Grade: A+ | Genre: Indie/Drama/Comedy
Summary: Indie as usual does good, and in the case of Juno, it does even better than most. An unconventional story of a very unconventional young girl with the sass and wit of all the people you wish you could be and sound like, Juno demonstrates how great screenwriting and endearing characters can engage and carry a film beyond any high-budgeted studio "Blockbuster."

Ellen Page is a revelation (in case you haven't seen Hard Candy, do so!), who has put herself in the pop-o-sphere of beloved and endearing female characters. From interviews, you can see that much of her own personality came through to Juno, but with an added whip smart sarcasm that wraps every word coming out of her mouth rivaling anyone that dare stand in her way.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Political Drama
Summary: The Last King of Scotland constructs a fascinating story of a country in flux and the power of unchecked idealism. President Amin is the role of a lifetime for Whitaker, and he takes advantage of the ripe opportunities it presents.

Africa seems to be finding the spotlight more and more among Hollywood's savvy directors and screenwriters. Perhaps this is due to a lack of news coverage on pressing issues or the cyclical poverty that seems to huddle the region in darkness. Whatever the cause recent years have shown us riveting portraits of this continent in crisis from the genocidal struggle of Hotel Rwanda and the intrigue of the Constant Gardener to the mangled youth of Tsoti. With each passing day, we know the killing impulses strengthen in Darfur and the AIDS epidemic slowly toils away at its task of blotting out an entire generation. The Last King of Scotland aids us in answering some of the questions plaguing Africa today through the looking glass of Uganda in the early-70s. It is a film hinged on stirring performances and a gripping intensity that doesn't let you free.