Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Robert Downey Jr. brings to the screen a version of Sherlock Holmes that not only hasn't been seen before, but is also extraordinary in itself. And with Jude Law portraying Doctor Watson so sincerely, the collaboration definitely works on every level.

In this installment of the adventures of one of the most, if not the most famous detective in literature, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) goes on a hunt to track down the most feared men in their society, Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). At the start of the film, Holmes and Watson (Jude Law) stop Blackwood from killing yet another woman in one of his dark ritual ceremonies. Before being hanged, Lord Blackwood warns Holmes that there will be more deaths in the future and that he will eventually return and fulfill his dastardly plans. Meanwhile, Holmes gets a visit from Irene Adler (Rachael McAdams, his one love that always seems to elude him. She has a proposal for him to find a man for her employer. Throughout the film, it is hinted that her employer is Professor Moriarty, who is Holmes's ultimate nemesis in the original stories. While trying to find the man Irene is looking for, Holmes is informed that Lord Blackwood has come back from the dead. While visiting the site of the resurrection, Holmes is puzzled as to how Blackwood came back to life after being pronounced dead by Doctor Watson himself. Blackwood begins to play cat and mouse with Holmes, and the legendary duo must figure out what Blackwood is up to before he executes his plans for dominating their beloved England and maybe even Europe.

Overall, I liked this version of Sherlock Holmes a lot. It stayed true to its roots, but still had a modern edge to it that I think many people are excited to see. It wasn't old-fashioned in a way that bored you, but rather captivated the audience, with the action obviously having a lot to do with it. I really liked how they incorporated romance into the story without it steering the plot in a different direction, giving the film a sense of warmth despite all the murders and crimes that are taking place throughout the plot. The suspense level was great, especially towards the ending, with the flashback sequences being quite haunting in a way. I would also like to point out the massive benefit the movie received from its score by the amazing Hans Zimmer, who never disappoints us with his distinctive pieces that never mimic each other in any way. I thought the theme music was very memorable and anytime I hear it, I would know Sherlock Holmes is on. That's how good it is and I'm glad the Academy recognized Zimmer's talent for this production by nominating him for an Oscar in the Best Original Score category.

The performance from Robert was just breathtaking. As an actor he managed to give so much by giving so little emotion in his role and that's what makes his performance so exciting. It's unpredictable, makes you love him, hate him, admire him and so much more. Jude Law really made the brotherly onscreen bond work between him and Robert and although Downey stole most of the scenes in the film, Law balanced it out really well with his charming presence and common sense. Rachael McAdams did a great job in the role of Irene Adler. She really made the character her own and kept the romantic connection between her character and Holmes interesting with a real spark to it. They both have adventurous personalities but they are also disparate because of their professions, with Holmes being a private eye while she is a thief. As they say, opposites attract and I loved her edginess and elegance in each scene with Downey Jr.

The set designs were impeccably done with such fine details being put in to each frame. It really kept the production authentic despite such a different story being introduced to the audience of Sherlock fans and it was definitely important to stick to the original setting and not wander off into no man's land. I can say that the story was at times childish, with the whole dark magic concept, and all of it being a trick using scientific knowledge; but with the main theme being Sherlock's and Watson's friendship and loyalty to one another, you really don't focus on it that much and just let the story guide you in the enigmatic direction to ultimately unravel the case bit by bit, making you see the big picture. Being filmed in London, the cinematography was very organic for the story with the grayness and gloomy feeling of London being portrayed with a valid perspective of the outside environment. The drawing of the various characters in the opening title cards and the ending credits added a unique touch to the overall look of the film and I really liked its individuality for that particular aspect.

Overall, it's a really fun, thrilling and daring portrayal of one of the most well known literary characters in history. All of the actors, producers, crew and of course the director paid homage to the original story, but managed to make it work for today's audience with great adeptness. Definitely a keeper in your movie collection.

Albert Nobbs (2011)

Glenn Close gives an Oscar-worthy performance to add to her already impressive resume, playing one of her most challenging screen roles yet.

Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) works as a waiter at one of the poshest hotels in Ireland during the late 19th century. He is very good at his job and all the guests are certainly impressed by his dedication to ensure that everyone is comfortable at all times. Little does anyone know that he is in fact a woman who uses the disguise as a way to save up money and start her own business and lead a steady life. One day, a man called Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) comes in to paint the walls of the hotel. He is to stay in Albert’s room, making Albert uneasy about keeping her well-kept secret. Nonetheless, Hubert does discover that Albert is in fact a woman but then reveals himself to be a woman just as well. Albert is flustered at her discovery and starts to inquire Hubert as to how she lives her daily life. She asks her many times how she does it, astonished at the fact that there is someone in the world who has a situation so similar to hers. However, Hubert has a wife and Albert is starting to realize that maybe it’s time for her to start a family of her own.

Helen Dawes (Mia Wasikowska) is a maid working at the same hotel as Albert. She falls madly in love with Joe Macken (Aaron Johnson), a poor young man who managed to fix the hotel’s heating. Joe dreams of leaving for America and wants to take Helen with him. He makes Helen go out on dates with Albert, who has quite a fancy for Helen, in order to get gifts that they could sell in order to buy tickets for their sea voyage. But as time goes on, we realize that Joe is just using Helen to his own advantage and to make their relationship worse, he gets her pregnant. This nullifies her chances of going with him to America and Albert offers his assistance in taking care of her and her baby, with a possible chance of marriage. The film shifts focus from Albert’s story to Helen’s, and we get the feeling that Albert is trapped by her existence and as a result of her earlier struggles in life, may never be able to start a life of her own.

The film as a period piece was executed very well indeed, with the sets and costumes being top-notch and very believable. The make-up for Glenn Close was simply marvelous and although at first I knew she was really a woman and wondered why no one could see that, the further I got in the story the lines between reality and the character portrayal faded and I just kept my eyes on the amazing acting and overall story. There are so many times that a movie can just blow you away by a certain aspect such as costumes or special effects that you really lose your focus from the most important thing, which is of course the story at hand.

So many things are touched upon that are very unconventional especially for a period piece, and it was incredibly daring of Glenn Close, who co-wrote the screenplay and played the same character in the stage version of Albert Nobbs in 1982, to take on and eventually produce a film of a story that reveals things that people are still trying to work out and accept even today. Albert’s and Hubert’s sexuality is one of the key themes that the story revolves around and it gives hints that Hubert is a lesbian who uses her disguise not only to lead an acceptable way of life, but also have the same privileges that men had as opposed to women in those days. With Albert, it’s much more complicated because of her past and childhood. It’s saddening that she has lived her life as a man for so long and was always concealing herself from people just to keep her secret. She never knew the meaning of love and it shows by how she acts in certain scenes towards Hubert and Helen. Never having the chance to find her sexuality, she isn’t really mindful about the difference if the person she loves (in this case, Helen) is a man or a woman. She only knows that she cares for Helen and wants to protect her, but is still very aware and conscientious about the idea of getting married to her in such circumstances.

It is certainly a very emotional movie because of the many conflicting thoughts and fears that Albert has, and it’s definitely heart-breaking to see these women being turned into men just to have an opportunity to either work or live life according to society’s standards. The piece certainly transcends its era, making bold statements that some will be able to relate to. My favorite scene in the film and I’m sure for everyone, will be when Albert and Hubert put on dresses and Albert starts running along the seaside. Her sense of liberty is so immense in those couple of moments it gives you a warm feeling inside, even if it was only for a moment.

I suggest you bring some tissues for this one just in case and I hope you will make the best of what this movie has to offer because “we are all disguised as ourselves”.

Carnage (2011)

With a star ensemble including Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz, Carnage is one of the most riveting movies this year that takes on a get together of two couples and the grisly results.

The story starts out showing a fight at the playground between two boys, Zachary and Ethan. Zachary hits Ethan with a stick and knocks out two of his teeth. Their parents decide to get together and resolve the problem between the boys. Ethan's parents, Penelope (Jodie Foster) and Michael Longstreet (John C. Reilly) invite Zachary's parents, Nancy (Kate Winslet) and Alan Cowan (Christoph Waltz) to their apartment to discuss what happened between their sons and the possible ways to mend their hostility towards each other. Everything goes smoothly at first, but cracks slowly begin to appear, with disagreement arising between the two parties and between each couple as well. The conversation begins to have no connection with what to do about the boys, but the many problems that each individual has towards their partners, their conflicting points of view, and their roles in society.

I just want to say that it was truly an unforgettable experience watching this film, because the space that the characters are confined to really contributes to their actions and speech, making it so tense and understandable for them to break loose from their publicly amicable selves. The story is set in New York but was actually filmed in Paris on a set, which I found very hard to believe because of all the intricate details of the apartment that keep it looking so real and truthful to the viewer. Carnage is originally a French play and I think the theatrical aspect was kept in mind throughout filming by the wonderful Roman Polanski. The length of the film is also really handy because it's not as long as many other films but still gives you that kick for what it's worth.

All the actors were great in their roles with Christoph Waltz really shining on his part, adding witty comments to the rather serious atmosphere that made me chuckle and grin every time. Jodie Foster's performance was a little overwhelming but still convincing making me wonder how she kept up that mad mind-set for such a demanding role. Kate and John were both very charming in their performances but when their characters got out of their element it was surprisingly hilarious to see them use such robust and powerful words to express what's really behind the masks they wear. And it completely proves that great actors don't need any special props or effects to propel their performances, making it all come down to their portrayal of the character at heart, kind of like what you would expect from stage actors.

This film explores so many facets of our society and how people deal with common issues to a completely different extent, that it was truly marvelous to see it fit into such a limited amount of time but still being able to send such a strong message. It deals with the issues arising in marriage, the many ideas people have about parenting, that strong competitive spirit that parents have while talking about their kids to others, and how they see other people's kids in connection with their parents' behavior and attitude towards parenting. I also found that there are views that only women share and views that only men share, with the women taking more care of the family, the home and the well-being of their children as well as trying to keep peace in their surroundings, while the men are more concerned about their jobs and taking the environment around their family more seriously than their actual family making it so much clearer why so many couples are in conflict with each other's points of view.

People's sense of civilization is definitely tested because of the brutal act that happened at the playground, with the parents linking it to what's happening with children in Africa, and their individual takes on that is quite eye-opening. It also sheds light on how people can change as a result of marriage or having children and I think it would be interesting for viewers to identify with the characters and the many parallels they may have with each individual, because any adult in their 30's or 40's must have gone through at least one aspect of each of these character's lives. It's definitely a wonderful character study and it's not just a one-timer, because you can always watch it again and find something about each character that you may have not caught a glimpse of before and that's what makes a truly great film.

I'm probably boring you now with all this information, but I'm just glad to get it off my chest and I definitely advise you to go see this film if it comes to your local theater. It may be a little slow for those who enjoy thrills and adventure but I certainly enjoyed it and I think you will too, especially if you love the work of all these actors and Roman Polanski.

50/50 (2011)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives one of his most powerful performances to date starring alongside the hilarious Seth Rogen in a film based on a true story of a man's struggle with cancer and how it affected his life.

Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a regular guy who works at a radio station with his best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen). He has experienced some back pain for a while and decides to see the doctor. Upon his visit, he gets diagnosed with a rare type of back cancer and is somewhat in shock by the news because he leads a relatively healthy life, and doesn't even drive a car. The survival rate for the type of cancer he has is 50%.

He tells his girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Kyle his big news and they are both devastated, but take different measures to help Adam cope with the disease. Rachael gets him a retired racing dog and gets more detached from him, while Kyle sticks around as much as he can and tries to keep everything normal for Adam, making use of rather unorthodox methods to keep Adam happy in this depressing situation. After a couple of days, he also informs his mom (Anjelica Huston) who happens to have enough on her plate already since his father has Alzheimer's disease. She insists on taking care of him but Adam refuses her advances and confirms that he's going to be just fine without her, although that's not the case entirely.

Adam also starts seeing Katie (Anna Kendrick), who is an inexperienced psychologist working on her doctorate at the hospital. She helps keep him calm and understand that he can't change the situation he's in, only how he chooses to deal with it . They form a kind of friendly bond in the process, and help change each other's empty lives bit by bit.

Soon enough, Adam has no hope left for recovery and plunges deeper and deeper into depression. But even though Kyle seems like Adam's complete opposite, he genuinely worries for his friend and tries to keep his spirits up as much as he can to make him forget the somewhat inevitable ending that may be waiting for him.

First off I would definitely say this is a great movie not just for those who have been affected by cancer but anyone who is looking for a good story. The writing is so crisp and to the point, making it a perfect balance of yin and yang containing as much dramatic and emotional moments, as ridiculous and funny moments, which I think is a great way to go about such a serious matter like cancer. I mean if someone is affected by it, why not just go through it as if it's no big deal and enjoy your time as much as you can because you never know what turn your life can take if something is beyond your control.

The acting I would have to say was some of the finest I've seen in a while. It was portrayed so honestly and openly with each actor just switching around to so many emotions in any one scene. It felt almost like a documentary in feel because this is something that actually happened to Seth Rogen's friend, Will Reiser who wrote this film. So naturally, Seth is playing himself in this movie. I don't know why, but comedy actors have some sort of gift for pulling off dramatic roles so well and bringing some fun to their characters. The most heart-wrenching scene was probably the one where Adam has a nervous breakdown while driving a car for the first time, and you could just see how scared he really is by how he lets it all go by screaming his heart out, letting the audience feel his inner turmoil in that one moment in time when he doesn't know if he will be there tomorrow. Both Anna and Bryce do a great job as well in their roles and Anjelica Huston really shines in her role as Adam's mom, putting her back on the map again.

The cinematography and setting were executed perfectly with the grayness of the city really emphasising Adam's situation and how he feels inside. I think there are many morals in the story that can help people deal with any difficulty whether it be cancer or something different entirely. Adam goes from being completely out of touch with his parents to actually realizing how much he loves them and how much they need him. It would have never happened if he didn't get cancer, which is something you don't want anyone to have but many times it opens your eyes to the simple things in life and changes how you see the things that you once took for granted.

This is probably the dramedy of the year and you definitely don't wanna miss it. The acting - superb, the comedy - divine. It's 50/50, the best of both sides.

The Inbetweeners (2011)

Running into this movie by chance I said what the heck and went for it. It was a rather shocking film (coming from Britain) with only a faint hint of meaning, concerning a holiday full of mishaps for four hopeless fools. I warn you that the nudity is rather unpleasant and so are most of the main characters.

The story is about four friends who have just graduated from high school and are looking to break away from their suburban lives just before starting university by going on a holiday to the coastal town of Malia located in the Greek island of Crete, to satisfy their boiling pots of lewdness. They don't get what they bargain for at all, involve themselves in embarrassing situations along the way, but turn their perspectives around in the end and start a new chapter in their lives.

The Inbetweeners was actually a hit comedy TV show from England that ran on for about two years and they then decided to make a movie out of it with the original cast members. I guess the movie is sort of a closing for the whole series because the guys move on in their lives and become young men.

First off I thought that this is just another teen summer flick that has no real substance to it and includes many scenarios and situations that a typical teenager experiences or dreams of. Partying, vulgarity and nudity are all up for display here and it might seem enticing for the target audience but for all others, it is definitely immature and crude in tone. All of the young men do change at the end and realize the more important values in life, giving the audience at least a glimmer of satisfaction from the whole experience.

I don't think this is a great piece of advertising for the island of Crete whatsoever in its exhibits of the environment, housing and the whole "spring break" fantasy of clubbing, drinking and girls galore. I mean, where are the police officers or at least one person who is an adult and can stop this irresponsible behavior? The cinematography was rather petty and the only scenes I was impressed with was when the gang first were introduced to the nightlife of Malia. It was definitely a catchy montage that seemed almost like a dream, until we were hit on the head by reality. And I also liked the realistic quality of the boat party towards the end with it's vibrant colors and the long shots used to capture the ship and its atmosphere.

The main characters are basically all considered "freaks" because they are socially inept and rather awkward around people, but I guess that is what makes their story appealing to so many teens that can relate to such a stereotype. I admit that most of them are really rude in their actions and speech but deep inside they're not bad people. They just want to fit in and that's what most teens identify with these days.

The film did reach smashing records in the UK evidently because of their familiarity with the series, but for me this is a one-time watch although I don't dismiss it entirely. It was entertaining and exotic which might just be someone's calling card, and some may think of it as British version of American Pie. But hey, that's just my opinion and it's your choice to decide if this kind of film is for you.

P.S. I had no idea that a British movie could be so blatantly dirty.

The Muppets (2011)

I had never seen a muppet movie before but after seeing this, not only was I blown away by the wonderful storytelling, but the film actually won me over by its adorable characters (both muppet and human).

Gary (Jason Segel) and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) are brothers but there is one slight difference between them... Walter is a muppet. He never quite fit in with the other kids in the neighborhood and Gary always protected him and made him feel better about himself even though Walter started to notice the difference between him and Gary during their childhood, such as Gary being able to grow but Walter staying at the same height for his whole life. They both grew up watching the legendary Kermit the Frog and his gang on TV, and Walter begins to wonder if maybe he belongs with them as well.

One day, Gary and his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) tell Walter that they are going to Los Angeles for their anniversary and that Walter is coming with them. Walter is of course super excited to go because Los Angeles is where the Muppet Theater is located. While on the tour of the place, Walter overhears a plan by an evil oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), to tear down the theater in order to dig for oil. He is absolutely devastated and advises both Gary and Mary to find Kermit (voiced by Steve Whitmore) and warn him about Richman's horrible plot. They eventually find Kermit, who lives all alone and who doesn't have much hope about bringing the muppets together for one last show to save the theater. Miss Piggy has left him and the other members of the show are scattered all around the country, doing what they can to earn a living. After some thinking, Kermit decides to help the trio stop this disaster from happening and they all go on a road trip to find the lovable characters that brought magic to children all over the world for so long.

I absolutely loved the movie from start to finish and I think people from every age group will love it just the same with the muppets hopefully garnering a new generation of fans. The musical numbers were spectacular and very touching at times, which is quite an impressive feat for Jason Segel who co-wrote this production as well as acted in it. The dance numbers were put together wonderfully and everything seemed in order from start to finish, having a smooth flow from one song to the next. Amy Adams returns to a role similar to Giselle in Enchanted, with her bubbly charisma being a perfect match for her role as Mary. The muppet characters speak for themselves on this one and I just loved each of their individual personalities being shown on screen.

The dialogue is very humorous and makes you smile and laugh all the way through, with the plot bringing back what the muppets did best: putting on a grand show! It is definitely a treat of nostalgia and quite different from the regular 3D films that appeal to audiences these days. And the fact that it's a quaint little film that showcases the glory of the old days without using any gimmicks to uphold the promotion, brings it that much more honor for sticking with the more traditional way of making movies that still making an impact on the audience. The childlike romance between Gary and Mary was lovely and sort of shed light on what's important in a relationship without all the messy stuff.

The movie includes lots of cameo guest stars such as Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Silverman, Alan Arkin and even Mickey Rooney. They all add a touch of glamor to the story and Jack Black was absolutely hilarious playing a more psychotic and overwhelming version of himself.

I think the film is also quite emotional underneath it all and has many meanings to it like finding where you belong, and believing in yourself in order to do what you are truly good at and what is right. It also touches on the family factor and having someone there to support you even when things don't work out and I think many children as well as adults are affected by these kind of issues day in and day out, so hopefully it will shed a light on that theme as well. Even if you are the underdog, don't give up on your dreams and aspirations because they might just come true if you work hard and enjoy what you do.

Overall it's a movie that has everything to make you enjoy it like a star cast, a meaningful story, and of course that sweet taste of childhood memories. I give you the green light on this one, so what are you waiting for?

Johnny English Reborn (2011)

I was hoping for something funny that would live up to its predecessor, but all I got was action, action, action and not much laughs out of this poor attempt to bring back Johnny English, our favorite comical British spy.

After saving England from a French villain in the first film, Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) becomes a monk and is estranged from his service as a spy for her majesty. He learns martial arts and all that jazz that concerns being zen and keeping in touch with your inner spirit. But he soon gets a wake up call from MI7 to help them investigate a case regarding an organization plot to assassinate the Chinese premier but he is reluctant to join them because of his last failed mission that keeps haunting him.

Other actors include Dominic West who plays "Agent One" at MI7, Rosamund Pike as Johnny's love interest who works at MI7 as well, and Gillian Anderson as the new 'Pegasus'/boss.

This film compared to the first one is a little bit more dark in tone and there is way more mystery and action scenes which will probably excite people who are looking for a more somber storyline and who enjoy lots of action. I would say it seems much more like a "serious" take on a James Bond parody film but I personally enjoy good, solid comedy throughout if that's what they advertise. So, if you are a fan of the first Johnny English then you might be a bit disappointed at the low level of comedy featured on screen. I wouldn't say it doesn't contain any comedy at all, but there is just that other feel to it that many people probably wouldn't suspect when viewing for the first time.

However, the mystery and suspense level is very exciting and chilling at times with the action adding that much more energy to the plot. The cinematography, taking place in various locations like China, is captured very well throughout and I think stays true to how people would see those places.

Overall, the film is rather forgettable with characters that are rather bland and lacking in depth. It tries to be complex a little too much but doesn't seem to pull it off in the process. I was hoping for a lighthearted comedy, but got a dark thriller that only hints at comedy every now and then. Rowan Atkinson's talent for comedy has been utterly wasted in this production, just proving that maybe sequels aren't meant to be made all the time. No thought put into this one and I continue to be in favor of the one and only Johnny English without him being Reborn.

Little Women (1994)

The classic story of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott comes to the screen in this magical adaptation starring some of the biggest stars in the world of cinema including Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes and Christian Bale.

Set in the 1860's, the story tells of the four March sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. Their lives are recounted from the age of adolescence to young adulthood, showing the many difficulties and changes they go through during this time period.
Jo (Winona Ryder) is a natural writer who writes many stories and plays that she shares with her sisters; even putting on productions of her plays in their attic with each sister playing one of the roles. She is the tomboy of the group who doesn't care for fine dresses and the pressures of marrying in the near future, choosing to focus more on her writing career.

Meg (Trini Alvarado) is the oldest of the sisters, and is constantly worried about being a proper lady and finding the right companion in the sea of suitors that she is introduced to. She repeatedly tries to bestow good manners on her younger siblings and is sometimes irritating while doing so, as many older siblings are.

Beth (Claire Danes) is the next youngest after Jo. She is the shyest and most timid of the group, choosing to stay home most of the time and lend help to the poor neighbors who need it most. We all know of her tragic fate that happened at such a pure and tender age, and we are reminded of how sweet and supportive she was towards Jo and her writing despite not having any significant goals in her own life.

Amy (Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis) is the youngest of the four and possesses a bubbly personality and spirit towards life. She doesn't take a particular interest in studies but prefers to dream about her grown up life and talk about the constant parties and dates that her older sisters get invited to. She can be a bit of a nuisance and snobby at times while also having the ability to say wise things despite her young age. The youngest always want to seem more grown up and so tend to take a particular interest in grown up matters and Amy is a typical example of this.

The acting I thought was really well done, especially by Winona Ryder for her portrayal of Jo. She expresses so many emotions throughout the story that range from happiness and surprise to sadness and despair, which proves why she got nominated for an Oscar that year. We also get to see some other very fine actors in the making such as the current Batman, Christian Bale in the role of Laurie and of course the lovely Kirsten Dunst. Susan Sarandon adds a warm touch with her portrayal of Marmee and all others characters stay true to the story throughout.

The costumes for the film were wonderfully executed and I wonder if the actors and actresses found them heavy to wear with all those layers underneath. And since this is a period piece, the cinematography and sets were very well made and really captured the aura of that period. An absolutely wonderful story about the challenges of growing up and the many heartbreaks and changes that can happen even if you didn't live in the 1860's. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story on a cold winter's night, especially for a Christmas night viewing.

Hugo (2011)

Martin Scorsese brings a story aimed at children to the silver screen, but you walk out from the theater with an adult's perspective on life and themes for quite mature audiences.

Hugo (Asa Butterfield) is a 12 year-old boy who lives in the walls of a train station. He is an orphan who lives life stealing food from the station shops and running the clocks in hopes of not getting caught by the station's inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen). One day, Hugo gets caught stealing mechanical parts from a toy shop run by Georges Melies (Ben Kingsley). He takes his notebook, causing Hugo to become suspicious as to why he became so distraught over it. The notebook contains sketches of a mechanical man that Hugo is repairing in hopes of getting a message from his deceased father and not being so alone in the station. He soon meets Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), who is Melies's goddaughter and forms a friendship with her. He familiarizes her with the movies and she familiarizes him with the outside world since Hugo watches the lives of the shop workers from the various holes in the clocks kind of like a movie, and doesn't really get to live the life most children get to experience. Teaming up with Isabelle to fix his automaton, they find out many hidden secrets about Melies's previous life and why he feels broken inside. Hugo and Isabelle set out to fix him and we get a very intimate glimpse at the history of early filmdom and the works of George Melies.

I don't think all children will like this film as it is a little bit slow, but the story is one for all ages and it all depends on what kind of spirit a child possesses. If they are into mysteries, adventure and history then this is definitely the movie for them to see.

Filled with many homages to silent films of the early 20th century, the audience gets an exclusive look at the production process of the many works of George Melies and even the very first showing of a film on screen. You gain a very deep appreciation for the many forgotten works of silent films and also their makers who, probably until watching this film, aren't recognized by a wide audience across the globe except for maybe fans and scholars. Their works are essentially the first stepping stones to the blockbusters we get to see today! It was amazing to see how even then, the special effects were pretty sophisticated and realistic and it fascinated me very greatly.

It was a wonderful experience to watch the film in 3D and draw lines between the special effects Melies used and what technology has made possible for today's audience. The acting was absolutely superb, with the most memorable performances being drawn from the charming Asa Butterfield and the Oscar winning Ben Kingsley which looks very much like the real Melies. Sacha Baron Cohen brings a comical touch to the movie with his humorous dialogue and actions. The other shopkeepers and the various happenings in their lives at the train station bring a warm touch to the film and somewhat divert the audience from the dramatic development of the Melies storyline. Jude Law, Christopher Lee and Emily Mortimer play some small but important roles in the story and they are both wonderful in this as well.

The cinematography was absolutely perfect, and Asa's eyes give a haunting accent to the surrounding blues in some of the scenes. Being set in France, I was very convinced of the setting The score of the film is used effectively with emphasis on the events in some of the more dramatic parts and is very French indeed with the significant use of an accordion.

Many themes are touched upon in this story that children may not be able to understand or relate to yet, such as having a purpose in this world because everyone is essentially a working part. There are no extra parts that aren't needed. Everyone has a job to do, and if not being able to do what you love, it makes you feel shattered inside. This is shown by the situation with the automaton and Melies not being able to do what they are meant for.

To sign off, I say it's an intelligent children's film for a change compared to the majority of others that rely mostly on their visuals whereas in this case they add to the story because the film in its basis is very emotional. I highly recommend it to anyone but be warned, the trailer for this is not at all what is shown on screen throughout the movie. Scorsese has proven himself to be a master of film making once again even if the film is rated PG. It's definitely a good way to get kids to see history in the form of a fictional account of certain events, which in turn is exciting and captivating till the end.

Johnny English (2003)

Rowan Atkinson serves up a hilarious spoof on the genre of spy films and gets away with it no matter how ridiculous he seems.

Johnny English (Atkinson) has just been promoted to the level of top spy at MI7 after a horrible incident that involved all other potential spies. His mission is to protect and investigate the plot to steal the Crown Jewels. At the party of their restoration, the Crown Jewels get stolen by thieves who are working for a French businessman Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich) who wants to use them to for his own diabolical plan to rule the world. Johnny is absolutely convinced that Sauvage is the mastermind of this crime and he goes a long way to uncover that Pascal is guilty, even if it means disobeying his boss, Pegasus (Tim Pigott-Smith). Along the way he meets an undercover agent from Interpol named Lorna Campbell (Natalie Imbruglia) who is also investigating the theft of the Jewels and Pascal's real intentions behind his little charade. He falls in love with her and she begins to develop feelings for him as well even though he is pretty incompetent at his job. But nonetheless, his instinct is what ultimately saves him in the end; and he gets the girl too!

Johnny English is a fun thrill ride filled with comedy, action and romance. The spoof on films like the James Bond series (in which Atkinson did make an appearance once before) makes for adventure to many exotic places and a whole lot of chuckling in some pretty awkward scenes. The chase sequence with the towing truck was utterly perfect and made me laugh until my stomach ached. There were some very inappropriate moments towards the end that included a bare bottom, and thinking of it now still makes me laugh. Awkwardness is the key element to this film and it doesn't fail to please.

The flow of the camera was very proficient and I was gripped till the end watching I think one of my favorite comedy movies. It's overall somewhat silly and the acting doesn't need to be that good to impress, but the comedy is pure gold. I advise you to see it immediately 'cause this one's definitely a keeper and definitely helps for those nights when you're feeling down and need a quick dose of exhilaration.

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Moneyball (2011)

From the writers of The Social Network and Schindler's List, Moneyball offers an inside look at the game of baseball and how one man envisioned running an under-financed baseball team. Featuring performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman as well as Robin Wright.

Set in the early 2000's, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) is the manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. They have just lost an important game to the New York Yankees and Billy decides to drop three top players from the team and use a new system of recruiting players based on their playing statistics. He is accompanied by the number savvy Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), who he hires as the assistant GM for the team. There is the main problem of the team's financial situation that hinders them from buying out all the top players, making it nearly impossible for such a team to win the biggest prize in baseball. So these two set out to show that recruiting based on player statistics is the new way to produce a winning team even if a team may not have as much money to spend. Will they be able to win everyone over in the end or will the game never be fair for the financially struggling baseball teams?

During the course of the movie, we see flashbacks of Billy when he was younger and how he got offered to play on a pro baseball team. It didn't work out for him so he decided to become a scout instead. He is torn apart by these thoughts and we see his anguish at the fact that he is neither successful as a player or a manager. The acting by Brad Pitt is superb and watching an interview with him, it turns out he doesn't know very much about the game of baseball; just showing how well he played the role of a man who knows everything about the game. Jonah Hill brings bits of comedy to the table as the smart Yale graduate Peter Brand, and the combination of him and Pitt made for one of the most exciting movie scenes in recent years. The unforgettable scene when Billy and Pete were trading players with a dynamical energy, extended beyond the screen with its quick and witty dialogue and kept the audience on their toes until the end. One long gasp was my reply to that adrenaline filled rollercoaster ride.

The film features many moments that were aired on TV at the time of the team's historic winning streak as well as player analysis videos that will be a real treat for baseball and sports fans. Bringing back memories of the team's historic streak of winning 20 games in a row despite having no star players ultimately didn't matter, but it made a strong impression on the experts and fans of the game.

There are many important messages conveyed through this amazing story of teamwork, sacrifice, and revelation. The situation of being an underdog and trying to bring yourself up from the dust to be in the winner's circle is something that many people are striving for whether they are athletes or regular working men or women. Risks and making choices is all part of the equation, and sometimes breaking the rules may be your ticket for success. Billy and Pete proved that winning in baseball doesn't matter by how much money the budget of a team is, it's how you use it and what possibilities or results might arise from it. This lesson can also be put to use by any company or even a regular family. If there is a limit on something whether it's money or not, efficiency is the best target for a favorable result.

I found the relationship between Billy and his daughter Casey (played by the lovely Kerris Dorsey) to be very touching, and the song that she played for him was sort of a diversion from all the madness that he had to go through to produce a winning team. She was his great supporter and showed him that there is more to life than a baseball field and the happiness or sorrow that it holds.

My advice to you is to go see this phenomenal masterpiece that is sure to get Brad Pitt at least an Oscar nomination for his role and hopefully many more award wins for the film itself. What are you waiting for? See it now!

Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)

A wonderful family movie mixed with Jim Carrey's whimsical hilarity makes for a fun viewing for the whole family.

Tom Popper (Jim Carrey) is a highly paid and proficient businessman. Successful at what he does and having a steady lifestyle at his posh apartment, Tom doesn't really pay attention to his children, who are living with their mother. Sure he takes them out for the weekends but there is never really a strong bond between them. At the beginning of the film we are told about why Tom is the way he is towards the people closest to him. His father was an adventurer, traveling from location to location to fulfill his dreams while never really paying attention to the family he has at home despite coming back every now and then to visit and bring back souvenirs. And so, Tom has turned out the same way because of such neglect. In order to get his dream promotion from his bosses, Tom must acquire the Tavern on the Green, a restaurant that has a deep meaning in his life. The owner, Mrs. Van Gundy (played by the fabulous and still great looking Angela Lansbury) doesn't want to sell the tavern to just anyone, making Tom anxious as to how he will get her to reconsider. One day, Tom receives a "souvenir" from his now deceased father which threatens to turn his professional life upside down, and his family life around for the better. Penguins is not what Tom had bargained for, but these penguins are the catalysts that will open up Tom's cold heart and make him realize what is more important in his life.

I thought the film had a very pertinent message for families all over the world, even though some of the events seemed a little too fairy tale like because of Tom and his ex, Amanda's (Carla Gugino) rather warm relationship throughout the film. But nonetheless, it was very clear that although some people are divorced and living away from their kids, they still need to keep their attention on the events or situations that are happening in their children's lives and lend their advice and support to them at all times. Love is something no amount of money can buy, and the penguins are the ones who will ultimately guide Tom in the right direction to make him realize this.

I thought the characters were fairly realistic in their portrayal of a real life family and the penguins were absolutely adorable in every scene they were in. Tom's alliterate savvy assistant Pippi played by the charming Ophelia Lovibond was pitch-perfect for the part, with her dialogue being words starting with mostly P's. It was really quirky and amusing to hear her speak and I think children will find her speech contagious to their senses. I wondered why they didn't put her character in more scenes throughout the movie! It was definitely a brilliant touch to the story.

There are some emotional moments during the later part of the movie, but they are balanced out nicely by Jim Carrey's fine comedy during most of the first half of the film. I nearly cried during one scene concerning the penguins, so a spare tissue might be put to good use while viewing.

Let me close it up by saying that I really liked the main concept of the movie and I recommend it for all families to see whether it be families that live happily together, or families that are torn apart. It will bring everyone a little closer together and what more would you want from a "family" film. Enjoy!

Chicken Run (2000)

Coming from the studio that brought you Wallace & Gromit, the heroes of this tale are chickens, literally. With elements and dialogue for all age groups, Chicken Run is a family favorite and never disappoints.

It is the story of a an eclectic group of chickens living in 1950's England, who are determined to escape from the chicken coop they are imprisoned in. Ginger is the leader of the group. She is the one who wants to escape most, trying to convince the others that there is more to life than laying eggs; and behind the fences are fields of green and most importantly freedom. One night they get an unexpected visit from "the lone free ranger" Rocky, who is the rather cocky Rhode Island Red rooster. They consider him their last hope to escape from certain death at the hands of the farmers, Mr and Mrs Tweedy because Ginger thought she saw him flying from a distance. They make a deal to hide him from the farmers and heal his hurt wing as long as he teaches them how to fly. One day, Mrs. Tweedy doesn't take the initiative to take one of the chickens to the chop despite the hen not laying any eggs but instead orders Mr. Tweedy to double their food portion causing Ginger to become immediately suspicious and warning the others that it's just a trick in order to fatten them up and kill them all at once. On a night of partying, Rocky's wing eventually heals and all the other chickens now wish to see him fly in order to see it for themselves despite the constant doubts that arise about the typical chicken's capability to fly. Will Rocky show up for his performance or will he turn out a "chicken" and disappoint Ginger and the others, sealing their fate once and for all?

People who grew up during the 1950's will enjoy this film very much because of common war references made by Fowler (the rooster who has seen war action) and the chicken farm being a metaphor for a German army prison/boot camp, with the chickens working out complex plans to trick the farmers and eventually escape from the farm. This plotline also brings out similarities to "The Great Escape" film (1963) and will make a connection with all war veterans and fans of escape films. Although it is intended to be for children, the storyline concerns more grown up themes of courage, working together, persistence, and of course love. But not just romantic love; platonic love too. I think it will be a great experience for children older than 10 because it teaches so many important values that are helpful in life.

The dialogue was smart and witty, but most of all hilarious. The voice work for all the characters was just spot on with Mel Gibson giving a fine performance as Rocky. The animation was very well done as well with the stop motion capture sequences flowing from shot to shot with great ease. One of my favorite action parts in the film the escape from the pie machine because of the immense amount of movement going on and how they captured it to the fullest extent. I also particularly loved the various pieces of clothing the chickens wore that added a very homey and warm touch to the characters along with the setting of the events that made their hostile setting not so gloomy to the viewer.

So, I am proud to say this film is one of my personal favorites that will stand the test of time, will never get boring and will bring some historical times back to the screen for all audiences to enjoy and marvel at.

Win A Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)

A light and fun romantic comedy filled with charming performances from today's biggest star actors Josh Duhamel, Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace and Ginnifer Goodwin.

Rosalee Futch (Kate Bosworth) lives in Frasier's Bottom, West Virginia. She works at the local Piggly Wiggly supermarket with her two best friends, Pete (Topher Grace) and Cathy (Ginnifer Goodwin). She is a big fan of movie star Tad Hamilton's films, and is dreaming of someone like Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel) to sweep her off her feet. Pete, who works as the manager at the Piggly Wiggly really likes Rosalee but doesn't know how to break it to her. Rosalee then enters the "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" contest and is announced the winner, but we know that it is just a stunt for Tad to regain his good image and win a coveted film role, because of a drinking and driving scandal involving him. Rosalee is very excited to meet her idol but Pete isn't so enthusiastic about the idea, going as far as to warn her about the kind of thoughts that bad boys like Tad have, when meeting girls. Rosalee is completely starstruck once meeting Tad, and their evening goes alright despite some mortifying moments for Rosalee along the way. Nevertheless, she leaves a lasting impression on Tad and he follows her back to Frasier's Bottom. She and her friends are all dumbfounded when Tad appears at the Piggly Wiggly to hang out with Rosalee, with Pete not getting the chance to ask Rosalee about moving with him to Richmond University. Their relationship starts to get serious and Pete keeps trying to convince Rosalee that Tad is not her type and will end up breaking her heart in the end. It all forms into an effervescent love triangle and we are almost convinced that Tad might just be the man for Rosalee... or maybe not.

The formula for this film is just like any other romantic comedy concerning a love triangle. Guy likes girl, girl likes another guy, but in the end they end up together. But I'm sure everyone is up for that even though some might choose Tad over Pete because of his hot looks. The movie overall is not so heavy on emotion but does have a very cute storyline that is probably one of the more heartfelt ones coming from this genre. The performances of all the main characters are absolutely adorable and I really enjoyed Jinnifer Goodwin's performance as Rosie's best friend Cathy. Hilarious! Nathan Lane makes an appearance as Tad's manager and is in fact really effective and funny on his take as a Hollywood fat cat. Topher Grace's performance reminded me of his role in That 70's Show, especially the fact that Pete worked at a Piggly Wiggly as a manager which is similar to his character of Eric Forman working at Pricemart. Contagiously nostalgic!

In the end, the audience is left with some lessons to be learned. Being a movie star isn't at all what it's cracked up to be. You might lose all of that in the blink of an eye if you don't uphold a positive image that everyone looks up to. It's obviously super hard to keep your discretion while being followed around by the paparazzi 24/7. Another moral to this film is that, happiness might be standing right next to you even though you are looking for it somewhere else. And a good tip for young women is that you shouldn't believe all the pretty lies a man spoon feeds you in order for you to stay. Sometimes it can be really hard to let go if you don't follow your gut feeling.

Overall, it's one of the more credible rom-coms I've come around to seeing and I think that girls and young women everywhere will find it heartwarming and uplifting just as well.

Happy Feet (2006)

The story of Mumble the dancing penguin has many important qualities that should empower society. There's also an important theme of environmental problems, occurring as a result of human indifference that everyone should be aware of once the film is over.

In Antarctica, the race of Emperor penguins sing in order to impress potential mates. Norma-Jean (Nicole Kidman) is one of the most desirable penguins for her male followers. She sings with a soft and smooth voice and ultimately meets Memphis (Hugh Jackman). Their song became love, and love became an egg. When huddling with the other penguins against the cold, Memphis accidentally drops his egg and the next day, the egg doesn't seem to hatch. They don't hear anything inside the egg, until little tapping sounds are heard and Mumble eventually hatches a bit late. The small penguin is treated differently from the start by his peers and no one approves of his feet tapping talents except for his mom who loves him no matter what. Once Mumble (Elijah Wood) is all grown up, he has a liking for Gloria (Brittany Murphy) who is the best female singer of their generation but she doesn't seem to notice his affections towards her. The penguin world is shaken when the fish supplies start running extremely low and the penguins have no chance of survival. That is until Mumble proposes to go to the Forbidden Shores and communicate with the humans about the low amounts of fish left in their oceans. Will Mumble be able to win the human race over with his talents and win the heart of Gloria and his race at the same time? Find out in this family friendly tale of acceptance and foot-tapping fun.

The story will definitely give people a new perspective on life and how so many animal species are struggling because of the negative effects the humans pose to their environment. Featuring a voice cast of Robin Williams, Hugo Weaving and many more wonderful actors, the Happy Feet experience is something you don't want to miss.

There are so many important themes that are talked about in this film such as racial prejudice, religious intolerance and human effects on the environment. Another subtext of the film is of course love. Without love, there will be no peace in the world. All people (or penguins) should not be judged on their race, their origin, their disabilities or even their skills. They should be judged by their character, kindness and sympathy towards others. Even if a majority of people don't have belief in you, you can't give up if what you feel in your heart is right.

The lighting of the production is of course wonderfully executed with the aurora lights and the snowy plains of Antarctica being captured to their fullest capacity. The animation was also very well done, with justice being done to all the penguin species presented in the film as well as humans. The environments shown looked very real on screen with the layered textures of the snow, water and mountains made the experience breathtaking.  Some motion capture technology was used to capture the foot tapping movements of Mumble and the other penguins thanks in part to the famous tap dancer Savion Glover who also co-choreographed the dance sequences. Despite the serious tones of this animated feature, there are many songs that are sung by the penguins, that are really fun to listen, and are a visual treat when the penguins start dancing to them.

Happy Feet should be a movie that everyone has in their DVD collection and it deserves to be viewed every now and then by the whole family. Keep on tapping to the beat, Mumble!

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

A gripping action adventure thrill ride for audiences young and old from none other than the two greatest film makers of all time, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson.

The story is based on the comics of the same name from the 1940's. Tintin (Jamie Bell) is a young journalist who has solved many mysteries in the past with the help of his beloved dog Snowy. He has just gotten himself involved in another right at the beginning of this movie. As soon as he buys a beautiful model ship of the legendary sunken Unicorn at a market, two men are instantly interested in buying it from him making him suspicious as to their intentions. He sets out to find more information on the Unicorn and learns that the ship was carrying a secret cargo when it was sunk by pirates and that at least two model ships were created. When he gets back home his apartment is trashed and the ship gone, prompting him to go to Marlinspike Hall where Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine (Daniel Craig) (one of the men who approached him at the market) has apparently got the other model of the Unicorn. We find out that these models have small scrolls hidden in the masts that contain clues to the whereabouts of the secret cargo of the Unicorn. Later on, Tintin is visited by Barnaby (the other man that approached him at the market) who gets shot by Sakharine's men, leaving a clue for Tintin before he dies that names the ship that Sakharine is boarding for his mission. Tintin then gets kidnapped by Sakharine's men and is placed on board the ship with Snowy following his trail. Snowy rescues Tintin and they then meet the ship's true captain, Haddock (Andy Serkis). Haddock is somewhat of an alcoholic and doesn't know what's going on aboard the ship. They both escape and are headed for North Africa, where they find out the third model ship is located. But they do need to get there faster than Sakharine, who also wants to get his hands on the last scroll. I will leave you guessing there as to what might happen next, but I will tell you that there are some really captivating revelations and chase sequences to follow that will absolutely blow your mind!

This film, despite the animation aspect actually used the performance/motion capture equipment that was prominent in another well done film of the year, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". This gives rise to the question of whether or not it is time to include these types of movies as Oscar worthy candidates.

Although I didn't get to see this film in 3D, it still was very exciting from the beginning to the end and I would guess the 3D aspect would make it that much more spellbinding as other viewers have stated. The storytelling was absolutely spot on and there never was a dull moment during the span of the film. I especially liked the opening sequence that is reminiscent of another Spielberg film, "Catch Me If You Can". The dark lighting exhibited in some scenes made for so much tension that I nearly jumped when someone appeared out of the shadows, which kind of reminded me of some aspects from the film noir genre giving the fact that this is in part a mystery. There are also some scenes of the film that remind me of the Indiana Jones films, especially the parts set in the town of North Africa... classic!

There were some very important points that the character Haddock had made to Tintin when they had no way to go forward in the search and the one that resonated with me the most was "if there is a wall, you must push through it". You mustn't give up on your ambitions or goals, and you mustn't flee from a difficult situation and I think that's a very important message for children as well as anyone else. It is ultimately your determination and ambitiousness that gets you through anything that you have set your mind to. How do you think film makers like Spielberg or Jackson have got to where they are today? The message of this film is timeless and I can't wait for its DVD release in the near future.

Anyway, I advise all of you to watch this film whether or not it's in 3D. The quality of storytelling and visuals is just to good to pass up and I will give you a little spoiler that there will be a sequel, and I know it will be just as good as this if not better.

When In Rome (2010)

"When in Rome" is a story of Beth (Kristen Bell), an ambitious New York museum curator who loves her work more than anything. She is looking for a guy who she loves more than her work, since her last boyfriend dumped her because of her work ethic and passionate dedication for her work. On the spur of the moment she gets a call from her little sister who is getting married to an Italian which undeniably means that the wedding is going to be in... (drum roll please) Rome!

Caught completely off guard, Beth tries to counterbalance not only her presence at the wedding but also her current work assignment while she is there. And at the wedding, Beth meets Nick (Josh Duhamel) who is the best man at the wedding and falls head over heels in love with him. She tries to join ends with Nick only to see him with another woman, which is completely not what it seems. So in the heat of the moment, she goes to the famous Fonte d'Amore (The Fountain of Love) and pokes fun at the statue about how unfair and cold love really is. She chooses to save a couple of people from the spell of love by taking their coins from the fountain only to cast a spell on those very people so they end up falling in love with her. Nick actually goes out looking for her to find her in the fountain, popping up the question of whether she took a coin of his too.

Back in New York, problems arise at work and she bumps into the guys who are love-struck with her. A magician (Jon Heder), an artist (Will Arnett, a model (Dax Shepard) and a sausage salesman (Danny DeVito) are her stalkers and so is Nick. Can Beth ultimately pull off her pressure-driven work assignment as well as find Mr. Right in Nick? Or is it all a trance? Find out for yourself in this charming rom-com.

For me, the story was very promising and exciting at first but as we met the entranced and lovesick group of guys, I didn't really find a lot of really funny comedy in their actions and how they tried to impress Kristen's character. The comedy seemed more awkward and embarrassing which may appeal to some people as funny but hey, that's just my opinion.  Some of the actors were pretty hideous looking to tell you the truth which didn't make them appealing to me at all in contrast to their actions, in spite of them being really nice guys. I really liked the character development between Beth and Nick although you are kept guessing whether his love for her is just a spell or is in fact true. The story however makes up for the messy looking middle part by having a heartfelt and emotional part close to the end, with each of the guys revealing their story and why they were looking for love. And ultimately there is a happy ending for each of them as well as Beth. I did find some plot holes in the story but I don't think you'll really mind them after seeing the film, despite that nagging feeling at the back of your mind that tells you the story should have been different if everything was according to the rules of the legend. The sights of Rome are indeed very beautiful and romantic as you'd expect, and who wouldn't want to fall in love there?

To sum it all up, the whole film was really sweet and what you'd normally expect from a rom-com. The concept and point of the film is that there is always someone out there for everyone to love and sometimes, their meeting is just plain coincidence. But when you really are in love and that person returns your feelings, nothing is going to stop you from being together. Not even the hindrance of a spell.