'Argo' ****

'argo' the based on a true story about the rescue of 6 americans during the carter administration is really really good. we know how it will turn, out but i now say the brilliant, director ben affleck keeps us engrossed and on the edge of our seats throughout. the cast is one of the best ensemble casts of the year. special kudus to alan arkin a supporting actor nominee potential.

a potential best picture nominee i urge you to see it. and congrats mr. affleck. you are three for three.
it is the possible winner of that roque oscar.

TODAY

Les Miz' Art Work

'les misersbles' the film poster goes back to it's origins by using the young cosette rather than the name stars in it's artwork. it's a nice tribute to the original concept. and let's not forget the original is still running somewhere in the world these 25 years later.

the film has been moved to christmas day in the states

the film

 theatre

the new featurette

'360' *1/2stars

'360' is currently in limited engagements but is available on vod. it aspires to 'babel'esque storytelling but fails miserably. although rachel weisz, jude law and anthony hopkins give good performances they can't save this meandering and boring tale. and the 360 doesn't really work as there is no 'center' to connect the disparate tales. rent 'babel' instead which is brilliant.

2006 academy award nominee 'babel' and one of the best of the decade so far is the real deal.

'The Bourne Legacy' Opens Wide Today

First Look at Daniel Day Lewis as 'Lincoln'

coming this winter from steven spielberg

' The Dark Knight Rises' ***stars

'the dark night rises' is a good film. it's a fitting finale to this particular series. it satisfies in it's finale.  it is not a great film however as the first in this particular series was. the original 'batman begins' was a triumph. this is a good action film. it's villian bane is no match for heath ledger's the joker in installment two. and somehow christian bale as batman himself is surprisingly a supporting player. the best moments come from the surprises in the characters played by joseph gordon-levitt and marion cotillard. 

if you think i am going to bash anne hathaway you're are only partially correct. ms hathaway plays the catwoman well. catwoman is cold and calculating which pretty much describes the acting technique of ms hathaway. both catwoman and her portrayer have all the charm of a meat clever. therefore, ms hathaway did a fairly good job. this is the most complimentary i can be re her career so far.

if you have seen the first two episodes of this trilogy you owe it to yourself to see this third installment. it's good but a bit too long. it's just not great damnit.

marion lights up most any film she appears in. this is no exception.

'Bachelorette' Preview

if you follow my blog you know i am a huge kirsten dunst fan. it's good to see her 'lighten up' and go into a comedy although i never want her to stop showing her dramatic side.
i'm sure comparisons to 'bridesmaids' will be made but word of mouth says it stands on it's own.

Another Newer Look at 'Anna Karenina'

focus films has released a new behind the scenes look at the upcoming 'anna karenina'. is this a bit of overkill? are they getting nervous? i guess we will find out sooner than later when it opens in the uk this september.

'Little White Lies' Finally Gets USA Release

already a hit in europe 'little white lies' will arrive in the states later this summer. two oscar winners, marion cotillard ('la vie en rose") and jean dujuardin ('the artist") lead the cast in this 'the big chill' style dramedy.

directed by guillasume canet who gave us the remarkable 2006's 'tell no one' gives it even greater promise. if you have not seen 'tell no one' rent it. it's one of the best.

so between this and 'rust and bone' and 'the dark night rises' it's a great year for fans of ms cotillard. meaning me!

'Life of Pi' Preview

new film by director ang lee (brokeback mountain') opens this fall. the preview looks damn good. the film is in 3d.  we'll see. i personally thought 'brokeback' went on a bit long. it's way to many pastoral shots killed it for me. i was one of a handful of gay men who went for 'crash' as best picture that year. the hate mailers filled my inbox. i did not and will not take it back.

'Cosmopolis' with Robert Pattinson, Trailer

'cosmopolis' opens stateside on august 17th. most of europe has already seen it or could have. word is robert pattinson is great. the film itself is so-so.


but i am a fan of mr. pattinson so i'll push it. i still have hope for him beyond the 'twilight' franchise.

Preview: 6 Minute Clip From 'Anna Karenina' Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law & Aaron Johnson

i am really looking forward to this film. you know well how much i admire keira knightley. jude law almost always impresses. director joe wright seems to want to take us back to the sprawling epics of the past by moving them forward. making the most of production design and greater use of art direction and the sensuality of the actors it appears he will succeed.

the film opens in the uk on sept. 7 and in the usa on nov. 9.

'The Deep Blue Sea' Releases Today on BluRay and DVD

if you want to see the best performance by an actress this year, so far, buy or rent 'the deep blue sea'. rachel weisz is amazing generally but exceeds all expectations here. rent it or buy it but definitely see it.

'The Bourne Legacy' August 10th

three new tv spots. opens august 10th

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ 13-Minute Featurette

'The Dark Knight Rises' Hans Zimmer's Complete Soundtrack

The Amazing Spiderman' ***1/2stars

'the amazing spiderman' actually amazes. the 3d is great. the action is almost nonstop. the cast works, but it is andrew garfield as peter parker who along with the special effects makes the admission price more than worth it. he is a charmer to be sure. he was the best thing about 'the social network' and fulfilled the promise in 'never let me go'. he may be the best of his generation right now. he is so damn charismatic! emma stone was 'good' as gwen stacey but seems a bit 'old' for garfield. whereas mr. garfield did not make me miss tobey maquire the although lovely and talented ms stone made me long for kirsten dunst. andrew and kirsten would have worked better and fit better together. but that is a minor gripe.

sally field and martin sheen were the perfect aunt may and uncle ben.

denis leary and rhys ifans supported the whole well.

the story takes us back to the moments peter parker found out hoe he became spidey and why he did' it's a good ride. get the popcorn and soda and enjoy. it even calls for a return visit. see it in 3d. it works for this movie.

trailer

'Magic Mike' ***stars

'magic mike' is so much more than the way it has been packaged, it is the story of a man. his journey. it sure has some great sights for women and gay men. no doubt. but the story behind these male strippers is real and heartwarming.

channing tatum is a charmer. he has the best smile on screen today. and he can act. when he is serious he has the intensity of a montgomery clift. in playing himself he takes a risk. the risk pays off. he is truly one of the best of his generation. if he makes 'smart' choices he will evolve and stay around for years to come.

the true find for me in this film is actress cody horn as brooke. as the love interest she sweetly shines.

go see this one. get a large popcorn and enjoy.

ANNA KARENINA - Official Trailer (2012)

keira knightley and jude law star in this newest remake of leo tolstoy's grand novel. from the look of this trailer it looks scrumptious. not a word i often use. it has high oscar aspirations going forward. time will tell. i love ms knightley on screen and hope high for her. mr law always seems to impress me.

'anna karenina' opens nov, 19th stateside and in september in much of europe