THE FIGHTER 4.0 ****




The Fighter is the story of the fall and the rise of Mickey and Dickie Ward, two brothers who are both boxers from Lowell Massachusetts. The spotlight should be on Mickey, the up and comer, but instead, all the family and even media attention is on Dickie, the star who once knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard and is claiming to make a comeback, when in reality he's way down the path of drugs, danger and destruction. Dickie is a crack addict and a meth head. Mickey, however, is intent on keeping him around to help him train.

Much of “The Fighter” revolves around the Ward family drama, and what a drama it is.. A family with 2 adult brothers and 7 adult sisters, 2 fathers, a money grubbing, domineering mother who doubles as a mess of a manager. And it is older brother Dickie who consistently brings the family down. Everything comes to a head when Dickie gets himself arrested and brings Mickey into the situation that nearly ends his boxing career.

The film is strong from start to finish thanks to brilliant acting and remarkable direction by David O. Russell. What performance to start with is difficult so we’ll start with the leading man, Mark Whalberg who delivers a strong performance as a gritty Boston native who is the underdog boxer… it’ll remind you of Rocky. He plays Mickey as the sometimes timid and sometimes confident boxer who is, unfortunately, often overwhelmed by his family who are looking out for themselves and not him. Whalberg's love interest in the film, Amy Adams, delivers a sterling performance as Mickey’s tough yet loving girlfriend. Melissa Leo is outstanding as Ward's mother doing an in-your-face performance of the ultra-controlling mother/manager to perfection. NOW, for the man who steals the movie from everyone. Christian Bale. Bale will absolutely blow you away with this incredible, and very Oscar worthy performance. Bale does to Whalberg what Ledger did to Bale in the Batman movie,” Dark Knight”; that is, steal the main character’s film right out from under him. His mental and physical preparation alone is the definition of true method acting from an unbelievably talented actor. This is one of the best supporting actor performances in years and he should definitely walk away with the awards at this year's Golden Globes and Oscars.

The screenplay in this film is nothing short of spectacular. The dialogue really makes the movie believable and allows it to come alive on the screen in a big way. The fighting scenes are incredibly well done and keep you at the edge of your seat, and will have you cheering by the end of the movie. This is one of the best sports films to hit screens in the past couple of years. It has everything you want in a “feel good” sports film.

Rated R for strong language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality

Clark

THE GREEN HORNET 3.5***






Ever since I heard about "The Green Hornet", I had expected a bad movie. It didn't seem like it would work...boy was I wrong. So I walked in with zero expectations, except I knew I liked Seth Rogen,, and walked out having laughed throughout the movie and having REALLY enjoyed the action and chemistry between Rogen ( the “Green Hornet”) and Jay Chou, who plays his sidekick, Kato, who is really the brains and brawn of the two. In fact, Kato steals the movie and that’s saying a lot when you have Rogen in the movie. Kato’s accent is sometimes hard to understand, but he is surprisingly funny, and Kato-vision (time slows when his heart starts pumping during fights) turned out pretty cool in 3-D.
Throughout the movie, I was surprised by how often there were laugh-out-loud moments, as well as some great one-liners, usually by Rogan. Of course, there is the climactic chase scene and shoot out, with some new and interesting ways in order to make it fresh. You won't be saying "I've seen THAT before" - believe me. But, the truth is,” The Green Hornet” is really a buddy comedy disguised as a superhero movie, something of a “bromance” but with less raunch and more explosions. Even with solid special effects and fairly interesting, if not mind-blowing, action sequences, the film is strongest when focusing on the banter between its two leads.

It's full of action. It's full of thrills. It is over-exaggerated and it's unrealistic as hell. But that's the point! It's a superhero movie people. The action scenes are well done, with great use of slo-mo, and even in 3D, the "Kato-vision" scenes looked awesome. The fight scene in the middle between Kato and Green Hornet that goes on and on was probably one of the funniest scenes, and long though it may be, it just gets funnier and more ridiculous as it goes on.

If you’re willing to suspend belief when it comes to the movies, and just let myself get wrapped up in the spectacle unfolding on the screen, "Green Hornet" is just the movie for you. It is funny, action-packed, well-acted and gadget-filled and one of the better of the superhero movies lately.

The movie isn't perfect, I didn't feel Cameron Diaz added a whole lot to the movie except being great “eye candy” and the tension to create a rift between guys. But if you're looking for a pure escapist fun ride, then look no further than "The Green Hornet."

Clark

easy A 3.25*** (I know this is a slight cheat but it is more accurate)
" "Easy A" is one of the funniest smart movies of 2010 although it didn’t open until December.2010.. The blending of Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" in this modern age of Twitter, Face book and texting is whimsical, genuine, and hysterical. Emma Stone is absolutely amazing as the teenager Olive.. The story brilliantly captures the angst and social perils of kids of the Facebook generation. The story is sharp and realistic and has interesting twists and turns. Easy A" is reminiscent of "Juno" in its clever and biting dialog. But where in "Juno" no one in real life actually speaks like her with those razor-like smarts, in "Easy A" Olive and the others do and it is witty and sharp.


Olive is a smart and decent high school student in Ojai, CA. She is never in trouble— in fact nearly invisible. Olive gets caught in a lie to avoid going on a camping trip with her best friend Rhiannon when she tells Rhi that she had a one night stand with a college freshman over the weekend—when in fact she was home alone pretending to have sex. School Christian Crusade Leader Marianne overhears Olive's restroom pronouncement to Rhi. And literally at the speed of light the Tweets and texts instantly broadcast Olive's promiscuity to the rest of the High School.. Later Marianne tells Olive she will be judged by a higher power. Olive responds, "Did I just get saved?"

"Easy A" movingly captures and reminds us of the painful teen angst of fitting in, and just being allowed to be. Ultimately, "Easy A" gets an high marks for its story about having the courage to take a stand, doing what is right despite what people think. And the vivacious Emma Stone is our hero on this journey. She is cute and has such a radiant spirit. She wins us over whether she is singing "Pocket Full of Sunshine" in the shower or seeing the suffering in her eyes when she realizes that she shattered the life of someone dear. "Easy A" is one of the best movies of the year. It's the kind of movie that is dismissed by the Academy, when it shouldn't. Perhaps, one day.

Rated “PG 13” it is a safe bet for almost all ages.

Clark

The King’s Speech 4.0*** out of 4.0*****
"The King's Speech" is a film that is about more than just a speech in a moment in time. It is about the journey of Prince Albert (Colin Firth), the younger of the two sons of King George V, and his battle to overcome a harsh speech impediment . Tom Hooper directs this true story concerning a special relationship that forms between Prince Albert, also known as Bertie, and his speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). The film begins shortly before the death of King George V, which was shortly before World War II, and after a horribly failed speech by Bertie due to his stammering speech impediment( stammering is the inability to speak except very haltingly and even then with long pauses which is different from stuttering). His wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) has tried finding speech therapists to help her husband, however, time and time again they fail to procure any results. She finally stumbles across a man named Lionel Logue known for his unique therapeutic practices. At first Bertie is very skeptical and believes that this is going to be just another failure. However, after a minor bet of a shilling which Lionel wins but it also turns out to be a inspiring breakthrough for Bertie due to some surprising results. Together Bertie and Lionel build a strong bond and come to trust each other and work hard to overcome the stammering..
The acting of both Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush is spectacular and the chemistry between the two is even better. They are able to transform a very straightforward and predictable story into an original look at an underdog story. Colin Firth's performance is so very real and believable that he makes you feel like you are in one of those dreams where you are trying so desperately to speak and can’t and must call out for help, but are not able to. The journey that these two men take together in the film is mastered perfectly as the two curse and sing and fuss at each other and make speech more than just well articulated words stung together.
Tom Hooper directed this without holding back proving himself to be one of the better directors in Hollywood. Making an R-rated film only because of a few F-words used during the speech therapy sessions shows that he was willing to make the film for what it is, not to get a larger audience. Solidly written, beautifully cinematographed, elegantly directed, and perfectly acted. The King's Speech will be a Best Picture nomination. For an Oscar along with nominations for Firth, Rush and maybe Bohem-Carter.
A “must see” whether in the theatre or later on DVD.

Clark

BLACK SWAN 4.0****B
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Black Swan is one of the most powerful films of 2010 which comes as no surprise since it is by the same director, Darren Aronofsky, who did “The Wrestler”. Natalie Portman is hypnotizing in the role of Nina a somewhat getting older ballerina who wants so much…i.e. “to die for” lead role of the Great Swan in “Swan Lake”. She demonstrates amazing subtlety in attacking the complexities of her role. She is a 90-pound mousy waif of a thing packed with 1000 pounds of dynamite just waiting to be set off. Vincent Cassel is spot-on perfect in his role as her ballet Director and muse. As one of the catalysts that will help carry Nina to her ultimate destiny, Cassel brings just the right mix of measured patience and surging force to his character.\
Director Aronofsky's films always give you a nice meaty hunk of cinema to chew on and this film is no exception. He is at the top of his craft right now and Black Swan bears that out. The way he blends the narrative with continuous flashes of artistic beauty, nerve-racking tension and fever dream-type sequences is a wonder to behold.
This movie should be at the front of the pack come Oscar time. Ms. Portman will definitely be nominated for and should win Oscar’s Best Actress She is that good. Hers is a role that will be remembered and studied for a very long time. It just blows you away from start to finish! Aronofsky's should also be in contention for Best Director. He has been passed by at awards time before. He flawlessly crafts a film that grabs you from the opening frames and brings you along on a journey that doesn't end with the closing credits. This film leaves you thinking for days.Top of Form
Nina (Natalie Portman), is placed in the precarious situation of replacing the company's former star in the production of Swan Lake. The role is a dual role, in which she must play both the sweet, innocent White Swan as well as her evil twin sister, the Black Swan. Though Nina is wonderful and so well suited for the White Swan, she must find a way to evoke the evilness and sultriness of the Black Swan which is quite contrary to her character. She must find her inner dark side. As Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side – evil and recklessness even demons surface that threaten to destroy her, but then do they really exist … is it reality or illusion , is it actuality or hallucinations…. it is for sure a nail biting psychological thriller. In any event, you will not be disappointed, perhaps a little confused. Hopefully, it will arouse your curiosity to listen to its music or see a real ballet . But, remember this is a dark, depressing movie that is worth that kind of experience because of the extraordinary acting, especially the awesome BRAVO performance by Portman, and the story, direction and music.
Rated “R” for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use

TRUE GRIT 3.5***





“True Grit" 2 is the Coen Brothers' most heroic, straight forward tale yet from a long line of outstanding movies made by them .The original "True Grit" took liberties with the book. The Coens' remain true to the original book storyline, In the first "True Grit" John Wayne won his Academy Award for playing his larger than life self as Rooster Cogburn, an aging U.S. Marshall, with ease and grace. Contrastingly, Jeff Bridges authentically inhabits Cogburn as the drunken broken down man coming to terms with his own mortality, who still possesses the remnants of “true grit”. Mattie, a very smart and shrewd 14 year old girl, hires him mainly because she sees the “grit” in him.. Young Hailee Steinfeld is a revelation as Mattie. Steinfeld and understatedly and wonderfully captures the spirit and character of Mattie . She is no nonsense and razor sharp. Matt Damon solidly plays the somewhat pompous Texas Ranger LaBoeuf—the Glenn Campbell role in the first movie. Damon shows again how versatile he is as an actor. He is with Cogburn and Mattie off and on during the hunt for Chaney and at the end.
Mattie seeks vengeance for the murder of her father by Tom Chaney ( Josh Brolin) who hastily fled to join up with outlaw Ned Pepper and his crew in the Indian Nations . Mattie aims to see Chaney hanged in her home state or brought back dead. Mattie often has Cogburn and Le Boeuf on their intellectual heels, but she is beholding to them for her very life. And the unlikely trio find danger and surprises on their journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested.

“True Grit” crackles and pops across the sweeping vistas of the Wild West, a time where the frontier actually existed, where young girls could pursue their father's killer in the name of revenge, and a time where a U.S. Marshall could be judge, jury, and executioner without any real appeal. The Coen Brothers have crafted a Western adventure that is everything a great Western should be . They take us back to a simpler time, where men roamed the wilderness and where things were either good or bad, and it is this simplicity that makes “ True Grit “the superb achievement that it is. And Coen Brothers fans will not be disappointed because this film very definitely has the Coen touch and feel to it.


This is one of the best films of the year. However, the PG-13 rating is somewhat misleading as it is on the very cusp of being rated R for the violence.
Clark

THE TOURIST 3.0**** Barely
We're all used to seeing Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in dramatic/action roles and it's so easy to forget that they can be lighthearted and funny. But they can be and are in this film.. Johnny shines, as he always does. Angelina Jolie looks glorious, and when she smiles, the screen lights up and I melt down.. They don't have chemistry, some critics say. Oh yes, they do. More importantly, they seem to be enjoying themselves.

Johnny plays an American math teacher called Frank who, while on holiday in Europe, is approached on a train by a mysterious and beautiful woman called Elise (Angie ). Little does he know, however, that he's actually being used by her as a decoy to shift police attention from her lover - a financial 'whizz-kid' who ripped off a scummy criminal and now owes the British government over 700 million Euros in taxable funds. In a case of mistaken identity, the angry defrauded criminal assumes Frank is her thieving lover and Frank ends up being plunged into a whole web of intrigue, pursued by both the cops and the robbers. At the same time, he's trying to battle his own increasing infatuation with Elise.

This is a rather sophisticated and old-fashioned movie and its all the better for it. It would be easy to imagine this being made in 60s with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn starring in the lead roles. As Frank, Johnny Depp once again shows us why he's one of the best out there. It's easy to imagine George Clooney – surely the aforementioned Grant's heir - playing this role, but Depp is more effective and brings a more earthy quality, able to play both plain and debonair at the drop of a hat. Similarly, Angelina Jolie is convincing as the conflicted mystery woman Elise, and puts in a nice understated performance while at the same time never looking better. The chemistry between them starts slowly and builds as they interact. In fact the interplay between them for the first 40 minutes is absolutely brilliant.

A PG-13 rating means there is little violence or sex or naughty words.


Clark