Zero Dark Thirty

Film: Zero Dark Thirty

Starring: Jessica Chastain (The Help), Jason Clarke (Lawless) and Jennifer Ehle (The Ides of March)

Director: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)

U.S. Release: December 19th, 2012 (Limited - Rated R)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 157 minutes


Academy Award Winning director Kathryn Bigelow's brand new film, Zero Dark Thirty, opens with a disclosure stating the the movie is based on first-hand accounts of actual events. This sets the stage for one of the most authentic and realistic motion pictures in recent memory. Politically unbiased and emotionally charged, Zero Dark Thirty completely delivers on its marketing tagline: "The greatest manhunt in history".

Jessica Chastain stars as Maya, a fiery young CIA Analyst who, in some ways, believes she's destined to find the United States' Most Wanted Fugitive, Osama Bin Laden. Hired by the U.S. government fresh out of High School, Maya is sent to Afghanistan and Pakistan to take part in detainee interrogations and gather vital intelligence after the tragic events of September 11th. Throughout a tireless decade long search for the fugitive, Maya follows a seemingly unlikely lead that ultimately results in the May 2nd, 2011 execution of Osama Bin Laden.

Gripping and relentless, Zero Dark Thirty is the epitome of top-flight modern day filmmaking. Bigelow's follow up to her 2009 Best Picture winner, The Hurt Locker, faces its critics and audiences with a humble sense of entitlement that whispers "repeat" for the director and film. One of the most commendable aspects of Bigelow's work is Zero Dark Thirty's ability to slowly shift the picture's focus from start to finish. What begins as a nation's quest for justice, filters itself down to one woman's unyielding battle for resolution, and that woman is brilliantly portrayed by Jessica Chastain. The 2012 Academy Award Nominee's towering performance is unrivaled by any other lead female's work over the past calendar year. Therefore, I would expect to hear Chastain's name called in late February when they hand out the Oscar for Best Actress. Screenwriter Mark Boal's well-crafted character development is brilliantly executed by Chastain and it adds an enormous dimension to film. Alongside Maya, the audience grinds through the highs and lows of a ten year search. For as exhausting and intense as the ride is, the night-visioned finale provides a gratifying and tempered conclusion. By demonstrating admirable restraint, Bigelow's respectful and never overly-patriotic ending packs an even bigger punch. With an unfathomable amount of decisions to be made, Bigelow seems to make all of the right ones and the final product is one of 2012's greatest achievements.

Back in the Fall of 2012, Zero Dark Thirty was nothing more than a quiet dark horse on the road to the Oscars. But now that the feature has finally reached theatres in Los Angeles and New York City, it's clearer than ever that Kathryn Bigelow's masterpiece is a force to be reckoned with. The only minor flaw with the film appears during a short lull in the third act. As a movie where the end result is predetermined, the whole "Maya vs. the world"  subplot is taken the smallest bit too far. The entire audience already knows that President Obama eventually gives the green light on the raid but after investing over two hours into the film, Bigelow continues to harp on the notion that many higher ups involved questioned Maya's certainty. Just as the feature begins a slight decline, Zero Dark Thirty abruptly refocuses and gets back on course with an edge-of-your-seat finale.

While some will inevitably rummage through Zero Dark Thirty in hopes of finding a political agenda, the truth is one doesn't exist. Yes, the movie touches on the idea that enhanced interrogation techniques were used in order to obtain valuable intelligence, but who can argue the greater effectiveness of such actions? Yet, Zero Dark Thirty mindfully avoids addressing the even bigger question, is it worth it? Acknowledging some Hollywood dramatization, it's important to view the film in an entertainment-only context. Although we will never know the whole truth behind the decade long hunt for Osama Bin Laden, Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty gives us a captivating and realistic story to cling to. Due out in theatres all across the country on January 11th, 2013, this is one Oscar contender you won't want to miss.


Stars: 4 stars out of 4

Grade: A

Les Miserables

Film: Les Miserables

Starring: Hugh Jackman (Real Steel), Russell Crowe (Robin Hood) and Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises)

Director: Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)

U.S. Release: December 25th, 2012 (Rated PG-13)

Genre: Musical/Drama

Runtime: 158 minutes


The last time director Tom Hooper gave us an Oscar contender, he ended up winning Best Director and Best Picture for 2010's The King Speech. This year, Hooper returns with a slightly more difficult task with his adaption of the Broadway musical Les Miserables. Attempting to revolutionize the way musicals are transformed into major motion pictures by filming the actors singing live on set, Hooper finds staunch competition from other major contenders such as Steven Spielberg's Lincoln and Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty. Now, having had a chance to finally see Les Miserables for myself, I sense its Oscar hopes dwindling.

Set throughout 19th-century France, Jean Valjean (played by Hugh Jackman) is a former prisoner who decides to break his parole in hopes of creating a new identity and devoting his life to god. Hunted for over a decade by an officer of the law named Javert (played by Russell Crowe), Valjean agrees to care for the child of a deathly-ill former factory worker named Fantine (played by Anne Hathaway). Desperate to put his past behind him, Valjean raises the young girl in seclusion and fear that Javert will eventually find him and reveal his true identity.

Rather than delivering a truly great film, Tom Hooper's Les Miserables feels more like a sporadic collection of great moments. As a longtime admitted fan of the Broadway musical, my anticipation for Hooper's interpretation of Victor Hugo's groundbreaking story couldn't be put into words. For starters, the director should be commended for his casting decisions of Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Jackman. Without this heavily talented trio, Les Miserables could have been a huge disaster. Jackman serves as the film's leading star and performs the role of Jean Valjean admirably. Furthermore, fast-rising star Eddie Redmayne (My Week with Marilyn) astonishes and becomes a major saving grace in the second half of the feature. But when you hear about performances from Tom Hooper's Les Miserables, the most talked about role has been Anne Hathway's turn as Fantine. Many have declared Hathaway the frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actress race and, truth be told, she's every bit as good as advertised. In many ways, her character's onscreen death begins a steady decline in the overall project. In addition to Hooper's cast, the director gives a praiseworthy effort himself. Much different from seeing the musical on a stage, Hooper's in-your-face camera work allows the audience to experience the story in a completely original style. Through the inclusion of a stellar cast, innovative direction and convincing costumes and makeup, Les Miserables serves an enjoyable adaptation of the legendary Broadway musical.

Although Tom Hooper's Les Miserables is guaranteed to satisfy its hardcore fan-base, there are many obvious flaws in the film. First, the movie feels every bit as long as its two hour and 38 minute running time suggests. While viewing the feature, you begin to appreciate the lengthy intermission given to the Broadway musical. Never having an opportunity to break up the film, Les Miserables becomes a slow-paced affair that noticeably weakens in its second half. Furthermore, many questions should be raised about Hooper's decision to cast both Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried. Crowe never really fits the role of Javert, and such an integral character demands a better performance. As for Seyfried's turn as Cosette, she makes it difficult to buy into the love at first sight romance between her and Eddie Redmayne's Marius. A crawling journey to the film's finale and some vital casting decisions prove that Les Miserables is nowhere near the Best Picture Oscar contender that many, including myself, envisioned.

I expect non-fans of musicals to find very little satisfaction in Tom Hooper's Les Miserables. The feature is intended to appease its already biased fan-base more so than the average moviegoer. Unless you are familiar with the musical or thoroughly motivated to see the movie, I would recommend taking a pass on Les Miserables.  And while Anne Hathaway should be reason enough to take a chance on the movie, her minimal amount of face time makes it a difficult argument to stand behind. With countless big time releases set to ring in the new year, you're better served checking out other films like The Impossible and Django Unchained.


Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-

Django Unchained

Film: Django Unchained

Starring: Jamie Foxx (Horrible Bosses), Christoph Waltz (Water for Elephants) and Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar)

Director: Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

U.S. Release: December 25th, 2012 (Rated R)

Genre: Action/Western

Runtime: 166 minutes


Having won an Oscar for his Pulp Fiction screenplay in 1995, most people recognize Quentin Tarantino for his rare style of direction. Although the Academy has yet to reward him for any of his countless directorial highlights, Tarantino has become an undoubted legend in the eyes of many moviegoers. Some wonder if Tarantino's newest release, Django Unchained, will be the one to finally get him over the hump. Despite the film's unique tone and unbridled sense of originality, unfortunately, I don't see Tarantino walking away with the golden statue.

Two years before the start of the Civil War, a German-born bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (played by Christoph Waltz) is fresh on the trail of his latest target, the Brittle brothers. Unaware of what they look like, Schultz tracks down a slave named Django (played by Jamie Foxx) to help identify the fugitives. In return, Schultz promises to help Django find and rescue his enslaved wife from the Calvin Candie (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) plantation.

As an outspoken voice against a fair share of director Quentin Tarantino's earlier films, I must admit that his latest work, Django Unchained, is about as fun and entertaining as cinema gets. Tarantino's stylish vision comes to life and transcends the norm in modern day filmmaking. Through the use of a fantastic score, skilled acting and stunning cinematography, Django Unchained becomes the perfect stage for the director to stamp his place in history. In fact, for such an impressive collection of cast members, the performances actually take a back seat to Tarantino's exemplary work. In addition to his direction, Tarantino also delivers a well-rounded script. Solid dialogue, witty circumstance and an evolving plot allow for Django Unchained to never lose its flare. Well paced and surprisingly hilarious, the film's fine cast is simply the icing on the cake. Without a doubt, Christoph Waltz gives the feature's most significant performance. It's interesting to recall that the last time Waltz teamed up with Quentin Tarantino, it resulted in a Best Supporting Actor win for the performer. Perhaps history will repeat itself? If not, a nomination for the same category is completely warranted. Therefore, it's clear to see that, from top to bottom, Django Unchained is an outstanding movie.

For as spectacular of a feat as Quentin Tarantino's most recent film is, Django Unchained still has two distinct areas of concern. First, the over-extended conclusion quickly turns on itself and ends up feeling slightly anti-climactic. As a two hour and 46 minute affair, Django Unchained proves to be a little too long for its own good. Tarantino decides to stretch the finale in order to cater to his self-proclaimed Spaghetti Western genre. With enough blood and violence to make a slasher film jealous, Django Unchained's brutally disgusting third act becomes way too overbearing. You know it's troubling when even I think that the gore-fest is completely unnecessary and over-the-top. Although Tarantino's style and vision is phenomenal, the cavalier manner in which he concludes his film is clearly a deterrent to the entire project.

In the works since 2009, coincidentally Django Unchained is very similar to Tarantino's earlier picture Inglourious Basterds. With clear overlapping ideas of revenge and social prejudice, the director's newest release is far superior than its predecessor. Tarantino improves on past mistakes and gives us Django Unchained, an energetic and spellbinding adventure that doesn't disappoint. Staking its claim as a legitimate Oscar contender, Django Unchained is one of 2012's "can't miss" films. Assuming you can stomach the violence, rush to theatres to check out Tarantino's latest masterpiece.


Stars: 3 and a half stars out of 4.

Grade: B+

2012's Most Underrated Performances

Many of us have skimmed over the SAG, Critics' Choice and Golden Globe Nominations, so we know who is most likely to take home the big-time Oscar Nominations. But having seen nearly 100 films released in 2012 alone, I can vouch for so many great performances that will most likely go unrecognized. Here's my collection on 2012's ten most underrated performances:

#10  Dev Patel (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel)

As a film about a quirky group of senior citizens who travel to India to spend their retirement in a less-than-impressive establishment, most will remember The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the onscreen work of it's elderly cast. However, Dev Patel gives a heartwarming performance as Sonny Kapoor, a love-stricken hotel manager desperate to make it as a businessman. Completely under-appreciated, Patel is one of the film's most glowing characters. 

#9  Aubrey Plaza (Safety Not Guaranteed)

One of the year's finest offerings was the indie sci-fi comedy Safety Not Guaranteed. At the center of the rare gem was its leading lady Aubrey Plaza. Plaza stars as Darius, a Seattle Magazine intern who weasels her way into the "mission" of a supposed whack-o looking for a partner for time travel. Plaza proves to be a gifted actress who elevates Safety Not Guaranteed into a top tier film with her fine acting chops. Basically a non-factor in the Best Actress race, I'm sure that Plaza will eventually find the appropriate role to land her in that type of stratosphere.

#8  Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks)

There have been two big underdog movies that I've pushed for this year. One was the aforementioned Safety Not Guaranteed, and the other was writer Zoe Kazan's Ruby Sparks. From the directors of Little Miss Sunshine, Kazan not only wrote the feature, she starred in it as well. Playing an imagined literary character named Ruby Sparks who magically comes to life, Kazan's film proved to be one of the year's most creative and well crafted releases. The talented young actress gave a glaring performance as the vulnerable and naive title character. 

#7  Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises)

Another female finding her way onto my list of the year's most underrated performances is Anne Hathaway. Ironically, Hathaway is already in line to win the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in Tom Hooper's Les Miserables. Yet, Hathaway's dynamic and impressive role in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises deserves its fair share of praise as well. For the amount of screen time given to Hathaway's character, Selina Kyle, the effectiveness of The Dark Knight Rises truly hinged on her performance ... and she knocks it out of the park.

#6  Frank Langella (Robot & Frank)

In one of the year's most surprisingly lovable movies, Robot & Frank, long-time actor Frank Langella serves up another remarkable performance. Playing an aging ex-con in the twilight of his life, early stages of dementia force Frank's son to get him the latest in modern technology, a robot servant. But rather than use this hunk of metal to cook and clean like it was intended to, Frank teaches his new robot friend how to crack a safe. Then, the duo decide to steal some valuables, all while become the main target of the local authority's investigation. Langella's acting is, once again, superb and the movie's charm benefits greatly from his role.

#5  Pauline Collins (Quartet)

Years from now, many will remember 2012's Quartet for one main reason, it's the directorial debut of Academy Award Winner Dustin Hoffman. On the other hand, I will remember the official Philadelphia Film Festival selection for the efforts given by its supporting star Pauline Collins. Centering around an upscale retirement home for renowned musicians, Pauline Collins keeps the laughs coming with her role as Cissy. Occasionally senile and off her rocker, Cissy's wild antics keep Quartet feeling fresh and energetic throughout its otherwise average storyline.   

#4  Michael Fassbender (Prometheus)

For as much flack as I've given Ridley Scott's Prometheus, I'll also be the first to mention how phenomenal of a job Michael Fassbender did as the robot David. By far the most intriguing character of the film, David mystifies the audience and becomes the center of many of the movie's debates. Fassbender steals the show and serves as the saving grace to a rather frustrating piece of filmmaking by director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Damon Lindelof.


#3  Benicio Del Tor (Savages)

With a cringe-worthy finale that will irritate just about anybody, Oliver Stone's Savages needed a big helping hand. Lucky for Stone, Benicio Del Toro's amazing performance did just that. Starring as the Mexican cartel's muscle, Lado, Del Toro's despicable on screen behavior results in a collection of memorable scenes. By giving a villain that matches up with some of the best in recent memory, Del Toro does his best to salvage Savages.


#2  Sam Rockwell (Seven Psychopaths)

The picture above just about says it all. Martin McDonagh's second effort, Seven Psychopaths, was clearly one of 2012's wildest rides. Rockwell gives an unforgettable supporting role that continually raises the absurdity bar. Starring as Billy, the psychopathic best friend of a struggling screenwriter, Rockwell plays the part to perfection. Deserving of a better awards' season fate than he's sure to receive, Rockwell is definitely the strongest character in one of the year's funniest and most notable pictures.


#1  Ezra Miller (The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

At the top of 2012's list of the most underrated performances is Ezra Miller for his work in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Miller, who also landed on 2011's list as well, continues to elevate his level and delivers another unbelievable performance as Patrick in Stephen Chbosky's film. Displaying his versatility as an eccentric homosexual high school student, Miller shows another dimension to his acting ability. Previously shining as a troubled high school teen in last year's We Need to Talk About Kevin, Miller's range only widens with his efforts here. Ezra Miller is an ever-growing talent and I recommend checking out his work in The Perks of Being a Wallflower to get ahead of the curve.

2012's Most Overrated Films

Looking back over the past 12 months, I can say with all sincerity that 2012 was a great year for movies. But despite each and every excellent film we had the pleasure of enjoying this year, there were still a few disappointments that stood out. Here's a look back at some of 2012's most overrated films.

#5  Prometheus

Many critics and hardcore fans of the Alien franchise battled the course of logic and praised Ridley Scott's return to the universe with Prometheus. The Summer blockbuster managed to gross an astounding $126.5 million in box office revenue, but somehow it still ended up feeling a bit overrated and over-hyped. Scott and writer Damon Lindelof wanted Prometheus to serve as an uninformative platform of discussion for avid fans of the series to try and piece together the puzzle. That's something that I would rather not have a part in.

#4  Hitchcock

Earlier in the year, Fox Searchlight Pictures truly believed they had an Oscar contender with Sacha Gervasi's Hitchcock. So convinced, in fact, that they pushed up its release date months ahead to November in order to maximize the Oscar buzz surrounding the film. Outside of Helen Mirren, who is clearly a legitimate Oscar contender in the Best Actress category, Hitchcock is an oversold and uninspiring piece of work. Nothing more than a drama about a self-conscious genius' struggling marriage, Hitchcock is far from what we had hoped it would be.

#3  Pitch Perfect

Many may be surprised to know that the Glee-style film Pitch Perfect scored an impressive Rotten Tomatoes rating of 80% and tallied $65 million in box office sales. Even some misguided critics are trying to sell the movie as one of the year's best. To be honest, Pitch Perfect is everything you'd expect it to be. The movie does offer the occasional laugh and some rather enjoyable musical sequences but, on the other hand, Pitch Perfect is a paper-thin plot that tries a little too hard. 

#2  The Grey

Taking in over $50 million in ticket sales and receiving a 79% approval rate from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, The Grey had moviegoers everywhere very intrigued. The idea of Liam Neeson surviving a plane crash and fighting wolves for two hours seemed like a pretty good time. Truth be told, The Grey is a slow moving drama packed with too much dialogue and not enough wolf punching. To make matters worse, even the movie's finale is anti-climactic. Disappointing and lacking the true action it deserves, The Grey is clearly one of 2012's most overrated features.

#1  Life of Pi

For all of the overrated films of the year, none have the Oscar expectations of Ang Lee's Best Picture contender Life of Pi. Favored by 89% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes and already grossing north of $75 million in box office revenue, Life of Pi seems to have been lauded by just about everyone other than me. However, I found the movie to be an imposing and lifeless tale of survival. Life of Pi's hollow story and over-extended run time can't be salvaged by Ang Lee's amazing visual mastery. But outside of being a spectacular visionary feat, Life of Pi is very mediocre at best. Therefore, this undeserving Oscar contender is 2012's most overrated film.

2012's Most Underrated Films

As the year closes, you can expect to see all different kinds of "lists" concerning this year's cinematic offerings. To kick off my year-end frenzy, I'll begin with 2012's most underrated releases. My main criteria for this list looked at the box office totals for my favorite films of the year. My list includes five of 2012's best movies that never even reached $5 million at the box office. Enjoy.

#5  Goon ($4.2 million box office)

We all remember Seann William Scott as American Pie's Stifler, but in 2012 he gave us another memorable character as Goon's Doug Glatt. Working as a bouncer at a bar and looking for his niche in life, Doug Glatt's best skill is his ability to give beat-downs. Therefore, when Glatt finds his way into the amateur hockey circuit as a goon and an enforcer, he finally finds his life's purpose. Hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt, Goon offers everything you could ask for in a satisfying sports comedy.

#4  Robot & Frank ($3.3 million box office)

The extensive career of Frank Langella pressed on in 2012 with his fine work in the semi-futuristic comedy Robot & Frank. Langella stars Frank, an aging ex-con with a knack for cracking safes. As his dementia continues to worsen, Frank's son surprises him with the latest in modern technology ... a robot servant. Rather than use the robot for its intended purposes, Frank teaches the machine the art of robbery. Building a special friendship in the process, Frank and his robot pull off a heist and attempt to thwart local law enforcement.


#3  Ruby Sparks ($2.5 million box office)

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris followed up their 2006 major motion picture debut, Little Miss Sunshine, with an even better sophomore effort. Ruby Sparks follows Calvin (played by Paul Dano), a young struggling novelist who keeps failing to reach the same masterful heights as his first literary work. When Calvin dreams up a new female character for his novel named Ruby Sparks (played by Zoe Kazan), he begins to fall in love with her. Things take an even stranger turn when Calvin awakes one morning to find Ruby living inside of him house ... in the flesh. A fantastic and imaginative comedy, Ruby Sparks is a thought-provoking and realistic examination of human relationships.


#2  Safety Not Guaranteed ($4 million box office)

Aubrey Plaza has officially placed herself on the map with her fantastic role in the sci-fi drama Safety Not Guaranteed. Plaza stars as a magazine intern named Darius who is asked to infiltrate the life of a supposed nut-case who placed an advertisement looking for a partner for time travel. The deeper Darius gets pulled into the story, the more she begins to think that he isn't so crazy. With glaring performances, a strong story and no shortage of laughs, Safety Not Guaranteed is clearly one of 2012's rare gems.


#1  Perfect Sense (less that $1 million box office)

My list of the year's most underrated films is topped by a small BBC indie film called Perfect Sense, starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green. A chef (McGregor) and an Epidemiologist (Green) begin to fall in love as an unknown illness sweeps across the entire globe, affecting the rich and poor alike. Unable to escape it, the illness slowly destroys everyone's senses one at a time. An apocalyptic romance like no other, Perfect Sense is an eye-opening journey that serves as a much needed reminder that love is the greatest sense of all.

New Trailers

There once was a time when their loyal female fan-bases bickered over who was really the "Sexiest Man Alive". Now, Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper face off in Derek Cianfrance's (Blue Valentine) latest crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines. Gosling stars as Luke, a motorcycle stunt driver who decides to use his skill set in order to rob a bank and provide for his family. As Luke continues to push his boundaries, he also becomes the focal point of an ambitious police officer named Avery Cross (played by Cooper) who intends on bringing him to justice.





Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Jim Carrey and Alan Arkin round out an oddball cast in the upcoming comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Over the years, lifelong magician Burt Wonderstone (played by Carell) and his partner Anton Lovecraft (played by Buscemi) have let their routine lose its flavor. Instead, up-and-comer Steve Gray (played by Carrey) has taken everyone by storm, staking his claim as the world's latest and greatest magician. Broke and desperate to restore his glory, Wonderstone turns to his childhood mentor Rance Hanson (played by Alan Arkin) to see the error of his ways and return the passion and zest to his routine.