50/50

☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on a true story, “50/50” impressively manages to take the story of Adam’s (skillful performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt: “Inception”) life threatening spinal cancer and lift it up with some genuine humor…thanks to his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen: “Knocked Up”).

Anna Kendrick (Oscar nomination “Up in the Air”) lights up the screen as Adam’s “new to the job” and truly conflicted psychiatrist, Katie.

Bryce Dallas Howard (“The Help”) stars as Adam’s cheating girlfriend and Anjelica Houston (Oscar winner “Prizzi’s Honor”) as his overbearing mother.

_
Kyle (Seth Rogen) is raunchy (sexual humor and language) and loud...but it works for the character.

Adam’s relationships with his mom and girlfriend were “under-developed.”

Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Moneyball

☆☆☆☆

+
More than an entertaining sports story…"Moneyball" (based on true events) is an engaging story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (well-played by Brad Pitt) who is trying to put together a winning team with a budget that makes it impossible to hire top major league players.
Beane, along with the help of Yale econ grad Peter Brand (strong performance by Jonah Hill) begin to improve their record by looking at baseball differently.
_
Since the film is based on a true story there are very few surprises.

Some viewers say…too much spitting.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 6 min.

Visit the "Moneyball" website and watch the trailer.

Contagion

☆☆☆☆

+
In this dramatic thriller, Gwyneth Paltrow returns from a business trip with what she suspects is jet lag…but it’s actually the beginning of an international virus outbreak that terrifies the world.

Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh seamlessly guides the film…back and forth in time…showing the progression as well as the origin of the deadly virus.

The all star cast includes Oscar winners: Matt, Damon, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard , along with Oscar nominees Jude Law and Laurence Fishburne.
_
A few of the storylines lack depth…for example we don’t a chance to know and understand Dr. Leonora Orantes (played by Marion Cotillard).


Rated PG-13
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

The Debt

☆☆☆

+
“The Debt” skillfully tells the story of three retired Mossad agents (played by Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, and Ciaran Hindsby…and in their younger years by Jessica Chastain, Marton Csokas and Sam Worthington respectively) who worked together 30 years earlier to capture and bring to trial a notorious Nazi war criminal (the Surgeon of Birkenau) in a secret Israeli mission…the results of which have been passed down through time inaccurately.

Jessica Chastain (“The Help”) gives another excellent performance displaying her versatility and talent.

_
The story is strong but it lacks excitement and a true connection with the characters…so it makes it difficult to care about them.


Rated R (some violence and language)
1 hr. 44 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Attack the Block

☆☆☆

+
Offering a few scares and a few laughs “Attack the Block” (writer/director Joe Cornish) stars Jodie Whittaker as Sam, a nurse mugged by a group of young teenage thugs while on her way home from work. She escapes when a meteor (with an alien on board) falls…distracting her attackers.

The story takes a turn (and offers some depth) when Sam joins forces with the gang to fight the aliens... In doing so she begins to view the teens with a little compassion.
_
Another alien invasion film?

The beginning felt like a movie for teens.

Rated R (creature violence, drug content and pervasive language)
1 hr. 28 min.


Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

My Idiot Brother

☆☆☆1/2

+
Paul Rudd gives a winning performance as Ned the slacker brother of 3 sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer) in this enjoyable Jesse Peretz (FIRST LOVE, LAST RITES) film.

Rudd adds an innocence and naiveté to the character that makes Ned endearing as opposed to obnoxious.
_
You may find yourself caring much more about Ned than his 3 sisters…who at times were boarding on annoying (script not performances).


Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

One Day

☆☆☆

+
“One Day” (adapted from the bestselling novel) is the story of Emma (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) who officially meet on the night of their college graduation (July 15, 1988) and have an awkward one-night-stand which results in a friendship that lasts for over two decades.

The film “visits” the couple on July 15th…throughout the two decades, and we see the engaging changes in the characters and their relationship (a touch of “Same Time Next Year”).
_
It’s difficult to find many reasons to like Dexter.

The casting seems “off.”

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 48 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

30 Minutes or Less

☆☆1/2

+
The sometimes funny “30…Less” (directed by Ruben Fleischer… “Zombieland”) stars Danny McBride and Nick Swardson as two thugs who concoct a money making plan that involves strapping a bomb to the body of their pizza delivery boy (well-played by Jesse Eisenberg) and forcing him to rob a bank before they give him the code to diffuse the bomb.
_
The ethnic slurs, racial slurs, crude sexual references, and raunchy language are overdone and just too much.
Too close to an a real-life event that took place a few years ago.

Rated R (crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudity, and some violence)
I hr. 23 min.

Visit the "30 Minutes or Less" website and see the trailer.

Glee: The 3-D Concert Movie

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Glee: The 3-D Concert Movie” is an entertaining New Directions’ concert that includes several favorite songs and some moving “fan” stories woven in.

Surprise character appearance adds to the fun!
_
This movie is what it is…a concert…not much of a storyline

It would have been fun to see the “Glee” students step out of character.

At times the sound and visuals are not in sync.

See this one fast…two week run!

Rated PG
1 hr. 30 min.

Visit the movie site and buy the soundtrack.

The Help

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on the best-selling book of the same name, “The Help” tells the moving story of Skeeter (Emma Stone) a white woman in the ‘60s who wants to write a book telling the story of the African-American women who cook, clean, and raise the children for white families…like hers…in the deep south.

While working on this secret project Skeeter develops an unlikely friendship with Aibileen (Viola Davis…Oscar nomination for “Doubt”), Minny (Octavia Spencer), and the other maids who contribute their stories to the book…in spite of the risk.

One of the best movies of the year.

Look for some Academy Award nominations (Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, and Octavia Spencer)

_
A little long…slow start

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 17 min.

Visit "The Help" website and see the trailer!

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

☆☆☆

+
“Rise…Apes” is the thought-provoking story of scientist Will Rodman (played by Oscar nominated James Franco) who is testing his possible cure for Alzheimer’s on primates.

Problems ensue as the experimental drug gets into the wrong hands.

John Lithgow delivers an excellent supporting performance as Will’s father…who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.
_
Long wait for the real “ape action”

Didn’t we just have a remake of this movie ten years ago?

1 hr. 45 min.
Rated PG-13 (violence, terror, brief strong language)


Visit the official website and watch the trailer!

Cowboys and Aliens

☆☆☆

+
Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”) and based on Scott Michell Rosenberg's 2006 graphic novel of the same name, “Cowboys and Aliens” is a creative blend of the Western and alien genres.
Daniel Craig gives it all he’s got playing Jake Lonergan, the amnesia-stricken cowboy who wanders into town…facing a whole lot of human and alien trouble.
_
The film doesn’t work as well as it should have…maybe if the script was closer to Rosenberg’s comics

One big unanswered question…Why do the aliens need the gold?

It’s tough to take Harrison Ford seriously when he plays the character as comedic rather than dramatic.

As I have said in many other alien film reviews...Keep the aliens a mystery!
When the viewer doesn't see them there is much more suspense.

Rated PG-13 (intense sequences of violence, partial nudity)
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

☆☆1/2

+
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” tells the intriguing story of Snow Flower and Lilly…19th-century Chinese laotong (female friends bound together for eternity), and the parallel story of the laotong’s present day decendants Nina and Sophia.
As the stories unfold the four women learn about the challenges of love and friendship.
_
One of the most confusing movies I’ve seen in years.

It may have helped to have kept the script closer to the book.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" website and watch the trailer.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Crazy, Stupid, Love” is the comical…and at times moving…story of Cal Weaver (solid performance by Steve Carell), who after finding out his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) cheated on him and wants a divorce, meets Jacob (Ryan Gosling “nails” this character) a ladies’ man who coaches Cal in the art of dating.

Great (and surprising) climax...shades of Robert Altman...where an event brings all the characters together.

Marisa Tomei gives a terrific supporting performance.
_
The babysitter’s love interest story was a little “awkward.”

Rated PG-13 (sexual content and language)
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the "Crazy, Stupid, Love" website and see the trailer.

Captain America: The First Avenger

☆☆☆

+
If you liked the Marvel comic…you’ll like "Captain America: The First Avenger.”
This enjoyable summer popcorn movie tells the story of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), who in spite of being frail and asthmatic, enlists in the army and volunteers to be part of an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
_
Missing a little of the tension, drama, and dynamics that make a movie like this great.

Don’t leave too early…a quick scene after the credits roll.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 1 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Friends with Benefits

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Friends…” is a fun…and very funny…romantic comedy starring Mila Kunis as Jamie, a high profile New York City headhunter, who connects Dylan (Justin Timberlake), a recruit from San Francisco, with a top job at GQ Magazine.

Jamie and Dylan decide they're going to try and turn their friendship into one with “benefits”…but without the emotional ties.

Woody Harrelson and Richard Jenkins offer great supporting performances.
_
Predictable

Patricia Clarkson’s character (Jamie’s mother) is “over-written"...but she gives a solid performance.

Don't leave early...a few out-takes after the credits.

Rated R
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the "Friends with Benefits" website and see the trailer!

Beginners

☆☆1/2

+
At times touching…with bits of joy…“Beginners” starring Ewan McGregor as Oliver…a man who meets and falls for Anna (Melanie Laurent of Inglourious Basterds) a few months after the death of his father Hal (Christopher Plummer).

Fine performances by McGregor and Laurent…along with early Oscar buzz for Plummer.
_
The film mopes along…slow and sad…without much comedy or drama.

If you enjoy mostly melancholy…this one’s for you.

1 hr. 44 min.

Rated: R (language and some sexual content)

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 is the exciting and very satisfying final chapter of the most successful film franchise in history.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue to search for and destroy the three remaining Horcruxes, Voldemort finds out about their mission and Harry faces the Dark Lord one last time.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have grown tremendously as actors, and the visual effects have greatly improved since the “… The Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Fans of the series will be sad to see it end.
_

The romance between Ron and Hermione seems forced and unconvincing.

The 3D version was a complete waste of money…another blurry 3-D film. Is it poor quality glasses or film?

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 10 min.



Visit the official Harry Potter...Hallows II website and watch the trailer!

Horrible Bosses

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Horrible Bosses” is the laugh-out-loud comedy starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis (“Saturday Night Live”) and Charlie Day as three friends whose lives are miserable due to their obnoxious bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston).
The friends come-up with a crazy plan to “off” their bosses with the help of “murder consultant” Jamie Foxx.

Jason Bateman delivers the laughs.
His dry hilarious delivery makes him one of the best comedic actors today.


_
May be a little too close to “The Hangover” for some.

Adults Only…Crude Sexual Humor

Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.


Visit the website and watch the "Horrible Bosses" trailer!

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this action-packed third Transformers installment Shia LaBeouf is back and better than ever as Sam Witwicky…a recent college graduate struggling to find a job while trying to help Optimus Prime and the Autobots defeat the Decepticons who have invaded the Earth.

All-Star cast including: Francis McDormand, John Malkovich, Josh Duhamel
_
“…Dark of the Moon” is better than “Revenge of the Fallen,” but not as good as “Transformers.”

Tough to tell the good robots from the bad robots in battle scenes.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 34 min.

Visit the "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" website and see the trailer!

Larry Crowne

☆☆☆

+
In this fun summer-lite comedy (that doesn’t take itself too seriously), Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) loses his job at UMart and enrolls in college...where he makes some new and unexpected friends…including a female professor played by Julia Roberts.
_
The screenplay by Tom Hanks and Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) suffers from some plot pitfalls (Larry’s involvement in the motorbike gang) and some jokes that fall flat.

Rated PG-13 (brief strong language and some sexual content)
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

Mr. Popper's Penguins

☆☆☆

+
Suitable for the whole family…and inspired by the Newbery Award-winning children's book…“Mr. Popper's Penguins” is a live-action comedy (starring Jim Carrey) that tells the story of a man who inherited a rookery of penguins and through the experience learned how to put his family first.
_
Fans of the 1938 book may be disappointed to find that the film doesn’t follow the famous children’s story.

Jim Carrey holds back the “crazy” just enough to make his performance work.


Rated PG (Mild Rude Humor)
1 hr. 35 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Buck

☆☆☆☆

+
Buck is the award-winning documentary that tells the engaging (and moving) story of Buck Brannaman, the man whose intuitive ability to communicate and work with horses inspired “The Horse Whisperer.”

U.S. Documentary Audience Award 
Sundance 2011
_
This film is much more than a story about horses…it’s about passion, family and love.

Rated PG
1 hr. 28 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer.

Bad Teacher

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Bad Teacher” is a racy and fun comedy starring the always enjoyable Cameron Diaz as foul-mouthed, pot-smoking, seventh grade teacher Elizabeth Halsey who will do anything to get money to buy herself bigger breasts.
Lucy Punch (“Dinner for Schmucks”) and Phyllis Smith (“The Office”) turn in great performances as Elizabeth’s colleagues.
Also starring: Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, and Eric Stonestreet
_
Keep the kids at home…this one is for adults…and it may be too raunchy for some adults.
The “bad” was a little overdone.

Rated R
1 hr. 32 min.

Visit the "Bad Teacher" website and see the trailer!

Green Lantern

☆☆1/2

+
Fans of this DC Comic will enjoy “Green Lantern” starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, a talented test pilot, who is recruited by the Green Lantern Corps…the protectors of peace and justice.

The film doesn’t take itself too seriously and it sports an all star cast including: Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”), Tim Robbins (“Mystic River”), and Peter Sarsgaard (“An Education”).
_
Slow start with an educational voice-over explaining the Green Lantern Corps

Superhero films work so much better when they are as realistic as possible…special effects shouldn’t look like animation.

Stick around for a short scene...after the credits start to roll!

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 45 min.

Visit the "Green Lantern" website and see the trailer!

The Tree of Life

_
As a movie critic, I’m supposed to love Terrence Malick’s latest film “The Tree of Life.”
It’s the kind of movie that people don’t want to admit that they don’t like…but I am here to tell you that this is only the second movie I have ever walked out of…and yes I gave it a chance.
After about 90 minutes of heavy-handed music, barely any dialogue or narrative, and imagery including the history of the universe, a confrontation between two dinosaurs, and Mom floating through the air…I left the theater.
Sometimes you run across a movie that just tries too hard to be avant-garde.

*I will not assign a star rating to this movie since I did not see the entire film.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 18 min.


Visit the official movie website and watch the trailer.

Super 8

☆☆☆

+
In “Super 8” (a fun mix of “Goonies,” “E-T,” and “War of the Worlds”) we meet a group of friends who witness a terrible accident (that leads to some curious and scary events) while filming a super 8 movie.

The film stars Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning…along with some excellent special effects.

Great attention to 70’s details…haircuts, clothes, and music…
_
but people weren’t saying “awesome” and “totally” in the 70s.

As soon as a film reveals the “monster”…the mystery is gone. It is much more suspenseful when we don't see “it.".

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 52 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

X-Men: First Class

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this X-Men prequel (one of the best in the franchise), we travel back to the 1960s (the U.S. is facing nuclear war with Russia) and meet Charles Xavier (excellent performance by James McAvoy), Erik Lehnsherrhe / Magneto (Michael Fassbender), and several other mutants…both good and bad (Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw and January Jones as Emma Frost).
_
Hard-core comic fans may not like the character and storyline changes.

People weren’t saying “How is that working for you?” (as a sarcastic remark) in the 60s.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 12 min.

Visit the Official "X-Men: First Class" website and see the trailer!

Midnight in Paris

☆☆1/2

+
While vacationing in Paris with fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams), Gil (endearing performance by Owen Wilson) magically time-travels back to the era he dreams of…Paris in the 20s.

In addition to Wilson and McAdams, director Woody Allen assembled an all-star cast: Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Kathy Bates, and Adrien Brody…
_
who play some very annoying characters!

The time-travel is fun, but the storyline is forced.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 28 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer!

Hangover: Part II

☆☆☆☆

+
In this entertaining sequel, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) are back…and in more trouble than ever when they travel to Thailand for Stu’s wedding.
The plot may be the same…but the craziness that happens on this trip is just as outrageous and funny as the first installment.

Zach Galifianakis adds extra laughs with his spot-on comedic delivery.
_
The plot is the same and the outcome is the same…but don’t let that keep you from seeing this movie!

Adults Only: strong language, strong sexual content (including graphic nudity), and drug use


1 hr. 42 min.
Rated R

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

☆☆☆

+
Johnny Depp…starring as Jack Sparrow who is on a quest to reach the fountain of youth…steals every scene and adds the fun to “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

Penelope Cruz and Geoffrey Rush give strong supporting performances.
_
This installment is a little long…but easier to follow than the last few.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 17 min.

Watch the trailer!

Bridesmaids

☆☆☆☆

+
“Bridesmaids” (from producer Judd Apatow…”Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) starring the hilarious Kristen Wiig as Annie…whose life is falling apart as she tries to be the perfect maid of honor…delivers laughs, heart, and a few OMG moments.
Melissa McCarthy (“Gilmore Girls”) steals the show. Visit her website and see the cast on “The View.”
_
Strong language and one gross scene that almost crosses the “bad taste line.”



Rated R
2 hr. 5 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!

THOR

☆☆☆

+
Based on the Marvel character, “Thor” is a fun, action-packed story of the mighty warrior (well-cast Chris Hemsworth) who is cast down to Earth for defying his father and reigniting a long-past war with the Frost Giants.

Oscar winning supporting cast (Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins)
_
Jeremy Renner and Rene Russo’s talents are wasted in bit parts.

What exactly is Thor’s superpower…throwing a hammer?

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 55 min.

Visit the "Thor" website and watch the trailer!

Soul Surfer

☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on true events, “Soul Surfer” is the inspiring story of Bethany Hamilton (played by AnnaSophia Robb), a teenage surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack and fought to get back on her board and become the champion she was meant to be.
Helen Hunt gives a strong heartfelt performance as Bethany’s mother, Cheri.
_
Uneven acting…strong performances mixed with poor performances.

Take a tissue…this one’s a tearjerker.

Rated PG
1 hr. 45 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

HANNA

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this engaging suspense thriller, Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Lovely Bones) delivers an excellent performance as Hanna. Raised in Finland by her father (Eric Bana) to be the perfect assassin, Hanna fights to survive as she faces secrets about who she really is.
_
Violent
Disappointing performance by Cate Blanchett (CIA operative).

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 51 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Water for Elephants

☆☆☆☆

+
“Water for Elephants" (based on the bestselling novel) is the compelling story of Jacob (excellent performance by Robert Pattinson), a young college student, and Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), a Big Top performer, who meet and fall in love while working with Rosie…a special elephant in the circus.
Christoph Waltz as August (Marlena’s abusive husband) turns-in a strong performance as well.
_
Predictable
Some fans of the novel expressed disappointment in the film version.

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 2 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Rio

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Rio” (from the makers of “Ice Age”) is the fun, colorful, and family friendly animated story about Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), a rare macaw, who leaves his comfortable life in Minnesota to travel to Rio to meet another rare macaw named Jewel (Anne Hathaway).

The two macaws, along with a menagerie of characters (George Lopez, Jaime Fox, Will.i.am), face the adventure of a lifetime.

Excellent in 3-D…worth the extra money.
_
Looking for a little more “heart.”

Rated G
1 hr. 36 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Win Win

☆☆☆☆1/2

+
“Win Win” is a heartwarming comedy from writer-director Tom McCarthy (“The Station Agent” and “The Visitor”) starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, and newcomer Alex Shaffer.
Mike Flaherty (Giamatti), a struggling lawyer trying to make ends meet, grabs a moneymaking opportunity by becoming the guardian of one of his clients. When the runaway grandson of the client (Shaffer) shows-up on grandpa’s doorstep, life changes for the Flaherty family.
Amy Ryan turns in an excellent performance…and Bobby Cannavale (“The Station Agent and “Will and Grace”), as Flaherty’s best friend, adds some fun.

The best film I've seen in 2011!
_
This independent film isn’t getting the “BUZZ” it deserves.

Rated R
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer!

The Lincoln Lawyer

☆☆☆☆

+
In this edgy thriller, based on Michael Connelly’s book, Matthew McConaughey (in one of his best performances) stars as Michael "Mick" Haller, a slick Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental (license plate…NTGUILTY).
Mick lands a case (defending the wealthy Louis Roulet…played by Ryan Phillippe) that takes a turn and challenges his view of right and wrong.
_
May be considered predictable and/or confusing.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Source Code

☆☆☆☆
+
In this exciting science fiction thriller (from director Duncan Jones and writer Ben Ripley), Captain Colter Stevens (spot-on performance by Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in another man’s body on a Chicago commuter train that’s about to be bombed. His mission is to find the bomber in the last 8 minutes of the other man’s life.

Solid supporting performances by Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga.
_
Some say the movie just doesn’t make sense.
Disturbing Images


Rated PG-13
1 hr. 33 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Limitless

☆☆☆

+
In this engaging sci-fi thriller, Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie Morra…a down and out writer who discovers a pill that can activate 100% of a person’s brain (experts claim we only use 20%)…making it possible to learn, understand, and process information much faster.
Creative visual effects capture Eddie’s movement through time and his access of memories.
_
The movie seems a little glib about the subject.
There is a subplot about a murder that raises questions…that don’t get answered.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 45 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

The Adjustment Bureau

☆☆

+
In this romantic thriller (based on Philip K. Dick’s “Adjustment Team”)…politician David Norris meets and falls in love with Elise Sellas (solid performances by Matt Damon and Emily Blunt).
Since this relationship is not part of Norris’ destiny, according to “The Chairman,” the Adjustment Bureau intervenes.
_
The story moves from excitement to silliness…ridiculous conversations between the men of The Bureau (wearing magical fedoras and acting like robots) and Norris who is determined to change “The Chairman’s” (God’s) plan.

Is it metaphysical…is it science fiction (not really)?
It’s mostly just a movie that doesn’t work.

1 hr. 49 min.
Rated PG-13

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Rango

☆☆☆☆

+
Johnny Depp turns in a terrific performance as Lars, a pet chameleon who (after an accident that separates him from his human family) ends up in the town of Dirt where he creates a new persona for himself…Rango…the brave hero of the West.
The residents of Dirt, devastated by the mysterious disappearance of all their water, welcome Rango as their new sheriff.

The animation is exceptional and the film offers laughs for young and old…the owl mariachi band was a favorite.



_

Parents need to observe the PG rating…as some of the content may “cross the line” (rude humor, some adult language, action, and smoking).

Even though 3D has been overused in the last few years…a 3D version of Rango would have been fun!

Rated PG
1 hr. 47 min.

Visit the "Rango" website and watch the trailer!

2011 Academy Award Winners

Best Picture
“The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers

Directing
“The King's Speech” Tom Hooper


Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter”

Actress in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

Actress in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”

Animated Feature Film
“Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich

Foreign Language Film
“In a Better World” Denmark

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin

Writing (Original Screenplay)
“The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler

Art Direction
“Alice in Wonderland” 
Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara

Cinematography
“Inception” Wally Pfister

Costume Design
“Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood

Documentary (Feature)
“Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

Documentary (Short Subject)
“Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon

Film Editing
“The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

Makeup
“The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey

Music (Original Score)
“The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Music (Original Song)
“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Short Film (Animated)
“The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann

Short Film (Live Action)
“God of Love” Luke Matheny

Sound Editing
“Inception” Richard King

Sound Mixing
“Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick

Visual Effects
“Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

StarMovieReviews Oscar Predictions 2011

Picture: "The King's Speech

Actor: Colin Firth "The King's Speech"

Actress: Natalie Portman "Black Swan"

Supp. Actor: Christian Bale "The Fighter"

Supp. Actress: Melissa Leo "The Fighter"

Director: David Fincher "The Social Network"

Original Screenplay: David Seidler "The King's Speech"

Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin "The Social Network"

Art Direction: "The King's Speech"

Cinematography: "True Grit"

Costume Design: "The King's Speech"

Editing: "The Social Network"

Makeup: "The Wolfman"

Score: "The Social Network"

Song: "We Belong Together" ("Toy Story 3")

Sound Editing: "Inception"

Sound Mixing: "Inception"

Visual Effects: "Inception"

Foreign Language: "In a Better World"

Animated Feature: "Toy Story 3"

Animated Short: "The Gruffalo"

Documentary Feature: "Inside Job"

Documentary Short: "Strangers No More"

Live Action Short: "Wish 143"

Visit the official Oscar website!

Unknown

☆☆☆

+
In this “keep-you-guessing” thriller, Liam Neeson plays Dr. Martin Harris…who finds upon awakening from a coma that another man (Aidan Quinn) has stolen his identity…even his wife (January Jones) doesn’t recognize him.
Dr. Martin forms an unlikely alliance with Gina (Diane Kruger) a Berlin taxi driver, who joins him in his fight to uncover the truth.
_
Neeson seems a little off his game in this one…maybe miscast?
The answers to this mystery were almost disappointing.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Just Go With It

☆☆☆

+
In this fun romantic comedy, Danny (Adam Sandler) gets Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) to agree to pose as his soon-to-be-divorced wife and her kids to pretend to be his children…all in the hopes of winning the heart of Palmer (Brooklyn Decker).

Katherine’s daughter, Maggie (Bailee Madison), steals the show!
_
Nicole Kidman (Devlin Adams) is entertaining as Katherine’s old sorority sister…but the performance is a little “over-done.”

Silly
Crude Sexual Content

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Biutiful

☆☆☆1/2

+
“Biutiful” (Academy Award Nomination for best foreign film) is the powerful and heartbreaking story of Uxbal (Academy Award nominated performance by Javier Bardem)…a criminal, a father, and a man who is facing death and struggling to provide for the future of his children.
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Disturbing Images, Language, Drug Use
Spanish with English subtitles

2 hr. 28 min.
Rated R

Visit the website and watch the trailer!