Reviews and Editing by R. Allen Leider
with CJ Henderson, Andrew Johnson and Monis Rose

January 20th, 2012

"Underworld Awakening "

Lovers of butt-kicking women in tight leather outfits: rejoice! Kate Beckinsale is returning to the black leather bodysuit that made her an action icon, confirming a rumor that was floating around months ago. She will once again plays vampire agent Selene. In the years since she and her human-lycan lover, Michael, defeated Elder Marcus, vampire warrior Selene (Kate Beckinsale) has been taken captive by humans while they wage an all-out war against both lycans and vampires. Awakening after more than a decade, Selene discovers that Michael is dead, but that she has given birth to his daughter, Eve. Shunned by nearly all surviving vampires save one (Theo James), even Selene seems powerless against her latest opponent: a genetically enhanced lycan.

The Players: Kate Beckinsale, Charles dance, Stepghen Rea, Michael Ealy and India Eisley

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Mans Morland and Bjorn Stein
Screenplay by
Released by Universal Pictures

"Haywire"

Mallory Kane ( Gina Carano) is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive. Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious--and dangerous--trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she'll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary.

The Players: Gina Carano, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, and Bill Paxton

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Screenplay by Lem Dobbs

Released by Warner Brothers Pictures

"Coriolanus"

Arguably Shakespeare's bloodiest play, this versionin modern dress..
Caius Martius 'Coriolanus' (Ralph Fiennes), a revered and feared Roman General is at odds with the city of Rome and his fellow citizens. Pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, he is loath to ingratiate himself with the masses whose votes he needs in order to secure the office. When the public refuses to support him, Coriolanus's anger prompts a riot that culminates in his expulsion from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the city.

The Players: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Cox, and Jessica Chastain

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Ralph Fiennes
Screenplay by
Released by The Weinstein Company

"Red Tails"

The thrilling true story of the Tuskegee Airmen buzzes to the big screen in this epic war adventure from executive producer George Lucas and first-time feature director Anthony Hemingway. In the fire and chaos of World War II, the U.S. military recruits a fearless group of African-American fighter pilots to help reclaim the skies over Europe. Discriminated against both as citizens and as soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen take flight in planes distinguished by distinctive red tails, and fight to defeat the tyranny of the Axis powers. As a result of their bravery, the pilots emerge as true heroes, and prove that all men are truly created equal

The Players: Cuba Gooding Jr., Gerald McRaney, Terrence Howard, Method man, Ne-Yo and David Oyelowo

The Filmmakers:

Directed by Anthony Hemingway, George Lucas (reshoots)

Screenplay by John Ridley
Released by Twentieth Century Fox