Couples Retreat
More dismal fare from Vince Vaughn and friends with dreary jokes about frustrated, lecherous middle-aged males and would-be auto-eroticism. The thinking behind this movie? Hey folks, let’s put a few attractive babes on a cute holiday island surrounded by palm trees, throw in some eye-candy for the guys and we’ll have a sure fire hit. Actually, a hopeless dud. 2/10
 
The Proposal
Another misfire comedy.  I can’t even remember how it ended. Surely Sandra Bullock can find better material than this? 2/10
  
The Dark Knight
What was the big deal over this movie? Christian Bale’s screechy performance was like hearing fingernails scratching a blackboard for two-and-a-half hours. Strictly for kids and those of rather immature mindset. The late Heath Ledger was good, however. 3/10
 
Last Chance Harvey
Older man facing personal and professional rejection is reinvigorated by fleeting affair with Emma Thompson. Dustin Hoffman walks through this one, looking like he’s reading his lines off a clipboard. He and Thompson are hopelessly mismatched. And why do filmmakers persist in portraying London as such a safe and charming city, whereby you can sit outside all night long in the West End. That might have been the case in 1985 but not anymore. A dangerously misleading film.  4/10
 
Elegy
Another clichéd, dirty old man falls for sexy young girl story. Why not the other way round? When will Hollywood challenge clichés? I have an idea for a movie, young man falls for older woman - Jude Law falls for Helen Mirren perhaps?- and nurses her through Alzheimer’s. Penelope Cruz is always worth viewing, however. But for far better treatment of a similar subject, see Venus with Peter O’Toole.  5/10
 
Whatever Works
Woody Allen movies also have a few laughs but Larry David over-acted terribly in the ‘Allen’ role, screaming all his lines in a one-note hysterical tirade. Why didn’t Allen rein him in? Note again the ubiquity of old man falling for younger girl storyline. Nice fantasy for older men to find a young girl curled up on your doorstep, though.  5/10
 
Veronica Wants To Die
Starts off rather poorly with inaudible soundtrack but improves with time, becoming a life-affirming message, although the Thewlis role as hospital psychiatrist was a complete throwaway for me. 6/10
 
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This film looked a dead certainty for the award season until Slumdog Millionaire turned up on the scene. The trouble is it’s too obviously made with one eye on the Oscars. A nice idea but certainly not arresting enough to make it a classic.  7/10
 
The Time Traveller’s Wife
An unexpected bonus, a sweet, charming film with the message that love is eternal, literally. Endearing performance by Rachel McAdams too.  8/10

The Reader
Thought-provoking film about the banality of evil. Kate Winslet’s ex-Nazi is more concerned about her illiteracy and her relationship than her murderous past. Dissolves into a "just obeying orders" episode in court. Good ending and performances, though. I particularly like the dissolution of Winslet’s character in her incarcerated old age, with bloodshot eyes and decaying feet, holding on to love as the only chance for redemption. But love ain’t enough, babe, when you have so much blood on your hands. 8/10

The Hangover
A comedy that actually made me laugh is in itself a major achievement. Introducing Mike Tyson and his pet tiger was a genuinely funny idea.  8/10
 
Gran Turino
Another winner from Clint Eastwood, delivering a tour de force as grumpy, embittered racist war veteran who finds meaning to his life through helping his Korean neighbours. It's all in the handling. 8/10 (This movie worked far better than Eastwood's other movie - Changeling with Angelina Jolie)

Inglourious Basterds
My choice for movie of the year - funny, melodious, sometimes mock-frightening in the inimitable Tarantino style, winking at the audience. Standout performance from Christoph Waltz as evil Nazi personified, surely a shoo-in for an Oscar? Brad Pitt is also unexpectedly good. A Jewish revenge fantasy, sadly not true, but still riveting. Nice touches of sadistic humour and a beautiful film to look at too. 9/10