Wonderful "Wonder Boys"

This excellent character study "Wonder Boys" from 2000 is interesting, but might not appeal to all audiences.

It's about a writer past his prime, played by Michael Douglas, and his mentoring of a young talented pupil played by Tobey Maguire.

Douglas does a great job as the eccentric, pothead mentor. Maguire had the tough role as the uppish and mysterious pupil, but he was fantastic.

The story is intriguing and evolves well throughout. However, it is slow and there is very little action.

Rating: B+ or B, It really depends on if the viewer can watch a slow movie.

The "Brothers Solomon" is Funny

The comedy, "Brothers Solomon" from 2007 is similar to the 1994 "Dumb and Dumber" in character and laughter.

It follows two brothers trying to have a baby for their dying father. The comedy is as ridiculous as it sounds.

Will Arnett and Will Forte are both hilarious as the brothers Solomon.

The story is stupid, but what do you expect from a dumb comedy.

Rating: B or B-, It has some really funny parts, however it isn't non-stop laughter.

"Zodiac" Kills It

The film “Zodiac” is based on Robert Graysmith's book about the Zodiac killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay area in the 1970s.

It follows the lives of the police officers and newspaper people who covered the story.

There are many good actors in it who give great performances, such as Robert Downey, Jr, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Brian Cox.

The movie is intriguing and suspenseful, but it is a little long. The mystery is captivating and the killer is chilling. However, it just tries to cover too much over too long of a period.

Rating: B, It should be shorter.

Is "Jesus' Son" Good?

The film from 2000 "Jesus’ Son" surrounds the life of an addict, FH and his travels all around the country with his on again off again girlfriend, Michelle.

It is a combination of two drug movies “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Trainspotting.” It has shows the fun, crazy side of drugs like “Fear and Loathing” and it also has the dark, sad side of drugs like “Trainspotting.”

Billy Crudup holds the movie together as the charming, selfish FH. Samantha Morton gives a good performance in a tough role as the emotional girlfriend, Michelle.

The film’s best scenes are with other drug addicts FH meets along the way. The other addicts are played Jack Black, Denis Leary and Dennis Hopper.

The only bad part is the ending drags and movie ends on a weird note.

If drugs bother you in anyway this movie is not your cup of tea.

Rating: B, Could have been better with a better ending.

Fun Fact: The movie's title comes from a line in the Velvet Underground song "Heroin."

"Get Low" is Worth a View

The film “Get Low” is getting some high marks with critics.

It is a weird story set in 1933 Tennessee about a mean old man, Felix Bush, who wants to throw his own funeral party so he can tell his story before he dies.

The movie is exactly as advertised, it is about an old trying to have a funeral before he dies and that’s about it.

Bush, played by Robert Duvall, hires a funeral director, Frank Quinn played by Bill Murray, to set everything up for the funeral party. Quinn’s only problem is that everyone is afraid of Bush and no one will come to the party.

So. the rest of the movie is about getting people to the party and discovering more about Bush, which is both entertaining and interesting.


The movie started off light and kind of funny but about half-way through it gets deep. That part of the movie will make or break it for most viewers.

Duvall and Murray both give great performances and deserve recognition.

Rating: B, Good and well-acted film, but will the average movie-goer like it?