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“PARANORMAN”
Release Date: Aug. 17
Director: Chris Butler and Sam Fell
Actors: Kodi Smitt-McPhee, Anna Kendrick and Casey Affleck
Review: “ParaNorman” is about a boy named Norman who can speak to the dead, but no one believes in his ability. Norman has to save his town from a curse that a condemned witch cast on it about 200 years ago. The film should be on the list because it has a storyline that takes seeing dead people a step further. The claymation is executedwell.
Extra Credit: Adult undertones in the movie that is very subtle so a child would never notice it!
Final Grade: A-
“LAWLESS”
Release Date: Aug 29
Director: John Hillcoat
Actors: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Guy Pearce
Review: “Lawless” is about three brothers who bootleg in the South during the Prohibition. However when a special deputy from the North comes to town, he tries to make sure the brothers understand that he wants a cut of their profit, or they won’t be selling moonshine anymore. This film portrays a part of history that is unknown to many people.. The movie has some nice cinematography and is realistic enough that the audience gets the sense that they are actually watching the occurrences take place.
Extra Credit: Some of the songs in the movie were written specifically for the movie.
Final Grade: A+
“THE MASTER”
Release Date: Sept. 21
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Actors: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams
Review: “The Master” is about Freddie Quell who is a World War II veteran with a drinking problem. One day Freddie stumbles upon Lancaster Dodd, who is the leader of The Cause. Freddie becomes entangled in the cult-like practices of The Cause and goes down a road of self-destruction to try to better himself. This movie deserves to be on this list because the acting is phenomenal and it is a very dark drama of a movie. Sometimes dark dramas come off as trying too hard, but this film does the exact opposite of that.
Extra Credit: Joaquin Phoenix’s comeback to the movies and it couldn’t have been a better film for him to come back with!
Final Grade: A+
“ARGO”
Release Date: Oct. 12
Director: Ben Affleck
Actors: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin
Review: “Argo” is about Tony Mendez’s journey to get six escaped U.S. hostages safely out of the Canadian Ambassador’s residence and Iran. Tony devises a plan to shoot a fake Canadian movie in Iran. Tony’s escape strategy is harder than he thinks and with the clock ticking, he needs to get the Americans out before the Iranians catch on to his plan. This movie deserves to be on this list because the concept is a part of history that usually is not touched on. Also, the period costumes and sets are perfection!
Extra Credit: Ben Affleck directed this movie and acted in it. He is great at multi- tasking with movies!
Final Grade: A
“SKYFALL”
Release Date: Nov. 9.
Director: Sam Mendes
Actors: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem
Review: “Skyfall” is about James Bond’s newest mission—keeping a computer drive that has a list of British agents from being used against them. After a battle on top of a train, Bond is believed to be dead. However he decides to lay low until he finds out that it is crucial for him to find the man who has the computer drive. This movie deserves to be on this list because James Bond movies are always great films! Also, Daniel Craig is a really good James Bond!
Extra Credit: Naomie Harris went from a creepy looking Calypso to a beautiful “Bond girl.”
Final Grade: A