Only God Forgives [2013]

Originally was super excited to see this film after I saw the trailer, but that was another classic case where the trailer was far superior than the film. 

The film's overall vibe is so similar to DRIVE that it's scary. I loved DRIVE, but this was a whole different animal. OGF was so focused on being cutesy with the scene setups, and slow camera sweeps, and quarter-speed character interactions that it became laughable. It was like they were trying to recreate the overall tone of DRIVE. Even from looking at the poster you think it would be possibly its sequel.

The gratuitous violence in the film feels unnecessary and pushed upon the audience for mere shook value alone. Whereas in DRIVE it was tied into Ryan's character's arc progression and was saved for the right, perfect moments to add to the overall story. Here it seemed used as a desperate attempt to get the audience' attention.

It's a beautiful film to look at, but there was just no substance there for me. I didn't care about the characters. I didn't care about the need for Ryan to extract revenge for his mother and brother whom were killed by the antagonist. It just felt like a big, sloppy, violent mess and couldn't wait for it to end. Now with DRIVE, I wanted more and still revisit that film from time to time.

Rating: 2.5/10

RT: 40%

The Lifeguard [2013]

Thoroughly enjoyed this film. Saw a trailer for it long ago and a few weeks back NetFlix came through huge for me. Story: Girl leaves big city and heads back home to try and reinvigorate her life and hold on to her youth. 

The film struck a cord with me in the same way Fight Club and Garden State did. Coming of age films that protrude freedom as a way of life where you are not tied down to one particular ideology of list of must-dos. There is definitely that sense of freedom throughout this film. 

The film did have problems, but nothing so ridiculous to focus on. The ending was not what I expected, but I enjoy the 'less-than-happy-ending-ending' so I was pleased and also saddened at the same time. The relationship between Kristian and the boy was believable and they did a good job of coaxing the viewers to be on "their side" with the whole thing. 

One criticism I'll note was the lack of character arc for Kristian's character. I wish we could've seen more of her journey on both sides of the top point of her arc. It almost felt a little too rushed on either side, spending far too much time during the 2nd phase where she was partying and being carefree. I would've had more buy-in if we had spent more time with her before coming home and after the fallout. It would've helped the audience to be more engaged and I feel that was lacking.

Rating: 8.75/10
RT:  13%

Hunger Games - Catching Fire [2013]

Was semi "dragged" to see this last night, so I figured while my impressions were still fresh I'd get something down. First off all, I find it ironic how a movie about the brainwashing of masses has become so popular in exactly that. I was thinking of more ways to tie this thought together but it made my brain hurt.

I did enjoy this one more than the original and thought it was a superior film. The story progression was predictable and took only about 25% of the film to get back to Catness and Square Jaw back into the game arena. I never read the books and it still was apparent what was going to happen. 

The camera movement felt more fluid and controlled this time around. I remember out of HG1 that the shaky camera during the action bouts was just horrible and it was obviously used to cover up the lack of violent detail being that it was a PG13 and all. 

The characters felt distant and removed, like usual. I definitely will attribute this to Jennifer Lawrence's horrible acting. I've noticed that she has two modes. Either straight faced and empty or crying in hysterics. It's pretty easy to see why they made her character in the film someone who was distant and introverted. It's almost like she didn't even need to actually act at all...

EDIT: J-Law is legitimately a boring person in real life. Ha.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv2xfgOL2Uk

Philip Semore Hoffman makes an appearance as the new "game master" or whatever and wasted completely wasted, but you could tell he was given little to work with. Donald Sutherland is definitely my favorite. I don't know if it's just the beard or the fact that he can actually act. Hmmm... Acting.

The film left of in typical fashion on a bit of a cliffhanger, but was a natural bookend that way they ensure to draw out the series as long as possible to bring in the cheddar. 

Another positive note is that 140 minutes went pretty quickly I thought. There was only a scene or two where you realized that you had been sitting in one spot for over two hours. And I guess that's a positive. 

Rating: 7/10
RT: 89%

Assault on Wall Street [2013]

In fear of going completely mad I've decided to use this as an outlet to attempt some writing no matter how minimalistic or substancial. I'm doing this for me... I need to keep telling myself that.

I had the displeasure of watching this thing right after Thanksgiving. I don't want to waste too much time on it but it was laughable. Everything about this movie was embarrassing; from the acting, to the supporting cast, to the horrible hit-you-over-the-head-obvious shot progression prior to the third act, to the story. Yes, the story itself was a joke. So standard and lackluster. 

The ending was horribly reminiscent of the Fight Club scene where Jack minipulates his boss into "letting him work from home". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtrmebhqfw 

The only redeeming part of this film was the joke about how grenades are fun. It happened about halfway through and was delivered by a guy that literally had 30 seconds of screen time.

Don't see this film.

Rating: 2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 25%

TOP FILMS SEEN IN 2011

Figured I would start to use this outlet again. Even if I'm the only one that ever uses it. And I kind of wanted to capture why I liked these 10 films so much. 2011 was kind of a drag in regards to quality films. I managed to squeeze out like 5 films during December that actually made my top list so I guess if it wasn't for December the year would be a total wash... In no particular order:

We Need To Talk About Kevin [2011]
Watched this lil' beauty off of an award press screening site and I enjoyed the whole experience. Just from watching the trailer you get the vibe of the film. I love the pacing and arrangement of this film. The first act feels like a dream where you remember elements but not how they fit into the overall picture. It's surreal, confusing, and downright violating. So good. Cate Blanchett is a gem, like usual. Popping off the screen as the star should. The son who's name I don't know is excellent as well. Even the young version of him is a haunting vision. As a soon-to-be-father this film scares the jewjews out of you. It reminds me of the chaos element that no matter how much we try to correct it our efforts are worthless and at the end of the day we're left helpless and destroyed.

Drive [2011]
Everyday I restrain myself from watching this again online. The DVD release is the week of my birthday and yes, I'm going to treat myself to watching it the second time in blu-ray's beautifulness. The parallels between this film and Taxi Driver [1976??] are staggering, which is probably way I love it so. Ryan Gosling is perfectly restrained and Leon-the-professional crazy when he needs to be. I loved the pacing and soundtrack of this film the most. The College's tune "A Real Hero" is a haunting tune that carries the pace of the film and story perfectly. I'm not a huge 80's fan, but it definitely adds to the film (title sequence in particular is 80's inspired). My favorite scene is when Ryan, the girl, and her son are out by the creek. Amazing. It's a visual spectacle and there are also payoffs for those that NEED that action/violence for resolution. It was just an added bonus for me, but I could've done without them and fine too.

Hesher [2010]
Joseph Gordon-Lovitt (sp?) is by far one of my favorite actors of 2011. With Hesher and 50/50 easily climbing into my top 10. I love how versatile he is. Hesher is just a fun ride. It follows a character I feel a lot of guys can relate to. The character is answered perfectly by this question: what would you do with your life if you just stopped caring and wanted to enjoy each day? Maybe that's not exactly the right question but I'm not going to squabble over it. The secondary characters add a lot too. The young boy, Rainn Wilson and that girl, whose name I always forget...

50/50 {2011]
Anything with Seth Rogan in it I automatically stereotype and place in the "watch one day, but don't care about" tray in my mind. But alas, my preconceived notions have been shattered. Sure Seth Rogan is the comic relief in this film but I feel like he also adds so much to the drama and sincerity of the film when it really kicks into gear. This film manages to take an extremely difficult subject and give it a light-hearted spin. Sure, there are moments of utter seriousness and that's why I like it so much. Ying and yang baby.

Martyrs [2008]
Ugh... this film. I need to revisit it because I remember wondering at about the 50 minute mark when something was going to happen and I think my attention was not where it should've have been. Definitely one of the downfalls of watching films at work on a 12 inch screen. This film rocked my world. The final act leaves you questioning your own life, which is a good thing. The sadist in me loves the whole dependency relational aspect of involved in prisoner/captive. I'm reminded of the Biblical story of the rich man who is in hell who longs for one drop of water to relieve the torment he's in. If you think about it, that's a beautiful thing in a twisted way, and I feel that relates to this film. The third act that is. There's a sick salvation in the end of suffering this film offers. Tread lightly if you dare enter.

Machete [2010]
Danny Trejo, danny trejo, danny trejo... Need I say more? This film is a grindhouse/exploitation/blackplotation/etc 's wet dream. I enjoyed it a ton. Not as much as I thought I would, but it's still on this list. I kick myself for not seeing it in a theater with the crowd going crazy. That would've made the experience much more memorable I believe.

Night and Fog [1955]
A documentary that captures the aftermath of the holocaust camps several years after the war concludes. Next to The Cove and Man On Wire it's one of the most visually haunting documentaries I have ever seen. It's surreal to see exactly where it all happened. Probably not as devastating as Earthlings, but I'm not ready for that doc yet. Just the trailer does the job for now.

Limitless [2011]
Again, another film in which the first act is by far superior from the rest of the film. It's smart and witty and shot well etc etc. The first act is really all you need from this film. the following acts are sloppy in my opinion and have a downward momentum build, but I still enjoyed the ride. Repeat viewing wasn't as good as the initial.

The Machinist [2004]
Probably my favorite piece of work by Christian Bale since American Psycho. And yes, Batman Begins is BETTER than The Dark Knight. This film is a bad dream. One that takes place in a desolated part of town, late at night, that never ends. It reminds me of Fight Club in some aspects, but I found myself mesmerized by it and I can't say I'm excited to revisit it, but I need to. I just have to be in the proper depressed state of mind I guess.

The Town [2010]
Finally saw this after about a year after it's release and I enjoyed it. It honestly was a bubble film for me for this list. I enjoyed the tight writing and well-injected action/drama. I feel like they were trying a little bit too hard though to recapture some of the long gone Heat inspired magic. The Bostonian vibe was fine, even though Ben Affleck's accent made me want to smash my face in with a hockey stick. I do remember enjoying the comradery element to this film.

Heartbreak Ridge

I grew up like most boys drooling over the Dirty Harry films. Clint Eastwood is the ultimate tough guy and man's man. I cannot believe that I have never come across this film before. Starring and directed by Clint comes this 1980s wartime film. I really had a good time with this film and couldn't stop watching it when it started moving along. The film was just a good time the whole way through. Clint's raspy and don't-give-a---- attitude permeates through every scene and with every other character he comes in contact with. He welcomes confrontation.

The only minus I found for this film was the length. It could have been an easy 90-120 minute film, but it was almost to the 2.5 hour mark. It did start to become grueling when they actually begin real battle. It seemed like they were pinned down in that little house/fort for forever! It definitely impacted the positive experience I had been having up until that point.

I need to look into more old school Eastwood films because he knows how to tell a story and act the piss out of it.

Rating: 9/10
RT: 85%

Lost In Translation

I've been chasing this films for literally almost a decade now ever since we watched the second act in one of my film classes at UofM. I did enjoy the film, however, I didn't love it. I completely believed the impromptu relationship between Bill Murray's and Scarlett Johnasson's character and thought it was very well crafted, but the film overall didn't make me sizzle. It was an interesting love fish-out-of-water love story set against the beautiful and unmistakable backdrop of Japan.

Sophia Coppola is a director that I do respect and I appreciate the similar mellow vibe she brings to her works, but I'd rather watch THE VIRGIN SUICIDES over this any day. And I think that it's lack of desire to repeat view has a lot to do with why this film was kind of blah for me. It was shot beautifully and written well, but it wasn't what I wanted, it was exactly what I expected, but not what I wanted.

Bill Murray was a definite saving grace. He moved about the film with poise and brilliance extracting just enough dry humor and sarcasm here and there to hold it all together.

Rating: 7.5/10
RT: 94%