Movie Tip # 54: Hachi

Director: Lasse Hallström

Starring: Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer, Jason Alexander, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Description: In Bedridge, Professor Parker Wilson (Gere) finds an abandoned dog at the train station and takes it home with the intention of returning the animal to its owner. He finds that the dog is an Akita and names it Hachi. However, nobody claims the dog so his family decides to keep Hachi.

Review: Parker finds a puppy and wants to return it to its owner. When no one claims the dog, he named Hachi, Parker and his wife Cate decide to keep him themselves. One day, Hachi follows Parker to the train station and ever since that day Hachi will wait for him when he returns at five o'clock. Everyone who comes to the train station knows Hachi. One day, when Parker collapses while working and dies from it, he doesn't return and Hachi is waiting for him at the train station. And he will return to that train station every day at five, for nine years long.
This story is so extraoridinay it's almost hard to believe it actually happened. Because it did. In real life it was in Japan, but Hachi really waited for his deceased owner for nine years long. When you own or owned a dog at one point in you life, you know what a bond you can develope with a dog. They are faithful, comforting and always there when you get home. The love a dog gives you is priceless. The bond between Parker and Hachi was so real and honest, so it broke my heart everytime Hachi walked to the train station and waited for him there. You have to be made of stone to not feel anything while watching "Hachi". Beautiful movie, amazing story.

Movie Tip # 53: Drive

Director:Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Christina Hendricks, Oscar Isaacs

Description: A lone-wolf Hollywood stunt driver (Ryan Gosling) moonlights as a freelance getaway wheelman, and he finds his solitary existence taking on new meaning after befriending Irene (Carey Mulligan), the lonely wife of convicted felon Standard (Oscar Isaac), and her young son.

Review: "Drive" is a powerful and intriguing film that can not be placed in a box. Its cinematography is sublime and gives it a bit of an arthouse look. Because of the mix of suspense, action and mob violence it will be loved by a bigger audience. In the great opening sequence, the movie grabs you in and from that moment on you get sucked in and it doesn't let you go. 'Driver', played by Ryan Gosling, works for Shannon, a role by Bryan Cranston. He isn't only his agent when he works as a stuntman for Hollywood movies, Shannon is also the one that gets him the nighttime getaway jobs. Driver is a cool, maybe icecold man. He can act without any emotion under every situation. His encounter with neighbour Irene, portrayed by Carey Mulligan, and her son Benicio give him that feeling of being human. After meeting her husband Standard gets out of jail, things go really fast. Driver witnesses when Standard gets in trouble an is forced to help him. He wants to keep Irene and Benicio safe and knows that the next battle is a matter of life and death.
Ryan Gosling's portrayel of Driver is perfect. Especially when you just look at his face, it's very powerful. It's just phenomenal. Carey Mulligan fits her role perfectly and has great chemistry with her co-star. The rest of the cast is also very good. The scenes between Driver and Irene are very tender, but the movie has a lot of extreme moments as well. Very violent confrontations. When that happens the adrenaline rushes through your body. With all these elements it makes "Drive" a well balanced movie.
Fantastic acting, powerful visual cinema. "Drive" is an impressive piece of work.

Movie Tip # 52: Snow White and the Huntsman

Director: Rupert Sanders

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Duir, Brian Gleeson, Toby Jones, Johnny Harris

Description: Snow White (Kristen Stewart), imprisoned daughter of the late king, escapes just as the Magic Mirror declares her the source of the Evil Queen's immortality. The Queen (Charlize Theron) sends her men, led by a local huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to bring her back. But upon her capture, the huntsman finds he's being played and turns against the Queens men, saving Snow White in the process. Meanwhile, Snow's childhood friend, William (Sam Claflin), learns that she is alive and sets off to save her.

Review: I'm a sucker for fairytales. Ever since its trailer was released I wanted to see this film. The well known story of Snow White, but not quite the way it was told when we were kids. "Snow White and the Huntsman" is darker, action packed, more violent, not overwhelmed by romance and full of beautiful visual effects. As for the casting, Kristen Stewart got a lot of negative response. I have to say that I was never a fan either, but she had proven that she could act in "Into the Wild". Stewart is stuck to her "Twilight" character, which is sad, because she can definitely act and I really appreciate her more due to this film. Chris Hemsworth is not only very pleasant to watch, he is very charismatic and he was my favorite character in the film. I did like him together with Stewart and probably a lot of people won't agree with me on that. Charlize Theron, one of my personal favorites, had the best role. Casting her for the role of the evil queens was just perfect. Theron was terrifyingly convincing as a villain. Sam Claflins character William was too one-dimensional and there is really no time to get to know or like him. I did love the dwarfs, they were funny and the world they lived in was beautiful. "Snow White and the Huntsman" is a great movie and met my expectations. I heard that this is going to be a series, so I can't wait to see more of it.

Movie Tip # 51: The Help

Director: Tate Taylor

Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bruce Dallas Howard, Mike Vogel, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Mary Steenburgen, Chris Lowell, Sissy Spacek, Ahna O'Reilly

Description: Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Emma Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends' lives - and a Mississippi town - upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Viola Davis), Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to open up - to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter's life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories - and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly - and unwillingly - caught up in the changing times.

Review: Kathryn Stockett touched quite a few people in their heart with her novel "The Help". After studying in New York for a couple of years, Skeeter is surprised to see how her high school friends are all married and play the suburban houswewive and keeping up appearances. She's even more surprised when she finds out that the maid that worked for her family for 29 years is gone all of a sudden. She decides to write a book from the viewpoint of the black nannies and gets the embittered Aibileen and her sas mouthed friend Minny for her story. Eventhough "The Help" is a very emotional story, it's also a real feel-good movie. It's a story close to reality, but both Stockett and director Tate Taylor thicken it a bit. Like the characters Skeeter and Hilly, very stereotypical, but Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard are actresses who can make those one-dimensional characters come to life. The best roles are for Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, one demure the other very outspoken. Also Jessica Chastain surprises with her role of Celia Foote, the somewhat naive woman who looks past the skin colors but has her own problems. "The Help" has such a strong female cast, great sentimental moments and also a bit of humor. Fantastic film.

Movie Tip # 50: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Tom Felton, Brian Cox

Description: The young scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is about to realize his life's work: the discovery of a cure for Alzheimer's. His experiments on primates, however, have uncommon side effects. The chimps increase in brain activity and Caeser is the first ape with that special intelligence.

Review: We first meet chimp 9, a primate that suceeds in solving the most complicated puzzles. Scientist Will is the one who developed a medicine that should cure alzheimers. He has a reason for wanting it to work, because his father Charles is suffering from the disease and getting worse every day. James Franco does a solid job by playing Will, who you learn to sympathize while the story developes. His father Charles, played by John Lithgow, is a very likeable character but so sad. I really felt sorry for him. Especially the scene where he tries to drive a car. Freida Pinto as Caroline does a fine job but her character is pretty one-dimensional, though she is the most sensible one. Boss Jacobs and bully Dodge did not deserve any sympathy and the entire film you wish only one destiny for them. The big star of the film is ape Caeser, played by Andy Serkis who also did a tremendous job as Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" series and as the giant gorilla in "King Kong". Is it possible to be nominated for an Oscar when you played an ape? He does an excellent job. It's clever acting and he easily overshadows his co-stars. The makers of the film managed to created a great personality for the apes and you hope they will reach their goal. It's the emotional core of the film that most impresses and the scenes between Caesar and Will are fantastic. The twist ending was pretty smart, I liked it. The complete movie is a visual treat, beautifully shot and I'm glad they didn't make the apes killer machines when they broke out. They just wanted freedom, well who doesn't?

Movie Tip # 49: Captain America: The First Avenger

Director: Joe Johnston

Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones

Description: It is 1942, America has entered World War II, and sickly but determined Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is frustrated at being rejected yet again for military service. Everything changes when Dr. Erksine (Stanley Tucci) recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Proving his extraordinary courage, wits and conscience, Rogers undergoes the experiment and his weak body is suddenly enhanced into the maximum human potential. When Dr. Erksine is then immediately assassinated by an agent of Nazi Germany's head of its secret HYDRA research department, Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Rogers is left as a unique man who is initially misused as a propaganda mascot. However, when his comrades need him, Rogers goes on a successful adventure that truly makes him Captain America and his war against Schmidt begins.

Review: Let's just say that I'm not a big fan of superhero movies, with off course some exceptions. But I have to say that this is my favorite superhero movie. "Captain America: The First Avenger" is in many ways an old-fashioned movie, and I don't mean corny. It's old-fashioned entertainment, old-fashioned as in: why don't they make more movies like this? Most cinematic superheroes of today inhabit a universe where the heroes are full of shortcomings, including a large dose of cynicism. Steve Rogers has an innate goodness and he does anything in order to save humanity. Rogers is a very likeable man and Chris Evans does a fantastic job portraying him. I love Chris Evans. Great visual effects, which made Evans a very tiny and skinny man in the beginning. Because of the Vita-Rays, they made him the supersoldier he eventually became. The casting is by the way perfect, for every character. Hugo Weaving is a very convincing villain and is probably the strongest character in the film. I was impressed by Hayley Atwell, who played Rogers' love interest Peggy Carter. Evans has some very amusing scenes and lots of chemistry with Atwell. Strong supporting roles are there for Tucci as the moral anchor of the film and Tommy Lee Jones gets the most laughs as the no-nonsense Colonel Philips. I was really glad to be talked into seeing this movie, because it was very good and I enjoyed every bit of it. Now I have a new favorite superhero: Captain America rules!

Movie Tip # 48: 127 Hours

Director: Danny Boyle

Starring: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn

Description: "127 Hours" is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston (James Franco) examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he can be rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident. Will they be the last two people he ever had the chance to meet?

Review: Director Danny Boyle earned himself eight Oscars for "Slumdog Millionaire". This time the scale of the movie is smaller, but the hero bigger. A man who was trapped between a rock for 127 hours, literally. How can that be interesting? Well, this is how. The cinematography in this movie is simply brilliant: split screens, quick montages, impossible angles, great soundeffects, etcetera. But it's not only the cinematography that made this movie so good. Thank you James Franco, for that fantastic performance. I think this is one of the best performances I've seen in a while. He has the ability to show us so many different emotions: fearless joy, desperation, anger and regret. His subtle performance makes him believable. After you've seen this film, you ask yourself one question: How come the adrenaline is pumping through my body while watching a man who hasn't moved an inch for 90 minutes? Danny Boyle is a master and "127 Hours" is a masterpiece.

Movie Tip #47 - Catch Me If You Can

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner, Martin Sheen

Description: A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.

Review: During the entire film you ask yourself one question: How the hell did he get away with it? Without any medical knowledge he becomes a doctor, he pretends to be a lawyer while breaking the law at the same time and he boards a plane as a pilot while never actually flying a plane. Unbelievable? No! He actually did all those things and he got away with it. I can totally understand FBI agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks, who watches Abagnale and his scams and he gets away every single time. In the meanwhile there's also mutual respect towards each other. DiCaprio does a fantastic job, better than many other movies he got more credit for. He's a criminal, with no bad intentions. He just found a way to earn easy money. Tom Hanks is very believable as Hanratty, who's a modest and clumbsy agent. He makes the movie funny without being hilarious. "Catch Me If You Can" is a great mix of humor, drama, action and tension, which makes this film a succes. And even at the end of the movie, you'll ask yourself that same question: How the hell did he get away with it?

Movie Tip #46 - Scoop

Director: Woody Allen

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, Romola Garai, Ian McShane

Description: In the funeral of the famous British journalist Joe Strombel (Ian McShane), his colleagues and friends recall how obstinate he was while seeking for a scoop. Meanwhile the deceased Joe discloses the identity of the tarot card serial killer of London. He cheats the Reaper and appears to the American student of journalism Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson), who is on the stage in the middle of a magic show of the magician Sidney Waterman (Woody Allen) in London, and tells her that the murderer is the aristocrat Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman). Sondra drags Sid in her investigation, seeking for evidences that Peter is the killer. However, she falls in love with him and questions if Joe Strombel is right in his scoop.

Review: When I first read the plot of this film, I didn't really expect much. I'm not a Woody Allen fan and it seemed a little bit too standard. But this movie actually made me want to see more of Allen's work. I really enjoyed myself here. Scarlett was good, I liked her. I know a lot of people critisize her, but I always appreciated her work. She managed to lose her sexyness and be an avarage and spirited girl. The humour in "Scoop" was great and I loved Woody Allen in this film. He kinda made me nervous a little, but in a good way like Inspector Clouseau makes me nervous. And Hugh Jackman is charming as ever. "Scoop" has a nice light-hearted feel to it and is a very consistent. Johansson and Allen work great together. I think this movie was overlooked by many people and it's definitely worth watching, because you might like it.

Movie Tip #45 - Whale Rider

Director: Niki Caro

Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Cliff Curtis

Description: On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.

Review: It starts of as a simple story, as a young girl goes about trying to convince her grandfather that she is to lead the village. She is tougher than any of the boys, but her grandfather won't see it. Like I said, it's a simple story but very well told. "Whale Rider" is a incredibly touching and deeply moving story. And what a wonderfull acting performance by Keisha Castle-Hughes. She has such a strong magnetism while on camera, it's easy to forget the people around her. The end of the film is simply beautiful and breath-taking. Wonderfull film!

Movie Tip #44 - Shutter Island

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Max von Sydow, Jackie Earle Haley

Description: 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.

Review: We all know that all the films Scorcese made with DiCaprio kinda turn into gold. So does this one. "Shutter Island" is one of those thrillers that literally messes with your head. It seems like a standard story, a crazy escapee that they have to track down. But nothing is as it seems. You don't know who to trust and what actually is going on on that creepy island. DiCaprio delivers a nice, strong performance and so does Ben Kingsley. His character surprised me the most, because he turned out to be someone completely different than I thought he would be. Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams and Mark Ruffalo also know how to draw the attention of the audience. I think this is one of the best ensemble casts of the year. All in all this is a very intriguing psychological thriller, that actually gets you to think and I realize that there aren't a lot of movies like this anymore. A truly unique and well written story (a novel by Dennis Lehane) directed by a true genius and performed by a strong cast. Two thumbs up!

Movie Tip #43 - The Descent

Director: Neil Marshall

Starring: Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Karen Mulder, Alex Reid, MyAnna Buring, Nora-Jane Noone

Description: A woman (Shauna MacDonald) goes on vacation with her family and her husband and her daughter encounter a tragic accident. One year later she goes hiking with her friends and they get trapped in the cave. With a lack of supply, they struggle to survive and they meet strange blood thirsty creatures.

Review: I remember seeing this film for the first time. Not knowing what to expect. It later turned out to be one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. Being trapped in a cave is scary enough for me, but the fact that there are weird, creepy monsters in the cave makes it even more terrifying. A good horror movie builds up the tension, like "Halloween" and "Jaws". That's where most modern horror movies go wrong. But not "The Descent". You get a bit of a claustrophobic feeling once the girls enter the cave, but the real scare creeps up on you later in the film. Especially that one scene with the camera, where we get to see one of the creatures for the first time. An unexpected scare, you never see it coming. "The Descent" is an exceptional good film, especially on Halloween...

Movie Tip #42 - Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Tom Berenger, Pete Postlewaite

Description: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming

Review: I saw this movie yesterday, but I wanted to see "Inception" from the first time I saw its trailer. It drew my attention. And after seeing it, it blew me away! Christopher Nolan created a very complicated story, but if you just pay attention, it isn't that hard to follow. At least not for me. It's an excellent and breathtaking movie. Exciting, mysterious, genious and intriguing. The story is brilliant and the way Nolan brought it to life is even more genious! Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, amazing. He puts his emotions out there, strong performance. The team around him, the same. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy and Dileep Rao, great esemble. Marion Cotillard is also very believable as Cobb's late wife Mal. I loved everything about this movie, probably the best film I saw this year. I wouldn't recommened this movie to everyone, because it's not just a no-brainer. But if you're a movie lover it's a GO SEE!

Movie Tip #41: The Time Traveler's Wife

Director: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams

Description: When Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) meets Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams) in a Chicago library they both understand that he is a time traveler, but she knows much more than this about him as he has not yet been to the times and places where they have met before. He falls in love with her, as she has already with him, but his continuing unavoidable absences time travelling - and then returning with increasing knowledge of their future - makes things ever more difficult for Clare.

Review: Something that sometimes bothers me in 'time travel fiction' is that there is usually a large chunk of the storytelling dedicated to the tedium of explaining 'how' time travel works. "The Time Traveler's Wife" is one of those films that pays more attention to the characters than to all the technicalities. That's what I liked the most about this movie. We really get to know Henry and Clare, who you both gain a lot of sympathy for. And you feel their feelings. Especially Clare's feelings, because she loves Henry so much and she gives up a lot of herself to be with him. This is a true love story, that really gets to you. And it's easy to follow although the story is pretty complex and not completely chronilogical. Rachel McAdams plays Clare, and I already said many times that she's one of my favorites. She proves again why. She's stunning as Clare and very believable and heartfelt. She had some really intense scenes and they stole my heart. I never was a fan of Eric Bana, who portayed Henry, but he's very good in this movie. But less than his leading lady. They make a great combination, they have chemistry. Even if you think the story sounds kinda weird, give it a shot. It won't disappoint you. The movie is based on a bestselling book by author Audrey Niffenegger.

Movie Tip #40 - Inglourious Basterds

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Brad Pitt, Eli roth, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger, Daniel Brühl

Description: In Nazi occupied France, young Jewish refugee Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) witnesses the slaughter of her family by Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). Narrowly escaping with her life, she plots her revenge several years later when German war hero Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl) takes a rapid interest in her and arranges an illustrious movie premiere at the theater she now runs. With the promise of every major Nazi officer in attendance, the event catches the attention of the "Basterds", a group of Jewish-American guerilla soldiers led by the ruthless Lt. Aldo Raine (brad Pitt). As the relentless executioners advance and the conspiring young girl's plans are set in motion, their paths will cross for a fateful evening that will shake the very annals of history.

Review: Quentin Tarantino is one of the best directors in film history. He hasn't directed much, but when he does, it results in movies that we can (almost) call masterpieces. "Inglourious Basterds" is one of those films. He tells the story in a original way, like only he can. But this is the first time that the movie is fully chronological. There are some catchy flashbacks, like the one were Hugo Stiglitz is introduced. Great roles by Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Til Schweiger and Diane Kruger. The ones that impressed me the most were off course Christoph Waltz, who won an oscar for his performance. And well deserved, because he steals every scene he's in. The other actor that caught my eye was Melanie Laurent, another name that we didn't know. She plays Shoshanna and her role is very strong and convincing. I hope to see more of her in the future. This film is great, but the ending is a little bit over the top and to 'American'. And the way the basterds caught Landa, no way that would happen. Landa is way to vicious and smart for that. But even then, this movie is a great experience for the eye.

Movie Tip #39 - (500) Days of Summer

Director: Marc Webb

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel

Description: After it looks as if she's left his life for good this time, Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) reflects back on the just over one year that he knew Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). Despite being physically average in almost every respect, Summer had always attracted the attention of men, Tom included. For Tom, it was love at first sight when she walked into the greeting card company where he worked. Soon, Tom knew that Summer was the woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Although Summer did not believe in relationships or boyfriends. Tom and Summer became more than just friends, or didn't they?

Review: I wanted to see this movie for a long time and now I finally saw it I'm so overjoyed. This is so much more then your typical boy-girl story. It's told in a very unusual way. Tom wants what Summer doesn't want. The story has some unexpected twists and the movie is filmed in a very creative way. Especially the scene where we see a split screen: on the left we see Tom's expectations and on the right we see Tom's reality. Absolutely brilliant! Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are an awesome movie couple with amazing chemistry. I also have to say that they made a great choice of music, that fits this film perfectly. Like Tom fell head over heals with Summer, I'm head over heals with this movie. IT ROCKS!!

I also made a wallpaper for the film:

Movie Tip #38 - The Wolfman

Director: Joe Johnston

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving

Description: Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro), a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins), Talbot sets out to find his brother... and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. Talbot's childhood ended the night his mother died. After he left the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor, he spent decades recovering and trying to forget. But when his brother's fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), tracks him down to help find her missing love, Talbot returns home to join the search. He learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline (Hugo Weaving) has come to investigate.

Review: I saw it yesterday and I am very enthousiastic about it. It's a remake of a movie from the 1940's and it has the atmosphere of a classical horror movie. Grim, dark, sober and very scary. The only difference with a classiscal horror movie is that this film actually has good acting in it. Benicio Del Toro has always been one of my favorites and he proves again why he is. Emily Blunt is a charming actress, she plays her role just right and her acting is perfect. She made a great duo with Del Toro. I don't have to convince you about Anthony Hopkins' acting, because just like Denzel Washington he's one of those actors that hardly ever stars in a 'bad' movie. The only down side was the running time of the film. It was only 102 minutes long, they could have stretched that a little bit. That's just a minor point, so don't let that stop you. "The Wolfman" was definitely worth the money and I could recommend it to every horror fan.

Movie Tip #37 - Sherlock Holmes

Director: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly

Description: After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his assistant Dr. Watson (Jude Law) can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood (Mark Strong) mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).

Review: I was excited to see this movie, because I just love Sherlock Holmes Stories and because of Robert Downey Jr. Well, I got want I wanted. The movie opens with Holmes chasing Lord Blackwood and you're completely dragged into the atmosphere of the film. The music is also rousing which makes it even more thrilling. Soon we see that Downey Jr. as Holmes was a perfect choice. Intelligent humour, quirky manners and a ton of charm. Especially the scene with the little and big hammer and the part where they are trying to 'save bullets' are hilarious. Jude Law is a great sidekick (they first thought of Colin Farrell, so not a Watson) and he's charming as ever. So is Rachel McAdams, who I always liked very much. She plays the only woman who outsmarted Holmes and we see that the mutual love for each other isn't gone. The ending was open, so a second movie is coming. I can't wait! To make a long story short, "Sherlock Holmes" is a fantastic movie with good acting, intriguing story and great music. Go see it, it's worthed.

Movie Tip #36 - A Beautiful Mind

Director: Ron Howard

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Ed Harris

Description: At Princeton University, John Nash (Russell Crowe) struggles to make a worthwhile contribution to serve as his legacy to the world of mathematics. He finally makes a revolutionary breakthrough that will eventually earn him the Nobel Prize. After graduate school he turns to teaching, becoming romantically involved with his student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Meanwhile the government asks his help with breaking Soviet codes, which soon gets him involved in a terrifying conspiracy plot. Nash grows more and more paranoid until a discovery that turns his entire world upside down. Now it is only with Alicia's help that he will be able to recover his mental strength and regain his status as the great mathematician we know him as today.

Review: This is one of my top five movies! It's fantastic. Crowe plays the role of John Nash perfectly, so intense. I never understood how he could win an oscar for "Gladiator" and not win it for "A Beautiful Mind". This is his best role ever. And Jennifer Connelly, who did win an Academy Award for this film, does a great job also. She's a very good actress. It is a beautiful movie, worth your while.

Movie Tip #35 - He's Just Not That Into You

Director: Ken Kwapis

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Justin Long, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Connelly, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johansson

Description: In Baltimore, five women and four men try to sort out the signals that the sexes exchange. Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) imagines every man she meets is Mr. Right; she gets reality checks from Alex (Justin Long), a sweet but cynical saloon keeper. Janine (Jennifer Connelly) and Ben (Bradley Cooper) seem solidly married until he chats with Anna (Scarlett Johansson) in a market checkout line; meanwhile Anna is indifferent to the pursing Connor (Kevin Connolly). Neil (Ben Affleck) and Beth (Jennifer Aniston) have been together seven years; she dumps him when she realizes he really and truly isn't going to marry her. Does he love her? And Mary (Drew Barrymore) sells advertising while searching on line for a man. Will those in love stay in love? Will those searching figure out who is and who isn't into them? Are men all that different from women?

Review: I really wanted to see this movie ever since I saw its trailer. And I loved it. I've always been a big fan of multiple storyline movies. My favourite was the one with Gigi and Alex. I also loved Beth, she's so sweet and I really felt sorry for her. Just like I felt sorry for Janine. I didn't really like Scarlett Johansson in this film, because she didn't really convince me here. Normally I love her, but now I didn't. And her character is very annoying as well. But the complete picture of this film measures up to my expectations. I really enjoyed watching it. For fans of the genre they should really check it out.