Don't kill 'The Messenger,' rent it

Every week a new batch of feature films arrives on DVD store shelves. 

Some weeks are better than others, as you may have noticed.  A couple of weeks back, amid the underachievers ("Extraordinary Measures"), the over-hyped ("Invictus") and the mediocre ("Valentine's Day"), a bona-fide gem arrived with little fanfare.

Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Jena Malone and Samantha Morton (an Oscar nominee for "Sweet and Lowdown" in 1999 and "In America" in 2002) head an extremely strong cast in "The Messenger," which I highly recommend.

"The Messenger," nominated for two Academy Awards earlier this year (Harrelson as supporting actor; original screenplay) but deserving more, unspools a raw, revealing tale of two stateside soldiers who deliver the grimmest possible news when a loved one is lost in combat.

In my review titled "Onward saddened soldiers" in November, I pointed out that "The Messenger" hit movie multiplexes during an extremely sensitive time:

"Arriving in theaters in the wake of the Fort Hood, TX shooting rampage, which left 13 dead and over two dozen wounded on Nov. 5, one of this year's most powerful dramas will likely electrify emotional nerve endings with a heavier charge than it might otherwise."

This is not an easy movie to watch, but it represents the best film-makers can do when they set out to tell an important story with exceptional performances all around.

I still can't get Morton's outstanding, subtle, multi-layered performance as a confused war widow out of my head.

Nor do I want to. 

Play movie trivia, win stuff!

For the past few months, I've offered movie trivia in the Movie Memories newsletter just for fun; as a diversion, if you will.  Well, not this month.  This time it's serious because you'll be playing for valuable prizes.

Just remember, a word like "valuable" can be quite subjective.

Nevertheless, the first person who e-mails me with all five correct answers to this month's trivia will win not one, but two Movie Memories collector coffee mugs stuffed with decadent popcorn and candy I can no longer ravage because I'm dieting. (D'oh!)

Second place gets one Movie Memories mug filled with sticky candy and microwave popcorn.

Ready?  Get busy, and e-mail your answers to MovieMemories@verizon.net.  If you're stumped and just want to learn the answers, also e-mail MovieMemories@verizon.net and I'll send them to you.

"You must remember this." -- Movie trivia

Got a minute for a little movie trivia to sharpen the brain?  Answer all five of this month's trivia questions correctly and you might just win a prize (see above). 

1.  The big screen lost a "personification of Hollywood rebellion" over the Memorial Day weekend.  Who was it?

a.  Art Linkletter

b.  Dennis Hopper  

c.  Gary Coleman

2.  Larry Ratliff's favorite classic film is:

a.  "It's a Wonderful Life"

b. "Dude, Where's My Car?"

c.  "Casablanca"

3.  Word is out that James Cameron's next movie might be:

a.  "Plug That Damn Hole!"

b.  "No Really, Dude, Where's My Car?"

c.  An "Avatar" sequel

4.  Movie tickets in New York City have escalated to: 

a.  $20

b.  $28

c.  If you have to ask, you can't afford fine films like "MacGruber." 

5.  Michael Douglas won't be appearing in _______________ in the next few months.

a.  "Solitary Man"

b.  "Toy Story 3"

c.  "Wall Street:  Money Never Sleeps" 

For Trivia Answers, or to enter this month's trivia contest (See above), e-mail MovieMemories@verizon.net.

Upcoming Movie Memories presentations

(Have you booked one for your group yet?)

June 16:  "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time" presentation at The Forum at Park Lane, Dallas.  6:45 p.m.

July 21:  An Enrichment Presentation at Richland College, Dallas. "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time." 1:45 p.m.

Aug. 2:  Richland College Emeritus Program class No. 1. "If You Can't Say Something Nice -- My Career as a Film Critic" presentation.  10 a.m.

Aug. 9:  Richland College Emeritus Program class No. 2.  "Deadline Pressure ... What Deadline Pressure" presentation. 10 a.m. 

Sept. 13:  "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time" presentation at Presbyterian Village North, Dallas.  6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16:  "'Casablanca' -- My Favorite Movie of All Time" presentation at Chambrel at Club Hill, Garland.  6:30 p.m.

("The Messenger" poster photo courtesy:  Oscilloscope Pictures)