BRIEF reviews by KAT

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 4

2012-02-09T19:26:00.000-05:00

Holy moley. I feel for those who had to endure the last 10 seconds of this season and then WAIT for the next one.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/

Cowboys & Aliens

2012-02-08T10:03:00.002-05:00

Not that it excuses the piss-poor writing or directing, but I get what Favreau was doing here in hearkening back to the age of the stately Western.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409847/

Contagion

2012-02-04T21:14:00.000-05:00

I'm stocking up on fresh water tomorrow.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/

The Artist

2012-02-04T15:19:00.001-05:00

I got four words for you: "I can't stan 'im!"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2012-02-04T15:18:00.000-05:00

I'm not with the other critics. I think this outing was more fun and funny than the previous one.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091/

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2012-02-04T15:16:00.001-05:00

Fincher at his best. (Plus, every girl's revenge fantasy. Well, hopefully not every girl.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568346/

War Horse

2012-02-04T15:14:00.002-05:00

While it's definitely about the horse, it's more of an oblique way to talk about war and its effect on humankind.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568911/

Hugo

2012-02-04T15:12:00.003-05:00

OH behind me in theater as credits were rolling: "Oh, Méliès was a real guy!" Sigh.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970179/

The Adventures of Tintin

2012-02-04T15:09:00.001-05:00

The first, and best, of Hergé on screen: an adaptation worthy of his work.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983193/

Slings and Arrows: Season 3

2012-02-02T08:30:00.002-05:00

That was an uncomfortable season. Cancelation has to be every actor's biggest nightmare.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387779/

Star Wars Uncut: Director's Cut

2012-02-01T22:06:00.000-05:00

Heartwarming for any true geek. But! So many Toy Story references and not one Doctor Who?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2199603/

Real Steel

2012-01-29T00:11:00.000-05:00

A robot dancing like a robot? Heh. (You can miss the rest.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433035/

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 3

2012-01-28T17:41:00.003-05:00

You know you're in the future because Dr. Crusher never has to get her hands actually physically dirty.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/

For a Good Time, Call...

2012-01-27T09:15:00.002-05:00

You could say this is 800 one-liners about phone sex, but that would cheapen it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1996264/

The Ides of March

2012-01-21T17:48:00.001-05:00

Not a Sorkin picture; he never wrote anything so idealistic and by-the-numbers. (Clooney, stick to directing. And acting.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 2

2012-01-16T09:14:00.000-05:00

Shoot. I thought we were finally getting to the good stuff with "Pen Pals" and then it sinks back into trite again.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 2

2012-01-15T17:25:00.000-05:00

This series does what Fawlty Towers did for me: makes me twitch all over.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472954/

Slings and Arrows: Season 2

2012-01-15T14:37:00.002-05:00

Oh, I get it now. This series is about how to enact good Shakespeare. And it requires absolutely stellar actors who can play it both ways.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387779/

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2012-01-14T11:39:00.001-05:00

Their use of animal behaviorists is commendable. Their completely predictable plot is shame-worthy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1318514/

Dexter: Season 5

2012-01-13T13:33:00.001-05:00

Absolutely satisfying season. I can't believe a series about a serial killer is one of the best shows I watch.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0773262/

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

2012-01-08T22:05:00.003-05:00

I have a weird brain. The plot was close to impenetrable, but the filmic elements? I got every one.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340800/

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

2012-01-08T16:03:00.002-05:00

Look, I never saw the original, so don't know how it compares. This one has (slow, scary, creepy) atmosphere a plenty.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270761/

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

2012-01-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

Crawling up the tallest building in the world does in fact look terrifying (CGI notwithstanding).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229238/

Numb3rs: Season 3

2012-01-07T15:14:00.000-05:00

I like this show (especially that last doozy of an episode). I don't like that it would barely be possible without the Patriot Act.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433309/

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

2012-01-06T20:39:00.000-05:00

Inscrutable? Yes, the script is. No, the action and the acting aren't.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1123373/ (Original title: Di Renjie)

Doctor Who: Season 10

2012-01-05T00:18:00.001-05:00

Finally! At the very end of Season 10, after 69 serials, a real story without plastic monsters (well, ok, plastic maggots). Plus, it's funny and poignant and has a moral ending.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/

Gimme Shelter

2012-01-02T22:41:00.003-05:00

I wouldn't say a thing about kids these days until you watch this classic.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065780/

Fright Night

2012-01-01T23:21:00.003-05:00

Colin Farrell was definitely born to play a vampire.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1438176/

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

2012-01-01T19:03:00.000-05:00

This is The Indian Hangover, down to the stunningly handsome leading man. (What are they, twins?)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1562872/

Mongol

2012-01-01T10:33:00.000-05:00

Despite this rather romantic view of the great Khan, I'd rather not forget that he slaughtered millions and millions of people.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416044/

Beginners

2011-12-31T16:09:00.001-05:00

The lite version of a Mike Leigh film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1532503/

Kung Fu Panda 2

2011-12-29T21:38:00.003-05:00

Nope, not as good as the original, but plenty fun (and sentimental) in its own right.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302011/

Terra Nova: Season 1

2011-12-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

About as good as Stargate Atlantis. Sure would be nice if they gave this series the same chance.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1641349/

Margin Call

2011-12-27T11:53:00.000-05:00

Clearly, the main focus of this flick is to humanize the bankers, et al. Not certain they achieved their objective.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1615147/

Point Blank

2011-12-23T23:23:00.000-05:00

I think the French are still feeling their way in the action genre.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1545759/ (Original title: À Bout Portant)

The Help

2011-12-23T18:04:00.002-05:00

There's a reason Viola Davis is going to get an Oscar nod. If this performance doesn't convince you, watch Doubt.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

2011-12-19T09:44:00.001-05:00

Great to see these stupendous drawings, but I think the main selling point of this film was the 3D. So, in the theater next time it comes around...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1664894/

The Descendants

2011-11-27T19:37:00.001-05:00

Is this film taking the same path as Sideways? Not that you either love it or hate it, but you either love it or you like it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/

Cars 2

2011-11-16T23:09:00.001-05:00

At least they got the Japanese culture down pat: vending machines, capsule hotels, and silly toy cars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216475/

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

2011-11-16T19:53:00.001-05:00

Yet another example of a film that needs no words. (And that's not a good thing.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1298650/

Attack the Block

2011-11-14T08:45:00.001-05:00

Yo, fam, don't get murked, dig?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478964/

Horrible Bosses

2011-11-14T08:40:00.001-05:00

Mostly a heaping pile of classic jokes. (Liked seeing Charlie Day in a large role, though.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1499658/

Fast Five

2011-11-10T18:47:00.001-05:00

Mission: Impossible II meets The Italian Job meets Ocean's Eleven. (Read: a bit cleverer than usual.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596343/

Bridesmaids

2011-11-08T22:02:00.001-05:00

Maya Rudolph sitting in a wedding dress in the middle of the road is hands down the funniest thing I've seen all year.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478338/

Scream 4

2011-10-26T23:21:00.004-04:00

Trying for Night of the Living Dead, but getting only 60% of the way there.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262416/

Moneyball

2011-10-22T22:02:00.000-04:00

I was stunned at how riveted an entire audience was by baseball statistics.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1210166/

The Big Bang Theory: Season 2

2011-10-21T14:16:00.004-04:00

Hands-down best episode was "The Financial Permeability" for teaching everyone what it takes to run a business.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/

X-Men: First Class

2011-10-15T16:32:00.003-04:00

It's been a long time since I've fallen asleep watching an action film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/

The Guild: Season 5

2011-10-14T09:20:00.000-04:00

I appreciate them setting this at Comicon (and thrilling all the lucky fans/extras) but this season had less oomph than normal.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1138475/

Blue Valentine

2011-10-12T10:29:00.001-04:00

I think this might be a PSA against marrying young.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1120985/

The Walking Dead: Season 1

2011-10-11T16:55:00.001-04:00

Wow, that was a lot more gory than expected. (And a little too much like 28 Days Later at the beginning.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1520211/

50/50

2011-10-02T19:09:00.000-04:00

All I've heard and all I just saw give me good reason to believe this is shot straight from the hip.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1306980/

Doctor Who (new): Season 6

2011-10-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

Heh. Primo last line. Don't know how I feel about the rest of the season yet, though.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436992/

Numb3rs: Season 2

2011-09-27T20:57:00.000-04:00

By far the silliest part of this show is how much time Charlie Eppes has to work on FBI files while also holding down a full-time professorship.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433309/

Another Year

2011-09-26T11:26:00.000-04:00

More disjointed than most Leigh productions, but by no means less uncomfortable or affecting.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431181/

Mad Men: Season 4

2011-09-22T23:55:00.003-04:00

I am constantly wondering what Draper is thinking. And how he's about to mess up his life further. (And how they'll top this season.)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804503/

Paul

2011-09-14T22:55:00.000-04:00

My favorite geek nod was what the band was playing at Roy's Roadhouse. Anyone else get that?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092026/

Breaking Bad: Season 1

2011-09-13T16:20:00.003-04:00

Episode 2 made me ROTFL, but I'm not sure I get why I should sympathize with the main character. (Cancer notwithstanding.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/

The Tudors: Season 1

2011-09-05T14:44:00.000-04:00

Despite the overwrought tenor of this series, the arguments for and against religious reform makes it worth the watching.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758790/

The Way Back

2011-09-04T16:53:00.003-04:00

I expected more of the famous Weir soundtrack. Actually, any music at all would have been welcome.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1023114/

Limitless

2011-09-04T10:13:00.000-04:00

Way to use your leading man's most stunning feature.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219289/

Mad Men: Season 3

2011-08-30T18:31:00.002-04:00

It's all about waiting for it. Last episode of this season? "Peggy, get me some coffee." "No."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804503/

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

2011-08-27T13:45:00.001-04:00

It's been a long time since I've seen that amount of truth in a would-be sex scene.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570728/

Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'

2011-08-24T11:34:00.001-04:00

Same old Nick Park, but hey, it's the same old Nick Park.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1118511/

Robots

2011-08-21T15:36:00.002-04:00

Don't understand the critics. Just the Rube Goldberg devices put this over the top (not to mention Robin Williams, Britney Spears and Gene Kelly).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358082/

My Dog Tulip

2011-08-18T16:39:00.002-04:00

Ackerley has it exactly right when he describes pets as looking as if they're saying "What?" and "WHAT!!!" at the same time.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0843358/

Numb3rs: Season 1

2011-08-16T22:53:00.001-04:00

I couldn't care less that it's standard crime drama with characters with no real lives. The math is fabulous.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433309/

Rio

2011-08-15T08:54:00.002-04:00

Aside from doing a nice job depicting Rio itself, this is fairly standard start to finish.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436562/

Jane Eyre

2011-08-14T14:31:00.003-04:00

Finally, an adaptation that reflects Brontë's unromantic heroine.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229822/

Insidious

2011-08-12T14:54:00.003-04:00

Old school horror! Title font, solid camera work, understated action, and all. (Consequently, it was a LOT scarier.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1591095/

The Pacific

2011-08-06T21:33:00.004-04:00

Two dissimilar things I learned from this series: you can recreate the incessant horror of war on television, and the armed forces does make a significant investment in each and every man.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374463/

Driving Lessons

2011-07-31T17:00:00.004-04:00

As with many coming-of-age films, the best part is the soundtrack... especially Salsa Celtica.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446687/

Captain America: The First Avenger

2011-07-30T12:58:00.003-04:00

The unfortunate effect of retro stylization is that the flick lacked more of Evans in his hip costume and bike.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458339/

Unknown

2011-07-29T13:00:00.002-04:00

Liam Neeson and January Jones?? Aside from that, seeing Berlin on film was pretty sweet.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401152/

Long Way Round

2011-07-28T17:05:00.003-04:00

"These aren't the bikes you're looking for. Move along." Fifteen thumbs up for this travelogue.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403778/

The Lincoln Lawyer

2011-07-25T16:20:00.002-04:00

I guess McConaughey had to make do with getting down to his undershirt.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189340/

Joyeux Noel

2011-07-22T13:28:00.002-04:00

Hints at more than the expected "all men are comrades" pablum, consequently it is more palatable.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424205/

Slings & Arrows: Season 1

2011-07-22T10:15:00.001-04:00

Really important distinction: this series is not so much laugh-out-loud funny, but extraordinarily clever.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387779/

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 1

2011-07-21T16:34:00.000-04:00

In the last few episodes, they were starting to get creative. Unresolved plots, ahoy!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/

Mad Men: Season 2

2011-07-18T08:57:00.002-04:00

I suppose Don Draper is the quintessential onion. But every season they seem to add more layers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804503/

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

2011-07-17T19:27:00.003-04:00

Pro: adequate ending of a saga. Con: emotional detachment from both Felton and, especially, Rickman.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/

Battle Los Angeles

2011-07-14T20:06:00.003-04:00

There's something comfortingly predictable about military sci-fi movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217613/

Winter's Bone

2011-07-12T21:25:00.000-04:00

Now that's a rarity, a movie better than the book. And the book was a lovely piece of work.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399683/

Temple Grandin

2011-07-10T13:02:00.003-04:00

Having seen Ms. Grandin in person, I can say without a doubt that Danes nails this portrayal.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1278469/

We Are Marshall

2011-07-08T15:19:00.001-04:00

I'm leaning towards calling this McConaughey's finest film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758794/

Doctor Who: Season 9

2011-07-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

For every completely ridiculous serial (The Sea Devils? really?), there's an intriguing one (The Time Monster).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056751/

It's Kind of A Funny Story

2011-07-04T21:12:00.002-04:00

If the kids are that messed up, how come they are so in touch with their feelings?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804497/

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 1

2011-07-03T08:42:00.002-04:00

I cannot conceive of how DeVito worms his way into this celebration-of-youth's-foibles show.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472954/

Secretariat

2011-07-02T15:19:00.005-04:00

It's all so... Disney. Even Malkovich is muffled.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028576/

Nowhere Boy

2011-06-30T16:22:00.003-04:00

I figure when you can act, sing and look handsome, and you're excellent at 2 of the 3, your movie career is made for you.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266029/

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Season 2

2011-06-27T23:28:00.003-04:00

Being told by a machine that heaven has a storage problem was the creepiest moment from the entire show.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851851/

The Fighter

2011-06-24T12:27:00.001-04:00

I think this is the only boxing film I've seen that's given me a clue about strategy.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0964517/

Friday Night Lights: Season 5

2011-06-19T16:08:00.004-04:00

It is surprising to me that I have cared this much about a high school football team, much less a Texas high school football team, and even more a fictional Texas high school football team.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758745/

Hereafter

2011-06-18T23:11:00.000-04:00

Dear Mr. Eastwood, there is quite a large difference between filming everything as reality and filming just the important parts as reality. Regards, me.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212419/

The Pillars of the Earth

2011-06-18T22:03:00.002-04:00

This clinches it-- I will watch anything Matthew Macfadyen is in. His speech in Ep. 7 was breathtaking.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1453159/

Downton Abbey: Series 1

2011-06-14T17:49:00.007-04:00

Impossible to say enough good things about this, but the absolute best part? The costuming.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606375/

The Weather Underground

2011-06-14T17:49:00.005-04:00

I think Sam Green is the bee's knees, but I found this less compelling than his short films.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343168/

Jackass 3D

2011-06-13T09:49:00.003-04:00

As usual, 1/3 pukey humor and 2/3 physical humor, which comes to about 1/2 laugh out loud.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1116184/

Super 8

2011-06-12T22:23:00.002-04:00

Those 5 kids? DePalma, Spielberg, Lucas, Campbell and Baker.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650062/

The Company Men

2011-06-08T21:18:00.003-04:00

Power of humility, living within your means, blah blah blah. What about the multi-million dollar actors portraying these parts? Leaves you cold.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172991/