Easy A (2010)

This is a comedy film directed by Will Gluck. The film is great and enjoyable. Emma Stone, who plays main character, is just fabulous. The script and dialogues are real and interesting thanks to Bert V. Royal. The film was partially inspired by The Scarlet Letter (1850) and it refers to this story a couple of times.

Olive Penderghast, played by fabulous Emma Stone, lies to her best friend about sex with a handsome college guy. The rumour spreads around their school really fast and soon whole school knows how she has lost her virginity. The guys who she has never spoken before start noticing her. Suddenly, she becomes very popular.

Her gay friend Brandon asks her to pretend to sleep with him and soon other guys ask the same. Olive becomes a “dirty skank” and in order to embrace her new identity she stitches scarlet “A” (as in The Scarlet Letter) to all her clothes.

I am glad that I have watched this film. Before watching, I hesitated thinking that it will be some girly teen film with loads of drama. But, to my surprise, I have discovered such an incredible actress like Emma Stone. I have enjoyed her entire performance and I think I should give credits to film director as well.

You can watch this film with your teenage children. You will definitely enjoy it!

Reviewer’s rating: 8.0 out of 10

Incendies (2010)

This is a Quebec film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve. It is the hardest and most emotional film I have seen in last couple of month. If you are not used to shocking endings and looking for easily-forgettable film, then this film is not for you. Watch anything, but not this. I am still under impression after I have watched it and will be for a long time.

The story is about twin brother and sister following mysterious will left by their mother. She has not spoken for a couple of years and they do not know why she ceased talking. They travel to her past and face revelations so harsh and sad that these will inadvertently roll tears in your eyes.

Film-director has done a great job, but the greatest role in success of this film is its story which was based on play written by Wajdi Mouawad. Incredible, yet realistic, it takes place in imaginary country and the war is imaginary. But I have done some research and found out that the country and war are very similar to Lebanon and Lebanese civil war (Wajdi Mouawad was born in Lebanon.)

You will see all brutalities and atrocities of war in this film: rape, murder, a child taken from mother, a mother burned alive in front of her child’s eyes, etc. I should mention actors’ excellent performances which provide film and story with realism. Nawal Marwan, main character and mother of twins was immaculately delivered by Lubna Azabal.

If you are looking for an unforgettable and impressive film, then go for Incendies. It has the capacity to change a person and bring something new to their life. It is surely not a family film. Watch it with friends and be ready for tears!

Reviewer’s rating: 9.5 out of 10

The Chameleon (2010)

The director of “The Chameleon” is Jean-Paul Salomé. It is based on true story from the life of Frederic Bourdin, French serial impostor, who was nicknamed “The Chameleon” by press. In 1990s he impersonated missing child Nicholas in Texas, and has been arrested and jailed. The names, years and places in the film are altered. The story seems incredible, yet while watching you understand that such things really happen.

I will tell you a little about the story. A young man (Mark-Andre Grondin) is found on the road in France. After a week of silence at hospital, at last he is able to speak and narrate his story. He claims to be an American boy, Nicholas Mark Randall who disappeared four years ago. He says that he was kidnapped, raped and tortured by child prostitution ring in France and was physically altered to be unrecognizable.

He now has a French accent and different eye colour. Nicholas’ sister Kathy Jansen (Emilie de Ravin) travels from the United States to France to take him back. His mother, Kimberly Miller (Ellen Barkin) and half-brother Brendan Kerrigan (Nick Stahl) do not accept him. FBI agent Jennifer Johnson (Famke Janssen) suspects that the man is impostor. While she seeks proofs, the story of real Nicholas starts to emerge.

Though in the end many questions remain unanswered and the scenes seem erratically paced, in my opinion, the film depicts the way things happened in real; the real story was as unclear for real characters as it is, for film viewers. It is difficult to understand certain details throughout the film as if somebody hides something, but again this seems rather intentional.

Overall, I think “The Chameleon” is a good watch in the company of friends. If you like crime films, you will surely enjoy this film. But be prepared for some confusion!

Reviewer’s rating: 6.5 out of 10

Rio (2011)

“Rio” is an animation film directed by Carlos Saldanha. It is colourful and beautifully made with lots of exotic animals (mainly birds) and music. The story mainly takes place in Rio, and Rio, of course, cannot be depicted without Carnival and Christ the Redeemer. I loved the colours and animation itself, but the story left no impression on me. It was not special or interesting. It was just a story among many stories.

A small, male blue macaw is found and adopted by child Linda Gunderson. 15 years later both Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Linda (Leslie Mann) are grown-ups living in Moose Lake, Minnesota. The other birds ridicule Blu, because he is a pet and cannot fly. They are visited by ornithologist, Túlio Monteiro (Rodrigo Santoro) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who claims that Blu is the last male of his species. He wants to take him to Brazil to mate female macaw.

Though hesitant, Linda agrees and they are flown to Rio. There, Blu meets different birds, and more importantly he meets Jewel (Anne Hathaway), female macaw. But they both get kidnapped by a group of smugglers and this is how their adventure begins.

The story is quite predictable. When it is revealed that Blu cannot fly, it is absolutely clear that in the end at a very crucial moment he suddenly and magically will be able to fly. Or it is predictable from the very start that the story will have a happy ending and macaws will fall in love with each other. So as I said there is nothing special about the story.

“Rio” is a good watch for children, but not for the adults. Still if you are a family person, you might like to watch it with your children, because children will add a colour to the film.

Reviewer’s rating: 6.5 out of 10

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

“Hotel Rwanda” was directed by Terry George, and is a great film. It has been nominated for various awards. The film and story has similarity with “Schindler’s List” and as “Schindler’s list” it is based on true story. During Rwandan Genocide in 1994, the man named Paul Rusesabagina used his influence as the manager of Hotel des Mille Collines and saved 1268 people by sheltering them in the hotel.

Rwandan Genocide was not committed by another nation, but, by one brother against the other. Hutu and Tutsi peoples are described as two tribes, yet, in my opinion, they are just brothers and sisters divided by foreign invaders. It reminds me of old Latin saying “Divide et impera”, meaning “Divide and rule”. This is what German and Belgium rules did to Rwanda. As it is mentioned in the film, Belgians even measured noses in order to divide people, who had so much in common.

Paul (Don Cheadle) is a Hutu, but his wife Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo) is Tutsi. Paul is a very professional hotel manager, who is discreet, knows how to handle things and has a “style”. As the situation in the country worsens, Paul brings up his family and neighbours to the hotel and shelters them. Many refugees come to the hotel for shelter. Paul cannot turn them away.

European colonial powers that gave birth to this conflict are not there when people get killed everywhere around. All foreign nationals get evacuated, while Rwandans sheltered in the hotel stay behind watching them to leave. Though I knew what is going to happen, I was utterly disappointed to see how people were left not just to die, but, to be brutally killed.

The actors’ performances are so good that characters make us to sympathize with them and feel their pain, worry and despair. Thanks to actors’ acting skills and director’s marvelous work, the film is a great watch. In terms of Rwandan Genocide it is quite informative as well.

Reviewer’s rating: 8.5 out of 10   

The Orphanage (2007) (El Orfanato)

“El Orfanato” is a film debut of Spanish film director Juan Antonio Bayona. The film was produced by his good friend Guillermo del Toro. “The Orphanage” has some similarity with Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”, but it has more elements of horror.

The film grips from the start and keeps viewers tense till the end. The scenes are well-paced and each scene makes viewers to expect something bad. Three things that make a great film are all present in “The Orphanage”. The director has done a marvelous job. The performances, especially Belén Rueda’s acting, are excellent. But more importantly, the story itself is great and incredible. The story makes film not just a horror film, but, sad and heartbreaking story of mother. It takes place in Spain.

Laura (Belén Rueda) and her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo) together with their seven-year-old adopted son, Simon move to the house of her childhood – orphanage, where she lived until her adoption. She wants to reopen orphanage for disabled children. But soon we find out that this is not an ordinary house.

Everything that makes a perfect horror house is present in this film; ghosts of children, cracking floors and doors and other strange noises. The combination of these stuff and other clever directorial maneuvers build the tension up throughout the film. I do not want to tell more about the film, because it is better to watch it without any idea what will happen to the characters.

I enjoyed "The Orphanage" very much and it left a lasting impression on me. You will definitely enjoy this film, but if you do not like horror films, then it is not for you. It is better watch something else.

Reviewer’s rating: 8.5 out of 10

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010)

This is an animation film directed by Zack Snyder and based on the books “Guardians of Ga’Hoole” by Kathryn Lasky. Beside than having owls as the main characters, in my opinion, nothing is special about this animation. It is about the usual fight between good and evil and expected victory of good over evil.

Soren (Jim Sturgess) is a young barn owl. He lives with his parents, older brother Kludd (Ryan Kwanten) and younger sister Eglantine (Adrienne DeFaria) in the forest. His father tells his children the stories of Guardians of Ga’Hoole. They are mythical group of warrior owls. In the past they saved all owlkind from the evil “Pure Ones”. Does it remind you of anything? Oh, right. Nazis.

One night in the forest Soren and his brother Kludd are kidnapped by two owls. The owls bring them to the home of evil Pure Ones. There, many little owls kidnapped from various places are turned into slaves. Those who do not protest and who are weak are sent to be pickers. While stronger, faster and obedient owls get trained and become soldiers.

Though barely able to fly, Soren and his little friend Gylfie escape from slavery. They fly after Guardians of Ga’Hoole in order to bring help, inform them about evil Pure Ones’ plans and save little owlets.

This is an enjoyable film for children and might be a little bit boring for adults. As different kinds of owls were depicted in the film, those who love owls and can distinguish one kind from another will definitely enjoy it, too.

Reviewer's rating: 6.5 out of 10

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

The mere name of director speaks a lot about the film itself. “Inglourious Basterds” was directed by sadistic Quentin Tarantino, who loves scenes full of blood and death. Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger and Melanie Laurent portrayed main characters.

The film is almost a parody to war films. It is quite amusing and enjoyable. If you want to watch semi-serious non-historical film full of blood and cruelty, then this film is for you. But if you cannot watch films that are not based on historical facts, then do not watch it. It is totally useless.

The film was nominated for numerous awards and I do not understand why. Of course, Tarantino is a talented director and the film is good. But good is not enough even for nomination and in my opinion, most of those accolades/ nominations were quite exaggerated.

The film starts with original, sad, cruel, shocking scenes in which Shosanna Dreyfus’ (Melanie Laurent) whole family hiding underneath the floor of farmer’s house gets killed by Nazi. Nazi colonel, cruel and cynical Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) lets Shosanna escape. It takes place in France in 1941 during World War II.

Then we move to American Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), who leads team of Jewish-American soldiers to enemy country in order to kill and scare off German officers. Lt. Raine tells his soldiers that they each owe him 100 Nazi scalps.

Our main good characters never meet, but they fight for the same purpose. When we meet Shosanna again, she is an owner of cinema and her new name is Emmanuelle Mimieux. Unexpected turns and twists gather all our good characters and many high-ranking Nazi officials including Hitler in Shosanna’s cinema. This gives her an opportunity for revenge.

I enjoyed Waltz’s performance, though was surprised to see how his well-worked out character was spoilt and destroyed in the end. Tarantino turned him from gruesome killer into silly and naïve commoner and this is where he made a mistake. Lt. Raine’s moustache and false accent were annoying, but worked well with his character.

You will definitely enjoy this film in the company of your friends. Do not take it serious!

Reviewer’s rating: 7.0 out of 10

The Last Airbender (2010)

This film is based on “Avatar: The Last Airbender” TV series for children aired for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. I loved these series! The idea, quotes, wisdom, stories, characters, all were perfectly worked out and each season brought only fascination and joy of watching.

I had those TV series on my mind when I strived for watching this film (I am sure many others thought like me, thus film earned lots of money). I was utterly and highly disappointed from the beginning of the film. “The Last Airbender” is an example of how beautiful and amazing masterpiece can easily be spoilt by wrong filming and wrong person. I call it masterpiece, because an animation so incredible designed for children makes adults to watch it with pleasure as well.

The film was directed or I should say ruined by M. Night Shyamalan. If you are familiar with TV series, you probably know about four human nations (Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Kingdom and the Air Nomads), that the world is divided into, in the story. Each nation has one of four natural elements: water, earth, fire and air. The lives of people in each nation are based on these elements.

Benders are people who can control and manipulate the element of their nation using martial arts. There is only one person in the world, who can bend all four elements: Avatar. He is the spiritual entity of the world that keeps peace reincarnating into the next nation every time after the death and learning to bend each element from the start in each of his lives.

When Aang, young airbender is told that he is an Avatar, surprised and sad that he cannot be like everybody else, he leaves the Air temple with his flying bison Appa and gets stuck and frozen in ice for 100 years. While the person who keeps peace between all nations is away (people believe he is dead), Fire nation starts a war invading and capturing other nations and benders.

Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone) are brother and sister from the water tribe, who find Aang (Noah Ringer), the Avatar. This is where the film starts. Whole film is rushed over the first “Book”, which is also season and depth of characters, the wisdom, stories, motives and arts are lost in this rush. The scenes are paced irrationally. The performances are dull and unlikable and the script is garbage. Aang in series smiled a lot, but Noah Ringer seemed confused and concentrated on being something special. Fire nation, that was depicted with squinty eyes and white in series, turned out to be Indian. Beside than intentional mistakes, there were number of unintentional wrongs in the film. For example, Earthbenders were trapped in Earth and they did not fight back. Where on earth did Kyoshi warriors go?

Any person, who is not familiar with series, will get even more confused than those, who are familiar. Do not watch this film unless somebody threatens you with death. Instead watch TV series, which you will most definitely enjoy with your family.

Reviewer's rating: 4.0 out of 10     

City of God (2002) (Cidade de Deus)

“Cidade de Deus” is a Brazilian film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. All characters are real, and the film is based on true events. It is an adaptation of same name novel written by Paul Lins. The film won numerous awards. Though the story is cruel, violent and shocking, directors gave “Cidade de Deus” some kind of legerity making it quite interesting.

The story is narrated by Buscapé nicknamed Rocket (At different ages, the roles are played by different actors.), a young man, who grew up in the Cidade de Deus and the only person, who seems to be keeping away from gang wars, drug dealing and trafficking. He dreams about becoming a photographer. Yet, his story is not essential. He narrates the story of others.

Cidade de Deus is a neighbourhood near Rio de Janeiro. The film covers period of time from the end of 60s to the beginning of 80s and growth of organized crime during that time. It starts with an original and admiringly simple scene of an armed gang following running chicken. The time stops when Rocket comes across the gang and we go back to the 60s. In my opinion, it is a strong and beautiful start for a film.

After witnessing destructing poverty and cold-blooded massacre of motel inhabitants by sociopath child Zé Pequeno, we jump into the 70s. Zé Pequeno and his best friend Benny are grown up now. They have established a drug empire by eliminating all other competitors. Despite power, Zé is not successful with women and his sociopathic nature cannot cope with it. His actions give a start to the war between the gangs.

“Cidade de Deus” is a breathtaking film, which you will most definitely enjoy. The story of the film is so original, incredible and shocking that even if there were lacks in directing or actors’ performances, you would hardly notice. But directors and actors have done a marvelous job. The scenes are well-paced and well-thought. Only one role was played by a professional actor. The rest of characters were played by real-life favelas, what makes film even more interesting since their performances are amazing.

This film is a great watch in the company of friends. Be prepared for violence!

Reviewer’s rating: 9.0 out of 10

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) (El Laberinto del Fauno)

This is a Mexican fantasy-drama film written and directed by Mexican director, Guillermo del Toro. The film won numerous awards. Everything, starting from soundtracks and ending with scenes, is perfectly worked out in the film.

The story itself is beautiful and touching. As in many films of this type, darkness – real world and light – fairy tale, are interwoven in the story. It starts with a fairy tale of Princess Moanna who left her father’s underworld kingdom for the surface, never returned and died as a human. The king believed that one day her spirit will come back and ordered to leave open the doors to the surface.

After this sad story, we switch to 1944, post-civil war Spain of Franco’s rule. Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a young girl who loves reading and fairy tales, travels with her pregnant mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil) to remote army base to join her stepfather  Captain Vidal (Sergi López i Ayats). Captain is a cruel character, who kills innocent people and has nothing good inside. The only person, who he seems to love, is his to-be-born son. But this is just an illusion. This love appears to be just an obsession. The moment he meets Ofelia, his gruesome personality becomes apparent.

On the night of their arrival to the army base, little insect, which Ofelia believes to be a fairy, leads her to the labyrinth, where she meets Faun. This grotesque creature tells her that she is that long-lost Princess Moanna. In order to return to the underworld kingdom, she should implement three tasks. One of these tasks is to get a dagger from the lair of the Pale Man, who eats children. Despite these atrocious details, the real world of her stepfather and ill mother is much more disturbing.

The ending is sad and moving. My adult part understood the reality as it is, while my childish part believed in what turned out to be the end. The director’s work and actors’ performances are excellent. The scenes, make-up, images, soundtracks, characters, dresses, hairstyles and many other things are highly well-thought and flawlessly made.

The film is a great watch in the company of friends. Though, it is based on fairy tale and young girl’s life, “Pan’s labyrinth” is not a film for children, or a family watch. Be prepared for strong emotions and some tears.

Reviewer’s rating: 9.0 out of 10

The Way (2010)

“The Way” is a drama film directed by Martin Sheen’s son Emilio Estevez. They play father and son in the film as well. The film is a bit boring and simple and basically it promotes pilgrimage. But, if you are a believing Christian, and you have never been to El Camino, then it worth watching.

Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) is an American ophthalmologist. While playing golf with friends, he is phoned and informed about his son Daniel’s death. Daniel was caught by storm in the Pyrenees while walking the El Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It is believed that Apostle Saint James was buried in there. The other name of this route is the Way of St. James.

Tom travels to France to retrieve Daniel’s body. After the cremation, he takes his son’s ashes and as homage to Daniel decides to walk the same route together with him. On his way he meets Sarah (Deborah Kara Unger), Irish writer Jack (James Nesbitt) and Dutch Joost (Yorick van Wageningen). Each of them has their own reason for taking the route. They travel together, and become friends. During this time, Tom contemplates over his life and relationship with Daniel. He releases Daniel’s ashes in different parts of the route.

Most of the spots and scenes chosen for filming were beautiful. Unfortunately, I cannot be positive about the actors’ performances as well. Martin Sheen showed very little emotion and grief. On the route (thus, throughout the film), his face’s expression was quite stiff and unreadable. Deborah Unger was somehow annoying with her constant smoking and I did not believe in anything she said. James Nesbitt overacted when he just arrived in the scene. I was not annoyed only by Yorick van Wageningen.

Still, this film is a good family and evening watch. Its simplicity is relaxing. Who knows, maybe after watching the film you will decide to take the same route. Enjoy!

Reviewer’s rating: 6.5 out of 10

Manuale D’amore 3 (2011) (Manual of Love)

“Manuale D’amore” is an Italian film directed by Giovanni Veronesi starring Robert De Niro and Monica Belucci. It is a sequel of Manuale D’amore (2005) and Manuale D’amore 2 – Capitoli successivi (2007). Though I did not watch first two films, I enjoyed watching this one.

The film consists of three parts each following a different couple and describing three times of love: youth (Giovinezza), maturity (Maturita) and beyond (Oltre). Young Cupid, who sometimes has too much make-up on his face, narrates the stories. All characters and stories in the film are related.

First couple –handsome Roberto (Riccardo Scamarcio) and beautiful Sara are deeply in love with each other. Roberto is a young lawyer, who is sent to seaside town in the province of Tuscany, Italy to convince a family to sell their house. There, among adorable simple Italian people he makes new friends and finds a new love. But, soon enough he understands that this love was not meant to be.

Fabio and Eliana are second, mature couple. Fabio has a loving wife and daughter. He meets an obsessive woman Eliana, who pretends to be a psychiatrist. He gives way to her manipulation and to their relationship. As a result, Fabio loses his family and job.

Third couple – Adrian (Robert De Niro) and Viola (Monica Belucci) are introduced to each other by Viola’s father, who is Adrian’s friend. Her father finds out that Viola worked as a stripper and has a huge dept. Here Adrian comes to a help.

The film and characters are quite ordinary and lively. Veronesi has done a great job by making film to reflect real life with its simple and at the same time complicated love stories. The story is romantic and relaxing. You can feel enjoyable Italian culture and passion throughout the film.

If you are tired of Hollywood-ish films, then “Manuale D’amore” is for you. It is a good watch with your other half. Enjoy!

Reviewer's rating: 6.5 out of 10

Despicable Me (2010)

This is an animation film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment directed by French director Pierre Coffin and American Chris Renaud. The film features actor Steve Carell’s voice, who is well-known for playing Michael Scott on “The Office”.

“Despicable me” is a funny and heart-warming film. Its main character aging Mr. Gru (Steve Carell) is evil-doer (similarity with Megamind) who possesses a weird house and ugly “dog”. He has a partner Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and big number of small and sweet minions in underground hideaway. At this place they plan evil deeds.

A young villain Vector steals the Great Pyramid of Giza and to outdo this evil deed Gru needs to do something bigger: to steal the Moon. He visits the Bank of Evil to get a new loan for his plan. He is refused, but offered to steal the shrink ray from East Asia facility in order to receive a loan.

Right after Gru gets shrink ray, it is stolen by nerdy Vector. Unable to enter Vector’s house, Gru watches three orphan girls getting inside to sell him cookies. He decides to adopt Margo, Edith and Agnes for the implementation of his evil plan.

Agnes reminded me of Boo from “Monsters, Inc.”. She is a cute and sweet creature much like Boo and they also have physical similarities. The orphan girls and minions bring warmness and cuteness to the film by balancing its evil and good.

“Despicable me” is a fun family film, which I highly recommend for children. You will surely enjoy not only the film, but also the soundtracks, especially the song “Despicable me”.

Reviewer's rating: 7.5 out of 10

The King's Speech (2010)

This is a British drama film directed by Tom Hooper starring Colin Firth. It is based on the real-life story of British monarch King George VI, father of Her Majesty the Queen. The King was played by Colin Firth, who as usual impeccably and beautifully delivered his role.

I love Colin Firth since his playing in “Pride and Prejudice” (1995, best ever filmed-version of Jane Austen’s same name novel) as Mr. Darcy. The role of King perfectly matches Firth’s handsome and noble face features and his charisma gives the story colour and beauty. This masterful performance is probably the role of his life. But, I hope Firth will gladden me with more powerful and flawless performances in future.

“The King’s Speech” received 12 Oscar nominations and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director (Tom Hooper), Best Actor (Colin Firth), and Best Original Screenplay (David Seidler). The film won many other awards. I agree that performances, directing and screenplay - three things, that I believe make a good film, were excellent; still, in my opinion, accolades received by film are quite exaggerated.

In terms of film’s story, I liked television film “Bertie and Elizabeth” (2002) more than “The King’s Speech”. Besides, once you know the story, film does not seem as interesting as it could be. And of course I knew the story.

For those, who still did not watch “The King’s Speech”, I will tell a little about the plot. The young stammering Prince Albert is unable to deliver speech in front of a big audience in Wembley stadium. His wife, Elizabeth persuades him to see Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), Australian speech therapist in London. Gradually, they become friends. Prince Albert becomes the king after the abdication of his brother Edward VIII and makes an important speech without stammer.

This is a dramatic story of a man with speech difficulty and huge responsibility, who struggles in order to take up his duty of making speeches and decisions for the people of his country. The film is a good watch in the company of friends. Enjoy!

Reviewer’s rating: 7.5 out of 10

True Grit (2010)

“True Grit” is an American Western film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen brothers. It is based on Charles Portis’ same name novel written in 1968. The story was previously filmed in 1969 by director Henry Hathaway (1898-1985). Unfortunately, I cannot compare this film to previous version as I have not seen it. But, since the story is good, this version of film is good as well.

The story is narrated by an elderly woman Mattie Ross. When she was 14 years old, her father was murdered by his hired worker Tom Chaney. He ran away to Indian territories with Mattie’s father’s horse and two California gold pieces. Young Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) is the main character of film. She is quite intelligent and confident for her age. Using her wit, Mattie easily manipulates adults around her to get what she wants.

Seeking for revenge, teenager hires U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to find Chaney and bring him for hanging. Rooster is known as having “true grit”. Another person, who wants to catch Chaney, is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who claims that Chaney killed the senator in Texas. Though Mattie, Rooster and LaBoeuf start this adventure together, they twice split up and take different routes.

Despite Hailee Steinfeld’s young age and the fact that this was her first role, in my opinion she perfectly delivered her role. Bridges makes film better by excellently performing his strong and ignorant character. Damon’s performance is also flawless. His character is not that likeable and moustache makes him somewhat different from his usual roles.

The film leaves positive impression in spite of numerous gunshot and dying-people scenes. Once more Coen brothers have done a good job. Though, I have to say, they could film a better ending.

“True Grit” is a great watch in the company of friends especially if they like Western films. Enjoy!

Reviewer’s rating: 7.5 out of 10

The Social Network (2010)

The film is about founding of Facebook and related lawsuits. It was directed by David Fincher. Jesse Eisenberg starred as the world’s youngest billionaire and founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. As it is obvious from their surnames, both Zuckerberg and Eisenberg are Jewish and both guys are redheads. In my opinion, Eisenberg is much more handsome than Zuckerberg.

I hesitated to watch “The Social Network” and believed that it will be another boring film about the guy who made loads of money. But film nicely surprised me and I think Eisenberg’s charisma played a huge role in it. Also, writer Aaron Sorkin and director Fincher both have done a marvelous job and made the story more interesting with two timelines connected through back and forth flashbacks.

In the past, in 2003, Mark gets dumped by his girlfriend Erica Albright (Rooney Mara) and returns to his Harvard dorm room drunk where he blogs that she is a bitch. He thinks of a new project with his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) in order to get Erica off of his mind. Mark creates a website “Facemash” using pictures of female students hacked from various databases of Harvard, where users rate girls’ attractiveness.

Because of Facemash’s popularity, traffic hits the highest point crashing parts of Harvard’s network. He receives a six-month academic probation. This fame attracts attention of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, brothers who offer Mark a job of programmer for their future website – Harvard Connection. Mark accepts the offer and we move in time. We return to “present” – to three years later and witness lawsuits against Zuckerberg by brothers for intellectual property theft and by his best friend for ownership of Facebook.

I think Eisenberg is very talented and his performance in this film is great. All actors, including Justin Timberlake play their roles quite well. The film is highly entertaining and enjoyable. It is a great watch in the company of friends.

Reviewer’s rating: 8.0 out of 10

127 Hours (2010)

This is an adventure film directed and produced by Danny Boyle starring James Franco. The film is based on a true story that happened to mountain climber Aron Ralston in 2003 in Utah, USA.

Though, “127 hours” is a quite simple film, I like films based on true stories and enjoyed this one as well. If you want to watch it, you should not do any research about Aron Ralston or the story; otherwise film will not be interesting.

I will tell you a little about the film. In April, 2003, Aron Ralston goes for canyoneering in Utah and meets on his way two young women, Kristi and Megan. He shows them a better route for hiking and hikers invite him to the party for next night. He continues alone to his route and while descending from one of the rocks with his MP3 player turned on, a boulder falls after him. It pins his right arm against the wall of rock and traps him.

Ralston realizes that nobody will come for help as he did not inform anybody about his whereabouts. The hikers will assume that he just did not show up for party. He videos himself and rations his food and water. When Ralston is out of water, he drinks his own urine. He becomes desperate realizing that soon he will die.

Real Ralston’s courage is incredible as much as his frivolity to hike with turned-on MP3 player. Franco’s acting is superb and hilarious and his charisma is grasping. With his terrific performance viewers practically share Ralston’s torments and joy of survival.

I experienced Boyle’s outstanding directorial skills with “Slumdog Millionaire” and surely he has a lot to say in film-directing. You will certainly enjoy this film in the company of friends. Be prepared for gut-wrenching scenes!

Reviewer’s rating: 8.0 out of 10

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

One word comes to my mind when I want to describe this film: boring. Yes, this is a boring drama film about a lesbian family with two children. It was directed by Lisa Cholodenko (who is a lesbian) starring Julianne Moore and Annette Bening.

The film does not grip from the beginning and you wait hoping to reach the exciting part of story, but it never comes. Though the performances generally are good, the story itself lacks twists and turns.

Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) are a lesbian couple living in California with their two children Laser (Josh Hutcherson) and Joni (Mia Wasikowska). They each gave birth to a child using the sperm of same donor. This way, children have one father and two mothers. Laser wants to find the sperm donor, and asks his 18-year-old sister Joni to do so.

Laser inadvertently gives out information about their meeting with sperm donor to his mothers. Lesbians decide to invite the “father” Paul (Mark Ruffalo) into their lives and this is where family becomes fragile.

I did not believe Annette Bening’s character even for a second; neither did I believe in their lesbian relationship or acting in bed. The film seems to be oriented to certain unconventional-family-audience.  As very little happens in the film, it does not look like a drama nor is it a comedy. The ending is as boring as the beginning.

I do not understand how this film won awards. Did it win because the film is about lesbian family?  Does this mean any “horrible” film might win awards if it is about gay or lesbian family?

Well, this is not a family watch, nor a watch in the company of friends.

Reviewer’s rating: 5.0 out of 10

The Ghost Writer (2010)

“The Ghost Writer” is a political thriller directed by Roman Polanski starring Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan. It is based on “The Ghost” novel by Robert Harris. If you like complicated conspiracy stories, then this film is for you.

The story is exciting and gripping. The main character’s name is not revealed throughout film and I think this is awesome. It gives the story some mystery and matches character with title - ghostwriter. He (Ewan McGregor) is a successful British ghostwriter, who accepts a job offer to complete the memoirs of Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), former British Prime Minister. Adam Lang’s story loosely reminds of Tony Blair, real former British Primer Minister.

The day he arrives at Lang’s house, ex-Primer Minister is accused of war crimes by former British Foreign Secretary Richard Rycart and faces prosecution by International Criminal Court. The ghostwriter reveals that his predecessor Michael McAra died under suspicious circumstances.

He then follows leads that he found in McAra’s effects and the story gets complicated. Polanski has done an excellent job of creating constant pressure and paranoia. Though the ghostwriter suspects Adam Lang in conspiracy, war crimes and McAra’s death, be prepared for an unexpected twist in story.

The film is intriguing and thrilling. Both McGregor’s and Brosnan’s performances are strong. You will surely enjoy “The Ghost Writer” in the company of friends.

Reviewer's rating: 8.0 out of 10