Most Anticipated Films 2012 (Part 2)

By Timothy Austin

Which five films are destined for Box office glory in 2012?  The top grossing films of the new year will no doubt be five of the most discussed sequels in recent cinematic history including the final chapter of an iconic comic book hero. Here are my selections for the top five most anticipated films of 2012:

Men in Black III

There are few guarantees in life; but when it comes to U.S. Box office success, there is no doubt that Will Smith is the reigning king since his magnificent blockbuster Independence Day.  In 2012 Smith will offer fans of his lucrative "Men in Black" franchise another dose of alien crime fighting with "Men in Black III", this time with several intriguing twists. The plot surrounds Smith's Agent J having to travel back in time to save his beloved partner, Agent K, played again by Tommy Lee Jones, from a new alien enemy bent on disseminating human life.   The new cast includes former "Pussycat Doll" and current X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger as well as screen veteran Emma Thompson and Josh Brolin (playing a younger Agent K from the past).  The trailer reveals Will Smith in true wise-cracking form aided significantly with the expected otherworldly special effects.  While I thought the original film was a witty, action-filled thrill ride benefiting greatly from the chemistry between Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, the sequel reduced the characters to caricatures with a laughable villain who possessed zero fear factor.  Hopefully with returning Executive Producer Steven Spielberg, an attractive new cast and new music by popular composer Danny Elfman, this third entry will be a vast improvement following the near-disaster that was MIB II. 

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Summer 2012 could be owned exclusively by the Smith family.  While Will stars in MIB III, wife Jada Pinkett Smith returns for what is sure to be the most successful animated film of the year, "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted".  To fully understand how popular this franchise has become simply consider that NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams recently joked about the people of Madagascar having to "move it, move it" because of falling satellite debris; an obvious reference to the popular song from the original Madagascar.  When Brian Williams is familiar with your soundtrack, you can surely consider yourself a pop-icon.  In this third film Pinkett-Smith returns as the wise-cracking hippo, along with the entire all-star cast of the previous films including heavy-weight comedians Chris Rock and Ben Stiller, joined again by popular "Friends" star David Schwimmer.  Everyone's favorite band of castaway zoo animals are now lost in Europe and are being tracked by Oscar-winner and film veteran Frances McDormand as the voice of the hilarious Captain DuBois who is determined to return the renegade animals to their original home in New York. With few exciting prospects in animation for moviegoers, Madagascar 3 is sure to be Box office dynamite with a built-in audience of young children (and legions of adult fans), popular actors providing voices and a trailer that boasts vivid splashes of color, hilarious action sequences and hints of an another amazing soundtrack by enormously popular composer Hans Zimmer (Gladiator).  With the giant buzz the film is already creating, parents be prepared to spend once again on related movie toys, clothes and CDs. 

                                                       The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

To say that the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is being highly anticipated would be an understatement.  Since the initial announcement by famed Director Peter Jackson that production would commence on the film, there have been hundreds of fan-made websites, message boards and blogs created to discuss the release of the film.  Lord of the Rings' fans are ecstatic that Jackson has decided to bring to life this early book by Rings' author J.R. Tolkein, which reveals the story behind the initial discovery of the Ring.  The film will focus on Frodo's grandfather, played by Martin Freeman, as he embarks on an adventure to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.  While many of the original cast members do not make appearances, fans of the original film were elated with the return of Sir Ian Mckellen as Gandalf, a role that earned him a coveted Oscar nomination.  Along with Anthony Hopkins, I consider Mckellen to be one of the greatest living actors, and as seen in the trailer, he returns in great form to the role of the wizard Gandalf.  Watching the trailer one is instantly reminded of why the Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful as the viewer is swept away by nostalgic images of the Hobbits' Shire, glorious cinematography revealing never-before-seen locations of Middle Earth and the majestic strains of Howard Shore's phenomenally popular original music for the franchise. With little doubt, "The Hobbit" will be among the top 3 highest grossing films of 2012.  

"The Avengers"

A superhero team-up of this magnitude has never been attempted on film.  In excess of six iconic Marvel Comic superheroes have been crammed into one gigantic action extravaganza and while there is a huge fan following for each of these heroes due to the successful Iron Man, Thor and Captain America films, this film represents a giant gamble for Marvel Studios.  Providing each hero with adequate screen time to gratify their hordes of fans will be an uphill task especially since fans have no qualms about publicly shaming a film if something does not live up to their expectations.  However, challenges aside, the trailer for "Avengers" is exhilarating and hints at high production values including grandiose special effects, gigantic battles and hair-raising shots of beloved super heroes fighting side-by-side.  With little effort the film will garner giant-sized Box Office numbers especially with franchise favorite Robert Downey Jr. returning as Iron Man.  The casting of "Shaft" actor Samuel L. Jackson as the iconic Nick Fury is a stroke of pure genius further adding to the appeal of the film. That aside, no doubt Marvel Studios is worried about the return of the Hulk character, who, unlike the other franchise heroes, failed to garner success with his individual films.  The original Hulk film, directed by "Crouching Tiger/Hidden" Director Ang Lee was nothing short of a disaster; in fact the film was so badly received, the studio was forced to reboot with a new cast, but even the second Hulk film, while possessing a superior plot to its predecessor, was met with few cheers from fans.  As a result, a new actor, Mark Ruffalo ("13 Going on 30") was cast as Bruce Banner/The Hulk in "Avengers" further fanning rumors that the Hulk's cold reception by fans would be the weak link in "The Avengers".  Obstacles aside, moviegoers from every corner of the web continue to list "Avengers" as a 2012 must-see. 

The Dark Knight Rises

Few will argue with me when I name "The Dark Knight Rises" as the most anticipated film of 2012, especially since the film's predecessor was the highest grossing film of 2008.  When images from the set leaked online, moviegoers went into a frenzy about popular actress Anne Hathaway in the Catwoman costume, a role made famous by Michelle Pfieffer in Tim Burton's 1992 blockbuster "Batman Returns".  The film has few obstacles as it aims to capture the coveted spot as highest grossing film of 2012.  However, one of those obstacles happens to be the cold reaction from fans to the new villains.  Much is riding on Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway's portrayals of Bane and Catwoman respectively due to the fact that Heath Ledger left audiences spell-bound with his universally praised performance as the Joker in the previous film, which also earned him a posthumous Oscar nomination for Best Actor.  Fans have voiced their concern about Hardy's lack of a physique to equal the Titanic-sized Bane seen in the comics, as well as Hathaway's less than impressive Catwoman costume which comes complete with what appears to be giant-goggles.  The trailer boasts suspenseful sequences and hints at a giant showdown between Bane and Christian Bale's Batman, including a terrific special effects shot in which an entire baseball field appears to be collapsing.  Famed Director Christopher Nolan seems unaffected by the criticism of the new villains.  After all fans reacted coldly when Heath Ledger was named as the Joker and after seeing the actual performance ranked Ledger's performance above that of Jack Nicholson's version of the Joker in the 1989 Batman film.  With salivating fans, a much talked about cast and a soundtrack that is hinted to be one of Hans Zimmer's most brilliant, "Dark Knight Rises" is on target to be 2012's highest grossing film.

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Most Anticipated Films 2012 (PART 1)

Written by Timothy Austin 

It is no surprise that some of the most anticipated films of the new year are sequels with built-in audiences eagerly awaiting the exploits of their favorite characters.  While fans of action thrillers, horror, science fiction and fantasy will salivate at 2012's fantastic promise to improve on those genres, fans of comedy will be disappointed as Hollywood continues to capitalize on a resurgence in the popularity of super heroes, vampires and all things action-oriented. Here is part 1 of my list of the most eagerly awaited films of 2012:

                                                              "The Woman in Black"

Moviegoers' obsession with ghost stories and the supernatural is hard to satiate; even the critically panned "The Devil Inside" garnered a number one ranking at the U.S. Box Office, making it 2012's first successful horror film. Hence, there is no surprise that the fright-filled "Woman in Black" is trending on most social networking sites and the trailer is one of most talked about of 2012.  Produced by the famed Hammer Film Production company, which is responsible for classic horror films like "The Curse of Frankenstein" and "Dracula", the film is also receiving significant buzz due to leading man Daniel Radcliffe.  Radcliffe is considered Box Office gold due to the hugely popular "Harry Potter" franchise in which he played the boy wizard himself.  In "Woman in Black" Radcliffe must fend off a vengeful spirit haunting a village torn apart by a series of inexplicable accidents and suicides.  The trailer promises a truly scream-inducing cinematic experience with shots of Radcliffe maneuvering through an early 1900's mansion followed closely by a shadowy figure.  I have to admit that I am thoroughly excited by the trailer as Radcliffe appears in scenes of intense fright as he attempts to solve the terrifying appearances of the woman in black.  The trailer is intriguing with the ghostly voice of a young girl reciting a poem about the woman in black, while visually there are photographs of people with their eyes missing, Radcliffe clenching in horror, and a truly cringe-inducing shot in which Radcliffe appears to be staring through a dirty window unaware that there is a dark figure standing behind him with her eyes missing.  With such a thrilling trailer this film is a guaranteed Box Office giant, aided greatly by Radcliffe's huge teen girl following.  One obstacle is Radcliffe's role as an adult who must protect his son from the demonic woman in black.  Are moviegoers ready to accept the Harry Potter star as an adult father?  This is left to be seen, but due to the enormous amount of attention the film is receiving, "Woman in Black" will certainly be raising the hairs of moviegoers across the world. (Release date: February 3, North America) 

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation"

A highly successful action-film based on a series of Hasbro toys just proves that the possibilities of the Science Fiction genre are endless.  Fans of the original G.I. Joe film made it a Box Office smash, despite a cold reception from film critics and the new sequel has already generated maximum buzz due to the additions of heavy weight action stars Dwayne Johnson, better known as "The Rock, and "Die-Hard" star Bruce Willis, who will join returning stars Channing Tatum, Arnold Vosloo (from "The Mummy") and popular villain actor Ray Park (Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode 1).  With such an impressive line up of action veterans, "Retaliation" promises to be an early summer hit with a trailer that includes high octane action, spy-thriller intrigue and impressive new villains.  The heroes must now face off against new bad guys Zartan, Storm Shadow and Firefly who are classic villains beloved by fans of the toy line, original animated series and comic books.  Fans are already blogging about the anticipated bad guy team-up as well as the return of modern action star Channing Tatum as popular character "Duke"; Tatum is considered the Van Damme of the 2000's having received high praise from fans of the first G.I. Joe movie for his stalwart performance as Duke.  The preview also revealed what promises to be a special effects extravaganza with violent clashes between the heroes and villains as well as fantastical vehicles and weapons. Indeed, due to its huge fan following the G. I. Joe sequel will likely dominate any Box Office competition.  (June 29, North America)

 

"The Amazing Spider man" 

The original Spiderman and its sequel, both starring Tobey McGuire as the "webslinger", enjoyed giant financial success and the adoration of comic book fans.  However, the third film was so badly conceived that it completely destroyed the once lucrative franchise with many fans calling it the worst and most disappointing sequel of all time.  I cannot voice enough how thoroughly displeased I was with this third sequel which featured a lackluster plot with Spiderman in a ridiculous dance sequence, over-the-top love story and a truly foolish interpretation of classic Spiderman villains.  Not to mention the most underwhelming climax of any super hero film.  In fact the film was deemed so horrible, Columbia Pictures was forced to reboot the entire series commencing with the new "Amazing Spiderman" which will retell the origin of the superhero's powers.  Starting from scratch, following universal condemnation of the last Spiderman film, was a genius move on the part of Columbia Pictures.  The trailer is receiving fantastic praise from comic book fans on several websites and social networking groups as it depicts Spiderman, played now by Andrew Garfield fresh off his success as a pivotal character in "The Social Network", coming to grips with his new-found powers and attempting to win the admiration of new love interest Gwen Stacy, played by popular comedic star Emma Stone.  The trailer boasts spectacular special effects and reveals hints of a genuine chemistry between Garfield and Stone, who sheds her usual hilarious persona for a more romantic take on the classic comic book character.  Casting Hollywood veterans Sally Field as Aunt May and Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben - both fan favorites - is a brilliant move by the film makers, especially since the film will delve deeper into Spiderman's origin story and promises to reveal as the poster states "the untold story" including the never-before-seen story of Peter Parker's parents .  Beyond this, the trailer hints at a huge battle between Spiderman and "The Lizard" including exhilarating action sequences and eye-popping special effects.  It appears that Columbia has pulled out all the stops to remove the horrific memories of the third Spiderman film from our minds by including a tour-de-force cast, big budget special effects and even hiring hugely popular film composer James Horner, who has a huge fan following due to his memorable music from James Cameron's "Avatar" and the blockbuster soundtrack "Titanic".  Hopefully super hero fans will be gratified with this new take on "Spidey" which is likely as many fans are already referring to the film as the biggest hit of Summer 2012. (July, North America) 

                                    

"Underworld: Awakening"

Due to the monumental success of the Twilight franchise there are over a dozen major releases based on the vampire lore in 2012.  Capitalizing on moviegoers obsession with blood-suckers is the fourth film in the phenomenally successful "Underworld" franchise.  The franchise has a giant fan base, but producers have probably already assured this sequel's financial success by including two things: star Kate Beckinsale and her form-fitting leather suit.  Those two elements alone guarantee that franchise fans will be satisfied since the majority of the series' success is significantly built on male fans worshiping Beckinsale's jaw-dropping figure in her leather cat-suit.  In fact the subject of  Kate and her leather suit returning to the series has created most of the anticipation on blogs regarding this fourth installment. Beckinsale is indeed a major Box Office draw possessing a visually stunning appearance with facial features that are reminiscent of classic Hollywood stars Hedy Lamarr and Vivian Leigh (Scarlet in "Gone with the Wind") and a British accent that further adds to her allure.  In fact, I can think of no other actress that has so effectively worn a leather suit in an action film. Fans were disappointed when she did not appear in the third film, "Rise of the Lycans" which served as a prequel before the events of the last two films.  "Lycans" was less impressive at the Box Office than the previous Beckinsale films with many stating that star Rhona Mitra's appearance in a leather suit could not equal the pop-icon status of Beckinsale. Obviously noting this, producers ensured that Beckinsale (and her well discussed leather suit) have returned for "Awakening" which finds Selene awaking from a cryogenic sleep to discover a world in which humans are now the enemy as they hunt and destroy vampires and werewolves.  The trailer reveals that the humans have also been experimenting with what appears to be a vampire/werewolf hybrid which results in high octane action battles between Selene and several monstrous creatures.  Based on the trailer and several clips circulating online the film boasts phenomenal special effects, violent action scenes and incredible stunt work by Beckinsale.  However, the film's success remains rooted in Beckinsale's loyal male fan-base who will no doubt line up on opening night for the premiere since as seen in the previews, Beckinsale has never been more sensual in her leather suit. (January 20, 2012 North America) 

                                       

"Wrath of the Titans"

Film sites and blogs have been set on fire by eager fans of the 2010 film "Clash of the Titans" as the 2012 sequel promises more fantastical creatures, mythological intrigue and gigantic battles.  I was not entirely impressed by the first film, being a fan of the original classic version from 1981 as I felt the new version lacked the humor of the original and there was the impression that the film makers took the mythology too seriously resulting in stars Liam Neelson and Ralph Fiennes hamming it up as Zeus and Hades respectively.   However, there was no denying that Sam Worthington, who previously starred in the blockbuster "Avatar", was stoic as the hero Perseus aided greatly by truly frightening creatures and intense action sequences.  The trailer for the new "Wrath of the Titans" promises much of the same as Perseus must now battle for the faith of the Earth after Hades, god of the Underworld, has set free a new army of Titans in a jealous act to destroy the king of the gods, Zeus. What ensues is another colossal action/adventure that is sure to gratify fans of the first film and fantasy/adventure.  Without a doubt the film will be a titan-sized success as the previews reveal stunning special effects, breath-taking cinematography and intense battles between Perseus and some well known Greek mythological creatures and assorted two-headed monsters.  Indeed, 2012 will belong to sequels in the fantasy genre as films like "Wrath of the Titans" promise the sort of eye candy no avid movie fan can resist. (March, North America)

(Top 5 Most Anticipated Films 2012 - NEXT WEEK!)

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Best Films of 2011

Written by Timothy Austin

Moviegoers struggled to find a truly entertaining feature film in 2011.  While Independent Cinema enjoyed some stylish, well-told stories, major studio releases that promised a new take on old genres sorely disappointed us with lackluster plots, pedestrian special effects and horrific acting (we are looking at YOU, "Cowboys and Aliens"). However, ten films rose above the sagging Box Office disappointments and offered us our money's worth of compelling stories, strong performances and grand spectacle. Here is my reflection on the best films of 2011:

"X-Men: First Class" 

The original X-Men (2000) changed the face of superhero movies with sophisticated execution, sleek plot and the use of respected actors in key roles.  Since then, major studios have taken a more intelligent approach to superhero films as evidenced by "Batman Begins", "Thor" and now the X-Men prequel "X-Men: First Class".  Gone are the days of the over-the-top embarrassments such as "Batman & Robin". The latest entry in the lucrative X-Men franchise , produced by the original Director Brian Singer, does not disappoint with excellent story execution and Oscar-nominated actor James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, the role made famous by British veteran Ian McKellen.  "First Class" is a class act with a fast-paced, thrilling story centered around the formation of the famed comic book mutant team.  While franchise favorites Wolverine and Storm make no significant appearances, the film has a spy-thriller quality giving fans an insight into the origin of the now famous battle between humans and mutants.  Awe-inspiring special effects, jaw-dropping cinematography and a fantastic modern music score (complete with rock guitar) by newcomer Henry Jackman made "First Class" a gigantic success and a superhero movie not to be missed. Grade: A

"Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol"

The latest entry in the highly successful Mission Impossible franchise is a clear example of a celebrity overcoming horrible public relations by starring in a truly awesome spy/action thriller. In fact "Ghost Protocol" turned out to be so good that many moviegoers allowed themselves to forget about leading man Tom Cruise's cringe-worthy public stunts including the well mocked jumping on Oprah's couch and moronic statements that even offended many of his fellow celebrities.  In "Protocol" Cruise is at his best, offering us some of his best action sequences since "Top Gun". The plot is intriguing with hair-raising revelations and James-Bond inspired intrigue.  But the attraction here is definitely Cruise, whose stalwart acting seems inspired by a resolve to reclaim his throne as a modern day action legend. Grade: B 

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

This was indeed a huge gamble for 20th Century Fox since a "Planet of the Apes" movie has not been made in years.  Another risk was replacing the beloved "actors in face masks" with completely computer generated apes created by "Motion Capture" technology.  The gamble resulted in one of the most jaw dropping special effects extravaganzas of 2011 with the CGI created leading ape raising the hairs of many moviegoers with his realistic mannerisms.  "Caesar" indeed stole the show from the human actors as he was brought to life with the voice and mannerisms of famed motion capture and voice actor Andy Serkis, who is now considered a legend for his much praised performance as "Gollum" in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.  The plot is reminiscent of the previous "Planet of the Apes" entries but with more robust action sequences and awe-inspiring special effects.  Indeed 2011 was made better with this truly enjoyable Sci-Fi spectacular aided greatly by ground breaking cinematography and a bombastic orchestral score by British composer Patrick Doyle. The future of the "Ape" franchise seems bright with this fantastic reboot. Grade: A+

"The Artist"

Could a modern day silent film, with absolutely no talking or special effects, be entertaining?  The answer is a resounding "yes".  If you have not heard about this ground breaking film as yet you are truly missing one of the best productions of 2011.  "The Artist" is pure nostalgic gold as it harkens to the Golden Age of old Hollywood presenting a heartbreaking story about a famed silent movie actor (reminiscent of Clark Gable), rising to the top only to suffer a gigantic financial failure due to the introduction of "talking films".  Jean Dujardin is stunning as the ill fated silent movie actor, while Berenice Bejo as his love interest brings classic romance to this opulent film.  Despite the fact that the entire film is in black and white and there is no talking (except for a few lines towards the end to signal the rise of "talking films"), the production values are extremely high as the film makers pull out all the stops to effectively recreate the feel and atmosphere of a genuine classic silent film.  The result is a wonder to behold as each frame flawlessly recalls the magic of old Hollywood. I must admit to being a Turner Classic Movie addict and "The Artist" is truly a poignant tribute to Hollywood's greatest period; certainly not an achievement to be missed.  Grade A+

"Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" 

This film is addictively entertaining.  Based on a highly popular crime novel by Swedish author Steig Larsson, the film thrills as it introduces us to unconventional crime solver Lisbeth whose dark, most times violent personality scares the very people she is hired to help.  The film has a series of heart pumping revelations and thrilling suspense sequences that truly test a moviegoers ability to endure high octane violence. As Lisbeth employs her controversial system of crime investigation, the audience is taken on a truly frightening ride with  tour-de- force performances by Rooney Mara (as Lisbeth) and James Bond actor Daniel Craig.  The production values are commendable, despite a mundane and ineffective music score.  Fans of intense crime dramas will salivate at this truly frightening entry in the suspense genre which can be likened to Nancy Drew meets "Die Hard". Grade: A

"Thor"

Many were almost certain that Hollywood would get this wrong.  A film based on a comic book about an exiled god who must battle his own brother for the fate of his homeland is bound to inspire over-the-top acting and excessive special effects.  However, "Thor" vanquished those negative assumptions with an intelligent take on the god turned superhero storyline. What made the story work was the fact that the film makers did not take the mythology too seriously, infusing the plot with humor and sophisticated wit, attributes which often go missing from action based plots.  The casting is also right on key with newcomer Charles Hemsworth's suave performance as Thor and Star Wars veteran Natalie Portman's passionate performance as his love interest.  Anthony Hopkins, who I consider to be the greatest living actor, is masterful as Thor's father Odin, as he avoids any opportunity to become over-the-top, giving us an intellectual take on the King of Asgard.  Jaw-dropping special effects (including some truly frightening creatures) and lush cinematography aid the performances, giving us the best superhero film of 2011.  The only disappointment is composer Patrick Doyle's blatant rip-off of Hans Zimmer's music from "Gladiator"; but beyond the tired soundtrack, "Thor" completely satisfies. Grade: A

"Bridesmaids"

It was hard for me to imagine "Saturday Night Live" veteran Kristin Wiig in a leading role; especially since her comedic repertoire mainly consisted of manic divas and Broadway inspired misfits.  However, not only did Wiig deliver one of the best comedic performances of 2011, she also co-wrote "Bridesmaids" which few will argue was the best comedy of 2011.  The film saved us from the disappointing catastrophe that was "The Hang Over 2", with true wit, charm and a hilarious performance by Emmy-winner and new Hollywood "It Girl" Melissa McCarthy.  McCarthy's comic timing is brilliant as many audiences responded to her now infamous leg lifting routine which finally answered the question "are big girls just as flexible".  This is comedy at its best with a tour de force performance by the entire cast with many Saturday Night Live regulars, including the always entertaining Maya Rudolph.  Grade-A comedies were sorely missing in 2011, but "Bridesmaids" emerged as a thoroughly enjoyable film overflowing with well written comedy, hilarious comedic sequences and powerhouse performances. Grade: A

"The Help"

It is rare in modern cinema to find a film that truly inspires.  In 2011 "The Help" inspired moviegoers across the world with a tasteful plot which went beyond its initial premise of segregation during the Civil Rights Era, to tell a story of compassion and humanity's willingness to change for the better.  Emma Stone, who is quickly building a reputation as a modern day Lucille Ball, delivers an enthralling performance as Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan who writes a book about the horrible treatment of black maids during the early 1960's.  Academy Award-nominated actress Viola Davis is majestic as Aibileen Clark, a black domestic worker who is moved by Eugenia's efforts to bring change.  It is no wonder that Davis usually receives unanimous praise for her performances; in "Help" she is mesmerizing as she completely absorbs herself in the role with a motherly, almost ethereal performance that few actresses matched in 2011.  In fact, the only performance in 2011 that can match Davis' masterful delivery is former co-star Meryl Streep in "Iron Lady", with whom Davis shared the screen in "Doubt".  This is story telling and acting that is on par with some of most noted classics of the past and should not be missed. Indeed, "The Help" is a masterpiece that transcends the mediocrity of most Hollywood dramas of this kind and further reveals the stunning talent that is Viola Davis.  Grade A+ 

 "War Horse"

If you have yet to enjoy the grand spectacle that is Steven Spielberg's "War Horse", be warned: there will not be a dry eye in the room before the film concludes.  I cannot recommend this film enough as it delivers a heart warming story of courage led by a horse named Joey who captures your attention from beginning to end.  In fact, Joey's performance outshines that of his human co-stars as he becomes embroiled in a harrowing adventure.  The film introduces Joey as a beloved family horse but soon his world is destroyed by war and he ends up at the front lines of the violent conflict. What happens next I will not reveal, but the adventure that ensues makes for a truly remarkable motion picture that only Spielberg could deliver.  In fact, even Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William was reported to have wept at the London premiere of the film further confirming the overwhelming emotion of the film's heart-wrenching conclusion.  This is film making at its best as you are completely transported to the 1900's with beautiful, pastoral cinematography so well done that viewers actually feel as if they are standing on the lush moors of England.  The music score by five-time Academy Award winning composer John Williams also aids in the film's tear-inducing effectiveness with sweeping orchestral majesty that only Williams, who I consider a "living Mozart" could create. Without a doubt, "War Horse" is the masterpiece we have been waiting for and deserves the accolade of one of 2011's best films.  Grade: A+

"Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Part 2"

I must admit that I disliked the changes made to the Harry Potter franchise following the departure of original director Christopher Columbus (noted for his success with Home Alone and its sequel).  New Director David Yates gave the franchise a decidedly darker production with dim colors, less humor, stiff performances and bland cinematography.  The departure of famed composer John Williams also left a bitter taste in my mouth since Williams' music for the Potter franchise is considered by many as a modern day classic.  The editing was also quite different as Yates rigidly followed the plot of the novels making it hard for those not familiar with the J.K. Rowling books to completely understand the films.  However, with the release of "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Part 1" there was a noticeable change in the pace of the storytelling and with the sequel, "Deadly Hallows Part 2", Yates has delivered the best conclusion to a movie series since the "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King".  Without a doubt, "Deadly Hallows Part 2" adequately concludes the multiple story lines of the series, while going beyond the norm to deliver a high octane action adventure worthy of comparison with the original Star Wars.  Stoic acting from lead Daniel Radcliffe as well as a magnificent supporting performance by British screen legend Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall are aided by masterfully Gothic cinematography,  stellar special effects and most of all the most fear-inducing villain to appear in a fantasy film in years.  Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort is truly frightening to behold as the actor speaks in a snake-like whisper raising the hairs of moviegoers who returned for numerous repeat viewings.  This film satisfies the avid action/adventure fan on every level and fans of John Williams' original theme music were overjoyed that new franchise composer Alexandre Desplat infused the soundtrack with many well-know tunes from the earlier movies further enhancing the emotional impact of the film's grandiose climax. While 2011 will be remembered for many cinematic blunders, "Deadly Hallows Part 2" stands as a shining beacon of Hollywood's promise to spare no expense to satisfy moviegoers seeking a thoroughly entertaining fantasy film. Grade A+

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Worst Films of 2011

Whether we buy them bootleg or pay to see them on cable or online, we enjoy getting our money's worth when it comes to huge studio films.  Unfortunately 2011 will be remembered as a year that film viewers endured several "stinkers" and some giant bombs.  Here is my reflection on 2011's worse movie offerings:

    

Immortals

The trailer garnered massive hype online and got us excited when we heard the phrase "from the makers of 300" but what "Immortals" turned out to be was the most convoluted Greek mythology 'crap-fest' we have seen in years.  It is truly hard to imagine that the team behind the awe-inspiring "300" could be capable of jamming so much confusing excrement into one film.  I would not even attempt to review the plot since none of it made sense a part from the obvious "Gladiator" rip offs.  The acting is an atrocity and this is particularly disappointing since I was quite excited about the casting of "Slumdog Millionnaire's" Freida Pinto in the role of the "Oracle".  While Pinto looks stunning, her acting crumbles amongst a cacophony of Greek mythology references which are so badly executed we have no idea what was the original story.  The obvious green-screen special effects, Mikey Rourke's hamming and the soundtrack's blatant rip off of Hans Zimmer's music further adds to our disappointment.   Grade F+ 

 

In Time

This film proves that not everything that Justin Timberlake touches turns to gold.  While the trailers promised a film as sophisticated as Christopher Nolan's "Inception", the actual film was a gross disappointment.  Timberlake, despite his valiant efforts, could not save the film from its insipid plot about mankind being reduced to buying time (the way one buys groceries) in order to stay young and live longer.  The premise may sound entertaining but the execution of the storyline can be likened to the production of "Pee Wee's Play House".  Each scene spews garbage upon garbage; and one cannot avoid laughing at the scene when Timberlake's mother (played by Olivia Wilde) runs out of time and tries to run home to get some from her son, who races out to meet her but catches up too late and she drops down dead before him.  Yes! It is as bad as it sounds!  Honestly, I have not seen such crappy script writing in a major release in years! Grade: F 

 

Conan (2011)

 Let's face it.  This film never had a chance.  Why?  How can one attempt to make a Conan film without Arnold Schwarzenegger?  The "Conan" films are seen today as some of the most iconic action-adventure films of all time and many fans are still waiting for a third installment with Arnold returning in the lead role.  An idea which sounds unlikely given the actor's age and his current "sword and scandal" battle with his own wife.  But this unnecessary remake of Conan is downright painful to watch.  Yet again the writers failed to create an intriguing story and Arnold's replacement is definitely wearing way too much eye make up for us to take him seriously.  The acting is D-List grade and if you are going to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger at least give us someone with a physique that doesn't scream "my Grandmother could take you out while sitting in her rocking chair".  Indeed the new "Conan" is an atrocity on celluloid that even an appearance by one of my favorite Sci-Fi actresses, Rose McGowan (From "Charmed" fame), could not salvage. Grade: D   

 

Jack and Jill

How could this film be bad? Adam Sandler plays not ONE but TWO roles and he is dressed in drag for most of the film.  Yep folks, Adam channels Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie" for what is sure to be his first Academy Award nominated role.  This film is painful to watch especially since legendary actor Al Pacino appears in what can only be described as a train wreck role.  After the success of Sandler's "Just Go With It", Sandler probably felt he could do nothing wrong even after creating such a horrid storyline.  With ZERO laughs and painful acting, "Jack and Jill" is certainly 2011's worst film. Grade F+

Happy Feet 2

There was a time when animated films were sure Boxoffice gold and the writers were filled with wit and charm and guaranteed us a good, wholesome story-line.  That period died with the universal disaster that was Dreamworks' "Cars 2".  The nail in the coffin goes even deeper with the catastrophe that is "Happy Feet Two".  When I first saw the trailer I could not imagine why the film makers felt it was necessary to create a sequel to a film that was so complete.  The first "Happy Feet" was a gigantic hit and the plot ended on a fantastic note.  The sequel however squanders its celebrity voices with an inane plot, lousy song choices and downright boring premise.  Even the Latin flavored voice-inflections by "Modern Family" break out star Sophia Vergara could not save this lifeless animated tale.  The animation is as stunning as the original but unfortunately the same heart is not there.  Happy Feet Two is sadly a stand out example of why certain films should not have sequels. Grade C- 

"The Green Lantern"

I have to say that I was truly hoping this film would be as epic as "Thor" and would continue the line of truly awesome super hero films we have seen in 2011 including "Captain America".  My hopes were obliterated when I sat down to watch what can only be described as a CGI septic tank.  The elements that made "Thor" and "Captain America" so entertaining are completely missing from "Lantern" including humor, great action sequences and a good plot.  We all know the classic story of Hal Jordon being given a ring that would transform him into a green clad super hero with the ability to shoot powerful jets of energy; unfortunately the film makers were too afraid to offer us anything beyond that basic story as the film ended up being one moronic CGI war zone with a bulbous headed villain that amounted to zero fear factor. It was brilliant to cast Ryan Reynolds as Lantern but he is saddled with a truly foolish plot, idiotic villain and Blake Lively as his love interest.  Poor Ryan, how do you go from powerhouse Sandra Bullock in "The Proposal" to humdrum Blake Lively, whose leaked nude pictures are far more entertaining than this lackluster super hero film.  One bright spot is James Newton-Howard's robust music score which has a truly awesome main theme for the Lantern.  It is unfortunate that this film tanked since Newton-Howard deserves more recognition for his dynamic orchestral film scores. Grade F+

Red Riding Hood

There is very little I can say to warn you about this film except: "RUN".  This is an epically horrible film.  The trailer promised a lush, sweeping tale in the vein of Hollywood's latest Fairy-tale blockbusters.  The actual film turned out to be a "Twilight" rehash which turned the age old fairy tale into a truly inane piece of film making with a plot that begged the question "is Grandma the big bad wolf, or is it her lover, her mother, or the village butcher"?  Amanda Seyfried was brilliant as Meryl Streep's daughter in "Mama Mia" but 2011 was certainly not good to her with two major bombs that made my list.  While Justin Timberlake took most of the blame for the horror that was "In Time", Amanda is the title character in "Red Riding Hood" and even her angelic beauty cannot distract us from the brain dead plot, over the top acting by Gary Oldman as a Priest who wants revenge against the Wolf, and truly unconvincing CGI special effects.  The cinematography is stunning, especially the scenes where Amanda's bright red cloak is contrasted against the stunningly white snow.  But that may be the only saving grace for a film weighed down by the most ludicrous ending in recent memory (No, Grandma is NOT the Wolf).  Beware of the well mocked village dance sequence in which a modern day rock song is used for a story which seems to have taken place in the medieval age.  The fact that legendary screen siren Julie Christie (famous as Lara in "Doctor Zhivago) plays Red's grandmother makes this film even more painful to watch.  Grade D + 

"Transformers Three"

It is hard to imagine that anyone went to see this film since its predecessor was the worst thing on celluloid since Paris Hilton's film debut.  I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the first Transformers movie with its sleek special effects, humorous sequences courtesy of Shia LaBeouf and the camera's constant worship of Megan Fox's face and figure.  I was eagerly awaiting its sequel which turned out to be a convoluted melee littered with plot holes and horrific acting.  Granted the third installment is not as bad as the second film, but Michael Bay continues to emphasize special effects above an easy to follow plot.  If moviegoers paid any attention to the plot rather than the giant robots, they would certainly develop migraines.  The fact that Megan Fox makes no appearance in the film and the negative press that surrounded her departure further makes the film another bad entry in the robot soap opera.  Grade: C 

"The Hangover Part II" 

"Idiots, fools, retards!" was the reaction of many fans of the original Hang Over, including this reviewer after viewing the lackluster sequel.  It is hard to find another film that matches the comic brilliance of the first film, however the sequel is a vomit inducing rehash that simply regurgitates the comedy and plot from the original.  This sequel greatly disappointed fans who waited with bated breath for more hilarity from Bradley Cooper and his gang of misfits.  The fact that the writers ONLY changed the location from Las Vegas toThailand angered many as the story line was exactly what we had seen before.  In years to come, many will view "The Hangover II" as the most disappointing sequel of all time.  Grade: F + 

 

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn"

There is no denying that the C-Section scene from "Breaking Dawn" is the worse sequence in recent cinematic history.  While teen girls across the world swooned over the most famous vampire and werewolf characters in modern fiction, the rest of us were horrified that a group of adults, with seemingly normal functioning brains, could string together such a putrid film.  There are numerous unintentional bits of comedy in the film including a laughable sex scene.  Like its predecessors, the plot to "Breaking Dawn" can only be described as derivative nonsense created to intrigue young girls.  However, unlike the previous entries this sequel has an abundance of shockingly foolish set pieces including the much laughed at birth scene, over the top fights and soap opera inspired wedding sequence.  Why would anyone appreciate so much waste matter in one film is a mystery.  The acting is to be commended as 2011's worst, the cinematography and special effects are bearable while the film score by Oscar-nominated composer Alexandre Desplat may be the film's ONLY saving grace with a masterful sweep of orchestral beauty.  The soundtrack which features Bruno Mars and Christina Perri is also to be commended especially Perri's truly romantic "1000 Years"; but beyond the music and songs, "Breaking Dawn" is without a doubt a festering pit of overly hyped popular fiction worthy of the mantle "Worst Motion Picture of 2011".   Grade: F+++

Written by Timothy Austin