Nora's Will

First time writer director Mariana Chenillo's award winning dark comedy, Nora's Will, is a journey of self discovery, understanding and love.

The table is set, the coffee is ready, the cooking instructions are posted on each item. Nora (Silvia Mariscal) has died and her ex-husband of 20 years, José (Fernando Luján) is left to take care of her funeral arrangements. Manipulated by a diabolical scheme designed by his ex, José rebels against following her wishes. Further burial complications arise by the upcoming Passover, the circumstances of Nora's death, the absence of their son Rubén (Ari Brickman), and even Nora's maid, Fabiana (Angelina Peláez). Surmounted with guilt and revenge, turmoil ensues with Jose undergoing the most transformation.

Chenillo perfectly maps out every scene. Expertly enhanced by Alberto Anaya Adalid's cinematography, Darío González' music, and by the realistic acting, the viewer is drawn into the ensuing drama buildup and satiric battle of wills.

Conviction

Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell in CONVICTION; Photo by Ron Batzdorff

Director Tony Goldwyn brings to the big screen the remarkable true story of Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) who gave her all to exonerate her brother Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell), convicted in 1983 to a life sentence without parole for a murder he did not commit.

Flashbacks reveal Betty Anne and Kenny's traumatic childhood and early adulthood all the way to Kenny's arrest. Convinced of his innocence and determined to fight the system, Betty Anne embarks on an 18-year journey, completing high school, college, and eventually law school to overturn her brother's guilty verdict. Minnie Driver stars as Betty Anne's best friend Abra Rice who proves to be a great help in pulling together the needed evidence along with attorney Barry Scheck (Peter Gallagher).

The strength of the movie lies in the stellar cast. Hilary Swank delivers one of her strongest performances since 'Million Dollar Baby' while Sam Rockwell excels in the challenging role of Kenny Waters, a man with extreme contrasts from a reckless kid to a hardened prisoner.

The feature's authentic feel is captured through DP Adriano Goldman's (Sin Nombre, City of Men) handheld camerawork as well as Mark Ricker's production design of the mid '60s, early '80s, and mid '90s.

Betty Anne's bravery in her quest for justice, and the unique and unbreakable bond she shared with Kenny adds intensity and emotional depth to this engaging and uplifting drama.

Secretariat

Based on a true story, this uplifting and heartwarming family movie is about Secretariat, the triumphant thoroughbred considered by many to be the greatest racehorse of all times.

Diane Lane delivers a graceful performance as Penny Chenery, a Denver housewife and a mother of four who, despite opposition from her skeptical lawyer husband Jack Tweedy (Dylan Walsh) and brother Hollis Chenery (Dylan Baker), takes over, upon the death of her father Chris (Scott Glen), the family horsebreeding business. Through a coin toss with wealthy financier Ogden Phillips (James Cromwell) Penny ends up with Secretariat, known to family and friends as Big Red, the amazing horse who in 1973 made history by winning the first Triple Crown in 25 years.

Penny starts pulling things together by seeking the help of veteran French Canadian trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), jockey Ronnie Turcotte (real-life jockey, Otto Thorwarth), Secretariat's groom Eddie Sweat (Nelsan Ellis), and her father's supportive assistant Miss Ham (Margo Martindale).

Compelling performances are delivered by the stellar cast with Malkovich providing most comic relief in his portrayal of the eccentric trainer dressed in loud colors.

The horse race scenes are exciting to watch. Director Randall Wallace carries the viewers to the track making the horse races feel thrilling and real. DP Dean Semler makes use of several closeup shots bringing the audience eye to eye with Big Red. By placing at the end of a stick a small lightweight camera, or Ollie cam, Semler brilliantly captures the energy and spirit of the race getting closer to the track and inches away from the pounding hoofs, heaving torsos and churning legs all the way to Secretariat's victory.

Douchebag

In this low budget feature, the 27 year-old director, Drake Doremus (Spooner, Slamdance 2009), captures the feeling of awkwardness between two different and ordinary-looking brothers. Co-writing the script with Lindsay Stidham, Jonathan Schwartz, and Andrew Dickler, Doremus adds humor to the realistically raw and snappy dialogue, as well as to the natural and believable performances.

The overconfident, hippie-looking and devout vegetarian, Sam (Andrew Dickler), is about to marry his beautiful fiancee Steph (Marguerite Moreau).

Increasingly concerned that his shy brother Tom (Ben York Jones), a clean-cut, artist-wannabe, and in Sam's eyes, a complete loser, doesn't have a date for the wedding, Sam suggests that they both go on a road trip to search for Tom's mysterious last flame from fifth grade.

The feature gains steam in midsection with subtle and gradual shifts in the characters' dynamics.

Doremus effectively engages the viewer through the fine line between going towards and running away from something.