“The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.” This quote, uttered by recovering alcoholic Paddy Conlon (played by Nick Nolte), is one of the most poignant lines in the pulse-racing drama Warrior. This film, which is both poetic and gritty, tells the story of a broken family that becomes forcefully and somewhat unwillingly reunited by one common interest – mixed martial arts. This movie – which was co-written and directed by Gavin O’Connor, who can also be seen in the film playing J.J. Riley – has audiences mentally and emotionally invested from beginning to end.

Despite the fact that Warrior is dark, violent, and completely male-driven, O’Connor does not ignore his female audience – there is a wonderful balance between the adrenaline-rushing moments and the heartfelt exchanges. A lot of times, films of this athletic nature have a tendency to lack overall depth and story because the focus is completely on the action – this is not the case with this movie. The language and the metaphors in Warrior are quite powerful, especially when they are presented by such a talented cast. Playing estranged brothers with significantly different personalities, Tom Hardy (playing Tommy Conlon) and Joel Edgerton (playing Brendan Conlon) make it extremely difficult to choose sides. It is very rare that a film forces the audience to have an internal battle within themselves as to who the hero of the story should be, but Warrior is able to do that.

Opinion: GO SEE THIS MOVIE! I am not saying this because I worked on the film. I am saying this because it is a wonderful movie and a definite Oscar contender that should not be missed.

Our Idiot Brother, directed by Jesse Peretz, tells the story of Ned (played by Paul Rudd), a kind-hearted yet unintelligent hippy in New York who finds himself causing way more problems than he’s solving. This well-written dramedy has a very indie feel and is full of witty jokes, stupid mistakes, and disagreements amongst siblings.

Our Idiot Brother is a fairly simple film – essentially, it isn’t really about much of anything, but somehow the ridiculousness of it keeps you quite entertained. Aesthetically, this movie is not groundbreaking or anything special. Overall, its charm comes from the script and the cast, which includes Rudd, Zooey Deschanel (playing Natalie), Elizabeth Banks (playing Miranda), and Emily Mortimer (playing Liz). As stated in the title, Ned is a complete idiot, but it’s difficult not to love him and in most cases, he tends to be right, especially about what’s important in life.

Opinion: If you like good character-driven films, go see it.

Interested in seeing a movie where little creatures whisper through walls and like to eat children’s teeth? If so, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is the movie for you. This film, which is a remake of the 1973 television movie, was directed by Troy Nixey and produced & co-written by Guillermo del Toro. Starring Bailee Madison (playing Sally), Katie Holmes (playing Kim), and Guy Pierce (playing Alex), Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is the typical modern horror movie. When watching the film, it is quite difficult not to yell at the characters on the big screen as they make stupid choices to investigate the creepy events taking place in their Rhode Island mansion.

Aesthetically speaking, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark was pretty well made. Madison’s performance – as the film was done from her perspective – was impressive as usual and the rest of the performances were predictable in their own respects. Overall, this film, which explores the sinister side of fairy tales, was what one would expect from a 2011 horror movie – it was more comedic than scary during most scenes.

Opinion: Netflix.

The fifth installment of the Final Destination franchise proves, once again, that death cannot be cheated. Staying true to the same plot formula that audiences have grown quite familiar with, Final Destination 5 grants no surprises. After surviving a bridge collapse, 8 “lucky” individuals soon find themselves facing death, one-by-one. Sound familiar?

Similarly to the other Final Destination films, this installment, which was directed by Steven Quale, provides some stomach-churning deaths. Unfortunately, though, it is so difficult to become fully invested in this movie because it’s nothing new. One thing it does do, though, is bring all five films full circle.

Opinion: If you go see it, don’t expect any surprises.

Written and directed by Tate Taylor and based on the book by Kathryn Stockett, The Help gives a particularly loud voice to African-American women who served as maids in White households in the 1960s, surrounding the Civil Rights Movement. In the film, Skeeter (played by Emma Stone), a single White recent college graduate, is going against everyone around her and writing a book from the point-of-view of the maids. In order to do so, she must interview a number of African-American maids in her hometown, Jackson, Mississippi, which is a difficult task to achieve  in the South during this time. With talk of the Jim Crow laws, the KKK, and overall segregation in the South, The Help packs a rather big punch – this can be attributed to both the writing and the all-star cast which, in addition to Stone, includes Viola Davis (playing Aibileen), Octavia Spencer (playing Minny), and Cicely Tyson (playing Constantine).

This gripping film deals with extremely sensitive subject matter, and, fortunately, Taylor handles it very well. This movie could have very easily fallen into dangerous territory in terms of the way in which the African American society was portrayed, but it never crosses that line. In fact, this film strives to tell the truth and does not lend sympathy to those who did not deserve it.

The Help encourages audiences to let go of hate and hold onto love, even when dealing with the “enemy.” While discussing the supposed differences between Blacks and Whites, this movie largely points out that there aren’t many differences at all. There are moments in The Help that will bring tears to your eyes as well as ones that will put a smile on your face – it is this balance that is so rarely found that makes this film as special as it is.

Opinion: Definitely go see it!

Directed by Rupert Wyatt, Rise of the Planet of the Apes explores the ways in which playing with technology can threaten humanity. Starring James Franco (playing Will Rodman), this energetic film tells the story of a hopeful and somewhat desperate scientist who is searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and is testing his drugs on apes. Unfortunately, though, as he gets closer and closer to a cure, the side effects greatly increase and cause Will to lose some of the people closest to him.

Visually speaking, this movie is very well done. It is clear that the digital mastering and special effects were not rushed. Unlike a number of films in this genre, the romance in Rise of the Planet of the Apes does not take over the story – this works tremendously for the movie. Screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver chose to give audiences a heartfelt subplot primarily about the bond that can be formed between man and animal, instead of attempting to create a sappy love subplot. In turn, the father-son connection that the screenwriters were able to create between Will and Caesar (played by Andy Serkis), the ape he raised since its birth, is remarkable. Despite the fact that he was digitally created, Caesar seems to be a more real character than some of the actual humans in the film. He is thoughtful, critical, and he outwardly experiences human emotions, which makes him extremely easy to relate to. Overall, Wyatt was able to create an upbeat science fiction film that fortunately doesn’t get tangled up in the science.

Opinion: Go see it! You will love it!

It is rare to find a romantic comedy that has a satisfying amount of romance, comedy, and drama – John Requa’s Crazy, Stupid, Love undoubtedly meets this high expectation. This film tells the story of a number of individuals who have their own ideas of what love is, what love isn’t, and if soulmates actually exist.

The talented cast members – which includes Ryan Gosling (playing Jacob Palmer), Steve Carell (playing Cal Weaver), Julianne Moore (playing Emily Weaver), and Emma Stone (playing Hannah) – work quite well with one another. Gosling and Carell, specifically, have an interesting yet surprisingly successful chemistry.

Written by Dan Fogelman, Crazy, Stupid, Love is charmingly breath-taking. Both the subject matter and the writing are impressive, to say the least. Many romantic comedies have attempted to discuss the issues that Crazy, Stupid, Love tackles, and most have not succeeded – this movie sets the bar even higher than it already was.

Opinion: Go see it, whether you believe in love or not.

Directed by Will Gluck, Friends With Benefits is a romantic comedy that tells the story of a fast-talking corporate “head-hunter,” Jamie (played by Mila Kunis), and a laid-back Artistic Director from LA, Dylan (played by Justin Timberlake), who try to have a strictly sexual relationship with no strings attached. Speaking of “no strings attached,” a film of this title and scarily similar plot-line was released earlier in the year – fortunately for Mr. Gluck, Friends With Benefits has a bit more spark.

Visually speaking, this film looks good for the most part but it also has some awful landscape shots of NYC and LA. In terms of the plot, Gluck does a good job not allowing Friends With Benefits to become too sappy – there are a number of jokes about romantic comedies and associated actresses like Julia Roberts and Katherine Heigl. While this movie is quite predictable – most romantic comedies are, so this is not necessarily negative – it does have personality, and Timberlake and Kunis work very well together. Both of these actors play their charming yet emotionally damaged characters very well.

Opinion: Go see it if you are going on a date or if you just have a thing for romantic comedies.

Larry Crowne, directed and written by Tom Hanks, tells the story of the middle-aged title character (played by Hanks) who enrolls in the local community college after being fired from his retail position at U-Mart due to his lack of higher education. This film – which also stars Julia Roberts (playing Mercedes Tainot), Cedric the Entertainer (playing Lamar), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (playing Talia), Wilmer Valderrama (playing Dell Gordo), and Taraji P. Henson (playing B’Ella) – is a romantic comedy that provides a few laughs while portraying some of the struggles of being middle-aged.

In terms of writing, Larry Crowne has its really good moments – there are some pretty funny exchanges. Despite this though, this film is a very mild romantic comedy – there is never really any steamy romance that one might expect. In fact, it does not really become “romantic” until the second half of the film. This “flaw” is acceptable though because audiences have Hanks and Roberts to keep them entertained. In addition to the older actors in the movie, the younger actors hold their own – they provide a balance and a lighter mood and outlook that the older characters can’t create.

Opinion: This movie is more for older audiences; if this applies or you are a Hanks or Roberts fan, go see it.

Directed by Jake Kasdan, Bad Teacher is a raunchy comedy about a superficial woman, Elizabeth Halsey (played by Cameron Diaz), who is searching for a man that can “take care” of her. In order to pass the time, pay her bills, and fund her upcoming breast implants, Elizabeth works as an English teacher – unfortunately for the students, she doesn’t really teach.

Co-starring with her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake (playing Scott Delacorte), Diaz provides audiences with some unexpected laughs. Their chemistry is quite genuine, as one might expect. Unfortunately though, some of the jokes are so over-the-top that it becomes more inappropriate than funny. Despite this though, Jason Segel (playing Russell Gettis) and Lucy Punch (playing Amy Squirrel) - in addition to Diaz and Timberlake - have some very comedic moments as well.

In terms of story, Bad Teacher lacks overall depth, but this is clear when watching the trailer. In fact, depth might have actually hurt this movie more than helped it. Usually films of such a superficial nature are male-driven, which tends to make it easier to accept the lack of seriousness. Faced with such a challenge, Diaz does in fact live up to the demands of her character – she is crude, self-absorbed, and a really really bad teacher.

Opinion: Go see it if you need a few laughs and have already seen Bridesmaids and Hangover 2.