Review - Movie Catch-up - November & December

Anonymous (2011) * * * * *
Starring: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave and David Thewlis

From IMDB: "A political thriller advancing the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare's plays; set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her."

This was an amazing film!  The cinematography, costume design, and staging were all incredibly gorgeous.  But the plot itself was literally breath-taking!  It was exciting and interesting, telling the story from multiple points of view, and with a liberal application of flashbacks.  The story unfolds slowly at first, but the pace picks up quickly as the various players set events in motion without realizing the consequences in a battle to determine who will be the next ruler of England.

I'm a little disappointed that it didn't get more Oscar-buzz or better marketing, as it really was fabulous.  A definite must-see movie!

Hugo (2011) * * * *
Starring:  Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley and Christopher Lee

From IMDB: "Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton."

A good film about a young boy and his attempts to survive as an orphan living in a train station in Paris.  He takes care of all the clocks in the station, a job left to him by his alcoholic uncle, and in his spare time attempts to complete the last project he and his deceased father worked on together.  A sweet movie, it felt a little slow in places, and ultimately didn't end up being the movie that the previews make you think it's going to be.  Usually I like that, but in this case it made me feel as if the movie was incomplete, as a whole storyline felt abandoned.  But nonetheless a very good movie, and quietly gorgeous in a subtle way.  It only gets 4 stars from me due to the pacing, and while I did actually enjoy it, I wish I'd waited to see it on DVD.

New Year's Eve (2011) * * * * *
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michelle, Jon Bon Jovi, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Sofía Vergara, Josh Duhamel, Hilary Swank, and a bunch of other people you totally will recognize.

From IMDB: "The lives of several couples and singles in New York intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve."

Ok, that synopsis doesn't tell you very much, but that's exactly what it is - and it's AWESOME!!  It's tons of fun, the stories weave in and out of each other, and the characters experience and learn about the excitement and hope of letting go of the past and leaping into the future.  Lots of surprise cameos by dozens of actors.  It's magical!  And Bon Jovi sings!  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to see it again.  Just go see it already!

Looking forward to:
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Sherlock Holmes - A Game of Shadows
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Adventures of Tintin
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
We Bought a Zoo (Matt Damon - 'Nuff said!)

What movies have you seen lately, and what are you looking forward to?