In the spirit of holiday giving, He Said/She Said has agreed that for this one column, we’re agreeing to disagree! Liz’s most-overlooked movie deals with matters of the heart, while Aaron chose one that will touch your soul. So without further ado, Aaron & Liz present the first annual Honorable Mentions For Best Film of The Year.

He Said: It’s the holiday season, so it’s time for this duo to award honorable mentions for two Indie film selections that will not receive critical acclaim come Oscar time. As the new year approaches, it’s time to ring in 2010 with a reminder to catch the film NO ONE has talked about – it’s Director Nancy Schiesari’s sobering military documentary,Tattooed Under Fire. Liz, this captivating drama explores the lives of several young troops from Fort Hood, Texas, who brand themselves with graphic images that are sometimes tragic and disturbing. While this picture earned rave reviews at AFI Dallas and SXSW Film Festival, it never received a widespread theatrical release. Liz, this poignant, moving documentary brilliantly captures the before/after affects of soldiers’ tours in Iraq. It deserves my official honorable mention for best film of the year. It’s disappointing that Tattooed did not receive more publicity around the country.  This is a gut-wrenching movie that will impact the way we view the military and young adults serving our country.

She Said: Aaron, I know you may laugh that my most overlooked movie is one that women will probably like more than men. Thankfully, my voice will be given equal billing in this column. The nation went crazy for the romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer. Sadly, this movie overshadowedAway We Go. Shame on the production company for not inundating fans with a full-fledged media campaign. Away We Go is for adults, a love story about a couple Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) who are adjusting to their changing status from couple to parents. Along their journey of self-discovery, they encounter friends and family who have their own unique styles of parenting. These two comedians manage to balance humor and drama to deliver a very poignant message. Aaron, the cameos from Catherine O’Hara, Maggie Gyllenhal and Allison Janney will leave you in stitches. I implore you to not miss this fantastic romantic comedy, available on video now!

She Said: Life for the Lewis family seems to be right on track. Arthur (James Marsden 27 Dresses, Enchanted) is working at NASA and believes he is about to be accepted as an astronaut. Norma (Cameron Diaz, My Sister’s Keeper) is teaching at a private school, which enables their son, Sam to attend for free.  A late-night delivery of a locked box with a button inside changes their idyllic life forever. Messenger Arlington Steward (Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon) presents Norma and Arthur with a moral dilemma … if they push the button someone they don’t know will die and they will receive $1 million, untraceable and tax-free. The only caveats are that they can’t tell anyone and must make the decision within 24 hours. Once the button has been pushed, the decision is final.

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He Said: The coined phrase, “one more tune,” never sounded more appropriate in Richard Curtis’s (Notting Hill, Four Weddings and A Funeral) hysterical new Brit Com, Pirate Radio. The film, set in 1960s London, sets sail as a bunch of castaway disc jockeys transmit a variety of shows around-the-clock from a ship off England’s coast. The controversial, embattled station faces rocky times including a head-on collision with the iceberg-like British Minister (Kenneth Brannagh) who is determined to terminate their broadcasting rights. Philip Seymour Hoffman is charming as The Count, a boisterous hippy who has generated a large flock of listeners across the UK with his funny, loving spirit and great tuneage. Nick Frost is uproariously funny as Dave, the portly yet suave deejay who lures young females back to his cabin for a memorable night at sea.

This all-star ensemble cast is backed by a cleverly written screenplay that helps Pirate Radio cruise to almost unfathomable comedic heights. Liz: when you consider that this film also sports an impressive British Invasion soundtrack, this is one offshore trip that must be shared by travelers everywhere.
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She Said: Aaron, we seem to be on the same wavelength. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a master acting chameleon, showcasing his comedic chops in Pirate Radio. He serves as anl American foible to his British counterpart and DJ competitor Gavin(Rhys Ifan). The cast has a cohesive camaraderie, and each actor brings an endearing nuance to the eccentric characters they play. Tom Brooke, as Thick Kevin, serves as the movie’s compass keeping the film on course when it begins to meander in the middle. Aaron, this film is a venture worth investing in!

He Said: Fatih Akin and Yvan Attal’s New York, I Love You is a visually captivating romantic comedy, featuring several short stories involving couples searching for love, finding someone new or in long-term relationships in the heart of the “Big Apple.” The picture provides very poignant and stunning camerawork that lures the moviegoer into the film with a proverbial scenic view into the lives of each character in the various vignettes. This Indie film boasts an all-star ensemble cast, featuring Natalie Portman, Ethan Hawke, James Caan and Shia LaBeouf. While it is inundated with gaffes and absurd storylines, there are a few heartwarming and dramatic moments in the film that make this worth the price of admission.

Actor Anton Yelchin (Charlie Bartlett) steals the show in the hilarious short story “Boy In The Park.” Yelchin plays a downtrodden student dumped one day before his High School Prom. Actor James Caan provides the lad a helping hand, but Yelchin’s character gets more than what he bargained for with his last-minute blind date (Actress Olivia Thirlby, Juno).

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