Movie Night
So it's movie night, eh? Well, before heading to the Redbox or Blockbuster (or rearranging your Netflix queue), take a look at these recent DVD releases for guidance. This covers a pretty wide variety of films spanning over three of four months, so take that in mind. I've divided the films by letter grades, as I usually do. Enjoy!
A
Moneyball -- Easily one of the top five films of 2011. Brad Pitt is marvelous and Jonah Hill is a revelation. I don't think you have to love/like baseball to fall in love with this film, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Pitt, Hill, director Bennett Miller (Capote), and co-writers Steve Zaillian (American Gangster, Gangs of New York) and Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Charlie Wilson's War) will undoubtedly be nominated for Oscars here in a few weeks.
B+
Beginners -- Terrific performances by the entire cast (Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Melanie Laurent in particular), and a terrific script by director Mike Mills (Thumbsucker) lead this Indie film to victory. There's nothing particularly fresh about this drama/romance, but it's just so wonderfully acted and full of life. Great film.
Submarine -- This is a wonderful British comedy/drama that's full of wit, quirk and crisis. It's not for everyone, I assure you, but it's worth your attention. This is possibly the best debut made by a director (Richard Ayoade) all year. There's also a fantastic breakout performance by Craig Roberts, and a hilarious performance from Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum, Cinderella Man).
The Trip -- A wonderfully hilarious comedy starring Steve Coogan (The Other Guys, Tropic Thunder) and Rob Brydon, as themselves. They travel all across England and dine at the country's finest restaurants. Nothing is off limits for topics of conversation. They are both brilliant imitators; their Michael Caine and Sean Connery imitations are absolutely hilarious. Definitely worth a look!
B
Everything Must Go -- Obviously not the Will Ferrell everyone loves here, but he's a fantastic dramatic actor when given the opportunity. The ending is a bit rushed and anti-climatic, but this is an enjoyable film with a great performance by Ferrell.
Limitless -- Finally a film where Bradley Cooper (The Hangover Part II, The A-Team) isn't the weak link! He usually struggles in lead roles (and most roles, to be honest), but he demands our attention in Limitless. Certainly worth your time, despite another lackluster performance by the aging Robert De Niro.
Our Idiot Brother -- One of the funnier Indie flicks of the year. Paul Rudd (Role Models, Knocked Up) shines in these types of roles. T.J. Miller (Cloverfield, She's Out of My League), Kathryn Hahn (Step Brothers, Anchorman) and Steve Coogan (The Trip, The Other Guys) were all brilliantly cast. Just my kind of humor; possibly yours too.
Pearl Jam Twenty -- A fun, educational and interesting documentary on the 90s smash-hit band, Pearl Jam. Directed by Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky), this is as fluid and entertaining as a music-doc can be, certainly worth a look for fans of the band and music itself.
The Robber -- Easily the best foreign film I've seen all year. A fantastic story about a world-renown runner who daylights as a bank robber. This is filmmaking at its best. Terrific chase scenes and wonderful dialogue should keep you glued to the screen.
The Tree of Life -- A disappointing, but rewarding experimental film by Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, The New World). Brad Pitt is in true form, as usual, but there just isn't enough of a plot to keep us interested throughout. It's a long, often boring film with brilliant visuals and an intriguing premise. I just can't imagine most people enjoying this film, but I found it worth-while and inventive.
B-
Another Earth -- Certainly not what I expected going in, but it's an interesting film with some top-notch performances. A brilliant plot is somewhat misused, but this is still a rewarding and gripping film with a fantastic performance by newcomer Brit Marling.
Hanna -- One of the odder films of 2011, but it's a entertaining and cool film worth your attention. Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, The Way Back) is still improving as an actress, but this is definitely her best work to date.
Paul -- This is a decent follow-up to Superbad and Adventureland for Greg Mottola. There are plenty of laughs to be shared here, but overall this film falls short of expectations. I'm still not sold on Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as actors, and maybe that's why this film seems a bit underwhelming.
TrollHunter -- One of the better foreign films of the year, which isn't saying a whole lot (it's been a slow year overseas). This is a fun, enjoyable adventure film worth your while (if you can sit through subtitles). It's a little like Cloverfield, by comparison.
C+
Fubar: Balls to the Wall -- Not nearly as funny as the first Fubar, which is a must-see, but this comedy is filled with laughs from start to finish. There are a handful of scenes that had me in stitches, which brought back memories of the first time I saw the original. If you haven't seen the first chapter, than you probably don't need to see this film.
Good Neighbors -- A fun and twisted little murder mystery worth your while. The acting isn't superb by any means, but this Canadian thriller certainly packs a punch and will keep your interest peaked.
Hesher -- I expected more from Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, 500 Days of Summer), Natalie Portman (Black Swan, The Other Woman) and Rainn Wilson ("The Office"). However, this film does have a number of tremendous scenes worth viewing. Big Gordon-Levitt fans, like myself, will certainly find some good out of this film.
Road to Nowhere -- A confusing, but haunting film that will probably leave most viewers dumbfounded and possibly angry. I give this film credit for being original, interesting and watchable from start to finish. The title of the film says everything.
The Beaver -- Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Conspiracy Theory) is fantastic as an insane ventriloquist who thinks his best friend is a talking beaver. Unfortunately, the film isn't as charming or touching as it was meant to be, which is a bit of a problem.
The Perfect Host -- A surprisingly funny and original Indie film with a tremendous performance by the undervalued David Hyde Pierce ("Frasier"). It's full of twists and turns that are a whole lot of fun. Give this one a shot.
C
30 Minutes or Less -- A disappointing and only sparingly funny comedy by the man who brought us the wonderful Zombieland. There's plenty of talent to work with here, but it's all wasted because of a silly, sloppy script. It's not all bad, but I expected much, much more from Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Adventureland) and company.
A Little Help -- There's absolutely nothing special about the plot or the script, but Jenna Fischer ("The Office") completely shines here. She showcases her very adequate dramatic acting skills. Definitely worth a peek for Fischer fans.
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop -- Only die-hard Conan fans will love this movie, so keep that in mind. There aren't a ton of laughs here, which is disappointing because he's a very funny man. The music is decent and it's an interesting look into the mind of a beloved man.
Take Me Home Tonight -- This is a mildly funny 1980s comedy, with a pretty funny performance by Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck). Some decent talent (Teresa Palmer, Chris Pratt) is wasted, but this predictable, feel-good comedy does deliver on some levels.
The Debt -- This is a slow-burning thriller without the thrills. The performances by Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life, The Help) and Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of the Titans) are pretty good, but there isn't a whole lot that happens here. I think you can probably skip this one.
Your Highness -- This is an often funny and often unbelievably stupid comedy by the guy who brought us Pineapple Express. This is your atypical stoner comedy with no brains and endless raunchy jokes. With that being said; did I enjoy it? You bet.
C-
Meek's Cutoff -- Oh brother, this movie is unforgivably slow, boring and pointless. Sure, the performances are pretty good and the cinematography is pretty good, but this film serves no purpose and should be locked away.
Small Town Murder Songs -- Close to being a half-decent film, but there just isn't a payoff. The entire film is pretty much a waste of our time. The haunting scores do add some tension, but that's about it.
Straw Dogs -- I still haven't seen the original, which is considered a "cult classic," but this film is boring and downright dumb. The film finally turns violent with ten minutes left, and it's definitely not worth the wait. If you like listening to stupid rednecks for an hour and a half then you'll love Straw Dogs.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon -- Yet another terrible Michael Bay (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) film that's all special effects and terrible acting. One again, like the other two Transformers films, this film does have its moments. However, the unbelievably awful dialogue, the predictable storyline and the mediocre filmmaking bog this film down.
Wrecked -- Despite a pretty good performance by Adrien Brody (The Pianist, The Jacket), this movie is plainly put, boring. 127 Hours was exhilarating. Buried was watchable. Wrecked was a snooze.
YellowBrickRoad -- Not a terrible "horror" film, but it fails because of a lack of payoffs and a yawning ending. There is plenty to admire here, but it's probably not worth your time.
D+
Green Lantern -- Probably one of the worst "superhero" films of all-time. Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal, Buried) makes for a terrible superhero. I really hope nobody buys a ticket for an apparently upcoming sequel.
The Arbor -- I don't even know where to begin with this British Indie film/documentary, so I won't.
D
True Adolescents -- I'm a sucker for a good, unheard of Indie flick, but this one is unfunny, poorly written and horribly acted. I took a chance on this one because Mark Duplass (Greenberg, Humpday) is usually pretty funny. Not the case here.
F
Priest -- Just a laugh of a film. Paul Bettany (Legion, The Da Vinci Code) films always seem to be candidates for "worst film of the year." This sad excuse for a film is simply unwatchable garbage. Worst film of 2011. Congrats.
A
Moneyball -- Easily one of the top five films of 2011. Brad Pitt is marvelous and Jonah Hill is a revelation. I don't think you have to love/like baseball to fall in love with this film, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Pitt, Hill, director Bennett Miller (Capote), and co-writers Steve Zaillian (American Gangster, Gangs of New York) and Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Charlie Wilson's War) will undoubtedly be nominated for Oscars here in a few weeks.
B+
Beginners -- Terrific performances by the entire cast (Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Melanie Laurent in particular), and a terrific script by director Mike Mills (Thumbsucker) lead this Indie film to victory. There's nothing particularly fresh about this drama/romance, but it's just so wonderfully acted and full of life. Great film.
Submarine -- This is a wonderful British comedy/drama that's full of wit, quirk and crisis. It's not for everyone, I assure you, but it's worth your attention. This is possibly the best debut made by a director (Richard Ayoade) all year. There's also a fantastic breakout performance by Craig Roberts, and a hilarious performance from Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum, Cinderella Man).
The Trip -- A wonderfully hilarious comedy starring Steve Coogan (The Other Guys, Tropic Thunder) and Rob Brydon, as themselves. They travel all across England and dine at the country's finest restaurants. Nothing is off limits for topics of conversation. They are both brilliant imitators; their Michael Caine and Sean Connery imitations are absolutely hilarious. Definitely worth a look!
B
Everything Must Go -- Obviously not the Will Ferrell everyone loves here, but he's a fantastic dramatic actor when given the opportunity. The ending is a bit rushed and anti-climatic, but this is an enjoyable film with a great performance by Ferrell.
Limitless -- Finally a film where Bradley Cooper (The Hangover Part II, The A-Team) isn't the weak link! He usually struggles in lead roles (and most roles, to be honest), but he demands our attention in Limitless. Certainly worth your time, despite another lackluster performance by the aging Robert De Niro.
Our Idiot Brother -- One of the funnier Indie flicks of the year. Paul Rudd (Role Models, Knocked Up) shines in these types of roles. T.J. Miller (Cloverfield, She's Out of My League), Kathryn Hahn (Step Brothers, Anchorman) and Steve Coogan (The Trip, The Other Guys) were all brilliantly cast. Just my kind of humor; possibly yours too.
Pearl Jam Twenty -- A fun, educational and interesting documentary on the 90s smash-hit band, Pearl Jam. Directed by Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky), this is as fluid and entertaining as a music-doc can be, certainly worth a look for fans of the band and music itself.
The Robber -- Easily the best foreign film I've seen all year. A fantastic story about a world-renown runner who daylights as a bank robber. This is filmmaking at its best. Terrific chase scenes and wonderful dialogue should keep you glued to the screen.
The Tree of Life -- A disappointing, but rewarding experimental film by Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, The New World). Brad Pitt is in true form, as usual, but there just isn't enough of a plot to keep us interested throughout. It's a long, often boring film with brilliant visuals and an intriguing premise. I just can't imagine most people enjoying this film, but I found it worth-while and inventive.
B-
Another Earth -- Certainly not what I expected going in, but it's an interesting film with some top-notch performances. A brilliant plot is somewhat misused, but this is still a rewarding and gripping film with a fantastic performance by newcomer Brit Marling.
Hanna -- One of the odder films of 2011, but it's a entertaining and cool film worth your attention. Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, The Way Back) is still improving as an actress, but this is definitely her best work to date.
Paul -- This is a decent follow-up to Superbad and Adventureland for Greg Mottola. There are plenty of laughs to be shared here, but overall this film falls short of expectations. I'm still not sold on Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as actors, and maybe that's why this film seems a bit underwhelming.
TrollHunter -- One of the better foreign films of the year, which isn't saying a whole lot (it's been a slow year overseas). This is a fun, enjoyable adventure film worth your while (if you can sit through subtitles). It's a little like Cloverfield, by comparison.
C+
Fubar: Balls to the Wall -- Not nearly as funny as the first Fubar, which is a must-see, but this comedy is filled with laughs from start to finish. There are a handful of scenes that had me in stitches, which brought back memories of the first time I saw the original. If you haven't seen the first chapter, than you probably don't need to see this film.
Good Neighbors -- A fun and twisted little murder mystery worth your while. The acting isn't superb by any means, but this Canadian thriller certainly packs a punch and will keep your interest peaked.
Hesher -- I expected more from Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, 500 Days of Summer), Natalie Portman (Black Swan, The Other Woman) and Rainn Wilson ("The Office"). However, this film does have a number of tremendous scenes worth viewing. Big Gordon-Levitt fans, like myself, will certainly find some good out of this film.
Road to Nowhere -- A confusing, but haunting film that will probably leave most viewers dumbfounded and possibly angry. I give this film credit for being original, interesting and watchable from start to finish. The title of the film says everything.
The Beaver -- Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Conspiracy Theory) is fantastic as an insane ventriloquist who thinks his best friend is a talking beaver. Unfortunately, the film isn't as charming or touching as it was meant to be, which is a bit of a problem.
The Perfect Host -- A surprisingly funny and original Indie film with a tremendous performance by the undervalued David Hyde Pierce ("Frasier"). It's full of twists and turns that are a whole lot of fun. Give this one a shot.
C
30 Minutes or Less -- A disappointing and only sparingly funny comedy by the man who brought us the wonderful Zombieland. There's plenty of talent to work with here, but it's all wasted because of a silly, sloppy script. It's not all bad, but I expected much, much more from Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Adventureland) and company.
A Little Help -- There's absolutely nothing special about the plot or the script, but Jenna Fischer ("The Office") completely shines here. She showcases her very adequate dramatic acting skills. Definitely worth a peek for Fischer fans.
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop -- Only die-hard Conan fans will love this movie, so keep that in mind. There aren't a ton of laughs here, which is disappointing because he's a very funny man. The music is decent and it's an interesting look into the mind of a beloved man.
Take Me Home Tonight -- This is a mildly funny 1980s comedy, with a pretty funny performance by Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck). Some decent talent (Teresa Palmer, Chris Pratt) is wasted, but this predictable, feel-good comedy does deliver on some levels.
The Debt -- This is a slow-burning thriller without the thrills. The performances by Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life, The Help) and Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of the Titans) are pretty good, but there isn't a whole lot that happens here. I think you can probably skip this one.
Your Highness -- This is an often funny and often unbelievably stupid comedy by the guy who brought us Pineapple Express. This is your atypical stoner comedy with no brains and endless raunchy jokes. With that being said; did I enjoy it? You bet.
C-
Meek's Cutoff -- Oh brother, this movie is unforgivably slow, boring and pointless. Sure, the performances are pretty good and the cinematography is pretty good, but this film serves no purpose and should be locked away.
Small Town Murder Songs -- Close to being a half-decent film, but there just isn't a payoff. The entire film is pretty much a waste of our time. The haunting scores do add some tension, but that's about it.
Straw Dogs -- I still haven't seen the original, which is considered a "cult classic," but this film is boring and downright dumb. The film finally turns violent with ten minutes left, and it's definitely not worth the wait. If you like listening to stupid rednecks for an hour and a half then you'll love Straw Dogs.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon -- Yet another terrible Michael Bay (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) film that's all special effects and terrible acting. One again, like the other two Transformers films, this film does have its moments. However, the unbelievably awful dialogue, the predictable storyline and the mediocre filmmaking bog this film down.
Wrecked -- Despite a pretty good performance by Adrien Brody (The Pianist, The Jacket), this movie is plainly put, boring. 127 Hours was exhilarating. Buried was watchable. Wrecked was a snooze.
YellowBrickRoad -- Not a terrible "horror" film, but it fails because of a lack of payoffs and a yawning ending. There is plenty to admire here, but it's probably not worth your time.
D+
Green Lantern -- Probably one of the worst "superhero" films of all-time. Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal, Buried) makes for a terrible superhero. I really hope nobody buys a ticket for an apparently upcoming sequel.
The Arbor -- I don't even know where to begin with this British Indie film/documentary, so I won't.
D
True Adolescents -- I'm a sucker for a good, unheard of Indie flick, but this one is unfunny, poorly written and horribly acted. I took a chance on this one because Mark Duplass (Greenberg, Humpday) is usually pretty funny. Not the case here.
F
Priest -- Just a laugh of a film. Paul Bettany (Legion, The Da Vinci Code) films always seem to be candidates for "worst film of the year." This sad excuse for a film is simply unwatchable garbage. Worst film of 2011. Congrats.
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