YOU CAN COUNT ON ME (2000)

Featuring: Mark Ruffalo; Laura Linney; Matthew Broderick; Rory Culkin

Director: Kenneth Lonergan

None of the principal actors in this movie needs any introduction. Mark Ruffalo, of cause, is famous for his role as Bruce Banner, The Hulk, in the Avenger and Iron Man movies. Laura Linney is known for movies like The Truman Show (1998) and Love Actually (2003) while everybody remembers Matthew Broderick for Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) and Inspector Gadget (1999).

Terry (Ruffalo) and Sammy Prescott (Linney) had a close bond as children after loosing both their parents in a car accident. But over the years they drifted apart, each leading their own life as best as they could. However, when circumstances force Terry to return back home, Sammy and her eight year old son, Rudy's (Rory Culkin) lives are turned upside down. And to make matters worse, she gets romantically involved with her new boss (Broderick) whom she actually cannot stand.

Although this slice of life film is described as a romantic comedy, there is nothing funny about it. On the contrary, the questions it poses are relevant to relationships everywhere. This was also Rory Culkin's introduction to the big screen even though he did have some very small parts in a few movies before this one. I can recommend it as good family viewing despite its "R" rating. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTc01ihgEbk

Mark Ruffalo and Rory Culkin

BRIDGE OF SPIES (2015)

Featuring: Tom Hanks; Mark Rylance; Amy Ryan; Sebastian Koch; Alan Alda

Director: Steven Spielberg

Nominated for two Oscars and winner of one for Best Supporting Actor, this film gives us a glimpse of what it was like during the height of the Cold War. It also shows the silliness of it all; the absolute futility of human paranoia...

Based on actual events, it tells the story of James Donovan (Tom Hanks in fine form), an attorney from Brooklyn, New York who 'unofficially' brokered one of the first prisoner exchange deals of that era between the USA and USSR. In 1957 the FBI arrested Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) as a Soviet spy. During the trial he is represented by Donovan but is eventually convicted and sentenced to life. However, when Francis Gary Powers (Wes McGee) a U-2 spy plane pilot is shot down and captured by the Russians, Donovan is 'called upon' to negotiate the deal to exchange Abel for Powers.

As with most Steven Spielberg films this one too is of epic proportions with spectacular special effects. But he also still managed to maintain the somber atmosphere that is typical of all good spy movies. Obviously the acting overall is outstanding and Mark Rylance deserves his Oscar through and through. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBBuzHrZBro

 

Mark Rylance and Tom Hanks 

BREWSTER'S MILLIONS (1985)

Featuring: Richard Pryor; John Candy; Lonette McKee; Stephen Collins

Director: Walter Hill

John Candy was a very popular comedic actor especially during the 1980's and appeared in classic comedies of its time like The Blues Brothers (1980) and Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987). In Brewster's Millions he plays the best friend of Richard Pryor's character. Sadly John died in 1994.

Montgomery Brewster (Pryor) is a down on his luck minor league baseball player with not much future prospects. But then when an uncle he never heard of dies, he stands to inherit a fortune. However, there is a catch. Before he can inherit anything he must first spend $30 million in one month without acquiring any assets. If he fails he gets nothing.

This remake of the 1945 evenly named film is quite a hoot and was reasonably successful at the box office. But for me it is the combined talents of John Candy and Richard Pryor that make this movie work. I therefor give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wNqNO3jqkk

    John Candy and Richard Pryor

UNCLE BUCK (1989)

Featuring: John Candy; Amy Madigan; Jean Louisa Kelly; Gaby Hoffman; Macauly Culkin

Director: John Hughes

In this comedy John Candy stars as the title character. When mom and dad have to leave town urgently for a couple of days to attend to a family emergency, none of their usual babysitters are available to look after their three kids. So, as a desperate last resort they ask dad's irresponsible unemployed bachelor brother to help out.

This movie does not follow the usual babysitter-comedy- formula of mayhem and destruction. Instead it is quite heartwarming and John Candy plays the good-natured caring uncle to perfection. Although it has its funny moments, the real kick lies in the developing relationship between the children and their odd ball uncle. I give it 3 out of 5 stars as well.

Trailer link:   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQaeUz7K83w

    Macauly Culkin, Jean Louise Kelly, John Candy and Gaby Hoffman

 

FELONY (2013)

Featuring: Joel Edgerton, Tom Wilkinson, Jai Courtney

Director: Matthew Saville

How far are you prepared to go to cover up your mistakes? What about the possible consequences this conduct might hold for you and others? Will you be able to live with yourself afterwards? These are some of the questions this Aussie film attempts to address.

One night on his way home, after having one too many with the boys, Detective Malcolm Toohey (Joel Edgerton) knocks a young boy from his bicycle with the side mirror of his car. This sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to serious moral dilemmas for all involved.

The style of the movie is refreshingly unbiased and leaves the final judgement up to the audience. The acting is first rate but it is Tom Wilkinson in the roll of Detective Sergeant Carl Summer that stands out...as usual. As far as "Cop Shows" go, this one is right up there with the best (just without all the car chases and shootouts). I rate it 3 our of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vGdCjpJ4Tg

   A collage of scenes from the movie