SmellyCat

I think the only way to enjoy this, or any of the Harry Potter films is leave the book at the door when you enter the theater. As a huge fan of the books, that only seems to limit the enjoyment you get out of each and every film. If you are able to do that, you will notice that the Potter films are a huge amount of fun, mixed with a great cast of actors (the minor characters, played by classic British thespians are always the best. This film is probably the biggest departure from the rest of the series, and does a good job at creating a world that is so palpable and magical. You would think leaving Hogwarts would be a problem for the filmmakers, but I think the film thrives outside of Hogwarts doors. As always, it is probably one of the best times you could have at the movies, and delivers on all levels.

Burlesque is quite simply a lot of fun. It's not ground-breaking or insightful film making by any means, but you walk out of the theater humming at least one of the songs. Almost all of the performances are over the top, including Cher but this film is not for those looking for something great. It's a good renter, or maybe a few bucks if you like musicals.

This is a classic case of a film that is filled with some really great acting, but the director's lack of knowing how to deal with the source material interfering with the quality of the film. The cast is immensely talented, with Janet Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, and Loretta Devine being the major standouts. Though there are two major missteps (Whoopi Goldberg and Thandie Newton), almost everyone in the cast is just lovely. However, the film itself is just a jumbled mess of awkward insertions of poetry and monologues that just doesn't work. Tyler Perry's style just doesn't mix well with the feminist musing that the film is supposed to be, and he gets in the way of some great performances.

Morning Glory suffers from what most 'bad' romantic comedies suffer from: a uninspired, cliched central romance. Two beautiful people who inexplicably can't find love, but do with their fellow 'unlucky in love' beautiful person. Sure, it makes you go 'awww!', but it isn't realistic or interesting in any sense of the words. What elevates Morning Glory past this weakness is the strength of the large cast of small, quirky supporting characters. Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton absolutely shine as old egotistical reporters, and the group of strange managers and writers around them are adorable. Go see this for them.

This is a very strong, well-done documentary that really has the power, emotional weight, and logic to upset people and ignite a fire within it's audience. The topic is one that is constantly on the tip of everyone's tongue: the financial crisis our country went/is going through. The film is powerful because i gathers high ranking officials in the political and banking industries partially responsible for the crisis, and then not letting them take the easy way out by throwing them softball questions or sugar coating issues. The director is direct, forceful, and unwavering in his quest to get answers from some of the people who did our country wrong. Sometimes the pace and immense amount of detail can be a little overwhelming, but it really just makes you sit up, pay attention more, and actually use your brain. Inside Job does what every good documentary should do: induce an emotional reaction. The reaction from this film just happens to be extreme anger.

In a year (or two) with some great animated films, Megamind is a dive back towards mediocrity. It's along the lines of the majority of other DreamWorks releases, a perfectly fine movie for kids to go see, with a good amount of chuckles but devoid of any kind of creativity or innovation when it comes to audiences over the age of 13. The animation and voice acting are pefectly okay, with Tina Fey being the only real stand out. A good movie for children, it's mildly funny and standard for anyone else.

Conviction really is what many have coined as 'Oscar-bait'. It's one of those films that plays heavily to the emotion of it's audience, attempting to ignite that emotional reaction from you, at any costs. However, in Conviction's case, like Secretariat a few weeks back, it works and succeeds at that goal. It's a film with good acting, direction, and a solid script. Sure, it's kind of Erin Brockovich with some tweaking and tinkering, but Erin Brockovich was a damn fine movie, and Conviction is solid, even if on a lesser level. Sam Rockwell offers a huge breath of fresh air with a funny and moving performance as the imprisoned brother, even though most of the movie is kind of 'been there, done that'.

This is really the first Clint Eastwood movie I have taken a strong, strong disliking for. It's got an interesting enough premise, dealing with what happens after you die, but the execution and acting just never came together ot make anything that was believable or thought provoking. None of the three storylines quite work, though Damon does try his hardest as a lovesick psychic, but he's still just phoning this performance in. Especially painful to watch are the women, Cecil de France and Bryce Dallas Howard, who just kind of obnoxious props in the overall storyline, and lack any depth. The ending is contrived, the special effects lackluster, and I really hope Eastwood gets a chance to redeem himself after this mess.

"Waiting for 'Superman'" is a documentary that is about a very important aspect of our country, and one that really should be getting Americans angry and upset about. The current state of education in America is abysmal, and while this documentary doesn't skimp on the details, but what it does lack is the power of motivating anyone to want to do much. It is sadly stagnant when it comes to inspiring the viewer to want to do anything about the situation. Even the children and parents they show struggling to get an education seem subdued and distant. It does a skillful job at presenting the facts and flaws in our society, but lacks the heart and drive to make anyone want to do anything about it.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Throughout watching Secretariat, you know exactly what the film is trying to do: it so openly wants you to be moved and inspired, and the melodrama just oozes of the screen. However, that desperate need for emotion doesn't ruin the film, it actually works out in it's favor: it works. The performances are good enough, Lane is capable in a "Blind Side" Sandra Bullock type of "strong" woman role, and Malkovich gives a hilarious performances as the horse's trainer. It's a film that some will be moved by, and some just won't feel much of anything during. And that's okay. I implore you: don't go into it actively trying not to feel anything, but rather just be open and receptive to anything that may happen. You might find yourself surprised.

I saw "The Social Network" nearly a week ago, and find myself struggling to put together my thoughts on the film together for a review, not because the film was bad, but rather because I just needed the time to process the entire film and ruminate on the different levels of complexities the film has. And it really is a movie that you just need to see to understand the appeal, because on paper it sounds somewhat standard and less than spectacular. However, one thing that stands out in the film as something I feel good enough commenting on are the performances. Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake are almost equally amazing in their respective roles, and all deserving of Oscar nominations. Just go see the movie, and then you will understand my inability to formulate thoughts. Its just that good.

In the first Wall Street film, Oliver Stone made a very straight-forward, dialogue heavy film that focused on the business and dirty dealings of Wall Street stockbroker industry. And what we got was a film with an amazing performance from Michael Douglas surrounded with endlessly dull talking business deal scenes and a horrible performance from Charlie Sheen. The film just didn't even make the characters likeable or dislikeable or even have discernable personalities. With this second Wall Street film, Stone almost goes the complete opposite way of the first, adding numerous unnecessary flourishes such as motorcycle scenes, crazy taxi drivers, and long shots of rich people's jewelry that really distract you from the characters. Stone needs to find the balance. The acting this time around was good, and the chemistry between LaBeouf, Mulligan, and Douglas is amazing. It's just that I still don't care about the business talk, or even quite frankly, the stock market industry. Maybe it's just that the topic of the movie doesn't interest me, but Money Never Sleeps was another disappointment.

Probably the single most stunning film in terms of visual effects so far this year, Legend of the Guardians is not only a visual treat but also a surprisingly well done animated epic. I've heard a lot of people writing about how this is 'too dark' for children, but come on: this film is no darker or scarier than Nightmare Before Christmas, the second or third Harry Potter, or The Corpse Bride. It really is an amazing animated film that I think children will love, with a good message and amazing visuals.

You Again has what so many other movies seem to have in recent years: a great cast wasted on a terribly boring, average script and a plot whose twists you can see coming from miles away. Betty White is tragically underused, Odette Yustman (I know, I didn't know who she was either) is almost painfully bad and Kristen Bell, as always tries her hardest to save the movie, but she just isn't believable as a 'nerd'. The movie is, however, saved just a tad by the warm chemistry between Jamie Lee Curtis and the always amazing Sigourney Weaver. The scenes between them are natural, funny, and at one point, even heart-warming, but always believable. Someone really needs to give Weaver a role that can win her an Oscar, because I really can't think of any actor more deserving than her.

A great second outing for Ben Affleck as a director, The Town is an effective and gripping heist film, with many great performances and strong direction. The film successfully manages the difficult balance between character moments and dynamic action sequences. The performances are across the board solid, the stand out being Jeremy Renner, who I had high hopes for after The Hurt Locker, whose Jem is crass and bold, but Renner makes his brusque attitude understandable in the circumstances he lives in. Rebecca Hall also is amazing as Claire, who is the audience's entry point into the events unfolding. Hopefully this film will allow Affleck to get more work as a director, because he has definitely proven himself a promising one.

This film deserves every bit of praise that has been thrown at it. It's the smartest teen movie in a long while, bolstered by an incredibly charismatic lead and a clever supporting cast. Emma Stone makes her snarkiness endlessly appealing and cute. The supporting cast, most notably Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, and Stanley Tucci are scene-stealers in the best way possible. Easy A is a great way to finish off a summer with numerous great comedies. However, Easy A just might be the best.

This Resident Evil movie is exactly what all the others, past and future, should be-- a spotlight on Milla Jovovich kicking some zombie ass in the most gruesome fashion possible. Is the movie filled with plotholes the size of a mountain? Sure. Should that matter? In any other movie, yes, but not Resident Evil. It's immune to the conventions of other films, because it's only purpose is to entertain, and in that purpose, it succeeds. The 3-D is the best I've seen (I never saw Avatar in 3D), and definitely helps set the mood and the tone of the film. My only real complaint is Anderson's overuse of slow-mo. Every single fight scene has it, and while it's cool, it just becomes distracting and somewhat dull somewhere around the 4th or 5th time you see it. I recommend all the Resident Evil movies for anyone looking for some fun zombie slaughtering, not Oscar-level fare.