MY 2011 MOVIE GUIDE AND RATINGS

Here is My 2011 Movie Guide & Ratings (in alphabetical order).

The rating is based on how I enjoyed the movies and how good I think the movies were. And this is how MyRating works:

  YYYYY = EXCELLENT
  YYYY     = VERY GOOD
  YYY          = GOOD
  YY              = FAIR
  Y                   = BAD

    BOO...       = EXTREMELY BAD

I will keep updating this list from time to time to make a complete guide of all the 2011 movies that I've watched. Hope you enjoy reading and find it useful in digging movies worth watching for, and eventually spend your good time with the movies. If you happen to share the same feeling with most of my thoughts, then we possibly may have the same taste in movies. I love movies! No, it's my addiction. Have a good time at the cinema. (MJ)

50/50 (2011)

MyRating: YYYYY / [A+]

Director: Jonathan Levine

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston
MPAA: Rated R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use

A moving and heartwarming drama-comedy about a 27-year-old radio journalist, Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who is diagnosed with a rare spinal cancer and finds out that he has only 50/50 chance to live. Supported by people who close to him, his beautiful artist girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard), his best friend (Seth Rogen), his controlling mother (Anjelica Huston) and an inexperienced young therapist (Anna Kendrick), while he is going through treatments to cure his disease, Adam learns the important lessons about life and relationship, on who really cares for him and what matters him the most, as his time is ticking. The lessons that change him and his life forever. A beautiful and powerful story, funny and sad at times, with an inspiring friendship and good best-buddy chemistry between Gordon-Levitt and Rogen, that will definitely make you smile. Good performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who portrayed a sympathetic character with a calm and collected personality, but has his moment of emotional outburst when things get rough. While Seth Rogen was funny and basically playing himself, as the movie was inspired by the true story of how Rogen and his real-life pal Will Reiser, the screenwriter of this movie, dealt with Reiser's cancer diagnosis in the past. A thoughtful movie that will deeply touch your heart. An example of a smart screenplay that made a brilliant movie. Definitely one of the best and one of my favorite movies of 2011.

MONEYBALL (2011)

MyRating: YYYY1/2 / [A]

Director: Bennett Miller

Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hofffman, Robin Wright
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some strong language

Brad Pitt gave a wonderful performance in this baseball drama based on a  true story as Billy Beane, the general manager of Oakland Athletics, who changes the history on how a baseball team competes, when he assembles a competitive team based on sabermetric approach by using statistical data in evaluating and scouting the undervalued good players, so as to overcome the financial constraint of their club in paying high salaries. He hires Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a bright young graduate from Yale as assistant, whom believes and convinces Beane that such philosophy and approach is the key to form a successful team. It is not and never easy though, as they still have to prove that what they do will bring in success. But the history stated a 20 consecutive wins in the 2002 season and an American League record. The very well-written adapted screenplay and the good performances made this movie an enjoyable to watch. Brad Pitt's convincing acting and interesting character, as the headstrong and temperamental leader, is the heart and soul of this movie. His charisma shined throughout the movie. Jonah Hill was good in his serious role here, out of his usual comedic typecasting. While Philip Seymour Hoffman was also a pleasure to watch as the field manager Art Howe, who is unhappy with Beane's approach. A wonderfully told and inspiring biographical sports movie.

MYMOVIE CRITIC - REVIEWING MOVIES FROM THE AUDIENCE'S STANDPOINT