DEVRA Z. HILL
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 © 2009 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.
Cinema Libre Studio www.FreedomtoFascism.com
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.
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
500 Days of Summer
Stars: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Zooey is a girl named Summer and she meets a boy who falls in love with her and wants a romantic lasting love. She is a modern, intelligent woman who likes him but doesn't fall in love at first sight although she's willing to have a sexual affair.
This film is more about all the ups and downs of couples who have an intimate relationship but who don't get married.
We soon see the unpredictable year and a half of one young man's love affair with a young girl who wants to keep her freedom so she is open to other relationships. "500 Days of Summer" climbs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Fox Searchlight Pictures
Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
Stars: Gertrude Berg, Surprise Guest Stars
This film is about a cultural icon, Gertrude Berg, who was the writer and actress of a popular radio show that started a week after the stock market crash in 1929 and lasted for 17 years. As a kid I remember hearing "The Goldbergs" on radio as she rose in popularity at the same time Hitler rose to power in Germany.
Gertrude started the first character driven domestic sitcom during very difficult years for American Jews. She paved the way for women in the entertainment industry on radio and TV to have their own shows like "I Love Lucy."
In 1949 she brought The Goldbergs to TV and it was a funny popular show that brought social commentary, family values and comedy to the hearts of America during a time in history when a Senator named Joseph McCarthy had a communist blacklist that had a devastating effect on the entertainment industry.
"Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg" is an educational look back at recent entertainment history and deserves a Top of the Hill.
Unrated Documentary The Ciesla Foundation
Funny People
Stars: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann
Adam plays a famous comedian who is diagnosed with a Cancer that could kill him. But in the meantime he does comedy shows and has a lot of fans. Seth Rogen plays a close friend who tries to help him get thru his near death experience and also write comedy for him.
Leslie is an ex-wife who still cares for him but has remarried. Adam still loves her but he doesn't have a problem getting women cause he's rich and famous.
"Funny People" has some crude sexual humor and is another porno-comedy film that's two and a half hours long still it laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Universal Pictures
Julie & Julia
Stars: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci
Everybody is interested in food but not everybody is interested in cooking however Julia Child certainly was. She became famous as a Chef on TV and Meryl does a good job playing her. Amy does a good job playing blog writer Julie Powell, who also likes to cook.
This film takes us into the personal lives of these women as they share their recipes with the world. Julia Child wrote a cookbook with the help of two other writers that has 524 recipes in it called "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." We see how that happens when her husbands job takes them to Paris, France.
"Julie and Julia" is an interesting look at women who love to cook and cooks Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Columbia Pictures
Post Grad
Alexis Bledel, Zach Gilford, Carol Burnett, Michael Keaton
Alexis Bledel plays a young college graduate trying to find a job in 2009 when most are losing their jobs. She learns we are now in the toughest labor market in over 30 years. But she is a smart and determined girl with an English degree that helps her get a job at a publishing firm.
She moves out of her home were Michael Keaton is her father and Carol Burnett is her grandmother. But then she loses her dream job and her car breaks down and now she is forced to move back home.
We soon see how Alexis deals with family and personal problems and our current recession. Still our "Post Grad" keeps trying with a good sense of humor and manages to climb to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 20th Century Fox
My One and Only
Renee Zellweger, Kevin Bacon, Logan Lerman
This movie is based on Actor George Hamiltons' early life when his mother played by Renee Zellweger leaves his philandering father played by Kevin Bacon who is a society band leader. It starts in 1953 and gives us a good look back at the 1950s'.
When Renee starts looking for a new husband she finds the playboys outnumber the eligible, willing bachelors. Actor Logan Lerman plays George Hamilton who begins as an aspiring writer with a brother who wants to be an actor.
We watch as the family rolls by in a beautiful Cadillac Coupe de Ville convertible trying to find a new life. They drive from New York to California and we see how her sons go on the narrow highway of life between excitement and panic.
"My One and Only" is well acted, has good camera work and is interesting enough to drive to the Top of the Hill.
PG 13 Herrick Entertainment
Taking Woodstock
Demetri Martin, Liev Schreiber, Imelda Staunton
It was the summer of 1969 when the Woodstock Music and Arts festival played in the upper New York Catskills area. This film shows us how difficult it was to find the right place to perform and stay in the hotels and motels.
Actor Demetri Martin plays the son of parents who own a motel that's going broke and he helps them save their investment by calling the Woodstock staff and telling them how cheap it is to stay there. Then we see all the preparations that happen before a concert.
When he meets many of the different people who come there he learns to embrace his own gay nature. As I watched the film I kept hoping to see and hear the Woodstock band play on stage but we never see and hear that good old rock and roll music so "Taking Woodstock" plays Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated R Focus Features
Inglorious Basterds
Stars: Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger
In the first year of the German occupation of France a nice Jewish girl, played by Melanie Laurent, witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of a Nazi Colonel and she narrowly escapes and flees to Paris where she forges a new identity as the owner of a Cinema.
Elsewhere in Europe an American soldier played by Brad Pitt organizes a group of Jewish American soldiers to try and eliminate as many of the Inglorious Basterds as possible as a revenge for killing so many Jews.
From that beginning we see 2 hours and 32 minutes of bloody killings from both sides and we're reminded of how often people kill other people over religion and then it becomes repetitious but shoots Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: R Universal/ Weinstein Films
All About Steve
Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Haden Church
Sandra plays a crossword puzzle constructor whose brain spins at a high speed causing her to do some crazy things like pursuing a man who is not that interested in her.
There is nothing typical about her but she is an interesting character.
Her body chemistry makes her compulsive enough to be a stalker as she follows Bradley into several states where he is working as a news cameraman. When Sandra gets embroiled in his news story of the year we see all kinds of exciting, humorous problems and scary adventures.
There is a moral to this story as "All About Steve" races Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 20th Century Fox
We Live in Public
Documentary
Director Ondi Timoner describes the life of Josh Harris who was a Internet Pioneer in the 1990s. He made a 6 month film for the Internet of himself living with his girlfriend under a 24 hour electronic surveillance camera showing intimate scenes in his bed and in his bathroom sitting on the toilet.
It's hard for me to believe anyone would want to live in public 24 hours a day. Here's another movie with a swinging camera that made me shut my eyes too often.
We Live in Public is embarrassing and swings to the Bottom of the Hill.
Interloper Films
The Other Man
Liam Neeson, Antonio Banderas, Laura Linney
Liam is married to Laura and using the Internet he finds out she's having an affair with Antonio. He's very upset about that so he decides to take a trip to Milan and find out who The Other Man is.
Both Liam and Laura have jobs, he runs his own company and she is a shoe designer who travels all over the world to display her shoes. In Milan she met Antonio and was attracted to him even though she seems to be happily married.
When Liam meets Antonio and the two get along fine as at first Liam doesn't tell him who his wife is. Then we see how everybody gets along and what happens to their marriage. "The Other Man" is an interesting look at someone who is happily married but that doesn't seem to mean they wouldn't have an affair. It becomes a bit confusing and rates a Half Way Up the Hill.
Rated: R A Richard Eyre Film
Love Happens
Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Martin Sheen
Aaron Eckhart plays a self-help author who goes to Seattle to teach at a seminar that helps people who have had tragedies in their lives and feel like giving up on life.
Aaron has also had a tragedy when he was driving and had an accident that killed his wife. While in the hotel were he's speaking he meets Jennifer Aniston who has given up on men because her last boyfriend was a cheater. She runs her own Floral Business and wants to keep her focus on that but when she bumps into Aaron she finds herself attracted to him.
"Love Happens" is an interesting look at life's roller-coaster ride and rates a Top of the Hill.
PG13 Universal Pictures
Capitalism, A Love Story
Michael Moore Documentary
I certainly wouldn't call this a love story so I can't figure out how they came up with that subtitle. Basically this is a film about the reasons we're in a Recession, that's what Congress calls our current economic situation but I would call it a Depression. It's depressing to see how many greedy, selfish people there are in this world.
Growing up I always thought America had more good guys then bad but it doesn't look that way now! Congress and CEO's of corporations are supposed to be the good guys, unfortunately now they're not.
The only way we're going to pull out of this depression is if more people get a conscience and try to do the right thing.
"Capitalism" is an honest look at the USA and that means us, It deserves a Top of the Hill.
Overture Films
Coco Before Chanel
Audrey Tautou, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain
Coco Chanel was a French designer of clothes during the 1940s. This is a film about her early life before she was famous and how she got famous. As a child she was abandoned by her father and left at a Catholic orphanage where she learned to be a seamstress.
Later she fell in love with a millionaire playboy and she was able to get the financing to open her own millinery shop. She wanted to be an artist and she was very good at designing clothes and getting publicity for her designs.
Coco Before Chanel is a good film but it's in French with subtitles that seemed to flash by quickly, still she designs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Sony Pictures Classics
The Boys are Back
Clive Owen, Emma Booth, George Mackey
Clive Owen plays a good husband and father whose wife dies of Cancer and then he has to learn how to be a father and a mother to his sons.
It's one thing for a man to have a job and be a workaholic and then have to learn something entirely different like how to do the laundry and take care of kids.
But he manages to reinvent himself to be a hands-on Dad with do-gooder advice even though he makes mistakes he keeps trying. The Boys are Back works Three Quarters Up the Hill.
PG 13 Miramax Films
An Education
Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Emma Thompson
This is about a teenage girl, Carey Mulligan, coming of age in 1961 London, England. She is studying for a place at Oxford, University when she meets a 30 year old man, Peter Saarsgaard, who is instantly attracted to her.
Soon he introduces her to a new world of classical concerts and late night suppers. Later for her 17th birthday he persuades her parents to allow him to take her to Paris.
He tells them that they will be chaperoned by his Aunt and Carey will get an educational vacation.
This is an interesting story with a tour of Europe in the background as we travel through the swinging sixties and An Education swings to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Sony Pictures Classics
Zombieland
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin
This is an action comedy about Zombies who like to eat people. Jesse and Woody are two men determined to kill as many Zombies as possible and then they join forces with Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin.
We soon see a road trip with the four of them fighting to stay alive in Zombieland and that is a bloody mess with a few laughs making it more horror than fun but it runs Half Way up the Hill.
Rated: R Columbia Pictures
The Invention of Lying
Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe
Ricky Gervais wrote and stars in this story about lying. He is an honest man until he gets fired from the script writing job he had at a studio.
He falls in love with Jennifer Garner but she thinks he's physically unattractive being too stout with a stubby nose. She is looking for a physically attractive man to pass his genes on to her children.
He becomes very depressed but everything changes when he makes up a story about finding the word of God and then writing a script about the man in the sky.
This is an interesting and funny look at careers and relationships and laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Warner Bros.
Couples Retreat
Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis
Here's a story about couples trying to cope with all the problems couples face in life like marriage, divorce, separation and being single.
This comedy does have laughs as we watch four Midwestern couples begin a journey to a tropical island resort that is supposed to help them cope with life's problems.
"Couples Retreat" has couples that are believable and one set that's not believable but it laughs through problems Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Universal Pictures
Free Style
Corbin Bleu, Penelope Ann Miller, Madison Pettis
Corbin Bleu plays a young man determined to win on the Grand National Motocross racing team. This type of motorcycle racing takes a lot of courage and a never give up attitude.
The story is interesting as we see he gets loving support from his mother played by Penelope Ann Miller and his precocious little sister, Madison Pettis.
Free Style is exciting and has some funny moments when a young girl who has parents that are black and white asks him "Am I white or black?" and he replies, "You're Whack!" Free Style laughs and races to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG Samuel Goldwyn Films
Cheri
Michele Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend, Kathy Bates
Michelle Pfeiffer plays a ravishing renowned Courtesan in 18th century Paris, France. She is thinking of retiring from her renowned stature but her plans change when she is asked by another former Courtesan, Kathy Bates, if she will teach her 19 year old son about sex, money and how to deal with their current society.
She calls her son Cheri and he is played by handsome actor Rupert Friend. He learns a lot from Michelle and falls in love with her even though she is a lot older than he is.
The story soon gets very interesting when his mother wants him to marry a young girl and have children so she can be a grandmother.
"Cher" is an elegant, entertaining look at the last century and it's loving, nonviolent people and it climbs to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Miramax Films
The Stoning of Soraya M.
Shohreh Aghdashloo
This is based on a true story of a woman living in Iran and trying to cope with dominating sadistic men who use religion to dominate women. The men claim that if a woman commits adultery then it's God's law that tells them they can stone her to death. The problem is if a woman tells them she is innocent they don't believe her but they will believe a man who says she's guilty.
It is sad to see the way men brainwash little boys into not even believing what their mother tells them and the men have the little boys throwing stones also.
We see a whole town of men committing Domestic Violence and using religion to get away with it. Obviously the Middle Eastern countries don't have equal rights for everyone. The acting and camera work are good enough to throw The Stoning of Soraya to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R M Power Pictures
Amelia
Hilary Swank, Richard Gere
Amelia Earhart became an aviation celebrity in the 1930s and is still a legend these days as the first woman to fly an airplane across the Atlantic ocean and around the world.
Hilary Swank does a good job playing Amelia and shows us what a brave woman she was. Richard Gere plays her husband, a promoter and publishing magnate.
Amelia chronicles her skyrocketing rise to fame with record shattering flights that got her the nickname "Lady Lindy" as she flies to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: PG Fox Searchlight
Oh My God
Documentary
Hugh Jackman, Seal, Ringo Starr, David Copperfield
Filmmaker Peter Rodger travels around the world asking people everywhere "What is God?" And everybody he talks to has a different answer when he says is God a He, a thing or a concept.
It's interesting to see people from all the different religions from Christian, to Hebrew to Muslim and Hindu explain what they think God is. And they are asked "If God exists why does he allow so much suffering and if religion teaches love of humanity then why do religions sometimes fight and kill?"
This story took two and a half years of filming across 23 countries and explores people's diverse opinions and perceptions of God and rates a Top of the Hill.
Mitropoulos Films
Precious
Gabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey
Precious is the name of a 16 year old African-American girl who gets raped by her father twice and gets pregnant twice. This story is set in Harlem in 1987 and shows all kinds of problems in a family that nobody would want to be born into.
Her mother is an angry woman who abuses her daughter emotionally and physically because she seems to be mad at Precious for being raped by her father.
"Precious" tries to deal with her life, her mother and with school but the story is dark and depressing with no answers to her problems and struggles a Quarter up the Hill.
Rated: R Lionsgate Films
2012
John Cusack, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet
This story is based on what the Mayan calendar said centuries ago and that was that the world would end in 2012. We see lots of earthquakes, ocean floods, and cities being destroyed along with people.
John Cusack plays a divorced father trying to save the lives of his 2 children and ex-wife and her current boyfriend.
The visual effects are astounding as we watch all the destruction in the world but "2012" is two and a half hours long with a lot of disastrous repetition and it's like watching a roller coaster ride go up and down so it goes Half Way Up and Half Way Down the rocky road of life.
PG13 Columbia
Pirate Radio
Bill Nighy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nick Frost
In 1966 when Rock & Roll was a fun musical pick me up the British government backed BBC company was only playing 2 hours of rock & roll on radio every week. By comparison American radio stations were playing such music 24 hours a day.
So in the home country of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and The Who the only way half of the British population could hear their favorite music was to tune in to Pirate Radio. That came from a large boat that sailed just outside the UK territorial waters.
For some unknown reason the government tried to sink this boat along with the rogue DJ's. The music and the story were good and interesting to hear and watch but the camera work was a bit too swingy still "Pirate Radio" rocks and rolls Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R Focus Features
Everybody's Fine
Robert DeNiro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale
Robert DeNiro is a widower and a father to grown children he tries to reconnect with and he hopes they are all doing fine.
We watch as he takes a road trip to find his children and see how frustrating that can be when you haven't seen them for a while and you can't find them for a while.
A better title for "Everybody's Fine" would be everybody's not so fine. The acting is good and the story is interesting but his road trip becomes a little slow and sad; still it drives Three Quarters up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Miramax Films
It's Complicated
Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Lake Bell
Meryl plays the mother of 3 grown kids and is the ex-wife of Alec. She also owns a Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has been divorced for 10 years but has an amicable relationship with her ex-husband who has married a younger woman played by Lake Bell.
But when Meryl and Alec go to their son's college graduation things start to get complicated as they are attracted back to each other. She is also attracted to her architect played by Steve Martin and she becomes very confused by what's happening to her and Alec.
The acting is excellent and the story very funny and interesting so "It's Complicated" rates a Top of the Hill.
Unrated Universal Pictures
The Young Victoria
Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany
Emily Blunt plays a young Queen Victoria before she became Queen of England. Rupert Friend plays Prince Albert the suitor who wins her heart even though he's a cousin. Together they become one of history's greatest romances.
This love story is set among all the intrigue of the royal court and is an interesting look at history. It is an elegant look back at the good old days and "The Young Victoria" climbs to the Top of the Hill.
Rated PG Apparition Films
A Single Man
Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode
The story is set in 1962 when nuclear warfare was on everybody's mind but the complexities of human relationships remain as convoluted as they are today. Colin Firth is a single gay man whose partner dies unexpectedly and he is depressed and uncertain about how he feels emotionally towards the same sex and the opposite sex.
Julianne Moore is a woman friend who is interested in being more than a friend to him. He is a teacher and one of his young, male students is interested in being more than a student to him.
"A Single Man" is an interesting look at sexual fluidity but the story slows down a little as we get to the ending but it still climbs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: R The Weinstein Co.
Political Documentaries
The Lovely Bones
Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon
The Lovely Bones is about a child molester who not only molests a child but murders her as well. The story shows the young girl watching over her family and her killer from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
This was an interesting look at men I've always called "Dick Heads" as I don't understand how they find children sexually desirable. That kind of thinking is total insanity and I wish they were never born.
But the acting and story are well done and even though it runs a bit too long, 2 hrs and 15 minutes it rates Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 13 Dreamworks Films
It's Complicated
Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin
This story is about marriage, divorce and everything in between. Meryl is the divorced mother of 3 grown kids and she owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant. She's been divorced from Alec for 10 years but they have a friendly relationship that gets friendlier when they are both at their
son's college graduation.
Alec is remarried to a much younger woman but suddenly things get really complicated when he wants to have an affair with his ex-wife.
"It's Complicated" is a funny comedy that gets funnier when love comes the second time around and laughs to the Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Universal
Crazy Heart
Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Jeff plays a country western singer who has made it to the age of 57
even though he's a smoking alcoholic who's been through many marriages and
many road trips to perform in clubs around America.
On his latest road trip he meets Maggie and struggles down the road of
redemption to win her love. She plays a journalist and is a single Mom with
plenty of regrets and tries to find happiness with Jeff.
"Crazy Heart" has some great music and interesting scenes with good
camera work and rates a Top of the Hill.
Rated R 20th Century Fox/ Fox Searchl
Youth in Revolt
Miichael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart
Michael Cera plays a teenager who falls in love with Portia Doubleday and wants to lose his virginity to her. But family geography and jealous ex-lovers conspire to keep them apart. But with Portia's encouragement Michael abandons his dull life and develops a rebellious alter ego that looks like his twin and tells him what to do.
Youth in Revolt is a funny, coming-of-age comedy with some good and interesting camera work and a story that keeps the audience interested enough to rate a Top of the Hill.
Rated: R Dimension Films
Fish Tank
Katie Jarvis,Michael Fassbender
The story is set in England and Katie Jarvis plays a volatile 15 year old girl whose life is turned upside down when her mother brings home a new boyfriend. Katie wants to be a dancer but she can't seem to get along with her friends or her family.
Her life becomes even more frustrating when her mother's boyfriend has sex with her.
Fish Tank's characters are not very likeable and the camera work is bad and some of the English is hard to understand so Fish Tank Sank to the Bottom of the Hill.
Rated R IFC Films
The Tooth Fairy
Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd,Julie Andrews
Dwayne is a good Hockey player whose nickname "Tooth Fairy" comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. For him Hockey is a tough and tumble game.
When he discourages a young kids dreams he's sentenced to one week of hard labor as a real Tooth Fairy. He does a bumbling and stumbling job as he tries to wing his way thru strangers' homes.
"The Tooth Fairy" is a funny kids film that laughs Three Quarters Up the Hill.
Rated: PG 20th Century Fox
The Shock Doctrine
Documentary
The Shock Doctrine is a feature documentary based on a bestselling book by Naomi Klein. This is an interesting look at how America's "free market" policies have come to dominate the world and it radically challenges the myth that the global free market triumphed on the wings of democracy.
The story shows how governments around the world over-exploit natural disasters, economic crises and wars with the aim of pushing through radical free market policies.
Political leaders have often turned to brutality and repression to crush protests against their own agendas and some CEO's of Banks and Corporations push ordinary people into poverty for their own greedy personal gain.
"The Shock Doctrine" is a gripping look at how greedy, selfish behavior can destroy the whole world.
Filmed by Michael Winterbottom & Mat Whitecross
82 minutes
