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THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB: We both enjoyed this romantic comedy about a book club devoted to the novels of Jane Austin. Five women and one man meet to talk about Austen’s novels, and manage to talk a lot about themselves and their lives. Amy Brenneman, Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Maggie Grace and Emily Blunt, who was so good in The Devil Wears Prada, are joined in their literary efforts by the delicious Hugh Dancy. An unusual group, but an interesting one. Their life and love problems seem to parallel Austen’s novels—Bello, for example, is Emma. I was totally engaged in their stories. It’s a rare movie that celebrates and encourages reading, but I particularly liked that aspect of the film. In fact, I went home and started Austen’s first written but last published novel, Northanger Abbey—a book I’ve had on my bookshelf for several years. The movie is probably more enjoyable for someone who is reasonably familiar with Austen’s novels. Although it qualifies as a "chick-flick," Gary did enjoy it, and reader Paul K., has given it a glowing endorsement in this issue’s Readers’ Views. B+ for me and a B for Gary. GRADE B+/B.

JAPANESE STORY: If you are a Toni Collette fan you won't want to miss this Australian film. A.O. Scott of the New York Times says that it's the main reason to see the film. This is a movie about characters, not plot. If you did not like Lost In Translation, you may find this movie equally slow. Collette is Sandy, a geologist with her own software company in the Northwestern Australia outback. Her partner asks her to look after an important visiting Japanese industrialist, Tachibana Hiromitsu (Gotaro Tsunashima). At first they are the picture of culture clash. Hiro assumes she is merely his driver and even expects her to hoist his heavy suitcase into the auto. He ignores her protests and demands to be driven far into the remote desert. Eventually, they begin to connect on several levels. A sudden tragedy changes everything for Sandy. The critics are somewhat divided on this film. One called it "snoozy and unconvincing," while Boxoffice Online Reviews said, "What at first seems to be a clichéd, slow-moving, cross-cultural odd couple/fish-out-of-water comedy about a collision of opposites evolves into a poignant love story with profound repercussions." Even if you find the story a bit thin, or even melodramatic, you will be impressed with the power of Collette's performance. We both were quite moved by this film. GRADE B+

JUDY BERLIN: This is a difficult movie to review. It is a black and white film festival or art house movie and will not win a large audience. If you like independent films the way they used to be before independent filmmakers went Hollywood, you may like this excellent movie. If superior acting turns you on, then you should definitely see Judy Berlin because all the performances are superb. Writer/Director Eric Mendelsohn gives us glimpses into the lives of several residents of Babylon, New York. We only see them for one day-but it is an extraordinary day because there is a total eclipse of the sun that lasts all afternoon . At first a four-hour eclipse bothered me, but I realized after a while that it serves as a powerful visual metaphor for the half-light in which people live--never completely understanding themselves or others. We meet Sue Berlin (Barbara Barrie), a teacher in Babylon's elementary school, her principle, Arthur Gold (Bob Dishy) for whom Sue has a private yearning. We also meet Sue's daughter, Judy Berlin (Edie Falco from TV's The Sopranos) who is leaving to pursue her impossible dream of acting in the movies. In addition, we get involved with Arthur's wife, Alice (Madeline Kahn in her last movie role), and his son, David (Aaron Hamick). Also notable, was Bette Henritze as a retired teacher suffering from Altzbeimers. I agree with a critic who said, "Those who see it will have a hard time shaking its gentle, ghostly echoes." (Gary gives it a B.) GRADE: B+/B

JUNO: If there has been a more adorable and engaging heroine in a movie this year than Ellen Page, I haven’t seen her. Juno (Page’s character) is also much smarter and wittier than any 16-year-old has a right to be, and for that, we must credit the writer, Diablo Cody. We’re not the only ones to praise her clever writing. Cody has garnered a Golden Globe nomination for this, her first screenplay. The terrific cast includes J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney, Jennifer Garner,Jason Bateman and they are all outstanding. Michael Cera (Superbad) is particularly perfect as Juno’s friend, Paulie. The tagline of the film is, A comedy about growing up...and the bumps along the way, and all I’m going to say about the story is that Paulie is the father of Juno’s baby bump. That fact is made clear in the first few minutes of the film, so it won’t spoil anything for you. The rest of the story and all the people in it are delightful and unpredictable and we urge you to see this Oscar-worthy film. And remember the name, Ellen Page. She has real star quality. GRADE A.

That ain't no etch-a-sketch. That's one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet.

. . .Rainn Wilson as a convenience store clerk

JESUS' SON: This is a hard movie to grade. It's quite well put together, but not a story that most people will find enjoyable. It's a movie about a drug addicted young man whose nickname is F** *head, shortened to FH. He comes by his nickname honestly because he tends to screw up all the time. But he is at heart a good-natured kid, and Billy Crudup is credible in the part. Samantha Morton who was so good as the mute girl in Sweet and Lowdown plays his girlfriend. Jack Black, who was the chubby clerk in High Fidelity, appears here and he is outstanding in a macabre/funny scene in a hospital. Holly Hunter has a cameo role. The story is not linear, but is told in short episodes, probably because it was adapted from a series of short stories by Denis Johnson. The title is inspired by a Lou Reed lyric "When I'm rushing on my run/And I feel like Jesus' son. " Roger Ebert gave the film three stars and said, "He (FH) isn't a hero or an anti-hero, just a fairly clueless guy with good intentions who gets muddled by the drug lifestyle." Unlike most druggie movies this one has a hopeful ending. If you like counter-culture independent films, you might like this one. I liked it a bit better than Gary did. GRADE: C/C+

JUST LIKE HEAVEN: Neither of us cares much for movies with a supernatural theme, so Gary was a bit reluctant to see this one. At first, the idea of Witherspoon being a spirit that only Ruffalo could see was off-putting, but the two performers are so charming and the script so well done, that we were able to suspend our disbelief and enjoy an engaging love story. We first saw Ruffalo in You Can Count On Me and we were very impressed with this stage-trained actor. Witherspoon may be the most winsome actress working in films today. They make a great pair. Elizabeth (Witherspoon) is a workaholic doctor who was the victim of a horrible car crash. David (Ruffalo) is having difficulty recovering from the death of his wife two years earlier. When David sublets Elizabeth’s apartment, he starts seeing her everywhere. Together, they try to figure out why she has appeared to him and why she can’t remember her former life. One critic referred to this as a version of Ghost, "without all that messy pottery stuff." It’s also a bit like a modern version of Sleeping Beauty. I suppose it does qualify as a "chick-flick," but I hope that doesn’t keep you from seeing it. The performances are worth the price of a ticket. And it will satisfy those who enjoy a movie without violence or graphic sex. Plus, there are some great views of San Francisco. Anyone familiar with the real estate market in that city will realize that no young doctor could ever afford an apartment like Elizabeth’s, but that’s just something else that you accept in a movie like this. Gary give it a B-, but I say B. GRADE B/B-

JUST LOOKING: This is a first-time directing effort for Jason Alexander (George on TV's Seinfield) and he has a real feel for the time period and for sexually obsessed young boys. Just Looking is set in 1955 and offers a loving glimpse of a simpler time. Some critics might dismiss it as a typical coming-of-age plot, but we thought the albeit predictable elements were handled with charm and sensitivity. The people and their reactions were genuine and interesting. Lenny (Ryan Merriman) is a likeable and sexually naïve fourteen year old whose greatest goal in life is to see a couple "doing it." He tries to spy on his mother and stepfather with no success. When he is sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle in Queens for the summer, he is determined to achieve his goal. In the process, Lenny develops a crush on Hedy, an "older" woman who lives in the neighborhood. He is first attracted to her when he learns that she once modeled brassieres, but they develop a friendship that is quite touching. Ultimately, Lenny sees more than he bargained for, and he learns quite a bit about sex, love and forgiveness. Merriman is most appealing as Lenny and Gretchen Moll is lovely and vulnerable as Hedy. We also liked Peter Onorati as Lenny's Uncle Phil. Richard V. Licata is notable in the unenviable role of Lenny's hated stepfather. Also appearring are Patti LuPone as Lenny's mother and Amy Braverman as Alice, a young girl Lenny befriends.
GRADE: B