Kiss My Grits

Directed by ETHAN and JOEL COHEN

Starring JEFF BRIDGES, MATT DAMON, JOSH BROLIN, 

BARRY PEPPER, and HAILEE STEINFIELD

I didn't have high expectations for 'True Grit,' despite the good reviews, as the Cohen Brothers can be hit or miss for me. That said, I was pleasantly surprised. The new True Grit film was surprisingly sincere. Done in the same spirit as several other successful western remakes, including Appaloosa and 3:10 to Yuma, True Grit gets it right. I love a good western and True Grit did not disappoint.

RIP Vonetta McGee

Just found out that one of my favorite actresses passed, Vonetta McGee. She was best known for her roles in the Blackula and Shaft films, but also known for some great spaghetti westerns and the Eiger Sanction with Clint Eastwood.

Swantastic

Directed by DARREN ARONOFSKY

Starring NATALIE PORTMAN, MILA KUNIS, VINCENT CASSEL, and WINONA RYDER

'The Black Swan' is Natalie Portman's piece de resistance performance. She looked, danced, and felt like a prima ballerina. Excluding one scene, which I could have done without, this was a good film.

The Tourist Review

Directed by FLORIAN HENCKEL VON DONNERSMARCK

Starring JOHNNY DEPP, ANGELINA JOLIE, 

PAUL BETTANY, and TIMOTHY DALTON

Plot:  Elise (Angelina Jolie) is quietly waiting at a French cafe for her former love and mystery man, Alexander Pearce, but Alexander is no ordinary fellow.  He's a tax cheat, an embezzler, and an oh-so brilliant con man.  Alexander has also kept his lady love waiting for 2 long years with cryptic notes and secret rendezvous.  Alexander's last big heist has caught the unwanted attention of gangster, the French police, and Scotland Yard.  They all see to have his number and they are watching Elise in hopes of capturing him.  Alexander uses smoke and mirrors to contact Elise one last time.  He instructs Elise to board a train to Venice, pick out a man en route who resembles him, and trick the authorities into believing the poor schmuck is Pearce.