The Cove (2009)

A well made documentary that answered the fundamental question: Why cows, chickens, and pigs, but not dolphins? You'll have to see the film to get the answer for yourself. Beyond that, it was informative, un-preachy, entertaining, and important. All the things a documentary should be.

Rating: B

Secondhand Lions (2003)

Overly cartoony and sappy for my taste, but not a terrible film overall. Caine & Duvall are fine actors. I haven’t liked Osment in anything since Sixth Sense. Hopefully he stops looking like a man-child at some point.

Rating: D+

The Hurt Locker (2008)

Fast paced and well made, but I would have liked more of a story arc. The movie is a string of events that take place in the lives of a bomb engineering crew. Movies like this are more suspenseful when you identify with the characters. It took most of the film before I had a reasonable idea who anybody was. It didn't help that I expected much more from a Best Picture nominee. But then again, The Blindside and Avatar were nominated, so there you go.

Rating: C+

Invictus (2009)

A historically interesting and inspiring movie with heart, but far from perfect. The audience would have greatly benefited from a more thorough, yet simple explanation of the rules of rugby. Hard to follow and stay interested in the action on the field when you have no idea what’s going on. Mandela’s eye makeup was way overdone to the point it was distracting from Freeman’s performance.

The movie soundtrack was terrible, with one warbled “inspirational” song after another. I noticed someone in Eastwood’s family was in charge of the music during the credits. Clint is tone deaf, so it’s no surprise it runs in the family. The narrative felt mish mashed, trying to tell multiple stories at once, while giving attention to miniscule subplots that should have been edited out. And finally, the ending was a bit heavy handed. It felt like tears were going to be squeezed from my eyes whether I liked it or not. Too many tear inducing gimmicks.

Rating: C

Disturbia (2007)

A little bit The Girl Next Door, a little bit What Lies Beneath. Oh yeah, and that Hitchcock movie it was based on, but more The Girl Next Door. Still, the writing wasn't bad and there was some decent jump scenes that will make you spew your drink if you sip at the wrong time. You could do worse.

Rating: C

Largo Winch II: The Burma Conspiracy (2011)

A similar formula to the first, but at least this time we knew who the main characters were. Some terrific action and fighting sequences. It’s fun to see studios outside Hollywood do their version of a summer popcorn movie. Sharon Stone’s appearance doesn’t do the sequel any favors, unless you enjoy overacting coming from a 24 year old face imposed on a sixty year old body. Ok, her body is smoking too, but she’s still old. Perhaps they needed an American actress with some name recognition, but at a cut-rate price? Still, I’d watch a third one if they made it.

Rating: C+

Couples Retreat (2009)

Pair Jason Bateman and Kristin Bell together as a married couple and I'm there. Seriously, this film is worth renting on cast alone. Sure, it's not in the running for comedy of the year, but there are plenty of belly laughs to make up for the ones that fall flat. Filming in Bora Bora doesn't hurt either. The sets are pure eye candy. I enjoyed most of the Blu-Ray extras too.

Rating: C

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Another action packed sequel with impossible stunts, kickass spy gear, and a convoluted plot that threatens world peace.

Rating: C

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (2009)

I'm not usually a fan of plotless films, but this one was intriguing. It's the smart dialogue that pulls you in, plus some surprisingly well acted scenes that don't exactly jive with the rest of the movie, but are good nonetheless. (The bathroom attendant scene, for example) Reminds me a little of Neil LaBute's early work.

Rating: C+

Largo Winch (2008)

A very French action movie based on a Belgian comic book. American audiences will be slightly confused and a little annoyed for the first half of the film. Plot points and story arcs aren’t being shoved down the viewer’s collective throats. Knowing it was based upon a comic book, I actually expected something a little more superhero-like. In reality, it's more of a white collar thriller.

I discovered today that there is a sequel. Now that all the characters have been set up and the back-story told, I’m hoping for something more straightforward in the next go-around.

Rating: C+

Breach (2007)

This was one of those real life spy stories that Hollywood has to jazz up for it to be even a little exciting. When they write-in a shooting range scene just to get in some gun play, you know the actual story was mainly by the books, literally. Journal entries, emails, memos, text messages, and documents. Not the stuff action movies are made of.

With that said, it's still an interesting film based on true events with solid performances all around.

Rating: C

Colombiana (2011)

What I expected. An ok action/revenge flick with sequences that could only be made possible on screen. Reminded me of an episode of Nikita.

Rating: C

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

I made a point of not seeing this film once I heard it was produced by Happy Madison. They crank out movies dumb enough that you'll literally lose IQ points by seeing them. I still haven't recovered from the god-awful "Don't Mess With The Zohan". But, the fates aligned to have Paul Blart be the star of a Movie Night, so I gave it a viewing.

Pretty bad, but not grotesque. Acting was terrible across the board. Plot was cliché, filled with holes, and cheap. Jokes and gags were sub par, especially having seen them in the previews like 20 times.  Hmmm… maybe it was grotesque.

Rating: D-

Warrior (2011)

Having MMA showcased in a major motion picture shows how far the sport has come. The plot isn’t anything special. This territory has been covered in countless boxing movies. It’s the acting that helps Warrior rise above average status. A lot of heavy themes are covered. The cage fighting itself would have been better suited in an R rated film. My mom wouldn’t agree, but I felt it was a little watered down.

Rating: C+

Seven Up! (1964)

The first in a series of documentaries that follow the lives of a cross-section of children as they mature into adults. It's a fascinating concept that borders on reality television, if you had 49 years to invest in your project. The little rascals can be a bit overwhelming to keep track of, but by the end of the antiquated opener, you'll be anxiously anticipating what comes next.

Rating: C+

Fright Night (2011)

Some decent scares and effects. I never saw the original, but this version was an entertaining take on the vampire genre.

Rating: C

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Beautifully shot rags to riches story, told through the use of flashbacks between the past and present. There's no substitute for shooting on location with local actors and extras.

Rating: B

Unstoppable (2010)

About as exciting as a runaway train movie can be. Tony Scott is known for making hearts pound, however here it felt like he didn’t have much to work with besides a few real life events to fabricate a plot from. Character development is thin and feels forced. The actors give it everything they’ve got in what amounts to a very average action movie.

Rating: C

Battle Royal (Batoru Rowaiaru) (2000)

I could see this Japanese import being remade in the US. Not sure if that's on the horizon. Hopefully they'll polish up the script, but keep the senseless violence. The movie's premise didn't make a lot of sense. Maybe you have to be Japanese to fully appreciate it. Come to think of it, The Hunger Games has similar themes.

Rating: C

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

Two terrific performances from Keir Gilchrist and Zach G. I thought this would be a lighthearted comedy, but it’s more of a dramedy. The film is based on a book. It feels very personal. The scenes don’t feel manufactured. Zach gets to show his range as an actor—outside the zany or deadpan roles he’s normally cast.

It’s an emotional movie and I got caught up in it. I also thought the editing was unique and creative. It added a lot to the film. A near flawless effort from a movie I’d never heard of. That almost never happens.

Rating: B+