Contagion (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/ 

At points it’s hard to keep track of all the different threads of this epidemic outbreak drama and how they link together, but it is a great story that sustains interest throughout.  Heart strings are successfully tugged as the death toll rises, and the excellent cast give great performances.

Four stars

Underworld: Awakening (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1496025/ 

Trashy: check. Smokin’ hot PVC-clad vamp ninja: check. Gory blood-splatter violence: check. Totally nonsense plot: check.  Terrible acting: check. Crap CGI werewolves: check. Still though, pretty awesome!

Two stars

Margin Call (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1615147/

A character-driven story of an investment bank in peril. The dry subject matter is more than overcome by great performances (Kevin Spacey is fantastic as always) and the variety afforded by viewing the crisis from multiple perspectives. Not the hard-hitting social commentary it could have been, but quality stuff nonetheless.

Four stars

Haywire (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1506999/

Despite looking great on paper, Steven Soderbergh’s action thriller demonstrates that the whole can be less than the sum of its parts.  The female lead is badass, the fights well-choreographed, and the cinematography stylish.  Perhaps it was the transparent plot, or Ewan McGregor being crap, but something was definitely lacking.

Three stars

The Artist (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/

A tender love story with humorous and melancholy elements throughout, all without the assistance of spoken word.  This is a triumphant throwback to the silent movie era that offers an all-round enjoyable cinematic experience.  And the excellent score is emotive enough that you don’t miss the talking. Thumbs up!

Four stars

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568346/

Shocking in parts but unexpectedly boring in others.  Although slow to get started, it picks up halfway through as the mystery unfolds into an accomplished detective story.  Rooney Mara plays the broken but genius sociopath convincingly, but Daniel Craig’s Mikael seems a little hollow and their romance certainly feels phony.

Four stars