Traitor

This movie presents a theoretical view on the strategy someone would use to go undercover and infiltrate a terrorist group. The film does not set the world on fire, but it certainly has quality elements of entertainment. There were times when the story got somewhat predictable and the audience is purposely feed short scenes to reassure that Cheadle is still a good guy and loves America even though he is participating in terrorist activities. However on the contrary there are aspects of the film that are not predictable and add enough excitement to recommend this movie as a solid Saturday night rental choice.

Seven Pounds

This film is presented in a very non linear fashion which makes the audience ask themselves or the person next to them, "Why is he doing that?" Occasionally there would be brief flash backs that make the audience try to figure out why he is doing what he is doing, but in the end the answer to all the questions is weak. The film makes it apparent, even in the beginning, that this man had a past and something happened which has led him to his current position. The problem is that his past just reveals a more content man. No alcohol problems, drugs, or jail just a smart wealthy man and his wife, nothing creating depth within the character. To me that was the biggest miss not the weak ending.

Man on Wire

David Blaine’s Central Park stunts are minuscule compared to Philippe Petit’s walk between the twin towers. I have really never seen a documentary that looked quite like this. It was presented in a very stylized fashion accompanied by dramatizations of what took place while setting up the wire between the two buildings. The film has wonderful music, at times it overwhelms the dialog to the point where it's hard to concentrate on what the person is even saying. But this is truly a brilliant film about a man and his passion to tight rope walk between the World Trade Center buildings. This is a must see.

The Bridge

This documentary has a very simple concept yet it is an extraordinarily powerful film. I had no idea so many people commited suicide jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge every year. This documentary captures these acts by setting up four or five cameras to pan and scan across the bridge all day looking for jumpers.

What I found equally as powerful was the interviews with the friends and families of the suicide victims. It was fascinating to hear why they believed these people committed suicide and why it was at the Golden Gate Bridge. This is a must see.

Four Christmases

Vince Vaughn just can't help continuing to be Jeremy Grey. That is the same Jeremy Grey from Wedding Crashers who also appears in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Break up, Fred Clause, and now Four Christmases. How can you blame him? The Jeremy Grey character is a hoot, but Jeremy Grey needs a wing man like Owen Wilson to help level out the over the top Jeremy Grey who has loud out bursts and zany comments. After watching this movie I realized I just saw a Vince Vaughn movie not a movie with Vince Vaughn in it, but a Vince Vaughn movie. He now officially has a brand of movie. He even had all of his friends in this movie. Jon Favreau, Dwight Yoakam, and Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from A Christmas Story). So if you like Jeremy Grey, see it. If you don't have to pay to see the movie, see it. Other wise don't see it.

Tropic Thunder

Quite possibly the funniest movie of 2008 solely because of Robert Downey Jr. Without Robert Downey Jr. playing a black solider this film would just be a hybrid Vietnam Zoolander movie. Not much more needs to be said because this film was released awhile ago and it has been extensively reviewed in all forms of positive light. The DVD commentary is hilarious as well with Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Robert Downey Jr as his characters in the movie Lincoln Osiris and Kirk Lazarus.

Chinese Coffee

This film was a passion project for Al Pacino because of his involvement with the play at the Actors Studio. The tagline for the film is: There's a fine line between friendship and betrayal. This describes the film perfectly as you will see when the plot slowly unravels during a heated conversation between two friends in Greenwich Village 1982. It is such a treat when you can watch a film and ensconce yourself within the dialog which is the case with Chinese Coffee.

Shut Up & Sing

A two sentence comment protesting the war in 2003 by Natalie Maines turned this bands career upside down. This documentary has extraordinary inside footage showing how a very successful band deals with the carnage of radio stations refusing to play their music and people burning their albums. However, the most important thing this documentary shows is the importance of timing. Anybody can criticize America, but it's when you criticize America that counts.

Under Fire

If you ever wondered what it's like to be a war photographer I would recommend watching this movie. I would also recommend this movie for its impressive set design and how it really creates an authentic looking war torn Nicaragua.

The Incredible Hulk

A giant improvement compared to Ang Lee's disaster in 2003. This is simply a fun movie to watch and worth your time, especially if you are a fan of Edward Norton or Tim Roth. When the movie was getting ready to end I was ready to give it a B+, but the last minute brought it up to an A.

To Live and Die in L.A.

This is definitely William Friedkin's third best film next to The French Connection and The Exorcist. If you like action crime dramas with an intense car chase, then this film will not disappoint. An added bonus to the film is an excellent commentary track by William Friedkin on the DVD.