This issue we'll look at two films about making the most out of life, whether you're getting younger by the day or you're running out of chances.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

(PG-13, Avail. 5/5)

It has often been said that life ought to go in the opposite direction--that we ought to get old age out of the way first and experience our golden retirement years as youthful and spry, able to truly appreciate them. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" shows us what living in reverse might really be like. It's an examination of all that life has to offer from beginning to end, regardless of the direction we're headed.

Daisy (Cate Blanchett) is dying in a hospital bed while a hurricane approaches New Orleans. Her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond) is there to say goodbye and to read to her mother from the diary of a man named Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt).

Benjamin tells us the story of his life, which began on November 11, 1918, the day the First World War ended. His father Thomas (Jason Flemyng, "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels") is horrified. His wife died giving birth to their son, a baby who appears to be in his eighties.

Unable to come to terms with this, he leaves the child on a staircase where he is discovered by Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), a caretaker in a New Orleans retirement home. Convinced by doctors little Benjamin will not be long for the world, she raises him and loves him all the same. Much to everyone's surprise, not only does the boy live, he begins to appear younger and younger.

Just as it begins to become apparent that Benjamin may live a long life after all, he meets seven-year-old Daisy (Elle Fanning). It is at this point that Benjamin's adventure truly begins. We experience the ups and downs of his life through several decades. Years go by without seeing Daisy, though he sends her a postcard from everywhere he travels. By the time he finally sees her again, Daisy (now played by Blanchett) is a world class ballerina.

Based on a short story from the 1920s by F. Scott Fitzgerald ("The Great Gatsby"), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has a screenplay by Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump," "Munich") and is directed by David Fincher ("Se7en," "Fight Club," and "Zodiac"). The original story provides only the basic framework for Roth's amazing screenplay. What he and Fincher have created is a film that is epic yet thoughtful. It is a film about life, death, love, and everything in between.

Mainly though, it is about how time affects everything. Each of us knows his or her days are numbered. What is unique about Benjamin is that he can really count them. This is the trade-off for aging into youth.

The film's deliberate pacing and quiet tone emphasize one of its central points, which is that life is to be savored and enjoyed in order for it to be truly lived. Benjamin is a man who watches sunsets, who continues to look at the world with wonder regardless of his age.

Pitt's performance is outstanding. This is an incredibly challenging role but he makes it look easy. Not to be outdone is Blanchett, showing once again that she is one of the finest actresses in the world today. As we see Benjamin getting younger, we witness Daisy aging. There are several quiet moments in which Blanchett shows us the progression with simple facial expressions. This is a well-cast film from top to bottom, with Henson and Tilda Swinton being particularly of note.

Every element of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" comes together beautifully. From the production design to the cinematography to Alexandre Desplat's musical score, this movie shines. It also boasts some of the best visual effects I have seen in a very long time. We don't think about them as being effects until after the movie is over. As we see them we simply accept them. It's a lesson for all filmmakers about the proper use of CGI. 10/10.

Last Chance Harvey

(PG-13, Avail. 5/5)

Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) has had his share of disappointments. His life hasn't turned out the way he had hoped. Instead of being a jazz pianist, he's a jingle writer for commercials, and he's only hanging on to that job by a thread. His outlook doesn't improve as he goes from New York to London for his daughter's (Liane Balaban) wedding, only to find out that she has asked her stepfather (James Brolin) to walk her down the aisle. Getting fired over the phone is the next hit Harvey takes on his trip across the Atlantic.

Kate (Emma Thompson) meanwhile, is a single Londoner whose life consists of trying to get tired, cranky passengers to take surveys at Heathrow Airport. Harvey and Kate make bad first impressions with one another, but upon griping about their situations over a sandwich and a cup of tea, these two lonely souls connect, proving to themselves and each other that it's never too late to find happiness.

Written and directed by Joel Hopkins (the little known but wonderful "Jump Tomorrow"), "Last Chance Harvey" is a quietly affecting film with a lot of heart. What could have easily been schmaltzy and clichéd is truly moving here because Hopkins really means it.

It doesn't hurt having two of the most talented actors to ever grace the screen playing the leads either. Hoffman and Thompson could make a film with a bad script worth watching, but Hopkins has given them something terrific to work with, and the end result is the sort of film that really does make you feel better about life. That's not something that can be said about many films.

Don't miss out on "Last Chance Harvey." You'll tell your friends about this one. 8.5/10.

Also Coming to DVD:

April 28

Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1 (Blu-Ray)

Bride Wars (PG)

Hotel For Dogs (PG)



May 5

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Blu-Ray)

Grease (Blu-Ray)

Saturday Night Fever (Blu-Ray)

Roxanne (Blu-Ray)