The Avengers

      Comic book geeks assemble. This is the superhero movie you've been waiting for. The good news is that even an average film fan will enjoy  "The Avengers". A long time in the making, Marvel's master plan was to release individual superhero films  to eventually come together in this super group made up of Nick Fury, Iron Man, The Mighty Thor, The Hulk, Captain America, The Black Widow and Hawkeye. Anyone familiar with these characters will undoubtedly have a great time for two and half hours. Everyone else can still enjoy the escapist good time the film provides. 

        Directed with love and written for the screen by Joss Whedon, the film brings every hero together to defeat a common foe, Loki (the Asgardian God of Mischief) first introduced in "Thor" and played by Tom Hiddleston. The film takes it 's time to get going as too much dialog sets up the master plot, presumably for the audience living under a rock. But once it kicks into high gear it never looks back and provides plenty of action and some great one liners (delivered in majority by Robert Downy Jr. as Iron Man/Tony Stark).

         The special effects range from good to great at various points in the film. Case in point, The CGI Hulk who seems to constantly be changing size and bulk. His human side, Bruce Banner is played by Mark Ruffalo and he  spends most of the film moping about and trying to contain "the other guy". The CGI destruction of Midtown Manhattan is very well done although why is it always Manhattan? The film is in 3-D and actually works well in the medium. The colors and details really "pop".

          Screen time is divided pretty evenly so everyone can get their action spotlight although Scarlett Johansson as The Black Widow, seems to have just a little bit more than everyone else. Although in her skintight suit, who can really complain? Male eye candy gets it's share in the presence of Chris Evans as Captain America and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Also returning is superspy Nick Fury played by Samuel Jackson and master archer, Hawkeye played by Jeremy Renner (also first introduced in Thor).

           In between battling Loki and his Alien army, there are verbal and physical sparring matches among the group which humanize the comic characters as well as provide lots of entertainment. It's hard to walk out disappointed and the good news, of course, is  the table is set for the inevitable sequel with the very brief appearance of a major Marvel villain.

Headhunters

This is a new Norwegian thriller from bestselling author Jo Nesbo. I believe it's the first time one of his books has made the transition to film and it's a welcome relief to the fairly dull film choices out there now. While Hollywood is waiting for "The Avengers" to kick off the official "summer Blockbuster" season, this little foreign film sneaks in early and does it's best to entertain (in a very "R" rated sexy and violent way).

 It's an engaging story that begins when a corporate headhunter (who moonlights as an art thief) ends up with the wrong client. Roger Brown is a smug executive who lives well beyond his means (to keep his trophy wife happy) and after meeting Claus Greve, his neat little life takes a wild and unexpected turn. Roger becomes a hunted man and the film turns up the violence as his situation becomes more and more outrageous. There are moments of absurd black comedy as well as much bloodshed (and one nasty act of violence against an attack dog) as the film twists and turns it's way to a neatly wrapped up ending.

 Askel Hennie stars as Roger and he endures quite a bit in a physically demanding role. Also starring as the cool and calculating Claus Greve, is Nicolaj Coster-Waldau (currently on "Game of Thrones" as Jamie Lannister). The plot continues to thicken and twist as the two stars play a dangerous game of cat and mouse. See it before the inevitable American remake... starring James Spader (if the casting agent has any good sense).

The Cabin in The Woods

Five stereotyped friends go for a weekend at a cabin deep in the woods and mayhem ensues. Think you've seen this before? Think again. From the opening moments, you will realize this is not your typical horror film but rather a cross between "The Truman Show" and "Evil Dead". The entire "horror" experience is being controlled by a group of scientists led by Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins. And just when you think you know where the film might be headed, it veers of course and surprises you.

Directed by Drew Goddard and written by Mr. Goddard and Joss Whedon, "Cabin" is a fun puzzle of genres that stays true to the source but playfully mixes things up. Mr. Goddard and Mr. Whedon manipulate their audience just as the characters themselves are manipulated. At times, the script is too smart for it's own good. Scattered throughout are sly references to other films (blatantly even a character named Truman).

There is horror (but not that scary) and cast members do die bloody deaths but there is also humor (mostly the witty banter of Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Whitford) and many suspenseful moments. The friends are played by Chris Hemsworth (pre-Thor), Jesse Williams, Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison and Fran Kranz. Each one inhabits their stereotype admirably. There is even a surprise guest star who is very appropriate.

I originally wrote it off as just another "kids in the woods bloodbath" but when other critics became so divided about the film, I had to see it for myself. Despite the "aren't we clever moments", and even if you do feel manipulated, you'll still enjoy the ride.

The Raid: Redemption

This simple premise of police raiding a drug lord's apartment complex turns into a masterful choreography of bullets and bodies in this new Indonesian action fest. While the film is in subtitles, the story is really all visual. A heavily armed police squad enter the building and have to fight their way to the 15th floor through an army of thugs. Non-stop use of machine guns, handguns, machetes, knives, fists and feet all combine into 100 minutes of action packed violence that will leave you breathless.

This is certainly not a film for everyone but fans of the genre will enjoy themselves very much. Hollywood will probably remake this film but will be hard pressed to recreate the suspense and action as the police fight their way up through the building, their numbers dwindling floor by floor. The martial art fight scenes are remarkable and directors Gareth Evans and Iko Uwais perform movie magic keeping the body count high but maintaining a human element in the form of the hero cop, Rama, played by Mr. Uwais.

It's an all out war played out in the urban landscape of the apartment complex and the claustrophobic camera work puts the viewer directly into the action from the very beginning. The stunt work is exceptional and watching the end credits made me laugh when I saw the long list of names for the on set medical team. Leaving the theater, I could swear I had new bruises myself.

Goon

The best hockey film since "Slapshot". Come to think of it, have there actually been any others? This is based on the true story of Doug Smith (Doug Glatt in the film), a boxer who becomes a hockey enforcer. Doug is not a very good hockey player but he is an excellent fighter and every hockey team needs an enforcer to do the dirty work against the other team.

Doug is play by Seann William Scott in his best role to date. When he isn't punching someone's lights out, he shows some real range as the mild mannered and dim witted Doug (who comes alive only when he's doing what he does best...hitting people). He is joined by Jay Baruchel (who also produced and co-wrote the film) as his best friend Pat. Mr. Baruchel captures the Boston hockey fan stereotype perfectly and is very funny in the film. Also starring are Alison Pill as Doug's love interest, Kim Coates as the coach of the team and Liv Schreiber as a rival enforcer.

The movie has lots of hockey action, intense fight scenes on the ice, and some very funny scenes off the ice thanks to a clever script with memorable dialogue. It's full of colorful characters and while brutal at times, it is also very touching.

Hockey is far from my favorite sport but "Goon" keeps things interesting and fun. It's a lot better than watching an actual hockey game.

The Hunger Games

"The Hunger Games"

I have not read the bestselling novel this film is based on so I can't use it as a reference point. I can only judge the film on it's own merit. So for those of who have read the book, you may have an entirely different viewpoint. I found the film interesting and exciting at times but the central plot left a bad taste in my mouth.

Do we really want to watch a film where the entire second half is about a group of youngsters trying to kill each other for the enjoyment of adults? The premise is distasteful but at least most of the slaughter is quick or off screen. I suppose it could have been worse as the film is rated PG-13 to attract it's legions of teenage fans.

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss, the plucky heroine who volunteers to take her younger sister's place at the "games". Ms. Lawrence is a very talented actress who truly breathes life to Katniss. There is not one false note in her performance and I would imagine she does the character proud. She's an exciting talent who carries the film on her young shoulders. She was terrific in "Winter's Bone", "The X-Men: First Class" and now, the first of a Hunger Games trilogy. Co-starring are Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bently, Donald Sutherland and Lenny Kravitz. Apparently everyone in the future has horrible hairstyles.

There are elements of "The Truman Show" and certainly "Battle Royale" (a Japanese film from 2000 that basically used the same plot first) found throughout the film and when it tends to lose steam, Ms. Lawrence keeps everything ramped up until the grand finale (which technically isn't a finale at all but a bookmark until the next installment).

Fans of the series will hunger for more but I was satisfied with the first course.

John Carter

I had to see for myself why this film has been getting so much bad press. Sometimes critics are just too critical. Yes, it's a bad hybrid of "Star Wars" meets "Avatar" with terrible dialog and some wooden acting but....it does hold a certain appeal for the 12-year old boy in all of us.

If you are a fan of Science fiction action films, you can certainly do worse than "John Carter". If you do decide to see it, see it in IMAX 3-D where you can at least appreciate the exciting visuals. Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote a whole series of stories about John Carter so there is plenty of appeal of the character in literature. Translating it properly to the screen is the issue. The story is sloppy and unoriginal, blatantly stealing chunks of ideas from the earlier mentioned sci-fi giants.

The film stars Taylor Kitsch as the title hero. Mr. Kitsch has the looks but lacks the skill to pull off the role. He takes everything much too seriously and tries too hard to please. His love interest, played by Lynn Collins is attractive and handy with a sword but has little personality. Ciaran Hinds and Dominic West add some acting weight to the proceedings but this is a far cry from "Rome" or "The Wire".

The story is confusing enough transplanting a confederate soldier to Mars via a sliver medallion but once John Carter arrives he finds himself in the middle of a Martian Civil War involving humanoid Martians. At the same time, totally CGI alien looking Martians co-exist peacefully but for some reason get caught up in the war. Director Andrew Stanton has made a ton of hits for Pixar and has no problem directing his CGI Martians. It's his approach to human interaction that needs work.

The action sequences are fun and the film does look great in IMAX 3-D. Sometimes, a movie is just a movie and if escapist entertainment is all you seek, then consider John Carter. Your inner child may thank you...or throw a tantrum for wasting his allowance.

21 Jump Street

This new comedy borrows the concept from the original TV show (that launched the career of Johnny Depp) but only in a very broad sense. The film is sophomoric, raunchy, very funny and surprisingly entertaining. What could have been just a lame re-make filled with genital jokes is actually a very smart script constantly making fun of itself and keeping the audience in on the gag. Oh, and lots of genital jokes.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have great chemistry together and going undercover at high school presents all kinds of sub-plots. A bathroom scene where he and Mr. Tatum try to regurgitate drugs they had swallowed had me roaring with laughter. More than just an action comedy, the film is a "bromance" and plays upon role reversals of high school stereotypes. Mr. Hill co-wrote the story but is generous enough to share the spotlight with his cast mates.. Rob Riggle and Ice Cube co-star and both are given ample screen time to provide laughs. Brie Larson provides the love interest and Dave Franco (younger brother of James) rounds out the cast as the ecology minded high school drug dealer.

Give credit to the studio for making a trailer that, for once, doesn't give away ALL the funny parts. There are plenty of verbal and visuals gags that you don't see coming. Chase scenes are constructed in an unconventional way as well as other typical "action" scenes making the film fresh even while it makes fun of it's origin. There is also an unbilled cameo that comes as a pleasant surprise.

The film's rated R for a reason but there is intelligence beyond the raunchy humor and it's an address you'll want to visit. And if you do enjoy it, don't worry...the end practically screams sequel.

Wanderlust

A bright spot during a winter of bad B movies, this new comedy has many laugh out loud moments. Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston star as George and Linda, unemployed New Yorkers on their way to start again in Atlanta Georgia. On the way to live with George's brother, they get sidetracked at Elysium, a commune of free spirits that offer them a new lifestyle.

This is a reverse "Out of Towners" where the laughs come fast as the NY couple try to adjust to the easy going lifestyle of the commune where nudity, free love and vegan diets are the order of the day. Paul Rudd is the king of sarcasm and double takes. He is just hilarious throughout the film and the scene where he is talking to himself in the mirror will have you rolling in the aisles. Ms. Aniston plays to her comedic strength and has good chemistry with Mr. Rudd.

The film co-stars Justin Theroux co-stars as Seth, the magnetic leader of the commune and Alan Alda as the founder of Elysium. Ken Marino, who co-wrote the script with director David Wain, is also very funny as George's obnoxious older brother.

It's a silly (rated R for a reason) comedy but a good escape from the winter blues.

A Separation

Nominated for Best Foreign Film this year, "A Separation" should be the frontrunner to win. This is an intimate story of an Iranian couple who's separation sets off a chain of complex events neither of them could possibly imagine.

What starts out as a domestic difference of opinion soon grows more intricate when Simin decides to leave her husband Nader and daughter Termeh for a better life. Nader refuses to leave the country because of his elderly and Alzheimer's stricken father and when forced to get a caretaker for the old man, the plot (as they say) thickens.

The acting is terrific, especially Peyman Moadi as Nader and Sareh Bayat as Razieh, the caretaker. The complexity of the situation they all find themselves in, is all the more fascinating because of the cultural differences of Iran's justice system. Even after revelations and resolutions, the lives of two families are forever changed and the audience is left to debate the final moments.

"A Separation" is a compelling drama worthy of your time.

The Innkeepers

Filmed on location at The Yankee Pedler Inn (rumored to actually be haunted), this is an old fashioned ghost story done very effectively. Relying heavily on atmosphere with little to no violence or gore, the tension mounts leading from goose bumps to truly scary moments.

Director Ti West does a great job building the suspense and his cast do an excellent job selling the belief of spirits in the night. The film stars Sara Paxton as Claire and Pat Healy as Luke, the innkeepers of the title, who are keeping watch on the last remaining days of the inn before it closes for good. There are just a few guests remaining and one in particular, played by Kelly McGillis, plays an important role in what is to come.

Ms. Paxton and Mr. Healy don't seem to act as much as just play themselves and it's very effective as things get stranger as the film goes on. Everything appears very natural and Mr. West goes out of his way to keep things minimalistic so when the scares come, they are genuinely frightening.

There are a few stretches where nothing much happens but the payoff is worth the wait. With so many films violent and gory that pass as today's "horror" films, it's refreshing to see how a light touch can still scare the pants off you.

Kill List

Looking for something completely different? The second feature from director and co-writer Ben Wheatley fits the bill and then some. What starts out as a domestic British drama cleverly slips into something much more as a former hitman takes one last job to support his wife and young son. You're probably thinking "I've seen this movie before". Nothing will prepare you for what comes next.

As Jay's money troubles mount, his former partner, Gal comes around with an offer for one last job. A mysterious man offers a huge payout for three assassinations . At this point the film's become a typical British crime thriller but with each kill, Jay's growing paranoia escalates the violence, and then the story takes a very sharp turn into "Twilight Zone" territory.

Similar to the way the Japanese thriller, "Audition" changed genres in the middle of the film, "Kill List" becomes a totally different movie in the last act and yet still links itself to everything you've just seen. Brace yourself for an unforgettable ending.

Rampart

A searing and powerful performance by Woody Harrelson anchors this new drama from director Oren Moverman (who also co-wrote the screenplay with James Ellroy). Mr. Harrelson and Mr. Moverman have teamed up before in the excellent film, "The Messenger". This new film could not be any different but still delivers an emotional knockout.

Mr. Harrelson is Dave Brown, a policeman and Vietnam vet, patrolling the streets of 1999 Los Angeles. Officer Brown live by his own moral code and blurs the line between right and wrong. As we meet him, circumstances from his past are colliding with events of the present and his life is crashing down around him.

Dave lives with two sisters and the two daughters he fathered between them. Cynthia Nixon and Anne Heche play the sisters. Brie Larson plays the older teenage daughter, Helen. This unusual arrangement is taking it's toll and Dave is forced to move out. His emotional scenes with Helen depict their strained relationship as they try to find a common bond between them.

While his family life is unraveling, Dave's professional life is also in crisis. Under fire for beating a suspect (among other things), he 's under investigation by Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi, and Ice Cube ( a terrific IA officer). At the same time, he gets involved with a number of women, most prominently, Robin Wright. Drinking, taking drugs and abusing everyone around him, Dave sinks lower and lower into despair, his internal anger at the world threatening to explode at any moment.

The film has a terrific score and wonderfully inventive camerawork. The camera is a living character, giving us point of view angles from everywhere. There are also some gems of small scenes with co-stars Ned Beatty and Ben Foster. Mr. Harrelson is not quite Harvey Keitel in "Bad Lieutenant" but he does share some similar qualities. While that film went way over the top, "Rampart" plays it all too real and Mr. Harrelson is just mesmerizing.

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Despite a gripping performance by Tilda Swinton, this is a contrived story of what happens when your child is growing up an obvious sociopath with violent tendencies and there's nothing you can do about it. Of course the title is ironic because no one actually talks about Kevin, which is the key point.

Ms. Swinton plays Eve, married to Franklin, played by a miscast John C. Reilly. When Kevin is born, it's apparent only to Eve that something is not right about the boy. Whenever she brings up her concerns, Franklin brushes them off as normal growing pains and "fawns" over his son. As Kevin grows, a second child is born, a daughter they name Celia. From the outside, all seems normal but Eve's growing dread about her son soon proves all too right and tragedy ensues.

The story is seen only through Eve's point of view and director Lynne Ramsay opts to tell the story in a fragmented time line. We move back and forth in Eve's life with each scene a puzzle piece that eventually all connect. Ms. Swinton immerses herself in the part trying early on to raise Kevin and then coping with the aftermath of violence she has been sensing all along but never tried to prevent.

Three boys play Kevin. Rocky Duer plays the toddler, Jasper Newell, the young Kevin to age eight and then Ezra Miller, the teen Kevin. Young Mr. Newell is a revelation as he is asked to play a very difficult part of a troubled little boy. Mr. Miller is electric as the teenage Kevin revealing his psychotic nature in subtle yet terrifying ways.

It's a tragedy that unfortunately this country has actually endured (and may again). It's too bad the story never takes an objective outside look at "the how or why" instead just focusing on "the what" because that ultimately lessens the emotional impact of the film.

Safe House

A "by the book" espionage thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds borrows heavily from "Three Days of The Condor" and manages to hold your attention with some exciting action sequences. Mr. Reynolds (known mostly as "eye candy") has been improving his acting (ok, forget Green Lantern) and does a decent job as the rookie CIA agent overseeing a safe house when CIA traitor Tobin Frost (Mr. Washington) is brought in as a prisoner. Of course circumstances find them on the run together and back at Langley, not all is what it seems.

The film co-stars Sam Shepard, Vera Farminga, and Brendan Gleeson as top level CIA brass trying to decide how to best handle their missing agent dilemma. There is nothing special here but writer David Guggenheim has obviously seen plenty of these spy genre films so he knows how to keep things moving. Credit director Daniel Espinosa for staging a terrific car chase and some first rate fight scenes to keep the audience involved and not thinking too much about the plethora of plot holes.

Mr. Washington along with Mr. Reynolds work hard, with minimal dialogue, for your enjoyment and the film succeeds as crowd pleasing entertainment if you like lots of gunplay, explosions and car crashes.

The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep doesn't just star in this biography of Prime Minister Margret Thatcher, she explodes. As she does with most of her film, Ms. Streep disappears so completely into her character that you forget the actress and imagine the real Mrs. Thatcher. It is a towering performance.

The film itself is interesting enough if you care at all about England during the late 70's and 80's. What will hold your attention is Mrs. Thatcher's personal history and her rise to political power which ultimately leads to England's first female Prime Minister. What makes the film so unique is the bold choice to start with Mrs. Thatcher as an old, feeble woman prone to hallucinations of her dead husband and slowly reveal her story in flashbacks. Much of the film has Ms. Streep playing the elderly version of "MT" (as her husband referred to her) and yet there are plenty of striking moments of "MT" in her prime (no pun intended).

Jim Broadbent co-stars as husband, Dennis Thatcher and there is wonderful chemistry between the two stars. A major contribution to Ms. Streep's success is the wonderful makeup that even in the many close-ups is flawless. As Margret and Dennis age, the make-up never falters and is well deserved of it's Oscar nomination.

This is a remarkable story of a woman who refused to compromise and always believed one's life must have purpose and I can't think of a better actress today than Meryl Streep who honors Mrs. Thatcher, in one more shining performance.

One for The Money

More like "nothing for the money". This is a TV show disguised as a feature film. It would probably make a good one hour show. What can you expect when a film features four TV "stars" in the major roles. Katherine Heigl is a good fit for Janet Evanovich's plucky heroine, Stephanie Plum, but the lifeless script doesn't do her any justice. Ms. Evanovich has written at least 18 books based on the adventures of Ms. Plum so obviously there is an audience for this genre. A better script, director and choice of actors would have made a world of difference.

The film co-stars Jason O'Mara and Daniel Sunjata (two "hunk" actors better know for television roles), John Leguizamo (sleep walking through his role), Sherri Shepherd (as a ridiculous hooker), Debra Monk, and Debbie Reynolds. Everyone does bad New Jersey accents and I was particularly embarrassed for Ms. Reynolds.

Lionsgate should seriously consider turning the franchise into a weekly TV show. Ms. Heigl is far more comfortable on the small screen and bring in Ms. Evanovich as a producer. That might work. The film doesn't.

Underworld: Awakening

The 4th installment in this sci-fi thriller series is best remembered for star Kate Beckinsale's skintight black latex outfit filmed in 3D. Aside from that, the less said the better.

This is barely a 90 minute film that is one long fight sequence shot in dark blue tones with little enhancement by the 3D effects. Ms. Beckinsale as vampire Selene, is quite the adept fighter and gunslinger. In this 4th waste of time, she is protecting the hybrid child she never knew she had from her sworn enemy, the werewolves. This is the flimsy plot that only exists as an excuse to watch Ms. Beckinsale in action.

Ms. Beckinsale sat out the third film but I guess money changes everything. I expect the studio will continue making sequels as long as the cash rolls in. Let's hope they stop with "Underworld 10: Retirement Home".

Coriolanus

Ralph Fiennes directs and stars as "Coriolanus", Shakespeare's tragic Roman general. The film takes place in modern day Serbia substituting for "a place called Rome". The warfare, costumes and sets are all modern but the language is the original Shakespeare. Another modern touch is the use of TV newscasters as the Greek chorus. The landscape is bleak to match the mood of the story but the acting is very powerful and Mr. Fiennes, along with his excellent cast hold your attention until the very end.

The film co-stars Gerald Butler as Tullus Aufidius, Coriolanus's sworn enemy, who is invading Rome at the beginning of the film. There is a wonderfully choreographed fight scene between the two men. Mr. Butler is fit for his role but under Mr. Fiennes direction, he whispers his lines which I found distracting. Also starring in key roles are Brian Cox as Senator Menenius, Jessica Chastin as Virgilia (Coriolanus's wife) and in a terrific role, Vanessa Redgrave as Volumnia, the general's mother. Ms. Chastin handles the language well but is becoming too predictable in the supporting wife role. Ms. Redgrave, on the other hand, has some key scenes that really shine and remind us of her ageless talent.

Mr. Fiennes favors close-ups framing just one or two actors, which is both powerful and yet claustrophobic at times. The climatic turning point of the film is very well staged and sets up the tragic conclusion beautifully.
If you enjoy Shakespeare with a modern twist (Ian McKellen's "Richard III" comes to mind), "Coriolanus" is for you.

Mission Impossible:Ghost Protocol

Your mission, Mr. Cruise, is to make the 4th installment in a series that's jumped the shark and somehow make it fresh. With the help of director Brad Bird, mission accomplished. This is the best Mission Impossible since the first film and while you can argue, it's bloated and could have been shorter, it's still a lot of fun.

Tom Cruise does everything he can to please his audience and finds new locations and stunts to make it happen. The film is a beautiful world travelogue but you don't have much time to enjoy the scenery as the action is pretty much non-stop. Much of the action sequences appear to be done minimally or completely without CGI which makes them all the more incredible. Of course everything is over the top but that's why you buy a ticket for a film like this. What makes it all bearable is how well Mr. Cruise and the cast "sell" it. It's not Oscar caliber acting but everyone works hard to make their characters credible.

The involved plot involves framing the IMF team for bombing the Kremlin. This requires them to go rogue (hence "Ghost Protocol") in order to stop a madman from starting a nuclear war. If Mr. Cruise was acting alone, you would think you're watching the new James Bond film but it is a team effort. His team consists of Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, and Jeremy Renner. Everyone plays their part well although Mr. Pegg's witty banter does start to wear thin. Mr. Bird is a veteran director of some beloved animated films and this time he has created a live-action cartoon realizing Ethan Hunt (Mr. Cruise) as a cross between Bugs Bunny and The Roadrunner. Everyone though, gets in on the action (including Mr. Renner in a sly homage to a key scene in the first film).

Don't try to analyze this one. Just sit back and enjoy the sheer fun of it all.

Top 10 Best & Worst of 2011

Top 10 Films of 2011 (in Descending order)-
Win-Win- The fantastic Paul Giamatti continues his own winning streak with this terrific human comedy.
X-Men: First Class- First class all the way. Great script and well cast. This reboots the X-Men franchise.
Crazy Stupid Love- Smart script and very well acted by a terrific cast.
Moneyball- A very entertaining movie about the business of baseball. Brad Pitt has charisma to spare and Jonah Hill finally shows he can really act.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Excellent adaptation of the book. Rooney Mara was very good but I still liked Roomi Rapace better as Lisbeth in the Swedish version.
War Horse- Hope, survival and love through the eyes and actions of a magnificent horse, beautifully shot by Steven Spielberg.
The Descendants- Terrific drama about life’s complications. Alexander Paine does it again and with a great cast.
Incendies- Unforgettable foreign drama about a family with a mysterious past. Devastating and haunted me for months.
The Artist- Who would think a black & white silent film could be such an wonderful delight.
Hugo- The best use of 3-D since Avatar. Martin Scorsese directs a great cast in a wonderful love story to the movies.

Honorable Mention-
Horrible Bosses- A raunchy but hysterical comedy with a very funny Jennifer Aniston.
Melancholia- Beautifully photographed and orchestrated metaphor of depression. Kirsten Dunst’s best work and a triumph for Lars van Triers.
Take Shelter- A man losing his grip on reality…or is he?

Actors who were great but will be ignored come Oscar time-
Michael Shannon in “Take Shelter”
Dominick Cooper in “The Devil’s Double”

Top 10 Worst of 2012 (in descending order)-
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark- just this movie.
The Adjustment Bureau- Good chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt can’t save this disappointing story about destiny vs. free will.
Unknown- Silly Thriller with Liam Neeson that can’t be saved by a decent twist.
The Thing- A totally unnecessary remake.
Young Adult- marketed as a comedy, this is a train wreck of a movie that, despite good acting, sucks the life out of you.
The Rum Diary- Johnny Depp as a lifeless Hunter S. Thompson in a thin, fictional telling of his early reporting days in Puerto Rico.
Tower Heist- The audience gets robbed.
Your Highness- Aiming at teenage boys, it will hit its mark. For everyone else, it’s your lowness.
Drive- A very polarizing film. You either love it or hate it. I found it very disappointing. Long, boring and violent.
The Tree of Life- Another love it or hate it film. For my taste, it was more like The Tree of Slow Death. It looked great but boring and pretentious.

The Descendants

Alexander Paine is not a prolific filmmaker having made only a handful of films since "Election" in 1999, but every film has been a wonderful examination of the human condition. "The Descendants" is a dramady examining how a family in Hawaii copes with a tragedy and it's consequences. Co-written for the screen and directed by Mr. Paine, he once again delivers a winning script and terrific performances.

While the major plot point may seem tragic, the film is really about so much more. It's themes include love, forgiveness, and acceptance. And while dramatic, it's also filled with much humor. Credit the ensemble cast for an honest and warm portrait of a fractured family finding it's way through life's complications. George Clooney is so natural as the father of two daughters he barely knows, it's his best performance in years disappearing completely into the role. Shailene Woodley co-stars as his seventeen year old daughter, Alexandra and she's a natural talent. Her scenes with Mr. Clooney show great maturity for a young actress. Mary Birdsong plays Scotti, the ten year old daughter, who is a total delight. Nick Krause plays Sid, Alexandra's friend who just may be smarter than he looks and it's also fun to see Robert Forster again, playing Mr. Clooney's cranky father-in-law. Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer, and Beau Bridges round out the terrific cast.

As a location, the islands of Hawaii become another character as Mr. Paine reveals the ordinary lives going on behind the vacation paradise, exemplified by Mr. Clooney's opening monologue. And yet, the beauty of the islands can't be denied in many of the film's scenes.

This film has been out a while and has already received many accolades. It deserves them. It's easily one of the best films of the year.

A Dangerous Method

Director David Cronenberg has visualized a compelling new drama about the early days of Psychoanalysis and it's pioneers Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and Sabina Spielrein. His terrific cast brings these historical characters to vivid life in the dawn of the 20th century.

The ubiquitous Michael Fassbender shines in his portrayal of Carl Jung. The film introduces us to Dr. Jung when he begins to treat Ms. Spielrein for "Hysteria". Using the "Talking Method" first developed by Freud, Jung cures Ms. Spielrein, who later in life became one of the first female psychoanalysts. Sabina Spielrein is played by Keira Knightley and she is brilliant. It's the best work of her career. Professor Freud is played by Viggo Mortensen, who I never could imagine in the role but he is a wonderful surprise.

The film explores the complicated relationship between the three characters, ignited by Ms. Spielrein. It is her case that brings Jung and Freud together and ultimately plays a part in what separates them. While this is a film of words and ideas, credit Mr. Cronenberg and his cast for making psychoanalysis sexy.

I certainly saw these people differently from what I remember in psychology 101 and I left the theater wanting to know more, especially about the fascinating Ms. Spielrein.

The Skin I Live In

This is the latest film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar. It stars Antonio Banderas (who started his career with Almodovar), Elena Anaya and Marisa Paredes (a longtime star of many Almodovar films). It is a very twisted Hitchcockian melodrama that you will either accept or find totally absurd.

Mr. Banderas has never been more suave and debonair as he channels Cary Grant in his role of a plastic surgeon with a very dark secret. Dr. Ledgard is experimenting on a new type of human skin. He has a young woman, Ms. Anaya, prisoner in his home that he uses as a living pallet for his work. Who she is and how she got there is slowly revealed in a flashback that is more than just bizarre.

Mr. Almodovar's direction is sharp and precise. There is fine attention to every detail and his use of color, especially red, bursts through the screen. The orchestral score enhances the visuals. Besides obvious Hitchcock, there are elements of Bunuel, Cronenberg and even his own earlier work, "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down". It is an exploration of love and obsession that knows no bounds.

It is a stylish yet macabre suspense thriller. It contains moments of sex and violence with a revelation that one may find very disturbing. It you are looking for something truly different, this is it.

War Horse

Steven Spielberg is the perfect director to blend action, sweeping drama, sentimentality, and high emotion brilliantly in this story of a magnificent horse named Joey. The plot is tailor made for a director of Mr. Spielberg's talents. He can show you the horror of war and at the same time, the schmaltz of a final shot taken right out of "Gone With The Wind". This is a grand story of love, survival, and honor between a horse and every life he touches, human or otherwise in a time of madness.

The story is simple on the surface. When England goes to war with Germany, thousands of horses are shipped to France for the British Calvary. One of these horses is Joey, who is sold by his owner to save the family farm, even though his teenage son, Albert, can't bear to lose his beloved horse. Albert soon joins the war in an effort to find Joey among all the chaos. Once overseas, we follow Joey as he protects Topthorn, another horse he has befriended, as the two follow a torturous path through war-torn France. The human actors, including Emily Watson, Peter Mullen, Jeremy Irvine, and David Thewlis, take a back seat to the relationship between Joey and Topthorn, which is the most honest and beautiful bond in the film.

Mr. Spielberg films the battles on the open fields and in the trenches with the same intensity of his earlier work in "Saving Private Ryan" but resists the graphic detail, ensuring a "family film". Even the way he frames an execution (fantastic by the way) is family-friendly. Besides the remarkable shots on the battlefields, the film is filled with gorgeous images of the various landscapes and of course, the horses themselves.

Once again teaming with John Williams, Mr. Spielberg stirs our emotions with powerful orchestrations that are totally manipulative at times. Of course, this is to be expected in a Steven Spielberg film so it's easily forgiven. Besides the music, the cinematography is breathtaking and there are visual moments that will stay with you long after the film ends.

Besides your popcorn, make sure you have tissues ready when the lights go down. And if you have the chance, see "War Horse" the play, live at Lincoln Center for a thrilling night of theater.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Director David Fincher and screenwriter Steven Zaillian adapt an English language version of the acclaimed novel. Having read the book and seen the original Swedish version of the film, it's hard not to think about them while watching this film. If you've never seen the first film, you will have a purer opinion about the acting and how the material is handled.

Mr. Fincher has directed an taut and edgy version of the book. He sets an ominous tone right from the opening credits and as the story unfolds, you find yourself more and more unsettled. This is a story of dark and nasty secrets. The screenplay by Mr. Zaillian edits the book in a very efficient way removing a few unnecessary subplots but otherwise staying true to the novel except for an slightly altered ending. The setting is the same and you can feel the Swedish cold in every scene.

The cast is stellar with Daniel Craig starring as investigative journalist, Mikael Blomkvist along with Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright, Stellan Skarsgard, Joely Richardson and as the title character, Rooney Mara. Mr. Craig brings full dimension to Blomkvist and Ms. Mara gives a fearless performance in a very difficult role. On her own merit, she captures "Lisbeth Salander" very well. Unfortunately as I mentioned earlier, having seen the original film, I can't help but compare her to Roomi Rapace as "Lisbeth". Ms. Mara, while appearing tough as nails, still has frailty that you never saw in Ms. Rapace. She also brings a bit of dark humor not seen in the Swedish version. Sometimes you identify an actor with a particular role so deeply that you just can't imagine anyone else in the part. For me, Ms. Rapace will always be Lisbeth Salander.

The editing, music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and cinematography are all excellent and help provide the ingredients for Mr. Fincher's vision. I wouldn't call this a remake as much as an alternative version of the same source material. Mr. Fincher makes it his own and I look forward to the next installment in the trilogy.

Albert Nobbs

Glenn Close is simply astonishing in the title role of this new drama by director Rodrigo Garcia. Ms. Close also has a credit as co-screenwriter and producer. It is a role she played in a short run on the NY stage and now she breathes life into Albert Nobbs on screen.

This is the story of a woman who passes as a man in 19th century Dublin, working as a butler in a small hotel. No one suspects Albert is really a man until Hubert Page enters her life. When Hubert discovers the truth and keeps the secret, a strong friendship begins and Hubert encourages Albert to take more control of her life.

The film co-stars Janet McTeer, Mia Wasikowska, Pauline Collins, Aaron Johnson and Brenda Gleeson. The entire cast is wonderful, in particular Ms. McTeer who should gain a supporting actress nomination come Oscar time. However, the film belongs, heart and soul to Ms. Close. It is a remarkable performance that is ultimately heartbreaking to watch.

Albert Nobbs is a character and film that will stay with you, long after it ends.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

If you are looking for overstuffed holiday entertainment, then this is the film for you. Capitalizing on the success of the first film, director Guy Ritchie has decided bigger is better and assaults your senses with even more bullets, bombs, and explosions. Not necessarily the case, Guy.

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are back as Holmes and Watson and while Dr. Watson marries in the film, this is clearly a bromance between the two, as his new wife is literally pushed into the background. Noomi Rapace (so wonderful in the original "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo") co-stars in her first English film as a gypsy who holds a key to the mysterious plot. Engaging enough, she unfortunately takes a back seat to Holmes and Watson hot on the trail of Professor Moriarity, played by Jared Harris (who has morphed into his father).

Mr. Ritchie tries to intensify the action using "Matrix" style "slow-mo" and while it's artistic, it's overuse simply becomes annoying. There is plenty of action but everything eventually becomes tedious and you're ready for it to end. While the film tries hard to entertain (and does to an extent), better editing would have trimmed the fat and made it more enjoyable.

Shame

Michael Fassbender gives a fearless performance as a sex addict spiraling out of control in the new film from director/writer Steve McQueen. This portrait of an addict is uncompromising, raw and very intense. It's not an easy film to watch but it's a fascinating and honest look at an addiction, not often explored (if ever) on film.

When Brandon's (Mr. Fassbender) sister, Sissy comes to visit, old wounds are opened and his world begins to unravel. Sissy is played by Carey Mulligan, who also gives a remarkable performance. Both characters are damaged goods and Mr. Fassbender and Ms. Mulligan hold nothing back for the camera. I can't say enough for the two brave performances of these actors. You feel their pain.

Mr. McQueen films New York in the darkness and shadows, taking us down dangerous paths with little respite. In some ways, the film reminded me of "The Panic In Needle Park", another classic film of addiction albeit a different kind of drug. It has the same raw power and naked (no pun intended) honesty about it's subject.

Young Adult

Marketed as a comedy, this train wreck of a story is anything but funny. It's the second collaboration between director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody but it's a huge disappointment after the success of "Juno".

Charlize Theron is Mavis, an unhappy writer who returns to her hometown looking to reunite with her high school boyfriend. Mavis has very few redeeming qualities and watching her awkward attempts to win back Buddy Slade, played by Patrick Wilson, is difficult to watch. Upon her return, the one person Mavis does connect with is Matt, played by Patton Oswalt, when these two damaged people find common ground in their failures.

Ms. Theron acting is excellent but her character is filled with such self loathing, she's impossible to like and the slow, boring pace of the story just contributes to the cloud of depression that hangs over the entire film. When the movie ended, I felt the need to see another movie right away just to wash away the memory of "Young Adult".

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Based on the acclaimed cold war novel by John LeCarre, this cerebral thriller is more wordplay than gunplay and features an outstanding cast of pedigree British actors. Gary Oldman is "Oscar" perfect as George Smiley, the retired spy asked to find a mole at the top of British Intelligence in the early 70's. With unerring restraint, Smiley goes methodically about his work barely raising his voice or even lifting a finger. Dare I say, Mr. Oldman gives Sir Alec Guinness (who created the role in the original mini-series) a run for his money.

The film co-stars John Hurt as "Control" and Colin Firth, Toby Jones and Ciaran Hinds as fellow intelligence officers. Also in key roles are Tom Hardy and Mark Strong doing some of their best work to date. One actor I'm not familiar with is Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Smiley's assistant. This is his largest role so far in a young career and he is quite good. You expect great work from this ensemble and they don't disappoint.

Director Thomas Alfredson does a splendid job recreating the time period and there isn't a false note anywhere in the film. The one thing it does lack is warmth but then again, this was still the "cold war" and the British didn't coin the phrase "stiff upper lip" for nothing. The film feels as cold and calculating as it's characters and yet, it's totally appropriate to the story.

Don't expect gunfights and explosions. This is by no means, "James Bond" but rather a grandmaster matching wits with his opponent in an tense chess match. It's a complex, yet entertaining film that an audience should happily give it's full attention.

The Artist

Who would think you would appreciate a black & white, silent film in 2011? "The Artist" is an absolute delight from start to finish. Writer/director Michel Hazanavicius crafts a Hollywood love letter to the age of silent movies. There hasn't been anything like this since the Mel Brooks comedy "Silent Movie" and it is a treat to experience a film the way an audience did in 1929.

To be fair, there are a few well placed sounds that come as a surprise but 99% of the film is truly silent. And once the novelty wears off, you are already engaged in the story and charmed by the lead actors and a very clever Jack Russell terrier. Uggy the dog steals every scene he's in but the film really belongs to Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.

Mr. Dujardin is best known for the French spy spoofs, "OSS 117: Lost in Rio" and "OSS 117: Cairo Nest of Spies", two films previously done with Mr. Hazanavicius. In those comedies, he was a charming but clueless secret agent. In "The Artist", Mr. Dujardin is more charming than ever but he also reveals a depth of acting (and dancing) that we have not seen before. Ms. Berenice may be new to American audiences but she will not be forgotten. She displays a wide emotional range and is filled with unlimited energy, acting and dancing her way into your memory. The two stars have great chemistry together.

The film co-stars John Goodman, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller. All three are terrific in non- speaking parts that let their expressions do the talking. The cinematography is sharp and clear and the score is just wonderful, substituting music for dialogue that works so well.

"The Artist" is joyful entertainment. Don't miss it.

Hugo

I went into this film knowing nothing about the story, only that it was directed by Martin Scorsese and filmed in 3-D. What an amazing film it turned out to be. Mr. Scorsese has made the best 3-D film, since "Avatar". His love of his craft requires no less than a medium used to perfection to illustrate his story.

We learn early on that Hugo, played by Asa Butterfield, is an orphan living in the Paris train station some time after World War One. The station is populated with many colorful characters that are touched by Hugo in various ways. One in particular is Georges, played by Sir Ben Kingsley, an old man who runs a toy shop in the station and carries a heavy secret. When Hugo discovers that secret, what begins as the adventures of a young boy fascinated with all things mechanical, slowly transforms into a love letter to the art of film.

The wondrous set of the train station itself becomes a character in the story, heightened by the inspired use of the latest 3-D technology. The sharp colors and details enhance every scene. The supporting cast includes Chloe Grace Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee, Jude Law, Michael Studbarg and Emily Mortimer. Mr. Scorsese brings out the best in his entire ensemble but it is Mr. Kingsley and young Mr. Butterfield who truly shine.

While marketed as a family film, "Hugo" contains some scenes that may be too intense for young viewers and while charming and magical, the eventual revelations of the film may be too "adult" as well. Having said that, "Hugo" is still a wonderful achievement that expresses so well, why cinema matters.

My Week With Marilyn

Michele Williams is simply brilliant as Marilyn Monroe in this new film based on the true memoir of Colin Clark, a third assistant director on the film "The Prince & The Showgirl". Sir Laurence Olivier directed and starred along side Ms. Monroe in the "light comedy". The behind the scenes look at what happened during the filming of that movie is the basis of the new film.

Ms. Williams channels Marilyn perfectly. It is Oscar worthy acting with a guaranteed nomination. She is supported by a very funny Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence and Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark, who begins the film a naïve boy of twenty three but grows up quickly thanks to Ms. Monroe. The film also has a pedigree supporting cast with Julia Ormond, Dougray Scott, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, Dominic Cooper, Zoe Wanamaker, Toby Jones and Sir Derek Jacobi, all playing the real people orbiting Marilyn's world.

On the surface, it's a film about making a movie but it's really a journey into the fragile psyche of Marilyn Monroe at the time and the true friendship she develops with Mr. Clark. It's an interesting story made memorable by Ms. Williams amazing performance.

Outrage

The latest "blood and bullets" drama from writer/director Takeshi Kitano. Taking place in the contemporary world of the Japanese "Yakuza", fans of this genre will not be disappointed. Mr. Kitano's film is sleek and highly stylized, filled with great imagery. It tells the tale of warring families seeking favor with the "Chairman" and it's filled with double and triple crosses along with an escalating body count.

We've seen this kind of story before and the plot holds no surprises other than who will ultimately survive but Mr. Kitano's sense of poetry in his visuals help heighten this entertaining crime drama. The symmetry of the Yakuza vehicles juxtaposed with the henchmen in well tailor suits makes for a memorable opening alone.

Mr. Kitano also plays a starring role in the film as his alter ego, "Beat Kitano" as Otomo, an underling to the "Chairman". His character is of the same quiet but deadly killer he's played in many of his films. Honor among thieves is an important part of a Japanese crime film and even in betrayal, honor is always a priority, whether you are an underboss or a corrupt policeman. Otomo finds out that honorable or not, no one is untouched by the violence, which may well be Mr. kitano's point.

Melancholia

Lars von Triers is one of my favorite directors. His films are always artistic and challenging. If you are looking for simple escapist entertainment, this is not the film for you. However, if you are up for the challenge, you will be drawn in by the gravitational pull of "Melancholia". To quote R.E.M. "It's the End of The World as We Know it and I feel fine".

The film is divided into two parts. In Part One "Justine" we are introduced to Justine, played by kirsten Dunst, who is suffering from a crippling depression (one could call Melancholia) while at the same time, a planet named Melancholia is on a collison course with Earth. Ms. Dunst is celebrating her wedding to Michael, played by Alexander Skarsgard. They are at the rented castle of her sister and brother-in-law, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg and Keifer Sutherland. It is a lavish "black tie" affair but Ms. Dunst's condition prevents her from any happiness.

Part Two, "Claire" takes place just after the events of the reception and focuses on the impending arrival of Melancholia and it's effects on Justine, her sister Claire, her husband John and their son. Mr. von Triers presents his themes and ideas to the audience through the actions and reactions of both sisters in each half of the film. The counterbalance of Justine's condition and the planet closing in on Earth only serve to strengthen his point of view.

The film is visually stunning, enriched with a wonderful classical soundtrack. Ms. Dunst gives a rich, complex performance and Mr. Sutherland is a surprise in a unique role. Co-starring in minor roles are Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt and Stellen Skarsgard but the film really belongs to Ms. Dunst and Ms. Gainsbourg.

Mr. von Triers is a writer/director with a unique style that is not for everyone but he does continues to surprise with each new film.

J. Edgar

Director Clint Eastwood does a wonderful job with his actors in an otherwise dull biography of J. Edgar Hoover. Leonardo DeCaprio is excellent as Hoover and equally good is Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson. There were only two important women in Hoover's life, his mother, played here by Judi Dench and his faithful secretary, Helen Gandy, played by Naomi Watts. Both women give strong performances as well.

Despite the fact these four actors are at the top of their game, they are hampered by a claustophobic, dry script that bounces back and forth in time never settling down long enough for the audience to catch up. The screenplay by Dustin Lance Black draws on historical facts and rumors about Mr. Hoover but keeps a tight focus on his relationships with Mr. Tolson, his mother and to some extent, Ms. Gandy. While other characters come and go, they are just background and never fully developed. The film's makeup and lighting are both distracting. Only the three main character age and at times, their makeup looks like something bought in a Halloween store. The lighting keeps the film in blue and grey hues further dulling the story.

Mr. Hoover was a powerful and paranoid man throughout his long tenure in the FBI. Even Ms. Gandy who was his most trusted confident, probably didn't know everything about the man. The film crawls through his life with only the numerous flashbacks providing any spark, keeping the audience involved trying to guess the correct timeline. The story only hints at his relationships with the eight presidents he served.

The focus is on the unspoken love between Mr. Hoover and Mr. Tolson. Their relationship was deeper than the world knew but many probably suspected and that love is painfully and honestly portrayed by both Mr. DeCaprio and Mr. Hammer. Mr. Hoover's devotion to his mother is also a focal point and scenes between them are poignant yet, a little strange. Mr. Black's script is strongest when exploring the repressed homosexuality of the two men and even suggests the reason behind Mr. Hoover's rumored fondness for cross dressing.

While the acting is terrific, "J. Edgar" is an overall disappointment.

Tower Heist

A heist movie where the audience gets robbed. Usually when you mix a high concept with a big time cast and director, the results fail to make good on the promise of the trailer. "Tower Heist" doesn't disappoint in that respect but it does in everything else.

Directed by Brett Ratner and starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda, you would expect action and laughs but end up with a sluggish first act and only a moderately entertaining second act. The film takes forever to get going and finally shows some life once Eddie Murphy starts getting more screen time. Credit Mr. Broderick for providing some good laughs as the mousey analyst and to Mr. Alda playing against type as the smug, billionaire villain. Mr. Stiller, on the other hand brings nothing new as the Tower manager who decides to rob Mr. Alda for the good of the building staff.

The highpoint of the robbery towards the end is fun but the film is so badly edited, it appears that chunks of scenes have been omitted, ruining the continuity and taking the heart out of the story. The film ends up as disposable entertainment, quickly forgotten once it ends.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

A star turn by Elizabeth Olsen in a fascinating story of a girl, who after living in a cult environment for two years, tries to reconnect with the outside world. Written and directed by Sean Durkin, his first feature film is both disturbing and captivating.

We first meet Martha as she is leaving the cult for unknown reasons. She reaches out to her sister Lucy, played by Sarah Paulson who brings Martha to her Connecticut home, with no knowledge of where's she's been. Lucy and her husband Ted, played by Hugh Dancy, try to be understanding but are confused by Martha's behavior especially when she refuses to tell them the truth about her recent past.

The film cuts back and forth in time, between the present in Connecticut and Martha's time with the cult, when she was renamed Marcy May by Patrick, the cult leader. John Hawkes is chilling as Patrick, a man with an evil aura hidden beneath a seemingly gentle exterior. The edits and unusual score create a dream like atmosphere that deliberately unsettles the audience.

Adjusting to life after her experience is not easy for Martha and as layers are peeled back, you realize there will be no simple answers. You are left to interpret these characters as you will. The end, in particular, will be open to much discussion. Love it or hate it, one thing is clear. Elizabeth Olsen has a terrific career ahead of her.

The Rum Diary

Johnny Depp channels his close friend Hunter S. Thompson in this film version of Mr. Thompson's novel. The book is based on Mr. Thompson's exploits in Puerto Rico early in his journalist career. Mr. Depp has played this role once before in "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" which was a slice of Mr. Thompson's career much later in life. Mr. Depp portrayed him in that film as the alcohol fueled, drug induced manic "gonzo" journalist he was to become. In "The Rum Diary", Mr. Thompson's fictional character, Paul Kemp, has yet to "find his voice" and Mr. Depp plays him wooden and colorless.

By it's own admission, the film centers on the excess consumption of rum and the antics of drunken journalists. The thin plot has to do with some shady land deals that have Mr. Depp crossing paths with Aaron Eckhart and Amber Heard. Why Mr. Eckhart's character needs a journalist "in on the deal" is never quite explained but it does give Mr. Depp time to seriously flirt with Ms. Heard (the next Scarlett Johansson). Ms. Johansson was rumored to actually be cast but I suppose that was before she actually read the script.

The film's most colorful characters are it's supporting cast played by Richard Jenkins, the editor of Mr. Depp's Newspaper, Giovanni Ribisi as a rum soaked washout of a journalist and Michael Rispoli, as a photographer who becomes Mr. Depp's best friend. This is actually one of Mr. Rispoli's best roles in a long career of character acting.

Amidst the repetitive drunken scenes, by the film's end, "Paul Kemp" does manage to "find his voice" ensuring years of a unique writing style. Unfortunately, Mr. Depp may be losing his, based on his most recent films. When he's not being outrageous (a Mad Hatter or Captain Jack), his characters tend to be lifeless and boring. When the rum's gone, all you have left is an empty bottle and a hangover.

Take Shelter

Michael Shannon is mesmerizing as Curtis LaForche, a blue collar working man in modern day Ohio who begins to have nightmares and visions of impending doom. Curtis lives with his wife Samantha, played by Jessica Chastain (what movie isn't she in this year?) and their six year old hearing impaired, daughter, Hannah.

Life is normal enough as the couple struggle to pay bills, continue to master sign language and anticipate an operation that can restore Hannah's hearing. When Curtis's visions begin, he becomes obsessed with renovating and enlarging the storm shelter in the backyard. His obsession takes it's toll on his job, his family and literally his sanity as things begin to unravel. Is it mental illness or something more?

Mr. Shannon can do no wrong, whether it's Television (Boardwalk Empire) the stage ( Mistakes Were Made) or film (Revolutionary Road) and once again shows off his brilliance in an extraordinary performance. Jessica Chastain is perfect as Samantha, the wife with unconditional love for her husband, but straining to understand his growing erratic behavior. The film also stars Tova Stewart as Hannah and Shea Wigham (also of Boardwalk Empire) as Dewart, Curtis's best friend. There are also two good cameos by Kathy Baker and Ray McKinnon.

The film may be slow for some but the building intensity of the situation captivates the viewer and the final moments of the film gave me goose bumps.

The Thing

"The Thing"

A totally unnecessary "prequel" to John Carpenter's vastly superior remake of the original '50's Sci-fi classic. There is nothing here to excite an audience. The acting is minimal and logic has been totally thrown out the window. We're told it winter in Antarctica and yet the days are fairly long and people walk around outside dressed like it's + 30 degrees rather than - 30 degrees.

The creature effects are fair but will fail to shock anyone and shape changing plot line never reaches the level of suspense in the John Carpenter version. The direction is horror movie 101 with quick edits, false jumps, and tight close-ups. I will give some credit to the film score which does it's best to create a suspenseful mood.

The entire cast is relatively unknown, a mix of Americans and Norwegians. The female lead, Mary Elizabeth Winstead is no "Sigourney Weaver" action hero but she does try her best. A good deal of the film has Norwegian dialogue with English subtitles which is a complete distraction.

This film didn't need to be made and doesn't need to be seen.

50/50

It's very difficult to make a humorous film about cancer but "50/50" manages to balance both sensitivity and humor very well. Based on a true story, it's emotional but not melodramatic and sometimes outrageously funny due to a well balanced script.

Joseph Gordon Levitt, excellent as always, plays Adam, a young man diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. We follow his story from discovery through treatment and eventual results. Adam's best friend is played by Seth Rogan, who delivers the funniest lines but also delivers a heartfelt performance. Adam's girlfriend is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, who after starring in "The Help" and now this, has a great career ahead as the girl you love to hate.

The film also stars Anna Kendrick as a young therapist trying to help Adam through his struggle and Philip Baker Hall and Matt Frewer as fellow cancer patients who have an strong impact on Adam. Anjelica Houston plays Adam's mother. Welcome back, Ms. Houston. We've missed you and this part shows why. She's terrific in all her scenes.

I found the ending to be a bit rushed but otherwise "50/50" is worth your time. If you can deal with the subject matter, bring a box of tissues but also be prepared to laugh.

The Ides of March

Another in a long line of political dramas that point out there is no such thing as an honest politician. George Clooney directs himself, along with Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in this tale of political twists and turns.

Mr. Gosling is at the center of things as an idealistic and as it turns out , very naïve press secretary helping Mr. Hoffman run the primary campaign of the Pennsylvania Governor played by Mr. Clooney. It's not the most riveting plot and the suspense is lacking but the acting carries the film. In particular, Mr. Giamati and Mr. Hoffman, who chew up the scenery fighting over the services of Mr. Gosling. This has been quite a year for Mr. Gosling and he is much more animated and involved here than his last effort, "Drive".

Mr. Clooney's direction is rather pedestrian, moving the plot along at a leisurely pace with enough exposition to make sure the audience is following every point. The film has obviously been released now for award season but doesn't have the gravitas to go all the way. It's entertaining enough but I expected more.

Moneyball

The business of Baseball done in a most entertaining way. Based on a true story, the film stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the real life GM of the Oakland Athletes baseball team and Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, an economist who joins the team in 2002. Using an economic foundation and playing by the numbers, they manage to reverse their losing streak and have a great season, well documented in baseball lore.

While the premise may not sound exciting, the smart script by Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian engages the viewer even if they are not a big baseball fan. Mr. Pitt, himself, has enough charisma to fill a baseball stadium and it's obvious he's having fun with the part. His relationship with Mr. Hill is the closest thing you will get to a love story in this film (except for the love of the game itself) and Mr. Hill finally breaks his 'stoner comedy" mold with this role.

The director, Bennett Miller, keeps things moving briskly and the story never gets bogged down or goes over your head. While those who follow baseball may know the outcome, the film still entertains on many levels. Whether it be the players adjusting to new rules, Billy and Peter's partnership, Billy's relationship with his daughter or his commitment to making the new system successful, it's all great fun to watch.

"Moneyball" is a home run.

Don't Be Afraid of The Dark

"Don't Be Afraid of The Dark"

Or rather, be very afraid of the dark as that's when the little creatures will come to get you. Based on the television movie of the same name, Producer/writer Guillermo del Toro retells the tale in his own vision. The suspense is ramped up but the stakes remain the same... the life of a little girl and her family.

Guy Pearce plays the father of little Sally, who has come to live with him and his girlfriend, Kim played by Katie Holmes. Of course, they are refurbishing a huge gothic home with a dark secret in it's past. Sally is played by newcomer, Bailee Madison and she is talented beyond her years. The script calls for her to react to some pretty terrible things and she handles the role very well. Mr. Del Toro has a appreciation for dark fairy tales featuring strong willed little girls. There are moments of tribute to his earlier work, "Pan's Labyrinth" but that remains a superior film. This remake is stuffed with horror movie clichés.

The director, Troy Nixey tries to slowly build suspense and using the "Spielberg technique" doesn't completely reveal his monsters until well into the film. Unfltunately his slow build is pretty boring. The lighting and music do create a suspenseful atmosphere but all the bumps in the night are pretty stock elements. Overall, this is a hohum thriller with a few frightful moments but it is quickly disappearing from theaters to make room for the "big guns" of fall. If you rent it on DVD, watch it with the lights out. It will help.

Drive

From the ads and trailer, you go in expecting a certain kind of movie but "Drive" turns this genre on it's head and takes you by surprise. Unfortunately I was not pleased by the "surprise". What starts out very promising quickly becomes a bad imitation of director Michael Mann's style.

Ironic for a film called Drive, it remains stuck in first gear for most of the film. There are a total of three car chases (and the last, while effective, is sloppy in it's execution). The rest of the film is filled with endless head shots of Ryan Gosling and Cary Mulligan. Scenes with no dialogue go on forever to the pulsing beat of the electronica soundtrack. Mr. Gosling's character is a total mystery (we don't even learn his name). All we know is that he is an excellent driver and has a psychotic temper when pushed. Mr. Gosling seems an odd choice for this kind of film but his cool demeanor works well for the most part. It's the ultra violent moments that just don't make sense.

The bloodshed and violent acts are so over the top, they are almost funny and after being lulled into a daze by the poor direction by Nicholas Winding Reyn, they are a jolt to the system when they occur. This was probably Mr. Winding Refn's intent to keep the audience awake.

The film co-stars Bryan Cranston, as Shannon, Mr. Gosling's boss and a far more interesting character than "The Driver" and Albert Brooks as a menacing crime lord, who has a new career playing against type. Ron Perlman plays a extremely stereotypical goon that we're either supposed to take seriously or laugh at the role as a parody. Christina Hendricks (from TV's Mad Men) has a "blink and you miss her" cameo but it's pretty memorable in it's own way. And then we come back to Cary Mulligan who sleepwalks her way through the film as Mr. Gosling's motivation.

Maybe I missed the joke and the whole film is a parody. That would explain the outbursts of laughter from the audience throughout the film. This drive goes nowhere. It's just long, boring and violent.

Contagion

Didn't we all see this movie already? The last time around it was called "Outbreak" and starred Dustin Hoffman. Before that it was called "The Andromeda Strain" starring James Olsen. Now we have an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Lawrence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law. I guess every few years we need a killer virus movie to shake us all up. And the thing is...it does.

Scarier than any slasher film, "Contagion" will have you squirming in your seats and reaching for your hand sanitizer. Is it enjoyable and entertaining? Not really considering how close we are to really experiencing an outbreak of this proportion. Is it compelling? Absolutely. The acting is first rate and the story is so relatable, you'll run to the restroom as soon as it's over to wash your hands.

Director Steven Soderbergh is adept at juggling a large cast and breaking them down into inter-locking sub-plots that still manage to maintain the bigger picture. In particular, Matt Damon as a widower fighting to protect what's left of his family and Jude Law's conspiracy blogger are two standout stories.

In the end, this is a public service announcement masquerading as film entertainment and it's worth your time, if only to educate you on proper sanitation protocols.

The Help

Terrific performances from a wonderful ensemble cast are the heart and soul of this dramatic setting at the dawn of the civil rights movement in Jackson Mississippi. When Skeeter Phelan, played by Emma Stone, comes home to Jackson and decides to write the stories of all the African-American "help", it ignites a flame in the town that will never die.

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer are the first maids that come forward to tell their stories to Skeeter and these two women are incredibly powerful, each in their own way. Representing the white upper-class is Hilly Holbrook, played convincingly by Bryce Dallas Howard, who's social class and upbringing blind her to her racial bigotry. While Ms. Davis and Ms. Spencer are the heart of the film, you can't ignore the work of Ms. Stone (in her most mature role to date) who is both the anchor and catalyst for everything going on around her.

Allison Janney plays Skeeter's mother, raised to think one way but willing to change before it's too late. She is so well cast and has some great scenes of her own. Also co-starring is Jessica Chastain, who just continues to amaze with every role and Sissy Spacek, who also has some wonderful scenes as Hilly's mother.

"The Help" should expect at least six or more Oscar nominations and the biggest challenge will be who to nominate in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress roles. Every woman in the film so completely inhabits their character that the audience can't help but feel the emotions coming off the screen. I didn't read the book but I have to believe that the film brings these people to life in a perfect portrayal. Credit must be given to Tate Taylor who wrote the screenplay and directed the film.

"The Help" is cleaning up at the box-office and deservingly so.

The Debt

Based on the trailers that seemed to be running forever, this film delivers on it's promise. While it may strain credibility at times, it's still a pretty good espionage thriller with more than one good twist. Cutting back and forth in time, director John Madden, introduces characters and plot points like puzzle pieces that eventually come together to form a sobering picture.

The film stars Helene Mirren, Tom Wilkinson and Ciaran Hinds as retired Mossad agents, who 30 years ago undertook a mission to capture a Nazi war criminal posing as a doctor in East Berlin. In the flashbacks of 60's East Berlin, the agents are played by Jessica Chastain, Marton Csokas, and Sam Worthington. Ms. Chastain has seemingly come out of nowhere to be the "it" girl of the moment. She is currently in three films with at least three more before year end. The good news is rather than be overexposed, she is showing terrific range and maturity in this variety of roles and she should be enjoying a strong career for years to come. As young Rachel Singer in "The Debt", she is terrific.

The rest of the cast all do credible work even when the plot steers into the improbable and there is a fair amount of suspense to keep the audience engaged. I was reminded at times of films like "Marathon Man" and "The Boys From Brazil" (both higher quality but sharing similar themes). If you are looking for something with a little more substance at the end of the summer, this will be a good start before the avalanche of "Oscar" bait that begins in the next few weeks.

Rise of The Planet of The Apes

A smart script and some terrific CGI work make this prequel a plausible and exciting explanation for the eventual "planet of the apes". James Franco stars as a scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer's by testing his drugs on chimps. When things go wrong with a test subject, he ends up raising the remaining baby chimp, whom he names "Caesar", at his home. It soon becomes clear that Caesar's mother has past on the genetic codes to make him super smart and things progress from there.

Mr. Franco and co-star Frieda Pinto are pretty much eye candy as the "good" humans and Tom Felton does his "Draco Malfoy" evil bit as a sadistic kennel worker. John Lithgow plays Mr. Franco's father who has just a few scenes but one that is very key to the story. Brian Cox is under-used as another "bad" human but in a film like this, all the "bad" guys get their due. The CGI work, as stated, is really is terrific but the real star of the film is the motion capture work done by Andy Serkis who bring remarkable life to Caesar.

There are some clever nods to the original film and the plot evolves naturally to set up the outcome we all know and expect.. The film does leave room for a sequel that can still fill in some gaps between the timelines but specific bits and pieces make the evolution pretty clear. The climax on the Golden Gate Bridge is very exciting enhanced by a strong musical score. The one unfortunate part of the film is the brutal mistreatment of Caesar and the other chimps which, while very important to drive the revolt, is hard to watch. It should also make you sad to consider how, in real life, some people continue to mistreat animals. In that respect, this science fiction can also be seen as a cautionary tale for mankind.