8/10 - The Help is a truly fantastic film that displays every ounce of movie magic one would hope from a film. While not as challenging of its racial elements as it should be and built on the trope of an educated white person helping minorities, The Help rises above these conventions with a truly heartfelt and triumphant story. Even more, the acting lifts the film into a different stratosphere. Led by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, and Jessica Chastain, The Help is a real showcase for its actors who all steal the show in their own ways. Additionally, the film is really well paced. For a film that is two and a half hours, it never slacked and had no filler. Instead, it is a well cut and well paced film that never really slowed down, instead providing entertainment for the entire runtime. Overall, The Help is a very good film about its stated subject and shedding light on the lives of these women who raised white children in the south for so long.



8/10 - I really liked Hereafter. Powerful, poignant, and at times, profound, Hereafter is a moving look at death and how it touches each and every one of us, as well as dealing with grief. Featuring strong acting performances from all involved and a well-executed and compelling premise, Hereafter really touched me in a special way that many films do not. It does have it faults and takes a bit to kick into gear in regards to one of its characters, as well as a few moments that left you scratching your head, so it most certainly is a flawed film. That said, however, it never slacks in terms of pace and really hit me. Overall, I can see why Hereafter is criticized by some, but I am more in line with Roger Ebert on this one. A moving, stirring, and thoroughly engaging film, Hereafter shows that Clint Eastwood's still got it.



7/10 - Crimson Tide is an entertaining action thriller featuring powerhouse performances from Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. Well directed film Tony Scott, Crimson Tide has quite a few tense moments that really pack a thrilling and thoroughly edge of your seat moments. While it can be a pretty stereotypical war film at times, it really can be thoroughly thought provoking as to who is right and who is wrong, which is not what I expected. Crimson Tide really makes you think at times and wonder who is in the right. Additionally, Crimson Tide really has some good performances from Hackman and Washington who really bring the differences of their characters to the forefront and really play the roles perfectly. That said, some of the supporting cast felt a little awkward and left a bit to be desired. Viggo Mortensen and James Gandolfini, for example, were nowhere near as good as I had hoped. Overall, Crimson Tide is an interesting film with unexpected philosophical ponderings.



8/10 - I love coming of age films and Say Anything is certainly no exception. Featuring fantastic performances from John Cusack and Ione Skye, the film is the quintessential coming of age film. With iconic moment after iconic moment, Say Anything crafts a truly adorable romance that provides moments of adorableness and moments of pure comedy. Together, Cusack and Skye have incredible chemistry to help make this sweet high school dramedy come to life and feel fully authentic. Honestly, I wish Cameron Crowe still made films like this instead of, well, bad movies. Crowe really does a nice job writing and directing this one and crafts a truly nostalgic and sentimental look at the time between high school and college. Overall, Say Anything is one is the many quintessential 1980s high school films for good reasons: it's sweet, charming, and truly a riot.



8/10 - Cape Fear feels like a little different Martin Scorsese film in some respects, but still bears his trademark for compelling character-driven films and an incredibly noticeable religious influence on the film. Robert De Niro stars as the unhinged Max Cady and turns in a true iconic performance that lets him demonstrate his immense talent. In a career full of great performances, it is tough to say that one is better than the others, but this one has to be up there. De Niro is honestly phenomenal and creates chills like nobody else can. Nick Nolte is also quite good here and does a great job making the audience unsure on how to read his complicated character. We know he is not a good guy, but we undeniably side with him since he certainly made the right choice. That said, Scorsese is in full control here and shows his skill at creating atmospheric tension and pure suspense, more so than some horror directors out there. The only negative here is Juliette Lewis who turns in a mediocre performance among such a talented cast of actors. That said, Cape Fear is a truly chilling experience that will leave you closing the blinds and locking all the doors.



7/10 - Even as lesser fare when it comes to Jane Austen adaptations, Mansfield Park still provides moments of ravishing beauty and an expertly written film that wraps you up in its romantic endeavors. Frances O'Connor is good in the lead role in this blend of comedy and drama from director Patricia Rozema. The cinematography, costume design, production design, and makeup, however, are all the heroes of this film and help to create a rapturously beautiful film. That said, the pacing can be off at times and the film is nowhere near as endearing as other, better, Austen adaptations. Fortunately, the sheer beauty of the film can offset this for much of the film, even if it never achieves as much as one would have hoped.



9/10 - Only Lovers Left Alive is a truly unique and thoroughly odd entry to the vampire subgenre. Honestly, it is barely a vampire film and is far more of a drama, romance, and thriller. Compelling to the very last drop, Only Lovers Left Alive also serves as a compelling take on musicians, Detroit, the downturn in the economy, science, and famous writers. Together, Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton are phenomenal and have deliciously odd chemistry with one another. Director Jim Jarmusch does a typically great job at handling this odd vampire film that is very nicely paced and incredibly well crafted. Honestly, however, my favorite piece here is the look and style. Incredibly stylish, Only Lovers Left Alive has phenomenal cinematography (especially the lighting) is absolutely phenomenal. The music really accents this style perfectly with this deeply unsettling and laid back musical score for the film. Overall, Only Lovers Left Alive is a thoroughly odd film, but is a truly marvelous work that soars on the back of all its talented creators.



7/10 - Featuring a powerhouse performance from Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart may not be a direct adaptation of any single musician, but it does feel like it. Crazy Heart follows the music biopic formula from start to finish and never deviates, showcasing all the classic trademarks: classic songs, broken friendships, failed relationships, and alcoholism. Aside from Bridges, the acting is good, but Crazy Heart's narrative formula is tried and true. While conventional, it is a good take on the music "biopic" formula and is a thoroughly entertaining film, heartbreaking at times, plus it has great music. That said, Crazy Heart is most certainly not too original and is far too typical to be better than pretty good to good. Jeff Bridges' performance is what truly lifts this one up and over the competition.



8/10 - A sprawling, epic gangster flick like one from a bygone era, American Gangster is a fantastically crafted and thoroughly engaging film from director Ridley Scott. With terrific performances from Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, American Gangster feels more like a 1970s-early 1990s gangster flick, rather than one released in 2007. With strong writing, good characterization, and a steady pace, the length of American Gangster never becomes a problem and the film never feels like it has filler. While it does pale in comparison to better gangster films like The Godfather or Goodfellas, it is a great look at New York City crime and Frank Lucas in particular, while serving as yet another showcase for Denzel Washington. A truly sprawling and epic feeling biopic, American Gangster successfully covers its subject, while expertly handling interweaving subplots and having a surprising lack of confusion when it comes to following both its plot and large cast of characters. Overall, American Gangster is a very good crime film that feels heavily indebted to gangster films of old.



6/10 - The Man Who Wasn't There did not live up to my personal expectations, but it is a solid neo-noir film from the Coen Brothers. Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand do very well here, especially Thornton who perfectly plays the role as the subtle and quiet barber. As is typical of all of their films, The Man Who Wasn't There bears many trademarks of the Coens, both narratively through their use of witty and quirky humor at times. The cinematography from Roger Deakins is phenomenal and truly a wonder to behold at times. That said, the film never rises to the level of the Coens' typical works. Too slow and too distant, The Man Who Wasn't There never entertains to the level expected even if it is a technically brilliant film from beginning to end. I wanted to love this one, but it just felt too subtle and too lacking in substance to be a truly great film.



8/10 - A truly marvelous and magical experience, Avatar is a feast for the eyes, plain and simple. While the story is a familiar one, it is expertly told and very well written. The acting is solid and works well in the film. The direction from James Cameron is inspired and matches the expansive and daring chances taken in the visual storytelling of the film. However, the true stars are the visual effects team who do a truly phenomenal job to bring this story to life. With breathtaking visual effects and fantastic cinematography, Avatar comes to life through the visuals and breathes new life into a familiar, yet incredibly engaging, storyline. Due to this visual plethora of eye candy, Avatar reaches new levels never seen before in film that really elevates the film as an overall piece. While many leave Avatar feeling underwhelmed due to the now familiar use of CGI, 3D, and the bland story, I was left awestruck. While the visuals have led to a new trend in film, of which Avatar was the first, its effects hold up and, honestly, may still be the best use of its effects to date. A wonderous achievement, Avatar is a truly phenomenal work.



8/10 - Signs is an incredibly tense and atmospheric film from M. Night Shyamalan that does not provide many answers, but certainly provides thrills, chills, and spills, along the way. With a strong performance from Mel Gibson in the lead role, Signs is an incredibly well crafted science fiction thriller that does provide many answers, to the chagrin of many viewers, but I loved it. Plus, the emotional drama and personal trauma were both well handled and given the appropriate weight in the film. Together with the suspense, they combined to make a well told and truly engaging film. Additionally, the direction from Shyamalan is very good. Not only is it tense, but it is well paced and well told. He knows how to create suspense and thrills and does it here with incredible ease. Nowadays, it is sad to look back on a great film like Signs and think of what could have been with Shyamalan, but nonetheless, it is a very good science fiction film that proved thoroughly chilling.



6/10 - Though incredibly interesting, A Scanner Darkly is never as good as I wished it was. Using really unique animation and an off-beat tone courtesy of director Richard Linklater, A Scanner Darkly is an interestingly put together film that just feels...off. Aside from the aforementioned tone, it feels somehow unsatisfactory like a meal that tastes pretty good, but is not filling. In addition, its plotting can be a little convoluted at times that creates problems when trying to follow the plot of the film. While far from perfect, A Scanner Darkly is too interestingly put together to ignore thanks to Linklater's typically stellar writing and direction, plus the unique approach to Philip K. Dick's source material. Overall, A Scanner Darkly is pretty good to ok and works well in terms of messages and themes, but is just too off-putting and average to really excel.



7/10 - A cute and charming romantic comedy, Serendipity may be typical, but is still a delightfully magical experience. John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are well matched in this charming little romance film from director Peter Chelsom. Though a bit outlandish, it does pose interesting questions regarding fate/destiny vs free will. Plus, who cares when the romance itself is believable and so damn charming? Plus, they both turn in solid performances in the film as is typical for two talented actors. Now, the biggest problems here are its outlandishness and conventional approach, but those are not fatal flaws as the film is enjoyable, funny, and charming, in spite of its conventional approach. Plus, its arguments about fate/destiny and free will are quite interesting and engaging. Overall, Serendipity works.



8/10 - A powerful and truly emotionally harrowing drama, The Impossible is a stirring and inspirational film about the human spirit, survival, and love. Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and Tom Holland, are all incredible and emotionally powerful in this film about a true story set in the 2004 tsunami in Thailand. While it was criticized for being whitewashed, the film's story is simply too powerful to be constricted by race and instead it is a truly human story. Additionally, the cinematography and special effects are truly breathtaking. From beginning to end, I was struck by the beauty of this film and it really contributed to the overall inspiration and feel of the film. The direction from JA Bayona was very good and it reinforced my belief that he is a guy to watch and keep an eye on. Overall, The Impossible is a truly harrowing film that both breaks and warms your heart with ease thanks to its powerful premise and effective approach to its true material.



9/10 - A truly horrifying experience, The Witch is a film that makes you feel as though Satan himself is sitting there watching it with you. As a Christian, it left my soul shaken to my very core. This film scared the crap out of me. With a truly haunting score and an even more frightening atmosphere, The Witch is a truly phenomenal horror film that ranks up there with some of the better films of the genre. With strong acting, led by Anya Taylor-Joy, and terrific direction/writing from Robert Eggers, The Witch clicks on all cylinders and will live in my dreams forever. Additionally, The Witch has truly phenomenal cinematography and impressive period detail that really sets the scene perfectly for the film. Overall, The Witch is certainly a slow burn and is devoid of jump scares, so the fear it creates may be lost on those not willing to dedicate time to focus on the film. For those that are okay with slow burns, The Witch will be a rich, rewarding experience.

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7/10 - I really enjoyed Dick Tracy. Though it sports a conventional plot and run-of-the-mill characters, it is undeniably enjoyable. With incredible visuals and strong comedic writing, Dick Tracy is a decidedly odd action comedy that features a strong performance from Warren Beatty. Also in the director's chair, Beatty does a good job keeping control of this outlandish comic strip film. That said, the treatment of Madonna's character as merely a being to have sex with is disheartening. She is fashioned as a femme fatale type character, but the film completely ignores this and never gives us any reason to believe she is a powerful character. Aside from this, however, Dick Tracy is a truly entertaining and thrilling action comedy that delivers satisfying action and comedic elements. Plus, with such incredible visuals, it is nearly impossible to take your eyes off of this one.



7/10 - Once more, Greta Gerwig finds herself as a lost, naive, and unsure 20 something living in New York City. As typical, Maggie's Plan is an interesting little indie dramedy in which Gerwig turns in a very good performance. Though her characters are becoming quite one note at this point, her ability to pull off the role is undeniable. Plus, she is well matched here by Ethan Hawke who plays a self-absorbed and unethical man that seemingly cannot control his sexual urges. Julianne Moore, however, steals the show as his foreign and experienced wife. Together, these actors help bring to life this charming, heartbreaking, and thoroughly relatable tale of love and marriage. Though quite the typical indie dramedy, writer/director Rebecca Miller breathes some new life into its conventions with this thoroughly odd and off-kilter story, plus conjuring great chemistry between her actors. The film is both family and touching, while also being thoroughly engaging. Overall, Maggie's Plan works, though typical in its blend of comedy with serious life occurrences.



8/10 - Where the Wild Things Are, as a picture book, certainly allows for itself to be played with and altered quite a bit. Though director Spike Jonze obviously incorporates all elements from the book, he instills his own world view and experiences upon the book. The end result is a truly passionate and stirring look at childhood and a young boy dealing with many issues (abandonment, lack of empathy, etc) but through his interactions with these beasts, he learns how to improve himself. Impressively scripted and told, Where the Wild Things Are is a truly imaginative and inspired take on Maurice Sendak's famed children's book. That said, it is likely not a children's movie. A few sequences are quite scary and the amount of adult emotion and reflections on childhood will likely go over many children's heads. That said, I loved this one. The star here is Spike Jonze who really crafts a truly personal film here and this is quite apparent in his gentle handling of the film. Overall, though not a children's movie, Where the Wild Things Are is a very good realization of a staple of many's childhood.