PLAYING CATCH UP

As you are probably already aware, 2009 has been a little hectic. You haven't seen many reviews posted though I assure you I have been doing just as much of that thing we call movie watching. So, let me play catch up with the releases I have seen thus far and expect fresh reviews to start flowing again, like always:

The Unborn
0 REELS
One of the worst horror films I have EVER seen; a lame attempt at something with Gary Oldman delivering his worst career choice yet as a Rabbi.

My Bloody Valentine 3-D
3 REELS
A fun and festive little blood-romp that was far more entertaining that it should have been thanks to slick direction and appreciation for the genre.

Killshot
0 REELS
The long delayed John Madden film that turned out to be just plain awful, featuring pitiful performances and even more pitiful direction.

Taken
4 REELS
Leave it to Liam Neeson to kick massive amounts of ass. This was one of those balls to the wall action films I love, similar to "Unleashed".

Medicine for Melancholy
4 REELS
A slow and sleepy little dreamer about love in the city that showcases a fine new directing talent hitting the scene.

Friday the 13TH
0 REELS
There was absolutely no reason for this film to be made.

The Last House on the Left
3.5 REELS
Not awful. Not awful at all. Some fine performances and some genuine tension help elevate this above your average remake. Go Tony Goldwyn, Go!

Knowing
4 REELS
This film received mixed reviews, but I thought it was one of the more compelling science fiction films I have seen in recent years.

The Great Buck Howard
4 REELS
Oscar nomination worthy performances from Malkovich and Hanks and a tight and entertaining script made this one of the years best surprises.

The New Twenty
3 REELS
Not much happens here, but what doesn't happen is still pretty interesting. Won't find mass appeal, but I thought it was thought-provoking.

The Haunting in Connecticut
2 REELS
This could have been so much better than it was. Kyle Gallner is adorable, but Virginia Madsen is just bad and the ending is cheap and ridiculous.

The Education of Charlie Banks
4 REELS
Damned fine directorial debut for Durst with some great performances and one of the most intriguing plotlines I have seen unfold all year long.

Goodbye Solo
5 REELS
Easily one of the best films of the year, the acting and direction are spotless and the filmmaker delivers yet another masterpiece in drama.

Adventureland
4.5 REELS
One hell of a fun time and all the nostalgia you could ask for and then some. This is why I love going to the movies.

The Escapist
5 REELS
Brian Cox delivers an Oscar worthy performance in one of the best prison films I have ever seen. Leaves you guessing until the very end.

Observe and Report
5 REELS
Absolutely hysterical. Funniest film of the year and one of the best comedies I have ever seen. Never stopped laughing. Flawless comedy.

17 Again
3.5 REELS
Give a forgettable comedy to a fine director like Burr Steers and this is the result. Efron has great charisma on screen and I laughed out loud quite a bit.

Obsessed
3 REELS
Pretty generic thriller and more of a guilty pleasure than anything else but I will say that it is always nice to see Christine Lahti get work.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
1 REEL
Too much money and not enough everything else.

Star Trek
5 REELS
I can't think of having ever been more satisfied with a Summer blockbuster than I was with this film. I cannot stop watching it.

The Brothers Bloom
4.5 REELS
Clever little caper film from Riann Johnson that satisfies on so many levels. Gives an indie edge to a more mainstream indie film.

Terminator: Salvation
1 REEL
If shit could reproduce, this would be its only child.

Drag Me to Hell
3.5 REELS
Strong return to form for Sam Raimi and one of the scariest little horror films to come around in a long time. Thank God for old masters.

Up
4.5 REELS
The best Pixar film to date and one of the sweetest and most thoughtful films of the year, hands down. I am still quoting the damned thing.

The Hangover
2 REELS
A whole lot of hype for nothing. Laughed a few times but this was just a lame little comedy no better than "Old School" or "Road Trip".

Land of the Lost
3 REELS
The most batshit insane movie of the year, but Danny McBride made me laugh and I have to applaud the decision to just throw everything out there.

Away We Go
4 REELS
Thoughtful romantic comedy for adults pondering children and a strong testament to Mendes, Krasinski and especially Maya Rudolph who is just luminous.

Moon
4.5 REELS
Tight and frigid little sci-fi thriller that is just about perfect in execution. Sam Rockwell delivers a sure to be Oscar nominated performance.

Dead Snow
3.5 REELS
Nazi Zombies! Pretty much a re-hash of 100 other films, this one still kept me laughing and smiling throughout. I love gore.

My Sister’s Keeper
3.5 REELS
Nick Cassavetes saves this from becoming just another Lifetime movie of the week. Strong performances and a very interest plotline abound.

Public Enemies
2 REELS
Mediocre film from a great director. Is there anything more sad?

Bruno
3 REELS
This one ain't no "Borat". Just didn't work for me that much, but I did laugh my ass off, though most of it was from just being uncomfortable.

I Love You, Beth Cooper
1 REEL
A career low for Columbus and one of the worst attempts to re-capture the John Hughes feeling I have ever seen. Bad, bad, bad.