127 Hours

Rating: 9/10
127 Hours Trailer (HD)
(Spoiler Alert)

127 Hours is the story of Aron Ralston, an incautious daredevil who takes a solo rock-climbing trip to canyons in Utah. While leaping from one rock to another, a boulder he steps on becomes dislodged. Aron slips and falls down into a canyon where he finds his right forearm pinned between the boulder and the canyon wall. Having no cell phone, very little water and food, and a dull made-in-China pocketknife, Aron needs to find a way out before he dies. Aron finds the ultimate will to survive by amputating his arm. This movie was extraordinary. Directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), 127 Hours was executed to perfection. James Franco, who played Aron Ralston, was outstanding and will definitely be a front-runner for Best Actor at this years Academy Awards. Don't be worried about the amputation scene being repellent. It was filmed in a way so everyone can view it without wanting to walk out of the theater. This movie will make you feel uncomfortable and anxious, but not to a degree that will turn a viewer away. 127 Hours is one of the best movies of the year and will be highly rewarded during the Academy Awards. If there is any movie this year that you need to see, this would be one of them. I highly recommend seeing 127 Hours, for it will be a movie that you will never forget.

The Tillman Story

Rating: 7.5/10
The Tillman Story Trailer (HD)

Pat Tillman was an American football player who decided to give up his NFL career to join the US Army and fight the war on terror. While honorably serving in Afghanistan, Pat was killed in the line of duty. The Pat Tillman Story is a documentary that addresses the aftermath of Tillman’s death. His family, along with the rest of the country, were told by the US military that he died during combat while trying to save a fellow soldiers life. The Tillman family wanted to know more about his death and began to research. Much to the Tillman's dismay, they found out that he had actually been killed by friendly fire and that the military tried to use Pat's death as a propaganda tool. This film tells the in-depth story of how and why the government covered up his death and how the family caught the government red handed. This was a very well made and interesting documentary. Pat Tillman is looked upon by many as an "American hero", although, he would not have wanted to have that title at all. He did not want to be given any special treatment after death that a normal soldier would not have received. The documentary presents the idea that the United States government made Pat Tillman a martyr; in turn, disrespecting him and other soldiers who had served with him. After seeing this film, you realize how humble and modest Pat Tillman was. Pat Tillman is still a hero to me for giving up his football career and fighting to keep our country safe. I highly recommend seeing this documentary.

Due Date

Rating: 5.5/10
Due Date Trailer (HD)

Is it just me or is Zach Galifianakis's gig getting old really quickly? Due Date is about two men, Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, who are banned from flying after being kicked off a plane going from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Robert Downey Jr.'s wife is due to deliver their first child any day and he is stuck without his luggage or wallet, which he left on the plane. Downey has no choice but to rent a car and drive with Galifianakis to Los Angeles before his wife gives birth. The obvious setbacks come along the way. This movie strongly resembles the 80's John Hughes classic, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, only much less entertaining. I thought Zach Galifianakis was hysterical in The Hangover but now I am almost annoyed by his humor. He has his funny moments in this movie but overall I think this movie was lousy. Compared to director Todd Phillips previous movies, such as Old School and The Hangover, Due Date was poorly made. I wouldn't recommend seeing this movie at all.   

Conviction

Rating: 7/10
Conviction Trailer (HD)

Conviction is the remarkable true story of a sister's deep love and devotion for her incarcerated brother. Set in Ayer, Massachusetts, the film follows Kenny Waters, a man convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. His sister, Betty Anne Waters, believes that he is innocent. Though never graduating high school, after her brother is found guilty, she earns her GED, college degree, a masters in education, graduates from law school and passes the bar examination. Betty Anne sacrifices 18 years of her own life to prove her brothers innocence. The story itself is absolutely incredible, but the film creates much less of an emotional effect. This film, like all biopics, must draw the audience in with its heartwarming features. Conviction does a poor job in displaying any climax or excitement. It's like listening to a great story in a monotonous voice. Both Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell were excellent, but the execution of Conviction was very mediocre.

Nowhere Boy

Rating: 7/10
Nowhere Boy Trailer (HD)

Nowhere Boy is the gloomy narrative of John Lennon's childhood. John Lennon was raised by his aunt and uncle in Liverpool, England. The last time he had seen or heard from his mother was when he was five-years-old. He was in his late teens when he found out his mother had been living down the street from him his entire life. His mother was a manic-depressant who was unable to take care of him due to her condition. His father had moved to New Zealand when John was five and John had not seen him since. John was a confused and troubled teen with a passion for music and poetry. This film captures John Lennon's troubled youth and briefly touches on how The Quarrymen came to be The Beatles. Had this movie not been about John Lennon, the story would likely have no viewer interested enough to keep watching. Nowhere boy could have been more intriguing had it focused more on John's troubles as a young man and how it affected his music and lyrics, rather than just affecting his mood and personality. If you are not a fan of John Lennon or The Beatles, this is not a film for you. However, if you are an average to avid fan, then I would recommend seeing this insightful film.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Rating: 6.5/10
It's Kind of a Funny Story Trailer (HD)

It's Kind of a Funny Story showed a lot of potential from the trailer, but overall I thought that this movie kind of missed the point. I was not sure whether the movie was trying too hard or not trying enough, there just seemed to be something that was wrong. This movie begins with a 16-year-old boy who contemplates suicide, so he checks himself into a psych ward. I always enjoy movies that deal with real-life dilemmas—teen angst is something we all can relate to at some point or another. I love motifs in movies about how our tribulations in life are not unique and that all people have their ups and downs. It's Kind of a Funny Story expresses these ideas well but fails to do so in a dramatic and moving way. The problem with this movie was that it couldn't decide whether it was trying to be funny or serious. I believe that one of the hardest things for a movie to do is have multiple genres that are able to coincide fluidly. This movie was unable to do so repeatedly, which made it lose its appeal.  

Catfish

Rating: 8.5/10
Catfish Trailer (HD)

This documentary was unbelievable. Literally, what happens in it is so crazy that it is almost not believable at all. I hate it when people say this, but it leaves you on the edge of your seat the entire movie. It is hard to talk about the movie without giving away any spoilers, but if you have not seen this movie yet, see it! It will change the way you look at some things in life. This was an extremely powerful and entertaining film, which I highly recommend to everyone.