Pitch Perfect - Movie Review

Pitch Perfect is a movie that explores the world of collegiate a cappella singing competitions (yeah, seriously) in a fun and stylish way and provides rising star Anna Kendrick with a role that just might be the big break we've all been expecting from her.

The Impossible - Movie Review

Based on an incredible true story of survival, The Impossible shows how a devastating natural disaster can test the will of a family on the most basic level of survival. Director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage) does his best to recreate the devastation of the 2004 Thailand tsunami while Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor turn in powerful performances as vacationing couple Maria and Henry.

The Chef aka Comme un Chef (SIFF 2012) - Movie Review

Daniel Cohen's The Chef is a lighthearted romp through the world of French cuisine and stars Michaël Youn alongside the one and only Jean Reno. The accomplished director has cooked up a dish of a movie that has had audiences asking for seconds by serving them equally healthy portions of belly laugh inducing comedy and heart warming drama.

Jack Reacher - Movie Review

Jack Reacher is a movie directed by Christopher McQuarrie and is based on a novel by author Lee Child's. The title character has been the star of a series of popular books written by Childs and now Tom Cruise takes on the challenge of turning the former military police officer turned vigilante in to his next iconic movie role.

Zero Dark Thirty - Movie Review

After achieving critical success with The Hurt Locker, it would seem that Kathryn Bigelow would be an ideal candidate to direct the story of how C.I.A. operatives and a Navy SEAL team took down Osama Bin Laden. Throw in a powerhouse cast headlined by Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong, and Joel Edgerton and you have a movie that is sure to head down that same successful path.

Les Misérables - Movie Review

Les Misérables, adapted from one of the most popular musicals ever created, is a movie that fans will adore as all of the appropriate notes are hit (pun intended) by Oscar winning director Tom Hooper and a cast filled with superstar talent. The original story comes from the Victor Hugo novel of the same name which was written in 1862 and is widely considered one of the greatest novels of its time.

Django Unchained - Movie Review

Following the outrageous success of his revenge fantasy, Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino now gives us another tale of redemption starring Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio in Django Unchained. I will admit, I was a late comer to the Tarantino bandwagon compared to most other people that follow his work. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed Pulp Fiction the first time I saw it, but it wasn't until Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 that I really became a fan of his unique way of creating movies that simultaneously honor cinema's rich history while pushing the boundaries of what is creatively possible.

This is 40 - Movie Review

This is 40 is known as "The Sort-of Sequel to Knocked Up" but turns out to be only sort of what writer/director Judd Apatow set out to create. Taking two of the characters from his previous hit film and giving them their own movie may have seemed like a good idea, but you still have to deliver a quality story with characters you are compelled to watch. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann attempt to fill that promise by reprising their roles as married couple coming to terms with hitting the big four-zero.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Movie Review

So, there's this little movie that you may have heard of called The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. It is set to arrive in theaters with modest expectations built off of director Peter Jackson's previous works, all of which involve adaptations of some author named Tolkien. Whatever your expectations are of this movie, I would honestly encourage you to check them at the theater door and just be prepared to let Mr. Jackson and company take you along on their little adventure.

Killing Them Softly - Movie Review

Killing Them Softly is a movie adapted from a novel written by George V. Higgins under the direction of Andrew Dominik. The film stars Brad Pitt as a hit man brought in to clean up a mess made by a group of guys who had no business messing with a mob controlled card game.

Playing for Keeps - Movie Review

With a resumé that includes movies like Seven Pounds and The Pursuit of Happyness, both of which featured the one and only Will Smith, Gabriele Muccino seemed like a good choice to direct a cast filled with several big name stars in screenwriter Robbie Fox's Playing for Keeps. The tag line for the film asks "What do you really want?" and my answer to that is just to see a movie that doesn't suck.

ParaNorman - Movie Review

2012 has been a very interesting year for animated features as Pixar has lost a little bit of its luster as the dominant studio and competition like Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox have risen to a much more respectable level. You can now throw Laika Entertainment in to the ring as well with a surprisingly entertaining stop motion animated effort from the people that previously brought Coraline to movie-going audiences.

Red Dawn (2012) - Movie Review

Yes, this is a remake of the 1984 movie of the same name which starred the likes of Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, and Lea Thompson. The original took advantage of lingering fears over the Cold War and how American citizens might react to a Soviet invasion. This time around, the story is reshaped to fit more modern times using North Korea as the villainous invaders and a new crop of young talent including Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, and Adrianne Palicki.

Life of Pi - Movie Review

If you have read the book this movie is based on, you are well aware of just how good a theatrical version can be and I'm sure you are desperately hoping they don't mess it up. If you have not read the book, then you are like me and have no idea what this story is about. Everyone knows how good of a director Ang Lee is based on a diverse resume that includes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain, and Sense and Sensibility (We're all trying to forget his Hulk movie, right?) so Life of Pi should be in more than capable hands.

Paranormal Activity 4 - Movie Review

You most likely fall into one of two camps when it comes to the Paranormal Activity series. You either can't stand them and wonder why they exist, or you just can't get enough of the franchise that currently reigns as king of the found footage sub-genre of horror films. As for me, I enjoy the series and have been looking forward to what directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman have in store for us now.

The Man with the Iron Fists - Movie Review

The Man with the Iron Fists is the debut directorial effort of The Rza who is also a founding member and producer of iconic hip hop group The Wu Tang Clan. The group's musical style has always been heavily influenced by old school kung fu flicks and their eclectic soundtracks so this seems like a natural transition for the man who also composed the musical score for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill movies.

Skyfall - Movie Review

After too long of a wait (MGM bankruptcy issues), Bond is back and quite possibly better than ever! With Skyfall, Daniel Craig continues his successful run as 007 along with Judy Dench as MI6 leader "M" in a movie that turns the spy game inside out. Lots of new characters are introduced, both good and bad, and Sam Mendes has now taken over the directing duties for the longest running franchise in movie history.

Wreck-It Ralph - Movie Review

Disney's animation department has seen its share of ups and downs over the years with Pixar taking the spotlight away from what was once considered the gold standard and basically the only game in town. Now you also have Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox raising the level of competition to even greater heights to the point where Walt Disney Animation Studios has lost some of its former luster, but hopes to regain that former glory with an all new hero in Wreck-It Ralph.

Lincoln - Movie Review

In the hands of a director as highly regarded as Steven Spielberg, you know that a movie about the 16th President of the United States of America would be in more than capable hands. When you add the always amazing Daniel Day Lewis in the role of Mr. Lincoln to the equation, then you are bound to get something truly special.

The Sessions - Movie Review

As the poster above advertises, The Sessions has been a big hit at film festivals around the world. Writer and director Ben Lewin has adapted an amazing true story for the big screen and filled it with actors that can deliver performances that fit the material perfectly. If that's not enough then you should also know that Helen Hunt gets all kinds of naked!!