Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren and Scarlett Johansson
Directed by: Sacha Gervasi
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 38 mins
Fox Searchlight

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

More than three decades after his death, director Alfred Hitchcock is still referred to as “The Master of Suspense.” And rightfully so. Films like “Rebecca,” “Vertigo” and “North by Northwest” were wildly successful. Yet, even with that track record, it took every resource he could find to make his most famous film, “Psycho.” But he turned the production into a labor of love, both on screen and behind it.

Any film that includes conversations between one of films greatest directors and killer Ed Gein can best be described as tongue in cheek. And that is the tone director Gervasi sets in “Hitchcock.” Gein, whose horrible crimes were not only the basis for Robert Bloch’s novel “Psycho” but the characters of Leatherface in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and Buffalo Bill in “Silence of the Lambs.” Incidentally, I didn’t call Gein a serial killer because, even though he killed several people, to save money he was only tried for one murder. And apparently you have to be convicted of at least three murders to be called a “serial” killer. Who knew?

“Hitchcock” finds the great director gaining a new generation of fans through his weekly television program. However, he feels “cheapened” by television and looks for his next great film. Coming across Bloch’s book he becomes fascinated with the subject matter and, despite the protests of the big shots at Paramount, decides to make a movie. Behind the scenes is his long time adoring wife, Alma (Mirren), who was in fact a fine filmmaker before she and “Hitch” met.

Hopkins does a good job imitating the voice and cadence of the great director, however sometimes his makeup makes him look more like Bob Newhart then Hitchcock. As Alma Mirren is strong and decisive. “Psycho” is as much her film as it is Hitchcock’s and the film stresses that point. Johansson and James D’Arcy are well cast as “Psycho” stars Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins while in a quick cameo Ralph Macchio plays screenwriter Joseph Stefano, hired by Hitchcock because he had issues dealing with sex, rage and his mother!

Production values are fine, giving the film a nice period feel. The film is also a nice look back at the early days of Hollywood, when the fact that Hitchcock wanted to show a toilet on screen was deemed shocking.

Actors: Travis Rice, John Jackson, Mark Landvik, Scotty Lago, Jake Blauvelt
Directors: Curt Morgan
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Red Bull Media House
Running Time: 80 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

“The Art of Flight 3D” not just another documentary film about snowboarding. It is much more.  The film was released prior back in September 2011 but was not in 3D.  Let me tell you that adding the third dimension to this film really makes the difference.  Like I said this is not just about snowboarding, the film is jam-packed with action, adventure and even drama. It follows the well-known snowboarder Travis Rice and his friends as it follows them over two years as they aim to experience the limit of snowboarding. The film is released from Red Bull film division…that’s right the energy drink.  This film is your average documentary on a bender of Red Bull.  I would highly recommend experiencing this film, especially in 3D.

Official Synopsis: Brace yourself for a new breed of action sports film as Red Bull Media House presents the re-release of Red Bull Media House’s acclaimed film now in 3D titled “The Art of FLIGHT 3D,” a Curt Morgan film. “The Art of FLIGHT 3D” combines meaningful storytelling and character development with sport progressing action, all captured on state-of-the-art filmmaking equipment, much of which has been custom designed just for this project. Equal parts stunning action and harrowing adventure mix with the inevitable drama encountered along the way, presenting viewers with an exclusive opportunity to experience these endeavors virtually firsthand. With unprecedented access, the audience will share in the experience as snowboarder Travis Rice, along with a cast of the best riders in the world, complete a two-year quest to redefine what’s possible on a snowboard.

First of all the cinematography in the film is extremely impressive, thanks to filming with the RED camera system. It really scales up the film and makes it feel much bigger. We get to experience the mountains in locations like Chilean Patagonia’s Darwin Range, Alaska’s Tordrillo Range, Wyoming’s Snake River Range, Aspen, Colorado, the Andes, as well as British Columbia’s Kootenay Mountains. The 3D really added a lot of depth to these wonderful landscapes. I am sure it looked amazing on Blu-ray without but I really enjoyed the depth added to the locations. When it comes to snowboarding films, you got to make sure to have a killer soundtrack and “The Art of Flight” does not disappoint. It features the music of The Naked and Famous, M83, Deadmau5, Sigur Rós and more.

“The Art of FLIGHT 3D” will be released exclusively in AMC Theatres on December 7th in markets including New York, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Spokane, Denver, Salt Lake City, Charlotte and Minneapolis.  The film will also be available via TUGG throughout December 2012 and Winter 2013.  TUGG is a web-platform that enables moviegoers to choose the films that play at their local theaters. Then hopefully Red Bull is planning a 3D Blu-ray release since I would love to own this film for repeat viewings.

Starring: Zhang Guoli, Adrien Brody and Tim Robbins
Directed by: Feng Xiaogang
Rated: Not Rated
Running time: 2 hours 25 mins
China Lion Entertainment

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

In the winter of 1942 a terrible drought came over the Henan province in China. The drought, combined with a locust invasion and the continued war with Japan, eventually left 3 million people dead.

Based on the novel “Remembering 1942” by Zhenyun Liu (who also did the screenplay), “Back to 1942” is an epic telling of a story few people know. The story begins with a local village, run by the wealthy Mr. Fan (Guoli), being visited by a band of wandering “bandits.” But they’re not there to steal. They’re only looking for a meal. They are allowed in but Fan dispatches a lackey to bring back soldiers to arrest them. However his plan is discovered and a riot breaks out which transforms the village into a smoldering pile of rubble. Those not killed pack up their belongings and begin a trek to what they hope is salvation only to be slapped down repeatedly by everything from the weather to the Japanese Air Force.

Skillfully directed, “Back to 1942” is an unfiltered – and unflinching- look at the true perils of war. What amazes is that, in the more than two hour running time, there isn’t one moment of lightness. No sudden comic moment to help ease the story along. They say war is hell and this film doesn’t let you forget that. As their journey continues we are reminded via titles (“31 days, 76 miles”) how far they have traveled. By the end of the film you’re so emotionally drained that you feel as if you’ve walked every step as well.

The performances are strong, including those by a couple of Oscar winners. Brody plays “Time” magazine writer Theodore White, who covered China for many years and went on to write several “Making of the President” books. White, who was a college classmate of Joe Kennedy, Jr. would also later write an essay for “Life” magazine in which John F. Kennedy would forever be linked to Camelot. Robins has a smaller but just as important role as Father Thomas Megan, the first Divine Word Prefect in China. Production values are strong with special mention going to the bleak yet sharp photography courtesy of cinematographer Yue Lu.

“Back to 1942” is presented in Mandarin with English and Chinese subtitles (the scenes with Brody and Robbins are in English) and is now playing in limited release in the following cities: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington D.C.

Starring: Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins and James Gandolfini
Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 37 mins
The Weinstein Company

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I’m sure it sounded like a great idea. You do a movie about the mob, throw in the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression then cast top notch actors like Brad Pitt and Ray Liotta. But you forgot to check the script. What do you do, hot shot? WHAT DO YOU DO?

It’s several weeks before the 2008 Presidential Election and the economy is bad for everyone. Even the petty thieves are down on their luck. Two of them – Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) – are about to try to change it. They’ve learned from their friend Squirrel (Vincent Curatola, probably best known as “The Sopranos” Johnny Sack) about a high stakes card game being hosted by local hood Markie Trattman (Liotta). It seems that some time ago Trattman arranged for one of his games to be robbed. The guys figure if it gets robbed again those inconvenienced will assume Trattman was up to his old shenanigans and he’ll be the one held responsible. They’re right. But they’re also wrong.

Visually interesting with some fine performances, “Killing Them Softly” suffers from a script that can best be described as Quentin Tarantino meets Kevin Smith. All of the fancy overlapping dialogue is there, with just a bit of raunch thrown in to make it interesting. Sometimes. The three top names seem committed to the story, though. Pitt is fun to watch as Jackie, a hit man brought in to correct the current situation. With his hair slicked back and goatee he bears more than a slight resemblance to the late Robert Goulet. If he can sing I may have just found his next project. As the mob lawyer trying to have things done under budget (he insists that any hit man flying in fly coach) Jenkins is his usual dry self. As a fellow hit man dealing with marital problems Gandolfini runs the gambit of emotions.

Writer/director Dominik previously gave us “Chopper” (where we first met a bad-ass Eric Bana) and “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (which also starred Pitt). With the exception of some fine visual effects he takes a step back here.

Director: Richard Powel
Cast: Robert Nolan, Astrida Auza, Cathryn Hostick
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 24 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Before I got approached to review this short horror film, I was unaware of it.  But after watching the trailer for “Familiar”, I couldn’t help but immediately plug in to watch this short.  The trailer is really sets the stage for one hell of a fucked up ride.  but only gives a taste of what to expect. The film’s star is Robert Nolan delivers such a fantastically unsettling performance. Definitely not the squeamish but I highly recommend this for all horror fans.

I don’t want to give anything away but here is a brief synopsis for the film:  “Through a series of tragic events a middle aged man grows to suspect the negative impulses plaguing his mind may not be his own…”. Most of the dialogue spoken over the film by John’s voice in his head (or maybe more than that…gotta watch) and really seals the deal on John Dodd’s insanity.  The inner torment for John is so intense, it literally leaves you forgetting to breath. The film itself is simple yet completely devious and rather disturbing. For a low-budget short, the make-up effects are extremely impressive and add a lot to this film.  I couldn’t help but relate this film to the earlier works of David Cronenberg with “Dead Ringers” and Naked Lunch”.

Personally, I feel that the poster gives away some of the shock factor but still ends up throwing you for a complete loop. I was unaware of the fact that “Familiar” is actually a sequel to the director’s previous short sequel called “Worm”, which stars the character John Dodd’s brother, Geoffrey. I look forward to seeing that short next. Richard Powell is hot on my radar now and I can’t wait to see what he has planned next.  I also hope that this short gets the attention that it deserves but people need to see this!

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Actors: Malcolm McDowell, Jaime King, Ellen Wong, Donal Logue, Brendan Fehr, Courtney Palm
Director: Steven C. Miller
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Release Date: December 4, 2012
Run Time: 94 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Lately, there has been a big huge flow of 80’s horror remakes.  The 1984 horror classic “Silent Night Deadly Night” is one of my favorites.  When it was released it was controversial and was protested.  “Silent Night” is a modern remake and packs a nice punch but I doubt it will have the same effect as the shocking original.  The kills are sharp, the gore is present and there is no shortage of gratuitous nudity. The film also rings in a wonderful cast including Malcolm McDowell (“Rob Zombie’s Halloween”) and Jaime King (“Sin City”) and Courtney Palm (“Sushi Girl”), who also has the best kill scene in the film! There is some decent nods to the original film but overall stands on its own.

Don’t get me wrong the 1984 original is a cult classic but it surely has its issues and is not a perfect film.  “Silent Night” takes what’s good in the original and sharpens it up a bit.  Steven C. Miller is a kick-ass director and he knows his horror.  This is a great follow-up to his last film, which I also enjoyed, “The Aggression Scale”. “Silent Night” is low-budget film but it has a larger scale to it. You can tell that Miller is a fan of the original himself and really delivers his unique look and feel to this film. This might be his most mature and sharpest film to date! As always, I look forward to what he has planned next. If you are a fan of the original, this is a nice companion to it.  It tries to compliment it more than it tries to replace it.

This time around the story follows on a small-town sheriff and deputy who are on the hunt for a murderous masked Santa Claus that terrorizing their community on Christmas Eve. As the town prepare for its annual Christmas parade, the streets full of Santas and the killer is hiding in plain sight. The killer is picking off the people that he judges as being “naughty”. He’s making his list, checking it twice, and the naughty are going to pay with their lives. Christmas is going to be bloody and brutal this year!

Anchor Bay is releasing a very nice Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for the film. It looks very sharp it is 2.40:1/16×9 1080p transfer. The audio is also very impressive with its Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track. The special features are not the best but definitely worth checking out. There is a very short and non narrated collection of behind-the-scenes footage from the production, which runs just over six minutes. There are some deleted scenes, which run for just over five minute. They literally add nothing to the film and were rightfully deleted. I would have loved to see a commentary track from Miller and some cast chatting about the original and the production.

Starring: Kris Lemche, Brooke Nevin, Joey Kern, Danny Masterson, John Ventimiglia
Director: Jordan Galland
Distributor: Phase 4 Films
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 79 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

With a year jam-packed with superheros like “The Avengers” and “The Dark Knight”, “Alter Egos” is the counter-opposite of the spectrum. It is a fun quirky indie dark comedy. It started off and write away it make me think of “The Incredibles”, when the superheros are outlawed.  But this takes its own unique approach to the superhero genre. The film itself I would say lays more on the dark side of the comedy and less of the belly laughs. But there is some good material in this film to entertain.  Overall it might not best film ever but if you got nothing else to do for 80 minutes it is worth checking out.

“Alter Egos” takes place in a variation our world in which super heroes are real but not respected. They have taken care of all crime and since then lost government funding and public support. The film focuses around the superhero, Fridge (Lemche), who is going through his own emotional crisis and leans on his friend and fellow superhero C-Thru (Kern) and a new girl to assist. Though both of them have their own issues as well to deal with.

The film is very smarty written and directed by Jordan Galland, known for his Kris Lemche (“Final Destination 3”) and Joey Kern (“Super Troopers)” plays the main superheros – Fridge and C-Thru (respectively). Both of these get some decent laughs, especially when C-Thru is standing nose to nose with a brick wall. Danny Masterson steals the show though as the asshole cop/superhero reject Jimmy, who’s ability is to turn invisible for only 2.3 secods. The film also has music from Sean Lennon, who also has a quick cameo as well. The great casting overall is one of the main reasons why this film succeeds. The film is available now on VOD, check it!

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert DeNiro
Directed by: David O. Russell
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 2 minutes
The Weinstein Company

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Let’s say you come home early and are surprised to find your wife in the shower. With another man. What would you do? If you’re Pat Solitano, Jr. (Cooper) you beat the hell out of him. Of course you now find yourself out of a job, out of a wife and spending eight months in a mental facility. But now you’re going home, which means things are bound to get better. Right?

Based on the novel “The Silver Linings Playbook” by Matthew Quick, “Silver Linings Playbook” is a sharp and smart mixture of tears and laughter, both happy and sad. The story follows Pat, Jr. as he begins his life while moving back in with his folks; mother Dolores (“Animal Kingdom” Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver) and father Pat Sr. (DeNiro – no introduction needed). Seems pop is a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan and runs a successful bookmaking racket out of his kitchen. Once home Pat, Jr. begins jogging and reading books his wife, also a teacher, has taught, hoping that when she sees him paying attention to both his mind and his body she will take him back. He is also introduced to Tiffany (Lawrence), a young woman whose policeman-husband recently died. Tiffany also has problems and the two of them become friends while working towards a mutual goal. A goal that is important to both.

Packed with real life moments and sometimes brutal honesty, “Silver Linings Playbook” will, I’m sure, always be remembered as the film in which Bradley Cooper made the jump from former “Sexiest Man Alive” to top notch actor. Even in roles in films that don’t include the word “Hangover” in their title, Cooper has always managed to hide just a little bit behind his smile and blue eyes. But here he is stripped naked, emotionally, and gives a performance that is sure to be on the short list of Oscar nominees this year. Also surprising is the gift of comedy that Lawrence possesses. Having gone from unknown actress to Oscar nominee to “The Hunger Games” in what seemed like a blink of an eye, Lawrence shows herself a master of timing and plays off Cooper brilliantly. DeNiro and Weaver also breathe life into what could have been very clichéd and overdone performances.

Writer/director Russell, whose last film, “The Fighter,” also dealt with some dysfunctional family moments, continues to grow as a storyteller. Here he places his camera directly into the moment, allowing the viewer to experience the characters first hand. The script is solid, with only a few moments that don’t ring true.

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner
Directed by: Bill Condon
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Summit Entertainment

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

It’s over. Finally. The epic vampire meets girl, girl meets vampire, wolf-boy takes his shirt off a lot adventures known as “The Twilight Saga” has reached its end with “Breaking Dawn: Part II.”

For those of you that may have missed the story: Bella (Stewart) is a high school girl living in a remote town in Washington state. One day she catches the attention of Edward Cullen (Pattinson), whose skin is pretty pale, even for someone living in the Pacific Northwest. Bella also has a friend, Jacob, (Lautner) who would like to be more than friends. Seems Edward is a vampire, Jacob a wolf and Bella confused. After four films and a lot of bad special effects, featuring characters running fast and turning into wolves, Bella and Edward are married and Bella has a bun in the oven. Because the baby is half vampire Bella has some complications during birth. In order to save her Edward turns Bella into a vampire. I’ve just save you 490 minutes of your life.

As “BD:II” begins, it’s been a few days since Bella gave birth. Still unsure if she can control her newfound blood lust, her family has kept her from seeing her baby daughter, named Renesmee. To ease her hunger Bella has taken to chasing down deer in the woods as well as well as other forest creatures. But what should be a happy time turns downright tragic when the Volturi, one of the lead groups of vampires, learns of Renesmee’s existence and believes, incorrectly, that the baby has been turned into a vampire the old fashioned way. Joined by vampires sympathetic to their cause, the Cullen clan gathers themselves for what could be one hell of a battle.

There are so many things wrong with this film that I’m not sure where to start. Actually, I do. What may have been an engrossing series of novels is really reduced to scene after scene after scene of bad clichés, including making sure that the vampires from Ireland have red hair and freckles. Too bad they couldn’t make them drunks as well. The special effects (moving along quickly, transforming into wolves) are horribly rendered. You would think for a film series that has grossed over a billion dollars that they could have found a decent special effects house by now. But the biggest problem is Renesmee. No, not her name (when Jacob calls the child “Nessie” Bella is outraged – “You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?”). For reasons I haven’t yet figured out the production appears to have gone to a CGI baby and youngster to stand in for Renesmee. With its creepy facial features and dark eyes the baby looks nothing like her supposed mom and dad. As the child gets older her face begins to take on hard angles that makes her look like older but, again, computerized. I may not be a doctor but believe me there is no way that Stewart and Pattinson would ever produce a baby this ugly.

Finally, a word of warning to parents with younger children. Somehow this film managed to obtain a PG 13 rating despite featuring no less than a dozen incidents of people having their heads violently ripped off. Maybe the ratings board feels that vampires aren’t really people so it doesn’t matter what happens to them. Some of the younger girls in the screening I attended were visibly upset by the on screen images so use your judgement.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 29 minutes
Dreamworks

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

January 1865. Having just won re-election to a second term as president, Abraham Lincoln is greeting soldiers, black and white, at an encampment. The black soldiers ask Lincoln if there will ever be a black soldier made an officer. Another asks him how tall he is. The white soldiers claim to have seen Lincoln that fateful day in Gettysburg. But what all of the soldiers have in common is that they all have memorized Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Proudly they recite it, line after line, making it quite clear that they know exactly what they’re fighting for. But no one knows the battles going on behind the battle.

Told with the touch of a master painter, “Lincoln” is an epic canvas on which our 16th president comes alive before our eyes. Played with great skill (and an almost uncanny resemblance) by Daniel Day-Lewis, Abraham Lincoln is shown to be a man of great compassion. While he and his wife Mary (Sally Field) continue to mourn the death of their young son, Willie, the president struggles to bring an end to the Civil War while at the same time trying to get a constitutional amendment passed outlawing slavery. And while he earns assurances that the Republican members of the House of Representatives will support the amendment he will also need the help of several Democrats. To this end he is not above making deals and promising jobs to the Democrats who will soon be out of work as the Republicans won a majority of seats in the last election. He may not always be “Honest Abe” but his goals are admirable.

As one of this generations greatest actors, two time Oscar winner Day-Lewis is a shoo-in for a chance at a third trophy. He has given Lincoln a soft, high pitched voice, though one that has been called quite accurate by historians. Gentle of disposition most of the time, Lincoln only wants to bring his country back together…but on his terms. Field, another double Oscar winner, breathes life into Mary Lincoln, making her more interesting then the way history has painted her (grieving mother needing institutionalization). And Gordon-Levitt bounces back from the mistake that was “Looper” to portray oldest Lincoln child Robert, who feels guilty he’s at school and not in the army fighting to bring his father’s dream to life. Director Spielberg has also filled the cast with some of the greatest character actors around including David Strathairn, Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes, James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson and Tommy Lee Jones.

Spielberg has won Oscars in the past for directing historical dramas like “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” Here he allows his camera to sit among the men of history and let the audience feel a part of the action. As usual, his long time musical collaborator John Williams sets the mood with another great score.

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Directed by: Rick Alverson
Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, James Murphy, Gregg Turkington, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rasmussen, Jeff Jensen
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: Tribeca Film
Running time: 94 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Right off the bat, you see Tim Heidecker starring in a film called “The Comedy” and expect this hilarious film like their recent “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie”. Well you will be thrown for a real loop when you find out that this is actually not a comedy at all and very much a drama – well maybe a dramedy, since there is some funny parts. Fans of Tim and Eric though, be prepared since even though Eric Wareheim appears in the film, this is not a Tim and Eric project. But that doesn’t mean that it is a bad thing. Tim really gets a chance to shine in this film and gives a really wonderful dramatic performance, yes I am being serious here! “The Comedy” is a really well written and executed film.

Official Premise: On the cusp of inheriting his father’s estate, Swanson (Tim Heidecker, “Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”) is a man with unlimited options. An aging hipster in Brooklyn, he spends his days in aimless recreation with like-minded friends (“Tim & Eric” co-star Eric Wareheim, LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy and comedian Gregg Turkington a.k.a.“Neil Hamburger”) in games of comic irreverence and mock sincerity. As Swanson grows restless of the safety a sheltered life offers him, he tests the limits of acceptable behavior, pushing the envelope in every way he can.

The film was an official selection at 2012 Sundance Film Festival and I have been dying to see this film ever since. It is being distributed by Tribeca Film (one of my favs), is available now on VOD and set for theatrical release on November 9, 2012. This film really deserves a lot of attention and I hope it gets Tim recognized for his fantastic performance. There is still some raunch material included here  from his days of “Tim & Eric” but it is blended in so well that it works and doesn’t overtake the drama. This is highly recommended and easily one of the best indie films that I have seen all year! Tribeca Film has done it again and gave life to a film that would have otherwise gone a miss.

Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 23 minutes
MGM

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

One of the things you learn as a film critic is to always hedge your bets. Which is why, six years ago this month, I called ‘Casino Royale’ “possibly the best Bond movie ever!” Thank goodness for the word “possibly.”

In the 50 years since James Bond first hit the big screen in “Dr. No” there have been 22 official films in the series, each one contributing SOMETHING to the legendary life of 007. This week, film #23 takes a little bit of everything that makes the Bond series great and rolls it up into a perfect holiday package called “Skyfall.”

A member of a terrorist organization has stolen a hard drive from a secured lap top. The hard drive contains the true names of every undercover NATO agent in the world and their release. Tracked down by MI6 agent James Bond, the baddie runs, soon finding himself in a motorcycle chase. Across the tile roofs of the city. As the chase continues on top of a high speed train, Bond’s partner in espionage, Eve (Naomie Harris) takes aim at the two on top of the train through the scope of her rifle. Afraid to shoot for fear of hitting Bond she is snapped back to reality by the stern voice of M (Dench) in her earpiece, commanding her to “take the shot!” Cue the opening credits.

After the step back that was 2008’s “Quantum of Solace” (though in defense of the film it should be noted that, due to the writer’s strike, a completed script was never delivered), Bond and all the members of Her Majesty’s Secret Service return in a film that skillfully balances the old school workings of past 007 adventures with the futuristic world of 21st century cyber terrorism. From the title song, performed in the style of the great Shirley Bassey by this generations great songstress, Adele, to the reintroduction of Q to a ride in the classic Aston Martin DB5 from “Goldfinger,” there is plenty in “Skyfall” to take fans down memory lane. The great reminders of the present day begin with Daniel Craig. In my review of “Casino Royale” I noted that his performance was exactly the way I imagined when I read the original Ian Flemming novels. While Sean Connery will always be the first (and the best) Bond, in the span of three films Craig has made the character his own. I would not want to be the actor to assume the role from him 15 years from now (Craig just turned 44 – Roger Moore was 57 when he did his last Bond film, “A View to a Kill”). Also strong are two Oscar winners – Dench as 007’s boss, M, and Bardem as Silva, a former MI6 agent seeking revenge on M for what he feels was her betrayal. With a head of bleached blonde hair Bardem seems to be channeling Raul Julia from “The Adams Family.” But in a really creepy way that makes him one of the most memorable villains in the series history.

Action-wise the film is among the best of the year. While director Mendes is best known for intense and personal dramas (“Revolutionary Road,” “American Beauty” for which he won the Best Director Oscar) he has also shown some flair for action and pacing in the past, most notably with “Road To Perdition,” the film that really introduced Craig to American audiences. As Bond makes his way across the globe the action follows, including a fierce hand to hand battle high above Shanghai, illuminated only by the constant neon glow of the skyscraper lights, a scene that is one of the highlights captured by cinematographer Roger Deakins, a long time collaborator with the Coen Brothers.

A film that’s right up there with “Casino Royale” (no wagering, please) I am pleased to say that from a scale of zero to five stars I give “Skyfall” *****

Directed by: Rich Moore
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 101 minutes

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

“Wreck-It Ralph” is the latest 3D animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and it also has become of my favorite films of the year.  When I heard that Disney was making a film based on an 8-bit game, I was ecstatic.  I grew up playing classic video games from Atari to Nintendo and now high-def  games on systems like XBOX 360 and PS3.  So this movie is a perfectly targeted for someone like myself.  But what also works well is that it isn’t a total nerd fest, a complete video game layman can still enjoy this film just as much as myself. If you are looking to escape for 90 minutes, I highly recommend this film for the whole family.

The video game world created throughout “Wreck-It Ralph” is just simply breathtaking.  They are extremely colorful, specifically “Sugar Rush”.  The 3D effects in the film also really help to add that WOW-factor to this amazing world.  I loved the ever-so subtle touches in each game ranging from the 8-bit “Wreck-It Ralph” to completely different high-def first person shooter “Hero’s Duty”.  The visual effects in this film rival those of the wonders of Pixar for sure.  After seeing the beautiful “Tangled”, I was blown away and thought how can they top this but “Wreck-It Ralph” takes the animation to a new level. Get it level? Anyone? (Sorry had to throw in a little video game humor).

On the eve of celebrating the 30th anniversary with his game “Fix-It Felix, Jr.”, Wreck-It Ralph is tired of being the bad-guy.  He wants to be recognized for his work like Fix-It Felix does every game with his medals and getting respect from the buildings residents.  When Ralph leaves his own game to win a medal and prove that he is more than a bad-guy, he gets more than he bargained for.  After heading into the high-def first person shooter game “Hero’s Duty”, he is able to steal the hero’s medal but ends up taking one of the uncontrollable villains known as Cy-Bugs to the kart-racing game called “Sugar Rush”.  This is where he meets the cutie Vanellope von Schweetz and get involved with helping her with her issue of being a glitch and her dream to race in the game.  Of course, the ruler of the game, King Candy, has another plan.  With the help of the lead character of “Hero’s Duty”, Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun and Fix-It Felix Jr., they set out to find Ralph and return him to his game before it is put out-of-order for good, as well as to prevent a Cy-Bug invasion of “Sugar Rush”.

I am huge fan of John C. Reilly. I love how he is able to range in roles from crazy TV series like Adult Swim’s “Check it Out” to kid friendly roles like this. To be honest though, I am not particularly a fan of either Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch but I am a fan now.  They completely won me over in this film. Sarah was super-cute playing Vanellope von Schweetz and Jack McBrayer was a riot as Fix-It Felix, Jr. The all-star medal should definitely go to Alan Tudyk for stealing the show (and channeling his inner Mad Hatter) playing King Candy, from the game “Sugar Rush”.

The film is jam-packed with amazing video game cameos but it never becomes overwhelming. I felt that it was a nice balance of cameos and didn’t take anything away from the film. Some of them had speaking roles and some were just background. The best cameos were from characters like Ken, Ryu and Zangief from “Street Fighter”, who get some good laughs. Kano from “Mortal Kombat” gets his signature finishing move in. “Sonic the Hedgehog” has a small role as does the bartender from Tapper, which almost got me out of my chair laughing. Lastly Q*bert lands a few good lines as well (if you can call them that). Some of the non-speaking cameos are including Bowser from “Super Mario Bros”, Doctor Eggman from “Sonic the Hedgehog” and even Pac-Man. If you are looking for other types of product cameos you will find them in the game “Sugar Rush” ranging from very clever uses of Oreos, Devil Dogs, Mentos, Nestle Quik and Laffy Taffy.  I have a feeling I will be repeating the following chant for months to come: OREOOOOOOOO….OREEEEEEEEEO! Once you see it you will know why.

When it comes to video games, music is always a very important factor. I absolutely loved the score by Henry Jackman, it captures the video game feel but also adding in the Disney flare.  The Japanese girl group, AKB48, sings the super catchy theme song for the in-movie video game “Sugar Rush”. It will have you bouncing through the credit.  Speaking of credits be sure to stick around for a brief “glitch” scene after the credits. Also if you have an iPhone, be sure to download the free game from Disney’s “Fix-It Felix, Jr.” It is tons of fun and makes you feel like you are in the movie. It will also get you saying “I’m Gonna Wreck-It” after everything you say! My wife loves it 😉

This film is accompanied by another wonderful short film by Disney called “Paperman”. It is one of the cutest short films that I have ever seen. It is wordless, presented in glorious black-and-white and packs a perfect score from Christophe Beck. The film is in 3D put contains some of the most beautiful hand-drawn animation mixed with the aspect of CG. I would recommend highly getting to the theater early to catch this for sure!

After “Tangled”, which is one of my favorites films (of all-time), I am glad that Walt Disney Animation Studios is successfully making films outside of just working with Pixar. “Frozen” is up next, which is a 3D animated musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Snow Queen”. It features the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel and is set for release on November 27, 2013. Count me in for sure!

Starring: Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood and Don Cheadle
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Paramount

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

It’s been almost four years since airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed his crippled jet safely on the Hudson River. Ever since that day, whenever I fly, I always wonder to myself if the pilot flying the plane I’m on could pull that landing off. Because when you think about it, when you’re 30,000 feet above the ground the ONLY person that can get you back down safely is the pilot. Whip Whitaker (Washington) is a former military pilot who is put into a life or death situation when the plane he’s piloting from Orlando to Atlanta suddenly begins plummeting to the ground. A hard task for anyone, to be sure. Especially when they’re drunk.

A powerful look inside the world of alcoholism, “Flight” uses the events before and after the aforementioned plane mishap to take the viewer on the rollercoaster ride that is Whip Whitaker’s life. Hailed as a hero for landing the plane in a field, Whip is then alarmed to learn that the blood test taken after the crash showed alcohol in his system. And cocaine. Scared straight for a few days Whip refuses to believe he’s an alcoholic. But as those around him try to protect him the demons in the bottle continue to undermine them.

In his first live-action film since “Cast Away” (which also had one hell of an on-screen plane crash), Robert Zemeckis has returned first class story telling. An Oscar winner for “Forrest Gump,” Zemeckis takes the camera into the lives of Whip Whitaker and the people who want to protect them. Chief among them is Nicole (Kelly Reilly), a former drug addict who finds herself in the same hospital as Whip after the crash. The two form a friendship/relationship but Kelly finds herself being drawn into Whip’s downward spiral. Both actors give strong performances, rivaling those of Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick in the classic Blake Edwards film “Days of Wine and Roses.” Other notable actors include Greenwood as head of the pilot union and Cheadle as the attorney engaged by the airline to protect Whip.

A film about much more than a plane crash, “Flight” is a sobering look inside a world often ignored in Hollywood.

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston and Elisabeth Shue
Directed by: Michael Apted and Curtis Hanson
Rated: PG
Running time: 1 hour 55 mins
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

What do you get when you pair two of Hollywood’s best directors, a talented leading man and a tale that assures audiences it’s based on a true story? If you guessed a mediocre film called “Chasing Mavericks” then pat yourself on the back.

Eight year old Jay Moriarty (Cooper Timberline) and his friend Kim (Harley Graham) are playing on the rocks along the Pacific Ocean. As Kim’s puppy gets closer and closer to the water Jay jumps into action. However in saving the dog Jay is washed off the rocks and pulled under water by the powerful waves and current. Suddenly Jay finds himself fished out of the water and safe in the grasp of one Frosty Hesson (Butler). “Small world,” Frosty tells him. Later Frosty gives the children a ride home. Jay is surprised to see Frosty is one of his neighbors. “Like I said,“ Frosty tells him, “small world.”

Years later, we meet fifteen year old Jay (Weston), who, because of his experience, has learned to embrace the ocean and is one of the best surfers around. One morning he sneaks a ride on Frosty’s van and soon finds himself awestruck as Frosty and friends conquer the Mavericks, mythical tide swells that can reach as high as 25 feet. He convinces Frosty to train him to ride the big waves. Frosty gives Jay twelve weeks to master the event. Twelve l-o-n-g weeks.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I didn’t like “Chasing Mavericks.” It’s just that I liked it better the first time I saw it, when it was called “The Karate Kid.” Here Frosty/Mr. Miyagi teaches the lessons he needs to through hard work and training, sometimes so subtly that Jay/Daniel-son doesn’t even know he’s being taught. And if Jay is Daniel then the ocean is Johnny Lawrence – the bad guy who only knows how to bully you. It is the scenes on the water that give the film any kind of interesting plot. Thanks to the “based on a true story” clue you know that eventually Jay will meet his goals…they certainly wouldn’t make a movie about someone who failed! Another boring plot point concerns the fact that Jay’s dad has left the family (coincidentally around the time Jay learns to enjoy surfing) and Frosty’s dad died young. This gives both men “daddy” issues to deal with along with the waves.

Curtis Hanson, who directed one of the greatest films of the 1990s (“L.A. Confidential”), directed the bulk of this film. It was only after taking ill with a few weeks of filming left that Michael Apted, himself an accomplished filmmaker (“Coal Miner’s Daughter,” England’s “UP” documentary series) stepped up. Together they make the surfing action jump right off the screen, but neither can save the flat padding that fills the rest of the film…padding which turns the movie into a cinematic wipe-out.

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