To Save a Life

☆☆☆☆

+
“To Save a Life” is the moving story of two 17-year-old students who were once friends, but high school popularity got in the way…ending the friendship and a life.

This is an important film (with an excellent message) for teenagers to see and discuss with friends and family.
_
It is difficult to assign a star value to a film that is more about the message than the production value or the performances.

"To Save..." is too heavy-handed and too preachy.

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

www.tosavealifemovie.com

The White Ribbon

☆☆☆

+
"The White Ribbon" (Das weisse Band) is a dark, moody (in black and white with no musical score), and compelling drama set in a small village in pre-World War I Germany where strange accidents are occurring. Who is guilty...the children or one of the adults?

Golden Globe winner for best foreign film.



_
"...Ribbon" is a little long and at times a little too slow.
German w/ English Subtitles

Rated R
2 hr. 24 min.

www.thewhiteribbon

Broken Embraces

☆☆☆1/2

+
Penélope Cruz stars in Pedro Almodóvar's romantic drama as Lena, an actress who meets (and has an affair with) director Mateo Blanco played by Lluís Homar. Lena is cast as the lead in what turns out to be Mateo's last movie.
_
Many say "Broken..." is confusing and difficult to follow.

Rated R
2 hr. 8 min.

www.brokenembraces.com

The Lovely Bones

☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on Alice Sebold's 2002 novel, "The Lovely Bones," an engaging thriller about a teenager's death, stars an award winning cast: Mark Wahlberg, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Imperioli, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci in a Golden Globe® nominated performance as serial killer, George Harvey.

Director, Peter Jackson delivers a solid screen adaptation of Sebold's novel.
_
The "heavenly" special effects may be over-done.
Some, who have not read the novel, have expressed confusion.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 15 min.

www.lovelybones.com

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

☆

+
A magical story about a sideshow character who made a deal with the devil.
Jude Law, Collin Farrell, and Johnny Depp signed on (cameo roles) to help complete this film for Heath Ledger, who died before he was able to finish.
_
In this case "magical" does not mean good. This film is dark and confusing.

Rated PG
2 hr. 2 min.

www.theimaginariumofdoctorparnassus

A Single Man

☆☆☆☆

+
Colin Firth gives an exceptional performance as George Falconer, a British college professor who is finding it challenging to deal with life after the death of his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode).
This well-crafted and beautifully shot film, set in Los Angeles in 1962, creates a high level of tension as it takes us through what we think may be the final day in George's life.
Fine performance by Julianne Moore as George's long time friend Charley.
_
May be a little too self-conscience and too focused on beautiful people and things.

Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.

www.asingleman-movie.com

Crazy Heart

☆☆☆1/2

+
Jeff Bridges turns in a gritty and truly excellent performance as Bad Blake, the down-and-out, alcoholic, chain-smoking, has been country music singer in "Crazy Heart."
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell give strong supporting performances as well.
_
May be too slow for some.

Rated R
1 hr. 51 min.

www.foxsearchlight.com/crazyheart

Youth in Revolt

☆☆☆

+
In this fun comedy-romance, Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) falls in love with Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) while on vacation in a trailer park. In an attempt to get the girl, Nick creates a rebellious alter ego: Francois...who gets him in big trouble.
-
The alter ego story didn't "work" all that well in the film.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

www.youthinrevolt-themovie.com

The Young Victoria

☆☆☆☆

+
Emily Blunt gives an excellent (Golden Globe nominated) performance as the young Victoria in this rich, lavish, romantic drama.

"The Young Victoria" is a sure bet for an Oscar nomination for best costumes and possibly best cinematography.
-
The film may not be historically accurate.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com