I can see why Contraband has been set for release in January, with December being action/adventure month this gem would have been buried in their dust. And that would have been a shame, because this gritty story has a lot going for it. With non-stop thrills, chills and spills this film entertains big time.
It’s that time of year again, the time it falls to us reviewers to select the best films of the past year. Most of the time I really enjoy this part of the job, picking through the 200 plus films I saw and wrote about during the year, but this year, not so. 2011 has been a very lean year in terms of great films, perhaps the worst in the past decade. – Alyn Darnay
The British movie Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is not for everyone. It’s a mind-numbing film for audiences that crave an involving storyline, can deal with British accents and are into the underpinning of espionage that fueled The Cold War in the 1970’s. I am not a big fan of films like this one, but those who are into author John le Carre’s The Constant Gardner, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and The Tailor of Panama will eat this one up like good ice cream.
With 2011 winding down, it looks like it’s time for a final roundup of film news before 2012 strolls in. So let’s take a look at some of the final big news you should know before you head out to party and ring in the New Year.
In 2011 I saw nearly 250 films, not counting the Independent offers viewed at film festivals or sent to my home for comment. This was no year to brag about with too many sequels, enough superhero’s to save two planets, repetitious story lines, not enough good drama, a lot of raunchy romance with more skin and sex than in an art house, very few box-office blowouts, a small number of good acting newcomers, and some bad performances by our legends.
Adapted from the novel by Steig Larson, this screenplay of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has an excellent storyline that keeps the audience’s interest, starting with two different stories that lead the characters through their ordeal. Finally, it comes together with one investigation that intertwines both theses characters into a thrilling, but passionate story that makes you wonder what will happen next. The action, investigation, and twists and turns kept me interested throughout the film.
Steven Spielberg adds another holiday film to the mix, but this one tends to skew higher on the age scale due the violence and cruelty. The film called War Horse has a bountiful cast of good actors, a bold story and brilliant cinematography that sometimes seems ‘too’ real. Although targeted to young boys, the film gets a little too strong for immature adolescents. For acting and story however, the movie is a must see.
The heartfelt drama We Bought A Zoo comes to town and it’s for the whole family. A true story perfect for the holiday season with an uplifting account that shows what one family can do to help a community while healing themselves. I am a fan of this kind of film as it reminds us of the principles on which America is built, with dreams, hard work and service to humanity.
Making the most of the animation called performance capture Steven Spielberg creates a wonderful kid adventure with The Adventures of Tintin. The veritable rollercoaster ride of a film is even more spectacular in 3D. Targeted at lads of any age and for good family fun, rush to see the full feature film The Adventures of Tintin.
The mystery and suspense in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo gets menacing giving audiences an unsuspected thriller. I liked this version over the foreign release of the movie in 2010 because it’s in English, has Daniel Craig and the story moves along as it should, unencumbered by faulty direction. For those who like a good detective drama with a lot of action, see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.