3. Chloe
Let's face it, this was going to make the list for the mere fact that the gorgeous Amanda Seyfried took it to the next level and flashed her headlights for all the world to see. The can opening happens early, but we get some backfield action later. As for the film itself, its a slightly classier Basic Instinct, propped up by the classy performances of Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson. The film relies heavily on Seyfried's ability to play againt type, tossing her usual squeaky clean persona for the role of a sensual, sexy manipulator. It's trashy and a guilty pleasure, but it's high class trash.
2. Mother
From the very first scene, showing the aging but vibrant widow Hye Ja dancing in a field of grass, it's clear this isn't going to be your typical mystery. Then again it's brought to us by Bong Joon-Ho, who directed the crazily imaginative monster flick, The Host
, back in 2007 so nobody should be expecting the norm. Hye Ja, a protective mother to her slow-witted but well meaning son, Do-Joon, is forced to inject herself into an murder investigation when her son is tricked into confessing and thrown into prison. To prove his innocence, she'll stop at nothing, and it's her dogged determination for the truth that is this film's driving force. An emotional roller coaster of the highest order.1. How to Train Your Dragon
From the highs(Kung Fu Panda) to the disasterous lows(Shark Tale, Robots), Dreamworks has always been Pixar's bitch. No more. How to Train Your Dragon is the most enjoyable, clever, and downright exciting film Dreamworks has ever produced, and stands up to if not surpasses Pixar's most recent efforts. Based on the 2003 novel by Cressida Cowell, it follows a diminutive Viking named Hiccup(voiced by Jay Baruchel), who lives in the shadow of his father, the ruler of their clan and the fiercest champion against the dragons who are constantly plaguing them. But when Hiccup becomes friends with one of the creatures(he names it Toothless) he discovers that all may not have been as he has been taught to believe, but revealing that would throw the entire Viking culture into chaos.
DVD Pick of the Week: Red Cliff
You don't dare try to tackle China's fabled Romance of the Kingdoms without going epic. Red Cliff is a massive undertaking, directed by action master John Woo, featuring violent, bloody battles that put the Lord of the Rings to shame. Chronicling the legendary battle at Red Cliff, where the power mad general Cao Cao faced off against the upstart forces of Liu Bei and China's greatest military strategist, Zhuge Liang. You might need to set aside a weekend, the international version clocks in at a hefty 5 hours, but I guarantee you will not regret it.
