Cast:
Jason Segel … Gary
Amy Adams … Mary
Chris Cooper … Tex Richman
Rashida Jones … Veronica Martin
Steve Whitmire … Kermit / Beaker / Statler / Rizzo / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman (voice)
Eric Jacobson … Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Animal / Sam Eagle / Marvin Suggs (voice)
Dave Goelz … Gonzo / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Zoot / Beauregard / Waldorf / Kermit Moopet (voice)
Bill Barretta … Swedish Chef / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Pepe the Prawn / Bobo (voice)
David Rudman … Scooter / Janice / Miss Poogy / Wayne (voice)
Matt Vogel … Sgt. Floyd Pepper / Camilla / Sweetums / 80’s Robot / Lew Zealand / Uncle Deadly / Roowlf / Crazy Harry (voice)
Peter Linz … Walter (voice)
Alan Arkin … Tour Guide
Bill Cobbs … Grandfather
Zach Galifianakis … Hobo Joe
Ken Jeong … ‘Punch Teacher’ Host
 

This movie is fantastic and essentially flawless. Jason Segel, along with co-writer Nicholas Stoller and director James Bobin have made possibly the best family movie of 2011. Adorable and entertaining; the Muppet’s please everyone from the average moviegoer to Muppet purists alike.

On one side is a modern comedy, chock full of hysterical celebrity cameos and pop culture references. And on the other side is a nostalgic throwback to the Muppet’s era. Those who remember the old series will unquestionably find delight in seeing their favorite puppets reunite for another big show, literally.

Funnily enough, the movie treats the Muppet characters as if they were real life actors, with The Muppet’s shows and movies being their past careers. The Muppet’s haven’t seen any action in years (a fact also true in real life), and each Muppet has taken his/her own path in life with varying degrees of success. When crisis arises, the old troupe is forced to find each other and give it another go.

It is all weaved through a fascinating meta-narrative that begs the question, what happens to the Muppet’s when they aren’t The Muppet’s? After all this time away, can The Muppet’s make a comeback through a reunion and relive their former glory days? – a question ultimately answered by the movie itself.

Simply put, I can’t imagine anyone with a heart not enjoying this film. There’s something in it for everybody, especially if you’re in the mood for laughter and catchy musical numbers. The creative humor was a breath of fresh air. There is plenty breaking of the fourth wall and oh so much of that lovely deadpan irony and absurdest humor, reminiscent of old comedies like Airplane! The audience in the theater was cracking up almost every other moment, myself included. And while humor is its strong suit, the movie is also an incredibly heartwarming tale of friends that go their separate ways but are still connected through their hearts. Moviegoers and Muppet fans alike, go see this movie!

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. A Bug’s Life
2. Christmas Is Here Again
3. Madagascar

Cast:
James McAvoy … Arthur (voice)
Hugh Laurie … Steve (voice)
Bill Nighy … Grandsanta (voice)
Jim Broadbent … Santa (voice)
Imelda Staunton … Mrs. Santa (voice)
Ashley Jensen … Bryony (voice)
Marc Wootton … Peter (voice)
Laura Linney … North Pole Computer (voice)
Eva Longoria … Chief De Silva (voice)
Ramona Marquez … Gwen (voice)
Michael Palin … Ernie Clicker (voice)
Sanjeev Bhaskar … Lead Elf (voice)
Robbie Coltrane … Lead Elf (voice)
Joan Cusack … Lead Elf (voice)
Rhys Darby … Lead Elf (voice)
 

This family movie was fast-paced and loads of fun. Entertaining for children of all ages and adults alike.

You will fall in love with the Santa family, Arthur, Bryony, and especially Grandsanta. As a parent you can appreciate the morals of the story; that everyone matters, never give up, and sometimes the old-ways of doing things are better.

Our whole family loved the film, including our children, nieces and nephews. Protective parents need not worry about the little ones, there is no bad words or sexual innuendos.

Though this film is offered in 3D, I think the 2D version is better. Things didn’t pop out as much, but maybe it was suppose to be subtle. For small children, the 2D is better, no parent wants to fuse with a 2 year old trying to wear those oversize awkward glasses.

Bottom line: very enjoyable, good messages, lots of twists and fun humor … Definitely worth downloading and owning!

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Christmas Is Here Again
2. The Santa Clause
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Cast:
Jim Carrey … Scrooge / Ghost of Christmas Past / Ghost of Christmas Present / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Steve Valentine … Funerary Undertaker / Topper
Daryl Sabara … Undertaker’s Apprentice / Tattered Caroler / Beggar Boy / Peter Cratchit / Well-Dressed Caroler
Ryan Ochoa … Tattered Caroler / Beggar Boy / Young Cratchit Boy / Ignorance Boy / Young Boy with Sleigh
Sammi Hanratty … Beggar Boy / Young Cratchit Girl / Want Girl
Julian Holloway … Fat Cook / Portly Gentleman #2 / Business Man #3
Gary Oldman … Bob Cratchit / Marley / Tiny Tim
Colin Firth … Fred
Cary Elwes … Portly Gentleman #1 / Dick Wilkins / Mad Fiddler / Guest #2 / Business Man #1
Robin Wright … Fan / Belle (as Robin Wright Penn)
Bob Hoskins … Fezziwig / Old Joe

Jim Carrey is full of surprises and the entire movie is a theatrical outburst of his talent, under the brilliant direction of Robert Zemeckis. Brilliant because it manages to make take the Dickens story and walk us through all its dimensions, without fear of sadness and, in the same time, he has the cold blood to use the magic wand for a happy end. I wasn’t a big 3D fan until this movie, maybe because I didn’t see any possibility to enrich the classical format, perfect as it became with the years… ‘A Christmas Carol’ gains a lot from 3D being a sensorial experience enhanced by IMAX technology.

All in all, it’s not a story for kids, because it’s rather disturbing and contemplative. Gary Oldman’s pointing finger will stay with you for a while… It’s an enchanting story and I encourage you to go and see it.

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If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. A Christmas Story
2. Christmas Is Here Again
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Cast:

Alexandre Rodrigues … Buscapé – Rocket
Leandro Firmino … Zé Pequeno – Li’l Zé
Phellipe Haagensen … Bené – Benny
Douglas Silva … Dadinho – Li’l Dice
Jonathan Haagensen … Cabeleira – Shaggy
Matheus Nachtergaele … Sandro Cenoura – Carrot
Seu Jorge … Mané Galinha – Knockout Ned
Jefechander Suplino … Alicate – Clipper
Alice Braga … Angélica

The film revolves around the, ‘City of God,’ a favela (or ghetto) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a horrifying area where drug dealers run the community, and where children killing children is not an uncommon occurrence.

The story begins with the early stages of the City of God (in the 1960’s) showing where many of the problems stem from- the extreme poverty, overcrowding etc. Here, in the early stages of the favela, we meet our main characters, along with the supporting cast. The story revolves mainly around two characters living in the favela, Rocket and Lil Ze, and how they take two different paths through life. Rocket’s dream is to become a photographer and to escape the City of God while Lil Ze becomes a powerful gang leader and drug dealer.

The film offers an unflinching look at gang life in the City of God, as it follows the favela through three decades; the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and shows how violence just spirals into more violence with the disturbingly high amounts of violence in the favela, most involving teenagers and children.

The direction, cinematography, and editing are all Oscar-worthy. The cinematography is some of the best I have ever seen- with a very visceral, jerky feel, very reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan. The editing is very frantic, which makes you feel like you are on the streets of the City of God, and the direction is flawless, seamlessly blending the many elements of the story.

The film was definitely one of the best films I have ever seen. The story, the direction, the cinematography, the editing and the acting all add up to make a excellent movie that I would recommend to all.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Sin City
2. Dark City Director’s Cut
3. Notorious

Cast:

Reese Witherspoon … Marlena Rosenbluth
Robert Pattinson … Jacob
Christoph Waltz … August
Paul Schneider … Charlie
Jim Norton … Camel
Hal Holbrook … Old Jacob Jankowski
Mark Povinelli … Kinko / Walter
Richard Brake … Grady
Stephen Taylor … Wade (as Stephen Monroe Taylor)
Ken Foree … Earl
Scott MacDonald … Blackie

Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel comes to glossy life in this period romance.

A sparkle-free Robert Pattinson plays Jacob Jankowski, who studies veterinary medicine during the Great Depression. After a family tragedy, he loses everything, including the chance to graduate from prestigious Cornell, so he hops a train, where he finds himself part of the struggling Benzini Brothers Circus.

Ringleader August (Christoph Waltz, echoing his Oscar-winning Inglourious Basterds performance) has doubts about the softhearted lad, but a fellow Pole smoothes the way, and Jacob becomes the company vet, which leads him to platinum-blond equestrian Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), August’s wife.

The two make eyes at each other, but an affair would surely end badly, so they concentrate on their work. When Marlena’s prize steed falls ill, August purchases an elephant, hoping Rosie will turn their fortunes around, and enlists Jacob to train her. Unfortunately, she’s slow to respond to commands until Jankowski unlocks her secret–and after August has beaten the poor thing into submission. After that, things start to look up until Jacob steals a kiss from his dream girl.

As in The Notebook, the film it most closely resembles, an elderly version of the central character (Hal Holbrook, touching) narrates in the present day (screenwriter Richard LaGravenese also adapted The Bridges of Madison County). He tells an interesting tale, so it’s too bad the leads strike so few sparks. For those who find big-top classics like Nightmare Alley too dark, however, Francis Lawrence’s feel-better variant may be just the ticket.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Little Miss Sunshine
2. Twilight
3. Natural Born Killers

Cast:

Kate Maberly     …     Mary Lennox
Heydon Prowse     …     Colin Craven
Andrew Knott     …     Dickon
Maggie Smith     …     Mrs. Medlock
Laura Crossley     …     Martha
John Lynch         …     Lord Archibald Craven
Walter Sparrow     …     Ben Weatherstaff
Irène Jacob     …     Mary’s Mother / Lilias Craven (as Irene Jacob)

The Secret Garden is the perfect family film.

The movie is a rare treat where in the screenwriter and director actually understand their source, The Secret Garden by Frances Hogsden Burnett, and make a translation to the screen that not only captures the essence of the book but enhances the story as well. Too often directors spoil the story with their own self-interested spin (Little Big Man and Chocolat come immediately to mind)but here is a jewel that leaves the viewer saying “That was as good as the book.” A genuine triumph.

The cast is outstanding, the children in particular, Kate Maberly as Mary Lennox above all. Even to the most minor extra everyone brings a smooth and compelling reality to the story.

However, the real star is director Agnieszka Holland. Against a challenging climate ( a rainy location) she manages to create a movie with a touching commentary on how children can literally change the world. Her insightful grasp of the themes of isolation, growth and rejuvenation, the need for a balance between nurture and allowable risk are all managed through the controlling metaphor of a garden. The artful rendering of these literary themes are what many directors apparently find most challenging ( I’m looking at you Arthur Penn)and generally blissfully ignore them compensating by glib insertions, extra action or clumsy sentiment. Not so here.

Not only is her focus exemplary but the photography is amazing. The interplay of light and dark, the time elapse photos of clouds rolling and flowers emerging all set to beautiful music captivate the viewer. The rainy weather was not shunned but used to fullest effect. I can only imagine the discipline it must have taken to wait for the sun to peep out from the clouds and then roll film hoping that the cast can pull off the shot before the light changed and a second take became a long wait. Fortunately all are up to the task and the film, the final scene in particular, results in a brilliant piece of motion picture art.

The 1993 version of The Secret Garden is a must for every family film collection, one the parents and kids can enjoy for its sophistication or simply for the great way in which this timeless classic is retold.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. The Secret World of Og
2. The Secret Life of Bees
3. Where the Wild Things Are

Cast:

Luis Guzmán as Maurice TT Rodriguez (as Luis Guzman)
Burt Reynolds as Jack Horner
Julianne Moore as Amber Waves
Rico Bueno as Hot Traxx Waiter
John C. Reilly as Reed Rothchild
Nicole Ari Parker as Becky Barnett
Don Cheadle as Buck Swope
Heather Graham as Rollergirl
Mark Wahlberg as Eddie Adams – Dirk Diggler
William H. Macy as Little Bill

From Hollywood’s hottest new director comes the outrageous epic that throws the covers back on California’s adult entertainment industry in the swinging seventies. It’s a touching and often humorous portrait of a most unusual family of filmmakers.

Trivia:

The opening scene is three minutes long, taken in a single camera shot, beginning in the street where Jack Horner and Amber Waves drive up and follow them as they get out of the car and walk into a night club. Most of the characters in the movie are introduced in this shot.

Before the film was finished, Director Paul Thomas Anderson sent a rough copy to New Line Cinema for them to do the trailer for the film. The movie was pirated and distributed before it was released. The pirated work print includes many scenes not in the movie or DVD deleted scenes and were possibly deleted to avoid the NC-17 rating- as some are very explicit.

The entire film is based on the short film The Dirk Diggler Story (1988), also by Paul Thomas Anderson. It was a This Is Spinal Tap (1984)-like mockumentary, which would go on to be redone for the short “Dirk Diggler Story” in this film. In the original short film, Robert Ridgely, who plays The Colonel here, played Jack Horner. The man with whom Don Cheadle is talking in the stereo store is Michael Stein, who played Dirk Diggler. The original script was 300 pages, cut down to 180 pages.

Leonardo DiCaprio was originally offered the role of Dirk Diggler. He liked the screenplay but turned it down because he had already signed on to do Titanic (1997). However, it was DiCaprio who suggested Mark Wahlberg for the role.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Natural Born Killers
2. Jack Frost – 1979 (TV special)
3. Dirty Dancing

Cast:

Joaquin Phoenix as John R. Cash
Reese Witherspoon as June Carter
Ginnifer Goodwin as Vivian Cash
Robert Patrick as Ray Cash
Dallas Roberts as Sam Phillips
Dan John Miller as Luther Perkins
Larry Bagby as Marshall Grant

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash’s life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

Trivia:

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon performed all of the songs themselves, without being dubbed. They also learned to play their instruments (guitar and auto-harp, respectively) from scratch.

Johnny Cash chose Joaquin Phoenix to play him in the film on the basis of his performance in the movie Gladiator (2000). June Carter Cash also reportedly chose Reese Witherspoon for her role in the film.

June Carter Cash died before production began on the film, so Reese Witherspoon’s research included looking through Carter’s closet for inspiration.

Awards:

Oscar
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Reese Witherspoon (won)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Joaquin Phoenix (nominated)

Golden Globe Awards
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (won)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy – Joaquin Phoenix (won)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy – Reese Witherspoon (won)

Grammy Awards
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media – Joaquin Phoenix, T-Bone Burnett
(won)

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Water for Elephants
2. Pleasantville
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Release Date: 26 August 1994
Rated R

Cast:

Woody Harrelson as Mickey Knox
Juliette Lewis as Mallory Knox
Tom Sizemore as Det. Jack Scagnetti
Rodney Dangerfield as Ed Wilson, Mallory’s Dad
Everett Quinton as Deputy Warden Wurlitzer
Jared Harris as London Boy
Pruitt Taylor Vince as Deputy Warden Kavanaugh
Edie McClurg as Mallory’s Mom
Russell Means as Old Indian

Two victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.

Natural Born Killers is a 1994 crime film directed by Oliver Stone about a pair of mass murderers and the media coverage given to them. It stars Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, along with Rodney Dangerfield, Robert Downey, Jr., Tom Sizemore, and Tommy Lee Jones.

The film is based on a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino that was heavily revised by Stone with writer Dave Veloz and associate producer Richard Rutowski. Notorious for its violent content, the film was named the 8th most controversial movie of all time by Entertainment Weekly

Trivia:

Michael Madsen was initially considered for the role of Mickey, but Warner Bros wanted somebody less intimidating, and with a softer persona, as they felt this might alleviate the brutality of the character somewhat.

During filming, director Oliver Stone would play African tribal music at full blast on the set, as a way of keeping a frantic mood.

The color green is used to indicate the sickness in Mickey’s mind and shows up prominently several times during the film: the key lime pie at the diner, the green neon at the drugstore, the green room in the prison.

This was Quentin Tarantino’s second feature length screenplay (his first was True Romance (1993)). The script was rewritten by director Oliver Stone, producer Richard Rutowski and screenwriter David Veloz prior to and during production. The finished film bears little resemblance to Tarintino’s original script.

According to director Oliver Stone, actor Rodney Dangerfield didn’t understand the film during shooting and didn’t understand what Stone was trying to do by shooting such a dark subject as a father molesting his daughter in the style of a 1950’s sitcom. As such, he found it very difficult to perform his part. Stone was delighted however when the film came out and Dangerfield’s performance was hailed as one of the movie’s strongest points.

Awards:

MTV Movie Awards
Best Kiss Juliette Lewis, Woody Harrelson nominated
Best On-Screen Duo Juliette Lewis, Woody Harrelson nominated

Golden Globe Awards
Best Director – Motion Picture nominated

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. No Country for Old Men
2. Zombieland
3. Little Children

Cast:

Kate Winslet as Sarah Pierce
Patrick Wilson as Brad Adamson
Jennifer Connelly as Kathy Adamson
Gregg Edelman as Richard Pierce
Sadie Goldstein as Lucy Pierce
Ty Simpkins as Aaron Adamson

Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Tom Perrotta, Little Children follows the family life of young, unfulfilled suburbanites, Sarah (Winslet) and Brad (Wilson), whose relatively mundane and protected lives intersect on the playgrounds, town pools and streets of their small community. When a brief encounter at a neighborhood park leads them down a fateful path, their lives, and the lives of their children, take a surprising and potentially perilous turn.

Trivia:

In the book Patrick Wilson’s character is called Todd. It was changed to Brad, probably because the writer and director of the film is Todd Field.

When the shot pans over Sarah’s books, they include John Updike’s “Couples” also about married couples in adulterous affairs in the suburbs.

In the novel, the character Ronnie bears very little physical resemblance to Jackie Earle Haley, being an overweight, balding chain-smoker who wears glasses. The novel makes the character even less likable and is a little clearer on whether he actually was involved in the little girl’s disappearance.

Awards:

Academy Awards
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Jackie Earle Haley nominated
Best Actress in a Leading Role Kate Winslet nominated
Best Screenplay – Adapted Todd Field and Tom Perrotta nominated

Golden Globe Awards
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Drama Kate Winslet nominated
Best Film – Drama nominated
Best Screenplay Todd Field and Tom Perrotta nominated

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Natural Born Killers
2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
3. Amelie – Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain