I include Henery's Crime in my top 3 based solely on my desire to see the movie, and the disappointment of it not getting a wider release. Another crime yarn from Malcolm Venville(44 Inch Chest
), Keanu Reeves stars Henry, as regular guy sent to jail for a robbery he didn't commit. While serving his sentence, he hatches an idea with a comfortable lifer(James Caan) to do the crime afterall. Hey, he did the time, so why not? The always excellent Vera Farmiga co-stars as an actress caught up in Henry's out of control scheme.2. The Beaver
After very nearly being banished to the dustbins of Hollywood history, Mel Gibson's long awaited "comeback" film, The Beaver, finally came out this year. While I think calling it redeeming is a bit of stretch, there's little doubt in my mind that it's Gibson's finest singular performance. It's just a shame that so many are incapable of separating the man's outside antics with what he brings us on screen. Directed by and co-starring Jodie Foster, Gibson stars as a terminally depressed family man who gives in a little too much to his dark side when he finds a ratty old beaver puppet and begins to speak exclusively through it. Foster does a masterful job balancing the sometimes heavy mood with some dark comedic moments, while Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence tell a compelling parallel story of young love.
Nobody makes movies with more heart and soul than Tom McCarthy. The actor turned writer/director(The Station Agent
, The Visitor
) is back again with another story of a lovable loner who learns a thing or two about familial loyalty where least expected. The great Paul Giamatti is failed high school wrestling coach and struggling lawyer Mike Flaherty. With his business failing, Mike scams the court out of money posing as the guardian to a wealthy client. That is until the client's wrestling champ grandon shows up on his doorstep, and things start looking up. But at what cost comes this sudden good fortune? Other Notable Releases
Blitz
, starring Jason Statham and Paddy ConsidinePhineas & Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension
Trollhunter
Rounders (Blu-Ray)
Swingers (Blu-Ray)
Secret Sunshine (The Criterion Collection)
Little Big Soldier
, starring Jackie ChanThe Greatest Movie Ever Sold
, starring Morgan SpurlockDon't Be Afraid of the Dark
, remastered special editionI Will Follow
, starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Omari HardwickBambi 2
