A Few DVDs of 2007

Away from Her
Starring Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent & Olympia Dukakis

Though Christie stole the show with her terrific portrayal of a woman losing her memory to Alzheimer's, there are a number of great performances in this film. The film is a bit slow, but the moral and the determination to present a true portrait of Alzheimer's is great to watch. As of now (I have not seen Juno) I'm all for Julie Christie being nominated for Best Actress, but there is one lovely lade below who gets my vote (if I had one), and it sure isn't Lindsay Lohan.

Grade: B

The Lives of Others

Starring Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Muhe & Sebastian Koch

Though it deservedly won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film last year, "The Lives of Others" was released to the U.S. in 2007. This film delivers great performances by all three actors listed above, particularly Muhe who embodied the silence of Wiesler who discovers in himself the corruption of his people and finds inspiration of the people (Gedeck & Koch) he's out to uncover. The film is beautiful, but hard to follow - you really have to know your history!

Grade: A-

Waitress

Starring Keri Russell, Jeremy Sisto, Cheryl Hines, Nathan Fillon & Andy Griffith

There's no way that anyone couldn't enjoy "Waitress." In a year of pies (this movie, "Pushing Daisies," "My Blueberry Nights" - which i am halfway through, and "Sweeney Todd"), Keri Russell's picture-perfect illustration of a girl with a big heart, big dreams, big problems and a big belly is surrounded with her love for making incredibly unique, often bizarre, pies. She'll make you laugh and love her to death.

Grade: A-

I Know Who Killed Me

Starring Lindsay Lohan, and who gives a shit

Plain and simple: don't see this movie. She doesn't even show her boobs. This movie is proof that I will have no problem at all making films in Hollywood.

Grade: F

La Vie en Rose

Starring Marion Coltillard

Yes, this foreign epic was long and drawn out, but who could deny the power Marion Coltillard had on screen? She tore Edith Piaf in pieces and succeeded in doing what "I'm Not There" did for Bob Dylan, except Marion played every part. She was charming, sad, humble, and powerful. The best leading female performance of the year - I still have to see "Juno."

Grade: B

Once

Starring Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

This is a simple formula for a cinematic masterpiece: give us two likable people, a lot of fantastic music, about 90 minutes of screen time, and you've got yourself "Once," one of the year's best, a diamond in the rough that doesn't overdo, over sing, over love. It just is.

Grade: A