Karate Kid

* I wish Hollywood would stop making remakes and come up with an original idea.  This movie was so disappointing and just plain stupid. The Original story and movie may have been relevant and enjoyable 20 years ago, but in the 21st century this was just ridiculous.  The only reason I would recommend to watch this movie is if you like Jackie Chan; he does a respectable job with the script and part he was given. Will Smith's little boy was cute, but the only reason he got the role in this movie was because he is Will Smith's little boy.  Not recommended unless you're under the age of 12, and then you probably should NOT watch it because of the violence and "bully" aspects of the movie.

Facing Ali

****  If You are interested in boxing or Mohammed Ali then you'll enjoy this movie.  It is a unique documentary from the perspective of the opponents of Mohammed Ali during his boxing career.  It well made with excellent footage and interviews.  Recommended.

Even Money

***  An all-star cast in this movie about the addiction of gambling.  I don't even remember this movie showing in theaters, if it did at sure didn't last long or do that well.  It's well worth a DVD rental though.  Danny DeVito, Kim Basinger, Forest Whitaker are just a few of the great actors in this movie.  There are three or four different storylines through the movie which are expertly merged in the end around a basketball game. recommended

Letters to Juliet

***  I normally don't make it a point to watch romantic movies, it has to be a movie that we've selected together (Mineko and me).  This one however looked very intriguing when I saw the trailers and advertisements.  It turned out to be a pretty good movie and I enjoyed it very much.  The story about the Italian town of Verona and how the town women answered letters written to Juliet is very interesting, unfortunately I feel as if the movie could have developed that part of the story more deeply. The acting was fair, the photography and scenery of Italy was just lovely. (spoiler alert!) The ending would've been fine, a happy happy ending is always nice but to have the young boy to fall off the balcony was just too stupid.  "Come on man!" Recommended to watch with your partner.