2013 Golden Globe Nominations

The Golden Globes, one of the season's most anticipated awards, announced its nominations today. The winners will be revealed on Sunday, January 13 (guess what I'll be doing on my birthday? :P ). The ceremony will be hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (!). Below is a complete list of the nominees:

MOVIES

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Zero Dark Thirty

BEST MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Miserables
Moonrise Kingdom
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Affleck, Argo
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Richard Gere, Arbitrage
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust & Bone
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Rachel Weisz, Deep Blue Sea

BEST ACTOR, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Jack Black, Bernie
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Ewan McGregor, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Bill Murray, Hyde Park on Hudson

BEST ACTRESS, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Emily Blunt, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Judy Dench, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Jennifer Law, Silver Linings Playbook
Maggie Smith, Quartet
Meryl Streep, Hope Springs

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin, Argo
Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, The Master 
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy

BEST SCREENPLAY
Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty
Lincoln
Silver Linings
Django Unchained
Argo

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Brave
Frankenweenie
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE
Amour
A Royal Affair
The Untouchables
Con Tiki
Rust and Bone

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Michael Dano, Life of Pi
Argo
Anna Karenina
Cloud Atlas
Lincoln

ORIGINAL SONG
For You, Act of Valor
Not Running Anymore
Safe and Sound, The Hunger Games
Skyfall, Skyfall
Suddenly, Les Miserables

TV

BEST TV SERIES, DRAMA
Breaking Bad
Boardwalk
Downton Abbey
Homeland
Newsroom

BEST TV SERIES, COMEDY
The Big Bang Theory
Episodes
Girls
Modern Family
Smash

BEST ACTOR, TV DRAMA
Steve Buschemi
Bryan Cranston
Jeff Daniels
Jon Hamm
Damian Lewis

BEST ACTRESS, TV DRAMA
Connie Britton, Nashville
Glenn Close, Damages
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife

BEST ACTOR, TV COMEDY
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis CK, Louis
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

BEST ACTRESS, TV COMEDY
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Lena Dunham, Girls
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Game Change
The Girl
Hatfields & McCoys
The Hour
Political Animals

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Kevin Costner
Benedict Cumberbatch
Woody Harrelson
Toby Jones
Clive Owen

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Nicole Kid
Jessica Lange
Sienna Miller
Julianne Moore
Sigourney Weaver

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Max Greenfield, New Girl
Ed Harris, Game Change
Danny Houston, Magic City
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Hayden Panetierre, Nashville
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Sarah Paulson, Game Change
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominees

The Screen Actors Guild Awards, one of the "Top Three" of Awards Season, announced the nominees today. The winners will be revealed on Jan. 27.

FILM

Male Actor, Lead
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Denzel Washington, Flight

Male Actor, Supporting
Alan Arkin, Argo
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

Female Actor, LeadJessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust and Bone
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

Female Actor, Supporting
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy
Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Cast in a Motion Picture
Argo
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Lincoln 
Silver Linings Playbook

TV

Male Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries
Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Woody Harrelson, Game Change
Ed Harris, Game Change
Clive Owen, Hemingway & Gellhorn
Bill Paxton, Hatfields & McCoys

Female Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries
Nicole Kidman, Hemingway & Gellhorn
Julianne Moore, Game Change
Charlotte Rampling, Restless
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals
Alfre Woodard, Steel Magnolias

Male Actor, Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland

Female Actor, Drama Series
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Male Actor, Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Louis CK, Louis
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Female Actor, Comedy Series
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Ensemble, Comedy

30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
Nurse Jackie
The Office

Ensemble, Drama
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Homeland
Mad Men

Life Achievement Award
Dick Van Dyke

2013 Crtitcs' Choice Awards Nominees

Of the top awards of the season -- and considered to be a good indicator to the Oscars -- the Critics' Choice Awards announced their nominations today, and will reveal the winners in their ceremony on Jan. 10. 

BEST PICTURE
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
The Master
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust and Bone
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin, Argo
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Matthew McConaughey, Magic Mike

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, The Master
Judi Dench, Skyfall
Ann Dowd, Compliance
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Elle Fanning, Ginger & Rosa
Kara Hayward, Moonrise Kingdom
Tom Holland, The Impossible
Logan Lerman, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Suraj Sharma, Life of Pi
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Argo
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Lincoln
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Affleck, Argo
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Tom Hooper, Les Misérables
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
John Gatins, Flight
Rian Johnson, Looper
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom
Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Chris Terrio, Argo
David Magee, Life of Pi
Tony Kushner, Lincoln
Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Les Misérables, Danny Cohen
Life of Pi, Claudio Miranda
Lincoln, Janusz Kaminski
The Master, Mihai Malaimare Jr.
Skyfall, Roger Deakins

BEST ART DIRECTION
Anna Karenina
The Hobbit
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln

BEST EDITING
Argo
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Zero Dark Thirty

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Anna Karenina
Cloud Atlas
The Hobbit
Les Misérables
Lincoln

BEST MAKEUP
Cloud Atlas
The Hobbit
Les Misérables
Lincoln

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Avengers
Cloud Atlas
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit
Life of Pi

BEST ANIMATED FEATUREBrave
Frankenweenie
Madagascar 3
ParaNorman
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

BEST ACTION MOVIE
The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
Looper
Skyfall

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Christian Bale, The Dark Knight Rises
Daniel Craig, Skyfall
Robert Downey Jr., The Avengers
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Looper
Jake Gyllenhaal, End of Watch

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Emily Blunt, Looper
Gina Carano, Haywire
Judi Dench, Skyfall
Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises
Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games

BEST COMEDY
Bernie
Silver Linings Playbook
Ted
This Is 40
21 Jump Street

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jack Black, Bernie
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Paul Rudd, This Is 40
Channing Tatum, 21 Jump Street
Mark Wahlberg, Ted

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Mila Kunis, Ted
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Shirley MacLaine, Bernie
Lesliel Mann, This Is 40
Rebel Wilson, Pitch Perfect

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE
The Cabin in the Woods
LooperPrometheus

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Amour
The Intouchables
A Royal Affair
Rust and Bone

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Bully
The Central Park Five
The Imposter
The Queen of Versailles
Searching for Sugar Man
West of Memphis

BEST SONG
"For You," Keith Urban, Act of Valor
"Learn Me Right," Mumford & Sons, Brave
"Skyfall," Adele, Skyfall
"Still Alive," Paul Williams, Paul Williams Still Alive
"Suddenly," Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables

BEST SCORE
Argo, Alexandre Desplat
Life of Pi, Mychael Danna
Lincoln, John Williams
The Master, Jonny Greenwood
Moonrise Kingdom, Alexandre Desplat

Film Review -- To Catch a Thief

Another of Hitchcock's most famous thrillers stars Carey Grant and Grace Kelly. John Robie (Stewart) is a reformed jewel thief living in the French Riviera. When a series of robberies in the area are executed using his former methods, Robie must set out to catch the real thief and prove his innocence. Helping him is one of "The Cat's" possible targets, the beautiful and intriguing Frances Stevens (Kelly), a young and curious American craving an adventure. The film was surprisingly less suspenseful than I thought it was going to be. There were some very predictable parts, and at times Hitchcock's signature long takes dragged on to the point of practically boring. It is, nevertheless, decent entertainment, and even when Hitchcock isn't at his best, he is still pretty good. This film, unfortunately, wasn't terribly memorable, and didn't particularly stand out to me.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Film Review -- Vertigo

Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller stars James Stewart and Kim Novak. Scottie Ferguson (Stewart) is a retired detective in San Francisco who is called on by his old friend, Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), to investigate the strange behavior of his much-younger wife, Madeleine (Novak), whom Elster believes is being possessed by the spirit of her great-grandmother. As Scottie begins to spend time with Madeleine, he finds himself falling in love with her. Slowly, secrets begin to unravel, and the chance of finding out the truth keeps slipping away from Scottie because of his one major setback: suffering from acrophobia, or extreme fear of heights. This film is considered to be one of the best films of all time, having recently surpassed Citizen Kane to sit atop the rankings of several different lists. I, however, was somewhat disappointed and underwhelmed. The film excels at being suspenseful, due mostly in part to Hitchcock's long, tense takes. The plot is also pretty ingenious. What bothered me, though, is that there are certain details in the film that went past the point of believability, and it is, at points, quite sexist. It is overall a fine film, but by no means did I find Vertigo deserving of any best-of-all-time honor. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

2013 Spirit Awards Nominees

The prestigious Independent Spirit Awards celebrate the amazing work of independent filmmakers. Below are this year's nominees:

Best Feature
‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’
‘Bernie’
‘Keep the Lights On’
‘Moonrise Kingdom’
‘Silver Linings Playbook’

Best Director
Wes Anderson, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’
Julia Loktev, ‘The Loneliest Planet’
David O. Russell, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
Ira Sachs, ‘Keep the Lights On’
Benh Zeitlin, ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’

Best Screenplay
Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’
Zoe Kazan, ‘Ruby Sparks
Martin McDonagh, ‘Seven Psychopaths’
David O. Russell, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
Ira Sachs, ‘Keep the Lights On’

Best Female Lead
Linda Cardellini, ‘Return’
Emayatzy Corinealdi, ‘Middle of Nowhere’
Jennifer Lawrence, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
Quvenzhané Wallis, ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, ‘Smashed’

Best Male Lead
Jack Black, ‘Bernie’
Bradley Cooper, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
John Hawkes, ‘The Sessions’
Thure Lindhardt, ‘Keep the Lights On’
Matthew McConaughey, ‘Killer Joe’
Wendell Pierce, ‘Four’

Best Supporting Female
Rosemarie DeWitt, ‘Your Sister's Sister’
Ann Dowd, ‘Compliance’
Helen Hunt, ‘The Sessions’
Brit Marling, ‘Sound of My Voice’
Lorraine Toussaint, ‘Middle of Nowhere’

Best Supporting Male
Matthew McConaughey, ‘Magic Mike’
David Oyelowo, ‘Middle of Nowhere’
Michael Pena, ‘End of Watch’
Sam Rockwell, ‘Seven Psychopaths’
Bruce Willis, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’

Best First Feature
‘Fill the Void’
‘Gimme the Loot’
‘Safety Not Guaranteed’
‘Sound of My Voice’
‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’

IT'S AWARDS SEASON!!!

As the end of November rolls around, the best films of the year slowly start to trickle into the theatres, and that can only mean one thing: Awards Season has officially begun. I don't know about you, but this time of year, my family practically lives in the movie theatre (I don't know how that'll work out in Brazil, though. Here's hoping!). I'll be posting, in addition to reviews, the nominees and winners of the major awards. The Holidays are the best time to be a film fan, so hopefully you all enjoy another end-of-the-year of fantastic films!

Film Review -- Trouble with the Curve

This 2012 dramedy stars Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, and John Goodman. Gus Lobel (Eastwood) is one of the most lauded baseball scouts of his time, but old age begins to affect his competence. With the imminent possibility of retirement looming, he sets out on one more desperate road trip to North Carolina to observe possible Draft pick Bo Gentry (Joe Massingill) -- along with his daugter, Mickey (Adams), who's sent by Pete (Goodman), Gus's longtime friend and boss, to keep an eye on Gus's health. While there, they run into Johnny Flanagan (Timberlake), a scout for the Red Sox who was once drafted by Gus. Over the course of the week, the strained father-and-daughter relationship is tested even further, as a big promotion starts slipping away from Mickey, and even with deteriorating health, Gus refuses to confront their tumultuous past. The film is unbelievably predictable; every possible cliché you could think of is in it. However, fans will very much enjoy watching a story, if nothing else, about the beautiful game of baseball, and that's what saved the film for me in the end. Amy Adams is also charming as usual. So, my advice regarding this film would be: don't bother to see it in theaters, but go ahead and rent it, as long as you're a baseball fan.

Should you see it: It Depends
Grade: C+

Film Review -- Skyfall

The latest 007 installment is directed by Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and Javier Bardem. James Bond's (Craig) latest challenge is more personal than usual. When MI6 comes under attack, Bond discovers that the mastermind is a figure from M's (Dench) past. As he sets out to find the terrorist, his loyalty to M is tested, and his future in the British Secret Service remains in serious question. I will admit that I have only seen the Craig Bond films, but this one is the one I enjoyed the most out of the three. It is by no means a cinematic masterpiece, but in terms of an action blockbuster, it is sufficiently clever and well-crafted. It is perhaps a tad too long; while the film has some pretty intense action sequences (especially the final one), it can drag on at times. It might also occasionally stretch believability, but that is to be expected from a film like this. However, these little discrepancies can be forgiven from a film that has a lot to live up to delivers great entertainment. In all, Skyfall is a solid, smart adventure.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Argo

This Ben Affleck-directed thriller, based on a true story, stars Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, and Victor Garber. In Iran on November 4, 1979, a group of revolutionaries invades the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in protest of the U.S. providing exile to the dying, recently deposed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whom the revolutionaries wanted back in Iran to be tried and executed. They successfully take hostage fifty-two Americans, but six employees working at the adjacent consulate -- Robert Anders (Tate Donovan), Mark Lijek (Christopher Denham), Cora Lijek (Clea DuVall), Henry L. Schatz (Rory Cochrane), Joe Stafford (Scoot McNairy), and Kathy Stafford (Kerry Bishé) -- escape before the takeover and are taken in by the Canadian Ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor (Garber). Sixty-nine days pass, and exfiltration expert Tony Mendez (Affleck) is contacted by his supervisor in the CIA, Jack O'Donnell (Cranston) about smuggling the escapees out of Iran before the revolutionaries discover that six people are missing from the embassy. Calling it the "best bad idea" that they come up with, Mendez and O'Donnell decide to have the six pose as a film crew for the fictional sci-fi film Argo, looking at filming locations in Iran and getting them out with fake Canadian passports. They contact Oscar-winning makeup artist John Chambers (Goodman), and mega-producer Lester Siegel (Arkin) to take part in the charade so that the cover-up seems legitimate. They agree, and soon the four are racing against the clock to save six lives during one of the U.S.'s worst diplomatic crises. What struck me the most about the film is that it is an entirely true story, yet it seems so unbelievable that something like this could happen, and not that long ago. I also commend Affleck and screenwriter Chris Terrio for taking a story where the outcome is widely known, or easy to find out, and still manage to make an extremely tense film; I was practically shaking in my seat. The acting is superb, and the pacing is great; there are even some humorous moments to break the tension. It is rated R for language only, and I appreciated the film's minimal violence and graphic images, for it kept the focus solely on the mission, and the psychological state of the characters. Argo is easily the best film of 2012 so far, and it will be a tall task for any film to surpass it. The Best Picture Oscar is Argo's to lose. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A

Film Review -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This teen drama stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Written and directed by the author of the cult-classic novel of the same name, Stephen Chbosky, Perks tells the story of Charlie (Lerman), a sweet but introverted high school freshman who had a tumultuous childhood. Almost accidentally, he makes friends with outcast seniors and step-siblings Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller).  The film then takes the audience through the significant events of the school year, sporadically narrated by Charlie when writing letters to an imaginary "friend." We see hook-ups, break-ups, friendships forming and dissolving and forming again, family strength being tested, and many other significant moments that help shape Charlie and take him from boyhood to adulthood. Even so, certain incidents from his past inhibit him from fully developing and expressing his emotions, particularly as he falls in love with Sam. The film is sad but poignant, and although about a boy's very specific situation, there is something in there for everyone to relate to. The three leads are wonderful, with an equally terrific supporting cast that includes Paul Rudd, Nina Dobrev, and Mae Whitman. In a year (a few years, really), that has seen way too many vampires and werewolves, Perks is an incredibly refreshing and touching teen film that moviegoers of all ages can enjoy.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Looper

This sci-fi thriller is directed by Rian Johnson and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt. Set in the not-too-distant and not-too-different (apart from time travel, of course) future of 2044, Looper tells the complicated story of Joe (Gordon-Levitt), an assassin called a "Looper" who kills mob targets sent from thirty years into the future, the mob's goal being to dispose of their vicitms rather cleanly and with no bearing to their future world. A vital part of a Looper's job is to "close his loop," or killing the older version of yourself when the mob wants to retire you. However, Old Joe (Willis) has a different plan, so when he is sent back so Young Joe can kill him, he knocks Young Joe unconscious and escapes. Because the only rule that Loopers must follow is "don't ever let your target escape," Young Joe recognizes the immense consequences of his failure, and sets off on a wild goose chase to find his older self and kill him before the mafia finds his present self. Without spoiling the film for those who haven't seen it yet, Old Joe's mission involves the Rainmaker, a mysterious dictator from the future who directly impacts Old Joe's life. During his quest to find Old Joe, Young Joe seeks refuge on a Kansas farm owned by Sara (Emily Blunt), a single mother with an exceedingly intelligent young son. As with almost any time-travel film, the plot is incredibly mind-bending, and it doesn't all make sense after one sitting. Be prepared to wait for it to come out on DVD so you can attempt to comprehend some of the points you missed the first time around. But fear not, because Looper is decidedly less confusing that Gordon-Levitt's other sci-fi mind-bender, Inception. That being said, there is a lot to appreciate in this film, as long as you are able to overlook the plot points that escape even the director's logic (which you most probably will). And why will you? Because the film is superbly paced -- it grabs onto your attention from the first minute and doesn't let go of it until the end credits start rolling. It's also decently intelligent, a rarity in the post-summer/pre-Oscar box-office, and also an incredible feat for a film about a subject as complicated as time-travel. Look also for the underlying (or are they?) themes of nature vs. nurture and the importance of parenting. Looper is superb and very satisfying entertainment, and well worth the money to be seen in theatres. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- The Intouchables

This French comedy stars François Cluzet and Omar Sy. When wealthy Frenchman Philippe (Cluzet) becomes a quadriplegic following a paragliding accident, he hires an ex-con from the Paris projects, Driss, (Sy) to be his caretaker. Despite objections from Philippe's other employees, he and Driss forge an unlikely friendship. The film, based on a true story, was very uplifting, to my surprise. I expected the story to be sadder than it was, on account of the protagonist's condition. However, the film is laced with comedy throughout, and Philippe's unwavering optimistic attitude leaves little room for tear-jerking. The chemistry between the actors is fantastic, with most of the laughs coming from Driss's adjustment to the world of French aristocracy. Hopefully this mighty little film makes runs for Best Foreign Language Film at this season's top awards show (should it be eligible), for it is a beautiful, inspiring, superbly-told story.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- Hope Springs

This romantic dramedy stars Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carrell. Kay (Streep) has been married to Arnold (Jones) for thirty-one years, and the suburban couple lives a simple, ordinary life. However, Kay is growing increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of passion in her marriage, and, defying her usually passive demeanor, decides to do something about it. She signs a reluctant Arnold and herself up for a week of intense marriage counseling from renowned therapist Dr. Feld, in the idyllic town of Great Hope Springs. What ensues is a week of awkward conversations, flaring tempers, and much soul-searching. Although the film features a very appealing cast, the script is not deserving of any of them. Streep, one of the best actresses in the history of film, plays a very uninteresting character who, even though takes a brave initiative to try to salvage the marriage, comes off as feeble, weak, and uninteresting. Jones' character is, for the lack of a better word, a jerk. His permanent frown and constant insults hurled at Kay made me wonder what it was that she ever saw in him. Steve Carrell, a brilliant comedian, plays an unfunny role, thus diminishing greatly almost all of his appeal. The characters were very artificial, and some of the situations they were put in seemed implausible. In the end, I left the theatre shaking my head, knowing that the calculated plot surely would never play out in "real life." This was a rare miss for three truly talented actors who deserve way better than these roles.

Should you see it: No
Grade: C

Film Review -- Rock of Ages

This movie musical is directed by Hairspray's Adam Shankman and its all-star cast includes Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Cranston, Malin Akerman, and Tom Cruise. Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Sherrie (Hough) moves to the City of Dreams to pursue her passion of singing. There, she meets aspiring rocker Drew (Boneta) and he gets her a waitressing job at the famed Bourbon Room on the Sunset Strip. Its love at first sight, but their relationship is tested by the prospect of fame and fortune. Other story lines, involving all others mention above, also occur, but they're not worth describing. I was expecting this film to be a satire, as I could not imagine anyone, not even the actors and director, taking this seriously. However, the film was so un-funny that I began worrying that they were being serious. It turns out that it was a satire, because it was so painfully bad that it had to be. I don't know what possessed all of these talented people to sign onto a project so ridiculous as this one. All of the musical numbers felt out of place, the lip-synching and auto-tuning were god-awful, the acting was mercifully bad, and the characters were just laughable. Tom Cruise, almost fifty and well under six feet tall, makes a fool of himself playing a rock star/sex god. I laughed guiltlessly every time he appeared on screen. Zeta-Jones and Akerman were also some of the worst offenders. Their characters were so incredibly ridiculous that I almost couldn't bear to watch. Shankman, with Hairspray, was able to craft a funny, poignant, and relevant musical, which I really enjoyed, but this one was a huge miss. I left the theatre angry that the film wasted two-and-a-half hours of my life.

Should you see it: No
Grade: F

Rock of Ages gets the distinction of being the first film on my blog to receive an F.

Film Review -- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Written by Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar-winner who penned Slumdog Millionaire, this indie stars Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas. Dr. Alfred Jones (McGregor) is one of Great Britain's leading fisheries expert, and he is approached by a consultant (Blunt) to a Middle-Eastern sheik (Amr Waked) about bringing the sport of fly fishing to the deserts of Yemen. He at first finds the idea appalling, unrealistic, and ridiculous, but an indirect threat on his job by the Prime Minister's spunky press secretary (Scott Thomas) forces him to take on the project. At first, his reluctance causes stiffness in his working relationship with Blunt's Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, but soon both of them come to wholeheartedly believe in the project, as well as develop a liking for each other. The film is very offbeat and quirky; the plot is definitely unlike any other I'm aware of. I did find the concept a little ludicrous, but I figured that if Dr. Jones believed the project to be rubbish throughout the film, it would turn out to be a very clever piece of satire. I assumed that, with such a ludicrous concept, the film would  never take it seriously; however, when Dr. Jones becomes an avid supporter of the project, the film's believability factor went way down. Nevertheless, it is a very mild and pleasing film.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Film Review -- The Amazing Spider-Man

Directed by indie darling Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield. Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans, this reboot of the relatively recent superhero franchise tells the story of Peter Parker, a shy and awkward high school student whose parents vanished mysteriously when he was just a young boy. Raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field), the teen one day discovers a briefcase that belonged to his father and that may hold a very important clue to the truth about his parents. The holdings in the briefcase lead Peter to Dr. Curt Conners, his father's old research partner. Unknowingly, Peter gives Dr. Conners a vital piece of information that will threaten all of mankind, and it is up to the unlikely hero to go undercover and save the day. I was skeptical since the announcement of this film, because the first Spider-Man film only came out ten years ago, and it seemed way too soon to be rebooting it already. However, I enjoyed it more than the original -- Garfield and Stone make a more attractive and believable pair. I did, however, gripe with one major plot hole (which I won't reveal directly, but it involves Peter's camera) that completely ruined the film for me; I just could not forgive it, and could not believe a smart guy like Peter could've made such a stupid mistake. After that, my enjoyment level suffered quite a bit, but I was still very much entertained overall by the film's tense pacing.

Should you see it: Sure
Grade: B-

Film Review -- Ice Age: Continental Drift

The fourth installment of the franchise features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Wanda Sykes, Peter Dinklage, Queen Latifah, and Jennifer Lopez. Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth, and Diego the sabre-toothed tiger, along with Sid's pesky granny, embark upon another adventure when their continent breaks apart and they are separated from the rest of their herd, which includes Manny's wife Ellie and daughter Peaches. When their iceberg float is "captured" by Captain Gut and his odd crew, the gang must outsmart the pirates and find their way home before its too late. As always, the highlight of this film is the hilarious Sid, with the welcome addition of his granny. Sid remains one of my favorite animated characters, so my level of tolerance for some of the absurdities in the story is quite high, simply because I'm too busy laughing at Sid to mind. This film, however, was definitely an improvement over the forgettable second and third films, though the first remains unmatched. Still, it is an entertaining and silly but enjoyable family film.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Brave

This year's PIXAR entry tells the story of Scottish princess Merida (voice of Kelly MacDonald) and her quest to save her family from a beastly curse. Fiercely independent, athletic, and outdoorsy, Merida defies the traditional duties required from a princess, much to the dismay of her mother, Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). After a quarrel between mother and daughter over Merida's (lack of) intent to marry, the younger flees the castle and ends up at the door of a witch "woodcarver" deep in the woods. Looking for a spell to alter her destiny, Merida receives a spell from the witch (voice of Julie Walters) that will "change her mother." Instead of merely changing Elinor's mind about her daughter marrying, the spell physically changes Elinor into a bear, an animal with dangerous ties to the family. Merida only has two sunsets to change her mother back into a human and take control of her destiny. The first positive quality of this film is that it's the first PIXAR film to feature a heroine -- one who can challenge anyone -- boys included -- in the smarts and wit departments. The film is also very different from its predecessors, set in the past and featuring lots of "green" scenery and thick Scottish accents. I loved the central plot of the film, due to the message of the importance of family that it transmits. Though predictable, as are most fairy-tale like stories, I was still genuinely touched by the film. Perhaps it isn't the best PIXAR film, but it is one of the most innovative.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- To Rome With Love

The 2012 Woody Allen film stars, among others, Allen, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Roberto Benigni, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig, and Jesse Eisenberg. Set in the Eternal City, it tells the intertwining stories of different couples who live in, love, and are affected by the city. Although the critics aren't being terribly kind to it, the film is definitely one of the funnier Allen films I've seen. There are many genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Although there are plenty of characters and story lines, they all feel fresh and are all very entertaining. Though last year's Midnight in Paris was more rich in history and culture, there is still plenty to like in this year's charmer. Allen's writing is as on point as ever here. 


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

YMS -- You've Got Mail & Julie and Julia

In memory of Nora Ephron -- who died Tuesday of leukemia at 71 -- this YMS (You Must See) is for two of her films (coincidentally, my first YMS was for an Ephron film as well, Sleepless in Seattle, one of her most famous films). 
The first is You've Got Mail (1998), the second Meg Ryan -- Tom Hanks pairing. It tells the tale of a small bookstore owner, Kathleen Kelly (Ryan), who unkowingly falls in love with her bookstore chain-owning competitor, Joe Fox (Hanks) over the Internet. It is one of the better "chick flicks" I've seen, carried by its charm and the charisma of the actors. 
The second Ephron film featured in this YMS is Julie and Julia (2009), starrin Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Streep plays world-famous cook Julia Child, and Adams plays aspiring cook Julie Powell. The account of Child's rise to fame is intertwined with the account of Powell's modern-day undertaking of cooking all of Child's recipes from the latter's famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The film is carried by Streep's (routinely) exceptional performance, and by enough food to make your mouth water. 
Ephron's contributions to the industry are unparalleled, paving the way for more women writers-directors and making many films with strong female protagonists. She redefined the term "chick flick," and such films of hers will continue to impress and delight men and women alike. 

Film Review -- Frost/Nixon

This 2008 Ron Howard picture stars Frank Langella and Michael Sheen. It is 1977, and disgraced former POTUS Richard Nixon (Langella) agrees to sit down for one tell-all interview with British reporter and talk show host David Frost (Sheen). The film chronicles the events that lead up to the interview, the four-day interview, and its reception. The script by Peter Morgan (who also wrote the play on which it is based) is outstanding; the film is perfectly paced. The performances are excellent as well. Langella so effectively conveys Nixon's emotions through his bellowing voice and expressive face. My only gripe would be that he doesn't look a thing like Nixon, but details like that can be overlooked when the actor gives such a fine performance. Sheen also holds his own as interviewer Frost -- he made me just as nervous and anxious to hear Nixon's responses to the questions as his character was. For an outstanding political-historical film that carefully examines a brief but momentous event and the people involved in it, Frost/Nixon is the film to see.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A

Film Review -- Madagascar 3 -- Europe's Most Wanted

The third installment of the highly-successful franchise stars the recurring voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, and the new voices of Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, and Frances McDormand. Stuck in Africa, Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman want to return to the Central Park Zoo, but the penguins have taken the only way to get back home -- the plane -- to Monte Carlo. Along with lemurs Julien, Maurice, and Mort, the animals make their way to Europe, but when there, they run into unexpected trouble. Soon they find themselves the most wanted animals in the continent, and find refuge in the unlikeliest of places -- a faltering animal circus, where they learn the true meaning of "home." I'm a big sucker for these films; I've had a soft spot for these animals, especially Julien, for years. But as it happens with most series, the films get gradually worse. This one is still very funny and enjoyable, though; it just doesn't compare to the outstanding original. But it does deliver plenty of laughs.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Film Review -- Moonrise Kingdom

The new Wes Anderson film stars Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Tilda Swinton. When tween pen pals Suzy (Kara Hayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman) decide to run away, chaos ensues in their tiny New England town. Among those leading the search party are Suzy's out-of-synch parents (Murray and McDormand), the clueless police chief (Willis) and Sam's boy scout troupe leader (Norton). I walked into the theatre knowing exactly what to expect from an Anderson picture -- a whole lot of quirkiness -- and he delivered. The setting is beautiful, with the picturesque beaches and colorful houses of the charming town, and the performances also stand out. Though newcomers Hayward and Gilman are great in their roles, it is the supporting performances from the veterans that really shine. Its a very offbeat, interesting film -- too much for my taste, really, but I can appreciate it as well. 

Should you see it: Sure, why not?
Grade: C

Film Review -- Bernie

This dark indie comedy stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey. Black stars as Bernie Tiede, a mortician that becomes a wildly popular resident of tiny Carthage, Texas. When he conducts the funeral of wealthy Mr. Nugent, he befriends his widow, Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine). Through the years, they become very close, often taking trips together around the world. However, Nugent becomes increasingly paranoid and possessive of Bernie, and one day he shoots her four times in the back with her shotgun. Because Bernie feels like the shooting was an out-of-body action, he goes to great lengths to hide her death, pretending for nine months that Nugent is alive, but sick and in hiding. I will not reveal the resolution, but what is extremely fascinating about the film is that it is based on a true story. Even more incredible is how writer-director Richard Linklater was able to make an effective comedy of such subject matter, although the situation was bizarre and humorous in a twisted way. Black delivers a fabulous performance, as always, making you laugh simply through one of his facial expressions. MacLaine and McConaughey also impress. 


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Men in Black III

The third installment in the franchise stars Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Emma Thompson. In this new adventure, Agent J (Smith) must travel back to 1969 to stop alien serial killer Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) from murdering his partner, Agent K (Jones; young K is played by Brolin). While in the past, J discovers the secrets behind K's stoicism, uncovers K's relationship with Agent O (Thompson; young O is played by Alice Eve), and learns the truth about his own father. This was my favorite of the MIB films, and the most memorable (I don't even remember the first, and the second I slept through). However, it is incredibly shallow, with the few good jokes overwhelmed by the many lame ones. Also, I've always found the MIB films to be overly gross for my taste; the alien creatures popping out of weird and disgusting places is a bit much for me. Even though it is unarguably the best of the three, I was underwhelmed. Watch out for Bill Hader, though -- his short cameo as Andy Warhol is the highlight of the film.


Should you see it: At your own risk.
Grade: C+

Film Review -- Battleship

This new big-budgeted sci-fi film stars Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, and Brooklyn Decker. In 2005, NASA discovers a distant planet that possesses similar living conditions as Earth. Aware of the possibility of life on the planet, it sends a signal via satellite to the planet, from a communications array in Oahu. Meanwhile, Commander Stone Hopper (Skarsgard) forces his under-achieving brother, Alex (Kitsch) to join him in the Navy, where the latter becomes a lieutenant and falls in love with Samantha Shane (Decker) -- who happens to be the daughter of the Pacific Fleet's commander, Admiral Shane (Neeson). When the most powerful world navies come together for the annual RIMPAC naval exercises, five objects from outer space crash in the Pacific Ocean. NASA soon finds out that their communication efforts with the planet succeeded, but these alien ships aren't as friendly as the humans hoped they'd be. The aliens subsequently trap five American and Japanese vessels in a seemingly impervious force field, including the USS John Paul Jones (where Alex is a lieutenant) and the USS Samson (where Stone is commander). The invaders blow up the Samson, killing everyone on board, including Stone, a Japanese vessel whose commander Captain Nagata (Tadanobu Asano), Alex's rival, is rescued by the JPJ, and eventually only the JPJ remains to battle the aliens and save the earth. Alex Hopper must discover the strength and courage he didn't know he had, as well as cooperate with Captain Nagata, to prevent the human race's extinction at the hands of the invaders. Costars include Rihanna as a weapons specialist on the JPJ, Hamish Linklater as one of the mastermind scientists behind the communications experiment, and Gregory D. Gadson as a bitter veteran and amputee (Gadson is a veteran and amputee in real life). I expected very little of the film going in, knowing that an adaptation having little to do with the classic board game from which it was based was probably going to receive mostly negative reviews. However, I must admit that I was mildly entertained. Sure, the dialogue is choppy and wooden at times, but the special effects are incredible, and the story itself is fascinating. The idea that intelligent life exists somewhere in the universe, the possibility of communicating with it, and the consequences, good or bad, of such communication aren't done justice in this loud and shallow action film. Though definitely not a great film by any means, it is a solid summer blockbuster, much better than any Transformers film I've seen. 


Should you see it: Sure -- just don't set your expectations too high.
Grade: C+

Film Review -- Once

This 2007 indie stars Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. A man (Hansard), who is never named, is a struggling street musician in Dublin with dreams of making it big. One night, he meets a young immigrant woman (Irglova), also unnamed, from the Czech Republic. They grow closer over their mutual love of music, as she is a pianist. The man and woman discover that they have chemistry, so he invites her to play with him when he records a few of his songs in a studio. They also become good friends, as they help each other reunite with lost loves. A modern musical, all of the amazing songs played in the film were written by Hansard and Irglova, including the Oscar-winning "Falling Slowly." I was a fan of the song, one of the most beautiful I've ever heard, for years, and finally got around to watching the film. It is a very charming, unconventional "love story." But its also about following your dreams, which eventually happened to the artists in real life when they won their Oscars. Other standout songs are "If You Want Me" and "When Your Mind's Made Up." Once is an underrated gem.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- Dark Shadows

The new Tim Burton film stars Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Eva Green. Barnabas Collins (Depp) was the son of the wealthy owner of a fishing business, who came as a young boy to America in the 18th century when his dad decided to expand his empire to the New World. He and servant Angelique (Green) have a love affair, but her love for him is not reciprocated. Angelique, secretly a witch, curses Barnabas to become a vampire, and kills his new girlfriend, Josette. Anguished because of his new appearance, the treatment he has gotten because of it, and a broken heart, Barnabas is tricked by Angelique into a coffin, and she buries him six feet under, where he remains for nearly two centuries. When he is finally liberated, it is 1972, and what is left of the once illustrious Collins family are four dysfunctional members: Elizabeth (Pfeiffer), her daughter Carolyn (Chloe Grace Moretz), Elizabeth's brother Roger (Jonny Lee Miller) and his son David (Gulliver McGrath), who is considered of unsound mind because he sees his mother's ghost. Rounding up the inhabitants of the household are the wild live-in doctor, Julia (Bonham Carter), servant Willie (Jackie Earle Haley), and governess Victoria (Bella Heathcote, a Tim Burton doll incarnate), who shares David's gift of seeing ghosts and becomes Barnabas's object of affection. When his ancestors secretly take him in, Barnabas must adapt to everything new from the unfamiliar age, as well as seek revenge against Angelique, who still lives and is destroying what is left of the Collins business with her growing fishing empire. The film definitely has high points and low points -- wildly funny at times, incredibly boring at times. There is a lot of talent in the cast, including a cameo by Christopher Lee, and Johnny Depp is his quirky, awesome self as always, and Eva Green is especially outstanding. However, the story never reaches its true comedic potential. What could have easily been one of Burton's best films falls short. 


Should you see this film: Yes
Grade: B