Act of Valor (Active-Duty US Navy Seals) in Theatres on July 11, 2012

Act of Valor (2012)

Hazel's
Comment: There were Filipino groups who demanded an apology from Relativity Media and wanted this movie banned because it depicted Filipinos as cold-hearted terrorists. But isn't this movie a work of fiction? Why are some people just so uptight and critical about it?

Audience
Rating: 4/5
Liked the Movie: 77% (n=69,819)

Critics
Rating: 2.3/5
Liked the Movie: 25% (n=126)


Reviews

"When the bullets are flying, Act of Valor is undeniably tense and thrilling." - Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly

"Fighting is a learned skill; so is acting. And the SEAL stars are plausible only when on maneuvers - performing as their own stunt doubles." - Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

"The special ops missions are pretty amazing, but the SEALS as dramatic characters are under-developed." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"It's undeniably reverent of the real-life heroes in its cast, but Act of Valor lets them down with a clichéd script, stilted acting, and a jingoistic attitude that ignores the complexities of war." - rottentomatoes.com

"The filmmakers are so intent on shooting the real SEAL deal that they forget this is supposed to be a movie: We need a story." - Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

"I don't know what to make of Act of Valor. It's like reviewing a recruiting poster." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"I think these real-life action heroes deserve a better movie. So does the audience." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune


Movie Info

An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a film like no other in Hollywood's history. A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, Act of Valor features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-their-seat journey. When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all. Act of Valor combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the-minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure film-showcasing the skills, training and tenacity of the greatest action heroes of them all: real Navy SEALs. -- (C) Relativity

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh

Written By: Kurt Johnstad

Distributed By: Relativity Media

Cast
Roselyn Sanchez (Agent Morales)
Alex Veadov (Christo)
Nestor Serrano (Walter Ross)
Emilio Rivera (Sanchez)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Magic Mike (Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey) in Theatres on July 11, 2012

Magic Mike (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.7/5
Liked the Movie: 69% (n=48,120)

Critics
Rating: 3.5/5
Liked the Movie: 77% (n=132)


Reviews

"If you're looking for a romance with 100 percent prime beefcake? Get your singles out and ready, ladies. "Magic Mike" is in the house." - Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"Soderbergh has created a spicy yet lucid, surgingly high-energy yet smartly modernistic musical." - Richard Brody, New Yorker

"It's one of the year's best surprises, and so is its frequently underrated star." Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"At the very least, it is exceptional and one of the best and most original pictures to come along in 2012." - Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

"A weirdly guilty pleasure." - Stephen Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

"Magic Mike has a conventional structure, yet a teasing question percolates beneath: If selling yourself is as much fun as this movie makes it look, what could be wrong with it?" - Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

"The dance numbers, choreographed by Allison Faulk, are inventive and athletic, but not really erotic; Soderbergh never lets you forget that, for these men, dancing is above all a job." - Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

"If filmmaker Soderbergh had paid as much attention to relationship dynamics as he does to dance number mechanics, this film would have gotten closer to living up to the magic in its name." - Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times


Movie Info

Set in the world of male strippers, Magic Mike is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Channing Tatum in a story inspired by his real life. The film follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 hr. 50 min.

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Written By: Reid Carolin

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast
Channing Tatum (Magic Mike)
Alex Pettyfer (Adam, The Kid)
Matt Bomer (Ken)
Joe Manganiello (Big Dick Richie)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas)
Cody Horn (Brooke, Paige)
Olivia Munn (Joanna)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

"Big Miracle" (Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell) in Theaters on July 4, 2012

Big Miracle (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.4/5
Liked the Movie: 63% (n=29,488)

Critics
Rating: 3.1/5
Liked the Movie: 74% (n=95)


Reviews:

"Big Miracle uses real-life events as the basis for a surprisingly satisfying family drama." - rottentomatoes.com

""Big Miracle" gets off to a shaky start, but once revved up, it becomes an involving work-against-the-clock-and-the-odds action movie." - Rachel Saltz, New York Times

"Cold War-era bonding over whales? It would sound utterly absurd if it weren't based on fact. And that's part of what makes this movie fun for adults." - Stephanie Merry, Washington Post

"It is a whale of a comic tale, if also one overly crowded with characters and incidents." - Peter Howell, Toronto Star

""Big Miracle" might be subtitled, "How Hollywood Turned a Real Story Into Bogus Fiction." - Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"If you think it's absolutely not your kind of thing, you might be surprised." - Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies


Movie Info

Inspired by the true story that captured the hearts of people across the world, the rescue adventure Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and an animal-loving volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. -- (C) Universal

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 46 min.

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: Ken Kwapis

Written By: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler

Distributed By: Universal Pictures

Cast
John Krasinski (Adam Carlson)
Drew Barrymore (Rachel Kramer)
Kristen Bell (Jill Jerard)
Dermot Mulroney (Colonel Scott Boyer)
Ted Danson (J. W. McGraw)
Tim Blake Nelson (Pat Lafayette)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

The Amazing Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Sally Field) in Theatres on June 29, 2012

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Hazel's
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: Honestly, I didn't like the character of the new Spiderman much - he is playful, rash, irresponsible. To me, not a hero at all but just a typical boy next door. Though I loved the scene where Stan Lee showed up... epic!
Comment: A movie I'm definitely going to watch on the big screen! It's awesome that there are scenes wherein you could feel like you're Spider-Man since it's shot on his perspective. Can't wait when it swings to theatres real soon...

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 91% (n=232,426)

Audience
Rating: 4.2/5
Liked the Movie: 84% (n=291,053)

Critics
Rating: 3.4/5
Liked the Movie: 74% (n=240)


Reviews

"A well-chosen cast and sure-handed direction allow The Amazing Spider-Man to thrill, despite revisiting many of the same plot points from 2002's Spider-Man." - rottentomatoes.com

"The Amazing Spider-Man is at least better than Raimi's Spider-Man 3, which was a mess." - Peter Howell, Toronto Star

"At 28, Garfield's slightly older than Maguire was when he played Peter Parker in 2002, but his combination of fresh-faced innocence, nervous agitation and wry humor is immediately appealing." - Tom Charity, CNN.com

"I don't really see why the Spidey reboot was needed right now, but The Amazing Spider-Man has its virtues. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are stellar and director Marc Webb has crafted a Spider-Man that touches the heart." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"If you've seen half a dozen superhero films, and the box office results suggest you have, then you've also seen what "The Amazing Spider-Man" has to offer." - Laremy Legel, film.com

"How amazing can it be? We all just saw this movie when "Spider-Man" came out a decade ago." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"With great stories come great responsibilities. This one doesn't measure up." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune


Movie Info

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Marc Webb

Written By: Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, James Vanderbilt

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker / Spider-Man)
Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy)
Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Connors)
Sally Field (Aunt May / May Parker)
Denis Leary (Captain Stacy)
Martin Sheen (Ben Parker / Uncle Ben)
Campbell Scott (Richard Parker)
Irfan Khan (Dr. Ratha / Van Adder)
Annie Parisse (Mrs. Van Adder)
Julianne Nicholson (Mary Parker)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Rock of Ages (Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige) in Theatres on June 14, 2012

Rock of Ages (2012)

Hazel's
Rating: 4/5
Review: It was a very enjoyable movie and it was fun singing along to 80s tunes. I'm amazed Tom Cruise could actually sing. Amazing cast! Just like in the play =) The movie had a lot of variations from the play that makes it all the more difficult to compare. Both were great! My rating is similar as well, a 4 out of 5 =)
Comment: There was an episode in this year's season of American Idol wherein the director of "Rock of Ages," Adam Shankman, was their guest. He shared that he wasn't expecting much from the singing talent of Tom Cruise and was totally blown away when Tom brought the house down. Can't wait to watch this on the big screen! Also, already bought tickets to watch the "Rock of Ages" play at RCBC Plaza on July 7 so I get to compare the stage play to the movie. I wonder which one is better...

Audience
Rating: 3.5/5
Liked the Movie: 61% (n=61,017)

Critics
Rating: 2.6/5
Liked the Movie: 41% (n=196)


Reviews

"As a story, Rock of Ages is all over the place, but the performers are clearly having a blast, and their enjoyment is infectious." - Shaun Munro, What Culture

"[T]his is just a madly silly, deeply goofy movie that's meant to pander to GenX 80s nostalgia. It's not trying to be radical or revolutionary... I'm not even sure director Adam Shankman realizes how extraordinary his film is on [a certain] level..." - - MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

"Shankman succeeds in draining most of the fun from a vehicle that was all about the winking humor of its flagrant cheesiness." - David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

"This lively but decidedly overlong film showers the audience with kitsch at the expense of characters." - Tim Grierson, Screen International

"As the tagline says, Rock of Ages is nothin' but a good time. Sometimes, it's even less." - Charlie Lyne, Ultra Culture


Movie Info

Rock of Ages tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock 'n' roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and more. -- (C) Warner Bros

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 3 min.

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

Directed By: Adam Shankman

Written By: Chris D'Arienzo

Distributed By: New Line Cinema

Cast
Julianne Hough (Sherrie)
Diego Boneta (Drew Boley)
Russell Brand (Lonnie)
Paul Giamatti (Paul Gill)
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Patricia Whitmore)
Malin Akerman (Constance)
Mary J. Blige (Justice)
Alec Baldwin (Dennis Dupree)
Tom Cruise (Stacee Jaxx)
Bryan Cranston (Mayor Mike Whitmore)
Will Forte (Mitch Miley)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Free Movie Screenings (Animation) at Instituto Cervantes de Manila on All Saturdays of July 2012

Instituto Cervantes de Manila invites you to their...

Free Movie Screenings

Instituto Cervantes' Salon de Actos
855 T.M. Kalaw St.
1000 Ermita
Manila, Filipinas

All Saturdays of July 2012
2:00 PM


Ciclo de Cine de Animación Español Film Series

The animated films produced in Spain has experienced great development in recent years. In collaboration with the Film Archive of the AECI, the Instituto Cervantes presents a cycle that includes four examples of high quality level Spanish animation . Projection on DVD with English subtitles.


July 7, 2012 (Saturday) - "Chico and Rita" (94 mins)

"Cuba, 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love." - Instituto Cervantes de Manila


July 14, 2012 (Saturday) - "De Profundis" (75 minutes)

"Once upon a time there was a house in the middle of the sea where a woman waited while she played a melancholy violoncello… She was waiting for her beloved, a painter who had always wanted to be a sailor so that he could navigate amongst the jellyfish, the sea stars and the thousand coloured fishes that he dreamt of in his paintings… His fascination led him to undertake a trip with the purpose of discovering the exciting beauty and mysteries of the deep sea, but one that meant that neither of them knew if they would ever meet again… A trip to the depths of the sea. A dream come true. A love story. A poem in motion..." - Instituto Cervantes de Manila


July 21, 2012 (Saturday) - "Don Quijote I y II" (26 minutes)

"Cartoon adaptation of the immortal work of Miguel de Cervantes. 39 episodes chronicling the adventures of the knight Don Quixote (voice of Fernando Fernan-Gomez) and his faithful squire Sancho Panza (voice of Antonio Ferrandis)." - Instituto Cervantes de Manila


July 28, 2012 (Saturday) - "Nocturna" (80 minutes)

"In the aging orphanage the days pass very uneventfully, but the nights are something quite different; at least for Tim they are. The light reflected from the stars is the only cure for his fear of the dark. One night this fear leads him to the orphanage rooftop. Where he discovers that his favourite star has disappeared, and unfortunately it’s not going to be the last one. Tim also discovers the Cat Shepherd and his faithful cat Tobermory, that will become Tim's personal guardians. Tim convinces the Shepherd to take him to see Moka, the guardian of the night, and pleads for him to return the stars to the night sky." - Instituto Cervantes de Manila


Admission to all the screenings is FREE on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis.

For more details, please contact:
Tlf: (63-2)526-1482 - 85
Fax: (63-2)526-1449
Email: cenmni@cervantes.es

Or visit their website, this article's Source.

2012 Eiga Sai - The Japanese Film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Mandaluyong from July 6 - 15, 2012

2012 Eiga Sai
The Japanese Film Festival
Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
July 6 (Friday) - 15 (Sunday), 2012


About the Films:

“Villain,” which opens the 2012 Eiga Sai, is a gritty social critique released in 2010 featuring award-winning actress Eri Fukatsu as she plays sales clerk Mitsuyo, a woman who is on the run with a murderer, Yuichi (Satoshi Tsumabuki). Directed by Lee Sang-il, the 139-minute film won the Best Actress award for Fukatsu in the Montreal World Film Festival.

Peak — The Rescuers follows the story of a mountain rescuer in the Northern Alps after having conquered the world’s famous peaks. Released in 2011, “Peak — The Rescuers” is an adventure film and drama based on the popular comics by Shinichi Ishizuka. It follows the story of Sanpo, who volunteers as a mountain rescuer in the Northern Alps after having conquered the world’s famous peaks.

“Railways” (2010) is a heartwarming family drama which chronicles the turning point of businessman Hajime, who is in line to be the head of a prominent electronics company. After his mother falls ill and his best friend is killed in an accident, Hajime—who has no time for family—returns home and revisits his childhood dream of becoming a train conductor.

Japanese comedy “Happy Flight” (2008) is set onboard Flight No. 1980 bound for Honolulu from Japan, where co-pilot Kazuhiro Suzuki is counting on the flight as his final test for a promotion to captain while the new cabin attendant Saito Etsuko sees it as her debut on an international route. However, the plane is forced to head back to Japan due to technical failures and they encounter yet another difficulty on the way back: landing the aircraft in the face of an approaching typhoon.

“Tomorrow’s Joe” (2011) is an exciting live adaptation of Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba’s eponymous comic, regarded as a brilliant feat in manga history. The story revolves around two boxing rivals—a recruit from the slums and a professional fighter—who engage in a fierce battle that will determine both their fates.

Medical drama “In His Chart” (2011) is based on the debut novel of Sosuke Natsukawa. An eye-opening glimpse into rural Japan’s healthcare issues, the film follows the growth of young doctor Ichito (Sho Sakurai), who encounters terminal cancer patient Azumi and is left questioning the very existence of medicine.

Animated sci-fi and fantasy film “Colorful” (2010) shows what happens to a deceased soul that was transferred into the body of high school boy Kobayashi Makoto, who just committed suicide. With Kobayashi’s body regaining life, the soul inhabits him and journeys deeper into the boy’s story, eventually uncovering the truth behind the suicide.

The film “Abacus and Sword” (2010) is a family drama and a film adaptation of Isoda Michifumi’s book, which chronicles life in the final days of the Tokugawa shogunate from the household accounts of a low-ranking samurai.

Award-winning “Ninja Kids” (2011) is a live action adaptation of Amako Sobei’s well-loved ninja action manga, following the comical slapstick antics of a group of boys who are elite ninjas-in-training. The film focuses on Ninja Academy first grader Rantaro and friends and fellow students Shinbee and Kirimaru as they commit constant blunders in school. Fourth-grader Takamaru, as an assassin, unexpectedly turns up.

Romance drama “Permanent Nobara” (2010) unravels a love story for grown-ups, based on the popular manga series of the same title by Reiko Saibara. The tale unfolds as Naoko returns home with her young daughter, where her mother runs a beauty parlor where local women gather to lament their bad luck with men and laugh over dirty jokes." –KG, GMA News


Screening Schedule:

July 6, 2012 (Friday)
2:00 PM Railways
4:30 PM Permanent Nobara
7:00 PM Peak - The Rescuers

July 7, 2012 (Saturday)
2:00 PM Ninja Kids
4:30 PM Tomorrow's Joe
7:00 PM Happy Flight

July 8, 2012 (Sunday)
2:00 PM Colorful
4:30 PM In His Chart
7:00 PM Abacus and Sword

July 9, 2012 (Monday)
2:00 PM Peak - The Rescuers
4:30 PM Railways
7:00 PM Villain

July 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
2:00 PM Happy Flight
4:30 PM Tomorrow's Joe
7:00 PM Colorful

July 11, 2012 (Wednesday)
2:00 PM Ninja Kids
4:30 PM Permanent Nobara
7:00 PM In His Chart

July 12, 2012 (Thursday)
2:00 PM Abacus and Sword
4:30 PM Railways
7:00 PM Villain

July 13, 2012 (Friday)
2:00 PM Tomorrow's Joe
4:30 PM Happy Flight
7:00 PM Peak - The Rescuers

July 14, 2012 (Saturday)
2:00 PM Permanent Nobara
4:30 PM Ninja Kids
7:00 PM In His Chart

July 15, 2012 (Sunday)
2:00 PM Abacus and Sword
4:30 PM Colorful
7:00 PM Villain


Admission is Free! =)
Tickets are issued 30 minutes before the screening.

Reminders:
1. Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis
2. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice
3. Film ratings may be confirmed at the ticket office


Hazel's
Rating: 3.5/5
Comment: I was able to watch "Abacus and Sword" and pretty much liked it. A movie that would be appreciated by accountants and people who have parents devoid of emotion. The film brings you back in time to 1800s Japan, giving you a glimpse of what was life like during that era. Not only entertaining but also educational =)

French Director, Olivier Assayas Retrospective (Free Film Screenings) at the CCP from June 28 - 30, 2012

Irma Vep Invades CCP!
A Retrospective of Films by the acclaimed French Director Olivier Assayas
Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater)
June 28 - 30, 2012


Film Schedule:

June 28, 2012 (Thursday)
4:00 PM - Cold Water
7:00 PM - Irma Vep

June 29, 2012 (Friday)
4:00 PM - HHH A Portrait of Hou Hsiao-hsien
7:00 PM - Les Destinées sentimentales

June 30, 2012 (Saturday)
1:00 PM - Demonlover
4:00 PM - Clean
7:00 PM - Summer Hours


Download Film Synopses

Free admission!

Seating strictly on a first come-first serve basis.


About the Show:

"The Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the Ambassade de France aux Philippines presents Irma Vep Invades CCP!, a retrospective of films by the acclaimed French director Olivier Assayas, on June 28 - 30, 2012.

Son of Jacques Rémy, who was a screenwriter for Christian-Jaque and Henri Decoin, Olivier Assayas started out as a critic for Cahiers du cinéma. He was one of the first European cinephiles to cast his eye towards the new wave of Asian cinema – he produced a documentary on the Taiwanese master, Hou Hsiao Hsien. In China he met Maggie Cheung, who he would later marry and cast in Irma Vep, a bold variation on a classic serial by Feuillade, presented at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section in 1996.

Keen to put theory into practice, Olivier Assayas was soon receiving acclaim for his short films (notably Laissé inachevé à Tokyo in 1982) and his work as a screenwriter on Rendez-vous, directed in 1985 by André Techiné, another former writer on Cahiers. The following year he made his first feature film, Disorder, a portrait of turbulent youth in which his passion for rock music is already evident. Praised for his stylish mise en scène, Assayas excels in filming young actresses such as Judith Godrèche (Paris Awakens, 1991) and Virginie Ledoyen (Cold Water, 1994), in stories which blend emotional intrigue and intergenerational conflict. In 1998, the bittersweet Late August, Early September, starring Jeanne Balibar and Mathieu Amalric as the leading couple, seemed to bring a cycle to a close.

Olivier Assayas subsequently strived to broaden the horizons of French cinéma d'auteur in a series of ambitious, eclectic projects. Les destinées sentimentales, an epic starring Emmanuelle Béart and Charles Berling, screened at Cannes in 2000, was followed by high-tech thriller Demonlover, which unsettled the Cannes jury in 2002. He surprised many by venturing into melodrama in Clean in 2004. A moving portrait of a reforming addict who vows to regain custody of her son, it earned Maggie Cheung, now separated from the filmmaker, the Best Actress Award at Cannes. Assayas the experimentalist then set off for Hong Kong to film Asia Argento in a foray into B movies, Boarding Gate, before returning to France to film, as part of a series commissioned by the Musée d'Orsay, Summer Hours, a family saga starring Juliette Binoche (2008)." - CCP


For more information, please call:
CCP Film, Broadcast & New Media (63-2)832-1125, locals 1704 & 1705

Men In Black III (Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin) in Theatres on May 23, 2012

Men in Black 3

Audience
Rating: 3.8/5
Liked the Movie: 74% (n=389,519)

Critics
Rating: 3/5
Liked the Movie: 69% (n=206)


Reviews

"It isn't exactly a persuasive argument for the continuation of the franchise -- but Men in Black III is better than its predecessor and manages to exceed expectations, largely due to Josh Brolin's impressive performance." - rottentomatoes.com

"The movie represents at least a partial return to form--not as inventive as the first, but surely better than the recycled materials that made up the second." - Christopher Orr, The Atlantic

"It's better than the first one." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"It turns out to be reasonably entertaining, though not enough to make me crave Men in Black 4." - Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

"When even the most charismatic actor on the planet can't fake excitement, you know you're in trouble." - Christy Lemire, Associated Press

"This sequel is so lifeless and pointless that it moves beyond "unnecessary" into the realm of "unwanted" and "insulting." - James Berardinelli, ReelViews

"Look into this device and wait for the flash and forget any talk of sequels, please. Move along. Your work is done." - Linda Barnard, Toronto Star


Movie Info

"In Men in Black 3, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him -- secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind." -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld

Written By: Lowell Cunningham

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Will Smith (Agent J, J)
Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K, K)
Josh Brolin (Young Agent K)
Jemaine Clement (Boris the Animal)
Alice Eve (Young Agent O)
Emma Thompson (Agent O)
Nicole Scherzinger (Boris' girlfriend)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer) in Theatres on June 6, 2012

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Hazel's
Rating: 3/5
Review: I love those penguins! Though after watching the movie, I felt there was something missing. Yes the film entertained me, gave some hearty laughs but it didn't really connect with me, nothing to bring home or think about. I liked Madagascar 2 better; haven't watched 1 though
Recommendation: Can be missed unless you're the type of person who likes brain overload (with so many things happening). 3D would definitely be more overwhelming!

Audience
Rating: 4.1/5
Liked the Movie: 82% (n=80,961)

Critics
Rating: 3.4/5
Liked the Movie: 75% (n=81)


Reviews

"A fun and fast family entertainment." Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"A riot of splashy colors, silly 3-D gimmicks, big, broad kid-friendly gags - and those professionally pesky penguins." - Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

"This is the rare animated property that has consistently improved on its ho-hum origins." - Justin Chang, Variety

"Dazzlingly colorful and frenetic, Madagascar 3 is silly enough for young kids, but boasts enough surprising smarts to engage parents along the way." - rottentomatoes.com

"Your brain goes breathless and giddy struggling to keep up." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"If you typically check the ingredients on the stuff you feed your kids, here is what you'll find in "Madagascar 3": jokes, Katy Perry music and less than 2 percent of character development and emotional warmth." - Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"Despite a script co-written by Noah Baumbach, "Madagascar 3" can't upgrade its own shtick, becoming a craven example of a fast-buck, no-fun family film." - Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News


Movie Info

Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins are all along for the comedic adventure. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent - Madagascar style. -- (C) Dreamworks

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Directed By: Eric Darnell

Distributed By: Paramount / Dreamworks

Cast
Ben Stiller (Alex)
Chris Rock (Marty)
David Schwimmer (Melman)
Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria the Hippo)
Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien)
Frances McDormand (Captain Chantel DuBois)
Martin Short (Stefano)
Jessica Chastain (Gia)
Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Dark Shadows (Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Chloe Moretz) in Theatres on May 10, 2012

Dark Shadows (2012)

Hazel's
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: It's the first time I watched a movie with Eva Green (the witch) and I'm impressed with her acting. Of course, being impressed with Johnny Depp is a given. However, I had some questions after watching the movie like a) how come the cops and townspeople left the manor when they know a witch and a vampire are killing each other? and b) when your daughter's a werewolf, wouldn't you have noticed it while she was growing up?
Aside from the incoherent script, I'm boggled if the movie wants to scare you or make you laugh. Ultimately, it brings you nowhere.
Recommendation: You can miss watching the film unless you're a Johnny Depp or Tim Burton fan who wants to check out their 8th collaboration. For me, a movie that belongs in the dark shadows.

Audience
Rating: 3.2/5
Liked the Movie: 48% (n=165,555)

Critics
Rating: 2.7/5
Liked the Movie: 40% (n=209)


Reviews

"How bad is "Dark Shadows"? It makes you long for a "Twilight" movie. That's bad." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"An uncertain combination of elements that unsuccessfully tries to be half-scary, half-funny and all strange..." - Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

"The visuals are top notch but Tim Burton never finds a consistent rhythm, mixing campy jokes and gothic spookiness with less success than other Johnny Depp collaborations." - rottentomatoes.com

"Dark Shadows' only meaningful relationship is between Depp and his audience. He's a persona now, no longer an actor." - Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail

"The film's biggest disappointment is the utter lack of chemistry between Depp and either Green or Heathcote." - Joy Tipping, Dallas Morning News

""Dark Shadows" doesn't add anything new to the genre, but it's a surprisingly high-spirited and genuinely black-humored comedy." - Rafer Guzman

"All dressed up and no place to go." - Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic


Movie Info

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, each harboring their own dark secrets. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr. 53 min.

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Tim Burton

Written By: Dan Curtis

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast
Johnny Depp (Barnabas Collins)
Michelle Pfeiffer (Elizabeth Collins Stoddard)
Bella Heathcote (Victoria Winters)
Eva Green (Angelique Bouchard)
Chloe Moretz (Carolyn Stoddard)
Helena Bonham Carter (Dr. Julia Hoffman)
Alice Cooper as Himself

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Marvel's The Avengers (Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson) in Theatres on April 25, 2012

Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Hazel's
Rating: 4/5
Review: Though there were some boring parts (I caught my boyfriend sometimes sleeping beside me), it was a nice movie. When the earth won at the end (we always win anyway, right?), I wanted to stand up and clap. The effects were amazing! Who's my favorite Avenger? The Hulk! Who's yours? ;)
Recommendation: A definite must see on the big screen

Audience
Rating: 4.7/5
Liked the Movie: 96% (n=321,256)

Critics
Rating: 4.1/5
Liked the Movie: 93% (n=270)


Reviews

"Audiences have been eagerly anticipating this first all-hero extravaganza for years. The wait was worth it." - Claudia Puig, USA Today

"With a script that never forgets its heroes' humanity and no shortage of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype -- and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies." - rottentomatoes.com

"If you are a Marvel fan, then The Avengers will feel like Christmas. Thanks to the merry doings of the director, Joss Whedon, all your favorite characters are here, as shiny and as tempting as presents under the tree." - Anthony Lane, New Yorker

"Whedon, a pop-genre magician best known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is a master of viewer manipulation - because he never gives up his own seat in the crowd." - Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

"The banter has zip, the effects are fun, the climactic battle is decently spectacular, and if the 3-D is mostly expendable, there are a few scenes where it adds a nice kick." - Bob Mondello, NPR

"A slow start, a single star performance surrounded by indifferent acting and an onslaught of computer effects that range from seen-it-all-in-"Transformers" to a whole sky full of spectacular stuff in the midtown Manhattan climax." - Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

"Really, who cares about another battle? We know how this is going to end." - Karina Longworth, Village Voice


Movie Info

Marvel Studios presents Marvel's The Avengers-the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. -- (C) Marvel

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 22 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Written By: Joss Whedon, Zak Penn

Distributed By: Walt Disney Pictures

Cast
Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark / Iron Man)
Chris Evans (Captain America)
Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner / The Hulk)
Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow)
Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton / Hawkeye)
Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury)
Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts)
Paul Bettany (Jarvis)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Hunger Games (Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth) in Theatres on March 21, 2012

The Hunger Games (2012)

Hazel's
Rating: 4.5/5
Review: "What a gruesome and violent movie (Really? Teens are allowed to watch this?) but what a concept! It reminds me of arenas in ancient Greece where slaves or gladiators were watched to fight to the death, as a form of amusement. I loved the movie! Jennifer Lawrence, plus the other actors like Banks, Harrelson and Tucci were superb. What I just didn't like was the shaky handling of the camera that made me dizzy after watching the movie. Can't wait to watch the sequel "Catching Fire," and of course to read the book trilogy, since the novels are usually better than the movie =)"

Audience
Rating: 4.2/5
Liked the Movie: 86% (n=96,173)

Critics
Rating: 3.6/5
Liked the Movie: 85% (n=243)


Reviews

"This movie rules." - Dominic Corry, Flicks.co.nz

"Thrilling and superbly acted, The Hunger Games captures the dramatic violence, raw emotion, and ambitious scope of its source novel." - rottentomatoes.com

"Lawrence is terrific in the lead role and gives us someone to root for to survive this horrible ordeal. The supporting players carve out memorable characters. The musical score, costumes and makeup are the other strengths." - Keith Cohen, Entertainment Spectrum

"Lawrence is a strong role model for young girls with her character's sacrifice, courage, moral grounding in a world that's lost its own, and will to fight for what's right, even if it means sacrificing her own life or sparking a revolution." - Neil Pond, American Profile

"The film is aided immeasurably by Judianna Makovsky's costume design. Clothes are an intentional method of deciphering The Hunger Games' politics." - Chirs Laverty, CLothes on Film

"I didn't read the book. While the film is entertaining enough, I never felt drawn in to this new world." - Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review


Movie Info

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. -- (C) Lionsgate

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hr. 22 min.
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Directed By: Gary Ross
Written By: Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross, Billy Ray
Distributed By: Lionsgate

Cast
Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen)
Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark)
Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne)
Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy)
Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket)
Lenny Kravitz (Cinna)
Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman)
Donald Sutherland (President Snow)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

We Bought A Zoo (Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson) in Theatres on January 18, 2012

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

Audience
Rating: 4/5
Liked the Movie: 82% (n=19,969)

Critics
Rating: 3.2/5
Liked the Movie: 63% (n=115)


Reviews

"This is a sweet, funny, unapologetically sentimental film." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"We Bought a Zoo is a transparently cloying effort by director Cameron Crowe, but Matt Damon makes for a sympathetic central character." - rottentomatoes.com

"Crowe is back to what he's good at: small stories populated by everyday people." - Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice

"There's a lot of fun waiting at We Bought a Zoo, but it's the feelings that run through every scene that'll make you glad you came." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"There's a word for the strenuous, shameless plucking of an audience's emotions that this movie traffics in: cornography." - Richard Corliss, Time Magazine


Movie Info

Acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) directs an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory. -- (C) Official Site

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2 hr. 4 min.

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Cameron Crowe

Written By: Cameron Crowe, Aline Brosh McKenna

Distributed By: 20th Century Fox

Cast
Matt Damon (Benjamin Mee)
Scarlett Johansson (Kelly Foster)
Thomas Haden Church (Duncan Mee)
Colin Ford (Dylan Mee)
Maggie Elizabeth Jones (Rosie Mee)
Angus Macfadyen (Peter MacCready)
Elle Fanning (Lily Miska)
Patrick Fugit (Robin Jones)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler) in Theatres on January 18, 2012

Coriolanus (2011)

Audience
Rating: 3.7/5
Liked the Movie: 70% (n=2,544)

Critics
Rating: 3.6/5
Liked the Movie: 91% (n=57)


Reviews

"Ralph Fiennes makes Shakespeare modern and bloody brilliant." - Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter

"Fiennes directs theater on the grand scale, burning his characters down to expose the terrible beauty of the human soul." - Kathleen Murphy, MSN Movies

"The play has been significantly but artfully trimmed by John Logan's screenplay, which preserves Shakespeare's language." - Jake Coyle, Associated Press

"Fiennes takes one of the playwright's lesser-known works, originally set in the 5th century B.C., updates it to current times and imbues it with a gritty blood-spattered fierceness." - Claudia Puig, USA Today

"In attempting to update the play to a buzzing CNN world, Ralph Fiennes proves that as a director, he makes a fine actor." - Kyle Smith, New York Post


Movie Info

Caius Martius 'Coriolanus' (Ralph Fiennes), a revered and feared Roman General is at odds with the city of Rome and his fellow citizens. Pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, he is loath to ingratiate himself with the masses whose votes he needs in order to secure the office. When the public refuses to support him, Coriolanus's anger prompts a riot that culminates in his expulsion from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the city. -- (C) Weinstein Co

Rated: R

Running Time: 2 hr. 2 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed By: Ralph Fiennes

Distributed By: The Weinstein Company

Cast
Ralph Fiennes (Caius Martius)
Brian Cox (Menenius)
Vanessa Redgrave (Volumnia)
Jessica Chastain (Virgilia)
Gerard Butler (Tullus Aufidius)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (Jason Lee, Justin Long, Jesse McCartney) in Theatres on January 8, 2012

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)

Audience
Rating: 3.3/5
Like the Movie: 52% (n=20,693)

Critics
Rating: 1.8/5
Like the Movie: 13% (n=68)


Reviews

"In between the cutesy musical covers (from the Go-Go's to Lady Gaga), the young rodents engage in harmless slapstick and even learn a bit about themselves." - Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic

"For kids, familiarity, silliness and Dave's unconditional love make it appealing. For adults, the best it has to offer are nostalgia and a running time under 90 minutes." - Nell Minow, Chicago Sun-Times

"Lazy, rote, and grating, Chipwrecked is lowest-common-denominator family entertainment that's strictly for the very, very, very young at heart." - rottentomatoes.com

"It's an uninspired and instantly forgettable film. But it completely succeeds by its own standards: an 87-minute rainy-day distraction that will probably make a zillion dollars." - Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

"Maybe for the next installment, they can go off to college and find something better to do than making these silly movies." - Claudia Puig, USA Today

"Good news: The shrill CG rodents, who last infested theaters in 2009's Squeakquel, are stranded on a jungle island with little hope of survival. Bad news: They've brought us along." - Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly

"Well, at least it isn't in 3D." - Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter

"Puns like these would be unforgivable coming from a human. From high-pitched rodents, they prompt calls for an exterminator." - Jake Coyle, Associated Press


Movie Info

The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become 'chipwrecked' on a remote island. As the 'Munks and Chipettes try various schemes to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems. -- (C) Official Site

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 hr. 27 min.

Genre: Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Directed By: Mike Mitchell

Written By: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger

Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Cast
Jason Lee (Dave Seville)
Justin Long (Alvin)
Matthew Gray Gubler (Simon)
Jesse McCartney (Theodore)
Amy Poehler (Eleanor)
Anna Faris (Jeanette)
Christina Applegate (Brittany)
David Cross (Ian)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law) in Theatres on January 8, 2012

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Audience
Rating: 3.9/5
Like the Movie: 80% (n=73,771)

Critics
Rating: 3.1/5
Like the Movie: 59% (n=181)


Reviews

"As Johnny Depp has done so brilliantly with his devilish Jack Sparrow, Downey has made this sly sardonic Sherlock stylistically all his own. Case closed." - Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a good yarn thanks to its well-matched leading men but overall stumbles duplicating the well-oiled thrills of the original." - rottentomatoes.com

"In an act of criminal negligence, Ritchie has wasted Robert Downey Jr. in a sequel that eliminates smarts in favor of relentless headbanging." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"I was let down by this loud and flashy but utterly empty sequel." -Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

""What do you see?'' the gypsy girl asks him. "Everything,'' Holmes replies. "That is my curse.'' If Downey has a curse, it'll be called "Sherlock Holmes 3."" Ty Burr, Boston Globe
"The skill level in the script is elementary school, my dear Watson." - Kyle Smith, New York Post


Movie Info

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room... until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large - Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) - and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder - a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction - all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history. -- (C) Warner Bros

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 8 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Written By: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast
Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)
Jude Law (Dr. John Watson)
Noomi Rapace (Madam Simza Heron)
Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler)
Jared Harris (Professor James Moriarty)
Stephen Fry (Mycroft Holmes)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (Tom Cruise) in Theatres on December 16, 2011

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)

Hazel's
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: The gadgets were cool especially the IPAD-controlled hallway image... Breathtaking scenes during Tom Cruise's dangling outside Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building... highly action-packed and entertaining movie. Though Tom Cruise is growing old... Nooooooo! =)

Audience
Rating: 4.1/5
Like the Movie: 87% (n=64,495)

Critics
Rating: 3.8/5
Like the Movie: 93% (n=184)


Reviews

"Stylish, fast-paced, and loaded with gripping set pieces, the fourth Mission: Impossible is big-budget popcorn entertainment that really works." - rottentomatoes.com

"[Bird's] fresh touch gives breathless energy, tremendous excitement and, above all, humor to what could have been a wearying genre exercise." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"There's a good chance you'll get so caught up in what they're doing, you won't even notice how stiff and inhuman the actors appear." - Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

"As usual with the series, the movie combines a plot line a toddler could understand with gadgets that would baffle an engineering Ph.D." - J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader

"The real mission is to renew a stale franchise, and here Ghost Protocol largely succeeds, on the strength of good action scenes - including an IMAX-enhanced Dubai skyscraper dangle by Cruise - and the good humour of a well-chosen cast." - Peter Howell, Toronto Star

"Ghost Protocol is a very good thrill ride and Cruise is better than he's been in a long time." - Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol was directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles), whose first stab at a live-action feature preserves the buzzy exhilaration and carefree absurdity of a cartoon." - Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

"A largely successful attempt to reboot the moribund franchise that turns out to be probably the most entertaining installment since Brian De Palma's series opener from 15 years ago." - Lou Lumenick, New York Post

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is easily the best of the lot." - Claudia Puig, USA Today

"I'm thinking it, so I might as well say it: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is no Fast Five." - Richard Corliss, Time Magazine


Movie Info

This is not just another mission. The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this. -- (C) Paramount

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 13 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Brad Bird

Written By: Josh Applebaum, André Nemec

Distributed By: Paramount Studios

Cast
Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt)
Simon Pegg (Benji Dunn)
Jeremy Renner (William Brandt)
Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell)
Vladimir Mashkov (Anatoly Sidirov)
Paula Patton (Jane Carter)

Source: rottentomatoes.com