astrostar-18501

Honestly, I wish Hollywood made more movies like this. The kind of positive, heart warming movies that showcase the human spirit at it's best. People helping others out of the goodness of their hearts, not because they want something back in return. People banding together and helping out a complete stranger, simply because they needed help. I'm not ashamed to say it, but I teared up quite a few times watching this movie. Hillary Swank was wonderful in this movie, all the cast were really, even the little girl playing the part of the real life girl of whom the movie was all about. Her acting was so natural and unassuming, it didn't seem like acting at all, but she was so endearing in the role and she captured my heart. There were so many wonderful memorable quotes and scenes in this movie, but I won't spoil them for you. Watch the movie and enjoy them for yourself, just keep a box of Kleenex nearby, you'll most likely need them.

There are few movies I recall with fondness, movies that linger in your mind long after you've watched them, Carlito's Way is one such movie for me. It remains to this day one of my favorites. Unlike many "blockbusters" these days, with their massive budgets, special effects etc etc, but pedestrian scripts, what sets Carlito's Way apart is the wonderful story, that for me had me totally invested in Carlito (Al Pacino) as he tries to leave his past behind and "go straight". Here was a man, genuinely trying to turn his life around, to leave his criminal past behind him and make an honest living, but events and circumstances conspire against him, despite his best efforts. A potential threat, that in the past he would have dealt with ruthlessly and violently to neutralize, now he ignores it, he doesn't want to resort to violence to solve, and as a result, it changes the whole trajectory of his future. I won't give the ending away, but it's genuinely moving. Wonderful performances all round, especially Al Pacino and Sean Penn. I tossed up between giving this a nine or ten out of ten, but settled on a nine. A wonderful movie as I said, that will remain in your memory long after you've seen it.