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Josh (2013)
A small-scale art movie that is beautifully directed by Iram Bilal.
Josh is a small-scale art movie that is beautifully directed by Iram Parveen Bilal. I am proud of the fact that the film's director is a woman and also features a strong female lead; a very good performance from Aamina Sheikh.
Iram shows great maturity in handling the transitional scenes, edits and general framing of the shots. The film is under two hours and feels just as compact with an impactful story. The feudal system is the crux of the narrative and while it's not greatly dissected, the message is concise and effective.
There has been a lot of talk about the revival of Pakistani cinema with the likes of Waar taking the box-office by storm. But it is the smaller and more poignant films like Josh that I would rather get behind and recommend for its beautiful execution.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Beautifully punctuates its association to the greater saga...
The fifteen year middle-earth adventure helmed by Peter Jackson comes to a close in The Battle of the Five Armies. As an amalgamation of emotion and spectacle, this ranks high in the saga for me. The action highlight in the movie, as made evident from the title, is an immense climactic battle. But there is also a clash of a more mystical nature involving the older guardians of Middle-Earth, in Dol Guldor, that is short but spectacular. On a more human level, this final chapter features the profound tragedy missing in the LOTR trilogy. For the first time in a Middle-Earth movie there is no prologue as we straightaway witness Smaug the dragon's incredibly visualized assault on Laketown; an airborne dragon attack has never looked so magnificent. It is a brief but satiating appetizer for the adrenaline to get going. From there the movie changes gears to set-up a few things & allows the characters to take over. Bilbo (Freeman) and Thorin (Armitage) deliver some great moments. Looking back at all 6 films there is no doubt Bilbo will be remembered as the definitive Hobbit; he brings the character to life through copious expressions & mannerisms which add warmth to the role. In the previous films he shared great moments with Gollum and Smaug while here his notable scenes are in the presence of or in context to Thorin. The said dwarf king, consumed by greed, is also a memorable personification of an anti-hero. It's interesting to witness the trajectory his character goes through during the trilogy; from a single-minded steely determination to total disintegration. He manages to generate substantial empathy through this process. Most of the other important supporting characters get to shine in individual moments. Ryan Gage's role, as the cowardly Alfrid, was the bleak film's only comedic relief and he was unexpectedly excellent. Gandalf (Ian Mckellon) is incredible as usual and reinforces himself as my favorite character in all the 6 pieces of this wondrous adventure. Jackson also wonderfully weaves in smaller details & subplots in the film to connect the story to the world & time of LOTR. Gandalf's side-expedition, which was essentially nondescript in the book, gained traction in the middle film and now comes full circle with a brief but rousing finish. Some editing and missing through-lines suggest that fans will again need to rely on an inevitable extended edition for the definitive version of the film.
Aesthetically and in terms of scale, Peter Jackson forms a smaller but distinct looking final conflict from the two major battles of the LOTR films (Helm's Deep & Pelennor Fields). It is more logistical in nature and he captures it nicely using a floating virtual camera giving us appealing wide-angle shots. The chaotic clash takes place against the backdrop of the Lonely Mountain and on its snowy/frozen fringes making the battlefield an actual character. The amount of detail and individual heroic-character moments is abundant; for every over-the-top Legolas moment there are others that left me in admiration of the landscapes and battle-choreography on display. Also, the fact that there are tragic incidents in this conclusive chapter makes it leave an arguably greater emotional impact than any LOTR film. Looking back at the Hobbit trilogy it's hard for me not to look at these films through a haze of nostalgia. They are less complex and lesser as a result compared to LOTR trilogy. But they still feel transcendent & cinematic and the final delivers in terms of scale & emotional involvement.
Overall, Battle of the Five Armies beautifully punctuates its association to the greater Middle-Earth saga that follows. It also affectionately conveys a sense of completion to Bilbo's grand adventure. Jackson's ambition deserves to be lauded as he ends his Middle-Earth journey and for me, cinema will not be the same... well, at least December won't.
*I look forward to re-reviewing/re-grading the entire Hobbit trilogy after watching their definitive extended editions.
Gone Girl (2014)
Fincher sticks close to his idiom and creates something exquisite & memorable.
Gone Girl marks a kind of evolution in David Fincher's filmography. It's possibly his most provocative film along with Fight Club; one that will lead to the most conversation and filled with the most humor (the darker kind of course). It explores relationships and the media circus as well. Other than that you see what Fincher has delivered for most of his career; an engrossing, uneasy, and at times horrifying story
all making for an exceptional drama.
It starts off as a conventional missing-person story but midway the 'mystery' is uncovered; the story has way more up its sleeve. What follows is a deliciously twisted cat-and-mouse game between characters that are going to be amongst cinema's most memorable. There is an addictive brand of insanity which unravels in Gone Girl that's previously unseen in Fincher films.
An expectedly sinister mood hangs over the story which is substantially heightened by Trent Reznor's music which is largely understated but piercing in the right moments. Apart from that, the film is an exhibition of Fincher's expertise; adding layers of drama & texture leading to a climax that fulfills and even exceeds expectations.
Ben Affleck gets an excellent role and displays how effective he can be given the right character. But it is Rosamund Pike who steals the show. Her performance is a revelation of sorts; playing a character that is a mere presence initially but then takes command of the story and lures us in. The supporting cast is also notable and plays to the film's advantage in many stages; Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, and Tyler Perry excel in their parts.
Overall, Gone Girl is an outstanding exercise in characters taking charge despite the concept of mystery at its core. Fincher sticks close to his idiom and creates something exquisite & memorable.
Calvary (2014)
A solemn story with wonderful acting and a sincere heart ...
"I think there is too much talk about sins and not enough about virtues" A priest is threatened which sets in motion a series of suspicions and questions. As a result of this occurrence, the audience progressively witnesses an earnest commentary on the state of humanity as some thoughtful dialogue about spirituality & religion ensues.
Director John Michael McDonagh (The Guard) uses the stunningly beautiful Irish coastal setting as a character in this bleak drama with doses of clever humor. The movie maintains a purposeful pacing which never undermines the thematic undercurrent of the story.
Brendan Gleeson delivers an exceptional and poignant performance as the said priest. He transmits deep expressions illustrating his doubts, convictions, and inner-struggles. Probably his best work to date for me.
Overall, Calvary is a solemn story with wonderful acting and a sincere heart that made me highly anticipate the next John McDonagh project
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
What a load of...NOISE
Michael Bay Explosions Inc. is a fitting title that can be replaced with each film in the Transformers franchise. Also, at this point asking which Transformers movie is the best is like being asked which eye-ball you would prefer to lose in an accident; as of June 2014, this is the longest and most punishing film in the franchise. If you were hoping the newest installment would be a fresh start of some sort, the answer is NO! It is the same noisy and disposable circus-show with irritating humans & giant robots with lackluster designs (we get a fat cigar- chomping one) and awful lines.
Mark Wahlberg finds himself running and jumping away from all kinds of destruction as he replaces Shia LaBeouf who has reportedly gone insane after being part of 3 Transformer movies (someone confirm that). We also find a new female lead; slow-motion shots and typical damsel-in-distress staleness intact. The first half of the film basically features forgettable exposition which often cuts to juvenile humor from father, daughter, and a boyfriend who can drive well.
The special effects are impressive in parts as with all previous Transformers movies, but with the absence of good characters let alone a fun story, it all seems inconsequential.
Overall, Transformers 4 will continue to excite fans who have clearly gifted a lot of money to the previous films. As for the rest, this is another loud and forgettable action movie. If you managed to endure the entire movie and did not end up with a throbbing headache, give yourself a round of applause.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Pretty close to Amazing...
The Amazing Spiderman 2 is comes pretty close on the promise of that second word in its title. From fantastic visuals that include easily the best Spidey swinging sequences to the potent chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, the film possesses plenty of absorbing elements.
The character of Spider-Man is in his element in this version; more confident, in tune with his abilities, and constantly reaching for that comic banter. As Peter Parker however, he is more conflicted as he constantly battles between abandonment issues of the past and progressing forward with Gwen Stacy. The latter relationship is in fact the heart of the film; there is some cheesiness but both Garfield and Stone are so adorable & genuine together that it's easy to let them carry on falling over each other. Garfield is probably the best actor I have seen along with Robert Downey Jr. & Christian Bale to play a superhero, showing a tremendous range of emotions & earnestness.
The villains of the film are a bit too comical for my liking, especially in their motivations. But hey, at this point I'm not sure what I want to see from them as long as their powers allow them to put up a decent fight. Jamie Foxx is given an excellent sequence at Times Square when he first comes head-on against our titular character. Marc Webb's direction in that scene is excellent as he creates an epic showcase using slow motion and wide-shots. He also manages to form a dramatic finale and one 'big' moment in particular that many superhero movies fall short on in terms of impact and resonance.
Overall, The Amazing Spiderman 2 never felt over bearing to me despite all the characters involved. It got me excited for the grander Spider- Man universe with the help of gripping story-telling, exhilarating action sequences, and emotion.
Noah (2014)
Aronofsky's dark artistic strokes find a place in a largely spectacle-filled production
Aronofsky's version of Noah is based on a graphic novel, so there seems to be some creative license taken for those hoping this would be a narrative closer to the scriptures. I suppose if a studio is going to tackle divisive material, it may as well recruit the likes of Aronofsky. It may be deemed as bold in certain instances and all the elements in place, the film ultimately comes off as an impressive dark fantasy epic. Those looking for an abundance of salacious qualities may not be satisfied barring a couple of scenes.
Noah is interesting in that it is offers more than mere set-up to the preordained flood. There is a dark-turn to the story once the gargantuan ark sets sail (without sails I should add) which comprises of a visually stunning montage featuring the creation of the universe/earth. The most interesting part of the story is the character of Noah, he is not portrayed as a hero people may be expecting and some sequences even raise serious questions about his sanity. This grey depiction of the storied character is where a large part of the narrative's originality lies.
The film's excessive cost pays dividends as most of the CGI & filming in general is quite beautifully rendered. Also, the cast does a fine job even when the story lingers with the family dynamics. Crowe as the titular character maintains an impressive presence and shows a range of emotions not seen from him since his Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind days.
Overall, Aronofsky's dark artistic strokes find a place in a largely spectacle-filled production. Noah creates an immersive cinematic experience which is believable within its own existence.
*The film did raise a question for me though, could you imagine what that ark would smell like with all those confined animals? You can read my other reviews on http://letterboxd.com/adu/
Snowpiercer (2013)
Memorable and unique.
Snowpiercer is opportunely scattered with social commentary as a revolution to go from the back to the front of a super-train takes shape, forming a unique and impressive film. The carriages are a metaphorical representation of our society and a compilation of interesting characters make this journey-within- a- journey a memorable viewing experience.
Joon-ho Bong's solid direction and a fine assembly of actors is the clear strength of the film. Some oddly-placed tonal shifts and choppy CGI due to its limited budget inflict a few dents, but this is a largely enjoyable grim-faced adventure. Chris Evans may have found his best role and delivered his best performance under the wings of the tightly-knit production.
The environment created within this always-in-motion world is cryptic and multifaceted. Rather than trying to ramp up everything, the film takes its time to breathe life into the characters & adds drama to its narrative construct. The result is a striking collection of imagery & stimulating sequences that many action-movies seem to pass-up. It's hard not to feel invested in the fate of the train & its less-fortunate passengers while the story gloriously marches towards an exhilarating climax. This is a film that speaks to society and is neatly packaged for the large part; it deserves some reverence and I hope it finds success in its upcoming limited release.
Overall, as far as a mix of action and thought-provoking story goes, you'll be challenged to find a better-constructed movie than Snowpiercer in recent times.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
A fast-paced fantasy action blockbuster!
Desolation of Smaug is a marked improvement from the first installment of The Hobbit. From the onset, I was quite surprised at how much of an action-movie this actually was; it barely tries to settle down to breathe. Despite being impressive, I noticed via the editing that many scenes with Beorn and in Mirkwood forest were left on the cutting floor for Jackson's inevitable extended editions. The adventure develops a new sense of urgency as we are now exposed to lands & characters previously unseen in Middle Earth and the escapade gets darker harking back memories of the greatness of LOTR. I have little doubt that once all 3 movies are released and seen as one, these will be worthy, but slightly lesser, companions to the LOTR trilogy.
Once again, Jackson nails the epic adventure feel and the material is immediately transportive and captivating. We are introduced to some compelling supporting characters with varying screen-time. Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt) is visually rendered quite differently compared to the book and thankfully is not generic as described therein. He is given 'manimal' features & an alluring mystery that will surely make him a memorable character by the time we get to the final movie's climax & extended edition. Thranduil gives of this ethereal vibe and is superbly played by Lee Pace; giving us a different side & hence more weight to the Elves.
Smaug, an iconic beast of Middle-Earth, is as magnificent as the book describes him to be. Cumberbatch's heavy vocals (with the help of some digital alterations) and movements (yes this is our first motion- captured dragon) make the villain more intimidating than merely size. Peter Jackson also nails his interactions with Bilbo as he did with Gollum in the last movie. The attention to detail on to the dragon is sublime and watching it talk and move is a truly mesmerizing & unforgettable experience. Avid fans were hoping Smaug would be the greatest dragon in cinematic history and that is the case as the character delivers in terms of both menace & personality. Smaug on screen encapsulates greed & bloated ego just as Tolkien inscribed.
Even the characters not in the book, Legolas & Tauriel, added substance to the subplot. It's not a far stretch to imagine that Legolas would be present at the time the Dwarf-company passed through his father's realm. Also, I found Tauriel very likable indeed (nothing to do with her looks I assure you); her character brought both warmth & fierceness whereas the source had completely overlooked the gender.
Other than character moments, the choreography of some of the action sequences was impressive. The spider attack and the barrel escape were tremendous; but the Bilbo's banter with Smaug & his resulting rage leads to an unexpected battle & fantastic cliffhanger that sets us up for another 12 painfully long months of waiting.
Overall, while Desolation of Smaug deviates significantly from the book's lighter tone, it marvelously captures the grandiosity of the LOTR films & is technically masterful.
Main Hoon Shahid Afridi (2013)
A cheap mess...
One step forward two steps back; Main Hoon Shahid Afridi is the two steps going in the wrong direction. Not that the Pakistani film industry shouldn't indulge in 'masala' films occasionally, but let's not follow the cheap Bollywood recipe when doing so at least. Trashy visualizations for songs and horrible acting need not be part of the hope to draw in the masses.
One of the most disconcerting things about the film was its social conscience. Yes it addresses inclusiveness, but it also reaffirms stereotypes; the evil white man. Do we need to stoop to Hollywood lows when it comes to including minorities and brand the only white cast-member so blatantly evil; he had to mock the deity!? It's a major disservice, especially since a large chunk of illiterates will be exposed to it.
Overall Main Hoon Shahid Afridi is a forgettable mess & one that I'd like to feel was a slight mishap for an industry on the rise.
Prisoners (2013)
Brilliant!
Prisoners is nothing short of a scary movie; for a parent the horror will likely be tenfold. It is an engrossing& harrowing story of a father & detective taking different roads to find two abducted children. A seemingly generic plot on the surface is infused with such bone-chilling tension, dread, and artistic strokes that it eventually becomes a different beast altogether.
The father is Hugh Jackman, who delivers a scorcher of a performance! Take away Wolverine's claws & replace it with raw emotional weight and you have Jackman's character Keller Dover. Jake Gyllenhaal is also incredibly impressive playing a character struggling between his procedural job & natural instincts. Terrance Howard, Viola Davis, & Paul Dano also put in excellent performances in their respective supporting roles.
The movie, a long procedural hearkens back to Fincher's murder mysteries. In fact, given the pace, narrative quality, & sharp editing one could be excused for mistaking it as such. That is a well-earned compliment for the director Denis Villeneuve. Although in a different context when compared to Seven, the film possesses a layer of religious insinuation that adds interest to the story-structure.
The film proudly shows off Roger Deakins cinematography in what may be his best work considering that this is not a spectacle movie or one shot in some iconic location. His skills elevate the production with gorgeous lighting & camera-angles. It is a technical aspect many will overlook in the dreary setting of the story, but is major strength of the film. Nowhere is it punctuated better than in a brief night-time driving sequence towards the end of the film.
Overall, Prisoners is a dramatic & nerve-grinding thriller of the highest order. It is a slow-burn drama that is a fitting companion-piece to films like Seven & Zodiac.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012)
Exceptional & thought-provoking
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is as cleverly executed a story as the novel it is based on. It is a gripping tale and one I could personally relate to since it is based on a Pakistani character that is exposed to two vastly different worlds.
I loved the film's pacing and its expert editing, specifically with the songs & back-story flashbacks. The opening 'Qawali' was superbly edited as it plays during a kidnapping scene; that sequence had me in awe and immediately got me on board with the film. To Mira Nair's credit, that grip was relentless throughout the film; kudos to the writers as well. The film clearly benefits from a good script & a solid multicultural ensemble.
Riz Ahmed carried himself exceptionally as Changez, keeping his emotions in check and unraveling them with impressive timing. His back-story was easy to empathize with, and it didn't beat the viewer over the head with what side is right or wrong. As someone from Pakistan, I would have loved to see more of it shot in Pakistan (I understand the reasons why it wasn't) and the use of more Pakistani actors as a result. But that is a minor complaint considering how much I admire the film for presenting a sensitive subject & rather complex story so well.
Overall, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is an engaging watch with a solid story, music, and acting
.one of the best films I have seen in 2013!
Django Unchained (2012)
Tarantino's western gem.
There must be something in Tarantino's diet that makes him consistently produce these twisted and ingenious movies. Django tells a blood-soaked tale involving slavery, ruthless characters & encounters, and humor
the usual Tarantino recipe. The man is booked for the hall of fame but that his material continues to impress & stand-out from the crowd is remarkable.
If there was one thing I have wanted to see on film it is Leo in a Tarantino movie (now I want Tom Cruise in one, being spoiled often leads to this). Leo passed on the villainous role in Inglorious Basterds, but this time he has embraced it and is having a blast with it. He plays a diabolical man with an equally conniving right hand man played by Samuel L. Jackson. The man Tarantino discovered, Christoph Waltz (who got Leo's role in Basterds in the end) is on the 'good' side this time, but is equally electric. It's funny that the title character actually takes a back-seat as the bigger supporting names take over the film. But Jamie Fox does well with what he is given, and Will Smith must be kicking himself for passing up on a Tarantino movie.
This is Tarantino's longest movie, but for those of you who are familiar with his skill-set, that length should not be a concern. The long talking sequences, inspired music choice & timing, bursts of violence, and great characters make it a great package and one the best movies of the year. So long as Tarantino (his imagination at least) is in the movie business, there is always something to look forward to.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
A Nostalgic Return.
From the great list of directors the world has seen, none are more deserving to be called the king of fantasy than Peter Jackson. His ability to adapt material & transport an audience is incredible. He now gives us an evocative & welcome return to Middle Earth with a lighter story but with some of the same & plenty of new characters. The world of film was never quite the same since Lord of the Rings wrapped up. The stakes here are not as high as the previous trilogy, but the level of epicness is apparent & the story promises to get darker over the next two installments.
The movie as plenty of great cinematic moments; the prologue and final escape/battle but what stands out (my favorite chapter in the book) is Riddles in the Dark with Gollum and Bilbo; it is pure cinematic magic. Jackson creates drama & intrigue from an outcome many of the viewers are familiar with. It was the movie's best part & it proves that Freeman was the perfect casting choice for Bilbo.
The newer aspects of the adventure story; dwarven culture, goblins/orcs with a slight narrative arc, and a new wizard makes the film feel richer. Richard Armitage gives a commanding performance as Thorin & will likely be one of the new trilogy's most endearing characters. We're one movie in and you can already tell his character has been fleshed out nicely. His 'far over the misty mountains' song with the dwarfs was chilling. It may be Bilbo's story, but the changes Thorin undergoes during the 3 films will be just as significant. Jackson made a bold decision to include all of the books 13 dwarfs and gives them distinct personalities and design (something the book clearly failed to do). Though not accomplished yet, by the end of the trilogy I am sure most will be easily identified; that's saying something for a large group of secondary characters. The goblins are given character; an underground monarchy as well as a intimidating chief antagonist with a bone to pick with the dwarf leader. I also loved the new nature-centric wizard, Radagast, and look forward to how his story plays out. All these elements greatly enhance Tolkein's version of the book in my opinion and makes the narrative more interesting.
Jackson's trademark epic sweeping shots & battle sequences are evident again and add to the film's grandeur. Howard Shore's musical genius also marks a return mixing some familiar notes with new themes.
Overall, Jackson was born to bring Tolkeins work on the big screen (and his own little additions and subtractions here & there). He captures the book's lighter tone (even the songs!) while setting up a greater & darker epic for the later installments. So sit back, relax, & enjoy the adventure.
Sucker Punch (2011)
Delivers what it promised!
Sucker Punch delivers exactly what it promised for those who enjoyed the trailer; awesome CGI and tons of entertaining action.
It is short on story and there is hardly any character development. However, as always, Snyder delivers such a visual treat that I didn't care too much about the shortcomings and just sat back and enjoyed the action in the dream-world created by Browning's character. The movie moves at a great pace and features some fantastic action choreography, none more spectacular than the girls fighting robots on a train.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Sucker Punch and think all Zack Snyder fans will too.
Knight and Day (2010)
Fun, silly...but more fun!
Fun, silly, fun, silly...that pretty much sums up the movie for me. If it was not for Cruise, this movie would have been a disaster, but he saves it with his charisma, pulling off a very enjoyable character. Cruise fans will not be disappointed.
The action and some of the sequences are downright silly/mindless; reminded me of Shoot em Up (but Knight is a better movie overall). Mangold would have produced a significantly better movie had he prolonged some of the serious scenes of the movie, but that is not the direction he wanted to go with it; he just wanted it fast and light on emotion. I liked how he directed the traveling sequences, leaving almost all of it to the imagination.
As mentioned earlier Cruise is fantastic and one cant help anticipate what he will do next with his crazy character. I felt his chemistry with Diaz was good; she pulled off her role nicely as well.
Overall, if you can switch off your brain for a few scenes and are a fan of Tom Cruise, this is an entertaining summer flick.
Shutter Island (2010)
A profound & captivating suspense drama.
Scorsese's venture of making a noir thriller is an absolute treat; he has proved to me that his range is not limited to gangster dramas.
This intense and captivating story has some really strong performances and a fantastic story. Moreover, the ending is one of the best I've seen in recent years. The audience can guess all they want, but Scorsese's balancing act between what is real and what is not is superb. It is not a simple twist, but a surprise with profound layers. You may have guessed it somewhat, but you will not soon forget it.
Leonardo's acting is again as intense as only he can deliver, and he was phenomenal in a certain flashback towards the end. The supporting cast is bursting with talent and each and every individual delivers the goods.
Overall, this movie is a real gem and people who enjoy well-crafted twists, wait till you see the ending of this one. It may be early, but this will surely be one of the best movies of 2010.
The Lovely Bones (2009)
A great surprise.
I have read the book, thought it had a dull second half, and felt it was going to be incredibly difficult to bring it to the screen. But Peter Jackson does a fantastic job with it. Now fans of the book may not like the chopping and changing done and will let themselves down if they simply compare everything to the book. But for me I'm glad for all the changes made, in fact I connected more emotionally with the movie than I did with the book.
Peter Jackson mixes drama and some fantastic imagery really well to breathe life in this sad yet uplifting story. The scenes of the 'in-between' were beautiful and I didn't think he over-used them as much as the book did. Both Saorise Ronan and Tucci did a commendable job. I was actually glad the movie showed a lot of of Tucci's character; even with little dialog his character was intriguing.
Overall, this movie was a big surprise for me. It was a quality film and if fans of the book can look at it as stand-alone movie, I'm sure they will appreciate it
Avatar (2009)
Entertaining movie with great visuals but one that falls short on good characters and a solid story.
Cameron's 15 year in-the-making vision comes to life in all its visual glory. He envisioned a spectacular world and Peter Jackson's Weta studios does an amazing job to bring it to life. The attention to detail and the creatures is really impressive. My favorite scenes of the movie were the flying ones (jaw-dropping) and the final battle.
However, if Cameron had put the same sort of effort towards the story this would have been a movie for the ages. Too often the movie reminded me of a combination of Dances with Wolves, Jurassic Park, and Pocahontas; leading it to be quite predictable. The villains were one-dimensional, and some scenes were quite unnecessary (tribal mumbo-jumbo), and the whole political and environmental viewpoints. As for the 3d aspect of it, yes it does give the viewer an immersive experience, but it doesn't make or break the movie in my opinion (I'm yet to buy into this whole 3d riff raff) Overall, this is a movie that should be seen by everyone for its stunning visuals and for its purely entertaining adventure story .
Moon (2009)
Best Sci-fi movie of the year (and in years)
One of the best sci-fi (drama) movies I've seen in a long time. A small-scale movie with a brilliant concept is presented really well by Jones. It is a dialogue movie which just gets better and better as the full scale of the intriguing plot emerges.
Sam Rockwell gives his career best performance, and I sincerely hope, come awards season, his efforts are recognized (he could well be a dark horse for the best actor Oscar as well). Other than the great story and acting, the music supports the movie really well also.
Overall, this may not be a movie for everyone (especially non Sci-fi fans) but it is definitely worth giving a shot. The story will get you thinking about the movie after you view it, and Rockwell fans (those who felt he deserved a break-out movie) are in for a treat.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
One of the best movies of 2009!
This film had one of the most unappealing trailers I've seen, due to the 'old-school' animation, but I had to see this because of Anderson's reputation and the positive response from the critics. I'm glad I did because this is a movie I thoroughly enjoyed. Once you pass the initial few minutes the animation style actually grows on you as a fantastic story unveils. The soundtrack is crisp and the movie has some great characters. This is one of the best roles Clooney has played. His voice was perfect for the lead character.
I have always appreciated Anderson's movies for their originality, but they have always missed the mark of greatness. This one however did excel due to its great plot, pacing, music, and characters.
Despite having plenty of clever laughs Fox is not really for children. There is a certain complexity in the mix which makes it more fun for adults than kids I would think (much like Coroline and Where the Wild Things are).
Overall, this is one of my favorite films of the year and the best movie Anderson has made.
The Road (2009)
A Great Adaption
Barring a few minor scenes, this one of the most faithful adaptations of a novel ever made. The dark and grim atmosphere is captured magnificently by Hillcoat's great direction. The subject matter makes this one of the hardest movies to bring to the screen (it cant appeal to the masses unless you tweak the book's story significantly, which I'm glad they didn't). Also, the score was really well used to add to the emotion and hopelessness of the surroundings.
This movie also features Viggo Mortensen's career best performance. His expressions and dialogue delivery were perfect and I really hope he gets a few nominations come awards season. Also, McPhee does a fine job playing a boy born and brought up in a post-apocalyptic world; one looking for the good in people despite the odds.
Overall, though this depressing movie is not for everyone, it is heartfelt and a must watch for fans of Cormac McCarthy's novel at least.
The Wrestler (2008)
Fantastic Movie!!
Wow, Talk about a comeback role for Rourke. He was born to play this one it seemed. I gotta give credit to Aronofsky for making this documentary style drama. He follows Rourke in multiple scenes with the camera to highlight who the movie is all about. The movie was not simply about wrestling, but about the life of a struggling individual wanting more from life.
The music was perfectly used, held back even, to make the emotions stand out. Also, I loved how in the last fight of the movie Randy's entry was to my favorite Guns N Roses song. It made for a real cool entry I thought.
Mickey Rourke has given us an Oscar worthy performance. Sean Penn stands in his way, and though Penn's performance may have been better, my emotional preference is Rourke. His expressions were excellent, and his character felt so real, everything from the tears, stunts, and injuries. Tomei also gave a really good supporting performance, and could be rewarded with a nomination.
I just wish this movie was getting more buzz for best picture. As of now it's one of the dark horses for the last spot. It could easily replace, and should replace, Slumdog Millionaire or Frost/Nixon. But no matter what occurs, this is a great film.
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
A charming little movie.
A fantastic character study of a lively, and as the title says, happy go lucky woman. Sally Hawkins gives a brilliant performance, rubbing off her optimism on those she encounters. It is truly an Oscar worthy performance just as the buzz indicates. Moreover, Marsan plays an intriguing character, and is worthy of a supporting actor nod. The sequences between the two are the movie's most entertaining.
The story, though extremely light on the surface, has its charms and emotional moments. I guess a certain dialog sums up the film well. 'You cant make everyone happy', 'yeah but there is no harm in trying'.
Overall, a sweet and well-made British film.
The Visitor (2007)
A thoughtful movie
An interesting and well made story of a professor whose life changes after befriending a Muslim couple and learning the African drum. It's hard to say more about the story without giving things aways, but what ensues is interesting.
In terms of acting, the movie was really good. Jenkins gives a powerful performance in a subtle sort of way, and the support cast does a fine job as well. Although the story is slow paced, it never feels boring. However, it may not be a movie worth re-visiting for me unless I catch it on TV someday.
Overall, a well made drama with some solid acting.