March 15, 2013

• Movie Review Update 3/15/13

  previous reviews here.

  Holy smokes, it’s been a long ass time.  Haven’t seen all that many movies considering…  More tv these days, I guess.

   

  My Way (2012) – Korean movie.  cheese.  2 stars.

   

  The Cabin in the Woods (2012) – Joss Whedon produced this dissection/send up/homage of the horror film genre.  Funny and interesting to see something so tried and true like the horror template being taken apart like a toy truck.  3.5 stars.  

  Looper (2012) – Rian Johnson’s sci-fi film about future time travel stuff.  It’s two movies:  1.  sci-fi film followed by 2. a character drama, both good 4 stars.

  Goon (2011) – hockey, slapstick comedy 3 stars.

  The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) – cute coming of age movie.  The book nearly crushed me to tears as I read it on the subway.  The movie might have had a similar impact if I hadn’t read the book first.  4 stars.

  Seven Psychopaths (2012) – follow up to the amazing favorite of mine, In Bruges.  This one sucked it hard.  1 star

  The Master (2012) – Interesting characters and amazing acting.  PT Anderson is shifting his mood.  Contemplative, and less forgiving.  3.5 stars

  The Hunger Games (2012) – It is what it is.  This is JLaw’s world.  We just live in it.  3 stars.

  You Can Count On Me (2000) – Sibling drama.  3.5 stars

  Klown (2010) – tries too hard.  2 stars.

   

  Argo (2012) – Fun and suspenseful, but ultimately it’s an empty shell.  No character work.  3 stars

   

  Skyfall (2012) – Bond with a soul.  I think we all agree that Daniel Craig’s angry Bond is awesome.  3.5 stars

   

  Save the Date (2012) – Cute romantic dramedy starring two gorgeous and charismatic actresses:  Alison Brie and Lizzy Caplan.  They carry this through the plot shortcomings.  3.5 stars

  Holy Motors (2012) – Almost experimental.  I liked it much better after I read a blog telling me what it’s about.  But if someone had to tell me, did the movie fail?

  Nameless Gangster (2012) – Korean film with Choi Min Shik.  He’s a low life scheming everyman who manages to hitch his star to a rising gangster’s wagon.  Who is the real grifter here?  3.5 stars

  Take This Waltz (2012) – I might like this better if I didn’t think the two lead characters were assholes who deserved to get slapped.  2 stars.

   

  Sleepless Night (2012) – French chase thriller.  A cop’s son is kidnapped.  Shit happens.  3.5 stars.

  Django Unchained (2012) – Just another bloody revenge tale by Tarantino?  Nay.  It’s a classic hero tale.  In Star Wars terms, it has an Obi Wan Kenobi, the Force, Darth Vadar, The Emperor, etc.  4 stars

  Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) – Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley.  It’s cute.  3 stars

  The Sound of My Voice (2012) – Brit Marling indie film about a cult.  Interesting watch.  3 stars

   

  Turn Me On, Dammit (2012) – Swedish?  Norwegian?  I forget.  Teenage girl coming of age.  Endearing.  3 stars

   

  Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Roman Polansky’s iconic film about what might be very shady (read: evil) dealings with the neighbors.  Love this.  4 stars

  The Unjust (2010) – Korean film.  I forget.  3 stars. 

   

  Ted (2012) – eh.  3 stars.

   

  Fast Five (2012) – expecting the worst, it’s…  not terrible.  2.5 stars.

   

  Arbitrage (2012) – Richard Gere is a finance titan a la Bernie Madoff.  Do truth and justice always win?  3 stars.

  Hello I Must Be Going (2012) – I like Melanie Lynsky.  She’s so cute.  And she’s very cute here as a totally mopey, depressed, lost divorcee trying to figure shit out.  3 stars.

  Lincoln (2012) – I thought it was going to be a boring and manipulative movie.  Instead it was an interesting and manipulative movie.  Very wonky, so requires tolerance for excessive yap.  3.5 stars

  Silver Linings Playbook (2012) – It’s JLaw’s world.  3 stars.

  Rio Bravo (1959) – Possibly the only movie I could tolerate John Wayne in.  One of Tarantino’s favorite movies.  4 stars.

  Pitch Perfect (2012) – I really really really wanted to like this but…  Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson could not pull it off, though I think problems started way before they got involved.  The script was uncomfortably rigid to the formula.  1 star

  Killer Joe (2011) – Starts out shit.  Ends like gangbusters.  WTF is going on with Matthew McConaughy lately?  He kills it in this as Killer Joe himself.  3 stars

  Homeland (2011) – It’s addicted to the cliff hanger formula but it still has interesting characters.  It’s not afraid to go the unexpected route sometimes, which is fun.  4 stars.

  Downton Abbey Seasons 2 and 3 – meh.  Rely too much on scattered elements of contrived drama. 

   

  House of Cards Season One – Not a fan of Kevin Spacey but I found this fun in its 100% cynical and dark way.  3.5 stars

   

  Other tv shows currently in the rotation:  Girls (excellent), The Americans, Community, Parks and Rec, Archer

   

  I quit The Walking Dead for good, and feel nothing but relief.  That show got so annoying.

  • 4:06 pm
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