• Director: William Brent Bell
• Release Date: Jan 2012
• Run Time: 87
• Genre: Horror

Enough with the fake movies already! What a disappointing way to debut the horror genre of 2012!

This “horror” is set in documentary format, the shaky hand-held type. (someone needs to put an end to this- and fast) In 1989, a lady named Maria Rossi, played by Suzan Crowley, makes a 9-1-1 call ( how cliché is this?) confessing to a triple homicide. Apparently, the murders occurred while Maria was undergoing an exorcism. The victims? Two priests and a nun. She was declared mentally unsound and has since been locked up in a Catholic Lunatic Asylum in Vatican City.

Fast-forward to twenty years later. We meet Isabella Rossi, Maria’s daughter, played by Fernanda Andrade. Isabella is curious about what happened to her mother and wants to investigate if this is something that runs in the family. My advice-leave the past where it belongs and avoid unnecessary torment. Anyway, so Isabella makes a life-changing decision to travel to Italy and discover the real truth about her mother. She travels with her cameraman friend to help her put together the experience in a documentary.

While in Italy, she takes a class on exorcism and meets two young and eager catholic priests who agree to help her examine her mother. And here is where the chaos and medley of demon exorcism and possession begins. In a very confused fashion that is the signature of this movie, we see and hear the events that unfold: demonic howling, body twisting and vulgarities. The shaky camera technique ensures the audience sees only flashes of what is going on and is left to guess and fill-in-the-blanks on what happens in most scenes. Quite annoying, I must add. It is actually a relief when the movie ends and one can make a beeline for the exit. Thankfully, one only has to endure ninety minutes of this clichéd madness.

This is really a must-not-see. As an avid fan of horror movies, I would deeply urge you not to ruin the year for yourself by starting out with this movie. The only devil inside was the one that convinced William Brent Bell and Paramount Pictures that this was a good idea.

• Director: Craig Brewer
• Release Date: Jan 2012
• Run Time: 126
• Genre: Drama, Comedy

Not being a baseball fan, I was afraid watching this movie would be a colossal waste of my time but it turned out that this movie is not just about baseball but one man’s determination to fight injustice, which is a theme all and sundry can relate to.

Moneyball is based on a true story that was captured in Michael Lewis’ book of the same name. The star and hero of the movie is Billy Beane, cleverly played by Brad Pitt. Beane is the General Manager of Oakland Athletics. The team has lost a game to the Yankees, and over and above this, three key players leave the team. This upsets him and motivates him to look for a strategy to form a competitive team but unfortunately, he has a very limited budget. Beane meets a Yale economics graduate, Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) who gives him a more than radical theory on sporting real talent and assessing the value of players. Impressed, Bean hires Peter to be his assistant General Manager of the team.

The team meets Peter’s approach with open hostility. Under his base percentage method, he assembles a team of overlooked players and dismissed those with experience that demand for pay far greater than the humble Oakland budget. These overlooked players as per his theory, have the greatest potential to be the best players, and this is greeted with a lot of skeptism. In their first game under this new method, the team does poorly and the method is quickly dismissed as an epic failure. However, Beane’s confidence and faith in this new method remain unraveled and he does not change his strategy, despite the disapproval he faces from within the team, from the public and even from the athletics manager. This proves to be worth in the end, and earns Beane public recognition and respect from the baseball circles.

What inspired me the most about this movie is that it is a story that tells the audience that you may have a dream which no one believes in but if you make a decision not to listen to the critique of others and follow your own heart and intuition, you will reap the rewards. Pitt in his role as Beane takes centre stage, but fortunately the message of the movie is not lost or overshadowed by Pitt.

• Director: J.C. Chandor
• Release Date: Dec 2011
• Run Time: 109
• Genre: Mystery & Suspense

We were bound to get a movie depicting the 2008 financial crisis that led to a near depression. Well, at least with Margin Call it is now over and done with. The movie lacks the stimulation of a good drama though the actors, most well-known, do their best to bring the characters to real life, possibly the only saving grace of this movie.

The movie begins with scenes showing that a massive retrenchment has been conducted at the firm. (A strong hunch tells me “the firm” is a depiction of Lehman Brothers) One of the employees to go id Eric Dale (layed by Stanley Ducci) who is the head of risk management. He had worked loyally and faithfully for quite a number of years at the firm so his departure, which is depicted as cruel and void of emotion, evokes sympathy from the audience. Before he leaves, he gives his former reportee Peter (Zachary Quuinto) a flash stick with an unfinished project.

He also warns him to be careful, and this makes Peter all the more curious to work on the project. He later on completes the project and to put it simply, he discovers that the firm will suffer a loss greater than its entire market value if their mortgage-backed securities decrease by 25%. This being a larger-than-life crisis for the wall-street professionals, he alerts his boss and this begins the series of senior-level meetings to figure out their next move to prevent this from happening.

The movie then takes place in what is meant to be a tension-filled 24 hour time span. To save the firm and of course to secure their fat pay-checks, the senior executives then proceed with the decision to sell off all their toxic assets. The effect of this is to destabilize the entire financial sector and crush the firm’s good relationships with its clients and stakeholders. No surprises here, as the rich and powerful always do what is necessary to save themselves from financial ruin, no matter the cost. I think where the movie went wrong is that the writers got carried away and got too technical with a large chunk of the script and this excludes a majority of the audience who to put it boldly, do not understand nor care too much about the problems of the rich and powerful in wall street.

If you are one who is keen about the in-depth financial details of an economy, this would be a good movie for you. If not, this movie will do nothing to entertain or inform you. Clearly, this movie was made for a particular niche. Not a movie for everyone.

• Director: Chris Miller
• Release Date: Oct 2011
• Run Time: 90
• Genre: Comedy, Kids & Family

If you thought the conclusion of Shrek would be the end of the much loved Puss in Boots character, you thought wrong. Puss in boots is the Shrek spin-off that is bound to keep you entertained from beginning to end. This suave feline character is still played by the voice talents of the very diverse actor, Antonio Banderas. The good thing about this animation is that it is entertaining for both the old and the young alike.

I was pleasantly surprised that the movie was not a failure like most spin-offs but quite hilarious and possibly even better than the Shrek sequels. Puss in Boots includes a number of fairy tale characters the audience remembers fondly from their younger days, adding to the enjoyment of this animation.

The movie is set in Mexico, before Puss in boots ever met Shrek. (This spin-off is actually a prequel to the Shrek franchise). Puss in Boots sets off on a dangerous adventure; he wants to steal the Goose that lays golden eggs and to do so, he must steal the magic beans from Jack and Jill, who are portrayed as the villains in this animation. Joining him in this great adventure are Kitty Softpaws (voice of the lovely Salma Hayek) and his old childhood friend, Humpty Dumpty ( Zach Galfianakis)

As this adventure continues, the unmatched rivalry between Puss and Kitty develops into a blossoming romance, though there is betrayal that is later revealed. The real adventure turns out not to be the plot of stealing the golden goose, but that of protecting the town from the wrath of the Giant goose, Terror, who is the mother of the Golden Goose.

Betrayal, Wild adventure and Robin-hood heroism mark the highlights of this movie, as well as the perfect blend of humor. The 3D effects in this movie are quite amazing, making the movie stunning as it beautifully captures the clouds, deserts and villages that mark the breath-taking scenery that this movie has to offer. The giant beanstalk also works wonders in 3D, and makes us all remember why 3D was invented in the first place-to make every movie experience astonishing. This movie is a real treat and I would confidently urge every lover of a good movie to make time to see this one.

• Director: Sarah Smith
• Release Date: Nov 2011
• Run Time: 97
• Genre: Comedy, Kids & Family

The title itself is a funny play of words, meant to sound like “Father Christmas”. This is a hilarious, light-hearted animation movie about Christmas that the whole family can enjoy; no squirming from uncomfortable scenes that mark the signature of most movies of today.

Most Christmas movies focus on the families receiving presents and great joy from Santa. However, this movie focuses on the actual family of Santa Clause. Arthur Christmas tells the story of Santa and his family. There is Grand-Santa (Santa’s father) Mrs. Clause, Santa’s wife and their two sons, Steve and Arthur. Santa is depicted to be getting rather old, and consequently too old for the job. He has just completed his 70th present delivery. He is the iconic representation of Christmas and as he is still passionate about his work, he declares there will be a 71st.

This is much to his older son Steve’s chagrin, who has been plotting and planning to take over his father’s role. Arthur is the last-born and portrayed as the unremarkable child; he is rather clumsy and is given the clerical role of answering Santa’s letters. Steve on the other hand is all brains. Together with his team of elves, he uses advanced technological equipment (that is very military-like) to deliver presents to all the good children of the world.

Like any family, the Clauses have their fair share of quarrels and problems, Grand-Santa is bored to death due to retirement, Santa is afraid that if he retires he will lose the only identity he has, Steve wants power and he wants it now and Arthur is not taken seriously by his family. Arthur, the star of this animation, gets a chance to prove himself when it is realized that one child’s gift bicycle was not sent accidentally. Santa and Steve are not concerned. Having read the poor child’s letter, Arthur knows how much the bicycle would mean to Gwen and so makes it his mission to deliver the bike to her. He is joined by his Grandpa who feels a renewed sense of purpose by participating in this mission. The movie then proceeds to showcase the exciting adventures they encounter in the process. And like all family movies, Arthur Christmas definitely has a happy ending.

This is not a must-watch but it is the kind of movie that cheers you up no matter how bad your day was, with its fair share of laughs and child-like simplicity.

• Director: Steve McQueen (III)
• Release Date: Dec 2011
• Run Time: 99
• Genre: Drama

This is one movie that is appropriately titled. Shame. It is the central theme of the movie and pushes the audience to think and ponder over their own shameful habits that engulf and control them. The ironic thing about this movie is that it is the bleakest, greyest and most depressing movie I have seen but it is probably the best movie of 2011. Poignant from beginning to end, this movie will leave you with more questions than answers.

Shame is a British drama that tells the tale of two siblings, Brandon Sullivan and Sissy Sullivan. Brandon is a man that has it all: he is vastly successful in a high flying career in the powerhouse that is New York, has devilish good looks, a charm with the ladies and still quite youthful. However, beneath the glamour at the surface, Brandon has a shameful habit; he is controlled and consumed by his enormous sexual appetite. This leads him to satisfy his appetite by any means possible- he sleeps with prostitutes, has an uncountable number of one-night-stands and shamelessly engages in daily masturbation. This is how his life is structured- work and sex. His routine is disturbed with the arrival of his even more disturbed sister, Sissy. She is perhaps even more damaged than he is, having tried and failed to take her life on several occasions.

The movie explains that the two were brought up in New Jersey and share a dark and disturbed past, which is not fully revealed. Whatever the secrets of the past bear, they affect the ability of the two to maintain positive relationships with people of the opposite sex. The movie is out rightly sexually explicit and shows several scenes of passionless, meaningless sex taking place, using it as a tool to show the emptiness of it all. No amount of sex makes Brandon happy. He tries to overcome his fear of intimacy and even goes on a date with an attractive co-worker, but the bleakness of the movie continues as we see how this turns out to be a failed attempt. His sister Sissy is no better and even has sex with Brandon’s boss, an unattractive married man who fails at picking up even the loosest of women at a common pick-up bar. They do this in Brandon’s room as Brandon hears the events from his sitting room, hopeless and helpless to prevent it all.

What is the point of such a dreary film? One may ask. Shame brings to light real-life miserable situations that engulf us which we seem helpless to. Frustratingly, the movie does not offer any practical solution to the problems of the siblings and leaves us to conclude they are destined to live in misery and anguish that can only be spared by death. Chillingly somber, this movie will most definitely not lift your spirits but will definitely challenge you to think beyond the surface. You will love this movie, and hate yourself for loving it.

• Director: Henry Joost
• Release Date: Oct 2011
• Run Time: 84
• Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Horro

This is the third installment of the Paranormal Activity franchise. By now, you are both an avid fan and follower of Paranormal Activity or you have never even bothered. This is really a movie for those who already watched 1 and 2 and are keen on the horror series.

Paranormal Activity 3 still uses the found footage tactic used in 1 and 2, and inspired from The Blair Witch Project. What makes this movie different from the first two is that it is actually a prequel to 1 &2; the movie is set twenty three years ago, in 1988 and shows Kristi and Katie as children. From the first two movies, there is some reference on the “bad things” that happened to the two sisters when they were kids. This movie shows what these “bad things” were.

It is 1988. The sisters’ mother Julie is dating Dennis, her live-in boyfriend, who happens to be a videographer. As with all children in horror movies, Kristi can see ghosts and forges a friendship with an invisible friend she calls Toby. Right around the time Toby appears in Kristi’s life, strange and unexplainable things start to happen around the house. Filled with curiosity, (which always kills the cat) the Videographer in Dennis comes alive and he sets up three cameras at night to capture the mysterious nightly on-goings at the house. This is the signature of the paranormal activity franchise: cameras that show strange, eerie and creepy things that make you go “Aaaaargh!” The movie then proceeds to show an unexpected twist of events revolving around the women in the family.

To its credit, part three is actually much more hair-raisingly scary than the first two installments and will have you jumping out of your seat. Perhaps having the movie set back in time adds to the creepiness of it all. The two children also show real acting potential and do not come off as your typical plastic-acting horror movie kids. Anybody who enjoyed the first two will definitely enjoy part three; it is definitely not for the faint-hearted!

• Director: Jeff Nichols
• Release Date: Sep 2011
• Run Time: 120
• Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Take Shelter is one of those extremity movies; you either hate it or love it. Well, I loved it. It clearly beings out the theme of Lunacy vs. Prophecy and leaves the audience pondering over the possibility of prophetic dreams revealing the future.

Take Shelter revolves around the family of Curtis LaForche (played brilliantly by Michael Shannon). Curtis is a humble construction worker in Ohio; he is just your run-of-the-mill guy with a wife, Stephanie, and a deaf daughter, Hannah. Nothing in his life is out of the ordinary….that is, until he starts having terrifying and realistic dreams about an oncoming storm disaster that makes Hurricane Katrina look like a soft wind. He at first tries to dismiss this as nothing but a bad nightmare that will go away but as time passes, these visions get more real and more intense. He even begins to hallucinate in broad daylight. It is at this stage that Curtis starts believing the dreams as a warning of disaster that is yet to come. He is torn between sharing these disturbing nightmares with Stephanie and keeping them a secret, but he knows Stephanie would doubt him and think him insane so he keeps the dreams and the knowledge of impending doom to himself.

This is a difficult secret to keep to oneself and his sudden behavior change takes a toll on his family. His wife can tell there is something wrong but is unable to reach out to Curtis. Blinded by the fear of the on-coming storm, Curtis puts his construction skills to good use and starts to construct a full-proof tornado shelter to protect his family from the storm he believes is oncoming. Throughout its construction, we see Curtis facing an internal struggle, trying to decide if he has gone mental or if he has really seen the future.

The movie is a one-man show, with its focus almost completely on Michael, who does an excellent job in getting the audience plugged into the storyline and gets them to care for him as a character. You almost can’t wait for the end so as to see if Curtis was a man losing his mind or a man with a vision that saved his family. Michael is no doubt a brilliant actor and his acting talents make this movie that would otherwise have been painfully slow quite an enjoyable fete.

In the fast-paced twenty first century where majority of movies that Hollywood churns out are all action-packed and melodramatic, this movie seems slow by such standards. The plot reminds me of old-fashioned story telling where the characters were fully developed before the action scenes filled our screens. Some may argue that the story takes too long to unfold but if you enjoy a good, well-told story, this is definitely a movie for you. It will be no surprise if Michael Shannon wins an Oscar for his brilliant performance in Take Shelter.

• Director: Lynne Ramsay
• Release Date: Jan 2012
• Run Time: 112
• Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

We need to talk about Kevin is an eerie thriller that will have you glued to your seat whether you want to or not. It has that poignant feel about it; that bitter tragedy that makes you not want to watch it but strangely pulls you to watch it till the end in a trance-like state. The movie is based on Lionel Shriver’s best-selling book by the same name.

The movie stars Tilda Swinton, playing the role of Eva. Eva has a husband and a successful career as a travel writer. She is full of life, enjoying life in the city as an energetic spirit. She gets pregnant and has to sacrifice her career ambitions and lifestyle, on the insistence of her husband, to raise the child. She most reluctantly makes this decision and gives birth to a baby boy, Kevin.

Kevin (Ezra Miller) even as a child is unlike any other child; he is distant and cold to his mother, rather rebellious and shows zero interest in anything. It appears he is born with an in-born distaste for his mother. This really worries his mother who shares her concerns with her husband Frank, who dismisses and excuses his behavior. The couple also has a second child, a daughter (Celia) who is quite the opposite- optimistic, happy and excited about life. Frank gets Kevin an archery set and this marks the only thing Kevin took an interest in. On one occasion, Celia’s cat is killed; Eva has reason to believe Kevin was responsible and shares these concerns with Frank who as per the norm, dismisses them. Tragedy occurs when Kevin takes his crossbow and goes on a killing spree in the school, where he kills his fellow students, as well as his sister and his father.

Eva has to live with the grief, shame and societal rejection of having borne a killer for a son, who is in prison for the heinous crimes. The story is told with a lot of flash back to bring a contrast to her life before and after Kevin as well as develop the plot and capture the viewer’s interest. She ponders and reflects on whether it was her fault she gave birth to and raised a monster. The movie is filled with the theme of nature vs. nature, and seems to conclude that some things, such as evil, are intrinsic and do not depend on one’s environment. Take the case of the two children, Kevin and Celia, brought up in the very same environment but are compete opposites of each other.

This was a rather eerie movie but it will truly provoke you to think and appreciate the semblance of a normal family that you have.

• Director: Jonathan Levine
• Release Date: Sep 2011
• Run Time: 99
• Genre: Drama, Comedy

Adam Learner (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is your average Joe; a pleasant twenty seven year old who works as a writer, going about life as per normal. He has a sexy girlfriend, Rachael (played by Bryce Howard) and a good old best friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen)

One fateful day Adam decides to see an oncologist to seek help on his consistent back aches. It is then he discovers he has cancer, and has a 50-50 chance of surviving ( I guess we can now put to rest any questions on what inspired the movie title). He is in a state of shock and disbelief. While still in this state, he is told he has to go for Chemotherapy if he is to have any chance for survival.

The story, though one with the heavy theme of life with cancer, it told in a comical manner that offers welcome relief from the dreadfulness of cancer. Disease diagnosis comedies are difficult to pull off but 50-50 pulls through. This is likely due to the fact that the story is based on the true life of the script writer, (Will Reiser) , who was similarly diagnosed with spinal cancer some years ago. His actual good friend Rogen plays the role of Kyle, the best friend who helps Adam kick the disease.

Kyle offers Adam a lot of encouragement and support during this period. He comically shows the benefit of the disease, such as using it to gain sympathy when picking up women. Kyle is the centre of comic relief in the movie. Adam’s mother also rushes to the rescue, offering to move in so as to be in a better position to assist her son. She is overzealous with this support, adding to the laughs in this movie. Rachel, on the other hand, puts the saying “in sickness and in health” to shame. Though she promises to take care of him and be the doting girlfriend he needs, she is anything but, and even cheats on him. You would think one would be full of guilt from cheating on one’s boyfriend diagnosed with cancer, but not Rachel.

We see from the movie firsthand experience of life with cancer; Adam joins a cancer support group where he meets Alan and Mitch, two older cancer patients that give him valuable advice on dealing with the disease as well as an interesting take on love and life.

Though the movie may not be an altogether realistic representation of life with cancer, (it is much grimmer than portrayed in 50/50) it still provides good entertainment and an optimistic view on living with cancer, which may be what the audience needs to believe. Definitely worth a trip to the movies me thinks.

• Director: Drake Doremus
• Release Date: Oct 2011
• Run Time: 89
• Genre: Drama, Romance

Just when I had thought I had seen too many love stories to ever get an emotional reaction, I watched Like Crazy and couldn’t help but feel rather mellow and touched. This movie definitely tugged at my heart strings, and I am no romantic.

Like Crazy stars Anton Yelchin as Jacob and Felicity Jones as Anna. Jacob is an American with dreams of becoming a famous designer whereas Anna is an intelligent British Writer who goes to America for further studies. It is while they are at college in Los Angeles that the two meet. Both become instantly attracted to each other and Anna boldly makes the first move.

It is no surprise that the two instantly get romantically involved, like two souls meant to be together. Anna spends the entire summer with Jacob, where they get lost in each other’s love. So lost, that she forgets about her student visa expiry, and overstays her legally approved period in US. She goes back home to Britain and when she returns, she is denied entry, straining the love that had blossomed between the two. This is the dilemma that constitutes the movie; two lovebirds whose undying love for each other is tried and tested by the challenge of distance. The plot then proceeds to show us how they cope with this challenge as well as mistakes they make in the process. Like Crazy tends to make the viewer question whether love is ever truly enough.

What separates Like Crazy from yet another love story is the intensity and realness of the emotions portrayed by Yelchin and Jones. The two were an excellent choice of actors and throw themselves fully into their role. Seeing the two in action will undoubtedly bring back memories of the viewer’s first true love. This movie makes for great entertainment, as it is tastefully romantic, not the typical overdone love story with an unbelievable happily-ever-after plot. Perhaps the movie is credible due to the fact it was inspired by the writer’s true experience with long-distance love in his younger days. This is a great movie for all fans and even non-fans of romantic stories out there.

• Director: Brett Ratner
• Release Date: Nov 2011
• Run Time: 99
• Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

When I heard the movie was co-starring Eddie Murphy, my first reaction was this was going to be a fundamental flop. His movies in the past five years have all been mega-disasters, a result of his abysmally unfunny slapstick humor. However, much to my surprise, Tower Heist is actually entertaining, not the movie of the year but definitely worth watching. Eddie (for once) does not hog the limelight and actually does justice to his role.

Tower Heist is a story about getting revenge, albeit in a comical way. Arthur Shaw, played by Alan Alda, is a wealthy tycoon who lives in The Tower. Shaw is placed under house arrest and is accused of being responsible for a Ponzi scheme. All the employees of The Tower are affected when it turns out their pensions had been invested into this Ponzi scheme and as a result, they are left with nothing. The doorman even attempts to commit suicide once this bad news is delivered to him. Josh (the main character played by Ben Stiller) is the building manager of The Tower and decides to stand up for all the employees by confronting Shaw. In the process, he loses his temper and destroys the windows of Shaw’s new Ferrari. Irked by this, Shaw fires him as well as two other employees (the concierge and the bellhop) who were with him.

It is here that the idea for a revenge plan is borne. Josh comes into information that Shaw is hiding a loose 20 million dollars somewhere in his apartment and in true Robin-Hood style, decides to steal it and distribute it among all the employees who had lost their pension. Josh then puts together a team from the apartment residents to do this. They hire a crook, Slide (Eddie Murphy) to help them with the robbery. The plot then comically continues to reveal the ups and downs of planning and implementing a robbery, and the outcome of five amateurs on a mission to save their pension.

If you are expecting a deep, thought-provoking heist story with an unpredictable end, you will be in for a disappointment. Unlike other heist-based movies, Tower Heist does not have a complicated plot and the focus is not on the action but on the comical journey the employees go through in trying to steal Shaw’s money. This is a simple movie with enough humor to get a pass. Stiller and Murphy actually work quite well together, with no actor trying to steal each other’s thunder. It is a good recovery movie foe Eddie Murphy, who was starting to prove the theory that humor has an age limit.

• Director: James Bobin
• Release Date: Nov 2011
• Run Time: 102
• Genre: Comedy, Kids & Family

The Muppets is a musical comedy that will definitely tug at your heart strings, not due to the sentimentality in the movie, but the nostalgia of the good old days when you were younger that this movie reminds us all of.

The movie stars two brothers, a girlfriend and the muppets of course. One brother, Walter, is a muppet (voice talents of Peter Linz) and the other brother, Gary, is human (Jason Segal). On Gary’s tenth anniversary with his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), he decides to take them both on vacation to Los Angeles to celebrate.

Pat of their tour in L.A is to visit the famous Muppet Theater and to their shock and dismay, they find it in a dilapidated state. The theater resembles one of those old abandoned houses found in every scary horror movie. Walter eavesdrops on a conversation and finds out that the plan is to sell the theater to an oil tycoon, Tex Richman, who only wants to buy it so he can tear it down and dig for the oil underneath. He then confronts Waldorf, one owner of the theater, who tells them that if he wants to, he can purchase the theater, but it will cost him 10 Million dollars.

The distressed gang of three then visits Kermit, who is doing well and lives in a fancy Bel Air mansion. On hearing the news, Kermit comes up with the idea of reuniting the muppets, who have all gone their different ways, and putting up a show to raise the money necessary to save the Muppet Theater. The four then set of on an adventure to reunite the muppets for a muppets telethon show and convince any large TV Network to give them a spot for their show. Meanwhile Gary’s focus and heavy involvement in the muppets’ problems causes a strain in his relationship with Mary, beating the purpose of coming to Los Angeles to celebrate their 10 year anniversary.

The movie is quite enjoyable, and the musical numbers will have you bopping your head to the beat. It is good to note that the humans in the movie don’t steal the show, letting the muppets take centre stage, and in the process reminding us all why we were so fond of them back in the day. The jokes at some points are rather weak but this does not stop it from being an overall entertaining movie. It is usually difficult to pull off a franchise such as this without disappointing the fans, but The Muppets will definitely leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

• Director: Michel Hazanavicius
• Release Date: Nov 2011
• Run Time: 100
• Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy

The artist is definitely a “blast from the past”, reminding us of when all movies were silent and in black & white. It takes us back to the beginning of Hollywood, over eighty years ago.

This French movie is set in the 1920’s and is the story of George Valentin , played by Jean Dujardin, who is a mega movie star at the pinnacle of his career. Probably the modern day Brad Pitt of his time. Valentin bumps into a young lady, Peppy Miller by pure accident and is photographed with her. The dailies are then full of questions on the identity of the mystery woman is. Fate brings them back together and a relationship soon follows. Valentin’s producer warns him that his genre of movies, Silent Movies, will soon be replaced by “talkies” and advices him to adjust with the changing times. Valentin remains proud and stubborn, adamantly claiming them to be a passing fad. His woman, Peppy Miller is in the acting profession as well and begins to rise to fame and receives more and more acknowledgement as an actress in the talkies movies.

As Valentin is playing the role of a silent actor, he does not talk thus the audience is left to decipher his emotions to understand him. Jean Dujardin gives an outstanding performance on this front, something most actors of today would find more than challenging to do. He could be thrown back to the 1920’s and fit in snugly with no eyebrows raised. The wardrobe for this movie is excellently chosen and Jean Dujardin as Valentin is an easy character to be loved by the audience- without even making a sound!

Valentin refuses to adjust to the talkies, and as such, he finds his career on a downward spiral. Living up to the stereotypical French pride, he still refuses to act in the talkies and produces his own silent movie, which is a horrendous flop. To add insult to injury, his wife, Penny Miller kicks him out and he is left as a man with nothing. The movie takes us through a cocktail of emotions and the sparing use of sound makes it even more effective when used.

This movie is quite different from your normal Monday-to-Sunday entertainment which makes it a most curious watch for the adventurous viewer. It is not a public outcry for the re-introduction of the silent film, just a nostalgic reminder of the world that was.

• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Release Date: Dec 2011
• Run Time: 104
• Genre: Animation

The Adventures of Tintin is Spielberg’s lively 3D Motion Capture interpretation of Herge’s famous Tintin comic book. The story is a simple one of ‘the-hunt-for-lost-treasure’ but it is told in such an action-packed and suspense-ridden manner one can’t help but to enjoy oneself throughout the movie.

Tintin (voice talents of Jamie Bell) is a young journalist with a faithful white dog, snowy. He unknowingly stumbles across a valuable clue in form of a scroll that is contained in a ship model he purchases. The scroll is necessary for finding Sir Francis Haddock’s lost treasure. He is abducted by the evil Sakharine (voice talents of Daniel Craig) who is hell bent on finding the treasure. For this, he and his dog are abducted and imprisoned on a ship. This is how he meets Haddock, descendant of Sir Francis Haddock. Haddock is the ship’s quasi captain who is ever-drunk and oblivious to the on-goings in his ship. The three (Tintin, Haddock and Snowy) escape on a lifeboat and Haddock, in a moment of sobriety, tells them the story of the lost treasure. They then decide to make an adventure of it all and find the other missing scrolls to get information on where the treasure is located and find it. This is how the odd but magical friendship between a wide-eyed journalist and a drunken captain begins.

Even viewers with no previous knowledge of the Tintin comic book will easily follow this movie. The movie is packed with action scenes, the best one yet culminating at the end on a getaway scene involving Tintin on a motorbike cruising down a hill in hot pursuit of one of the scrolls. Tintin is a loveable hero, a young boy full of courage and though heart-warmingly naïve, manages to outdo the “bad guys” through sheer wit and smarts. This movie will have you rooting for him all the way to the end. The movie hints of a sequel to come, as the adventure of the unlikely friends is not yet over.

However, the 3D effects in the movie are nothing to write home about, with little “popping” 3D moments. It may not be worth it to pay the extra for the 3D effects as they are wanting. Also, Haddock comes across as excessive, his character much more overdone as compared to the comic book. All in all however, this is a movie worthy of two hours of your time.

• Director: Craig Brewer
• Release Date: Oct 2011
• Run Time: 113
• Genre: Drama, Musical, Comedy

Footloose is a 2011 remake of the 1984 dance movie of the same name. Footloose centres on Ren McCormack (little known Kenny Wormald). Ren’s mother dies from leukemia and is then forced to move from Boston to small town Bomont to be taken care of by his uncle and aunt. He attends Bomont high, where he makes friends with Williard Hewitt, who informs him on the town’s ban on dancing.

The ban started when the town’s reverend’s son, Bobby Moore, died after him and his friends drove over a bridge and crashed into a vehicle. They had come from a night filled with dancing and partying, which the town blamed for the death of these youth.

Reverend Moore’s daughter, Ariel Moore, never fully recovered from the death of her brother and consequently turns rebellious. She is dating a good-for-nothing truck driver, Chuck Cranston, if only to annoy her parents. As any teenage movie would have it, she meets Ren and there is an instant attraction between the two, much to Chuck’s dismay. This becomes the source of many conflicts between the lovebirds and rivalry between Ren and Chuck.

The plot then revolves around Ren, Will and their classmates trying to get the ban lifted and having a senior prom. The most difficult person to persuade but the person with the most sway over the town is the Reverend Moore, who is staunch in his firm belief dancing should be forever banned. Ren not only has to get him to support the lifting of the ban but also get to accept him as a prospective boyfriend to his rebellious daughter Ariel.

This is a light, feel-good movie with plenty of song and dance to get you in an upbeat mood. It may not be the epitome of excellent film production or screen writing, but it is definitely an interesting movie to see on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Go with the flow and you shall definitely enjoy this movie.

• Director: Roman Polanski
• Release Date: Dec 2011
• Run Time: 80
• Genre: Drama, Comedy

This is definitely not a movie for everyone. The movie consists primarily of only four characters and one scene-a living room. The movie is based on Yasmina Reza’s play of the same name. If I was to summarize this movie in one sentence, it would be “Four adults arguing for one and a half hours”. Don’t expect to be knocked off your seat with this one.

The movie kicks off when two adolescent boys are playing in the park and one of them hits the other. This then triggers the parents of both children to meet and find a way of resolving the situation. The parents are played by a team of seasoned actors; Kate Winslet & Christopher Waltz (The Cowans) and Jodie Foster & John C. Reilly (The Longstreets). Only a team of experienced and flawless actors would have pulled off a movie of this nature. Good thinking Roman Polanski.

The parents meet at the Longstreet’s beautiful apartment in New York and what begins as an exchange of pleasantries and civil discussion explodes into a downright argument. The four discuss/argue about various topics- different parenting methods, overuse of mobile phones, dangers of pharmaceutical drugs and so forth. The result? Complete chaos. Granted, the movie is laced with witty humor throughout which makes the movie tolerable. However, it lacks the thrill of a movie experience. The plot is too simple to challenge the brain and lacks the effects necessary to suck the viewer into the story. In my opinion, this movie should not have made it to production and should have been left undisturbed as a play.

I still cannot get over the fact that the entire film was shot in one apartment, creating a very claustrophobic feel about the movie.

• Director: Alexander Payne
• Release Date: Nov 2011
• Run Time: 110
• Genre: Drama, Comedy

George Clooney reminds us yet again why his acting career has lasted so long and why he has won multiple awards throughout his acting career. The Descendants is an intense drama starring George Clooney, playing the role of Matt King. Matt is a lawyer in Honolulu as well as the sole trustee of the family’s trust which controls thousands and thousands of acres. Matt is in the process of selling the land to Don Holitzer when his wife, Elizabeth is involved in an accident that leaves her in a comma.

The couple has two daughters, Scottie and Alex; Matt has never been close to the girls and finds himself playing the role of both mum and dad in Elizabeth’s absence. It is while undergoing this difficult transition that the doctors inform him that his wife will never recover from the comma. He tells his older daughter Alex, who then discloses to him that Elizabeth, was having an affair. This leaves him in a state of shock and betrayal. He later on learns that her lover is called Brian Speer. He cannot confront his practically dead wife so he makes up his mind to meet her lover.

The movie then proceeds to show us Matt and his two daughters on a quest to find the infamous lover. Over and above this, Matt still has to meet with the rest of the family members to take a vote on whether or not to sell the land. Little does he know that his wife’s lover, being a realtor, will come into a lot of money from the sale of this large parcel of land. The Descendants is excellently written with great dialogue and a fantastic choice of actors. The role of Alex is played by Shailene Woodley. Though new in the acting circles, she does justice to the character of Alex; she is quite like a younger version of Keira Knightley, brimming with talent and potential.

The movie, much like life, is riddled with emotions of sadness, bitterness and finding happiness amidst it all. Mind you there are quite some laughs along the way too. The general theme of the movie is dealing with life-changing moments, which is clearly brought out in the well-written plot.

The Descendants will definitely make it to the top 2011 movies and possibly get a handful of nominations. It was a well spent one hour and fifty minutes watching the movie, and worth every bit of the over-priced popcorn! The plot may unfold slowly, but is a must-watch for every lover of a good story.

• Director: Cameron Crowe
• Release Date: Dec 2011
• Run Time: 124
• Genre: Drama, Comedy

This is a family movie that revolves around Benjamin Mee, played by the luscious Matt Damon. Benjamin’s life takes an unexpected turn for the worse when his wife dies and his boy Dylan, who is only fourteen, is expelled from school for stealing.

Eager to leave the unpleasant past behind him, he decides to start life afresh; he proceeds to buy a run-down house with an even more run-down zoo as part of the package. This move is met by mixed reactions from his children. Dylan, as any adolescent would react, is moody and surly about leaving the city and his friends to come live in a God-forsaken zoo. Rosie, his seven year old is more positive and especially ecstatic about the animals.

It is here that Benjamin meets the zoo staff, including Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson), the smart and beautiful head of the zoo. Together they work towards achieving their dream of opening up the zoo by summer. A particular thorn in their flesh is the pompous zoo inspector who is not too keen on having the zoo re-opened. He provides some light-hearted entertainment as he keeps poking around, trying to find reasons to keep the zoo closed. Benjamin and the zoo team work tirelessly to ensure the place is up to spec so they can get the inspector’s approval and proceed to open.

Meanwhile, a romance develops between the surly teenager Dylan, and Kelly’s thirteen year old niece, Lily. Trouble for Benjamin and the zoo team begins when he runs out of money before they can complete fixing up the place in time for the inspection and grand opening. Will they accomplish their dream of re-opening the zoo? You will find out after you watch the movie of course.

The actors are good and portray real emotions that get you sucked into the plot of the movie. We bought a zoo depicts the kind of good, clean entertainment that the whole family can watch and has its fair share of laughs. It reminds me of the likes of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Baby’s Day Out”.

It’s a great break from your typical violence-ridden, vulgar and obscene movies that clog Hollywood.

• Director: Pedro Almodovar
• Release Date: Oct 2011
• Run Time: 117
• Genre: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

The movie is set in Toledo, Spain and stars Antonio Banderas, who plays the role of Robert Ledgard, a talented plastic surgeon (who is rather eerie, I might add). Robert’s wife burns in a car crash and upon seeing herself in the mirror, she commits suicide. This begins Robert’s chilling experiment: creating human skin that cannot burn.

To do this he requires a test subject; Elena Anaya plays the role of Vera, a young female who he (Robert) holds captive for his human experiment. Twelve years later, his hard work and endless experiments pay off and finally his “burn-proof” skin is complete. He is greatly assisted by Marilia, his faithful caretaker since childhood. Dark secrets are revealed as the plot continues, and Robert is not spared from the twisted hand of fate. This is one of the rare breed of movies that has a very unpredictable twist at the end.

If you had the stomach for “the human centipede”, this would be an enjoyable movie for you. The cast are well chosen and play their roles to perfection. However, the plot is rather dark and disturbing with underlying themes of gender confusion and shocking secrets. Definitely not a mood up lifter as one dark scene follows another all the way to the end. It is a good movie to watch when you need confirmation that life is not worth living.

My advice? If you have to watch it, watch it and then follow it up with a good, hearty comedy to inject some life back into your soul.