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Here is a film that does not break any new ground, covers familiar terrain yet is convincing due primarily to the terrific performances. Jennifer Connelly can play wounded and vulnerable women with the best of them, and the rest of the cast (excepting Tim Roth in a subplot that goes nowhere) are also first rate. The themes explored have been seen countless times but you do grow to care about these characters. Walter Salle's directing is deliberately paced, the film doesn't find it necessary to throw in a cheap scare every 5 minutes. The final scene is effectively ambiguous. This is better than your run of the mill thriller.

I went into this film with mild expectations, and came out of it shaken. The movie has the immediacy of a play with it's(basically)one location and I found myself living vicariously through these two leads. Their naturalistic performances are dead-on, and the dialogue sequences build in a most logical way. (bemusement to all out anger.) I did not find the low budget shooting a problem. Just framing the couple against a vast ocean of nothingness is quite harrowing. The final scene running over the end credits is reminiscent of Night of the living dead, and as in that classic will stay with me for a long time. Those who craved more blood and guts, fear not, the new "Chucky" will be here to satiate you soon!

I caught this film at the local Landmark art house and it is not to be missed. This movie harkens back to the great family works of Ozu's as opposed to Kurosawa's classic Samurai adventures. The Iguchi character is wonderfully understated. His eyes and reactions reveal much. There is also a fine turn by the actress who portrays Miss Tomoe. The climactic battle sequence contains a brilliant dialogue exchange between the two principals that helps us empathize with both. Lovingly narrated by Iguchi's youngest daughter and directed with a sure hand, The Twilight Samurai is a gem.

The one line summary is a refrain repeated ad nauseam by the character Crispina in this surprisingly disaffecting film. The raves for this movie have been heard from coast to coast, and I ask myself why? Let's start with the performances. None of the leads are convincing,and the nuns are strictly caricatures. SPOILERS AHEAD. I could not get past the inconsistencies of the girls appearances. If their mortal sin is their sexuality, why are they in makeup and lipstick the entire film. Yes, a couple of characters are shown getting a head shaving, but moments later, a full head of hair has returned. Director Mullan has not gone far enough to show how harrowing conditions were at the asylum. Watch the accompanying documentary on the DVD entitled Sex in a Cold Climate for a far more detailed and compelling story.(done in a spare 48 min.)Finally I must mention a scene towards the end of the movie where the girls and nuns are treated to a viewing of the Bells Of St Mary's. During a compassionate speech by Ingrid Bergman, Mullan cuts to the girls who in unison turn their heads to Sister Bridget as tears well up in her eyes. Don't beat us over the head Peter, we get it. Ingrid Bergman good nun, Sister Bridget very bad. Clumsily handled. A disappointment to be sure.

Watching 21 grams is an endurance test. The viewer's threshold of pain nearly matches the character's. Agony and grief consume all involved and even the film's oft repeated line "life goes on" hardly seems to offer much hope as we know that chance and happenstance play such an integral part in life that those tragedies depicted here will continue to occur. Devastating performances by Sean Penn, and particularly Naomi Watts, who has a scene with Penn late in the film that is simply shattering. During a terrific Oscar season, this one tops my list.

Spike Lee has hit paydirt again with this wonderful tale of a man's final day of freedom before serving a lengthy prison term. Set in a post 9/11 NEWYORK there is an inescapable sadness that lingers throughout. Uniformly fine performances by all, in particular Norton, and Brian Cox who as the Norton character's father is exemplary. The scenes they share are genuine and heartbreaking. The film falters only during the extended club segment, which could have been trimmed considerably. The ending of the movie rings absolutely true, and for anyone with a loved one who is incarcerated this will resonate for a long,long time.

Here is a a film where characters actually talk and listen like actual human beings, and is worthy of all the accolades it has received. The chemistry and connection that the two leads have is completely unforced.Bill Murray, and the (oscar shunned!!!) Scarlett Johannson forge an affection that stems from their total disconnect from their current culture. The only time the movie meanders is during the middle sections when the Murray and Johannson characters are out on the town with her friends. Who are they? None of them are developed, but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise superb look at a budding friendship and possibly more. There is an open ended finale that will leave viewers with a couple of possible outcomes. The virgin suicides and now this, Sofia Coppola is a new voice in the women's arena,certainly one to keep an eye on.

Here is a film that dares to put the "older set" front and center and makes us confront what will be waiting for us down the line, retirement,personal loss and loneliness. The movie is both humorous and touching and succeeds on all levels. Have we ever seen a more restrained performance from Nicholson? Kathy Bates delivers a funny and brave piece of work, and their is a nice turn by the underrated Hope Davis as Nicholson's daughter. The film's final image is poignant and still resonates with me today.

It is hard to believe that this film has toiled in relative obscurity for so long. This is a wonderful western with a great cast, shots and a mesmerizing score. The movie is deliberate, and allows the viewer to contemplate all that occurs. Peter Fonda has done away with overblown action scenes to craft a real character study with consequences we can all identify with. If you are a fan of Unforgiven do not miss this!