Evening

Upstairs in a big Newport mansion, a woman is dying in a Martha Stewart bedroom. She takes a long time to die, and the movie is flashbacks from her reveries. An all-star cast sinks in a turgid weepie that commits the cardinal sin: It doesn’t make you weep. One cliché after another is done awkwardly; the movie lacks even the self-confidence of soap opera. With Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Natasha Richardson, Toni Collette, Eileen Atkins, Hugh Dancy, Patrick Wilson, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements, sex, a brief accident scene (an accident in the briefs?) and language. HHH1/2 – Roger Ebert



Lav Vie En Rose

Marion Cotillard in a brilliant, convincing performance as Edith Piaf, “The Little Sparrow,” the most beloved French singer of the 20th century.  Born of street entertainers, raised in a brothel, her songs became so evocative that Marlene Dietrich called her “the soul of Paris.”  One of the best biopics I’ve seen.  Directed by Olivier Dahan.  Rated PG-13 drugs, sex, brief nudity, language and thematic elements. HHHH – RE



Ratatouille

Disney and Pixar deliver a marvelous animated tale of friendship, following one’s dreams and the art of French haute cuisine. The hero of the story is a tiny Parisian rat named Remy (voice by Patton Oswalt) who one day finds himself in the kitchen of one of the world’s greatest chefs, where he soon befriends the kitchen’s busboy Linguini (voice by Lou Romano). The two form a unique bond that affords Remy the chance to indulge in his culinary artistry and Linguini the chance to make something of himself. The computer-animated visuals are stunning, the story is compelling, and the music will carry you away. The film is rated G, which stands for gloriously entertaining. Grownups will find this one irresistible. Oh yeah, the kiddies will like it, too. Rated G HHH1/2 — Miriam DiNunzio,