The Hobbit: An Unexpected Jorney (2012)

Movie is based on J.R.R.Tolkin's book "The Hobbit." Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) joins dwarfs on a journey to Lonely Mountain.
The story was too long. Unnecessary long runs, at places I thought if the director had cut only few minutes from each run  the movie would have shorten considerably.  
Scenery is gorgeous, but I would have preferred not 3D version. In 3D it felt like I am watching a TV show or a filmed theater from 70's. At places the movie felt too theatrical.
Rating 5 of 10

Premium Rush (2012)

This movie was an enjoyable gimcrack. Lots of exiting bike rides through Manhattan using up to date technologies. It felt like actors enjoyed the work in this movie.
A bike messenger picks (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) up a package. Apparently a corrupt policeman is interested in it, and a chase starts.
Rating 8 of 10

Cloud Atlas (2012)

The movie tells six stories across five centuries.  Each story is independent but interwoven with each other in many different ways, actors, characters, places, events etc. 
It was so entertaining that I had no problem to keep my attention almost three hours.
This movie is impossible to tell it has to be seen.
Rating 8 of 10

Sapņu komanda 1935 (2012)

The best characteristic of this movie is patriotism but not quality.  The story is simple. In 1935 a basketball team from Latvia unexpectedly become European champions in basketball. One of the proud moments of Latvian history.
The story is promising but it is told fragmentary. It does not focus either on a team or a trainer. We don't find out what made Latvian basketball team a winning team, what made them better then others. It also does not tell  what made the team so determined to go through all the hardships they faced. This move was a good platform for some young Latvian artists to try themselves in cinema, and they did it rather well.
Rating 6 of 10 

Skyfall (2012)

James Bond (Daniel Craig) has become older and more vulnerable, also more human. The new enemy Silva (Javier Bardem) makes Bond to go back to his family house Skyfall in Scotland. Silva apparently is M's old agent who was given up by her and now he wants revenge. M (Judi Dench)  in this operation dies.
Less gadgets, less sex and more humanity are characteristics of this movie.
I started to watch Bond's movies when Danie Craig become Bond. He is still the main attraction to me, therefore my
rating is 8 of 10.

Arbitrage (2012)

A successful financial businessmen Robert Miller (Richard Gere) gets in trouble (financially, personal) and in order to cover up his financial problems and manslaughter of his lover gets in  deeper lies.
Rating 6 of 10

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Colorful and bizarre. Attention to details make each frame postcard like.
New England in 60's. Sam, a teenage orphan, runs from a camp to meet with his love Suzy,  a teenage girl engrossed in fantasy stories.Various groups organize their search.
Wes Anderson has created colorful and  interesting characters such as captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), Scout master Ward (Edvard Norton), Social Services (Tilda Swinton), Laura (Frances McDormand) and Walt Bishops(Bill Murray).
Rating 8 of 10

The Impossible (2012)

A family of five, Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons (Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast, Samuel Joslin) during their vocation in Thailand are caught in the one of the most disastrous tsunami.
Maybe because I am mom, I was crying all movie. I struggled, felt pain, cried and was happy together with the heroes of this movie. This is one of the most emotional movies I have seen in a while.
Rating 7 of 10

Argo (2012)

It is 1979. Six American embassy's employees in Iran during the revolution have found refuge in Canadian embassy. CIA agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) organizes an operation "Argo" to save them. His idea is  to pretend to be a Canadian film crew.
Very griping story with well developed characters. one of the best movies of this year.
Rating 9 of 10

Killing Them Softly (2012)

Many compere this movie to Guy Ritchie's work, but there are only few scenes shadowing his style. The most memorable was one with the bullet shattering window.
Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt),  a professional killer, is after guys who have  robbed a poker game.  The director tries to parallel two worlds, political with election debates on a radio and TV in a background and the criminal world with its own rules. The attempt is good and not more.
The best part was watching the play of Brad Pitt.
Rating 7 of 10

To Rome with Love (2012)

Another Woody Allen's dedication to Europe's big cities. Life in Rome fizzles. We get a peek in four stories, an ordinary man (Roberto Benigni) suddenly becomes a celebrity, an architect (Alec Baldwin) visits a place from his study times and meets an architecture's student(Jesse Eisenberg), a young couple (Alessandro Tiberi and Alessandra Mastronardi) try to settle in Rome and  a former opera director (Woody Allen) who tries to convince his future son's- in law father to sing in an opera.
The movie is delicious collection of novellas with a a good pinch of humor and romance. Only story that confused me a little was the "architect's" story. It did not fit well among other stories with the weird appearances of Alec Baldwin.
Rating 8 of 10

Looper (2012)

Looper is a brilliant sci-fi drama.  Action happens in the future 2044 and 2074. Loopers are killers who are employed to kill unwanted people from the future. They are well situated people but there is a hook, when a looper kills future himself his loop is done and he is released from his job after receiving good pay. Joe is a looper and one day he faces 30 years older Joe and fails to kill him.
The movie has several great points. The plot is gripping and the end surprising. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, both show great co-play. They excellently mirror each other.
This is one of the best movies of this year.
Rating 10 of 10

Golfa straume zem ledus kalna (2012)

The movie tells three stories in three different centuries about passion and Lilit, a woman who is created equal to Adam and is not cursed because of original sin. 
The movie's plot barely holds together. The stories did not make much sense.  It's filmed beautifully but with good shots is not enough to make a good movie. At times it is unnecessary vulgar.
I found it long and boaring.
Rating 2 of 10

6 stiķi (2012)

A collection of six Latvian short-films. 
"Logs" (Window)- visually beautiful ans sensual.
"Noklausīšanās" (Audition) -engaging, clever and unpredictable plot. Plots execution was quite good as well.
"Gaismas zīmes" (Signs of light)- my favorite of six. A good humor and clear, with lightness in actors play. "Personību veikals" (Personality shop)- was hard to follow  and understand what it's all about.
"Gūtenmorgens un trešā acs" (Gutenmorgen and the third eye) - quite funny, with a great cast.
"Filma"( Film)- the plot was dragging and unfinished
Rating 8 of 10

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

The continuation of Bourne movies brings a new hero Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner). He tries to get free from another people changing project that involves drugs. He asks for help  Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz).
This movie keeps in style of Bourne movies,secret project by a government and chases after an escapee. The movie has gain by involving Jeremy Renner. I also appreciate non-shaking camera which was annoying in the last Bourne movie.
Rating 7 of 10

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Eight years after the death of Dent, Gotham is shattered by a new terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy). Batman (Christian Bale) feels compelled to help police to deal with Bane.
The movie has a great story line with unexpected twists. However, at times it drags and the movie would have gained with some cuts. The movie has a great cast Anne Hathaway as Cat woman,  Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a policeman Blake,  Marion Cottilard as Miranda.
It's a good end to a Batmaniade.
Rating 8 of 10

Hope Springs (2012)

A middle age couple has a marriage crisis. Kay (Meryl Streep) wants to regain passion in her relationship with her husband Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) and turns for a help to a marriage counselor Dr.Field (Steve Carell).
Meryl Streep looks very convincing as an average middle age wife. Everything about her tells that she is just like one of us.  Only she has this never fading annoying smile on her face. Tommy Lee Jones' Arnold is an opposite to her wife, always grumpy.
It's an average relationship movie but at list for a change it is about an older couple.
Rating 6 of 10

Les adieux a la reine (2012)

It's the summer of 1793. The first days of the French Revolution. The movie looks at he events through the eyes of a devoted  Mary Antoinette's( Diane Kruger)  reader Sidonie (Lea Seydoux).
The movie has a beautiful actor work. You almost can sense the tension in the air. tension in people's relationships, tension between nation and aristocracy.
Rating 8 of 10

Brave (2012)

I believe that the main criteria to judge a kids' movie is by kids reaction to it. My kids sat all cartoon with eyes wide open which does not happen often. They did not want anything go by unnoticed.
Princess Merida goes against her mother's will to marry one of the sons of Scottish clans. In order, to change her fate she asks for help a witch. Her action creates a turmoil in the kingdom. Only with bravery she can undo what she has done.
The cartoon has a plot that does not try please grownups as many cartoons do now but follows its line to tell a meaningful massage. The animation is powerful and beautiful. Characters are powerful and loveable. The cartoon has a good dose of fun to make the massage light.
Rating 10 of 10

Total Recall (1990; 2012)

First I saw the new version of the movie. Then I found out that this is a remake and found the first version. I have to agree with many that plot the new movie does not bring anything new. The main difference is in characters and use of special effects. The older version is much more gruesome and  bloodier but uses many effects for the time . The new version uses loads of digital effects that are nothing new in today's standards.
Talking about the main charater, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Hauser/Dag is very unsympathetic character. It's hard to feel for him. At moments itš what is needed but even at the end he still does not convinced that he has changed. While Colin Farrell's Hauser/ Dag is so nice that you never believe that he actually has planned all this and in a process has changed. With Farrell evil part in Dag was not convincing.
The new version also gave more role to women. But even in her shorter appearance Sharon Stone was much better Lori then Kate Beckinsale. You could feel in every action of Stone's Lori that she is out to kill this guy.
Was there need to remake Total Recall ? No, not really. The new one did not bring in anything worse to remember it for.If the first one is between the top movies of it's time, then this one is very average, soon to be forgotten movie.
Rating 8 of 10 and 5 of 10.

2 Days in New York (2012)

Few years later after 2 Days in Paris  we find Marion (Julie Delpy) divorced, with a kid and a new boyfriend Mingus (Chris Rock) in New York. Marion is unsuccessfully artist who is ready to sell her soul. Her family has come to visit her for the exhibition.
Cultural misunderstandings is an excellent base for a good comedy. You set French and Americans in one place and laughs are guarantied.
Rating 7 of 10

Cosmopolis (2012)

What a disappointment! Long since I have seen such a boring movie. The idea of movie may have been great but execution of it was painful. For the last ten minutes in my mind I was begging to kill Pattinson that this boredom would end.  Robert Pattinson played perfectly Eric Packer, boring and emotionless. Every one else had a minor appearance.  Most dialogs seemed theatrical and meaningless.
A young billionaire goes through the city in his white limo yo get a hair cut. During this journey his life falls apart, he looses everything money, wife and life (?)
Rating 2 of 10

The Angels' Share (2012)

I went to this movie because I was in Edinburgh and what movie can be better then one happening in Scotland.
Robbie (Paul Brannigan) , a young dad, has to serve community service. There he meets Harry (John Henshaw), a whiskey connoisseur, who takes him to a whiskey distillery. Robbie becomes interested in a whiskey world when he comes up with a plan. He and three of his pals start a dangerous adventure...
Angesl' Share is a sweat comedy with lots of very funny moments.
Rating 8 of 10 

Magic Mike (2012)

I was trying to remember was there anything that cough my attention in this movie. Have to admit hardly anything except the nice body of Channing Tatum.
Mike is a carpenter and a male stripper. On a building site he meets Adam (Alex Pettyfer) who is young and no good at anything. Mike invites Adam along to strip bar where Adam gets into business as the Kid. Adam starts the dangerous way of night life and gets in trouble.
Rating 4 of 10

Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter (2012)

Another vampire movie is out. This movie is a mix of fantasy and history. I wouldn't be surprised that in few years teachers in school will receive essays on Lincoln as a vampire hunter.
Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) as a boy sees how a vampire kills his mother. As a young man he meets Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper) who teaches him how to hunt vampires. In time Lincoln's zeal against vampires turns from active action into political action. However, he vampires never leave him.
The movie is quite entertaining, may be because at times it is stupid and laughable such as scenes on train and hunt for Jack Barts. There is nothing really to praise it for. It is neither good or bad.
Rating 4 of 10

What to Expect When You're Expeting (2012)

Five different couples are going through an expectation time. Jules' (Cameron Diaz) pregnancy moves her relationship with her boyfriend Evan (Matthew Morison) too fast. Holly (Jennifer Lopez) tries to adopt a baby while her husband Alex (Rodrigo Santaro) joins dad's support group (this group is one of the funniest moments in the movie). Rosie (Anna Kendrick) and Marco (Chace Crawford) get pregnant before their relationship has really started. Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) after many years of trying has become pregnant but her husband Gary (Ben Falcone) competes with his father Ramsey(Dennis Quaid) whose young wife Skyler (Brooklyn Decker) has become easily pregnant with twins.
It's a nice no brainier comedy with many cliches.
Rating 5 of 10

The Hunger Games (2012)

The novel The Hunger Games is exiting, griping, imaginative. When I went to the movie I expected the same but was disappointed. The movie was a weak shadow of the book.  It follows the plot of the book quite closely but misses on many important details to make sense of the happenings and poorly shows the inner life of heroes. If books focus on a very complex relationship between Katniss and Peeta makes the reader turn pages one after other, than relationship between Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence)and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) in the movie is so poorly showed that leaves one with the question what exactly is their relationship about? Honestly, if I haven't read the book I would have had trouble to understand most of the movie.
Rating 4 of 10

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Five high schoolers go for a weekend to a cabin in the woods. However, the fun weekend turns into horror.
I am not a fan of horror movies, but this one was quite clever. Instead of usual sickening creatures that do not make you shiver from horror but disgust the few intelligent and unexpected twists and turns.
Rating 8 of 10

Dark Shadows (2012)

In a true style of Tim Burton, crazy, weird, bizarre. A vampire Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) in 18th century is imprisoned by a witch. In 1972 he is freed. Barnabas tries to restore a previous glory of his family.
Although I like both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp this time their co-project was quite poor. The movie had some funny moments but by the end it got boring.
Rating 5 of 10

Prometheus (2012)

People want to explain their origin. For most being created by God is not acceptable.Here aliens come handy. Prometheus works on this assumption.
Group of scientists on a spaceship "Prometheus" go on a mission somewhere in universe to find origin of mankind. However, each of scientists have their own agenda. Dr.Shaw (Noomi Rapace) wants to find have mankind was created. An artificial intellect David (Michael Fassbender) works for his master to find how recreate him. Meredith Vicker's (Charlize Theron) agenda is not clear (maybe to destroy her father?) Everyone else has a secondary role. Then their mission goes wrong and trouble starts.
This movie failed on the start and the end, both did not make much sense.The best performance was by Michael Fassbender, everyone else had an average performance.So in all there was nothing to really hang on to call it a good or a bad movie, it was an average move soon to be forgotten.
Rating 5 of 10

Bel Ami (2012)

Based on French novelist Guy de Maupassant's work with the same title. A poor young soldier Georges Duroy (Robert Pattinson) with a help of a friend becomes a journalist. Next, he builds his career by charming wealthy women, Clotilde (Christina Ricci), Madeleine (Uma Thurman), and Virginie (Kristin Scott Thomas).
The movie has a wonderful cast. Pattinson's empty, cold  eyes against the passion of women. Ricci's Clotilde is flirtatious, Thurman's Madeleine is clever and independent, and Scott Thomas' Virginie desperate.
Rating 8 of 10 

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

This is a better attempt to picture the well-known fairytale than "Mirror Mirror." However, it also missed the appropriateness for children. Somehow these attempts have lost the main point of a fairytale, to teach children about the nature of this world.
The queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) is very beautiful, cold and evil. Although, a peek in her past makes a movie viewer to have some empathy for her.  Snow White (Kristen Stewart) is beautiful as well but she all the time has very concerned face. Even at the end she does not look happy. The prince has been replaced by the Huntsmen(Chris Hemsworth) who is a vague shadow of "princes" of romantic movies.
Beautiful visuals have made up for poor screenplay.
Rating 5 of 10

The Dictator (2012)

Sacha Baron Cohen again plays on an edge of vulgarity (and should say often falls off). He laughs in our face about things we see around and talk about. This time his jokes hit terrorism, feminism, tolerance, Eco-shops, handicap, race etc. You feel all the time like you are laughing about something you should not laugh about.
The main character is the dictator of Wadiya (Sacha Baron Cohen) who goes to USA and has "Roman holidays."
Rating 6 of 10

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

A sheik Muhammed (Amr Waked) thinks that it's possible to create a place for salmon fishing in the middle of a dessert. It's not only a rich man's  whimsical wish, he believes that his project will enrich his people.On sheik's behalf his financial consultant Harriet ( Emily Blunt) approaches a fishing specialist Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor). Dr.Jones deems the project as impossible however when a government gets involved he has to take the project on. And in time many impossibilities prove to be possible.  
A romantic comedy that does not follow all the usual patterns of  romantic movie which makes it pleasant not sickly sweet. The plot is unpredictable with some unexpected twists. Play of actors, witty and insightful dialogs and director's Lasse Hallstrom touch have created a very good film.
Rating 8 of 10

Dokumentālists (2011)

Director Ivars Zviedris puts himself as a main character besides his heroine "Ķemeru witch" Inta by picturing his relationship with her in a year time. Inta is a lady with a Character, strong opinions and juicy language.  Some of her conversations are so funny that throw the whole cinema in laughter. Zviedrs not only pictures Inta but lets us see process of filming which usually is hidden from our eyes. At times question rises of how far a documentalist intervene in a life of a hero and when he has to stop? Where is a border?
One of my favorite pictures of this year.
Rating 10 of 10

The Raven (2012)

"The Raven" is attempt to explain Edgar Allan Poe's death. Poe (John Cusack)  returns to Baltimore in order to marry Emily Hamilton (Alice Eve). Baltimore has been shocked by gruesome murders that are inspired by Poe's works. Detective Fields (Luke Evans) asks Poe's help. Poe's fiance Emily is abducted by the killer.
The movie is a mix of biography and detective based in Poe's works. The movie keeps one is suspense the whole time. John Cusack does amazing job playing Poe. His Poe is intense and obsessive.
Only thing that did not make sense was the end. Stopping at the death of Poe would have made much better end.
Rating 8 of 10

Mirror Mirror (2012)

The last year the Red Riding Hood came out, now has come time for Snow White.  This time the authors focus has fallen more on the evil stepmother ( Julia Roberts), although it's hard to call her evil. She is rather an aging woman who is obsessed with keeping her youth (isn't it familiar?)
The story is so well known that there is no need to repeat it.  The main change is making Snow White a rebel princess.
The movie hangs on the performance of Julia Roberts. She is witty and seems to enjoy herself. Everything else, storyline, special effects, characters, are a bit lame. And the last dance in Indian style was really silly.
Rating 4 of 10

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Movie's colors, noise and crowed bring a flavor of India on a screen. It's so realistic that seems that one can also taste and smell what one sees. This and a great cast are two best assets of this movie.
Seven British retirees, each for their own reasons, go to India. They hope to find  a modern place to stay but find themselves in a hotel "in making." However, this new experience brings transformation to their lives.
It's a joy to watch Judi Dench and Maggie Smith playing. They are two brilliant actresses from the older generation that always perform incredibly. This movie is not an exception.   
Rating 7 of 10

Hysteria (2011)

Forget about creating of vibrator and this is a good old style comedy. Young doctor Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) becomes a partner to an older doctor Robert Dalrymple (Jonathan Pryce) in curing hysteria. After while Mortimer's hand fails to cure and he loses his job. Of course, there is love story as well. First he fall for the youngest daughter Emily (Felicity Jones) who is obedience and goodness itself but at the end his heart falls for the spirited and rebellious Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal).
The movie offers good laugh and what else can be asked from a comedy.
Rating 7 of 10

Cilvēki tur (2012)

A young director Aik Karapetjan has made a provocative movie about social issues in Latvia. It was so realistic that gave me shivers. I know so little about lives of people who are not from my social circle! This movie provoke to open my eyes and be more tolerant.
Two friends Yan and Kreker spend their lives stealing, fighting,drinking and walking around. One day Yan sees a girl from "golden youth" and falls for her. However, the social barrier is too big.
The best of made in Latvia in the last years. Well done, actual and provocative.
Rating 9 of 10

A Dangerous Method (2011)

The movie is on the birth of psychoanalysis.  Two nowadays well-known psychoanalysts Freud (Viggo Martensen) and Jung (Michael Fassbender) have a complicated relationship. They first meet because young Jung has taken a patient with horrible hysteria Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley). Jung tries to cure her by listening and talking and his method is a success. However, his relationship with Sabina oversteps a border and they become lovers.
The movie has great play by three star actors. Keira Knightley is just brilliant. It has beautiful set.  However, there is a sense of luck. What exactly the movie is about? Relationship between Freud and Jung? But then it does not go deep enough and does not develop it. Maybe about how far is too far in relationship between a doctor and patient? But then again the story line kinda hang around but does not go in depth.
Rating 7 of 10

The Descendants (2011)

Matt King (George Clooney), a layer who owns a desirable piece land in Hawaii, has a wife in coma and two daughters, Scottie who shocks her classmates by showing pictures of her mom in coma and Alex who has teenage problems. Matt finds that he has not known either his wife or daughters. He tries to deal with his wife's affair and reestablish relationship with daughters as well as understand to sell or not the land.
Brilliant performance by George Clooney. Extra points to him for not shying off of playing uncool guys.
Rating 8 of 10

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

Another movie based on a true story (how does few sentences in a local newspaper can be called a true story? it's rather idea taken from life.) An adventure journalist Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) has lost his wife. In order to get a change for himself and his two children Dylan and Rosie he buys a house with a zoo. Attempt to save the zoo brings light and meaning  into the life of the family.
This is very sweet and cute movie. It follows all the good advices for a family movie: cute animals, a line of grownup and children love story, sweet memories of  the dead, simple and sentimental with the good end.
The movie has a great soundtrack by Jonsi. It's unbelievable good for this kind of movie. I have listened to it  many times and each time it gets more enjoyable.
Rating 7 of 10

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Marilyn Monro (Michelle Williams) films in Sir Laurence Olivier's movie "The Prince and The Showgirl" in London. Filming gets overwhelming because of Marilyn's little self-confidence. she finds a friend in the third director's assistant Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne).
Michelle Williams is a star of the movie. She excellently shows femininity, vulnerability and genius of Merilyn Monro.  
Rating 8 of 10.

The Iron Lady (2011)

What was that movie about?About old Margaret Thacher who tries to get rid of the presence of her late husband? I honestly did not expect that most of the movie will be about her old days. I hoped that the movie will show of her role in the history. All those snippets she remembered did not tell much about her way in politics and her influence. I have to say I was disappointed not only in the movie but in Meryl Streep as well. She as not convincing.
Rating 4 of 10.

Puss in Boots (2011)

Shrek's friend Puss in Boots has got his own story. Years before meeting Shrek Puss in Boots  had to restore his good name. Humor and good animation makes this movie quite enjoyable. I found the plot of the movie boring.
Rating 6 of 10

Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

The movie has the same well known plot, good guys have to stop bad guys and in order to do that they have to turn to tricks, of course, the best is Tom Cruise climbing Burj Khalifa glass walls.
Rating 5 of 10

The Ides of March (2011)

Is loyalty and honesty possible in politics? Question asked often and most of the times answer is "No". And The Ides of March agree with it.

Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) helps to run a presidential campaign of governor Morris (George Clooney). A mistake almost ends his career, but he gets to know a scandalous secret of the governor and....the next you can guess easily.

Gosling shows an excellent play. In the last few month he has become one of my favorite actors. He is not only handsome but he also plays brilliantly.

Rating 8 of 10.

One Day (2011)

Dexter (Jim Sturgess) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) spend July 15 together. We follow how their lives change in the next 20 years by observing how they spend July 15 either together or by themselves.

I should say that i was a bit disappointed because I expected their real meetings, feelings, growth of friendship. These meetings were too superficial.

Rating 6 of 10.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his friend Dr. Watson (Jude Law) are fighting the rising evil in a person of Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris).
Guy Ritchie has used the same style he is known for: closeups, slow motion, sepia colours and thrill. I loved his style in one of his first movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and I still love it. But I have to admit that it was all that I liked in Sherlock.
Rating 6 of 10.

The Vow (2012)

One more romantic movie to your chick-flick list. Leo (Channing Tatum) and Page (Rachel McAdams)  are a happy couple when an accident happens and Page looses memory of her last years. Leo tries to win her back by reminding their happy moments together and later starting all for new.
Because the story is based on a true story it is even more enjoyable.
Rating 8 of 10  

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Back in 70's when the West and the Soviet Union were under the Cold war, spies were of extreme importance. UK intelligence suspects that one of their top people works for the Soviet Union.  Smiley (Gary Oldman), an old spy, gets a task to find the enemy.
The movie is made in a good style of old spy movies with intrigue and suspense. But instead of masculine, handsom heroes we follow a group of old spies who do not trust anyone, drink too much, are very lonely. At time the film is painfully slow. However, the director has captured the mood of the time exelently.
Rating 8 of 10

War Horse (2011)

A teenage farmer boy Albert (Jeremy Irvine) falls in love with a horse Joey. When in WWI Joey is sold to the cavalry, Albert volunteers in the army in order to find his horse.
Steven Spielberg has created ac movie that seems to come from 60's. Colours, plot,scenes,  characters, ways of acting and talking reminded a good old movie. Most main characters except the horse Joey were played by children. If not violent war scenes the movie could be rated as children's. Spielberg knows all the right buttons to make one emotional and teary. In conclusion, the movie was too sweet, too predictable, too childish.
Rating 5 of 10.

Sebbe (2010)

A Swedish movie tells about a middle class family. A teenage boy Sebastian is bullied in a school. His mother Eva does a low paid job and likes beer too much. Sebbe likes to create things from a garbage such as a motorbike. Conflicts with mom and continues bulling in the school leads boy to the edge.
The movie realistically pictures teenage life and makes think of where things go wrong and how it could have been prevented.
Rating 8 of 10.

Exam (2009)

Eight candidates are taking a final exam in order to get a dream job. They have eighty minutes to answer one question. The question is what is the question?
The  movie has a very promising start but in time the excitement dies away. The solution was not satisfying. Sad that a script with a very good potential had a very weak culmination.
Rating 6 of 10

Night Night Blessings

By Amy Parker , illustrated by Marijan Ramljak
Published by Thomas Nelson

Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker is a beautiful children’s bedtime prayer book.  Blessings stated by Amy Parker, the author, are simple, funny and appropriate for small children. Marijan Ramljak, the illustrator, has created a colorful and delightful painting for each blessing.

My children love to browse through the book and pick a blessing appropriate for their feelings of that day. Hard pages of the book make this task easy and enjoyable. Especially they like to look at pictures carefully. Their favorite character is a little toy giraffe that appears in several pictures.

The pictures are paintings in calm and pastel colors. The illustrator has managed to add softness to his paintings. Each picture has beautiful, well-painted details.

Blessings remind of all kinds of daily situations that every kid experiences, meals, friends, family, pets, toys, bedtime. These blessings are good start for kids to form prayers in their own words. 

My kids defiantly would love to share Night Nigh Blessings with their friends. If you like artistic children’s books this one is for you. My kids and I would give five stars to this book.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson’s Booksneeze program but I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

The Girl with the Dragon Tatto (2011)

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is asked to find truth about the disappearance of Harriet Vanger forty years ago. During investigation he is joined by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), who is a hacker.
This movie has the most amazing begging where music and computer graphic leaves unforgettable impression. These few minutes alone are worth whole movie. Movie's soundtrack is so well created that gives one more dimension to the movie.
Rooney Mara is great choice for Lisbeth. Her play is honest, powerful and memorable.
This is the movie in a category of 'must see.'
Rating 10 of 10.

Coriolanus (2011)

Based on a play of William Shakespeare the movie is set in today's world. Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), a war hero in Rome, is banished by his people. In revenge he allies with his greatest enemy.
Shakespearean lines and plot felt out of place in the modern setting. It seemed too theatrical. However, Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave as mother, showed brilliant play of dramatical actors.
Rating 6 of 10.

The Rum Diary (2011)

Based on a novel of a journalist Hunter.S. Thompson the movie pictures young journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) who takes freelance in a financially troubled local newspaper in Puerto Rico in 1950s. Kemp finds himself between self-destructive colleagues who most of their days spend drinking rum.
Beauty of Puerto Rico and charm of Johnny Depp make the movie endurable otherwise it is quite poor.
Rating 5 of 10.

Carnage (2011)

Two parents meet to solve a conflict between their kids. They start out as polite and intelligent people but during their intercourse emotions rise and we find four raging people.
Roman Polanski has chosen an excellent cast, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly against Kate Winslet  and  Cristoph Waltz. Foster and Winslet very good show how calm and civilized ladies turn into chimers.
Rating 9 of 10

Kolka Cool (2011)

One of the best movies made in Latvia I have seen in a while. Director Juris Poskus pictures board, aimless youth walking around a little coastal village. Three guys Andza, Boga and Balais spend their days killing time by drinking beer, smoking, picking fights and chewing sunflower seeds. Andza wants to merry Simona who is not sure of Andza. Day after day nothing really happens. . The film is so real that makes me sad. I have seen many similar scenarios.
Rating 8 of 10.