"Beasts of the Southern Wild" is a fantasy/drama about a young girl named "Hushpuppy" (Quvenzhane Wallis) who lives in a southern Louisiana community called "bathtub," which is cut off from the rest of the world by a levee). It's like a post-Katrina world where this whole group of people live all to themselves beyond the levee. As a storm approaches, many citizens of the bathtub flee but Hushpuppy stays to ride out the storm with her hot-tempered father Wink (Dwight Henry). Wink seems to have some sort of health issue, but he doesn't want to scare Hushpuppy. Rather he focuses on teaching her and building her skills so that she can take care of herself. After the storm, Hushpuppy, her father, and other residents of the bathtub struggle to rebuild while Wink faces his health issues.
This movie is a bit different given the fantasy element of these prehistoric creatures who come out after the big storm but I liked it a lot. There's definitely some similarities to post-Katrina Louisiana but I think the film is overwhelmingly about Hushpuppy and how the strength of one little girl can rally a community. The film is told from Hushpuppy's perspective and the audience sees how she grows in confidence and spirit throughout the film. I was impressed with Wallis as an actress. Reportedly she was five years old when she auditioned for the role and she really owns the screen in this role. I'm hoping that she will continue to grow as an actress because she's off to such a great start. The film itself is a visual treat and something you just have to drink in. Very imaginative and creative. Watch out for this one at awards time.
I really liked this film but I think it's for those willing to watch something artistic and allegorical. A- for me.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Movie Review: Liberal Arts (2012)
"Liberal Arts" follows thirty something Jesse (Josh Radnor), who is a bit lost in an unfulfilling job in New York City and recently dumped by his girlfriend when a former professor (Richard Jenkins) calls and invites him back to his alma mater in Ohio for his retirement dinner. During his visit to campus, Jesse is overcome with nostalgia for his college days. He meets a sophomore, Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), who becomes his pen pal and somewhat romantic interest despite his misgivings over the age difference between them. When Jesse returns to campus the second time to specifically visit Zibby he begins to see how he has grown since college and find the joy in post-college life.
This film is understated but an unexpected treat. Radnor is famous for his TV role in "How I Met Your Mother" but he demonstrates his more dramatic chops here as the sensitive and striving Jesse. I liked Olsen as the precocious Zibby, who wants to almost fast-forward time to catch up to Jesse and the version of herself she sees she'll be in the future post-college. This movie is really a must-rent for anyone who has had those nostalgic feelings about the good-old-days in college when things were "simplier." The audience really sees Jesse struggle with his memories of carefree college and yearning for those times when post-college seems more complicated and less interesting. There's some good supporting acting from Allison Janney, who is Jesse's favorite former professor who turned him on to romantic literature but he finds out she's hardly a romantic herself when they run into each other during his campus visits. The most surprising thing about this movie is a small role where Zac Efron, best known for "High School Musical" plays "Nat" a hippie student character who turns up and offers very helpful advice to Jesse when he needs it most. I hope this is the beginning of different roles for Efron other than teen heartthrob parts because I liked him in this film.
As I mentioned, this one is understated and more drama than comedy for sure. Very different than Radnor's TV role so his usual fans may be disappointed but those who like well-acted and thoughtful drama will appreciate it. B+
This film is understated but an unexpected treat. Radnor is famous for his TV role in "How I Met Your Mother" but he demonstrates his more dramatic chops here as the sensitive and striving Jesse. I liked Olsen as the precocious Zibby, who wants to almost fast-forward time to catch up to Jesse and the version of herself she sees she'll be in the future post-college. This movie is really a must-rent for anyone who has had those nostalgic feelings about the good-old-days in college when things were "simplier." The audience really sees Jesse struggle with his memories of carefree college and yearning for those times when post-college seems more complicated and less interesting. There's some good supporting acting from Allison Janney, who is Jesse's favorite former professor who turned him on to romantic literature but he finds out she's hardly a romantic herself when they run into each other during his campus visits. The most surprising thing about this movie is a small role where Zac Efron, best known for "High School Musical" plays "Nat" a hippie student character who turns up and offers very helpful advice to Jesse when he needs it most. I hope this is the beginning of different roles for Efron other than teen heartthrob parts because I liked him in this film.
As I mentioned, this one is understated and more drama than comedy for sure. Very different than Radnor's TV role so his usual fans may be disappointed but those who like well-acted and thoughtful drama will appreciate it. B+
Movie Review: Departures (2008)
"Departures" is a 2008 Japanese drama and winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009. The movie centers on Daigo Kobayashi, a cellist in a Tokyo orchestra. When the orchestra disbands, Daigo and his wife Mika move to Daigo's hometown and into the house his mother left him after her recent death. Daigo begins to confront his feelings of guilt over not taking better care of his mother, who raised him alone after his father ran off, and his anger at his absent father. Daigo finds a job ad for someone to "assist with departures" and eagerly applies. To his surprise the job is preparing the dead for burial in ceremonial fashion in front of the deceased's family/friends. Though he is originally reluctant, Daigo begins to see the value in the job and the joy he can bring to the grieving family. His wife and friends, however, see the job as beneath him and insist he quit.
Very beautifully done and moving, this movie is a treat. You do have to use the subtitles but really the acting especially by Masahiro Motoki in the lead role conveys the message well. The movie has moments of real beauty and emotion but there's some comic relief there too from Daigo's new friends in the "departure" business. I think the movie really speaks to the ceremony and rituals that we go through dealing with death and how Daigo finds value in providing them. Just a beautiful film from start to finish and a real treat to watch in any language. Rent this one! Solid A.
Very beautifully done and moving, this movie is a treat. You do have to use the subtitles but really the acting especially by Masahiro Motoki in the lead role conveys the message well. The movie has moments of real beauty and emotion but there's some comic relief there too from Daigo's new friends in the "departure" business. I think the movie really speaks to the ceremony and rituals that we go through dealing with death and how Daigo finds value in providing them. Just a beautiful film from start to finish and a real treat to watch in any language. Rent this one! Solid A.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Movie Review: Savages (2012)
"Savages" is a suspense/thriller from Oliver Stone (director). The film centers on two pot growers/dealers Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) who share a girlfriend named O (Blake Lively). The three live a fantasy California life in a beach house together with no jealousy between them until a Mexican drug cartel headed by Elena (Selma Hayek) tries to muscle the guys into a partnership. Despite seeing evidence of the violence the cartel's muscle guy, Lado (Benicio del Toro), is capable of, Ben and Chon refuse the deal then pretend to reconsider while planning to leave the country with O. Lado kidnaps O and her guys decide to do what it takes to get her back even if that means they must sink to the level of savages.
I wanted to like this movie but it just came across as really average for me. The scenery and cinematography were good. The plot started pretty good, though there's really not enough depth on how/why the three main characters formed this non-jealous and all-love relationship that's strong enough that the two guys will resort to high levels of violence to rescue her. The plot really falls apart at the end - just not really satisfying. I did really like Hayek and del Toro and thought their work was very good as the bad guys. John Travolta is decent in his supporting role as a dirty DEA agent playing all the angles. I wasn't overwhelmed with Lively or Kitsch. Look for a very small role by Emile Hirsch (too small in my opinion). A lot of violence in this movie.
Solid C- for me because it's just average and lacks in depth and a good ending
I wanted to like this movie but it just came across as really average for me. The scenery and cinematography were good. The plot started pretty good, though there's really not enough depth on how/why the three main characters formed this non-jealous and all-love relationship that's strong enough that the two guys will resort to high levels of violence to rescue her. The plot really falls apart at the end - just not really satisfying. I did really like Hayek and del Toro and thought their work was very good as the bad guys. John Travolta is decent in his supporting role as a dirty DEA agent playing all the angles. I wasn't overwhelmed with Lively or Kitsch. Look for a very small role by Emile Hirsch (too small in my opinion). A lot of violence in this movie.
Solid C- for me because it's just average and lacks in depth and a good ending
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Movie Review: Pitch Perfect (2012)
Like "Glee?" Then this might be the movie for you! "Pitch Perfect" is a bit like "Glee" but it's the college competitive a cappella scene rather than high school. The film centers on freshman Becca (Anna Kendrick), who joins an all-female a cappella group on campus in order to show her father she has tried to engage in college. The group, the Bellas, is ruled by seniors Aubrey (Anna Camp) and Chloe (Brittany Snow) but the new girls, like Becca, want to shake things up with more unconventional songs/choreography like the all male group, the Treble Makers, and win a national championship.
Though it's a bit predictable, there's laughs and heart to this film not to mention some good music. Rebel Wilson really stands out as "Fat Amy," an Australian student who also joins the Bellas. Wilson is one to watch as she has natural comedic timing. I like Anna Kendrick in this one but not as much as I did in "Up in the Air." Brittany Snow is enjoyable. Some of the writing is a bit awkward (like why do Chloe and Becca have to have a long conversation about Becca joining the Bellas in the shower?) but I think overall this movie's parts overcome the problems with the whole.
It's a C+ for me because the music is enjoyable and there's some good laughs (mostly thanks to Wilson).
Though it's a bit predictable, there's laughs and heart to this film not to mention some good music. Rebel Wilson really stands out as "Fat Amy," an Australian student who also joins the Bellas. Wilson is one to watch as she has natural comedic timing. I like Anna Kendrick in this one but not as much as I did in "Up in the Air." Brittany Snow is enjoyable. Some of the writing is a bit awkward (like why do Chloe and Becca have to have a long conversation about Becca joining the Bellas in the shower?) but I think overall this movie's parts overcome the problems with the whole.
It's a C+ for me because the music is enjoyable and there's some good laughs (mostly thanks to Wilson).
Movie Review: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" stars Steve Carell as "Dodge," who the film follows during the final 3 weeks before an asteroid will collide with earth. Dodge is dealing with the sudden departure of his wife while all around him people are going crazy with drugs, sex, and in some cases suicide. A chance encounter with neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) leads to Dodge finding out that his wife was cheating on him and that his long-lost high school love Olivia felt he was the love of her life. A riot breaks out and Dodge ends up fleeing town with Penny. Penny agrees to drive Dodge to see Olivia if he takes her to a pilot he thinks will fly Penny to be with her family in England. An interesting rode trip ensues that is complicated by the pending doom of the asteroid but also the unlikely pairing of Dodge and Penny.
This film got really mixed reviews and I think it's because fans of Carell's more typical fare will be disappointed that this film is more dark. There danger the characters are facing, the end of the world, is real and creates tension as if there's this huge clock counting down the minutes left that the characters have till it's over. There's only so long to make things right and be with those who matter but perhaps a new friend can make those final moments worthwhile. At first I liked this movie but thought that Carell and Knightley just didn't make sense as a couple - maybe as friends but not as a couple. Perhaps the end of the world makes the impossible seem much more likely in terms of couples? I did like the casting in this film other than Carell/Knightley as a romantic pair. Connie Britton shines in a small supporting role.
The bottom line is that this is a great fatalistic romance/drama about people coming together in light of impending doom. It's not typical Carell-fare and probably should be avoided by many of his fans. Solid B for me and great flick for those days when you're worried about Mayan calendars.
This film got really mixed reviews and I think it's because fans of Carell's more typical fare will be disappointed that this film is more dark. There danger the characters are facing, the end of the world, is real and creates tension as if there's this huge clock counting down the minutes left that the characters have till it's over. There's only so long to make things right and be with those who matter but perhaps a new friend can make those final moments worthwhile. At first I liked this movie but thought that Carell and Knightley just didn't make sense as a couple - maybe as friends but not as a couple. Perhaps the end of the world makes the impossible seem much more likely in terms of couples? I did like the casting in this film other than Carell/Knightley as a romantic pair. Connie Britton shines in a small supporting role.
The bottom line is that this is a great fatalistic romance/drama about people coming together in light of impending doom. It's not typical Carell-fare and probably should be avoided by many of his fans. Solid B for me and great flick for those days when you're worried about Mayan calendars.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
"Moonrise Kingdom" is director Wes Anderson's latest film (he also co-wrote it). Set in 1965 on an island in New England, the film follows 12 year-old orphan Sam (Jared Gilman) and his pen pal/love interest Suzy (Kara Hayward), who decide to run away together. Sam runs away from "Khaki Scout" camp as well as his latest foster situation while Suzy runs away from her attorney parents and trio of younger brothers. The pair make their getaway and the island's adults struggle to make sense of the situation and to find them.
I really liked this film, but then again I'm a Wes Anderson fan. I like his style of screenplay and direction and was not disappointed with this film. I'd say if you like his previous work, then be sure to rent this one. "Moonrise" is more of a romance than previous Wes Anderson films so it's a sweet addition to his previous works. There's just something about the innocent "romance" between kindred spirits Sam and Suzy and their plan to run away together.
Lots of stars in this one including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Harvey Keitel.
Wes Anderson fans be sure to grab this one! B+
I really liked this film, but then again I'm a Wes Anderson fan. I like his style of screenplay and direction and was not disappointed with this film. I'd say if you like his previous work, then be sure to rent this one. "Moonrise" is more of a romance than previous Wes Anderson films so it's a sweet addition to his previous works. There's just something about the innocent "romance" between kindred spirits Sam and Suzy and their plan to run away together.
Lots of stars in this one including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Harvey Keitel.
Wes Anderson fans be sure to grab this one! B+
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