in a hospital and Dakota saves her.
They both run away and end up at a Bee Farm run by Queen Latifah and her sisters. The Queen and her sisters give Dakota the mother love she desperately seeks. Dakota is happy until her father shows up and brings sadness to the story.
Still the "Secret Life of Bees" shows us enough of the Honey in life to bring us Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated PG 13 Fox Searchlight
Zack & Miri Make a Porno
Stars: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks,Traci Lords
Seth and Elizabeth play lifelong friends who live together and now they're facing a mountain of debt. When their electricity and water get cut off they come up with the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for quick cash. The two vow that having sex will not ruin their friendship then they ask their friends to help.
Now we see nudity and lots of simulated sex and some very laughable scenes. Seth Rogen said when he went to a strip club and stared up at a woman's voluptuous breasts and her pierced clitoris he thought if this doesn't shock people then it's time to make a Porno.
"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" is a funny sex film and lays Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R The Weinstein Co.
Sex Drive
Stars: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke
Josh Zuckerman plays an 18 year old boy who's still a Virgin but looking to change that label. He meets a sexy young girl on the Internet who calls herself Ms Tasty and she lives 500 miles from him.
His brother has a vintage Pontiac GTO and when he leaves town Josh decides to take his car for the cross country "sex-drive."
Josh's two best friends accompany him, Amanda Crew and Clark Duke. The journey is filled with raunchy escapades and funny misadventures as it becomes a
life-changing experience for everyone. When he has car trouble Josh detours to an Amish farm and an afternoon of what becomes a roadside carnival.
"Sex Drive" drives up the rocky mountain of life to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Summit & Alloy Entertainment
High School Musical 3
Senior Year
Stars: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale
The phenomenon of "High School Musical" started as an idea in producer Bill Bordens head when he thought about all the adult musicals playing but none were for teenagers. In the 40's, 50's and 60's when The Sound of Music, Westside Story and Grease were all made for young people they were so good older people loved them too. In those happy times we never saw kids killing other kids in school. That's when the idea of doing a musical that involved sports and music came onto the big screen.
In this story handsome, young actor Zac Efron plays Troy Bolton the captain of the schools Basketball team and soon he not only leads his team but stars in the high schools musical along with his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. Her competition in life and on stage is Ashley Tisdale and they all play, act and dance together.
"High School Musical 3" has an entertaining story and happy music that had me smiling through the entire film, it dances to the "Top of the Hill."
Rated: G Disney Pictures
Role Models
Stars: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch
"Role Models" is a film that shows kids can be as crazy as adults! Paul Rudd and Seann choose to be role models after they get arrested for smashing their truck into a lawn statue. Apparently overindulging on energy drinks is like overindulging in alcohol.
After they get arrested the court gives them the choice of hard time in jail or 150 hours with a mentorship program.
They choose mentorship and then kids get role models worse than they are.
Jane Lynch plays the director of the mentorship program and is not happy to see Paul and Seann are more immature than their charges. But when they make it through their probation period they prove that sometimes it doesn't take a village to raise a child just a village idiot!
"Role Models" has one 16 year old boy obsessed with medieval role playing and lots of sword battles but has enough laughs to make it Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Universal Films

Faded Memories
Stars: Anne Sophie Dutoit, Brock Vincent Kelly
Anne Sophie is the writer, director and star of this film and she did it all when she was 16 years old! Anne plays a young girl with a rare phobia, she's afraid of physical contact with other people. She lives in a trailer with her aunt who is a woman driving from town to town looking for the next man in her life and her next bottle of booze.
When the two arrive in Malibu, California, Anne meets a handsome teen played by Brock Kelly and the two begin to have strong feelings for each other. But his mother has other plans for her son because his father is dying and the family will go bankrupt if she can't marry him off to a wealthy girl who loves him.
And then the problems begin as we see a dramatic chain of events that changes the two teenagers lives forever.
"Faded Memories" follows hearts being broken by love and strange circumstances but it is a touching story that is well acted, directed and photographed so it manages the struggle to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Anne Sophie Films

MILK
Stars: Sean Penn, James Franco, Josh Brolin
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. His victory was more than just a victory for gay rights, he also forged coalitions from senior citizens to union workers. He was definitely a fighter for equal human rights. As I watched the story evolve I thought too bad this didn't come out before the election when people voted on Proposition 8.
The movie shows the last 8 years of Harvey's life when he came from New York to San Francisco and founded a small business called Castro Camera. My hometown is San Francisco and we not only see the Castro district but the beautiful city that surrounds it.
The film does a good job showing the audience why homosexuals should have equal rights with heterosexuals.
It reminded me of how women fought for equal rights in the 1960s and rates a Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Focus Features

Australia
Stars:Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham
Australia is an epic film set in that country on the explosive brink of World War 2. Nicole plays an English aristocrat who travels from England to Australia in search of her husband. There she meets Hugh and agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Land she inherits when she finds her husband murdered.
She is soon plunged into upheaval and adventure beyond her wildest imagination and there is an orphaned boy on her land that she feels empathy for and wants to adopt.
"Australia" is a captivating, interesting story but it's two and a half hours long making it a bit repetitious at the end but still rates a Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 20th Century Fox
Four Christmases
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn,Sissy Spacek
Reese and Vince are a happily unmarried San Francisco couple who try not to attend their families Christmas gatherings. But this Christmas they get stuck at the airport because of bad weather and their flight to an exotic vacation spot is canceled. So they decide to visit their families even though both their parents are divorced and their siblings are not very friendly to them.
Now they have to attend four Christmases in one day and they brace themselves for a marathon of homecomings. By the end of the day each gains a new perspective on where they came from and where they're going.
"Four Christmases" has a lot of funny scenes and some disturbing ones but overall it celebrates Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Warner Br./ New Line Films


The Reader
Stars: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross
The Reader opens after World War 2 when teenager, David Kross, becomes ill and is helped home by Kate Winslet, a stranger twice his age. When he recovers he seeks Kate again to thank her. He discovers that she loves being read to and soon their physical relationship deepens.
After some time passes she mysteriously disappears.
He is confused and heartbroken. Eight years later when he is a law student in college observing the Nazi war crime trials he is stunned to find her a defendant in the courtroom. As her past is revealed he learns the secret that impacts both their lives.
"The Reader" is a haunting story about how the new generation comes to terms with the crimes of the past generation. The film has a few confusing scenes but is fascinating enough to march to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Weinstein Co.


Gran Torino
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Hughes
Clint plays a Viet Nam war veteran who has become a grumpy old man with prejudices who is now living in a changing world. He has Asian immigrant neighbors who remind him of the people he fought against.
He comes to understand that his neighbors are not the enemy but they have relatives who are in Asian gangs and they are the enemy.
The story is interesting as it shows that every race, no matter what color they are, have their own prejudices. Clint owns a Gran Torino car that is a valuable antique and the young gang members want to steal it.
Clint is not only the star of this but the director and producer. He made sure the camera work is excellent as in the good old days when he was making lots of movies like his last hit "Million Dollar Baby." Gran Torino drives to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Warner Br.

Nothing Like the Holidays
Stars: Debra Messing, Freddy Rodriguez, Alfred Molina
It's Christmastime and the far-flung members of the Rodriquez family are converging at their parents home in Chicago to celebrate the season and the return of their youngest brother from combat overseas. For Freddy Rodriquez coming home rekindles feelings for an old flame but she can't seem to forgive him for leaving before.
His eldest brother, John Leguizamo brings home an executive wife, Debra Messing, and finds himself caught between his mother who wants grandchildren and his spouse who would rather raise capital than a kid.
"Nothing Like the Holidays" is a fun and interesting look at Christmas times with families and celebrates a Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Overture Films
Valkyrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Carice van Houten
This film is based on a true story about a group of Germans during World War 2 who plot to kill one of the most evil tyrants in the world, Hitler. Tom Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Staufenberg one of the highest men of power in the German Army who has the intelligence to realize that justice and honor in his country have been subverted by the power hungry Hitler.
He decides to use Hitler's own emergency plan, known as operation Valkyrie, to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government. Not only is the fate of millions hanging in the balance but also the fate of his own wife and children.
"Valkyrie" is a thought provoking look at history with excellent acting and marches to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 20th Century Fox, MGM, UA.
Yes Man
Stars: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Rhys Darby
Jim Carrey works at a bank that lends money to borrowers and usually says No. But then he signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant; say Yes to everything.
Now we see that saying yes to everything can be as troubling as saying no. Yes, soon becomes too much of a good thing and the comedy becomes too slapstick and more ridiculous.
"Yes Man" is billed as a comedy but it's not so funny and laughs Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Warner Bros.




Bride Wars
Stars: Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Bryan Greenberg
Anne and Kate have been best friends since they were little children. Now they are 26 and looking to get married to their current boyfriends. Every wedding has a story but this isn't about a bride and groom; it's about a bride and bride.
They have promised each other that they would be the Maid of Honor for each other at their weddings. They both want to be married at the elegant New York Plaza Hotel so they arrange to have their weddings there and then they find out a clerical error causes a clash in wedding dates. They both have the same wedding date.
Anne thinks Kate should change her wedding date and Kate thinks Anne should change hers and now the Bride Wars begin.
"Bride Wars" is an interesting, funny story with great acting and happy background dance music. It also shows us that a good friendship can be just as important as a good marriage and here come the Brides walking to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG. 20th Century Fox
The Unborn
Stars: Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Meagan Good
This story is about the soul of a dead person who has been tainted with evil and is denied entrance to heaven. Odette is the young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when the ghost of her dead twin brother begins to haunt and threaten her and everyone she loves.
As Odette searches for answers she finds a spiritual advisor played by Gary Oldman as a Rabbi. She uncovers the source of a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany. Now she asks the Rabbi to do an exorcism and expel the evil spirit from her life.
For all those who like scary, horror films "The Unborn" is fascinatingly different and scares us Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated PG 13 Rogue Pictures
Donkey Punch
Stars: Nichola Burley, Jaime Winstone, Jay Taylor
When a teenage girl gets depressed after breaking up with her boyfriend her two girlfriends talk her into going out to have some fun. They enter London town giggling and flirting and soon meet three middle class London boys and the boys brag about how they work on a luxury yacht crewing for the summer.
Soon the boys talk the girls into coming aboard the yacht for fun and Champagne. They turn the music up and head out to sea. One of the boys puts some pills into the Champagne and starts talking sex. As the ecstasy kicks in the girls and guys pair up. Stoked by drugs and masculine dominance one couple goes too far with their sex game and a horrific fatal accident occurs.
Soon "Donkey Punch" turns into a dumb punch and we see teenage sex and violence that is so depressing it rates a "A Quarter Way Up the Hill."
Rated: R 6 Shooter Films
The Lodger
Stars: Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Simon Baker
This film is set in present time but is based on a novel written 100 years ago about "Jack the Ripper." Hope Davis takes in a Lodger for her guest house in West Hollywood. Soon after that Hollywood Prostitutes are being murdered.
Alfred Molina plays the detective who begins searching for the cold-blooded serial killer. He soon finds out that this killer is not only replicating the brutal techniques of The Ripper but also a murderer who Molina already put behind bars.
Actor Simon Baker plays the lodger and he seems like a nice, average man who Hope is attracted to because her own marriage is fragile. There is also a subplot in this story about Molinas' wife being suicidal.
"The Lodger" is an intriguing movie that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the end. This is also one of the reasons I've always felt prostitution should be legalized as it would keep the streets safer for women.
"The Lodger" rates a "Top of the Hill" for scary movies.
Rated: R Stage 6 Films



The Uninvited
Stars: Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, David Strathairn
This movie is a haunting suspense thriller that has Emily Browning returning home from a psychiatric facility after trying suicide because of her mothers death. Once home her mothers ghost haunts her and she and her sister played by, Arielle Kebbel, are both upset because their father is now engaged to, Elizabeth Banks.
Ms Banks was her mothers nurse and she tries to calm Emily when she awakes from dreams of her mother being murdered. Emily has a boyfriend who is about to tell her what happened the night her mother died and he gets killed.
"The Uninvited" is intriguing and even though it has a couple of confusing moments it still crawls intriguingly Three Quarters Up the Hill.
PG. 13 Dreamworks/Paramount Films
Pink Panther 2
Stars: Steve Martin, Emily Mortimer, Jean Reno
In 2006 the Pink Panther hit the sliver screen in the original film with Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau. Now Steve hits it again even harder as the fearless, bumbling French police detective searching for the stolen Pink Panther Diamond.
John Cleese is the Chief Inspector who is forced to assign Steve to a team of international detectives trying to find the thief. Jean Reno costars as Steves partner and the object of his awkward affections.
Pink Panther 2 is slapstick, pie in the face funny as we watch Steve jump out of all kinds of dangerous escapades. For kids and those young at heart it jumps to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG Columbia Pictures

He's Just Not That Into You
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, Ginnifer Goodwin
The dating game is often an emotional roller coaster when you're interested in someone and they aren't that interested in you. This can happen to both sexes but in this movie it happens to women waiting by the phone for a man to call.
Ginnifer Goodwin plays Gigi the character who is the catalyst for the overall story. Her heart is saddened by men she meets who she thinks will call her and don't. Then she meets a young man who tells her how to read the signals men give when they're really not into you.
"He's Just Not That Into You" is an interesting look at relationships with an all star cast but it gets a little repetitive at the end and rates a Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 New Line Films
PUSH
Stars: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle
"Push" is about Clairvoyance, Telepathy and Telekinesis which is moving objects with your Brain. It has been said that governments around the world have investigated using paranormal abilities as covert weapons against their enemies. In 1945 the Nazis launched the first effort to develop psychic warriors.
"Push" is set in a psychic world of deadly espionage killing victims without touching them. Even though the acting is very good the story is confusing and the camera work swings so much I had to close my eyes to keep from getting dizzy and that made Push something I wanted to push away to the Bottom of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Summit Films


Confessions of a Shopaholic
Stars: Isla Fisher, Joan Cusack, Hugh Dancy
Here's a laughing look at a young girl with a shopping addiction. Isla Fisher loves to shop but needs a job to pay off her large credit card bills. She wants to be a writer for her favorite fashion magazine but ironically gets a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine that's published by the same company.
The story goes on to tell how a woman who can't control her own spending is going to give advice to others on how to control their spending. In between all this we see the latest fashions and a romance blooming with her editor. Shopaholics can go to classes to try and cure themselves just like Alcoholics.
"Confessions of a Shopaholic" hops and shops up to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG Touchstone Pictures
Crossing Over
Stars: Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta
Immigration, both legal and illegal, is part of the American story but "Crossing Over" is about America today not the Ellis Island America. The American system is now overburdened because so many people are desperate to get here and we now have overpopulation.
The illegal immigrants are looking for a better life and that's because so many countries today are run by "Hitler type" dictators who not only want to dominate women but dominate everybody. Harrison Ford is an immigration agent, Ashley Judd is an immigration defense attorney and her husband, Ray Liotta, is an applications adjudicator who sees an opportunity of getting free sex from desperate women wanting a green card.
"Crossing Over" has sex, violence and betrayal but it made me wonder why citizens from other countries don't try to fight back against dictators and why America doesn't have safer borders since Terrorists are all over the world now? I rate it Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Weinstein Co.

Jonas Brothers
Stars: Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas
This is a "Rockumentary" feature film showing the Jonas Bros. rocking their concert on stage in Digital 3-D that makes them look like their dancing into the audience.
The boys debut their new song "Love is on the Way" and had the youngsters in the audience jumping out of their seats screaming and dancing in the aisles.
We also get a look at the behind the stage scenes showing what it's like to be on a concert tour from New York to LA and in-between. The three brothers have become the new rock stars for the younger generation and also are being enjoyed by the older generation who I saw were clapping their hands to the music. The boys ages are Kevin, 21, Joe,19 and Nick, 16 so it looks like they will have a long career ahead in the 21st Century just like the Beatles did in the 20th Century.
"Jonas Brothers, The 3 D Concert Experience" is a fun musical escape from all the bad news these days and rates a Top of the Hill.
Rated: G Walt Disney Pictures
An American Affair
Stars: Gretchen Mol, Noah Wyle, Cameron Bright
This story is set in 1963, Washington, DC when we had President Kennedy in charge. Cameron Bright is a 13 year old boy going to a Catholic school and dealing with school bullies who start fights with him and call him a "Fag." He is going through adolescence, which are confusing years to many young kids until he sees a naked woman across the street through her window. She is a beautiful thirty-something blond and he is captivated by her looks and wants to meet her.
He soon goes across the street and introduces himself as a handyman who could help her do house chores. She does have garden work for him and a friendship ensues during which time he learns she is one of President Kennedy's lovers.
She is also an artist and a divorcee and the story evolves into an interesting look at the 1960s which were also known as the "Swinging Sixties."
"An American Affair" swings to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Screen Media Films
Watchmen
Stars: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode
This originally came from comic book costumed cartoon characters but there's nothing funny about it. Watchmen is 3 hours of constant violence with a few sex scenes and foul language.
The plot is the Watchmen are supposed to save the world from doomsday and the doomsday clock keeps ticking as they keep killing and the main character jumps and stands around naked with everything hanging out.
"Watchmen" is too long, too confusing and too violent and falls to the Bottom of the Hill.
Rated: R Warner Br./ Paramount Pics

The Edge of Love
Stars: Keira Knightley,Sienna Miller, Matthew Rhys
The Edge of Love is about friendship, Keira is best friends with Sienna and their husbands are also friends. They are next door neighbors in England during the second world war. Supposedly this story was inspired by true events involving relatives of the author and Welsh poet Dylan Thomas played by Matthew Rhys.
The couples get thrown together in London during the 1940 Blitz in underground shelters and their friendships grow even closer. There are plenty of close-ups of the beautiful young women in this film and the red lipstick lips are emphasized along with how much people smoked in those years.
One of the husbands gets sexually involved with the wife of his neighbor and of course this causes emotional trauma with their friendships. Edge of Love is interesting enough to climb Half Way Up the Hill.
Unrated BBC & Capitol Films
The Last House on the Left
Stars: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton
This is produced by Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham, two producers who are known in Hollywood as masters of horror and this is a bloody horror film. With the close-up photography we see stabbings that show blood and guts pouring out all over the screen.
Sara Paxton plays a beautiful, young girl who with her good friend gets kidnapped by prison escapees. Then soon comes the violence of rape and murder. There are three bad people in this story, two men and one woman and also the son of the woman and one of the men. But he is a confused boy watching the brutal sadistic violence of his parents and wishing to do something to stop it.
For those who like brutal, violent films this is certainly in that category but on my scale it hits Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: R Rogue Pictures


I Love You, Man
Stars: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones
Paul Rudd is a real estate agent trying to sell a celebrities house. In between work he falls in love with Zooey, played by Rashida Jones, and they get engaged and start planning the wedding. Paul realizes he has no male friends to be his best man so he goes looking for a buddy.
In his buddy hunt one man mistakes him for being Gay but he soon finds another played by Jason Segel. Jason is a talented, fun loving very honest man who makes Paul laugh from all his truthful sex jokes.
The two men start hanging out together so much the male friendship begins to worry Zooey when she doesn't see him as much as she'd like too. Halfway through the story the sex laughs get a bit more slapstick but "I Love You, Man" still laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Dreamworks Pictures

Duplicity
Stars: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson
Julia and Clive are secret agents who have left the world of government to cash in on the profitable cold war that rages between two multinational corporations. They want to steal the formula for a product that will bring a fortune to the company that patents it first.
In between their spy work they are mutually attracted to each other and then it becomes difficult to follow their careers when they are employed by corporations working against each other and they try to stay one double-cross ahead of each other.
"Duplicity" is a confusing story that becomes boring by the duplicity in their work and the story that has no good guys only greedy ones. "Duplicity" sneaks One Quarter Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Universal Pic.

Adventureland
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds
"Adventureland" is an amusement park and many people go there to experience the whacky world of games and rides. Jesse Eisenberg plays a young man who gets a job at Adventureland and finds it to be quite a fun, learning, adventure.
Jesse's family is in an economic downturn in the middle of the Reagan 1980s. But he tries to make money and have fun in his cotton-candy world. He learns a lot about adults and is attracted to an alluring arcade girl, Kristen Stewart.
This is a fun teen story with great 80s Pop music that brings back rock and roll happy times. There are some "job from hell" moments but "Adventureland" rides Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Miramax Films

American Swing
Documentary
In the swinging seventies there was a New York night club called "Plato's Retreat" that opened its doors to ordinary couples who liked to dance, swim and swap. Previously in the swinging sixties the swinging was an underground activity engaged in primarily by the attractive well-to-do.
But Larry Levenson, Plato's owner, welcomed everyone for a mere $35 a couple. The city was in bankruptcy but many of the citizens wanted to escape to "Plato's Retreat" for some fun.
But the fun was done when AIDS hit in the 1980s. "American Swing" is a funny, interesting look at recent history that lets it all hang out with plenty of nudity and interviews with past guests of the famous club.
Unrated Documentary Magnolia Pictures

12 Rounds
Stars: John Cena, Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott
Police detective, John Cena, stops a robbery in the opening scene and accidentally kills the girlfriend of the robber. The robber is put in jail but manages to escape to get revenge against Cena and his girlfriend.
From then on almost every scene has a crashing explosion or a bomb explosion and the camera swings around more than the actors. I complain about camera work in a lot of movies lately but this one is the worst with a swinging camera and close-ups so close they cut off both the top and bottom of the head. I had to close my eyes in several scenes because they made me dizzy.
"12 Rounds" is 12 too many and noisily explodes to the Bottom of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 20th Century Fox


Alien Trespass
Stars: Eric McCormack, Jody Thompson, Jenni Baird
The director/producer of this film, R.W.Goodwin, says this gives us a new look at the great science-fiction films of the 1950s. This story begins in 1957 in the skies above the Mojave Desert. Eric McCormack is preparing a dinner for his wife, Jody Thompson, to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
They look out the window to see what they assume is a shooting star crash land on the desert. A couple who are necking in a nearby lovers lane see a tall metallic Alien named Urp emerge from the craft. They are alarmed to see another one eyed monster Alien, Ghota, escape and this one wants to end civilization on planet Earth.
Urp is the only one who knows how to stop Ghota but to do so he has to take over the body of Eric McCormack. Then we watch lots of funny and scary events develop as the "Alien Trespass" traipses' Three Quarters up the Hill. Rated PG Roadside Attractions

Hannah Montana
Stars: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Earles
Miley struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona. Hannah Montana's soaring popularity is taking over her life and she would like some quiet time being herself. Her father, Billy Ray, decides she needs a little quiet time and takes her home to Tennessee.
When she gets back home she doesn't tell the people there that she's a Pop Star, not even her old boyfriend. Then the story gets funny and interesting to watch her try to choose between her small town roots and her popular Hannah.
Soon the music comes and she puts her wig and Hannah makeup back on and we see Hannah Montana rock and roll to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: G Disney Films

Observe and Report
Stars: Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Anna Faris, Michael Pena
Seth plays a Shopping Mall security guard who patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. When the Mall is confronted by a "Flasher" who exposes himself to women walking thru the parking lot Seth tries to find him.
But Seth has a bipolar mental problem of his own that his mother tries to help him with but when he goes off his Meds he tilts dangerously towards psychotic anger. So prepare yourself for some violent scenes and some full frontal male nudity.
"Observe & Report" is a dark-comedy with more dark than comedy and rates a Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: R Warner Br.
Naked Ambition
Documentary
Stars: Jenna Jameson, Jesse Jane, Sunny Lane, Halcyon
This is billed as a "R" rated look at an "X" rated industry; one of the few industries that is not in a recession at this time. In fact it is a multi-billion dollar business. Michael Grecco the filmmaker said he got the idea for the film when he went to the AVN Awards in "Sin City" Las Vegas. That's the "Adult Video News" awards, known as the Porn Oscars.
The Porn stars in this film are all beautiful, young actresses who want to be stars in any kind of films.
Jenna Jameson has more women fans than men since she wrote her memoir in 2006, "How to Make Love like a Porn Star."
Jesse Jane, who looks like Pamela Anderson, is a classically trained dancer and Sunny Lane is a former competitive roller and ice skater who trained for the Olympics. Halcyon is a former ordained minister and his partner previously a successful sales manager for a Fortune 500 company.
"Naked Ambition" is a funny, interesting look at the Porn industry and again it confirmed my belief that prostitution should be legal as it would be a profitable business that would bring in more than enough taxes and make the business safer for women.
Not rated Lantern Lane & KHG Documentary Prod.


Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas
Matthew plays a celebrity photographer who loves fun with women but he's a committed bachelor who doesn't want marriage. He has a brother who is more of a romantic type and Matt gets invited to his brothers wedding. There he sees a lot of past girlfriends in the wedding party and also his first girlfriend from his childhood played by Jennifer Garner.
Just when it looks like Matt is about to ruin the wedding he gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late uncle, Michael Douglas, who brings in ghosts of Matts jilted girlfriends. Now he gets to see all his past mistakes and he learns a good life lesson from looking at his life.
Together they discover what turned Matt into a shameless playboy and whether he has a second chance to find the love of his life. "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" is a funny look at that old saying "Everybody makes mistakes" and although there are a few silly, slapstick scenes it dances Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 New Line Cinema

Angels & Demons
Stars: Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor
Tom Hanks reprises his role as a Harvard symbologist
trying to find answers from religious symbols. He soon discovers evidence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the illuminati who want to kill Catholics especially Catholic Clergy.
In this story the Pope has died and the Cardinals are eager to vote in a replacement. The ancient ritual is called "Conclave" a process by which the College of Cardinals elects a new Holy Father.
This process is done in secrecy but they tell the public they have a new Pope by releasing white smoke and ringing bells from the Sistine Chapel. Basically "Angels and Demons" is crazy people killing other people over religion and it's 2 hours and 20 minutes long with loud bomb explosions but the acting is good and rates a Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Sony Pictures

The Boys
Sherman Bros. Story
This documentary shows us what it's like to be an Academy Award winning songwriting team. Richard and Robert Sherman have given us family musical entertainment for 50 years.
Such great hits as "Mary Poppins" "The Jungle Book" and "It's a Small World." I remember taking my kids to all of those movies and coming out singing songs like "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
The film also includes interviews with Hollywood luminaries such as Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Hayley Mills, Debbie Reynolds and many more. The Sherman Bros. are the only songwriters to be put under contract by Walt Disney Studios and two of their sons made this happy music movie.
Unrated Walt Disney studios

Night at the Museum 2
Stars: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams,Owen Wilson,Hank Azaria
In this museum, history comes alive as art work, statues and paintings talk to us about the past. Ben Stiller plays a night guard who doesn't want all the Smithsonian artwork transferred to another museum. This is the first film shot inside the worlds largest museum so we see all around and up and down.
Amy Adams plays Amelia Earhart the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic before she disappeared over the Pacific in 1937. In this movie she fly's into Bens heart as she helps him save art.
"Night at the Museum 2" combines humor with history so if you're looking to learn and laugh about the past then this story rates a Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 20th Century Fox

Drag Me to Hell
Stars: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver
This is a horrifying horror film. Alison Lohman is a loan officer at a local bank trying to do a good job so she can get a promotion. Then a very old lady, Lorna Raver, comes in asking for an extension on her home loan. Alison learns that she has already had 2 extensions so she denies her another one.
Lorna is so angry she puts a curse on Alison and slowly destroys her life with one horrifying scene after another. Justin Long plays Alison's boyfriend and tries to help her.
"Drag Me to Hell" is Hell and even though it's rated PG 13 I would not recommend taking anyone to see this.
It scared me to the Bottom of the Hill.
Universal Pictures

My Life in Ruins
Stars: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Maria Adanez
Nia Vardalos is the star of this story as she plays an American tour guide in Greece. Nia was also the star and writer of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." She has become a tour guide because she's been unlucky at both love and finding her dream job.
She feels like her life is in ruins as she tries to steer a group of mismatched tourists through a country of ancient civilization and then realizes she needs to open her own eyes to the wonders of the world.
"My Life in Ruins" isn't as amusing as I expected but still tours Three Quarters Up the Hill for a mature audience.
Rated: PG 13 Fox Searchlight
Away We Go
Stars: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Catherine O'Hara
John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are a thirtysomething couple who are going through a pregnancy traveling from state to state trying to follow family and friends after his parents leave Colorado where they live.
The journey through many states and many relatives shows the problems of being pregnant and traveling and trying to figure out who they want to live next to.
"Away We Go" starts with a funny sex scene but soon slows down to Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated R Focus Features
Whatever Works
Stars: Patricia Clarkson, Evan Rachel Wood, Larry David
This is an offbeat comedy written by Woody Allen about an old, grumpy misanthrope, played by Larry David. After the failure of his marriage and his suicide attempt he complains about mankind through half of the movie until he meets a young girl runaway who wants to marry him.
He seems as surprised as the rest of us. When her mother, played by Patricia Clarkson, finds her and sees who she's married to and she faints. Towards the end of the film her father shows up, Ed Begley,Jr., and then we're in for a surprise.
"Whatever Works" isn't quite as funny as I expected but still laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Sony Pictures Classics



FOOD, Inc.
Documentary
In the "Food" film Director and Producer Robert Kenner shows us what's happening in America's food industry.
He exposes what is being hidden from the American consumer in the 21st Century. Like most Americans, I thought the FDA and USDA was protecting us from harmful bacteria but that is no longer true. The harmful and sometimes deadly E-Coli bacteria has caused illness in 73,000 Americans and caused some children to die.
The greedy CEO's of corporations like Monsanto have managed to get a patent on Soybean Seeds. I wondered how they could get a patent on something that Mother Nature invented?
Obviously some of the food corporations lobbyists have donated to our government's regulatory agencies. This is a documentary well-worth seeing.
Magnolia Pictures

The Proposal
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White
Sandra plays a high-powered book editor who likes being in control and dictating to her assistant, Ryan Reynolds, what she wants done. Then she gets a notice from her native country, Canada, that she is facing deportation because her visitors pass has run out of time.
She panics and proposes to Ryan as she needs to marry an American to stay here. He agrees to marry her but has a few conditions of his own. His family lives in Alaska and he wants her to meet his parents and grandmother played by Mary Steenburgen, Craig Nelson and Betty White.
Then the comedy begins with a wedding in the works and an immigration officer on their tails. "The Proposal" is an interesting and funny look at role reversals as she's more like a man and he's more like a woman, it laughs to the Top of the Hill.
Rated PG 13 Touchstone Films

The Taking of Pelham 123
Stars: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro
John Travolta plays the bad guy who hijacks a New York subway train and demands millions of dollars. Denzel plays a subway dispatcher who tries to stop John from killing innocent people on the train.
The camera swings so fast scenes flash by making me close my eyes so I wouldn't barf in my popcorn from motion sickness, Also the close-ups were so close they showed too much of violent ugly faces.
The acting is good but it's overwhelmed with bad photography and slams One Quarter Up the Hill.
Rated: R

Life is Hot in Cracktown
Stars:Kerry Washington, Victor Rasuk, Evan Ross
This movie is based on a novel and takes the audience into the dark and real world that exists on the periphery of many American towns. It shows the lives of people involved in drugs and prostitution.
Kerry Washington is a pre-op transsexual working as a prostitute and living with her lover. She hopes to make enough money for her sex change operation. Victor works two jobs, one as a security guard in a Welfare hotel and also a late night shift in a bodega that's surrounded by drug dealers, junkies and prostitutes. At home his wife takes care of their sick infant son and makes their rundown apartment as much of a home as she can.
"Life is Hot in Cracktown" has some very sad scenes of children living with parents who can't afford them and begging on the streets for enough money to eat but it shows the reality of that type of life and shoots Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Lightning Media

My Sister's Keeper
Stars: Abigail Breslin, Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin
Cameron plays the mother of a daughter who has Cancer. The doctor tells her that daughter, played by Sofia Vassilieva, needs certain internal organs replaced by a genetic match. Then Cameron and her husband decide to have another daughter, played by Abigail Breslin, to be a genetic match for donating organs to her sister. And, she donates to her sister from the moment she's born until she reaches the age of eleven then decides she's had enough operations and wants to stop.
Cameron is a devoted mother who doesn't want to lose any of her children and doesn't want Abigail to stop so Abigail finds an attorney, Alec Baldwin, to help her stop legally.
One of the most heartbreaking tragedies in life for parents is to have one of their children die before they do so the battle begins. Even though this film has it's sad moments it helps healthy people in the audience to realize how lucky they are and to appreciate their life every second of every day. "My Sister's Keeper" is an interesting and educational story that is well acted and rates a Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 New Line Cinema

Bruno
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Alice Evans, Ben Youcef
The new trend in our current era of moviemaking is to turn private parts into public parts and the best title for this funny film is "Penis Picture"! Sacha plays a man who wants to be famous so he tries everything he can think of to turn himself into a celebrity.
There are some interesting scenes of him with other men both sexually and fighting as he keeps trying to make himself successful in show business. There are also a few laughs as we see him try to cure himself of homosexuality.
"Bruno' is a silly, slapstick porno-comedy and laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Universal Studios