Moneyball: A True Home Run. ****

"It's hard not to be romantic about baseball"

Sports dramas have always been a genre that, I feel, Hollywood is jumped all over. We've had some inspirational underdog stories told through football, soccer, hockey, basketball and even rugby, but some of the real classic baseball stories would not fall under the "serious" category. Moneyball does something that no sports movie has ever really done, it analyzes the world of sports and offers us a glimpse into a world usually played behind the scenes. Not many people would consider baseball to be a real business or job, most people say, "oh they get payed too much to play a game," there hasn't really been a way to see into the sport through the business eyes. I guess this could be said for all sports. What makes this movie unique and special is not how it portrays the sports world, but how an ordinary guy did something extraordinary for one of america's most beloved sports.

People say baseball is not a game or sport, but, an american pass time. For sports mongers, baseball is a way of life, they live it, breathe it, coach it and share it with their kids and their kids' kids. No matter how many people think it's a waste of time, baseball is an important fabric of our culture, I guess hockey would be Canada's pass time sport. This movie really sneaks up on the audience. It's a story about a washed up baseball player Billie Bean as he's in search for a winning streak as the Oakland A's manager. He's been in search for a break in the sport he once and sometimes loves now and again for his whole life. He meets Peter Brand who is as mysterious as the latest conspiracy theory, but the manager in cleveland listens to him. Stunned, Bean asks Brand what he's all about and this is where the story kicks off.

The Dialogue in the film is fantastic, the story never seems forced or contrived, it just flows. This is due in part to the wonderful book by Michael Lewis, and writers Aaron Sorkin with Steve Zaillian which have taken Lewis' material and adapted it so well. This isn't a typical sports movie with cliche after cliche, it's just a true, real story. It isn't really even about the team, which is what makes this movie special. It's a story about Bean reaching the peak of his career and how he deals with it. It is also about the "corrupt" money hoarding that baseball has so long been tainted by and it's a true underdog story about a little team that could. The power of this film is unmarked. Watching this movie I was truly inspired, it is the feel good movie of the year. What I really loved about this movie was the spot on acting. No one overreacts in this film, and the delivery of the dialogue is awesome as well. The action in this movie is the dialogue and it's so much fun to watch. Sure there are reservations of this movie, if people don't really care of sports this movie would be hard to watch. It can be slow and tedious and the backstory with the daughter could have been a little more than it was. I thought the pacing was spot on. The final frame of the movie was brilliant and Pitt has some of his best acting on display here.

       Overall, this is a fantastic film.  The production is amazing and the story was truly inspiring.  Aaron Sorkin is such a talented writer and he's on fire with his two latest films.  This movie will move you and inspire you and is the best feel good movie of the year.  I'm glad Mr. Pitt finally got his oscar nomination.  Jonah Hill was also a nice addition to the film.  He was funny and played his role so well, he was a great supporting role in this film. I was surprised by this film, going into it not really knowing what it was about, and I loved it, and I don't even like baseball.

The Avengers: Paper Thin Heroes. **

        People love summertime for so many reasons, all of the flavor of ice cream, the warm sun bathing weather, swimming in the outdoor pools, or simply going for walks and bike rides outside. One of the many pastimes for a few generations of families is going to the movies in the summer, usually the summer blockbusters never disappoint. Most independent movie companies refrain from releasing movies in the summer now because hollywood has killed the summer blockbuster. Sure there were the glory days but for hollywood, the times have changed. Mainly, the summer blockbusters now are lifeless and filled with headache inducing special effects and there is really no story telling going on what-so-ever. This is where 'The Avengers" comes in. Marvel has been on fire within the movie business as of late. The "Spiderman" Trilogy was awesome (Mainly 1 and 2 were excellent), "X-men" and "X2" with the newest installment of "X-men First Class" were also excellent. The leading prequels up to "The Avengers" were awesome as well (Captain America, Thor, Ironman), so going into this one I was expecting the very best from producers Marvel and writer/director Joss Whedon. "The Avengers" is one of the most celebrated comic strips ever written and drawn. It has many spin-offs including The New Avengers and some other stories that stand on their own.

         The movie starts with us taking a visit to S.H.E.I.L.D. which is a central intelligence agency that is based in the United States of America. This agency is in charge of protecting the world from extraterrestrial attacks and controlling people from around the world that are "gifted". They do this so that when something comes up that threatens the world, then can deal with it, they also keep everything under wraps so that no one can use what they know to destroy the world. S.H.E.I.L.D. is responsible for assembling the Avengers. Nick Fury assembles, Hawkeye, Black Widow, The Hulk, Ironman and Captain America to fight Thor's brother Loki who has summoned an evil alien race to come and destroy earth. This is possible because of an artifact that was found at the bottom of the ocean that acts as a portal to space and other worlds. Of course Thor comes into the picture later to fight with the rest of the team. "The Avengers" could have been so much more than it actually was, sure there was good things going on in this film but there was also evidence of a money grabbing scheme here and it really stinks. The action in this movie is spectacular, the special effects are fantastic, and the main fight at the end is a great conclusion. The problem with the action was that nothing special was happening here, the sequences seemed to be bland, and nothing creative happened with the avengers team. My favorite action tid bit was the fighting and bickering between The Hulk and Thor. The last action sequence of the film was way too long, I'm sure it was at least 45 minutes long, I actually was very bored and tired by the end of the sequence, it gave me a headache and I was wondering when it was over. It was also so bland to watch, almost like we were shown something that we've seen way to many times. Sure this is an action flick, but the action has to be creative and fun to watch, and it was fun to watch for the first 15 or 20 minutes but after that it's just bland. The story in this film is so paper thin.

       "The Avengers" has such a vast legacy in comics filled with intriguing stories and episodes of these so very different humans and aliens fighting baddies together. This movie touched upon this dramatic characterization for about 15 minutes tops. The other bulk of the movie showed the characters bickering and trying to steal the spotlight with cheesy one-liners, I'm sorry but The Avengers should be so much more than that. Because of this, the moments that should have been heroic and epic simply fell flat. The Characters were stale and went no where and fighting here and fighting there and, oh look at that, they get along. The moment at the end of the movie when the stand together should have solidified the greatest and heroism of "The Avengers". All the producers and makers cared about was making things go boom as cool as they could and it really dumbed down what could've been such an epic drama instead of a battle royal. Loki was just stupid as well, one of the worst villains I have seen on screen. There should've been more room for development there too. Well, in a nutshell, "The Avengers" could've been so much more. It could've had depth and character and really showed off what wonderful characters these are as well as their abilities. What we got was a dumbed down action packed romp.

       This was a popcorn flick that just wanted to look pretty and it did, but nothing memorable came out of it but the random one liners took it's place, it felt like these heroes were trying to improvise or one up each other with them. I was expecting depth and awesome characters, sure there was a hint at the struggles and characterizations of "The Avengers", but it wasn't enough, that drama took a back seat to the way too long 45 minute action conclusion. I'm getting tired of movies that end with technological throw down, why couldn't the main part of the conclusion be the Avengers finally assembling? Instead, they assembled so quickly just so the producers could make more than enough time for the silly action. As I left the theater I wasn't excited for the DVD to come out, and that made me sad.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows: Full of Shadows. ***

Sherlock Holmes has always been a favourite of mine. My wife just bought me the whole collection for christmas and I have been reading through it. Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle has created a true masterpiece, it's fun and inventive with a main character that is very delightful. Guy Ritchie and Robert Downey Jr. have created a little bit of a different Sherlock. He's still funny, and wedding-phobic but a little bit rude at times, some people may not appreciate this. Sure Mr. Doyle's Sherlock is witty and socially inept, but this quality is picked on quite regularly in this film. What we get is something truly entertaining, but just because we are entertained does not mean this movie is without it's faults.

The movie begins with Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) walking through a busy corridor in London and of course Holmes is hiding in his deceptive outfit. She sets him up, and eventually gets killed by the man who hired her. Now the story just gets muddled after this because we go into Watson (Jude Law), vowing to get married and be away from Holmes. Meanwhile, Holmes finds corruption with a famous professor and he is targeting Watson on his honeymoon, and on we go. After the train scene, where Holmes is dressed up as a lady, this movie never lets up. We are introduced to some very unusual and entertaining characters as well.

The Acting is great in this film. It is just plain fun to see Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes. I liked this film because of all of his outfits, he's a beggar, a woman and the list goes on and on. This reminded me of Doyle's stories and how Sherlock dresses up randomly and was great at spying, we see this much more in this one as oppose to the first film. The banter between Law and Downey Jr. is worth the price of admission, the banter is as fast and furious as the action and this keeps the movie going at top speed. The supporting role of Holmes' brother (Stephen Fry) is also a treat to watch. The banter between the two and just the sheer ridiculousness of Fry's character is always fun.

One thing Guy Ritchie is very good at is making a fast paced film. Sometimes it's too fast though, and we get lost in the intricate stories and situations. This is what happens in this film, all of a sudden there are new characters and plot points and all of a sudden people are fighting in a bar. It is a lot to take in and if you aren't used to Ritchie's films, then, there might be trouble in following the story. Also, Sherlock Holmes' character is not very likeable, sure he was a jerk and social freak in the book but not to this extent. There is some sentimentality in the end between the two characters but one part is not nearly enough, it takes the "beloved" out of story. The story is good, but it develops fast without much explaining, when things blow up and awesome action sequences happen, we sometimes don't really know what is going on, it might be awesome, but the story gets lost.

The last thing I want to say about this film, it's a fun action piece. It's cheap entertainment and almost rides the grind-house-exploitation-film line, this might turn some people off. The action in this film is awesome. Transformers can learn from the cinematography in this film, the action is crystal clear and awesome. The fight in the bar scene is fun, the sniper shoot out at an empty base is stellar, and the escape from that base is my favourite scene of the film. The use of the high speed camera is awesome, it's a unique action sequence, I've never seen anything like it. Clearly this movie was made for those action set pieces. This is a funny, clever and fun mystery movie that never lets up the action, even if it leaves us in the shadows once in a while.

Rated PG-13 for Violence, Some nudity, Mature themes.

Robert Downey Jr., Rachel McAdams, Jude Law, Stephen Fry, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris

Directed by: Guy Ritchie. Written by: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney

Devil. Trust No One. ***

Halloween is just around the corner; so buckle up and prepare for a slew of horror reviews in the next few weeks on this website. If someone is looking for a movie to get them in the horror mood, Devil, is a great start. M. Night Shyamalan helped write and produce this film. People cringe at the sound of his name but I am actually a big fan of his work, most of his work. The two starter directors have a great deal of fun with this premise and these characters and the audience can definitely tell. Also Tak Fujimoto is behind the cinematography so this feels like one of Shyamalan's earlier works. One thing that he is good at, and what I truly appreciate about his films, the characters are front and center of the story. It's all about dialogue and what the characters are talking about and how they get to where they have to go, rather than special effects being events merely happening to them. This creates a connection from audience to character, thus, creating a bridge to the story. This story is well played, could be better written, but the actors all do a fine job with the material they are given.

The cast ensemble has a few new comers and some that can be recognized but the most notable cast member is Jenny O'Hara playing the old woman. She's a seasoned actress and has played some memorable supporting characters in her time, and she's at it yet again in this film. The premise of this movie is fantastic, it focuses on the devil himself and pulls a scripture that is sure to creep people out. Each character has a believability and uniqueness to them. The greatest part of the movie is the suspense and mystery. The directors and cinematographer use the atmosphere and mood so brilliantly, when events actually pan out and start to take place it's eerie and scary. Playing on the fear and paranoia of the claustrophobic elevator is also what this film continually does. Let me just say, whenever those elevator lights shut off, you will be holding the person next to you.

This movie didn't make the biggest splash in the pond. It set's out what it needs to do to be a creepy little monster movie. Opening up the dialogue and expanding on the depth of each character could've made this movie deeper and different. Instead, we learn how this characters act and relate through a cop telling us about them, almost like an informant. What makes this movie really special though is the plot of the main cop character played by Chris Messina. The whole message of the movie is important and wholesome. It believes in humanity and shows that in the face of the darkest evil from hell, humanity can really be good and faithful to God. This spiritual undertone is played throughout the whole movie with the faith believing security God who prays and knows what evil is lurking in that elevator. This main focus really saves the movie, in my opinion it really surprised me with how it played out, it gives it that little bit of depth that should've been in there sooner than the end.

The producers and scribes were trying to do a lot of things right in this film and some ideas missed the mark. But what we get is actually what we should expect from a movie like this. It's a dark claustrophobic thrill ride and every time those lights flicker, we are found praying to God to help us through to the other side.

Transformers: The Dark of the Moon: Is it over yet? *

Movie franchises come and go but when a franchise begins it sometimes ends up being a headache. The first Transformers movie was awesome, big, loud and full of action. This was something that was special at the time but the welcome is definitely warn out. The second Transformer's movie was just offensive and stupid and now here is the final movie in Bay's self proclaimed masterpiece collection.

The first half of the movie isn't all that bad. Sure there is an excessive amount of screaming, unnecessary special effects, and girls in their underwear but the way it is played out by the actors is actually really fun. It's almost like a ridiculous B movie and the cast includes legends like, John Malkovich, Francis Mcdormand and that funny asian guy from the hangover. I don't know how they got these actors to join in but it's a whole lot of fun. Malkovich plays a self centered boss of Labeouf's character, sure he's a static character but he's so funny. It's really too bad that Michael Bay doesn't use these characters and actors to his advantage, it would have made the movie way more interesting to watch. This movie is completely shallow, the story is just plain silly and overdone, and none of the characters are fun to be with, actually everyone is very annoying in this film. Labeouf has also proved why he can't get another acting job because all he can do is yell and scream and blabber on about nothing for 157 minutes. The movie is also overlong, especially when absolutely nothing happens for the last hour of the film. Once that B movie jive ends it all turns to what Bay loves best, complete action, and the effects aren't even that great.

The last hour of the film is a complete waste of time. Sure the first movie had a great combination of government conspiracy, aliens, awesome fights between the autobots and deceptions, but I really didn't care a whole lot of what was happening. Here, Bay, tries make something a little deeper in the film but it doesn't work because he pays more attention to his little boy instincts rather than a seasoned director's instincts. He tries to string together action sequence after action sequence instead of going for plot or character development. The last hour of the film is just straight action, and that is no exaggeration. The camera is so close to it too that we can't even see what's happening with the action. Everything is so poorly shot that it's headache and nausea inducing. Loud machine noises are ringing our ears and buildings are breaking and falling over. This creates a little boy mentality to the film, and it's actually very sad when a film maker picks senseless action over what matters most in a film. Bay wanted to create a masterpiece and what he created was a shallow action film with characters that are so poorly executed and annoying we wish we never knew them. I don't know how some of these actors agreed to do this farce but I'm just glad the Transformers trilogy is finally over, I just hope Bay stays away from the camera for a while because my head hurts just thinking about his next idea.

Don't be Afraid of the Dark: A Pure Creepfest. ***

Halloween is just around the corner, which means that horror movies come out at full swing. Guillmero Del Toro wrote and produced this remake horror film and when I saw those credentials of who was behind it, I was excited. This major movie heavyweight has been behind Blade II, Hellboy and the classic Pan's Labyrinth. The original show, Don't be Afraid of the Dark, was a T.V. miniseries about a family that gets terrorized by these monsters in an old estate house they purchased. Del Toro takes this idea and put's his spin on things which is never a bad thing. Troy Nixey uses the strangest camera movements as well to create an atmosphere and a menacing character in his monsters. This isn't a typical monster movie, it bends and breaks the rules of tradition, and it also expands on the concept of these creepy monsters killing people in the dark.

First of all, the acting in this movie is great, Katie Holmes is bearable, Guy Pearce plays his role as best as he could, the real showcase though, is Bailee Madison. She's been a small supporting character in a few movies leading up to this but here she is front and center. Honestly, this movie works so well because of her. She conveys who anger and frustration so well, she also has an innocence that is heavily influential in this pic. There are a couple of things this movie does that I did not like. We see the monsters to early, so that mystery and creepiness goes away or is a little stilted in a couple of parts that could've been so much creepier. Also the ending of the movie is so stupid. I'm not talking about the last half hour, I'm talking about the last twenty seconds before the credits roll, I rolled my eyes at the concept. Now this movie does a whole lot of things that are edgy, new and well executed.

Del Toro and Nixey create a mythology behind these monsters, this is something Del Toro always does. They aren't some random creepy monsters killing people in the dark, no, they are something more. There's a rhyme and a reason behind what is transpiring maybe even a lesson that we can learn. This brings a whole new dimension to the genre that we've never seen before. Sometimes we actually understand why the monsters are the way they are, and that also conveys suspense and creepiness. It's a brilliant way of telling a story and honestly it's something hollywood has stopped doing in a lot of ways. Now this is no Pan's Labyrinth but it almost feels like a little sister of that story. The story telling here is top notch and Nixey creates some of the creepiest moments we've experienced all year at the movies. Let's just say you won't look at you're bed or bathtub the same way again. He takes our nerves and jangles them in different ways, so every creep factor is new and exciting. I also loved seeing the world from the monster's point of view, the skittering cameras at feet level that roamed all over the house actually worked very well. If you want something different this halloween with probably one of the best, and cutest child actors around right now, and some of the creepiest suspense scenes this is the movie to watch. Just leave right before the end or take it with a little grain of salt, it doesn't make sense.

Hanna: Let the Fireworks Begin! ****

Joe Wright has had an excellent resume as a film maker. He's had such works as Atonement and Pride and Prejudice under his belt and now he's stepped out of his comfort zone with his latest action epic, Hannah. Saoirse Ronan plays the daughter of an ex CIA agent played by Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett adds her wonderful support as well. When I had seen the trailer for this film I was immediately excited simply because I couldn't wait to see Wright's beautiful style thrown into this action movie. Hanna is a special film and one of the biggest surprises of the year by far.

The movie begins on the pristine landscape in a far away forest in finland. Hanna is out in the wild hunting a deer. There is complete silence for the first five minutes, all we hear are the breathes of hanna and her prey. It's a perfect portrait of what this movie is truly about as she hunts down her catch of the day. It's a girl, fighting a big beast and taking it down, I guess it's how nature intended it. We live with Hanna and her father (Bana) as we learn about their thick german accents and how they've been living in such a remote area. Then we meet Blanchett's character, Marissa. Marissa is a perfectionist in every which way, we learn that she's tactical, cold and calculated and she also has a history. This cold, mean villain is looking for Hanna and her father. Then something happens, Hanna pulls the remote and gives away her position, this is where Hanna becomes alive. Now judging from the trailer you would think this film is a action junkie's dream, but really what we get is something much better. Wright takes us down a winding rabbit hole that brings many good things, this film really transcends genres. It's an action movie, a drama, a thriller, a comedy and it possesses something that most movies lack these days, passion. This movie is vibrant and alive. Wright plays around with the action sequences, some sequences there are fast cuts, circling camera's and spinning shots. Then sometimes the camera is still, capturing the action for itself. Where this movie really strides is not in the camera work but in the writing and acting.

Three huge actors are in this film. Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett and Saoirse Ronan, but really this movie is about Ronan. This movie revolves around Hanna, the story's core is around this mysterious little girl. Where did she come from? who or what is she? Why is she so good at killing people? The movie also pose's some ethical issues and government conspiracies. Now Wright gets a little muddled and confused at times with his direction but Ronan takes our minds off the negative. When we look into her eyes we see a girl searching for her identity, she's confused, worried and extremely curious and oddly enough, extremely innocent. She can't help it but hurt people, it's in her blood. Hanna is an excellent character and Ronan really shows how great of an actress she really is in her performance. Eric Bana plays his usual bad a$$ role as the ex CIA agent trying to protect his daughter. There is a marvellous action sequence in the middle of the film, all I will say it's one huge rolling take, and the camera work and Bana's athleticism are just awesome to watch. He's electric in this movie. Blanchett is creepy as ever and also has a sort of regret and empathy put into her character. I think this script alone was something that could've been easily muddled and drove to boredom but the cast really make this film come alive, as well as Wright's excellent directing.

Hanna will make the average action junkie movie viewer angry. It's not an average action movie and that's why its so good. It has a pulse and vibrance to it. Wright brings his wonderful cinematography and direction and the cast just really bring this movie to life and make it wonderful. This film does pack an awesome punch too. It's the european version of Alice in Wonderland. Hanna get's crazier and nastier as it rolls on. The action never lets up and the characters are full of intrigue. This was a summer surprise and a great film. Let's just hope films like this keep pumping out all summer long. It's original, it's different, it's vibrant and full of cinematic glory.

Scream 4: He's Back! ***

Scream is a big franchise and it's actually a pivotal moment in a horror legend's career. Wes Craven, I think, was born to make the scream movies and it shows. He's on his fourth outing with some pretty awesome classics that follow up before this one. After Craven made the Scream movies he was pretty much cursed making nothing but garbage, until now. He comes back to form in the fourth and definitely not the last outing of this brilliant Scream franchise.

"Why do you like horror movies so much?" Many people have asked me this question, my pastors, my parents, my wife and pretty much anyone I know. I'm not a morbid person, I'm not sadistic or immoral, I just think horror films are artistic and powerful but also they are just plain fun. Scream is full of fun and will probably be the best time you'll have at the movies this summer, if you like slasher films that is. Scream is not about the character development, it's not about the plot, it's about how much corn syrup can be spilt and how many times can we entertain the audience. It's funny, suspenseful, creepy and scary.

This one almost acts like a remake, it brings back all of the original cast members, Dewey, Gail, and of course Sydney, then it fuses them with a bunch of new cast members. There are some surprising faces here and you could tell they all want a piece of the action when they heard Craven was in town. The characters are cardboard and silly, there's good guys, bad guys and dumb guys. There's hot blondes flirting with the movie nerds and yes of course the movie nerds are the jocks in a film like this. You see if you especially have a respect and love for movies then scream is catered for you. The original Scream was huge simply because it took the slasher film and exploited it, well the same antics are up here. Scream 4 is a celebration of horror films but at the same time it pokes fun at "the rules" and makes things very cheesy, which always makes for laughs. Not all is glorious in this new addition though.

This movie does not bring a new sense of cleverness or innovation the first film did. Wes Craven does everything he should've done for this movie, which works, but nothing spectacular came out of it. The scare scenes were great, some better than others, but some just could've been that much more if there was a little bit of patience behind the camera. The movie does get tired, it gets tired up until the final scene where the movie shows Craven hitting his stride, once again, and the entire movie I was waiting for sparks like this. The end of movie borders the line of insanity, psychotic behaviour and it really get's to the heart of Scream as a whole movie franchise. I thought the ending transcended the whole film and the film is just there to build up to the final fifteen minutes of the film. It's suspenseful, creepy, disturbing and awesome, it just makes me wish that the whole movie was that good. At least it was fun, which is what Scream does best.

The Passion of the Christ. As we've never seen it before. ****

The Passion of the Christ. The most thing that people think of when they hear this term is controversy. This film was probably one of the most controversial movies ever made. Mel Gibson had a idea stirring in his heart for quite some time and he describes that while he was filming "We Were Soldiers", he had this idea of doing the crucifixion of Jesus. Now Mel grew up catholic but his faith was front and centre in this venture and we can see it. I remember fondly when this movie came out, the long interviews, the religious leaders debating and complaining, the parents and critics judging and criticizing Mel for his sadism. It's funny how people pointed the finger at Mr. Gibson but really he's showing us a glimpse and a taste of how cruel crucifixion was. I remember my friends at school discussing this movie, I remember people in my community discussing this movie and I remember almost anyone I knew discussing this movie. This movie did impact everyone in any place whether it was good or negative. This movie was the talk of the town. I remember signs outside the theatre, beside the ticket box office, and right outside the theatre door, the sign read something like this:

"This is a warning that the film, "The Passion of the Christ", has extreme scenes of violence, mutilation, and torture. These scenes are grim and not meant for youth or children, blah blah blah"

It's funny that the movie "Hostel" didn't have this sign but a movie about Jesus has it. Interesting.

This movie is breathtaking. Mel Gibson paints us a picture every "christian" film failed to paint. I grew up thinking Jesus was tall and elegant and everyone in bible times were white and clean cut. They all had cheesy lines, lame effects, and dumb music, "christian" films were just lame. Sure they had good intentions but really the execution was not there. But with this film it's different. Wow. I remember not knowing what to expect with this film. I remember thinking, wow this movie is going to be gory and gross and intense. It's all these things but Mel focuses on something else much more important, the heart of Jesus. This movie is a tear jerker, even if you believe that Jesus is Lord, or you just believe he was a man, this movie is emotional. The movie has an epic scale that Mel is so good at in creating his films. The music creates an amazing pace but it's also very dark and moody. Amidst all the evil that lurks in this movie the act of Jesus on the cross is so epic and triumphant. Mel's portrayal of Satan is bang on, Satan is creepy but charismatic and he/she continually mocks Jesus. It paints a perfect good/evil portrait that suits the film nicely. Now the violence.

This is a very violent film. Blood pours over the screen, whips dig into Jesus' body as he yells in pain, there is even a shot of the lash ripping into his eye. The guards are sadistic and laugh as they whip his body then they turn in over on his back and start lashing his stomach. It's intense. I've never seen Jesus crucified like this and I grew up watching films about this. I couldn't watch some of it, and I couldn't help but feel emotional as I seen my saviour and an innocent man get battered, but that's what happened. It's funny how people complained about the violence, but Mel showed tons of restraint. The romans weren't nice and being crucified is still one of the worst ways to die. They didn't even crucify roman citizens, they saved the cross for the worst of criminals. Some criminals even had there genitals nailed to the cross, the romans were great at torture and punishment. This is what happened to Jesus, I grew up watching films that showed Jesus with a scratch here and there, in Mel's film, he looks like a piece of meat. For the first time in my life I actually grasped how brutal it really was, it is emotional to watch and hard to watch but it actually makes me think of the crucifixion in a totally different way. This is an emotional film that is dark, sad, brutal, violent and ultimately triumphant as Jesus is resurrected and beats Satan. Mel's portrayal of the crucifixion is epic, beautiful, caring and spellbinding. I'm so glad that this was so violent, for the first time we see what Jesus could have actually gone through and that He loved us so much to be the ultimate lamb and go through such hell and torment. This film is authentic and sound and is a perfect way of showing people a little glimpse of what I personally believe in. I believe that Jesus showed us how to love others ultimately and his love shines through this film, even after all of the blood and gore, he is always victorious. Thank you Mel for showing an authentic vision of the most important and famous spiritual story ever told.

Splice: it's not what it seems. *

Innovation is always a respected thing and something that should always be admired but sometimes resulting back into tradition never hurts either. Splice is all about innovation, it doesn't even pay respects to the old time monster thrillers and at most times this approach works. We have respected actors in this film Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody and they do a fantastic job with this truly different material.

This film is a big indie film about a monster created by two geneticist's and how the monster grows up and learns to live in this hostile world. I thought I was going to watching a crazy scary monster movie that would be filled with gore and awesome scares but what we got was something very different. It's a movie that asks the question of the ethical means of birthing a creature and how we should not play God. It has a ton of depth to it. This movie is filled with layers and intense pondering on ideas that exceed that of a typical monster film. I give credit to this film for trying new things and actually creating a compelling drama between the monster and the two main characters but this movie trails onto some strange paths that totally ruin the taste of this movie.

The two characters explored in this movie are nothing truly special, but what makes them unique is what they encounter. They literally build a human being; or "human" being. It's a cross between an animal and Polley's character that is birthed and later grows up. What we get is a very untypical monster drama about a broken family and how they simply work to keep things wrapped up. This movie is endearing and filled with potential but it devolves into something dastardly and disturbing. I guess the film makers behind this one were looking to reinvent the monster drama but what they do is simply explore something else. They have created a psycho sexual drama that really isn't frightening but it's just disturbing involving scenes of rape and pregnancy, instead of a monster slowly killing the cast one by one. I really didn't like the sexual ending, it was unneeded and uncomfortable to watch. This movie could have achieved so much more and it did with the beginning and the middle, but the ending is just so weird and lurid that it left a horrible taste in my mouth. I really don't recommend this one to anyone. The production is great, acting is great, tension is great but the crazy sexual really doesn't work for me.

Never Let Me Go: It's a wonderful life. ****

Once in a while a story comes along that is not only hard to tell but also very hard to swallow. I think film makers sometimes relish with these kinds of stories because of their challenge but also because of their character driven stories. Some movies have come out that are purely character driven plots, rather than plots with twists that happen to the characters, the plot twists are what happens within the characters. "Never Let Me Go" is one of those movies with a story that is unbearably emotional but also very endearing. One can't help but empathize with this movie and it's three characters.

Mark Romanek brings us a story that is adapted from the book of the same name whom stars Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley. At first glance this movie looks like something from "Pride and Prejudice" or "Atonement" but it's clearly a much different beast. It's a story about three kids that grow up in a boarding school, they slowly grow older and one girl falls in love with they boy, but then the other girl takes him because she does not want to be alone. This love triangle between Tommy (Garfield), Ruth (Knightley), and Kathy (Mulligan), is ever blazing in this movie. These three actors bring a presence to the movie from the sweet and passive Kathy, to the ferocious and edgy Ruth, to the awkward man that Tommy becomes. These kids grow up and soon learn a disturbing and dark secret about why they exist. The movie takes a science fiction turn for the good, I was not expecting this in this film, it transcends many genres but mainly it focuses on the lives of three people and the power of relationships both love interests and friendships.

I can see how some people will find this movie boring and unappealing but these people clearly do not appreciate character driven stories. The acting is so appealing and blazing that these characters are given moments throughout the film. To sit and watch two people who are deeply in love look into each other's eyes is breathtaking. It's interesting to see the different dynamics and themes presented throughout the film. This film has depth and substance. The contrasts between the two love stories, Ruth and Tommy have just a sexual relationship, and Kathy and Tommy are deeply in love, this love lasts the entire span of their short lives. It's also interesting to see the dynamic between the principal of the boarding school, she looks at her "subjects" like she is jealous that they live simply but fast lives, she's almost wanting to be young and never had grow old. This movie is filled with substance and characterization which means multiple viewings are required. It's a story that isn't nice though, nothing in this movie is feel good, and it's a very sad movie, but in between the sadness this movie shows us how beautiful life is, even when it's cut a little short. It's a hard story that teaches us how precious life is, and when two people fall in love, their love transcends death itself. This film is stunning and beautiful, it's simple but deep, and it's storytelling is masterful and is a must see for any film lovers.

Wall-E: Love is all around. ****

Disney has always been a driving force behind inspiration. We have all grown up loving our favourite animated friends, some of my favourite include Winnie the Pooh, Timone and Pumba and of course the beautiful Belle and the Beast. Then something special happened, I think the year was '94 and a new company gave us an experience that would revolutionize the way we watch movies. Pixar released Toy Story, the very first full length animated film that used CG animation rather than drawn animation, they also pioneered compelling stories both suitable for adults and children. Now they have created a franchise that is one of the most beloved in the movie world. Pixar seems to hit a home run with every film they churn out and their latest outing is a rather special film.

The power of love is undeniable and here that display is profound and amazing. Wall-E is a story about a robot that has to do the impossible job of cleaning up a garbage filled earth. He puts garbage into his stomach and pumps out cubes of garbage. He is also a collector, keeping everything from bobble heads to an old bra, Wall-E is just curious. Then a space ship lands on earth and this is when the movie gets really special. The majority of this movie has zero dialogue, the only dialogue in the first half of the film are the robotic tones from two robots saying each other's names back and forth. Pixar tries the impossible with this film, let's take the audience and make them believe in the magic of film, this is what Pixar was trying to shoot for. As an audience, we are so comfortable and used to watching dialogue, but when all we see is action and mime, it could swing two ways.

Pixar has studied the art of mime and they have given us a gem to behold. Some people will think this movie is boring and slow moving, especially compared to Pixar's previous films. At the beginning of the movie we are given a world, a world so desolate and lifeless it's almost disturbing. Then we meet Wall-E and Pixar simply reels us into this world that this little robot has lived in. Then he meet's a lovely robot named Eva, and falls in love. That is when this movie soars beyond anything you have ever seen. He goes away from earth and follows Eva into space where humans have driven themselves to the utmost pleasure. This pleasure has driven them all to be obese and lazy and humanity is on the brink of dying. This movie soon turns into a beautiful fable of how two machines have taught humans how to live life again. But, Wall-E just loves Eva, and that is where this movie has it's heart. This movie is profound because it executes it's theme and lovability of this simple robot, it's amazing that we can get so emotional over a silly robot. Pixar has taught us something special, we need to not take our lives for granted because when we give our lives away to the pleasures of the world we can loose sight of what's really important. Love between two people is something very special. This is a romantic outing for Pixar and it's the number one romantic comedy of the year. Sure it has kid humour that will make the kids roar with laughter but what Pixar is doing here is amazing. They are showing us their movies and stories having substance and something more to them, they aren't here to just make simply kids movies. Wall-E is an evolutionary step for Pixar, it's a movie that kids will love but it's also a profound example of what is most important in our lives. This is why stories are so special to humanity.

There is a lot to learn in this movie but what makes this movie truly wonderful is the simple yet beautiful love story between two robots named Eva and Wall-E. Only people with the hardest of hearts will not fall in love with this movie.

Reader Picks.

Is there a movie you absolutely love? Or a movie y haven't seen? Or you just want to throw me a curve ball? Tell me a movie that you want reviewed and I will review it! This shall be fun!

127 Hours: Life is never easy. ****

Few movies come around that really inspire emotion to swell up inside of our souls. Some movies mean to move us by art form and visual grandeur. Other's send us to far away places so that we can escape from our crazy busy lives. Film makers have taken us to Middle earth, and to space, even to courtrooms and ancient cities have been brought back to life. Some films give us an experience that we soon won't forget. These are the films that can teach us a ton about life and it's moments of grandeur, and also ordeal. "127 Hours" is one of those movies that will give you an emotional experience. This movie is everything from funny, to emotional, to utterly horrific, it's a movie that charms but also teaches a tough message.

Danny Boyle is like a swiss army knife, who's made comedies, tragedies, horrors and thrillers, he's also even touched on philosophical ideas. One thing his movies all contain though are a kinetic energy that doesn't disappoint, his camera work is assaulting and on fire, sometimes you're not sure what you're looking at but you know it's something intense. For the first time in the director's career, he makes a movie that is completely well rounded. All of these genres come swamping together with such visceral style and confidence, Mr. Boyle has turned into a fine director. James Franco plays Aron Rolston, the man who's life changed because of a rock. This is how the movie goes, Free Climber Aron goes climbing in a canyon in Utah when a rock falls on his arm and gets him stuck. He sits there for 127 hours, clinging to life, then he eventually saws his own arm off. OH NO! I told you what happens in this movie? It doesn't matter. That's how well this movie is made.

Rolston's ordeal is so intense and so severe that as a movie-goer I had no idea what to expect. The movie rolls fast, it's slick, and fun just like Rolston, but when the rock falls on his arm there's a moment of silence as Franco just looks at the rock in disbelief. In this ghastly moment the title of the movie hits the screen, this is when the beginning of the rest of his life begins. What is witnessed here isn't only and extraordinary tale of survival, but it's about a man who makes a huge life change, a change that's inspiring and empowering and that will surely bring tears to anyone that has a heart. The filming of this movie is fierce and kinetic, it's a blazing vision that is filled to the brim with brilliance and power. You will cry, laugh, gasp, and cover you're eyes in anguish. For the first time in Boyle's career, he uses all of the genre's he has worked with in one film. If Franco is cutting his nerve tendon off to rip his arm off, you will feel it, trust me. Another brilliant part that has set apart Franco into an Oscar nod, was a part where he talks to himself, one is a gameshow host and the other is the show participant. This part is grim and hopeless but it's also very funny. Franco pulls off the dark humour brilliantly and the added laugh tracks makes the scene so much crazier. This part was amazing and it was pure creativity on the part of the film maker Boyle. This movie rushes in guns a blazing and doesn't look back, it's graphic and horrifying but also carries a clear and concise message. This vision is inspiring and uplifting. Just be glad you didn't have to saw off you're arm to figure that out.

The Dark Knight: Devilishly Wonderful. ****

I remember sitting in the theatre, chomping away at my buttery popcorn when the lights dimmed and the trailers started rolling. I love watching trailers. I think I was seeing a useless chick flick at the time when I saw the bat symbol ever so faintly on the screen. Then I heard voices, including his, the Joker's, the best villain ever written in comic or graphic novel form. Then I was really excited for June 2008. Little did we know this film would generate some of the biggest hype and controversy of the year. This movie is outstanding in so many regards, we have Nolan back at the helm with his brother, Bale is back as Batman as well as the other former supporting cast. We also have new comers as well, Maggie Gyllenhal has replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel, and Aaron Eckhart plays Gotham's DA, Harvey Dent, who eventually becomes the mad Two Face. We also have another new comer, Heath Ledger, and having him cast as the joker was the biggest surprise in any film from this decade. His role before this was "Brokeback Mountain", I just couldn't picture that sensitive, sweet man as the evil, sinister Joker. The Joker is pure evil.

This movie transcends what it is actually supposed to be. This movie is supposed to be a comic book superhero movie, at least this is what the audience is thinking when they go to see this film, but what we get is something much more. This movie is an amazing crime thriller, it can be compared to "Heat" or "Dog Day Afternoon", this is a cut throat crime drama. Nolan creates an amazing tension throughout the entire film and he creates something that no Batman movie has had yet. This movie is dark and horrific, it parallels with such movies has "Saw" and "Seven", moments in this movie are dark and hopeless, this is what Batman is supposed to be. Dark, moody, and brilliantly meshed together is what this movie boasts, as the Joker says "It's all part of the plan". This movie twists and turns and jerks you around but it keeps a beautifully evil grace about it as well, as if Nolan was devilishly putting us through one of his evil games. What really makes this movie special is the acting, this is top notch acting.

The characters in a Batman comic book are so big and brilliant. The characters written before us are always beloved and we show empathy towards them, especially the evil ones, but the Joker is the most beloved of all. Heath Ledger has a huge job in front of him playing one of the comic universe's most wonderful and beloved villain, what he does here is absolutely breathtaking. First of all the voice, he changes his voice into this high pitch, squeaky, eerie voice, it doesn't even sound remotely like Mr. Ledger. Second his costuming and make-up are perfect, he doesn't look like a clown anymore, he looks like a lunatic that is truly terrifying. The second scene he shares with a group of mobsters is so hilarious and terrifying all at the same time, watching Ledger carefully calculate his lines and reactions is such a joy, he was flawless in this film. Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne again and he too gets deeper into his role this time around. He was good in the first one but this second film he is perfect. Batman deals with darker and deeper things in this movie and he resorts to hiding the truth from the public to become the ultimate hero. Bale's Batman is so cool and his Bruce Wayne is so much fun to watch but as he backs up Harvey Dent, we sense a loyalty and a hope within the billionaire, almost like he thinks the city is close to having a true saviour. Probably one of the best scenes in the movie (second best) is when the Joker and Batman confront each other in a holding cell. This scene has fireworks shooting out of it, it's filled with tension and sparks, the two actors together as these characters gives this movie a pure energy. This is one of the greatest scenes in a comic book movie, ever. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent is another excellent newcomer, Two Face was never my favourite but the way he's portrayed here is excellent and Eckhart plays the tortured man all too well. The best scene in the movie is when the Joker turns Harvey Dent into two face by persuading him. The Joker is in a nurses outfit and he uses his brilliant dialogue and sneakiness to convince Dent to go on a murder rampage. This movie is brilliantly twisted. Maggie Gyllenhal is a very welcomed addition to the Batman franchise but I still am so glad Rachel gets killed off here, I was never a fan of Rachel Dawes in the Batman franchise, Batman isn't a lover he's a fighter and he has some serious villains to fight. Gary Oldman is also a seasoned veteran as the cop turned commissioner, he's just awesome, and he gives the dark film a wholesome heart.

I could go on and on about this perfect film. The Batman franchise has reached it's potential with this film, this is not only an amazing superhero movie but it's an awesome crime thriller that is so dense and epic in scope. Nolan is a mastermind and the perfecter of the "blockbuster" movie. He has exhilarating action with amazing emotion and tension, this is a deadly combo. The cast in this movie are flawless and work so well together, watching these brilliant actors is always a treat. It's sad that Mr. Ledger lost his life and many people say that this movie was overdone because of his death but let me tell you this. Heath Ledger was amazing in this film, he is spellbinding, flawless and brilliantly calculated. He is the best Joker, yes better than Nicholson, he is so demented and crazy that it's so much fun to watch even though it's also disturbing stuff. This is a dark venture for Batman but that is what Batman is all about, staring pure evil in the eye and looking for any sign of hope. Too bad Nolan didn't get nominated for best director, he is a brilliant visionary when it comes to film. This is a brilliant film.

Batman Begins: Batman is finally cool. ***

Rebooting a franchise is always the hardest thing for every film maker. The Batman franchise is the most beloved comic book and graphic novel franchise in the world of comics. Tim Burton did a good Job with the first two films, they were light, fun, and comically entertaining. Nolan has done something special with the first Batman film in a very long time. This made us nervous simply because Joel Schumacher made Batman laughing material. He's back and he is awesome.

The movie begins with Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale, in a Chinese prison and we quickly learn that he's there because he wants to be there. Then Liam Neeson shows up and we all know how cool he is. Wayne then goes and works for a mysterious organization that teaches him to use fear against criminals, this is when we find out about Bruce's fear, bats. We see batman birthed on the screen for the first time. Nolan was the screenwriter, producer and director of this movie and the care and diligence shows through his material. We see Wayne flawed and confused as he stumbles to create batman and watching batman evolve into what we know him as is so well done. The casting of the movie was spot on except for one character, Rachel Dawes. Bale is fantastic, he looks, sounds, acts and truly is Bruce Wayne. He is the perfect Batman , Liam Neeson as the mentor is a nice addition and Michael Caine as batman's servant, Alfred, was perfect as well. Let's not forget about Morgan Freeman as Fox, the man who builds all of those cool gadgets. Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes was not the best choice. Katie isn't a great actress, she does what she needs to do here but never really makes Rachel important in the movie. There is no real Che,is try between herself and Bruce, but then again, Rachel in the graphic novel was merely a side note as well.

This movie is made with such staggering poise and confidence. Just as Bruce Wayne struts his way into the room, this film is a mighty handsome action film. The villain is the scare crow, and a major crime lord, they add a nice touch but the real meat of the story is how Batman became who he is. The action is fun, the sets are polished but I sense that there is something holding this film back. A sense of, "okay we need to tell this story to get this this other part", batman never really reaches his height. At the end of the movie we are left with a cliffhanger, a hint at the Joker for the next villain, and bat,an really isn't anything without the joker.

This is a slick and poised action flick boasting some excellent acting and directing. Batman has never been cooler and the scare crow is marvellous, Liam Neeson is also a nice touch. This movie is a wonderful reboot, a fresh vision on a dull franchise. It's wonderfully exciting, dark, and insanely fun to watch. I am excited to see more from this very own batman franchise, it will be exciting to see where Nolan takes this. Please do not bring back Katie Holmes, there's a start.

The King's Speech: Fit for a King. ****

When you are bolstered in the lime light for the entirety of you're life, you would seem to hold people's opinions very seriously and highly in you're life, or maybe you would run you're life around what people think? Insecurity would be a must if you're a royal. King George the VI was the man that brought the world together in midst of the darkest time in our recent history, the rise of Hitler, he had a strong voice and will that brought his kingdom together and united them against evil. Where this movie begins isn't very heroic at all, it's actually very pathetic, and we get a slight whiff of what this movie has to offer. Empathy is charged through the theatre, as well as pity and discouragement, but one must rise from the ashes.

Colin Firth, what does that name mean to you? Not only is Colin a british bread actor but he is one of those handsome devils that was always in that random role, in that random romantic comedy, until a breakout role in "A Single Man." I have yet to see this movie but he received huge nods for his role in this film, he always received a nomination. Now sometimes an actor gets nominated then disappears, or picks crap material, a swing and a miss I guess you can say. Colin Firth picked "The Kings Speech" and he drives this movie. Not only does he swing, he hits a grand slam, and has made the performance of his career. Little did we know the confident "voice of Britain" had a stammering problem, and a big one. It's almost awkward and uncomfortable to watch Firth spit out what he's trying to say; it's an eye opening experience. As the movie digs on, we dig deeper into what this movie is really about, the human conditioning and how we can lose sight of our confidence and self importance. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel, the man who teaches the king how to give a confident and wonderful speech, but he also becomes his only close friend. Rush gives the performance of his lustrous career, and that is saying a lot. He plays Lionel with a sharp wit and determination, he's blunt, sarcastic but also very sweet and empathetic. He is the only man that ever knew King George the VI's struggles and heartaches within his family. Helena Bonham Carter plays the queen, she has such a sweet presence but also isn't afraid to let people know she is royalty. If she wasn't queen she would be the sweetest housewife. The support she gives her husband is amazing, the scene when she's talking about his stammering as King George breaks down, she instills a confidence in her husband. Guy Pierce plays King David, the brother filled with controversy, and he is so good at playing the idiot brother, he was also a wonderful support to this film. But this film belongs to two men, Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth.

This film is about a lot of things, perseverance, self confidence and those personal demons that haunt us for life. The writing of this film is so elegant and thoughtful, it's fit for a king, but at the same time it's blunt and rash just like Lionel himself. This is also a comedy, the laughter and humanity that gripped the king's heart is moving and inspiring. The friendship between these two men is also inspiring and heart warming. The power in this movie is unspeakable, it really doesn't show it off either. It sneaks up on you and attacks you're heart, it's persistent but not overbearing, it's in the little dialogue scenes when the actors deliver their lines perfectly and breathe life into this film, the audience starts to really connect with these two men, as Lionel never treats the king more than a normal person, the king slowly takes liking to this. The filming focuses on the dialogue, not the sweeping sets, or the epic downtown and the rise of Hitler. It sits, with Firth in the corner of the screen, waiting for him to stammer out a sentence. It's in this patience that makes the film so powerful and so wonderful. Firth eats up the limelight so well it's uncanny what he does with his character, he is a brilliant actor. The camerawork is absolutely stunning in this film, it has an elegance and beauty to it. The one set of Lionel's office where he treats his patients is breathtaking, the room has vintage furniture, a playback record player and old style wallpaper that I can't explain. This is where the king is healed, it's a beauty to look at as well as a perfect place for the king to spew about his personal life, absolutely perfect.

This movie is filled with humanity. A movie about a friendship, self sacrifice and finding oneself's identity. It's also a movie about a man who doesn't think highly of himself, that is until he meets his best friend that makes him worth something. It's a movie that shows us that people are so important in our lives no matter who we are, if we are just the normal person or royalty. It's message speaks so simply yet so profoundly, Firth and Rush are just perfect, they compliment each other so well and watching these two characters interact is such a joy to watch. This film is perfect and sure to win, want to be inspired? Go and watch this film, now.

The Social Network: A Boy and his Baby. ****

During the film season there are usually the odd movies that really inspire us. Usually, in the spring we get the dramas and the animated films that make our hearts melt, summer is the time for the huge action blockbusters and the fall is when the holiday oscar movies arrive. So movies come and go, some make in imprint on our emotions and some simply show us a good time, but sometimes there is a movie that simply defines cinema and stands the test of time. Some movies bring innovation and excellence to the screen and there are few that have done this. When David Fincher announced that he was making the movie about facebook written by master scribe Aaron Soren, I didn't know what to expect. I actually don't think anyone knew what to expect. Let me just start by saying, this movie better win best picture at the oscars, this is a brilliant achievement in film making. This is a powerhouse of a film, it sneaks up on you, and it will blow you away.

This movie is directed with such grace and tact, it packs a huge punch with the subtlety of a jungle animal slowly watching it's prey. It's vibrant, exhilarating, poignant and the most important movie of our cyber decade. It's the story about a young genius who show's the world how to connect, an entrepreneur that makes billions of dollars, and a friendship that is sacrificed for one thing, facebook. Let's back up just for a moment and get some context right. Facebook is the number one social networking site that was started in February of 2004 by wiz kids Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin. It was exclusive only to Harvard University when it first hit the internet and it spread, like a virus all over the world, this movie is about these people, the creation, and the spread, but it's also about how those events impacted the lives and relationships of all parties involved. I know what you still may be thinking though, how good can a movie be when all it's about is silly Facebook? The reason why this movie is so important is because it's about our generation, the cyber generation. The generation where computer nerds run the world and become the rock stars, the generation that lives, breathes and operates on the internet, so if you love checking you're Facebook every day, why wouldn't you want to see how it was created?

"The Social Network" has some of the hottest stars right now, and this isn't silly "Twilight" where the stars are easy to look at but have no cinematic punch, these boys and girls know how to act. Jesse Eisenberg taps into a new collective self as the boy who plays Mark Zuckerberg. He has grown out of his nimble supporting roles as such in "Adventureland" and "Zombieland", he has created a beautiful monster in this film, he will get an oscar nod if not an oscar. Andrew Garfield plays his right hand man, Eduardo Saverin, and this boy came out of nowhere and really shocked me. He is versatile, and creative with his character here giving a jaded performance that rocks the screen. Rooney Mara is another newcomer who plays a pivotal role as the girl who dumps Zuckerberg, and the opening scene shows how brilliant of an actress she really is. Justin Timberlake gives the performance of his career, clear and simple, he is truly an actor, nominate him please. Fincher wields his cast like an arsenal of mass destruction, this movie gives every craving of good acting that anyone has ever had for a film in a long time, that satisfaction a movie should give.

The best part of the film and script is the patience shown by the writer and director. I really don't care if this movie isn't true at all, it plays out like a parable and gives many lessons that are important in our lives. It's a story about a man's baby that no one can take away from him, not even the dreaded Winklevoss twins played by Armie Hammer Jr. By the way Armie will get a nod too. If it were up to me this movie would win every major award. This is a tour de force, Fincher shows a brilliance in his story telling, when the movie opens we are sitting in a bar listening to a girl break up with a boy. If the credits rolled after this scene, I would be satisfied, this scene is breathtaking. It not only sets the tone for the entire film but it haunts the audience even after the credits are rolling. The showcase of acting is just stellar, the directing is patient yet fervent, and the writing is just as witty and action packed as "Transformers" dreamed to be. This movie doesn't point fingers, it tells a story, a heartbreaking story of how dreams are sometimes not worth it, or are they? If Zuckerberg didn't have a dream then Facebook wouldn't have been invented. This film packs imagination and inspiration, you will be energized and blown away after sitting through this one. This is what cinema is all about, the power, grace and tenacity, this is more thrilling than the greatest thriller, more important than any documentary, and more dramatic than Shakespeare. This movie will test you, surprise you, disgust you, inspire you, and make you believe in the magic and power of film.

This was the one gem that came out of 2010, after a decade of amazing advancement in technology, and cyber business, it's good to stop and reflect that our humanity is much more important than some silly Social Networking site. Would you rather have 500 million Facebook friends? Or one really amazing real life friend that you can connect too instead of "poking" "The Social Network" asks this question, you be the judge.

This movie is a gourmet feast for movie lovers. It will stand the test of time.

Legends of the Guardians: Owls of Ga'hoole. Art in Motion. ***

Animated movies have always captured our hearts and imaginations. Studios have jumped on the CG bandwagon and hand drawn animation has slowly become a thing of the past. Zack Snyder is the director behind the project, the man behind "300" and "Watchmen", that's right the man behind the two most violent movies of the last two years is behind the latest kids flick. The first thing that caught my attention with this movie was the extended cast of great actors all pouring into this project.

The cast includes, Jim Sturgess, Sam Neill, Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, and Hugo Weaving to name a few. This cast does such a wonderful job with all of their characters, the voice acting in this film is amazing but I think the best person was Geoffrey Rush. He plays the hero that Soren looks up to and finally gets to meet. His character is so crazy and out of this world, he looks rugged and scarred and has a random green eye that is bigger than the other one. He is so entertaining to watch and Rush gives such life to this little owl that has done big things. The whole cast breathes life into each character, good and evil, which is what makes this movie work.

The story is simple and I would have to say it isn't that every kid would enjoy. This movie is dark, and the evil in this movie is very evil. This movie isn't afraid to be bad and to show a dark side but the good side makes it all make sense. It's a classic good vs. evil and nothing too inspiring is here when it comes to the story. I noticed that Mr. Snyder was behind it because the action in this film is full and furious. This would contend for one of the best action movies of the year and the animation is just beautiful. Slow-motion cuts that are matrix like look stunning and makes the action just thrilling. Even when you won't care about some of the characters because of the lack of character development, you will be blown away by the extreme action and beautiful look.

I would not recommend this movie for small children just because it is very scary and moments are sad. It also is fast and ferocious and full of imagination and beauty. Fantasy and action junkies will get a huge kick out of this movie but this movie is lacking in some areas. The script is nothing special, the plot is the center stage, not the characters and a theme is tried so hard that it gets tiring. It's very predictable and throughout the action was so frenzied and furious that caring about this world and characters just wasn't always an option. I just wanted to see where this animation could go and what it could do, it does a ton in this movie. The brilliant animation is the center here and it's wonderful. This movie is stunning to look at but that is all you'll get, sometimes that's the best movie to watch, pure entertainment, nothing more and nothing less. Pixar is still the king of animation.

Inception: A Dazzling Vision. ****

"An an idea is like a seed, when it's planted it grows, it becomes a cancer." This movie is absolutely brilliant. When a giddy Christopher Nolan announced this movie at a press conference, I don't think anybody expected what was coming. This movie is Nolan's baby, he wrote it, directed it and produced it, he has been working on this thing since he started filming "Memento". If you are film nerd, (like me), you would know that means he's been working ten years on this film, has it payed off? What Nolan has produced isn't only a blockbuster action film but it's an endearing drama with amazing depth.

Leonardo Dicaprio plays Cobb, a man who's profession involves going into someone's mind while they sleep. He's a master at creating a world within a person's mind masking it as a dream, he's a spy that steals secrets from people without the person even knowing. This very idea is the most creative idea in film since Tarantino released "Pulp Fiction". Cobb also has lost the privilege of having a family and he's haunted by a lady named Mal, played by Marion Cotillard. This movie is driven by Cobb's guilt of what happened between him and Mal, and what happened has separated him from his children whom he's trying to get back to. This movie is about him getting back to his kids and grieving his wife, it's an emotional roller coaster of a movie as well has an impressive action flick. The supporting roles are impressive as well, Ellen Page plays Ariadne, a young brainiac who becomes Cobb's dream architect. Joseph Gordon-Levitte plays Arthur, Cobb's right hand man, Cillian Murphy and Ken Watanabe also join the already remarkable cast in this movie. The cast carries this movie so well, each bringing a different energy to the film but kudos has to go to Marion Cotillard and Dicaprio. These two are at the center of the movie and Cotillard is so haunting, she plays Mal with such tenacity every time she's on screen there is such a tension and fear driven within the audience. Dicaprio plays Cobb with determination and some sort of guilt that eventually gets figured out in the movie but there is something within Cobb that is filled with regret, something that he just wants forget and move on that is what this film is about.

Inception is the act of planting an idea into someone's brain and making it seem like it's their own idea. Arthur thinks it isn't possible but Cobb later says that it is, it's just highly dangerous because a single idea can grow and become a cancer. This highly lucrative mission is the key, for Cobb, to get back to his family again, planting an idea into a son of a dying tycoon to get rid of the company. What later happens is crazy, the movie slowly sets up the rules and universe that Inception is immersed in. Nolan has created a flawless world here, all the rules are believable and every idea going into it is just flawless filming and creative design. You can tell that this film took Nolan ten years to perfect. Everything is thought out and complete, Nolan has created a dazzling spectacle and when the action sequences take place we actually care about what actually happens to these people. It makes the action so intense and visceral and the deeper they go into the dream world the crazier things get. Visually, emotionally, and dramatically spellbinding. When this movie reach the end; the end sequence is so dramatic and intense, what Nolan has picked for a climax to this film is breathtaking. As Cobb gets off the plane and into the place he's been banned is so thrilling, and when he see's his kids for the first time in many years is breathtaking. Nolan's idea of redemption is so poignant and is a perfect ending for this movie. Nolan has created such a complete movie experience that should be adored by film buffs. His vision is complete, creative and bold, hopefully he sticks around.

Unstoppable: One Crazy Ride. ***

Tony Scott has never been the most remarkable director. He's brought us the crowd pleasing yet confused Man on Fire, to the dreaded Domino, he hasn't really hit a home run yet. His movies are generally slick and fast paced with quick jarring camera movements, and fast zooms both in and out. With Unstoppable, he has found material that was made for him, and finally he has hit his home run.

Denzel Washington plays Frank, a train engineer/ conductor that has been with the company for twenty-eight years. Chris Pine plays Will, a young brute of a man that made a terrible mistake and is seeking redemption. Plenty of support comes from Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn and Kevin Corrigan. The cast is stellar and they do exactly what they are supposed to do. Washington and Pine are perfect together, their dialogue is quick and snappy and the actors play their characters so well as they are comfortable sharing the screen with each other. This relationship between Will and Frank is what makes this movie a joy, that and the quick, snappy and thrilling camera work.

This movie is no holds bar, it's an adrenaline shot about a huge train that can't be stopped. It never lets up, it doesn't even stop to get to know the characters, the star of the movie is this Unstoppable train not Will nor Frank. Scott knows this, his films have never been known for amazing character development, it's always about the story and how it pushes these characters to do extraordinary things. Unstoppable is perfect material for Scott, it doesn't slow down for characters, it makes the characters catch up to the plot and what is going on, here it works. This is all about the plot and the very thin theme it holds, everyone gets a second chance. In this movie you won't get a chance to slow down and reach for your popcorn, you won't get to breath until the credits roll. It's so fast, so intense and Mr. Scott's filming is absolutely perfect for this type of film, you will gasp and cover you're eyes in intensity no matter how crazy things get. It's a throwback to the films from the nineties like Diehard and Speed, just crazy adrenaline filled entertainment, period.

This movie is just a crazy thrill ride and does a great job creating suspense and intensity with an ending that's very crowd pleasing. Sure there is nothing deep or extraordinary here, but the story is good, acting is charming and the filming is fast and fueled with energy. If you want to forget the world and not think this movie is perfect. It's fast, suspenseful and so much fun to watch. No awards here, just a good time at the movies.

21: Nothing More than Slick. ***

In a world of high stakes risk always have to be made, but how about making illegal risks? 21, asks that very question as the premise is a nifty little story about some harvard-wannabe's that cheat at the tables to win loads of cash. Jim Sturgess plays Ben Campbell, a young man that want's so badly to go to harvard med. The only problem is that he need three hundred thousand dollars to afford tuition. During one of his classes his teacher (Kevin Spacey) notices that he is a genius and reels him into a little club. This club has four other students, one of them is a cute girl (Kate bosworth). This club is special, they count cards at tables in vegas and beat the system, they get rich very quickly. Ben is not wanting to join but he wants to go to harvard; so he needs the money but a moral lesson is to be learned here.

This movie is fast, slick, and the cast is perfect for what they need to be. Sturgess and Spacey play well together and Spacey of course brings his sly charm to a very sick character. It almost feels like that Spacey is here to mentor young actor Sturgess, as Spacey plays his character with spunk and energy. Sturgess isn't terrible good but he plays the character the way he's supposed to be; and he's also a very likeable actor so the girls will love him. That is what brings this movie down, a superficial sense of life. The film brings up really intense moral issues, stealing, lying, cheating and backstabbing the ones we love. Just because these issues are brought up doesn't mean the movie has tons of meaning. It never really deals with the issues, things happen, characters feel bad, and the movie rolls right along has fast as it can. It never stops to bring real life to it's characters and the only two characters that matter are Ben and his teacher. Kate Bosworth is there to bring eye candy and a superficial love affair that has no meaning. The three others in the club might as well shouldn't even exist, they are there simply because they have to. Ben's two other friends he ditches are barely in the mix as well. I wish the writer and director would try to bring more flesh to these bare bones characters as they are all so very interesting. Laurence Fishburne plays the vegas boss who is in charge of security and he's just awesome. He brings an awesome tough as nails character to the screen, I wish the movie was about him.

This movie could have been a whole lot better than it was, but it was wasn't bad either. Sure the acting is surface level (Except from Spacey and Sturgess), sure this could have been way cooler, but the movie was a fun watch. It's fun, fast paced, sexy and very slick. Watching these people in action as they beat the system and deal with the consequences is awesome. The one moral they do deal with in full force is retribution and a long life criminal getting his due, you may run but you can't hide from your personal demons. This movie could have gone two ways, it could have been an engrossing drama with many moral questions and answers, or it could have been a slick fun good time. It took the lesser way, and it was a good time, nothing more and nothing less.

The Fighter: A Triumph. ****

Only a few good movies come out during the course of the year and this movie is a gem to behold. A very special story is at the heart of this movie, a story about a broken family, a rough neighbourhood, and a dream of taking over the boxing world. David O. Russell has directed one of the most sensitive movie's I have ever seen and he doesn't take sides with any of the characters, he just shows us what their lives are all about.

At the center of the film is Mickey (Mark Wahlberg) ; a man that always had a dream of being a professional boxer and who held his older brother, Dickey (Christian Bale), up as an idol. Dickey used to a professional boxer and he fought sugar ray leonard and made the big man fall to the mat, he didn't win the fight, but he did knock Mr. Ray to the ground, this is why he's the pride of his town. Now he's a crack addict and very unhealthy, but he's making a comeback film so he can fight Mr. Ray Leonard again. This movie isn't about heroics or making epic comebacks from the dumps; this movie is about a broken family, two boys, a bunch of sisters and how they try to make their lives right. Mr. Wahlberg and Mr. Bale showcase their acting chops magnificently, finally Wahlberg has shown us that he really is a great actor and he deserves every award that is coming to him. He plays his character with such a gentle spirit and a crazy determination to do what is right for his family and his girl. He plays it perfectly and doesn't over do it, it's perfect. Christian Bale is absolutely brilliant, he plays with such tenacity, and his character is so believable that it's haunting to watch him in action, he is electric. These two carry the film beautifully as the director has the confidence just to put the camera in front of these two and watch them fly with their characters. The supporting roles are also amazing. Amy Adams sports her acting chops play Charlene, the tough as nails girl that works at the town bar, eventually she goes out with Mickey and teaches him how to stand up for himself. Adams goes from Julie and Julia to this hard town boston girl that would fight for her rights, literally. Awards are surely to be handed out to these three if not nominations.

This film is a roller coaster ride with a big heart; the emotions spread throughout this movie overflows the screen and will eventually win you're heart over. There are heartaches and troubles but also triumphs and defeats, a movie that truly cares about the human heart. David O Russell doesn't use big theatrics or crazy camera tricks; he just simply tells this amazing true story about a family and how they struggle to find a purpose to live, a story about addiction and how it ruins a life and a story about redemption because there is always a second chance no matter how old or young. This movie is a triumph of the human spirit filled with compassion and a showcase for wonderful acting. The Fighter shows us that a great story is all we need to be moved, and this movie will move you, it's impact full, wonderful, sensitive, troubling and simply great. This isn't a sport movie, it's a movie about life and all the trials within, but it's what we do when we face them that is the most important. Will you give in? give up? or will you run full face into them and fight them to the death? This is the true fighter in us.

The Book of Eli: Mr cool isn't enough **

The end of the world is a popular topic these days as religions predict it and people with faith believe in it. Some say the world will see a war, others say a cataclysmic weather pattern will torch the earth, and some think a viral attack will kill millions, but we are all fascinated with it. This year we've had plenty of films about the end of the world and most haven't made the cut. The Book of Eli, is a nice effort trying to bring us a new world and a hopeful message but it falls flat in many respects.

Denzel Washington as the lead in this movie is the smartest move The Hughes Brothers went with while looking on who to cast for the film, Mr. Washington is cool, collect and has plenty of charisma to share with the rest of his cast. He actually makes this movie watchable; every scene he's in has an energy and there are moments in this movie that are so cool. Watching Denzel dismantle a group of bad guys in such a cool fashion never gets old; there is one moment in the movie where he turns a gun on a shop owner after the owner threatens to shoot him, but stringing a bunch of cool parts together does not justify for the bland story line. Nothing really happens in this movie, the catastrophe doesn't ever get explained and Denzel just walks around this baron landscape as the audience continuously wonders what this movie is really about. We know there is a special book, which is easily predicted as the bible, and a whole lot of wandering that is never warranted.

There are moments in this film that could've have been really fascinating but the writer clearly skimped out and would rather try and make the movie roll from scene to scene rather than taking one idea and fleshing it out. The part: when Eli (Washington) falls upon a house and he walks in and meets an old couple. At first they seem nice, the old lady offers him tea, and the man makes easy small talk with him. Then things slowly turn ugly; this lovely old couple trap people and kill them so that they can eat their bodies and survive, they are cannibals, this is terrifying but as soon as suspense is created it all goes away when it turns and a shootout. Moments like these could have made the movie so terrifying and exhilarating but the writer and directors seemed to take the easy way out. The action scenes in the movie were cool but it wasn't anything new to the genre and there was only really two big fight scenes. In between the fighting and the pithy one liner dialogue is a really boring road story.

The movie rolls on and during the entire feature all I was wondering was, "where is this movie going", and it didn't go really far, it was cool at times, and Denzel Washington did the best job he could carrying this dead weight. He was cool, the action was the cool, the story was bland and the twist, well i'm not a huge fan of a movie made just for a cool twist. The ending of this movie is amazing and powerful, but it is a real shame the rest of the film wasn't as amazing as the ending was. This is truly a snore fest that really didn't have to be made. The ending makes this movie watchable as does Mr. Washington. The Hughes Brother tried their best trying to swing for home run with this film and they almost did; they brought vibrance and a cool look but the films pacing is dull and I really would never watch this one again, A nice try, but a bland story never helps.