Defiance

Good cast, well acted but slow moving movie of 3 brothers who during WW11 take it upon themselves to hide and protect a large group of Jews in the forests of BellaRussia for over 4 years. Action scenes are few, with most in the last 20 minutes. I liked it but I thought the Movie Previews were deceiving. 2 1/2 bananas.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Interesting, smart, well acted but a little long. Brad Pitt is great as he goes from an aged baby to a youthful elder. Movie moves quickly through the reverse aging process of Brad's life. Full of warm fuzzy movements and a few sad as well. Great supporting cast. Special effects are terrific. 3 1/2 bananas!

The Wrestler

Not sure why everyone is so excited about this movie. If you like staples shot into your body, and watching Marisa Tomei pole dance, nice bodies, then this is for you. Typical plot of an over age wrestler who can't give it up. Good performance by O'rouke and some interesting views of what goes on behind the wrestling scene. I don't like wrestling or boxing movie so maybe I'm not looking at this properly. 2 out of 4 bananas.

Handicapped a documentary about bad golf

Glenview's own G.R " Crash" Kearney put together this DVD on awful golf. 10 of the worst golfers compete for 9 holes, thankfully it wasn't 18! "It's over thank god" might be the best words spoken in this fairly funny spoof on golf. G.R.'s dad steals the show with his pants and he wasn't even trying to be funny. Go to www.badgolfmovie.com for how to purchase. I refuse to rate as some of the characters are friends!

Frost/Nixon

Fascinating events that lead up to and through the 4 interviews in 1976 dealing with the Watergate scandal and Nixon's subsequent resignation. Highly entertaining with some very funny moments. Definitely a see for all, particularly for those who either don't remember or for those who weren't yet around in that turbulent era. 3 1/2 bananas!

The Edge of Heaven

Terrific 2007 foreign film available on DVD with easy to follow sub-titles. Filmed mainly in Turkey. Plot revolves around a father accidentally killing a prostitute and the following tale of his son trying to find her daughter to make amends. Movie travels between Turkey and Germany and back in forth in time. Best screenplay at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Full of twists and turns. Rent it but let it play out. 3 bananas out of 4.

Pineapple Express

If you like stupid this is for you. Just out on DVD, definitely a four drink (before seeing) rental. 2 hours of pot smoking, swearing and moronic acting. So bad, actually some funny parts.
Seth Rogen, a process server, witnesses a drug killing and the rest of the movie is of him and his buddies trying not to get killed, too bad he survives. Hard to believe this is up for a Golden Globe. I'm giving it a JULIAN, that's a minus 1 banana!

Marley and Me

I liked this movie a lot better than the book. Funny, sweet movie of a young couple coping with an out of control dog and the responsibilities of what goes into being a parent. Jennifer Aniston is hot and Marley is a riot. See it for laughs but take a few kleenex with you. Well acted, but Marley rules. 3 bananas out of 4.

Doubt

Powerful performances given by Streep and Hoffman in this highly charged emotional drama set in the early 60's. Movie skates around the Catholic Church's stance on the issue of gay priests. Is he or isn't he is what Meryl Streep decides she has to weed out. 3 out of 4 bananas!

Yes Man

Jim Carrey at his best. One of his funnier movies. Carrey, a negative person naturally, is convinced he should be more positive, thus say yes to everyone and everything. This leads to a lot of laughs. See it for a quick pick me upper. 2 out of 4 bananas

Slumdog Millionaire

Best movie of the year, either foreign or from the USA! Takes place in present India and shows all the warts of the current country. Funny, moving, brutal movie that depicks a young boy who is on the verge of winning a hugh jackpot and the police who believe that the show is rigged and try to extract how, from the boy. My favorite of 2008. 4 out of 4 bananas

The Reader

Two of the best, Kate Winslett and Ralph Finnes give a terrific performance in this somewhat slow but dramatic movie. Movie jumps back and forth in time as Ralph Finnes relives his youthful fling with Kate who has a couple of secrets that come back to haunt her and him. Another of the many movies this year that deals with the halocaust and its fallout.
Could be a Best Actor or Actress in this movie, definitely worth seeing. 3 out of 4 bananas!