The Devil's Double

This film is based on the true story of Latif Yahia, a soldier in the Iraqi army who was almost a perfect double for Uday Hussein (one of Saddam Hussein's sons). Dominick Cooper plays both roles and he is terrific as the madman, Uday and as the conflicted solider, Latif. Mr. Cooper plays Uday like an Iraqi "Scarface", living a life of sex, drugs and violence. If the screenplay is accurate, Uday was a complete psychopath who took and did whatever he wanted. He forces Latif to be his body double by threatening his family and Latif's life is no longer his own.

The facts and fiction play out against a backdrop of the first Gulf War. Malta doubles (no pun intended) for Iraq with wonderful cinematography and the film has a terrific soundtrack. The film co-stars Ludivine Sagnier as Uday's girlfriend, Sarrab, who becomes dangerously attracted to Latif.

Make no mistake, this film earns it's "R" rating. It is very violent and at times the depravity of Uday Saddam is hard to watch but it is necessary to juxtapose the actions of a good man thrown into a hellish existence.

I just can't say enough good things about Mr. Cooper's double triumph. This is by far the best work he's done on screen and while the story may not be for everyone, it's worth it just for his performance.

The Guard

Writer/ director John Michael McDonagh has his brother's sense of dark comedy but lacks the skill to pull it off as brilliantly as brother Martin. Getting a top notch performance out of Brendan Gleeson and a subtle low key performance out of Don Cheadle is not enough to elevate this independent crime comedy to the level of an "In Bruges" (a far better mismatched black comedy starring Mr. Gleeson and Colin Farrel).

The story is almost an afterthought to bring attention to the wry use of language and Mr. Gleeson's portrait of a sly Irish small town policeman who gets involved with Mr. Cheadle's American FBI agent chasing drug smugglers. The whole film is low key and moves by in a lazy idle way much like the life in Mr. Gleeson's Irish hamlet. There are some good laughs, mostly at the expense of the American agent but the dark outweighs the comedy and is overall disappointing.

I'll stick with "In Bruges". A far better story, direction and chemistry between the leads.

Point Blank

This French import is a thriller that hits the ground running and never lets up. It is pretty much non-stop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat, even though the basic premise has been done many times before.

Samuel, played by Gilles Lellouche, is a loving husband who's pregnant wife is kidnapped before his helpless eyes. Innocent of any crime, he is forced to help a criminal escape from the hospital where he works as a nurses aide. Things escalate from there and Samuel finds himself a wanted man pursued by both the police and rival gangsters in a race to save his wife and unborn child.

The various chase scenes on foot through Paris will leave you breathless and sudden twists come unexpectedly so pay attention. Roschy Zem plays Sartet, the mystery man Samuel must help and both actors have great chemistry as they end up in an uneasy alliance to stay alive.

In French with English sub-titles, "Point Blank" is playing in New York only at Cinema 3 on the Upper Eastside or downtown at The Sunshine Theater on Houston Street. I would recommend The Sunshine which has stadium seating and a much larger screen.

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, this is the movie for you.

Crazy Stupid Love

Stupid may be in the title but this is a smart script and a very enjoyable adult comedy/drama. In many ways, it addresses clichés head on while at the same time managing to avoid them altogether. The cast is first rate and really sells the story.

Steve Carell and Julianne Moore play Cal and Emily, a couple who's life is turned upside down when Emily announces early on that she wants a divorce. When Cal meets Jacob, played by Ryan Gosling, at a local pick-up bar, Jacob takes him under his wing (complete with total makeover) to teach him the art of meeting and seducing women.

Multiple love interests are entwined among the various characters and they all come together in a most surprising way. The film has two directors, John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, both of whom do a great job balancing the subplots. The family, friends, kids, and strangers that all cross paths are very real characters dealing with the joys and anguish of love.

Emma Stone, as Hannah, continues to mature as an actor and holds her own in her scenes with Ryan Gosling (who shows a flair for comedy for the first time). Jonah Bobo plays Robbie, Mr. Carell's wise 13 year old son with love problems of his own and he is a standout. Mr. Carell does his best work yet balancing his silly side with some well done serious moments. Ms. Moore is good but becoming rote with too many similar characters. The same can be said for Marisa Tomei (but she's so good at her type of character).

This is a modern love story with a lot of heart and just the right touch of crazy.

Cowboys & Aliens

Take a high concept idea, mix it with stereotypic characters, throw in two action hero icons and how can you miss? It's a weak story but you can still have fun watching cowboy heroes defeat evil aliens and save the day.

Director Jon Favreau has developed a distinct action style. Many of the action sequences here reminded me of "Iron Man" but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He does a good job playing the high concept straight and keeping things dramatic despite the unlikely combination of the old west meets "Alien/Predator". He does show a flair for the visual with two scenes in particular. The first time the locals encounter the alien ship will remind you of Richard Dreyfuss in "Close Encounters of The Third Kind" but it still makes a visual impact (coincidently Steven Spielberg is an executive producer). The other visual standout is a shot of the Indians taking position among the bleached white rocks before the attack on the alien ship. It's a quick shot but looks great.

The screenplay's roots can be traced all the way back to "The Searchers" starring John Wayne (his grandson actually has a small part in the film). Rather than tracking his niece captured by Indians, Rancher Harrison Ford goes in search of his wayward son captured by aliens, here on Earth to mine our gold. Enter the mysterious gunslinger played by Daniel Craig (with a reasonable American accent) who teams up with the rancher, a gang of outlaws and the local Indian tribe to find their family members also captured by the aliens.

Olivia Wilde plays Ella, a woman with secrets of her own and the various other key characters are played by Sam Rockwell, Keith Carradine, Clancy Brown, and Walton Goggins. With the exception of Ms. Wilde's Ella, everyone else is a stock character out of any western. Mr. Ford and Mr. Craig take everything very seriously and keep you engaged as the film progresses towards it's inevitable climax.

It's a crazy concept that works on the strength and conviction of it's cast. So while not the most intelligent script, "Cowboys & Aliens" is still a fun ride... whether on horseback or spaceship.

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Like one of Harry Potter's spells, this movie has been protected from critical review. There really is very little to write as we say goodbye to beloved characters that will live on in DVD immortality (and a Universal theme park). "Part Two" picks up moments after the end of "Part One" and it is a wonderful ride to the end of the line for Mr. Potter and friends.

If you are a fan, of course you will not be disappointed since splitting the last book into two films allowed for a much more thorough screen adaptation than the previous films. If you are not a fan, you really have no business going to see this anyway as you won't have a clue as to what is going on. Our three heroes, Harry, Hermione and Ron have grown up before our eyes and their maturity speaks volumes in this final chapter. There is some fine acting going on beneath all the CGI and special effects. Even Ralph Fiennes, as Vortemort, manages a worthy performance without a nose and bad teeth.

The film brings back beloved living and dead characters for many a farewell cameo (you can only get away with this in a film consumed with magic). I think three quarters of England's actors will be out of work now that this series has come to a close. Standout kudos to Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Michael Gambon.

"The Deathly Hallows, Part Two" is exciting, dramatic, heartfelt and best of all, brings satisfying closure to a fantastic series.

Captain America

Even if you aren't familiar with the comic it's based on, you can still enjoy this action adventure as a fun "popcorn" summer film. Actually purists familiar with the source material may be upset with certain liberties (no pun intended) taken to the original origin story. The character of Bucky Barnes, for instance has completely been rewritten and during WWII, Nick Fury is nowhere to be seen but his "Howling Commandos" play a prominent part in the story.

Aside from these plot deviations, the film is still fun and sticks to the core of Captain America's origins. Chris Evans is perfectly cast as Steve Rogers, the puny soldier destined for greatness. Tommy Lee Jones is also perfect as the gruff Colonel in charge of the Super Soldier project. Hugo Weaving, always a good villain, brings the "Red Skull" to life with the right attitude and great makeup. A wonderful addition to the story and a fun nod to fans is the important part of Howard Stark, played by Dominic Cooper. Howard Stark will become the father of Tony Stark, who we all know by now is "Iron Man". Mr. Cooper is a great choice as you can really see the resemblance to Robert Downy Jr. and believe he could be his father. It also lays down the foundation for next year's "The Avengers" movie, especially with the addition of Samuel Jackson's "Nick Fury" cameo at the end.

The battle scenes are good but get a bit repetitive. Fortunately Cap's shield is a great special effect of it's own and fun to watch every time he uses it. The first third of the film takes a while to get going but there are some clever bits about a USO tour and a growing love interest, Peggy Carter (played by newcomer Hayley Atwell), who's daughter just has to show up in "The Avengers".

It's pretty obvious to the real fan that all the recent Marvel films have just been pieces of a bigger puzzle which will be next year's superhero blockbuster. The introduction of the Cosmic Cube in this film, a glimpse of "Hawkeye" in "Thor", Nick Fury at the end of "Iron Man" all help set the table for "The Avengers". Let's hope it's a meal worth waiting for.

Horrible Bosses

After being disappointed by "The Hangover 2" and "Bridesmaids", I had my reservations about this new comedy. I'm happy to say that "Horrible Bosses" is far from horrible. Yes, it's a raunchy buddy comedy but it has a clever plot, some great chemistry from it's three leads and most importantly it's funny throughout and doesn't overstay it's welcome.

Jason Bateman elevates any comedy and mixing in Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day is a great formula for a summer comedy you can depend on. The three play friends who all hate their respective bosses for different reasons. The three bosses are played by Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston. Mr. Spacey takes his "Swimming With Sharks" crazed boss character to another level while Ms. Aniston gets down and dirty as a sex crazed, foul mouthed dentist. Mr. Farrell goes over the top in a bad hairpiece and is truly a horrible boss but doesn't get enough screen time.

Jamie Foxx co-stars as a shady character the boys turn to for help when they decide to kill their bosses and Julie Bowen takes a break from "Modern Family" for a funny cameo as Mr. Spacey's wife. It's a great cast having a lot of fun with a outrageous premise. And for once, the trailer didn't give away all the fun parts so there is still plenty to enjoy. It's bawdy, silly stuff but clever in it's own way and deserves to be this summer's breakout comedy hit.

Bridesmaids

A distant female cousin to "The Hangover", writer/star Kristen Wiig tries hard to create the perfect all girl "buddy flick". While there are some genuine laughs and lots of gross-out moments, the film wears out it's welcome and runs about twenty minutes too long.

Ms. Wiig plays Annie, lovelorn and broke who is asked by her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her maid of honor. She ends up competing with Lillian's rich sister-in-law (Rose Byrne). Laughs ensue when the girls go for a fitting after getting food poisoning and when Annie gets drunk on plane heading to a bachelorette party in Las Vegas.

As written, Annie is such a loser that her bottom just keeps going lower. Funny at first, each embarrassing or offensive moment starts to become increasingly pathetic and you stop laughing and start aching for her uncomfortable situation.

Ms. Byrne has been showing more range with each of her last few films and is well cast here. Ms. Wiig and Ms. Rudolph are very natural together (their "Saturday Night Live" connection obviously helps). Ellie Kemper (The Office), Melissa McCarthy and Wendi McLendon-Covey round out the bridesmaids and each has their own "wacky" quirk to amuse us.

Ms. Wiig is a comic gem and this is a perfect starring vehicle for her. With some tighter editing and writing, it would have been that much better.

Beginners

A pedigree cast of Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Melanie Laurent can't save this plodding, depressing story. Even the addition of a cute dog doesn't help. Written and directed by Mike Mills, this autobiographical story meanders back in forth in time, has characters that only appeal to the writer and follows no logical course except to constantly remind us how dysfunctional and sad all the characters are.

Mr. McGregor plays a humorless man who discovers his 78 year old father, played by Mr. Plummer, is gay and then shortly thereafter, also dying from cancer. I'm not giving anything away as all of this is revealed in the opening moments. The two men are wonderful actors and play their roles well but the material makes it hard to care for either one of them.

Jumping ahead a few months after his father has died, Mr. McGregor begins a relationship with Ms. Laurent (so good in "Inglorious Basterds"). We learn that his character is terrible at relationships and this one seems to be no different. The tedious film ends as they begin again (hence the title) and that's the big emotional payoff. Ironic that for a film called "Beginners", I couldn't wait for it to end.

A Better Life

From director Chris Weitz, comes this story of an illegal Mexican immigrant and his teenage son. Carlos is determined to give his son, Luis a better life in California and when he has the opportunity to have his own gardening business, he believes he's found his salvation. Life, however, takes unexpected turns for father and son in this poignant drama.

The film stars Demian Bichir, who is a major actor in Mexico but known here primarily for his role on "Weeds", the past few seasons. Mr. Bichir is just terrific as Carlos. He fears he is losing his son in many ways and with one turn of fate, they learn from each other and grow closer for it. His scenes with Jose Julian, who plays Luis are honest and heartbreaking.

The story has moments of quiet beauty, suspense and sorrow but the growing strength of the father/son relationship anchors the film in hope for the future.

Super 8

In a summer filled with sequels, I was looking forward something fresh from two of the most talented people in the entertainment world, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer. Written and directed by Mr. Adams with Mr. Spielberg as Executive Producer, "Super 8" comes with huge expectations. And unfortunately it doesn't live up to most of them.

You can see and feel the Spielberg influence everywhere in this film. You might consider Mr. Abrams was paying tribute to his mentor but the film ends up a mixed bag of Mr. Spielberg's greatest hits. From "Jaws" to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T.", everything about this film feels like you've seen it before. Throw in a little "Stand By Me" from Rob Reiner and there you have it.

I will say the film's young cast is first rate. The boys have a natural friendship and ease with each other that is honest and refreshing. Elle Fanning is really coming into her own as an actress with a very bright future. The adults don't fare as well. Kyle Chandler (of TV's "Friday Night Lights") might as well be in a TV movie of the week and Noah Emmerich is simply a cartoon villain.

Steven Spielberg is one of my favorite directors but he can easily lay on the heavy sentimentality. You can just feel him pulling the strings in the last five minutes of the film. The over orchestration and abrupt change in attitude of two major characters has his stamp all over it. There is a spectacular train wreck early in the film which pulls you in quickly but is spoiled by the unrealistic moments after the crash. I don't like to give things away but I think you'll know what I mean if you see it. Like "Jaws", the threatening menace is unseen for most of the film which does heighten the suspense but again gets ruined by an "E.T." moment.

I give "Super 8" a not so super 4.

The Tree of Life

Or more appropriately, "The Tree of Slow Death". Director Terrence Malick has made only a handful of films over his career and every one is a visual masterpiece. "The Tree of Life" is no exception. It is beautiful to watch but I was bored beyond belief trying to decipher his message.

The film has little dialogue, and what little there is exists as voiceovers to the exquisite visuals. On the surface, the plot revolves around Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain as a couple raising their three young sons in '50's Waco Texas. We learn early in the film that the middle son dies and then we are temporarily transported back to the dawn of creation as interpreted by Terrence Malik. After about 20 minutes of this highlight mind-blowing sequence, we return without explanation to the family.

Sean Penn turns up in the modern day sequences apparently as the oldest son now grown to adulthood but tortured by his past. At least that's the impression we get, in a role that is basically a cameo. The oldest son, Jack, as a boy is played by Hunter McCracken and he is a standout who holds his own in his scenes with Brad Pitt.

Mr. Malick likes to tell his stories visually and while they are a treat, many of the visuals are repeated to the point of exhaustion. You can view this film as pretentious or as a masterpiece but either way, you will be talking about it long after it ends...if you stayed awake.

X-Men: First Class

Five writers are credited with the screenplay and however they collaborated, they got it right. Director Matthew Vaughn takes a great script and translates it into a truly first class film in every respect.

The X-Men have always been sort of the "Anti-Avengers", much more serious in their own corner of the Marvel universe. This is a smart script that takes itself seriously and reboots the "X-Men" franchise. All the comic book mythos is there but the film works even if you are a casual fan or even unfamiliar with the other films. Of course if you are new to this franchise, you will miss the pleasure of two great cameos.

Coupled with a strong story, Mr. Vaughn brings a deft hand to the action sequences and molding the story to the real life Cuban missile crisis of the '60's brings plenty of gravitas to a film that could have gone in a completely different direction. He makes you believe that mutants forced the Russian's hand and almost set off World War III.

The casting is first class as well with James McAvoy as the young Charles Xavier (Professor X) and Michael Fassbender as the young Erik Lensherr (Magneto). Mr. Fassbender, in particular, is outstanding as the mutant balancing good and evil mixed in with a strong revenge motive. Rose Byrne has fun with her CIA operative role, as does Oliver Platt. Jennifer Lawrence moves on from "Winter's Bone" and takes on the role of a young Raven/Mystique. January Jones is perfectly cast as yet another "ice queen", playing Emma Frost (an important figure in X-Men lore) and rounding out the major cast is Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw, the central villain of the film.

With so many superhero sequels constantly bombarding us, it's refreshing to have the original idea of a "prequel" that really jumpstarts the franchise. Smart, action packed and fun from start to finish.

Priest

"Priest" is a futuristic sci-fi western version of "The Searchers" with Paul Bettany filling in for John Wayne and vampires substituting for Indians. Mr. Bettany plays Priest, a military man of God, trained by the church to hunt vampires who goes in search of his missing niece, Lucy. Karl Urban plays a vampire version of Clint Eastwood's "man with no name" from his early spaghetti westerns. If this all sounds appealing, you will find it to be a lot of fun.

The special effects are well done and there is plenty of action (in 2 or 3-D) as Priest, his cowboy partner Hicks, played by Cam Gigandet, and another priest, played by Maggie Q try to rescue Lucy and stop the vampires from reaching the unprotected cities. The vampires are depicted more like monsters than the Dracula version. They are muscular and fast, have no eyes but huge teeth and of course, can only hunt at night. Only Mr. Urban, as a former priest turned vampire, can exist in sunlight. The last third of the film takes place on a gigantic transport train keeping the vampires safe from sunlight as they move closer to their target. We've seen the climax before but credit Mr. Bettany and Mr. Urban for pulling it off with a fresh twist.

Christopher Plummer takes a paycheck in a cameo as the head of the church and Brad Dourif also cameos as a stereotypic western "snake oil" con man.

The film comes to a conclusion but also sets up a part two, which if this one ends up successful, will be inevitable.

Midnight In Paris

Woody Allen's love letter to Paris is a charming light comedy and a most unexpected romance. It opens with a video postcard to the "City of Lights" before we even see the title credits. Mr. Allen's avatar this time around is Owen Wilson, as Gil, and his love affair with the Paris of old and new drives the plot.

While on vacation there with his fiancée, Inez, played by Rachel McAdams, Gil is magically transported each night at midnight to Paris of the 1920's where he meets and parties with the likes of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Salvador Dali, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway and many other literary figures and artists of the time. He also develops a crush on Marion Cotillard (who wouldn't) who plays a woman drawn into affairs with the famous.

Gil is a screenwriter but longs to be taken seriously as a novelist. He brings his first novel to Gertrude Stein for a critique. Gertrude is played by Kathy Bates and she is terrific. All of the historical casting is spot on. Adrian Brody, in particular is a very funny Salvador Dali.

During the day, Gil contends with Inez, her parents and her annoying know-it-all ex-boyfriend, played by Michael Sheen but each night he is taken back to his magical era. Mr. Allen never explains the time travel but does draw us to Gil's eventual revelation that changes his life.

The film is an enjoyable soufflé without the calories.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

First of all, I saw this film in standard 2-D and saved the seven dollar 3-D extra fee. I don't think it made much of a difference as either way, the film is so dark, it might as well have been called "On Darker Tides". There were times I wished I had a flashlight to see any detail. Even the daylight scenes were poorly lit.

As for the story, it's pretty standard for what we've seen before from this franchise. You'll have no trouble following the plot as there is so much exposition, everything is constantly explained (even if it doesn't make much sense). Johnny Depp's charming rogue, Jack Sparrow wears out his welcome in the bloated two hour race to find the Fountain of Youth. He is at his best in the first third of the film. Geoffrey Rush is back as Captain Barbossa and he seems to be enjoying himself very much. The same can be said for Ian McShane who plays Blackbeard. You get the sense everybody is having fun playing pirate, including Penelope Cruz as Jack's rival/love interest.

The subplot of the handsome Christian falling in love with a Mermaid is an absolute waste of time and doesn't make up for the loss of Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly. Keith Richards, however does make another cameo as Jack's father but is smart enough to jump ship after one scene.

I've heard Johnny Depp enjoys playing Jack Sparrow so much, he's already signed on for a fifth film. Stop before it's too late. Abandon ship. This franchise has sunk.

The Hangover, Part II

The original "Hangover" was clever and very funny and of course made a ton of money which made a sequel inevitable. "Part II" takes us to exotic Bangkok for basically a retread of the first film. The filmmakers needed an exotic location to hide the fact their script is weak and their actors are lazy.

Ed Helms is back as Stu and his wimpy, screaming tantrums are funny the first time but become as tedious as Bradley Cooper's Phil who's dialogue consists of cursing in every situation. Zach Galifianakis plays the very strange, Allen who's man-child schtick also grows old. A golden opportunity is missed by not giving Justin Bartha more to do. Understandably he was the missing groom in the first film but here is wasted as a minor character on the sidelines. I've seen Mr. Bartha do comedy live on Broadway and he can be very funny. Leaving him on the sidelines was a big mistake.

Ken Jeong is back as the maniacal Mr. Chow, an even more embarrassing stereotype here but effective as the driver in a well done car chase. A two scene cameo by Paul Giammatti just gives him an excuse to mug for the camera and forget he can act. The best actor in the film is the drug dealing monkey who becomes central to the story. I loved his Rolling Stones vest buy scenes of him smoking a cigarette border on animal cruelty.

No one in the film really exerts any effort. Even when a character loses a finger, it doesn't even garner more than a shrug from anyone including the character himself. There are a few funny situations and one or two great lines but they are far and few between. The audience laughed more at the trailer for "Horrible Bosses" than all of "The Hangover II". Pack it in, Wolfpack.

The Double Hour

This is a terrific new Italian film that is difficult to review without revealing any of it's secrets. In basic terms, it can be described as a romance, a robbery and a mystery. But it is so much more that that.

When Sonia (Ksenia Rappoport) meets Guido (Filippo Timi) at a speed dating session, a romance develops but events take a very unexpected turn soon afterwards. It is best going into this film without knowing anything else and take pleasure in deciphering the multi-layered puzzle it soon becomes.

The chemistry between the leads is excellent and so important to the story. Ms. Rappoport carries the majority of the film and she admirably pulls off what becomes a very complex role. The direction and editing keep things well paced and the viewer engaged. This is important as the film demands your attention. Entertaining and thought provoking, "The Double Hour" will garner much conversation well after it ends.

Thor

You don't have to be versed in the comic book or Norse mythology of Thor to enjoy a reasonably exciting adaptation of the Marvel comic character, "The Mighty Thor". You do, however, need to enjoy mindless action adventure filled with cartoonish violence.

Director Kenneth Branagh infuses just enough Shakespearean gravitas to add human drama to the story but "Thor" is no "Dark Knight" and for most of the film, keeps things light and moving quickly. After all, this "origin" film is just a set up for next year's "The Avengers", which will star most of the recent influx of Marvel screen characters.

The film stars Chris Hemsworth, who is well cast as the fallen God banished to Earth in order to prove his worth. He is banished by Odin, the allfather, played with much pomp and circumstance by Anthony Hopkins. Natalie Portman plays the love interest, Jane Foster (a nurse in the comics who has morphed into an astro-physicist for the film). A nice surprise is Tom Hiddleston, who plays Thor's half-brother, Loki. He is very well cast as the God of Mischief who's schemes drive the plot.

Most of the story is adapted intact from the comic source with some minor changes that may disturb purists but simplify the plot to keep it moving. The special effects are disappointing and 3-D is once again wasted, adding nothing special to the visuals. If anything the film is actually darker and harder to see with the glasses on. See it in regular 2-D if you can. You'll save at least $3.50 and never miss the effect.

If you do go, stay past the credits as you will be rewarded with a clip that adds another piece to the "Avengers" storyline. And also keep you eye out for Jeremy Renner in a cameo that sets up another Marvel hero.

Incendies

Nominated at this year's Oscars for Best Foreign Film, "Incendies" well deserved the honor. This is an intense epic drama with a jigsaw puzzle of a plot that will draw you in and leave you reeling. It begins with the mysterious last wishes of a deceased woman and ends with a family changed forever.

A set of French Canadian twins are given two envelopes by their mother's attorney. The daughter is charged with finding their father (a man thought dead) and the son is charged with finding their brother (a brother they never knew existed). The daughter's search takes her to a unidentified Middle Eastern Country where she finally traces her father's path. Her brother soon joins her and he eventually discovers the truth about their long lost brother. Between their quest, there are flashbacks to their mother as a young woman that set the story in motion and plot her own course in this "Greek tragedy" of a tale.

The mother's story is both heartbreaking and remarkable. It is filled with sorrow and violence but also embraces the bond of love and family. Lubna Azubal portrays the mother, Nawal Marwan and she is fantastic in a very difficult role. The twins, Simon and Jeanne, are played by Maxim Guadette and Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin and they are both excellent, especially Ms. Desormeaux-Poulin as Jeanne.

The complex story pulls you in like a great novel that you can't put down. The revelations at the end and the final images will stay with you long after you leave the theater.

Water For Elephants

Having enjoyed the original novel by Sara Gruen, I was somewhat disappointed by the film version. Whenever a popular novel translates to the screen, sacrifices have to be made and there are subtle changes here that may bother fans of the novel. Now if you haven't read the book, you will probably enjoy this period love story set in a Depression era circus.

Robert Pattinson tries in vain to break free of his Edward Cullen (Twilight) persona. I give him credit for trying to break the mold he has created for himself but he comes up short. Playing the lead character, Jacob, Mr. Pattinson spends much of the film brooding much like his "Twilight" character minus the fangs. His love interest, Marlena, is played by Reese Witherspoon who does an admirable job with the animal cast but lacks chemistry with Mr. Pattinson. And the villain of the piece is well cast by the presence of Christoph Waltz, as August, Marlena's husband and the circus ringmaster.

The best casting decision is Tai (II) as Rosie, the elephant. Tai steals every scene she's in and has great chemistry with everyone. Her lemonade scene alone is worth the price of admission. While Rosie's sub-plot is both heartbreaking and rewarding, the love triangle between the leads lacks the passion conveyed in the novel. The film is hampered by a poor musical score that tries too hard to heighten the various moods and ends up bogging down the film.

There is still enough here to move an audience to break out in applause but it's not "The Greatest Show on Earth".

Your Highness

Even for the target audience, this medieval stoner comedy fails to bring the big laughs and ends up "Your Lowness". Danny McBride and James Franco try to recapture the laughs and silliness of "Pineapple Express" but spend too much time on juvenile jokes that fall flat and plot lines that veer off into just plain weirdness.

Starring as an odd couple of brothers, Fabious (Mr. Franco) and Thaddeus (Mr. McBride) embark on a quest to rescue Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) from the clutches of the evil Wizard, Leezar (Justin theroux). Along the way, they meet Isabel (Natalie Portman) a feisty warrior woman with her own agenda for Leezar.

Ms. Portman looks great and ends up funnier than everyone else because she actually bothers to act and takes her character very seriously. Everyone else is just enjoying each other's company and having a grand old time at the expense of the audience.

Meek's Cutoff

Director Kelly Reichardt (Wendy & Lucy) teams once again with actress Michele Williams in this minimalistic "western" about a small band of pioneers lost in the Oregon wilderness. The year is 1845 and guide Stephen Meeks has led three families off the main artery of a wagon train heading west. Ms. Williams plays Emily Tetherow, the young bride of Solomon Tetherow played by Will Patton.

Meeks is played with bluster by Bruce Greenwood (hidden under long hair and scraggy beard) who insists he can lead the group to a fertile valley. The other families are played by Paul Dano and Zoe Kasdan as The Gateleys and Shirley Henderson and Neal Huff as The Whites. The White family also has a young son, Jimmy played by Tommy Nelson. These are the main characters we watch struggle with their daily existence low on water and food. Halfway through, there is a twist on their situation that creates new tensions. There are endless shots of their wagon train enduring hardships across a barren landscape as they put their faith in Meeks to lead their way.

The film is beautifully shot with wonderful cinematography and the acting is very authentic. You find yourself forgetting there is a film crew all around these people and believe in their loneliness and struggles. Ms. Williams, as usual, shines in her role as the most assertive of the women. Not much happens as the narrative is not your typical Hollywood plot. Audiences will be very divided on this film but it does have it's charms if you accept it for what it is, a journey more than a destination.

Jane Eyre

The seventh (I believe) version of the Charlotte Bronte classic stars upcoming actors Mia Wasikowska as the title character and Michael Fassbender as Edward Rochester. Star crossed lovers in the classic sense, their repressed passion builds slowly fueled by intelligent word play and soulful stares.

Both actors do an admirable job of expressing the love that grows between them but it is Ms. Wasikowska that really shines as Jane. She is in almost every scene and she is has a unique beauty that is hypnotic to watch. This classic love story also features Judi Dench, Sally Hawkins and Jamie Bell and plays out against a gorgeous windswept landscape in the English countryside.

The cinematography is excellent with lighting, in particular, playing an important part. Many scenes are lit solely by candlelight enveloping the viewer in Bronte's world.

Did the world need another version of "Jane Eyre"? Probably not, but for a younger generation, it's a great introduction to the classics.

Hanna

Saoirse Ronan plays the title character, "Hanna", in this new action thriller. Unfortunately, while she is fascinating to watch, the film doesn't really thrill. With a score by the Chemical Brothers and a few set action pieces, the film tries hard but it's a thin story that's violent and ultimately senseless.

Hanna is trained as a child to become an unbeatable assassin by her CIA rogue father, played by Eric Bana. They live in a secluded forest in Finland cut off from civilization. Completely naïve when it comes to human contact, Hanna is a stranger in a strange land once she makes that contact. All she knows how to do is survive and lives by the mantra "adapt or die".

Upon learning of her existence, CIA agent, Marissa, played by Cate Blanchett hunts Hanna and her father, worried that they will expose her past secret experiments. It's all flimsy nonsense about creating super soldiers with poor plot twists you can easily see coming. Marissa is a strange character, (she has a weird obsession with clean teeth) and she employs an even stranger character, Issacs, played by Tom Hollander to do her dirty work.

The only saving grace is Ms. Ronan, who continues to hone her acting with each new role. There is something magnetic about her and as Hanna, she equally balances her naivety with her killer instincts. It's hard not to root for her, even when nothing makes too much sense.

Insidious

I had such high hopes for this new horror film after reading many other reviews. Maybe I've just been spoiled by too many good ones over my lifetime but "Insidious" just didn't give me sweaty palms and heart palpitations like "The Exorcist" or "Poltergeist" and certainly didn't send me to the nearest bar for a much needed drink after the original "The Omen".

Don't get me wrong. The film works very hard to scare you and definitely has it's "jolt" moments so if you are easily affected by these kinds of films, you will have a screaming good time. But for the true fan of the genre, this is nothing more than a poor rip-off of "Poltergeist". The film gives away to much in the trailer and even the poster so it's no surprise to say it's not the house that's haunted but rather a young family member.

The parents are played well by Rose Bryne and Patrick Wilson but they are stock roles (the worried mom and the disbelieving dad) until the last act when they both turn it up a notch to save their son. The film is rated PG-13 so there is isn't the usually gore factor to scare and repulse you. Instead the film relies heavily on atmosphere to pull you in and keep you nervous. Looking for an original angle, it's odd that the central evil presence looks exactly like "Darth Sidious" from "Star Wars". Was the makeup department budget slashed because too much money was spent on the fog machines?

If you are really looking for a good scare, invite some friends over, turn out the lights and watch "The Exorcist" or "Poltergeist", still two of the scariest movies ever made. Even, the original "House On Haunted Hill" (starring the great Vincent Price) surpasses "Insidious" for real goose-bump inducing horror. Until the next attempt, you just can't go wrong with the classics.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Matthew McConaughey stars as Mick Haller, the title character, who operates his law practice from the back seat of a Lincoln Continental. The film is from the bestseller by Michael Connelly and it translates very well to the screen. Mr. McConaughey is perfect for the role of the streetwise lawyer and I can foresee this becoming a franchise for him as long as Mr. Connelly keeps churning out bestsellers.

The first rate cast also includes Marisa Tomei, as Mick's ex-wife, Ryan Phillippe, as the predominant client, William H. Macy, as Mick's legal investigator, Josh Lucas, as the District Attorney and John Leguizamo, as a shady bail bondsman. Also included are Frances Fisher, Michael Pena and the return of '80s star Michael Pare. Everyone is working an angle and this legal thriller, while revealing it's hand early, still has some aces up it's sleeve.

I was a little disappointed in the role of Earl, Mick's driver who doesn't have much to do and seems wasted. But that point aside, the plot and the acting will keep you engaged. Mr. McConaughey has done his share of lazy films but when he feels like really acting, as he does here, he can really carry a film.

"The Lincoln Lawyer" would make a terrific TV series if the producers ever decided to go that route. It's got the kind of characters you would easily enjoy seeing again. For now, it's those characters that drive "The Lincoln Lawyer" to a victory lap.

Source Code

"Source Code" is a twisty action-thriller with elements of "Inception" and "Groundhog's Day". Directed by Duncan Jones, this is an exciting and suspenseful film that is anchored by a terrific Jake Gyllenhaal. His performance alone, sells the story.

When Mr. Gyllenhaal wakes up on a commuter train, he is in the body of another man. Initially confused, he slowly remembers why he is there. Sitting across from him is Michelle Monaghan, who once again plays the pretty love interest in peril. She has become quite adept at these roles and here, performs admirably. Apparently Mr. Gyllenhaal is a soldier taking part in a Government experiment to stop a terrorist from blowing up a train. As the audience, we learn along with him as plot points are slowly revealed.

Overseeing the experiment is Vera Farmiga as his "handler" and Jeffrey Wright as the creator of the "source code". There is a lot of sci-fi mumbo jumbo as to how the source code works but even if it goes over your head, you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Beyond the four leads, the rest of the cast is fairly unknown so that makes figuring out the identity of the bomber all the more fun. Usually a name actor will make it pretty obvious but that's not the case here which really helps propel the story.

I can't say enough how natural and believable Mr. Gyllenhaal is in the role of Colter Stevens. He really makes you root for the character and believe the situation, even when it gets fairly unbelievable.

Tyrannosaur

Actor Paddy Considine writes and directs his first full length feature, based on a short he made a few years ago. He gathers together a first rate cast with Peter Mullen, Olivia Cole, and Eddie Marsan in the lead roles. Mr. Mullen plays Joseph, a man full of anger that he wears on his sleeve. When he meets Hanna (Ms. Cole), he ever so slowly awakens new emotions to replace his rage. Their relationship is not what you expect, evident enough when we meet Hanna's husband, James (Mr. Marsan). Hanna has problems of her own, hidden below the surface and her marriage is not what it seems.

This is a serious drama with moments of raw violence against people and animals (two dogs do not fare well in the film) but it is also powerfully acted in an arc towards redemption and optimism. Mr. Considine's camera loves Mr. Mullen. He has always done fine work but this may be his best role and the way the camera lingers on his subtle expressions can be breathtaking.

The story is not complicated. It is character driven and well paced. Mr. Considine looks to have a long career behind the camera. I saw this at the New Director's/New Films Festival at Lincoln Center so don't look for it in theaters just yet. I'm not sure of it's release date but once it's released, it's worth a look, especially if you are a fan of gritty British drama.

Win Win

Writer/Director Tom McCarthy hits the trifecta. It started with "The Station Agent", followed by "The Visitor" and now "Win Win'. He is a master at telling small stories filled with memorable characters and rewarding moments. Not to mention, always finding the perfect cast.

This is the story of Mike Flaherty, a small town lawyer who also coaches the local high school wrestling team. Mike is played by Paul Giamatti, who notches another wonderful performance as a loving but flawed "everyman". Amy Ryan disappears once again into a role as his wife, Jackie, with a perfect New Jersey accent.

As his business falters and needing money, Mike becomes the guardian to one of his elderly clients, played with his usual gruff exterior, by Burt Young. Along with the job comes a monthly stipend that Mike desperately needs. Of course, things don't go quite as planned and get complicated in an unexpected way.

Co-starring as Mike's best friend is Bobby Cannavale, who is the source of much humor especially in his scenes with Mr. Giamatti and Jeffrey Tambor, the assistant wrestling coach. The three of them are truly funny together. Between the "laugh out loud" scenes are some terrific dramatic and tender moments from a rich script delivered by fine actors. I predict big things for Alex Shaffer.

You expect the story to be predictable and it's not. It's low key but thoroughly enjoyable. You can't lose with "Win Win".

The Adjustment Bureau

Take a little "Wings of Desire", "City of Angels" and add in some "Monsters Inc." and you've got "The Adjustment Bureau". You anticipate a Sci-fi type thriller based on the trailer but what you really get is a love story layered with spiritual arguments of free will vs. pre-destiny.

Matt Damon stars as a man who "sees behind the curtain" and finds out his life is not really his own. He meets and falls in love with Emily Blunt but is told by his "adjusters", their life together is not meant to be. Defying God (The Chairman), he refuses to give up on their future together. This, in turn, angers John Slattery and Terrence Stamp, "adjusters" trying to keep Mr. Damon on his pre-destined course.

Mr. Damon and Ms. Blunt have genuine chemistry and you believe in their love. It's the only thing that keeps you interested as not much happens and the actions of the adjusters are just ridiculous. You'll leave the theater debating whether or not your own "book" has been written which may prompt more lively discussion than the film does. What holds your attention are the New York City locations and Mr. Damon's likable "everyman" acting. The premise is a good one but it's laughably executed.

Carancho

Actor Richardo Darin (so good in "The Secret In Their Eyes" and "Nine Queens") returns in this Argentinian drama about an ambulance chasing lawyer who's tired of the insurance scams and is looking for a way out. When he meets a new doctor on the ambulance late shift, they begin a relationship that gives him hope for a better future. The doctor is played by Martina Gusman and while their relationship begins innocently enough, both discover they have secrets that will impact everything.

Approximately 8,000 people die every year in Argentina, according to the prologue and insurance fraud is a major industry preying on the victims and their families. The film, written and directed by Pablo Trapero, sheds light on these tragedies through a fictional story that cuts close to the truth. This is a dark drama fueled by the excellent work of Mr. Darin and Ms. Gusman. There is considerable bloodshed and the film is obviously in Spanish with subtitles but it's interesting subject matter and definitely worth the effort over the February Hollywood throwaways out there now.

Unknown

It's slim pickings in the dark days of February, once you've exhausted all the Oscar nominated films. You would expect a Liam Neeson action film to bring a little light to that darkness. You could do worse than "Unknown".

Mr. Neeson is becoming quite good as the guy to turn to when you are trouble in a European city. Here, he is Martin Harris, in trouble himself, after a car accident leaves him with spotty memory loss and a wife who no longer knows him. January Jones, so icy good on "Mad Men" plays basically the same role in contemporary clothes as Mr. Neeson's wife. Diane Kruger plays a cab driver with "too good to be true" survival skills who helps Mr. Neeson get his life back.

Frank Langella shows up late as a friend with a secret and Adian Quinn rounds out the American cast as "the other" Martin Harris. Everyone seems to have a secret agenda and nothing is quite as it seems. The central plot twist is a good one but there is too much exposition and so many plot holes, the film should have been called "Unbelievable" instead of "Unknown". There are a few good action sequences, particularly a car chase through the snowy streets of Berlin, but they are far and few between.

A cross between "The Bourne Identity" and "Taken" with a dash of Hitchcock thrown in, there are enough twists and turns to keep you interested but it's all rather forgettable once the lights come on.

Biutiful

I am a big fan of writer/director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. His films are always poetic and emotional. "Biutiful" continues his exploration of the human condition but rather than a multiple cast of characters like his previous work, his focus here is on one man's struggle through life.

Javier Bardem gives a towering performance as Uxbal, a man struggling to raise two small kids, providing for them through the underbelly of the Barcelona underworld. He lives on the edge of a criminal life dealing with illegals and counterfeit products only to keep his family together. When he becomes ill, he becomes even more desperate to provide for his children. Mr. Bardem's performance anchors the film. He is in almost every scene and his on screen presence is so powerful, he's just a force of nature commanding your attention.

The cinematography is outstanding but the direction is erratic at times. Subplots dangle and seem unnecessary but to Mr. Inarritu's credit, there are still moments of absolute heartbreak along with scenes of pure beauty.

This is intense story with difficult moments but the humanity and strength in Mr. Bardem's performance is worth every minute. A well deserved best actor Oscar nomination.

Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune

This is an entertaining and important documentary about Phil Ochs. Mr. Ochs was a political folk singer popular in the 60's who's most famous songs were "I Ain't Marching Anymore" and "Small Circle Of Friends".

His circle of friends included Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Peter Yarrow. He was the most "political" of his contemporaries and never really had a "hit" record. "Pleasures From The Harbor" was probably his most commercial album and yet his music was the voice of a generation. This new documentary gives Mr. Ochs his due and at the same time capsulizes the turbulent 60's.

The film is full of songs and images as well as contemporary interviews with Mr. Ochs's family, friends and acquaintances. It provides insight into Mr. Ochs who, while they were friends, always felt overshadowed by Bob Dylan. It explores the inner demons that drove him to drink, his terrible bout with depression, but also celebrates the man's life and music.

The documentary is in limited release in NY but will open in other major cities throughout February and March. If you believe in the power of music as a tool for change and want to learn more about an unlikely American hero, this is a must see.

The Green Hornet

Michael Gondry, at first seems like an odd choice for a Seth Rogan action comedy but actor and director are on the same page for this juvenile and silly film. It is not without it's certain charms and will probably appeal to the 14 year old boy who may still be lurking in your adult mind.

Seth Rogan fans are sure to enjoy the sophomoric dialog and mass destruction. Some of the action sequences are actually exciting and there are a few "laugh out loud" moments as well. Where the film falters is the casting of Cameron Diaz, who is completely wasted and just shows up for the paycheck. After the disaster of "Knight & Day", Ms. Diaz's career seems to be going in the wrong direction. Also wasted is Christoph Waltz who basically plays the same role from "Inglorious Basterds" without the Nazi uniform.

What does work is the "bromance" between Mr. Rogan and his "sidekick" Kato played by Martial Arts master Jay Chou. Their relationship has depth and believability and drives the film (no pun intended).

Another in a growing line of gimmick 3-D films, "The Green Hornet" could easily have been 2-D saving it's audience the extra bucks. The 3-D does nothing to enhance the film except for adding some interesting depth to the closing credits. I can't tell you how much I hate this trend which shows no sign of going away anytime soon.

This film will never win over critics but it will appeal to an audience looking for a summer "popcorn" flick in the middle of winter.

The Way Back

Director Peter Weir returns with this extraordinary tale of survival based on a true story. It's 1940 and a small group of multi-national prisoners stage an escape from a Russian Gulag in Siberia. They proceed to walk 4000 miles south to freedom in India. All the tension and suspense lie in who will survive.

The film stars Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan, and Colin Farrell. While the story holds your attention for two hours, it's the tale itself that bears watching and not the acting. This is man against nature at it's worst and while everyone is solid in their part, there is no opportunity to develop the characters and they become almost interchangeable. Mr. Harris is stoic, Mr. Sturgess is determined, and Mr. Farrell does a terrible Russian accent but still manages to appear menacing. That's the extent of it. When Ms. Ronan joins the group, she is the tragic figure who manages to get the men to open up a bit about themselves.

Aside from the characters lack of depth, the cinematography is gorgeous and the story is harrowing. Mr. Weir convincingly makes you feel every bit of icy cold and all the heat of the blistering sun.The ending is a bit rushed but ends on a sentimental note. It's an old fashioned adventure story filmed on location without the use of CGI and that alone makes it a breath of fresh air in what is usually the January dumping ground of movies.

Casino Jack

Kevin Spacey stars as disgraced Washington "super lobbyist", Jack Abramoff in this "inspired by real events", docudrama. During the first Bush administration, Jack Abramoff was a lobbyist mostly involved in the gaming industry and in particular, Native American casinos. He had his fingers in many pies though and this is a fictionalized account of his fall from Washington grace and subsequent imprisonment.

As written, much of the film is played for laughs and it would probably be even funnier if most of what was going on at the time wasn't true. The situations are real and I would hope that the characters are enhanced "Hollywood" versions of themselves for entertainment value. Whether or not that's accurate, the film does have an essence of truth as to what goes on behind closed doors in Washington and that makes it scarier than amusing.

Mr. Spacey is great as Mr. Abramoff. He is so adept at playing these kinds of characters. He is also backed by a fine cast including Barry Pepper as his partner, Michael Scanlon, Kelly Preston as his wife Pam, and Jon Lovitz as Adam Kidan, a sleazy business partner. Mr. Lovitz is a terrific casting choice who balances comic relief and pathos in a serious part. Graham Greene and Rachelle LeFevre round out the major roles.

The film was directed by George Hickenlooper, who passed away two months before the film's release. He left behind a small but noteworthy body of work capped by the very entertaining "Casino Jack".

Blue Valentine

Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling star in a story of a failing marriage. Early on we realize things are not going well between Dean and Cindy and we watch as their marriage begins to fall apart. The film takes us to various moments in their relationship to show us the good times as well as the bad. We learn how they meet, fall in love, marry and raise a daughter. I was particularly impressed with the editing of how they meet which was very unique.

Both actors are incredible. They match each other for powerful, raw performances that don't hold anything back. The film cuts back and forth in time and it is difficult to watch the hurtful, angry moments after experiencing the early tender, loving ones.

The film was directed and co-written by Derek Cianfrance. I suspect many of the scenes went off script and were improvised as so many reaction shots seem genuine and even full of surprise. If it was all scripted, credit even more, the brilliant acting by Ms. Williams and Mr. Gosling as well as Mr. Cianfrance's direction.

This is not an easy film to watch but it does reward you with two outstanding (sure to be nominated) performances.

Best & Worst of 2010

BEST OF 2010

10) Winter’s Bone- Chilling realism. A glimpse into the underbelly of contemporary rural America with outstanding performances.

9) City Island- Extremely enjoyable light comedy with a great performance by Andy Garcia.

8) Toy Story 3- Superb animation and a fun filled, heartwarming story. It’s still the best.

7) The Fighter- Crowd pleasing true story of boxer Mickey Ward and his crazy family. Excellent performances all around.

6) Micmacs- French comedy from Jean-Pierre Jeunet that is an an absolute delight.

5) Black Swan- A seductive and controversial ballet thriller with a great performance by Natalie Portman.

4) Inception- Christopher Nolan does it again in this visual mindbender. We're still debating "the top".

3) The King’s Speech- Fantastic performance by Colin Firth as well as Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter in this true story of King George VI.

2) 127 Hours- Actor James Franco & Director Danny Boyle team up to create an amazing journey from a least expected situation.

1) The Social Network- The smartest and surprisingly entertaining film of the year. Great script, direction and acting.

Honorable Mention-

Let Me In- A very different sort of vampire movie.

Barney's Version- Terrific drama starring the amazing Paul Giamatti with strong support from Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver and Rosamund Pike.

The Secret In Their Eyes- Rich, absorbing and intelligent, drama.

WORST OF 2010

10) Shutter Island- very disappointing mess from Martin Scorsese.

9) Middlemen- Luke Wilson is terrific in a very mediocre movie.

8) Alice In Wonderland- Very disappointing. Johnny Depp lifeless as the mad hatter and Tim Burton landscapes are rehashed from previous work.

7) Robin Hood- Give me Errol Flynn.

6) Jonah Hex- Don’t bother. God knows the actors didn’t.

5) Resident Evil: "Afterlife"- There isn’t any and the 3D was lame. Even fans of the series have to admit enough is enough.

4) Knight & Day- Awful action mess. A big misstep for Cruise and Diaz.

3) Killers- Ugh. Kill me now.

2) Clash of The Titans- Boring and terrible in 3-D. Only three decent moments.

1) Cop Out- Possibly the worst "buddy-cop" movie ever. Bruce Willis just showed up for his paycheck.

The Fighter

Based on the true story of Mickey Ward, a welterweight boxer from Lowell Massachusetts, this is a sure crowd pleaser and Oscar contender in multiple categories. Mark Wahlberg stars as Ward and he is the anchor of the film. Standout performances are all around him in the form of Melissa Leo as his mother, Alice, Christian Bale as his brother Dicky and Amy Adams as his girlfriend, Charlene.

While the film is about fighters, it's center is really about family. For years, Mickey has let his mother be his manager and his brother, his trainer. It hasn't gotten him anywhere except for multiple losses. He is fiercely loyal to his family but decisions have to be made.

David O. Russell directs and takes his camera directly into the eye of the hurricane of this highly dysfunctional family. Dicky had his shot in the ring but his life choices have led him astray. Mickey's last shot is redemption for both of them and the last act of the film takes us to a rousing finish.

The film also has a terrific soundtrack. Who would have thought I'd be humming "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake, as I left the theater.

Another Year

Writer/director Mike Leigh's latest drama is an intimate look into the life of Tom and Gerri, a middle-aged, middle-class London couple that literally transpires over the course of a year. Divided into the four seasons, "Another Year" examines the impact and contrast of Tom & Gerri's happy, content life with the lives of their friends Mary and Ken as well as their son, Joe. The brilliant cast is led by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen as Tom and Gerri.

Mary's life has been a series of failures and she clings to the warmth of her friend's marriage as a lifeline with one hand on the rope and the other wrapped perpetually around a wine glass. Played by Leslie Manville, Mary's downward spiral is hard to watch but heartbreakingly real. It's the standout performance of the film. Ken(Peter Wight), on the other hand has also had his failures. However, instead of fooling himself into thinking he's still got a chance at happiness, he's resigned himself to being a chain smoking, overweight drunk. Ken's attempt at courting Mary is only one of the many painful scenes throughout the film.

The counterbalance to the heartbreak and pain is the positive anchor of Tom & Gerri. Theirs' is such a strong, happy marriage that it almost falls into caricature. Can anyone be that happy? And can that happiness be absorbed by others? Credit Mr. Leigh with casting actors that never look or feel like they're acting. Furthermore, directing them with an improvisational style that gives the viewer a sense of watching real people navigate their lives... for better or worse.

All Good Things

Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst star in this "truth is stranger than fiction" crime drama. This is the fictionalized account of the Robert Durst scandal in New York during the '80's. Mr. Durst was the wealthy son of a New York real estate magnate who was suspected of killing his wife but never charged as her body was never found. The story got stranger as time went on and the film captures all of it with a knockout performance from Mr. Gosling as David Marks (aka Robert Durst).

The film also stars Frank Langella as Sandford Marks, David's father and the wonderful Philip Baker Hall as Malvern Bump, a man David befriends later in life only to get him caught up in his nefarious actions. Lily Rabe also co-stars as another important woman in David's life. Mr. Langella is so good at playing the strong-willed, overbearing patriarch and Mr. Baker Hall is woefully sympathetic as a man driven to circumstances beyond his control.

The story starts out simply enough as David and Katie (Ms. Dunst) meet, fall in love and marry but as the years progress, David's mental instability begins to come to the surface and and the "good things" take a turn for the worse. The film is directed by Andrew Jarecki, who's last film was the documentary "Capturing The Friedmans". It's a fascinating story and will definitely make you curious about the actual events. Thank goodness for Wikpedia.

The Tourist

European in style and Hitchcockian in nature, "The Tourist" will come as a disappointment for most mainstream audiences. The problem occurs when you attach two of the biggest stars on the planet (known mostly for action films) and you don't give them the big "Hollywood" action film the audience expects. Earlier this year, George Clooney failed for the same reason in "The American".

Angelina Jolie is the mystery woman Elise and Johnny Depp is Frank, the title character. Ms. Jolie is actually terrific in the role, glamorous, mysterious, and dangerous all at the same time. Mr. Depp is terribly miscast as Frank and their lack of chemistry proves the point. Mr. Depp can be many things but coming across as a mild mannered math teacher from Wisconsin is not one of them.

The film is directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmark, who did a brilliant job on "The Lives of Others". Here, as a European director, he is asked to do an American remake of a French film that will appeal to American audiences. This is not Mr. Henckel von Donnersmark's strength and he ends up with a hybrid of styles that ultimately fail. The only star here that really shines is Venice (where the film takes place) as the beauty of the city is revealed through the director's eye.

Some foreign films, in the wrong hands, just don't translate well into American films. If you were intrigued by the idea of "The Tourist", seek out the French original, "Anthony Zimmer". I hear it's terrific.

True Grit

I love a good western and "True Grit" is a good western. Is it great? No, I don't think so. In my humble opinion, The Coen brothers didn't need to do their own version of this film. I'm a huge fan of their work but this time out, they really don't infuse the story with their signature style. Even though they have tackled many genres, there is always something about their films that is distinctively "Coen Brothers". Their only mark on the retelling of "True Grit", is the fantastic cinematography of Roger Deakins.

Casting Jeff Bridges as "Rooster Cogburn", they might as well have called the film, "True Grunt". It's almost impossible to understand his dialog and subtitles would have been a blessing. As for his acting, he does redefine the role made famous by John Wayne but he plays it like an early ancestor of his "Crazy Heart" character, "Bad Blake". Matt Damon does a stalwart job as "LaBouf", the Texas Ranger. Josh Brolin gets top billing along with the others but his role is nothing more than a two scene cameo. The real praise must be given to Hailee Steinfeld as "Mattie Ross". Ms. Steinfeld won the role after apparently 15,000 girls auditioned for the role. The filmmakers got it right. This is her first film and she steals the movie with maturity and a natural charm.

The Coen brothers insisted this was not a remake but rather their own version of the book but if you watch the original film, you will still see that many of the scenes are shot for shot in the new version. I was hoping to heap accolades upon this film but I would give them to "A Serious Man", the Coen Brothers last film released in 2009 with an original story and better acting.

Black Swan

Darren Aronofsky brings us another minor masterpiece with "Black Swan". Using the same hand held technique he did in "Requiem For A Dream", he creates a claustrophobic world of ballet seen through the eyes of Nina Sayers, the dancer picked to play the Swan Queen in a new production of "Swan Lake".

Natalie Portman plays Nina. She is wonderful in a complex and difficult role as she slowly succumbs to the pressure of the lead. She also does an admirable job with her dancing as it is obviously her in many of the ballet sequences. Vincent Cassel, plays the controlling and manipulative dance company director and Barbara Hershey plays Erica Sayers, Nina's mother who has issues of her own. Winona Ryder has a small but pivotal role as Beth MacIntyre, the lead ballerina forced out by Cassel.

A real revelation (besides Ms. Portman) is Mila Kunis, who until now has not had any really significant parts. Here, she plays another ballerina who befriends Nina and yet is a rival for the Swan Queen. She shows a new maturity and depth to her acting. Ms. Kunis also does much of her own dancing quite well (at least to my untrained eye).

Mr. Aronofsky leads us into the world of ballet and then builds the suspense to a breaking point of an ending. The film has it's moments of beauty, shock and controversy and expect to be caught in it's seductive power.

TRON:Legacy

"Tron: Legacy" in IMAX 3-D is less a movie and more an amusement park ride. You are totally immersed in the digital world of the grid and it truly stimulates the senses. The audio and visual effects are wonderful and it really is quite the ride.

On the other hand, the plot is thin and the acting fairly robotic (especially considering two of the major characters are non-human). Jeff Bridges does double duty here as his image from the original film (some 30 years ago) is digital reproduced as the villain, "CLU" and he also plays his current age as Flynn, the inventor of Tron, trapped in his own creation. Garrett Hedlund, plays Sam, his adult son, drawn into the digital world who reunites with his father to bring down "CLU". Mr. Hedlund handles himself well in all the action sequences and also gets some help from the digital creation "Quorra", played by Olivia Wilde. The film also brings back Bruce Boxleitner (the original Tron) in a sentimental small role. Rounding out the major cast of characters is Michael Sheen, playing a digitally androgynous character named "Castor" who comes across as David Bowie circa "Ziggy Stardust".

Aside from the obvious father-son connection, the thread of a plot is concerned with "CLU" invading the real world with a digital army. There's lots of cyber speak and Mr. Bridges, as Flynn, talks a lot of Zen philosophy but you don't go to see Tron for the plot. This is all about the visuals and they are stunning. The "games" and various chase sequences are lots of fun and if you don't try to hard to understand the story, you will have a good time "lost" in this digital landscape.

The Company Men

Last year, "Up In The Air" showed us what it was like to fire people in a downsizing economy. "The Company Men" gives us an idea of the receiving end of those pink slips. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper are three levels of executives downsized by their company during the economic crash of 2008.

The film is both scary and depressing as writer/director John Wells holds a mirror up to the harsh reality of the employment crisis in this country. The film does have some redeeming moments though, most notably in the acting of it's three leads, each handling their situation in a different way. The script tends towards the melodramatic extreme in the case of Mr. Affleck and his family as their life crashes around them in less than a year but everything else about the film feels real.

A big surprise in the film is Kevin Costner, who shines in a supporting role as Mr. Affleck's brother-in-law. Out of the star spotlight, he can relax and just act naturally in his best role in years. Rosemary DeWitt is also excellent as Mr. Affleck's wife, standing by her man, even as everything they have is stripped away.

"The Company Men" is a hard sell as escapist entertainment when the subject matter is all round us but if you appreciate good acting, see it for the cast. They do their best to help the rest of us cope.

The Warrior's Way

A mash up of a samurai sword epic and a classic American western, this psychedelic genre crasher is a lot of fun. Filmed in New Zealand but mostly CGI green screen work, the film looks great and the stunts are plentiful.

The film's name stars are Geoffrey Rush, ("slumming" after what will be an Oscar nomination for "The King's Speech") as a drunken marksman, Danny Huston as the outrageous villain (disfigured face and all), and Kate Bosworth as the plucky love interest, good with blades of all kinds. Diminutive actor Tony Cox also has a key roll as "Eightball", the little person with a big heart. The real star, however, is the Asian actor Jang Dong-Gun, who makes intricate swordplay look easy.

When you take a semi-deserted town, throw in a bunch of circus rejects, add a bunch of villainous cowboys and ninja warriors, you get one crazy mix of a movie but writer/director Sngmoo Lee makes it work. It's got plenty of comic book violence, colorful characters and the most expressive baby I've ever seen.

If you're looking for something really different, "The Warrior's Way" fits the bill.

Barney's Version

Released in a very limited run (probably for Oscar consideration), this is a little Indie film with a big emotional payoff. Based on the novel by Mordecai Richler, this is the story of Barney Panofsky and the journey through his adult life. It's dramatic with some comedic moments and you will quickly find yourself emotionally invested in Barney's life through all his ups and downs.

Paul Giamatti plays Barney and his rich, layered, terrific performance pulls you in and keeps you there for the entire ride. It's easily one of his best roles. Supporting him are Dustin Hoffman as Izzy, his father, along with Minnie Driver and Rosamund Pike as two important women in his life. Mr. Hoffman is a joy to watch as he makes the most of his supporting character (he gets most of the laughs). Ms. Driver portrays a Montreal "Jewish American Princess" very accurately and Ms. Pike is a breath of fresh air in a role I will not reveal.

Richard J. Lewis directs this gem and condenses an adult lifetime into little more than two hours running time without sacrificing major plot points. Watching the film, you can imagine the complexity of the novel but the edited screenplay still captures the heart of the story and Mr. Lewis moves things along at a comfortable pace.

What makes everything work so well is Mr. Giamatti's portrayal of this fascinating character. I hope the release strategy pays off and he is recognized for his fine work here.