Arthur Christmas
Directed by Sarah Smith
UK 2001
98 minutes
Rated G
Turns out the Claus family is a North Pole dynasty and the most recent descendants have used the latest technological advancements to automate and streamline the gift-giving tradition. Trouble is, young Gwen Hines of Cornwall, UK, has been overlooked and her pink bike has not been delivered. Leave it to awkward young Arthur to uncover the old sled and rouse the reindeer into action. With the halls decked and the screen alight with British stars James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton and Michael Palin, the talented folks at Aardman Animation (Wallace and Gromit) have gift-wrapped a timeless classic for the whole family. Recommended.
(Dec 27-30 & Jan 2-5)

Café de flore
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee
Canada 2011
120 minutes
Rated 14A (nudity, sexual content)
The acclaimed director of C.R.A.Z.Y., returns with another music-infused and -inspired film. It is a tale of two seemingly different stories. One, set in present-day Montreal, spins around the life of Antoine (Kevin Parent), a successful DJ trying to find balance among his girlfriend, Rose, his two daughters and his ex-wife, Carole. The second story follows Jacqueline (Vanessa Paradis), a single mother whose young son has Down Syndrome, and who lives in Paris, 1969. As the two stories intensify, it appears that there may be a deeper, karmic connection between Carole and Jacqueline. Narratively complex, sexually charged and emotionally intense, Café de flore is a visually gorgeous work from this accomplished, young Montreal director. French with subtitles. (Jan 27-31)

Carnage
Directed by Roman Polanski
Germany/France/Poland/Spain 2011
80 minutes
Rated 14A (mature theme, coarse language)
Roman Polanski steers a diverse and highly-talented cast featuring Jodie Foster, John C Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christof Waltz in this adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s hit Broadway drama. Following a violent after-school altercation between two boys, their parents agree to meet and deal with the issue. What begins as a civil gathering between four adults in a comfortable New York apartment quickly unravels into a verbal quagmire of innuendo, accusations, distrust and, finally, anti-social mayhem. Carnage swiftly parts the curtains of social decorum that shroud the real thoughts, judgments and motivations of these characters and, perhaps, ourselves. Sit back and enjoy the thespian craftsmanship and the emotional fireworks, just remember to duck if a dish comes flying your way. Recommended. (Jan 20-Feb 2)

The Help
Directed by Tate Taylor
USA 2011
145 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme, not recommended for children)
The Help, Kathryn Stockett’s immensely popular novel of race relations in the American deep south during the early 1960s, has been adapted for the screen. Emma Stone plays Skeeter Phelan, a privileged socialite who writes a newspaper column—with the assistance of servants Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer)—featuring the stories of African American domestic workers. Viola Davis could well be the frontrunner for this year’s Best Actress Oscar in this film, which also features Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen and Sissy Spacek. (Jan 14,15)

Hugo
Directed by Martin Scorcese
USA 2011
126 minutes
Rated PG (some scary scenes)
The Globe and Mail’s Liam Lacey begins his  rave review of Hugo, “Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be amazed!” Indeed, Martin Scorcese’s adaptation of Brian Selznick’s 2007 illustrated children’s novel (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) is a delightfully intricate and creative journey into the world of imagination, set in Paris, during the earliest days of cinema. Hugo witnesses the birth of filmmaking, as it should be seen, with youthful vigor and an eye for magic. Recommended for young (9+) and older. (Feb 1, 2)

The Ides of March
Directed by George Clooney
USA 2011
98 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language)
Director (and co-star) George Clooney takes us behind the scenes of the political speeches and photo ops to the back rooms where strategies are decided and campaigns are made. Ryan Gosling stars as Stephen Meyers, the rising star on the campaign team of Presidential hopeful, Gov Mike Morris (Mr Clooney), in this adaptation of Beau Willimon’s stage play, Farragut North. This political thriller also boasts an all-star supporting cast that features, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood. (Jan 11-13)

Like Crazy
Directed by Drake Doremus
USA 2011
89 minutes
Rated 14A (sexual content)
This cross-border love story brings together young American Jacob, and British exchange student Anna. Blissfully indulgent in the throes of their new romance, Anna impetuously overstays her visa and is deported to the UK. With distance, time and the US Immigration Dept between them, Jacob and Anna struggle to bridge the trans-Atlantic distance, make time for each other, and rekindle the intensity and joy of the initial weeks of their romance. Like Crazy captures the sweet tenderness and urgent hunger of young love and the challenges faced when that insular bubble is burst by the harsh realities of the world. The film succeeds on the strength of the naturalistic performances of Felicity Jones (Anna), Anton Yelchin (Jacob) and Jennifer Lawrence, in a smaller, supporting role. (Jan 13-19)

Margin Call
Directed by JC Chandor
USA 2011
107 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language)
In Stephen Cole’s rave  review for the Globe and Mail, he picks Margin Call as “the best movie ever made about Wall Street”. On a shoestring budget of merely $3.5 million, first-time director JC Chandor managed to attract such heavyweights of stage and screen as Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany and Demi Moore. And with the help of other, younger and lesser-known talent, he recreates the Wall Street fiasco of Sept ‘08 as if it were a spy-thriller played out in the shadows. Ultimately, it is your call, but as most advisors are saying, it’s 107 minutes well-worth investing in. Add Margin Call to your portfoloio. (Dec 30-Jan 10)

Moneyball
Directed by Bennett Miller
USA 2011
126 minutes
Rated PG (language may offend)
Moneyball is an entertaining and funny movie that features (at least two) great performances. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the General Manager of the Oakland Athletics and Jonah Hill co-stars as Peter Brand, Mr Beane’s assistant and number-crunching wizard of statistical detail. While the film is set in the world of pro baseball (with a great script by Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin), essentially it’s a story about facing challenges and “thinking outside the box” (or dugout) to get things done. Like modern Davids, Mssrs Beane and Brand use skill and ingenuity to wrestle their way around an army of uber-rich Goliaths that are their competition. (Dec 26-29)

The Muppets
Directed by James Bobin
USA 2011
102 minutes
Rated G
Comic actor, writer and Muppet fan Jason Segel teams with Amy Adams and the world’s most famous felt puppets. After having faded from the public eye, Kermit and the gang mount a revival that re-establishes their Hollywood star status and re-ignites that old Muppet magic. (Jan 21-23 & Jan 28,29)

My Week with Marilyn
Directed by Simon Curtis
UK/US 2011
99 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language)
Looks like Michelle Williams will deservedly earn another Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in this film based on the book by Colin Clark. As a movie-mad 23-year-old, Colin finagled himself a job on the set of Laurence Olivier’s 1956 film production, The Prince and the Showgirl. As the memoir and movie attest, Marilyn took Colin under her wing and for one marvelous, magical and memorable week, the young lad was the best friend of, and intimate confidante to the most famous movie star and sex symbol in the world. Eddie Redmayne co-stars as the eager, young Colin in this entertaining glimpse of movie history. The stellar supporting cast features Kenneth Branagh, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Julia Ormond and Judi Dench. (Dec 26-Jan 8)

Puss in Boots
Directed by Chris Miller
USA 2011
90 minutes
Rated G
Antonio Banderas’ wisecracking, sexy-smooth-talking feline character, Puss in Boots gets his own feature film, which also explains in prequel fashion, how he came to team-up with Shrek. The big green ogre has spun-off another family-friendly comedy franchise. A feline comic foil, with a sword? Ouch. Meeeoooow, touché kitty. (Jan 6-8)

Shame
Directed by Steve McQueen
UK 2011
100 minutes
Rated 18A (nudity, sexual content, coarse language)
Michael Fassbender has arrived to the world of movie stardom. From Steve McQueen’s prior film, Hunger, to the recent Jane Eyre and even a comic book character role, he has proven himself. As Brandon, a wealthy, young, professional, Manhattanite, he consumes the role of a man addicted to the instant and often self-gratifying world of commercial sex, from internet porn to hiring sex-trade pros. Increasingly detached from any emotional commitments, Brandon’s life twists into a downward spiral. Shame takes a direct (full-frontal?) look at one of today’s hot-button issues, of how the emotional side of sexuality is affected by the ubiquitous presence of commodified sex. For those not offended by nudity and simulated sex (there is lots of both), Shame provides an unwavering gaze at sexual dysfunction, featuring an awards-worthy performance. Carey Mulligan (An Education, Drive) co-stars.(Jan 20-26)

Tomboy
Directed by Celine Sciamma
France 2011
80 minutes
Rated PG (not recommended for young children)
When 10-year-old Laure moves with her family to a new suburb on the outskirts of Paris, she is mistaken for a boy. Eager to maintain her new friendships, Laure adopts the name Michael and discovers a new life as a boy. Complication ensues when a girl from the neighbourhood develops a crush on Michael and Laure must enlist the complicity of her younger sister to maintain the ruse. Winner of the Teddy award at the 2011 Berlin Film Fest, Tomboy is a fine film that features a strong lead performance from Zoe Heran, as Laure/Michael and should be considered a must-see for anyone interested in gender and social studies. In French with subtitles. (Jan 16-19)

The Way
Directed by Emilio Estevez
USA 2011
115 minutes
Rated PG (language may offend)
Martin Sheen is Tom, an American eye doctor who travels to France to recover the remains of his son (played in flashbacks, by his son, the director, Emilio Estevez) who met an untimely death while walking the El Camino de Santiago trail. Once in France, Tom decides to walk the trail, also known as The Way of Saint James, to honor his son’s memory. But his journey is marred by the unwanted intrusions of fellow trailblazers. Given time, distance and reflection, Tom gradually sees his world (and his son’s) through different eyes. The Way is a thoughtful and uplifting film about four characters who discover inner transformation, and is recommended for pragmatists and seekers alike. (Dec 26-Jan 12)