Robert Downey, Jr.

Robert Downey, Jr. is one of the best actors of his generation. And yet, he's almost blown it on numerous occasions--he has been given more second chances than most people get - even by Hollywood standards. This, of course, must be attributed to his immense talent...who hasn't wanted to see him make a comeback when his chips, in the past, have been down? And, comeback kid he's been over the past few years with brilliant performances in blockbuster successes like "Iron Man" and "Tropic Thunder".

Here's hoping we continue to see more great work from him for many, many years - he's such an interesting actor that his performance alone can make a mediocre film watchable.

Take a look here at his highs and lows over the years.

Good Day to "The Merry Gentleman"

Ah, I shipped this one back to Netflix, sight unseen, having never even taken the disc out of its sleeve after having it for several weeks. I had wanted to see it but I just hadn't been in the mood lately for what looked like it would be a slowmoving drama with content that might even be a little depressing. Oh, well.

On its way will be one for Sean - maybe "District 9" or "Inglorious Basterds". If it's the latter, I'll certainly tune in and will report back if it's one you should check out.

The Movies: A Decade in Review

Hello readers,

Sorry posts have been few and far between this month! Like everyone else, it's been a busy month with the holidays swiftly approaching. You should begin to see more again next week.

In the meantime, here's a great slide show review (with commentary) of this decade at the movies. There will be some you'll shake your head at - how could THAT be included?! - and others you'll find list-worthy. Still others that you may want to add to your list of ones to add to your Netflix queue, rent at your local Blockbuster or even borrow from your local library (***If you haven't been to your local library lately, do yourself a favor and GO!! Most branches now have terrific AV collections, many branches get 'new release' films the same day they go to Blockbuster. And, it's free!) particularly with the kind of winter we may have in store--good moviewatching and reading weather :)

So, catch up on the decade that was known as the 'aught's' and take a look back at some of the best films, directors and other trends that happened onscreen in the 00's (can you believe the decade is almost over?!?) and click here

Any favorites jump out at you? Or, any listworthy films/actors/directors that didn't make the cut?

For me, one film that the reviewer trashed is "A Perfect Storm" with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg - whereas I absolutely loved it!! Popcorn movie with great cast, good story and a lot of heart - what could be better??

Opening this Friday: "Up in the Air"

I haven't written that much lately about current offerings at the movies and that's been for a reason - there hasn't been too much to get excited about, which is unusual for the fall when studios typically roll out their best in hopes of snagging a contender for Oscar season.

That looks like it will change this weekend with the opening of "Up in the Air" starring George Clooney and Vera Farmiga which is directed by Jason Reitman, who directed both "Juno" (absolutely loved!!) and "Thank You For Not Smoking" (really liked). Not to mention what sounds like an amazing soundtrack - it's playing in the background right now on my Mac. Click here to check it out.

If you like your romance & comedy just a little bit offbeat, this film may be for you. Viewing the movie's website while having the soundtrack on in the background, I couldn't help but be reminded of "Garden State". Except in this case, it's for the slightly older set not just the Gen Y hipsters.

I'm hoping I'll be able to see it sometime in the next week, will report back with what I hope will be a glowing review!

Readers' Choice: What are you watching & reading?

C'mon...I know you're out there and I'd love to hear from you!

Let us know what books or tomes you're reading, especially if they are page-turners!!

As for what you're watching - have you seen any movies lately, at the theatre or on DVD? What about on TV - any new favorites now that the fall season is under way?

Drop a quick note in the comments section so we know what's on your radar right now. Thanks!!

"The Answer Man" doesn't have all the answers. Nor does the movie.

I'm an unabashed rom-com fan. There - it's out there :)

For me, it's not that I think life is perfect or that I have unrealistic romantic expectations - it's simply that I like the stories in all their cheesy glory. It's a foregone conclusion that you will almost always have a happy ending...and that this 'sail into the sunset' usually can be called only a few minutes into the movie...sometimes even just from watching the trailer! They are known for being predictable, sometimes to a fault. People generally don't watch these for a sense of mystery or to determine 'whodunnit' (there are plenty of movies for that and I'll be sure to recommend any good ones since I love a good thriller or an involved and intricate mystery) - women tune in to romantic comedies because it's like comfort food on film--you can be reasonably assured you'll like it and it's an escape from the demands of real life, even if only for ninety minutes.

"The Answer Man", however, falls short....particularly in the first half-hour (which is where you want to hook your viewer not have their hand hovering above the 'Eject' button!): the tone is choppy and uneven and the movie struggles to find its groove. For those that hang in there - as I did - there are some sweet moments (one that comes to mind is between supporting actor Lou Taylor Pucci , a young man just out of rehab, and his on-screen alcoholic father) as well as some genuinely funny ones. Just not enough for me to strongly recommend this movie. As I've noted in an earlier post, Jeff Daniels is a fine actor and his talents aren't truly showcased in this vehicle. Lauren Graham's character - a single mom who has recently embarked upon a new career as a chiropractor - is a bit too saccharine and the chemistry between her & Daniels seems a stretch.

For those of you who enjoy knowing where the movie was shot, this was filmed in Philadelphia and the city itself makes for a great character in this otherwise mostly forgettable film.

On The Tube: "Modern Family" and "The Good Wife"

Do you need a good laugh? Add "Modern Family" to your lineup and you'll laugh throughout the show!

I think its one that fans of the late, great "Arrested Development" will like. Sean, after he watched, noted a similar style to "The Office", a show which we both love.

And, don't worry if you're behind - just jump in, I promise you won't be disappointed! (Generally you can do this with comedies whereas a show like "Flashforward" or "Lost" you do need to start from the beginning...that is, if the beginning is even the beginning - they like to keep you guessing!)

Meanwhile ABC has a new hit with "The Good Wife" starring Julianna Marguiles, Josh Charles, Chris Noth, Christine Baranski, etc. I mentioned this show earlier in the blog and have been faithfully tuning in each week. Good legal show with a nice amount of characters' backstories mixed in. Here's hoping that we will see more of Chris Noth's character, Peter Florrick (the fictional Eliot Spitzer) as well as Christine Baranski's character - she's one of the senior partners at the firm where Marguiles' character, Alicia Florrick, now works following her husband's meteoric fall from grace. Archie Panjabi was an actress I was not familiar with until this show and she is terrific as the law firm's investigator...a recent storyline hinted that she may have a backstory with Peter...juicy!

If you ever liked "The Practice", this should be one you add to your viewing!