Howard Hughes was a man of firsts and superlatives. A billionaire, a maverick in Hollywood, a pioneer in defense aeronautics, he alone envisioned the domestic air travel market. He also directed a massive business empire while barricaded inside an office.

Plagued by voices and images that didn’t exist, Howard Hughes struggled with mental illness most of his life. It’s not clear what exact malady ravaged him, only that he fought the battle untreated and mostly alone.

I consider Howard Hughes an interesting guy, but the Aviator doesn’t really convey that. A mishmash of his film studio days and plane crashes, the film yields tremendous screen time to Hollywood starlets. There’s lots of glamor, a little less in the substance department.

What’s good about this movie:

1) The narrative captures many interesting milestones in Hughes life.

2) Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn. If one had to resurrect Katherine Hepburn, I’m glad it was Cate. A masterful performance.

3) Leo DiCaprio was, at points, Howard Hughes.

Verdict: Matinee, DVD/Video Rental.

The arc of Clint Eastwood’s career impresses me no end. From spaghetti westerns to the Unforgiven and now Million Dollar Baby – he delivers. And at seventy!

Millionaire Dollar Baby is a great film and a great story. The casting is perfection, the direction tight and the end product fantastic. It’s got drama, it’s got action, it’s got controversy.

The dynamic between Frankie Dunn as the overprotective boxing mentor and Maggie Fitzgerald, the rags to riches female boxer – crackles with authenticity. Morgan Freeman: genius.

To paraphrase a Billy Joel song, it’s sad and it’s sweet, and I’d watch it complete again.

What’s good about this movie:

1) Story, story, story. A++++ to the screenwriters and director.

2) Characters, characters, characters. A++++ to the actors and the screenwriters.

3) Delivers a message without preaching.

Verdict: Theater full price and DVD purchase.

What a good title Sideways is for this movie, because most of the film the characters are so drunk they see everything all twisted. Not since Arthur has career alcoholism looked this appealing on the big screen.

It’s a buddy film, steeped with inside jokes and pokes at wine and the congregation at the fringes of the wine industry. Like impressive tidbits about pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon? Sideways is for you!

But Sideways is also a love story. Set against the backdrop of one friend’s last hurrah as a bachelor, each friend approaches the week long escape with a different idea. Miles, the dutiful friend, sees it as an opportunity for fine wines, meals and golf. To the groom to be Jack, it’s a booty call. Enter the conflict.

There’s humor too, outrageous gut busting laughs. At the end of the day, it’s a very watchable. In a line – the heroes come to wine country in search of adventure, and discover themselves.

What’s good about this movie:

1) Paul Giamatti made dorky awkwardness cool again. Thank you, Sir Paul! There’s hope for geeks everywhere.

2) Overall the story is melancholy, yet comic.

3) The first ever smack down with a motorcycle helmet.

Verdict: Theater full price, or DVD purchase.

NOTE: One warning, beware the scene where Miles recovers Jack’s wallet. Something very disturbing is about to happen. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Dramedies are very risky bets. Audiences can love the comedy but reject the drama, smothering the jokes. Balancing the two demands a mastery of both genres. In Good Company is a masterpiece, a perfect mixture of laughter and seriousness, everything in the right proportion. Not too sweet, nor too sad or funny – just right.

Before this movie, I considered Topher Grace a pretty boy twerp. Still a twerp, he’s a very likeable one with potential. It’s a breakout role for That 70’s Show refugee.

The plot is a little different, but very topical for anyone who suits up for the morning commute. A 51 year old manager ( Dennis Quaid ) finds the new, less qualified boss is half his age. Over his head in debt and a baby on the way, Quaid needs the job. For an added wrinkle, junior dates Quaid’s gorgeous daughter. The only bumper between Quaid and foreclosure is the new boss.

What works about this movie

1) Topher Grace – a good breakout role

2) Scarlett Johansson – wow. Even with bad makeup, she’s on fire.

3) Pacing and humor work in tandem.

4) Good direction

Areas needing improvement

1) More Scarlett

Verdict – Theater full price. Perfect for Twenty somethings.