Mo Ebert

I’ve had to find new ways to entertain myself during all this holiday downtime. Thank goodness for internet piracy. This Kiwi jail is so cute that I wouldn't mind being thrown in the slammer (briefly) for my cyberspace crimes. Send bail money!

• Mad Men – You must watch this AMC show about an advertizing agency in 1960s Manhattan! It makes me grateful to live in an era where women can be more than secretaries. I’ve watched 2 seasons worth of episodes in the last 2 weeks. So begins my love/loathe relationship with the casanova Don Draper. How excited am I to see actor Jon Hamm's guest spot on 30 Rock later this season? Very. Although for a really good time, I think I’d leave Don at home and paint the town read with Joan Holloway.
  

• Seven Pounds – Don’t waste your time. Will Smith gives a good performance, but the plot is equally predictable and implausible. I mean REALLY implausible.

• The Wrestler –Any movie that features a sing-a-long to Ratt’s “Round and Round” gets 2 thumbs up from me! I never thought I’d enjoy a movie about the WWF, but Mickey Rourke is a TOUR DE FORCE!! I give him heaps of credit for making audiences empathize with such a failed and flawed character. I also give props to Marisa Tomei, who proves you’re never too old to paste on a pair of tassels. As if you need another reason to see this movie, a new Bruce Springsteen song plays over the final credits.

• Slumdog Millionaire – This heartwarming film features 2 of my favorite things: boys with foreign accents and gameshows.

• Frost/Nixon – Another very good movie with a very good performance by the lead actor. Frank Langella is a convincing Tricky Dick. However, my favorite character was a young Diane Sawyer. She contributes absolutely nothing to the movie (maybe one line?), but director Ron Howard makes certain the audience knows she is THE Diane Sawyer.
  

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – I enjoyed this movie, but at almost 3 hours, it could have sacrificed some quantity without affecting the quality. One review very accurately called it “a pretty man’s Gump.” It started to get a bit creepy when Brad aged into a baby. I used to be thrilled with all things Pitt, but now he and his partner, Saint Angelina, just annoy me.