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Mirror Mirror
Grade: B-
Director: Tarsem Singh
Actors: Julia Roberts, Lilly Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane
Rated: PG

This is the first of two films about Snow White this year. In this one, Snow (Lily Collins) is in exile. She decides to fight for her birthright and seven dwarves join her in her endeavor. There’s a prince (Armie Hammer), of course, and the evil queen (Julia Roberts). I’m going to admit that the previews did this movie no service. Or perhaps it did. I went into this movie expecting the worst, and was pleasantly surprised. It’s slightly twisted and fun. Collins has that ingénue quality that makes her perfect as Snow. Hammer is pretty enough to be Prince, but he also shows that he has some serious comedy chops. I think one of my favorite characters is the evil queen’s servant Brighton (Nathan Lane), whose slapstick and expressions made me giggle. It’s a fun movie for the family.
Wrath of the Titans
Grade: B-
Director: Dan Mazeau
Actors: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Gemma Arterton
Rated: PG-13

It’s been a decade since Perseus (Sam Worthington) has defeated the Kraken. The demigod tries to live a simple life, but the war between the gods and the Titans interferes. The gods are weak because the humans no longer believe in them. But it isn’t until Hades (Ralph Fiennes) makes a deal with the head of the Titans to capture Zeus (Liam Neeson), that Perseus realizes what he must do. The special effects and actions scenes are just as good as those in “Clash of the Titans” if not better. Worthington captures the emotional side of Perseus, which draws the audience into his quest. If you were a fan of the first film, you’ll enjoy this one just as much.

The Hunger Games
Grade: B+
Director: Gary Ross
Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Rated: PG-13

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is the protector and provider for her family. Her father was killed in a mining accident and her mother checked out when he died. Looking after her little sister has become Katniss’ main job. So much so that when her sister is picked for the Hunger Games, where opponents from each district fight to the death, Katniss volunteers in her place. Luckily for her, Katniss lives in a tough world that has taught her to face anything the games throw at her. But will she survive? Those of you whom have read the book will be ecstatic. It follows the book closely. I say this, with one small caveat. There is something toward the end that is missing from the film version and it is a very important part of the story. That said, it is hard to find fault with this adaptation. Lawrence is perfectly cast as Katniss. She’s so spot on physically and emotionally. She’s gets that this character is as tough and smart as they come but also vulnerable. I thought Woody Harrelson as Haymitch was bad casting – until I saw him the role.  Harrelson owns the part. He isn’t in it much, but one of my favorites was Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, who dresses Katniss for her interviews before the games. They have a moment that really sets the tone for the film. And there was great chemistry between Lawrence and her co-stars Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson. We don’t see a lot of Hemsworth in this first film, but it’s enough to understand how Kat feels for him. This is a movie I will see again and again. And I truly believe we’ll see colored hair, and crazy lashes and wildly bright eye shadows in the very near future. It’s a very fashion forward flick.

The Woman in Black
Grade: B-
Director: James Watkins
Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciaran Hinds
Rated: PG-13

My friend made the joke that “The Woman In Black” is her favorite of the Harry Potter films. Poor Daniel Radcliff it’s sometimes hard to see him as something other than Harry, but he does a fair job in this film. Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipps, who is grieving over his dead wife. He is closing the estate of a client and ends up in a house that’s is haunted. Turns out there’s a vengeful ghost there, who kills children. There isn’t a great deal new here. There are some good scares, and it’s so beautiful gothic. I’d go see it just for the cinematography.

Chronicle
Grade: B-
Director: Josh Trank
Actors: Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan, Dane DeHaan
Rated: PG-13

“ Chronicle” is about three high school students who make a discovery that gives them super powers. At first it’s all fun and games. But with power comes responsibility something one of them doesn’t understand. When you don’t use your super powers for good, bad things happen. That’s the lesson here. While director Josh Trank uses that found footage approach, he does it in a unique way way. And there’s actually character development, which you don’t always find in these films.

One for the Money
Grade: C
Director: Julie Anne Robinson
Actors: Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara, Daniel Sunjata, Debbie Reynolds
Rated: PG-13

I didn’t hate it. I went into “One for the Money,” which is based on one of my all-time favorite books, with low expectations. If you haven’t read the books, Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl) has been fired from her job selling lingerie at Macy’s. She convinces her cousin Vinny (Patrick Fischler) to give her a job as a bail bondsman. She isn’t very good at it, but she is tenacious. There’s an almost love triangle between former flame detective Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mara), Steph and the deadly recovery agent Ranger (Daniel Sunjata). And Steph doesn’t have a lot of luck with cars, or staying out of trouble. Here’s the thing, Janet Evanovich gave them great source material with her book. And while they stayed close to the main elements of her story, they lost the charm of what makes it special. It isn’t the cases Steph works. It’s about her relationships with the people around her. Director Julie Anne Robinson seems more concerned with  plot than character, and that’s a big mistake. But the biggest problem is the casting. I’m not a Heigl hater like many of my peers, but she was not right for this role. Steph does some crazy things, but she’s not a ditz. And as much as adore Debbie Reynolds, she is no Grandma Mazur. The one family scene, which should have been the funniest in the film, didn’t work because the casting was so wrong. I say that, but O’Mara and Sunjata were perfect for their roles, as was Sheri Shepard as Lula. If they kept those three and recast the rest of the film, I’d be in.

Man On A Ledge
Grade: C
Director: Asger Leth
Actors: Sam Worthington, Jamie Bell, Elizabeth Banks
Rated: PG-13

Go figure, there’s “A Man On A Ledge,” but what you don’t know is why he’s there. Unfortunately, thanks to the movie trailers, maybe you do. There’s marketing and then there’s giving away the entire plot in a 30-second trailer. Sam Worthington plays an ex-cop who is now a wanted fugitive. Elizabeth Banks plays the New York Police Department negotiator who is trying to him off the ledge. Of course, there’s a good reason he’s on the ledge, and he’ll stay there until the mission is accomplished. This is one of those movies that’s OK, but it could have been great. As long as you don’t think too much about the giant plot holes in the story, you’ll have a good time. 

The Grey
Grade: B-
Director: Joe Carnahan
Actors: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo
Rate: R

A plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness and several oilrig roughnecks must find a way to survive. Many of them have severe injuries. To add to their troubles, there is a vicious pack of Timber wolves trying to turn them into dinner. Liam Neeson’s character takes charge, but it isn’t easy. The Alaskan wilderness is unforgiving and it causes the men to have extreme reactions. This is edge of your seat action, and makes you wonder if you would have what it takes to survive – or even if you would want to survive given the circumstances. Neeson carries this film, which is full of unexpected surprises.

***Review Archive***

Haywire
Grade: B
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Actors: Gina Carano, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor
Rated: R

 Gina Carano, a mixed martial arts champion, stars as a Mallory Kane in this high-action thriller. Mallory is a trained operative, who takes on the dirtiest of jobs for a government security contractor. After completing a mission, she is double-crossed and left for dead. Assassins are following her every move and it will take everything she has if she wants to survive. Carano did most of her stunts for the film and it shows. Her strength and sexuality help excuse the flimsy plot. But we aren’t watching this for the story. It’s all about this chick who kicks butt. I like movies with strong female heroines and Mallory Kane is definitely that.

Extremely Loud, Incredibly Close
Grade: B-
Director: Stephen Daldry
Actors: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Max Van Sydow
Rated: PG-13

 Oskar (Thomas Horn) is determined to find out if his father, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11, left him a message. He believes the answer is somewhere in the city. His journey takes him through the boroughs of New York City, where he meets a variety of unusual people. Based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, the film is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. There are some great performances by Sandra Bullock, who plays Oskar’s mom, and Max Van Sydow, who’s character doesn’t speak. But the real star of this is Horn, who makes his character as believable as they come.

Contraband
Grade: B-
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Giavoanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster
Rated: R

Mark Wahlberg plays Chris Farraday, who gave up a life of crime long ago. His brother-in-law (Caleb Landry Jones) messes up a drug deal and now he’s in trouble with the big boss (Giovanni Ribisi). Chris was once a smuggler who was good at his job, and now he’s back in the business in order to save his brother-in-law. He soon learns the only person he can trust is himself. And he’ll have to perform a miracle if he wants to save his wife and son, who are being threatened. This is a gritty heist film that has just enough thrills to keep you going. I was expecting a train wreck and it was far from it.

Joyful Noise
Grade: B-
Director: Todd Graff
Actors: Queen Latifah Dolly Parton, Courtney B. Vance
Rated: PG-13

Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah) is the choir director of the Divinity Church Choir and she likes traditional music. Unfortunately, in order to win the National Joyful Noise Competition, traditional isn’t going to cut it. G.G. Sparrow (Parton) believes it is time to take a fresh approach. The two women clash. It doesn’t help that G.G.’s grandson (Jeremy Jordan) has his sights set on Vi’s daughter (Keke Palmer). Come on people. It’s Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton making music for the church choir. It’s fun stuff. The musical numbers are a delight and it’s just one of those movies that is good for the soul. 

 
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Grade: B
Director: David Fincher
Actors: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara
Rated: R

Michael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is a investigative journalist whose latest story has him in trouble. When he receives a lucrative job investigating a murder, he takes it. He hires the unusual and brilliant Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) to help him. The horrors they discover are something they could have never imagined. The film is faithful to the original book written by Stieg Larrsson. For those who saw the Swedish film, there isn’t a great deal new here. But I actually like this version better. The cinematography is beautiful and Rooney Mara is a marvel as Lisbeth. This movie is not for the faint of heart. There are some brutal rape scenes.

***

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Grade: B+

Director: Guy Ritchie

Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace

Rated: PG-13

 

In the latest installment of the Sherlock Holmes franchise, Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is about to get married no matter how hard Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to keep him from it. After a crazy night, they do make it to the wedding on time, a little worse for the wear. The wedding takes place, but the newly married couple is in danger from a mastermind of evil, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). The professor is determined to kill anyone Holmes cares about and at the same time create a great deal of trouble on a larger scale. This is fast-action fun, and it is every bit as delightful as the first one. In fact, I may have liked this one even better.

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Grade: B

Director: Brad Bird

Actors: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg

Rated: PG-13

 

Here’s what you can expect from the new “Mission: Impossible” film – non-stop, breathtaking fun. From the moment the film opens to the conclusion you are on the edge of your seat. And thanks to Simon Pegg, who plays tech expert Benji, you are in for a few laughs as well. Some of the special effects and fight choreography will blow your mind. You may have noticed that I haven’t talked much about the story – well, there is one and it isn’t bad. The IMF is shut down when they are accused of being global terrorists. The Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team must go underground if they are going to survive and clear the organization’s name. This is one intense film!

Young Adult

Grade: B-

Director: Jason Reitman

Actors: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson

Rated: R

 

Mavis Gray (Charlize Theron) is the author of a popular series of young adult books. She’s having a tough time writing the last novel in the series, and when she gets a notification that her high school sweetheart Buddy (Patrick Wilson), is about to have a baby with his wife she decides to head home. Mavis is determined to win her man, and help him escape his dull life. There’s just one problem, Buddy doesn’t think his life is so bad. However, Mavis’ life is a mess. Matt (Patton Oswalt), who was in high school with Mavis, becomes her friend. Though, she doesn’t truly appreciate him. This is one of those films where I like the people involved with it, but the film doesn’t quite work for me. I don’t know a single young adult novelist who acts like this. That said, Theron gives a powerful performance as this emotionally warped woman, who really has no life. There’s also a great turn by Oswalt. My one big problem is Mavis has no growth at all throughout the film. At the end, I was like, “Why did I watch this?” But like I said, the performances were great.

***Review Archive***

New Year’s Eve

Grade: C

Director: Gary Marshall

Actors: Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Josh Duhamel

Rated: PG-13

 

Here’s the thing: If you’ve seen “Valentine’s Day,” which was also directed by Gary Marshall, and you liked it, there’s a really good chance you’re going to like “New Year’s Eve.” The movie is several vignettes where different characters are in various situations on New Year’s Day. It’s not a bad movie, but it could have been better. There is such a disparity in the acting. You have Robert De Niro and Halle Berry in one scene, and then you have Ashton Kutcher or Jessica Biel in the next. Is it sad that the only couple with any chemistry at all was Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron? And that was more about friendship than anything. In fact, that was one of my favorite story lines. A very uneven piece, but if you’re looking for mindless fun, this is for you.

 

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy

Grade: B-

Director: Toas Alfredson

Actors: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Firth, Mark Strong

Rated: R

 

This is an international thriller set during the Cold War. A disgraced British spy, George Smiley (Gary Oldman), is secretly hired back by his government to track down a double agent at MI-6. The Circus, as the agency is called, has been compromised. Smiley has his work cut out for him as these are some of the best spies in the business. There were many surprises along the way, which is always a good thing in a thriller. The pacing was slow, but I liked that the movie didn’t always spell everything out. There are also some wonderful, understated performances by all involved.

***

Shame

Grade: B-

Director: Steve McQueen

Actors: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan

Rated: R

 

Brandon (Michael Fassbender) tries to keep his personal life as private as possible. But it isn’t easy since his addiction to sex seems to be taking over all parts of his life.  When his sister (Carey Mulligan) comes to town, his life becomes complicated to the point where he begins losing it. If you’ve been keeping tabs on Fassbender, you’ve seen him in everything from Magneto in “X-Men: Origins” to Mr. Rochester in “Jane Eyre.” He’s a versatile actor, and that’s never more evident than in “Shame.” Brandon is a character filled with pain and anger, and Fassbender puts everything he has on the screen. And I’m not talking about the full frontal nudity. This is a raw, emotional performance. He plays this seriously skeevy character and you can’t help but feel sorry for him. It’s a difficult film to watch, but worth it for his performance. Be aware, this film is about a man’s sexual addiction so there are a great many explicit  scenes.

***

The Muppets

Grade: B

Director: James Bobin

Actors: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Crhis Cooper

Rated: PG

 

I love “The Muppets.” Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and the whole gang are around for their latest movie and it’s a fun one. All the Muppets have gone their separate ways. Fozzie is performing in Vegas with a tribute band called the Moppets. Miss Piggy is a plus-sized fashion editor. Animal is in a clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a big-time plumber. But Kermit needs their help to save the old Muppet Theater so he reunites the whole gang. Gary (Jason Segal) and Mary (Amy Adams) also help Kermit and friends. You know there are a lot of younger kids who don’t even know who the Muppets are and this is a great way to introduce them. It’s fun for the whole family.

Hugo

Grade: B

Director: Martin Scorsese

Actors: Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen

Rated: PG

 

Based on the best-selling book, “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the movie, Hugo, follows fairly closely to its original source material. Hugo (Asa Butterfield) is a young boy living behind the walls of a Paris train station. His father is dead and his unreliable uncle has run off. He spends most of his days trying to make it look like he isn’t an orphan so that he doesn’t get sent to a home. He sets and repairs clocks in the station, and loves to tinker with machines. While trying to fix the automaton his father left him, Hugo ends up making a new friend and embarks on a journey to find answers to a fantastic secret. This is a magical film celebrating the best movies have to offer, and is quite honestly is my favorite Scorsese film ever.

Arthur Christmas

Grade: B-

Directors: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook

Voice Actors: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy

Rated: PG

 

Have you ever wondered how Santa (Jim Broadbent) gets all those toys delivered on one night? Well, the answer is in “Arthur Christmas” a delightful film for the whole family. Arthur (James McAvoy) is a somewhat clumsy guy, who also happens to be Santa’s son. But it’s Santa’s oldest son Steve (Hugh Laurie), who plans to take over the family business. Arthur gets involved in a plan to deliver a present that accidentally fell off the conveyor belt at the North Pole, and his life is forever changed. This is a fun family movie.

 

My Week With Marilyn

Grade: B

Director: Simon Curtis

Actors: Michelle Williams, Kennethy Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Dougray Scott

Rated: R

 

This is one of those movies where the actors make the film. Michelle Williams absolutely becomes Marilyn Monroe in this. The vulnerability and sensuality – it’s all there. The story is about a week where a lowly assistant, Colin (Eddie Redmayne), on the set of “The Prince and the Showgirl” gets to know Monroe and her co-star Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh). She was married to Arthur Miller (Dougray Scott) at the time, but the assistant wants to show her the British lifestyle. Expect a best actress nomination for Williams out of this one, and more than likely support nods for Branagh and Judi Dench.

***

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

Grade: B-

Director: Bill Condon  

Actors: Kristen Stewart, Rob Pattinson

Rated: PG-13

 

The first half of the book “Breaking Dawn” spends a great deal of time on the events leading up to, and the wedding, of Edward Cullen (Rob Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart). Then even more time on the strange pregnancy and conflict that goes along with what has happened to Bella. The film version takes moments from these big scenes and uses them wisely. The conflict between the Cullens and the wolves is intensified and the movie flies by. While the film follows the book fairly closely, there are enough changes to keep fans guessing what will happen next. I will remind parents that there is a honeymoon in this movie, though the romantic scenes are handled with a particularly light touch. I say, if your children are old enough to see the violence, they are old enough to see two people who are married making out.

The Descendents

Grade: B+

Director: Alexander Payne

Actors: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Judy Greer

Rated: R

 

When Matt King’s (George Clooney) wife suffers a boating accident in Hawaii, he suddenly finds himself re-examining his life. He doesn’t know anything about his own children and he must decide if he’s going to keep the family home or sell it. You may think you know how this movie is going to go, but it is full of surprises. There are tears and laughter, and Clooney gives an amazing performance.

Happy Feet 2

Grade: B-

Director: George Miller

Voice Actors: Elijah Wood, Brad Pitt, Robin Williams, Matt Damon

Rated: PG

 

Mumble (Elijah Wood), the dancing penguin, can’t believe his son Erik (Ava Acres) doesn’t like to dance. Embarrassed Erik runs away and discovers a penguin (Hank Azaria) that can fly. But there are powerful forces at work and Erik soon learns just how important his father is to all of the penguin nations. Here’s the thing, if you like penguins doing musical numbers, you’re going to like the movie. There are a few differences in the story, but it’s basically the same movie with new music.

Immortals

Grade: B-       

Director: Tarsem Singh

Actors: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Lutz, Stephen Dorff, Kellan Lutz

Rated: R

 

King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) is looking to release the Titans and end the reign of the Gods forever. Theseus, a poor outcast, is the only man who can bring Hyperion down, according to the Oracle (Frieda Pinto). The battles that ensue are intensely violent, and let’s face it, really cool. I went to this movie with no expectations and to see Henry Cavill without his shirt.  That is some man candy right there. The truth is, I was absolutely entertained. This is one of those movies where you sit back and have a good time. And while I enjoyed watching Cavill, Luke Evans, who plays Zeus, was a standout in this film.

J Edgar

Grade: B-

Director: Clint Eastwood

Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Judi Dench, Naomi Watts

Rated: R

 

The movie tries to show all sides of J. Edgar Hoover – the law enforcement part of his life, and the deeply private side that has been widely speculated about. Here’s the thing, trying to capture 48 years of a life is a tough task. Eastwood does a fair job of it, but I think it might have been better if he just took one part of that life and put the magnifying glass on it. There are great performances in this film, but the pacing is off and the movie is a bit of a mess.

***

In Time

Grade: B-

Director: Andrew Niccol

Actors: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy

Rated: PG-13

 

Justin Timberlake plays Will Salas, who is falsely accused of murder and stealing another man’s time. In this alternate world, you stop aging at 25, and a clock starts ticking and you might have another day to live, or 1000 years, depending on what the clock on your arm says. When you run out of time, you die. Will goes on the run with a rich man’s daughter (Amanda Seyfried) and they become the new Bonnie and Clyde of time stealing. This is one of those movies where the concept is cool, but the execution isn’t so great. The pacing is off and the dialogue needs a lot of work. There are giant holes in the story, especially toward the end. Still, there are some very pretty people to keep you entertained and I think most audiences will enjoy it.

Anonymous

Grade: B-

Director: Roland Emmerich

Actors: Rhys Ifans, Ed Hogg, Vanessa Redgrave, David Thewlis

Rated: R

 

“Anonymous” plays with the theory that William Shakespeare was not the person who actually wrote all the plays and sonnets we attribute to him. In this theoretical version, the Bard was actually the Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans), who used his plays against the political machinations of Elizabethan England. The story weaves back and forth through time with a great deal of political intrigue and broken hearts along the way. The film is well acted and the story so twisted and complicated that it keeps your interest until the very end. There’s been a lot said about the historical inaccuracies in the film, but these people are missing the point. This is alternate historical view and pure fiction. And in that respect it works.

The Rum Diary

Grade: B+

Director: Bruce Robinson

Actors: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Giovanni Ribisi

Rated: R

 

When you read a Hunter S. Thompson novel you know you’re going to be in for an interesting ride. Sometimes that ride is funny and sometimes its heartbreaking, but you are never bored. Director and screenwriter Bruce Robinson took the best bits of Thompson’s somewhat autobiographical “Rum Diary” and turned it into a fun ride filled with quirky characters. There are moments of this movie that are absolutely brilliant and I have a feeling there will be quotes pulled that will be used for years to come. It’s far from perfect. The pacing is off and sometimes the motivations of the characters are a bit murky. That said, it’s worth the price of admission to watch Johnny Depp, Michael Rispoli and Giovanni Ribisi working together.

Puss In Boots

Grade: B

Director: Chris Miller

Voice Actors: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galafianakis

Rated: PG

 

Here’s the truth: I went into this movie thinking a prequel to “Shrek” wasn’t such a good idea. Those movies are funny, but they probably should have stopped with the first one. So imagine my surprise when I found “Puss In Boots” absolutely engaging. The jokes are funny and the story moves right along. Banderas (Puss) we know from the other films is great with the one-liners, but he carries this film in a purrrific way. We get the chance to see the cat behind the legend, which makes for a fun ride for the whole family.

***

Footloose

Grade: B-

Director: Craig Brewer

Actors: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Denis Quaid, Andie MacDowell

Rated: PG-13

 

Director Craig Brewer took a great movie and gave it a face-lift with his new version of “Footloose.” There are few changes to the story and one of the elements I found interesting was he gives viewers a reason to really connect Ren (Kenny Wormald) that we didn’t have in the first film. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Kevin Bacon, but this film is less superficial than the first one. You understand why dancing is so important to Ren because it is his way of expressing himself. But the reason we want to see “Footloose” is the dancing. In that respect, this film shines. This isn’t Kevin Bacon with a few cool moves. This is hardcore make you gasp with delight as Wormald and Julianne Hough are a delight to watch. This is foot-stomping fun and I walked away with a crush on Miles Teller, who plays Ren’s friend Willard. It’s rated PG-13 for mild language and drug use.

 

The Thing

Grade: C

Directors: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., Matthijs van Heijningen

Actors: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Eric Christian Olsen, Joel Edgerton

Rated: R

 

Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Kate, who is a paleontologist hired by a mad scientist, Sander (Ulrich Thomsen), to travel with his research assistant Adam (Eric Christian Olsen) to Antarctica to investigate a peculiar creature found in the ice. You might be able to guess what that “Thing” is. It takes on whatever life form it touches and kills everything around it. Special effects are pretty decent, but over all it took too long to get scary or interesting. Its fun, but I don’t think it will resonate as much as John Carpenter’s 1982 version.

 

The Big Year

Grade: B-

Director: David Frankel

Actors: Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Jack Black

Rated: PG

 

Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson star as rival birdsmen competing to have the “big year,” a challenge for bird watchers to have more bird sightings in one year than anyone else. Kenny (Wilson) is the reigning champion and he will do anything to keep the title. Brad (Black) and Brian (Martin) are trying to chase his title. It’s kind of like “Canon Ball Run” or “Mad, Mad World” but with birds. Those birds and scenery are beautiful.

Real Steel

Grade: B-

Director: Shawn Levy

Actors: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo

Rated: PG-13

 

“Real Steel” is set in the future at a time where boxing is now done by steel robots, and washed up fighters such as Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) are out of jobs. Charlie is having a run of bad luck. His son, Max (Dakota Goyo), wants his dad to build a robot that can fight in the big rings. It’s an impossible task, but father and son eventually take it on together. This is a high-energy robot boxing film, blended with a father and son bonding movie, and it works. The action scenes are fun to watch, and there is real emotion during the quieter times. It is violent, so parents beware.

 

Ides of March

Grade: B

Director: George Clooney

Actors: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Rated: R

 

I like George Clooney as a filmmaker. He has a way of letting the story unfold that keeps you tied to screen, and at the same time is able to pull incredible performances from his actors. In this one, Clooney plays a presidential candidate. It’s the last days before a presidential primary in Ohio. The stress is high and campaign press secretary Stephen (Ryan Gosling) finds himself in the middle of a scandal. This is dark and cynical, and dirty politics at its best. Based on the play “Farragut North,” this is a tightly wound political thriller that will surprise you to the end.

Drive

Grade: B

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Actors: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston

Rated: R

 

Driver (Ryan Gosling) is a wheelman in Los Angeles. He does stunt driving for movies and sometimes works for armed robbers. As much as he tries to be a loner, he can’t help falling for his neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan). She’s a young mom and her ex-husband (Oscar Issac) is not a great guy. They all end up in a bad situation and it’s up to Driver to protect Irene and her child. This is one surprising film. It’s definitely action-packed but there is solid acting and more to the story than meets the eye. It’s compelling and turns the genre on its head.

 

I Don’t Know Why She Does It

Grade: C

Director: Douglas McGrath

Actors: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan

Rated: PG-13

 

Sarah Jessica Parker plays an overworked and overwhelmed mother, who is having a tough time finding balance. There are the requisite not-so understanding co-workers and bosses. There are the mean girls, which in this case are stay-at-home moms. And then there’s the mostly understanding husband played by Greg Kinnear. This isn’t anything you haven’t seen before. It my have some appeal for new working moms, but that’s about it.

Contagion

Grade: B

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Actors: Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Maron Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow

Rated: R

 

Gwyneth Paltrow plays a character who picks up a nasty virus during her travels. Eventually, that virus spreads all over the world and kills many of the people it touches. Scientists including Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) and Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard) search to find a cure. Then there are those such as Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law), who are taking advantage of the situation by spreading fear and profiting off of it. Here’s the thing about this movie. It is well crafted and interesting. But ultimately it’s cold. Director Steven Soderbergh doesn’t give you the opportunity connect with any of the characters. He had ample opportunity with Matt Damon’s character, but it doesn’t happen. This is a good movie that could have been great if Soderbergh had given us a chance to care what really happened to the characters.

***

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

Grade: B-

Director: Troy Nixey

Actors: Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison

Rated: R

 

The original movie “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” was a made for TV movie in 1973. It starred Kim Darby and Jim Hutton as a married couple who inherited an old mansion where there were things that wanted to make the wife one of them. Written by Guillermo del Toro (“Hellboy,” “Pans Labyrinth”) and Matthew Robbins (“Mimic”), the new version stays true to the idea of the first film, but is much creepier. Alex Hurst (Guy Pearce) is restoring a gothic mansion with is girlfriend, Kim (Katie Holmes). The old house is scary for Alex’s daughter Sally (Bailee Madison). When she hears strange voices, she tries to tell the grownups, but no one believes her. The movie is filled with mystery and suspense, but it is far from perfect. There are times when the filmmaker doesn’t trust the audience enough and too much detail is given. That slows down the pace a few times. The demon-like creatures were also a disappointment. I would have preferred to have never seen them. But for a good, old-fashioned gothic horror film, this will definitely do.

 

My Idiot Brother

Grade: C+

Director: Jesse Peretz

Actors: Paul Rudd, Zooey Deschanel, Elizabeth Banks, Steve Coogan.

 

Paul Rudd plays the absolutely clueless Ned, a free-spirited, happy guy who refuses to grow up. His life takes a tumble when his girlfriend kicks him off their organic farm and his sisters have to take him in. They take turns and causes trouble everywhere he goes because he is always honest – about everything. Even though he drives them crazy, the sisters eventually come to understand that their brother might not be so crazy after all. I think you have to be a big Paul Rudd fan to really enjoy this movie. He is good at playing innocent goofs. Unfortunately, the sisters are too shrewish and their motivations are out of whack in the film. Rudd is no dud, but this film is.

The Change-Up

Grade: C

Director:

Actors: Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds

Rated: R

 

You’ve seen this movie before, but perhaps in not such a crude fashion. Two friends, played by Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds, make a wish that they could have the other one’s life –- and it happens. The family man becomes the bachelor, and the bachelor becomes the family man. There are funny moments in this film, but it’s crude when it doesn’t need to be. So much so that at times that it feels as though the crudeness takes away from the film. It seems as though it is trying to hard to be “The Hangover” but it doesn’t fit the story.

 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Grade: B-

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Actors: James Franco, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto

Rated: PG-13

 

I’ve never been a big fan of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise. But this movie is unlike any that has been produced before. The premise is a scientist (James Franco) searches for a way to cure his father (John Lithgow). The drug the scientist develops actually increases intelligence. There is an incident and the program is shut down. The apes are sent off to an abusive animal shelter and that is when the real trouble begins. Caesar (played digitally by Andy Serkis), the smartest of the apes, begins to organize his kind and war breaks out between the apes and the humans. As I mentioned, this isn’t like any of the previous film. It’s fast-paced and the ape story is compelling. If I liked movies about really smart apes, I would probably like this one. (Smile)

***