The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

"Now more than ever, we need the Jedi."

Quirky comedy with George Clooney and Ewan McGregor

A movie where the most outlandish scenes are probably true. You really couldn't make this shit up! Based on the non-fiction novel by Jon Ronson and thus rather uneven as a film, it still makes for good entertainment.

George Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are having the time of their lives with this picture, sending themselves, and previous roles, up in the process. Ewan McGregor plays a reporter who seeks out America's secret psychic army represented by former member George Clooney. The story is told mainly as flashback as Clooney relays the history of the unit from its seeds in Vietnam and continues the story in modern day Iraq, where Clooney is on a mission.

The film relishes the moments where Clooney tells McGregor that he is a Jedi Warrior and can sense some psychic ability with him, so he could become a Jedi too. Of course every time the film mentions the word Jedi, it takes you out of the story somewhat as you chuckle with the irony.

The film is worth a watch but catch it as a rental.

7 out of 10

Up in the Air (2009)

"The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over."

The third film by Jason Reitman.

I love this movie.

That could be the end of the review. Jason Reitman has made a perfect film with the perfect leading man. George Clooney is a bona fide movie star and his confidence and swagger exude all over this film. The first half of the picture he is just cool. He plays Ryan Bingham who floats through life on his smarts with the tenacity to go into company's to fire people on their behalf, live his life on the road and give motivational speeches to explain his world view - the Back-pack theory.

Then he meets Vega Farmiga's Alex Goran who, as she puts it, is Ryan "with a vagina." They have an anal obsession with loyalty cards and hit it off immediately. Ryan, so used to an empty life out a suitcase, has found his co-pilot.

When his company threaten to ground him and start firing people over a computer network Ryan has to train young Natalie, new to the company and inventor of the video conferencing downsizing method, while trying to get the 10 million frequent flyer miles that he is so close to.

The film is perfectly judged and worked for me in every way. It's about life, the friends you meet, the relationships you have and, all-important, family. Clooney and Farmiga have excellent chemistry, the cameos are subtle and well judged and seeing Sam Elliot with that moustache and wonderful voice brings back memories of 'The Big Lebowski,' which is always good in my book.

10 out of 10