A well-written, interesting and fun indie film with a hilarious cast. Lake Bell's performance is amazing, and she also wrote and directed the film. The story focuses on a hidden side of the movie business, the voice-over industry, a topic I happen to find fascinating. All of the characters, and there are a few, are well fleshed out and performed brilliantly by the cast. I appreciate how everything feels so believable, or at least effortless, even though this is such a quirky and funny movie all the way through. I left the theater with a big smile on my face.

4 Stars (out of 5)

Gravity is a fun nerdy thriller. It's one of the best examples of zero-g in a film since Apollo 13 and 2001: A Space Odyssey. The floating camera style has become a staple of Alfonso Cuarón's work. The now infamous continuous shot in the car in Children of Men has changed filmmaking forever, and in Gravity nearly every sequence is in this free-floating style, something Hitchcock could only dream of when making Rope. The 3D is impressive, but in many ways the sound mix is even more immersive than the visuals. Regardless of how ridicules the plot of this film may seem, space junk is a very real problem*, with garbage piling up up there. I found it sweet that at its core the film is about letting go.

4 Stars (out of 5)

*Of the 17,000 objects orbiting Earth currently being tracked by scientists, only 7% are functioning satellites.

I was lucky enough to catch this clever mockumentary at the Fantasia Film Festival last month in Montreal. The Dirties utilizes real footage and real locations but still carries a strong narrative throughout. The story revolves around two high school students making a movie about getting revenge on the kids that bully them, but it starts to become more than just a movie for one of the boys. The Dirties is the best film about bullying I've seen. And the most effective film to tackle the touchy subject of school shootings. It's funny, disturbing, and an ultimately important film you should see yourself when it comes out this October. Watch the trailer.

4 Stars (out of 5)

Funniest movie of the year, hands down. Extremely clever premise and the choice for the characters to be exaggerated versions of the real actors made me laugh more than anything else. They use their first and last names when addressing each other and it's always funny to me. The chemistry between these guys is great and their improv skills are used well. A few outrageous scenes had the audience laughing uproariously. The production design is really good too so it feels like these comedians are in the wrong movie, almost a Cabin in the Woods feeling. Can't wait to watch 30+ minutes of deleted scenes of witty banter on the Bluray when it comes out, because I cannot get enough.

4 Stars (out of 5)

I certainly enjoyed this film more than Primer, the director/writer's first film. I found this one much easier to follow, and it has multiple storylines so if you are lost at least it's never boring. It's beautifully shot and well paced. The score is unique and incorporated into the story in an interesting way. The story is elaborate, but told in the simplest way possible. There's very little dialogue (which seems to have all been dubbed). The film makes you think about the decisions we make in life, the roles we assume, and how sometimes even when we think we're in control we may not be at all. Gonna take a few more viewings to really soak it all in. A lovely film.

4 Stars (out of 5)

I'm always a fan of Steven Soderbergh's movies but this was a real treat. Thankfully it was more fun than the very serious and realistic Contagion. With all of its twists and turns, Side Effects feels like a Hitchcockian suspense thriller, except a little more realistic and with a subtle build. Great performances by Rooney Mara and especially Jude Law who plays a total badass you do not want to mess with. This might be the most I've enjoyed him in a movie since The Talented Mr. Ripley, or maybe A.I.. There's enough cleverness and detail in this film that I'll probably watch it again, maybe even with audio commentary.

4 Stars (out of 5)

Sometimes the best romantic comedies are the gritty ones. The intricate performances, unpredictable story, and crazy camera push-ins made for an enjoyable viewing experience for me. There were many memorable lines, some reminiscent of As Good As It Gets. And as in that movie these characters make each other "want to be a better man". It has a feel-good vibe, even though it's so soul-crushingly real at times.

Pat: You have poor social skills. You have a problem.
Tiffany: I have a problem? You say more inappropriate things than appropriate things.

4 Stars (out of 5)

The best Apatow film since, well, Knocked Up. I really do not understand all the hatred toward Apatow. This was a decent film by an extremely competent and often intimate writer/director. I didn't like Funny People either but I laughed my ass off and thoroughly enjoyed this one. My favorite part of Knocked Up was when Seth Rogan's character is explaining his problems to Paul Rudd's character with great enthusiasm while cursing at him like a crazy person and when he's finally done and runs off camera, Paul Rudd's character proceeds to sing Happy Birthday to his kid while bringing out the cake. I thought: I could watch a whole film about these people. And now boom here it is.

4.0 Stars (out of 5)