Attack The Block (2011)

Pure fun is what this film is all about.  A glorious science fiction action flick that captures the same vibe films like Predator did in the '80s.  It's the story of a group of hoodlums in a British ghetto, known as the Block, who must defend their neighborhood from aliens from space.  The aliens are these furry teeth glowing ape-like monsters that give the film the right amount of danger to make our heroes battle desperate and thrilling.  The heroes are likable without being too charming and the fact that people die keeps the story believable.  Oh, and it's funny too.  There's really nothing more to say about Joe Cornish's monster film, it's just gruesome, exciting fun.  Grade: A-. 

Rango (2011)

So far this is the best Animated film of 2011.  Johnny Depp voices the title character, a lizard who finds himself in the desert mixed up in a western cast by desert creatures.  With animation in par with Pixar (at least technically) and writing that's exciting and witty and fun, all I can say is bravo.  I'm not a huge fan of Gore Verbinski but if he wants to make animated films from here out, I say go for it.  The only element that keeps this film from being great is it lacks the emotional impact.  That said it's a winner in my book.  Grade: A-

Tiny Furniture (2010)

Here's what you have: a young film maker who with a small budget and a digital camera, her mother and sister as actors and a script full of self-indulgent whining characters.  If that sounds good to you then feel free to check this indie out.  I, on the other hand, wish I had watched something else.  This film isn't all bad, there are a few worthwhile moments and its refreshing to see a movie with normal looking people, that said this film didn't really do anything for me.  Is this because I'm a man and the men in this film are all jerks.   Is it because I don't get the subtle emotional complexities of a young woman just out of college and going home to stay with her wealthy artist mother?  Maybe.  I just think this film has a weak story and a hero that doesn't really have much of a problem but a bad outlook on life.  Grade: C+.

Certified Copy (2011)

If you're interested in a film about two characters talking while they tour San Gimignano and an intellectual exploration of copies and originals both in conversation and in the mysterious absurdity of plot then check this wonderful movie out.  If you want action and an easy to follow, naturalistic story then you'll probably find this one boring and confusing.  The always reliable Juliette Binoche plays a French woman who appears to take out an English writer on a tour of Italian art but through subtle hints and attitude there seems to be more a foot than what appears a causal stroll.  Grade: A-

Timer (2009)

I streamed this from Netflix and was delightfully surprised.  A science fiction romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love.  What if you had a timer on your wrist that told you when you'd meet your soul mate?  That's what this clever little movie proposes with a plot structure familiar to Sense and Sensibilities.  Emma Caulfield proves she's a talent beyond her role of Anya on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I hope because of this film we get to see more of her.  Certainly a B-movie but a good one.  Grade: B+.

Another Earth (2011)

Movies like these fill me with joy.   First you take a surreal science fiction concept that's huge and then you craft a small compact drama between two people around it.  What we get is a satisfying film that impresses on so many levels.  It makes you think.  It engages your heart.  It builds tension.   Written by Mike Cahill (who directed) and Brit Marling (who plays the lead character of Rhoda) this independent film won the Alfred  P. Sloan Award at Sundance.  On the night Rhoda makes a simple but horrible mistake another planet just like ours is discovered and her life is forever altered.  Grade: A-

Spoilers:  I could write about the end but I won't.  Instead I would just like to write about my favorite scene.  It's so simple yet perfect and that's when Rhoda and John play Wii.  That one scene helps develop the characters into people we can relate to and want to root for.  Kudos.

Submarine (2011)

For the first film of 2012, I watched this quirky British film from director/ writer Richard Ayoade.  It's a coming-of-age story about a teenager living in Wales who falls in love while at the same time must deal with the fact that his parents are falling out of love.  That's not the best way to describe the plot, nor is this film's plot especially unique.  What's unique is the visual dynamic of the film that's reminiscent of Harold & Maude and Rushmore.  Another way to describe this film might be a film about unlikeable characters that become likable the more entertaining the action unfolds; this isn't a fair description either because that assumes complex characters with flaws are unlikeable.  I certainly enjoyed this film's sense of humor and its sense of style.  Grade: B+.