10. Winter's Tale
What it's about: Burglar Peter Lake attempts to rob a seemingly empty mansion only to find Beverly Penn, a beautiful woman dying of consumption. They fall in love amongst the harsh reality of Beverly's sickness and learn the truth behind miracles.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 13%
Why it didn't work: IT'S BORING. The love story was unbelievable, the plot made no sense, the acting was boring and the chemistry between the two leads was almost as realistic as Anakin and Padme. Oh, and Will Smith played the Devil. Let me repeat, Will Smith was cast as the freaking terrifying Devil. (Except without being terrifying.)
Watch Instead: The Princess Bride.
The movie is much better than the book and it has a great balance of romance and fantasy.
9. Vampire Academy
What it's about: It's basically a Twilight-meets-Mean Girls plot. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, which are human and vampire hybrids, that attends a boarding school that houses these magical creatures. Rose protects her best friend Lissa, a Moroi (mortal vampires) from the Strigoi (immortal vampires).
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 9%
Why it didn't work: As if the premise of the movie isn't confusing enough, they try to stuff too much in it and it isn't entertaining. Some teenage vampire stories work, this one doesn't. The acting is okay, the love story is predictable and it doesn't come close to being the fantasy counterpart of Mean Girls. But it is better than Twilight.
Watch Instead: Let The Right One In.
A more serious take on the teenage vampire story, it's not only a great read but a fantastic movie. Both the Swedish and English versions are really good with solid acting and decent story telling. (FYI: The English version is titled Let Me In and stars Chloe Grace Moretz as the vampire).
8. Labor Day
What it's about: Frank, an escaped convict seeks refugee with Adele, a single mom, and her son Henry. During his stay, Frank becomes a father figure to Henry and a love interest to Adele but the police are still looking for Frank and they're getting closer to finding him.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%
Why it didn't work: Too mushy. I have a hard time believing that a woman would fall in love with a guy that is running from the police, not only putting her own life in danger but her son's. Plus it's boring. Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet are top notch in everything they do but they just can't save this boring mess.
Watch Instead: Up in the Air.
Both movies are directed by Jason Reitman, also known for directing Juno. It is a great representation of the director's skill and it stars Anna Kendrick (which is all you need to know).
7. Monument's Men
What it's about: Based on a true story of a platoon in World War II that are on a mission to save art from the Nazi's and return them to the rightful owners.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%
Why it didn't work: Directed by George Clooney and stars Bill Murray, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Bonneville and George Clooney. All of that sounds amazing right? Yet it failed. Bad use of all the great actors and it looked like a first draft rather than a finished product.
Watch Instead: Argo.
Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, and it's during his prime. Also based on a true story (and both star John Goodman) but it's a bit more serious. It's cleaner and makes a good use of its actors. Plus its got Heisenberg.
6. Divergent
What it's about: A post-apocalyptic story where everyone is divided into five factions that represent different virtues. Tris learns that she is a Divergent, which means she doesn't just fit into one faction. Tris learns about a plan to kill the Divergents and tries to stop it.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%
Why it didn't work: Basically a rip-off of The Hunger Games, the story was predictable but confusing with all the factions (and the rules). It's enjoyable but it's not a good representation of the book. But Theo James. He's great.
Watch Instead: The Hunger Games.
Do I really have to say anything? The acting is better, the storyline is easier to follow and it doesn't get dumbed down for the love story. A young adult film that is made to please both teenagers and adults. It's dark, realistic and occasionally funny.
5. Lone Survivor
What it's about: A war film of a group of Navy SEALs on a mission to stop a Taliban leader and are ambushed by the enemy. The movie depicts their struggle to survive and escape.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Why it worked: An accurate depiction of the war struggle and it makes you feel lots of feels. Marky Mark does a fantastic job leading the film and if you weren't a fan before, you will be now. And everyone is a fan, my entire Facebook newsfeed was full of statuses about how great this movie was.
4. The Fault in our Stars
What it's about: Hazel and Gus are just two normal teenagers with surprisingly sharp wit and a love for the unnatural that slowly fall in love. Oh, and they both have cancer.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Why it worked: It could have easily been a melodrama that concentrated more on the cancer than the love story. Instead it was funny, lovable and follows John Green's book to a tee. If you love John Green then you'll most definitely love this movie. (And it stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort as the lovers yet they were brother and sister in Divergent...)
3. A Most Wanted Man
What it's about: A Chechen Muslim immigrant illegally escapes to Hamburg (Germany) and tries to lay claim on his father's fortune. Both USA and German agencies take an interest and figure out the immigrants true identity.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Why it works: I suck at explaining the movie but believe me, it's amazing. Smart, suspenseful and a great representation of the book by John le Carre. It stars the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman (RIP) in one of his last great roles. It's not for everyone but if you like thrillers and Hoffman, you'll love this.
2. Edge of Tomorrow
What it's about: A bit like Groundhog Day, an officer repeats the same day over and over fighting an alien race. The officer meets another soldier along the way and they try to defeat the alien race together.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Why it worked: Don't let the trailer fool you, the movie is great. It's funny, well-acted and entertaining. Tom Cruise is actually really funny and Emily Blunt is a badass. (It's based on a graphic novel called All You Need is Kill... good thing they changed the name).
1. Guardians of the Galaxy
What it's about: It's basically the second rate version of The Avengers. A group of misfits band together to save the galaxy from a ruthless villain.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Why it works: If you haven't seen it yet, then you're in the minority. Chris Pratt is funnier than he is on Parks n Rec, the soundtrack is great and it's basically a parody of other action movies. Plus Kevin Bacon jokes and a smart ass Raccoon.
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