Caught this quirky left of center but refreshing movie called KABOOM (2010) last night and enjoyed it greatly.  Was not sure where it was ever going and I felt like the explanation played out well.  The actors were very good including the lead character played by Thomas Dekker.  What a nice performance.  Also good showings by Haley Bennett, Chris Zylka, Juno Temple, and Roxane Mesquida. Written and Directed by Gregg Araki, this film and story have great pace.  Not your everyday offering but then isn't that what we want sometimes?

Caught THE BOX (2009) last night.  This Richard Kelly directed dark thriller with Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, and Frank Langella, was based off of a short story by Richard Matheson titled "Button, Button".  I didn't think the story was expanded on very well as I was confused with some of the explanations or lack of given for what was going on.  As usual, Langella put in a nice performance, but I felt Diaz and Marsden  were a bit stiff.  Hard to recommend this one.

Finally saw INSIDIOUS (2010), the little horror film that could it seems from the reviews.  Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne did a nice job with this pretty good creep fest.  Some of the "wouldn't you like call the cops or something" moments seemed to stretch believability but the story and humorous "ghost crew" mixed well with the creep factor.  And creep factor there was!  Barbara Hershey adds a nice touch as the mother and unknown secret holder.  Lin Shaye was a delight as the head psychic.  Worth seeing with the lights out.

Watched the HBO movie YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (2010) about Dr. Death, Jack Kevorkian.  Barry Levinson directed a nice cast including a wonderful Al Pacino, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Danny Huston, and a blast from the past, Brenda Vaccaro.  I thought it was a compelling story and a nice mix of filmed and real footage.  The story if handled in other than the hands of one such as Levinson may not have worked as well as it did.

KNIGHT AND DAY (2010) was just what I thought it would be so it didn't disappoint me.  James Mangold directed this over the top testosterone film and had a lot of fun with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.  He made the unbelievable work within the action and story line.  A good shoot-em-up good guy versus the bad guy underdog feel good film.  I also enjoyed some of his other work including WALK THE LINE, GIRL INTERUPTED, and COP LAND. 

Just finished BIUTIFUL (2011) by director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and starring Javier Bardem.  Wow...very bleak...very dark...very sad...  But a beautiful film none the less.  Though subtitled, this film expresses and conveys the true misery of one man and his total desperation of the life he endures.  Written and directed by the same man who brought us 21 GRAMS and BABEL, Inarritu once again enjoys the quiet moments that drag out to the point of exhaustion and yet speak loudly to our souls.  Not a feel good movie...but then is life?

Caught John Wells' THE COMPANY MEN (2010) the other night On Demand.  Known more for his TV Series writing, Wells had plenty of good actors to go to but his writing was just a little...what?  Not sure.  Topic has been talked about for a while...is that it?  Anyway...  Ben Affleck leads the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson, Kevin Costner, and Rosemarie DeWitt, who I love on the now ended UNITED STATES OF TARA.  Maybe it was pace...because some of these actors seemed struggling, and that is not like them at all.  Still a good watch!

Was watching trailers the other day on IMDB and this indy starts up and there's an old friend of mine...and then another...and someone else I know!  I'm like what?  Sundance and all?  Then the other night I am flipping through On Demand and what the heck?  There it is! 

This Michael Tully directed film, SEPTIEN (2011), is a bit gritty...but I think in a good way.  Also written by and acted in was Tully as well as Robert Longstreet and Onur Tukel.  Mark Darby Robinson makes an appearence as well in the pivotal "Red Rooster" role.  A bit slow but that was okay.  Longstreet and Robinson had their moments but I think Tukel and Tully nailed it.  A southern tale of long lost brother and small town secrets which come to light years later.  And where does that drifting preacher come from?

Just watched David Fincher's PANIC ROOM (2002).  Was interested in watching more because of Fincher, as I liked his SEVEN, FIGHT CLUB, and THE SOCIAL NETWORK.  Awesome filming techniques that enhanced the somewhat restricted storyline.  Jodie Foster did a fine job as usual and then unknown Kristen Stewart as her daughter gave nice support to this mother / daughter team.  The crew of bad guys included Forest Whitacker, Jared Leto and Dwight Yoakam, and they all played off each other nicely. 

Watched THE RITE (2011) last night with Anthony Hopkins and Colin O'Donoghue and directed by Mikael Hafstrom.  Although it was a little slow paced and sometimes a bit dramatic, I thought it was a good horror film.  The story was good, the filming was great, and Sir Anthony playing an exorcist is worth the price of admission.  Makeup department deserves kudo's for a fine job.  Also, Alice Braga, Sonia's niece, did a nice job as the journalist.