Hugo is an enthralling tale about an orphan, Hugo, Butterfield, his late father, Law, and a mysterious broken automaton holding the answer to the past and unbeknownst to him the future. Hugo a young orphan fixes the clocks and gadgets in a Paris train station during the 1930's. The various clocks keeping time in the train station provide the perfect windows to watch the bustling station activity, creating a story within a story as the viewer follows the Station Instructor, Cohen, chasing after orphans, or the woman sipping espresso with an unfriendly dog. Yet, the main interaction in the film is between a robot automaton, a cranky toy shop owner, George, Kingsley, and Isabelle, Moretz, who befriends lonely Hugo. As the story unfolds, Hugo states that "movies are the projection of dreams" setting the stage to marvel at the historical film making by George Melies (1861-1938) French Illusionist & Filmmaker, while solving the puzzle of the automaton and ultimately "fixing" the emptiness of the core players. His skills with tools and making the clocks work parallels the creative efforts in films where every frame is strategically placed culminating in a timeless "working" masterpiece. Hugo's strong will and stubbornness pushes him to seek the truth and in finding the truth fixes himself and others. The cinematography, acting, script, visual effects and storyline is marvelously brilliant.
Hugo is a warm and well told story sending a message to take notice of others and to comprehend the thin and frail thread that binds humanity. A salute to film making, to the well told story and acting with the reminder not to stop, nor settle, and instead run forward embracing life with adventure and purpose. The movie grips the audience from beginning to end with laughter, tears, and awe. Cohen is funny yet seriously touching and Butterfield is captivating as Hugo. Johnny Depp produced the movie and Martin Scorsese, directed the film. Both are strategically placed in Hugo for a brief moment. This is one film that will not be forgotten. Don't miss Hugo in 3D!
Hugo is nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture 2011. Prediction - will take the Best Picture Oscar.
Side note: After seeing the film - google George Melies and Martin Scorsese whose childhood was spent looking through windows.
The Artist is a romantic comedic silent movie with brilliant acting, zero dialog and set solely in black and white film. The story surrounds a very famous silent movie star, George Valentin, played by Dujardin, who is confronted with a new opportunity to appear in "talkies". Fearing change, the unknown, or stubbornly sticking with bygone silent film successes, Valentin, clings to the past rather than embracing the present. Peppy Miller, Bejo, is an up and coming silent film star who eagerly embraces "talkies" and consequently becomes a famous talking movie star. Valentin's choices are the polar opposite. Valentin and Miller lives are intertwined in an old school love story. The acting is superb, movie mesmerizing and the cinematography is reminiscent of the film, Rosebud. Moreover, the dog steals the show.The story examines change and reminds everyone that the world is constantly evolving. Life's journey is to try, change, fail, succeed or forever remain frozen in the past. Dujardin is nominated for Best Actor in a film; Bejo nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a film; The Artist - nominated for Best Picture; The Artist - 10 nominations.
Harry Potter novel series, J.K. Rowling, as of June 2011 sold $450M copies. Harry Potter films have grossed approximately $7.7B worldwide.
Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows, Part 2, is the last movie in this phenomenal book and film series that has captivated the imagination from the young and old for ten years. Radcliff, Grint and Watson search for Voldermots remaining Horcruxes in the finale with the imminent desire to put an end to Lord Voldermot forevermore. Madcap storyline, visual effects with mesmerizing acting culminate in the finest hour. Closing the saga is indeed bittersweet for Potter followers. This final chapter is dark, wrestles good versus evil, sadness versus joy and completely satisfying for the viewer. Sadly, good things all must come to an end. Hats off to J.K. Rowling for writing the series with passion and too the movie industry, which brought the books to life. Art, film and storytelling at its finest hour. Peoples Choice Awards, 2011, gave Harry Potter and theDeadly Hallows: Part 2 the award. Rightfully so. The peoples movie series of the last decade. BRAVO!
MUST SEE: A film series to be watched over and over again with enthusiasm and joy. Do not miss the finale.
Bridesmaids is the ultimate adult girlfriend flick where one woman's envy, Whig as Annie Walker, competes with new friend, Bryne, Helen Harris over Rudolph, Lillian's friendship during her pre-wedding events. An outrageous and over the top comedy about unconditional love, unappreciated love via Mad Men's , John Hamm, and every other component in between that exists in women's friendships. Whig is absolutely hilarious along with McCarthy, Megan and Rudolf in the film. The plane and car scenes are burst out loud worthy. A couple of scenes are a bit gross but still funny with eyes shut. Plan to laugh, cry and remember women need to love another rather than be jealous or envious of another's life. For when the comparisons are examined, everything isn't as it seems. Whig learns that appearances are indeed deceiving. Learning to love oneself is the greatest gift to self and to others. And, McCarthy, teaches Whig the hard way with tough love. Laugh, cry and cheer this crazy group of girlfriends coming together for a wedding.. Remember - stop the competition madness with other women! Embrace one another.
MUST SEE - The men will like it too. Funny they must see the crazy side of women's world and friendships. Enjoy!!! Watched it twice.
One man's, Jack, Penn, flashback on his life in the 1950's with a tough yet loving dad, Mr. O'Brien, Pitt. Depicts family life during simpler times - lay in the grass and dream, obey parents, play outside, learn to be a young man or young woman with specific roles. Many of the scenes were similar to generations growing up in 1960's and 1970's teaching youth to be tough and feminine. Mrs. O'Brien, Chastain, is perfection in the classic mother role - loving, kind, caretaker and homemaker. Conversely, this spiritual movie contains Planet Earth images showing the connection between all living things. Finally, the overall message is without love, without grace, there is only nature. Nature is oblivious to actions whereas grace knows the difference. Beautiful film - for people contemplating the meaning of existence and understanding that every action, every word has a consequence and an outcome. Grace is what we need in today's chaotic world. The Tree of Life - excellent film. Brad Pitt, will win Best Actor for Leading Role in a dramatic film at the Oscars for The Tree of Life and Jessica Chastain will win Best Support Role for an actor in a dramatic film. Mark my words.
MUST SEE: Inspirational, moving, not typical film genre. Excellent.
The Help is by far one of the best films of the year. If a fan of Ya Ya Sisterhood, the book and film and have read, "The Help", this flick is a must see. Three women, author Skeeter Phelan, Stone, Aibileen Clark, Davis and Octavia Spencer, Jackson, write a life altering book from the working maid's point of view about the high society women during the 1960's. The film is brilliant, with the ultimate mean girl, Hilly Hollbrook, Howard, and the new ditzy blonde on the block, Celia Foote, Chastian, combined with the maids, Davis and Spencer. The movie resonates for women who deal with the complicated and sometimes downright mean actions of other women. Women can be a woman's worst enemy. Additionally, the civil rights movement was occurring at the same time. Davis and Spencer steal the show. Frankly, mean girls are just mean and deserve chocolate pie! Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastian will be nominated for an Oscar.
MUST SEE: Personally, have seen the movie twice. Emotional, well acted, funny, delightful and moving film. And, Sissy Spacek is a riot and Holbrook, mean girl's, mom!
Classic storyline of a workaholic father, attorney Matt King, Clooney, absent from his home lifefinds himself thrown into the mom’s role after a tragic accident leaves his wife in a coma.Daughters, Alexandra King, Woodley, 17 and Scottie King, Miller, 10 are typical “4 seasons in a day” difficult young woman determined to make Clooney's life difficult. Clooney’s character is a descendant of an old Hawaiian family who owns 25K acres on Kauai, Hawaii.His family cousins are in the process of selling off the land causing age old problems.Film is well acted, moving, tearful and funny.The Descendants - family bonding at its best:Classic marriage, working husband, bored wife, difficult teen and precocious ten year old wrapped up in drama about coming together as a united family after a tragedy.Clooney will be nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Dramatic Role at the Oscars.
MUST SEE:Drama, great acting, excellent script, funny and tearful. All and all a good movie.
In 1997, Billy Beane, General Manager, Oakland A's, changes how the game of baseball is played by creating Baseball economics. Based on the book, "Moneyball: the Art of Winning an Unfair Game". Billy Beane, Pitt, hires Harvard graduated statistician, Peter Brandt, Hill, and together they hire players based on statistics rather than on popularity. The acting is superb, baseball game exciting and the story keeps audience focused on the outcome. Excellent film about change; accepting change and what makes a team win versus losing.
#1: Team attitude combined with best skills of each team member.
#2: No one is a the team.
#: Always team - team - team.
Great Quote: "Winning isn't everything; Winning is the Only thing". Vince Lombardi
Brad Pitt will be nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Dramatic film and Jonah Hill, Best Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Hill. Stay tuned - batter up for the Oscars!
MUST SEE: In theatres. Feel good, great script and dialog and the ultimate sports team. Believe in the team.
The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo is a bone chilling masterful mystery thriller. Cold, dank, grey and dark set the tone of film in the land of ice and snow. Riveting, brilliant acting, twists and turns, while captivating the audience. Three hour film icily skates from shot to shot with gripping detail. Island in Sweden, demented and dysfunctional family, journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, Craig, comes to solve a 40 year old murder with help of investigator extraordinare, Lisbeth Salander, Mara. Lisabeth is deeply tormented, wickedly intelligent and crafty. The book sold 50M copies in 46 countries. Film is a must see. One of the best films of the year. Warning - very violent. Cover eyes and cringe through a few scenes of violent rape. Rooney Mara is a contender in 2011 for Best Leading Actress in a film.
MUST SEE: In theatre now. Warning - violent scenes of rape.
Steven Spielberg has done it again! War Horse, is a film about a horse, Joey and young man named Albert, played by Jeremy Irvine, set in a sweeping tale of unconditional love between a man and a horse during WWI. The horse, Joey, travels great distances facing horrendous perils, yet poignantly changes lives along the way. Albert separated from Joey pursues an everlasting goal. The movie reminds us of the human condition, the horrors of war, and the unique brotherhood between mankind combined with the love of life and animals. The film's cinematography is reminiscent of the movie, Gone with The Wind. Breathtaking. Superb storytelling and acting along with the emotional pull that leaves one spellbound. Be ready to laugh, cry and too celebrate War Horse. Unforgettable. Don't be surprised to see this film take a Golden Globe or two on 1/15 and an Oscar for Best Picture in February at the Oscars.
MUST SEE: Playing now in the theatre. Will not forget this movie anytime soon! Memorable.
