The Help

Wow!
So many great performances, a good script, restrained but firm directing.
And a great story! yes, the modern perspective is there but so is the truth, the humanity and a wonderful film.
Perhaps the best of the year. Emma Stone surprises by her maturity, strength and access to the real central character: played with aplomb, range and confidence, Viola Davis' character is the heart and soul at center. For her award recognition should be certain. For Octavio Spencer, who has risen to another level, and whose character adorns this film. For Howard's daughter, a solid performance.
Will the sparkling role of Chastain be overlooked? It screams authenticity every bit as electric as her all but over the top performance! (In a year where she distinguishes in two other entirely different films with entirely unique performances, nonetheless. She is announced.)
Strong film.
Highly recommended.

Tower Heist

There are some good moments in Brett Ratner's Tower Heist but rarely do they occur often enough to warrant an elevated experience. Five writers Tedd Griffin and rewrite specialist Jeff Nathanson can't really help a good premise with good performances - especially from Eddie Murphy and Alan Alda. Ben Stiller is Ben Stiller - still pedantic. The Stiller vehicle meets Oceans Eleven meets Bernie Madoff and the financial crumble of 2008, our own reality show. Hard to recommend but you'll see much worse.

Anonymous

A brilliant conception scriptwise, while the acting is good, and it moves along like Shakespeare in Love meets some historical drama on TLC or the History Channel, it breaks down as the action comes together in a flood of conclusion. Doing some research on the open questions of authorship, as well as the time period, would be an immense help to enhance enjoyment!
Local to Seattle the timing of the release coincides well with a recent ACT! Theater production of Mary Stuart, launched most forcefully via the adept translation of Friedrich Schiller’s play by Peter Oswald and the tour de force performances of its leads - Anne Allgood as Mary and Suzanne Bouchard as Elizabeth.
The cinematography is chalky sepia tones - and it works with the design.
Well to Highly recommended for those with a keen interest in late a 1500s period piece, language, literature and political drama.

Length: 2:10
Standout Stars: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave and David Thewlis.
Ably Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Award-Worthy Writing: John Orloff