January 20, 2012
The Artist (2011)
A silent movie about the end of silent movies — a sort of prequel to “Singing in the Rain” — features a bouncy score, dance numbers and two winning performances by Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, who prove just how much can be said with their faces.
d: Michel Hazanavicius | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
Screen dance | Breakfast table | Taking bows
January 13, 2012
Contraband (2012)
Mark Wahlberg, the Houdini of smuggling via cargo ship, takes on one last job, because his brother-in-law screwed up the last one. Wahlberg outwits Giovanni Ribisi, beats the shit out of Ben Foster and saves wife Kate Beckinsale in a satisfying payoff.
d: Baltasar Kormakur | imdb.com | trailer | Trust me.
Back from the dead | AA meeting | Customs | What’s up, Houdini?
January 6, 2012
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
The Cold War spy picture intends to be slow and unretired spy Gary Oldman intends to be quiet. But without knowledge of the source material — the 1974 novel or the 1979 British miniseries — the film plays cold, overly complex and even boring.
d: Tomas Alfredson | imdb.com | trailer | I’m retired.
Smiley is suspicious. | The scalp hunters | Belinda the Blonde
December 23, 2011
My Week with Marilyn (2011)
Michelle Williams doesn’t have Marilyn Monroe’s body or smile, but she does capture the icon’s madness and insecurities during the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl.” The best parts are Williams’ musical numbers at the beginning and end.
d: Simon Curtis | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose | Heatwave
December 16, 2011
Young Adult (2011)
Jason Reitman directs another script by Diablo Cody (“Juno”), a dark comedy about high school — 20 years later. Charlize Theron is an understated force, a desperate, alcoholic who wants her old boyfriend back, while Patton Oswalt adds truth and humanity.
d: Jason Reitman | imdb.com | trailer | Do I know you? | Adorable
Checking in | Looking for a dress | Wedding photo
December 9, 2011
The Descendants (2011)
George Clooney, looking as weathered as he can, mourns the loss of his comatose wife through ponderous voice-over and discovers her recent affair in a soapy comedy set in Hawaii. Clooney and teenager Shailene Woodley are excellent, but the film is cold.
d: Alexander Payne | imdb.com | trailer | Charlie Rose
Mom was cheating on you. | Stalking. | We’ll surprise your sister.
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