Several months later, Lyla is involved in a car accident, which threatens the life of her unborn son. After recovering, her father breaks the bad news; her son could not be saved. Devastated, Lyla breaks free from her father’s oppression, determined to make a life for herself. 11 years later, on his death-bed, Lyla’s father tell the horrible truth about what happened to her son; after the accident he was given up for adoption. Now named August Rush(Highmore), a musical prodigy, her son was born with the gift of music. August, desperate to find his parents, believes that if they could only hear his music, the three would be reunited.

While August Rush has a lot of potential for being a wonderful movie, it is lacking something to give it that last extra push. Maybe it is fact that everyone in the film (all the protagonists at least) seem to be push-overs. There is always someone else in their life telling them what to do. Lyla has her father, August has Wizard and Louis has society telling him to give up music and try to be something real. What doesn’t make sense is the fact that no one sticks to their ideals and actually follows through with their dreams. I guess that’s part of the movie’s conflict; an antagonist for each protagonist.

I was rather disappointed at the role Robin Williams was given. As one of my favorite actors, seeing him in the previews as a supporter of August, made me want to see the movie. Once I saw it, and realized that Williams was actually the bad guy, that left me a little bitter. When do previews present a character as a role model and supporter, when they are actually a villain. Misleading if you ask me.

While the ending of the film is happy, as expected, it leaves you disappointed because of the build up that could have either been more harrowing (i.e. the struggle increases for the protagonists), or more idyllic (i.e. everything just seems to work out). Honestly, I can’t put my finger on what was disappointing about the film. If you enjoy happy endings and music, you will enjoy this film.

Neville has a natural immunity to the virus which he tries to use to create a way to reverse its horrific effects. Under constant danger of attack from the Infected, Neville maintains a strict daily regime to keep his sanity. Being the only man alive will take it’s toll on your psyche. Pressed for time, Neville knows that if the Infected don’t get him first, his own mind will destroy him.

It is hard for me to review I Am Legend without giving away too much of the story. Realistically, there isn’t a whole lot to the story beyond what I summarized above, and that is part of the charm. While the story is so simple, if you think about it, there is so much more that is left unsaid. While yes, Will Smith is on-screen by himself (Sam, his dog, is also there) for about 80 minutes of the film, it is 80 minutes well spent. Brief dream sequences tell the back story which is pleasant, not too much information, not too little.

For what it tries to convey, Legend out-performs expectations. The idea of what it would be like living as the last man on Earth is very convincingly portrayed by Smith. Simple things like, going to rent movies everyday or maintaining a daily schedule are impressively woven into the story. The idea of keeping a routine to ward off insanity is something that isn’t overt in the film, but it there if you know to look for it. Also, major life changes like hunting deer from a Ford Mustang to competing for food against lions are things you wouldn’t expect, but are present in the film.

In the end, this is a film that quickly shot to the top of my favorites list. If I could buy the DVD after walking out of the theatre, I would have. It’s that good.

As a ruthless assassin, Anton could be perceived as the devil incarnate. He will mercilessly kill anyone without thought if they have something he wants. Hot on the Llewelyn’s trail, Anton leaves a wake of death that does not go unnoticed. Sheriff Bell(Jones) has seen a lot in his days as a law man. The latest string of brutal murders is the some of the worst. To try and save him, Bell tries to track down Llewelyn all while attempting to comprehend the logic behind current events. In the end, he realizes that life will happen whether you can comprehend it or not.

A philosophic film, No Country for Old Men is presented like an action/drama film. The action and drama are there, but something is missing. Maybe it is a lack of character motivation behind Anton Chigurh. Or perhaps it is the parallel stories in the film that never seem to connect fully. It may just be simply the absence of music in the film, but No Country doesn’t feel complete.

The Coen brothers are well known for their films which act as both silver screen entertainment and ruthless social commentary, but No Country seems to be lacking on both counts. The film doesn’t have an ‘end’ so much as it just drags you along then just stops. There are several places in the film which could constitute a conclusion of the film, but it doesn’t end where it would seem natural. Instead, the film is drawn out beyond those points and simply dumped leaving the viewer wondering, ‘what happened?’

As for social commentary, No Country has it in spades, but it isn’t anything that hasn’t been told before. The idea that life is ruthless and there are horrifically evil people out there is something everyone knows. Sure, this film will highlight that fact with plenty of squirting blood and pain-filled screams, but who really needs to be hit by a train full of the-world-is-evil-and-life-sucks-then-you-die?

In the end of the film, the only characters that live are Sheriff Bell and Chigurh. Those are the two characters I would have least like to have seen survive. Throughout the film, Sheriff Bell plays the grouchy old grandpa complaining about how the world has gone to hell in a hand basket and kids these days have no respect for anything. Near the end of the film, he gets told off by his father who explains that, sure life sucks now, but it has always sucked. I just sucked in different ways in the past. Chigurh is of course the sociopathic killer. The whole film you are engendered to hate him and relish the moments when he is wounded or disadvantaged. In the end, he lives.

I’ll be the first to give recognition where it is due. There has never been a film like No Country before. The pessimism that oozes out of this film is plentiful. The sad part is that moviegoers enter the theatre expecting a somber commentary but are presented with a downright depressing exposition of how miserable life is.

Manny(Perez), Jose’s brother, runs his restaurant like a general runs an army. Cracking the whip on his employees, he cares more about the business than the people who help him run it. Because of this, it’s easy for him to fire Nina(Blanchard) after she’s late for work one too many times, regardless of the reason. Jose, an unknowing companion, extends a helpful hand to Nina who has just learn of her unplanned pregnancy. Together, they rediscover what is truly important in life; love, family and a passion for living.

My preconceptions for Bella were completely misguided. I notoriously do not trust film reviews I read; they are often misleading. I’d read a few mixed reviews for this film, some good and some bad, and went in believing I knew the story before entering the theatre. Maybe that was for the better, because the film was not what I was expecting at all. All the reviews made Bella seem like just another Hollywood love story; guy meets girl, guy woos girl, guy and girl fall in love. There have been many films that follow this template, but this wasn’t one of them.

What blew me away was the film’s true theme. It comes at you from left-field, yet seems so perfect in the emotional context of the film. The idea that Jose can find true happiness in his life by facing his demons, is something that is expected in a romantic film. It’s just the source of his happiness comes from the last place you’d expect.

From the very beginning, the film interleaves the character’s history into short almost dream-like flashbacks, which create an interesting, seemingly evolving, storyline. At the same time, the ghosts that haunt the characters are exposed through emotional dialog in the present. While being very powerful, the dialog is also lighthearted at the perfect moments. Transitioning from somber and dramatic to strikingly comedic is smooth in the film and natural from the actors. Bella is absolutely breathtaking in it’s simplicity and with its amazing character development, acting and cinematography, viewers are in for a treat.

Years pass before they meet again, only to have Fermina declare their feelings as an illusion. Devastated, Florentino stakes his love for her and declares he will have his one true love. Unbeknownst to him, Fermina is engaged to be married to another man. After years of waiting for his one true love, Florentino is devastated. In a desparate attempt to mend his broken heart, Florentino pursues lascivious affairs throughout his adult life. In the end, only waiting for his Fermina.

Too often, classic novels are turned into only mediocre movies. Not so with Love in the Time of Cholera. Firmly rooted in the culture of the late 19th early 20th century South America, this story is truly one for the ages. Love stories are only good when the characters are genuine and their love is true. Films based on love stories are great when they take the good and build into them an emotional current that carries you throughout the dramatic spectrum. Cholera does that.

The acting was superb. The direction was impecible. Even the cinematography built the scenes from the ground up using vibrant colors and dramatic angles. Especially notable was the soundtrack which combined an eclectic array of old-world spanish folk with modern talent. This film is definitely one of the best films of the year. Destined for greatness at the Academy Awards for sure, Love in The Time of Cholera is sure to be an instant romatic classic kin to Cleopatra, Ballad of a Soldier and possibly Gone with the Wind.

At the same time, three time-zones over, Political Science Professor Malley(Redford) holds another meeting with one of his most promising students, Todd Hayes(Garfield). Todd is a typical college student; sliding through college getting decent grades, chasing girls and trying not to get in too much trouble. But Professor Malley sees much more in Todd. He tries to reason with Todd, make him realize his potential and the intellectual gifts he stands to toss away.

Twelve and a half hours around the world, Marines Finch(Luke) and Rodriguez(Peña) are embattled against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Former prodigal students of Professor Malley, Finch and Rodriguez enlisted in the Marines as a way to serve their country and further their futures. Little did they know, they unwittingly became the pawns in Senator Irving’s bid for publicity.

Lions for Lambs is an important commentary on the current political, military and diplomatic situation in the United States and the world. The film was fairly balanced in it’s presentation of both sides of the debate in the War on Terror. The right, with the hard-line of win at all costs. And the left with a feeling of helplessness and hindsight.

It also addresses the role of the media in shaping the consciousness of the public. The idea that the public believes what they see on TV and read in newspapers, and if that news is biased or manipulated, public perception is skewed. The transformation of news outlets from journalistic, integrity-bound centers for public awareness, to ad revenue and ratings bound rumor-mills is striking and clear.

Also touched on is the apathy of current youth and their inclination towards irresponsibility. A perfect example occurred at the end of the film, where one of Todd’s frat brothers was watching the news, where major coverage was devoted to the recent divorce proceedings of two media starlets. All the while, news of Senator Irving’s Afghan policy scrolled in the ticker-tape at the bottom of the screen.

As a left-leaning politically conscious citizen, while watching the movie, I believed it didn’t address the issues with an ‘in-your-face’ attitude. But looking back, I can understand why these sensitive issues were presented with a silver-lining. Leave the hard-hitting political criticism for Michael Moore, and let Redford direct a social commentary that touches all bases equally.

Enter Dennis(Coleman), a young boy in need of a family who believes he’s on a mission from Mars. David and Dennis are two kindred souls each using their imagination to liven their worlds and shelter their hearts. Together, they help each other realize that there is still plenty worth loving here on Earth, for both humans and martians.

What drew me to this movie was the movie poster of John Cusack standing next to a box with a smile on it. Something about the image had a sorrowful yet, cute feel to it. At the time, I didn’t know it was about adoption, something that is personally meaningful to me.

This film raises many important points about the significance of being ready and capable of becoming a parent. Having kids doesn’t automatically make you a parent, it takes lots of love, patience and humility. A quote that hit me especially hard was,

I don’t want to bring another kid into this world. But how do you argue against loving one that’s already here? – David

I wouldn’t chalk this film up to being Oscar worthy; the supporting actors were simply too superficial; I do think this is one of the better films this year. The fact that it can openly address issues about adoption that Hollywood usually sugar-coats is testament to it’s brilliance.