100 Movies in 2011
Since I successfully got through 125 new (to me) movies in 2010, one might think I would up the ante on the 100 movies 1 year challenge for 2011. One would be incorrect. I've never completed the challenge without the luxury of being unemployed for a third of the year, so let's see if I can do it in 2011!
For interest's sake:
79/100 movies in 2009
95/100 movies in 2008
2011
1. Burlesque ........ B-
Christina Aguilera, Cher
January 1, 2011
"Burlesque" is pretty much exactly what one might expect/hope for when entering the theatre. Cheesy, poorly acted (except on the part of the always excellent Stanley Tucci), predictable, full of one-dimensional characters, and yet, so much fun. The musical numbers and costumes are fabu. Christina Aguilera is bad, but not distractingly so. A near nude scene from Cam Gigandet is a most welcome addition.
2. Tron: Legacy ........ A-
Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges
January 3, 2011
I will admit that I entered the theatre fully expecting to dislike this film. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to be treated to a hugely exciting adventure ride, with impressive effects and decent enough acting to serve the purpose. Michael Sheen is totally scene-stealingly fabulous in his very small role as a flamboyant club owner. He really just has the one scene in the movie, but it is absolutely the best scene hands-down. Not having seen the original "Tron" I can't say whether or not it really lives up, but the original is certainly on my to-see list now. The 3D in this case actually added to the film a lot and was really well executed. This means a lot coming from me, as I really dislike the 3D fad and would like it to go away as soon as possible.
3. Black Swan ........ A-
Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis
January 8, 2011
A high suspense psychological thriller featuring an absolutely amazing performance from Natalie Portman. It leaves you often unsure of what is real and what is not, and leaves plenty up for discussion upon leaving the theatre. Vincent Cassel is also fantastic as the lecherous artistic genius who attempts to draw the Black Swan performance out of the innocent dancer. One complaint is that I did feel a bit beaten over the head with symbolic black and white costuming and other such imagery. Natalie Portman pulling on Mila Kunis' black tank top under her otherwise white ensemble for a night of debauchery for instance was a bit excessive. We get it.
4. The Town ........ B+
Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner
January 15, 2011
A really solid gritty, heist drama. I'm definitely enjoying Ben Affleck's outings as a director. I think he's getting too much flack for his actual performance in this film too. I'm not sure that he has much range as an actor, but I think he is quite fitting for this role. Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall and Pete Postlethwaite provide great support.
5. The Green Hornet ........ C-
Seth Rogan, Jay Chou
January 19, 2011
Judging by the trailer, I was expecting this movie to be mindlessly entertaining. I'm not sure it even accomplished that. Particularly disappointing is the largely unfunny script co-written by Seth Rogan who apparently does not have a good grasp on decent PG humour. This movie also employs the absolute worst example of useless, bandwagon jumping 3D I have seen. Probably three scenes in the movie feature actual 3D, and it's poorly executed and distracting. A blatant attempt to jack ticket prices with no payoff. Despite the dud of a script, Christoph Waltz is a splendid bad guy, always entertainingly evil. There are also several solid action sequences and enjoyable gadgetry. Overall, not without redeeming qualities, but seriously disappointing.
6. Barney's Version ........ B+
Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike
January 20, 2011
Really great performances from the whole cast and beautiful cinematography make this quite the enjoyable movie. Although whether or not it really qualifies as a comedy is questionable to me. It's more of a drama with some funny moments. The script is not the film's high point. One can easily tell that it's a book adaptation and that certain key points are missing. I haven't read the novel, but feel that I would need to to get the full story. There are a couple of loose threads that would have been better if handled differently, or more likely left out entirely, as the film feels a bit too long. Plenty of Canadian content also adds to the enjoyment.
7. Blue Valentine ........ A-
Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling
January 28, 2011
A very realistic portrayal of a marriage breaking down that many will find hard to watch. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are both superb. The improvisational quality of the dialogue got to be a bit much for me in certain scenes. Very circular arguments for instance. Not unrealistic ones mind you, but tedious to watch as they would be to have. The film really doesn't pull any punches when it comes to realism. One hospital scene will make any woman in the audience cringe. The sex is very graphic, but there's nothing gratuitous or pretty about it. The filmmakers don't back away from the lack of enjoyment in a few of the scenes, or the total enjoyment in another. The film jumps back and forth from the supposedly happy beginning of the relationship to the sour last days. I found personally that even the beginning was quite sour. I definitely interpreted it as a relationship bound to fail from the get go. I'm not sure if that was the intention or if one was supposed to see a decline from near perfection, but that was my take. Also I found Ryan Gosling's character to be seriously unlikable from the very beginning. Michelle Williams' character descended into unlikable territory in the later scenes. None of these latter points should be taken as criticism though, just other factors that might make the film difficult to watch for some viewers. Overall a really brave movie, and a really good one. Well worth seeing.
8. Due Date ........ B+
Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis
January 29, 2011
I feel that this movie got unfairly critically panned. Sure, it's not as funny as "The Hangover", but that doesn't mean I didn't laugh through the whole thing! Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis have great bromance chemistry. Plus a child gets punched and a dog gets spat on, what more could one possibly ask for?
9. The King's Speech ........ B
Colin Girth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
January 30, 2011
If I had seen this film knowing absolutely nothing about it I would probably say enthusiastically, "That was a pretty good movie!" Unfortunately I didn't see the film knowing nothing about it, I saw it knowing that it was nominated against a slew of films I adore for a series of awards that it seems poised to win. And inevitably that will colour my opinion and review. Because it's not that "The King's Speech" isn't a good movie. It's just that it's not that good a movie, especially compared to the company it's keeping this awards season. Colin Firth's performance is amazing. I will not deny that in any way. Geoffrey Rush is charming. Otherwise, the film is cheesy and formulaic. The script did a good job of holding my interest considering the story focuses on a period of history that holds no interest to me whatsoever, but I can't say it was out of the ordinary beyond that. Overall, a nice movie. Worth a look. Interesting. But not a masterpiece. Do I generally see random movies and blast them for not being masterpieces? No. But so it goes around Oscar time.
10. The Mechanic ........ C+
Jason Statham, Ben Foster
February 3, 2011
If his bland performance in this messy film is any indication, Jason Statham is just getting lazy. It's fortunate for him that his co-star, Ben Foster, has enough energy to carry the whole movie himself. He is without a doubt the best thing about it. A couple of absolutely gaping plot holes aside, the film's main issue is the lack of any sort of explanation for the behaviour of the main character. Yes, Statham makes it clear in a line of dialogue rammed down our throats several times, that one has to have a certain mentality to be able to do what he does (that is, of course, kill people), but that alone does not cover the array of bizarre actions that he takes over the course of the movie, as surely the writers were hoping it would. It's really impossible to explain in further detail without giving away key plot points, but suffice to say, I didn't buy it. A sloppy effort on the whole, but not without redeeming factors. The violence in this movie is bloody and brutal and will surely satisfy the testosterone driven among us. There is also an enjoyable creativity and humour in the fight scenes. I also give the filmmakers mad mad props for a homoerotic scene that may not be all that risque, but is still allowed to go way further than I was expecting given the target audience. Bravo.
11. Shortbus ........ B+
Sook-Yin Lee, Paul Dawson
February 6, 2011
I would say that if you can't get through the first five minutes of this "porn with a plot" then it's decidedly not for you, but really, most of the extremely graphic sex is taken care of in the first five minutes. It's as if the filmmakers seriously want to just toss you right into it. "Our actors are actually having sex and you're just going to deal with it" style. Is this incredibly graphic sex really necessary to the film? Well, probably not. Given everything I think it could have been worked down to an R without too much trouble. This is not to say I'm complaining though! What follows the initial desensitization is a surprisingly interesting, thoughtful exploration of various styles of sex and love. Are there any shocking revelations? Really not at all. But interesting characters and really solid performances elevate the film. It's a shame that most of the actors featured haven't really gone on to do anything else.
12. About Last Night ........ D-
Rob Lowe, Demi Moore
February 7, 2011
Hilariously entertaining 80s wardrobe aside, this movie is a mess. The main characters are totally unlikable. The way they treat their best friends is reprehensible and yet it's the friends who end up apologizing in the end. Fortunately the friend characters aren't a whole lot more likeable themselves, so it doesn't make a huge difference. The acting is shockingly bad, the plot is almost non-existent and the chemistry is absolutely zero. Can someone please tell me why a present-day remake of this film is in the works? Look out for a cameo appearance from a young, skinny, blonde, virtually unrecognizable Megan Mullally for shits and giggles.
13. Rabbit Hole ........ B+
Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart
February 10, 2011
This felt to me like a very realistic portrayal of the difficulties a couple coping with a tragedy in totally different ways would face. The route Nicole Kidman chooses to go is surprisingly subtle, only rising to hysteria in a couple of scenes. Aaron Eckhart delivers almost an equally good performance, but lots me (and seemingly the character) a couple of times. One would expect a film on this subject to be bleaker than this one feels. Just the gradual return to every day life while nothing will ever be the same. It is a bit slow moving, and probably will not keep the attention of all viewers.
14. Toy Story 3 ........ B
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
February 12, 2011
The third instalment of "Toy Story" is very cleverly updated to current times while featuring almost exclusively nostalgic toys. The plot is really for the adults, whereas much of the humour is very slapstick and clearly aimed at the kids. It was a fantastic idea to explore the strange attachment that we have to our childhood toys. I can't say that my heartstrings were overly tugged, which surprised me given that I still have boxes of toys at my parents' house that I refuse to let them give away. I can easily name a whole host of people who disagree with me on that point though! I don't know if this was perhaps one of the films that missed its mark with me because of too much hype, but I was expecting more somehow. A thoroughly enjoyable movie for sure, but not as much depth as recent Pixar outings, and definitely not among my favourite of their films.
15. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974 ........ B-
Andrew Garfield, Sean Bean, Rebecca Hall
February 13, 2011
At the end of this film, I was left with a sense of confusion. I knew that I had just seen a very gritty, well-acted piece. I knew that it had maintained beautiful levels of intensity and wonderful cinematography. I knew that Andrew Garfield had been extremely attractive, both in bell bottoms (which is apparently a fetish of mine) and no bottoms at all. That's about all I knew. The basic plot arc I got, but some very significant details either went entirely over my head, or just weren't in there. If asked to explain the resolution, I'm not sure I could. Perhaps this will all come clear instalments 2 and 3. Perhaps I'm meant to feel this way. But somehow I just think something was genuinely missing to hold this film together. It's supposed to be part of a trilogy that also works as a stand-alone, and on the latter point, in my opinion it definitely missed the mark.
16. The Lovely Bones ........ B+
Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci
February 15, 2011
While this film adaptation of the Alice Sebold up is undeniably PG-ed up, it still stands up as a film. Some of the changes do hurt the plot a bit. The missing on-screen murder isn't so much a problem, nor is the absence of any mention of rape, but the removal of some of the books grittier plot points - the racism surrounding the police's suspicion of a boy from school, the mother's despair turning into an affair with the lead police investigator, Susie's ghost's growing despair that she will never experience sex without violence (in the film she's desperately wanting her first kiss haha) - does damage the story a bit. It's a little too fluffy considering the subject matter. Everything ties up a little too neatly. It's also just a bit too long. However, all of the performances are fantastic, Stanley Tucci in particular of course. The trailers had me concerned that Mark Wahlberg was a terrible choice for the role of the father, but fortunately this was not actually the case. The fantasy in-between world that Peter Jackson has created is stunning. One really feels, the beauty, wonder, joy and paralyzing loneliness. I thought that the finished product was quite well done and unfairly critically panned.
17. Megamind ........ B+
Will Ferrell, Tina Fey
February 16, 2011
A super cute, pleasantly different take on the superhero cartoon genre. I would imagine the initial plot twist appears in multiple trailers that I hadn't seen, but since I didn't really know the plot ahead of time it definitely threw me for a loop! There are definitely some gags that will only appeal to the kids, but for the most part this film can be easily appreciated by all audiences. The 3D adds nothing, but wasn't distractingly bad. Will Ferrell is much less irritating as a cartoon character as it turns out.
18. Winter's Bone ........ B
Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes
February 18, 2011
A very interesting, although flawed movie. The beginning is very slow and mostly consists of setting the stage, and the main character going around asking for information on her father's whereabouts. It's often not entirely clear who exactly the individuals she's approaching are. Their exchanges are similarly hard to follow. The second half of the film is packed with all of the action. By the end I wasn't confused about what had happened, but I was a little confused about how we'd gotten there. Performances all around are excellent. I also enjoyed the very bleak and yet beautiful cinematography. An abundance of animal related t-shirts entertained me. A refreshingly different film, but with room for improvement.
19. Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work ........ B-
February 19, 2011
If you're left with any particular impression of Joan Rivers after having seen this documentary, it will be that the lady is definitely deserving of the title! The film is quite slow to get started, but once it does it presents a very interesting story. As someone who doesn't know much about Rivers' career, I actually could have used a bit more history, but it does cover the early parts. And then onto Joan now. The woman in this documentary is a somewhat psychotic workaholic, profoundly insecure, desperate for approval, a bit of a whore for any kind of money or recognition and yet also unfairly victimized. Secondarily, she's hilarious. This documentary could definitely have used a bit more comedy. This was a brave film for Joan Rivers to have made. It will increase the public's understanding of her, but also does betray many of her weaknesses. Then again, one major weakness seems to be her willingness to participate in any project, no matter how tedious or humiliating, provided it comes with a paycheque and some screen time, so perhaps brave is not the right word and at the end of film, its existence will not be surprising.
20. Another Year ........ B+
Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Ruth Sheen
February 20, 2011
A really well crafted, downer of a drama about a content, likeable older couple watching the lives of their discontent and mostly unlikable friends and family fall apart around them. Lesley Manville is brilliant as their lonely, drunk and cougar-tastic friend. She was very much robbed of an Oscar nomination. (In fact there were several categories in which this film would have been deserving of a nod.) My only real complaint is that the film is very slow in places. This is fitting to the style, and mostly not a problem, but my attention certainly wandered in parts. It might be too bleak and too slow for some viewers, but is overall an impressive piece of work.
21. 9 1/2 Weeks ........ D+
Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger
February 21, 2011
This film is a nonsensical mess. The story of two strangers falling into an intense sexual relationship is clear. The rest of the movie? Not so much. There are some useless subplots about Kim Basinger's work in an art gallery. There's some bizarre imagery surrounding dead and dying fish. Mickey Rourke's character is a borderline psychopath and every feminist in the world must hate this movie. As for the promised hot and steamy sex, there are certainly some scenes that don't disappoint. However, there are also some scenes that are almost as nonsensical as the rest of the film and just about as sexy. There's some cough syrup for instance. I won't spoil anything, but wtf? Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke do redeem the film a bit by delivering very genuine performances amid a total mess of a screenplay.
22. Hot Tub Time Machine ........ B+
John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry
February 22, 2011
Unapologetically ridiculous and hilariously irreverent, this comedy is far better than I was expecting! Yes the necessary bodily function jokes are plentiful and often eye-roll worthy, but the script is otherwise surprisingly clever. One doesn't need to be overly nostalgic for the 80s to appreciate the movie either, as I am certainly not.
23. Country Strong ........ B+
Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester
February 27, 2011
Country Strong isn't really what you might expect. It's full of the anticipated enjoyable music, but is actually a good deal darker than I went in expecting, even knowing that the plot centred around a star being pulled out of rehab early. The result is a bit conflicting, as it's in some ways a breath of fresh air, but does clash unfortunately with the regulation cheesy content, which wouldn't have been out of place in a lighter-hearted version of this story. I felt that in order to make an excellent movie, the filmmakers would have had to commit more fully to their own dark tone, instead of worrying about putting off some audiences. Still the final product is worth a look. Gwyneth Paltrow has a great singing voice, and Tim McGraw is actually a better actor than I was previously giving him credit for.
24. Drive Angry ........ B+
Nicholas Cage, Amber Heard
March 4, 2011
"Drive Angry" is just as absurd and entertaining as the title would suggest. It has everything you might hope for, a totally ridiculous plot, plenty of exciting action, fast and shiny cars and atrociously bad acting! Especially on the part of regulation "hot chick" Amber Heard. This movie is a treat for anyone who has a guilty love of bad action movies. My only real complaint is, as it almost always is, the terrible 3D. When will this trend end?? Not only is it distracting and adds absolutely nothing to the majority of movies, I find that I have a headache at the end of every unpleasant experience.
25. Tangled ........ A-
Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi
March 5, 2011
"Tangled" is a joy. The writers have managed to concoct a story that will be equally appealing to young boys as to young girls, with plenty in there for the adults to enjoy as well. The heroine of the story has enough spice with her sugar to be earnest and endearing without sliding into obnoxiousness. The wicked witch of the story (posing as her mother) delivers enough passive-aggressive emotional abuse to go with her scary scheming to be relatable on an unpleasant level to many people. Yes, there are certainly a few typically Disney moments in there to threaten the contents of my stomach, but they're far outnumbered by the laugh-out-loud moments. One true downside is this is a Disney movie seriously lacking in good tunage. I would happily own this DVD, but would be hitting the fast forward button for every song.
26. How to Be ........ C-
Robert Pattinson, Powell Jones
March 11, 2011
This film drags like crazy and the humour largely misses the mark. There were some entertaining moments, but I was mostly checking the time and wondering when it would end. Possibly even less forgivably it doesn't even have the decency to be amusingly bad.
27. Despicable Me ........ A-
Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand
March 12, 2011
This adorable film brings some very unique elements to the kids' movie formula of "child/animal/friend starts out as annoying but eventually melts the heart of icy protagonist". In this one, Gru adopts three orphans in hopes that they can help him accomplish phase one of his dastardly plot to steal the moon (it involves securely a loan from the bank of evil). Gru's minions are hilarious and wonderful. Russell Brand voicing his mad scientist co-conspirator is an inspired choice.
28. Red Riding Hood ........ C+
Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman
March 12, 2011
Totally disappointing. This film is essentially Twilight with moderately better acting and infinitely better art direction. You've got Catherine Hardwicke directing, a melodramatic love triangle, Billy Burke playing the heroine's father, annoying girlfriends and of course, werewolves. The script is the main problem. The dialogue is stiff and excessively old style to suit the tone of the film or (apparently) for the actors to pull off, and any hope of an interesting mystery is ruined with the constant "misdirection" that is as subtle as a bull in a china shop. Much like with Twilight, the score (and perhaps soundtrack as well, I haven't checked it out yet) is the best part of the movie. I also greatly appreciated the art direction and costume design (although it would be hilariously impractical for the winter portrayed in the film...) I don't know why Gary Oldman or Julie Christie thought that doing this movie would be a good idea, but I did enjoy their performances. Overall I really feel that this film was mis-marketed. The beautiful and frightening trailer which implies a stylish horror film (there is no hint of any real suspense in the entire movie incidentally) may have turned off the viewers who should have made up the target audience - the same teenybooper set that loves Twilight so much.
29. The Adjustment Bureau ........ B+
Matt Damon, Emily Blunt
March 16, 2011
A very enjoyable movie on the whole, even though the resolution is a little weak and a bit too neat. I honestly felt like parts might have been re-shot to make the conclusion more uplifting. The plot is very interesting, although can be poked full of holes with very little effort. The real strength of the film is the chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, and the strength of their performances. Their attraction and romance feels very genuine and (for the most part) does not induce nausea. The cast features a wealth of supporting players who are also highly entertaining. Some viewers will find this thriller refreshing in its lack of violence and gore as well. Definitely lacking in depth, but a fun movie nonetheless.
30. Solitary Man ........ A-
Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, Jenna Fischer
March 17, 2011
Michael Douglas gives an amazing performance as an aging womanizer whose ways have cost him his business and fortune. Given the many big names in the supporting cast, I was expecting this to be a bit more of an ensemble piece, but it really is Douglas' movie. The script benefits from taking no judgment and offering no real resolution. A gem of a movie, and it's unfortunate that Douglas' performance wasn't really recognized during awards season, as it would have been most deserving of several nods.
31. Fragments ........ C+
Forest Whitaker, Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning
March 22, 2011
This ensemble drama about the affect that a random shooting in a diner has on its survivors is full of potential, but ultimately just doesn't work. My Dad called it an "interesting failure" which is pretty on the mark, if a little harsh. Very good performances all around, but none of the characters' stories come together at the end, and quite a few of the plotlines actually just don't make sense when you get right down to it. It felt as though scenes containing essential information had ended up on the cutting room floor for one reason or another. Dakota Fanning's story arc is the only one that feels complete or adequately explained, and unfortunately it's the least interesting of all of them.
32. Limitless ........ B+
Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert Deniro
March 23, 2011
Really enjoyed this one. Bradley Cooper is definitely worthy of leading man status. I was pleased to see Robert Deniro back in form in this brief but effective supporting performance. I enjoyed the script, how it goes some places one isn't expecting and the fact that it leaves the audience wondering about a couple of things. However the resolution is a little too neat despite the fact that it deliberately leaves you wondering. It's a bit hard to buy no matter what theory you leave the theatre with.
33. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never ........ B
Justin Bieber. Duh.
March 25, 2011
Lengthy review and description of how this event came to pass.
34. Secretariat ........ C
Diane Lane, John Malkovich
March 28, 2011
Good lord this film is SO cheesy. It's actually a shame that this incredible story about the greatest racehorse in history got into the hands of Disney, despite being sort of tailor-made for the company. Diane Lane does what she can in this film, but is not terribly convincing in many of the long-winded, "we will persevere!" type of speeches that she's forced to emote. John Malkovich is mostly quite entertaining as the quirky French-Canadian horse trainer, but I really wish the filmmakers had either made the character just plain old Canadian, or cast someone able to speak French to save his life!!! Oh my God the French is so awful!! There is also the issue that John Malkovich for the most part decided to forgo attempting any trace of a French-Canadian accent whatsoever, except in the scenes when his character actually has some (atrocious) French lines, at which point he seems to remember to slightly alter his English. I also need to take issue with the message in this film which seems to be that it's okay to abandon your family in pursuit of your dreams, but only if you succeed. If you appear to be failing, everyone pretty much agrees that you're a terrible human being. However once you make a bunch of money, no one has any reservations whatsoever about the past few years. In fact, if your husband seemed to be sort of a jerk in general about all topics, he might magically transform into a caring prince! Sigh.
Despite all of these major issues, this is still a reasonably fun movie to watch and I think will be especially entertaining for kids. The special features show that the filmmakers actually put huge effort into historical accuracy, which is always nice. The races are exciting even when you know the outcome. I can't say I'm in any way sorry to have seen it.
35. Sucker Punch ........ B-
Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone
April 9, 2011
Despite being visually stunning and well worth seeing on the big screen for that alone, this film just doesn't end up being as clever as it would like to be. It's a bit "Inception" crossed with "Shutter Island" and dumbed down a whole lot. I would have enjoyed the film a great deal more if more time had been spent showing the parallel occurrences in the three different levels of reality. This concept is explored very little and I was left with the impression not that it was done to keep the viewer wondering, but that it was done because the writers had no idea themselves, and didn't care enough to work out a story that makes sense on all levels. On the plus side, this film really showcases a talented young cast and is lots of fun despite the plot issues.
36. Wild Target ........ B+
Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint
April 9, 2011
Truly bizarre but highly entertaining. None of the characters are totally likeable but one ends up rooting for them anyway. The humour is off the wall and mostly pretty great. Don't expect for answers to your questions though. Crazy things like Emily Blunt asking the weight of all potential sex partners before committing remain a mystery.
37. The Runaways ........ B+
Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon
April 10, 2011
Better than its reputation but by no means perfect. It's interesting the way this film was advertised as it ends up being more about Cherie Currie than Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning actually has a much bigger part than Kristen Stewart. The story is obviously a bit Hollywoodized and quite a bit over-simplified. Although it did make me interested in reading Currie's autobiography. Michael Shannon without question has the best role and steals every scene he's in.
38. Hanna ........ A-
Saiorse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett
April 14, 2011
A fantastically different sort of action movie, this film takes the viewer through graphic arctic survival, to a world of corporate technology, to a cross country road trip with a family of hippies. "Hanna" takes itself just seriously enough, pairing bleak backdrops and fantastic performances (Saiorse Ronan in particular is amazing) with exciting and fun action sequences and well placed humour. On the negative side, to say that the plot would not hold up to a heavy scrutinizing would be generous. Particular character motivations really didn't add up, which I found more troubling than other points lacking in plausibility. I wanted more in the way of an explanation, and the ending was not particularly satisfying. Still, the pros far outweigh the cons, this is a very solid effort and well worth seeing. The big screen is not a necessity, but definitely adds to the experience.
39. Love & Distrust ........ D+
James Franco, Amy Adams, Sam Worthington
April 15, 2011
A true mess of a movie. Despite an impressive-sounding cast, this film has very little to offer. It's actually made up of five short films, varied in quality, but the best of which is still not particularly good. The relation between the stories is vague and forced at best. The cast does a good job, but I can't imagine what would have attracted them to this project.
40. Animal Kingdom ........ B+
James Frecheville, Jacki Weaver, Guy Pearce
April 17, 2011
A very gritty, different take on a crime family drama. The audience really feels the growing desperation as the situation spirals further out of control. The cast is tremendous, although I find Jacki Weaver's Supporting Actress Oscar nomination a bit mystifying considering how minor her role is and how it doesn't stand out from the rest of the cast. The pacing is the low point. It's arguably too slow, and the film ends up feeling excessively long.
41. Please Give ........ A
Catherine Keener, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet
April 18, 2011
A truly excellent film, and one that executes the difficult dramedy genre perfectly. The cast is wonderful. The characters are all extremely flawed and feel like real people. All are unlikable on one level or another, but somehow the audience ends up liking all of them. The film will be particularly meaningful as well as hilarious to anyone who has had to deal with a difficult, elderly relative. Highly recommended.
42. I Love You Phillip Morris ........ A
Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor
April 22, 2011
Hilarious, beautiful and wonderfully acted. Jim Carrey often can't help playing himself, but here he uses his trademarks surprisingly subtly, and to the advantage of the film. He's certainly no character actor, but this is a brilliant role for him. Ewan McGregor is appropriate adorable. I wish this film hadn't had so much trouble getting off the ground. It never even came to theatres in Winnipeg and I would have been first in line to see it. I would highly recommend this one. I hope it becomes a cult classic on DVD at the very least.
43. Lone Star ........ B
Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña
April 24, 2011
An interesting film that's part mystery, part examination of the racial complexities in southern Texas. It's a bit too slow moving to be totally engaging and there may be one or two too many major characters/plotlines, but all of them are resolved in a reasonably satisfying way.
44. Taxi Driver ........ C+
Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster
April 25, 2011
I really hate rating classics when I have no context regarding the effect of the film when it was first released, but I have to say, I didn't really feel this one stood up. The plot is just bizarre and really slow moving. The film felt extremely long and many scenes seemed really unrelated and unnecessary. Robert De Niro does do a fabulous job, but otherwise this one fell decidedly short of my expectations.
45. Flawless ........ B
Robert DeNiro, Philip Seymour Hoffman
April 25, 2011
Philip Seymour Hoffman as a flamboyant drag queen is fabulous in this one. Robert De Niro is also great as a prejudiced cop who suffers a stroke. The only real issue is that the "unlikely buddy, heart-warming, comedy" aspects of the movie don't really mesh well with the mystery/action aspects. (Granted that the latter is still quite silly, but it just doesn't jive overall).
46. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980 ........ B+
Paddy Considine, Sean Harris
April 26, 2011
I liked this instalment a good deal more than the first one. The story flows much better, and while it does leave a couple of threads hanging, it still makes sense and the main story feels resolved. The cast is made up entirely of little-known actors, all of whom do a great job. I'm very much looking forward to watching the conclusion.
47. Prom ........ C+
Aimee Teegarden, Thomas McDonell
April 27, 2011
The latest cheese-fest from Disney offers up an ensemble of terrible young actors depicting the trials and tribulations of their lives leading up to prom - a night which is apparently going to be magical and life-altering even for the biggest skeptics. Decidedly Disney, this is apparently the best behaved high school class of all time. Not one drop of alcohol appears on screen and not one inappropriate sexual advance is made. I'm not sure if tongues are even involved in most of the kissing. Oh to be 17 again! Or was that 12? On the plus side, despite being totally cookie-cutter and 100% predictable, this movie is still fairly entertaining if one is in the right mood. Through the haze of predictable nausea, there is also one plotline that ends on a surprisingly progressive note, and will provide a very good message for young girls.
48. Role Models ........ B-
Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott
April 29, 2011
Mindlessly entertaining, and for the most part free of substance. The LARP scenes are especially good, but for the most part this movie is pretty lacklustre. I like Seann William Scott, but this is a disappointing return for him. He would benefit from less type-casting.
49. Gedo senki (Tales from Earthsea) ........ C+
Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe
April 30, 2011
Lacking in the imagination and excitement of many Studio Gibli films, this one also suffers from not making a whole lot of sense. Also, some of the characters are drawn so similarly, one keeps expecting a twin related plot twist. Not to say that the final product is poorly done, but it does end up falling a bit flat.
50. Gia ........ A-
Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Mitchell
May 1, 2011
Angelina Jolie is astonishingly good in this film. Elizabeth Mitchell does a fantastic job as well. It's a shame that this role didn't vault her to the level of stardom that she deserves. This is a beautifully put together sort of documentary style portrait of the model's life, but some scenes were unnecessary and it did end up feeling overly long.
51. Something Borrowed ........ C+
Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson
May 3, 2011
This romantic comedy starts out feeling like it might have a bit more substance than the average effort, but in the end really doesn't. Thank God for John Krasinski, providing both comic relief and the only moderately likeable character in this film! That being said, I did appreciate the effort to demonstrate the redeeming qualities of Kate Hudson's narcissistic character. Despite how much of an irritating attention-whore she is, it is at least conceivable that her best friend and fiance would find reason to keep her in their lives. I did have a very good time watching this film at a screening with airolf. The loud and appreciative audience reaction to every little thing added a lot to the overall experience.
52. Penelope ........ B-
Christina Ricci, James McAvoy
May 4, 2011
A very cute movie. After having seen it I can understand why it didn't really find an audience though. I think this one was a bit mis-marketed as a sort of adult-oriented fairy tale, when it would have done better if marketed toward children. There's really no controversial content, and parents would still have had an enjoyable time, while the kids would have had an easier time buying that humanity would really run in horror from Christina Ricci's absolutely adorable pig-nose.
53. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People ........ B-
Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst
May 9, 2011
A fairly silly although decent satire of the lives of those on the border of Hollywood. Megan Fox has an underrated supporting role in this one. Bravo to her for sending up her own image! She might benefit from doing this again in future projects...
54. No Strings Attached ........ C+
Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher
May 10, 2011
One fine day someone in Hollywood is going to figure out that it is possible for two people to enjoy a string-free sexual relationship without it ending in some sort of dramatic confession of love and how one is denying oneself for fear of being hurt, and frantic road trips to meet up with the one at just the last second possible, while surrounded with unicorns and fairies playing harps and giving out free candy. Okay I may have made some of that up. But point being that what starts out as a promising premise, a female (shocking!) who genuinely is not interested in a real relationship, starts up a fuckship with her friend who isn't quite on the same page (how totally unrealistic!!). There are a few priceless scenes in there. I particularly liked the period mix. But inevitably, the film descends into Hollywood schlock sooner rather than later and ends in an unsatisfying although predictable conclusion.
55. Water for Elephants ........ B
Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon
May 13, 2011
This film was definitely better than I thought it was going to be, but is not without serious flaws. The pluses are largely because of an excellent cast. R Pattz is going to have to work really hard to recover from Twilight in order to be taken seriously in Hollywood. It's too bad because he does seem to be quite talented. His American accent is even getting better! Christoph Waltz is always fabulous and revels in the bipolarity of his villain without making it cartoonish. Anyone who has trouble watching animals being mistreated will find parts of this hard to watch. And Reese Witherspoon does a great job with playing a very abused and conflicted character. It's hard to describe why this film ends up falling apart without giving away major plot points. Suffice to say that there are elements that go very Hollywood, and I suspect deviate from the original text although I'll have to actually read it and get back to you on that. It's difficult to buy that the emotional journey of all characters can happen in what seems to be a couple of weeks, if that. Also, the present day scenes with the elderly version of the main character are excessively cheesy and Titanic-esque.
56. Thor ........ B-
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman
May 15, 2011
This film has all the stunning visuals and cool fight scenes that one would expect from a summer blockbuster. Very fun popcorn flick. However, to say that the plot is weak would be fairly generous. I won't give anything away, but the bad guy might want to seriously consider the logic of his plan of action and whether anything remotely realistic is motivating him. Seriously. Also this film really caused me to reflect on how funny it is that guys claim to hate romantic comedies, when so many of these tailor made "guy" movies rely on the viewer accepting Hollywood schmaltz and believing that a few days in the presence of a woman is enough to alter someone's personality and bad behaviour recognizably. This is really a cheese-fest with explosions. But these criticisms aside, this movie is a lot of fun and certainly accomplishes what it sets out to, which is probably not really to have a sensible plot.
57. Bridesmaids ........ B+
Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph
May 20, 2011
It's refreshing to have a female answer to the bromance genre. This is one of the only movies in recent memory that does a decent (albeit exaggerated) job of depicting the relationships between women. For the most part the film is hilarious, although the humour falls a bit flat in places. Melissa McCarthy's character feels a bit too ripped off from Zach Galifianakis' character in "The Hangover", and there are scenes that do feel like they're trying a bit too hard to play to either a male audience or a female audience, instead of just the audience as a whole. Still, this is a solid effort, and hopefully will inspire Hollywood to pursue similarly themed projects in the future.
58. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ........ B-
Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush
May 21, 2011
There are definitely some fantastic moments in this movie, and for what it's worth, it's WAY better than the trailer makes it out to be. Penelope Cruz looked like she was going to stick out like a sore thumb, but I thought she fit in rather well. The mermaids are also really cool. Beyond that though, it just left me with an overwhelming feeling of "meh". I'm not sure I could even put my finger on what's so mediocre, but it just falls flat. I can't agree with the critics who are saying that this one is at least better than the previous two instalments (although I'll grant you I might have been more enthusiastic about those films than the average viewer). It's a similar phenomenon to Sex and the City, where I will continue to go see anything involving Johnny Depp as Captain Jack, and will never get sick of that character, but wish that they had never felt the need to make the fantastic original film into a franchise at all. Every new effort seems to cheapen the whole thing even more.
59. It's Kind of a Funny Story ........ B+
Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts
May 22, 2011
A little gem of a movie. It's too bad this one flew under the radar. Keir Gilchrist is charming and Zach Galifianakis displays real dramatic acting chops. This film benefits a lot from approaching depression and other mental illnesses from a non-judgmental standpoint and offering no easy solutions.
60. Kalifornia ........ A
Brad Pitt, David Duchovny, Michelle Forbes, Juliette Lewis
May 23, 2011
Suspenseful without taking much advantage of the "something jumping out at you" tactic, this film uses only the realistic and very human to disturb the audience. Also featuring four fantastic performances. I'm sorry it took me so long to see this one, but I'm very glad that I did.
61. Cyrus ........ B+
John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill
May 24, 2011
Jonah Hill does a fabulously creepy job in this film. It's a shame it didn't get more buzz. The sinister vibe in this film might not appeal to some viewers, but for the most part it's extremely well executed. Unfortunately it loses its nerve and spirals out in a very weak and disappointing conclusion.
62. The Hangover Part 2 ........ B
Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis
May 27, 2011
Despite the scathing reviews, "The Hangover Part 2" isn't half bad. No, it isn't anywhere near as funny as the first one. No it isn't anything like as clever. Yes, it follows the same formula to the point that it's a bit ridiculous. Still, when one compares it to the slew of mediocre/bad comedies that get released every year instead of to its predecessor, it's still pretty damned funny and totally watchable. Still, I can't say I'll be optimistic or enthusiastic if they decide to make a third instalment.
63. Some Like It Hot ........ B-
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon
May 29, 2011
As previously mentioned, I really don't like to put ratings on classic films because I have no conception of the context, but I liked this one. The comedy definitely feels dated, but the movie is still entertaining. Marilyn Monroe I found to be more irritating than charming here, but that might be contextual as well.
64. The Romantics ........ B
Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin
June 2, 2011
You can easily tell that this romantic "dramedy" (as with most, it's a drama with a couple of funny scenes) is based on a novel as the characters are richer and less likeable than expected. I learned in the "making of" on the DVD that actors were encouraged to write their own speeches for the rehearsal dinner scene, leading to some very realistically awkward moments. A varied and talented ensemble cast add a lot. However there are a couple of issues. I enjoy that none of the characters are totally likeable, but this leads the semi-subtle vilification of the Anna Paquin character feeling forced and the audience can't quite get on board. I also had trouble buying Katie Holmes as a passionate free-spirit as she played her character in a very "buttoned-up" kind of way.
65. X-Men: First Class ........ A
James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender
June 5, 2011
The latest instalment of X-Men is a really fantastic summer blockbuster. Great special effects, really exciting, and very cleverly written. There are a couple of moments of cheese for sure (the last few lines of the film made me cringe like crazy) but the script makes for a great origin story. It certainly doesn't stick to the X-Men mythology, but at least it adheres to the movie franchise's mythology. A couple of cameos and the best placed one-use f-bomb ever are welcome additions. The low-point of this movie is January Jones' abysmal, monotone performance as Emma Frost. There are far better actresses with just as much sex appeal who would have done far more justice to this character.
66. Io sono l'amore (I Am Love) ........ C+
Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini
June 6, 2011
An art film that's arty for the sake of artiness rather than for any real substance, "I Am Love" is a bit of a mess. Tilda Swinton is amazing. I had no idea she spoke Italian or would be so convincing as a non-English speaker. (Of course you would have to ask an actual Italian for a real opinion on this, but from my perspective she did a tremendous job). The script is really the problem. The story is incredibly slow and virtually nothing happens until suddenly all falls into melodrama and leads to an exceedingly unclear and unsatisfying conclusion.
67. Super 8 ........ B+
Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning
June 8, 2011
Beautifully filmed and featuring a cast of very talented child actors, this film has an nostalgic feel that will appeal to many. However it does begin to fall apart a bit after we find out what exactly was in the demolished train. After such an edge-of-your-seat build-up, it's a very disappointing big reveal. The human stories are much more compelling.
68. Love Ranch ........ C+
Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci
June 12, 2011
Better than its reputation but still not "good" per se, this film descends far too quickly into the melodramatic. It ends up making the story, which seems to be fairly faithful to actual events, seem totally ridiculous and unbelievable. Fortunately Helen Mirren can carry just about anything. And this film is worth viewing for her nipple slip alone! :P
69. Gnomeo & Juliet ........ A-
James McAvoy, Emily Blunt
June 15, 2011
As the enjoyably punny title suggests, this film is both funny and clever and will appeal to viewers of all ages. I particularly appreciated the attention to detail. The subtle clinking noise whenever a gnome touched another gnome for instance. Also all of the Shakespearian in-jokes are pretty great.
70. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1983 ........ B+
David Morrissey, Mark Addy, Daniel Mays
June 19, 2011
The final instalment of the Red Riding series provides a very satisfying conclusion and sheds light on a few things that seemed to make very little sense in the first two films. However, the final product is still fairly confusing, and I believe that unless one watched all three films back-to-back, much ends up being lost. Mark Addy is a lovely addition to the cast.
71. Bad Teacher ........ B
Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake
June 22, 2011
This black comedy won't be to everyone's taste, but I found it quite enjoyable right up until the hard to swallow, overly neat ending.
72. The Puppet Masters ........ C
Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal, Julie Warner
June 27, 2011
A truly hokey, but mildly enjoyable horror film. Good only for the hilarity.
73. You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger ........ B
Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Gemma Jones, Josh Brolin
July 7, 2011
Some films that end on a cliffhanger feel very clever. This one genuinely feels like Woody Allen went for lunch and then started making the movie, forgetting the script wasn't finished.
74. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ........ A
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
July 14, 2011
Full review here.
75. Cedar Rapids ........ C-
Ed Helms, John C. Reilly
July 17, 2011
While there are a few good chuckles in here, this is mostly a waste of a very talented cast on a very mediocre script.
76. Crazy Stupid Love ........ A
Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore
July 25, 2011
This film is clever, charming and hilarious. Even when it dips into romantic comedy formula territory, it never goes there to an unforgivable degree.
77. Manhattan ........ B+
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
August 3, 2011
Thus far my favourite of Woody Allen's early work, Manhattan is funny, dark and doesn't feel terribly dated. There is definitely the creepy-factor of Allen casting his icky self as the love interest of a 17-year-old.
78. Okuribito (Departures) ........ B-
Masahiro Motoki, Ryôko Hirosue
August 5, 2011
While too long and certainly overly sentimental, this film is beautifully shot and deals with very interesting subject matter. There is a bit of a cultural barrier I think, in terms of a Westerner understanding what is so shameful about the main character's employment. At least it went right over my head.
79. The Change-Up ........ C+
Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds
August 16, 2011
Although there are a few shockingly hilarious moments in this film, the vast majority of it is made up of tedious bodily function humour.
80. One Day ........ B
Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess
August 18, 2011
Not nearly as bad as I feared it might be, this film does a decent job of conveying the "same day every year" concept of the book. I felt that Anna Hathaway and Jim Sturgess did have good chemistry, but the film really doesn't do enough to convey what holds these two people together, what the strength of their friendship is, and what elements would keep them from consummating their attraction for so long.
81. The Help ........ A
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer
August 21, 2011
Having just finished the excellent novel, I can enthusiastically say that the film lives up to it. Adjustments to the story are made, but none of them cheapen the experience. The film is also full of impressive performances. I have never been so impressed by Bryce Dallas Howard before.
82. Top Gun ........ C
Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards
August 26, 2011
The entertainment factor of this incredibly cheesy 80s movie was greatly upped by the fact that I saw it at an outdoor screening with 3000 highly amused audience members who were excited to cheer and scream and sing along to the very limited soundtrack. While I thought that the film did a good job of making one feel immersed in the flight, I also found it hard to follow what was actually happening in the air and I don't know how exciting the first two thirds of the film really are. The romantic storyline is highly entertaining, but for all the wrong reasons.
83. The Debt ........ A-
Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain
August 29, 2011
A very interesting thriller featuring a superb cast, Jessica Chastain in particular really impressed me. The film is somewhat cheapened by a truly bizarre ending which is implausible on all levels.
84. I Am Number Four ........ C
Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Dianna Agron
August 31, 2011
This is a seriously guilty pleasure. The writing is terrible and Alex Pettyfer is appallingly bad in the lead role. Timothy Olyphant is entertaining and Dianna Agron does a good job, even though she's really just playing an artsier version of her role as Quinn on "Glee". However, the effects are great and the story is just so supremely ridiculous as to make for a camp-tastic good time. Low on quality. High on amusement for mostly the wrong reasons.
85. The Company Men ........ B-
Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper
September 6, 2011
While I felt that this film was superbly acted and made a noble effort to accurately portray the devastation that some felt from the financial crisis, the end product just comes across as too schmaltzy to feel at all genuine. It's especially hard to buy Tommy Lee Jones' millionaire with a heart of gold and his best friend and boss, who is apparently evil incarnate. Ben Affleck's everyman character is the strength of the film, and also the most believable. Still, his ever-supportive family is just a tad too perfect, and his children just a tad too accepting of events that would probably not be so easy to understand at a young age. One also has to take into account that Affleck's character is used to a 160k salary and yet seems to be behind on every payment on every aspect in his life within a few weeks of layoff. This makes it a bit difficult for me to muster too much sympathy, and I can't imagine that most people with average incomes who found themselves in the same situation would have much either.
86. Friends with Benefits ........ B-
Mila Kinus, Justin Timberlake
September 11, 2011
The thing that really bothered me about this movie was not that it made blatant use of the romantic comedy formula, but that it had the audacity to attempt to mock the basic romantic comedy formula while making no effort whatsoever to steer away from it. In order to get away with this sort of cheekiness, a film has to be far better than this one actually is. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake do have good chemistry, which is really what carries the film, but also what makes it really difficult to believe that initially the characters had no real interest in each other. The cutesy first meeting didn't help. The end product is very watchable and there are some very funny moments, but at the end of the day, just another romcom.
87. The Lincoln Lawyer ........ A-
Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe
September 19, 2011
A fast-paced, exciting legal drama, featuring a fantastic, vanity-free performance from Matthew McConaughey. I will freely admit that I wasn't particularly interested in seeing this one. I thought it would be quite dry. I was very pleased to be proven very wrong indeed.
88. The Shawshank Redemption ........ A
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
September 20, 2011
It's sad that I waited so long to see this film. Truly a classic. Absolutely stands the test of time. Great performances all around.
89. The Crying Game ........ C+
Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker
September 21, 2011
This is a very strange movie and truth be told, I didn't feel that it stood the test of time. By now, almost everyone will know what the big plot twist is, which likely was what made it so unique in 1992. The twist itself is a little dated in terms of how shocking it really is. That aside, it's really difficult to buy character motivations in this film, and the different pieces of it feel like conflicting genres. Nothing really fits together comfortably. I did enjoy the performances by Stephen Rea and Jaye Davidson.
This post is officially too big for LJ. Head on over to Part 2!
For interest's sake:
79/100 movies in 2009
95/100 movies in 2008
2011
1. Burlesque ........ B-
Christina Aguilera, Cher
January 1, 2011
"Burlesque" is pretty much exactly what one might expect/hope for when entering the theatre. Cheesy, poorly acted (except on the part of the always excellent Stanley Tucci), predictable, full of one-dimensional characters, and yet, so much fun. The musical numbers and costumes are fabu. Christina Aguilera is bad, but not distractingly so. A near nude scene from Cam Gigandet is a most welcome addition.
2. Tron: Legacy ........ A-
Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges
January 3, 2011
I will admit that I entered the theatre fully expecting to dislike this film. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to be treated to a hugely exciting adventure ride, with impressive effects and decent enough acting to serve the purpose. Michael Sheen is totally scene-stealingly fabulous in his very small role as a flamboyant club owner. He really just has the one scene in the movie, but it is absolutely the best scene hands-down. Not having seen the original "Tron" I can't say whether or not it really lives up, but the original is certainly on my to-see list now. The 3D in this case actually added to the film a lot and was really well executed. This means a lot coming from me, as I really dislike the 3D fad and would like it to go away as soon as possible.
3. Black Swan ........ A-
Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis
January 8, 2011
A high suspense psychological thriller featuring an absolutely amazing performance from Natalie Portman. It leaves you often unsure of what is real and what is not, and leaves plenty up for discussion upon leaving the theatre. Vincent Cassel is also fantastic as the lecherous artistic genius who attempts to draw the Black Swan performance out of the innocent dancer. One complaint is that I did feel a bit beaten over the head with symbolic black and white costuming and other such imagery. Natalie Portman pulling on Mila Kunis' black tank top under her otherwise white ensemble for a night of debauchery for instance was a bit excessive. We get it.
4. The Town ........ B+
Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner
January 15, 2011
A really solid gritty, heist drama. I'm definitely enjoying Ben Affleck's outings as a director. I think he's getting too much flack for his actual performance in this film too. I'm not sure that he has much range as an actor, but I think he is quite fitting for this role. Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall and Pete Postlethwaite provide great support.
5. The Green Hornet ........ C-
Seth Rogan, Jay Chou
January 19, 2011
Judging by the trailer, I was expecting this movie to be mindlessly entertaining. I'm not sure it even accomplished that. Particularly disappointing is the largely unfunny script co-written by Seth Rogan who apparently does not have a good grasp on decent PG humour. This movie also employs the absolute worst example of useless, bandwagon jumping 3D I have seen. Probably three scenes in the movie feature actual 3D, and it's poorly executed and distracting. A blatant attempt to jack ticket prices with no payoff. Despite the dud of a script, Christoph Waltz is a splendid bad guy, always entertainingly evil. There are also several solid action sequences and enjoyable gadgetry. Overall, not without redeeming qualities, but seriously disappointing.
6. Barney's Version ........ B+
Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike
January 20, 2011
Really great performances from the whole cast and beautiful cinematography make this quite the enjoyable movie. Although whether or not it really qualifies as a comedy is questionable to me. It's more of a drama with some funny moments. The script is not the film's high point. One can easily tell that it's a book adaptation and that certain key points are missing. I haven't read the novel, but feel that I would need to to get the full story. There are a couple of loose threads that would have been better if handled differently, or more likely left out entirely, as the film feels a bit too long. Plenty of Canadian content also adds to the enjoyment.
7. Blue Valentine ........ A-
Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling
January 28, 2011
A very realistic portrayal of a marriage breaking down that many will find hard to watch. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are both superb. The improvisational quality of the dialogue got to be a bit much for me in certain scenes. Very circular arguments for instance. Not unrealistic ones mind you, but tedious to watch as they would be to have. The film really doesn't pull any punches when it comes to realism. One hospital scene will make any woman in the audience cringe. The sex is very graphic, but there's nothing gratuitous or pretty about it. The filmmakers don't back away from the lack of enjoyment in a few of the scenes, or the total enjoyment in another. The film jumps back and forth from the supposedly happy beginning of the relationship to the sour last days. I found personally that even the beginning was quite sour. I definitely interpreted it as a relationship bound to fail from the get go. I'm not sure if that was the intention or if one was supposed to see a decline from near perfection, but that was my take. Also I found Ryan Gosling's character to be seriously unlikable from the very beginning. Michelle Williams' character descended into unlikable territory in the later scenes. None of these latter points should be taken as criticism though, just other factors that might make the film difficult to watch for some viewers. Overall a really brave movie, and a really good one. Well worth seeing.
8. Due Date ........ B+
Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis
January 29, 2011
I feel that this movie got unfairly critically panned. Sure, it's not as funny as "The Hangover", but that doesn't mean I didn't laugh through the whole thing! Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis have great bromance chemistry. Plus a child gets punched and a dog gets spat on, what more could one possibly ask for?
9. The King's Speech ........ B
Colin Girth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
January 30, 2011
If I had seen this film knowing absolutely nothing about it I would probably say enthusiastically, "That was a pretty good movie!" Unfortunately I didn't see the film knowing nothing about it, I saw it knowing that it was nominated against a slew of films I adore for a series of awards that it seems poised to win. And inevitably that will colour my opinion and review. Because it's not that "The King's Speech" isn't a good movie. It's just that it's not that good a movie, especially compared to the company it's keeping this awards season. Colin Firth's performance is amazing. I will not deny that in any way. Geoffrey Rush is charming. Otherwise, the film is cheesy and formulaic. The script did a good job of holding my interest considering the story focuses on a period of history that holds no interest to me whatsoever, but I can't say it was out of the ordinary beyond that. Overall, a nice movie. Worth a look. Interesting. But not a masterpiece. Do I generally see random movies and blast them for not being masterpieces? No. But so it goes around Oscar time.
10. The Mechanic ........ C+
Jason Statham, Ben Foster
February 3, 2011
If his bland performance in this messy film is any indication, Jason Statham is just getting lazy. It's fortunate for him that his co-star, Ben Foster, has enough energy to carry the whole movie himself. He is without a doubt the best thing about it. A couple of absolutely gaping plot holes aside, the film's main issue is the lack of any sort of explanation for the behaviour of the main character. Yes, Statham makes it clear in a line of dialogue rammed down our throats several times, that one has to have a certain mentality to be able to do what he does (that is, of course, kill people), but that alone does not cover the array of bizarre actions that he takes over the course of the movie, as surely the writers were hoping it would. It's really impossible to explain in further detail without giving away key plot points, but suffice to say, I didn't buy it. A sloppy effort on the whole, but not without redeeming factors. The violence in this movie is bloody and brutal and will surely satisfy the testosterone driven among us. There is also an enjoyable creativity and humour in the fight scenes. I also give the filmmakers mad mad props for a homoerotic scene that may not be all that risque, but is still allowed to go way further than I was expecting given the target audience. Bravo.
11. Shortbus ........ B+
Sook-Yin Lee, Paul Dawson
February 6, 2011
I would say that if you can't get through the first five minutes of this "porn with a plot" then it's decidedly not for you, but really, most of the extremely graphic sex is taken care of in the first five minutes. It's as if the filmmakers seriously want to just toss you right into it. "Our actors are actually having sex and you're just going to deal with it" style. Is this incredibly graphic sex really necessary to the film? Well, probably not. Given everything I think it could have been worked down to an R without too much trouble. This is not to say I'm complaining though! What follows the initial desensitization is a surprisingly interesting, thoughtful exploration of various styles of sex and love. Are there any shocking revelations? Really not at all. But interesting characters and really solid performances elevate the film. It's a shame that most of the actors featured haven't really gone on to do anything else.
12. About Last Night ........ D-
Rob Lowe, Demi Moore
February 7, 2011
Hilariously entertaining 80s wardrobe aside, this movie is a mess. The main characters are totally unlikable. The way they treat their best friends is reprehensible and yet it's the friends who end up apologizing in the end. Fortunately the friend characters aren't a whole lot more likeable themselves, so it doesn't make a huge difference. The acting is shockingly bad, the plot is almost non-existent and the chemistry is absolutely zero. Can someone please tell me why a present-day remake of this film is in the works? Look out for a cameo appearance from a young, skinny, blonde, virtually unrecognizable Megan Mullally for shits and giggles.
13. Rabbit Hole ........ B+
Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart
February 10, 2011
This felt to me like a very realistic portrayal of the difficulties a couple coping with a tragedy in totally different ways would face. The route Nicole Kidman chooses to go is surprisingly subtle, only rising to hysteria in a couple of scenes. Aaron Eckhart delivers almost an equally good performance, but lots me (and seemingly the character) a couple of times. One would expect a film on this subject to be bleaker than this one feels. Just the gradual return to every day life while nothing will ever be the same. It is a bit slow moving, and probably will not keep the attention of all viewers.
14. Toy Story 3 ........ B
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
February 12, 2011
The third instalment of "Toy Story" is very cleverly updated to current times while featuring almost exclusively nostalgic toys. The plot is really for the adults, whereas much of the humour is very slapstick and clearly aimed at the kids. It was a fantastic idea to explore the strange attachment that we have to our childhood toys. I can't say that my heartstrings were overly tugged, which surprised me given that I still have boxes of toys at my parents' house that I refuse to let them give away. I can easily name a whole host of people who disagree with me on that point though! I don't know if this was perhaps one of the films that missed its mark with me because of too much hype, but I was expecting more somehow. A thoroughly enjoyable movie for sure, but not as much depth as recent Pixar outings, and definitely not among my favourite of their films.
15. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974 ........ B-
Andrew Garfield, Sean Bean, Rebecca Hall
February 13, 2011
At the end of this film, I was left with a sense of confusion. I knew that I had just seen a very gritty, well-acted piece. I knew that it had maintained beautiful levels of intensity and wonderful cinematography. I knew that Andrew Garfield had been extremely attractive, both in bell bottoms (which is apparently a fetish of mine) and no bottoms at all. That's about all I knew. The basic plot arc I got, but some very significant details either went entirely over my head, or just weren't in there. If asked to explain the resolution, I'm not sure I could. Perhaps this will all come clear instalments 2 and 3. Perhaps I'm meant to feel this way. But somehow I just think something was genuinely missing to hold this film together. It's supposed to be part of a trilogy that also works as a stand-alone, and on the latter point, in my opinion it definitely missed the mark.
16. The Lovely Bones ........ B+
Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci
February 15, 2011
While this film adaptation of the Alice Sebold up is undeniably PG-ed up, it still stands up as a film. Some of the changes do hurt the plot a bit. The missing on-screen murder isn't so much a problem, nor is the absence of any mention of rape, but the removal of some of the books grittier plot points - the racism surrounding the police's suspicion of a boy from school, the mother's despair turning into an affair with the lead police investigator, Susie's ghost's growing despair that she will never experience sex without violence (in the film she's desperately wanting her first kiss haha) - does damage the story a bit. It's a little too fluffy considering the subject matter. Everything ties up a little too neatly. It's also just a bit too long. However, all of the performances are fantastic, Stanley Tucci in particular of course. The trailers had me concerned that Mark Wahlberg was a terrible choice for the role of the father, but fortunately this was not actually the case. The fantasy in-between world that Peter Jackson has created is stunning. One really feels, the beauty, wonder, joy and paralyzing loneliness. I thought that the finished product was quite well done and unfairly critically panned.
17. Megamind ........ B+
Will Ferrell, Tina Fey
February 16, 2011
A super cute, pleasantly different take on the superhero cartoon genre. I would imagine the initial plot twist appears in multiple trailers that I hadn't seen, but since I didn't really know the plot ahead of time it definitely threw me for a loop! There are definitely some gags that will only appeal to the kids, but for the most part this film can be easily appreciated by all audiences. The 3D adds nothing, but wasn't distractingly bad. Will Ferrell is much less irritating as a cartoon character as it turns out.
18. Winter's Bone ........ B
Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes
February 18, 2011
A very interesting, although flawed movie. The beginning is very slow and mostly consists of setting the stage, and the main character going around asking for information on her father's whereabouts. It's often not entirely clear who exactly the individuals she's approaching are. Their exchanges are similarly hard to follow. The second half of the film is packed with all of the action. By the end I wasn't confused about what had happened, but I was a little confused about how we'd gotten there. Performances all around are excellent. I also enjoyed the very bleak and yet beautiful cinematography. An abundance of animal related t-shirts entertained me. A refreshingly different film, but with room for improvement.
19. Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work ........ B-
February 19, 2011
If you're left with any particular impression of Joan Rivers after having seen this documentary, it will be that the lady is definitely deserving of the title! The film is quite slow to get started, but once it does it presents a very interesting story. As someone who doesn't know much about Rivers' career, I actually could have used a bit more history, but it does cover the early parts. And then onto Joan now. The woman in this documentary is a somewhat psychotic workaholic, profoundly insecure, desperate for approval, a bit of a whore for any kind of money or recognition and yet also unfairly victimized. Secondarily, she's hilarious. This documentary could definitely have used a bit more comedy. This was a brave film for Joan Rivers to have made. It will increase the public's understanding of her, but also does betray many of her weaknesses. Then again, one major weakness seems to be her willingness to participate in any project, no matter how tedious or humiliating, provided it comes with a paycheque and some screen time, so perhaps brave is not the right word and at the end of film, its existence will not be surprising.
20. Another Year ........ B+
Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Ruth Sheen
February 20, 2011
A really well crafted, downer of a drama about a content, likeable older couple watching the lives of their discontent and mostly unlikable friends and family fall apart around them. Lesley Manville is brilliant as their lonely, drunk and cougar-tastic friend. She was very much robbed of an Oscar nomination. (In fact there were several categories in which this film would have been deserving of a nod.) My only real complaint is that the film is very slow in places. This is fitting to the style, and mostly not a problem, but my attention certainly wandered in parts. It might be too bleak and too slow for some viewers, but is overall an impressive piece of work.
21. 9 1/2 Weeks ........ D+
Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger
February 21, 2011
This film is a nonsensical mess. The story of two strangers falling into an intense sexual relationship is clear. The rest of the movie? Not so much. There are some useless subplots about Kim Basinger's work in an art gallery. There's some bizarre imagery surrounding dead and dying fish. Mickey Rourke's character is a borderline psychopath and every feminist in the world must hate this movie. As for the promised hot and steamy sex, there are certainly some scenes that don't disappoint. However, there are also some scenes that are almost as nonsensical as the rest of the film and just about as sexy. There's some cough syrup for instance. I won't spoil anything, but wtf? Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke do redeem the film a bit by delivering very genuine performances amid a total mess of a screenplay.
22. Hot Tub Time Machine ........ B+
John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry
February 22, 2011
Unapologetically ridiculous and hilariously irreverent, this comedy is far better than I was expecting! Yes the necessary bodily function jokes are plentiful and often eye-roll worthy, but the script is otherwise surprisingly clever. One doesn't need to be overly nostalgic for the 80s to appreciate the movie either, as I am certainly not.
23. Country Strong ........ B+
Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester
February 27, 2011
Country Strong isn't really what you might expect. It's full of the anticipated enjoyable music, but is actually a good deal darker than I went in expecting, even knowing that the plot centred around a star being pulled out of rehab early. The result is a bit conflicting, as it's in some ways a breath of fresh air, but does clash unfortunately with the regulation cheesy content, which wouldn't have been out of place in a lighter-hearted version of this story. I felt that in order to make an excellent movie, the filmmakers would have had to commit more fully to their own dark tone, instead of worrying about putting off some audiences. Still the final product is worth a look. Gwyneth Paltrow has a great singing voice, and Tim McGraw is actually a better actor than I was previously giving him credit for.
24. Drive Angry ........ B+
Nicholas Cage, Amber Heard
March 4, 2011
"Drive Angry" is just as absurd and entertaining as the title would suggest. It has everything you might hope for, a totally ridiculous plot, plenty of exciting action, fast and shiny cars and atrociously bad acting! Especially on the part of regulation "hot chick" Amber Heard. This movie is a treat for anyone who has a guilty love of bad action movies. My only real complaint is, as it almost always is, the terrible 3D. When will this trend end?? Not only is it distracting and adds absolutely nothing to the majority of movies, I find that I have a headache at the end of every unpleasant experience.
25. Tangled ........ A-
Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi
March 5, 2011
"Tangled" is a joy. The writers have managed to concoct a story that will be equally appealing to young boys as to young girls, with plenty in there for the adults to enjoy as well. The heroine of the story has enough spice with her sugar to be earnest and endearing without sliding into obnoxiousness. The wicked witch of the story (posing as her mother) delivers enough passive-aggressive emotional abuse to go with her scary scheming to be relatable on an unpleasant level to many people. Yes, there are certainly a few typically Disney moments in there to threaten the contents of my stomach, but they're far outnumbered by the laugh-out-loud moments. One true downside is this is a Disney movie seriously lacking in good tunage. I would happily own this DVD, but would be hitting the fast forward button for every song.
26. How to Be ........ C-
Robert Pattinson, Powell Jones
March 11, 2011
This film drags like crazy and the humour largely misses the mark. There were some entertaining moments, but I was mostly checking the time and wondering when it would end. Possibly even less forgivably it doesn't even have the decency to be amusingly bad.
27. Despicable Me ........ A-
Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand
March 12, 2011
This adorable film brings some very unique elements to the kids' movie formula of "child/animal/friend starts out as annoying but eventually melts the heart of icy protagonist". In this one, Gru adopts three orphans in hopes that they can help him accomplish phase one of his dastardly plot to steal the moon (it involves securely a loan from the bank of evil). Gru's minions are hilarious and wonderful. Russell Brand voicing his mad scientist co-conspirator is an inspired choice.
28. Red Riding Hood ........ C+
Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman
March 12, 2011
Totally disappointing. This film is essentially Twilight with moderately better acting and infinitely better art direction. You've got Catherine Hardwicke directing, a melodramatic love triangle, Billy Burke playing the heroine's father, annoying girlfriends and of course, werewolves. The script is the main problem. The dialogue is stiff and excessively old style to suit the tone of the film or (apparently) for the actors to pull off, and any hope of an interesting mystery is ruined with the constant "misdirection" that is as subtle as a bull in a china shop. Much like with Twilight, the score (and perhaps soundtrack as well, I haven't checked it out yet) is the best part of the movie. I also greatly appreciated the art direction and costume design (although it would be hilariously impractical for the winter portrayed in the film...) I don't know why Gary Oldman or Julie Christie thought that doing this movie would be a good idea, but I did enjoy their performances. Overall I really feel that this film was mis-marketed. The beautiful and frightening trailer which implies a stylish horror film (there is no hint of any real suspense in the entire movie incidentally) may have turned off the viewers who should have made up the target audience - the same teenybooper set that loves Twilight so much.
29. The Adjustment Bureau ........ B+
Matt Damon, Emily Blunt
March 16, 2011
A very enjoyable movie on the whole, even though the resolution is a little weak and a bit too neat. I honestly felt like parts might have been re-shot to make the conclusion more uplifting. The plot is very interesting, although can be poked full of holes with very little effort. The real strength of the film is the chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, and the strength of their performances. Their attraction and romance feels very genuine and (for the most part) does not induce nausea. The cast features a wealth of supporting players who are also highly entertaining. Some viewers will find this thriller refreshing in its lack of violence and gore as well. Definitely lacking in depth, but a fun movie nonetheless.
30. Solitary Man ........ A-
Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, Jenna Fischer
March 17, 2011
Michael Douglas gives an amazing performance as an aging womanizer whose ways have cost him his business and fortune. Given the many big names in the supporting cast, I was expecting this to be a bit more of an ensemble piece, but it really is Douglas' movie. The script benefits from taking no judgment and offering no real resolution. A gem of a movie, and it's unfortunate that Douglas' performance wasn't really recognized during awards season, as it would have been most deserving of several nods.
31. Fragments ........ C+
Forest Whitaker, Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning
March 22, 2011
This ensemble drama about the affect that a random shooting in a diner has on its survivors is full of potential, but ultimately just doesn't work. My Dad called it an "interesting failure" which is pretty on the mark, if a little harsh. Very good performances all around, but none of the characters' stories come together at the end, and quite a few of the plotlines actually just don't make sense when you get right down to it. It felt as though scenes containing essential information had ended up on the cutting room floor for one reason or another. Dakota Fanning's story arc is the only one that feels complete or adequately explained, and unfortunately it's the least interesting of all of them.
32. Limitless ........ B+
Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert Deniro
March 23, 2011
Really enjoyed this one. Bradley Cooper is definitely worthy of leading man status. I was pleased to see Robert Deniro back in form in this brief but effective supporting performance. I enjoyed the script, how it goes some places one isn't expecting and the fact that it leaves the audience wondering about a couple of things. However the resolution is a little too neat despite the fact that it deliberately leaves you wondering. It's a bit hard to buy no matter what theory you leave the theatre with.
33. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never ........ B
Justin Bieber. Duh.
March 25, 2011
Lengthy review and description of how this event came to pass.
34. Secretariat ........ C
Diane Lane, John Malkovich
March 28, 2011
Good lord this film is SO cheesy. It's actually a shame that this incredible story about the greatest racehorse in history got into the hands of Disney, despite being sort of tailor-made for the company. Diane Lane does what she can in this film, but is not terribly convincing in many of the long-winded, "we will persevere!" type of speeches that she's forced to emote. John Malkovich is mostly quite entertaining as the quirky French-Canadian horse trainer, but I really wish the filmmakers had either made the character just plain old Canadian, or cast someone able to speak French to save his life!!! Oh my God the French is so awful!! There is also the issue that John Malkovich for the most part decided to forgo attempting any trace of a French-Canadian accent whatsoever, except in the scenes when his character actually has some (atrocious) French lines, at which point he seems to remember to slightly alter his English. I also need to take issue with the message in this film which seems to be that it's okay to abandon your family in pursuit of your dreams, but only if you succeed. If you appear to be failing, everyone pretty much agrees that you're a terrible human being. However once you make a bunch of money, no one has any reservations whatsoever about the past few years. In fact, if your husband seemed to be sort of a jerk in general about all topics, he might magically transform into a caring prince! Sigh.
Despite all of these major issues, this is still a reasonably fun movie to watch and I think will be especially entertaining for kids. The special features show that the filmmakers actually put huge effort into historical accuracy, which is always nice. The races are exciting even when you know the outcome. I can't say I'm in any way sorry to have seen it.
35. Sucker Punch ........ B-
Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone
April 9, 2011
Despite being visually stunning and well worth seeing on the big screen for that alone, this film just doesn't end up being as clever as it would like to be. It's a bit "Inception" crossed with "Shutter Island" and dumbed down a whole lot. I would have enjoyed the film a great deal more if more time had been spent showing the parallel occurrences in the three different levels of reality. This concept is explored very little and I was left with the impression not that it was done to keep the viewer wondering, but that it was done because the writers had no idea themselves, and didn't care enough to work out a story that makes sense on all levels. On the plus side, this film really showcases a talented young cast and is lots of fun despite the plot issues.
36. Wild Target ........ B+
Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint
April 9, 2011
Truly bizarre but highly entertaining. None of the characters are totally likeable but one ends up rooting for them anyway. The humour is off the wall and mostly pretty great. Don't expect for answers to your questions though. Crazy things like Emily Blunt asking the weight of all potential sex partners before committing remain a mystery.
37. The Runaways ........ B+
Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Michael Shannon
April 10, 2011
Better than its reputation but by no means perfect. It's interesting the way this film was advertised as it ends up being more about Cherie Currie than Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning actually has a much bigger part than Kristen Stewart. The story is obviously a bit Hollywoodized and quite a bit over-simplified. Although it did make me interested in reading Currie's autobiography. Michael Shannon without question has the best role and steals every scene he's in.
38. Hanna ........ A-
Saiorse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett
April 14, 2011
A fantastically different sort of action movie, this film takes the viewer through graphic arctic survival, to a world of corporate technology, to a cross country road trip with a family of hippies. "Hanna" takes itself just seriously enough, pairing bleak backdrops and fantastic performances (Saiorse Ronan in particular is amazing) with exciting and fun action sequences and well placed humour. On the negative side, to say that the plot would not hold up to a heavy scrutinizing would be generous. Particular character motivations really didn't add up, which I found more troubling than other points lacking in plausibility. I wanted more in the way of an explanation, and the ending was not particularly satisfying. Still, the pros far outweigh the cons, this is a very solid effort and well worth seeing. The big screen is not a necessity, but definitely adds to the experience.
39. Love & Distrust ........ D+
James Franco, Amy Adams, Sam Worthington
April 15, 2011
A true mess of a movie. Despite an impressive-sounding cast, this film has very little to offer. It's actually made up of five short films, varied in quality, but the best of which is still not particularly good. The relation between the stories is vague and forced at best. The cast does a good job, but I can't imagine what would have attracted them to this project.
40. Animal Kingdom ........ B+
James Frecheville, Jacki Weaver, Guy Pearce
April 17, 2011
A very gritty, different take on a crime family drama. The audience really feels the growing desperation as the situation spirals further out of control. The cast is tremendous, although I find Jacki Weaver's Supporting Actress Oscar nomination a bit mystifying considering how minor her role is and how it doesn't stand out from the rest of the cast. The pacing is the low point. It's arguably too slow, and the film ends up feeling excessively long.
41. Please Give ........ A
Catherine Keener, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet
April 18, 2011
A truly excellent film, and one that executes the difficult dramedy genre perfectly. The cast is wonderful. The characters are all extremely flawed and feel like real people. All are unlikable on one level or another, but somehow the audience ends up liking all of them. The film will be particularly meaningful as well as hilarious to anyone who has had to deal with a difficult, elderly relative. Highly recommended.
42. I Love You Phillip Morris ........ A
Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor
April 22, 2011
Hilarious, beautiful and wonderfully acted. Jim Carrey often can't help playing himself, but here he uses his trademarks surprisingly subtly, and to the advantage of the film. He's certainly no character actor, but this is a brilliant role for him. Ewan McGregor is appropriate adorable. I wish this film hadn't had so much trouble getting off the ground. It never even came to theatres in Winnipeg and I would have been first in line to see it. I would highly recommend this one. I hope it becomes a cult classic on DVD at the very least.
43. Lone Star ........ B
Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña
April 24, 2011
An interesting film that's part mystery, part examination of the racial complexities in southern Texas. It's a bit too slow moving to be totally engaging and there may be one or two too many major characters/plotlines, but all of them are resolved in a reasonably satisfying way.
44. Taxi Driver ........ C+
Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster
April 25, 2011
I really hate rating classics when I have no context regarding the effect of the film when it was first released, but I have to say, I didn't really feel this one stood up. The plot is just bizarre and really slow moving. The film felt extremely long and many scenes seemed really unrelated and unnecessary. Robert De Niro does do a fabulous job, but otherwise this one fell decidedly short of my expectations.
45. Flawless ........ B
Robert DeNiro, Philip Seymour Hoffman
April 25, 2011
Philip Seymour Hoffman as a flamboyant drag queen is fabulous in this one. Robert De Niro is also great as a prejudiced cop who suffers a stroke. The only real issue is that the "unlikely buddy, heart-warming, comedy" aspects of the movie don't really mesh well with the mystery/action aspects. (Granted that the latter is still quite silly, but it just doesn't jive overall).
46. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980 ........ B+
Paddy Considine, Sean Harris
April 26, 2011
I liked this instalment a good deal more than the first one. The story flows much better, and while it does leave a couple of threads hanging, it still makes sense and the main story feels resolved. The cast is made up entirely of little-known actors, all of whom do a great job. I'm very much looking forward to watching the conclusion.
47. Prom ........ C+
Aimee Teegarden, Thomas McDonell
April 27, 2011
The latest cheese-fest from Disney offers up an ensemble of terrible young actors depicting the trials and tribulations of their lives leading up to prom - a night which is apparently going to be magical and life-altering even for the biggest skeptics. Decidedly Disney, this is apparently the best behaved high school class of all time. Not one drop of alcohol appears on screen and not one inappropriate sexual advance is made. I'm not sure if tongues are even involved in most of the kissing. Oh to be 17 again! Or was that 12? On the plus side, despite being totally cookie-cutter and 100% predictable, this movie is still fairly entertaining if one is in the right mood. Through the haze of predictable nausea, there is also one plotline that ends on a surprisingly progressive note, and will provide a very good message for young girls.
48. Role Models ........ B-
Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott
April 29, 2011
Mindlessly entertaining, and for the most part free of substance. The LARP scenes are especially good, but for the most part this movie is pretty lacklustre. I like Seann William Scott, but this is a disappointing return for him. He would benefit from less type-casting.
49. Gedo senki (Tales from Earthsea) ........ C+
Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe
April 30, 2011
Lacking in the imagination and excitement of many Studio Gibli films, this one also suffers from not making a whole lot of sense. Also, some of the characters are drawn so similarly, one keeps expecting a twin related plot twist. Not to say that the final product is poorly done, but it does end up falling a bit flat.
50. Gia ........ A-
Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Mitchell
May 1, 2011
Angelina Jolie is astonishingly good in this film. Elizabeth Mitchell does a fantastic job as well. It's a shame that this role didn't vault her to the level of stardom that she deserves. This is a beautifully put together sort of documentary style portrait of the model's life, but some scenes were unnecessary and it did end up feeling overly long.
51. Something Borrowed ........ C+
Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson
May 3, 2011
This romantic comedy starts out feeling like it might have a bit more substance than the average effort, but in the end really doesn't. Thank God for John Krasinski, providing both comic relief and the only moderately likeable character in this film! That being said, I did appreciate the effort to demonstrate the redeeming qualities of Kate Hudson's narcissistic character. Despite how much of an irritating attention-whore she is, it is at least conceivable that her best friend and fiance would find reason to keep her in their lives. I did have a very good time watching this film at a screening with airolf. The loud and appreciative audience reaction to every little thing added a lot to the overall experience.
52. Penelope ........ B-
Christina Ricci, James McAvoy
May 4, 2011
A very cute movie. After having seen it I can understand why it didn't really find an audience though. I think this one was a bit mis-marketed as a sort of adult-oriented fairy tale, when it would have done better if marketed toward children. There's really no controversial content, and parents would still have had an enjoyable time, while the kids would have had an easier time buying that humanity would really run in horror from Christina Ricci's absolutely adorable pig-nose.
53. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People ........ B-
Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst
May 9, 2011
A fairly silly although decent satire of the lives of those on the border of Hollywood. Megan Fox has an underrated supporting role in this one. Bravo to her for sending up her own image! She might benefit from doing this again in future projects...
54. No Strings Attached ........ C+
Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher
May 10, 2011
One fine day someone in Hollywood is going to figure out that it is possible for two people to enjoy a string-free sexual relationship without it ending in some sort of dramatic confession of love and how one is denying oneself for fear of being hurt, and frantic road trips to meet up with the one at just the last second possible, while surrounded with unicorns and fairies playing harps and giving out free candy. Okay I may have made some of that up. But point being that what starts out as a promising premise, a female (shocking!) who genuinely is not interested in a real relationship, starts up a fuckship with her friend who isn't quite on the same page (how totally unrealistic!!). There are a few priceless scenes in there. I particularly liked the period mix. But inevitably, the film descends into Hollywood schlock sooner rather than later and ends in an unsatisfying although predictable conclusion.
55. Water for Elephants ........ B
Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon
May 13, 2011
This film was definitely better than I thought it was going to be, but is not without serious flaws. The pluses are largely because of an excellent cast. R Pattz is going to have to work really hard to recover from Twilight in order to be taken seriously in Hollywood. It's too bad because he does seem to be quite talented. His American accent is even getting better! Christoph Waltz is always fabulous and revels in the bipolarity of his villain without making it cartoonish. Anyone who has trouble watching animals being mistreated will find parts of this hard to watch. And Reese Witherspoon does a great job with playing a very abused and conflicted character. It's hard to describe why this film ends up falling apart without giving away major plot points. Suffice to say that there are elements that go very Hollywood, and I suspect deviate from the original text although I'll have to actually read it and get back to you on that. It's difficult to buy that the emotional journey of all characters can happen in what seems to be a couple of weeks, if that. Also, the present day scenes with the elderly version of the main character are excessively cheesy and Titanic-esque.
56. Thor ........ B-
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman
May 15, 2011
This film has all the stunning visuals and cool fight scenes that one would expect from a summer blockbuster. Very fun popcorn flick. However, to say that the plot is weak would be fairly generous. I won't give anything away, but the bad guy might want to seriously consider the logic of his plan of action and whether anything remotely realistic is motivating him. Seriously. Also this film really caused me to reflect on how funny it is that guys claim to hate romantic comedies, when so many of these tailor made "guy" movies rely on the viewer accepting Hollywood schmaltz and believing that a few days in the presence of a woman is enough to alter someone's personality and bad behaviour recognizably. This is really a cheese-fest with explosions. But these criticisms aside, this movie is a lot of fun and certainly accomplishes what it sets out to, which is probably not really to have a sensible plot.
57. Bridesmaids ........ B+
Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph
May 20, 2011
It's refreshing to have a female answer to the bromance genre. This is one of the only movies in recent memory that does a decent (albeit exaggerated) job of depicting the relationships between women. For the most part the film is hilarious, although the humour falls a bit flat in places. Melissa McCarthy's character feels a bit too ripped off from Zach Galifianakis' character in "The Hangover", and there are scenes that do feel like they're trying a bit too hard to play to either a male audience or a female audience, instead of just the audience as a whole. Still, this is a solid effort, and hopefully will inspire Hollywood to pursue similarly themed projects in the future.
58. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ........ B-
Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush
May 21, 2011
There are definitely some fantastic moments in this movie, and for what it's worth, it's WAY better than the trailer makes it out to be. Penelope Cruz looked like she was going to stick out like a sore thumb, but I thought she fit in rather well. The mermaids are also really cool. Beyond that though, it just left me with an overwhelming feeling of "meh". I'm not sure I could even put my finger on what's so mediocre, but it just falls flat. I can't agree with the critics who are saying that this one is at least better than the previous two instalments (although I'll grant you I might have been more enthusiastic about those films than the average viewer). It's a similar phenomenon to Sex and the City, where I will continue to go see anything involving Johnny Depp as Captain Jack, and will never get sick of that character, but wish that they had never felt the need to make the fantastic original film into a franchise at all. Every new effort seems to cheapen the whole thing even more.
59. It's Kind of a Funny Story ........ B+
Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts
May 22, 2011
A little gem of a movie. It's too bad this one flew under the radar. Keir Gilchrist is charming and Zach Galifianakis displays real dramatic acting chops. This film benefits a lot from approaching depression and other mental illnesses from a non-judgmental standpoint and offering no easy solutions.
60. Kalifornia ........ A
Brad Pitt, David Duchovny, Michelle Forbes, Juliette Lewis
May 23, 2011
Suspenseful without taking much advantage of the "something jumping out at you" tactic, this film uses only the realistic and very human to disturb the audience. Also featuring four fantastic performances. I'm sorry it took me so long to see this one, but I'm very glad that I did.
61. Cyrus ........ B+
John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill
May 24, 2011
Jonah Hill does a fabulously creepy job in this film. It's a shame it didn't get more buzz. The sinister vibe in this film might not appeal to some viewers, but for the most part it's extremely well executed. Unfortunately it loses its nerve and spirals out in a very weak and disappointing conclusion.
62. The Hangover Part 2 ........ B
Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis
May 27, 2011
Despite the scathing reviews, "The Hangover Part 2" isn't half bad. No, it isn't anywhere near as funny as the first one. No it isn't anything like as clever. Yes, it follows the same formula to the point that it's a bit ridiculous. Still, when one compares it to the slew of mediocre/bad comedies that get released every year instead of to its predecessor, it's still pretty damned funny and totally watchable. Still, I can't say I'll be optimistic or enthusiastic if they decide to make a third instalment.
63. Some Like It Hot ........ B-
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon
May 29, 2011
As previously mentioned, I really don't like to put ratings on classic films because I have no conception of the context, but I liked this one. The comedy definitely feels dated, but the movie is still entertaining. Marilyn Monroe I found to be more irritating than charming here, but that might be contextual as well.
64. The Romantics ........ B
Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin
June 2, 2011
You can easily tell that this romantic "dramedy" (as with most, it's a drama with a couple of funny scenes) is based on a novel as the characters are richer and less likeable than expected. I learned in the "making of" on the DVD that actors were encouraged to write their own speeches for the rehearsal dinner scene, leading to some very realistically awkward moments. A varied and talented ensemble cast add a lot. However there are a couple of issues. I enjoy that none of the characters are totally likeable, but this leads the semi-subtle vilification of the Anna Paquin character feeling forced and the audience can't quite get on board. I also had trouble buying Katie Holmes as a passionate free-spirit as she played her character in a very "buttoned-up" kind of way.
65. X-Men: First Class ........ A
James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender
June 5, 2011
The latest instalment of X-Men is a really fantastic summer blockbuster. Great special effects, really exciting, and very cleverly written. There are a couple of moments of cheese for sure (the last few lines of the film made me cringe like crazy) but the script makes for a great origin story. It certainly doesn't stick to the X-Men mythology, but at least it adheres to the movie franchise's mythology. A couple of cameos and the best placed one-use f-bomb ever are welcome additions. The low-point of this movie is January Jones' abysmal, monotone performance as Emma Frost. There are far better actresses with just as much sex appeal who would have done far more justice to this character.
66. Io sono l'amore (I Am Love) ........ C+
Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini
June 6, 2011
An art film that's arty for the sake of artiness rather than for any real substance, "I Am Love" is a bit of a mess. Tilda Swinton is amazing. I had no idea she spoke Italian or would be so convincing as a non-English speaker. (Of course you would have to ask an actual Italian for a real opinion on this, but from my perspective she did a tremendous job). The script is really the problem. The story is incredibly slow and virtually nothing happens until suddenly all falls into melodrama and leads to an exceedingly unclear and unsatisfying conclusion.
67. Super 8 ........ B+
Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning
June 8, 2011
Beautifully filmed and featuring a cast of very talented child actors, this film has an nostalgic feel that will appeal to many. However it does begin to fall apart a bit after we find out what exactly was in the demolished train. After such an edge-of-your-seat build-up, it's a very disappointing big reveal. The human stories are much more compelling.
68. Love Ranch ........ C+
Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci
June 12, 2011
Better than its reputation but still not "good" per se, this film descends far too quickly into the melodramatic. It ends up making the story, which seems to be fairly faithful to actual events, seem totally ridiculous and unbelievable. Fortunately Helen Mirren can carry just about anything. And this film is worth viewing for her nipple slip alone! :P
69. Gnomeo & Juliet ........ A-
James McAvoy, Emily Blunt
June 15, 2011
As the enjoyably punny title suggests, this film is both funny and clever and will appeal to viewers of all ages. I particularly appreciated the attention to detail. The subtle clinking noise whenever a gnome touched another gnome for instance. Also all of the Shakespearian in-jokes are pretty great.
70. Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1983 ........ B+
David Morrissey, Mark Addy, Daniel Mays
June 19, 2011
The final instalment of the Red Riding series provides a very satisfying conclusion and sheds light on a few things that seemed to make very little sense in the first two films. However, the final product is still fairly confusing, and I believe that unless one watched all three films back-to-back, much ends up being lost. Mark Addy is a lovely addition to the cast.
71. Bad Teacher ........ B
Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake
June 22, 2011
This black comedy won't be to everyone's taste, but I found it quite enjoyable right up until the hard to swallow, overly neat ending.
72. The Puppet Masters ........ C
Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal, Julie Warner
June 27, 2011
A truly hokey, but mildly enjoyable horror film. Good only for the hilarity.
73. You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger ........ B
Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Gemma Jones, Josh Brolin
July 7, 2011
Some films that end on a cliffhanger feel very clever. This one genuinely feels like Woody Allen went for lunch and then started making the movie, forgetting the script wasn't finished.
74. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ........ A
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
July 14, 2011
Full review here.
75. Cedar Rapids ........ C-
Ed Helms, John C. Reilly
July 17, 2011
While there are a few good chuckles in here, this is mostly a waste of a very talented cast on a very mediocre script.
76. Crazy Stupid Love ........ A
Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore
July 25, 2011
This film is clever, charming and hilarious. Even when it dips into romantic comedy formula territory, it never goes there to an unforgivable degree.
77. Manhattan ........ B+
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
August 3, 2011
Thus far my favourite of Woody Allen's early work, Manhattan is funny, dark and doesn't feel terribly dated. There is definitely the creepy-factor of Allen casting his icky self as the love interest of a 17-year-old.
78. Okuribito (Departures) ........ B-
Masahiro Motoki, Ryôko Hirosue
August 5, 2011
While too long and certainly overly sentimental, this film is beautifully shot and deals with very interesting subject matter. There is a bit of a cultural barrier I think, in terms of a Westerner understanding what is so shameful about the main character's employment. At least it went right over my head.
79. The Change-Up ........ C+
Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds
August 16, 2011
Although there are a few shockingly hilarious moments in this film, the vast majority of it is made up of tedious bodily function humour.
80. One Day ........ B
Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess
August 18, 2011
Not nearly as bad as I feared it might be, this film does a decent job of conveying the "same day every year" concept of the book. I felt that Anna Hathaway and Jim Sturgess did have good chemistry, but the film really doesn't do enough to convey what holds these two people together, what the strength of their friendship is, and what elements would keep them from consummating their attraction for so long.
81. The Help ........ A
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer
August 21, 2011
Having just finished the excellent novel, I can enthusiastically say that the film lives up to it. Adjustments to the story are made, but none of them cheapen the experience. The film is also full of impressive performances. I have never been so impressed by Bryce Dallas Howard before.
82. Top Gun ........ C
Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards
August 26, 2011
The entertainment factor of this incredibly cheesy 80s movie was greatly upped by the fact that I saw it at an outdoor screening with 3000 highly amused audience members who were excited to cheer and scream and sing along to the very limited soundtrack. While I thought that the film did a good job of making one feel immersed in the flight, I also found it hard to follow what was actually happening in the air and I don't know how exciting the first two thirds of the film really are. The romantic storyline is highly entertaining, but for all the wrong reasons.
83. The Debt ........ A-
Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain
August 29, 2011
A very interesting thriller featuring a superb cast, Jessica Chastain in particular really impressed me. The film is somewhat cheapened by a truly bizarre ending which is implausible on all levels.
84. I Am Number Four ........ C
Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Dianna Agron
August 31, 2011
This is a seriously guilty pleasure. The writing is terrible and Alex Pettyfer is appallingly bad in the lead role. Timothy Olyphant is entertaining and Dianna Agron does a good job, even though she's really just playing an artsier version of her role as Quinn on "Glee". However, the effects are great and the story is just so supremely ridiculous as to make for a camp-tastic good time. Low on quality. High on amusement for mostly the wrong reasons.
85. The Company Men ........ B-
Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper
September 6, 2011
While I felt that this film was superbly acted and made a noble effort to accurately portray the devastation that some felt from the financial crisis, the end product just comes across as too schmaltzy to feel at all genuine. It's especially hard to buy Tommy Lee Jones' millionaire with a heart of gold and his best friend and boss, who is apparently evil incarnate. Ben Affleck's everyman character is the strength of the film, and also the most believable. Still, his ever-supportive family is just a tad too perfect, and his children just a tad too accepting of events that would probably not be so easy to understand at a young age. One also has to take into account that Affleck's character is used to a 160k salary and yet seems to be behind on every payment on every aspect in his life within a few weeks of layoff. This makes it a bit difficult for me to muster too much sympathy, and I can't imagine that most people with average incomes who found themselves in the same situation would have much either.
86. Friends with Benefits ........ B-
Mila Kinus, Justin Timberlake
September 11, 2011
The thing that really bothered me about this movie was not that it made blatant use of the romantic comedy formula, but that it had the audacity to attempt to mock the basic romantic comedy formula while making no effort whatsoever to steer away from it. In order to get away with this sort of cheekiness, a film has to be far better than this one actually is. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake do have good chemistry, which is really what carries the film, but also what makes it really difficult to believe that initially the characters had no real interest in each other. The cutesy first meeting didn't help. The end product is very watchable and there are some very funny moments, but at the end of the day, just another romcom.
87. The Lincoln Lawyer ........ A-
Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe
September 19, 2011
A fast-paced, exciting legal drama, featuring a fantastic, vanity-free performance from Matthew McConaughey. I will freely admit that I wasn't particularly interested in seeing this one. I thought it would be quite dry. I was very pleased to be proven very wrong indeed.
88. The Shawshank Redemption ........ A
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
September 20, 2011
It's sad that I waited so long to see this film. Truly a classic. Absolutely stands the test of time. Great performances all around.
89. The Crying Game ........ C+
Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker
September 21, 2011
This is a very strange movie and truth be told, I didn't feel that it stood the test of time. By now, almost everyone will know what the big plot twist is, which likely was what made it so unique in 1992. The twist itself is a little dated in terms of how shocking it really is. That aside, it's really difficult to buy character motivations in this film, and the different pieces of it feel like conflicting genres. Nothing really fits together comfortably. I did enjoy the performances by Stephen Rea and Jaye Davidson.
This post is officially too big for LJ. Head on over to Part 2!