Antichrist ****

Antichrist directed by Lars von Trier

Lars von Trier, the self-proclaimed “Greatest Director in the World” may be over-exaggerating a bit but it is hard to argue with his talent. When I first heared the controversy surrounding this film coming from Cannes I knew that it was a movie that I had to see. Not only was it a new film by von Trier (Dancer in the Dark, Dogville) but it was something that everyone was talking about.

An Education *****

An Education directed by Lone Scherfig

It is always easy to give a movie five stars when you fall in love with the lead actress. But it is set when you also kind of fall in love with the lead actor.  Carey Mulligan who has played some smaller parts in recent films (Public Enemies and Brothers) captures the audience from the first minute she appears on screen in this coming of age film set in 1960s England.

Fantastic Mr. Fox ****

The Fantastic Mr. Fox directed by Wes Anderson

Author Roald Dahl has written some of the most creative and hilarious children’s books of all time. I read one each year to my third graders and they always love hearing the outlandish plots, crazy words and plain wonderful storytelling. Many of his books have been made into movies, some great and others not so much.

Scrooged **

Scrooged directed by Richard Donner

Some movies are better left as memories from Christmas past. Scrooged, a beloved holiday film from my youth, happens to be one of those. Richard Donner, the director of many very good late 70s, early 80s films (Superman, Goonies, and Lethal Weapon), created a movie that worked in the 80s but needs to stay in the 80s. I love Bill Murray and he plays he typicalk cocky character, a TV executive who has traded his happiness, family and friends for success. He finally opens his eyes to the destruction he has caused when he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. All of the supportingcharacters from Bobcat Goldthwait’s fumbling loser, to the ghosts of Christmas past and present (David Johanson and Carol Kane) are as annoying as can be. The movie is loud and crass and not all that funny. If you watched and loved Scrooged when it came out then leave it in the past or you may be disappointed.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation ***

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik

The first of our December Christmas Movie Marathon is one that I have not seem all the way through. I have caught bits and pieces on cable over the years but never watched it from beginning to end.

Funny People ****

Funny People directed by Judd Apatow

Funny People is the latest from producer/director Judd Apatow the funny man behind recent comedy hits The 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman, and Pineapple Express among many others. I wanted to love this film starring Adam Sandler, as a big star comedian who finds out he’s dying and Seth Rogan, a comedian Sandler hires as his personal assistant, but there was something missing.

Tyson ****

Tyson directed by James Toback

Mike Tyson has always been an exceptionally interesting person. While I was growing up I loved watching him destroy opponents in the ring.

The Descent ****

The Descent directed by Neil Marshall

A few years ago I watched a pretty good horror film called Dog Soldiers, directed by Neil Marshall. It was about a group of soldiers fighting werewolves. It wasn’t groundbreaking or necessarily great filmmaking but it was a fun and entertaining film. While most horror films are re-makes of earlier films or gross out gore filled schlock, Dog Soldiers had an interesting idea, was good for a few scares and some laughs.

Braindead aka Dead Alive ****

Dead Alive directed by Peter Jackson

Long before director Peter Jackson became world famous with his epic trilogy based on some books about walking and his remake of the classic King Kong he was making campy horror films. Braindead, or Dead Alive as it is called in the United States, is one of these films from 1992.

Where the Wild Things Are *****

Where the Wild Things Are directed by Spike Jonze

Where the Wild Things Are is a magical journey into the mind of a child and his loneliness. What sets co-writer/director Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich and Adaptation.) adaptation of Maurice Sendaks beloved children’s picture book apart from other films about childhood is that he and co-writer Dave Eggers (screenwriter of Away We Go) seem to know how kids imaginations really work.