The Botany of Desire

Directors Michael Schwarz and Edward Gray adapted the book by Michael Pollan for this revealing documentary about the power of four plants on the human civilization. The history of apples, potatoes, tulips and marijuana; how they conquered the world through human desire and influenced the course of history. It's a fascinating look of the journey of these plants to become widespread throughout the world that's informative and interesting at the same time. Frances McDormand narrates and Pollan appears for detailed insight of the subject.

The Next Three Days

Canadian writer and director Paul Haggis joins the lucrative business of remaking foreign films with this action drama. Despite compelling evidence, a teacher refuses to believe of his wife's guilt in a brutal murder and plans an elaborate plan to break her out of prison. Only the last act of the film concerns the three days of the title, Haggis uses the first two acts to set up the story, in order to allow the audience to believe the main character and his actions. Luckily Haggis got Russel Crowe in the lead who's one of the few actors who could pull off the impossible. The film takes a while to get going but it pays off at the end. The cast includes Elizabeth Banks as the wife and Liam Neeson in a crucial cameo. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Key

British director Carol Reed made this underrated but effective romantic drama set during WW II. Before the American involvement in the war, a former American military man takes the dangerous assignment as captain of tugboat which are sent on salvage missions for ships attacked by German submarines. During his stay he inherits a key to an apartment that includes a beautiful and traumatized woman who's accustomed to the short stay of the men arriving at her door. William Holden and Sophia Loren are perfectly cast with an equally solid support cast that includes Trevor Howard, Oskar Homolka and Bernard Lee who later became "M" in the Bond franchise. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Taxidermia

Hungarian writer and director György Pálfi delivered one of the most disgusting films ever with this grotesque tale of three generations of men. The story starts with sexually starved WWII soldier who manages to impregnate the wife of his superior before getting killed. His son becomes an obese speed eater during the Communist era who becomes father to a taxidermist son that stays true to his genes. While admirable for its bravura of delivering a unique and disturbing tale, the film will shock and disgust anyone who dares to watch it. There's more than meets the eye in this visually dazzling and disturbing film which Pálfi points out in the three generations of the same gene that evolves from one generation to the next. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Cashback

British writer and director Sean Ellis recycled his award winning short film into his feature debut. A teenage art student develops insomnia after he breaks up with his girlfriend which leads him to work at the local grocery store where learns some valuable lessons about life including love. Beautifully filmed and acted by the talented cast and crew which makes this whimsical comedy a delight for the most part including the usual cliches. The film drags on towards the end which could have been prevented by some editing but never-the-less established Ellis as a talent to be watched. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Madeinusa

Peruvian writer and director Claudia Llosa made her feature debut with this surreal drama. In a remote village in the Andes, a teenage girl uses a stranger to get even with her abusive father during the Easter festivities. Llosa creates a unique setting where tribal and Christian rites are blended into one which might seem shocking to outsiders who are not welcome. Beautifully shot and acted, the film takes the audience to a faraway and exotic location rarely seen. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Conviction

After his misfire of remaking "The Last Kiss," director Tony Goldwyn redeems himself by reuniting with writer Pamela Gray who wrote his excellent feature debut "A Walk on the Moon." They bring the incredible true story of Betty Anne Waters who became a lawyer only to set her falsely accused brother free after 18 years in prison. Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell are terrific as the siblings whose love for each other is the heart of the story and film. While the story is powerful and inspiring, Goldwyn almost succeeds to tell the story in two hours, mostly thanks to his stellar cast which also includes Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver and Juliette Lewis. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

A Girl Cut in Two

French master Claude Chabrol continues to dissect the French society in yet another morality tale. A young woman gets caught between an elderly author and a rich playboy whose hatred for each other has devastating consequences for all involved. Chabrol meticulously weaves a tale that reveals enough about its characters without compromising the conclusion. It has all the elements for a thriller including love, sex, money and crime amongst others which is totally French in a film by one of its masters. The all star cast includes Ludivine Sagnier, Benoît Magimel and François Berléand in the leads. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Shoot the Piano Player

Legendary French writer and director François Truffaut's second feature film has all the elements of the New Wave which liberated Cinema in many ways. A former famed pianist has found a new life as a player in a dive bar which is threatened by gangsters who are after his brothers. Legendary singer Charles Aznavour stars as the lead with a solid supporting cast. Frequent Truffaut collaborators Raoul Coutard, Georges Delerue and Claudine Bouché are on board for this classic. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Countdown to Zero

British director Lucy Walker sheds a light on nuclear threat in this terrifying documentary. If you thought we are safe from an imminent nuclear disaster, then you are wrong. Besides the hostile threat of enemies, the chances of accidents are far greater than anyone could have thought. Using archival footage and expert witness, Walker makes a disturbing case of the dangers lurking around the globe waiting for disasters to happen. The film is a warning call for the global community to wake up and act before it's too late. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Let Me In

Writer and director Matt Reeves managed a rare feat for a successful remake of the Swedish thriller Let The Right One In. The story about a bullied and lonely boy who befriends a lonely vampire in a small town. Both kids require protection from a dangerous world which they find in each other. Reeves hits all right notes and then some which owes much to the original and proves his respect for it that should be the standard for remaking already successful films. The terrific cast includes Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz and Richard Jenkins amongst others. This film along with the original are some of the films about horrors of childhood as well as vampires. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer

Writer and director Alex Gibney delivers another riveting documentary about the rise and fall of Elliot Spitzer. Spitzer who rose to fame for taking on the corruption by the rich and powerful made few formidable enemies who orchestrated his fall which is a classic tragic tale. Gibney managed to get all the key players on camera except for the call girl who was the silver bullet used by Spitzer's enemies who had everything to gain and nothing to loose. The moral of the story is that nobody is clean enough to take on the corruption in the world of finance and government in the US or the entire world. Gibney as always is spot on with his laser sharp focus to make a film of universal appeal that's timeless and always relevant. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Hope and Glory

Legendary British writer and director John Boorman made his most personal film with this splendid masterpiece about World War II through the eyes of a young boy and his family. A British family is caught up in the war when London is attacked by Germans. Boorman's film is a unique take on life during the war through the eyes of a young boy who witnesses the horror and humor in equal measures. The terrific Sebastian Rice-Edwards made his only film appearance as the lead with an outstanding ensemble cast including Sarah Miles, Ian Bannen, Jean-Marc Barr, David Hayman, Sammi Davis and Geraldine Muir. The film remains a timeless classic with full of heart and humor in the face of tragedy. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Date Night

Director Shawn Levy unites two comedic sensations in this comedy with mixed results. A mistaken identity turns a married couple's attempt to have a date night in New York in a dangerous adventure. Despite the poor script, Steve Carell and Tina Fey bring their comic talents which proves they can deliver. The stellar supporting cast includes Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Mila Kunis, Taraji P. Henson and Mark Ruffalo amongst others in cameos. YRCinem's coverage of films on DVD.

The A-Team

Writer and director Joe Carnahan updates the 80's TV series into a feature with current political climate with mixed results. A group of Iraq War veterans team up to clear their names after being framed by their own people. While Carnahan assembled a capable team of actors with plenty of action pieces, the story just doesn't fly anymore with too many films covering the same genre. Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper star while Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson provide support but it's "District 9" star Sharlto Copley who makes the most impression. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Taste of Tea

Japanese writer and director Katsuhito Ishii made this delightful portrait of a family. Set in an idyllic small, several members of a family go through their daily tribulations that life brings. Ishii delivers a family film with heart and humor through his quirky characters who experience universal challenges. While this kind of film has been made before, Ishii infuses it with his imagination through inventive visual effects. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Nowhere Boy

British artist Sam Taylor-Wood made her feature debut with this "coming of age" drama about the formative years of legendary John Lennon. After the death of his beloved uncle and failing in school, John gets closer to his estranged mother which leads to conflict with his strict aunt. With the help of his mother and aunt, John starts his legendary journey where he meets future band mates Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Taylor-Wood makes a solid debut with a terrific cast and crew. Aaron Johnson stars as John Lennon with terrific support from Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne-Marie Duff. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Jane Russell 1921 - 2011

RIP: Annie Girardot 1931 - 2011

GUILD AWARDS 10: 83rd Academy Awards (Oscar)

Best Picture
'Black Swan'
'The Fighter'
'Inception'
'The Kids Are All Right'
'The King’s Speech'
'127 Hours'
'The Social Network'
'Toy Story 3'
'True Grit'
'Winter’s Bone'

Best Director
Darren Aronofsky, 'Black Swan'
David O'Russell, 'The Fighter'
Tom Hooper, 'The King's Speech'
David Fincher, 'The Social Network'
Joel and Ethan Coen, 'True Grit'

Best Actor
Javier Bardem, 'Biutiful'
Jeff Bridges, 'True Grit'
Jesse Eisenberg, 'The Social Network'
Colin Firth, 'The King's Speech'
James Franco, '127 Hours'

Best Actress
Annette Bening, 'The Kida Are All Right'
Nicole Kidman, 'Rabbit Hole'
Jennifer Lawrence, 'Winter's Bone'
Natalie Portman, 'Black Swan'
Michelle Williams, 'Blue Valentine'

Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale, 'The Fighter'
John Hawkes, 'Winter's Bone'
Jeremy Renner, 'The Town'
Mark Ruffalo, 'The Kids Are All Right'
Geoffrey Rush, 'The King's Speech'

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, 'The Fighter'
Helena Bonham Carter, 'The King's Speech'
Melissa Leo, 'The Fighter'
Hailee Steinfeld, 'True Grit'
Jacki Weaver, 'Animal Kingdom'

Best Animated Feature Film
'How to Train Your Dragon'
'Illusionist'
'Toy Story 3'

Best Foreign Film
Mexico - 'Biutiful'
Greece - 'Dogtooth'
Denmark - 'In a Better World'
Canada - 'Incendies'
Algeria - 'Outside the law'

Best Original Screenplay
'Another Year'
'The Fighter'
'Inception'
'The Kids Are All Right'
'The King's Speech'

Best Adapted Screenplay
'127 Hours' - Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
'The Social Network' - Aaron Sorkin
'Toy Story 3' - Michael Arndt
'True Grit' - Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
'Winter's Bone' - Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Best Cinematography
'Black Swan' Matthew Libatique
'Inception' Wally Pfister
'The King's Speech' Danny Cohen
'The Social Network' Jeff Cronenweth
'True Grit' Roger Deakins

Best Film Editing
'Black Swan'
'The Fighter'
'The Kings Speech'
'127 Hours'
'The Social Network'

Best Art Direction
'Alice in Wonderland'
'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I'
'Inception'
'The King's Speech'
'True Grit'

Best Costume Design
'Alice in Wonderland'
'I Am Love'
'The King's Speech'
'The Tempest'
'True Grit'

Best Original Song
'Coming Home' - 'Country Strong'
'I See the Light' - 'Tangled'
'If I Rise' - '127 Hours'
'We Belong Together' - 'Toy Story 3'

Best Original Score
'How to Train Your Dragon' John Powell
'Inception' Hans Zimmer
'The King's Speech' Alexandre Desplat
'127 Hours' A.R. Rahman
'The Social Network' Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Best Documentary
'Exit through the Gift Shop'
'Gasland'
'Inside Job'
'Restrepo'
'Waste Land'

Best Makeup
'Barney's Version'
'The Way Back'
'The Wolfman'

Best Sound Editing
'Inception'
'Toy Story 3'
'TRON: Legacy'
'True Grit'
'Unstoppable'

Best Sound Mixing
'Inception'
'The King's Speech'
'Salt'
'The Social Network'
'True Grit'

Best Visual Effects
'Alice in Wonderland'
'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1'
'Hereafter'
'Inception'
'Iron Man 2''