I've got 3 words that perfectly describe "City By the Sea":  IN-CRED-IBLE.  The first great movie I've seen since "Minority Report", this is a wonderfully compelling, beautifully made film with powerhouse performances all around. 

      Robert DeNiro is my favorite actor, but lately he's been taking on thankless roles in third-rate films like "Showtime".  Well, DeNiro's back!  His multi-faceted role as Vincent LaMarca is the kind of role that's tailor-made for DeNiro.  I'll go as far as saying this is one of his best performances, up there with "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull."  

      Knowing the Academy, they'll probably snub this movie completely, but if they actually come to their senses, DeNiro will receive another Oscar nomination for Best Actor and hopefully win.  I'm always impressed with his work, but as I said before he's portraying a multi-faceted character--former wife abuser, father was executed when he was 8, son is a junkie, been a prominent member of the police force for years on end--and in standard DeNiro fashion, he acts out every emotion with the utmost delicacy.  

      And I also have to give James Franco much acclaim.  Playing a junkie isn't easy at all.  Franco totally disappears into the character, and he really impressed me, being that his past roles were in forgettable teen comedies like "Whatever It Takes."  Before this movie, I thought he was just another pretty boy actor.  Along with DeNiro, he should also receive an Oscar nomination.  

      The film itself is very powerful, but in a realistic, non-manipulative way.  And even though it's a heavy drama, the film is tempered by moments of humor, including one scene where Franco's girlfriend (Eliza Dushku) goes to DeNiro's apartment with a kid.  DeNiro asks, "Who's the kid?"  She replies, "That's your grandson."  The ending is emotionally uplifting, yet totally believable.  All I'll say is you'll probably wanna call your Dad after watching this movie.  "City By the Sea" is a definite MUST-SEE!