The legacy of the original TRON is much better in the memory of its fans than in reality. It was a visually spectacular achievement and looked like nothing we'd ever seen before. Now it's simply quaint. The story was just ok and the acting other than Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner, was something less than average. None of that mattered because it looked so cool!! TRON: LEGACY is equally cool looking. While not filled with color like the original, it seems more “real” than the original too. Almost 30 years later, the effects are now standard Hollywood. They look cool, but are hardly ground breaking. The biggest advance is the way the filmmakers use CGI to recreate the young Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). It mostly works, there were just a couple of instances where you can tell it's not “really” Bridges. The story is a bit deeper than the original. It deals with themes of Zen and the relationship of fathers and sons. The acting is better too. Garrett Hedlund is very good as the young rebel, Sam Flynn, and Michael Sheen is devilish as the flamboyant Zeus. Also, watching Olivia Wilde in a skintight body suit isn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours. This is definitely worth seeing, especially if you are fan of the original. One piece of advice, see it in IMAX 3D. I'm sure it looks fine in 2D or regular 3D, but in IMAX it's like entering the world of the computer and being a part of it. Totally worth the high ticket price. — Alan Yudman

Hype can bring attention to an amazing movie that would otherwise remain under the radar, or in the case of The Town, dupe audiences into thinking they're seeing something original and groundbreaking. I do not understand why this cliche ridden drama received such acclaim. Ben Ab-leck spends half the movie showing us he has a personal trainer at his disposal, a talented cast is wasted, a ridiculous romance torpedoes any suspense, and the robberies have been done a hundred times before. Unlike Affleck's previous effort, this Town is populated by a bloated running time, hubris, and a dead zone of originality. If anyone besides Jeremy Renner gets an Oscar nod, it means Affleck has incriminating photos on most of Hollywood.
-Storm Curry
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The true story of boxer “Irish” Micky Ward, THE FIGHTER is more than a boxing movie. It's about family, addiction and finding your own path in life. Ward was a fairly successful fighter from Lowell, Massachusetts in the '80's. HIs overbearing mother (Melissa Leo) and his meth addict brother (Christian Bale) say they want what's best for him, but really they're only trying to live their dreams through Micky. He also has to deal with his sisters, who act like their mother's Greek Chorus in scenes that are truly funny. Leo is great, but Bale is legendary. His portrayal of Dicky Ecklund is one of the best of his career. He had success and lost it to drugs. His redemption and redemptive moment are the stuff of great film. If Bale doesn't get a supporting actor nomination, something is seriously wrong with the Academy's selection process. Once again, Mark Wahlberg shows he is one of the most underrated actors working today. One look at his face and you can feel the exasperation that's boiling inside. Expertly directed by David O. Russell, THE FIGHTER shows how one man can break free of all that's holding him back and achieve his dreams. This movie should go on any list of the Top 10 movies of 2010. — Alan Yudman

Believe the hype. The Social Network is one of the years best. A top notch script, outstanding performances, and incredible direction make this drama about the birth of Facebook one of the most captivating movies of '10. Jesse Eisenberg flips his usual schtick (awkward nerdy guy) on its head and plays a man you at times feel bad for then despise. If he and Andrew Garfield aren't nominated for Oscars it will be a travesty. Let's just hope the Academy isn't ANTI-Social.
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There is so much to love about TRUE GRIT I'm not sure where to start. The faithful telling of a tale of revenge. The wonderful performances by Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper and Josh Brolin. The shining light that Hailee Steinfeld provides throughout the film. Another outstanding example of movie making from the Coen Brothers. Let's start with Hailee. That the Coen Brothers would trust a relative unknown to carry so much weight says two things. They have a remarkable eye for talent. And Hailee is completely up to the task. She is in every scene and more than holds her own among these heavyweight actors. Bridges turns in another Oscar-worthy performance in the role that won John Wayne his only statuette. There is absolutely nothing that didn't work for me in the movie. I am a big fan of the 1969 version. But that was more of a John Wayne western and other than The Duke and Robert Duvall the performances are so-so. Wayne carries that movie. This is a much more fully formed story (even though the differences are minutes, they are important). TRUE GRIT is truly great! — Alan Yudman

A better than expected thriller that delivers…until the final five minutes. Up to that point, the cast is good (especially the young actress who plays the bad seed little girl). But WTF were they thinking as an end game? Based on the ending, they has no idea how to wrap this thing up. A disastrous finale to an otherwise good movie. Nothing worse than having a movie exceed your low expectations, then meet them right before the credits roll.
-Storm Curry
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The Rock still hasn't made his “Rambo” or “Terminator” yet, but its refreshing to see him locked and loaded in this R rated revenge thriller. FASTER tends to slow down at times but it never comes to a stop. This one plays with the whole “what makes someone good or evil” philosophy while blowing away bad guys. Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I drank it up with a grin…and seriously, wouldn't you rather see something like this versus The Tooth Fairy or Witch Mountain? Faster delivers for those of us who drooled after hearing the cast of The Expendables.
-Storm Curry
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Peanut butter and chocolate. Chips and dip. Denzel Washington and Tony Scott. These combos aren't the best for you but they sure are tasty. Unstoppable delivers everything a thriller “inspired by actual events” should. Slam bang action scenes, a rousing score, and fun acting by Denzel and Chris Pine. Must agree with one of my counterparts about the overuse of news footage. Its one thing to inter cut bits once in a while to keep the narrative moving. Its another to have it deliver annoying play by play over the tense train scenes. Just shut up and let the movie play already…if people can't keep up, they need to put down the bottle and go see something a bit less complicated like Yogi Bear. A fun ride that never derails!-Storm Curry
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My favorite of the three Narnias (so far), this Christian parable
wears its faith on its armlet and tells its tale winningly enough to
charm even non- or semi-believers. There is craftsmanship here and a
literate tone that might come off as old-fashioned, but which feels
comfortable in the way of a children's classic. And although the
theology ultimately kicks the story past kid stuff, there are talking
animals and flying dragons and sword fights as well! High marks to
those animals' voices: a deft Simon Pegg as the rat and a morally
immaculate Liam Neeson as Aslan, the Christly lion. Aslan's
appearances, as in the previous movies, are too brief, but that's the
point (they could have called the movie Hebrews 11:1). Skandar Keynes
and Georgie Henley have matured remarkably, and although I'm certain
Judi Dench is not a 17-year-old boy, you could swear she has morphed
into newcomer Will Poulter, quite good as the whiny cousin-turned-
hero. — Jeff Schultz

She's turning into a swan. Except she isn't. She murdered the upstart
who's gunning for her job. Except she didn't. That same upstart gives
her a lip-smacking, carpet-munching cunnilingual kiss-off. Only it
never happened. Darren Aronofsky's ballet-dancer-gone-mad flick uses
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake on stage and in rehearsal to comment on and
mirror the lives of the dancers themselves, focussing on Natalie
Portman's descent into madness. If only Portman were up to the role.
As written, her character is supposed to be a knot of obsession:
desperate to achieve perfection in her art, she ultimately identifies
with the Swan Queen so completely, a tragic fate is the only possible
outcome. But Portman is a dishrag — so attenuated and affectless as
to make you wonder where all this supposed passion inside her is
hiding. Thankfully, Mila Kunis is on hand to provide what little juice
the movie has, along with Barbara Hershey (remember her?) as the
creepiest mother since Piper Laurie in Carrie. (The only other actor
with any kind of meaningful part in this insular, claustrophobic
howler is Vincent Cassel, and he's a snore.) The best parts of Black
Swan are the campiest; when it goes over the top, you're laughing at
it, sure, but at least you're having a good time. — Jeff Schultz