Film Roundup: October to November 2011

I've been away from my blog for some time and haven't had posted any film roundups. Glad to share some of the films that I've viewed from late October to November 2011. There were some surprises and disappointments, but a long the way -- watching movies has always been a joyous ride that I would never get tired of again and again.

	Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2011) Directed by Troy Nixey Written by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins Grade B
	What's Your Number? (2011) Directed by Mark Mylod Written by Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden Grade C+
	Beginners (2010) Written and Directed by Mike Mills My remarks: "Christopher Plummer in a career defining and entertaining performance worthy of acting accolades." Grade A+ Critics review: "In its quiet, unostentatious way, it's one of the most sensitive films I've seen about the experience of living through and responding to the profound social changes of the past 60 years." -- Philip French (The Observer)
	Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) Directed by Beeban Kidron Written by Andrew Davies, Richard Curtis, Adam Brooks Based on the novel "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" by Helen Fielding Grade C+
	Mother of Tears (2007) Directed by Dario Argento Written by Jace Anderson, Dario Argento, Walter Fasano, Adam Gierasch, Simona Simonetti Grade B+
	Eat, Pray, Love (2010) Directed by Ryan Murphy Written by Ryan Murphy and Jennifer Salt Based on the memoir "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert My remarks: "A head scratching rendition of a picturesque  and lovely memoir. The film has transformed Gilbert's hellish divorce, rebound relationship and colorful traverse to Italy, Indonesia and India into a cheap romantic comedy travel-porn chick flick. Tsk, tsk tsk." Grade C+ Critics review: "It's disappointing if unsurprising to find that this odyssey of female self-determination terminates in the arms of a man." -- David Cox (The Guardian)
	Zombieland (2009) Directed by Ruben Fleischer Written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese My remarks: "A game changer! The overused undead creatures in the thriller genre gets a shiny revamp with a twist of flavorful slapstick humor and witty comedic timings by the writing duo Wernick and Reese." Grade A- Critics review: "Zombieland is the culmination of a lovely, bright scarlet burst of zombie movies that have leapt off the screen over the last few years." -- John Patterson (The Guardian)
	The Good Night (2007) Written and Directed by Jake Paltrow Grade B
	Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Directed by Mike Newell Written by Richard Curtis My remarks: "A British comedy Grade A
	Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa Written by Dan Fogelman Grade A-
	In Time (2011) Written and Directed by Andrew Niccol My remarks: "The movie has an interesting plot, but unlike Niccol's earlier masterpiece 'Gattaca', it relied solely on a no-brainier action stuff and has failed to develop and sustain its fascinating story line." Grade B- Critics review: "Timberlake does a perfectly respectable job as the lead, without ever convincing you that the movie hasn't been a waste of the commodity it foregrounds." -- Anthony Quinn (The Independent
	The Fountain (2006) Directed by Darren Aronofsky Written by Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel Grade A-
	A Dangerous Method (2011) Directed by David Cronenberg Written by Christopher Hampton Based on "The Talking Cure" by Christopher Hampton My remarks: "Acting-wise, kudos must be rewarded to Keira Knightley for her stupendous performance as the curious and bewildered Sabina Spielrein. But overall, even the slapping (between Jung and Spielrein) can not save this film from its eventual boredom." Grade B Critics review: "The problem is that little of this chatter is compelling. Though Cronenberg spices things up with scenes of Jung and Sabina at full gallop or involved in spanking sessions, the give-and-take between Jung and his wife and Jung and Freud are dry and dull, less dialogue than lecture - too much like the Christopher Hampton play from which it was adapted." -- Marshall Fine (Huffington Post)
	Whip It (2009) Directed by Drew Barrymore Written by Shauna Cross Based on the novel "Derby Girl" by Shauna Cross My remarks: "A surprisingly smashing directorial debut by Tinseltown's flower girl. Watch this film and be your own hero. Recommended viewing for all ages." Grade A
	Legion (2009) Directed by Scott Stewart Written by Peter Schink and Scott Stewart My remarks: "Do not watch this film for your own risk." Grade C
	The Red Shoes (1948) Written & directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger Original Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen Additional dialogue by Keith Winter My remarks: "A true cinematic masterpiece by Powell and Pressburger with its overwhelming production, bravura performances and dance sequences. If you love the arts, then do not miss this film" Grade A+
	The Barefoot Contessa (1954) Written and Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz My remarks: "Too sappy and bland, not my cup of tea. Survived only and made promising by the presence and performance of the late-great Humphrey Bogart." Grade B-
	You Again (2010) Directed by Andy Fickman Written by Moe Jelline Grade B
	Double Indemnity (1944) (rewatched) Directed by Billy Wilder Written by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler Based on "Double Indemnity" by James M. Cain My remarks: "A must-see film for film noir beginners and a must-have for all Cinephiles." Grade A+