Doubt

☆☆☆☆☆

+
Meryl Streep gives an Oscar winning performance.
Viola Davis, Amy Adams, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are wonderful as well.
The story is so well-written that you will still have doubt at the end.

_
The conversations will go on long after you leave the theater.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

☆☆☆☆

+
'The Curious...' is a unique tale based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Excellent Performances, Special Effects, and Make-Up

_
The trailer tells most of the story.
Almost three hours...a little long.

The Reader

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Kate Winslet is outstanding as Hanna, the tram ticket-taker turned Nazi concentration camp guard.

_
Many reviews of the 'The Reader' give away Hanna's secret.

Frost/Nixon

☆☆☆☆

+
Director Ron Howard and writer Peter Morgan create a fascinating look at the Frost/Nixon interviews from 1977.
Excellent Performances by Frank Langella as Richard Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost.

_
Many question the historical accuracy.
Some say the material is better suited for HBO or PBS.

Four Christmases

☆☆1/2

+
'Four Christmases' was more fun than I expected.
Great Cast (Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Kristin Chenoweth)

_
Many family members are unbelievable.
A few scenes are silly.

Seven Pounds

☆☆☆1/2

+
Will Smith
'Seven Pounds' is an intriguing film about a man haunted by a tragic event.

_
A Little Slow
Aspects of the story are similar to a few other films.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

☆

+
Keanu Reeves is well-cast as Klaatu, the alien with no emotion.

_
The story is weak, and I didn't care about the characters.
What were Jennifer Connelly and Kathy Bates thinking when they signed-on to do this film?

Milk

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
'Milk' is a captivating biography dealing with the struggle for equal rights.
Sean Penn deserves a nomination for his performance as Harvey Milk.

_
There is some controversy related to the historical accuracy.

Slumdog Millionaire

☆☆☆1/2

+
'Slumdog' is a unique and compelling story about how a young man from the slums in Mumbai knows the answers to the questions he encounters as a contestant on the Indian version of "Who...Millionaire."

The unexpected dance number, shown as the final credits roll, is the most joyful part of the film.

-
Don't expect a happy film about a game show contestant.
This film is violent, slightly depressing, and several scenes are tough to watch.

NOTE: I saw 'Slumdog' again, and I enjoyed it much more the second time because I was able to see past the violence and disturbing situations.