The Artist

☆☆☆☆
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The Artist is an original (certainly not the first…but creative and non-traditional) black and white silent (for the most part) film that tells the entertaining story of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) a silent film star whose career comes to a halt when the “talkies” come to Hollywood.

Writer/Director Michel Hazanavicius brings the silent film genre back to life with a whole lot of heart and fun…along with excellent performances by Berenice Bejo (rising star Peppy Miller) and Dujardin (George).
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The story is not new (hints of “Sunset Blvd”)

“The Artist” reminds us that we don’t always need all the special effects, over-the-top action scenes, and multi-million-dollar budgets to make a movie great.


Rated PG-13
1 hr. 40 min.

See the trailer for "The Artist."

War Horse

☆☆☆

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Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Morpurgo, “War Horse” is the moving story of Albert (Jeremy Irvine), a teenage boy who becomes attached to his family’s horse (Joey). The pair are separated by war…both going to battle.
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In many ways the movie is just too perfect (the overdone final shot of the family), and in other ways far from perfect (inconsistencies with the horses used).

Films use manipulation…but Spielberg over did it in this one.

Underdeveloped characters and storylines

Rated PG
2 hr. 26 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer!

We Bought a Zoo

☆☆☆1/2
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“We Bought a Zoo” (based on the book of the same name by Benjamin Mee) is the charming true story of a father (Benjamin Mee played with care by Matt Damon), in a struggle to keep his family together, buys a run-down house with a built-in “bonding project”…a zoo on the property.

Maggie Elizabeth Jones who plays Mee’s 7-year-old daughter Rosie is a natural in front of the camera.
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Director Cameron Crowe gives us a film that is just a little too sweet, and it begs the question: How much did the screenwriters enhance the real story?

The relationship of Benjamin’s 14-year-old son with a zoo employee doesn’t work…or even make sense.

Rated PG
2 hr. 4 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

☆☆☆
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Robert Downey (and some very good special effects) takes a so-so movie and makes it a little better in a return performance as detective Sherlock Holmes.
Joined by his faithful sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law) and gypsy Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace star of the Swedish version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), Holmes faces-off with Professor Moriarty who has an evil plan to assassinate key European diplomats creating a war…from which he plans to benefit.
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“…A Game of Shadows” is somewhat confusing and way too long.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 8 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

My Week with Marilyn

☆☆☆☆

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Michelle Williams, in an Oscar worthy performance, embodies the iconic Marilyn Monroe…who while filming “The Prince and the Showgirl” meets, befriends, and spends a memorable week with Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) a young Oxford graduate working as an assistant on the film.

Even with the physical differences between Williams and Monroe, It’s easy to forget you are not watching Marilyn.
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I found myself wanting more than just a week.


Rated R
1 hr. 39 min.


Visit the website and see the trailer!

Young Adult

☆☆☆

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Charlize Theron’s Golden Globe nominated performance is the best reason to see “Young Adult”…the story of Mavis Gary (Theron), a writer who returns to her hometown and makes a desperate attempt to get her now married high school boyfriend back.

The ending offers some hope.
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Hard-to-watch movie with a pathetic main character that makes a viewer want to jump into the screen to keep her from screwing-up everyone’s life…including her own

Rated R
1 hr. 33 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Shame

☆☆☆1/2

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“Shame” is the disturbing yet absorbing story of Brandon Sullivan (a raw performance by Michael Fassbender “X-Men: First Class”) a successful New Yorker trying to deal with an overpowering sexual compulsion.

When Sissy (another fine performance by Carey Mulligan) comes to stay with her brother he cannot tolerate her neediness, and her presence not only interrupts his secret life…it also reminds him of their terrible family history.



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The story and characters seem incomplete…more information about the terrible family history might add more depth.

Rated NC-17
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

The Muppets (2011)

☆☆☆1/2

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In this fun, heartwarming comedy Gary (Jason Segel), Mary (Amy Adams…in a role nearly as endearing as Giselle), and Walter (the Muppets’ biggest fan) leave Smalltown, USA for a Los Angeles vacation where they visit and end-up trying to help save the Muppet Theater…with the help of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and Animal.

All-Star supporting cast (including cameos): Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Alan Arkin, Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Zach Galifianakis, Kathy Griffin, Ricky Gervais, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, James Carville, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, John Krasinski, Sarah Silverman, and more.
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Each time the characters mention that they are in a movie…it pulls the viewers right out of the story.

Rated PG
1 hr. 42 min.

Visit the movie website and see the trailer!

Like Crazy

☆☆☆1/2

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In this award-winning film (Best Picture Sundance Film Festival), Anton Yelchin (“Charlie Bartlett”) and Felicity Jones give strong and truly genuine performances as Jacob and Anna…two people that meet and fall in love while attending college in Los Angeles.
Being a citizen of England, Anna is expected to return after graduation to comply with the rules of her visa.
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Time jumps and montages keep viewers from really knowing the characters and understanding their developing love.


An ending that some will love and others will hate.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 29 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!

Hugo

☆☆1/2

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Based on Brian Selznick's New York Times bestseller ("The Invention of Hugo Cabret”), Hugo is the curious story of an orphaned boy (another excellent performance by Asa Butterfield…”The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”) who lives in the walls of a Paris train station while desperately trying to complete a project he began with his late father…the rebuilding of an automaton.

Visually interesting…and the 3-D is worth the extra $$.
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So much potential…but there is very little magic, mystery, or adventure in this film.

Rated PG
2 hr. 6 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

☆☆

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“Twilight” fans are sure to enjoy “Breaking Dawn” (Part 1), based on Stephenie Meyer’s fourth novel.
The story of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) continues…marriage, honeymoon, and baby.

Great ending shot!
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Uneven acting, slow story, distracting make-up, more unintentionally funny moments….

Don’t leave too early…extra scene after the initial credits roll.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 57 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

The Descendants

☆☆☆☆1/2

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"The Descendants" (based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings) is the story of Matt King (one of George Clooney’s best performances to date) and his two daughters (Scottie played by Amara Walker and Alexandra played by Shailene Woodley) who are forced to come together and deal with a family crisis.

Director Alexander Payne ("Sideways") skillfully manages to balance heartbreak and humor.

Look for Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best Actor (Clooney), and possibly Best Supporting Actress (Shailene Woodley).
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There are times when you don’t know whether you should laugh or cry.

The voiceover may not work for some viewers.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.


Visit the website and watch the trailer!

J. Edgar

☆☆☆☆

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“J. Edgar,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio in an award-winning performance, is a fascinating look at the public and private life of the enigmatic J. Edgar Hoover…a man who headed the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years…all the while struggling with a personal secret.
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How much fact?
How much fiction?
How much embellishment?

Rated R
2 hrs. 17 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

Jack and Jill

☆☆1/2


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In this crazy comedy that delivers plenty of laughs, Adam Sandler stars as Jack…a Los Angeles advertising executive…and Jill…Jack’s obnoxious twin sister from the Bronx who comes to visit, overstays her welcome, and turns everything upside down.
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“Jack and Jill” is a little too silly and has too much “potty” humor.

In an embarrassing supporting role, Al Pacino plays Al Pacino (with a twist)…an actor who falls head over heals for Jill.


Rated PG
1 hr. 33 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.

Tower Heist

☆☆☆

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"Tower Heist" is the amusing tale of employees from a New York high-rise who set out to get revenge on a billionaire resident who stole their pension fund.

Strong cast includes: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Tea Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe
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The resemblance to the Bernie Madoff case may turn-off some movie-goers.

Many of the movies best moments are in the trailer.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

In Time

☆☆☆1/2

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“In Time” is an original and thought-provoking futuristic action-thriller where time is used as currency…and human life only continues after age 25 by acquiring extra time.

Stars Justin Timberlake (who proves once again that he can stand his ground as an actor), Amanda Seyfried, and Cillian Murphy.
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Lacks character development

The message (rich vs.poor) is heavy-handed.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!

Real Steel

☆☆☆1/2

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Based on the short story "Steel," by Richard Matheson, “Real Steel,” starring Hugh Jackman as ex-boxer Charlie Kenton is a heartwarming story (set in the year 2020) of a father and son who connect through the popular sport of robot boxing.

The CGI robot boxing scenes add some fun and excitement.
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Sentimental and Predictable
Violence
Strong Language

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 6 min.

Visit the "Real Steel" site and watch the trailer!

Take Shelter

☆☆☆☆

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“Take Shelter” is a tense and absorbing drama (with a touch of the supernatural) starring Michael Shannon (Oscar nomination: “Revolutionary Road”) in an award-winning performance as Curtis LaForche…a family man struggling with violent dreams and hallucinations which cause him to behave in an irrational manner.

Is he foreseeing the future…or suffering from the initial stages of mental illness?

Jessica Chastain (“The Help”) turns-in an excellent performance as Curtis’ wife Samantha.

A thought provoking final scene that is open to interpretation.
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May be too slow, too long, and a bit confusing for some movie goers.

Rated R
2 hr.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

What's Your Number?

☆1/2


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“What’s Your Number” (inspired by Karyn Bosnak's novel “20 Times a Lady”) is the somewhat amusing comedy starring Anna Faris (full of potential as a comedic actress) as Ally Darling, who with the help of her neighbor (Chris Evans: “Captain America”), tracks down all of her ex-boyfriends…because she is certain one of them has to be the man for her.

A little “eye candy” for everyone.
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This movie should have been so much better…but it suffers from a terrible script.

Almost every line meant to be funny…falls short of a laugh.

If you want to see this movie, you better hurry!

Rated R
1 hr. 46 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.

The Ides of March

☆☆☆☆

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Based on the play “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon, “The Ides of March” is the smart and engaging story of Mike Morris (George Clooney… director and co-writer as well) a liberal thinking politician vying for the Democratic nomination for president.

Ryan Gosling gives a solid performance as Stephen Meyers…Morris’ campaign press secretary who ends-up in a political scandal that threatens their White House hopes.

Excellent cast: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, and Evan Rachel Wood
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People talk about the surprising political corruption depicted in this film…if anything it’s a mild look at the real thing.

“Ides…” doesn't quite reach the level of excitement that it should.


Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.

Visti the website and see the trailer!

50/50

☆☆☆1/2

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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.

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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

☆☆☆☆

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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.
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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

☆☆☆☆

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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.
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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

☆☆☆

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“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.

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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

☆☆☆

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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.
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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

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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.
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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

☆☆☆

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“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”).
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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

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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.
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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

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“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!
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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

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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)

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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

☆☆☆

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“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.
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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

☆☆☆

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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.
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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

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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.
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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

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“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.
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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

☆☆☆

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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.
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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

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“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.
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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

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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.
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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

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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

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“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.


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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

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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

☆☆☆

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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.
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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

☆☆☆

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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

☆☆☆☆

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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
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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

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“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
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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

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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”).
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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

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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

☆☆☆

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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…
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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

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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).
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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

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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…
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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

☆☆☆☆

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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.
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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!