" The curious case of Benjaman Button" with Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Elle Fanning, Julia Ormond


"The Wrestler" with With Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood .

"Doubt" with Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Amy Adams, Viola Davis

These are all very good films. "Seven pounds" is the most difficult to follow because of it's very strange story of a man trying to find a way of forgiving himself for a terrible thing in his past. Will Smith is excellent and Rosario Dawson is a star in the making. I did find the movie depressing but very well acted. Not a lot of laughs in this one folks.

"Rachel getting married" is a tear-jerker as well. A family drama of a very dysfunctional family gathered together for a wedding. I cried through most of it. Fine acting by all but I was gloomy for days after seeing it.

"Curious case of Benjamin Button" is the most ambitious of this list and the most expensive. Written by the author of "Forrest Gump" you will see a lot of similarities between the two films. Fine work from Brad Pitt who give a subdued performance of considerable weight. Cate Blanchett is so stunningly beautiful that she takes the breath away from both men and women. The real star of the movie is the special effects. What they do with Pitt is amazing. I enjoyed it but found it too long.

We down-loaded "The Wrestler" from the internet. Interesting film but most notable for the come back performance of Mickey Rourke. The film mirrors Rourke's own weird career as an actor turned boxer turned actor and is very believable and he gives a heartfelt performance. He may be the emotional favorite for the Oscar. It's a guys film and having Marisa Tomei walking around virtually nude through out the whole move won't hurt either.

"Doubt" is by far the best of these movies. A very simple story, very well written. A mystery of sorts where the audience is left to make up their own minds about guilt and innocence. The best performance I have ever seen from Meryl Streep and great performances all the way around. Do not miss this one. If you see just one film this year....make it "doubt"