2011
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- DirectorMiguel ArtetaStarsEd HelmsJohn C. ReillyAnne HecheTim Lippe has no idea what he's in for when he's sent to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at an annual insurance convention, where he soon finds himself under the "guidance" of three convention veterans.This offbeat character driven comedy went under the radar, and it's least likely to be remembered in years to come. That's a shame, considering it's a pretty good movie in the vein of the Coen brothers, without the violence or the murder. Ed Helms breaks into leading man territory as a naive insurance agent sent to represent his company on a business conference, which proves to a much needed eye opener. It's the casting that's the true savior of the film, as each actor bounces off each other in ways that don't steal one's thunder. John C. Reilly makes a wonderful douchebag with a heart of gold while Isiah Whitlock plays the offbeat straight man and Anne Heche is the solid voice of reason.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceIn the 1960s, superpowered humans Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr work together to find others like them, but Erik's vengeful pursuit of an ambitious mutant who ruined his life causes a schism to divide them.Superhero movies have reached a low ebb in the mid-2000's, as Hollywood had comic book fever and turned virtually any viable superhero property into a heartless blockbuster that no one will remember 15 minutes after watching it. But First Class is part of a new renaissance with film studios giving a more adult voice to the genre. Hence, we're given films like Iron Man, The Dark Knight and this 2011 blockbuster. This rebooted prequel focuses on the early years of Magneto and Professor X as they found a school dedicated to their kind, and dealing with a menacing threat by a sinister mastermind. The casting is wise with James McAvoy as Professor X, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique and for me, Kevin Bacon as the villainous Sebastian Shaw.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsJason BatemanCharlie DayJason SudeikisThree friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.It's difficult to make a solid black comedy work, and work well. But Horrible Bosses does it with aplomb. The casting of the three leads works, thanks to three comically sharp actors (Bateman, Sudeikis and Day) as they contend with their bosses: a psycho (Spacey), a douche (Farrell) and a maneater (Aniston). But Horrible Bosses lays out a solid blueprint of making a story function well, without degrading into goofy slapstick.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.There's a LOT of story in this contemporary adaptation of the iconic Marvel character and unlike it's 1990 predecessor, this movie takes itself seriously with a dash of camp. As the latest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe that began with "Iron Man", "The First Avenger" is about Captain America's origins from a 90 pound weakling into a hulking icon of Americana as he fights his way through the Red Skull-dominated Nazi regime in WWII. The film's supporting cast is what really elevates it into being a good film, most notably Hugo "Agent Smith" Weaving as head villain Red Skull.
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsBrad PittRobin WrightJonah HillOakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.Despite sluggish pacing, this soon to be Oscar nominated drama focuses on the exploits of Billy Beane (Pitt), general manager for the fledgling Oakland A's baseball team.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsChris HemsworthAnthony HopkinsNatalie PortmanThe powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.
- DirectorJohn WellsStarsBen AffleckChris CooperTommy Lee JonesThe story centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company - and how that affects them, their families, and their communities.
- DirectorJonathan HensleighStarsRay StevensonChristopher WalkenVincent D'OnofrioThe true story of Danny Greene, a tough Irish thug working for mobsters in Cleveland during the 1970's.
- DirectorTom McCarthyStarsPaul GiamattiAmy RyanJeffrey TamborA struggling lawyer and volunteer wrestling coach's chicanery comes back to haunt him when the teenage grandson of the client he has double-crossed comes into his life.
- DirectorGreg MottolaStarsSimon PeggNick FrostSeth RogenTwo English comic book geeks traveling across the U.S. encounter an alien outside Area 51.
- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonRose ByrneTy SimpkinsA family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsRainn WilsonElliot PageLiv TylerAfter his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, but lacking in heroic skills.
- DirectorPaul FeigStarsKristen WiigMaya RudolphRose ByrneCompetition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride's best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.
- DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsBradley CooperZach GalifianakisEd HelmsTwo years after the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu's wedding. Stu's plan for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, however, goes seriously awry.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsElle FanningAJ MichalkaKyle ChandlerDuring the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town.
- DirectorGlenn FicarraJohn RequaStarsSteve CarellRyan GoslingJulianne MooreA middle-aged husband's life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.
- DirectorRupert WyattStarsJames FrancoAndy SerkisFreida PintoA substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMatt DamonKate WinsletJude LawHealthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as the CDC works to find a cure.
- DirectorBrett RatnerStarsEddie MurphyBen StillerCasey AffleckWhen a group of hard-working guys find out they've fallen victim to their wealthy employer's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsLeonardo DiCaprioArmie HammerNaomi WattsJ. Edgar Hoover, powerful head of the F.B.I. for nearly fifty years, looks back on his professional and personal life.
- DirectorAzazel JacobsStarsJohn C. ReillyJacob WysockiBridger ZadinaIn a small town, a morbidly-obese, 15yo's bullied, as he struggles to adjust to his difficult life.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsSeth RogenJay ChouChristoph WaltzFollowing the death of his father, Britt Reid, heir to his father's large company, teams up with his late dad's assistant Kato to become a masked crime fighting team.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsElle FanningAJ MichalkaKyle ChandlerDuring the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsGeorge ClooneyShailene WoodleyAmara MillerA land baron tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident.