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Followers of my blog (all two of you!) may remember my previously voiced criticism and discontent over news of the live-action adaptation of Alvin and the Chipmunks. I understand the dilemma of trying to remold something that was popular many years ago to something that bears relevance to the culture and society of today, while still trying to keep the “essence” of that thing in tact. But what can I say? It’s a segment of my childhood that is so ingrained into my memories that the mere thought of Hollywood potentially ruining the formerly popular franchise was just exasperating and yet, I’m guilty to admit, somewhat intriguing. I wanted to see what they came up with and if my worst fears would come true.

The Bridge is a controversial film that documents the “suicide phenomenon” at The Golden Gate Bridge. In the span of January through December 2004, filmmaker Eric Steel continously filmed this bridge, known to be a mecca of sorts for those who want to end their lives, and was able to capture 23 of 24 suicides on film. It features real footage from these real suicides and suicide attempts, along with interviews with grieving family members, friends and witnesses to those suicides. The keyword here is “real”. It’s unlike comfortably watching a Hollywood movie with its professional stunts as a detached viewer, knowing it is all “just for show”. At first glance, it sounds kind of morbid and in many ways, it is. We are, after all, witnessing the final moments of someone’s life and this is all presented as a form of entertainment. But there seems to be some morbid curiosity innate in all of us, a curiosity about death, and this film really addresses that curiosity.

I’ve known about the movie development of popular, classic cartoon from the 80s (and, originally, the 50s) Alvin and the Chipmunks for awhile now. Upon seeing the first poster, with its image of our beloved chipmunks “hip-hop-ified”, which is a strange sight in itself, I was apprehensive about this news of a Hollywood adaptation of a cartoon that has been so entrenched into my childhood memories.

You might remember, back in 2003, the huge uproar caused by one Dixie Chick’s dissenting words against George W. Bush. Words from one single person said in jest in a London concert made its way overseas and back home resulting in huge controversy. Treason, they called it. Un-American! Traitors! Every single adjective and noun related to unpatriotism was slung against the group. This was in the days before the anticipated invasion of Iraq. It was a time when approval ratings for “Dubya” was high and patriotism was in full swing.

The Boys of Baraka is an inspiring documentary that follows the lives of four 12 to 13 year old boys from the, quite literally, “urban ghettos” of Baltimore, Maryland. It’s an area inundated with crime and poverty but even amidst such hardships and with all the odds stacked up against them, these four boys have hopes and dreams that transpire above it all. Aspiring for more than what Baltimore and its educational system can offer them, they are offered an opportunity of a lifetime.

An opportunity to study abroad at the Baraka School in Kenya, East Africa for two years.

The much buzzed about Little Miss Sunshine, with its numerous nominations and critical praise, is a movie that doesn’t really fit into any conventional mould. Its premise is about a little girl named Olive Hoover (Abigail Breslin) and her dysfunctional family trekking from New Mexico to California in a yellow Volkswagen van to make it to a beauty pageant in two days. And hijinks and hilarity ensues.

Hey, what’s up with their spelling of “happiness”, grammar and spelling fiends will wonder (such as myself). Well, before watching the movie, the “y” in “happyness” bugged me but after seeing the movie, I know there’s actually a reason for it. Not just Hollywood execs being too cheap to hire a proofreader.

The documentary, Wordplay, examines the world of crossword puzzle aficionados. It’s a world confined to a 15×15 grid of black and white spaces that need to be filled in, and once filled in, there’s a self-satisfying feeling of euphoria and revelling in one’s “nerdiness”. At least that’s how I feel when I finish or nearly finish a crossword puzzle. The film has a handful of cameos from notable celebrities and puzzle fans, including former U.S. president Bill Clinton, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, Indigo Girls, New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina, filmmaker Ken Burns, former Sen. Bob Dole and Will Shortz, the crossword editor for The New York Times. However, the film’s main focus is on the top-ranking competitors vying for the top spot (and bragging rights) in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Stamford, Conn.

If you’re a Christian Evangelical (or zealot, even), you’ll probably be unfazed by this movie and walk away thinking what a great camp for children. If you’re not, then this movie is eye-opening and perhaps a bit unsettling. It’s full of poignant moments that will leave you thinking and talking.

If you love romantic comedies, you’ll probably love Imagine Me & You. While it does feature a wedding in the beginning and then finding true love at the end, plotted out in somewhat predictable fashion, the “chase” inbetween these two events is delightful to watch. The concept of the film is love at first sight. That a person can feel so greatly connected with another person through one mere look. Granted, this film concept isn’t all that avant-garde since there have been plenty before with the same theme, but in Imagine Me & You, this is a story about love at first sight between two females. It actually kind of reminds me of another Piper Perabo movie, Lost and Delirious, which focuses on the concept of love that surpasses gender boundaries and is just love in its purest form, between two people regardless of gender (and other variables).