LIFE OF PI   4.0***

 

 

         You will see no more imaginative and thought provoking than Life of Pi. It is primarily the thrilling story of a young Indian teenager boy name Pi who is stranded alone on a 26 foot lifeboat with a 450 lb. man eating Bengal tiger (actually it’ll eat anything ) in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. How he gets there and what happens is for you to see and enjoy for yourself.  While Pi and the Bengal  tiger are sharing the boat that does not mean they get along, not at all. The film makes it vividly clear  that while they are stranded together, Pi is a human boy and the a Bengal tiger is a carnivore with a huge appetite The beauty of this scenario is that it never mistakes that the only common traits between these two  is that they are stranded together and both are mammals. The acts of sheer courage and  ingenuity Pi is called upon to use to keep him and the tiger alive are amazing … more like astounding.   

 

Ang Lee ( “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crouching Tiger” ) directs the film  with absolute grace and expertise and along the way employs 3D as perfectly as I have seen . Among the many spectacular elements of this film is  the magnificent CGI (computer generated images). The Bengal tiger is perhaps the best animated animal ever created ! The angry green eyes, richly textured orange & white striped skin and every hair on its fur look rich and full of life and is accentuated  by the 3D.And then when your hear the thunderous roar for the first time, you  realize this is as real as it can get! The rest of the animals ( the film’s opening is at a zoo in India) look great too. The lovely blue ocean and its resident creatures are the jewel in the crown.  

 

There are many scenes of such wonderful amazement that words fall short of describing it… you really have to experience them for yourself. Right from the beginning credits to the poignant scene where Pi is in the  lifeboat  and watches the mammoth ship sink underwater,then the heart-pounding introduction of the Bengal tiger on the lifeboat, the surreal dream sequence of Pi, the many sunsets and nights at sea, the mesmerizing scene with the jellyfish and blue whale and just so many other scenes that each one can be paused and made into a collection of brilliantly picturesque wallpapers. Such brilliant cinematic quality is very rare and it needs to be experienced on the hugest screen possible and in 3D. It's why we go to the movies.   

Thanks to, Ang Lee, this is a movie  that lets you enjoy it on so many levels. If you are just looking for a beautiful 3D movie to feast your eyes on, this is it . If you are in a mood for a thrilling, spine tingling adventure epic this is it.  If indeed, you want to experience something very thought provoking, Life of Pi never forces on you  a particular thought, instead it whispers ever so slightly to think about matters of human and animal natures  while caressing your senses at times and then rocking them at other times  with fabulous visuals and remarkable action sequences.

Life of Pi, is a rare masterpiece that stands as a prototype not only for a perfect book adaptation and a 3D movie( sorry Avatar, you have just been replaced), but also for a movie based on the intricacies of human nature This is an impressive triumph of a film.

Clark

Rating: 4.0*** out of 4

 

 

 

 

Here is another movie worth seeing this year. In fact, it’s  a MUST see if you enjoy well done “feel good” Rom-Coms.. The story follows a family in a very serious situation, but we can all identity with the truth and emotions that comes with struggling through hard  times. It's a story that's easy to connect with, and it's a film that will make you smile from beginning to end.  

 

Silver Linings Playbook is about a man named Pat, played by Bradley Cooper  who has just been released from an eight month sentence in a psychiatric hospital as a result of a plea bargain for a serious assault. He wants to get his life back  on track so he can get his wife back but is being held back by his parents and his unstable condition Also the fact that his wife has a restraining order prohibiting him from seeing or being anywhere near her is a big problem. . After a little while, he strikes up an interesting friendship with Jennifer, played by Jennifer Lawrence .  She is a friend of Pat’s wife and he sees her as a possible go between. Both of these characters are going through  difficult  problems which makes their friendship even more quirky and thought-provoking.

Because a large amount of romantic comedies are stale and overdone, Silver Linings Playbook is a breath of fresh air.. What's original about Silver Linings Playbook is that it doesn't follow that same old predictable story line in the slightest. It is unpredictable but at the same time, more relatable The most surprising aspect of Silver Linings Playbook, however, is  the “Oscar” worthy performance of Bradley Cooper. Even though this is a comedy, Cooper plays what is maybe one of the most serious roles he's ever performed. This is without a doubt Cooper's best work thus far in his career. Jennifer Lawrence has a performance of equal caliber  She's quirky, complicated, hilarious, and you really just can't get enough of her. Robert DeNiro also delivers a strong performance as Cooper's over the top, almost fanatical Philadelphia Eagle's fan and loving, somewhat OCD father. Chris Tucker of “Rush Hour” fame plays a surprisingly mellow role . But even though he’s mellow, he is still very comedic in a toned down way.

Silver Linings Playbook is full of creativity and has a minimal on romance clichés. It is hands down one of the best romantic comedies to be made within the last couple of years. This film contains many laugh out loud moments and a number of scenes that will warm your heart to the point where you can't help but leave the theater smiling. Silver Linings Playbook is the perfect date movie that both men and women can easily enjoy. Be forewarned, the dialogue contains several uses of the “F” word but there is no violence or nudity.

 

Clark

 

 

 

ARGO  4.0***

 

    Argo, the third feature film directed by Ben Affleck, simply stunning. Taking place during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, Argo takes your breath away as it very accurately portrays the covert CIA operation, led by Ben Affleck’s character,  to extract six Americans who escaped before the takeover of the Embassy. They escaped out the back exit the of the  Embassy. They took refuge in the Canadian Ambassador's home but were very much in danger as they were constantly being looked for by Iranian soldiers. CIA extractor Tony Mendez (Affleck) hatches a scheme to disguise the six citizens and himself as a Canadian film crew scouting Iran as a location for a fake science fiction movie called "Argo." The plan is then for them to hopefully sneak back into USA using the Iran International Airport, leading to a nail-biting finish.

Amazingly, after only 3 films, Ben Affleck has become an excellent Director. The first two movies he directed (Gone Baby Gone and The Town) were outstanding and he has now outdone himself with his latest installment, Argo. Though Argo is not as gritty as the previous films directed by Affleck, the intensity level is just as high. As a viewer, you will have to wait patiently for the climax to build but I can assure you, you will be rewarded with one of the most tense movie experiences this year. Ben Affleck did a very nice job of letting the plot grow and develop on its own. You don't feel forced to care about these stranded American citizens. Instead, the movie sucks you into their dilemma and the film grows so  that you find yourself worried and scared for these people without even realizing it. Even if you know the story, you will still be left in shock and awe as you witness this adaptation of the courageous mission that took place. Kudos to Ben Affleck for drawing me in and not letting go.

The acting here is top notch with everyone involved, including Affleck himself delivering some awesome performances. The dynamic between Affleck and Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston is perfect creating a duo that both entertain as well as keep this story on track. The biggest treat in this film are brilliant. And there are exceptionally  funny performances from John Goodman and Alan Arkin. These guys really bring all the Hollywood aspect to the film to life while delivering Oscar worthy performances that will hopefully be recognized. The gritty look to this film really helps to capture the vibe and tone of the film while combined with the attention to detail, helps take you into the time period it takes place.

 

Argo is an Oscar worthy picture. It really is a movie event at its finest and gives you hope for the future of film making.  . You do not want to miss this exciting political thriller.

Clark

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD ..3.0***

 

   An interesting premise for a movie. What if the world is to end in 3 weeks when a 70 mile wide asteroid collides w the earth. What would U do ... What would others do ... What would happen to law & order ??

 

   Initially  the movie focuses on one man , Steve Carell, who is alone. His wife left him early on when news of the forth coming disaster first broke  The story focuses on him to see how he copes or not….. he's the one "seeking a  friend for the end of the world" He's about as laid back & in control as U could find ... a very different look & persona for Carell who is often way over the top.

 

By accident he is throw in with Keira  Knightly who lives  is in the same  apartment building & is  just breaking up with an annoying clinging boyfriend. Carell and Knightly unexpectedly (a scary  riot erupts in their neighborhood) have to flee together  in her car in what becomes a road trip where each hopes to find their end of the world someone. What ensues is rather fascinating... A road trip where surprises are plentiful & discovery is meaningful.

 

It sounds like a familiar journey from another movie? Well, "Seeking A Friend For The End of the World" takes you in one direction you think you're going, and then often makes a sharp turn when you least expect it. The movie is also funnier than the premise suggest and has some startling moments I never saw coming nor expected, and keeps you watching for many reasons.

 

There are other things you wonder while watching this movie. Most notably, is the world really going to end? Everyone in this movie seems to think so. While it's fascinating to see how different characters react to the news, you keep watching because you want to see if it really does. It can't be a dream or a delusion, can it?

 

Clark

 

 

 

 

FLIGHT   3.5****

       Robert Zemeckis is a  director many may not think of when it comes to some of the best directors of all-time. But when you actually go back and look at his career, there hasn't been a lot to shake your head at. Director of an acclaimed franchise in Back to the Future, an Oscar winner for his direction for Forrest Gump, followed by Cast Away after which  he became the motion capture master behind The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol, it was exciting to hear that Zemeckis was moving past motion- capture and back into live action film. Even more exciting was the idea of Zemeckis working with Denzel Washington on a challenging film for both director and lead actor.

The result of Zemeckis and Washington's partnership is the film Flight, the story of an airline pilot who miraculously crash lands a nose-diving jet, saving the lives of 96 people. The conflict? Pilot Whip Whitaker is an alcoholic and cocaine user and was under the influence of both the morning of the crash, a crash that resulted in six deaths and could result in life in jail for Whitaker.

The opening thirty minutes of Flight are some of the most intense minutes of film this year. While we know from the previews that this plane is going to crash, the process of filmmaking the turbulent nose dive is brilliant by Zemeckis. The camera shakes seemingly uncontrollably as the plane starts to fail in the sky, bags and items fly about the cabin, passengers scream, and Denzel powerfully acts as Pilot Whip trying to regain control of the plane as it plunges to a certain crash. These moments are edge-of-your-seat, heart-pounding filmmaking at its best and something everyone will want to see on the big screen rather than from the comfort of their living room.

But after the crash the film becomes a dark character study about a man who cannot resist the urges that have haunted him for years and years. It is a study of not only this character, but of the morality of him. Even if the crash was a colossal mechanical failure, how can Whip not see the danger he put all the passengers in the minute he stepped onto that plane?  

It is clear that Denzel Washington devoted himself to this character. Every move that Washington made is true and you believe every action of his character because Washington is so convincing. The film didn't need to continue having as much action as the first part of the film (the plane crash) because watching the development of Washington's character was so interesting. Even though Washington steals the film, he is backed up with some very respectable supportive acting. Don Cheadle  plays Washington's attorney and delivers some powerful moments in the film.   But the real scene stealer is  John Goodman (Argo, The Artist)who  plays the comic relief in Flight. Even though Goodman is only in the film for a short amount of time, he delivers some of the best scenes in the movie.

The film is a very accurate portrayal of the struggles and despairs of being an alcoholic. With a fine director and an expert lead role along with many great supporting roles, Flight is a film that shouldn't be missed. The only minor problem with Flight is that it's a little lengthy when it doesn't need to be. Other than that, Flight is a very well made drama .

 

Steven Soderbourgh's made a movie that really seems to get the joy of male stripping. The scenes that are the movie's reason for being are well shot, well lit, well-choreographed, and get at the joy and pure giddiness that both the guys feel performing and the naughty fun  the women in the audience feel watching them. They're the centerpieces of the film and those scenes really pop and bring the movie to life. It’s unfortunate that much that's in between those scenes feels like so much filler meant to beef up the film's dramatic quotient so that it’s not just seen as that male stripper movie.  

In the film, Alec Pettyfer plays Adam, a college-dropout who's staying with his older sister Brooke (Cody Horn) until he can figure out what he wants to do with his life. After getting hired for a construction job, he's soon taken under the wing of Mike (Channing Tatum), a fellow roof tiler who spends his nights dancing in Tampa's Xquisite nightclub as a stripper. After a night of partying, Adam is soon recruited to join Mike and his colleagues Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), Tito (Adam Rodriguez), Ken (Matt Bomer) and Tarzan (Kevin Nash) to perform sexy strip routines at the club.  And soon enough, he's immersed in a world full of drugs, sex, women and alcohol. Mike on the other hand, craves for more despite making a profitable income as a stripper.

 

As it turns out, Magic Mike is less about the stripping and more about the lifestyles of male strippers. Inspired by Tatum's own experiences as a young stripper in Florida, the script balances between humor and drama while capturing the repercussions and challenges that come with the profession (i.e. drugs, self-destruction and vanity).

 

Acting wise, the one who steals the show is Mathew McConaughey, who perfectly and hilariously portrays the sleazy, skin-tight-leather-wearing Dallas, the aging club owner.. Tatum and Pettyfer on the other hand, hold their own despite sounding a bit rigid and unnatural at times. And  Horn is well-casted for the role of Adam's concerned sister Brooke and the romantic interest for Mike.

 

Clark

 

 

  A truly exceptional film, featuring the very best of the older  British actors and actresses; Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Liza Tarbuck, and Ronald Pickup star in the this delightful film. These seven principle characters  have all come to a point in their lives where remaining in the UK is no longer feasible, mostly due to financial reasons. Each has stumbled across a brochure outlining the wonderful possibilities that await them in India at a newly refurbished Marigold Hotel. Enrollment into the hotel facilities includes the flight to India as well. However, upon arrival; it seems that the facilities are far less luxurious than advertised. When seven British retirees arrive at a hotel that is not as expected from the brochure. Dev Patel's ( “Slum Dog Millionaire”) Sonny runs the place under the watchful eye of his disapproving mother and the Britishers are left to dust off the furniture and make do with the cockroaches on the floors and the curry served up every dinnertime.

 

The central characters are all wholly believable, and to be honest I find it impossible to single anyone out, although if I had to, my vote would probably go to Bill Nighy. He is just superb as Douglas - the apologetic, hesitant, henpecked husband of the self-centered, bitter, scolding Jean portrayed by Penelope Wilton, who is also excellent.   When you add the likes of Dames Maggie Smith and Judy Dench to the mix, the delicious Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Pickup, who brought a wonderfully  comedic performance to the mix,  you can't go wrong.

 The film follows each individual through his or her path of awakening; for each individual has come to India for a different reason. A very charming film, well-acted, well scripted, and well directed. The Marigold Hotel is located in Jaipur in northern India and the India backdrop for this film is exquisite!!! I highly recommend this film… a joy to behold.

 

 

 

 

 

The BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL  3.4****

 

  A truly exceptional film, featuring the very best of the older  British actors and actresses; Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Liza Tarbuck, and Ronald Pickup star in the this delightful film. These seven principle characters  have all come to a point in their lives where remaining in the UK is no longer feasible, mostly due to financial reasons. Each has stumbled across a brochure outlining the wonderful possibilities that await them in India at a newly refurbished Marigold Hotel. Enrollment into the hotel facilities includes the flight to India as well. However, upon arrival; it seems that the facilities are far less luxurious than advertised. When seven British retirees arrive at a hotel that is not as expected from the brochure. Dev Patel's ( “Slum Dog Millionaire”) Sonny runs the place under the watchful eye of his disapproving mother and the Britishers are left to dust off the furniture and make do with the cockroaches on the floors and the curry served up every dinnertime.

 

The central characters are all wholly believable, and to be honest I find it impossible to single anyone out, although if I had to, my vote would probably go to Bill Nighy. He is just superb as Douglas - the apologetic, hesitant, henpecked husband of the self-centered, bitter, scolding Jean portrayed by Penelope Wilton, who is also excellent.   When you add the likes of Dames Maggie Smith and Judy Dench to the mix, the delicious Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Pickup, who brought a wonderfully  comedic performance to the mix,  you can't go wrong.

 The film follows each individual through his or her path of awakening; for each individual has come to India for a different reason. A very charming film, well-acted, well scripted, and well directed. The Marigold Hotel is located in Jaipur in northern India and the India backdrop for this film is exquisite!!! I highly recommend this film… a joy to behold.

 

THE ODD LIFE OF TOMOTHY GREEN 3.5*** You may recognize The Odd Life of Timothy Green as the new movie with the boy with leaves growing out of his legs. This quirky, “feel-good” movie from Walt Disney, starring Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton, tells a warm emotional story about family, about being “different”, and love and adoption . The movie offers audiences a light-hearted, heart-warming movie experience. The film revolves around Jim and Cindy Green (played by Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner) who have tried desperately to have a child of their own, but it has simply come to the sad ending that it will not happen. To close the book on the subject, they write down on pieces of paper what their dream child would be & be able to do and accomplish. The pieces of paper are put in a wooden box and buried in their vegetable garden, both literally and figuratively burying the subject forever. It is time to move on. But something strange happens in the night. A hard rain targeted just on the Green’s property falls and a mysterious intruder comes into the house. After some chasing and hiding, the Greens meet Timothy who literally sprouted from the ground where the dream child box was buried. He has some unique characteristics, namely the leaves that are attached to his lower legs, but this kid is definitely the offspring of their hopes and dreams. As it turns out, he is a gift not only to them, but also to their struggling small town of Stanleyville. The movie has a range of emotional issues such as father/son relationships, sibling rivalry, being different/odd, bullying, competition, love and sadness. Part of the movie is a fantasy (who has a child sprout up from the garden?) and part is reality (infertility, difficult people, work problems, etc.). It is perfect for children and enjoyable and entertaining for adults. The Odd Life of Timothy Green is one of the best family-friendly, live-action films released this year. Actress and real-life mother of three Jennifer Garner brings the emotion needed in her role as Cindy, a woman anxious to be a mom. Joel Edgerton plays Cindy’s husband Jim, completing the believable couple. Newcomer CJ Adams is beyond adorable, a good fit for the distinct role of Timothy. Clark 3.5 ****

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD… 3.5 ***




If you are looking for something completely different from all the other popcorn flick that have playing this summer, then” Beasts of the Southern Wild” is the movie for you. Beasts is a low budget, independent, dramedy masterpiece. Beasts is a truly original story, and more creative than most of the other films that have come out so far this year. Beasts stormed through the independent film festival circuit winning several awards at the Cannes Film Festival, and the top Grand Jury Prize at this year's 2012 Sundance Festival. It has a truly fresh screenplay that sucks you in from the opening moments and never lets you go until the credits roll. The remarkable believable cast is headlined with tiny Quvenzhane Wallis, only 6 years old, who plays Hushpuppy, and puts on an acting showcase seldom seen from someone so young. The range of emotion shown on her face is a shocking marvel. I would not be surprised to see an Oscar nomination go to the pint sized star.

The story is about Hushpuppy, a fearless, six-year-old girl who lives with her father, Wink, in the Bathtub, a southern Delta community at the edge of the world. Wink's tough love prepares her for the unraveling of the universe; for a time when he's no longer there to protect her. When Wink contracts a mysterious illness, nature flies out of whack, temperatures rise, and the ice caps melt, unleashing an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs. With the waters rising, the aurochs coming, and Wink's health fading, Hushpuppy goes in search of her lost mother and instead finds her place in the universe.

This is a beautiful film in which the story hints at natural revelation as well as being an apocalyptic tale. We are taken through the story by the narration of Hushpuppy. Her story is one of love; survival, the importance of community and how we are all connected in this universe and no one and nothing is inconsequential. Hushpuppy is always stopping and listening for the heartbeat of whatever she comes across or touches whether it be a cat or a leaf. She shows us how everything she crosses has a purpose in her eyes, and we can tell that there is something bigger at work in the universe.

Clark

MEN IN BLACK/BACK IN TIME 3.0***

It’s been 10 years since the poor made sequel to the Men In Black series. Thank goodness this movie uses a fresher, newer perspective. The result is a film that returns to its roots and gives audiences the chance to relive much of what they first enjoyed in the or9iginal MIB –a smart, sci-fi, buddy comedy that embraces everything weird and wonderful about the unknown universe.

In his first movie role in nearly 4 years, Will Smith's Agent J is the usual charming, witty wiseass we expect him to be. Still teamed up with the laconic Agent K (wrinkly Tommy Lee Jones) he is no closer to cracking his older partner’s deadpan demeanor but their relationship issues take a back seat when a nemesis from K’s past, Boris the Animal, turns up to exact revenge for having been captured by Agent K imprisoned on the moon 40 years ago. Boris’ elaborate plan takes him back in the past to the day he was caught but this time he kills K, and sets ripples in the present, where K no longer exists and a different reality results. J has to then literally time jump (off the Empire State building no less) and fix the past for normalcy to return in the present.
. The big surprise is how well Josh Brolin impersonates tommy Lee Jones in the role of a younger K – which should not be a surprise considering Brolin's recent, impressive body of work as a bonafide actor, most notably in W. So chameleon-like is his performance that you forget it's him and actually believe it's just a younger version of Tommy Lee Jones that you're seeing.

The films primary achievement and a true signal of its return to form though are the scenes set in the past. Not only is Josh Brolin a dead ringer for Tommy Lee's K during his youth, but the hip musical vibes of the late 60's/early 70's allow for plenty of playfulness to ensue with a particularly hilarious segment devoted to Andy Warhol. If that isn't enough, everything very neatly ties into another historic scientific moment from that time period and ends on a moment of satisfying emotionality that provides not only closure to the film but the series as a whole. If that doesn't make you forgive all the wrongs that the sequel did and embrace this film as one of the years better movie franchise offerings, the only thing that might work on you is J or K’s neutralize.
This is a fun, fascinating probable ending to the MIB series… and a well done one at that.
Clark

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 4.0****



“The Dark Knight Rises” is a lot more daring than most would expect. It's a superhero movie that cares more about heroism than just action. The scale is large and explosive. It is a fitting end to this amazing trilogy. I still think The Dark Knight ( Heath Ledger) is the best of the three. But, “The Dark Knight Rises” is an excellent grand film experience. Christopher Nolan (the Director of this and the other 2) has skillfully crafted an ambitious superhero movie that adds more dimension to the superhero genre. Here is the epic (2 and 3/4 hours!) conclusion to a beloved trilogy that has forever changed its genre.


The film, it’s been eight years after Batman took the blame for Harvey Dent's crimes and Dent is now revered while Batman is hated. Wayne/Batman face a new threat - the towering, ominous terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy in a remarkably gripping performance and an empowering presence) who threatens to destroy Gotham city. Hardy is ruthlessly terrific as Bane as he manages to instill fear in all of Gotham (and most of the audience). It would be unfair to compare him to Heath Ledger's pitch perfect portrayal of the Joker because they are two completely different characters. Whereas the Joker aimed for a battle of psychological wits, Bane aspires to uterly destroy Batman and all of Gotham.

There is a pervasive sense of haunting dread and gloom throughout the movie, especiall in the first 2 hours. But the last 30 minutes contais nothing but great, sometimes spectacular action sequences which all leads to an emotionally satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The stunts are spectacular and the CGI effects are amazing, especially those of the stadium scene and scenes involving "the Bat" and the "Bat-cycle”.
You have to admire Christian Bale's dedication to the Batman role in this film. At times he is weak, lacking confidence, and shrouded in gloom. At other times his eyes show the painful return to his self-determination and perseverance. Yes his Batman no doubt is still the best interpretation of the character, and here we see Bruce Wayne as a single, rich recluse with a limp in one leg, aided only by his loyal butler Alfred (Michael Caine in his most emotional performance of the trilogy. Anne Hathaway, as Catwoman, looks mesmerizingly beautiful while giving a devilishly cunning performance as a specialized thief/con-woman who is not what she seems. Marion Cottilard provides a more gentler shade for the lonely, love-lorn Bruce to rely on, or does she ?? Playing a young dedicated cop, Joseph Gordon-Levitt serves as a somewhat younger shadow of Bruce. Scenes Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are fine too but have less notable roles although they are still very active in the film's climax.

"The Dark Knight Rises" is a mainstream triumph, putting new levels of fear and dread in a superhero movie. Nolan’s vision for his Batman character shines through completely and makes his trilogy rightfully stand out as "The Godfather" trilogy of superhero films. Hats off to Nolan, Bale, Hardy and the rest of the cast and crew, past and present, for delivering the truest interpretation of the Batman character that has ever been or ever will be seen again .


Clark

PEOPLE LIKE US 3.0***
In "People Like Us", members of two families come to realize their lives might not have been what they thought they were. There have been hidden secrets, hidden family members and important gaps in the communication that families often experience. Here a son, Sam, (Chris Pine) discovers from the attorney for his recently deceased father, that the father had a rather starling family secret. He then does some detective work which gets him closer to the truth ( there is another family associated with his father that the son knew nothing about ), only to realize that human relationships, especially those which involve one's own family are very complicated.

At first, seeing how Sam ( Pine ) meets the other family, Frankie ( Elizabeth Banks) and her son sets off a few doubts about the direction and intention of the film. It just looks too much like a set up, and this is exactly where the film proves us wrong. There is depth to the dialog and careful attention given to the direction and character development. In particular, Banks' range is amazing, as her character grows in several ways in front of our eyes: Her background slowly unfolds in front of us, revealing the origin of her flaws, her pain, her inability to find peace, until Sam comes into to show her there were pieces missing in her family picture. Also, I enjoyed how the film depicted her interaction with her son, in a loving, realistic, frustrating way. Yes, we have seen fractured relationships before, but they have rarely been shown in such a honest and natural way.

There is more to praise in the film, as Sam's mother comes to share her concealed memories, and how the new developments might affect her future. The ending will most likely warm your heart. It's a love reflection on humanity,, trust, and how complex our lives really are, and how in more than one way the title shows us we have more in common than we think.
The film is a little too long and the secret about relationships is strung out too long….it gets to the point where you want to shout to Sam… go ahead and tell her !! You’ll know what I mean once you see the film… don’t want to spoil it for you.
Clark

ted 3.4***
Seth MacFarlane (the creator of 'FAMILY GUY') makes his feature-length live-action directorial debut . The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis with MacFarlane voicing the computer animated title character, Ted The film is a fantasy comedy film about a teddy bear that comes to life to grant a child's wish and becomes a burden on his romantic relationship when he's a grown man. The movie is surprisingly well made for MacFarlane's first feature effort and has more hits than misses with laughs. It's mostly a crowd pleaser IF you know what you're getting into.

Wahlberg stars as John Bennett. As a child John was an outcast and had no friends so when his parents get him a stuffed teddy bear for Christmas he makes it his imaginary best friend. One day he wishes that the stuffed bear could talk back to him and a falling star grants him that wish. The two grow up together and the teddy bear, known as Ted (MacFarlane), helps John overcome his insecurities. Their friendship is finally put to the test though when John's girlfriend of four years, Lori (Kunis), wants John to stop spending so much time with Ted so they can further their relationship together.

The animation is amazing… you quickly reach the point where you accept Ted for being real. These special effects are seamless even in high action scenes such as the hilarious fight scene between Wahlberg and Ted.

The movie is crude and vulgar but nothing more than one should expect from the creator of 'FAMILY GUY'. MacFarlane's direction is surprisingly impressive and the jokes for the most part work. Wahlberg is good and likable in the lead and Mila Kunis continues to show her talent. And the movie actually has a lot more heart than you'd expect from it. It's actually a positive story of friendship that could have played out the same way even if one of the characters wasn't a magical stuffed bear . BUT, take note, it is extremely crude and raunchy but quite funny hilarious at times, and there's definitely heart to it and it's a good, well intentioned buddy film!

Clark

BERNIE 3.0****




In this movie Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, a friendly and effeminate mortician in the small town of Carthage, Texas, who is loved by many of his fellow citizens of the community. He's loved because he's friendly to everyone around him. One day, he meets a wealthy widow, Marjorie Nugent (a great Shirley MacLaine). This character is the complete opposite of Bernie in terms of likability. She's so hated by many people in the town that no one even bothers to speak her. Throughout the years, she's had no close family members or friends and lives alone by herself in a mansion. Bernie though believes that there is a good side to her. Bernie uses his warm heart to find the time to visit her and keeps her company. Eventually, they become close friends and he's living the life that many dream. As times goes by, Marjorie shows her true colors to Bernie and she myteriously goes missing. As it turns out, this is a true story and apparently the movie gets it right.
There are some really hilarious scenes and one in particular where a local resident of Texas explains to the audience the different parts of Texas. This person is actually one of many of the local non-actor people interviewed throughout the movie. This is a clever plot device that is often quite effective as it is here.
Jack Black acts different in this movie from any that he’s been in before. - more restraint, more focused, and at times more intense.. His humor here is low-key and not physical. Here is a guy who is loved by everyone - who must be loved by everyone, and who can never say no. It is both an interesting and challenging role for him but he pulls it off in a great way.

Shirley MacLaine is also very different here – she usually ha had a sweet, somewhat cheeky personality in her previous films of late. But for this movie there's a cold, demeaning aura around her, and her steely eyes sell it. Matthew McConaughey as the ruthless district attorney has certainly improved in his acting range - just check out the courtroom scenes.

I really appreciate the small-town setting of the film. The film is told by ''interviews'' with the friendly small-town folk, giving a quirky and homely feel to the film, . The film moves at a strong clip but never feels rushed nor draggy. The screenplay has balances just the right amount of screen- time to establish the story and characters, notably Bernie. Just when you think the film is about to end - there's always another interesting thing happening that keeps the audience glued.

The movie is an entertaining movie to watch. It's Texas based movie that has a dark and sharp sense of humor. If you can find it near you, you should check it out.

Clark

SHALL WE DANCE (2004) … 3.2***

The film is set In Chicago where the workaholic lawyer John Clark (Richard Gere) is feeling bored with his routine life, limited to work and staying at home with his wife Beverly Clark (Susan Sarandon) and his teenage son and daughter. One night, while traveling home by train, he sees the beautiful face of Paulina (Jennifer Lopez) in the balcony of a dance school, and a couple of days later, he decides to visit the school and start taking dancing classes … Ballroom Dancing… which continues every Wednesday night after work. He’s shy about it so he doesn’t to tell his family his "little secret” . His wife Susan Sarandon becomes suspicious because he’s out so much and….. he seems happier. Let me pause here and interject that It probably helps if you’re over 40 years old to understand the yearning of the main character (Gere) who really has no reason NOT to be happy in his life, yet he cannot help but feel like he’s missing "something".


"Shall We Dance?" is an excellent movie about a recently neglected but otherwise beautiful pastime activity… Ballroom Dancing.. This is a feel good infectiously fun movie for those who like romantic comedies and especially dancing along with a charming story of a shy but kind-hearted middle-aged man who finds happiness in the joy of dance and opens others' hearts as well with enthusiasm.. Every year, there are dozens of films made that try so hard to reach a little deeper, to hold on a little tighter, and to leave us breathless. Every year there’s only one good one or (most often) none at all. This film was the exception. From the opening moment of getting to know this main character, we get the instant feel that is portrayed throughout the entire film…. a feeling of real life… of discovering the joy of a new found hobby. . This movie is excellent simply because it is so believable, and so filled with joy and love. It grabs you from start to finish and never lets you go. It is a story about real life, and the beauty that it holds. It is a sensible and decent story that provides a look into what our lives could and should really become.

This is the story of a man searching for a meaning throughout the film, only to realize that his meaning has been right in front of his eyes the whole time. An ensemble film at heart, this is one of the best and hardest working casts I've seen in years. AND THEY DO THEIR OWN DANCING… they practiced for 3 months before filming started. Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, and Jennifer Lopez all turn in fantastic lead performances.. It's the supporting cast that really makes the movie, though, Stanley Tucci and Lisa Ann Walter stick out in particular as two dancers made for each other.

Yes, it's a story about life as we all can live it. As Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez dance wonderfully and so gracefully in the dark studio alone at night, you worry, for a split second, that the film will slip into the old and used form of movies- but it stays better. Because life is not a fairy tale and it's not a passionate romance, we learn to appreciate what we already have around us, we can, in essence, find the fairy tale in our own lives. And that's what makes this movie so great. It teaches us to appreciate and love the beauty of our own lives, and it's a lesson we can all learn.

THE AVENGERS 4.0



If you're a fan of epic superhero adventure movies, then this is your dream come true. It really is the ultimate superhero spectacular and it's done perfectly. The makers of this film certainly understand spectacle but they also get the intricacies and depth these type of characters can provide. The depth of this movie really did surprise me. I was expecting a wild popcorn movie. I couldn't have been more pleased because they balanced everything masterfully. Sure, there's the popcorn fun we were all expecting but there's also a definite soul to the film and a smart plot as well. It's truly an amazing movie regardless of genre. There's a reason this grand of a movie has never been attempted before now. How do you fully flesh out, care about and establish this vast group and still deliver a fun, crisp and coherent story? It's extremely difficult to navigate that edge-of-your-seat excitement while at the same time caring about each one of the characters and their struggles. One of the most impressive aspects of The Avengers is that they managed to get each hero their time in the spotlight and their own character arc. Every single main lead steps up and is treated with remarkable intelligence and given room to shine.
The movie starts off with an introduction to each of our heroes and their antagonist: Loki. It's all pretty usual stuff from here. But once the heroes come together, the movie becomes something more. There are a lot of big egos flying around and each one is more used to being the center of attention, especially Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark. It's in these heated rows and witty banter that The Avengers becomes something that I really wasn't expecting: it's really funny. All these characters are so different and come from such different backgrounds that there is a lot of fun to be had by bouncing them off each other. And in the film's climax, Hulk gets most of the laughs as he smashes everything around him. The Hulk could easily have been the film's main weakness, but he ends up being one of the film's biggest strengths. A few of the new characters and ones that were limited to cameos in previous films get their chance to shine here. Of course, for those of you who know me understand that I have to mention that Scarlett Johansson is in the movie as the Black Widow…. and looking good !!
Which brings us to the film's action sequences. They are astounding. Each one better than the last. An early 3 player bout where Iron Man and Captain America try to take down Thor is great, but an aerial fight between Thor and the Hulk is better. But then there's the climactic "glorious war!" which really shows the potential of bringing this group together as they get to fight as a team.
The plot is tight and clever and the screenplay brilliantly written with some cracking dialogue. Joss Whedon's directorial style translates perfectly into the blockbuster mold. The perfectly cast actors are all 100% comfortable in their roles and have great fun both bouncing off each other and uniting to fight as a team. The Avengers” 4.0he whole movie is terrific fun without being dumb.
Clark

BULLY… 3.5****

I’m doing something different for this movie which is a very well done documentary. I’m borrowing from the review done by Cynthia Lowen and Lee Hirsch. I simply could not improve upon how well they describe the movie and how important the movie is. It should be noted that the film was 1st rated “R” which was contested strenuously by the producers and all associated with the film because such a rating would have shut out the middle school kids and many of the high school kids who most needed to see it and would most be benefitted thereby. Fortunately better reason prevailed and it is rated PG-13.
I strongly encourage everyone to see this movie especially those who have kids 10 and over.
Clark

“This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people in this country experience. BULLY is the first feature documentary film to show how we've all been affected by bullying, whether we've been victims, perpetrators or stood silent witness. The world we inhabit as adults begins on the playground. BULLY opens on the first day of school. For the more than 13 million kids who'll be bullied this year in the United States, it's a day filled with more anxiety and foreboding than excitement. As the sun rises and school busses across the country overflow with backpacks, brass instruments and the rambunctious sounds of raging hormones, this is a ride into the unknown. For a lot of kids, the only thing that's certain is that this year, like every other, bullying will be a big part of whatever meets them at their school's front doors. Every school in the U.S. is grappling with bullying-each day more than 160,000 kids across the country are absent because they're afraid of being bullied-but for many districts it's just one more problem that gets swept under the rug. BULLY is a character-driven film. At its heart are those with the most at stake and whose stories each represent a different facet of this crisis. From the first day of school through the last, BULLY will intimately explore the lives of a few of the many courageous people bullying will touch this year”. Written by Lowen, Cynthia; Hirsch, Lee

THE HUNGER GAMES 4***
The Hunger Games is the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel (itself the first in a trilogy) Avid fans of the books were going to make the film a hit, regardless. It's our good fortune that, much like the people behind the Potter films figured out, you can have a Hugh box office smash (opening weekend gross of $155 million .. 3rd largest ever ) AND make a beloved book into an outstanding film of high quality. The Hunger Games will be Lionsgate's biggest-ever hit. Better yet, it deserves to be.
The film is set in a future version of the United States in which the country has been fractured and then tenuously reunited after an uprising nearly seventy-five years prior. The rebels were eventually quelled, and the resulting country consists of a rich and powerful central Capitol and twelve individual “Districts.” Each District is responsible for one type of provision or industry and, as the Capitol restricts communication and interaction between the Districts, they are at the mercy of their government to get supplies that are necessary for even basic survival. And though that should be enough to keep the Capitol satisfied in their power, it’s not, and they use the annual “Hunger Games” to remind their citizens just how in control they are. The Games are a televised fight to the death, with its twenty-four players comprised of one boy and one girl ( 12 to 18 yrs. old) each from every District, picked at random in a lottery that is both flawed and unfair.
After her little sister Primrose is picked for the Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her place. Older, stronger, and a skilled archer, Katniss stands a far better chance in the arena than young Prim, but she will still have to go up against highly trained competitors, a rigged system, the whims of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and Head Gamesmaker Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) . Her team includes drunken mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), gentle stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), weirdly hilarious escort Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), and her fellow Tribute – the dedicated Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson)…. the acting is consistently solid and rarely hammy. .
The cast is stellar. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss carries the movie and makes the many book fans regret complaining about her casting because she was too "hot" and not starved enough. She IS Katniss and one can feel the graveness of an situation just by looking at her expressions. Josh Hutcherson as Peeta is also a true breakout performance. The way he looks at Katniss will makes girls all over the world envy her, just like it's supposed to be. Other standouts in the cast include Stanley Tucci as the flamboyant talk-show host Caesar Flickerman, Woody Harrelson as the sarcastic but caring mentor Haymitch and Wes Bentley as the sinister game-maker Seneca Crane.
Parents should be cautioned, at least modestly so, that The Hunger Games by its very storyline is about kids killing kids and particularly sensitive young children may find its action disturbing despite its not being particularly graphic. While the film is appropriately rated at PG-13, it would likely be considered a stronger PG-13 rating.

The Hunger Games isn't quite a masterpiece, but it is way far better than what most expected from the film and is that rare film to successfully blend commercial success and critical acclaim. It says much about Jennifer Lawrence that she tapped into the heart and soul of Katniss and, as a result, The Hunger Games is a film where both style and substance work together to create one of the year's best films.
Can be seen on regular screen or Imax. It is spectacular in Imax.

Clark

P

My Top 10 Best movies 2011

Here are my Top Ten Movies for 2011 based upon the ones I have seen. Also, they are ones that I enjoyed the most for various reasons which may not always include those with the highest artistic value. They are ranked in order of the best to the 10th best.


1. The Artist
2. Midnight in Paris
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
4. Hugo
5. Moneyball
6. Descendants
7. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
8. Help
9. Crazy Stupid Love
10. Ides of March and Soul Surfer

Honorable Mentions
50/50
Mission Impossible/ Ghost Protocol
Courageous
Win Win
Melancholia
Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Let me if I completely overlooked a gem of a movie… remember though that I’m only listing those I’ve seen… for instance, I haven’t seen Tin Tin


Clark

GONE .. 3.1 ****
Gone" is a surprisingly good thriller, in large part because of its lead character, a young woman who finds herself in a situation which requires the use of her wits and keen powers of observation. Her name is Jill (Amanda Seyfried… the young actress with the big gorgeous eyes). A year ago, she narrowly escaped the clutches of a serial killer who kidnapped her, gagged and bound her with duct tape, and dragged her to a hole in a desolate area of a sprawling forest just outside Portland. Now her sister, a college student named Molly, is missing. Jill is convinced that her kidnapper is responsible; that he must have come back for her, but because she was working the night shift at a local diner, he took Molly instead. Jill must find him before he kills Molly and buries her at the bottom of that same hole she was in, right alongside the remains of several other missing girls.


The odds are not in Jill's favor. After she escaped a year ago , Jill came to the police with no physical evidence, no signs of bodily harm such as defensive wounds or sexual assault, and no description of her kidnapper. She claims she was abducted while she was still in bed, and yet there was no evidence of forced entry into her home. The experience, according to the police, was all in her head – a break with reality. Jill quickly realizes that only she can save her sister. And so, in defiance of the authorities, she arms herself and begins a one-woman city-wide investigation.

There's a fascinating paradox at work, here: Jill uses her brains in a situation where she's so emotionally vested. There's no denying that, above all else, painful memories of her own kidnapping are motivating her. All the same, she understands that locating Molly and bringing her abductor to justice requires a clear head and the ability to reason. . If it were strictly an emotional reaction on her part, if she was nothing more than a crazed vigilante with a gun, we would become so involved with her and the story..

A well done film that is a nail bitter.

DRIVE 3.5****

Most of you remember Ryan Gosling for the 'The Notebook'. A lot of men and some women neglected his acting ability in that role.. But film by film,this young actor has impressed the hell out of m. And now we get to see what kind of chops he has when it comes to an action film. And believe .......he turns it into one of the coolest action movies I’ve seen in a while. It's not your basic shoot- em' up picture. It has this slight 'noire' edge to it that makes it shine much brighter than the rest.

The film stars Ryan Gosling as a man only known as the Driver. He has a job as a Hollywood stunt driver but moonlights as a getaway driver. He gives each robber team five minutes to get the heist done and if they are a second too late, he's gone and they are on their own. The opening of the film is quite impressive as it draws you in and shows how much of a professional the Driver can be. He's very much a loner, but he seems to have a pretty good relationship with Shannon, the owner of the mechanic shop where he works. The Driver soon meets Irene (Carey Mulligan), his neighbor who lives down the hall in his apartment building. She lives with her son and her husband is in prison, but is going to be released soon. Our hero gets more than he bargained for when the husband returns.

The performances are stellar. Gosling is fantastic as the Driver. He plays it calm and cool, with sudden bursts of violence when protecting the people he cares about. He doesn't have a lot of dialogue, but he pulls it off so well. And the one performance that really stands out from the supporting cast is Albert Brooks. He plays a crime boss who you really don't want to be on the bad side of. He's quite calm for most of the film, but when he gets violent, it's absolutely brutal.


Regarding the pace of the film. some may call it slow, whereas I call it hypnotic. The lead played by Gosling, is a cold and quiet fellow who barely even speaks, blinks, or give any reference to his emotions. But as the film rolls on, Gosling's character becomes a more vibrant. And by that, I mean more violent. It's not the kind of violence you expect. It’s the subtle yet explosive kind that catches you by surprise. And then the movie does nothing but climb higher and higher with its level of intensity. It takes this stone cold character, and molds him into one cool ass dude

. The cinematography is fantastic, the musical score is hip and awesome, and the acting is top notch. Bottom Line, it’s awesome … an art-house action flick at its finest.

Rated R for strong brutal bloody violence, language and some nudity.

Clark

THE TREE OF LIFE 3.0***



This is a simple story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.

This film is presented in 4 distinct acts and the acts are very disjointed, and although they are woven together by somewhat obscure common elements, the experience can still be very disorienting and confusing. .

. The film begins with a peek into the life of a 1950s American family that suffers a tragedy. It leaps forward and back in time, setting up the individual characters and their roles in the drama. Though presented in a very fragmented way, this part should be easy enough to follow.. The next sequence, lasting about 20 minutes, is a very impressionistic journey through space, time and evolution that depicts the creation of Earth, the beginnings of life, the era of the dinosaurs, and the events leading to the rise of man. Although this sequence is awesome in its beauty and enjoyable enough on its own rights, it feels like it belongs more as part of a History Channel/Discovery Channel documentary than as a cohesive segment of The Tree of Life. It's somewhat reminiscent of the "acid trip sequence" at the end of "2001". After that, we return to the 1950s. This sequence makes up the body of this film. Having established the setting & tone, the director gives us a story. It's presented in a series of vignettes focusing mostly on the love-hate relationship between a boy and his father. Both the father & son are jerks struggling to become good, each in his own way. We return to another impressionistic sequence, this time including the main characters and short bits of dialogue & voice-overs. To some of the audience it may give closure & satisfaction. To others, it may be infuriatingly insufficient

How do you watch such a film? Well you've got to lower any defenses you have. You've got to try not to make a sense out of everything you see. You've got to take it all in, and let it enter you, just as smoothly as the film explores the evolution of the universe, the evolution of the species and man from the most primitive of cells to the dinosaurs to a simple living room of a troubled family. Make no judgments, consider nothing except the pure experience of being there, wherever the film takes you. Search for no explanation, for there is no real rational reasons other than for the images to be as they are.

The film reflects profoundly the pure mastery of every tool of film creation. Every image counts, each shot was taken with competence and passion, each frame, each camera move is done to perfection by one of the best cinematographers ever. The editing is world class. Every cut, whether the space virtual shots or the family scenes, matter to the narrative, whatever that is. What helps to take this to a whole new level is the incredible leverage of music.. Watch it, let yourself get absorbed. Don’t fight it. Don’t try to figure it out . Just go with it for the experience.

This film demands an incredible lot from you, as a viewer. It demands that you be a different person and use a different approach to film- watching.


Clark

HUGO 3.75****
This is a sweet and gentle tale, full of unexpected warmth and depth. It is the story of Hugo Cabret( Asa Butterfield), an orphan and keeper of the clocks at a train station in Paris. His only connection to his deceased father is a broken-down automaton ( mechanical man) the two were repairing before his father's death in a fire. When Hugo is caught stealing parts for the automaton by George Melies, an old owner of a toy shop in the station (Ben Kingsley), his booklet of sketches related to the curious mechanical man is taken from him by Melies. Attempting to retrieve it, he meets Isabelle, the goddaughter of Melies. Together, they begin to unravel the mystery behind Kingsley's character and help bring his true identity to light.
Asa Butterfield as Hugo gives an outstanding performance as Hugo and Chloe Grace Moretz shines sublimely as the precocious Isabelle. Of course, Ben Kingsley gives a terrific performance, powerful and poignant. He plays a broken man anguished by the shadows of the past. Sacha Baron Cohen's role as the obsessed Station Inspector is more than a one-dimensional figure. He is not merely some comic antagonist tossed in for the sake of slapstick. He is also a fascinating and well-developed character in his own right.
There has been some objection to Martin Scorsese as the director of such films as “Taxi driver” and “Goodfellas” making a “children’s” film. But “Hugo” shows that a so-called children’s movie doesn’t have to be silly or dumbed down. This is an intelligent and wondrous movie… a real tribute to the magic of cinema. It reminds me of why I love movies so much.
The visuals of the movie and brown tones along with the 3D effect makes it look like a combination of typical Scorsese style but at times with the 3D it also looks like a beautiful pop-up book. There are many strong human scenes in Hugo that are signature Scorsese. One particular scene was when Papa Georges catches Hugo and Isabelle snooping through his old movie drawings. In actor Kingsley's hurt reaction, "I trusted you. You're just cruel…just cruel" there viewers can see the Scorsese stamp in revealing of the character's soul through the actor.

It’s one of the ten movies nominated for Best Movie in the Oscar race.
Clark

MONEYBALL 3.75 ***



This is a the high quality drama …. a baseball-docu-drama…. But one even folks with zero baseball knowledge can enjoy and be moved by.

The role of Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, is an incredibly demanding one. While there are tons of dialog, hack arguments, display of physical rage, etc; it is the silent storytelling, emotional turmoil, change-of-heart reflections and so on that are the toughest to convey and requires a well-seasoned character actor. This is easily Brad at his widest acting range - and you see all of it in a little over two hours.

Jonah Hill's performance in the film is phenomenal, and this may be the break that that young actor has been joshing for. His portrayal of Peter Brand, a Yale Economics major and full time computer nerd is beyond believable .

Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of the ready-to-exit Oakland A's coach, Art Howe, caught between "the for-sure old money" and the "crazy senseless new reality", is right on . They couldn’t have cast this part any better. Hoffman delivers in every single scene and you literally sweat his frustration along with him. This foil to Brad Pitt's character is quite effective and makes for some heavy- drama with Brad.

This is an "onion" movie in that it peels back layers of good drama as it goes along each adding to the overall effect.. It is an entertaining account of modern baseball history - how player statistics became one of the most important factors determining financial success in modern baseball and how a washed-out General Managers , Brad Pitt, finally wakes up to that approach - and finds himself becoming one of the greatest innovators of the modern game.


At this historic moment in time, the message really hits a home-run! Other than baseball, we've recently witnessed similar changes and conflicts played out in public across the automobile, music distribution, movie distribution, book distribution, home computer, banking , and many other industries. Every unemployed in a vanishing industry can easily identify with the old Billy Beane. It’s how Billy leverages his disappointment and experience, to turn his life around that we can all aspire to.

It’s been nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture; Best Actor (Pitt), Best Supporting Actor(Hill) and Best Adapted Screen Play.

Clark

THE ARTIST 4.0****

I’ll start by saying if you have a Jack Russell Terrier you HAVE to see this film. If you love dogs in general, you will want to see it. Regardless of whether you care about dogs, you SHOULD see this movie. It is a delightful masterpiece.
In case you didn’t t know , this is a black and white film … YES that means NO color. ALSO it is a silent film which … YES means, means NO talking. Most in today’s movie audience have never actually seen a silent film. So the proposed task of sitting through an entire production based on the concept of a silent actor portrayed in a silent movie could be intimidating or more likely a turn off. BUT for those who are willing to try something different, The Artist will provide one of the most entertaining and amazing experiences you’ll have with a movie.

The storyline: George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the king of silent movies in Hollywood in 1927. Audiences just adore everything George is a part of. Along comes Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) who you just know is going to be a huge star someday. George and Peppy work together on one film as George not only takes her under his wing, but an undeniable spark develops between the two. Over the course of the next few years, silent movies fade into obscurity as talking pictures or "talkies" explode onto the scene. George finds himself out of work, a has-been, and decides to prove the world wrong by making his own silent film which turns out to be a disaster.. All the while, Peppy finds herself as the new face of the talking Hollywood era. From here The Artist weaves a wonderfully spirited portrayal of a man who has it all, loses what he loves, and must come to terms with what his life can be.
The Artist is funny and charming right out the gate. Jean Dujardin really plays to the crowd and appears to love nothing more than catering to the people who come to see his films. George's dog Jack might be the best form of comic relief seen in a while along with being one of the cutest dogs you’ll ever see in a movie. The laughs are there, the charms are there. The Artist has a firm grip on your heart and your attention and never lets go.

The Artist is memorable in just about every way, especially in its remarkable recreation of an era long gone. Film has evolved so much over the decades, but somehow everyone involved here was able to transport themselves and the audience back to the silent era. With this, we were given a gift of a film that one hundred percent feels like it comes to us from another time period. With a bounty of instantly classic scenes, from the dancing legs to the climatic "Look what you've become...", this is a true winner that is an absolute crowd-pleaser. . I have to admit that it didn't seem like the kind of film I would like, but it absolutely won me over in every way.
You have to marvel at how such a large step backward could end up being such a monumental leap forward . You will laugh, you will cry. But mostly laugh. After watching this film, I was smitten by its distinct and appealing character. It is a fabulous movie.
This film was SO good it left me “speechless” ( I know… a groaner but I just couldn’t pass it up).

Clark

EXTREMELY LOUD INCREDIBLY CLOSE 3.3***
This movie may be the best and most honest, hard-hitting look at the many aspects and challenges of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome but even more so at the depths of grief experienced by children and adults with the loss of a loved one. In a bold and perceptive use of a character who is 9 years old and has a mild to medium case of Asperger’s Syndrome, which use turns out to be remarkably appropriate because it allows the dialogue to be straight-forward and frank and elevates the logical mind above the emotional mind which, in most any other movie would have seemed artificial and contrived. The entire mystery adventure which is the heart of the movie allows the audience to experience the wonder and the depths of true emotions as well as the hidden mysteries and goodness of the human condition.

The film tells the story of Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn), a nine-year old boy whose father ( Tom Hanks ) is killed on September 11th 2001, in one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. A year passes since "the worst day", and, Oskar desperately tries to keep his father’s memory from fading He has read or knows that "If the sun were to die, we'd not know it for another 8 minutes, because that's how long it takes for sunlight to reach us." Feeling that his 8 minutes with his father are about to expire, and upon finding a key in a vase on the top shelf of his father’s closet, Oskar sets off on a remarkable journey to find the safe or door or whatever the key unlocks. The journey, the quest, is to Oskar an attempt to bring his father back. But the journey in fact will bring him closer to his mother and other family, to others struggling with the horrible after-effects and grief and loss of 9/11, and, most importantly, to himself. Along the way, Oskar meets a variety of characters including the mysterious "renter' (Max Von Sydow) living in his grandmother's house. What the movie so beautifully accomplishes, above all else, is capturing the sweet innocence of a young boy with Asperger’s and revealing so many touching and dramatic moments about him and the many people he meets in his journey, while never getting over-zealous or contrived .

What Thomas Horn delivers as Oskar is by no mistake one of the best child performances in some time. Horn dives into one of the most complex character's ever created for a child & does a marvelous very convincing job .Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock did well in their roles, as did Max Von Sydow, as the surprising and at times scary renter, but the movie belonged to young Thomas Horn.

It would help for you to know about and look for some of the Asperger’s traits that Oskar portrays so very well: .
He's a catalogue of obscure facts and figures . He's highly neurotic and his list of phobias rang from tall buildings to bridges to loud noises to things made of concrete. He has a hard time approaching strangers and speaking to them directly. He mentally counts his own lies. The only person he could communicate with was his father. So imagine the huge amount of courage it took for Oskar to go out into all 5 Boroughs of NYC during his quest seeking out and talking to complete strangers .

But the film is not about Asperger's syndrome nor is about the 9/11 incident/tragedy. . The movie is really about the loss of a loved one as seen through the eyes a 9 year old with Asperger’s whose fears and anxieties are just like everyone else's. But because of the Asperger’s, Oskar openly expresses those fears, there's no filter to it if you will, he lets it all out, something that the rest of us probably would need years of therapy to be able to do.

.Excellent film for the whole family … many lessons to be learned and many emotions to be felt.

Clark

MELANCHOLIA 3.3****
This film opens with the end of the world. A massively large planet named Melancholia, whose path through space has been blocked from our view by the sun, smashes into the much smaller Earth, obliterating it and all on it. There are no Bruce Willis-detonated nukes and no space colony of the elite – only the end of everything. The opening act which runs about 7 minutest is an incredible collection of scenes and montages depicting the creation of the Universe, the evolution of the Earth and man, and the Earth's destruction, set to the chilling prelude to Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde.
The movie concentrates on the mental illness, depression, and that is what the film is about – the planet and the destruction of humanity is just a plot device, nothing more than that. We focus on two sisters during the week before the destruction of the Earth. One of the sisters, Justine ( Kirsten Dunst) gets married at the first of the last week of Earth at the personal and financial expense of the other sister, Claire ( Charlotte Gainsborough) and the movie focuses on the Wedding Reception being held at a gorgeous booked out golf-course and hotel. Justine , the bride, is suffering from a crippling depression, while her sister Claire has much more of a "balanced" life, with a family and responsibilities. In the first half we see Justine's depression at work at the Reception and into the night while others try to be patient with her or just help her despite not knowing what to do – all wishing they could make her snap out of it but knowing they can't. In the second half of the film we see Claire beginning to suffer from the same feelings of despair and pointlessness, feeling like the world is ending, wanting to get away, but knowing she can't flee anywhere. Both sisters are suffering from melancholia – in Justine's case it is the condition, in Claire's it is the menacing planet.

What really makes this film are the outstanding performance and the fabulous cinematography. In the first half of the film Dunst is brilliant. I have limited experience with depression but from what I know and have read, the film gets really right i.e… nails it; the inability to function, the swings into sadness and the hopeless feeling of loss of control.. Dunst really captures all these emotions… she is very convincing.. In the second half of the film she effectively switches gear by taking on the caregiver role for her sister, Claire. Dunst is getting most of the praise, but Gainsbourg deserve credit too for a fine performance. In the first half she makes a great caretaker and totally captures the feeling of those dealing with someone else's depression – we feel her conflicting emotions towards her sister, we know that she is both angry at her for her selfish behavior while also knowing it is not her fault. In the second half she captures the depression that also overwhelms her and makes it work while also keeping it about the planet.
Overall this is not a film for everyone – it is certainly not a film for anyone who thinks it is a European version of Deep Impact. Nor is it a perfect film as it could have been tighter and the second half is not as good as the first, but it is still very interesting and engaging. As an exploration of depression it is quite fascinating and saddening at the same time. It is a clever film and, while an action movie about the same scenario (planet collision) may have been an easier viewing experience, Melancholia is rewarding, inventive and artistic with two central performances that are worth seeing.
Melancholia presents a number of dramatically and emotionally compelling themes: depression can cripple the human spirit. It is said that people who have never gone through a depression don't understand what it feels like; that when you go through a bout of depression for the first time (as Claire does), the experience is terrifying in its uncertainty; and, most crucially, that when you've been too depressed for too long, it can feel like the world really is going to come to an end.

Clark

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE/ GHOST PROTOCOL 3.5***

This is hands-down the best action film for 2011, boasting some of the most exhilarating action sequences ever captured in a long while. It also restores Tom Cruise's marquee value as an action star.

.The movie has a classy, heart-pounding, nail-biting opening that sees IMF operative Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) breaking out of a Russian prison. The sequence, which combines Dean Martin's 'Ain't That A Kick in the Head' with Steve McQueen's 'The Great Escape', is carefully executed and fluidly filmed .
No 'Mission Impossible' film would be complete without the exotic locales, fancy gadgets and big explosions.. So even as the setting moves from Russia to Dubai to Mumbai, even as the gadgets grow increasingly more dazzling and even as the explosions get more colossal, the movie never lets the adventure get frenetic, and alternates between quiet tension and full-blown action to keep you on the edge of your seat.

But the most awe-inspiring action sequence so worthy of special mention is Cruise's nerve-wracking climb up the glass exterior of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai by using, of all things, electronic suction gloves. It is Cruise himself way up on the 130th floor, and the authenticity of it shows in every second of the breathtaking cinematography which was done for and should be seen at I-MAX (which thankfully I did) . It is even more heart-stopping than you can imagine, such as when Cruise is left dangling by just one glove after the other malfunctions. Nothing else quite comes close to the sheer dizzying excitement of this sequence- not even the intensely gripping race-against-time climax to the movie complete with a good-old fashion fistfight between Hunt and the main villain in an automated parking garage.

Cruise isn't one to rest on his laurels, and at the age of 49, the extent to which he commits to perform the stunts in this movie by himself is simply amazing , Cruise also uses his immense charisma to deliver a slickly captivating performance as the leader of IMFteam.. He also enjoys a fine supporting cast…Simon Pegg, as the tech whiz, Paula Patton, as the tough sexy female player and last, but not least, Jeremy Renner, as the intelligence analyst. There is no super villain here but it is not really necessary because there’s enough going on as it is .

. To say that the action on display is exhilarating is merely an understatement, and let me repeat that you really should see this one at IMAX to get the full impact of the movie.. It is quite simply the best 'Mission Impossible' entry yet, and the best action movie in 2011 and maybe 2012.
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