PHILOMENA:

Exceptional based-on-fact story of an Irish woman who had a child out of wedlock in the 1950s, was placed in a convent and forced to do manual labour with many just like her, and then had her baby given away – sold actually.  Now, an elderly widow, Philomena (Judi Dench) is looking to learn something about him.  She makes the acquaintance of a journalist (Steve Coogan who wrote the script and produced the movie) who helps her to find out what happened to her child, who would now be an adult in his 50s.  In my opinion, the best move of 2013. Rated 14A.

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MILTTY

Ben Stiller stars and produced this sort-of remake of a Danny Kaye starring vehicle from 1947.  In this update, Stiller in the title role, is a daydreamer who works for Life Magazine in the final days of that publication’s life.  His job is to collate the negatives that award-winning photographers provide, and bring them to the public as cover stories ... but this time something goes wrong.  This puts Walter on a quest to somehow recover the missing item which is supposed to be the cover for the final issue of Life.  He heads to Iceland and beyond, in a story that takes a little time to warm up, but is gentle and kind.  I liked it!  Kristin Wiig is the romantic interest, and Shirley McLane plays his long-suffering mother. Rated PG.   

BLACK NATIVITY

This based-on-actual-events story did not make it into Canadian theatres during the Christmas season, but is a touching and sensitive tale of a young streetwise kid who leaves his single mom during the Holidays to find his estranged relatives in New York City, played by Forrest Whitaker and Angela Bassett. Mary J. Blige also star.  A delightful story with a lot of heart! Rated PG.

RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD (1982):

The beginning of the Rambo franchise was originally titled “First Blood” because who knew it would become a series of great action-adventure movies?  Filmed in BC’s Fraser Valley, Richard Crenna is his hard-boiled commanding officer Trautman, and you can watch for a great turn by a long-before-CSI Miami David Caruso. Directed by Canadian Ted Kotcheff, the story follows Vietnam vet John Rambo as he is hassled for no apparent reason by a small-town sheriff (Brian Dennehy).  Rambo will only take so much … as you might expect … before things blow up … literally.  Rated 18A.

RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD Part II (1985):

Released from prison and commissioned by the Government to seek out Vietnam vets who are MIA, Rambo goes back to Southeast Asia, and turns his fact-finding mission into a rescue mission. He was only supposed to take pictures of those being held in POW camps, but that’s just not enough.  He wants to bring the boys home.  Richard Crenna is back as Trautman, and Charles Napier co-stars. Rated 18A.

RAMBO III (1988):

Rambo’s Vietnam commanding officer Trautman is being held in Afghanistan, and in a story years before its time, John Rambo goes in, guns blazing, on a rescue mission.  It’s a different war, as the Soviets are fighting the Mujahedeen this time, but the outcome is just as predictable.  Good action yarn!!  Rated 18A.