3. Get Him to the Greek
Say what you want about Judd Apatow as a director, but as a producer he's almost a surefire hit. Take this spinoff of 2008's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, featuring Russell Brand as the hard partying rocker Aldous Snow. Not only does it up the raunch from its predecessor, but also the laughs, the biggest of which come not from Jonah Hill or Brand but from Sean "Puffy" Combs of all people.
2. The Karate Kid
Sometimes even yours truly gets one wrong. Jaden Smith starring in a remake of one of my beloved childhood favorites sounds like a recipe for disaster. Throw in a haggard Jackie Chan and the prospects aren't any better. But for once, a remake gets it right, remembering that the reason the original worked was because of the lessons it taught, and the magical relationship between mentor and student. This version of The Karate Kid doesn't waste time trying to convince us how much cooler it is, it just tells an inspiring story of overcoming one's doubts and fears.
1. The A-Team
There is no Plan B! The A-Team should be plan A, B, and C this week if you're looking for a raucous, action packed thrill ride. On my list of biggest surprises of the year is Joe Carnahan's pitch perfect recreation of the campy action TV series from the 1980s. I pity the fool who doesn't check it out for themselves!
DVD Pick of the Week: Shutter Island
From the moment you first set eyes on the mysterious island prison, shrouded in dark clouds and ripped by pounding waves, you know you're in for one hell of a thrill ride. Martin Scorsese plays Shutter Island like a scene out of a horror novel, putting Leonardo Dicaprio's flawed federal marshall through a mental obstacle course few could ever hope to recover from. One of the best films of the year.
