Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

My Review: A remake of a classic western (the original stars John Wayne in the lead role/was directed by Henry Hathaway). I must admit I was quite concerned about a remake of this classic. Most remakes are horrid attempts to cash in on someone else's excellent work. After some hesitation, and numerous reports of accolades, I decided to give True Grit a try. The remake is written (screenplay) and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen. They did an excellent job on the remake. Staying true to period in more than costume, prop and setting, they also managed to get the dialog correct. The dialog is true to the linguistic practices of the setting (Late 1800s), and I found the lack modern language refreshing and intriguing. It definitely contributed to my enjoyment of the movie. The camera work, settings, costumes and dialog definitely took me back and time and convinced me that the events portrayed were actually happening. The acting by Jeff Bridges (U.S. Marshal Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn), Josh Brolin (Drifter/outlaw Tom Chaney), Matt Damon (Texas Ranger LaBoeuf) and Hailee Steinfield (Mattie Ross) was truly exceptional. Especially impressive was Hailee Steinfield - Her performance was outstanding. She really kept up with the veteran cast, the director didn't have to change the style or play down the ability of the other actors in order to make her look better. The story follows the basic plot of the book and original movie. When a former ranch hand murders her father, Mattie Ross leaves home in the dead of winter and sets forth on a quest to make sure that her Father's death is avenged. She's not so much interested in justice, as she is revenge. She wants Tom Chaney to 'pay' for what he did to her family, and she doesn't give a damn about trials. She hires the local Marshal, a gritty no-nonsense lawman/bounty hunter with a track record for getting the job done. Things are complicated when a Texas Ranger insists on accompanying Cogburn to capture this outlaw. Seems Tom is wanted back in Texas for the murder of a politician. When Mattie insists on accompanying the duo, things get even more interesting. The story is quite simple, and the characters charming but well textured. The locations are breathtaking and the camera work splendid. I can't believe I'm doing it, but I actually find this movie superior to the original. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross sets out to capture the killer. To aid her, she hires the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, a man with "true grit," Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn. Mattie insists on accompanying Cogburn, whose drinking, sloth, and generally reprobate character do not augment her faith in him. Against his wishes, she joins him in his trek into the Indian Nations in search of Chaney. They are joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, who wants Chaney for his own purposes. The unlikely trio find danger and surprises on the journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Year: 2010

Country: France | Angola

Rating:

Starring: Stephen Spinella, Jack Plotnick, Wings Hauser, Roxane Mesquida, Ethan Cohn

Director: Quentin Dupieux

My Review: Wheely weird, wacky, wonderful - A story about a misunderstood tire. Rolling into a select number of small theaters, this movie tread on new ground, opened new avenues in avant-garde and deserves a hearty round of applause for its originality. In this low budget thriller, the audience (actual and cinematic) is challenged to understand the enigma of a sentient tire with telekinetic powers and a penchant for blowing up things. Filmed in a desert community, this murderous tire wreaks havoc on the unsuspecting residents while a strange cast of characters attempt to kill off the in-movie audience in order to end this bizarre experiment in surrealism. The acting for the most part (excepting that of Wings Hauser as the man in the wheelchair) was amateurish but acceptable. The writing and direction mark Quentin Dupieux as a director with some promise. This odd, over the top art movie was o.k. with me. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: When Robert, a tire, discovers his destructive telepathic powers, he soon sets his sights on a desert town; in particular, a mysterious woman becomes his obsession.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2011

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root

Director: Miguel Arteta

My Review: Tim Lippe (played by Ed Helms (Andy from the American version of 'The Office')) is selected to represent 'Brown Star Insurance' at this year's '2 Diamonds Award banquet'. Traveling from the small town of Brown Valley, Wisconsin to the big city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tim is thrust into the highly competitive world of cut throat independent insurance companies. In the arena of this do-or-die convention, Tim learns about love, crack, whores, and lovely crack whores. His worldly room mates get him into and out of various troubling scenarios. The things I liked about this movie? It wasn't scripted full of unbelievable over the top scenarios. Instead it attempted to bring the hi-jinks down to the level of everyman working class stooges. It did a good job at that. The story was fairly uninspiring, but the acting and chemistry were quite good. Insurance man (Ed Helms) was charming and somewhat more believable than other bigger than life comedians. I enjoyed the movie, and that gets it a 3 out of 5. Too bad the trailer spoiled most of the good parts.

Summary: Tim Lippe (Helms) was the guy people always thought would go places but then he just ... didn't. He's been living in über-sleepy Brown Valley, Wisconsin his whole life, still "pre-engaged" to his 7th grade teacher Macy Vanderhei (Weaver), while selling insurance to protect other people's dreams. But now, Tim's stalled life is about to get a kick-start because, for the first time in his 34 years, he's headed to a "major" metropolis - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - where he must try to save his company at a do-or-die insurance convention that, for him, will be entirely unconventional. From the minute he checks into his hotel with his ancient American Tourister and cummerbund money belt, it's clear Tim has no idea how the modern world really works. He is soon smitten with seductive Nebraskan insurance agent Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Heche) and awed by his experienced roommates...

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller

Year: 2011

Country: USA | Canada

Rating:

Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung

Director: Zack Snyder

My Review: Here's another graphic fantasy from the director/writer (screenplay) of 300 and Watchmen. Zack Snyder presents a twisted, visually stunning, roller coaster ride through the warped mind of one pre-lobotomy 'Baby Doll' and her bombshell cohorts. The movie was full of eye-candy, stunning cgi and pulse pounding action scenes. The story features Emily Browning as 'Baby Doll', a young woman abused by her 'evil-stepfather'. Incarcerated in an all-girls asylum, she joins forces with a few other 'inmates' to plan an escape. The story mixes fantasy and 'reality' to portray a world of pleasure and pain ruled over a staff of sadistic wardens. As the girls attempt to escape the 'reality' of their incarceration, the audience is thrilled by the highly erotic imagery of their imaginary battles. Unfortunately, this movie is plagued by an immense lack of story and character development. In it's current form, it serves simply as a template for a porno rip-off. The only merit lays in it's production, cgi, costumes and choreography. As a music video (or a series of music videos) it would be excellent. As a movie, it fails. If it wasn't for the hot bods, I'd give it a 1 out of 5. For visual effects and a hot cast in short skirts, I give it a 2 out of 5.

Summary: A young girl (Baby Doll) is locked away in a mental asylum by her abusive stepfather where she will undergo a lobotomy in five days' time. Faced with unimaginable odds, she retreats to a fantastical world in her imagination where she and four other female inmates at the asylum, plot to escape the facility. The lines between reality and fantasy blur as Baby Doll and her four companions, as well as a mysterious guide, fight to retrieve the five items they need that will allow them to break free from their captors before it's too late...

Genre: Drama

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Erin Wasson, Alexandra Williams

Director: Sofia Coppola

My Review: The writing, direction and acting were superb. Unfortunately for Sophia Coppola (Lost in Direction), the story is utterly boring. Seemingly shot as a documentary, here is the vacant and mundane story of one B-Grade actor. Stephen Dorff plays Johnny Marco, an American, Italian actor of average talent. Beset with the usual woes of a hollywood denizen, we're subjected to a front row show that features his marital woes, his lackluster career, his pedantic love life, the cliches of life in hollywood-land and his amazing daughter. The best part of this movie was Elle Fanning playing Cleo the 11-year old daughter. Her performance (at age 12) was amazing. The chemistry between the two was excellent. The movie's atmosphere and production were truly outstanding. The camera work was perfect. As was the pacing, dialog and direction. The character development was superb. Unfortunately, all this awesomeness was wasted on a totally boring story. The twin stripper scene at the beginning of the movie was charming but a bit disappointing (no actual stripping! - maybe there's an 'unrated' version?) I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Hollywood actor Johnny Marco, nested in his luxury hotel of choice, is a stimulated man. Drinking, parties and women keep a creeping boredom under wraps in between jobs. He is the occasional father of a bright girl, Cleo, who may be spoiled but doesn't act it. When Cleo's mother drops her off and leaves town, Johnny brings her along for the ride, but can he fit an 11-year-old girl into his privileged lifestyle?

Genre: Action, Drama, History, War

Year: 1951

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Van Johnson, Lane Nakano, George Miki, Akira Fukunaga, Ken K. Okamoto

Director: Robert Pirosh

My Review: Made in 1951, this movie (an obvious propaganda piece, which portrayed war as a glamorous, glorious and ultimately honorable undertaking) was made as a tribute to the Japanese-American soldiers who served in the 442nd Regiment during WWII. These brave Americans fought for the allies despite prejudice from fellow Americans and the policies of internment which imprisoned their family members inside the US. The film illustrates some of the racism and prejudice these men endured, but I found it's portrayals shallow and patronizing. While the movie attempts to speak of equality, it clearly feels like a patronizing, half-hearted attempt to pay lip-service to the Japanese-American community that suffered the sins of their ancestry. The combat segments of the film were lightly treated and less than realistic. The best part of the movie was the fact that some of the actors were obviously non-actors. Some of the cast was actually drawn from members of the 442nd Regiment. The diversity and genuine enthusiasm of the Japanese-American cast was the best part of this movie. I give it a 3 out of 5. This subject deserves a far better film. I wish I could find one.

Summary: A tribute to the U.S. 442nd Regimental Combat Team, formed in 1943 by Presidential permission with Japanese-American volunteers. We follow the training of a platoon under the rueful command of Lt. Mike Grayson who shares common prejudices of the time. The 442nd serve in Italy, then France, distinguishing themselves in skirmishes and battles; gradually and naturally, Grayson's prejudices evaporate with dawning realization that his men are better soldiers than he is. Not preachy.

Genre: Thriller

Year: 2010

Country: South Korea

Rating:

Starring: Do-yeon Jeon, Jung-Jae Lee, Seo Woo, Yeo-Jong Yun, Seo-Hyeon Ahn

Director: Sang-soo Im

My Review: Remake of a 1960 South Korean movie. I haven't seen the original, but I'd like to. This remake was excellent. The story - A wealthy family has a new maid. She's a single, divorced, young woman who hopes to start over. Finding this job may have been the best thing for her. The family is upper-class, snobbish, fully immersed in their culture of entitlement. Hoon is the patriarch of the family, the king of the castle, the master of his domain. When he takes an interest in Eun-yi, he doesn't even think about the consequences. Afterwards, Eun-yi wants to keep her job and keeps her mouth shut. The affair spawns consequences which make for excellent tension, suspense, drama and Tragedy! The acting was very good, and the script was very tightly written. I enjoyed the pacing, camera work and direction. The cultural references were outstanding. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A man's affair with his family's housemaid leads to a dark consequences.

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles

Director: Lee Unkrich

My Review: The third installment in this Pixar series. The whole gang is back together again. Woody the cowboy (voice Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voice Tim Allen), Jessie the cowgirl (voice Joan Cusack) and the rest of the posse are ready to take on their greatest challenge yet - the end of Andy's childhood. As Andy prepares to leave for college, he sets aside his toys and the gang is imperiled by the consequences. They end up at a daycare facility run by a gang of misfits, led by the sadistic strawberry scented teddy bear - 'Lots-o-Huggin' his gang of castaways run the daycare like Ghestapo in a gulag. The writing was superior, the cast magnificent (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton). The character development was great. The digital animation outstanding. I actually liked it better than the second movie. If you have kids, you may be watching this movie again, and again, and again… If so, at least it's an awesome movie. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it's all for one and one for all as they join Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear to plan their great escape.

Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

Year: 1959

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Marshall Thompson, Marla Landi, Bill Edwards, Robert Ayres, Bill Nagy

Director: Robert Day

My Review: A late 50s sci-fi horror flick. The space race has just begun, and Lt. Dan Prescott is one of that rare breed. The Navy test pilots who dared to drive the 'X' plane. Experimental aircraft, the kind that fly higher, faster, further than man has ever envisioned. Dan's brother, Cdr. Charles Prescott warns his brother; he's too reckless, he can't follow orders, he's pushing too far - but the warnings are ignored. Dan throws caution to the wind and flies into space. His stratospheric plane is peppered by a meteor shower, suffers a malfunction and starts to plummet earthwards. When the rescuer crew reaches the wreck, there's no body to be found, but the 'X-Plane' is covered in some sort of metallic coating. Soon afterwards, a mutant appears, slaughtering cattle, then people. Guess who the mutant is? Goofy 50s sci-fi. One of my favorite genres. Despite the bad acting, the pacing was perfect and the story kept me interested. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Navy test pilot Lieut. Dan Prescott, in experimental rocket plane Y-13, disobeys orders and becomes the first man to fly outside the ionosphere. Unable to turn, he ejects...and is plastered with metallic meteor dust. The pilot compartment lands with no trace of the pilot... but first cattle, then people, are found with their throats cut as if with an axe, by something that seems to have a craving for blood...

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Year: 2011

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ramon Rodriguez, Will Rothhaar, Cory Hardrict, Jim Parrack

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

My Review: The city of Los Angeles is ground zero in this sci-fi action extravaganza. The movie features a young cast of new actors, and it functions well in that regard (introducing and exposing the new talent to American audiences). Unfortunately, the writing was horrible. The story - A meteor swarm is set to crash into the earth, but it's only hitting water? An alien invasion that we couldn't see coming, couldn't see changing course, couldn't see changing velocity, couldn't see until they entered our atmosphere… The movie starts with a rather preposterous scenario and the ridiculous stuff piles up as the movie continues. The U.S. Army is mobilized to fight the alien ground forces. Things are going well until the aliens roll out their Air Force. That's when things turn against the humans. Of course the aliens have a weakness… A weakness so fatal that a small squad of 5 or 6 marines manages to single-handedly defeat the entire invasion force (in Los Angeles). The movie was filled with cliches, poorly developed stereotypical characters, improbably circumstances, and ridiculous dialog. The action was great, the shaky cam not so much. The acting poor, the direction fair. The cgi was poor. Good with the far away shots, but rather blurry beyond arms length. The worst part was the writing. A $70,000,000.00 waste of time. I just couldn't dig it. 2 out of 5.

Summary: Los Angeles and other cities around the world are being bombarded by meteors that seem to be slowing down once they hit the earth's atmosphere. The earth is suddenly being invaded by space aliens that have landed off the shore of LA, and who begin killing everybody along the beach. The military is ordered into action. Marine Staff Sergeant Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), who was about to retire, is reassigned to a new platoon. The platoon, flown by chopper to the forward operating base at Santa Monica Airport, is being led by a new 2nd Lt. Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez). They are sent on a mission to rescue some civilians who are trapped at the police station within alien territory. They only have 3 hours to complete their mission and get out before the Air Force bombs that zone.