21 Jump Street (2012)

The remake of the 1980s television series splits the difference between complete goof and homage, casting Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum the next generation of undercover high school cops. The whole thing works, with a few cameos from the original series.

d: Phil Lord, Chris Miller | imdb.com | trailer | Angry black captain
You idiots are perfect. | It’s getting very real.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)

Adorable Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor make witty sparing partners — at least by British standards — in what starts out as a harmless romantic comedy. Then the film turns into an overwrought drama about a missing soldier and dead fish.

d: Lasse Hallstrom | imdb.com | trailer | 32-inch waist | Man of faith

Project X (2012)

Three high school kids throw a party without parental supervision because they want to be cool and popular, but it’s never been done like this. From its text-fueled promotion to Nima Nourizadeh’s crude direction, the movie captures the YouTube zeitgeist.

d: Nima Nourizadeh | imdb.com | trailer | There’s the point.
Where have you been? | Evening, officers. | Midget in the oven

My favorite movies (2011)

1. Drive | Nicolas Winding Refn
2. 50/50 | Jonathan Levine
3. The Tree of Life | Terrence Malick
4. The Guard | John Michael McDonagh
5. Margin Call | J.C. Chandor
6. Young Adult | Jason Reitman
7. Win Win | Thomas McCarthy
8. The Artist | Michel Hazanavicius
9. The Hangover Part II | Todd Phillips
10. Bad Teacher | Jake Kasdan

Safe House (2012)

Young gun Ryan Reynolds transports rogue CIA operative Denzel Washington from one safe house to another, fighting and chasing him along the way, in a pretty average spy thriller. Reynolds works hard, but he is too pretty, too Canadian to be a bad ass.

d: Daniel Espinosa | imdb.com | trailer | House guest
Car fight | I’m a police officer. | Who do you work for?

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