Zoolander

Stiller’s still quirky after naming himself most beautiful man alive. Ferrell finds forte as supporting man in fashion world. Film dons star-studded string of cameos and flaunts it like no other. Ultimately a hilarious movie with OK plot but lots of heart. Great quotes for those who don’t read good.

JCVD

Damme, what an impressive dramatic turn. JCVD proves his acting chops are as powerful as his roundhouse kicks. Tightly shot, but still gritty and stylistic. Moral ambiguity strengthens realism of film that shows JC’s personal life and career debates. More drama or return to sugary pulp roles? The Belgian Waffles.

V for Vendetta

Wachowski’s shine from behind their producer’s mask in this alternative dystopia. What’s worse than machines taking over? The British. Dramatically shifts the focus of source material but improves on plot and produces a better story. Agent Smith begins transformation into voice acting, and Portman proves that she really is Keira.

Last Night

Keira learns what love actually is and Worthington proves his worth with this dramatic escape from Clash of the Avatar’s Salvation. Slow precise and beautifully edited film, which seems something of a western answer to Wong Kar Wai. In the Mood for Lust perhaps, and an ending to deserve it.

Due Date

Phillips’ follow-up film feels like bad hangover after great party. Foxx is Downey’s downfall and Soloist isn’t an isolated incident. Someone skipped script revision process and just threw two great actors into wacky situation with hope that it would work out. Poorly conceived, premature comedic bastard with appropriately terrible delivery.

Limitless

An unfair story about a loser who gets really lucky and has all of his problems solved. Problem with making a movie about a genius is the film makers have to keep up, and matching Fight Club’s stylistic flare just isn’t enough. Cooper’s decent but De Niro’s reached his limit.

Contagion

Soderbergh Traffics in another terrifying global film. Sprawling story adequately accomplishes conveying scope of realistic doomsday scenario, but fails to see some it’s character studies through to completion. Strong performances with epidemic of Oscars are sometimes over-powered by look-at-me editing, and a pervasive score. Good Planet of the Apes tie-in.

50/50

Rogen deals with another unintentional growth in the tragicomedy, Knocked Down. JGL bares his soul and his head with carefully delivered performance in this devastating and hilarious film. Does the heart come from cast’s stunning performances or the fact that it’s the writer’s autobiography? After several MRIs, looks like 50/50.

Love and Other Drugs

Gyllenhaal returns to cinematic wife, who now has damaged nervous system instead of broke back. Moving and poignant film that tries too hard to go too many directions at once. The tragic romance, the business drama, and the attempt to be super-bad leave a limp structure in need of medicine.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Gosling plays unfairly attractive mentor in The 40-Year-Old Monogamist. Basically an extended episode of an intricately plotted sitcom that lands laughs and tears with several ingeniously choreographed scenes. Drags a bit long at the end and remains morally ambiguous throughout, but holds its own through brilliant plot-twists and wicked wit.

The Ides of March

Old-fashioned political drama. Witty banter of a Sorkin script without clever plotting or potent subtlety. The messages are nothing new and story seems to build to shameless punch-line but even in spite of unrelated plot-points still carries suspense to the end. If Clooney went into politics it would be unfair.

Drive

Winding Refn revs up for the gold after Bronson’s disappointing bronze. Gosling proves you can’t judge a notebook by its cover in a film that’s crazy and lovely but far from stupid. Brooks and Hellboy have their careers resurrected. Unbelievably beautiful and not because of Mulligan and the frozen strippers.