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.