Films with: Cholodenko, Lisa

High art

This film depicts a naive young woman whose stock rises at a pretentious art magazine because of her budding relationship with a once brilliant photographer who had a breakdown years ago. The question is how deeply Syd is willing to immerse herself in Berliner's hedonistic, heroin-infused, lesbian lifestyle.

DVD 8272

Kids are all right

Nic and Jules are in a long term, committed, loving but by no means perfect relationship. Nic, a physician, needs to wield what she believes is control, whereas Jules, under that control, is less self-assured. They have two teen-aged children, Joni, who is Nic's biological child, and Laser, who is Jules' biological child. A big-hearted, sexy and uproariously funny movie that combines comedic surprise with poignant emotional truth.

DVD 7881

Laurel Canyon

Harvard graduate Sam and his fiancée, Alex, move into Sam's mother's house in upscale Laurel Canyon, thinking that she would not be there. Only problem is that she is still there, supposedly finishing up a record that she's producing for her boy toy, Ian's band. Sam's mom seems more interested in smoking pot and drinking than actually working, though. Alex doesn't mind, but Sam is quite upset. Alex starts off focused as she works on finishing a dissertation on genomics, but is soon distracted. Meanwhile, Sam is equally distracted by the beautiful intern Sara.

DVD 1939

Olive Kitteridge

The four-part drama that tells the story of a seemingly placid New England town that is actually wrought with illicit affairs, crime and tragedy, all told through the lens of Olive, whose wicked wit and harsh demeanor mask a warm but troubled heart and staunch moral center. The story spans 25 years and focuses on Olive's relationships with her husband, Henry, the good-hearted and kindly town pharmacist; their son, Christopher, who resents his mother's approach to parenting; and other members of their community.

DVD 10856