The Impossible: Movie Review

Forcing us to cry rather than giving us characters to emotionally connect with.

“The Impossible” is a film seemingly impossible to unite audiences despite the fact that we can all agree on a number of things. After a brief introduction to the characters, the film opens with the tsunami. It’s a fairly remarkable sequence – immersing the audience under the water, we all come up gasping for air just as the main characters do and then we’re left surveying the ruins as the water washes away all hope.		2012 Directed by: Juan Antonio Boyona Screenplay by: Sergio G. Sanchez Starring: Tom Holland, Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor

Zero Dark Thirty: Movie Review

An interesting thriller told from the perspectives of unknown characters.

“Zero Dark Thirty” is the ten-year long hunt for Osama bin Laden. There are a number of issues with the film, let's say minor editing issues, all stemming from the fact that this is 10 years cut down to three hours based on real people whom we really don’t know. I wouldn’t know how to tell that story either and that realization makes it much easier to appreciate the film at hand.		2012 Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow Screenplay by: Mark Boal Starring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke

Holy Motors: Movie Review

Meaningless ideas presented incoherently in an "artful" film.

“Holy Motors” begins with Monsieur Oscar (Denis Levant), a middle-aged Parisian man, in the back of a functionally tricked-out limousine. His assistant/driver hands him a folder, the first of today’s jobs, and he begins to transform himself into an old woman. Out on the street, Oscar passes himself off as a poor, begging, old woman, conning the passers-by. But is it really a con if he doesn’t get any money?		2012 Directed by: Leos Carax Screenplay by: Leos Carax Starring: Denis Lavant, Edith Scob

The Giant Mechanical Man: Movie Review

A quirky, indie romantic comedy with just enough charm.

“The Giant Mechanical Man” is for those who feel lost in life. Janice (Jenna Fischer) can’t hold down a job, has no place to live, and has only one person to turn to: her sister Jill (Malin Akerman). She wishes she didn’t have to turn to her. Janice wants something more in her life; she doesn’t know what, but she knows it’s not what Jill envisions for her.		2012 Directed by: Lee Kirk Screenplay by: Lee Kirk Starring: Jenna Fischer, Chris Messina

Django Unchained: Movie Review

Django’s story of revenge, romance and redemption.

It’s time to take a step backwards – for humanity that is, not for anybody involved in the making of “Django Unchained”. Quentin Tarantino’s newest film is an homage to spaghetti westerns including “Django” (1966), but it’s a masterpiece all on its own and one does not need to have seen or even have an interest in the Western and Samurai films that came before it. This is how you tell the story of a slave.		2012 Directed by: Quentin Tarantino Screenplay by: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson

Butter: Movie Review

Finds the comedy and odd-behaviour in a butter carving competition.

“Butter” takes place in Iowa, most likely smack dab in the middle of it, in a really small town that survives on its dairy industry. So much so, that they have a butter carving competition that is the be-all and end-all to celebrity status within the community. The King of Butter is revered. That title belongs to Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell) who is retiring from the butter competition but finds no solace at home.		2011 (with 2012 release) Directed by: Jim Field-Smith Screenplay by: Jason A. Micallef Starring: Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell and Yara Shahidi