Two Lovers

Movie Info

Directed by: James Gray (We Own The Night)
Written by: Screenplay: James Gray (We Own The Night) & Ric Menello (feature film debut)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line, Signs), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love, Se7en), Vinessa Shaw (3:10 to Yuma, Eyes Wide Shut)
Genre: Drama/Romance
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some sexuality and brief drug use
Runtime: 110 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 83% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 71/100
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
My Response: If you believe the latest news, and Joaquin Phoenix really gives up acting to become...ahem...a rapper, then this is his last film. I really don't think he will leave movies for good, but it he does, at least he goes out with a good one. The cast is great, and there are rumors that up-and-comer Vinessa Shaw outshines Gwyneth Paltrow in this one. See it.

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Notorious

Movie Info

Directed by: George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor, Soul Food)
Written by: Screenplay: Reggie Rock Bythewood (Biker Boyz) & Cheo Hodari Coker (film writing debut)
Starring: Jamal Woolard (film debut), Derek Luke (Friday Night Lights, Miracle at St. Anna), Anthony Mackie (We Are Marshall, Eagle Eye)
Genre: Biography/Drama/Music
MPAA Rating: R - for pervasive language, some strong sexuality including dialogue, nudity, and for drug content
Runtime: 100 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 53% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 61/00
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
My Response: This one is a hard one to pin down, but don't expect it to be too great. There is not much talent behind the camera, and the producers would have tried to get it released in December in order to collect some awards if it was any good. Although Jamal Woolard is getting some nice things said about his performance, I'd still skip it.

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Last Chance Harvey

Movie Info

Directed by: Joel Hopkins (Jump Tomorrow, Jorge)
Written by: Joel Hopkins (Jump Tomorrow, Jorge)
Starring: Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate, Rain Man), Emma Thompson (Love Actually, Stranger Then Fiction)
Genre: Drama/Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for brief strong language
Runtime: 92 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 74% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 60/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: After watching the trailer for this film, it's hard to not know what happens throughout the entire picture, but it's also easy to see how likable the two main characters are, so the journey they go on should still be fun. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson provide entertaining performances, and have great chemistry together. I'd recommend at least renting this one.

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Not Easily Broken

Movie Info

Directed by: Bill Duke (Hoodlum, Sister Act 2)
Written by: T.D. Jakes (novel) & Brian Bird (screenplay, The Last Sin Eater)
Starring: Morris Chestnut (Boyz N The Hood, Ladder 49), Taraji P. Henson (Four Brothers, Hustle & Flow)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for sexual references and thematic elements
Runtime: 99 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 37% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 42/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: What? No Tyler Perry? That's weird. This must be the first Africa-American focused film in years without the pretense "Tyler Perry Presents". I think that's a good thing (diversity is always good), but this one still looks like a bomb. Skip it.

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The Reader

Movie Info

Directed by: Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours)
Written by: Bernhard Schlink (book "Der Vorleser"), David Hare (screenplay, The Hours)
Starring: Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List, Quiz Show)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R - for some scenes of sexuality and nudity
Runtime: 123 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 60% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 58/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: This film was actually released to a few theaters about a month ago to start getting buzz around it before it's wide release on Friday (a trend that is getting too popular in my opinion). But, it's obviously worked, as The Reader is up for four Golden Globes and just about every review mentions the word "Oscar". With the director, writer, and both stars already being nominated for the gold statue in the past, this one definitely has the pedigree to go the distance. See it.

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Defiance

Movie Info

Directed by: Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai)
Written by: Nechama Tac (book), Clayton Frohman (Under Fire) & Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai)
Starring: Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, Munich), Liev Schreiber (The Manchurian Candidate, Scream), Jamie Bell (Billy Elloit, The Chumscrubber)
Genre: Drama/Action/War
MPAA Rating: R - for violence and language
Runtime: 137 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 40% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
My Response: Everyone is saying two things about this film: the direction turned a great story into a run-of-the-mill movie, but the acting is pretty solid. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber perform admirably, and I've been a huge fan of Jamie Bell (since he's still young, he's going to be an actor to watch for years to come). But despite these performances, this film looks to dissappoint. Skip it.

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Frost/Nixon

Movie Info

Directed by: Ron Howard (Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind)
Written by: Peter Morgan (The Last King of Scotland, The Queen)
Starring: Frank Langella (Good Night, And Good Luck, Superman Returns), Michael Sheen (The Queen, Timeline), Sam Rockwell (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Choke)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R - for some language
Runtime: 122 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 89% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 80/100
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
My Response: This movie was released in New York and Los Angeles a few weeks ago, but it is being released wide on 12/25. This film is for those who love watching a mental chess match between two great and opposing forces. It is based on a true story, and is gaining all kinds of hype for the performances and eloquence of the story telling. See it.

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Movie Info

Directed by: David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en)
Written by: Eric Roth (Forest Gump, The Insider) & Robin Swicord (Memoirs of a Geisha, Little Women)
Starring: Brad Pitt (Fight Club, True Romance), Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, The Aviator), Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton, Burn After Reading)
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking
Runtime: 193 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 73% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 69/100
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
My Response: This film has been highly anticipated since the project first began filming, and it doesn't seem to disappoint. Director David Fincher and star Brad Pitt have made two previous films together (Fight Club & Se7en), both of which were tremendous. Benjamin Button looks to stay on par with those two previous triumphs, and it has generated quite a bit of Oscar buzz for Pitt. See it.

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Revolutionary Road

Movie Info

Directed by: Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition)
Written by: Richard Yates (novel), Justin Haythe (screenplay)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed, Romeo + Juliet), Kate Winslet (Finding Neverland, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R - for language and some sexual content/nudity
Runtime: 119 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 69% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 70/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: While I will not discuss the movie that made DiCaprio and Winslet famous, I will talk about about how great this film looks. There really are no weaknesses to be found here. Director Sam Mendes has already won an Oscar (for American Beauty), Leo and Kate have been nominated several times each, and all are looking for more awards this season. The buzz around this film has been nothing but positive. DiCaprio and Winslet are both in roles that really let them expand their acting skills, and I can't wait to see them on screen.

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The Wrestler

Movie Info

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Pi)
Written by: Robert D. Siegel (screenplay)
Starring: Mickey Rourke (Sin City, Rumble Fish), Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want), Evan Rachel Wood (Across The Universe, Thirteen)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R - for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use
Runtime: 109 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 97% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 79/100
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
My Response: The Wrestler looks to be the best film of 2008. There has been plenty of talk about this film, especially about the triumphant return of Mickey Rourke, who delivers a performance that will be remembered for years to come. This is truly a must-see film, and any fan of great movies will make sure to see it.

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Gran Torino

Movie Info

Directed by: Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven)
Written by: Nick Schenk & Dave Johannson (screenplay)
Starring: Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry series, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly), Bee Vang (feature film debut)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R - for language throughout, and some violence
Runtime: 116 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 81% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 79/100
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
My Response: This is hard film for me to pin down. I love Eastwood, and his work as a director is always phenomenal, but this film just doesn't seem to look all that great to me. But there is still plenty of buzz out there, mainly focusing on Gran Torino's Oscar run (due to Eastwood's pedigree). But I will tell you this: Clint, despite his age, is still the man. I'd be afraid to run into any of his characters on the street, including this one.

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Doubt

Movie Info

Directed by: John Patrick Shanley (Joe Vs The Volcano)
Written by: John Patrick Shanley (play & screenplay)
Starring: Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice, Adaptation), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, Boogie Nights), Amy Adams (Enchanted, Catch Me If You Can)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for thematic material
Runtime: 104 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 72% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 67/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: The early buzz on this film was tremendous, as the movie pits two acting heavyweights against each other. The more recent talk about Doubt confirm that Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman more than deliver (as does Amy Adams), but the movie does not seem to translate very well from stage to screen. I still expect Streep and Hoffman to gather plenty of awards for this one, and see it for their performances alone.

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Official Website

Nothing Like The Holidays

Movie Info

Directed by: Alfredo De Villa (Adrift in Manhattan, Yellow)
Written by: Robert Teitel & Rene M. Rigal (story), Alison Swan & Rick Najera (screenplay)
Starring: John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, Ice Age 1 & 2), Freddy Rodriguez (Grindhouse, Lady in the Water), Debra Messing (Will & Grace, The Wedding Date)
Genre: Comedy/Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for thematic elements including some sexual dialogue, and brief drug references
Runtime: 99 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 50% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 51/100
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
My Response: This looks to be the best mainstream holiday film this season, as it should be leaps and bounds better than Four Christmas. Don't expect it to be hugely memorable, but definitely check this one out if you are in the holiday spirit, and have a good time.

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Official Website

Cadillac Records

Movie Info

Directed by: Darnell Martin (Their Eyes Were Watching God, Law & Order)
Written by: Darnell Martin (screenplay)
Starring: Adrien Brody (The Pianist, King Kong), Beyonce Knowles (Dreamgirls, Austin Powers in Goldmember), Jeffrey Wright (Quantum of Solace, W.)
Genre: Drama/Musical Biopic
MPAA Rating: R - for pervasive language and some sexuality
Runtime: 109 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 65% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 63/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: The early buzz on Cadillac Records is fairly good. It will not be a musical biopic for the ages (like Walk the Line), but it should deliver some solid performance from Jeffrey Wright and Adrien Brody. See it if you like watching and listening to classic tunes from the 50's.

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Official Website

Milk

Movie Info

Directed by: Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester)
Written by: Dustin Lance Black (screenplay)

Starring: Sean Penn (Mystic River, I Am Sam), Josh Brolin (W., No Country for Old Men), Emile Hirsch (Into The Wild, The Girl Next Door)

Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some sexual content and brief violence
Runtime: 128 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 93% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 86/100
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
My Response: The only real debate going on about this film is how many Oscar nominations it will generate. That's no surprise with the all star talents here, lead by Sean Penn and Josh Brolin. Van Sant definitely knows his craft, and expect this true story film to spark plenty of conversations around the country, especially considering the recent passing of propostion 8 in California. See it.

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Australia

Movie Info

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!, Rome + Juliet)
Written by: Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, Richard Flanagan (screenplay)
Starring: Nicole Kidman (Eyes Wide Shut, Cold Mountain), Hugh Jackman (X-men, The Prestige)
Genre: Drama/Action/Romance/Adventure/War/Epic
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - [See Full Rating] for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language
Runtime: 165 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 52% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 53/100
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
My Response: This film has been anticipated for quite some time, and it has promised to be a big epic war movie that transcends its time period and all the genre's it adheres to. But, the earlier reviews say that it is just too long and falls far short of these lofty expectations. Rent it.

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Official Website

Twilight

Movie Info

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown)
Written by: Stephenie Meyer (novel), Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay)
Starring: Kristen Stewart (Jumper, Panic Room), Robert Pattinson (Harry Potter 4 & 5), Billy Burke (Ladder 49, 24)
Genre: Drama/Horror
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for some violence and a scene of sensuality
Runtime: 122 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 44% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 5.5/10
My Response: Seriously, what's with vampires these days? There are best selling vampire books, a hit TV show (True Blood on HBO), and movies?!? I honestly don't get it. But I know who does: people who want to sell stuff to teenage girls. Hey, let's be honest. Boy bands have been dead for a while now, so what's a teenage girl to spend her money on? Vampires! Yea! Twilight has been getting all kinds of attention and publicity for this reason, and it's not even going to be as good as The Lost Boys, let alone Interview with a Vampire. Skip it.

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Official Website

Special

Movie Info

Directed by: Hal Haberman (directorial debut) & Jeremy Passmore (Crossing)
Written by: Hal Haberman & Jeremy Passmore (screenplay)
Starring: Michael Rapaport (True Romance, Mighty Aphrodite), Paul Blackthorne (24, Lipstick Jungle), Josh Peck (Drillbit Taylor, Drake & Josh)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for language, some violence and brief drug use
Runtime: 81 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 57% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: This film has actually been around since 2006, and even played at some film festivals two years ago, but it is just now getting its limited release. Michael Rapaport always does a superb job in every movie he's in, and he has more than perfected his skills as a character actor (but sadly he is usually only known as "Oh, look! It's that guy. I've seen him in something before"). Rapaport's lead role is the main reason I want to see this film, and I don't think he'll disappoint. Rent it.

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Official Website

A Christmas Tale

Movie Info

Directed by: Arnaud Desplechin (Kings & Queens, Esther Kahn)
Written by: Emmanuel Bourdieu & Arnaud Desplechin (screenplay)
Starring: Catherine Deneuve (Dancer in the Dark, Persepolis), Jean-Paul Roussillon (Kings & Queens, Same Old Song), Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Quantum of Solace)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Runtime: 150 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 93% fresh
MetaCritic Score: 87/100
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
My Response: This is the film to watch if you been waiting your whole life for a great family Christmas movie...in French. I know some will be put off by the foreign languageness of this one, but it has been getting superb reviews and looks to bring both drama and pure joy to the Christmas season film offerings. It is only in limited release, so see it if it comes to a theater near you.

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Official Website

Slumdog Millionaire

Movie Info

Directed by: Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Sunshine)
Written by: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Starring: Dev Patel (debut), Freida Pinto (debut)
Genre: Romance/Drama/Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for some violence, disturbing images and language
Runtime: 120 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 90% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 85/100
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
My Response: Slumdog Millionaire has been grabbing more and more attention with the more people see it. It has been a huge success at every film festival it has played in, and now it is being released to theaters. Everyone who has seen it has simply loved it, as it is a film that makes the audience want to stand up and cheer. Who doesn't want to have that movie watching expeirence? See it.

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