The Fighter

Release Date: Dec 17, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min. 

Director: David O. Russell 

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee.

 

Every year, there comes an inspiring film about a lowly, downtrodden athlete who defeats the odds and rises from the ashes. That being said, it only seems fitting that this year’s prominent winner is aptly titled, “The Fighter.” Mark Wahlberg shines as Mickey Ward, a down-on-his-luck boxer who’s looking to make a name for himself with the help of his experienced, yet problem-riddled brother. Distinguishable amid a talented ensemble cast, Christian Bale gives a tour de force performance as brother, Dicky Eklund, who struggles to balance his love for the sport with his addiction to drugs and violence. Bale’s extraordinary skills as a method actor embody an in depth character study that defines the film, while guaranteeing him an Oscar for his supporting role. Other noteworthy performances include Amy Adams and Melissa Leo, who play the important women in Micky’s life, and ultimately influence his decisions in the ring. In spite of being a boxing movie, however, the fights themselves are rather brief in contrast to the character development. Because of this, the film can be slow and tedious at times while leading up to the final showdown for the Welterweight title. But the terrific acting and directing outweigh the bad, helping "The Fighter" be a win-win situation.

  

Rating: 4 stars

The Tourist

Release Date: Dec 10, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min. 

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck 

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Steven Berkoff.

Espionage and deceit. Jolie and Depp. What should have been the makings of a great action thriller is, instead, a dull train ride with little to no surprise or suspense. Acting as a remake for the French film, “Anthony Zimmer,” “The Tourist” starts off with intrigue but doesn’t quite find the momentum it needs to build a story worth viewing. Though the two stars seemed destined to be together on screen, the chemistry comes off as halfhearted and expedited, even against the scenic backdrops of Paris and Venice. The sluggish action and flat script further weaken the plot, which unfolds at a snail’s pace and misses the ‘a-ha’ factor when it finally reveals the twist. Predictable in nature and deficient in humor, you’re better off watching its distant counterpart, “Knight and Day.”

Rating: 1½ stars

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Release Date: Dec 10, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min. 

Director: Michael Apted 

Cast: Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Will Poulter, Liam Neeson. 

Having already faced the White Witch and an evil King, the third adventure finds two of our youngest heroes on a quest to find the seven lost Lords of Narnia. Aboard the ship called the ‘Dawn Treader,’ Lucy and Edmund reunite with the newly appointed King, Caspian, as they head towards Dark Island to vanquish the evil green mist that has taken over the land. Whereas sounding more complicated than in actuality, “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is relatively straightforward, benefiting from liberties taken with the source material. Emitting the darkest tone of the franchise, the film takes itself rather seriously, but visibly lacks the magic that made the previous films so engaging. The ‘Narnians’ are a few a dozen, as they are now replaced by human slaves, thieves and a new nuisance in the form of the Pevensies’ cousin, Eustace. But one thing that remains unchanged is the mighty Aslan, voiced by Liam Neeson, who always appears at the most pertinent of times in the line of defense. While the younger audience will take no notice of this, the underlying spiritual message is quite apparent this time around and it makes no effort in trying to hide itself. Nevertheless, the third installment is visually pleasing, if not somewhat entertaining.

Rating: 2½ stars

Tangled

Release Date: Nov 24, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min. 

Director: Byron Howard, Nathan Greno 

Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Tambor.

In what is said to be the last ‘princess’ movie from Disney, comes “Tangled.” A re-imagined story of the classic, Rapunzel, about a girl trapped in an ivory tower with enchanted long hair. Similar to past fairy tales, Disney returns to what it knows best, depicting a strong-willed heroine who falls in love, fights an evil witch and lives happily ever after. But despite sounding formulaic and following a lackluster trailer, “Tangled” manages to surpass expectations and become an instant classic with a contemporary twist. The storytelling, while being whimsical and enchanting, avoids cultural innuendos that usually plague animated features. This, in turn, gives precedence to the memorable characters and beautiful illustrations that make the film so lively. With catchy musical numbers by Mandy Moore and, surprisingly, Zachary Levi, the film brings a reminiscent quality of the early years of Disney, which now seem like a distant memory. If it weren’t for “Toy Story 3” or “How to Train Your Dragon,” this would easily be the best-animated film of the year.

Rating: 4½ stars 

Tron: Legacy

Release Date: Dec 17, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 7 min. 

Director: Joseph Kosinski 

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, Michael Sheen, Cillian Murphy.

The Grid. A digital frontier immersed with speeding lights, flying discs and battles to the death. In 1982, “Tron” revolutionized science fiction in film by taking viewers inside the virtual domain of computer programs. Breaking new ground and developing a cult following, it made an impression despite being commercially unsuccessful. Over 20 years later, the sequel is born with the help of greater advancement in technology than ever before. Joseph Kosinski's newly rectified world of "The Grid" is a visual spectacle that dazzles and explodes on screen with every turn. The music, composed by none other than Daft Punk, pumps with electricity and is backed by an impressive 85-piece orchestra, no less. Unfortunately, the excitement ends there as the film's void quickly becomes apparent in terms of character development and dimension. Doe-eyed Olivia Wilde is the only noticeable one to actually humanize her role while many of the other 'programs' appear austere and lifeless. This includes Jeff Bridges' clone, Clu, whose artificial rendering of youth is respectable, yet not fully realistic. What the film lacks in tenor, though, is duly made up by the visual landscape and sensational score; dialogue is almost unrequired against the sights and sounds. While "Tron: Legacy" may not be up to its full potential, the virtual ride is enjoyable beyond the realms of our imagination.

Rating: 3½ stars

Black Swan

Release Date: Dec 03, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min. 

Director: Darren Aronofsky 

Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder. 

Fading the lines between art and film, Darren Aronofsky takes us behind the curtain into the intriguing world of ballet in his latest psychological thriller. “Black Swan” tells the story of a ballet dancer named Nina, whose need for perfection consumes her inwardly and outwardly as she prepares for the role of a lifetime. Natalie Portman, as the troubled and soft-spoken dancer, gives a compelling performance that is reasonably her greatest yet, and no doubt Oscar-worthy. As she faces mounting pressure from both her overbearing mother and cunning instructor, played brilliantly by Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel respectively, her emotional turmoil and paranoia begin to manifest and mirror itself within. Acting as stark contrast to Nina's 'White Swan' is her rival Lily (Mila Kunis), who embodies all the wrong ideals and attitude that Portman's character lacks. It is this rivalry that ultimately drives Nina to lose all inhibition and transform into the alter-ego of the 'Black Swan.' As a modernist’s re-envisioning of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” the film is darkly entrancing, as it is haunting. It takes time for everything to sink in for you to really appreciate the gravity of the experience. Aronofsky is never one to adhere to genres and it’s clearly shown as the film sways between fantasy and horror. Often times campy, and sometimes self-inflicting, "Black Swan" explores underlying themes of sexual tension and inner demons. The macabre imagery can be difficult to watch at times, but it helps personify the anxiety that the main character is feeling. The choreography is beautifully constructed to impress and terrify, but it's the final act that really captures the true essence of the metamorphosis. With Portman's mesmerizing performance and natural dancing abilities, it would be disappointing to see her not win the top prize.

Rating: 4½ stars

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Release Date: Nov 19, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 27 min. 

Director: David Yates 

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes. 

It has taken over a decade of critically-acclaimed books and films for one of the greatest storytellings to culminate at last in the final chapter; turning an average boy wizard named Harry Potter into the 'chosen one.' After facing adversaries in the form of Deatheaters and adolescence alike, we find Harry on a mission to overcome Voldemort once and for all. But such a journey doesn't come without obstacles. Being no stranger to the franchise, David Yates further hones his skills as the director, taking "Deathly Hallows" to unfamiliar territories beyond the castle. The vast landscape and dark cinematography help enhance the emptiness and turmoils that the characters face on a grander scale. With the stakes set high, tensions mount in the air between the three friends (Harry, Ron and Hermione) who we have witnessed grow and mature over the years. This maturity, in turn, goes hand-in-hand with their acting abilities which have improved exponentially since the first film. Rupert Grint as Ron continues to excel, delivering a convincing performance behind the more emotional aspects of the script. But the most impressionable character, is none other than a house-elf by the name of Dobby. Originally acting as comic relief, he promptly becomes the unexpected hero of the film. In addition, other old faces make timely appearances as we recall the plethora of characters that have come and gone in the past. Although many contest that the final book was unnecessarily divided into two films, it is reasonably justified given its extensive material. "Part 1" provides a detailed account of the titled 'Deathly Hallows,' through brilliant use of animation, while simultaneously discussing the aforementioned 'Horcruxes' and setting up the climax. If the previous film, "Half-Blood Prince," had a major flaw, it was that the purpose of the title wasn't thoroughly conveyed in the film. With that in mind, the film can get a bit long-winded at times, acting more as an introductory set-up for the battle of Hogwarts that is to come. There are also significant plot-holes, ie. new characters, that many Potter newbies will not understand due to liberties the writer took to maintain the bulk of the story. But for the most part, "Deathly Hallows" is the first to remain relatively true to the book while working as a solid film. By the time the credits roll, you can't help but to feel both satisfied and longing for the epic finale. Whether you're a die-hard Potter fan or not, next summer's "Part 2" will be one you won't want to miss.

Rating: 4½ stars

Megamind

Release Date: Nov 05, 2010

Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min. 

Director: Tom McGrath 

Cast: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Brad Pitt.

Never one to evade comparison, DreamWorks offers its take on the superhero genre in the newest adventure pic, “Megamind.” Not to be confused with “Despicable Me,” which coincidentally came out earlier this year, it pits villain vs. hero, but with a predictable twist. Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt play these roles, respectively, leading an all-star vocal cast that easily outshines the film itself. Whereas the animation is up to standards, the story relies heavily on borrowed material that is obvious, yet forgivable. In a familiar narrative that has one rooting for the underdog, in this case the bad guy, there are plenty of heartfelt moments where humor isn’t necessarily needed. That being said, the jokes are mildly funny when not extraordinarily clever. Though it may not be the best product from DreamWorks, it certainly gives off an enjoyable impression for all ages. A story with a moral is always a plus.

Rating: 3 stars

Due Date

Release Date: Nov 05, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, RZA.

Director Todd Phillips returns to his ‘road trip’ roots in his latest buddy comedy, “Due Date.” Where anger management gets left at the door and it’s every man for himself. After running into trouble and landing on the no-fly list, Robert Downey Jr. must depart on a cross-country quest to make it home in time for his wife’s delivery of their first child. The only problem lies within his unwelcomed travel companion: Zack Galifianakis. Together they embark on a misguided journey that generates the laughter, but in intervals that come and go. Like many comedies before it, the oddball pairing is what strongly drives the film and makes it worthwhile. Perhaps even the best moments come during the silent interactions of awkwardness that speak louder than words. It’s the downplay of outlandishness that takes away from the whole experience, therefore limiting the memorable aspects of the film. Most of the jokes are already seen in the trailer and clips, with a 'been there, done that' feel. However, it does manage to redeem itself in the end with some surprise cameos. While “Due Date” is no equal match for “The Hangover,” it’s still a worthy follow-up that’ll provide the entertainment like any decent comedy should. If not, there’s always the “Hangover” sequel to look forward to next summer.

Rating: 2½ stars

Paranormal Activity 2

Release Date: Oct 22, 2010

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min. 

Director: Tod "Kip" Williams 

Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Sprague Grayden.

Marketed as the most anticipated horror flick of the year, “Paranormal Activity 2” justifies the thrills but falters like many unwarranted sequels. As the film opens up on familiar home video footage, the Hollywood influence is visibly apparent through enhanced recordings and frequent jump cuts. The low-budget, personal feel that made the first film so successful is downgraded to hi-tech security cameras and seemingly rehearsed narrations. But in spite of this, the dreary uncertainty continues to linger in the hushed silences that come with every nighttime scene. While the subtleties still remain, the film opts for more scare tactics the second time around. From creaky doors to gravity-defying levitations, there’s enough of the fright factor that’ll keep fans satisfied, if not for the extended storyline. Serving as a prequel, “Paranormal Activity 2” further expands on Katie’s childhood and how she becomes the unfortunate victim of these supernatural occurrences. Though clever as it may sound, another sequel seems inevitable for what may become the next “Saw” franchise, and that’s not a good thing. So enjoy it while you can. And avoid any basements.

Rating: 3½ stars

The Social Network

Release Date: Oct 01, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 1 min. 

Director: David Fincher 

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rooney Mara.

Every once in awhile, there comes a film that resonates, even days after you’ve watched it, for reasons that justify great storytelling. This year’s breakout hit, “The Social Network,” happens to be one of those films, and revels in doing so. From established director, David Fincher, comes an in-depth glance at the social phenomenon that has eclipsed the web over the last six years. While many may construe it as just ‘the Facebook movie,’ in reality, it symbolizes the very core of our digital culture and the compulsion to stay connected. Break-through performances and sharp dialogue make this film, both, wildly entertaining and vividly enthralling. From the opening scene, the hook is instantaneous and grabs hold of you over the course of, what feels like, a brief two hours. Jessie Eisenberg plays the ultimate anti-hero in his take on Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Talking a mile-a-minute and lacking all social skill set, Eisenberg’s character is hard to like, yet hard to dislike, even after all the calamities he instigates. As we witness his progression from computer geek to billionaire, it becomes obvious that no good thing comes without a cost. Andrew Garfield skillfully plays the best pal, Eduardo Saverin, who starts off as the financier, only to be betrayed in the end. Although he’s still a relative unknown, Garfield shows ample potential and will likely gain some interest in his upcoming role as Spidey in the “Spider-Man” reboot. Another notable actor is Armie Hammer, who unknowingly plays both twins, but makes them so cleverly different that one would never notice. The film unfolds in various timelines and shows all sides of the story, despite any fabrications it may have from reality. Is it glorifying the right to be an asshole without any remorse of ramifications? Sure. Does it validate manipulation and total alienation of friends? Absolutely. But the faults end there for what is to be one of the best and most talked about films of the year. Brilliant directing and an intelligent script easily make this a front-running contender for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay. Watch it for yourself and decide.

Rating: 5 stars

 

Easy A

Release Date: Sep 17, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min. 

Director: Will Gluck 

Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell.

 

Nothing travels faster than gossip, as demonstrated in this high school comedy about a straight-laced girl being pegged by ‘The Scarlett Letter.’ Emma Stone plays the said character with as much charisma and appeal as any accomplished actor. Her comedic-timing and delivery of lines are flawless and elevate a film that is, in any other sense, average. While “Easy A” is backed by a supporting cast of big names, it doesn’t quite manage to be as witty or entertaining as “Mean Girls,” from which it can draw similar comparisons. The jokes come steadily, thanks in part to the parenting skills of Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, but not as frequently as one would hope. Yet, for a teen comedy surrounded by the current generation of excessive profanity and sex appeal, it comes off as remarkably uplifting and gets an “A” for effort. The film pays tribute to the 80’s films by John Hughes, giving nods to both “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles,” amongst many others. It’s good to know that some classics never get old.

Rating: 3½ stars

The Town

Release Date: Sep 17, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min. 

Director: Ben Affleck 

Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively. 

Already gathering mass critical acclaim, and perhaps a little Oscar-buzz, Ben Affleck’s second outing behind the lens further solidifies his abilities as a director. His return to what he knows best, Boston, helps sell this bank-heist thriller that boasts notable actors and performances. Affleck and his gang of three friends are bank robbers who incessantly evade the FBI through use of various vehicles and disguises, the most notable being the unsettling nun attire as seen on posters. Jeremy Renner plays the reliable, yet highly unstable, friend who causes more trouble than needed. After rightfully gaining attention from “The Hurt Locker,” Renner continues to exceed expectations with his hard demeanor and effortless acting. TV regular, Jon Hamm, attempts to shed his ‘Don Draper’ persona by taking on the role of head FBI agent, but is ultimately outshined by Blake Lively of all people. For once, her promiscuous guise and revealing attire actually pays off, while her acting is surprisingly genuine. With plenty of car chases and shootouts, the film rarely misses an opportunity to fill in the gaps with a generous dose of dark humor. But the end comes surely, in an almost predictable manner that is neither good nor bad. Either way, Affleck seems to be on his way to career redemption, and quite possibly, the directing ranks of Clint Eastwood. Believe it.

Rating: 4 stars