The Avengers (2012)

After years of build-up it's finally upon us: the superhero team movie of the year that plays like a comedy-action disaster film.  And it's a blast, a fantastic romp of gigantic proportions.  The reason it's so entertaining has more to do with Joss Wheadon than the Marvel comics that inspired it, but a great cast helps too.  I'm sure if Mr. Wheadon wasn't involved it would have still been decent but his wit and clear understanding of ensemble adventure is what makes this film work  I'm sure Zak Penn's original script, of which Mr. Wheadon re-wrote, was good but at the same time represents the biggest weakness of this film and that's the story.  Aliens from another dimension come to take over Earth?  Sounds a little like Transformers.  Wait, how about every science fiction invasion story made.  But with great writing comes great cinema fun, so thank you Joss Wheadon and Marvel for hiring him.  Grade: A-

Spoilers: Besides Mr. Wheadon, I must give a shout out to the Hulk and Black Widow (Scarlet Johannson) who together almost steal the movie from Iron Man's Ego.  The weakest link is Hawkeye who doesn't seem much like a "super" hero than just a niffy sidekick.  I must admit that the climax lost some of its momentum with all the city destruction.  I really hope film makers get away from this concept of falling skyscrapers as spectacle.   It's so overused.   

Mulholland Falls (1996)

This '90s Film noir set in Los Angeles '50s gets the tone right and tells a compelling mystery.   Nick Nolte plays a police detective in charge of an elite squad that roots out organized crime the ruthless and illegal way.  But things become personal when a young woman he had an affair with turns up dead.  I like films like these that show the gritty side of the supposed-wholesome past.  Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors) directs and finds that right balance of film noir tease and dramatic character study.  Jennifer Connelly is stunning in her brief role and Chazz Palminteri almost steals the show as Nolte's partner.  Grade: B

The Muppets (2011)

The Muppets are back and with Jason Segal as the driving force of the production we have a real winner here.  I'd adventure to say it's better than some of the original films.  The story is about two brothers, one a Muppet (Walter) and the other Human (Gary), and their love for the Muppets.  On a trip to Hollywood (supposed to be a romantic vacation with Gary's girl friend Mary)  they discover that the Muppets are in danger of losing their studios from the greedy Tex Richman played brilliantly by Chris Cooper .  This is a really funny film on so many levels, great musical numbers and dance sequences and absurd humor that hits the funny bone just right.   In the spirit of the early Muppet movies there are also some fantastic cameos such as Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin and Zach Galifianakis.  There were rumors before this film came out that many of the original puppeteers refused to participate because they didn't feel like the story was fitting of the Muppet name.  It's a real shame when legends like Frank Oz lose sight on what's funny.  I hope these rumors are false and Oz and others didn't join the production because of scheduling conflicts.  All I know is I laughed really hard and felt like I was a kid again.  Bravo!  Grade: A 

Apollo 18 (2011)

A clever horror film designed to feel like "actual footage" about the crew of Apollo 18 and their secret mission to the moon.  It has some good scares but fails to deliver anything really surprising.  The ending is flat and when you really think about the concept it's kind of silly.  Grade: B-

The Prisoner (1955)

Is there any role the great Alec Guinness can't excel at?  Probably not.  Here he's a Catholic Cardinal arrested by the Communist police for treason.  He's innocent but his Interrogator intends to break him so the people no longer have a hero to speak out against the government.  Alec Guinness is amazing as well as Jack Hawkins.  Directed by Peter Glenville from Bridget Boland's play.  Grade: B+

A Walk In the Sun (1945)

An entertaining WWII film made in the forties that follows that typical war plot, soldiers on a mission to take a house where the enemy is set up.  A collection of characters carry the story along as the audience watches half of them get killed.  This is one of the first WWII war films made after the war (it seems) and a good one, based on the book by Harry Brown.  I think the cast makes it work as well as some excitingly crafted action sequences from director Lewis Milestone.  Grade: B+

Angel (Season 4)

Because this is the fourth season anything written beyond this point is a spoiler for those who haven't started watching this Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off.  The story opens with Angel buried at sea, Cordelia a Higher Being, Gunn and Fred running the Agency with Connor helping and Wesley exploring the dark side with a love affair with Lilah of Wolfram & Hart.  I liked this season but it felt at times like the writers were constantly playing "fix-up" the more they messed up all the character's arcs.  Even the introduction of baddie, Jasmine, felt like a hokey answer for why all that had happened happened.  I did love it when Jasmine arrived and felt like it was where this season shined.  Too bad it resolves a little too easily.  Grade: B+