PROMISED LAND (2012)
Director: Gus Van Sant
Writers: John Krasinski, Matt Damon, Dave Eggers
Stars: Matt Damon, Frances McDormand and John Krasinski
A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.
It's another low-profile project from the ever-reliable Matt Damon and a reunion film with his Good Will Hunting helmer Gus Van Sant. Early reviews appreciate the promise of the Promised Land. Lastly, it would be nice to see McDoemand and Holbrook on the big screen again.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 55%
Metacritic Rating: 52%
QUARTET (2012)
Director: Dustin Hoffman
Writers: Ronald Harwood
Stars: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, and Billy Connolly
At a home for retired opera singers, the annual concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.
2012 is a Maggie Smith year - She was in the 3rd season of the acclaimed Downton Abbey, won another Emmy for her performance in the aforementioned TV show, sparkled in Exotic Marigold Hotel, and now, effervescent in Quartet. Miss Smith also earned 4 nominations at the recently announced Screen Actors Guild Awards nominees for her individual and ensemble work for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Downton Abbey. Throw in some Pauline Collins and Michael Gambon solid perfs and you have an excellent sophomore directorial outing from Dustin Hoffman.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
Metacritic Rating: 57%
THE SESSIONS (2012)
Director: Ben Lewin
Writer: Ben Lewin
Stars: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, and William H. Macy
A man in an iron lung who wishes to lose his virginity contacts a professional sex surrogate with the help of his therapist and priest.
The Sessions won the Audience Award and Special Jury Prize in the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. If only for the very controversial theme of this small film, I'd certainly watch this. But if you add some career best performances from the three leads, wouldn't you be craving to see it rightaway? It's okay to make movies about sex, especially grown up sex, if they are truthful, funny, and thought-provoking.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Metacritic Rating: 80%
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012)
Director: David O. Russell
Writers: David O. Russell
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro
After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
The film won the People's Choice Award at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. David O. Russell offers a solid follow up to his 2010 film The Fighter with some sensitive and focused direction. Jennifer Lawrence is unstoppable this year -- after giving acclaimed performances in the worldwide hit The Hunger Games and the critically panned The House at the End of the Street, she continues her winning streak in Silver Linings Playbook. Bradley Cooper was given the 2012 National Board of Review Best Actor award. Robert De Niro was also greeted with such warmth by the critics for a wonderful performance in years. It's an acting showcase film and I can't wait to watch it.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%
Metacritic Rating: 81%
ZERO DARK THIRTY (2012)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writer: Mark Boal
Stars: Chris Pratt, Jessica Chastain and Joel Edgerton
A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy SEAL Team 6 in May, 2011.
Kathryn Bigelow is back. With a bang! So is Jessica Chastain, 2011's most ubiqitous actress. This film has so far won the 2012 New York Film Critics Circle and National Board of Review Awards Best Film and Best Director Awards. Is it gonna be a 2009 repeat with The Hurt Locker?
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