Category: MUST-SEES
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The Best Movies of the Year [2011]
In a year filled with craptacular movies, there were in fact enough good feature films to fill a 10-best-list. You might not agree with me entirely, but a number of them have won awards at film festivals and rated high on critics’ year-end lists. Many are already available on DVD and Blu Ray. In any case,…
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Hugo [2011] ★★★½
“Hugo” is a brilliant movie to begin with, but not without its two stars, 14 year old Asa Butterfield (“The Boy With The Striped Pajamas”) and Chloe Moretz (“Let Me In”). At first glance, the man who directed such masterpieces as “Raging Bull” and “Goodfellas” might seem like an unlikely candidate to direct a family…
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The Artist [2011] ★★★★
My favorite movie of the year is not a blockbuster or a superhero movie or even Harry Potter. It’s a movie called “The Artist”, a black and white silent film with subtitles and all. In many ways-hell in all ways-“The Artist” is a stunningly beautiful film. There were times when I forgot I was watching…
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Warrior [2011] ★★★½
A movie that gives you rooting interest, as soon as it opens, and keeps coming at you, could best be described as a triumph. “Warrior”, from director Gavin O’ Connor takes place in the world of mixed martial arts. It is violent, blunt, powerful. You name it. But “Warrior” also possesses heart and finesse on…
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50/50 [2011]
“50/50” is a comedy about cancer. That’s right, I said comedy and cancer in one sentence. How the makers of this terrific film created a story about a young man’s battle with cancer that manages to be heartbreaking and funny at the same time is still a mystery to me. I guess it does help…
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The Help [2011] ★★★½
Nothing heats up an Oscar race like an underdog for best picture. On the surface, “The Help” sounds like a movie that’s been done so many times before: the well-to-do white folks and their black servants in a Southern Town in the 1960’s. But it doesn’t take this captivating and steadily surprising movie very long to…
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Senna [2011]
Fantastic documentary chronicles the life and death of Formula one legend Ayrton Senna, from his days as a go-kart racer, to his debut as a professional driver, his rivalry with Alain Prost (that includes him winning the title three times), and ultimately his tragic death on May 1st 1994. But that’s not all. Beneath the…
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The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn [2011]
Steven Spielberg wants to have his cake, and eat it too. Yet with the best use of motion capture to date, he has managed to translate the story of Tintin, his dog snowy (or milou in french) and the eccentric Captain Haddock into a terrific action adventure movie that serves as a clever cross between…
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Midnight In Paris [2011] ★★★½
Looking for an excellent movie to watch? I’d vouch for “Midnight In Paris”, a romantic and magical film from the artist known as Woody Allen. Allen may have missed with his previous movie “You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger”, but “Midnight In Paris” is both entertaining and original- it’s a wonderful achievement that recalls…
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Drive [2011] ★★★½
Fasten your seat belts for the mind blowing “Drive”, an incredible movie that has Steve McQueen’s bad-ass attitude written all over it, and style to rival the best car pictures ever made. Damn, it felt good. If there ever was an award for coolest movie of the year, “Drive” would be it. That’s Ryan Gosling…
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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 [2011] ★★★½
Fans can relax. The epic crowd-pleaser everyone has been lusting for is finally here, and after 10 years, seven movies (well eight if you split the last film), four directors, two dumbledores (Richard Harris passed away after “The Chamber Of Secrets” and was replaced by Michael Gambon), several dead characters (and they said it was…
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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off [1986]
If there ever was a case of truancy, this is it. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, from director John Hughes (“16 Candles”, “The Breakfast Club”) and starring Matthew Broderick, is probably the best “teen” film ever made. I first watched it some 10 years ago, but looking back at it today, I think it has lost…
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Sons Of The Desert [1933]
Laurel and Hardy’s best movie; the boys find themselves in hot water when they scheme to get away from their wives and attend a lodge convention in Chicago. After persuading the wives that Ollie needs to sail to Honolulu for his health, they’re finally free to go to Chicago. The boat sinks on the way…
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Rebecca [1940] ★★★★
In 1940, Alfred Hitchcock came to Hollywood to direct what would become one of his greatest achievements. Yet it is somewhat surprising that despite his long career, only “Rebecca” earned him an Academy Award for Best Picture. Producer David O. Selznik, hot from the huge success of “Gone With The Wind” a year earlier, seized…
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The Last Picture Show [1971]
“The Last Picture Show” is a wonderful accomplishment and worthy of its place in the list of great films of the 70’s. It’s a coming of age tale set in a small, dusty Texas town in the 50’s. The story centers around two best friends, Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane (a very young Jeff Bridges) as…
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Metropolis [1927] ★★★★
Directed by the legendary Fritz Lang, “Metropolis” is probably the first science fiction movie ever made. With huge sets, thousands of extras, and first rate special effects (considering it was made in the 20’s), it’s hard not to admire this truly wonderful film. Yet one of the most interesting things about it is the fact that…
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Incendies [2010] ★★★★
Sometimes, death is only the beginning of a story. Such is the case with Jeanne and Simon, a twin brother and sister who go to a notary’s office to hear the reading of their mother’s will. Speaking to them from beyond, as it were, she says she will not rest in peace until they locate their father…
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Groundhog Day [1993]
One of my all time favorites. Bill Murray gives what may be the best performance of his career in this unique comedy, arguably the best of the 1990’s. Murray plays Phil Connors, a cynical and grumpy weatherman who is dispatched with producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot) to a friendly town in Pennsylvania to…
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Man On Wire [2008]
Fantastic documentary film chronicles Philippe Petit’s 1974 high wire walk between the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center. The film, based on Petit’s book “To Reach The Clouds” is literally breathtaking. To be honest, I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. It could have been easy for director James Marsh to focus…
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The Night Of The Hunter [1955]
In this terrifying tale of Good vs Evil, Robert Mitchum plays a “preacher” who roams the countryside, spreading the gospel, and leaving murdered women in the wake. His knuckles eerily tattooed with “love” and “hate”, he strongly believes that the work of God has more to do with condemning souls than saving them. Now his eyes…
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