Home Alone

SAM'S RANKING: 9 out of 10

Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin), the youngest child in his family, is often seen as a pest by his family, and as a result wishes that his family would go away. His wish comes true when his family accidentally leaves him home alone during Christmas. However, with two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) and a creepy old man (Roberts Blossom) in the neighborhood, Kevin soon discovers that being alone is not as fun as he thought.

The world's highest-grossing comedy plays out in an interesting way, keeping the humor at a minimum during the first half of the movie, and then letting it all out toward the end. The final half hour of the movie contains some of the funniest scenes ever filmed, as the kid fends off two burglars with booby traps.

But the movie also sends out a good message. It portrays the youngest child in the family as the victim, as some members of his family say some pretty mean things to him. Probably the best scene is where Old Man Marley, a creepy neighbor, reveals his destroyed relationship with his son to Kevin in a chapel.

Either way, "Home Alone" is a movie that will have you keeling over from laughter.

Frost/Nixon (Sam)

SAM'S RANKING: 9 out of 10

In August 1974, disgraced president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) resigned to avoid impeachment, becoming the only president ever to do so. Three years later, British talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen) proposed a series of interviews, which Nixon reluctantly agreed to. Frost's producers want to get a public apology out of Nixon, while the ex-president's loyalists want to rebuild his reputation, and it soon turns into a heated battle of wits.

Director Ron Howard and screenwriter Peter Morgan adapt the play so well that you'd never know it originated onstage. It stays believable and interesting all the way through, and never seems long or boring, something for the future political dramas to follow. It sticks to the facts from beginning to end, and shows no signs of bias or prejudice.

Perhaps Langella wasn't the best choice for the role of Nixon (he doesn't look a thing like him), but at least he turns in a phenomenal performance. By contrast, Sheen was the perfect choice for Frost.

But the film's biggest highlight is the portrayal of the interviews. I've seen the actual interviews, and there were points during the interviews in the movie where I couldn't tell the difference between them, which shows the film's loyalty to the facts. You have to have seen the interviews to truly appreciate, "Frost/Nixon."

Kramer vs. Kramer (Sam)

SAM'S RANKING: 9 out of 10

Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) is a workaholic advertising executive who finds himself taking care of his young son Billy (Justin Henry) when his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) leaves him. Ted finds himself trying to balance work and family, but overtime he makes it work and he and his son begin showing love for each other. Then Joanna returns, and wants her son back.

This landmark film of the late 1970s has been duplicated several times, but none of the films with the similar plot can live up to this. "Kramer vs. Kramer" emotionally portrays a parent trying to make time for work and his child, as well as the effect divorce can have on a child.

Much of the credit goes to the performances. Hoffman, in an Oscar-winning role, gives one of the most defining performances of his career as Ted Kramer. Streep has been nominated for multiple Oscars, but no performance could top her role in "Kramer vs. Kramer."

The film does drag a bit, and has one scene which I thought was pointless and unnecessary, but "Kramer vs. Kramer" is a movie everyone has to see.

Won Oscars for Best Picture, Actor, Director, Supporting Actress, and Adapted Screenplay.

Good Night, and Good Luck

SAM'S RANKING: 9 out of 10

In 1954, TV newscaster Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) makes a risky decision to confront Communist-hunting Senator Joseph R. McCarthy on the air, especially having already been suspected of Communist activity himself. However, instead of backfiring, the confrontation is a contributing factor to McCarthy's eventual downfall.

Director George Clooney uses black and white cinematography and 50's makeup, hairstyles, and attire, along with real archival footage of McCarthy to keep the viewer's attention all the way through. Clooney, who also stars in the film, delivers a vivid (if curiously agoraphobic) portrayal of the time and place, even though the '50s appear depressing at times. The ending is a bit unsatisfying, but when you consider that this is based on a true story, you'll cut it some slack.

Strathairn leads an all-star cast as Murrow, with a mastered grim tone that's music to our ears. Clooney is equally good as Murrow's assistant, and Frank Langella is towering as the president of CBS.

The film may not be for all tastes--people who could care less about what happened fifty years ago will likely fall asleep. On the other hand, for history buffs, or for people who remember that time period, it is a vivid recreation of a time when fear gripped the nation. As Edward R. Murrow would say, "Good night, and good luck."

Super Bowl 44 (James)

Since Sam doesn't do sports, I thought I'd share a few thoughts about last night's game. I know just enough about sports to form an educated prediction about a big event, and going into last night my opinion was that the Saints simply would not be able to stop Indianapolis from scoring. New Orleans' defense was risky and aggresive and dependent on the big play, which worked beautifully against Favre and the Vikings but the Colts are a different story. Peyton would be the difference.

In one sense, my theory proved true...the Colts moved the ball easily the entire game. What I didn't anticipate was that Sean Payton would create such a brilliant game plan to limit the amount of times the Colts would HAVE the ball. I think Payton agreed with my theory...his defense would not be able to stop the Colts. That's why he made sure Drew Brees threw short passes in the middle of the field the entire game...keep the clock running. That's why the Saints went for it on 4th down late in the first half...don't give the ball back to Manning. And that's why they risked the onside kick to start the 2nd half...they couldn't afford to go down 17 - 6 right out of the gate.

In the end, Payton's strategy paid off. They wore down the Colts, and Harper's interception return for a touchdown was the one big play they needed. Despite amassing over 400 yards in total offense and outgaining the Saints by 100 yards, the Colts only scored 17 points. The Saints played a flawless game...few penalties, no turnovers and three long field goals backed up the daring plan Payton crafted for his team.

John Wooden once defined competitive greatness as "being at your best when your best is needed." For Super Bowl 44 it was a coach who was at his best in the biggest moment. Somehow I knew Payton would be the difference.

Finding Neverland (Sam)

SAM'S RANKING: 8 out of 10

In early 20th century London, eccentric Scottish writer/playwright James M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) is drawn to a widowed mother (Kate Winslet) of three boys, and begins to attach to them, despite disapproval from the boys' controlling grandmother (Julie Christie). Overtime, the family becomes Barrie's inspiration for "Peter Pan."

The film is based on a true story, but it differs from most films of its kind. For one, it never drags. Many films of its kind go on too long, and start to get boring, but "Finding Neverland" runs at perfect length, and is still able to reach the emotional heights it should, accompanied by a dazzling, Oscar-winning score and great costume design and set decoration.

Another interesting thing about the film is that it literally shows what is happening inside Barrie's imagination. Many thought it would take a genius to make that work, but the director proves us wrong. Perhaps because he shows Barrie's world versus the real world that the film always seems believable.

But the big highlight is the performances. Depp steals the show in an Oscar-nominated performance as the eccentric Barrie, with a pitch perfect Scottish accent, and Winslet is emotional as the boys' grieving mother. Dustin Hoffman is also effective as Barrie's producer, as is Julie Christie as the boys' controlling grandmother.

If you're tired of the recession, take a break and fly to Neverland. You won't be disappointed.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Sam)

SAM'S RANKING: 2 out of 10

Let's take a look at the forecast, shall we? "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," 0% chance satisfaction.

During a weekend with my grandparents, I went and saw "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" with them and my brothers, and that might very well be the worst movie I've ever seen. It's 81 minutes of people overeating, food falling from the sky, and a man in a diaper. And for about a third of those 81 minutes, I found myself in the hallway looking at movie posters.

The story centers around Flint Lockwood, an inventor who's basically the town screw-up on a small remote island with a food shortage. Then he invents a machine that turns precipitation into food and becomes a hero, but soon the town begins to get way more than they bargained for!

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" sounded ideal. And I have to admit--it was pretty funny, funny enough that I found myself laughing out loud at times (particularly when the jaywalker gets arrested). But after food starts falling from the sky it goes way over the top, and the negatives far outweigh the positives.

Probably the worst part is where the mayor, who eats himself to 400 pounds or so, swallows an overgrown hot dog whole. Also, you know where the film is going, and the romance between Flint Lockwood and a newspaper reporter is so routine. And, like many films of its kind these days, there's crude humor, complete with swearing and a one guy shown in a diaper for the majority of the film. The previews were more entertaining than this.

The film got positive reviews for addressing obesity, but that seems to be the problem with it. An animated kids' movie is the last movie to address that topic in, no matter how crude it already is. Do NOT add "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" to your 5-day outlook.