Down At the Theater

Friends with Kids - B

2012-03-08T19:26:00.003-08:00

Rated R, 107 minutes

"Friends with Kids" is the new relationship comedy that explores how you can have kids and then fall in love, in that order. Directed, written by and starring Jennifer Westfeldt ("Kissing Jessica Stein"), it's a charming, sweet yet predictable take on testing the usual conventions of child rearing and relationships. Westfeldt is Julie and Adam Scott (from "Parks and Recreation" perfectly cast here) is Jason, the last two of a group of New York friends who haven't married and started a family. Since their other friends (including "Bridesmaids" Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd, along with Westfeldt's real-life, long-time squeeze, Jon Hamm) are moving forward, Julie and Jason, seemingly platonic BFFs, decide to have and raise a child together but still date other people. But they realize in this unconventional set up there may be deeper feelings that either of them realized. A low-key, heartfelt dramedy, "Friends with Kids" plays a little like a revisionist "Friends" episode, with Westfeldt and Scott inhabiting the Ross-Rachel storyline; you know where it will end up in the end, but there are a handful of charming moments along the way. The biggest weakness with Westfeldt isn't her solid writing or directing, but that she is relatively untested as a lead actress; the wistful Rudolph or Wiig would've been better in the lead role. While she and Scott do exhibit some playful chemistry, Westfeldt lacks a deeper emotional focus to the carry "Friends with Kids" on her back. Overall, "Friends with Kids" is a decent rom com without any hidden messages other than think through having kids with a platonic friend. A solid, above-average effort and mildly entertaining date flick.

John Carter - C

2012-03-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 132 minutes

“John Carter” is the mysterious new science-fiction action film from Disney and starring a relative unknown. Based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs story “A Princess of Mars” and directed by Andrew Stanton, the director of animated blockbusters “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E,” “John Carter” is an expensive, modestly entertaining piece of junk. The film is about Confederate captain John Carter (“Friday Night Lights’” Taylor Kitsch), who is mysteriously transported to Mars (known as Barsoom here) where he becomes part of a conflict between various nations of the planets, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). Carter then takes it upon himself to save Barsoom and its people. Most of the plot “John Carter” borders on the ridiculous (Burroughs would shudder at this adaptation) and the handsome but bland Kitsch is called upon to carry what could be a tentpole movie on his back, which is the film’s biggest mistake, along with the miscasting of the older Collins as the young princess. Unsurprisingly, given Stanton’s cred as an animated film director, the action sequences and special effects are the highlight and where most of the film’s gigantic $250 million budget went to. “John Carter” isn't an awful film, but for the hefty price tag, the film should’ve been marketed considerably more focusing on its star Kitsch, who will have more opportunities this year to show what he’s worth (“Battleship” anyone?). “John Carter” is an average action film that will have difficulty finding a wide audience…in other words, it’s a disappointment considering all that went into it.

A Thousand Words - F

2012-03-04T06:43:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 91 minutes

Poor Eddie Murphy. After the release of the comedy "Tower Heist" last fall there was hope that he was returning to his edgier comedic roots. Then things started to fall apart: there was his Oscar host fallout and now the utterly forgettable, genuinely terrible "A Thousand Words," a long-delayed comedy that was originally shot in 2008 and just now getting a wide release. There would be just two words to describe "A Thousand Words" the movie: it stinks. Scoot over "Tower Heist" and welcome back "Meet Dave" and "Norbit." Murphy is a loud-mouth, big-time Hollywood agent named Jack trying to sign a new-age guru to a big contract and he ends up with a tree in his backyard. Except that every time Jack speaks, leaves fall off, signaling the death of the tree and Jack himself and he must discover what to do to save his life from falling apart. Dismally and painfully unfunny, "A Thousand Words," directed by Murphy's "Norbit" and "Meet Dave" director Brian Robbins, it's a truly awful high-concept comedy that will only make you shudder in disbelief. The movie also takes down Allison Janney, Clark Duke (seen to much better effect in "Hot Tub Time Machine"), the lovely Kerry Washington and the always wonderful Ruby Dee, who should've slapped some sense into Eddie for making this piece of Razzie-award inducing dreck. Annoying and predictable until the end, when it becomes some maudlin clap trap about forgiveness and doing the right thing. Do the right thing and avoid "A Thousand Words" at all costs.

Silent House - B

2012-03-04T06:41:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 88 minutes

Houses hold many secrets, and the spooky house in the stylish, tense new psychological horror film "Silent House," starring Elizabeth Olsen is no different. Sarah (Olsen, Ashley and Mary Kate's younger sister and a fine actress) is a young woman who finds herself sealed inside her family's secluded lake house. With no contact to the outside world, and no way out, panic turns to terror as events become increasingly ominous in and around the house. "Silent House" is a terrific low-budget horror film that's actually a remake of a 2010 Uruguayan super-low budget horror film "The Silent House." Like that film, this version unravels the chills in one, long extended real-time take, an unconventional feat that works in the film's favor most of the time. The first hour or so is a sharp, well-crafted piece with enough chills to keep you firmly glued to your seat; the stringy music and moody photography from co-directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau perfectly draws you into the creepy house. However, the real revelation of "Silent House" isn't its technical marvels, but the terrific performance from Olsen, who expertly carries the film in a creepy one-woman show; she had a breakout performance last year in another low-budget independent film, "Martha Marcy Mae Marlene" and should gain more attention as the girl who finds the villain much closer than she thinks. As "Silent House's" secrets unravel, you have a sense of where it will end up, and may leave some a shade unsatisfied. But it's scary fun getting there, and Olsen will have you watching every step of the way. Definitely worth checking out, "Silent House" will have you anything but silent after it's over.

Tyler Perry's Good Deeds - C

2012-03-02T17:55:00.002-08:00

Rated PG-13, 111 minutes

"Good Deeds" is the latest Tyler Perry effort about a rich man who is jolted out of his predictable routing and into the real world. Written and directed by and starring Perry as the title character, "Good Deeds" finds itself in the same territory as most of Perry's other films about people struggling to do the right thing. Here Perry is Wesley Deeds, a CEO of a company who begins an unlikely friendship with one of his employees, Lindsey (the lovely Thandie Newton), a down-on-her-luck single mother with an array of problems. Wesley has his own problems, such as a stale relationship with his fiancee (Gabrielle Union) or a fractured one with his family (Phylicia Rashad, Brian J. White). When you're as successful a filmmaker as Perry who knows his audience, you can do almost anything you want, which Perry generally does (including not screening the film for critics, a smart move on his part), and the mediocre "Good Deeds," while better acted and directed than some of his previous films, still struggles with cookie-cutter characters and second-rate, predictable storytelling. There are a handful of affecting scenes and the beautiful Newton is the best thing about it, probably too good for "Good Deeds." It's also hard to believe that Newton and Jamie Kennedy, along with Eddie Cibiran and Rebecca Romjin, are all in the same film, if that tells you anything about its quality. "Good Deeds," while a notch better than what Perry has done in the past, is much like what he has done in the past - and give him credit here where much of Hollywood fails at this - is filled with decent, honorable messages about doing the right thing, but unfortunately not much of it is memorable. "Good Deeds" isn't terrible, but not that great either.

Project X- D-

2012-03-02T17:32:00.002-08:00

Rated R, 87 minutes

"Project X" is the latest documentary-style, low-budget, cinema verite that takes advantage of shaky hand-held lost-footage style movies becoming increasingly cheap and popular to make. That doesn't mean that any of it's original, funny or good in any way, but "Project X" will have appeal to mostly young males who enjoy seeing this type of low-brow, T&A, drink-as-much-as-you-can party style debauchery (the young guys in the theater I saw it at were roaring if that tells you anything). Todd Phillips, the guy behind similar-themed filmed films such as "Old School" and "The Hangover," uses a largely unknown cast found though mostly open casting calls, which would supposedly help the film keep its budget pretty low, that and the fact no decent actor in Hollywood would likely want to be in it. "Project X," the film's name because the producers wanted to keep it secret (probably because it is so bad), is essentially one long all-night naked drinking pool party told via a handheld, ultra shaky camera. Annoying, painfully unfunny and ultimately needless, it's far from revealing (except for the pretty young girls who go topless through most of it) and most just a stupid excuse to drink beer and take off your clothes. On that note, it will likely be a huge hit and spawn more films like it. You've been warned. You know what you're in for. So stay as far away from "Project X" as possible and use your time much better.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax - C+

2012-03-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

Rated PG, 86 minutes

If you want a "green" cartoon, then "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" might just be for you. Bright yet forgettable, the problem with "The Lorax" isn't the message but the weak, updated story that, well, waters down the original 1971 Dr. Seuss book. A boy named Ted (Zac Efron) searches for the one thing - a unique tree - that will enable him to win the affection of Audrey (Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax (Danny DeVito), the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world against the Once-Ler (Ed Helms) and Mr. O'Hare (Rob Riggle), who feel threatened by the beauty of nature. Dr. Seuss himself might find issue with the fact that Hollywood has given his intelligent book about environmentalism a big-budgeted, dumbed-down take, but even tree huggers won't argue with the fact The Lorax, both the character and the film, are so darned charming it makes it difficult to be critical. "The Lorax" will appeal mostly to young kids, who likely won't care or notice the film's thin pro-environmental messages. On that note, "The Lorax" is safe, fun and appealing. Otherwise it's mostly everything Dr. Suess' didn't espouse: formulaic, cookie-cutter and mostly forgettable story and characters.

Coriolanus - B+

2012-03-01T17:58:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 122 minutes

"Coriolanus" is the new military film directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, though the source material is hardly new. It's based on the tragic Shakespeare play of the same name and while updated with contemporary references, it's still spoken in the King's English. Well-acted, sublimely directed by Fiennes and often mesmerizing, "Coriolanus" is a worthy, cerebral effort geared mostly for art-house audiences up for something like this. Caius Martius "Coriolanus (Fiennes) is a revered and feared Roman General at odds with the city of Rome and its citizens. Pushed by his controlling mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave, in a stunning, memorable performance) to seek a higher postion, Coriolanus must engage himself with the masses to secure votes for office, something he loathes doing. When the public refuses to support Coriolanus, he's banished from the city and allies himself with a powerful enemy (Gerard Butler, scowling) that has tragic results for him and his family. "Coriolanus" is an auspicious directorial feature film debut for British actor Fiennes, best known to the masses as Voldemort in the "Harry Potter" series. The plot is thick and you must listen closely to the age-old dialogue, but overall it's a satisfying, if not, downbeat, effort, especially if you're familiar with Shakespeare's tragedies. Brian Cox and the ubiquitous, recently Oscar-nominated Jessica Chastain round out the great cast.

Undefeated - B+

2012-03-01T17:56:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 110 minutes

Uplifting and intelligent, the new documentary "Undefeated" is an inspiring look at a Tennessee high school football coach and his efforts to turn his team into winners on and off the field. In a real-life turn of events, the film itself was an underdog as it surprisingly won the Academy Award for Documentary Feature. It's worth a look for those who enjoy an entertaining, inspiring real underdog sports story, though the football aspect is really just the backdrop for the human story of the coach and players. "Undefeated" chronicles the story of the Manassas Tigers 2009 season in Manassas, Tennessee. They strive to win the school's first playoff game in the high school's 110-year history. Their coach is Bill Courtney, who's been coaching the team since 2004 and also owns a lumber business in addition to coaching. The players all come from underprivileged and mostly rough backgrounds but they're the most talented team from Manassas to take the field, and the documentary intimately tells all their stories in their attempts to make history. "Undefeated" isn't anything revelatory except that the stories, characters and their challenges are very real. It's also a touching, unforgettable story you won't want to miss. The moving, emotional story will require plenty of tissues, so don't forget them if you see "Undefeated." Inspiring, powerful and intelligently made, you will understand why it recently won the Oscar for Documentary Feature.

84th Annual Academy Awards Recap

2012-02-26T21:56:00.002-08:00

Well another year is history! The 84th Annual Academy Awards were Sunday night on ABC and overall I would give the show a solid B rating. The show moved fairly quickly and smoothly and had the best host in several years, with veteran Billy Crystal returning for the 9th time and making us forget the James-Anne debacle from last year. He was obviously a very safe choice but he also played it well with a few strong zingers throughout (but do we REALLY need to see his Sammy Davis Jr again, it has never been that funny). Hardly new but safe with a few strong zingers peppered throughout (his Kodak Theater lines were particularly funny).

Here is the complete list of winners from the evening:
http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/oscars/oscar-winners-list-013051337.html

I scored 19 out of 24 categories, not too bad for a shaky start (1-3 the first fours awards) and a Best Actress shocker when Meryl Streep upset favorite Viola Davis for Meryl's 3rd win but first win in 30 years. I liked Meryl's performance but didn't much for "The Iron Lady" overall, as did many critics; true Meryl was likely overdue but Viola was robbed for a truly great performance and one of the most memorable of 2011. This is the one award that will have people talking for years to come.

2011 was a weak year for films; there were many good films but a lack of truly fantastic knock-your-socks-off ones. "The Artist" isn't a bad choice (and like last year's winner "The King's Speech," a very safe one) and certainly not the worst one of recent memory, but the novelty of it being all silent and being made by the Weinstein studio catapulted it to the top spot. "The Help," "War Horse," "The Descendants" or even "Moneyball" would've been better (and much more populist) choices in my opinion. "The Artist" and "Hugo" both ended up with 5 awards, the most of the evening, and while both are good films, they won't rank as my favorite Oscar winners.

Overall, a solid Oscar show with a handful of good moments. They included:

Octavia Spencer's win for Best Supporting Actress-the most satisfying win of the evening.
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo's" upset win for Best Editing-"The Artist" had been favored.
I went 3-0 in the short film categories, the FIRST time I have ever done that.
Will Ferrell and Zach Galifanakis and two cymbals-very funny especially right in front of Brad Pitt.
Another great win: Christopher Plummer for Supporting Actor-Captain von Trapp finally wins an Oscar and the oldest actor ever to win.
"Undefeated" winning Best Documentary Feature-"Pina" or "Purgatory" had been favored.
The "Bridesmaids" introducing the short film awards - hiliarious (especially Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph's bit, no pun intended).
JLo's cleavage-baring dress.
Chris Rock's very funny take on Animated films.
Woody Allen winning Best Screenplay once more...and not showing up.
Super-skinny Angelina Jolie.
The cute dog from "The Artist," the best thing about that movie.
Too many "short films" with actors going on about their favorite movies/moments.

Wes's Oscar Predictions

2012-02-24T10:43:00.002-08:00

The biggest show in Hollywood, the 84th Academy Awards, finally arrives this Sunday, February 26th at 7:30 pm on ABC.

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/84/nominees.html

Here are my predictions for this year's Academy Awards in all 24 categories. I am submitting these a day or two before the awards, and they're subject to change up to the awards, though I won't make changes after the show starts. I won my Oscar pool last year and hope to repeat! I include all awards, including the documentary and short awards, which tend to be guesses. This also doesn't include who I WANT to win, but who I THINK will win. I will have my full recap after the show. Enjoy Hollywood's biggest night!

Picture: The Artist
Actor: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Actress: Viola Davis, The Help
Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Director: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris
Adapted Screenplay: The Descendants
Animated Feature: Rango
Art Direction: Hugo
Cinematography: The Tree of Life
Costume Design: The Artist
Foreign Film: A Separation
Film Editing: The Artist
Makeup: The Iron Lady
Original Score: The Artist
Original Song: Man or Muppet, The Muppets
Sound Editing: Hugo
Sound Mixing: Hugo
Visual Effects: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Documentary Feature: Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Documentary Short: Saving Face
Short Film (Animated): The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Short Film (Live-Action Short): The Shore

Gone - D

2012-02-24T10:31:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 85 minutes

In the new suspense thriller "Gone," Amanda Seyfried ("Mamma Mia") plays a young lady named Jill whose sister mysteriously disappear. The only thing a few years before Jill herself was supposedly kidnapped and escaped, yet no one believed her and they think she's crazy once more, making all of this stuff up. Is Jill really crazy or does this stalker really exist and is about to do harm to Jill and her family again? Badly done on every level, the ridiculously dumb and boring "Gone" may aptly describe the audience, who will likely drift off shortly after the film starts. Highly implausible with little suspense or chills, "Gone" is a turkey headlined by the pretty Seyfried, whose limited acting abilities (think a younger Madonna) makes this movie even more unbelievable. Not all of it's Seyfried's fault, there isn't much to work with given the lame script and the awful, predictable ending. The real mystery is how Seyfried's character, a waitress at a local diner, can manage to live in a huge, expensive house on the tips she makes. Here's a good tip for those considering paying to see "Gone": don't. It's an utter waste of time, and that's being nice.

Wanderlust - B-

2012-02-19T13:30:00.005-08:00

Rated R, 100 minutes

"Wanderlust” is a new comedy that is both random and extremely raunchy, filled with off-the-wall, stilted dialogue and nudity you wish you didn’t have to see. It’s not completely disgusting but is usually spot-on funny and sprightly amusing. Starring Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston, "Wanderlust" is the first real laugh-out loud comedy of the year, though hardly groundbreaking or revelatory. Rudd and Aniston play New York City yuppie couple George and Linda, who are left jobless and homeless after some unexpected events. They take off to live with George’s jerk older brother in Atlanta but end up starting a new life in a hippie-like commune inhabited by Alan Alda, Justin Theroux (yes you read that right, Aniston’s current beau) and Kathryn Hahn, among others. “Wanderlust” is a raunchy take on the fish-out-of-water formula, something that likely would’ve been done as a safer PG-13 comedy with Tim Allen in the 1990s. This isn’t the 1990s and now just about anything goes, including full frontal nudity (though not from the leads, sorry to inform you), some of which borders on the yucky side (senior citizen nudity!). This isn’t anything new, but Rudd and Aniston have decent chemistry and Rudd in particular is a charming nut. Some very random moments tend to work best, and the leads are upstaged by many funny supporting players, including Hahn and a trio of “Reno! 911” vets Ken Marino, Jo Lo Truglio and the always funny Kerri Kenney-Silver. Also, watch for a humorous cameo from 1970’s TV vet Linda Lavin ("Alice"). Wacky and often memorable, go in “Wanderlust” with low expectations and you’ll be just fine. Stay over for the credits for the outtakes.

Act of Valor - C-

2012-02-19T13:29:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 101 minutes

“Act of Valor” is the latest action film designed to bring a realistic viewpoint to those serving in the military. Supposedly based on real Navy SEAL exercises, it follows a group of SEALS on various missions across the globe as they attempt to thwart some international bad guys. There’s no doubt that the men and their missions are honorable, but the forgettable film plays more like a second-rate, one-sided promo video for the SEALS and the military in general. Lots of action, but little emotional complexity or genuine characters to really care about; the film, especially the villains, is much too black-and-white for such a gray world. Filmmakers Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh introduce the film with excitement telling us about some of the unique people and emotional heft they experienced while filming, but little of that ended up in the footage they shot. Apparently the vast majority of the film’s modest budget (around $20 million, expensive for an unknown cast) was spent on the intense, realistic action sequences and not the script, acting or characters, all largely forgettable, especially the manipulative, random ending. The only recognizable cast member is Roselyn Sanchez, (from TV’s “Without a Trace”) who has limited footage in the first part of the film. I’m appreciative of the service of our military, but they deserve a better movie than this, which seems better suited to the small screen.

The Secret World of Arriety - B-

2012-02-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Rated G, 80 minutes

"The Secret World of Arriety" is a charming but familiar animated adventure about little people, called "Borrowers," living among normal-size humans. One of the borrowers, a 14-year old girl named Arriety ("Good Luck Charlie's" Bridgit Mendler) who is discovered by a human boy named Shawn. The two forge a friendship but don't realize the dangers if their secret friendship is uncovered by the rest of the world. Based on a 1950's children's fantasy book by Mary Norton called "The Borrowers," this animated Disney film is actually the North American dubbed version of the same Japanese hit film released in 2010. Fun, engaging but all-too familiar, the film is perfect for young kids but may have limited appeal for those over the age of 10 or those outside Japanese anime enthusiasts. Mendler, a Disney Channel star, voices the title role, and real husband-wife Will Arnett and Amy Poehler voice her suspicious parents. The real treat is hearing veteran comedienne Carol Burnett voice the role of a human housekeeper, though she has just a few lines. The animation is standard but colorful Japanese anime stuff, and the wholesome messages that true friendship transcends shape and size, are family-friendly. "Arriety" is fun enough but may have trouble finding the wide audience that loves the CG Pixar stuff.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: D

2012-02-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 95 minutes

"There are some demons you can't get rid of," states Nicolas Cage in voice-over during the introduction of the new awful, ludicrous new quasi-super hero film "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance," the sequel to his inexplicable 2007 hit "Ghost Rider." The demons the movie-going public can't shake are these terrible take-the-money-and-run films that Cage keeps making and people somehow keep paying for. Cage plays motorcycle rider Johnny Blaze, who made a deal with the devil and acts as his bounty hunter for the wicked. Blaze, still struggling with the curse of being the Ghost Rider, is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when a secret sect of the church asks him to save a boy from the devil. At first Johnny is reluctant to use his power, but it's the only way to save the boy and possibly rid himself of this curse forever. The original guilty-pleasure 2007 film, hardly a classic, at least had veteran actor Peter Fonda in it as Satan. This over-acted, ridiculous popcorn cheese-fest doesn't have Fonda but loads more mindless action and bullets cleaned up for a PG-13 rating (and wastes another terrific actor in Idris Elba). At least Cage has something in common with his character though: Blaze morphs from a human into the fiery Ghost Rider while Cage has morphed from an Oscar-winning actor to schlock-fest actor making crummy movies like this. "Vengeance" should be another hit for the Cage machine, which keeps rocking on as long as people are willing to pay for crap like this. Go at your own discretion, but you've been warned.

Rampart - B+

2012-02-16T08:14:00.003-08:00

Rated R, 105 minutes

Even if you're a fan of Woody Harrelson, the new police crime drama "Rampart," a fictional story set against the backdrop of actual events in early 1990s Los Angeles, isn't for everyone. Gritty, superbly acted and very dark, the overlooked "Rampart" is a gem of a movie that will be best known for Harrelson's stunning performance as a truly despicable human being and dirty cop. Harrelson is Officer Dave Brown, a Vietnam vet and a Rampart precinct cop who up until now has asserted his own level of justice on his own terms. But as he gets caught on tape for some dirty dealings, he begins a downward spiral that will either bring him down or bring out the worst in him. Downbeat but well-acted, "Rampart" is an unforgettable movie based on the performances alone. As the racist, sexist, aggressive, homophobic and very dirty cop, Harrelson gives one of his most memorable performances in a film directed and written by Owen Moverman, who wrote "The Messenger," for which Harrelson received an Oscar nomination two years ago as another unsympathetic character. Harrelson does an excellent job at capturing the character's vulnerability and dark side; a scene with veteran character actor Ned Beatty shows both sides of the character in a heartbeat (and unforgettable once you see what happens to Beatty). The story feels very familiar, but Harrelson, along with an all-star A list cast including Sigourney Weaver, Ben Foster, Ice Cube, Robin Wright, Steve Buscemi, Anne Heche and Cynthia Nixon all bring it to life. Harrelson's character is so despicable it's humorous at times but is ultimately depressing once you realize he's not likely to change anytime soon. "Rampart," as mentioned earlier, isn't for everyone, but it's certainly worth a look.

This Means War - C

2012-02-16T08:14:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 98 minutes

I would like to take a moment to profess my love for the beautiful, wonderful Reese Witherspoon. Too bad my love fest won't spill over to her new romantic action spy film "This Means War," with Witherspoon, Tom Hardy ("Inception") and Chris Pine ("Star Trek"). A mildly amusing but shallow mix of spy action and romance, most of it falls flat, but thank goodness for comedian Chelsea Handler, who all but steals this movie from the three handsome leads. Hardy and Pine are CIA agents and best friends who end up falling for the same woman (Witherspoon). They decide not to tell her in order to let her choose the best man, and a game of heated exchanges, passion and words may not leave anyone standing. Aimless, unfunny and lacking any real sense of chemistry between the leads, "This Means War" is a muddled attempt at mixing action and romantic comedy. This isn't all Witherspoon's fault, she's quite lovely, the script is mishandled and misdirected by McG, who also mishandled the disappointing "Terminator Salvation." It's insipid as a spy thriller and save a few engaging scenes, largely unfunny as a romantic comedy; Pine is a decent comic actor though the rugged Brit Hardy is miscast and out of place. Most memorable of the cast is comedian and talk show host Handler, who easily walks off with the movie and its funnies lines. Witherspoon is a A-list star in need of a hit movie, but the disappointing "This Means War" isn't it.

Safe House - B

2012-02-10T15:58:00.000-08:00

Rated R, 115 minutes

"Safe House" is the latest action thriller starring Oscar-winner Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, and it's filled with plenty of action and explosions, an enjoyable sight for many. Implausible but entertaining, this is all familiar territory but is seemingly and mostly on target for an above-average thriller. When a group of rebel soldiers from the neighboring region destroy a CIA-operated safe house, the facility's young house-sitter Matt Weston (Reynolds) escapes with rogue ex-CIA agent Tobin Frost (Washington) who is being hidden there, and the two men battle their way across South Africa in order to reach another secure location. Enjoyable but predictable action adventure, with Washington in a part he can play in his sleep: the cheeky, wizened but flawed good-bad guy (think part "Man on Fire" part "Training Day" here), paired well this time with the blandly charming Reynolds. Much like his character in the film, Reynolds has yet to prove his worth, and "Safe House" may be a good start for him. The good news is that Reynolds' serviceable performance doesn't hamper the proceedings, even carrying some of the film's rougher scenes (i.e. he gets beat up, alot). A couple of great action set pieces (the breathless car chase at the beginning is terrific) and well-executed, jumpy explosions elevate "Safe House" as a decent, enjoyable entry in the genre. Washington, a great, albeit overpaid actor as of late considering his modest box-office returns, should have another hit while Reynolds gets a much-needed one on his resume. This one comes recommended, especially for Washington's fan base.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - C-

2012-02-10T15:54:00.000-08:00

Rated PG, 94 minutes

"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is a sequel to the hit 2008 "Journey to the Center of the Earth" starring Captain Dork himself, Brendan Fraser. Like that film, "Journey 2" is loosely based on a Jules Verne story, this one being "The Mysterious Island." This mildly entertaining, mostly forgettable version is (thankfully) without Fraser and replaced with an equally cheeky and mostly charming actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson along with Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine, doing his best Sean Connery-take-the-money-and-run performance. Josh Hutcherson, the only actor returning from the first film, is the troubled Sean, who is now living with his stepdad Hank (Johnson) and mom (Kristin Davis). Sean receives a secret code from his grandfather (Caine), and the two embark on an adventure to locate his grandad, now living on a mysterious island in the South Pacific. Along for the ride is a father-and-daughter tour guide team (Vanessa Hudgens and Luis Guzman) who don't realize what they're in for with Hank and Sean. Verne would likely roll over in his grave at the thought of an adaptation of his book being anchored by a former wrestler, but The Rock and Caine actually have some of the best tit-for-tat lines, humorously playing off each other as they stumble across large insects trying to escape the island before it sinks. This dumbed-down Verne treatment, with cheesy, fake Hollywood set treatment, would sink if not for Caine and The Rock's playful interplay. Thankfully, "Journey 2" goes by quickly and there are a few nifty 3D images but nothing else really sticks. Though suitable family entertainment, if your idea of fun is seeing The Rock's "pec popping" (and no doubt it will be for many female audience members), then "Journey 2" is for you, but I could think of many more worthwhile things to do.

The Vow - C

2012-02-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 104 minutes

There's one warning message that the new romantic drama "The Vow" should come with: Chick Flick. Arriving just in time for Valentine's Day, it should attract many date-night couples seeking a little added romance to the evening. A dull, average entry in the genre, "The Vow," which is actually based on a true story, features two pretty actors engaging in some icky sweet moments. Attention date-nighters, women will likely enjoy this but men will enjoy it most when it's over. Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams play a Chicago named Leo and Paige, a newly married pair of artists with a taste for the unconventional. They are in a bad accident and Paige suffers some bad head injuries, suffering some major memory loss. She doesn't remember anything about Leo or their relationship, providing some immense challenges to the couple, who have essentially start over in their relationship. It'd be nice to have suffered severe memory loss after seeing "The Vow," a forgettable, stale and slow-moving drama about rekindling romance. Tatum and McAdams are a handsome, likable couple but their blandness simply makes it hard to buy into this from the start. This also makes it a challenge to provide any emotional depth to the characters or the story; Tatum in particular has never been an expressive actor, while McAdams' shallowness comes through too often. It's nice seeing Sam Neill and Jessica Lange in small supporting roles as Paige's disapproving parents, but they're not on screen much to have a huge impact. Some moments, especially near the end, may generate the need for tissues, but I found "The Vow" to be too shallow and wholly unsatisfying. Much like biting into a chocolate you don't care for, you'll leave "The Vow" with a bitter aftertaste, hoping to forget the experience.

The Woman in Black - B-

2012-02-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 93 minutes

"The Woman in Black" is noteworthy because it is Daniel Radcliffe's (always known as Harry Potter) first non-Potter film. It should also be noteworthy because it's an above-average, well-cast and often creepy horror thriller that provides some decent scares that don't rely completely on loads of blood. Radcliffe is young lawyer and widower Arthur Kripps, who travels to a remote village to do some legal work on the estate of a recently deceased woman. In the process, he learns the town is haunted by The Woman in Black, a scorned woman who was unable to save her young son from drowning. Now she exacts revenge on the townspeople by killing many of the children in town. Kripps must learn to put the secrets to rest permanently before his own young son arrives to visit and also become a casualty of the vengeful ghost. "The Woman in Black" is a dour but tense thriller that provides some nice scares once the slow-moving story gets moving at a quicker pace in the second act. With a pasty, disheveled appearance, Radcliffe is well-cast in his first non-Potter role, though he doesn't do much to make you forget Potter. Ciaran Hinds (one of Radcliffe's "Potter" co-stars), lends able support, as does Oscar nominee Janet McTeer as a loopy wife who channels her dead young son. Based on Susan Hill's 1983 gothic novel of the same name, "The Woman in Black," after a slow-as-molasses first act, provides some entertaining chills once it gets going, with a mildly unexpected ending. Worth a look, though you'll wonder what Harry Potter would've done in this situation.

Chronicle - A-

2012-02-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 83 minutes

Sometimes a film comes along and totally sweeps you off your feet. That is the case with the new science fiction action thriller "Chronicle," an original story about three teenage boys who mysteriously gain superhuman powers and who must determine whether to use them for good or bad. Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Matt (Alex Russell) and his cousin Andrew (Dane DeHaan) are a group of friends who discover a big shiny rock in the back of a house after a party and then realize they have superhuman powers of telekinesis, flying and strength. Their new powers and their human bonds are put to the test when one of them strays to the dark side, unsure of how to use his power for good, or bad. "Chronicle" is a stunning action film and a thoughtful science fiction film that deserves a larger audience; at first the jumpy docu-style cam threatens it to be another "Paranormal Activity" wannabe, though it turns into something far different. All of the unknown leads are excellent, particularly DeHaan as the one with the most to lose and it's a treat to watch them discover their new powers. "Chronicle" is also an auspicious directing debut from young director Josh Trank, who wrote the screenplay with Max Landis, son of veteran director John Landis. While some of it seems a little hokey on the surface, the breathless, action-packed finale and the nifty special effects are all impressive considering the film only cost $15 million to make. "Chronicle" is 2012's first sleeper and deserves an audience for what could be the next big franchise film series.

Pina - A-

2012-02-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

Rated PG, 103 minutes

"Pina" is the thrilling new 3D dance film and documentary from noted director Wim Wenders ("Paris, Texas") about the legendary German choreographer Pina Bausch. Part concert film, part documentary and full tribute to Bausch, "Pina" is hypnotic, bursting with color and originality and entirely engaging the senses. Wenders was set to begin filming the documentary in 2009 but Bausch died suddenly and unexpectedly of cancer; the project was nearly canceled until members of her dance troupe convinced Wenders to carry on with the film in dedication to her memory, and we're glad he did. Her dance troupe tells us about Pina and then dances many of her original pieces on stage and in various outdoor settings. Wildly unconventional, daring and often bizarre, the dance sequences reveal not only the themes Pina was striving for but also her personal life. "Pina" features two of her best pieces, the enthralling "Rite of Spring," as the dancers move across a stage covered in peat, and the unique "Cafe Mueller," widely regarded by critics as her best piece. Wonderfully, beautifully performed and executed by her dance troupe, the 3D is a fantastic touch that brings the dancers and their moves to life. A lovely homage, "Pina" may have limited appeal outside the art house circuit or dancers, but it's worth seeing even if you don't anything about Pina Bausch, and most outside Europe likely do not. Nominated for the 2011 Best Documentary Oscar, "Pina" gets my vote hands (and feet) down.

Big Miracle - B

2012-02-01T06:52:00.001-08:00

Rated PG, 105 minutes

The new drama "Big Miracle" is an enjoyable real-life save-the-whale story set in frigid Alaska that will warm your heart this winter. The uplifting film, starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski ("The Office"), is based on the 1988 effort "Operation Breakthrough" to save several gray whales stuck in the ice in Point Barrow, Alaska. The story captured nationwide attention as many people and two countries worked together to free the whales. Before you non-tree huggers turn and run, "Big Miracle" is a heartwarming, engaging family film not just about the importance of preserving nature, but the ability to set aside differences to work for a common goal. Though the story is hardly original and seemingly long forgotten (1988 is an eternity ago), Barrymore is perfectly cast as the outspoken Greenpeace worker who takes this on as a personal cause, and she and Krasinski do have a certain playful chemistry together. They head an eclectic but talented cast including Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, Tim Blake Nelson, Dermot Mulroney and Kathy Baker, all of whom play an important part in saving the whales (affectionately named Fred, Wilma and Bam Bam). "Big Miracle" doesn't work as well when it veers off toward romantic or political subplots, and if you're familiar with the story (but most are probably not by now) you know how it turns out. Even with that, you'll still enjoy "Big Miracle" and it's suitable entertainment for the whole family, which is hard to come by these days. Also, stay over for the credits and you'll see actual whale footage and most of the real characters from the story.

One for the Money - D

2012-01-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 106 minutes

I will say I probably haven't given Katherine Heigl a fair shake, especially after she walked out on her hit TV show "Grey's Anatomy" (and she now wants to return) and started showing diva-like behavior. I will attempt to treat her better, but it doesn't help when she keeps making crap formulaic romantic comedies like "One for the Money," which really seems like a reworked version of 2010's "Bounty Hunter" with Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston, itself a terrible movie (also, the film wasn't screened for critics, never a good sign). Recently divorced and desperate for a job following a string of misfortunes, 30-year-old Stephanie Plum (Heigl) goes to work at her cousin's bail-bond business, and begins investigating her first case. Stephanie proves to be a resourceful employee with a skill for ferreting out the truth however her first case is that of a Trenton, N.J., cop (Jason O'Mara) who broke her heart in high school and now stands accused of murder. One word to describe "One for the Money": awful. Based on Janet Evanovich's 1994 novel of the same, "One for the Money" is as bad as it looks, which means it could turn a profit based on Heigl's name alone. Part murder mystery and part romantic comedy, not a bit of it's original, funny or engaging, but "One for the Money" appears to have lost most of it's bite in post-production, which is unfortunate as the material, unlike many of the other things Heigl has done, had some potential; and for what it's worth, Heigl is less annoying than usual. The only memorable bits are those too brief-ones by scene-stealers Sherri Shepherd ("The View" co-host) as a funny hooker, and veteran performer Debbie Reynolds as Heigl's wise-cracking grandma. If one is truly for the money, do not waste it on this one.

Albert Nobbs - B

2012-01-22T07:50:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 113 minutes

In 19th-century Ireland, painfully shy butler Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) hides an incredible secret: He is really a she. Terrified that someone will discover her identity, Albert keeps a very low profile, until the arrival of Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) who shares some qualities with Albert. Hubert is also secretly a woman and has managed to find a partner who helps her maintain her masquerade. Hoping to find a similar arrangement, Albert begins wooing a hotel maid (Mia Wasikowska). "Albert Nobbs" is a low-budget, well-acted period drama and labor of love from leading lady (or man?) Close, who spent years trying to get it made. Involving yet pensive, "Nobbs" isn't the uplifting, feel-good film its trailers make it out to be, but its emotionally rich performances will keep you engaged. Close gives a stoic, mannered performance as Nobbs that quietly centers the film, though the film's more memorable turn comes from McTeer (the film's best scene is Hubert's somewhat shocking "reveal" to Albert), a superb British character actress. Both Close and McTeer, who are deservingly nominated for Academy Awards for the film, make "Albert Nobbs" worth seeing.

The Grey - B-

2012-01-22T07:48:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 117 minutes

"The Grey" is a fairly conventional, but entertaining and tense action thriller led by a prolific, superb actor in Liam Neeson, who has made hits out of wintery movies like "Taken" and "Unknown." Another gruff but textured performance from him carries a film that nearly veers off too much in the final act. Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements – and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt – before their time runs out. Neeson is reunited with his "A-Team" director Joe Carnahan that plays to Neeson's strengths, chiefly his rough, everyman quality. On that note, "The Grey" works best as a survival piece than horror film, and the first half of the film, featuring a stunning plane crash and the introduction of the nasty canines, is better than the overlong second half, which veers off into some depressing monologues about faith and family. However, the frigid Canadian scenery is breathtakingly photographed and is just as essential to the plot as the wolves. Character actors Dallas Roberts and Dermot Mulroney help balance out the movie in supporting roles, but really this is Neeson's movie, and he carries it on his back just fine. For that reason "The Grey" is worth a look, and you'll want to stay over to the end of the credits for something a little extra.

Man on a Ledge - C-

2012-01-22T07:38:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 102 minutes

An ex-cop and now wanted fugitive (Sam Worthington) stands on the ledge of a high-rise building while a hard-living New York Police Department negotiator (Elizabeth Banks) tries to talk him down. The longer they are on the ledge, the more she realizes that he might have an ulterior motive. "Man on a Ledge" is a mildly entertaining but wildly implausible action thriller with a premise so contrived you'll have a hard time buying into it from the start. And even after key plot points are revealed, will you really care? Likely not. The talented, A-list cast provides a few good moments; Worthington is a nice action hero, and as the villain Ed Harris chews on scenery like no one's business, but the rest, including Banks, Edward Burns (typecast as yet another cop), Jamie Bell and Anthony Mackie, are given little to do. Worst of all, Emmy winner Kyra Sedgewick ("The Closer") is wasted in a small, unnecessary role that misuses her talents and contributes nothing to the plot. In spite of a few good moments, as a whole "Man on a Ledge" is so underwhelming and unsatisfying you'll likely figure it out before the predictable climax. Wait for the DVD.

Oscar Noms Recap

2012-01-21T07:37:00.000-08:00

The nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced this morning, and there were more surprises than usual, with some categories all over the place. "Hugo" led the pack with 11 nominations, followed by "The Descendants" and "The Artist" in capturing some of the major categories.

First, here is the complete list of nominations:

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/84/nominees.html

Given that 2011 was a lackluster year, the nominations seemed, as my friend Irma put it, "all over the place," and that was true. Here is a brief breakdown of some of the major categories.

Best Picture:
There were 9 total nominees, a mild surprise in such a down year. Not a surprise for "The Help," "The Artist," "Hugo" and "The Descendants." Most surprising was the inclusion of "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," given that it had been overlooked all awards season; a pleasant surprise and nice to see it there. Even more surprising was the exclusion of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," a better film than "Moneyball," "Midnight in Paris" and "The Tree of Life," all included here.

Best Actor:
Demian Bichir for "A Better Life" and especially Gary Oldman for "Tinker Tailor Solider Spy" were the biggest surprises. Bichir was less of a surprise given his SAG nomination, but Oldman is the dark horse here, given he hasn't been on the awards radar at all, but it's a nice one to finally see him recognized. I had expected DiCaprio, who seemed a lock in the category, or Michael Fassbender for "Shame."

Best Actress:
Rooney Mara was the surprise here but a good one for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Most had expected Tilda Swinton for "We Need to Talk About Kevin," which apparently not many had seen.

Best Supporting Actress:
A strong category this year, all my predictions held true. Would've been nice to see Shailene Woodley for "The Descendants" but it didn't happen.

Best Supporting Actor:
No Albert Brooks for "Drive," one of the year's biggest performances as the fork-wielding villain. That went to Nick Nolte for "Warrior," not a huge surprise given his SAG nomination and for Max Von Snydow for "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," which I had correctly predicted.

Best Director:
What, no love for Spielberg? Sure, he's nominated as producer for "War Horse," but he was overlooked for Best Director AND Best Animated Film (a bigger surprise than this one). Also, no David Fincher for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Others:
As mentioned, probably the biggest snub was the exclusion of Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tin Tin" from the Best Animated Film category, instead two little-known, little-seen films in "A Cat in Paris" and "Chico and Rita."

And only 2 songs in the Best Song category? I don't think that's been done before. At least it's the funny "Man or Muppet" song from "The Muppets" and NOT Madonna.

Twin Towers Movie Cameos

2012-01-20T06:48:00.000-08:00

The following videos only heighten my fascination with 9/11 and the movies. The Twin Towers appeared in about 700 movies, and the two video clips show some of these. A fitting tribute. You can easily spot them in most of the clips, but a handful may require a closer viewing. NOTE: Neither of these videos show the destruction of the towers, only their movie "cameos."

http://vimeo.com/28171399

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKM9oThOWmM

COMING SOON: WES' 2011 OSCAR PREDICTIONS!

2012-01-19T20:41:00.001-08:00

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - B+

2012-01-19T20:36:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 129 minutes

I admit was a little skeptical when seeing the trailers for the new drama "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close." Though fictional, it is a film that has 9/11 as the backdrop, which has the ability to go wrong in so many ways. After seeing it, my fears were allayed; 9/11 is handled well though incredibly emotional and heartbreaking to view. Directed by Stephen Daldry ("The Hours"), based on the best-selling novel of the same name and featuring an A-list cast including Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Max Von Snydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman and newcomer Thomas Horn, it's about a bright young boy named Oskar (Horn) who loses his dad (Hanks) in the Twin Towers on 9/11. Feeling disconnected from the world at large, Oskar uncovers some mysterious messages from his late Dad that help him deal with his grief and move on from the tragedy. Slow moving, quite heavy but superbly acted, particularly by Horn (in his feature film debut) as the distraught boy, along with Hanks and Bullock as his parents, it's both heartfelt and heartbreaking; 9/11 is handled with care but it still may be difficult to watch for some, especially those who lost someone in the tragedy. Take plenty of tissues, especially for the emotionally affecting finale. "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" is definitely worth a look and one of the better but overlooked films this awards season.

Haywire - B

2012-01-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Rated R, 93 minutes

"Haywire" is the new spy action thriller from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Intense and often satisfying, Soderbergh's new film features one of the first breakout performances of 2012 in newcomer Gina Carano, a professional mixed martial arts fighter-turned-actress. Soderbergh took a huge risk in giving Carano, an untested performer with limited film experience, the lead role in a serious spy thriller, but even with her flaws the film still works to her advantage. Carano is Mallory, a freelance covert operative who is double crossed while on assignment in Barcelona and must use her skills to exact revenge on those who set her up. Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum and Antonio Banderas are among those involved in her manhunt. Carano's limited range as an actress is actually an asset; her minimalist performance gives way to the movie's more entertaining scenes and something she does far better, which is kick some butt, reminding of a young Mariska Hartigay ("Law & Order: SVU") with martial arts skills. As a spy thriller, "Haywire" lacks depth even under Soderbergh's assured hand, but as a revenge flick it works perfectly which is why it's worth seeing. Memorable scene: Carano's up close and personal fight with Fassbender in a small hotel room that you won't easily forget.

Underworld: Awakening - D

2012-01-19T09:41:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 88 minutes

The real question about the unsatisfying new action film "Underworld: Awakening" is how many? How many of these could they possibly make without covering the same territory as the others in this series? This has to be, by and large, one of the most unnecessary movie series (along with the "Resident Evil" films). The same basic plot, vampires versus werewolves (or lycans as they're called here) with OK special effects and a hot vampire in Kate Beckinsale (who wasn't in the third one but back for this one). This time the humans have started to figure out what's going on in the vampire-werewolf battle and a hot human hybrid mixture escapes with the key to ending the years long battle and it's up to Selene (Beckinsale) to track her down. Beckinsale, whose role here can be attributed to the fact her husband Len Wiseman is one of the film's producers, is the usual eye candy admidst a formulaic plot and some mediocre special effects and really the one thing worth seeing about the film. Dreary, overdone and bloody, this "Underworld" is a schlocky exercise in 3-D
filmmaking primarily for horror film enthusisasts who can't get enough of the vampire-werewolf battle, as if the "Twilight" series hadn't already made it irrelevant. Not worth it except for seeing the admittedly smokin' hot Beckinsale in a tight leather suit.

Red Tails - B-

2012-01-17T20:10:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 121 minutes

"Red Tails" is the new action drama about Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African-American military combat airman in World War II. Produced and self-financed by George Lucas, the fictional story inspired by true events is an entertaining, somewhat earnest throwback to the old school war movies that harbor some of those films flaws. Featuring Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard and a large group of mostly unknowns (rappers Ne-Yo and Method Man are the most familiar faces) playing the airmen, here's the bad news first: the story is formulaic, the dialogue laughably corny ("Die you foolish Americans!" is one example) and the characters one-dimensional. The good news: unsurprisingly, the thrilling, well-executed aerial battle scenes are the most memorable part of the movie and serve as the real reason to see "Red Tails" (the tails of the airmen's planes were painted red, thus the name) and honor these real-life heroes. "The Tuskegee Airmen," a 1995 HBO film also featuring Gooding is superior, but "Red Tails" is still a decent effort.

Carnage - C

2012-01-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

Rated R, 79 minutes

"Carnage" is the stagey, unlikable dark comedy from Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski and starring Jodie Foster, John C. O'Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christophe Waltz. The four play parents of two kids who got in a scuffle at school and one gets seriously hurt. The four meet to discuss the incident and soon their true colors come out as verbal warfare erupts, with none unable to escape the carnage. Based on a French play, Polanski seems an unlikely fit for the material, which seemingly worked better on stage than it does here, providing an awkward, uneven blend of comedy and drama (Winslet throwing up is the most memorable). All four actors perform well (the ladies are nominated for a Golden Globe), but it's largely a contrived and unsatisfying effort, given that most people wouldn't allow themselves to spend so much time with people they truly dislike.

The Iron Lady - C+

2012-01-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

Rated PG-13, 105 minutes

"The Iron Lady" is an unrevealing, uneven biography of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and starring the remarkable veteran actress Meryl Streep. Streep, in another flawless and Oscar-worthy performance as Thatcher, is the best thing about the unconventional, flawed bio pic, which alternates between an older, tottery Thatcher and her remembering better times and her dead husband (Jim Broadbent). "Iron Lady" would've worked better as a straightforward biography, as the present day scenes drag down the story and don't provide much insight into Thatcher's controversial policies; still, Streep is magnificant, particularly in the flashbacks in the heyday of the PM. Considering Streep's astonishing performance, "The Iron Lady" is a disappointment, which could hurt her Oscar chances, but much like Thatcher herself, I wouldn't count her out, especially come Oscar night.

Joyful Noise - C-

2012-01-12T10:43:00.001-08:00

Rated PG-13, 118 minutes

I will admit upfront that I'm not a huge fan of movie musicals. On top of that, add a January release date and you may smell something icky in the air, which is how I felt about seeing the new movie musical, "Joyful Noise." Given my low expectations, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by the film that stars Queen Latifah and country music star Dolly Parton. The story, wholesome themes and characters are formulaic and cliched, at best, but the two leads make for a charming pair. And of course, the music and soundtrack, clearly the best thing about the film, is a winner. "Joyful Noise" goes on far too long with too many unnecessary subplots, but don't deny yourself that foot tap during the musical numbers. Also, watch for a cameo from Kris Kristofferson (yes, you read that right) that manages to be both bizarre and corny. Buy the soundtrack and skip the movie.

Contraband - C

2012-01-12T10:42:00.001-08:00

Rated R, 110 minutes

For a film about having the goods, the new action thriller "Contraband" lacks some goods, namely emotional punch and bravado. Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale headline the cast in this remake of a 2009 Icelandic film, whose star directs this version. Wahlberg is Chris Farraday, a former criminal who made many "runs" of illegal goods back in the day. He has gone legit, but he must settle a debt with a slimeball (Giovanni Ribisi) so does what he knows best, make a run to Panama for some goods. Beckinsale is his wife and young character actor Ben Foster is a close friend in over his head. The film starts out well and is peppered with some decent action set pieces, but becomes too far fetched by the time it reaches its fast-paced finale. Foster and Ribisi are becoming typecast playing these types of lowlifes, but they do it well, in contrast to the bland likeness of Wahlberg and Beckinsale. This has been done before, and better (Wahlberg's "The Departed" comes to mind), so you may be better off waiting for the DVD.

Brief Reviews of Recent Films

2012-01-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Devil Inside - D-
Rated R, 80 minutes
This horror film is another in the vein of "Paranormal Activity": lost footage, supposedly a true, disturbing story with a shocking ending. This exorcism-based, super low-budget (shot for less than $1 million), no-name cast starrer is also super-jumpy, boring and utterly ridiculous. There are a handful of jumpy moments, especially near the end, and what starts out as a decent premise goes way over the top, even for something like this. Unsatisfying, at best. First major release of 2012 and already one of the worst of the year.

Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol- B+
Rated PG-13, 133 minutes
Tom Cruise and company are back in the fourth installment of the action series, which appears shaky on the surface given the third installment didn't do too well. But "Mission: Impossible: Ghose Protocol" surprises, and in a big way. Fast-paced, loads of stunning action set pieces (the one with Cruise hanging on the side of the building is the most memorable in years) there isn't a dull moment to be had. I still don't like Cruise, but this is a winner.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - A-
Rated R, 157 minutes
One of the year's best, this is the Americanized version of the Stieg Larsson best seller, and what a thrilling ride it is, starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara and directed by David Fincher. With stunning visuals and an intensity that matches the 2008 Swedish version, the subject matter isn't for everyone, not to mention the lengthy running time. But definitely worth a look for fans of the novel.

War Horse - A-
Rated PG-13, 140 minutes
Another great movie from one of the master's of cinema, Steven Spielberg. The story, based on a British play, involves a horse and his owner, a teenage boy, as they are both affected by World War I. This is old-school movie making at it's best, as the masterful direction by Spielberg channels John Ford and great performances from mostly an unknown cast. And take note, take plenty of tissues for the ending.

We Bought A Zoo - B
Rated PG, 123 minutes
"We Bought A Zoo" is a remarkable true story of a widower (played by Matt Damon) who uproots his family to buy and manage a run-down zoo. Directed by "Jerry Maguire's" Cameron Crowe, in his first film in several years, the film is both a sentimental and heartbreaking look and new beginnings. Crowe goes a little soft in the overlong movie, but Damon's charming performance carries the film well. And the animals are fun to watch too.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - C
Rated PG-13, 128 minutes
"A Game of Shadows" is the sequel to the 2009 blockbuster starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as sleuth's Holmes and Watson, respectively. The first one, while not a classic, had some charming moments, but this stale effort is more of the same stuff, and grows tiresome until the finale, which is a decent action set piece. Wait for the DVD.

The Adventures of Tintin - B
Rated PG, 101 minutes
This is the other Steven Spielberg film, and it's an animated effort based on some 1930's Belgian comics. Colorful and fun, the animation and stop motion capture are astonishing, though you may be a bit worn out by the end. Busy, busy story and suitable for the family and the best animated film of 2011.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy - B
Rated R, 127 minutes
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy" is a decent spy thriller starring one of today's best actors, Gary Oldman, in a strong but minimalist turn as sleuth George Smiley, a part made famous by another great actor, Alec Guinness (otherwise known as Obi Won in "Star Wars") in the 1979 TV miniseries. The plot is thick, maybe too thick for some, and you have to stay on step with Smiley and company. Nice supporting turn from recent Oscar winner Colin Firth.

My Top 10 List for 2011

2012-01-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Below is my top 10 favorite movie list for 2012 (in order):

1. The Descendants

2. War Horse
3. The Help
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
6. 50/50
7. Melancholia
8. Hanna
9. The Artist
10. Win Win