Green Zone

Title: Green Zone
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Amy Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Antoni Corone, Nicoye Banks
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Adaptation, War
Running Time: 1 hour. 55 minutes
Release Date: March 12th, 2010
MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'Green Zone' does look at the war in Iraq in a way not seen too often in Hollywood. The political arguments are hardly new, more like beat to death, but still, it is not the usual war film angle. However, the visual stylings are spread on too thick and as a result the experience is grainy, shaky, bouncy, filled with sharp (& annoying) light flashes, and the sound is on steroids. The end result: an assault on the eyes as well as the ears, and not in a good way. Perhaps the intention was to make the viewer feel as if he/she is in the scene, but in actuality, the viewer ends up wishing he/she wasn't even in the room.

Grade: 5

Brooklyn's Finest

Title: Brooklyn's Finest
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes,
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Crime
Running Time: 2 hours. 5 minutes
Release Date: March 5th, 2010
MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'Brooklyn's Finest' is not really I film I've been looking forward to seeing; I ended up seeing it by the choice of a friend. It is not a bad film, but it certainly is not good either. It is OK. It is well casted, the acting is fairly solid, and it had a grittiness that is intriguing. And while all that sounds appealing, the cliches are spread too thick, and 'Brooklyn's Finest' end up lacking authenticity and credibility. When you watch it, you get the impression that the Director was shooting for a 'Crash'-esque "mixed storyline" effect, but 'Brooklyn's Finest' fall short, and we are left with a choppy, non-coherent film that never comes together.

In the very same way that TNT's 'Southland' seems more like a film than a TV series, but with the polar-opposite effect, 'Brooklyn's Finest' seems more like a [crappy] TV series than a film. Don't be sad if you miss this one.

Grade: 4.5

Avatar

Title: Avatar
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Running Time: 2 hour. 40 minutes
Release Date: December 18th, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I've had countless conversations about this particular film since I first saw it. A lot of people I know absolutely LOVE 'Avatar', and it is not hard to see why; the special effects and the beautiful world they created is absolutely mesmerizing; seeing the whole film in 3D is mindbogglingly spectacular; 'Avatar' truly is out of this world. However, if you strip away the razzle dazzle, if you examine the story, the characters, the acting, the directorial work, if you really look at the film 'Avatar' it is just another blockbuster action movie.

Don't get me wrong, it is a very good version of the old tried & true end-of-the-world blockbuster action movie. I enjoyed watching it. But is it good enough to wipe the floor with all the other awards contenders from 2009? Fuck no. In certain categories (like special effects), hell yes! And although it definitely is "The Movie of the Year", it is certainly not "The Best Movie of the Year". So, come Sunday, if 'Avatar' manages a clean sweep, I will let you know right now: I will be pissed. Just, you know, FYI.

The bottom line: See 'Avatar', if you have not already, preferrably in IMAX 3D.

Grade: 8

Alice in Wonderland

Title: Alice in Wonderland
Directed by: Tim Burton
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska, Matt Lucas, Johnny Depp, Stephen Fry
Genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hour. 49 minutes
Release Date: March 5th, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG

Review: Nothing can save 'Alice'. Not even 3D, plenty of CG-enhancement, an amazing crew or the cast. The end result is boring, uninventive, and way too tame for what is supposed to be a trip. Very, very, disappointing!

Grade: 4

Shutter Island

Title: Shutter Island
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow
Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller, Adaptation
Running Time: 2 hour. 18 minutes
Release Date: February 19th, 2010
MPAA Rating: R

Review: I have been looking forward to this Scorsese-directed thriller for quite some time. Now, after having suffered through it, I wonder why. While 'Shutter Island' is well crafted visually, it is much too predictable, and instead of a cliff-hanger we end up with a boring, heavy, film that is more a test in patience than entertainment. Pass on this one. Seriously.

Grade: 4

The Wolfman

Title: The Wolfman
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving
Genres: Suspense/Horror, Thriller, Remake
Running Time: 2 hour. 5 minutes
Release Date: February 12th, 2010
MPAA Rating: R

Review: While being quite appealing visually, and having a dream cast as well as a dream crew, 'The Wolfman' still manages to be a dud. For me personally, the unnecessary gore set the tone right from the start. What is supposed to be suspenseful, quickly becomes ridiculous, and I found myself bored and halfheartedly amused for all the wrong reasons throughout the remainder of this very long flick. Several of the cast members are personal favorites of mine, which makes the disappointment even that much greater. Don't waste your time on this one.


Grade: 3.5

Crazy Heart

Title: Crazy Heart
Directed by: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, James Keane (II), Anna Felix
Genres: Drama, Musical, Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hour. 51 minutes
Release Date: December 16th, 2009
MPAA Rating: R

Review: I saw this movie a few weeks ago, and I've been meaning to post this review for a while, but didn't get to it until today. So, long over due, but 'Crazy Heart' is definitely worth the wait.

'Crazy Heart' is an amazing film, with beautiful performances from both Mr. Bridges & Ms. Gyllenhaal. It is well directed, superbly acted, it is visually gorgeous in all its worn out despair, and it has a heartfelt story. The end result: 'Crazy Heart' is one of the best of 2009, hands down. One of the very few Must See films of last year's crop.

Mr. Bridges is clearly born to play this role, in much the same way as Mickey Rourke was born to portray The Ram in last year's 'The Wrestler'. And, Ms. Gyllenhaal is absolutely wonderful as well (no surprise there, she is always amazing!). I was so excited to see the team behind this film receive a few nods for all their hard work. Any recognition for this film is well deserved, and I'll definitely be crossing my fingers for these guys, come the big awards. I could not recommend this film enough. See it.

Grade: 9.5

When In Rome

Title: When In Rome
Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson
Starring: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Anjelica Huston, Danny DeVito, Will Arnett
Genres: Romance, Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour. 31 minutes
Release Date: January 29th, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: You may wonder why the hell I would be watching movies like these when I am a declared Rom-Com hater? Well, a have a friend that loves going to the movies just as much as I do, the only difference being she has shit taste in movies. We have a every-other picking order worked out, and it just so happens that yesterday's film was her pick. And subsequently, I'm stuck with 'When In Rome'.

And, for what it is, it does not disappoint; 'When In Rome' is cute, cheesy, predictable, and a little bit funny. A good movie? Not in a million years. A cookie-cutter Rom-Com? You bet.

Grade: 4

Youth In Revolt

Title: Youth In Revolt
Directed by: Miguel Arteta
Starring: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Zach Galifinanakis, Erik Knudsen
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Adaptation, Family
Running Time: 1 hour. 30 minutes
Release Date: January 8th, 2010
MPAA Rating: R

Review: Micheal Cera as his alter ego is absolutely brilliant. Michael Cera as Nick has his moments of hilarity. The rest of the film; from lightly giggle-inducing to jawdroppingly awful. The first real disappointment of the new year. Please, please, pretty please, let it get better from here.

Grade: 6

Up In The Air

Title: Up In The Air
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Danny McBride
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hour. 49 minutes
Release Date: December 4th, 2009
MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'Up In The Air' is kind of like Mr. Clooney; funny, charming, and good looking. As would be expected coming from Jason Reitman, you say, and bring up 'Juno' as the example to prove your point. 'Jennifer's Body' is my quick retort, proving beyond any argument that you can never know with this guy. Luckily, this one is more like his first venture than the latter.

Anna Kendrick is quickly moving her way up on my list of favorite actresses, going from being a peripheral side-kick to Kristen Stewart in that horrible hack job 'Twilight', to being funny as all hell in 'New Moon', to holding her own against George Clooney in 'Up In The Air'. Not a bad ascent, I am impressed.

'Up In The Air' has been thrown around as one of the Must-See films of 2009, and I would agree. Would it, however, have been released in 2008, a movie year that picked up a fair bit of speed at the end, it would have been a tier down from the other 2008 award contenders. This year though, which has come and gone with a pretty short list of noteworthy films, it most certainly stands its ground against the competition, and even do very well.
Grade: 8.5