Dan in Real Life

Set in Cheese Ball, USA, an idyllic cabin on a lake where loving families play games, put on a talent show, do family aerobics on the lawn, and of course, play a family game of touch football, Dan in Real Life shows the father of 3 girls, two of whom are ultra-snotty teens, who is visiting his parents and happens upon his brother's girlfriend (he doesn't know it at the time) and falls for her. Well, of course, the woman is Juliette Binoche, I mean come on who wouldn't fall for Juliette Binoche. I guess I'm just disappointed that a movie with the charming Steve Carell and one of my favorite actresses, the lovely Binoche, is just so mediocre. There's nothing worse than a movie that has tons of potential but falls flat.

Gone Baby Gone

This is the first movie I have scene with Casey Affleck (with the exception of a small role in Good Will Hunting) and who knew he was such a good actor. He's very watchable and real. I guess I am surprised since I find his brother Ben such a mediocre actor. Gone Baby Gone is based on a Dennis Lehane novel, who also wrote Mystic River, and bad actor Ben directs. Who knew? He can direct. The most interesting aspect of the movie, I think, is the crisis of conscience that the Casey Affleck's character struggles with. He feels guilty and talks about shame and remorse and tries to do the right thing when the right thing is difficult to ascertain.