Gran Torino

Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, is an abrupt, set-in-his-ways man. Having served in the Korean War, worked a blue collar job at the local Ford plant for decades, and having recently become a widower, Walt has led a tough life. Unofrtunately for him and those closest to him - inlcuding his two sons - these experiences grizzled the old man to the extent that he has willingly pushed his loved ones away.

Without a wife, and with a family that only feels obligated to check in on him, Walt is left with only his dog Daisy, a harsh racism he developed from serving in the war, and, to make matters worse, an increasingly diverse and dangerous neighborhood closing in around him.

Fortunately for Walt, whose own health gradually deteriorates throughout the film, he learns something from a young neighbor, an outspoken Thai girl who just doesn't seem to want to leave him alone: he has more in common with his neighbors than he would ever have thought.

With a growing respect for his neighbors, Walt begins to see a them as a loving family, but one with unfortunate ties to a dangerous lifestyle. Before he knows it, the old man begins to take action to help the children make something better of themselves. The only question, however, is will it be enough before those negative influences lead the children down a similar path of wasted hatred, not much unlike the one Walt has already taken?

A definite Oscar snub this year, Gran Torino is an absolute must-see.

Rating: 8/10

Be Kind Rewind

When Jerry (Jack Black) attempts to "sabotage" the local power plant, but is instead electrocuted and magnetized, it seemed like the end of the road for an already fledgling video store when, after his debacle, he accidentally erases all the tapes. However, in an attempt to please what few customers "Be Kind Rewind" still has, Jerry convinces his more sensible buddy Mike (Mos Def) that they should remake the store's inventory of movies themselves.

Someway, somehow, their new video movement catches on with the locals and, much to store owner Elroy Fletcher's (Danny Glover) surprise, his tiny video store - shrugged off as a slum building by the city and scheduled to be demolished- has a chance to save itself.

I won't give away any more of the plot in case you haven't seen it, but if indeed you haven't, I would recommend doing so. Even if you have watched it, I think it's time to watch it again.

Sweded!

Rating: 7/10

Schindler's List

Understandably, any movie that chronicles the holocaust is going to be difficult to watch. It may make one feel angry, hopeless, or any range of tense, exhaustive emotions, but it is the ultimate message of Schindler's List- that of hope in the human race- that makes this movie so great.

You may be thinking to yourself that it seems paradoxical to add a message of hope to a movie that includes the story of the senseless murder of millions of people, but when you see just what Oskar Schindler accomplished in the face of such oppression, you can't help but feel hopeful.

Schindler himself, although the hero of this movie, was far from a perfect person. An unfaithful husband with the intent of becoming a war profiteer, the fact that he was able to become wealthy, only to turn around and spend all of his money to bring the persecuted people under his protective wing makes is what makes this film so compelling.

Based on a true story, and a film that will undoubtedly have an impact on you, you absolutely need to own it and watch it.

Rating: 9.5/10