FROM PARIS WITH LOVE(2010)

From the director of "Taken"comes his follow up to one of my surprise hits of last year. I didn't really know what this movie was about, but I liked his last film enough to give it a shot. I'm pretty glad I did. It's got the same fast paced story-telling as "Taken". Action and just enough of a story to qualify as a decent movie. This isn't going to win any awards, but It's good fun and a little bit of a mystery to it. Not as good as "Taken", but a worthy follow up.

An aspiring American agent in Paris is teamed up with a bad ass spy to stop a terrorist plot. It keeps you guessing a little, but nothing too crazy.

I liked this movie just enough to recommend it to anyone who liked "Taken". It's nothing great, but short enough to make it an enjoyable 90 minutes.

WHEN IN ROME(2010)

Kristen Bell is what made me want to watch this movie and it's pretty bad. Most romantic comedies are average and watchable, but this one is slightly worse. A little too over the top in the jokes and story line. I know all romantic comedies are not realistic, but this one takes the cake.

A workaholic flies to Rome for her sister's wedding and ends up taking some coins from a fountain of love. Which causes the people who threw the coins in the fountain to be under her spell. She flies back to NY and is pursued by the owners of the coins she stole out of the fountain. Pretty cheesy and stupid. Luckily its barely over 80 minutes long.

I can't recommend this to anyone who isn't into cheesy love stories that aren't funny.

SHUTTER ISLAND(2010)

I was a little skeptical when this movie got delayed until early 2010 instead of the awards season of 2009. I also read that Mr. Scorcese wasn't happy with it either. I had high hopes for this movie based on the material and the on and off screen talent. I was very pleased with the final product for the most part. It's not an instant classic, like "The Departed", but it's a very good and different movie for Scorsese. Very creepy and twisty, but not to a fault. I hate movies that have twists and turns and they don't make sense, but this story checks out to my knowledge. It drags a little, but not too much to get me out of the story or the mystery that is unfolding.

The Story takes place when two federal deputies arrive on "Shutter Island" to investigate a patient that disappears without a trace. Then the story starts to unfold Dicaprio's past and turns into a supernatural thriller or just a normal mystery? I don't wanna give a way much more than that, but I'd highly recommend this movie to everyone. A little suspense and a little twist, but all worth the wait.

I don't know if this would have gotten any love from the Academy at awards time, but it's the best film of 2010 and would have been one of the best films of 2009.

NINJA ASSASSIN(2009)

From the Director of "V for Vendetta" comes a ninja movie with tons of slicing and dicing. I mean faces literally get sliced in half. Stylish blood and gore like in the "Kill Bill" movies. A fast paced movie for anyone who just wants to sit and watch some cool ninja stuff. Not much of a story, but enough to make it worth watching for action/gore fans.

A story about a group of ninja assassins who are being trailed by the highest of government agencies. With one rogue ninja trying to bring the assassin clan down. He wants revenge and is willing to help out the government to kill the legendary ninja clan.

It's pure fun and blood, but if you don't like mutilation, then you might want to pass on this movie.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF(2010)

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and there have been plenty of fantasy novels that have tried to copy the success of Harry Potter to no avail. Percy Jackson is the latest of these novels. I had no idea of these stories, but the director was the first director in the Harry Potter films, so I knew it could be alright. Although not near as great as the Harry Potter films, this is still an entertaining movie that has some hope. The characters and story isn't flushed out enough and it's a very fast paced movie that will keep you watching.

Percy Jackson finds out that he is Poseidon's son and he is framed for stealing Zeus' lightning bolt which could start a war between the gods if it's not returned. Percy starts a quest with some friends that takes him cross country to go to hell and rescue his mom.

I'd say almost everyone will enjoy this fast paced movie and hopefully it will have the sequels to follow.

VALENTINE'S DAY(2010)

I'm quite surprised to see this movie getting terrible reviews. It's not great, but it's your average romantic dramedy. The whole ensemble cast that are all connecting in some way. Just like last year's "He's Just not that Into you". I did think that it was very coincidental and a little too corny, but not near as bad as the reviews have been giving it.

Set in Los Angeles on Valentines day. The movie just tells the highs and lows of love on Valentines day. Pretty bland, but easy enough to sit through.

Anyone who likes chick flicks will tolerate or even like this movie.

EDGE OF DARKNESS(2010)

Mel Gibson's triumphant return isn't so triumphant at all. I expected a revenge type of story, but it turns out to be more of a John Grisham type novel with conspiracies and murder. This is not a bad movie at all. It keeps you interested and passes the time nicely. Just a little loose on the story and the editing.

Mel Gibson's daughter is murdered that starts his investigation and leads into a government conspiracy. He kicks a little ass and solves the mystery his way. An entertaining enough movie, just not great.

I'd say that most people would enjoy this movie for what it's worth.

THE BOONDOCK SAINTS II: ALL SAINT'S DAY(2009)

The first movie has achieved occult status somehow? It's a decent action flick that had a unique way of non linear story telling. Some cool shoot outs and Lot's of slow motion and punch lines.

Now it's 10 years later, but only 8 in the movie and the boys are back in Boston to avenge their priests death. Same story as the first, but it's the same formula that doesn't work near as good as the first time around. It has some enjoyable moments, but just a little too corny and not as cool as the first time.

I'd recommend this to fans of the first, but they won't like it as much as the original.

THE FOURTH KIND(2009)

This is a mix between "The Blair Witch" project and one of those re-enactment dramatizations that you see on haunting shows. It mixes real footage in split screens with the actors who are portraying them

Based on the true events in Nome, Alaska.

The movie get's off to a slow start and gets slightly better, but not much. Too much talking and nothing to see. Not really scary or interesting. If you're really bored than maybe a rental.

INVICTUS(2009)

With the exception of Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman's performances, this is an average film. This had all the ingredients of being a great movie. A great director,actor, and an under dog sports story. The Rugby scenes didn't really get me into the tone of the movie. There are a couple of inspiring moments, but far and few in between. When the ending of an inspirational movie doesn't inspire you, then something is wrong.

This is far from a bad movie, but it just didn't give me any emotional goosebumps either. I recommend this film, but it's not one of the better films in this genre. I'd watch "Miracle" or "Rudy" if you want to be inspired!

DAY BREAKERS(2010)

I don't know why I continue to watch films that are released in January? The best thing I can say about this movie is that it's not terrible. It is definitely not good though. Another Vampire film, but this seems more like it was made for television.

Vampires are the evolved species in the near future and they are running out of blood, so they are trying to come up with a blood substitute. While rebel humans are being targeted for their blood. A sympathetic Vampire teams up with the humans and discover a cure, but it turns out the head vampire doesn't want a cure, because he prefers the powers he has as a Vampire and so they fight and it's over. Pretty stupid and boring.

I personally wouldn't advise this movie to anyone, but there are worse movies out there.

BROTHERS(2009)

I had to watch this, since Natalie Portman was the lead actress in it. I've seen some crappy movies because of this logic. I must say that the acting was really good in this film, but I just never really got what the story really was about? Was it about the brothers? The after life of war? Family? It's a mixture of all of these and never really excels at any of the sub plots. It's a little messy. The story could've been flushed out some more and really made a great drama, but it seemed a little rushed to get to the ending.

It's worth seeing, but it's not a must see unless you have the Natalie Portman rule too.

A SERIOUS MAN(2009)

I had absolutely no idea what this film was about when I watched it. One of the few movies that I've ever seen without some idea of what the story was about. To make matters worse, it's a Cohens' Brother movie and they have a knack for making some weird films. Needless to say, I was kinda wondering where this was headed after the first 10 minutes.

It's a dark comedy that has some funny moments, but just one of those films that is just there. Not near as good as their last two films. "Burn after Reading" & "No Country for Old Men" were far superior and more entertaining. You gotta appreciate the unique style of story-telling, but it's a very slow movie at times. If your a fan of the Cohen brothers than I'm sure you'll like this film, but it's a very average film compared to some of their movies.

IT'S COMPLICATED(2009)

Another romantic dramedy for the baby boomer generation. "It's Complicated" follows in the same mold as "Something's Gotta Give" from a few years ago. Funnier than I thought and I enjoyed it mildly, but not enough to make a it a must see. I didn't care much for the last act. Nothing really get's accomplished but still had a pretty funny part towards the end. Anyone who is older than 50 will love this film.

This is your average film, but not bad by any means.

THE OSCARS 2010

The nominations are out and there are 10 nominees for best picture this year. I have actually seen 8 out of 10 already. I have to say that the ones that I've seen are all good films, but I don't know about best picture quality for all 8?

No surprises really except for maybe"The Blinde Side" & "UP" getting nominated. Both are really good movies, but I don't think with the normal 5 nominees that they would have made the cut. I haven't seen "Precious" or "A Serious Man" yet, but hopefully I will soon.

My money is on "Avatar" to win almost every nomination just like "Titanic" did for Cameron. I'd be shocked if another film won.

I think "Inglourious Basterds" should win in all the major categories that it's nominated for, but it wont.

Only if "The Dark Knight" would have been shot with new motion capture special effects and in 3-D? I'm still pissed it wasn't even nominated. Where was the 10 nomination rule last year? I don't know why I love the Oscars so much, when they just make me angry.

Watch them on March 7th when "Avatar"dominates the awards for Cameron again.