A Whole Week to Watch Movies:

The best part of a holiday week is all the time available for a movie-a-holic (like myself) to watch some favorite movies and catch up on films I haven't seen yet. Here are some quick reviews of good films I viewed this week for those looking for some different options at the rental store or through Netflix.

Desperado (1995): Directed by Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, From Dusk Till Dawn), Desperado stars Salma Hayek and Antonio Benderas. Benderas plays a former mariachi who is trying to avenge the death of his lover at the hands of a Mexican drug lord. Although not as great as I originally remembered, it's films like Desperado that remind me that movies are about entertainment, and it's ok to watch the occasional gratuitously violent film and have a fun time doing so. Full of over the top action, Desperado is an entertaining and fantastical blood bath of a movie. (*** Stars)

Star Trek (2009): One of the most visually thrilling films of the last decade. This is the movie that the Star Trek brand desperately needed, as director J.J. Adrams breathed new life into this stagnant franchise. Fresh, funny and captivating, Star Trek tells the story of how the crew of the USS Enterprise was assembled, and shows the temperamental beginnings of the friendship formed between James Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). For not being the slightest fan of the Star Trek films of the past, this movie was such a major surprise and one of the best films of 2009. (*** ½ Stars)

Carlito's Way (1993): A crime film directed by Brian De Palma (Carrie, Scarface, The Untouchables) staring Al Pacino, Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller. Pacino, fresh off his Oscar win for Scent of a Woman, plays Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican crime leader who's 30 year sentence has just been overturned after 5 years due to a legal technicality. Vowing to leave his past life of crime behind and make an honest living, Carlito agrees to take over the management of a local nightclub that's struggling financially. However, the more he tries to distance himself from his past, the more his past seems to be pulling him back in. Although the film gets off to a bit of a slow start, the last 40 minutes easily makes up for that. Carlito's Way is a solid crime film with noteworthy performances from acting greats Pacino and Penn. (*** Stars)

Billy Elliot (2000): Billy is young boy growing up in a single parent blue collar English home who has dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. His father, a local coal miner who is currently on strike, has issues with the idea of his 11 year old boy giving up boxing for ballet, which he sees as a girl's activity. At times, the thick Northern English accents can be a bit difficult to understand. But overall Billy Elliot is a sweet and inspirational story about being yourself, overcoming adversity and following your dreams. (*** Stars)

City Hall (1996): Another 90's Al Pacino film also staring John Cusack and Bridget Fonda. City Hall is a political drama about the aftermath of a shooting between a NYPD officer and a drug dealer that left both dead along with an innocent young boy. Pacino plays Mayor John Pappas, a brash and ambitious politician who seems to always be looking to use and spin any situation into his favor. Cusack plays Deputy Mayor Kevin Calhoun, whose job it is to investigate why Tino Zapatti, the drug dealer involved in the shooting, had been sentenced to probation for a recent crime instead of being sent to jail. As his investigation unfolds, more and more influential people get implicated. City Hall is a typical 90's drama and there isn't anything amazingly memorable about it. However, it is a decently entertaining story that will keep your attention, and for those Pacino fans who haven't seen it, he delivers his usual commanding performance. (** ½ Stars)

An Unfinished Life (2005): Staring Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez, An Unfinished Life is a touching drama about forgiveness and the bonds of family. Redford plays Einar Gilkyson, a Wyoming rancher who lives and works with his lifelong friend Mitch Bradley (Freeman). When his estranged daughter-in-law Jean (Lopez) shows up on his doorstep unannounced, Einar is shocked to discover that he has a granddaughter he's never met. Jean, who is trying to get away from a abusive former boyfriend, asks Einar if she and her daughter Griff can stay with him while she tries to rebuild her life. Cantankerous and disagreeable, Einar reluctantly agrees to let them stay despite the fact he has always blamed Jean for the tragic death of his son Griffin. As the movie progresses, Einar and Jean try to reconcile their differences while Einar also attempts to create a relationship with his new granddaughter. Although the storyline follows a fairly predictable path, its the distinguished performances from Redford and Freeman that make this film a delight to watch. (*** Stars)

Reality Bites (1994): The directorial debut of Ben Stiller, this 90's romantic comedy stars Stiller, Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke, along with Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. The story is about the career and lifestyle challenges faced by Generation X youth of the early 1990's. Admittedly at times the film feels a bit dated by the “Mtv Real World” type references, however I believe contemporary college graduates will be able to relate with the feelings of uncertainty about the future that the movie addresses. The true strength of this film is the talented cast of future stars led by the remarkable performances from Ryder and Hawke. An amusing and poignant look at the fears of recent grads entering the workforce, Reality Bites has a surprisingly relevant sentiment to current aspirations and anxieties about today's job market. (*** Stars)

Oh, I also watched The Godfather this week. I considered writing a review, but thought better of it because...well it's The Godfather. Need I say more? With almost three more days left in the week, I'm curious which other movies I'll be able to check out during my free time.  Oh, and to Jamee, don't worry I haven't forgotten my promise to watch My Dog Skip, haha.