Super 8

There are very few movies I'd call flawless. The short list would include The King's Speech, The Godfather, Batman Begins, E.T. and a few others. They have what all movies want: terrific acting, unbelievable writing, fun and emotional to watch. Another thing they have in common is the connection with the characters. When King George VI is trying to give his closing speech, you're pulling for him. When Elliot finds out E.T. isn't actually dead, you're rejoicing with him. There are a few movies that make a lasting impact on your life. Super 8 is one of them. I loved that Super 8 was able to keep its secrets in the trailers. Almost nothing was let out about the alien itself. There's so much to talk about in this movie. The cast is great. Elle Fanning stands out by a mile. Apparently those Fanning genes (her sister is Dakota) feature some pretty good acting skills. Super 8 is set in 1979 Ohio. Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) and his father have just lost Joe's mother in a factory accident. They're trying to find a way to deal with her death. Joe is in the process of making a movie with his buddies from school and the neighborhood. The director, who is hysterical, decides to ask the girl of Joe's dreams (Elle Fanning) to be in his movie. While Joe and his friends are shooting a scene at the local train station, a train gets hit by a car and derails. The derailment sequence is one of the most chilling I've ever seen. A genuine edge of your seat scene. The train was carrying Air Force materials (an alien?). The whole town is then terrorized; car engines are taken, people are missing, dogs are leaving. And you still haven't seen the alien head on. I won't give away what it looks like, but it's no E.T. One of the great things is that there are so many things that worked in Super 8. It had action, horror, romance, comedy, suspense - all of it top notch (or "mint"). The nostalgic look of the town was extremely authentic and the way the kids' characters were written was dead on. But the thing I loved most about Super 8 was J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg working together. There isn't a better director/producer pair working today. I loved Lost (might be the understatement of the year). Star Trek (2009) was terrific as well. And don't even get me started on Spielberg. There's a certain amount of magic Spielberg brings to a movie that can't be replicated. Super 8 is no exception. The movie of the summer and maybe of the year.

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Actors: Joel Courtney (Joe Lamb), Elle Fanning (Alice Dainard), Kyle Chandler (Jackson Lamb)

Recap: A+

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are a perfect example of a great first film, followed by three more that try way too hard. The Curse of the Black Pearl was incredible. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow was perfect. The character was fresh, funny and incredibly witty. Together with great writing, and Geoffrey Rush as the perfect villain, it was one of my favorite movies of the year. For me, the second, Dead Man’s Chest, was by far the worst of the series. It bored me to tears. Literally to sleep - it’s one of the only movies I remember actually falling asleep in. Jack Sparrow was trying to get his drunken, funny, confused way of life back but it just came off as Johnny Depp trying to be as good as he was in the first one. At World’s End was mildly better, but that’s like saying getting your toenails peeled off one by one is better than having all your limbs cut off one by one. They’re both experiences I could live without. The newest one, On Stranger Tides, wasn’t as bad as two or three, but I’m just getting tired of these movies. Jack Sparrow is off to find the fountain of youth but he runs into an old flame, Angelica Malon (Penelope Cruz). Angelica happens to be the first mate of the notorious pirate Blackbeard (played by Ian McShane, by far the best thing in this movie). She also happens to be his daughter, or is she? She and her father are looking for the fountain of youth. There are many obstacles though. Mermaids, and not the Little Mermaid kind, are in their path. The Spanish and the English are also looking for the fountain of youth. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is nothing special. The character Jack Sparrow is just getting old and predictable. And although there might be a slightly funny line here and there, he’s stale. I’m disappointed because I like Johnny Depp as an actor, but I know he can do better than this. He was spectacular in Chocolat or even in Alice in Wonderland, so when I see him do work like this it disheartens me. All in all, a very mediocre, very disappointing movie.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Actors: Johnny Depp (Jack Sparrow), Penelope Cruz (Angelica Malon), Geoffrey Rush (Barbosa), Ian McShane (Blackbeard) Release: Wide Recap: C