Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Director: Guy Ritchie (Snatch, RocknRolla)

Cast: Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Jude Law (Cold Mountain, Enemy at the Gates), Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Jared Harris (Mad Men, Fringe), Stephen Fry (V for Vendetta, Alice in Wonderland), Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers, Mean Girls), Kelly Reilly, Paul Anderson

The Deal: Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr) and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson (Law) join forces once again to bring down Professor Moriarty, who's intellect rivals Holmes' own wit, making him their fiercest adversary yet as he tries to control the world.

Thoughts: The summer is always chock full of blockbusters while the Oscar "favorites" dominate the winter months, but there's always a few "summer" films sprinkled into the Christmas bustle to bring families into the theater, and Sherlock Holmes is exactly that. This sequel doesn't bring anything new to the franchise, and that's just the way we like it. Holmes is highly entertaining film meant to draw families to the theater with its A-list stars, witty humor, and a dash of action. It's nothing we haven't seen many many times before, but there's just something to love about Homes and Watson unraveling another case.

What makes the film so enjoyable, like its predecessor, is the great combination of Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. The two play off each other so well in both a comedic and serious way. They're like a late 1800's version of Batman and Robin. They're action heroes who aren't afraid to dress in drag or don their own urban camouflage if it means sneaking by the enemy to gain an advantage. Jared Harris plays the big bad new villain, a man who's intellect rivals that of Holmes, and when the two are on screen together, there is a nice touch of tension through the air. Both actors adequately portray their constantly calculating characters well, and the fact that every move they make is a calculated one based on a million different variables helps separate the film from the many others who have taken on the "villain taking over the world" plot.

I have to say, the front half of the film is more action than wit. Sure, we get some doses of the Holmes deductive skill, but the big expensive action sequences are gotten out of the way early. Many critic's have claimed this sequel lacked the same level of deductive finesse as the first, but it's in the back half, closer to the last third of the film where the mind games come full force. Ultimately when you walk away from the film, it has a dash of sequelitis (bigger, better, more awesome), but it still captures the best of the 2009 predecessor.

Verdict: Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows is a fun sequel that brings all the same things we loved about the first. If the family is looking for some bonding time, and the theater is your destination, Holmes would not be a bad choice at all. ☆☆☆1/2

Review: Hugo (2011)

Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver)

Cast: Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas), Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, Let Me In), Ben Kingsley (Schindler's List, Shutter Island), Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Lars an the Real Girl), Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars), Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes, Cold Mountain)

The Deal: Hugo (Butterfield) is an orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station, diligently keeping the station's clocks functioning. Hugo's attempts to fix an old automaton left by his late father (Law) and his run-ins with the old man (Kingsley) who owns the stations toy shop push Hugo down the path of discovery, but only the young girl Isabelle (Moretz) holds the key to solving Hugo's mystery.

Thoughts: Critic's seem to describe this film as a throwback and ode to filmmaking, and whether or not you find this your cup of tea, they couldn't be more correct. The first thought in my mind after seeing the film was the trailer was a little misleading in a sense that it put so much emphasis on the automaton, when in fact the film is about its characters, and the robot is just a plot device. It threw me off, but I wouldn't call it disappointing. This is a film you need to watch to understand. Right about now I'm getting the feeling anyone reading this review may be thinking I am throwing caution flags for all potential viewers, but do not be mistaken, the film is worth seeing.

I fully enjoyed the characters in the film, every one of them, small role to large. They were all fleshed out nicely, and each served a purpose in driving the plot, even Sacha Baron Cohen, who's prior work leaves much to be desired in my eyes. These were real people struggling with real issues, their lives more intertwined than they realized. The path each character had taken through life is reflected in their actions, and it's only when you finally learn of their past that the realization hits you, and you completely connect with them.

The story itself is very straightforward, and with no real knowledge going in, I didn't expect where it was going to take me. The film is a work of art, a homage to film's past. You get a real look into the start of it all; soundless films that only make you laugh as you watch them come to be. The enjoyment you feel is reflected the same way to the characters in the film, and it quickly becomes clear that films are more than stories, but works of art meant to inspire and fascinate its viewers. This is a film about why we love films, and Scorsese executes it so well. To be honest, the film is unlike any other, and that may be a good or a bad thing to viewers, but anyone who calls themselves a true film lover will find something to connect with.

Verdict: Hugo isn't for everyone, but to the serious film viewer, it is a wonderfully executed piece of art full of rich characters that will remind you not only why you love films, but why films are always more than just a story. ☆☆☆☆

Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Cast: Steve Carell (The Office, The 40 Year Old Virgin), Ryan Gosling (Drive, The Notebook), Julianne Moore (Boogie Nights, Magnolia), Emma Stone (Easy A, Zombieland), Marissa Tomei (The Wrestler), Kevin Bacon (Footloose, Apollo 13), Analeigh Tipton, Jonah Bobo

The Deal: When his wife (Moore) asks for a divorce after more than 20 years together, Cal (Carell) seeks to rediscover his manhood with his new-found friend Jacob (Gosling), a womanizer who's an expert at picking up girls at bars.

Thoughts: The old saying "never judge a book by its cover" couldn't be more correct, as at first glance this film screamed chick-flick to me, or at least that's what all the TV spots and trailers seemed to want me to think. What we actually have is a comical yet serious look at the struggles of love from the viewpoints of many age ranges, and to be honest, it's a pretty realistic assessment. Movies rarely have sad endings, if more of them did nobody would want to watch them, but the route taken to the happy ending is mostly believable here, avoiding the extravagant over-the-top methods too many films use, and focusing on things most normal people would try. When it does try to get a little over-the-top, the plan fails. This is what makes the story so strong and relatable to an audience.

As we all know, a strong story is nothing without a strong cast, and the ensemble we have here all play their parts well. Carell frequently plays a middle-aged "everyman", but it's because he does it well and believably. The humor he brings isn't forced, but rather an outcome of actions a lost and heart-broken man could stumble upon, such as misjudging the type of woman he is bringing home or just being completely behind with the times. Gosling's character is scarred from a heartbreak, and the walls and methods he lives behind make perfect sense. Both characters are totally lost and confused about who they really are, but had they never met, neither could have ever rediscovered themselves.

I really enjoyed the "love triangle" between Cal, Jessica (Tipton), and Robbie (Bobo). The age gaps between the characters made for a few funny moments. Without ruining anything, Robbie is Cal's son, and Jessica is Robbie's babysitter. Robbie's in love with Jessica, and Jessica is in love with Cal. Cal is the guy in the triangle who doesn't know he's there, and wouldn't want to be there if he knew. I couldn't help but laugh every time Jessica told Robbie she's too old for him, that he's just not mature like she is, all the while she's striving for a man 30 years older than herself. The cluelessness from this triangle is quite funny, and pretty spot on with how real people act. I often use words like "real", "realistic", or "believable". For many films, those words have no place to be used, but when we're talking about romance, especially one that wants to be somewhat serious, if I can't see real people in the real world acting that way, then I view it as a failure.

Verdict: Crazy, Stupid, Love sports a strong cast, and is an entertaining look at the struggles of love at different stages in life. The fact that you can believe the character's actions makes this a film the viewer can connect with, and therefore one worth watching. ☆☆☆☆

Review: Friends with Benefits (2011)

Director: Will Gluck

Cast: Justin Timberlake (In Time, The Social Network), Mila Kunis (That 70's Show, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, Natural Born Killers), Richard Jenkins (Burn After Reading), Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg), Patricia Clarkson (The Green Mile)

The Deal: While trying to avoid the clichés of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan (Timberlake) and Jamie (Kunis) soon discover that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications.

Thoughts: Released after the similarly-premised No Strings Attached, Friends with Benefits is both original and superior. Both films rely on extremely attractive leads to rope viewers in, but this film has that extra something. It's a cookie-cutter script that doesn't feel like it. It constantly pokes fun at every sappy romantic comedy while executing those same plot points, and rarely wastes an opportunity to work in a pop culture reference without getting too annoying. What makes it work is how well the film acknowledges these moments and makes them feel original none-the-less.

Timberlake and Kunis have good onscreen chemistry, and that's the key starting point. Are our two leads both flawed in a way that will complicate everything? Yes. Will they both realize they want to be more than friends but have screwed it up? Yes. Will there be some elaborate realization and effort to have them end up together? Of course, it's a romantic comedy! What makes this film work is they're having fun with the script, and each of their characters portrays a little of themselves without it feeling like we're just watching a couple of actors playing themselves.

Verdict: Friends with Benefits is an original and humorous romantic comedy wrapped in a cookie-cutter mold. It will probably never go down as anything great, but it will be remembered as a funny and entertaining. ☆☆☆1/2

Review: Warrior (2011)

Director: Gavin O'Connor

Cast: Joel Edgerton (King Arthur), Tom Hardy (Inception), Nick Nolte (The Thin red Line, Hotel Rwanda), Jennifer Morrison (House M.D.)

The Deal: Youngest son Tommy (Hardy) returns home from war and seeks his dad (Nolte) to train him for the upcoming MMA Sparta tournament. This sets him on a collision course with his older brother Brendan (Edgerton), with whom he has unresolved issues from their broken childhood, who's competing in the tournament as a last ditch effort to win the $5mil purse and save his family's home.

Thoughts: The crazy thing about this film is it sets the audience up to root for both brothers even though it's clear only one will come out on top. The struggles the two have endured since their broken childhood has left them scarred and searching for answers, be it retribution or forgiveness. Hardy and Edgerton both turn in emotionally charged performances that separate their characters from the other, stereotypical "animals" that comprise the MMA fighters.

Now let's not forget, this is a film about mixed martial arts fighting, but even if you have no interest in the sport, you will find yourself completely drawn into the fights due to our compelling leads, and you may just find yourself walking away from the film wanting to start watching MMA fights on TV. MMA is brutal and animalistic, something that is made very clear and present in the film, yet whenever our war hero and physics teacher step into the cage, you see a real person, pain and determination in their eyes, fighting to fix their broken life.

Verdict: Warrior's emotionally charged performances and adrenaline pumping fights make for a great film, start to finish, and a top 5 film for 2011. ☆☆☆☆1/2

Weekly TV Review: Nov 1 to Nov 7

Dexter- If I Had A Hammer: Another week, another good Dexter episode. We find Dexter moving closer to Trinity in order to get a better feel for his current target. He gets to know the family, and even starts pushing Trinity's buttons to see what sets him off. We are still seeing the fallout from Rita discovering Dexter's apartment, so the couple is in counseling, and Dexter makes some interesting strides with being open to her. The issue for where he can store his stuff is settled as well. The real question is how long Dexter can sit by idly and deny his sister some of the info he has on Trinity. He's bound to break at some point, even if it's just a little bit. ☆☆☆☆

Heroes- Once Upon A Time In Texas: This is not a great episode, but it's solid, and sticks to what this season is doing well. We find Hiro trying to save Charlie, and there's a very interesting encounter with Syler (season 1 style) in the process. Samual once again pulls out the stops though, pulling a trick on Hiro in hopes of gaining his family a new time traveler/teleporter. The story following Noah seemed out of place, since it goes against the character that we've known for so long. After that whole story line is wrapped up by the end, it seems pointless right now, but with the way this season is going, maybe it means something more. ☆☆☆

V- Pilot: Well, ABC has hyped the crap out of this show, and with 14.3 millions viewers, it clearly worked. The episode isn't amazing, but really, what pilot ever is? The pilot does do a good job of setting up the show for a promising future. The acting is solid, the visuals are cool, and it seems there will be lots of twists along the way. Overall, it's fairly impressive and should pan out to be a pretty decent show. Plus, it's sci-fi, which I love, and most sci-fi shows don't last on anything but SyFy. ☆☆☆1/2

Community- Home Economics: After the group realizes that Jeff is living out of his car since being locked out of his condo, they all jump to his help. After much reluctance, he ends up bunking with Abed in the dorms. As you can imagine, his way of life quickly diminishes to the point where even Abed wants him to get his act together. They tell Britta to offer him sex, but she would prefer to use other methods to shape Jeff up. The episode doesn't overdo the humor, delivering just enough to properly compliment the story line. ☆☆☆1/2

FlashForward- The Gift: This show is starting to get frustrating. It never delivers an amazing episode, yet does just enough each week to prevent me from giving up on it. This week they are closing in on the blue hand group, finally leading to them getting on the inside. This could have been more interesting, but it was only decent. The saving grace of the episode is that it had a character make a life-or-death attempt to change the future. I hate to spoil too much, so I'll just say that there is a suicide. I like that the show is addressing the fact that these characters could very easily change their futures through drastic, or even a few simple measures. ☆☆☆

The Office- Double Date: Half of this episode was good, the other half quite bad. What was good was Pam and Jim being forced on a double date with Michael to celebrate Pam's mom's birthday. There's some great tension here, and Pam even seems to start coming around to the idea. Of course, the show quickly takes care of that development. What was bad was the stuff back at the office. Dwight wants to get Jim fired by doing nice things for people so that they owe him a favor. This idea is stupid, even for Dwight. Andy then gets involved, and the whole situation just blows up. The attempt really fell flat and didn't make sense for the characters or the show. ☆☆1/2

Movie Rewind: In Bruges (2008)

Director: Martin McDonagh

Cast: Colin Farrell (Minority Report, Daredevil), Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter, Troy), Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter, Schindler's List), Clemence Poesy (Harry Potter), Jordan Prentice, Thelka Reuten, Jeremie Renier

The Deal: Hit men Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) are ordered to lay low in Bruges, the most well-preserved medieval city in Belgium. Though their boss describes the town as a fairytale place to enjoy time off, Ray is jittery and can't stand to be there. Things take a turn for the worse when a hit is ordered that will test Ray and Ken like never before, one they may not walk away from alive.

Thoughts: In Bruges sports action, humor, and a dark and well written story. The characters are deep and are really challenged by inner turmoils over what they believe is right. As said in the film "you've got to stick by your principles." The violence, when there, is heavy and quite bloody. The story is engaging and has a few good twists. And then there's the humor. Ray and Ken spend plenty of time bickering about essentially nothing, which is always funny, but then there's scenes that involve karate chopping a dwarf and cocaine-induced thoughts of race wars. There's plenty of the dark humor, but the film remains surprisingly serious and deep throughout.

One of the film's biggest strengths is the acting. I'm not one to usually applaud Farrell for anything, but he was quite good here. His chemistry with Gleeson made for a hilarious and entertaining hit man duo. The two worked effortlessly together, and it made the film all the more enjoyable. Fiennes also delivers a very good performance, and the combination of those three actors makes for a very interesting triangle. They all have their own beliefs, and they each stick by them to the end, even when none of them agree. The actors all handle this situation well, and it helps round out the film.

Verdict: In Bruges has action, comedy, good acting, and a great story. It's incredibly entertaining and engaging, and if you haven't seen it already, I suggest you make it the next film you see. ☆☆☆☆1/2

Review: (500) Days of Summer (2009)

Director: Marc Webb

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (10 Things I Hate About You, The Lookout), Zooey Deschanel (Yes Man, Elf), Geoffrey Arend, Matthew Gray Gubler (Alvin and the Chipmunks), Chloe Moretz, Clark Gregg (Iron Man)

The Deal: Tom (Gordon-Levitt), a greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is devastated when his girlfriend, Summer (Deschanel), suddenly dumps him. Determined to win her back, he reflects back on their 500 days together to find out what went wrong so he can try and fix things. Unfortunately, expectations and reality are rarely the same, but looking back helps Tom rediscover his true passions in life.

Thoughts: We're told right off the bat that this is a film about boy-meets-girl that is most definitely not a love story. Though much of the film would appear otherwise, the statement couldn't be more true. Tom believes in true love and soul mates, while Summer doesn't believe in love at all. Though he thinks he can change things for her, despite his best efforts, he can't take things to the next level. It's very sad at times watching him struggle, because for many viewers, Tom's position is one that they may be familiar with themselves. The film takes a very serious look out how relationships pan out in real life, but also reminds the viewers that events in life happen for a reason, and if you prevent yourself from dwelling in the past and moving on to live your life, things will work out and you can find happiness.

Though there's an assortment of supporting actors, it's Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel that devour almost every scene. Both do an excellent job with their roles. Gordon-Levitt has gone from obscurity after the popular 10 Things I Hate About You and roared back into the spotlight with this role. It's a powerful yet grounded performance that feels very real and as mentioned earlier, can be related to by the audience. For Deschanel, the film showcases how cute she is. It builds her up to be the perfect, most adorable girlfriend a guy could find only to have her crush the boyfriends heart with his own theories. She's not made out to be the bad girl, but rather a perfect example of what it is like trying to find one's true love.

Verdict: (500) Days of Summer is a wonderful romantic-comedy that avoids the black hole of being a chick-flick. It's serious and rooted in reality, yet maintains the idea that true love can exist and that even when things seem down, life can work out for the best. ☆☆☆☆1/2

Review: Surrogates (2009)

Director: Jonathan Mostow (U-571, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines)

Cast: Bruce Willis (Die Hard, The Sixth Sense), Radha Mitchell (Man on Fire, Silent Hill), Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day, Doom), James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential, W.), Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible, Pulp Fiction), Michael Cudlitz (Band of Brothers), Boris Kodjoe

The Deal: In an age where people purchase unflawed robotic versions of themselves, called surrogates, to assume their life roles and keep them safe while they are comfy at their home, FBI agent Tom Greer (Willis) investigates the mysterious murders of people while connected to their surrogate, a phenomenon that was thought to be impossible. The murders spawn a quest for answers, but in a world where no one is what they appear to be, who's real and who can you trust?

Thoughts: Though Surrogates is probably not worth the inflated theater prices, it is an entertaining film that is worth seeing. The premise is very straight forward, and viewers will be hard-pressed not to find the idea fairly interesting. The plot's twists and turns are somewhat predictable, and the film is a little too action happy at times, but the idea of this futuristic world overpowers these downsides and keeps the film enjoyable. The biggest downside is that the film has a premise with limitless options, but fails to fully utilize them, a waste when you consider the idea of controlling a robotic version of yourself.

There are a lot of familiar names in the film, and as a whole, if you're familiar with the types of films you typically see them in, then you have a good idea of what the performances are like. Yes, many of the actors have had a great role or two, but for the most part, they are all decent actors and actresses, but nothing more. It is one of the draw-backs to the film. Sci-fi can be a tricky genre to pull of well. It needs an engaging script and great acting, two things that are both missing from the film.

Verdict: Though it's not likely to blow you away, Surrogates takes an interesting idea and makes a decently entertaining film out of it. It misses some great opportunities, and the acting could be better, but its a solid option if your looking for a newer film to see. ☆☆☆

Weekly TV Review: Oct 25 to Oct 31

Dexter- Dirty Harry: Dexter never delivers a bad episode. We find Dex hot on the trail of Trinity, but Deb is deeply struggling with the death of Lundy and Rita has discovered that Dex kept his old apartment. There's a lot of distractions for him, but he somehow manages to juggle it all like he normally does. What made the whole episode so interesting is how they developed Trinity even further. Despite Deter's best efforts, Trinity eludes him long enough to make his third kill, but when Dex follows Trinity away from the scene, he finds himself shocked to find that he and Trinity have even more in common than he ever imagined possible. ☆☆☆☆

Heroes- Strage Attractors: This episode was a little off balance. One of the most frustrating aspects was the Matt/Syler story line. Matt is still trying to kick Syler from his head, especially after Syler took control for a little sex session with Mrs. Parkman. Matt's solution was to literally drink his problems away. It was a really cheesy decision, though the episode redeems it a little bit when we see that it was merely a ruse for Syler to fully take over. We also see Claire in a Halloween story line that is actually not too bad. Her powers are now revealed to more people, but there is now the new dynamic now that she knows about little Miss Invsible. Noah's story line was weak, but did give us a very badass moment with Samuel ruthlessly destroying a police department. ☆☆☆1/2

Community- Introduction to Statistics: Community does a bit more to right the ship this week. The Halloween episode gets back to what made the early episodes so funny while still progressing the story quite well. Annie is throwing a Halloween party, and people will only go if Jeff is there, but Jeff is in hot pursuit of his sexy Stats professor. With his absence, Pierce tries to be cool by taking drugs, but he goes crazy and the only person that can help him is Jeff. He must decide between helping his friends and having sex with the professor, and he makes the interesting choice of helping friends. It shows that he is slowly accepting his place in community college, as well as committing himself to developing real friendships with his classmates. Between the story line and all of the funny costumes, this episode is very entertaining. ☆☆☆☆

The Office- Koi Pond: After Jim and Michael go on a sales call, Michael returns soaking wet after falling in a koi pond. With the office unleashing a relentless string of jokes (this was by far the funniest segment of the episode), Michael is getting upset. Jim tells Michael that he should make fun of himself to ease the pressure, but Michael of course takes this too far. We also see Pam and Andy making sales calls with everyone thinking they are married with a baby on the way. This makes for some awkward scenes, but then the episode takes things a little too far here as well. It's not a bad episode, but it missed some opportunities and marred some of its own bright spots. ☆☆☆

FlashForward- Scary Monsters and Super Creeps: This show continues to be very interesting despite a lack of very strong episodes. It has not wowed me yet, but I still find myself tuning in every week hoping to learn more. Whatever works I guess. The episode does a lot to show that maybe people really can change their futures. Hawk is told she can't have children after the gunshot wound, but she could very well still get pregnant. We also see Mr Simcoe end up at the Benford's house when his missing son turns up there. Him and Mark go at it, and Lloyd agrees to never come back. We finally get to see Dominic Monaghan in action, and his flashforward is quite disturbing. We also learn more about his involvement with the blackouts, and he is shaping up to be a great villain for the show. ☆☆☆1/2

*House and Glee did not air due to the World Series. Again, Dollhouse will not return until December. Coming up this week is the premiere of ABC's new show V. It looks very good, and I can't wait to review the show with the rest of them. The Scrubs spin-off show has been giving a premiere date of December 1.

Movie Rewind: Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Director: Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz)

Cast: Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Star Trek), Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz), Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran (Run Fatboy Run)

The Deal: Shaun is having a bad day. He's 29-years-old, his career is going nowhere, his best friend is a slacker, and his girlfriend has dumped him for forgetting their anniversary. But if he thought things couldn't get any worse, they do. London is experiencing a zombie apocalypse and it's up to Shaun to save his romance and his friends or fall prey to the walking dead.

Thoughts: This is the film that started the zombie-comedy genre. It's extremely funny, full of gruesome scenes expected from a zombie film, and just flat out entertaining. I re-watch this film every year around Halloween and it never gets old. In a way, the story plays out the way every average man would imagine a zombie apocalypse panning out. He's down-on-his luck, but in the heat of the moment, he can step it up, kill a slew of zombies, and get the girl. What guy wouldn't want this scenario to work out that way for themselves?

A big boost for the film is the acting. I love Simon Pegg and Nick Frost together. They are just a very funny combo that know how to make a fun film. There are a few more serious moments in the film where the comedians must tone it back, and they handle those scenes well. The supporting cast is solid as well, providing plenty of funny moments themselves.

There are a couple of scenes that I really love in the film. The first is when Shaun and Ed are in the back yard trying to kill their first zombie. The two sit there an bicker over what CDs can be used as a weapon, all the while the zombie is getting closer. The two, after unsuccessfully throwing a slew of objects, settle on blunt objects like a cricket bat to get the job done. The other scene is in the bar towards the end when the group continue to circle around the zombie whacking him with pool cues. The music and the visual is just really funny and memorable.

Verdict: The defining film for the zom-com genre. Shaun of the Dead is very funny, action-packed, and full of ravenous zombies. A yearly must around Halloween. ☆☆☆☆1/2

Movie Rewind: Paranormal Activity (2007)

Director: Oren Peli

Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs

The Deal: After moving into a suburban home, Katie (Featherston) and Micah (Sloat) become increasingly disturbed by a series of supernatural occurrences in the night. Hoping to capture evidence of the haunting, they set up a video camera in their room every night, but they are in no way prepared for the series of terrifying events that follow.

Thoughts: This isn't one of those films that tries to jump out and startle you, but rather the type that builds initial suspense and then keeps growing it to heightened levels every few scenes. There will be a crowd of viewers that find the film terrifying and possibly nightmare inducing. The camera work is the same style that was used in The Blair Witch Project, which for these types of films is really the best route to go. It adds a very realistic and believable touch to the story. There will also be a crowd that isn't necessarily frightened by this, but the film will still prove to be eerily satisfying and deliver the chills most seek when they look in towards the horror genre. Sure, it's predictable that the Ouija board would come to life when they left the room in one scene, but who could have seen the board lighting on fire? It's scenes like that that keep the film interesting and the viewer on the edge of their seat.

Paranormal Activity is entirely carried by two actors you've never heard of, and I think that once again, this works to the advantage of this type of film. These aren't Hollywood stars we see everywhere, but rather a couple of average citizens dealing with a set of terrifyingly real paranormal events. This is the aspect that makes the film so scary to some, because they can much more easily place themselves in the characters' shoes and believe this could happen to them. Katie and Micah, who keep their names in the film, both do an excellent job delivering their performances. Their emotions always seem very real, and their actions make logical sense.

I watched the original version from 2007. The version playing in theaters right now is mostly the same. There are a few scenes that are shown in a new order to fit a more theatrical audience, but the only big change occurs with the ending. There are multiple new endings to the film, though I've only really heard much about one. *SPOILERS* The original ending has Kate kill Micah downstairs then retreat upstairs where she rocks back and forth in a ball for days until the police arrive. The ending floating around in most theaters has her killing Micah and then dragging him upstairs and throwing him at the camera. Without seeing this ending, I can't comment on which is better, but I can say that the original ending is good, and the new one doesn't sound like it will ruin the film in any way.

Verdict: Paranormal Activity avoids the startling scares for a more believable and eerie direction that delivers heightened chills with every new scene. ☆☆☆☆

Movie Rewind: Trick 'r Treat (2007)

Director: Michael Dougherty

Cast: Dylan Baker (Kings, Spider-Man), Anna Paquin (X-Men, True Blood), Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica, Dollhouse), Leslie Bibb (Talladega Nights, Iron Man), Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity, X2), Britt McKillip (Dead Like Me), Lauren Lee Smith (CSI, The L Word), Rochelle Aytes, Quinn Lord

The Deal: In a small town on Halloween, five interwoven frightful stories occur on a single block. A couple learns the dangers of blowing out a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight, a group of children take a prank too far and discover the terrifying truth of a local legend, a twisted principal must hide his dark secret, a college "virgin" seeks the right man, and an old hermit is visited by a terrifying trick-or-treater with a few bones to pick.

Thoughts: I wish I had heard of this film sooner, because this is a great Halloween pick. Originally slated to be released in theaters, it ended up going straight to DVD, but that is not due to a lack of quality. Each of the stories is well drawn out and full of fright, suspense, and mystery. The different tales are all woven together nicely into one interconnected story. It is a scary film, but not over the top. It's at that level where it is fun and enjoyable on top of providing some chills. If you're not paying too close of attention, you'll find the film's twists quite surprising.

It's pretty impressive to see so many familiar faces. Few of them are big name stars, with Paquin being one of the few universally recognizable faces, but anyone who watches movies and TV will find people they recognize. With a film like this, the actors don't need to rely on great acting, but that's not to say that they don't do a good job. I think the castings are well chosen and add to the overall feel of the film. Even the children do a good job. Their tale was fun and "believable".

Verdict: If you're looking for a good Halloween film that isn't trying to scare the pants off of you while still delivering some chills, this is the film for you. It has a few good scares, and does a great job capturing the Halloween spirit. ☆☆☆☆

Review: I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)

Director: Chris Columbus (Harry Potter, Home Alone)

Cast: Hayden Panettiere (Heroes, Remember the Titans), Paul Rust, Jack Carpenter (Sydney White), Lauren London, Lauren Storm (Flight 29 Down), Shawn Roberts, Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Spin City), Cynthia Stevenson (Men in Trees, Dead Like Me)

The Deal: Class valedictorian Denis Cooverman (Rust) has had a crush on Beth Cooper (Panettiere), the hottest girl in school. During his graduation speech, Denis urges everyone to say the things they will regret if they don't, so he professes his love for Beth. Though embarrassed, instead of humiliating him back, she shows up to his party and shows him the time of his life.

Thoughts: This was a chore to sit through. It was rarely entertaining, mostly in part to the absolute ridiculous and nonsensical plot. All of your typical high school stereotypes are there, and the characters are each given the most extreme quirks you'd never ever see in real life, especially all out of one single high school. The film as a whole is just a bunch of random and unbelievable events thrown together with the hope of being only moderately decent, something it fails at. Yes, there are a few decent moments that'll make you laugh, but they're quickly overshadowed by the rest of the film's failures.

If you have a giant crush on Panettiere, you may like this film. She looks fantastic in every minute of it, but that's the only good thing she does. Her performance is quite weak and makes her work on Heroes look great. As for Rust, he just isn't that great of a lead. Despite the fact that everyone is supposed to be able to relate to the high school nerd who just wants a chance, viewers will be hard pressed to feel that way towards Denis.

Verdict: As good as Panettiere may look, it does little to help the films weak and unbelievable plot. It's just another high school film that leans on all of the usual stereotypes but does little to differentiate itself. ☆1/2

Review: The Ugly Truth (2009)

Director: Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde, 21)

Cast: Katherine Heigl (27 Dresses, Grey's Anatomy), Gerard Butler (300, The Phantom of the Opera), Bree Turner, Eric Winter (Days of Our Lives)

The Deal: Abby (Heigl) is a determined TV producer and hopelessly single. With her show garnering low ratings, her employers team her up with Mike (Butler), an opinionated TV celebrity who brutally addresses what makes men and women click. Though they immediately clash, as Abby is disgusted by him, but the show becomes a hit. Confident in his theories, Mike guarantees he can help Abby land the man of her dreams, but if he fails, he has to leave the show.

Thoughts: Formulaic? Check. Predictable? Check. Unoriginal? Check. Funny and entertaining? Check... kinda. Rom-coms seem to be churned out way too fast these days, and it shows. Their quality is quite low, yet because of beautiful male and female leads, people still end up watching them. The scenarios are always incredibly unrealistic, and the films almost always end with the same sappy happy ending. For the most part, The Ugly Truth does nothing to buck this trend. Unlike many of the genre, it's overly raunchy. This can be funny at times, but far too often it just seems unnecessary.

I'm not going to go into a long rant about Heigl, so I'll just say this. I don't like her. It's nothing personal, but I really don't care for anything she stars in. She's not funny, and that's a problem here. Thankfully, Butler is pretty darn funny here, but only if you're a guy. Women will probably be disgusted, but men will find his very raunchy, dirty mind and actions quite hilarious. It's nothing you'll be raving about any time soon, but it's almost enough to save the film. It is enough to give the film a small spark of life, making for a mildly entertaining experience.

Verdict: A sappy and formulaic rom-com that relies on overly raunchy humor to get laughs. Women may hate this, but men will relate to Butler's character, at least enough to get a few laughs. ☆☆

Weekly TV Review: Oct 18 to Oct 24

Dexter- Dex Takes A Holiday: Rita is taking the kids to a wedding, which means Dexter has the weekend to himself to finally please his inner monster. It's great to see Dexter at work doing what he does best. His mark is a shady cop who's fairly clever, but Dexter always gets his mark. We also see Deb and Lundy getting very close while investigating the Trinity Killer. Without trying to spoil too much, Lundy may have ID'd the killer, but after the closing scene, it'll be tough to predict how things will play out for Deb and Lundy with the investigation. ☆☆☆☆

House- Brave Heart: Though far from being a bad episode, it isn't likely to remain too memorable. It is interesting to see House working with Chase, Cameron, and Foreman again like in the early seasons, but it's really just another case. Chase is still trying to cope with his actions, and House is interested in why Wilson talks to Amber at night. It's all interesting, but not a standout episode. ☆☆☆

Heroes- Tabula Rasa: Though not as good as last weeks phenomenal episode, Tabula Rasa continues to keep the good tempo Heroes is surprisingly showing this season. Samuel is trying to help Sylar regain his mind, and he makes some very interesting comments on the matter that add even more to the mystery of what he has planned. With Hiro dying, Peter and Noah try to find a healer, and though this storyline isn'y great, it is relevant, and therefore still pleasing given the disappointments of the past. To my great joy, Hiro is interesting again. He's not obsessing over his destiny as a hero, but rather helping Emma understand her powers while his own power continues to act on its own while he tries to figure out the meaning. ☆☆☆1/2

Glee- Mash Up: This episode has a very high school feel to it, as it focuses on the kids deciding if popularity is worth it. The whole school seems to like the idea of throwing slushies in the groups faces, and as expected, the jocks and cheerleaders struggle the most with this. After Will and Emma continue to exhibit sexual tension, Tanaka decides to force Finn, Puck and crew to decide between football and glee club. It's not as funny as previous episodes, and it doesn't have a dynamite performance like previous episodes, but it maintains the same level of entertainment that has kept us watching all season. I did find the romance between Rachel and Puck not only awkward, but very out of placed and forced, especially since it flamed out so quickly. ☆☆☆1/2

Community- Football, Feminism, and You: Jeff is trying to convince Troy to join the football team so that the dean won't send out flyers with Jeff's face on them, fearing it could hurt his job chances. Annie wants Troy to focus on her and school, but as we've come to know, everyone listens to Jeff. What's nice is that it turns out Troy actually wants to be on the team, allowing for Jeff and Annie to forgive each. We also see Britta struggling to understand female bathroom trips, a story line that isn't as funny as it should be. What was absolutely hysterical, to no surprise, was Pierce's part. He's teamed with the dean to create a new mascot, since the school no longer will be called the Grizzlies, and now be called the Human Beings. Anyone who has watched the show knows that with Pierce, this story line will deliver the laughs. ☆☆☆

The Office- The Lover: Michael is dating Pam's mom, and boy does this not sit well with Pam or Jim. What we get is Pam losing all emotional control, constantly harassing Michael to call it off. In a funny moment, Michael runs to Toby for help, something I never thought I'd see. While this was a more serious part to the episode, the humor falls between Jim and Dwight, not surprisingly. Dwight, still jealous of Jim's promotion, plants an obvious listening devise inside of a wooden mallard. Jim isn't an idiot, and plays around with Dwight, leading to some very funny scenes, but Dwight ends up getting the last laugh in a clever move. ☆☆☆☆

FlashForward- Gimme Some Truth: I'm still waiting for this show to finally kick things into gear and get good. The premise is interesting, but it continues to deliver mediocre results. I will say that this might be the best episode yet though, mainly due to the ending. Though it seems highly unlikely that the guys could all have escaped from the car unscathed, the ensuing shootout was very fun. The music was a good choice, but the real scene stealer was Hawk's portion of the ending. People want Mosaic gone, and those involved are attacked. We leave with Hawk bleeding out in the street while her alarm clock (the type that has wheels and rolls away from you in the morning) continues to drive around her drawing circles of blood on the ground. ☆☆☆1/2

Dollhouse- Belonging: I never thought Dollhouse would ever deliver my favorite episode of the week, but it has. This is not only the best episode of the show, but a very good television episode of any kind. This is saying a lot, but it really was good. The episode focuses on Sierra's background, and every single character in the show has some fresh and very interesting dilemmas. We see Topher finally showing he does have some morals, Boyd quietly watching Echo and Topher, and Echo trying to hide the fact that she's reading and lying (something no doll should be doing). It's a very emotionally charged episode that not only progresses the show's story relevant story line, but delivers entertaining and challenging scenes for almost every minute. My rating of the episode may seem inflated, but considering what the show has delivered in the past, I think it's justified. ☆☆☆☆1/2

*Dollhouse will not be airing during November, as Fox has decided to keep it out of sweeps. The show will return on December 4 with a two-hour episode. Fox still plans on airing the entire season.

Review: The Proposal (2009)

Director: Anne Fletcher (Step Up, 27 Dresses)

Cast: Sandra Bullock (Speed, Miss Congeniality), Ryan Reynolds (Just Friends, Definitely Maybe), Mary Steenburgen (Elf, Joan of Arcadia), Craig T Nelson (Coach, The Incredibles), Betty White (The Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore), Malin Akerman (Watchmen, The Heartbreak Kid), Oscar Nunez (The Office)

The Deal: High-powered book editor Margaret Tate (Bullock) blackmails her assistant Andrew (Reynolds) into marrying her so that she will not be deported back to Canada after violating her work visa. With the government questioning the validity of the marriage, she's forced to travel with Andrew to Alaska to meet his family where the two must fake their new engagement in order to learn enough to fool the investigator. As the two are forced to spend so much time together, they both gain a better understanding of the other, but when the family decides to give them a surprise wedding, things are thrown into chaos.

Thoughts: Yes, this is a pretty predictable and formulaic romantic comedy, but in all reality, what film in that genre isn't? Instead of casting it aside for that sole reason, viewers should give it a chance. It is actually fairly funny the whole way through, and though the premise is very unrealistic, it's unique enough to keep things interesting. Andrew is no fool, and despite being blackmailed, he blackmails her back early on such that the arrangement is mutually beneficial. It's when the family gets involved where we see the human side of the two, and despite it's typical happy ending, the film was entertaining.

The biggest reason this film works is that Reynolds and Bullock have great chemistry on screen. We've always associated Reynolds with being a comedian, but Bullock can be pretty funny herself. What makes them stand out is that they know how to be serious. I'm not talking about winning-an-Oscar serious, but the type of serious that's needed to take a crazy rom-com seriously (wow, that was a lot of "serious"). Betty White is also quite funny. Let's face it, if written properly, the funny grandma can be a goldmine for films, and she is just that.

Verdict: Though it's just as generic and predictable as you'd guess a rom-com to be, The Proposal is actually quite funny and Reynolds and Bullock have great chemistry on screen. ☆☆☆1/2

Weekly TV Review: Oct 11 to Oct 17

Dexter- Blinded By the Light: This week we see Dexter growing weary of the neighborhood watch. There's a vandal running loose, and the extra attention is making it hard for him to do his dirty work. Plus, he's annoyed and wants to personally scare the vandal into stopping. We also see the Trinity Killer get his next victim, but there's some dispute at the station over whether it was a suicide or a homicide. Lundy and Deb seem convinced in their thoughts, but they're currently on an island. It's another good episode, and I can't find any noticeable flaws to point out. ☆☆☆☆

Heroes- Hysterical Blindness: Thank goodness. After last week's disappointment, we are given the best episode of the season. Going in, all anyone could talk about was Claire's lesbian kiss, but by the time the episode ends, that's the least interesting part of the episode. Peter and Emma finally start to connect, with Emma realizing she can manipulate sound into a physical attack (finally proving she is a relevant character). Sylar has some memory loss, but when the cops find him full of bullet holes, he's tossed into an interrogation. As the pressure increases, powers start returning, and he has no clue what's going on. In the best move since the first season, we get a huge shocker in the Claire story line. I won't blow it for you, but it ties up some previous open plots, and was a fantastic twist. The episode ends with Samuel picking his new member, and the decision is bound to have great repercussions. ☆☆☆☆1/2

House- Instant Karma: Foreman and Chase are working on getting their stories straight after they get the impression that somebody may know too much about Dibala's death. On top of things, their patient is a dying boy who's father thinks his son's condition is based on karma since his business endeavors are booming. House is called in to make the final calls, but Foreman is still in charge. The episode continues to work the previous story lines, but it's not spectacular. It's still solid, but the boy's case wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. ☆☆☆1/2

Glee- Throwdown: Now that Sue has equal say over the club, she and Will are clashing hard. Sue wants nothing more than to bring the club to ruins, playing her usual games of sabotage, forcing Will to either get even or lose it all. It's a very very funny episode, capped by the funniest line of all. Sue, wanting to really divide the group, decides to make Will look racist. "Sanatana, Wheels, Gay Kid, Asian, Other Asian, Aretha, and Shaft." She even convinces Puck and Britney that they are being mistreated for being Jewish and Dutch. Her reckless disregard for any emotions is phenomenal, making this possibly the funniest episode yet. It's also now apparent who the real musical talents are. Lea Michele (Rachel), Amber Riley (Mercedes), and Kevin McHale (Artie) can definitely sing well. Dianna Agron (Quinn), who gets a solo this week, and Cory Monteith (Finn) are both ok singers, but they are no where near the level of those other three. ☆☆☆☆

FlashForward- Black Swan: This is a fairly forgettable episode. Having watched it only a few hours ago, I've already forgot much of what went down. Mark and Demetri are debating how to proceed with the new information at hand, and Olivia is trying her hardest to avoid Mr Simcoe. Not a lot happens, but she does have a patient who's quite sick, and Bryce pieces together the solution by mixing symptoms with the man's flashforward. It's interesting, but overall, the episode is frustrating. ☆☆1/2

Community- Advanced Criminal Law: Brita is caught cheating on a Spanish test, forcing Jeff to represent her during a hearing to determine the school's actions. There's very little humor in the story line. Annie needs help writing a school song, and Pierce says he's a great composer... he's not. This was fairly funny, as Pierce's "brilliant" ideas were actually just him changing the words to existing songs, but thinking he came up with it all himself. Troy and Abed are pulling jokes on each other, but Abed really doesn't get it. He makes some weird alien noise that are funny, but that's it. ☆☆1/2

The Office- Mafia: This was a pretty solid episode, not brilliant, but definitely not bad. After being approached by an Italian insurance agent, Michael becomes convinced he's being targeted by the mafia and if he doesn't enroll, they will burn the office down. Much of the office thinks this is absolutely ridiculous, but since Jim and Pam are on their honeymoon, there's no one to keep Michael in check. ☆☆☆1/2

*Dollhouse didn't air this week due to MLB Playoffs

Review: Land of the Lost (2009)

Director: Brad Silberling (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Cast: Will Farrell (Old School, Talladega Nights), Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies, Timeline), Danny McBride (Hot Rod, Pineapple Express), Jorma Taccone (Saturday Night Live, Hot Rod)

The Deal: Washed-up scientist Rick Marshall (Ferrell) is sucked through a wormhole and thrown into an alternate dimension full of dinosaurs and creatures from beyond our world. Alongside him are Holly (Friel), his research assistant and biggest fan, and Will (McBride), a redneck survivalist. With the device necessary to return home being lost during their trip there, the three must rely on a humanoid-primate named Chaka (Taccone) to help them navigate out of the dimension. Unfortunately, an evil Sleestak (strange reptile people of the dimension) has other plans with Marshall's devise... ruling the world.

Thoughts: For every good thing Land of the Lost does, there are a handful of wrong things that follow. At times, the film can actually be pretty funny, but many of the jokes become overused, and Ferrel's antics just become annoying. The biggest issue with the film is clashing visuals. Some of the CGI looks good and some of it looks terrible (how is it that the t-rex from Jurassic Park, made 16 years earlier, looks 100 times more realistic?). On top of that, we have the intentionally terrible Sleestak costumes that are clearly a throwback to the original material. What we get is a muddled mess of visuals that just don't fit together and make the film tough to sit through.

Will Ferrell is incredibly one dimensional. He knows how to be over-the-top funny, and that's it. It's good because you're guaranteed to have some funny moments, but it always ends up being annoying and never allows the film to be taken seriously. I love Anna Friel. I've thought she was adorable since Pushing Daisies, and she's just as likable in this film. Her performance isn't that great, but since I know she's capable of much more, the fault can be largely blamed on the script. Either way, she's a pleasant presence in the film, shinning as one of the very few bright spots. McBride's style meshes well with Ferrell, but he's not a great actor and he too suffers from growing annoyance.

Verdict: Though it does have a decent amount of funny moments, Land of the Lost is plagued by bad visuals and Ferrell's overacting. Friel is likable, but she can't overcome the annoyances of the film. ☆☆

Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Director: Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon)

Cast: Shia LaBeouf (Even Stevens, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Megan Fox (Transformers, Jennifer's Body), Josh Duhamel (Transformers, Las Vegas), Tyrese Gibson (Transformers, Four Brothers), John Turturro (Transformers, Mr. Deeds), Isabel Lucas (Home and Away)

The Deal: Though the battle may have been won, Earth is still not safe. An ancient Deceptacon named The Fallen has returned and Sam (LaBeouf) possesses the information he needs. To make matters worse, the Deceptacons have revived Megatron to join the fray. Optimus and Bumblebee must do their best to protect Sam from falling prey, but the Deceptacons have returned with greater numbers, and the Autobots may finally be outmatched.

Thoughts: After a very successful first film, Revenge of the Fallen is a massive disappointment. All of the elements were there for another solid addition to the franchise, but the film has fallen prey to director Michael Bay. Don't get me wrong, when it comes to explosions and epic battles, Bay is the man. Unfortunately, a relevant plot is cast aside for Bay's CGI, leaving over an hour of this film as unnecessary fluff. It aways looks nice, but there are just far too many rock-bottom plot lines to rescue this film (do we really need robot testicles). Many of the scenes flat out don't make any sense, and some of the new characters are just plain awful and annoying (I'm looking directly at you, Mudflap and Skids). There's also the issue many have pointed out that some of the Deceptacons are appearing in two separate battles at the same time.

I get it, Megan Fox is a slammin' hottie, but that is no excuse for this film. She serves no relevant purpose other than to look good. She's just cast in there to flaunt her sexyness and muddle up the already thin plot. There's just far to much time spent emphasizing her looks and far too little spent on focusing on the actual plot. LaBeouf isn't any worse than he was in the first film, but it still doesn't make his performance very good. I'm going to peg a lot of this on the script, which is just corny and frequently makes little sense.

Verdict: Visually, Revenge of the Fallen looks awesome, but non-stop action and tons of Megan Fox can't change the fact that there was rarely a coherent plot. The film runs over 2.5 hours, and at least half of that time is full of unnecessary plot. ☆☆