Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Young Adult

Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody team up once again to make the awkwardly funny and honest, "Young Adult." The movie is good. Charlize Theron is fantastic, as she always is, however she gets a little annoying. Her character is hard to handle with other people and it shone through and made it a little hard for me as the audience to handle. As the audience we need to love her and hate her at the same time, I think she annoyed me more then anything. The movie is all about her, that is Mavis, going back to her home town to try and reclaim her married with child ex-boyfriend from High School, the only place she ever really succeeded. She end up with an awkward friendship with the guy she often used to call a "theater fag." The movie is funny but at times a little depressing. This whole thing is about a woman's failed life and her desperate and awful attempt to get back what once was and never will be again. I liked it but I cannot say that I loved it. It does not hit you as hard as Reitman's other films especially "Juno," which is fantastic. I think what the movie was trying to do is make you see the Mavis that is inside everyone, the problem is that it is a little hard to see that because Mavis is such an extreme and unlikable character. I did relate, just not as much as I thought I should. I related more to Patton Oswalt's character than anyone else. He does an incredible job. The script is good but not as quirky as Cody's others so it could be a little disappointing. I really did like the film I just do not think it holds up as well compared to Reitman's others and the other fantastic films that have come out this year.

4 out of 5 Stars

Attack The Block

I don't think I have ever enjoyed a movie so much this entire year, until "Attack The Block." The fresh and young cast of actors are perfect in each of their roles and it is a just an intense and good time. The main story is about a group of young teenagers who are the hoods of their block in South London. They are surprised one night when something crazy falls out of the sky and they realize it is an alien. The movie end up being a combination of "Crash" and "Shaun of The Dead," meets aliens. It is completely hilarious and I mention "Crash" only because of all these different characters meeting and intertwining at the end. The whole film takes place in one night, it is short and it never lets up. The special effects and filming of the movie is well done, and the comedy is some of the best of the year. I was captured by the movie the entire time. The actors are just great un their roles with perfect comedic timing and emotional intensity. Not only did I laugh but I was legitimately moved. The film is just so much fun. I cannot wait to see more movies from the director Joe Cornish and actress Jodie Whittaker. I imagine both of their careers will take off following this movie. The script is witty and exciting and there is next to nothing to complain about the movie at all, unless that is you do not like down right hilarious movies about teenagers coming together, fighting aliens, and just flat out kicking ass. This movie was awesome, one of the best of the year. Top 10 List coming soon.

5 out of 5 Stars

Another Earth

This film was entered into Sundance a year ago and received some support there, I read about it on Roger Ebert's blog as he listed it as his number 20, best of the year. I loved the ideas this film gave. It really made you think..what if? If there was another you out there, what would you do? What would you think? This film is disguised as a sci-fi flick but it really is a character study. It focuses on two people who are both very lost and very sorry, if not for what they did for how things went. This raises the question of what you would do if you had another chance. The cinematography is beautiful, the acting completely honest and true, and the style Mike Cahill brings to this film is brilliant. Many people will read about this movie and compare it to "Melancholia" but it is totally different. It raises different questions, it focuses on alternative things, and it is ultimately a whole lot better. I loved this movie and I think a lot of people should check it out. I find it hard to believe anyone could watch this without seeing themselves and thinking of their regrets and be moved. This movie is beautiful, the music is great, and the ending is awesome.

5 out of 5 Stars

Monday, January 30, 2012

A Separation

A foreign film that brings you into the lives of its people, a people was as Americans are not very fond of. We see this film and realize these are actual people, they are as intricate and important as us, and they have problems just as big. The story is about an arguing couple with a young daughter whom they both love deeply and an issue when the father allegedly shoves a worker. The movie may be about people so far away and so culturally different from us however, we find them to be extremely relatable and similar. We can be so much like them, and them like us. The camera takes a fly on the wall view of these arguments and incidents. At times, we feel like the daughter watching are parents fight. The movie shows how awful divorce can turn out to be and how marriages and really everything can fall apart from misunderstanding and the lack of communication. This film is probably the realest movie to come out this year. It is simple, it is about a family and their struggles and takes us through it. You do not feel like you are watching a movie rather experiencing tragedy or at least witnessing it. This movie will almost definitely win the award for Best Foreign Language Film. If this did not win it would be an abomination and huge mistake. It is already a shame it is not nominated for the big prize over some of these other films. This movie all around is more deserving. The intensity of this film is throughout and never lets up. It is PG-13 but feels like an R rated film. There is nothing bad in it to make it R but the subject tackled and the realness of it is rare to a film with a PG-13 rating. This makes it even better, so more people can experience this masterpiece.

5 out of 5 Stars

Beginners

A great, inspiring, and lovely movie from this year. This film is so superbly acted, crafted, and directed. The style of shots and angles and the focuses the director makes on all of the little intricacies is beautiful. It is inspiring to me to see such a unique and warm style. Christopher Plummer is almost certain to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor however, the standouts to me are Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent. Their relationship in the film is so special and so interesting that you literally cannot take your eyes off of the two of them. I wish I had something even close to what they have in this film. The flashbacks back and forth to Christopher Plummer are done well and he does do fantastic. The story has a sort of symmetry and at the same time it does not. It never really ends it keeps going so, think of symmetry with the line going out and extending on and never ending. Think many circles, one inside the other continuously.  That is a better way to look at it. It has a cool style to it and really tugs at the heart. It feels sort of like when you are watching "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"" or another unique romance like that unfold on screen. The character of Anna is so beautiful yet, so mysterious. She is almost like life. Watch this film, it is one of the best of the year. It is funny, awkward, real, sad, and ultimately you leave it feeling good.

5 out of 5 Stars

We Need To Talk About Kevin

This may be a fantastic film however, it is probably the hardest one to watch of the entire year. The story of a child tormenting her well meaning mother constantly from birth to young adulthood is painful to watch. Critic Leonard Maltin, whom I respect, described it as torture. Everyone agrees that Tilda Swinton gives one of the bravest and powerful performances of the year.  She really is one of the most fantastic actresses of our time and she seems to often go unnoticed. That may be because she is so great. The film is well made and well put together and powerful but at times you may feel like Maltin, like nails being scraped across a chalk board. All of the acting is fantastic and the movie is super intense. I loved it and think the final scene has one of the greatest movie moments of the year. It is a shame Swinton was not nominated for the Oscar. She is much more deserving than of Rooney Mara's repeat performance in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," it is unfortunate but sometimes that is just how it works. Do not read up on this film, not even on imdb. Many synopsis's give away crucial plot points without warning which I feel would be better left unknown until the end of the film. The best disturbing movie of the year.

5 out of 5 Stars

The Artist

Before I start, I need to apologize. I, unfortunately, have not written in awhile. I have also looked back on some past writing and lets be honest, it sucks. I have so many ideas I just want to throw out there and I do not organize or structure any of my thought into sentences and I am sorry. However, I do hope you enjoy my insights and opinions. Now, the reason I have not been blogging is because since my last review all I have been doing is actually watching. I just never stopped to write. Most of the films I have been viewing have been in preparation for the Oscars, which are coming soon and I am excited. I will now put out a string of reviews for films from this year starting with this one. This is almost the sure winner for "Best Picture." Its only competitor is "The Descendants," which was great. This is better. "The Artist" is a silent film and in this movie it is golden. It throws you back into old times, literally you feel like you are a patron in one of those old silent theaters. I absolutely loved this. I do not think I have ever smiled at a movie more. it is just sheer pleasure and enjoyment that you get from this film. It made me feel...happy. I hesitate to put this film as my number one favorite film of the year, only because "Drive" is so awesome, spectacular, and fantastic. This captured my heart and made it melt. It contains one of the best musical scores of the year, two great new stars, and a little dog. The dog should have gotten a nomination for "Best Supporting Actor." Everything about this film is great, the acting, directing, dancing, cinematography, story, and no talking. I never thought I could be captured so much by a non speaking film, but I was. This film will surely win the top prize at the coveted Academy Awards and it does not bother me at all. A contender for my "Top 100 Films of All Time."

5 out of 5 Stars

Friday, January 13, 2012

Bridesmaids

The most hilarious film of the year has been raved by critics and audiences alike. This story is about a woman who is selected as maid of honor for her best friends wedding, just as her life seems to be falling apart, and she is overwhelmed by the stress. This film is incredibly funny and at the same time prominently real. In comedy everyone is extremely honest and straightforward, and everything is way overdone. This is done with perfection because the emotions and circumstances may be crazy and impossible but the feelings are real. I never stopped laughing. Kristen Wiig proves herself as a hilarious and relatable actress, and also a fantastic comic write. All of the women will undoubtedly make you laugh but the laughs from Melissa McCarthy are sidesplitting. It is a raunchy comedy flick that both men and women will enjoy equally. It has the chick flick quality and that raunchy guy humor that movies like, "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" also possessed. The film whilst being perfectly raunchy and crude still has a great moral, you could almost say Christian, message that young girls should see. It sets a good example that women should not waste their time with crappy, useless guys who do not care about them and are only interested in sexual gains. I loved this movie, you will laugh till you cry.

5 out of 5 Stars

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Great Expectations

This movie gripped me from the very opening moments and would not let me go. This modern retelling of the classic Charles Dickens tale proves itself to be a timeless masterpiece. While watching the movie I almost thought to myself that I should not like this that much. There is not anything that wonderful about this movie. I was completely sucked into the storytelling and the performances of these fantastic actors. Gwyneth Paltrow is sexier then ever, De Niro is awesome, Ethan Hawke is so innocent and perfectly cast, Anne Bancroft is crazy, Garry Cooper is funny, and the two young children are riveting. Alfonso Cuaron knows how to make a sexy movie. Everybody who has seen "Y Tu Mama Tambien" knows this. He has a very unique and peculiar style that stays with you and resonates after every scene. He is a great storyteller and he keeps you constantly interested in what is going on with Finn. I rarely get this into a movie. It was almost like a dream, a beautifully colored awesome dream and I was living vicariously through Ethan Hawke's character. The artistry of the film is so gorgeous I cannot even put it into words, you just have to experience it for yourself. The movie slows down and loses some momentum before the end but if you are as involved as I was with this film it does not matter. It does unfortunately start stronger then it finishes. I still loved this movie. In general it is a pretty light flick but at the same time holds so much weight. It is the kind of thing you are simply just supposed to enjoy, like life. The film truly is miraculously beautiful. I commend Cuaron for his direction and I love Dickens for just coming up with this fantastic story about endless and hopeless, out of control love. I do not want to ruin it but the fountain kiss ranks up there in the best kisses in all of cinema, if not the best. Watch this movie, I am sure almost anyone will enjoy it even those who are not real film buffs. It is such a simplistic tale done with near perfection. Fans of the classic novel and David Lean's acclaimed film should enjoy a modern retake which focuses on almost a completely different subject. This adaptation is good because Cuaron sticks to the source material in small details but deviates away from it at times with major plot points. Prepare to have this film take your breath away.

5 out of 5 Stars

Melancholia

An interesting and very weird film from director, Lars Von Trier. Who has now earned himself a reputation for weirdly, depressing, and dark films after "Dogville" and "Antichrist" among others. This film is a character study of Kristen Dunst's character who has just gotten married and the film starts at the beginning of the reception. She is extremely depressed and dissatisfied and we are never really given an explanation why. We might infer that it is because she sees lack in point to the whole thing because she knows the world is about to end in a few days because a huge planet known as Melancholia is approaching earth and will soon clash with it. This is not really explained however until after the wedding and it never explains her actions during the reception; which involve her leaving the party to take a bath and strolling around outside and having sex with a guy she does not even know shortly after refusing her new husband's advances. I guess the movie isn't really about what she does but is more about how she feels and the emotion that is there. The second half of the movie is better and makes more sense to me, whereas the wedding felt kind of fake and I was just sitting there saying; "Who does this under any circumstances!" The acting however; is good and to the point with Charlotte Gainsbourg being the standout in my opinion, not Kristen Dunst. The movie is definitely weird and I thought there was no point during the beginning but towards the end I started to understand and I definitely need to re-watch it and possibly re-review it. It has weird underlying themes throughout that are interesting but to me they are not explained very well. It is about the world ending and two different sister's reactions to it. A depressed one who is calm and a normal one who is anxious. I liked it but did not love like I thought I would but opinions will vary because some people think this is Von Trier's masterpiece. "Dogville" is still the best for me so far. "Melancholia" is still a great character study and one of the most unique films of the year.

3 out of 5 Stars

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Backdraft

I purchased this movie with a pack of three other Ron Howard films. I got a pretty good deal on it and was impressed with the set and I love the other three movies "A Beautiful Mind," "Apollo 13," and "Cinderella Man." This movie was good but my least favorite of the four. I could see how it was trying to be emotional and add some intensity to the firefighting scenes but it all seemed formative and kind of fundamental. I never really got sucked into any of the characters lives, stories, or trouble. I mostly just observed and enjoyed some pretty decent acting with no true standouts. This is probably the best firemen movie I have ever seen but, that is not really saying much since I can only think of this and the Christian film "Fireproof" which I must admit got to me more emotionally than this movie. If you are a Ron Howard fan I am sure you will enjoy it but this firemen mystery did not hit me the way it should.

2.5 out of 5 Stars

Dances With Wolves (4 Hour Extended Cut)

I enjoyed this film but did not think it to be a spectacular innovation of cinematic achievement like some people claim it to be. I had not seen it in ages and could barely remember it and I needed to see it for the sake of my Top 100 Movie List because the film has been so renown. I probably should have watched the regular cut because I now think that I would have enjoyed it more but the fact of it not making my list would be the same no matter what. I thought that Costner's direction was good but found his narration rather dreary. The movie moves kind of slowly and I did not get to emotional about any of the characters however, the cinematography is absolutely beautiful with the filming of the amazing landscape and the acting is pretty good. I liked the movie but for me it does not really hit all the way home. It is an incredible story and that is what makes it so watchable and connects with multitudes of people.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

After Hours

An interesting film from the great director Martin Scorsese that is not very remembered or noticed. The style Scorsese uses in this movie is cool and different then what he normally does. By the way the movie is shot and the situations you are put in as an audience, you literally feel the anxiety. I got anxious during the entire film which is rather short, especially for Scorsese, but it feels long due to the tremendous amount of emotional stress you endure through. The plot sounds simple; a man has the worst night of his life in the underbelly of New York City, this is a lot crazier then you could ever imagine. I enjoyed the movie but it is not great. If you are a Scorsese fanatic you will enjoy seeing his use of style to create tension. Unfortunately, there is real no underlying theme or message behind it accept that the world is crazy but  cannot complain. The fact that a director can follow up "Raging Bull" and "The King of Comedy" with a decent film is a spectacular achievement and Scorsese continues to make epic and fantastic movies. He is one of the greatest directors of our time, if not the greatest.

3 out of 5 Stars

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Margin Call

An intense and emotional drama, thriller packed with an all star cast in a tightly written script about the financial collapse in 2008. The whole film takes place in a 24 hour time block with the big shots at an investment bank trying to control the crisis. The movie starts and your eyes are immediately glued to the screen. All of the actors are fantastic and newcomer Zachary Quinto, who you will recognize only as Spock from 2009's "Star Trek," is a standout. He would steal the show if it were not for Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci, Jeremy Irons, and Demi Moore. There is no stealing the show here. Once you get past recognizing all the familiar faces, you are sucked into the story that changed the economy we are in today. This is the best wall street film I have ever seen. It is so packed with the intensity of the crisis and the film helped me understand it more than I ever did before. Along with this the film has emotion and you care for these characters and identify with them. You like some and you hate some but you love them all. 2011 was a great year and this is another film competing in my soon to be released Top 10 of 2011 list. Prepare to see this film on it. It is a must for everyone, especially business men and women and the young people who will soon enter into this world of dirty business and corruption. Watch this movie and think about who you need to elect as our leaders to get us out of our awful financial debt and fix this economy.

5 out of 5 Stars

The Descendants

Hands down, one of the best movies of the year. It is genuinely moving and at the same time absolutely hilarious. I was so touched by this film. The story surrounds this normal, average, and rich guy in an extremely incredible circumstance. You see how he deals and copes with this situation along with his two daughters and the teenagers hilarious guy friend. There is way more to the movie then this, but as it is hard to explain and better for you to see it yourself I will not indulge myself. You must go see this movie, it is impossible to see this and not be moved. I laughed frequently out loud and throughout and came to the point where I almost cried. The performances are incredible and George Clooney is very likely to receive recognition at The Academy Awards. Alexander Payne makes a movie that has the same style as "Sideways" which is also a comedy dealing with rather depressing themes. This film is funnier, not as sad, and frankly better. Don't get me wrong "Sideways" is a fantastic film, but this really hit it home for me. Its a film about family, about looking out for each other, about how short life is and how we need to enjoy what it offers. I really loved this film. Despite its language, there is no other explicit content and I believe it is a movie that families should all go to together, if the kids are in their later teens. All of the acting is fantastic and Alexander Payne works perfectly at the helms of director and does exactly what he wants to do. Shailene Woodley is a huge standout for her incredible and fresh performance and is also likely to see some attention this awards season. She is a fresh face and a stunningly beautiful one at that. Robert Forster also makes a come back and does well for himself. This is a fantastic picture that is sure to touch your entire families hearts. I cannot wait to see what Alexander Payne will come out with in the future.

5 out of 5 Stars

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows

Guy Ritchie's convoluted, insanely confusing, slow moving and slow motioned, and at times stupid sequel was entirely unnecessary. It did make some nice money however, so you may expect a third. I enjoyed the first Sherlock film as pure escapism but this movie lost me. It was hard to follow and then I stopped caring about keeping up with it. You have three great actors being wasted away on this vamped up version of a great literary character. I honestly have no idea what was going on in the movie after the first 45 minutes or so. There are some funny one liners and Robert Downey Jr., and Jude Law have pretty good chemistry; the material just is not there. Ritchie who is famous for these quickly moving films with a sort of zany style to it does not work here. He overuses the slow motion effect which we have already seen in the first film and he moves so fast that you cannot figure out what is going on. A waste of money but, even more importantly, a waste of your time.

1 out of 5 Stars

Friday, January 6, 2012

Jacob's Ladder

Yes, Adrian Lyne again. I have now almost succeeded in seeing all of his films. This one is a psychological thriller starring Tim Robbins, who you will recognize from "The Shawshank Redemption." It is about a Vietnam war vet living with his girlfriend in New York. He has suffered from some severe trauma in his life and starts to see what he believes are demons walking around following him. The movie has many twists and turns and keeps you interested and actually gave me anxiety. The movie made me feel almost stressed out. For some reason it didn't really hit me. I understood the ending and how it was supposed to make me feel but I did not feel it. I ended the movie just thinking that it was okay and almost that a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Lyne's talent for filmmaking is displayed here but it is more like you see his potential rather then seeing him do anything really great.

3 out of 5 Stars

9 1/2 Weeks

Yet another sexed up Adrian Lyne film, this time featuring Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger who have a impersonal affair which leads to some complications. The movie is famous and has earned its place in pop culture for its racy scenes for its day. Compared to movies today it really is not that bad or very hot and the movie also lack plot and point. I thought it was average and the performances are okay but to me it seemed that there really was not that much to perform. Nothing really happened. Adrian Lyne is a good filmmaker but he has trouble staying focused and has yet to show what he really can do. "Unfaithful" is by far his best movie and if he can stay closer to that his true skill would really show. If you want to see why this movie got attention, go ahead and check it out but to me, this was sort of a waste of time.


2 out of 5 Stars

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Ordinary People

This was Robert Redford's directorial debut and the Best Picture winner for 1980. Despite it's to the point script and a few awkward moments this is a smart truly moving film. It is almost impossible to watch this family and not see some of the same struggles in your own but to a lesser degree and in different ways. This is a movie about bad things happening to ordinary people and the consequences that come out of these bad things. I shed a few tears for the tragedy of how sometimes things don't work out even when they should or could have in a different scenario. The acting is truly terrific and the story moving. Donald Sutherland is a particular standout portraying the loving father who just wants to work things out but cannot seem to find a way. I related with him especially as I did his son who feels like everything is closing in around him and just wants his mother to show love to him. He just needs to feel loved. A touching movie that all families should see when up for the conversations that will surely come afterwards.

5 out of 5 Stars