"In the Valley of Elah"

Go out and rent this movie. Now! I re-watched "In the Valley of Elah" again and I think I could watch it over and over, always a sign of a good movie. I didn't hear much about this 2007 flick until Tommy Lee Jones was nominated for an Oscar for this instead of "No Country for Old Men." I made a note to rent it later and happened to rent it with "No Country." While both deal with journeys, investigations and changing society, I think "Elah" will hold up better on repeated viewing and in the future. If you thought "No Country" was OK, then you'll probably really like "Elah." The plot involves mystery, family drama, military vs. townies and actually has some good humor, too. Tommy Lee Jones' character takes it upon himself to investigate his Army son's disappearance after returning from Iraq, with the help of Charlize Theron's character, a cop trying to prove herself. It was written and directed by Paul Haggis of "Crash" fame. *****

"X-Files"

If I'm being honest, this should have been a special TV movie, but I paid my 10 bucks to see this in the movie theater and wasn't too disappointed. If you're a fan, you'll definitely enjoy the latest movie (probably better than the first one). It just makes me miss the show and knowing I'd be seeing something good every week :( *****

"In the Shadow of the Moon"

A documentary about the Apollo program, "In the Shadow of the Moon" doesn't go through all the facts and figures, but instead tells the story through the astronaut's own words. Even if Tom Hanks in "Apollo 13" is the closest thing you know about NASA, this is still a very entertaining and moving hour and a half. *****

"Flight of the Conchords" (TV)

This is the funniest freakin show I have seen in forever! Go rent it, or better yet, just go buy it because you'll watch it over and over. Season 1 of the HBO series is on DVD now, and I'll have to wait until January 09 for Season 2 to air. I'm not even going to try to explain the show except to say it's about two guys from New Zealand in New York trying to make a living as a band. The "music videos" in each episode are hilarious; my favorite is the "Lord of the Rings" music video. If you like "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Arrested Development" or "The Office" you'll probably like this. *****

"Play Misty For Me"

Before "Fatal Attraction" or "Swimfan," there was Clint Eastwood's directorial debut, 1971's "Play Misty For Me." He's a Carmel jazz DJ with a scary stalker! Very entertaining and it still holds up today. *****

"Romance and Cigarettes"

I'm interested in romance. I'm interested in cigarettes. I'm interested in a cast including James Gandolfini, Kate Winslet, Susan Sarandon and Christopher Walken. What I'm NOT interested in is ever seeing this movie again. AVOID it at all costs. Yes, I know the cast and the thought of John Turturro directing will tempt you as it did me, but this is not "quirky," just bad. I think I'll give it no stars, because giving it one star would be an insult to the other movies I gave two stars.

"Batman: The Dark Knight"

Woo-hoo! I loved it even better than the first one. Great action, great plot. (I am not a comics-turned-into-movies fan either.) With all the hype around Heath Ledger as the Joker, I was ready to NOT like him just because of the fuss. But I have to admit, he is one of the best things about the movie. He didn't play it too over the top; I mean he's playing a joker, so it's gonna be a little wacky, but it wasn't too cartoonish. And he had some of the best lines. Christian Bale was good as always. *****

"Broken English"

Zoe Cassavetes of the Cassavetes family makes her writing and directing debut with "Broken English" (2007). Parker Posey plays a New Yorker of a certain age looking for love (and she's not all oddball and frantic like in many of her other movies for a change, which is good). Women will probably really dig this movie. Cassavetes matriarch, Gena Rowlands, also appears. I'm a big fan of all the Cassavetes, so I'm giving it three stars. :-) If you want to sample some work from Zoe's dad, John Cassavetes, try "Gloria" or "A Woman Under the Influence." And Zoe's brother Nick directed 2004's "The Notebook." *****

"Death at a Funeral"

I kept seeing this trailer so I finally got it, expecting a predictable British comedy but it was surprisingly good. All sorts of hijinks at a funeral, a great cast and even a dwarf. Frank Oz of "Muppets" fame directed the 2007 flick. *****

"American Gangster"

I took forever to see this 2007 movie with Denzel Washington, whom I normally love. But I was actually disappointed in his one-note performance. Russell Crowe, who I can usually take or leave, livened up the whole movie for me. Maybe I just had really high expectations for this movie, but I'm gonna have to give it only two stars, and that's being generous. *****

"Outlaw"

A group of men act as vigilantes in this 2007 movie from director Nick Love. I usually like vigilante movies. But unfortunately, not this one. It's got a plot with a million holes and the action, which should be its selling point, is pretty lame. *****

"Wedding Daze"

I kept seeing this in the Blockbuster store, I had a coupon for a free rental, and I couldn't find any movie I wanted, so I finally picked this. Not a great start for a recommendation, but "Wedding Daze" was actually pretty good. I was expecting the usual romantic comedy but it's just the right amount of quirky and original to make this likeable. Michael Ian Black of "Ed" and "The State" wrote and directed. (He also wrote a British movie "Run, Fatboy, Run" that I want to see.) *****

"Fool's Gold"

I found this 2008 Matthew McConaughey-Kate Hudson pairing entertaining, and it made me realize how hard it is to find a decent romantic comedy today. They are all usually so cookie cutter that I dread even watching them. "Fool's Gold" had some of the expected formulas but it was done a bit more original than others. I also liked the same actors in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," so if you liked that you'll like this. Plus, since "Fool's Gold" is set on boats in Key West, McConaughey has his shirt off most of the movie. Nice! Some classic romantic comedy recommendations: "Palm Beach Story," "Roman Holiday" or "The More the Merrier" (the last is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time). *****

"Rescue Me" (TV)

Season 4 of "Rescue Me" is now on DVD and I couldn't wait! This is an excellent show. Original episodes appear on the channel FX, but I don't have cable/sat. Denis Leary is a New York firefighter who is battling multiple demons -- alcohol, drugs, infidelity and the ghosts of fellow firefighters who died September 11, including his close-as-brother cousin. By Season 4, he is trying out clean and sober with OK results. I have to say, I think I liked the first three seasons better although this one still holds up well. Maybe I just like the drunk and drugged out Tommy Gavin better? A lot of folks compare this to "The Sopranos" and I can see similarities: very flawed main characters, a terrific large ensemble cast with story lines of their own and great writing with very creative cursing and insults (my favorite). If you liked "The Sopranos," you will probably like "Rescue Me." But "Rescue Me" is by no means an imitation and has a lot to offer on its own. *****

"Control"

Even if you don't know Joy Division, you can still enjoy "Control." And if you do like Joy Division, you'll like it even more! But basically, this is not meant to be a biopic of the band or even the lead singer, Ian Curtis. It's more of a story about a young guy trying to find his way, creatively and emotionally. Although it's a depressing topic (Curtis killed himself at 23), the movie actually had some pretty funny moments -- the guy playing the band's manager has some really good lines. This is definitely not "La Bamba" or "Walk the Line"; more "The Committments" or "Pollack" vibe than anything else. *****

Across the Universe

If you love the Beatles, you'll like this movie. And if you love the Beatles, you'll hate this movie. "Across the Universe" uses Beatles' songs in this modern-day musical, set in the 1960s. If the idea of "Rent"-type productions numbers to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" has you shuddering, don't watch! I'm a Beatles fan and was wary, but it was actually pretty enjoyable. I won't be rushing to watch it again, but it was actually pretty interesting how the lyrics were interwoven with the storyline so well. It made me appreciate even more the timeless lyrics and melodies those fab four dudes produced. If you liked the movie version of "Rent" or even maybe "Dreamgirls," you'll probably like this. *****

Random thoughts: 5 movies to help you get over your B&W film fears

Oh, the magic you have missed! If the lack of shiny technicolor is all that keeps you away from B&W movies, you just haven't seen the right ones. Watch the first 15 minutes of any of these and I guarantee you that the lack of color is not what you'll be thinking. Instead, it will be "How messed up is Rick and Ilsa's relationship?" or "Now I see why generations of men have obsessed over Marilyn Monroe and millions of women want her hair."

• Casablanca (1942): What, you've never seen this?!? This movie just gets better with age -- it and yours. Marvel over the electricity between Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
• It's A Wonderful Life (1946): Yes, it was on all the time at Christmas and it still makes the usual appearances. But have you ever stopped to watch this from start to finish? Christmas is the least of it. While the feel-good ending is what people remember, it's actually a pretty dark film about someone who's lost hope.
• Some Like It Hot (1959): A Billy Wilder-directed and written comedy starring Marilyn Monroe. Also Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis who I don't like in much else besides this. But they all make beautiful music together.
• It Happened One Night (1934): OK, you know all those cliches in romantic comedies these days? Roguish reporter who verbally spars -- then loves -- a runaway bride. Only one hotel room available. Sharing pajamas (he gets the pants, she the shirt). These were all original plot points in this movie -- and it's in no way cliche here! Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert and Frank Capra just starting to hit their peak.
• The Best Years of Our Lives (1946): I challenge you to not feel anything about the characters! Three veterans of WWII from different circumstances return home and face difficult adjustments. Harold Russell, who lost his hands for real in WWII, plays a disabled vet (and won an Oscar). Two of my favorite scenes ever are in this movie: One, when Fredric March returns home to his wife (Myrna Loy); and two, when the fiancee of Russell's character helps him get ready for bed to show that she doesn't care at all he has hooks for hands.

"Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

One of my earliest movie memories is going to see "Raiders of the Lost Ark" with my sister and father in the theater the next town over because our town didn't have one. We arrived late, though, and walked into the dark theater just as the evil Nazi character was picking up the medallion from the fire and it burned an imprint into his hand! What a way to begin my Indiana Jones experience. Needless to say, I've been a big fan since then. So I was a little wary of the latest installment, "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." But I think I was so wary and had such low expectations that I was pleasantly surprised. It at least held its own with "Temple of Doom," but in no way competes with the first or third. I'm not rushing to see it again, but if I caught it on a TBS marathon or USA Network weekend, I'd stop and watch it. *****

"Prince Caspian"

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the first Narnia movie (although I was a huge fan of the books growing up). I was even more surprised to find that I like the second movie in the series, "Prince Caspian," even more. Great fight scenes, some good comedy, fast pace and a nice message. Although I didn't remember the books being so dark in mood, but I'm sure they were. This is proof that children's movies don't have to speak down to children and that adults can enjoy them as much as anybody. Good is good. I can't wait for the rest of the series. And just for the record: I'm a big "Lord of the Rings" fan, but have yet to read -- or see -- any freakin' Harry Potter. Maybe I'll like that, too, but I can't bring myself to watch.
*****

"Bella"

If you saw "Once," I know you loved it. "Bella" is similar in tone and message but without the songs. And no Dublin. The tough town backdrop is NYC. In this 2006 movie, a man and woman make a connection when they need each other most, but it's not the usual Hollywood fare. They build a friendship. Great characters, great conversations. If you haven't seen "Bella," see it! If you haven't seen either "Bella" or "Once," I feel so so so sorry for you. *****

The Savages

Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman never make my lists of all-time favorite actors; they are in some great movies and they are powerhouses, but they are more like siblings you have a comfortable relationship with. In The Savages, they play siblings, Wendy and John, who suddenly have to care for their elderly father. The plot could have gone all Lifetime movie, but fortunately for us viewers, it stays original and pretty true to life. Although some childhood abuse is alluded to, the characters don't have some epiphany or big dramatic moment confronting their father or each other. The ramifications are pretty clearly seen in their emotional problems. Also, there isn't some grand forgiveness scene with their father. As in real life, sometimes it's just showing up every day and taking care of someone who can't even remember who you are. Tamara Jenkins is the writer/director, who also did "Slums of Beverly Hills," another movie I enjoyed. Also check out "You Can Count on Me," with Laura Linney playing another suffering sibling. Good stuff. *****

I'm Not There

"Inspired" by Bob Dylan, "I'm Not There" is a little out there, but if you like that in Bobby, you'll like this movie, too. Six different actors play different personas of Dylan, not playing him specifically. This is definitely not a biopic. Cate Blanchett got all the publicity but it was deserved. Her part, the Heath Ledger/Charlotte Gainsborough storyline, and the Christian Bale part were the best. I liked the movie because it was different from most of what's out there but still moved fast for an art-house type movie (Todd Haynes "Far From Heaven" is the director). This is definitely one I want (need) to watch again. You'll like "I'm Not There" if you liked "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" or maybe "Full Frontal." *****