Solaris Four stars Director: Steven Soderbergh, based on the novel by Stanislaw Lem Stars: George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Davies, Viola Davis, and John Cho With the opening scenes of “Solaris,” the mood is unquestionably somber. George Clooney plays Dr. Chris Kelvin, a psychiatrist who seems to be just going through the motions. One of the first scenes is him just sitting in bed alone. Many will recognize in his body language as one of those times where something weighs on our minds so heavily, it is a Herculean effort just to get up and begin the day. Much of this film is shot in dark, muted colors to further enhance the overall tone. Make no mistake, science-fiction is the vehicle here. But this is a psychological/existential thriller, if we must assign labels. Kelvin is visited by two strange men who are part of a private company that has taken over a mission from NASA. Kelvin’s friend, Dr. Gibarian (Ulrich Tukur) and a small crew are aboard a space statio...

  Inside Job Directed by: Charles Ferguson Written by: Charles Ferguson, Chad Beck, and Adam Bolt When I was still a reporter, I remember trying to wrap my head around the machinations of the global economic crisis that took place in 2008. I had covered some of the peripheral fallout such as the local construction sites that had been left abandoned, seemingly overnight, but never had the chance to get to the heart of the matter. However, I had a valuable resource -- childhood friend James Pressler -- an economist and terrific writer. He took me behind the scenes, dispensed with the political spin surrounding the events, and helped me grasp exactly what was going on. It was a tragic turn of events for many, to say the least. But it sparked something in me. And then this film came out, which furthered my interest in the subject. Not only is “Inside Job” one of the best documentaries of the 21 st Century so far, it is one of the best films of any genre, and certainly one of...

  Inception  Director: Christopher Nolan.  Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard.  Rated: PG-13 (for sequences of violence and action throughout).  Running time: 2:28.  Cinema has angered me, moved me to tears, made me laugh until it hurt. It has enthralled, exhilarated me and physically drained me at times. But I have not seen anything quite like “Inception;” a film that left me shaking my head at how creative it is. I cannot recall a time when I finished watching a film and was awed by its accomplishment. And mind you, this is an exhibition of creativity within a rather conventional framework. It uses characters we’ve perhaps seen before, a story that is also quite familiar to us. Yet Nolan’s work still comes across as new and exciting, which is perhaps his most subtle yet most significant accomplishment here. It’s just one of many within the film. Here, Nolan...

We haven't quite gotten to the point yet where movie theaters are fully open. But we're getting closer. For those of you who will still stream movies at home for the time being, the films I've reviewed for "Great Films of the 21st Century" are certainly worth your time. The King’s Speech Director: Tom Hooper Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Derek Jacobi, Michael Gambon. Rated: R (for some language) Running time: 1:58 Some have greatness thrust upon them. “The King’s Speech” opens with the man who would become King George VI of England attempting to speak publicly at the opening of the British Empire Exhibition in the mid-1920s. He stands before a massive crowd that has fallen dead silent so they can hear every word. Under the intense pressure and scrutiny, with the eyes of thousands upon him and a menacing-looking red light indicating the microphone is live, he can’t get the words out. He stutters uncontrollably. ...

  Theaters are finally starting to open up after being closed for more than a year. But if you're still not comfortable going out in public and are still streaming your films at home, this series, "Worth a Look," might give you an idea of what to watch. These may not be the most critically acclaimed films. But they are still worth your time. The Town Three stars Director: Ben Affleck Stars: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, John Hamm, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper. Rated: R (for strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use). Running time: 2:05 The bank heist film can be approached from the angle of how complex a job is and whether the main characters are good enough at what they do to pull it off. Then there is the cat and mouse game between the guy who heads the bank robbing crew and the federal agent who wants to catch him. This is the tack Ben Affleck takes in the film he co-wrote, directed and starred in. It could be pred...

  Let's hope we will be able to get back to experiencing films like they should be experienced -- in the theaters. Until then, you're likely getting the most out of your streaming services. So in this series, "Worth a Look," these may not be the most critically acclaimed films. But they are still worth your time. The American Three and a half stars Director: Anton Corbijn. Stars: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Paolo Bonacelli, Irina Bjorklund, Thekla Reuten. Rated: R (for violence, sexual content and nudity). Running time: 1:43 “The American” is the anti-action action flick.   It’s about an assassin hiding out and waiting for instructions for his next job. But there are aren’t elaborate, massive shoot outs; no big explosions and only one small chase scene. Even the dialogue is sparse. But director Anton Corbijn takes this script based on the novel “A Very Private Gentleman” by Martin Booth and illustrates a more subdued story, a terrific antidote for ...

  Let's hope we will be able to get back to experiencing films like they should be experienced -- in the theaters. Until then, you're likely getting the most out of your streaming services. So in this series, "Worth a Look," these may not be the most critically acclaimed films. But they are still worth your time. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Three stars Director: Edgar Wright Stars: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Allison Pill, Ellen Wong, Anna Kendrick. Rated: PG-13 (for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references. Running time: 1:48. I had ambivalent feelings about seeing “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” simply because I was teetering on the point of Michael Cera saturation. Could I really take another film where he plays the lovable schlub with the dry wit? Yet, Edgar Wright -- yes he of “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” – sat in the captain’s chair for this one and those two of his previous films are indie favorit...