Catch-up

It's not particularly easy to do reviews day after day, so I've had to cut back a bit. What I'm doing here is going through the movies I've been unable to review. I will give my thoughts on each film, as well as a grade. There are still a few films I want to review that I saw a while ago (The Next Three Days, Conviction, Love and Other Drugs, TRON: Legacy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy). Some films just aren't worth reviewing, so I will save you the trouble. As always, I will review every film I see in theaters and try to review films that were on my most anticipated films list. I will also try my best to spill out reviews for new DVD releases, to make it easier on you when traveling to Blockbuster. Enjoy as always and feel free to comment on any film. Please leave suggestions if you're so inclined. These are all 2010 films, just for the record.

Jack Goes Boating: Phillip Seymour Hoffman's (Capote, Doubt) directorial debut was a success. All the performances come across honest. Although this film is somewhat boring (to be honest), that doesn't mean it's not a very good film. It's a real film about relationships, growing older, hopes, dreams and love. It shows the difficulties to hold onto a relationship as well as start one in the 21st century. Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone, Green Zone) is sensational as usual. B

The Other Guys: I saw this when it first came out before I started the blog. It's official, Adam McKay (Anchorman, Step Brothers) and Will Ferrell can do no wrong when together. Is it silly, stupid and unrealistic? You bet. But what Ferrell/McKay films aren't? This film is just flat out funny, from start to finish. Mark Wahlberg (Boogie Nights, Date Night) and Michael Keaton (Batman, Batman Returns) are both fantastic. "I'm like a peacock Captain! You gotta let me fly!" A-

Enter the Void: This film is very difficult to watch at times. It takes patience and a stomach. It's quite graphic as the film deals with sex and drugs. However, the cinematography is unlike anything I've ever seen. The first 30 minutes (more or less) are the best part of the film, which admittedly isn't a good thing. While this film isn't quite as powerful as Requiem for a Dream, it's very similar in all the right ways. B

Devil: Based on a ridiculous M. Night Shyamalan (The Village, Signs) bedtime story; this film works better than it probably should. The cast is garbage, it's not scary, it's predictable, yet it's pretty entertaining and somewhat tense. Shyamalan isn't what he used to be, but I for one think he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. C

Saw 3D: Easily the worst Saw film. I actually enjoyed the previous six films, even though they seemingly got worse and worse. The original Saw had the best cast and was, well, original. The second saw had Donnie Wahlberg (The Sixth Sense, Dreamcatcher) and Tobin Bell (A.K.A. Jigsaw) bumping heads, then it all started to slip. This film is just ludicrous, dull, boring, over-acted, cheaply made and so on... I have nothing good to say about this awful final chapter. D

Red Hill: Although this film is better than most films in this genre, it's still not quite as good as the critics made it out to be. The ending is horrendous in my book, and there aren't many tense moments. The cast is rather weak, but they do a decent job. I can't quite recommend this film, it's that simple. This ain't No Country for Old Men. C

Nowhere Boy: You'd think a film about the inception of The Beatles would be a little more controversial, but serious issues and roadblocks are made almost emotionless. The music is pretty decent and Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) does a good job, but this film is just boring and not informational. C

Middle Men: This is actually a pretty darn good film. It's good to see Luke Wilson (Old School, Vacancy) on the big screen for a change. The guy doesn't get enough credit, even though he is pretty one-dimensional. Yes, this film is about the birth of pornography on the Internet, but it's not sleazy or graphic. Worth a shot, I think. B-

Welcome to the Rileys: Good cast, but not a very good film. James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Frozen River) and Kristen Stewart (Adventureland, Into the Wild) are all good, but the whole film is just not plausible. The director obviously didn't take the subject matter nearly seriously enough, which is a shame. A story about a hooker/stripper in New Orleans should be sad and disgusting, not sappy and riddled with happy-go-lucky moments. C-

Down Terrace: This film is probably better than the C rating I gave it, but it's a hit and miss film. I'm still not quite sure whether it was a comedy or a crime drama. I know it's both, but there are only a few funny moments. I will give this film credit, there are a few shocking moments throughout. If you're looking for a good black-comedy, I'd suggest Four Lions. C

Takers: Easily one of the worst films of 2010. Not even close. The cast is stacked with action junkies (Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Hayden Christiensen) and garbage rappers (Chris Brown, T.I.). Too many characters, too many stupid gun fights, too many awful lines, too many Hayden Christiensen's and too many people thought this film was a good idea. It's like Fast and the Furious without cars or Heat without any acting. Stay away or you will lose a lot of brain cells (about 15 bottles of Vodka worth). F

Carlos: Technically this is a television mini-series, but oh well. There are three episodes. Each episode gets a little weaker, but they're all good. Edgar Ramirez (The Bourne Ultimatum) won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, which was well deserved. The one main reason I didn't give this film a better rating was because of the tiny white subtitles. Oh my goodness, you can barely see what they're saying half the time. That's kind of a big deal. If you enjoyed this mini-series, then I'd suggest the two Mesrine films starring Vincent Cassel (Black Swan, Ocean's Twelve). B

Get Low: This is a terrific film with a tremendous performance by old-timer Robert Duvall (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now). It's the story about the first "living funeral" that took place all those years ago. Some were very surprised when Duvall wasn't nominated for an Oscar. He was definitely in the running, I'm certain of that. What keeps this film from being great is the final few scenes. I thought the ending was mishandled, but it's still a wonderful film. B+

The Virginity Hit: This film is a little funnier than the critics gave it credit for, but it still doesn't amount to much. Instead of making this into a believable mockumentary, it's turned into a hit-and-miss gag-real. The second half of the film spoils the fun with porn-star cameos and implausible situations. It could've been made a bit more believable if the guy wasn't a complete nerd/asshole and the girl wasn't smoking hot. Come on now. C-

Fish Tank: Possibly the best film to come out of England this year. The young lead actress (Katie Jarvis) is absolutely terrific. Get used to seeing Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, Eden Lake) in major motion pictures. I'm still not 100% sure what the title "Fish Tank" has anything to do with the film, though. B

Howl: James Franco (127 Hours, Pineapple Express) gives his all as poet Allen Ginsberg, but the poem "Howl" itself is more interesting than this film. That's probably why the most enjoyable parts of the film are when the poem is being recited. You pretty much just have to take this film for what it is, an art film. But, I'm not sure it needed to be made in the first place. C

Stone: Everything about this film, starring Robert De Niro and Edward Norton, is conventional. There's nothing new here. De Niro plays the ageing, grumpy, old man on the verge of retiring and Norton plays the convict with the seemingly heart of gold. The acting is pretty good, that's the only reason to check this film out. C

Machete: This was one of the few pleasant surprises this year. I thought this film was going to be drenched in suck, but it wasn't half bad. You know the formula, buckets of blood and tons of skin. It was quite funny at times thanks to all the terrible actors (and acting) in this film, but I have a feeling that was on purpose. Robert Rodriguez wanted this film to look campy and feel like a B-movie, and he pulled it off with great success. With that being said, the whole film is trash, but entertaining trash. C+

Unstoppable: I simply do not understand the big deal surrounding Unstoppable. I thought it was rather boring and extremely predictable. It's not as smart or funny as it thinks it is. It's just too guys who ride on a train and talk. A few things go ka-boom, and then they save the world. Whoopie! C-

The Switch: A little funnier than I expected, but also more charming than expected. Bateman (Extract, Juno) is a very subtle actor, and if you haven't seen (and enjoyed) him on Arrested Development then you probably won't like his style. Aniston is a little underrated as an actress. Although she's a huge movie star, she doesn't get a lot of praise from critics. She's usually very solid, and she definitely is in The Switch. C+

Red: A lot better than I expected. It's preposterous and to be brutally honest, stupid; but Bruce Willis (Die Hard, Lucky Number Slevin) and John Malkovich (Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich) feed well off each other. There's enough humor and gun fights to make this film more than watchable. C+

Mother and Child: A frustrating, but rewarding little Indie film about mothers and their children. Naomi Watts (21 Grams, Mulholland Drive) is terrific (what else is new), and the whole cast is in harmony. This is basically a much more serious version of Juno, with a bunch of extra side-stories. Definitely worth a peak if you're a mother. I'm obviously not, but found it worth my while. C+

It's Kind of a Funny Story: This quirky little flick has its moments. If you've ever seen Manic (starring a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt), you'll probably be thinking, "haven't I seen this before?" The answer is yes. It's a cross-bread of Manic and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but it's taken WAY more lightly and the acting isn't nearly as good. This film is very well written though; there are plenty of lines that will have you nodding in appreciation (for lack of a better phrase). C+

Mesrine: Killer Instinct: This is the first of the two French films about the notorious criminal, Jacques Mesrine. While I actually enjoyed the second film more, this one is very good as well. Vincent Cassel (Black Swan) is absolutely terrific, which most certainly comes as no surprise. B-

Mesrine: Public Enemy #1: Yep, you guessed it, this is chapter two. What makes this film a bit better is the haunting resolution. Anti-climatic? Yes, but the final stretch run is filmed to perfection. Although the eerily similar mini-series, Carlos, is better as a whole, I enjoyed these films more. Much more entertaining and less political. B-

Like Dandelion Dust: While this film does bring up some interesting questions and the cast is performing at a high level, it just never takes flight. You'll have a hard time sympathizing with all the main characters, as they fight, argue, bicker, lie, cheat their way for affection from their "son." I'm sure this film was intended to be frustrating, but you can't help but wonder what these people are thinking. C-

Skeletons: A lot of people raved about this Indie "exorcist" film. While the synopsis and the title are misleading, that's not what's keeping this from being a good film (which it almost is). The overall mood of the film is confusing and extremely depressing. The overall cleverness takes a back seat to awkward flashbacks (er...maybe I should call them wet dreams) and confusion. C

Waste Land: Another fantastic documentary. It's both saddening and uplifting. There's a reason this film got a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. What a horrible life these garbage "pickers" live. It's a lot like Exit Through the Gift Shop (a film in which everyone should see, seriously, highly recommended), but it has a message and is much more revealing. Feel like applying for a job at a landfill anytime soon? B

Fair Game: One of the more disappointing films of 2010. It has a terrific cast (Naomi Watts, Sean Penn) and an outstanding director (Doug Liman), but no bite. This film is all politics and no suspense. It's well made and extremely boring. Sound like a good combination? It's possible for those two qualities to work, but not here. Don't be surprised (if you don't follow, or care about politics) if you find yourself lost and ready for a nap half-way through. C+

I Love You, Phillip Morris: What starts out a little suspect, ends up being a bittersweet and rewarding film. Not extremely funny by any means at any point, but Jim Carrey (The Cable Guy, Fun with Dick and Jane) is sensational as the diminishing con-man. If you can handle Brokeback Mountain (which is a terrific Oscar-winning film, and isn't nearly as controversial as people make it out to be), you can handle this one as well. B-

Morning Glory: There really isn't much to admire about this film. While Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers, Sherlock Holmes) gives it her all, it doesn't amount to much of a film. Harrison Ford's character is an uninteresting and thoughtless one. I'm not entirely sure who this film is intended for. I can't imagine anyone finding this film anything more than mildly amusing. C-

Four Lions: While this film could be seen as controversial, racist or made in bad-taste, I, as well as seemingly everyone else, found it to be hilarious. Just so you know, this film is about five dim-witted jihadists (terrorists) who live in England. They plan and plan for their final jihad, but are way too stupid to even construct a plan that doesn't land one of them arrested or possibly dead. While it's quite funny, it's also very sad. B

White Material: This is a magnificent French film set in Cameroon. While the country is in the middle of a civil war conflict, a small group of French coffee growers try to stick it out. You can probably imagine how that's going to go. This is one of those rare films that seem like you're watching real footage. It's truly gripping and gloomy. B

Heartless: How this film managed to get such high praise is beyond me. Jim Sturgess (21, Across the Universe) is an overrated actor to begin with. Bad cinematography, an ending I had pegged 20 minutes in and dreadful acting all accumulate to make one hell of a terrible film. If dinosaur(?) people scare you, then give this one a try. The only good thing about this film is the song played through the credits (sung by Sturgess). D+

I Spit on Your Grave: Unrated: Is it tough to watch a girl get beaten and raped over and over again? You're damn right it is. This revenge remake is difficult to sit through without a doubt, but I will admit I got pleasure from watching her get revenge on those hick bastards. Ooops, did I just give the movie away? Yes, I did, and I don't care. C-

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