Phil sees WINCHESTER at the Cinelux Almaden Café & Lounge - February 12, 2018

Being born and raised here in San Jose, I grew up with hearing about the history of the most infamous haunted house in all of North America: The Winchester Mystery House. I am one of those who has taken a tour there - even their Halloween flashlight tour, which terrified my friends that I went there with. Its owner Sarah Winchester believed she was being haunted by ghosts, therefore, she continuously kept adding rooms to her home, housing the spirits that were taken by her family's rifles. Her life and legacy is tied to the history of San Jose, becoming a local folklore and legend. It was no surprise that Hollywood became interested in making a movie based her and her historical mansion. And thus, I went to the Cinelux Almaden Cafe & Lounge to see WINCHESTER and witness the story of Sarah Winchester unfold on the big screen.

The film's official synopsis: Inspired by true events. On an isolated stretch of land 50 miles outside of San Francisco sits the most haunted house in the world. Built by Sarah Winchester, (Helen Mirren) heiress to the Winchester fortune, it is a house that knows no end. Constructed in an incessant twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week mania for decades, it stands seven stories tall and contains hundreds of rooms. To the outsider it looks like a monstrous monument to a disturbed woman's madness. But Sarah is not building for herself, for her niece (Sarah Snook) or for the brilliant Doctor Eric Price (Jason Clarke) whom she has summoned to the house. She is building a prison, an asylum for hundreds of vengeful ghosts, and the most terrifying among them have a score to settle with the Winchesters.

Helen Mirren carries the movie with her outstanding performance as Sarah Winchester. She brings class, vulnerability, and  strength to her role, elevating the movie to a higher level. The other contribution comes from Jason Clarke, surprisingly. He does a fine job of bringing Doctor Eric Price to life on screen, giving him faults and demons that we want him to overcome as to help Sarah with her supernatural situation. Sarah Snook portrays Sarah's niece Marion Marriott and is decent in the role. Truth be told, these three individuals helped being humanity and realism to their respective characters and raises the film beyond its PG-13 rating.

The film was directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, aka The Spierig Brothers. Coming off from last year's Halloween horror film JIGSAW (which you can read my review here), the brothers beautifully direct the film with grace, style, and fear. They do a wonderful job of combining character development with gothic thrills, much like the old Hammer Horror films from yesteryear. The brothers also co-wrote the film along with screenwriter Tom Vaughan. Though I liked the story, to me, it felt a little bit rushed and wasn't structured more soundly.

While I enjoyed it for the most part, and I did like the story and characters, something was missing. And all throughout the screening I couldn't figure out what the hell was missing. Then it occurred to me: the house itself wasn't represented very well in the film. While locals may know the life of Sarah Winchester, the only thing we know very well is the Winchester Mystery House itself. Fans and tourists of the mansion have been coming here for decades, taking the tours and seeing first hand how amazing and mesmerizing it truly is. The house is a character and should have been more predominate since it's now all we have to explore.

WINCHESTER is an entertaining ghost story, but lacks the necessary ingredients to make it a supernaturally thrilling film! With so much history, both Sarah Winchester and the Winchester Mystery House deserved more than just a run-of-the-mill, scary,  PG-13 ghost fright flick. The acting was great, but that was about it. I hope Sarah won't be too mad about how the movie turned out. 3 out of 5 stars! It's a future rental at best!

WINCHESTER is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Cinelux Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cineluxtheatres.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil sees THE CONJURING 2 from New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures - July 12, 2016

When I first saw THE CONJURING back in 2013, I said it was "The best horror film of the year." I just recently rewatched the film and it still made my skin crawl, even in the comfort of my home. That right there is the power of film and it proves that filmmaker James Wan is the master of supernatural horror. Fast forward to this past weekend and the sequel THE CONJURING 2 is finally released to theaters and yours truly went to his local cinema and sat near the front so as to absorb all the horror that was projected onto the silver screen.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: In 1977, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively) travel to London, England, where single mother Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor) believes that something evil is in her home. When Peggy's youngest daughter Janet (Madison Wolfe) starts showing signs of demonic possession, Ed and Lorraine attempt to help the besieged girl, only to find themselves targeted by the malicious spirits.

James Wan has accomplished a rare and difficult feat: he made a sequel that is better than the original. That is very hard to do, especially in this day and age. Films like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE GODFATHER PART II and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY are all perfect examples of when the sequel far surpasses the original in every way. So congratulations to Mr. Wan for this outstanding g and rare accomplishment.

Wan takes what made the first film so terrifying and cranks up to twelve. He's attention to detail is without question. From the fantastic 1970's inspired intro credits to the set-ups for his jump scares to the simple framing with disturbing sounds and music to build up the tension within a scene, Wan is, in my humble opinion, one of the best horror directors of the past twenty years and ranks among those legendary, iconic filmmakers like George Romero, John Carpenter, Tobe Hoper, Wes Craven and Dario Argento.

The film offers both familiarities and new additions for fans. Both Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return once again as Ed and Lorraine Warren, once again displaying their fanatic on-screen chemistry. However this time they are sent over to London to investigate a haunted house that has been terrorizing the Hodgson family. More specifically, this poltergeist is interested in the youngest daughter Janet and will stop at nothing till she is its new host. A huge round of applause to child actress Madison Wolfe, who puts in one the best performances ever in a horror film. Not since young Linda Blair in THE EXORCIST has a child been this horrifyingly disturbing. 

Originally, there were early reports indicating that the film was going to focus on the Amityville Investigation, which was the case that made the Warrens a household name was well as the inspiration for the 1979 horror film classic THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. The film is actually about the the equally scary Enfield Poultergeist which plagued the Hodgson's Brimsdown home in Enfield, England in the late 70's. During the film's end credits, the actual pictures of the family as well as pictures of the haunting are shown, which look absolutely authentic to this viewer.

THE CONJURING 2 is the best horror film of 2016 and the best horror sequel of the last 30 years!! If you want be scared out of your mind that you'll be sleeping with the lights on for the next two weeks, the you need to see this film!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Very highly recommend!!

THE CONJURING 2 is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Century Greenback 16 in Sacramento. Check your local listing to see if it is playing at a theater near you.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE FOREST from Gramercy Pictures - May 2, 2016

2016 is shaping up to be a promising year for horror films. One of the first films to be released this year was also one of the best horror films to be released in January, which as you may or may not now, is usually the dumping ground for studios to release films that either were plagued with productions problems or weren't that good. Which is a shame because THE FOREST was one of the better horror films to have come out in January in a very, very long time.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: A woman named Sara Price (Natalie Dormer) goes into Japan's Suicide Forest to find her twin sister Jess, and confronts supernatural terror.

One of the main aspects that I look for in a horror movie is the atmosphere. Is it creepy? Is it spooking? Is it giving me chills? Is it suspenseful? Thankfully, a resounding "yes" to all of these requirements and more!

Actress Natalie Dormer does a phenomenal job portraying twins Sara and Jess Price. She gives both of them their own body language, mannerism and their own personality. Sara is more grounded and Sara seems lost in the world. However, both can feel if the other is in trouble and it's Sara who flies out to Japan to find out what happened to Jess. While in the forest, Dormer gives a terrifying performance that plays with your mind and emotions. Without wanting to give away any of the film's plot or reveal spoilers, let me say that Natalie Dormer is one of the best actress to appear in a horror film in a very, very long time. Caring, determined and vulnerable, she gives Sara a real world feel to her character and makes us become involved in her search for her missing sister. Congrats to Miss Dormer and I hope to see her in more films in the future.

Director Jason Zada makes his feature length debut, having directed several shorts before directing this film. He gets the right blend of thrills and horror right at the start of the film. The beginning of the movie reminds me a lot of Dario Argento's classic SUSPIRIA. The opening with Sara arriving at the airport in Japan is stylized and captured beautifully, much like Argento's film. Zada compositions captures both the tranquility and the horror of the Suicide Forest. He definately has an eye for detail and each frame of the film is filled with something that means something to both the characters Sara and the story. The film's script was written by the trio of Nick Antosca, Sarah Cornwell and Ben Ketai and all three should be applauded on writing such a fine story. It examines how frail the human spirit can be to the point that one has the will to commit suicide. That to me is true horror, feeling that life can be so difficult and hard to live in and the only means of escaping is to end your own life by your own hands. If that isn't horrifying then I don't know what is.

The film's forest is actually based on Aokigahara, known as the Suicide Forest or Sea of Trees. Located at the north-west base of the famous Mount Fuji in Japan, "the forest has an association with demons in Japanese mythology, and is a common suicide site." Unbelievable as this may sound but there's a sign at the start of the main trail urges suicidal visitors to contact a suicide prevention association. Now tourists, visitors and hikers have reported seeing strange things in the forest, some have even stumbled upon human remains of those who had committed suicide. Maybe not the romantic getaway for couples, but if you are a fan of the supernatural, disturbing and down right spooky things that go bump in the night then this is a place that you may want to add to your itinerary.

THE FOREST is a supernatural thriller that creeps up on you and makes the hair on your arm and neck stand up! It's a deeply creepy, unnerving film that will make you have nightmares in the daylight! Even the film's poster is scary looking! One of the best horror of films of 2016 thus far! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE FOREST is still playing in select theaters nationwide. The movie is also available on Blu-Ray, DVD as well as on Video On Demand, Netflix and at your local Redbox and retailer.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE REVENANT from 20th Century Fox - April 28, 2016

OK, so the film I will be reviewing today finally gave its lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio his long overdue Academy Award for Best Actor. Yup, it's a good movie. Yup, it's beautifully directed. Yup, it's got great acting in it. Yup, it's a hella depressing movie. So now we got that out of the way, let's talk about the film THE REVENANT.

Theatrical Movie Poster

The film's official synopsis: Inspired by true events, THE REVENANT is an immerse and visceral cinematic experience capturing one man’s epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption.

Let's start at the beginning. One, this is a brutal film to watch. Literally, it's a hard movie to watch. While it contains beautiful cinematography and it captures nature in all its glory, it also shows that nature is a cold hearted bitch and it makes you get inside your dead horse naked so you won't freeze your cajoles off! Second, Tom Hardy's character is a total douchebag and you can hardly understand what the hell he's talking about. Basically he talks and sounds like Boomhauer from the King of the Hill. But he's a man on a mission and that mission is getting paid for selling pelts by any means necessary. Especially if it means leaving poor Leonardi DeCaprio buried alive in a shallow grave after killing his son. Like I said, he's a total douchebag and Brady brings that to his character perfectly.

Acting means pretending to be something your not. It's like playing make believe pretty much. Like when we were kids and we used to pretend we were a cowboy or a superhero or something like that. However, DeCaprio wasn't really acting. He's actually freezing ass cold. He's eating raw liver from a buffalo and puking. He's really naked inside of a dead horse's carcass. That's not acting. That's suffering for your art which begs the question of just how far will you go and do to win an Oscar? Well, DeCaprio went all out in this film so I guess he deserved that Oscar, but he should have won one for some of the other films he was in like THE DEPARTED or THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. But like the old saying goes, better late than ever.

The film is directed and co-written by Academy Award winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, whose previous films include BABEL and 2014's critically acclaimed BIRDMAN. The man is unquestionably a talented and gifted filmmaker so no argument there. There's a rhythm to his films, almost like poetry set to a Frank Zapa album. Really unique, different and has a very personal voice in his work. His set-ups and framing is superb, pacing is good and uses a lot of long takes to emphasize the characters and their situations so we the audience are immersed in their lives and we experience their trials and tribulations along with them. He also uses several images as metaphors about life and death, man and nature as well as war and love.  

Overall THE REVENANT is one hell of a movie that grips you from the get go and doesn't let until up until the very end. The movie truly is a work of art and will go on as one of Alejandro G. Iñárritu's best films and the role that finally DeCaprio his Oscar. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE REVENANT is still playing in select theaters nationwide. The movie is also available on Blu-Ray, DVD as well as on Video On Demand, Netflix and at your local Redbox and retailer.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE WOLF OF WALL STREET at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-January 1, 2014

Happy New Years everybody!! While the majority of the world was hungover, I stepped out to the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Shopping Center over in Campbell to see the newest film from the American auteur director Martin Scorsese. Now Mr. Scorsese has directed some of the greatest films of the last part of the 20th Century: MEAN STREETS, TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, THE LAST WALTZ, THE COLOR OF MONEY, GOODFELLAS, and CASINO. In this millennium, he continued his amazing streak with GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE DEPARTED (the film that finally won him his first Oscar), SHUTTER ISLAND, and the amazing and wonderful family film HUGO. Now he returns to the silver screen with many have said to be his best film ever. And THE WOLF OF WALL STREET truly lives up to all the hype and the acclaim!

The film's synopsis: Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a Long Island penny stockbroker who served 36 months in prison for defrauding investors in a massive 1990s securities scam that involved widespread corruption on Wall Street and in the corporate banking world; from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

First off, all I can say is WOW!! This was one funny, insane, crazy, sexy, provocative, dramatic films that I have ever seen!! But then again, this is a Scorsese film, so what did I expect? You know you're gonna see something different and unique. But this...this is an entirely different beast!

Now as you know, the movie is based on the real life exploits of Belfort, and the movie captures all of the good, the bad, and the ugly as well at the wild, the crazy, and the overindulgence! It's a miracle that this man not only survived it all, but that he remembers it all!! I mean all the events that we see in the film took place in the 80's and early 90's. That was more than twenty years ago people! I barely remember what I had for breakfast this morning!! I mean, keep this in mind when you're watching this film: this man can handle a lot of drugs!!

Bringing Belfort to life is none other then Leonardo DiCaprio, who once again shows us just how insanely talented he is. And let's face it; than man was outstanding in the movie! He just turn it on and he cracks it all the way up to 11. And he has to because to portray Belfort, he had to really go for it. Leaving the comfort zone way behind, DiCaprio depicts him as an egotistical, greedy, misogynistic, drug addict that you love to hate. But here's the catch: you don't really hate him! Rather, you are in awe of this crazy man! Look at him and one sees the American dream come to life. In real life Belfort went from having nothing to having everything then having nothing again. It's almost like a Greek tragedy, expect nobody dies and he gets to have lots of money and power, do massive amounts of cocaine and Quaaludes, live in a humongous mansion, have an hot trophy wife (Margot Robbie as his wife Naomi Lapaglia), and have control over Wall Street!

Oh, and i just want to say that I would do anything if I could have Margot Robbie as my wife! Good lawd she is so damn hot and sexy and gorgeous and sexy and sassy and sexy and beautiful sexy in the film! Did I mention she was sexy? Ok good, I was trying to make a point there.

Also, just a friendly FYI, if you are offended of the word "Fuck" then this isn't the movie for you. In fact, I recently read somewhere that the movie has the word "Fuck" more times than any other movie in film history! It has more cursing in its three hours running time than the entire series of The Sopranos!! Seriously, that is a lot of swearing!!

Now the film has received its fair share of backlash, mostly from critics and select groups that say it's very misogynistic towards women and showcases them as just sex objects and glorifies drug use. OK, let me just state the obvious: THE FILM IS TOLD FROM JORDON BELFORT'S POINT OF VIEW! THIS WAS HIS LIFE AND THIS IS WHAT HE DID AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED!! Period! Now if it was based on a story that was a collabration with those who were there, then this would be an entirely different movie. But alas, it is not. So therefore, it is all based on Belfort's experiences and his alone. This is how he lived. This is what happened. And this is how it's shown here.

Overall THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is an all-out, balls-to-the-wall, funny, sexy, and entertaining movie!! And it's one my picks for Best Film at the Oscars!! Martin Scorsese knows how to make movies and you should go out and see this right now!! I'm planning on see this film again! But first I need to pop a few Quaaludes and snort a couple of lines of Coke! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Top Ten Films of 2013-Jan. 1, 2014

Hello again everybody and Happy New Year! Now I saw a lot films last year, at least over 130 of them!! Now that is a lot of movies to see in one year! Now I couldn't see every single film that was released (some that just came out I'll be reviewing later on), but over 130 movies is still pretty damn impressive! But remember, I am a professional and it's my job to see these films for you. So without further adieu, here are my Top Ten Films of 2013!

1) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB: Based on the incredible true story of real-life Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, an ordinary man who was diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live and went on to fight with the medical establishment, big pharmaceutical companies, and the U.S. government. Here, Matthew McConaughey gives his best performance ever! His portrayal of Woodroof is sensitive, sincere, funny, and touching. Jared Leto's portyal of a transgender woman Rayon is mesmorizing; he adds a lot of fun, flare, and is the perfect antithesis to Woodroof's redneck ways. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, his is without a doubt THE BEST FILM of 2013! If you don't agree, then you should see it again!

2): BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR: Based on the 2010 French graphic novel Le Bleu est une couleur chaude by Julie Maroh, the film was directed by Abdellatif Kechiche and stars Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos), a 15-year-old girl who falls for Emma (Lea Seydoux), a mysterious, blue-haired art student. The film has that look and energy of the French New Wave movement from the 1960s: filmed mostly hand held, shot on real locations, and portraying love and life as a celebration. Despite all the controversy its received (namely the explicit and explosive lesbian love scene ever captured), the film is the most beautiful, breathtaking, poetic film about love that I have ever seen in my entire life!

3) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS: Written, directed and edited by Joel and Ethan Coen, the film was inspired by folksinger Dave Van Ronk's autobiography entitled The Mayor of MacDougal Street. The film stars Oscar Isaac, who gives one of his best performances ever in front of the camera with portrayal of the struggling folksinger Llewyn Davis. With Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, and John Goodman also making appearances in the film, and featuring an outstanding soundtrack by producer T Bone Burnett, INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is one of the greatest films the Coen brothers have ever made! From the first frame to the last, you will never find a more perfect film to watch than this cinematic treasure!

4) MAN OF STEEL: Directed by Zack Snyder (300, THE WATCHMEN, DAWN OF THE DEAD) and produced by Christopher Nolan (director of the DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY), this reboot of the Superman franchise stars Henry Cavill in the title role. Cavill portrays both Clark Kent and Superman with such convection, strength, and vulnerability. Truly this man was born to wear the suit. He brings a new dimension to this iconic superhero. Also boasting an A-list cast of actors including Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Shannon, and you have an excellent film, full of superhero action, romance, some humor, alien invasion, and one heluva super battle finale!!

5)  WEST OF MEMPHIS: In 1993, the bodies of Christopher Byers, Steven Branch, and Michael Moore were found viciously beaten and murdered in the small town of West Memphis, Arkansas. Less than a year later, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. and Jason Baldwin were convicted of the crime, even though the prosecution's evidence was feeble and speculative at best. Almost 18 years later, the three wrongfully convicted men still claim their innocence and fight to overturn the injustices that have destroyed the larger part of their lives. Directed by Amy J. Berg and produced by none other than Peter Jackson, this documentary is a powerful, riveting, and unflinching examination of our flawed justice system.

6) AMERICAN HUSTLE: Writer and director David O. Russell (along with co-writer Eric Singer) once again knocks it out of the park with this film that is absolutely amazing! Bringing back his dynamic duo of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence from last year's award winning film SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK, Christian Bale gets lost in another character (his Irving is a character you love to hate), Amy Adams gives another Oscar-winning performance as Irving's love interest and partner Sydney Prosser. What I really enjoyed about the film was that story, which was so brilliantly written. There is that element of surprise which I loved. The film is just simply amazing from start to finish!

7) DESPICABLE ME 2: You want to know something? Kids movies are a lot of fun to watch! And this film made me feel like a kid again. And thanks to screenwriters Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, this film has a much better script and better character development, which I thought the first one lacked. Gru's personality is enhanced, especially with the chance of saving the world. Plus being teamed up with Agent Wilde, we get to have a love interest that will take Gru to the next level. And having him be the hero gives the film a dimension, thus propelling the character to new realms. The film is packed with action and laughter, mostly from the scene stealing Minions, which are super funny, cute, and adorable! One of the best family films of 2013!

8) ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES: Director Adam McKay does a tremendous job creating a sequel that's funnier, crazier, and wilder than its predecessor.Of course it doesn't hurt that McKay once again teamed up with Farrell to write this outrageous follow up. These two madmen have done the franchise justice with this latest installment. The old gang that we know and love return to their respective characters and they are fantastic! Farrell, Rudd, Carell, and Koechner are just as rambunctious as they were in the first film, but here the laughter is cranked up to eleven! The film goes way beyond the first installment, making it truly the funniest film of 2013! Go see this while it's still in theaters!

9) BETTIE PAGE REVEALS ALL: Everybody knows who Bettie Page is, but does anybody really know who she is? Director Mark Mori sheds some light on our favorite "Queen of the Pinups" is this entertaining and informative documentary. Also the film was narrated by Bettie Page herself, which was culled from over 6 hours of interviews that Mori conducted with her prior to her death (she passed away on December 11, 2008 from pneumonia), so we hear the whole story from the pinup goddess in her own voice! Including interviews by Hugh M. Hefner, Bunny Yeager, Paula Klaw, Tempest Storm, and Dita Von Teese just to name a few, this is far and away the best film ever about Bettie Page!

10) STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS: In 2009, writer/director J.J. Abrams did the impossible with his re-imaging of STAR TREK. With this sequel, he expands on the characters we've all come to know and love while giving us one of the greatest villains of all time. The entire cast from the first film are once again reunited for this successful sequel and all turn in great performances. However the big star of the film is Benedict Cumberbatch, who's Kahn is one of the greatest villains to ever grace the silver screen. Unlike the previous incarnation, this Kahn is far more intelligent, more cunning, and more vicious. Overall the film is on helluva sci-fi, hi-octane, roller coaster ride of a sequel and a worthy entry in the franchise.

And there you have it folks! My Top Ten Films of 2013! Every year this list gets harder and harder to put together, but these were films that really made an impact on me, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading my picks. So if by chance there are films here that you haven't seen yet, I encourage you to check them out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by them!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil sees AMERICAN HUSTLE at the Camera 7 Pruneyard Campbell-December 21, 2013

I love the 1970's. I love the clothes, the music, the colors, the television shows, the toys, the looks, the sounds, and, of course, the movies. I love it all! Of course it doesn't hurt that I was born in the 70's and I remember it all so very vividly! So whenever I hear that there's a modern day film that takes place during that far out time, I will be the first person in line to see said film. So when I saw the trailer for AMERICAN HUSTLE, I knew I had to see when it came out. And that's exactly what I did!

The film's official synopsis: A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock our nation, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down.

Writer and director David O. Russell (along with co-writer Eric Singer) once again knocks it out of the park with this film that is absolutely amazing! What I really enjoyed about the film was that story, which was so brilliantly written. It was a joy to watch the film's story unfold and to hear these larger than life characters speak. There is that element of surprise which I loved. But because you don't really know what's going to happen next, and you don't know what these characters are going to do, that really intrigues me and I sat impatiently in my chair and watched the film with a big 'ole smile on my face.

Once again Russell brought back his dynamic duo of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence from last year's award winning film SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK. Christian Bale gets lost in another character, and his Irving is a character you love to hate. Well, hate is too strong of a word, but he is very sleazy! Bale turns in an awarding performance that will no doubt make the folks over at the Academy stand up and notice.

Amy Adams does it again; giving another Oscar-winning performance as Irving's love interest and partner Sydney Prosser. Here Amy goes in deep, pretending to be English and talking with an English accent (which by the way is so damn hot!) and has great on-screen chemistry with Bale. Now a lot of people will be talking about Amy's low, low low, low neck, cleavage revealing dress that she wears at the governor's party. Yes it's very risque. Yes, it's very sexy. And yes, she looks absolutely breathtaking in it that, if you're like me and wear glasses, they will fog up on you!

Another sexy siren actress showing what she's got is Jennifer Lawrence as Irving's lovable and clueless wife Rosalyn. Again she gives a performance that will no doubt earn her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She's funny, sassy, annoying, and down right sexy! Her white evening gown for the fore mentioned governor's party is just stunning. And her on-screen kiss with Amy's Sydney has been the talk of the town. I'll just end it right there.

Bradley Cooper keeps on surprising me with his acting chops. Here his portrayal of FBI agent Richie DiMasois ambitious, self-righteous, and naive. He really brings a lot of depth to the character throughout the course of the film. Even in the scene when he's having dinner with his family and he has those little pink curlers in his hair, he still pulls it off with a straight face and doesn't make it too tongue-in-cheek. Now that's acting people!

AMERICAN HUSTLE is flat out an amazing film to see from start to finish! This is what great American cinema should be! Go see this film over and over again!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

AMERICAN HUSTLE is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees DALLAS BUYERS CLUB at the Camera 7 Pruneyard Campbell-Dec. 21, 2013

It's interesting when discussing the career of Matthew McConaughey. After achieving cult status with the 1993 film DAZED AND CONFUSED, he went on to appear in, shall we say, less memorable features such as TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION, CONTACT, THE WEDDING PLANNER, SAHARA, and FAILURE TO LAUNCH. But then in 2011, he starred in legendary director's William Friedkin's KILLER JOE. After receiving rave reviews for his performance, McConaughey went on to star in MUD and THE PAPER BOY. Now he gives his best performance ever in the new drama DALLAS BUYERS CLUB.

The film's official synopsis: Based on the incredible true story of real-life Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, an ordinary man who found himself in a life-or-death battle with the medical establishment, big pharmaceutical companies, and the U.S. government. In 1986, the volatile, free-wheeling Woodroof was blindsided by being diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. With the U.S. still internally divided over how to combat the virus and restricting medications, Ron banded together with an unlikely community of outcasts and tracked down alternative treatments from all over the world, by means both legal and illegal.

McConaughey is just utterly amazing and riveting in the film! His portrayal of Woodroof is sensitive, sincere, funny, and touching. To prepare for his role as the AIDS stricken Woodroof, McConaughey lost an astounding 50lbs! Now that is some dedicated method acting! Also worth noting is that the Ron changes before our very eyes. Here's a macho, tough, rodeo loving homophobic redneck to a thoughtful, sensitive, anti-establishment activist. His acting deserves an Oscar! And there's no doubt that he might very will win one!

One of the outcasts that Woodroof meets and befriends is Rayon (Jared Leto), a transgender woman and a patient of AZT, an early drug experiments that doctors thought would stop the AIDS virus. Like McConaughey, Leto literally transformed himself into the role of Rayon, who adds a lot of fun, flare, and is the perfect antithesis to Woodroof's redneck ways. But the two odd couple strike up a business partnership that morphs into one of the most beautiful friendships I have ever seen in a film. And like McConaughey, Leto lost a total of 30lbs for his role! And look for him to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards show!

Also making a memorable appearance in the film was Jennifer Garner as Dr. Eve Saks, the only doctor who not only befriends both Ron and Rayon, but also supports them and helps them fight against the Food and Drug Administration. Here Garner is going against the type of roles she's known for; that being the romantic comedies. Ironically, both McConaughey and Garner both starred in the romantic comedy GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST. Again, another Oscar winning performance!

Director Jean-Marc Vallée does a superb job of crafting the film; creating real drama and light comedy while showcasing real human emotions and real world events. In fact, there are snippets of real television footage of the fight against the AIDS epidemic and how the gay community protested against the government's lack of interest in finding a cure.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is one of the best films of 2013! This is why I go to the movies and this is why you should go to the movies! This is a perfect film! You need to see this! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE CONJURING at the Camera 7 Pruneyard Campbell-July 23, 2013

So far this year, there has only been one horror film that has seriously chilled me to the bone, and that was MAMA. It relied more on chills and scares rather than blood and guts. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good gory slasher flick, but I enjoy a cool, spooky, "things that goes bump in the night" kind of film. And after my screening of the supernatural horror film THE CONJURING, I can honestly say that I have just seen this year's best fright film.

Based on true events, the film's about married couple and paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson from THE WATCHMEN and INSIDIOUS) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga from ORPHAN and SOURCE CODE), who must help a family in Harrisville, Rhode Island from being haunted by a demonic spirit. After some research, they discover the origin of the evil spirit and that the mom Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor from SAY ANYTHING, THE HAUNTING, THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE ) is its link to the real world. Along with the help of some friends, Ed and Lorraine must fight the evil entity and save Carolyn's soul.

Director James Wan (SAW, DEAD SILENCE) continues with the supernatural angle that he started with 2011's INSIDIOUS. Since the story takes place back I'm 1971, he employs some of the old traits of filmmaking back then; incorporating special lenses, long takes, zooms and pans. Even the font in the opening titles are very 70's. But he's very specific of his set ups, having standard shots during dialogue and then getting wild and crazy as the story progresses, especially when the scares come fast! Of course it helps to have an smart script, and thanks to brothers Chad and Carey Hayes, they deliver one terrifying story!

The production value is top notch, everything from the clothes to the cars, and even Patrick Wilson's sideburns scream 1971! But what's really amazing is that it's the little things that makes the audience scared: the creaking of a door, the give of a wooden floor board, windows and doors slamming shut, the chimes of the grand father clock, it is these simple sounds that sends a wave a fear washing of us. Case in point; at the screening I was at, there were four teenage girls sitting a couple of rows down from me. During the duration of them, they were so terrified that I thought one of them was going to have a heart attack. That's how scary this film is!

The acting in the film was perfect! Lili Taylor is just the constamment actress and it's wonderful to see her in another horror film.She played the part of Carolyn with believability and vulnerability. Again a great performance! Vera Farmiga also turned in a stellar performance as Lorraine; bringing depth and understating to this real life character. And of course, Patrick Wilson is great as always, and it looks like we'll being seeing him again this September in the horror sequel INSIDIOUS PART 2.

Now, I too have done some research and came across some interesting facts about Ed and Lorraine Warren. They were the very first investigators of the now infamous Amityville Horror (yes, THE very same investigation that spawned the 1977 book The Amityville Horror and the 1979 film and 2005 remake). Because of this one case, they garnered world wide attention as well as criticism. However, their contributions to the field of demonology is unmatched. They founded the New England Society for Psychic Research back in 1952, which is also the oldest ghost hunting group in New England. They have trained other future demonologists such as their nephew John Zaffis, plus Dave Considine and Lou Gentile. Unfortunately Ed passed away in 2006, but Lorraine is still alive, and at the age of 86, she still continues to assist with investigations and also runs her private Occult Museum in the back of her house. To see what it looks like, click here to watch this amazing video.

Overall THE CONJURING is, without a doubt, THE best horror film of 2013!! If you're a horror fan and you're sick and tired with the recent bombardments of crappy remakes, re-imagines, and reboots, then you're gonna love seeing this modern day horror classic! This is one hell of a scary movie! You need to see this! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE CONJURING is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE SAPPHIRES at the Camera 7 Pruneyard Campbell-April 6, 2013

Hello again everybody! This past weekend I decided to go on one of my massive movie binges! I get like this from time to time so just bare with me. Now the first film I saw on Saturday was a film that I had the privilege of seeing last month during the Cinequest Film Festival. The film is called THE SAPPHIRES and it's still a fun film to watch a second time around!

So here's what I said in my original review of the film: "Directed by Wayne Blair and set mostly in Australia, the movie is about four Aboriginal girls who get a chance at the end of the Sixties to go entertain the troops as a singing group in Vietnam. Managing them is down and out musician Dave (played by Chris O'Dowd from BRIDSMAIDS). Things go great for the girls, however once they arrive in Vietnam, they all experience love and witness the horrors of war." 

"Adapted from the stage play written by writer/actor Tony Briggs, the film is inspired by the true story about four extraordinary Aboriginal women; sisters Laurel Robinson, Lois Peeler and their cousins Beverley Briggs and Naomi Mayers. Blair actually starred in the stage production, which made him the obvious choice for directing the film version. All four actresses are fantastic in the film, bring so much humor and attitude. Words cannot express just how mush I enjoyed this film! With it colorful and funny characters, a solid script, great directing and acting, the film was a very welcomed surprise!"

So what do I think now after seeing it a second time? Exactly the same thing as I wrote about the first time! It has a great soundtrack, a lot of humor, some drama to make it interesting, and of course, fun and interesting characters. Chris O'Dowd is hilarious as the down and out wanna be musician Dave. Also Deborah Mailman (Gail), Jessica Mauboy (Julie), Shari Sebbens (Kay) and Miranda Tapsell (Cynthia) are just fantastic in their respective roles!

So THE SAPPHIRES is this spring's go-to-film to escape all the craziness that's been going on in the world. Sometimes we just need to escape from it all. If you feel like this, then go see this film. It will definitely will put you in better spirits! 4 out of 5 stars! Recommended! 

THE SAPPHIRES is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees HYDE PARK ON HUDSON at the Camera 3 Downtown San Jose-Jan. 26, 2013

For the fifth and final film I saw on Saturday, I made my way across the street to the Camera 3 to see HYDE PARK ON HUDSON, the latest film by director Roger Michell of NOTTING HILL, VENUS, and MORNING GLORY fame.

The film's synopsis is as follows: The weekend in 1939 when the King George VI (Samuel West) and Queen Consort Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) of England visited President Roosevelt (Bill Murray) in upstate New York, is told through the eyes of Roosevelt's distant cousin and lover, Margaret "Daisy" Stuckley (Laura Linney). The first visit to the U.S. ever made by a British monarch took place only months before the beginning of World War II, and commenced the budding "special relationship" between England and the U.S.

The film is based on Margaret Suckley’s private journals and diaries discovered after her death; about her love affair with and intimate details about President Roosevelt. Now there have been numerous allocations stating that the film took several extreme liberties with these historical facts. Also some complained that the film made FDR look like a philanderer.

The film does showcase some great acting. West's stuttering King George is the same one found in THE KING'S SPEECH, and does a great job of bringing depth and vulnerability to the role. Linney's Daisy is the impediment of innocence and naiveté. Her character could very well represent the innocence and naiveté of America at that time. In 1939, the United States had not yet entered World War II, and were somewhat unaware of the severe damage that the Germans were raging over Europe. Daisy is sweet, kind, and a loving individual, unaware of President Roosevelt's wandering eyes and other wandering parts. When she learns the truth about her president, her whole world comes crashing down, shattering the illusion of her perfect world.

Bill Murray does a fine job in the film portraying Franklin D. Roosevelt, however I couldn't get pass the notion that I was watching Bill Murray. I mean, I grew up watching him on the old Saturday Night Live, and seeing him in films like MEATBALLS, STRIPES, GHOST BUSTERS, and GROUNDHOG DAY. I saw him only as a comedic actor; that is until director Sophia Coppola cast him in her 2003 indie hit film LOST IN TRANSLATION. That film transformed the comedic Murray into an arthouse actor, appearing in films such as THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, BROKEN FLOWERS, THE DARJEELING LIMITED and last year's MOONRISE KINGDOM. As I stated, I couldn't get pass the "That's Bill Murray" notion. In my eyes, he didn't disappear in the FDR role the way Daniel Day Lewis disappeared in LINCOLN.

Overall, HYDE PARK ON HUDSON is a fairly enjoyable film with some laughs and genuine emotions. It's worth a look if you are interested in the love affairs of our 32nd President of the United States. Good acting, solid directing equals an pleasant film. 3 out of 5 stars!!

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON is currently playing at select theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees HITCHCOCK at the Camera 3 Downtown San Jose-January 10, 2013

The very first Alfred Hitchcock film I ever saw was THE BIRDS. I was about seven years old and it absolutely terrified me! After seeing that film, I was scared to go outside and play with my friends. Since that fateful introduction, I began to seek out more films by the man known as The Master of Suspense. I've been very fortunate to see many of his films, including some of his earlier films such as the silent film THE LODGER (1927), both the silent and "talkie" versions of BLACKMAIL (1929) as well as his classics like THE 39 STEPS (1935), REBECCA (1940), and NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959). However it was his 1960 film PSYCHO that made a tremendous impact on me as well as the rest of the world. It is during the making of this masterpiece that director Sacha Gervasi's newest film HITCHCOCK is set.

The film's synopsis is as follows: In 1959, Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma, are at the top of their creative game as filmmakers amid disquieting insinuations about it being time to retire. To recapture his youth's artistic daring, Alfred decides his next film will adapt the lurid horror novel, Psycho, over everyone's misgivings. Unfortunately, as Alfred self-finances and labors on this film, Alma finally loses patience with his roving eye and controlling habits with his actresses. When an ambitious friend lures her to collaborate on a work of their own, the resulting marital tension colors Alfred's work even as the novel's inspiration haunts his dreams.

Based on Stephen Rebello's non-fiction book "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho," Gervasi does an extraordinary job of creating the world of 1960 and handling it with great care and accuracy. He uses simple set ups and camera angles to tell his story without calling attention to it. The storytelling is very smooth and seamless; these ingredients are what makes a great film great. Nothing is more distracting than a series of unnecessary swoops and panning, which also takes the viewer out of the film. Here Gervasi employs the basics to tell his story and the results are very satisfying.

Believe it or not, this is only Gervasi's second feature. His first film was the fascinating and hilarious documentary ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL. To go from making a documentary to directing HITCHCOCK is a major leap for this young filmmaker, and he is able to pull it off and make it look effortlessly. To direct major and talented actors and actress, have such lavish sets and props, and to have such a large budget to work with, Gervasi does an incredible job of telling the love story about a man and his wife, which is the real story that audiences will love to see.

Portraying Alfred Hitchcock is Academy Award winner Sir Anthony Hopkins, who channels the spirit of Master of Suspense himself in his performance. Cocky, arrogant, ill tempered, and yet there's a vulnerability in him. Hopkins showcases the massive pressure that Hitchcock was under while making his masterpiece. His obsession with the film leads him to converse with his imaginary friend; the infamous Ed Gein (Michael Wincott), who was the real life influence for the book and film, as well as other famous horror icons such as Leatherface from THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and Hannibal Lecter (which was one of Hopkins' best role ever) from THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Wincott is a dead ringer for the insane Gein, and the two actors share some memorable screen time together.

We also learn of Hitchcock's other obsession: falling for his blonde leading ladies such as the star of PSYCHO Janet Leigh, portrayed here by the stunning Scarlett Johansson. Her interpretation of Mrs. Leigh is subtle: kind hearted, sweet, thoughtful, and wiling to anything to make her director happy. Johansson does let out a few screams here and there, but I would've liked to see more personality in her performance as Janet Leigh. She made her seem a little flat; just wished she brought more to the character.

But the film is all about the relationship between Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville, who is brought to life by the talented Academy Award winning actress Helen Mirren. We learn that this great director had a great wife, who also lend her expertise in fleshing out scripts and can run a set just like any other male director. But her ability to write screenplays lures her old friend and colleague Whitfield Cook (Danny Huston) back into her life, which causes Hitchcock to suspect the worse. The on-screen chemistry between Hopkins and Mirren is electrifying. This reviewer found himself invested in the relationship, which is the focus of the film. The making of PSYCHO is the backdrop to this out of the ordinary love story, but the film does display the aspects of the production of the film from financing through casting, fighting with the ratings board and the limited release of the film in only two theaters nationally.

Rounding out the cast for the film and also giving great performances are James D'Arcy as Anthony Perkins, Jessica Biel as actress Vera Miles, Ralph Macchio as writer Joseph Stefano, Toni Collette as Hithcock's assistant Peggy Robertson and Kurtwood Smith as ratings board guru Geoffrey Shurlock.

All in all HITCHCOCK is a wonderful piece of cinema that will entertain audiences everywhere this cold winter season! If you see this film playing in your city, take my advise and go see it! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

HITCHCOCK is currently playing at select theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees ZERO DARK THIRTY at the Century 20 Oakridge-January 7, 2013

Today's review is about a film that has been billed as "the story of history's greatest manhunt for the world's most dangerous man." It has received wide critical acclaim and has already earned four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film has also received a great deal of controversy for its "allegedly pro-torture stance and for allegedly obtaining improper access to classified materials." However, all this aside, director Kathryn Bigelow's latest film ZERO DARK THIRTY is one of the most astounding films to be released in 2013 thus far!!

The movie's official synopsis: Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA operative whose first experience is in the interrogation of prisoners following the Al Qaeda attacks against the U.S. on the 11th September 2001. She is a reluctant participant in extreme duress applied to the detainees, but believes that the truth may only be obtained through such tactics. For several years, she is single-minded in her pursuit of leads to uncover the whereabouts of Al Qaeda's leader, Osama Bin Laden. Finally, in 2011, it appears that her work will pay off, and a U.S. Navy SEAL team is sent to kill or capture Bin Laden. But only Maya is confident Bin Laden is where she says he is.

First off, let me tell you something about the beginning of the film. Now what I am about to tell you isn't a spoiler or anything. In fact, consider this a warning. In the first hour of the film, there are several scenes that feature the brutality of torture. Now if this makes you at all squeamish, then you'd might want to skip this movie. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the film because of the allege pro-torture stance. This will divide the audience and as a result, some will say yes it does, others will disagree. Too be honest, I'm still on the fence about this topic myself.

However, controversy aside, Bigelow shows us once again just how talented she is as a director. While I thought it would hard to surpass her last film, the Academy Award winning film THE HURT LOCKER, she does the impossible and creates a stunning, tense, procedural drama that cannot be classified as an action thriller, a war film, or in this a war drama. Bigelow is one of the few directors that makes films for just sheer entertainment; her films go beyond the term genre and transcend into the realm of art. Like her previous film, Bigelow crafts this picture with precision, clarity, and structure with moments of humor to release the tensions that it builds.

Bigelow and her writer Mark Boal (a former journalist) were working on a screenplay that was about the Battle of Tora Bora, where bin Laden was once believed to be hiding. However, once the news broke the news broke that bin Laden had been killed, they immediately shelved that idea and started from scratch. Originally filmed as For God and Country, the title was changed to ZERO DARK THIRTY, which according to Bigelow means that, "it's a military term for 30 minutes after midnight, and it refers also to the darkness and secrecy that cloaked the entire decade-long mission."

Actress Jessica Chastain did a fabulous job at portraying our main protagonist Maya. Head strong, confident, and resilient in her pursuit in locating the whereabouts of our antagonist Osama Bin Laden. Chastain appeared last year's THE TREE OF LIFE and THE HELP. Here she continues to play interesting, flawed, and relentless characters that are unique, thoughtful, and complex.

ZERO DARK THIRTY is one enriching, compelling, masterpiece of cinema that dares to be seen. Not for everyone's taste; it's slow pace builds up speed for the climatic ending; an ending we already know about. But in Bigelow's hands, this review found himself sitting on the edge of his seat. 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

ZERO DARK THIRTY is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Century Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://cinemark.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Top Ten Films of 2012-Jan. 5, 2013

Hello again and welcome back! Now I saw a lot films last year, at least over 100 of them!! Now that is a lot of movies to see in one year! Now I couldn't see every single film that was released, but over 100 movies is still pretty damn impressive! But remember, I am a professional and it's my job to see these films for you. So without further adieu ladies and gentlemen, here are my Top Ten Films of 2012!

1) LINCOLN: This is a perfect example as to why I love going to the movies! Actor Daniel Day-Lewis embodies Lincoln like no other actor has done before. Wise, compassionate, at times very humorous, and also determined to end slavery in America. When you watch the film, you don't even see Day-Lewis at all, there in only Abraham Lincoln. Let's face it, the man actually and physically looks like Lincoln. The resemblance is truly uncanny! His performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination all the way! Also giving stellar performances was Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, and Hal Holbrook. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this is without a doubt THE BEST FILM of 2012. If you don't agree, then you should see it again!

2) THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: Director Christopher Nolan concluded his Dark Knight Trilogy with this film. Set eight years after THE DARK KNIGHT, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) comes out of retirement to save Gotham City one last time against the deadly terrorist named Bane (Tom Hardy). Aiding Batman are Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), his trusted butler Alfred (Michael Caine), and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman). Weaving such real world issues such as terrorism, economic collapse, social structure, class warfare, political injustice and anarchy, the film firmly takes place in the here and now. Just an incredible job by Nolan and the rest of the cast and crew! One of the greatest film trilogies of all time comes to an end!

3) ARGO: Based on true events, six Americans manage to slip away from the U.S. embassy in Tehran which has been over by the Iranians. Held up at the home of the Canadian ambassador, CIA specialist, Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) concocts a risky plan: pretend to be a Canadian film project looking to shoot in Iran and smuggle the Americans out as its production crew. Directed by Affleck, the film is filled with drama, tensions, and a few laughs, courtesy of Alan Arkin and John Goodman. With this film, we see Affleck's true calling: a fantastic and gifted director. Also make sure you stay in the theater to watch the credits. You'll see some real photographs and clips that mirror Affleck's film and actors.

4) THE AVENGERS: The film that every Marvel Comics geek had been waiting for! Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, and Samuel L. Jackson, the film was written and directed by Joss Whedon, who pulled off the impossible! This ultimate battle between good and evil broke records all across America and around the world. In the end, the film made over a billion dollars!! As you may already know, Whedon has signed on to do the sequel, so look for more Avengers in 2014!! Also make sure to stick around for not one, but two bonus scenes at the end of the film! And on a side note, the film looked freaking awesome in 3D!!

5) TINKER TAYLOR SOLDIER SPY: This film came out all the way back in January, and some of you out there might have forgotten about this extraordinary movie! Based on author John le Carré's groundbreaking cold war bestseller and directed by Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson, the film features a stellar cast consisting of Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, and Mark Strong. There is nothing that I can say that will give these fine actors enough praise. This is not your typical spy film. This is a beautifully played and observed spy film, one that makes you think while watching it, enticing you to unravel the mystery along with our protagonist. It's simply a masterpiece of incredible intelligence. Do yourself a favor and check out this superb spy thriller.

6) MOONRISE KINGDOM: Directed by Wes Anderson, this film lovingly tells the tale of first love, in a humorous and whimsical way one would expect from Anderson. Set in 1965 on the fictional New England island called New Penzance, the film's about two 12 year-olds who fall in love and run away together: "Khaki Scout" orphan and misfit Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and the disenchanted Suzy Bishop (Kara Gilman). When their disappearance is discovered, the grown-ups begin the search for them. Also featuring Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Bruce Willis, the film has all the bizarre, the eclectic, the witty, and the eccentric that one expects to find in Wes Anderson's films!

7) BULLY: I was fortunate to see this incredible documentary during the Cinequest 22 Film Festival back in March, and I was extremely excited to see it in theaters a month later! This powerful and disturbing film follows five kids from Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Iowa and Mississippi who are victims of bullying as well as their families. Filmed during the 2009-2010 school year, we see the ramifications of bullying and how some schools ignored the problem, which caused some students like Tyler Long and Ty Smalley (their families are focused in the film) to commit suicide. Director Lee Hirsch really captures the living Hell that these kids go through every single day of their school year. One of the most important documentaries that you and your family must see!

8) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WIND: Directed by Benh Zeitlin and written by Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar from Alibar's one-act play Juicy and Delicious, the film's about a six-year-old girl named Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis), who along with her sick and dying father Wink (Dwight Henry) live in "The Bathtub," a southern Delta community at the edge of the world. But when her father becomes terribly ill, the forces of nature begin to unravel simultaneously. The film is a powerful example of experimental filmmaking while at the same time confronting social, political, and enviormental topics such as extreme poverty, alcoholism, global warming, and child neglect. One of the most mesmerizing, striking, and poignant films I have ever seen before!

9) TED: The directorial debut film by Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth McFarlane, the film focuses on the deep bond of friendship between a grown man named Jack (Mark Wahlberg) and his teddy bear Ted (voiced by McFarlane). The film is politically incorrect, offensive, vulgar, filled with juvenile toilet humor, profanity, and sexual situations that some might find repulsive. So of course I laughed the whole way through the damn movie! I mean c'mon! It's a giant walking teddy bear that swears, drinks, and likes prostitutes! However, underneath all of this immature humor, MacFarlane crafted a really solid script that contains good character development, a nice three arc story, and an emotional ending that tugs on your heart strings.

10) THE CABIN IN THE WOODS: The ONLY good horror film to be released to theaters in 2012! And that is so damn sad to say because I am a huge horror fan, and I felt really let down last year. This was the only saving grace for theatrical horror films. Joss Whedon is simply a genius and has made a career breaking genre rules and making them up as he goes along. The man can take any genre and break the confines of its basic structure and rebuild it to his own likings. As both writer and producer of the film, he is in complete control and it shows not only that he's a talented individual, but also as a force to be reckon with. Drew Goddard not only co-wrote the script with Whedon, but it also marked his directorial debut. It's faced paced, has smart and funny dialogue, and contains enough scares, gore, and bloodshed to make horror fans around the world very happy.

And there you have it! My Top Ten Films of 2012! This was a hard list to put together, but these were films that really made an impact on me, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading my picks. So if by chance there are films here that you haven't seen yet, I encourage you to check them out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by them!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!