THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF (2008) – My rating: 8.5/10

I absolutely loved this movie.  William Hurt plays Brett Hanson, a newly released prison inmate with nowhere to go.  He soon meets up with Martine, played by Kristen Stewart and Gordy, played by Eddie Redmayne.  As the movie progresses, Brett Hanson’s life is revealed and the three embark on a road trip/journey that proves to be mentally healthy and empowering for all.  It seems their common denominator is loneiness.  I can’t say I’ve seen any other movies like this one.  I loved the fact that there was little violence and the story wasn’t over the top.  Explanations were feasible, decisions somewhat sensible and the ending was very well done.  Brett Hanson’s story was the most profound given his age and experiences which included a woman named May, played by Maria Bello.  I highly recommend this movie as it delves into the lives of the lonely and shows you should not judge a book by it’s cover.  Now available on Netflix.

MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) – My rating: 9/10

I’ve seen many movies depicting Nelson Mandela’s long, renowned struggle for equally and the end of Apartheid in South Africa.  I thought this chronicle was going to be more of the same.  I was very happy to see Mandela’s history from early childhood all the way to his inauguration as President of the nation he loved so much, which included his 27 years stay in prison.   How Mandela went from a peaceful freedom fighter to a lifer was well documented in this story of peace, violence, love and hate.  We were taken through the Winnie Mandela  innocent years into her transformation to a leader of the people who stood for violence. It was amazing to see how Mandela dealt with the hopelessness and despair he was faced with on a daily basis for 27 years.  Edris Elba surprisingly portrayed an excellent Nelson Mandela even though his ascent was a little shaky.  I thought this film was well done and didn’t leave out much.  By the end of the movie that hopelessness and despair was replaced by love and hope.  Very well done.  Edris is up for a Golden Globe award for best actor and may get an Oscar nod as well.

[Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is nominated for Achievement in Music Written for Motion pictures (Original Song)]

HOMEFRONT (2013) – My rating: 7/10

This was a quick Hollywood, holiday season throw-in.  Decent plot but nothing to get excited about.  A single dad and former, top DEA agent, played by Jason Statham, ends up having to clean up his new town by annihilating a current meth lab and teaching the locals a lesson or two.  There is lots of violence and action.  No surprise there — Jason is known for his fighting antics and no nonsense execution of lethal blows.  The big surprise for me was James Franco who played a drug warlord.  I’m not use to seeing James in this type of role.  He did a pretty good job for a guy who kind of zoned out on the academy awards presentation he was hosting.  Another surprise for me was that Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay.

If you’re looking for a nice family movie to take the kids, this is not the one.  Lots of profanity as well as the violence.  I wasn’t sorry I saw Homefront but it didn’t make me go WOW!

MAN OF STEEL (2013) – My rating: 9.5/10

Man of Steel is a 2013 superhero film featuring the DC Comics character Superman. It is a British-American venture produced by DC Entertainment, Legendary Pictures and Syncopy, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is the first installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by Zack Snyder and written by David S. Goyer.

The best Superman ever produced, hands down!  I think Man of Steel “MOS” was under marketed or they didn’t make the best use of the trailers.  Still, I expected Man of Steel to be good, not great.  After seeing it, wow, was I rewarded.  I felt Director, Zack Snyder took the audience on a fact finding mission to understand, once and for all, how and why Superman came into existence.  And whose brilliant, fore-site was it to cast Henry Cavill as Superman?  You just can’t get any hotter than that!  Amy Adams rounded out this fantastic cast as a perfect Lois Lane.  The movie took on a biblical flavor, alluding to (33 year old Jesus), who is good vs. Satan, who is evil).  Every piece of this movie fit like a glove and every piece of the story was necessary.  I found so many folks didn’t really want to see the new Man of Steel.  I couldn’t imagine why.  My 15 year old grandson, who also didn’t want to see it is recommending it to all his friends.  “MOS” has just the right amount of violence, action, destruction and romance to be a winner.  I enjoyed every minute of the movie and highly recommend Man of Steel to everyone!

BTW:  I only gave Man of Steel a 9.5 rating because there’s no way I could buy into Lois Lane not knowing Clark Kent’s true identity as Superman.  I found that concept a little insulting.  I know it’s always been that way, however I think it’s time for a change!