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Conviction: Oscar Worthy Performances!


I was finally able to see Conviction last night after waiting, for what seemed like forever, for it to be in wide release.  I only had to see the trailer once to know that this was a movie that I had to see!  I love movies that are based on a true story and especially incredible stories like this one... 

Conviction is based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters, played by Hilary Swank, whose brother, Kenneth Waters, played by Sam Rockwell,  is convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole.  To defend Kenny, Betty Anne pushes herself to the limit and gets her GED, a B.A., puts herself through law school and finally passes the bar, all while raising two boys.  She ultimately dedicates her whole life to making sure her brother, who she believes has been wrongfully convicted, is acquitted and set free.  This story is an incredible testament to the power of love and the unbreakable bond between a brother and a sister.  It is a love story unlike the usual romantic comedies and classical romances that I am used to.  This is a love story where family comes first, and there is nothing else without it.  This movie displayed how truly amazing love is! While it can make you do crazy things, it can also push you to places where you never thought you could go and achieve what you thought was unachievable.


The screenplay was well written and wonderfully delivered! The performances in the film were unmatched and the dialogue was superb! Simply extraordinary portrayals by Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver and Juliette Lewis! These actors really played their parts and they played them well! They made you believe every word that came out of their mouths and feel the emotion behind those words.  I am quite sure that we will see these actors at the Oscars, nominated for the roles that they comprised in this film, and I will not be surprised if they all turn out to be winners! 

This was really a heart-warming adaptation of such a touching story.  It is one of those movies where you will like and root for Betty Anne from the very beginning until the very end.  Get your tissues handy, because you will need them. 

Watch the trailer here:

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Life As We Know It- You'll Love It!


Life As We Know It is a beautiful story picturing what would happen if you were named a godparent of your best friend's child and you suddenly had to fulfill that role, having never parented before and needing to abruptly give up your whole life.

Holly, played by Katherine Heigl, and Messer, played by Josh Duhamel, must do just that.  They each give up their individual lives to raise their best friend's child, Sophie,...together.  Here we have two people who within the first 20 minutes have made it quite obvious that they strongly dislike the company of the other, and now they have to pull together, living under the same roof, to raise Sophie.  This movie was both heart-warming and fun, to say the least.  Oh how I really love Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel!  Their on-screen chemistry is absolutely delightful!  I think this movie really showcased their acting chops, especially in the case of Duhamel where we really haven't seen him many places, aside from the popular Transformers saga.


This movie was both genuine and refreshing.  For me, it was a wonderful time at the movies.  One of those times when you are happy to say you came.  A feel-good script that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Check out the trailer and see it!  You'll be happy that you did : )


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Wall Street & Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

It's twenty years later and we're back on Wall Street, Oliver Stone's Wall Street that is, but this time it's a little different.  Gordon Gekko has just been released from jail and is seemingly broke.  He finds himself riding the subway instead of getting chauffeured from place to place; a change that Gekko is definitely not used to.  We then meet Gekko's daughter, Winnie played by Carey Mulligan, and her boyfriend, Jake played by Shia LeBouf.  Jake is a Wall Street exec himself and Winnie is the complete opposite, wanting nothing to do with finance or her father who longs to build a relationship with her and looks to Jake to help him do so.  The question you will ask yourself is whether Gekko has changed or if the saying holds true that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

What is lacking from Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is the fast-paced nature that I loved in Wall Street.  In Wall Street, as some of you might remember, there was a sense of urgency to the script.  The audience was on the edge of their seats, waiting for what would happen next and if  Bud Fox's actions would catch up to him.  

It was nice, however, to see Charlie Sheen make a cameo in Wall Street 2 but that wasn't enough for the movie to make a lasting impression on me.

This is one sequel that I could have waited to see on dvd.  It took me quite a while to finish this commentary, considering I saw this film on opening night, but I was just not compelled to write on the movie.  It wasn't horrible...it just is what is...not really worth the time.


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