Movie Review: The Artist (2011)

For a film that's silent, The Artist is making a whole lot of noise in public and critics' circles alike.

I recently caught the much-acclaimed film and I can say that it's real deal. And when I say real deal, the film that has a very good chance of winning Best Picture at the Oscars.

Director Michel Hazanavicius' film is really a throwback to Hollywood of old-- heck, even the Hollywood sign says "Hollywoodland." At its core, the film is about how people are caught up in an era transition. The Artist shows how silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) deals with the emergence of "talkies," or films with sound.

Speaking of sound, it's a constantly recurring theme throughout the film. Apart from being an important plot element, sound represents acceptance of the new era, both for Valentin and 1920's Hollywood. Pulling something off like this is just great cinema in my books.

The Artist is a unique film in an industry where 3D and CGI are all the rage. What sets this apart is the satisfying story-telling and terrific performances by the actors despite the lack of sound and color. It's an absolute must see.


Rating: 5/5


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Movie Review: The Descendants (2011)

Despite the mild buzz generated by the film, The Descendants is a simple story of a man coping with what he had lost and what he's about to lose.

There's nothing fancy about this film by Alexander Payne (Sideways)-- the plot is neither complex nor clever, but it's glued together by George Clooney. Playing Matt King, a wealthy man who is in the middle of nuclear and extended family turning points, Clooney comes up with a moving performance. Could this be his ticket to the Academy Awards? I'm still over the fence, but it's his best shot since Up In The Air.

The film does have a few unexpected moments, but it its intensity level never really reaches the high registers. But it does wrap up nicely, in a way that it will make the audience feeling good enough.

The Descendants is an acting vehicle primarily and a showcase of Clooney's acting talents. Folks looking for a steady watch can sit back and enjoy this film.


Rating: 3/5


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Movie Review: Take Shelter (2011)

Take Shelter is a drama about an impending threat, although it is unclear if that threat is real or not.

Michael Shannon plays Curtis, an Ohio man who does his best Noah impression by building a storm shelter after he had visions of a violent tempest sweeping his town. His family and neighbors cope with his seemingly irrational behavior and Curtis himself becomes a threat to his town.

I can't say that this film is a psychological drama because there's not much delving into Curtis' psyche but it's how he deals with his visions of doom and his paranoia that grips the audience. Michael Shannon makes the film his own and that can be a good and bad thing-- he's at his best when he goes ballistic but pretty unremarkable everywhere else.

Take Shelter may be too slow a burn for casual film fans but if you'd like to see an acclaimed performance by an actor, this film is not run away from.


Rating: 3/5


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Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

I was curious what Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson would do with the classic Tintin. After watching the film on the big screen, I say my reaction to The Adventures of Tintin is mixed.

In what could be the first of a string of Tintin movies, the first one sets up the coming together of Tintin (Jamie Bell), his dog Snowy, and Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and solving the mystery of The Unicorn, a sunken ship that had loads of treasure. Daniel Craig voices Sakharine, the story's baddie.

The best thing about the film is the animation. Done by Weta Digital (The Lord of the Rings, Avatar), the computer-generated is superb. Executing life-like animation in films is one of the hardest things to accomplish these days and this film nails it.

On the downside, I felt the story could have been much better. I'm not saying the story is terrible, but I felt I was short-changed as I walked out of the theater. Maybe it was the anticlimactic ending that did it, or maybe the pretty uneventful quest. Whatever it is, this film gave a sense that it was just a teaser of things to come, the tip of the iceberg so to speak.

The Adventures of Tintin is a pretty good effort to introduce Tintin, Captain Haddock, and Snowy to a new generation and remind folks that Tintin has good adventures to share.


Rating: 3/5


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Screensucked.com's Top 10 Movies of 2011

2011 is the year Ryan Gosling dominated the Screensucked Top 10 Movies list. Top-billing three of the top films of the year, Mr. Gosling has solidified his stature as an actor that knows what projects to get involved with.

But the top film goes to Black Swan, on of my favorite psychological thrillers of all time. Natalie Portman won an Oscar for her performance and it a very well-deserved win.

Technically speaking, Black Swan was released in 2010, but I caught it this year. But for films released this year only, Drive takes the top spot.

This is also the first year that a non-Hollywood film cracked the Top 10. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Lady in the Septic Tank) may not be popular outside of the Philippines, but it's movie serious film fans should consider.

Here's Screensucked.com's Top 10 Movies of 2011:

1. Black Swan (5/5)

Black Swan earns all its praise from Portman's brilliant performance and Aronofsky's deft directing, as the two made ballet intensely watchable from where I sat in the theater. This movie is a definite "must watch" for serious film fans.

2. Drive (4.5/5)

Gritty and polished, this film is one of the best car films to date. Go watch Drive now.

3. 127 Hours (4.5/5)

James Franco is just terrific in the film and Danny Boyle continues his string of great movies. Regardless of the Oscar outcome, 127 Hours is a winner.

4. The Ides of March (4.5/5)

The Ides of March is one of the best political dramas of the year and it doesn't hurt that fan faves George Clooney and Ryan Gosling are there.

5. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (4.5/5)

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is a smart and very likeable indie film that folks should catch at Cinemalaya Film Festival; I highly recommend it.

6. X-Men: First Class (4.5/5)

X-Men: First Class is well-executed and will make people look forward to the next X-Men films; a definite must-see!

7. Super 8 (4.5/5)

Super 8 is a must-watch in my books and I'm sure a lot of folks will find out that while it's not a superhero movie, it's really super in its own right.

8. Source Code (4.5/5)

I hope Source Code is a sign that Hollywood is making a trend of making smart action-thrillers that are high on concept. Source Code is a "can't miss" film that delivers.

9. Crazy, Stupid, Love (4/5)

None the less, I think there should be more rom-coms like Crazy, Stupid, Love.

10. Contagion (4/5)

Contagion is a film worth watching, and I wouldn't be surprised if you buy hand sanitizers after watching.


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Movie Review: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

I've followed the Mission: Impossible franchise since 1996 and I say that Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is the best film of the series.

It has been five years since Tom Cruise played Ethan Hunt, the Impossible Missions Force agent. This time, the IMF as an organization has been disavowed and it is up to Hunt and his accidental team (played by Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton) to clear the IMF's name and save the world from nuclear destruction.

Like most I:M films, the core of the story is the schemes the team design to achieve their mission. Director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) manages to reduce the complexity and make the seemingly complicated scheme understandable. The gadgets and the exotic locations (Moscow, Dubai, Mumbai) help make this popcorn flick extra interesting.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol has already hinted that there's a strong possibility of a sequel and I think this film is a very good sign of the things to come.


Rating: 4/5


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Movie Review: Margin Call (2011)

A lot of people lost money in the US financial meltdown in 2008. Margin Call is a drama is based on what triggered that market collapse.

Wonderfully acted and strongly casted, the ensemble of Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto, Jeremy Irons, and Demi Moore makes the seemingly boring topic (finance and investment banking) a tight story that would keep people glued to the big screen.

The story shows how people and corporations go from greedy to survival mode in an instant and do everything not to be left "holding the bag when the music stops." The film can be likened to Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, but a lot smarter. While the movie does its best to simplify the subprime crisis and its dire effects, some people might get confused with the premise of the film.

Margin Call is a smart thriller that offers interesting points on ethics, greed, and how money makes the world go round.


Rating: 4/5


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