True Grit

Remake of the John Wayne 1970s movie but with the Coen Brothers spin. Jeff Bridges stars as Rooster Cogburn the broken and drunken marshall who is persuaded by a 14 year old girl to hunt down her father's killer. Matt Damon costars as a Texas Ranger who tags along to help. About time for a good western. 3 bananas

Black Swann

Beautiful pyscho thriller starring Natalie Portman as the Ballerina in waiting/star in this updated version of the White swann. Hard to tell when Portman goes off the tracks as both her mother and coach drive her to "perfection". Portman does most of her own dancing and is definitely a leading candidate for best Actress. A must see. 4 bananas

The Fighter

One of the best movies of the year. Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams and Christian Bale all should be up for Oscars. True story of two brothers from a small town in Massachussetts who attain boxings highs and lows; Wahlberg ,inspite of all the obstacles that his extended crazy family puts in his way. While boxing is the theme it is only a small part of how this family and friends pull together to make this picture a winner. # 1/2 bananas

How Do You Know

Enjoyable romantic comedy with Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd entangled in love with Reece Witherspoon. Rudd who is being investigated for security fraud and Wilson, a high priced pro baseball player, both of whom have major insecurity issuses, are a delight to follow. Jack Nickelson, Rudds father, adds to the fun as the underhanded corporate executive who would rather send his son to jail than himself. 2 1/2 bananas

The Tourist

Worth seeing for the beautiful backdrop of Viennes. Johnny Depp and "big lips" Angelia Jolie star in this caper of mistaken identity where Depp finds himself being pursued by Interpol and criminals for stealing money from his past employer. Dumb plot moves very slowly till the end and then is just stupid. See it for the scenery not the acting. 1 1/2 bananas

I Love You Philip Morris

Jim Carrey is terrific in this true story of a gay con man who assumes many different roles in trying to keep his love, Philip Morris, provided for. Carrey meets his "true" love while serving one of his numerous stints in jail for various frauds as well jail escapes, which are numerous and artful. Strong language and many homosexual scenes only add to Carreys credits for a first rate acting job. See it if you don't mind guys kissing and..! 3 1/2 bananas

Love and Other Drugs

Funny, cute, sweet, tearjerker all wrapped together with Jake Guyenthal and Ann Hathaway showing pretty much everything in this love story. Jake as the free and easy drug salesman falls for Hathaway who is battling parkinsons. Lots of Pharma humor centered around the drug viagra as it is being introduced into the market. Maybe a tab long but for the most part enjoyable. 2 1/2 bananas

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry is forced to flee from his school and home as his enemies gather to plan his death. Not sure all that is happening other than it is entertaining and very dark. Harry and his pals are now all grown up and spend the entire movie outside their comfort zone while dodging death from all sides. 2 1/2 hours go by quickly but unfortunately we have to wait until next summer to see the conclusion to this movie. 3 bananas

Burlesque

Small town Iowa girl, Christina Aquilera, moves to L.A. to try her hand at singing. She finds The Burlesque show and the show finds her. Great songs and stage productions; however the soapy plot of girl finds boy as well as the show,owned by Cher, is going under are all to familiar. Aquilera has a set of pipes on her as well as a great body. See it for the sets not for the acting. 2 1/2 bananas