Flash of Genius, 2008

Based on actual events, Flash of Genius follows the bittersweet story of inventor Bob Kearns (Greg Kinnear). With the support of his wife (Lauren Graham) and their six children, Kearns invented the intermittent windshield wiper. With his business partner (Dermot Mulroney), Kearns brings his design to Ford. At first they are interested, but then he is told that there will be no deal.

When Kearns discovers that Ford no longer wants his product because they have stole his design, he finds a lawyer (Alan Alda) to take up his case. Ford agrees to settle for a large sum, but Kearns refuses to take the offer without public acknowledgement of his work.

Unable to move on with his life until Ford admits that they used his designs, Kearns risks his the well-being of his health, family, and job in order to gain public credit.



This film moves a bit slowly towards the end, but is otherwise very good. My favorite moment is probably when Kearns is cross-examining himself.


Directed by Marc Abraham.
Written by Philip Railsback.
Based on an article by John Seabrook.

Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Slumdog Millionaire, 2008

Slumdog Millionaire follows the life of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel, Tanay Chheda and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar). A boy from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal and his tough older brother Salim (Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail) are left to fend for themselves after their mother dies. Throughout, Jamal tries his best to protect his best friend, and later love interest, Latika (Freida Pinto, Rubiana Ali).

When Jamal becomes a winning contestant on the TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, he finds himself defending his correct answers to the police. Highly acclaimed and well recommended, I expected a lot from this film. While it did not disappoint, I expected more.





I would give this movie only 3 stars but because of the beautiful cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle) it is worth seeing in theaters. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack.

Directed by Danny Boyle. Co-director (India) Loveleen Tandan. In English and Hindi with English subtitles.


Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

I Served the King of England (aka Obsluhoval som anglického krála), 2006

Released in the states this past year, I Served the King of England is a very sweet, sad, film about Jan Díte (Oldrich Kaiser), a young servant who longs for fame and fortune.



When World War II comes to Prague, Dite tries hard to ignore the changes around him and proceed as if life were normal. Watching, you can't help but both despise and adore Dite.

Directed by Jirí Menzel. Based on a novel by Bohumil Hrabal.

Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

City of Ember, 2008

I'm not quite sure why, but I really liked this film. For an action/adventure family film it is not too cheesy and the young stars (Saoirse Ronan as Lina Mayfleet and Harry Treadaway as Doon Harrow) are quite likable. Bill Murray often gets on my nerves, but I even enjoyed his performance as Mayor Cole.




There are a number of intense scenes (including a very hungry mole rat) so I would not recommend this movie for most children under 10.
Directed by Gil Kenan the movie also features Tim Robbins and Liz Smith.

Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time
Fail=So bad it doesn't even make the rating system

Milk, 2008

Based on a true story. Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official, and Mayor George Moscone were both murdered by former San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.
White's lawyers claimed that he went on the rampage after eating too much junk food, thus coining the term "Twinkie Defense."




Sean Penn, James Franco and rest of cast deliver fine performances. If you enjoy the film, you should also check out the play "Execution of Justice" by Emily Mann which is based on the trial People vs. Dan White.





And also the documentary The Life and Times of Harvey Milk:




Melody's Stars: ****


Rating System:
*****=Worth Buying
****=Worth Seeing in Theaters
***=Worth Renting
**=Worth Watching on TV
*=Worth Watching if also cleaning house or doing paperwork
0=Total waste of time