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 ****