Plot

As single mom Grace juggles work, bills, and her affair with a married doctor, her daughter, Ansiedad, plots a shortcut to adulthood after finding inspiration in the coming-of-age stories she's reading for school.

Release Year: 2012

Critic's Score: 49/100

Director:
Patricia Riggen

Stars: Eva Mendes, Cierra Ramirez, Patricia Arquette

Storyline
As single mom Grace juggles work, bills, and her affair with a married doctor, her daughter, Ansiedad, plots a shortcut to adulthood after finding inspiration in the coming-of-age stories she's reading for school.

Cast:

Eva Mendes
–

Grace

Matthew Modine
–

Dr. Harford

Patricia Arquette
–

Ms. Armstrong

Cierra Ramirez
–

Ansiedad

Raini Rodriguez
–

Tavita

Landon Liboiron
–

Trevor

Richard Harmon
–

Bad Boy

Eugenio Derbez
–

Mission Impossible

Russell Peters
–

Emile

Brenna O'Brien
–

Valerie

Tiera Skovbye
–

Jezabel

Kendall Cross
–

Mrs. Harford

Madison Desjarlais
–

Girl

Bernadette Beck
–

Shannon

Jocelyne Loewen
–

Becky

Taglines:
A tale of acting up, acting out, and acting your age.

Release Date: 3 Jan 2012

Filming Locations: Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

User Review

Really, Really Slow Progress

Rating: 4/10

The idea of a teenage daughter rebelling against her mother under the
guise of gaining independence is compelling. The fatal flaw of "Girl in
Progress" is that this idea is not taken seriously until the final act,
at which point we've been so turned off by the plot and characters that
we no longer care. It really is shocking how badly this movie is
structured and how poorly the characters are developed; what should
have been a poignant and insightful generational story has been reduced
to an implausible and inconsistent mess. It starts out at the level of
a second-rate sitcom, one that makes the dread mistake of believing the
jokes it's telling are actually funny. It then makes a wild shift in
tone and becomes shamelessly sentimental. This is not to suggest that
it turns dour and depressing; it simply becomes mechanical, with all
the emotional loose ends tied up into neat little knots.

Taking place in Seattle, it tells the story of a teenager named
Ansiedad (Cierra Ramirez) and her mother, Grace (Eva Mendes), who got
pregnant at seventeen, was kicked out of the house by her tyrannical
mother, never finished high school, never got married, and now works as
both a maid and a waitress in a seafood shack. She talks the talk about
going back to night school, getting her diploma, and moving towards a
computer career. That's actually the reason she and Ansiedad moved to
the Pacific Northwest in the first place. The thing is, they have moved
numerous times in the past several years. And Grace is no closer to
starting night school. What's the holdup? Basically, she has refused to
grow up. She has had several men in her life and is currently dating a
married gynecologist (Matthew Modine). One could make the case that
she's fun to be around, but she really isn't there for Ansiedad the way
a parent should be.

Ansiedad, obviously aware of her mother's caviler attitude about
everything, rebels in school by making inappropriate class
presentations. Then her English teacher (Patricia Arquette) introduces
to her the concept of the coming-of-age story, and this is the point at
which the film goes spectacularly wrong. In learning about such
stories, in which a character or set of characters transitions from
childhood to adulthood, Ansiedad decides that she has been a kid long
enough and that she must accelerate her journey towards maturity and
independence. She researches coming-of-age stories extensively,
especially in regards to the formula they tend to follow. From that,
she compiles a list of life experiences that she must go. She then
makes a creative-looking arrow chart and enlists her best friend,
Tavita (Raini Rodriguez), to help her cross every item off the list.

In following it, Ansiedad proves she knows absolutely nothing about
authentic coming-of-age stories. Her methods are cruel, manipulative,
dangerous, and quite frankly, stupid. Had director Patricia Riggen and
screenwriter Hiram Martinez been aware of this, perhaps this plot
device would have worked. Alas, they initially treat it as a
lighthearted comedy routine. Essentially, she believes she must go from
being a "good girl" to a "bad girl," at which point she will
miraculously come out the other side an adult. On the journey, she will
join the chess club, dress nerdy, provoke the mean girl, manipulate her
into friendship, start dressing as a bad girl, lose interest in school,
catch the attention of the one boy who's a womanizing jerk, and
ultimately lose her virginity to him. She will also pretend to dump
Tavita by making fun of her weight and sneak into a nursing home just
so that she can claim sickly old woman as her grandmother.

Ansiedad is so desperate to go through these life experiences that she
will steal money from her mother, lie to authority figures, and
intentionally ruin her reputation. How could anyone in their right
minds believe this to be suitable material for a comedy? This is just
tactless and insensitive. This story needed to be in the hands of
filmmakers who actually understand people, teenagers and adults alike.
The characters in this story are about as authentic as three-dollar
bills. By the time we reach the final act, at which point it becomes a
bit more dramatic, the damage has already been done. We no longer have
it within us to like them, or even to invest in them for dramatic
purposes.

Grace is the subject of a silly and barely developed subplot involving
suddenly becoming the manager of the seafood shack and a
busboy-turned-waiter nicknamed Mission Impossible (Eugenio Derbez), who
can barely speak English but clearly has a thing for Grace. He does
something for her, something that largely exists only in movies like
this. His promise to correct his mistake is even less believable, if
such a thing was even possible. Meanwhile, Grace continues to see her
married lover on the sly, eventually figuring out that he's a
sleazebag. We, of course, had figured that out as early as the first
scene. If "Girl in Progress" is what counts for a coming-of-age story
nowadays, we might be forced to go back to the drawing board. Its title
isn't even deserving of the word "progress."

– Chris Pandolfi (www.atatheaternearyou.net)

Plot

A 3-year-old chimpanzee is separated from his troop and is then adopted by a fully-grown male.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 7.8/10 (37 voted)

Critic's Score: 58/100

Director:
Alastair Fothergill

Stars: Tim Allen

Storyline
A 3-year-old chimpanzee is separated from his troop and is then adopted by a fully-grown male.

Cast:

Tim Allen
–

Narrator

(voice)

Details

Official Website:
Disney [United States] |

Release Date: 20 April 2012

Filming Locations: Ivory Coast

User Review

Flawed but Enjoyable Documentary

Rating: 6/10


From the people that brought you the fantastic documentary—Earth—comes
a documentary cut from an entirely different cloth. Unlike Earth,
Chimpanzee is able to weave a storyline by following a specific clan of
chimps, giving each one a name, and following a youngster as he learns
the rough life of the forest. The personal touch is brilliant and
allows for a heartfelt documentary. In the end, the only problems are
in the way the movie is edited and narrated.

One of the best things about Chimpanzee is the way in which it elicits
empathy from the viewer. The movie focuses on features of chimpanzees
that remind of us ourselves—using tools to get food, breastfeeding, and
youth playing games while adults try to sleep. By the time the
documentary develops a plot, you will honestly care about the
characters involved. You will laugh time and time again.

You will not cry. Despite the disturbing and depressing nature of the
film, everything is glazed over. This points us directly at the core
problem of Chimpanzee—the narration. First off, Tim Allen wasn't the
right choice. He doesn't do the inflections correctly and often speaks
far too excitedly. The other major problem with the narration is the
script. When Tim Allen started speaking for the Chimps, I was amused.
When it continued, it became rather annoying. The narration should have
been used to support the documentary—not overshadow it.

Chimpanzee was marketed as a children's film. We received the
children's preshow and nothing but adolescent trailers. That is what
stopped the documentary from being great. By skipping over the scenes
that are too hard to watch and not diving into the real reason an Alpha
Male would take in a young chimp, the documentary shortchanges itself.
Earth was great because it wasn't directed at an adolescent audience.
That freed the team up to build the best movie. The same was not the
case for Chimpanzee.

If you enjoy documentaries, you will enjoy Chimpanzee. Although the
movie does not deliver critical thoughts, it is filled with incredible
visuals and an intriguing storyline. If you are not a fan of
documentaries, there is no reason to see Chimpanzee. I hope this movie
does not show a trend for wide release documentaries. Documentaries are
beautiful when they are not dumbed down for our children.

reillyreviews.wordpress.com

Plot

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

Release Year: 2011

Rating: 7.5/10 (3,950 voted)

Critic's Score: 61/100

Director:
John Madden

Stars: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith

Storyline
A group of British retirees decide to "outsource" their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self.

Writers: Ol Parker, Deborah Moggach

Cast:

Judi Dench
–

Evelyn Greenslade

Tom Wilkinson
–

Graham Dashwood

Patrick Pearson
–

Graham's Colleague

Hugh Dickson
–

Judge

Bill Nighy
–

Douglas Ainslie

James Rawlings
–

Estate Agent

Paul Bhattacharjee
–

Dr. Ghujarapartidar

Penelope Wilton
–

Jean Ainslie

Maggie Smith
–

Muriel Donnelly

Liza Tarbuck
–

Staff Nurse

Lucy Robinson
–

Judith

Ronald Pickup
–

Norman Cousins

Celia Imrie
–

Madge Hardcastle

Simon Wilson
–

Madge's Son-in-Law

Sara Stewart
–

Madge's Daughter

Details

Official Website:
Official site |
Official site [Spain] |

Release Date: 4 May 2012

Filming Locations: India

Opening Weekend: £2,222,051
(UK)
(26 February 2012)
(504 Screens)

Gross: £15,674,349
(UK)
(25 March 2012)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

>Tom Wilkinson's character is called Graham Dashwood. Tom Wilkinson played Mr Dashwood in the 1995 version of
Sense and Sensibility.

Goofs:

Factual errors:
When they arrive in India, their flight to Jaipur is canceled because of bad weather. Such a thing may only occur during Monsoon (from June till September), but if that were the case there should have been bad weather each day, something that could not pass unmentioned.

Quotes:

Orderly:
My wife is from Mumbai.

>Muriel:
Well don't blame me, you married her!

User Review

Two Important Don'ts: DON'T miss this movie, and DON'T believe the critics

Rating: 10/10


I agree heartily with all the reviewers here (except "disappointed")
because this is a GREAT BRITSH FILM for which the critics have not
given hardly enough credit. I am glad I didn't listen to their
"disappointment" and went to see it anyway. Sometimes it is critics
that are the disappointment! The acting was tremendous. The setting of
India was beautiful and perfect. The theatre was full and as most
people have already said here, everyone was laughing out loud. It was
like a great and funny and cleansing session at a cinema/therapist,that
just washed over you, so touching were all the emotions and insights,
so real to life ,you could not believe they were acting.

I read one newspaper critic who said the characters didn't have enough
depth. Well, no, it was a two hour movie, silly, and what you got was a
vignette of 7 real lives, each of them facing the reality of old age in
their own way.

How wonderful to have a real movie about real issues that addresses
them with humour and leaves you feeling uplifted. And how refreshing to
have a film by and for the mature and senior members of society. To me
the whole idea and effect of this movie is to fly in the face of the
Western idea we have of old age somehow being something pitiful, to be
feared, and if possible, to be glossed over, fixed up and avoided, so
you can remain as young, powerful and appealing to your very last day,
as possible.The movie opens up all these ideas to question and I am
sure left many, like me, pondering. Why are over 60's in this country
called Old Age Pensioners, when no self-respecting American would allow
that? They are "Senior" Citizens over there(note the difference). Why
don't we look after and respect our elders? Why does the extended
family work perfectly well in countries like Italy, Spain, Greece,
India, but is a rarity here? And who is responsible for ignoring or
marginalizing a whole generation of baby boomers who lived through and
oversaw one of the biggest transformations in society ever? They were
the generation that believed in a Brave New World, and many of them
still do.

A society that doesn't value the wisdom and experience of its elders is
without foundation.Young and old,"every man is a piece of the
continent, a part of the whole". Go and see this movie and think about
it. And take your family. Great stuff.

Plot

One year after meeting, Tom proposes to his girlfriend, Violet, but unexpected events keep tripping them up as they look to walk down the aisle together.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 6.7/10 (418 voted)

Critic's Score: 61/100

Director:
Nicholas Stoller

Stars: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt

Storyline
Exactly one year after Tom Solomon meets Violet Barnes, he surprises her with a ring. By all accounts, Tom and Violet are destined for their happily ever after. However, this engaged couple just keep getting tripped up on the long walk down the aisle.

Writers: Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller

Cast:

Jason Segel
–

Tom Solomon

Emily Blunt
–

Violet Barnes

Chris Pratt
–

Alex Eilhauer

Alison Brie
–

Suzie Barnes-Eilhauer

Lauren Weedman
–

Chef Sally

Mimi Kennedy
–

Carol Solomon

David Paymer
–

Pete Solomon

Jacki Weaver
–

Sylvia Dickerson-Barnes

Jim Piddock
–

George Barnes

Eric Scott Cooper
–

B&B Manager

Dakota Johnson
–

Audrey

Jane Carr
–

Grandma Katherine

Clement von Franckenstein
–

Grandpa Baba

Michael Ensign
–

Grandpa Harold

Madge Levinson
–

Grandma Leonora

Release Date: 27 April 2012

Filming Locations: Alamo Square, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, California, USA

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

>Jason Segel and >Emily Blunt previously played romantic interests in
Gulliver's Travels. They also both appeared in
The Muppets.

User Review

Utterly disappointing

Rating:

Everyone involved in this movie is so much better than this. I'm kind
of embarrassed for all of them. Did we need a whole movie about how
awful it is to be engaged to a gorgeous, funny, intelligent woman that
you make sacrifices for? I just don't understand the point of it. The
leads were cute enough together, but it didn't feel like a real
relationship. The peaks and troughs were all so contrived and
predictable. And all the "comedy" hinged on genitals, dead
grandparents, Andy from Parks & Rec except inexplicably successful, and
an Asian man with a thick accent. Really? It's 2012, guys. That stuff
is stale.

Allison Brie was fantastic, though.

Plot

Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 7.1/10 (2,200 voted)

Critic's Score: 73/100

Director:
Peter Lord

Stars: Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven

Storyline
After years of humiliation and failed attempts to win the coveted Pirate of the Year Award, Pirate Captain and his oddball crew take on the cream of the pirating crop – Black Bellamy, Peg Leg Hastings and Cutlass Liz – in a race to pillage the most booty. They soon cross paths with lovelorn scientist Charles Darwin, who persuades the Captain that the crew's prized 'parrot', Polly, could be the answer to the 'untold riches' they are searching for. Their adventure takes them to Victorian London where they meet Darwin's sidekick 'man-panzee' Mister Bobo, and the notorious pirate-hating Queen Victoria herself. It soon unfolds that Darwin's motives for helping the crew are not what they seem, and the Queen has an evil hidden agenda of her own. The Pirate Captain must choose between basking in the glory of being crowned Pirate of the Year, or staying faithful to his trusted crew.

Cast:

Hugh Grant
–

The Pirate Captain

(voice)

Martin Freeman
–

The Pirate with a Scarf

(voice)

Imelda Staunton
–

Queen Victoria

(voice)

David Tennant
–

Charles Darwin

(voice)

Jeremy Piven
–

Black Bellamy

(voice)

Salma Hayek
–

Cutlass Liz

(voice)

Lenny Henry
–

Peg Leg Hastings

(voice)

Brian Blessed
–

The Pirate King

(voice)

Russell Tovey
–

Albino Pirate

(voice)

Anton Yelchin
–

The Albino Pirate

(voice:US version)

Brendan Gleeson
–

The Pirate with Gout

(voice)

Ashley Jensen
–

The Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate

(voice)

Al Roker
–

The Pirate Who Likes Sunsets and Kittens

(voice: US version)

Mike Cooper
–

Admiral Collingwood

(voice)

David Schneider
–

Scarlett Morgan

(voice)

Taglines:
It's a plunderful life

Details

Official Website:
Official site |
Official site [uk] |

Release Date: 27 April 2012

Box Office Details

Budget: $60,000,000

(estimated)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

The film is based on >Gideon Defoe's novels 'The Pirates! in an Adventure with Scientists' (the Pirates encounter Darwin and Bobo) and 'The Pirates! in an Adventure with Whaling' (the Pirates face off against Cutlass Liz).

Goofs:

Anachronisms:
Girl Scouts/Guides (only Scouts in USA) and Boy Scouts did not exist during the reign of Queen Victoria. Lord Baden-Powell began organizing Boy Scouts in 1908 and Girl Scouts/Guide started later, all after Queen Victoria died. Girl Scouts USA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2012.

Quotes:

[from trailer]

>Pirate Captain:
[looks at Darwin's house]
You don't get many girls, do you?

Bobo:
No. He. Doesn't.

User Review

A rousing triumph from Aardman

Rating: 9/10


Having loved Aardman's other work, especially Wallace and Gromit,
Creature Comforts, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep, I was much looking
forward to The Pirates! And I found myself loving it. Apart from
sagging slightly in the pace in the middle with a couple of scenes that
could've done with more punch perhaps, it has all the attributes that
made me love Aardman in the first place.

For instance, The Pirates! is a marvellous looking film, you could
really tell that a lot of creativity and effort went into it. The
colours and backgrounds are plentiful and rich with always something
interesting to look at, and the character designs are appealing with
the title character reminding of a youthful Wallace with hair and a
beard. The 3D is one of the rare instances where it enhances the
visuals and action rather than detract from it.

Theodore Shapiro's music is enough to rouse the spirit, and does very
well conveying a sense of adventure. The songs featured are fun and
memorable. I also loved the crispness and wit of the dialogue managing
to appeal to children and adults alike, and the story is exciting with
lots of charm and heart. The characters appeal because of their
larger-than-life personalities, true the names are on the generic
side(Pirate Captain, Pirate with gout) but that was probably the
intention. I did enjoy seeing the likes of Charles Darwin and Queen
Victoria as well, and they especially Queen Victoria added a lot to the
film.

As for the vocal cast, the cast itself was one of the film's main
attractions and the voice work is first rate. Hugh Grant shows
impeccable comic timing, and Salma Hayak voices Cutlass Liz with lots
of sass. Jeremy Piven shows that he can do wonderfully with a character
that is strongly-written and provides a good contrast to Grant's Pirate
Captain. Brendan Gleeson and Brian Blessed give rousing turns, David
Tennant's Charles Darwin charms and Imelda Staunton voices Queen
Victoria as if she were born to do it.

Overall, Aardman does it again, a wonderful family film that anybody
could enjoy. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Plot

A Marine travels to North Carolina after serving three tours in Iraq and searches for the unknown woman he believes was his good luck charm during the war.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 5.6/10 (747 voted)

Critic's Score: 38/100

Director:
Scott Hicks

Stars: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner

Storyline
U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alivea photograph he found of a woman he doesn't even know. Discovering her name is Beth and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Writers: Will Fetters, Nicholas Sparks

Cast:

Zac Efron
–

Logan

Taylor Schilling
–

Beth

Blythe Danner
–

Ellie

Riley Thomas Stewart
–

Ben

Jay R. Ferguson
–

Keith Clayton

Adam LeFevre
–

Judge Clayton

Robert Hayes
–

Victor

(as Robert Terrell Hayes)

Joe Chrest
–

Deputy Moore

Russell Durham Comegys
–

Roger Lyle

(as Russ Comegys)

Sharon Morris
–

Principal Miller

Ann McKenzie
–

Charlotte Clayton

Kendal Tuttle
–

Aces

Cameron Banfield
–

Younger Marine

Ritchie Montgomery
–

Cottage Owner

Courtney J. Clark
–

Logan's Sister

Details

Official Website:
Official site |
Official site [Mexico] |

Release Date: 20 April 2012

Filming Locations: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $35,000,000

(estimated)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Theaters on military installations were given an advanced showing of the film.

Quotes:

>Beth:
Why did you come here?

>Logan:
To find you.

User Review

Spoilers …Great movie

Rating: 9/10

If you read the book you will notice some huge differences, but I was
expecting that going in as Hollywood does it to every book adaptation
known to man. This movie won't win any Oscars, but it's a sweet
romantic movie that will brighten your day and make you feel there are
still some good guys left in this world.

I thought the performances were great. As the Logan character in the
book didn't have much dialogue neither did he in the movie and I
thought Zac Efron did amazingly well conveying his emotions through
facial and body movements. I will say I think Taylor Schilling lacked
performance wise, but she did gain steam toward the end of the film.

I gave this movie a 9/10 because I wanted sappy romance and I got it
with some extra steamy Zac Efron.

Plot

Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 8.1/10 (13,331 voted)

Critic's Score: 68/100

Director:
Gary Ross

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Storyline
In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Writers: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins

Cast:

Stanley Tucci
–

Caesar Flickerman

Wes Bentley
–

Seneca Crane

Jennifer Lawrence
–

Katniss Everdeen

Willow Shields
–

Primrose Everdeen

Liam Hemsworth
–

Gale Hawthorne

Elizabeth Banks
–

Effie Trinket

Sandra Ellis Lafferty
–

Hob Vendor

(as Sandra Lafferty)

Paula Malcomson
–

Katniss' Mother

Rhoda Griffis
–

Registration Woman

Sandino Moya
–

Propaganda Film Tribute

(as Sandino Moya-Smith)

Josh Hutcherson
–

Peeta Mellark

Raiko Bowman
–

Peeta's Mother

Dwayne Boyd
–

Peacekeeper #1

Anthony Reynolds
–

Peacekeeper #2

Judd Lormand
–

Peacekeeper #3

Taglines:
May the Odds be Ever in your Favor

Details

Official Website:
Lionsgate [United States] |
Official Facebook |

Release Date: 23 March 2012

Filming Locations: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $100,000,000

(estimated)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

On February 22nd, four weeks before The Hunger Games' release, Lionsgate began selling advance tickets. Not only did the ticket sales break the one-day record originally held by
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but also accounted for 83% of the ticket sales of the day.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When Prim is going to her group of 12-year olds, the pin is on her left, but when she is called as tribute, it is on her right.

Quotes:

[from trailer]

>Gale Hawthorne:
Okay, listen to me, you're stronger than they are. You are. They just want a good show, that's all they want. You know how to hunt. Show them how good you are.

User Review

The Hunger Games

Rating:


caught an early private screening with my brother and… wow…

i couldn't have been more excited to see the movie after reading the
hunger games trilogy and it didn't disappoint AT ALL!!! it definitely
stayed true to the books (with some minor changes that actually
worked). the fight scenes were unbelievable and ruthless (woo, blood
and full on scenes- no sneaky camera-work to hide the brutality.
definitely pushed the pg13 rating!). fantastic acting by the whole
cast. i couldn't have been more pleased with this movie! definitely
recommend seeing it (and reading the series) fans will be surprised and
NOT disappointed

Plot

Four friends conspire to turn the tables on their women when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey's relationship advice against them.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 3.8/10 (415 voted)

Critic's Score: 53/100

Director:
Tim Story

Stars: Chris Brown, Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart

Storyline
Four women have given up on getting their men to do what they want until they find a how to book written by Steve Harvey. They start using his advice about relationships, and their men start falling in line, until the men discover what the women have been doing, then the war is on.

Writers: Steve Harvey, Keith Merryman

Cast:

Michael Ealy
–

Dominic

Jerry Ferrara
–

Jeremy

Meagan Good
–

Mya

Regina Hall
–

Candace

Kevin Hart
–

Cedric

Taraji P. Henson
–

Lauren

Terrence Jenkins
–

Michael

(as Terrence J)

Jenifer Lewis
–

Loretta

Romany Malco
–

Zeke

Gary Owen
–

Bennett

Gabrielle Union
–

Kristen

La La Anthony
–

Sonia

Chris Brown
–

Alex

Wendy Williams
–

Gail

Sherri Shepherd
–

Vicki

Taglines:
Let the mind games begin.

Release Date: 20 April 2012

Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $13,000,000

(estimated)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

USA: 123 min

User Review

A quality film in line with Hollywood's traditional romantic comedy formula

Rating: 7/10


Based off the Steve Harvey bestseller, the film "Think Like A Man"opens
with the legendary sound of James Brown singing "It's A Mans World".
Anyone familiar with the song knows the true message of the song is in
the lyrics; "but it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a
girl".

That song choice serves as a perfect theme for this conventional
romantic comedy that chronicles the timeless war of the sexes. Now I
realize that the description "conventional" may come across as negative
but that's not my intention entirely. I mean conventional as in "not a
Madea" movie. This quality film falls more in line with Hollywood's
traditional romantic comedy formula rather than Tyler Perry's "play
adapted for film" approach to movie making. There are plenty of laughs
interspersed through out romantic conflicts that are resolved without
any significant twists or surprises.

The plot revolves around the love lives and relationships of six male
friends who fall into very specific roles; the player, the mamas boy,
the dreamer, the non-commiter, the happily married man and the happy
divorcée.

For the most part these guys are blissfully ignorant of the
dissatisfaction that the significant others in their lives silently
suffer through.

That is until the women discover and read Steve Harvey's book "Think
Like A Man, Act Like A Woman". Acting on the advice of the book, the
women manipulate the men into becoming the type of man they each want
and getting the relationships they desire. So can the "player" be tamed
by the girl who keeps her "cookie" on lock down for at least 90 days?
Can the single mom get the "mama's boy" to cut the emotional umbilical
cord he shares with his overbearing, over nurturing mother (played
pitch perfect by Jennifer Lewis)? And what happens when the fellas
realize that they've been "betrayed" by Steve Harvey and then use the
book against the ladies like a sports team with knowledge of the
opposing teams plays.

Although the majority of the cast is Black, the story (due to Steve
Harvey's source material) and the comedy (thanks mostly to Kevin Hart)
is broad enough to appeal to almost all audiences unlike some of Tyler
Perry's movies which tend to cater  specifically to Black women.

Every actor and actress does an adequate job in their various roles and
move the film easily from scene to scene. There are plenty of cameos
that make the film fun but Kevin Hart deserves special recognition
because he absolutely shines! He redefines the term "scene stealer" by
being the most enjoyable character every time he appears on screen.

Although many people will consider this a Black romantic comedy, this
film is really too strong to be pigeonholed into that genre.  But if
you must classify it as such, then know that this movie breaks Tyler
Perry's stronghold and breaks out of the Madea mold of what Black
entertainment is.

Plot

An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 6.9/10 (1,527 voted)

Critic's Score: 56/100

Director:
Tim Burton

Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green

Storyline
In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet-or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better…

Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith, John August

Cast:

Johnny Depp
–

Barnabas Collins

Michelle Pfeiffer
–

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

Helena Bonham Carter
–

Dr. Julia Hoffman

Eva Green
–

Angelique Bouchard

Jackie Earle Haley
–

Willie Loomis

Jonny Lee Miller
–

Roger Collins

Bella Heathcote
–

Victoria Winters
/
Josette DuPres

Chloë Grace Moretz
–

Carolyn Stoddard

Gulliver McGrath
–

David Collins

Ray Shirley
–

Mrs. Johnson

Christopher Lee
–

Clarney

Alice Cooper
–

Alice Cooper

Ivan Kaye
–

Joshua Collins

Susanna Cappellaro
–

Naomi Collins

Josephine Butler
–

David's Mother

Taglines:
The legend bites back.

Details

Official Website:
Official site |

Release Date: 11 May 2012

Filming Locations: Beckenham place park, Kent, England, UK

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Makeup artist >Joel Harlow applied several layers of custom greasepaint to create Barnabas Collins's chalk-white complexion.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When Barnabus is on fire and doused with water the inside of the bucket appears dry.

Quotes:

[from trailer]

>Barnabas Collins:
I have spent the last two centuries in a box…

User Review

Keep these two away from each other

Rating: 4/10


The film can't decide whether it's a fish-out-of-water comedy or a
Gothic thriller/romance. Instead, we get treated to a bipolar movie
that is, at times, really funny, but mostly full of unnecessary
exposition. I think Burton wanted to honor the TV show by adding in so
many details, but frankly, it was boring at times as they moved from
one plot point to another. Some of the "wrap up" surprises at the end
came off as forced. Though I'm glad they didn't rely on as much CGI to
create the set pieces, one major scene involving a concert looked like
it was stolen from the Austin Powers films.

Johnny Depp did some great physical comedy as well as Helena Bonham
Carter and Jackie Earle Haley, but Dark Shadows should go back to the
grave.

Plot

Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.

Release Year: 2012

Rating: 8.8/10 (65,676 voted)

Critic's Score: 69/100

Director:
Joss Whedon

Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson

Storyline
Nick Fury is director of S.H.I.E.L.D, an international peace keeping agency. The agency is a who's who of Marvel Super Heroes, with Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When global security is threatened by Loki and his cohorts, Nick Fury and his team will need all their powers to save the world from disaster.

Writers: Zak Penn, Joss Whedon

Cast:

Robert Downey Jr.
–

Tony Stark
/
Iron Man

Chris Evans
–

Steve Rogers
/
Captain America

Mark Ruffalo
–

Bruce Banner
/
The Hulk

Chris Hemsworth
–

Thor

Scarlett Johansson
–

Natasha Romanoff
/
Black Widow

Jeremy Renner
–

Clint Barton
/
Hawkeye

Tom Hiddleston
–

Loki

Clark Gregg
–

Agent Phil Coulson

Cobie Smulders
–

Agent Maria Hill

Stellan Skarsgård
–

Selvig

Samuel L. Jackson
–

Nick Fury

Gwyneth Paltrow
–

Pepper Potts

Paul Bettany
–

Jarvis

(voice)

Alexis Denisof
–

The Other

Tina Benko
–

NASA Scientist

Taglines:
Throw down the hammer.

Details

Official Website:
Official Facebook [United Kingdom] |
Official site |

Release Date: 4 May 2012

Filming Locations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $220,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: INR 110,000,000
(India)
(27 April 2012)

Gross: $178,400,000
(Non-USA)
(29 April 2012)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Before >Mark Ruffalo was cast as The Hulk, >Joaquin Phoenix was rumored for the part.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible:
During the attack of New York when the cars are initially being blown up, you can see the ratchet cable attached to one of the cars when it spins over.

Quotes:

[from trailer]

>Nick Fury:
You think you're the only hero in the world?

User Review

An Unstoppable Force of Awesomeness! All Hail The New King!

Rating:


I have got to tell anyone who will listen that this is one of THE best
adventure movies I've ever seen. It's almost impossible to convey how
pumped I am now that I've seen it. I purposefully avoid hyping myself
for movies because when expectations are too high, nothing seems to be
able to reach them. I usually avoid the hype train whenever possible.
That said, I was jacked to see this movie and was fully aboard the hype
train. It couldn't be helped. So, I was certainly open to intense
disappointment had this movie not been good. I'm so happy to report
just the opposite has happened.

The only word I can think of to describe this movie is AWESOME. It's
amazing work and everything I had hoped for and more. It's exceptional
entertainment for the uninitiated but it has everything a fanboy could
want to be sure. It has every little nuance of what a fanboy wants to
see. One of the MANY things I loved was the tension and flat out
conflict that arises between team members. It's not a two dimensional
"team wonderful that bands together to fight crime ho ho ho." Most
don't like each other at fist and there is so much texture to be
played. That is great because so many of these characters are larger
than life. They have egos and the big guns aren't used to working with
other people or even playing by the rules. Stark, Thor and Banner all
work "the other side of the fence" so to speak. Then there's the Widow,
Hawkeye and Captain America who are used to following orders and
playing within a command structure. They are all thrown together in a
wonderful and, best of all, believable fashion. Again, more than I ever
dreamed possible.

The entire cast really delivered. You needed more than just action
actors or stunt doubles to play all these parts. The pathos is there
but so are the timing and true deep performances. Look, I was missing
Ed Norton as much as anyone on that hype train I talked about but I'm
so happy to say that Mark Ruffalo won me over. I hope he's locked up
for the long haul because we don't need any more changes. Three was the
lucky number for movie Banners. Every other actor in Avnegers that
we've seen before is BETTER than their previous incarnation (EVERY
single one) with the possible exception of RDJ as Stark. He's great but
it's hard to top his take on the character from the original Iron Man
in an ensemble movie. I also have to fully disclose that I'm insanely
attracted to Scarlett Johansson. I thought her Widow character was
amazing but I'm definitely judging that through rose colored glasses.
The character arcs that run there course during this film will surprise
a lot of general audiences expecting nothing more than a Transformers
type popcorn scarfdown.

I honestly don't want to give away ANY of the movie with this review
because this is one film that needs every scene to be savored. Do
yourself a favor and remain unspoiled. It's how I saw the movie (apart
from what the trailers showed) and even though you're obviously reading
this review, read no others with any kind of spoilers whatsoever.
Experience the awesomeness for yourself. Avengers as a movie and as a
team on screen is an unstoppable force. I'm just going to say, Hulk &
Thor combination equals AWESOME and leave it at that. This movie
defines MUST SEE.