Tom Hanks is a congressman prompted by Julia Roberts to help Afghanistan forces fight Russia with the help of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Based on a true story, Americans get a little education and back story on current foreign affairs.

From director Mike Nichols who brought us The Birdcage, Regarding Henry, Working Girls, The Graduate, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Charlie Wilson’s War is a great story sprinkled with the dry humor we have grown to love from Nichols.

Philip Seymour Hoffman gives us a great performance and is magic on screen. He shows us once again he is a chameleon; the definition of a good actor. Tom Hanks gives us a character we love to hate. Julia Roberts makes us believe beauty queens can be devious political motivators.

Charlie Wilson’s War will not disappoint. It has drama, political intrigue, and enough dry humor to keep you entertained. Happy watching.

Extreme Movie
Sex Drive
What Just Happened

Taken

Lakeview Terrace
Pride and Glory

What do you do when your girlfriend cancels on your vacation plans? Have a party and see if you can take flight with a lawn chair and some helium balloons. But when the flying deckchair takes off without a way to pop the balloons, Danny’s in for a ride he did not plan.

Jeff Balsmeyer graduated from storyboard work on such films as Quiz Show, In the Army Now, Scent of a Woman, Malcolm X, and The Last of the Mohicans to write and direct Danny Deckchair.

Rhys Ifans plays the lead role, Danny. You may recognize Ifans from Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The 51st State (aka Formula 51), Little Nicky, The Replacements, or Notting Hill. Ifans’ take on the character is fun.

Miranda Otto plays Danny’s love interest. Otto’s body of work includes War of the Worlds, The Lord of the Rings, and What Lies Beneath as well as some small screen work.

This slow-moving flick takes a little getting used to. Do not expect a flashy Hollywood movie light on substance, but rather an Australian movie heavy on plot. Danny Deckchair is a nice break from monotonous blockbusters and offers some quiet humor as well.

When two hospital patients are diagnosed with a terminal illness, they decide to strike off together and finish everything they ever wanted to do before they die.

Watching Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman cross items off their to-do list for an hour and a half is not my idea of fun. It is painful to see these two actors squander their talent on a hokey movie. I would rather watch either The Shining or The Shawshank Redemption again than sit through The Bucket List.

This move does have a half way decent story. Both Nicholson and Freeman play their parts well. If Wild Hogs appeals to you, then you will enjoy The Bucket List. Otherwise, keep walking down the aisle and pick another movie to watch.

Incredible Hulk
Strangers

Max Payne
W.
Sex Drive
What Just Happened?

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
War, Inc.

Michael Clayton is the problem solver for dirty messes a law firm cannot handle on their own. When one situation unravels around him, Clayton finds he may be in over his head. With the law firm turning its back on him, Clayton has to get creative in order to save himself.

George Clooney give the same cool headed performance we are used to. He does not stray far from the familiar formulas, but Clooney has com a long way since the 80s sitcom The Facts of Life.

Tilda Swinton plays an interesting character in Micheal Clayton. While she always seems the same every role. She is dependable. You can count on Swinton to give a strong performance.

Michael Clayton is a good drama and thriller. The story is strong enough to keep you interested teill the end. You will not regret watching this movie.