Earth, Air, Dralion...

Dralion: Cirque du Soleil

French (but no dialog, so who cares?)

89 minutes

4 Stars

I love CdS, but this disc seemed somehow slightly off. A little disjointed, perhaps? I'm not sure, exactly. Perhaps it was the cuts to the audience or the musical shifts, that took something away from the stage. The clowns were lough-out-loud funny, the make up and costuming fantastic, and of course, the circus performers were exactly what one would expect – Fantastic! The juggler was wonderful, the aerial acts delightful and the ballet on the lights.... Well, you will just have to watch! The vocals, per usual, are top notch!

Trailer

Western, Surreal Style

The Last Rites of Ransom Pride

English

83 minutes

5 Stars, Violent

This is a movie you'll love—or you'll hate. I loved it. A dark western, a good story, and I loved the high speed cutting of flashbacks. Important: Note the subtitles that give the dates. The cast is outstanding with Dwight Yoakam, Lizzy Caplan, Cote de Pablo, Peter Dinklage and Kris Kristofferson. The story of an outlaw woman who wants to bring her dead outlaw lover home for burial, and all the people who want to stop her. The story is great, the photography, directing, and acting superb. There is nothing romantic about this western, but there is love. If Peckinpah had done movies like this, I would have loved them! The violence is germane to the story, but not dragged out. Oh, did I mention the costumes are great, too?

Trailer, which does not do it justice

Mobs, Gagsters, and Great Movie

Find Me Guilty

English

125 Minutes, 2006

5 Stars

ADULT FILM!

Okay, I admit, I got the film because Peter Dinklage is in it. So is Vin Diesel as Jackie DiNorscio (with hair! – can you tell I watch the Riddick Chronicles?) and Linus Roach plays the lead Prosecutor (ADA Cutter on Law&Order). This was a total shocker for me. It is a courtroom drama that really held my interest, and is based on a true case when the mobster Jackie DiNorscio and a whole bunch of others stood trial on RICO charges. DiNorscio acted as his own counsel, the trial took 22 months (longest at that time in this country), and the jury took 14 hours to reach a unanimous verdict on all defendants and all counts. Drama, comedy, real life. It doesn't get much better. But, not a movie for the young ones in your home. Violence, language and, uh, sex.

 Trailer 

Peter Dinklage is The Man!

The Station Agent

English,

89 minutes, 2003

5 Stars

This is a quiet movie, contemplative. Fin inherits a wee bit of property from his late friend, and moves into the abandoned train depot, looking forward to becoming a hermit. Alas, his colorful neighbors won't allow it. Peter Dinklage plays Finbar McBride, a dwarf tired of the stereotypical reactions. Bobby Cannavale and Patricia Clarkson play two of his neighbors who don't see him as anything other than what he is – a neat guy. The language is a bit rough in places, but nothing your kids haven't heard at the bus stop or in the schoolyard, and a wee bit of drug use, again nothing not seen on any L&O. Common Sense rating is 16+ - I think it's fine for any age, as long as parents answer questions that arise. A delightful movie to start my New Year!

Trailer