The Raven

Movie Name: The Raven

Year of Release: 2012

Director: James McTeigue

Stars: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin MacNally, Sam Hazeldine, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Pam Ferris

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

The new film from James McTeigue following "V for Vendetta" and "Ninja Assassin" tackles author Edgar Allen Poe and his involvement with ritualistic murders in Baltimore in the middle of the 19th century, right before the author's passing. The film introduces us to Allen Poe, who is financially broken, trying to re-ignite is writing career, and simultaneously marry the lovely Emily. A series of grisly murders, executed according to Poe's writings start occurring, which leads Detective Fields to seek out the author's help in finding the homicidal maniac. The case becomes increasingly dramatic when the murderer takes Emily, in an attempt to challenge Poe. It's up to the author to battle his demons and claim his future bride's life.
James McTeigue's film uses the smart screenplay from Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare, one that mixes the gruesome nature of the murders, with the literary works from Edgar Allen Poe. The film manages to create a mood of darkness and unease, and though it falls prey to some cliches (the author who's an alcoholic and who can't get past his own demons), it's an overall interesting (if slightly superficial) probing into the mind of a great author. Aside from James McTeigue's taste for the depiction of the gorier side of the murders, this is a solid and entertaining film that uses an interesting hook to tell a smartly written story. John Cusack and Brendan Gleeson are as usual, reliable in their performances, being well supported by Luke Evans and Alice Eve. A film worth watching.

The Hunger Games

Movie Name: The Hunger Games

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Gary Ross

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bentley, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland, Willow Shields, Toby Jones, Alexander Ludwig, Jack Quaid

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

Gary Ross' new film, his third feature, is an adaptation of the immensely popular book by Suzanne Collins, "The Hunger Games". The film follows the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl from a poor district, that is part of an assembly of several districts ruled by a totalitarian regime. The regime demands every year the sacrifice of a young man and young girl, for their games, where they all battle each other and only one comes out alive. Katniss is a young and resourceful young woman who allies with Peeta Mellark, the young man from her district, in order for both of them to stay alive.
Suzanne Collins' book is a bleak vision of a future, where children kill each other for the entertainment of the crowds, in a massive show that is televised for everyone to see. Gary Ross directs the film trying to walk a thin line between the gruesome killings of the young kids, while maintaining the film viewable to that same age group. The film is at points brutal, but always feels underwhelming, mostly because the director is aware that he can only depict and show so much of what effectively occurs in the games. There's strangely a lack of depth to most of the characters displayed on screen, save for Katniss Everdeen, who is portrayed with a strong emotional resolution by Jennifer Lawrence. She brings the young heroine to life, more than any of the other actors, who have little to work with. This is a film that feels contrived and ultimately not as satisfactory as it could have been.

The Cabin in the Woods

Movie Name: The Cabin in the Woods

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Drew Goddard

Stars: Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Brian White, Amy Acker, Sigourney Weaver

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

"The Cabin in the Woods" is Drew Goddard's first feature film after a career as a writer for shows such as "Lost" and "Alias", to name but a few. The film was written with Joss Whedon, responsible for writing films such as "Toy Story", "Alien Resurrection" and creator of tv shows such as "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" and "Dollhouse". "The Cabin in the Woods" follows the story of 5 college friends who go to a cabin for the weekend, to relax and enjoy the outdoors. While there, they start experiencing all sorts of horrors, which they then realize have been staged. The few surviving ones discover all sorts of horrors as they investigate what's behind everything they have experienced.
Drew Goddard's film experienced some problems coming to the screens, after the studio behind it collapsed. Luckily Lionsgate came along and has released what is an intelligent and different take on the traditional horror film and genre. The film smartly plays with cliches that have been established by other horror films (the college kids who get killed in a remote cabin), but takes it further, with a surprising twist that is both inventive and that brings humor to the whole premise. The film also benefits from a very good cast with established actors such as Richard Jenkins and in a surprising cameo Sigourney Weaver, who add further irreverence and a needed touch of irony to the whole concept. A good film worth checking out!

The Deep Blue Sea

Movie Name: The Deep Blue Sea

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Terence Davies

Stars: Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston, Simon Russell Beale, Harry Hadden-Patton, Sarah Kants, Karl Johnson, Ann Mitchell

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Acclaimed director Terence Davies returns after 12 years, when his last feature film premiered, the fantastic "The House of Mirth". "The Deep Blue Sea" is the adaptation of Terence Rattigan's play, and it follows the life of Hesther Collyer and her tribulations in the London of the 1950s. Hesther is married to an older man, a magistrate who adores her, but falls in love with a younger man, a former soldier who fought WW2. Their relationship is volatile, but Hesther is overwhelmed by the feelings she has never experienced before. Once Freddie finds work, things change for the both of them.
Terence Davies films echo a lot of his own experiences growing up in London after WW2, as can be seen in his remarkable feature "Distance Voices, Still Lives". "The Deep Blue Sea" goes back to that particular time frame, and follows the unraveling of a woman who finds love with the wrong person. Hesther who never felt so rapture in a feeling that overwhelms her, simply can't turn away from a situation that she knows is simply wrong. The film lives from the delicate balances of the three main leads, who all create fully realized characters, in particular Rachel Weisz, who with her looks, silences and gestures, creates a woman that is tender, but also strong enough to know what she wants. The cinematography and music also add a beautiful part to a film that is another strong statement to the body of work of Terence Davies.

Wrath of the Titans

Movie Name: Wrath of the Titans

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

Stars: Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Toby Kebbell, Edgar Ramirez, Bill Nighy, Danny Huston, John Bell, Lily James

Genre: Action, Adventure

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 1

Synopsis:

Director Jonathan Liebesman is back, following his mediocre film "Battle Los Angeles". "Wrath of the Titans" is a sequel to Louis Letterier's "Clash of Titans" from 2010. The film follows the story of Perseus, whose wife has passed away recently and who is raising a young son by himself. Perseus is a fisherman and the son of Zeus. Zeus appeals to his son for his help, since he fears there is a conspiracy taking place to destroy all of the Greek Gods. Perseus resists his father, but later is forced to battle in order to save him and the world from the brink of destruction.
"Wrath of the Titans" is a big special effects spectacle, that tries to be entertaining, however it's a film that ultimately falls prey of many cliches. Amongst the cliches, there is the reluctant main hero having to deal with the legacy of his father, the funny sidekick, the strong resourceful female figure. The film is terminally badly written - there isn't a cliche that this film doesn't touch, and it's painful to watch actors such as Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, having to deal with such inane dialogue. The special effects feel at certain points poorly executed - this is without a doubt a film that doesn't work in any department. For all the noise that it creates, it's certainly sad to see that it offers no substance and no entertainment. A terrible film to be avoided at all costs.

21 Jump Street

Movie Name: 21 Jump Street

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Stars: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, DeRay Davis, Ice Cube, Dax Flame, Chris Parnell, Ellie Kemper, Jake M. Johnson, Nick Offerman, Dakota Johnson, Johnny Simmons, Caroline Aaron

Genre: Comedy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4

Synopsis:

"21 Jump Street" is the first live action feature film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, both of whom previously directed the animated "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". The film is an adaptation of the TV show from the late 80s, created by Stephen J. Cannell and Patrick Hasburgh, that launched the career of Johnny Depp. The film follows the lives of Schmidt and Jenko, who were completely different in high school, and who both end up as unlikely friends in the police force. Because of their looks and young age, they both end up being part of a special program, an undercover assignment which aims at tracing crimes in high school. Schmidt and Jenko end up reliving their high school experiences, but in completely opposite shoes.
The film, which borrows heavily from the style that Judd Apatow started with "40 Year Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up",  lives from the sense of irony that the writers have placed in the action sequences and the traditional high school films that have been done by other film makers. The directors enjoy the tongue-in-cheek moments, and playing with the audience's expectations, but in the end the film has a moral ground that is exactly the same as the films that it pokes fun of (the cliches are all there). The acting of all the actors is uniformly forgettable, with Jonah Hill again playing the same type he has created for all of his previous films (with the exception of his character in Bennett Miller's "Moneyball"). A mediocre effort.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Movie Name: Jeff Who Lives at Home

Year of Release: 2011

Director: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

Stars: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer, Susan Sarandon, Rae Dawn Chong, Steve Zissis, Evan Ross, Matt Malloy, Joe Chrest

Genre: Comedy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

After expanding their visibility with the comedy "Cyrus", the Duplass brothers are back with "Jeff Who Lives at Home". The film follows the story of eternal slacker and pothead Jeff, who is 30 and lives in his mom's basement. Jeff believes that everything in life has a purpose, a meaning and that nothing occurs out of a coincidence. He sets out to finish a task assigned by his mom, and ends up connecting with his brother, going through a meltdown of his own, and with his own mother, who is trying to find meaning to her own life, now that she's getting older.
"Jeff Who Lives at Home" is a small film, filled with a glimmer of home and optimism, something that Jason Segel embodies perfectly with his eternal look of a man-child. Jeff is a young man whose life holds little meaning for himself and for his family, but who's trying to live beyond his small universe. The people in his sphere are trying to somehow bring some meaning and feeling to their lives - his brother who listens to no one, and ultimately cares about no one, and his mother, who after years of being alone, has reached a point where she simply feels trapped in her life. The film does a good job of presenting the search for a meaningful life and meaningful relationships with a sense of irony and great humor, which permeates all the situations of the film. The high point of "Jeff Who Lives at Home" is the cast, with Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon all creating heartfelt characters who are flawed and ultimately human. A film worth watching.

John Carter

Movie Name: John Carter

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Andrew Stanton

Stars: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe, Mark Strong, Thomas Haden Church, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Polly Walker, Bryan Cranston, Daryl Sabara, Ciaran Hinds, Art Malik

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

Andrew Stanton's first live action film "John Carter" comes surrounded by a cloud of news concerning the film's budget and it's poorly conceived marketing campaign, which has been obscuring the film's qualities. The film follows the story of John Carter a skilled veteran of the civil war, who finds himself through a strange device, on the plains of Mars. There he is thrown in the midst of a battle for the domain of the planet, and thanks to his newly found physical capabilities (due to the changes in the gravity of the planet), he ends up changing the tides and the overall life of the inhabitants of the planet.
The path of this film to the screen is marked by many attempts from different studios and filmmakers (most notably Robert Rodriguez), and after directing many of Pixar's big hits, namely "Finding Nemo" and "Wall-E", Andrew Stanton was the name selected to create the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs' hero on the screen. The film ends up having mixed results - in an attempt to create more than stereotypes and allow for character development, Stanton creates a film that has an irregular pacing. "John Carter" though with it's flaws in pacing and the somewhat predictability of the plot, still has lots of positive things to offer, namely it's fantastic visuals, ranging from the production design, costumes and the stunning special effects. Though flawed, it's a film with solid actors and a solid and entertaining core. Worth watching.

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Movie Name: We Need to Talk About Kevin

Year of Release: 2010

Director: Lynne Ramsay

Stars: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Siobhan Fallon, Alex Manette, Ashley Gerasimovich, Jasper Newell, Rock Duer

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

British director Lynne Ramsay is back after a long hiatus that followed "Morvern Callar". "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is an adaptation of the book from Lionel Shriver and follows the story of Eva Khatchadourian and her family. Eva writes travel books/itineraries, and is married to Franklin, a man who is down to earth and lovable. Eva gets pregnant and upon the birth of the child, she tries unsuccessfully to  bond with the baby, who grows up alienated from her in every possible sense. The child's behavior is antagonizing, cruel and slowly starts eroding the well being of Eva's life. When Eva becomes pregnant with a second child, there's a temporary change in his behavior, but the anti-social behaviors quickly return. Things escalate when Kevin, aged 16, decides to go on a murder spree.
The story behind "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is indeed the nightmare of any parent - the inability to reach out to your own child, to make that child feel loved and ultimately happy. Kevin's behavior is troublesome, and Eva who tries and makes every attempt to understand her child, can't fathom the reason why that gruesome behavior comes from her own child. The film smartly moves between Eva and her life before the birth of Kevin, his years growing up and the aftermath of his actions. Tilda Swinton is simply remarkable as a woman who goes from being full of life and dynamic, to a shell of someone who is just trying to survive, someone who lost everything and has no understanding of what has occurred. Her sad eyes, her posture truly show the loss of everything and the emptiness that comes from it. It's a fantastic performance from an amazing actress who anchors this film and makes us all agonize with her. Though the songs chosen throughout the film are at points almost distracting, the soundtrack from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood is very good. A very good film worth seeing!

Chronicle

Movie Name: Chronicle

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Josh Trank

Stars: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Ashley Hinshaw, Bo Petersen, Anna Wood, Rudi Malcolm

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

Josh Trank's feature directorial debut, follows the lives of three high schoolers who upon finding some unknown device in the woods, become possessed of super powers. What appears to be a blessing at first for all three of them, slowly erodes their lives, until Andrew, the most introverted of the three, becomes increasingly more violent and a series of violent events occur.
Josh Trank uses the "homemade" video style, much like Matt Reeve's "Cloverfield", to create a sense of discovery and closeness to the lives of the young men of the film. His seemingly different teenagers, are confronted with abilities that allow them to live the lives they always wanted. Little by little they become more confident, until their power corrupts one of them. The film focuses on the dynamics of the group, showcasing the difficult life of Andrew, the social awkward one, for whom the power allows for an opportunity to defend himself. The downward spiral of Andrew, the corruption of his character and the family dysfunction that he has experienced, sets him on a path of destruction, that the film illustrates very realistically. The film, though scarce in terms of budget, manages to make very good use of the visual effects, creating an engaging and dynamic story (though populated with the traditional cliches ever seen in all high school films). A very good first effort!

Best films of 2011

2011 was a film dominated by big spectacle, but few remarkable films. That being said, there were great works from fantastic directors. 3D continued to pave the way for higher ticket prices, but not necessarily for better film experiences. Here is a list of what I found truly amazing during the year of 2011.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Joely Richardson, Robin Wright, Yorick Van Wageningen, Geraldine James, Goran Visnjic, Donald Sumpter

Hugo
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Emily Mortimer, Ray Winstone, Jude Law, Christopher Lee

La Piel que Habito/The Skin I Live In
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet, Robert Alamo, Eduard Fernandez

Moneyball
Director: Bennett Miller
Cast: Brad Pitt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Spike Jonze, Chris Pratt, Stephen Bishop, Brent Jennings

Beginners
Director: Mike Mills
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Kai Lennox, Mary Page Keller

X-Men: First Class
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, January Jones, Zoe Kravitz

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Cast: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Kathy Burke, Toby Jones, John Hurt, Stephen Graham, Christian McKay

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Michael Nyqvist, Lea Seydoux

Drive
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks

Special mentions should go for the following films. "Shame" from Steve McQueen, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" from Stephen Daldry, "Rango" from Gore Verbinski, "Young Adult" from Jason Reitman, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" from Lynne Ramsay and "Contagion" from Steven Soderbergh.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Movie Name: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Year of Release: 2011

Director: Stephen Daldry

Stars: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Caldwell, John Goodman

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Stephen Daldry's new film after "The Reader" is a new literary adaptation, this time from Jonathan Safran Foer's book of the same name. The film follows the story of Oskar Schell, a young boy whose life is changed dramatically after his dad dies in the attacks of September 11th. Oskar finds a key in his father's belongings, and believes that the key is part of one of their intricate discovery games. He sets out to find where that key belongs, in the hopes of making the memory of his father persist more in his life. Through his quest he touches the life of many people in New York who were all affected by those attacks.
Stephen Daldry is a very intelligent director. In his previous efforts, from "Billy Elliot", through "The Hours" and "The Reader", he is a director who has always been able to allow actors to create real characters, not just types or uni dimensional compositions. "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" deals with a very painful and still recent event, who affected the lives of so many people in the US and in the world in general. Focusing the aftermath of those events on the lives of a small family, allows to realize how the pain of one is actually something shared by so many. How someones quest sometimes leads people to unexpectedly help others. This is a film about the redemptive power of relationships, between parents, between disparaging people united by a common thread of finding peace. The film has great performances from Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock and Max Von Sydow, and features a stunning cinematography from Chris Menges. A very good film not to be missed.

Albert Nobbs

Movie Name: Albert Nobbs

Year of Release: 2011

Director: Rodrigo Garcia

Stars: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Janet McTeer, Pauline Collins, Brendan Gleeson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Brenda Fricker, Mark Williams, Phyllida Law, Bronagh Gallagher

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

Rodrio Garcia's new film, following "Mother and Child", is an adaptation of a short story from George Moore. This story had been played in the theater by Glenn Close, who championed this story for over twenty years and was crucial in the development and realization of the film. Albert Nobbs is a waiter in a small hotel, where he is impeccable in his attire and service. Albert saves all his money and extra tips in the hopes of saving enough in order to buy a little shop for himself. However, Albert is in reality a woman who has been in disguise for most of her life. When she accidentally meets someone in an identical situation, Albert devises a plan to find some happiness in life.
"Albert Nobbs" is a film that lives of the creation of the main character by Glenn Close. Glenn Close who has always been an actor associated with characters of extreme traits, such as Adrian Lynne's "Fatal Attraction" and Stephen Frears' "Dangerous Liaisons", opts to create a character who is quiet and almost invisible. Albert does not call attention to himself, is non confrontational, and therefore almost imperceptible. The film itself almost falls to the same fate as the character - for a story who had such potential, the film feels remarkably devoid of conflict, spark or drama. Janet McTeer is an exception - she imbues her character with an energy and vivacity, which is something that the film itself also needs. The production design and overall acting are impeccable, but the film itself sadly falls short of something dramatically poignant.

Oscar nominations announced

The Oscar nominations for the best films of 2011 are out and leading the pack is Martin Scorsese's "Hugo", a fantastic film worthy of all the accolades. Sadly missing are brave films and performers such as Steve McQueen's "Shame" with great performances from Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, Jason Reitman's "Young Adult" with the fantastic Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt and "We Need to Talk About Kevin" from Lynne Ramsay with the amazing Tilda Swinton.  Check the full list here.

Underworld: Awakening

Movie Name: Underworld: Awakening

Year of Release: 2012

Director: Mans Marlind, Bjorn Stein

Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley, Sandrine Holt, Charles Dance, Kris Holden-Ried, Wes Bentley

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

The "Underworld" franchise is back, following the prequel "Rise of the Lycans", making the character embodied by Kate Beckinsale the center of the story again. The film follows Selene, a vampire, and her partner Michael, a hybrid. While the vampires and lycans have always been hidden from human view (and fought against each other for centuries), the reality has changed, and both find themselves hunted by humans. Selene is captured and kept frozen in a lab for testing for 12 years, upon which she's liberated by a fellow incarcerated person. Upon her release it's up to Selene to understand what happened to her species, to her partner and who is this young girl who freed her.
The "Underworld" series has by now clearly established Kate Beckinsale's character as her main focus point. Selene is a character that is meant to be cold and rational, but also emotional towards her partner Michael, who started as a human and was later "transformed". The films live from the battle/feud between vampires and werewolves, and of course of the elaborate action set pieces that allow to showcase special effects. The stories have been gaining further momentum as the series continues, but the characters continue to be non-existent in their depth or dynamics. Kate Beckinsale who is clearly an actress of talent, showcases her luminous beauty and not much else in this series. As is these are films that retain their entertainment value for the  industry of their teams.