Film Review – Cabin in the Woods

The best kind of horror is horror in spite of itself. This movie defines horror in spite of itself. It’s like Scream and The Truman Show got together and had a beautiful baby.

In fact one of the male leads could be Jim Carrey. If Jim Carrey smoked A LOT of weed.

The device he is wielding is a bong that can be disguised as a coffee cup. Very funny.

Yes, unfortunately in some cases it must go to that great length of blood and gore to prove it’s point, but I forgive it. And if you don’t realize early on it’s making a mockery of itself–which could easily happen—it would be easy to dislike it.

Film Review – The Muppets

There’s not much to it. It’s a movie made for nostalgia purposes. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a great movie, if you’re a Muppets fan. I was never really exposed to the Muppets; I was more of a Sesame Street gal.

The music is great and the cameos are fun. However, a lot of the cameos don’t really add any thing, the people just sort of appear. Also, for winning Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, I was surprised how little there actually is to “Man or Muppet”.

In summary, glad I saw it, but not sure I’d watch it again.

Film Review – The Hunger Games

Overall, I’m pleased. None of the acting was terrible, there was lots of great on screen chemistry, I was distinctly weepy at one point, and adaptation-wise they could hardly have been more true to the story.

 

I have two criticisms. First, the “shaky-cam” used throughout was awful. It was like Michael Bay’s Transformers where mid-scene you start to wonder if it was filmed for a 3-D simulator ride. Second, the music score was painfully lackluster.

Which is probably why there's this "Songs from District 12 and Beyond" CD (which is completely unrelated to the movie) and not an actual score for purchase.

Going in I knew the whole plot and yet, there were still moments where I was on edge in suspense. That’s what made it effective.

Film Review – The Art of Getting By

It’s all very cliché isn’t it? Everyone fits nicely into their little archetype and the story follows a predictable arch.

 

Also, it’s pretty unrealistic. Teenagers with their own Manhattan penthouse apartments? Maybe. Girls turning down free trips to Europe for young love? Never.

Having said that, you can’t help but love Freddie Highmore. He’s got to be of legal age now and I still wish I could reach into the screen and pinch his cheeks. I find him under-appreciated. Unfortunately he’s been in a few too many “chick flicks taking themselves too seriously” like this, Finding Neverland and August Rush.

See, look how pinchable the cheeks are!

Film Review – Like Crazy

I can’t stand ambiguous endings. It’s as if the writer wasn’t sure how the story should conclude, so they just left it hanging there.

I appreciate the reality of the movie. Neither of the main characters is perfect; they’re awkward, flawed, and both at fault for the destruction of their love. The story rings true for anyone who’s tried maintaining a long distance relationship, romantic or otherwise. It’s simply more difficult to connect to someone who lives in a separate world.

The editing was cool.  Especially the jumbled sequencing of the “have you been sleeping with tons of people” scene.

I searched around for a screen cap from the scene forever, and couldn't find one, but it's right before this scene where Simon returns Anna's grill.

Film Review – Fantastic Mr. Fox

This movie is based off of a Roald Dahl book. I read somewhere that it’s like Oceans 11, but the characters are animal puppets. I can premise it no better than that.

It has the subtle perfection of a movie that is funny, without trying to be funny. The sense of timing, and the writing and art direction lead to this consistent laughter at how wonderfully absurd it all is.

The stop-motion animation work is extraordinary.

My only complaint is that it was difficult for me to separate the animal characters from the big name people voicing for them.

Film Review – Hugo

No this film is not animated. But the blend of reality and CGI come together to make the most “Steampunk” family film since Atlantis also one of the most cinematographically beautiful I’ve ever seen.

Chloe Moretz - The New Dakota Fanning?

Child stars drive this movie. Asa Butterfield is good. Chloe Moretz is phenomenal. Her character, Isabelle, is like Hermione Granger’s cheeky cousin with that advanced vocabulary and thrill for adventure. You can’t help but smile at the posh exclamations she makes in that convincing British accent.

But we’re all wondering, why was Jude Law in it for five minutes, and Sacha Baron Cohen the whole movie?

Film Review – Shame

What about this story actually kept Fassbender from speaking in his accent? Honestly, I’d believe he has a higher rate of pulling women with it.

Shelving that issue though, Fassbender has become one of my favorite actors and he doesn’t disappoint here. Yes, it’s heavy, like one of those movies where immediately following you just of stare at the black screen processing it all. But it’s real, and raw, and boldly doesn’t skirt around the truly disparaging things people face daily.

But now I understand why awards season passed it over, there is no PG footage for a clip reel.

He spends most of his time in this state of undress.

Trailer Tuesday – Damsels in Distress

 

It looks like The House Bunny’s hipster brother.

Like House Bunny, it’s funny because plot-wise we can relate. It’s different because the humor is subtle and sophisticated, so you won’t be embarrassed to admit you saw it twice.

The director is one of art house-esque films. There is obvious indie art direction. The cast is full of people you know you’ve seen before but it would remain on the tip of your tongue forever if not for your handy-dandy IMDb app.

Except you easily recognized Adam Brody. Which, if you’re female, will be half the reason you see this movie.