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I’ve had another year’s worth of movies and although nothing jumps out as my favorite, favorite there was lots of good to be had. So here’s a smattering of ten good bits. And just so you know what the contenders were I’ve bolded the flicks that I caught on the critic’s list.

• 50/50 – Joseph Gordon-Levitt is great in really anything but the subtleties, heartfelt and humorous, of his dealing with cancer hit the right note, along with his also well played entourage including buddy, Seth Rogan, and more than slightly green therapist, Ana Kendrick.
  
• Beginners – It’s never too late to turn your life around, and Ewan McGregor and his newly out dad, Christopher Plummer, show that very thing in a touching and amusing tale of love and life and loss.
  
• Young Adult – There’s something about watching a person hit bottom by making choice after choice that makes you cringe, but what keeps you on board, other than relishing in a seemingly terrible person’s suffering, is the interplay between Charlize and Patton Oswalt that brings this nonspirational story to the next level.
• Drive – This year brought me on board with Ryan Gosling, he maybe had the least lines of any leading man in this flick, but his brooding dude trying to do right in a whole lot of wrong was beautifully if not brutally done.
  
• Crazy, Stupid, Love – It’s surprisingly difficult to make a good romcom, and this ensemble take with a bit of the dramedy focus doesn’t hit it right at every stride, but the camaraderie between Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, a couple of men on the prowl, each in their own way, makes it work.
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo/The Artist – I really appreciated although maybe didn’t love both of these movies, The Girl was beautifully done though maybe too close in timing and accuracy with the book for me to really immerse myself, while Artist did quite a good job utilizing the silent and current medium for a sweet story but alas I just got bored in the middle.
  
• Super 8 – Seen through the eyes of kids on the precipice of so many things, they capture the spirit of a time and a place with enough wonder that the somewhat formulaic otherworldly occurrences (think scary monster) following a small town train wreck felt like the perfect summer movie.
• Colombiana/Hanna – I do love an action flick, and a kick-ass girl trained to be a killer, well these two flicks take slightly different stances on their girl power, but neither fails to entertain.

With the Academy Award nominations out I think we can take a look at what folks are talking about from this last year. This critic and nomination list is far from comprehensive but you can see who is getting some of the consensus and some of the wildcards. Those in bold are the ones I’ve seen to date, personally I’m taking a pass on Hugo and War Horse unless someone can make a more convincing case but I might buckle and watch The Tree of Life.

• 50/50 – GG
• The Artist – RC, MLS, LH, PH, Sat, BAFTA, GG, CFC, PGA, LS, AA
• Beginners – Got, OG, LS
• Bridesmaids – AFI, MLS, AOS, MD, GG, PGA, OG, LS
• Cave of Forgotten Dreams – RC
• Cedar Rapids – AOS
• Contagion – MD
• Crazy, Stupid, Love – RH, OG
• A Dangerous Method – AOS, MD
• The Descendants – Sat, Got, AFI, PH, AOS, BAFTA, GG, CFC, PGA, OG, LS, AA
• Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame – RC
• Drive – Sat, BAFTA, CFC
• Extremely Loud and Incredible Close – LH, AA
• Fast Five – RC
• The Future – MD
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – AFI, MLS, LH, PGA, OG
• Hanna – PH
• The Help – AFI, Sat, AOS, BAFTA, PGA, AA
• Hugo – RC, AFI, LH, PH, Sat, MD, GG, CFC, PGA, LS, AA
• The Ides of March – GG, PGA
• Incendies – AOS
• The Interrupters – LS
• J. Edgar – AFI, MD
• La Quattro Volte – AOS, MD
• Like Crazy – MLS
• Love Crime – MLS
• Meek’s Cutoff – Got, AOS
• Melancholia – MD, LS
• Midnight in Paris – Sat, AFI, MLS, LH, GG, PGA, AA
• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – OG
• Moneyball – AFI, MLS, Sat, MD, GG, PGA, LS, AA
• Mysteries of Lisbon – AOS, MD
• My Week With Marilyn -MLS, LH, GG
• Of Gods and Men – MD
• One Day – MLS
• Pina – LS
• Poetry – MD
• Rampart – OG
• Rango – RC
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes – RC
• Senna – PH
• A Separation – OG, LS
• Shame – Sat
• Sing Your Song – LH
• The Skin I Live In – MD
• Super 8 – RC, LH
• Take Shelter – Got, PH
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – Sat, MD, BAFTA
• The Tree of Life – Got, RC, AFI, PH, AOS, CFC, OG, AA
• The Trip – OG
• Tuesday, After Christmas – AOS
• War Horse – RC, AFI, LH, Sat, AOS, GG, PGA, AA
• Warrior – PH, AOS, MD
• Weekend – AOS
• We Were Here – MLS, LH
• Win Win – PH
• Young Adult – AOS

AA – Academy Awards, AFI – American Film Institute, AOS – A.O. Scott for NYTimes, BAFTA – British Academy Film Awards, CFC – Chicago Film Critics,  GG – Golden Globe Nominations, Got – Gotham, LH – Leba Hertz for SFGate, LS – Lisa Schwarzbaum for EW, MD – Manolo Dargis for NYTimes, MLS – Mick LaSalle for SFGate, OG – Owen Gleiberman for EW, PGA - Producers Guild Awards, PH – Peter Hartlaub fo SFGate, RC – Richard Corliss for Time, Sat – International Press Academy Satellite

Well we’re heading from a feast season into famine, and what better way to close out a wave of movies than with some good action fun. Zoe Saldana is out for revenge and is willing to do whatever it takes. The movie actually spends a good deal of time setting up young Zoe who, seeing her parents killed as a ten year old, starts with an awesome chase scene of her own. Saldana takes over and we’re happy to watch her, not only because she’s totally hot, but because she plots out some intricate as well as brutal attacks. Now this clearly isn’t a fine film, a couple points I think may have been cheesier than intended, but I was delighted with my choice nonetheless.

As a side note I completely spaced that I also saw The Help last week. A lovely cast takes on the story of a woman trying to tell the story of the unheard women who care for the white families. A pretty good movie, but what often elevates in the combination of drama, comedy, and some poignant moments ended up feeling a bit uneven.

Notable dvd releases 8/30:

• In A Better World – This Danish film garnered Oscar and Golden Globe so is perhaps worth a look, putting in the queue.
  
• Prom – Some teen thing that didn’t even hit my radar, pass.
• Tyler Perry’s Medea’s Big Happy Family – I assume if you watch these this is along those lines, pass.
• 90210 (S3) – I tried out of loyalty to the original but couldn’t get on board, pass.
• Cougar Town (S2) – This show has actually hit a funny stride, can’t wait for fall.
• Desperate Housewives (S7) – I can’t seem to stick with these soapy shows for more than a season or two, pass.
• Hell’s Kitchen (S5) – I don’t like the yeller, pass.
• House (S7) – Another season of diagnosis, I am begrudgingly still watching.
• Parenthood (S2) – This show also grew on me, enjoying the family drama.
• Running Wilde (S1) – Almost a good show if you like the quirky sort.
• Sons of Anarchy (S3) – If you’re not watching this show, get started now, a favorite.

If I’m using my sister’s rule that a movie should have a literal description this French thriller might be called Nurse’s Aid has a Killer Day. We follow this guy who is thrown into an incredible situation and does everything he can and more to save his pregnant wife. What makes it work in addition to the pretty nonstop fast pace is the situation and the characters. Who do you turn to when the criminals and the cops are after you? Not a revolutionary film but good fun all around.

Notable dvd releases 8/23:

• The Beaver – I think everyone missed this Mel Gibson uses a puppet movie for good reason.
• POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold – I’m actually remotely interested in Morgan Spurlock’s all product placement, maybe.
• Win Win – I actually meant to catch this Paul Giamatti odd comedy on release, going in the queue.
• Brothers & Sisters (S5) – Gave up on this season 1.
• The Event (S1) – I never cared what ‘the event’ was.
• Gossip Girl (S4) – Enjoyed it at first but some things weren’t meant to last.
• NCIS (S8) – I’m actually not sure I’ve ever seen an episode of this show.
• NCIS: LA (S2) – Not a bad procedural but I didn’t ever quite get on board with this version of military investigation.

I feel like we’re heading into the Daniel Craig season. This flick isn’t all that groundbreaking even with its mix of genres but it’s entertaining.

Daniel Craig can’t remember anything, but he shows up and is bad-ass enough to make us question his background, even without the space age bracelet. When the aliens attack, it brings out folks’ true colors. Is it just me or is it hard to believe that people as attractive as Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde are compatible with 1873?

I was all aboard the people of different backgrounds coming together to fight the good fight. It didn’t really matter what they were fighting. Summer fun, plus I earned my $10 bonus on my AMC Rewards card so it was like it was free, you know except for the popcorn.

Notable dvd releases 8/16:

• The Conspirator – I couldn’t and can’t quite bring myself to be that interested in the President Lincoln trial, pass.
• Jane Eyre – Decently reviewed but I just can’t get that excited about the latest adaptation, pass.
• Priest – This post-apocalyptic vampire was almost up my alley but a little too dreadful looking to bother, pass.
• Something Borrowed – Good cast of Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin but romcoms shouldn’t be based on sleeping with your best friend’s fiancé, pass.
• Dexter (S5) – Will he almost get caught again, alas I do love the Dexter.

I’m not opposed to a standard sci fi action drama but was glad to see that this origins flick tried to be a little more. Before the apes ruled the world there was one. And I actually enjoyed the character of Caesar the ape, who at the hands of science, grows up right before our eyes. His awakening to his surroundings and his struggles through the movie are what really compel.

The people in the movie are all for the most part a little less dimensional. Franco is effective enough as the paternal scientist though at times his naiveté (or stupidity) is a little annoying. His pretty girlfriend, Freida Pinto, shows up just enough to make a few cautionary utterances, though mostly it seems like they don’t talk of anything happening that’s of import. And John Lithgow adds a lovely layer and emotional drive.

The special effects, primarily the apes all being cgi, is effectively done, although at times a little disconcerting when they’re just supposed to be apes. Maybe not perfect in either aspect there is both enough action as well as enough nods to a more complex allegory to keep me engaged.

Notable dvd releases 8/9:

• Jumping the Broom – Nothing compelling me to check out this two families conflict coming up to a wedding, pass.
• Mars Needs Moms – Animated space hijinks, pass.
• Paul – This sci fi spoof almost looks funny from the director of Superbad/Adventureland, probably pass.
• Super – Cast of Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, and Ellen Page almost make this this downtrodden man tries to be a superhero appealing, probably pass.
• Your Highness – Terrible reviews kept me away from this low-brow knights genre comedy, pass.

Steve Carell takes a nice turn as a foundering newly separated man. The relationships in this film are all funny and dramatic and complex but none is more fun than watching Ryan Gosling try to share the tricks of his trade on being a ‘real man’.

I missed the Gosling boat until now but he does a wonderful job being a shallow womanizer, without much malice. Giving tough love to his new protégé works. Even if it’s not so much the clothes that turn him around we don’t mind the makeover.

The movie is wise to give additional weight to the love in the ensemble cast; the all around stupid and crazy is entertaining. Julianne Moore has a tough task making the wife identifiable but the characters not being two dimensional is what works. Emma Stone is always likable, and Jonah Bobo does a lovely turn as youngest in love, with amusing supporting roles by Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon.

One must, as with most movies, forgive some serendipitous indulgences, at the end of the day it was quite a good ride.

Noteworthy dvd releases 8/2:

• Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost – I enjoy these made for tv adaptations of the Robert Parker series though I don’t know that I’d go out of my way to rent them.
• Rio – Animated bird movie, pass.
• Soul Surfer – I hate the idea of a shark attack in the ocean and not a huge inspirational story fan so for me this is a pass.
• Eastbound & Down (S2) – Haven’t checked this series out, not supposed to be bad, just cable and not all that interested.
• United States of Tara (S3) – Caught a couple of these multiple personalities and although it’s now canceled might be worth a look.

I haven’t so far been all that excited about the summer selections, when Friday rolled around I just hoped that there would be something that looked better than Thor or Transformers. Both Captain America and Friends with Benefits got decent reviews so when deciding which to see I decided not to decide.

I’ll admit I thought Captain America looked dumb, I like a good comic flick but maybe it’s just my lack of familiarity with this story. It hasn’t permeated our culture so it’s not as much one of the ones I want to see how they reinvented it. And not being familiar I can’t really tell if there was much reinvention. For those like me, it’s set in the World War II era, a wimpy guy gets a super soldier serum and fights the science guys crazier than the Nazis.

And although the movie was entertaining I am trying to put my finger on why I didn’t think it was all that. It followed the path, likable hero, crazy villain, strong and sexy romantic interest… and yet… Chris Evans is a good looking man but his likable-wimp-turned-hero ended up sort of bland. And the 1940s setting even with some futuristic challenges didn’t quite engage. That’s not to say that I might not be excited by a reinvention of the series in present day.

As for FWB it’s entirely what it should have been. To start with Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are both really likable. I’m quickly becoming a huge Mila Kunis fan, gorgeous and funny is a good combination and if she keeps getting good material (check out Black Swan if you missed it) I’m ok with that. And I’ve never been particularly pro or con with Timberlake but he is continuing to prove his acting chops between movies (check out Social Network if you missed it) and repeated performances on SNL if nothing else.

The movie isn’t revolutionary, it’s yet another take on the standard romcom but the script gives them both decent material to play with. The movie pushes a bit into the crass funny, we are focusing on the sex after all, but mostly just develops fun and of course flawed characters. I’ll even try not to hold it against them that they mock the unrealistic romantic comedy and then end up fulfilling it, I’d just be happy to find unrealistic apartments as good as theirs.

Notable dvd releases 7/26:

• My Dog Tulip – Tempted by this story of a man and his dog, I happened to catch the Ebert where he raved about it.
• Source Code – I missed and might catch this Jake Gyllenhaal try to stop a train explosion again and again flick.
• Trust – Might pass on this Clive Owen and Catherine Keener dark film about the impact of a sexual predator on a family.

I gave in, there isn’t much new out so I went and saw it. For those of you who need the context. I hate Woody Allen movies. Old Woody, new Woody, films with Woody, films without Woody… So when everyone said this was different than a regular one of his movies I took it with a grain of salt.

I don’t think this was ‘not’ a Woody Allen movie. Owen Wilson does a good turn at a man who seems to have fallen into a life of success with an empty film writing career and an annoying fiancée (I am hoping this does not make me hate Rachel McAdams in all future roles). He seems to regret the choices he didn’t make, if not the ones he did. So the spineless romanticizing man is more appealing than the awful people in present day he is surrounded by. We’re all quite relieved when he somehow heads back in time.

They do a pretty good job keeping things acknowledged as unbelievable and still as light and funny as they are ridiculous. The fun part of the movie is Wilson’s visits with the known artistic characters of the 20s. Among a host of cameos are Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein, Adrian Brody as Salvador Dali, and Corey Stoll as Ernest Hemingway, and they’re all pretty delightful in their guest appearances in Wilson’s awakening. Although for me this was more the makings of a fun skit than a full film, it was entertaining enough to not make me regret my choice.

Notable dvd releases 7/19:

• Limitless – I saw all but the final 5 or so minutes on a plane, entertaining enough, and again Bradley Cooper…
• Take Me Home Tonight – I am more likely to rewatch an actual 80s movie than a new take on an 80s misfit romance, Topher Grace has yet to find the right fit in present day.
• Doctor Who (Season 6, pt 1) – This series seems to have a cult-like following that makes me think I should check it out, obviously season 1 first.

Well another round of service updates makes it time to reevaluate how I’m getting my television and videos. For the longest time I was getting 3 discs from Netflix, I wouldn’t make good use of them every month but I would go on a few fits of watching that it made it worthwhile. Then Netflix added streaming to its regular service which once I was able to connect effectively was nice. The streaming doesn’t have everything that I wanted to watch as far as movies or television shows, maybe generously a quarter of the things and typically just the older stuff, but it was convenient. So when Netflix upped its rates I was slightly irked but realizing I didn’t need so many discs I dropped down to one disc at a time.

Now, Netflix is splitting its service into streaming for a fee and discs for a fee which of course adds up to more than my current fee:

Your current $9.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be split into 2 distinct plans:
   Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
   Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $7.99 a month

As much as I knew this would be coming in some way I’m still perturbed. The main problem is that although I don’t watch those new discs regularly I do occasionally like it as an option. If they had more content available via streaming this wouldn’t be as big of a problem but they don’t. Due to costs the assumption is they’re trying to steer people away from the actual discs but it would be nice if they threw in a couple discs a year (or something) to existing users until they get their catalog up.

What I’m going to do is admit that I don’t actually use the discs often enough to rationalize the cost. And if I ‘need’ to watch something unavailable I can for the most part get it via another service streaming. This is quicker and allows more flexibility than the discs and based on sample costs ($.99-1.99 episode and $3.99-4.99 for a new release) seems to be cheaper if I really only do it sporadically. Where this doesn’t work is for catching up on more recent series, it’s just not cost effective with costs per disc/episode.

So the plan is to wait that out, things change right? I’ve got enough backlog of things that are streaming (Weeds, Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Gallactica) that I can hold out for now on the others (Mad Men, The Wire, Deadwood). There is also unfortunately the potential for some things to be removed from streaming (which I learned the hard way rewatching Veronica Mars which lost its streaming license in the midst of Season 3).

There are a few other services that I’m keeping an eye on, that so far don’t quite meet my needs either. As much as I can remember not wanting to pay for cable I may buckle on something else, but not yet:

• Amazon/Blockbuster streaming – These are both available as a per episode/movie option on my TiVo and what I expect to utilize to fill the gap.
• Amazon Prime – Basically like current Netflix where you pay an annual fee and get discs shipped and some options on streaming but to my knowledge has less of a selection.
• Hulu – Some stuff is free online but there’s also fee based Hulu Plus which has more current television that I don’t see this so much as replacing Netflix as possibly replacing cable at some point if they get their options up.
• Apple/iTunes – To be honest I know they have a tv option but I don’t know how it works/works with iTunes, though as most folks are already plugged in to iTunes this is an option for single episodes/movies though not as easily integrated with the physical tv.
• Video Stores/Kiosks – There’s still one of these in Safeway and I know people who still go to a store so that’s theoretically an option.

I guess until then I should try to catch the last Veronica Mars episodes before I cancel discs with the rate increase scheduled for September. What are you doing?