December

The Iron Giant - ***
I was a bit harsh on this when it came out, calling it "E.T. with a robot." However similar they may be, the animation is beautiful and must be seen in high-def on a big screen to be truly appreciated. This is probably the last of its kind since the mid-90's ushered in the Pixar era which has remained dominant to this day. If you're nostalgic for an 'animated classic' but don't feel like being down-played to by talking smart-mouthed animals (which have their place in cinema, but only when they're actually funny), this is a good family-friendly film with a 1950's sense of violence (i.e., guns and missiles, but no gore).

Carousel - *
The music is good, but wow. Maybe it presents itself better on stage. The production numbers make this a viewable experience in a MST2000 way, so gather some theater buff friends, pour a drink and sass away at the screen. Could there be a worse performance ever in Gordon McRae's "Billy"? Did people really accept this as entertainment?! Oh, it's just awful.

Murial's Wedding - ***

I screened this film back in it's original release in '95 and remember liking it and for some reason late last night while perusing Netflix, I thought I'd give it another quick peek and I am so glad I did. The script has wonderful dialogue and a very clever story. Toni Colette in the leading role is quite a revelation and it's no wonder she's found incredible success and acclimation following this performance. My favorite part about Murial as our protagonist is that she's not perfect: she steals, seems largely unambitious and has no self-worth. After meeting her family and friends, we understand why and follow her metamorphosis with great intrigue.

It must be noted here that Jeanie Drynan as Murial's mother has only a few minutes of screen time, yet gives an incredible low-keyed performance which carries throughout the film and affects our perception of most of the characters. As much as I like Rachel Griffiths, her storyline gets a bit "Lifetime-y" and I think her impact on Murial's (now "Marial") life could have been executed without such a dramatic plot twist.

This is a highly entertaining film with loads of ABBA music which is utilized quite effectively to accentuate the mood of our main character, but not too much that it becomes blatant and overused.

Burlesque - **1/2
It was really difficult to watch this film and not think of "Coyote Ugly." Other than professions and this film being a music, they're nearly identical. If you like one, you'll like the other. The cast is great but the characters are pretty one-dimensional. The real surprise for me was how natural Christina Aguilera is on camera. The second biggest surprise for me was how in the bloody hell do you have Alan Cumming in your movie and give him two lines and 5 seconds of screen time?! I'm wondering if there was a whole section cut out for running-time purposes. What a disgrace! This film is exactly what it looks like, but not nearly unwatchable as I had anticipated.


The Artist - ****
A true gem. I spent the greater part of my education studying silent films and this homage hits every mark perfectly. Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo have wonderful, natural chemistry (they've worked together on a few other films) and the story, set design, music--everything--combine to make this a truly timeless and instant classic. 



The Nightmare Before Christmas - ***1/2
This became an immediate favorite upon screening on its initial release and the soundtrack has been a year-round staple since buying the CD the following day. I screened this again as I wanted to watch an anamorphic widescreen presentation on my projector. The DVD I own has a wonderful DTS mix but is very blurry as it's not enhanced for widescreen TV's and looks horrible when projected (100" diagonally).

This version also sports the "Touchstone" logo instead of the "Walt Disney Pictures" logo which was changed when the film was re-released for 3D in 2006. It's interesting to note that, as I've waited years to see a better version, the week I rented this from the library, Netflix gained access to many titles in Disney's library and this film is available to stream in HD. Hilarious, Universe, hilarious...

Wrath of the Titans - **
This film is like a cool video game--epic battles, fun effects and loud monsters--that you sit and watch while your friend has all the fun. To me, that gets old after 10 minutes. A film of this genre needs more theatricality and character, not endless battles and constant violence. 

Rosemund Pike is a standout while Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson seem to enjoy their limited screen time (and presumably big paychecks) while I barely understood a word Sam Worthington said. I would love to see a story-heavy origin of the Gods prequel called, "Birth of the Titans." With lots of British theatre vets.


The Cabin in the Woods - ***

Hilarious and original and I'm not a slasher film fan at all. I screened this all because it was a Joss Whedon project and I'll watch anything which involves his input. I would hate to say more for fear of giving away spoilers, however, if you rent the DVD and/or have ever read anything about this film, you probably know the biggest spoiler already and it comes relatively early in the film. Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford clearly had fun with these roles.

Sherlock Holmes - ***

I am not a fan of an actor playing two very iconic roles but Robert Downey, Jr. does a decent job of finding enough variations so that it's easy to distinguish Sherlock from Tony Stark (a/k/a "Iron Man"). Mark Strong makes a terrific 'bad guy' but it's getting a bit typecasty.

Director Guy Ritchie fashions does his best to update and put his unique stamp on this character with flashy camera work, rapid edits and a slowed-down while narrated description of our hero while he's attacks/defends himself (a cinematic term known as "bullet time") against brutish villains is a unique approach to put us inside Sherlock's brilliant mind and use of deduction. 

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows - **1/2
The gang's all back for a fantastic production which is whizzed by us with flashy contemporary cinematography (why zoom past all that detail!). Downey, Jr. and Jude Law turn in good performances (more Stephen Fry, please!) and a decent story yet it never really clicked with me as much as the first. 


Brave - **1/2
Not Pixar's best and more violent than one would expect. The story and characters are okay, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table and wasn't surprised by much. There is a good message for girls (and all kids, I suppose) to be strong-willed and independent, but a much better example is seen in "Whale Rider."




The Amazing Spider-Man - **1/2
Andrew Garfield makes a great Peter Parker! Hooray! That said, waiting an hour to see Spidey while setting up an origin story was unnecessary and this film didn't need to use all that time to repeat what pretty much anyone familiar with the character knows, be it from the comics or the *hugely* successful films done less than a decade earlier. "The Incredible Hulk" reboot did their origin story during the opening credits and the same could have easily been done here, or at least in the first 10 minutes. This film does have some nice visuals and effects but a very weak script and boring dialogue. Compared to the other work Marvel characters have been given over the past few years, this is definitely sub-standard and Spidey deserves so much better. Hopefully he'll fare far better in sequels or *crosses fingers* gets involved in other Avengers films.

Battleship - *
What a stinker. Seriously, it makes "Armageddon" seem like "Citizen Kane." Horrible and laughable dialogue and characters. I didn't think I could finish it, and it made me long for the torturous screening of "Sucker Punch."






Ted - **1/2There was some good laughs, a few clever homages and good performances (Wahlberg plays off a teddy bear as good as anyone could). For all the crude humor I hoped for, it is there but it just didn't land for me. Why in earth did they not make this a holiday movie?! It starts with a Christmas wish and then nothing. Definitely a missed opportunity for annual holiday viewings.

Dark Shadows - **
What a terrible script. The visuals and performances are there, but there is little to do for anyone other than Depp & Green. If you're a Depp fan, it's fine for a one-time screening, but it's a long two hours and quite forgettable days later. What a waste of a great cast.





Batman Returns - ***
I'm really torn with this film and could go 2 or 3 stars, depending on my mood. I've chosen 3 as I have to give Burton credit for taking some chances, not all of which worked. The film is campy yet also takes itself too seriously. DeVito gives an uneven performance as the Penguin and I blame director Burton more than DeVito. It's as if they couldn't decide between them to play him as a troubled evil genius or an idiotic buffoon and the unevenness shows, particularly in the scenes with Christopher Walken (who seems to be the only one to find the perfect balance in tone). The real standout here is Pfeiffer who really shines as Catwoman and probably a performance which will never be equalled (full disclosure: as of this writing, I've yet to see Halley Berry's interpretation, but I'm still quite confident in my assessement of Pfeiffer). Michael Keaton has very little to do and he often is buried in exquisite production design. Elfman's score is a standout and seems a close precursor to his 'Nightmare' masterpiece which arrives the following year. 

Gremlins - ***1/2
One of my favorite Christmas movies and is an annual screening during the holiday season. Imaginative story, wonderful effects and a tremendously underrated score by Jerry Goldsmith. Beautiful set design and colorful, soft-lighting make this a must-see on the big-screen. Director Joe Dante does a masterful job of balancing humor, terror, camp and sentiment and a cast that delivers on every cue.

November

The X-Files: I Want to Believe - **1/2
This would have made a good stand-alone episode of the series. As a feature, it fails to deliver anything on a cinematic scale (although, I did like the cinematography). It was shot in Canada with lots of real snow and cold. No sound stages and cotton lined roof tops here.

Gillian Anderson does a great job of bringing Dana Scully back to life, but Duchovny seems to be coasting with his return as Fox Mulder. I always appreciated David's extremely dry delivery on the show and that humor is missing throughout this film. (If you screen the DVD, be sure to watch the gag reel and you'll know what I mean.)

The Hunger Games - ***
I really enjoyed this film in the theater, before I read any of the books and it actually inspired me to seek them out. After reading the first book, I feel this is an extremely faithful adaptation and succeeds on many levels: performances, cinematography, costume & make-up and visual effects. I hope it's not forgotten come awards season.

Prometheus - **1/2
This film is very visual and it's unfortunate if you view it on a small screen. However, there isn't much new brought to the table in this over-hyped sci-fi entry. Charlize Theron (who had a good summer with this role and the evil queen in "Snow White and the Huntsman") has fun being the cold corporate representative on the journey. Michael Fassbender is also very good but saying why may involve a few spoilers, It's moderately paced and may be appreciated more when viewed with its follow-up film(s). It definitely feels like a Part 1 to at least two more.

Jack and Jill - **1/2
This film represents the best of what I like about most Adam Sandler films: Adam's character is relatively 'normal' to almost the bad guy, the film lets others get big laughs, there is potty humor yet also genuine sentiment. It has kids, but is not a "kids" movie. the bonus here is you get Adam playing two characters who gets big laughs by trying to be her normal self (yes, her...it's Adam in drag). I'm still unsure if Al Pacino is being a mild caricature of himself or doing a comedian's stereotypical impersonation of Pacino the actor. Either way, it worked for me.

I wish Sandler would give his movie wives something more to do than look pretty. Yes, Tea Leoni is his best movie-wife so far ("Spanglish"), but that was a James Brooks script.

Dracula's Daughter - **1/2
Not a bad sequel, but not near as stylistic as Tod Browning's original.

Son of Dracula - **
Okay, I know I watched this, but even after only a few weeks have gone by, I can't remember anything about it. I'll have to start with these lessor popular titles next year and take notes.

House of Dracula - **
I remember even less of this one. Jeez.

Dracula (1992) - **1/2
The first half of this film is quite a faithful adaptation and looks gorgeous. Beautiful costumes, detailed sets, wonderfully creative cinematography (it had to inspire Baz Luhrman in his vision that would become "Moulin Rouge") and a score that grabs you and doesn't let go. The second half, becomes schmaltzy romance and it loses me. Gary Oldman seems to be taking the role far too seriously but is effective in that first 1/3 of the film. Keanu Reeves belongs in this film as much as Charlie Brown belongs in a porn. In my opinion, Sadie Frost and Anthony Hopkins are the only ones who seem to understand that it's not drama, but also not campy horror and find the right balance.

The Wolfman (2010) - ***
Certainly better in the Universal Horror Series than the "Van Helsing" offering which preceded it, and far more atmospheric. Director Joe Johnston seems to fully understand the differences between horror (mood) and slasher films (gore) and balances them perfectly with great action sequences. Not sure why we need Anthony Hopkins here. I know it was 18 years prior when he was Van Helsing in "Dracula" (the film that kicked off the Universal remakes) but if you then watch them as a series, it will be odd that Van Helsing is now the Wolfman's father.

The Pink Panther - *
Awful. Just embarrassingly awful. Dumb story, awful acting (Kevin Kline's accent(?) changes mid-sentence) and boring direction. Do not bother!

The Pink Panther 2 - **1/2
Why would I screen this, moments after seeing the first film? Let's blame my OCD and move on. Actually, this film was about as good as I had hoped the first one would be with just the right amount of silly. Martin is miscast, yet no one would have satisfied me (not even my life-long devotion to Steve) other than Sacha Baron Cohen in the role of the bumbling detective.

Bernard and Doris - **1/2
Moderately paced and likable film with two great performances by Fiennes & Sarandon. Not surprising as director Bob Balaban is an actor also. I could have used some titles to show passage of time. Sometimes it's mentioned in the narration but I was lost as to whether 5 weeks or months had gone by. Also, Doris Duke was 81 when she passed yet Sarandon seemed to age about 10 years total and looked mid-50's when the film starts. It was definitely distracting. Fiennes' transformation from beginning to end is far more fluid and rewarding regarding a story arc to follow. Sets and costumes were quite detailed.

Baby Mama - **1/2
A long 99 minutes of not very funny material and wastes too much time on Tiny Fey's character and not the relationship and comedic scenarios possible between these two gifted comedians. The real surprise was Amy Poehler's genuine dramatic ability. I would never have been able to place her in a drama pre-"Parks and Recreation." and give credit to writer/director Michael McCullers for getting a broad-ranged performance from her. A shout-out to Dax Shepard for getting most of my laughs, probably through improv.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Unrated) - ***
Hilarious movie. I like Will Ferrell best in small doses but this is a truly amazing character and more is more in this instance. Wisely, director Adam McKay wrangles a trio of comedic talent in Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and Christina Applegate to compliment Ferrell's outlandishness. An original script full of great one-liners, often which will only make sense if you've seen the film ("Milk was a bad choice.") add to the greatness of this movie. I can't wait for the sequel.

The Adventures of Tintin - ***
This film is classic Spielbergian and is a joy to watch on the big screen. Colorful animation, swooping camera movements and a story full of treasure hunting and globe-trotting adventure--Spielberg seems to have rediscovered some of his child-like joy in film making again and this film is proof.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - ***
I really enjoyed this film from beginning to end. It handles tone much like Joss Whedon did for his 'Buffy' series; the premise is ridiculous so have fun with it, but treat the material seriously. Lead Benjamin Walker is a dead ringer for a young Liam Neeson (and indeed played the younger version of Neesom's 'Kinsey') and is certainly a talent to watch in the future. I may actually try and find this as a used DVD and add it to my collection. Director Timur Bekmambetov has a wonderful command of the camera and I wouldn't be surprised if he's handed something in the super-hero genre soon.

Winnie the Pooh - ***
I am so glad I saw this in the theater when it was originally released as the animation is superb. The film itself is short, funny, has great songs and completely beautiful. This is a children's film to be enjoyed by all ages and worth many repeat viewings to enjoy that gorgeous animation. I'm in shock that it doesn't get much recognition.

The Big Year - **1/2
Given the cast (Martin, Wilson and Black), I expected more laughs, of which there were a few, but was surprised at the genuine sentiment the film delivered. I watched the "Expanded Edition" and it was a bit long so maybe the theatrical version is timed better. All three leads are good here but the film doesn't really deliver anything worth remembering.

The King and I (1956) - ***
I've been waiting for years to see a 'enhanced for widescreen TV's' version of this film as my LaserDisc looks awful when projected and the original DVD released looks just as bad and sounds worse. This film is too big for even 100" projected and needs to be in a movie palace to be appreciated. So many of the costumes and set detail gets lost. Thankfully, Yul Brenner's performance could be enjoyed on even an iPod Shuffle. Truly one of the greatest creations in all of theater.

Brigadoon - *1/2
Truly escapist entertainment; the kind where you have to provide the imagination as the sets will not convince you that you're anywhere but in a sound stage with actors lip-syncing. An incredibly simplistic premise with near-insulting characterizations, which may have been enjoyable as a 'dream-sequence' in another film but when stretched out to feature-length it's just boring. Gene Kelley does his best to take you away, but after viewing I'd have much preferred to not go at all.

Wanderlust - ***
Paul Rudd makes me laugh like others only wish they could. I don't want to describe much of it at all, other than to recommend it and to be sure to watch the special features on the DVD. Paul Rudd has a scene where he has to 'talk dirty' and I had to pause the film as I was laughing so much. Malin Akerman should have gotten an Oscar just from withholding her laughter during this scene. (PS - Paul, I like you even more with short hair)

Seeking A friend for the End of the World - ***1/2
I don't want to give any of this film away so just see it. Just see it. Wonderfully unique story and terrific performances directed with loving care. I really hope this gets a Best Picture Nomination as it's easily my favorite so far this year.

Newsies - **1/2
Batman sings! It's "Annie" with a boys cast. Ambitious with some good song and dance numbers.

Adam - **1/2
Moderate love story between a young teacher and a young man with Asperger's Syndrome. I had hoped from watching the trailer that it would have been less Lifetime-y. Rose Byrne is good, as is Hugh Dancy but certain things happen in the story which made me go, "huh?" too many times.

Underworld: Awakening - **
Why do I keep getting my hopes up that any of these films will be good. There is starting to be very little difference between the caliber of this series and those 'throw together' rip-offs they air on SyFy on Friday nights.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance - **
Not awful, but disappointing as I like the first entry into this franchise and had higher hopes.

The Three Stooges - **1/2
The three leads do an admirable job, especially Chris Diamantopoulos. Some decent laughs and would be more enjoyable in 10 min shorts, but as a "Farrelly Brothers" movie...? Come on, boys. Go back to adult humor with unique characters. You are (were?) better than this.

Rock of Ages - ***
This was fun. I bet seeing a production live would be more fun. It's a hairband themed episode of "Glee" (when it's good) but with some pretty big names. Great balance of camp, sentiment, comedy and hokey sincerity. I appreciate the casting of Alec Baldwin but he's out of his element here while Cruise really stands out. I really love when he takes chances (i.e., "Tropic Thunder").

That's My Boy - ***
Too long, but genuinely funny. That said, I could have done without Adam's ultra-thick Boston accent as I find him less funny when he does 'a voice' (save for "Bobby Boucher, Jr." a/k/a "The Waterboy"). They're fine for 3 minutes sketches but get extremely annoying when forced to hear for any extended period (i.e., "Little Nicky"). One of the better "non-Dugan" directed Sandler films.

Tower Heist - **
A real waste of some good comedic talent and a premise full of comedic promise. The cast all work in a hotel (except Eddie Murphy) so why not give them some funny stuff to do at the hotel? Nope, the film wastes most of its time showing how goofy planning a robbery can be. I'll spare you, it's not goofy or clever or funny. Danny Ocean is embarrassed for all of you.

Snow White and the Huntsman - **1/2
Charlize Theron is terrific and the film really lags when she's not onscreen. Kristen Stewart still acts like the lead in a high school production. Regarding the action, it's one thing to look epic and another to look like extra's playing with plastic swords.

Anything Goes - **1/2
Entertaining, but nothing special, save for Donald O'Connor's routine with the kids ("Bounce Right Back"). Amazing. Why isn't it featured in any Hollywood retrospectives? It's only slightly less brilliant than "Make 'Em Laugh."

Adam's Rib - ***1/2
I love me some Tracy/Hepburn!

Wrath of the Titans - **
This film is like a cool video game--epic battles, fun effects and loud monsters--that you sit and watch while your friend has all the fun. To me, that gets old after 10 minutes. A film of this genre needs more theatricality and character,not endless battles and constant violence.

Rosemund Pike is a standout while Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson seem to enjoy their limited screen time (and presumably big paychecks) while I barely understood a word Sam Worthington said.

I would love to see a story-heavy origin of the Gods prequel called, "Birth of the Titans." With lots of British theater vets. 

October

Twilight - *1/2
This was as bad as I remembered it being when I first viewed it a few years ago. When I first heard about it, most people mentioned Kristen Stewart's acting and it seemed *awful* when I actually saw the film, but after reading the books I understand that's how the character was written (i.e., awful), as if one were reading a tweenager's diary. I don't see how most people could follow this film w/o reading the book as director Catherine Hardwicke had a lot of people making weird pained faces and she must have assumed her audience would know what four pages from the book transferred into each look or gesture. The effects of Edward running while carrying Bella in the woods were *awful* and reminded me of the mountain climber from The Price Is Right. After reading the book, I was disappointed that Edward's family wasn't utilized more in this film. Nearly all of them were more interesting than Bella or Edward.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon - **1/2
I was surprised to find that I actually liked the second book in the Twilight Saga and had my hopes higher (as in hoping it wouldn't suck) for this sequel. Overall this film is an improvement and I was glad to see more of Edward's family. #TeamAlice

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse - **1/2
Not an improvement on the formula but held my interest and was a good adaptation. #StillTeamAlice

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 - **1/2
See review above.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut - ***1/2 (no link to IMDB for this version)
It had been so long since I'd seen the Director's Cut of this film that I didn't really notice any huge differences. I regret not screening the originals just prior to this viewing and will probably set aside a week next year to view all versions over a few nights. In any version, it's still one of my favorite films and I hate to believe that my affection will dissipate over repeated viewings so I keep them to a minimum and just relive some of the visuals through the soundtrack/score on my iPod.

Dracula (1931) - **1/2
Kind of a boring movie (fitting, as I feel the same way about the book), but for '31 it was pioneering for its visual style. And has there ever really been another Dracula that can compare to Lugosi's? I probably would have enjoyed this more as an 8 year-old. Also, as it's more of an adaption of the play than the book, when it's not being ominous with its visuals, it's being very stagy in its presentation.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) - ***
I've held off seeing this for years as I had meant to get to the books first. That didn't happen so I just decided to dive in and I'm glad I did and was upset for putting it off. Great story, performances and some fantastic visual shots of real locations. This was not made in a Hollywood studio and it shows. Noomi Rapace is fantastic and if you need only one reason to watch this film, she's the reason.story

Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall - ***1/2
I've been a fan of this musical since the first listen and had never seen a stage adaptation until this one. I tried to judge it as a production in and of itself, but it's difficult not to compare any version when you've heard the  Broadway recording hundreds of times. I was totally drawn in from the opening notes and barely moved through the entire show. And stay tuned after the show for a few surprises!!!


Due Date - **
I didn't think this film was very funny at all (a couple laughs, at best). Zach Galifianakis does have a particularly wonderful dramatic scene in a bathroom and a few other moments that shows he's far too good for this generic road film. It seemed to try for dark humor but couldn't balance being mean while also trying to be likable.

Constantine - ***1/2
I know I screened this back in '05 or '06 but somehow forgot most of what it was about. I read a few of the comics about a decade ago and have no recollection of them either, except that I remember enjoying them. I have no excuse as to why I forgot how great this overlooked film compares to modern comic book adaptations. I still think Keanu is miscast but certainly doesn't do the material any disservice. Great effects and a fun story make this a must-see whether you've read the comics or not (it may actually help if you haven't, as Reeve's casting may then not be an issue with you).

September

Team America: World Police - ***
I don't think this film ever got its due. While the script falls flat on a few jokes and the celebrity references will probably not hold up over time, the score/songs are amazing and in heavy rotation on my iPod. It makes a great pairing with the South Park film.

August

Fanboys - **1/2

Mulholland Dr. - ***

That Thing You Do! (Director's Cut) - ***

Mr. Mom - ***

Serentiy - ***

High Anxiety - ***

This is Spinal Tap - ***

Arthur - ***

July

Reign Over Me - ***

The Blind Side - *1/2
As far as a stretch as this overexposed award-winning role was for Sandra Bullock (um, why wasn't this attention received for "Crash"?), I found this film to be incredibly condescending and ridiculously offensive. In what world does an upper class white woman (and her 9 year-old son) teach an 18 year-old black man how to play football?! Even if said young man had *never* played or watched football before, yet displayed a natural gift, wouldn't it fall to the coach of the team to guide him?! I find it embarrassing for our culture that this film became such a hit.

The Spiderwick Chronicles - **1/2
A mini Seth Rogan marathon caused me to seek this film out. It seemed to try too hard to be a 'scary kids adventure' (and maybe would have been in the 80's) but the cast was good, there was a couple of fun ideas but it's no Harry Potter.

Paul - ***
Hilarious, cleaver, well-made and fun. Has Simon Pegg ever done wrong? Kristin Wiig is also fantastic and it's too bad this didn't come out after "Bridesmaids" as it would have gotten a lot more attention.

Little Nicky - **
If Sandler would have come up with another voice this film would have been a success. There were a few clever gags and a decent enough plot but that voice is just the most irritating sound ever. It would be perfect if this were a cameo in someone else's film but 90 minutes of it is just way too much.

Observe and Report - **1/2
I appreciate the dark tone this film was going for, but it seemed to do it half-assed. Released a mere months after "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" it wouldn't surprise me if people thought it was the same movie. I assure you, they're not. Where 'Blart' went for slapstick, 'Observe' goes for goofy socio-pathic romance. It succeeds on some levels, then tries to make Rogan's character a sympathetic loser rather than the bi-polar failed-hero Rogan seems to want to portray (and does very well). I can see this becoming a cult classic for people who abhor standard Hollywood films. This really is the antithesis of 'Blart' and WB should have capitalized on that in its marketing.

Evan Almighty - **1/2
As much as I like Steve Carrel and *love* Lauren Graham, seeing them in something this vanilla pains me. The film is likable enough, but it's totally paint by numbers. It's everything it looks to be and will delight your pre-teens and grandparents, without being too preachy.

The Green Hornet - **1/2
Another in my Rogan marathon -- This film wasn't nearly as terrible as I'd heard and Rogan really does a great job of being a spoiled playboy. I really respect him as an actor but he seems all over the map here and never quite finds the character. He's totally likable goofy pot-head Rogan in one scene, then overly serious Bruce Wayne-ey in the next. Rogan and Jay Chou have great chemistry and their scenes of 'becoming heroes' are the highlights.

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies - ***1/2
Made by the same 'team' who did "The Artist" and it's a gem. If you're a fan of the 'Austin Powers' series and/or have an affinity for the Pink Panther films then there is *no way* you wouldn't totally enjoy this film (unless you're absolutely against sub-titles). I hate to even describe much about the film in fearing I'd spoil any of the jokes. I will say that the recurring 'chicken' gag is my favorite. I even had to pause the film to collect myself.

The Hangover Part II - *1/2
Ugh, why... this is one of those sequels that is just a repeat of the first film in a new location.

Just Go With It - ***
Director Dennis Dugan seems to have a way with Sandler that works (other than in 'Grown Ups') and this is one of the good ones.Formulaic, sure, but the chemistry between Sandler and Aniston is enjoyable and the kids are terrific.

The Adjustment Bureau - ***
Damon and Blunt make a great romantic pairing in this stylistic, fast-paced and under-appreciated sci-fi thriller. The film is an impressive entry for first-time director George Nolfi.

Dr. Suess' Horton Hears A Who - **1/2
Likable enough but gets pretty heavy-handed and political. Kids may not get the political/religious subtext but it will smack most adults right in the face so hard it becomes a bit off-putting. Jim Carrey is so over the top that it becomes distracting while Steve Carell does a great job portraying a father/husband/mayor with a lot responsibility to his family and community while harboring his own worldly questions about existence. I'm convinced that if anyone has the nerve to remake "It's A Wonderful Life," they had better do it with Carell.

Spider-Man 3 - **1/2
I was extremely disappointed in this upon my original screening a few years ago and although the film holds up a little better than I remember, it's still the weakest of the trilogy. As good a job as Thomas Haden Church is in his role as Sandman, I couldn't help but thinking that he was mis-cast. I'm unfamiliar with the comic book version of Sandman, but Church plays him very sympathetically and it's hard to see him as a villain. With additional villains of Venom and New Goblin, this film is just too busy.

Crazy, Stupid, Love - ***
I really enjoyed this comedy aimed at adults. I think anyone younger than 30 wouldn't appreciate the changes one must do in order to update themselves to modern times once they've been so comfortable in a marriage or career for so long. Carell, Moore and the always amazing Gosling really craft unique characters and the script by Dan Fogelman (who's mostly penned kids animation for Disney) peppers enough comedy and drama throughout to really give the film an even flow. A genuine surprise for me.

The Descendants - ***
I didn't quite enjoy this film as much as I'd hoped from all the hype it was given. It's solid writing, great performances and solid direction, but I was hoping for more comedy. It seemed like it wanted to be a quirky Coen Bros. comedy then ventures into Lifetime TV movie of the week territory. A little off-balanced, but still better than most.

Cyrus - ***
This is a great independent film. Dark, funny and genuinely touching. The Duplass brothers really show some promise here. John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei and Jonah Hill (he gets an Academy Award nom for "Moneyball" and is ignored in every aspect for this role?) give great performances. If you're in the mood for something unpredictable and unique, this is a great choice.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan - **1/2
The first third of this film is fantastic. An Israeli secret agent who longs to be a hairdresser! Unfortunately, it veers off into the cheeky Sandler romance-type film and completely abandons the promise of what might have been. Sandler and co-star Emanuelle Chriqui (gorgeous and talented as she may be) have zero chemistry. Likable enough as a whole, but just disappointing after that hilarious first act.

June

Moon - ***

Cedar Rapids - **1/2

50/50 - ***

Bedtime Stories - **1/2

Puss in Boots - ***

Young Adult - ***

Never Let Me Go - ***

Hugo - ***

Source Code - ***

Coraline - ***

The Iron Lady - ***

Grown Ups - *

The Ides of March - **1/2

Away We Go - ***

The History Boys - ***

Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist - **1/2

Paper Heart - ***

Somewhere - **


Planet of the Apes (1968) - *** [Rescreen]

Gosford Park - ***

May

The Switch - **1/2

The Change-Up - **1/2

Bridesmaids - ***

The Help - ***

9 - *1/2

The Smurfs - **

An Education - ***

The Kids Are All Right - ***

Cowboys & Aliens - **

The Town - ***

Moneyball - **1/2

Midnight in Paris - ***1/2

My Week With Marilyn - ***

April

The Wiz - *

Thor - *** [Rescreen]

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - **1/2

A Night in Casablanca - ***

Labyrinth - **1/2

Radioland Murders - *** [Rescreen]

Let's Make Love - ***

Let the Right One In - ***

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - ***

March

Grand Canyon - ***
I know I saw this back in its original release, but remembered very little. Kevin Kline gives a fantastic subtle performance. I highly recommend if you haven't seen this and also worth a re-screening if you had seen it years ago.

Clash of the Titans (2010) - **
This is one of those films that's not great and not bad. Total popcorn movie but without the camp of the original. Maybe the original wasn't supposed to be? Perhaps this will appear campy 20 years from now?

The Hurt Locker - ***
I didn't enjoy this as much as I'd hoped, but still great filmmaking and Jeremy Renner is fantastic (as he always seems to be).

Manhattan - ***1/2
Still a classic. Mariel Hemingway is so great (and only 16 years-old when filming!) and much deserved her supporting actress Oscar nomination. A wonderful score by Gershwin and gorgeous black and white cinematography by Gordon Willis give New York a timeless look and feel. It's the New York we want to exist but probably never has.

Knight and Day - **
I've never really been a fan of Cameron Diaz, with the exception being the first film I saw her in her feature film debut , "The Mask." I absolutely loathed her in "Vanilla Sky" and said at the time she and Cruise had zero chemistry so I was surprised when I learned they were doing another film together. The action sequences are good here and Cruise is fine in another action role but I really wish he'd take better parts than this. He's a far better actor than most people, even himself, give him credit for. Do something outside the box, Tom -- call Kevin Smith and discuss some ideas.

The Fisher King - ***1/2
I saw this about 20 some years ago and didn't remember much about it and was glad I revisited this film. It's amazing!!! Amanda Plummer stole my heart and the entire cast does a tremendous job. A wonderfully imaginative film and perfect for Robin Williams.

Rebel Without A Cause - ***
Well made classic. It's easy to see it as formulaic now, but it's the "Citizen Kane" of the troubled teen drama.

East of Eden - ***1/2
I enjoyed this more than 'Rebel' as it really showed the potential James Dean had. Beautifully photographed and terrific direction by Elia Kazan. I'll probably revisit this film soon.

Real Steel - **1/2
The premise is pretty high-concept (life-size Rock'Em Sock'Em Robots in boxing matches controlled by humans) but Hugh Jackman brings a warmth to the film and nearly gets away with reminding me he's not Wolverine. Nearly.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 - ***
I screened this and Part 1 after a marathon of 'Potter' films and I can't quite remember which is which. I know all the films were faithful adaptations to their novels, but by having director David Yates do the last four of the eight films, they tended to blend together. As much as the intention was consistency in vision, I miss the spark of originality which makes Alfonso Cuarón's 'Prisoner of Azkaban' stand out.

Green Lantern - *
I can't believe this was as awful as I'd heard it was. Wow. I will say that Mark Strong stood out as did a brunette Blake Lively but, likable and talented as Ryan Reynolds is, he's miscast here.

Kung Fu Panda 2 - ***
I know I liked it, but I've already forgotten most of this film which makes no sense. It happens when I watch four or five in a row.

Burn After Reading - ***
Classic Coen Brothers! Brad Pitt is ridiculously fantastic here. How did he get so much attention and nominations for "Moneyball" and so very few for this role? The entire cast does a great job and I really love Clooney in a Coen film.

Drive - ***
I was totally surprised at how much I liked this film. Great score, awesome performance by Ryan Gosling and cast. As much as I like Albert Brooks and appreciate his taking on this role, it didn't seem all that stand-out-ish. I know he's a good actor but the role was a bit stereotypical. The film is very 80's noir and has a feel all its own. If you're in the mood for something different, this is a great choice. Totally under appreciated.

Hook - **
I got sucked into this when I just wanted to take a peak at it in HD on Netflix. I remember being so disappointed upon initially seeing this upon its release. Williams tries too hard, Hoffman is so over the top he's nearly come round again. Charlie Korsmo is fine and John Williams's score is top-notch. Too bad the entire film isn't. My friend Rob penned the saying, "Everyone has their "Hook" which means that even great people fail miserably sometimes, particularly filmmaker's.

February

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - **1/2
I know I watched this but can't seem to remember anything specific about it. Even after watching the trailer on YouTube, very little is recalled. Part of the downside of trying to review a film screened 9 months ago with no notes to go by. Maybe I'll revisit it during a hiatus and return to this review.

January

The Men Who Stare At Goats - **1/2
This held a lot of promise after I read the script but just didn't hold up on transition to the screen. I didn't think much of Ewan McGregor in this role. I think it needed a more cynical and dry interpretation (I pictured Jason Bateman when I read the script) and not so wide-eyed and innocent. Clooney looked like he was having fun and if Jeff Bridges would have had more screen time, I would have enjoyed this film more.

March Screenings

Hancock - ** 1/2
A different take on the (anti) superhero film, but lacks any distinct vision that sets it apart from any other wanna-be summer blockbuster (but it does have Jason Bateman, which counts for an extra 1/2 star). It's loud with lots of effects and very little story. If you like either of the Fantastic Four films, you'll be okay with this.

A Star Is Born (1954) - ** 1/2

The Invincible Iron Man - ** 1/2

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - ***1/2
Always in contention for 2nd place in the list of my favorite Spielberg films (Raiders will forever be #1). It has those great Spielberg moments, which somehow got lost after he did "The Color Purple."

Rain Man - ***1/2
After his underappreciated role as Vincent in "The Color of Money", Tom Cruise really started to bridge the gap between 'Hollywood's "It" Kid' and serious film actor with his portrayal of Charlie in this film. Hoffman's performance stole all the attention but Cruise's ability to hold each and every scene with the veteran actor showed real promise which he followed up with an Oscar nominated role in "Born on the Fourth of July" the following year. It's this Jerry Maguire/Collateral/Magnolia Tom Cruise I love to watch.

The Last Picture Show - ***1/2

The Mummy: Curse of the Emperor's Tomb - *

The Goodbye Girl - ***

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - **

Kissing A Fool - **1/2+
The dreaded decision to go for the "average" 2 1/2 stars or "quite good" three stars. Is this film as good as the three stars "The Goodbye Girl?" No. Is it as disappointing as the big budget "Hancock?" No. So where does a film like this fit in. It's a charming romantic comedy with a great cast. The script has a few contrived twists that don't really fit but it's a very identifiable story for anyone who's been in a whirlwind relationship. Basically, a poor man's (yet more 'glossy') CHASING AMY.

The Lady Eve - ***
This is an enjoyable Preston Surges comedy with Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda.

My Favorite Blonde - **1/2
A 'road' picture with Bob Hope without Bing Crosby (well, almost). Hope's comedic timing is still ahead of its time and I doubt his audience will ever really catch up to him. He is a true legend in an enjoyable film for all ages.

Nothing Sacred - **
I've been cinematically spoiled since college. Seeing every film in (mostly) pristine 16mm projection, with several prints coming from private vaults across the country, I've seen rare films in conditions that met or exceeded any expectations I had about seeing "old" movies. I know I'm spoiled because I found myself very nearly unable to enjoy this Carol Lombard comedy satire because the DVD transfer was abhorrent. Seriously, it's the worst I've ever seen and that's counting any of those found in the dollar bins at the grocery store. This film deserves better treatment than this. Granted, this was a non-anamorphic transfer blown up on a 100-inch screen. If you watched this on any "standard" TV set, it may not appear as bad but I found it nearly unwatchable. Nearly, because Carol Lombard is worth watching in a film no matter its condition. I just hope this film find a proper release someday.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - ***
This is a great beginning to what’s become, to nobody’s surprise, a lucrative franchise for WB. The cast is perfect.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - **1/2
When watched consecutively after the first film, it seems to repeat itself a bit too much. Still, a lot of fun.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - ***1/2
I'm giving this an extra 1/2 star over the rest of the 1st five films as I found this the most visually interesting film of the first five releases.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - ***
(A/K/A Harry Potter goes to Shermer High School) Even with it's John Hughes teen themes, the cast continues to grow and develop their characters with a helpful script that makes this journey into adulthood a treat. Emma Watson (Hermione) really stands out here and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her work outside of this franchise. However, with all the teen hormones raging, Harry's central storyline gets cast to the side in favor of a Hogwart's Olympics, which only at the end provides us with what we really want--more Ralph! I mean, Lord Voldemort!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - ***
This film continues to uphold what we expect from a Harry Potter film but doesn't separate itself visually like 'Azkaban' does. However, WB had enough faith in director David Yates's vision to give him the rains to this film as well as the rest of the films in the series. As capable director as he is, I feel this is a mistake as, unless he consciously makes the decision to differ them visually, the films will start to blend over time, especially when viewed in succession. Imagine Danny Boyle, Guillermo del Toro or (gulp) Michael Bay directing. I'm just saying, I disagree with going with the same director for 4 of the 8 films in the series.

Texasville - ***
Great when seen shortly after "The Last Picture Show" as it really gives you extra depth after seeing how these characters turned out. If you were to see it without knowing it was a sequel, it wouldn't make much sense, but still an interesting character film. I'm not sure why Chloris Leachman's and Timothy Bottom's character's were cast aside to much smaller roles as their story was my favorite from the previous film. One figures because Jeff Bridges became much more successful as there's no reason other than money to deny these great characters (and actors) another chance to shine.

Being John Malkovich - ***1/2
I forever became a Charlie Kaufman fan after seeing this film. Much of the focus upon it’s initial release was given to director Spike Jones for the originality of this film, but time has shown us it was its writer who had the true vision.

The Hunt for Red October - ***
Was Alec Baldwin really ever that young?! He shows great promise as an anti-action hero in this highly suspenseful and well-produced film. Watch on a good home theatre system as its effects really shine in this Oscar winner for Best Effects and Sound Effects Editing.

Patriot Games - **1/2
Harrison Ford replaces Alec Baldwin in this follow-up in the Jack Ryan series. It's worth seeing as it solidified Ford's stance as action hero, even without a blaster or whip at his side.

A Clear and Present Danger - **1/2
Too long for its own good, this third film in the Jack Ryan series has Ford reprising the role in standard summer action fare. It was, however, fun to see how clunky and low-tech all the "high-end" computers were. Ah, technology, we barely know ye.

Watchmen - ***
Having not read the graphic novel in over a decade, I barely remember what this film was supposed to be about other than superheroes aren't appreciated in this alternate 1985 universe. As an adaptation, I'd like to revisit the novel to get a real sense of what it did or did not accomplish, however, as a film on it's own, if you're not familiar with its historical significance in the comic book world, this films is a well-produced, but much too long superhero film. Jackie Earle Haley and Patrick Wilson stand out as the better performances. Director Zack Snyder does have some great visuals and would be a great candidate for a (much different) Harry Potter movie.

The Fugitive - ***1/2
Now *this* is a non-Indy Harrison Ford film to which you can be proud of being a fan. Wonderfully paced action film that lures you in from the start and never lets go. This film was nominated for a well-deserved seven Academy Awards (sadly winning only one for Tommy Lee Jones as Supporting Actor). Director Andrew Davis must have had lighting in a bottle for this film only as his career has yet to prove anything as worthy of mention.

Also, as of this writing, WB is planning on remaking this. This is why the recession is bad.

Schindler's List - ****
While it doesn't fit in the same style of what I love about Spielberg, it shows he's a fantastic director without his standard Spielbergism's. I think it's an amazing film, which comes dangerously close to making you think it's a documentary, in the sense that you really lose focus that it's a film with actors, props and sets. A must-see for everyone and should be seen on the biggest screen you to which you have access.

Jurassic Park - ***
At the polar opposite end of the film spectrum from Schindler's List, Jurassic Park demonstrates the trademarks of camera movement and lighting of the Spielberg to which I am the biggest fan. This is all fun and gags and is one long amusement ride, which is well worth the price of admission.

Saving Private Ryan - ***
The first half-hour is probably my favorite 30 minutes of film footage ever. The DTS mix causes my sound system to weep with pleasure. I cannot comprehend the amount of work put in to make D-Day look so real. However, the film doesn't have the character development needed to match those 30 minutes on Normandy thus I slowly lost my interest slowly as the film progressed. Production-wise, it's really fantastic, but it's over-hyped as a great film. Still, it should be standard annual viewing on Veteran's and/or Memorial Day for its incredible realistic portrayal of battle. (suggested viewing -- HBO's "Band of Brothers" is a great compliment to this film)

Thoroughly Modern Millie - *
This film is thoroughly ridiculous on every level and I can only recommend if you're really into production design and wardrobe. How can a "musical" have so few songs yet be so long? What an awful film for Julie Andrews to have following "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music."

February Screenings

Home Alone - ****
A Personal favorite of mine since it's theatrical release and second only to A CHRISTMAS STORY as my favorite holiday film.

Annie - **1/2
The films is great until Annie gets out of the orphanage and involved in Oliver Warbucks life. Annie should have stayed with Carol Burnett and kept the cycle repeating (you think it's coincidence Annie and Miss Hannigan both have red hair?!).

Beauty and the Beast (Disney) - ****
Tied with FORREST GUMP as the only film I've seen in the theatre four times on it's first-run release. My favorite Disney animated film followed *very* closely by THE LITTLE MERMAID.

The Duchess - ***
Ralph Fiennes raises this film from another ho-hum period piece to something much more fun to watch. His presence is felt even when he's off screen (which is most of the film) and I think the supporting actor nomination snub was one of the year's worst.

Main in Manhattan - ***
Speaking of Ralph, after watching THE DUCHESS, I had to give this film another screening and I found it quite charming. It's often too "cute" but it reminded me why I liked Jennifer Lopez as an actress after seeing her in OUT OF SIGHT. Yes, it's the Latin 'Pretty Woman' trading the hooker role for one as a maid, but it still works fine.

Finding Neverland - ****
Again, the Peter Pan story is one of my favorites and this take is nothing but breathtaking. I must-see for kids and adults as it reminds us the joy storytelling can bring, no matter what form it takes.

Gran Torino - ***
Angry Clint Eastwood takes on a gang. No surprises here and for all it's plot elements you can see a mile away, it's still entertaining and worth seeing.

Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway - ****
This has been the greatest thing I've screening in a long, long time. I *loved* finally seeing a version of rent performed on the stage. I hope for a day when all Broadway shows can reach a wide audience via DVD or on-demand or whatever form home entertainment takes in the future.

Another Country - **1/2
A decent film about a gay teen dealing with issues of class and society in a predominant British high school. Think 'gay Harry Potter sans the magic'. Fun to see a very young Rupert Everett and Colin Firth.

Milk - ***
Moves above standard bio fare with a remarkable performance from Sean Penn. I didn't quite see the hype in many of the other performances often mentioned during award season, especially Josh Brolin's, but I think his nomination for supporting actor was a correction for his not being nominated for "No Country for Old Men" in which he created a much more realized and intriguing character.

Doubt - ***1/2
So far, it's been my favorite "award season" film. Fantastic performances by Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. And speaking of 'awards,' as fantastic as the scene between Viola Davis and Meryl Streep is, I'm not a fan of people being nominated for l or 2 scenes with a screen time of under 10 minutes. It's a great 10 minutes, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't help but feel like it was more like a clip from her acting reel and I was reminded of the scene in 'Austin Powers' when Austin was crying and underneath was the Chyron "Oscar scene" or something to that effect. As crucial as the scene is to the plot of the film, it was overdone and distracting from the subtle nuances of the performances which had preceeded it. I can't fault the actress for milking the scene as that's the only one she had, but the director should have known to keep it on the same tone as the other actor's.

The Wrestler - ***
A great character study and truly underrated film. Yes, Rourke wasn't underrated during award season but, although she received the Supporting Actress nod, Marisa Tomei deserved more as she brings so much depth to her character than most other actresses would have given this role. She's the antithesis of the Julia Roberts PRETTY WOMAN 'hooker with the heart of gold' yet you root for her just as much. It's not an easy film to watch as it's a cold film. Cold weather, cold characters and a cold hard life. However, Rourke's performance will have you cheering for him the entire time.

Also, on a personal note, it was bittersweet to see Rourke get all the "comeback" attention he did for this film when I was praising his return three years ago after seeing SIN CITY. You want to watch a truly unrecognizable Rourke in a fantastic role unlike any you've seen, then please see SIN CITY.

Scrooged - ***
I've loved this film since it's original release and I cannot find a reason why I haven't bought this DVD until now. It will forever be a favorite holiday film, not quite in the league of HOME ALONE or A CHRISTMAS STORY, but it's something you can watch if you're with the Scrooges you know who don't want to watch anything "sappy." Bobcat Goldthwait is a real joy to watch in this film and Bill Murray's performance can be enjoyed on so many levels. His scenes with Carol Kane rank as one of my favorite pairings ever to grace the screen.

The Reader - ***
I liked this film, especially Kate Winslet's Oscar-winning performance, but... I doubt it will stand the test of time other than being known as the film which finally brought Ms. Winslet her Oscar.

Caddyshack - ***
A timeless classic that still holds up, at least for me, nearly 30 years after its initial release. It's one of those films where, depending on the circles you hang in, nearly every line is quotable and immediately recognized.

January Screenings

The Pixar Story - ***
A very interesting documentary about what it must be like to be awesome every minute of every day.

The Magnificent Seven - ***
I wrote a long review but it seemed to have gotten lost so, to sum up... Awesome western. Great theme song. Michael Bay will eventually do a remake and ruin it.

A Love Song For Bobby Long - ***
Again, wrote a long review but was lost by google because apparently "save now" means "let's make it say "saved" but if you navigate away to preview, when you come back all your changes will be gone. F'n google. To sum up, Gabriel Macht is the surprise in a great indepenent film that received no recognition other than Johansson's Golden Globe nod for Best Actress. Give it a shot. It's much better than the trailer makes it look.

Cool Hand Luke - ***
George Kennedy deserved the Oscar for his supporting performance. To act side by side Paul Newman and be a scene stealer is award worthy indeed. Didn't quite work for Bruce Willis in "Nobody's Fool," although the Chlotrudis Awards agree with me and gave Bruce the nomination.

Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story - **1/2
I found this film to be funny at times, but a bit unorganized. Maybe it would have worked better as a cable series a la "Extras." But I did think Steve Coogan was good. I'm looking forward to more of his work in the future.

Junebug - **1/2
I've had this DVD for-ever and just never got around to it. Amy Adams is great, which I had already known by the time I screened this, and worth viewing if you're a fan of hers. The rest of the cast is good too, but the last act is unsatisfying.

What's Up Doc? - ***
A favorite of mine when I saw it in college and it still holds up well with me. Streisand is hilarious (yes, that Streisand, for those brought up on Yentl and The Prince of Tides) and Ryan O'Neal is also very well-suited in the character perfected by Cary Grant in "Bringing Up Baby."

Black Rain - **
Visually interesting, but looks a lot like scenes/sets not used in Ridley Scott's earlier film "Blade Runner." It's the kind of film every action parody was built on.

Tropic Thunder - **1/2
I wanted to like this more but maybe my expectations were too high once I finally screened it. Downey Jr. is great, Jack Black is really miscast here and I think Stiller's best work is when he's the straight man. I should probably bump this up to three stars because of Tom Cruise's performance. As great as he is in this cameo-ish role (when is 10 minutes of screen time a "cameo" and when is it a "supporting acting Oscar nomination" role? I can't tell anymore.) I would have much rather seen him take the Ben Stiller role. That would have been an even greater career move. Or how about him doing both? Pompous and spoiled is the same whether it's an actor or studio executive.

The Dark Knight - ***1/2
I didn't like this as much on the 2nd viewing and several people are going to be pretty pissed at me for saying so. It's still great, it's just not the best movie ever. Heath Ledger deserves every bit of praise. A very nuanced and subtle performance even though it's a very loud and exaggerated character. Very, very few actors could have pulled this off and were I casting the film, he wouldn't have made my short list. Kudos definitely goes to Christopher Nolan, who was not only robbed of Oscar nomination for directing but I think was robbed of a win as well. I also think Aaron Eckhart was robbed of a lot of deserved praise because of the over-hype of Ledger's tragic death.

Rebecca - ***1/2
Why don't I rate this film as four stars? I'm not sure, but my immediate reaction upon seeing this after several years was three and a half. It's really, really close. I really like it and especially like Joan Fontaine. Just watch the extra's on the DVD which shows screen tests from other actresses and I think you'll find Joan did the best interpretation of the character. Olivier is quite irreplacable here. Extremely worthy of it's 11 Academy Award nominations. (Why does it seem like films *earned* their nominations in those days and it wasn't all about who's popular or what studio has the best marketing team? Oddly enough, it probably was the same way then and in 50 years I'll be sitting with my peers in the nursing home and we'll all reminisce about how great "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" was. Hopefully I'll be heavily sedated or the first person to say that will soon see the hook end of my cane.

Meet Me In St. Louis - ***1/2
This is the mashed potato's of film. The definition of comfort food you find yourself wanting over and over again. The art decoration is like butter. Judy is picture perfect and if you don't find yourself *completely* adoring Margaret O'Brien you are dead inside (she won the Outstanding Juvenille Actress Oscar for this role and it's very clear why).

Dumbo - **
I choke up during "Baby Mine" but really, this film didn't offer me much as far as entertainment. I'm sure had I seen it as a child my reaction would be different. It's a good movie, with some interesting points, one major one being the "Pink Elephants on Parade" sequence which seems like it belonged in "Fantasia" but was cut for whatever reasons and they just dumped in in "Dumbo." It's viewed as a classic "scary" scene for people who saw it as children, but I don't think it fit with the film at all.

Peter Pan (Disney's) - ***
I've come to learn that I adore any and every version of the Peter Pan story (except "Hook"; sorry Steven). Universal's 2003 live-action version is underrated while "Finding Neverland" is my personal favorite so far (I highly doubt this title will be challenged in my lifetime). Disney's version is also extremely entertaining and a delight to watch.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - ***
I was surprised to see how director Guillermo del Toro started to get a great deal of attention for his film "Pan's Labyrinth" and praise for how visually stunning it was. I kept asking myself, "didn't any of these people see 'Hellboy'"? Apparently not, and they apparently didn't see this sequel either or the praise would have continued. It's films like these that make me glad I have a very big screen with which to enjoy films like this. The cast is great, the story is intriguing and it's never boring to behold it's visuals. I hope this franchise continues on.

December Screenings - 1st Week Only

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical Cut) - ***1/2

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Theatrical Cut) - ****

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Theatrical Cut) - ***1/2

The Godfather - **** My only screening of this film had been back in college on a 13-inch TV when USA ran the 1st two in the series. Sad, yes. After seeing this in a more "theatrical" environment on a much, much bigger screen, I highly enjoyed this film. I'm anxiously awaiting a screening of the "restored" version soon.

The Godfather Part II - *** (I've always argued how this film is better than the 1st one, but I've changed my mind.)

The Godfather Part III - **1/2 (Sophia Coppola didn't ruin this film as much as I remembered from my first screening upon the film's release. Yes, she's not a good actress and thankfully has maybe 10 minutes of screen time. If she were a great actress she may not have taken up directing and the world probably wouldn't have "Lost in Translation" - so suck it. When you watch the trilogy back to back to back, it holds up ok, but it's nowhere near as good as the 1st one.)

November Screenings

The Incredible Hulk - *** (As good as Iron Man... This reaction may be based on the fact that I didn't see Iron Man until this month after hearing from everyone that it was great and hearing that 'Hulk' wasn't good. Pishaw.)

Tank Girl - *** (I *loved* this film upon its initial release but it has lost some of its zeal. Why why why didn't Lori Petty become more famous. Love Her.)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - **1/2 (It's not my generation's Star Wars anymore... *sigh* Oh, well. If this is what the kids want/like, I'll sit quietly and make try to make peace with Lucas on my deathbed.)

Get Smart - *** God I love it when someone so attractive makes me laugh so hard… and Anne Hathaway’s pretty good too.

Sunshine - *** (1st 2 acts are great, falls apart in the 3rd, but still enjoyable and shows the great range of Danny Boyle as a director.)

The Philadelphia Story - ****

Bringing Up Baby -****

The Sound of Music - ****

From Hell – Heather Graham isn’t as bad as I remember so I liked it more this time than I probably have in the past. Fantastic production design.

Pennies from Heaven - ***1/2 I haven't seen this since the early 90’s and after seeing it on a big screen, it’s the “Moulin Rouge” of its day. Truly a unique film and one which must fall under the “love it or hate it” category. I love it.

Dr. Zhivago - ****

Funny Girl - ***1/2 Man do I love me some "early" Streisand.

The Way We Were *** - A solid film from director Sydney Pollack and holds up well since I screened it in college.

Hello Dolly - **1/2 I liked it when I was discovering “Babs” in college, but see it was wrong to cast her in this. She shows up only to sing. Walter Matthaeu (too lazy to look up spelling) is still great. Michael Crawford is so over the top and I’ve always thought so and it’s still ridiculous.

X-Men - *** Hugh Jackman is forever Wolverine.

X2: Evolution - ***1/2 One of the few examples where the sequel is better than the 1st.

X3: The Last Stand - **1/2 So disappointing… this trilogy rates the same for me as the 1st Star Wars trilogy (i.e. 2, 1, 3).

Fame - **
I probably would have liked this had I seen it as a kid, but as an adult, it was just dumb.

October Screenings

Soldier's Girl - ***

I Think I Do - ***

Camp - **1/2

The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green - **1/2

Milwaukee, Minnesota - **1/2

Gone Baby Gone - ***

Iron Man - ***

The Incredible Hulk - ***
As good as Iron Man... This reaction may be based on the fact that I didn't see Iron Man until this month after hearing from everyone that it was great and hearing that 'Hulk' wasn't good. Pishaw.

Superman: Doomsday - **1/2
I enjoyed this too, but I never read the comic so I really have no basis of judgment other than it seems as good as the other WB animation shows, none of which I followed too closely.

Batman: Gotham Knight - ***
If you're into animation, check this out. It's kinda like the Animatrix films, but better.

Tank Girl - ***
I *loved* this film upon its initial release but it has lost some of its zeal. Why why why didn't Lori Petty become more famous. Love Her.

House of D - **1/2

Speed Racer - ***
I liked this *a lot*! Maybe my standards were so low because everything I read/heard said it sucked. It’s all eye candy and needs to be seen on a big-screen but it’s fun and really uniquely visual. Too bad WB lost so much money on it.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - *** Kristin Bell had the impossible job of playing a bitch who we had to actually care for and she did an amazing job. A very well-layered film both in performances and script but not quite as funny as people have led me to believe—it’s no “40 year-old virgin”. Paul Rudd still steals every movie he’s in and when two men are allowed to marry, I will propose to him.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - ***
Yes, I liked it. It's good. Stop complaining. I don’t care what people say. Yes, it’s not as good story as “Raiders” but it’s still an “Indy” film. Solidly made and Shia LaBouf is great as well as Kate Blanchett.

Southland Tales - **1/2 If you thought Donnie Darko was odd… I still can’t explain this and it’s one of those you have to see for yourself. It’s not bad, just weird and very non-linear. It might have started out fine then somebody lost a few pages of the script and nobody bothered to look for them…

September Screenings

Latter Days - **1/2
But I'm A Cheerleader - ***
The Ritz - **1/2

August Screenings

A League of Their Own - ***1/2

Zoolander - **1/2

Pure Country - **1/2

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie - **1/2

The Dark Knight - ****

The TV Set - ***

Boy Culture - **

Trick - **1/2

Eight Legged Freaks - **1/2

The Bank Job - ***

The Lookout - ***

The Savages - ***

American Graffiti - ***

1776 - **

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story - **

The Hoax - ***

No Reservations - **1/2

The Golden Compass - **1/2

Reefer Madness (2004) - **1/2

Planet Terror - ***

Death Proof - **1/2

Torch Song Trilogy - ***

Jeffrey - ***

July Screenings

Cry-Baby (1990) - ***

Hairspray (1988) - ***

Go - ***

Groove - **1/2

Rumor Has It - **

Men In Black II - **

Box of Moonlight - ***

Spider-Man 2 - ***1/2

Superman Returns - *** (This was a second screening, about a year after my initial viewing and even though the plot still sucked, the execution shows promise how this franchise could have been reborn)

The Broken Hearts Club - ***

The Chumscrubber - *** (Very unusual film with a distinct style - Highly recommend)

Pink Flamingo's - **1/2

Female Trouble - **

Bernard and Doris - **1/2

The Kite Runner - **1/2

The Horse Whisperer - **

The Darjeeling Limited - *** (Restored my faith in Wes Anderson - be sure to watch the short film "Hotel Chevalier" which preceeds the action in 'Darjeelin' - an always fantastic Natalie Portman does a great job)

In Bruges - ***1/2

Eagle Vs. Shark - **1/2

All Over the Guy - ***

Get Real - **1/2

Sleepless in Seattle - (There aren't enough stars in the sky to rate this film.)

16 Candles - **** (Still frakkin' awesome!)

Weird Science - ***1/2 (see above)

Shortbus - ****

Mom, please feel free to avoid this movie and never refer to it in my presence. That said, the hypocracy begins below.

The opening 5 minutes of this film is sexually graphic. Not flashy fake movie sex, but full on body fluid graphic. However, this is a film. Not a "porno movie," but a fantastic independently produced work of art film. I was incredibly surprised to find this completely engaging with an intelligent script and the best acting I've seen in any film in a long, long time. And remember, this is a cast of unknowns. And they're all having real sex. Straight sex, gay sex, freaky sex... sex.

I challenge you to categorize this film.

It's a little bit "Rent", a little bit "Dazed and Confused", a little bit "As Good As It Gets", and a little bit 'porn' (pardon the pun, but insert favorite title here. My current favorite is "The Da Vinci Load").

Writer/Director John Cameron Mitchell (co-creator and writer/director of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch") has crafted a different kind of film here, not only in it's presentation, but with it's conception (really, I'll try not to add too many puns here...). This film was cast first so everyone knew what they would be getting into (tee-hee) and then allowed to create their own characters and backstory. Once worked out, the actors participated in workshops to construct scenes and situations while making up their dialogue. J.C.M then used those workshops to write a script which would then be used to raise financing for the production.

Again, I can't recommend this film without emphasizing how graphic some scenes are. I averted my eyes more than once. There is an orgy scene or two and it's not blurred, cleverly concealed a la Austin Powers or "black boxed" out. However, the genius of scenes like this isn't to shock or excite you, but use that situation to progress the story. What would you do if you were invited to a place or private club, not really knowing what to expect, but certainly not expecting a room full of people having sex? This isn't "American Graffiti."

It won't be everybody's cup-o-tea to be sure, however, it certainly is suitable for intelligent adults looking to explore art in a new way. You can argue that any actual sex act depicted on film is pornographic but you can also argue that caffeine is a drug, yet millions of people (and a lot of kids) overindulge daily. Besides, it's not like the entire movie is nothing but sex, it's actually given very little screen time, but it's real and not pushed to the background when present.

I'm really surprised (or maybe missed?) how this film didn't raise a lot of controversy. Maybe it was dismissed as nothing more than just another porno. It's depressing to know so many people will miss out on such an emotional journey and exquisite work of art just because they may be embarrassed to see naked people. In this day and age, especially since the dawn of the internet, missing this film would be the real shame, not the sexual content.


**If you decide to screen the film on DVD, plan to keep it a few days as the special features are a must-see and the commentary is insightful, playful and very engaging.

The Lookout - ***

I saw half of this film but had to return the disc to the video store, then screened again a few months later. I remember liking it. Another great performance by Joseph Gorden-Levitt who will hopefully get recognized for his body of the during the past few years. He's not the little kid on "3rd Rock from the Sun" anymore. Also a great job by Matthew Goode (whom I had previously noticed and liked very much in "Match Point").

The Apple - ***1/2

It has to be seen to be believed... wow. Watch it with friends in whatever form of altered mental state you prefer. No ELO or Olivia Newton-John, or it would have been 4 stars.

The Spitfire Grill - **

I put off seeing this film for 10 years. No reason, just never got around to it. It looked good. I heard it was good. It was good... well the *performances* were good. Why didn't Alison Elliott's career soar after this film was released?

The highly dramatic material would be better suited for a high school play put on by a heavily depressed drama teacher and a cast of future man-hating women who will choose an alternate lifestyle somewhere down the road. "Steel Magnolias" and "Terms of Endearment" are much better examples of highly dramatic films showing strong independant women facing challenging situations. They at least know enough to insert some humor now and again to make it palpable. This film makes "The Green Mile" look like an Austin Powers film.

Also, from a marketing perspective, the poster makes this film look like a lesbian horror film called, "Are you there God, it's me Percy..." (yes the ax has something to do with the actual story, but why does the blade have to be at the same level as her neck?).

Fun Article

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/guest/altman061008.html

Somehow this guy got in my head and explains a passion so few of us had back in the early 90's. A fun read and a great website.

Mumford - ***

I know I watched this film a few years ago but didn't remember much about it except liking Jason Lee (in a role not written by Kevin Smith). It's one of those films that's an enjoyable viewing but then you forget you've seen it a few months later. Writer/Director Lawrence Kasdan does a good job assembling a cast that plays well off each other but nothing really exciting happens. When you reach the pivotol change in the story, which happens so nonchalantly, you have to stop and wonder, "wait, is this where the story is going?" It is, but it's a nice safe place, like going on a Sunday drive on a breezy June afternoon.