Dancers

Elegant dance teacher begins romance with grungy electrician. Their relationship grows closer until she discovers he has a secret. Solemn drama from Denmark has some moments, but it’s rather slow, even at only 90 min.

Man on Wire

Documentary of French high wire artist, Philippe Petit, who made headlines around the world for his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in New York City on August 7, 1974. Meticulously documents the careful planning that went into mounting that awe inspiring walk. However it frustratingly lacks any footage of the actual event and glosses over the aftermath that ensured. Received the 2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary.

Monsters vs. Aliens

On the day of her wedding, a young woman is hit by a meteorite and grows 50 feet tall. Naturally the US government then enlists her help to combat an alien that wants to take over the world. Steals ideas from an impressive list of films: Mothra, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Men in Black, Monsters, Inc, The Incredibles. Unfortunately, no amount of 3D technology and cluttered action scenes can distract from the uninspired story. Further proof DreamWorks is a distant 2nd to Pixar in computer animated films. The animation is colorful and there are some humorous jokes here and there, but ultimately it has no heart.

Blindness

Bleak and depressing drama of what happens when an epidemic of blindness affects a dystopian society. Puerile film can only be described as an ordeal. As director Fernando Meirelles punishes the viewer in scene after scene, his point appears to be how easily civilized society deteriorates when faced with a crises. The problem is, the characters do not resemble human beings, but rather freaks who wallow in filth and depravity for a mind numbing 2 hours. For example, Julianne Moore’s character, the only one who can see, sits idly by while atrocities are being committed all around her. As a result, there is no one to root for and the drama is diluted and uninvolving. A disgusting film, without a point.

Synecdoche, New York

Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman’s directorial debut about a man whose ambitious biographical stage play begins to blur with the reality of his own wildly deteriorating life. Extremely challenging psychological drama tests the audience’s ability to follow the film’s elaborate cast of characters that grow more and more surreal as the story progresses. Profoundly sad, and intellectually demanding, this film rewards patient viewers with a dreamlike portrait of a man in crises.

Happy-Go-Lucky

Poignant, but slight story of one Pauline Cross, nicknamed Poppy, who maintains a pleasant outlook on life. Random vignettes, loosely strung together, present various situations in her life, that test her sunny disposition. Comedy drama is a well acted, seemingly improvised, slice of life. Sally Hawkins as the title character, and Eddie Marsan as Scott, her driving instructor, make the film worth seeing.

I Love You, Man

Hilarious comedy about a man who sets out to find a male friend so he has a best man for his upcoming wedding. Buddy film is full of pointed commentary on the way men think and act. Rudd and Segel have real chemistry together and their conversations, which are the bulk of the film, are insightful and funny. Paul Rudd finally emerges as an important star in his own right.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Child-oriented comedy about a pampered Chihuahua who gets lost in Mexico and must find her way back to her home in Beverly Hills. The various dogs’ ability to act requires a lot of impressive training and decent CGI, but that’s about all to recommend in this poorly written and acted (by the humans) flick. Anyone over the age of 8 will be bored. If you must see a film about a talking animal, please rent Babe.

Rachel Getting Married

Family tensions rise to the surface upon Kym’s arrival home from drug rehab, one day before her sister is to be married. Director Jonathan Demme’s tale is shot in a naturalistic style resembling an actual wedding video. Frequent random distractions give the story an unfocused feel. Despite this, the film is full of wonderfully genuine performances. Anne Hathaway got the Oscar nomination and she’s good, but the real revelation here is Rosemarie DeWitt who plays the title character.

Weird Science

John Hughes directed teen comedy about a couple of high school geeks who create the perfect woman, à la Frankenstein. She then proceeds to build their self-confidence and improve their social life. Light, goofy 80s cult hit is silly nonsense, but it’s enjoyable nonsense, nonetheless.