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In which we shall see: The Major Massive Formerly Pre-Holiday but Now Practically Comprehensive Awards Season Movie Post! (For a while there, I wasn't seeing many movies. I changed back.) (This post should probably come with a table of contents.)

Here we go (alphabetically):

2012 - Oddly, I find myself a fan of disaster movies. Everybody loves Independence Day, and I still have a soft spot for The Day Before Tomorrow. I cried at Deep Impact, and Armageddon didn't make me want to kill myself. 2012 joins the list, and it can hold it's head up. It was long, and overly-dramatic, and very silly, and quite a bit more fun than I expected. Woody Harrelson's bit part was hilarious, and the effects were crazy. Mindless, and that was fine with me.

See it again? Probably not. Much as I love John Cusack, I'll go for the alien invasion or even the world-altering cold front before the hokey end-of-the-world hysteria. It was fun, but it's not likely to find a place on my shelf.

AN EDUCATION - A very interesting film. The acting and production work was all stellar - really, a wonderfully put-together piece of work. The overall effect though, was to leave me cold. It made me think, and wonder, and discuss, but I never really liked any of the characters or related to the situation. It WAS fun to spot talented actors I've also loved in other films. Rosamund Pike! Marvelous!

See it again? Not in the theater. Maybe on DVD, though I'm not in any hurry.

AVATAR - Seriously, James Cameron really MUST be the king of the world. How else could he manage to sell the highest-grossing film of all time with Leo DiCaprio as a lead, AND then be the only person to ever break his own record? In many ways, his press machine is the biggest accomplishment of all. Right, the movie: I liked it. The visuals are GORGEOUS. The new world is detailed and fascinating and fully realized, and the atmosphere (no pun intended) is really extraordinary. The plot is not rocket science, granted - but then, I'm also a fan of taking a relatively simple story and just TELLING it. I appreciate that they took the time to just tell it. I don't think it should win best picture or anything, but I very much liked the experience. (The second time I saw it was a little different - the script's not that great, and my friends were really very funny as they pointed out some of the over-the-top elements and flaws in characterization and such. Still, good times.)

See it again? Sure. Maybe not in the theatre, but certainly on DVD - preferrably on the largest screen I can manage to wrangle.

BLIND SIDE, THE - Holy amazing piece of work, Batman. This was a career-making part for Sandra Bullock, and the chemistry with the entire cast was tremendous. Tim McGraw is a country singer, for heaven's sake, and even he was excellent! The kids were terrific, the story was gripping and funny and heart-wrenching, there was absolutely nothing offensive (the main character even admonishes her husband when he uses one mild swearword) and I adored every single person on that screen by the time it was over. Kudos to everyone involved!

See it again? Absolutely. Trying to get back to it in the theater, definitely a personal library addition.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX, THE - This... was not a kids' movie. Smart, clever, but not self-important; the polished script and plotline and storytelling made a fascinating contrast to the comparatively rough claymation. Don't get me wrong, the animation technique was excellent, it was just very different from what I'm used to thanks to Disney and Pixar. It feels very British, even populated as it is by American actors, and... that's a good thing. It's another thinker. Still funny, still hearfelt, no pandering to the audience (whatever the age) - it's up for a lot of awards, and deservedly so.

See it again? Yes. Wow, yes - I need a refresher on those great understated one-liners. And to really figure out the wolf thing.

INVICTUS - I love the Jason Bourne movies, I really do, but you kind of start to forget that Matt Damon really is an actor and not just a crazy-awesome action hero. (Maybe that's just me.) Here it is: Matt Damon can ACT. And when he's given an important story and a good script and Morgan Freeman acting the living daylights out of HIS part, you've got the makings of a really excellent night at the movies. This is one I'd pay full ticket price for - it kept me riveted the whole time, and sent me home determined to read up on the events portrayed. Thank goodness Hollywood is still interested in making quality movies about important historical events. I hope it continues. Plus, I'm becoming quite the fan of rugby, what with Invictus and Forever Strong!

See it again? Oh, yeah. Not just another sports movie, that's for sure. I want to watch it again with a group of friends, and then DISCUSS. (I'm excited about that.)

LEAP YEAR - Look, it's January. This is the month when studios tend to dump delayed movies (particularly romantic comedies) in the hopes of making SOME money because everyone needs a distraction from their post-holiday blues. January is, in general, not a month for high-quality films. If you know this going in, and your expectations are low, you can still enjoy yourself. Leap Year is cute. It's sweet. It's formula. Amy Adams is adorable and totally the best friend you wish you had. Matthew Goode is fine, though I wish he'd cleaned up the facial scruff a little. Ireland is beautiful. You know there's going to be a happy ending, so if it's somewhat over-the-top with the massive sunset and the cliffs over the ocean, so what? It's FINE. Not art, but if you're only paying for a matinee ticket anyway, why get worked up? Sheesh.

See it again? Not anytime soon. Liked it, will wait for the Redbox rental and a moment when I'm feeling sentimental or really in need of some travel inspiration. Or expensive shoes.

NEW MOON - True confession: while I did not go to the midnight showing, I did go see it twice. (The second time was with the express purpose of making fun of it.) Here's the thing - I really quite liked it. I thought the script, acting, and production work had all improved (except for the pacing - hello! Move it along, please!), and I felt like it was a sequel that built on the first movie in a very good way. Of course it's silly and overwrought. I have a soft spot for the books, and so far the movies aren't causing me any grief. I have every intention of seeing the next two films, and on the second showing of each, making fun of them too.

See it again? Oh, for sure - the DVD will make my library, but what I'm really looking forward to is the Riff Trak viewing. I can contribute good-natured snark of my own, and I can't wait to hear what the MST3000 folks have to offer!

PRINCESS AND THE FROG, THE - Absolutely charming and fun. I appreciate that Disney was trying to branch out with different story elements, and for the most part they were very successful - my favorite bit was Charlotte's role, in that the "stepsister" part was not made into a stereotype. Every girl needs a few more of the right kind of best friends! Lovely artwork, evocative setting (I now realize I would have loved to see 20's New Orleans), it was just cute. The Evangeline storyline was really wonderful. The voodoo witch doctor stuff was pretty darn freaky. (Good villian work, though.)

See it again? Yep. No problem. Dollar theater or DVD.

SHERLOCK HOLMES - Ah, to witness the birth of a new franchise! I'm not going to say anything about Robert Downey Jr., because by now you should all know that he has become one of the most dependable and interesting actors of our era. Instead, I'll just mention that for all that Jude Law's personal life seems to be a huge disaster, the boy is an extraordinarily talented actor and has fantastic screen presence. His Watson was marvelous, and in all honesty was much closer to the original illustration of the character (from the stories) than is usually depicted. Holmes was not - but the insight into his motivations and thought processes was very well done and made for intriguing characterization. I wasn't thrilled with the way the production team chose to write Irene Adler's character, but I did think Rachel McAdams was fine and she and RDJ were fun to watch together. I'll be in the audience for the next installment - and probably at the midnight showing.

See it again? Definitely. And before it leaves the theaters - and I'll doubtless get my pre-order in on Amazon.com for the DVD.

WHEN IN ROME - Yet another January rom-com, so... I was leery. The reviews haven't been good, and I was a little disappointed by Leap Year, but... Rome! Oh, beautiful Rome! Even accounting for low expectations, it was better than I expected. Ever since Veronica Mars (TV series) I've been a fan of Kristen Bell, and I too find Josh Duhamel to be charming and highly crushable. It's formula. It's a little silly. The other guys (4 in all) are more than a little off-putting and weird, even though that's how they're supposed to be. There are a few stretches and plot holes that could probably have been fixed in editing. (Why does he keep coming back to her, again?) Still, I enjoyed it, and I want to visit Italy more than ever. And New York. And have a date with Josh Duhamel (sorry, Fergie). Gotta say, the "clown car" made me laugh. As did watching JD fall into holes and run into posts. Slapstick is golden.

See it again? Yes, in the theater with a friend or two. Probably more of a DVD rental than ownership property.

YOUNG VICTORIA - Now, THIS is a romantic movie, in all the best senses of the word. Absolutely beautiful production design, and marvelous acting (I had no idea I could possibly like Pride & Prejudice's Wickham so much, but Rupert Friend proved here that he's an even better actor than I suspected). I wish it weren't destined to be a mainly art-house release - it really does deserve to be seen by a much wider audience than is likely. Wonderful storytelling, incredible music, I'm ready to go again. This movie was MADE for the high-brow Girls' Night Out. (Plus, I suspect that a lot of guys will like it too. It's that GOOD.)

See it again? Duh. Who wants to go? I suspect I'll own it the day it's released on DVD, and that it will have a regular spot in my movie rotation schedule.

Bonus Film: CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT - My new favorite Christmas movie! Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this one? A hero soldier home for recovery is invited to spend Christmas with his favorite designer homemaker/magazine writer - except that she doesn't actually exist! Screwball comedy, romantic Christmas moments, charming and attractive 50's leads... what's not to love?

See it again? At least every year from here on out!

See you in another few months with another batch of movie reviews! Watch out for falling turtles, just in case!

Cyd