Taking Chance

If you have not already had this experience, and you want your heart to expand and deepen, and you wish to pay reverence and gratitude to those fallen heroes of ours this Memorial Day, find a quiet hour + and watch Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon. This stunning film will take you where no "war story" ever could. It will stay with you forever. HBO has been running it this weekend, and you can go online to also view.

The Joneses

The expression "keeping up with the Joneses" takes on new meaning in this delightful and thought-provoking film. With Demi Moore and David Duchovny at the helm, the flick soars.

Okay, the premise is a bit weird: Four hot superstar salesfolks pose as a family unit in a posh suburb. Hired by an Amway-style product marketing firm, the foursome at first appear like a normal set of parents and kids. Then, of course, we learn that they are living a sham, under the same roof, with each vying to up sales for the company.

Interestingly, we buy into the premise, because the concept is so darned creative. Whoever heard of putting together a phony family just to promote sales? Could the idea work? Are suburbanites so superficial that they'll do anything to buy the American Dream?

We suspend our disbelief even more because of the fine acting. Demi Moore, who has done her share of duds (need I mention GI Jane?), really shines as the "boss" of the clan. Duchovny, the X-files hero, does a great job of being the "husband" who wants to find his true self. And the kids are well defined: Amber Heard, pretty and sassy, provides a believable slutty daughter. Ben Hollingsworth, the rising Canadian star, is excellent as the closet gay son.

The originality of the story lies in the merger of a phony family into a potentially real one. Will the "parents" become more than business partners? Will the kids do more than sell? Will the gullible neighbors, who buy the Joneses' products, be able to keep up financially and socially?

There's so much more to this tale than first meets the eye. It's a profound look at America, at yuppy values and empty souls.

Outstanding and entertaining. Grade of A.