The Money Game

Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Seymour Hoffman

Mom once told me that the whole is equal to the sum of its parts but she definitely was not referring to Billy Beane's Oakland A's during the 2002 season where a record was set with the many 20 games in a row.

In real life the idea comes from a forward thinking historian in his book, Sabermetric Manifesto by David Grabiner (1994)

On a limited budget Beane selected players based on one set of criteria; players who have high statistics of getting on first or second base to getting a home run. This insults and enrages old school coaches and the Oakland A employees who have selected players based on old school tradition; like being an ace pitcher or a strong 1st basemen.

Pitt, Hill and Hoffman deliver strong performances of tense emotions in the very American sport and world cherished love of Baseball.

Report Card: A Cry Factor: 1 Terror Factor: 1 ChickDude Flick = 4

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Woody Allen produced another gem. Unlike his earlier films, this film wasn't as goofy as films like Annie Hall, What you always wanted to know about sex but were afraid to ask. The narrator adds to guffaws of the audience. he uses one of those voices that reminds of educational films while I was in grade school during the 70's. And he remarks on the actions of the actors doing the most bizarre of actions with a matter of fact tone of voice.

The plot is fairly simple. Two American women travel to Barcelona (a northern region) in Spain for the Summer. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) plays one tradional, cautious and cultural student of Barcelona. Her friend Cristina (Scarlett Johansen) plays a free spirit doesn't know what she wants in a man but only knows what she doesn't want in a man.

During a chance meeting at an art exhibtion Cristina flirts with Juan an artist. He asks both Vicky and Cristina to travel to his hometown Oneida. Both girls end up sleeping with him but Vicky is enaged to man that she loves in the States so she is conflicted thereafter.

Cristina however is ready to jump into the relationship but is not ready for the derranged ex-wife, Maria Elena who reenters Juan's life and home. Maria Elena a lunatic-critical-artist who continues to fights openly and passionately with Juan but believes that Cristina adds to three way relationship between Juan, Maria Elena and Cristina but the film is not overly erotic but shows the insanity of their relationship.

I believe earns her well deserved Golden Globe for musical or comedy category.

Report Card: A Cry Factor: 1 Terror Factor: 1 ChickDude Flick = 2

He's just not that into you

Drew Barrymore produced a great chick flick for this year. She intended it for to entertain male audiences as well the female viewer. But, let's face it, women will be more likely and appreciate the value of this movie.

The script was written by script writers of Sex & the City and the book, He's just not that into you. This movie highlights all the pitfalls of women staying with or going after men that are not interested in them even though the signs are clear to men.
Viewer gets to sit and observe 5 women and theexchanges between the men of the current, romantically volatile lives.

Jennifer Connely, is an example of a married woman who wants to have a child with her Ken-doll prototype husband. Unfortunately, he falls for a blonde babe played Scarlett Johansen. Scarlett's character is being pursued by a real estate agent who wants to settle down. Meanwhile, Jennifer Anniston or Beth continues to pine for marriage with her common-law husband who she has been living with for several years. Her significant other, Ben Affleck states that marriage is for those folks who are insecure. My favorite heroine is Ginnifer Goodwin or Gigi, the obsessive, yet enthusiatic love chaser who continues to pursue men via phone until she gets coached by Alex or Justin Long. Drew or Mary finally settles with Kevin Connely.

In the end, some find love and some don't. It's a must see movie for those who wants to learn about the informal codes of dating.

Report Card: B+ Cry Factor: 2 Terror Factor: 1 Chickdude Flick: 1

Revolutionary Road

Like in the 1997 BlockbusterTitanic, Kate Winslett and Leonard Di Capprio join forces acting in a more serious and mature drama cover subjects from Suburbia Inertia to Self-induced abortion. Winslett and DiCapprio act in a drama as a young married couple in coastal Conneticutt. During their courtship, Frank (DiCapprio) tells April (Winslett) about excitement and culture of Paris. After some years have past, April gently coerces Frank to moving to Paris while she works as a high-salaried Secretary for the French Government. Frank cheerfully agrees but Frank finds that the company that he works for will give him a promotion after the higher ups find out how creative and intelligent he is. Something his Father who worked for the same company never was able to do. The movie is a serious and thoughtful drama worthy of the acting Golden Globes given to Winslett or Di Capprio.



Grade: A Cry Factor: 2 Terror Factor: 3 ChickDude Factor: 2

Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This dream-like movie takes place during the twenties mostly in New Orleans although some of the movie takes place in the Atlantic Ocean and New York City. The main hook of this movie is Benjamin Button a baby who appears to be a an old man who as time progresses or each year passes in his life he appears younger.

In other words as he ages his mind grows older and his physical body becomes younger. This perversion of aging in human life makes one think about the ordinary stages of life, birth, childhood development, adulthood and death.

If I was a professor of human development I would require every one of my students to see this movie. The irony is fleshed out most because Benjamin falls in love with a girl-woman who is almost the same age as he is and they have a "normal child" together. Benjamin has a very interesting life, he is adopted by a "negress" in a nursing home since his genetic dad is always on the run because he is a robber, he is first employed an alcoholic steamboat owner, has an affair with a British wife of a diplomat in Russia and dies in the name nursing home he was raised in experiencing senility and acne when he looked like he was six years old. This is a must see movie of 2008 and I predict it will get an Oscar in at least one category. This movie is one that you probably will never forget..

Report Card: A+ Cry Factor: 2 Terror Factor: 2 ChickDude Factor: 3

Christmas Cottage

A Holiday Movie worth watching;
This film is a biographical acount covering the early artistic life of Thomas Kinkade, the artist of lights. You are probably familar with his work that features scenes of cottages, people with an impressionistic-vintage style. What you are probably not familar with is how he started his career which started in Placerville, CA. While he was attending Berkeley University his mom was unable to pay her mortage after she lost her job. The brothers asked their dead-beat alcoholic dad but he was unwilling to help the family out. So, Tom took a job to paint a mural offered by local politician. The film reveals the love and commitment of his nuclear family, his artistic mentor and the community at large. This film was delight.

Report Card: B+ Cry Factor: 2 Terror Factor: 1 ChickDude Factor: 2

The Worst Movie Ever

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu





In all my life this is the only movie I would NOT recommend to anyone, ever. When I saw the DVD poster with the two cats and the gurney. I thought. Great! Here's a black comedy with cats this will be really funny, I will love this flick. Boy, I was I so wrong. Not only was the plot lacking in twists and turns, it wasn't even remotely funny. It was like watching a reality show without being realstic. The protaganist of this film was Dante Lazarescu who finally calls an ambulance but instead of calling the number right away, he makes meaningless small talk with every person in his apartment complex. Even though he supposedly dying, he still manages to worry about his cats. Also the emergency technicians took forever to take him to the hospital. I felt like screaming at the characters, you idiots take care of this dying man because I am sick of hearing him whine about dying. Please do not watch this movie, unless you are in a coma, speak French and need to have brain stimulation.



Report Card: F- Cry Factor: 1 Terror Factor: 2 ChickDude Factor: 2