The Secret World of Arrietty

• 2012
• Adventure
• Animation
• Family

Another charmingly-beautiful film from Studio Ghibli. The only difference here is how innocent it is compared to others. Even Ponyo had a bit more of a mature edge to it.

Silent Hill: Revelation

• 2012
• Horror
• Mystery
• Thriller

All this shit flick does is throw blood, body parts, and blades at you. This is not a movie, it’s a visual stress test and you would be smart not to take it.

Seven Psychopaths

• 2012
• Comedy
• Crime

I’m going to say some words; violent, bloody, poetic, funny, charming. It’s rare to put those together into a movie and make it good. Well, it happened. I saw it happen and so should you.

Silver Linings Playbook

• 2012
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This is one incredibly neurotic love story, and I enjoyed every bit of it. If you want to view this as a romcom, or some sort of life-affirming drama, it will work as both. The only problem I have with this film is that I can’t figure out what’s better. Jennifer Lawrence’s stellar performance or David O. Russell’s superb directing.

Searching for Sugar Man

• 2012
• Biography
• Documentary
• Music

For a documentary, this was shot very well and had an amazing story that is stranger than fiction. Movie stuff aside, I am now a fan of Sixto Rodriguez. He is a brilliant songwriter and musical poet that none of us in The States knew about.

Side by Side

• 2012
• Documentary

I respect traditional film but there are too many financial and production benefits to digital. All of the A-list directors that side with tape, have a nostalgic romance with it but they can also appreciate digital. Times are changing and those going against the grain will need to pay out of pocket to keep tradition going.

The next method of filming (I have no idea what) that can put digital out of business will then have the right to call digital “traditional” as well. It doesn’t matter what we/they consider traditional or even natural. It’s just pure progression and that, in itself, is the most natural thing.

Sinister

• 2012
• Horror
• Mystery
• Thriller

The dark deity is the most interesting and the bone-chilling part of this horror. Unfortunately, it comes with some really cheap scares.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

• 2012
• Drama
• Romance
• Sci-fi

The beginning is really funny and then things become somber to damn-near depressing for rest of the film. No charm and no fun.

Savages

• 2012
• Crime
• Drama
• Thriller

Aging men that lose their coolness end up buying Porsches and drive them at 40mph. Savages is Oliver Stone's candy red Porsche.

Skyfall

• 2012
• Action
• Adventure
• Crime

This film is big but the action is not as over-the-top as your usual Bond movies. There is still a lot of great action, just don’t expect missile-firing cars doing barrel rolls off of ramps. In this case, that is a good thing. Sam Mendes nails it with a deeper 007 backstory while maintaining the intensity that would you expect.

Safety Not Guaranteed

• 2012
• Comedy
• Romance
• Sci-fi

This is not going to spark up your imagination but it will charm your heart out. It makes you really believe this guy is nuts, or maybe he's not, and that's only one element to the story. There is more and besides being funny, it also presents itself in a thoughtful way.

Snow White and the Huntsman

• 2012
• Action
• Adventure
• Drama

Sometimes, we get that random urge to ‘watch Charlize Theron play an amazingly, evil queen in a badly-written story that looks like two-hour-long NIN music video.’ This is the movie to watch if that’s your thing.

Safe House

• 2012
• Action
• Crime
• Mystery

Denzel Washington plays his usual badass self, which is always a pleasure to watch. Opposite to that is Ryan Reynolds. I know what you're thinking, but give Reynolds a chance on this one. He doesn't accelerate the movie by any means and he definitely does not ruin it either. It's a smart, action thriller, and a good rent.

Smokin' Aces

• 2006
• Action
• Crime
• Drama

If you're one of those people that liked Shoot 'Em Up, then you'll like this one too. Otherwise, you'll find this dumb to mildly retarded. It's like the clone of a Taratino film that escaped the lab way too early.

Submarine

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama

Is this another film about the overly-used, high school, teenage, dramedy? Yes, it is, but this quirky one is more successful than others. These types of movies can be warmly entertaining or whiny and annoying. I'm glad to say that Submarine kept me chuckling and well-entertained all the way through.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

• 2011
• Action
• Adventure
• Crime

Some critics are so upset that Holmes has turned into a crime-fighting, action ninja. Hollywood is going to give a face lift to every franchise they can get their hands on and we can't stop it. All we can do is hope that the movie is decent and fun, in which case, this was.

Shame

• 2011
• Drama

This drills deep into the depths of one man's dark addiction, which is performed remarkably by Michael Fassbender. The film is beautifully shot and there is a lot of sex involved but that does not mean it's sexy. Actually, it's filthy and sad. You will feel pretty dirty after watching this, but you still should.

Snowtown

• 2011
• Crime
• Drama
• Thriller

Godamnit, this movie is disgusting and horrifying. It starts you off in a very trashy town full of creepy junkies and other drudges of society. After all the disparity sinks in, you'll be greeted to man-rape, sadistic murders...I'm just going to stop right there.

The Sitter

• 2011
• Comedy

This is some incredibly lazy writing. It's another stereotypical, potty mouth movie that doesn't deserve your time. You know that cringing feeling you get when a dorky parent pushes up at the air and says something like, "raise da roof!" It's like that for two hours.

Suing the Devil

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama
• Thriller

This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The concept was interesting until the film started. I thought it was a regular film so I tilted when I realized that this is a straight-up Jesus movie that's trying to convert you. Suing the Devil is only for Christian fanatics so don't watch it if you're not one of them.

Also, being $12,000 in credit card debt (see trailer) is not a sin. It's just irresponsible and stupid...like these film makers.

The Skin I Live In

• 2011
• Drama
• Thriller

I'm going to start by saying this is a really good movie. Now that I got that out of the way, I'm going to say that this is one the sickest concepts I've ever experienced in cinema. There are gender issues, twisted practices, violence (physical and sexual), and other sorts of madness. However, it is not chaotic, it's done artistically. Good luck to you if you are curious enough to try this.

Straw Dogs

• 2011
• Thriller

"Everyone has a breaking point," and mine ignited the second I hit 'play' on this DVD. I don't care for any of these stupid characters and their stupid decisions in this stupid movie. Even the retarded guy, fuck him too.

A Separation

• 2011
• Drama

This is not an epic story of triumph or some beautifully depressing tear-jerker. It's a story that everyone can believe and pieces of this story are happening everyday, if not, 100's of times a day.

So why should you watch this? Because the acting is incredible, the writing is stellar, and the directing is honest. Of all the people watching this film, parents will be affected the most. All you moms and dads should see this.

Scream 4

• 2011
• Horror
• Mystery
• Thriller

The Scream franchise is like the pop music of horror films. I don't like pop music but I like Scream 4. It's easily the silliest and best one since the first.

Small Town Gay Bar

• 2007
• Documentary

I wanted to check this out after Kevin Smith mentioned it in his Red State commentary. This can be sad but it's mostly uplifting. You'll get an in-depth look at how it is to be gay in an anti-gay environment like America's South.

I can't find a trailer for this, so here's a small intro with Malcolm Ingram (director) and Kevin Smith.

Stake Land

• 2010
• Horror

If you're tired of vampires and zombies then this movie just might bring back a little spark because the infected are half-zombie and half-vampire. Hey producers, are we running out of ideas? I know you fanatics will try and correct me that they're full-on vampires but they're brainless, un-sexy, and homeless-looking so they're zombie hybrids. This is a decent horror film that actually tries to take itself seriously and succeeds in some parts. Only some parts.

Something Borrowed

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Something shitty.

Super

• 2010
• Action
• Comedy
• Drama

I loved the message at the end. The film itself is very violent and funny so when that ending came, I melted. As for the rest, I thought it was okay. I'm not sure who I would recommend this to except hardcore comedy fans but I'm sure they've already seen it.

Secretary

• 2002
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

I like this movie! At first, I thought to myself, "oh great, another artsy movie about people with fetishes." It's actually not like that at all. It's an honest-to-good story about the developing relationship of two people who are polar opposites, bound together by a common weirdness.

And it's kind of sexy. It's OK, admit it. It is.

Seven Days

• 2010
• Horror
• Thriller

Another sick movie from the French. A doctor's daughter is murdered and he dishes out his own justice by kidnapping the killer and torturing him for 7 days. As gross as it sounds, there's actually more drama in this than I expected. The ending was bitter sweet but also pretty weak. If horror isn't your thing, I suggest you stay far away from this.

Sucker Punch

• 2011
• Action
• Adventure
• Fantasy

Dear Zack Snyder,
I am a nerd and I love samurais, robots, zombies, dragons, and bullet-firing bitches with blades. You have managed to make me hate all of those things in the course of two hours with your movie, "Suck Punch."

PS: Try not to masturbate while playing video games when you're thinking about your next movie.

Source Code

• 2011
• Mystery
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

What would you do if you knew you only had minutes to live? I know what I would do, I would watch this movie again!

Do you admire the director, Duncan Jones? Have you seen Moon? Do you like bitter-sweet, Sci-fi films? If you answered "yes" to any of those then you will really enjoy this movie. If you answered "yes" to all three questions, then you're going love this. One of my new personal favorites.

Super 8

• 2011
• Mystery
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

Super Gr8

Season of the Witch

• 2011
• Action
• Adventure
• Fantasy

Hey everyone, it's another Nicolas Cage movie with magic in it, so what can you expect? The same thing from all his other movies with magic in it; a lot of shit with very little amounts of fun and horrible story-telling.

Sword of the Stranger

• 2007
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure

This is a great animated movie! It has a more realistic art direction and a warm story. One of the proofs in this film's quality is in the last battle scene.

Severance

• 2006
• Comedy
• Horror
• Thriller

This is ridiculous. Ridiculously funny and gory! The movie should have started in the middle but whatever. Your attention will spark right up once all the body parts start flying.

The Switch

• 2010
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This is the stupidest premise for a romcom. I didn't find Jason Bateman's character that convincing as a neurotic person. This lacked a lot of romance and comedy, so what do you have left of this "romcom?" Nothing.

Speaking in Code

• 2009
• Documentary

Another documentary on the electronic music subculture. I find the narrator a bit annoying and giving us too much unnecessary information about her personal life. The interesting side of this documentary is that it really focuses on the music and the talents behind it.

Skyline

• 2010
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

Get the movies Independence Day, Cloverfield, War of the Worlds, and marinate them in raw sewage. Then replace every decent actor with drunk, LA underwear models and you got Skyline!

The Social Network

• 2010
• Biography
• Drama
• History

I'm telling you now that I am bias against this because it's about a rich douchebag that becomes an even richer douchebag. On the other hand, in terms of a movie, it is good. Real good.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

• 2010
• Action
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Fantasy

Hadoken! Hadoken! Hadoken!

Salt

• 2010
• Action
• Crime
• Mystery

So many twists and turns that it gets stupid but if you can let that go, it's a fun action movie that's surprisingly...not that bad.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

• 2010
• Action
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Fantasy

If you liked Kick-Ass then you will love this.

I had a blast with this. There was a ton of video game references and funny lines. Although the story is incredibly linear, I find it nice for a change. No twisted plots and no surprises – just a dude trying to win a girl's heart.

Sin Nombre

• 2009
• Adventure
• Crime
• Drama
• Thriller

I feel so guilty for putting this movie off. A year after its release, I finally decide to "give it a chance" because I've heard a lot of good things about it but the premise didn't really appeal to me.

Well, I feel like a jackass. This movie is so damn good. It's definitely one of my top 10 movies for 2009. That's all I have to say.

Splice

• 2010
• Horror
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

The storyline transforms as much as the creature does. This turned out to be a lot better than I thought it was going to be. It's a must-watch for any horror or Sci-fi fans.

Surveillance

• 2008
• Crime
• Drama
• Mystery
• Thriller

Jennifer Lynch (daughter of David Lynch) brings you this nasty mystery about two killers on the loose. I see a lot of her father's influence in this film.

Shutter Island

• 2010
• Drama
• Mystery
• Thriller

This film had a very good build-up and the atmosphere created by Martin Scorsese is dark and reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's. I especially like the music score and use of audio. The final plot twist was nothing spectacular compared to the rest of the film but don't let that discourage you from watching this.

The Slammin' Salmon

• 2009
• Comedy

The funniest part is "meat drapes", the rest kind of sucks.

Saw VI

• 2009
• Crime
• Horror
• Mystery
• Thriller

The Saw movies are like soap operas...for maniacs.

Summer of Sam

• 1999
• Crime
• Drama
• Romance
• Thriller

This is my least favorite serial killer film. There's too much going on and it's not well-threaded together.

The September Issue

• 2009
• Documentary

An inside look at the magazine that dictates what's in and what's out for fashion. At the helm of it all is Anna Wintour, the tyrannical editor-in-chief of Vogue.

This documentary makes me wonder if Anna, sometimes, rejects things without reasonable cause just to uphold her status as an ice-cold queen.

A Serious Man

• 2009
• Comedy
• Drama

The Coen Brothers said, "This is our most personal movie" and by that, they mean it's based off of their (very) Jewish childhoods, which is hard to enjoy, unless if you can directly relate to that. Even if you can't, it's still a movie worth watching.

Showgirls

• 1995
• Drama

I find this movie very, very funny for only my personal reasons. I can't say why though.

OK fine, I'll tell you. Elizabeth Berkley is the splitting image of my ex-girlfriend and her character "Nomi Malone" acts identical to said girlfriend.

Second Skin

• 2008
• Documentary

A documentary about gamers that are heavily addicted to massive multiplayer, online games. As much as I am against this, I guess it's better than being addicted to drinking or sex. Who am I kidding, drunken sex is the best!

Sherlock Holmes

• 2009
• Action
• Adventure
• Crime
• Drama
• Mystery
• Thriller

Something quite different from Guy Ritchie's crime flicks. There was a good amount of action paired up with smartass humor and interesting detective dialog. It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the second one.

Saw V

• 2008
• Crime
• Horror
• Thriller

More bloody, survival games. What else is new?

Sleep Dealer

• 2008
• Sci-fi

What a terribly boring movie. Notice how it's only categorized under Sci-fi. There was drama and romance involved in this film but I don't think anyone cared enough to tag it correctly because all those other categories were weak, like the rest of the movie. I could get into the potentially interesting concept but this film destroys that concept on so many levels that it's not even worth mentioning.

Stranger Than Fiction

• 2006
• Comedy
• Drama
• Fantasy
• Romance

I really enjoyed this film. I know that Will Ferrell is hot stuff at this time but there could have been many others that would have done a better job.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

• 2009
• Action
• Adventure
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

Think about the most depressing moment in your life. Now, imagine during that moment you accidentally slipped on a pile of dog poop that sends you hurdling face-first onto a bigger pile of shit. As you get up to wipe the crap out of your eyes, you see all your friends, family, and even exes, standing around you – laughing at you.

That moment is heavenly compared to watching this movie.

Spawn

• 1997
• Thriller
• Action
• Fantasy
• Horror

My friends and I bought the Spawn comics when we were young and then this movie came out. We saw it and thought it was rad. Then after leaving the movie theater, we looked at each other in embarrassment, thinking, "I can't believe I thought that was rad."