Recently I was watching "Poltergeist" (1982) and it still stands up pretty well- I also noticed how sexy Craig T Nelson is in that movie.

I finally got around to watching "The King's Speech" and found it highly entertaining. I'm not sure it was the best picture of 2012, but it was certainly one of the best-acted films I've seen recently.

Sorry, can't comment now... about to watch Hotel Rwanda and Vagabond.

"Mission Impossible; Ghost Protocol" is big live action cartoon but hey I got to watch Jeremy Renner stretch...Cruise still looks good but I think it's time to keep that shirt on buddy you are vanity is showing.

"El Cuarto de Leo" (Leo's Room) 2009- well done indie film about a young man who is trying to come to terms with his sexuality- nice to see a Latino theme gay movie with positive characters.

One of my childhood schoolmates is visiting from Italy for about a month and I asked him to recommend a good Italian film I hadn't yet seen. He suggested a movie called "lo non ho para" (I'm Not Scared). It takes place in a desolate town in southern Italy in 1978 during the hottest summer of the century. It was also during a period of political unrest in Italy marked by terrorism and kidnappings. The story revolves around 10 year old Michele, played brilliantly by Giuseppe Cristiano. While out playing one day Michele discovers a young boy who is being held captive, chained to the ground at the bottom of a hole dug in the ground. He then overhears members of his family talking about their role in the kidnapping when he returns home and overhears a news story about the kidnapped boy. Without giving too much away it's a coming of age story about the loss of innocence and how Michele struggles with loyalty to his family and doing what's right. The cinematography was brilliant and I read that the director had the film shot at the height of young Michele to really capture his point of view. It was a really good movie and I can't stress enough the amazing acting of Giuseppe Cristiano. I love discovering great foreign films and this is one I will have to add to the DVD collection.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" left me cold- and not just because all all the snow- I have not read the books but the plot seemed like a glorified episode of CSI ( and there was no George Eads).

So for whatever reason, I could not get to sleep last night. I tossed and turned and eventually went downstairs to look at tv after I began disturbing my boyfriend's sleep. I began to browse Netflix to see if there were any new gay and lesbian films added that looked interesting. I came across a movie called The War Boys. It caught my attention because the actor Victor Rasuk is in it and he is one of my favorite indie actors.

The movie takes place in a border town somewhere in the desert southwest where three teens played by Victor Rasuk (Grigorio), Benjamin Walker (David), and Brian J. White (George) formed their own Kind of border patrol group in which they chase illegals. It's a good coming of age story that deals with some very real life issues of race, immigration, class, and sexuality. I wouldn't even call it a gay film. It was available in the gay and lesbian section on Netflix because there is a gay theme element involving David and George but calling it a gay movie would insult the complexities that unravel in this film. I will say though that the sexual tension between George and David was portrayed with such sensitivity that it would really move anyone, gay or straight. This movie has one of the best coming out scenes I've ever seen, one of the best first kiss scenes between two men I've ever seen and one of the best love scenes between two men that I've ever seen. The ending left me wanting way more but I haven't been this impressed by a movie with gay themes for a very long time. It was amazing.

Hey, they just showed this movie this past weekend on Sundance Channel. I stumbled across it and saw on the guide that it was made by the director of Mediterraneo, which I also recommend if you haven't seen it. So I missed the beginning but was quickly caught up in the story. It's a beautiful film. The director's name is Gabriele Salvatores. (just looked it up on imdb)

I watched "The Hours" again last weekend. It's an emotionally demanding film, but the acting is sensational.

I had a cold/flu for over 3 weeks, so was watching a lot of DVDs (of movies I'd seen before) rather than going out to new movies. In recent weeks I watched the Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite (Mira Sorvino won the supporting actress Oscar for her role as the dimwitted prostitute/porn actress Linda Ash aka Judy Cum); Zhang Yimou's gorgeous martial arts epic, Hero; Jeremy Podeswa's ensemble drama The Five Senses, where each of the storylines involves one of the five senses; Tampopo, Juzo Itami's comic and feel good movie about the perfect bowl of ramen (and the eccentricities of the Japanese); and Company, the filmed version of the Broadway revival starring the wonderful Raul Esparza (here performing Being Alive).

Company is such a great play, love it. And Might Aphrodite was a great movie, loved both of them.

"The Artist" is charming but over hyped romantic comedy- yes it's silent and in black and white for those who prefer movies with sound and color. The adorable dog who steals the movie is the only one who really deserves the Oscar.

I found The Artist to initially be quite disarming in it's silence and retro approach to storytelling.

Once I permitted myself to suspend my disbelief a bit, I came to feel this movie both refreshing and, as you mentioned, charming.

I found both leads to perform quite timely and sophisticatedly nuanced performances as George and Peppy, well deserving of their Oscar nominations. However I don't know why the actress is nominated in the supporting role...

The dog makes me wish I had a JRT (or Parson Russell terrier)

Berenice Bejo who plays the sexy Peppy is the female lead.

Thanks for the name... I was just wondering what qualified her as a supporting actress versus lead actress, since she is nominated in the latter of the two. Although the story is clearly about George, my thoughts are that it is equally shared with Peppy.

Studios will nominate an actor in a supporting actor category because they think the performer has a better chance at winning.

Has anyone else seen The Descendants? Although I thought it wad a decent movie, I am not sure what all the hype was about, as the movie left me rather ambivalent. I am a fan of George Cloinet the man, but not so much of his acting... Maybe that is it.

I was underwhelmed by The Descendants, too. I thought Alexander Payne's four previous films (Sideways, About Schmidt, Election and Citizen Ruth) were all better. Clooney was also underwhelming, and was much better in, for example, Up in the Air.

Just came back from watching A Separation. Simple, easy-to-follow plot, however, complex in its moral, ethical, and emotional implications, and a tough coming-of-age story for one of the characters. Reminds me of Balzac's realistic novels or Robert Bresson's moral films like L'argent. Not for everyone, but I think it's a must-see film. The acting, directing, and script were superb, nearly perfect.

Also, lately, I've been catching up with a few documentaries I've wanted to see for years: Man On Wire, The Weather Underground, and a recent one, The Black Power Mixtape. All of them excellent, highly recommended.

Not a big Clooney fan and "The Descendants" sounds depressing... if you are in the mood for old fashion classic scares see "The Woman in Black" in which Daniel Radcliff ( looking very handsome) encounters a deadly apparition.

Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace in 3D was a big disappointment. The 3D offered no improvement. Worse, it was like watching a movie with sunglasses on. Dim, with distorted color. Better to watch it at home on DVD/Blu-ray on a big LCD/plasma screen with surround sound.

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Roger Ebert's Oscar picks.

Lucas should stop trying to milk "Star Wars" and work on making an original movie instead.

The Vow starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams is like a mish mash of the Notebook and the Time Traveler's Wife. I did enjoy it.

Seeing Channing's tight, muscular butt, as well as his torso was so worth. A lot of the ladies in the theater gasped at the sight. It definitely breath taking.

It was also good seeing Jessica Lange, in something other than American Horror Story.

I know that I saw The Hours when it came out, and I even read the book, yet I can remember almost nothing about it.

So, I thought (after being reminded of the film by your post) I should re-watch it and I did this weekend on DVD. Ah, yes. A bit overwrought, and, I couldn't really understand why certain characters were so unhappy, but I did like the film and the concept of a day in the lives of three women, in different time periods, wherein that day encapsulates their emotional turmoil.

I always thought this movie was a bit over rated

In "This Means War" Chris Pine and Tom Hardy play bromantic spies who fight over Reese Witherspoon. The movie is a slick action cartoon crossed with silly romantic comedy. The movie would have made more sense if Chris and Tom had ended up in each others arms at the end- of course Hollywood is not going to produce a big budge gay spy movie

Yesterday was the first Saturday since the new year began that I haven't had some event to go to or been out of town. So I took the opportunity to just lounge around the house in my sweats and be lazy. I was pleasantly surprised when I was flipping through the channels and saw one of my favorite movies was about to come on; Flowers in the Attic. I never read the V.C. Andrews book because everyone I know who read it hates the movie and I really liked the movie. The thing I really liked about the movie is that it has one of the most underrated scores in history. The music is beautiful yet haunting at the same time. Louise Fletcher was spectacularly evil as the grandmother and Victoria Tennant became so wicked to get that money.

My favorite scene that still gives me chills is when they take one of the four siblings is I'll and supposedly taken to the hospital. The mother comes back and tells the 3 remaining siblings that he died and that there wouldn't be a funeral because he was already buried. Then you see the groundskeeper burying Cory in his grave and the camera pans out to 3 remaining open graves awaiting the other siblings. The music that accompanied that scene just made it so chilling. The film should've been nominated for an Oscar for best original score.

Just watched the Oscars. Havent seen so many men kissing each other on television since the Tonys.

It's those Europeans! It seemed like every other winner was reading off a piece of paper.

And besides Chris Rock and Octavia Spencer (and non-winner Viola Davis), were there any Black people at that show? Asians? I mean, c'mon, couldn't they have Harold and Kumar give out an award?

I came home from an event and only saw Best Actress and Best Picture. I had no interest in seeing Billy Crystal host and just wasn't into it this year. I am thrilled though to see Meryl Streep win. I figured Viola Davis WOULD win but felt Meryl Streep SHOULD win. Both were amazing and lets be honest...Meryl should have more Oscars than the 3 she now has. Viola will get hers one day but I'm sure it was a tough choice. Meryl's acceptance speech was funny, classy, and touching all in one. She's amazing!!!!!

And yes....gotta love those affectionate Europeans.

Happy for Christopher Plummer and for Meryl Streep. Yeah.

None of the presenter thank their male partners even though there were a couple of moments I was expecting it...the Tony's is a lot gayer.

Channing Tatum is every inch the leading man in "The Vow" a contrived but effective romantic melodrama. His nude butt show will be worth freeze framing on blu-ray

"John Carter" is an old fashion sci-fi action adventure spectacular. Taylor Kitsch looks fine, if a bit pale, as the earth man who ends up in Mars.

I saw "The Weekend" this weekend and it was decent. I've seen better. I've seen worse. I don't feel like I wasted my time though the way I did with many gay movies. I always like seeing a gay movie with an original theme. The drug use didn't bother me. Substance abuse is higher among gay men. There's empirical evidence that proves it. I didn't think there was too much of it. It was real. I think the sex scenes were good and I think the chemistry with the two main characters was pulled off well. The ending was sad though. I felt bad for the main character.

Asghar Farhadi's latest film A Separation is a must-see for anyone interested in good cinematic character development or Persian culture.

For a work by a man from a chauvanistic religious culture this film is remarkable for the strength and independence of its women characters of all ages.

It has been suggested that one of the primary targets for any bombing attack to delay Iran's nuclear technology development will be the individual scientists who will very much resemble the upper class father in this Separation. That will be almost impossible without killing their families as well.

The way this film humanizes the daily life of modern Iranians reminds me more than anything else of movies about the life and daily lives of observant Jews who live in Israel.

Perhaps it will be food for thought.

I had heard good things about 21 Jump Street, but it didn't work for me. I think this was the first Channing Tatum movie for me. (Edit: I found him quite likable, but) I can't imagine why there were no shirtless scenes of him.

I did like Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a documentary about Jiro Ono, an 85 year old sushi master whose ordinary-looking 10-seat restaurant in Tokyo earned 3-stars from the Michelin Guide.

I thought Tatum was surprisingly funny in "21 Jumpstreet" but this comedy with its endless dick jokes was clearly aimed at teen boys.

I'm waiting for a copy....not really playing here in Albuquerque

I'm looking forward to watching "The Descendants" on DVD this weekend (after the KU game, of course).
What did you guys think of it?

If you are even the slightest George Clooney fan, you will appreciate his performance (he is so much more than a handsome face). On a whole the film is excellent. Be patient for the film to work it's magic though, adjust to the flow and rhythm and you'll be deeply rewarded.

I was a little disappointed in The Descendants. Seven years was a long time to wait for a new Alexander Payne movie. Also, there were some titters in the audience during some of the Cloonster's big dramatic scenes.

I watched about half of "The Descendants" early this morning after a night on the town and will finish it tonight or Sunday. I'm enjoying "The Descendants," but I still think "Sideways" is my favorite Payne film.

I saw the last part of Bridesmaids. And the best part was Wilson Phillips.

I DVRed the next showing so I can watch it in it's entirety. So we'll see if I like what ever I missed.

"Intruders" is a psychological horror movie with Clive Owen as a man whose daughter is haunted by nasty ghost- but it fails to be scary.

I was disappointed with The Hunger Games. I have not read the books and didn't know much about the film going in (other than it had received generally positive reviews), but I found it rather boring. The idea was OK--a dystopian society where effete elites live off the toil of the hungry masses, and feed them a gladiator-type reality show--but the execution was a little dull. Would have liked to know a little more of the politics of the oppression (Donald Sutherland's character had some good lines: "Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.") and the history of this society.

I was impressed with the Titanic 3D conversion. I've always liked that movie and and was pleased to see it again on the big screen. While the 3D doesn't add much to the film, it doesn't detract either. Watching a 3D conversion can be like watching a movie with sunglasses on I was worried that the film would lose its vibrance and the many nighttime scenes would be lost in darkness. But I think Cameron must have boosted the brightness or something, because the film comes out looking fine--and many of the cast look simply gorgeous (Kate Winslet, Bill Paxton, every wrinkle on Gloria Stewart's face looked beautiful). It was also interesting that there was so much sniffling and sobbing going on in the theatre. Are there that many people who haven't seen the movie? Were they that affected by the sad parts?

"Wrath of the Titans" is a dull mess-neither the men or the monster are exciting- and this time they got rid of most of the campier elements from the original film ( no Mount Olympus as a disco).

http://youtu.be/dJxj1mou03M- it's new and improved Titanic

"The Cabin in the Woods" it's too clever for it's own good but the first part in which five college students ( including a pre- "Thor" Chris Hemsworth) go through the horror movie cliches is interesting.