Henry Poole is Here

Luke Wilson stars in a film about a man who moves to a new neighborhood to find solitude, only to discover his home as a "Jesus figure" which gains unwanted popularity. An insightful comedy with meaningful montages and interested characters. An unexpected delight.

Buttery

Hunger

Based on the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike led by Bobby Sands, this film showed what happens when people are pushed to the extreme. A sad and graphic account of Sands dedication to his cause. A tough film yet well worth watching.

Buttery

Happy-Go-Lucky

This European flick has cheery music and an eccentric cast of characters to match. Poppy, a middle aged London schoolteacher, is optimistic even when the world around her seems low. An interesting comedy touches on learning how to drive, living the single life and maintaining a career.

Buttery

Elegy

Staring Penelope Cruz, this film gives an honest insight into the life of a teacher who falls for an oddly mature student. A touching story and dynamic main character make this film an unexpected success. A must see.

Buttery

Fireproof

With his marriage on the rocks a fireman makes his last attempt to repair and rebuild. A good theme yet the religious aspect is overdone. Would work better as a book instead of a film.

Salty

Up

Pixar is at it again when it comes to family films. An old man and young "wilderness explorer" travel to South American on an adventure to find the unknown. Beautiful detailed animation, simple opening montage and clever humor make this movie a delight for all ages.

Extra Butter

Powder Blue

A stripper, mortician, ex-con and suicidal ex-priest cross paths on Christmas eve in a power film similar to Crash. Great camera shots and use of the color blue. A drama well worth watching.

Buttery

Hounddog

Dakota Fanning stars as a girl who's love for Evlis Presley shines in her personality. Her broken home and rough upbringing make a drama with unclear twists. A dark film and well played role by the young Fanning.

Buttery

Ramen Girl

An American woman (Brittany Murphy) in Toyko searches for her purpose in life after loosing a boyfriend and feeling alone. Murphy plays her usual sappy female role even though the plot was informative on Japanese culinary. A good attempt at a chick flick, but a flop overall.

Satly

Hotel for Dogs

A family film about two kids who secretly take in stray dogs and care for them in a vacant hotel. Clever "dog contraptions" make the movie funny, yet ridiculous. Truly meant for those who are dog lovers.

Salty

Doubt

A nun (Meryl Streep) in 1964 confronts a priest she suspects of abusing a black boy. A dark drama with wonderful acting and a well written script. This film questions morals and authority.

Buttery

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A man (Brad Pitt) who enters life with a curious case of aging backwards is a lengthy film but a masterpiece nonetheless. Similar to "Forrest Gump (1994)", this story works through several decades in the history of two lovers. Life isn't measured in minutes, its measured in moments as precious as these.

Extra Butter

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

How valuable is a security guard to a mall? Pretty much what you would assume. This movie drags on and is predictable. Overall, the classic scene would have to be Paul playing the guitar at the arcade and getting a little carried away while the mall is broke into.

Stale and Salty

Taken

"I will find you, I will kill you!" A former spy has to fight to get back his daughter who was kidnapped and put into a slave trade. This gripping tale will have you at the edge of your seat with its dramatic plot.

Buttery

Passengers

A mystery is uncovered by a grief counselor, Claire Summers (Anne Hathaway), in the event of working with plane crash survivors. Over time her clients start to creepily vanish and the drama heightens. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you guessing till the very end.

Salty

Coraline

An imaginative story of a young girl who discovers another world through a hidden door that seems perfect compared to her own. Detailed animation and talented voices make this dream film come to life. Caution to parents: some visuals and events would be scary for younger viewers.

Buttery

Run Fatboy Run

This British romantic comedy is a sure win when it comes to my top picks. Dennis Doyle decides to run a marathon to win back the woman he ditched at the alter years ago. The humor and charm of the acting makes this film highly enjoyable.

Extra Butter

Horton Hears a Who!

A Dr. Seuss story comes to life when Horton (Jim Carrey), an elephant, struggles to save the tiny community of Whoville. With a cast of talented voices such as Seth Rogan and Steve Carell, this film is great for the entire family. It delivers laughs as well as imagination.

Buttery

The Spinderwick Chronicles

A fascinating story of a world filled with creatures and magic children discover while moving into their new home. Some moments were scary and others imaginative. Overall a film well worth watching but not meant for very young children.

Buttery

Fool's Gold

A married couple rekindles their romance in search for lost treasure. The acting was sub par as well as the plot. Overall, this film was pretty dry and unadventurous.

Stale

Fired Up

Two football hotties decide to ditch football camp and go to cheer camp instead for the summer in an attempt to get laid. A funny idea, but too much dry humor made the film drag on. For a film focused on cheer they could of at least shown more complex pyramids or competition action than uneventful high school dialogue.

Stale

The Burbs (1989)

Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) and his neighbors think there is something awfully suspicious about the new family in town and are determined to uncover their secrets. A wonderful comedy about paranoid snoops in a neighborhood where they have too much free time on their hands. A definite must see classic film.

Extra Butter