The Sunday Drive: 6/5/11

3. The Tree of Life
If you're looking for a light and cheery popcorn film then Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is not the place to go. However if you're in the mood for something that will force you to think and examine your own feelings about faith, spirituality, and your place in the world, then this is the movie for you. Despite a few flaws in the storytelling, Malick has created a film greater and far more ambitious than virtually anything you'll see. A journey most will find wholly fulfilling.
2. Midnight in Paris
Woody Allen's latest is a beautiful portrait of Paris, both funny and clever in it's exploration of our inclination to glorify the past. Owen Wilson stars as writer who finds himself transported to 1920s Paris where he meets a number of his literary idols such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Salvador Dali.

1. X-men: First Class
In a summer dominated by superhero movies, no other comes close to matching X-men: First Class, Matthew Vaughn's brilliant prequel chronicling the origins of Professor Xavier and Magneto.  A hefty film full of history and meaning, yet jam packed with grand shows comic book gusto: laser beams, insect wings, and human torandoes. X-men: First Class is a film that's as smart as it is action packed. The best superhero movie ever. Period.

DVD Pick of the Week: Drive Angry
What's "offbeat" taken to the ultimate degree? Calling Drive Angry an insane B-movie thrill rush doesn't seem to get the job done. The film kicks off with badass Milton(Nic Cage) literally busting out of Hell where he's been for who knows how long. His reason, other than to..y'know, escape from an eternity of torture, is to seek revenge on the rock star cult leader who kidnapped his granddaughter. Along the way he becomes fast friends with a butt kickin' waittress(Amber Heard, never looking hotter) with a roaring muscle car. Oh, and did we mention they're pursued by Satan's accountant, looking to reclaim Milton's soul in order to balance Hell's books. Brilliant it's not, but it's an undeniable riot of violence and extremely dark humor!