Morgan Spurlock's documentary, "Mansome" is a Great Documentary to See

Morgan Spurlock's documentary, "Mansome" is a great documentary to see. Morgan Spurlock is one of the best documentary filmmaker today. His films are provocative, gripping, and extremely interesting. This film tries to answer the questions what does it mean to be a man, and what is the definition of masculinity? With the help of Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, this film goes in depth of chivalry, grooming, metrosexuality, and appearance in general. The idea of masculinity has changed over the years, and Spurlock has an inside look of this whole idea by taking us through beard competitions, barber shops, and nail salons, to give us an answer of that it is up to interpretation and opinion. Culture and generations have been changing through the decades and the idea of looking nice and looking attractive and being manly has changed as well, and Morgan Spurlock has absolutely made another gem with this documentary.

Morgan Spurlock is one of my favorite directors. His films have been so entertaining, and funny to watch that he has probably killed the stereotype of documentaries being boring. He has made interesting films that are so exciting to watch because it is different from any other documentary because he is involved in his own film, much like he has done with "Super Size Me." This film was not as good as "Super Size Me" or "Greatest Movie Ever Sold" but it was a great film to watch to think about the idea about being the best person you can be.

Grade = 81/100 = B-

"The Lifeguard" is Brilliant

"The Lifeguard" is brilliant. Leigh, played by Kristen Bell, is a journalist living in New York. After a breakup, Leigh wants a fresh start, so she decides to go back home in Connecticut. Leigh is thirty and wanting to do something different than her life in New York, so she decides to move back home with her parents, and take up her old job of being a lifeguard. She starts spending time with her old friends, Todd, played by Martin Starr, and Mel, played by Mamie Gummer. Todd and Mel are trying to become adults in the same town they grew up in, so they were puzzled with Leigh's new ideas. Nonetheless, Leigh starts her job and meets a couple of teenagers, Jason, played by David Lambert, and Matt, played by Alex Shaffer. Jason and Matt are troubled teenagers. They smoke, do drugs, and they have plans of dropping out of high school, and moving to Vermont. They understand Leigh though, and Jason is one of the few people lives that care about her in her time of need. Jason and Leigh start a forbidden love affair. Leigh tries to figure out what she is going to do in her lost state.

This film is good, and it really hits home by the end. This film plays with your emotions, it is a raw, intense film that questions aspects of life. The cast really portrayed this idea very well. This was David Lambert's first feature film and he did very well, and it was believable to see him have this forbidden relationship with Kristen Bell. Another great role in this film was shown by Martin Starr. He has a great career so far, and it started on the amazing show, "Freaks and Geeks." He is always great, and hilarious to watch. Mamie Gummer was also fantastic in this film. She was great on "The Big C" and this film she really shined. The two main characters in this film that were especially great Alex Shaffer's and Kristen Bell's. Alex Shaffer always ceases to amaze me. This was his second feature film, and after "Win Win" I knew he was going places. In this film, he played his part so well and he was believable. Kristin Bell really surprised me in this film. This is obviously the best role she has had next to "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." She needed to get out of the romantic comedies and in this film exceeding every expectation for anyone, and she nailed this role. This is an fierce, gut-wrenching film, but excellent by the end. It did not great reviews but if watched with an open-mind it can be relatable, and satisfying by the end of the film.

Grade = 80/100 = B-

"Riding in Cars With Boys" is an Overall Great Film

"Riding in Cars With Boys" is an overall great film. Beverly, played by Drew Barrymore, is a strong woman who gets pregnant at the age of 15. The father of the baby is Ray, played by Steve Zahn. Ray is not the most mature or prepared father but he vows to try to do his best for their child. This film has two stories going on at once. The story of Beverly taking care of her child, and the present, where Beverly tries to track down Ray because she is writing a book about her life. Beverly tries to be the best mother she can, even when Ray becomes a drug addict and still has no idea what to do about the child. Beverly perseveres and tries as best as she can to be a writer and be an amazing mother. This film thoroughly clarifies that parenting does not have a guide book.

This film is great mainly because of the writing and the cast. This film was based on a novel about Beverly D'Onofrio's life. It is a true story that can be relatable to anyone. Life changes in an instant. Beverly had dreams of going to school and becoming a writer, it took longer than expected but she did it, regardless she was a single mother. Steve Zahn was great in this film. He has not had the best track record of great films but he is a decent actor mainly because of this film. A great supporting role in this film was Brittany Murphy. She played Beverly's friend Fay and she did a fantastic job for this film. It is a shame that she had to pass so soon. Furthermore, Drew Barrymore was incredible in this film. She has always been a household name but she has not been in that amazing role yet, where she wins a bunch of awards. This is one of her best roles next to "Grey Gardens" and after she is this flop with Adam Sandler called "Blended," I hope she has an amazing role that will land her a nomination.

Grade = 83/100 = B

"For the Love of the Game" is One of Kevin Costner's Best

"For the Love of the Game" is one of Kevin Costner's best. Kevin Costner plays Billy Chapel. Billy is a forty year old baseball pitcher, and we see him pitching the best game of his life. He is pitching a perfect game, the best achievement a pitcher can receive other than winning the CY Young award. A perfect game consists of no walks, no hits, allowed the entire nine innings. While this game is happening, Billy is contemplating his entire life, mostly with his past relationship named Jane, played by Kelly Preston. Jane and Billy didn't work out but Billy is still in love with Jane, and Billy has to figure out how he wants to leave his legacy while playing the best game of his life.

This film is such a great experience to watch through. It has an amazing cast including, John C. Reilly, Brian Cox, J.K. Simmons, and Jena Malone. This film was based on a novel, and it was a great story put to screen. Sam Raimi directed this film and he did a fantastic job of going from one story of the baseball game to Billy Chapel's flashbacks. Kelly Preston did a spectacular job also. She has been in the business for awhile and she is also great to see on screen. Kevin Costner really deserves recognition for this role. He has always been one of the best actors of all time, and today he is still in plenty of films. Its a shame that he has only won two Oscars because he is one of the best actors of all time. Please watch this amazing story put to screen.

Grade = 85/100 = B

The Remake of "True Grit" is One of the Coen Brother's Best

The remake of "True Grit" is one of the Coen Brother's best. It tells the story Mattie Ross, played by Hailee Steinfeld, who tries to find his father's killer. She gets help from a U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn, played by Jeff Bridges. They set out on a journey through the wilderness on horseback to find Tom Chaney, played by Josh Brolin, to try to kill him to avenge Mattie's father's death. With the help of a man named LBoeuf, played by Matt Damon they will try their best.

This film is spectacular mainly because of the cast and the Coen Brothers. Josh Brolin is the villain in this film but regardless he does a fantastic job and any role he is given is great. Matt Damon has been around for awhile and he is also spectacular. "Good Will Hunting," "The Departed" and "True Grit" are only three films that he has been that were amazing. Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld were nominated for Oscars for this film and they deserved it. Jeff bridges is always fantastic in any role, and this film he spot on, and also hilarious. This was Hailee Steinfeld's first film and she was amazing. I was pulling for her to win the Oscar because she was gutsy, entertaining, and she was exciting to watch in this film. And the Coen brothers did an amazing job for this remake. They are the best in business, and any actor would die for a role in one of their films. They are geniuses. This film should be apart of their legacy.

Grade = 89/100 = B+

"Enough Said" is a Great Film for James Gandolfini's Last

"Enough Said" is a great film for James Gandolfini's last. Eva, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is a divorced woman living with her daughter Ellen, played by Tracey Fairaway. After getting divorced, it has just been Eva and Ellen and Eva has been lonely. And Ellen is going away to college at the end of the summer, and Eva is looking for someone. Eva is a masseuse and after plenty of clients talking about their lives, she wants to have one again, when she becomes an empty nester.  She goes to a party, with her friends Sarah, played by Toni Collette, and Will, played by Ben Falcone. She meets a new client named Marianne, played by Catherine Keener, and a heavyset man but also appealing man named Albert, played by James Gandolfini. Albert asks for Eva's number because like Eva, he is divorced and looking for a relationship after his daughter leaves for college. Eva starts to date Albert and she really starts to like him. And she is also liking spending time with Marianne, the only problem is that Albert is Marianne's ex-husband. Eva has to figure out what she really wants.

This film was incredibly hilarious and it was very simple and heartwarming just like the relationship they portrayed in this film. This is very entertaining to watch, and throughout the film you want to know how their relationship will end up. Julia Louis-Dreyfus does a fantastic job as the lead. She was funny, and a very strong independent woman. She is a legendary actress because of her amazing role on "Seinfeld" and it is great to see her in films also and still be around in Hollywood. Some great supporting roles in this film included, Toni Collette, Catherine Keener, and Ben Falcone. James Gandolfini was amazing in this film, and it is a travesty that he is gone so soon. This film can be apart of his legacy.

Grade = 86/100 = B

Lena Dunham is a Genius for "Girls" and "Tiny Furniture"

"Tiny Furniture" is one of the best indie comedies ever made. It tells the story of Aura, played by Lena Dunham. Aura has just graduated from college, and she is moving back in with her mother and little sister. And she is dealing with the struggles of post graduation. She also just got out of a relationship that was supposed to lead to marriage. She is in a rut, and she needs to find a new journey for herself. After much encouragement from her best friend, Charlotte, played by Jemima Kirke, she decides to get a job as a hostess at a restaurant. She still is not herself, and she is going through a tough time in her life. Lena Durham gives a powerful performance and this film skyrocketed her career to stardom because now she is extremely successful with her hit HBO show "Girls." This was her first film.

Lena Dunham is a genius. I am in awe of how amazing her films and her show are. This film was directed, and written by her, and she also was the lead. This film had so many witty moments and awkward happenings that a college graduate can relate to. She portrayed this great view of post graduation so well. It is an incredibly difficult part of a person's life, and I am dreading it completely. She showed that it is not easy for anyone, we will be scared, and nervous, and feeling helpless but we will get through it. Lena and her little sister played siblings in this film and they were both fantastic. Grace Dunham has not been in many films but she she did very well in this film. Jemima Kirke was spectacular in this film also. She was beautiful, funny, audacious and she just nailed this role, and her role on "Girls." This film really opened the door for Lena Dunham and she deserves all of the success so far.

"Tiny Furniture" = 88/100 = B+