http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/OuttaLeftField Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:32:07 GMT Reviews by OuttaLeftField http://www.viewpoints.com/Freedom-Writers-review-85d30 FREEDOM WRITERS is an exceptionally well told story of true courage in the face of tough odds. Hilary Swank is wonderful as the inner city teacher who has to not only teach, but create a peaceful atmosphere in her classroom in which to do so between sometimes warring factions of students. She wins her way slowly into the collective minds and hearts of her charges by encouraging them to keep journals and diaries about their respective lives, and while doing so, becomes an integral part of the same. The students are all fascinating in their own ways and played remarkably well by the individual actors and actresses - some of whom had never acted before. My only qualm with the story (and I assume that it is there because it really happened that way) is with the character of Swank's husband - who seemed unnecessarily self centered and non-supportive of his wife's endeavors at the school. Certainly, she was in some degree of danger and one could be pessimistic and think that all her hard... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:32:07 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Freedom-Writers-review-85d30 OuttaLeftField 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Aliens-in-America-review-000e "Aliens in America" is a new show on the CW. It follows "Everybody Hates Chris" (another very funny show inspired by Chris Rock) on Monday nights. I really recommend this one. The title doesn't help much. I originally thought it was sci-fi or something and based on the title alone, had no desire to even tune in and sample an episode at the start of the new season. I would have missed a winner. It's about an American family that takes in an Indian exchange student to interact with their own two high school aged children. The writing is priceless, the acting is terrific and it's a smart and inventive show. The only episode I missed so far is one where my VCR malfunctioned (or maybe i did when I set it...) and it gets better and better. If you were a fan of "The Wonder Years" or anything similar - give this one a shot. I was hooked after the first show. In a TV season with a great many disappointments in both new series and returning shows - and with the Writers strike threatening to... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:22:42 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Aliens-in-America-review-000e OuttaLeftField 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Sicko-review-39151 If you're not a fan of Michael Moore's, I doubt there is much I can do to change your mind. But if you're concerned about the state of health care in the U.S. and if you have any issues along those lines as they pertain to possible presidential candidates and the future, this film is a must see. It is thought provoking and a bit frightening and eye opening and what's most important - it has a wonderful sense of humor. Even in the midst of learning something and feeling my stomach tighten into knots of concern at the issues raised and the tactics used, I found myself laughing out loud. In fact, I laughed more with this movie than I did at Fred Claus - which is SUPPOSED to be a comedy. It was one of the best films of 2007. In any category. Moore seems to refine his technique with each subsequent effort - and SICKO is one of his best yet. If you missed it at the theater - do yourself a favor and rent it and watch. Then call your insurance company or congressman and see what you can get... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:11:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Sicko-review-39151 OuttaLeftField 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-10-Movies-of-All-Time-review-cd8e0 This is tough. I've tried to pick a personal Top 10 on occasion and been asked to do the same by friends and family members. Not easy. Picking a Top 100 would help, but even that list would fill up in a hurry. I probably see about 100 movies a year at the movie theater (not counting rentals - I don't rent - or anything seen on pay TV). I'm a huge fan. All types of genres. So choosing only ten is an almost impossible task. I could probably fill that short list with only movies by Hitchcock, or Billy Wilder, or John Ford or William Wyler. Spielberg would make a dent. The easiest way to do this is just to list the first ten that come to mind - and know that I can always edit and change and update. In no particular order: CHINATOWN, PATHS OF GLORY, THE GODFATHER, THE WIZARD OF OZ, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, PATTON, DUCK SOUP (gotta have some Marx Brothers in here to lighten the mood), NORTH BY NORTHWEST, BREAKER MORANT (Australian, based on a true story, tremendous), and THE... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:00:48 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-10-Movies-of-All-Time-review-cd8e0 OuttaLeftField 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Simpsons-Movie-review-53e9 For a series that has been on for as long as The Simpsons has (18 years and running I think), it is still remarkable fresh and funny and inventive week in and week out. They push the envelope occasionally on good taste - especially at the 8 o'clock hour - and yet always seem to say something touching or heartfelt about family. The movie - long in gestation - was certainly worth the wait. It stayed true to the series and yet worked well as a stand l alone piece. It had some hysterical bits (Bart's nude skateboard sojourn through town) and a wonderfully droll cameo by Tom Hanks - and a great payoff bit (stop here if you don't like spoilers - even little ones) with Maggie's first word being spoken ("sequel"). I for one would love to see one and hope it doesn't take another 18 years. I've already pre-ordered the DVD (it was a mutual request from myself and my children) and look forward to being able to enjoy the film all over again come the middle of next month. For fans of the series and... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:42:45 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Simpsons-Movie-review-53e9 OuttaLeftField 4