It is amazing how movies can transport you to another place and time, possibly taking you to a mystical place or pulling you into the fabric of a time long ago. Providing fantasy thoughts or just filling in history for events that have long been forgotten. That is where I have been these past couple of weeks. A few years back when I was single and sick over Christmas and New Years, I decided to go through the Top 100 list on the American Film Institute’s list and watch as many as I could. Classics such as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest that I had never seen. Well, I am still behind in my film viewing, but here are my movie reviews, take it or leave it.

– The Last King of Scotland: It is amazing that most of us in the US are ignorant of world events, and especially of the atrocities that have occurred in Africa. I traveled to Rwanda a few years ago and learned of the terrible genocide that happened there in the early 90s only because I was going there on a mission trip and wanted to learn of the culture. I haven’t traveled to Uganda so I was quite unaware of Idi Amin, former president of the country, and the stories that surrounded his tenure. The man, the politician, the father, the husband, the dictator and the monster that was Idi. Be sure to watch the additional features on the DVD for additional insight into the life of this man.

– Sweeney Todd: I was in the cast of townspeople singing the song of Sweeney Todd in college. This was the only musical that I performed and it was the most interesting yet disturbing. For the movie, Tim Burton does an excellent job of casting the characters and allowing them to tell the story through song and music. My only grumbling coming out of the movie was that the main chorus was missing (only someone familiar with the play would know that). A “must see” for a musical, although dark and sad.

– The Bourne Ultimatum: The third in a series of movies that has kept me interested. I love conspiracy theories and action movies (as well as Matt Damon) so this movie was a must see. The only problem is the action is non-stop and if you miss one part, you may miss a critical puzzle piece that will pop up later in the movie. So, don’t drink too much soda or you will be in misery because going to the restroom on this movie is out of the question.

– We Own the Night: Anything with Mark Wahlberg has to be good, but this movie is also redemptive in nature. Joaquin Phoenix is an exceptional actor and plays this part well. I love a movie with a good ending and this was a surprise for me as I was expecting a shortfall on goodness from the characters. From the movie trailers, you expect Joaquin’s character to be hardened and almost evil, but this movie shows that blood is thicker than water and good wins over evil. If you are in law enforcement, this may be hard to watch as the cops are hunted down with a vengeance by the Russian mob, but a good movie to see.

– The Kite Runner: A movie you will never forget! After seeing this movie, I could not stop thinking about several scenes that deeply impacted me and made me question my commitment to my friends, family and faith. The story is about two boys, best friends, in Afghanistan before the Soviet invasion. It shares the drama of their lives even after the invasion and how it was changed forever because of one event. You will be deeply moved by the film, cheering one minute, holding back tears the next.

– Norbit: Ok, so Joe wanted to see this movie and we rented it. Even though Eddie Murphy (which should have been a big hint) plays three different characters very well, it is not as funny as the trailer and after the first 15 minutes, we should have turned it off.

– We Are Marshall: We started watching this last evening but were interrupted by Colt waking from his nap. This is based on a true story of a plane crash that happened in the early 70s in West Virginia. The Marshall University football team was returning from an away game when their plane crashed and all people on board were killed. This is the story of how the school, and the entire town, put aside their loss to rebuild the football program at the school. Being from West Virginia, I am interested in seeing the rest of the film and will provide an “review” later.

Thanks for tuning in. HAPPY NEW YEAR!