Shutter Island

☆☆☆1/2

+
In this psychological thriller, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (solid performance by Leonardo DiCaprio) investigates the disappearance of a dangerous patient who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island.

"Shutter Island" will keep you guessing.
-
Watch out for "spoilers" (reviewers, etc.).

Rated R
2 hrs. 18 min.

www.shutterisland.com

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

☆☆

+
Demi-God Percy, son of Poseidon, has been accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt. He and his friends band together to catch the true lightning thief in this action-adventure-comedy...that the young ones may enjoy.
-
"Percy..." gives us some "X-Men" powers and a little "Harry Potter" magic along with uneven acting, and a story that doesn't work as a comedy, action, or adventure.

Rated PG
1 hr. 59 min.

www.percyjacksonthemovie.com

The Last Station

☆☆☆1/2

+
Christopher Plummer stars as novelist Leo Tolstoy and Helen Mirren as his wife Sofya in this historical drama that depicts the last year of the author's life where he struggles with family conflicts related to his fortune.

Oscar® nominations for both Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren
_
"The Last Station" doesn't evoke the emotion that many would expect in a film telling the story of Tolstoy's final year.

Rated R
1 hr. 52 min.

www.thelaststation.com

82nd Academy Award® Nominations

2010 Oscar® Nominations:

Best Picture
“Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
“The Blind Side” Nominees to be determined
“District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
“An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
“The Hurt Locker” Nominees to be determined
“Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
“A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
“Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
“Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon in “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film
“Coraline” Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
“Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction
“Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
“Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography
“Avatar” Mauro Fiore
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
“The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design
“Bright Star” Janet Patterson
“Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
“Nine” Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing
“Avatar” James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
“Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Documentary (Feature)
“Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
“The Cove” Nominees to be determined
“Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Documentary (Short Subject)
“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
“Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
“Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing
“Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9” Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film
“Ajami” Israel
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina
“The Milk of Sorrow” Peru
“Un Prophète” France
“The White Ribbon” Germany

Makeup
“Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
“Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
“The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)
“Avatar” James Horner
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
“The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
“Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
“Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)
“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated)
“French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia
“Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin
“A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park

Short Film (Live Action)
“The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
“Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
“Kavi” Gregg Helvey
“Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
“The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing
“Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
“Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
“Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
“Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Sound Mixing
“Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
“Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
“Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Visual Effects
“Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
“District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
“Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
“An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
“Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)
“The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal
“Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
“The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
“A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy



www.oscar.go.com

To Save a Life

☆☆☆☆

+
“To Save a Life” is the moving story of two 17-year-old students who were once friends, but high school popularity got in the way…ending the friendship and a life.

This is an important film (with an excellent message) for teenagers to see and discuss with friends and family.
_
It is difficult to assign a star value to a film that is more about the message than the production value or the performances.

"To Save..." is too heavy-handed and too preachy.

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

www.tosavealifemovie.com

The White Ribbon

☆☆☆

+
"The White Ribbon" (Das weisse Band) is a dark, moody (in black and white with no musical score), and compelling drama set in a small village in pre-World War I Germany where strange accidents are occurring. Who is guilty...the children or one of the adults?

Golden Globe winner for best foreign film.



_
"...Ribbon" is a little long and at times a little too slow.
German w/ English Subtitles

Rated R
2 hr. 24 min.

www.thewhiteribbon

Broken Embraces

☆☆☆1/2

+
Penélope Cruz stars in Pedro Almodóvar's romantic drama as Lena, an actress who meets (and has an affair with) director Mateo Blanco played by Lluís Homar. Lena is cast as the lead in what turns out to be Mateo's last movie.
_
Many say "Broken..." is confusing and difficult to follow.

Rated R
2 hr. 8 min.

www.brokenembraces.com

The Lovely Bones

☆☆☆1/2

+
Based on Alice Sebold's 2002 novel, "The Lovely Bones," an engaging thriller about a teenager's death, stars an award winning cast: Mark Wahlberg, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Imperioli, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci in a Golden Globe® nominated performance as serial killer, George Harvey.

Director, Peter Jackson delivers a solid screen adaptation of Sebold's novel.
_
The "heavenly" special effects may be over-done.
Some, who have not read the novel, have expressed confusion.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 15 min.

www.lovelybones.com

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

☆

+
A magical story about a sideshow character who made a deal with the devil.
Jude Law, Collin Farrell, and Johnny Depp signed on (cameo roles) to help complete this film for Heath Ledger, who died before he was able to finish.
_
In this case "magical" does not mean good. This film is dark and confusing.

Rated PG
2 hr. 2 min.

www.theimaginariumofdoctorparnassus

A Single Man

☆☆☆☆

+
Colin Firth gives an exceptional performance as George Falconer, a British college professor who is finding it challenging to deal with life after the death of his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode).
This well-crafted and beautifully shot film, set in Los Angeles in 1962, creates a high level of tension as it takes us through what we think may be the final day in George's life.
Fine performance by Julianne Moore as George's long time friend Charley.
_
May be a little too self-conscience and too focused on beautiful people and things.

Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.

www.asingleman-movie.com

Crazy Heart

☆☆☆1/2

+
Jeff Bridges turns in a gritty and truly excellent performance as Bad Blake, the down-and-out, alcoholic, chain-smoking, has been country music singer in "Crazy Heart."
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell give strong supporting performances as well.
_
May be too slow for some.

Rated R
1 hr. 51 min.

www.foxsearchlight.com/crazyheart

Youth in Revolt

☆☆☆

+
In this fun comedy-romance, Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) falls in love with Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) while on vacation in a trailer park. In an attempt to get the girl, Nick creates a rebellious alter ego: Francois...who gets him in big trouble.
-
The alter ego story didn't "work" all that well in the film.

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

www.youthinrevolt-themovie.com

The Young Victoria

☆☆☆☆

+
Emily Blunt gives an excellent (Golden Globe nominated) performance as the young Victoria in this rich, lavish, romantic drama.

"The Young Victoria" is a sure bet for an Oscar nomination for best costumes and possibly best cinematography.
-
The film may not be historically accurate.

Rated PG
1 hr. 40 min.

www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com

It's Complicated

☆☆☆☆

+
"It's Complicated" is a laugh-out-loud comedy with an outstanding cast (Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski).
Voted Best Ensemble Cast (National Board of Review)
-
Some say the story is just too unrealistic.

Rated R
1 hr. 58 min.

www.itscomplicatedmovie.com

Sherlock Holmes

☆☆☆

+
Robert Downey Jr.'s performance and chemistry with costar Jude Law (Dr. Watson) make Guy Ritchie's updated 'Sherlock Holmes' enjoyable.
-
Rachel McAdams was miscast

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 5 min.

www.sherlock-holmes-movie

Nine

☆☆1/2

+
"Nine" offers an award winning cast (Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, Stacy Ferguson 'Fergie') and entertaining musical numbers.
-
The focus is on individual musical numbers and not the story.
"Nine" lacks character development.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 58 min.

www.nine-movie.com

Avatar

☆☆☆1/2

+
Director James Cameron creates an exciting 3-D world (Pandora: an alien moon) where the Na'vi live in harmony with nature until the humans come to destroy the land for the rich minerals.
-
At times it feels as if you are watching a very expensive video game.
The acting is uneven...good and bad.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 42 min.

http://www.avatarmovie.com

Invictus

☆☆☆

+
Morgan Freeman is well-cast as Nelson Mandela who uses the 1995 World Cup as a way to bring together the people of South Africa.
Matt Damon turns in a solid performance as the captain of the South African rugby team.
-
"Invictus" is over 2 hours, and the excitement doesn't begin until the last 45 minutes.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 14 min.

http://www.invictusmovie

Disney's A Christmas Carol

☆☆☆

+
Jim Carrey is excellent as Ebenezer Scrooge in this enjoyable version of "A Christmas Carol."
-
The animation is a little less disturbing than "The Polar Express"...either make a live action film or rework the character animation.

Rated PG
1 hr. 36 min.

http://www.achristmascarol

Up in the Air

☆☆☆☆

+
"Up in the Air" is an entertaining dramatic comedy starring George Clooney (Best Actor - National Board of Review) as Ryan Bingham, a man whose job is to travel across America firing people.
Award Winning Performances by Anna Kendrick and Vera Farminga

-
"Up..." is a little too callous.

Rated R
1 hr. 49 min.

www.theupintheairmovie.com

Brothers

☆☆☆1/2

+
Tobey Maguire gives an excellent performance as Sam Cahill who has to leave his family to return to Afghanistan.
Strong performances by Natalie Portman, as Sam's wife Grace, and Jake Gyllenhaal, as Sam's brother.
-
Unfortunately, the trailer tells the whole story.
Lacks Emotional "Connection"

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 34 min.

www.brothersfilm.com

The Road

☆☆☆1/2

+
Viggo Mortensen gives a strong performance in this grim post-apocalyptic film based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel "The Road."

Excellent Make-Up and Sets
_
Be ready for a very dismal story that offers little or no hope for the two main characters.

Rated R
1 hr. 59 min.

www.theroad-movie.com

Fantastic Mr. Fox

☆☆☆

+
"Fantastic Mr. Fox," Wes Anderson's first animated film utilizing a handmade stop motion technique, tells the story of Mr. Fox (based on Roald Dahl's best-selling children's book) who can't seem to stop stealing chickens.
George Clooney, who voices Mr. Fox, delivers the enjoyment.
-
Meryl Streep's talents are wasted on the character of Mrs. Fox.
In this time of wonderful animation, this stop motion technique looks and feels outdated.

Rated PG
1 hr. 28 min.

www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com

The Blind Side

☆☆☆☆

+
"The Blind Side" (based on true events) is the moving story of Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and her altruistic Memphis family who take in a homeless teenager, Michael (Quinton Aaron).

This is Sandra Bullock's best performance to date.

-
Slow Start

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 6 min.

www.theblindsidemovie.com

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

☆☆1/2

+
Fans of the Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series will enjoy this vampire vs. werewolf teenage romantic drama.
-
The dialogue, special effects, and make-up could be better.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 10 min.

www.newmoonmovie.org

Precious

☆☆☆☆☆

+
"Precious" is the heart-wrenching story (based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire) of 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones who is living a life of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse at the hands of her mother, Mo'Nique, who gives an incredibly raw Oscar worthy performance.
Early Academy Award Prediction: Nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress - Gabourey Sidibe as Precious, and Best Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique.
-
Be ready to be disturbed and moved by this movie.
Violence, Strong Language, Sexual Situations

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

www.weareallprecious.com

The Box

☆☆

+
"The Box" is an intriguing story that raises a serious moral question.
-
Mediocre Acting
Confusing

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 56 min.

www.thebox-movie.warnerbros.com

The Men Who Stare at Goats

☆☆1/2

+
George Clooney and Ewan McGregor add a little humor to "Men...Goats" based on Jon Ronson's nonfiction best-seller.
-
Even though the story is based on true events, it's just not that interesting (or funny).

Rated R
1 hr. 33 min.

www.themenwhostareatgoatsmovie.com

An Education

☆☆☆☆

+
A truly satisfying film about 16 year old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who longs for an exciting life which she finds with David (Peter Sarsgaard).
-
A Few "Why did she do that?" Questions

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 39 min.

www.sonyclassics.com/aneducation

This Is It

☆☆☆1/2

+
"This Is It" is a fascinating look into Michael Jackson's genius behind the scenes as he worked on every detail of what was to be his comeback concert.
-
This documentary falls short when it comes to giving the audience more of an idea who Michael Jackson really was.
Where was the song "Ben?"

Rated PG
1 hr. 51 min.

www.thisisit-movie.com

A Serious Man

☆☆1/2


+
The Coen brothers give us a unique story (with a few smiles) about a man whose life is falling apart.
-
"A Serious Man" is another sad and depressing movie that we are supposed to love.

Rated R
1 hr. 45 min.

www.aseriousman.com

Where the Wild Things Are

☆☆☆

+
Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book engages viewers with a visually exciting fantasy world.
-
"...Wild Things..." tries too hard to make Max's character emotionally complex.
The fantasy section doesn't always make sense.

Rated PG
1 hr. 34 min.


www.wherethewildthingsare.com

Whip It

☆☆☆1/2

+
Drew Barrymore directs and stars (along with the always endearing Ellen Page) in this amusing roller derby comedy.
-
The main story-line between Ellen Page and Marcia Gay-Harden isn't fully developed.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 41 min.

www.foxsearchlight.com/whipit

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

☆☆☆

+
Bill Hader and Anna Faris voice the main characters in this fun 3-D film based on the popular children's book.
-
Cute...Not Very Funny
Loose Interpretation of the Children's Book

Rated PG
1 hr. 21 min.

www.cloudywithachanceofmeatballs

Couples Retreat

☆☆☆

+
Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman will make you laugh in this enjoyable film shot in sunny and beautiful Bora Bora.
-
Stupid Sexual Jokes (Yoga with Instructor Salvadore-Carlo Ponce-)

Rated PG
1 hr. 53 min.

www.couplesretreatmovie.com

Zombieland

☆☆☆☆

+
Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson manage to outsmart and "out muscle" the zombies in this crazy, laugh-out-loud film.
"Nut-Up or Shut-Up!"
-
Gorey, Violent, Gross

Rated R
1 hr. 30 min.

www.zombieland.com

Fame

☆☆1/2

+
"Fame" offers a few good music and dance numbers along with some talented actors.
-
It's hard to care about the story when there is such limited character development.

Rated PG
1 hr. 47 min.


www.generationfame.com

The Informant!

☆☆☆

+
Matt Damon plays division chief, Mark Whitacre, who informs the FBI of of a corporate crime in this interesting real life story.
-
"The Informant!" doesn't work as a comedy or drama.

Rated R
1 hr. 45 min.

http://theinformantmovie.warnerbros.com

The September Issue

☆☆☆☆

+
"The September Issue" is an entertaining glimpse into the world of Anna Wintour, editor in chief of "Vogue."
Even though the film focuses on Wintour, beauty editor, Grace Coddington steals the show.
-
Don't rule out this fashion documentary...even if you don't care about fashion or documentaries!

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 28 min.

www.theseptemberissue.com

All About Steve

☆☆☆

+
Sandra Bullock is fun in this crazy romantic comedy.
_
A Little Too Silly

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 38 min.

www.allaboutstevemovie.com

Extract

☆☆

+
Jason Bateman helps to bring a few laughs to this work place comedy.
_
Poorly Written
"Over-Done" Jokes

Rated R
1 hr. 31 min.

www.extract-the-movie.com

Inglourious Basterds

☆☆☆☆

+
Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent and Christoph Waltz star in Quentin Tarantino's surprisingly entertaining film about a group of Jewish soldiers (The Basterds) organized to get revenge against The Third Reich.
_
Violent
A Little Long

Rated R
2 hr. 32 min.


www.inglouriousbasterds-movie.com

Taking Woodstock

☆☆☆1/2

+
Jake Teichberg and Imelda Staunton turn in excellent performances.

Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain") captures the spirit of Woodstock...
_
...minus one of the most important elements...the music.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.

www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/taking_woodstock

Post Grad

☆1/2

+
Alexis Bledel as graduate, Ryden Malby, is by far the best part of this romantic comedy.
_
Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, and Carol Burnett's talents are wasted in this poorly written, silly story.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 27 min.

www.foxsearchlight.com/postgrad

The Time Traveler's Wife

☆☆

+
Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana star in this intriguing, supernatural romance.
_
The story isn't logical.
Some of the time travel situations don't make sense.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 37 min.

www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com

Paper Heart

☆☆1/2

+
The quirky Charlyne Yi ("Knocked-Up") and rising star Michael Cera ("Juno") star in this unique comedy/romance about the filming of a "love documentary."
_
The majority of the film centers around interviews about love that just aren't that interesting.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 28 min.

www.paperheart-movie.com

District 9

☆☆☆1/2

+
"District 9" is a unique sci-fi action (part mockumentary) film where the aliens (prawns) are captured, "housed," and supported by the South African government.
Excellent Special Effects!
_
Why would the government take 1.8 million aliens out of their ship to live among humans...even if they are in the fenced-in slums of District 9?
Violence, Language

Rated R
1 hr. 52 min.

www.district9movie.com

Julie and Julia

☆☆☆☆

+
Meryl Streep transforms herself into the truly enjoyable Julia Child, and Amy Adams gives an excellent performance as Julie Powell, the woman who takes on the "Julie/Julia Project" (cooking all 536 recipes from the Julia Child cookbook in one year).
_
Maybe a little too much Nora Ephron "fluff."

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 3 min.

www.julieandjulia.com

Orphan

☆☆1/2

+
Isabelle Fuhrman gives an excellent performance as the deranged orphan, Esther.
The second hour will have you on the edge of your seat.
_
Peter Sarsgaard's character is written as unbelievably stupid!
"Orphan" gets off to a slow start.

‎Rated R‎
‎2 hr. 3 min.
‎
www.orphan-movie.warnerbros.com

Funny People

☆☆☆☆

+
"Funny..." is one of those rare movies that has the perfect balance of comedy and drama.

A great performance by Seth Rogen.
Jonah Hill makes me laugh once again!
_
"Funny..." could be cut by a few minutes.
Too many male anatomy jokes.

Rated R
2 hrs. 20 mins.

www.funnypeoplemovie.com