Sherrybaby (DVD)

Sherrybaby (2006) starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. After her release from prison, Sherry Swanson (Gyllenhaal) returns to the realities of life, visiting with her parole officer, finding a job and trying to be a mother to her five-year-old daughter. There are some unforgettable scenes and a superb performance by Gyllenhaal. Grade: A

This Film Is Not Yet Rated (DVD)

This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) directed by Kirby Dick. Documentary investigating the secretive and inconsistent process by which the Motion Picture Association of America rates films. Dick hired a private investigator to find out who the members of the motion picture rating board are (their names had previously been kept secret). This film makes for an interesting look inside the flawed rating process. Grade: B+

Umberto D. (DVD)

Umberto D. (1952) starring Carlo Battisti. An old man in post-war Rome struggles to survive on his small pension. Bankrupt and lonely, he has only his beloved dog and a maid as friends. Could have been titled "An Old Man and His Dog." It's a good film, but not very exciting by current Hollywood standards. Directed by Vittorio De Sica. In Italian, with English subtitles. Grade: B+

Jules and Jim (DVD)

Jules and Jim (1961) starring Oskar Werner, Henri Serre, Jeanne Moreau. Two writers who are close friends fall in love with the same woman in Paris right before World War I. The fact that it is basically a true story gives it heightened impact. Based on an autobiographical novel by Henri-Pierre Roche. In French, with English subtitles. Grade: A

The Four Hundred Blows (DVD)

The Four Hundred Blows (1959), directed by Francois Truffaut. In black and white, French with English subtitles. The cast of this film will be unrecognizable to the vast majority of Americans. In the movie, an adolescent Parisian boy is neglected by his parents, acts up in school, and turns to a life of petty crime. He doesn't get very far, and his parents turn him over to the care of the state. I think this is meant to be a commentary on society, but since it's French society, maybe something was lost in translation. I was very involved in the story, but the ending seemed a little flat. Grade: B

The Illusionist (DVD)

The Illusionist (2006) starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel. A magician (Norton) returns to public life after a long absence, and finds that his true love (Biel) is engaged to be married to a prince. How can he win her back, and win her freedom? Giamatti is great in a supporting role. Grade: A-

The Devil Wears Prada (DVD)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker. Small-town girl Andrea Sachs (Hathaway) takes a job as assistant to powerful fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Streep). At first, Andrea is indifferent to the fashion world, but soon finds herself sucked in by the force of her boss' personality. Streep is masterful as the boss from hell, and Hathaway charms as she goes through the transition from fashion slob to "glamazon." Emily Blunt is a standout in the supporting role of Priestly's assistant. Grade: B

A Scanner Darkly (DVD)

A Scanner Darkly (2006) starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder. Directed by Richard Linklater. Based on Philip K. Dick's novel. Reeves plays an undercover cop working in a world, "seven years from now," where almost everyone is addicted to a drug called Substance D. The most notable feature of this film is the rotoscoping, whereby live actors are "animated" by tracing over their image in every frame of the movie. The effect doesn't contribute much to the work, other than to make it look weird. Grade: B-