The Deer Hunter (1978)

There are so many outstanding performances in "The Deer Hunter", from Meryl Streep's "Linda", which earned the legendary actress her first Oscar nomination to Christopher Walken's haunting portrayal of Nick, a traumatized Vietnam vet, who earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Robert De Niro leads the stellar cast with his portrayal of Michael, a steel worker-turned-soldier who enlists with his two friends, Steven (John Cazale) and Nick. The films travels back between the terror of Vietnam (including a horrifying game of Russian Roulette) and the lives of the soldiers back in Pennsylvania. Though parts of the film were fictionalized (like the Russian Roulette scene, of which there are no accounts of ever happening in Vietnam), the intensity of the characters drives the film. Walken and De Niro dazzle in their intense hostage scene, and Walken's final scene leaves the audience on the edge of their seat. Of all the Vietnam-based films, this is one of the best when it comes to the performances, and the acting alone makes the whole film worth a view. Though it's worth noting that the film also won Best Picture and Best Director. 7 out of 10 stars.

Harry Potter Poll

Readers were asked to choose their favorite of the 8 Harry Potter films, and the winner was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" with 35% of the vote, and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" with 14%. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" received the lowest scores.

All About Eve (1950)

"All About Eve" is the highlight of Bette Davis' career. Somehow her portrayal of an aging actress fighting to maintain her stardom re-launched her career and solidified her status as a Hollywood icon. Margo Channing (Davis) is charmed by a young fan named Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), who waits outside a stage door one evening, she quickly realizes that Eve has an ulterior motive to become a famous actress herself, pushing the aging Margo aside. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the film is that it allows the audience to get the inside perspective on an imaginary Hollywood feud. Never have regular moviegoers been so privy to the details of famous alleged feuds in Tinseltown. Filled with zinger after zinger, the film features a brilliant screenplay and outstanding acting, including an early performance from Marilyn Monroe. The film was nominated for 14 Academy Awards, including 4 acting nominations for Davis (Leading), Baxter (Leading), Celeste Holm (Supporting) and Thelma Ritter (Supporting), and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for George Sanders. The film also won Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. 8 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... December 2011

December 2011: Michelle Williams

Spotlight On: Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams began her acting career on the WB's "Dawson's Creek" before becoming the more serious, praised actress she is today. She has earned two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Supporting Actress in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), and another for "Blue Valentine" (2010). Despite "Shutter Island" (2010) being her only blockbuster to date, we can expect that she will become a more household name this year, following her much-hyped performance in "My Week With Marilyn", in which she plays Marilyn Monroe. She is considered an early frontrunner for the Academy Award. 2012 could prove to be a big year for this actress on the edge of stardom.

Spotlight On... November 2011

November 2011: Leonardo DiCaprio

Spotlight On... Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio has been acting on screen since childhood, and today is one of Hollywood's most sought-after and talented actors. He earned his first Academy Award nomination when he was still a teenager for his astounding and mesmerizing supporting role in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993) alongside Johnny Depp. Following his role as Romeo in Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet", he starred in his biggest blockbuster, "Titanic" alongside Kate Winslet. His subsequent films include "Catch Me If You Can", "The Departed", "Revolutionary Road", "Shutter Island", and "Inception". He has been nominated two times for the Academy Award for Best Actor for "The Aviator" (2004) and "Blood Diamond" (2006). This year he stars as J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar", a role which could finally earn him his Oscar that he was robbed of back in 1993.

Spotlight On... October 2011

October 2011: Ryan Gosling

Spotlight On... Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling was catapulted to fame in "The Notebook". Since then, he has received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for "Half-Nelson" (2006). He received praise and Golden Globe nominations for "Lars and the Real Girl" (2007) and "Blue Valentine" (2010). This year, he starred in "Crazy, Stupid Love", "Drive" and "The Ides of March". He has received much praise for "Drive" and could be a strong contender when awards season begins in December. Most importantly, Gosling made a big career leap with three major films in one year and will likely find similar success (and maybe an Oscar) in the near future.

Sin Nombre (2009)

If all foreign language films were this good, I would watch them more often. "Sin Nombre", Spanish for "Nameless", follows the lives of two young individuals in Mexico who meet while stowing away on trains in hopes of reaching the U.S. Casper (Edgar Flores) is from Mexico, a member of a gang called Mara Salvatrucha (an actual transnational gang still in existence today). When he murders his group's leader out of revenge for his murdered girlfriend, he knows he must flee or be killed. Sayra (Paulina Gaitán) is from Honduras, traveling with her father and and uncle on the trains with hopes of arriving in New Jersey. Through a series of incidents, the two form a bond, yet Sayra knows very little about the danger Casper is in. The film holds nothing back in its portrayal of the poverty and danger of living in Central America or Mexico. The citizens of many of these countries are stuck in terrible conditions, and risk everything they have in hopes of reaching the U.S. border. The most unique part of the film is how it portrays the side of the immigration debate that we rarely hear about or see. Personally, I have a new-found sympathy for those who try to enter illegally. "Sin Nombre" is a wonderful example of how films can teach and open the eyes of viewers, and can inform unaware viewers of what is going on in their world. While their is little to be said about the performances, the story itself is suspenseful and intriguing from beginning to end. 6 out of 10 stars.

Super 8 (2011)

Every one remembers the trailers for this movie which did not give any hints about the actual plot. This made for an extremely confusing first hour, though I'm glad the answers were revealed slowly, so as to keep the suspense going (Considering the director J.J. Abrams was the co-creator of 'Lost', one can imagine that he has mastered suspense). Joe and his friends spend their days in Lillian, Ohio filming movies with their Super 8 camera. When they film at the local train station one night, a truck hits a train head-on, causing it to derail. The Air Force arrives immediately, and begin searching the town over for something they are clearly very concerned about getting back. The mystery unravels and fortunately no questions are left unanswered by the end. The foul-mouthed kids in the movie are really the highlight, a group of friends much like the boys in 'Stand By Me'. 'Super 8' has a great combination of explosions and suspense, with a storyline a bit reminiscent of "E.T'. I could definitely see the film's producer, Steven Spielberg doing the same thing with a Super 8 mm camera when he was at the age of the boys in the movie. 'Super 8' is definitely worth a watch. 7 out of 10 stars.

Something Borrowed (2011)

Why does 'Something Borrowed' feel like a sequel to 'Bride Wars'? Perhaps it's because Kate Hudson plays the exact same engaged-to-be-married bad friend all over again. Only this time, she's the worst best friend to Ginnifer Goodwin, not Anne Hathaway. Goodwin plays Rachel, a recent college grad who has become a successful attorney. On her 30th birthday, she drinks too much and reveals to Dex (Colin Egglesfield) that she had a crush on him in college. Dex, who is engaged to Rachel's best friend Darcy (Kate Hudson), reveals that he, too had (and still has) feelings for her. He begins an affair with Rachel, and she struggles to decide between being a good friend, or continue lying to Darcy. She seeks advice from her best friend Ethan (John Krasinski), who is the only character in the entire movie to point out that the real jerk is Dex, who will not leave his betrothed to be with Rachel. As with many a movie, 'Something Borrowed' begins with a solid storyline and genuinely funny jokes and then buries itself in painfully unoriginal scenarios. It gets to a point in which there can be no outcome that the audience will be pleased by, and Rachel certainly doesn't end up with the right guy, I'll say that much. Though not as horrendous as 'Bride Wars', 'Something Borrowed' is just another throw-away romantic comedy that we've seen a hundred times. 3 out of 10 stars.

Thor (2011)

'Thor' is the latest in the never-ending series of comic books-turned-films from Marvel. 'Thor' is slightly different from 'Iron Man' or 'Spider-man' in the sense that Thor is an intergalactic hero who would probably kick the crap out of the Incredible Hulk or the Fantastic Four with his hammer, called the Mjolnir. The film takes place in Asgard, a realm in the far reaches of space, and on Earth, where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is exiled when he disobeys his father (Anthony Hopkins), the king of Asgard. Thor is next in line to the throne, much to the dislike of Loki, a younger, weaker brother. Loki ascends to the throne when the king falls into a coma and Thor is still stuck on Earth, where he befriends Jane (Natalie Portman), an astrophysicist. She helps him conquer an automaton and free his Mjolnir so that he can return home to defeat his brother and the Frost Giants, the arch-enemies of Asgard. The film is perhaps not the best work from Marvel, and definitely won't be winning any awards for acting or Best Picture. It shows sibling rivalry on the grandest scale possible, yet Thor's supposed "journey" on Earth to make himself worthy to be a leader is rather brief, and Thor didn't really appear to have gained too much maturity from his time with the mortals on our planet. On top of all of this, the special effects seemed rather low-budget, and it made several otherwise-awesome action scenes a bit underwhelming. Any comic book fan would probably enjoy the film, but to anyone else not familiar with the comic, it might drag a bit with the excessive dialogue. 5 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... September 2011

September 2011: Kate Winslet

Spotlight On... Kate Winslet

This Fall, Winslet will appear in her first two films since her 2008 Oscar-winning performance in 'The Reader'. She has received six Oscar nominations, including one for 'Titanic', and is considered among the best actresses of her generation. This month, she appears in 'Contagion' as a doctor investigating a pandemic who becomes stricken herself. She'll also appear in "Carnage" alongside Christoph Waltz and opposite Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly. In September, she received the Emmy for Best Actress in a Mini-Series for "Mildred Pierce". While she has had enormous success as an actress thus far, I think it's safe to say she'll be experiencing more career highlights in the future.

Contagion

I will admit, the main reason I have wanted to see this movie for more than a year was the exceptional cast. Oscar-winners Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon and Marion Cotillard, and Oscar-nominees Jude Law and Laurence Fishburne star in this thriller chronicling the lives of various people as the world faces a disease pandemic. After returning from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth (Paltrow) comes down with a serious sickness and her husband (Damon) rushes her to the hospital, only to discover that she has become the first victim. Doctor Cheever (Fishburne) and Dr. Mears (Winslet) begin investigating how and where the disease travels. Likewise, Dr. Orantes (Cotillard) travels to Hong Kong to trace the origin of the disease. And finally Jude Law plays Alan, a popular conspiracy blogger who insists he has found the cure for the infection. The film was terrifying and interesting from beginning to end, perhaps due to the plausibility of the story. With scares like H1N1 or chemical warfare, 'Contagion' becomes a little too realistic for comfort. While this film certainly won't be winning any Oscars for acting, the performances were believable and despite the nature of the film, the character development and sympathy for the various infected victims was definitely noticed. Damon's and Winslet's character are both especially good natured, and the audience will certainly root for them against other characters who react in violent and hysterical ways when the disease spreads. Cotillard's French accent is as charming as ever, yet Law and Paltrow unfortunately did not get the most appealing characters. Why does Paltrow always get her head severed in her films? Perhaps the most terrifying angle of the film comes from the idea that anyone can be infected and killed, even the most famous of actors. 'Contagion' is one of the more exciting thrillers I've ever seen, but it's not a film I would go to when I'm feeling the need for a morale boost. 7 out of 10 stars.

Sanctum (2011)

'Sanctum' is the latest brainchild of James Cameron, who produced the film. In a "man vs. nature" theme similar to 'Avatar', 'Sanctum' follows a group of cave explorers in their quest to find an ocean exit to a cave in Papua New Guinea. When their only known exit is blocked during a violent rainstorm, the small group must go deeper into the cave in hopes of finding a way out. Friend turns against friend in this 'Poseidon'-like adventure, and in the end, you know not everyone will make it out alive. The low-point of the film is the acting, as well as the characterization, making for an agonizingly slow first 45 minutes. If you can survive the action-less scenes in the beginning, than the second half will be worth your time. The film is incredibly intense, gory, and suspenseful. In fact, I cannot recall another film that has left me on the edge of my seat as much as 'Sanctum'. I felt the need to gasp for air in several scenes along with the explorers, which explains how intense the film becomes. It makes '127 Hours' look like kids' stuff. On another note, the film clearly did not have the same budget as 'Avatar', and the special effects suffered for it. However, this didn't ruin the credibility of the film and I was pretty blown away during the second half. If you can stomach the intensity, then I think you would enjoy it. 6 out of 10 stars.

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen is still a puzzle to me. He has created some of the strangest, most interesting films that are typically appreciated by the critics (the director/writer/actor has 21 Oscar nominations) yet fail at the box office. When it comes to his movies, I either REALLY enjoy it (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) or REALLY hate it (Matchpoint). However, "Midnight in Paris" is the first of his films where I am on the fence. Gil (Owen Wilson) is a screenplay writer on vacation with his fiancé Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her parents in Paris. Gil is attempting to write his first novel (with little support from Inez and her family) and is lacking inspiration. When he goes on a midnight stroll through the streets of Paris, he finds himself transported back to the 1920's era of Paris, where he encounters various American writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, as well as Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates), who agrees to review his novel for him. Each night, Gil returns at midnight to relive the magic, and Inez begins to believe he is crazy. He also meets Pablo Picasso, his mistress Adriana (Marion Cotillard) and briefly Salvador Dalí (Adrien Brody). The storyline is immensely intriguing to begin, and any American Literature buff would really appreciate the history, yet as with many of Allen's films, the actors are given a lot of freedom in their characters, and in this case the movie suffers for it. Owen Wilson is slightly less irritating in this film than others, but his performance still wasn't quite as spectacular as it could have been, and I spent much of the film contemplating other actors who could play the role of Gil. The film has many entertaining moments, yet a mediocre leading actor and a rushed and sudden ending left me feeling a bit under-whelmed. Perhaps worth a rental. 6 out of 10 stars.

Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

One for the ladies- Eat, Pray, Love, released in 2010, is a comedy-drama based on Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir which was published in 2006. Directed by Ryan Murphey, Julia Roberts plays the role of the protagonist, Elizabeth, a 32-year-old with a successful writing career. However, Elizabeth undergoes a difficult divorce and is quick to initiate a rebound relationship, and she is wrought with devastation when it doesn't work, finding herself single and lonely, an experience foreign to her. Elizabeth is left contemplating her life and its values and comes to decide to embark on an over-seas adventure, a dream she has long held close to her heart. Her trip is divided into the three key words of the title; 'Eat' in Italy, where she relaxes and enjoys the (consumable) sweet things of life, free of guilt; 'Pray' in India, where she gets in touch with her previously hidden spirituality; and 'Love', in Indonesia, where, via meditation and counseling from a local advisor, Elizabeth seeks to understand and apply balance in life. The film offers a fascinating insight into a woman's quest to seek satisfaction from life. Ryan Murphey's incredible directing skills are displayed with scenes captured in many beautiful locations dispersed over 3 continents, making the film a cinematographic wonder along with an intriguing storyline. Truly a chick flick, this Aussie broad gives it 4 stars.

Casey's quick opinion: I like it too, though maybe we're biased because we both have spent time in Italy as exchange students.

The Help

If any film has the potential to win an Oscar or two this year, it's "The Help". Emma Stone plays Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, a recent college-grad who has returned to her home in Jackson, Mississippi to become a writer. After some personal experiences, Skeeter decides to write a book about African-American maids working in white homes, giving them a voice and an opportunity to share their own experiences. She first enlists Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) to share her stories with her. As the setting is the early 1960's, many of the maids are afraid to talk, for fear that they might be killed like many other African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. However, after receiving too much abuse from white employers, the maids agree to share their tales. The film is beautifully done, with several outstanding performances from Allison Jane, Bryce Dallas Howard, and especially newcomer Jessica Chastain, who I imagine will become a more familiar face in the near-future. However, the true standout performances come from Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and above all, Viola Davis, who played her role as a maid who has suffered much in her life. Look for the three names last mentioned when awards season comes around in January. See this movie now, before it receives an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. 8 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... August 2011

Spotlight On... Emma Stone

Emma Stone has played supporting roles in several successful movies, including "Superbad", "The House Bunny", and "Zombieland". Last year "Easy A" was released, her first starring role, earning her a Golden Globe nomination. This summer, she stars in both "Crazy, Stupid, Love" and "The Help". "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is just another romantic comedy, but "The Help" sets her apart from many other young actresses. The film is her first dramatic role, a dangerous yet necessary risk for any actor trying to avoid typecast roles. She succeeds wonderfully, playing a young writer trying to help African-American maids find a voice during the Civil Rights Movement. The film has been incredibly well-received, and is sure to help Emma Stone's reputation as an actress who is not afraid to take on a difficult role. She's a rising star to keep an eye on, and you can expect an award nomination or two for her performance in her latest film.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Is "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" just another remake of the classic "Planet of the Apes" film series? Not hardly. This film differs from the original and the 2001 re-boot in many ways, the most obvious being the use of CGI apes instead of actors in make-up. This version of the tale explores the beginning of the age of the apes, as well as the causes for which humans lost their dominance in the world. Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is researching a cure for Alzheimer's using apes as lab rats. He searches for a cure with the personal motive of saving his father (John Lithgow), who has suffered with the disease for a long period. When a breakthrough comes with Caesar, a young chimpanzee, Will uses the drug on his own father, who recovers completely the next day. However, Caesar continues to become smarter and smarter, learning to read and sign, as well as understand English. In the process, he begins to question his own identity as a chimpanzee and becomes confused (and dangerous). He becomes smart enough to realize that he can give this miracle drug to other apes, and does so, hoping to build his own colony in the Redwood Forest. There are many twists and turns in the film that I obviously won't spoil, and overall the story is very original and plausible, with many allusions to the original films. On the other hand, the special effects underwhelmed and I never connected to the apes because they appeared so unrealistic. The film ran a bit too long and only regained interest of the audience within the last 15 minutes or so. The film also stars Freida Pinto and Draco Malfoy... I mean Tom Felton... who did not quite master the American accent in time for filming. I would recommend this as a rental if you enjoyed the original films. 5 out of 10 stars.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

"Crazy, Stupid, Love" is one of those movies that had a lot going for it: a great cast and a cute story line. Steve Carell plays Cal, a man recently separated from his wife (Julianne Moore). Believing that his wife has left him because he has lost his manhood, he seeks the advice of Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), a young, handsome womanizer who spends his days picking up women at a bar. Jacob is obliging and spends much of his time helping out Cal. In a seemingly unrelated storyline, a young girl named Hannah (Emma Stone) has reached a point in her life where she has lost sight of what she wants, and falls for Jacob's charm. Cal begins meeting other women including Kate, played by Marisa Tomei. Though he enjoys being attractive again, Cal's only desire is to win back his wife. The film is an ideal romantic comedy with many humorous moments (Steve Carell and Marisa Tomei are hilarious as usual), yet many elements of the film were slow and unnecessary. The first half was top-notch, while the second part failed to maintain the humor and sympathy for the characters. Though I didn't hate the film, I expected a lot more from such a talented cast... perhaps worth a rental. 6 out of 10 stars.

The Turning Point (1977)

"The Turning Point" is the original "Black Swan", minus the "psychological thriller" elements. Instead, the film focuses on two women past their prime, one still a ballerina, the other, a former dancer who gave up her career to have a family. Emma (Anne Bancroft), has reached a point as a dancer when choreographers no longer want her. DeeDee (Shirley MacLaine) has two children who both want to dance professionally like their parents. When her daughter Emilia gets an opportunity to dance in New York, DeeDee packs up for the summer and heads to the city with her daughter, only to have to face the life that she gave up. Both DeeDee and Emma must face the future while also dealing with personal regrets. The film holds the record for most Oscar nominations without a win (11). Despite this not-so-coveted record, the film is still relevant, as everyone deals with age and life regrets. Another high point of the film was the fact that many of the actors are dancers before actors, something that "Black Swan" lacked, making for some incredible dance scenes. The film received four acting nominations, one for Bancroft, and one for MacLaine, who are both remarkable in the film, and two for Russian prodigy Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne, both in supporting roles. Both are exceptional dancers, but terrible actors. Where did those Oscar nominations come from? Aside from this, the movie has aged well and is still an enjoyable film for those who enjoy dance. 7 out of 10 stars.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Where do I begin with a review of this movie? If you're interested in seeing one of the strangest films in existence, then this movie is right up your alley. Jeff Lebowski (The "Dude") (Jeff Bridges) is a slacker living in L.A. who spends his days bowling with his friends Theodore (Steve Buscemi) and Walter (John Goodman). One day he returns home and is beaten up by two men and one of them urinates on his carpet. He discovers that they are looking for Bunny Lebowski, the wife of another man named Lebowski, and he is involved in a case of mistaken identity. The real Mr. Lebowski, a millionaire, hires "the Dude" to bring the ransom money to the kidnappers. Other mysteries arise when they discover that Bunny may have kidnapped herself. "The Dude" gets further input from Maude Lebowski (Julianne Moore), daughter of the millionaire Lebowski, a bizzare feminist artist. After watching several Coen brother films, I expected the unexpected. This film is the definition of unconventional. I watched it twice, and must admit that I laughed uncontrollably the second time around. The film is not for everyone, but if you enjoyed "Fargo", then you stand a chance of enjoying this movie. 5 out of 10 stars.

Big (1988)

'Big' is recognized as the film that launched Tom Hanks' career, a box office success, as well as a critical success, earning Tom Hanks his first of five Oscar nominations. Josh Baskin (Hanks) is a thirteen-year-old who, after getting embarrassed by being denied a ride on the roller coaster due to his height, wishes on a Zoltar machine to be older. His wish is granted and he becomes 30 years old. After his mother believes that he is lying about becoming 30 overnight and demands to know where her son is, Josh runs away to New York City, where he works at a toy company playing with new products and giving suggestions. He falls in love and feels conflicted between returning to his real age and living in his new life, which he greatly enjoys. 'Big' is a classic romantic comedy that features a young Tom Hanks' trademark voice and humor. If you're a Tom Hanks fan, along with the rest of the world, than you will certainly enjoy 'Big'. 6 out of 10 stars.

Poll Results

Which is your favorite James Franco film?

After two months of voting, the winners for the favorite James Franco film were "Tristan and Isolde" and "127 Hours".

My Cousin Vinny (1992)

"There have been many courtroom dramas that have glorified The Great American Legal System. This is not one of them". The film's tagline really defines the movie. This certainly doesn't mean the film is not worth watching. Marisa Tomei alone makes the movie worth watching, yet Joe Pesci along with a great screenplay make it really worth the time to sit and enjoy. The film follows the story of two boys, Bill and Stan, who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time during a murder investigation. Bill, with no money, calls his cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci), a "lawyer" who has recently passed the bar exam after five previous fails. Vinny and his girlfriend Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei) drive down to Alabama to defend the boys, despite Vinny never having attended a trial, let alone defending a murder suspect. Tomei steals the film as the intelligent, beautiful, and sassy fiancé of cousin Vinny, a role for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (My biological clock is ticking like this!!!). Watch this movie... you will not regret it. 7 out of 10 stars.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

There were high expectations going into the finale of the most successful film franchise in the history of cinema. And all expectations were met. The film kept as true to the final book as possible and featured all the explosive scenes that audiences hoped for. One major issue with the film was the running time... less than two hours. Couldn't the finale have been just a tad more tied together with an extra half-hour? Nonetheless, the film didn't disappoint and was exhilarating from beginning to end, with three or four scenes that left the audience sniffling. For a film series that has lasted for a decade, it seems impossible that it could be so suddenly finished. 9 out of 10 stars.

Cars 2

"Cars 2" is probably the weakest of any Pixar film, though as most know, that doesn't really mean that it's bad. In fact, the film is actually very entertaining and cute, yet it doesn't hold a candle to "Toy Story 3", "Finding Nemo", or "Wall-e". This film was the first Pixar film in recent years that doesn't aim for the tears, and instead is far more light-hearted and silly. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) has now headed back to the race track, invited to race in three international races in Tokyo, Italy, and London. He is accompanied by his friend Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) who continues to embarrass McQueen in front of the cameras. Meanwhile, there is a secret plot to eliminate all alternative fuels across the world, and Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) is a secret agent attempting to foil the cars' evil plans. I suppose the moral is never to ask your friends to change, but it was obvious that this film wasn't trying to teach a lesson, more just entertain young car fans. Though not the best Pixar film yet, it certainly isn't a dud for the dud-less film company. 6 out of 10 stars.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

The early 90's saw some of the most memorable films in cinema, and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" was definitely an early success for Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio. Depp stars as Gilbert Grape, a teen stuck in a small town in Iowa with two sisters, a handicapped brother (DiCaprio) and a morbidly obese mother. He wants to leave and start a life of his own but feels tied to his needy family. When Becky's (Juliette Lewis) and her grandmother's truck breaks down and they become stuck in town, Gilbert quickly falls for Becky and secretly wants to leave with her, but knows that he never could. The film is remarkably well-acted and is full of many sweet and touching scenes that leave you feeling very sympathetic for Gilbert. DiCaprio gives the single best performance of his career as Arnie, Gilbert's handicapped brother. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor but truly, hands-down deserved to win. The film also stars Mary Steenburgen and John C. Reilly. Highly recommended. 8 out of 10 stars.

Shutter Island (2010)

'Shutter Island' is a psychological thriller starring Oscar-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Edward Daniels, who is sent to Shutter Island, an insane asylum that is missing a patient. Mystery surrounds the entire facility and Daniels is determined to find the answers to all the questions that arise, while the rest of the staff attempt to convince him that he is insane. It's difficult to express my opinion on the film without giving away the ending, but I was left very disappointed at the conclusion of the film. Many times, surprise endings can leave you satisfied, yet 'Shutter Island' leaves the audience feeling defeated alongside Edward Daniels. The film also stars Oscar-nominee Mark Ruffalo, Oscar-nominee Michelle Williams, Oscar-nominee Patricia Clarkson, and Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley. The film feels like a second-rate 'Inception', not to be put on the Instant Queue on Netflix. 4 out of 10 stars.

Charlie St. Cloud (2010)

Though the 'High School Musical' films were tolerable at best, Zac Efron has obviously made a serious attempt to break away from the Disney genre. "17 Again" proved that he could go further than his 'Musical' co-stars. 'Charlie St. Cloud' was a similar attempt, yet it did not pay off. Zac Efron plays St. Cloud, a recent high school graduate who's brother is killed in a car accident. He begins to see his brother and fails to ever leave his small town after feelings of guilt never let him recover from the death of his brother. A romance with an old classmate leave him torn between moving on and staying near his brother. The entire film was confusing and strange. On top of that, the actors failed to connect in any way to the audience and not even Kim Basinger (an Oscar-winner, no less) was able to deliver a solid performance. Efron gave an adequate performance but was brought down by the unconvincing performances from the rest of the cast. This one is worth missing out on. 4 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... July 2011

Spotlight On... Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe is known to audiences across the world playing the titular character in the 'Harry Potter' films, which has become the most successful film franchise in history. Due to the demanding filming schedule, Radcliffe hasn't been able to stretch his wings much further beyond playing the "boy who lived". However, his maturity as an actor is apparent throughout the 8 films. He is currently starring on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", his second show and first musical on the Great White Way. Having seen the show personally, I can say that Mr. Radcliffe is one of the hardest working actors in the business and is sure to see more success in the future.

Spotlight On... Daniel Radcliffe Daniel Radcliffe is known to audiences across the world playing the titular character in the 'Harry Potter' films, which has become the most successful film franchise in history. Due to the demanding filming schedule, Radcliffe hasn't been able to stretch his wings much further beyond playing the "boy who lived". However, his maturity as an actor is apparent throughout the 8 films. He is currently starring on Broadway in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", his second show and first musical on the Great White Way. Having seen the show personally, I can say that Mr. Radcliffe is one of the hardest working actors in the business and is sure to see more success in the future.

Network (1976)

"Network" is a satirical film following the employees at a fictional television network, UBS, who are desperate to attract viewers after receiving dismal ratings in the past. Howard Beale (Peter Finch), UBS news anchor, discovers that he will be fired in two weeks, so he goes on a tirade during his broadcast, claiming that he will commit suicide the following Tuesday, much to the horror of the network executives. However, his tirades make big headlines and UBS receives exceptional ratings, so Diana (Faye Dunaway) convinces the other execs to keep Howard on the air. Howard spends his airtime lamenting American politics and business, and the ratings continue to climb. Soon however, the company must find new programming to keep the viewers tuned in. Diana cuts a deal with a group of radical terrorists, who agree to shoot videos of their acts of terrorism, and UBS will produce a show about them. The entire film isn't necessarily one that the viewer will laugh out loud at, yet one can't help but chuckle about the over-exaggerated actions carried out by the network executives to boost ratings, which is truly the intention of this corporate satire. The film is one of only two films in history to win three Oscars for acting (the other being 'A Streetcar Named Desire' [1951]). Peter Finch won Best Actor (one of only two actors to win posthumously, the other being Heath Ledger). Faye Dunaway won Best Actress, and Beatrice Straight won Best Supporting Actress (in the shortest Oscar-winning performance in history, a mere 5 minutes and 40 seconds). All were well-deserved. The film also won for Best Original Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Director, Best Picture, and two additional acting Oscars (William Holden- Best Actor, and Ned Beatty- Best Supporting Actor). The film won't be in everyone's taste, as it may drag for some, but overall it's a culturally relevant exaggeration of modern broadcasting networks. 6 out of 10 stars.

Scent of a Woman (1992)

'Scent of a Woman' stars Chris O'Donnell as Charlie, a poor student at a preparatory school who is hired to take care of ex-colonel Frank Slade (played by Al Pacino), an elderly, blind, and disagreeable man who is unhappy being stuck with his daughter and her family. Charlie is witness to a crime committed by several students (including a young Philip Seymour Hoffman) against their school principal. When the principal promises Charlie that he will be guaranteed acceptance into Harvard if he reveals who did it, Charlie is torn between integrity and this promising bribe. In the mean time, Frank decides he wants to go to New York to "travel first class", "eat an agreeable meal at an exclusive restaurant", "stay at a luxury hotel", "visit his big brother", "make love to a beautiful woman", and then, to Charlie's surprise, "blow his brains out". Charlie accompanies him to New York and begins to learn much from Frank about being a mature adult, yet Frank has lost faith in others, and Charlie must be the one to save him before he commits suicide. Pacino steals the film as Slade, playing a remarkably convincing blind ex-colonel. For his performance, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor (after a previous 7 nominations). The film drags a bit in the second half, but overall delivers several powerful scenes that make the movie so memorable. The film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. 8 out of 10 stars.

Paper Moon (1973)

Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, a real-life father and daughter, play father and daughter in this depression-era black and white classic. The film follows Addie, a recently-orphaned child who meets a man named Moses, who she believes to be her father. He is a con-man, selling bibles to widows, convincing them that their late husbands had made deposits on the bibles but were no longer alive to pay the full price. Young Addie begins to grow close to Moses, helping him in his con business. Their relationship is tested in various obstacles, from a gold-digging prostitute and run-ins with the bootlegging business, and Addie always finds clever and humorous ways to resolve these issues. Though I expected a cute, family-friendly film, the movie uses some very adult language and humorously features some very grown-up situations (Addie's a chain-smoker, etc.). 'Paper Moon' has certainly earned it's place as a classic, still entertaining and charming nearly 40 years later. Tatum O'Neal's remarkable debut earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, making her the youngest actor ever to win an Academy Award at age 10, a title she still holds to this day. 7 out of 10 stars.

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

If "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" were re-made with an all-female cast, then you would have "Girl, Interrupted". The film however, is not necessarily unoriginal. It features an incredible all-ladies cast, including Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Brittany Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg, and Vanessa Redgrave. The film follows the story of Susanna (Ryder), who checks herself into a mental institution after an aspirin-overdose and stays there for about year. Here she meets Lisa (Jolie), a sociopath, who encourages Susanna to not take her pills and act out against the orderlies. Jolie steals the film with her verbally abusive character, who antagonizes all the other patients, especially Daisy, played by the late Brittany Murphy, who gives her best performance ever as an anti-social patient who constantly brags of her "luxurious" lifestyle. Susanna spends the film trying to discover why she is mentally unstable, and only resolves her issues after a traumatic incident and the help of Dr. Wick (Redgrave). Many scenes are carried solely by Jolie's Oscar-winning performance, but Ryder is not without talent (however, an Oscar-nomination certainly wasn't to be had in this case). The film is certainly entertaining, with many humorous moments mixed with the emotional confusion of each of the patients. What better place to find interesting characters than a mental institution? The film is worth checking out solely for the great performances, though the story itself is thoroughly entertaining. 7 out of 10 stars.

Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella) [1997]

'Life is Beautiful' is the highlight of Roberto Benigni's career as an actor, director, and screenwriter, with Benigni alone being nominated in five different categories at the Oscars. The film follows Guido Orefice (Benigni), a Jewish-Italian who is taken to a Nazi concentration camp along with his family during the end of World War II. Guido uses his vast imagination to help his wife and son survive while they are held as prisoners in the camp. The movie is charming, yet devastating, and humorous yet dramatic. The film beautifully interprets how humor can be the greatest weapon against a merciless enemy. Guido's boundless determination to save his family is incredibly touching, and no amount of a language barrier can prevent the audience from comprehending Guido's infinite love for his son and wife. Highly recommended.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Italy), Best Actor (Benigni), and Best Dramatic Score. The film was nominated for Best Director (also Benigni), and Best Picture. 8 out of 10 stars.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

'Shakespeare in Love' is the only comedy to win the Academy Award for Best Picture since 1934's "It Happened One Night". Therefore, expectations were high. The film follows the life of William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes), who struggles to write new material and searches for a woman who can inspire him through love. Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is betrothed to Lord Wessex (Colin Firth), yet she aspires to be an actress. However, women are not allowed to act at this point in history, so she disguises herself and auditions for a role. Shakespeare sees right through the disguise, and soon after falls madly in love with her, inspiring him to write Romeo and Ethel, the Pirates Daughter. However, he later changes it to the better-known 'Romeo & Juliet'. The script for the film is exceptionally written, with a wonderful twist on many of Shakespeare's influences for his most famous works. However, the film is carried mostly by an outstanding cast, led by Paltrow, who manages to create a character worthy of the affection of civilization's greatest poet and playwright, earning her the Oscar for Best Actress. Other stars include Ben Affleck as a snob of an actor, Imelda Staunton (of Harry Potter fame) as Viola's nurse, Geoffrey Rush as a theater owner (for which he received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role), and Dame Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I, earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. With the sheer brilliance of the film combined with a remarkable cast, the film easily deserved the recognition it received, and no film since has been able to utilize Paltrow's talents as an actress. 8 out of 10 stars.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

'The Talented Mr. Ripley' should be noted mostly for helping launch the career of Jude Law, who's role as Dickie Greenleaf brought him an Academy Award nomination as well as into the eyes of the American public. The film (based on the novel of the same name) follows Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), a poor student who happens to be very talented with forgery and impersonation. Upon a parent's request, he travels to Italy to find Dickie (Law) and attempts to convince him to return to the United States. In the process however, Tom becomes obsessed with Dickie and his fiancé Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), which eventually leads him to take on two different personas, that of Tom Ripley, and a Dickie imposter. Confused? As was I. The film lacks a deep understanding of Tom's desire to become Dickie, and therefore a regular audience never comprehends the reasoning behind his actions. Overall, the film is intriguing at times but mostly leaves the audience scratching their heads, trying to riddle out how Matt Damon never got caught for his evil-doings. The film did succeed however, in helping five then-young stars go on to achieve greater fame. Damon and Law have since earned a second Oscar nomination, and Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman have also won Academy Awards. Damon, Law and Paltrow will all star together once more in 'Contagion', released in October of this year. 6 out of 10 stars.

Rachel Getting Married (2008)

With all of the buzz behind Anne Hathaway's performance and the film's appearance on numerous Critics' top-ten lists, I expected to be impressed with the independent film. However, Rachel Getting Married was anything but a Best Picture. The story follows Kym (Hathaway), who has returned home after an extended stint in rehab to attend her sister's wedding. After a family history of drama and anger, it's no surprise that the family feels uncomfortable with Kym returning home, and so does the audience. Though many issues are resolved throughout the film and the ending leaves hope for Kym, the movie is, at best bearable, and otherwise agonizingly slow with endless, seemingly pointless scenes, such as a drawn-out rehearsal dinner or dishwasher-loading contest. The film also appeared to be on an extremely limited budget, as the entire film is shot with hand-held cameras that leave you with a headache. It feels like Jonathon Demme's (the director's) first experience creating a movie. 'Rachel Getting Married' is definitely one worth missing out on, unless of course, you're a die-hard Hathaway fan. 3 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... June 2011

June 2011: James Franco

Mr. Franco, fresh off hosting the Academy Awards, came into the view of the general public playing Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man trilogy, and has since challenged himself further as an actor by taking on grittier roles, such as Aron Ralston in 2010's "127 Hours" for which he received numerous award nominations, including a nod for an Academy Award. He has also maintained his status as an actor in lighter films, such as "Pineapple Express" and "Eat Pray Love". He can be seen this summer in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". Congratulations to James Franco!

X-Men: First Class

As far as summer action movies go, X-Men: First Class has emerged as one of the best of 2011. Despite the absence of Hollywood Heavyweights such as Halle Berry or Hugh Jackman (who actually is featured for about 25 seconds of the film), a young, relatively unknown cast completely hold their own. James McAvory and Michael Fassbender star as Professor X and Magneto, respectively in this prequel to the original X-Men films, set in the 1960's Cold War era exploring the events that left X crippled and those that led Magneto astray. Other stand-out performances include Academy Award-nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone) as Mystique, and also an unexpected appearance by Kevin Bacon (Tremors) as the sinister Sebastian Shaw. January Jones (a native of South Dakota) also stars as an accomplice to Shaw, though the role often comes off as campy due to her Austin Powers-esque outfit complete with go-go boots. Overall, the film is fast-paced and intriguing, leaving very little room for a yawn during a slow scene. Though this film likely won't be nominated for any "Boomerang" Awards, it's filled with all the adrenaline rush a summer-action-movie junkie could hope for. 7 out of 10 stars.