Movies You Need to See

I know, I know. It has been awhile since I last posted. Two kids will do that to you, especially when one is a newborn. The good news is that I have some time to write now, and also I caught up on all the great movies of the last year. So here in no particular order are some movies you need to see...

There Will Be Blood- Simply a powerful movie. Everything works here, the music, the writing, the cinematography, and Daniel Day Lewis is of course brilliant. This is the story about two men, their greed and lust for power, and how ultimately it destroys them both, as they show they are both willing to sell their souls for the gold they hope they can gain. The final line of the movie is a poetic flourish fitting this tour de force.

No Country For Old Men- A tense and taught chase movie that contemplates the abscence of God in a violent world. Excellent acting and a story line that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Bardem is creepy and Jones brings pathos and longing to this film and to humanity.

Juno- A great comedy that avoids the trite twists and turns that we would usually see in movies like this.

Dan in Real Life- Steve Carrell shows some range in probably the best Hollywood style romantic comedy in recent years. This one is funny and feels fresh.

The Darjeeling Limited- Bittersweet story of three brothers trying to mend their lives and relationships on a train in India. Wes Anderson takes us on a spritual journey again, heals our souls, and gives us lots to look at in the kalaidescope spinning of India.

Michael Clayton- George Clooney is the man. Here he plays a middle aged bagman, fixer cum lawyer, with gambling and financial issues and less than a worthy character. He gets the chance to redeem himself. This is a movie that asks some tough moral questions and shows a man agonizing over doing the right thing.

Le Vie En Rose- Marion Cotillard is amazing playing the life of the tragic French singer Edith Piaf. A sad movie about a talented but sad life.

The Lives of Others- Older German movie dwelving into the abuses of the East German state polices spying and meddling in the lives of normal people. One man, beginning to see the cracks in the system and its corruption, has to make a moral choice of whether to interfere or not.

Gone Baby Gone- Solid effort from Ben Affleck about private investigators searching for a kidnapped child. Tons of questions relating to justice, morality, ends justifying the means, and making the right choice in a fallen world are brought up here. Some of the movie is hard to beleive but the final understated scene will leave you haunted for days.

Zodiac- A historical movie spanning over a decade... I though for sure this one would fall flat, but in the end it works great, telling the troubling story of a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco and the men who tried to catch him, but never did.

Ratatouille- Creative, inspiring, and lots of fun.

I'm Not There- A Bob Dylan fan's movie as it should be told. This is a surrealistic, impressionistic film where six different actors play the varying life stages of Dylan. His music is seemlessly blended throughout. I want to see this one again. For the uninitatied this will be a confusing movie.

More on it later.

Ok and here are a few other movies I really liked:

3:10 To Yuma
American Gangster
The Simpsons Movie
The Bourne Ultimatum
Amazing Grace
Volver