REAL STEEL (USA 2011) **
Directed by Shawn Levy

The idea of robot boxing (not that the idea is so novel) originated from an old Twilight Zone episode. 

FRENCH IMMERSION (Canada 2011) **1/2
Directed by Kevin Tierny

Kevin Tierny co-wrote the relatively successful bilingual comedy BON COP, BAD COP.  It is not surprising that his first full length feature, which he also co-wrote deals with the theme of bilingualism.

THE IDES OF MARCH (USA 2011) ***** Top 10
Directed by George Clooney

THE IDES OF MARCH puts George Clooney back in the director’s chair for this edgy political drama set in the days leading up to a fictional presidential primary. Clooney also stars as a Democratic candidate, Mike Morris who schools his idealistic campaign press secretary, Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) in the dubious machinations of modern politics. 

MARGARET (USA 2010) ****
Directed by Kenneth Lornegan

After a 5 year hiatus, director Kenneth Lonergan’s second feature after the critically praised YOU CAN COUNT ON ME is a personal drama centering on a teenager bent on doing what is right by telling the truth.  The trouble is that she has lied before and like the boy who cried wolf, has trouble in being able to convince the police investigators otherwise.

1911 REVOLUTION (China 2011) ***
Directed by Jackie Chan

Also touted as Jackie Chan’s 100th movie, no doubt to bring in more of Chan’s fans to the theatre, 1911 is a very different and unlikely vehicle.  This is a serious historical war epic without Chan’s famous comedic drunken fighting techniques.  But there is one fight sequence near the film’s end where Chan fights his opponents.