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Here's a look at the films I saw this week as well as a couple more Best Picture nominees. All I can say about this week's new movies is sometimes you find gems, other times you end up with "The Mechanic".... (not a gem).

The Mechanic

Starring: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, and Tony Goldwyn

Synopsis: This is a re-make of a Charles Bronson film. That is something the world probably didn't need. It also didn't need a re-make of a brutal film that was done even more brutally. But that's what we've got here. There is everything you'd expect from a Statham film (after all, he gave us "The Transporter" and "Crank"). There is violence, a few cheesy lines, some faux emotion, and a few random, graphic, and mechanical sex scenes. The body count is high in this film, and any notion of compassion gets left at the opening credits. Director Simon West (who's given us such gems as "Con Air") makes sure to stylize the violence — as if that makes it better. There's a few cliches heaped on the victims to make them seem truly evil. (A hitman that likes little boys and a "religious leader" that likes teen girls, among them). But, again, this is that old ends justify the means or, at least if you're going to be a paid assassin, do the world a favor and eliminate some creeps. As if that makes it any better. The ending is utterly predictable and just about as pointless as every other aspect of this film. The performances are fine, and effectively menacing when needed. What wasn't needed was this film in general.

Rating: R for strong brutal violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity.

Verdict: One star out of four.

The Rite

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Alice Braga, Rutger Hauer, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, and Colin O'Donoghue

Synopsis: This isn't a great film, but it was vastly superior to "The Mechanic." The film is another exorcist story. In a previous post I chronicled some of the interesting faith aspects pertaining to this film and other recent exorcism films, so I won't rehash that here. The film doesn't work in the sense that it's supposed to be a thriller or horror film. Hopkins does a nice acting job, but O'Donoghue is a little stiff at times. The film is an interesting exploration of the ideas of faith and doubt, with a fairly predictable ending. Based on a book that chronicled real-life exorcists, the film at times seems a bit technical. It tries so hard to offer a de-mythologized take on the material that it strips some of the intensity from the sequences. This is an interesting film and a watchable film, but it's not a great film.

Rating: PG-13 for disturbing thematic material, violence, frightening images, and language including sexual references.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Best Picture Nominees:

Winter's Bone

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, and Garrett Dillahunt

Nominations: 4 total, including Best Actress (Lawrence) and Best Supporting Actor (Hawkes).

Opinion: This is an interesting little independent film. It depicts the harsh life and conditions of poor, meth dealing/using/cooking folks living in the hills of Missouri. It's almost like a prequel to "Deliverance" at times. The real find in this film is the work of Lawrence. She likely won't nab the Academy Award (I'd put her in a tie with Annette Bening but behind Natalie Portman), however she demonstrates great skill in leading this film through some tough sequences. Hawkes, who also earned a nomination, does a good job with his role as well. This can be a tough film to watch at times, but the performances lift it to another level. That being said, I doubt it will capture any of the four awards for which it received a nomination.

Rating: R for some drug material, language and violent content.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

127 Hours

Starring: James Franco, Kate Mara, and Amber Tamblyn

Nominations: 6 total including Best Actor (Franco); and Best Adapted Screenplay

Opinion: Like "Winter's Bone," this film can be hard to watch at times. Based on the true story of adventurer Aron Ralston who became trapped in a canyon in Utah and had to remove his right arm with a pocket knife to survive, this is the newest film from "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle. Boyle infuses life into what could have been a stagnant story — co-writing the script with Simon Beaufoy. What really makes this work is the performance of Franco. Franco does a great job, appearing in every scene in the film. He has to do all the heavy lifting, including some excruciating and emotional sequences where he's all alone. This is a stand out effort from Franco that seems to have been lost in the shuffle as his film hasn't done as well with audiences. Reports of the audience reaction to the crucial, graphic sequence likely didn't help. It is a hard scene to watch, but fitting for the story. And that is also one of the sections where Franco really shines. The best shot at an award for this film is likely from original score, though Franco presents possibly the best challenge to Colin Firth in the Best Actor Race. Regardless, Franco will be on stage Oscar night plenty as he hosts with Anne Hathaway.

Rating: R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images.

Verdict: Four stars out of four.