http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2167266/
Beautifully told story of a woman's epic journey across Australia. Mia Wasikowski is excellent as Robyn Davidson, empathetic but not very likable. A bit disappointing that the story was changed from the original, unnecessarily so. Lovely to watch, and very enjoyable.
May 25, 2014
The Returned (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2093270/
Remarkably good Canadian-made zombie movie (never thought I'd say that). Interesting twist on the genre, looking at those with the disease under control as a threat and the science unable to keep up with them. Excellent performance, good story and dialogue, well paced and well told.
May 23, 2014
Walk of Shame (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2463288/
Elizabeth Banks does a great impression of Jenny McCarthy in this below average drunk girl comedy. A waste of James Marsden here - he could do much better.
Elizabeth Banks does a great impression of Jenny McCarthy in this below average drunk girl comedy. A waste of James Marsden here - he could do much better.
Contracted (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2281159/
Quite terrible. Interesting idea - STD as the start of the zombie apocalypse - but poorly executed in this low budget gross-fest.
Quite terrible. Interesting idea - STD as the start of the zombie apocalypse - but poorly executed in this low budget gross-fest.
May 17, 2014
The Machine (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2317225
A well-done low budget AI thriller, with some nice personal touches in the story. Initially looking like a combination of The Matrix and Robocop, the story brings in the interesting question: what does "alive" really mean? The leads are excellent, and their chemistry is palpable and a key success in the film. The bad guy is not really evil enough to be believable, and so the films climax suffers from a lacklustre climax. The notion of language and communication is also interesting here, as the "machines" are perceived to be mute when in fact they communicate more directly and clearly than their masters. Overall, very good.
A well-done low budget AI thriller, with some nice personal touches in the story. Initially looking like a combination of The Matrix and Robocop, the story brings in the interesting question: what does "alive" really mean? The leads are excellent, and their chemistry is palpable and a key success in the film. The bad guy is not really evil enough to be believable, and so the films climax suffers from a lacklustre climax. The notion of language and communication is also interesting here, as the "machines" are perceived to be mute when in fact they communicate more directly and clearly than their masters. Overall, very good.
Joe (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2382396/
A boy-story, with a young man finding an unlikely mentor and hero in a violent but compassionate ex-con. Nicolas Cage is surprisingly good in this title role (although much of the grunting and shouting in the dialogue seems perfectly in line with his most recent other roles) and there is good and believable chemistry between him and others. Tye Sheridan as the boy is excellent, but is potentially being typecast in the troubled-young-man-finds-unlikely-mentor role (see the excellent Mud (2012) and a similar pattern for his co-star from there). Overall, this film and story feel like well-worn territory, but this iteration is pretty good.
A boy-story, with a young man finding an unlikely mentor and hero in a violent but compassionate ex-con. Nicolas Cage is surprisingly good in this title role (although much of the grunting and shouting in the dialogue seems perfectly in line with his most recent other roles) and there is good and believable chemistry between him and others. Tye Sheridan as the boy is excellent, but is potentially being typecast in the troubled-young-man-finds-unlikely-mentor role (see the excellent Mud (2012) and a similar pattern for his co-star from there). Overall, this film and story feel like well-worn territory, but this iteration is pretty good.
The Double (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825157/
Another doppelgänger tale, based on a different novel than "Enemy" but exploring some of the same territory, this film takes a black-comedy approach to the material and puts the malevolence of the 'evil' twin more explicitly in the face of the other half. Ultimately, the resolution becomes the same - they can't co-exist and so neither can survive. Jesse Eisenberg is excellent in both lead roles, moving quite seamlessly from schmuck to bastard and back again. The story elements involving the romance(s) felt derivative of Dead Ringers (1988) or even Roxanne (1987) (especially the restaurant scene with the hidden microphone), so didn't work as well for me. Overall, I enjoyed it and found the same level of existential uncertainty from both stories.
Another doppelgänger tale, based on a different novel than "Enemy" but exploring some of the same territory, this film takes a black-comedy approach to the material and puts the malevolence of the 'evil' twin more explicitly in the face of the other half. Ultimately, the resolution becomes the same - they can't co-exist and so neither can survive. Jesse Eisenberg is excellent in both lead roles, moving quite seamlessly from schmuck to bastard and back again. The story elements involving the romance(s) felt derivative of Dead Ringers (1988) or even Roxanne (1987) (especially the restaurant scene with the hidden microphone), so didn't work as well for me. Overall, I enjoyed it and found the same level of existential uncertainty from both stories.
Enemy (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2316411/
Good creepy tale of doppelgänger-ism. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as the two men sharing a face, with both the despair of one and the aggression of the other, and their mutual and individual existential angst, coming through clearly and believably. The spider symbolism throughout is interesting and disconcerting, adding a sense of malevolence and discomfort throughout. The film uses visual cues and clues well, creating an environment of otherness within the familiar landscapes.
Good creepy tale of doppelgänger-ism. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as the two men sharing a face, with both the despair of one and the aggression of the other, and their mutual and individual existential angst, coming through clearly and believably. The spider symbolism throughout is interesting and disconcerting, adding a sense of malevolence and discomfort throughout. The film uses visual cues and clues well, creating an environment of otherness within the familiar landscapes.
The Bag Man (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2212008/
Deserves to be buried in the titular bag and not heard from again. What were these people thinking when making this mess?
Deserves to be buried in the titular bag and not heard from again. What were these people thinking when making this mess?
Blue Ruin (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2359024
A well-done violent vengeance story, with great performances, dialogue and filming. A few plot holes, but nothing to ruin it. An atypical ending caps off this atypical story well. A nice surprise and very enjoyable.
A well-done violent vengeance story, with great performances, dialogue and filming. A few plot holes, but nothing to ruin it. An atypical ending caps off this atypical story well. A nice surprise and very enjoyable.
Nut Job (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821658
A cute little tale about squirrels, nuts and capers with their other critter friends and a crew of bank robbers. Thankfully, it's not a musical.
A cute little tale about squirrels, nuts and capers with their other critter friends and a crew of bank robbers. Thankfully, it's not a musical.
May 11, 2014
A Patriotic Man (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2343585
Interesting little tale about doping in sports. A man with a unique blood type is recruited to support his national ski team through regular transfusions to the star athlete. Things go awry, the man gets drunk and then beat-up (in the most surreal casting of all time: Canadian doping legend Ben Johnson as the cab driver), ultimately giving up his transfusion career.
Interesting little tale about doping in sports. A man with a unique blood type is recruited to support his national ski team through regular transfusions to the star athlete. Things go awry, the man gets drunk and then beat-up (in the most surreal casting of all time: Canadian doping legend Ben Johnson as the cab driver), ultimately giving up his transfusion career.
Virus Fukatsu (1980)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080768/
Very well done movie for its time, and highly relevant today. A bioterrorism accident leads to devastation of mankind, stranding a small population of researchers and soldiers in Antarctica. These remaining humans set about repopulating and then have to deal with the mutual assured destruction of the leftover nuclear arsenals. Good stories and subplots amidst the general horrors of man on earth.
Very well done movie for its time, and highly relevant today. A bioterrorism accident leads to devastation of mankind, stranding a small population of researchers and soldiers in Antarctica. These remaining humans set about repopulating and then have to deal with the mutual assured destruction of the leftover nuclear arsenals. Good stories and subplots amidst the general horrors of man on earth.
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455538
Mildly entertaining tale of a fish-out-of-water, in the same comedic vein of previous Simon Pegg movies, just without the zombies (oh wait, there is Megan Fox...). The story is loose and there is little empathy (or even like-ability) established for any of the characters, with few laughs to make the movie worthwhile.
Mildly entertaining tale of a fish-out-of-water, in the same comedic vein of previous Simon Pegg movies, just without the zombies (oh wait, there is Megan Fox...). The story is loose and there is little empathy (or even like-ability) established for any of the characters, with few laughs to make the movie worthwhile.
May 10, 2014
3 Days to Kill (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2172934/
Kevin Costner is returning all over the place these day (see also Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) as the wise, experienced and still active CIA agent. Here, he finds himself a hit-man pushed to retire, with a terminal illness and an estranged family. Offered a life-line with a hook (by the ridiculously attired Amber Heard), he juggles the classic spy work-life balance while trying to extend his life long enough for one last Christmas. Despite several lame and corny bits of dialogue with Ms Hear, the story is interesting, and the other leads well done. Welcome back, Mr. Costner, as I believe you've found the right niche.
Kevin Costner is returning all over the place these day (see also Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) as the wise, experienced and still active CIA agent. Here, he finds himself a hit-man pushed to retire, with a terminal illness and an estranged family. Offered a life-line with a hook (by the ridiculously attired Amber Heard), he juggles the classic spy work-life balance while trying to extend his life long enough for one last Christmas. Despite several lame and corny bits of dialogue with Ms Hear, the story is interesting, and the other leads well done. Welcome back, Mr. Costner, as I believe you've found the right niche.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205537
Well done re-reboot of the Jack Ryan series. Chris Pine, already at the helm of the Star Trek reboot, does very well in the lead here, and the other main cast members are also well done; even Keira Knighley, not my favourite most of the time, manages not to annoy me. Also great to see are Kenneth Branagh (in front of and behind the camera) and Mikhail Barishnikov (uncredited so watch closely). The story is taut, believable and current, effectively bringing the characters and stories into the 21st century. Much like the Bourne series, this one looks to be enjoyable.
Well done re-reboot of the Jack Ryan series. Chris Pine, already at the helm of the Star Trek reboot, does very well in the lead here, and the other main cast members are also well done; even Keira Knighley, not my favourite most of the time, manages not to annoy me. Also great to see are Kenneth Branagh (in front of and behind the camera) and Mikhail Barishnikov (uncredited so watch closely). The story is taut, believable and current, effectively bringing the characters and stories into the 21st century. Much like the Bourne series, this one looks to be enjoyable.
Straightheads (2007)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480011
AKA Closure. Violent and somewhat unrealistic story about revenge and recovery. Good performances undermined by bad dialogue and contrived situations.
Robocop (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234721
A decent remake. Where the original had a campy appeal, this new version is slick and actually somewhat believable, with update technology and much better acting.
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