London Boulevard

A lot to like in this film, including the scene above. Colin Farrell can not only wear a suit, but he can really act. This is William Monahan's directorial debut. He was the screenwriter of The Departed so it's no surprise that this is a violent crime flick. Instead of South Boston we have North London and while I consider myself an expert at deciphering all sorts of British accents great swaths of the dialogue in this film were impregnable to me. Maybe that's why this one's going straight to OnDemand over here.

One of the problems with the film is that it's all a little familiar: Farrell plays an ex-con trying to go straight, Ray Winstone plays a scary crime boss, Keira Knightley a vulnerable actress who wants to hire Farrell as a bodyguard (it's not a question of if they'll fall in love, but when). The original characters and ideas, such as Farrell's unhinged sister (played by Anna Friel) are not quite developed enough and the whole thing, including a sort of too-ironic ending, doesn't quite gel. But, as I said, Farrell can really act, and the cinematographer Chris Menges, can really compose a shot, and for some of this film, it's enough. Worth checking out but you won't find it in the theatres.

Ondine

An adult fairy tale, a little obvious at times, but fairly magical and engrossing. Colin Farrell plays Syracuse, an Irish fisherman who pulls a girl up in his net. Is she a selkie? Even though you can feel the film pulling at your heartstrings (Syracuse has a dying daughter), it works, staying gritty enough to earn its happiness. Colin Farrell is sad and quiet as Syracuse, and Alicja Bachleda is very good as the girl from the sea. Neil Jordan is a director with a spotty record but I've loved at least three of his films, and this one was as good as he's been in years.