Cowboys & Aliens

Title: Cowboys & Aliens

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Adam Beach, Paul Dano

Genres: Western, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller, Action/Adventure, Adaptation

Running Time: 1 hour. 58 minutes

Release Date: July 29th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Cowboys & Aliens' is a film with an identity crisis. It starts as a Western, then morphs into a Sci-Fi flick, with some flickers of Action, Adventure, End-of-The-World, and sprinkles of Romance. I decided to give up trying to label this film, and, much to my surprise, I found myself entertained.

I'm usually not a big fan of Daniel Craig films, as I find his lack of acting skills distracting. Here, he is joined by a pretty interesting cast, which aid to dilute his ineptitude, and this is what saves the film. All in all, 'Cowboys & Aliens' is surprisingly entertaining.

Grade: 6

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