The Artist: fantastically charming

It's hard not to have high expectations given its 10 Oscar nominations.  And even with the built-in expectations inherent in that, I still came out impressed by the movie.   And this goes beyond the fact that it managed to tell a story without words, never mind primary colors (... I am a sucker for technicolor). With just the right notes of music and a sly smile from a Frenchman, I was thoroughly engrossed in every scene.  Comical yet realistically emotional, this silent film reminds me of what a compelling story can communicate to an audience, without the need for the excessive add-ons we have become accustomed to these days.  Engaging and delightful, this film is for anyone who can use 2 hours to escape from their lives and enjoy some good ol' fashion entertainment.
Verdict: A must see (Buzzworthy)

We Bought a Zoo: touchingly corny

Similar to the Descendants, it's the story of a man trying to re-define his life and his family with the loss of his wife.  However, without the critical acclaim... and some tigers. And no infidelity. But add in Scarlett Johansson.  So, in summary, nothing like it.  In fact, I found this story to be more engaging than the subtle Descendants.  While it is a bit over-the-top on the sap factor, the discovery on how to connect and how to cope with a loss made this an enjoyable film (and the use of cute baby animals).
Verdict: A holiday picker-upper (Matinee)

Red Tails: good... enough

I was definitely one of those people who jumped on the pro-black stories band wagon (similar to the rationale I used to see the Help).  And given that it was a pseudo-war movie, I figured it would naturally lend itself to drama beyond issues of race.  I was wrong.  From the angry one to the wise-crackin' southern one, we have every one-dimensional black man you can find.  The film is also chock-full of unbelievable death-defying acts (... not in a good way), that both undermine the spirit of the film and belittle the struggle of the soldiers.  And it felt soooo long.  So while it ends with a triumphant victory for the novel and groundbreaking endeavor of the Tuskegee program, the charactured journey presented in the film left it wanting.
Verdict: A Nice-to-have (Amazon Prime)

The Descendants: almost forgettable

I appreciate a good human story as much as the next person, with one simple crisis to face.  The focus in this film shifts from a chain of events to the characters and how they react and evolve to the simple problem.  In this case, it's about a man struggling to unite his family, discovering what paradise in Hawaii truly means.  Of course you have the disgruntle teenager, the offbeat adolescent, and the absent workaholic father, trying to define how to get along in the world.  At the end of the day, it's a good family story, but not re-inventive enough to stand the test of time.
Verdict: when you're in the mood (Rent)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: conformingly raw

If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend because it may be easier to brace for what's coming, when you know what you're looking for.  I appreciate how closely the film was adapted, given its strong violence-against-women theme.  Though it is harder to handle in film than in a book (with a lack of imagination and an ability to skip pages), the underlying mystery was just as captivating.  And Rooney Mara was as awesome and maladjusted as I expected Lisbeth to be on the screen.
Verdict: It's the holiday's sensation (see it!)

Super 8: scary and endearing

It really is like E.T. for the 21^st century.  Though movie kids today are more skeptical and rebellious than they were 20 years ago (no one befriends an alien and hides it in the closet), it is similar nonetheless.  This was a surprising revelation since I knew nothing about this film when I saw it (a practice I highly recommend—thank you J.J. Abrams).  The one thing I appreciated the most about this film was the lack of deliberate killings.  Yeah, accidents happen when something breaks lose from a  military train, but things started disappearing more so than dying, making it even more appropriate for the kiddies who enjoy a good suspense.
Verdict: Novel enough (Netflix)