The Darkest Hour (** out of ****)

The Darkest Hour is a film that I had such low expectations of going in I ended up quite liking it. So in terms of entertainment value it's not actually a bad film at all. In terms of story, suspense and believability it is the complete opposite. Sean (Emile Hirsch) and Ben (Max Minghella) are in Moscow to propose a social network venture. They meet Natalie (Oliva Thirby) and Anne (Rachael Taylor) in a night club when as luck would have it, aliens invade. These invaders are cloaked in a electromagnetic field that makes them invisible to the naked eye but cause electronic devices to react in their presence. I actually liked the actors in the film so perhaps personally I overlooked boring characters here. The film goes for a mix of apocalyptic atmosphere (ala 28 Days Later) and the simple alien fighting genre. Moscow in ruins is pleasing to the eye for apocalypse junkies such as myself. Perhaps if the aliens didn't look like Pokemon I'd have been drawn into the world more. Then again it's not great in the first place. I had a decent amount of fun watching though (some russians caused me to laugh hysterically due to their getups). If you don't examine the film and turn off your brain then fun times are ahead. Of course I couldn't do that and hence the poorer rating.

** out of ****

Carnage (*** out of ****)

There is both little and lengthy things that can be said about this film. The plot is simply two couples set to discuss a fight their children had at school. Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz are an upper middle class couple that have the hint of superiority here. It comes down to that Waltz is bored endlessly by this tediousness while Winslet fakes interest which can only last so long. The other couple is played by John C. Reilly and Jodie Foster. Reilly has the job of the one who thinks this is all unnecessary and this meeting is just a bad idea. Foster must play the reasonable one that is looking to regain control of their lives. The film is a short 76 minutes mostly because it's all in real time in a single apartment. As the situation progresses each distinct character  eventually gives into their carnage. They have come to meet as reasonable adults but in not getting what they want have reverted to childish and simple yelling. Allegiances shift, people seek to disarm one another, hilarity and melodrama occur all backed up by great performances (although Foster is a bad too manic near the end). From my understanding the film is weaker than the play. Nearly every time I read something about the film they said the theater play was better. Well since I've never seen it I didn't need to compare the two. So the final product here seems fresh to me and an upscale kind of fun.

*** out of ****

The Adventures of Tintin (*** out of ****)

It's easy to see why Tintin is such a famous character. He has a clear understanding of right and wrong, is very bright, not afraid of a fight, has a taste for mystery and a lovely fox terrier named Snowy. Tintin hails from a series of comic books written in Belgium, They're quite big in Europe and India. Spielberg tapping into his inner "Indy" brought the series to the big screen. It is captured in glorious motion capture with talents such as Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg involved.

Tintin and Snowy get caught up in a mystery to find a great treasure. The villainous Rackham seeks to take the prize for his own but needs something in Tintin possession to proceed. Both however need Captain Haddock to remember the final clue. The film contain some thrilling sequences (one involving a hawk was some of the most fun I had this year), some quick humor and dazzling views. As far as adventure film goes it contains all the elements it need to succeed. Some of this is greatly enhanced with 3D. In the end you'll have fun and have a new heroic face to remember. Sometimes that's all we need in a film.

*** out of ****

Most Anticipated Films of 2012

2011 is near a close and I'm forming my "best of" lists still. I have a couple more films I need to watch in order for me to satisfied with my lists. I expect by mid January to have everything up. However this does not mean that I can't post a list I still look forward too making. Twenty films that I greatly anticipate for next year. It's not ranked but the higher on the list the better. Sure there will be films that will grab my attention later and some films I may post might not be released in 2012 (On The Road and A Swim Two Birds never came out this year) but as of the end of 2011 this is what I'm looking forward too.

- Prometheus
- The Dark Knight Rises
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- Seven Psychopaths
- Untitled Terrence Malick Project
- Cogan's Trade
- World War Z
- Django Unchained
- The Place Beyond The Pines
- Only God Forgives
- Cosmopolis
- On The Road
- Stoker
- Celeste and Jesse Forever
- Looper
- Byzantium
- Wettest County
- The Amazing Spider-Man
- Gravity
- This Is 40

Margin Call (*** out of ****)

The biggest strength of Margin Call comes from its cast. It features Zachary Quinto, Paul Bettany, Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci, Demi Moore, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker and Jeremy Irons. All are capable to achieve greatness and when put together create a unforgettable product. As actors they make the dialogue the script presents all it could be. J.C Chandor as a first time writer and director has done very well with the material. However his words are so heavy that they may have come off as algebra on screen. Yet the actors pull of this dialogue to give it a thrilling pace. In fact the way every scene is created seems like a dialogue heavy thriller rather than a film about wall street yuppies. It it great work by everyone involved.

Quinto's character has uncovered something big that may mean the end of their company. It's the story of banking crisis and the collapse of wall street that we all know. However now the audience is given a first hand a first hand look at the stress involved. For the type of film it is, its made exceptionally well. Margin Call is confident and bold in its ideas and has the material to back it up.

*** out of ****

Immortals (**1/2 out of ****)

Roger Ebert described this as "the best looking bad film ever". I can't disagree but neither will I call it bad film. Filmmaking means analyzing all aspects on the screen. Fantastic costumes and art direction play a role  when creating a film. In that aspect it leaps beyond what is normally deemed at as acceptable to a treat for the eyes. I could watch some of the images presented in Immortals all day and feel fulfilled. Also since this is a action film, that quality is also met quite well. Where this story falls apart is at the script. The story is too sudden and childish to be anything noteworthy. The images are an A, the script is around a D.

King Hyperion (Micky Rourke) declares war on humanity and the gods by deciding to release the Titans. He needs the Epirus Bow, a mythical item to release them from their prison. Zeus (Luke Evans) and the other gods can not interfere in human matters but fear the release of the Titans. They guide Theseus (Henry Cavill) to defeat Hyperion. It is inaccurate to greek mythology but I can overlook that if the film is good. Of course the story presented is miserable so yes I'm allowed to judge it now. Some fun action and great visuals make this definitely watchable but nothing to look back kindly on.

**1/2 out of ****

Weekend (*** out of ****)

Film is largely about identification. We look at the silver screen to see a story that can be affectionally understood. It doesn't mean all the time that the story is relatable. However being able to step into the shoes of those on and behind the camera is the goal. Feeling the struggle, emotions, heartbreak, and excitement is easy in Weekend.

Russell (Tom Cullen) leaves a house party with his straight friends to go to a gay night club. He wakes up in the morning with Glen (Chris New). What might have been a one night stand turns into a story where the two spend the weekend together and fall in love by the end. Being a film about two gay men doesn't mean its not easy to relate to the leads. It's strongly written, well acted and actually has a point for being a film that seems bland on the surface. It is subtle and delicate in the way Russell warms up to Glen. Sometimes love means stepping out of your comfort and just going for it.

*** out of ****

Boy Wonder (*** out of ****)

Here is the serious and near realistic version of Kick-ass & Super. It centers on Caleb (Sean Steinmeyer) who lost his mother when he was ten. She was killed in a car jacking. His father before that use to beat both her and Caleb. He's sober now that Caleb is about 18. Caleb works hard in school and works out heavily afterwards. Caleb goes looking for criminals that have attacked children like when he was younger.  Teresa (Zulay Henao) is a cop that he befriends but she in turn is hunting this vigilante. The film contains rich characters, complexing emotions, development and a interesting device. Often Caleb imagines characters are rash and harsh but they are really calm. This adds some weight to whether or not Caleb is righteous or misguided. In the end it does what it set out to do quite well.

*** out of ****

Restless (**1/2 out of ****)

As predictability goes this film has it all. You could have told me the plot in say a single long sentence and I'm sure I could tell you near the exact way the story would unfold. I guessed near where every scene would head to confirm what I thought beforehand. However some stories have basic structures that work. Earlier this year I said Win Win followed a predictable pattern but work wonders within its field. Restless does near the same thing but just slightly down on the whole scale of things. Enoch (Henry Hooper) crashes funeral (I've heard this story before) for various reasons. What he is really at heart is a bit different. He meets Annabelle (Mia Wasikowska) who is unique and cute. She is dying of cancer and has three months left. They decide to date for her remaining time. Looking through their eyes is the best way to watch the film. Their joy ever present and love flourishing. However it still doesn't mean that the story is anything great. I enjoyed most of it for what it is worth.

**1/2 out of ****

Insidious (**1/2 out of ****)

I can say quite confidently that my opinion means little here. Not that I'm wrong in any sense but I really would like the viewer to make their own. Insidious has a world of it's own that is more terrifying than any other horror film in years. Its imagination is daring and the film's best quality. However there are scenes here that are both silly and mood ruining. A strength the film finds is letting the audience work it's own theories but this ends around an hour in. The film casts aside wild dreams for basic explanation. So the audience is expected to know everything but it just leads us into confusion. Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson do their best and never skip a beat even when the story requires the use of force pushes to gain the audiences attention. It has some good a lot of potential but I also saw some serious problems. However this is my opinion and I will respect just about anything anybody says about the film. Just don't say it is a total disaster. I had some fun and fear while watching it and I feel that is there general view as well.

**1/2 out of ****
(I avoided a picture of the demons because I think they should be seen for yourself)

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (*** out of ****)

Know that I'm being very kind here in giving this three stars. I decided the good outweighed the bad after sleeping one it. The reason I wanted to rate this film lower was one of the biggest flaws I've seen in some time. However this flaw may be more personal than the film's fault. When Holmes and Watson were speaking often I found myself bored. So I let my mind drift only then to realize I was missing story points. So then I'd pay attention again until about a minute later I found my self bored again. This happened repeatedly though out the film and luckily the scenes changed quickly. I can imagine watching the same dialogue but with no action being a miserable time. Yet this is where the film achieved it's greatness. Both in action and visuals.

Sherlock Holes: A Game of Shadows boosts one of the more entertaining at action sequences of the year. The heroes run through a forest as soldiers chase after them. Trees are torn asunder with mortar rounds, the ground crumbles and there is a sense of fear that this will be the place of Holmes' and Watson's grave. There is some clean cut and exciting editing in this that keeps the film flowing kinetically even if the dialogue slows it down. Also some strong art direction and costumes make this dazzling to look at.

I've seen to have talked about the major features of my film without even touching the plot. I think I'll leave it this way. I just want to say that the two heroes played finely by Robert Downey JR. and Jude Law are joined by Noomi Rapace in hunting down "the Napoleon of stealing" (a affective Jared Harris). I don't think this was a great film. However I will say it passed my expectations in some cases. Once again the good outweighed the bad here.

*** out of ****

The Sitter (* out of ****)

When the only time you actually laugh during a comedy is to something completely unintentional then that is a bad sign. I had perhaps three chuckles and that one case of random laughter for what was a grueling 81 minutes. I can say full heartily that not only is this a unfunny film, it is one of the worst of the year.

Jonah Hill babysits for three kids one night but then brings them to NYC as he tries to get laid. I think leaving the kids at home with the doors locked and some food would have been the best choice. Hill could've been back in like two hours but then we don't have a movie. I'm not to sure if getting rid of this movie in general is such a terrible thing though.

With a recent trend of pushing comedies to their limit with cases such as Horrible Bosses, Cedar Rapids, and Bridesmaids you'd figure a movie described as the "filthiest R rated babysitting movie ever made" would do something good. Nope. Awful plot devices and a lack of jokes make this one. I say the three children are blameless though. They were given bad characters that had cliche characterization. I don't know where to place the blame or even if finding the source is worth my time. 

I can say though that David Gordon Green is coming close a point of no return in the case of my interest. All The Real Girls was one of the most powerful films I've ever seen. Snow Angels (which also stars Sam Rockwell who in The Sitter plays ass of a drug dealer) was quite the great film as well.  I will even say Pineapple Express, his first comedy was a monstrous success and one of the best of last decade. Your Highness was atrocious and the most disappointing film I saw this year. Yet somehow The Sitter is even worse. I said quite confidently after seeing it that I would consider getting cancer over watching the film again. After sleeping on it I feel the same way.

* out of ****

Perfect Sense (***1/2 out of ****)

Ewan McGregor has quite the great year. Beginners which he starred in is one of the year's best. Now comes Perfect Sense which teams him back up with the underrated director David Mckenzie. The film is one of the most moving of the year. In the sense of emotion in is perhaps the best. The Tree of Life and Beginners are both moving in their own right but not like this. This is a entrancing romance mixed with sci-fi epidemic. It's the strongest in perhaps both categories this year.

There is a virus spreading on a global scale. It cause people slowly to lose their sensory perception. First goes smell, then taste and so on. It's actually horrifying when you think about it. Losing a sense creates fear, distrust and irrational behavior. However the theme of the movies is also the result of the virus. Humans adapt to the situation that befalls on them and they move on with their life. The ideas presented in the film over how people dealt with the senses were both brilliant and heart filled.

McGregor plays Michael who is a chef in Glasgow. A chef is the perfect career for this film FYI. He meets  Susan (Eva Green) who is a scientists who originally helps to try to cure the virus. The two begin to get close and become very romantic. Green's and McGregor's chemistry is hypnotic. Personal lives and emotions are much better topics when talking about a global catastrophe. Melancholia showed a single family dealing with the end of the world rather and it was astonishing. Contagion told multiple stories that got us involved because of big name actors but was a bit of a let down. Perfect Sense has found a good middle ground where we see the world panic but are moved more by the love story presented. This is the film Blindness should have been. Perfect Sense for me was one of the profound and emotional experiences in some time.

***1/2 out of ****

Young Adult (***1/2 out of ****)

When breaking down this movie it's odd that as a product it's so successful. Mavis (Charlize Theron) is a character that the audience likes less of by the minute. However somewhat like the residents of the town we keep giving her a second chance. To warm up this film seems strange and the easiest thing to do. The film is above all else hilarious, executed well, contains unique characters and is very well acted. Young Adult is the dark comedy of the year.

Mavis was the most popular girl in her high school when she was younger. The blonde girl that we see in movies that walks around with an entourage and everyone puts on a pedestal as a golden god. Mavis is now 37 and has peaked hard. She is a somewhat successful author (the book series is failing now hence somewhat) lives in a Minneapolis condo in a pigsty. There are a lot of little characteristics Mavis has that will bring a goofy grin to your face. Mavis finds out her high school sweetheart has a kid and is married. Mavis being the upstanding citizen must rescue him for a loving family in a small town. Yes Mavis is the villain. She flirts with Buddy (Patrick Wilson) and drinks heavily with a geek she use to never give a thought about. The geek is played by Patton Oswalt in a terrific role. He's the heart the film needs so that Mavis' actions seem plausible. Charlize Theron gives one of her best performances in this fantastic film. I expected high things from the returning team of Retiman and Cody and I was not let down in the slightest. Every laugh comes with a little slap but you'll want to leave battered and bruised.

***1/2 out of ****

The Skin I Live In (***1/2 out of ****)

This film devoured me. I was mesmerized by the events presented to me. So lost was I that the near two hour run time was over before I knew it. I haven't felt such a thrill since Perfume: Story of a Murder. Before I get ahead of myself let me dial the praise back a touch. I want to do this review right.

I won't say much of the plot. Only that it will draw you in like you've never felt before. What I do think should be shared is the basics of Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas in his best performance). Ledgard lives in quite the manor. A nice touch of classic woodwork and paintings but also modern furniture. In this house is a woman. She is dressed in a skin looking suit and is locked in a room at all times of the day. All we know she looks delicate and her name is Vera (Elena Anaya). Ledgard spends most of his time working in his stylish lab. He's working on a skin that will be immune to heat, disease or a host of other harms. Of course he needs a test subject. See where this is going? Trust me when I say the story will shock you with the twists and turns the film will take.

Pedro Almodovar is a director unlike no other. I've said it before and I'll say it again his films are all terrific. What he has done here is that he's made a horror film with no screams. There will be terror and suspense but we won't be waiting for the jump to give us a break. No The Skin I Live In knows how to build intrigue mixed with horror. Almodovar films all have beautiful soundtracks and a emphasis on colors. He has a lust for the color red and his films support this. The artistic design of the film is ravishing that the story won't be the only thing to keep your eyes glues to the screen. Dark sexuality breathes through this film to leave you drained yet wanting more. The Skin I live In is something to adore for reasons of human nature. It appeals to all our senses. It is one of the year's best.

***1/2 out ****

Water For Elephants (**1/2 out of ****)

With a film containing actors such as Robert Pattinson, Reece Witherspoon and Chrisoph Waltz, it's funny that the elephant Rosie steals the show. She has more heart and fun then the entire cast really. Not that this is a bad film. Just one that seems forced and disinterested some times. Jacob (Robert Pattinson) due to some life changing circumstances stowaway's on a train. The train belongs to a traveling circus that he soon joins due to his veterinary experience. Jacob sees Marlena (Reece Witherspoon), the show's main attraction one night and they begin to make cute. She is married to the ringleader (Christoph Waltz with some glamor) who you know will turn out to have a nasty side. The film has a nice eye for it's depression era sets and costumes, some nice acting, and a moving soundtrack. However at times  the emotion seems quite forced. That pleasant soundtrack is part of it's downfall. The audience is tricked into believing some scenes are moving due to a piano score but is that because of the images or the music accompanying them? Is that a bad thing in the end though? I mean it all adds to a finished product. Water For Elephants is a fine film but not one that will stick with you. Even the time watching it makes you think that you'll soon leave to perhaps see something better. I sound quite negative here when I shouldn't be. I did like the movie and if given the chance I think it is worth the watch. Take that part away from this review.

**1/2 out of ****

Trespass (*1/2 out of ****)

LOUD NOISES!!!
Brick Tamland's iconic quote is all I could think of when watching this film. it is more or less 90 minutes of people screaming at one another in a display of overacting. Nicholas Cage here may not be overacting enough for my taste. Cage and Nicole Kidman are taken hostage by the worst criminals I've seen in some time. They want the diamond's in his home safe but Cage won't give them up easily. The film is silly, stupid and once agin very loud. I've seen worst movies which is why I won't give this the one star. However I did think about it before writing this film. Part of me actually liked the team of very stupid criminals (Ben Mendelsohn what happened, you were such a great villain in Animal Kingdom). Criminals normally have everything planned down precisely but these goons would make me look like Keyser Soze. I had a little fun watching these buffoons run around. Then we were twenty minutes in and I had to endure some bad things.

*1/2 out of ****

We Need To Talk About Kevin (**1/2 out of ****)

The year's most divided film has come through my life and has left as meteor shower might. It will give me some memories but never those that I think about as defining moments. More mere moments in time that passed through my life. Some people have watched this film and seen a masterpiece, the scariest film of the year, something horrifyingly true and a film to never watch again for the good reasons. Others like myself saw potential perhaps never reached. Then there are those who despised this film but that is far from my thoughts. I myself wanted more.

The film is about Kevin who is a high schooler that killed many of his classmates. He is sick, deranged, twisted and many other negative words that I personally can't think of right now. What the film wants us to decide if he was born evil or was made that way. His mother played ferociously by Tilda Swinton gives us reason to believe elements of both. This begins with jumping time frames between before and after the massacre. Swinton in the present is in her own hell and it can easily be felt by the audience. The confusion of time at the beginning was part of the films strength until about midway throughout he film just straight up tells of the leading up events. The film seems distant and soulless but not in the way it should be. Kevin may be a son of a bitch, but not one that will haunt our dreams. Well maybe for some because this film is the American Dream horror film that some have been craving. Once again to me I saw a film that didn't connect well. Swinton and big ideas (not all of which fulfilled) make this worth it in the end.

**1/2 out of ****

Everything Must Go (*** out of ****)

I can say with honest sincerity that Will Ferrell has the ability to be great dramatic actor. He chooses to be a great comedian which in all honesty I prefer. I have a nice warm home in my heart for Ron Burgundy and Brennan Hoff. However much like Jim Carrey and Robin Williams; Ferrell has given us a performance to show how special an actor he is. It is exceptional work but I wish the film could keep up with him. The story is of Nick (Will Ferrell) who has just been fired and lost his wife. She threw all his stuff on the front lawn, left town for a while and want's him to leave permanently. Nick decides to live in his front lawn however which really is him reclining in a chair and drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon. Nick is not a likable character, Ferrell's presence tries to make us like him. Nick has done a lot of things wrong he isn't looking to change. Of course you know with the help of two neighbors played by Rebecca Hall and Christopher Jordan Wallace (Biggie's kid) that he may become a nice man. The film is shinny when nick is happy and dark when he is sad. The contrasts are quite nice. Ferrell makes this one special in the end.

*** out of ****

The Green Lantern (*1/2 out ****)

The Green Lantern is the worst superhero movie that I took seriously. Did I expect Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer to be good? Of course not. However part of me held up hope for The Green Lantern. I told myself to loom past the awful reviews when starting it, of course the critics were right. This film is dead upon arrival.

Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds playing himself) is a fighter pilot when he receives the ring. The Green Lantern Corps defends the universe using rings powered by the universe's will power. I don't mind the silly idea because I'm a comic book fan. I like the Green Lantern story but defiantly prefer others. The Corps greatest fighter is killed by a mighty power called Parallax, the ring then chooses Hal. He trains with the Lanterns to dispel fear. Also Hal flirts with Carol (a pretty but boring Blake Lively), a fellow pilot and his superior. There action isn't special, the characterization is dumb and the overall plot in general is in the gutter. The film doesn't even have any guilty pleasure fun, it's all boring. The only saving grace is Peter Sarsgaard as the villain Hector Hammond. He's a brilliant scientist that can't compete with Hal for Carol's affection (Hector isn't the best looking guy). Sarsgaard pulls off a near impossible character with ease and has some fun doing it. I see Green lantern not as a movie that was made to tell a story but one to make money. The producers knew that superhero movies are hot right now so why not make one that hasn't been touched yet. Too bad no emotion or soul was put into this adaption.

*1/2 our of ****

The Devil's Double(*** out of ****)

Uday Hussein was said to be "beyond a psychopath". His actions were cruel and uncalled for most of the time. US soldiers found an iron maiden in Uday's mansion after his death even. Uday was cruel but his body double was kind. Uday forced his schoolmate Latif to become his double. Latif would even go as far as to speak to Iraqi soldiers on the front line when Uday would party back home. The film shows the inside story of Uday and how Latif struggles with with impersonating a demon. Dominic Cooper plays both roles in a incendiary effort. Cooper is mesmerizing as Uday and gains the audiences sympathy as Latif. It's a very strong performance indeed. A great performance and story almost larger than life makes this one to see.

*** out of ****

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (**1/2 out of ****)

So here we are again and I have to say that I like being here. Stoner buddies Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) are back to their hilarious hijinks. This time instead of going somewhere in particular, our two heroes are looking for a specific christmas tree. Harold's father in law has spent years growing this perfect tree and when it gets destroyed (Kumar is the culprit of course), the two buddies scramble around NYC looking for this rare type of tree. The jokes are over the top and pushing borders. That's the best way to make a such a comedy. In a world where jokes are recycled day in day out, this film tries some new things. Not to many new jokes to make it brilliant but enough to get me laughing. I enjoy the series but unfortunately I have to say this is the weakest. Yet this is still a very funny film. There is a lot of returning characters and some new ones (both welcomed in this series). I had a lot of fun watching it and I don't see why anybody wouldn't (maybe they like pancakes).

**1/2 out of ****

The Muppets (*** out of ****)

The Muppets will have you grinning ear to ear from start to finish. Of course that was expected. The Muppets are an iconic image of joy. Each character is unique in their own ways. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses. A strong character has their pros and cons and The Muppets as a cast has them.
For kids this will be a funny film about images that they probably have seen but not experienced. Adults will want to reminisce on the great times they had as children watching this cast of characters. I remember fondly seeing The Muppets Take Manhattan I was much younger. The Muppets is a delight and one that won't disappoint.

I feel no need to dive deep into plot elements because it's predictable and simple Muppet fun. Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) is buying the muppets studio to drill for oil and now the Muppets need to reunite and put on a telethon to make ten million dollars to save it. They are helped by three small town yolks. Gary (Jason Segal) and Mary (Amy Adams) are a long term couple who deviate from their ten year anniversary to help the Muppets, The other small town man is actually a Muppet who may be the Muppets (the actual cast) biggest fan. The actors have a blast (Segal, Adams, and Cooper are fantastic), all the Muppets (for the most part) have something to do, the musical numbers are joyous, the jokes are quick and timely, the cameos are splendid and the charm is near endless. Sure it's not a perfect film, nor does it have to be. It's just something that Muppet fans and even new comers alike can sit back and enjoy.

*** out of **** stars

Hugo (***1/2 out of ****)

Hugo warmed my heart. Its magical aura surged through me to leave me in a state of bliss. It's one of the year's great films and maybe its most versatile. On one hand it's a darling kids movie of adventure. However what I saw swept the floor with me. This is one the greatest dedications to old cinema I've had the pleasure of viewing.

Hugo (a marvelous Asa Butterfield) lives in the walls of train station. His father died in a accident and he was left in the care of of his uncle. His uncle repaired the clocks at this train station before he left for a life of boozing. Hugo now operates the clocks, steals food when necessary, avoids the station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen) and also takes toys. These toys have parts he needs to finish the automaton that Hugo and his father were repairing. It's the last thing of his father that Hugo has. He needs a key that mysteriously his new friend (Chloe Grace Moretz) keeps around her neck to finish it. Her godfather gave it to her.

The godfather is George Melies (Ben Kingsley), if you don't recognize the name let me due a brief history lesson. Melies was a magician turned filmmaker. He is credited with creating special effects in films. A Trip to the Moon is his most recognized film and rightfully so. It's a beautiful dream of cinema. Scorsese has made a film not only for kids but for cinephiles. It's darling to see the love for such a movement recreated by Scorsese. It's not a factual account of the man's life but it recognizes Melies' work.  Scorsese is known for his gangster films but Hugo may be closest to his heart. This film is the soul of such a great man. It's a piece of art to love.

***1/2 out of ****

The Descendants (**** out of ****)

To say that The Descendants is a perfect movie isn't a far off statement. I really can't see myself giving this anything else but a four star review. The Descendants is funny, dark, moving, gentle, soothing, sometimes brash and really just a movie that needs to be seen. Not a movie you "should" see, but NEED too. That's right people, this very well may be our Best Picture winner at the coming Oscars.

Our beginning is narrated by Matt King (George Clooney) in a very unique way. First he says that he lives in Hawaii and that despite him living in "paradise", he along with all the other residents have troubles. That you can live anywhere or be anybody and still have awful issues. Matt's wife was in a motorboat accident and has landed in a deep coma. It doesn't look good. Matt now needs to take care of his two daughters singlehandedly. Both daughters have the same issues (being foul mouthed trouble makers). The eldest is played by Shailene Woodley in a marvelous performance. I'd never thought I'd say the star of The Secret Life of an American Teenager should be an Oscar nominee, but perhaps I've said stranger in the past. To add to Matt's problems he finds out his wife was cheating on him and so begins a humorous and engaging attempt to confront this man. The last of Matt's present problems is the matter of land. He's the descendant of a Hawaiian princess that married a white settler. He owns a large portion of untouched land that he must decide (as the head of a trust fund) to keep it preserved or to sell for hundreds of millions dollars  to hotel owners. His family isn't going to let this issue be delayed any longer. There are three fascinating stories here all with interesting characters that genuinely get you involved in the movie. Time flies when you're having fun and this film and  I loved every second.

Alexander Payne (the director) is a carful man and thank god for that! He's the master of the adult comedy. The fact that this comes close to the quality of his masterpiece known as Sideways is reason enough to rave about this. Payne chooses his movies carefully and since stepping it up with Election, he's done nothing but great pieces of work. He's really that brilliant. I give this four stars not because it's the best movie I've seen this year (top ten though) but it holds up very well in it's field. The Descendants is a dramedy (comedy/drama) and is comparable to Sideways which is also a four star film. Look at it as the pinnacle of the dramedy while Sunshine Cleaning is about a two and half star film. How Saving Private Ryan is a four star war film while The Great Raid is about a two. Clooney leads this pitch perfect cast in a mesmerizing performance. It may just be his best when you take his typecast into consideration. People love Clooney so seeming him play awkward is both great and fresh. It's going to be a strange Oscar season this year but don't be surprised to see The Descendants to go home heavy handed.

**** out of ****

The Help (*** out of ****)

The Help is a safe film. It doesn't dive deep into racial qualms but still addresses them to some degree. It's a feel good movie in the end. I'm not the biggest fan of these types of movies but I can recognize when one is well done. The Help is well acted and contains a story some will be drawn into. However it's not something that should be praised as groundbreaking. Just another decent feel good movie.

Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelam (Emma Stone) returns to her town after going away to study journalism. She lands a job but needs a little help with her article. It's the 1960's and the civil rights movement is still struggling to move forward. Aibileen (a great Viola Davis) is a black maid working in a white household. She's been through several and raises the children more than the actual parents ever will. Eugenia seeks Aibileen's advice on her column but soon decides to do something else. She wants to write a book about the maids who work in these households. It's Aibileen's story and book but just penned by Eugenia. Of course in the community this sort of thing will be frowned upon so they keep it a secret. It's a nice story but a tiresome after a long two and half hour running time. However the lead performances and fine supporting ones by the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and Sissy Spacek make the film worth seeing.

*** out of ****

Another Earth (***1/2 out of ****)

Another Earth is a mesmerizing film that touches upon deep emotional drama, scifi and the fear of the unknown. It's a stunning first feature by Make Cahill (the director) and a marvelous breakthrough performance by Brit Marling. She draws in the audience in the way a lead character should. Another Earth is another great movie this year.

To say that Rhoda (Brit Marling) may divide audiences on whether or no they like her may be a understatement. It's possible some will hate her and others will feel empathy. That's the making of a good character. Very early in the film Rhoda does something unforgivable. She's young and has just been accepted to MIT. She's had a few drinks (not necessarily drunk) and is driving home. Over the radio the broadcaster says that a new planet has been discovered and is visible to the naked eye as a blue star. Rhoda begins looking for it but is no longer paying attention to the road. She crashes into a another vehicle and kills the woman and child inside. The father/husband lands in a coma. Some time later the planet is much closer and appears to be a parallel earth. On this planet is another you. Maybe this Rhoda didn't hit that car that night? However our Rhoda looks to make up for what she's done to the man (William Mapother) she harmed in any way possible. Another Earth is engaging, greatly acted, contains original thought and provokes a response. It is truly a fine film.

***1/2 out ****

This Week in TV

Once gain a breakdown of this week's TV schedule.

The highlights of the week:
1.) Community
2.) How I Met Your Mother
3.) Tie: The League & Happy Endings

Community was brilliant this week. What is going on with this season? It's unbelievably good. This past week's episode ranks in the top three even. Not necessary as funny as it was smart. Yet what they did was something legendary.

American Horror Story was all right. Not too bad or stupid this week. More boring than anything else. Well the identity of the Rubber Man will be shown next week. I can't wait!

Walking Dead fine but last week's was better

Parks & Recreation and It's Always Sunny were also quite good as far as the show's went. However the laughs were scarce. Both brought smiles to my face and I admit they strong episodes. However this was a quite a strong week in TV which is why they didn't make my top three (or four).

The Office is really struggling. I will never give up on the show however.

The Fall (**** out of ****) Revisited

The Fall is a a visceral orgy of surreal and flamboyant images. An epic of emotional tragedy. One that will warm the soul and draw you in. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. One that will haunt me in my dreams. One that will cause my waking mind to wander from time to time in fond memories. One that I finally think at the end of the day as unforgettable.

The film is of two stories. Roy (a marvelous Lee Pace) has suffered a horrible stunt accident. It's the 1920's and film is on the rise. Roy is a stuntman that has fallen in love with the film's female lead. In a daring stunt he is left with a broken back. Roy now lays in hospital bed believing he is no longer a real man (for more than one reason mind you). A little Romanian girl Alexandria ( a heartbreaking Catinca Untaru) visits him one day and their friendship begins to bloom. He tells her a grand story involving mystics, bandits, slaves, explosives, revenge, romance, adventure and myriad of other elements. In order to hear more she has to him certain favors which will eventually lead her stealing him some morphine.

Roger Ebert likes to quote Werner Herzog from time to time. Herzog said something along the lines that as a people we are starved of new and original ideas and images. That we needs them as substance to live. The Fall is film to fall under that category. It's strikingly mesmerizing in idea and visuals. It has a few flaws but the overall purpose is to strong to ignore. What's amazing is that there is no CGI in the film. The things director Tarsem did with no computers has blown my mind. By the end I was in tears over what I saw on screen. You won't see one like this again.

**** out of ****
Note: This film was released in 2006 after four years of production. It's "Revisited" due to my new rules.

Like Crazy *** out of ****

I have little idea of what to make of this film. It's very personal in that it's a love story. However this isn't a classic film. It's almost 90 minutes of emotions. The film is only as good as what you put into it. So let's say your a hapless romantic, then you'll love this to death. If your cynical then maybe this movie will never click with you. I can say I'm still confused. Maybe I wasn't ready for it. The film is about loving that special someone which is something I've yet to do. I've been in lust once or twice but love is something different. Maybe down the road again I'll watch this again and see something wondrous. However I'm glad I can recognize the desired affect. As a film Like Crazy is innovative and brilliantly made. A movie that is only as good as what you make it; I don't know about real love but part of me loves that idea.

Jacob and Anna meet in class. The film actually jumps right into their relationship which is actually quite smart. After looking eyes in class one day Anna leaves Jacob a note on his car. They go out and things to go well. They start falling in young and happy love. Of course after graduation Anna must leave. She's in the USA on a visa for school and hails from England. She decides to violate her Visa and stay two months longer. She goes home for a wedding but upon returning is barred from the country. Honestly over staying your visa was stupid but hey that's what I put into the film. So Jacob and Anna are hopelessly in love but now have to deal with a long distance relationship. The film moves through a few years as they long for one another, agree to see other people, try their hardest to get the ban lifted and so on. Anton Yelchin plays Jacob in a very heartfelt performance. However it's Felicity Jones that walks off the winner here. It's a brutally emotional performance up there with Elizabeth Olsen in Martha Marcy May Marlene (I may prefer Olsen by a hair though). Some will feel what Jacob and Anna go through as it were happening to them. Others will see two kids who act foolishly. I see a movie that has a lot going for it in the end.

***out of ****

J Edgar (*** out of ****)

J. Edgar is a film that needs to win Oscars. Not that it isn't good without them but who will remember this next year? Who remembers Hereafter with Matt Damon? Nobody because they all still think of Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby. This is a film made by people that internet forums just eat up. So J. Edgar for a while was a favorite for next year's Oscars. Well mixed reviews and disappointing box office may have dashed those hopes. Is this a bad movie? Of course not. Yet even the hardiest of audiences may get bored from time to time. We know (or should know) something about J. Edgar Hoover. He was the head of the FBI for decades and is responsible for what it is today. His face was iconic during the 20th century. The man had files on everyone and many suspect he only lasted in power as long as he did due to the way his image was portrayed.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Hoover in quite the good performance. I can't say anything negative to what he brought to the table. Yet he won't be winning his Oscar here. Hoover hunts criminals (namely the Lindbergh baby kidnapper), has his secretary (Naomi Watts) stock secret files, lives with his mother (Judi Dench) and has a live long companionship with Clyde Tolsen (Armie Hammer). The film tells the story of Hoover's government career and not so much about those pesky rumors that did his name in (Although we get one scene of DiCaprio in a dress and let me say he can't pull it off like Cillian Murphy can in Breakfast on Pluto). When compared to other biopics this film is very well done. Authentic sets, good acting and steady pacing. Instead of following Hoover chronologically the film jumps through the years near seamlessly. This helps make Hoover more than a simple man but a image. It doesn't have a lasting appeal nor much interest going for it. I found myself only really drawn in for maybe three scenes. However it sets out to tell something about a Hoover and it does so well.

*** out of ****

Martha Marcy May Marlene (***1/2 out of ****)

Martha Marcy May Marlene is so far the scariest movie I've seen all year. Granted I'm still waiting on The Skin I Live In, MMMM (I'm going to abbreviate the title from now one) is quite terrifying. Is it that things jump out and scare you? No because that isn't scary. I say startling is the right term. Is MMMM a horror movie at all? Once again the answer is no. MMMM is creepy in the way that it feels realistic. Maybe it's just me but cults are frighting.

I had a dream about two weeks before seeing this. Some reviews were out and I was doing some reading. That night in my dream I was apart of the cult/commune in the film. I tried to escape but was chased into the woods. John Hawkes was gaining fast when I woke up. I'm not against the idea of a commune (I love the idea of it in The Beach) but here we're approaching Elizabeth Smart levels. The film is about Martha who is played in a tour de force performance by Elizabeth Olsen. It's an Oscar worthy role. Marlene at a weak point in her life joins a commune. They call her Marcy May and all the women answer the phone under the guise of Marlene (hence the title). The leader is Patrick and he is a powerful man. Patrick can be kind but also rough. He speaks with a cleansing aura that explains why so many are brainwashed into following his words. The other members help him work his way into new followers. It's not about religion but just closed off society. John Hawkes plays Patrick convincingly in a marvelous performance.

Martha escapes the community at the beginning of the film. Her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) picks her up and brings Martha to her vacation home. Lucy and her husband Ted (Hugh Dancy) are decent folk but can't deal with the irrational behavior Martha projects. Martha has forgotten almost of societies norms. The film flashes back and forth between Martha's time with Lucy and the cult with ease. The audience is often puzzled on when the transition has just happened. Yet that it the greatness of it. Martha says "have you ever had that feeling you can't tell if something is a memory or a dream?" She is having trouble distinguishing her surroundings and the films invites the audience to feel the same. The ending is one of pure brilliance. MMMM's acting, direction, script, editing etc. are near flawless. It's plot is one to get the audience involved in. It's a truly great film. Elizabeth Olsen has a bright career ahead of her.

***1/2 out of ****

This Week in TV

I actually enjoyed writing my TV piece last month so I wanted to continue it in a way. Instead of writing my thoughts on every show which would take forever, I'll say some highlights. 

The top three:

1.) How I Met Your Mother

2.) It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia 

3.) The Walking Dead

American Horror Story:

I enjoy watching this how but my god is it stupid. Connie Briton eating a brain is the craziest thing I saw in some time. The pig-headed killer was a close second. I hope the gimp ghost and pig-head join forces. However a school shooting to start your show... nope. I'm sorry but that was too much in the bad way. It didn't move the plot forward and didn't match the pace nor presence of the rest of the episode.

NBC Thursday:

Parks and Recreations and Community were good but not great and The Office had it's weakest episode this season.

No Happy Endings this week :(

Skateland (*1/2 out of ****)

Yikes! I didn't think this film was going to be this...bad. I'm not to sure what I can defend about it but I do want to try. I saw a trailer for this before Terri and thought it would be interesting. It reminded me of American Graffiti and Adventureland. Two films I really love. Skateland is almost a complete disaster however.

I blame it mostly on the lead character. Shiloh Fernandez, who I hated in Red Riding Hood, is quite off here. I can't say it's all his acting this time, but it is part of it. The film is about a 19 year old in a small town that is learning that he needs to grow up. One thing that annoyed me was Shiloh's character Ritchie couldn't even think realistically. Everyone needs to plan for a future and yet Ritchie acts like a baby about this (no idea about a job, school etc.). I'm confused about my future a lot but Ritchie is a child in comparison. Ritchie is also for some reason the most interesting person in town. I say "for some reason" because the audience never has any idea why. Everyone loves him (his family, friends, girls, bosses look to hire him on the spot, colleges would be graced with his interest). However he does nothing special. Every conversation he has is boring, he has no talents (maybe roller skating) and honestly I don't see why women swoon over him. I'm sure Louis CK would say he's one of those people who just think they're a good person, but it's heavily debatable. Ritchie is one of the most boring leads I've seen in recent memory. The only saving grace is I find his friend and potential love interest played by Ashley Greene very beautiful. She's a cliche character (like the majority of the cast) but at least the film picked up with her presence. You can skip this one and you'd be no different for it.

*1/2 out of ****

Terri (*** out of ****)

Terri is a kind soul. In almost all sense of the words he's a good guy. Does he need to be nice all the time? No, that's impossible. However he knows what the difference between right and wrong. That seems like a simple thing but Terri's qualities are something to be proud of. This is in large part due to the convincingly genuine performance by Jacob Wysocki. Terri however has two problems. One is that he lives with his uncle (Creed Bratton) who's slowly losing his grip on reality. He's not bad yet but give it some years and Terri is going to have a challenge. The other problem is what people see Terri for. He is quite large. Kids single him out but don't really make fun of him. These two issues have led Terri to wear only pajamas and show up late to school. This catches the attention of the assistant principal (The always reliable John C. Reilly), the two begin to meet weekly just to talk. Throw in two other students (Olivia Crocicchia and Bridger Zadina) and you have something special: a original cast of characters. You actually begin to care for Terri's world. I can get behind a film that can pull that off.

*** out of ****

Perfect Host (**1/2 out of ****)

As original as it is predictable. To say this is a great movie would be pushing it but rather you should enjoy it as something a little more than simple. John Taylor (Clayne Crawford) has just robbed a bank. As he limps around town switching cars and clothes it would seem John has gotten away cleanly. If only his life was that simple. John's face starts showing up on TV and he didn't exactly plan on this. So he decides to hide out at somebody's home. He cons his way into Warwick's (a fun David Hyde Pierce) home. Things go horrible strange as Warwick and the dinner party he's planning are more than it seems. Two interesting leading characters, a mix of wits and physical fighting and a delicious plot make it something t watch. It gets a bit shaky at the end though. Still fun for a while.

**1/2 to of ****

TV Shows This Fall

So just to mix things up a bit here are some thoughts on the Fall's current line up. Just some notes about the Fall shows I'm watching.

The Office: So it's now the post Michael season and it's not all that bad. Ed Helms was the right choice as manager and James Spader makes a cool new CEO. What does work without Michael is now all the other characters are given a little more to do each week. It's just not worth the trade off though. Michael Scott was the show and there is a hole from where he left. The current season seems in a loop of mediocrity. It's certainly still watchable but nothing great. The again Season 6 and 7 weren't that great either. Pretty good but the show's on its last legs.

Parks & Recreations: As far as NBC Thursdays go this is the best show (30 Rock aside because it hasn't premiered yet). Not that it's the best currently but it's one of the few shows I think that gets better as it goes on. It's really grown into it's own and should no longer be known as a side project of "The Office". Ron Swanson is the best character on NBC Thursdays right now (although Dwight's Kerrigan was amazing). Actually this season is a little behind the last one but give it time. If you were like me and gave up on this show during the beginning, give it a second chance. I love it now.

Community: After its bumpy second season Community is back and in full fury. It has been on fire recently in what may be it's best season. We haven't gotten a bad episode yet. Although not all have been memorable, the last two have been works of art. They were original and yet throwbacks to other shows. "Community" does halloween episodes like nobody else. Gillian Jacobs has stepped her game this year. "Community" has won me over again.

How I Met Your Mother: "HIMYM" has replaced the hole in my heart that "Scrubs" left. However it's going along the same lines of "The Office". It hasn't lost any characters but it hasn't been as good as some previous seasons. Maybe I should just watch the episodes all at once like I did with seasons 1-5 (Thank you Sara). I did find the second episode involving Barney doomed to his duck tie quite funny. It's just since then the show hasn't wowed me. I watch more with a smile instead of laughing whole heartedly like I used too. However at any given time the show has potential to turn around and be awesome again.

Terra Nova: Actually I only watched the first two episodes and deemed it wasn't worth my time. It wasn't terrible but honestly I didn't see anything special. From what I did see it didn't make full potential of it's plot.

The Walking Dead: Season 2 is here and it's good, but it's in a weird limbo. See we're only two episodes in so I can't make rash assumptions but so far nothing is really happening. You may be saying "how" with the whole son angle but think about it this way. There's no clear plot outline for this season. It's just survive. Before it was Rick getting back to his family and finding a safe place. Now they're just surviving the day. What is interesting with the son angle is the way this can play out. Say the son is fine, nothing happens and the show will have gone down a dark path. If the son dies (harsh but hear me out), the show now has a dangerous vibe. Any character can die at any given moment now. Yet we have to deal with Rick and Lori crying for episodes, that would suck. We're just in the beginning with a long season. I'm sure we're going to be shocked by the end.

The League: I like the league which is surprising because football talk normally bores me. However the league is doing quite well right now. Nothing great, actually there has yet to be a very memorable episode. However the level of good is quite nice. No bad episodes but non great. Since I don't expect much I like the consistency .

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: So far I like what I see. I've never seen a episode of It's Always Sunny I haven't liked. Not all have been great but even the worst of the show is in some ways enjoyable. We've had six episodes and three have been fantastic, one very good and two that would take the bottom five of all time. The Jersey Shore episode showed how funny road trip episodes are. The Storm of the Century episode has some fun chaos. When the gang is terrified the episode is a blast. However CharDee MacDennis is the winner her. It's a bottle episode which means one location and no new characters. When the gang doesn't leave the bar (The hostage episode and the dance off episode for examples) the show is instantly great. CharDee MacDennis makes my top ten even. Let's hope they keep it up after that.

South Park: Your doing great here. Don't change a thing. Plenty of pop culture and current events references make this show. The first episode of the season or the second part of Stan seeing everything as shit is going to be very memorable for years to come. How I long to see drunk Stan once more. The last broadway episode was brilliant too. It pushed the limits and had an idea that I'm sure people will talk about. Also the fact the episode revolved around the Marsh family without much Stan made it special. It could have went horribly wrong but my god it was great. Don't change a thing.

Happy Endings: Let me stop for a moment to stand. This show deserves a standing ovation. Ladies and gentlemen let me praise the best show of the fall season. I gave up on it last year during it's first season. It just didn't seem special. However the second season has hit a great high where every character has brought their A game. Every episode has been great, not just good, but the show is in the top three every week. Probably the best every week (CharDee MacDennis may have won this time though). The characters all have something funny to do which is surprising to think about. How many episodes of "name a sitcom" where a main character does next to nothing. "Happy Endings" please continue this level of awesomeness for years to come.

American Horror Story: The worst and most interesting show on TV right now. Story structure, plot holes, editing, most the acting and many other things makes this a pit of despair. However the show at least feels fresh and Jessica Lange's great acting makes it watchable. I laugh a lot watching this. Especially when I'm not supposed to. I don't get scared or even creeped out at all. I'm getting sick of it in a way but I'll keep watching. I'll admit I'm hooked. I want to see how it turns out. The show may be pretty poor but in no way is it unwatchable. Honestly if this show gets past two seasons I'll be surprised.

The Rum Diary (**1/2 out of **** stars)

Hunter S. Thompson was an interesting man. His ideas and just general behavior is the most bizarre thing you'll read about. Johnny Depp and he were friends and this film is based of a fictional story Thompson wrote. Well not all fictional. He went down to Puerto Rico for a job, didn't get it and went home to write an account based off him actually getting the job. As a movie it's good but nothing brilliant. It's a tad slow and I prefer the chaos brought in Terry Gillian and Depp's collaboration on Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) is a journalist hired at a newspaper in Puerto Rico. He drinks heavily ( he says "the high end of social") and likes to experiment in drugs. He pals around with photographer Sala (Michael Rispoli) and the loose canon and drug tripping Moburg (scene stealing Giovanni Ribisi). Paul also meets Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), a real state tycoon. Sanderson and his legion of doom friends are planning on building a series of hotels. This of course is just displacing the locals and in some way enslaving them. Paul  actually has his eyes more on Chenault (Amber Heard), Sanderson's girl instead of opposing his plans until the end of the earth. Chenault is pretty one dimensional, Paul's thoughts are murky, the plot never really kicks in and there are a few other things that make this descent but nothing great. It's still quite good thanks in part to Bruce Robinson (director of the classic Withnail & I). I personally don't see the lasting appeal of this work in the end.

**1/2 out of **** stars

Sleeping Beauty (*** out of **** stars)

I said earlier this year that Womb was the most "haunting" movie I've seen this year... it still is. Sleeping Beauty makes a worthy second place though. The film is dark and oozing with sexuality. It has mystery to make your skin crawl and your mouth drop. Don't mix this up with the Disney classic. This is a odd movie probably unlike you've ever seen.

Lucy (Emily Browning showing her talent) is a unusual college girl. She works several jobs, avoids her alcoholic mother, is in love with a dying man (the only man she won't sleep with) and fucks random bar patrons at an up scale establishment. She enters a program to earn some extra money. This is where things get interesting. She goes to a mansion, drinks some tea, the tea has sleeping pills in it of course and she's placed in a grand room in a large bed. Then a man enters the room. They pay to be able to do anything they want to her but they can't penetrate her. You may ask "what's the point?" without sex but that's where the intrigue lies. What they do is bizarre but you can't look away. Your drawn into what brought these men here. Sleeping Beauty is unafraid of being all it could be. It's not a perfect movie, or really something that is brilliant. It works well with what it is but not every mystery is intoxicating from the start. Some are better than others. This would fall just above the middle.

*** out of **** stars

In Time (**1/2 out of **** stars)

Andrew Niccol welcome back! Only three films over fifteen years, your killing me man. However let's do with less S1m0ne and more Gattaca. As a director he has a cool sense of style and is one of the few men out there tries new ideas. That's the thing though... "tries". If you had asked me three months of ago I'd have said this movie will rock your socks off. After seeing it I'll say it's good but has a lot of plot holes and silly moments.

Set in what I assume is an alternate reality where aging has stopped. People stop aging at 25 and are giving one year to live. They earn more time by working, gambling or just stealing it (robbers are killed minutemen, I thought that was clever). Will Salas (Justin Timberlake on his way to a promising acting career) is our hero. In every sense of the word. He's going to beat up bad guys, help the poor and be kind to others when it's called for. Will lives in the ghetto with his mother (Olivia Wilde, only in this movie) where he wakes up with only hours to live. He meets Henry (Matt Boomer) by chance and he's life will change. Will's life is now in danger from Timekeeper Raymond Leon (Cillian Murphy) and he's wrapped up with the beautiful heiress Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried). Let me just say that I love the character names in this movie. Like the movie they're cool and fashionable. The movie has a great plot... for about fifteen minutes. Then the typical chase scenes and character development step in and make it slightly better than your average movie. Pretty good but could have been better.

**1/2 out of **** stars
(did you really think I'd put a picture of Justin Timberlake when Cillian Murphy is in the movie)

Real Steel (**out of **** stars)

This was movie! It has plot plaints, characters, and is filmed with a camera. That's my was reaction walking out of this. Was it bad? Of course not. Was it very good? Not really. It makes a good popcorn movie though. Much better than The Three Musketeers in that aspect. Family friendly is how it should be advertised.

So in the future the only really change is now we have twelve foot tall robots fighting in boxing matches. Hugh Jackman plays Charlie who makes a living off these matches. He's got a talent for controlling these robots (most of these robots have a large controller) probably because he was once a talented boxer. He was the underdog that never gave up even against the stronger opponent. Jackman flirts with a robot repair woman played by Lost's Evangeline Lilly. That's really I need to say about her. Anyway Charlie has a son Max (Dakota Goyo) who he left with his mother. You can say abandoned because Jackman pulled the whole "knock up and dash" scenario. Charlie will get $50,000 if he takes care of Max for the summer. If you don't think they'll form a bond then I can't help you. Well they find Atom, the sparring robot and the underdog fights begin. The fights do have a certain intrigue. They're well choreographed, Michael Bay take note of this movie. It's fun for a while but I'll forget about it next month.

** out of **** stars

Paranormal Activity 3 (*1/2 out of **** stars)

I'm personally sick of this series. They're the same movies over and over. The same things keep happening. The only thing different this time is we get a camera set up on a fan stand so it rotates. This creates suspense for what... five seconds. I was bored of this setup quite fast. Maybe it was me. I don't know really. I just saw it to Mystery Science Theater it (make funny comments in the front of the theater without disturbing anyone of course). In that sense it was a laughing riot. I mean now it's about the two sisters as little girls being haunted as well their parents. Problem is the amount of plot holes and development issues. This prequel actually contradicts the other two films. Also this film starts with the supposed watching of the tapes. I mean we see the husband of the second one pick up these tapes and then they're turned on. Was it just a what if or was he watching it? Somebody should call the Ghostbusters. I'm sure the government would be also very interested in these tapes as well. If you like the first two then you'll like this. If you hated those then this one will be hilarious. My rating is based off my experience. I'm sure fans of the series can say it's pretty good, but you won't convince me.

*1/2 out of **** stars

The Three Musketeers (** out of **** stars)

Mindless fun really. I don't really have to spend much time here because it's such a simple movie. I'm sure from the previews you can guess how this movie will be. It's certainly watchable, a bit stupid, some nice action scenes, some terrible actions scenes too, brilliant costumes and a pretty tame script. The Three Musketeers (Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson) are French loyalists, spies and heroes. I will give credit to Paul W. Anderson who did keep their personalities intact. They spend most of their days drinking and having fun since king Louis XVI is but a child. They don't have the fire in their heart that once inspired them. Well Richelieu (Christoph Waltz no where near his villain greatness) looks to overthrow the king with the help of Milady (Milla Jovovich). They're great plan is so childish that it can't be anything but effective. Weird I know but for some reason it's believable. Milady sneaks the Queen's jewels into England's Duke of Buckingham's (Orlando Bloom, surprisingly the best here) airship. Yes... airship. Well our three heroes and the young and douchey D'Artgnan (Logan Lerman) go to save France. It's a pretty poor movie but you won't truly hate I suppose. It can be fun at parts. I thought it was a blast watching Rochefort (Mads Mikkelsen) kick the shit out of Lerman's character. Oh Mads... why didn't you just break script and snap his neck. You were One Eye from Valhalla Rising. What? It's not going off topic, I'm just saying I wanted the main character dead. Seems fair in my mind.

** our of **** stars

The Thing (** out of **** stars)

Thank god I read some reviews before going into this movie. If I hadn't I'm sure I would have walked out hating it. With seeing ALOT of average reviews I knew not to expect a lot. I went in with no spoilers but guessing what would happen was as easy knowing there would be a kiss at the end of a romantic comedy. The Thing is shameful to the original and even more so to John Carpenter's 1982 masterpiece. However I have seen worse movies out there.

So remember that Norwegian base in the 1982 version. The one where the Thing killed everyone and escaped to the American base. Yea that's where we are now. So setting yourself up in a prequel where we know the outcome is an odd start. Let's ignore this because it seems unfair to start off terribly. Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the young and pretty american researcher that is hired to help investigate a mysterious creature and ship that was uncovered in Antarctica. Well this creature can repurpose a person. In a way take over a person's form but at anytime can mutate into something horrible. The crew on base is now at odds with one another because anyone of them could be the Thing. Same thing as the first one. We even have Joel Edgerton as an american helicopter pilot that fills Kurt Russell's role. Well we saw it all in the 1982 version and this one becomes old fast. We can guess what will happen and believe you me when I saw you'll probably be right. Updating  the series with a horrendous cgi Thing was not the way to go. It's not unwatchable mind you. I don't regret seeing it. However this is nothing special. It's mediocre as a movie but since The Thing universe is so small, it's not terrible to see more action, despite it being nothing new. Forgettable is the bottom line.

(** our of **** stars)

The Second Coming... or new guidelines

So after not updating for a couple of weeks due to school work I decided that there's a need for change. The new blog will be shorter but more direct. I'll just list of the changes and why.

1.) Four star system instead 10/10: With the star system I can be more direct and tougher on certain films. I use to give a 6/10 for a average movie. I think I was thinking it was like a test and below a 6 would be failing. 6/10 in most people book is actually good but for some reason i saw it as watchable. The star system is easy and I think will make for more interesting ratings.

****/**** (four out four stars)
Masterpiece, classic, you know the drill.

***1/2 (three and a half out four stars)
Fantastic, brilliant , really great, must see

*** (three out of four stars)
very good, pretty great, watch it

**1/2 ( two and a half stars out of four)
Decent, pretty good, A good watch but you can probably see something better

** (two out of  four stars)
Average, fair, not very good but not bad either. More cons than pros, wait for the dvd

*1/2 (one and a half sour of four stars)
Really mediocre, pretty bad but there is worse, watching is not required

* (one out of four stars)
Bad

1/2 (half a star)
Truly awful

I don't think I'll get a zero out four stars but know that will be one of the worst movies in history.

2.) Only recent films with exceptions: Doing every movie I've seen is tiring. I've actually spent hours in a day dedicated to the blog. Doing only recent movies seems more appropriate and will get more readers. However I'll do older films as well if I feel they deserve them. I'll write "Revisited" next to it in the title so you know it was not released this year.

3.) No more recommendation: Actually I was split on this, I'll keep it out for now but I may add it in later

4.) Won't post on Facebook every week, I'll do it probably once a month

So let's get back into things

Flashbacks of a Fool (7/10)

I'll do this quick because for several personal reasons I shouldn't explain in a review I don't want to spend a lot of time here. The film stars a quite good Daniel Craig who is lonesome and fading actor. He's got cash but nothing at all to do with it. One day his mother calls and tells him that his childhood friend Boots (strange name I know) has died. Now here comes the flashbacks of his teenage years with Boots. Things go wrong when he gets involved with two women and his friendship with Boots will be tossed in the middle. I guess instead meeting a girl  your crazy over for a date on time You having sex with a married woman is a bad idea? Yea weird right? Daniel Craig's scenes are good due to a natural charm he brings. Olivia Williams and Felicity Jones make strong supporting roles. Who wouldn't fall for Felicity Jones. I liked it more than I thought I would so maybe that's why the rating is decently high. Either way... yea that's it.

7/10
Recommendation: If you like Daniel Craig.

Dogville (9/10)

So let's add to my Lars Von Trier list of films as I drive my self into depression. It comes with the territory. It's like watching "Schindler's List" for the first time and expecting the rest of the day to be joyful. It's a fair trade in my mind. Yet either way "Dogville" is a marvelous and groundbreaking movie. I mentioned cliches in my "Stupid, Crazy, Love" review but "Dogville" has never heard of such an idea. It's so original that the film will rock your socks off. It must be seen.

I'll start with the story because I want it to hook you first. Once upon a time in in the small mountain town of Dogville lived about twenty villagers. They are poor but manage to survive with what they got. Tom (Paul Betttany) is walking outside one night when he hears gunshots. Soon arrives Grace (Nicole Kidman in perhaps her best performance) fleeing these gangsters. Tom hides her and so overcome by her beauty and weakness he decides to help her. In exchange for letting her stay in the town she has to do some chores for the people. Things won't go well. Silly to stop explaining the plot there right. Wrong! This movies will suck you in like no other. It needs to be surprise because nobody like Von Trier knows how to shake your spine and leave you numb for days.

Now for the special part. This entire movie is filmed on a soundstage. Imagine a play but instead of having only a background, it's set in a warehouse that's been converted to seem like a full stage. There are chalk outlines to show where the houses are and only a few key props to supply interaction (even the dog is a chalk outline). Did nobody tell Kidman she didn't have to do a three hour art house film to gain our respect.  I'm glad they didn't really. The film is meant to be very anti-american but I see it as more anti-society. Some of the characters seem more universal to me. What's a weird strength in the film is how it manages to lose your interest at times. This is so when something big happens your emotions will explode with interest and shock. Still at three hours long it's quite punishing. However those wanting to see a film like no other (except it's sequel "Manderlay" which I plan on watching) need to watch this.

9/10
Recommendation: It's slow but my god will grab your attention. It's got more originality going for it than almost any other film I've seen.

Stupid, Crazy, Love. (8/10)

About five minutes into this movie and I wanted to turn it off. I'm glad I didn't because I ended up quite liking the movie. Steve Carrel was playing too awkward, Gosling was more of a dick than a cool guy, and don't even get me started on the Carrel's kid. Don't worry it gets better and actually is one of the best romantic comedies of the year. Maybe even the best since I consider "Bridesmaids" and "Cedar Rapids" more comedies with romance subplots. "Stupid, Crazy, Love" may just charm you to a state of bliss.

There are three stories here. Cal (Steve Carrel) and his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) are getting a divorce. They were high school sweethearts and soul mates. The soul mate idea to the film is eye roll worthy but does make for some funny scenes. Cal goes to drink at the strangest place. Why would a depressed man go to a upscale singles bar. Slum it out man. However while there Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) sees him and decides to teach him his trade. Why? Cal is such a piece of work it's embarrassing for Jacob to see him. So he makes Cal a cool guy who can pick up any chick. I felt him trying to sleep with anything that moves instead of trying to get his wife back was an awful idea. Thank god the film addresses that and tries to change it's ways. The second love story is Jacob and Hannah (Emma Stone). There's is by the best. Emma Stone is a live wire here and here scenes with Gosling have a lot of kick. Jacob is going to find the right woman to have him retire his womanizing ways. There's no winning here in the land of cliches. The third story is of Cal's and Emily's thirteen year old son who "loves" his seventeen year old babysitter. Well I can respect him seeing her as everything beautiful in life. However the level of creepiness he brings to his almost stalking ways weirded me out. I hope that was the point. The kid in my opinion has too many hormones. The ending between the two actually is the best way they could have done it through.

Pretty negative review right? Yea I'm making it out to be bad when I did enjoy watching. Where the film finds it's real strength is in it's dialogue. Not so much what the characters are saying but what they aren't. There is a pain in their voices every time they laugh at how crappy their lives are. Jacob says he collects stupid things because he's so alone and then laughs it off. Gosling is a great enough actor to let the truth slip out subtly. These characters are hurting and their pain is evident in their words. That's what I liked. Strange how my favorite part of this romantic comedy was the depressing parts. Well maybe it's the kind of person I am. Either it's a very good film.

Recommendation: I'm sure it's a good couple movie. 

Melancholia (10/10)

There is so much to love about this film I hardly know where I should start. Should I begin with plot, or perhaps it's filming, maybe symbolism. There are so many possibilities my head is spinning. It has been about 36 hours since I saw "Melancholia" for the first time and I can't stop thinking about it. The feeling was stronger before I watched it again the next day. Watching the following day was for three purposes. One was I really liked it and wanted to experience it again. The second I had no idea how to write this review nor a clue on what to give it for a rating. The third was to see if it would hold up on a rewatch. I often find films I love the first time around such as "Slumdog Millonare" are rather lackluster the second time. How pleased I was watching it again. The film is just as strong the second time around and you'll pick up on little things you may have missed the first time. As far as articulating my thoughts for this review, I'll do my best.

I'll talk about Lars Von Trier first. It's important to attempt to understand him to get "Melancholia"s full effect. Von Trier is perhaps on of the greatest filmmakers of the past twenty years. I say perhaps because it's up for interpretation. He's the king of love him or hate him. Tarantino P.T.A, Scorsese, Speilberg and Johnny Depp have all said they would do anything to work with him.  I think he is a genius having seen "Antichrist" and "Dancer In The Dark" beforehand. I actually watched "Dogville" as soon as I finished "Melancholia" the second time. He's a very dark and intriguing director. He'll dive deep into your emotions and tear them asunder. "Antichrist" will shake you for days and "Dancer In The Dark" will take you on a emotional roller coaster. "Melancholia" is a film I can't forget nor do I want too. Von Trier was very depressed for years and after giving up alcohol and seeking help he's bounced back to make what he calls his most optimistic film. After seeing his movies it makes sense but my god! This is bleeding with trauma. It is also interesting how Von Trior expresses his emotions with movies and even more so by making his leads females. Von Trier's work should be recognized as the masterpiece it is.

Now for the plot. Justine (A tour de force by Kirsten Dunst) has just gotten married. Her husband is the rather simple Michael (Alexander Skarsgard). He's a nice guy but doesn't really know Justine at all. They arrive at the reception late due to a pretty hilarious limo scene. Her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is not happy. That goes double for Claire's husband John (Kiefer Sutherland). He's spent a fortune on the wedding and Justine is nearly ruining it. They set themselves at the table with their family. Justine's father (John Hurt) is a nice man but doesn't quite get what people want. Her mother (Charlotte Rampling) is quite rude. She doesn't believe in marriage and on Justine's wedding night tells her to "enjoy it while it lasts". Throw in killer roles played by Stellan Skarsgard (who calls Von Trier one of the finest directors in history), Brady Corbet, Udo Kier and Jesper Christensen and we have one terrific cast. Gainsbourg who took us to hell and back in "Antichrist" co-leads with Dunst. Kirsten Dunst has never done work this good, she's phenomenal. The Cannes film festival gave her best actress and I'd like to see her get a Oscar nomination.

Justine gets more and more depressed as the night goes on. Everyone is demanding things from her and have all these crazy expectations. It's her wedding night so people should give her some slack. She's a depressed woman and depression isn't something to get over with quickly. Everyone thinks she's crazy because of her actions, but that just leads to all the more stratifying conclusion. The first half of the film is dedicated to Justine's wedding. The second half... is something else. This is where things become strange in the grandest ways.

The film opens with some surreal images. One is another planet crashing into Earth. The series of images to Wagner is one of the best openings in film history in my mind. The other planet is Melancholia and it's suppose to pass by the Earth. It's been hiding behind the Sun and is moving through the galaxy at a rapid speed. This planet is not going to pass simply by... it will hit and kill everyone on the planet. The opening images confirms this so this is no way a spoiler. Hell it's in the tagline of the movie. Knowing the ending to a film is sometimes good. Seeing how they got to that point is what's mesmerizing. The second half deals with a uncontrollably depressed Justine being taken care of by Claire. John is not to happy having her around. As the planet draws closer and doom seems more imminent, Claire and John panic. Now Justine seems sane and is ready to face this disaster. No news reports, no riots, no government meetings are shown. Just a single family dealing with these events. It's personal and brilliant. The panic of an entire population is felt in Claire (googling death now results in Melancholia being the first result). Justine stands strong and in awe of the impending doom. It's a beautiful thought is some ways.

This is a strange year in film. Or at least in universal issues. "Another Earth" which unfortunately I've yet to see is about a parallel Earth appearing in our orbit. "The Tree of Life" is an astonishing film dealing with life in the universe. There is also "Take Shelter" with a man preparing for the end of days. "Melancholia" is like a mix of those three but also it's own movie entirely. It's beautifully shot, has a deep story, wonderfully acted and so many other things. It's a highlight in a great year. I could go on and on about this film but my ideas will change by the day. Everyone will take away something different here, but the end goal is clear. "Melancholia" is a masterpiece. 

10/10

Recommendation: Give it a chance because it's worth it. It's slow and symbolic so don't expect understand it all in one viewing. You'll however remember it for some time to come. Of course it may make you feel gloomy for a while. But there's a happiness in sadness like I said was present in "Beginners". It's currently on Video on Demand and PSN before it hits limited theaters in November. Strange marketing strategy but at least I got to see it. I will never regret it.

Cracks (6/10)

I'm going to make this short. Not to be rude but I doubt anybody is going to to watch this. I mean it's about bullying in a english girl's boarding school. The swim team girls don't like the new spanish student because she's pretty and gets all the attention the coach (Eva Green).  The film is decent but nothing worth remembering next week. The bullying is realistic and Eva Green is talented as always but honestly if it barely got my attention, why would anybody else watch it?

6/10

Recommendation: I think my review says it all. Rather good ending though.

The Ides of March (9/10)

Politics is a dirty game. We all know this but seeing it played out before us is something else. There is so much speculation and crazy theories that people have about government officials that most deserve to be laughed at. However there are some stories that have something to go off of. "The Social Network" said something along the lines that 85% of court cases are based on emotions. The other 15% are true because devils do need creation myths. So that's our dirty side of politics. What I lkie even better is the way campaigns are won. One party (in this case the Republicans) will vote in a open election against the best candidate the democrats have during primaries. This way the weaker candidate is the democratic party option. Let the other party fight each other and beat the weakened winner. "The Ides of March" is a fantastic political drama with a lot going for it.

Mike Morris (George Clooney in a strong supporting role) is a gift from God for the democratic party. He's young, experienced and knows how to draw a crowd. Picture him as Obama because the connections are there. If he wins the Ohio primary he'll no doubt be the democratic pick for the upcoming presidential election. The republicans don't have a guy that can beat Morris. They do have a guy that can beat the other democratic option of Pullman (never shown on screen). Voters will not want him in office even more than actually having Morris run the country. Stephen Meyer (Ryan Gosling) works for Paul (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who is the campaign manager. Stephen believes in Mike and the messages the man spouts off like gospel sermons. Mike himself seems to believe in telling people more what they want to hear but not caring for the ideas personally. Pullman's manager Duffy (Paul Giamatti) wants Stephen on his side because of idealistic the kid is and his bright future. Well even talking with Duffy will cause Stephen problems. That and well the sexy intern (Evan Rachel Wood).

"The Ides of March" is a great political drama but that's really it. Some have said they have noticed the story is more focused on showing Stephen losing his soul to politics but it's minimal at best. The ending helps that message though. I see it as more of a twist on the man with nothing lose angle. Stephen will do whatever it takes to remain in power. "The Ides of March" is worth watching. It's not the Oscar cleaning film I hoped it would be earlier this year, but it's till quite strong. Clooney as a director is really growing into his own. Instead of focusing the details on his performance as some directors would, Clooney wants the story to be first. "Good Night and Good Luck" is still his masterpiece and trust me when I say it is a masterpiece. "The Ides of March" is worthy film to add to his list in the end.

9/10
Recommendation: Rent it when it comes out for sure.

Big Bang (5.5/10)

I can wrap up this review pretty quickly. If I tried to explain the story I'd lose you before I even began getting on certain details. So let's do this in... two sentences. Antonio Banderas plays a detective hired to search for a missing stripper. Well things go awry when strange events start occurring and the laws of physics are challenged. Confused? I was. There is little I could I actually tell about the plot. I will say it plays out like a more science based "Sin City" meets "The Big Lebowski". It's however nowhere near as great as those two. I was hoping for a strange noir movie, What I got was something to leave me scratching my head without much interest to know the real answers.

5.5./10
Recommendation: Yea.. Maybe if you like Antonio Banderas but even then I could pass this one by.