Taking Woodstock

☆☆☆1/2

+
Jake Teichberg and Imelda Staunton turn in excellent performances.

Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain") captures the spirit of Woodstock...
_
...minus one of the most important elements...the music.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.

www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/taking_woodstock

Post Grad

☆1/2

+
Alexis Bledel as graduate, Ryden Malby, is by far the best part of this romantic comedy.
_
Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, and Carol Burnett's talents are wasted in this poorly written, silly story.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 27 min.

www.foxsearchlight.com/postgrad

The Time Traveler's Wife

☆☆

+
Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana star in this intriguing, supernatural romance.
_
The story isn't logical.
Some of the time travel situations don't make sense.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 37 min.

www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com

Paper Heart

☆☆1/2

+
The quirky Charlyne Yi ("Knocked-Up") and rising star Michael Cera ("Juno") star in this unique comedy/romance about the filming of a "love documentary."
_
The majority of the film centers around interviews about love that just aren't that interesting.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 28 min.

www.paperheart-movie.com

District 9

☆☆☆1/2

+
"District 9" is a unique sci-fi action (part mockumentary) film where the aliens (prawns) are captured, "housed," and supported by the South African government.
Excellent Special Effects!
_
Why would the government take 1.8 million aliens out of their ship to live among humans...even if they are in the fenced-in slums of District 9?
Violence, Language

Rated R
1 hr. 52 min.

www.district9movie.com

Julie and Julia

☆☆☆☆

+
Meryl Streep transforms herself into the truly enjoyable Julia Child, and Amy Adams gives an excellent performance as Julie Powell, the woman who takes on the "Julie/Julia Project" (cooking all 536 recipes from the Julia Child cookbook in one year).
_
Maybe a little too much Nora Ephron "fluff."

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 3 min.

www.julieandjulia.com

Orphan

☆☆1/2

+
Isabelle Fuhrman gives an excellent performance as the deranged orphan, Esther.
The second hour will have you on the edge of your seat.
_
Peter Sarsgaard's character is written as unbelievably stupid!
"Orphan" gets off to a slow start.

‎Rated R‎
‎2 hr. 3 min.
‎
www.orphan-movie.warnerbros.com

Funny People

☆☆☆☆

+
"Funny..." is one of those rare movies that has the perfect balance of comedy and drama.

A great performance by Seth Rogen.
Jonah Hill makes me laugh once again!
_
"Funny..." could be cut by a few minutes.
Too many male anatomy jokes.

Rated R
2 hrs. 20 mins.

www.funnypeoplemovie.com