AVATAR. Rated PG-13, Action/Sci Fiction/Adventure/fantasy. Released Dec 2009. Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana,Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore and a large cast . Directed by James Cameron and major Box Office hit. Offered in 3-D, with many special effects. Sci-Fi Adventure based on a paraplegic marine on a unigue mission to moon Pandora conflicted between orders and his own feelings.

Russ Comments. A very long movie, with special effects worth the watch. Story line was pretty predictable, but visuals were spectacular. I watched in blu-ray DVD, and in theater 3-D was probably better. It has been a mjor box office hit !!! While this was up for Academy awards, won 3. I gave this a 7.

Crazy Heart. Rated R. Drama/Music. DVD Release Feb 2009. Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhall, James Keane,Colin Farrell, Robert Duval and others. Story of a down and out, alcoholic Country Western Singer finding love and then restarting his dysfunctional life. 6 Academy award nominations, and winner of several !!

Russ comments. This was by far Bridges best performance in any movie. HE won best actor going away, but the two others that should have recieved awards were Gyllenhall and Farrell. Her portrayal of the young girl friend with son was so believable I had to see again. The music was excellent and won best song. Bridges and Farrell actually sing in this movie and are great. I gave this movie a 8+ !!

It's Complicated. Rated R. Drama/Romance/Comedy. DVD release March 2010. Starring Meryl Streep. Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Lake Bell , John Krasinski and others. Comedy of a divorced mother (Streep) having an affair with ex-husband after they connect at son's college graduation, and the complications that occur in rekindling love again

Russ Comments. This is one funny movie. Streep and Baldwin are excellent together, and he actually steals the show !! Steve Martin is great along with Lake Bell as the current wife. A very orginal story, with lines that are just wonderful . Written by Nancy Meyer, it is clever and witty, yet very believable movie . Igave this a 8 !!!

Extraordinary Measures. Rated PG-13 Drama/True life/Roamance. DVD release Feb 2010. Starring Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford, Keri Russell and others. Based on a true life story of a young boy with a incurable illness and the lengths that a family will go throught to help solve this medical problem.

Russ Comments. While this movie got marginal reviews when it came out, I thought the entire movie was well done. If this doesn't get to you, then you are a "Cold fish". Harrison as the "over the top" researcher and Fraser as the entrepreneur helping fund this drug were excellent. The young children always are great actors, and the "cold industry managers" were also done well. I gave this a solid 7 !!!

Old Dogs. Rated PG-13. Comedy/Family/Romance. DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Lori Loughlin and others. Comedy about two business partners finding there lives turned upside down when they are forced to care for two 7 year old twins.

Russ Comments. I'm a BIG Robin Williams fan and like Travolta also. This was a funny little comedy that I had picked up as a lark . I actually enjoyed it, and while somewhat over the top, it made me laugh . Kelly Preston and Lori Loughlin are good also. I gave this a 5.

Men who Stare at Goats. Rated R. Comedy/Action/ War. DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring George Clooney, Evan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang and others. film based on a reporter in Iraq, who thinks he has a story of a lifetime as he meets Lyn Cassady who tells him of a new age military army that uses paranormal techniques to baffle the enemy.

Russ Comments. I did not really care for this movie. While the story line was "fresh", it just didn't come off as the "comedy" that it was hyped to be. Funny lines from time to time, but just not my cup of tea. I gave this a 4.

March/April 2010

2012. Action/Thriller/Adventure/SCi-Fi. Rated PG. Released DVD Feb 2010. Starring John Cusak , Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Oliver Platt and several others. A Epic disaster film of 2012, showing the Earth being consumed by Major Tital waves caused by internal volcanic eruptions, and essentially drowning all the World .

Russ Comments: The Special effects of this movie are worth watching as LA and all the major cites of the US and World are erased with these Tital WAves. US and World leaders build future watercraft with selected leaders/people to save. Blu-Ray is great, but story line and plot are weak. I only gave this a 4 !!!

Clarence's Comments: I really loved the special affects, definitely worth the watch. It is also worth putting in your collection. The movie had a great story, some unrealistic special effects, but exciting. I gave this movie a 6.

The Blindside. Biographical/Drama/Sports/Family. Rated PG, DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw,Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Kathy Bates. True Story of a homeless boy adopted by a southern woman and family, who then becomes an All-American Football player and drafted first round in NFL Draft.

Russ Comments: This is the best "Feel Good " movie of 2009. Sandra Bullock portrayal of Ms. Touy won her the best actress Academy Award for 2009, and she deserved it !!! The cast was terrific, young JJ steals the scenes, and I thought should have been Movie of the Year !!! I gave this a Strong 9 !!!

Clarence's Comments: Definitely Oscar worthy. I loved the story, knowing it was true made it more captivating. Sandra Bullock was simply outstanding. I was so glad to see that there are so many others willing to open their hearts and home to someone less fortunate. I don't dole out perfect marks, but I am in this case. I gave this movie a perfect 10!!!!

Brothers. Drama/War/Action. Rated R. DVD Release Jan 2010. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Mcguire,Clifton Collins, Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham and others. Story of a younger brother taking care of wife and family of older brother that goes missing in Afghanistan.

Russ Comments. This is not a WAR movie. However, the drama and acting of Gyllenhaal and McGuire as brothers , is excellent. It does have some graphic scenes in war , with torture tactics by the enemy and the psychological issues of POW's. I liked this movie and gave it a 8!!

Clarence's Comments: I agree with Russ, I was misled to believing that this was a war movie. Having been in war, I can relate to the psychological issues that many of our servicemen go through. Not to mention the toll that war has on the relationship. This movie did have some very realistic scenes of the possibility of torture on those that are captured in combat. I gave this movie a 7+...

Up in the Air. Drama/Love . Rated R. DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmigo. Anna Kendricks,Jason Bateman, JK Simmons, Zack Galifianiski and others. A Today story of a company "hit" man, traveling across the US laying people off, living out of a suitcase, enjoying the perks of flying till company "ground him" with new techniques for lay-offs.

Russ Comments. While this is a great little movie, it got rave reviews, and several Oscar nominations, I thought the entire concept was pretty far fetched. I do like Clooney, Simmons and Kendricks as actors, however the movie did little for me. I gave it a 6 !!!

Clarence's Comments: I like George Clooney, but felt this was not his best performance. Why should a company hire someone to fire their employees... Where is the backbone, I did not find any substance in this movie. I give this movie a 4.

Precious. Drama/family. Rated R. DVD release was March 2010. Starring MoNique, Chabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Cravitz and others. A story of a Harlem overweight illiterate teen, pregnant with a second child and invited to attend an alternate school to help change her direction in life. Several academy award nominations.

Russ Comments. This Oprah/Tyler Perry endorsed film got many academy award nominations. Best Picture, supporting Actress and others. MoNique won for best Supporting Actress, and well deserved. Great acting, solid story line, but just not for me. It drug too much, and was essentially pretty depressing. I gave it a 4 !!!

Clarence's Comments: Don't get confused, Oprah and Tyler Perry only endorsed this movie, they had nothing to do with the making of it. I did not like this movie at all. It glorified the welfare lifestyle that has plagued so many dysfunctional and low income families. There was no happy ending, and no penalty for allowing your child to be abused. I hated this movie.... I gave it a 3, for great acting by Monique..

New Moon. Drama/Fantasy/Romance. Rated PG-13, DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick and crew. The Third sage to the Twilight series, in which Bella recovers from the Vampire attacks that almost claims her life, then celebrates her birthday with Edward.

Russ Comments. I liked the first couple in this series, but after that just lost interest. I'm sure those that read all the novels enjoyed this, but after the intrigue of the first couple (great scenery/action), it becomes pretty boring. I gave it a 4 !!!