2010 Movie Reviews

So why do we love to go to the movies? What is it about sitting in a darkened auditorium, among a swarm of rude thoughtless jerks, noisy simpleton’s, crying babies, cell phones ringing, human pigs masticating on snack foods, watching other people's stories on the screen, that so inspires us? Moves us?

Going to the movies is unlike any other form of art. Sure, much of what comes out of Hollywood's absurd system is hardly “art”, but sometimes you come across a film that

is a critically acclaimed, or a significant "must-see" film.

The following is a series of capsule reviews of movies that I have seen in the Cineplex

Theaters of Las Vegas, Nevada, Lehi, Utah, American Fork, Utah, Cedar City, Utah, St. George, Utah, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kapolei, Hawaii, Lahaina, Hawaii, and Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2010.

Some of the synopsis comments are taken from http://www.rottentomatoes.com/, and http://www.imdb.com/. Most of the sardonic observations are mine, as are the letter grades.

1. A Team, The (Grade B-) a fun big-screen reboot which takes the quartet of fugitive vigilantes-for-hire into the digital era.
2. 127 Hours (Grade A-) a mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.
3. Alice in Wonderland (Grade C) Great visuals, but lacking in story.
4. American, The (Grade B-) a minimalist drama about regret and redemption that is too restrained to be exciting, but is scenic and handsome and intriguing and arresting.
5. An Education (Grade A) A celebration of intellectual curiosity and personal adventure through a portrait of 16-year-old English girl’s questionable romance with a man twice her age.
6. Avatar (Grade A) this film was never on my radar for movies to be excited about, but I walked away from it realizing that I had just seen a technical and visual masterpiece, which allows the viewer to overcome the preposterous, silly, story.
7. Back up Plan, The (Grade C-) This romantic comedy is as predictable and contrived as they come, especially when the couple has to break-up before inevitably getting back together for the happy ending.
8. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans, The (Grade D-) a drug- and gambling-addled detective in post-Katrina New Orleans investigates the killing of five Senegalese immigrants.
9. Blind Side, The (Grade A-) story of NFL player Michael Oher, from his unpromising youth in Memphis, taken in by a kindhearted couple to his first-round draft selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft.
10. Book of Eli, The (Grade C+) a strong story about a God-fearing man determined to obey the will of the Lord. However, the violence and language is overplayed.
11. Bounty Hunter, The (Grade C-) A bounty hunter learns that his next target is his ex-wife, a reporter working on a murder cover-up.
12. Brooklyn's Finest (Grade B) Three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location after enduring vastly different career paths.
13. Burlesque (Grade B-) big fans of Christina Aguilera and Cher should see this bland misfire. Everybody else, stay away.
14. Charlie St. Cloud (Grade A-) this warmhearted film, explores the bonds between the living and the dead and the lengths to which we'll go for love. It's charming, funny, and even quirky at times.
15. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (Grade C+) a young man becomes an apprentice to a vampire.
16. Chole (Grade B-) a married woman hires a prostitute to find out whether her husband is cheating on her. The prostitute, however, cons her about the nature of her husband's fidelity, a move that puts the family in jeopardy.
17. Clash of the Titans (Grade D+) the mythical tale of Perseus and his quest to battle both Medusa and the Kraken monster to save the Princess Andromeda.
18. Conquest of Everest: The Wildest Dream (Grade B) IMAX Uses impressive visuals to tell the intersecting stories of George Mallory, the first man to attempt a summit of Mount Everest, and Conrad Anker, the mountaineer who finds Mallory's frozen remains 75 years later. Wildest Dream(special engagement)
19. Cop Out (Grade C-) A comedy about a veteran NYPD cop whose rare baseball card is stolen. Since it's his only hope to pay for his daughter's upcoming wedding, he recruits his partner to track down the thief, a memorabilia-obsessed gangster.
20. Conviction (Grade B) an outstanding legal drama based on a real- life story.
21. Crazy Heart (Grade A) A faded country music musician is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance that also inspires him.
22. Date Night (Grade C-) In New York City, a case of mistaken identity turns a bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening into something more thrilling and dangerous.
23. Death at a Funeral (Grade D) chaos ensues when a man tries to expose a dark secret regarding a recently deceased patriarch of a dysfunctional family.
24. Dear John (Grade C+) tells the story of a young soldier home on leave, and an idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by John’s increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a continuous stream of love letters overseas--correspondence that eventually triggers fateful consequences.
25. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Grade C+) the friendship message that comes wrapped in the world of Wimpy Kid gives the movie its centre and its heart.
26. Did You Hear About the Morgans? (Grade C+) an estranged Manhattan couple who witness a murder are relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program. In this fish-out-of-water comedy, they find themselves fending off wild bears, learning to shoot...and falling back in love again.
27. Dinner for Schmucks(Grade D) A comedy for idiots, about idiots, I just wanted it to end. The overall film is a mess.
28. Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia IMAX (Grade A) Artifacts, scientific theories, and CGI effects are used to bring the dinosaurs to life in this educational presentation.
29. Dolan’s Cadillac (Grade B-) A dark revenge tale about Las Vegas middle school science teacher whose beloved wife witnesses an execution in the desert and is then targeted for death by the mobster who committed it, notorious Vegas crime lord Jimmy Dolan.
30. Due Date (Grade D-) there's a whole lot of cringe-inducing drivel going on in this shaggy buddy caper.
31. Easy A (Grade B) is a truly enjoyable time at the movies, and one of the few times in my recent past when I didn’t regret paying The Regal Theatre $10.00 for my ticket.
32. Eat Pray Love (Grade B) watching this movie sucked nearly all of the testosterone out of my body. In order to counteract the awful effects caused by this film, I plan to kill a rattlesnake with my bare hands.
33. Eclipse (Grade B) the film explores the unorthodox romance between human Bella and vampire Edward, as well as the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob, a werewolf.
34. Edge of Darkness (Grade C-) gathers all the elements of a smart, politically resonant thriller, but leaves them only half-assembled.
35. Expendables, The (Grade C+) The body count is enormous, the explosions deafening, and none of it makes sense, and I just loved it!
36. Exploring the Pamama Canal (Grade B) this documentary film examines the history of the construction of the Panama Canal where an original plan for the Canal evolved from many years of engineering study.
37. Extraordinary Measures (Grade A-) It’s based on a book called “The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million and Bucked the Medical Establishment in a Quest to Save His Children,” and that says it all.
38. Fair Game (Grade D) features the delusional ranting of the traducer Joe Wilson, a narcissist who loves the limelight, and who makes his living off an entire non-event, when it was revealed by columnist Robert Novak, that Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame, worked for the CIA . Plame was a CIA analyst, not a spy, not a covert operative and not in charge of undercover operators as is claimed in this fictional account masquerading as fact.
39. Faster (Grade C-) old school revenge flick with the fast cars, guns and “The Rock.”
40. For Colored Girls (Grade B) thought-provoking material about women paying a high price for making bad choices and ultimately finding their own voice, in a film elevated to tolerable heights by a fantastic cast.
41. From Paris With Love (Grade D+) In Paris, a young employee in the office of the US Ambassador hooks up with an American spy looking to stop a terrorist attack in the city.
42. Furry Vengeance (Grade D+) a deadening, dull, ho-hum film with a poignant message where nature is taking its turn on human beings for abusing the planet.
43. Get Low (Grade B) offbeat tale about a 1930s recluse who stirs up the citizens of a small town he has avoided for four decades by offering to hold himself a “funeral party.”
44. Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, The (Grade A) Lisbeth Salander in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy is perhaps one of the most interesting female protagonist's in modern cinema.
45. Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The (Grade A) intelligent, ingeniously plotted, utterly engrossing thriller that is variously a serial-killer saga, a search for a missing person and an informed glimpse into the worlds of journalism and business.
46. Going the Distance (Grade C-) a romantic comedy centered on a guy and a gal who try to keep their love alive as they shuttle back and forth between New York and San Francisco to see one another.
47. Greenberg (Grade C+) A New Yorker moves to Los Angeles in order to figure out his life while he house-sits for his brother, and he soon sparks with his brother's assistant.
48. Green Zone (Grade C) discovering covert and faulty intelligence causes a U.S. Army officer to go rogue as he hunts for Weapons of Mass Destruction in an unstable region.
49. Grownups (Grade C+) A goofy summer movie, quickly forgotten but fun enough while it lasts.
50. Guzaarish (Grade B-) about an invalid's struggle, and his agonized plea (guzaarish) to all those who are near and dear to him.
51. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I (Grade B) Harry uncovers the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.
52. Hereafter (Grade C-) follows three intertwined story lines focused on what awaits us after death.
53. Hot Tub Time Machine (Grade D+) Despite its absurd premise, the film is a pretty formulaic affair, but it still delivers on the laughs. The overuse of the “F” word really distracted from the fun, and the gross-out humor mixes uncomfortably with some misplaced sentimentality.
54. How to Train Your Dragon (Grade B) Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, this antimated action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers.
55. Hubble 3D (IMAX 3D) (Grade A) combines breathtaking IMAX footage with images taken by the telescope during the past 20 years.  This has been our window into space.
56. Iron Man 2 (Grade B-) Billionaire Tony Stark must contend with deadly issues involving the government, his own friends, as well as new enemies due to his superhero alter ego Iron Man.
57. Inception (Grade D) a clunky, overblown disappointment. This much-hyped thriller is a joyless, awkwardly constructed mess.
58. Inside Job (Grade B+) a positively scathing documentary about the financial crisis, and makes no bones about who is to blame: just about everybody inside banking and the government.
59. Invention of Lying, The (Grade D) film that starts out with a clever theme, and gradually degenerates into a mind-numbing ordeal to watch.
60. Invictus (Grade A-) The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their country.
61. Impressions de France (Grade A) is a travelogue of sorts, and features a soundtrack of French composers.
62. It’s Complicated (Grade B-) During her son's college graduation, Jane hooks up with her ex husband, Jake, who's married to a younger woman. As if being your ex mistress isn't tough enough, Jane also finds herself drawn to Adam a smitten architect.
63. It's Kind of a Funny Story (Grade D) a clinically depressed teenager gets a new start.
64. Just Wright (Grade C-) it's a Cinderella story in which the prince is an NBA All-Star and the woman who never gets to be the belle of the ball is (Queen Latifah), a physical therapist who drives a junker car and is renovating her fixer-upper house in New Jersey.
65. Karate Kid, The (Grade B+) I found myself cheering even though I knew I was being hoodwinked.
66. Kick Ass (Grade B+) I went into the multiplex with low expectations because some reviewers had called this film, ‘morally reprehensible,’ but then I walked out thinking that this was the best movie Id seen at the theater in months. My bad.
67. Kids Are All Right, The (Grade A) The son of a same-sex couple seeks out the sperm donor who made his birth possible.
68. Killers (Grade C+) makes for a light date entertainment in yet another…oh-my-gosh-my-spouse-is-secretly-an-assassin-but-you-know-a-nice-one… story line.
69. Knight and Day (Grade B-) This film was James Bond-style escapist confection, and ideal for a crunchy popcorn matinee complete with attractive actors; exotic far-flung locales and spectacular action set pieces.
70. Kites (Grade B-) this film is a Bollywood release that is a relentlessly downbeat romantic saga that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures.
71. Last Song, The (Grade C-) a drama centered on a rebellious girl who is sent to a Southern beach town for the summer to stay with her father. Through their mutual love of music, the estranged duo learns to reconnect.
72. Last Station, The (Grade A) A historical drama that expounds Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things.
73. Leap Year (Grade C+) Amy Adams is such a likable actress that she makes the romantic comedy Leap Year worth watching even though we’ve seen it all before.
74. Legends of Flight (Grade B-) an IMAX documentary that's really a promotional film for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, displays dazzling 3-D effects.
75. Legion (Grade D+) Celestial tosh of less than Biblical proportions.
76. Letters to God (Grade C+) A young boy fighting cancer writes letters to God, touching lives in his neighborhood and community.
77. Letters to Juliet (Grade B+) Utterly unique and magical.
78. Life as We Know it (Grade B-) cute, funny and heartwarming, but a somewhat edgy, romantic comedy about family.
79. Losers (Grade C-) Loads of violent fun, not to be taken seriously.
80. Love and Other Drugs (Grade B) a romantic comedy set in the dawning of the age of Viagra.
81. Lovely Bones, The (Grade B+) Centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
82. MacGruber (Grade D) Ex-special operative MacGruber is called back into action to take down his archenemy, Dieter Von Cunth, who's in possession of a nuclear warhead and bent on destroying Washington, D.C. Tasteless and stupid.
83. Mao's Last Dancer (Grade A-) The true story of ballet dancer Li Cunxin.
84. Mesrine: Killer Instinct (Grade A-) both a thriller and a biopic which charts the outlaw odyssey of Jacques Mesrine, the legendary French gangster.
85. Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One (Grade A-) An epic gangster film about the life of France's most notorious criminal Jacques Mesrine.
86. Michael Jackson’s This is It! (Grade D-) Two hours of watching this accused pedophile rehearse for his musical comeback tour was painful.
87. Morning Glory (Grade B-) lifted by affable performances from its impeccable cast, and it's often charming.
88. My One and Only (Grade B) a colorful, and entertaining look at the early life of actor George Hamilton.
89. Never Let Me Go (Grade C) film with a subtle take on mortality and hopelessness.
90. New Moon (Grade C+) a dark and brooding tale of a young woman who must choose between the love of a werewolf, and the love of a vampire, in this fantasy saga taken from Book II of the Twilight Trilogy.
91. Next Three Days, The (Grade C+) a married couple's life is turned upside down when the wife is accused of a murder
92. O Canada! (Grade A) is a Circle-Vision 360° movie. It showcases many images of Canada's cities and sights, including Quebec, Ontario, the RCMP Musical Ride, the Calgary Stampede, Vancouver and Vancouver Harbour, the Ottawa River, and more.
93. Oceans (Grade B+) a documentary, which examines all manner of sea life in a variety of oceanic locations around the world.
94. Ocean Wonderland 3D - IMAX (Grade A) takes the viewer on a stunning visual and sensorial diving adventure beneath the waves to the pulsating heart of the oceans: the coral reefs.
95. Ondine (Grade C) a local fisherman’s everyday life is transformed by a beautiful and mysterious woman whom he fishes from the sea.
96. Open Road, The (Grade B) I enjoyed this comedy/drama about a young man looking to reconnect with his long-lost father and bring him back to the bedside of his ailing mother.
97. Other End of the Line, The (Grade B+) a delightful romantic comedy, with a 21^st century global economic flavor added to its engaging dialogue.
98. Other Guys, The (Grade B) a buddy action picture brimming with funny characters, hilarious moments, some great one-liners, and comic shocks that will make your jaw drop.
99. Our Family Wedding (Grade C+) is a comedy about an engaged couple caught between their two fathers, one Hispanic and the other African American.
100. Paano na kaya (Grade C-) a romantic comedy where the main characters in the film are best friends who find themselves trapped in separate relationships they both know to be a “rebound relationship” only.
101. Paper Heart (Grade B+) a young woman who does not believe in love, goes on a journey of discovery in this intriguing documentary.
102. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Grade A) A teenager discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods.
103. Predators, The (Grade C-) A group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race known as Predators.
104. Princess Kaiulani (Grade A) a poetically crafted portrait of that rare woman in history who has emerged beyond the imposed limitations of gender and race, to assume leadership in championing her oppressed people.
105. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Grade B) a rollicking, epic-scale franchise-starter that's equal parts intrigue, and action with a dash of feisty romantic banter thrown in for good measure.
106. Ramona and Beezus (Grade B+) I was happy to see a summer movie that didn’t involve wizards, vampires or action figures that can be bought in the food court.
107. Rebound, The (Grade B-) Thanks to a mischievous humor and charming leads, it’s surprisingly enjoyable.
108. Red (Grade B+) great cast keeps things explosive and fun in this action-packed tale.
109. Rapunzel (Grade A) the story is largely based on the German fairy tale Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm, and this Disney film has it all – engaging characters, and great action sequences.
110. Reflections of China (Grade A) a Circle-Vision 360° movie. The film takes the viewer on a tour of the Chinese countryside and historical structures and buildings. Some sites that are seen are The Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City in Beijing, Hunan, Guilin, Suzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
111. Robin Hood (Grade B-) hits the bullseye!
112. Salt (Grade B) a mysterious main character, lots of action and a complicated plot combine for a pretty good summer popcorn movie.
113. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Grade D+) a discouragingly limp movie where nothing is at stake.
114. Secretariat (Grade A-) based on the true story of the Triple Crown-winning thoroughbred horse and his owner, Penny Chenery Tweedy.
115. Sex and the City- (Grade C+) a lightweight romantic comedy exploring a female fantasy in a self-indulgent big-screen adaptation as similarly vapid, pointless, and poorly acted as the popular HBO show upon which it is based.
116. Shrek Forever After (Grade B--) it's breezy and likable and doesn't overstay its welcome.
117. She’s Out of Your league (Grade C-) a needlessly potty mouth and raunchy date night movie. It's a gender-reversed Cinderella story about a shlub who loves a goddess.
118. Shutter Island (Grade C-) Set on a remote island that houses a hospital for the criminally insane, this monotonous film incoherently explores questions that toy with our perceptions of what is real and what is not.
119. Sherlock Holmes (Grade C+) Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Dr.Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.
120. Social Network, The (Grade B+) story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.
121. Sorcerer's Apprentice, The (Grade B-) a likeable and engaging fantasy adventure with a decent story and terrific special effects.
122. Surrogate’s (Grade D-) a truly awful Bruce Willis action/adventure film, sans the action, and, totally devoid of any adventure, while taking the avatar fantasy to the next level in nonsense.
123. Switch, The (Grade C-) a passable character-driven rom-com.
124. Takers (Grade C-) bland barrage of bullets, bling, and bad acting.
125. Tamara Drewe (Grade B-) young newspaper writer returns to her hometown in the English countryside, where her childhood home is being prepped for sale.
126. To Save a Life (Grade B+) After a childhood friend's death, Jake Taylor, an all-star athlete must change his life - and sacrifice his dreams to save the lives of others.
127. Tooth Fairy (Grade C-) a bad deed on the part of a tough minor-league hockey player results in an unusual sentence: He must serve one week as a real-life tooth fairy.
128. Tourist, The (Grade A-) revolves around Frank, an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path.
129. Town The (Grade A) As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
130. True Grit (Grade A-) a tough U.S. Marshal helps a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer, intelligent and well-crafted.
131. Up In the Air (Grade B+) with a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.
132. Unstoppable (Grade B) a simple, solid, and very intense thrill ride from start to finish.
133. Unthinkable (Grade B) A psychological thriller centered on a black-ops interrogator and an FBI agent who press a suspect terrorist into divulging the location of three nuclear weapons set to detonate in the U.S.
134. Valentine’s Day (Grade C-) a sweet and fluffy date-night movie.
135. Vampires Suck (Grade D-) a dreadful and tasteless spoof of the Twilight series.
136. You Again (Grade C-) is an odd movie, one that aims itself at a female audience, then proceeds to humiliate its female characters by making them petty, ugly and silly.
137. Young Victoria, The (Grade A) film about the Queen, during the first years of her reign, including her relationship with husband Prince Albert.
138. Warriors Way, The (Grade D-) a warrior-assassin is forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands after refusing a mission.
139. Wild Target (Grade C-) a hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief changes his plans.
140. When in Rome- (Grade C-) has all of the classic elements to be a winning romantic comedy. But, somewhere along the way it falls flat.