Alpha Dog – This has a feeling of noir mystery, but it's based on real events. It's dark, darkly funny, and features a couple of terrific performances by Ben Foster and Anton Yelchin.

Stomp the Yard – This is a really fine B movie that does everything it's supposed to do. It shouldn't surprise Hollywood that it was the #1 movie last week. It is, however, a B movie.

Babel – Because I'm such a fair critic, I saw this one a second time, and I'll stick with my original opinion: This is the kind of movie that used to be made inexpensively and would find a small, very appreciative audience. Those were the days.

Letters from Iwo Jima – Quick story. Years ago I was standing with Clint Eastwood in a restaurant. A guy came up and asked for an autograph—my autograph. Clint Eastwood leaned in and said, "I need a hit movie, bad." Well, he had several hit movies, and this is another fine one. Great concept, good execution, won't be everybody's cup of tea—but it's definitely a cup of tea.