X-Men First Class

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Priest

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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The Big Bang

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Decisions

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Thor

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Fast Five

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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The Conspirator

“The Conspirator” recounts the trial of Mary Surratt (mother of one of the conspirators) who was implicated in the assassination of Lincoln.  Through a series of flashbacks, director Robert Redford has it play out like a history lesson which makes it rather plodding..  What is really brought home is the carefully covered injustices.  Beautifully photographed with much effort to recreate the era.  Stay and read the ending statements.

 GRADE = “B-”

 Submitted by :

Jim Morris

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Hanna

“Hanna” is a government thriller with a teen girl as the main character whose name is the title.  She has been brought up by her father in a snowy wilderness to be a lethal weapon.  Now she will be allowed to decide when she will go into the world to obtain revenge for the death of her mother.  This is a dreary, slow, dumb film with good actors wasted.  MEMO to Cate :  Stay away from whomever talked you into this turkey which certainly will be near the top of the worst movies of 2011 list.

 GRADE = “D”

  Submitted by -

Jim Morris

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Source Code

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Super

No reviews were submitted for this movie.

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Trust

“Trust” is a family drama about a sexual predator who almost destroys a family of four.  There are parents with a teenage son and a younger teenage daughter.  The trustting daughter meets someone on the internet.   He starts out as a teenager but then gets older and older until he turns out to be a thirty-something and then is able to continue to manipulate her to think they both are in love.  A serious film about a real threat with good performances.

 GRADE = “B+”

Jim Morris

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The Lincoln Lawyer

“The Lincoln Lawyer” is a well-paced crime drama about an L.A. defense attorney.  He is driven around in his vintage LincolnTown Car with license plate “NTGUILTY” and this automobile basically is his office..  His clients are usually low-lifes.  Plot concerns some interconnected cases involving, for a change, a rich young man.  This wealthy client appears to have been set-up in an assault and rape case.  A large cast do fine work as they unravel the mysteries of some crimes.

 GRADE = “B+”
Jim Morris

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Limitless

“Limitless” is a cautionary thriller about a New Yorker who goes from rags to riches thanks to a new pill.  This pill is not licensed/approved, is clear-colored, and puts the brain into overdrive.  At a low point, he by chance runs into his ex-wife’s brother who gives him a sample pill which changes his life.  After acquiring a large quantity of the drug, he becomes rich and popular but now has new problems including others who will stop at nothing to get the pills.  Also, he learns that the drug has some drawbacks and possible severe health risks.  Good performances, special effects, and locations.

 GRADE = “B+”

Jim Morris

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Battle Los Angeles

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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The Adjustment Bureau

“The Adjustment Bureau” is a mystery/romance about a NY politician who sees something he shouldn’t have.  And then he meets someone special that he was never suppose to know.  There are forces at work to prevent him from being with his perfect mate.  The individuals who are after our hero must weat hats to have powers.  A muddled fantasy that gradually loses steam.  Very loosely based on a short story from the 50′s called “Adjustment Team”.

 GRADE = “C+”

Submitted By: Jim Morris

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Drive Angry

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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Shelter

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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Unknown

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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I Am Number Four

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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The Scenesters

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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The Roommate

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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The Mechanic

No reviews were submitted for this movie

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The Green Hornet

“The Green Hornet” is a silly, violent comic book adventure set in Los Angeles.  It’s an up-to-date takeoff on the old radio show now with adult humor and excessive violence/firepower.  3D adds little and Cameron Diaz stops in to pick up a paycheck.

 GRADE = “B-”

Submitted by: Jim Morris

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The Conspirator

Robert Redford’s, “The Conspirator” seduces its audience from the very beginning with its array of familiar faces (including Justin Long, Alexis Bledel and James McAvoy).  Those that are especially familiar with the DC area will be enraptured by the portrayal of their fair city in 1865; following Lincoln’s assassination.

Prior to seeing the film, I found myself struggling with the typical question that comes to mind when considering this case; was Mary Surratt guilty or not? At the film’s conclusion, I felt…the same; and was relieved to feel that way.  I expected Redford to convince me to choose, but instead he asked much more of me. I was asked to recognize injustice; even when it is wearing a cloak of preconceived notions. Some may wonder why such an old story is being revived after all this time, but the themes of this film are astonishingly timeless.

Mr. Aiken (played by James McAvoy) is Mary Surratt’s reluctant attorney and Union veteran. Despite his allegiances, he begins to wonder if all he has fought for was in vain as the trial progresses. The transition that he goes through during his representation of Mary is the film’s heartbreaking highlight. Redford also asks us to observe the depth of unconditional love that a mother has for her child; as Mary faces death while her son John Surratt is in hiding.

In conclusion, I was impressed with the film; even Redford’s choice to not include Mary Surratt’s alleged last words, “please don’t let me fall”.  I was told by screenwriter, James D. Soloman, that these words were originally included in the script, but that Redford chose not to include them for directorial purposes.  I think that this was a wise decision. With the omission of this haunting line, we are forced to focus on the injustice of Mary’s representation, rather than the question of her guilt.