THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
GOD BLESS AMERICA
DARK SHADOWS
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN

With all of those good reviews The Avengers is getting, I wonder if it will be a *** or ***1/2. Or **1/2 I suppose. The big movie seems like a good choice for a gamble this time around.

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL-***
GOD BLESS AMERICA-**1/2
DARK SHADOWS-***
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS-***(0.5)
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN-**1/2

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL - ***
GOD BLESS AMERICA - **
DARK SHADOWS - ** 1/2
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS - *** 1/2 (1)
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN - * 1/2

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: ***
God Bless America: **1/2
Dark Shadows: **1/2 (I actually think this looks good, but recently Berardinelli has a habit of giving all the terrible Tim Burton movies favorable ratings and all the good ones average ratings.)
Gamble: The Avengers: ***1/2 (1)
Bonus: A Little Bit Of Heaven: *1/2

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL 3.0
GOD BLESS AMERICA 3.0
DARK SHADOWS 2.5
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS 3.5 (0.5)
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN 2.0

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL - ***
GOD BLESS AMERICA - ***
DARK SHADOWS - ** 1/2
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS - *** 1/2 (2)
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN - * 1/2

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL - **1/2
GOD BLESS AMERICA - ***
DARK SHADOWS - **1/2
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS - *** (.5)
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN - **

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: *** James has always had a soft spot for these British dramatic comedies so this one should be safe

God Bless America: **1/2 This could go either way; personally, I have been excited for this since I saw the red band but it could turn out to be uneven

Dark Shadows: **1/2 James appears to be getting weary of Tim Burton and John Depp together and I don't think this is gonna turn the tide.

The Avengers: *** Despite the near-unanimous praise this has been getting, I still don't think James is gonna give this anymore than 3 stars simply for the overabundance of high-profile superheroes which would mean that some of these characters will inevitably get shortchanged. Still there should be enough action, wit and style to keep this on solid ground

Bonus: A Little Bit Of Heaven: *1/2 The latest Kate Hudson romance; need I go on? One thing that's interesting to note here is that the director is Nicole Kassell for whom this is the follow-up to 2004's The Woodsman about which James had the following to say near the end of his review for that film: "As for Kassell, it will be interesting to see where she goes from here. Two paths lie open to her - she can either move into a more mainstream arena or try something equally daring." No points for guessing the path she ultimately choose with this film.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: 3 stars
God Bless America: 2.5 stars
Dark Shadows: 3 stars

A Little Bit of Heaven: 2 stars

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - 3.0
God Bless America - 3.0
Dark Shadows - 3.0

The Avengers - 3.5 (1) (I've just seen it. Think there's a possible chance that James could go 3.0 based on what he liked about his past 3.5 superhero flicks, but I'm in too much high from the movie to rate anything lower at this point. Whedon delivers big time)
A Little Bit of Heaven - 1.5 (Obnoxious cancer movie starring Kate Hudson? James' gonna have a field day writing the review. I can't wait!)

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL - 3.0
GOD BLESS AMERICA - 3.0
DARK SHADOWS - 3.0
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS - 3.5 (1)
BONUS: A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN - 1.5

Gamble: The Avengers - 3.5 (1)
Bonus: A little Bit of Heaven - 2
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - 3.0
God Bless America - 2.5

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL - ***
GOD BLESS AMERICA - ***
DARK SHADOWS - ***
GAMBLE: THE AVENGERS - *** (0.5)

Well, it's now down to God Bless America and Dark Shadows. Here's to hoping that I guess at least one of these correctly and redeem myself for this round. Gotta be honest, now that I have actually seen The Avengers, I'm kinda glad that I was wrong with my guess because it was a truly spectacular experience. It was everything a summer movie should be but without the rampant stupidity, plastic acting and godawful dialogue that often comes along as part of the package!

Dark Shadows: 2.5
God Bless America: 2