Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

This is a summer action movie that is a Christmas gift to everyone that is looking to escape the shopping crowds and packed parking lots.
M.I. 4 is the first movie being released to IMAX theaters on it's debut date and the skyscraper scene in IMAX is worth the price of admission. The story goes that the IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Tom Cruise and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name.
Most of the movie is ridiculous but it's a joyride and at 133 minutes you will not be bored. I found myself at times rocking in my seat.
Director Brad Bird knows how to film an action movie.
Palua Patton is the new Hallie Barry and Léa Seydoux as an assasian is a great addition. Fans of the Television show Lost will be happy to see Josh Holloway in a role as an agent.

Verdict:
Tom Cruise's best movie in years. It does not look like he is turning over the franchise to Jeremy Renner just yet. Just as good as M.I. 3 maybe even better. I will decide when I go to see this again on the big screen.

The Dark Knight Returns

Top Ten Movies of 2011

This was a tough year for great movies but I was able to say I enjoyed the following:

1) The Descendants
What can I say other than this is Clooney's time capsule performance. An Instant Classic. My vote for Best Movie of 2011. Clooney should win Best Actor.

2) Midnight In Paris
Close runner up to Best Movie of the year and Owen Wilson's Best Performance to date.

3) Drive
The return of film noir. An art house classic.

4) Bridesmaids
Some people hated this movie but the majority of us were laughing out loud in the theater. I can't wait for the sequel.

5) The Help
Viola Davis! What more can you say. Oh, Octavia Spencer,& Bryce Dallas Howard the girls nailed it.

6) Moneyball
This is Brad Pitt's Oscar winning role. He was that good but he's going up against his friend Clooney.

7) Crazy, Stupid Love
Excellent movie about relationships. There is no other movie to compare in recent memory. Throwback to the 80's when films like these were commonplace.

8) Lincoln Lawyer
Predictable but after watching it 3 times I realized how good this movie is. Hopefully you will realize after one viewing.

9) Warrior
Not many people saw this movie but Tom Hardy, from The Dark Knight, and Nick Nolte from everything else. They both let you know that it's not just about the fight scenes. Nolte will win Best Supporting Actor.

10) Jumping the Broom
Best Rom-Com of the year. The Soundtrack of old school deep tracks from Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, & Aretha Franklin fit the movie like a glove.

PS: I left out 2011 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo because the 2009 version was brilliant. So it had sub titles, deal with it.
The Artist didn’t make my list because it felt contrived. Bérénice Bejo stole the film from the main character and should win Best Actress.

The 10 Worst movies of 2011

1) The Dilemma
How could a movie with Vince Vaughn and Kevin Smith fail. Well throw in Queen Latifah, who has not been funny since 2003s Bringing Down the House, and a poor script and you have a clunker.

2) Priest
Star Paul Bettany was looking for a franchise and got a Direct to $1.99 DVD bin movie.

3) The Conspirator
How could you screw up a movie about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln? Have excellent actors in supporting roles and then have Sean Penn's ex overrated actress wife, Robin Wright, star.

4) Abduction
Taylor Lautner can not act nor could his love interest. But guess what? Everyone else in the movie were veterans?!?

5) In Time
Timberlake is not an action star. He and Taylor Lautner need to learn how to cry on cue. Similar to when Auston Kutsner "Punk'd" Timberlake a few years back on the MTV series. Timberlake was crying and ready to call his momma. Maybe he can reflect back on that when he needs to cry in movies.

6) Limitless
Remember Bradley Cooper in Wedding Crashers? Yeah he was in that movie and similar to that you won't remember much about his performance in this flick.

7) Battle LA
How could a movie about Aliens taking over LA be boring? You also have Michele Rodriquez? She was good but she couldn't save this dud.

8) Friends with Benefits
Here is Timberlake again and the movie starts out great but you will not make it to the end.

9) Conan
This new Conan has the muscle but zero charisma. Similar to the last actor they casted in the Superman role.

10) J Edgar
A HOT MESS! Clint what happened? This is the worst editing job I have seen in years. I didn't learn a damn thing about what drove the man and why he hated certain iconic figures.

The Descendants

This movie is an Instant Classic.
It’s my pick for Best Movie of the year and the year is not even over yet. I can’t imagine any movie coming out in the next 2 weeks that is more entertaining then The Descendants. The movie is about a land baron trying to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident. The land Baron is played flawlessly by George Clooney and Shailene Woodley plays one of his daughters. Woodley is excellent and should be nominated for an Oscar as well as Clooney.
Think of this movie as this generations “Terms of Endearment” and if you have traveled to Hawaii or not you will want to go after viewing this film.
If you have never “Talked to the Screen” while watching a movie you will find yourself trying not to. You will also laugh because Director Alexander Payne ensures that the audience is satisfied with their trip to Hawaii to meet this family. Bring Kleenex because at my screening many tears were shed by various viewers other than myself.

Verdict:
Clooney’s career performance. You will want to see it again.

The Artist

Let me give you the straight scoop about this movie. It's a black and white silent movie, and it is not as good as the critics say it is. Don't believe the hype. 2011 was a very disappointing year for films in general. Can you name 10 movies that deserve best picture? I know I can't but I can give 50 movies that were bad.
I desperately wanted this movie to be good. I am a fan of black and white movies and I have enjoyed watching many stars of the silent era. For those of you who think this is about The Artist, played by Jean Dujardin, will find it's all about the girl. Bérénice Bejo has that "It Girl" quality that launched the career of silent film star Clara Bow. She is amazing and will be a breakout star. She has the it quality and I feel that she is the only reason the Weinstienn brothers made this movie. It's her showcase. She is the only thing that kept me awake. Her presence on the screen is brilliant and she nails playing Clara Bow.
Other than that the movie is slow and you can't wait till she is back on the screen. Once again, don't believe the hype. This is a gimmick flick and the Weinstein brothers are crafty and smart when Oscar season comes around.

Verdict:
Will not win Best Picture but Bérénice Bejo is a breakout star of 2011.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

First let me tell you whats good about this movie. It is the most beautiful vampire movie I have ever seen in my life. The costumes, the cinematography, the locations, and of course the actors.
That's it for me. Everything else is downhill after that. No I have not read the books and I shouldn't have to. Yes I have seen every movie of this slumping saga and I still feel that the first movie was the best.
In this 4th version The Quileute's close in on expecting parents Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses a threat to the Wolf Pack and the towns people of Forks. Here is the real story: I love you, you love me but your a vampire. Lets get married oh but wait, if we have a child will it be a vampire? Snore, Snore, Snore.
This version has already made half a billion dollars globally so don't hold your breath thinking the next version will be the last.
I agree with Howard Stern that this is not an enjoyable movie. I shouldn't have to wait 4 movies in to finally get an engaging story. Remember the first Star Wars? The first movie did it all for me even though Lucas decided to create a franchise.

Verdict:
Great date movie (women love this stuff) but gentlemen you should stop at Starbucks prior to entering and get a Venti drip so that you are not drooling in your sleep in the middle of the movie.

The Immortals

This movie is one of the most underrated action flicks of the year.
First you have Mickey Rourke playing King Hyperion and he is the most Baddass evil dude on the screen this year. Then you have the beautiful Freida Pinto, as the love interest, who has not been seen much since Slumdog Millionaire. Finally you have Henry Cavill! Who's he? He's the guy that is going to be the next Superman and he can ACT. Thanks God. The last reboot of Superman put everyone to sleep.
The Immortals is about Theseus played by Cavill, who is chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.
Constant action but beware there is lots of blood and gore. The 3D version is worth the cost.
Stephen Dorff also stars and he adds the comedy when needed. Dorff, from the movie City of Industry, pretty much plays himself but for once I liked him where in the past I got sick of his angry young man shtick.

Verdict:
This is a MUST see movie for the big screen.
A movie that pretty much has everything: good acting, a love interest, plenty of action, and a story that will keep you from coughing, going to the bathroom, or looking at your watch.