ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL

Movie: Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 32 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Shame on the Enquirer for rating this movie as a "D"! My Grandson and I LOVED it! There were lots of laughs, and with the addition of the three "Chippettes", it was just too too cute! We highly recommend it!

OLD DOGS

Movie: Old Dogs
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 1 hour 28 Minutes

The movie was cute but I have to admit to dozing off a few times. On the other hand, my 11-year old grandson gave the movie an 8 and laughed a lot, which tells me the movie was made for kids his age, not for adults. Okay, I laughed a few times too but not as often as he did. I think John Travolta and Robin Williams wanted to make a silly movie together and succeeded. If you want to see it, I'd just advise waiting until you can see it for free.

EVERYBODY'S FINE

Movie: Everybody's Fine
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Loved this movie but it was sadder than I expected it to be. I saw it with my friend Laura who also enjoyed it but cried a lot. Robert DeNiro (Frank) is a retired widower who is lonely and decides to surprise each of his 4 children by visiting them during Christmas. During these unexpected visits, Frank learns something about each child that he did not know, and also something about himself.....that he wasn't the perfect Father and probably expected too much from them. They all learn a lot about each other and finally become a "family" again. Drew Barrymore is darling as one of his daughters. I highly recommend the movie but take a hankie with you.

PRECIOUS

Movie: Precious
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 1 Hour 49 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: What an intense and powerful story this was of a young black teenage girl and what she had to endure, mainly in her home. The movie is not too graphic for which I was grateful. I had to go to the bathroom and I couldn't leave my seat for fear I would miss something. I fully expect this movie to be an Oscar contender for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. If you gals out there think you have a tough Mother, you need to see this movie and your Mother will seem like Mother Theresa.

BLIND SIDE

Movie: Blind Side
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 2 hours 8 minutes

Jan's Opinion: Hollywood should make more movies like this! Of course this being a true story makes you love it even more. My daughter, Michele, and grandson, Danny, went with me to see this movie and we all gave it a "10"! It is so heartwarming, and it is funny too. It is about a black homeless teenage boy who is offered a home by a southern white family (Sandra Bullock plays the Mother and Tim McGraw plays the Father) and how they help him to become a football star. You probably already know that this is the first year this same black teenage boy will be playing football for the Baltimore Ravens. Watch for him. His name is Michael Ohr. Not sure if I spelled Ohr correctly. Anyway, it is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time so if you haven't seen it, please put it on your list. I would think that women and men alike would enjoy it. Sandra Bullock did an excellent job of portraying a sophisticated, stern, spunky and caring woman all at the same time.

A SERIOUS MAN

Movie: A Serious Man
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 1 hour 45 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Cousin Bonnie and I went to see this movie today and it is a dark comedy so we had a few laughs but we both agreed that you have to be either Jewish or have lived around Jewish people to understand a lot of the movie. For starters, it is directed by the Cohen Brothers so that tells you right there it's going to be a little different. It is set in 1967 but as the movie starts, it looks more like 1900 and this woman stabs this man in the chest with an ice pick in a log cabin. We thought we were in the wrong movie at first so I went outside to check to make sure we didn't go in the wrong movie. Then it switched to 1967 and the movie we were expecting and I have to tell you, we never did figure out what the first part of the movie had to do with the rest of the movie. Very strange. It stars Michael Stuhlbarg as a Jewish man married to a bitchy wife and they have 2 teenage children. His brother (Richard Kind) lives with them and has a lot of problems of his own. Adam Arkin plays Michael's attorney, and believe me, poor Michael needs a good attorney. The ending leaves you hanging, which I don't like. The Enquirer gave it an A- rating and I understand why, but it just isn't my type of movie. You will have to see it and judge for yourself.........or not.

COUPLES RETREAT

Movie: Couples Retreat
Jan's Rating: 6-1/2
Time: 1 Hour 47 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: From the reviews I had read about this movie I thought I would probably sleep through it but quite to the contrary, it was funny and entertaining. Not an Oscar winner but these types of movies seldom are. My friend Laura and I saw it yesterday and had quite a few laughs. It stars Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis and Kristen Bell, the only stars with which I was familiar. The movie is about four couples who go to a tropical island resort. One couple is there to work on their marriage. The other three couples planned to have a good time seeing the sights and enjoying water sports. They did not realize it was the kind of resort where you had to participate in classes to work on your marriage. It was a fun movie but Laura and I agreed that we don't know many 40-year old women with bodies as perfect as these women, but...........it was just a movie. We were glad we saw it and we do recommend it.

AMELIA

Movie: "Amelia"
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 2 hours

Cousin Bonnie and I saw this movie today and liked it but didn't "love" it. Hilary Swank plays Amelia Earhart, whom everybody knows loved to fly and died in 1937 trying to fly around the world. Her adoring husband was played by Richard Gere. Yum. It's worth seeing the movie just to sit and watch him for two hours. (sigh) The movie did portray just how much Amelia loved to fly, which she inherited from her father. There was just something missing and I can't put my finger on it yet..... Go see it anyway. You'll like it too.

PLAY THE GAME

Movie: Play the Game
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Jan's Opinion: Cousin Bonnie and I absolutely loved this movie! It was laugh-out-loud funny and that's what we did all through the movie. Andy Griffith plays "Joe" and lives in a retirement home. He is bored with life and would like a lady friend, just for companionship. Paul Campbell plays "David", Joe's Grandson, and he decides to show Grandpa how to "Play the Game" and get a woman. Joe is particularly interested in Doris Roberts but she already has a boyfriend there at the nursing home so he starts dating Liz Sheridan (temporarily). I could tell you funny things that happen but you need to see this movie for yourselves, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

WHIP IT

Movie: Whip It
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 51 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I really enjoyed this movie and the Enquirer gave it a B+ so we agreed for a change. However, cousin Bonnie and my sister Judy went with me and they both gave it a 5-1/2. Maybe they were too old for this movie. (Just kidding girls!) The movie stars Ellen Page as Bliss Cavendar and Marcia Gay Harden as her Mother. Well, Marcia spends a lot of money putting poor Bliss in beauty pageants, which she doesn't enjoy. Then Bliss discovers the "Hurl Scouts" Roller Derby (all girls) and she falls in love with the sport. She tries out for the team and makes it, then has to lie to her parents about where she is going but of course they find out in the end. I don't want to tell you how the movie ends so go see it and I bet you'll enjoy it too, that is unless you're too old. ;-)

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS

Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: How could a movie be bad with that clever title? My Grandson and I loved this movie so I let him rate it and he gave it a "9". This usually isn't my kind of movie but I have to say, I was very impressed by the ingenuity and imagination it took to come up with a movie where a young man wants very badly to become an inventor and make the world a better place so he figures out how to make it rain food from the sky. Danny's comment was "that's my idea of Heaven". Take your kids and grandkids to see it; they will love it too.

LOVE HAPPENS

Movie: Love Happens
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 49 Minutes

Jennifer Aniston stars in this movie as Eloise, owner of a flower shop, who meets Ryan (played by Aaron Eckhart) who lost his wife in an automobile accident. Ryan has written a book about his experience and holds classes for people who have lost loved ones and need some support. Eventually Eloise and Ryan fall in love (you knew this would happen) but the road that takes them there is fun and enjoyable. Cousin Bonnie and I both liked it a lot.

MY ONE AND ONLY

Movie: My One and Only
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 25 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I thought this movie was going to be the life story of George Hamilton's Mother but it is actually just one year of their lives - 1953, the year George's Mother left his Father. Renee Zellweger, as always, gives an excellent performance as George's Mother, and Kevin Bacon plays his Father. Logan Lerman plays the role of George. Well, George's Dad had a band that travelled and he cheated on his Mother one too many times so she took the boys and left him (Kevin Bacon). George has an older brother who was very much gay which probably wasn't easy for him back in 1953. So, they buy a new Cadillac, leave New York, and the movie is about their adventures driving across the United States, via Route 66, on their way to California, as George's Mother tries to find another rich husband. It wasn't the best movie I've seen this year, but I enjoy anything with Renee Zellweger. She is such a good little actress.

ALL ABOUT STEVE

Movie: All About Steve
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 1 Hour 38 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I'm a sap for chick flicks, funny & silly romantic movies but this one was even too silly for me. Sandra Bullock IS the movie. Without her, I don't think I would have sat through the whole thing. Cousin Bonnie shares my opinion on this one. Bradley Cooper does have pretty eyes and the whitest teeth but that was about it in this movie. Sandra and Bradley go out on a blind date arranged by their parents, she falls head-over-heals in lust and scares him to death. He is news photographer so she follows him across the country stalking him because she is convinced he really wants her to be with him. There wasn't ANY depth to this one.

THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE

Movie: The Time Traveler's Wife
Jan's Rating: 4
Time: 1 Hour 47 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: BORING! STUPID! DID NOT MAKE SENSE! Can you tell I didn't like it? Cousin Bonnie didn't like it either. I knew I wouldn't like it before I went but decided to give it a try anyway. I didn't think I would like Benjamin Button either but ended up loving that movie so you never know. I guess I like movies that are more realistic. Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana did a good job acting and had a beautiful love affair but that was it. I'm sure you have heard the story of how he travels back and forth in time between knowing her as a child and as an adult when he marries her. It was just too strange for me. However, since the book came out first and is #1 on the Best Selling List, and this movie was made from the book, there are obviously people who enjoy this type of story. My daughter, Dyan, read the book and saw the movie and enjoyed both, so don't take my word for it - you go see it and decide for yourself.

SHORTS

Movie: Shorts
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 1 Hour 29 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: My Grandson and I saw this movie yesterday and we both enjoyed it and we both gave it a "7" rating. "Shorts" is set in the suburb of Black Falls and everyone works for Black Box Unlimited, owned by Mr. Black (of course) played by James Spader. His son and daughter are as obnoxious as he is and they pick on this 11 year old boy named Toe Thompson, who just wants to have a few friends. Toe climbs up a tree to escape the bullying kids and a rainbow-colored rock hits him in the head and he falls out of the tree. He learns that when he is holding the rock, anything he wishes for comes true. He has a good time with the rock and then the grownups get hold of the rock and they are more dangerous than the kids! William H. Macy plays a Scientist who stays indoors with his son and they never go outside for fear of catching germs. It's a cute movie.

JULIE & JULIA

Movie: Julie & Julia
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 2 Hours 3 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Cousin Bonnie and I went to see this movie today and we absolutely loved it! As you may already know, it is the two true stories of Julia Child (played by Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (played by Amy Adams). Meryl Streep was magnificent as Julia, her mannerisms, the way she talked, walked, were so much like Julia Child that it was amazing. I understand they hired a lot of short people for the film to make Meryl Streep look taller, and she did. Amy Adams also was fantastic playing Julie Powell. Julie Powell LOVED Julia Child and tried so hard to be like her, and cook like her, but they never got a chance to meet. There wasn't anything about the movie we didn't like. Go see it, you will enjoy it too.

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC

Movie: Aliens in the Attic
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 26 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: My Grandson and I saw this movie today and we both enjoyed it. He gave it a "10" but being an adult and more realistic, I gave it an "8". It's nice to see a movie that is light and funny once in a while. A family rents a house in Maine for summer vacation and the kids discover "aliens in the attic". From that point on, the kids try to get rid of the aliens without the parents knowing they are there (since they wouldn't believe them anyway). It gave us a few laughs; hope it does the same for you.

THE UGLY TRUTH

Title: The Ugly Truth
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hr. 35 Mins.

Jan's Opinion: This movie was rated "R" and was definitely raunchy in places but cousin Bonnie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it is predictable but most chic flicks are predictable. Katherine Heigl plays a Producer of a TV news show and Gerard Butler joins the show. She objects to hiring him because he is fowl-mouthed and she thinks he will hurt the ratings but HER boss decides to hire him anyway and their ratings go sky high (as predicted). While he tries to coach her how to act so that her dream guy will fall for her, he falls for her instead and I'm sure you can guess the rest. Predictable but funny.

"G-FORCE" in 3-D

Movie: "G-Force" in 3-D
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 90 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I took my grandson to see "G-Force" and we both gave it a "7" rating. The imagination and computer technique that goes into making these 3-D Disney movies is just mind-boggling. In this particular movie, a nerdy scientist has trained guinea pigs to work for the Federal Government. The "Mole" is the one to watch out for! These cute little critters will steal your heart as they try to stop the "bad guys" from dominating the world. The theater we went to was full of young children and you could have heard a pin drop, so that alone should be testimony that the movie held their attention. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

MY SISTER'S KEEPER

Title: My Sister's Keeper
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 hour 43 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I saw this movie by myself today while I had a chance to go, and glad I did. It was a very good movie, but very sad. I don't cry easily and I used 2 tissues. I was mostly moved by how close the family was. The movie is taken from a book and a true story about a child (played by Abigail Breslin) who was conceived so they could use her blood, spinal fluid, etc. to keep her sister, who had cancer, alive. When it was time that her sister needed a kidney, Abigail said that's enough and sued her parents for the right to make medical decisions about her own body. Cameron Diaz does a great job of portraying the Mother. Jeez, it seems like last year that I saw her portraying a teenager. Anyway, it's a very good movie so go see it, but make sure you take along some tissues!

THE HANGOVER

Movie: The Hangover
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 1 Hr. 40 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: The Enquirer gave this movie a B+. It's not that good but I'll give it a "7". Cousin Bonnie and I went to see this movie today and we did have a few laughs, but we think the younger crowd will appreciate it more. It's about 3 guys who decide to take a buddy to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. I don't even have the imagination to think of doing some of the things they did. It was funny but not Oscar-worthy.

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DYNOSAURS

Title: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dynosaurs
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: Approx. 90 minutes

Jan's Opinion: I took my grandson Danny and his friend Amanda to see this movie today. Amanda gave it a 9-1/2, Danny gave it an 8, and I gave it a 7. The animation was wonderful and I can see why children like it but it just isn't my kind of movie. I'm not a big animated movie person except for "Shrek", and I loved that one! However, the kids loved it and that is the audience it is intended for, so don't hesitate to take your little ones to see this movie.

IMAGINE THAT

Title: Imagine That
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: Approx. 1 hr. 40 minutes

Jan's Opinion: My grandson Danny and I went to the movies today with my friend Laura and her son Nick to see this movie which is already at the "dollar movies". I have to say, I'm glad I didn't pay $7 each to see it, but for $1.75, it was worth seeing. Eddie Murphy is funny but the girl who plays his daughter (don't know her name) is cute as she can be and just as funny as Eddie. He starts off not being a very good Dad, spending too much time on his job, but his daughter soon teaches him what is really important in life. It was sweet.

THE PROPOSAL

Movie: The Proposal
Jan's Rating: 8-1/2
Time: 1 Hour 48 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Cousin Bonnie and I both loved this movie! It might have been predictable but that's OK, better than being surprised with a bad ending. Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) has worked for Margaret (Sandra Bullock) for 3 years as her assistant. She is a very demanding and controlling boss so everyone in the office hates her. She is a native of Canada and suddenly gets notice that she is going to be deported back to Canada. Then the idea hits her, why not pretend she is in love with Andrew, get married, and they can divorce later. He goes along with her idea, then they fly to Alaska to visit his family and she falls in love with them, especially his Grandma (played beautifully by Betty White). I won't tell you what happens next because I don't want to ruin it for you. Bottom line is...........see it, you will love it too!

THE MERRY GENTLEMAN

Movie: The Merry Gentleman (also saw it listed as "Gentlemen)
Jan's Rating: 5-1/2
Time: 1 Hour 39 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Let me start out by saying the Enquirer gave this movie a rating of B+ and I gave it a "5-1/2" so again, we disagree. I saw this movie with my friend Laura today and we're still trying to figure out how they came up with the title "Merry Gentleman", what the movie was really trying to tell us, and the ending left us hanging so that didn't help either. The movie held my attention because I kept trying to figure out the story. Michael Keeton stars in and directs the movie. He appears to be a hired killer who meets a sweet young woman (played by Kelly MacDonald) and I think would like to change his life around but it's too late. Would be interested if anyone else figures out this movie.

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123

Movie: The Taking of Pelham 123
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 46 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: If you like action movies, you will like this one. John Travolta is the bad guy who hijacks a New York subway and Denzel Washington, who works for the subway system, is the only person Travolta will talk to. James Gandolfini (Tony of the Sopranos) plays the Mayor of NYC. Bonnie saw the movie with me and we both enjoyed it. I'm sure I'll see it again with my husband!

"UP" in 3D

Movie: "Up" in 3D
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

Jan's Opinion: Cute, adorable, funny, scary, and sad. The movie had all that and more. I took my grandson Danny and his friend Amanda and cousin Bonnie brought her grandaughter Kendall and we all loved it and gave it a "10". Bonnie and Amanda (age 10) both cried in certain parts of the movie. After an elderly man's wife dies, he decides to take the adventure she has always wanted to take so he ties balloons to his house and takes off, not knowing that he has a stowaway aboard, a little boy scout named Russell. It is just a precious movie but it might scare 2-3 year olds. I guess it depends on the child. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

MY LIFE IN RUINS

Title: My Life in Ruins
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour 36 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: All I can say is "shame on the Enquirer for giving this movie an 'F' rating!". Cousin Bonnie and I found it to be a light-hearted romantic comedy and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was produced by Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, so how bad could it be??!! It starred Nia Vardalos (from my Big Fat Greek Wedding) who works as a tour guide in Greece, and handsome Alexis Georgoulis who drives the tour bus. One of the tourists is played by Richard Dreyfuss and he was a hoot. I don't know if the guys would particularly like this movie but you girls will enjoy it. And to the Enquirer, I say, "these movies aren't made to win Oscars, but to give us gals a laugh.".

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, Battle of the Smithsonian

Title: Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I did not see the first Night at the Museum so these characters were all new to me. My husband and I took our grandson to see this one and we all enjoyed it. Have to say that it is not normally my kind of movie, but it was cute, clever, and had some good lines that made us laugh. Danny rated it an "8", Dave gave it a "6" so I went in the middle with a "7".

TAKEN

Movie: Taken
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 91 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I didn't get a chance to see this movie when it was in the theaters so my husband and I rented it last night and now I know why it wasn't in the theaters very long......The movie stars Liam Neeson who is a retired CIA agent. His daughter graduates from high school and goes to Paris for the summer of which he does not approve. Long story short, she gets kidnapped her first day there while she is on the phone talking to her Dad and the rest of the movie is about what he goes through to try to find her. The storyline was not believeable and the acting was terrible. I am not a fan of Liam Neeson nor Harrison Ford because I don't think either of them can act - they just usually get good movies. However, this wasn't one of those good movies for Liam Neeson. My husband gave the movie a rating of "5" - I decided to be generous and give it a "6" because we did enjoy parts of it and didn't turn it off before it was over.

IS ANYONE THERE?

Movie: Is Anyone There?
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 1 hr. 32 mins.

Jan's Opinion: This movie starred Michael Caine as an old magician near the end of his life. His family puts him in a nursing home where he befriends a young boy. The boy is the son of the young couple who have turned their home into a small nursing home so Michael Caine is put into the boy's bedroom and he has to sleep elsewhere, which doesn't make him happy. Well, Michael Caine isn't happy about being there either so after a few arguments and digs at each other, they become fast friends. It's a sweet story but unfortunately, these movies don't have happy endings. I believe the movie takes place somewhere in England because the accent is very strong and it is sometimes hard to understand what they are saying. As Cousin Bonnie said, it is said to get old when you don't have family or anyone who cares about you anymore. Not our favorite movie.

THE SOLOIST

Title: The Soloist
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: Approx. 2 hrs.

Jan's Opinion: As you might already know, this is a true story about Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician who has some mental problems (played byJamie Foxx) and Steve Lopez, a journalist (played by Robert Downey, Jr.). Steve Lopez needs a new story and happens to meet Nathaniel Ayers playing his violin in the streets of Los Angeles. The violin only has 2 strings so Steve writes an article about this homeless man who plays the violin with 2 strings. He soon gets a donation of a lovely bass from an elderly woman who is unable to play it any more and of course he gives it to Nathaniel. The story jumps around a lot from present to past and to Steve's personal life with his ex-wife but most of the story centers around Nathaniel. Cousin Bonnie didn't care for it because of the way it jumped around, said that it was disjointed, but that is probably because that is the way the journalist saw the story. We both found it difficult to understand Jamie Foxx when he was talking but his acting was very good, as was Robert Downey, Jr. I have to say it wasn't my favorite movie but it was okay.

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN

Movie: Race to Witch Mountain
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 Hr. 40 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: This movie is much better than I thought it would be. My Grandson gives it a "10", I was thinking "8", so compromised on "9". A Las Vegas cab driver (Dwayne Johnson) and a UFO expert (Carla Gugino) team up with 2 teenagers who say they can save the world if they can get to Witch Mountain before government agents, mobsters and aliens beat them to it. Yes, this is the second day with aliens in the movie. This one was very exciting and one you won't want to miss, regardless of your age.

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS

Title: Monsters Vs. Aliens in 3D
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hr. 34 Mins.

I took my grandson to see this and we both loved it. Can't imagine not seeing it in 3D. Reese Witherspoon is the voice of the main character, Susan Murphy, a California girl who is clobbered by a meteor full of space gunk on her wedding day, and at the altar, she mysteriously turns green and grows to 49 feet 11 inches tall. The military captures Susan and whisks her away to a secret Government compound with other "monsters". Meanwhile aliens attack the earth and the President enlists the motley crew of the monsters to save the world from destruction.

SUNSHINE CLEANING

Title: Sunshine Cleaning
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 hr. 42 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: The commercial on TV for this movie doesn't do it justice. I thought it was VERY good! Remember Amy Adams from Doubt? She plays Rose, a 30-something single Mom who is still sleeping with her high school sweetheart who is now married to someone else. She knows her life is going downhill and needs to do something to make some money. Her cop-boyfriend turns her on to an idea of cleaning up after crime scenes, which pays a lot more than just house cleaning. Her sister Nora lives with their Dad (Alan Arkin) and is not doing anything with her life either so Rose asks Nora to go into this new cleaning business with her. There are funny parts but there are also heart-rendering parts as the sisters open the door for challenges that bring them closer together.

YOUR VOTE REALLY DOES COUNT!

Movie: Swing Vote
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 2 Hours

Jan's Opinion: I haven't been to a movie lately because there isn't anything playing that I particularly want to see, so last night my husband and I rented Swing Vote with Kevin Costner, which we had not seen on the big screen and heard it was good. Well, Dave got a little bored halfway through and went to the bedroom and turned on another TV. I enjoyed the movie more than he did but he is into spy thrillers. Swing Vote shows you how important your vote can be, but more importantly, I was impressed with Kevin Costner's "daughter" in the movie because he was a drunk, and rather than let that be her excuse to become a bad person, she did the opposite and turned his life around. I found the movie very heart warming.

RIGHTOUS KILL

Movie: Rightous Kill
Jan's Rating: 5
Time: 1 Hr. 40 Mins.

Jan's Opinion: I did not get to see this movie when it was in the theaters so we rented it last night and I have to say, it really fell short of our expectations considering it starred Robert Di Nero and Al Pacino. During the whole movie, you are led to believe that Robert Di Nero is killing off the bad guys (dirty Harry style), only to find out in the end that it's Al Pacino. The "F" word was used every other word which also took away from the movie. Don't bother seeing this one unless you want to be bored to death.

PAUL BLART: MALL COP

Movie: Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 1 Hour 31 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: This movie stars Kevin James (from TV's King of Queens) as a mall security guard. He is a single Dad and he and his daughter live with his Mother. When some tough guys shut down his mall to pull a heist, Paul Blart shows everyone what he is really made of when he fights to save his daughter and girlfriend who are being held hostage. Sure it is a lot of fluff but my Grandson and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it more than Slumdog Millionnaire which is up for several Academy Awards.

SLUMDOG MILLIONNAIRE

Movie: Slumdog Millionnaire
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 2 Hours

Jan's Opinion: I know this movie is up for a lot of Oscars, and it did win a Golden Globe award for Best Picture, but I have to tell you, it is not the movie I would choose as Movie of the Year. I went with my husband and Cousin Bonnie. My husband got up and left the theater after 30 minutes, said it wasn't his idea of entertainment. Bonnie and I stayed and watched the whole movie, hoping to see something that would change our minds and that never happened. A few months from now, the only thing I will remember about this movie is the poverty in India. It was not my idea of entertainment either.

NEW IN TOWN

Movie: New in Town
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 1 Hour 36 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: You may have noticed that The Cincinnati Enquirer gave this movie an "F" rating and I don't understand that at all. My friend Laura and I saw this movie today and we LOVED it! Renee Zellweger is absolutely adorable and Harry Connick, Jr., as the Union Steward has met his match when Renee flies to Minnesota from warm Miami Beach with the intention of laying off 50% of the employees. It takes her a while to get used to the cold in Minnesota but she falls in love with the people there who really care about each other. It's my kind of movie and I intend to see it again when it comes out on video. Take my advice and don't miss it!

I REMEMBER WATERGATE.....

Movie: Frost/Nixon
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: 2 Hours 2 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: OK, I'm telling my age but I remember Nixon and Watergate very well. In fact I voted for "Tricky Dick". Cousin Bonnie and I saw this movie Friday and we thought it was good but not worthy of an Oscar. I actually felt sorry for Nixon at the end. I think he got caught up in having a "God complex" and thought he could get by with anything, yet he really was a good man on the inside. I think my biggest surprise was David Frost's role. I remember him as being very British with a snobby air about him. The David Frost in the movie seemed to be always smiling and trying to please, and quite a womanizer. He did finally have to turn hard at the end to get Nixon to admit what he had done. It's worth seeing, but not my favorite movie of the year.

THE READER

Movie: The Reader
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 2 Hours 2 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: I think they need to let Kate Winslet make a happy movie now after making two tear jerkers. Again, the acting was excellent and Kate deserved to win the Golden Globe for her portrayal of Hannah, who in her 30's has an affair with a 16 year old named Michael. He loves to read and she loves for him to read to her.....hence "The Reader". There is lots of nudity and love scenes which will make you wish you were young again. Hannah moves away without telling Michael and it breaks his heart. He loves her deeply and never gets over her. He goes thru college and when he is in law school, he and his classmates attend a trial, only to find Hannah is one of the people on trial for her part in the deaths of many Jews at Auschwitz. It seems she was a guard at the camp, something she had never told Michael. She is found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Michael sends her tapes of books but never writes to her. I won't tell you the ending because I don't want to ruin it for you but definitely want to see this one.

IF YOU ENJOY DEPRESSING MOVIES.....

Movie: Revolutionary Road
Jan's Rating: 6
Time: 1 Hour 53 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: After being snowed in for 3 days I finally got out today and decided to go see Revolutionary Road. Have you wondered where the name came from?? It's as simple as this.... when Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet get married they buy their first house on Revolutionary Road. Kathy Bates is their Realtor. The story goes something like this..... Kate and Leonardo meet, fall in "lust" and get married, have 2 children, THEN they find that isn't what they really want in life and that's where it gets depressing. The acting was Oscar worthy but the ending left a lot to be desired.

EVERYONE DESERVES ONE LAST CHANCE

Movie: Last Chance Harvey
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: l Hour 35 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: What a sweet romantic movie this is. Dustin Hoffman is given one last chance to do good on his job or he will get fired. With this threat weighing heavily on his mind, he flies to London to attend his daughter's wedding. When he arrives in London, he doesn't exactly feel welcome because he has not been a big influence in his daughter's life. While feeling sorry for himself, he meets Emma Thompson who is also feeling rebuffed. Together they find a mutual love which will warm your heart. Bonnie and I saw this together and both really enjoyed it.

YOU WILL WANT TO ADOPT A DOG!

Title: Hotel for Dogs
Jan's Rating: 8
Time: 1 Hour. 40 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: OK folks, I know this isn't an Oscar contender but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! Of course it is make believe in a Hollywood world but it is fun to dream and think "what if I did this....." etc.). These kids made the best of a bad situation and came out on top because of it. Julia Roberts' niece, Emma Roberts, stars along with Jake T. Austin as orphans who are put "into the system" after their parents die. They are good kids who end up with bad foster parents. Don Cheedle plays the role of their social worker. I took my grandson and we met my friend Laura and her son Nick, and all 4 of us enjoyed this movie.

I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND SEVEN "POUNDS"??

Movie: Seven Pounds
Jan's Rating: 5
Time: 2 Hours 3 Minutes

Jan's Opinion: Bonnie and I heard this was a good movie so we went to see it today and we were both disappointed. Will Smith does a good job of acting but you don't know until the end why he seems lonely and depressed, or why he does the things that he does. Even at the end of the movie, we understood the "Seven" but still don't know where the "Pounds" fits in. Personally, I think that if they showed you the reason for his depression first, you would then understand the movie and it would make more sense. Just didn't care for it and it had a depressing ending.

THE GRAN TORINO WAS A SHARP CAR!

Movie: Gran Torino
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 1 hr. 56 minutes

Jan's Opinion: If you liked Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, you will love this movie as much as we did. Bonnie and I got my husband to go with us to this one and we all enjoyed it. Eastwood plays an old man who worked at Ford all his life, has a Gran Torino that he keeps in mint condition, and resents the Asian people who are moving into his neighborhood. Eastwood has to be in his late 70's but "he's still got it"!

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUTTON

Movie: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Jan's Rating: 10
Time: 2 hrs. 46 minutes

Jan's Opinion: You can tell by the rating I gave this movie that I really loved it! At first I didn't have any interest in seeing it but I kept getting good reports from people who had seen it, so Cousin Bonnie and I went to see it yesterday and we both loved it. She went through 4 tissues but I didn't think it was that sad. It was the most beautiful love story and the movie was done so well that you actually believed that someone could be born old, then get younger and die a baby. There are so many good movies out that I keep saying each one will be an Oscar contender, but I will be shocked if Brad Pitt doesn't get an Oscar for best actor in this movie. Don't miss this one!

YOU WILL HAVE DOUBTS TOO

Movie: Doubt
Jan's Rating: 9
Time: 1 hr. 34 minutes

Jan's Opinion: Saw "Doubt" today with cousin Bonnie, my movie buddy, and we both really enjoyed it. The ending is a surprise so I won't say too much and ruin it for you. There will definitely be three people up for Oscars for this movie......Meryl Streep, who plays a Nun, Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays a Priest, and Amy Adams, who plays a young Nun. All are very believeable in their roles. Meryl Streep is certain that Philip Seymour Hoffman is guilty of sexual abuse of at least one of his students and she is on a quest to prove she is right. We thoroughly enjoyed this one.