A Lonely Place to Die

A LONELY PLACE TO DIE (2011) - May 13, 2012
A well made film about a group of mountain climbers who find themselves in some serious trouble when they stumble across a little girl buried in the woods.  Quite well made with some really tense set-pieces, the film doesn't really do anything we haven't seen before a bunch of times, but it's quite enjoyable for what it is. ***

Safe

SAFE (2012) - May 12, 2012
A decent action film featuring a typically awesome Jason Statham taking on Triads, the Russian Mafia, corrupt cops and more in an attempt to protect a young girl who has memorized a dangerous piece of information.  The film does a lot right -- the idea of Jason Statham essentially taking on the entirety of New York's underworld is pretty great, and the film does a good job of setting it all up.  Where director Boaz Yakin really stumbles, however, is in the action itself, which is kind of a big deal in an action movie like this.  The action is generally decent enough -- it's really well-choreographed and it should have been exciting, but Yakin undermines it at every turn with his uncomfortably tight framing and shaky cinematography.  It's generally passable, even if it could have been so much better -- right up until the disastrous final shootout in the casino, which is far too chaotic and pretty much completely incomprehensible.  It definitely leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth.  It's too bad, because I really liked a lot things about this movie -- if it had only been directed by someone with a better handle on how to shoot action, I'm pretty sure it could have been an instant classic.  **1/2  

After Life

AFTER LIFE (1998) - May 11, 2012
Another enchanting film from Hirokazu Koreeda -- this one finds a group of employees in the afterlife helping people determine their favourite memory.  The group then recreates the memory as a film, which the departed take with them on the next step of their journey.  It's a little bit on the slow side, but like almost all of Koreeda's films, there's something about it that draws you in and makes you want to spend time with these characters in this world.  ***

Chimpanzee

CHIMPANZEE (2012) - May 10, 2012
There's something inherently fascinating about chimps -- they're just so much like us, I guess.  This was a well made documentary about a group of chimps living in the jungle, focusing specifically on one baby chimp (who is pretty much absurdly adorable).  Some pretty dramatic stuff happens to the chimp, much to the delight of the documentarians, I'm sure.  It's actually a pretty engaging story, even if the attemps to make this as kid-friendly as possible are a little bit jarring (including a mostly superfluous narration track by Tim Allen).  ***

Headhunters

HEADHUNTERS (2011) - May 10, 2012
A really solidly made thriller about a headhunter who moonlights as an art thief, who winds up running afoul of his latest victim.  Featuring above average direction from Morten Tyldum, who makes good use of the widescreen frame and who keeps things moving at a very fast clip throughout.  The film lags a tad around the middle, but then recovers nicely with some twists and turns and some very well-staged action.  ***1/2

Chaos

CHAOS (2005) - May 9, 2012
A surprisingly shoddy film about a disgraced cop who finds himself investigating a bank robbery.  Featuring a really dull investigation, some truly horrible dialogue, and not much worth liking, this was just not a good movie.  Even the usually reliable Jason Statham does nothing to liven up the proceedings, and in fact gives an uncharacteristically bad performance -- but then everyone is bad here.  I really don't think it's any of the actors' fault -- they're all buried under the weight of Tony Giglio's leaden script, and his subpar direction.  Boo-urns.  *

The Killers

THE KILLERS (1946) - May 8, 2012
A really well made film noir about an ex-boxer who winds up getting murdered a few years after a payroll robbery gone bad.  The film actually has a similar structure to Citizen Kane -- the main character dies shortly after the film begins, and an investigator talks to those who knew him to piece together what led to his death.  The movie features an absolutely electrifying opening in which two hitmen terrorize the inhabitants of a diner; the rest of the movie is still pretty great, though it can't help but feel a little anti-climactic after that amazing opening.  It's really well directed by Robert Siodmak, who embraces all of noir's stylistic tropes with gusto;  there's also a really memorably impressive long take here, that reminded me of the opening of Touch of Evil, albiet less elaborate (I wonder if Welles took some inspiration from this film).  The film was also very well acted -- the main character could have come off as a generic tough guy, but Burt Lancaster brings a lot of depth to the role.  Ava Gardner also made for a memorable femme fatale.  ***1/2

13 Assassins

13 ASSASSINS (2010) - May 7, 2012
A surprisingly straight-forward and very enjoyable film from Takashi Miike about a group of samurai who embark on a mission to kill an evil lord, who is on the verge of attaining a position of great power.  Miike's direction is superb, as usual -- the earlier, moody candle-lit scenes fare just as well as the action stuff at the end.  And unlike pretty much every other movie of his that I've seen, this one avoids convolusion and overbearing quirk in favour of something much more conventional, which is refreshing.  The film drags a bit, particularly in the stretch after the group has left on their mission, but before the final battle.  There are also a lot of characters here (13), which means that some of them get the short shrift -- I honestly had a hard time keeping track of who was who during the final battle.  But man, that final battle... the last 40 minutes or so of the film consisted of one long battle, in which the 13 men take on an army of 200 in a small town.  It's awesome.  Miike stages the action like a pro, and it's exciting throughout (no small feat, considering that such a long action set-piece could have felt overwhelming).  ***1/2

The Avengers

THE AVENGERS (2012) - May 4, 2012
A mostly enjoyable if somewhat disappointing film about the Avengers coming together to ward off an intergalactic menace.  The film was never boring (well, maybe a bit during the epic final action sequence), but at the same time I was never really into it like with the Spider-Man or Nolan's Batman films.  However, it was well made, and obviously Joss Whedon has proved at this point that he's fairly adept at mixing character stuff with action -- and, as you would expect from a Whedon film, there is a fair amount of banter and humour (which are probably some of the best parts of the film).  I don't know what the deal is with Whedon's obsession with killing off the most likable characters, however.  Seriously, Joss.  Come on.  The film was good, though, if not quite the superhero masterpiece that it's being made out to be.  And I have to say, I never thought we'd reach a point where the spectacular large-scale destruction of a city would seem routine, however we've seen so many CGI cities get pulverized at this point that it's starting to feel a bit generic.  The last action set-piece was a bit of a drag (though it did contain a hilariously memorable moment involving a showdown betweek Loki and the Hulk).  ***

Indie Game: The Movie

INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE (2012) - May 3, 2012
Though the satellite feed kept infuriatingly cutting out (I probably missed about five minutes)
this was a really fascinating look at the lives of people who have poured so much of themselves into their creative output -- into one major make-or-break project (in fact, Blow literally says that if he can't finish the game, he'll kill himself -- he's joking, but there does seem to be a glimmer of "I'm kind of joking, but I'm kind of not").  It's about videogames, but what makes it work so well is the personal connection we form with these people.  I'm not sure that I've ever seen such a visceral portrait of what it is to pour so much of yourself into something.  ***1/2

First Snow

FIRST SNOW (2006) - May 1, 2012
A well made and basically enjoyable film about a cocky salesman who begins to unravel when he's told he's going to die soon by a small-town fortune teller.  The film was a bit low-key and doesn't add up to all that much, but it's well made and features some really good performances, particularly Guy Pearce in the main role.  ***

Tezz

TEZZ (2012) - April 29, 2012
An enjoyably cheesy and over-the-top Indian action film about a guy who plants a bomb on a passenger train that will explode if the train goes slower than 60 mph, and the cop tasked with taking him down.  It sounds like Speed meets Unstoppable, and that's basically what it is for the first little bit, but then most of the action after the first 40 minutes or so shifts to the cop trying to catch the terrorist (who the cop continually -- and hiliariously -- refers to as the "scoundrel").  There's absolutely nothing subtle here, from the ham-fisted dramatic moments to the over-the-top action, but it's fast-paced and entertaining throughout.  The first hour or so, which sets up the plot and focuses more on the train (and features a couple of tacked-on musical numbers -- a must for a Bollywood film, apparently), is just barely passable.  The second half fares much better, with some genuinely exciting action sequences directed with a slick competence by Priyadarshan (including a parkour-heavy foot-chase that almost plays out like parody, with all kinds of unnecessary flips and acrobatics).  The performances were all fine, though Anil Kapoor was definitely a standout, essentially playing a Jack Bauer-esque badass.  **1/2

The Five Year Engagement

THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT (2012) - April 27, 2012
Super meh.  About a couple who get engaged, and their ups and downs over the next five years.  Seriously routine and almost comically overlong, the film is generally well made but feels really familiar and does nothing to justify its epic 2+ hour length -- it drags throughout.  It's well acted, well made, and I did chuckle a few times, but man, the movie drags like a mofo.  They could have easily cut half an hour out of this film.  **

Lockout

LOCKOUT (2012) - April 25, 2012
Though Guy Pearce was just was awesome as I was hoping he'd be as a wisecracking action hero who has to save the president's daughter from convicts in a space jail (actually no -- more awesome), the film that surrounded him was pretty mediocre.  Passable, but mediocre.  I miss wisecracking action heroes who always seem to have a one-liner at the ready, and so I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed Pearce in the role.  I just wish that the movie itself could have been a bit better. **1/2

Groundhog Day

GROUNDHOG DAY - April 24 (Umpteenth Viewing)
About a guy who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again, this is an absolutely classic romcom.  It takes a really interesting premise and absolutely runs with it, and also features what is probably a career-best performance from Bill Murray.  It's good stuff.  ****

Jack and Jill

JACK AND JILL - April 23
I seriously need to just stop watching Adam Sandler's films.  At least I saw this one at home rather than theatrically, and thus was able to play with my phone in an attempt to fight off the film's mind-numbing tedium.  About a guy who must contend with his visiting "wacky" twin sister (with both roles being played by Sandler).  Though it wasn't quite as aggravatingly dull as Grown Ups, it still managed to be just as bad, and just as painfully unfunny.  With some comedies they don't even need to be laugh-out-loud funny if they're entertaining enough and you enjoy spending time with the characters.  But there's no attempt at fleshing out the characters or story beyond what's absolutely necessary -- it's just (terrible) gag after gag, followed by some completely unearned third act drama.  So seriously, who finds this funny?  I guess they must be out there, since Sandler's movies still do pretty well.  I need to sit one of those people down and get them to explain what's supposed to be funny here, because I just don't get it.  1/2*

Friends with Benefits

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (2011) - April 21, 2012
About two friends, a man and a woman, who decide to start doing it without worrying about being in an actual relationship, and the inevitable consequences that ensue.  The movie spends a lot of time commenting on the cliches and predictability of romantic comedies, but at the same time seems to want to have it both ways, both satirizing and ultimately wholeheartedly embracing romcom tropes.  For a movie that tries to act all hip and self-aware, it follows the Big Book of Romcom Cliches to a T (and it's much more egregious here than in your typical romcom, because at least your typical romantic comedy knows what it is and doesn't have any delusions of grandeur).  In particular, the prolonged third act melodrama stood out even more than it usually does.  But the movie was generally well made, both Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake were likeable and had good chemistry, and it was entertaining enough.  **1/2

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE (1992) - April 20, 2012
An enjoyable thriller about a family who hires a seemingly perfect nanny, not realizing that she's actually on a vendetta against the wife, and wants to try to steal her family.  Though it's a fairly typical '90s thriller, it's well made and memorable for just how absurdly evil Rebecca De Mornay's character is (she's definiting a lot more schemingly sinister than the typical villain in a movie like this).  ***

Hellraiser

HELLRAISER (1987) - April 19, 2012
A basically enjoyable if somewhat overrated (at least in terms of its cultural significance) film about a couple who move into a new house, only for the wife to discover an old lover in the attic (who, thanks to some satanic shenanigans, is missing most of his skin and flesh).  Much time is spent with the wife trying to lure men to be murdered and have their flesh stolen -- very little time is spent with Pinhead, who has little more than a cameo here despite the general notion that he is the star of this film.  The problem here is that the wife is not a particularly sympathetic or likeable protagonist, so spending most of the movie with her is a bit of a drag.  Once the Pinhead stuff really kicks in the film definitely improves, but that's only the last fifteen minutes or so.  **1/2

Martha Marcy May Marlene

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (2011) - April 18, 2012
About a young woman who, after spending about three years living in a commune with a cult, finally decides to leave.  She then goes to stay with her sister, but she has a hard time readjusting to life outside the cult.  Featuring some really effective, impressive direction from first-time director Sean Durkin, the film is actually pretty riveting at times.  It also features an amazing central performance from Elizabeth Olsen, and yet another impressive performance from John Hawkes, who is equal parts creepy and charismatic as the leader of the cult.  The film does feel like it's spinning its wheels a bit around the mid-section, but all in all it's a really solid first outing from Durkin.  ***

Sleepless Night

SLEEPLESS NIGHT (2011) - April 17, 2012
A really entertaining film about a cop whose son is kidnapped by angry drug dealers who want their stolen drugs back, and the game of cat and mouse that ensues in an enormous, labyrinthine night club.  The film does a pretty great job of quickly developing the protagonist and making him someone we care about, and then building up the tension as he attempts to avoid (and eventually confront) the criminals and corrupt cops who are after him in the gigantic club.  Though Frédéric Jardin direction is a bit shakier than I'd like, he generally does a pretty great job -- there's some really memorable action here, particularly a brutal, lumbering fight that takes place in a kitchen and involves drawers, pots and pans, and pretty much anything that isn't nailed down.  ***1/2

The Devil's Playground

THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND (2010) - April 16, 2012
A mediocre film about a group of people trying to get to where they know a helicopter will be during a zombie outbreak.  Having heard this described as the "zombie parkour" movie, I was definitely let down on that front -- the parkour really just amounted to the zombies enthusiastically jumping over things.  The main problem here (aside from the anemic zombie parkour) is Bart Ruspoli's uninspired screenplay; the story was the generic "group of survivors must get from point A to point B" that we've seen in so many horror films, and all of the characters were completely bland and unmemorable.  Mark McQueen's direction was basically servicable, but didn't do much to elevate the tired material.  **

The Cabin in the Woods

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012) - April 15, 2012 (Second Viewing)
Yep.  Just as awesome the second time around.  ****

American Reunion

AMERICAN REUNION (2012) - April 14, 2012
A surprisingly bad sequel about the old gang getting back together for a high school reunion.  Not that I particularly remember any of the previous American Pie films, but I do remember them at least being entertaining, and this movie dragged pretty heavily at times; I was quite bored.  It didn't help that the writing was surprisingly awful -- every character had the dullest, most predictable arc possible.  Seriously, was this much melodrama really necessary in an American Pie film?  I could have overlooked all that if the film had been consistantly hilarious, but the comic set-pieces pretty much all fell flat (I saw the film with a packed crowd, and many moments that were presumably supposed to be hilarious were met with silence).  I got exactly one big laugh from the film, and it was from a throw-away line from John Cho (whose too-brief presence was easily the highlight).  *1/2

The Cabin in the Woods

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012) - April 13, 2012
Awesomeness.  A seriously amazing movie about a group of teens who head out for some fun in a secluded cabin in the woods, only to find some sinister shenanigans afoot; meanwhile, in an underground bunker, their every move is monitored and controled.  This film essentially takes the "partying teens getting picked off one by one" subgenre, cuts it open and lays its innards bare for all to see.  It's a smart film that's also super entertaining and a lot of fun; it sets up a premise that allows it to comment on genre tropes in a way that feels completely organic.  It's exceptionally self-aware, without ever feeling smug.  It's also hilarious at times, and in that way might even supplant Shaun of the Dead as the best self-aware horror comedy.  It's kind of brilliant, actually.  Then there's the absolutely balls-out, mesmerizingly insane finale, which has to be one of the better things I've ever seen.  The whole movie is perfectly directed by Drew Goddard, who does a pretty great job of pacing the film and cutting back and forth between the teens and the control room without it ever feeling disjointed or jarring.  Another thing that's so great about the film is that it works just as well as a horror film as it does as a comment on horror films in general; it would have been easy for such a self-reflexive, self-aware film to feel more clever than exciting, but the movie is very tense and outright thrilling when it needs to be.  Oh, and all the performances were quite good, though special mention must be paid to Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins, who are pretty much perfect.  If I had one complaint, it is that it feels like slightly less time could have been spent with the teens -- all that stuff feels a bit stale (by design, of course).  But that is such a minor complaint for what is otherwise such a superlative, memorable film.  Seriously -- how can you not love a film that tries (and succeeds!) at doing something so different?  In a genre that tends to be as cookie-cutter as horror, a film like this is a rare treat.  ****

Small Town Saturday Night

SMALL TOWN SATURDAY NIGHT (2010) - April 12, 2012
A well made film about a couple of days in the life of a small town -- mostly focusing a guy's last couple of days before he's supposed to move away.  It's very well acted, particularly Chris Pine and John Hawkes, but it's low-key almost to the point of non-existence, and it really doesn't add up to all that much.  **1/2

Black Death

BLACK DEATH (2010) - April 11, 2012
A well made film, set during the time of the plague, about a young monk who joins a group of religious soldiers on a mission to find a village said to be untouched by the plague.  It's quite well directed by Christopher Smith, and has some really interesting things to say about the role of religion in society, and what fanaticism can do to people.  It kind of drags a bit towards the end, but it has a really memorable finale that definitely concludes the film on a high note.  ***

The Three Stooges

THE THREE STOOGES (2012) - April 10, 2012
Hmm.  As much as I like the Three Stooges, this just didn't particularly work.  It wasn't outright terrible -- the three leads do an admirable job of portraying the Stooges, and the Farrelly brothers do a pretty good job of replicating the feel of the classic shorts.  But the Stooges are characters who work best in small doses -- I suspect that there's a reason why we never saw a full-length movie starring the three, even in their heyday.  The three men probably realized that their particular brand of comedy would be tough to sustain over a feature-length film, something which is certainly borne out here.  **  

Tiny Furniture

TINY FURNITURE (2010) - April 9, 2012
A well made film about a girl, just returned from university, who moves back in with her mom and sister, and who struggles to find a place for herself in the world.  There's something very relatable about a character struggling with what to do with her life, though it's hard to feel too sorry for a 22-year-old in this position (I think perhaps being a few years her senior and yet being in roughly the same position made me a bit bitter towards the film).  The biggest problem here (aside from my aforementioned bitterness) was that none of the characters surrounding writer-director-star Lena Dunham are particularly likeable, so it's kind of a drag spending 90 minutes with them.  But this is definitely an accomplished first film (particularly considering the budget) so I look forward to what Dunham comes up with next.  **1/2

Valhalla Rising

VALHALLA RISING (2009) - April 7, 2012
A really well made film about a grizzled, mute, one-eyed viking who winds up tagging along with a group of crusaders on their way to the holy land.  Things don't quite work out as intended.  Featuring some really striking direction and cinematography, the film unfolds at a fairly deliberate pace (not much happens for long stretches), but it's pretty mesmerizing and certainly never boring.  This definitely confirms that Nicolas Winding Refn is a director with a serious amount of talent; the film is visually stunning and quite Kubrickian (after this and Bronson, which plays out in parts as a homage to A Clockwork Orange, it's pretty obvious that Refn is a fan of the K-man).  There's an almost horror-movie sense of dread, thanks to the direction and effective sound design.  ***1/2

Wrath of the Titans

WRATH OF THE TITANS (2012) - April 6, 2012
Meh -- more of the same.  Though I have to say, Jonathan Liebesman's direction was surprisingly passable.  The action was actually pretty decent, if nothing too special, which is far more than I was expecting given the man's past work.  As for the non-action stuff (which was quite a bit), it pretty much suffered from the same problems as the first movie -- the characters were all pretty bland, and the story wasn't terribly interesting.  **