Outlander

Movie Info

Directed by: Howard McCain (directorial debut)
Written by: Screenplay: Howard McCain (writing debut) & Dirk Blackman (writing debut)
Starring: James Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, The Count of Monte Cristo), Sophia Myles (Tristan + Isolde, Underworld), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Enemy at the Gates)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
MPAA Rating: R - for violence
Runtime: 115 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 29% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 40/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: This is very unknown movie, and it is only getting a limited release. That's too bad, because it definitely looks like it could be entertaining. Someone said that if it was released in the 80's, Outlander would probably be a cult favorite nowadays (like Conan or Predator), and I can't disagree. See it if you can, and make sure to catch it when it hopefully comes to the SciFi channel in a few years.

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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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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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Nobel Son

Movie Info

Directed by: Randall Miller (Houseguest, The 6th Man)
Written by: Randall Miller & Jody Savin
Starring: Alan Rickman (Harry Potter series, Die Hard), Eliza Dushku (True Lies, Bring It On), Shawn Hatosy (The Faculty, Alpha Dog)
Genre: Comedy/Thriller
MPAA Rating: R - for some violent gruesome images, language and sexuality
Runtime: 102 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 21/100
MetaCritic Score: 29/100
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
My Response: Nobel Son actually debuted at a film festival in 2007, but it took a year to get picked up for distribution. That usually isn't a good sign, but it has happened to some other good independent films, so don't count it out. This movie looks to be fun and entertaining, so see it if it comes to your town.

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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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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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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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Official Website