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| Hugo
Directed by Martin Scorsese | A movie about the movies, Hugo is cinematic magic. Hugo is an orphan who lives in a train station winding the clocks. His search to fix his late father's automaton leads him to befriend a toy maker with a secret. The production design is exquisite and the movement of people and trains mimic the clock movements throughout the film. Martin Scorsese is at his non-bloody best -- this film is for all ages! - Review by JR |
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| The Other "F" Word
Directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins | Pennywise is a punk band that has grown a little long in the tooth. Their lead singer, Jim Lindberg, sings punk anthems against authority on stage and goes home to his three young daughters. It is this contradiction that is at the center of this thoughtful and funny documentary. Duane Peters, of U.S. Bombs, is particulary touching as he speaks about his reaction to his son's death. Interesting topic - great documentary. - Review by JR |
 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Directed by Rupert Wyatt | OK, I thought, a movie where a primate is the main character can't possibly be interesting. But... I took it home for my sons and got sucked into the vortex of this film. Computer graphics have come a long way and the images that are created are almost heartbreaking. In addition to being a good action movie, it succeeds at being a good movie, period. - Review by JR |
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| Colombiana
Directed by Olivier Megaton | Action-packed revenge flick with a solid cast and good script -- almost unheard of. Young Cataleya watches as her parents are gunned down and waits 15 years for her revenge against the cartel that killed them. There have been a number of films lately that show strong female action figures -- Salt, for example. This ranks with the best. - Review by JR |
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| Morning Glory
Directed by Roger Michell | Becky, a determined and relentlessly cheerful producer, is working her way up in the morning news show world. When she gets the opportunity to work on a new show, she starts pushing for ratings in a way that will have you cheering. This movie has some truly laugh-out-loud funny moments. Enjoy! - Review by JR |
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| Inside Job Directed by Charles Ferguson | Winner of the Oscar for Best Documentary this year, Inside Job details the housing market downturn that got us into this economic mess. Excess, scary market deals, and the new derivatives market show a financial world that remains out of control. It outlines how we got here, the government bailout and also the lack of accountability that keeps the problems flowing. - Review by JR |
 | Winter's Bone Directed by Debra Granik | Dark, intensely emotional film about a girl searching for her father on the run from the law who put their house up as bail. What she finds is maybe not unexpected, but what we find is that she's got a backbone made of steel. Often violent, the movie depicts the desperate way of life for many in the area. The evocative, beautiful Ozarks landscape is a character in itself. - Review by JR |
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| The Social Network Directed by David Fincher | Thought-provoking film about the founding of Facebook, with a star turn by Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The film shoots back and forth between the circumstances surrounding the beginning of Facebook and depositions taking place in regards to that beginning. Wonderful film! Concentrate, though, because the verbal action is fast! - Review by JR |
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| Sherlock, Season 1 | "Another Sherlock?" you say. But this one is great -- even though it's not Jeremy Brett. This BBC series brings Sherlock into the 21st century with new locked room mysteries, Watson as a vet from Afghanistan, and Sherlock as a "high functioning sociopath." Great fun! - Review by JR |
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| Easy A Directed by Will Gluck | Great comedy about the consequences of rumor and ostracism. Although primarily for teens, Emma Stone's Olive is so witty and her situation so heady, that adults will love this. Olive unknowingly sparks a rumor about her sex life that takes a turn for the worse. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, as Olive's parents, are wonderfully loony. Enjoy! - Review by JR |
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| Inception Directed by Christopher Nolan | "What's this film about?" I asked. "Think of it as Dreamquest on steroids," was the response. So not right, because this movie was truly better than that old 80s flick could ever be. The premise is that a group of people can enter your dreams and steal secrets, but in this case, they plant an idea. It is very involved and complex with an incredible performance by DiCaprio, reminiscent of Shutter Island. This is a great movie, but be warned: Those not paying attention will be lost -- quickly. - Review by JR |
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| Let the Right One In Directed by Tomas Alfredson | I know that many people don't like to read subtitles while watching a movie, but this movie may make you a believer in international films. Critically acclaimed as a fascinating vampire film, Let the Right One In draws you into a budding childhood relationship that is truly death defying. The horrifying final scenes alone are worth the buildup. - Review by JR |
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| Dexter, Season 1 | Dexter Morgan is a serial killer who only kills other baddies. Based on a series of mysteries by Jeff Lindsay, this sharp Showtime series does a great job of challenging the viewer into rooting for the bloody vigilante sans conscience. Although not for the squeamish (and definitely not for the kids!), it's an interesting series that will keep you on edge. - Review by JR |
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| Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Directed by Mike Newell | Dastan is on the run with a beautiful princess after being accused of murdering his father, the king. All the components are there -- the conniving family, the mysterious woman, the dangerous dagger, and assassins -- but what really shines in this film is the stuntwork. My favorite character was the greedy businessman played by Alfred Molina -- hilarious! Amazing action film that our family really enjoyed! - Review by JR |
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| The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Directed by Niels Arden Oplev | With so much hype surrounding the book, I was skeptical that anyone could make a great movie out of it. This movie, however, does the book justice and takes the viewer on a thrill ride from beginning to end. Both storylines are well thought out and depict two women -- the troubled Lisbeth Salander and the missing Harriet Vanger -- who resolve their problems in unusual style. Not for the faint of heart, the film is graphic and depicts very adult themes. Hollywood is making a remake of it, but I can't see how they could have done it better. - Review by JR |
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| The Princess and the Frog Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker | One of Disney’s best, I think, since Beauty and the Beast, especially the music which was lively and original. Finally an African American princess, and she spends most of the movie as a frog -- albeit an adorable one! - Review by HK |
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| Sherlock Holmes Directed by Guy Ritchie | Those looking for the pipe-smoking, deerstalker cap-wearing pedant will be disappointed here. Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock is more the man of action and Guy Ritchie's direction helps the film keep its sense of humor. Action, mystery, and humor mix together to create a fun whirlwind with a somewhat outlandish plot -- but would you expect anything less? - Review by JR |
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| The Hurt Locker Directed by Kathryn Bigelow | The horror, heartbreak, and urgency of war provide the backdrop for Kathryn Bigelow's nail-biting masterpiece, The Hurt Locker. Filmed on location in the Middle East, the film follows three EOD (Explosive Ordinance Detonators) techs as they come face to face with death-dealing weapons and the people who use them. It made me glad for my humdrum life. - Review by JR |
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| The September Issue Directed by R.J. Cutler | Always seeming slightly ridiculous, the world of fashion has never interested me -- but this film sure did. Focusing on the publication of the September issue of Vogue (the magazine's biggest issue of the year), this documentary shows Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, and her incomparable fashion editor Grace Coddington hard at work to make the magazine the best it can be. Appalling, touching, eye-opening, this film depicts the insecure world of those at the top of fashion and how they stay there. - Review by JR |
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| Star Trek Directed by J.J. Abrams | Wow! I never knew how much I liked Star Trek until I saw this film. Exciting, suspenseful, and action-packed, this movie is the way I wish the series had been (although the series did have a certain charm). Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are great as Kirk and Spock, but Simon Pegg stole the show for me as Scotty. All your old friends are here -- including one who comes as a surprise. A fun movie! - Review by JR |
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| Grey Gardens Directed by Albert and David Maysles | The basis for a recent film of the same name starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore, this 35-year-old documentary from the Maysles brothers (cinema verite pioneers) shows these two decidedly eccentric women in their element -- seldom venturing from their dilapidated home, living in the past, and with nothing to propel their lives but visions of their salad days. Funny, sad, and disturbing by turns -- watch it before you see the movie. - Review by JR |
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