SEX AND THE CITY 2 (USA 2010 ***
Directed by Michael Patrick King

At least SEX AND THE CITY 2 is not a remake or a re-boot.  Well a re-boot is difficult as the girls have not grown any younger.  So, since the first SEX and THE CITY in 2008, the #2 sees the girls two years past the first one.

PRANZI DI FERRAGOSTO (MID-AUGUST LUNCH) (Italy 2008) ***
Directed by Gianni Di Gregorio

This low-budget Italian comedy drama is so charming in its intentions that it is difficult to dislike.  It is directed, written and starring Gregorio, with his real mother playing his mother and shot in their real apartment building.  Made with other non-professional actors, MID-AUGUST LUNCH has an authenticity seldom felt in movies.

THE CRY OF THE OWL (Canada/Germany 2008) **
Directed by Jamie Thraves

Based on the psychological thriller written by Patricia Highsmith (THE TALENTED Mr. RIPLEY), THE CRY OF THE OWL is a story involving missing bodies, murder, sexual relations and twists in the story. 

HARRY BROWN (UK 2009) ****
Directed by Daniel Barber

Ever since DEATH WISH, audiences have been cheering whenever a vigilante like the Charles Bronson character cleans the night streets of filth.  In the similar vigilante type vengeance fantasy, the Brits have up the angst by not only making the protagonist a pensioner (Michael Caine) but a vulnerable one brimming with emotions as well.

LESLIE, MY NAME IS EVIL (Canada 2009) ***
Directed by Reginald Harkema

Reginald Harkema’s (MONKEY WARFARE) latest film roughly based on the Manson cult murders is advertised as a drama comedy but the film is more disturbing than funny.  Done mostly tongue-in-cheek, one would expect wry humour to be pouring out in every scene, but strangely enough, Harkema’s film is dead serious in its subject matter.  Sarcasm and irony is played straight with the result of a relatively well-made film that is more unsettling than entertaining.