The Citizen Review " A man goes to the movies. A critic must be honest enough to admit that he is that man." -Robert Warshow

Jack says:

Matthew says:

1. Ottoman

2. Walcott

3. M79

4. Oxford Comma

5. Boston (Ladies of Cambridge)

Honorable Mentions: (in alphabetical order)

Diplomat's Son, Giving Up the Gun, Horchata, Mansard Roof, White Sky

Jack says:

1. Oxford Comma

2. M79

3. Horchata

4. Walcott

5. Ottoman

Honorable Mentions: (in alphabetical order)

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Giving Up the Gun, Mansard Roof, The Kids Don't Stand a Chance,White Sky

Sincerely,

Overall grade: A-

Matthew Says: A-

Well, Pixar just can't let go. Toy Story was their first film, and arguably their most acclaimed film, giving them the success they now have today. And the story continues with a third and probably final chapter that will be welcomed well among the other two.

Andy is going to college, and the toys haven't been played with in years. The toys decide they will go in the attic and wait until (possibly) Andy has children of his own. Until then, they will still all be together. Not everyone is on board with this plan, but Woody wants to be loyal to Andy. However, fate has other plans. They eventually (after a series of events) get placed in a donation box for Sunnyside Daycare. They think it will be a dream come true, but later realize it's their worst nightmare. And soon enough, it's escape time!

This movie truly has everything. Adventure, wit, horror, and sadness. By the end of it, I had laughed, cried, been scared and held at the edge of my seat.

The movie picks up right where it left breathlessly. It's as if the story wasn't managed or adjusted by people or companies, but just continued on by itself. But the true power of this movie lies in it's true, ironic human quality. It shows the most endearing, dark and emotional parts of humans throughout the movie. And by the end, you just feel so moved by these toys that have showed you these things. They are saying goodbye to Andy, but really we are saying goodbye to them. And a sad farewell it is.

Jack says: A-

Everyone loves Pixar, just admit it. The storytellers and animators at work behind those doors have the ability to move us in a way that no other production company does with its movies. Ever since their first release, a movie called Toy Story, they have set their own little standard for comedy, adventure, animation and heartfelt storytelling. Their newest release has toys moving us from the edge of our seats, to fits of laughter and eventually to tears. Only Pixar can do this.

The third and most likely last installment in the Toy Story franchise has just been released and it manages to pack it all in. It opens with the beautifully familiar cast of toys griping over the fact that Andy, their devoted owner, is all grown up and moving away to college later that week. They are all discouraged and Woody, their faithful leader, tells them not to worry. Panic once again arises when they find out that they are likely to be thrown away when Andy does leave. This hurts the gang, how could their lifelong pal, Andy, abandon them like this? This sets off a roller coaster and thrills and chase sequences and mad escape scenes, just like we know Toy Story to do.

Like I said, Toy Story 3 has the ability to move the viewer. When Andy is looking at his old toys with trepidation and longing, wondering whether to throw them out, we feel heartache. When the gang is about to be devoured by evil flames, we are truly scared and wonder about their fate. When the final scenes play out, we feel sadness and comfort as well.

The film has the ability to reach such heights because it tells a story we can all relate to, or feel we could. We've literally grown up with these characters in real time. Pixar didn't skip around with its film's timeline. When the film opens up eleven years later, eleven years really have passed. Maybe we think about how much we've changed since we last saw Woody and Buzz. So we feel a certain familial tie to the characters. As we see Andy grown up and ready for college, it makes us sad too. It's also affecting on the viewers side because we all feel that Toy Story is finally ending, it's poignant on many levels .

Toy Story 3 has a common life theme: change. Change with the familiarity of life. Change from the 'good old days' when you were played with. Its theme is also feeling loved. It is said often in this movie that all the toys want is to be played with. The antagonist in the story is shown being deeply, psychologically affected by feeling unloved. The film shows us what happens when we feel unnecessary. The same can be said of humans, all we want is to be loved. It's the deepest desire of our hearts. But Toy Story 3 also teaches us that we not only want to be played with, but we want to be played with by the people who matter.

Sincerely,

Matthew says: A

Wild at Heart can only be summed up by a great line said by Laura Dern in the film, "This whole world is wild at heart and weird on top." Such is the movie. At the core of the movie, is a wild, free spirit, having fun. And on the top, a weird, puzzling, visually striking film.

The film is technically a "road movie" but really, it's a romance. There's humor, violence, fantasy, crime, but essentially the wild, passionate love between Sailor and Lula is what carries this film. At the begging of the movie, Sailor is just getting out of jail, and Lula runs away from her strict, crazy mother to be with him. Together, they hit the road in search of God knows what. On the way, they run into all sorts of strange, dangerous events that act as foreshadow and warning.

Wild at Heart would not be what it is without it's striking visual style. There are several Wizard of Oz allusions. And, in a way, the film is sort of a messed-up re-telling of that story. The way to go into seeing this film is with an open mind. A mind for a wild plot, weird twists and a great movie.

Average: A-

Jack says: A-

There isn't much I can say about Moon that doesn't give way to part of the plot's twist. What I can tell you is the good parts of this movie. Moon stars Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell, a scientist on a lunar mission that was supposed to last three years. He talks to his wife and child via video messages, but there is no live feed, only sent videos. Sam Bell only has two more weeks left on the space ship and he's going a little stir crazy with just him and an always-helpful computer named GERTY (Kevin Spacey).

Sam Rockwell delivers a dynamite performance worthy of an Oscar, but of course there was no chance of him getting nominated (thank you, Oscars). It is directed by Duncan Jones, who does an outstanding job of directing Sam in the small confines of the space ship.

Like I said, there's not much I can say about the very awesome story line without disclosing something important. The plot is thin yet complex, and a brainy masterpiece. It's the best Sci-Fi movie in years and one of the best films of 2009. It gives you the ticking-bomb factor of a man at the end of his wits and offers the mystery of outer space and makes it seems effortless. Moon will have you guessing, laughing, jumping and feeling deeply for the characters within it. Yes, even a talking computer.

Matthew says: A-

Moon is an indie science fiction film. Doesn't that seem like an oxymoron? It does seem rather impossible to make a good science fiction movie with an indie budget. But Moon pulls it off breathlessly.

The story (the most essential element of a sci-fi film) is Sam Bell is on a 3 year contract on the moon. He is doing mining of sorts there for a major science company called Lunar Industries, much like NASA. The film starts with Sam Bell (played with powerful conviction by Sam Rockwell) counting down the days until he gets to go back to earth. He has only 2 weeks left. But then, something happens.

There isn't much one can say about a film like Moon. All you can say is, just see it. It is one of the best and most interesting and thought provoking science fiction movies in a long time. I can't even remember the last time a saw a sci-fi movie that actually had me thinking the whole time. The mysterious plot, and Sam Rockwell's powerful performance keeps us on edge until the last few shots, where everything comes together.

Average Grade: A-

Jack says: A-

Going in to see Shutter Island, I expected many things from viewing the trailers. I expected a film noir-esque mystery. I expected an eerie thriller. Well for the first hour and a half, that's what I got and it was great.

The film begins with U.S. Marshalls entering Shutter Island, a remote island with an institution for the "criminally insane" as Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) puts it. From the get-go, things seem a little fishy to Daniels on Shutter Island and he can't figure out what happened to Rachel Solando, the supposed missing "patient". Of course, Teddy has a haunting past. Throughout the film he has remembrances of World War II, being a soldier in Nazi death camps. He also has visions, or dreams of his deceased wife Dolores, who died in a fire.

The film isn't just creepy, it oozes creepiness and emits fear. There is a dark, dark shadow cast on all of the island that makes the viewer question the morals of everything that occurs on it, even of the main protagonists. Martin Scorsese has done something very impressive with Shutter Island, he made it as if he had resurrected Alfred Hitchcock from the grave and had him direct it with him. It's that good.

The performances are also great. Leo, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson and Michelle Williams all give Oscar-caliber performances. The film is also graced with great dialogue and many scenes are just Teddy and one other person talking. There is also a twist. Of course, a twist is expected from a movie like Shutter Island but this twist was beyond twisty. It doesn't just affect the main characters, it throws the whole movie you've been watching out of the water. I won't give it away but it's as if Scorsese has given us two films, something not quite pleasing but masterful.

There are great scenes in Shutter Island, some that are hard to watch. It will have you second-guessing the villains, the heroes, even yourself.

Matthew says: A-

The mysterious and eerie Shutter Island opens with a large boat slowly coming out of the fog, closer to the dark island. It's a classic, noir opening, much like the rest of the film. Shutter Island is shot with long winding shots, dark lighting and labyrinthine sets. The film draws you in with every shot.

Teddy Daniels is an FBI cop and comes to Shutter Island with his new assistant to investigate the missing case of a child murderer, played creepily by Emily Mortimer. No one knows how she escaped, it's nearly impossible to. But there's another reason why Teddy is here. Teddy has a dark past, much like most of the noir heroines.

Throughout the movie, you feel like there's something everyone knows but you. Teddy feels the same way. He continually drifts off into dark, eerie dreams, shot beautifully, but with the beautiful camera work, results in horrifying images.

Some critics complain, saying the ending wasn't worth the rest of the movie. But the rest of the movie is the mad brilliance of the final sentence. Shutter Island is a beautiful, horrifying, mysterious noir film that shouldn't be missed.

Matthew says: C+

For the past 20 years or so, Woody Allen has made and released a film ever year. Perhaps this reflects on his work. Well, in any case, it certainly has in his latest release, Whatever Works.

The movie is very "Woody Allen-like" but that's basically all it is. When you watch the movie all you think is him trying to recreate his success with his previous, and better, New York set film. It's been four films since his last New York picture, and let me just say, maybe he should go back to Barcelona.

Whatever Works is the morality tale of an intelligent but has a very dark view of the world. One day he stumbles upon a teenage southern belle, comfortably residing in the dumpster by his house. She ran away from her constrained life in the south and wants a place to stay. Well, she and he get more than they bargained for when the incidentally fall in love (or something like that).

Her very southern, bible beating mother comes along and gets swept up in the mad world of New York City. Her father also drops by, and gets swept up as well.

In the end of this messy, confused tale, the only lesson I found is do "whatever works", whatever that means.

Sincerely,

First off, the best dramatic actress of the year was Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side. Not Gauborey Sibide in her remarkable performance in Precious. Or Carrey Mulligan in her vibrant performance in An Education. Nope. Or, let's talk about how Robert Downey Jr. won best actor, musical or comedy. The category was a little vacant. But I'd say he was the last person I would pick out of that bunch of actors. He gave his acceptance speech and I could have sworn it was the Sherlock Holmes her "portrayed" in the film. Or Iron Man. Whichever, they're pretty much interchangeable.

And, finally, let's all say it out loud. The Hangover won best film, musical or comedy. (500) Days of Summer? Nine? No.

Well, on a happier note, James Cameron won best director and best picture, drama for Avatar. And it deserved it. Hopefully these two categories will be the same in the Oscars. Meryl Streep won for best actress, musical or comedy and Jeff Bridges won best dramatic actor. Oh yes, and Mo'Nique won for best supporting actress and most dramatic speech. At least that gives us some hope that the Foreign Press wasn't smoking pot while they were choosing the winners. Some hope.

Well, the announcements for the Academy Award nominees will be aired February 2nd. We'll see what fate gives us. Or what the Academy gives us.

Sincerely,

The Citizen Review

Average Grade: A

Jack says: A

My favorite show on television, 30 Rock, is back for a third season and although it was off to a rough start, it's just as good as the other two.

The show is now perfectly comfortable with it's familiar quirks and lovable characters. There are certain things that I associate with the show, which I think is a sign of an excellent program. The acting is great. Of course there's Tina Fey, who is a complete natural at the spirited and stressed-out Liz Lemon (could we ask for a better TV heroine? I think not) and the always great Alec Baldwin as the ridiculous CEO of GE. Then there's the great supporting cast, which is half of the show's greatness.

The show is also known for it's stellar guest stars: Elaine Stritch, Jennifer Anniston, Salma Hayek (my personal favorite), Steve Martin, Jon Hamm, Larry King, Megan Mullally, Oprah Winfrey, it's a pretty impressive list.

The show's comedy is still better than ever. It's not just a bunch of one-liners and easy gags, the jokes are truly funny, intelligent and relevant as well. Keep in mind that it also was nominated for 22 Emmy's. That's TWENTY-TWO. It's also different from any other show that you will watch on TV these days, which keeps 30 Rock at the top of my list.

Three Best Episodes: 1. Apollo, Apollo 2. The Ones 3. Kidney Now!

Matthew says: A

The best comedy show on television two years in a row is back and remains the best. It indeed started off roughly with the first few episodes but got its groove back with Christmas Special. Christmas saved the day or the season.

30 Rock gets many things right that most comedy shows fail to do. Such as adding drama to the show without making it seem corny or inconsistent. It also has fully developed and original characters that don't outshine each other. This is certainly a problem with shows with a main character. Other shows give all the good lines to the protagonist and all the other characters are left in the dust. And having amazing actors to play these characters doesn't hurt either. Seriously, these actors are at the top of their game, and not just Fey and Baldwin. The supporting cast is just as excellent.

The writing is also what makes this show truly great. It has writing like no other show. It's randomness and relevancy is truly hilarious while being smart and witty. This show really does tackle on serious current issues and makes you laugh at them. This show has gotten everything right in the past and remains so with season three.

That's right, it's time to tally up the year's best cream of the movie crop. And it doesn't start with the Oscar nominations.

The award shows and top-ten lists that will be released and shown up until February are the most important, most instrumental part of this season. Without these, would the Academy Awards happen?

Well it's our job to be the best, most dutiful reporters we can by dishing out the results of award shows and top ten lists of the world's best critics.

We're actually a little late. The "inner circle" is already being formed. What's the inner circle you ask? It's the small class of films that are the only possibilities for nomination. It's all the nominees and the "almost nominees" which is almost just as good a distinction.

So what's it gonna be? The not-so-small Precious? The very talked-about Up In the Air? The universal epic Avatar? Or something that we've never expected? You never know.

Let the season begin!

Sincerely,

The Citizen Review

In a great scene in the last act of this film, an unlikely source of help for the protagonist says this, "You seem to be old and wise." To which she responds, "I feel old, but not very wise."

Here we have An Education, a brand new film that isn't very old but feels very wise. It's based on a sort of memoir by Lynn Barber who said that this story is about her attempt to find elegance in her life. This film certainly documents some very elegant people for sure, but it's much more than that. It starts out with Jenny, a senior at an all-girls school outside of London in the 60's, wishing to travel the world and not fulfill the desires of her parents, which would mean attending the very and wise Oxford University.

Enter older, more sophisticated male with a way out. Or at least, that's what it seems in Jenny's eyes. He's definitely a charmer, convincing her parents to let him take her to London, to various places. It turns out that not all that glitters is gold.

The film succeeds in many ways. It succeeds in showing the tragedy of throwing away one's life for a weekend in Paris, it shows the struggles of many women in the 1960's, it shows that the people we think of as unassuming and docile turn out to be closeted philosophers. The film is beautiful, the actors are all perfection, especially Carrie Mulligan who deserves every award surely to be thrown at her and the script is great too. It's not only an education for those in the film, but those who watch it again and again.

An Education is a film chock-full of great scenes, so great, no minor setbacks the film may have will bring it down. It's about a 16 year old bright school girl who, one rainy day in England, stumbles upon an older, charming man. They met again days later, and one charming phrase leads to another, which leads to the best night of Jenny's life. He sweeps her of her feet and promises there will be more.

So, by this point she's head-over-heals, and soon thinks her education is trivial, and begins to think of life the way her new, older friends see it. She nearly makes a fool of herself, and in the end, well she indeed gets an education.

I said this film has it's minor problems, and it does, but they are minor. And as I also said, it has some amazing scenes. One such scene is in the car with Jenny and her fellow (I'm just quoting this from memory): Jenny says "My teacher once told us that action is character, and I think what she meant was that if we never do anything, we'll never be anybody. And I never did anything before I met you." That, among with others, also showcases the extremely thoughtful, smart screenplay, and the wondrous Carrey Mulligan. Carrie Mulligan's performance has been compared to ones of Audrey Hepburn, because you can't think of anyone else as fresh and vibrant as her. She sweeps the whole audience up with her performance, much like her romantic interest in the film did to her.

Keep in mind, this is a very rough list and will be edited in time. Here we go:

Best Picture (There are TEN!)

Precious

Up in the Air

Avatar

An Education

The Hurt Locker

A Serious Man

Invictus

Where the Wild Things Are

A Single Man

Inglorious Basterds

George Clooney, Up in the Air

Morgan Freeman, Invictus

Colin Firth, A Single Man

Michael Stuhlburg, A Serious Man

Joseph Gordon Levitt, (500) Days of Summer

Carrie Mulligan, An Education

Gabourey Sibide, Precious

Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Penelope Cruz, Broken Embraces

Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air

Matt Damon, Invictus

Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds

Christian McKay, Me and Orson Welles

Woody Harrelson, The Messenger

Matthew Goode, A Single Man

Mo'Nique, Precious

Julianne Moore, A Single Man

Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air

Mariah Carey, Precious

Penelope Cruz, Nine

Up

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Coraline

Princess and the Frog

But it's a brand new season for Oscars and we're already starting our ROUGH lists.

Can you handle it?

We're so excited!

Matthew Says: B+

The Puffy Chair is the independant debut for the writer-director duo, the Duplass brothers. It's a romantic comedy of sorts, and It's one heck of a good one. What's different about this one is the film starts with The two lovers already together. And they're not polar opposites who suddenly have everything in common.

Josh's dad's birthday is next week, and he wants to get him something special. He found an exact replica of a burandy puffy chair that his dad loved when he was little on Ebay. So he and his girlfriend Emily go on a roadtrip to get the puffy chair and take it to his dad's. Along the way they pick up Josh's brother, along with minor mishaps (including sneaking into a motel, busting into garage doors, and an overnight marriage) and major relationship rethinking.

This film was shot on a $2,000 camcorder, and uses friends and family for actors, yet has far better acting, writing and realism than any other romantic comedy I've seen. The acting is insanley real, with emotional scenes that seem like you're peaking in on some couple's fight in the next room.

Sincerely,