Brigsby Bear (2017)

Loved the premise. Brilliant idea. Mooney’s bizarre humor is so much better suited to the big screen than the handcuffs of SNL. Experiencing the world for the first time through his eyes was a blast. The fact that it was filmed in my home state of Utah made it even more fun. Trust me, this thing is a joy to watch.

Rating: A-

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Just as graphic, if not more so, than Saving Private Ryan. Very effective film. Nice to see them attempting to show both sides of the war for a change.

Rating: B-

Bad News Bears (2005)

I have a faint memory of the original being a cute, family comedy. I have a distinct memory of this one being a mostly unfunny, crass, adult comedy without any real target audience to speak of. You don't care about any of the characters. You don't care if they win or lose. And you don't care whether his tomboy daughter hooks up with the rebel kid who flunked 3 grades.

Rating: F+

Baby Mama (2008)

One of those comedies you enjoy for it's parts, and not the whole. Steve Martin really makes the film. He should be rewarded with 5 minutes of uninterrupted eye contact.

Rating: C

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

Just as bonkers as the first; maybe more. Laughs were on and off again. The writers threw everything at the wall. Some of it stuck, some awkwardly slid to the floor. The big fight between the news teams was out of control, not to mention chalk full of cameos. This sequel delivers exactly what you expect it to.

Rating: C

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Send some well developed characters out on a road trip under the supervision of a talented director with some quality writing, and it's hard to go wrong. It worked splendidly in such recent films as About Schmidt and Sideways, and it works here too.

Greg Kinnear continues to impress. He has a knack for picking great roles. He's come a long way since his Talk Soup days. Everyone in the film pulls off an acting showcase. I'm not aligning myself with many critics who feel this film is perfect, but it gets closer than most did in 2006.

Rating: B+

Green Zone (2010)

Paul Greengrass has a way of taking potentially sensitive or political stories and making them into great action flicks. He doesn't bog the viewer down with left wing/right wing nonsense. It's why United 93 was nominated for best picture.

Once again, Greengrass, teaming with his action muse Matt Damon, has put together a thrilling movie that happens to tackle the hot button issue of how the US government misled the people on their motives for going to war.

Unlike The Hurt Locker, Green Zone keeps the audience on the edge of their seat AND completes a story arc in the process. It's not just a bunch of short features strung loosely together. I'm not saying this is Best Picture material, but it's certainly Better Picture material.

Rating: B

The Gift (2000)

What a creepy little picture. I'm a total wuss when it comes to scary movies, and even though I watched this one during the day, I was still clenching my fist, scrunching down into the couch, and watching through one eye during many scenes.

Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi are both wonderful in their roles. 
The movie is technically a thriller, but many other elements come into play. It had me guessing (mostly incorrectly) until the end. 

 
Rating: B-

Fast Food Nation (2006)

Picks up where Super Size Me left off and where Food Inc. continued, although not as good as either of those docs. Still, it makes you rethink your opinions of the fast food industry and immigration, the two main topics of the film. It was a bit dark, but I guess that's the point. It will leave you feeling depressed and second guessing that next trip to Mickey D's.

Rating: C

Stuck on You (2003)

Plenty of laughs and well acted. If you'd like a more serious take on conjoined twins, go check out Twin Falls, Idaho. That's a good one too.

Rating: C+