cjohnson12144

This weekend, we saw a movie that effortlessly combines '70s nostalgia, social and family drama, athleticism and some really fine performances into one gem of a movie -- "Roll Bounce," a very sweet coming-of-age movie about semi-urban teens in the age of roller disco. I'm not kidding -- this movie doesn't hit a single wrong note. The fashions, the phrases, the world depicted are perfect late '70s. The acting is spot-on, and features one of the most real father- son relationships I've ever seen on film. Chi McBride, as the father, brings a quiet but heavy dignity to the role, and his interaction with Bow Wow is just real. No clichés, no nonsense. That makes it all sound heavy when in fact it's beautiful -- and the movie is very very funny, not afraid to play up the silliest sides of the '70s soul and disco scenes with some characters that would have been at home in the heyday of Parliament, an outlandish appearance by Wayne Brady (and a lesser one by DMC, or, as my kids now know, "D's for never Dirty, MC's for Mostly Clean."). Plus, a couple of scenes with Charlie Murphy that were happily expanded in the "gag reel," which is the only part of the disc really not suitable for children. Let me put it this way -- it's been a LONG time since I watched a movie two nights in a row.

The quintessential "let's get ready for summer movie." It's dumb, goofy, and maybe a touch dated, but my kids just saw it and they laughed as hard as I did when I first saw it. In the style of all "little guys versus the establishment" movies, so yes, the plot is very predictable, but it's warm and funny. And no, it's not Bill Murray at his Bill Murrayest, but he is starting to stretch out in what was his first starring role. Odd, though, to see how few of the "fresh young faces" in this film went on to do much more.

This was just a hint of what might have come from Michael O'Donoghue had he not died so young. His wickedly funny, dark view of the world twinned with a sparkling message of renewal. This movie is incredibly funny, and it just gets better with every year. Bill Murray is excellent, Bobcat Goldthwait, Buster Poindexter, Carol Kane and even Michael J. Pollard are all superb, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is spooky indeed.

Make no mistake, this is the best boxing movie ever. Forget Raging Bull or The Champion (and, really, does any fan of boxing movies really consider Rocky to be a good movie, in any of its incarnations?) John Garfield at his absolute finest. The film is sharp, the acting crisp, the dialogue is good and the movie moves right along. This is the one.

An interesting, intelligent film that looks at misfits in a different way, drills down into quirks and desires and doesn't offer easy answers. Stars that aren't movie-star beautiful, an unusually (and startlingly)human performance from Steve Buscemi, and a little bit of tension as two girls start the transition out of high school and into the "real" world. I've never read the comic books, but this is a genuine and real film.

Not only is this a very interesting exploration of Tourette's and how we react to people in our lives, it has some of the most well-filmed views of a bleak northern winter landscape. There's nothing pretty about this film, but it stays with the viewer.