'The Visitor' (2011)

This is a beautiful, touching film about a widower who discovers that 'illegal immigrants' are squatting in his city apartment after leaving it empty for a long time. I loved this film especially when the professor learns the drums. Highly recommended. 

Second Hand Wedding

'Second Hand Wedding' is a New Zealand film. It gets off to a pretty rocky start and as one of the comments I read said, "The irony here as you begin to watch Second-Hand Wedding is that you feel as if you are watching a second-hand copy!! ". Stick with it though - it is full of treasures. The story is beautiful. I went to see it in the Stratford theatre for International Women's Day this week. The film shows a range of relationships and experiences and I would highly recommend it. Lots of laughs and a few tears. Margaret and David reviewed it here - At The Movies: Second Hand Wedding

The Sapphires

I finally watched this film this week. It's very good. Based on a true story about a group of Australian girls who toured Vietnam to entertain the troops. The relationships and family scenes are gold. The music is wonderful. I highly recommend this. Others do too, it won awards.

I was kind of amused (because I've never been thrilled  with how the US treats Australian film), but mostly offended at this article: The Age: Furore over 'sexist, racist' Sapphires DVD cover for US release. How can they get it so wrong?

 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Still fabulous even the second time around. I went to see it last year and blogged about it a couple of times on my other blog. Solid gold actors, gentle challenges humorously handled. Love it!

Lars and the Real Girl

This film was recommended to me by two guys and because it's a romantic comedy and I love these men, I couldn't wait to see it. It's not every day men recommend the romantic comedy genre. I should have known there would be a blow up doll involved!

Seriously though, it is a touching story and much more than a funny love story. If only there were communities like that. People that didn't judge or become repulsed by peoples weirdness. Communities that tolerated and cared instead of medicating or ignoring others pain.

It was a beautiful story and I highly recommend it.

Little Children

I'd heard nothing about this film, yet from the opening scene, I felt drawn into it. The thoughts of this mother and the narrators summation of the situations were effective in creating a remarkable clarity of storytelling. It was at once emotionally engaging and quite human.

I recommend 'Little Children' and I imagine this film will stay with me for quite a duration. It was quite an experience.

Rotten Tomatoes has a range of reviews.