The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Director-Martin Scorcese

Rated-R

Length-180 min.



 

In another epic chapter in the Martin Scorcese collection, The Wolf of Wall Street swallows you whole and sufficates you with greed, whores and excessive drug abuse until you can't take it anymore. At least that's the lifestyle portrayed by Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio).

 

However, this multi-millionaire didn't start out as the power hungry madman that he's remembered for. Mr. Belfort started out as the rest did as a small-time stock broker, or "the bitch" of the company. But Belfort was far too intelligent and ambitious to be restricted by the constraints of his firm. So after taking the advice of his mentor, Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey), he broke away from his firm and decided to go out on his own. And after getting the brilliant, but totally illegal, idea to doop small-time investors into investing their money in bogus companies and retaining over 50 percent of their investment in his commission; it was all downhill from there.

 

Once Belfort brought together his own team of handpicked salesmen, his firm grew and grew and grew, until it exploded. At this point he was making more money than he knew what to do with. Oh, but he found a ways to spend it (hookers, blow and million dollar bachelor parties). He was a god amongst men and there was truly no stopping him until he made the acquantaince of FBI agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler). This really threw Belfort for a spin, as he was forced to change his entire way of life in order to cover his tracks. Not to mention, start going straight edge as far as his business ventures were concerned. But once you've had a taste, there's really no way you can satisfy that hunger for more. 

 

This is one of the best films I've seen all year, which is refreshing because most films of this magnitude fail to live up to their expectations. Something that definitely surprised me was the amount of drug abuse, vulgarity and explicit sexuality throughout the film. But Scorcese does whatever he wants and gets away with it. And you know what, I love him for it. He made the film seem more realistic. My only issue with the film was that it was a little drawn out. It could've been cut by 30 minutes and it would've been the film of the year. I understand Scorcese was trying to create another film on par with that of The Departed, Casino and Goodfellas; but what he needs to realize is that most people can't pay attention for more than two and a half hours.

 

This is the must see film of the year. I would suggest it to any and all moviegoers. Except it may be a bit too much for the youngsters. But hey, that's why we have a rating system, isn't it? So leave the little ones with a sitter and head down to your local theater to see how the rich got richer and then lost it all, because they're all a bunch of greedy bastards. The Wolf of Wall Street.

American Hustle (2013)

Director-David O. Russell

Length-138 min.

Rated-R

As a part of the trio of films coming out this December (Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues & The Wolf of Wall Street being the other two), with all the hype and anticipation; I wasn't blown away by my first viewing of the three.

American Hustle follows the likes of two big-time cons in Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), whom of which make an impeccable team, seemingly having it all figured out until they encounter FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso catches these two with thier hands in the cookie jar, and offers a plea bargain in exchange for their cooperation in his operation. From that point forward, Irving and Sydney seem to become further burried in a world of hurt that they can't seem to escape.

As the plot unfolds we are introduced to Irving's wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), and their main play in the beloved mayor of New Jersey, Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). Each character plays an important role in both setting up dealings with corrupt politicians and almost ruining their entire plan. But in the end, the hustlers do what they do best and come out on top.

Although this film had many fantastic elements in it's wardrobe selection, portrayal of an era, acting and comic relief, it still wasn't as good as I expected considering the amount of talent put on display in this film. I think Director David O. Russell tried to outdo himself after Silver Linings Playbook, which was unnecessary because this film had all the right qualities to be a ballpark homerun, but was a little too drawn out and could've been cut down to a solid hour and 45 minutes while still achieving the same goals.

Overall, still a good film, but not a great film. But by all means, hustle on down to the theater and check out this movie, if not to view the seductive and revealing attire worn by that of the beauty that is Amy Adams, then just to enjoy the American Hustle, baby.

The Counselor (2013)

Director-Ridley Scott

Rated-R

Length-117 min.

 

In a film that had all the ingredients to be another No Country For Old Men, Ridley Scott's adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Counselor, was a bust. With beautiful and talented stars ranging from Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz to Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem, I truly can't believe this film was not an instant classic. Now have you, there were definitely some thrilling and enticing moments throughout the film, but as a whole, it tried to tell too many stories at once.

 

The film begins in El Paso, Texas, right on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. This city of desert and desolation hides many secrets within its city limits and those who've become wealthy, usually have done some back-end deals to achieve that wealth.

Our main character, the Counselor (Michael Fassbender), has found himself in a bind for money, as he just recently shelled out a hefty sum to keep that little ring finger of his new wife Laura (Penelope Cruz), shining bright. Reiner (Javier Bardem), is a former client of the Counselor and one who plays that of the lavish entrepreneur who takes all the risks, but reaps all the rewards. As Reiner tries to warn the Counselor of the dangers of his business, he ignores his warning and moves forward with his dangerous ventures. But the real player in this situation is Malkina (Cameron Diaz), who plays a sly little vixen and Reiner's mistress. Her true intelligence is not fully realized until film's end, but as goes for so many greedy women, they don't give up until they get what they want.

 

The plot that plays out onscreen is that of all bad decisions gone awry, and the consequences of those who've made those decisions. Some learn from their mistakes and some don't live to see that day of redemption. But when all is said and done, those with no heart and a hunger to devour the weak prevail.

At film's end, I must admit that I was extremely confused, as the film's conclusion was not fully explained and I left the theater with a feeling of disappointment and wonder. I think Scott tried to incorporate too many stories within one grand scheme, and if he would've stuck to the main sequence of events the story would have played out a little more smoothly. Overall, this wasn't a bad film, it just didn't live up to all it's hype. The Counselor.

Rush (2013)

Director-Ron Howard

Length-123 min.

Rated-R

 

In this monumental true story of two Formula 1 drivers and their passion to live life on the edge, the intense Rush is kept at a consistent high.

 

James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) are bitter rivals on the racetrack, each of which have a very different approach to each race. Hunt is an infamous playboy party animal who thoroughly enjoys how close every race brings him to death. Whereas Lauda is highly strategic in his preparation, analyzing every turn and taking all the proper precautions. But when the two meet on a rainy day at the German Grand Prix, everything changes as Lauda takes a nasty spill, leaving his face and body immersed in flames.

 

The rest of the story plays out as the relationship of these two rivals develops over time, and shows how each man is different in how he handles fame, fortune and love.

 

This is a truly inspirational tale, and the casting for the film deserves a round of applause, for their depictions of real life characters were spot on. I must admit that although this was a fantastic fictional film, I still think Driven is a superior film about Formula 1 Racing. Having said that, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and now you have mine.

 

I still think this is a very important film in it's storytelling of two men's lives and how they are consistently intertwined. Although some adult language and nudity, this is a film for all ages as it tells a truly heroic tale of lives lived and lives lost. See it.

Gravity (2013)

Director-Alfonso Cuarón

Length-91 min.

Rated-PG-13

 

This high intensity action thriller was an absolute blast to view on the big screen. Sandra Bullock (Ryan Stone) puts forth the performance of a life-time in her remarkable transformation of character in this role.

 

For anyone who can't handle roller coaster rides or intensely gripping action sequences, this is not the film for you. But for those of you who enjoy a good thrill ride, this is one for the record books. Gravity jumps right into the action from the very start and has you on the edge of your seat throughout.

 

The Cinematography and special effects put on display in this film were absolutely out of this world, both literally and figuratively.

 

The story begins with your everyday space odyssey, when Dr. Stone is accompanied by Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and another astronaut to complete a mission on one of the many space stations orbiting the Earth. But all hell breaks loose when a serious of floating debris destroys their space shuttle and takes the lives of their entire crew. The rest of the film follows Kowalski and Stone on their journey to find a way home.

 

This film will keep your heart pounding faster than ever thought possible and may even produce a tear from time to time. But all in all, this is a fantastic film from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who can stomach a trip to space.

 

One thing's for sure, this film makes me so glad I didn't have childhood aspirations to become an astronaut. I think I'll stick to critiquing films instead:) 

Don Jon (2013)

Director-Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Rated-R

Length-90 min.

In Joseph Gordon-Levitt's debut as both writer and director, Don Jon does anything but woo you into loving his film. Although realistic in it's depictions of relationships and male obsession with pornography; annoying Boston accents, repetitive scenery, and an extremely obnoxious soundtrack make this feel-good tale a dud.

 

Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) plays the ultimate deuce bag Guido who's only "true" interests in life are getting laid and getting yoked; you know, your stereotypical meathead Neanderthal. And his meaningless little life seems to be going pretty well until he is swept off his feet by the ghetto fabulous Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson). This girl is different from the rest in the fact that she doesn't let "The Don" just hop into bed with her right away. And she seems to be changing Jon for the good until she finds out about his obsession with porn.

 

The rest of the film plays out in the real transformation of Jon, which takes place with the help of a very unsuspecting character who truly shows him the meaning of love.

 

Even though this film did have a good overall message, it was hard to read through the excessive pornographic images and loud club bangers playing consistently throughout.

I am a huge fan of Gordon-Levitt and his roles in films like 500 Days of Summer and 50/50, but maybe this superstar should stick to the acting side of things, because directing doesn't seem to be his forte. 

Prisoners (2013)

Director-Denis Villenueve

Rated-R

Length-153 min.

In this suspenseful thriller about the abduction of two young girls, Hugh Jackman (Keller Dover) gives the performance of a lifetime. Jackman plays the father of the abducted who resorts to some extreme measures to bring his daughter home. Jake Gyllenhaal (Detective Loki), the lead detective on the case, is forced on an endless search for these girls and is eventually the one who puts all the pieces of this intricate puzzle together.

 

I must admit that I was still left with some questions at film's end, but after talking it through with a fellow moviegoer, I figured it out. And that's the purest sign of a good picture; when you're still contemplating it's outcome well after the curtains have closed.

 

This film showed us how we can all be Prisoners in some way, shape or form. And for some, they may never escape those bars.

It also kept a high level of curiosity throughout, giving us a glimpse into the agony of losing a child, as well as one into the sick and twisted minds of those who would commit such horrific crimes.

 

I would go as far to say as this is one of the best films of the year. And although a bit strung out at times, it leaves a haunting conclusion to a very realistic depiction of life. Must see.

West Of Memphis (2012)

Director-Amy Berg

Length-147 min.

Rated-R

For most of you, like myself, who are unaware of who the "West Memphis Three" are, let me introduce you to Jason Baldwin, Damien Wayne Echols and Jessie Misskelley. In 1993, these three young men were convicted of the brutal murders of three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. In the 20 years that have passed since their conviction, an array of new evidence has emerged in their defense. From new DNA matching that to members of the boys' families at the crime scene, to a number of witnesses admitting to lying on the stand; there is no doubt in these men's innocence.

In one of the most controversial examples of justice being overturned, this film delves deeply into the investigation of these three boys deaths and comes away with a chilling conclusion to this infamous murder case. And although the true killer has been exposed and continues to roam free, the "West Memphis Three" finally have their own form of justice.

This is truly a memorizing tale of how the hard work of some eventually pays off, and how a few investigative journalists can unveil the truth. I would recommend this film to all "Cold Case" lovers out there, for it is a true life story of how the justice system doesn't always get it right the first time. Sometimes they just want to pin it on a suspicious-looking group of kids. This is one of the best films I've seen in quite some time. I think everyone needs to know about what took place, West Of Memphis.

 

At Any Price (2012)

Director-Ramin Bahrani

Length-105 min.

Rated-R



Nominated for the prestigious Gold Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, I expected this to be a ballpark home-run. However, with its lackluster dialogue and an extremely drawn out plot, this film failed to reach my expectations. As this film was shown not only an official selection in Venice, but at the Toronto Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival, alike; not to mention it's magnificent trailer, I thought this film had real potential. But with pretty boy Zac Efron (Dean Whipple) starring opposite of usually stellar Dennis Quaid (Henry Whipple), who played the underachieving role of a cheap cars salesmen; this film was anything but extraordinary. The story takes place in a small farming community in Iowa, where land is just as valuable as water. The fight over property is a vicious cutthroat trade with lots of unreliable allies and backhand deals. But sometimes that's what it takes to stay ahead of your competitors. Unfortunately for Henry, who has done everything in his power to keep the family farm afloat, his son Dean has plans of becoming a NASCAR driver. But when Dean injures himself in an accident and his father is investigated for his mischievous dealings, his son finally comes to his side. This is a story of father-son relationships and how quickly they can disappear. And although this did throw a bit of a curveball in its conclusion, it was still overshadowed by mediocre acting and little to no believability in its outcome. I don't care if you have the code for a free movie at your next Redbox visit, this film is NOT worth your while, At Any Price. 

The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)

Director-Derek Cianfrance

Length-140 min.

Rated-R

In this film, Ryan Gosling (Luke) plays a motocross outlaw who is trying to provide for a family he barely knows. Bradley Cooper (Avery) finds himself in a father-son dilemma that seems to never end. And Eva Mendes (Romina) seems to be caught up in the same love affair that she can never seem to kick. Now I must admit that I had been looking forward to this film ever since I first saw it's trailer, considering it's star studded cast. But after viewing it for the first time this evening, I was moderately unimpressed. Although it did provide a good overall plot, the film was far too long and could have done without some of it's less meaningful plot sequences. Director Derek Cianfrance seemed to be in the pursuit of recreating the Gosling we saw in Drive, which is impossible to replicate. There were great moments of cinematography in his use of long shots and experimental camera angles to accompany a fairly decent soundtrack. But at film's end, I expected this extremely intricate plot to come together as one, which it unfortunately did not. And even though it showed signs of brilliance, I would say this was somewhat shortcoming of this Academy-Award nominated cast. The Place Beyond The Pines takes far too long to get there, and once you do, the view was better from the other side.

We're The Millers (2013)

Director-Bob Fisher

Rated-R

Length-110 min.

In this comedic adventure, we are taken on a wild ride across the Mexican border with who else, but the Millers. The story that takes place onscreen develops when three unsuspecting people come together to help a poor drug dealer make a big score. The only catch is they have to pose as a happy-go-lucky family on a road trip. As to be expected with any great comedian, Jason Sudeikis (David Clark) steals the show with his outrageous humor and hysterical one-liners. Jennifer Aniston (Rose O'Reilly) continues to surprise with how incredibly fit she is for a woman her age, and puts her sensuous body on full display for all audience members to enjoy on numerous different occasions throughout the film. The two newcomers in Will Poulter (Kenny Rossmore) and Emma Roberts (Casey Mathis), also play their roles well. And when all is said and done, this family comes together as an ideal team. Although the plot's conclusion was pretty much a given after the first ten minutes, this film still left me in hysterics throughout and it provided a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. We're The Millers is worth your while. Go check it out. 

The Internship (2013)

Director-Shawn Levy

Length-119 min.

Rated-PG-13

From the duo who brought you Wedding Crashers, Vince Vaughn (Billy McMahon) and Owen Wilson (Nick Campbell) team up once again for another hysterical adventure. I must admit that with a PG-13 rating, I expected this film to be childish and somewhat unrealistic. However, Vince Vaughn stole the show with his consistently entertaining commentary throughout. There was also a duo of beautiful women put on full display in this film with the likes of Rose Byrne (Dana), who played Aldous Snow's (Russell Brand) lover in Get Him to the Greek; along with an enticing newcomer by the name of Jessica Szohr (Marielena), who plays the fitness instructor at Google and crush of one of the employees. This film is much more than your stereotypical new age comedy, and conveys the difficulties in finding a job for college graduates in today's job market, as well as those who have become recently unemployed. This film hits home in a way that most audience members can relate to. With a very heartfelt conclusion, this film appeals to a huge target audience, ranging from teenage tech-junkies to the white collar working class. For a fun-filled evening that the whole family can enjoy, take a chance on The Internship.

Superman: Man of Steel (2013)

Director-Zack Snyder

Length-143 min.

Rated-PG-13

In this year’s second summer superhero blockbuster (Ironman 3 being the first), Superman: Man of Steel plays on all the major stereotypes, blows action sequences out of proportion and fails to explain just about all key plot points. I know all the female audience members will enjoy this film solely because they get to stare at the “Superchad,” known as Clark Kent/Kal-El (Henry Cavill), who never seems to get a single scratch on his perfectly toned body or a crinkle in his flawlessly crafted haircut. This film was truly a meeting of Avatar and Star Wars coming to a collision on Planet Earth. However exciting and extraordinary, the believability of this film was extremely lackluster and even for being the all powerful Superman, Henry Cavill seemed entirely too confident and cocky for my taste. Amy Adams did play a wonderful role as the lovely Lois Lane, but even her acting expertise couldn’t save this comic hero cliché. I also was not a fan of Michael Shannon as General Zod, for he did not fit the role of the villain particularly well in my opinion. And by the way, what ever happened to Lex Luthor?  I mean is he not Superman’s primary villain in all prior circumstances? Well that is neither here nor there. All in all, this film could have been cut by 20 minutes while still reaching the same conclusions. It also could have done without so much death and destruction. By the end of the film, the entire city of New York was completely destroyed. Ironman was far superior to Superman in my opinion, and I’m sure there will be a sequel to this mediocre film which will try to outdo its prequel and fail miserably.

This Is The End (2013)

Directors-Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen

Length-107 min.

Rated-R

This uproarious comedic adventure follows the cast of Pineapple Express and Superbad as an outrageous turn of events lead to the end of the world. It all starts with a party at James Franco's house where main characters Seth Rogen, and Jay Baruchel from She's Out of My League and Knocked Up (all characters playing themselves), decide to venture to a drugstore for some cigarettes, when all hell breaks loose, literally. Michael Cera, from Juno and Youth in Revolt, plays a role you have never seen him in before, as the coked-out playboy who makes an offensive gesture in just about every one of his very few cameos within the film. As Hollywood turns to flames and a vast majority of our familiar faces decease, those left to fend for themselves are forced to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. The events that follow turn into pure absurdity as Danny McBride (Eastbound & Down) turns to cannibalism with a surprise face as his sex slave, and Jonah Hill (Moneyball) turns into a killer zombie; the craziness never ceases to exist in this film. Truly, this is a story of friendship and how it prevails over anything, even in light of end of life as we know it. I won't ruin the concluding scene for you, but for all you boy band lovers out there, it is quite a hysterical performance by one of the classics. For all its vulgarity, obscenity and just plain absurdity; this is a must see comedy.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Director: Bar Luhrmann

Rated: PG-13

Length: 142 min.

From the director who brought you Moulin Rouge, Bar Luhrmann once again outdoes himself with the mise-en-scene of this film. With lavish costume design and extraordinary sets, The Great Gatsby is just a flash of vibrant colors and modern soundtrack with no narrative structure to stand on. Now don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the soundtrack; however, the modern music did not play well with the 1920s scenery. This is simply the tale of high society’s obsession with materialism and its effect on two specific love affairs.  Although Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby) and Carey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan) are both magnificent actors, the performance by Tobey Maguire (Nick Carraway) as the type cast pathetic loser, once again confirmed his place in mediocrity. This film was far too long and could have been cut by at least 30 minutes while still telling the same illustrious tale. It’s unfortunate that this story was not told in a more believable fashion because this is a story we all remember reading in our adolescence, and the nostaglia brought forth by that memory is unforgettable. This was everything I thought it'd be, and the time spent on the visual appeal of the film was simply overshadowed by its poor dialogue and unnecessary awkwardness. No need to rush to the theater for this summer dud. 

Crafting A Nation (2013)

Director: Thomas Kolicko

Rated: Unrated

Length: 104 min.

               This past Thursday evening I was invited (along with a packed house) to attend the premiere of Crafting  A Nation at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Littleton, CO. This documentary focused on craft breweries and the hardships they face in making it in big brewery America. Director Thomas Kolicko, who also directed Beer Culture, followed the opening of Black Shirt Brewery in Denver, Colorado, along with numerous other craft brewers across the country as they told their stories of how they gave up everything to be a part of this industry. The focus put on brothers Chad and Branden Miller, founders of Black Shirt Brewery, gave this documentary a real home-style feel to it. Their participation in the after screening Q&A gave the audience a chance to see the actors of the film as real people, as well as displaying the true passion of these brothers who sacrificed their livelihoods for the sake of their brewery. Interviews with Jim Koch, co-founder and chairman of Boston Brewing Company, along with co-founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Ken Grossman, gave this film a great deal of credibility. The narrative, soundtrack and cinematography played extremely well off of each other; however, this film seemed to be a bit strung out and repetitive as it came to its conclusion. It could have been cut by 20 minutes while still telling the same inspirational tale of how small town brewers have made their way. All in all, this film played a significant role in opening up my mind to the hard work put in by all of these craft brewers, as well as a gained sense of respect for local brewers who are trying to get their name out there. 

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Director: Shane Black

Rated: PG-13

Length:130 min.

This high intensity action hero juggernaut surprised me by providing an ample amount of witty charm brought forth by the always entertaining Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) while changing the game with its consistent hilarity that breaks away from the stereotypical hero film. I have always said never make a triology because you're just going to end up reusing old plot ideas and tying to blow your already successful first film outta the water; but in this case, I make an exception. Iron Man 3 blew the sequel away primarily because of the unexpected humor provided throughout. This film should have been the sequel to the first Iron Man, and they could have stopped there, feeling a rightful sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, they will continue to milk the money maker with The Avengers 2, and Downey Jr. will hopefully make that film bearable. Overall, this film is exactly what I expected, non-stop action followed by extremely outlandish plot sequences; however, in this case, the two compliment each other well. This is a film that the whole family can enjoy and I say take 'em!

The Master (2012)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Rated: R

Length: 144 min.

Either this was a bad year for movies, or the critics are just going easier on films these days. This film was filled with complete and utter nonsense, much like PT Anderson's last film, There Will Be Blood; so I guess we shouldn't be surprised. The narrative follows a World War II vet named Freddy Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) as he struggles to cope with reality after the war and turns to alcoholism to cope with his past. Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) sees Freddy as a poor lost soul and takes him into his care in hopes that he can save him from his path of impurity. Stellar performances put forth by Hoffman and Phoenix; as well as stunning cinematography and soundtrack, could not save this lackluster narrative that just followed Lancaster on his tireless escapades, which quickly wore thin. I lost any and all interest about halfway through the film, as Anderson drug out the plot well beyond the necessary closing point. This film is a supposed portrayal of L. Ron Hubbard and the foundation of Scientology, but instead conveyed the gibberish one man made up and the people he got to believe in it. The only thing Anderson's the master of is putting people to sleep. Keep this garbage out of your your living room. The Master.

Rust and Bone (2012)

Director: Jacques Audiard

Rated: R

Length: 120 min.

This inspirational French film takes you down a path of depression, recovery and the bond of love. The ever-so-lovely Marion Cotillard (Stephanie) shines through as a recovering amputee who discovers a reason to live after losing both of her legs. Matthais Scohenaerts (Alain van Versch) plays the role of the "macho" single father who's involved with multiple women and an illegal fighting ring. Initially Alain just sees Stephanie as a helpless sex object with whom he shows little emotions towards, but as their relationship develops he realizes what she truly means to him and finally tells her what he's been suppressing for so long. This is a fantastically moving film, and although the sexuality is a little explicit at times, it is a beautiful portrayal about how love can triumph over any feat. Must see. Rust and Bone.

Hitchcock (2012)

Director: Sacha Gervasi

Rated: PG-13

Length: 98 min.

This biographical tale of infamous director Alfred Hitchcock and the making of his most infamous film, Psycho, is an exemplary depiction of the master of suspense. With a star studded cast that includes the likes of the great Anthony Hopkins (Alfred Hitchcock) and the timeless Helen Mirren (Alma Reville), to the lovely leading ladies of Scarlett Johansonn (Janet Leigh) and Jessica Biel (Vera Miles); this film has all the ingredients for an instant classic. Delving much deeper into the life of 'Hitch', this film portrays his problems with alcoholism, obseity and leading lady obessions to a very tee. The nostalgia brought forth by the scenes depicted in Psycho make this film something of historical value. And fortunately, the underlying love story bewteen Hitch and Alma doesn't get in the way of portraying how Alfred changed the way we look at horror films forever. This is a must-see for any Hitchcock fans, and might even be worth a gander for those who wanna take a peek into the life of the man who laid down the blueprint for all suspenseful thrillers for years to come. Hitchcock.

Life of Pi (2012)

Director-Ang Lee

Rated-PG-13

Length-127 min.

This is the exhilarating tale of the tumultuous relationship between a boy and a tiger who are forced into each other's lives by cause of ship wreck. In their time spent together, the young boy named Pi conquers his fear of the tiger and develops a better understanding of himself, and the world around him. This film is aesthetically pleasing on numerous levels, with beautiful depictions of land and sea fully encompassed through the vision of director Ang Lee. However, the drawn out conclusion and continuously outlandish plot sequences make this film hard to distinguish what's real and what's not. I'm not taking anything away from the cinematography and visual effects, for they are some of the best I've seen in quite some time. But Cast Away has already been done before, with better actors and a more audible dialogue; this film is just Slumdog Millionaire at sea. I must admit that I was pulled in for the first hour, but as the film progressed, and the believability deteriorated, it lost its enchantment. This film surprised me with its intriguing narrative, but however surprising, still underachieving. Life of Pi.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

Director-Benh Zeitlin

Rated-PG-13

Length-93 min.

This inspirational tale delves into a multitude of controversial issues ranging from poverty and alcoholism to global warming and the meaning of life. Through all the hardship, Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis) provides audience members with an astonishing sense of strength and hope. This story takes place within the southernmost part of Louisiana, and depicts the poverties that Hushpuppy and her alcoholic father, Wink (Dwight Henry) face on a daily basis. The poverty line is strictly divided by the water levee that disallows ocean water into the coast, where the rest of society resides. When the "Bathtub" or their little slice of heaven floods because of the levee, reality truly sets in. The clash between reality and fiction is hard to distinguish in some cases, for we are often allowed inside the mind of young Hushpuppy and her dreams of enormous hogs making their way down south and memories of her long lost mother are scarcely defined. This distinction could be made more obvious if Director Benh Zeitlin was more definitive with what is real and what is not; for I am still unsure at the film's conclusion. The optimistic outcome of this film is unfortunately overshadowded by the reality of homelessness and abandonment. I think Quvenzhane did a fantastic job for an actress of her age, and was very deserving of her youngest ever nomination for Best Actress; however, it was still not quite enough to lift this film to its full potential. Beasts of the SouthernWild.

 

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Rated: R
Length: 157 min.

I am beginning to think that this was yet another mediocre year for Best Picture nominees, for as I watched Zero Dark Thirty for the very first time this afternoon, I was once again disappointed. This action-thriller portrays a very realistic depiction of the events leading up to Osama Bin Laden's capture; however, it took a little too long to get to that point. With the vivacious acting skills of Jessica Chastain playing the role of the obsessive feminist CIA operative, this film was somewhat intriguing.  On the other hand, the dramatic elements of this film seemed to be underplayed and there was a need for more background information to support the placement of characters in the film. Not to mention the fact that every member of Al-Qaeda seemed to have a name that started with "Abu," and the majority of the rest were impossible to understand. This film could have been condensed to an hour and 45 minutes and reached the same conclusions. For one of this year's best, I was only mildly impressed, and I still think Django Unchained is highly under-appreciated in the world of film. Overall, not a bad film by any means, and most definitely patriotic; but hardly worthy of a Best Picture nomination in my eyes.

Argo (2012)

Director: Ben Affleck

Rated: R

Length: 120 min.

 

Taking home both the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Picture, I expected more from this highly decorated film. Although this film displayed a very accurate depiction of the events that played out in history, it failed to reach me on a personal level. Now, I have a lot of respect for Ben Affleck as both an actor and filmmaker, but I feel as though The Town, was far superior to his most recent "juggernaut." The realistic qualities of this film weren't shown in a fashion that made it believable, even though I knew that this film depicted the historical events extremely well from the real-time photographs shown at film's end. Maybe it's the fact that I hold films to the highest standard these days, but in all honesty, this was just plain boring. The action sequences were premature, and the hostages didn't seem to be at all scared of their impending plight. I was not convinced. All in all, not a bad film, but definitely undeserving of Best Picture of the Year. Come on now Argo, you can do better than that.