The Guard

Classic British comedy/crime drama. Irish policeman is teamed FBI agent to intercept drug shipment with murderous results. Irish brogue is sometimes hard to understand but the interplay between the two cops is so worth the price of admission. Don Cheadle plays the FBI agent but the Irish cop steals the show. Best foreign film of 2011 so far. 3 1/2 bananas

Adduction

High school project leads senior on journey to find his real parents. Along the way he turns into a James Bond and outwits and out fights the CIA and Russian Mob. Entertaining but totally unbelievable and stupid premise that high schooler is better than the forces he is up against. 1 1/2 bananas

Moneyball

Brad Pitt as Billy Beane is terrific as the unconventional General Manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball in this true story of how he and his assistant took a team of no bodies and fashioned them into an almost world champion team. The wheeling and dealing of players is fascinating as Beane wrestles with trying to win with a bare bones payroll. If you like true sports stories this is one of the best. 3 1/2 bananas

Killer Elite

Best action movie in a long time. Jason Strathorn and Clive Owen due battle in this movie based on actual events in Oman. Strathorn is recruited to kill 3 SAS members who killed 3 sons of the Shiek of Oman only to find he has been setup. Won't win any Oscars but the non-stop action makes this a really fun movie to see. 3 1/2 bananas

Drive

Ryan Gossling stars as car driving stunt man who also sidelines as a getaway driver for robbers. What seems a simple pawn shop robbery has serious deadly after effects as the mob doesn't like people taking their money. Very dark and starts slowly but builds to a very bloody climax. I liked it. 3 bananas

The Debt

What a good movie. Helen Mirren stars along with others as Israeli spies who are sent into East Germany after WW Two to kidnap a notorious Nazi only to have the attempt crumble with disasterous results. Plot flows from current days to 30 years ago as the story is retold in book form by the daughter of Mirren. Many twists and turns along the way. Best movie of the year so far. 4 bananas

Contagion

Very Interesting movie as it is based on how a deadly virus can spread from one person to the entire world in a matter of weeks. Paltrow becomes infected while in Hong Cong and carries/spreads the virus as she returns home. Movie moves quickly from one scene to another and from day to day as the virus spreads. Very well done with a terrific cast. Definitely worth seeing as this can happen anytime. 3 1/2 bananas

Apollo 18

For all you conspiracy theorists this movie is for you. Supposed never launched Apollo 18 space craft is sent to moon on a secret mission known only by a few. 3 astronauts wind up in a pile of trouble and discover some strange goings on, on the moon. This movie has a bit of everything, drama,aliens,murder. Filmed rather like the Blair Witch Project. Starts strong but comes unraveled at the end. 2 bananas

colombiana

Female Rambo takes on the drug cartel with deathly results. Pretty decent action drama. This girl can kill you in a heart beat. Good for a rainy do nothing afternoon. 2 bananas