Georgia is back in the second and final season of her adventures as the junior member of a group of reapers, whose job it is to claim the souls of those about to die. Full of intelligent humor, this comedy was perfectly cast, beautifully written, and far too short-lived.

Grade: A.

0.3

Buddy DeFranco, the only major jazz clarinet player to make the transition from swing to bebop, fronts a technically-superb trio (Dave McKenna, piano, and Joe Cohn, guitar). Together, they play a beautiful set of ten standards and a pair of DeFranco charts. This outing is exceptionally musical and listenable.

Grade: A-.

0.3

Garrison Keillor delights audiences every week with his live comedy/variety show on public radio. This film, featuring a cast full of Oscar winners, based on the hugely popular program, is really just for big fans of the show. Exceptional music and a beautiful set almost redeems a trudging story.

Grade: C+.

0.3

This action-adventure film follows the exploits of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer (Kevin Costner) sent to instruct a class of candidates, including a young hotshot (Ashton Kutcher). Unexpectedly, this is an exciting movie that tells the story of truly heroic people. It delivers a believable story and thrills aplenty.

Grade: B.

0.3

Nick Naylor is a smooth-talking representative for the tobacco industry who makes arguments that make people want to agree. This quirky satirical comedy about the exploits of such a man has a picture-perfect cast, a hilarious script, and an unlikely protagonist, trying to bond with his intelligent son.

Grade: B+.

0.3

Robert De Niro stars in a gritty story about a taxi driver in New York who drives at night. A wonderful cast brings a strong story to life. Jodie Foster and Cybill Shepherd lend beauty and delicacy to a grungy set. This is certainly something every true cinephile should see.

Grade: A-.

0.3

Was that really necessary? Did you really need to spend $60 million on a comedy that was so completely devoid of artistic merit? Every joke in this rancid diaper of film falls flat and stinks up the joint. Can we please not turn every stupid idea into a feature film?

Grade: F.

0.3

Frank Serpico got in trouble with his NYPD colleagues after his consistent refusal to become part of the corruption of the day. Al Pacino plays Serpico in a breakout performance that tells the true story of Serpico, his attempt to resist and report indiscretions, and his ostracization among his peers.

Grade: A-.

0.3

An extraordinary World War II epic, this beautiful film shows the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view. The action is exceptionally realistic, the acting is superb, and the scope of the picture is jaw-dropping and vast. Clint Eastwood has created another masterpiece with this movie.

Grade: A.

0.3

Parvez, a Pakistani immigrant to England, drives a taxi, has a rebellious son who falls in with Muslim fundamentalists, and finds himself in an unlikely friendship with a local prostitute, which gets the community gossiping. It’s hard not to pity the guy as he struggles with work, love, and life.

Grade: B.

0.3