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The ratings:

- One of the top few films of this or any year, see it for sure
- Excellent movie, I recommend it
- Average show, its likeable
- Poor movie, pass it by
0 - One of the worst films of this or any year, don't bother to see it

Les Miserables

This marvelous French film (subtitled) stars Jean-Paul Belmondo as the Jean Valjean character, Henri Fortin. The story has been updated from the early eighteen hundreds to the second world war in Vichy France. Fortin befriends a Jewish family, the Zimans, who he trys to help flee the Nazis. The Zimans, in turn, repay his kindness by reading the illiterate Fortin Victor Hugo's story "Les Miserables," which Fortin sees as his own life story. This three-hour film will demand all your attention. You may even want to watch it more than once. I know I did.

Definitely See It!

Two Days in the Valley

Two Days in the Valley is just that. Two days in the lives of ten people in LA's San Fernando Valley whose lives are about to intersect and forever be altered. Starring Danny Aiello, Jeff Daniels, Teri Hatcher and Eric Stoltz, the plot involves several parallel story lines that are eventually woven into one. It reminded me of the film Short Takes (see that one for sure!). If you like movies like Usual Suspects and Get Shorty, you'll like this one. One of my favorites for 1996.

SEE IT!

From Dusk Till Dawn

From Dusk Till Dawn stars Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, Juliette Lewis (one of my favorites) and Cheech Marin. If you insist on seeing this film, try to pick out Marin playing three parts. The film is two entirely different stories spliced together. The first half involves the kidnapping of a family, the second half a very long and tedious violent bar room brawl with vampires. I did not like this movie at all!!! In case you think it was the violence that upset me, you are wrong. One of my favorite films of 1994 was Natural Born Killers (also Juliette Lewis). I don't understand why this film has become such a cult classic. Are there that many vampires out there?

Don't Bother To See It

The Spitfire Grill

The Spitfire Grill is a heartwarming drama starring Alison Elliott and Ellen Burstyn. Elliott plays Percy Talbott, a young woman who, upon release from prison, goes to work as a waitress at the Spitfire Grill. The restaurant is located in a small town in Maine. Percy's relationship and influence on the townspeople is the focus of the story. I really enjoyed this film. I had my doublts at first, but shortly into the film I found myself honestly caring about the characters and their lives. The truth is I wasn't even going to rent this movie. My husband wanted to see it, so I said okay, and I'm very glad I did. By the way he liked it also. NO SEX, NO VIOLENCE, a very touching story.

SEE IT!

The Van

What do two unemployed hard-drinking Irishman do to earn a living? They buy an old, dirty, engineless van, clean it up, tow it in front of their favorite bar and open up shop selling burgers and chips. The two guys have their ups and downs and so does the business. Not laugh-out-loud funny, but who wouldn't chuckle watching someone bite into a burger accidentally made with a "nappy" instead of a meat patty? The Irish accents were a little heavy at times but the story was easy to follow. I didn't recognize any of the actors, but Joel said Colm Meany was in the new Star Trek TV show. Another movie that was much better and along the same lines was The Full Monty ( ).

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