War Horse

An old fashioned horse story conquered the Tonys this year, but can it also conquer the Oscars? That's what Steven Spielberg hopes to find out with War Horse, first a novel by Michael Morpurgo and then the stage play by Nick Stafford.

Joey the Thoroughbred is born close to World War I in Devon. Farmer Ted Naracott (Peter Mullan) buys him at auction for a hefty sum. His son, Albert (Jeremy Irvine) immediately bonds with the horse and trains him into a fine plow horse. And then the war comes, and Joey's immediately sold to the British Cavalry.

For the rest of the film, Joey and fellow horse Topthorn spend the war on all sides. There they find out, as their humans counterparts already have, that war isn't pretty. Even if the cinematography depicting the war is.

And that cinematography, by Janusz Kamiński, deserves some praise. Its moving pictures contribute strongly to the epicness of it all with its use of color and size. In other words, every shot in the film is high on the wowmeter.

Assembled by editor Michael Kahn, these moving pictures create some of the fiercest war scenes in recent cinema. Composer John Williams, as he did numerous other times, has created a very memorable score to set the mood. And the actors, both human and animal, have created some memorable screen performances. Although my favorite was the goose, who unfortunately disappears when the war starts.

As the second film of Spielberg's double year, War Horse tells a simple story with epicness. It's that simple story, one of humans and horses, that'll certainly draw in its audience. Especially so for those animal lovers watching.

JETHRO'S NOTE: This concludes my year. Next year is 2012. I'm going to wager it won't be the end.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

As of now, Tom Cruise and his spy alter-ego Ethan Hunt will have fought evil for four films of the Mission Impossible franchise over fifteen years. This fourquel, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, is the type of film that makes each entry worth the long waits.

This time, Ethan Hunt and his fellow spies Benji (Simon Pegg) and Jane (Paula Patton) are sent to stop a heist in the Kremlin. The evil mastermind Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist) plots to steal some nuclear codes in order to get World War III started. Our heroes fail to stop the heist, which Hendricks caps off by blowing up the Kremlin itself.

The end result is that our heroes have been framed for the attack and disavowed. But fortunately, the government, under the titular Ghost Protocol, will let them go on the run so they can find the real bad guys. With new guy Brandt (Jeremy Renner) joining them, our heroes only have themselves to rely on for this mission.

For this mission, Pixar alumnus Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) has taken over the director's spot. What this means for the audience is purely the biggest and best winter blockbuster.

Eschewing 3D in favor of IMAX, Bird gives this franchise some of its biggest scenes ever. Of course, there's Ethan scaling Dubai's Burj Khalifa and later outrunning a giant sandstorm. But it's the holographic screen used to infiltrate the Kremlin that wins the award for novelty. Together with an incredible soundmix, these action scenes keep on amazing its audience until the end.

Together, the actors portraying our heroes form a good acting ensemble. Alone, it's Pegg who provides the best moments. However, Nyqvist, as Hendricks, was a bit too underutilized as a villain. Still, that was one small flaw that didn't bother me that much.

Overall, its director's cinematic transition is a mission accomplished. If they keep this up, perhaps the next mission'll be even more awesome.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Journalist Stieg Larsson died suddenly in 2004 before his debut as a novelist could be published. That novel, Män som hatar kvinnor (The Men who Hate Women), became such a smash it got two cinematic versions. The first, in its native Sweden, and now in English, where it's called The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is a journalist in trouble. He tried to expose a crooked businessman of wrongdoing, but the mogul's cronies "exposed" him of libel. Mikael's then contacted by the wealthy Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) to solve the 1966 disappearance of Harriet, his favorite niece.

He's assisted on his mission by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), the anti-social computer genius for whom the film's named after. He's antagonized by Mr. Vanger's family, "the most detestable collection of people you will ever meet." One of them, Vanger believes, killed Harriet. But who and why?

What director David Fincher has redone on screen isn't fun at all. It's violent, more-so in its depiction of the aftermath of violence than it being done. It's a little over 2 1/2 hours long, which means a lot of sitting for you. And if you're not careful, its plot twists might just confuse you rather than shock you.

Is it well done? Overall, it actually is. Its cinematography, by Jeff Cronenweth, fits the frigid climate perfectly. Its music score and editing finesse are quite memorable, especially in its opening credit sequence. When the film does get thrilling, it pulls it off quite well.

Amongst them all, there's Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. She's fierce, yet lonely, and Mara plays both sides of her extremely well. Its this balance that helps certify Salander twice-over as one of cinema's most memorable characters.

Its first trailer called it "the feel bad movie of Christmas," and it earns that title. So, those wishing for a fun Holiday matinee should look elsewhere. For those willing to withstand it, don't waste a second in thinking.

Jethro's Note: I admit not having seen the original Swedish version. Something tells me I should, though.

The Adventures of Tintin

The Smurfs had their film last summer, now Belgium's other, most famous funny page star has his own Hollywood adventure. That hero is Tintin, created by Hergé and re-created by director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson for The Adventures of Tintin.

Tintin (Jamie Bell) is an intrepid boy reporter assisted by his faithful pooch Snowy. One day, Tintin acquires a model of The Unicorn, a legendary galleon sunk long ago in a battle with pirates. Unfortunately, the sinister Sakharine (Daniel Craig) wants it too and he doesn't play nice.

Nabbed by Sakharine's goons, Tintin escapes thanks to the drunken sailor Haddock (Andy Serkis). Haddock, or rather his lineage, is the key to Sakharine's plot. So Tintin, like any other reporter, must get to the bottom of the story.

As Spielberg's first 3D animated film, this is a modern day cartoon movie serial. With its motion capture animation, Tintin's characters move and express themselves like real cartoon people. Its action scenes are reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but in animation, Spielberg has and expresses the freedom to do truly anything. A one-take motorcycle ride through a fictional Moroccan town is just one fine expression of this freedom.

The screenplay, co-written by Edgar Wright, provides plenty of spotlight for its cast. You'll have no trouble remembering such characters as Haddock, Snowy the Dog, or even the identical bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson (Nick Frost and Simon Pegg). For those unfamiliar with Tintin, this is a definite plus by any standards.

Still, which one was Thomson and which one was Thompson? Does it matter? Not really.

For some, this movie might be too serialesque; for others, this might be too long. But overall, Tintin's best quality is that it's pure fun from someone who knows fun. This is one movie that should be at least considered for a holiday movie day.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

You've heard of home for the holidays, right? Well, now you can have Holmes for the Holidays. That's because the famous detective, reinterpreted by Robert Downey Jr. two years ago, is back in the sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

So, that should be Holmes is Home for the Holidays.

This time, Holmes has two problems on two fronts. His professional sidekick, Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is now a married man. Meanwhile, evil Professor Moriarity (Jared Harris) has taken up a career as a mad-bomber. So while Holmes risks going solo, he's also faced with Moriarity's scheme to start World War I 20 years early.

Fortunately, Sherlock Holmes ropes Watson back into service for this case. He also enlists older brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry) and a Gyspy named Simza (Noomi Rapace) to aid the counterattack against Professor M. But as the professor is as smart as he, Sherlock's got a lot of trouble now.

For his second Holmes adventure, director Guy Ritchie has made a much better film than first. It's a lot funnier, quicker and more thrilling than what was established the first time around. Anyone who hasn't seen the first Holmes won't be out of luck because this one stands out on its own.

Robert Downey Jr., who won a Golden Globe in the first film, is the star of the show. And it's not hard to see why. As Holmes, he is the most wonderfully eccentric, quick-witted hero currently on screen. His chemistry with Watson, and his delivery of more than a few lines, provide many of the best moments in the film. It's his Holmes that helps the film get over some slow spots.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes' new game makes for an entertaining ride for any price. And by any price, I mean matinee or full price, since this isn't a 3D film. So go see it before the rest of the holiday crowd comes to swamp it to death.