Your Sister's Sister (***1/2 out of ****)

Every now and then a film like Your Sister's Sister comes along and leaves you in a euphoric state. It sets aside normal Hollywood conventions and larger than life plots.  Here conversations seem real and in that case all the more hypnotic. With convincing performances and multidimensional characters. Where even when the plot seems a bit off, there is to much to like not to forgive it. For 90 minutes it's better to surrender yourself to the film and just experience every twist and turn along the journey.

A year after his brother's death Jack (Mark Duplass) is still a mess. After making a scene at a party to remember his brother, his best friend Iris (Emily Blunt) has a plan to help Jack. She sends him to her father's remote cabin on a small island. There's no internet or TV so he has a lot of time to think. Upon arriving he finds the cabin isn't empty, Iris' sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) is already staying here. The two know each other through Iris' stories but are still strangers. They begin to connect over tequila as they drown their pain. A few drinks later and the two end up in bed together. Iris shows up the next day as the two try to decide on how they should proceed with what happened the night before.

A plot like this could have gone many different ways. A simpler movie would have found ways to fit as much comedy in this situation as possible and cliche romantic moves. Instead Your Sister's Sister feels grounded, not to far fetched and incredibly real. All three actors give stellar performances given the room to improvise in lengthy conversations. Director Lynn Shelton allows the actors to work how they want but keeps the pace of the film moving and engaging. You'll laugh and feel the emotional bruises the characters suffer. Here is one of the year's greatest (best I've seen so far) films that relishes in realistic drama.

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

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (*** out of ****)

What would you do knowing the world was ending in a few days. Where would go? Who'd you visit? What in a limited out of time left would you do? I have maybe three ideas since seeing this film, two with a similar theme inspired by this film. I'd like to find somebody who made the countdown to the end of the world not only easier but maybe even lovely. Simply finding someone to make me enjoy the time I have left. It could be an odd partnership for all I know but who the person is doesn't really matter in the end. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is intimate, meaningful, moving, a bit funny but mostly sincere.

An asteroid of enormous size is heading toward earth and will cause massive destruction. All life on the planet will end it seems. People begin to quite possibly show their true selves. They panic and behave in ways that only this stress brings out. They riot, have mass orgies, do a lot of drugs, or behave normally because they don't know what else to do. Every character in the film has their own way of approaching the end and each one has a bit of intrigue. Dodge (Steve Carell) moves melancholy between friends and work, he has regrets of letting his childhood sweetheart get away. Down his apartment hall lives Penny (Keira Knightly) who misses her chance to return home to England when the airlines shut down. Through a mailing mistake, Penny unknowingly receives a letter from Dodge's high school girlfriend and she gives it to him now with two weeks left to live. Penny feeling awful about the mistake looks to right the wrong and help Dodge drive to the return address on the envelope. In exchange Dodge knows a man nearby the address with a plane that could help Penny get home. So begins an unlikely and unusual road trip filled wild and fantastic characters.

Carell and Knightly are and odd partnership. Their talent makes chemistry in the most unlikely places. However their strange pairing just seems to fit the film's message. The person you want with you at the end might not be the person you'd think of right now. This on pen and paper is a romantic comedy but it has something different to offer. It's a rom-com for people who don't like rom-com. Instead of cute romantic gestures and a happy ending you have people trying to make final connection and an ending where everyone on the planet dies. Much like Canada's Last Night, the film focus on quieter and sweeter story about two kindred spirits forming one final connection in the face of destruction. This movie may not appeal for everyone, it's not hysterical instead focusing on a clever and plot fitting jokes. I'm sure Knightly and Carell won't convince some but to others they will be the odd couple we've been waiting for. Also Penny is sort of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl but apocalyptic style. However due to this sort of plot it never feels like life will be better for Dodge. In some ways Penny is just as confused as Dodge is. Even with it's flaws Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a darkly refreshing rom com with a stellar cast. Enjoy this film and life while it lasts.

*** out of ****

Moonrise Kingdom (***1/2 out of ****)

Wes Anderson movies exist outside of this dimension. In his world everything is like a story book. The world has charm that can be seen in a popup book. The adventures contain misunderstood heroes who fight battles others would have forsaken quickly. Colorful supporting characters add dimension to the story and either aid or hinder the protagonists. Moonrise Kingdom is a welcomed break from half baked ideas for films we see week in and week out. This is one of year's best films right now.

Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward) have decided to run away together. Sam is isn't a popular child and has had plenty of youthful hardships. Suzy is violent mood swings and is seen as a trouble maker in the town's eyes. They are kids in a young a blissful love. Due to their running away, a search team is sent out after them. Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) who heads up the search is a kind man with a good sense of morals. Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) and the and Sam's fellow boy scouts also scour the island. Suzy's parents (Bill Murray & Frances McDormand) also desperately search for their troubled daughter.

The film is probably similar to the books Suzy so often reads. A young hero lives outside of a normal world in a wild fantasy. Sam and Suzy live a story that might have come out of a novel made for youths. Charm is almost leaking out of the screen it's that amusing. However unlike a child's book Wes Anderson movies also contain another style. His films have sort of a light-hearted melancholy. The characters even while happy have a sense of sadness about them, as in this moment won't last. It's a characteristic that appears rarely in bigger films but is very luring and understandable. Moonrise Kingdom is a miniature wonder and very welcoming.

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

Men In Black 3 (**1/2 out of ****)

This is probably the best film of the series. Like all "Men in Black" films it's a whole lot of fun but at times just fizzles and probably could have done better with a few tweaks to the script. Agent J (Will Smith fun as always) and Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) return as the odd couple law enforcers that deal with aliens instead of simple humans. J goes back in time to stop Boris the Animal (an unrecognizable Jermaine Clement) and teams up with a younger K (Josh Brolin with a perfect impression of Tommy  Lee Jones). Once again the partner use odd gadgets and battle Doctor Who like Aliens. There is a good amount of action and laughs to keep you entertained from start to finish. However the last twenty minutes seem like the writers just trying to wrap up in anyway possible. Smith and Brolin are a delight and make this worth watching even if this sequel seems a a few years too late to be very relevant.

**1/2 out of ****

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (** out of ****)

What did you expect with a title like that? This movie from the minute it was announced was going to be one kind of movie. A highly stylized action fest with a simple but understandable plot. Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker does well with his first major film role) lost his mother to a vampire and to gain his revenge he trains under vampire killer Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper). Henry is the film's most interesting character due to a mysterious past and has a pleasant way of speaking. A film about Henry might have been more exciting but there is the fear of overkill of a limited character. Henry trains Abraham so that he might fight Adam (Rufus Sewell), the first vampire in the Americas. Lincoln grows up, marries Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), becomes president and fights a war. All the while the vampires are a threat to Abraham and his country. The action is so over the top some scenes almost appear to be parody. One such scene involves a fight in a herd of horses, it's the most ridiculous scene I've seen in recent memory. The fight scenes suffer from extreme slow mo that may be appealing in 3D but come off as overdone in 2D. This isn't a bad movie, it has a lot of redeeming qualities due to its strong cast. Even the cheesy action scenes are still fun to an extent. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is decent amount of fun but will be talking about it in a few months like I will other movies this year, very likely not.

** out of ****

The Woman In Black (**1/2 out of ****)

The recent trend of torture porn and found footage has left the horror genre feeling weaker. So rarely is there a good and scary film out there. Some films like Paranormal Activity 3 and The Chernobyl Diaries have a few tense moments but lack a luring story. Instead films like those use easy gimmicks like you don't want to see a family man or hot intelligent girl die. Other films like Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark aren't very haunting but have a rich imagination and try to tell a compelling horror story. The Woman In Black has a bit of both while being call back to simple ghost stories but here we have two great things

The first great thing is Daniel Radcliffe playing Arthur Kipps, our hero. Arthur's wife died in child birth and appears distant to his son. Loving your child isn't always easy, not because they can be brats but it's hard to remain optimistic when your life is changed forever. Arthur is young lawyer going to sell a house in a small country town. The house is the film's second feature to brag about. It has brilliant artistic design and has a very creepy atmosphere. The house is haunted be a shadowy specter dressed all in black (I'm sure you could've guessed that). Most of the scares are cheep thrills that come from loud noises due to sound mixing techniques. The spine chilling scares can be counted on one hand but at least the film tries some fiendish thrills. The film's two strong elements make it better than some recent horror movies, but that doesn't mean it's all that good. Still that haunted Eel Marsh Manor is a terrifying yet captivating  dream.

(First film I've seen on DVD released this year hence the late review)

**1/2 out of ****

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (*** out of ****)

I planned on starting off talking in great detail about India but decided to change that upon opening this page. India as a country is a complete culture shock and is hard to truly feel it with just watching on the big screen. There are some films like Salaam Bombay that show Indian life for what it generally is, a struggle. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel however is a feel good movie about british people that experience that culture shock India offers with laughs and heart. For the large part feel good/exotic locations are a dime a dozen and not that great. I can say that this shines brightly due to director's John Madden ease to filmmaking and some wonderful british actors.

Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel and Maggie Smith make up a wonderful cast here. Each bring their own personality and make cliche and done before scenes still pleasant to watch. It's a film about trying new things and not letting regrets ruin you life and it success in telling that story in amusing fashion. You'll smile and laugh (unless you don't like Maggie Smith and fellow British actors, making you sort of a bad person) and want to try something new, but ultimately that feeling will leave and this film will pass to deep memory. So enjoy it while you can, it sure won't be difficult.

*** out of ****

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

There are movies and then there are callings. Those are the films that once you see you spend hours thinking about not just about the images and the thrills but the ideas presented. Theories float around the internet that through carful wording seem rather convincing. Prometheus wasn't just a simple film that was created but an entire world was covered in the undertaking of this vehicle. Prometheus despite it's flaws is a valiant attempt at bringing us a new world to explore.

I warn you I will be taking about spoilers,] I won't reveal specific themes but rather large plot information. Think of this as an analytical review rather than something to just get your interest (I absolutely think you should see it though).

Elizabeth Shaw played by Noomi Rapace is interesting not for just what she does but what she represents. Shaw is designed like Ellen Ripley and it a lot ways is similar (but not as great). Both can be driven to near impossible limits both through fear and what motivates them. Ripley in Aliens  (not Ridley Scott's film) did what no one else would (or possibly could) to help Newt and in this motherly role. Shaw is motivated by a burning desire to answer a question. Why does the creators want us dead? This drives her to unimaginable limits because to her the question is worth the risk.

The ship Prometheus is carrying 17 crew members to a far away moon. Here they hope to find mankind's origin. While in cryosleep David watches the ship. Michael Fassbender plays David in a show stealing performance. He's an android that resembles humans to create a sense of security. However David creates a presence that suggests hidden motives and desires. As man was created from the gods, Androids were made by humans, both looking for freedom.  On the planet the crew finds evidence of proof the Engineers exist. Shaw and her boyfriend Holloway (Logan Marshall Green) suspect that these Engineers had a hand in the creation and advancement of man kind. On the ship there is also Vickers (Chalize Theron with another summer acting hit) who has her own agenda on this mission. Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and other round out a terrific cast  However the answers they came to this moon for won't be found out easily.

The Engineers have developed an organic ooze that mutates the living cells to mutate the host. The plan on sending this to earth and destroying what they possibly created. So what did we do wrong? Do gods deserve to punish their children who may have developed to a point where they don't need them? How did the Engineers influence human life? These are the questions asked but none are answered. The film wants the audience to think, not lecture. Much like Blade Runner there is a distance in the attachment of the film. Prometheus is not here to cuddle the audience with answers but wants to give an idea to be developed on our own. Prometheus contains the themes of creation and life while having the horror elements and setting of Alien. However this film should not be thought of as a prequel to Alien. Ridley Scott didn't set out to make an Alien movie but something new with familiar ideas.

Prometheus isn't without flaws though. Blade Runner raised questions with its distance, Prometheus tries this but through poorer writing comes off sloppier. Characters behave irrationally and in sometimes idiotic manners (a crushing situation comes to mind). The climax isn't all that thrilling either (not bad but not as involving as the first half of the film). Despite it's problems Prometheus asks the audience to participate in the film. In an age of simple explosions and plots that could be understood without paying attention, Prometheus looks to engage the audience. It has a stellar first hour and even the lackluster finale has its highlights. This might be the best looking digital film out there right now. There are scenes that could just take your breath away with shear beauty. To add to that the story makes such marvelous images interesting. Prometheus isn't a classic by any means. It won't be remembered as a horror icon like Alien or the deep sci-fi genre changing Blade Runner. I say enjoy Prometheus for what it is right now. One of the best and most original movies in a few summers.

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

The Chernobyl Diaries (*1/2 out of ****)

Slight spoilers here, not too much I swear.

So good looking and foolish American tourists get chased by monsters again. Never seen that before (exaggerated eye role). Instead of trying to be original in real any fashion The Chernobyl Diaries does every trick in the book and at most builds moderate suspense because your afraid the prettier of the actors/actresses will die first. So here we have four Americans, Two Norwegians and Uri the tour guide going just outside Chernobyl for "extreme tourism". I'll give credit to Uri (Dimitri Diatchenko) though, he's the film's highlight and quite entertaining. I only wish he had more screen time but that wouldn't give the tourists that clueless feeling. Of course the charters behave irrational and due things the audience knew to avoid in five scones. Of course the threat that lurks in Chernobyl aren't that interesting because their motives aren't too clue but just enough is made out to avoid a mystery (Mutants need food and don't like explaining themselves is my guess). There are some interesting filming techniques (switching to iPhone view) but the gimmick isn't very effective horror. It sure is an easy film to watch and better than crap like Paranormal Activity 3 or from what I hear of The Devil Inside. I decided not to let this one slide and I promise to do better in the future.  What you need to know is this film is probably not worth your time. There aren't any diaries!

*1/2 out of ****

Snow White & The Huntsmen (**1/2 out of ****)

So here we have the second Snow White movie of the year a few months after the Tarsem helmed children's version. However Snow White & The Huntsmen isn't here to bring goofy smiles to our faces or warm our hearts. Here is a a welcomed re-imgaining of the classic fairy tale that is darker, bigger and all the more hostile. Of course you might wonder why re-imagine it at all? That's a question to take up with Hollywood, the movie itself is more than acceptable.

We have a backstory here that in the grand scheme of fairy tales is quite interesting. The Evil Queen Ravenna (Chalize Theron in a wicked turn) was once a girl who was abused and stolen from her family by men. Now in adulthood she is a vengeful swarm who betrays Snow White's father and take the kingdom for her own. She locks away Snow White (Kristen Stewart) in a tower for years until one fateful day she makes her escape into The Dark Forest (which is brimming with shadowy atmosphere). Ravenna sends The Huntsmen (Chris Hemmsworth) who has survived these woods before to return her. Of course things are never that easy.

Snow White & The Huntsmen has dripping with despair in scenery. So the contrastt with brighter parts of the film are all the better. It's a pretty fun adventure with a refreshing look. It's a welcomed blockbuster in the era where the better film must be the bigger one. How else could you describe the need for  Battleship, an orgy of explosions. Snow White & The Huntsmen has a fine story and luring visuals, but it's rather simple. It's expected so long as the movie is PG-13 and can still be views by many children without covering their eyes. It has the elements to go to the extreme but holds it self in check The final product is still quite fine.

PS: How will Kristen Stewart ever grow up to be as fair as Charlize Theron? That's the film's wildest claim.

**1/2 out of ****