The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The prequel to The Lord of the Ring trilogy....

So the book The Fellowship of the Ring is 398 pages long. The book The Two Towers is 327 pages and the book Return of the King is 412 pages long. Each of these books were adapted into an award winning film of some length --178 minutes, 179 minutes, and 201 minutes respectively.

Having presented this information, please explain, why the book The Hobbit, that is only 310 pages long was adapted into 169 minute picture that only covered the first third of the book?

That's right ***spoiler alert*** there are going to be two more. The Hobbit: The Quest for More Money and The Hobbit: Enough Already!

Although the special effects are spectacular the movie itself presents the audience with about 30 minutes of information divided up by 139 minutes worth of battles and landscapes.

For those that are devout fans of the epic stories it is a must see, but for those that are barely enthusiasts. Ehhh.

** 3/4 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for intense violence and frightening images)

Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock searches for his next project. Upon deciding on a horror film, the studio's quickly turn their back on him, leaving him to produce the picture all on his own. The stress of the project not only threatens his career but also his marriage. Determined to prove everyone wrong and see his movie through it's a wonder he didn't go Psycho.

So much fun! Anyone that has seen a Hitchcock film will appreciate this picture. It was creative, crafty, and offered up great homage to the greatest movie of Hitchcock's illustrious career.

Helen Mirren is absolutely amazing as Mrs. Hitchcock, Alma Reville and somewhat overshadows Anthony Hopkins who still gives a spectacular performance.

**** Oscar Worthy

Rated PG-13 (for language, sexual content, and violent images)

Silver Linings Playbook

A man that has been imprisoned for beating up his wife's lover is released from a mental institute into the custody of his parents.  His  delusional efforts to win back his estranged wife lead him to meet Tiffany, a woman with emotional troubles of her own.

An unexpected delight. Very sundancesque in that this is a total character piece. Slow at times and very methodical the story gently unfolds the crazy in everyone on screen.

Fun dialogue and odd ball characters help create this uncomfortable world that everyone hears about but is rarely witnessed.

*** Must See

Rated R (for language and brief nudity)

Rise of the Guardians

Legends unite to protect the children of the world from Pitch, an evil nightmare that hopes to rule the world by keeping children from dreaming and believing.

This was a very creative and clever twist on traditional legendary characters. Santa Claus is a Russian mafioso type, while the Easter Bunny is a rugged Aussie.

They dispose of very time honored myths as well, i.e. the elves are pretty much useless and it is the yetis that do all of the actual toy making and the tooth fairy has an army of little pixies that do her collecting.

It also introduces old characters that children today may have never heard of.  The villain is done very well and is extremely creepy.

Again a very refreshing take on our classic holiday hero's, nevertheless, as inventive as this film is it goes on for about 45 minutes too long. The story dwindles towards the end and most of the audience could be seen checking their watches.

** 1/2 Rentable

Rated PG (thematic elements)