Dorian Gray (2010)

Directed By: Oliver Parker

Starring: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Rebecca Hall, Ben Chaplin, & Rachel Hurd-Wood

MPAA Rating: R

My Rating: 9 / 10

I'm going to make a rather bold claim to start off what is sure to be a rather glowing review. This claim might be bold, but I believe it to be quite true. Dorian Gray is the most underappreciated film of the year...not "one of the" or "perhaps the," but "the" as in the only one. Sitting at a respectable, but insignificant 6.3 rating on the IMDb and sporting a paltry 44% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it would seem to the casual observer that Dorian Gray is an undeniably dud, a cinematic turkey, if you will. But, those observations would by wholly inaccurate. In fact, Dorian Gray is not just the most underappreciated films of the year; it is, quite simply, one of the best. I cannot tell you why I seem to be lone defender of this film, when so many others have disregarded it. I found myself swept away by its visuals, enamored by its performances (particularly a very sympathetic Ben Barnes in the title role, as well as a perfectly devilish Colin Firth), and fully engaged in its story. All of this coming from someone who thinks that Oscar Wilde practically walked on water. Indeed, Dorian Gray does not remain 100% loyal to its source material, but it captures the spirit of the text, an achievement that so many other filmmakers have failed to obtain.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

Directed By: Michael Apted

Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, and Liam Neeson

MPAA Rating: PG

My Rating: 8 / 10

There has been a surprising level of consistency when it comes to the quality of the Narnia films, starting with 2005's utterly charming The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and continuing on to 2008's darker, but nonetheless delightful Prince Caspian. Now, we have arrived at the third entry in the franchise, which has quickly (and unfortunately) lost box-office clout following its mega-blockbuster first installment. It's too bad, since The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is every bit as magical and touching as its predecessors. While other family franchises have grown up and developed into more adult-focused, PG-13 fare and while there's nothing wrong with that, The Chronicles of Narnia has retained a certain childlike innocence, despite developing darker themes. It can be frightening, but never too frightening. It can be intense, but never too intense. It can be dark, but never too dark. This might not be beneficial when it goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Harry Potter at the box-office, but I certainly appreciate it. Movies like The Voyage of the Dawn Treader have a special place in cinema and in my heart, whether the public understands it or not.