The Beatles do an improvised made-for-TV movie. This is something that’s really hard to make sense of – basically, it’s a bunch of random characters on a tour bus through England… and they just kind of make up stuff to do along the way. Sure, it’s not that great… but it’s an experiment. And experiments are bound to be a mixed-bag. I thought this was a bit like an opening of the door to the more excessive parts of the “anything goes” 60s. It’s worth checking-out if you’re a fan… and the music is interesting at least. But, you haven’t really missed much if you haven’t seen this.

A light romantic comedy about culture clashes. Sure, I suppose this was entertaining, but the romance seemed a bit contrived, and not really passionate… and some of the cultural misunderstandings seemed a bit forced. Plus, the whole corporate part of things just didn’t make much sense – the decision making seemed kind of haphazard. I mean, it’s like they didn’t even call the guy in the India office before visiting? Just didn’t make sense.

It’s hard to take an old story in a busy genre, and make it fresh. But, Anna Karenina succeeds in this. The film uses a device of a “stage” to move between scenes, and give the story a dreamy mood. So, instead of cutting from scene to scene, the characters often just walk from scene to scene – through a door, or as the set around them changes… At first it was distracting, but after the first couple instances, I really grew to love it – something actually original and fresh!.. and beautiful.

I saw this in 3D, 48? frames per second, IMAX… and it was glorious.

As for these people who complain about the high frame rate as looking like cheap TV… They remind me of a 12-year-old who doesn’t like tomatoes because “they’re icky”. Basically, they have undeveloped senses of taste.

As for the movie? Well, sure it was probably longer than it needs to be, but it was just as long as I wanted it to be. I liked the back story, and didn’t find it distracting or unnecessary. The filming was beautiful, the effects stunning, the acting, good enough… This movie was pure candy.

Put on your yamikas, cuz this one goes pretty deep. It’s the 60s… and the 60s have yet to sweep across suburban Minnesota, and its vibrant (who knew?) Jewish community. We’re all waiting for the main character to snap as the indignities pile up… will he? or will he just figure a way out from under the dung pile?

If I had one complaint about this, it’s that there really was no end. I suppose that was kind of the point, but it’s frustrating to be left hanging just when they’re about to

Now THIS is  a Christmas movie. If you’re a bit warped and jaded, and Christmas has lost its sparkle… go see this.

This is equal parts horror, suspense, thriller, comedy, and Santa Claus.

The plot? Somewhere in northern Finland, a greedy American businessman is digging up an ancient secret – the real Santa Claus. But, he’s no saint. Seems that centuries of storytelling have put frosting on the raw ugliness from the deep.

A beautiful story on multiple levels, through multiple dimensions, and from multiple points of view. Just when I think I can’t be made to wonder in childlike bliss about the world around us… along comes Life of Pi to put things back into perspective. I’m tempted to put this on my favorites list…

I’m not sure I can say much about this movie that hasn’t already been said. It does an excellent job of transporting you to a specific time and place… almost like a time machine. Perhaps that’s what we like about these movies – not the acting or the story… just the view through the window.

How can I have anything but praise for a movie like this? Pick a day when you’re feeling a bit down… and pop this in. Instant

Yes. I watched this. But, only for the sweaters.

Though this is outwardly a cheerful family movie, I was a bit taken about how dark it was… I mean, they really dwelt on the loss of a parent – no gleaming over it. So, I have to give it a little credit for that. But, it’s still titled “We Bought a Zoo”… and you can probably guess the rest.