This is an on-going list of all the films I see from 2011. I will update every month with new mini-reviews.
01) 01/20-- THE GREEN HORNET (Gondry) [C+]
Not so much a superhero film as Seth Rogan’s attempt at a high concept, high production value comedy. Michel Gondry stylizes with kung-fu fun and the supporting cast aids this odd ball, eye-candy capper.
02) 01/24-- NO STRINGS ATTACHED (Reitman) [C+]
The actors are great for the film’s formula yet their character are too one dimensional. The comedy is alright. The film is weighed down by emotion and heart yet never really succeeds in selling it. It’s enjoyable but nothing is really driving it.
03) 02/16-- THE EAGLE (Macdonald) [B-]
With fine direction to be sure, this well made and well acted (Channing Tatum etc.) period piece has a thin plot and loses steam in the third act with unrealistic plot twists and a lackluster execution. It mostly worked but was in one ear, and out the other.
04) 02/16-- JUST GO WITH IT (Dugan) [C+]
This film is a brave and oddly enjoyable niche Adam Sandler comedy that packs laughs along the way. The film fumbles with outrageous characters, likeable actors, and classic comedy source material.
05) 02/18-- I AM NUMBER FOUR (Caruso) [C+]
This film is a solid effort from people who work in TV (including some from Team
Smallville). The film is a precursor; it’s a light version of a comic book teenager, with strange powers and a mysterious past, meets
Glee. Michael Bay provides the FX power in an okay filler film.
06) 02/19-- UNKNOWN (Collet-Serra) [C+]
Liam Neeson can pack a punch but doesn’t have enough to work with in this cluttered, European thriller with a dime-a-dozen plot. It’s Borne-lite. It has quick editing, feisty fighting, but the cast is half awake and the writing lacks that self-aware charm.
07) 02/26-- ALL STAR SUPERMAN (Liu) [B]
Based on Grant Morrison’s well-crafted graphic novel, this direct-to-dvd animated film is Silver Age Superman at his best. The animation is fine, sleek, and the story is fan boy fun.
08) 03/03-- DRIVE ANGRY (Lussier) [C+]
Although the 3D is used in fun, Grindhouse fashion, this Nick Cage action romp is all concept with no heart and no depth. In an effort to spoof the hyperbolic extremities of day’s past, the
Drive Angry team failed to make a good movie.
09) 03/03-- HALL PASS (Farrelly Bros.) [B-]
Surrounding the thoughtful message of the film is golden, comedic banter between Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis. These middle-aged characters cruise on low energy, but the famed comedy brothers pack enough outrageous situations to keep the beast rolling.
10) 03/09-- BEASTLY (Barnz) [D]
One of the worst films I’ve ever see. This retelling of
Beauty and the Beast is a paper thin, brutal soap opera. The execution is poor, the acting is painful, and the characters are not believable. Although Neil Patrick Harris should have declined the supporting role, the upside to him co-starring is that the film at least had one likable character.
11) 03/09-- THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (Nolfi) [B-]
The Philip K. Dick plot is mostly there and mostly well done. It’s stylized, interesting, and filled with fine actors, but the story is like a lite version of
The Matrix and not nearly as thought out. Sci-fi has to create rules and then follow them. The parts of sci-fi that don’t work tend to stick out more and hurt the overall product.
12) 03/09-- RANGO (Verbinski) [B+]
Rango may be the first CGI film done by Industrial Light and Magic, but it looks like they’ve been doing it for years- it’s a bravo debut. It’s a fun, sharp, delightful, satire-filled throwback to Westerns and the action does not stop. The voice cast is wonderful and the chase scenes are epic scaled. It doesn’t have the emotional pull of a Pixar champ, but it has everything else- I recommend this savvy gem.
13) 03/16-- RED RIDING HOOD (Hardwicke) [C+]
Amanda Seyfried is stunning; she’s a camera object, the first of the year. The backdrop is lush, the forest is haunting, and the villagers are mad. Unfortunately, everything else is mediocre soap. Gary Oldman is so bad it’s depressing. Like
Twilight, this film is undeveloped potential.
14) 03/17-- MARS NEEDS MOMS (Wells) [B+]
This underrated gem uses mo-cap and quality CGI to tell an interesting, sci-fi, adventure story. The plot and characters are well defined and the setting is rad looking. The idea of a Martian matriarchy taking over the planet and subjugating the males to a wasteland is clever, thoughtful, and, most of all, bold. The film is a throw-back to 1980s Spielberg-era. And like those films, Mars packs an emotional punch, awe struck wonder, and plenty of laughs.
15) 03/23-- PAUL (Mottola) [B]
Paul is the less successful throw back to the ‘80s Spielberg. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are likable, fun, and nail the first act, but the film gets lost in the middle by repetitiveness and pacing issues. The Seth Rogan-voiced alien is a fine enough gimmick and works once our heroes get past their drawn out disbelief. Luckily, the talented supporting cast keeps this baby afloat.
16) 03/23-- LIMITLESS (Burger) [B+]
Most of the loopholes and inconsistencies are forgivable in lieu of the superb directing and stylization of the film. Even if the story didn’t end up where I wanted it, Neil Burger takes the audience into a fascinating vision. Bradley Cooper is the perfect leading man, and the film has enough going on to keep the gimmick interesting. Robert De Niro is ok.
17) 03/30-- I AM (Shadyac) [C+]
Tom Shadyac is an interesting and sincere guy and I admire his documentary where he asks the big questions. The doc, however, is very elementary. He answers questions about the human condition without stepping on any toes. I applaud his push toward personal responsibility. The answer to “what’s wrong with the world” and to “what’s right with the world is the same,” I am.
18) 03/31-- SUCKER PUNCH (Snyder) [B+]
Emily Browning sways her hips. She moves, she stares, and we watch, captivated. She is the ideal camera object- she is everything the film could want. I’m a sucker for Zack Snyder’s punches. The director packs style, he is relentless, he is a visionary. The film is his baby. He takes these male created images of women and fills them with women who kick ass. Snyder is saluting and waving the white flag at the same time. The dialogue is corny, some of the characters are illogical and not likable, the action takes absurdity to a whole new level, and the ending is depressing – but I cannot look away.
19) 04/04-- WIN WIN (McCarthy) [B+]
Paul Giamatti is an indie force to be reckoned with. The film is a sweet and clever look at an odd, lovable family trying to do with right thing but getting into trouble. Thomas McCarthy packs heart and makes his characters complex with motivations- a feel good triumph.
20) 04/04-- JANE EYRE (Fukunaga) [B-]
The latest adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel looks great and features a fine cast. But the film has pacing issues, lacks a certain energy, and isn’t as creepy as it wants to be. It's great to see a pre-Magneto Michael Fassbender and a post-Alice Mia Wasikowska.
21) 04/06-- THE BIG YEAR (Frankle) [B-] – AS
Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin star in this very enjoyable and likeable dramady about competitive bird watching. The locations are gorgeous but the comedy struggles. The characters and a little plain and some of the dynamics are contrived.
22) 04/06-- SOURCE CODE (Jones) [B+]
Jack Gyllenhaal has leading-man chops in this superb sci-fi thriller about a man who keeps reliving a train ride in order to stop a bomber. The film is careful and well thought out. It’s confined and limits itself in an intelligent way. The ending is filled with implications that would be odd in a series but work decently for a one shot wonder.
23) 04/13-- YOUR HIGHNESS (Green) [B-]
Natalie Portman brings the right punch to this Danny McBride/James Franco comedy. The medieval gimmick is fun and the comedy is outlandish. I enjoyed it as a homage satire but it’s too thrown-together, too improvised, and too crude to be a comedy classic.
24) 04/13-- ARTHUR (Winer) [C+]
The Dudley Moore classic aside, this Russell Brand remake works in parts but becomes really tiring really fast. Brand is great in doses but the character is too wacky and too lazy for the audience to root for. It was a shell of a film.
25) 04/13-- HANNA (Wright) [B+]
Joe Wright has style. He directs the film as a fierce action thriller. The pace is relentless, the story is sharp, and the characters are well drawn. Saoirse Ronan delivers a chilling performance and proves to be a brilliant, perfectionist force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, there are some missteps towards the end with the Hanna/father relationship. A little more closure in the final act and this superb film would have been even better.
26) 04/13-- THE LINCOLN LAWYER (Furman) [B]
Matthew McConaughey stars in this very solid, well done legal thriller. The film combines mystery, court drama, and interesting characters. It’s what you might expect from a Michael Connelly novel. Furman gets the tone right, he keeps a film with a lot of dialog moving with sly cuts.
27) 04/13-- SOUL SURFER (McNamara) [B-]
Based on real life, one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer is a delightful, heartfelt, feel good story. It’s like a pleasant made-for-TV movie with the added benefit of an adorable AnnaSophia Robb and some splendid surf and location footage.
28) 04/19-- THE CONSPIRATOR (Redford, 2010) [B+]
[Note: This film had a 2010 film festival release but a 2011 theatrical release] Robert Redford directs a superb period piece about the court trails that follow President Lincoln’s assassination. James McAvoy and company give tour-de-force performances to a sharp script. Some of the supporting characters are a little too obvious but the look and attention to detail of this historical drama are great.
29) 04/20-- SCREAM 4 (Craven) [B-]
Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson reteam and do not disappoint. The problem with the latest
Scream, however, is the focus on returning vet Neve Campbell. Newcomers Hayden Panettiere and Emma Roberts are great but misused / dispensable. The film slows in the middle and becomes repetitive, but the opening 20 minutes are horror-comedy genius. Thanks Anna Paquin.
30) 04/20-- RIO (Saldanha) [B+]
Rio is all kinds of enjoyable. It’s the perfect ending to a warm summer day. It’s like playing at the beach with your nephews and then piling into the living room for fun, energy spun entertainment. The film is well paced and colorful and has a ton of novelty. The voice cast lead by Jesse Eisenberg and George Lopez is magnificent. Rio is a good time, nuff said.
31) 04/24-- ATLAS SHRUGGED- PART 1 (Johansson) [C+]
The source material, Ayn Rand’s best seller, is interesting, provocative, and packed. Naturally, some of that translates onto the film. The characters are well drawn and the message keeps the plot interesting and moving. The film, however, is low budget and has a low production value. The execution is made-for-day time-TV amateur.
32) 04/24-- WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (Lawrence) [B+]
The look and atmosphere of this traveling circus period piece is wonderfully enchanting. Robert Pattison does a fine job opposite Reese Witherspoon but the Christoph Waltz character is too over-the-top villain and one dimensional. Aside from some contrived conflict, this romance drama is a pleasant journey.
33) 05/03-- CRISTIADA (Wright) [B+] – AS
This three hour plus movie is a fine depiction of a dramatic true story- the Mexican rebellion against a corrupt government that persecuted Catholics. Andy Garcia and the cast give fine performances but there are dramatic moments that are made silly by epic music and over-the-top dialogue. There are several short sequences that could be cut as well.
34) 05/04-- PROM (Nussbaum) [B-]
Disney’s
Prom does a delightful job balancing several characters on their way to prom. The various plotlines keep the story moving but it’s the Aimme Teegarden’s Nova that anchors the film as the heart and soul of soapy, teen camp.
35) 05/04-- FAST FIVE (Lin) [B+]
Justin Lin resuscitates the Fast franchise with; get this, a story-driven feature. Diesel and Walker are joined by some buds to pull off an exciting heist. In addition to all the action, fighting, shooting, exploding, and really sweet driving, Dwayne Johnson gives the film a huge adrenaline boost.
36) 05/04-- MADEA'S BIG HAPPY FAMILY (Perry) [C+]
Tyler Perry’s latest offering is filled with great one-liners and some hilarious exchanges. This comedy, however, is weighed down by younger characters that are either over-the-top bitchy or sad parodies of themselves. Madea’s annoying speech and contrived plot devices don’t help either.
37) 05/04-- HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD VS. EVIL (Disa) [C+]
The humor is really mediocre in this lackluster sequel to a decent movie. The animation is ho-hum. It’s nice to have such a star studded voice cast, but Red herself is kind of a bitch. For every good character and voice (like Brad Garret), there's a lot of lame ones.
38) 05/06-- THOR (Branagh) [B]
Thor is mighty fun. The comedy is crisp, the action is fantastic, and Natalie Portman is a welcome pedigree. The plot, however, spends too much time on SHIELD and the Stellan Skarsgard character is too illogical which hurts the overall success of the film. But Kat Dennings is really cute/funny.
39) 05/18-- BRIDESMAIDS (Feig) [A-]
Writer/star Kristen Wiig delivers comedy gold with
Bridesmaids. The beauty of the characters (all of which are wonderful) is that their distinct personalities create conflict. The banter between down-on-her-luck Wiig and Rose Byrne’s wealthy socialite is fantastic. Wiig can be a little over-the-top at times, with sequences that last too long, but she’s a superb, sympathetic character.
40) 05/18-- SOMETHING BORROWED (Greenfield) [C]
Kate Hudson has presence, Ginnifer Goodwin is sweet but nothing really works in this lackluster romantic comedy. It’s a drama of mediocre female fantasy. By the time the two people get together at the end, the audience couldn’t care less.
41) 05/18-- PRIEST (Stewart) [C+]
Scott Stewart does a fine job of stylizing this vampire-western. Priest is comic book coolness come to life. The characters, though, are too one-dimensional. Paul Bettany can’t act, but Maggie Q makes up for it. Its
Book of Eli meets
Underworld but not as good as either - great, visual tone though.
42) 05/23-- THE BEAVER (Foster) [B]
This is a deep, tragic, wonderful film. Mel Gibson gives an amazing performance, he is an A-. He’s a lost soul, a man deep in depression who becomes another person through a puppet. The gimmick is hard to work with. The film could have been an A- if it was a tad more fleshed out.
43) 05/25-- EVERYTHING MUST GO (Rush, 2010) [B-]
[Note: This film has a 2010 festival release but a 2011 theatrical release] This is a very interesting film in which virtually nothing happens. Will Ferrell is sympathetic and likable but the story has too many plot holes. It’s no wonder the film is based on a short story.
44) 05/25-- PIRATES / CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (Marshall) [B-]
The latest
Pirates installment is a step up. The first half is fun and adventure packed but the second half gets bogged down by too many story elements (i.e. the mermaids, the Spanish, the Fountain process). With Johnny Depp's classic character, less is a little bit more.
45) 05/29-- THE HANGOVER: PART II (Philips) [B]
Rather than being just a comedy, Part II is a dark, dramatic, and stylized journey through a madhouse (with comedy sprinkled all the way through). The Wolfpack finds their legs as they track through the chaos of Bangkok. More than watching a bromance comedy, we are watching a Todd Philips movie.
46) 05/29-- MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Allen) [B+]
I have been enchanted by Woody Allen’s magic. This film took me by surprise. It was elegant, charming, the dialogue was wonderful, and it transported me into a unique world. Kudos to Owen Wilson who is clearly a director’s actor. And extra kudos to Cory Stoll’s Earnest Hemingway for being a pitch perfect character in Allen’s love letter to Paris nostalgia.
47) 05/29-- KUNG FU PANDA 2 (Nelson) [B]
This sequel pretty much does everything right. The animation is breathtaking, the characters are fun, and there’s enough of a plot. Po’s father steals the show as the most adorable, sympathetic character on the planet. Po, however, is a dumb ass. Rather than being a hopeful flop that makes an earnest effort, he constantly does the airhead thing at the wrong time and creates contrived conflict.
48) 06/03-- X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (Vaughn) [B+]
Director Vaughn delivers a rambunctious, adventure story with his X-Men prequel. James McAvoy gives a spot on performance in this action packed thrill ride. For my full review go
here..
49) 06/08-- THE TREE OF LIFE (Malick) [B+]
Terrance Malick is an ambitious son-of-a-gun. He goes for majesty; he brings us to the edge of the universe (and our minds), to the creation of the world, and to dinosaurs. This is one part of the puzzle. The other part is a 1950s family with Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastin as parents who represent the ways of nature and grace. Their son struggles with this and says that they “always wrestle inside me.” The child also struggles with the death of his brother and essentially asks God how He could let this happen. This film is brilliant and beautiful but the story segments lack a certain flow and consistency. The family story is a sad one, filled with emotion and pain. There’s peace in the end but not much throughout the film.
50) 06/10-- SUPER 8 (Abrams) [B+]
In a loving tribute the Spielberg renaissance, JJ Abrams crafts a delightful and enchanting story about a group of kids who witness a train crash that releases a mysterious alien. The chemistry and the dialogue between the kids is spot on but there are loopholes and inconsistencies involving the alien and his odd behavior. But Elle Fanning is a young angel.
51) 06/15-- GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS (Montgomery) [B+]
Martin Campell could learn a thing or two about directing a Green Lantern film from this direct to DVD animated film. The film has one poor segment that plays like an extended joke but the other segments, each of which chronicle the back story of a character, work wonderfully.
52) 06/19-- THE ART OF GETTING BY (Wiesen) [B-]
This film has a lot of potential. Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts give fine performances as emo high schoolers playing the love game. There are, however, several inconsistencies that drag down the film (like how these teenagers keep drinking at bars). Overall, it’s a bravado effort of indie goodness to come.
53) 06/19-- JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER (Schultz) [C]
The Judy Moody gal is an adorable actress with a bright future ahead. The film, with all its summer zaniness and ADD high energy, is cute and fun but half way through it gets repetitive, dull, and silly. Sorry Heather Graham.
54) 06/19-- GREEN LANTERN (Campbell) [B-]
Green Lantern does a lot of things right: the suit, the CGI, Oa, the aliens, Ryan Reynolds, most of casting, this is all fine. The story is prototype, origin formula but doesn’t know how to ramp up the third act. Enough with the evil cloud villains, the sequel better redeem this one.
55) 06/22-- LANGUAGE OF A BROKEN HEART (Powell) [B+] – AS
When a sensitive New York writer gets dumped, he visits home to see his mom, best childhood friend, and meets a new gal pal. Although this sweet and delightful story stalls in the third act and lacks closure, the film is a bravado effort for writer/director/star Powell.
56) 06/23-- MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS (Waters) [C]
Director Mark Waters phones in this Jim Carrey vehicle about a divorced business man who inherits penguins from his father. Everything that is supposed to be cute and funny is lame, dumb and thoughtless. There are lots of plot holes and a lack of good ideas.
57) 06/24-- CARS 2 (Lasseter) [B+]
John Lasseter took everything that was bad about the first
Cars and did the exact opposite for the sequel. The result is a high energy, high performance, spy adventure that features McQueen, Mater, and McMissile in exotic locations around the world. James Bond is having a moment and Mater had one too many moments in this entertaining film.
58) 06/29-- TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (Bay) [B-]
Michael Bay’s final installment is what part two should have been and part three rolled into one. There’s a ton of action and it’s very entertaining in that massive amounts of destruction kind of way. The humans, per-usual, are the weak link, but it’s worth it for that last 20 minutes. Maybe now Bay can go back to making more thoughtful films like
The Island.
59) 06/29-- BAD TEACHER (Kasdan) [B-]
Jake Kasdan hit gold with
Orange Country but missed the mark with
Bad Teacher. The film, however, is a fine commentary about public education, social dynamics, and a woman on a mission. Cameron Diaz being an unlikable devil isn’t the problem so much as she’s just not enjoying herself. I love the advice she gives the boy: “8th grade isn’t your strong moment, don’t count on high school either.”
60) 07/07-- LARRY CROWNE (Hanks) [C+]
Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays a great part as Talia, the charming, flirty, high energy playette that takes a fatherly liking to Tom Hanks. Hanks enjoys the attention of Talia while romancing (with little effort) a drunken Julia Roberts. I like the actors but there are a lot of convenient contrivances in this loopy romantic comedy.
61) 07/07-- MONTE CARLO (Bezucha) [B-]
This is a film about the (middle school) female fantasy. It’s about average girls who play high society dress up and date princes in the name of charity. Having said that, the film isn’t that bad, it’s actually insightful. Selena Gomez is adorable and Leighton Meester makes a convincing turn as the stern older sister.
62) 07/13-- HORRRIBLE BOSSES (Gordon) [B-]
This film has several comedic, powerhouse actors. The whole plot is loopy but there’s enough twists and turns to pull off a witty and zany story. Jason Sudeikis is not convincing as a successful seducer and Jason Bateman holds back. But Charlie Day, Kevin Spacey, and Jaime Foxx are a welcome presence (plus Jennifer Aniston ain’t half bad as a psycho).
63) 07/13-- ZOOKEEPER (Coraci) [B-]
In this Kevin James vehicle, talking animals give advice to a zookeeper so he can win back his ex-girlfriend. The ex, of course, can’t be the one for him when Rosario Dawson is around (
Clerks 2 anyone). This film has broad and enjoyable comedy and was the better version of Mr. Popper’s Penguins (thanks Sandler and co.).
64) 07/18-- HP / DEATHLY HALLOWS- PART 2 (Yates) [A-]
Harry Potter ends on an epic and glorious note. The final installment hits the ground running. It’s an action packed, wild ride. There are plenty of references to previous films so there’s lots of pay off- kudos to David Yates for mastering the tone of this dark installment (and to Albus’s bro for showing up!).
65) 07/18-- WINNIE THE POOH (Anderson / Hall) [B-]
It’s great to see the whole Winnie-the-Pooh gang back together. The characters are charming and fun and actually deliver some swell one liners (the not knot scene was great). This story is three short stories in one but instead of being a single, packed narrative the characters are left on the silly quest of finding Eeyore’s tail and Pooh’s annoying quest for honey.
66) 07/20-- BEGINNERS (Mills, 2010) [A-]
[Note: This film had a 2010 film festival release but a 2011 theatrical release] This is a superb, autobiographical film. Christopher Plummer gives a fine performance as a gay man who dies and Ewan McGregor gives a subtle, great performance. Ewan plays a low key character. He’s reflective and sensitive and responsible. He meets a girl and eventually there’s drama, but it isn’t that dramatic. There’s no yelling or fighting. The characters just talk about how they feel. Even when typical film scenarios arise, the scenes feel warm because we know the characters so well.
67) 07/23-- CEDAR RAPIDS (Arteta) [A-]
The worst thing about this film is that it got a small release. This film is hilarious. Ed Helms plays a small town, business type who goes to an out-of-state conference and meets the antics of John C. Reilly and Isiah Whitlock Jr. (he does a good Omar from the HBO show
The Wire). There’s a tad too much drug humor with Helms but everything else works.
68) 07/23-- FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (Gluck) [B-]
It’s better than
No Strings Attached. JT and Mila Kunis have crazy, good chemistry (Kunis is insanely likeable). The film has a strong beginning, a solid middle, but gets caught up too much in rom com clichés by the end. The film is an enjoyable romp and very educational in the art of gaming and loving (and a great Shawn White cameo).
69) 07/23-- CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (Johnston) [B]
Hayley Atwell is hot, but beyond that, this is a fine film. Chris Evans NAILS the role of Steve Rogers. The supporting cast does not disappoint either. This has been a fine year for Marvel films, and Cap sets up The Avengers perfectly. As a period piece, the film is exceptional. It captures the heart, soul, and fun of both WWII-era America and the joyous/noble spirit of 1940s comic books.
70) 07/30-- CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE (Ficarra/Requa) [B+]
I disliked the dramatic, graduation speech at the end and Emma Stone is a little young to be a convincing love interest for Ryan Gosling. Aside from that, this film does so much right. Steve Carrel is pitch perfect, the comedy is smart, Analeigh Tipton is ridiculously beautiful, and Gosling is a revelation, he’s a marvel. The film nails the hurt and pain of love. These characters have issues. But better then all of that is the enormous pay-off in the third act- it’s one of the best twists in a long time.
71) 07/30-- THE SMURFS (Gosnell) [C+]
This film could have been a lot worse. The set up is fine. The Smurfs are fun, enjoyable characters brought to life with a cool voice cast (George Lopez etc.). Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays are fine human compliments. As predicted, the comedy is silly with lots of broad comedy. Its
Scooby-Doo meets
The Three Stooges: cute with cotton-candy humor.
72) 07/31-- COWBOYS & ALIENS (Favreau) [B]
It’s an interesting film. It’s very serious, more than
Tombstone. The plot is deep with a complex story but raises a similar question to
Tron: Legacy: So what the heck is Olivia Wilde? Daniel Craig does a better job than old man Harrison Ford, and Sam Rockwell rounds out the cast well. But for all the action in the story, the film is somewhat dull. It moves but it also stalls and pines too much. It’s missing that flare.
73) 08/07-- RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Wyatt) [B+]
The worst thing about this film is the title.
Rise of the Apes, as I call it, is a smart and well developed thriller. Although it’s a prequel set in modern times,
Rise only uses the
POTA concept, in many ways it’s a stand-alone adventure. It’s important to remember that this is science fiction and that the fictional elements of the story build and build. Although suspension of disbelief is required, the film does a good job of playing by its own rules. The film belongs to Cesar, the sympathetic leader of the ape uprising, while James Franco, John Lithgow, and Indian beauty Frieda Pinto give fine supporting performances.
74) 08/07-- THE CHANGE-UP (Dobkin) [C+]
It’s like
Freaky Friday meets
The Hangover except not as good as either. While Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman are fine comedians, Reynolds takes a back seat while Bateman shows real range. There are amusing antics in this body swap comedy, Olivia Wilde makes a fine appearance, but the last act forces a message, and relies too much on R rated, crude humor. This is not Reynold’s summer, while Bateman does more here than in
Horrible Bosses.
75) 08/13-- 30 MINUTES OR LESS (Fleischer) [B+]
This is a packed comedy with great pacing. Jessie Eisenberg lends his rapid fire, comedic chops as a pizza delivery guy who has to rob a bank or die. Aziz Ansari (TV’s Parks and Rec.) matches Eisenberg beat for beat and even has a hot, Indian sister (they’re having a moment). And if that wasn’t enough, Danny McBride and Nick Swardson take advantage on the R rating with superb, witty banter. It’s an odd ball comedy with heart, and a boost of 5-hour energy.
76) 08/13-- THE HELP (Taylor) [A-]
It’s the first (real) Oscar contender of the year. The Help is a marvelous, moving, and tender film about black maids during the Civil Rights era (in the South) and the white ladies that employ them. Discussing his upcoming friend-with-cancer film
50/50, Seth Rogan said that anyone can make a sad film about cancer, the trick is to make it light hearted and moving. The same is true for the tough subject matter in The Help. There are plenty of dramatic and watery eye scenes, but the three dimensional characters have a lot of depth and heart and light, comedic joy in their step. Viola Davis, in particular, gives a stirring, reach-for-the-tissues, performance, while everyone else (Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jessica Chastain) delivers their A game as well. Dare I say that The Help succeeded in doing what Steven Spielberg tried to do in
The Color Purple? I dare.
77) 08/20-- FRIGHT NIGHT (Gillespie) [C+]
I have nothing against a 1980s remake, but I couldn’t get into this film. Maybe it was the dull Nevada suburb that the story takes place in, maybe it was McLovin and other mediocre characters, or all the night time 3D, but outside of a splendid Colin Farrell performance and some top notch fight scenes,
Fright Night was uninspiring and as dull as a Nevada suburb.
78) 08/20-- CONAN THE BARBARIAN (Nispel) [B-]
Like Transformers, the new
Conan is a very enjoyable watching experience. For the top notch, high energy, get-you-revved-up action alone, I give Conan the benefit of the doubt and grade it a mark above
Fright Night. This film is more faithful to the original stories. It’s like
300 done by the director of
The Scorpion King. Conan kicks major ass, defeats the villain, bangs the girl, goes on a long journey, and delivers an inspiring message: “no man should live in chains.”
79) 08/20-- ONE DAY (Lone Scherfig) [C-]
From what I understand, the book is much better than the film. It’s hard to point out what was so lackluster about this Europe-set love story that revisits the boy and girl every year for 20 years. Anne Hathaway plays a wussy girl that has all the disadvantages of being a nerdy, insecure, shy book worm with none of the advantages. Jim Sturgess is one-dimensional, half awake, and has all these addictive habits for no reason. Plus the film is really slow, lacking in energy, and lacking in fun. Come on its love, there should be highs with the lows. Instead we get two characters that like each other but can never be together and then when they finally get together one of them dies. It has all the disadvantages of a Shakespearean tragedy with none of the advantages. Come on Catwoman, you can do better than that.
80) 08/29-- OUR IDIOT BROTHER (Peretz) [B+]
Damn this is a pleasant surprise. Paul Rudd (who can really act) and Rashida Jones rekindle their magic from
I Love You, Man in this new, heart-felt comedy. Ned may be a free spirited, oblivious hippie who gets in trouble for weed but he’s not as screwed up as his three sisters. This film packs an excellent supporting cast (8 fine comedians) and deals with the pain of struggling through life with a lot of heart and sensitivity. It will make you laugh, think, feel, sympathize, and Willie Nelson will have you misty eyed.
81) 08/29-- SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD (Rodriguez) [C+]
In the latest installment of the Spy Kids franchise, there’s a new family (and new kids) on the loose. The kids are alright, and Robert Rodriguez delivers plenty of low brow humor to entertain the really young ones. The humor is the worst part, Rodriguez, however, is a master of visuals. The spy scenes, the gadgets, the adventures are filled with fun, CGI zaniness. And the time travel, time pausing, slow aging, plot line is more complex than Inception and as tragic as Watchmen. I’m glad Jeremy Piven was there, and I’m glad Jessica Alba is still hot.
82) 08/30-- TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT (Dowse) [B-]
I recently watched this March release on Red Box. I figured that a film completed in 2007 could wait a few more months. At any rate, this film is a feel-good comedy that packs plenty of laughs. Like the film, the main cast is good not great. Topher Grace is nice guy who is clueless, Anna Ferris is reserved and underused (remember her awesome turn in
Observe and Report?) and the supporting cast gets the job done. The film is entertaining, enjoyable, and not terribly deep. We get the message (lying is bad, beeeee yourself) and enjoy the often-nailed ‘80s nostalgia. It’s odd that this is an R rated film because aside from the cocaine snorting, there was more edge in
Sixteen Candles.
83) 09/03-- SHARK NIGHT 3D (Ellis) [C+]
Shark Night has production value. It’s a crisp film, it’s polished. The story is a standard, horror set up where several good looking teenagers visit a lake house and are attacked by various sharks. The evil guys are vicious and the deaths are gory. Half the violence is gritty fun, but most of it is a shock value, scare fest with silly, throw-away action aplenty.
84) 09/03-- COLOMBIANA (Megaton) [B-]
I really enjoyed the high energy fun of
Colombiana. Zoe Saldana is the film. She’s riveting to watch the entire time, weather she’s stumbling out of her corvette pretending to be drunk, scaling the jail vents in black latex, or blanketing bad guys with bullets. Saldana is all three of Charlie’s Angeles in one. The film isn’t Luc Besson’s best script, but it features his signature femme fatale. Saldana is great and the rest of the film is close to being great (the closer where dogs attack was corn ball silly).
85) 09/03-- DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (Nixey) [C+]
In a film with Guy Pierce, Katie Holmes, and Bailee Madison, Pierce is the weakest link. These three people move into a manor haunted by goblin like creatures that live in an unkempt basement. I felt bad for Holmes, her fate is sad. The problem with this film is that the characters are really dumb and Pierce takes the see-it-to-believe-it ideology to the extreme. But keep your eye on Bailee Madison (
Just Go With It), she is a gifted young actress with the talent of a Fanning.
86) 09/03-- THE DEBT (Madden) [B]
Most of
The Debt works- the flashbacks work better than the modern day story. With a talented cast (this is Jessica Chastain’s year); the film nails the authenticity of East Berlin in 1966. Although the plot builds in suspenseful fashion as three agents track down and capture a Nazi war criminal, I was surprised to see the period story stop there (such a brief tale). Flash to present day and Helen Mirren has the ridiculous task of hunting down the aged criminal yet again.
87) 09/09-- WARRIOR (O’Connor) [B+]
The idea of two brothers who haven’t spoken in years competing against each in a mixed martial arts tournament could have been executed poorly in lesser hands. Tom Hardy and John Edgerton are rising talents that give a solid performance but its Nick Nolte as the washed up father looking for redemption that anchors the film and makes it tug at the heart strings. It’s
The Fighter’s low key brother.
88) 09/09-- CONTAGION (Soderbergh) [B+]
Steven Soderbergh knows what he’s doing. He creates suspense and intrigue while keeping the story light enough to enjoy.
Contagion works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s about a disease that quickly spreads throughout the world and how society unravels because of it. And in this survival tale, all the characters make sense to the plot; Laurence Fishburne and Kate Winslet lead a team of disease researchers. But I still don’t understand why Matt Damon was immune.
89) 09/17-- THE LION KING 3D (Allers/Minkoff) [A-]
Re-released in 3D (no surcharge for a hopper like me),
The Lion King is a wonderful and elegant film. I listened to the criticism about Simba and his lack of heroic qualities but I’m fine with him. The fact that Simba doesn’t want to embrace his status or who he is makes sense and doesn’t detract from the tightly paced 87 minute film. The key to Simba’s behavior is Scar. Simba experienced a traumatic event and blamed himself for Mufasa’s death. So Simba fled into exile too ashamed and afraid to return- it’s
Hamlet meets The Book of Psalms over here. If I’m splitting hairs over a Disney film, I would question why the hyenas are personified but the elephants and rhinos are not. Where’s the back up for the lions?
90) 09/17-- STRAW DOGS (Lurie) [B-]
Straw Dogs is well directed and well cast but has one major problem: all the characters are dumb pieces of shit. I know this is typical for a thriller / horror film, but this film tries to be serious and then becomes insanely frustrating. The original had edgy subject matter and is probably a far better film. The new film did not convey why Kate Bosworth gets raped and doesn’t tell James Marsden about it. FAIL FAIL FAIL. Just like Friends With Benefits, it’s a case of contrived conflict where the man overreacts a little and the woman overreacts A LOT. You’re killing me Lois.
91) 09/18-- DRIVE (Refn) [A-]
Drive is all about style, and it overflows with it (pink cursive and all). From Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, the film is a gritty, noir tale with a wild bunch of characters and not a bad actor in the bunch. Ryan Gosling says less than two pages of dialogue the whole time. The man has presence. He’s a loner, he cruises the streets of LA at night. He works in a body shop, does stunt driving, and drives a getaway car. It’s inspiring to see a character so content with being alone. He fills his day with what he likes; he hones his craft. When he gets mixed up with the wrong crowd, he becomes a brutal man of vengeance. Having Christina Hendricks in the movie doesn’t hurt either.
92) 09/18-- I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT (McGrath) [C+]
I don’t know how a movie with a stellar cast and a talented screenwriter can be so mediocre. Writer Aline Brosh McKenna’s latest offering is a far cry from her
Devil Wears Prada glory days. Sarah Jessica Parks runs around with frazzled hair as a working mother with a lot to do. She breaks the fourth wall with witty observations (sound familiar), and the supporting cast (some funnier than others) do the same. The film relies on easy gags and typical story elements. I appreciate the gender twist but not much more- although Christina Hendricks and Olivia Munn both bring the pretty.
93) 09/23-- MONEYBALL (Miller) [B+]
Moneyball is a fantastic film about the GM of the Oakland A’s and his struggle to win games on a very low budget. Although I’m not interested in baseball, this film captivated me the whole way through. We can thank the skills of Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and other players for that. We can also thank Aaron Sorkin for co-writing a very interesting script that mellows out his usual dialogue.
Moneyball is reflective and moody. The characters soak in the scene which causes the film to slow a bit. Also, the hand held camera shots hurt more than they help. But I loved Peter, his prodigy-like mind, and his love for the game.
94) 09/23-- ABDUCTION (Singleton) [C+]
Abduction has production value and a decent supporting cast of Alfred Molina and Sigourney Weaver. Taylor Lautner puts the ab in abduction. He gets the job done. The tween gals can spend half their time ogling and the other half relating to Phil Collin’s daughter. The plot is by the numbers. Boy’s adoptive parents are killed, men chase boy, boys drags along girl for no reason. It’s a sunny and happy film, more than it needs to be. It’s also repetitive, dull, and lacks depth.
95) 09/23-- KILLER ELITE (McKendry) [C+]
The only difference between
Killer Elite and
Abduction is that
Killer Elite is rated R.
Killer Elite is
Abduction for action-loving adults. Jason Statham, Clive Owen, and Robert De Niro attract the crowd and the fights between Statham and Owen are cool, mindless fun. I have no idea what the story was about- some old Arab guy is mad because Statham and friends may have killed his sons. Owen is hunting Statham but has gone rouge. The action is so over the top and crazy that the story serves little purpose. At least the story attempted and achieved a certain depth.
96) 09/30-- 50/50 (Levine) [B]
50/50 has a lot of heart and warmth. The characters are three dimensional and real; it’s a great example of talented actors meet true story. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a fine job as Adam who gets cancer and has his life turned upside down. Anna Kendrick reminds us of the stages that Adam goes through. The film nails the tone. It’s not something you’ll watch a lot, but you’ll watch it when you need a sentimental film that’s uplifting without being “feel good.”
97) 09/30-- WHAT’S YOUE NUMBER? (Mylod) [C+]
This film gives a solid effort. Ultimately, it has way too many rom-com clichés but it’s enjoyable nonetheless. You’ll be amused without laughing out loud. It’s hard to not like Anna Ferris, she’s adorable, manic, and brings plenty of energy to the part. She has the unique challenge of carrying the film. She just likes to overreact in this toned down version of
Friends With Benefits. Chris Even proves to be a fun guy with comedic chops. Between Green Lantern and Captain America, I’d much rather hang out with the Captain.
98) 10/07-- IDES OF MARCH (Clooney) [B+]
This is a very solid film from director George Clooney. The characters are well written and well acted. I was intrigued by Ryan Gosling and how he handled the stress of the campaign. I liked seeing Clooney as a Presidential candidate and how different he was in his private life. Unfortunately, the side story with Rachael Evan Wood getting pregnant took center stage and became a huge part of the film. She was interesting but not as interesting as the other characters.
99) 10/07-- REAL STEEL (Levy) [B+]
This film is executive produced by Spielberg and Zemeckis and is (rightfully) described as a stand-up-and-cheer film. The film has a lot of heart. The relationship between Hugh Jackman, the girlfriend, and the son is compelling even if the circumstances that get them all together lack believability. Kids will love this film and adults will enjoy it too if they can ignore the occasional silliness.
100) 10/14-- FOOTLOOSE (Brewer) [B]
The new
Footloose hits the ground running. It’s a solid film, with fine acting, and smooth directing. The music is upbeat and hip, and the dance numbers are exceptional. It’s a feel-good film that can’t really be compared to the ‘80s charm of the Kevin Bacon original. It’s not amazing but its decent all around. Ren’s uncle makes for a superb character.
101) 10/14-- THE THING (Van Heijningen) [B-]
I’m lacking in the adjective department but this is a decent film. It’s kind of in one ear and out the other. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is great as the lone female. The film is suspenseful and creepy as each character gets killed off one by one. The snowy tundra is well shot. I liked the CGI monster. Some prefer old school make up but this film took advantage of the latest technology and did something different.
102) 10/27-- THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Anderson) [C]
This is a really mediocre film. I wanted to like it more. I liked the cast and the set design. The film had money. There were quality action scenes and special effect shots. But the writing was horrible. The dialogue was silly and all the characters were overdone. It’s not believable that D’Artagnan could be that cocky and live to tell about it.
103) 10/27-- TAKE SHELTER (Nichols) [A-]
This is a quality film about a man (Michal Shannon) who predicts the coming of a mega storm and obsesses over preparing for it. The film is minimalism at its best. The plot unfolds in a mellow way and keeps the viewer captivated. Shannon makes a complex performance look simple. This film is a minor gem and congrats to Jessica Chastain for making more good films in one year than many actresses make in a decade.
104) 10/30-- PUSS IN BOOTS (Miller) [B-]
The character of Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) is greater than the Puss in Boots story. The story is essentially Jack and the Beanstalk plus a back story of friendship and betrayal with Humpty Dumpty. This is all fun and fine but it doesn’t carry a story the way
Shrek does. The animation is gorgeous and I love a film in IMAX 3D but it needs to have a little more depth.
105) 10/30-- THE RUM DIARY (Robinson) [C+]
I wanted to like this film more. Johnny Depp does a fine job as (essentially) Hunter S. Thompson and there’s a decent supporting cast. But the film is dull. It has pacing issues and moves along with a pseudo-documentary style (it’s not shaky cam but it’s hand-held). The film might have been better if it was more “stream of consciousness.” But instead it’s a lot of running around, getting arrested, fighting with locals, taking drugs, and typing up stories with Amber Heard in the background.
106) 10/30-- IN TIME (Niccol) [B-]
I saw
In Time for two reasons: Amanda Seyfried. In
Jennifer’s Body, people went for Megan Fox but stayed for Seyfried- the same is true here. I love her short, gothic hair, her black, punk dress, complete with long gloves and heels. She is wonderful to look at. The film has a great supporting cast and a wonderful concept. The execution could have been great which made it all the more disappointing when it was only okay. There are lots of loop holes and lots of contrived drama. But I do love director Andrew Niccol and I appreciate what he was trying to do. Just don’t ask me to buy a 35 year old actor as 25.
107) 11/02-- ATTACK THE BLOCK (Cornish) [B]
I saw this on DVD. It’s an independent, British, sci-fi, horror, comedy. It took this American about 30 minutes to get into the film. The plot is basic but the film excels at having natural, free-flowing dialogue between the characters. Said characters are rough around the edges; they are rude and crude but ultimately well defined.
Attack the Block is a small, character pleasure.
108) 11/05-- SANCTUM (Grierson) [B-]
Another Red Box DVD,
Sanctum is lush and gorgeous and pretty to look at. The director makes fine use of James Cameron’s
Avatar cameras, and the actors are satisfactory. The film takes a successful survival story and adds all sorts of complications and sad endings. I’m all for plot conflict, but this conflict was too contrived and not believable (people go crazy too fast).
109) 11/06-- TOWER HESIT (Ratner) [B]
Brett Ratner directs an all star cast in an enjoyable film that no one needs to be embarrassed about. Ben Stiller is reserved, Eddie Murphy is a seasoned character actor, Matthew Broderick does a fine job, and Alan Alda makes a good villain. There are flaws to be sure (the third act wraps up too nicely). The film isn’t as good as
Ocean’s Eleven, but there’s always something fun happening.
110) 11/06-- HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D X-MAS (Strauss-Schulson) [B]
It was a pleasant surprise. The film takes place in a single night and is delivered as a stream of consciousness. While this limits the film and the development of the characters, it’s also the thing that gives the film style. We see Harold and Kumar adapt to crazy situations and act bad ass in their own survivalist way. Plus the NPH cameo has never been better and more self aware.
111) 11/06-- JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN (Parker) [C+]
Rowan Atkinson is great at physical comedy. In one chase scene, the villain climbs a chain-link fence while Johnny opens the door and follows. Johnny’s ability to outsmart is frequently balanced by his absent-minded mishaps throughout the film. The latter is overkill. Atkinson is gifted but can’t escape the silly, edgeless humor and uninteresting plot.
112) 11/17-- J. EDGAR (Eastwood) [A-]
I was thoroughly impressed by this film. Clint Eastwood crafts a fine period piece. Yes the film is dialog heavy and may be boring at times, but Leo DiCaprio creates a Mr. Hoover that is entrancing and fascinating. Hoover was an odd guy. But he was driven and determined. He may have turned off some people but he accomplished much and left a legacy. The homo-social relationship at the end was over emphasized and slowed down the film, but overall the film covers a lot of ground.
113) 11/17-- MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (Durkin) [B+]
Elizabeth Olsen is breathtaking to watch. Her beauty fills and entrances a room. It’s easy to love Martha. Even though the character was brainwashed into a cult, involved in crime, and socially difficult for her sister, we believe her struggle and like her nonetheless. But two-thirds into the film, Martha is still being secretive, not communicating her problems, and in denial about the help she needs. The last act of this film needed to move faster. Plus the uncertain ending was memorable but unfulfilling.
114) 11/17-- MARGIN CALL (Chandor) [A-]
Margin Call is a tour de force. It’s the
12 Angry Men of this generation. Everyone in the all star cast is 100 percent believable and delivers a fine performance. The film takes place in one night and is riveting the entire time. It’s about a company that is about to go under and the stress and suspense of the situation is real and moving as the story builds and builds. It’s dialog heavy but its solid work.
115) 11/21-- BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 (Condon) [C]
Aside from some musical montages and brief moments of comedy, director Bill Condon has no style whatsoever. Condon can direct serious movies but here he was just crippled. Most of the drama wasn’t believable. Bella is a bad communicator and Edward is not interesting. Jacob was the biggest improvement. Plot points are unexplained. Why didn’t Bella drink vampire blood before the conversion, how did she get pregnant, why didn’t the Cullens have reinforcements so the doctor vampire could be there with Bella? This is the end; we need to step it up.
116) 11/21-- IMMORTALS (Singh) [B-]
I’ll be nice and say that half of the film was great and the other half was mediocre at best. To no surprise, the good stuff was the “immortal” stuff. When Zeus, Poseidon, and other gods wreck havoc on earth and fight their battles, it is slow-motion, 3D, graphic violence awesomeness. Henry Cavill is good but the character needs a bigger world and a bigger quest to go on. At least Frieda Pinto is hot.
117) 11/21-- HAPPY FEET TWO (Miller) [B+]
I haven’t seen the original Oscar winner, but this sequel was a pleasant surprise. The plot is basic but the characters and humor are relentless, and the music is really enjoyable. George Miller tells an emotional story with likable players and everything looks gorgeous and beautiful. It’s a penguin sitcom on crack. If
Tintin doesn’t win the Best Animated Feature Oscar, then
Happy Feet Two has a good chance.
118) 11/23-- THE DESCENDENTS (Payne) [B+]
I wanted to like this film more. It’s a well done and well made film to be sure. George Clooney and Shailene Woodley are fantastic. But it’s too sad. It’s a film about a woman being taken off life-support and dying. The sadness is too easy. Then to balance out the sadness, the characters have unconvincing outbursts and say inappropriate things in almost every scene. I didn’t believe the characters (aside from Clooney) until the end. And Clooney plays a jerk. He’s an obsessive, angry person. The director could have packaged the film much better. It’s an objective B+ for a film that I have no desire to watch again.
119) 11/23-- LIKE CRAZY (Doremus) [B]
This film moves well and covers a lot. It’s also emo, reflective, and somber which I can only take so much of. If I liked the characters more and believed in their drama, then I could handle more sadness. But I don’t care. I’m not invested enough. The characters are passive-aggressive and are dramatic for the sake of being dramatic. It’s a wonderful, early step for the director and a solid job by the actors.
120) 11/23-- MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (Curtis) [B]
This film is half way there. There are no big faults that stand out; it’s more of a missed opportunity. The film could have been bigger and tackled bigger issues in a more encompassing story. Michelle Williams is fantastic as Marilyn Monroe. She understands the woman and shows us her vulnerability and hypnotic presence. I don’t care about Colin, he’s not interesting. Monroe was on a self-destructive path. She was loved by all yet lonely and insecure. I wanted more Monroe.
121) 11/25-- HUGO (Scorsese) [B+]
Martin Scorsese crafts a magical and elegant film.
Hugo is not what I expected. The two lead children and the universe they inhabit are wonderful. It’s a fine journey and a love letter to the silent era of film. Having said that, the film has small flaws and loose ends. Why does Ben Kingsley freak out so much? How did he program the android to draw the picture? Why didn’t Christopher Lee and Jude Law tie into the story more? Stuff like that.
122) 11/25-- THE MUPPETS (Bobin) [B+]
The first 20 minutes of the new Muppet movie are the best. Jason Segal hits the ground running with witty humor and laughs. My main issue, despite my love for Segal and Amy Adams, is that the Muppets are not the main characters, they don’t drive the story. New muppet Walter is given too much screen time and slows the film. I’d rather see Kermit return to his water hole roots and less of Miss Piggy. The film is a remake-sequel and needs more of a plot.
123) 11/26-- BATMAN: YEAR ONE (Liu/Montgomery) [B]
This PG-13 animated film is adapted from the Frank Miller graphic novel which was one of the stories that
Batman Begins is based on. This gritty and well drawn version is Jim Gordon-centric and Selena Kyle is a major player. Rather than retreading Bruce Wayne’s origin, we get to see the supporting characters play an extended role. It’s more like “Gotham: Year One.”
124) 12/12-- MELANCHOLIA (Von Trier) [B-]
It’s overrated. The first half was about a melodramatic wedding that made no sense. The second half plays much better because Kirsten Dunst is great at being depressed. The hand-held filming was annoying but the end destruction scene was gorgeous. It’s a very dividing film.
125) 12/12-- NEW YEAR’S EVE (Marshall) [C+]
Not all the actors are bad – about half of them work (Ashton Kutcher and Lea Michele have fine chemistry) – but little is thought out in this star studded romp. It’s a bunch of random stories thrown together.
126) 12/18-- M: I – GHOST PROTOCOL (Bird) [A-]
Brad Bird proves that he is just as good with live action as he is with animation. This is the surprise thrill ride of the year. Tom Cruise and company hit all the right notes. It’s constant action – it’s a rocking good time.
127) 12/19-- YOUNG ADULT (Reitman) [A-]
All Reitman/Cody collaborations get the benefit of the doubt. As a narrative, this depression story worked much better than
Melancholia (how could it not). I wanted a narration with my Charlize Theron – we begin to see why she is depressed and it all starts to make sense. Her performance is great and the character is more redemptive than people say.
128) 12/19-- SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (Richie) [B]
The original is a hair better but this is pretty equal. It’s like Guy Richie and company never left the set. Sherlock is back on the case and there are plenty of thrills, mysteries, comedy, and action scenes to go around. I didn’t need the second death but it’s all good.
129) 12/21-- THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (Spielberg) [B+]
The animation is beautiful and some of the sequences (like grab the hawk) are revolutionary. The narrative needs work. It begins too quickly and doesn’t flesh out the protagonist. This film might get worse with age but for now it’s an impressive achievement.
130) 12/21-- THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (Fincher) [A-]
David Fincher knows what’s up. He teamed up with the writer of
Schindler’s List (Steve Zaillian) to adapt a very popular novel. Fincher’s style is all over this film. It’s raw, scary, and thrilling and Rooney Mara does an Oscar worthy job.
131) 12/23-- THE ARTIST (Hazanavicius) [A-]
The film is phenomenal. It’s really well done but it’s limiting – and the story is simple. The style is great but familiar. It’s impressive to see what can be done with such basic technology. The scene where the guy hears sound in a dream is one of the coolest scenes ever.
132) 12/23-- WE BOUGHT A ZOO (Crowe) [B-]
It’s a family film. It’s enjoyable and feel-good but corny. Crowe has done better; he was probably just looking for work. Matt Damon has talent and it’s great to see Elle Fanning in a different role.
132) 12/25-- TINKER TAILOR SOLIDER SPY (Alfredson) [B+]
It’s a great movie, well made and well acted to be sure, but it’s really slow. There’s a lot of talking and a lot of people who stand around and act serious. I wanted more excitement. The film lacks energy. Gary Oldman is great but a little one note.
133) 12/26-- WAR HORSE (Spielberg) [B+]
Spielberg knows how to bring the goods. It’s a powerful film; I’m not going to lie. The horse is only so great but the supporting characters are all brought to interesting life. The PG-13 limits the film as it jumps between war drama and human comedy.
134) 12/31-- GNOMEO AND JULIET (Asbury) [B]
It's much better than I thought it would be. It's a fun, enjoyable little film. Voice actors like James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, and Michael Cain do a fine job. It's a zany, silly story but the animation is cool and so is the Elton John music.
Caleb S Garcia
Jan. - May 2011
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