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Bad Actress

Eye On…Bad Actress

Robert Lee King | New Jersey Film Festival

The director of the cult classic Psycho Beach Party, Robert Lee King delivers a delightfully quirky and off-beat black comedy titled Bad Actress.

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NJ Film Festival: Fall 2011 Preview

Fall 2011 Preview

Do you love movies? Well, Inside Beat definitely does. Check out Film Editor Alex Natanzon's take on the event!

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Der Sandmann (The Sandman)

Peter Luisi

The German language film entitled Der Sandmann will be shown at Rutgers on June 3 as part of the New Jersey Film Festival.

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Classic: Strangers on a Train (1951)

Alfred Hitchcock

Cinematic thrillers of the 21st century are a very far cry from the thrillers that made Hollywood so enticing in the Golden Age.

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NJ Film Festival

Summer 2011 Preview

What better way to celebrate the coming season than with the New Jersey International Film Festival and the wide variety of enticing features, documentaries and short films it brings to the table?

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Child Stars: Then and Now

What do Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson, Drew Barrymore, Ron Howard and the kids from The Brady Bunch have in common? They are all iconic child stars.

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Remembering a Legend: Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

Dame Elizabeth Taylor is considered a rare gem in the history of entertainment.

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The Maltese Falcon (1941)

John Houston

Humphrey Bogart lures audiences with a personality that packs a punch and a swag to boot.

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Vintage Films: Gerald McBoing-Boing (1950)

Robert Cannon

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, Inside Beat commemorates his literary contributions by taking a closer look at this gem of a film.

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African Americans in Cinema: In Honor of Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, Inside Beat highlights the best of African American Cinema.

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Nods and Snubs

That time of year is here again: awards season. With the Golden Globes and BAFTAs already decided, moviegoers now shift their focus to the world's most renowned awards ceremony, as well as its most dubious.

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From the Oscars Vault: Schindler’s List

Steven Spielberg

Revisit this moving and poignant cinema classic.

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Behind the Scenes: Pick

Benjamin Ross Hayden

Inside Beat goes backstage to get the scoop on NJFF's Pick.

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Ralph Bakshi: A True Pioneer

Meet the hero of adult cartoons.

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Dine n’ Dash

Dinner and a movie anyone?

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Cult Classics: Akira

Katsuhiro Otomo

Akira, unlike most films today, consummates the marriage of narrative and technical prowess.

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Science Fiction Picture Shows

The beauty of sci-fi is that it constantly pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved in a movie while simultaneously telling an interesting story that pulls the viewer into a world created by the director.

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An Interview with The Red Machine Actor

Inside Beat interviews Rutgers alumnus Donal Thoms-Cappello on his role in his first feature-length film!

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NJ Film Festival | Spring 2011 Preview

It's time to pick up some popcorn!

 

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Holiday Feel-Good Films

Why not just Netflix these movies and save yourself the commercials?

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The Beginning of the End

Over the years, the literary epic of Harry Potter has flown from the pages onto the big screen. Tomorrow night, the first part of the final installment, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, will make its debut to millions of fans anxiously awaiting the prophetic fate of the legendary boy who lived.

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Fargo (1996)

Nouveau Vintage

Intrigue and action with a twist! What more could you ask for?

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Best of Political Satire Films

Since the results of the 2010 midterm elections Tuesday, campaigning for the 2012 presidential election is sure to begin very shortly.

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The Lion in Winter (1968)

Anthony Harvey

Films fall under different genres the same way food dishes fall into various categories in a cookbook.

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Classic Horror Movies to Watch Out For This Halloween

Turn to these classic horror movies for a good scare!

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This Weekend at the NJFF

Overload

Check out what's new with the NJFF!

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Best Comic Book–turned-Movie Crossovers

Our writers go head-to-head on their favorite comic that jumped from the pages onto the silver screen.

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Seven Samurai (1954)

Akira Kurosawa

Any person who appreciates a bit of flavor and variety in their life can easily draw up an impressive list when asked the question, "What are the greatest films you have ever seen?"

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► The Social Network: Preview

David Fincher

The remarkable story of how Facebook came into creation finally comes to the big screen.

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This Weekend at the NJ Film Festival

Fanny, Annie & Danny

What happens when a trio of siblings is forced to reunite?

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This Weekend at the NJ Film Festival

Crossing Our Borders

Director Gladys Bensimon closely examines in this historical documentary the reigns of both right-wing and left-wing dictatorships in Latin America,including Cuba under Fidel Castro, Argentina under Juan Peron,

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This Month at the NJ Film Festival

Chosin

After 60 years of silence, the survivors of Chosin remember one of the most savage and highly-decorated battles in American history.

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NJ Film Festival: Fall 2010 Preview

For those who really don't want to open up another textbook — fear no more.

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Trading Places

Vintage Film

What would you do if suddenly, your life got turned upside down?

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Beijing Punk

Shaun Jefford

As the film's tagline goes, when 1.3 billion Chinese discover punk music, what happens? Chaos happens, that's what.

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Funny Face

Vintage Film

No movie better showcases Audrey Hepburn's gamine beauty or Fred Astaire's suave dance moves than Funny Face.

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Tribeca Film Festival Spotlight

The Tribeca Film Festival, an annual event for film-lovers in lower Manhattan, has been running this past week and will continue to do so until Sunday.

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Freaky eye

NJFF Summer Preview

For those intending to linger in New Brunswick for the summer, whether to endure the drudgery of summer classes, the unpaid slave labor of an internship, or just tied to an apartment by a seemingly endless lease—fear not.

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On Her Majesty's Secret SErvice

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Vintage Film

Not many people remember George Lazenby's only performance as James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. However, since the film's release in 1969, it has grown to be one of the definitive representations of the Bond series, thanks to its diehard fans, stylish cinematography and bare bones espionage structure.

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In The West

Once Upon a Time in the West

Vintage Film

This classic may owe its existence to those that came before it, but it is still an undeniably fantastic Western in its own right.

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Breaking Upwards

An Interview with Breaking Upwards Director

Independent filmmaker Daryl Wein's second feature-length film, Breaking Upwards, is sort of like a dissection of the modern breakup.

Reviews

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Warrior | B+

Gavin O’Connor

Warrioris is about two brothers. Are you up to watch it?

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Shark Night 3D | D

David R. Ellis

Oh, how original — 'a group of Louisiana college students decide to go to a remote summer house with no cellphone access for a night of drinking and partying'...oh wait.

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Contagion | B-

Steven Soderbergh

University students may find Steven Soderbergh's Contagion particularly disturbing.

The Change-up

The Change- Up | C

David Dobkin

The Change-Up, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, is a tale of two men who each appreciate an aspect of the other's life and switch bodies to learn a valuable lesson. 

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Senna | A-

Asif Kapadia

Director Asif Kapadia documents the life of the influential racing champion Ayrton Senna in the film Senna.

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Apollo 18 | C+

Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego

Apollo 18 seemed like it could've packed a punch, but it really doesn't do much other than provide a way to pass your time for two hours.

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Water for Elephants | B

Francis Lawrence

The Most Spectacular Show on Earth has come to town and it is, well, pretty decent.

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Scream 4 | B+

Wes Craven

Scream is back and bloodier than ever.

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The Conspirator | B-

Robert Redford

John Wilkes Booth killed President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865.

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Hanna | B+

Joe Wright

"Adapt or Die." That is the slogan of Joe Wright's latest film.

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Your Highness | C+

David Gordon Green

Could this movie turn into our generation's The Princess Bride?

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Arthur | C

Jason Winer

A drunken playboy stands to lose a wealthy inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn't like.

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The Lincoln Lawyer | B+

Brad Furman

Matthew McConaughey plays badass Mick Haller in the latest crime thriller.

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Paul | C+

Greg Mottola

Even as an alien, Seth Rogen smokes pot.

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Source Code | B

Duncan Jones

Surreal and suspenseful - Source Code will not disappoint.

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Battle: Los Angeles | B+

Jonathan Liebesman

Hypothetical scenario: Aliens have taken over and L.A. is their last stand.

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Sucker Punch | C-

Zack Snyder

Sucker Punch is a teenage male's fever dream made into film.

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Limitless | A-

Neil Burger

A writer discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities.

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The Adjustment Bureau | B

George Nolfi

The subject matter of The Adjustment Bureau hardly enters new territory.

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Take Me Home Tonight | B

Michael Dowse

Take Me Home Tonight is a feel-good movie that delivers plenty of laughs, but the plot's predictability makes the film fall flat.

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Rango | D

Gore Verbinski

There's no use Fandango-ing Rango.

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Mars Needs Moms | D

Simon Wells

Mars Needs Moms needs more than just moms to make it any good.

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I am Number Four | C

D. J. Caruso

I Am Number Four is the highly anticipated film adaptation of the young adult novel by Pittacus Lore.

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Hall Pass | B

Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly

Hall Pass, the newest comedy from the Farrelly brothers, the guys that brought you

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Gnomeo and Juliet | C-

Kelly Asburn

Stay tuned for the next horrible remake of a Shakespeare's classic, Julius Geezer!

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Just Go With It | B

Dennis Dugan

Sandler is back in the game!

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Cedar Rapids | B+

Miguel Arteta

Cedar Rapids has the best of all that is goofy and sweet.

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Sanctum | C

Alister Grierson

Sanctum almost feels like a Discovery Channel special as opposed to a feature film.

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No Strings Attached | B+

Ivan Reitman

Finally, a decent RomCom!

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The Dilemma | C

Ron Howard

It might be a good idea to Netflix this one...

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The Green Hornet | C+

Michel Gondry

Seth Rogan turned superhero?

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True Grit | A

Joel and Ethan Coen

True Grit is charming... in a gory and macabre kind of way.

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The Fighter | A

David O. Russell

The Fighter, a rags-to-riches story about the life and early career of boxer Micky Ward, completely delivers.

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How Do You Know | C-

James L. Brooks

An all-star cast doesn't necessarily mean a five star movie.

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Black Swan | A

Darren Aronofsky

This is no Angelina Ballerina...

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The Next Three Days | B-

Paul Haggis

When a man's wife is wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to life in prison, he must do everything in his power to get her out.

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Love and Other Drugs | B-

Edward Zwick

Love, sex, and drugs — one would assume that such a risqué combination would make for the next big box office hit.

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► Tangled | A-

Nathan Greno and Byron Howard

Blondes have all the fun...

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► Skyline | F

Brothers Strause

This movie makes me excited for Cowboys and Aliens, NOT!

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► Morning Glory | C

Roger Michell

Why can't anyone make a decent romantic comedy anymore?

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► Unstoppable | A

Tony Scott

Have you seen this yet?

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► Saw 3D | C

Kevin Greutert

Saw 3D marks the seventh and final installment of the popular franchise.

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► Due Date | A-

Todd Phillips

Due Date is painfully funny!

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► Megamind | B-

Tom McGrath

Oh joy...another superhero movie... Is it ticket-worthy or just another Netflix-notable?

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►Jackass 3D | B

Jeff Tremaine

Johnny Knoxville and the rest of the crew have come together again to make Jackass 3D, and they bring back the craziness and stupidity that made the first two films famous.

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Oldboy | A-

Chan-wook Park

If foreign thrillers never usually appear on your Netflix queue, watching Oldboy might change that.

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► Nowhere Boy | A

Sam Taylor-Wood

"I know you understand the little child inside the man," so sings John Lennon in a song called "Woman," from his final album.

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► Life as We Know It | C

Greg Berlanti

In her latest flick at the box office, Katherine Heigl stars as a control freak and workaholic. Although drop-dead gorgeous, her character seems to always be unlucky in love.

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Amélie | A

Foreign Favorite

Take one beautiful, shy girl with a heart of gold, add a whimsical search for the meaning of love and a dash of adorable match-making. Then shake it all up with a breathtaking soundtrack and the sights of Paris and you get Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, or rather simply known as Amélie

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► Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps | B

Oliver Stone

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a solid film but fails to live up to 1987's original Wall Street.

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► The Town | A

Ben Affleck

The Town is a truly action-packed film that leaves the audience both excited and constantly guessing what will happen next.

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Resident Evil: Afterlife | D+

Paul W.S. Anderson

How would you feel if you were made to sit and watch a film of a fly mindlessly buzzing around the screen for 97 minutes?

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I Hate Luv Storys | B

Punit Malhotra

Amid the various knockoffs from English movies, I Hate Luv Storys brings back the feel of olden times and movies from when Bollywood movies were truly original.

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Easy A | B-

Will Gluck

What happens when a lonely wallflower is suddenly thrust into the spotlight of high-school gossip?

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Machete | B

Robert Rodriguez

Director Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City) has once again brought to the screen a wild and naughty adventure that will have you laughing, wincing and cheering.

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La Comédie Humaine | B

Hing-Ka Chan

What would you do if you woke up one day and found yourself lying naked in someone else's bed?

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The Other Guys | B+

Directed by Adam McKay

The Other Guys is definitely worth the money and would make a great date movie!

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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World | B+

Directed by Edgar Wright

With plenty of over-the-top fight scenes and a quirky script, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is one of the most entertaining movies to have hit theaters this year.

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Inception | A

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Dreams seem like random stories told through your own personal viewing glass, only to be forgotten about a few hours after waking up. But what if everything we know was shaken to its core?

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Eat Pray Love | C

Directed by Ryan Murphy

Brimming with scenes of beautiful places, delectable food and colorful people, Eat Pray Love treads lightly on the heavy issues facing a modern, successful woman.

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Death at a Funeral | C+

Neil Labute

When the British Death at a Funeral debuted in 2007, the reception was only mild, with most of the comments addressing either the clever usage of black comedy or the awkward cohesion of the film in general.

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The Losers | C

Sylvain White

The Losers is an action adventure movie based on the award-winning comic book of the same name by Andy Diggle and Mark Simpson.

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Kick-Ass | B-

Matthew Vaughn

Kick-Ass is a comic book movie based on the series of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. The original series took an interesting and realistic look at what the world would be like if regular people decided to dress up as superheroes and fight crime.

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How to Train Your Dragon | A-

Dean DeBlois/Chris Sanders

So how would you go about taming a ferocious, flying beast? It turns out all that's needed is persistence, ingenuity and inflammable undergarments.

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date night

Date Night | C+

Shawn Levy

Date Night will either meet or exceed your expectations; the trailers did little to instill confidence that it would be good, but the comedic talent of Tina Fey and Steve Carell offer hope.

Why Did I Get Married Too?

Why Did I Get Married Too? | D

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? is a sequel, but you don't need to have watched 2007's Why Did I Get Married? to understand what's going on. In fact, you barely need to watch this one to understand what's going on.

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She's out of my league

She’s Out of My League | B

Jim Field Smith

The story has been told a million times before, but She's Out of My League still turns out to be a good romantic comedy. With its extremely predictable and very unbelievable plot, the movie doesn't deserve any awards, but definitely serves its purpose as a lighthearted date movie.

Shutter Island

Shutter Island | B+

Martin Scorsese

While it's no The Departed or Goodfellas, with Shutter Island, Scorsese has definitely cemented his place in a league all his own.

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The Wolfman | C-

Joe Johnston

The Wolfman is a remake of 1941's movie of the same name. While the original was somewhat of a B-movie, it still had some decent character development to back up the action. The remake however, is all bark and no bite.

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