The Artist (2011)

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your front-runner for the Academy Awards. And while it's not my personal favorite film of the year, The Artist deserves all the accolades it's getting. Sure it's a niche movie, but one that still leaves you wanting more.

In 1927, silent film star George Valentin (Jean Durjadin) is riding high following the premiere of his latest flick. He showboats on stage and in front of the cameras for all to see. Outside the theater, he literally bumps into Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). They laugh about it, but the paparazzi snaps a photo that hurls them both on the front page. Soon after, they run into each other again as Miller auditions for a role in Valentin's latest film. With George's help, Peppy soon starts getting bigger roles. But within two years, the movie studio starts shifting toward talkies. George shrugs the idea off, but realizes its staying power when the studio halts production on all silent movies. Undeterred, George sets out to fund his own silent movie. But the film is set to release against Miller's latest talkie, one a date that coincides with the 1929 stock market crash. When the film fails, George is bankrupt. The downward spiral begins right as Miller shoots to super-stardom.

I don't throw this word around often, but The Artist is delightful. It was a very well-made and enjoyable film. The way director Michel Hazanavicius managed to keep the tone and style of the movie upbeat while dealing with a variety of serious topics. A lot of it was the fact that this was a mostly silent film. That being said, my favorite scene was one specifically focused on sound. George has a nightmare where everything makes noise except him. It's brilliantly done. Anyway, this film will probably win Best Picture and most definitely win Best Director. Maybe not my choices, but I won't be upset like I was last year. Watch this movie. Grade: A

Contagion (2011)

Sheer terror and utter chaos inside the mind of the average citizen. That's the central message of Contagion, which is one of the best films of 2011.

Day 2: Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns home from a business trip to Hong Kong with what seems like a nasty cold. When she collapses two days later, her husband Mitch (Matt Damon) rushes her to the hospital, where she dies almost instantly. This case quickly gets the attention of the federal government after similar cases are discovered around the globe. Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) and Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet), both of the CDC, take different approaches to solving this mystery. Cheever at CDC headquarters and Mears in the field gathering data. As news of more and more deaths start to appear, blogger Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) starts drudging up stories about the disease that are either half-truths or completely false. But his writings help further a worldwide panic that's set in. People start to look at homeopathic cures or any type of medication that could potentially cure them. No matter what the public does, it's no match for a disease that can't be traced.

I loved almost every aspect of this movie. As the disease spreads, the audience sees it from every angle. Publicly, privately, bureaucratically and online. You watch as the panic spreads day to day and month to month. Jude Law played smug-sonuvabitch to a T and Laurence Fishburne was great as a smart man who was clearly in over his head. Even those with smaller roles, including John Hawkes and Demetri Martin, did great in their parts. But the best storyline involved Matt Damon. As he and his daughter try and survive, you see how even small-town America is falling into anarchy. I could've done without Marion Cotillard's storyline, but it was so minor that I'll remember the movie around it. If you love thrillers, do yourself a favor and watch Contagion. This will definitely make my 2011 Top Ten list. Grade: A

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

What a terrific payoff to the Harry Potter movie franchise. I still say both parts of Deathly Hallows would've made a better film as a whole, but this still offered a lot for fans of the movies, books or both.

After Voldemort retrieves the Elder Wand the grave of Albus Dumbledore, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and the rest of the gang need to make their way back to Hogwarts to fight against an impending battle. Before they get there, they need to get into Bellatrix's vault to retrieve one of the final Horcruxes. They break in using their old mainstay, the invisibility cloak. After grabbing the Horcrux, it's time to help Hogwarts. When Snape flees, Professor McGonagall takes control of the situation and begins to fortify the school. She and the rest of those inside the school know the "shields" won't last for long, but it had to be done to prepare. After Neville's initial blockade against Voldemort's crew, the bridge begins to deteriorate and the fight is on. Harry vs Voldemort, The Weasleys vs Bellatrix, Harry/Ron vs Draco/unnamed bad kid, it's all there. The obvious question being: Who will survive?

Obviously, if you read the books, you know what happens. So I won't ruin it for those who haven't read the series. But this was an extremely satisfying ending to the Harry Potter saga. I had no interest in initially watching these movies, but I thank my wife for getting me into them years ago. Were there problems? Hell yes, but nothing that took you away from the central theme of the series. I recommend this movie greatly. While you don't have to watch the whole saga to enjoy this, you must at least watch Deathly Hallows Part 1. Grade: A

Inside Job (2010)

Now, I don't claim to know a lot about business, but this documentary plainly stated the financial inequities that led to the economic collapse in 2008 so even I could understand.

After several questionable and eyebrow-raising loans within the regulatory and subprime lending industries, the world suffered a catastrophic collapse which sent millions of Americans into the unemployment office. For almost a decade, the political movement toward deregulation and the complex derivatives market made way for a systematic risk taken by many in the financial sector. However, when they kept borrowing and borrowing, the bubble eventually burst and led to one of the biggest Wall Street sell-offs in history. Several analysts, politicians, journalists and academics interviewed for this film had various takes on the situation that all pointed in the same direction. The problem being once the culprit was found, very little was done to make sure it never happens again. Even those interviewed who had a hand in those troubling decisions couldn't explain how to avoid similar calamity.

I worked in a newsroom at this time and couldn't wrap my head around a lot of the subject matter. Mostly, I was just thankful to have a job. But now I have a better knowledge of the situation that still lingers three years later. Many valid points were made during the shoot, and even some discrepancies showed up during the interviews. I loved hearing the director ask the questions at times because he pulled no punches. One problem to me, and it could have only been the copy I watched, was that Matt Damon's narration sounded like it was recorded in a tunnel. Regardless, this film deserved the Oscar and is a very informative documentary. Grade: A

Animal Kingdom (2010)

This was a terrific movie and one that flew way under the radar this awards season. Jacki Weaver did manage to get a rightfully deserved Oscar nomination, but the movie itself should have been nominated for something as well.

After his mother dies, J (James Frecheville) goes to live with his uncles and grandmother, Janine (Jacki Weaver). J's uncles are not in line with the law. Pope, Craig and Darrin (Ben Mendelsohn, Sullivan Stapleton, Luke Ford) are criminals. Pope is the one most wanted by the police in Australia. He is constantly on the run and rarely stays in the same place for long periods of time. Craig is a paranoid coke-head who is obsessed with not getting caught by the cops. He is terrified of prison. Darrin is the youngest and only two years older than J. They were best friends growing up. Ever since J moved in with the family, things have been starting to deteriorate, through no real fault of his. One by one, Leckie (Guy Pearce) and the rest of the detectives start going after members of the family with the ultimate goal being to finally get charges to stick on Pope. In the end though, mother always knows best.

This movie was amazing. I cannot say enough good things about it. My only problem with it was that we never really got a glimpse at their previous crimes. I know it's not part of the story, but it's just something I would have liked to see. All the performances were great, but all the praise of Jacki Weaver is well-deserved. She owns every scene she's in and you truly believe she loves her boys no matter what they do. Absolutely go out and see this. Grade: A

Buried (2010)

This movie has an absolutely terrifying premise and its execution is equally as terrifying. You felt like you were along side Ryan Reynolds inside that coffin the whole time...because you were.

Paul Conroy (Reynolds) is an American contractor working in Iraq in the midst of America's war with the country. One day, he wakes up (regains consciousness) inside a coffin at an unknown distance underground. All he has are a cell phone with the language set to Arabic, a lighter, glowstick, flask and flashlight. He must not be far below the surface as he is able to get a limited cell signal and begins dialing whatever he can. His wife, his company, a friend of his wife who he's apparently not fond of. No one answers. He finally gets through to someone: His captor. The man on the other end of the phone demands millions from the American government, or else he will be left there to die. Soon after, a hostage finder who works secretly with the USA, starts to look for him. So now, Paul has a difficult choice: Listen to the man trying to find him or the one who may just keep him buried in the ground.

I was completely spellbound at how Rodrigo Cortes was able to keep my attention inside an enclosed space on one actor for 90 minutes. They managed to give Reynolds' character a complete backstory through all of the phone calls he is able to make. His pain felt real and, while I'm not claustrophobic, I may be after watching this. The edge of my seat is completely worn out after watching it. This is one of the best movies I've seen this year. Grade: A

The Town (2010)

What guy doesn't love a good heist movie? Even better when it's a great heist movie, like the exciting, yet poorly titled The Town. This movie just adds to Ben Affleck directing resume.

Doug MacRay (Affleck) is part of the Not F--king Around Crew, a group of criminals in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood who specialize in bank robberies and armored car heists. His best friend is Jem (Jeremy Renner) and he is the out-of-control member of the group. The one who keeps his emotions on his sleeve. After a bank robbery where the alarm is triggered, the group takes the bank manager (Rebecca Hall) as a precaution in case the cops show up. After they let her go, it's Doug's job to follow her and see if she's talked to the FBI. While doing that, Doug strikes up a relationship with her and soon starts to fall in love. It's at that point when he realizes that she has talked to the feds. He's battling his feelings from both sides, while also trying to get out Charlestown and out of the bank robbing business. But it's not that easy. He's going to have to work his way out.

This movie proves that when Ben Affleck is really trying, he's not that bad of an actor. This also continues to follow on the steps of Gone Baby Gone and prove he is a terrific director. While I'll always hold a candle for Gone, I really liked this movie. It's tough to tolerate the Boston accent, but it really felt authentic. Also helping was Jeremy Renner, who is continuing his hot streak of great acting roles. I think he's assured a Best Supporting Actor nod for this. Go see it. Grade: A

True Grit (2010)

This movie was terrific. It was classic Coen Brothers. Every character was very well developed and, yup you guessed it, authentically gritty. But really, can Jeff Bridges do no wrong?

Fourteen year old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is on a mission to avenge the death of her father by the coward Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Since she's a child, she sets out to find help and comes across Rooster Cogburn (Bridges). Cogburn is a fat, drunk, one-eyed Marshall who has a seedy reputation but always tends to get his man...dead or alive. After finally agreeing to Mattie's terms, Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon) also joins the manhunt for Chaney. The ranger and Rooster are at odds from the start and Ross is stuck in the middle trying to be the adult of the situation. As they get closer to Chaney, the path gets more treacherous and they take a sneakier approach. But Chaney's now teamed up with a gang of criminals. How are three people going to be able to outsmart that band of misfits? Can they?

Like I said, Jeff Bridges can practically do no wrong. He was terrific in this and I bet is up for another Oscar nod. Damon and Brolin were there usual great selves but I was most impressed by 13 year old Steinfeld. The way she kept her own against all of those seasoned veterans was amazing. She is a sure bet for a nomination. I highly recommend this. Grade: A

Toy Story 3 (2010)

I'm actually really upset with myself for not seeing this in the theaters. I loved this movie. It was great to see the characters again and it was great to see that they stuck true to the story line. It's been 10 years since the last movie so it's been 10 years for them, too.

Andy is all grown up and getting prepared to head off to college. The things he is leaving behind aren't ready for that kind of separation. Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the rest of the toys need to get ready for life without Andy. Through some of the usual miscommunication and hi-jinks that occur in movies, the toys are donated to a daycare center where they meet Lotso the teddy bear. The toys are excited until they find out they were mislead by Lotso and put into the toddler section of the daycare where they were abused beyond belief. While Buzz tries to negotiate, Lotso's goons take care of him and turn him against his friends. Woody is their only hope of salvation so they can maybe get back to see Andy again before he leaves for good.

This movie had a lot of comedy and a ton of heart. To go with the heart, this was one of the darker animated movies I've seen. There were a lot of heavy moments for the characters in the movie. I won't go into detail, but just be prepared. Back to the humor, Michael Keaton as Ken killed it in this flick. Him and Barbie were fantastic and provided a lot of the comic relief. I highly recommend this movie and I fully expect it to be nominated for Best Picture.

Waiting For "Superman" (2010)

If you've ever listened to any sort of political ad or debate over the last 20+ years, then you know that politicians and voters believe something is wrong with our education system. This movie takes a look at how much/little people are doing about the problem.

The movie follows five families, 4 of them in the lower class homes but all of them struggling in school. Some are single parents, others are newly laid off, and some just want the best help they can get for their children to be better educated. However, the problem doesn't seem to lie with the parents or the schools, but with the teachers and, more specifically, the teachers unions (dum dum DUMMMMM). While some of the students act like nothing is wrong, all of them are aware that money is the issue that's keeping them from the best education they can have, in one way or another. An ambitious superintendent in the Washington DC school system and a Harlem-based educator are some of the people trying to spearhead particular issues in their respective cities. The movie culminates with all 5 kids having to go in a lottery for their education.

That last sequence, with the lottery drawings, is exciting and heartbreaking at the same time. These kids clearly want to learn and only a certain few are going to be able to based on a bingo ball, index card, raffle ticket, etc. The movie is nothing new about how bad the schools are, but it does show it in a different way. This movie shows the problems and offers solutions, but I'm not quite sure if anything said in this movie will be treated as demonstrated. It was a great documentary and I strongly recommend it to all.

The Social Network (2010)

I went into this movie expecting a great movie and I got that and then some. This is not the "Facebook Movie." This is the movie about how this spy, nervous computer geek got revenge in the most fiscal way.

Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) just got dumped by his girlfriend. She knows he's smart and capable of doing whatever he can to get rich, but he's also a socially-inept ass. As a result, Mark enlists the help of friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) to make facemash.com, a site dedicated to choosing which Harvard female was more attractive than the one next to her. After that erupts over campus, he's a sensation. He then gets the idea for a social network website that puts all the college experience online...or did he take the idea from the Winklevoss twins who hired Zuckerberg to build a similar site. As TheFacebook.com expands, Zuckerberg is feeling the heat. Napster co-founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) helps Mark build up the a franchise and subsequently pushes Saverin out. Exactly how many friends will Mark have left?

As good as this movie was, nothing stood out more than the performance of Jesse Eisenberg. He managed to nail the character and kept him moving at the same Aaron Sorkin pace. That means, he kept talking and talking and talking until there was nothing left to discuss. Him and Andrew Garfield are both deserving of Oscar consideration. Director David Fincher as well. He managed to make a movie about computer nerds exciting. Also, kudos for the most exhilarating rowing (I'm sorry, crew) race in the history of film. Go see this movie.

Inception (2010)

Holy cow. This lived up to all the hype that I had put on it based on the trailer. The acting was superb, the story was terrific, and the action was unbelievable. The most fun I've had watching a movie in a long, long time.

Cobb and Arthur (Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) specialize in a very unique form of security/thievery. They do so by invading their subject's mind. However, Cobb has something else on his mind and that's seeing his kids again. Through a serious of events, Cobb is a wanted man in the United States. He decides to take one last job from a wealthy international businessman (Ken Watanabe) in order to get his past crimes erased and so he can see his children. The job he is intended to do is not as easy as it seems. Without getting into too much detail, because it will being to ruin the movie, I will say that things on this job go out of control. The main question is: Will Cobb see his youngsters ever again?

At it's core, this is a very basic action movie plot. Guy needs to do one more job to get out of the biz. It's where the story goes with that plot that I absolutely loved. All of the cast were terrific, but Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy really commanded the screen and took over when they were needed. I got bothered by one person leaving the theater early when I went so I will say this: Don't NOT leave/miss this movie. Watch it in theaters if you can, Blu-Ray if you wait. It's well worth it.

Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

How do you expand on and take liberties with a book that's barely 300 words long? More importantly, how do you do it without ruining the integrity of the book? This is how you do it. This beautiful movie about what it really means to be a child.

Max (Max Records) is a lonely 9-year-old who lives with his mother and older sister. He has a rich imagination though. His mother (Catherine Keener) is the only person who appreciates his mind, but she hardly has any time between work and trying to be in a relationship. His sister doesn't do anything to help him as her friends ruin his igloo. One night, Max throws a fit while his mother is on a date and promptly runs off. Once into the woods, his imagination takes over and goes to where the wild things are (get it?). The "leader" is Carol (James Gandolfini) who is extremely impulsive and bordering on violent. Him and the rest of the wild things take in Max and make him their new king. They go on to build a fort for only the wild things currently in their group. Each of the creatures has a main personality trait that is equal to one of Max's or his family. Before long, they begin to question Max's rules and Max becomes overwhelmed. He wants to stay, but he also wants to return home.

What an extraordinary film. It was unbelievably emotional and completely encapsulated what goes on inside a child's mind. The anger, the happiness, the regret, the wonderment. Kids are not as one dimensional as parents want to think they are. Children watching this movie may not understand that, but the adults will. While being a kids movie, this resonates so much more with the adults in the room who are now able to realize that this is what they went through and this could be what their kids are going through right now. Wonderfully shot, terrifically acted and directed, this movie should be on everyone's must watch list.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Be prepared for a rowdy, violent good time when you watch this movie. And when I say violent, I mean violent. It helped move the plot along though. Quentin Tarantino is at his best with a totally fictionalized version of World War II.

There is a lot going on in this, so I'll try to break it down as best I can. Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) is a high ranking member of Hilter's army and is known as "The Jew Hunter," for reasons you can assume. His actions have caught the attention and outraged Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt). Outside of the official rule of the US Army, Raine has put together a band of eight Jewish-American soldiers who sole purpose in Nazi-occupied France is to kill Nazis. Their plan, coincidentally, runs parallel to a plan by a woman who plans to kill all of the German army, especially Hans Landa. Throw in a double agent German actress, "The Bear Jew," and uncle Adolf, and this powder-keg is about to go off.

This is what WWII would have looked like if Tarantino had written it. Smart, sly dialogue with enough violence to make even the most hardened Tarantino-haters enjoy this. And don't be fooled, this movie does indeed follow a straight chronological timeline. This movie was fun to watch and darkly hilarious to boot.

Precious (2009)

This was one heavy, heavy movie to watch. It was amazingly directed and choreographed to pick up on the dark tones of Precious' life, but some people are going to have a hard time getting through this film.

Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) is a morbidly obese girl you lives with her physically, emotionally and sexually abusive mother, Mary (Mo'Nique), in Harlem circa 1987. Precious is 16 years old, still in middle school, and pregnant with her second child through incest. She never speaks up in class and once her school finds out she's pregnant again and fighting, they refer her to an alternative school taught by Ms. Rain (Paula Patton). Ms. Rain takes an interest in Precious and begins to show her that she can have anything she wants and be anything she wants with the right education. She must find a way to get out of her mother's house, before she and her kids get beaten to death.

This movie deserves all the kudos it has gotten. Lee Daniels directed a fantastically dark movie that is disturbing, depressing and disgusting, but also uplifting, inspirational and hopeful. The performances, by everyone involved, deserve all the credit they've been given. From Mo'Nique to Mariah Carey to Lenny Kravitz, I saw as shocked as anyone to see that they can act in a drama, let alone give great, award-worthy performances. One that seems to be flying under the radar is Paula Patton. I thought she was terrific as Precious' teacher. This movie will not be for everyone, but I have to recommend it to all.

(500) Days of Summer (2009)

What a fantastically fun and unabashedly honest movie. The movie tells you upfront that it is not a love story and it really shows what two people go through within a relationship that doesn't work in the end.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Tom, a mid-level greeting card writer who is very much a romantic. He tries to always find the joy in life and manage to come out in love. Then, he meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel). Summer doesn't believe in love...at all. She wants to just flow through life wherever it takes her and won't let love get in the way. Regardless of all that, Tom and Summer spark up a relationship. Not your average relationship, but a relationship nonetheless. As the movie progresses, not in chronological order, you see the good times and bad times of their courtship.

Anyone, at some point in their life, should be able to relate to this movie. It takes a frank look at how people deal with dating and puts it in the guise of a romantic comedy that really isn't one. Don't get me wrong, this movie is not depressing. In fact, I had a lot of fun watching this movie. The performances were fantastic, especially by Gordon-Levitt (whose work in the past few years really needs to be recognized for its brilliance) and the writing better be nominated for something come awards time. It also benefits from a great soundtrack (see: Regina Spektor's "Us"). Watch this movie as soon as you can.

Up (2009)

Pixar manages to somehow keep making movies that are some of the best of their respective years, and Up is no different. This movie has so much heart for an animated movie that it's almost hard to believe.

Carl (Ed Asner) is a recent widower who lived his whole life with his childhood sweetheart Ellie. Everything they did, they did it together. The one thing they never got to do was visit South America like their hero adventurer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). With Ellie's passing and a bunch of suits trying to get his land, Carl has one last chance for an adventure. Naturally, he fills his house with helium balloons and uses it as a flying boat of sorts. His unexpected companion is a boy scout named Russell. Through their adventure, they meet a multicolored superbird named Kevin and a talking dog named Dug.

This movie was fantastic and so full of heart and emotion. You get lost in the animated world and start picturing it in reality. Dug is absolutely hysterical. They made him a talking dog while never forgetting that he is a dog. As great as Toy Story was, Pixar has managed to make their movies smarter and smarter as times goes on. I don't know if it was better than Wall-E, but it's damn close.

Away We Go (2009)

I absolutely loved this movie. This indie comedy has two people that are truly in love and not in the basic romantic comedy style. I read a review that said John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph's characters came off as smug, and that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Burt and Verona (John and Maya) are getting prepared for the unexpected little miracle that came to be. The hope is that Burt's parents (Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels) will be available to help raise the child since they live in the same town. When that whole thing falls through, the two thirtysomethings set out to find the best possible place to raise their child. They visit cities across the continent and get help from friends and family. Their journey leads them to find out more about raising a child than they thought existed.

You will have a hard time finding two happier, nicer people in a film. The chemistry the two of them had was spectacular and you almost thought you were watching a documentary of sorts. The supporting cast, especially Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan, was terrific and the movie made me laugh out loud throughout while being genuine at the same time. One of the best of the year so far. Watch this movie.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

This movie was as emotionally amazing as it was visually. On paper, a movie about intertwining a life with being a contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? seems like it would have worked if this was 1999. But it does.

The story of a boy from the slums of India (get the title now?) with a background that is just riddled let downs and disappointments, but all going back to the girl he fell in love with as a child. As their lives begin to distance from each other, the boy (Jamal) keeps trying to find ways of getting back to her, thus the reason for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

The direction is outstanding. I have seen two other movies by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting and The Beach) and now I want to see all of them. His use of colors to help accentuate the brightness of their imaginations and not the darkness of their lives is unbelievable. I highly suggest this to anyone who likes movies. Doesn't matter what kind, but anyone can appreciate this one.

City Lights (1931)

Charlie Chaplin, throughout most of his career, managed to make movies that portray real emotion without any spoken words. This movie is one of his best. Maybe the best.

Of course, Chaplin is the star of this movie and the only real attraction. All the other cast worked well, but the movie was obviously made by Chaplin and no one else could have done it better. With the premise being that he convinces a blind flower-girl he is a wealthy man, as opposed to his usual tramp, sound manages to be one of the key elements in the movie. But you don't hear anything. She is convinced by a car door shutting nearby. We all know what a car door sounds like and so does she, but we don't hear a thing.

This is only the 2nd Chaplin film I've seen and I'm going to see more. The reason I gave this 4.5 stars instead of a full 5 is because I know Chaplin made other great movies, and I want them to top this one.