Dexter (TV) - 5 stars

I'm riveted by this show. It's VERY creepy, so not for the faint-hearted. I also don't recommend watching it before you go to bed, which I do.

Dexter is a TV series about a sociopathic serial killer. The characters are complex and there are surprises around every corner. It stars Michael C. Hall, who played the younger brother in 6 Feet Under. Dexter is as high quality as 6 Feet Under was in the early years. Supporting cast is all great. The direction is absolutely brilliant. I especially love the opening sequence, which is almost sensory overload. I'm completely riveted by the storyline and can't wait to see what these crazy characters do next.

UPDATE (1/24/08)- I've just upgraded this show from 4.5 stars to 5 stars. Season 2 is even better than Season 1. In fact, I'm obsessed. If you want to get started, Season One will be airing on CBS starting Sunday, Feb. 17 at 10PM ET. If you can handle the anxiety, you MUST watch.
You can also rent Season One at your favorite DVD rental establishment. Let me know what you think!

Last King of Scotland - 4 stars

We just watched the Last King of Scotland about the rise and rule of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime as seen by his idealistic personal physician during the 1970s. It gets its name from the homeland of the physician and Amin's affection for the country.

Forest Whitaker is excellent in the film as Amin, along with James McAvoy as the young doc. The film is quite graphic, certainly the end is not for the faint of heart.

It's one of the better biopics I have seen, a very good film in its own right.

Charlie Wilson's War - 4 stars

It's lots of fun being off work and getting to see movies!

Today Jim & I saw Charlie Wilson's War, starring Tom Hanks. Since Joe Versus the Volcano, I can't remember Hanks making a bad movie. This one is certainly worth watching. It's a very well told story of the US involvement in removing the Russians from Afghanistan. It's very easy to follow and very entertaining. The characters are all a lot of fun. Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant, as always, playing a spy with no manners. Julia Roberts is again miscast as a southern debutaunt-power broker.

NPR Top Movies of the Year

David Edelstein's Top 10 Films of 2007

by David Edelstein and Terry Gross

Fresh Air from WHYY, December 18, 2007 · Fresh Air's arbiter of things filmic offers his annual year-end movies wrap-up.

1. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
2. Away From Her
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Sweeney Todd
5. The Savages
6. No Country for Old Men
7. No End in Sight
8. Michael Clayton
9. Ratatouille*
9. Persepolis*
10. Grace is Gone

* denotes a tie

Other movies that turned David Edelstein's head:

Private Fears in Public Places
The Host
L'Iceberg
We Own the Night
Interview
Bug
Starting Out in the Evening
Sicko
Lady Chatterley
Gone Baby Gone
Charlie Wilson's War
Superbad

* I haven't heard of most of these movies, but they must be pretty good. I'll certainly take notice.

Talk to Me - 4 stars

Starring Don Cheadle, Talk to Me is a biopic about Petey Green, an ex-con radio DJ. He's the straight-talking voice of DC during the civil rights movement. It's a refreshing film with lots to look at. The movie takes place through the 70s and 80s, so the scenery is amazing along with very colorful costumes.

Don Cheadle is more impressive every day. He's done a wide range of fabulous films including Hotel Rwanda, Crash, and Oceans 11.

Hairspray - 4 stars

Hairspray was excellent. It's a remake of the campy John Waters film from 1988. It's set in the 60s in racially divided Baltimore. You can't beat a socially conscious musical with John Travolta dancing in heels and a fat suit. The story was great, theme excellent, acting/singing/dancing very good. I didn't like the opening number, but the rest of the songs were fab.

Lots of fun! Maybe even worth seeing twice!

Knocked Up - 4 stars

Knocked up was surprisingly good. It was a good brainless comedy touching on a subject that hasn't quite yet been done to death. It's been a while since we've had good stories about accidental pregnancy. I was pleased that they don't take the easy way out with the story line -loser guy finds the light and becomes upstanding young father. It was excellently cast with Paul Rudd as adorable as ever. If you liked the lead male, Seth Rogan, check him out with one of the pothead sidekicks in Freaks & Geeks. This is a top notch TV show about high school kids in the 80s. It's only one season - rent it on DVD.

Finally, beware, there is a shot in this film that is graphic and unexpected, which they show twice. If you want the spoiler, then let me know.

Dream Girls - 2 stars

Dream Girls would have been a really good movie if they had more than one song. They kept breaking out into song, each with almost the exact same tune. After 45 minutes I was forwarding through the musical numbers, not good for a movie about a musical act... The actors were quite good. I was surprised that Eddie Murphy can sing!

Shooter - 3 stars

Let's face it - the real reason to rent Shooter is it stars Mark Walberg. He is a pretty good actor and quite easy on the eyes. The movie is enjoyable, but predictable. He's a disgruntled ex-military guy that is recruited to help stop a presidential assassination. A nice surprise is seeing Kate Mara as an adult. She played the older daughter in Brokeback Mountain.

Weeds Season 2 (TV) - 5 stars

Weeds a superior television series. I can't think of anything I would do different, other than provide more episodes to watch. Jim & I are equally as engrossed. The premise is that 40-something suburban housewife (played by Mary Louise Parker) is suddenly widowed. She wisely decides that the best way to support her 2 kids is to sell marijuana, which she knows absolutely nothing about. Kevin Nealon and Elizabeth Perkins are part of the stellar supporting cast. Nealon's character is surprisingly funny - he's a loser/pothead/accountant/city councilor. Season 1 certainly has some adult themes, but season 2 is even more adult. They humorously tackle race, politics, sex, raising kids, religion, local politics, obesity, and everything else facing Americans today. Season 2 is now available on DVD and Season 3 is being shown on Showtime.