Anna’s Picks:

• Star Trek 
• The Fast and the Furious 6
• The Wolverine
• Catching Fire
• Great Gatsby
• Oblivion

Kari’s Picks:

• Elysium
• Man of Steel
• Iron Man 3
• Ender’s Game
• The Heat

In theaters now (25:00):

• Zero Dark Thirty (trailer): A strong movie, with a strong cast and great plot, this movie really showcases one woman’s obsession to find Osama bin Laden. We both rate this movie a strong 5.
• Silver Linings Playbook (trailer): Even though this puts Anna in the minority, she thought Jennifer Lawrence was the weakest part of the movie and thought her acting took away from the movie. However, after talking it through with Kari, she’s come to understand why she took such a dislike to Lawrence’s character. Unlike Anna, Kari loved the movie- it was dark, yet light; funny, yet serious; and she loved all the acting. Anna rates it a 3, while Kari gives it a 4.
• Gangster Squad (trailer): Despite it’s awesome, this movie did not deliver. Full of terrible cliches and bad special effects, even Ryan Gosling’s good looks could not redeem it. Kari rates it a 1 (a point for Ryan Gosling) and advises you not to see it.
• Les Misérables (trailer): Anna and Kari are both Les Mis virgins and after seeing this movie interpretation we cannot understand what the appeal of this musical/opera is. It is sooo long, and there is sooo much crying (by both the cast and audience). It was nearly impossible for either of us to form any attachment to any of the characters. If you love the play already, though, you will love the movie. (Here is a review of the movie from someone who loves it). Anna gives it a 1 and Kari gives it a 2– one point for Anne Hathaway, one point for Eddie Redmayne. (also check out this video of crying parents).
• The Impossible (trailer): For Anna, the 1st half of the movie was the strongest part. Kari thought the whole movie was great. They both agree that actor who played the oldest son really stole the show. They both rated it a 4.

What’s on the horizon:

• The Call (trailer): March 15, 2013
• 42 (trailer): April 12, 2013
• Phantom (trailer): March 1, 2013

This weekend’s agenda:

• The Last Stand 
• Movie 43 
• Warm Bodies
• Stand Up Guys 

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In this week’s episode, we give you our Top 10 movie picks for 2012, in addition to our Top 5 worst movies, Top 5 most entertaining movies (they won’t win any awards, but they will keep you entertained for an evening!), and our Top 5 most disappointing movies (movies that did not live up to our expectations).

Except for the top 2 Best Movies, here are our choices, presented in no particular order!

The weekend’s agenda

• Gangster Squad (Trailer)
  
• Zero Dark Thirty (Trailer)

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•  Tom Cruise has picked the new director for Mission: Impossible 5 link
• 9 min of the new Star Trek playing in IMAX before The Hobbit link

In theaters now:

•  Lincoln (trailer): This movie blew Anna’s mind, but Kari’s less so. Anna thinks this is one of the best movies she’s seen all year, and while Kari loved it as well, maybe not as much as Anna did. They both rate it a high 5.
• Breaking Dawn Part 2 (trailer): Anna found the movie to be a bit more boring than Kari did. Kari really enjoyed the new vampires that were introduced to the story and appreciated how they added to the movie. They both enjoyed seeing Edward in his true, happy state. They both rated it a solid 3.
• Anna Karenina (trailer): While Anna found this movie to be visually stunning, the story left her a bit cold. She felt every minute of the 2 hour run time, but did enjoy seeing how Joe Wright’s earlier work influenced this one. Anna rates it a 2, but if you already know and like the story, you’ll probably enjoy it more than her.
• Life of Pi (trailer): Even though this movie encompassed all the things Kari doesn’t like (sharks, big cats, and the ocean), she still rated it a 4. It’s a visually stunning piece of work and if sharks, tigers, being stranded in the ocean don’t stress you out, you will enjoy this movie.
• Hitchcock (trailer): Anna thinks that if you’re interested in Hitchcock or his movies (especially Psycho), you will enjoy this movie. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren are fabulous portraying the unique relationship Hitchcock and his wife had. Anna rates it a 4.

What’s on the horizon:

•  Now You See Me 
• World War Z 
• Warm Bodies
• Killing Them Softly

This weekend’s agenda:

•  Killing Them Softly (trailer)

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We have been waiting another installment in the Bond franchise since 2008’s underwhelming Quantum of Solace. At times it felt as though the franchise was over, at times it felt like Bond had peaked with Casino Royale and was now on the way down, but November 9, 2012 brought Bond back with a bang. Skyfall was years in the making and did not disappoint. Rather than making this a full out extravaganza we decided to make it more of a celebration. We are celebrating not only a film, but the evolution and rebirth of the James Bond everyone has come to love and of a villain that is finally up to tangoing with 007.

News & Gossip:

• The Giver coming to the screen? article
• Mark Wahlberg joining Transformers 4 article
• I thought MacGruber 2 was in the works but it turns out it was MacGyver article
• Who has passed on Star Wars? article
• Michael Arndt to write Star Wars Episode VII article
• George Clooney joining 1952 article

In theaters now:

• Skyfall (trailer): The James Bond of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace was rough around the edges yet with Skyfall, Bond has evolved into the suave super-spy that everyone associates with the character. In this outing Bond is matched with a villain who is more than capable of going head to head with him both mentally and physically. Silva, played by the brilliant Javier Bardem, is a former MI:6 agent with a vendetta against M. In Skyfall, it is Silva, not Bond, who is the focus in each of their joined scenes. He has the perfect blend of intellect and insanity making you constantly wonder what he’s going to do next. With some amazing exotic locations and high flying action sequences it never felt as though I was sitting through a 2.5 hour film. It kept my attention for the entire duration and left me wanting more. I can only hope that we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the next installment. Anna and I both rate it 5 out of 5, and agree that it’s the best of the Bond franchise to date.

What’s on the horizon:

• A Good Day to Die Hard (trailer) February 14, 2013
• Hansel and Gretel (trailer) March 1, 2013
• The Last Stand (trailer) January 17, 2013
• Jurassic Park 3D (trailer) April 5, 2013

This weekend’s agenda:

• Breaking Dawn Part 2 (trailer)
  • The Twilight Marathon November 15, 2012
• Lincoln (trailer)
• Anna Karenina (trailer)
• Silver Linings Playbook (trailer)

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• Campaign for Brad Bird to take the reigns on the Star Wars franchise article
• George Lucas to donate proceeds from the sale of Lucasfilm Ltd to education article
• Budweiser wants out of Flight article
• The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit marathon article
• Michael Fassbender and Colin Firth to co-star article
• Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo to co-star article

In theaters now:

• Flight (trailer): If the trailers led you to believe this was going to a courtroom drama, they misled you. Instead of a tense courtroom, the movie delivers a sobering character study. And the character the movie studies is not an overly likable character. Denzel Washington superbly portrays a man a man who is perceived as a hero, but acts in ways that are anything but heroic. The criminal case surrounding him fades to the background as he tries to cope with his demons. Another reviewer sums the film up perfectly: it’s “well made, but not fun or entertaining.”  Anna rates it a 3.
• Wreck-It Ralph (trailer): We both loved this movie. The animation, story, and voice work were all amazing. It’s a story that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. We both give it a high 4!
• Cloud Atlas (trailer):3 This movie is a sprawling, glorious mess. For those of you who enjoyed the book, don’t come to this movie expecting a deep insight into how we’re all tied together- it’s a movie enjoyed best when you don’t over think it. As the 6 stories unfold on top of each other, the pace remains high and entertaining, all the way to the end. But it feels incomplete, and the ends don’t really tie together. Anna rates it a 3.

What’s on the horizon:

• Escape from Planet Earth (trailer) February 14, 2013
• Rise of the Guardians (trailer) November 21, 2012
• Despicable Me 2 (trailer) July 3, 2013

This weekend’s agenda:

• Skyfall trailer

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With less than two weeks remaining until the opening of Skyfall we are trying our best to contain our excitement… and failing. While Quantum of Solace may not have been as on point as Casino Royale Daniel Craig still delivered as everyone’s favorite super spy. Hopefully Skyfall will deliver as another super charged installment in the Bond franchise.

News & Gossip:

• Clive Owen in a comedy? article
• Idris Elba as James Bond? article
• Next two Bond stories to be linked article

In theaters now:

• Alex Cross (trailer): While there is surely an audience for Alex Cross, it was not for Anna or me. The film was a study in overacting with very little payoff in the end. From what I know of the book (which is admittedly very little) it seems that the film is quite different from the original source material. Alex Cross, played by Tyler Perry, is a detective who specializes in profiling that is hot on the trail of a psychopathic assassin played by Matthew Fox. The two of them represent the best (Perry) and worst (Fox) acting in the film, though to say that Perry was the best is really only saying that his performance was good compared to everyone else. There is very little tension or suspense in the plot and the characters are laughable, making this crime drama a bit of a yawn. Anna gave it a 2 while it was only a 1 in my opinion.
• Middle of Nowhere (trailer): This is a quietly moving independent film Anna saw. On the surface, it is a story of a young black woman, putting her medical schooling on hold while her husband is in prison. However, it’s really a story about a woman finding herself. When something happens that makes Ruby question her relationship with her husband, she is forced to look at her life and what she’s given up. It’s a movie that is able to capture the nuances and subtleties of the internal struggle Ruby goes through. A magnificent soundtrack and a story that reveals itself little by little, like a flower unfolding, all help make this a film not to be missed. Anna feels it’s one of the best movies she’s seen all year and rates it a 5.

What’s on the horizon:

• Broken City (trailer) January 18, 2013
• Iron Man 3 (trailer) May 3, 2013
  • Iron Man 3 trailer broken down article

This weekend’s agenda:

• Cloud Atlas (trailer)
• Chasing Mavricks (trailer)

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Happily we should have a lot to talk about in the coming months and we hope you’ll stick with us as we break down the films coming out this winter!

News & Gossip:

• Coulson lives! article
• Possible Houdini biopic in the works article

In theaters now:

• Looper (trailer) Anna and I had incredibly mixed opinions on Looper. While Anna enjoyed this time travel mystery I found myself annoyed by plot holes and off makeup to the point where I couldn’t enjoy the film. I know this will undoubtedly be an unpopular opinion but it is what it is. Looper is original and fast paced and if you are a fan of scifi or time travel movies it’s probably for you. Anna rated it a 4 while I rated it a 1 (for one of my reasons for not liking this movie scroll to the bottom of the post).
• Argo (trailer) Ben Affleck has certainly earned the distinction of a great director with this fact based drama set during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. This film pays amazing attention to detail in creating not only the events of the film but in creating the look and mood of the late 70s to early 80s. Affleck as Tony Mendez was also a treat to watch, making this (in my opinion) one of the best performances of his career. Make sure you don’t rush out of the theater at the end of the film as there are some interesting photos and biographical tidbits during the credits. Anna rated this a 4 while I rated it a full on 5.
• Seven Psychopaths (trailer) The writer/director of In Bruges has brought another quirky and original film starring Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson to name a few. The plot features a screenwriter suffering from writer’s block and the plethora of psychopaths he comes in contact with as he’s writing a film called Seven Psychopaths. This was fun to watch though it is quite violent. If you are a fan of Christopher Walken (and seriously who isn’t?) you need to check this out. Anna rated it a 4 while I rated it a 3.

What’s on the horizon:

• Zero Dark Thirty: December 19, 2012 (trailer)
• Stand Up Guys: January 11, 2013 (trailer)
• Gangster Squad: January 11, 2013 (trailer)

This weekend’s agenda:

• Alex Cross (trailer)

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This just wasn’t right…

They shouldn’t have messed up Joseph Gorden-Levitt’s face!

News & Gossip:

• Update on Dumb & Dumber To article
• Natalie Portman as Jackie O article
• Yet another Lincoln biopic article

In theaters now:

• End of Watch (trailer): I can’t say enough how much we enjoyed (probably wrong word) this movie. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña had amazing chemistry and made their scenes seem as if you were watching real life interaction. This is not a movie exposing police corruption, as so many police movies are, rather a movie where all of the police men and women are good people trying to do the best job that they can. I highly recommend this film but would also remind everyone to bring the tissues. Anna and I both rated this a 4 out of 5.
• Pitch Perfect (trailer): To say this movie is campy and fluffy would be an understatement. The constant aca-dialogue gets a little old but in general this film is a great time. Rebel Wilson manages to steal every scene she’s in, though a lot of her funniest moments were spoiled on the trailer. This movie wasn’t perfect but it was a great time. Go see it with a group of girls and try to keep yourself from singing along… I dare you! I rate this a 3 out of 5 (1 point for the movie and 2 points for the fun factor)

What’s on the horizon:

• Stoker (trailer) March 1, 2013
• Identity Thief (trailer) February 8, 2013
• Promised Land (trailer) January 11, 2013
• Seven Psychopaths (trailer) October 12, 2012
• Silver Linings Playbook (trailer) November 21, 2012

This weekend’s agenda:

• Looper trailer
• Pitch Perfect (Anna only) trailer
• Won’t Back Down trailer
• Taken 2 trailer
• Frankenweenie trailer

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I’ll admit I didn’t get to the movies as much as I’d have hoped over the weekend but, in case you missed it, it’s Olympics time and I am glued to my TV. It was a struggle for me to tear myself away long enough to get to one movie so I knew a second wasn’t going to happen. We’re also keeping this episode short and sweet since we’re recording in the hour before the prime-time broadcast of the Olympics and Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are meeting for their final race… we do have a few things that take priority over movies.

News & Gossip:

• Desperation is the key to Colin Farrell’s success article
• What’s in store for the next installment of the X-Men franchise? article
• Prometheus 2 to start off where Prometheus left off article
• Fast and Furious Six has started production article
• It’s official. The Hobbit will be three films article
  • Production diaries for The Hobbit link
• More Catching Fire casting news article

In theaters now:

• Step Up Revolution (trailer): If you like your movies low on acting but high on fun, this is the film for you! When the cast of a film is made largely of dancers you can’t expect the acting to be spot on. You also can’t expect a riveting plot to hold your attention. What you can expect is amazing dance scenes. I will freely admit that I have a real love for Step Up 2. Not so much for Step Up 1 or Step Up 3, but I’ve seen both of those and would watch them again if they were on TV. I was not expecting much going into Step Up Revolution but was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. To be fair I love a good choreographed dance number. The plot was laughable and the acting terrible, but the film was saved by the dancing. I honestly had a hard time sitting still in my seat. I rated it a 3 out of 5 (for the fun factor) while Anna rated it a 2.
• The Watch (trailer): Anna enjoyed The Watch much more than she thought she would. Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughan deliver pretty standard performances but Richard Ayoade and Jonah Hill steal the show. Anna refused to spoil the film for me but it centers around a neighborhood watch group hunting down aliens in their neighborhood and CostCo. Anna laughed her way through the entire film and rated it a 3 out of 5. Sadly I was not able to see The Watch because I was too busy watching the Olympics.

What’s on the horizon:

• Chasing Mavericks: October 26 (trailer)

This weekend’s agenda:

• Total Recall (trailer)

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As Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy comes to an end I feel that there is no better way to celebrate his masterpiece than to dedicate this week’s episode to The Dark Knight Rises and Christopher Nolan’s Gotham City. Since 2005 audiences around the world have been enthralled with this world that manages to look somewhat our world today but is filled with larger than life heroes and villains. We have eagerly anticipated each installment, waiting on the edges of our seats to find out what lies ahead for Bruce Wayne/Batman. We have cried as he has faced loss again and again. We have laughed as he has quipped while foiling the plans of his villains. We have chewed our nails while trying to keep up with the multitude of plot twists. But we have never doubted that Christopher Nolan, along with his cast and crew , would deliver an amazing film. As the trilogy comes to an end we can reflect back on how each film has led the way for this conclusion. I’m sure the debate will last quite some time on which of the three films was the best, but for me this is a trilogy where each film strengthens the others. I am certain that it will be difficult for anyone trying to reboot the Batman franchise in the future to beat what has been accomplished with these films.

News & Gossip:

• Should Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman get her own movie? article
• What would you say to additional films set in Nolan’s Gotham without Batman? article
• Top 10 things Christopher Nolan got right article
• Rating the actors in The Dark Knight Rises article
• Christopher Nolan says “goodbye” to Batman article
• Christian Bale has a generous spirit (in my opinion) article

In theaters now:

• The Dark Knight Rises (trailer): Christopher Nolan has given us a top notch finale to his Dark Knight trilogy. It has been 8 years in Gotham since Batman has fought for justice. Bruce Wayne has become a recluse, trapped in a self imposed prison. Gotham has been made safe by The Harvey Dent Act. But events are simmering beneath the surface that once brought to light, will force Bruce Wayne to wear the Batman cowl once again. This film is not The Dark Knight. Those expecting a film that mirrors The Dark Knight will be disappointed because where The Dark Knight was all about the villain, The Dark Knight Risesis all about Bruce Wayne’s personal journey coming to an end. He is fulfilling his destiny and becoming the hero he was meant to become. Tom Hardy’s Bane is not the villain The Joker was. He is not crazed or manic. He has a purpose in life and believes that he is doing what’s right. He has a physicality that is greater than Batman’s and is able to do the unthinkable: best Batman in a fight. Anne Hathaway was a real surprise as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Upon initial reports that she would be playing Catwoman I was unsure that she’d be able to pull it off… but she did. She was Catwoman without being overly campy or sexual, while giving audiences a voice from the underprivileged in Gotham City. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was able to give depth and emotion to a character that could have been completely one dimensional. Anna and I agree that at a run time of just under 3 hours the film didn’t seem as long as it was. We were able to experience a wide range of emotions and Anna was so excited at one point she even clapped (I know, I know). We both rated this 5 out of 5 and neither of us can wait to see it again.
  • 10 things to know before seeing The Dark Knight Rises (no spoilers) article

What’s on the horizon:

• Oz: The Great and Powerful (trailer)
• Jack Reacher (trailer)
• Man of Steel (trailer)

This weekend’s agenda:

• Step Up Revolution (trailer)
• The Watch (red band trailer)
• Ruby Sparks (trailer)

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And to close this post I’ll leave you with a little bit of humor…