Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

In order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business -- a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service -- with her unreliable sister.

Fairly entertaining, if not too exciting family comedy-drama solidly directed and especially watchable for the good ensemble of characters.

Maltin***: "Likable comedy-drama...The two stars are perfectly cast and aided by a handpicked ensemble."

Argo (2012)

Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.

Well-crafted, entertaining political thriller with a good cast manages to mix tension and humour; however, the audacity of the true story seems more fascinating than what the movie actually offers.

Maltin***1/2: "Incredible true story...Affleck's sure-handed direction...manages to shift seamlessly from incredible tension in Iran and internecine politics in Washington, D.C., to the absurdity of the scheme in Hollywood. As the old pros in Movieland, Arkin and Goodman are hilarious, and every one of their punch lines scores a bull's-eye. Smart, enormously satisfying entertainment..."

Woman Times Seven (1967)

Seven mini-stories of adultery: "Funeral Possession," a wayward widow at her husband's funeral; "Amateur Night," angry wife becomes streetwalker out of revenge; "Two Against One," seemingly prudish girl turns out otherwise; "Super Simone," wife vainly attempts to divert her over-engrossed writer husband; "At the Opera," a battle over a supposedly exclusive dress; "Suicides," a death pact; "Snow," would-be suitor is actually a private detective hired by jealous husband.

Slight and not really that amusing gender comedy without any depth; Shirley MacLaine is the only attraction in this anthology.

Halliwell (no star): "Humourless after-dinner entertainment."

Maltin***: "...some funny moments, some perceptive comments, but with that cast and director, it should have been much better."

Gattaca (1997)

 

 

A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

 

Atmospheric science fiction drama with excellent cast and settings draws a bleak picture of a genetically controlled future.

 

Halliwell (no star): "Glossy science fiction with a very soft centre under its hard surface."

 

Maltin**: "Bracingly intelligent, wittily ironic, and very well acted. Given the premise, however, the dull, conformist society depicted seems unconvincing." 

Stand Up Guys (2012)

A pair of aging stickup men try to get the old gang back together for one last hurrah before one of the guys takes his last assignment - to kill his comrade.

Likable, but unremarkable gangster drama, in which the stars do help to make it watchable, but deserve better material.

Maltin**1/2: "Uninspired vehicle for its stars, who manage to validate it - just barely - with the force of their screen presence."

Grudge Match (2013)

A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout -- 30 years after their last match.

Only mildly entertaining star vehicle with a lot of flat jokes; its attraction are the two stars, but one wishes they had got a better script.

Maltin**: "Watchable but awfully contrived vehicle for two aging but agile actors; they deserve better material than this connect-the-dots formula picture, a feeble follow-up to RAGING BULL and ROCKY."