James L. Brooks has made some of the best, smartest, adult, drama-comedies in the last 30 years. His “Big 3”: “Terms of Endearment,” “Broadcast News,” and “As Good As It Gets” = yes, please!

“How Do You Know” is…horrible.

It’s hard to imagine how such a talented film-maker, and a world class cast, could make such a dud. And no one escapes the carnage. From a grossly mis-cast, Reese Witherspoon, to a phoning-it-in minor role from Jack Nicholson, this film also shows the limits of two of America’s “leading men” - Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson. As a viewer, you’ll find yourself straining to find elements that resemble Brooks’ award-winning films, and even imagining the shared embarrassment that all these talented artists had to feel when the credits rolled at the red-carpet screening. Facing “the press” and “selling” this film was the most impressive performance by anyone involved in “How Do You Know.”…Save yourself 121 minutes of your life and choose to watch one of the Big 3 from Brooks for a guaranteed enjoyable movie-watching experience.

Sundance award-winning darling is exactly as advertised: a real life horse whisperer. He’s as authentic as we’d like to believe all emotionally-wounded cowboys should be. And if you’ve never seen a wild horse bite a trainer in the face…this documentary will show it in shocking color.

A smart, focused look at the strengths / weaknesses of “legacy media” - the painful financial shift of readers to “new media” - the ignorance / arrogance of new media that survives off the backbone of “old media” - and the truly impressive teamwork and talent of world class JOURNALISTS at the top of their game.

The only risk most bloggers or new media start-ups take is investment of “time” producing opinions that aren’t held to any standard of fact / accuracy. “Legacy” media is the soul of democracy in that it strives to be fair, balanced, thorough and PATIENT in determining IF there’s a story to tell, and - when they tell it - that it’s well researched and accurate. Who will PAY for that in the future?

Ironically - I think investigative, long-form journalism will come from documentary film-makers.

Uninteresting European pseudo-thriller about a teen girl reared by, and as, a super spy, on the run from the CIA. ASC-led by C Blanchett, who has an AWFUL (southern?) American accent- and ambitious direction can’t do a thing with a dull, implausible script that has too many “huh?” and “wha?“‘s to count. (submitted by Pittboy87)

British sci-fi indie about juvie delinquents who take a stand in their apt building against VERY surly aliens w/ fluorescent teeth. Unlikeable characters in a (kinda) likeable movie, meant for the YA/Geek/Nerd crowd for sure; subtitles are encouraged. (submitted by Pittboy87)

F/X-driven comic book adapt of RW&B superhero; hits and misses w/ story & ASC, but Evans is good as the WWII soldier, and Weaving as the Red Skull is GREAT- almost under-used. Very decent watch w/ more build-up/tie-in to AVENGERS event in 2012…I’m in! (posted by Pittboy87)

All hail the nearly extinct “adult drama.” This dream team cast delivers great performances, and Clooney certainly earns kudos for adapting the stage play, producing, directing and starring - on a $12 mil budget! The problem with this political drama is that REAL politics and scandal have proven far more dramatic & surprising. That said, I’d still recommend it…because adult drama’s with all star casts and well-told stories are rare in the age of comic book adaptations and re-makes.  

This band seems to do lots of things right, and this self-made documentary is the latest example. Somehow understanding the backwoods, hillbilly-revival roots of the brothers in the band helps explain how the rebel path and “touched by God” vocals were inevitable. You might like the guys in the band LESS after watching, but you’ll understand them better. Here’s hoping they can tame their demons to keep cranking out a totally unique brand of music.

One of the most anticipated programs out of ESPN’s doc-machine…feels like a miss. The heart-tugging sympathy for die-hard Cubs fan “Bartman” is certainly a good building block, but the story still seems unfinished. No access to Bartman feels like Jaws without the shark. No explanation for how his friends abandoned him at his moment of need? The square-peg-round-circle force-feeding of Red Sox history is the filmmakers biggest mistake. Still worth a watch as some new perspectives, facts come to light, but…ESPN docs have set the bar high, and this one sailed under it.

Oh the myth-building at work in THIS doc to try to make a hero out of the fraud that was Curt Flood. Being a dead-beat-dad, chronic drunk, artistic-scam-artist (really!) and living-beyond-your-means money hustler is what led to his trail-blazing attempt to become baseball’s first free agent. This is no disciple of Jackie Robinson, just a con-man whose reckless behavior around the globe damaged countless lives, and eventually caught up with him. Perhaps his greatest slight-of-hand is that - in his 59th and final year - he was still hustling friends and family to pick up his tab…and they did!..while calling HIM a hero!