PopcornNRoses

Cherry is one of those little films that sneaks up on you and grabs your attention because you think you're being drawn into a conventional comedy, and then you find out that it's much, much more. Kyle Gallner, a 2010 PNR Rising Star, stars as Aaron, a 17-year-old engineering student thrust into college life maybe a little sooner than he should be. Once there, he has to deal with an obnoxious roommate and the fact that he'd rather be an artist. In one of his art classes, he meets Linda, a 35 year old trying to get her life back on track. Aaron finds himself attracted to Linda, and thinks she's attracted to him as well when she offers to make dinner for him one evening. Once at Linda's place, he meets Beth, her 14-year-old daughter, who's filled with anger and rage from having to deal with Linda's problems. And she falls for Aaron in the same way Aaron is falling for her mother. And this unique triangle and the unusual relationships that develop therein are the heart and soul of the movie. Gallner is a winner all the way around as Aaron - excited at college life, frustrated at how much he's in over his head, and with a heart that just wants everyone to be happy. Laura Allen shines as Linda, the ne'er do well with the old soul and a heart of gold. But Britt Robertson steals this movie all the way around - as Beth, she's tough as nails, and yet turns out to be as vulnerable as a 14 year old girl should be. With veteran Esai Morales rounding out the cast as Wes, Linda's sometime boyfriend, Cherry is a true winner all the way around. We first saw it at the Boston Film Festival, and then again when it opened in Boston a month later, and had the pleasure of meeting director Jeffrey Fine, who has crafted a loving comedy-drama that will get under the skin of anyone who sees it. If it comes to your town, do NOT **** to see Cherry! You will not regret it!

I wasn't sure about this film, but I liked the trailer, and I had a recommendation from a friend, so I was happy to fall totally in love with it. Keir Gilchrist is amazing as Craig, a 16 year old battling feeling of suicide, so much so that he checks himself into a local hospital to fight back against it. When he realizes this wasn't a lark, and that he's stuck for a minimum of 5 days in the hospital, he starts to get to know the residents of the adult psychiatric ward where he is - the teen psych unit is being renovated. And he begins to realize that he's not alone in his battles. While there, he meets the other teen in the adult ward, Noelle (wonderfully played by Emma Roberts), and a romance starts to spark. And his new friend Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) shows him the ropes on how to get along in the ward. Over the five days, Craig gets to know why he's feeling suicidal, his family starts to understand his recent behavior, and his friends, once they find out where he is, show surprising support for him. I've had demons of my own recently as well as over the years, and I totally related to Craig and his problems, even though I'm 30 years his senior. The end of this movie left me sobbing , with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. Without A doubt, one of the best films I've seen all year.

Not being a John Lennon fanatic but more of a casual fan of his, it was actor Aaron Johnson that brought me into Nowhere Boy, and I was right to be brought in - he hits this completely out of the ballpark. Lennon's upper teenage years are the focus, and we see the kind of home life Lennon had, and what shaped the man he would become as one of the biggest musical influences of all time. Johnson, a PNR Rising Star this year, is amazing - this kid has so much talent oozing out of him it won't be long before Oscar comes calling. Kristin Scott-Thomas shines as Mimi, John's somewhat icy aunt, with whom he lives, and Anne-Marie Duff is amazing as Julia, John's mum, who he finds out lives just down the road from him. Even for a casual Lennon fan, this is a great film to see just for those three performances. And just to be snarky, if ever there was a film that deserved the MPAA's ridiculous "smoking " advisory, this is it - Johnson is rarely if ever without a cigarette in the last third of the film, nor are many of the rest of the cast...Nowhere Boy shines all the way around, and I think John would be very pleased with the result - and Yoko has said that SHE is...

I totally underestimated this film on our podcast's fall preview. Jesse Eisenberg is electric as the self-obsessed college student who turns a passion for wanting to be successful into the huge company that is Facebook. Oscar-worthy performances from Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield as Eduardo, Mark Zukerberg's best friend and moneyman, and especially Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, creator of Napster and Zuckerberg's most staunch mentor, who just oozes "creepy". I was honestly surprised at how good this movie is, and how much I enjoyed it. Definitely a "must-see" on my list this year.

Crime thriller from Australia is one of the best movies ever. Riveting performances from Ben Mendelsohn and Jacki Weaver and an amazing debut for James Frecheville, plus a decent turn from Guy Pearce should make this film a major awards contender at the end of the year. Definitely deserves lots of Oscar consideration, for best picture and acting for the three leads. If you like gritty, heart-pounding drama, do NOT miss this film.