Mary's Award Nonimations for 2010

**Winners have a double asterisk

Best Actor

**Christian Bale - The Fighter
George Clooney - The American
Colin Firth - The King's Speech
Leo DiCaprio- Inception
Robert Duvall - Get Low
Ewan McGregor - Ghost Writer
Kodi Smit-McPhee - Let Me In
James Franco - 127 Hours

Best Supporting Actor

**Ewan McGregor - I Love You, Philip Morris
Sam Rockwell - Conviction
Jeremy Renner - The Town
Lucas Black - Get Low
Giovanni Ribisi - Middle Men

Best Actress

**Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right
Natalie Portman - Black Swan
Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone
Helen Mirren - The Last Station
Tilda Swinton - I Am Love
Carey Mulligan - Never Let Me Go
Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit

Best Supporting Actress

**Barbara Hershey - Black Swan
Mia Wasikowska - The Kids Are All Right
Mia Wasikowska - I Am Love
Rebecca Hall - The Town
Amy Adams - Fighter

Melissa Leo - The Fighter

**Actually, the entire cast of Winter’s Bone should be nominated.

Best Movie

**True Grit
I Love you, Philip Morris
The Town
Inception
The Kids Are All Right

Great Acting in these flicks, but "Best Movie"? I don't think so:

Black Swan - Too Weird
Winter's Bone - Too Depressing
I Am Love - Didn't get Tilda's attraction to her lover
127 Hours - Not much story, too much with the regrets
King's Speech - Too slow
The Fighter - I hated all the characters

Best Foreign Film

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor)
**The Girl Who Played With Fire
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
The Secret in Their Eyes* - Actually this already won Best Foreign Film last year!

Best Documentary:

**Oceans
Babies
Waiting for Superman
Inside Job
NOTE: I never saw Exit Through the Gift Shop, but that will probably win

How Do You Know

Chick Flick, Comedy
3 stars
Cute movie, better than I expected. Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd star as two people who meet on a blind date on the worst day of their lives. Another wrinkle is Witherspoon is already dating Owen Wilson. Jack Nicholson co-stars as Rudd’s father. My complaints are that the film did not really tell you what the characters occupations were. At least I knew from the previews that Wilson was one of the Washington Nationals baseball players, but they don’t tell you this until halfway through the film. Witherspoon plays women’s softball? Baseball? But she gets cut from the team at the beginning of the movie, and now she is out of work. I wasn’t aware there was a professional women’s ball club? Rudd works for some sort of financial company, but even that is left very vague. It’s a cute romance, and since most Chick Flicks suck anyway, this one is better than most this year, since thank God there are no silly pratfalls. Cute Romance.

I Love You, Philip Morris

Indie, Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it! It’s probably best not to know anything about the movie going in, so I’ll save the “what’s it about” for the end here, but I’ll tell you it’s not for homophobes. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor star in this very quirky, funny and original film. This is probably the first time I’ve seen Ewan McGregor become so immersed in his character, that I forgot who I was watching – i.e. excellent acting on his part, and Carrey was really good here too (not the crazy, out of control Carrey we are used to). Really good, mostly light and quirky, but it did make me cry once or twice, only to make me laugh again a few minutes later. Don’t read any further if you don’t want to know what it’s about. Carrey stars as a suppressed homosexual who finally comes out of the closet only to learn “it’s really expensive being gay”, so he turns to cons to make enough cash to support his new flashy lifestyle. McGregor co-stars as the love of Carrey’s life, and as I said earlier, I thought he was fantastic. Very good movie.

True Grit

Drama, Dry Comedy
5 stars
Excellent movie, and I don’t even like Westerns! The real star is Hailee Steinfeld as a brainy 14 year old girl who hires a mean and nasty U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges) to hunt down and capture the man who killed her father (Josh Brolin in a too-short role as the bad guy). Along for the ride is Matt Damon as a Texas Ranger who also wants to capture Brolin. Thanks to the talented Coen Brothers’ screenplay and direction, the plain-spoken dialogue and wry humor are just right mix for a gritty, but amusing tale. I never saw the original John Wayne version, but Jim, who is a big John Wayne fan, liked the new version better. Excellent acting, excellent film, just go see it.

Little Fockers

Comedy
2.5 stars
Only for Focker fans. Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro star as in-laws at odds again. Expect much the same humor as in the two previous films, no better, no worse. Too bad Barbara Streisand’s role was so small because she was the best part of movie. This time Jessica Alba co-stars as a pharmaceutical rep who tries to seduce Stiller. While I appreciate the writers trying to come up with a new storyline, it seemed like her role dragged down the story. As usual, Dustin Hoffman and Owen Wilson co-star, but Babs was the best. Don’t even rent it; wait for cable.

Gulliver’s Travels

Comedy
3 stars
Cute, passable comedy starring Jack Black as a mailroom clerk who finds himself on a trip to the Bermuda Triangle only to wake up tied down by hundreds of tiny people. Emily Blunt plays a tiny princess and Amanda Peet plays Black’s love interest. I enjoyed the special effects, but I wouldn’t bring young ones unless you want them repeating “lame ass”. It’s a cute take on the classic tale, but not the best effort.

The King’s Speech

Indie, Period
4 stars
Slow, but good. Based on a true story, Colin Firth stars as a stammering king-to-be George VI, who seeks assistance from an unconventional speech therapist, Geoffrey Rush. Costars include Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Peirce and Michael Gambon. There are some amusing scenes, mostly when Rush’s colorful character emerges on screen and especially when Firth goes on a swearing rant. Firth was excellent as the royal stutterer but my money is still on Christian Bale as Best Actor. Good movie.

The Fighter

Drama, True Story
4 stars
Not fun to watch, but outstanding acting performances. Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg star as “Dicky and Micky” (I kid you not!), two very different but very loyal brothers in the boxing world. Wahlberg stars a boxer trying to get ahead, but his loser family holds him back. Bale plays the ne’er-do-well, crack addicted, has-been, older brother. Melissa Leo and Amy Adams provide memorable performances as the crazy Mom and foul mouthed girlfriend, respectively. For the first half of the film I realized my face was twisted in a sneer at what complete ignorant losers the large family was and frustrated at how they were dragging down Wahlberg. As far as movie-enjoyableness goes, I’d rather watch Rocky again, because that’s a much more inspirational story. But, I need not see anymore films this year to know that I just saw the Academy Award winner for Best Actor in Christian Bale. I’m not just saying “nominee”, I am saying “winner”! Not many actors so completely lose themselves into character with such intensity as he. Let me be clear, I positively hated his loser character, but his transformation was incredible. Oh yeah, kudos on all the Boston accents – and that’s a rare compliment! Excellent acting, but not my kind of movie.

Inside Job

Documentary, Economy
4.5 stars
Very interesting and informative documentary describing the downfall of our economy thanks to deregulation, greedy Wall Street CEO’s and bankers, including interviews with politicians and others in-the-know. We all know the story, but this movie fills in all the details and mostly wants to promote public outrage at the fact that none of the guilty parties were punished and things still seem to be status-quo. There’s some unsavory details about our (most likely) future Chicago mayor, Rahm Emanuel as well as Alan Greenspan and more. Narrated by Matt Damon. Very interesting, very well done, and definitely not boring.

Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Fantasy
4 stars
Enjoyable, but Jim and I agreed it’s not as good a story as the two previous Narnia movies. This time, the two youngest kids, plus a rotten little cousin, get called to Narnia to help King Caspian locate seven lords and their seven magical swords which are needed to prevent some evil darkness from spreading throughout the world. I’m a bit hazy on the details of the dark island and the weird green mist, but to stop it, they need the seven swords. This film just didn’t seem all that exciting, save for a huge sea serpent and we liked the one-legged guys. I don’t recall any exciting battles or anything noteworthy, just an annoying little cousin who should have been tied up and left in the hull of the ship! But the visual effects were stunning as usual, the acting was decent, and there’s a nice little moral of the story for young ones. (BTW, that annoying little cousin, Will Poulter, costarred in Son of Rambow which is a really cute Brit flick you should add to your Netflix queue). Good movie, just not as great as the two previous films.

The Tourist

Intrigue
4 stars
Fun movie with Angelina Jolie playing the beautiful girlfriend of a highly wanted man who uses Johnny Depp to throw off the people following her. It’s glamorous, dangerous, exciting and takes place in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Venice. What’s not to like? OK, maybe it’s not the most original story, but it’s enjoyable all the same. My 2 cents: if they ever make a movie about Brigitte Bardot, Angelina would be the perfect choice. Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Rufus Sewell and Steven Berkoff (Octopusssy) co-star as the assorted bunch of folks following Jolie and Depp. Good fun.

Black Swan

Indie, Dark
4.5 stars
Very dark and creepy – and who cuts their nails with scissors?!? Natalie Portman stars as a mentally unbalanced ballerina who has scary hallucinations so you don’t know what’s real and what isn’t, mostly. Barbara Hershey is perfectly creepy with her unnatural nurturing of Portman and effectively gave me the heebie-jeebies every time she was on the screen. Mila Kunis was great at easing the almost constant tension while Portman saw her as competition for her role in Swan Lake. Vincent Cassel and Winona Ryder also deliver memorable performances. Unfortunately, this was filmed partly with a shaky hand-held camera and the picture is irritatingly fuzzy throughout. Excellent award-worthy performances by all, though really, really creepy.

The Next Three Days

Drama, Action
3.5 stars
Exciting jailbreak drama, though the previews and the title lead you to expect a different movie. Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks star. If you’re a Liam Neeson fan, you’ll be disappointed that his role is limited to the one scene you see in the previews. Banks is arrested right near the beginning for a murder that the audience doesn’t get to see until near the end (so irritating!), aside from a few bits of flashbacks. Crowe spends most of the movie planning her escape in “the last three years” and “the last three days” (yes, that's how they segment the story) and “the next three days” are the very end of the film. So if you’re going in expecting to see the “next three days” following a prison break with lots of action and chase scenes, this isn’t the film, unless you wait until the last 20 minutes or so of the movie. So thanks to the previews and the terrible film title you already know Banks gets sprung from jail; but the bulk of the movie is spent planning those three days. Decent film, just badly titled and badly marketed.

Love and Other Drugs

Dry Comedy, Romance
3.5 stars
Not so much. Anne Hathaway stars as an off-putting, rhymes-with-“witch” who is suffering from the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Jake Gyllenhaal costars as a charming, lovable, womanizer who can’t resist her (love him!). While it’s obvious Hathaway’s character is pushing people away as a defense mechanism, she is just so completely unlikable it’s almost impossible to feel sorry for her. Initially, Jake’s just in it for the sex, but you know what happens. The acting was very good, but like I said, Hathaway’s character is such a smug know-it-all, all I could hope for was for Jake to dump her! Also, I don’t have a problem with nudity for the occasional love scene or doctor’s visit, but I got real sick of her boobs popping up in almost every scene. This is a romance, but I won’t put it in the “chick flick” category as I think it’s more of a man’s film with Anne’s boobs and Jake’s womanizing ways. Oliver Platt and Hank Azaria co-star as comic relief. There is a very moving scene, where we begin to like Anne’s character, which includes other people suffering from the terrible disease. The movie is good in every other aspect except for the very unlikeable lead character (though she grows on you in the end).

Unstoppable

Action
4 stars
Very exciting, much better than I expected. Chris Pine and Denzel Washington star as train operators who try to stop a runaway train before it derails and costs lives. Based on a true story, but I believe Hollywood took a few liberties with it. At first I was resistant to seeing this, because if I recall correctly, Denzel was also aboard a runaway train in the Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. But I’m glad I went because this really was an edge of your seat thrill ride, and you could feel the danger at every turn. Rosario Dawson co-stars as well as Kevin Corrigan as an inspector. Fun thrill ride.

127 Hours

Indie, True Story
4 stars
Well done but excruciating to watch. James Franco (Pineapple Express, Milk) stars as the avid outdoorsman who got his arm caught under a rock in a canyon in Utah, who after 5 days had to self amputate. It starts out very upbeat, but then as expected, you spend five days with him in a crevice until the inevitable scene – yes, I had to cover my face! Very good, but Oscar winner? I’m not so sure though the list of quality films this year is pretty short, so maybe. Gorgeous scenery but like I said, hard to watch at times.

Burlesque

3.5 stars
Musical
Sexy and fun. Christina Aguilera stars as a small town girl who dreams of singing on stage in LA. There’s some side stories including jealousy, romance and going broke, but mostly it’s just fun to watch the performers. It’s predictable and feels more like an excuse to showcase Aguilera’s powerful voice while strutting around in skimpy costumes, but it’s really entertaining to watch; almost as if you are at a live musical. Cher sings wonderfully – too bad for only two songs (people in the theater applauded after her second song). Co-stars include Cam Gigandet (Twilight) as a cute bartender, Stanley Tucci, Eric Dane, Peter Gallagher, Kristen Bell and Julianne Hough (barely recognizable in a red wig). Mindless fun.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Fantasy
3.5 stars
Long and slow. Harry, Ron and Hermione skip Hogwart’s this year to hole up in the middle of nowhere to research where the rest of the 7 Horcrux’s are (objects infused with pieces of Voldemort’s soul to prolong his longevity). It’s depressing without all the cool people and distractions at Hogwart’s, and this may be the darkest film in the series yet – too dark for sensitive little ones. It’s been so long since I’ve read this book that I can’t remember how much of the story has been modified for the screen version. I thought this movie was too long and drawn out, but I’ve read all the books so I’m invested in the story. I hope the finale is better. The 100 or so teens and tweens in the theater seemed to love it and even applauded at the end. Only for Potter fans.

Skyline

Sci-Fi, Thriller
2.5 stars

Passable sci-fi flick about alien invasion, though it’s pretty much just a slightly better version of Cloverfield, with the monsters having similarities to the War of the Worlds creatures. Unfortunately, the previews led us to believe that there would be more to it, with warnings from Stephen Hawkins, and the hope of more scientific theories. Instead, we just follow a group of friends as the invasion occurs, and watch the same-ole-same-ole arguing while they make all the wrong decisions. Not that there is much hope anyway… Stars Eric Balfour (24) and Donald Faison (Scrubs). If you’re really into aliens or human survival during disaster films, you might like it. But for the rest of us, skip it.

Morning Glory

Comedy
3 stars
Cute but unremarkable film starring Rachel McAdams as a morning show producer trying to improve ratings and deal with the animosity between the two hosts, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. There are several laughs as the two hosts snipe at one another. My Mom liked it - even though the f-word was used a handful of times. Actually, the f-word scenes were pretty funny. Kudos to Matt Malloy, the poor little weather guy who is the brunt of some humorous torture. Good for a few laughs.

Fair Game

Indie, True Story
4 stars
Good movie starring Naomi Watts as the spy who was deliberately exposed during the Bush/Cheney administration, for which Scooter Libby took the fall. Sean Penn co-stars as her outspoken husband. I called it a “true story” even though we’ll never really know exactly what was discussed between Cheney, Libby and Carl Rove, but it feels close enough to the mark and more importantly, you see how this spitefulness affected the exposed family’s lives. Unfortunately, this was filmed with shaky, hand-held cameras which I find terribly annoying, but it’s a very good story. Complicated and fast paced, but worth it.

Due Date

Comedy
3 stars
Decent comedy with Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis (Hangover) as reluctant travel partners trying to get Downey across the country in time for his child’s birth. If you liked the previews, it’s more of the same. I did laugh several times, even though the plot feels stolen from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Galifianakis’s character isn’t much different from his Hangover and It’s Kind of a Funny Story roles, but there is something lovable, albeit irritating, about him. Cute movie.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Foreign, Intrigue
4.5 stars
Excellent finale to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy (must be seen sequentially). Swedish with subtitles. As Lizbeth Salander recovers from three gunshot wounds, she now faces charges of attempted murder and must face the psychiatric doctor who had sexually abused her during her teen years. Excellent, excellent story, well told, well acted. Noomi Rapace returns in the title role as does Michael Nyqvist as a prominent journalist and her former flame. I only wish I had watched The Girl Who Played With Fire again before seeing this. Though I saw Played With Fire twice already this summer I still forgot little details, like exactly who Sandberg is, what was the beef between the bikers and the giant blonde guy, Niedermann, and I never did figure out who Bjorn was. Yes, there is a huge cast, and the plot is complicated, no matter, I still loved this series. Loved it, I highly recommend this series – these are my favorite three movies of the year!

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Comedy, Dry
4 stars
Very good Woody Allen flick about restless couples looking for greener grass. Naomi Watts and Josh Brolin star as the central couple, unhappy with how their lives are going. Brolin becomes attracted to Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Watts develops a crush on Antonio Banderas. Meanwhile, Watts’s parents have recently divorced and her Dad, Anthony Hopkins, enjoys his midlife crisis while her Mom, Gemma Jones, hilariously becomes dependant on a fortune teller (and drives everyone crazy!). Jones is a treat as she plays a slightly toned down version of her other beloved character: Bridget Jones’s Mom. Not everything is resolved at the end; it is left to your imagination. Great soundtrack of old romantic tunes. Good movie.

Tamara Drewe

British, Dry Comedy
4 stars
Really good. In the beautiful English countryside, a group of stuffy writers gather for a retreat whilst a young beauty breezes into town, inspiring gossip, jealousy and a scandal or two. Mix in a couple of meddling teenage girls and a popular rock star and you have a fun mix of quirky characters. There is a rather gruesome tragedy, along with another fatality that broke my heart, and a bit more profanity than you’d expect from a quaint British film, but otherwise, this is a chipper little tale that I really liked. Stars Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia) as the perky beauty, Dominic Cooper (Mama Mia) as the rock star, Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans) as the local hunk and Roger Allam (The Queen, and V for Vendetta) as a pompous writer with a roving eye. Good movie.

Life As We Know It

Chick Flick, Comedy
3 stars
Cute movie - that’s saying a lot for Katherine Heigl who has limited acting range, but this is one of her better performances. She and Josh Duhamel share mutual best friends despite despising each other. The mutual best friends die tragically, and request that their friends raise their child in their will. You know what happens. It’s predictable (I had planned on skipping this film, but the one I preferred was sold out when I got there!) but not terrible. I got a few laughs out it – mostly concerning The Wiggles. Wait for cable.

Conviction

Drama, True Story
4 stars
Interesting account of a sister who spends roughly 16 years from finishing high school to passing the bar in order to begin fighting for her brother’s innocence. Hilary Swank stars with Sam Rockwell as her incarcerated brother and Minnie Driver as a good friend. What I found most interesting were the obstacles Swank endured once she finally passed the bar, from attempting to acquire the evidence to fighting the new DA. Good movie.

Hereafter

Indie, Drama
4.5 stars
Somber and introspective film the alternates between three seemingly unrelated stories. Matt Damon stars as a reluctant psychic who can connect with people’s loved ones who have recently passed. Cecil de France stars as a French woman caught in the Phuket tsunami (her portions are subtitled). And a pair of twin boys (with the saddest eyes!) in London are caring for their drug addled mother. Clint Eastwood directs as well as produces along with Steven Spielberg. This is an art house film that takes it’s time moving along, but for those who enjoy the pace it’s worth the ride. Excellent film.

Waiting for Superman

Documentary
5 stars
Excellent but disturbing documentary that analyses the failures in the U.S.’ s education system, including the endless bureaucracy and the nearly impossible system of firing bad teachers. The film follows several children from around the country who are hoping for the chance of a good education by entering lotteries to get into better schools, namely charter schools. I have to tell you I cried big tears when the child I was rooting for the most didn’t get selected. These are all kids who have all the odds stacked against them (including a girl from an upper middle class neighborhood) but really want to learn and earn a better way of life in the future. Excellent film on a frustrating topic.

Red (Retired, Extremely Dangerous)

Action, Comedy
3.5 stars
Loved it! A light hearted comedy with lots of action, shootings and explosions, and who doesn’t love Bruce Willis? Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman star as retired CIA agents who are targeted to be killed. Obviously, they try to find out why and have to kill tons of agents along the way. Mary Louis Parker also co-stars as the object of Willis’s affections and her scenes are especially funny. The story does seem to steal a bit from Knight and Day, but I loved that movie too so I didn’t mind so much. Lots of violence, but still a fun movie.

Nowhere Boy

Indie, True Story
3.5 stars
Slow moving but interesting story of John Lennon’s teen years before the inception of The Quarrymen and The Beatles. Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) stars as Lennon with Kristen Scott Thomas as the stern aunt who raised him. This is not a story about the music, it’s about Lennon trying to learn the truth about who his parents are. The acting was decent, but I’d have appreciated it more if the actors playing John, Paul and George even remotely resembled the real men. The actor playing Paul, especially, is short and kinda ugly! Anyway, this film is really only for huge Lennon fans.

Secretariat

Drama, True Story
3.5 stars
Nice Disney film about the Triple Crown winning horse, his owner, played by Diane Lane, and trainer, played by John Malkovich. Malkovich was a hoot as was Margo Martindale (I always loved her) as Lanes’s assistant. Being a Disney film, it has a certain dose of syrup added, but it’s not unbearable. One thing that cannot be denied is that the horse is absolutely gorgeous and there are many beautiful scenes showing him off. Good movie.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story

Indie, Dry Comedy
4 stars
Good movie. Keir Gilchrist stars as a depressed teen who checks himself into a hospital’s mental ward. Zach Galifianakis (Hangover) plays a fellow patient as does Emma Roberts as a love interest. The fellow patients all impact each other’s lives and leave a positive imprint. Good acting. Both comical and poignant, this is a good film. I really liked it.

My Soul to Take

Horror
2.5 stars

Passable horror flick where seven 16 year olds were all born on the same night a serial killer died. The town folklore believes that one of the seven kids received the killer’s soul at birth. The movie didn’t live up to the expectations promised by the previews. The beginning of the movie was really dumb with the killer constantly rising after he seemed to die. There was no real suspense as the kids start getting killed off one by one. Disappointing.

Never Let Me Go

Indie, Drama
4.5 stars
So Sad! A macabre, futuristic concept that takes place in the latter 20th century of rural England. Carey Mulligan (Wall Street 2, An Education) stars in this film about children being brought up in an orphanage-like setting, though they are not there to be adopted. These children are clones being raised as organ donors (more like “spare parts”). Keira Knightly and Andrew Garfield (Social Network) co-star as fellow donors who all live a sort of half-life as they wait to be called upon and grapple with their situation. Very sensitively portrayed, though one wonders how the donors remain so naïve once they become young adults and are allowed limited access to the outside world. Good movie; tissues are required.

The Social Network

Drama, Legal
4 stars
Interesting movie but I find it hard to believe anyone seeking popularity would be such a resounding jerk. Jesse Eisenberg stars as the brains-behind-Facebook-guy, Mark Zuckerberg, as he is being sued by two different parties for (1) stealing the idea and (2) screwing his business partner out of loads of money. It was well done and interesting, but I’d like to see the real Zuckerberg’s point of view as well (he contests this film). It’s interesting seeing the flow of ideas leading to the inception of Facebook as well as an interesting legal drama.

Let Me In

Indie, Horror
4 stars
Dark and creepy. Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road) stars as lonely boy who is brutally bullied by his classmates. While brooding alone in the playground, he meets a strange girl who appears to be abused, Chloe Moretz ((500) Days of Summer), and who has just moved to town with the always talented Richard Jenkins (The Visitor). Chloe is a child vampire and while the murder scenes are gruesome, this not a body-falling-into-the-camera-every-ten-minutes sort of horror movie. This is an art house film that moves along deliberately with a slow burn effect, much the way The American with George Clooney was filmed. I liked it, especially since it’s portrayed from the young boy’s perspective, but it’s only for folks who are accustomed to art house style films.

You Again

Comedy
2.5 stars
Really dumb and I didn’t laugh once. Kristen Bell stars as a once bullied, but now successful business woman who learns her brother is about to marry her high school nemesis, Odette Yustman. Her Mom, Jamie Lee Curtis, then learns that Yustman’s favorite aunt is also her own former nemesis, Sigourney Weaver. Betty White also co-stars. Very dumb and predictable.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Drama
4 stars
Fast paced drama starring Shia LaBeouf as a young stock broker in love with the daughter of the infamous Michael Douglas of the original Wall Street film. LaBeouf can’t resist the urge to meet Douglas and of course gets caught up illegal schemes against their mutual enemy Josh Brolin. Very fast paced – same as the first movie – with folks spouting off company stock info so fast it could make your head spin. Still, a good drama that spends quite a bit of time on Douglas’s damaged relationship with his daughter, Carey Mulligan, as well as planning revenge on Brolin (who is perfectly cast here). Good movie.

Devil

Horror
3 stars
Not bad. M. Night Shyamalan actually didn’t do a bad job on this film about five people stuck in an elevator where someone gets killed every time the lights blink off. The fun is in guessing which character is the devil, while the folks all turn on one another in the confined space. It’s not the best thing playing, but I liked it.

The Town

Action, Crime
5 stars
Wicked good. Ben Affleck (who also co-wrote and directed) stars as a Boston bank robber who falls for his kidnap victim, Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona). Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker) co-stars as Affleck’s volatile best friend. Realistic and gritty with lots of intense action and some wicked violent scenes. (I hope you’re getting my Boston humor here!). My only possible complaint is that there were a couple of scenes where even I couldn’t decipher what they were saying and I lived just outside Boston for 35 years! Excellent (i.e. wicked good!) casting, excellent acting, excellent movie.

Easy A

Comedy, Teen
3.5 stars
Cute but forgettable teen drama that pays homage to the late John Hughes, but isn’t going to become the classic that his films became. Emma Stone (Superbad) stars as a straight-A student who pretends to be a hussy to help her gay friends from being bullied. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson co-star as her lovable parents and Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow co-star as teachers at her school. I like that the movie may bring interest to some classic books, and her S.A.T.-type vocabulary may be inspirational for some kids to learn. And then there’s the moral of the story regarding lying. A better than average teen flick.

Machete

Action, Camp
3 stars
Gratuitously violent and I laughed my butt off but I’m not sure that was the film’s intent. The grizzled title character, Danny Trejo, is a one man killing machine as he wields his namesake weapon of choice and body parts go flying in every direction (I may very possibly be a sick individual, but those scenes in particular were hilarious to me). There are a handful of tragic murders, but mostly it’s pretty funny. For the men, all the females are scantily clad, many of them completely naked including Jessica Alba and Lindsay Lohan. Lohan’s nude scene was hysterical! Robert De Niro stars as a twisted Senator who spends his downtime at the border shooting Mexicans. Jeff Fahey (“Lost”) co-stars as a sleaze ball. Michelle Rodriguez plays a badass local, Cheech Marin has a small role as a Padre, Don Johnson as a local redneck cop and Steven Seagal plays a Mexican drug lord whose death scene (c’mon, he’s a baddie, how do you think he ends up?) is probably the phoniest, most laughable death scene I have ever witnessed. I laughed A LOT. Included are all the bad clichés, like bouncing cars with flames painted on the sides and the Mexicans all fighting with garden tools; politically incorrect for sure, but the film does portray the Mexicans as the good guys. Very violent and funny.

Cairo Time

Indie, Drama
3.5 stars
A nice armchair travel tool. Patricia Clarkson stars as the wife of a UN officer who is supposed to meet her husband in Cairo for a vacation. Her husband gets delayed so he has his former aide escort her around town and affections abound. There are some hints of the local culture but it mostly shows off a great city I’d like to visit someday. It’s a simple story, since it’s mostly a love affair with the setting. I liked it.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Action, Fantasy
3 stars
Cute comic book style film, but not really my thing. Michael Cera –he who has extremely limited acting range – stars as his usual loser self who falls for a girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) with seven evil ex-boyfriends with special powers he must combat and defeat. I liked the way the movie transitioned from one scene to the next. I liked Keiran Culkin as Cera’s gay roommate and Ellen Wong as Cera’s high schooler girlfriend. It’s a silly, fantastical movie that I’d only recommend to comic book fans.

The American

Indie, Intrigue
4 stars
A little slow, with spare dialogue and leaves you with more questions than answers. That being said, there is still a certain quiet beauty to this film. George Clooney stars as a hit man in hiding in an ancient city in Italy where everyone is suspect. I could tell most folks in the theater were frustrated with the film because they’re not used to indies and were expecting explosions, constant excitement and a dramatic musical score. Instead, the dialogue and music are sparse. There is certainly intrigue with plenty of suspenseful moments, it’s just not what the typical American viewer expects at the multiplex these days. I liked it.

Going the Distance

Chick Flick, Romance
3 stars
Average romantic comedy. Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star as a couple in love whose jobs force them into a bi-coastal relationship. Some of the humor was needlessly crude, and I found Long’s buddies annoying (Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis). Christina Applegate costars as Barrymore’s sister. I got a few laughs out of it, but mostly, it just reminded me of the frustrations of my own long distance experience before I moved to Chicago. The movie was OK, but I wouldn’t recommend rushing out to the theaters for it.

Farewell

Foreign, True Story
4 stars
Interesting true story - untold until recently - of Cold War espionage in Russia in 1981. French and Russian with English subtitles. A French businessman working in Moscow gets pressured into becoming a liaison between his boss and a senior KGB officer who has become disenchanted with the Communist regime under Brezhnev. The Russian provides Top Secret intelligence to the French who in turn share with the USA. Guillaume Canet stars as the Frenchman, Emir Kusturica stars as the Russian informant, and smaller roles go to Willem Dafoe as the head of the CIA and Fred Ward as Ronald Reagan. Very well done and smartly told piece of history.

The Switch

Comedy
3 stars
Better than I expected it to be. Jennifer Aniston decides to become a single mom and Jason Bateman is bent out of shape that she didn’t want him for a sperm donor. I loved the little boy, and Patrick Wilson (Little Children) was good at playing the guy you love to hate. Unfortunately for me, the theater I was in lost power in the entire building and I never got to see the last 15 or 20 minutes of the end of the film. Jeff Goldblum and Juliette Lewis make for funny co-stars (Hmm, I wonder if Aniston and Lewis compared notes on their mutual ex Brad??). Anyway, cute movie, I’ll just have to sneak in to catch the ending next time I’m at the theater.

Lottery Ticket

Comedy
3 stars
Not the full-out comedy I expected, but a decent flick about a level headed kid (Bow Wow) who wins the lottery and wants to do the right thing. Unfortunately for him, he has to wait until a holiday weekend is over before he can cash it in, and several people in his poor community are conniving and scheming to either steal the ticket or somehow benefit from it. I am grateful that the characters were closer to real people, rather than caricatures like you see in Tyler Perry-type films. Co-stars are Ice Cube as an old recluse, Loretta Devine as Bow Wow’s mom, and Brandon T. Jackson and Naturi Naughton as Wow’s best friends. Keith David had a smaller role as the don of the local mafia, with Terry Crews (love him!) as one of his thugs. Cute film with a nice message.

Piranha 3D

Horror, Camp
2.5 stars
An adolescent boy’s dream, since it should be subtitled “Big Bare Boobs in 3D”. I was looking forward to some campy fun as the piranhas attack in a lake during spring break. A surprising cast, with Richard Dreyfuss in the opening scene (we love Richard with killer fish), Elisabeth Shue as the local sheriff, Ving Rhames as her deputy, and Jerry O’Connell as a producer of “Wild Wild Girls” porn videos. There is even a small role for Christopher Lloyd. Steven R. McQueen (Vampire Diaries) stars as Shue’s son who gets hired by O’Connell to be his local tour guide. Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl) is the object of his affection who gets lured on the boat with creepy O’Connell. Mostly though, it’s just big bare boobs parasailing, swimming in a sort of underwater ballet, jet-skiing, water skiing, and of course, getting eaten by piranhas. For adolescent minded males only.

Vampires Suck

Comedy, Satire
2.5 stars
Funny but dumb satire that parodies the Twilight series and makes the most of pop culture references. While it starts out a little slow with most of the jokes falling flat, I did laugh out loud several times, especially at the Black Eyes Peas jokes and the dancing werewolves. I have to give kudos to newcomer Jenn Proske who was absolutely spot-on with her embodiment of Kristen Stewart’s bad acting. I hope to see more of her in the future since she obviously has talent. Chris Riggi (Gossip Girl) and Matt Lanter (90210) played Jacob and Edward “Sullen”, respectively. Yes, I loved the renaming of the Cullen family as the “Sullens” and I also loved the ending. Only for Twilight fans (or haters).

The Expendables

The Expendables
Action, Macho
2.5 stars
Disappointing. I so wanted to like this one. Sylvester Stallone stars in this silly action flick full of macho one-liners and pretty bad acting. Don’t get too excited about Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger since they are in only one scene, and from the extreme close-ups and constant cutting of the camera, it appears to me that they filmed their parts separately with body doubles and were later spliced together into one scene. Jason Statham, Jet Li and Stallone are the real stars and the other aging action heros all have smaller roles. The tough guys are hired to fly to a remote island and decimate its corrupt army to free the locals. The first person killed is literally blown in half, and I hate to say it, but I burst out laughing when it happened. Lots of explosions and mindless killings. Anyway, take it or leave it.

Eat Pray Love

Chick Flick, Romance
4 stars
Loved it! Julia Roberts stars in the Elizabeth Gilbert memoir of spending a year traveling through Italy, India and Bali after a nasty divorce and a toxic rebound relationship. Thankfully, Gilbert’s neuroses are in it, but not harped on, like in the book. Some small changes were made, mostly in Bali, and of course Javier Bardem’s character is 20 years younger than the book’s character, but the core story is intact. Loved the scenery and her experiences, but why oh why was the Pretty Woman dressed in the ugliest clothes? I kept waiting for her wardrobe to bloom much like her self-fulfillment did. Anyway, loved it, and husbands/boyfriends should like it too.

Get Low

Indie, Dry Comedy
4.5 stars
Really good bittersweet movie, albeit a little slow. Robert Duvall stars as a mean old man in the early 1900’s who has alienated himself from society and wants to have a living funeral to hear all the "stories" and gossip people have been telling about him. Lucas Black (Legion, Jarhead) and Bill Murray co-star as funeral directors and Sissy Spacek plays a kindly woman in town. It's a dry comedy but there's some sniffles near the end. It’s probably unfair that I described it as “slow” but I find most movies that take place in ‘Small Town USA’ in the 1800’s and early 1900’s seem kinda slow. Well acted. Good movie.

Le Concert

Foreign, Dry Comedy
2.5 stars
Well, I liked the violin solo at the end… A disgraced former maestro (Alexei Guskov) for the Bolshoi Orchestra puts together a ragtag group of musicians to impersonate the Bolshoi for a performance in Paris to fulfill a lifelong dream. Russian and French with English subtitles. Co-starring is the talented Melanie Laurent of Inglorious Basterds as an esteemed violinist. Unfortunately I don’t know the history, but according to the film, Jews were being persecuted in Russia in 1980 and the maestro was disgraced because he had Jewish musicians in his orchestra. It’s a good premise, but I found myself stressed out by the disorganized Russians, the caper was improbable and I didn’t think it was funny. But I definitely liked the violin solo at the end.

Middle Men

Comedy, Drama
3.5 stars
Smart story about two dense idiots who had the jackpot idea of putting porn on the internet. Giovanni Ribisi and Gabriel Macht co-star as the underachievers who come up with the idea to put porn on the internet but lack the business know-how to keep on top of it all. Enter Luke Wilson as a sort of a business “fixer” who helps them get organized. Mix in some Russian mafia, along with a hilarious FBI side-story, and it’s actually a very smartly told story. Thankfully the movie didn’t focus on the sleaze, though it is present in the background throughout (it’s more “Playboy bunny sleaze” rather than anything too hard core). Co-stars James Caan as a ne’er do well. It claims to be “based” on a true story, but I have to believe the bulk of the story is fiction. As I said, a smartly told tale.

The Other Guys

Comedy
3.5 stars
Very funny. Ridiculously stupid on purpose, but very funny. Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell star as two bumbling cops hoping to replace Dwayne Johnson and Samuel Jackson as the precinct’s “super cops”. There is a running joke about the lyrics to a TLC song; I guess if I actually knew the song there would have been more to laugh about. Wahlberg especially was hilarious. It is really dumb but I laughed through most of it (as did the rest of the audience).

Charlie St. Cloud

Tearjerker
3 stars
Tearjerker without the tears; I didn’t even come close to sniffling and I’m the biggest sniffler I know! Zac Efron sees dead people. Namely his little brother whom he plays catch with nightly and also a soldier buddy. His life changes when he meets a pretty girl who shares his love of boating. Co-stars include Charlie Tahan as the little brother (he looks so much like a mini Steve Zahn!) and Amanda Crew as the love interest. Gorgeous scenery of the West Vancouver coast, but a so-so story that I figured out long before the “surprise twist” was revealed. It’s a 2.5 star story with 5 star scenery, so I settled for 3. Wait for cable.

Winter’s Bone

Indie, Drama
4 stars
Most depressing film of the year so far. Jennifer Lawrence stars as a 17 year old supporting her younger siblings and invalid mother who learns they will lose their house if her nomadic crack-head father doesn’t show up for court. Set in the poor Missouri Ozarks, Lawrence hikes from one ramshackle house to the next trying to locate her Dad in an area teaming with mean, redneck, crack-head losers. I half-expected Dueling Banjoes to start playing. Includes some violent scenes. Very realistic and raw - and did I say “depressing”? Excellent acting. I hope to see more of Lawrence – who’s a dead ringer for Renee Zellweger without the annoying voice. Critically acclaimed and the darling of all the film festivals, this movie has been lingering in the indie theaters all summer – much like last year’s Hurt Locker. Expect to see several award nominations for this one.

Salt

Action, Drama
3.5 stars
For action lovers only. Angelina Jolie stars as a CIA operative accused of being a Russian spy who goes on the lam to locate her husband and becomes a one woman killing machine. Liev Schrieber costars as her fellow CIA colleague. Full of nonstop action and adventure. Definitely a “guy film”.

The Kids Are Alright

Indie, Dry Comedy
4.5 stars
Really good! Annette Bening and Julianne Moore star as a lesbian couple whose teenage children seek out their biological father, Mark Ruffalo. Complications ensue. Simultaneously poignant and funny; while the numerous sex scenes are hilarious. I’m sure there will be several Oscar nominations for this film – especially for Bening. Mia Wasikowska as the teenage daughter is proving to be a very talented actress herself after starring in Alice and Wonderland and playing a notable role in I Am Love. If nudity offends you, skip it, otherwise I think most everyone would enjoy this film. Loved it.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Fantasy, Action
4 stars
Fun movie with lots of special effects. Jay Baruchel (She’s Out of My League, How To Train Your Dragon) stars as a wimpy nerd who learns he is a great sorcerer who is destined to kill a powerful, evil sorceress and save the world (sounds kinda like Harry Potter, doesn’t it?). Nicholas Cage stars as Baruchel’s mentor. It’s a fun movie loaded with special effects and includes a recreation of the Fantasia scene with the mops and brooms. Very fun movie.

Inception

Action, Intrigue
4.5 stars
My mind is still blown. Hmm, Leo DiCaprio stars in a dream within a dream within a dream within reality along with a side dream and a back story. Oh, and did I mention there are dream people trying to kill you off at every level? Follow?? Go in with a clear and well rested mind in order to follow this complex story. You’re also left with an ambiguous ending that might just drive you nuts. Skip the beverages because it’s a long one (148 minutes) and you won’t want to miss anything. Really good movie, I almost gave it a full 5 stars but I think they spent too much time with the Marion Cotillard back story. Just go see it.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

Foreign, Suspense
5 stars
Excellent movie; Swedish with English subtitles. In this is the second installment in the trilogy of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the title character returns to Sweden after taking a year abroad while her love interest in the first book tries to expose a human trafficking ring. I’m sorry I didn’t get to read this book, but thankfully I remembered the character’s names from the first book because this movie wastes no time and dives right in without introductions. Noomi Rapace returns in the title role as does Michael Nyqvist as a prominent journalist and her former flame. Some nudity. Really, really good, edge of your seat, nonstop suspense thriller.

Despicable Me

Animation, Family
3.5 stars
Slow start, but has a great finish. A couple of villains try to out-do each other when the lead character, Gru, gets bogged down with three orphans who muck up all his plans. The minions are adorable, as are the three little girls. Gru, voiced by Steve Carell, is a Grinch of sorts whose despicable heart inevitably grows. I loved the ending. Stay throughout the credits for four more cute scenes involving the minions. This film may actually be better in the 3-D version since lots of objects are thrust into your face. Very cute.

I Am Love

Foreign, Drama
4 stars
Excellent acting; Italian with English subtitles. Tilda Swinton stars as the matriarch of what appears to be a perfect family living lavishly in Milan. Slowly the flaws start to emerge. Wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed, and includes sensuous love scenes. However, I thought the story itself wasn’t that original and it moved along slowly. Despite my complaints, the film is critically acclaimed and the darling of the all the film festivals. I’m sure there will be several Oscar nominations for this film.

The Last Airbender

Fantasy, Drama
3 stars
Good news and bad news. The bad? Stiff acting, lame dialogue and poor direction mire this film. However, I give an A+ to the imagination, creativity, stage set design, and the interesting concept. If only M. Night Shyamalan could realize his limitations and have used another screen writer to help with the dialogue and then hired a talented director this could have been a really great film. The story takes place in another world where people are able to manipulate or “bend” the four elements and the fire-benders decide they want to conquer the earth, air, and water-benders. The title character is a rare avatar who can bend all four elements and is therefore very powerful so the fire-benders want to control him. I kept wondering all along when the evil fire-benders came by a fleet of ships to attack the water-benders why didn’t it occur to the water-benders that the ships are on, um, water, and why didn’t they shake the seas and sink the ships? No, it took a spirit dragon to point this out after many lives were lost. Silly. Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) stars as a fire-bender and newcomer Noah Ringer plays the title character. It’s a decent story (left wide open for a sequel) and I liked the multinational cast and the cool special effects, but yeah, the acting and dialogue are pretty lame.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Horror, Teen Romance
3.5 stars
Really good! The love triangle continues with girl, vampire and werewolf as the two latter must form a reluctant alliance against evil vampire Victoria, who is building an army of vampires to kill Bella. The new actress playing Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) appeared to be more scared than angry – not what I’d expect of vengeful Victoria. I loved the comical tension between Rob Pattinson and Taylor Lautner (so did the 100 or so teenage girls in the theater). Kristen Stewart is still a stiff actress, but Pattinson sure can act since his off-putting goofiness in real life interviews is forgotten when he becomes cool Edward. Only for “Twi-hards” and vampire lovers.

Cyrus

Indie, Dry Comedy
3 stars
Kinda slow and awkward. More of a typical indie with plenty of awkward tension, but it wasn’t as comical as the previews led us to believe. John C. Reilly stars as a sad and depressed guy who meets the woman of his dreams in Marisa Tomei, until he meets her overgrown, emotionally dependant son, Jonah Hill. Jonah Hill plays the typical product of a broken marriage who is too selfish too allow his single parent to move on, so he does everything in his power to drive the outsider away. I liked it, but the film moved slowly and the awkward tension, which is almost a hallmark of independent films, is played out almost too much in this movie. Only for indie lovers and/or diehard fans of the stars.

Grownups

Comedy
2.5 stars
Not as funny as I hoped, and more gross-out humor than I prefer. Adam Sandler and four buddies reunite, along with their families, for a weekend after learning their beloved youth basketball coach died. Costars include Kevin James, David Spade, Chris Rock and Rob Schneider as well as Salma Hayek as Sandler’s wife. I expected dumb humor, but I just didn’t laugh that much. Wait for cable.

Knight and Day

Action, Comedy
4 stars
Yay! A good grownup movie at last! All the action and stunt work you’d expect from Tom Cruise plus all the sweet kookiness you’d expect from Cameron Diaz equals one fun rollercoaster ride (and a great date movie). Cruise and Diaz bump into each other in an airport and wind up on a whirlwind adventure escaping from bad guys. I won’t give away anymore. It’s a great action flick. Is the story plausible? No. But who cares? It’s a fun ride. Loved it!

Toy Story 3

Family, Animated
4.5 stars
Loved it. Woody, Buzz (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen) and the gang find new adventures in a daycare center. There’s a lot more adventure in this sequel, and slightly less sentimentality (thankfully), but I did shed a tear or two at the end. I got a kick out of the Ken doll (Michael Keaton) and also Buzz’s Spanish alter ego. Very well done. To Infinity and Beyond!

Solitary Man

Drama
3 stars
Michael Douglas stars as a one man train wreck who can’t help but sabotage himself. He destroyed his marriage (to Susan Sarandon), cheats on his girlfriend (Mary-Louise Parker) and ran his once successful business into the ground. Co-stars include Imogen Poots as his girlfriend’s daughter, Jenna Fischer as his own daughter, Jesse Eisenberg as a young college student, and Danny Devito as an old college buddy. Interesting premise, but I’m just not into movies where the main characters are not likeable and continue to make bad decisions. Good acting, irksome story.

The A-Team

Action
2.5 stars
Lots of mindless, senseless violence; a guy movie. I saw this last Monday and already forgot most of it – that should tell you something! A group of rogue Army Rangers takes on a task that was already assigned to a different team, and then gets surprised when retaliated against. Duh! Lots of explosions and stuff. I wasn’t excited. Stars include Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, and Patrick Wilson, among others. A waste of talent. Wait for cable.

Please Give

Indie, Dry
3 stars
Downer. Catherine Keenan (40 Year Old Virgin) stars as a vintage furniture store owner who acquires the furniture by purchasing the merchandise cheaply from estate sales and not letting the sellers know of the true value of the pieces. She feels so terribly guilty for taking advantage of the sellers that she is always giving her money to homeless people and wants to do volunteer work. Oliver Platt plays her husband, Rebecca Hall (Vicki Christina Barcelona) and Amanda Peet play daughters of their elderly neighbor, Ann Morgan Guilbert (“The Nanny”). Keenan and Platt also purchased the elderly neighbor’s condo and are waiting for her to die so they can expand their condo. Their poor pimply teenage daughter (Sarah Steele of Spanglish) has her own self esteem issues. Not a bad film, but not a happy one either.

Killers

Comedy, Action
3.5 stars
Cute comedy flick with lots of action. Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher star as a couple living the suburban lifestyle, when Kutcher’s former CIA assassin job comes back to haunt him. Tom Selleck and Catherine O’Hara hilariously play Heigl’s parents. Heigl is bland as usual, but the story and action make up for it. I liked seeing Kutcher play a less comedic role, and instead play the suave and debonair spy that woos Heigl. Fun flick.

Get Him to the Greek

Comedy
2.5 stars
Mildly amusing raunchy comedy starring Jonah Hill (Superbad) as an assistant record exec sent to pick up a drug-addled rock star (Russell Brand) in London and bring him back to L.A. for a concert. I expected it to be a bit raunchy and good for a few dumb laughs, but I was disappointed that they seemed to try to hard with the foolishness. Surprisingly, Russell Brand seemed to be the most sober character, and I liked that Jonah Hill played a sad minion just trying to get his job done. I’m afraid Sean Combs (or whatever he calls himself these days) simply cannot act and should stick to his day job. Rose Byrne (Wicker Park) costars as Brand’s former flame. Not all the scenes advertised in the previews were shown in the film. I laughed a few times, but really, save it for cable and have a few beers first to really enjoy it.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Action, Adventure
4 stars
Fun movie. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the title character back in ancient Persian times who comes into possession of a magical sword and of course all of humanity sits in the balance. Lots of battles and fights and some cool parkour. Costars include Gemma Arterton as a beautiful princess, Ben Kingsley as his beloved uncle, Alfred Molina as sort of a king of thieves, and Steve Toussaint as Molina’s protector. I love these sorts of films where they recreate ancient stone cities with all the lush detailing and opulent costuming. Clearly, the actors fully enjoyed themselves during the making of this movie. Not exactly Oscar worthy, but a fun adventure film all the same. If you like movies like Lara Croft and the Mummy series, then you may like this film.

Sex and the City 2

Chick Flick
3.5 stars
Fun chick flick. Carrie and the girls take off for Abu Dhabi, and I have to say, I like them better in the city. As compared to the first movie, there’s no major crisis’s here and no sweet but wise Jennifer Hudson. Instead, there is a very bouncy braless nanny (Alice Eve – She’s Out of My League) that all the men in the audience will appreciate, and a hilariously over the top wedding. Then the movie goes a little downhill when girls go to the Middle East and Samantha breaks all the modesty rules. Instead of enjoying all their indulgences, I found myself stressing over all the cleavage and legs they were flaunting in such a conservative country. The fashion was hit or miss, in fact some of it was embarrassingly awful - and I thought Carrie’s head-piece at her ill-fated wedding was bad! I was very happy to see Samantha back as her old horny self though. It’s still an above-average chick flick, but just not as fun or as moving as the first one.

Kites

Foreign, Romance/Action
2.5 stars
Had great potential, but disappointed. A handsome Las Vegas local and a beautiful, but illegal, Mexican immigrant get mixed up with a powerful mafia-type Indian family in Las Vegas and go on the run. Spoken in a mix of Spanish, Hindi and English with subtitles, at first I thought this was a Mexican film, but it’s actually an Indian-made film that takes place in the US and Mexico. There’s a mix of romance, action, adventure, double-cross, mafia-type violence and parts of it felt like a music video(!). The lovers on the run felt like a rip-off of Thelma & Louise’s road trip. I still could have forgiven these gaffes, except some scenes were terribly over-dramatic – especially the ending. On the bright side, the lovers were very easy on the eyes (Barbara Mori and Hrithik Roshan). Unless you’re the type of person who enjoys a strange mix of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Thelma & Louise and Goodfellas, I can’t recommend this film.

MacGruber

Comedy, Action
2.5 stars
Mildly amusing, but not that great. MacGruber, played by Will Forte, is given a chance to go up against his arch nemesis “Cunth”, played by Val Kilmer. Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe co-star. This full length Saturday Night Live parody of the MacGyver series had great ambition, but was disappointing. Too much lewd humor and bad jokes. Wait for cable, and dumb yourself down with a few drinks before viewing.

Shrek Forever After

Family, Animated
4 stars
Loved it. Shrek makes a deal with the evil magician Rumpelstiltskin to spend one day back in his swamp, before the days of meeting Fiona, Donkey, Puss, and the rest. Unfortunately, he didn’t read the fine print on the contract and things aren’t the way he imagined. Though not as good as the first Shrek movie, it’s still an enjoyable ride with a moral for the kids. Usual voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and newcomer Walt Dohrn as Rumpelstiltskin. Cute movie.

Just Wright

Chick Flick, Romance
3.5 stars
Sweet romance. The always lovable Queen Latifah stars as a physical therapist who meets a handsome star basketball player (Common) only to watch him fall for her gold-digger “God sister” Paula Patton (Precious). You know how it ends. It’s always fun to watch Queen Latifah play the sweet sensible woman that everyone likes. I liked it, as only a chick-flick loving romantic can.

Letters to Juliet

Chick Flick
3.5 stars
LOVED IT, despite the sugar coated ending. Amanda Seyfried (Mama Mia, Dear John) travels through gorgeous Italy to help Vanessa Redgrave find her long lost love who she hasn’t seen since she was 15 years old. Along for the ride is Redgrave’s handsome but uptight grandson, played by Chris Egan. Despite Seyfrieds’ engagement to the handsome but absentee fiancée Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Motorcycle Diaries) romantic tensions ensue. Even though the previews gave away way too much of the story, I loved it. I loved the romantic tension, Redgrave’s hopeful romantic eyes, and the gorgeous scenery from the cypress trees and rolling vineyards to the cobblestone streets and ancient stone architecture of my favorite country. Yes the ending is too sugary and contrived, but it’s a chick flick so who cares? I loved it!

Robin Hood

Action
3.5 stars
Definitely a guy film filled with battle scenes and back stabbing. This version of Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe tries to give it a more historical approach and attempts to trace the origins of Robin and why he became who he is. An interesting tactic, but there’s no romance with the hardened Maid Marion (Cate Blanchett) and not enough of jolly Friar Tuck. Mostly, it’s battles, sword fights, bow and arrow shooting, terrorized villagers, a conniving King John (Oscar Isaac of The Nativity Story) and his betrayer Godfrey (Mark Strong of Sherlock Holmes who bears a striking resemblance to Stanley Tucci) . Needless to say, Jim loved it, but I wasn’t all that excited about it.

City Island

Indie, Dry Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it. Andy Garcia stars as the dad of a dysfunctional family where everyone keeps big secrets from one another. Garcia works as a prison guard and learns one of the inmates reaching the end of his incarceration is actually his illegitimate son whom he never met (Steven Strait). More lies ensue which result in comedic predicaments for all. Juliana Margulies stars as Garcia’s wife, Emily Mortimer plays a friend, and my favorite character is the teenage son with a fetish, Ezra Miller (“Royal Pains” and “Californication”). This film was actually released in 2009 and has been kicking around the theaters for some time now. I really liked it.

Iron Man 2

Action
4 stars
Fun, guilty pleasure. Robert Downey Jr. is back as the egotistical Tony Stark. There are several story lines such as Mickey Rourke playing a Russian wanting revenge (the cause of his anger is explained really fast in about two sentences, so if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it), the government wants Stark’s technology, a competing company run by Sam Rockwell also wants the technology for lucrative government contracts, Tony’s having health issues and Scarlett Johansson kicks butt. All the story lines are explained really fast as if they don’t matter, because after all, the whole point is to watch all the action and special effects. Gwyneth Paltrow also co-stars. Fun!

Babies

Documentary
4.5 stars
Very cute. As the title suggests, it’s about babies, from birth, to breast feeding, to learning, to taking their first steps. No dialogue, no narration, this is filmed in same the vein as nature documentaries. We follow the development of four babies from Mongolia, Africa, Japan and San Francisco. Very cute to see the wonder in their eyes, though it’s kinda sad to see the African baby face down in the dirt, teething on rocks and twigs, but c’est la vie. Kids would probably get bored and possibly giggly with all the bare boobs. Good movie.

The Secret in Their Eyes

Foreign, Mystery
5 stars
Excellent and poignant. Argentinean with English subtitles and the 2009 Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film. A retired court employee who is haunted by the case of a murder and rape victim in 1974, begins to write a book about it and tries to tie up some loose ends by reconnecting with his former boss. Brilliant portrayal of how so many lives are forever altered by the domino effect created by this terrible, violent act. Some brief nudity and profanity, but nothing significant. Stars Ricardo Darín as the main protagonist, Soledad Villamil plays his beautiful former boss and Guillermo Francella plays his underling with an alcohol addiction. The best movie in theaters right now – just go see it!

City Island

Indie, Dry Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it. Andy Garcia stars as the dad of a dysfunctional family where everyone keeps big secrets from one another. Garcia works as a prison guard and learns one of the inmates reaching the end of his incarceration is actually his illegitimate son whom he never met (Steven Strait). More lies ensue which result in comedic predicaments for all. Juliana Margulies stars as Garcia’s wife, Emily Mortimer plays a friend, and my favorite character is the teenage son with a fetish, Ezra Miller (“Royal Pains” and “Californication”). This film was actually released in 2009 and has been kicking around the theaters for some time now. I really liked it.

The Losers

Action
2.5 stars
Total guy flick that is left wide open for a sequel. A group of commandos go rogue after defying corrupt orders and learning they were meant to be killed off. Stars include Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Zoe Saldana (Star Trek and Avatar), and Idris Elba (Obsessed) among others. What’s with the “macho strut” they do in all the guy action movies? You know, when all the tough guys are ready for battle, so they all walk shoulder to shoulder, always in slow motion, towards the camera? From now on, I’m gonna call it the “macho strut” and they make full use of it in this flick. Some of the violence is almost comical; fitting, since this movie is inspired from a comic book series. Anyway, guys who love seeing things get blown up, with extra doses of sweat sprayed on the actors, and of course a vampy chick added to the mix, should like this film.

The Backup Plan

Chick Flick
3.5 stars
Cute love story. After giving up on love, Jennifer Lopez decides to artificially inseminate herself and then runs into the man (Alex O’Loughlin) who may be “the one”. There are a handful of pratfalls in this movie, but they’re not nearly as frequent or ridiculous as in films like When in Rome or Leap Year. Despite the few silly scenes, this is a decent chick flick – at least enough to hold us over until Eat, Pray, Love and Sex in the City come out this summer!

Oceans

Documentary
5 stars
Awesome. Must be seen on the big screen. This year’s Disney Earth Day documentary shows magnificent displays of sea creatures big and small; from the amazing natural choreography of massive schools of sardines to the blue whale and even features a brief viewing of the oft ignored narwhal whales (yay!). There is a nice classical music soundtrack and a cool showdown of spider crab armies – though they didn’t really explain what that was all about, it was still cool to watch. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, it can sometimes feel a bit too educational despite the fact that not all species featured are identified. Regardless, I loved it.

Kick-Ass

Action, Comedy
3 stars
Extremely violent for what I thought was a light comedy/action flick. A teenage nerd (Aaron Johnson) decides to become a superhero and inspires others to do the same. Costars – and fellow superheroes - include Nicholas Cage, Chloe Moretz ((500) Days of Summer), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad). The cast is likeable and the storyline is original, quirky and funny. But I didn’t expect such heavy violence from gang members, mobsters, and the superheroes themselves. I thought it was funny, and there were several folks (mostly guys) in the theater who laughed out loud quite a bit. So if you like violent killings and quirky nerds, then you might like this.

The Ghost Writer

Indie, Intrigue
4 stars
Very good. Roman Polanski’s highly touted film of a man (Ewan McGregor) hired to finish the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan) after the first ghost writer is found dead. McGregor begins to uncover clues that most likely caused his processor’s death which endanger his own life as well. Olivia Williams (An Education) co-stars as the former First Lady and Kim Cattrall (Sex & The City) plays an assistant. Interesting story filmed on a secluded section of Martha’s Vineyard with plenty of intrigue.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor)

Foriegn, Mystery
4.5 stars
Excellent adaption (and excellent casting) of the best selling book by Stieg Larsson. Swedish with English subtitles. A disgraced journalist is hired by a retired corporate mogul to look into the 40 year old missing person’s case of his favorite niece. The title character is a freelance PI (and also a ward of the state) hired by the same mogul to investigate the journalist’s background who decides to continue investigating on her own. Of course several of the details and clues have been changed to streamline the story. Folks who have not read the book may have trouble keeping track of all the characters, but otherwise, I think it was very well done. Some scenes include violent sexual abuse. Stars Michael Nyqvist as the journalist, Noomi Rapace in the title role, and Sven-Bertil Taube as the mogul. I’m glad I got to see this adaption, before Hollywood (currently casting for its own version) butchers it. Kristen Stewart (very limited range actress) and Carey Mulligan (Oscar nominated for The Education, but probably too delicate for this rebellious role) have been vying for the title character, I’ll be very interested to see who finally lands the role. Very well done.

Date Night

Comedy, Action
3.5 stars
Funny. Tina Fey and Steve Carell go out for a night on the town and wind up running for their lives when they are mistaken for another couple. Jimmi Simpson and Common co-star as the bad guys after them. The banter between the two protagonists was the best part for me, well, that and Mark Wahlberg’s pecs… Fun movie for all. There were a handful of swears, but mostly it was the suburban parents just trying to sound tough by saying “effing” rather than using the actual word. I personally thought Hot Tub Time Machine had more laughs, but this one was good too.

Clash of the Titans

Action, Fantasy
3.5 stars
Fun remake. Sam Worthington (Avatar) stars as Perseus and embarks on great adventures; some taken from Greek Mythology, and some made up by Hollywood. Liam Neeson co-stars as Zeus and Ralph Fiennes as Hades. I never saw the original film, but this one was a fun action adventure with lots of special effects. It makes me want to reread some mythology to remember the original story. Fun adventure.

The Last Song

Chick Flick, Romance
3.5 stars
Sweet teen love story. Miley Cyrus (I can’t believe I am actually recommending – let alone went to see! – a movie in which she stars) stars as a rebellious teen who finds romance with Liam Hemsworth in this Nicholas Sparks tale. Co-stars include Greg Kinnear as a dad with a secret, Kelly Preston and the cute Bobby Coleman (Post Grad; Martian Child). This is better than and not as sappy as the two previous Sparks films: Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe. Forget March Madness; people should just place bets on which character Nicholas Sparks will kill off in his films :). Only for die-hard romantics (pun not intended – really! - he he he…) and their very patient significant others, and also for tweens who idolize the pop star.

How to Train Your Dragon

Family, Animated
4 stars
Loved it. A boy (Jay Baruchel; She’s Out of My League) befriends a dragon, despite the fact that dragons regularly ransack and plunder his Viking village. Gerard Butler and Craig Ferguson voice a couple of the beefier Vikings. We loved all the different, imaginative dragons (especially the black one which resembles our black pug quite a bit), fun adventures, and of course the boy who acquired a better appreciation and respect for the dragons than his fellow villagers – he was sort of a “dragon whisperer”. Kids of all ages (and adults too) will root for the underdogs in this wonderful tale.

Greenberg

Drama
3 stars
Somber and seemed really long at 107 minutes. Ben Stiller stars as miserable and cranky guy who is house-sitting for his brother after returning home from a mental hospital. He tries to reconnect with old friends, Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Jennifer Jason Leigh, but they seem almost as miserable as he does. His brother’s personal assistant (Greta Gerwig) is a sweet, naïve girl whom Stiller takes advantage of, and slowly develops feelings for. I thought this would be more of a dry comedy, but it’s mostly depressing. If you like dry movies like The Royal Tenenbaums or The Darjeeling Limited then you may like this one. This just wasn’t my thing.

Hot Tub Time Machine

Comedy
4 stars
Wicked Funny. Four guys go back in time to the 80’s and have a crazy weekend. Not as good as films like The Hangover, but I gave it 4 stars because I laughed out loud so much – and even covered my eyes a few times. Stars John Cusack, Clark Duke (Superbad), Craig Robinson (“The Office”, Zach and Miri Make a Porno) and Rob Corddry (Harold and Kumar 2). My favorite was the one-armed bellhop, Crispin Glover (both Charlie’s Angels). Includes a little nudity and some scenes are a little crude, but it was hilarious.

Repo Men

Action, Drama
3.5 stars
A decent futuristic guy film full of violence and icky organ extractions. Tip: you probably don’t want to be eating your popcorn during the opening sequence. Jude Law stars as a repo man, alongside Forest Whitaker, who has no problem removing organs from folks who’ve become delinquent on their payments – that is until he becomes an organ recipient himself. Obviously his company doesn’t offer workmen’s compensation. There were a few picky little details that bugged me, but probably won’t bother the average movie-goer, such as Law’s English accent when he supposedly grew up with Whitaker, and I’m a little hazy on Whitaker’s strange commitment to Law (you’ll see) which also became questionable. Anyway, guys will love all the shooting and fight scenes and totally gross organ extractions.

Bounty Hunter

Comedy
2.5 stars
Cute, but the smug banter got irritating after awhile. Gerard Butler plays a bounty hunter who must take in his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston, whom he has unresolved feelings for. You know how it ends. I liked the rare occasions when the characters acted honestly, rather than the aforementioned smug banter between them. If the previews looked appealing to you, then the film is more of the same and you’ll probably like it. I was hoping for more depth and more of a reason to care about the characters.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Family, Comedy
3 stars
Cute film about a boy (Zachary Gordon) starting middle school and trying to fit in. He tries to change his blissfully happy and naïve friend (Robert Capron), only to learn the inevitable moral of the story. It’s cute, but not as many laugh out loud moments I was hoping for (for adults anyway). I probably got the most laughs from the tormenting older brother, Devon Bostik (Adoration, Saw VI, Saw IV). Rachel Harris (The Hangover) and Steve Zahn (Management, You’ve Got Mail) co-star as Gordon’s parents. Kids of all ages should enjoy this one, especially boys with it’s handful of gross-out moments. Cute.

The Runaways

Drama
3 stars
Accurate depiction of the sleazy 70’s. Kristen Stewart (Twilight) and Dakota Fanning play Joan Jett and Cherie Curry, respectively, in this sort of coming of age tale taking place in the mid-70’s. It’s more of the story of Curry, morphing from a space shot to a drug-addled diva as they form the band The Runaways in an abandoned trailer. This reminded me of everything I disliked of the 70’s and everything I disliked as a 15 year old. It felt kinda creepy watching these promiscuous teens experiment with drugs and their budding sexuality. Me, I was a Joan Jett fan in the 80’s and was in the mood for some rock’n’roll, and while there is some good music, there is very little told about Jett’s background and I was embarrassed for Stewart every time she tried to belt out a song – thankfully Fanning did most of the singing. It’s not a bad movie, it’s just not my thing.

Brooklyn’s Finest

Drama, Crime
3 stars
Really long! Three unhappy cops working for the same dangerous district all find themselves in desperate situations. Richard Gere plays a frustratingly ineffective uniformed cop just 7 days from retirement who is marking the days till he is off the job. Ethan Hawke plays a SWAT team cop with way too many kids that he can’t afford to support, and the ever-talented Don Cheadle plays an undercover cop who is sick and tired of hanging out with drug dealers. Just when the climax was building, I found myself yawning and checking my watch – not a good sign (it’s 133 minutes long). For what it’s worth, a lady I bumped into after the movie really liked it. I was bored. It started out OK, but then just felt too drawn out. When a movie gets to the point where both myself and some guy behind me are both saying out loud to screen “just shoot the guy!”, it’s just too aggravating. Wait for cable.

Green Zone

Action
4.5 stars
Very exciting. Matt Damon stars as a soldier in 2003 Iraq on a fruitless search for WMD’s who begins questioning authority and “intelligence”. Much like Inglorious Basterds gives us a more satisfying turn of events for WWII, this movie gives non-George W. Bush fans a more satisfying take on Iraq. Filmed with hand-held cameras, it’s a little shaky, but not as bad as most movies filmed this way. Most of the non-principle actors are real U.S. soldiers wearing their own gear who attest to the film’s realism. Lots of action, very realistic and makes you wish it happened this way.

She’s Out of My League

Comedy, Crude
3 stars
Funny, but too crude for my taste. Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up, Million Dollar Baby) stars as a nerdy airport security guard who lands a date with a beautiful girl, Alice Eve (am I the only one who thinks she’s a dead ringer for Elin Woods?). Krysten Ritter (Confessions of a Shopaholic) and T.J. Miller co-star as best friends of the two main characters. I thought all the younger actors were likable and funny, but the humor and language was much cruder than necessary.

Remember Me

Drama, Chick Flick?
4 stars
Good movie, but not what I would define as a “chick flick”. Robert Pattinson (Twilight) falls in love with Emilie De Ravin, but this is much more than a love story. Both protagonists have Daddy issues: hers is a hard-nosed cop (Chris Cooper) and his is an absentee father (Pierce Brosnan). Both are still reeling from a death in the family, and Pattinson is fiercely protective of his adorable younger sister who is picked on at school (Ruby Jerins of Nurse Jackie). I really liked this film but thought it was unnecessary that a certain major world event was included in the story. Good Movie.

The Good Guy

Chick Flick
3.5 stars
Pretty good. Alexis Bledel (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) stars as a young twenty-something navigating love and life in New York City. Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights) co-stars as her Wall Streeter love interest and Bryan Greenberg (October Road, Bride Wars) plays a coworker he is mentoring. Andrew McCarthy has a small role as the male actors’ jaded boss. This film had a better sense of realism rather than the usual movies of this age group that usually have perfectly polished fashionable apartments and flawlessly coifed hair. Instead, the characters had cluttered homes and messy, but interesting, lives. No dumb pratfalls, no sugary sappiness – what a refreshing change! My only complaint is Bledel still looks too wide-eyed and awkward to be playing a 20-something (despite the fact that the actress is 28!). I liked it.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Fantasy
4 stars
Really good. Mia Wasikowska falls down the rabbit hole in this Tim Burton version of Alice. I went in with really high expectations hoping to be wowed - I should learn to never do that! I really liked this movie, but the special effects were CGI-heavy and not as realistic looking as, say, Harry Potter. I’d like to know how they got Johnny Depp’s eyes so freakishly large though! Helena Bonham Carter stars as the red queen and Anne Hathaway as the white queen. For sensitive little ones, scenes like the decapitated heads floating in the queen’s moat might be too scary. But a fun movie for everyone else.

The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2010: Animated

Comedy (mostly)
5 stars
LOVED these! Features 8 animated shorts (5 Oscar noms, and 3 “Notables”) from various countries including a 30 minute Wallace & Gromit that was just ADORABLE. I also loved the Irish one where the grandma scares the crap out of her granddaughter with an embellished bedtime story. Jim loved the Spanish one about the Reaper. Some were poignant, some were cute, and many were hilarious. The last short is preceded by a warning for its violence and profanity – this is your cue to exit if you are easily offended – but despite its very basic hand-drawn animation, it is probably the one that stayed with me the longest. It is an Argentinean movie short, dissing Americans and capitalism (not undeservedly) but it had the most laughs and most to ponder. For Chicagoans, it is playing at the Landmark Theater at Clark & Diversey. I highly recommend it.

Cop Out

Comedy
2.5 stars
What a bummer. Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan play buddy cops who use an irritating thief, Seann Williams Scott (American Pie), to help with a case. I love all three actors and was looking forward to a silly comedy, but I was sadly disappointed. I am not sure if Morgan was the victim of bad writing or if he is a Jim Carrey-type who gets too out of control when not reigned-in, but he had the most embarrassingly bad scenes including the opening scene where he acts out famous movie bits during an interrogation, and another long spiel on bowel movements. This is all the type of stuff that would appeal to young boys, but the violence and profanity is not exactly kid-friendly. Even the violent drug dealer, Guillermo Diaz, who was supposed to be scary, had a comic scene that was completely incongruous with his character. I blame the director, Kevin Smith (Clerks), who I never liked anyway. Wait for cable – or not.

Shutter Island

Drama
2.5 stars
Disappointing and clichéd. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo act as U.S. Marshalls investigating a woman’s disappearance at an asylum for the criminally insane. The overly exaggerated Boston accents were an assault to my ears, but I eventually got used to it. Michelle Williams was the only one with a convincing - there’s no nice way to put it - lower class accent. Hollywood should really consult me first when it comes to Boston accents! Anyway, we’ve all seen mental asylum movies before and this one is pretty typical. No one can top One Flew Over The Coo Coo’s Nest! We all expect better from the likes of Martin Scorsese and DiCaprio.

Saint John of Las Vegas

Indie. Dry Comedy
3 stars
Disappointing, but not terrible. The previews looked hilarious as Steve Buscemi works as an insurance fraud investigator who has a crush on his kooky co-worker Sarah Silverman. His boss, Peter Dinklage, sends him to Las Vegas on a job with a partner, Ronnie Malco (Baby Mama) to investigate a stripper’s claim that she was rear-ended. There were a few laughs, but since this movie has already disappeared from my favorite indie theater, it appears the movie wasn’t too popular.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Family, Fantasy
3 stars
Fun movie with cool special effects. Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman; 3:10 to Yuma) is a regular teenager (so he thinks) until he learns he is the son of Poseidon and is accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning rod and finds himself under the wrath of the Gods unless it is returned. Determining the real thief is pretty easy for the audience, but the adventures and cool mythical creatures were great. Some monsters may be too scary for sensitive young ones, but if they can handle the Harry Potter movies, then they should be OK. This is also not a bad intro to Greek Mythology for youngsters. Costars include Peirce Brosnan and Uma Thurman as Medusa. Fun adventure.

The Wolfman

Horror, Suspence
2.5 stars
Passable monster movie. Plenty of atmosphere with misty forests and cobweb covered stone ruins as a werewolf terrorizes the villagers in rural England. Benicio Del Toro (who doesn’t quite pass for an Englishman) returns home to his father’s grand but dilapidated estate after his brother is found brutally murdered. Gory killings ensue. Anthony Hopkins plays the creepy patriarch and Emily Blunt co-stars as the grieving widow. My only complaint is that I thought the hair and makeup folks could have done a better job with the wolfman’s face – I think the makeup on the old I Was A Teenage Werewolf looked more authentic. Fun monster flick.

Feb 26: Update on Wolfman – It has been pointed out to me that I was too generous with my rating on The Wolfman. I’ve since downgraded it from a 3 to a 2.5 – that’s the equivalent of a C downgraded to a D+. The movie was never scary, not even during the murderous rampage, I swear at one point the Wolfman’s makeup was shoe polish, and the “wise old gypsy woman” was kinda dumb and clichéd. My apologies to anyone who may have gone to that movie based on my previous review.

Valentine’s Day

Chick Flick, Comedy
3.5 stars
Fun movie - better than I expected. Several interrelated storylines intersect as the film unfolds on Valentine’s Day. Ashton Kutcher is one of the central characters who owns a small flower shop in L.A. Jennifer Garner plays his best friend and Jamie Foxx plays a newscaster covering the goings-on on the romantic day. My favorite characters were the older ones, including Shirley MacLaine who is married to Hector Elizondo and also George Lopez as a friend of Kutcher’s. The only really silly character was Jessica Biel as a neurotic sports agent whom we are supposed to believe goes dateless on Valentine’s every year. Fun, frivolous date movie.

The Last Station

Indie, Drama
4.5 stars
Very well done! This film is based on the last year of Tolstoy’s life with Christopher Plummer starring as the great writer, and Helen Mirren as his very emotional and passionate wife. James McAvoy (Atonement, Last King of Scotland) is hired as Tolstoy’s awestruck secretary and Paul Giamatti (Sideways) plays Tolstoy’s overzealous disciple. The focus of the story is of Giamatti trying to undermine Mirren by convincing Tolstoy to change his will to leave his fortune to the Russian People, rather than to his family. The disciples follow an interesting utopian lifestyle promoted by Tolstoy of celibacy, vegetarianism, and passiveness – sort of like a hippie commune – a lifestyle that Tolstoy himself felt he needn’t follow. There are a few laughs as several of the characters are quite frank and plainspoken (especially Mirren). Great movie.

From Paris With Love

Action, Comedy
4 stars
Ultimate “guy” movie. John Travolta stars as an obnoxious, foul mouthed happy-go-lucky one man killing machine working as a CIA Black Ops operative called in to Paris “to get the job done”. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (August Rush) works as an aide to the U.S. Ambassador in France who also does some small odd jobs for the CIA, is excited for the chance of a lifetime to work on a big job, until he meets his new partner – Travolta. The movie is one long constant killing spree; Jim loved it. I enjoyed the Travolta’s eccentric character and cringed at all the appropriate scenes – just don’t try to figure out how they got through the Eiffel Tower’s security and got away with what they did… Fun, violent movie.

Dear John

Chick Flick
3 stars
Better than I thought it would be. Amanda Seyfried (Mama Mia) falls in love with soldier Channing Tatum (Public Enemies), and endures a long distance relationship. Thankfully, the previews did not give away the entire story. If you are familiar with Nicholas Sparks’ formula of folks falling in love in short period of time, then becoming separated by noble circumstances with the promise of getting back together, and the inevitable ending (I won’t say it if you don’t already know – but it’s been the same in all his movie adaptions), you’ll be surprised that this film ends a little differently. I only sniffled a couple of times – which means that most normal people probably won’t sniffle at all. A decent love story.

Edge of Darkness

Drama, Suspense
3.5 stars
Mel Gibson stars as a bereaved father trying to uncover the mystery behind his daughter’s murder. Corruption and cover-ups ensue. Ray Winstone plays a mysterious man who is hired to “look into” the situation by a third party. While I enjoyed his character, I had difficulty deciphering his mumbled British accent and missed some dialogue. The makers of this film made this story appealing to both male and female viewers by including many sentimental scenes of Mel reminiscing his daughter, as well as suspense, shootings and danger. Good movie.

When In Rome

Comedy
2.5 stars
So-so comedy full of groan-worthy pratfalls you can see coming from a mile away. Kristen Stewart stars as an attendee at her sister’s wedding in Rome and meets Josh Duhamel. Thinking he is duping her, she gets drunk and steals coins from a Fountain of Love, only those who cast the coins now fall helplessly in love with her. I was most interested in seeing the sights of Rome again, but there are only a few aerial shots of the city, and the rest was filmed indoors. Co-stars include Dax Shepherd, John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) barely recognizable as the magician, Will Arnett and Anjelica Huston. Wait for it to come out on TV - or not.

Tooth Fairy

Family, Comedy
2.5 stars
Corny but cute. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays an arrogant, cocky hockey player who is sentenced to two weeks of tooth fairy service after he told a little girl there is no such thing. Ashley Judd plays his girlfriend, Julie Andrews co-stars as the head of the tooth fairy world, and Billy Crystal has a small role as the gadget guy (like “Q” in the Bond films). I love “The Rock” and was looking forward to seeing him play the tough guy in a tutu. But his character was not likable, and the tutu was a temporary mishap; they found male fairy clothes for him. I did like the goofy Stephen Merchant (from the British version of “The Office”) as Johnson’s case worker. The kiddies should wait for cable, and adults should skip it.

Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos)

Foreign, Drama
3.5 stars
Interesting story. A blind film director learns of the recent death of a businessman he dealt with 14 years ago. This spurs him to recount the story to his assistant’s son about how they knew each other and the woman they both loved, Penelope Cruz. This was definitely a complicated and interesting movie. The beginning of the film seems confusing as there are a lot of characters and it switches back and forth from the past to the present, but it eventually smoothes out and starts to make sense. Spanish with subtitles and includes a few sex scenes. Good movie, though I’m not sure I agree that it’s worthy of a Best Foreign Film nomination.

Legion

Drama, Action
2.5 stars
Disappointing. Paul Bettany stars as the archangel Michael who falls to earth to disobey God’s orders to annihilate mankind. That what he says, but really the angels are all bent on killing an unborn child who is supposed to save humanity. Well, if this child is man’s savior, why would God want it destroyed? I’d have been more interested in seeing lots of winged angels descending on this small diner in the desert, but instead, they possess humans (“angelic possession”, anyone?) and it feels more like a typical zombie movie where the people barricade themselves inside while the evil ones lurk about. Also, clearly two of the characters serve as a symbolic Mary and Joseph - though they are named Charlie and Jeep – but Charlie is no virgin so we are not sure why her child is so special? Jim was disappointed in this movie as well, hoping for more action and special effects. Wait for it to come out on cable

White Ribbon

Foreign, Drama
2 stars
Long, slow, and strange. This movie won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, but I’m not sure why, and my fellow movie goers were equally perplexed. The setting is a small German village in the year before WWI broke out, where most of the townsfolk are employed by the local Baron and Baroness. Terrible “accidents” start to occur, and a couple of small children are found tied up and beaten. A note is left with one child that sinners will be punished with the punishment doled out on their children. Nothing is explained in the end either, you just have to decide certain occurrences were revenge, others were doled out by all the creepy children in the village. And nobody knows what happened to certain missing townsfolk. German with English subtitles; filmed in black and white. Skip it.

Youth in Revolt

Comedy, Dry
3.5 stars
Surprisingly funny. Michael Cera (Superbad, Juno) goes to great lengths to stay in touch with the girl of his dreams (Portia Doubleday), including creating a secondary persona and getting into a lot of trouble. The protagonists seem to have above average intelligence, but lack common sense. I thought Justin Long was hilarious as Doubleday’s stoner brother. Also co-starring are Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover). I hadn’t planned on seeing this film, but I wound up liking it. If you liked Juno, then you may like this one too as the dialogue and humor are very similar.

The Lovely Bones

Drama
4 stars
I cried through the whole thing! Sorry, I’ve never gotten around to reading the book, so I have no basis for comparison. I thought this was a well told story narrated by the deceased young girl (Saoirse Ronan; Atonement) as she describes the time leading up to her murder and her family’s struggles in its wake. Ronan narrates from the “in-between” ghostly world that probably could have been portrayed better, but I was too busy sniffling and wiping away tears to really care. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz co-star as her parents and Stanley Tucci is chilling (and nearly unrecognizable) as the creepy neighbor. I loved Susan Sarandon as the fabulous eccentric grandmother who enjoys her “medicine” a little too much. The kissing scene stolen from the movie Ghost was a little too much, but on the whole I thought it was a good movie for a good cry.

**** I have since read the book and can see that fans of the book will be disappointed to learn that the 11 or 12 year span of the book has been condensed to about 3, and a LOT has been cut out – including evidence that is either not included in the movie, or too much emphasis is placed on evidence that was dismissed in the book.

A Single Man (2009)

Indie – Drama
4.5 stars
Beautifully done. Colin Firth stars as a gay man in 1963 LA privately mourning the tragic loss of his longtime life partner (Matthew Goode – Match Point, Leap Year). Julianne Moore co-stars as his longtime friend and neighbor. Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy) plays one of Firth’s more insightful students. This movie is artfully filmed, with long, lingering extreme close-ups of eyes, lips, and the occasional male torsos as seen through Firth’s eyes. Filmed with much sensitivity and also a good eclectic soundtrack, I think this film is deserving of several award nominations.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2.5 stars
Fantasy
This film felt like a long, strange drug trip. Christopher Plummer runs a mobile ramshackle carnival act where all your strangest fantasies come true. Mix in a deal with the devil (Tom Waits), a beautiful jail-bait daughter (Lily Cole), and a stranger along for the ride (Heath Ledger) and you have one odd story. The fantasy trips through the Imaginarium were kinda cool. Out in the “real” world, the carnival act often stayed in the dingiest of areas which were a little depressing. This movie is only for those who enjoy strange, trippy movies.

Leap Year

Chick Flick
3 stars
Cute movie, predictable – but then, most chick flicks are and that’s why we like them. Amy Adams treks to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend (Adam Scott; Stepbrothers) who is there for a conference. Alas, she keeps getting sidelined on her way to Dublin and meets the prickly but lovable Matthew Goode (Match Point, A Single Man) who helps her on her journey. You know the rest… Of course I loved the scenery of the Emerald Isle along with the quaint villages and colorful people (and also the Cliffs of Moher, which appeared to be a short walk from Dingle, not to mention the boat ride from Wales – just pretend not to know any geography with this film). Thankfully, there were still some more enjoyable scenes not already given away by the previews. I liked it, though a few scenes were overdone: notably a wedding scene and another kissing scene over dinner. On the whole, a cute frivolous movie.

Did You Hear About The Morgans?

Comedy
2.5 stars
Cute film, but the previews gave away all the best parts. Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant play city clickers sent to a ranch in Wyoming for the Witness Protection Plan. We’ve all seen this sort of fish-out-of-water type of film where the protagonists begin to like the place they thought they’d hate. Hugh Grant’s British wit is the best part of the movie, plus Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen as the hardy gun-toting country folk who host the city couple. I also liked the way the bad guy got foiled. If only Parker didn’t talk so much, it would have been more enjoyable… I agree with other critics that there was a lack of chemistry between Parker and Grant. Cute move, but wait for it to come out on TV.

Crazy Heart

Drama
4 stars
Great acting, but difficult to watch. Jeff Bridges stars as a washed up, has-been country star who is a hygiene deficient drunk. He meets the ever talented Maggie Gyllenhaal who inspires him, somewhat, to start writing music again. What she sees in this slob of a man is beyond me. This is one of those movies that gets great raves for superb acting, but is absolutely no fun to watch. If you want to watch a man stumble and stagger his way through life with his pants undone and intermittent vomiting, then hey, go for it. If you’d prefer another serious movie with great acting that is not nearly as depressing (but a little scary), I highly recommend Brothers with Tobey Maguire.

Sherlock Holmes

Action, Comedy
4 stars
Fun movie. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law star as Holmes and Dr. Watson in this updated version of a classic as they try to solve a mystery behind an evil villain (Mark Strong of Body of Lies) who uses to dark magic to rise from the dead, among other things. Plenty of fight scenes (I wish they weren’t in fast motion), action and astute observations. Rachel McAdams co-stars, but while she’s normally a talented actress, this isn’t her strongest showing. While I miss the old intellectual Holmes from the old TV series, Downey’s slacker version is sheer fun.