The Woodsman

This movie is amazing in not only the performances turned in by Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick & Mos Def, but for the conflicting feelings that it incites in the viewer for a person that we would usually revile.And the conflicting questions this film imposes on you , such as when do we start to forgive? When are we redeemed from our past?

Can you ever understand and love a person who could do something heinous..without truly wondering if it will happen again. This film is bold because it doesn't give you the cushy story of a "guy who did wrong, and he's trying to change so give him a break". No This film tugs at you in every direction. Just when you are trying to cut the Walter character some slack, cause you figure, "hey, he hasn't done anything, leave him alone".Then you find yourself asking, why should anyone have to wait for something to happen.We see how certain triggers Walters actions. We see how the anger, fear, and revulsion of those around him affect his life. How people rationalize their own behaviors. This has got to be one of the most emotionally conflicting movies I have seen. I mean really..who wants to sympathize with a child molestor? But we have to also see that sometimes people who do horrible things can also be reviled by their own actions. Fascinating movie. I highly urge all to see.

The Mother

The mother May losing her husband and her way of living has been totally lost on her kids. They are too self involved to even notice. The daughter seems sympathetic in the beginning as to understand why her mother can't return home after her father's death,while her brother Bobby is too busy with work to notice.No one talks to May,they talk at,around and about her. Except Darren,Bobby's friend and Paula's married lover.Although May believes and tells Paula that she could do better than Darren, Paula tries to get her mother to be a go between to gauge what Darren really feels for her. And as they talk May soon begins a sexual tryst with the man. It's amazing how you can see the way May starts to look younger throughout the film,and as Darren's affections and distance makes the daughter look more and more older. The film is about how we become complacent with the roles we are given and what's expected of us,and how they probably don't reflect who we actually are.May has lived her life through others expectations and now realizes the time she has lost because of it. And now May is grabbing for what's left ,cause she says "I'm not ready for old age". And even though her desire to grab life causes her to betray her daughter.


The daughter is actually so unsympathetic to the viewer that you really could care less,cause Paula is too busy blaming her mother for all that is wrong in her life.And Darren has his issues as well,an unhappy marriage, and autistic son,and yet you see what draws these women to him,not just his hard tone physique,but his kind and unassuming way. He listens to may..he talks easily to her. And his sexual interest in may doesn't ever come across as pity.The strange paradox of Darren is that he likes women,he likes pleasing them, he likes watching them awaken sexually.What he obviously can't deal with is emotional neediness.By the end of the film.it's hard to sympathize with anyone. But this film goes where too many others fear to tread.

Shut Up & Sing

Superb documentary.
It really puts into perspective the whole ideal of "Freedom of Speech" isn't really free. I personally found it shameful how people who called themselves "Americans' vilified these women for exercising what should be their rights as citizens of The U.S... only to be vilified by those same people.

Very insightful and angering..but also uplifting in seeing three women stick to their guns and come out on top in the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxpg-xACLVY

Into The Wild

This movie was INCREDIBLE! Emile Hirsch is wonderful in this role of a young man who rejects the expectations and obligations most are too afraid to say no to.

It is a remarkable true story of a life lead with fortitude and truth.Sean Penn's Direction of the beautifully dangerous landscape that is Alaska is mesmerizing. And yet the story of this young man who pursues solitude and nature for his own mental well being is never lost in the process. What is amazing is how this young man deeply touches all those he encounters along the way, only to find it most comforting being alone.

This movie will inspire people. I LOVED IT!

HellBent

I usually love gay themed films, and I LOVE horror films too. But we all know..they are genre's that can go bad real FAST..So I must say I was quite surprised by this film.


Although I won't say it's the best, or scariest film I have ever seen..It does do a great job in making a typical slasher film. What I liked was that all the main characters are quite likable..A horror film is better when you DON"T want the cast to die.It also doesn't create typical "Stereotypical" over the top ideas of gay men. And it uses the "easy cruising gay pick-up" as a tantalizing way of introducing danger. The killer is sexy and hunky...so if a gay man or a str8 woman would see him..you'd obviously be tempted..But as someone watching the film..you realize that the sexy pick up could be your last. Much more scary, and fun I liked this little film.

If any of you str8 guys can bear some light kissing between guys ...I think you would find a fun little slasher flick here.

No Country For Old Men

I was struck by the immediate violence in the first 10 minutes of the movie. But it certainly set the stage for what was to come with Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem who EARNED his Oscar here).


This has got to be the creepiest killer since Hannibel Lecter .The story seems typical ,but the cinematic meticulousness ,the acting,& the morality of the movie makes it more interesting. But what struck me most,which added to the authenticity of the film ,was there was absolutely NO UNDERLYING SCORE. In Most films, you have music to emphasize what is going on in each scene. Soft pianos for love, loud base and horns for action & violence. Here..NOTHING , just like real life. That pulled me in farther. It seemed all to real. I have yet to see the other Best Picture contenders..but I can see why this movie stood out.Worth your time

Pan's Labyrinth

Now this is a wonderful film. It goes right to the heart of your imagination. But be warned , this fantasy is NOT FOR CHILDREN...as there is real life adult violence in the movie.

The movie centers on young Ofelia ,during the Spanish civil war. She has a new stepfather, a Falangist Captain in the Spanish Army. He is a a foul , cold and brutal man...And wouldn't you know it..he has married Ofelia's mother, who is pregnant and expecting . But it is a hard and difficult pregnancy . To make matters worse. she and her mother have moved right into the middle of the civil war, at the demand of the Captain, to have the son he expects from his new wife.all of this does not bode well for the young girl. But she has books to get lost in.

Then one night she is visited by a little fairy who lures her into the dark and wonderous world to meet a faun..who informs her she is actually a Princess of another world. And to insure that her regal essence is intact, she is assigned three tasks before the next full moon. If she completes the tasks, she shall return to her magical realm and rule with her real father.

The tasks are wonderfully intricate and a little scary. But the film is so beautifully made, that you dare not turn or blink. Not only does she have these tasks, to complete, but you have the intrigue of the war around to contend with as well.

If I say more about this film, I will give away too much. I would like for you to see and discover the pain and the beauty for yourself. I promise you won't be disappointed.