"Stoker" is a psychological thriller about 18 year-old India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska), who has extremely keen senses and recently lost her father Richard (Dermot Mulroney) in a car accident. India and her unstable mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) are surprised when Charlie (Matthew Goode), Richard's brother, turns up after the funeral and announces he will be staying with them for a while. Odd things begin to happen at the Stoker residence including people who disappear leading India to wonder if Uncle Charlie can be trusted.
"Stoker" is a bit of a dark thriller and has some definite dark moments. What I liked most about it is the direction and staging. There is a distinct influence by Hitchcock throughout and it's up to the audience to pick up on a lot of the clues that are right before your eyes. It's really a visual treat to watch and think about all the little nuances that maybe point the viewer towards a clue. As for the cast, Wasikowska, Kidman, and Goode are very on point here. I really liked Goode as the mysterious yet somewhat charming bad guy.
Give this one a try but pay attention to the details - B+
Friday, September 27, 2013
Movie Review: What Maisie Knew (2012)
"What Maise Knew" is an updated version of Henry James' novel with the same title. Set in New York City, the film focuses on the breakup of rock singer Susanna (Julianne Moore) and art dealer Beale (Steve Coogan) and the effects of their young daughter Maise. Maise is an unfortunate pawn in the breakup as both parents want custody but end up with shared. Their daughter is shuttled between them and often cared for by her parents' new partners, Margo (Joanna Vanderham) and Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgard). Maise's selfish parents eventually destruct their new relationships leaving the girl to seek a new version of "family."
This film is honestly a bit hard to watch. This beautiful little girl is completely disregarded by her parents except when she is being used by one parent against the other. The theme that sometimes "family" is not the traditional construct is really illustrated here. This film is a bit rare in that it is very character-focused particularly on a child, who is portrayed as quite perceptive.
It's emotionally-involving but well done - B+
This film is honestly a bit hard to watch. This beautiful little girl is completely disregarded by her parents except when she is being used by one parent against the other. The theme that sometimes "family" is not the traditional construct is really illustrated here. This film is a bit rare in that it is very character-focused particularly on a child, who is portrayed as quite perceptive.
It's emotionally-involving but well done - B+
Movie Review: On the Road (2012)
"On the Road" is a drama adapted by a novel with the same name. The film and book follow the adventures of Jack Kerouac traveling the US in the late 1940's. The film's main character Sal, based on Kerouac and played by Sam Riley, is looking for inspiration with his writing and ends up traveling the country with friends. These friends include Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), who is the main force pulling Sal and others along on various adventures. Dean is fixated on women, drugs, intellectualism, and amusement and his romances with his 16 year-old former bride Marylou (Kristen Stewart) and the mother of kids/later wife Camille (Kirsten Dunst) are part of the drama.
This film is unfortunately a bit slow developing. It really takes time to get going despite opening with Sal already on one of his travels. The film attempts to chronicle the Beat Generation but really doesn't give a lot of context as to what motivates the Beatnik characters. There are some interesting supporting turns in the film by Tom Sturridge, Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen, Elisabeth Moss, and Steve Buscemi. The most impressive actor in the film by far though was Hedlund, who was really good as the enigmatic Dean. I felt Dunst didn't get much of a role here so not as much material for her to work with. Stewart had a much juicer role though didn't do a lot with it.
Overall this film is a bit of a snoozer and doesn't really explain the Beat Generation. Watch this one for the expanded cast though mainly for Hedlund - C+
This film is unfortunately a bit slow developing. It really takes time to get going despite opening with Sal already on one of his travels. The film attempts to chronicle the Beat Generation but really doesn't give a lot of context as to what motivates the Beatnik characters. There are some interesting supporting turns in the film by Tom Sturridge, Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen, Elisabeth Moss, and Steve Buscemi. The most impressive actor in the film by far though was Hedlund, who was really good as the enigmatic Dean. I felt Dunst didn't get much of a role here so not as much material for her to work with. Stewart had a much juicer role though didn't do a lot with it.
Overall this film is a bit of a snoozer and doesn't really explain the Beat Generation. Watch this one for the expanded cast though mainly for Hedlund - C+
Movie Review: Mud (2012)
"Mud" is a coming-of-age drama set in a community in Arkansas along the Mississippi River. Teenage boys Ellis and Neckbone live along the river and discover a seemingly deserted island where a boat is stuck in the trees. The boys sneak off to the island and are exploring the boat when they discover that there is someone else on the island. That someone turns out to be Mud (Matthew McConaughey), who tells the boys he is waiting for someone and staying on the island temporarily. The boys are unsure of him but begin to bring him food and supplies. Mud tells the boys he is waiting for his true love, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon) but the truth is that Mud is a fugitive wanted for killing a man who hurt Juniper and she is on her way to reunite with Mud and run away with him. Ellis and Neckbone proceed to help Mud, even delivering messages to Juniper when she shows up in town, though the situation becomes dangerous when not only the police but dangerous men related to the man Mud killed are trying to avenge the murder.
This film is very reminiscent of Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Fin. We have two young boys living on the river, having adventures, and attempting to grow up. I really liked the setting and the obvious comparison to Twain's characters. I also thought the two actors playing Ellis and Neckbone (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) did a great job. Their chemistry with McConaughey is really good. McConaughey is very good here as Mud as he sells the audience on this mysterious, lovable guy who just so happens to have murdered someone over a girl. He's the bad guy who's not so bad and the audience can see why the boys trust him.
Overall, I think this film is a winner in terms of story, acting, and just an original take on that familiar coming-of-age storyline. Even the obvious Twain-influence doesn't feel overdone or old. Rent this one - A-.
This film is very reminiscent of Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Fin. We have two young boys living on the river, having adventures, and attempting to grow up. I really liked the setting and the obvious comparison to Twain's characters. I also thought the two actors playing Ellis and Neckbone (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) did a great job. Their chemistry with McConaughey is really good. McConaughey is very good here as Mud as he sells the audience on this mysterious, lovable guy who just so happens to have murdered someone over a girl. He's the bad guy who's not so bad and the audience can see why the boys trust him.
Overall, I think this film is a winner in terms of story, acting, and just an original take on that familiar coming-of-age storyline. Even the obvious Twain-influence doesn't feel overdone or old. Rent this one - A-.
Movie Review: Now You See Me (2013)
"Now You See Me" is a suspense film following four street magicians - Daniel (Jesse Eisenburg), Henley (Isla Fisher), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), and Jack (Dave Franco) - brought together by a mysterious hooded man. The group begin performing together in large venues as "The Four Horsemen" and sponsored by an insurance magnate. At a show in Las Vegas the magicians perform a trick where an audience member seemingly robs a bank in Paris by teleporting then showering the crowd with money. The bank in Paris reports missing money and FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) is soon on the case. Agent Rhodes is joined, not by his choice, by Interpol Agent Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent). The pair encounter ex-magician Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman), who now attempts to expose magician secrets. Rhodes and Dray track the Horsemen to their next show in New Orleans while trying to learn the magicians' secrets.
This film features an all-star cast and a great script up until a point. I thought everything was good in terms of the suspense and the plot until the ending just really fell kind of flat. This is one where one has to wonder if the writers got tired and tried to go for a semi-shocking ending but lost steam. Currently there is a sequel being filmed that will attempt to pick up where this one ends, which should be interesting. Bottom line: this one is a lot of fun and a nice ride until the very end.
Enjoy it until the end - B
This film features an all-star cast and a great script up until a point. I thought everything was good in terms of the suspense and the plot until the ending just really fell kind of flat. This is one where one has to wonder if the writers got tired and tried to go for a semi-shocking ending but lost steam. Currently there is a sequel being filmed that will attempt to pick up where this one ends, which should be interesting. Bottom line: this one is a lot of fun and a nice ride until the very end.
Enjoy it until the end - B
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)