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Hey folks, I'm adding my voice to the chorus of positive shout outs because this movie is special. I caught it at last year's NBFF and it was a standout. Quirky and funny, leavened with real moments of parental angst and regret. This is a really original piece of filmmaking that's a touching tribute to all those single moms desperately trying to hold a family together. It's about when to hold on and when to let go and how hard it is to do both. Edie Falco really lets it all hang out as Wanda, the mom who gives and gives and gives with no boundaries. You all know someone like this. (My 2nd eldest cousin is soooo like Wanda.) And this movie gives Wanda the room to show how you get to a place like this with her son Mark (Charlie Tahan) and daughter Sarah (Kayli Carter), both "takers" who don't seem to know better, but really do. Mark is especially angst-inducing, especially if you're a parent whose dealt with someone like him. (No spoilers, but I'll let you guess what his issue is.) Matching Edie Falco in the "letting it all hang out" dept. Is Michael Rappaport as Marshall, one of Wanda's admirers who is goofily self-aware and gives the film a honest edge. I could go on about this movie, but suffice to say, this film fits like a well-worn pair of stained sweat pants and will get you right in the feels. Kudos to writer Jim Beggarly, director Brendan Walsh, producer Peter Block, editor Aron Orton, composer James Righton, DP Aaron Medick. Plus costumes, prod design/set decor. Go see it when it finally comes to an art house near you.

Saw OHF last night at Big Newport on the big screen. If you're expecting an over the top "Die Hard" stunt fest peppered with dumb quips, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. This is an efficient thriller designed to put you on the edge of your seat and keep you there till the very end. The assault on the WH was insane, with the same raw intensity of the first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan". (And yes, the memories of 9/11 made it even more of a gut punch.) Fuqua is not pulling any punches. The violence is real and unvarnished. But lest you get pounded into submission, you have charismatic Gerard Butler story of redemption. That's where Creighton and Katrin Rothenberger's lean, taut, juggernaut of a screenplay does its job best. The stakes are high. And sh** gets real. Real fast. Butler is solid as the haunted former secret service stud taking the fight to the terrorists. . Morgan Freeman is great as the Speaker of the house who suddenly has the scariest job in the world. Angela Bassett keeps it real (and smokin hot) as head of the secret service. Rick Yune is believable as a cold-blooded shot-caller who could f*** Gerard Butler up. (His crew is scary.) Yes, it gets a little flag-wavey at the end, but that's forgivable. Lots of OMG moments, a few nervous laughs, all wrapped up in a human drama that'll make you feel good walking out.