Two Lovers ****

"Two Lovers" is a wonderful small movie about a conflicted, intense young man in Brooklyn (Juaquin Phoenix), who is torn between the girl his family wants him to marry (Vinessa Shaw) and his sexy, quirky new neighbor (Gwyneth Paltrow). The performances are low key and have the ring of authenticity. The settings are as good as the acting, which is uniformly superb. The script is good, if perhaps a bit too symmetrical. Isabella Rosellini is a quiet standout as the mother.

Rated R. 110 minutes. James Gray - Director / Writer / Producer, Richard Menello - Writer, Donna Gigliotti - Producer, Anthony Katagas - Producer, Joaquín Baca-Asay - Cinematographer, Happy Massee - Production Designer, John Axelrad - Editor.

Principal actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, and Moni Moshonov.

Gran Torino ***

"Gran Torino" mixes a cross-cultural, cross-generational fable with a coming-of-age story and an end of life lesson in tolerance and sacrifice. Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a retired, irascible Korean vet who sets out to reform his Hmong neighbor (Bee Vang) who tried to steal his prize 1972 Gran Torino, the model Walt spent many years building at the local auto plant.

Walt is drawn into the Hmong world despite himself, and helps Thao and his sister (Ahney Her) combat the gangs that infest their world. Hmong play Hmong in this movie, and the locations are authentic present day Michigan. Eastwood, who also directed, does not flinch from the rough language (hence the R rating) and unvarnished scenes of gang intimidation from Nick Schenk's script. It's a good effort, and well worth seeing, and not just because you can see a story about someone over seventy and learn something about the Hmong.

Rated R. 116 minutes. Clint Eastwood - Director / Producer, Nick Schenk - Writer (screenplay) (story), Dave Johannson - Writer (story), Bill Gerber - Producer, Robert Lorenz - Producer, Tom Stern - Cinematographer, Kyle Eastwood - Composer, Michael Stevens - Composer, James J. Murakami - Production Designer, Joel Cox - Editor, Gary D. Roach - Editor.

Principal actors: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, and Christopher Carley.

Madea Goes to Jail **

Tyler Perry's latest addition to the Medea saga includes his patented mix of the outrageous matriarch, her dope-toking spouse Joe, and their dutiful son Brian (all played by Perry himself) along with colorful side characters and a story centered on attractive young people delivering an earnest moral message. There's even an over-the-top scene at a wedding, another staple, and a few topical cameos by figures you'll recognize. It's a winning combination played broadly. Don't expect subtlety; just relax and enjoy the show.

Rated PG-13. 103 minutes. Tyler Perry - Director / Writer (writer) / Producer, Reuben Cannon - Producer, Alexander Gruszynski - Cinematographer, Maysie Hoy - Editor.

Principal actors: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann, Tamala Mann, Ronreaco Lee, Ion Overman, Vanessa Ferlito, and Viola Davis.

Oscar Noms: Live Action Short Film ****

As I said below, this year Magnolia Films has again done us a great service in assembling all of the Oscar-nominated short features into a single film. The live action nominees are headed by my favorite, "Auf der Strecke" ("On the Line"), a dark story from Switzerland about a department store security guard and his fascination with a clerk (pictured above). "Manon on the Asphalt" gives us window into the world of a young woman in France on a fateful day. "New Boy" from Ireland is a gem with a spot-on depiction of Irish grammar school life, and the difficulty of fitting in. "The Pig," from Denmark, invites us to think about symbols and norms in a multi-cultural society. And "Spielzeugland" ("Toyland"), from Germany, is for me an overwrought, almost silly depiction of a glimpse of the Holocaust. This is not a subject that lends itself to a short film. All in all, I was somewhat surprised at the level of seriousness displayed in this year's nominees for live action short. They're definitely worth a view.

Oscar Picks

Feb 23: Scorecard on my picks. Except for actor and supporting actress, where the Academy unexpectedly agreed with my personal pick, all of the top predictions were accurate. The last two, animated short and live action short, I totally missed, as neither my personal favorites nor my predictions won. I have to say I just don't get it. "La Maison on Petits Cubes" was shallow and over long. And "Spielzeugland" seems to validate the old canard that anything - no matter the quality - with a Holocaust theme will win the Oscar.

Here are my Oscar picks and predictions for the top categories:


1. Picture:
Pick: "Milk"
Prediction: "Slum Dog Millionaire"


2. Actor:
Pick: Sean Penn for "Milk"
Prediction: Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler"


3. Supporting Actor:
Pick: Heath Ledger for "The Dark Knight"
Prediction: Heath Ledger for "The Dark Knight"


4. Actress:
Pick: Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married"
Prediction: Kate Winslet for "The Reader"


5. Supporting Actress:
Pick: Penelope Cruz for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Prediction: Viola Davis for "Doubt"


6. Director:
Pick: Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire"
Prediction: Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire"


7. Animated Feature:
Pick: "WALL-E"
Prediction: "WALL-E"


8. Original Screenplay:
Pick: Dustin Lance Black ("Milk")
Prediction: Dustin Lance Black ("Milk")


9. Adapted Screenplay:
Pick: Eric Roth ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button")
Prediction: Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog Millionaire")


10. Cinematography:
Pick: "The Dark Knight"

Prediction: "Slumdog Millionaire"



11. Art Direction:
Pick: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Prediction: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"



12. Animated Short Film:
Pick: "This Way Up"
Prediction: "Presto"



13. Live Action Short Film:
Pick: "Auf der Strecke" ("On the Line")
Prediction: "Auf der Strecke" ("On the Line")

Oscar Noms: Animated Shorts ****

Magnolia Films has done us a great service again this year in compiling all of the Oscar nominated shorts into a couple of feature-length films. The five nominated animated shorts, plus a few "highly recommended" give us a delightful look at the state of animation around the world. My personal favorite is "This Way Up," a comedic look at undertaking from the UK. Pre-Oscar buzz says "Presto," a clever backstage and on-stage look at a magician and his bunny from Pixar, will win the prize. Also worth a look are "Lavatory-Lovestory" from Russia, "Oktapodi" from France, and the atmospheric if not gripping "La Maison en Petits Cubes" from Japan.

Man on Wire ****

You may remember when Philippe Petit strung a wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center in August 1974 and spent 45 minutes walking, lying down, dancing and dazzling the world in an act of artistic terrorism. But you may not have given much thought to the drive, ambition, and meticulous planning that made this feat possible. "Man on Wire" tells us that story, using interviews, contemporary footage, and dramatic re-enactments to bring the whole incredible story to life. It's a thrilling tale, but not without conflict, personal sacrifice, and yes, betrayal in the group of conspirators. This documentary is a towering achievement, and is included here because it is nominated for best documentary for this year's Oscars.

Rated PG-13. 94 minutes. James Marsh - Director, Simon Chinn - Producer, Igor Martinovic - Cinematographer, J. Ralph - Composer, Sharon Lomofsky - Production Designer, Jinx Godfrey - Editor. Produced and distributed by Discovery Films. In English and French with English subtitles.

Starring Philippe Petit, and featuring Annie Allix, Jean-Louis Blondeau, David Forman, Barry Greenhouse, Jean Francois Hackel, Jim Moore, and Alan Welner as themselves. With Ardis Campbell, David Dematois, David Frank, Aaron Haskell, and Paul McGill.

The International **

"The International" wants to be a taught, intelligent thriller most of the time, but casts caution to the wind in favor of a totally baroque shoot-out in the Guggenheim in NYC that makes no sense at all. A nefarious international bank as villain is topical, and there are some stunning locations in Italy and Istanbul. Clive Owen and Naomi Watts turn in workman-like performances. You could do worse for a popcorn escape.

Rated R. 118 minutes. Tom Tykwer - Director / Composer, Eric Warren Singer - Writer, Lloyd Phillips - Producer, Charles Roven - Producer, Richard Suckle - Producer, Frank Griebe - Cinematographer, Reinhold Heil - Composer, Johnny Klimek - Composer, Uli Hanisch - Production Designer, Mathilde Bonnefoy - Editor. Produced by Relativity Media. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Brían F. O'Byrne.

Coraline ****

Inventive, fanciful, funny, scary, lush, imaginative, and dreamlike, the stop-motion animated feature "Coraline" is a feast for the eyes, especially in 3D. Director/writer Henry Selick uses 3D to enhance the story, as Coraline crawls through a magic door in her drab new house to find an alternative, visually deeper, and much more interesting version of her life there, complete with an Other Mother. The story may be too intense for young children, but older kids and adults will revel in its sophistication, wit, dazzling visuals.

Rated PG. 100 minutes. Henry Selick - Director / Writer (screenplay), Neil Gaiman - Writer (book), Claire Jennings - Producer, Mary Sandell - Producer, Pete Kozachik - Cinematographer, Bruno Coulais - Composer, They Might Be Giants - Composer, Christopher Murrie - Editor, Ronald Sanders - Editor.

Voices: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, and Ian McShane.

Under the Sea 3D ****

The fish pictured above like small bites of the stinging jellyfish they surround, but I'll bet you don't know who has the cast iron stomach to chow down on the whole thing.  That's just one of the amazing and beautiful things you'll learn from the IMAX documentary "Under the Sea 3D."  Relatively short (40 minutes) and relatively expensive ($14.25 adult, $11.00 senior and child in Denver), this amazing movie dazzles as it informs.  

Shot in the tropical waters off Papua and Australia, there is not one uninteresting shot, not one view or possibly creature that you've seen before, and certainly not in IMAX 3D.  The colorful schools of fish have exquisite detail and depth, and the narration, voiced by Jim Carrey, is intelligent and fascinating.  Music and sound effects are beautiful and effective. Everyone should like it, and the short form makes it appropriate for even very young viewers.

Rated G.  40 minutes.  Howard Hall - Director, Toni Myers - Producer, Micky Erbe - Composer, Maribeth Solomon - Composer.  Produced and distributed by IMAX and Warner Bros. Pcitures.

Narrator: Jim Carey.

The Pink Panther 2 **

Tolerable and mildly amusing for adults, and slapstick fun for the younger set, "The Pink Panther 2" has many of the same virtues and drawbacks as its predecessor. Steve Martin reprises his idiot savant interpretation of Inspector Clouseau. Production values are good; minor characters have solid players, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is decorative, rather than being asked to break a sweat acting, much like Beyonce in the first one.

Rated PG. 92 minutes. Harald Zwart - Director, Scott Neustadter - Writer (screenplay) (story), Michael H. Weber - Writer (screenplay) (story), Steve Martin - Writer (screenplay), Maurice Richlin - Writer (characters), Blake Edwards - Writer (characters), Robert Simonds - Producer, Denis Crossan - Cinematographer, Christophe Beck - Composer, Rusty Smith - Production Designer, Julia Wong - Editor. Produced by MGM. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin, and John Cleese.

Push **

A passable present-day sci-fi action/thriller, "Push" makes excellent use of Hong Kong for flavor, decor, color, and multi-faceted, layered sets that are great fun to destroy. Kudos to director Paul McGuigan and cinematographer Peter Sova, who have worked together before ("Lucky Number Slevin," "Wicker Park.") The energy and movement in the film are its best features.

The script is low on developmental power, resorting to narration to set it all up, and features a deadly power-enhancing serum that "no one has survived." (So why do they keep trying to use it?) The acting is flat. Even Dakota Fanning, who admittedly doesn't have much to work with, struggles to find the right tone as a kid who can see the future and tries to save fellow second-generation mutant Chris Evans. Evans disappoints; I would rather have seen more intensity and less Keanu Reeves from him.

The story involves a slew of supernaturally talented humans who have various powers: telekinesis, clairvoyance, healing, suggestion (as in implanting false memories), and screams that can shatter rocks, let alone glass. The good ones are hiding from the evil government agency that wants to use them as weapons. There are some good fights, double-crosses, and a raft of colorful characters.

See it for the color, action, and locations. Pay no attention to the story and you'll be just fine.

Rated PG-13. 111 minutes. Paul McGuigan - Director, David Bourla - Writer, Bruce Davey - Producer, William Vince - Producer, Glenn Williamson - Producer, Peter Sova - Cinematographer, Neil Davidge - Composer, François Séguin - Production Designer, Nicolas Trembasiewicz - Editor. Produced and distributed by Summit Entertainment.

Principal actors:Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Maggie Siff, and Scott Michael Campbell.

He's Just Not That Into You ***

A refreshing change from the usual rom-com formulas, "He's Just Not That Into You" follows the interweaving stories of a group of young Baltimore professionals trying to navigate the choppy waters of dating and mating. Ginnifer Goodwin is a standout as the neurotic and needy Gigi in a top drawer cast that includes Jennifer Aniston, Ben Afleck, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, and Bradley Cooper. In fact two other little-knowns, Justin Long as the worldly-wise friend of Gigi, and Kevin Connolly as Scarlett Johannson's lapdoggy boyfriend, turn in more memorable performances than the big names.

I'm not saying this is a chick flick, but there may have been two other males besides me in the theater Friday at a well-attended first show.

Rated PG-13. 129 minutes. Ken Kwapis - Director, Abby Kohn - Writer, Marc Silverstein - Writer, Greg Behrendt - Writer (book), Liz Tuccillo - Writer (book), Nancy Juvonen - Producer, John Bailey - Cinematographer, Cliff Eidelman - Composer, Gae S. Buckley - Production Designer, Cara Silverman - Editor. Produced by Flower Films (II). Distributed by New Line Cinema.

Principal actors: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson, and Justin Long.

Inkheart **

A diverting fable and vivid metaphor for the power of the written word to engage our imagination, "Inkheart" tells the tale of Mo "Silvertongue" Folchart who has the ability to literally bring characters to life from the printed page, which, it turns out, can be quite a dangerous business. The story, pacing, performances, and, of course the special effects, are all fine. This movie will especially appeal to young ladies.

Rated PG. 106 minutes. Iain Softley - Director / Producer, David Lindsay-Abaire - Writer (screenplay), Cornelia Funke - Writer (novel) / Producer, Ileen Maisel - Producer, Diana Pokorny - Producer, Roger Pratt - Cinematographer, Javier Navarrete - Composer, John Beard - Production Designer, Martin Walsh - Editor. Produced by New Line Cinema. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Principal actors: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Sienna Guillory, Eliza Hope Bennett, and Rafi Gavron.