November 2015

The Final Girls
Stars - Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman
Plot - The daughter of a B movie scream queen gets transported to her mom's most famous horror movie where she must survive a killer and come to terms with her mom's death.
Thoughts - This is the sort of movie you might only enjoy if you really love horror movies (as I do). It's clever and fun, but I also think the idea is a lot better than the execution.
Grade - B-

Z for Zachariah
Stars - Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine
Plot - The possible last surviving woman in a post apocalyptic world finds herself in a love triangle, because sure, that would happen.
Thoughts - I actually really liked the storyline,  no matter how ridiculous it was. Too bad the whole thing was just so damn boring.
Grade - C+

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Stars - Olivia Cooke, Thomas Mann
Plot - A teenage filmmaker who hates everything is forced by his mom to hang out with a classmate dying of cancer.
Thoughts - I really loved the book this is based on, and while the movie never quite gets as good, it is still a pretty solid, funny, heartfelt movie.
Grade - B

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2
Stars - Jennifer Lawrence, et al
Plot - Katniss must finally bring down that nasty Capital.
Thoughts - The first thing it has going for it is that it's better than Part 1 although that's not hard. Despite the fact that it starts mid-scene, and is too long (Attn: Hollywood, stop splitting movies into 2 parts. I know you make twice the money, but is it really worth it to make two disjointed movies filled with filler when you could make just one bad ass (albeit long) movie?), Mockingjay is filled with action and heart. Part 2 may noy be the best of the bunch (see Catching Fire), but it is a pretty good ending to the series. 
Grade - B

Spotlight
Stars - Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams
Plot - The true story of a group of Boston journalists who investigate and uncover the decades long cover up of priests molesting children in the Catholic Church.
Thoughts - I know it doesn't necessarily sound like the kind of movie you would want to rush out and watch, but it's easily one of the best movies of the year. The cast is incredible, the performances are stellar, and the script is fast paced which helps make this movie intensely watchable. Maybe a little difficult to keep track of all the secondary characters though.
Grade -  A-

Pitch Perfect 2
Stars - Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson
Plot - The Bella's are back and trying to win the a capella world championship.
Thoughts - The first film is not necessarily good, but at least compulsively watchable. This is a pretty terrible follow up. Plot wise, it's terrible. Just fast forward to the music, which is fun.
Grade - (a pretty generous) C-

Creed
Stars - Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone
Plot - The son of Apollo Creed enlists his old frenemy, Rocky Balboa, to train him as a boxer.
Thoughts -  Truth? I've never seen a single Rocky movie. But, alas, the only thing I love more than a boxing movie is Michael B. Jordan, so I was in. And luckily, this is a really well done, really heartfelt, funny, wholly crowd pleasing film. Sylvester Stallone might be an Oscar contender come nomination time. And, finally, Michael B. Jordan's biceps, ya'll.
Grade - B+

Brooklyn
Stars - Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson
Plot - A young woman in the 1950s moves from Ireland to New York for better  opportunities.
Thoughts - This might be the best movie I see this year and if it's playing at a theater near you, call off work or school and run to the theater right now. I told myself I wouldn't give out an A+ until I saw a movie as good as or better than The Social Network, and while this isn't quite that, this is as near to perfection as you can get. It's funny and sad and romantic and just completely entrancing. I loved this movie so much and if you ever listen to me about anything, go see Brooklyn now.
Grade - A

June 2015

Mortdecai
Stars - Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Munn
Plot - A zany art thief tries to find a stolen rare piece of art.
Thoughts - This movie is legit terrible and it's not just because I am one of the few people who can't stand Johnny Depp (I think he is just a cartoon character at this point). Even McGregor, who I think is the most underrated actor alive, and who is sort of good here, can't save this disaster.
Grade - D

The Last Five Years
Stars - Anna Kendrick
Plot - A relationship runs it's course, forwards and backwards through song.
Thoughts - First things first, Kendrick is great. Big surprise!  But, for me, the movie really oscillates between being good and boring, between having catchy, good songs and forgettable ones.
Grade - C+

Entourage
Stars - Kevin Connolly, Jeremy Piven
Plot - Vince directs his first movie, the gang continue to degrade women.
Thoughts - I mean, if you liked the TV show, which I did in spurts, then you will likely enjoy the movie. Still, Piven's Ari Gold is one of TV'S finest performances and characters so it's nice to see him again.
Grade - C+

Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Stars - Adam Scott, Clark Duke
Plot - The gang must travel back in time to find out who kills one of them.
Thoughts - If the first movie was fun in a stupid kind of way, then the sequel is a complete and utter waste of time and talent. The only good news I have about this movie is that Christian Slater (who, for some reason, has a cameo) has aged rather nicely.
Grade - F

The Boy Next Door
Stars - Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman
Plot - A teacher and mother has a steamy tryst with her new neighbor, who is a student, and so hot that you automatically forget how inappropriate relationship is. Also, he's a psychopath.
Thoughts - I was hoping this would be campy and fun, like that Obsessed movie starring Beyonce from a few years back. I was wrong. Ryan Guzman, though.
Grades - D

Lost River
Stars - Christina Hendricks, Ben Mendelsohn
Plot - I honestly have no idea.
Thoughts - Ryan Gosling's directorial debut is seriously weird and crazy, like a David Lynch movie, or a less trashy Harmonie Korine movie. I almost never understood what was going on. Still, Gosling has got a great eye, and the movie was beautiful to look at. It's a shame he couldn't make a better movie. Maybe next time.
Grade - D+

Dope
Plot - A high school nerd and his friends get caught up in a drug deal.
Thoughts - So great and funny and charming and endearing and smart. It's a shame they didn't edit some of the long winded, silly third act because this could have been a truly great movie instead of a really good one.
Grade - B+

Project Almanac
Plot - Some nerdy friends invent time travel, decide to use it to go to Lollapalooza.
Thoughts - This movie is actually pretty fun for the most part, and the young cast all have an easy chemistry. Still, I think it's best if you don't think too much about a movie like this because now I have A LOT of questions!
Grade - C+

DVD Mini Reviews

Starting Monday, I will be revealing my Top Ten Best and Worst of 2012 lists. For now, here are the last of the DVD's I've watched for movies released this year.

Safety Not Guaranteed
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, Mark Duplass
Plot: A group of journalists investigate a newspaper ad looking for a time travel partner.
Thoughts: Some parts of this comedy are really cute and Plaza is a great indie leading lady. However, for every sweet, funny moment, there are just as many cliches.
Grade: C

Bernie
Starring: Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Shirley McClaine
Plot: A seemingly sweet funeral director may have a very surprising dark side.
Thoughts: Every one seemed to love this movie as it's made it's way onto Top Ten lists and received award nominations. I found it to be impressive only because they managed to get Jack Black to not act like an idiot for an hour and forty minutes. McConaughey is having some kind of year, though.
Grade: C-

Sound of My Voice
Starring: Brit Marling
Plot: Two investigative journalists infiltrate a cult where the members worship a woman who claims to be from the future.
Thoughts: I absolutely loved this movie and find Marling to be stunning. It's almost impossible to take your eyes off of her. A star is born.
Grade: B

Seeking a Friend For the End of the World
Starring: Steve Carrell, Keira Knightley
Plot: Two strangers who have zero chemistry take a road trip to find the man's long lost love before the world ends.
Thoughts: Like I said, Carrell and Knightley have zero chemistry. Still, parts of this are really cute. But the ending ultimately ruined it for me. If it had ended a few moments earlier, I would have given this a much better grade.
Grade: D

The Deep Blue Sea
Starring: Rachel Weisz
Plot: A woman struggles with suicide and depression after leaving her rich husband for another man.
Thoughts: I tried to watch this once before, months ago, and I couldn't make it past twenty minutes. Still, it does get better. Some of it is visually stunning and Weisz is perfection. Still, kinda boring.
Grade: C

Damsels in Distress
Starring: Greta Gerwig
Plot: A group of college students try to prevent suicide and also dance.
Thoughts: Seriously, painful and unwatchable.
Grade: F

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Starring: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy
Plot: A group of older people move to India to live at a once thriving hotel.
Thoughts: This movie is quite charming and sweet. Of course, Maggie Smith is the queen bitch of the world. Love her. (That's a compliment)
Grade: B-

Your Sister's Sister
Starring: Emily Blunt, RoseMarie Dewitt, Mark Duplass
Plot: A down on his luck guy manages to become involved in a love triangle with his best friend and her lesbian sister while spending a weekend at a secluded cabin.
Thoughts: A really winning, cute movie with a very likeable cast.
Grade: B

Arbitrage
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Nate Parker, Tim Roth, Brit Marling
Plot: A super rich man becomes involved in a hit and run case while dealing with a failing business / fraud.
Thoughts: A really taut, exceptional thriller / drama. Performances by Gere and Parker are electrifying and worth the rental alone.
Grade: B

Pitch Perfect
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin
Plot: A freshman in college becomes involved in an accapella singing group.
Thoughts: When this movie is at it's best, it's campy, wonderful fun, reminiscent of Bring It On. When it's at its worst, it's cheesy and silly. Still, the fun wins out in the end.
Grade: B

End of Watch

If there's been a better cop movie than End of Watch then I definitely haven't seen it or don't remember it. End of Watch combines a few different genres - intense and gritty thriller, docudrama, and funny buddy cop movie - and somehow it all manages to work for the most part .

The film, directed by David Ayer, follows the exploits of two cops Brian (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike (Michael Pena), partners who come back after a knock em down drag em out car chase / shoot out only to be transferred to the dangerous and gritty South Central of Los Angeles. A routine run in with a group of Latino gang members peeks their interests and soon they are finding reasons to pull over suspicious people. On one of these routine pull overs, they discover blinged out guns and tons of money. This puts them on the radar of the Mexican drug cartel who puts a hit out on the cock of the walk partners. That's the plot in a nutshell, save for Mike's newborn baby with his high school sweetheart and Brian's fledgling relationship with an adorable good girl (Anna Kendrick). It may not sound all that thrilling and intense and interesting, but it most certainly is all of those things and more.

Brian carries a camera around to film crime scenes in an attempt to make a "Day in the Life" video for a film night class he's taking. This behind the scenes accessibility gives the film a whole new feel. The movie feels like you are actually there, on a ride along with the LAPD which lends End of Watch a whole new level of intensity. You are there for the thrilling car chases. You are there for the creepy walk throughs of seemingly abandoned houses. You are there for the heroic (stupid??) race into a burning building to save three children. And you are even there for the boring parts too. But these boring parts, asinine converstations between partners and friends from everything to sex and relationships and weekend plans, are rich and electrifying given the natural chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Pena.

Pena is so damn realistic in this movie that sometimes you feel like you are watching a reality show about his life. His lived in character doesn't feel fake or even scripted. It's like he's just living his day to day life and we are lucky enough to watch. His performance is revelatory. Gyllenhaal is great too, as the tough and loyal cop. The chemistry between the two is one of the many aspects that brings this from common and boring cop drama and puts it in a whole other playing field. Even Kendrick scores as a cutie in a small and more or less thankless role.

The movie is not without it's faults. There is one gleaming plothole that I won't mention because I don't want to ruin anything. Plus, the black and Latino gang members border on racial sterotyping. Also, I would have preferred the movie had it ended five minutes sooner. I think the ending I envisioned, while enigmatic, would have been more satisfying. Still, End of Watch is a damn good movie. As far as cop movies go, it's one of the best. Ever .

Grade: B+

Horror Movie Month: Frozen / 30 Days of Night + 50/50

FROZEN
The stars: Shawn Ashmore, Kevin Zegers, Emma Bell
The gist: Two longtime friends and one of their girlfriends go away for a weekend ski trip. After bribing the lift operator to let them take one more trip up the mountain, they get stuck on the lift after it gets closed down for the night. Since this ski resort is only open on weekends and it happens to be Sunday night, the threesome are stuck dealing with freezing temperatures, frost bite and wolves!
The scares: It's not scary, per se, just very intense and kind of thrilling. But just because it's not scary doesn't mean it isn't good, because it is. In fact, it's a whole lot better than it needs to be.
The body count: Since there are only three characters, telling you that would be a huge spoiler. Plus, the end is sort of ambiguous.
The grade: B+

30 DAYS OF NIGHT
The stars: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Ben Foster, Danny Huston, Mark Boone Jr.
The gist: Every year Barrow, Alaska is plunged into darkness for 30 consequetive days. Many of the townspeople can't deal and flee but some stick it out. So, in the greatest vampire set up ever, a group of blood suckers show up to wreak havoc on the ones who stay.
The scares: These vampires don't glitter. These vamps are scary as hell. They are fast and their teeth look more like shark teeth than flimsy little vampire teeth. I've seen this movie before but forgot how good and scary it truly is. Definitely one of the best vampire films of the 2000s.
The body count: Somewhere over 100!
The grade: B

50/50
This one has nothing to do with Halloween or horror movies but I saw it recently and must say I was very pleased with it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a super heathly twenty something who suddenly discovers he has a rare form of spinal cancer and only a 50% chance of surviving. So, he tries to deal with the fact that he may die. Along for the ride in this charming, heartwarming, funny, semi-raunchy film are Seth Rogen as his loveable best friend, Anjelica Huston as his over bearing mom, Bryce Dallas Howard (who between this and The Help, may be the most hateable woman in Hollywood this year) as his cheating girlfriend and scene stealer Anna Kendrick as his therapist struggling to get things right with her third patient ever. Those who thought Kendrick's performance in Up in the Air was a fluke (I admit, I was one of them) will be delighted to see just how damn good she is in this movie. While everyone else is damn good in this charmer, she steals the show and just might find herself nominated for another Oscar!
Grade: B+