Hanna

Title: Hanna

Directed by: Joe Wright

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Niels Arestrup, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Tom Hollander

Genres: Drama, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. X minutes

Release Date: APril 8th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I am a huge fan of Cate Blanchett, and she is a big reason I went to see this film. Another is the trailer, which made 'Hanna' look like a really interesting, great film. And if you judge it on acting alone, 'Hanna' wouldn't be a bad movie. Unfortunately, is a bad movie.

The cast is brilliant, the acting pretty good. It's the story that is the problem here. The filming technique was interesting, different, but not better, and it left me annoyed more than anything. This one is a pass.

Grade: 5

The Lincoln Lawyer

Title: The Lincoln Lawyer

Directed by: Brad Furman

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, Michael Pena, Trace Adkins

Genres: Crime, Drama,

Running Time: 1 hour. 59 minutes

Release Date: March 18th, 2011

MPAA Rating: R

Review: Matthew McConaughey is a very unreliable actor. Every now and again, he delivers a performance like his work in 'A Right to Kill', and then there is a lot of 'Surfer, Dude' in between. 'The Lincoln Lawyer' is, surprisingly, thankfully, more "A Right to Kill' than "Surfer, Dude'. It is actually a good film. I might even admit to having my expectations blown out of the water on this one.

The rest of the cast all give great performances as well. Ryan Phillippe, in particular, does a very convincing, and thoroughly creepy portrayal of the nightmare legal client.

'The Lincoln Lawyer' is a solid film, I would definitely recommend seeing it. If you don't feel the need to catch it in the theaters, definitely see it at home.

Grade: 7.5

Red Riding Hood

Title: Red Hiding Hood

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Shiloh Fernandez, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, Maz Irons, Virginia Madsen

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Romance, Suspense, Fantasy

Running Time: 2 hours. 0 minutes

Release Date: March 11th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: While I can't say that I am looking forward to another Catherine Hardwick film, after her last one, the story about the little Red Riding Hood is epic, and I'm a sucker for a classic fairy tales. This adaptation looked very visually interesting, so I thought maybe, just maybe, this one has a chance.

And 'Red Riding Hood' definitely is visually dynamic, and it is easy to recognize Ms. Hardwick's directorial flavor, last seen in the first movie adaptation of 'Twilight'. Once again, Ms. Hardwick falls short of a great film, although 'Red Riding Hood' is definitely an improvement on her previous work.

Grade: 6

The Adjustment Bureau

Title: The Adjustment Bureau

Directed by: George J. Nolfi

Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Michael Kelly

Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Romance, Adaptation, Politics

Running Time: 1 hour. 46 minutes

Release Date: March 4th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I like both Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, and thought this looked like an interesting, clever premise. And it is an interesting film, one that could have been fantastic if it would have been a little braver. As it is now, it is the romance and chemistry between Blunt & Damon that makes this film.

It is definitely worth its 1 hour 46 minutes, but it falls slightly short of where it could have gone.

Grade: 7

Unknown

Title: Unknown

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring: Liam Neeson, January Jones, Diane Kruger, Frank Langella, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz

Genres: Suspense, Thriller, Drama

Running Time: 1 hour. 39 minutes

Release Date: February 18th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Unknown' relies on a derivative of the popular Hollywood "fish out of water" premise, in which Neeson's character wakes up in the hospital in a foreign country, after an accident, with amnesia. The only things he knows are his name, and the fact that he was in the country for a Biotech conference. Upon finding his way back to his hotel, he recognizes his wife, only to have her deny that he is her husband. Since he has no ID, he has no way to prove his identity.

What carries this film is Neeson, and while it won't win any Oscars, it is not a bad movie. On the contrary, it is an entertaining action drama, with some twists and turn you may not expect. All in all, a good time at the movies.

Grade: 6.5

The Mechanic

Title: The Mechanic

Directed by: Simon West

Starring: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Christa Campbell, Jeff Chase, Beau Brasso

Genres: Drama, Action, Remake

Running Time: 1 hour. 40 minutes

Release Date: January 28, 2011

MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'The Mechanic', which is a remake of a 1972 film with the same name, tells the story of a professional assassin, played by Jason Stratham. Stratham follows a strict code to do his job, and he is the best in his business. After the death of his mentor, he take on his mentor's son, played by Ben Foster, as his apprentice, to teach him the code and the job.

It is a typical Stratham action flick of hard hits, splattering blood, strong language. We don't get to see a lot of Stratham's usual banter, which is a bummer, since he sometimes bring some humor to his roles. If you can forget about the [huge] holes in the plot, the generic nature of the story, and you're into by popcorn action flicks, you'll find this one acceptable for some light entertainment. Leave your common sense and logic by the door, though.

Grade: 6.5

True Grit

Title: True Grit

Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Dakin Matthews, Jarlath Conroy, Paul Rae, Domhnall Gleeson, Elizabeth Marvel, Roy Lee Jones

Genres: Action/Adventure, Western, Adaptation, Remake

Running Time: 1 hour. 50 minutes

Release Date: December 22nd, 2010

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: "People do not give it credence that a young girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father's blood. But it did happen. I was just 14 years of age when a coward by the name of Tom Chaney shot my father down and robbed him of his life and his horse and two California gold pieces that he carried in his trouser band. " -- Mattie Ross

'True Grit' is hands down one of the best movies of the year. It is well written, well casted, well acted, and well directed. Jeff Bridges is perfect as U.S. marshal, and drunk, Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn., Matt Damond is hilarious as "nincompoop"/Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, and Hailee Steinfeld portrayal of 14 year old Mattie Ross is nothing short of brilliant.

A very memorable, well told story that is excellent in all its parts.

Grade: 9.5

Black Swan

Title: Black Swan

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Toby Hemingway

Genres: Drama, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. 43 minutes

Release Date: December 3rd, 2010

MPAA Rating: R

Review: This is an epic, shocking, over the top, absolutely mad film, portraying the professional life of a dancer at the New York City Ballet, played by Natalie Portman. 'Black Swan' is brilliant, albeit quite rough in its deliver at times. The audible gasps were plentiful in the theater, and I would be amiss if I pretended one or two of those shocked intakes of breath didn't come from me.

It really is Portman who makes this film. The other parts are great, don't get me wrong, but Natalie Portman is epic. Her performance alone makes this film worths it's minutes. Do not miss 'Black Swan'. As Ms. Portman sprouts feathers through her skin, 'Black Swan' will get under yours.

Grade: 9

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Bill Nighy, Bonnie Wright, Jason Isaacs, John Hurt

Genres: Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Adaptation, Sequel

Running Time: 2 hours. 30 minutes

Release Date: November 19th, 2010

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: "The End Begins", and I am so sad to be this close to the end of Harry Potter. In the first part of the final chapter we see Harry, Ron & Hermione searching for the Horcruxes. And this time, we don't get to go to Hogwarts, because Harry & co are in the wind, pursued by all sorts of dark forces, while desperately trying to accomplish their difficult task with no outside help. And it's a lonely, dreary search with no sure path. It's depressing, and difficult on our beloved heroes, and we can feel just how much it is costing them.

'Part 1' is part slow, dreary, darkness, and part exciting, breakneck speed, edge-of-your-seat tension, and not without sadness. The first part of the end of this epic story, does not disappoint, and I am left with warring desires to see the rest, while never wanting it to end. That this is one not to miss goes without saying.

Grade: 9

Easy A

Title: Easy A

Directed by: Will Gluck

Starring: Emma Stone, Penn Bradgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church

Genres: Comedy

Running Time: 1 hour. 32 minutes

Release Date: September 17th, 2010

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I kind of adore Emma Stone, and her performance in 'Easy A' did not disappoint. She is as funny, charming, and awkward as ever, and clearly a star in the making. The premise of this film is quite funny, flipping the typical teen comedy on it's ear, with good results. 'Easy A' is a really entertaining flick, that goes beyond the target market of teen girls, and will please both boyfriends and parents dragged along.

Grade: 8