September/October in December

Taking Woodstalk

Starring Demetri Martin, Imelda Staunton, Henry Goodman, Emile Hirsch, Jonathan Groff, Paul Dano, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Eugene Levy, Mamie Gummer, and Liev Schreiber

It looks beautiful and feels like a great film, but there's something missing and it has to do with not showing the concert, which was basically the Holy Grail of the film. Good performances, though none that stand out for too long because there are so many characters.

Grade: B

Zombieland

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin

It was hilarious, indie-like, and mounted with great performances from Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg (with an explosive 2009 year), and the best cameo ever. But, in the end, the plot structure seemed to obvious and the payoff was lame.

Grade: B-

The Invention of Lying

Starring Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Gardner, Jonah Hill, Louis C. K., Tina Fey, and Rob Lowe

A great concept with humorous plot points, "The Invention of Lying" has an opinion about society and a philosophy on beauty, but becomes a contradiction and a failure in the final five minutes.

Grade: C

Where the Wild Things Are

Starring Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose, and Chris Cooper

Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers creates a world for the lost, wild mind that is Max out of a children's book that takes three minutes to read. The direction is beautiful, though, at times, the plot choices turn uneven, and the voices of Gandolfini and Ambrose are mystical and heart-wrenching. Terrifying, even.

Grade: B+

Paranormal Activity

Starring Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat

Easily one of the most terrifying movies ever. I jumped and nearly screamed, but the lasting effect of "Paranormal Activity" will send you into your bed with the lights on and still feeling like you're house is spooked.

Grade: B+