Blood Diamond

Following his grand performance in Martin Scorsese's The Departed, Leonardo DiCaprio shows he is one of the finest young actors in the film industry today. As a diamond smuggler, Denny Archer (DiCaprio), finds he is in a difficult situation when his country is being overrun by rebel forces. Along the way, he makes an aquaintance with Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), who has been captured by the rebels and is forced to mine for diamonds. Vandy's family is also captured. Together, the two go on a quest to find Vandy's family as well as a priceless diamond that Vandy discovers while mining. Jennifer Connelly stars as a journalist who is attempting to uncover the diamond smuggling industry and advocate change.

The film works well on two fronts. First, the film functions as a thriller. Archer and Vandy are constantly avoiding enemies on their quest to ensure the freedom of Vandy's family. Second, the film has what all Oscar caliber films have - good acting, a great story, and fine editing. Clocking in at just under 2 1/2 hours, the film flows smoothly as it weaves together all of the different stories.

Ever since I saw DiCaprio in Gangs of New York, I realized that he is the best actor of his generation. He is the most versatile actor in the industry today, save for Philip Seymour Hoffman. Donning a South African accent, DiCaprio almost loses himself in the role that could earn him another Oscar nomination (and maybe win?). A.

Little Miss Sunshine

I have to admit that I missed this movie when it first came out. When I heard the title, I didn't know what to think, and I just completely missed out. However, thanks to the wonderful West Mall 7, I had the chance to see this movie in a second run. Produced by Fox Searchlight, the same company that produced 2004's Sideways, Little Miss Sunshine provides a great splash of comic relief in a year dominated by heavy-hearted films. Like Sideways, this film is comic, yet contains a lot of tragedy as well.

The cast for the movie is what stands out. Steve Carell plays a suicidal homosexual man who joins his sister and her family as they travel to a beauty pagent. Along the way, each member of the family comes to terms with their shortcomings.

The cinematography makes this film also work quite well. The choice of sweeping shots along with close-ups gives the film a polished look, yet keeps a sort of 'rough-around-the-edges' look as well. As of late, this film has begun to garner some Oscar attention, and if more of the juggernaut dramas fall to the wayside, this could definitely be a contender. A-.

Bobby

In every generation, there stands an individual who is so giant, yet so small. Emilio Estevez creates here one of the finest pictures of 2006 thus far. His story detailing the night Bobby Kennedy was assassinated shines as a true grand picture.

In the style of Crash and Magnolia, Bobby centers around a large cast, anchored by the likes of William H. Macy, Sharon Stone, and Anthony Hopkins. The cast does a marvelous job as each person shows different emotions. Not to be too self-righteous, the film shows the true colors of the 1960s. Two young campaigners go an acid trip, a hotel owner has an affair, and a singer shows her drunken state.

One of the nicest parts of the film is that it utilizes Bobby Kennedy in his actual likeness, much like the 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck utilized actual footage of Senator Joe McCarthy. Bobby is not just a movie about night the title character was shot - it has a point as well. At the heart of the film lies the same issues we have today: Guns, war, violence.

In 1968, Bobby Kennedy wanted change for America. He wanted to end the war, end the violence, and bring home the innocent American soldiers, whose bodies were piling up in Vietnam faster than Lyndon Johnson could exit the '68 campaign.

All in all, this is a solid outing for a freshman director with a few minor flaws. A-.

Stranger than Fiction

Marc Forster does a nice job in capturing the daily life of an OCD (if not, then close to it) individual in his first major directorial outing since Finding Neverland. The acting in this film is done extremely well by the very versatile Emma Thompson. Moreover, Will Ferrell shows that he is able to do more than play a comic role. His acting abilities shine in this film.

The film revolves around the premise that a man, Harold Crick, played by Ferrell, hears a voice of a woman narrating his life. The woman just so happens to be an author, played by Thompson. On one particular day, the author says that Harold Crick will die. This puts everything into motion. Very much concerned, Crick decides to seek out the advice of an English professor, played brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman.

I enjoyed this film for much the same reason I enjoyed Finding Neverland. Forster has an uncanny ability to create sappy scenes in his films without letting them get away. The scenes that create the greatest emotion never get too out of hand, which gives the film just the right splash of humor and drama.

All in all, this is a solid outing for the cast and crew. Moreover, this is a triumph for Ferrell as he positions himself for future roles as a more serious character. B+.