The thing is, I've seen a lot of movies lately, but haven't gotten my act together to finish writing even one commentary. Instead, I'd like to update with the snippets I've been holding on to for the last few weeks.
Prometheus
Someone tell Charlize Theron we at least know who is the toughest of them all. Yet again, Noomi Rapace proves she's more badass than Charlize or Kristen Stewart or you will ever be with her role in Ridley Scott's Prometheus. Then again, I wouldn't mess with Charlize's evil Queen Ravena (Snow White and the Huntsman). Nominated for Academy Award: Best Visual Effects
Snow White and the Huntsman
The scenes with Theron's character are visually stunning, and the mushrooms in the forest are an excellent addition, but the film as a whole is a mess. Not even Theron's beauty (never, ever threatened by Kristen Stewart) could save this film. Nominated for Academy Award: Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects
Salmon Fishing in Yemen
Quiet little film, nice, but not special. Romantic and simple; love Ewan's accent, not sure I buy the relationships on the whole. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I buy the premise, either. Weird.
Plunkett and Maclane
Robert Carlyle is one of my favorite actors now. It's a wonder I haven't seen his work prior to Once Upon a Time, where he is a revelation as Rumplestiltskin. Seriously, somebody give this guy an Emmy already. Carlyle is impressive and versatile - his ability to draw hatred and compassion from his audience is nearly unrivaled. Please do tell me who else has given a performance that drives you mad in one moment and makes you want to cry in the next. That said, Plunkett and Maclane has potential - largely unfulfilled. And who did the color for this film? It's awful, or at least it has not held up well at all.
Trainspotting
I don't get it. I guess it's just not my thing. I like Ewan McGregor plenty, but I guess I'm just not interested in movies about druggies. I don't even find it particularly funny. I just wanted to see Robert Carlyle. Should have gone with The Full Monty.
Ruby Sparks
What's that phrase that real critics use for girls like Ruby? Manic-pixie-dreamgirl? Because that's Ruby. And that's okay. Paul Dano is very much a writer-type, and who doesn't love Elliot Gould doing his thing as a psychologist? It's somewhat meta though, knowing that Zoe Kazan - who plays Ruby - also wrote the screenplay. Very cool, too. Even if it does have an uber-predictable ending. I dig it.
Wreck-It Ralph
John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch are instantly recognizable, thoroughly enjoyable, and dynamic voice actors. Alan Tudyk channels Ed Wynn as the voice of King Candy - the too-sweet tyrant of a racing game targeted at an audience of little girls. The underdog heroine of said game is Vanelope Von Schweetz, voiced by Sarah Silverman, who for the first time (almost ever) is NOT irritating as hell. The one curious thing about the movie is the uncomfortable feeling I had when I recognized very strong pro-life themes to the story. Maybe that's just because it was election week. Nominated for Academy Award: Best Animated Feature Film
Magic Mike
Like much of my life, Magic Mike is a joke that goes on far, far too long. Also: Channing Tatum? No. Matt Bohmer? Yes. Please. Honestly though, the only good thing about Magic Mike is Joseph Gordon Levitt's SNL routine.
*Listing entry as Recommended for Prometheus, Ruby Sparks, and Wreck-It Ralph.
*January 2013 Update for Academy Award Nominee information
Bonus! Some recently reviewed and fabulous films are now out on DVD: Brave and Your Sister's Sister.
Prometheus
Someone tell Charlize Theron we at least know who is the toughest of them all. Yet again, Noomi Rapace proves she's more badass than Charlize or Kristen Stewart or you will ever be with her role in Ridley Scott's Prometheus. Then again, I wouldn't mess with Charlize's evil Queen Ravena (Snow White and the Huntsman). Nominated for Academy Award: Best Visual Effects
Snow White and the Huntsman
The scenes with Theron's character are visually stunning, and the mushrooms in the forest are an excellent addition, but the film as a whole is a mess. Not even Theron's beauty (never, ever threatened by Kristen Stewart) could save this film. Nominated for Academy Award: Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects
Salmon Fishing in Yemen
Quiet little film, nice, but not special. Romantic and simple; love Ewan's accent, not sure I buy the relationships on the whole. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I buy the premise, either. Weird.
Plunkett and Maclane
Robert Carlyle is one of my favorite actors now. It's a wonder I haven't seen his work prior to Once Upon a Time, where he is a revelation as Rumplestiltskin. Seriously, somebody give this guy an Emmy already. Carlyle is impressive and versatile - his ability to draw hatred and compassion from his audience is nearly unrivaled. Please do tell me who else has given a performance that drives you mad in one moment and makes you want to cry in the next. That said, Plunkett and Maclane has potential - largely unfulfilled. And who did the color for this film? It's awful, or at least it has not held up well at all.
Trainspotting
I don't get it. I guess it's just not my thing. I like Ewan McGregor plenty, but I guess I'm just not interested in movies about druggies. I don't even find it particularly funny. I just wanted to see Robert Carlyle. Should have gone with The Full Monty.
Ruby Sparks
What's that phrase that real critics use for girls like Ruby? Manic-pixie-dreamgirl? Because that's Ruby. And that's okay. Paul Dano is very much a writer-type, and who doesn't love Elliot Gould doing his thing as a psychologist? It's somewhat meta though, knowing that Zoe Kazan - who plays Ruby - also wrote the screenplay. Very cool, too. Even if it does have an uber-predictable ending. I dig it.
Wreck-It Ralph
John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch are instantly recognizable, thoroughly enjoyable, and dynamic voice actors. Alan Tudyk channels Ed Wynn as the voice of King Candy - the too-sweet tyrant of a racing game targeted at an audience of little girls. The underdog heroine of said game is Vanelope Von Schweetz, voiced by Sarah Silverman, who for the first time (almost ever) is NOT irritating as hell. The one curious thing about the movie is the uncomfortable feeling I had when I recognized very strong pro-life themes to the story. Maybe that's just because it was election week. Nominated for Academy Award: Best Animated Feature Film
Magic Mike
Like much of my life, Magic Mike is a joke that goes on far, far too long. Also: Channing Tatum? No. Matt Bohmer? Yes. Please. Honestly though, the only good thing about Magic Mike is Joseph Gordon Levitt's SNL routine.
*Listing entry as Recommended for Prometheus, Ruby Sparks, and Wreck-It Ralph.
*January 2013 Update for Academy Award Nominee information
Bonus! Some recently reviewed and fabulous films are now out on DVD: Brave and Your Sister's Sister.
