True Grit
Another perfectly executed Coen brother’s film based almost exactly on the Charles Portis novel. Absent the usual very dark humor and irony, it didn’t have quite the power of other of their films. Very good, nonetheless. **

The Tourist
Maybe the worst film of the year. Stunningly bad, and a huge waste of acting talent (that does not include Angelina). Avoid it. *

Antichrist
Bizarre, emotionally raw, nightmarish, beautifully filmed, very personal film where Lars von Trier works out his psycho-sexual complexes. Hard to watch, but kind of interesting. **

The Human Condition
Kobayashi Masaki’s 9.5 hour film about a man trying to live a moral and meaningful life during Japan’s war years. Beautifully filmed, extremely well acted, especially by Nakadai Tatsuya, and brilliantly directed. A stunning cinematic achievement. *****

Skyline
Pretty bad film about aliens who come to earth to steal human brains. Everything about the narrative is poorly done, from the opening sequence that is completely unbelievable, to the stilted and clichéd relationships, to conversations that don’t make sense. Some of the effects are visually interesting, but not nearly good enough to rescue the film. Avoid it. *

Monsters
Outstanding film set six years in the future when a space probe has returned and crash landed infecting most of Mexico with “monsters.” Two people try to get back to the U.S. through the infected zone. Great camera work that creates intimacy and tension, simple, powerful narrative, good acting, good special effects, and a tour de force of film making. Really, really liked it. Check out this clip. ***

Agora
Disappointing historical drama about Hypatia of Alexandria. Though historically pretty accurate, the dialogue is stilted and the science/philosophy discussions are completely lame, even embarrassing. Timely message about questioning and questioning and intolerance, but pretentious and sensationalized. Really too bad. *

RED
Surprisingly delightful spy movie about someone trying to kill former CIA operatives who are Retired but Extremely Dangerous. The plot is thin, but the casting was inspired, and everyone plays their parts perfectly. They even made most of the below-average dialogue acceptable. Really had a good time. **

Far Side of the Moon
Odd, self-indulgent French-Canadian film about a guy’s struggles to become himself. Found him very dislikable, even creepy, and since he was in every scene, not very enjoyable. Same guy acted two parts, directed, and wrote it. Could happily have missed it. *

Resident Evil: Afterlife
Maybe the worst of the series. A lot of slow-motion posing rather than combat, though everybody was buff and tough. Lame plot, if you can even call it that. One I wished I had missed. *

Machete
Absolutely entertaining and enjoyable grindhouse flick from Robert Rodriguez about an ex-Mexican cop who gets involved in cross-border corruption. Tone was perfect, cartoonish violence, female nudity, campy acting, and a hilarious climactic battle. Really had fun. **

The American
Kind of odd spy thriller without any thrills. Clooney plays a contract man who decides to get out because he falls in love with an unbelievably good-looking and sweet hooker. Almost embarrassing dialogue at times, and a very predictable ending. Disappointing. *

When They Cry
Deeply scary horror anime about a new kid in a small village and a demon’s curse at the annual festival. The most innocent are really the most evil. Had to stop watching it because it gave me nightmares. Well done. **

Str.A.In.
Average anime about the same issues that absorb all teenagers; personal identity, being part of the group, other teens being mean to you, all set in a battle zone. Old graphics as well. Didn’t like it too much. *

There Was a Father
1942 Ozu film that basically has the same plot as The Only Son, but this time it’s a widowed father making the sacrifices so his son can grow into a fine young man. Didn’t have the same emotional impact for some reason. Very well done, though. Also, just as with that one, I paid a lot for the Criterion Collection DVD which was transferred from a damaged print. As a result, the sound was irritatingly bad. **

Inception
Wow! I expected it to be visually stunning, but I didn’t expect the very touching love story. Great thrills, fantastic effects, excellent acting by an excellent caste. Really liked the intellectual and artistic experience of seeing it. ***