"Eat Pray Love"

Some critics tore it to shreds; a few kind of liked it. As for me, I enjoyed it a lot! I went in with low expectations, and not as a Julia Roberts fan, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked her and the movie. The photography was beautiful (having been to Italy as well as India, I could relate to both places), the food close-ups were intentionally, of course, mouthwatering, and each of the male leads fulfilled their assigned roles quite accurately. (Each played a flawed character, who couldn't match up to "Liz." I recall reading the book (with commas) but I don't recall being thrilled with it, though I believe I liked it. The author of this "true" story (a writer in real life ) in her "search for herself" -- I guess that's what you'd call the motivation for her divorcing her husband (played by Billy Crudup), and going off to Italy, India, and ( a return trip to ) Bali. She eventually meets the ever charming and irresitable (he knocks her off her bicycle with his jeep) Javier Bardem ( an excellent match, finally!), having tried and discarded Billy Crudup (first husband) and James Franco (boyfriend). All of this predicted by a 'holy man" she had consulted on her first trip to Bali. Richard Jenkins is "Richard from Texas," giving an outstanding performance in which he mentors "Liz" (Roberts) while they are in the ashram in India. Excellent watching them together. It's not a great movie, and you can pick it apart if you wish, but if you're just out for a couple of hours of entertainment, my THREE STAR rating will suit your taste.

"Mao's Last Dancer"

Dance sequences make the film worth seeing (even though perhaps they could have been filmed more effectively, instead of just as if you're sitting in the audience at the performance). Chi Cao plays the adult Li Conxin, who as an 11 year old boy in Communist China is taken from his family and sent to be trained as a dancer under Madame Mao's program of artistic endeavors. His schooling is harsh and regimented. The ballet training is rigorous. The indoctrination of the kids as shown is certainly a strong political statement against Communism under Mao. It's certainly understandable that when Li (pronounced lee) eventually matures and experiences the freedom of America when he goes to Houston on a cultural exchange program, he realizes he doesn't want to go back to the rigid, repressive life in China. I remember reading the book, on which this true story is based, and really liking it. Enjoying the marvelous dancing in this film, I remembered how much I love to watch ballet! (The scene in the film in which he dances the part of a haughty Spanish caballero (--is that the right spelling? ) is fabulous. The Chinese actors are great, and you will certainly recognize the excellent Bruce Greenwood who plays the Director of the Houston Ballet Company. (A very different role for him from his stint as the boss in "Dinner for Schmucks.") Li's determination to remain in America created an international incident! All things considered, I'm giving it THREE STARS. Signed: Wistful Ballet Devotee

"Mademoiselle Chabon"

French film, subtle and engaging. A romantic love story that takes its time to unfold. Subtitles provided were almost unnecessary in many scenes because of the superb acting. Husband and father, kind and gentle man (takes care of his aging father), although he's strong (he's a builder) is enamoured by the violin playing (exquisite music - perfectly utilized in the film) of his young son's school teacher. And, well, you know what you think it will lead to. So the question is, will he leave his life and run off with this sensitive, alluring, intelligent young woman? You probably won't find this film in the Multiplex, but if you do, and appreciate subtle nouanced performances, go for it. (I'm not familiar with the French actors, so I'm not supplying the names, which I probably can't spell.) FOUR STARS

"The Expendables"

Violence galore, impossible car chases, non-stop shooting, noise level super loud, but with intermittent amusing dialogue (especially from Jet Li.) This Sylvester Stallone film is fun, despite the fact that it's not really a very good movie. Part of the time the actors were in such shadow, that I couldn't tell who was fighting whom. Neverthe less, I enjoyed myself, as the audience also seemed to! Probably because the violence was so over the top unbelievable that it didn't bother me. Sly shot up a storm, guns blazing all over the place -- as did his cohorts (except one was more proficient with a knife.) Mickey Rourke almost stole the picture, and Jason Statham was really excellent, a "noble" killer. Almost every cliche you've ever seen in an action movie is included. Plus, you get a cameo from Arnold Schwartenegger (current Governor of California - though not playing that part here) that the audience loved. Bruce Willis has a small bit, expertly handled, and the really bad, evil guy (not part of Stallone's team of mercenaries) was Eric Roberts, perfectly cast. There is, of course, a beautiful girl -- but it's all very chaste and noble. I'm tempted to give it three stars, but that might be misleading, so let's settle for TWO and a HALF STARS.

"Flipped"

You can call me an old softie, but I liked this film! Takes place in the mid-fifties, a time of childhood innnocence. The story revolves around kids -- starting at the age for second grade, and moves ahead to sixth grade following the crush that a girl (well plalyed by Madeline Carroll) has on the boy who just moved into her neighborhood. She virtually stalks him, making his life miserable and yet, by the time they are in sixth grade, she wants nothing more to do with him, and he discovers he has a thing for her. (There's actually more to the plot.) Well put together by Rob Reiner, who really has a feel for kid-speak, and assembled an ideal cast of excellent actors. You've got to love the man who plays the boy's grandfather! (He played Frazier Crane's father, Martin, remember?) Aiden Quinn is the girl's father. OK, the movie is not perfect, a couple of the characters may be almost stereotypes, but all in all, it was pretty pleasant to watch and enjoy being nostalgic for those "Father Knows Best" days of yore. Music was just right, too. I have to give it THREE STARS. SP

"Cairo Time"

Ever wanted to visit Cairo? I have not. And still do not. Beautifully photographed. Practically a travelogue, this film by Canadian Rubba Nadda takes you there. Perhaps you are interested in Egypt (I'm not) you may appreciate all of the scenery. As for me, I found it rather boring, although the performances of the lead actors were truly outstanding. Beautiful Patricia Clarkson plays the wife, Juliette, who has gone to Cairo to meet her husband for a vacation. He has been working for the U.N. setting up refugee camps in Gaza. She is met at the airport by a former colleague of his, played by Alexander Siddig, who informs her that her husband has been delayed. So while she is waiting for her husband to arrive she goes sightseeing alone , and has adventures. Then when accompanied by the handsome, charming, every inch a gentleman, Siddig, they have adventures (like trying to cross the street without being run over.) And of course they visit the Pyramids. They attend an Egypian wedding of the daughter of an old flame of Siddig's. They obviously start to have some chemistry between them. (Euphanism for romantic attraction) Will it lead to something more? I was so tired by the end of the picture, I didn't care one way or another, but I won't spoil it for you if you plan to see it. Best I can give it is TWO STARS (One for the superb acting, and one for the excellent Photography). SP

"Mugaabe and the White African"

Forget your Hollywood "Action Heroes." The real life Mike Campbell and his son-in-law Ben Freeth, white Africans, and their famililies are the most noble examples of courage and decency that I've ever seen. This is a heart-wrenching documentary about the plight of the white farm owners in Zimbabwe who, under the Presidency (read: dictatorship) of Robert Mugabe - (who can only be compared to Hitler), retain their faith in God, and their determination not to be dispossessed of the farmland they bought legally years ago. The beatings, the killing, the illegal seizing of property in a land without law and order is shocking to see. Literally risking life and limb, Campbell and Freeth finally takes their case to the International Court for relief. You won't believe what happens. By the way, both men are on the best of terms with the 500 black Africans who work on the the farm. They take care of the workers and their families, and cannot understand racisim and hatred of anyone because of the color of his skin. Mugaabe hates the whites. This is a marvelous documentary, some of which had to be filmed secretly by Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson, who would have been arrested if they had been caught revealing what was actually going on. FOUR STARS