When a law school dropout answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant he unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician struggling to resurrect his career. This leads to a journey across the country staging the comeback of a lifetime.

“The Great Buck Howard might be the most affectionate look back at old-school entertainment since Peter O’Toole boozed his way through My Favorite Year.” With a quote like that, I’m wondering if GBH will gather positive word-of-mouth as we enter spring.

Rated PG for some language including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference.

Director: Sean McGinly
Stars: Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Tom Hanks
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
Release Date: 20 March 2009 (USA)
Genre: Comedy

A mother’s prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, though it doesn’t take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers.

Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich in a provocative thriller based on actual events: Changeling. In the film, Christine Collins’ (Jolie) prayers are met when her kidnapped son is returned. But amidst the frenzy of the photo-op reunion, she realizes this child is not hers. Facing corrupt police and a skeptical public, she desperately hunts for answers, only to be confronted by a truth that will change her forever.

Los Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But in her heart, she knows he is not Walter.

Changeling … read more »