10 Items or Less (2006)

On The Ignorance Equation's "Quick Draw" weekend it's an episode so easy to listen to even a Caveman can do it! This week from Quick Draw, Jail Bait, 10 Items or less and Love Club, the original Geico Caveman- The Super Talented and Funny Comedian John Lehr returns to talk about Comedy, Politics, Life, Love and Everythng in between! Tons of fun with John Lehr- one of the nicest, most humble guys in the business! If you missed Friday Night Drunken Trivia, we had Deputy Eli Brocias, aka Nick Brown! Also, Cecily McMillan stops in with an "Occupy Update". So tune in Sunday for all the Western-Style Comedy we can Giddy-Up into your Pioneering Ear Holes! http://tobtr.com/s/7314713

If you are an adrenaline junkie, action film lover, this is not for you. If you enjoy good story-telling and a funny, make you happy film - take the time, you will love it. Just a day in the life of two very opposite people who meet by chance and have a very wonderful day together, each learning a little about the others different world. I've watched this film about 5-6 times now - it always leaves me feeling warm and happy and thankful that in our world of monster budget blockbusters some actors are still willing to take the time to just tell a good simple story that entertains. Very disappointed that it is not available to stream anywhere yet, but I have purchased it and I'm glad it's a part of my permanent library now. For Big Bang Theory fans there is a short but fun cameo by Jim Parsons. Available on Amazon for a very reasonable price - it's worth it. I would say totally family friendly, but there is some language. Other than a few curse words here and there (not frequent or throughout) it is absolutely appropriate for ages 12 and up (and I'm a fairly straight-laced parent).

This is a splendidly done simplistic film that explores a theme, and gives each viewer something different that they take from it. The premise is simple: an unnamed celebrity actor (Morgan Freeman) decides to research for an upcoming role by visiting a store and watching people. He takes particular interest in the cashier at the "10 Items or Less" lane (Paz Vega), who he finds an amiable, strong, and curious presence.Both actors play off each other brilliantly and bring solid dimension to characters in what is a character study. Not a conventional character study; they each represent entire worlds. The cashier's life is mired in a harsh and frustrating "real world," while the actor is so enmeshed in his fantasy existence that he can't do simple tasks like remember phone numbers. He readily admits he's putting on a face when he talks to people, and the whole point of researching real people shows he's not one of them.But not only is the actor inspired by real people for his work; we see the reverse process as well. Several characters recognize "Him," and make reference to how he has inspired them with his movie roles.The cashier's favorite song "Al Pasar la Barca," about how a girl refuses to hide behind beauty and prefers instead to pay (ie: do honest work) for boat passage, couldn't have been chosen better. It parallels with the Vega character, the only store employee with any brains or ambition, who is willing to work hard to succeed. (That's quite an aspiration, for somebody who looks like Paz Vega.) It's an odd little film, probably made on a shoestring. If you don't mind slow pacing and a "talky" approach, this film will entertain. The characters are perfectly contrasted, and the effective acting makes them endearing. A nice watch.

Highly attractive, soft and smooth. I loved it. And not only because its 2 leads' great charisma. Even its message appears simply. We have a man at his 60s looks having everything however he doesn't have himself, and a girl at her 20s who has herself and nothing more. The two of them are having no friends at all. Seem lost. Looking for the right track. Searching for a moment of confidence, a rest, and a smile. The movie's world seems like a very lonely forlorn world, like the silent man at the supermarket. The 2 characters need a friend whom they find perfectly in each other yet for one day ! The best thing about this movie is its main meaning; we're living a lost world, where there are no friends. We need desperately to feel good about ourselves, someone to ask the embarrassing question (whether the road's direction, or I'm sterile or not). All of this confusion, sadness, and tension we have must get out to somebody. Sometimes we need just anyone to tell us is this blouse good or not ! But, sorry. Everybody is busy (the actor's folk), or deceiver (her boss), or don't care whatsoever. So now, the closest you would have as a friend is the one who you may meet accidentally for a day, makes you feel nice about yourself, be honest with you as long as you're dealing the same, who you're going to not meet him or her again !! But at least you got that person as a real friend for a whole one day. I believe this is a movie that could be so understood and valued by the lonely people, not the ones who got many friends already. I loved that friendship's tune, not to make them as hopelessly lovers the way movies like (Before Sunset) would do. (Morgan Freeman) was never been loose as "him", having the blessing of being "free-man" indeed ! As unchained nice emotions, looking like the most stray mentor you can ever have, that wants to find his way himself. (Paz Vega) is a tender kiss for every eye she meets, she was great, like the loneliest pretty girl in the world, being in tense, curbing her incredible smile as she's afraid to get involved into another unsuccessful relationship, unlike "him" who's feeling as if the world is his club, but nothing can hide his fear out of himself, or his perception that he's lost. (Brad Silberling) as its writer and director did it fine. The natural dialogs, the realistic shots, the unrestrained performance, even the optimistic music tracks. All of that combined to make pure little movie, with a distinctive taste and message, yet you've got to feel that this ride to home was short. It seemed like an episode of TV show as Six Degrees. I always believed that the word 'Movie' is holy when it comes to dazzle its viewers, although this is a fine simple interpretation of that (looking so light like a rapid afternoon), but sure something in this genius spontaneity just starves you for more. Actually I felt it lacked more drama to entertain us with other sides of these characters. For instance I missed strongly a part where she gets the chance to look into his world closer (near to a never done third act). And I didn't convince at the end that he's going to commit finally because of this day he had. Originally (Silberling) almost replaced any possible fair climax with 2 songs (the one between the 2 leads in the car, then the one which has been played on their way to Freeman's home !). But anyhow, this is a different independent cinema, yet a feel good movie after all, despite its dark message about a world of disappointed friendships where no real one last more than a day ! It managed to be one of the most sensitive, smiling and sad buddy-movies I've ever seen. Or is it a sad world basically ?