Invictus


If you ever doubted that Morgan Freeman was quality (and why would you?) you must see him in "Invictus" as he takes on the the role of South Africa's courageous leader Nelson Mandela. The film chronicles the true story of South Africa's rugby team and its journey to the World Cup in 1995 while Mandela is faced with challenges of a feuding nation learning to embrace change. Director Clint Eastwood strikes the right chord with a solid script and by bringing together the talents of Matt Damon (as the team's captain) and Morgan Freeman. Oscar contender for sure.

Up in the Air


Loved this film. Don't want to ruin it by saying too much. It's relevant, funny (and sad), and splendidly performed. Bravo. Go see it.

The trailer is here.

Medicine for Melancholy


The aptly named "Medicine for Melancholy" is quiet, beautifully shot, and a conversation starter. The film follows a one-night-stand couple as they wander through the-day-after in a haze of silence and discussion centering on racial dynamics - specifically in the Bay Area. It's a meditative watch. The trailer is here.

Nothing Like the Holidays


"Nothing Like the Holidays" is a holiday family drama featuring the talents of notable actors Alfred Molina, Debra Messing, and John Leguizamo. The plot centers around a Puerto Rican family in Chicago going through some emotional turmoil - a son back from serving in the Middle East, a daughter struggling to find work, another son unable to have children, and parents on the brink of divorce. It's sweet, funny, and sad all in a beautifully wrapped package (seriously, the cinematography made the icy shores of Lake Michigan look pretty, not an easy task). Trailer here.

Paper Heart


Part documentary - part fiction - comedian Charlyne Yi examines what love is in "Paper Heart". She and her director, Nick travel the country in search of answers from everyday Americans - while none of the interviews yield earth-shattering revelations, the quest for the truth about love is sweetly made more complicated as Yi finds herself in a relationship with actor, Michael Cera. It's a quick watch and lighthearted fare made quirky by Yi's personality, Cera's bankable dry humor, and the fun fantasy sequences that are created with dolls and paper.

The trailer is here.

The Road


Do you ever have the urge to be thoroughly depressed and disturbed for a couple hours? Yeah? Great! Then go see "The Road". It's just perfect for you!

"The Road" is an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's book of the same name. Its focus is the post-Apocalyptic journey of a father (Viggo Mortensen) and son trying to survive when there is little left to subsist on and barely any humanity remaining in the world.

It's an extraordinarily well done film full of incredible tension and stillness. It just was very difficult to recover from and is certainly not for the fainthearted. Be sure to have a dose of happy ready for you on the other side.

The trailer is here.