A Prophet

Saw A Prophet on DVD via Netflix on Friday, 13 August 2010. Didn't like it that much. Felt that it was too ponderous. Would have probably liked it more if it was an hour shorter.

the Maid

Saw the Maid on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 3 August 2010. Worthy of all the praise that it's gotten. Totally recommended!

the Kids Are All Right

Saw the Kids Are All Right at the regular theater Saturday, 24 July 2010, at 125pm. Felt there was a third-act collapse. Good, not great. Performances were excellent though.

the White Ribbon

Saw the White Ribbon on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 17 July 2010. Overrated.

Inception

Saw Inception at the regular theater Friday, 16 July 2010, at 7pm. One of the better movies that I've seen this year. Strongly recommended.

Despicable Me

Saw Despicable Me at the regular theater Wednesday, 14 July 2010 at 750pm. Loved this movie. One of the best of 2010. Liked it even more than Toy Story 3.

Toy Story 3

Saw a digital 3-D presentation of Toy Story 3 at the regular theater Monday, 21 June 2010, at 7pm. I enjoyed WALL-E and Up over this. Also, I still think that the second installment of this series is the best. Nonetheless, I would recommend this movie to anyone.

the Young Victoria

Saw the Young Victoria on DVD via Netflix Thursday, 17 June 2010. Better than I thought. Great movie from the director of C.R.A.Z.Y.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call: New Orleans

Saw Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call: New Orleans on DVD via Netflix Thursday, 10 June 2010. Really good. Werner Herzog does it again. Recommended.

Daybreakers

Saw Daybreakers on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 5 June 2010. Actually better than I expected. Recommended.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Saw the Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus on DVD via Netflix Thursday, 3 June 2010. Third-act collapse. Would actually not recommend this movie because of that.

Alice in Wonderland

Saw Alice in Wonderland at the bargain theater Monday, 31 May 2010, at 230pm. Not a good way to end May. Didn't like it that much. Sweeney Todd was much better. Not recommended.

the Blind Side

Saw the Blind Side on DVD via Netflix Wednesday, 19 May 2010. Good performances from all the major actors, but I thought the movie was just good, not great.

A Single Man

Saw A Single Man at the bargain theater Wednesday, 12 May 2010, at 710pm. Good, not great. However, there were excellent performances by Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, and Julianne Moore.

Iron Man 2

Saw Iron Man 2 at the regular theater Friday, 7 May 2010, at 7pm. Good, not great. The first one was definitely better.

Red Cliff

Saw Red Cliff on DVD via Netflix Monday, 3 May 2010. Very good movie from John Woo. Recommended.

Broken Embraces

Saw Broken Embraces on DVD via Netflix Friday, 16 April 2010. One of Almodovar's weaker films. Volver was definitely better.

Kick-Ass

Saw Kick-Ass at the regular theater Monday, 19 April 2010 at 720pm. It definitely kicked ass! Totally recommended!

the Princess and the Frog

Saw the Princess and the Frog on DVD via Netflix on Friday, 9 April 2010. Good, but not great. Pales in comparison with the Pixar films, as well as the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

Toy Story 2

Saw Toy Story 2 on DVD via Netflix Saturday, 3 April 2010. Better than the first. Can't wait to see the third one.

Sherlock Holmes

Saw Sherlock Holmes at the bargain theater Wednesday, 31 March 2010 at 7pm. Pacing was uneven. Only good thing was the big reveal at the end. Hopefully the sequel will be better.

How to Train Your Dragon

Saw How to Train Your Dragon at the regular theater Monday, 29 March 2010 at 730pm. One of the better films that was released this year. Highly recommended.

New Moon

Saw The Twilight Saga: New Moon on DVD via redbox Friday, 26 March 2010. Worse than the first installment. Good thing I was able to rent it for free courtesy of a promo code.

Toy Story

Saw Toy Story on DVD via Netflix Wednesday, 24 March 2010. Rewatched this movie in preparation for Toy Story 3. Still great as ever.

the Ghost Writer

Saw the Ghost Writer at the regular theater Saturday, 20 March 2010, 700pm. One of the better films that has been released this year. Loved the twist ending. Strong recommended.

In the Loop

Saw In the Loop on DVD via Netflix Friday, 19 March 2010. One of the best-written films that was released last year. Deserves to be nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar. Strongly recommended.

Paranormal Activity

Saw Paranormal Activity on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 14 March 2010. Feel the same way about this movie as the Blair Witch Project. Glad to have seen what everyone else was raving about, but I don't think I would enthusiastically recommend this movie to others.

the Last Station

Saw the Last Station at the regular theater Wednesday, 3 March 2010 at 640pm. Excellent performances from all the major actors. Definitely recommended.

Shutter Island

Saw Shutter Island at the regular theater Monday, 1 March 2010, at 710pm. Not a good way to start a new month. Pacing was uneven. The performances from all the major actors were excellent. I thought it was too long, and felt it should have been an hour shorter. Would not recommend this movie.

A Serious Man

Saw A Serious Man on DVD via netflix.com Saturday, 27 February 2010. It was a very good and enjoyable film. Don't know if it's worthy to be nominated for a Best Pic Oscar, but I would recommend this movie to anyone.

the Messenger

Saw the Messenger at the regular theater Friday, 18 February 2010, at 650pm. Excellent performances from all the actors, including Samantha Morton and Steve Buscemi, but especially Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson. Great directorial debut from Oren Moverman. Highly recommended. One of the best movies of 2009.

Moon

Saw Moon on DVD via netflix.com Tuesday, 16 Feb 2010. Better than expected. Sam Rockwell was excellent in this movie, considering he was only interacting with himself (literally and figuratively.)

the Hangover

Saw the Hangover on DVD via redbox.com on Thursday, 11 Feb 2010. Enjoyable movie. It was much better than I expected. Deserves its box office take.

Crazy Heart

Saw Crazy Heart at the regular theater Wednesday, 10 February 2010, at 705pm. Jeff Bridges deserves to win the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Robert Duvall were also very good. Kudos to Scott Cooper for an excellent film debut.

Departures

Saw Departures on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 9 February 2010. Worthy of having won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Highly recommended.

New York, I Love You

Saw New York, I Love You on a flight Sunday, 7 February 2010. This was not as good as Paris Je T'aime. Don't waste your time watching this.

Michael Jackson's This Is It!

Saw Michael Jackson's This Is It! on a flight Sunday, 7 February 2010. This was actually a pretty good documentary. Glad to have seen it.

the Damned United

Saw the Damned United on a flight Sunday, 7 February 2010. As usual, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall and Jim Broadbent deliver the goods. Very good movie. Recommended.

A Perfect Getaway

Saw A Perfect Getaway on a flight Monday, 25 January 2010. This was not bad. If you have time, go ahead and watch it. It won't be a waste of your time.

All About Steve

Saw All About Steve on a flight Monday, 25 January 2010. This was not good. Please don't waste your time watching it.

G.I. Joe: the Rise of Cobra

Saw G.I. Joe: the Rise of Cobra on a flight Monday, 25 January 2010. This was actually not bad. My only regret is that I should have seen this on the big screen.

Inglourious Basterds

Saw Inglourious Basterds on DVD via redbox Tuesday, 12 January 2010. One of the best films of 2009! Personally, I think it's Tarantino's best so far. Excellent performances from all the main actors, but the standout, is of course, Christoph Waltz. He deserves to be nominated and to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Julie & Julia

Saw Julie & Julia on DVD via Netflix, Tuesday, 5 January 2010. Once again, Meryl Streep can do anything. She totally deserves to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.

(500) Days of Summer

Saw (500) Days of Summer at the bargain theater, Thursday, 1 January 2010, at 1220pm. The best way to start the new year is with one of the best films of 2009!

the Baader-Meinhof Complex

Saw the Baader-Meinhof Complex on DVD via Netflix on Tuesday, 29 December 2009. Great way to end December, and a great way to end 2010! Although it was a great movie, I thought the last 1hr30mins was better than the 1st hour. Worthy of being nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

the Road

Saw the Road at the regular theater on Friday, 25 December 2009 at 410pm. Excellent performances from all the actors -- Mortensen, Theron, Smit-McPhee, Duvall, and Pearce. Pretty bleak story. Well-directed by John Hillcoat. I think I liked the Proposition more.

Up in the Air

Saw Up in the Air at the regular theater on Wednesday, 23 December 2009, at 715pm. The best from Jason Reitman so far, and yet I didn't really like the ending. Felt like it had no direction in the third act. Recommend, but with reservations.

Avatar

Saw a digital 3-D presentation of Avatar at the regular theater on Monday, 21 December 2009, at 640pm. James Cameron is king of another world! Couldn't tell which objects were real or CGI. Definitely one of the ten best films of the year. Highly recommended!

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Saw Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire at the regular theater Saturday, 19 December 2009, at 7pm. Excellent movie. Worthy of being nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Mo'Nique and G. Sidibe are also worthy of being nominated for acting Oscars. Would definitely recommend this movie to anyone.

Invictus

Saw Invictus at the regular theater Saturday, 12 December 2009, at 640pm. Good movie by Clint Eastwood, but I thought Gran Torino was better.

Gomorrah

Finished seeing Gomorrah on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 8 December 2009. Good, not great.

Ballast

Saw Ballast on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 29 November 2009. Although the performances were excellent, I thought this was just good, not great.

Fantastic Mr Fox

Saw Fantastic Mr Fox at the regular theater Thursday, 26 November 2009, at 330pm. Second good, not great, movie in a row. Although this was better than An Education, I thought Monsters vs Aliens was a better animated movie than this.

An Education

Saw An Education at the regular theater Sunday, 22 November 2009, at 1140pm. Good, not great. Don't know what all the Oscar buzz is about. If there was anyone who deserves an Oscar nomination, it's Alfred Molina.

Sugar

Saw Sugar on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 17 November 2009. Good, but not great, sophomore effort from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.

Rudo y Cursi

Saw Rudo y Cursi on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 8 November 2009. What an excellent way to start November! Loved how the movie kept you guessing until the last minute what will happen in the end.

Nothing but the Truth

Saw Nothing but the Truth on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 27 October 2009. Excellent way to end October! Great performances from all the major actors. Best reveal at the end, ever!

Where the Wild Things Are

Saw Where the Wild Things Are at the regular theater Sunday, 18 October 2009, at 130pm. Lovely movie with a bittersweet ending. Strongly recommended. Two thumbs up!

Katyn

Saw Katyn on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 11 October 2009. Felt it should have been 30 minutes shorter, but definitely worthy of being nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Sin Nombre

Saw Sin Nombre on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 29 September 2009. Very good indie/foreign movie. Worthy of the directing and cinematography awards that it received at the Sundance Film Festival.

the Express

Saw the Express on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 22 September 2009. Better than Cadillac Records. Enjoyed it. Recommended.

Cadillac Records

Saw Cadillac Records on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 20 September 2009. Good, not great. Dreamgirls, of course, was way better.

9

Saw 9 at the Ultrascreen on Wednesday, 9 September 2009 at 7pm. Good, not great, but the visuals were stunning.

I Love You, Man

Saw I Love You, Man on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 6 September 2009. Pretty good for a bromatic comedy. Recommended.

the Class (Entre les murs)

Saw the Class (Entre les murs) on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 2 September 2009. Felt the same way about this movie as I felt about other Palme D'or winners like Elephant and the Wind that Shakes the Barley -- they're not bad, they deserve to win the Palme D'or, but they don't deserve to be one of the Oscar Best Pic nominees.

District 9

Saw District 9 at the UltraScreen Friday, 14 August 2009, at 740pm. One of the best films to come out this year. Looking forward to the sequel so that hopefully my questions will be answered. Highly recommended.

12

Saw 12 on DVD via Netflix Thursday, 20 August 2009. Very good film. Worthy of having been nominated by the Academy for Best Foreign Language Film.

the Hurt Locker

Saw the Hurt Locker at the regular theater Sunday, 2 August 2009, at 11opm. Great way to start August! One of the best films I've seen this year! Most likely to be included in the Oscar Big Ten.

Let the Right One In

Saw Let the Right One In on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 26 July 2009. What an excellent way to end July! One of the best movies I've seen this year. The pool scene at the end was one-of-a-kind. Highly recommended. Two thumps up!

Valkyrie

Saw Valkyrie on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 19 July 2009. Thought it was better than I expected. Don't know why it got mixed reviews. Strongly recommended.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the regular theater Wednesday, 15 July 2009, at 7pm. Wasn't as good as #5 or #3. Thought that the movie deviated too much from the source material. Having said that, the direction, acting and cinematography were all excellent. Would still recommend people to watch it.

Bruno

Saw Bruno at the regular theater Friday, 10 July 2009, at 705pm. Wasn't as great as Borat. There were many times where I wasn't laughing at all. Would only recommend this to people if they're not going to pay full price.

Public Enemies

Saw Public Enemies at the regular theater on Sunday, 12 July 2009, at 210pm. Elicited no emotion from me. I thought Johnny's and Marion's performances were the best parts of the movie, but unfortunately, the whole is less than the sum of its parts.

Taken

Saw Taken on DVD via Netflix on Saturday, 11 July 2009. Despite the mixed reviews, I thought that it was a great action-packed movie. Hopefully, if they make a sequel, they'll have a bigger budget.

Waltz with Bashir

Saw Waltz with Bashir on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 28 June 2009. Excellent way to end June. Totally deserved an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Also deserved to win the Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes. Definitely recommended.

Last Chance Harvey

Saw Last Chance Harvey on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 21 June 2009. Good, not great also. The first part was actually pretty good. When Dustin and Emma's characters finally meet, the movie goes downhill from there. They don't have any chemistry.

Adventureland

Saw Adventureland at the bargain theater on Saturday, 20 June 2009, at 1230pm. It was okay. Good, not great. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist was better.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Saw Zack and Miri Make a Porno on DVD Sunday, 14 June 2009. Very funny until they were actually filming the porno. Went downhill from there. Sunshine Cleaning was actually better in the end.

Sunshine Cleaning

Saw Sunshine Cleaning at the bargain theater on Saturday, 13 June 2009 at 1230pm. Very good performances from all the major actors -- Blunt, Adams, Arkin and Zahn. Definitely recommended.

Elegy

Saw Elegy on DVD via Netflix Tuesday, 9 June 2009. Was so bad that I didn't get to finish it.

Pineapple Express

Saw Pineapple Express on DVD via Netflix on Sunday, 31 May 2009. Good, but not great. Good thing I just saw it on DVD and didn't pay anything other than my Netflix subscription fee.

Up

Saw a Digital 3-D presentation of Up at a regular theater Saturday, 30 May 2009, at 1220pm. Although it was an excellent movie, I still think WALL-E is one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Wendy and Lucy

Saw Wendy and Lucy on DVD via Netflix Friday, 22 May 2009. What was the point of this movie? I felt the same way after watching Old Joy.

He's Just Not That Into You

Saw He's Just Not That Into You at the bargain theater Saturday, 9 May 2009, at 210pm. Was just a so-so romantic comedy. Good thing I only paid for a bargain theater ticket and not more.

Star Trek

Saw Star Trek at an IMAX theater Wednesday, 13 May 2009, at 7pm. One of the best films of 2009. Don't know if there will be a better blockbuster this summer.

Synecdoche, New York

Saw Synecdoche, New York on DVD Saturday, 2 May 2009. Not a great way to start the month of May. Felt a bit over-the-top. Charlie Kaufman's previous efforts were much better -- especially Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Would not recommend this.

Tell No One

Saw Tell No One on DVD via Netflix Friday, 24 April 2009. Engaging French thriller. Loved how it all ties up in the end. Recommended.

State of Play

Saw State of Play at the regular theater Saturday, 18 April 2009 at 1045pm. I thought it was a very good movie. Same feeling I had after watching Breach. All the actors -- Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Jeff Daniels, and Jason Bateman -- were great!

Monsters vs Aliens

Saw a Digital 3-D presentation of Monsters vs Aliens Sunday, 12, April 2009, at 155pm. As usual, the 3-D effects were dazzling. The story wasn't as touching as Kung Fu Panda or WALL-E, but I have to say that it was worth seeing the movie in 3-D.

Marley and Me

Saw Marley and Me on the plane Saturday, 11 April 2009. It was actually not bad!

the Day the Earth Stood Still

Saw the Day the Earth Stood Still on the plane Monday, 25 March 2009. This movie should not have been made and I should not have watched it.

Twilight

Saw Twilight on the plane Monday, 25 March 2009. This was actually not bad -- I thought I wasn't going to like it, but I did like it. I'm actually intrigued by what will happen in the next movie.

Australia

Saw Australia on the plane Monday, 23 March 2009. I think it tried to do too much, even thought it was 2.5 hours. Good, not great.

Brick Lane

Saw Brick Lane on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 15 March 2009. Good, but not great. Same feeling I had after watching the Namesake.

Watchmen

Saw Watchmen at the regular theater Sunday, 8 March 2009, at 150pm. Very good, but not great. Felt that Dr. Manhattan's change of heart was unconvincing. Also felt that it should have ended when Night Owl's ship flew away from Antartica. Having said these, I would still recommend that people see the movie. Didn't regret paying to see it on the big screen.

Changeling

Saw Changeling on DVD via Netflix, Sunday, 1 March 2009. Felt it was an hour too long. Not recommended.

Beaufort

Saw Beaufort on DVD via Netflix Sunday, 22 February 2009. Didn't think there was anything special with this film. The Band's Visit was a better Israeli film.

I've Loved You So Long

Saw I've Loved You So Long at the regular theater on Sunday, 16 Feburary 2009, at 135pm. Kristin Scott Thomas deserves the kudos she's getting for her performance. It's too bad she wasn't nominated for Oscar Best Actress. Absolutely loved the final reveal. Highly recommended.

Brideshead Revisited

Saw Brideshead Revisited on DVD via Netflix on Friday, 13 February 2009. Felt like it was 45 minutes too long. It should have ended shortly after we looped back to the scene at the beginning of the film. Wouldn't recommend this movie.